Sl OF THE HOLY IfPIRIT, power in judgment committed to them, and were thence Calle rews or gods. For these were they unto whom the word of God came who were thence called gods, John x. 31, 55. Peat. lxxxii. 6. and not the prophets, who had neither power nor rule. And on them the Spi- rit of God that was in Moses- rested; that is, wrought the same abilities for government in them as he had .:received; that is, wisdom, righteousness, diligence, courage, and the like; that they might judge the peo- ple wisely, and look to the execution of the law impar- tially. Now, when the Spirit of God thus rested on them, it is said they prophesied, and ceased not, ver. 25, 26. That is, they sang or spike forth the praises "of God in such a way and manner as made it evident um to all, that they were extraordinarily actuated by the Holy Ghost. So is that word used, 1 Sam. x. IO. 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 bath been de- clared, unto rule and government. But, because their authority and rule was new among the people, 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 tae'es which we resider and ceased not, they prophesied, and,ceased not, ver. 25. which may signify to add as well as to cease; many of the Jews affirm that they so prophesi- ed 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 now kind ofgovernment unto them, and designed Saul to be the person that should reign, it is said that he . gave him soother heart, 1 Sam. x. 0. that is, the Spi- rit 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 now called from a low condition unto royal dignity; the communication of the Spirit of God unto him was accompanied with-a- visiblesign and token, that thepeo- plemight acquiesce in hisgovernmentwho were ready to. despise his person. For he had also an extraordinary afflatus of the Spirit expressing itself in a visible rap. 'Lure, ver. 40, 11. And in - like manner he dealt with others. For this cause also he instituted the ceremony tofanointing at their inauguration; for it was a token of the communication of the gifts of the Holy Ghost unto them; though respect were had thereinto 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 prudence, righteousness, courage, zeal, clemency, and the like. And when the Holy Ghost fell upon any persons to enable them for political rule, and the administration of civil power, he did not communicate gifts and abilities unto them quite of ano- ther kind, but only gave them an extraordinary im- provement of their own ordinary abilities. And indeed so great is the burden wherewith a just and useful go. vernment is attended, so great and many are/he temp. tations which power, and a- confluence -of.eurtlsly things, will invite and draw towards them, that without some especial assistanceof the Holy Spirit of God, meet can- not choose but either sink under the weight of it, or wretchedly miscarry in its exercise and management. Thistnade Solomon, when God in the begihningof his reign, gave him his option of all earthly desirable-things, to prefer wisdom and knowledge for rulebefore them all, 2 Chrom i. 10, 11, 12. And this he received from him who is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Iss. xi. 3. And if the rulers of the earth would follow this example, and be earnestwith God for such supplies of his Spirit, as mightenable them untoan holy-riglite. ous discharge of their office, it would, in many places, be better with them and the world; titan it is or canbe where is the state of things described, Hos. ski. 3, t, 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 noway. question-but that -he con- tinueth 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 hestood -inneed of his especial assistance. He was to execute hisjudgments andvengeance on-Babylon, as also to deliver his people that they might re-edify the temple. For both these he stood in need, and did re- ceive especial aid from the -Spirit of God; though he was in himself but a ravenous -bird of prey, Isa. xlvi. II. For the gifts of this holyonce, in this kind, wrought no real holiness in them on whomthey were bestowed; they wereonly given them for the good and benefit of others, with their own success in what they attempted
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