1. If Christ's ascension be mine, then am I ascended with Christ? I mean not in respect of any bodily ascension, for that must not be until the last day; nor in respect of any essential, substantial soul-ascension, for that must not be before the separation of soul and body at our death's day; but in respect of our spiritual ascension, for so we may ascend into heaven by faith, and love, though for the present we are on earth," If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God; set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth," Col. 3:1,2. If Christ our head be ascended, then we that are his members, must needs follow after him in our affections; Christ tells us, "Where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also," Matth. 6:21. If Christ our treasure be ascended into heaven, our loves, our affections, our hearts will follow after him; and if our hearts be in heaven, no question but we ourselves, both souls and bodies shall at last ascend; when Christ ascended, we ascended virtually with him, now we ascend spiritually, and at last we shall ascend bodily, for he that ascended shall descend, and then "we shall meet him in the air, and so shall be ever with the Lord," 1 Thess. 4:17. In the mean time to maintain our hope, let us ascend daily by faith and love; and this is out character, that Christ's ascension is truly ours.

2. If Christ's session be mine, then am I set down with Christ in heavenly places; I mean not bodily, but by faith, which faith makes it as sure to my soul, as if I had a foot already in heaven, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen," Heb. 11: 1. By faith I now sit in heavenly places, in that I verily believe, I shall do it one day: my hope is now certain, in that I am as sure of that I look for, as I am of that I have already received; it is the common objection, we see it not, as the apostle saith of Christ," we see not yet all things put under him," Heb. 2:8. but he presently answers, "We see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor,” verse 9. And so we may be sure the thing is as good as done, for if he be above, all must come under; in like manner, we see not ourselves in present possession, but we see Christ crowned, and ourselves sitting with bin virtually, and therefore at last we shall see ourselves actually crowned, and sitting together with Christ in heavenly places. In the mean time, faith takes possession of the kingdom of heaven; faith makes the soul even now to converse with God and Christ, and saints and angels, "Faith Jays hold upon eternal life," 1 Tim. 6:19. It puts the soul as it were into heaven, and sets it down at the right hand of Christ; and this is our charac. ter that Christ's session is truly ours.

3. If Christ's Spirit be mine, and sent to me, then have I both the per son, and train of the Spirit of Christ; it is the having the Spirit, and the working of the Spirit in me, that is my evidence of the Spirit's mission; 1 look upon this as the greatest question, and the weightiest, and most important case of conscience that can be propounded or known to us, viz. Whether the Spirit of Christ doth reside in us? Or whether we have a well grounded hope to say of ourselves that we have the indwelling of the Spirit of God?" Know ye not that ye are the temple of God (saith the apostle) and hat the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16. And again," Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost?" 1 Cor. 6:19. In this question, he seems to put it out of question, that true Christians should know, and in right temper do know that the Spirit of God dwells in thein; if we know not this, we cannot know that we have any part in Christ; because the Holy Spirit is the

principal bond of our union betwixt Christ and us; if we know not this, we cannot know that we are justified, for we have nothing to do with Christ's righteousness, by which we are justified, until by our spiritual union, Christ is made ours: if we know not this, we cannot know we are the adopted children of God, for it is the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry in our hearts, Abba, Father, Rom. 8:15. If we know not this, we cannot know that we are sanctified, for it is the Spirit which is the beginner and perfecter of our sanctification; if we know not this, we cannot know that our prayers are heard, for it is "the Spirit that helps our infirmities, and that makes intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered," Rom. 8:26. If we know not this, we cannot know whether we are in error or truth; or whether our religion which we profess be true, or false, for it is the Spirit who enlightens us, and teacheth us, and leadeth us into all truth, if we know not this, we cannot know our own comforts, for he is the only true comforter, from whom all sound comfort springs. Come then, and put ourselves to the trial; let us search whether we have the Spirit of Christ, which we may resolve if we will not deal deceitfully with our own heart by these following signs.

1. The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of illumination, if he dwell in us he will enlighten our eyes, reveal to us those saving truths of God as they are in Jesus; "But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, John 14:26. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know of all things, 1 John 2:20. But the anointing which ye have received of him, abideth in you; and you need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, ver. 27. And hence it is that this Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of wisdom, and revelation, in the knowledge of God," Eph. 1:17.

2. The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of adoption, it brings our souls into that blessed estate, that we are the children of God; "Ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby ye cry Abba, Father," Rom. 8:15. And "because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father," Gal. 4:6.

3. The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of prayer, "I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, Zech. 12:10. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered," Rom. 8:26. It is not said that the Spirit teacheth us words, and fluent phrases, but it teacheth us to pray in the heart and Spirit with sighs and groans.

4. The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of sanctification; the apostle having told the Corinthians, that they had been notorious sinners, saith farther, That "they were washed and sanctified by the Spirit of God," 1 Cor. 6: 11. Hence the Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of holiness," Rom. 1:4. Because he makes us holy, who were in ourselves corrupt and sinful. If we have this Spirit, it inclines our hearts to the things above, it mortifies our lusts, it brings us nearer unto God: the spirit therefore that is impure, and encourageth men in sin, and cries up carnal liberty, is certainly none of the Spirit of Christ; and by this one sign, many carnal pretenders of our times may be justly convicted.

5. The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of love," God is love, and he that dwelle in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him," 1 John 4:16. As the

Spirit is love, so it begets love in the hearts of his people, "The fruit of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance," Gal. 5:22. All these graces are the fruits of the Spirit, but the first grace in the link is love: by his Spirit we are taught to love God, not only for his benefits, but in respect of his nature, for his goodness, mercy, justice, holiness, and all other his saving attributes; by his Spirit we are taught to love any thing that hath but the stamp and image of God upon it: "But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you, for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another," 1 Thess. 4:2. The most of the heretical spirits of these times, do hereby shew that they have not the Spirit: their very religion lieth in railing at ministers, and reproaching those that are not in their way; this is far from the Spirit of love that is in God's children; certainly where there is malice, hatred, strife, bitter envyings, railings, revilings, for such kind of persons to lay claim to the Spirit of unity, it is a piece of impudent vanity, and a false suggestion from their own corrupt erring spirit, or from the spirit of error himself, who is an hater, reviler, and the accuser of the brethren.

6. The Spirit of Christ is a leading Spirit, " As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God," Rom. 8:14. But what is this leading of the Spirit? I answer,

1. It is a drawing of the soul Christ-ward, "Draw me,( saith the spouse) and we will run after thee," Sol. Song 1:4. There must be a drawing of the soul in every duty to Jesus Christ; for a man may be furnished with eminent gifts, and with suitable assistances in the laying out of these gifts from the Spirit, and yet he may be without the leadings of the Spirit; gifts exercised, cannot suppress corruptions in a man's own heart, and hence they that used their gifts are called workers of iniquity, Matth. 7: 23. gifts do not carry out the heart towards Christ, but graces do," I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me, for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me, saith the Lord," Jer. 30:21.

2. It is a giving liberty to the soul to walk in the ways of Christ. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," 2 Cor. 3:17. I mean not a liberty to sin, but to duty; nor yet every liberty to duty; fora man may exercise himself in the external part of all duties, and yet be without the leadings of the Spirit; but I mean such a liberty as when a soul accounts it an high favor from the Lord, if he will but use them in any services for himself. When it finds more delectation in these than in any otherwise, "I have chosen the way of truth, (saith David,) and therein is my delight, Psal. 119:34,173,174. And I delight in the law of God after the inner-man," saith Paul,) Rom. 7:22. For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death," Rom. 8:2.

3 It is a corroboration or strengthening the soul against all those impediments that would hinder it in the ways of Christ; Israel is said to be "led by the Spirit of the Lord," And how did he lead them? But" by dividing the waters before them, and by keeping them that they should not stumble," Isa. 63:11,12,13,14. Many times God's holy ones are beset with temptations, they find their hearts full of deadness, hardness, unbelief, and all manner of distempers; now if at such a time the mountains have been made plains, if at such a time corruptions have been borne down, and their hearts have been let out towards Christ, certainly these are the leadings of the Spirit, "If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live; for as many as are led by the Spirit of

God, are the sons of God," Rom. 8:13,14. The particle "for," argues mortification to appertian unto the leadings of the Spirit. There is in the saints a constant opposition between the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit: now when the works of the flesh are kept underneath, and prevailed against, then a soul enjoyeth the leadings of the Spirit, Gal. 5: 17,18. I know such oppositions are not in any but the saints: carnal ment would wonder that any should complain for want of strength unto duties; why they can easily come up to them, and be in the exercise of them: but alas! this ariseth either from Satan's not molesting them in the performance of duty, because they look not beyond the external part of it; or from their own insensibleness of the workings of corruption, when yet it doth act: only a gracious heart findeth, that if it be not strengthened by a power beyond its own, it cannot act any grace, or perform any duty as acceptable to God; and hence the apostles prays, "That they might be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man," Eph. 3:16.

4. It is an enabling of the soul to act in gospel duties for gospel ends: when the Spirit leads, the soul never aims at self-advancement, it never looks at its own name and glory, as they did in Matth. 6:1.5. But it eyes in all its actings the mortification, and corruption, and the attainment of communion with God and Christ, and the increase of all grace, faith, love, patience, meekness, self-denial, &c. Or, if it seeks for outward mercies, it seeks them in a subordination to these, and in a way of subserviency to the interest and designs of Christ; in all things whether outward or inward, it seeks the glory of God as its ultimate end. And, in these particulars, consists the leadings of the Spirit of Christ.

7. The Spirit of Christ is a witnessing Spirit, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God," Rom. 8:16. "And every one that believeth hath the witness within himself," 1 John 5:10. but of these two questions. 1. What is this witnessing work of the Spirit? 2. How doth the Spirit thus witness? For the First,

I answer,

1. In general, witnessing is a giving in some evidence upon our knowledge how the matter in question standeth, that thereby others may be ascertained of the truth of the thing, " At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall the matter be established," Deut. 19:15. These words Christ cited, and said, "It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true," John 8:17. Not but that it was certain in itself before, but that now by the testimony of two, it is rendered certain unto those that question the same, this is witnessing.

2. In special, the witnessing of the Spirit is an office of the Spirit, whereby it works the soul into a knowledge, persuasion, or conclusion of its acceptation into favor with God in Christ. Now the Spirit witnesseth either objectively; or efficiently.

1. Objectively, When it only affords such special operations as have an aptitude to ascertain the soul, but do not ascertain: thus many a time the Spirit comes and brings in such and such assertions or affirmations of our adoption, as if they were duly observed, might manifest the same; but we overlook these evidences, we will not hear what the Spirit speaks to us, "We speak that we know, (saith Christ,) and testify that we have seen, but ye receive not our witness," John 3:11. So may the Spirit complain, "I have testified to you that which I know, I have said that ye were children of God, but ye have not received my witness." Doubtless it is a sinful neglect not to yield attention unto the voice of the Spirit, and yet the Spirit in this way may be resisted.

2. Efficiently, and if the Spirit witness thus, it cannot be resisted; in this way the Spirit causeth the soul to conclude of its adoption by its speaking to it: this is not only the assertions or affirmations of our adop tion, but the assurances of our souls, that we are adopted, "I am persuaded," saith the apostle, Rom. 8:38. "And I know that my Redeemer liveth," saith Job, Job 19:25. And "hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us," 1 John 3:24. But,

2. How doth the Spirit thus witness? I answer, 1. Immediately. 2. Mediately.

1. Concerning the immediate testimony of the Spirit, there is some controversy: Antinomians would have no other testimony but this: all other evidences, say they, are deceiving evidences; or if not deceiving, yet to make use of them, it were but to light a candle to the sun, for what are the graces of the Spirit in comparison of the Spirit's own testimony? And it may be the running into this extreme, hath caused others absolutely to deny any such testimony; or, at least, to say, "For these enthusiasms of inspirations, let them boast of them that have them, we know no such thing." Methinks a middle betwixt both these, as it is proved by others, is most consonant to truth; for neither can I reject the graces of sanctification from being grounds of our assurance; neither dare I deny but there is something of the work of the Spirit's testimony, which is an immediate work. Let us hear what others say of it.

* Certainly there is a work wherein the Spirit acts, as in illumination, and infusion of good motions into us, wherein by a secret influence upon the heart, he quiets and calms the troubled soul, concerning its condition by his own immediate power, without any grounds from scripture without, or graces within.

There is a threefold work of the Spirit; 1. To convey and plant grace in the soul. 2. To act and help us to exercise the graces which are planted there. 3. To shine upon and enlighten those graces; this last work the Spirit fulfils two ways; 1. By arguments, and inferences, which is a mediate work. 2. By presence and influence, which is an immediate work; this the apostle calls "witness bearing, There are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and water, and blood," 1 John 5:8. The Spirit brings in the witness of water and blood, which is his mediate work, but besides and above these, he gives a distinct witness of his own, which is his immediate work, is in a way of peculiarity and transcendency, "called the witness of the Spirit." As it is with the motions of the Spirit; many a time the Spirit excites a man to such or such duties, by laying his hand immediately upon the heart, and thereby inclining it to obey those motions; so in this case, when a poor soul sits in darkness and sees no light, sometimes upon a sudden, it is, as it were, taken up into the third heaven: and this is in such a way, that though the spirit of a man really believes it, and is immediately calm by it, yet it cannot tell how it came to pass.

There is a testimony of the Spirit, which sometimes the Spirit may suggest and testify to the sanctified conscience with a secret, still, heartravishing voice, thus, or in the like manner, "Thou art the child of God; thou art in the number of those that shall be saved; thou shalt inherit everlasting life," and that as certainly and comfortably, as if that angel should say to thee, as he did to Daniel, "Greatly beloved." Mighty and remark

* Ford of the Spirit.

† Caryl on Job, chap. 10.

1 Bolton's Direct. for a comfortable walking with God.