'l'he recorde of thle dispensation inform ue how the Spirit has convinced the world of sin, of righteousnese, of jud'.(ment. The Church has never, since our Lord's ascension, ceased to enjoy the enlightening, quickening, eanctifying influences of its Comforter. II. 'J.'HE Llll'E OF BIGHT WAS THUS REPLA0ED BY TRE HIGHER LIFE OJI' FAITH, It wae necessary that the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind should dwell upon earth, nnd, by the deeds of hie ministry and bis death of sacrifice, reveal Gori to hie sinful childrnn, and furnish a basis for the spiritual life of humanity. A revealed Object of faith wae thus provided. But when the manifestation was complete, it was withdrawn. The epeciil excellence of the Christian religion lies here: it is a religion which calls for, justifies, and encourages faith-faith in an unseen, but mighty, ever-present, and ever- gracious Redeemer and Lord. " In him, though now we see him not, yet believing we rejoice." III. CHitIBTIAIDTY WAS THUS MADE NO LOOAL BELIOION, BUT A RELIGION FOR HUMAmTY. So far as we can see, the bodily presence of Jesus upon earth could not but limit his reign; it could not well, in such case, be other than partial, local, national. But the purposes of the Eternal were compreben8ive in benevolence. It was designed that "all the ends of the earth should see the salvation of our God." The going away of Jesus assured to the new humanity a Divine and heavenly Head. By his Spirit the ascended and glorified Lord is equally present in every part of his dominions. Thus all local limitations are transcended, and provision is made for the extension to all mankind of the blessings of our Saviour's spiritual presence, autho1ity, and grace. IV, 'J.'HE HOPE OF CHRISTIANS 18 THUS REMOVED FROM EARTH TO HEAVE~. If Jesus were still on earth, who would not be content to live and loth to die? What prospect would have reconciled bis friends to death? But our Divine Friend has gone on before us, and we can only join him upon the condition of the taking down of this perishable tent in which we dwell. It is the prospect of going to him who has gone away from earth which lends brightness to the Christian's future. His prayer has secured that, where he is, there also his friends and disciples shall be. Accordingly an apostle could speak of removing hence as being "with Christ, which is far better." And there is no prospect so dear to the Christian's heart as that of ever being with the Lord.-T. Vers. 8, 9.-0onvictioo qf sin, Looking forward to the dispensation of the Spirit, the Lord Jesus described by anticipation the work of the Spirit in the world. It cannot be overlooked that this work has been, and ever must be, connected with the publication of the gospel of salvation through the Divine Redeemer. It is not to be supposed that we exalt the office of the Spirit when we neglect or depreciate the Word with which and through which the Spirit nets. I. THE SIN OF WHICH THE SPIRIT 0ONVICTS THE WORLD. By the world we understand humanity at large, as alienated from God, and as in rebellion against him. Our race has been the prey of sin. However the form of sin has varied, the principle has remained the same. But the most striking and the most awful proof of the presence and the power of sin in the world is its rejection of Christ. "They believe not on me. n For Christ was goodness incarnate; a greater sin it was not within the power of man lo- comm.it than to reject the Holy One and the Righteous. Jesus foresaw how he was about to be treated by his fellow-countrymen the Jews, and by the Romans. IJ. 'J.'HE MANNER IN WHICII THE SPIRIT CONVICTS THE WORLD OF SIN. Jn the Mosaic dispensation very much was done to introduce into men's minds the Divine estimate, the Divine abhorrence, of sin. The Law and the prophets ever kept this in view, and their work was doubtless that of the Spirit. But in the later and completer dispensation the Spirit has made manifest in many ways the exceeding sin- fulness of sin. We may instance the 11mphatic condemnation of sin in our Lord's words, in which it is compared to darkness, to bondage, to death; and yet more in the contrast presented to a sinful world by the spotless character and perfect moral example of the Son of man. Yet to the Christian mind the world's sin is brought home most effectively by the provision of redemption. Jesus was the Sin Offering; be condemned sin in the flesh; he redeemed the sinner at the priceless cost and ransom of his life. The Spirit, accompanying the gospel which conveys these tidings, has rendered 818 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING '1'0 8'1', JOHN. [oe. xvi. l-3a,
Bin obviously and flagrantly such in the view of all who are capable cf judging. Esp<'Cially the sin ?f unb_clief, of wilfully rejecting the Savio~r, has been charged upon t.he human consmenoe m Buch a manner as to load multitudes to contrition and repentance. III. 'l'HE RESULTS WHICH BA VE FOLLOWED THE CONVICTION OF TBR BINll'UL WORLD BY THE SPIRIT OF CimIST. There is something paradoxical in attributing such a result as conviction of sin to the Paraclete, the Oomforter, Yet it is not to bo questioned thnt the consciousness of sinfulness is essential in order to its forgiveness. It is the Spirit of God who renders the ,inner not merely awe.re of his state and of his danger, but contrite and p<'nitent; whilst contrition and penitence are necessary and indispensable in order to pardon and acceptance. There is for the sinner no true consolation which does not come by way of conviction.-T.