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SERMON X.

THE INTERCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

BY REV. GEORGE W. SMILEY,

A Member of the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Principal of the Frankfort Female College.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God." -Romans viii. 26, 27

WHEN the redeeming God was about to finish his career of suffering on earth, and close his eventful life by the bloody baptism of the cross; to his sorrowing disciples, who were much cast down at the prospect of a separation from their beloved Master, he said, (while his heart yearned towards them with infinite tenderness,) "Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 send him unto you: and when he is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come— for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Now, we conceive that every one who carefully peruses these precious promises of the Saviour, and compares them with the inspired account of their fulfilment on the day of Pentecost, and through the subsequent eras of the Christian Church, must come to the conclusion, that the Holy Spirit had a two-fold office to execute in his mission to earth; the one extraordinary, the other ordinary. His extraordinary operations were confined to a few, and shined forth for a few fleeting years, clothing the first ambassadors of the cross in the vestments of a heaven-accredited mission-illuminating the pathway of the apostles by the grandeur of miraculous endowments: every step they took, disclosing the solemn truth to all around, that the highest heavens had stamped them as HER envoys; and, careless of the applause of an approving, or fearless of the frowns of an opposing world, they marched forward, unfolding their high commission, as apostles of the Lamb. Holding in their hands a torch, newly lighted by the Holy Spirit, they explored the misty fields of the Old Testament revelation, and removing its hieroglyphic mantle, bade it stand out in its full enlargement and spirituality; while at the same time they lifted up the curtain of futurity, and showed things to come; bidding the world acknowledge their doctrines and teachings, by the sanctions of an unveiled eternity.

But, then, these extraordinary operations of the Spirit, ceased with the ministry of the apostles; and when St. John, that heaven-favored prisoner of Jesus Christ, passed from earth, to recline in the bosom of his Master in heaven, we are inclined to the opinion, that the Holy Spirit ceased his extraordinary operations, and that from that hour down to the present, not a single additional lamp has been hung down from heaven, to guide man's erring footsteps in the way of life. Nor do we believe,

that, during the whole coming period of man's probationary existence, will another item of doctrine be added to the charter of man's salvation.

But though His miraculous and extraordinary operations ceased more than seventeen centuries ago, his ordinary operations, as Convincer of sin, Quickener, Regenerator, Comforter, and Intercessor, have continued to bless the Church and the world down to the present hour; and, at this day, are in as full and efficient exercise, convincing of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment-testifying of Christ, helping our infirmities, and making intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered-as they were, when, fresh-edged by the blood of the Lamb, the Spirit's sword, in the holy city, swept thousands down before it.

To one point alone, in the ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit, we purpose to ask your attention in this discourse; and that is, to his office as a Helper of our infirmities, by making intercession for us with unutterable groanings.

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In the context, the Apostle had been reviewing the sources of the Christian's aid of the Holy Spirit, but it conveys the idea of a conjoint effort; that is, the Christian essays to pray, but, on account of infirmity, or weakness, is not able to pray aright; and, therefore, the Holy Spirit comes to his aid, and makes up the deficiency. He does not-mark-take his place, and pray in his stead, but he HELPETH," assisteth; so that, when the Christian's efforts are put forth, the Holy Spirit assists, and directs them into the right channel, and toward the proper objects; hence, the Bible directs man to keep his heart in the love of God, by "praying in the Holy Ghost." And, for the purpose of enabling him to accomplish this great object, the Spirit of God takes up his abode, as an intercessor, in the heart of every follower of the Lamb. Likewise the

Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for, as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Now, of all the offices performed by the Holy Spirit, in the great remedial scheme, there is not one more important

than that which he fills as intercessor for the saints.

First. It is important,-BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY

MEDIUM WHEREBY WE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE EAR OF

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

Let us look, for one moment, at the relationship which man sustains to the personalities of the Holy Trinity. God the Father, in his own word, is represented as being the Sovereign of the universe; hence, says the Psalmist, "The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." The transgression of his holy law, by man, caused him to retire into the pavilion of his holiness, and to expel man from the presence of his Sovereign; and but for the remedial arrangements, devised by infinite wisdom to meet the exigencies of the case, the first transgressor would have been executed, as a rebel against the government of heaven, and all the race would have perished in their federal head. To save our race from this sweeping, all-embracing destruction, the Son of God undertook our case, and, by an amazing stoop of condescending mercy, became the peculiar victim; and, by his sufferings and death, succeeded in placing God upon a throne of grace, approachable by every sinner; so that all the descendents of Adam are included in the overture of the Gospel, when it invites them to come "boldly to a throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Now, the question arises, and it is one of thrilling moment to every accountable being, "How may I approach that throne of

grace?" Our answer is, Through the IntERCESSION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Let us not, however, be misunderstood on this subject. We are calling attention to but one, out of many important points involved in the scheme of man's gracious recovery; and, therefore, it is not our object to dwell at large upon the merits of the blood of Christ. It is true, most true, that his blood is all-essential to man's recovery; for if Christ had not shed his precious blood, the offer of pardon would not have been extended to man -the gates of Paradise would not stand open, nor angels be found at the portals, inviting him in to banquet upon the Tree of Life in the Heavenly City: nor, but for the shedding of his blood, would the Spirit ever have acted the part of an intercessor for man.

But, then, on the other hand, it is likewise true, that the work of the Holy Spirit is as essential, to restore man to the image of God, as is the blood of Christ to restore him to the favor of God. "The blood of Christ stoops to the judicial destitution of man, and, relieving him from the penalty of sin, restores him to the favor of God; while the Holy Spirit stoops to the moral destitution of man, and, relieving him from the disease of sin, restores him to the image of God." The WORK of the Holy Spirit is as essential to the salvation of the soul, as the SUFFERINGS of Christ; and, therefore, in calling your attention, in this discourse, mainly to the Spirit's agency, we would not be understood, by any one, as disparaging, in the least, or as throwing into the slightest shade, the blood of the Lamb. With reverential gratitude, we would write on every blessing, THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF JESUS' Love.

What we wish to fasten upon your minds, is, the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit. And, therefore, we re-affirm, that the Holy Spirit, in his office of intercessor, is one great and essential agent in our approach to the