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

SECONDLY, That which we have rendered to vex him, Isa. 63. 10. is but the heightening and aggravation of his being grieved by our Continuance, and it may be Obstinacy in those ways whereby he is grieved. For this is the Progress in these things. If those whom we are concerned in, as Children, or other Relations, do fall into Miscarriages and Sins, we are first grieved by it. This Grief in our selves is attended with Pity and Compassion towards them, with an earnest Endeavour for their Recovery. But if notwithstanding all our Endeavours, and the Application of Means for their Reducement, they continue to go on frowardly in their ways, then are we vexed at them; which includes an Addition of Anger and Indignation unto our former Sorrow or Grief. Yet in this posture of things we cease not to attempt their Cure for a Season, which if it succeed not, but they continue in their Obstinacy, then we resolve to treat with them no more, but to leave them to themselves. And not only so, but upon our Satisfaction of their Resolution for a continuance in ways of Sin and Debauchery, we deal with them as their Enemies, and labour to bring them unto Punishment. And for our better Understanding of the Nature of our ⟨p. cx⟩Sin and Provocation, this whole Scheme of things is ascribed unto the Holy Ghost with respect unto them. How he is said to be grieved, and on what occasion, hath been declared. Upon a continuance in those ways wherewith he is grieved, he is said to be vexed; that we may understand there is also Anger and Displeasure towards us; yet he forsakes us not, yet he takes not from us the Means of Grace and our Recovery. But if we discover an Obstinacy in our ways, and an untreatable Perverseness, then he will cast us off, and deal with us no more for our Recovery: And woe unto us, when he shall depart from us! So when the Old World would not be brought to Repentance by the Dispensation of the Spirit of Christ in the Preaching of Noah, 1 Pet. 3. 19, 20. God said thereon, that his Spirit should give over, and not always contend with Man, Gen. 6. 3. Now the Cessation of the Operations of the Spirit towards Men obstinate in ways of Sin, after he hath been long grieved and vexed, compriseth three things.