[3.] The necessity of it ; because we are unable to guide ourselves : 'the way of man is not in himself,' Jer. x. 23 ; ' it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.' The metaphor of leading is taken from the blind or the weak; the blind who cannot see their way, must have one to lead them ; and the lame, who though they can see, yet cannot walk of themselves, but must have one to help them. The ignorant traveller needs a guide, and the weak child a nurse to attend upon him. It is true, the children of God are light in the Lord ; besides their natural reason, they have some understanding of the way of godliness ; but yet to a steady, constant course of obedience, strict and righteous living, we need to be directed by the good Spirit, to make tliat light which we have both directive and jiersuasive.
(1.) Directive : Though we have a general understanding of our duty, yet to make use of it in all particular cases needeth new grace from God. The heathens were wise in generals, Piom. i. 20 ; they became vain
94 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXI.
€v hiaXo'^t.aixol'i in their imaginations, and their practical inferences from these general truths ; their foohsh heart was darkened, and professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And though the people of God have greater advantages by that knowledge they have from the scripture, whereby they are made wise unto salvation, and get more by God's putting his laws into their minds in regeneration, whereby they become light in the Lord ; yet being not impeccable, and having many mixtures of sin yet remaining in every faculty, in particular cases are apt to err, and turn out of the way, being in part ignorant and heedless, and too often blinded' by their own rebellious lusts and passions ; therefore they desire that God would not leave them to tliemselves, but warn them of their snares and dangers, that they may still keep the path of life without defection or turning aside : Ps. cxix. 133, ' Order my steps in thy word ; and let not any one iniquity have dominioa over me.' They would not only have their path right, but their steps ordered ; as not their general course wrong, — as those who walk in the way of everlasting perdition, — so not a step awry ; they would not miss the way to heaven, either in whole or in part. Men that have such a tenderness upon them, see a continual need of God's counsel, which careless and slight spirits do not ; they would not be corrupted by their covetousness, or sensuality, or ambition ; these things blind them in particular cases, though they see their way, or know their duty in the general. Therefore they need the constant assistance of the Spirit, to rescue them from the power of every known sin, and to keep them in exact obedience. For all our general light, pride or passion, or sensual and worldly inclinations may make us err.
(2.) That our light may be persuasive, and overcome temptatious and inclinations to sin. Alas ! how weak are our arguings, and how easily are our considerations of our duty overborne, when a temptation sets our lusts to work, and comes on upon us with fresh strength ! We see what we should do, but, yet we are carried' away by our rebellious affections to do the contrary ; or through sloth and negligence omit to do that which conscience calleth for at our hands. Poor truth is taken captive, and held prisoner, detained in unrighteousness, Kom. i. 18 ; it may talk, like a man in chains, but hath no power, can do nothing to break the force of the temptation. But now the Spirit's leading is lively and effectual ; to be led is to be excited, moved, stirred forward, yea, eflectually inclined to do those things which please God ; he Icadeth us not only monendo, by warning us of our duty, or enlightening our minds ; but movendo, by inclining our hearts. The Holy Ghost doth enlighten our minds, and warm our affections, and purge away their impurities ; we are moved, that we may move ; and we receive the impression of his grace, that we may act, and do the things he inclineth us unto. This powerful leading the saints beg : Ps. cxix. 34, 35, ' Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy com- mandments, for therein do I delight.' God's teaching begets obedience ; he showeth us the path of life, and he maketh us to go in it It is such direction that giveth strength, that exciteth the sluggish will, and breaketh the force of corrupt inclinations; it removeth the darkness which corruption and sin have brought upon the mind, and maketh us
VeR. 14.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 95
pliable and ready to obey ; yea, it givetli not only the will, but the deed; in short, it engageth us in a watchful, careful, uniform, and constant obedience.
[4.] The nature or manner how the Spirit performeth the office of a guide, or a leader to us. He guide thus, partly by his word ; and partly by his inspirations and motions, or the light of internal grace. By his word, that containeth the matter of his guidance and direction : Ps. cxix. 105, ' Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' Mark, there \s 2x1th, and/ee<; not only direction for our general choice and course, but our particular actions ; and mark also the notions by which the word is expressed, lamp, and light. We have the light of the sun by day, and we make use of a lamp or candle by night ; whether it be day or night, in all conditions, as well as in all actions, here is a sure direction ; therefore the word is called the sword of the Spirit; now this is the light the Spirit maketh use of. Partly, the inward inspirations and motions of his grace, that we may have a spiritual discerning, 1 Cor. ii. 14. Besides the outward letter, there must be an inward light, that the Tinderstanding be opened, as well as the Scriptures ; as it is said of Christ, Luke xxiv. 45, that he first opened the scriptures, and then opened their understandings. Other- wise our light is only literal and speculative, not operative and efficacious.