not moved away from the Hope of the SER M. Gospel. HAVING thus briefly explained the Two First Particulars in the Text, (the first in order of Nature, though not in the placing of the words) Ye are come, to God the Judge of All, and to Jefus the Mediator of the New Covenant: It might here feem natural to have been expected in the next place, that in like manner as in fome Other paffages of Scripture, with the Grace of our Lord Jefus Christ, and the Love of God, is joined likewise the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost; fo here alfo, I fay, it might feem naturally to have been expected, that the Apostle should have added, the Communion or Fellowship of the Holy Ghost; Which with the Two before-mentioned are the True-ScriptureTrinity. Ye are come, unto God the Judge of All, and to Jefus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and (it might naturally have been expected he should here have fubjoined, and) unto the Holy Ghoft the Comforter. But This last particular, the Apostle does not add: And the Rea Son IX. SER M.fon of his omitting it, feems to be This. IX. The Holy Spirit, is in Scripture represent ed as being to the Church in the place of Chrift; and, for That very reafon, is ftiled the Comforter, because his proper Office is, in the Abfence of Christ, to comfort the Faithful with his Gifts and Graces, with his Holy Influence and Affiftance. Job. xvi. 7. I tell you the Truth, faith our Lord, it is expedient for you, that I go away; For if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will fend him unto and He will guide you into you; All Truth; for he shall not speak of himJelf, but whatfoever he shall hear, That shall be speak; and he will shew you things to comc. The proper Office therefore of the Holy Spirit, being in Christ's stead to fupport and comfort, to guide and direct the Church, until our Lord's fecond Coming; for this reafon, the Apostle in the Text, fpeaking of good Chriftians in a very fublime and figurative manner, as being already come unto the True Mount Sion, the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerufalem; and being, by fpiritual relation, communion, and unity, as IX. it were already actually prefent with God SER M. the Fudge of All, and with Jefus the Mediator of the New Covenant; for This reason (I say) it seems to be, that the Apostle omits in this place the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost, as a thing fulfilled and accomplished, as having already obtained its full Effect; as being now fuperfeded by the immediate prefence of God the Judge of all, and of our Mediator Jefus Chrift. During our Abfence from whofe Beatific prefence, while we continue in this mortal Life, good Men are under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit. And the Proof, by which only it can appear that they really are fo, is not a pretending to Enthufiaftick influences, but their bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit. Which Fruits of the Spirit, (if we will follow St Paul's Authority, rather than the imaginations of Enthufiafts,) are Love, joy, peace, long-fuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, 、 temperance, Gal. v. 22: That is, the Practice of all moral and eternal Virtues. THE SERM. THE remaining particulars of the IX. Text, are; Ye are come to an innumerable Company of Angels, to the Spirits of just men made perfect, and to the general Affembly or Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven. שלא SERMON SERMON X. Of the Catholick Church of HE B. xii. 22, 23. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerufalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, To the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of All, and to the Spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jefus the Mediator of the new Covenant. I these SER M. N difcourfing upon a relation to, and communion with, each X. VOL. IV. е other ; |