Hereunto also is referred what is said of believers being made "kings and priests," Rev. i. 6; for there is an allusion therein unto the anointing of those sorts of persons under the Old Testament. What- ever was typical therein was fully accomplished in the unction of Christ unto his office, wherein he was the sovereign king, priest, and prophet of the church. Wherefore, by a participation in his unc- tion, they are said to be made "kings and priests," or "a royal priest- hood," as it is, 1 Pet. ii. 9 ; and this participation of his unction con- sists in the communication of the same Spirit unto them wherewith
CHAP. V.] THE UNCTION OF THE SPIRIT. 395
he was anointed. Whereas, therefore, these titles denote the dig- nity of believers in their especial relation unto God, by this unction they are peculiarly dedicated and consecrated unto him.
It is manifest, therefore, first, that this unction we receive from the Holy One is the Holy Spirit, which he hath promised unto all that believe in him; and then that we have these two things by virtue thereof: — 1. Spiritual instruction, by saving illumination in the mind of God and the mysteries of the gospel; 2. An especial dedication unto God, in the way of a spiritual privilege.
What remains is, to inquire, — 1. What benefit or advantage we have by this unction; 2. How this belongs unto our consolation, seeing the Holy Spirit is thus bestowed on us as he is promised to be the comforter of the church.
1. As unto the first head, it is hereon that our stability in believ- ing doth depend; for it is pleaded unto this purpose in a peculiar manner by the apostle, 1 John ii. 20, 27. It was the "unction from the Holy One" which then kept believers from being carried from the faith by the craft of seducers. Hereby he makes men, according unto their measure, "of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord." Nor will any thing else give assurance in this case. Temptations may come as a storm or tempest, which will quickly drive men from their greatest fleshly confidences. Hence oftentimes those who are forwardest to say, though all men should forsake the truth, yet would not they so do, are the forwardest upon trials so to do. Neither will men's skill, cunning, or disputing abilities, secure them from being, at one time or other, inveigled with fair pretences, or en- tangled with the cunning sleights of them who lie in wait to deceive. Nor will the best defences of flesh and blood stand firmly and un- shaken against powerful allurements on the one hand, and fierce persecutions on the other; the present artillery of the patrons and promoters of apostasy. None of these things doth the apostle pre- scribe or recommend unto believers as an effectual means of their preservation, when a trial of their stability in the truth shall befall them. But this unction he assures them will not fail ; neither shall they fail, because of it.
And to this end we may consider, — (1.) The nature of the teach- ing which we have by this anointing: "The anointing teacheth you." It is not merely an external doctrinal instruction, but an internal effectual operation of the Holy Ghost. Herein doth God give unto us "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, that we may know what is the hope of his calling," Eph. i. 17, 18. He maketh use, in- deed, of the outward means of instruction by the word, and teacheth nothing but what is revealed therein ; but he gives us " an under-
896 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII.
standing that we may know him that is true," and openeth our eyes that we may clearly and spiritually see the wondrous things that are in his law. And there are no teachings like unto his; none so abiding, none so effectual. When spiritual things, through this anointing, are discovered in a spiritual manner, then do they take up an immovable possession in the minds of men. As God will destroy every oppressing yoke because of the anointing of Christ Isa. x. 27, so will he break every snare of seduction by the anoint- ing of Christians. So it is promised that under the gospel, " wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of the times/' Isa. xxxiii. 6. No- thing will give stability in all seasons but the wisdom and know- ledge which are the effects of this teaching, when God gives us " the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him."
(2.) What it is that it teacheth, and that is all things: "The same anointing teacheth you of all things." So was the promise that he should " teach us all things," and " bring all things to our remem- brance" that Christ hath said unto us, John xiv. 26, and "guide us into all truth," chap. xvi. 13. It is not all things absolutely that are intend- ed; for they are restrained unto those of one certain kind, even the things which Christ had spoken, — that is, such as belonged unto the kingdom of God. Neither are they all of them absolutely intended, especially as to the degrees of the knowledge of them; for in this life we know but in part, and see all things darkly as in a glass. But it is all things, and all truth, with respect unto the end of this pro- mise and teaching. In the promise, the whole life of faith, with joy and consolation thereon, is the end designed. All things necessary thereunto this unction teacheth us. And in the other place of the apostle, it respects the great fundamental truths of the gospel, which the seducers opposed, from whose seduction this unction doth secure believers. Wherefore, it teacheth all that are made partakers of it all that truth, all those things, all that Christ hath spoken, that are neces- sary unto these ends, that they may live unto God in the consolation of faith, and be delivered from all attempts to draw them into error.