On the signification of the word _spirit_, dependeth that of the word INSPIRATION; which must either be taken properly; and then it is nothing but the blowing into a man some thin and subtle air or wind, in such manner as a man filleth a bladder with his breath; or if spirits be not corporeal, but have their existence only in the fancy, it is nothing but the blowing in of a phantasm; which is improper to say, and impossible; for phantasms are not, but only seem to be, somewhat. That word therefore is used in the Scripture metaphorically only: as (_Gen._ ii. 7) where it is said that God _inspired_ into man the breath of life, no more is meant, than that God gave unto him vital motion. For we are not to think that God made first a living breath and then blew it into Adam after he was made, whether that breath were real, or seeming; but only as it is, (_Acts_ xvii. 25) _that he gave him life, and breath_; that is, made him a living creature. And where it is said, (_2 Tim._ iii. 16) _all Scripture is given by inspiration from God_, speaking there of the Scripture of the Old Testament, it is an easy metaphor, to signify, that God inclined the spirit or mind of those writers, to write that which should be useful, in teaching, reproving, correcting, and instructing men in the way of righteous living. But where St. Peter, (_2 Pet._ i. 21) saith, that _Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but the holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit_, by the Holy Spirit is meant the voice of God in a dream or vision supernatural, which is not _inspiration_. Nor, when our Saviour breathing on his disciples, said, _Receive the Holy Spirit_, was that breath the Spirit, but a sign of the spiritual graces he gave unto them. And though it be said of many, and of our Saviour himself, that he was full of the Holy Spirit; yet that fulness is not to be understood for _infusion_ of the substance of God, but for accumulation of his gifts, such as are the gift of sanctity of life, of tongues, and the like, whether attained supernaturally, or by study and industry; for in all cases they are the gifts of God. So likewise where God says (_Joel_ ii. 28) _I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions_, we are not to understand it in the proper sense, as if his _Spirit_ were like water, subject to effusion or infusion; but as if God had promised to give them prophetical dreams, and visions. For the proper use of the word _infused_, in speaking of the graces of God, is an abuse of it; for those graces are virtues, not bodies to be carried hither and thither, and to be poured into men as into barrels.