If we have not the Spirit, how shall we come to have the Spirit ? What means must we use to get it ?
In a word, this chapter excellently sets out that, for, [1.] The gospel is called the ministry of the Spirit ; for the opening of the love of God in Christ, which is the gospel, is the ministry of the Spirit. Why ? Because God hath joined the Spirit with the publishing and opening of these mysteries. Therefore study the gospel, and hear unfolded divine evange- lical truths. The more we hear of the sweet love of God in Christ, the more the Spirit flows into the soul together with it. The Spirit goes together with the doctrine of the gospel ; which is called the ministry of the Spirit. Therefore let us delight in hearing evangelical points, the love of God opened in Christ.
A civil moral man, Oh he is taken mightily, if he hear a moral witty politic discourse that toucheth him ; and he is in his element then. What is this to the gospel ? This hath its use. Oh but tho Spirit goes with
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the opening of the gospel, with evangelical points ; and if our hearts were ever seasoned with the love of God, these points of Christ, and the benefits and privileges by Christ, they will affect us more than any other thing in the world. That is one means to study the gospel, and to hear the truths of the gospel opened where the Sprit works.
[2.] Again, the Spirit of the Lord it is given to us usually in Jiohj com- munity. The Holy Ghost fell upon them in the Acts when they were gathered together, Acts iv. 81 ; and surely we never find sweeter motions of the Spirit than now, when we are gathered at such times, about holy business, as this day. We never find the Spirit more effectual to alter and change our Bouls, than at such times. ' Where two or three are gathered together, I •will be in the midst of you,' Mat. xviii. 20, but by the Spirit, saith Christ, warming, and altering, and changing the soul. For God infuseth all grace in communion, as we are members of the body mystical. Those that have Bullen spirits, a spirit of separation, that scorn all meetings, they are carried with the spirit of the devil, and of the world. They know not what belongs to the things of God. It is the meek spirit that subjects itself to the ordi- nance of God. The Holy Ghost falls usually upon men when they are in holy communion.
[3.] And in Luke xi. 13, there God will give the Holy Ghost to all that beg him. Pray for the Holy Ghost, as the most excellent thing in the world. He shall be given to them that beg him, as if he should say, thei'e is nothing gi-eater than that, and God will give him to them that ask him. Therefore, come to God, and in any thing we have to do, empty ourselves and beg the Spirit ; for the more a man empties him of his own confidence, in regard of holy performance of duties, the more we will desire to be filled with the fulness of the Spirit ; and this sense of our own emptiness will force prayer.
Therefore, know that of ourselves we can do nothing holily, that may further our reckoning, but by the Spirit. Do all things therefore in a sense of our own emptiness, and beg the Spirit.
As likewise when we are framed by the Spirit to obedience. Those that obey the motions of the Spirit, the Spirit joins more and more closely with their souls. God gives his Spirit to them that obey him. Those that obey the fu-st motions of the Spirit, they have further degrees. What is the reason that men have no more Spirit in the ordinances ? The Holy Ghost knocks at their hearts, and would fain have entrance, and they resist it, as Stephen saith. Acts vii. 51. Now the Holy Ghost is willing to enter upon the soul, but he is 2-esisted. Therefore if you will have him more and more, let us open our souls, that the King of glory may come in. The Spirit is willing to enter, especially in holy assemblies. Saith St John, Rev. i. 10, ' I was on the Lord's day, I was in the Spirit,' that is, as if he were drowned in the Spirit on the Lord's day. When we are about holy exercises we are never more in the Spirit than then. Let us open our souls to the Spirit, and then we shall find the Spirit joining with our souls. The Spirit is more willing to save us, and to sanctify us, than we are to entertain him. Oh that we were willing to entertain the sweet motions of the Spirit ! Our natures would not be so defiled, and we so uncomfortable as we are. There are none of us all, but we find comfortable motions in holy exei'cises. Thus we may get the Spirit of the Lord, that doth all, that illuminates, and ganctifieth, and ruleth, and rests in us.
(8.) And let us learn, I beseech you, hence to give the third glorious person, the Holy Ghost, his due. Since we have all by the Spirit, let us