§. 51. Of God the Father of spirits.
FRom the forementioned reverence, which nature teacheth Children to yeeld to their earthly Parents that correct them, the Apostle maketh this inference, Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits.
It is God who is here stiled the Father of spirits; and that in opposition to Fa∣thers of our flesh: so as hereby he intendeth that God is the author of our spirituall being, Iohn 1. 14. Iohn 3. 6. Numb. 27. 10. This he is in that
- 1. He createth immediatly from himself that part of man which is called spirit, Gen. 2. 7. Eccles. 12. 7.
- 2. He worketh in men the gifts of the spirit: even that ability which their spirits have to act any thing, Exod. 35. 31. Numb. 11. 27. Iudg. 13. 25. In this respect God is said to give a spirit to such and such, Exod. 31. 3. Numb. 11. 25. Iudg. 13. 25. 1 Sam. 10. 9.
To be a Father of spirits is a divine work: for it is a new creation, and in that respect proper to God.
On this ground
- 1. Use all means which Gd hath sanctified, for obtaining such a spirit as may make us new creatures.
- 2. In the use of means, call on God for his Spirit; for this he hath promised, Luk. 11. 13. 1 Cor. 3. 7.
- 3. Ascribe the glory of this work to God, Rom. 11. 35.
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