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Does not intrench upon the freedom of human agency
-Nor the accountability of man-Nor favours the
scheme of necessity-Milner-Nor supersedes hu-
man efforts-Milner-Bishop Butler-What is pro-
mised in the Scriptures is also commanded-Practical
importance of the principle-Effects partake of the
nature of their cause-.
-Allowance for different con-
stitutions-Moral excellencies-Heathen-Infidels-
Still influence of the Spirit necessary-Wears a most
friendly aspect to man.

the Spirit-Our duty-Education-Translation of the Scriptures-Missionaries-Diffusion of knowledge-results.

5. It will finally develop individual character. The state of man constantly represented as a state of imbecility-Redemption designed to meet the case -Inference sometimes drawn which is only partially just-Duty and privilege to be distinguished-Prophet Isaiah-Gentiles-Duty as soon as the Gospel is propounded-General view of the ScripturesNinth chapter of Romans-Vessels of wrath-Vessels of mercy--Ground of man's condemnation-Difficulties-Development of character-Two descriptions-Conclusions

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114---175

ON

THE NATURE OF

DIVINE AGENCY, &c.

CHAPTER I.

On the meaning of the terms Spirit as employed by the Sacred Writers.

THE variety of meanings, though analogous, attached by the sacred writers to the Hebrew word Ruach, and to the Greek word Pneuma, have thrown, in the apprehension of some, a degree of obscurity, if not of uncertainty, over the personality of the Holy Spirit. But, independently of that perspicuity with which every writer expresses himself, whose desire is to be understood, the

B

supposition of their having employed the respective terms so indefinitely as to leave it doubtful to their readers whether they intended an intelligent being, or an attribute-a quality, or the wind, is inconsistent with their inspiration; and, if admitted, would render the Scriptures often unintelligible on a subject of infinite moment, would unsettle the faith of plain minds, and would generate an universal indifference to their paramount authority.

So far, however, is this from being the case, that the writers of the New Testament in particular have, in given instances, marked with the utmost precision the sense in which they use the term rendered Spirit. Whether the primitive. meaning usually attributed to the terms be correct is immaterial, since it is not intended to trace their etymology, but to exhibit the various senses in which they actually occur. Both words then are

used,

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