mentioned, though the phrase Spirit of holiness occurs three times, once in Ps. li. 11; and twice in Isa. lxiii. 10, 11. Neither is it said by any of the prophets, that they spake from the Holy Spirit, but from Jehovah. The difference between the one and the other may be seen in what follows.
By the Spirit of Jehovah is understood the divine truth proceeding from him, and operating through the medium of angels and spirits. This operation, passing through such a medium, though adequate to the wants and necessities of former ages prior to the incarnation, was at length, in consequence of the excessive accumulation of evil, found to be no longer effectual in promoting the reformation, regeneration, and salvation of mankind. It therefore became necessary, that the Lord should assume the Humanity, and by the divine truth proceeding immediately from himself, when glorified, as well as mediately through angels and spirits, restore to man the capacity of receiving new spiritual life. This divine truth, proceeding both mediately and immediately from the Lord, is what is emphatically called the Holy Spirit, because his Humanity, now glorified, is the only fountain and source of all holiness; as it is written, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy," Apoc. xv. 4. By the latter Spirit, that is, by the Holy Spirit, man is also enabled to comprehend spiritual things even in a natural and rational manner, and so to have a more full and satisfactory view of the great truths of revelation, especially of Him, from whom alone they proceed, of whom alone they treat, and to whom alone they continually lead.
In addition to these considerations we further learn, that the Lord himself is the Holy Spirit, since he, from whom any thing proceeds, must be essentially
