gressions, for mine own sake" (Ezek. xxxvi. 21-22; 32). Everything God. does is for His glory. "Of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things." "Of Him," as the great cause; "through Him," as the great worker; "to Him," as the great end.

1. Is it for the glory of God to manifest His infinite wisdom? See it, in its brightness, in this work of salvation.

2. Is it for His glory to manifest His infinite justice? In the salvation of the Church, God has revealed that justice in its inflexible severity. (1.) In the eternal plan of salvation by sacrifice. (2.) Shining in the solemn glory of the cross of Emmanuel.

3. Is it for His glory to manifest His infinite power? See it in the fearful miracles of Egypt; in the merciful deeds of the great Miracle-Worker; in the pardoning of sins, the destroying of the works of the devil, the regeneration of the corrupt, the resurrection of the dead, the restoration of immortality, and the everlasting reign of righteousness.

4. Is it for His glory to manifest His infinite love? In the salvation of the Church it is revealed in its immeasurable greatness; in His compassion for the perishing, forbearance towards the rebellious, forgiveness of the repenting, and in His kindness to the believing.

IV. FROM GOD'S MEMORY. "I will not remember thy sins." A heavenly truth in an earthly dress.-H. Grattan Guinness: Sermons, pp. 333–363.

If we were to ask, who need the forgiveness of sins? the ready answer would be, sinners. All men are sinners (Rom. ii. 10, 12, 23, and 1 John i. 8, 10). The dreadful reality of sin in us, and sin on us, making us sinners in the deepest sense, gives the teaching of the Word touching forgiveness a large and living interest to us all.

I. The fact that God forgives sin. Stated in Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7; 2 Chron. vii. 14; Ps. lxxxvi. 5; cxxx. 4. Illustrated in David (Ps. xxxii. 5).

Sick

of the palsy (Matt. ix. 2). Woman in Simon's house (Luke vii. 48).

II. The meritorious ground on which God forgives. Christ Jesus (Col. i. 14; 1 John ii. 12; Acts x. 43; Rom. iii. 24, 25). The question may be asked, What has Christ done that He forgives for His sake? See Heb. ix. 22–26; 1 Pet. iii. 18; Isa. liii. 5, 6. III. The conditions in us necessary to forgiveness. Repentance (John i. 9; Acts iii. 19). Faith (Acts xiii. 38). Forsaking sin (Prov. xxviii. 13).

IV. The perfection of Divine forgiveness. 1. Sins are blotted out (Isa. xliii. 25). 2. Totally removed from sight (Isa. i. 18). 3. Forgotten for ever (Jer. xxxi. 34; Heb. x. 17).

V. The consequences of forgiveness. We have-1. Life (Col. ii. 13). 2. Blessedness in the soul (Ps. xxxii. 1, 2; 1 John v. 10). 3. Praise in the heart (Isa. xii. 1). 4. The fear of God (Ps. cxxx. 4; Jer. xxxiii. 8, 9). 5. Reconciliation with God (Luke xv. 12-32). 6. Praise and joy (Rom. v. 1, 2).-J. A. R. Dickson.

We may learn :—

I. That it is God only who can pardon sin.. How vain, then, is it for man to attempt it! How wicked for man to claim the prerogative! And yet it is an essential part of the Papal system, that the Pope and his priests have the power of remitting the penalty of transgression.

II. That this is done by God solely for His own sake. It is not-1. Because we have any claim to it, for then it would not be pardon, but justice. 2. Nor have we any power to compel God to forgive-for who can contend with Him, and how can mere power procure pardon? 3. Nor have we any merit, for then also it would be justice; and we have no merit. 4. Nor is it primarily in order that we may be happy-for our happiness is a matter not worthy to be named, compared with the honour of God. But it is solely for His own sake; to promote His glory; to show His perfections; to evince the greatness of His mercy; and to show His boundless and eternal love.

II. THE PROMISE MADE IN THE

TEXT (ver. 3). What is here promised is the Holy Spirit of God, the Sanctifier and Comforter of the Church. A blessing in which all other blessings may be said to be included. With it, and it alone, there come to the soul spiritual life, pardon, purity, peace, and meetness for heaven. Here pro

mised under the emblem of water.

Water is a blessing-1. Universally necessary. Without it, both man and beast must speedily perish. 2. Universally diffused. In some countries, indeed, it is more abundant than in others; but there is no habitable region on the face of the earth where it is entirely wanting. Nor is the Holy Spirit confined to a few favoured ones (Acts ii. 17). This promise is being fulfilled. 3. Abundant. Note the promise of the text: "pour floods." He will communicate His Spirit copiously to earnest suppliants. 4. Cheap. Generally cheap, as the light of the sun, or as the air we breathe. What can be cheaper than the grace of the Spirit? Too precious to be sold (Job xxviii. 14). It is the free gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (John iv. 10).

III. THE EFFECTS ATTENDING THE FULFILMENT OF THIS PROMISE (vers. 4, 5). When the earth has been long without rain, the whole face of nature assumes a mournful and sterile appear

ance.

Let rain be given, and fertility and beauty are seen on every side. Without the Holy Spirit, there is barrenness in the Church. When the Spirit is poured out upon the Church, what are the results?

1. Its converts become exceedingly numerous. "They shall spring up as among the grass"-numerous as the blades of grass. Preliminary fulfilments of the promise (Acts ii. 41, iv. 41, v. 14). In every age since that time, the number of converts has multiplied in proportion to the outpouring of the Spirit.

2. Its converts become distinguished for the rapidity and luxuriance of their spiritual growth. "They spring up as willows by the water-courses" (cf. Hos. xiv. 5-7). The young convert,

watered by the dews of the Spirit, makes rapid progress in spiritual knowledge and in grace. He rivals the lily in grace, the olive-tree in beauty, the cedar in stateliness, and the vine in fruitfulness. He ripens as quickly as the full-grown ear of corn; and, like the vine of Lebanon, diffuses around him the most delightful fragrance.

3. They are animated by the purest spirit of self-dedication to the Lord, and of cordial attachment to His people (ver. 5). That is, they shall dedicate themselves to the Lord as His faithful servants and sincere worshippers; and separating themselves from the ungodly and profane, shall solemnly and publicly join themselves to His Church. That this is the duty of those who have been converted and benefited by the Spirit, may be safely inferred from the practice of the Church in every age (Acts ii. 44, 46). Can we do better than follow the example set us by the primitive Church? Is it not at once our duty and the most likely way to promote the edification and salvation of our souls? Are we not more likely to go to heaven in company with those who travel thither, than by keeping aloof from them? (H. E. I. 3903–3911.)

CONCLUSION.-1. What resemblance do we bear to the character of the people to whom the promise is made? Is the workmanship of God seen in us? Does the sanctity of our lives prove that we are His elect people? Are we men of fervent and persevering prayer? Are we sincere and upright before God?

2. Has the promise of the text been fulfilled to our souls? We so absolutely need the grace of the Spirit that we must perish, if we have it not. There is no good reason why we should be without it; like water, it is everywhere placed within our reach, and may be obtained in the greatest abundance by only asking for it. How inexcusable, then, must we be, if we still remain without it!

3. Some of us profess to have re

ceived the Spirit! What are the effects which He has produced on our spirit and conduct? (H. E. I. 2897, 2898, 1430-1437).

4. Have you truly dedicated yourself to God? and have you joined His people? -Daniel Rees: Sermons, pp. 469479.

Is

In this Scripture an abundant effusion of the Spirit is promised to the Church, under the emblem of water: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Being made truly sensible of spiritual need, and earnest ly desirous of something better than creature satisfaction, this declaration promises a supply of spiritual blessings for the refreshment of the soul. Is that soul barren as the dry ground where there is no water? There is an enlargement of the promise-floods of grace are spoken of: "and floods upon the dry ground." Then there is an explanation, in the plainest language: "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessings upon thine offspring."

This promise was strikingly fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. It is doubtless to have a more complete fulfilment in that happy and glorious state which yet awaits the Church, when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea. But it has also a most important reference to those operations which are carried on by the Holy Spirit in our own souls, and upon which our salvation depends (John iii. 3). Let us, then, reverently study what has been revealed to us in the Word of God concerning the being and operations of the Holy Spirit.

1. The Spirit, of whom this and other Scriptures speak to us, is Divine. (1) This, and more, is involved in our Lord's command, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (2) The same distinguishing names and titles are given continually in the Word of God to the Holy Ghost, as belong to no other than Almighty God. "THE LORD" (2 Cor. iii. 1. Cf. Isaiah vi. 9 with Acts xxviii. 25). "GOD (Acts v. 3). "JEHOVAH " (Cf. Isaiah lxiii. 14 with Deut. xxxii. 12 and Num. xiv. 11).

2. The Holy Spirit is not an attribute or operation of God the Father; His distinct personality is clearly manifest from several scriptures.

(1.) From distinct and visible appearances. At the baptism of our Lord. In Matt. iii. 16, we read of a distinct manifestation of three Sacred Persons, at one time and place: The voice of the Father was heard, "This is my beloved Son;" the Lord Jesus came up out of the Jordan; and the Holy Spirit in a bodily shape descended from heaven, and lighted upon Him. On the day of Pentecost. He visibly descended on the apostles, in the likeness of fire.

(2.) To "the Spirit" divine and personal attributes are assigned. He is eternal (Heb. ix. 14). Omnipresent (Ps. cxxxix. 7). Omniscient (1 Cor. ii. 10).

(3.) He acts in a personal manner, as one who has a distinct and personal will (John xiv. 7, 8; 1 Cor. xii. 11).

(4.) He has personal appellations (Isaiah xi. 2; (Isaiah xi. 2; John xiv. 16, 26). He is called " a Comforter," which is the name of a person, and of one vested

with an office; "another Comforter," to distinguish Him from God the Son, who is a Comforter and indisputably a Person.

(5.) The immediate care and government of the Christian Church has been committed peculiarly to the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is His especial work, spiritual life His especial gift; by Him the work of sanctification is carried on; all Christian holiness, and the exercise of every grace, proceed from Him (John iii. 3; 2 Thess. ii. 13; 2 Cor. xiii. 14, &c.) He also qualifies and appoints persons to minister in the Church of Christ, and claims their services (Acts xiii. 2, xx. 28).

These testimonies place it beyond doubt that the Holy Spirit is a divine, distinct, and self-existent person, infinite in all His attributes; that He is also, with the Father and the Son, One, God over all, blessed for evermore (H. E. I. 2867).

II. HIS OPERATIONS IN THE HUMAN SOUL.

He is the great Teacher, the Spirit of Illumination, the promised Guide, who alone can lead us into a saving knowledge of the truth. We all continue in a state of spiritual darkness and death until by His mighty power we are born again. It is only through His agency that the corruptions of the human heart can be subdued and mortified, and a holy conformity to the will of God either acquired or sustained. He is the great and only true Comforter, from whom alone any solid consolations come. His work in the soul is just as necessary for its salvation as was the work that was finished on the Cross; and no man, however wise or learned he may be, knows really one tittle more of spiritual things than he is experimentally taught them by the Holy Ghost. His blessed influences, which are so absolutely necessary to us, should be earnestly sought (H. E. I. 2871-2891; P. D. 1815-1821).-John Johnstone, M.A.: The Way of Life, pp. 172-196.

The suitableness of this passage to

the important subject of the day, when we commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, is obvious. Let us consider

I. THE PROMISE. "I will pour," &c. This, then, is a promise of the Spirit, which is here compared, as in other scriptures, to water, on account partly of its purifying, and partly of its comforting properties. For as water cleanses the body and quenches thirst, so the Spirit purifies the soul and satisfies spiritual desires.

But who are they upon whom the Spirit is poured? 1. Upon the people of God, compared to the earth in the drought of summer, parched and thirsting for rain; upon those who are sensible of their spiritual barrenness, and are not looking for the supply of their wants to their own imaginary merits or strength, but are trusting in the mercy of God through Christ. Upon these the Lord will shed the Holy Ghost abundantly. 2. Upon the chil dren of believers.

II. ITS EFFECTS. "And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses.' The image here employed implies two things-an increase of the Church, and a growth of individual piety. As plants and herbs spring up of themselves and spread in a grassy and well-watered spot, so did the Christian religion at first rapidly extend itself, through the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Thousands were converted by a single sermon, and churches were planted over the whole of the then known world. As the willow situate by the river's side shoots up quickly, so he upon whom the Lord pours His Spirit plentifully thrives and flourishes in the divine life. His faith becomes steadfast, his love pure and fervent, his humility profound, his knowledge and wisdom extensive and deep, his zeal ardent and constant, lowly and meek, his deadness to the world thorough, and his devotedness to God unreserved.

If the gift of the Spirit be so important, how earnestly should we pray for it! Prayer is the appointed means of obtaining every blessing, whether