Christ Set Forth

For the first, It was the Spirit who over-shadowed his mother, and in the mean while knit that indissoluble knot between our nature and the second Person, and that also knit his heart unto us; It was the Spirit who sanctified him in the womb; It was the Spirit that rested on him above measure, and fitted him with a meek spirit for the works of his mediation; and indeed for this very grace sake of meekness did the Spirit come more especially upon him. Therefore when he was first solemnly inaugurated into that office, at his Baptism, (for then he visibly and professedly entered upon the execution of it) the holy Ghost descended upon him: and how? as a Dove; so all the Evangelists jointly report it. But why in the shape of a Dove? All apparitions that God at any time made of himself, were not so much to show what God is in himself, as how he is affected towards us, and declare what effects he works in us: so here, this shape of a Dove resting upon him, was to show those special gracious dispositions wherewith the holy Ghost fitted Jesus Christ to be a Mediator. A Dove (you know) is the most innocent and most meek creature, without gall, without talons, having no fierceness in it, expressing nothing but love and friendship to its mate in all its carriages, and mourning over it in its distresses: and was therefore a fit emblem to express what a frame and temper of spirit the holy Ghost did upon this his descending on him, fill the heart ⟨p. 62⟩of Christ with, and this without measure: that as sweetly as doves do converse with doves, sympathising and mourning each over other, so may we with Christ, for he thus sympathizeth with us. And though he had the Spirit before, yet now he was anointed with him (in respect of such effects as these, which appertained to the execution of his office) with a larger measure, and more eminently then before. Therefore the Evangelist Luke notes upon it, (Chap. 4. 1.) Jesus being full of the holy Ghost, returned from Jordan. And Peter also puts the like gloss upon it, as appears Act. 10. 37. for speaking there of the baptism of John, he shows how after that his being baptized, he began to preach; and how God having anointed him with the holy Ghost, (namely, at that baptism of his) he went about doing good, &c.

For the first, It was the Spirit who over-shadowed his mother, and in the meane while knit that indissoluble knot betweene our nature and the second Person, and that also knit his heart unto us; It was the Spirit who sanctified him in the vvombe; It vvas the Spirit that rested on him above measure, and fitted him vvith a meek spirit for the vvorks of his mediation; and indeed for this very grace sake of meeknesse did the Spirit come more especially upon him. Therefore when he was first solemnly inaugurated into that office, at his Baptisme, (for then he visibly and professedly entred upon the execution of it) the holy Ghost descended upon him: and how? as a Dove; so all the Euangelists joyntly report it. But why in the shape of a Dove? All apparitions that God at any time made of himself, were not so much to shew what God is in himselfe, as how he is affected towards us, and declare what effects he works in us: so here, this shape of a Dove resting upon him, vvas to shew those speciall gracious dispositions wherewith the holy Ghost fitted Jesus Christ to be a Mediator. A Dove (you know) is the most innocent and most meek creature, without gall, without tallons, having no fiercenesse in it, expressing nothing but love and friendship to its mate in all its carriages, and mourning over it in its distresses: and was therefore a fit embleme to expresse what a frame and temper of spirit the holy Ghost did upon this his descending on him, fill the heart