d Saviour overcame all, Eph. ii. 16, Gal v. 17. This is
a presence that few have, such a familiar and love-abode. But, certainly,
all that are Christ's must have it in some measure. Now whosoever hath it,
it is perpetual, the Spirit dwells in them. It is not a sojourning for a
season, not a lodging for a night,--as some have fits and starts of seeking
God, and some transient motions of conviction or joy, but return again to
the puddle, these go through them as lightning, and do not warm them or
change them but this is a constant residence; where the Spirit takes up
house he will dwell, "he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you," and
abide for ever, John xiv. 16, 17. If the Son abide in the house for ever,
(John viii. 35) much more the master of the house must abide. Now, the
Spirit where he dwells hath gotten the command of that house, all the
power is put in his hand and resigned to him, for where he dwells he must
rule, as good reason is. He is about the greatest work that is now to do
in the world, the repairing and renewing of the ruins and breaches of
man's spirit, which was the first breach in the creation, and the cause of
all the rest. He is about the cleansing and washing this temple, and we
may be persuaded, that he who hath begun this good work, will perform it
until the day of Christ, till we be presented blameless and without spot
to our Husband (Phil. i. 5, 6), and this is the grand consolation of
believers that they have this presence assured to them by promise, that
the Spirit is fixed here by an irrevocable and unchangeable covenant or
donation, and will not wholly depart from them, though he may withdraw and
leave you comfortless for a season, Isa. lix. 21.

Therefore I would shut up all in a word of exhortation to you, that since
we have the promise of so noble and happy a guest, you would apply
yourselves to seek him, and then keep him, to receive him and then retain
him. It is true that he must first prevent us, for as no man can say,
"that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Spirit of God," so no man can indeed
pray for the Spirit, but by the Spirit's own intercession within him.
Where God hath bestowed any thing of this Spirit, it is known by the
kindly and fervent desires after more of it. Now, since we have such a
large and ample promise (Ezek. xxxvi. 27, Joel ii. 28) of the pouring out
of the Spirit, and that in as absolute and free a manner as can be
imagined, and this renewed by Christ, and confir