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ftands in continual need of; yea, thè usefulness of the Spirit of God, is very much discovered: Firft, in that it is the Teacher of the Saints, the first Epistle of John 2. 27. But the anointing which bave received of him, abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you, but as the anointing teacheth you: Why, it is the office of the Holy Spirit, to be the Teacher of Gods people, John 14.26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will fend in my Name,he fball teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatfoever I have faid unto you. Secondly, as he is their Teacher, fo he is their Comforter, yea, and their Remembrancer, as in this 26 verf.

So likewife he is their Guide, and their Leader, Gal. 5. 18. fo he is their strength, Ephef. 3. 16. yea, by the Spirit they have boldness at the Throne of grace, Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are Sons, God hath fent forth the G3

Spirit

Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father. So alfo it is their affiftance at the Throne of grace, Rom. 8.26. faith the Apostle, we know not what to pray for, as we ought; but the Spirit helpeth our infirmities. Oh! how ufeful is the Spirit of God,unto poor fouls! it's a quickning Spirit, and therein also it is very useful: the peo-. ple of God are apt to deadness and coldness, in the things of God; therefore faith the Apostle, Rom. 8. 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Chrift from the dead, dwell in you, that raifed up Chrift from the dead, fhall quicken your mortal bodyes, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Again, it's by the Spirit, that we must mortifie corruption,the deeds of the body; as in the 13 verf. Many other particulars may be minded, wherein the usefulness of the Spirit of God doth confift; therefore let these confiderations incourage us, to wait upon God in this his way.

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4. We have incouragement to wait upon God in his way, even in this Ordinance, and that from the general promises in the Scripture, Gal.3.16.2 Cor.1.20. Luke 11.13.

5. A fifth ground of incouragement, may be drawn from the Reafons why the Spirit of God is given forth unto poor fouls ; and that first, from the fouls being in Covenant with the Lord: for among the many precious promifes of the new Covenant, this you fhall finde to be one,Ezek.36.27. I will put my Spirit within you, and caufe you to walk in my statutes, and ye fhall keep my Judgments, and do them: this Rea fon, the Apostle alfo Renders, Gal. 4.6. Because you are Sons, God hath fent forth the Spirit of his Son, &c. Secondly, from fouls obedience; the promise is made unto fuch, Aus 2.38.85.32. fuch as walk in obedience,fhall certainly be partakers of the Spirit of promife.

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6. Another ground of incouragement. I fhall mention, may be taken from the Neceffity of the Spirits being given with it's gifts and fruits amongft the people of God; and that may be,

1. Either, firft, for the Glory of God, 1 Cor. 12. 3. John 4. 14. Rom.

12. II.i

-w2. For the general good of the people of God, according to thefe Scriptures, 1 Cor. 12.7. The manifeftation of the Spirit, is given to every man, to profit withal: and fo he goes on, difcovering in the 8,9, 10. verf. the feveral gifts and fruits of the Spirit, from whence proceeds the usefulness of the members of the body of Chrift, one unto another; the Spirit of God dividing to every man feverally as he will, as in the 11. verf. So that the Eye cannot fay unto the hand, I have no need of thee; Neither the head to the feet, I have no need of thee, verf. 21. and the Reafon is

given,

given, verf. 25. that there fhould be no. fchifme or divifion in the body, but that the members fhould have the fame care one of another: read also 14. Chapt. 12 verf. and Ephef.4.12.

3. For our particular good and help, according to thefe Scriptures, Jud. 20. 1 Pet.1.22. Gal. 5. 5. and the 16.

Therefore now, let these incourage you to make use of that means God hath appointed, even this Ordinance, wherein his people were made partakers of his Spirit.

Query. But now fome do Queftion, What grounds we have that practife laying on of hands, to feparate from thofe who are Baptized ? for (fay they) could you have Communion with us, we could with you.

Anfw. To which I anfwer, and that firft: Confidering the frames of your Spirits, your denial of the truth, calling it error and delufion, a Doctrine from beneath, an inven

tion