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inheritance among all them which are sanctified." 1 Thess. v. 23; Acts xx. 32. To promote this blessed work is stated to be one grand object of the Apostle's mission: To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith in me." Acts xxvi. 18. This is the Will of God, even your Sanctification. 1 Thes. iv. 3, 4. "And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel." Ezek. xxxvii. 28. And among the descriptions which are given of His people, Sanctification forms the most striking and distinguishing feature. Thus they are repeatedly styled "Saints," or those who are " Sanctified." Rom. i. 7; 1 Cor. i. 2; 1 Cor. vi. 1; 2 Cor. i. 1 ; Eph. i. 1, 4; Phil. i. 1; Col. i. 2; Heb. ii. 11; Heb. x. 10; Heb. xiii. 12; 1 Tim. iv. 5; 2 Tim. ii. 22; Eph. v. 26, 27; Jude 2.

In connection with this subject it might be very profitable, and tend very strongly to illustrate and establish the interesting feature of Divine truth, which we are examining, and point out the proportions and connection of Scripture-if we were to examine the various means of grace, and shew, as we might do, that in proportion as they tend to forward the great work of Sanctification, in the same proportion are they prominent and frequently

enjoined; and in proportion as any error or sin would mar or retard this glorious work, so are we warned against it. We are, however, prevented from entering on this interesting subject, for, unhappily, general agreement by no means exists as to the means of grace most directly and powerfully conducive to the promotion of Sanctification. According, therefore, to the plan we proposed, we must first establish the principle that every subject is prominent in proportion to its importance, from the examination of subjects, with respect to which general agreement exists; and then we shall be able, hereafter, the more effectually to apply the principle in ascertaining the relative importance of those subjects with respect to which individuals differ.

But though great difference of opinion exists as to the means of grace most directly conducive to our Sanctification, all who believe in the truth of Revelation will agree that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Agent, by whose gracious aid and influence this glorious work is effected, and the people of God sanctified, and made meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light. In connection, therefore, with Sanctification, which we have seen to be so important a subject, and so very prominent a feature of Divine truth, we now invite attention to the vast importance the Scriptures attach, and the great prominence they give to the WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

In the gospel, it has been remarked, we find a rich magazine of all means proper for the Sanctification of our sonls, and our most successful advance in true piety. In the Scriptures we see that the Divine Spirit is ready with His mighty aid to assist, enlighten, and strengthen our Spirits in proportion to our sincere desires and endeavours after godliness; and that there we are directed every day, and at all times, to seek unto God through Christ, by fervent and believing prayer, for His guidance and protection, and are assured we shall never seek his face in vain; for Jesus Christ, having reconciled us to God, sanctifies the hearts of true believers by the Holy Spirit, in order to enable them to perform their duty, and to continue in the favour of God. "We are chosen to salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit." 2 Thess. ii. 13. And "through Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience." 1 Pet. i. 2. "God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness, who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit." 1 Thess. iv. 7, 8. "The Spirit of God dwelleth in us.' Rom. viii. 9. And "Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost." 1 Cor. vi. 19.) And "We are the habitation of God through the Spirit." Ep. ii. 22. "We are renewed by the Holy Ghost"—Tit. iii. 5—“ quickened by the Spirit-John vi. 63-and "strengthened by might by the Spirit in the inner man." Ep. iii. 16. And

it is "through the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the body"-Rom. viii. 13-and by which deeds we grieve and quench the Spirit. Ep. iv. 30 ; 1 Thess. v. 19.

If then our Sanctification is so wholly dependent on the Divine aid and gracious influences of the Holy Spirit, if without His enlightening and quickening powers, we must ever remain in spiritual darkness and spiritual death,-if it is His office alone to reveal the blessings of salvation to the mind and convey them to the heart,-if our progress in the Divine life depends on His sanctifying and sustaining influences, then it is impossible we can over-estimate the value of the work of the Holy Spirit; and our dependance on His Divine aid ought to be a sentiment ever present to our mind, and deeply impressed upon our hearts.

What prominence, then, does the work of the Holy Spirit occupy in the pages of revelation? Most truly we may affirm it stands forth as a foremost and distinguishing truth; and continually are we reminded by the inspired writers of our need of His divine and gracious influences. But further, to meet an objection sometimes started,-what prominence is given to the Deity and personality of the Holy Spirit? It is one thing to be furnished with a multiplicity of proofs on these points, and to have these proofs for ever presented to the mind, and another

thing to be continually reminded of our need of that Spirit's gracious influences.

The latter subject we may surely say we need to be reminded of more frequently; and those who seek and cultivate those sacred influences, will obtain the most satisfactory evidence of the Deity of the Holy Ghost. But both subjects are prominently set forth in Scripture, as the following passages will show; but let it be distinctly borne in mind, that the truth of any doctrine does not depend on the number of its proofs; for as every word of God is true, one clear proof alone must establish its truth.

Before, therefore, we show the mass of evidence that may be adduced on the subject of the Deity, Personality, and Sanctifying Influences of the Holy Spirit, we wish to direct attention to a single passage, on which Mr. Simeon makes the following valuable remarks:

"But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." 1 Cor. xii. 11.

"Volition is inseparable from Personality; and such actions as are here ascribed to the Holy Spirit, proceed from none other than God, he enabling men to work all kind of miracles, is beyond the power of any finite and created intelligence to effect. Here, then, we have a demonstration of the Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit; and when we remember