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

(1) A subduction from them of the means of Grace, either totally by the removal of their Light and Candlestick, all ways of the Revelation of the Mind and Will of God unto them, Rev. 2. 5. Or as unto the Efficacy of the Word towards them, where the outward Dispensation of it is continued, so that hearing they shall hear, but not understand, Isa. 6. 9. John 12. 40. For by the Word it is that he strives with the Souls and Minds of Men. (2) A forbearance of all Chastisement, out of a gracious design to heal and recover them, Isa. 1. 6. (3) A giving of them up unto themselves, or leaving them unto their own ways; which although it seems only a Consequent of the two former, and ⟨p. cx⟩to be included in them, yet is there indeed in it a positive Act of the Anger and Displeasure of God, which directly influenceth the Event of Things, for they shall be so given up unto their own Hearts Lusts, as to be bound in them as in Chains of Darkness unto following vengeance, Rom. 1. 26, 28. But this is not all; he becomes at length a Professed Enemy unto such obstinate Sinners, Isa. 63. 10. They rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit, therefore he was turned to be their Enemy, and he sought against them. This is the length of his proceeding against obstinate Sinners in this World. And herein also three things are included. (1) He comes upon them as an Enemy to spoil them. This is the first thing that an Enemy doth, when he comes to Fight against any; he spoils them of what they have. Have such Persons had any Light, or Conviction, any Gift, or Spiritual Abilities, the Holy Spirit being now become their Professed Enemy, he spoils them of it all; From him that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he seemeth to have. Seeing he neither had nor used his Gifts or Talent unto any saving End, being now at an open Enmity with him who lent it him, it shall be taken away. (2) He will come upon them with Spiritual Judgments, smiting them with Blindness of Mind, and Obstinacy of Will, filling them with Folly, Giddiness and Madness in their ways of Sin, which sometimes shall produce most doleful Effects in themselves and others. (3) He will cast them out of his Territories; if they have been Members of Churches, he will order that they shall be cut off, and cast out of them. (4) He frequently gives them in this World a fore-taste of that Everlasting Vengeance which is prepared for them.