None of us doubts that the words of the apostle to the presbyters of Ephesus would now apply to all true presbyters of CHRIST: “Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which _the HOLY GHOST hath made you_ overseers, to feed the church of GOD, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” {5a} So, the seven deacons were “men full of the HOLY GHOST and wisdom.” {5b} The word also is said to be “preached _with the HOLY GHOST_ sent down from heaven:” to come to those hearing it aright, “in power _and in the HOLY GHOST_, and in much assurance;” {5c} and to be received with “_joy_ _of the HOLY GHOST_;” and “_in demonstration of the Spirit_ and of power.” {5d} And so, both in regard to ministers and members of the church, it is declared, that “to one is given _by the SPIRIT_ the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge _by the same SPIRIT_, to another faith _by the same SPIRIT_;”—all these more ordinary gifts, as well as those which were miraculous, “worketh that one and the self-same SPIRIT, dividing to every man severally as he will.” {6a} And when it is also solemnly declared—“I give you to understand, that _no man_ can say (aright) that JESUS is the LORD, _but by the HOLY GHOST_,” {6b}—and that “if any man have _not_ the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of His;” {6c}—how clear and unquestionable is the conclusion, that _the HOLY GHOST must be the essential Agent_ in the right administration and reception of divine ordinances; and that in fact there can be none without Him, in the minds both of ministers and people. Hence it was that, in the words before us, the apostle declared his “_sufficiency_ to be of GOD;” that it was of GOD that he ministered the word without corrupting it, as some did; and that the beautiful lineaments of the living christian character, which he had been the means of producing in them, were actually produced by the HOLY GHOST, thus divinely authenticating the office and instrumental ministrations of the apostle. Here was the writing of his recommendatory letters. This view of things carries in it the point, that no man can be a true minister of Jesus Christ, unless the SPIRIT of CHRIST be with him. And so general is the conviction of this as a fact, that strange indeed would it be to find a single bishop, priest, or deacon of our church, who should not feel it essential to his integrity to lay claim to this holy authentication of himself from God to men. Now here is the question! Let us calmly and seriously examine it. Can we all have the HOLY GHOST, who lay claim to His presence and power with us? I propose to meet this question negatively, and therefore, * * * * * II. My next position is the following: _That it is impossible to suppose that we ALL have the HOLY GHOST_, _who lay claim to his presence and power in our ministrations_.