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

The utmost they attained unto, was but to confirm and make obstinate the Minds of men, in a Fancy, an Opinion, or Persuasion contrary unto what they felt and had Experience of. For what they contended for, was but this, that the Consideration of the common Lot of Mankind, the unavoidableness of grieving accidents, the shortness of humane Life, the true Exercise of Reason upon more noble Objects, with others of the like nature, should satisfy men that the things which they endured were not evil or grievous. But what doth all this amount unto in comparison of this Privilege of Believers, of this Provision made for them in all their Disconsolations, by him in whom they do believe. This is a Relief that never entered into the Heart of man to think of or conceive. Nor can it be understood by any but those by whom it is enjoyed. For the World, as our Saviour testifies, neither knoweth this Spirit nor can receive him. And therefore what is spoken of him and this Work of his is looked on as a Fancy or the Shadow of a Dream. And although the Sun of Righteousness be risen in this matter, and shine on all that dwell in the Land of Goshen, yet those that abide still in Egypt make use only of their Lanterns. But those who are really Partakers of this Privilege, do know in some measure, what they do enjoy, although they are not able to comprehend it in its Excellency, nor value it in a due manner: For how can the Heart of Man, or our poor, weak Understandings fully conceive this glorious Mystery of sending the Holy Ghost to be our Comforter; Only they receive it by Faith, and have Experience of it in its Effects. There is in my Judgment an unspeakable ⟨p. 48⟩Privilege of those who are Believers antecedent unto their believing as they are Elect; namely that Christ dyed in their stead alone. But this is like the Wells which Isaac's Servant digged, that the Philistines strove about, as those which belonged unto them, which though fresh useful Springs in themselves, caused them to be called Esek and Sitna. Mighty strivings there are to break down the Enclosure of this Privilege, and lay it common unto all the World, that is indeed Waste and useless. For it is contended, that the Lord Christ dyed equally for all and every one of Mankind, for Believers and Unbelievers, for those that are saved and those that are damned.

The utmost they attained unto, was but to confirm and make obstinate the Minds of men, in a Fancy, an Opinion, or Perswasion contrary unto what they felt and had Experience of. For what they contended for, was but this, that the Consideration of the common Lot of Mankind, the unavoidableness of grieving accidents, the shortness of humane Life, the true Exercise of Reason upon more noble Objects, with others of the like nature, should satisfie men that the things which they endured were not evil or grievous. But what doth all this amount unto in comparison of this Priviledge of Believers, of this Provision made for them in all their Disconsolations, by him in whom they do believe. This is a Relief that never entred into the Heart of man to think of or conceive. Nor can it be understood by any but those by whom it is enjoyed. For the World, as our Saviour testifies, neither knoweth this Spirit nor can receive him. And therefore what is spoken of him and this Work of his is looked on as a Fancy or the Shadow of a Dream. And although the Sun of Righteousness be risen in this matter, and shine on all that dwell in the Land of Goshen, yet those that abide still in Egypt make use only of their Lanthorns. But those who are really Partakers of this Priviledge, do know in some measure, what they do enjoy, although they are not able to comprehend it in its Excellency, nor value it in a due manner: For how can the Heart of Man, or our poor, weak Understandings fully conceive this glorious Mystery of sending the Holy Ghost to be our Comforter; Only they receive it by Faith, and have Experience of it in its Effects. There is in my Judgment an unspeakable