consequently not GoD: nor can it imply the idea of constraint or necessary servitude, as the case is betwixt a master and servant. The Spirit is free in all his operations, and cannot be compelled. Neither does the sending of the Spirit infer his want of abilities with respect to the work, either in contriving, choosing the means, or accomplishing it, which is often the case with one who is employed to execute the designs of another. What Christ says of the Spirit makes nothing against this: "He shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak." From which some would infer, that he cannot speak the truth without being first taught it. Whereas the apostle tells us, that "the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD." When it is said, "he shall not speak of himself," the meaning is, he shall not forge what he shall say,-or say any thing contrary to what Christ had spoken. That this is the idea conveyed in the words, might be proved from a critical consideration of the original: but we have a plainer proof for the unlearned reader at hand, for John says, "The anointing teacheth you all things, and is TRUTH, and is no LIE." Though the Spirit had inspired the prophets, witnessed to Christ at his baptism, and though Christ" breathed on his disciples, and said, receive ye the Holy Ghost," yet none of these is meant by the sending or mission of the Spirit. "The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Christ was not yet glorified." He was not given in that visible, abundant, convincing, and glorious manner, as after the ascension of Christ. Every previous sending, gift, or work of the Spirit, is as it were lost in scripture account, when compared with that at pentecost: which was, as Peter interprets it, the fulfilling of Joel's prophecy, delivered in such amazing -- language." And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids in those days, will I pour out my Spirit: and I will shew wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and terrible day of the Lord," &c. It was Christ's baptizing his disciples with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, a divine evidence to the truth of his character, and his being enthroned at GoD's right hand, and also of the Spirit's entrance (so to speak) upon the actual ministration and management of all things necessary to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. For these, and other weighty reasons, it is called the sending, the giving, or the coming of the Holy Ghost, by way of eminence. Though this pouring out of the Spirit was more striking and visible in the effects at pentecost, and in the apostolic times, than afterwards, yet, it extends to all the churches of Christ in all ages; for he was promised to abide for ever. He accompanies the word, and makes it effectual for the great ends for which it is sent. The Spirit separated from the word, renders it ineffectual to those who use it. We need not stay to prove the necessity of sending the Spirit, since our Lord tells the disciples, "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Notwithstanding all the pains he had been at to teach the disciples the nature of his kingdom, and what they * Joel ii, 28-31. had to do and suffer for him, yet they remained so remarkably ignorant of these things, through the reigning Jewish prejudices in favor of a temporal grandeur, which they expected by the Messiah, that when he was about to leave them, they said, "LORD, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel." But by the effusion of the Spirit, their prejudices were removed; they then understood what Christ had taught them, and were prepared for the great work and sufferings allotted them. They were extremely fond of the bodily pre sence of Christ, but as they were to be dispersed abroad in the world, he could not be bodily present with each of them: but the Spirit was sent to be with them at all times, and in all places. His presence inspired them with gifts suitable for them as witnesses, to carry their testimony to the uttermost parts of the earth, enlightening their minds, and confirming them in the divine truth they taught,endowing them with such fortitude as they feared no kind of suffering; they trampled upon torments, and the threats of kings and rulers of this world,— preached the gospel in the face of death, and were regardless of what men or devils could do to them. Now, all that grace, and all the extraordinary gifts which the Spirit was sent to pour out upon the apostles, and other instruments employed in propagating the gospel, taken together, make only one great link of the divine chain,-a part of the economy of man's salvation, wherein the lustre of the love and grace of God appears to men: which leads me next to observe, That the mission of the Spirit is a blessing of the covenant of promise, and comes from Christ, as the head of the church, consequently it must be long to the economy of redemption. As it is the promise of the Father to Christ, he claims the power to bestow it; accordingly he tells his disciples, that they should be witnesses of his death and resurrection, and in his name they should preach repentance and remission of sins unto all nations; and for their encouragement, he adds, " Behold,* I send upon you the promise of the Father; tarry ye at Jerusalem, until ye be endowed with power from on high." As all the promises are in Christ, yea, and in him amen; so must this great promise of sending "because ye the Spirit. Hence says the apostle, are sons, GoD has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." Believers are "built an habitation of God through the Spirit.And being fitly joined and compacted together, they grow up unto him in all things, who is their head, even Christ." The promise of God is, "that he will put his Spirit within them." This Christ accomplished when he ascended as head of the church, in sending the Spirit to apply the great blessings he had promised. The order of this economy is pointed out by the apostle." Elect↑ according to the fore-knowledge of GOD the FATHER, through the sanctification of the SPIRIT, and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS." As I formerly hinted, the benefits of this mission of the Spirit extend to the church in all ages. Christ promised that he should abide for ever, and it continues a distinguishing character of the world from the children of Christ,-" If any man has *Luke xxiv. 49. † 1 Peter i. 2. not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Thus the mission, or sending of the Holy Ghost, proves his character as such to be economical. But to make this still more evident, we shall take a very short view of the works ascribed to the Spirit. It was proved above, that creation work is attributed to the SPIRIT JEHOVAH, and it must necessarily follow, that providence is another work in which he is intimately concerned, For it cannot be supposed, that any other carries on the succession of individuals,-orders the various parts,-restores their harmony and beauty, -and directs to the end they were designed for, but him who at first created him. Hence, says the psalmist, "Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, and they are created; thou renewest the face of the earth." The conducting Israel in the wilderness, is a work attributed to the Spirit." The Spirit of the LORD (the SPIRIT JEHOVAH) caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people." He qualified the rulers to manage the affairs of that great assembly, -gave wisdom to those who did the work of the tabernacle, according to the pattern shewed on the mount, and also those employed in making materials for the temple. In short, he conducted the prophets, judges, and kings, under the whole jewish theocracy. He inspired the writers of the old testament. David says, "The SPIRIT JEHOVAH spake by me.' And Peter tells us, "That holy men of GoD spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The writings of the new testament were indited by the same unerring guide. "All scripture is given by Rom. viii. 9. |