[1.] The radication is set forth by the notions of the Spirit's dwelling in us: John xiv. 17, 'He shall be in you, and dwell in you.' Its resting upon us : 1 Pet. iv. 14, ' The Spirit of God and of glory rest upon you.' He taketh up his abode with us: John xiv. 23, ' We will come to liim, aud make our abode with him.' It is not a visit and away, or a lodging for a night, but a constant residence ; he taketh \\[) his mansion iu our hearts. Some have fits and qualms of religion, motions of conviction and joy, but not a settled bent of heart towards God and heaven.
[2.] Its prevalency and predominancy ; for where the Spirit dwelleth, there he must rule, and have the command of the house ; he dwelleth in the soul ; he dwelleth so as to govern, directing and inclining us so as to do things pleasing unto God, weaning us from the world : 1 Cor. ii. 12. This is called the receiving, not the spirit of the world, but that which is of God. Mastering and taming the flesh, both its gust and savour : Rom. viii. 5, ' For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh.' Its deeds aud motions : Rom. viii. 13, 'If ye mortify the deeds of tlio body, ye shall live.' The flesh will rebel, but the Spirit gets the upper hand, for the dominion and sovereignty of the flesh are not consistent with the having of the Spirit ; the flesh is subdued more and more ; where the Spirit cometh, lie Cometh to govern, to suit the heart to the will of God, and to give us greater liberty towards him : 2 Cor. iii. 17, ' Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' The objects of sense which feed the flesh make less impression upon us ; and the love of sin is more and more conquered. Now take it thus explained, you may know what it is to have the Spirit, namely, the dwelling and working of the Spirit in our souls, moi-tifying the flesh, and causing us to live unto God.
Secondly. Why is this an evidence that we are true christians ? Here I shall prove two things. ^
1. That all true christians have this sanctifying Spuit.
2. That it is the certain evidence and proof of their being christians, or having an interest in Christ.
1. That all that are true christians have it. I prove it — [1.] From the promise of God, who hath promised it to them ; and surely his love and faithfulness will .see it made good : Zech. xii. 10, ' I wiilpour upon them tlie Spirit of grace and sujiplications ; ' and Prov. i. 23, ' Turn unto me, and I will pour out an abundance of Spirit unto you ;' and Rev. xxii. 17, ' Whosoever will, let him drink of the water of life freely.' By the water of life is meant the Spirit ; as appeareth, John vii. 38, 39 ; so iu many other places. Now surely God's word will not fall to the ground, but must be accomplished.
[2] From the merit of Christ. Two things Christ purchased and bestowed upon all his people, his righteousness aud his Spirit : 2 Cor. v. 21, ' He was made sin fur us, that we might be made the righteous- ness of God iu him ' : Gal. iii. 14, ' That we might receive the promise
VeR. 9.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. ' 5
of the Spirit through faith ; the rock was smitten by the rod of Moses twice,' 1 Cor. x. 4. And these two gifts are inseparable ; where he giveth the one, he giveth the other ; we have both, or none : 1 Cor. vi. 11. ' But ye are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God : ' and Tit. iii. 5, 6, 7, ' But according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesns Christ our Saviour, that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.' He freeth us at the same time a malo morali, which is sin ; and a malo naturali, which is punishment.
[3.] When we enter into the covenant of grace, we enter into covenant with Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; with God, and with the Redeemer, and with the Sanctifier: Mat. xxviii. 19, 'We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Gbost' Wliat is our covenant with the Holy Ghost ? It implieth both our duty and our benefit ; our benefit is that we expect that the Holy Ghost should regenerate us, and renew us to the image of God, and plant us into Christ by faith, and then dwell in us, and maintain God's interest in our souls, and so make us saints and believers : and our duty is to consent to give up ourselves to him as our sanctifier, and to obey his powerful motions, before we are made partakers of the Holy Ghost.