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

(§ 4.) BE it so therefore that these Gifts we intend are not in themselves saving Graces; yet are they not to be despised. For they are, as we shall show, The powers of the World to come, by means whereof the Kingdom of Christ is preserved, carried on and propagated in the World. And although ⟨p. 108⟩they are not Grace, yet are they the great means whereby all Grace is ingenerated and exercised. And although the spiritual Life of the Church doth not consist in them, yet the Order and Edification of the Church depends wholly on them. And therefore are they so frequently mentioned in the Scripture as the great privilege of the New Testament; Directions being multiplied in the Writings of the Apostles about their nature and proper use. And we are commanded earnestly to desire and labour after them, especially those which are most useful and subservient unto Edification, 1 Cor. 12. 31. And as the neglect of Internal saving Grace, wherein the power of Godliness doth consist, hath been the Bane of Christian Profession as to Obedience, issuing in that Form of it which is consistent with all manner of Lusts; so the neglect of these Gifts hath been the Ruin of the same Profession as to Worship and Order, which hath thereon issued in fond Superstition.

(§ 4.) BE it so therefore that these Gifts we intend are not in themselves saving Graces; yet are they not to be despised. For they are, as we shall shew, The powers of the World to come, by means whereof the Kingdom of Christ is preserved, carried on and propagated in the World. And although ⟨p. 108⟩they are not Grace, yet are they the great means whereby all Grace is ingenerated and exercised. And although the spiritual Life of the Church doth not consist in them, yet the Order and Edification of the Church depends wholly on them. And therefore are they so frequently mentioned in the Scripture as the great priviledge of the New Testament; Directions being multiplyed in the Writings of the Apostles about their nature and proper use. And we are commanded earnestly to desire and labour after them, especially those which are most useful and subservient unto Edification, 1 Cor. 12. 31. And as the neglect of Internal saving Grace, wherein the power of Godliness doth consist, hath been the Bane of Christian Profession as to Obedience, issuing in that Form of it which is consistent with all manner of Lusts; so the neglect of these Gifts hath been the Ruin of the same Profession as to Worship and Order, which hath thereon issued in fond Superstition.