CHAP, v.] IN THE NEW CREATION. 205
the eternal welfare of liis soul is concerned in, on pretence of the efficacious aids of the Sjoirit, without which he can do nothing, and which he neither hath nor can have whilst he doth nothing.
Here lies the ground and foundation of our exercising faith in particular towards him, and of our acting of it in supplications and thanksgivings. His participation of the divine nature is the formal reason of our yielding unto him divine and religious worship in gene- ral; but his acting towards us according to the sovereignty of his own will is the especial reason of our particular addresses unto him in the exercise of grace, for we are baptized into his name also.
Seventhly, We may observe that, in the actings and works of the Holy Spirit, some things are distinctly and separately ascribed unto him, although some things be of the same kind wrought by the per- son in and by whom he acts; or, he is said at the same time to do the same thing distinctly by himself, and in and by others. So John XV. 26, 27: "I will," saith our Saviour, "send the Spirit of truth, and he shall testify of me, and ye also shall bear witness.'"" The witness of the Spirit unto Christ is proposed as distinct and separate from the witness given by the apostles: " He shall testify of me, and ye also shall bear witness." And yet they also were enabled to give their witness by him alone. So it is expressly declared, Acts i. 8, " Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you ; and ye shall be witnesses unto me." Their witnessing unto Christ was the effect of the power of the Holy Spirit upon them, and the effect of his work in them ; and he himself gave no other testi- mony but in and by them. What, then, is the distinct testimony that is ascribed unto him? It must be somewhat that, in or by whom- soever it was wrought, did of its own nature discover its relation unto him as his work. So it was in this matter; for it was no other but those signs and wonders, or miraculous effects, which he wrought in the confirmation of the testimony given by the apostles, all which clearly evidenced their own original. So our apostle, Heb. ii. S, 4. The word was " confirmed, Cwi'TrifiMprvpovvroc, rou Qiov c^rj/j^sioig n xai r'spaai," — " God co-witnessing by signs and wonders." He enabled the apostles to bear witness unto Christ by their preaching, suffer- ings, holiness, and constant testimony which they gave unto his re- surrection. But in this he appeared not, he evidenced not himself unto the world, though he did so in and by them in whom he wrought. But, moreover, he wrought such visible, miraculous works by them as evidenced themselves to be effects of his power, and were his distinct witness to Christ. So our apostle tells us, Rom. viii. ] 6, " The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." The witness which our own spirits do give unto our adoption is the work and effect of the Holy Spirit in us. If it
206 GENERAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ETC. [BOOK IL
were not, it would be false, and not confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit himself, who is the Spirit of truth; and none "knoweth the things of God but the Spirit of God," 1 Cor. ii. 11. If he declare not our sonship in us and to us, we cannot know it. How, then, doth he bear witness with our spirits? what is his distinct testimony in this matter? It must be some such act of his as evidenceth itself to be from him immediately unto them that are concerned in it, — that is, those unto whom it is given. What this is in particular, and wherein it doth consist, we shall afterward inquire. So Rev. xxii. 1 7, " The Spirit and the bride say, Come." The bride is the church, and she prayeth for the coming of Christ. This she doth by his aid and assistance who is the Spirit of grace and supplications. And yet distinctly and separately the Spirit saith, '■ Come;" that is, he puts forth such earnest and fervent desires as have upon them an impres- sion of his immediate efficiency. So verse 20 carrieth the sense of the place, — namely, that it is Christ himself unto whom she says "Come;" or they pray for the hastening of his coming. Or they say "Come" unto others, in their invitation of them unto Christ, as the end of verse 17 seems to apply it: then is it the prayers and preach- ing of the church for the conversion of souls that is intended; and with both the Spirit works eminently to make them effectual. Or it may be, in this place, "the Spirit" is taken for the Spirit in the guides and leaders of the church. They, praying by his especial guidance and assistance, say, "Come;" or preachers say unto others, " Come ; " and " the bride," or the body of the church, acted by the same Spirit, joins with them in this great request and supplication. And thereunto all believers are invited in the following words: " And let him that heareth say, Come."