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

(§ 14) SIXTHLY, On whomsoever Saving Grace is bestowed, it is so firstly and principally for himself and his own Good. It is a Fruit of the especial Love and Kindness of God unto his own Soul, Jer. 31. 3. This both the Nature and all the Ends of it do declare. For it is given unto us to renew the Image of God in us, to make us like unto him, to restore our Nature, enable us unto Obedience, and to make us meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. But yet we must take heed that we think not that Grace is bestowed on any merely for themselves. For indeed it is that wherein God designeth a Good unto all, Vir bonus commune ⟨p. 132⟩Bonum. A good Man is a good to all, Mic. 5. 7. And therefore God in the Communication of Saving Grace unto any, hath a three-sold respect unto others, which it is the Duty of them that receive it diligently to consider and attend unto. (1) He intends to give an Example by it of what is his Will, and what he approveth of: And therefore he requires of them in whom it is, such Fruits in Holy Obedience, as may express the Example of an Holy Life in the World, according to the Will of God and unto his Glory. Hereby doth he further the Salvation of the Elect, 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2. 1 Cor. 7. 16. Convince the Unbelieving World at present, 1 Pet. 2. 12. 15. Chap. 3. 16. And condemn it hereafter, Heb. 11. 7. And himself is glorified, Matth. 5. 16. Let therefore no Man think, that because Grace is firstly and principally given him for himself and his own Spiritual Advantage, that therefore he must not account for it also with respect unto those other Designs of God. Yea, he who in the Exercise of what he esteems Grace, hath respect only unto himself, gives an Evidence that he never had any that was genuine and of the right kind. (2) Fruitfulness unto the benefiting of others is hence also expected. Holy Obedience the Effect of Saving Grace, is frequently expressed in the Scripture by Fruits and Fruitfulness, See