SERMON XX. THE HOLY GHOST-HIS NATURE AND OFFICES. [WHIT-SUNDAY.] ACTS ii. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. THIS is the record of the event which took place on that memorable day, when the Apostles gathered together in one place, experienced the accomplishment of the promise of their Master, and were "endued with power from on high"." The promised Comforter was sent--The Spirit of truth descended. 66 'They were all filled with the Holy Ghost." But not to the Apostles only is this declaration applicable. The Spirit which then descended upon the Church, was to abide with it for ever; amimating its faithful members to the end of the world. Know ye not," saith the Apostle, ad Luke xxiv. 49. dressing Christians, "that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." "Ye are builded together for an habitation of God, through the Spirit "." "Ye are the temple of the Holy Ghost"." It must now then be the characteristic of all sincere Christians, that they are “filled with the Holy Ghost." I. The nature of the Holy Ghost, III. The made of his operations-and IV. The means of their conveyance, Shall be considered in the following discourse, and will embrace all the particulars that relate to this important doctrine. My brethren, this subject, transcending the comprehension of the human mind, is to be approached and to be discussed with the deepest reverence. Human reason has no farther concern with it, than to ascertain and to illustrate what may be revealed in regard to it. The Divine essence cannot be reduced to the comprehension of the most perfect created intelligence; and, therefore, it can be no valid objection to any truth relative to the Divine nature, that it is incomprehensible. Let us then proceed to consider the truths b 1 Cor. iii. 16. ⚫ Eph. ii. 22. 41 Cor. iii. 17; vi. 19; 2 Cor. vi. 16. relative to the Holy Spirit, as matters purely of revelation; to be received by us as they are revealed. Contradictory to our reason, we cannot pronounce them, on this very account, that they transcend her comprehension. Reason is a judge only of those things that lie within the range of her powers. In regard to the Divine nature, she must be guided and determined only by the illuminations of the word of God. I. The nature of the Holy Spirit. 1. He is a person. 2. He is a Divine person. 3. He proceeds from the Father and the Son. 1. He is a person. He possesses that distinct subsistence and agency which constitute the idea of a person. He is not, as is asserted by those who deny the Trinity of persons in the Godhead, the mere efficacy or power of the Father. For he is distinct from the Father and the Son. That must be a person to which personal titles, personal attributes, and personal acts are assigned. Mark the numerous passages of Scripture, in which all these are ascribed to the Holy Ghost. Personal titles-He is styled "the Holy Ghost" in that same declaration which bestows, their personal titles on the Father and the Son." Go ye and teach all nations, bap e " tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost *. Our Saviour styles him "the Spirit of truth, the Comforter'." In numerous places of Scripture he is styled "the Spirit," "the Holy Spirit," "the Holy Ghost"." If he be not a person, can we conceive any reason why personal titles should thus be ascribed to him? If he be not a person, we also ask, why should personal attributes and operations be assigned him. Hear him styled "the Holy Spirit "," the eternal Spirit. Hear our Saviour declaring, that he whom he denominates the Spirit of truth, shall " teach, shall lead into all truth,” “shall bring all things to remembrance," "shall testify concerning him," "shall shew things to come." What a singular, what an unauthorized, may we not say, what a deceptive mode of expression, if the Holy Ghost be the mere efficacy and power of the Father, and not a person? 2. But we proceed further and say-The Holy Ghost is not only a person, but a Divine person. Would a creature be ranked with the Father • Matt. xxviii. 19. f John xiv. 16, 17. 26. h John iii. 6. Eph. iv. 30. John xiv. 26. Eph. iv. 30. Heb. ix, 14. * John xiv. 17, 26. xv. 26. xvi. 13. k He is styled "the Spirit of and the Son in that title of the Godhead into which Christians are baptized? Would a created being be designated by the incommunicable attributes of God? The Spirit is emphatically styled "holy," and yet there is none holy but the Lord. He is said to be the Author and Giver of life. truth 1"-He is omniscient for he foresees all things, and revealed to the Prophets future events, being styled "the Spirit of Prophecy";" and he searcheth all things, even the deep things of God "." operations. For he severally as he will." He is eternal-for the Apostle styles him "the eternal Spirit "." Divine acts are ascribed to him. As the "Creator Spirit" he moved on the face of the waters; and by his creating energy, from that chaos which was without form and void, arose a world of order and of beauty. As the Ruler of nature, he controls its powers, for it was "the Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead"," and by the miraculous gifts which he poured on the Apostles, all nature became obedient to their will. The Creator and Governor of the world, he is the Instructor and Ruler of the Church. As "the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, as the Spirit of counsel and might, as the Spirit of He is independent in his "divideth to every man John xvi. 13. 1 Cor. xii. 11. Rev. xix. 10. n 1 Cor. ii. 10. 9 Rom. viii. 11. |