these motions, and thou shalt liave more of" his company. • Fifthly, Converse with the saints that have the Spirit of God in them. Tliey that would learn a foreiirn lanjjuage, associate with men of tlie coimtry wiiose natural tongue it is. Would.^t thou have God, and learn to speak heaven's language.' associate with those who, hy reason of their heavenly nature, will be speaking of the thhigs of God. It is true, they cannot propagate their spiritual nature ; but it is as true, that the Spirit of (jod may make the gracious discourses which they breathe forth, the means of quickening thee ; while thou art with such, thou walkest hi the Spirit's company. Joscpli and Mary sought Christ among his kindred, supposing it most likely to lind him among them. And it is more probable to iind tlie Spirit of Clu-ist among the saints, his spiritual kindred, than among strangers. The Spirit of CJod came u])on Saul wlien among the prophets ; at the hearing of them prophesy and praise (iod, his spirit was moved also to do the same. Who knows but tliy heart may be warmed at tlieir fire, and from the savour of their graces, be drawn thyself to the love of holiness? Above all, take heed of profane company ; this is a great quencher to the Spirit's work. When David resolves for a godly life, he sends the wicked from him, — ' De])art from me, ye evil-doers ; fori will keep the commandments of my God,' Psa. cxi.x. 115. If there be any work of the Spirit of grace in thee, as thou wouldst not be deprived of him, choose not men of a profane spirit for thy associates ; they are like the north-wind that blows away the rain. When the Spirit of God hath been moving on a soul, the clouds begin to gather in his bosom, and there are some hopes of a shower of repentance ; — then come wicked com- pany, and drive all these clouds away, till there be no sign of them left.
CHAPTER XIII.
AN EXHORTATION TO THE SAINTS NOT TO GRIEVE THE SPIRIT.
To the saints : I beseech you not to grieve or quenclT the Holy Spirit in your bosoms. Thou canst not agree to live long without prayer, if a saint ; nor art thou able to pray to purpose without him : when he withdraws, such a chilness will invade thy soul, that thou wilt have little power to pray, for it is his divine breath that enkindles thy aft'ections. If there be no warmth in the heart, there can be no fervency in prayer ; and without the Spirit of God, no kindly heat can be in the soul. O, take heed, therefore; thou dost not grieve him, lest he refuse to assist thee ! Three ways tlie Spirit of God may be grieved by a saint, so as to cause him to deny his assistance in prayer. First, By some sin secretly harboured in the heart ; ' If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,' Psa. Ixvi. 18. Now, when God refuseth to hear, we may be sure the Spirit refuseth to assist; for God never rejects a prayer which his Spirit indites. Sin is so offensive to the Holy Spirit, that wherever it is bid welcome, he will shew distaste. If you would luive this pure Dove stay with you, be sure you keep his lodging clean. Hast thou defiled tliyself with any known sin? Think not to have him help thee in prayer, till he hath helped thee to repent; he will carry thee to the laver before he goes with thee to the altar. If thou w(mldst have the Spirit of God breathe in thy soul at prayer, present it not to liim besmeared with any sin unrepented of Secondly, By frequent resisting or putting off his motions. As the Spirit helps in prayer, so he is the saint's mo- nitor,— ' He shall bring all things to your remembrance,' John xiv, 2G. God called Jacob up to Bethel; so the Spirit prompts the saint to dutv : — Such a mercy thou hast received, — up. Christian, praise thy God for it while it is fresh in thy memory, and warm in thy heart ; such a temptation lies before thee, go and pray, that thou mayest not be led into it. Now is a fit time for thy with- drawing thyself to hold communion with, and pay thy homage to, (iod. Now, when the Christian shall shift offtliese moticms, and from time to time neglect the Spirit's counsel, he is exceedingly grieved ; and leaves the soul for a time, till the sad consequences bring the Christian to see his folly, and pre])are him to entertain his motions more kindly. Thus Christ leaves the spouse in her bed, when she would not rise at his knock, and makes her run after him many a •weary step before he will be seen of her. Clirist tlirice calls uj) his drowsy dis- ciples to watch and pray, that they miglit not enter into teni])tation, but" finds them still asleep when "he comes ; what saitli he then .' Truly, he bids them
>^Q2 WATCHING THEREUNTO.