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

As this he could have done, and may do when he pleaseth, so if he had done it, it had tended nothing unto the Ends which he designed. He might indeed have had a glorious Empire in the World, comprehensive of all Dominions that ever were or can be on the Earth; but yet it would have been of the same kind and Nature with that which Nero had, the greatest Monster of Villainy in Nature. Neither had it been any great matter for the Son of God to have out-done the Romans or the Turks, or such like Conspiracies of wicked Oppressors. And all those who yet think meet to use external Force over the Persons, Lives and Bodies of Men, in order unto the reducing of them unto the Obedience of Christ and the Gospel, do put the greatest Dishonour upon him imaginable, and change the whole Nature of his Design and Kingdom. He will neither own nor accept of any Subject, but whose Obedience is a Free Act of his own Will, and who is so made willing by himself in the Day of his Power. His Design, and his only Design in this World unto the Glory of God, is ⟨p. 207⟩to erect a Kingdom, Throne and Rule in the Souls and Consciences of Men, to have an Obedience from them in Faith, Love and Spiritual Delight, proceeding from their own Choice, Understandings, Wills and Affections; an Obedience that should be internal, Spiritual, Mystical, Heavenly, with respect solely unto things unseen and eternal, wherein himself and his Laws should be infinitely preferred before all earthly things and Considerations. Now this is a matter that all Earthly Powers and Empires could never desire, design or put an hand unto, and that which renders the Kingdom of Christ as of another Nature, so more excellent and better than all Earthly Kingdoms, as Liberty is better than Bondage, the Mind more excellent than the outward Carcass, Spiritual and Eternal things than things Carnal and Temporary, as the Wisdom and Holiness of God are more excellent than the Folly and Lusts of Men.

As this he could have done, and may do when he pleaseth, so if he had done it, it had tended nothing unto the Ends which he designed. He might indeed have had a glorious Empire in the World, comprehensive of all Dominions that ever were or can be on the Earth; but yet it would have been of the same kind and Nature with that which Nero had, the greatest Monster of Villany in Nature. Neither had it been any great matter for the Son of God to have out-done the Romans or the Turks, or such like Conspiracies of wicked Oppressors. And all those who yet think meet to use external Force over the Persons, Lives and Bodies of Men, in order unto the reducing of them unto the Obedience of Christ and the Gospel, do put the greatest Dishonour upon him imaginable, and change the whole Nature of his Design and Kingdom. He will neither own nor accept of any Subject, but whose Obedience is a Free Act of his own Will, and who is so made willing by himself in the Day of his Power. His Design, and his only Design in this World unto the Glory of God, is