Evidence of the Holy Spirit's Presence (1)

How can we know whether or not we have the Spirit of Christ?
(1) By the activity of the Spirit. The Spirit is a vigorous working being, and therefore all three persons of the Trinity take upon themselves the name of Spirit, but the Holy Spirit especially, because he is the spiritual vigour. The Spirit is an operative entity. God, who is nothing but a pure act, is said to be a spirit. Those that have the Spirit are full of activity and energy. Will the spirits of bodies be vigorous, and will not the Holy Spirit be vigorous, who is a substantial vigour? Therefore, if a man has the Spirit of God in him, the Spirit will be working in him and very operative.
The Spirit is compared to fire in several respects: Fire is of a working nature. It is the instrument of nature. If we did not have fire, what could we work? All materials and all things are worked by fire, especially metals; they are framed and made malleable by fire. The Holy Spirit, too, works to soften the heart, and makes us malleable; he makes us fit for the impression of all good. Fire makes dark bodies light like itself. Iron is a dark body, but if the fire penetrates it, it makes it light. We are dark creatures of ourselves: if we have the Spirit he makes us light. Fire makes us cheerful and it ascends upwards. If a man has the Spirit of God, his way of life will be upward and heavenly; his mind is on the things of God, and he does not grovel here below. So in different ways the Holy Spirit is compared to fire, and has certain effects in us. In some sort we find our understandings enlightened, and ourselves quickened, and carried up to the above nature, in holy and heavenly actions; and that is a good sign that we that have the Spirit of Christ.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Glorious Freedom, pp. 21-22 [25-26]
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