Page images
PDF
EPUB

themselves acknowledge, that if the co-equality and co-essentialf ty of the Son be certain, then the divinity of the Holy Ghost is equally certain.

Now, if it shall appear that the same names, titles, attributes, perfections, divine works and worship, are ascribed and given to the Holy Ghost, which are attributed to the Father and the Son, and he is declared to be one thing, essence and being with them, will not these things demonstrate that he is very God, the same in substance, eternity, power and glory?

First, We shall prove that the same names and titles are ascribed to him, which are attributed to the Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost is called God, and the Spirit of the Lord in our text and context, as has been already shown. He is stiled the "eter "nal Spirit," by St. Paul. "Whither shall I flee from thy presence, whither shall I go from thy Spirit," saith David."The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. "The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God." We have a quotation in the Acts of the Apostles, wherein he is stiled Jehovah, by the prophet Isaiah. The prophet says, "Je"hovah said, go and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but under"stand not." The apostle in the Acts, says, "Well spake the "Holy Ghost by Isaias, unto your fathers saying, go unto this people and say, hearing ye shall hear, and not understand," &c.. It is affirmed, "The Lord or Jehovah, did lead Israel in the wil"derness" this is interpreted, "The Spirit of the Lord did lead "thy people to make thy name glorious." Thus speaks the Psalmist, "The Lord, or Jehovah, is a great God, and a great "king above all Gods: To day, if ye will hear his voice, harden "not your hearts." This Jehovah is called the Holy Ghost in the Hebrews: "Wherefore the Holy Ghost sayeth, to day, if "you will hear his voice," &c. Stephen when reproving the infidelity of the Jews, and speaking with an edge of keenness, says, "Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do "ye." Now this person, whom he calls the Holy Ghost, is stiled

Jehovah, Lord and God, in the old testament, whom their Israelitish fathers murmured against and resisted. Let these few authorities suffice to show, that the same names and titles are given to the Holy Ghost, which are ascribed to the one God, the eternal Jehovah.

Secondly, The same attributes and perfections are ascribed to him, which are attributed to the Father and the Son, therefore, he is of the same indivisible Godhead with them. He is the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, wise and holy God. He is in the scriptures declared to be the "Everlasting God, the eternal Spirit, "filling heaven and earth with his presence." He knows all things past, present, and to come; predicted all things, "For

holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. He is "omnipotent; therefore, the saints are to abound in hope, through "the power of the Holy Ghost. The Gentiles are made obedient "by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the

power of the Spirit of God." Because he is infinite in wisdom, he is pronounced "The Spirit of wisdom; the Spirit of wisdom "and revelation." Holiness is a distinguishing perfection attributed to him. He is holy absolutely in himself, stiled the Holy Ghost, and the author of holiness in all the saints. "They are "sanctified by the Holy Ghost. They are born of the Spirit. "Their bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. Ye are the tem"ples of the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." He is the fountain of goodness, and the giver of all grace. "The "Spirit is good; he reproves the world of sin, and of righteouskr ness, and of judgment." He forms the soul for glory and felicity, and replenishes it with every grace. But there would be no end to retailing the attributes and perfections of the Holy Ghost, all which prove him to be very God.-I proceed,

Thirdly, To say, that the same divine works are ascribed to him, which are to the Father, and to the Son-therefore, he is one with them, and the same Jehovah. The work of creation is attributed to him, as well as to the other persons of the Trinity.

"By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens. The Spirit of the "Lord hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given

me life. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and "all the hosts, or angels of heaven, by the breath, or Spirit of "his month." The regeneration and sanctification of man, which is termed creation, and a new creation, is his work. The renewed man is born of God, born of the Spirit. By him " we are "created unto good works. The Gentiles are sanctified by the "Holy Ghost. We are chosen to salvation through sanctifica"tion of the Spirit." The resurrection of the dead, is also a divine work, ascribed not only to the Father and the Son, but likewise to the Holy Ghost. The resurrection of Christ Jesus is attributed to him. "He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall "also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in "you. Christ was put to death in the flesh, but quickened by "the Spirit." Thus you see those stupendous works which God alone can perform, are ascribed to the Holy Ghost.

Fourthly, The same divine worship, homage, adoration, and praise are paid to him, as to the other persons of the Trinity. We are to be baptised in the name of the Holy Ghost, as much as of the Father and of the Son. We are dedicated to the Holy Ghost in this solemn ordinance, which being an holy sacrament, is an exalted and distinguishing act of worship and adoration. The Holy Spirit is to be prayed unto for a blessing, as well as the other persons. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with all." Since we expect and receive such blessings from the holy Spirit, as the regeneration and sanctification of our natures, the illumination of our minds, and the consolation of our souls; seeing he is to us the author of faith, love and every grace, surely we ought to pray unto him, and pay him continually homage, adoration, and praise; and raise our whole hearts to him, in gratitude or thanksgiving for all his blessings and benefits. The doxologies of the ancient church, with which they frequently

*

you

1

concluded their divine service, was an hymn of profound adoration and worship to the sacred three, when they pronounced these solemn words, "Glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy "Ghost."

I shall only subjoin one or two considerations more, in support of this important branch of our holy religion. The holy Spirit is the author of the inspiration of the scriptures. "Holy men of "God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. All scrip

ture is given by inspiration of God; therefore, the Holy Ghost is God. And none could foretell all the future events, with such perfect exactness contained in the sacred oracles, but the Spirit of prophecy; and none could be the Spirit of prophecy, but the omniscient Jehovah, to whom all things past and to come, are continually present.

The sin or blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, seems to have a greater punishment annexed to it, and heavier wrath threatened against it, than blasphemy against the other persons of the Trinity. "All manner of sin and blasphemy "shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against "the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And who86 soever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be "forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, "it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that "which is to come." And perhaps this is the same sin which St. John means, when he says, "There is a sin unto death; I do "not say that he shall pray for it."

Now, if all these arguments and considerations be duly weighed, must they not force conviction upon the judgment and conscience of every candid and impartial mind, that the Holy Ghost is really and truly God, that he is of the same being and essence with the Father and the Son, the same in substance, equal in the nature and in all the adorable attributes and perfections of God

I

head.

Why hast thou lied unto the Holy Ghost?: Thou hast "not lied unto men, but unto God.”

From this subject, in a way of improvement, we learn

First, The exceeding great importance of the Holy Spirit in the economy of man's salvation. Without this blessed Spirit, it is absolutely impossible for any of the guilty children of men, to obtain everlasting life, or arrive at eternal felicity. "Jesus answer"ed, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except, a man be born of "water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of "God." Without holiness no man shall see the Lord, and without the Spirit to form the soul to holiness, it is impossible it ever should be acquired. Of what consequence is it, that every one should receive and become partakers of the Spirit; "that the love "of God be shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given un"to us." Happy are all they, who by sweet experience can say, "We have received the Spirit which is of God, that we might "know the things, that are freely given us of God." The graco of our Lord Jesus Christ, the mercy, goodness and love of God, must be all applied and communicated to us by the Spirit of grace. We must be led, guided, instructed and comforted by him, if we hope to be the heirs of eternal glory.

Secondly, We are here taught, how careful and watchful we should be, that we preserve and cherish the motions of the Spirit in our hearts. "Thus saith the word of the Lord, not by might,

nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord, shall ye pre"vail. The Holy Ghost, God hath given to them that obey "him." By his assistance and influences, our corruptions are to be subdued, our sins mortified, aud sanctification promoted and increased in our souls. Thus say the scriptures, "Walk in the '' Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. And if we "live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit." Let all who believe, diligently and perseveringly use all the means which God. hath appointed, for the cultivating the motions of the Spirit. Let

« PreviousContinue »