THE PERSONALITY OF THE SPIRIT.

THE Holy Ghost, the third of the ever-blessed Three, who so graciously undertakes the renovation of our nature, is truly and properly God; having the same titles and perfections frequently ascribed to him in the scriptures of truth, as are ascribed to the Father and the Son. But, as it has been already observed, the manner of this union is not revealed, and consequently unknown. He is spoken of as concurring in the work of creation, which is ascribed to him, Gen. i. 2, Job xvi. 13; of providence, Psal. civ. 30: and redemption also; for he raised up Jesus from the dead, Rom. viii. 11. He convinces the world of sin, John xvi. 9; mortifies sin, Rom. viii. 13; delivers from sin and death, Rom. viii. 2; witnesses our adoption, ver. 16; intercedes for believers, ver. 26; strengthens their souls, Eph. iii. 16; is always present, observant of their ways, Psal. cxxxix. 7; inspires with courage and resolution, Jos. xxvii. 18; reveals to us the deep things of God, 1 Cor. ii. 10; gives wisdom and understanding, 1 Cor. xii. 8; and holiness, 1 Cor. vi. 11; dwelling in believers, Eph. ii. 22; and assisting them to believe, 2 Cor. iv. 13; to bring forth the fruits of righteousness, Isai. xxxii. 15; to become one in Christ, 1 Cor. xii. 13; and, in short, to be, do, bear, suffer, and know all that is required of them, by that word which was penned by his inspiration, and with which truth he continually operates upon the minds of men, and into which he leads all those who yield up themselves to him, John xvi. 13, Psal. cxliii. 10, Gal. v. 16.

From these scriptures, which speak of the Spirit's influence on the mind of man, we observe, that as God neither does nor says any thing in vain, it is of the utmost necessity that we receive, trust to, and walk in the Spirit; for we cannot please God, nor are we capable of conforming, as he requires us, to his most holy will without his assistance. If our first parents, in a state of innocency, fell under the pow er of sin, how is it possible that we, poor, frail, and dege

nerate creatures, can arise from our fall, and glorify God in our present state of weakness, and surrounded as we are by enemies who are ever on the watch to oppose and betray us? O, blessed and patient Spirit of grace and holiness, how art thou grieved and quenched by the unbelief, ingratitude, and perverseness of the disobedient! Oh, may we all receive thee as the precious gift of the Father and the Son, be anointed by thy unction, and sealed by thee to the day of redemption; that we may glorify thee as one with them-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (in whose name we have been baptized) to all eternity!

In the dispensation of the Spirit there are "diversities of gifts, differences of administrations, and diversities of operations,;" but, "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal;" and he divideth to every man severally as he will. Now, though the apostle may refer, by these expressions, to the gifts bestowed upon the first christian teachers, I do not see that they are to be wholly restricted to these, but may also regard those means made use of in general to convince and enlighten the world. Christ is called "the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world;" and how does he do this, but by his Spirit? St. Paul observes, that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord;" and how can this be done but by that Spirit which filleth all things, and is near to every one of us? There has always existed an apparent inequality in the gifts of grace to mankind in this world; and, for a variety of reasons, there will exist an in-equality in that which is to come; yet, it does not follow that the same inequality will be seen in the same individuals. It may not. There are those in inferior dispensations who greatly improve their talents, and those in superior ones who do not. This will cause a difference. God is rich in mercy, and he dispenses his favours in infinite wisdom, equity, and goodness; to some more, to others less. Yet, as all

souls are his, he gives sufficient light to all, to guide them into that truth which belongs to the state in which he has placed them; and thus, on this principle, “ God is no respecter of persons ;" and since, in every nation, men may "fear him and work righteousness," he that does go "is accepted of him." This being premised, I shall now speak of those means made use of by the Spirit to bring men into the covenant of redemption, or, in other words, to realize the benefits of the same; and to prepare them for that eternal state of joy and happiness, for our enjoyment of which the Prince of Peace laid down his precious life, and for which he ever pleads for us in heaven. These means have all been successful; and it is thought by many that the time is not far distant when the glorious gospel shall spread through all lands; then those means made use of to reclaim the more barbarous part of the human species will be superseded, or rather lost in the "light and truth" which will enlighten all lands. May all devoutly pray, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"

MEANS EMPLOYED..

THESE means are, the wide display of creative wisdomthe voice of, natural conscience—the scriptures-the public ministry of the word—good books-pious examples-alarming dreams-profusion of mercies-afliction of body-providential interpositions-poverty-the prayers of others— the ministry of angels-national calamities, or those of individuals-death of friends-and deep conviction of things that belong to this world and another.

1. The wide display af creative wisdom.-The human understanding is capable of being greatly enlarged and im proved, so much so, that it is difficult to conceive the difference it makes between man and man; and especially between civilized and savage life; yet, however contracted the mind of man may be, there is something so great and glorious in the works of God, that he cannot but see the hand of an almighty and skilful Architect, and feel his de

pendance upon him and his obligations to him; his visible works clearly discovering, from the creation of the world, as the apostle observes, "his eternal power and Godhead;' and if they glorify him not as God, they are without excuse, because "that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." It is beautifully observed in the nineteenth Psalm, that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech; and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.-God hath shewed it unto them." As though he had said, 'The Eternal Spirit, while they view the glorious sun running his majestic race, the moon "walking in brightness," the stars with which he at the beginning "garnished the heavens," with all the surrounding terrestrial objects, whispers within them, These are the wonderful works of the beneficent and universal Parent, who is worthy of your love, your worship, your honour, and your gratitude. Glorify him, and enjoy his favour for ever.'

2. The voice of natural conscience.-Many nations have not the privilege of hearing the instructions of truth and wisdom from the gospel as we have, and are consequently covered with thick darkness; having only a few scattered rays of tradition, fabulously conveyed from their predecessors, or the voice of their conscience, stirred by the Divine Spirit, except what has already been observed of the works of God in nature; yet are these graciously visited of him: and some, it seems, are so obedient to the light as to be considered judges of those who transgress the written law, Rom. ii. 27. 28; while others, like too many possessed of superior advantages, "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God;" and thus, being without excuse, having sinned without the written law, they perished without it: which shews they are under some law; for where there is no law, there is no transgression: and what can this law be

under which they are placed, except that which is written on their hearts by the Spirit of truth? Thus the apostle : "When the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; which shew the work of the law written in their hearts; their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another." And it will appear at last among the great multitude, which no man can number, that there will be many out of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues who will stand approved before the Saviour, who knew him not here by name, while such as have been called his followers will be disowned, and thrust out of his kingdom.

3. The Scriptures.-These are blessed means of teaching us the knowledge of the true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent-of information concerning every thing in which we are principally interested-and they afford the only proper motives which should invite us to a holy life, and a full preparation for eternity. Now these scriptures "came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." This blessed Spirit who inspired them, by his energy applies to the hearts of men, making what otherwise is only a dead letter, to be spirit and life. Many vain, conceited, and unhumbled men have impiously called in question these truths, and have wrested them to their own destruction; while others, from their intrinsic excellency, have believed in them as coming only from God, and have been benefited by them accordingly and to all unprejudiced minds they will ever carry the evidence of their truth along with them. The wisdom and goodness of God in those sacred pages shine with peculiar lustre. What is recorded there was "written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope;" and "they are able to make us wise unto salvation -and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness :" and all these things are continually done by this gracious Spirit among mankind.