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who are thus regenerated, justified, and adopted, the co-operating assistance of the Spirit is imparted to produce an actual renovation of the heart, to render the change of spiritual state, which was wrought by the Spirit in Regeneration, effectual to the further change of those sinful passions, those dispositions and tendencies to evil, which are the inheritance of a corrupted nature, for such affections and habits as are consistent with the character of the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. In this renovation the Holy Ghost works not solely and irresistibly, but requires consent and endeavour on the part of man; and these, which would be utterly fruitless without the Spirit's renewing influence and efficacious aid, he blesses with success, and with continual accessions of grace and strength. He daily renews those who seek him with earnest prayer, in the spirit of their minds; he daily enables them to cast off some remaining corruption, and to put on some evangelical virtue,

§ 9. The great and general office of the Holy Ghost is, then, the Sanctification of the Elect; of those who are called and admitted into the society of the members of Christ; of those who, conscious of their own entire weakness and insufficiency, desire to walk, by the aid and guidance of the Spirit of Holiness, worthy of their vocation; and to mortify the deeds of the body, that, according to promise, they may live eternally. In the hearts of such Christians as these the Holy Spirit enkindles a devout love and fear of God, a firm and practical belief in the promises of the Gospel, and a zealous wish to glorify God, as well as to prove the sincerity of their Faith, by the holi

ness of their lives. Thus the Holy Spirit sanctifies Christians when he not only leads them to the attainment, but sustains them in the continued exercise of Faith, Hope, and Charity. But he will not bestow his sanctifying influence on those who despise or resist his operation. In the work of Sanctification there must be three concurrent causes, the Holy Spirit, the efficient cause; the Word, the instrumental; and the human Will assenting to, or at least not opposing the reception of the benefit. The Holy Spirit will be given to them that seek him, but not to them that reject or disregard him.

§ 10. There is still another function of the Holy Spirit; and that of utmost importance to the true Christian. As the Comforter or Paraclete, he abides with the Church and all faithful members of it for ever. He consoles them in doubt, in fear, in trouble, in danger, and in distress; he strengthens their faith, and confirms their hope, in the accomplishment of that glory which shall be revealed; and he excites them to perseverance in well-doing unto the end, by the assurance that he who raised up from the dead the Captain of their Salvation, will also by his power effect their Resurrection at the last day. But the Comforter is not sent effectually to those who ask not for his consolation; who are rather disposed to quench the Spirit that dwelt in them when they were regenerated by him; and who take no pains to be sealed by him unto the day of redemption.

§ 11. The Fruits of the Spirit are all Evangelical Virtues. Virtue in Christians, who have the promise of the Spirit by Faith, is in fact the influence of that Spirit on their hearts and conduct, so embraced as to

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produce inclinations and actions conformable to the will of God.

§ 12. Grace, considered in its Evangelical sense, as the favour exhibited by God towards mankind on account of his only-begotten and well-beloved Son, includes the gratuitous imputation of the righteousness of Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It implies freedom on the part of the bestower, and the absence of worthiness on the part of the recipient. God, therefore, extends his grace to man freely; and not on account of merit or deservings in man, but solely on account of the merits of his own Son, according to his gracious purpose.

This Grace is not only freely given, but universally offered, for the promises of the Gospel are universal; remission of sins to all who repent and believe in Christ, and the sanctifying assistance of the Holy Spirit to all who ask it.

Although Grace be universally offered, it is not indiscriminately or irresistibly infused into the hearts of any: men may harden their hearts against the promises of God, and they may resist or grieve the Holy Spirit of God. It is effectual to Salvation, so that none can be saved without it: but it is eventually effectual only in those who have not done despite unto the Spirit of Grace, and have worked out their own Salvation; knowing and rejoicing that it was God, and not their sinful nature, that worked in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

§ 13. The word Grace is sometimes more specifically used, either for the especial love, favour, and benignity of Jesus Christ himself,-or for the Christian Religion, the Doctrine of the Gospel,-or for the

state in which we are placed by the favour of God through the Gospel, or for the extraordinary and ordinary powers, gifts, and benefits, proceeding from the influence of the Holy Spirit,—or for the last and greatest benefit, the consummation of Grace,-the grant of eternal life.

From Scripture.

SECTION I.

ACTS v. 3, 4. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 2 Cor. iii. 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Job xxxiii. 4. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. John xv. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. Gal. iv. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

SECTION II.

Isaiah vi. 8, 9. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I, send me. And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Acts xxviii. 25, 26. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our Fathers, Saying, Go unto

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