Page images
PDF
EPUB

spirit gave to the sons of Sceva, who pretended to the especial gifts of the Holy Ghost," Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye ?"

We shall close our discourse with some slight reflections on the ordinary operations of the Holy Ghost.

There is no Christian who seriously considers the nature and extent of his duty, "the plagues of his heart," and the temptations by which he is surrounded, that does not feel his utter inability to lead a holy and virtuous life, without some better support and assistance than can be derived from his own erring and imperfect nature. He will be ready to acknowledge, that "of "himself" he is entirely insufficient "to

[ocr errors]

help himself;" and that, unless he be armed from above for the combat, he must inevitably fall before his numerous carnal and spiritual foes.

In this light God mercifully considers the race of fallen man; and, knowing "whereof we are made," remembering

we are but dust," he has, in his goodness, provided for us the means of defence, and a source of strength, by promising, nay, by actually conferring, upon each and every of us, the ordinary influence of the Holy Ghost; which, if it be not

rejected by our wilfulness, or "grieved" by our sins, will abide with us constantly and surely as our moral instructor, spiritual guide, and divine protector; enlightening our mind, regulating our will, correcting and improving our heart, solacing our spirit to the end of this mortal career, and presenting our souls, bright and polished, and "fit for the master's use," at the Throne of Mercy hereafter.

In what particular manner this influence acts upon the soul is not, indeed, a matter of revelation, and cannot therefore be explained; though our blessed Lord has illustrated it, in some degree, by a familiar natural allusion in his conversation with Nicodemus: "the wind bloweth where it "listeth," says Christ," and thou hearest "the sound thereof, but canst not tell "whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; "so is every one that is born of the Spirit.'

66

[ocr errors]

Hence we may collect, generally, that the influence of the Holy Spirit is a gentle, moral impulse, "drawing with the bands of "a man," perfectly adapted to our free agency, and to the responsibility of our state and condition; neither overpowering our faculties, nor coercing our will, nor inflaming our imagination; but mildly and silently inviting the soul" into all good;"

infusing therein pious thoughts, pure tastes, and good desires; aiding the infirmity of human nature with strength from heaven, and cleansing its impurity by "the "washing of the Holy Ghost."

But though the ordinary operation of the Spirit upon the human soul be not an object submitted to the senses of mankind, yet the effects of his in-dwelling are sufficiently visible and intelligible. Where the Holy Ghost resides within, all the graces and virtues of the Christian character will be its outward manifestation. Where its roots" are in the heart, its "branches" will blossom with •6 righteousness and "truth;" while "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, "meekness, and temperance, " will be its visible and imperishable "fruit."

66

DISCOURSE XXIII.

Subject. THE CALLING OF THE
GENTILES.

THE DIVINE IMPARTIALITY. POPERY. CALVINISM. SALVATION OFFERED TO ALL.

ACTS X. 34, 35.

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation, he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.

HERE is no attribute of the divine

THE

nature more evident to the reason of mankind, or more clearly revealed in the Holy Scriptures, than the perfect impartiality of God towards all his moral and accountable creatures.

To suppose otherwise of the Almighty, indeed, would fill the mind with horror and despair; for nothing can be a more terrible

subject of contemplation, than uncontrollable power, coupled with an arbitrary, capricious, and tyrannical will. Nor is this all for could we believe that our eternal Creator dispensed his mercy and favour to the children of men, by any other rules than those of infinite justice, wisdom, and goodness; were we to regard him as a being influenced, in his dispensations to individuals, by the prejudices, preferences, and caprices, which mark the conduct of mankind towards each other; should we once be persuaded that, in spite of all our humble endeavours to obtain his pardon, conciliate his favour, and do his will, he could regard our earnest though imperfect labours with unconcern; and in the spirit of unaccountable partiality, throw the light of his countenance upon those, who, to all human judgment, were utterly careless of his approbation or displeasure; the painful notion would strike at the root of all moral virtue, as well as all mental happiness. We should become indifferent about serving a master, whose favour depended upon accident; whose smiles might not be obtained, or frowns averted, by the most assiduous attention to his commands: and casting off an allegiance which ensured to us no certain protection, we should say with the wicked, in the Book

« PreviousContinue »