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

(3.) It so teacheth as to give withal an Approbation of and Love unto the things that are taught. These are the next Principle and Cause of Practice, or the doing of the things that we know, which is the only Cement of all the Means of our security rendering them firm and stable. The Mind may discern Spiritual Truths, but if the Will and Affections be not wrought over to love them and delight in them, we shall never conform our selves unto them in the diligent exercise and practice of what they do require. And what we may do on the solitary Efficacy of Light and Conviction without the adherence of Love and Delight, will neither be acceptable unto God, nor shall we be permanent and stable therein. All other means in the World without the Love and Practice of the Truth, will be insufficient unto our Preservation in the Saving Profession of it. And this is the Characteristical Note of the Teachings by this Unction. It gives and communicates with it, the Love of that Truth wherein we are instructed, and delight in Obedience unto what it doth require. Where these are not, however raised our Minds may be, or our Understandings enlarged in the apprehension of Objective Truths, whatever sublime Notions or subtle Conceptions about them we may have, though we could master and manage all the ⟨p. 75⟩Speculations and Niceties of the Schools in their most pretended accuracy of Expression, yet as to the Power and Benefit of Religion, we should be but as sounding Brass and tinkling Cymbals. But when this Holy Spirit doth in and by his Teaching breathe into our Hearts an Holy, Divine Love unto, and Complacency in the things we are taught, when he enables us to taste how gracious the Lord is in them, rendering them sweeter unto us than the Honey or the Honey-comb, when he makes them our Delight and Joy, exciting and quickening the practical Principles of our Minds unto a compliance with them in holy Obedience, then have we that Unction from the Holy One which will both sanctify and secure our Souls unto the End.

(3.) It so teacheth as to give withall an Approbation of and Love unto the things that are taught. These are the next Principle and Cause of Practice, or the doing of the things that we know, which is the only Cement of all the Means of our security rendring them firm and stable. The Mind may discern Spiritual Truths, but if the Will and Affections be not wrought over to love them and delight in them, we shall never conform our selves unto them in the diligent exercise and practice of what they do require. And what we may do on the solitary Efficacy of Light and Conviction without the adherence of Love and Delight, will neither be acceptable unto God, nor shall we be permanent and stable therein. All other means in the World without the Love and Practice of the Truth, will be insufficient unto our Preservation in the Saving Profession of it. And this is the Characteristical Note of the Teachings by this Unction. It gives and communicates with it, the Love of that Truth wherein we are instructed, and delight in Obedience unto what it doth require. Where these are not, however raised our Minds may be, or our Understandings enlarged in the apprehension of Objective Truths, whatever sublime Notions or subtle Conceptions about them we may have, though we could master and manage all the