Now we have received not the spirit of the
world
Meaning either Satan, the god of the world, the spirit that is in
it, and rules over it; or the sinful carnal disposition of the
men of the world, which is a spirit of covetousness, uncleanness,
pride, malice, and error; or rather the carnal wisdom of the
world, which is common to worldly men, lies in the knowledge of
worldly things, and is pursued and exercised for worldly
advantages:
but the Spirit which is of God;
the Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father and the Son, is
the gift of God to his people, and whom they receive through the
doctrine of faith into their hearts, as a spirit of illumination,
faith, comfort, adoption, truth, and as a seal and earnest of
future glory:
that we might know the things that are freely given to us
of God;
who has given himself, his Son, and all things freely along with
him, as a justifying righteousness, remission of sins, adoption,
and eternal life; all which were provided for them in the council
and covenant of peace, and made up that grace given unto them
freely in Christ before the world began; for there was not only
an eternal purpose to bestow these gifts, in the mind of God, and
a promise of them in covenant, but a real donation of them to
them, as considered in Christ so early: besides, God gave his
Son, and Christ gave himself for them before they knew anything
of the matter; and therefore must be unknown, until made known by
the Spirit of God, who is sent unto them, and into their hearts,
for this purpose, to make them known; which he does, by showing
all this grace, and by opening and applying the truths of the
everlasting Gospel: and this knowledge is not a mere notional
one, but spiritual, experimental, and approbational, joined with
affection and admiration; and is a knowledge of interest in these
things, and which makes both humble and obedient.