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.
