Secondly, Upon what grounds we may expect the Spirit to co-operate lierewith.
1. Because God worketli congruously, as with respect to the subject upon which he worketh, so with respect to the object by which he wurketh. The subject is the heart of man, and therefore he 'draweth us with the cords of a man,' Hosea xi. 4. The object is the gospel, a good word, or the good knowledge of God, and therefore a suitable means to work goodness in us. There we have good precepts and good promises, and an account of God's wonderful goodness and love in Christ ; and ' therefore the fruit of his Spirit is in all goodness.' As the seal is graven, so the wax receivetli tlie stamp. The seal is the word, the wax is our heart, and the hand that applieth it is the Spirit of God ; he is the principal cause, and maketh the gospel effectual to produce in us a frame of heart answerable to the scheme and structure of the word. In short, the good Spirit, by the good word, maketh us good, and so all suiteth.
2. Tlio Spirit produceth this effect as a witness of the truth of the
2GG SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SkK. IX.
<i;ospel, which beinfi; ;i supernatural doctrine, needed to be attested from heaven, that the truth of it might be known by tlic mighly ])ower of God which dotli accompany it, working in our hearts effects suitable to the tenor of the word. Whatever doctrine can change the soul of man, and convert it to God, is of God, and owned by God. When such a holy doctrine sanctifietli us, we see the truth of it : John xvii. 17, ' Sanctify tliem through thy truth ; tliy word is truth.' When t^uch deliverance is published, it maketh us free indeed : John viii. 32, ' And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' When such a heavenly doctrine breedeth in us a heavenly mind : 1 Cor. ii. 12, ' For we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.' When such a spiritual doctrine bringeth in more of the Spirit : 2 Cor. iii. 8, * How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious ? ' Such a wise doctrine will fill us with wisdom ; such a doctrine of grace and goodness breedeth all goodness in us, and so we have God's attestation to his truth.
3. That thereby God may signify his peculiar and elective love to his people. When he worketh all goodness in their hearts by liis Spirit, they come to discern that he loveth tliem by a special love. Love or hatred cannot be known by anything that is before us, any outward dispensation whatsoever, Eccles. ix. 1 ; but when by the good Spirit of the Lord we are made like God and like Christ, and have the prints of the good word upon us, then we know his love to us : 1 John iv. 13, ' Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.' And what spirit is that but a Spirit of love and goodness ? for 'God is love,' ver. 16. Then we transcribe our pattern, and are brought into a, conformity to God.
4. God maketh an offer of his grace to invite us to seriousness in uttending on this g()S})el. He excludeth none in the offer, and there- fore we must not exclude ourselves. None miss it but those that neglect and forfeit it through their carelessness, and disobedience, and ingratitude. If you would observe the seasons of his sanctifying motions, it would be much better with you : Prov. i. 23, ' Turn ye at ray reproof ; behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.'
Use 1. Is information.
1. It informeth us how false the prejudices of the world are, who think the life of godliness a severe rigid thing, as if men did put off nil good nature as soon as they enter u})on the practice of it. No ; ' The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness.' There cannot be a more delightful spectacle, unless it be to a man blinded with malice and prejudice and brutish lusts, than to see such a good man as is described in the word of God ; for he is one that seeketh to do good to all, and Ivurt to none; looks for no great matters for himself in the world, bustles not for honour and greatness, but gives place, or at least due respect to all ; he condescends to the meanest, envies none, revenges himself on none, but is courteous to all, beneficial to all according to his ability and opportunity. As to God, his business is to love him and live to him ; he counteth it his happiness to live with liim, and is ourefid to keep up a due remembrance of him by daily invocation and
VeR. 9.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 267
worship ; always rejoicing in Chriist Jesus, and liveth in obedience to the motions of the sanctifying Spirit, so that his life is not tainted with the blot of any heinous sin. He is still encouraging himself with the promises of another world, levelling and directing all his actions thither. This is the true good man ; and can spite and infidelity object anything against it ? You will say, There are few sucli in the world. Ans. The more the pity, when so many helps and means to effect it. It is the fault of the men, not of the rule. But many such there are ; yea, all the children of God are such in some measure, Tiie world seeth it and hateth them, because their holy and heavenly life uj)braideth their flesh-pleasing and carnal course.