were brought together were mere circumstances, with which we, in this day, have little concern. But every minister is an ambassador from God, as truly, though not in the precise sense, as Peter was : and the people to whom he is sent ought to receive his word, as far as it accords unth the voice of inspira- tion, " as the word, not of man, but of God"." The precise state in which we should all meet together in the public ordi- nances, cannot possibly be more justly marked than in the history before us. Peter evidently went as a special messenger from God to Cornelius and his family; and having nothing in view but " to tell them words whereby they might all be saved." (All thoughts of self were as far from his mind as can possibly be imagined.) As for Cornelius and his family, their views in assembling together are depicted by themselves in those memo- rable words: " Now are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God0." None were brought by mere curiosity: none came for amusement: none looked to a mere man : all looked, through the man, to God ; and received his message as from God himself. We wonder not at the effects which flowed from such a delivery, and such a reception, of God's blessed word. And should not we also experience a measure of the same effects, if we met together in the same spirit? Yes, we should; and to the want of this must be traced the inefficacy of our ordinances : we do not come together as we ought: neither minister nor hearers feel, as we ought, the importance of the occasion on which we are assembled. We come together too much in a customary way, not aware how much our eternal interests are at stake. Let us, my brethren, each in his place, endeavour to rectify our respective errors; and look up to God in future, that " the word preached may be more profitable ; being more mixed with faith," both in Him who delivers, and " in those who hear it."]
" 1 Thess. ii. 13. » Acts x. 33.