All, therefore, that is pleaded for the division of the Holy Ghost from this place is built on the supposition that we have before re- jected,— namely, that he is not a divine person, but an arbitrary emanation of divine power. And yet neither so can the division of the Holy Ghost pleaded for be with any tolerable sense maintained. Crellius says, indeed, "That all divine inspirations may be considered as one whole, as many waters make up one sea. In this respect the Holy Ghost is one, — that is, one universal made up of many species ;"
ay'iou '^vtift.tt.r:; ruv w;irr£i/ovT<wv.— Origen. Comment, in Matthoeum.
124 WAY AND MANNER OF THE DIVINE DISPENSATION, ETC. [BOOK I.
This is totum logicum. And so he may be divided into his subordi- nate species ! But what ground or colour is there for any such notions in the Scripture? Where is it said that all the gifts of the Holy Ghost do constitute or make up one Holy Ghost? or the Holy Ghost is one in general, because many effects are ascribed unto him? or that the several gifts of the Spirit are so many distinct kinds of it? The contrary unto all these is exjjressly taught, — namely, that the one Holy Spirit worketh all these things as he pleaseth; so that they are all of them external acts of his will and power. And it is to as little purpose pleaded by the same author, " That he is divided as a natural whole into its parts, because there is mention of a measure and portion of him: so God is said not to give him to Jesus Christ 'by measure,' John iii. 34; and to every one of us is given grace 'according to the measure of the gift of Christ," Ep. iv. 7;" — as though one measure of him were granted unto one, and another measure to another! But this " measure" is plainly of his gifts and graces. These were bestowed on the Lord Christ in all their fulness, without any limitation, either as to kinds or degrees; they were poured into him according imto the utmost extent and capacity of human nature, and that under an inconceivable advancement by its union unto the Son of God. Others receive his gifts and graces in a limited proportion, both as to their kinds and degrees. To turn this into a division of the Spirit himself is the greatest madness. And casting aside prejudices, there is no difficulty in the understanding of that saying of God to Moses, Num. xi. 17, "I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and I will put it Tipon the elders;" for it is evi- dently of the gifts of the Spirit, enabling men for rule and govern- ment, that God speaketh, and not of the Spirit himself Without any diminution of that Spirit in him, — that is, of the gifts that he had received, — God gave unto them, as lighting their candle by his. And so, also, the " double portion of the spirit of Elijah," which Elisha re- quested for himself, was only a large and peculiar measure of pro- phetical light, above what other prophets which he left behind him had received, 2 Kings ii. 9. He asked ^.''^l^"''?', " os duorum" or " duplex;" rh bi'TrXovv /jy'spog, or ra hi'TrXa. This expression is first used, Deut. xxi. ] 7, where the double portion of the first-born is intended; so that probably it was such a portion among the other prophets as the first-born had among the brethren of the same family which he desired : and so it came to pass ; whence, also, he had the rule and government of them.
CHAP. I.] OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ETC. 125
BOOK 11. CHAPTER I.
PECULIAR OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT PREPARATORY FOR THE NEW.
The work of the Spirit of God in the new creation; by some despised — Works under the Old Testament preparatory to the new creation — Distribution of the works of the Spirit — The gift of prophecy; the nature, use, and end of it — The beginning of prophecy — The Holy Spirit the only author of it — The name of a "prophet;" its signification, and his work — Prophecy by inspiration; whence so called — Prophets, how acted by the Holy Ghost — The adjuncts of prophecy, or distinct ways of its communication — Of articulate voices — Dreams — Visions — Accidental adjiincts of prophecy — Symbolical actions — Local mutations — Whether unsanctified persons might have the gift of pro- phecy— The case of Balaam answered — Of writing the Scriptures — Three things required therevmto — Of miracles — Works of the Spirit of God in the improvement of the natural faculties of the minds of men in things political — In things moral — In things corporeal — In things intellectual and artificial — In preaching of the word.
Having passed through these general things, which are of a necessary previous consideration unto the especial works of the Holy Ghost, I now proceed unto that which is the principal subject of our present design ; and this is, the dispensation and work of the Holy Spirit of God with respect unto the new creation, and the recovery of mankind or the church of God thereby. A matter this is of the highest importance unto them that sincerely believe, but most violently, and of late virulently, opposed by all the enemies of the grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. The weight and con- cernment of the doctrine hereof have in part been spoken unto before. I shall at present add no farther considerations to the same purpose, but leave all that fear the name of God to make a judgment of it by what is revealed concerning it in the Scriptures, and the uses whereunto it is in them directed. Many, we know, will not receive these things; but whilst we keep ourselves, in the handling of them, unto that word whereby one day both we and they must either stand or fall, we need not be moved at their ignorance or pride, nor at the fruits and effects of them, in reproaches, contempt, and scorn : for £^£/ 08^5 "vdi/iov o'/A<Aa.