It belongs to the office of the Holy Ghost to guide into all truth, to glorify Christ, to receive of Christ, and to shew it unto his people, see John 16, 13, 15–1 Cor. 12, 3. Now the spirit could reveal Christ to the believers of the old testament only as future, by many types and shadows–and in John's baptism he could indeed reveal him as manifested in the flesh ; for John pointed to Christ, as " the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ;" John 1, 29–but not as a Saviour already crucified, and as having " by himself purged our sins, and sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high," Heb. 1, 3. Hence, the spirit could not then reveal and glorify Christ, as having actually finished the work he came to do, and entered into his eternal rest ; therefore the spirit was not abundantly shed on the people. The reader here may apply what is said, Math. 11, 11. But since Christ, after his resurrection, and just as he was about to ascend, commanded his apostles to baptise all nations, he sent the spirit in all abundance to be shed on the people in baptism. For the spirit reveals Christ now, in all his offices and merits, not as future, but as present, even shewing his kingdom to be within us, Luke 17, 21.

Back: This also shews that the gifts of the Holy Spirit...

Next: 3d. Since in baptism the Holy Ghost is shed...