SERM: XI.IV.] AND THE USE OF IT. 257 Eph. i. 17. It is evident, by the general current of scripture, both in its counsels and in its examples, that we are chiefly to seek the aids of theblessed Spirit, from God the Father, through the mediation of his Son Christ Jesus ; and, doubtless, this always has been, and this will be, the most usual practice of christians, who make the word of God the rule and guide of their worship*. Yet since Christ, the Son of God, has true godhead belonging to him, and is a proper object of worship, since he is exalted to bestow the promised Spirit on men, it cannot be improper to offer up our addresses to. Christ Jesus our Lord, to send us his Spirit according to his promise. " I will send the Comforter to you from the Father ;" John xv. 26. And it is manifest, that, in the day of temptation, St. Paul addressed our Lord Jesus Christ, for grace to resist it ; 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9. And, perhaps, when he triumphed in this, that " the power of Christ should rest upon him," verse 9. he means the Spirit .of Christ, in his powerful influences, to resist temptation. Now though it be generally agreed, that there are no plain and express precepts, or examples of prayers, or praises, so directly addressed to the Holy Spirit, in all the New Testament, yet since the Holy Spirit is true God, since he is represented, in scripture, in a personal manner, or as a divine person, and since, in the sacred economy, he is appointed to enlighten, to sanctify, and to comfort us, I think we may, by just inference, derive sufficient ground from scripture, upon some occasions, to offer petitions to the Holy Spirit for his sacred influ- ences, and to give him praise when we have received them : " Enlighten our darkness, O blessed Spirit, guide us into all truth: Sanctify our sinful natures, and fill us with joy and hope in believing, Blessed be the Holy Spirit of God for his divine work, that he has begun in our souls : May it be carried on and perfected unto the great day." 4r As the Second Person is considered as vested with the office of media. tion, and the Holy Ghost, as the Sanctifier and Comforter, so God the Father is, ina peculiar manner, the object of our faith, love, and worship. SoPeter tells us ; i Pet. i. 21. " Through Christ webelieve in God." So writes Doctor Owen, in his sermons lately - published, and so all our di- vines practise in their kloiy ministrations.
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