"To Christ alone the Spirit was given ‘without measure’ (John 3:34), so that we may draw ‘out of His fullness’ (John 1:16); while to others it is distributed according to a fixed measure (First Corinthians 12:11 & Ephesians 4:7). But those who are more plentifully endued with
grace beyond the ordinary capacity, are said to be full of the Holy Ghost…. The more plentiful influence of the Spirit was, in John, an extraordinary gift of God….
"Let us learn by this example that, from the earliest infancy to the latest old age, the operation of the Spirit in men is free!… For when the Lord bestows so great praise on the outward doctrine, He does not separate it from the secret influence of His Spirit. As God chooses men to be His Ministers whose services He employs for the edification of His Church, He at the same time operates by them through the secret influence of His Spirit — so that their labours may be efficacious and fruitful.
