D5 WORK OF THE HOLY to abide with him, to rest upon him, wherein there was a continuance of the love of God towards, and his care over him in his work. Hence the Lord Christ saith of himself, or the prophet in his person, that the Spirit sent him. Now the Lord God and his Spirit kathsent me, isa. xlviii. 16. The same work in sendingof Christ is ascribed unto the Lord God, that is the Father, and to the Spirit, but in a different manner. He was sent by the Father authoritatively, and the furniture he re- ceived by the Spirit, of gifts for his work and office, is called his sending of him. As the same work is as- signed unto different persons in the Trinity on different accounts. Sect. 6.Fifthly; It was in an especial manner by the power of the Holy Spirit, by which he wrought those great and miraculous works whereby his ministry was attested untoand confirmed. Hence it is said, that God wrought miracles by him, Acts ii. 22. a Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God, by miracles, and w wonders, and signs, which God did by him." For they are all immediate effects of divine power. So, when he cast out devils with a word of command, he affirms, that he did it by the finger of God, Luke xi. 20. that is, the infinite divine power of God; but the power of God acted in an especial manner by the Holy Spirit, as is expressly declared in the other evangelist, Matth. xii. 28. And therefore on the ascription of his mighty works unto Beelzebub, the prince of devils, he lets the Jews know that therein they blasphemed the Holy Spirit, whose works indeed they were, ver. 31, 32. I-Ievee these mighty works are called óv.av ur, powers, because of the power of the Spirit of God put forth for their working and effecting, see Mark vi. 5. chap ix. 39. Luke iv. 36. & v. 17. & vi. 19. & viii. 46. & ix. 1. And in the exercise of this power consisted the testimo- ny given unto him by the Spirit, that he was the Son of God: for this was necessary unto theconviction of the Jews to whom he was sent, John x. 37, 38. Sect. 7.Sixthly; By him was he guided, directed, comforted, supported, in the whole courseof his minis- try, temptations, obedience, and sufferings. Some few instances on this head may suffice. Presently after baptism, when he was full of the Holy Ghost, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke iv. 1. The Holy Spirit guided him to begin his contest and con- quest with the devil. Hereby he made an entrance in- SPIRIT IN AND ON to his ministry; and it teaCheth no all what we most look for, if we solemnly engage ourselves to follow him in the work ofpreaching the gospel. The word used in Mark, to this purpose, bath occasioned some doubt, what Spirit is intended in those words, ee a-,sepa «veep ie5a>,r,u ess env e'gaaev, chap. i. 12. The Spirit drivetle hint into thewilderness. It is evident that the same Spi- rit, and the same act, is intended in all the evangelists here, and Matth. iv. 1. Luke iv. t. But how theHo- ly Spirit should be said kpa>as to drive him, is not so easy to be apprehended. But the word in Luke is :,tire, which denotes a guiding and rational conduct. And this cannot be ascribed unto any other spirit with respect unto our Lord Jesus but only the Spirit ofGod. Matthew expresseth the same effect by 4,4x9n, chap. iv. I. he was carried, or carried up, or taken away, from the midst of the people. And this was hei ea a ,s, carol of that Spirit, namely which descended on him, and rested on him immediately before, chap. iii. 17. And the continuation of the discourse in Luke will not ad- mit that any other Spirit be intended. " And Jesus u being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan, a and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness;" name- ly, by that Spirit which he was full of. By imsasua therefore in Mark, no more is intended but the sending of him forth by an high and strong impression of the Holy Spirit on his mind. Hence the same word is used with respect Onto the sendingof others by the pow- erful impressionof the Spirit of God on their hearts, unto the work of preaching the gospel, Matth. ix. 38. Prayyou therefore the Lord of the harvest, hues iaßarn ityaeei Sig Too 9eeolco ame. SO also, Luke x. 3. that he would thrust forth labourers into his harvest; namely, by furnishingthem with the gifts of his Spirit, and by thepower of his grace constraining them to their duty. So did he enter upon his preparation unto his work under his conduct. And it were well if others would endeavour after a conformity unto them within the rules of their calling. (2.) By his assistance was he carried triumphantly through the course of his temptations unto a perfect conquest of his adversary, as to the present conflict wherein he sought to divert him from his work, which afterward he endeavouredby all ways and means to oppose and hinder. (3.) The temptation being finished, he returned again out of the wilderness to preach the gospel in the power of theSpirit, Luke iv.
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