by sending out missionaries also to instruct both Jews and Gentiles, and by instilling into the rising generation the know- ledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. These efforts are altogether unprecedented, both in respect of energy and extent : and, whilst they shew that God is with his people to call forth their exertions, they are a pledge to them that their labours shall not be in vain.
The actual commencement of a tvork of grace in many places, where nothing but darkness reigned till of late, justifies a hope that we already see the dawn of approaching day, and experience somewhat of the drops that precede the shower0.]
Application —
1. Let us look forward with holy earnestness to this blessed time —
[Did Abraham feel such delight in the prospect of our Saviour's first advent ! and shall not we, with similar emotions, look forward to the period when he shall come in his glory, and establish his kingdom over the face of the whole earth?
Even in heaven is this a ground of joy p ; and much
more should it be to us, who hope, "in a very little while," to participate in all the blessings which he is coming to bestow.]
2. Let us pray to God to hasten this long-wished- for day —
[We are taught to pray, " Thy kingdom come." And it is in answer to pi*ayer that "God will pour out his Spirit from on high, to effect that change which is promised in our text. It is by the Holy Spirit alone that this change can be wrought q: and through his almighty power shall Pentecostal conversions be effected, in every quarter of the globe.]
3. Let every one of us, in our place, endeavour to help it forward —
[God has promised that " seed time and harvest shall never cease," till the end of the world ; but it is by the instru- mentality of man that he effects his purposes : so also shall the diffusion of divine knowledge, and the increase of fertility throughout the whole earth, be effected by the instrumentality of man r. But it is not by ministers only that God will pour out these benefits upon vis, but by the agency of all who, in their place and station, endeavour to advance his cause in the
0 The state of the Turkish Empire (Dec. 6, 1827), and of Popery, were further touched upon, as possibly leading to great results in reference both to the Mahomedan and Popish delusions ; the destruc- tion of which is to precede the glory of the Latter Day.
p Rev. xii. 10—12. <J Isai. xxxii. 15. r Matt. ix. 38.