146 The Spirit must be sought for by the Soul. Ch. 15. see, that the whole Tenor of it teaches that Dependance upon Gop, which I am now recommending. You will particularly see, that the Production of Religion in the Soul, is Matter of Divine Promise; that when it has been effected, Scripture ascribes it to a Divine Agency; and that the Increase of Grace and Piety in the Heart of those who are truly regenerate, is also spoken of as the Work of Gop, who begins and carries it on until the Day of Jesus Christ (i). §. 5. In consequence of all these Views, lay it down to yourself as a most certain Principle," that no At. 66 tempt in Religion is to be made in your own Strength." If you forget this, and GoD purposes finally to save you, He will humble you by repeated Disappointments till He teach you better. You will be ashamed of one Scheme and Effort, and of another, till you settle upon the true Basis. He will also probably shew you, not only in the general, that your Strength is to be derived from Hea. ven; but particularly, that it is the Office of the blessed Spirit to purify the Heart, and to invigorate holy Resolutions; and also, that in all these Operations He is to be considered as the Spirit of Christ, working under His Direction, and as a vital Communication from Him, under the Character of the great Head of the Church, the grand Treasurer and Dispenser of these holy and be neficial Influences. On which account it is called, the Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (k), who is exalted at the Right IIand of the Father, to give Repentance and Remission of Sins (1): in whose Grace alone we can be strong (m), and of whose Fulness we receive, even Grace for Grace (n). §. 6. Resolve therefore strenuously for the Service of Gon, and for the Care of your Soul; but resolve "modestly and humbly." Even the Youths shall faint and be weary, and the Young Men utterly fall; but they who wait on the Lord, are the Persons who renew their Strength (o). When a Soul is almost afraid to declare in the Presence of the Lord, that it will not do this, or that, which has formerly offended Him; when it is afraid absolutely to promise, that it will perform this, or that Duty, (i). Phil. i. 6. (1) Acts v. 31. (n) John i. 16. Chap. 15. The Encouragement there is to expect it. 147. Duty, with Vigour and Constancy; but only expresses its humble earnest Desire, that it may by Grace be en abled to avoid the one, or pursue the other; then so far as my Observation and Experience have reached, it is in the best Way to learn the happy Art of conquering Temptation, and of discharging Duty. §. 7. On the other Hand, let not your Dependance upon this Spirit, and your Sense of your own Weakness and Insufficiency for any Thing spiritually good without His continual Aid, discourage you from devoting your self to God, and engaging in a religious Life, considering "what abundant Reason you have to hope, that these gracious Influences will be communicated to "you." The Light of Nature, at the same Time that it teaches the Need we have of Help from GOD in a vir tuous Course, may lead us to conclude, that so benevolent a Being, who bestows on the most unworthy and careless Part of Mankind so many Blessings, will take a peculiar Pleasure in communicating to such as humbly ask them, those gracious Assistances, which may form their deathless Souls into His own Resemblance, and fr them for that Happiness to which their Rational Nature is suited, and for which it was in its first Constitu tion intended. The Word of GOD will much more abundantly confirm such an Hope. You there hear Divine Wisdom crying even to those who had long trifled with her Instructions, Turn ye at my Reproof, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you (p). You hear the Apostle saying, Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in every Time of Need (q). Yea, you there hear our Lord Himself, arguing in this sweet and convincing Manner; If ye being evil, know how to give good Gifts unto your Children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give His Holy Spirit unto them that ask Him (r)? This Gift and Promise of the Spirit was given unto Christ, when He ascended up on High, in Trust for all His true Disciples. Gop hath shed it abroad abundantly upon us in Him (s). And I may add, that the very Desire you feel after the farther Commu nication of the Spirit, is the Result of the First-fruits of (P) Prov. i. 23. (q) Heb. iv, 16. (r) Luke xi. 13. it 148 A Supplication for Divine Grace, Chap. 15. it already given: So that you may with peculiar Pro. priety interpret it as a special Call, to open your Mouth wide, that He may fill it (t). You thirst, and therefore you may cheerfully plead, that Jesus hath invited you to come unto Him and drink; with a Promise, not only that you shall drink if you come unto Him, but also that out of your Belly shall flow, as it were, Rivers of living Water, for the Edification and Refreshment of others (u). §. 8. Go forth therefore, with humble Cheerfulness, to the Prosecution of all the Duties of the Christian Life. Go, and prosper, in the Strength of the Lord, making men, tion of His Rightousness, and of Ilis only (x). And as a Token of farther Communications, may your Heart be quickened to the most earnest Desire, after the Blessings I have been now recommending to your Pursuit! May you be stirred up to pour out your Soul before God, in such holy Breathings as these! and may they be your daily Language in His gracious Presence! An Humble SUPPLICATION for the Influences of Divine Grace, to form and strengthen Religion in the Soul. LESSED God! I sincerely acknowledge be "fore Thee, mine own Weakness and Insuffi.. "ciency for any Thing that is spiritually good. I have experienced it a Thousand Times; and yet my "foolish Heart would again trust itself (y), and form Resolutions in its own Strength. But let this be the First-fruits of Thy gracious Influence upon it, to bring "it to an humble Distrust of itself, and to a Repose on Thee! "Abundantly do I rejoice, O Lord, in the kind Assurances which Thou givest me of Thy Readiness "to bestow liberally and richly so great a Benefit. I "do therefore, according to Thy condescending Invi, "tation, come with Boldness to the Throne of Grace, that "I may find Grace to help in every Time of Need (z). I mean not, O Lord God, to turn Thy Grace into Wan"tonness or Perverseness (a), or to make my Weak, 46 ness an Excuse for Negligence and Sloth. I confess 66 ́(e) Psal. lxxxi. 10. () John vii. 37, 38. "Thou (x) Psal. Ixxi. 16. (z) Heb. iv. 16. Chap. 15. to work Religion in the Soul. 149 "Thou hast already given me more Strength than I "have used; and I charge it upon myself, and not on "Thee, that I have not long since received still more abundant Supplies. I desire for the future to be found "diligent in the Use of all appointed Means; in the "Neglect of which, I well know, that Petitions like "these would be a profane Mockery, and might much 66 more probably provoke Thee to take away what I "have, than prevail upon Thee to impart more. But "firmly resolving to exert myself to the utmost, I earn. "estly intreat the Communications of Thy Grace, that "I may be enabled to fulfil that Resolution. "Be Surety, O Lord, unto Thy Servant for Good (b)! "Be pleased to shed abroad Thy sanctifying Influences 66 on my Soul, to form me for every Duty Thou re"quirest! Implant, I beseech Thee, every Grace and "Virtue deep in mine Heart; and maintain the happy "Temper in the Midst of those Assaults, from within "and from without, to which I am continually liable, "while I am still in this World, and carry about with me so many Infirmities! Fill my Breast, I beseech "Thee, with good Affections towards Thee, my Gon, and towards my Fellow-Creatures! Remind me al "ways of Thy Presence; and may I remember, that << every secret Sentiment of my Soul is open to Thee! "May I therefore guard against the first Risings of Sin, and the first Approaches to it! And that Satan may not find Room for his evil Suggestions, I earnestly "beg Thou, Lord, wouldst fill my Heart by Thine Holy "Spirit, and take up Thy Residence there! Dwell in (6 me, and walk with me (c); and let my Body be the "Temple of the Holy Ghost (d)! "May I be so joined to Christ Jesus my Lord, as to be one Spirit with Ilim (e), and feel His invigorating In. fluences continually bearing me on, superior to every Temptation, and to every Corruption! That while "the Youths shall faint and be weary, and the young Men " utterly fall, I may so wait upon the Lord, as to renew my Strength (f); and may go on from one Degree of Faith, (D) Psal. éxix. 122. (e) 2 Cor. vi. 16. (d) 1 Cor. vi, 19. (f) Isai, xl. 30, 31, 150 A Supplication for Divine Grace, Chap. 15 "Faith, and Love, and Zeal, and Holiness, to another, " till I appear perfect before Thee in Zion (g), to drink ❝in immortal Vigour and Joy, from Thee, as the ever"lasting Fountain of both, through Jesus Christ my "Lord, in whom I have Righteousness and Strength (h), ❝and to whom I desire ever to ascribe the Praise of all ❝mine Improvements in both! Amen.” |