Friday after the Octave of the Ascension — On preparing the Soul for the Holy Ghost

Consider, first, that when we celebrate the Christian solemnities, we ought not only to honour the mysteries we commemorate, and give prse and glory to the Author of all good, for his benefits to his church; but also to enter into the spirit of the solemnity, by aiming, as much as possible, at the dispositions of soul, which are, suitable to the mysteries we celebrate. And thus, when we are preparing to keep the solemn feast of Pentecost, the day when the Holy Ghost came down upon the first Christians, it ought to be the great subject of our devotion, to prepare our souls for the Holy Ghost; that so we may be also favoured with his visit, at this holy time, and may. plentifully partake of his gifts and graces. O my soul, do thou aspire after this nappiness, (the greatest of any thou canst enjoy on this side of eternity,) to have the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the living God, to come to thee, to take full possession of thy interior, and to abide forever with thee! O spare no pains in preparing a proper lodging for him.

Consider, secondly, how the apostles prepared themselves for the Holy Ghost, Acts i. 14. They were persevering, saith the Scripture, with one mind in prayer. And, Luke xxiv. 53, lhey were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. They prepared their souls for this heavenly guest, by a spiritual exercise of ten days; they spent the whole time, from the ascension of our Iord ♦ill Whitsunday, in recollection and prayer. Retired, as much as might be, from the hurry and distractions of a busy, noisy world, they attended in silence to God and their souls. They were always at prayer in the temple of God, and, by that means, they prepared their souls to be the temple of God. Happy they that endeavour to make the like preparation! Happy they that make it their practice to prepare themselves, every year, at this time, for the coming of the Holy Ghost, by a spiritual retreat of some days! If thy circumstances, O my soul, will not allow thee this retirement and solitude, therein to breathe the purer air of devotion, and to aspire, in a more suitable manner, after the coming of the Spirit of God, at least wish for this happiness; and, if thou canst do nothing more, at least, in the midst of ail thy other employments, call in thy thoughts, as often as thou canst, into thy closet within, and there entertain thyself with thy God. Nothing will contribute more effectually to fix the Holy Ghost in thy soul, than this practice of aiming at an inward recollection, in the midst of all thy works.

Consider, thirdly, that the great means to bring the Holy Ghost into our souls, is to invite him thither by ardent desires and fervent prayer. Thus the apostles obtained him; and the word of God, in many places, assures us, that this is the way for our obtaining all good; that our heavenly Father mil give his good Spirit to all that akhim (Luke xi. 13;) and that an ardent desire, a perfect hunger and thirst, after this heavenly Spirit, the Fountain of all justice, is the means to be filled both with him and his gifts. I wished says the wise man, (Wisdom vii. 7,) mid understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me, O my soul, see thou seek him in this manner, by fervent desires and prayer; but let it be with thy whole heart. In finding him, thou wilt find all good; for he is the ever-flowing Source of all good: without him thou art nothing but misery and sin. O come, divine Spirit, to my soul, that longs after thee, and bring with thee all thy heavenly treasures. O do thou prepare thyself a proper lodging in my heart, and then take full possession of it, for time and eternity.

Conclude to spare no pains, in using all means in thy power to engage this divine Spirit to come to visit thee, and to take up his abode with thee: frequently invite him with the Veni, sancie Spiritus, &c., a hymn that he himself has inspired. He willingly comes to those that sincerely and heartily invite him.