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

CHAP. III. Unto whom the Holy Spirit is promised and given as a Comforter; or the Object of his Acting in this Office.

WE have considered the Promise of Christ to send the Holy Spirit to be the Comforter of the Church, and unto that end to abide with them for ever. The Nature also of that Office and Work in general which hereon he undertakes and dischargeth, with the Properties of them, have been declared. Our next Enquiry is unto whom this Promise is made, and towards whom it is infallibly fulfilled. How and unto what Ends, in what Order as unto his Effects and Operations, the Holy Spirit is promised unto any Persons and received by them, hath been already declared in our former Discourses, Lib. 4. Chap. 3. We shall therefore here only declare in particular who he is promised unto and received by, as a Comforter. And this is to all, and only unto Believers; those who are actually so. All his Operations required unto the making of them so to be, are antecedent hereunto. For the Promise of him unto this End, where-ever it is recorded, is made directly unto ⟨p. 45⟩them, and unto them it is confined. Immediately it was given unto the Apostles; but it was not given unto them as Apostles, but as Believers and Disciples of Christ, with a particular respect unto the Difficulties, and Causes of Disconsolation which they were under, or should meet withal upon the Account of their being so. See the Promises unto this purpose expressly, John 14. 16, 17, 26. Chap. 15. 26. Chap. 16. 7, 8. And it is declared withal that the World, which in that Place is opposed unto them that do believe, cannot receive him, Chap. 14. 17. Other effectual Operations he hath upon the World, for their Conviction, and the Conversion of many of them. But as a Spirit of Consolation He is neither promised unto them, nor can they receive him, until other gracious Acts of his have passed on their Souls. Besides, we shall see that all his Actings and Effects as a Comforter are confined unto them that believe, and do all suppose Saving Faith as antecedent unto them.