The Holy Spirit Compared to a Dove

    THE HOLY SPIRIT COMPARED TO A DOVE

    "And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting on him" Mt 3:16.

    THE Holy Spirit is represented by a Dove, or appeared in the shape of a Dove, and in some things be resembled thereto.

    SIMILE

    I. A Dove is a bodily substance, or hath a subsistence of his own.

    PARALLEL

    I. So the Holy Ghost hath a personal existence, it was eidX swmatikon, a bodily shape, and that perizerav, of a Dove.

    SIMILE

    II. "As at the beginning of the creation, saith a reverend divine the Spirit, XXXX incubabat, came and fell on the waters,[1] cherished the whole, and communicating a prolific and vivific quality into it, as a fowl or Dove in particular gently moves itself upon its eggs, until with, and by its generative warmth it hath communicated vital heat unto them."

    [1] Dr. Owen.

    PARALLEL

    II. "So now, saith he, at the entrance of the new creation, the Spirit comes as a Dove upon Christ who was the immediate Author of it, and virtually comprised it in himself, carrying it on by virtue of his presence with him; and so this is applied in the Syriac Ritual of baptism, composed by Severinus; and the Spirit of holiness descended,

    flying in the likeness of a Dove, and rested upon him, and moved upon the waters."

    SIMILE

    III. A Dove is a meek, harmless and innocent creature; "be ye harmless as Doves."

    PARALLEL

    III. So the Holy Spirit is of a most sweet, meek, pure and Dove-like disposition, the perfection of all excellent qualities being in him, as well as upon the Dove Christ, as he was figured forth thereby.

    SIMILE

    IV. A Dove hath a quick, sharp sight or eye, as it is hinted, Song 1:15, and Song 4:1.

    PARALLEL

    IV. The Holy Spirit hath a quick and sharp sight, can discern the very thoughts and intentions of the heart; what can be hid from his eyes, "Before whom all things lie naked and bare?" Heb 4:13.

    SIMILE

    V. A Dove brought tidings to Noah of the ceasing of the flood of waters, and so consequently, that the wrath of God was abated likewise.

    PARALLEL

    V. So in the assumption of this form, there may be some respect had to Noah's Dove, signifying peace and reconciliation by Christ, and the ceasing of the wrath of God to all those who shall fly to the Lord Jesus, and rest upon him by a lively faith.

    SIMILE

    VI. A Dove is a most swift creature: hence David cries out, "O that I had the wings of a dove! then would I fly away, and be at rest," Ps 55:6.

    PARALLEL

    VI. The Holy Ghost is swift; God is said to fly upon the wings of the wind; "The Spirit is God, and the flight of the Dove," saith reverend Blackwood, Mt 3:16, denotes the divine influence of the Spirit coming from heaven into the members of Christ, as well as into the head; the Holy Ghost can quickly come to the aid and succour of a believer, when in trouble or beset with temptation, or to strengthen him when he hath any, great work and business to do for God. That Spirit appeared like a Dove, and yet the learned tells us, "It was of a fiery colour, and we must not think this substance, saith Mr. Blackwood, or body resembled by a Dove, to be hypostatically united to the Holy Spirit, as the human nature of Christ is to the divine; but as angels appeared oftentimes men in human bodies, and laid them down again; so did the Holy Ghost."