Page:The Paraclete.djvu/28

16 cannot doubt that the doctrine is plainly declared in the baptismal formula: "Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost;" and also in the apostolic benediction: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all." But such passages may be best considered under the special doctrine of the Holy Ghost.

ii. It is with this subject, the Divinity and Personality of the Holy Spirit that we are here more immediately concerned; and to this subject we must now direct more particular attention. But first let us ask what we mean when we assert the proper Godhead of the Holy Spirit. One of our Creeds declares "The Holy Ghost is God," by which we assert not merely that He is Divine, but that He is a Divine Person; that He is not merely of one substance with the Father and the Son, but that He is also personally distinct—not separate, but distinct—from the Father and the Son. We assert that He is not a mere attribute, influence, or energy, but a distinct subsistence; in perfect harmony with the other two Persons, but not identical with them. In short, we declare that,