water springing up into everlasting life." "The Spirit shall abide with you for ever." And the words of St. Paul, "The Spirit of God dwelleth in us."6 "By dwelling in us, is meant the special presence and residence, the permanent and continued influence and conduct of God's Holy Spirit, as a constant and powerful principle of spiritual life and activity in good men."7 Whence also it is represented as a "new creature," -a "divine nature,"_" for that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." 8 But when the disposition is said to be habitual and permanent, it is by no means to be inferred that it is always equally vigorous. For "the flesh being weak' has a counter influence. Still the Holy Spirit does not, as the aurora borealis, merely shine; but as the sun he both enlightens and invigorates. The understanding perceives the inadequacy and 6 John iv. 14; xiv. 17. Rom. viii. 9, 11. 1 Cor. iii. 16. 2 Tim. i. 14, &c. 7 I Abp. Tillot. Serm. 198. vol. iii. p. 611. 8 2 Cor. v. 17. 2 Pet. i. 4. John iii. 6. fleeting nature of all earthly enjoyments, the superior excellency of spiritual things, and the amazing scenes which an invisible world will more fully open to its view. The disposition prefers them as more important, more sublime, and infinitely more suitable to its immortal existence. The affections rise to the subject; and the efforts follow, not only by "shunning the works of the flesh," by opposing every feeling of "pride, vain-glory, and hypocrisy, envy, hatred and malice, and all uncharitableness," but, as our Lord is the brightest, fairest exemplar of virtue ever exhibited to mortal eyes, by imitating his example, in the temper of his mind, in the tenour of his life, and in the widely-diffusive benevolence of his heart; " doing the will of his Father;" "giving honour to whom honour is due ;" "rendering to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's." And, secondly, that we are entirely dependent upon the Spirit as the source, and for the continuance of all Christian virtues and graces; inasmuch as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance -- all goodness, righteousness, and truth, are the fruits of the Spirit." -Borne indeed by man, and as ornamental to him as they are beneficial, but yet as dependent upon the Spirit as the fruit of a tree is upon its sap; proving that "separated from him we can do nothing;" and "are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves;" but, "through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body;" "abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost;" through the Spirit, do wait for the hope of righteousness;" and "obey the truth through the Spirit." Nay, so dependent are we that, in those solemn and interesting seasons, when we bow the knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so manifold are our infirmities, so imperfect is our knowledge, and so perpetually do we 9 Gal. v. 22. Eph. v. 9. John xv. 5. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Rom. viii. 13; xv. 13. 2 Cor. v. 5. 1 Pet. i. 22. require his influence, that even then, "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."2" He guideth and quickeneth us in devotion; showing us what we should ask; raising in us holy desires and comfortable hopes; disposing us to approach unto God with fit dispositions of mind, love and reverence, and humble confidence. tercessor with God. He is also our In Whence he is liarly called Tapákλntos, the Advocate; that is, one who is called in by his good word, or countenance, to aid him, whose cause is to be examined, or petition to be considered."3 Thus, the divine influence, falling insensibly as the dew, refreshens, and as the genial shower, fertilizes the seed sown, so that it gradually developes itself, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full 2 Rom. viii. 26. 3 Barrow's works, vol. ii. p. 205. See also Dodd. note in loc. corn in the ear;" or renders the Christian "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season." And thus, by means of his word, of his public ordinances and prayer, he "is strengthened with might by the Spirit."" Mark the rain that falls from above, and the same shower that dropped out of one cloud, increaseth sundry plants in a garden, and severally, according to the condition of every plant; in one stalk it makes a rose, in another a violet, divers in a third, and sweet in all. So the Spirit works its multiformous effects in several complexions, and all according to the increase of God. Is thy habit and inclination choleric? Why try thyself if thou be very apt to be zealous in a good cause, and it turns thy natural infirmity into holy heat," &c. &c.5 Of the ordinary influences of the Spirit it should, however, be particularly remarked that they are not perceptible |