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CHAPTER III.
OFFICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SANCTIFIER AND
COMFORTER OF GOD'S PEOPLE.[1]
The Holy Spirit is the author of holiness in all those who are saved: "Through
sanctification of the Spirit."[2]
"Ye are washed, ye are sanctified by the Spirit of our God."[3] He is the author of the new or spiritual life
which is produced in regeneration.[4]
Not only the beginning of the new life, but its whole progress, is dependent on the
Spirit: wherefore, believers are said to live in the Spirit,[5] to walk in the Spirit, to be led by the Spirit,[6] and be filled with the Spirit;[7] and, for this reason David prayed,
"Take not thy Holy Spirit from me."[8]
As it is his office to change the soul, and from a state of death in trespasses and sins,
bring it into a new life, so it is his office to change our vile body, and fashion it like
the glorious body of Christ: "He that raised up Jesus from the dead, shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."[9] As both body and spirit are redeemed by Christ,
so both body and spirit are changed by the Holy spirit, and fitted for the presence and
enjoyment of God.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter of God's people. By his teaching, the knowledge of
salvation by the remission of sins is obtained. The Saviour promised: "He shall take
of mine, and shall show it unto you."[10]
In fulfilment of this promise, the Spirit makes known the sufficiency and suitableness of
Christ as Saviour, and the efficacy of his blood to cleanse from sin. By the Holy Spirit
the promises of the divine word are applied to the heart. Hence, peace and joy are called
the fruit of the Spirit.[11] These
spiritual enjoyments, which are a foretaste of heaven, are called "the earnest of the
Spirit."[12] And, as the
earnest is given by him, we have reason to conclude that the full possession will be given
by him. As Christ will be the medium through which the felicity of the future world will
be bestowed; so, the Holy Spirit will be the immediate agent in bestowing it. The first
comfort here below, and the full bliss and glory of heaven, are alike his work.
[1]
Ps. li. 10-12; Ezek. xxxvi. 27; John xiv. 26; Acts ix. 31; Rom. v. 5; viii. 13, 16, 26; 1 Cor. vi. 11; 2 Cor. i. 22; iii. 18; Gal. v. 22; 2 Thes. ii. 13.[2] 1 Pet. i. 2.
[3] 1 Cor. vi. 11.
[4] John iii. 6.
[5]Gal. v. 25.
[6] Gal. v. 18.
[7] Eph. v. 18.
[8] Ps. li. 11.
[9] Rom. viii. 11.
[10] John xvi. 15.
[11] Gal. v. 22.
[12] Eph i. 13, 14; 2 Cor. i. 22.
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