Pneumatologia, or A Discourse concerning the Holy Spirit

And it is plainly said that it was not a Dove, but the shape or representation of a Dove. It was [Greek or Hebrew], a bodily shape, and that [Greek or Hebrew], of a Dove.

And it is plainly said that it was not a Dove, but the shape or representation of a Dove. It was 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a bodily shape, and that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, of a Dove.

Sect. 16 As then at the beginning of the old Creation, the Spirit of God, [Greek or Hebrew] incubabat, came and fell on the Waters, cherishing the whole, and communicating a prolific and vivific Quality unto it, as a Fowl or Dove in particular gently moves it self upon its Eggs, until with, and by its generative warmth it hath communicated vital heat unto them; ⟨p. 53⟩so now at the entrance of the new Creation, he comes as a Dove upon Him who was the immediate Author of it, and virtually comprised it in himself, carrying it on by virtue of his Presence with him. And so this is applied in the Syriac Ritual of Baptism composed by Severinus, in the account given of the Baptism of Christ, [Greek or Hebrew]. And the pirit of Holiness descended, flying in the likeness of a Dove, and rested upon him, and moved on the Waters. And in the assumption of this form there may be some respect unto the Dove that brought tidings to Noah of the ceasing of the Flood of Waters, and of the ending of the Wrath of God, who thereon said that he would curse the Earth no more, Gen. 8. 11. For herein also was there a significant Representation of him who visited poor lost mankind in their cursed Condition, and proclaimed Peace unto them that would return to God by him the Great Peacemaker, Ephes. 2. 14, 15. And this Work he immediately engaged into on the resting of this Dove upon him. Besides there is a natural aptness in that Creature to represent the Spirit that rested on the Lord Jesus. For the known Nature and Course of a Dove is such, as is meet to mind us of Purity and harmless Innocency,