Spirit from the Father, and from each other, we say, with our Bible, that the Son is begotten, and the Spirit proceeds, without pretending to know any further what these words mean, than that each denotes something different from the other; and both something different from creation out of nothing. And this distinction giving occasion to Scripture to speak of them in somewhat the same manner, as of different persons amongst men; we call them the three persons of the Trinity; not at all intending by it to say, that the word person, suits them in every respect that it suits us: but only to acknowledge, that, as we find them thus spoken of, we doubt not but there is some sufficient ground for it. And as we find further, that in point of rank, the person of the Father is represented as supreme, the Son as subordinate to him, the Holy Spirit to both; and in point of relation to us, creation is ascribed peculiarly to the first, redemption to the second, sanctification to the third; and yet, in some sense, each of these things to each: we imitate the whole of this likewise. Still we are very sensible, at the same time, that many more doubts and difficulties may be raised, almost about every part of the doctrine, than God, in his unsearchable wisdom, hath given us light enough to solve. But we apprehend it is our duty to believe, with humility and simplicity, what the Scripture hath taught us; and to be contentedly ignorant of what it doth not teach us; without indulging speculations and conjectures, which only perplex the subject more, instead of clearing it. And, surely, it is our duty also, to interpret with candour, and use with moderation, whatever well-meant phrases the Church of Christ, especially in its earlier days, hath applied to this subject; to think on matters, which are both so mysterious in their nature, and so hard to be expressed, with great charity of other persons: and for ourselves, to keep close with great care to so much as is plain and practical. In order to this, I proceed to lay before you, II. The peculiar office of the Spirit in the work of our redemption: on account of which he is called, in our Catechism, "God the Holy Ghost, "who sanctifieth us, and all the elect people of "God." For, probably, he is called the Holy Spirit so frequently in Scripture, and the Spirit of Holiness once, not merely as being perfectly holy in himself, which the Father and the Son are also, but as being the cause of holiness in believers ; who are elected by God to eternal life, on foreseeing their faith will produce obedience. To be holy, is to be pure from defilement; but particularly in this case, from the defilement of iniquity; and being sanctified, is being made holy; to which blessed change in sinful man, the Spirit of God, we are taught, contributes many ways. In baptism we are "born again of water, and of "the Spirit ;"7 restored by him to the state of God's children, and endued with the principles of a new, that is the Christian, life. As we grow up, it is through him that our understandings are enlightened by the knowledge of God's will. directed the ancient Prophets in what they preached and wrote. For "holy men of old times spake, 66 He as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" which more especially "testified, beforehand, the "sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should "follow." Then, afterwards, when our Saviour became man, the Holy Ghost was upon him, and accompanied him through the whole of his ministration; and after his ascension, was communicated more fully than before to his Apostles; "to "teach them all things needful, and to bring to (6) Rom. i. 4. (8) 2 Pet. i. 21. (7) John iii. 3, 5. (1) Matt. iii. 16, Luke iii. 22. iv. 1. Acts i. 2. x. 38, "their remembrance, whatever he had said to "them;" so that in all their discourses for the instruction of mankind, "it was not so much they "who spake, as the Spirit of the Father that "spoke in them."3 Nor can we doubt, but he afforded them equal assistance, at least in what they wrote for the use of all future ages. The same Spirit was also their comforter under every suffering; and lastly, bore witness to the truth of their doctrine, and our faith, by a multitude of "signs "and wonders, and supernatural gifts:"4 by which means, and the ministry of their successors, whom likewise "the Holy Ghost made overseers "over Christ's flock," the light of his Gospel hath filled the world, and now shines upon us. Nor is it outwardly alone, that he reveals and confirms to us divine truths; but as the blessed Jesus promised, that "he should dwell in his dis 66 ciples, and abide with them for ever;" so, by his inward operations, the credibility of which I shall, God willing, prove to you in its proper place, he opens our hearts to receive the word of God, influences our affections to delight in it, and excites our wills to act conformably to it: for which reasons, good persons are said to "be led by the Spirit;" and all Christian graces to be "the "fruits of the Spirit."9 With the wicked he strives, till they obstinately harden themselves, and then forsakes them. But those who yield to his motions, he "renews," " and "strengthens "with might in the inner man ;"3 helps their infirmities, and both directs and animates their prayers; thus making, as it were, intercession 4 within them. By this one Spirit, being in all Christians, they are united into one body," and (2) John xiv. 26, (3) Matt. x. 20. (4). Heb. ii. 4. made to love each other. "By the Holy Ghost 66 66 (also) the love of God is shed abroad in our "hearts,"" teaching us to look upon him, not as an austere master, but a kind parent; or, in the language of St. Paul, to "cry Abba, Father."7 And thus the " Spirit beareth witness with our spirit," joins with our consciences to complete the evidence," that we are the sons of God:"8 from whence arises that "joy in the Holy Ghost,"" which different persons have in very different degrees: and, therefore, no one should despond, because he feels but little, or at times, perhaps, nothing of it, provided he truly honours and serves God. But to some persons, on some occasions, the heavenly comforter vouchsafes, both strong assurances of their good state: "hereby know we, "that God abideth in us, by the Spirit which he "hath given us ;" and such lively consolations from it, as amount to a pledge and foretaste of happiness to come. Accordingly, they are said to be sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, which "is the earnest of their inheritance."2 3 But to prevent wicked persons of enthusiastic tempers from mistaking, as they often have done, their own groundless confidence for the inward testimony of the divine Spirit, they should be carefully reminded, that "by our fruits we are "known," and must know ourselves; that "the "fruit of the Spirit is in all righteousness and "truth," and only "good men are full of the "Holy Ghost." For, into a malicious soul he "will not enter; nor dwell in the body that is "subject unto sin. The holy Spirit of discipline "will flee deceit; and remove from thoughts that "are without understanding; and will not abide, "when unrighteousness cometh in.”7 (6) Rom. v. 5. (8) Rom. viii. 16, (2) Eph. i. 13, 14, (5) Eph. v. 9. (7) Rom. viii. 15. Gal. iv. 6. (9) Rom. xiv. 17. (3) Matt. vii. 16. (1) 1 John iii. 24. III. The next thing proposed was, to speak of the duties owing to the Holy Ghost; which, besides the general one of honouring him suitably to his nature, as God, are, in particular, to be baptized in his name, as I have already mentioned; to pray for his graces; for God "giveth grace unto the humble," and "will give his holy Spirit to "them that ask him;"9 to be heartily thankful for all his good motions, and conscientiously to obey them in every instance. By this last, I do not mean that we should "believe every Spirit;" follow every strong imagination of our own, or pretence of light from above in others: but adhere steadily to that rule of life, which the Holy Ghost hath directed the writers of Scripture to teach us, and inwardly prompts and disposes us to observe. For other inspiration than this being now become unnecessary, we have no reason to expect, but much reason to distrust it. But, especially, if we be urged, under colour of such authority, to break any one standing precept of the Gospel, or add to, or take away from, any single Article of our Creed, "though an angel from heaven" were to require it, we are not to yield, but keep close to "the "faith and holy commandment, which were once "delivered to the saints," and shall never be altered. 2 These, then, are our duties to the ever-blessed Spirit. There are, likewise, mentioned in Scripture, IV. Sins against him. And one of these, not all, as melancholy persons are apt to imagine, but one alone, is said, by our Saviour, to be unpardonable: "which is blasphemy against the Holy "Ghost." Now that means only, speaking reproachful words, deliberately and maliciously, against the miracles done by the power of the Holy Ghost, or the supernatural gifts proceeding from (8) James iv. 6. (9) Luke xi. 13. (3) 2 Pet. ii. 21. Mark iii. 28, 29. (1) 1 John iv. 1. Jude verse 3. Luke xii. 10. |