the satisfying of these inquiries, that I now address myself to this deep and comprehensive subject. But let me entreat, not only your candour, (for of that I am, from long and uniform experience, well assured,) but your prayers, also, that God may enable me so to speak, as to approve myself to him; and enable you so to hear, that you may derive eternal benefit to your souls ; so that both " I who sow, and you who reap, may rejoice together in heaven for evermore/'
For the unfolding of the subject I shall endeavour to shew, distinctly and separately in my four dis- courses,—
I. Who is that Spirit whom all of us as Christians are
expected to possess.
II. Why the possessing of that Spirit is indispensable
to our being Christ's accepted followers.
III. What that Spirit will work in us in order that we may be Christ's.
IV. What he will work in us when we are Christ's.
And, whilst I speak, may " the word go forth with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven," and " come in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" to the hearts of all who hear meb!
I. Who is that Spirit whom all of us as Christians are expected to possess. The Holy Spirit here spoken of is the Third Person of the ever-blessed Trinity. As such he is set forth in the ordinance of baptism, which is administered in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost0. And as such he is addressed in that benediction ut- tered by St. Paul, " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amend." In both these passages his distinct personality is recognised, and his proper deity acknowledged. Had he been a mere quality, as some have imagined, it is not to be
b 1 Pet. i. 12. 1 Cor. ii. 4. c Matt, xxviii. 19.
i 2 Cor. xiii 14.