Such is the direction given to every one of us. We have scarcely thought Christ at all worthy of our regard ; now he must be " precious to us," " fairer than ten thousand, and altogether lovely."
We must renounce every self-righteous method of seeking acceptance with God, and believe in him for the remission of our sins.
We need not indeed be baptized again; but we must do that which was implied in this part of the direction : we must give up ourselves to Christ in a perpetual covenant ; we must join ourselves to his Church and people ; we must confess him openly in the midst of a persecuting and ungodly world.]
2. A rich encouragement — [The Apostle told them, that " they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." We do not apprehend that this promise extended solely, or even primarily, to the miraculous powers with which the Apostles were invested; for it was made to all believers who should ever be called into the Church of God : we apprehend it referred chiefly to those sanctifying and saving operations of the Spirit which are necessary for all people in every age. All need the Holy Spirit to instruct and guide them into all truth, to strengthen them for their spiritual warfare, to comfort them under their afflictions, to renew them after the Divine image, and to make them " meet for their heavenly inheritance :" and for these ends and purposes did the Apostle engage that they should experience his operations.
He assured them that the promise of the Spirit for these ends and purposes was given to all who should believe in Christ. Accordingly we find that that promise was madee; that it was a part of the covenant of grace f; and that Jesus Christ himself referred to it as made in the Old Testament, and as to be ful- filled under the Christian dispensation, to all who should believe in hims: and St. Paul also mentions it as included in the promise made to Abraham, to be purchased by Christ for his believing seed, and to be conferred upon them all without distinction11.
What further encouragement could they need? Were they guilty? the blood of Christ would cleanse them? Were they polluted? the Holy Ghost would sanctify them: he would come and dwell in them as in his temples, and perfect in them the good work that was now begun. The same promise is now made to us ; and shall be fulfilled to all who seek for mercy through Christ alone ]
Application —
e Isai. xliv. 3. f Isai. lix. 21.
e John vii. 37—39. h Gal. iii. 14.