And this glorifying of the Holy Ghost in thanksgivings, on a spi- ritual sense of his consolations, is no small part of our communion Avith him. Considerincj his free ena-asfement in this work, his cominor forth from the Father to this pui'pose, his mission by the Son, and condescension therein, his love and kindness, the soid of a believer is poured out in thankful praises to him, and is sweetly affected with the duty. There is no duty that leaves a more heavenly savour in the soul than this doth.
Also, in our prayers to him for the carrying on the work of our consolation, which he hath undertaken, lies our commimion with him. John prays for grace and peace from the seven Spirits that are before the throne, or the Holy Ghost, whose operations are perfect and complete. This part of his worship is expressly mentioned frequently in Scripture; and all others do necessarily attend it. Let tlie saints consider what need they stand in of these effects of the Holy Ghost
272 OF COMMUNION WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
before mentioned, with many such others as might he insisted on; weigh all the privileges which we are made partakers of; remember that he distributes them as he will, that he hath the sovereign dis- posal of them ; and they will be prepared for this duty.
How and in what sense it is to be performed hath been already declared: what is the formal reason of this worship, and ultimate object of it, I have also manifested. In the duty itself is put forth no small part of the life, efficacy, and vigour of faith; and we come short of that enlargedness of spirit in dealing with God, and are straitened from walking in the breadth of his ways, which we are called unto, if we learn not ourselves to meet him with his worship in every way he is pleased to communicate himself unto us. In these things he does so in the person of the Holy Ghost. In that person do we meet him, his love, grace, and authority, by our prayers and supplications.
Again : consider him as he condescends to this delegation of the Father and the Son to be our comforter, and ask him daily of the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the daily work of be- lievers. They look upon, and by faith consider, the Holy Ghost as promised to be sent. In this promise, they know, lies all their grace, peace, mercy, joy, and hope. For by him so promised, and him alone, are these things communicated to them. If, therefore, our life to God, or the joy of that life, be considerable, in this we ai'e to abound, — to ask him of the Father, as children do of their parents daily bread. And as, in this asking and receiving of the Holy Ghost, we have com- munion with the Father in his love, whence he is sent; and with the Son in his grace, whereby he is obtained for us ; so with himself, on the account of his voluntary condescension to this dispensation. Every request for the Holy Ghost implies our closing with all these. O the riches of the grace of God !
Humbling ourselves for our miscarriages in reference to him is another part of our communion with him. That we have grieved him as to his person, quenched him as to the motion of his grace, or resisted him in his ordinances, is to be mourned for ; as hath been declared. Let our souls be humbled before him on this account. This one considerable iugxedient of godly soitow, and the thoughts of it, are as suitable to the aftecting of our heaits with humiliation, and indignation against sin, as any other whatever. I might pro- ceed in the like considerations ; as also make application of them to the particular effects of the Holy Ghost enumerated; but my design is only to point out the heads of things, and to leave them to the im- provement of others.
I shall shut up this whole discourse with some considerations of the sad estate and condition of men not interested in this promise of the Spirit, nor made partakers of liis consolation: —
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1. Tliey have no true consolation or comfort, be their estate and condition what it will. Are they under affliction or in trouble? — they must bear their own burden; and how much too weak they are for it, if God be pleased to lay on his hand with more weight than ordinary, is easily known. Men may have stoutness of spirit, and put on great resolutions to wrestle with their troubles ; but when this is merely from the natural spirit of a man, —
(1.) For the most part it is but an outside. It is done with re- spect to others, that they may not appear low-spirited or dejected. Their hearts are eaten up and devoured with troubles and anxiety of mind. Their thoughts are perplexed, and they are still striving, but never come to a conquest. Every new trouble, every little alter- ation in their trials, puts them to new vexation. It is an ungrounded resolution that bears them up, and they are easily shaken.
(2.) What is the best of their resolves and enduring? It is but a contending with God, who hath entangled them, — the struggling of a flea ^^nder a mountain. Yea, though, on outward considerations and principles, they endeavour after patience and tolerance, yet all is but a contending with God, — a striving to be quiet under that which God hath sent on purpose to disturb them. God doth not afflict men without the Spirit, to exercise their patience; but to dis- turb their peace and security. All their arming themselves with patience and resolution, is but to keep the hold that God will cast them out of, or else make them the nearer to ruin. This is the best of their consolation in the time of their trouble.