Christy till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of tlie stature of the fulness of Christ." And is this benefit confined to the apostolic age ? If we have not Prophets and Apostles, have we not pastors and teachers ? And if we see not thousands converted at a time, do we not still see the Church augmented and edified in the midst of us ? Yes : we have the same doctrines preached to us as were delivered in the days of old, and the same blessed effects produced by them : and it becomes us to be duly sensible of this mercy, and to bless our God for it from our inmost souls.]
2. The gift of his Spirit —
[This, you know, was the immediate consequence of our Lord's ascension : he poured out his Spirit both on his disciples and on his enemies, on the day of Pentecost ; for the instruction of the one, and the conversion of the other. And though we no longer have the Holy Spirit in his miraculous powers, have we not still his enlightening, sanctifying, and comforting energies experienced amongst us? Many, 1 trust, who are here present, can attest, that the Spirit still accompanies the word, and makes it " sharper than any two-edged sword," and effectual for the ends for which God, in his tender mercy, has sent it^. Even where it has not yet wrought for the conversion of the soul, it has, in ten thousand instances, striven with us, to bring us to repentance. Perhaps, amongst us all, there is not one who has not felt his motions within him, and heard his gracious whispers, saying, " Repent, and turn unto thy God." For this, then, we have also reason to adore our God : for, next to the gift of God's only dear Son to die for us, is the gift of his Holy Spirit to dwell in us, and to impart unto us all the blessings of salvation.]
. 3. The knowledge of his Son —
[This has God richly imparted to our souls. Say, Brethren, has not " the Lord Jesus Christ been evidently set forth crucified amongst you ? " You yourselves will bear us witness, that from the very beginning of our ministry we " determined to know nothing amongst you save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The dignity of his person, the nature of his work, the suitable- ness of his offices, the freeness and fulness of his salvation, have been ever exhibited to your view, in order that you might believe in him, and, " believing, might have life tlu'ough his name." This knowledge, in St. Paul's estimation, infinitely exceeded every other ; yea, in comparison of it he regarded " all other things as dross and dung." Yet is this bestowed on you, in all its clearest evidence, and in all its sanctifying and saving operations.]
t Isai.lv. 10, 11.