THE WITNESS OF SALVATION. 385
again, in a loss, let us mark the knocks of the Spirit, when, as it is Isa. XXX. 21, ' A voice behind us says. Walk this way, and that way,' &c., and grieve him not by withstanding holy motions, and then we shall find him sealing our salvation, and witnessing with our spirit that we are the chil- dren of God. Men, you see, wait for the wind, and not the wind for them, else they may be long enough ere they reach home. So must wo watch the knocks of Christ to let him in, that so his Spirit may seal us up to the day of redemption. Oh, how happy were it for us if thus we could do, and still watch and be ready for a new encounter ! For let no man think to have more freedom from temptations than our blessed Saviour had, of whom it is written, Luke iv. 13, ' That when the devil had ended all his temptations against him, he departed from him /or a season.'
The third thing the true Spirit leaves behind it is love. It makes a man the more enkindled with love to God. If a man do not love God more after such an enlightening, it is false and counterfeit. Saith the prophet David, * I will love thee dearly, my Lord, my God, because thou hast heard my voice.' And the apostle saith, 2 Cor. v. 14, ' For the love of God constraineth us,' &c. And therefore, if we be obedient sons, we must shew it in loving and honouring our Father rpore and more ; as Mai. i, 6, * A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master ; if I then be a father, where is mine honour ?' Yea, then, this love will break forth unto others like fire, to warm and comfort them. ' Come unto me, all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he hath done for mj' soul,' &c., saith the prophet, Ps. Ixvi. 16; so a holy soul in this case finds a fire like that of Elihu. It is like new wine in bottles that cannot hold. There is an holy rejoicing, an holy praising ; holy flames sent towards others. Much love increased to them ; admiration of such excellent surpassing things as remain in the life to come, if a taste be so much here.
I cannot go on further now\ These, in brief, may serve us for a trial of the truth of God's Spirit witnessing with our spirit that we are the chil- dren of God, which now let us pray for, ' 0 Lord our God,' &c.
Bb
SAINT PAUL'S CHALLENGE.
What shall we then say to these things ? If God be for us, who can be against us ;— Rom. VIII. 31.
The words are a glorious conclusion and triumph of faith : the conclusion upon all the former particulars in the chapter, and the foundation of all the comforts that follow after, to the end of the chapter. They are as the centre of the chapter. All the beams of heavenly comfort in this divine chapter, they meet, as it were in one, in this short clause, ' What shall we say then to these things ?' &c.
In the words, briefly, there is first a question, * What shall we say to these things ?'
And then a triumph, ' If God be with us, who can be against us ?' It is a question answered with another question, ' What shall we say to these things ?' He answers it with another question, * If God be with us, who can be against us ? '
' What shall we say to these things ? '
To these things before mentioned. If we be in Christ, there is no con- demnation to us ; if we be led b}'^ the Spirit, if we be heirs of heaven and fellow-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with him, if we have the spirit of prayer to help our infirmities in the worst conditions, if all creatures groan with us, and if all work for our good, if God from all eternity hath written our names in heaven by election, and separated us from the rest of the world in vocation, and hath sanctified and justified us, and will after glorify us, ' what shall we say to these things ?'
The heart of man is full of doubtings and misgiving, full of thoughts : ' According to the multitude of my thoughts, thy comforts refreshed my soul,' Ps. xciv. 19. A multitude of thoughts and a multitude of comforts. There is comfort after comfort, because there are thoughts after thoughts, and surmises after surmises. There is no waste comfort set down in this
* 'Saint Paul's Challenge' forms No. 8 of the Sermons entitled ' Beams of Divine Light' (4to, 1639). Its separate title-page is as follows: — 'Saint Pauls Challenge. In one Sermon. By Tlic late learned and reverend Divine, Eich. Sibbs : Doctor in Divinitie, M'' of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes Preacher at Grayes-Inne. Psal. 27. 3. Though an Host should encampe against me, my heart shall not fear ; though warre sliould rise against me, In this will I be confident. London, Printed by E. P; for Nicholas Bourne, and Eapha Harfcrd 1638.'— G.