1 48 OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIIIIT [BOOK 11.
Ps, Ixxxii. 6, and not tlie prophets, who had neither power nor rule. And on them the Spirit of God that was in Moses rested ; that is, wrought the same abilities for government in them as he had re- ceived,— that is, wisdom, righteousness, diligence, courage, and the like, that they might judge the people wisely, and look to the execu- tion of the law impartially. Now, when the Spirit of God thus rested on them, it is said " They proj)hesied, and did not cease," Num. xi. 25, 26; that is, they sang or spake forth the praises of God in such a way and manner as made it evident unto all that they were extra- ordinarily acted by the Holy Ghost. So is that word used, 1 Sam. X. 10, and elsewhere. But this gift and work of prophecy was not the especial end for which they were endowed by the Spirit, for they were now called, as hath been declared, unto rule and government; but because their authority and rule was new among the peojDle, God gave that visible sign and pledge of his calling them to their office, that they might have a due veneration of their persons, and acquiesce in their authority. And hence, from the ambiguity of that word ISD^ N?], which we render " And did not cease," — " They prophesied, and did not cease," verse 25, — which may signify to " add" as well as to " cease," many of the Jews affirm that they so prophesied no more but that day only : " They prophesied then, and added not," — that is, to do so any more. So when God would erect a kingdom amongst them, which was a new kind of government unto them, and designed Saul to be the person that should reign, it is said that he " gave him another heart," 1 Sam. x. 9, — that is, " the Spirit of God came upon him," as it is elsewhere expressed, to endow him with that wisdom and magnanimity that might make him meet for kingly rule. And because he was new called from a low condition unto royal dignity, the communication of the Spirit of God unto him was accompanied with a visible sign and token, that the people might acquiesce in his government, who were ready to despise his person; for he had also an extraordinary afflatus of the Spirit, expressing itself in a " visible rapture," verses 10, 11. And in like manner he dealt with others. For this cause, also, he instituted the ceremony of anointing at their inauguration ; for it was a token of the communication of the gifts of- the Holy Ghost unto them, though respect was had therein to Jesus Christ, who was to be anointed with all his fulness, of whom they were types unto that people. Now, these gifts for government are natural and moral abilities of the minds of men ; such as are pru- dence, righteousness, courage, zeal, clemency, and the like. And when the Holy Ghost fell upon any persons to enable them for poli- tical rule and the administration of the civil power, he did not com- municate gifts and abilities unto them quite of another kind, but only gave them an extraordinary improvement of their own ordinary
CHAP. 1.] PEEPARATORY TO THE NEW CPvEATION. 1 If)
abilities. And, indeed, so great is the burden wherewith a just and useful government is attended, so great and many are the tempta- tions which power and a confluence of earthly things will invite and draw towards them, that without some especial assistance of the Holy Spirit of God, men cannot choose but either sink under the weight of it, or wretchedly miscarry in its exercise and management. This made Solomon, when God, in the beginning of his reign, gave him his option of all earthly desirable things, to prefer wisdom and know- ledge for rule before them all, 2 Cliron. i. 7—12; and this he re- ceived from him who is the " Spirit of wisdom and understanding," Isa. xi. 2. And if the rulers of the earth would follow this example, and be earnest with God for such supplies of his Spirit as might en- able them unto a holy, righteous discharge of their office, it would, in many places, be better with them and the world than it is or can be where is the state of things described Hos. vii. 8-5. Now, God of old did carry this dispensation out of the pale of the church, for the effecting of some especial ends of his own ; and I no way question but that he continueth still so to do. Thus he anointed Cyrus, and calls him his " anointed" accordingly, Isa, xlv, 1 ; for Cyrus had a double work to do for God, in both parts whereof he stood in need of his especial assistance. He was to execute his judgments and vengeance on Babylon, as also to deliver his people, that they might re-edify the temple. For both these he stood in need of, and did re- ceive, especial aid from the Spirit of God, though he was in himself but a "ravenous bird" of prey, chap. xlvi. 11: for the gifts of this Holy One in this kind wrought no real holiness in them on whom they were bestowed ; they were only given them for the good and benefit of others, with their own success in what they attempted unto that purpose. Yea, and many on whom they are bestowed never consider the author of them, but sacrifice to their own nets and drags, and look on themselves as the springs of their own wisdom and ability. But it is no wonder that all regard unto the gifts of the Holy Ghost in the government of the world is despised, when his whole work in and towards the church itself is openly derided.