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

There was accompanying of their Preaching an Evidence or Demonstration of a Power and Authority that was from God and his Spirit. Men could not but conclude that there was something in it which was over them or above them, and which they must yield or submit unto as that which was not for them to contend withal. It is true, the Power of the Gospel was hid unto them that were to perish, whose Minds the God of this World had effectually blinded, lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should shine into them, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. Whence it came to pass that the Word was rejected by many; yet where-ever God was pleased to make it effectual, it was by a Sense of a Divine Authority accompanying its Administration by virtue of those Spiritual Gifts. And therefore our Apostle shows, that when Men prophesied or declared the Mind of God from the Word by the ⟨p. 215⟩Gift of Prophecy, Unbelievers did fall down, and Worshipping God reported that God was in them of a Truth, 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. They were sensible of a Divine Authority which they could not stand before or withstand. (2) From hence also proceeded that Life and Power for Conviction which the Word was accompanied with in their Dispensation of it. It became shortly to be the Arrows of Christ, which were sharp in the Hearts of Men. As Men found an Authority in the Dispensation of the Word, so they felt and experienced an efficacy in the Truths Dispensed. By it were their Minds enlightened, their Consciences awakened, their Minds convinced, their Lives judged, the secrets of their Hearts made manifest, as 1 Cor. 14. 24, 25. until they cried out in Multitudes, Men and Brethren what shall we do? Hereby did the Lord Christ in his Kingdom and Majesty ride prosperously Conquering and to Conquer, with the Word of Truth, Meekness and Righteousness, subduing the Souls of Men unto his Obedience, making them free, ready, willing in the Day of his Power. These were the Forces and Weapons that he used in the establishing of his Kingdom, which were mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down of Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ,