^<)6 OF COMMUNION AVITII TUE HOLY GHOST.
that we pursue universal holiness with regard unto, and upon the account of, the love, kindness, and tenderness, of the Holy Ghost. This is the foundation of our communion we have in general When the soul considers the love, kindness, and tenderness of the Holy Ghost unto him; when he considers all the fruits and acts of his love and good-will towards him ; and on that account, and under that con- sideration, because he is so concerned in our ways and walkings, to abstain from evils, and to walk in all duties of holiness, — this is to have communion with him. This consideration, that the Holy Ghost, who is our comforter, is delighted with our obedience, giieved at our evils and follies, being made a continual motive to, and reason of, our close walking with God in all holiness, is, I sa}^, the first general way of our communion with him.
Here let us fix a little. We lose both the power and pleasure of our obedience for w^ant of tTiis consideration. We see on what ac- count the Holy Ghost undertakes to be our comfoi'ter, by what ways -and means he performs that office towards us; what an unworthy thing it is to grieve him, who comes to us on purpose to give us con- solation ! Let the soul, in the whole course of its obedience, exercise itself by faith to thoughts hereof, and lay due weight upon it : " The Holy Ghost, in his infinite love and kindness towards me, hath con- descended to be my comforter; he doth it willingly, freely, powerfully. What have I received from him ! in the multitude of my perplexities how hath he refreshed my soul ! Can I live one day without his consolations? And shall I be regardless of him in that wherein he is concerned? Shall I grieve him by negligence, sin, and folly? Shall not his love constrain me to walk before him to all well-pleas- ing?" So have we in general fellowship witli liim.
2. The second is that of 1 Thess. v. 19, " Quench not the Spirit." Tbere are various thoughts about the sense of these words. " The Spuit in others, that is, their spiritual gifts," say some ; but then it falls in with what foUows, verse 20, " Despise not prophesyings." "The light that God hath set up in our hearts," say others; but where is that called absolutely To n^S^a, — "The Spirit?" It is the Holy Ghost himself that is here intended, not immediately, in respect of his person (in which regard he is said to be grieved, whicii is a personal affection) ; but in respect of his inotions, actings, and operations. The Holy Ghost wtxs typified by the fire that was always kept alive on the altaa-. He is also called a " Spirit of burning." The reasons of that allusion are manifold ; not now to be insisted on. Now,, the opposition that is made to fii-e in its actings, is by quench- ing. Hence the opposition made to the actings of the Holy Ghost are called "quenching of the Spirit," as some khid of wet wood will do, when it is cast into the fire. Thence aie we said, in pm-suance
OF COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY GHOST. 267
of the same metaphor, aya^w^ru/'s/i/, — to "stir up with new fire," the gifts that are in us. The Holy Ghost is striving with us, acting in us, moving variously for oiu- gi'owth in go-ace, and bringing forth fi-uit meet for the principle he hath endued us -vvithal. " Take heed," saith the apostle, " lest, by the power of your lusts and temptations, you attend not to his workings, but hinder him in his good-will towards you ; that is, what in you lieth."
This, then, is the second general rule for our communion with the Holy Grho&t. It respects his gracious operations in us and by us. There are several and various ways whei-eby the Holy Ghost is said to act, exert, and put forth his power in us; partly by moving upon and stirring up the grace we have received; partly by new supplies of grace from Jesus Christ, falling in with occasions for their exercise, raising good motions immediately or occasionally within us; — -all tending to our furtherance in obedience and walking with God. AH these are we carefully to observe and take notice of, — consider the fountain whence they come, and the end which they lead us unto. Hence have we communion with the Holy Ghost, when we can con- sider him by faith as the immediate author of all supplies, assistances, and the whole relief we have by grace ; of all good actings, risings, motions in our hearts ; of all strivings and contendings against sin. When we consider, I say, all these his actings and workings in their tendency to our consolation, and on that account are careful and watchful to improve them all to the end aimed at, as coming from him who is so loving, and kind, and tender to us, we have commu- nion with him.
This is that which is intended, — every gracious acting of the blessed Spirit in and towards our souls, is constantly by faith to be considered as coming from him in a pecuUar manner; his mind, his good-will is to be observed therein. Hence, care and diligence for the improve- ment of every motion of his will arise ; thence reverence of his pre- sence with us, with due spiritual regard to his holiness, doth ensue, and our souls are wonted to intercourse with him.