(7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Very blessedly we are told, that those manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to every child of God, for their spiritual improvement in the knowledge of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:2-3. This should be well considered. Our union with Christ, which the Spirit shews; under his quickening influences, leads the regenerated soul to improve that knowledge into occasions of comfort and holy joy, through the whole of our walk of faith. Christ as our Head and Husband, is continually manifested to us by the Spirit, on purpose to shew, that whatever our wants are, or our exercises are, however circumstanced, or however tried, the Holy Ghost manifests Christ to us for our profit. This manifestation preached Christ, shews Christ, proclaims Christ in all his suitableness and all-sufficiency. And this one office alone, of God the Holy Ghost, most loudly testifies his person and agency, and that in the Covenant, his ministry was, and is, to be carried on through the whole time-state of the Church, until grace is finished in glory.
If the Reader will count over the several gifts, here said to be the work and grace of the Holy Spirit, he will find no less than nine distinctly enumerated. Neither are those the whole which are in the creation and gift of the Lord the Holy Ghost. Numberless others are spoken of in the word of God. Be is a spirit of judgment, and a spirit of burning; Isaiah 4:4, a spirit of grace and of supplication, Zechariah 12:10, an ambassador, John 16:7. advocate, John 16:8-10, teacher, Romans 8:26-27, the, glorifier of the Lord Jesus, John 16:14. In short, his graces and gifts in the (economy of the Covenant, are so many, and various; that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to particularize all. But these are marked down in this chapter; to shew how gracious the Lord is, and how much depends upon his efficient ministry in the church of Christ, for spiritual knowledge, improvement, and consolation. Not a single act of faith can a child of God exercise upon the Person or work of Christ, but by his immediate power. Not a promise can the child of God apprehend, much less plead, but from the Lord the Spirit's opening it to his view, and prompting him to present it for acceptance, and for payment, before the throne. And, notwithstanding God the Spirit hath regenerated that soul, and brought all his newborn faculties forth to life and light in Christ; yet the actions of the renewed nature can only be kept alive, and in sweet enjoyment upon the Person, work, blood-shedding, and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the quickening graces of God the Holy Ghost, Hence, the Apostle prays for the Church to this amount. The Lord (saith he) direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ, 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Reader! I beseech you pause over this view of God the Holy Ghost, and his divine ministry, which, the Apostle hath here given in these few words. All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Hence, then it must undeniably follow, that all spiritual life and action come from Him. Creating work, renewing work, quickening at first the soul, which was before dead in trespasses and sins, and keeping alive the soul when quickened by his daily, hourly, minutely communications, must be His, Ephesians 2:5; Psalms 22:29. Say then, Reader, can any facts upon earth be more plain and palpable, than that God the Holy Ghost is a Person whose Almighty Agency creates all spiritual blessings, divides all spiritual blessings, and gives to everyone severally as he will? Can anything manifest the will and act of a Person more plainly and fully, than by what is here said? Oh! the blindness, folly, and daring presumption of the present Christ despising, Holy Ghost-disowning generation!