John Owen on "Grieving the Holy Spirit"

In his essay Work of the Spirit as Comforter, John Owen gave his definition of "Grieving the Holy Spirit." This phrase was used by Paul in Ephesians.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)

I have read a lot of definitions of "Grieving the Holy Spirit" over the years and this definition fits best with the context of the Ephesians passage.

Grief is here ascribed to the Holy Spirit, not properly, but metaphorically, in order to give us such an apprehension of things as we are able to receive. What may justly grieve a good man, and what he will do when undeservedly grieved, represent to us what we are to understand of our own condition with respect to the Holy Ghost, when he is said to be grieved by us. And grief in the sense here intended, is a trouble of mind arising from an apprehension of unkindness not deserved, of disappointments not expected, on account of a near concern in those by whom we are grieved. Hence we may see, what it is we are warned of, when we are cautioned not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

There must be unkindness in what we do. Sin has various respects towards God, of guilt, filth, and the like. But grieving him denotes unkindness, or a defect of love, answerable to the testimonies we have received of his love to us. He is the Spirit of love, he is love. All his actings towards us and in us, are fruits of his love; and all our joys and consolations arise from a sense of the love of God, communicated in an endearing way of love unto our souls. This requires a return of love and delight in all duties of obedience on our part. When instead hereof, by our negligence and carelessness, or otherwise, we fall into those things which he abhors, he observes the unkindness and ingratitude which is therein, and is therefore said to be grieved by us. (pp. 379-380, The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power)