III. What is the work of the Spirit in this business, in urging believers to wait for the hope of righteousness by faith ?
I answer — The work of the Spirit doth either concern the duties of the new covenant or the privileges of the new covenant, or what is common to them both. I begin with the latter.
1. What is common to them both. He doth convince us of the truth of the gospel, both of means and end ; that there is such an hope, and the righteousness of faith is the only way to obtain it. Now this he doth externally and internally.
[1.] Externally, and by way of objective evidence. All the certainty
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that we have of the gospel is by the Spirit : Acts v. 32, * We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Ghost, which he hath given to them that obey him,' and John xv. 26, 27, 'When the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me ; and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the be- ginning/ Mark, in both these places the two solemn witnesses are the Spirit and the apostles ; the one principal, the other ministerial ; the one declariog doctrine and matter of fact, the other assuring the world of the truth of their testimony. The* apostles testified of Christ's say- ings and doings, and the Holy Ghost, which came down upon them and the rest that consorted with them, and was given in some measure to those that obeyed their doctrine, was an undoubted evidence that God owned it from heaven. Here was enough to open men's eyes, and to give them a right understanding of his person and doctrine, that it was of God. The visible gifts of the Holy Ghost, and his powerful working in the hearts of men, in order to their conversion unto God, these admir- able gifts and graces shed abroad upon men were a notable conviction to the world that Christ was a teacher sent from God, to teach men the way to eternal life and happiness. This did afford sufficient matter of confirmation and conviction, by the Spirit shed abroad and poured forth on the christian church,
[2.] Internally, enlightening their minds and inclining their hearts to embrace the truth ; which maketh the former testimony effectual. So the apostle prayeth, Eph. i. 17, ' For the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Christ, the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, that they might know what is the hope of his call- ing, and the riches of the glory of the inheritance of the saints in light.' To the sight of anything these things are necessary — an object, a medium, and a faculty. As in outward sight, an object that may be seen ; a convenient light to represent it and make the object perspi- cuous ; an organ or faculty of seeing in the eye. Unless there be an object, you bid a man see nothing. Unless there be a medium, a due light to represent it, as in a fog, or at midnight, the sharpest sight can see nothing. Unless there be a faculty, neither the object nor medium will avail ; a blind man cannot see anything at noonday. Now here is an object, the way of salvation by Christ ; a convenient light, it is represented in the gospel ; and the faculty is prepared, for the eyes of the mind are opened by the Spirit, that we may see both way and end, the necessity of holiness, and the reality of future glory and blessedness. Alas ! without this sight we busy ourselves about vanities and childish toys, and never mind the things which are most necessary. Certainly we can have no saving understanding of spiri- tual truths, neither what is the benefit of Christianity or the blessed condition of God's people, nor what are the duties of Christianity, so as our hearts may be held to them, or how we may behave ourselves as true believers.
2. The work of the Spirit as to the duties of the new covenant. He doth not only convince us of the reality and the necessity of Christ's obedience and our holiness, but by his powerful operation frameth and inclineth our hearts to the duties required of us. Faith itself is
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wrought in us by this holy Spirit, for it is ' the gift of God,' Eph. ii. 8 ; and so is repentance and obedience : Heb. viii. 10, ' I will write my laws upon their hearts, and put them into their minds.' Moses' law was written on tables of stone, as a rule without them ; but Christ's law on the heart and mind, as drawing and inclining them to obey it. The renewing grace of the Spirit of God doth prepare us and fit us, and ^lis exciting grace doth quicken us, that we may do what is pleasing in his sight. And therefore, if we profess to live under tlie new covenant, we are inexcusable if we do not bestir our- selves, and accomplish the worl? of faith with power, and obey from the heart the doctrine delivered to us. Indeed the Spirit doth most naturally put us upon spiritual worship and spiritual holiness ; these things agree most with his being and nature. The observances of the law were carnal, yet as long as God's command continued, the Spirit inclined to obedience to them ; but a better law being enacted by Christ, the Spirit, that proceedeth from the Father and the Son, suiteth his operations accordingly ; for he cometh into us as Christ's Spirit : ' He shall take of mine and glorify me,' John xvi. 14. All that he doth accordeth with Christ, as Christ's will doth with the Father.