(2.) Because it is a privilege into which we are admitted after a breach. Persons that have been at variance will not easily believe one another, and trust one another, unless their reconciliation be sealed by some remarkable good turn and visible testimony of love. A great ofiender was never reconciled to Augustus unless he did put some mark of favour upon him ; as David to Amasa, in giving him the generalship of his army. And further, the breach hath been so great between God and us, that we shall have no peace and joy in believing, till we have some gift that may be a perfect demonstration that he is at peace with us. This is the work of the sanctifying S[)irit : 1 Thes. V. 23, 'And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;' Heb. xiii. 20, 21, ' Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight ; ' Rom.
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xvi. 20, 'And the God of pecace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly ; ' 2 Cor. v. 18, ' And all things are of God, who hath recon- ciled us to himself by Christ Jesus, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.' Most men's confidence cometh from their stupid security and slightness in soul matters. A christian that is in good earnest must have a sufficient proof of God's love, that he is recon- ciled, taken into God's family, made ' an heir according to the hope of eternal life.' Now this is done by the Spirit.
(3.) It is an inward and spiritual privilege, and therefore must have a spiritual confirmation. Now this is within our own hearts. The death of Christ was a demonstration of God's love, but that was dono without us, and before we were born. Justification is a blessed privilege, but that is either God's act in heaven accepting us in Christ, or else the sentence of his law and new covenant, constituting us just and righteous. But this is done in our hearts by the Spirit : Gal. iv. 6, ' He hath sent tiie Spirit of his Son into our hearts; ' 2 Cor. i. 22, 'Given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.' This witness we have within ourselves.
(4.) Because the Spirit may act transiently, and in a passing way upon others, and that which is seldom done may be mistaken or sus- pected, therefore the Holy Ghost abideth in us by his constant opera- tions: John xiv. 17, 'Ye shall know him, for he abideth in you.' What we feel constantly, frequently, we cannot be deceived in it. They feel his operations comforting, quickening, instructing them, mortifying their lusts, exciting them to holiness, and so may see how they are beloved of God, and minded by him upon all occasions. The effects of the Spirit show it, such as are life, holiness, faith, strength, comfort, joy, peace, support under our crosses and afflictions, groans after heaven. This constant experience can be no delusion ; therefore the observing of this breedeth true and solid comfort.
III. The properties or operations of this Spirit, as he is a proof and evidence of our communion with God.
1. It is a Spirit of life: Rom. viii. 2, ' The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus ; ' and Gal. v. 25, ' If we live in the Spirit.' The Spirit maketh the soul alive that was dead in sin ; therefore when we are dead to the world, we are really alive to God, as will appear by our actions and earnest desires after heavenly things. Many have a name to live, for parts do strangely counterfeit grace ; but if the Spirit becometh a principle of life within us, then we live indeed. Surely it is a sign of great weakness, at least, to be alive to other things, and dead- hearted in all acts of religion,
2. It is a Spirit of love as well as of life. Some make the Holy Ghost the love that passeth between the Father and the Son. Surely the operative love of God to us is conveyed by the Spirit. Now accord- ing to his nature so he worketh, inclining us to love God and our brother, yea, our very enemies : Tor the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fixith.' The apostle saith, 1 Thes. iv. 9, 'We are taught of God to love one another.' God's teaching is by impression and inclination. Envious and bitter zeal, malice, and all uncharitableness and revenge, is not of God, but the devil ; therefore they that are acted by these things know not what spirit they are of.
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3. It is a Spirit of sanctification, often so called : 2 Thes. ii. 14, ' God hath chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit.' A pure and holy Spirit given to us to renew our natures, and put us into the way of salvation : Titus iii. 5, 6, ' He saveth us by the wash- ing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he hath shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord ; ' to purge out sin, and suppress the motions of all that pride, worldliness, and sen- suality which is so natural to us : Eom. viii. 13, ' If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live ; ' and to quicken us to grow more complete in the will of God, that we may both do it and suffer it, and be prepared and fitted to live with God for ever.