"The common and ordinary graces of the Spirit": Whitsuntide and pentecostal gift
The Whit Monday Epistle, Acts 10:34-end, proclaims the necessity and efficacy of the Sacrament of Baptism:
These Effusions of the Holy Spirit, liberal, and glorious, and manifestly divine as they were, did not yet supersede the Necessity of those Sacraments, which Christ had left, as ordinary Marks and Means of conferring and expressing Church-Membership among his Followers. For what is St. Peter's Inference from these miraculous Gifts? Is it, that the Persons, on whom they rested, had no need of Baptism? No: But, that these extraordinary Gifts were an Evidence, that God had a Favour for them, and saw their Sincerity, and was thus pleased to testify, that they were fit Objects for Baptism. Accordingly he took Care, that They should immediately be made Disciples, who had this Evidence of being Believers before. Can any Man (says he) forbid Water, that these would not be baptized? &c. So far is the Baptism of the Spirit, even where that is undeniable, from excluding the Baptism of Water; So far any of the extraordinary Methods of Grace, from intending to break in upon and overturn the regular Establishments and Orders of the Church. And sure one cannot wiſh a stronger Proof, than the Instance before us, That the Outward Waſhing is not merely a Figure, or Repreſentation of the Inward in this Sacrament; but a Rite of Initiation, and an essential part of the Sacrament. And, that the Graces of the Holy Spirit may be the Foundation of a just Claim to Baptism; but never (where that Sacrament can be had) a lawful Dispensation to any Man, for the Refusal or Neglect of it.
The Whit Monday Gospel, John 3:16-21, exemplifies how the gift of the Spirit bears fruit in the truth and light of the moral life:
The Precepts of Religion are likewise so rational in their own Nature, so profitable in their Consequences, and enforced by Motives so weighty ... Most justly therefore is Religion styled Wisdom: As upon other Accounts, so in particular for this, that the Love and Practice of it is so very essential to our Improvement.
The Whit Tuesday Epistle, Acts 8:14-17, teaches that the gift of the Spirit is bestowed for strengthening and growth in the apostolic rite of Confirmation:
The Scripture now under Consideration I design more particularly to apply, as the Generality of Interpreters, and indeed the Christian Church at large, seem to have done, to the Rite of Confirmation. For the Practice whereof, as now used in the Church of England ... And no less clear it is, that, consequent to this Rite, there was a conferring of the Holy Ghost, distinct from any thing received in Baptism. To which purpose Confirmation is, in some ancient Writers, term'd a Seal ... Allowing therefore, that the first Christians were, at Laying on of Hands, endued with such extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, as God thought fit then to do Honour to this Religion by: Yet even thus the Rite may, and still does, very reaſonably continue, for the actual conferring such other valuable and necessary Benefits, as Christians in every Age are encouraged to pray for, and depend up on, by vertue of the same Spirit. And these, by way of distinction from the Former, are usually styled the Common and Ordinary Graces of the Spirit ... The Workings of this Spirit are gentle and gradual, and his Assistances communicated in proper Times and Proportions. He was given by Christ to the Apostles, before his Ascent into Heaven; and he was given again, in a different manner and measure, at the Day of Pentecoſt. In both cases so, as that neither did the First Donation make the Second unnecessary, nor the Second rob the First of its due Honour and Efficacy. Thus are the Ordinary Graces infused with distinction. At Baptism first, at Confirmation afterwards: Yet so in Each, that Baptism asks Confirmation to finish and consummate the Christian; and Confirmation presupposes Baptism, as Strength implies Life, and to Grow to have been Born.
The Whit Tuesday Gospel, John 10:1-10, links Whitsun and the Ember Week, with the language of the Embertide prayer illustrating the necessity of the gift of the ordained ministry for "the order and unity of the Church":
... at this time especially, proper Considerations both for Priest and People. A fit Introduction for the Ember Fast: As well for those, who are now about to be ordained to any Holy Function; that They may learn from hence the greatness of the Obligation lying on them, both by their Life and Doctrine to set forth the Glory of God, and set forward, the Salvation of all Men: As for Them, to whom they shall be sent; that They may take good heed to those means of Edification and Salvation, which a faithful Ministry puts into their hands, that they may preserve the Order and Unity of the Church, and at once secure the Peace of the Publick, and that of their own Consciences. Which God give Priest and People Grace to do, for His sake, whose precious Blood was shed to purchaſe to his Father an universal Church, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Stanhope's commentary on the Epistle and Gospel readings for Monday and Tuesday of Whitsuntide provide an excellent short compendium of teaching on the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church's life. What is more, they are also an insight into the theological and spiritual vibrancy of 18th century Anglicanism, in which the common ordinances and life of the Church were understood be infused by pentecostal gift.
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