to Daniel, wisdom ; to Paul, zeal and love. Whence was it that these were so eminent for those particular graces by which they were severally distinguished ? Whence was it that a few poor fishermen were chosen to be the depositaries of divine knowledge in preference to any of the Scribes and Pharisees, or any of the philosophers of Greece and Rome ? Whence in every age has God " revealed to babes and suck- lings the things which he has hid from the wise and prudent ? " There is but one answer to be given to it all ; " Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sighf." " God's grace is his own*^;" and he imparts it to whomsoever he will, "ac- cording to the measure of the gift of Christ' ;" that is, in the time, and manner, and measure that he sees fit. From the whole of his work human merit is absolutely excluded as the procuring cause', as human strength is as the efficient cause", that no flesh should glory in his presence, but all the glory be given to God alone'',]
Let us LEARN from hence
1. What we are to think of this great Agent — [Volition is inseparable from 'personality : and such actions,
as are here ascribed to the Holy Spirit, proceed from none other than God. The Enabling of men to work all kinds of miracles is beyond the power of any finite and created intelli- gence to effect. Here then we have a demonstration of the personality and divinity of the Holy Spirit. This passage alone establishes this doctrine beyond a doubt. And when we recol- lect, that all our hope is from Him ; that, as our justification is altogether from the Lord Jesus Christ, so our sanctification is altogether from the Holy Spirit ; it is of infinite importance that our minds be rightly instructed in reference to this point : for as, if Christ be not God, we can have no hope from his death, so, if the Holy Spirit be not God, we can have- no hope from his agency. Let this truth then be settled in our minds ; that He who, in the economy of redemption, has engaged to supply the place of Christ on earth y, is very God% and able to effect for us, and in us, the whole work which he has under- taken.]
2. Whither we are to look for all needful assist- ance—
[To this Divine Agent must we look, and not in any respect to ourselves. He it was who wrought the whole work in the days of the Apostles, and has continued to work in the
1 Matt. xi. 25, 26. >• Matt xx. 15. » Eph. iv. 7.
t Tit. iii. 5, 6. " 1 Cor. xv. 10. '^ 1 Cor. iv. 7.
y John xvi. 7. ^ See Acts v. 3, 4. VOL. XVI. X