Fifthly, Hearing and receiving Reas. 5 times are times wherein the Lord is graciously pleased to cause his face to shine upon his people; when they are a hearing the Word of Life, and a1 breaking the Bread of Life, then God comes in upon them, and declares to them that love that is better then life, Acts 10. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. As Peter was2 speaking, the Holy Ghost (that is, the graces of the Holy Ghost, viz. the joy, the comfort, the love, the peace, &c. of the Holy Ghost) fell upon them. So in that Gal. 3. 2. This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? By the Spirit here, Calvin and Bullinger, and other Expositors, do understand the joy, the peace, the ⟨p. 117⟩assurance that is wrought in the heart,3 by the hearing of Faith, that is, by the Doctrine of the Gospel; for in these words of the Apostle, hearing is put for the thing heard, and Faith for the Doctrine of the Gospel, because the Gospel is the ordinary means of working Faith: Faith comes by hearing, saith the Apostle. So in that 1 Thes. 1. 5, 6.4 For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. In these words you have a Divine Power attending Pauls Ministry, a power convincing, enlightening, humbling, raising, delighting, reforming, renouncing, and transforming of them that heard him. Also you have the sweet and blessed testimony of the Spirit attending his Ministry, and assuring those of their Effectual Calling and Election, upon whom the Word came in power, and raising up their spirits to joy in the midst of sorrow. Ah you precious Sons and Daughters ⟨p. 118⟩of Zion, that have sate waiting and trembling at Wisdoms door, tell me, tell me, Hath not God rained down Manna upon your souls, whilst you have been hearing the Word? Yes. Hath not God come in with power upon you, and by his Spirit sealed up to you your Election, the Remission of your sins, the Justification of your persons, and the Salvation of your souls? Yes.
Fifthly, Hearing and receiving Reas. 5 times are times wherein the Lord is graciously pleased to cause his face to shine upon his people; when they are a hearing the Word of Life, and a1 breaking the Bread of Life, then God comes in upon them, and declares to them that love that is better then life, Acts 10. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. As Peter was2 speaking, the Holy Ghost (that is, the graces of the Holy Ghost, viz. the joy, the comfort, the love, the peace, &c. of the Holy Ghost) fell upon them. So in that Gal. 3. 2. This onely would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? By the Spirit here, Calvin and Bullinger, and other Expositors, do understand the joy, the peace, the ⟨p. 117⟩assurance that is wrought in the heart,3 by the hearing of Faith, that is, by the Doctrine of the Gospel; for in these words of the Apostle, hearing is put for the thing heard, and Faith for the Doctrine of the Gospel, because the Gospel is the ordinary means of working Faith: Faith comes by hearing, saith the Apostle. So in that 1 Thes. 1. 5, 6.4 For our Gospel came not unto you in word onely, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. In these words you have a Divine Power attending Pauls Ministry, a power convincing, enlightning, humbling, raising, delighting, reforming, renouncing, and transforming of them that heard him. Also you have the sweet and blessed testimony of the Spirit attending his Ministry, and assuring those of their Effectual Calling and Election, upon whom the Word came in power, and raising up their spirits to joy in the midst of sorrow. Ah you precious Sons and Daughters ⟨p. 118⟩of Sion, that have sate waiting and trembling at Wisdoms door, tell me, tell me, Hath not God rained down Manna upon your souls, whilest you have been hearing the Word? Yes. Hath not God come in with power upon you, and by his Spirit sealed up to you your Election, the Remission of your sins, the Justification of your persons, and the Salvation of your souls? Yes.
- 1Psal. 63. 3, 4.
- 2Also by the Holy Ghost is meant the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit. Vers. 45, 46. Acts 11. 15. Therefore, says the Apostle, do not leave the substance for a shadow, the Sun for a Candle, and
- 3solid Meat for Milk, which none would do, except they were bewitched, Gal. 3. 1.
- 4By the Holy Ghost in this Text cannot be meant the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, and that first, because they were no evidences of Election; secondly▪, because many vessels of wrath have been partakers of them; thirdly, many of Gods choice and chosen ones, have been destitute of those extraordinary gifts.
