to pervade the Holy Scriptures throughout. Accord- ingly, we do find it more or less clearly intimated from the beginning. Let us trace it in the Scriptures,
1. Of the Old Testament—
[In the very first chapter of the Bible, where the creation of all things is declared, there is a plurality of persons men- tioned, as determining to complete the whole by the formation of man : "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness a." So again, at the expulsion of man from Paradise, a similar representation of the Deity is given : " The Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evilV At the building of the Tower of Babel, also, the Deity speaks of himself in the same manner: " Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech0."
In like manner, when the Messiah is spoken of, a plurality of persons in the Godhead is almost always marked. Is his qualification for his work stated? It is said, " The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon himd." Is his mission plainly de- clared? It is said, " The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meeke." Is the effect of his mission foretold ? It is said, " Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people : and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto theef."]
2. Of the New Testament —
[The Saviour's incarnation was announced in these terms to his Virgin Mother : " The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee : therefore, also, that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God s." Was he consecrated to his Mediatorial office at his baptism ? The account given of it is, " Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water : and, lo ! the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a clove, and lighting upon him : and, lo ! a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased11." Were dis- ciples to be gathered to him by his Gospel ? He said, " Go, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost1." Were they to receive all kinds of blessings from God ? They are instructed
a Gen. i. 26. * Gen. iii. 22. c Gen. xi. 7.
d Isai. xi. 2. e Isai. lxi. 1. f Zech. ii. 11.
g Luke i. 35. h Matt. iii. 16, 17. • Matt, xxviii. 19.