We find the Lord affirming, in a variety of passages, that it was He who, by His vicarious sacrifice, obtained for his elect the great gift of the Holy Spirit...Whatever was graciously conferred on the elect through Jesus Christ was wanting in our natural condition...The Holy Spirit acted as inspiration in the case of Spirit-filled men, such as Moses, the Judges, David and the prophets generally. But that preparatory work of the Spirit, as well as the personal enjoyment of forgiveness, was owing to the atonement, which had a retrospective as well as a prospective efficacy, and thus had an influence at all times. "When the Spirit is come, He shall convince of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment." By righteousness, He intimates not the justice of His cause but the righteousness which He worked out in His atoning death for His elect people.