Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-02
Readina fur the Sabbath,
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
[Original..
THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE HOLY SPIRIT.
1t is clearly taught in the Scriptures that
there are three persons in the God-head. To
distinguish these persons, the one from the
other, and also from the relation which they
bear to each other, they are called by the
names, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Each
of these three persons is divine, and all of
them are possessed of equal power and glory.
How three can be one and one three is mys-
terry. Without special revelation, the hui
man mind cannot comprehend it. There is
no attempt made in the Scriptures to explain
it. The fact is stated, and nothing more.
There is nothing in creation like it; hence,
there is nothing by which it can be illustra-
ted. So long as we remain in the flesh, the
doctrine of the trinity in unity, and unity in
trinity, must be matter of pure faith. In
the creation of the world, and in the preser-
vation of the world, each person of the God
head is equally concerned. In the work of
mans redemption, each is equally interested,
and to each equal honor and glory will ac-
crue. Whilst, however, the work Of mans
redemption may with propriety be ascribed
to the united God-head, still each person per-
forms particular part of that mighty un-
dertaking. God, the father and first person
of the trinity, occupies the position of judge.
He sits on the throne of Righteousness with
the sword of justice in his omnipotent hand,
and demands that his law be made honorable
by perfect obedience. Christ the son and
second person of the trinity, assumes human
nature and renders to the law and justice of
God vicarious obedience and suffering.
He, in other words, obeys the law for the
sinner and suffers its penalties in his stead.
Christ paid the debt and ransomed the cap
tive He appeased his Fathers righteous in
dignation by voluntarily interposing himself
between the blow aimed by his Father and
the guilty sinner. The work of the Holy
Spirit is to make an application of the work
done by Christ Jesus. We may say that
Christ works for us whilst the Holy Spirit
works IN us. Christ redeems us from the
curse of violated law, and purchases for US
heaven, whilst it is the peculiar work of the
Holy Spirit to prepare us for heaven. 1t is
by the Holy Spirit that the sinner is regene-
rated, and it is by the Holy Spirit that the
regenerated sinner is sancti6ed. When Jesus
hung upon the cross he said, ut is finished" "
and gave up the ghost. The work which was
allotted to him was then complete. He had
rendered perfect satisfaction to the demands
of Justice; he had established the church upon
earth and opened up new and living way
by which God could be just and justify the
ungodly sinner. Having lain in the grave as
an unmistakable evidence of his humility and
suffering, and having, after the space of three
days, arisen from the dead as proof that the
atonement made by him for sin was accepta-
BILE to his Father, he ascended to heaven and
committed the work of mans salvation into
the hands of the Holy Spirit.
1t is clear that the work of the Holy Spirit
is just as important as the work of Christ
Jesus. Neither is complete without the 9TH
er. Unless the Holy Spirit regenerate and
sanctify the sinner, the atonement made by
Christ will avail the guilty and polluted sim
ner nothing. The work undertaken by the
Holy Spirit is accomplished by the use Of
means. There is, ordinarily, nothing miracu-
lous either in its inception or completion.
Means adapted to the end have been chosen
and sancti6ed, and in the use of these means
the soul, dead in tresspasses and sins, is quick
ened into life. By the use Of the same means
the regenerated soul is sancti6ed and ulti-
mately prepared for glory.