The accomplishment, however, of this prophecy has long since commenced, however distant its completion may be. In a certain sense, all the ancient saints and servants of God, all even prior to the coming of Christ, were evidences of its truth: they were taught by the Holy Spirit to understand the things of God, and, under his conduct, were brought to glory. The apostles and primitive disciples were also the subjects of this Divine teaching, when the Saviour breathed on them, saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." But the first grand accomplishment of this prophecy, was on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost descended from heaven in cloven tongues as of fire, and sat upon his servants, and enabled them to speak with tongues, and to proclaim salvation through their risen Lord; and when he graciously condescended to apply his word to the hearts of the assembled multitudes, so that there were on that day added to the church three thousand souls. How completely were the Apostles then made acquainted with the nature of Christ's kingdom, and how cordially were they led to acquiesce, and delight in his will! A few days before, the very mention of his sufferings induced them to exclaim, "That be far from thee, Lord; this shall not be done unto thee." The very intimation of his departure filled their hearts with sorrow; and when they met together, after his resurrection, the inquiry was, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom unto Israel?" But from the period we now contemplate, all such ideas vanished from their mind ;they go forth.to labour and to suffer, to preach a crucified Redeemer; to testify of his love, his power, his all-sufficiency; to invite others to come unto him; to take cheerfully the loss of all things here, and to look forwards to a future, a heavenly inheritance, as their reward. We contemplate the accomplishment of this prophecy, also, in the case of the immense multitudes who in a very short period were converted to the faith of Christ. Behold the persons to whom the Apostles preached--ignorant and bigoted Jews; philosophical and licentious Gentiles. To the one, the cross of Christ was a stumbling block; to the other, foolishness. Yet these very persons, in numerous instances, no sooner heard of the faith of Christ, than they were pricked to the heart; inquired what they must do to be saved; renounced dependence on every other hope; believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; confessed him before men; and continued in his holy faith and fear unto their dying hour. The human instruction which these persons received, be it remembered, was very small. Truths which were of the most novel description, and contrary to all their former prejudices, and all their preconceived ideas, were presented to their minds by a poor traveller, carrying his little all of worldly goods as a burden; whose bodily presence was weak, and speech said to be contemptible, and who systematically avoided wisdom of words and arts of eloquence; who continued with them only a few days, or weeks; instructing during one part of his time, and labouring with his own hands for his support during the other, and then departing to another place. Yet under such scanty means, the churches grew and were edified, and "walking in the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were established." How shall we account for such proficiency under such inadequate means, but by contemplating it as the acomplishment of the prediction in my text? We trust also, my brethren, that this prophecy is accomplishing amongst ourselves. Though favoured with the word and ordinances of God, with outward dedication and And whence was it, my brethren, that ideas and feelings of this nature arose in your minds? You will tell me, perhaps, it was under such and such a sermon; in attending to such and such a preacher, by read. ing this or that book, while exercised with some peculiar trial or are affliction. Or you will say, you know not how it is: you have been gradually led into such views, you have not found the pleasure you used to find in your accustomed pursuits, and at length your mind has taken this turn. And a blessed turn it is for you, for all who experience it: but in every case it is, it must be regarded, as a merciful accomplishment of this prediction. We rejoice to hear such language and such complaints. We thankful that God has not left his word without witness amongst us: but to Him, to Him be all the glory.-"Neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth, but God, that giveth the increase." And painful as the struggle and the conflict must be to you, we rejoice in the evidence that the Holy Spirit is carrying on his work among us;→→ for every such instance is in its measure a fulfilment of the gracious declaration, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall reprove (or convince the world of sin, of righte ousness, and of judgment.". He is now convincing you of sin; shewing you your lost and perishing condition; making you feel your need of a better righteousness than your own; impressing upon you the solemities of a future judgment; and in due season he will take of the things of Christ, and shew them unto you, and enable you to experience the blessed consequence, that "great is the peace of his children." III.The consequent effect: "Great shall be the peace of thy children." Peace," ," said our Lord to his disciples, "I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give 1 unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid." The first result, how ever, of the Saviour's removal was far contrary to peace. The minds, of the disciples were filled with sorrow, perplexity, and anguish ; nor was it until after the resurrection, nor indeed until after the day of Pentecost, that they entered fully into the enjoyment of that peace which the Saviour had bequeathed. Then indeed they saw the spiritual nature of his kingdom-then they witnessed the power and efficacy of his grace they were filled with joy and peace in believing, and their doubts and perplexities on various points appear to have vanished for ever. So, also, those who, under the influence and teaching of the same Holy Spirit, were led to attend to the Apostles' preaching were, we are told, pricked to the heart, and, under deep concern and distress of mind, compelled to inquire, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? What must we do to be saved?" Nor was it until this inquiry had been satisfactorily answered; until they had been directed to the Saviour, and enabled by faith to lay hold upon him; that they found peace and joy in believing. But in both cases the result was the same. Alarmed at the discovery of the disease, they anxiously inquired for the remedy. That remedy they gladly received and cordially embraced, and experienced its blessed and salutary effects. To them the Sun of Righteousness arose with healing in his wings. And such, my brethren, is the case amongst ourselves; the commencement of a work of grace in the soul is usually accompanied with anxious and perplexing inquiries, with deep convictions and alarming fears. God indeed sees fit to work in various ways; but this is his usual way of proceeding; while ignorance of this usual pro cedure, and erroneous ideas of Gospel peace, and of the manner in which it is communicated, often exceedingly increase the distress of the sincere inquirer. But as the work of grace proceeds, the effect of the Divine teaching becomes manifest; peace is communicated to the conscience through the atoning blood; and the man learns, by his own blessed experience, that great is the peace of the children of God. This peace may be described by various particulars: it is usually seen, in the first instance, in the entire deliverance which its possessor acquires from the doubts and anxieties he had perhaps long been disturbed with concerning the way of salvation: the effects of early prejudice, of erroneous instruction, have led him to resist the light: there has been an attempt to establish his own righteousness, or to mingle his merit with that of the Saviour; an unwillingness to be saved as a sinner, by grace alone: but now he discovers this is the way, he receives it as a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; that we are account, ed righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through faith, and not for our own works and deservings. This now becomes a settled principle. This, he says, is truth; there is salvation in no other way; on this and on this alone I rest my hopes: whether I have now an interest in Christ, I know not; but this I am convinced is the only way of salvation. This full satisfaction as to the way of salvation, is in due season followed by a consoling assurance that the individual is actually interested therein. The believer discovers not only in general, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; but in particular, that he is interested in his merits. The Holy Spirit takes of the things of Christ, and shews them to the soul. He enlightens the understanding to perceive the fulness, and freeness, and security of the promises, to discover that having come to God through Christ as a sinner, renouncing every other hope, and pleading the Saviour's merits, he is now become interested in that covenant which is ordered in all things and sure, that the promises of that covenant belong to him, and that since that covenant is confirmed by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, he may have strong consolation, having fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before him. This peace gradually and progressively increases. Under the Divine teaching, in the use of the appointed means, his views enlarge; he not only sees the way of salvation, not only discovers that he is interested in that salvation, and that, being justified by faith, he has peace with God; but a spirit of composure, of resignation, springs up in his mind. All events, says he, are in the hands of my heavenly Father; he doeth what pleaseth him "in the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth;" he hath so loved me as to give "his only begotten Son" to die that I might live. And he that "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want:" he is my Father, why should ï fear? I have an "Advocate with the Father," an "ever-living Intercessor," an "abiding High Priest, who is able to keep that which I have committed unto him. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble: therefore we will not fear." "Great peace have they," says the Psalmist, "that love thy law:" it may be disturbed-it may be assaulted, interrupted, suspended-but still it is great peace, great as contrasted with the utmost tranquillity which the world can bestow; great as relating to the most important and lasting concerns, concerns in comparison of which the affairs of empires are trifling; great as the purchase of the Redeemer's death, and as the fruit of his Spirit; great as continually increasing and enabling the believer to maintain a calm composure while flesh and heart shall faint. We might indeed embrace a somewhat different view of the subject, and enlarge on the blessedness of those times when the prediction of the text shall be completely accomplished. Oh! how great shall be the peace of God's people, when all shall be taught of the Lord, when the remnant of the Jews shall be recovered and the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in. Then Satan shall be bound for 1000 years and no more disturb the nations; then there shall be no more war; then Ephraim shall no more vex Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim; then all divisions and contentions shall cease; then indeed shall be glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will amongst men. Surely, my brethren, if such be the blessed effects which shall result, it becomes us earnestly to pray for the approach of that glorious time, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done as in heaven so also in earth;-thatGod's name may be universally honoured and reverenced, and that all the ends of the world may bow in submission to him. But for this purpose the Spirit must be poured out from on high. We need a large, an abundant supply; we need ministers and missionaries and labourers of every description; and how shall they be raised up or qualified, or sent forth, or owned in their labours, but by the influence and inspiration of this blessed Spirit. Ye that fear the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, until he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Let your prayers, your supplications and intercessions, continually arise before the Throne of Grace, that the Holy Spirit may be abundantly communicated, that a double portion may rest on your souls and on the souls of others. In the way, too, of God's ordinances wait for the fulfilment of his promises. Were the Apostles and Elders, all with one accord in one place, when the blessing we this day commemorate was communicated? O let us then still meet together; and while Jesus says, Do this in remembrance of me,let us together approach his table, renew the dedication of ourselves to his service, receive the tokens of his dying love, seek afresh the healing, strengthening, and con soling influences of his grace; and while waiting upon while waiting upon him may the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole body, soul, and spirit, may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, T. W. August 1.-Our blessed reconciled God, in Christ Jesus, has in mercy been pleased to permit me, who am but dust and ashes, to continue to this day! and also, to be in better health, and more free from pain, than any time the last two years. Blessed and for ever praised be his Holy Name! "Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but to Thee be all the praise." O Lord Jesus Christ, " open my understanding," enable me to see how vile I am ; and "that it is of thy mercy I am not consumed." Nov. 22.-Since the 5th of this month, being seventeen days, the first appearance of winter, my health has visibly declined, my hereditary complaint, the cough, has taken more deep root and is very afflicting; and this day the rheumatism has attacked my whole frame. May my merciful God grant me patience and fortitude to endure whatever correction he knows is necessary for me. The Holy Ghost, in his word, declares, "The Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies; for he doth not afflict willingly, or grieve the children of men."- Lam. iii., 31, 33. March 12, 1822.-"To the Lord AGED DISCIPLE. our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him," &c. "It is of the Lord's mercies I am not consumed, because his compassions fail not,' &c. Through the mercy of my God I have been permitted to continue on this earth to the end of 77 years, and on this day to commence the 78th. This is seven years beyond the appointed period of man's life; consequently so many years of special grace: it, therefore, greatly concerns me to examine my own heart and conduct, especially during these last days of God's forbearance and mercy to a poor vile unworthy sinner. When I consider the heavens the work of Jehovah, and what a fearful thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God, I am sometimes afraid, because I am vile, I am a man of unclean lips, and have dwelt amongst a people of unclean lips. I should verily have fainted, had it not been for thy blessed word, wherein are so many great and precious promises as so many anchors to the soul. O Lord, increase my faith, my hope, and trust in thee; and enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, to devote the remainder of my short existence to thy honour and glory, the good of my fellow-sinners, and the salvation of my immortal soul, through Jesus Christ, my blessed Redeemer and Advocate. Amen. July 16.-Blessed be God, I am as yet upon praying ground! The last evening I was sorely afflicted, and would gladly have given all I had in the world for a short interval of ease. Alas! I was once deprived |