smeaton quotes macdonald
From George Smeaton's book, The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, p366-368
The Church of God is in her right attitude only when she is waiting for the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who comes from Christ and leads to Christ. We see combined in all successful preachers of the gospel right views of the Spirit's operations, an undiverted gaze upon the cross, and a proclamation of the fact that the Spirit comes to glorify the Son in his Person and in his offices. Thus we hear one exclaiming: "Spirit of preaching, that is, Spirit of Christ, come down upon me." [The missionary Macdonald.] They have always set forth that spiritual life flows from the historical Christ the Surety through the Holy Ghost, and that though the Spirit comes not of necessity, but of free condescending love, he comes as the Spirit of our risen Lord, the organ by which he acts, the executive by whom he rules, the comforter sent in Christ's name. ...
With regard to the spasmodic efforts to awaken by human appliances a religious interest in the minds of others, we must distinguish two things that differ. There is, on the one hand, a noble revival spirit, burning with a pure and steady flame, which is kindled and kept alive in proportion as the Holy Spirit inhabits and quickens the Christian heart to sustained and strenuous efforts for the salvation of others. It springs from the Spirit of grace: it leads to dependence on the Spirit's supernatural operations; and they who cherish it never forget that success is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech 4:6). But, on the other hand, there is effort of a different sort - spasmodic and fitful, from self and for self, arguing impatience at the slow progress of the kingdom of God, and prompting measures of the earth, earthy."
This book starts by going through the Bible expositing the various references to the Holy Spirit, then devotes the second section to different themes or aspects of the doctrine, and finally concludes with a historical overview of the development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Christian church. I found it very interesting and helpful. It's not terrifically quotable, because the arguments are so detailed, but that's hardly a criticism. Smeaton (d 1889) was professor of exegetics in the New College, Edinburgh, and was a friend of Hugh Martin and James Begg. His books on the atonement are being recommended in the light of the ongoing controversies about penal substitution.
The Church of God is in her right attitude only when she is waiting for the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who comes from Christ and leads to Christ. We see combined in all successful preachers of the gospel right views of the Spirit's operations, an undiverted gaze upon the cross, and a proclamation of the fact that the Spirit comes to glorify the Son in his Person and in his offices. Thus we hear one exclaiming: "Spirit of preaching, that is, Spirit of Christ, come down upon me." [The missionary Macdonald.] They have always set forth that spiritual life flows from the historical Christ the Surety through the Holy Ghost, and that though the Spirit comes not of necessity, but of free condescending love, he comes as the Spirit of our risen Lord, the organ by which he acts, the executive by whom he rules, the comforter sent in Christ's name. ...
With regard to the spasmodic efforts to awaken by human appliances a religious interest in the minds of others, we must distinguish two things that differ. There is, on the one hand, a noble revival spirit, burning with a pure and steady flame, which is kindled and kept alive in proportion as the Holy Spirit inhabits and quickens the Christian heart to sustained and strenuous efforts for the salvation of others. It springs from the Spirit of grace: it leads to dependence on the Spirit's supernatural operations; and they who cherish it never forget that success is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech 4:6). But, on the other hand, there is effort of a different sort - spasmodic and fitful, from self and for self, arguing impatience at the slow progress of the kingdom of God, and prompting measures of the earth, earthy."
This book starts by going through the Bible expositing the various references to the Holy Spirit, then devotes the second section to different themes or aspects of the doctrine, and finally concludes with a historical overview of the development of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Christian church. I found it very interesting and helpful. It's not terrifically quotable, because the arguments are so detailed, but that's hardly a criticism. Smeaton (d 1889) was professor of exegetics in the New College, Edinburgh, and was a friend of Hugh Martin and James Begg. His books on the atonement are being recommended in the light of the ongoing controversies about penal substitution.
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