Ans. (4.) The fourtJt, way is by the joy of the Sinrit ; which is the begin- ning of heaven as it were, and a possessing of glory before our time. There are few of God's children, but in the course of their pilgrimage, first or last, have this divine impression wrought in them, enlarging and ravishing their souls to joy in the Almighty.
Yet this is especially seen after conflict, when the soul hath combated with some strong corruption or temptation. ' To him that overcomes will I give of the hidden manna,' saith Christ, ' and a white stone, which none can read but he that hath it,' Rev. ii. 17 ; that is, he shall have assurance that he is in the state of grace, and the sweet savour of goodness itself shall be his portion. Usually God gives comfort after we have conflicted with some sinful disposition and have got the victory, as we see in Job. After God had exercised that champion a long time, at the last he discovered himself in a glorious manner to him, Job xlii. 12.
In the midst of afflictions, when a Christian is under great crosses, and God sees he must be supported with spiritual strength, or else he sinks, then he puts in with supply from above. When the creature cannot help us, the Creator of all things will. Thus Paul in the midst of the dungeon, being sealed with the Spirit, ' sang at midnight' when he was in the stocks. Acts xvi. 21, seq. : and so David in the midst of persecution ; Daniel in a lion's den ; the three children in the fiery furnace, &c. God doth as parents, smile on their little ones when they are sick and dejected. He reserves his choicest comforts for the greatest exigents.* When God hath a great work for his children to do, or some sharp sufiering for them to undergo, as an encouragement beforehand, he oft enlargeth their spirits that they may be able to go through all ; as our Saviour Christ had James and John with him upon the mountain, to strengthen them against his ensuing sufiering.
Let us then examine ourselves by that which hath been delivered. Hath God spoken to thy soul, and said, ' I am thy salvation,' ' thy sins are remitted,' and thy person received into my favour ? Doth God stir up thy spirit to call upon him, especially in extremity, and to go with boldness and earnestness to his throne ? Surely this is an evidence of the seal of the Spirit; for whoever wants this cannot look God in the face when * That is, ' exigencies.' — G.
13G YEA AND AMEN ; OR,
distress is upon him. Saul in this case goes to the witch, and Ahithophel to desperate conckisions. Judas in extremity, we see what becomes of him. So every one that hath not this seaHiig of the Spirit (to whom God speaks not peace, ' by shedding abroad the love of Christ in his heart,' Horn. v. 5), must needs sink as lead in the bottom of the sea, which hath no consistence, till it come to the centre, to hell. Did _you ever feel the joy of the Spirit in holy duties, after inward striving against your lusts, and getting ground of them ? This is a certain sign that God hath sealed you.
(Jncst. But you will say. How can that be a seal ? A seal continues with the thing, but the joy of the Spirit comes after the work of the Spirit, and abides not with us.
Ans. I answer, though we have not always the joy of the Spirit, yet we have the Spirit of joy ; which, though it be not known by joy, yet may be discerned by its operation and working. A Christian may have a gracious work of the Spirit in him, and yet want the delight and joy of the Spirit. Therefore when that fails, look to thy sanctification, and see what resem- blance of Christ is formed in thee. Sec if thy heart be humble and broken ; if thou have a heavenly disposition like to thy Saviour. When the joy of the Spirit ceaseth, go to the work of the Spirit, and from the work of the Spirit to the voice of the Spirit. Canst thou cry to God with strong supplications ? or if thou canst not pray with distinct words, canst thou mourn and groan ? ' The Spirit helps our infirmities, when we know not what to ask,' Rom. viii. 26. This sighing and groaning is the voice of God's Spirit, which he will regard wheresoever he finds it. This made Job in his distress to swim above water.
If one be in the midst of extremity, and can seriously seek to God, it is an undoubted sign that such a one is sealed, especially when the corruption of his soul joins with Satan's temptations the more to afflict him. For a sinner in the midst of storms and clouds of darkness, then to cast anchor, and quiet his soul in Christ, argues great faith. So when a temptation closes with our corruption, and affliction yields ground to further the temptation, then to pray and rely securely upon God is a gracious sign. For Satan useth the afflictions we are in as temptations to shake our faith, as thus. Canst thou be a child of God, and be so exercised, so vilified, so persecuted ? Didst thou belong to Christ, would ever these crosses and losses and miseries have befallen thee ? Deceive not thyself ! Thus affliction is a weapon to temptation, for Satan to help his fiery darts with, he having such a dangerous party in us — as our own corruption — doth us the more harm continually.