(6) Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. (7) But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: (8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
I very earnestly beg the Reader to indulge me, with calling his attention to what is here said of God the Holy Ghost, which, in my view, most decidedly shews, and to a demonstration, both the Person, Godhead, and Ministry of the Holy Ghost; and that it is He, who all along, from the beginning, had been the Almighty Minister in the Church of God; and now is the whole, and every part, both in the ordination, and the efficiency of it, being from, and by Him. And, as nothing can be equally important to the child of God, to be always waiting on the Lord the Spirit's ministry, in an age when He is so little known, and regarded, I crave permission to state what is here said, with all that attention it so loudly demands. The Lord make the statement profitable, if it be strictly consistent with his truth, to his people.
And, first. I desire the Reader to remark with me, the name by which the Lord the Spirit is here mentioned, namely, the Holy Ghost. And let it be shewn, if it can, by any common sense argument whatever, wherefore a name, so defining personality, should be given to anyone, but under the idea of a Person? The Holy Ghost is here said to have a meaning in a certain appointment, and that appointment is fully confirming a will, design, and pleasure. The Holy Ghost this signifying.
Secondly. The signification here spoken of, being in allusion to the ordinances in the sanctuary service, could have been in the appointment of none but God. The services must imply that they were God's services. The priests and servants ministering in them, God's priests and servants; and consequently, the Lord the Spirit, here called by his special personal name, the Holy Ghost, could be no other than God.
Thirdly. The Holy Ghost thus manifesting both his Person and Godhead; the former by actions which could belong only to personality, and the latter in appointments of holy services, which belonged to none but God to appoint: so by those actions, and appointments during the Old Testament dispensation, which began with the Church, and shadowing events, which reached to the New Testament dispensation in the days of the Gospel, and to extend to the latest Period of time most plainly, and decidedly proved, that the personal ministry of God the Holy Ghost, hath been all along exercised, and that he hath uniformly presided over the Church, in all ages. So that here is, in this blessed Scripture, the most full, and ample testimony, to the Person, Godhead, and Ministry, of the Lord the Spirit.
I stay not in this place to enquire into what is here said of the Holy Ghost's signifying by those services his divine intention. This meets us in all the shadows of his appointment, under the law, when we discover them ministering to Christ, who is the substance of all. But I will in this place, with the Reader's indulgence, take one moment longer, just to add to what has been said a short observation, and which I hope will not be unsuited to the former, on the particular name, and title of God the Holy Ghost.
Wherefore is God the Spirit specially, and personally, called the Holy Ghost? I have often pondered the expression. It cannot be, with the most distant intention, of implying, anything more holy in his nature, and essence than in the other Persons of the Godhead. The whole three Persons are One, in nature, essence, and perfections. And hence it hath been supposed, and with good reason, that the ascription of Holy, is trebled, in the hymns of Angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, on this account, when they cry out Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts! Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8. But it should seem, that this name is specially, and personally given to the Holy Ghost, in reference to his office-character, in the special work of redemption. His office by regeneration is to quicken the redeemed, and chosen, of the Lord, from the death of sin, to a life, of holiness in Christ. And if so, what an endearedness of character, doth it give to the souls of God's people, concerning God the Holy Ghost? How precious doth the Lord the Spirit appear on this account? And what sanctity of conduct ought it to induce in our spirits, when we call to mind, that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in us? 1 Corinthians 6:19.