PREFACE

It is not claimed that in this little volume all has been

said that might be said upon the subject treated. On the contrary, the writer

has proceeded upon the belief that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit can be

better understood by limiting the sphere of discussion, rather than by

extending it to the largest bounds. For finite beings, at least, presence is

more intelligible than omnipresence. So, though the subject of this book is in

itself profoundly mysterious, we have sought to simplify it by dwelling upon the

time-ministry of the Holy Ghost without entering upon the consideration of his

eternal ministry. What the Spirit did before the incarnation of Christ, and

what he may do hereafter beyond the second advent of Christ, is a question

hardly touched upon in this volume. We have sought rather to emphasize and to

magnify the great truth that the Paraclete is now present in the church: that

we are living in the dispensation of the Spirit, with all the unspeakable

blessing for the church and for the world which this economy provides. Hence,

as we speak of the ministry of Christ meaning a service embraced within defined

limits, so we name this volume the “Ministry of the Spirit,” as referring to

the work of the Comforter extending from Pentecost to the end of this

dispensation.

How deep a subject for a study! What prayer more becoming

for those entering upon it than the humble petition that the Spirit himself

will teach us concerning the Spirit! Deeply sensible of the imperfection of

this work, it is now committed to the use and blessing of that Divine Person of

the Godhead of whom it so unworthily speaks.

A. J. Gordon

BOSTON,

Dec., 1894.