that the whole efficacy of the gospel might be attributed to the right source—the power of God alone. 2 Cor 4: 7. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels," why? "That the excellency of the power may be, (that is may evidence itself to be) of God, and not of us." Now if we have not proved, beyond all reasonable doubt, that the success of the gospel is not owing to any instruments employed, but solely to the power of God, it must be because we do not receive the truth in the love of it;" and of such persons it is said that "God sends them strong delusions to believe the lie" their own depraved hearts have framed. Indeed, rightly to understand and appreciate this, or any other scripture truth, you must sit at the feet of Christ, like Mary, and like a little child, drink in the instructions of "Him who cannot lie." "He satisfieth the poor with good things, but the rich he sendeth empty away."

In the subsequent part of this discourse it is our object to show that in the work of regenerating the heart the Holy Spirit of the most High God does a great deal more than

simply to present truth powerfully to the human conscience, does more than to present it powerfully to the understanding ;*-that after this, if we are renewed at all, the spirit bends our wills, by his almighty power; for if this be not so, man's will and power, and not that of God, is the cause or author of holiness. Now how does this agree with the multitude of passages which ascribes holiness to God alone as its author or cause? "I am the Lord which sanctify you." "God is my strength and power, and he maketh my way perfect." "Thou hast heard the cry of the humble; thou will prepare their heart.” "The Lord will give grace and glory." "Thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our works in us." "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father which is in Heaven." "A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness

* See Griffin on Divine Efficiency.

of sins." "A certain woman named Lydiawhose heart the Lord opened." "Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hadst thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst "receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?" "By the grace of God I am what I am." "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God." "Without me ye can do nothing." Now what is regeneration but the beginning of holiness? And the passages cited can mean nothing less than that God alone is the author or cause of it. Can any one read them and believe what many now affirm, that regeneration is by persuasion of the Spirit alone?

The peculiar importance and office work of the Holy Spirit as described in the word of God shows that those whom we are opposing "teach for doctrines the commandments of men." The office work peculiar to the Spirit is to sanctify, or make holy. "Take from the spirit that work, and you wrest from him all employment, and cover him from

creatures with an eternal cloud."

"The Re

deemer shall come to Zion.-This is

my cov

enant with them saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever." "I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." "It is remarkable that the sanctifying Spirit is not represented as one standing and offering truth to persuade, but as an effusion, sometimes dissolving, sometimes refreshing or fructifying, sometimes cleansing, sometimes baptizing and consecrating." "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh." "I will pour out my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” “According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Saviour." "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." "Cast ma

not away &c." "Uphold me with thy free Spirit." Hear one remarkable declaration of incarnate truth, and let men cease their presumptuous theories and cavillings. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth-the flesh profiteth nothing." "The natural man receiveth not, etc." "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart." Certainly somewhat is intended very different from mere persuasion. "He that hath wrought us for the self same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, &c." "The Spirit shall be in you a well of water springing up to everlasting life."

Faith and holiness are represented as the gift of God. "By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." "Unto every