world:" and just before his departure, that "he shed his blood for the remission of the sins of many." him for healing and for life: look unto him who | he declares, "He gave his flesh for the life of the appears as your advocate, ever living to make intercession for sinners in your distressed condition. He must fail in the engagements of his office, and do violence to the bowels of his mercy, which constitute his fitness for that office, before the humble dependence of a penitent sinner on his blood and intercession shall be disappointed. Consider and weigh well the force of all these testimonies, and you will be constrained to say, that nothing more could have been done to engage those who feel the guilt and misery of their sins, to place their whole dependence on Jesus Christ for pardon. If any thing can be added more to engage your It is not now possible for a penitent sinner to make confidence in the Redeemer for the remission of a single objection which is not evidently answered. your sins when you are sorrowing for them, and With equal propriety and mercy therefore is this convince you on what a strong foundation it is call addressed to sinners of every denomination, built, it must be the solemn repeated declarations of who feel their misery and are athirst for pardon.— the word of God, that the sacrifice of his only-be- "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy gotten Son is accepted in his sight, as a complete laden, and I will refresh you." It was my body atonement for the sins of those who believe on his which bore your sins on the tree, when I suffered name; and that it shall be imputed to them in its in- "the just for the unjust." It was my blood which comparable efficacy, to save them from deserved was shed by the sword of Justice, when I stood in wrath. And declarations of this purport are (bless- your stead. It was I, who being "the brightness of ed be God for his abounding grace) many in num- my Father's glory, and the express image of his ber: to select a few of the most striking ones, relat-person," and "upholding all things by the word of ing to the vicarious death and sacrifice of Jesus, will be sufficient. Isaiah, in his most affecting detail of this great event, after having expressly affirmed that Jesus suffered as a surety and substitute for us, "wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquity; that it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and put him to grief," in order that by bearing the tremenduous curse in his own body, it might pass over the heads of the faithful, thus magnificently declares the efficacy of his sacrifice: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities," that is, bear them as the scape-goat did, carrying them away into the pathless inaccessible wilderness, so that they shall not be found when sought for by the malicious tempter. In another place we are informed by the angel Gabriel, commissioned to revive the heart of the greatly beloved Daniel; that when "Messiah the prince was cut off," in that oblation of himself on the cross, he accomplished a work suitable to his own infinite glory; "He finished the transgression," by an expiation of it, and by redeeming all who should believe in him from its curse. "He made an end of sin," by delivering from its detestable dominion all who should flee to him for succor. "He made reconciliation for iniquity," by bringing the faithful to possess peace with God, and by replacing them in his forfeited favor. "He brought in everlasting righteousness," a righteousness whose virtue will continue to justify all that believe throughout all ages; and with which eternal life stands connected by the promise of God. my power, purged away your sins by the sacrifice of myself," and "then sat down" your Mediator "on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" believe therefore on me, and you shall receive remission of sins. Remission of sins, however, though a blessing most necessary to man, extends but to a part of his wants. As Adam's first disobedience sprung from his impious desire to be like God in knowledge, so the just punishment of his sin was the extinction of all divine light in his soul. Hence we, his fallen offspring, are born blind to God, and the things of God; though the knowledge of them is far preferable than life. Hence we are liable to perpetual delusion and prejudice against the truth. For our relief, therefore, in this case, we are commanded by God to depend on the Lord Jesus for instruction and spiritual knowledge. If you ask on what ground you may build such dependence, and what there is in Christ Jesus to assure you of success? the answer which the divine record returns, is fully satisfactory. God proclaims in the Old Testament, that he has given his Son "for a light to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison-house." Isa. xlii. 6, 7. By the prophet Malachi he gives him a name most emphatically significant of his power to communicate knowledge. He calls him the "Sun of righteousness," to assure us, that as the sun in the firmament dispenses its invigorating influence through all parts of the earth, unveils the face of every object in the visible creation, and discovers it in its true aspect; so the Redeemer, by his word and Spirit, disperses the gross darkness of the human mind, makes divine truth visible and intelligible, and strengthens our dim faculties to behold the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God.The same representation of the office of Jesus as a teacher, is again repeated by Zacharias, when, full of the Holy Ghost, he celebrates Christ's coming into the world in the gracious character of an instructer of those who were lying in gross darkness. He exalts our opinions of Jesus as "the day-spring from To the testimony of prophets and angels, the im- on high, who, through the tender mercy of our mediate voice of God from heaven must be joined: God," came "to give light to them that sit in dark"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleas-ness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our ed." It is he, who by his life and death magnifies my law, restores my ruined creatures to life and happiness, and accomplishes a work of all others most pleasing in my sight. These glorious effects of the Redeemer's sacrifice were perfectly known to the innumerable millions of the heavenly host; therefore, so soon as Jesus appeared in our flesh, they filled the air with their presence, breaking forth into this congratulatory song of praise (the same in import with Gabriel's message to the beloved Daniel,) 'Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace, good-will towards men.' " feet in the way of peace," Luke i. 79. Attestations of the same truth are frequent in the Scriptures.The beloved disciple, who lay in Jesus' bosom, expresses his ability to inform and teach us, by calling The same strong attestations does the Redeemer him the "Word;" by pointing him out as "the true himself give to the efficacy of his atoning death.-light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son (gave him up, to suffer on the cross.) to the end that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life." In another discourse world;" in other words, as that matchless person, from whose word and Spirit proceeds all the divine knowledge which ever was, or shall be found amongst the children of men. To add confirmation to these testimonies, the Redeemer bears record of himself in expressions of the same kind, and of the strongest import: "I Jesus," says he, "am the bright and morning star;" chasing the darkness of sin and error from the mind, as that star ushers in the brightness of the day. Rev. xxii. 16. In a discourse with the Jews, who were endeavoring to ensnare him by subtlety, Jesus said; "I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John viii. 12. Is not this to assure us in the fullest manner, that he came to direct sinners in the way of salvation by his word and Spirit, and that in consequence of this his office, whoever depends for teaching and guidance upon him, shall not continue in ignorance and error, but shall have the saving light of truth surrounding his path, and making the way plain before him, from earth to heaven, from peace to glory. "he left the bosom of his Father to declare him unto us;" when you hear, that for this purpose he has not only given to his church his written word, to point out the way of life; but has also promised to give it efficacy by the power of the Holy Ghost, can you wish for more? Are you grieved that you know God no better, are you athirst for instruction in righteousness? What can induce you to make application to the Lord Jesus Christ, if this encouragement from St. John fails? "We know," says he, "that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true." 1 John v. 20. He has given us not only that intellectual faculty which distinguishes us from the animal world, for this was ever common to all men; he has given us not only the external revelation which false pretenders to the faith have as well as ourselves; but he has given to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of God: a To these testimonies I shall only add what St. gift confined to those alone who depend upon Jesus Paul was inspired to teach us upon the same sub- as the truth and the life. Are you then crying out ject. He declares that "Christ Jesus is made of in that humble manner which your necessitous conGod unto us," not only "righteousness and sancti-dition requires, "O! that God would show me fication," but "wisdom;" because, through him, as the secrets of wisdom-what I know not, teach a teacher sent from God, we may know all things thou me." You see on whom your help is laid: necessary for our pardon, comfort, and salvation. you see in this case your application to Christ must 1 Cor. i. 30. In another place, that divine illumina- be daily and persevering. It is he only who can say, tion which the church receives from Christ Jesus" Council is mine, and sound wisdom; I am underthe Lord, and the clear discoveries of God's glorious being and perfections, is thus emphatically expressed: "God who caused the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." "In Christ," he saith again, as proposed and manifested to us in the gospel," are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ;" in him they are covered under the veil of his humanity and deep humiliation. Observe the fulness of the expression; the apostle does not say treasure in the singular number, though this must have implied both the excellency and abundance of that knowledge, but treasures. He doth not say many treasures, though this would have greatly enlarged our conceptions; but he saith," in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Nothing pertaining to spiritual life and godliness can be imagined, nothing in the least degree profitable for a poor, weak, helpless, sinful creature to know, which is not to be found in Christ Jesus, as an inexhaustible magazine, which the bounty of the God of glory has provided for the supply of our necessities. Nor can it be thought that any or all of these Scriptures ascribe too much to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, when it is considered that the very end of his appearance was to manifest the name of God, and to give a complete revelation of his will and designs concerning us. Jesus not only spake the words of pure truth and righteousness, as the prophets before him, but with an infinite superiority over them all, exhibited a perfect model in his own example, both of faith and practice. And whilst other deceased prophets retain no influence to impress their words, this Prophet of the world declares, "I will send unto you another Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, he shall lead you into all truth for it is written, all his children shall be taught of God." Do you therefore painfully feel your ignorance in the things of God? Do you bewail the dulness of your intellectual faculties to apprehend spiritual objects? Are you concerned to find so much weariness in fixing your attention upon the Bible, when you behold that invaluable book? Behold your relief and remedy Behold with joy what a foundation there is for your dependence on Jesus Christ to be taught all you need to understand! When you hear this representation of his character, that standing, I have strength." When blind Bartimeus cried, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me, that I may receive my sight," they that stood by said, "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." Mark x. 49. The same compassionate call is addressed to you from Jesus enthroned in glory. “I counsel thee," says he to every one in whose mind darkness and ignorance prevail, "to anoint thee with eye-salve," that is, to apply to my word and Spirit," that thou mayest see;" that thy understanding may be enlightened, that thou mayest be filled with the knowledge of God, and have a right judgment in all things. Further; as you stand in need of wisdom and teaching, that you may know the truth of God, so you in the same degree want light to discover and baffle the devices of the devil. To whom then shall you go to obtain such light but unto Jesus, before whom we are assured all things are open and naked, even the deepest counsels of the destroyer, and all his snares of cruelty? Jesus knows how, with equal ease and certainty, to confound his numberless contrivances, and infatuate even the spirit of all subtlety and malice. For this reason the very first name given to the Redeemer was that of the bruiser of the serpent's head. He is the glorious deliverer, who came to ruin Satan's schemes, and disappoint his contrivances to hurt and destroy the faithful.Hence it must follow, that Jesus knows how to deliver the godly out of every temptation, and to preserve them unto his own kingdom. Who then, if not this all-sufficient Person, is worthy to be relied on with unshaken confidence, by the children of ignorance and blindness? SUNDAY XIV.-CHAP. XIV. THE FOUNDATION OF DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST, FOR We have considered the fulness of help which is ward vexation of mind, their natural and necessary | swelled with strokes of violence, bedewed from head effects, he wishes himself free; he determines, confident of his own strength, no more to be overcome. But, behold the very next temptation adapted to stir up the evil which is in him, as easily prevails as the former did; so that scon disheartened by such repeated foils, and ashamed to confess his own vileness, he gives up the important contest, and begins to palliate that ignominious slavery, from which he knows not how to be delivered. Now observation concurs with Scripture to prove, that superiority of wit, or an extraordinary share of natural abilities, though even improved by the advantages of polite education, do not enable men to stand before the power of their corrupted nature any more than savage ignorance: they can only gild those shackles which they cannot burst asunder, and slightly conceal from the stranger's superficial eye what still defiles and galls the inner man. This spiritual bondage must always become exceeding grievous to endure, wherever there is a right judgment of God and the nature of sin. Then will there be an earnest desire to obtain deliverance at the hands of one mighty to save from such tyrannical oppression. For this deliverance God commands us to depend on the Lord Jesus Christ. And to engage our utmost confidence, such a full display of his power is laid before us, as makes the suspicion of miscarriage to the last degree unreasonable. The ancient prophets, declaring the extent and irresistible force of his government, call him, "The Lord of Hosts, the Lord mighty in battle; whose throne is heaven, and whose foot-stool is earth; who has the light for his garment, the clouds for his chariot, the thunder for his voice, and all the legions of angels for his servants." to foot with bloody gore; behold him even in this condition exert the most astonishing act of power we or angels can conceive; hear him say to the thief, who made his prayer to him, and placed his whole dependence upon him: hear him say: "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise;" "I will carry thee up with me into heaven, as a trophy of my victory over Satan, and will show thee there, as part of the spoils that shall adorn my triumphs over hell." He snatches this abandoned sinner from the brink of destruction, as an earnest of the full recovery of all who should ever trust in him; saves one that seemed not only void of grace, but beyond his power; and sanctifies that heart in an instant, which had probably been for a long course, wallowing in sin! In all these victories we may conceive the ReIdeemer to have acted with this double view; that he might fully ascertain his title to the character of the Messiah, as described in the Old Testament; and that he might lay at the same time a sure foundation for his church to trust on the might of his holy arm, to the end of the world. If it is said, the Redeemer's death and burial in the grave indicate his weakness; it is answered, that Jesus entered the grave, not merely as a subject, but as an invader and conqueror. He stripped the king of terrors of his dominion, and, rising on the third day, triumphed openly as the resurrec│tion and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall never die." The language of his resurrection was full of power; it confirmed the words of the prophet, "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake, and sing, ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." Isa. xxvi. 19. And lest the humiliation of the Redeemer should diminish our conceptions of his power to save, the But if these acts demonstrate the power of Jesus, glory he manifested in the days of his flesh is that and present him before our eyes as an object every which is most particularly related. Innumerable way able to answer the dependence which we place multitudes of the wretched and diseased crowded on him for deliverance from the power of sin, how round his divine Person, and instantly by him they much more is the ground of this dependence strengthwere made whole. The dumb, the deaf, the lame, ened by the declarations both in the Old and New the blind, the dead, were all restored by his energy Testaments, of his sufficiency for this work! Hear, upon them, to the blessing of life, or the enjoyment how every doubt is obviated, and all despondency of their faculties. His command over the whole graciously reproved: "Say to them that are of a creation is marked in the strongest colors. For fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your though the winds and storms are mighty, yet Jesus God will come with vengeance, even God with a in his low estate only rebuked them, and they were recompense; he will come and save you." Isa. xxxv. hushed in silence. The waves of the sea raged hor-4. "Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong ribly, yet at his word they sunk into a perfect calm. Death and the grave, though inexorable to and invincible by mortals, were not able for a moment to detain their prey when Jesus only spake; "Lazarus, I say unto thee, arise." The powers of darkness and the strength of hell, though mightier far than diseases, storms, or death, submit to him, and entreat his favor, as their irresistible, though offend-pendants finally to triumph over sin and Satan. "I ed Lord and Sovereign. Further; for the greater encouragement of our faith and hope in Jesus, as a complete deliverer through his Spirit, from the tyranny of our sinful tempers, let it be duly pondered, that Jesus carried about with him, when on earth, examples of his saving power. Publicans, accounted the worst of men, and harlots, the worst of women; these he delivered from the captivity of their lusts, and by them proclaimed that none can be so enslaved by sin, but he can make them free indeed. And to demonstrate this most transporting truth, which he preached with his own mouth, and confirmed by numerous instances during his ministry, at the very hour of his death he still more gloriously displayed the same almighty power to destroy the dominion of sin in the utmost height of its strength. Behold Jesus hanging on the cross: his visage lacerated and mangled, his body covered with marks of scorn, hand, and his arm shall rule for him behold, his reward is with him, and his work is before him.He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isa. xl. 10, 11. "He shall bring forth judgment unto truth," that is, shall make all his de have given thee," saith God the Father, "for a leader and commander of the people, to preach deliverance to the captives." By the prophet Malachi we are assured, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and purge them," that is, his faithful people, "as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." St. Peter confirms these glorious declarations by proclaiming to all the Jews, enslaved and abandoned to the practice of wickedness as they were, that God having raised up his Son Jesus, had sent him to bless them, by turning every one of them from their iniquities. St. Paul teaches us, that the Lord Jesus Christ, in his character and capacity of Mediator, is invested with absolute dominion: that he reigns as a rightful conqueror over all his enemies; that he is a horn of salvation to those that trust in his name: that he sits on a throne of glory till all opposition to his people and himself cease, and is utterly de stroyed. For in this most encouraging light the exceeding greatness of his power to save is represented, when it is said, God hath "raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Eph. i. 20-23. mockery and buffeting, the bloody scourge on his back, and on his face the nauseous spittle; instead of sitting on his throne, high and lifted up, with the whole host of heaven worshipping him, saying"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory;" to hang upon a cross between two thieves, in the midst of insulting shouts and the frowns of eternal justice? if it be possible, question his willingness to save those who depend upon him; his willingness, I say, who prayed even for his bitterest enemies. O! come hither, behold, and see if ever there was love like this! Come and hear the voice which he uttered in the height of all his sufferings, for his Magnify then as you please, the number, and murderers: "Father, forgive them, for they know strength of temptations, the weakness of human na-not what they do." Hear, and if you can, doubt; ture, the power of confirmed ill habits, and the efforts of Satan; still, what are all these, even though united, before him "who gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify to himself a pe- In the last place: we may as firmly confide in culiar people zealous of good works?" What, be- the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal salvation as for fore him whose kingly office is to turn from dark-present pardon, wisdom, righteousness, and strength. ness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, and whose infinite bounty enriches the fallen soul with that holiness which makes it meet for heaven? Who, or what, are these spiritual tyrants, avarice or uncleanness, envy or malice, deceit or unbelief-by whom strengthened, and by whom abetted that they should defy him who hath all power in heaven and in earth to save from sin?Him from whose overflowing fulness all the angels in heaven, and all the saints whilst on earth, receive their sanctification, and the spotless purity they will share with him through all eternity? If one person, relying with humility and perseverance on the power of Jesus, should perish, unsuccored, and in his sins; how would the promises of God concerning the kingly offices of his Son be true? How could Jesus answer the character given of him in the record of God? One of these alternatives must therefore be maintained; either, that the character and office of Jesus are misrepresented in the Scriptures; or else, that whoever puts his trust in his power to save, shall have the victory over sin. The stubbornness of his will shall be brought to yield, his evil tempers shall be subdued, and he shall be preserved blameless in spirit, soul, and body. His dominion equally extends both over the world in which we dwell, and over that into which we enter after death: "Fear not," he says, "I am the first and the last, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of hades and of the grave." It is he who hath overcome him who had the power of death, that is the devil; and has made his triumphant entry before all, and for all who depend upon him! it is he who bids us trust in him, and not be afraid. Hear with what affection and endearment he comforts his apostles, and all who should ever possess like precious faith with them in his name: "I go and prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also." And in his prayer for the salvation of all who should believe in him, he saith, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me." With what well-grounded comfort then, and with what abounding hope are you warranted to trust in the Redeemer, both in life and in death. And after having exercised continual faith in him, as a Saviour from the guilt, defilement, and strength of sin, What has been afforded is sufficient to prove, from iguorance, and from all the enemies of your that we have all possible encouragement to trust in soul, how reasonably at the end of life may you Jesus the Redeemer for wisdom, righteousness, and copy the pattern of the first martyr to the Christian strength. The only knowledge concerning his cha-truth, and beholding by faith the object that was maracter which is further necessary, is of his temper nifested to him, without a vail, say, with your exand disposition towards sinners; now, as is his ma-piring breath, "Lord Jesus, into thy hands I comjesty, so is his mercy: and he is as ready as he is mend my spirit.” able, to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him. On this head what stronger testimonies can the most jealous suspicion desire, than he has given to us. SUNDAY XV.-CHAP. XV. THE DIVINITY OF THE HOLY GHOST. THE work of man's salvation is represented in Scripture as engaging the joint agency of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. God the Father in infinite wisdom planned this amazing scheme, and provided himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering, a sa What means his deep humiliation? his pleadings with careless and obstinate sinners by day, and his midnight importunities with his heavenly Father, for them? what mean his kind invitations? "Ho! every one that thirsteth, let him come unto me and drink; whoever cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out!" What can be the design of these tender expressions, but to assure us of his willing-crifice to purge away sin. God the Son executed ness to receive with mercy those sinners, whatever they might have been in time past, who commit their souls unto him? What was it, tell me, if it was not fervent love, that made him so long endure a condition in all respects so amazingly opposite to his original glory; instead of hallelujahs from the sweet tongues of angels, to hear the blasphemous insults of men cast on himself and all his actions; instead of the perfection of joy, to endure such sufferings that his heart in the midst of his body was even like melting wax, through the intenseness of the anguish that was upon him; instead of adoraLion from myriads of ministering spirits, to bear in his own person this plan, by submitting to be delivered for our offences, by rising again for our justification, and by interceding for us in heaven. God the Holy Ghost procures an effectual reception of this scheme of salvation, and sanctifies the soul for the everlasting happiness which he prepares it to enjoy. Each of these persons, who thus co-operate in man's salvation, must of necessity be really God, because no one could execute any part of this grand scheme pertaining to the soul. Who, for instance, besides the supreme Lawgiver himself, could admit an innocent substitute to become surety for a crimi ! nal, and bear his curse? or who, beneath the digni- | given him which is above every name;" to such a ty of God, could have merit sufficient, by suffering, high degree above every other name, that all in to atone for offences against the majesty of heaven earth and heaven must bow their knee before him; and earth? or to whom, besides God, doth the power and yet, considered as Mediator, he is still inferior greater than that of creation belong, of triumphing to the Holy Spirit, because he was consecrated and over our rebellious wills, and bringing them into enabled by him to discharge that very office. But captivity to the obedience of Christ? since nothing in earth or in heaven is in dignity above the Mediator, but God only, it plainly follows that the Holy Spirit must be God, of one and the same essence with the Father, as the Scripture teaches, and as the Christian church has ever believed. Now, if the holy Scripture is full and clear in certifying the influence and interposition of each person in the blessed Trinity in the work of man's salvation; it must of necessity be the duty of a Christian to pay due attention to it, and to endeavor by devout meditation to impress upon his mind what God has revealed on this subject; revealed not at all to teach us how the Father, Son, and Spirit are three persons in one eternal Godhead, (for this it never attempts,) but to inform us of our obligations to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and to teach us to live in such entire confidence in the mercy of God, and such devotedness to his service, as the knowledge of this most sublime and mysterious truth is designed to produce. The Scripture character of God the Father has been already considered at large; and also that of God the Son, as he is proposed to us in his mediatorial office: it shall be our business therefore now to lay before you in one view, what the Scripture teaches of the nature, person, and office of the Holy Ghost. And may He himself, who is the Spirit of truth, give us to understand the things which belong to his glory. First, With respect to the nature of the Holy Spirit, that he is God, the same in essence with the Father and the Son, is proved from Scripture in this plain and convincing manner.-All the properties of the Godhead are ascribed to him. Now by what is the distinct essence of any being determined, but by its properties? Thus he who possesses the properties peculiar to a man, is on that very account esteemed one; by consequence, he who possesses the perfections peculiar to God, must on that account be worshipped as God. The Holy Ghost does works proper to God; of this nature is the renovation and sanctification of the soul. Even the conversion of those most abandoned sinners at Corinth, in the time of St. Paul, is ascribed to this divine agent: "Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are cleansed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor. vi. 8. It was the Holy Ghost who endued the apostles with their miraculous powers, laid the foundation of the Christian church, and published its laws.He separated Paul and Barnabas, and "appointed their mission," which is the prerogative of the supreme Directer. A dispensation of such infinite moment belongs properly to God, and of all others, is apparently the least communicable to a creature. And in the consummation of all things the Spirit will work a work altogether divine, the master-piece of all he has done. It will be a full demonstration of his power, to a degree which can belong to none but God. He will bring back the bodies of the faithful from the dust, and clothe them with glory and immortality: for "if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Rom. viii. 11. Secondly, The Holy Spirit must be the same in essence with the Father and the Son, "because the The Scripture then declares the Holy Ghost to be honor and worship due only to the true God are a holy, eternal, infinite, almighty Being. Holy, for given to him." This worship and glory, of which in reference to his peculiar office of imparting holi- God declares himself to be jealous, and which he ness, and in the exclusion of all creatures, he is will not give to another, consists in swearing by called "the Holy Spirit." Eph. iv. 30. Eternal, him, and in making appeals to him, touching the that is, existing before all ages no less than in them sincerity of what we affirm: according to that comall; thus the blood of Jesus, we are told, was offered mand which God has himself given in this matter, under his influence by the name of the "Eternal" Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and swear Spirit." A title this, which is never ascribed to any by his name." It consists also in making him the but God himself; for though angels have existed so only object of our faith, hope, and obedience: for, many ages before our world, and will never cease "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that to be, yet we no where read of an eternal angel.- trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm." Jer. Infinite, for he "searcheth all things, yea, the deep xvii. 5. God only is to be regarded as the fountain things of God." 1 Cor. ii. 15. Almighty, because at of benediction and grace; he alone is to be imthe creation of the world "the Spirit," we are as-plored for the continuance of both; he is to be susured, "moved upon the waters;" by his operation premely obeyed as the only one whom we must fear and influence on the chaos he formed it into order to offend. The principal end of divine worship is and beauty; and from his energy the world is as it thus to ascribe unto God the honor due unto his were created anew day by day: "Thou sendest name. But we meet with instances in Holy Scripforth thy Spirit, they are created; and thou renew-ture where all these particular acts of adoration est the face of the earth." Psalm civ. 30. In the dispensations of grace also the almighty power of the Holy Ghost is no less conspicuous than in the sphere of nature. The humanity of the Lord Jesus was formed by his overshadowing with his influence the blessed Virgin. By him Jesus was sent to preach the gospel and discharge his ministry: by him carried into the wilderness, and anointed with the oil of gladness above all kings and priests that had been or ever should be. In a word, in all that Jesus did on earth as our Mediator, he was both appointed and supported, we are expressly taught, by the Holy Ghost. And can you require a more complete proof than this of the Godhead of the Holy Ghost? "Jesus, as Mediator, “had a name are paid to the Holy Ghost. Thus St. Paul swears by him, and appeals to him as a witness of the sincerity of his good will towards his brethren the Jews; "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost." Thus the Spirit is proposed as the object of our faith, hope, and obedience, equally with the Father and the Son. For when we are baptized into each of their names, what is the import of this devout dedication, but that we entirely surrender ourselves in faith and obedience to this sacred Trinity. He is implored also, together with the Father and the Son, as the fountain and author of all the blessings and graces of the gospel. The church of Christ, from the beginning, has ever concluded her public |