A53734:133
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit as a comforter, the other, As He is the author of spiritual gifts ... / by ... John Owen.
London: printed for William Marshall, 1693
Chapter 5: Particular Actings of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. How he is an Unction.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IT is manifest therefore, first, that this Unction we receive from the Holy One, is the Holy Spirit, which he hath promised unto all that believe in him; and then that we have these two things by Virtue thereof, (1.) Spiritual Instruction by Saving Illumination in the Mind of God, and the Mysteries of the Gospel; (2.) An especial Dedication unto God, in the way of a Spiritual Privilege.
IT is manifest therefore, first, that this Unction we receive from the Holy One, is the Holy Spirit, which he hath promised unto all that believe in him; and then that we have these two things by Vertue thereof, (1.) Spiritual Instruction by Saving Illumination in the Mind of God, and the Mysteries of the Gospel; (2.) An especial Dedication unto God, in the way of a Spiritual Priviledge.
WHAT remains, is to enquire, (1.) What Benefit or Advantage we have by this Unction: ⟨p. 71⟩(2.) How this belongs unto our Consolation, seeing the Holy Spirit is thus bestowed on us, as he is promised to be the Comforter of the Church.
AS unto the first Head, it is hereon that our stability in Believing doth depend. For it is pleaded unto this purpose in a peculiar manner by the Apostle, 1 John 2. 20, 27. It was the Unction from the Holy One, which then kept Believers from being carried from the Faith by the Craft of Seducers. Hereby he makes Men according unto their measure of quick Understanding in the fear of the Lord. Nor will any thing else give Assurance in this Case. Temptations may come as a Storm or Tempest, which will quickly drive Men from their greatest fleshly Confidences. Hence oftentimes those who are forwardest to say, Though all Men should forsake the Truth, yet would not they so do; are the forwardest upon Trials so to do. Neither will Mens Skill, Cunning or Disputing Abilities secure them from being at one time or other inveigled with fair Pretences, or entangled with the cunning sleights of them who lye in wait to deceive. Nor will the best defences of Flesh and Blood, stand firmly and unshaken against powerful Allurements on the one hand, and fierce Persecutions on the other, the present Artillery of the Patrons and Promoters of Apostasy. None of these things doth the Apostle prescribe or recommend unto Believers, as an effectual means of their Preservation, when a Trial of their stability in the Truth shall befall them. But this Unction he assures them will not fail, neither shall they fail because of it.