Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…

3. From the Spirit of Christ. His Spirit is given us, to draw us off from this World to that which is to come. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Now we have not received the Spirit of the World, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the Things which are given us of God. The Spirit of the World, is ⟨p. 322⟩that which possesseth and governeth worldly Men, and inclineth them to a worldly Happiness; this is in all Men naturally: Corrupt Nature doth sufficiently prompt and incline Men to look after the Honours, and Pleasures, and Profits of this World. James 3. 15. the Apostle, when he would describe the Wisdom which is not from above, he saith, that it is earthly, sensual, devilish; this Wisdom cometh not from above. Present Things are known by Sense, and known easily, and known by all. But there is a Divine Spirit put into Christians, which inclineth them to Things to come, and worketh Graces suitable: Some of which give us a sight of the Truth of those Things, as Faith; some, a Taste or an Esteem of them, as Love; some an earnest Desire, as Hope: This Spirit cometh from God and Christ, Ephes. 1. 17, 18. And without these Graces we can have no sight nor desire of heavenly Things. 1 Cor. 2. 14. The natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God, for they are Foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. They think 'tis folly to hazard present Conveniences for future Rewards; and the truest Wisdom to live in Ease, ⟨p. 323⟩Plenty, and Honour. On the contrary, the Divine Spirit convinceth us, that there is no such Business of Importance, as looking after eternal Life: That all the gay Things of Sense are but so many Maygames to Heavens Happiness; the terrible Things of the World, are but as a Flea-biting to Hell-Torments; and the Pother and Business of the World, but as a little childish Sport, in comparison of working out our Salvation with fear and trembling. This Spirit helpeth us to overcome the World, and grow dead to the World, that we may be alive to God; to look for no great things here, but in the World to come. This Spirit is that which we should all labour after.