Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

4. WHEREAS the Unction of Christ did consist in the full Communication of the Spirit unto him not by Measure in all his Graces and Gifts, needful unto his Humane Nature or his Work, though it be essentially one entire Work, yet was it carried on by several Degrees and Distinctions of Time. For, (1) He was anointed by the Spirit in his Incarnation in the Womb, Luke 1. 35. the Nature of which Work we have at large before explained. (2) He was so at his Baptism, and Entrance into his Public Ministry, when he was anointed to Preach the Gospel, as Isa. 61. 1. And the Holy Ghost descended on him in the shape of a Dove, Matth. 3. 17. The first part of his Unction more ⟨p. 67⟩peculiarly respected a Fullness of the Grace, the latter of the Gifts of the Spirit. (3) He was peculiarly anointed unto his Death and Sacrifice, in that Divine Act of his, whereby he sanctified himself thereunto, John 17. 19. which hath also been before declared. (4.) He was at his Ascension when he received of the Father the Promise of the Spirit, pouring him forth on his Disciples; Acts 2. 23. And in this latter instance he was anointed with the Oil of Gladness, which includes his glorious Exaltation also. For this was absolutely peculiar unto him, whence he is said to be so anointed above his Fellows. For although in some other parts of this anointing, he hath them who partake of them by and from him in their Measure, yet in this of receiving the Spirit with a Power of Communicating him unto others, herein he is singular, nor was ever any other Person sharer with him therein in the least degree. See the Exposition on Heb. 1. 8, 9. Now although there be an inconceivable difference and distance between the Unction of Christ and that of Believers, yet is his the only Rule of the Interpretation of theirs, as to the kind thereof. And,

4. WHEREAS the Unction of Christ did consist in the full Communication of the Spirit unto him not by Measure in all his Graces and Gifts, needful unto his Humane Nature or his Work, though it be essentially one entire Work, yet was it carried on by several Degrees and Distinctions of Time. For, (1) He was anointed by the Spirit in his Incarnation in the Womb,