He ever dwells in the heart of the real Christian, and makes his body his residence and temple. And as the Mediator ever lives to make intercession for us, so the Holy Ghost ever guides, directs, and sanctifies, the whole body of Christ's holy, universal Church: and thus we see the full force of St. Paul's benediction, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." (2 Cor. xiii. 14.)

CHAPTER II.

ON THE SACRED SCRIPTURES AS INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1. "ALL Scripture," says St. Paul," is given by inspiration of God;" and St. Peter informs us, that "the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet. i. 21.) The inspiration of God, and the being moved by the Holy Ghost, are therefore, the same thing with regard to the origin and composition of the Scriptures, of which the prophecies are such an essential part.

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2. The word which St Paul uses (2 Tim. iii. 16.) and which is translated, inspiration of God," is particularly adapted to prove, that the sacred Scriptures were of divine original; for, Theopneustos, "inspiration of God," is derived from Theos, God, and Pneo, to breathe, or inflate; and the word denotes those things, notions, words, discourses, and writings, which proceed from the influence and suggestion of God. So that, as when the Almighty at first created man, he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; so also, he breathed into the minds

of holy men of old, those things which he intended them to convey, by writing, to future ages.

3. It is not in the power of man perfectly to explain the mode, or manner, by which the Holy Ghost influenced the writers of the Scriptures, because it is a subject, in all its extent, beyond our comprehension; and, therefore, what no one can fully comprehend, it is impossible for any one fully to explain. Nor should this appear surprising; since even in the natural world the motion of a finger, or the growth of a blade of grass, involves mysteries beyond the reach of human intellect. What wonder, then, if in the spiritual world, many things, and among these the inspiration of the Scriptures, should exceed our capacity? But still there are several important particulars connected with the subject, of which we may have clear and distinct ideas..

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4. The sacred penmen, though moved by the Holy Ghost, still exercised their own reason and judgment; for David says, My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king." (Ps. xlv. 1.) Luke also, at the beginning of his Gospel, thus addresses Theophilus: "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hást been instructed." (Luke i. 3, 4.) And we find from St. Peter, that the prophets "enquired and searched diligently," "searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify; when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (1 Pet. i. 10, 11.) But though the sacred penmen exercised

their own reason and judgment, yet it was the Holy Ghost who effectually excited them to compose and write the Scriptures; for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God;" and "the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." And, as we find a variety in the Scriptures corresponding to the education and habits, both bodily and mental, of the writers; so it is clear that the Holy Ghost assigned to each his share or subject suited to his natural talents, and the necessities of the church in his time. The writings of Moses, of David, of Isaiah, of Daniel, of Amos, of John, and of Paul, shew, both by their style, imagery, and manner, that they were composed, not only according to their natural talents, but their education and habits of life. For "there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit ;" and hence, St. Peter says of St. Paul, "Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you." (2 Pet. iii. 15.) The minds of those who wrote the Scriptures, were also illuminated with a duly distinct knowledge of the truths which they were to deliver; and hence the Lord says to Moses, 66 Look that thou make them after the pattern which was shewed thee in the mount." (Exod. xxv. 40.) And again, "the Lord said unto Moses, write thou these words; for after the tenor of these words, I have made a covenant with thee, and with Israel." (Ex. xxxiv. 27.) And hence also in the instance of Daniel, a voice, from between the banks of Ulai says, "Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision....And he said, behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation ....I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scrip

ture of truth." (Dan. viii. 16, 19, x. 21.) In like manner, the Holy Ghost is thus promised by our Lord to his disciples; "When he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all Truth....and he will shew you things to come.... He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John xiv. 26, xvi. 13.) And hence, St. Paul says, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (1 Cor. xiv. 37.) And when the final revelation is communicated to John, it is with this injunction, "What thou seest, write in a book.” (Rev. i, 11.) And, amidst the numerous doctrines and facts with which the writers of the Scriptures were acquainted, the Spirit of truth directed them to write precisely what was proper for the edification of the church, and neither more nor less. In proof of this we may appeal to the words of John, where he says, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God....And there are also many other things which Jesus did." (John xx. 30, 31; xxi. 25.) And again, "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink ....I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen, write unto thee." (2 John 12. 3 John 13.) And St. Paul “What shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon," &c. (Heb. xi. 32.) It is also evident that the Holy Ghost excited in their minds such images and ideas as had been familiar to them; and made them apply those images and ideas to his own purposes and designs.

says,