A53734:167
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
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.
THE general End of an Earnest or a Pledge, is all that is alluded unto: And this is to give security of somewhat that is future or to come. And this may be done in a way of free Bounty, as well as upon the strictest Contract. As if a Man have a poor Friend or Relation, he may of his own accord give unto him a sum of Money, and bid him take it as a Pledge or Earnest of what he will yet do for him. So doth God in a way of Sovereign Grace and Bounty give his Holy Spirit unto Believers; and withal lets them know, that it is with a design to give them yet much more in his appointed season. And here is he said to be an Earnest. Other things that are observed from the Nature and Use of an Earnest in Civil Contracts and Bargains between Men, belong not hereunto; tho' many things are occasionally spoken and discoursed from them of Good Use unto Edification.
THE general End of an Earnest or a Pledge, is all that is alluded unto: And this is to give security of somewhat that is future or to come. And this may be done in a way of free Bounty, as well as upon the strictest Contract. As if a Man have a poor Friend or Relation, he may of his own accord give unto him a summ of Money, and bid him take it as a Pledge or Earnest of what he will yet do for him. So doth God in a way of Soveraign Grace and Bounty give his Holy Spirit unto Believers; and withall lets them know, that it is with a design to give them yet much more in his appointed season. And here is he said to be an Earnest. Other things that are observed from the Nature and Use of an Earnest in Civil Contracts and Bargains between Men, belong not hereunto; tho' many things are occasionally spoken and discoursed from them of Good Use unto Edification.
THIRDLY, In two of the Places wherein mention is made of this matter, the Spirit is said to be an Earnest, but wherein, or unto what End, is not expressed, 2 Cor. 1. 22. Chap. 5. 5. The third place affirms him to be an Earnest of our Inheritance, Eph. 1. 14. What that is, and how he is so, may be briefly declared. And,