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The Influence of the Spirit.

SERMON I.

JOHN VI. 63.

It is the Spirit that quickeneth.

OUR blessed Saviour here explains the mystery of "eating his flesh and drinking his blood," which is a subject largely treated of in this chapter; and shews that this is not to be understood in a literal and carnal sense, nor merely as sacramental: for says he, the flesh profiteth nothing; it is the Spirit that quickeneth. He does it at what time he pleases: not perhaps when we look for and most passionately desire it; for in dispensing his gifts and performing his operations he acts as a Sovereign; and whilst he fulfils his own gracious purposes, frustrates our sanguine expectations. He frequently does it when there is no seeming probability of it: Ere I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of a willing people. As he disappoints sinners in their highest confidences, so he relieves saints in their lowest despondencies. As he casts down the one from the pinnacle of their glory, so he raises the other from the depths of distress and misery but he always does it when we have most need of it, either when we have most work to do, or meet with the greatest opposition, and when it is most for his own glory. He discerneth both

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time and judgment: and in this work of his it is hard to say whether wisdom, power or goodness appears with the most distinguishing lustre. This is certain, that each of them will strike the intelligent mind, and it will at times venerate and adore them all.

We shall now, first, consider in what sense this quickening influence is ascribed to the holy Spiritsecondly, the subjects whom he quickeneth-thirdly, the ends for which he quickeneth-and lastly, offer a few words of improvement.

I. Explain the passage.

1. When it is said, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth," it is not to be understood of the holy Spirit exclusively for the work of quickening is also ascribed to the Father and the Son; and they all co-operate in this as well as in other parts of our salvation. Thus in the foregoing chapter it is said, The Son quickeneth whom he will: he restores life to dead bodies, and puts life into dead souls. Thanks are to be given to the Father also, who maketh us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

2. The Spirit does not quicken universally, and, in a spiritual sense, all who need to be quickened. He does not, like the sun, enliven things by a kind of natural necessity; but, as a perfectly free agent, is guided only by his own sovereign pleasure. He is under no influence, and subject to no controul. This heavenly wind bloweth where it listeth. Absolute sovereignty belongs only to God: and indeed it is fit that it should belong to no other, for in him alone infinite wisdom is joined with irresistable power. It is true, there is a great variety in the Spirit's operations; and no other reason can be rendered for it, but that he wills it should be so. As he is possessed of sovereignty, so he loves to display it. He divides to every man severally as he will; that is, in what manner, and measure, and to what persons he pleases.

We read of some that were full of the holy Ghost, and of faith, whilst it is said of others that they are sensual, not having the Spirit.

S. Yet the holy Spirit quickens all those who are quickened. Our being made alive, and kept alive, is owing to his influence. It is he that quickens dead sinners at first. He is that breath which enters into the dry bones, and causes them to stand on their feet. Ezekiel prophesied ; (Ezek. xxxvii. 7.) but his prayer, Come, oh breath, or Spirit, and breathe upon these slain, did more than his prophesying. God's grace can save our souls without our preaching; but all the preaching in the world cannot save souls without God's grace. The holy Spirit is emphatically called, the Spirit of life; (Rom. viii. 12.) not only as having life in himself, but as being the fountain and spring of life to others. As the soul gives life to the body, so he gives life to the soul.-It is he also that quickens slothful and slumbering saints. They are habitually quickened in regeneration; and being passed from death to life, shall never return to a state of death again but subsequent quickenings are absolutely necessary, and do accordingly take place. This seems to be implied in the repetition used in Ezek. xvi. 6. I said unto thee, Live; yea, I said unto thee, live. When dead in trespasses and sins, he says unto us, Live: when we grow dull and languid, and faulter and tire in the good ways of God, he again saith unto us, Live. So that not only our life, but liveliness is owing to him. He strengthens our graces, revives our experiences, removes our discouragements, and restoreth our souls. (Psal. xxiii. 3.) Hence also the prayer of the church: Awake, oh north-wind, and come thou south: blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Cant. iv. 16.

4. It is the holy Spirit that quickens men in their several stations. Ministers for the discharge of the various duties of their office, and especially in dis

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