Holy Ghost k." In all subsequent effusions of the Holy Spirit has the glory of Christ been advancing, even unto this time1; and by this, at a future period, will his kingdom be extended over the face of the whole earth : " when the Spirit will be poured out from on high, the wilderness shall become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest111." The request for that effusion of the Spirit needs only to be made by him; and "the heathen shall instantly be given to him for an inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession11."]
Nor is this a mere speculative subject. It has a great practical tendency ; as will be seen, whilst I shew,
II. What we may learn from it —
Some idea may be formed of the immense import- ance of this subject, by the mention of two things only, to which I will confine your attention. We may see, then, from hence,
1. What we ourselves, if we believe in Christ, may expect —
[Our blessed Lord, in the days of his flesh, stood in a place of public concourse, and cried, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink ; and out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe in him should receive0." True, in his miraculous powers we are no longer to hope for the Holy Spirit's opera- tions : but, as our Teacher, our Comforter, our Sanctifier, we may expect his influences now, no less than in the apostolic age : for the Lord has promised, saying, " Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world p." See his discourses just previous to his departure from this world, how full they
are of this subject0- And what assurance he has given
us that we shall not seek the Spirit's influence in vainr. To every one of you, then, I say, Enlarge your expectations, to the full extent of your necessities: for God the Father will save you by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he will shed forth on you abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour \ Indeed I must not con- tent myself with saying that this great gift shall be vouchsafed unto you, if you will believe in Christ ; for it is the express
k Acts xi. 16. l John xvi. 14. m Isai. xxxii. 15.
n Ps. ii. 8. ° John vii. 37—39. p Matt, xxviii. 20.
i John xiv. 16, 17, 26. xv. 26. and xvi. 7—13. r Luke xi. 13. s Tit. iii. 4—6.