Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
As the Head of his Church, Christ is its source of spiritual influence. In him, for the use of his Church, the Spirit dwells in immeasurable degree. For the “Father giveth not the Spirit by measure unto his Son.” It has thus pleased the Father, that in him all fulness should dwell; and the conclusion is clear — Out of his fulness may we all receive, even grace upon grace. Oh, it was no scanty supply of the Spirit Christ ensured for his Church. There is no risk of soon draining this fountain dry. Believe it, it is inexhaustible. Hither may you repair, and drink of the water of life as largely as your finite capacities will admit of, and yet leave it undiminished.
Mark well, for it is important, the encouragement afforded us by the death of Christ to expect free and full communications of the Holy Spirit. Had Christ not died, the Spirit could in no degree — not even in the smallest —have been sent forth to enlighten, and sanctify, and save; for the justice of God, unpropitiated and unappeased, would have stood immoveably in the way of this. But now Christ having died, and justice being satisfied, and every obstacle on God’s part removed, what hinders that the Spirit be now shed forth through Christ, and that not grudgingly and sparingly, but cheerfully and abundantly? ...
For more, see Alexander L. R. Foote on Christ’s death and the purchase of the Spirit for the church.
N.B. There is seemingly no end of sources from the Disruption Worthies. It really was something of a golden age of Scottish theological literature.
Mark well, for it is important, the encouragement afforded us by the death of Christ to expect free and full communications of the Holy Spirit. Had Christ not died, the Spirit could in no degree — not even in the smallest —have been sent forth to enlighten, and sanctify, and save; for the justice of God, unpropitiated and unappeased, would have stood immoveably in the way of this. But now Christ having died, and justice being satisfied, and every obstacle on God’s part removed, what hinders that the Spirit be now shed forth through Christ, and that not grudgingly and sparingly, but cheerfully and abundantly? ...
For more, see Alexander L. R. Foote on Christ’s death and the purchase of the Spirit for the church.
N.B. There is seemingly no end of sources from the Disruption Worthies. It really was something of a golden age of Scottish theological literature.
