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

(§ 6.) SEEING therefore this was the Design of Christ, this was the Nature and Work of the Gospel which was to be propagated, wherein Carnal Power and outward Force could be of no use, yea, whose Exercise was inconsistent with, dishonourable unto, and destructive of the whole Design; and wherein the Work to be accomplished on the Minds and Souls of Men is incomparably greater than the conquering of Worlds with Force and Arms, it is enquired what Power the Lord Christ did employ herein, what Means and Instruments he used for the Accomplishment of his Design, and the erecting of that Kingdom or Church-State, which being promised of Old, was called the World to come, or, the New World, the New Heaven and Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness: ⟨p. 208⟩And I say, it was these Gifts of the Holy Ghost whereof we have treated, which were those Powers of this World to come. By them it was, or in their Exercise, that the Lord Christ erected his Empire over the Souls and Consciences of Men, destroying both the Work and Kingdom of the Devil. It is true, it is the Word of the Gospel it self, that is the Rod of his Strength which is sent out of Zion to erect and dispense his Rule: But that hidden Power which made the Word effectual in the dispensation of it, consisted in these Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Men may despise them, or think light of them whilst they please, they are those Powers which the Lord Christ in his Wisdom, thought meet alone to engage in the propagation of the Gospel, and setting up of his Kingdom in the World.

(§ 6.) SEEING therefore this was the Design of Christ, this was the Nature and Work of the Gospel which was to be propagated, wherein Carnal Power and outward Force could be of no use, yea, whose Exercise was inconsistent with, dishonourable unto, and destructive of the whole Design; and wherein the Work to be accomplished on the Minds and Souls of Men is incomparably greater than the conquering of Worlds with Force and Arms, it is enquired what Power the Lord Christ did employ herein, what Means and Instruments he used for the Accomplishment of his Design, and the erecting of that Kingdom or Church-State, which being promised of Old, was called the World to come, or, the New World, the New Heaven and Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness: ⟨p. 208⟩And I say, it was these Gifts of the Holy Ghost whereof we have treated, which were those Powers of this World to come. By them it was, or in their Exercise, that the Lord Christ erected his Empire over the Souls and Consciences of Men, destroying both the Work and Kingdom of the Devil. It is true, it is the Word of the Gospel it self, that is the Rod of his Strength which is sent out of Sion to erect and dispense his Rule: But that hidden Power which made the Word effectual in the dispensation of it, consisted in these Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Men may despise them, or think light of them whilst they please, they are those Powers which the Lord Christ in his Wisdom, thought meet alone to engage in the propagation of the Gospel, and setting up of his Kingdom in the World.