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Les oiagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. rrata :o lelure, 1 a 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 t .^ SIX LECTURES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, DELIVERED IN THE P^RISB CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, HALIFAX, NOVA-SCOTIA, DURING THE SEASON OF LENT, A. D. 1836. BV WILLIAM COGSWELL, M. A. CURATE. HALIFAX, PRINTED BY J. S. CUNNABELL, ARGYLE-STREET. 18 3 6. i •* 1 ro ttie mvimomvn of at* muVn. Dearly Beloved in the Lord, In complying with the wish, expressed by several among you, that I should commit these Lectures to the press, I have had many feelings to struggle with. The fear,lest the love of your approbation should weigh more with my heart than the desire of promoting the glory of God, on the one hand, and on the other, the fear lest the vanity of appearing in print should be attributed to me as my motive, had nearly decided me against publishing them. But I could not feel justified, when committing the matter in prayer to God, in refusing on this account to commit them to the press, v/hen a good hope was set before me of being useful, in the smallest degree, to any one sou). In this hope, Brethren, I cast my bread upon the waters, and pray that the Lord may cause the seed bown to take root, and bring forth fruit to your present edification, and your everlasting bless- edness. I remain, Brethren, Your servant for Christ's sake, WILLIAM COGSWELL. Halifax, April 11th, 1S36. Xo ^rt PREFACE. It can hardly be necessary to inform any, into whose hands these Lectures may fall, that they make no pretensions to any merit as a composition, and aim at nothing but a simple statement of Gospel truths, and exhortation to Gospel conduct. They were undertaken singly with a de- sire of making the usual week-day servi- ces, appointed by the Church for the Season of Lent, more interesting and more profitable. They were composed in the mid;st of ordinary parish duties, and A 2 lir VI PREFACE, IH I f were an addition to the preparation ne- cessary to be made for the similar exer- cises of the Lord's day. Little time could therefore be found for any other study, than that of the word of God, in preparing them. It has also been the Author's desire to make these Lectures merely the vehicles of practical instruction, without bringing forward doctrinal discussions, or enlarg- ing upon the peculiarities of the Church of England. The second Lecture is the only one which can be considered at all to con- tradict this view ; but even this, he hopes, will be found to contain nothing which can be offensive to any one who dissents from that Church, into whose hands it may fall, while it affords him an opportunity of ex pressing on his own behalf, and urging up- on others, that conscientious and hearty attachment to our Zion, which she merits at the hands of all her children. PREFACE VU It is the Author's wish, and (should the grace of God permitjand his Superiors in the Ministry of the Gospel sanction), his intention, to continue these Lectures in future years, and— should the present un- dertaking warrant it— to give them to the public as they are delivered. Thus in the course of a few years, it is hoped, by the blessing of God, an entire series of practical Lectures, upon that interesting portion of the word of God which in here entered upon, will be completed. It only remains to state, that should the sale of this Work be such as to pro- duce a surplus above the expense of pub- lication, that surplus shall be devoted to- wards the establishment or support of a House of Industry in this Town. Th Th( (C CONTENTS. LECTURE I. Acts i. 1 — U. The occasion— Choice of subject— Author of the Acts ofthe Apostles— "The Friend of God"— Resurrec- tion of Christ— His last intercourse with His disci^ pies— 1 he promise n)«de to them that their Lord should come again. LECTURE II. AcTsi. 12— 26. The Apostles return to Jerusalem— The true believer elect unto obedience"—" What maketh him to dif- icr —Infant Church; grain of mustard seed— " Thj X CONTENTS. Kingdom come"- Example of the Infant Church. monf^^^L^ /?u ^''"^ worship ; Ecclesiastical govern- ment ; the Christian's daily walk and convewation. LECTURE III. Acts ii. 1— li. '^ -'o^Ch"' ''tL'I"?/^' '^' promise-i'rayer must bo th^tif -The three Jewish feasti correspond to tnn^Z^i^'^^' ^^^'-'^'^^ Festivals-Special' Previ- dence of GoD-Descent of the Holy Spirit-Eviden- ces of His mr welling ; internal, witnessing wilhthe CO Sf A ^Ih ' '• "^'"^""'' manifested in change of couduct-Authority and value of the Holy ScriptSres. i A LECTURE IV. Acts ii. 12—36. ^'t Wift";?^' ^^ the multitude upon the exhibition of In!ili- f ^«"g"J?S[ ^ proof of the natural depravity nrfhp/S'^r'^.^^ the heart, and its inability to com- St Petelr!.!l^'"^H"^ '^' Spirit-The fear of man- .fknli 7,t^'y-His courage and his meekness-The nfm^r P ''^ PnY".' «f f«it''~-The name of Jes '.s,th2 name of Gon-Christ set forth crucified by w. LECTURE V. Acts ii. 37—40. The influence of tha Spirit necessary to give effect tA the word, read or preached-Preachini Christ, the «nly effectual preaching-Its effect upon Peier'a CONTENTS. IX hearers; pmking their hearts: convincing thera of Bin: humbling them: overcoming prejudices: dethron- ing self: leading to repentance— Comfort to the " fear- ful heart." LECTURE VI. Acts ii. 41—47. ^ii^^i'®^'^ wordsthe savor of life unto three thousand— To how many the savor of death-Responsibility of beheveTs with respect to the unconverted-Parable of the Sower-Rea ity of the conversion of the three thousand seenin their being baptized : in their glad reception of the word : in their stedfastness in the Apostles doctrine-True believers sometimes under ?.. -f"?"!^^^'^ ^^""'^^ ^" '*»'"«s common, a local fruit of their conversion— The same spirit is of uni- \ LECTURES ON THB ACTS OP THE APOSTLES. LECTURE I. ACTS, I. i.-ii. ThK former treatise have I MADE o TWrn»« «F AI.I. THAT JESUS BEGAN BOTH TO " ^ ^''^"^'^Ug, V^T^^. THE ».V XN WHICH HE wL,7K,r;P ?^'"' THAT HE THROUGH THE HOI.V 1™ HAn' "^"^ COMMANDMENTS UNTO THr APn«J^ "" "''"^^ CHOSEN : TO WHO^r Vt J^ AP0STLE5, WHOM HE HAD AKTEK HI^ p'^r^/LT Ml^rrNTA^r^'^^ ^'^^^'^ BKING SEEN OK THEM FORTY dIvs^^''''' '''*""*"'' OF THE THINGS PERTAINING TO ^«l ' " «PEAKlNO AND, BEING ASSELBrKrTOorTHE^^^ COMMANDED THEM THAT THFV SHOnf n ''"^*^» «^»0M J KB TK. ATT.,, THEY SHOULD NOT DEPART OU JBRUSALEM, BUT WAIT FOH THE PROMI.E «r ill! 2 LECTURE I. M! M r. F. "''''' ""'"'"'' ''^^'^« "^' ^-^^ "AVE HEARD Or ME. For JOHN TRULY BAPTIZED WITH WATER ; BUT YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST NOT MAN^ DAYS HENCE. WheN THE Y THEUEKORE WER^ COME TOGETHER.THEY ASKED OE HIM. SAYING loRD WILT THOU AT THIS TIME RESTORE AGAIN iT^E lO NC I X)OM TO ISRAEL ? And HE SAID UNTO THEM Tt S NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR THE^^ASONS WHICH THE FATHER HATH PUTIN HIS OWN POWER But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHaIi BE WITNESSES UNTO ME,BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL ^UDiEA.AND IN SAMARIA.AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH. And WHEN HE HAD SPOke" THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY BEHELD, HE WAS TAKEN up; AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THeIr S^Ght And while they looked stedfastly toward h'T VEN, AS HE WENT UP, BEHOLD, TWO ^LN STOOD By" THEM IN WHITE APPAREL ; WHICH ALSO SAID Ye HETvE^N'^Tr"' ^^"^ ^^A-- -^ OAZING UP 'iNTO HEAVEN.- This same jesus, which is taken up FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN. SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN. 11! The return of the solemn season of Lent, which the wisdom of our Church has ap- pointed, for the purpose of preparing our minds, by meditation, by fasting, and by prayer, for Uie solemnities of that time, at which we shall be called upon to sym- pathize with the fearful passion, and gaze upon the stupendous agonies of the Son of God, has brought us again within these • LECTURE I. 3 walls, my brethren, to pay a week-day tribute of prayer and praise to God. While this is the great object of our as- sembling, an object superior to all others which call us together within this house of God, by prayer and supphcation with thanksgiving to make known our requests unto God,* still it is hoped, that our coming together may be made yet further profitable, by our making some portion of the divine word the subject of medita- tion, and thus aiming, not only at an in- crease of faith, but also at some spiritual edification, some instruction in righteous- ness. To this end, my brethren, it is my desire, in humble dependance upon the promised presence of the Saviour Jesus, wherever two or three are gathered together m His Name,t and upon the help of that blessed Spirit of the Most High, which *Phil. iv. 6. fMatt. xvih. 20. mmm ^u 4 LECTURE I. He hath received for His people and w ever ready to impart to them, to present to you, upon the successi?e Fridays of this season of Lent, a series of medita- tions upon that portion of Scripture of which my text is the commencement, the record, the only record which has reach- ed us, of the Acts of the Apostles. The choice of this portion of the Sa- cred Volume, as the subject of our medi- tations,may be justified on several grounds but principally upon this, that the Acts of the Apostles present to us a view of the Christian religion in its practice. In the Gospels, we find pictured to us the life and conversation, the sufferings, and death of the blessed Jesus, and we are but too willing to satisfy ourselves, that His example is too high for our attain- ment, and to be contented with the reflec- tion, that the infirmities of our imperfect nature are suchjas to render an exact copy LECTURE I: ^ of the conduct of Jesus impossible for us. We turn to the Epistles, and find in them men, under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, addressing men of like passions with themselves,* and urging on them the unspeakable love of Jesus, as a reason why they should turn from the va- nities of the world and the (Icsh, and serve the living God. But here, also, are we but too apt to lose ourselves in mere specula- tions upon their doctrines, to explain away the high requirements of their spiritual precepts, or to satisfy ourselves, that they set up a standard, which though they thought it desirable for us to aim at, they never supposed that we could reach. But m the account given us of the Acts of the Apostles, we sec precept illusirated by practice; we SGe,not only how men taught, but how they acted when influenced by the Spirit^ w€ are called upon to consider not *Acts x'lv. 15. B 2 TT \ 6 LECTURE I. doctrines but examples, and to perceive how bold and uncompromising in the love of the truth, how sincere and earnest in their separation from the world, how dis- trustful of themselves, how charitable to others, how guileless in prosperity, how zealous in health and vigor, how patient in sufferings, how meek under persecution, how devoted to Christ, and how loving to one another,thc true disciples of the Savi- our are found to be. Here we see,how men like ourselves acted under the guidance of the Lord's grace, and if we believe His word, which declares Him to be the same yesterday, to day, and for ever,* and trust to the promises which he has sealed with His blood, we cannot doubt that such as they were, such the Lord is now ready to make all that seek Him; that such as the Apostles' conduct, and character, and conversation were, such must those, who * Hel). juii. 8. LECTURE f. • _ T are the truly converted followers of them, as they were of Clirist,* now show, in the midst of the ungodly world, as the fruit of their faith in Jesus, the evidence of their acceptance with God for His sake. It cannot be my expectation. Brethren, to present to you, in these lectures, any thing that shall be attractive from its no- velty, interesting from its originality, or striking from its force. My humble ob- ject will be attained, if, by the favour of God, I may but stir up your minds by wayofremembrancet of some forgotten or neglected truth, some omitted duty, or some slumbering resolution : if I may hut promote your more intimate acquaint- ance with God's Holy Word; if I may but lead you to a more spiritual percep- tion of the truth as it is in Jesus, J and to a cordial admiration, and, thro' grace, a decided imitation of that simplicity and nCor. xi. 1. ti!PeUu.l. tEphe, iv. 13. LECTURE r. godly sincerity,^ which was exhibited in the life and conversationjas well as in the preachings, of the Apostles. AndOhlcan this be a subject of so little importance to you, as to require novelty to make it inter- esting to you ? Can the plain and simple truths of God's word ever become so va- lueless in your eyes, as to need the graces of language, or the force of elo- quence to make them impressive? Can any thing, more than the remembrance that ye have soulsto be saved,be necessary to give an interest to the most common-place ex- hibition of the Gospel way of salvation, and to engage your attention for the most unadorned inculcation of Gospel motives, of Gospel principles, and of Gospel con- duct? That this aim may be steadily kept in view on my part, that this end may be an- swered with respect to you, Brethren, let '3 Cor. i. 11 LECTURE t. » US now present our earnest petitions be- fore the mercy seat of the Most High, and pray that His Spirit may give me a mouth and wisdom* in setting before yo.. the truths of His word-that His grace may open your hearts to attend (o the things spoken,t and bless and sanctify the word dehvered, so that it may be to your profit by bemg mixed with faith in you that hear it.| Let us proceed then, Brethren, to con- sider at present the first part of (he first chapterof the Acts. The commencement of this history, may perhaps be more pro- perly considered as the conclusion of the history of our Lord, as it gives us ,ho most particular account we have of the completion of His wonderful career on earth, when, having finished the work which was given Him to do,|| and proved •Lukexxi. 15. tHob. ir. 2. t Acts xvi. 14. iJobn xril. 4. 10 LECTURE I 1^ ii' I the acceptance of the atonement He had made, bjrappcaringaliveagain after having siiflTcred death, He went up in the sight of His chosen disciples to that glory w hich He had with His Farher before the foun- dation of the world. Yet its place cannot be considered inappropriate here, at the commencement of a history, which pro- fesses to be a history of ihc doings of the Apostles only, when we perceive that it contains their last attendance upon their Lord while He was on earth; that it shews Hs,as it were,lheir place of starting, when they set out without the bodily presence of the Saviour as their master; and that it gives us that parting charge, which ac- counts for their remaining in the very scene of the persecution and sufferings of their beloved Lord, and thepromise which was their comfort in all (heir after trou- bles, their support in all their trials, their defence in all their dangers, (heir strength M LECTURE I. u in nil (heir labours, their joy and consola- tion in persecution, in tribulation, and in dcalth. O ! when we shall iew them in these varied circumstances of trouble, and of trial, of danger, and of death, who will not wish to cling to the same promise, who will not wish to be built upon the same Rock ? Brethren! their Rock was Christ; their confidence was in His promise; their strength was in His word ! It may be well, before proceeding fur- ther, to remind you, that the book of the Acts of the Apostles was written by St. I^uke. Its commencement refers to a former treatise, made by him upon the subject of that wonderful life whose com- pletion he here announces, which treatise IS the Gospel that bears his name. This St. Luke is styled by St. Paul, the be~ loved physician,* whose praise is in the Gospel,! and he records of him, that in Col. ir. U. t 2 Cor. Tiii It. ^^ LECTURE I. times of peculiar diiBcuUy and trial, while he was awaiting i„ bonds tiie finishing of his earthly course, only Luke was with h"n.* That he was the companion also of many ofst.Pa„Ps travels, is evident from thebookitself,a„dhedisti„ctly states at the commencement of his Gospel that he had a perfect understanding of all things from the very first.f The evidence which our examination of his writings Itself affords is most satisfactory with re- gard to the minute accuracy of his state- ments, as well as the elegance of his style, and the zealous fervor of his spirit. Both his histories, which may rather be considered as one history in two parts, are addressed to a valued friend, whom he calls the most Excellent Theophilus. ihis has been supposed by some to be merely an ideal name; but it seems more consistentwith the simplicity of the Gos- *«Tiiihir. n. t Lukjt i. S. LECTURE I. 13 pel, to believe that it was the real name of some beloved convert to the Gospel, to whom^it may be, that St. Luke had been himself the instrument employed by God in making known the way of life. Yet what a precious name it is! It signifies "the friend of God." Who would not wish to bear that name? O! much as the fiiendship of the world is preferred, who, in their serious moments, who, especially in the time of trouble, or the hour of death, would not desire to be truly called the friend of God? But how may we obtain a title to that name ? Can we purchase it by our works? Can we earn it for our- selves? Hear the Scripture! "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God."* «Ye are my friends," saith the blessed Jesus, "if ye do what- soever I command you :" and "this is my • James ii. 23. C A i;\f li 'I r $ I Am w 1 r .' » u LECTURE L commandment, that ye love one another."* This, then, is the mark of the friends of <30D,rAITH WORKING BY LOVE.f This it is, which alone availeth in Christ Jesusjthis n is, whicii is the soul's admission to the friendship of God here ; this it is, whicl. is the soul's meetness for tho enjoyment of the Lord's fricndsliip and IJis love for ever. In recapitulafing to his friend (he mat- ters contained in his former treatise, St. Luke reminds him, that he had informed ^ him of all things that Jesus hegan both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up. And he dwells particu- larly here upon the last things which He did and taught, when, after having risen from the dead, he shewed himself alive by many infallible proofs. You will re- member, Brethren, that there were no , eye-witnesses of His resurrection itself, •John XV. n.H. fGal. V. 6. i«* if ■ i' 1 1 LECTURE I. 15 except that Roman guard, who, St. Mat- thew tells us, were bribed to perjure them- selves.* ButifitbecertainthatHewas dead, before He was laid in the grave. His being seen alive after that time was a suf- ficient proof of his resurrection. And that He was really dead before He was taken down from the cross, we have most abundant proof. Notonly did thesoldiers refram from breaking His legs, because they saw that He was dead, but one of them with a spear pierced His side.t This appears to have been done from mere wan- tonness and mischief, yet, while it is a completion of all the prophecies, which re- lated to the Saviour's sufferings, it is also the fullest possible evidence of His bein- really dead. From the wound made by that spear, there came out blood and water ; which shows that the spear pierced ^^" KE.URRECTION. And THEV^PP '' '^'''« ^^ °^ «^« CALLED BARSABAS, WHO wL^su/nT^'^" TW0,J0,EPH, MATTHIAS. And thfv »t I "^-^^^ •'^^^u*. aJ^d wb, WHICH kxo'wes; ;:,i,"5^' r^ «^'^. thou, SHEW whether of THES J!!^" '^''^* ""^ ^^^ ^^N, ''HAT HE MAY TAKE PAP J "'"^'^ "^" CHOSEN apostleship, Lom ,vh7c„ ° da?«" ''^""""^ ^-^ FELL, THAT HE MIGhJ G^.^ *"" ''''^^*°"*:"IO^ THEY GAVE FOR^i tJ^^H , o"'' ^^^ ^''^^^- ^ND T.PON MATTHIAS^AND HE i'°r' ^^^ ^«^ ^°^ ^'^I'l' ELEVEN APOSTLES NUMBERED WITH THE We left the Apostles upon the Mount of Olives, where they had been parted from the,r beloved Lord, and, while gazing after H.m as He went up to His glory, had received the blessed assurance, that He should come again in like manner as theyhadseen Himgo into heaven. While an end had thus been put to all their hon.« if 28 LECTURE II, -I i ll;i: lh.« It. of worldly advancement ; while all the expectations they had formed, and, in spite of all the Saviour's teachings, had so per- tinaciously cherished, of temporal domi- nion and earthly aggrandizement, were thus for ever crushed ; they were cheere inspire tlie faintest heart.' O' with what peace and joy c„,. u g,,,,,,. , „,^ most tried and tcmpte.1 soul ! Wlint but •hat grace, had n.a.le the difference here ^ What, hut that grace can now sustain the soul, can enlighten it (o the true i . ,,. •ton and spiritual worship of thcSav.our c«n strengthen it to bear shame, reproach and hatred for His sake, and can give joy and peace to all that must encounter an ungodly world, and, ir, the faco of its en- ""ty, or persecution, bear testimony to thename of Jesus? And what a heaven- ly savor of the cross . nn.l the firs, to run, so soon a« the solemnities of the Sabbath permit- •«'l 'Lem, to the sepulchre, where they -Ppose.I Hi.„ ,,ij.t There, too,we find "- blessed Virgin mother of our Lord, '"■■•■""'^ '"*'«» object of adoration at thi early p anting of the Gospel chureh, of vv. cm this passing mention is all thenotice ;.';'; '"^ «'"••'''"- ta^^e, ^o^ the time ;t"r.^"''--'«^'>^«-<«ying Jesus , "" "''^^^''"^"atc care of the disciple -"om Ho loved.t And there too we fi'd the bret ron of Jesus, those of whom it ^as not long since testified, that not even ^efc exercise of His ministry had been w..lK>ut honor.ll And from this little and,a^o„„tingto about half the num- '»"ld.ng,ofyo„ whom I now address; •Mark X.. 40. 41. fMntt. xxviii 1 i. LECTURE If. 35 so soon permit- 5re they we find r Lord, 1 at this rch, of e notice he time f Jesus lisciple ve find honi it ►t even whom d been little num- lacred ress ; from this little band, may it be said, as it was of the sons ol Noah, that the whole earth was overspread.* Who can look back upon the little as- semblage of praying people, met in an up- per room in Jerusalem, and then, by way of contrast, glance his eye over the vast portion of the world in which the name of Jesus is now adored, and not recog- nize the mighty power of God, by which the little grain of mustard seedf, planted upon Calvary, and watered with the blood that there was shed, hath been nourished and sustained, until, at the present day, nations, as numerous, and as various, as the very birds of heaven,are lodging in the branches of it. And yet, O! who can con- template the amazing deal, which yetre- maineth to be done, not only before the whole world shall bow in adoration of the Holy Name of Jesus, but even before the *Gen. viii. 19. fMatt. xiii. SI, S2. ne I'EcTuar: tt. It ^iH world of |.rofessin« (Christians slmll l)c,in heart an.) mind, like (hut bnnd of holy ones nsscnhled at Jen.snlc.n, nnd „ot foel the "ccd olMaily m„l nnccsinjr prayer, that «l>o huigdom of the Lor,l may indeed <;onie, and so come, that aruon- (ho pro- fesini? subjects of that kingdom, I lis will "•ay be done hero on earth, as it is done among the willing and obedient hosts of heaven.* When wc talk about the sprca.l 01 the Redeemer's kingdom, we arc apt (o turn our eyes abroad, and look for the result of Missionary labour among the hiind idolaters of heathen lands ; while H»erc remains a work to be done around our very doors, in the bosom of our own families, perhaps within our own hearts, as extensive, and as much demanding the powerful operation of the Holy Spirit, as •he turning a deluded pagan from the error o< h,s ways. O! let us look first into our *Malt. Fi. 10. I" LF.CTIJRI; U. Q^ own hearts, my IJrctliren, and sec liov llio kingdom of tiie Kodeemcr is floinish- ing (licre. I would not check one streani, in whicli tlio benevolence of a Ciuistian Jioart is (lowing, nor close one outlet of tliat Christian sympathy with a dying world, which the love of souls for Jesus' sake must inspire; hut slill we must re- turn to one point, as the most important, yea, of single importance to ourselves, whether we are ourselves of that number, whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall receive to His kingdom, and welcome to mansions in His Father's House. In considering the character of the infant Church, as it is displayed to us in the ver- ses of this first chapter of the Acts, which bave to day been read to you, there are several things worthy of being noticed by us, as members now of that brunch of the Church of Christ, which is accustomed to E l; •'18 LKCTURi; It. asseniMc uidiin these w-ilL. r <. . im, .1. 1 ""'^*'^*n"s> /ortileboal- '"«tl.e,l.avcu,.o„„ur„„,.lic.scrvicc,our eccles.as.ical government, a.ul cure crv- «l«y walk an.*..„ LECTuai; II SO the potitions ofthe whole assemblage in his own languafrn, and acconling to his own sense of the wants of those before him. We and they stand or fall to our own Master. And they, wc hope, and believe, aim, as much as we do, at doing all things for edification, for the increase of the body of Christ in spiritual growth. But, my Brethren, though I have but lately endeavoured to call your attention to this subject, I would again urge on you, that our different opinion should produce a different practice. It is one of the chief advantages of our Liturgy, to whose beauty, spirituality, and devotional ten- dency, most of those who dissent from the use of it bear a ready testimony, that it is so well adapted for a union of Minister and people,in presenting together thesame petitions at the throne of grace. It is certainly no part of its design, that the people, knowing what is coming next, may 40 iECTURE It be inattentive and listless, or at most si- lently acquiesce in the petitions offered up. This would be, indeed, to make our lorms the essence of formality. But it is your part, in joining in this spiritual and holy worship, to lift up your voices with your hearts in those portions allotted to you, and WITH ONE accord to make your common supplications to the Lord This, you will have heard, was so univer- sal m the primitive times of the Church that, St. Chrysostom declares, the uttering theAmenwas like a clap of thunder. But while we aim not at this standard, surely It becomes you, Brethren! to testify, that your hearts are in the offering ye are pre- sentmg to the Lord, by letting the abun- dance of your devotion flow out in the utterance of the mouth.* And O ! who how little soever imbued with feelings of devotion, who could come among you at Matt. xii. 34. '! : if, LECTURE II. 41 iost si- offered ke our ut it is al and s with ted to make Lord, riiver- lurch, tering But^ urely I that pre- bun- the vho, s of u at such a moment, and hear the voices of parent and child, of husband and wife, of brother and sister, mingling in one sweet accord of prayer and praise, and rising with their minister's in that truest harmo- ny, the unison of devotion, to the Mercy Seat of God, and not be constrained to fall down on his face and worship God, and confess that God is in you of a truth.* Brethren! ye cannot but have perceived the need of improvement among us in this respect. Let but the few, here present, commence in the larger congregations of the Sabbath day, and ye would soon find that your example would influence others around you, so that ye would be able soon to thank God with truth for having ena- bled you, by His grace, with one accord to make your common supplications unto Him.f II. We would turn your attention, ♦iCor. xiv. 95. fPraycr of St. Chrysostom. E2 42 LECTURE nr. -co„dl,,,„ the briefest manner possible, to the example, which this primitive Church aflords us, with regard to the mi.. n.ste„a, order. Through the dark treach- ^ «^ the apostate Judas, whose fate g-ves us a solemn but true picture of the n'anner in which Satan urges to their destruction those that give him an en- trance into their hearts, and shews us how he rewards those that are traitors to •-^Go.forhissake; and through the awful issue to which the craft of Satan, ^orkmg upon his despair, had driven him who once was a disciple, a vacancy had occurred in the number of the Apostles, ^eter who appears to have been actu- ated by the remembrance of his having demed his Lord, to be now the foremos! '" '=o''fes-ng Him, and i„ proposing n,«s, or His glory, stood up in th! nudstoftheassembled disciples, and after somecalm, but decided, remarks uponthe 4.y LECTURE II. ossible, •imitive the mi - freach- Je fate of (he I their m en- vs us ors to h tile ata% I him had itles. LCtU- ving nost sing the fter the 43 treachery of Judas, and the dark conse- quences of his foul apostacy, (in which remarks, the opening of their understand- ings, that they might understand and ap- ply the Scriptures, was clearly seen,) urged on them the necessity of choosing one, from those who had been their com- panions all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, that he nnght fill up the vacant place in the num- ber of the Apostles. Now we would humbly inquire, what necessity there could have been for this appointment, if there were to be no distinction of privilege, or of order between the Apostles and the Elders. The seventy disciples, from among whom all agree in thinking that Matthias was chosen, had already re^ eeived authority from our Lord, to preach HisGospel, and bear witness to His Name. What, then, was the necessity for his ad- vancement, if the office, to which he was 44 ir.crmr. u. w m choson, wore not a higl.cr one ; and if it wero not th.. ,hmg»,to exhibit to tlioso who a(frwar and 47 unconcerned about the matter, wilhng to be saved, if God chooses to save us- ready to be everlastingly damned, if so it must be. Is not this an awful state of mind, Brethren ? Is it not enough to make the blood run cold to hear a sinner make so impious a declaration? Yes! few would utter such language with their lips, but O! take care, lest such impiety be found, practically, amongyou. Arethere none of you, who know that ye are not what ye ought to be, who are yet waiting, as ye say, the Lord's time to make you so, but waiting for it in the amusements of the world, or in the indulgence of the flesh? Brethren! ye are mocking God, deceiving your souls, and casting away your salvation, if ye profess to wait the Lord's time to change your hearts, and convert your souls, and yet are not wait- mg by continuing in prayer and supplica- tion to the Lorilf 48 LECTURE II. The same instruction may be derived, from the conduct of the infant Church, to every behever in Jesus, who feels that he comes behind in any gift, of which the Lord has graciously given a promise. Anyone, at all conversant with the word of God, must see, that there is nothing which a poor sinner can possibly need in his prilgrimage to Zion, which is not pro- mised to the believer in Jesus. Pardon, holiness, grace, peace and joy; protec- tion and preservation ; defence in danger, succor in temptation, comfort in afflic- tion, ^ support in death-all are promised, freely and abundantly promised, to the be- liever. But, can a believer feel his need of these things, and believe the faithful- ness of God's promise, and yet not be earnest and constant in prayer and sup- plication for them. Whatever we ask in prayer, believing, we receive.* It is in •Matt. xxi. 22. LECTURE II. 49 believing that we hrve them, that we ex- perience the possession of the things we need. O! wait then. Brethren, who be- heve in Jesus ! wait in prayer and sup- plication 5 wait, like suppliants besieging the doors of the Lord's treasure-house, and the cast down shall be cheered, the mourner shall be comfortedj the sorrow- ing shall rejoice, the penitent be glad. Tarry ye the Lord's leisure; be strong, yea, be strong in supplication, powerful in prayer, and He shall establish your hearts, all ye that put your trust in the Lord!* *Ps. xxxi. 24. 50 LECTURE III. ACTS, 2. 1 11. ZJ ''"'^ ''*''' ''^ PknTECOST was rULLT COME THET WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD ,N ONE PLACE And suddenly there came a .ound from heaveI^a, or A RUSHING MIGHTY WIND, AND IT FILLED ALL THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE '..TTING. And THERE FIRE, AND IT SAT UPON EACH OF THEM. AnD THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HoLY GhosT, AND BE OAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, A9 THE SPLRIT ^^r .17"" UTTERANCE. And there were dw^l! IIIJ''^ ^^^'''^^^^M, Jews, devout men, out of UVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN. Now WHEN THI. WAS NOI«ED ABROAD. THE MULTITUDE CAME TOGE- 1'^''^:^'''' ^^«E CONFOUNDED, BECAUSE THAT EVE- RT MAN HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE SA^IN^G^O^Fr "" ""'' "^t^"°' ^^^ MARVELLED,* SAYING ONE TO ANOTHER, BeholD, ARE -TOT ALL THESE WHICH «PEAK GALILEANS? And HOW lEAR WErY«o« J1''';,''' """"^ ^"^^ TONGUE. WHEREI. WE WERE BORN ? PaR-HIAN,, AND MeDES, AND ElAM- i UECTURE in. 51 » I ITE», AND THK DWELLERS IN MESOPOTAMIA, AND IN JUDJEA, AND CappADOCIA, IN PONTUS, ANdAsiA. PhRTOIA AND PaMPHYLIA, IN EoYPT, AND IN THr PARTS OF Libya about Cyrene, and strangers or IloME, Jews and Proselytes, Cretes and Ara- bians, WE DO HEAR THEM SPEAK IN OUR TONGUES THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD. Ten days alone had passed, from the time at which the disciples of the Lord Jesus had received from Him the renewed promise of their baptism with the Holy Ghost, when, being with one accord in one place, it pleased the Lord, who had ascended up on high, had led captivity captive, and received gifts for men,* to make His promise good, and to bestow upon them the precious gift of the Spirit. It was when the day of Pentecost was fully come, that is, the fiftieth day after the Jewish Passover, on which theSaviour rose from the dead ; after which resurrec- tion He had been seen alive forty days.Ten then, remained, in which the fulfilment of the promise was waited for, in earnest *Ps. Ixviii. 18. I 52 lECTBRE III. and harmonious prayer and supplication j a time, which, while it was some trial of their faith, was also a proof that the Lord is not willing to keep His people long in suspense. Imagine them, while these ten days were passing. Each day they met in anxious supplication, and pleaded with the Lord the faithfulness of His promise; and yet, at each day's close, they seemed no nearer the fulfilment of their hopes. And were there no scoffers by, to ask. Where is the promise of His coming ?* And were there no weak and fearful believers, sin- cerely asking, Where is the Lord your God ? Ten days seem but a short pe- riod to look back upon ; but while each day, each hour, of it is passing in the sus. pense of anxious expectation, what a life does it appear ! But did the Apos- tles waver in their hopes, did they falter »2 Pet. iii. 4. u LECTURE IIL 53 in the faithfulness of their petitions ? No! surely not. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea : and let not such a one think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.* There is a comfort and a confidence, imparted in the very present- ing of the prayer of faith before the throne of Grace, which is, to the really humbled and believing soul, a stay, and an encour- agement, even tho' the immediate object of the prayer may seem to be for a time refused. At the end of the ten days, when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place still. Still were they waiting in prayer and supplication, still trusting with an unsinking confidence to the word of promise. And when their faith had but increased by being exercised 5 when the trial of their faith had wrought pati- ence, and patience had had its work * James i. 6. k d withinihem- then diditpleasetf.e Lord, -ho chooses His own time, as well as His own way, of bestowing Hisown gifts, to -ply to their petitions, and to ' cclrd their prayers, with a full measure of the promised blessing. Let Uie tried soul of the sorrowing be- i'e^er look upon these disciples. How often doth Satan tempt such a one to I " oeneving,t or for whatever grace that, therefore, he has no interest in the promises of Goo, „o acceptance at H tTt tt •'':; '" ''^ •'e'-rrecolJ «'h'ch the promise of the Lord has in- «P-d-that the Lord vouchsafes to 1 - ethpatience. Thetr„ebeliever,t..e„, -Lose hope IS only i„ the Lord, and by ''Jatne:; i. 4. fRom, xf. IS. < - LECTURE lit. 55 whom all trust in self is renounced, will but be urged, by the apparent delay of an answer to his prayer, unto a more patient waiting upon God.* Such were David's trials, and such was David's conduct under trial. In the day of his trouble, he sought the Lord ; his soul refused to be comforted. He communed with his own heart, say- ing, "Will the Lord cast off for ever; will He be favourable no more ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious ; hath He in an- ger shut up his tendei- mercies ?'' Such were the reflections suggested by the evil of his heart; but they came not from the Lord. Still had his soul refused comfort, till he bethought himself of the Lord's faithfulness, and said, "It is mine own in- firmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most Highest." "* 3 Thess. iii. 5, * m i|! 66 iJ^CTCRE itr. Then ho cried nnto God with his voice, and tlie Lord gave ear nnto him.* Let such be the believer's case now • The vision is for an appointed time, and at the end of that time it shall surely come, it shall not tarryf. The ten days of suspense may be an anxious period : but ,f the anxiety be expressed in prayer and supplication, they will be succeed,.! by a l.ght and fire from heaven, enlighten- ing, animating, cheering, comforting, pu- "lyng, quickening the soul. It is worthy ofbeing remarked, as one among the many proofs of the harmony of design of the Mosaic and Christiai, dispensations, that the three great feasts ofthe Jews appear to have been chosen, as the time for the three greatestevents which are commemorated in the Christian year Three times i„ a year were all the Jews obhged to go to Jerusalem to worship, *P». l.-c«ii.J, 3, 7, 0, 10. tHab. ii. 3, LECTURE lU; 57 at tho feast of Tabornaclos, the feast of the Passover, and the feast of Pentecost.* It seems most probable, that it was at thn first mentioned, that the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among mcn;t it was certainly at the time of the second, that Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us;] and we have just remarked that it was at the celebration of the third, the day ofPen- tecost, that the great scheme of Salvation was completed in all its parts-the keystone inserted in that narrow gateway, which opens on the road that leadeth to eternal life||~by the gift of the Holy Spirit. How does it serve to increase our admiration of those wondrous counsels, in which all things have been planned before the foun- dation of the world, to look back for thou- sands of years before the Saviour's coming, and to see, in the tabernacle- wor •Deut. xvl. 16. tl Cor. V. 7. tJohn i. 14. II Matt. vii. 14. ft 1 3 »• ^S tECTURE 111 ship of the Jews, „„d in their own inha- bU.ng of tents during the sojourning in the wiJderness, a type ofthat great event, then so lar off, the coming down of the glory of the Lord to dwell in the tabernacle of the flesh, ,„ this drear wilderness of sin. How does It serve to magnify the Omniscience oJehovah,tobehoIdinthe.ambslain,and the blood sprinkled on the doors, the type of the wounded, and pierced Jesus, whose hlood was shed for the remission of sins; and to see in the commemoration of the r„c?;' '": '^'*" '""^ «'"«'' -«> ^^^ sanctifymg the first fruits to the Lord, a figure of that glorious discovery of the fru7;rl"' '"""""-" "^"'^ first fruus of the Christian Church, which the lay of Pentecost now calls to mind And is not the same Providence, which thus ordered these more wonderful events to hear witnesstooneanother, engaged stilJ, m ordermg all the smaller things which LECTURE III. 59 befal the people of the Lord, in their wan-, derings through this wicked world. Yes ! it is the Christian's delightful confidence that it is so; that, as not a sparrow falls to the ground without the permission of the Father,* so there is not one thing which befals the believer in his course through life, so minute as even the falling of an hair of his head, which is not seen, which is not ordered, or permitted by his Father. And where this confidence is lively, where it is, by prayer and suppli- cation, kept flourishing in the soul, what more can be desired to make up the high- est meed of human happiness? Doth sorrow press me to the ground, calamity overwhelm me, affliction grasp me in its iron hand? It is my Father, that hath sent It : and doth not He know what is best for me ? Doth He not see in me some grace deficient, which he would thus im-i ♦Matt. X. 29. 60 LECTURE III. part to me ? Is He not thus conforming me to the image of Jesus, who bore so much for me, and, by being resembled to whom alone, can I enjoy His presence? Doth prosperity smile upon me, health animate me, comfoi-ts cheer me ? It is my Father's will, and good is His will concerning me. He knows that the trials of prosperity are greater than those of adversity, but His grace is sufficient m one case as in the other,* and He maketh all things work together for good to those that love Him-f Why then need a believer in Jesus be careful for any thing ? Come sorrow, come joy—come hope, come disappointment-come health, come pain—the Lord is his Shepherd, and leads him to the still waters of com- fort, preparing for him a table, that the world knows not of, in the face of the things that trouble him, causing his cup *2 Cor, xii. 9, tRom. viii. 2S. t c c LECTURE Iir. 61 to run over in the midst of poverty, and, in the very agony of the hour of death, consoHng, supporting, upholdinghissouL* Brethren, do ye knovi^ this friendly Shep- herd ? Are ye in His flock ? Do ye know His voice, and follow Him ?t If so, happy are ye ; if not, O ! as ye value comfort, peace, happiness, joy and salva- tion, seek Him, where He loveth to meet you, in prayer and supplication. While the disciples were thus, on the morning of the Feast of Pentecost, with one accord in one place^ suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," saith the Re- deemer, "and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it Cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit."| So •Ps.xxiii. fJohnx. 4. JJohn iii. 8. G 62 LECTURE III. clearly did He foretcl, in the minutest cir* cumstances, the coming of that blessed Spirif, which it was His design, when He should return to the Father, to send as a Comforter to His Church. He spoke, in- deed, of the ordinary operations of the Spiritjof its bestowal upon all that should^ through its regenerating influence^be born again, and this similarity between His description of its ordinary influences, and the actual occurrence cf its ex- traordinary out-pouring, leads us to ob- serve, in its coming on the day of Pente- cost, the manner, at least, though not the measure of its acting upon the souls of the present followers of the Lamb. " The wind bloweth where it listeth." The Spirit of the Lord quickeneth those on whom it pleaseth the Son of God to send it.* The narrative, which we are •John V. 21. vi. 63. Rom. ii. 15. &c. LECTURE III. 63 considering, proves to us that it was not the reward of labour or of prayer. The prayer, in which its coming was waited for, was itself the fruit of the promise of the Spirit, which had already been freely and graciously given._So is it now, that those, whose hearts the Lord toucheth, and whom He animates, by holding out the promises of His word, to seek Him in prayer and supplication-these, in His good time, receive that full measure of the Spirit, of which the promise is prayer- fully, and faithfully received. It pleases the Lord indeed, to bestow His most precious gifts as the ansieer, but not the reward of prayer; it is not because we pray ever so earnestly, that we are to ex- pect the blessing of the Lord ; it is not that His favour is the purchase of our prayers ; but that by prayer is shewn our belief of that promise, in which the very earnestness of our prayers shews us ta fr.-^ 64 LECTURE ni. be interested. The earnostness of prayer we have seen in the Apostles' case, not to precede, but to be the consequence of that promise, of whoFc faithfulness they had not one doubt. The coldness of prayer proceeds from the want of hsjuav- ing the promise on which alone the hope of whatever we need is safely grounded. Are ye then, Brethren, really sensible of your need of God's Holy Spirit, to dwell in you, and to sanctify you, but feel that your prayers for it are cold, and dull? Take the Apostles' example for your guid- ance. Meditate prayerfully upon the Lord's promises; dwell upon them, and upon the title, which has been purchased you, of an interest in them ; contemplate your security in trusting to them— the oath of God ; examine the seal of the covenant, by which they are assured to you — the blood of Jesus; and, upon their faithful- ness, present yourselves to the Lord, yea, LECTURE III. 65 f come to Him with His own promise upon your lips, and assuredly your heart will glow, your feelings warm, with the earn- estness of affection, the animation of gra- titude. '^Thou hearcst the sound thereof." " There was a sound as of a rushing mighty wind." Here was evidence to them of the coming c "the promise of the Father upon them. "Thou canst not tell whence t cometh, nor whither it goeth;" but you know^ that it comes from the direction,which God, the ruler of the elements, appoints; yon knowthat it goes, when, but not until, it has accomplished His design. So the sound of the mighty wind cometh from heaven; nor doth it return thither, till it hath gathered glory to the T.ord. The vidence thus sugges- ted to the Apostles' own minds was complete. They needed no argument to prove to them, that the promise of the G2 I « 05 LECTURE nr. Spirit was como upon tlicm. So the Spirit of God boareth witness with [the spirits of His people, that they are the children of God:* they need no other evidence for their own satisfaction, than the change of their aflections^t the glow- ing love of their hearts towards GoD,f His IIonse,§ His Sabbaths, || and His Word,1f and the delight with which they resort to God,' and seek and enjoy com- munion with Him and with His Son, Christ Jesus." The inward evidence of the soul's conversion, felt in the devotion of its energies to His service, =^ in the long- ing desire for His glory,' the perpetual struggle against selfish feelings,^ the con- stant lifting of the soul to God,^ and the delight in the law of God after the inward »Rom. yiii. iG. ||Pi. jviii. 13. nRom. xii. 1. tCol.in. 2. ITJobxxiii. 12. "2 Sam. vli. 18-26 + 1 John, IV. 16. 'Ps. xlii. 1, 2. & Phil, j oq §Pa. xxvi. 8. =1 John, i. S. n Cor. xiii. 4/5. *Ps. cxliii. 8. •^•c. LECTURE irr. 67 man/in spite of (hat law in the members which is unceasingly warring against the law of the mind, and sometimes even bringing it into captivity for a while—this evidence is such as stands the test of Scripture, and answers to the marks therein set down; and may therefore en- courage the soul to hope, not that its work is done, but that it is in tliat narrow way, in which those who walk are kept by a power that fainteth not, and watched by an eye that slumbereth not, nor sleep- eth. Brethren, have ye this inward evi- dence of the dwelling of the Spirit within you ? Works are the evidence for which the world looks,as proof of the conversion of the soul; and without question, a faith, which produces not works, is a dead and unprofitable faith.f But still there may be works, which do not proceed at all from faith, yet so closely resembling the "Rom. vii. 23. 23. t James ii. 26. 68 LECTURE III. fruits of the Spirit, that the most practised eye of man cannot distinguish them : but the inward struggle against corruption, the continued warring with self, the un- ceasing hatred and abhorrence of that in- quity, which is within, and the deep hum- bling of the soul before God, when His eye only witnesses t! e humiliation — these are things, which the true believer only can experience — these are signs, in which there is less danger of deception, of the Spirit's indwelling. O! then, look with- in. Brethren, O ! look within ! Examine your hearts; search well your mmost souls; look into your motives; examine yo.r ruling principles; search, with the candle of the Lord, the deepest recesses of your minds, the most secret workings of your spirits; judge yourselves, that ye be not judged of the Lord;* for if your hearts shall condemn you, God is greater •i Cor. xl SI. k : LECTURE III. 6» than your hearts, and knowcth all things.^^ But again . " Thou hearest the sound thereof" "There appeared unto them cloven ongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them 5 and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Soon was the sound of this event heard in Jerusalem, and soon assembled, at the noise of it, Jews from every nation under heaven, who, having been dispersed abroad, and taken up their abode among other nations, had come up to worship at this feast. And we may well conceive their surprize, at hearing these unlearned Galileans, speaking in every variety of language, which prevailed among the different per- sons then collected, and proclaiming, in their various tongues, the wondrous works of God. The inward evidence which *1 Johoj iii. 20. 70 LECTURE HI. the disciples Iiad, when they heard the rushiiig mighty wind, was enough for their own consolation, and to satisfy them of the faithfulness of God ; but it was not enough for the glory of the Lord. They were not only vessels chosen unto salva- tion* themselves : but vehicles of mercy also to a ruined world; and through their word, was it the Lord's design, that sinners should be converted unto Him.f Therefore, like David, did they praise the Lord, and tell of all His wondrous works ; He had opened their lips, and their mouths were shewing forth His praise.l Out of the abundance of the heart, the ir.outh will speak, || Not only is the heart changed of him in whom the Spirit dwells, but from his spiritualised heart will flow the words, the language of the Spirit. He, who before spoke his own •2 Thess. ii. 13. tPa. li. 15. fJohn xvii. 20. IIMtitt. xii. 34. 11* LECTURE III. 71 i words, now speaketh as the Spirit gives him utterance. He, who could dwell before upon the things of this life, and find his pleasure in the passing vanities and gossip of the world, now speaks, in language of the Spirit's teaching, the wondroua works of the Lord's free grace. This was not an effect peculiar to the operations of the Spirit upon the Apos- tles; it was not an extraordinary influ- ence upon them only ; it is, and will be till the latest time, the constant fruit of the Spirit. That love, which is the fruit of the Spirit, forbids that he, who has tast- ed that the Lord is gracious*, should feed in solitude and silence upon the precious banquet : he must, the love of souls for Jesus' sake constrains him, to cry to all that have ears to hear, how gracious the Lord is. The word is as fire in the bones of one that would restrain it, which must, •1 Peter, ii. S. 1 ,Ji 12 I^ECTURE m. >vhich will break forth.* Brethren, where is the spirituality of T/owr conversation ; where the heavenly fervour of your testi- mony for the Lord ? Ca^ ye not be more animated on every other topic than the Jove of God ? Do ye not dwell with greater spirit on any other subject than the grace of God ? O! search and look, then, whether the Spirit of Jesus be with- in you or no. Are your words such, as indicate the utterance which the Spirit gives ? Is your language, your whole conversation, such, as speaks the dwelling of the Holy Ghost within you. O! search and look, for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is noneof His.f We have considered the miraculous effusion of the Spirit, only as it repre- sents to us His ordinary operations. But there is one effect of His e:;traordinary influences, worthy of being briefly no- *Jer. XX. 9. tRom. viii. 9. LECTURE III. T3 <9ced, as being the most important to ns in the present day. This is-His lending the Apostles into all truth, and bringing all things to their remembrance, whatso- ever Jesus had said unto them.* The importance of this to us is, that it assures us, that not one word of the whole truth necessary to salvation, is deficient in those writings which they penned, under His guidance : and that there is not one word they penned, at all affecting salva- tion, which is not the truth of God Him- self. With what reverence, then, with what confidence, with what affeotioa should we regard the precious book of God ! It isthecharter of the Christian's liberty; the title-deed of that inheritance which is reserved in heaven for him.f And, remember ! it is also the register of con- demnation against the impenitent and un- believing, the flying n.ilt of curses against •John xiv. 26 n Peter i. 4. JZech. v. 1—S. H ^♦fS**-aj« u LECTURE in. fl those who have not fled to Jesus as a refuge from the wrath to come. O ! then, how should we prize it, Brethren ; with what diligence, with what devotion should we meditate thereon! It is a message from God to us ! O ! with what reverence, with what affection should we receive it ! It is a message of reconciliation to us who had rebelled ,?gainst Him ! O ! with what earnestness, with what eagerness should we embrace it! It is a message, sealed with the blood of Jesus, attested by the Holy Spirit ! O ! with what con- fidence should we rely on it, with what love and thankfulness should we hug it to our hearts ! O ! may the Lord make it precious to us, and fruitful to His own glory, in our salvation, for the sake of Jesus. His dear Son, our Lord. 15 LECTURE IV. ACTS, 2. W— 86. And thev werk all AMAaE» aic» to*.b„ OTHERn MOCKING SAID, ThKSE MEN ARE FULT n«: ^Ew WINK. But Peter. STANnmc! u^ with th^ ELEVEN, LIFTED XTP „,s VOICE,AND SAID uJto ^HEM Ye MEr OK JUDJEA. AND ALL YE THAT DWEL^ f^ Jerusalem, be this known unto you In^h J^Ant ^X TO MV WORDS : rOR THESE ARE N;t D. U ^KEn" AS YE SUPPOSE, SEEING IT IS BUT THE THIRD Wnrr^ Z^ .J"^"^^^ °^^^^* ' A^^ O^ MY SERVANTS AND ON MV HAND-MAIDENS I WILL POUR OuJ IN THOSE DAV, or MY SpiRit; AND THEY SHALL PROPHK aI; , i ' "^''^'^ «HEW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE AND S.ar.S IN THE EARTH BENEATH ; BLOOD, Tno 76 I ECTiriu: IV. J if II i KIRE, ANT) VAJ>OtrR OF HMOKE TUKJVKl) INTO DARKNESS. A THE SVN SMALufBR HKFORE THAT CiREAT A ,ANn THE MOON INTO BLOOD I.ORI) COME : AND IT 8UALL CO ND NOTABLE DAY OK THE AVHOHOKVER SHALL TALL .SHALL HE SAVED. Yk MEN OF IsHAKI ME TO I'ASH, THAT ON THE NAME OF THE LoR HEAR THEl D ^yoRDs ; Jesus o. Nazareth, a man approvIu of <.0.>AMON» VOUDV MIRACLES AND WONDERS AND «niNH, WHICH (JOD DID BY HIM IN THE MIDST OF YOU AS YE YOURSELVES ALSO KNOW: HIM, UEINODELl' VERED IIYTHK DETERMINATE COUNSEL AND FORE KNOWLEDGE OF GoD. YE HAVE TAKEN, AND .^y" WICKED HANDS HAVE CRUCIFIED AND SLAI^ : VVHOAl <.OD HATH RAISED UP, HAVING LOOSED THE PA,n"oF i.kath: becaus:; ,t was not PossiBLE that he SHOULD BE HOLDEN OF IT. FoH David .PEAKETH rONCERNING HIM, I FORESAW THE LoRD ALWAYS BKFOKK MY FACE. FOR HE IS ON MY RIGHT iT^Nn THAT I SHOULD NOT PE MOVED; THEREFORE DID MY HEART REJOICE, AND MY TONGUE WAS GLAD ; MORE OVER ALSO MY FLESH SHALL REST IN HOPE : BECAU8F THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY HOUL IN HELL, NErilOR WILT THOU SUFFER THINE IIoLY One TO SEE CORRUP- TION. iHOU HAST MADE KNOWN TOME THE WAYS OF life; THOU SHALT MAKE ME FULL OF JOY WITH THY COUNTENANCE. Men AND BRETHREN. LET ME FREELY SPEAK UNTO YOU OF THE PATRIARCH I)AV:r, THAT HE IS BOTH I,EAD AND BURIED AND HIS SEPULCHRE IS WITH US UNTO THIS DAY. ThfRF FORE BEING A PROPHET. AND KNOWING THAT Con HAD SWORN WITH AN OATH TO HIM, THAT OF THE FRUIT OF HIS LOINS, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH HE WOULD RAISE UP ChRIST TO SIT ON HIS THr'onk HK, ^rsiNO THIS BEFORE, SPAKE OF THE RESURRFC- TioN OF Christ, that his soul was not left in HELL, neither HIS FLESH DID SEE CORRUPTION IHIS JESUS HATH GoD RAISED UP, WHEREOF WE Alt' ARE WITNESSES. THEREFORE, BEING BY THE RIGHT HAND OF God exalted, AND HAVING RECEIVED OF THE Father the promise of the Holy Ghost »r HATH SHED FORTH THIS, WHICH VE NOW SEe'aND HEAR. I 6^ W' . .iJ^ <^. A V f» <^ ^p i/l 80 tECTURE IV. i I i> i I they enquire one of another, What mean- eth this ? And, surely, we would again have supposed, that mahce the most in- veterate, and the most provoked, would have heen unable any longer to stand out against evidence so complete, so wonder- ful, of the design and blessing gf the Lord upon that plan of salvation, which they called heresy;*' and that the most obsti- nate prejudices must have yielded to so miraculous an attestation of the power of God attending and dwelling in that meek and lowly Being, whose every word was heavenly, whose every action was divine. Yet we find them, with a perse- verance in malice, which almost terrifies us, and makes us ashamed of our race * V'ith an obstinacy, which was determined to resist conviction, even of a truth which a voice from heaven itself attested, mock- •Acts xxiv. 14. LECTURE IV. 8f ing, and saying. These men are full oF new wine ! But we see^ in their conduct, apicture^ not only of man's depravity in the ab- stract, but, more particularly, of the na- tural enmity of the heart to spirituat things. As, in the days of Cain and- Abel, the child of the world persecuted the child of God-/ as, in the days of Abraham and his children^ he that wa» born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit;! so was it in the days of the Apostles, that the mirac- ulous operations of ihe Holy Ghost— so is it now, that the ordinary influences of His grace upon the converted soul, are the subjects of the world's ridicule and mockery, and readily ascribed to folly, to fanaticism, to craft, or to hypocrisy, though the evidence of their reality bo manifest in the change of language, the. *1 John, iii. is, tGal. iv. 29. S2 1.KCTURK IV. rharige of principles, the change of con- duct. And O ! how sadly fatal is this weapon of the enemy, in the destruction of many a rising desire of separation from the world, and of living to God. How many, that have courage enough to go to the faggot or the stake, if necessary, have not enough to hear the jihe of mockery ! How many, that, for the world's honour, have hraved the cannon's mouth, hav« yet quailed, and shrunk away from the shaft of ridicule, though the honour that Cometh from God only isat stake ! How many can make themselves ridiculous in folly, and singular in vice, can bear the world's frown upon their courses, can dare the laws of man, and face the wrath of God, who yet tremble at the very idea of being laughed at for the singular desire of glorifying God, and having their souls saved ! Perhaps I now address some, who are weary of the ways of the world. LECTURE IV. sa and of sin, and anxious to live morewor- tliiiy of the groat end of their existence— - perhaps some, who have even set out upon an attempt to live more to GoD,who have yet been unable to stand the sneer of their companions, and have quailed before the taunting charge of setting up to be something better than their neigh- bours. O ! think, my friends, how ins- jiortant is the matter which is at stT 'e ! Will ye be content to lose a crown of glory for the fear of being laughed at ? And are ye willing to give up your hope of heaven, because others think it folly to be so anxious about it ? O ! remember, that ye stand or fall to your own Master ; and that, far from being justified by being afraid of setting yourselves up above your neighbours, ye are expressly charged not to follow a multitude to do evil,* and com- manded to forsake the dearest relationships *Ex. xxiii. 2. 84 LECTURE IV. HH i of life, father, mother, brother, sistef, wife, or children, rather than give up the following of Jesus.* The Lord knoweth whereof ye are made ; He remembereth that, ye are but dust 5! He pitieth your weakness, and hath compassion on your frailty; but He does not therefore promise you that He will consider it as nothing, and forgive it,but has promised you help to overcome it. He hath laid help upon one that is mighty ;{ yea ! He will not plead against you by His great power, but He will put strength in you.§ O ! then, when y<5 feel this weakness; O ! ye that have felt this weakness, and sunk under it ; O! seek ye the help of the Lord's Spirit; call on Him, and ye shall not be confound- ed ; but O ! remember. Brethren, that whosoever, having put his hand to the plough, looketh back, is unfit for the king- dom of GoD.JI •Luke xiv. 26. fPs. ciii. 14. JPs. Ixxxix. 19. §Job xxin. 6. ||Luke ix. 62. LECTURE IV. 85 sistef, up the loweth bereth ii your I your 'omise •thing, lelp to »n one plead utHe when t have er it; pirit; 3und- that > the king. 19. The taunting charge, thus brought upoa the disciples, gave an occasion to Peter, who was now as forward in acting, as ho had formerly been in professing, to state to the assembled multitude the nature of that wondrous event, on which they were thus commenting. He explains to them, that it was the accomplishment of a prophecy contained in their own Scrip- tures, and to which they professed respect. Having thus gained their attention, he draws them to a consideration of that wondrous Being, whose disciple he was, and explains to them, how all that had be- fallen Him had been foreknown and fore- determined in the counsel of God. He appeals to the knowledge of his hearers, for the truth of the extraordinary charac- ter which Jesus had sustained, while living, and going about doing good, and healing them that were oppressed of the devil 5* he boldly brings home to them- *Acts X. S8. 1 r 86 LECTURE IV. selves the guilt of having taken, and, by wicked hands, crucified and slain one, who was so evidently approved of God among them 5 and, lastly, declares upon the testimony of his own eye-sight, and that of the disciples who were with him, that this same Jesus had been raised from the dead. That this resurrection was also in accordance with* the predeter- minate counsel of the Lord, he proves by quoting the words uttered by David* at least a thousand years before, which, they were well aware, could not apply toDavid himself, as he had long since been dead and buried, and had seen corruption; but which were spoken by him as a prophet, in reference to Him, who, being David's Son, waj also David's Lord. He, who had thus prophesied of His resurrection, had also predicted His ascension into the heavens, to sit there at the Lord's •Ps.XTi. 8^11,&cx. 1. LECTURE IV. 87 tight hand, till He should make His foes His footstool. This ascension, he and his fellow disciples had also witnessed 5 and the miracle, which now called forth their wonder, was the accomplishment of that prediction, that having ascended up on high. He received gifts for men,* even the gift, which by the mouth of Joel, had been promised.! What testimony, then, he demands, can be further needed ? This Jesus, whom His life hath proved to be more than man— whom death had no power over—whom the grave ^ould not detain— who has ascended up into the heavens, and is sitting at the right hand of God— this Jesus had shed forth this which ye now. see and hear. Let then the whole house of Israel know assured- ly, that God hath made this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. *Ps. Ixviii. 18. tJoel ii. 28—83. S8 LECTURE IV. This sermon of St. Peter's, which was attended by the most wonderful effects, with which the preaching of the word of the truth of the Gospel was ever blessed, presents to us several things, as wortliy of being noticed. And, in the first place, we may well remark the spirit in which the Apostle spoke-the spirit of boldness and of meek- ness together, which ever after character- ized him, as they are also still united in the true followers of the Lamb. As we have remarked, there had before been abundance of profession, but none of the practice of a real courage, in adhering to the Saviour. He who had declared, that tho' he should die with the Saviour, he wouldneverdenyHim,hadyetshrunkfrom the inquiry of a maid servant, and, even with oaths and curses,denied that he even knew who Jesus was.* But now, he is *Matt. xxvi. 35, 74. LECTURE IV. 89 icii was effects, t'ord of ►lessed, worthy ly well V.postle ' meek- racter- itcd ill As we 3 been of the ring to d, that iiTy he kfrom even e even he is not afraid to charge the multitude who heard him, to their faces, with being the murderers of the Prince of Life. And yet, how different was the exercise of this true Christian courage, from his for- mer conduct, either in profession or in practice. The spirit, which the contra- diction of sinners had called forth, was a desire of calling down fire from heaven to consume them.* Yea, Peter himself had been the first to draw his sword in a mo- ment of danger, and smite the servant of the High Priest.f Yet now, behold his meekness ! He treats the taunting charge of drunkenness, with a serious and calm consideration ; and though he knew it was only urged in mockery, yet did he meekly repel it, by appealing to the hour at which they were assembled— an hour at which no devout Jew had eaten or drunken any thing— the hour of morning prayer which *Luko ix. 54. fJohn xviil 10. 12 Ilf i m It ■jiii < 90 LKCTURE IV. they attended fasting. Tlic spirit which he thus displayed, in strong evidence of the change vvhicli had taken place within hnn, lie urges upon })is converts after- wards, as an evidence of their salvation also. Be ready, saitli he, always to give an answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and tear : having a good con- science, that whereas ihey speak evil againstyou as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.*' Oh ! that there were more of this spirit abroad now, among those who profess to be followers of those, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises;! more of the spirit which Peter thus inculcated, and which he thus displayed ! It is not alone in public controversial discussions, in which railing is so often mistaken for reasonings *1 Peter, iii. 15, 16. fHeb. vi. 12. LECTURE m : which iiicc of within ! after- Ivation to give you a , with I con- k evil lay be ' good : there now, owers ience, spirit ivhi^h ne in ivhicli ming^ and personal recriniination is brought in to supply the doficioncies of unsound ar- gument, that the spirit of St. Peter is thus absent. But, oven in the common inter- course of life, how little do we witness of that readiness to explain even wilful misconstructions, and of that meekness and gentleness in replying, ^ven to the most wanton insinuations, which not the conduct ofPeter only, but the whoir pre- cept and practice of the Gospel enjoin. May we not hoar even professing Chris- tians declaring, that the impudence or malice of some neighbour is more than they will bear ; and persuading themselves that there is some point, after which meek- ness becomes meanness, and gentleness savors of servility ? But, may we not ask, what point they iix upon in the Sa- viour's life, as the utmost bound cf meek- ness 5 or what limit they find in the conduct of the Apostles, when gifted with 92 LECTURE IV. theSpsritj after which endurance becomes meanness ? The Christian must not let his good be evil spoken of;* but how may he prevent it ? Not surely by such an exhibition of temper, as his enemy de- lighteth to provoke, and the greater enemy, the roaring Lion, exults in beholding: but by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and by shaming those that speak evil of him by the heavenliness of his conversation. But O ! if Christian love were shed abroad among all who bear the Christian name, or profess to be living upon the Christian's hcpe ; if Christians now walked in love as Christ loved them, how little would cautions such as these be needed. O ! if we would bring all our tempers, and our feelings to the test of that blessed pattern which Christ Jesus left us 5 and if we would only, in the re- membrunce of His constant presence^ •Rom. xiv. 16. LECTURE IV. 93 becomes \ not let mt how •y such my de- enemy, siding : less of t speak of his m love ear the living 'istians I them, these ng all e test Jesus ii8 re- sence^ consider how our conduct in any circum- stances is tending to the edification of His body, and to the preparation of our souls for X\\Q enjoyment of that home of love, eternal in the heavens, to which we pro- fess to be looking forward, sureJv our conduct would come back more nearly to that primitive standard, which called forth even from a heathen the exclamation, See how these Christians love one ano- ther! But let us observe one or two points in St. Peter's discourse itself There is one thing in it most striking, most encou- raging, most consoHng; which is, the prevaiUng efficacy of the prayer of faith. The passage which he quotes from the prophet Joel, concludes with a declara- tion concerning the last days, which St. Paul also dwells upon in his writings to his converts,* that whosoever shall call upon * Rom. X. IS. 94 LECTURE ir. MAt ;m the name of the Lord shall be saved. There is a name, a blessed name, beside which there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved,* and that name, that blessed name of Jesus, through faith in that name, can make the vilest, clean 5 the poorest, rich ; the weakest, strong. And such is the blessed effect promised by the Lord to ALL that shall in earnest call upon that name. Yet remember, Brethren, that it is the promise of the Lord which gives to prayer its efficacy, and that it is through a lively faith in that promise, that the de- sired blessing is imparted. Prayer, con- sidered in itself,hasno intrinsic efficacy— - no merit—no claim to favour ; it is only from the promise of the Lord that it de- rives its power. He knoweth what things we need before we askrf and knowing them, he has promised them to all that I *Acts iv. U. t Matt. vi. 8. k There ! which lieaven an be I name le, can rich ; is the )rd to »n that that it ives to rough le de- j con- acy— . s only it de- hings •wing Ithat LECTURE IV. 95 do ask,; be then that, believing the Lord, asketh, receiveth, not because he prays, but because the Lord has promised. That many shall call upon the name of the Lord, who yet shall not be saved, our Saviour himseJf declares : for many shall come to Him. saying. Lord, Lord, open to us ! to whom He shall say, I know you not, depart from me.* But why ? Because they seek Him not by faith! Because they believe not, and trust not to His promise only, but to the power of their own petitions, or to the influence of something which they endeavour to bring in their hands to Him. The word of God then does not fail ; but whosoever shall ca^! on the name of the Lord, in a simple, but complete dependance upon the promised efficacy of that name, shall be saved ! O blessed promise! Strange, that it? simplicity should cause so many •Matt. xxY. 11, 12, 93 LECTURE IV. to Stumble over it, and fall! Let us look inio ourselves, Brethren, and examine ourselves in the light of God's command- ments, and, the Spirit being our helper, we shall soon see enough to make us fly from ourselves, and glad to cling to that name, in which alone is full and free sal- vation. But is there no danger of our bein«" deceived in trusting to *hat name ? Is there nothing to fear with regard to its ef- ficacy ? What is ii that gives it such amazing power ? It is because it is the name of God ; it is that this man- through whom is preached unto you the forgive- ness of sins,* is also God op Gods, and Lord of Lords. This we find proved to ws by the Apostle's declaration of the reason, why the pains of death, in which Jesus lay, were loosed, even because it was not possible that He should be holden ♦A-cts xiii. 38. LECTURE IV. 9t tfit. Why was it not possible ? If He were the highest created being it is pos- sible to imagine, and, still more, if He were a mere man, there could have been no impossibility in the way of His being held by the bands of death. He that cre- ated can, if He pleases, annihilate the highest of His creatures ; there is no life in them, but what they derive from the will and pleasure of Jehovah. But in Jesus there dwelt the fulness of the God- head bodily,* and therefore it was that He could not be detained by death. He laid down His Iife,ashehad power to do in accomplishment of His wondrous pur- pose of redemption; He took again the life He had laid down, as He had in himself power, not only to lay down His life, but also to take it again.f There can be no truth in the whole compass of Christian doctrine, more important th^.o this, which •Cfll. ii. ». K tJohn X. 18. ■■ 98 LECTURE IV. the Apostle thus proves— the full divinity of Christ. It is the chief front of that cor- ner-stone, on which the religion of the Gospel rests— the very basis, the founda- tion itself, of the whole Christian system. Man had sinned, and, without a full and perfect atonement for his sins, Divine Justice never could look favourably upon him again. To satisfy justice by an such atonement, was the object for which Christ came. But what creature can atone for another? Hath the highest archangel, who rejoices in the Lord's presence, any thing independent of God — any thing which he does not owe to God? Nay, surely not ! All that the creature is— all that he has-all that he does, belongs, of right, to God, and to God he is respon- sible for it all. He can have nothing then to make over to another — no righte- ousness which he can give as a covering to another's sins. No creature can atone LECTURE IV, 99 for sin! If Jei^us were a creature, He could have made no atonement for sin! If He made no atonement, Divine Justice still has an unsatisfied claim against us for ten thousand talents, of which we have not one penny to pay! And, if God be true, justice must have its demand, and death, with all its horrors, must be our portion! But, blessed be God ! He hath made this same Jesus, whom our sins have crucified, both Lord and Christ. He hath suffered for sins : and as He was man. He bore the sins which man com- mitted, and suffered the consequences of sin for man; as He was God, tiie atone- ment which He made was infinitcj and, by one offering, He has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.* *^ This Jesus, whom ye have crucified. ' ^ Who ? the Jews only : nay ! but ye, rily Brethren, ye whom I now address, as •Heb. X. 14. 100 LECTURE IV much as those whom Peter was address-, mg. If He died for you, ye crucified Kim. If He bore your sins in His body on the tree, it was your sins, that crowned His brow with thorns— your sins that pierced His precious hands and feet, and lifted Him in agony upon the tree. O ! what then must your sins have been, O ! what must sin be, since nothing but the blood of God himself, could make atonement for it! Brethren? do ye feel the guilt of your transgressions, and have ye fled beneath the burden, to the dying, bleeding Jesus? In Him is plenteous re- demption--in Him is full salvation— in Him is abundant righteousness. But out of Him there is no righteousness for the transgressor, no salvation for the lost— beside Him there is no Saviour. O ! then behold Him, Brethren, crucified /or you! O! look upon the love which bor.(B such sufferings without a murmur for LECTURE IV; lat your sins» And can ye love the sins, which so tormented Him ? Can ye, for the present pleasures of transgression, re- ject such love as His ? O! by Hi» agony and bloody sweatjdoes He appeal to you— by His cross and passion, He intreats you— by His precious death and burial. He implores you, to go and sin nomore; by His glorious resurrection and ascen- sion, and by the gift of the Holy Spirit, He asijures you of His power, and His willingness to save you all from sin, and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified.* May His own Spirit now press His appeals tayour hearts, and make His word the power of God unto your salvation, for the sake of the ab un- dant sacrifice of the blood of Jesus! • Acts XX. 32. K % 102 LECTURE V. ACTS, 2. 37 40. IN THEIR HEART, AND SAID UNTO PetER AND TO THC HK8T OF THE APOSTLES. MeN AND BRETHREN WHAT IVJ^rlL'V ''""" ^"""" ^aiduntoThemTrk" PBNT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE WAME OF Jesus Christ for the remt««t;°t ^^ AND TF BUirr » '"" ^"*' KEMISSIorj OF SINB; Ghost F^» Receive the gift of the Holy ir^rNris^^H^EYo^rouT^rsLr :::- ^r^ ^R^T r.:L7r.^ -°-« - HE^-T^Tir ^nd^I?, wirD'oENirAT^r "°""^^^^^^ ^«°- --— I At the early period of the Gospel Church, described to us in that narrative LECTURE V. 103 which we have made the subject of tho present lectures, we are enabled at once to trace the difference between the ordi- nary, and the peculiar operations of the Holy Spirit. Our Saviour, a short time before He suffered, and in one of those last conversations with His disciples, m which He strove to explain to them, most fully, the nature of His kingdom, and to arm them for the trials which. He foresaw, were coming upon them, had declared that, when the Spirit should come, He should reprove, or convince the world of sin.* And with this His ordinary influ-^ ence. He appears to have attended that more miraculous operation, by which the Apostles were enabled to speak witli^ tongues and magnify God, on the very first occasion on which that power wa» displayed. For when Peter, in the ex- ercise of his miraculous gift, had set be^ • John xri. 8^ 104 LECTURE \r. ■m $ iti fore ail tlio people the wonderful works ofGoD-when lie had simply exhibited, mail His fulness, the wondrous character of a crucified, a risen, and ascended Sa- viour, and announced the precious truth, that God had made the same Jesus, whom they had crucified, both Lord and Christ, we find that they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the disciples, Men and Brethren, what shall we do ? That there was no power in the parti- cular words which Peter utfered, at al» sufficient of itself to produce this effect, ig evident. How often have the same words been sounded in the eare of sinners, from his day to the present, and yet have been but as the noise of sounding brass, or the tinkling cymbal,* as far as regards any impression made upon their hearts! How often have the same truths, which he held LflCTUttE V. 105 out, been urged upon the minds and con- sciences of sinners, according as the Lord gave to every man* the words ia which to utter them, and yet been power- less in awakening the slumbers of the sinful, in arousing the careless, in quick- ening the dead ! How often, my Breth- ren, hath Christ Jesus been set forth among youf— how often hath His love in dying for you been presssed upon your affections — how often have your sins^ which slew Him, been urged upon your consciences for their conviction—how of- ten hath the power of God, which raised Him from the dead, been pointed out to you, as the only means of quickening youv souls unto righteousness of life|— and yet without effect, leaving you still as care- less, as worldly, as much the enemies of God as ever ! Surely, it was the present power and operation of the Holy Spirit, n Cor. iii.S. tGal. iii. 1. JEph. i. 19, 20, & ii. 4~S. f 106 LECTURE V. i'V't km mm which alone give efficacy to the words which Peter uttered.' Surely it is only the same power-that wind which bloweth where it listeth-which now can give the word of truth its influence in pulJing down thestrongholds*ofsin,and establishing the reign of Christ within the heart! How many read their Bibles-how many hear the preached word, whose hearts are evi- tiently yet untouched by the truth, whose souls are yet unconvinced of sin, yet un- enlightened, yet unchanged .' And why ? Because the co-operation of the Holy Spirit is not earnestly and duly sought • becapsc His aid is not relied on. His bles- sed influence not duly cultivated and courted. Without that influence, the very page of inspiration itself is but as the face of a sun-dial, while the sun is beclouded ; we may trace the marks, may gaze upon the characters ; but we can gain • 2 Cor. X. 4. LECTUBE V. 107 words s only oweth ve the down igthe How hear e evi- ^hose t un- %? Holy >Ies- and the as ti is nay ain no information, and receive no profit, be- cause the spiritual things therein contain- ed are spiritually discerned.* Without the Spirit's influence, the sound of the preacher's word will be but as the notes of an instrument of music: they may, at the time of their utterance, excite by their animation, or lull by their softness, or impress by their earnestness ^ but the ef- feet is but transient— the impression passes off, as the sounds die away ; for nothing but the Spirit can eifectualjy touch the heart, or feed the soul with the true consolations of the Gospel. But at the same time we may ga- ther from the event before us, the na- ture of that preaching of the Gospel, on which alone the Spirit's blessing can be expected to rest. We hear the Apostle simply dwelling upon facts, and proving their correspondence with the prophecies •1 Cor. ii. H. }08 LECTURE V. / Of God's word; we find him simply set- ting forth Christ Jesus crucified among them, dehvered for their offences and raised again for their justification *; and this truth, apphed by the Spirit, drove the arrows of conviction deep into their souls. This was the preaching, which the great Apostle of the Gentiles afterwards found so successful. He preached Christ crucified ; he determined to know nothing among those whom He addressed, but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.f And this is the only preaching, which, however unsatisfactory to itching ears, however unpalateabie to the pride of human intel- lect, can expect the accompanying teach^ ing of the Holy Spirit now. It were not difficult, my Brethren, to address you with theemicing wordsof man's wisdom, to amuse your minds with efforts of the imagination, or to engage your sympa- •nom.ir.25. U COt. i. «$. k n,i. LECTURE V. 108 thies with sketches of woe; but from, these we could not expect the demonstra- tion of the Spirit and of power* to break forth-these we could not, consistently with the Divine promise, expect to be fruitful to that one end, at which alone the Minister of Christ should aim, the conversion of your souls. When man begins to think that the simple exhibition of the truth as it is in Jesus is likely to be distasteful, and aims at making it more palafeable, by clothing it in the garb of man's wisdom, or decking it in the flowers of poetic imagery, even thoOgh his hope may be thus to gain attention to unpleasing truths-does he not forget, that the work is the Lord's-does he^not set up his judgment against the plan,which theLord has devised, of making the foolish things of the world confound the wise,% and aim at improving, by human art, the •ICor. ii. * tlCor. i. 27. no LECTURE V. wondrous message, which is itself the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.* The preaching of the cross always has been, and always will be, foolishness unto them that pe- rish, but unto the saved, it is the power of GoD.f When the manifestation of the truth had commended itself to the consciences of those who heard it, by pricking their hearts with conviction of their sinfulness. It brought them in humility to Peter and his fellow-disciples with the enquiry, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? We perceive in such their conduct one of the first evidences, that the convictions which had been produced were in effect the work of the Spirit. They had already made them so far like little children, that they came in a humble and teachable spirit, to learn of the Lord by His minis- •Rora. i. 16. tl Cor. i. 18. \ LECTURE V. Ill ters, the way of Salvation. A few mo- ments before, their enquiry among them- selves had been, Are not these men thi speak, Galileai.^ 1 This enquiry did not express merely their astonishment, at hearing the natives of one country dis- course in the languages of so many others, but indicated also a contempt for them. " Are not they men proverbially ignorant, and so notoriously illiterate, that it is a common saying, Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet ? * This is a strange thing in- deed which has happened to them, but can they teach us ?" Now behold them hum- bly asking of them, what they must do- glad to call them brethren, and to wait upon their lips for instruction in the great mystery of redemption. Behold them, now that the word of God has come home with power to their hearts, casting away their pride and self-complacency, and •John vii. 52. lie tECTtIRE V. meekl;. asking to be taught their dutj by these very men, whom they had before 5lespised. O ? what sight can be more delightfuJ, what sound more cheering to »he heart, in which the love of Christ has been shed abroad by the Holy Spirit, than such as is here displayed! Is there joy 5n heaven over one sinner that repenteth— * and can there fail to be joy on earth also, in the hearts of those who have themselves tasted how gracious the Lord is,t at wit- nessing a proud sinner humbled and alarm- ed, and hearing from his lips the anxious inquiry, What shall I do ? Truly here the Saviour sees the travail of His soul and is satisfied ;| and here the Saviour's servant, who loves the honour of his Lord, will find delight and satisfaction, when he sees the purpose of his Lord's sufferings beginnmg to be answered, and contemplates the rising of that glorious 'LMkexY.lO. nPeterii.3. JPs. ]viii. 11. LECTURE V. 113 work in the sinner's soul, for which the Saviour bled and died. Let us observe how that work proceeds. We have seen, in the case of those whom the Apostles addressed, what a large amount of personal prejudice against the Apostlesj as Galileans, and of opposition to the truth they delivered, was surmount- ed by the gentle teaching of the Holy Spirit. So is it now. The worldly heart is, in general, no less prejudiced against the person of him who tells the sinner of his sins, than it is against the doctrine he delivers. This St. Paul ex- perienced, being counted as an enemy be- cause he told the truth.* And this has been the experience of many succes- sors of St. Paul, from his day to the pre- sent, who have heard, from those that were convinced of the truth, the confes- sion, that their most affectionate warnings • Gal. iv. 16. "" J 11% lU LECTUAB V. bad been construed into peeviA threats— their most earnest intreaties into enthusi- asm—their plainest instructions into dog- matism. But behold the really con- vinced sinner, and you find him glad to liail as a brother, and to intreat instruc- tion in the way of salvation from, him whom he had before disliked and despised, principally for that very simplicity, and earnestness, and zeal, and self-devotion, in which he now perceives the witness of the Spirit. You will find the truly awa- kened soul willing to sit at the feet of the humblest disciple of the Saviour, and ea- ger to learn, from the lowliest imitator of Jesus, that secret of the Lord, which is with them that fear Him.* Thus is one symptom of the pride of the heart subdued— one feature of a cor- rupt nature altered and improved. But the change is principally apparent in the *P«. XXivr. U, LECTUEE V. 115 renunciation of every former confidence^ the distrust of self, and the simple but earnest inquiry of the Lord, Lord! what wilt thou have me to do. St. Peter's au- dience consisted principally of moral per- isons — of persons, who, according to their light, were religious — of persons, who had almost all come great distances, to attend the worship of the Lord. Their natural reflections upon themselves, would have been : " We are no great sinners — we worship the Goi> of Israel— we are no extortioners, no knaves ; no adulterers — we fast — we give tythes— we have come all this distance, in compliance with the Lord's command, to worship at the stated feasts." And such are the natural re- flections of the yet unconverted heart of man in the present day. We are no disso- lutes, no profligates, no drunkards— may a large portion, it may be hoped, of most communities now say— we worshipGoD 116 UiCTURE V. we believe in Christ-we observe 12T others. Who then now can doubt their titU to the same promises, their interest in the same grace ? Our believing a promise is a satisfactory evidence of its being meant for us. We need look for no other. Let us but believe the promise, and we shall not only have, but give the best evidence of our interest in it, by our conduct in living upon it. Mourning soul! what can your case be,, which the promise of Jesus cannot meet? Are you a sinner 1 For such Christ Jesus died.* Are you the very chief of sinners, having crucified Christ Jesus afresh, and put Him to open shame ?t Even to save such, Christ Je- sus came into the world. Yea, He is able to save all, to the uttermost, that come unto God by Him ;t and him that cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out. Whosoever believeth in Him — and *UQh. li. 6. tHeb. vii. 35. t JoiiQ vi. 87. m 128 ijamjRE V. that sorely may include you--shalI not pe- rish, but have everlasting life.* O ! precious Gospel ! which has thus a balm for every wound — a cordial for every fear ! How shall wepraiseGoD for it— O! what shall we render to Him for it, and all His benefits? O ! let us receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.f And whosoever calleth on that Qame, shall not be confounded. **J6hliiii. 1$, t Pfl. cx^i. 1^, 13, 1:29' LECTURE Vr. ACTS, %. 41. TaiN THer that oladlt bxckiteo his word wchs- BAPTIZED : AND THE SAME DAT THERE WERE ADDED ■ UNTO THEM ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS. AnO THET CONTINUED STEDFA8TLY IN THE AfOSTLES' DOCTRINE AND FEI^LOWSHIP, AND IN BREAKING Of BREAD, AND IN PRAYERS. And FEAR CAME UPON" EVERT SOUIi : AND MANT WONDERS AND SIGNS WBRS DONE BT THE ApOSTLES. And ALL THAT BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, AND HAD ALL THJN68 COMMON ; AND SOLD THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS, AND PARTED THEM TO ALL MEN, AS EVERT MAN HAD NEED. And THET, CONTINUING DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD IN TH« TEMPLE, AMD BREAKING BREAD FROM HQUSE TO HOUSE, DID EAT THEIR MEAT WITH GLADNESS AND SINGLENESS OP HEART, PRAISING GOD, AND UAVINQ FAVOUR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE. AnD THE LoRD ADD-. ED TO THE CHUACU OAILT lUCH A9 SOOULO BH. fATEO. 1:10 i^rcTirRr. vi. WiiKN llin nwalicmvl lirftrnru ofSt. IV tor, on tin; day of lV?iilfjco«(, had hdun iii- BtiMintcMl hy hiiii in \\\v mvvHmiry iwUlmi- CON of tho wiiKTiify ol' dial Horrow, by which their hcarls wito prickrd at tho CfiiiHith^ratioii of a rnici(i(} baptized. Wd may rorni «oiiie cotioeption of the crowd, which tho niiracnlous outpouring of the Hpirit had caHed to^^ether, when we percoivo that the portion of that crowd, which bfjlievod Peter speaking the things concerning Jesus Christ, and bchcving wore baptiz- ed, amounted to three thousand souls. To thoso fJio Apostles words wore the savor of life unto life 5 but to how many more they wore the savor of doatli unto death,* wo are not informed. But in all probability, it was with them as it had •2 Cor. ii. le. Ijr^TUIir. Vf. 131 Dvor bof^ii boforn, mid an it \mn ovor boon nirina. Wbilo Uin fniw, cornpnrnfivuly, miionM] in tit tbn ntrni< gatc^, find rorn^ irioncod tboir walk in tbo tiarruw rond, wbir.b Imidoth to oti^rnnl life, l\w uuiuy pursiHlod ill tlivir prulbrofiooor lb(3Hiiiootii- or putb, nnd broador gati), wbicb udrniiiod thoin with all tboir IuhIh, with all tiioir inic|uity, with all tlioir prido and Hoir-Hiif- ficionry, and lod tbc^m, in a J4. I3f Cecture vr. much need there is of constant and u„- >vavcring prayer for your brethren, your kinsmen according to the flesh,* and all among whom your lot is cast, that the Lord's Spirit may enlighten their under- standings, convince their hearts, and bring them to the knowledge of the same Savi- our, whom ye have found precious. To a Christian mind, seriously considering the n.atter, there cannot be a sadder sub- ject of contemplation, nor a worthier theme for intercessory prayer, than the condition of the multitude in nominally Christian, no less than in heathen com- munities, who are unenlightened and un- converted. And yet it may be feared, that It IS not in reality made so much the sub- ject of earnest and importunate petition as It should be. The great concern of each individual is, indeed, the salvation of his own soul. But one of the first sign. •Rom. ix. 5. LttTTlTRE Vf. 135 lyf Iho soul being in a s(ate of salvation, i« found in the love of the souls of others. And in no way can that love of their souls manifest itself with so good hope and pro- mise of eflcct, as in ardent and earn- est prayer for them. We may reason with them— may aim at speaking to them in season, and out of season,* a word of exhortation, of caution, of admonition or instruction; but all must be in vain— at least we have no promise but that it will be in vain— unless it be spoken in a spirit of prayer-unless the Lord's blessing has been earnestly besought to bring it home to the heart. The very remembrance that salvation is all of grace— that it is from the free grace of God that the holy desire proceeds, as well as the just work, should convince us of this. Now it is a solemn consideration. Brethren, but it is *2 Tim. IV. Z. N 134» LECTURE VL no less a true one, that a portion of the sins of all those who die unconverted, more especially if they be of our own kindred, lies at our door, if their condi- tion has not been frequently and faithful- ly remembered before God in prayer— if we have not earnestly besought for them that grace, by which their understandings should be enlightened, their hearts con- vinced, their souls converted. But to return from their case to that of the persons under consideration. When the sower went forth to sow his seed, some fell by the way-side; as the word now falleth upon the ears, but scarcely even makes an impression on the under- standing, still less on the heart, of those that hear. Such were probably some of those who were assembled round St. Pe- ter, who came around him— a^ many per- sons go to church— because others were coming, but took no thought what was LECTURE VI. 135 proceeding. Some fell on stony places. It reached the understanding, but made no entrance into the soft bed of the heart — it roused no affections, engaged no love — and it could therefore stand no test of dis- ^ipleship, nor could bear up against any probabilities of trial, or persecution. Some fell among thorns. It got into the soul, and convinced it of its truth — even as the Pharisees, and mockers, could not resist the reasoning of the Apostles, and were probably convinced that they said what was true, but their pride, their pre- judice, their ambition, their anger, choked conviction, and left them more barren than ever. But some fell among good ground, and sprang up, and brought forth fruit*. Such was the ground on which the word fell, when it brought these three thousand convinced sinners to the Apos- tle, and produced in them the fruit which •Matt. xiii. 3—8. 136 LECTURE YI. IS here recorded. They gladly received the word, and were baptized ; and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doc- trine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The conversion of these three thousand was sudden. But in this account of them we see, that it was not the less real. How willingly, in the first place, do we seethera take on them the token ofdis- cipleship-take up their cross to follow Jesus. By being baptized they did so most efiectually. They came forward publicly to avow their faith in Him, to express their deep sense for their past sins, and to bind themselves by a perpet, ' -oal covenant unto the Lord. They came forward to declare that they buried all their former dependances, renounced all their former hopes, abhorred their former refuges of lies : and that they betook themselves to the name of Jesus as a strong LECTURE VI. 137 tower^ in which they were safe^, and put on His righteousness only, as their only ground of acceptance, their only hope, their only salvation. But this was but the profession of their feith 5 and though, under these circum- stances, it was some eyidence, yet not a complete one, of the conversion of their hearts. But the next verse, taking a ra- pid view of their after conduct, gives us the full evidence of the completeness of the change in declaring that they continued stedfastly in the Apostles^ doctrine — the doctrine of an all-sufficient atonement for sins, and the necessary operations of the Holy Spirit to sanctify the soul ; they continued in fellowship with them, and with one another — manifesting in their mutual love and tenderftess, the genuine spirit of the Gospel which is love ; they continued in breaking of bread — thus con- stantly remembering the sufferings of Je- •Prov. xviii. 10, N 2 13S lECTURE VI. aus, and renewing their covenanted inters est in His salvation; and they persevered in prayer— the elementofaconverted soul, without which it can no more live, than the body can exist without air-without which it can no more be happy, than a djing creature could enjoy the pleasures and follies of life. There is a difference between those whom the Apostle addressed, and those whom we address at the present day ; but It is a difference principally of name, not of nature-of outward circumstances,. ' not of the inward heart. They addressed, for the first time, persons who had not before heard of the Saviour, or at least had professed no faith in Him. We ad- dress in the present day those who are called by the name of Christ ; those who profess to be followers of Him; those who have by baptism been outwardly jomed to Him. But we address persons, LECTURE VI. 139 as they did, by nature dead in trespasses and sins* ; and the evidence afforded by a mere difference in outward profession — by being partakers of a new and more per- fect covenant than that in which the Jews were interested, is far from being suffici- ent testimony of that change in nature — ' that new life unto righteousness, without which none can enter heaven. The par- ticulars necessary to complete the evi- dence of the conversion of the heart from sin to God, and the raising of the soul from death to life, are the same now as they were then. First among them, we find a glad reception of the vvord of God.^ The heart savingly awakened by the grace of God, and led to cry out in earnest. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do, proves the sincerity of the cry, by gladly and hearti- ly following where it finds the word of God direct. Here we may see the differ- •Eph. ii. U 140 LECTURE VI. ence between the mere convictions of na- tural conscience, and those produced by! the Holy Spirit. The soul of the sinnei< is sometimes aroused to much apparent earnestness about its state, while it still shrinks from the burden of the cross. It iinds the vanity of earthly things, but i« not so. in love with heavenly, as to be wil- ling to cut off the right hand, or to pluck out the right eye for the sake of them. But it is not so with the heart in whicl* the Holy Spirit is at work, That heart seeks the way of the commandment in order that it may walk in it*— not that it may calculate the proportions between the difficulties of the race and the glory of the crown-but that it may at once run in the way of the Lord's statutes, and give itself wholly to the Lord's glory. It will find it necessary to give up many formerly cherished pleasures, to renounce LECTURE VI. Ui •t ■ r'. many practices, perhaps to give up manj friendships^in which the soul formerly de- lighted ; but so far from regretting chis, it feels it to be a privilege that it has any thing to surrender, or that it finds any thing to do, by which the Lord's glory may be manifested, by which His loving- kindness may be acknowledged.— Nor is this in the truly awakened soul, a mere burst of excitement, a mere rapture of en- thasiasm. But, like the Apostles' hearers, he will continue stedfastly in the Apos- tles'doctrine, and in the fellowship of be- lievers. Doubtless his conduct will, in many cases, be called enthusiasm; for such is an easy term to reproach an earn- estness and zeal which shames our own coldness and inactivity ; but he will not the less constantly and consistently walk in the way of the Lord's precepts, as his delight and joy. Believing that salvation is freely and unconditionally given him of 142 LECTURE Vt God, he is led by that belief to a steady perseverance in endeavours to glorify the grace of God by a fruitful conformity to the image of His Son. His regard for truth even in the minutest particulars of daily mtercourse-his horror of falsehood, however sanctioned by the forms and courtesies of life-his simplicity and godly s'ncerity of conduct, always aiming at the one point, the glory of GoD-his pre- ference of the company and pursuits of those that have set out to Zion with their faces thitherward*-his restraint of his evil tempers-his humility of soul-his pati- ence under in^ury-his steady adherence to the ordmances ofgrace-his delight in the Lord's House, His Word, His Sabbaths, His Sacraments, and finally,crowning all these his perseverence in prayer, his de- light and unwearied earnestness in lifting "P his soul to GoD~these are things by •Jer. 1. 5. LECTURE VI. 143 which the genuineness of the chanire which has taken place is tried, by which the reality of the convictions under which the soul cried out may be ap- proved. We say not, that a truly converted per- son never fails in keeping up this evidence of his acceptance with God. Alas ! far from it! Too often doth the weakness of the flesh,the frailty of the nature, wrought upon by the malice ofthe wicked one, cause the believer in Jesus to fall from this per- severing and consistent conduct — too of- ten doth he so grieve the Spirit, as to pro- voke God to hide from him His glorious face, or to leave him for a time to the dullnes and deadness of mere profession without the practice of holiness . But the converted soul cannot be satisfied so ; having once fed in heavenly pastures, it cannot long be content in the earthly in- dulgences, or carnal practices of the pre- I<4 LSECTURE VI. Bent sinful state. He is no true convert who satisfies himself in the willing prac- tice of disobedience to any one, the mi- nutest of the Lord's commands. Now can there possibly, my Brethren, be a question of more direct and personal importance to each of us, than this, whe- ther we are converted or not? Nay! sure- ly all our hopes of happiness in this life, surely all our expectations of happiness in the life to come, hang upon the decision of that question. Dead in trespasses and sins, lying under the curse of God, at enmity with Him, we cannot have any true happiness here ; and except we be converted, we cannot enter heaven here- . after*. To assist you in the decision of this point, my Brethren, have I dwelt upon the conduct of some of the first con- verts of the Gospel. O! appl^ the mea- : «ure to yourselves. Brethren, compare •Matt, xviii. S. • tCCWRE VI. 1^ 'yourselves with this rule! Have ye re* "ceived with gladness the tidings of salva- tion, simply by faith in a crucified Redeenrk- er, andjWith equal joy, heard of the cross, the self-denial, atd holiness of heart and life, by which the believers in Jesus must be known? Is it your delight to meditate in the law of God day and night* — your sweetest pleasure to dwell upon His pre- cepts, and to have respect unto His ways?t Is your real enjoyment found in the com- pany and conversation, the fellowship and doctrine of the Lord's people — of the humblest and Inost despised, it may be^ but still simple and decided followers of the Lamb ? And is it your joy above all joys to continue in the breaking of bread^ in the public ordinances of religion, and in prayer — pouring out the sighings of a "con- trite heart — pleading the faithfulness of the promises— -and, as accepted children, com- *Ps. i. 3. o tPs.crix. 15. 146 USCTURE VI. municating all your hopes and fears, your difficulties and your trials, your temptar tions and your troubles, to the bosom of your Heavenly Father ? O ! be candid with yourselves, Brethren, for if is an- ewering a miserable purpose, to cry Peace, Peace, when there isno peace;*— be can- did with yourselves in the examination of your characters, for if none but the con- verted cw enter into heaven, it is time ye ascertained what title ye have to that king- dom! From the consideration of those cha- racteristics of the early Church, which are universal in the force of their exam- ple, and must be considered as equally the marks of the convertedin every age, we proceed to the view of some particu- lars about them, which, it is evident, can- not so universally apply. They that be- lieved were together, and had all things •Jer. vi. 14. LECTURE VI. 147 common ; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men as eve- ry man had need. Should their practice be now urged upon all who profess the name of Jesus, how completely would it tend to the dismemberment and confusion of the whole system of society. But tho' we should see this effect as the plain- est possible consequence of such a sycitem^ we should not be justified in allowing our f<^ars of such an issue to interfere with our obedience to a plain and positive com^ mand of Christ. Let us lay it down, my Brethren, as a universal rule, that wher- ever we see a plain precept of the Savi- Qjur, it i$ pur duty to act upon it, and to leave the event to Croi>» We are not res- ponsible for events, which flow front a sim- ple and spiritual obedience to the com- mand of Christ. But we do not see that the beUevers,in the early Church,had any positive command for such community of 148 LECTURE \l goods, but that it was a voluntary act, in- duced by the necessities of the poor among them, and proceeding from the universalprinciple of loving their brethren even as they loved themselves. But while this particular exercise of Christian Jove may be considered as local, and pe- culiar to the time and circumstances, the spirit which actuated them is of uni- versal application, and should be of uni- versal influence. Among those, at least, who profess to be Christians not in name only, but in deed and in truth, such a spirit may be expected—nay, is demanded j as an evidence of sincerity. For what sense can he have of the love of God, in not even sparing His own Son for hi& sake, who esteems any thing he may have too dear to be surrendered for the Lord's glory— who presumes to spend upon him- self, for the feeding of his own pride, in-^ diilging his own appetite, or gratifying hi«„ LECTUi^ Vli-T i4Sh own ambition^ what might be employed^j to the glory of the Lord, and the benefit of his fellow-ijien ? It may be feared, my Brethren, tl^ the standard of profes- siqg Christians in this respect comes far below, that of Christ and His Apostles ! There is little of that love for Christ, which Christ shewed for sinners— little of that love of our brethren, which is the surest evidence of the love of God*. O ! that His Spirit would so shed abroad His love in our hearts, that,being animated and quickened by the Spirit, we might shew our love of Him by a Christian love ofone^ another. O ! that there were more rea- diness for self-sacrifice, more alacrity of self-devotion, more diligence in self-de^ nalj — that the Gospel were planted, not in our heads, but in our hearts, that so from a consistent and holy walk, the glo- ry of the Lord might be gatheredjand th«i *lJohniv. 31, O 2 ISO LlCffUltE Vfr Itedy of Christ built up in holiness, cemcrit* ed by love ! . How solemn is the obligation to such consistency of conduct in pro- fessing Christians, drawn from the account here given us of its^ effect in these early days. Not only did it promote the glad- ness of heart of the disciples themselves, but procured for them also favour with all the people. The most ignorant per- son is capable in judging,in some degree, of the consistency between profession and' practice. Now if they perceive an entire va- riance between these, and see professing Christians as proud, as covetous, as pas- sionate, as selfish, as those who make no profession-can we wonder at their setting down the whole thing as hypocrisy, and shutting their ears and their hearts against? invitations to a condition of such incon- sistency, such sin? Think then how many hardened hearts—how many seared UeTUltE ▼!. 151 ctmsctenccs^-how many obstinate trai»- gressions, lie at the inconsistent profes- sor's door. O ! think how many reasons of how many kinds there are, why th« Christian should so let his light shine be- fore men^that they, seeing his good works,^^ may glorify his Father which is in hea- ven* Brethren, is this your character ? is this, think you, the effect, which your conduct and conversation have on those around you ? Are ye thus leading sin- ners to heaven by the holiness of your walk? O! Brethren, whatsoever things are true — whatsoever things are honest — whatsoever things are just — whatsoever things are pure — whatsoever things are lovely — whatsoever things are of good report — if there be any virtue, or if there^ be any praise — think on these things, me- ditate on these things, do these things, and the God of love and peace shall be- with you.f *Matt T. 16. fPhil. ir, 8,9. im. LEOTUR&VI. With this lecture,, my Brethren, thigi. series closes for the present. Whether it,^ shall bt^the will of Go© to permit me ever to resume them,is known toHim alone;^ on His will must it depend, and good is His will. If those, which have been de- livered, have been,i« the minutest degree, profitable to any one soul, my aim will have been abundantly answered, and to the Lord's name I desire to ascribe the glory. The ensuing week is set apart for the most solemn contemplations which can engage the attention of an immortal soul-the contemplation of the last agonies of a dying Saviour. O ! may the Lord's Spirit bring us here with hearts prepared to dwell upon the wondrous themeV May He give us such a sense of individual and personal interest in these sufferings, that in looking upon them, we may see the charter of our own salvation,and behold in them the seal of that inheritance, which i& LECTURE TI. 15* laid up for all that are saved. The Lord add these daily to His Church, accom-*. plish the number of His elect, and hasten His kingdom, for His abundant mercy's, sake, in Christ Jesus. %