SERMON XLMV: 16' Spirit of add, who is here represented as one who helps our re- Wen or access to God the Father, through Jesus Christ; and this hedoes eminently, in the ways following : 1. He convinces us of sin. He makes its see and feel our dreadful state of wretchedness, becauseof our guilt in the sight of God. Mankind, by nature, are insensible of their own misery; till the Spirit of God is sent to awaken them, out of their dead sleep, and make them look after a reconciliation to the infinite Majesty of God, whom they have offended. It is the powerful and inward operation of the Spirit, that makes sinners'cry out; What shall I do to besaved. 2. The Spirit discovers the mercy dfGod the Father to us and assures us that he is willing to be reconciled. This he hat done in the word of the góspel; and the'promisès Of grace, which are written and recorded in the bible by the holymen whom he inspired ; and this he reveals also with power and pleasure to the mind of an awakened sinner, Then the guilty soul rejoices, that there is forgiveness with Gad, and Conceives some glimmerings ofhope. 3. It is the Spirit, who effectually reveals Christ Jesus to the soul, as the great Reconciler. He discovers who Christ is; and what he has done for us, and sets him before us in all the glories of his mediation. 1-le makes the soul see the all-suf& cency of his sacrifice to atone for sin, the efficacy of his interces- sion to prevail with God, and his power to save tó the uttermost. And all this is according to the promise of Christ ; John xvi. 14. He shall glorify me,for he shall take the things that aremine; and shew theal untoyou: All the teachings of men, and all the words in the bible, cannot make a sinful creaturesee such glory in Christ, such grace, and sn desirable á salvation, as is done by the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit: 4. It isthe Holy Spirit, that Makes us willing to return to God, in this way of his own appointment. It it he that power= fully persuades, and inclines us to part with every sin. He works in the heart of a sinner, holy repentance for his past follies ; and renews, and changes thecorrupt nature ofman. It is he forms us after the image of God;- and gives us a new and divine spirit and temper. That which is born of thespirit is spi_ rit ; John iii. 6. He works faith inus with power, even that living faith, whereby we are interested in Christ the Recon- ciler, and which is the spring of all holiness. It is through the divine operation of the Spirit of God on our hearts. that we are taught toresign ourselves up to Christ, and to commit all Our concerns of salvation into his hands. Hereby we become parts-- kers of the benefits of the life and death of Christ on earth, and B 9
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