SERMON XIV.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

JOHN vii. 39.

This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

THE exaltation of Christ to the right hand of God is one of the most important of all the events recorded in scripture. It is often referred to by the writers of the New Testament, in language of peculiar triumph, for the time of Christ's glorification was to them an era never to be forgotten; and though the removal of Christ personally from them was a severe trial, yet it was the commencement of very important blessings, and of the most exalted privileges. It was from this time that they dated a more intimate knowledge of the truth, and a fuller participation of the hopes and expectations of future bliss. It was after this, that the truths which they had been treasuring up, as deep and obscure mysteries, began to unfold themselves in great clearness, and in all their own peculiar excellence, to the understanding. There were many doctrines, delivered to them during the ministry of Christ, which his disciples

understood not at first, but "when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." That they acknowledged great and valuable blessings through the gift of the Holy Ghost, is evident by the address of St. Peter on the day of Pentecost-blessings which were not included in the extraordinary operations of the Spirit-" Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

In order to a full understanding of the declaration made in the text, it will be necessary,

I. To explain the observation: "The Holy Ghost WAS NOT YET GIVEN."

II. To show how the gift of the Holy Ghost depended on the GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST.

III. What is meant by that cOMMUNICATION OF THE SPIRIT, which they should receive who believe on Christ.

I. "The Holy Ghost was not yet given”—there was not that clear manifestation of the Spirit in his peculiar power and influence. This was reserved as the fruit of the finished redemption of Christ. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, as the great characteristic evidences or signs of his kingdom, should be the gift of

an exalted Saviour to his chosen people. These were blessings, of which it might be said they were not yet given, because the spirit of the saints under the Old Testament was the spirit of bondage, but to those under the New Testament, who had been admitted to a nearer relation to God the Father, was given the spirit of adoption-the one to fear, the other to love-the one exciting a thirst for higher and greater benefits, not yet vouchsafed, the other producing the exercise of filial affection in the cry of Abba, Father.

It is quite evident that under the Old Testament the influence of the Spirit was acknowledged as well as felt. We know that it accompanied the preaching of Noah, and that for one hundred and twenty years the Spirit of God strove with man. The "Spirit of Christ" was in the prophets when it "testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." The Holy Ghost spake by Esaias the prophet. And in his influence the Psalmist found the sum of all his religious experience: "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit."

It may be asked, then, in what sense it can be said that the Holy Ghost was not yet given? We reply their knowledge of divine things was dark and obscure-there was a veil over their hearts the spirit of their religion was a spirit of bondage, and fear, and servitude; and as it regards that great foundation of all religion, the

knowledge of our pardon, it was not yet communicated in its fulness and freeness, because the price of it was not yet paid. As sacrifices were appointed only as types of the great redemption by Christ, they were rather as "handwritings," to remind the worshipper of sin, than to blot it out. There was a remembrance again made of sin, as often as they were used. The very use of them was (xegóvgapor) a note of hand, an evidence of his guilt, a testimony against the worshipper, if he did not believe in Christ, and in the fulness of his redemption, rather than the sign or pledge of an assurance of pardon. It is on this account that remission of sin, and reconciliation with God, are represented as peculiar to the gospel dispensation; and it is the office of the Holy Spirit to bear testimony to these blessings, as the fruits of the redemption of Christ, and to give us all, in the happy experience of them, one access to God the Father through him. This brings us to notice,

It was

II. The GLORIFICATION of Christ. upon this that the giving of the Holy Ghost depended. "The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified."

The power of the Holy Ghost was displayed in setting up that kingdom in the world, which Christ came to establish, and for which he had been preparing his church for so many ages. It had existed but only, as it were, in secret; now it was about to be manifested. The Redeemer,