they were all filled with the Holy Ghost †. Not that we find any vifible Appearance here, fuch as had been in the former Inftance: Nor are we informed, that the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost, were then given to all or any of them: Such as the Gifts of Healing, of working other Miracles, of Prophecy, of difcerning Spirits ; the fpeaking with divers Kinds of Tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues *. 3. Whether thefe Gifts of the Holy Ghoft were defigned to remain in the Church throughout all Ages: And whether or no they will be restored at the nearer Approach of the Reftitution of all Things: Are Questions which it is not needful to decide. But it is needful to observe this, That even in the Infancy of the Church, GOD divided them with a sparing Hand. Were all even then Prophets? Were all Workers of Miracles? Had all the Gifts of Healing? Did all speak with Tongues? No. In nowife. Perhaps not one in a Thousand. Probably, none but the Teachers in the Church, and only fome of them §. It was therefore for a more excellent Purpofe than this, that they were all filled with the Holy Ghoft. 4. It was, to give them (what none can deny to be effential to all Chriftians in all Ages) I Cor. xii. 9, 10. + Aas ii. 23. Ages) the Mind which was in Christ, those holy Fruits of the Spirit, which whofoever hath not, is none of His: To fill them with Love, Joy, Peace, Long-fuffering, Gentleness, Goodness: To endue them with Faith, (perhaps it might be rendered, Fidelity) with Meeknefs and Temperance: To enable them to crucify the Flesh with its Affections and Lufts, its Paffions and Defires : And in confequence of that inward Change, to fulfil all outward Righteousness, to walk as Chrift alfo walked, in the + Work of Faith, the Patience of Hope, the Labour of Love. 5. Without bufying ourselves then in curious needlefs Enquiries, touching those extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit; let us take a nearer View of thefe his ordinary Fruits, which we are affured will remain throughout all Ages: Of that great Work of God among the Children of Men, which we are used to exprefs by one Word, Chriftianity: Not as it implies a Set of Opinions, a System of Doctrines, but as it refers to Mens Hearts and Lives. And this Chritianity it may be useful to confider, under three diftinct Views. II. As fpreading from one to another. III. As covering the Earth. I defign to clofe thefe Confiderations with a plain practical Application. I. And first, let us confider Christianity in its Rife, as beginning to exift in Indivi duals. Suppofe then one of those who heard the Apoftle Peter preaching Repentance and Remillion of Sins, was pricked to the Heart, was convinced of Sin, repented, and then believed in Jefus. By this Faith of the Operation of GOD, which was the very Subftance or Subfiftence of Things hoped for, the demonftrative Evidence of invisible Things, he inftantly received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby he now cried Abba, Father +! Now firft it was that he could call Jefus Lord, by the Holy Ghost*, the Spirit itself bearing witnefs with his Spirit that he was a Child of GOD §. Now it was that he could truly say, I live not, but Chrift liveth in me; and the Life which I now live in the Flesh, I live by Faith in the Son of GOD, who loved me and gave himself for me 2. This 1 Cor. xii. 3. Gl. ii. 20. α * 2. This then was the very Effence of h's Faith, a divine λelxos of the Love of God the Father, through the Son of his Love, to him a Sinner, now accepted in the Beloved. And being juftified by Faith, he had Peace with God, yea the Peace of GOD ruling in his Heart: A Peace, which paffing all UnderStanding (Tárla vey, all barely rational Conception) kept his Heart and Mind from all Doubt and Fear, through the Knowledge of bim in whom he had believed. He could not therefore be afraid of any evil Tidings; for his Heart Stood fast believing in the Lord. He feared not what Man could do unto him, knowing the very Hairs of his Head were all numbered. He feared not all the Powers of Darknefs, whom GOD was daily bruifing under his Feet. Leaft of all was he afraid to die; nay, he defired to depart and be with Chrift; who through Death bad deftroyed him that bad the Power of Death, even the Devil; and delivered them who thro' Fear of Death, were all their Lifetime, till then, fubject to Bondage. 3. His Soul therefore magnified the Lord, and his Spirit rejoiced in GOD in his Saviour. He rejoiced in him with Joy unspeakable, who bad reconciled him to God even the Father: * Evidence or Conviction. + Rom. v. 1. Phil. i. 23. Heb. ii. 15. In In whom be bad Redemption through his Blood, the Forgiveness of Sins. He rejoiced in that Witness of God's Spirit with his Spirit, that he was a Ghild of GOD: And more abundantly, in Hope of the Glory of GOD, in Hope of the glorious Image of GOD, the full Renewal of his Soul in Righteousness and true Holiness, and in Hope of that Crown of Glory, that Inheritance incorruptible, undefied, and that fadeth not a way. 4. The Love of GOD was also shed abroad in bis Heart, by the Holy Ghost which was gi*ven unto him*. Because he was a Son, GOD bad fent forth the Spirit of his Son into his Heart, crying Abba, Father +! And that filial Love of GOD was continually increased by the Witness he had in himself ‡, of GOD's pardoning Love to him, by bebolding what Manner of Love it was, which the Father had beftowed upon him, that he should be called a Child of GOD. So that GOD was the Defire of his Eyes and the Joy of his Heart! His Portion in Time and in Eternity! in Word 5. He that thus loved GOD, could not but love his Brother alfo; and not only, but in Deed and in Truth. " If GOD, faid ↑ John v. 10. |