1. For the obtaining of this benefit by a more serious work of
288 SERMONS UPON ACTS II. 37, 38. [SeR. VIL
faith and repentance, for the washing away of sin : 1 Cor. vi. 11, ' And such were some of you ; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.'
2. For the further sense, continuance, and increase of it, even to the rejoicing of faith : Heb. vi. 18, ' That we may have strong consoki- tion ; ' Acts viii. 39, ' And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more ; and he went on his way rejoicing.' Hath God apphed to me liis covenant, talien me into his family, planted me into the mysti- cal body of Christ ; and shall not we be glad, and rejoice in his sal- vation ?
3. For comfort in all our afilictions, perplexities, doubts, and fears. Luther telleth us that all his answer to the devil tempting him to despair was, Ecce ego baptizatus sum, et credo in Christum — I am baptized into the belief of the christian faith. We must expect to be tempted. The devil tempted Christ after his baptism to question his filiation : Mat. iv. 6, * If thou be the Son of God,' &c. So in outward troubles, Dionysia comforted Majoricus her son, an African martyr, with this. Memento fili, te in nomine Patris, &c. — Eemember, son, that thou wast baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. So in temptations to sin : Luther speaketh of a holy virgin, who, when tempted to sin, replied, Baptizata sum — I am baptized. A christian hath but this one answer, I am dedicated to God to obtain [)ardon and life.
Use 3. To condemn —
1. The careless, who never look after the remission of sins so solemnly sealed in baptism, and those saving graces which may evidence their title thereunto : 1 Peter i. 3, ' Blessed be God, who hath begotten us to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.'
2. The profane, that live directly contrary to their baptismal engage- ment. To be worse than our words to men is bad enough ; but to forfeit our words to God, to list ourselves into his service, and then to turn deserters and fight against him, is grand apostasy. To be made christians by baptism, and then to live like heathens, is a sin which will be attended with a severe doom.
SERMON VIL
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. — Acts ii. 38.
This chapter giveth an account of the'pouring out of the Spirit, accord- ing to promise, presently after Christ's ascension. As soon as he was warm in the mediatorial throne, he was mindful of the church, and shed abroad his Spirit for the gathering and increasing thereof by the gospel. As soon as the Spirit was poured out, the apostles were enabled to speak in various languages, to the astonishment and wonder of the hearers.
VeR. 38.] SERMONS UPON ACTS II. 37, 38. 289
This was for tlie glory of God, and the confirmation and authoris- ing them as messengers. At tlie sight of this miracle, some wonder, others mock, as if this speaking with divers tongues had been a confused jabbering that proceeded from the fumesof wine rather than the operation of the Holy Ghost. To satisfy both, Peter declareth the effect and intent of the miracle, proving Jesus Christ, Avhom they had slain, to be Lord and Christ. When they heard this, many of the most obstinate among them were pricked in their hearts, and relented. A happy sermon it was that Peter preached ; for it brought in thousands of souls to Christ ; the first handsel of the power of the Spirit and success of the gospel. It is good to observe what course they took for ease and relief after this pieicing and brokenness of heart : ' They said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do ? ' This is the usual question of men under sound and pressing convictions. To their serious question Peter maketli a seasonable answer, of which the text is a part. It is the part of a good physician not only to discover the disease, but also to prescribe a remedy ; especially should spiritual physicians be tender of broken-hearted sinners, willing and ready to give them counsel. In Peter's direction and counsel to them observe —
1. What he persuadeth them to do.
2. By what motive and argument. We have seen already what they must do. Now what they shall receive : 'And ye shall receive the gift of tlie Holy Ghost.' There are twofold gifts of the Spirit — common or saving. The common were either miraculous or ordinary. The miraculous and extraordinary were those gifts of tongues, and pro- I)hecy, and healing, which, in the primitive times, were poured out upon the churcli. The common are such gifts as are still vouchsafed.
Now the question is, which of those gifts are intended in the pro- mise, the extraordinary gifts, Avhich were so rife in those times, or the gifts of the Spirit, which are necessary to salvation.