The Spirit of the Lord.] We must keep that in mind, which I touched erewhile; to wit, that this is to be referred to the humane nature of Christ; because it could not be that he should have been enriched with the gifts and graces of the Father, but as in respect that he was made man. Besides, as he descended ⟨p. 120⟩from heaven for our sakes; so did he also receive the gifts of the holy Ghost from heaven to adorn us with them: and this is that anointing whereby he obtained this name of Christ, the which he communicates to us. For whence comes it that we are called Christians but •y reason that he receives us into his fellowship,1 and that he distributes to every one of his fullness, according to the measure of his f••• ••••ralitie?2 And in very deed, this place doth not so much teach us what Christ is in himself, as rather what he received of the Father, that he might fill us with his abundance. Now albeit there is no great need that we should stand long in opening the meaning of the words, yet not withstanding if any will have a short difference between wisdom and understanding, I am of opinion that the word wisdom, doth generally comprehend whatsoever belongs to the order and rule of life:3 and then that understanding is added in stead of the exposition thereof.4 For if we have the foresaid wisdom, we shall have understanding enough. This word counsel, 5signifies as much as the word Judgement; whereby we are able to give resolution in doubtful things: for it were not sufficient to have understanding, unless we were therewithal endued with counsel, to guide us safely in matters of importance. The word strength, is sufficiently known.6 As touching knowledge, or skill, it differs little from understanding, unless it should rather appertain unto knowing, and so •t should declare the act.7 The fear of the Lord, 8signifies a sincere affection to serve and honour God. Now the Prophet reckons not up all the graces of the holy Ghost here, as many have thought. For the Papists have sottishly and unlearnedly drawn their seven-formed grace from this place: and some of the ancients have been no less absurdly deceived therein then they. Isaiah mentioneth but six, & they have added the seventh of their own head.
The Spirit of the Lord.] We must keepe that in mind, which I touched erewhile; to wit, that this is to be referred to the humane nature of Christ; because it could not be that hee should haue been inriched with the gifts and graces of the Father, but as in respect that he was made man. Besides, as he descended ⟨p. 120⟩frō heauen for our sakes; so did he also receiue the gifts of the holy Ghost from heauen to adorne vs with them: and this is that anointing whereby he obtained this name of Christ, the which he communicates to vs. For whence comes it that wee are called Christians but •y reason that hee receiues vs into his f•llowship,1 and that he distributes to euerie one of his fuln•sse, according to the measure of his f••• ••••ralitie?2 And in very deed, this plac• doth not so much teach vs what Christ is in himselfe, as rather what he receiu•d of the Father, that hee might fill vs with his abundance. Now albeit there is no great need that wee should stand long in opening the meaning of the words, yet not withstanding if any will haue a short difference betweene wised•me and vnderstanding, I am of opinion that the word wisedome, doth generally comprehend whatsoeuer belongs to the order and rule of life:3 and then that vnderstanding is added in stead of the exposition thereof.4 For if we haue the foresaid wisedome, wee shall haue vnderstanding enough. This word counsell, 5signifies as much as the word Iudgement; whereby wee are able to giue resolution in doubtfull things: for it were not sufficient to haue vnderstanding, vnlesse wee were therewithall endued with counsell, to guide vs safely in matters of importance. The word strength, is sufficiently knowne.6 As touching knowledge, or skill, it differs lttle from vnderstanding, vnlesse it should rather appertaine vnto knowing, and so t should declare the act.
- 1Eph. 4 7.
- 2We •re […] be in this place, not so much wi•• Ch• •t is in him •e f, as wh • h• h••h ••ceived •f his Father, that he •ight fill v• w••• his abun• nce.We •re 〈…〉 be in this place, not so much wi•• Ch• •t is in him •e f, as wh • h• h••h ••ceiued •f his Father, th•t he •ight fi•l v• w••• his abun• nce.
- 31. Wisdom.1. Wis••me.
- 42 Understanding.2 Vnderstand•ng.
- 5
