The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

1. The Spirit in this Context is evidently used in a double sense, as is usual where both the Holy Spirit himself and his Work on the Souls of men, are related unto. (1.) The Person of the Spirit of God himself, or the Holy Ghost is intended by it, v. 9. If so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. And so also v. 11. The Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead. He is spoken of as the principal ⟨p. 4⟩efficient Cause of all the spiritual Mercies and Benefits here and afterwards insisted on. (2.) It is used for the Principle of spiritual Life wrought in all that are regenerate by the Holy Ghost. For that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, Joh. 3.6.

1. The Spirit in this Context is evidently used in a double sence, as is usual where both the Holy Spirit himself and his Work on the Souls of men, are related unto. (1.) The Person of the Spirit of God himself, or the Holy Ghost is intended by it, v. 9. If so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. And so also v. 11. The Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead. He is spoken of as the principal ⟨p. 4⟩efficient Cause of all the spiritual Mercies and Benefits here and afterwards insisted on. (2.) It is used for the Principle of spiritual Life wrought in all that are regenerate by the Holy Ghost. For that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, Joh. 3.6.

It is most probable that the name Spirit is here used in the latter sense, not for the Spirit-himself, but for that which is born of the Spirit, the Principle of spiritual Life in them that are born of God. For it is in its Nature, Actings, Inclinations, and Operations opposed unto the flesh, v. 1.4, 5; But the Flesh here intended is that inherent corrupt Principle of Depraved Nature, whence all evil Actions do proceed, and wherewith the Actions of all Evil Men are vitiated. The Opposition between them is the same with that mentioned and declared by the Apostle,