(Isi.) It considers the Spuit, in the economy before described, as promised. It is faith alone that makes profit of the benefit of the promises, Heb. iv. 2. Now he is called the Spirit of that promise, Eph. i. 13, — the Sphit that in the covenant is promised; and we re- ceive the promise of the Spuit through faith. Gal. iii. 14: so that the receiving of the Spirit through faith, is the receiving of him as pro- mised. Faith eyes the promise of God and of Jesus Christ, of send-
232 OF COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
ing tlio S})int for all those ends that he is desired; thus it depends, waits, mixing the promise with itself, until it receive him.
{2dli/.) 'By prayer. He is given as a Spirit of supplication, that we mny ask him as a Spirit of consolation, Luke xi. 13; and, indeed, this asking of the Spirit of God, in the name of Christ, either directly or immediately, or under the name of some fruit and effect of him, is the chiefest work of faith in this world.
(odly?) It cherisheth him, by attendinrj to his motions, improving his actings according to his mind and will ; which is all I shall say to this third thing, or our receiving of the Spirit, which is sent of Jesus Christ. We do it by faith, looking on him as purchased by Jesus Christ, and promised of the Father; we seek him at the hands of God, and do receive him.
Aitidy. The next considerable thing is, his abode with us. Now this is two ways expressed in the Scripture : —
(\st) In general. As to the thing itself, it is said he shall abide with us.
(2dly.) In particular. As to the manner of its abiding, it is by inhabitation or indwelling. Of the inhabitation of the Spirit I have spoken fully^ elsewhere, nor shall I now insist on it. Only Avhereas the Spirit, as hath been observed, is considered as a Spirit of sancti- iication, or a Spirit of consolation, he is said to dwell in us chiefly, or perhaps solely, as he is a Spirit of sanctification : which is evident from the work he doeth, as indwelling, — he quickeneth and sanctifieth, Rom. viii. 1 1 ; and the manner of his indwelling, — as in a temple, which he makes holy thereby, 1 Cor. vi. 19; and his permanency in his so doing, — which, as is evident, relates to sanctification only : but yet the general notion of it in abiding is ascribed to him as a comforter, John xiv. 16, " He shall abide with you for ever." Now, all the difficidty of this promise lies in this, that whereas the Spirit of sanctification dwells in us always, and it is therefore impossible that we should lose utterly our holiness, whence is it that, if the Comforter abide with us for ever, we may yet utterly lose our comfort t A little to cleai* this in our passage : —
\\stl\ He is promised to abide with the disciples for ever, in op- position to the abode of Christ. Christ, in the flesh, had been with them for a little while, and now was leaving them, and going to his Father. He had been the comforter immediately himself for a season, but is now upon his departing; wherefore, promising them another comforter, they might fear that he would even but visit them for a little season also, and then their condition would be worse than ever. Nay, but saith our Saviour, "Fear it not: this is the last dispensa- tion; there is to be no alteration. When I am gone, the Comforter ' rersevcrance of the Saints, chap. viii. vol. xi.
OF COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY GHOST. 233
is to do all the remaining work: there is not another to be looked for, and I promise you him ; nor shall he depart from you, but always abide with you."
[2dli/.] The Comforter may always abide with us, though not always comfort us; he who is the Comforter may abide, though he do not always that work. For other ends and purposes he is always with us ; as to sanctify and make us holy. So was the case with David, Ps. li. 11, 12, " Take not thy Holy Spirit from me." The Holy Spirit of sanctification was still with David ; but saith he, " Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;" — that is, the Spirit of consolation, that was lost, when the promise was made good in the abode of the other.
[3dly.] The Comforter may abide as a comforter, when he doth not actualhj comfort the soul. In truth, as to the essence of holiness, he cannot dwell in us but withal he must make us holy; for the temple of God is holy ; — but as to his comforting, his actings therein are all of his sovereign will; so that he may abide, and yet not actually comfort us.
\4ithly.^ The Spirit often works for it, and tenders consolation to us, when we do not receive it ; the well is nigh, and we see it not, — we refuse to be comforted. I told you that the Spirit as a sanctifier comes with pov/er, to conquer an unbelieving heart ; the Spirit as a comforter comes with sweetness, to be received in a believing heart. He speaks, and we believe not that it is his voice; he tenders the things of consolation, and we receive them not. " My sore ran," saith David, " and my soul refused to be comforted."