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ing the operations of the Holy Spirit, it is above all things to be remembered, that notwithstanding the weakness of the flesh and the power of temptation, he is our all-powerful, all-sufficient, Sanctifier. The Scriptures afford us every encouragement to believe that those who walk in the light, and dwell under the influence of the Spirit, and who submit with patience to the work of that Holy One of Israel, who is so justly compared by the prophet to the "refiner's fire" and the “fuller's soap," (Mal. iii, 2) are gradually delivered from the power of iniquity. By "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost," they are actually saved" from sin. The promise of Jehovah to his people is of a clear and decided character-" I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols I will cleanse you......I will also save you from all your uncleannesses:" Ezek. xxxvi, 25—29. "Be not deceived," said the apostle Paul to the Corinthians, " neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God:" I Cor. vi, 9—11.

Now, when the work of the Spirit of God has thus progressed and prevailed in the soul of man, the needful change from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, and from the world to God, becomes confirmed and established. The fruit of the Spirit is conspicuously produced; and this fruit has always the same character-that of "all goodness and righteousness

THE SPIRIT OPERATES ON THE CHURCH, 475 and truth:" Eph. v, 9, "The fruit of the Spirit,' says Paul to the Galatians, "is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law:" v, 22, 23. And to the Romans he says, " But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life:" vi, 22. When, notwithstanding the many infirmities and corruptions of our nature, such fruit comes to be produced in its true beauty and ripeness, the grace of God is triumphant. The "old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" is put off: the "new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness," is put on; (Eph. iv, 22—24;) and in the experience of the tried and persevering Christian is accomplished the apostolic saying, that, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; BEHOLD ALL THINGs are become nEW!" II Cor. v, 17.

Such are the operations of the Holy Spirit in the true Christian-operations which afford irresistible evidences of the pure benevolence, the perfect wisdom, and the absolute omnipotence, of that celestial Agent by whom they are conducted. We ought, however, to observe, that, although every individual Christian has his own part in the promise of the Spirit, that promise, nevertheless, is, in the language of Scripture, almost uniformly directed. to the church at large. It is not merely the single believer, in his individual capacity-it is the united company of those who fear God and trust in Jesuswho are illuminated and instructed, strengthened and comforted, washed and sanctified, by the Holy Ghost. And it is only as the church of Christ on earth is

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IN ITS COLLECTIVE CAPACITY.

truly subjected to the restoring and purifying influence of the Spirit of God, that she can ever main tain her true character of charity, and peace, and holiness; or realize the descriptions which are given of her in the poetry of inspiration:—" the king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold”—“ fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners :" Ps. xlv, 13; Cant. vi, 10.

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Christianity is a social religion: its virtues are of a character at once binding and diffusive: and amidst all the fruits of the Spirit, there is none so delightful and none so distinguishing, as that holy love, of which God in Christ is the first object, and all mankind the next; and which more especially unites in the bands of the fellowship of the Gospel, those persons, of whatsoever name or profession, who believe in the Lord Jesus, and are "baptized by one Spirit into one body." Their's is the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"-" the communion of the Holy Ghost." And this communion extends itself from the church militant to the church triumphant. It already brings heaven and earth together; and its full perfection will be known in that glorious day, when the number of God's elect shall be completed; (Matt. xxiv, 31 ;)—when all distinctions of peculiar opinion shall be for ever lost amongst them—and when the universal society of saints and angels shall unite in rendering unto the Lord God and the Lamb, the same eternal tribute of obedience, thanksgiving, and praise.

In reverting to the principal particulars of the subject which we have now been considering, the reader will call to mind the following plain positions.

That since, while he continues in the moral darkness and sinful pollutions of his fallen nature, man is utterly unfit for the presence of God, and for the inheritance of the saints in light, it follows, that, in order to enjoy that presence, and obtain that inheritance, he must not only be delivered from guilt through the atoning blood of Christ, but must be born again-must be restored to spiritual light and life-to truth, love, piety, and holiness.

That this indispensable change, in the condition and character of man, is effected by an invisible, intangible, yet real and powerful influence, which is as the wind blowing where it listeth, and which constitutes no part of our natural endowments-that, on the contrary, it is entirely supernatural-the influence of the Spirit of GOD, and the especial promise of the Father.

That Christ crucified is the channel through which alone this restorative influence flows to man; that by his meritorious sacrifice, the Son of God has purchased for us the celestial boon, which he now freely bestows upon his people for their instruction, consolation, and sanctification.

That the Holy Ghost, considered in his divine and personal character, is described in Scripture as performing a most essential part in the furtherance and execution of the great scheme appointed for man's redemption; for, in the first place, it was through him that the Son of God became incarnate; was anointed, and immeasureably gifted for his work; and finally, offered up himself a sacrifice for the sins of mankind and secondly, it is he who operates in the seed of the Messiah-the universal church of Christ-for their illumination and salvation.

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RECAPITULATION.

In considering, at large, the latter branch of the subject, we have found occasion to remark, that to the Holy Spirit is to be primarily attributed all that external knowledge of divine truth which is imparted to man by revelation; that he is the immediate author of those various gifts by means of which the visible church was established, and is still maintained; and more especially that he inspired the writers of the Holy Scriptures.

That he applies revealed truth to the understanding, and bestows that just estimate and sense of it, which constitutes a spiritual and saving knowledge of religion; and that, by this means, he changes the course of our motives and affections, and effects our conversion or regeneration.

That the new birth, i.e. the commencement of the new life, is often imperceptible to ourselves, and is usually followed by many seasons of darkness and doubt of painful, and sometimes unequal, conflict with the corruption of the flesh, and with the power of Satan; but that, during the progress of the work which terminates in the salvation of the faithful and obedient Christian, the Holy Spirit is ever found to be his teacher, his guide, his helper, his comforter, his pledge of future happiness, and above all, his omnipotent SANCTIFIER.

That thus the fruit of the Spirit is produced in all holiness, righteousness, and truth; and man, both in principle and in practice, becomes a new creature.

Lastly, that the Holy Spirit illuminates, refines, and cleanses, not only the individual believer as such, but the universal society of true Christians; and more especially, that he "sheds abroad” in their hearts the love of God, and introduces them to that peaceful commu