inspiration of God,-able to make the man of God perfect,-wise to salvation,-and thoroughly furnished to every good work." Upon this foundation the church of Christ is built in all ages: and notwithstanding that fallible men were made use of in writing the scriptures, they were so conducted by the divine wisdom of the Spirit, as to be free of error or mistake, in what was intended for the sacred canon of revelation, which is the sure word of prophecy. "The things which we speak, says the apostle, we speak in the words of the Holy Ghost."

Another work of the Spirit is, the giving to those whom he sent on extraordinary occasions the power of working miracles, as a testimony of their being sent of GOD. None can work miracles, but by the power of the Spirit, therefore the apostle puts miracles among the gifts of the Holy Ghost: yea, with respect to his human nature, Christ speakş of himself as the instrument of the Holy Ghost, "I says he, cast out devils by the Spirit of God." All the signs, wonders, and miracles done by Stephen, Philip, and the apostles, are attributed to the Spirit. Paul, when telling the Romans what he had done, says, all was wrought by the Spirit of God. God only, who governs the world, can turn the works of nature into an extraordinary channel, -do things above or contrary to the common course of nature.

A great part of the Spirit's work mentioned in scripture, has a particular relation to Christ himself. Before his coming in flesh, the Spirit had given most clear and glorious descriptions of him. To him gave all the prophets witness." He tells his disciples, that the things which were written in Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning him, must be fulfilled.-And he expounded

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to them, in all the scriptures, the things concerning himself. Search the scriptures, saith he, for they are they which testify of me." It would make a volume itself only to mention the descriptions of Christ in the old testament: but I cannot help taking notice of one thing, which is too much overlooked, that the book of psalms is in general a description of Christ; and if it were read in this point of light, it would be much more profitable than to apply the substance of it to David, Solomon, or others. See page 126.

As Christ sent the Spirit when he ascended, it would seem that the Spirit sent him at his appearing in flesh; for when speaking at that time by Isaiah, he says, "The LORD GOD and his Spirit hath sent - me." The HOLY GHOST framed the body of CHRIST in the womb of the virgin. Hence she is said to be "with child of the HOLY GHOST. The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." When he was to enter upon his public ministry, the Spirit led him forth to begin the combat with the devil in the wilderness.

In the power of the Spirit he returned from his victory over the devil, and begun his ministry, -opening his commission with a solemn declaration, that the Spirit had qualified and sent him to the work." The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruized, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." In all his ministrations on earth, he was assisted by the Spirit, from whom " he had

* Luke iv. 18, 19.

an unction above all his fellows,-the Spirit above measure poured out upon him." The apostle says, "GOD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed with the devil: for GOD was with him. He was declared to be the Son of God, by the Spirit of holiness." The Spirit raised the body of Christ from the dead. "He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened (restored to life) by the Spirit." And the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, the apostle assures us, shall also quicken the mortal bodies of his members.

Another general part of the Spirit's work, with reference to Christ is, his bearing witness, or testifying of him. "When the Comforter is come, (saith our LORD) the Spirit of truth, he shall testify of me." The great contest betwixt the Jews and christians was, whether Jesus was the true Messiah, the Son of GOD. To this truth, John says, the Spirit was a witness." It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." Our Savior distinguisheth betwixt the Spirit's testimony and the apostles', "The Spirit of truth, he shall witness of me: and ye also shall bear witness."

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The matter or substance of the Spirit's testimony, is all the truths concerning Christ. says he to the apostles, "He (the Spirit) shall guide you into all truth." A compendious abridgment of which we have in the apostles' answer to the Jewish sanhedrim, who reprimanded them for preaching in the name of Jesus. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey GoD rather than men. The GoD of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree: him hath GOD exalted with his right hand a prince and Savior; for 'to give repentance

to Israel, and forgiveness of sin: and we are his witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Ghost, whom GOD hath given to them that obey him." After a similar account of the mission, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, Paul tells the Hebrews "whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us."

The manner and time of the Spirit's bearing witness to Christ, was either before his incarnation,-while he stayed on earth,—or after his ascension; before he appeared in flesh, in all the prophecies, promises, and declarations concerning him in the old testament. So Peter tells us, " Of this salvation the prophets enquired: and searched diligently, who prophecied of the grace that should come,-searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify, when it testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

By the same Spirit that John the baptist proclaimed his advent, and pointed him out as the Lamb of God,-Zacharias, Simeon, Elizabeth, and I Mary, spoke of him. But when Christ was to appear publicly, he was declared at his baptism by the Father to be his beloved Son, to which was added the witness of the Spirit; for it was told John the baptist, that on whom he saw the Spirit descending and remaining, the same should baptize with the HOLY GHOST. Now, John says, "I saw, and bare record, that this is the Son of GOD." This descent of the Spirit in such a manner, was an extraordinary testimony to Christ, an honor never conferred upon any before, and shewed him to be the holy one of GOD, the anointed from above, the king of God's people, and the, heir of all things.

But the special time of the Spirit's testifying of Christ, was after his ascension, when at pentecost he appeared as cloven tongues of fire upon the apostles, and caused them to bear witness for Christ in so extraordinary a manner, as to amaze all the spectators. No talents are competent to describe the wonderful effects of the effusion of the Spirit, in a more striking manner than he hath done himself, by Luke and the apostles in the new testament; the whole of which, after the four gospels, is only an account of what he enabled them to teach, write, and suffer, as witnesses for Christ.

This pouring out of the Spirit, was a plain demonstration of the omniscience and divine veracity of Christ, in accomplishing his promise so punctually, and in a manner far beyond their expectations. It was likewise an ample fulfilling of the Father's promise to send the HOLY GHOST. Both these are included in Peter's account of that solemn event to the wondering multitude, and must be a most glorious testimony given by the Spirit, to the truth of the Messiah's character."This* JESUS hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses. Wherefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the HOLY GHOST, he hath shed forth this, which we now see and hear."

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The Spirit was further a witness to CHRIST, in bestowing extraordinary gifts upon the apostles and others, whereby they were qualified to be culiar witnesses for CHRIST. Now, they could speak the languages of the different nations intelligibly without learning them,-teach the truths

*Acts ii. 32, 33.