Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

3. ALTHOUGH all the principal Actings of the Holy Spirit in us, and towards us as a Comforter, do depend on this Head, or flow from this Spring of his Inhabitation, yet in the Confirmation of it's Truth, I shall here name one or two, by which it self is evidenced, and it's Benefits unto the Church declared.

(1) THIS is the Spring of his gracious Operations in us. So our Saviour himself declares it. The Water that I shall give unto him, shall be in him a Well of Water springing up into everlasting Life, John 4. 14. The Water here promised is the Holy Spirit, called the Gift of God, Ver. 10. This is evident from that parallel place, John 7. 38, 39. where this Living Water is plainly declared to be the Holy Ghost. And this Water which is given unto any, is to be in him, and there to abide, which is but a Metaphorical Expression of the Inhabitation of the Spirit. For it is to be in him as a Well, as a Living Fountain, which cannot be spoke of any gracious ⟨p. 59⟩Habit whatever. No Quality in our Minds can be a Spring of Living Water. Besides, all gracious Habits are Effects of the Operation of the Holy Spirit, and therefore they are not the Well it self, but belong unto the springing of it up in Living Waters. So is the Spirit in his Indwelling distinguished from all his Evangelical Operations of Grace, as the Well is distinct from the Streams that flow from it. And as it is natural and easy for a Spring of Living Waters to bubble up, and put forth refreshing Streams; so it belongs unto the Consolation of Believers, to know how easy it is unto the Holy Spirit, how ready he is on the account of his gracious Inhabitation, to carry on and perfect the Work of Grace, Holiness and Sanctification in them. And what Instruction they may take for their own Deportment towards him, may be afterwards spoken unto. So in many other places is his Presence with us (which we have proved to be by the way of gracious Inhabitation) proposed as the Cause and Spring of all his gracious Operations, and so distinct from them. So the Holy Ghost that is given us, Sheds abroad the Love of God in our Hearts,