ther upon them, and that they should be endued with power from on high.

The promise of his Father, designs the promise of the Holy Ghost, mentioned in the Old Testament repeatedly.. Isa. lix. 21. The Lord Jehovah here promises Christ as Mediator, in these words: "My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for. ever." See John xiv. 16, 17. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

On the day of pentecost this promise was fulfilled. Acts ii. "And when the day of pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." The effects were astonishing. Wondrous things were done by the ministry of the apostles, and great indeed was the success of the gospel. They were now endued with power from on high, that is, from heaven; and hence their enemies could not resist the wisdom and power by which they spake.

From that day to this, the Holy Ghost has at different times wrought wonders by the gospel, in the hands of those whom the Lord hath sent forth to preach it to the world.

In the first age the apostles had a power to work miracles, and by them to confirm their own authority to preach, and the doctrines they deliv ered. With this power they went forth, in the name of Jesus.

In the words of an animated French preacher, I will close this part of the subject.

"Imagine these venerable men addressing their adversaries on the day of the Christian pentecost in this language: Ye refuse to believe us on our depositions; five hundred of us ye think are enthusiasts; or perhaps ye think us impostors, or take us for madmen. But bring out your sick, present your demoniacs, fetch hither your dead; let all nations send us some of their inhabitants: we will restore hearing to the deaf, and sight to the blind; we will make the lame to walk; we will cast out devils, and raise the dead. We publicans, we illiterate men, we tent-makers, we fishermen, we will discourse with all the people of the world in their own languages. We will explain prophecies, develop the most sublime mysteries, teach you notions of God, precepts for the conduct of life, plans of morality and religion, more extensive, more sublime and advantageous, than those of your priests and philosophers, yea, than those of Moses himself. We will do more still; we will communicate those gifts to you."

* Saurin's Sermons, Vol. II. Ser. viii.

All these things they were enabled to do, after they were endued with power from on high, i. e. after the descent of the Holy Ghost. Even their enemies confessed it, though they could not account for their extraordinary and miraculous power.

The following reflections must close the subject.

1. Christ's resurrection from the dead, and ascension to glory, has explained many of the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which before were enveloped in great darkness. The doctrine of the resurrection, which but glimmered in the writings of Moses and the prophets, now shone with an irresistible effulgence. Christ had risen, and become the first fruits of them that slept. The gates of death were henceforth unbarred to the believer.

Christ's visible ascension to heaven, was also a most consoling proof to the disciples, that he was gone to appear in the presence of God for them: that he would never abandon his cause, nor his faithful followers; but that he would employ his all-prevalent advocacy for them, when seated at his Father's right hand.

2. The success of the gospel, at every period, is the effect of what Christ promised should take place after his ascension, i. e. the gift of the Holy Ghost. This promise was remarkably fulfilled on the day of pentecost. What incontestable proof was here exhibited, that Jesus had entered into "heaven itself;" and, "being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the gift of the Holy Ghost, he shed forth that which they then saw and heard." The same

divine influence succeeds the preaching of the gospel, and makes it effectual to the conversion of sinners, in the day in which we live. This influence will be continued, till the plan of grace is accomplished, and all Christ's ransomed people · are gathered in.

3. We hence learn, that when our understandings are opened to understand the scriptures; to see the exact agreement between type and antitype, between prophecies and events; to see them all pointing to Jesus, and centering in him; our hearts grow warm, and glow with sacred love. When he condescends to talk with us by the way, or to meet us in his ordinances, like the disciples of old, we worship him, and return with great joy. He is now gone to prepare a place for us, and has said, "I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am there ye may be also, to behold my glory." Then shall we meet in his temple above, and be continually employed in praising and blessing God, forever and ever. Amen.

FINIS.