DISPENSATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. fil times he doth it, as it were, by a surprisal, when those who receive him are neither aware of it, nor do desire it. So the Spirit of the Lord, as. a Spirit of prophecy, came upon Saul, when his mind was remote and e- stranged from any such thoughts. In like manner, the Spirit of God came upon Eldad and Medad in the camp; when the other elders went forth unto the tabernacle to receive him, Num. xi. 27. And so the spirit of prophe- cy came upon most ofthe prophets ofold, without either expectation or preparation on their parts; So Amos giveth an account of his call, unto his office, chap. vii. 14., 15. <' I. was," saith he, <4 no prophet, neither was <, I a prophet's son, but I was an herdman, and a gath- erer of Sycamore fruit. And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me go pro- phecy." He was not brought up with any expecta tion of receiving this gift. He had no preparation for it, but God surprised hie. with his call and gift as he followed the flock. Such also was the call of Jeremiah, chap. i. 5, 6, 7. So vain is the discourse of Maimoni- des, on this subject, prescribing various. natural and moral preparations for the receivingof this gift. But these things were extraordinary. Yet I no way doubt but that God doth yet continue to work grace in many by such unexpected surprisals, the manner whereof shall be afterwards inquired into. But sometimes, as to some gifts and graces, God doth bestow his Spirit, where there is sottie preparation and co-operation on our part. But wherever he designs to put or place him, he dothr it effectually. . Sect. ILFifthly; God is-said to pour him out; and that frequently, Prey. i. 23. 'rril nobav'ua rrn behold I pour out my Spirit untoyou. v»signifies ebulliremore sca- turiginis, to bubble up as afountain. s Hence the words are rendered by Theodot. Skry m,,s,uu ca; scaturire fàciamr. I will cause my Spirit to spring out unto you as a fountain; and it is frequently applied unto speaking, when it signifies eloqui aut proferreverba more scaturigi- nis. See Peal. lxxii. 2. Psal. cxlv. 7. And tiro also which some take to be the root of ot'te Prov. i. 23. bath the same signification. And the word bath a dou- ble lively metaphor. For the proceeding of the Spirit Significat astern effusionis verbum targam et divitem muneris abun- &Miam; itaque cum usus quis aticubi ant duo Spiritum.Sanctumsaci- ttiant non droitur etfuudam de Spirits meo, sed tune quandoin universes geniesmanna Spiritus Sancti redundaverit.-Dydim. de Sp, Sane,lib. 1. from the Father, is compared to the continual rising of the waters of a living spring; and his communication unto us, to the overflowing of those waters, yet guided by the will and wisdom of God. Isa. xxxii. 15. Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wil- derness be a fruitful field. orlon mrn'SVmr' -tn roti is indeed sometimes to pour out, but more properly, and more commonly, to uncover, to make bare, to reveal. Until the Spirit be revealed from on high. There shall be such a plentiful communication of the Spirit, as that he and his work shall be made open, revealed and plain. Or the Spirit shall be bared, as God is said to make his arm bare, when he will work mightily and effectually. Isa. xliv. 3. Iwill pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. tu' the word here is so to pour a thing out, as that it cleaveth unto and abideth on that which it is poured out upon. As the Spirit of God abides with them unto whom he is communicated. Ezek. xxxii. 29. I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Israel. 'asee another word; this is properly to pour out, and that in a plentiful manner. The same word that is used in that great promise, Joel ii. 28. which is rendered, Acts ii. 17. by leErs, efundam. J will pour out my Spirit; and the same thing is again expressed by the same word, Acts x. 45. The gift of the Holy Ghost is poured on the Gentiles. Sect. 12. Let us then briefly consider the import- ance of this expression. And one or two things may be observed concerning it in general: As (1.) wherever it is used, it bath direct respect unto the times of the gospel. Either it is a part of the promises concerning it, or of the storyof its accomplishment under it. But wherever it is mentioned, the time, state, and grace of the gospel are intended in it. For the Lord Christ was in all things to have the pre-eminence, Col, i. 18. And therefore, although God gave his Spirit in some measure before, yet he poured him not out until he was first a- nointed with his fulness. (2.) There is a tacit compari- son in it with some other time and season, or some oilier act of God, wherein, or whereby, God gave his Spirit before, but not in the way and manner that he intended now to bestow him. A larger measure of the Spirit to be now given than was before, or is signified uy any other expressions of the same gift, is intended in this word. Sect. 13.Three things are therefore comprised in
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