A53734:74
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit as a comforter, the other, As He is the author of spiritual gifts ... / by ... John Owen.
London: printed for William Marshall, 1693
Chapter 2: General Adjuncts or Properties of the Office of a Comforter as exercised by the Holy Sp…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Wherefore in all the Actings of the Holy Ghost towards us, and especially in this of his Susception of an Office in the behalf of the Church, which is the Foundation of them all, his Love is principally to be considered, and that he chooseth this way of acting and working towards us to express his peculiar, personal Character, as he is the Eternal Love of the Father and the Son. And among all his Actings towards us, which are all Acts of Love, this is most conspicuous in those wherein he is a Comforter.
Wherefore in all the Actings of the Holy Ghost towards us, and especially in this of his Susception of an Office in the behalf of the Church, which is the Foundation of them all, his Love is principally to be considered, and that he chuseth this way of acting and working towards us to express his peculiar, personal Character, as he is the Eternal Love of the Father and the Son. And among all his Actings towards us, which are all Acts of Love, this is most conspicuous in those wherein he is a Comforter.
WHEREFORE, because this is of great use unto us, as that which ought to have, and which will have, if duly apprehended, a great Influence on our Faith and Obedience, and is moreover the Spring of all the Consolations we receive by and from him, we shall give a little Evidence unto it, namely, that the Love of the Spirit is principally to be considered in this Office, and the Discharge of it. For whatever Good we receive from any ⟨p. 29⟩one, whatever Benefit or present Relief we have thereby, we can receive no Comfort or Consolation in it, unless we are persuaded that it proceeds from Love; and what doth so, be it never so small, hath Refreshment and Satisfaction in it unto every ingenious Nature. It is Love alone that is the Salt of every Kindness or Benefit, and which takes out of it every thing that may be noxious or hurtful. Without an apprehension hereof, and satisfaction herein, multiplied beneficial Effects produce no internal Satisfaction in them that do receive them, nor put any real Engagement on their Minds,