Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

4. The next considerable thing, is his abode with us; now this is two ways expressed in the Scripture; 1. In general, as to §. 24 the thing it self, it is said he shall abide with us; 2. In particular as to the manner of its abiding, it is by inhabitation or indwelling. Of the inhabitation of the spirit, I have spoken ¹fully elsewhere, nor shall I now insist on it: only whereas the spirit, as hath been observed, is considered as a spirit of sanctification ⟨p. 269⟩, or a spirit of consolation: He is said to dwell in us chiefly or perhaps solely, as he is a spirit of sanctification; which is evident from the work he doth, as indwelling; He quickeneth and sanctifieth, Rom. 8. 11. and the manner of his indwelling, as in a Temple, which he makes holy thereby, 2 Cor. 6. and his permanency in his so doing, which, as is evident, relates to sanctification only: but yet the general notion of it in abiding, is ascribed to him as a Comforter, Joh. 14. 16. he shall abide with you for ever; now all the difficulty of this promise lies in this, that whereas the spirit of sanctification dwells in us always, and it is therefore impossible that we should loose utterly our holiness; whence is it; that, if the Comforter abide with us for ever, we may yet utterly loose our Comfort? a little to clear this in our passage.

4. The next considerable thing, is his abode with us; now this is two wayes expressed in the Scripture; 1. In generall, as to §. 24 the thing it selfe, it is said he shall abide with us; 2. In particular as to the manner of its abiding, it is by inhabitation or indwelling. Of the inhabitation of the spirit, I have spoken ¹fully elsewhere, nor shall I now insist on it: only whereas the spirit, as hath been observed, is considered as a spirit of sanctification ⟨p. 269⟩