The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 65

THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE Things incidental to

this,

IN

THE CREATURE

25

such as the inspiration of Scripture,

the preparation of the Body of Christ, the extraordinary ministration

of grace to the Church, are only connecting-links, connecting the beginning with its own predetermined end; that in spite of sin's disturbance the destiny of the universe to glorify

God might be

secured.

Condensing all into one statement, we might say: Sin having once entered, a factor which must be taken into account, the Holy Spirit's work shines most gloriously in gathering and saving the

work of redemption economy of the natural life. The same Spirit who in the beginning moved upon the waters has in the dispensation of grace given us the Holy Scripture, the Person of Christ, and the elect

and

;

prior to which are His operations in the

in the

and it is He who, in connection with the original by these means of grace, now regenerates and sanctifies

Christian Church ; creation and

us as the children of God.

Regarding these mighty and comprehensive operations, it is of importance to keep in view the fact that in each He effects only that which is invisible and imperceptible. This marks all the Holy Spirit's operations. Behind the visible world lies one invisible and spiritual, with outer courts and inner recesses and underneath the latter are the unfathomable depths of the soul, which the Holy Spirit chooses as the scene of His labors His temple wherein He sets up His altar. Christ's redemptive work also has visible and invisible parts. Reconciliation in His blood was visible. The sanctification of His Body and the adorning of His human nature with manifold graces were invisible. Whenever this hidden and inward work is specified the Scripture always connects it with the Holy Spirit. Gabriel says to Mary: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee." It is said of Christ: " That He had the Spirit without measure." We observe also in the host of heaven a life material, outward, tangible which in thought we never associate with the Holy Spirit. But, however weak and impalpable, the visible and tangible has an invisible background. How intangible are the forces of nature, how full of majesty the forces of magnetism! But life underlies all. Even through the apparently dead trunk sighs an imperceptible breath. From the unfathomable depths of all an inward, hidden principle works upward and outward. It shows in nature, much more in man and angel. And what is this quickening and first

;

—

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