med by his prayer to the
Father for the performance of it, (John xiv. 16, 17) and then we have a
sweet and affectionate promise propounded in the most moving and loving
manner than can be, Luke xi. 13, where he encourageth us to pray for the
Spirit and that from this ground, that our heavenly Father, who placed
that natural affection in other fathers toward their children, whereby
they cannot refuse them bread when they cry for it, he, who was the author
of all natural affection, must certainly transcend them infinitely in his
love to his children, as the Psalmist argues, "Shall not he that planted
the ear, hear? and he that formed the eye, see?" So may a poor soul reason
itself to some confidence, shall not he who is the fountain of all natural
love to men and beasts have much more himself? And if my father will not
give me a stone when I seek bread, certainly he will far less do it,
therefore, "if we being evil, know how to give good things to our
children, how much more shall our heavenly Father give his Spirit to them
that ask him?" Alas that we should want such a gift for not asking it! My
beloved, let us enlarge our desires for this Spirit, and seek more
earnestly, and no doubt affection and importunity will not be sent away
empty. Is it any wonder we receive not, because we ask not, or we ask so
coldly, that we teach him in a manner to deny us, _qui timide rogat_, I
may say, _frigide, docet negare_. Ask frequently, and ask confidently, and
his heart cannot deny. O that we could lay this engagement on our own
hearts to be more in prayer! Let us press ourselves to this and we need
not press him. Albeit the first grace be wholly a surprisal, yet certainly
he keeps this suitable method in the enlargements of grace, that when he
gives more, he enlargeth the heart more after it, he openeth the mouth
wider to ask and receive, and, according to that capacity, so is his hand
open to fill the heart. O, why are our hearts shut when his hand is open!
Again, I would exhort you in Jesus Christ, to entertain the Spirit
suitably, and this shall keep him. To this purpose are these exhortations
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit," Eph. iv. 30, and "Quench not the Spirit," 1
Thess. v. 19. There is nothing can grieve him but sin, and if you
entertain that, you cannot retain him. He is a Spirit of holiness and he
is about the making you holy, then do not mar him in his work, labour to
advance this and ye do him a pleasure. If you make his holy