SERMON XLIV. 0 this idea in the christian economy, the Spirit is represented in a subordinate manner, yet in his divine nature or godhead he is truly, essentially, and eternally one with God the Father. IfThis proposition does not give full Satisfaction concerning the representation of the Holy Spirit, in a subordinate manner in some scriptures, perhaps, the next proposition may relieve those difficulties. XII. The term Spirit, and Holy Spirit, in scripture, does not always signify the divine Agent himself, but sometimes it means his gifts, graces, and influences, the virtue or efficacy of this divine principle in godhead. Nor is this at all strange, for Jesus Christ himself is called the Word of God, becaue he reveals the will of God tomen ; and yet the very laws and rever lotions, which God bath given to men byJesus Christ, are some times also called the Word , of God ; so, though the Spirit of God himself distributes gifts, and graces, and divine influences among men, yet these very gifts and graces, and divine influ- ences, which are given by the Spirit, are also sometimes cal- led the Holy Spirit.. This has been always granted by our best writers. And perhaps, this may be the meaning of that term, in some of those places of scripture, where the Spirit is said to be poured put upon men, to be shed down on the apostles, to be given to believers by laying on the hands of the apostles, where menare said to have a portion of the Spirit, whether greater, or less, or double : or perhaps, where the Spirit is said to be, or not to be given by measure, .or where, persons are said to be filled, or anointedwith the Spirit. Perhaps, I say some of these scriptu- ral phrases may be better explained concerning the gifts, graces, and influences of the Holy Spirit, than concerning the divine Agent himself, who is true God. It seems to be much more proper tó say, divine influences are shed down, poured out, and given to then, by laying on of hands, &c. then to say, that the true God himself is shed down, is poured out, or givento some men, by other men's laying hands upon them ; or than to say, we are anointed with God, or God is given, or not given, by measure, &o.* There are several other scriptures that confirm this proposition. Itis evi- dent 'that it was theHoly Spirit by which Elijah spoke and acted, and yet it is ,called the Spirit of Elijah, that is, his gifts; 2 Kings ii. 9, -15. It is the Holy Spirit by which the Corinthians spoke, yet it is called the spirits of prophets, and these are said to be subject to the prophets ; 1 Cor. xiv. 32. which would hardly be said concerning the divine Agent, or God himself. See Poole's Anno- talions. Thisproposition does by no means deny, or diminish the truth and glory of the Spirit of God dwelling eminently in the human nature of Christ, who was anointed and filledwith the Spirit, And subordinately in every true Christian : For God himself is said to dwell in his people, as in his temple, and the Spirit cif
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