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

(§ 9.) Secondly; Saving Grace proceeds from, or is the effect and fruit of Electing Love. This I have proved before in our Enquiry into the Nature of Holiness. See it directly asserted Ephes. 1. 3, 4. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Acts 2 41. Chap. 13. 48. Whom God graciously chooseth and designeth unto Eternal Life, them he prepares for it by the Communication of the Means which are necessary unto that end, Rom. ⟨p. 122⟩8. 28, 29, 30. Hereof Sanctification, or the Communication of saving Grace is comprehensive; for we are chosen unto Salvation through the Sanctification of the Spirit, 2 Thes. 2. 13. For this is that whereby we are made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, Col. 1. 12. The End of God in Election is the Sonship and Salvation of the Elect, unto the praise of the Glory of his Grace, Ephes. 1. 5, 6. And this cannot be unless his Image be renewed in them in Holiness or Saving Graces. These therefore he works in them, in pursuit of his Eternal purpose therein. But Gifts on the other hand which are no more but so, and where they are solitary or alone, are only the Effects of a temporary Election. Thus God chooseth some Men into some Office in the Church, or unto some Work in the World. As this includeth a preferring them before or above others, or the using them when others are not used, we call it Election; and in it self it is their fitting for, and separation unto their Office or Work. And this temporary Election is the Cause and Rule of the Dispensation of Gifts. So he chose Saul to be King over his People, and gave him thereon another Spirit, or Gifts fitting him for Rule and Government. So our Lord Jesus Christ chose and called at the first Twelve to be his Apostles, and gave unto them all alike Miraculous Gifts. His temporary choice of them was the ground of his Communication of Gifts unto them. By virtue hereof no saving Graces were Communicated unto them, for one of them never arrived unto a participation of them. Have not I, saith our Saviour unto them, chosen you Twelve, and one of you is a Devil?