360 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP.
First, Because "the Si^irit dwelleth in us," we are therefore to con- sider and dispose of our persons as " temples of the Holy Ghost," — that is, of this indwelling Spirit; the Scripture manifesting herehy that the doctrine of the indwelling of the Spirit is not only a truth, but a very useful truth, being made the fountain of and the enforce- ment unto so great a duty. He dwells in us, and we are to look Avell to his habitation. Our Saviour tells us, that when the evil spirit finds his dwelling "swept and garnished," Matt, xii, 44, he instantly takes possession, and brings company with him. He will not be absent from it when it is fitted for his turn. In reference to the saints and their holy Indweller, this the apostle urgeth, 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20, "Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you:" whence he concludes, " Ye are not your own," and there- fore ought to " glorify- God in your body," From hence is the strength of his argument for the avoiding of all uncleanness: Verses 16-19, "Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee forni- cation. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" On this account, also, doth he press to universal holiness: 1 Cor, iii. 16, 1 7, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the tem- ple of God, him sliall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." In verses 12-15, the apostle discovers the fruitlessness of building "hay and stubble," light and unsound doc- trines or practices, upon the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ once laid, and tells us that all such things shall burn and suffer loss, and put the contrivers and workers of them to no small difficulty in escaping, like men when the garments they are clothed withal are on fire about them. On the account of this sad event of foolish and careless walking, he presses, verse 1 6, as was said, earnestly to uni- versal holiness, laying down as the great motive thereunto that which we have insisted on, namely, the indwelling of the Holy Sphit in us: " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?" — " The temple wherein God of old did dwell was built with hewn stone and cedar- wood, and overlaid with pure gold; and will ye now, who are the spiritual temple of God, build up your souls with hay and stubble?" which he furthers by that dreadful commination taken from the zeal of God for the purity of his temple. So that on each hand he doth press to the universal close keeping of our hearts in all holiness and purity, because of the indwelhng of the Holy Spirit. And, indeed, wherever we are said to be temples of God, or a habitation for him, as it still relates to this cause of the expression which we now insist upon, so there is ever some intimation of holiness to be pursued on that account: Eph. ii. 21, 22, "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in
VIII.] THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIKIT. 361
whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Being made " an habitation of God" by the Spirit's indwelling in us, we grow up, or thrive in grace, into a holy temple to the Lord, to be a more complete and well-furnished habitation for him.
This, then, is that which I say: The truth of what hath formerly been spoken concerning the manner of the Spirit's abode with us, being procured for us by Jesus Christ, is farther cleared by this in- ference that the Scripture makes thereof. The saints are exhorted Avith all diligence to keep themselves a fit habitation for him, that they may not be unclean and defiled lodgings for the Spirit of purity and holiness. This is, and this is to be, their daily labour and en- deavour, that vain thoughts, unruly passions, corrupt lusts, may not take up any room in their bosom ; that they put not such unwelcome and unsavoury inmates upon the Spirit of grace; that sin may not dwell where God dwells. On this ground they may plead with their own souls, and say, " Hath the Lord chosen my poor heart for his habitation ? Hath he said, ' I delight in it, and there will I dwell for ever?' Hath he forsaken that goodly and stately material temple whereunto he gave his especial presence of old, to take up his abode in a far more eminent way in a poor sinful soul? Doth that Holy Spirit which dwells in Jesus Christ, who was ' holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,' who 'did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,' dwell also in me, that am in and of myself wholly corrupted and defiled ? And shall I be so foolish, so unthankful, as willingly to defile the habitation which he hath chosen? Shall I suffer vain thoughts, foolish lusts, distempered affections, worldly aims, to put in themselves upon him there? He is a Spirit oi gj-ace; can he bear a graceless corruption to be cherished in his dwelling? He is a Spirit of holiness ; and shall I harbour in his lodging a frame of worldli- ness? He is a Spirit of joy and consolation; and shall I fill my bosom with foolish /ears and devouring cares? Would not this be a grief unto him? would it not provoke the eyes of his glory? Can he bear it, that when he is with me, before his face, in his presence, I should spend my time in giving entertainment to his enemies? He is the High and the Holy One who dwells in eternity, and he hath chosen to inhabit with me also; surely I should be more brutish than any man should I be careless of his habitation. And should not this fill my soul with a holy scorn and indignation against sin? Shall I de- base my soul unto any vile lust, which hath this exceeding honour, to be a habitation for the Spirit of God?" Hence, upon a view of any defilement of lust or passion, nothing troubles i\\e saints more, nor fills them with more self-abhorrence and confusion of face, than this, that they have rendered their hearts an unsuitable habitation for the Spirit of God. This makes David, upon his sin, cry so ear-