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permitted to continue in the grave long enough to undergo any change he rose on the third day, as all his Disciples could testify, because they had themselves seen him on that day, and occasionally conversed familiarly with him for forty days afterwards, even to the very hour when in their presence he ascended up to heaven. Moreover he had expressly told them that he would send down the Holy Ghost upon them, in the manner he had done: and therefore it must be HE, and none other but HE, that had wrought the miracles which they now saw and heard.

If they should still be inclined to think that David had had any concern in this miracle, the Apostle called their attention to another prophecy of his, wherein David himself declared, that the person who should be thus invested with power at the right hand of God, was his LORD; and that the person so exalted, should "make all his foes his footstool"."

It was evident therefore, that, as the Messiah was to rise from the dead, and ascend up to heaven for the purpose of establishing his kingdom upon earth; and as Jesus had risen and ascended agreeably to those predictions; there could be no doubt but that it was HE who had now sent down the Spirit, according to the promise which he had given them. He had told them, but a few days before, that he would send forth upon them the promise of the Father, and baptize them with the Holy Ghost'; and he had now done it in a way which commended itself to the eyes and ears of all the people.]

3. That therefore Jesus must unquestionably be the true Messiah

[It was not in the power of any creature to work the miracles now wrought: nor would the Father work them in order to confirm the claims of an impostor. They must of necessity therefore have been wrought by Jesus, who had thereby proved himself the true Messiah.

On these grounds Peter declared to them, that, as they could not doubt the existence of those prophecies, or the application of them to the Messiah, or the miracle now wrought by Jesus in confirmation of his claim to that office, "the whole house of Israel might know assuredly, that God had made that very Jesus, whom they had crucified, both Lord and Christ."]

Such was the Apostle's reasoning and from the confident manner in which he expressed himself, we are led to notice,

d ver. 29-33.

e Compare ver. 34, 35. with Ps. cx. 1. f Acts i. 4, 5.

II. The importance of his conclusion

If God has constituted Jesus both Lord and Christ, then we may know assuredly,

1. That Christ is our only Lord and Saviour—

[The force of this was felt by Peter's audience, insomuch that three thousand of them instantly obeyed the heavenly mandate, and surrendered up themselves to be saved and governed by him alone. Precisely in this manner must we devote ourselves to him: we must not be contented with "calling him Lord, Lord," but must feel the same need of him as they did, and cast ourselves upon him for mercy, and consecrate ourselves entirely to his service. We must admit no other ground of hope but his obedience unto death

we must

- but,

suffer no "other Lord to have dominion over us :" having been bought by him with his most precious blood, we must " glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are

his."]

2. That he is an all-sufficient Saviour

[Whatever we can want, he is exalted to bestow. Do we need forgiveness of sins? He is empowered to grant it. Do we need repentance? He can impart that also. This we are assured of, on the testimony of Peter and all the other Apostles. What joyful tidings are these! Hear them, all ye who are labouring under a sense of guilt; and know, that "the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse you from all sin:" and ye, who mourn on account of the hardness of your hearts, know that he can take away the heart of stone, and give you an heart of flesh”

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- If God the Father

has constituted him "Head over all things to the Church," you need not fear, but that there shall be found in his fulness an ample supply for all your necessities h

3. That none shall ever look to him in vain—

["Him that cometh unto me," says Christ, "I will in no wise cast out " What then have we to do with desponding thoughts? Has God thus exalted his Son, and will he disappoint those who trust in him? No: it cannot be: "he never did," nor ever will," say to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain." Did the vilest person in the universe only desire mercy as much as God delights to exercise it, he would in one instant be purged from all his sin We need

only look to the effect of Peter's sermon on the murderous

g ver. 37, 38.

h St. Paul pursues the same line of argument as St. Peter, and founds upon it this consolatory truth. Acts xiii. 35-39. See also Heb. vii. 25.

Jews, and we shall see a perfect pattern of what God is ready to do for us, the very instant we believe in Jesus "Know this," my brethren; know it "every one of you;" know it "most assuredly;" know it for your inexpressible comfort and may God make this another Pentecost to our souls, for his mercy's sake! Amen.]

MDCCXXXIX.

REPENTANCE EXEMPLIFIED IN THE FIRST CONVERTS.

Acts ii. 37-39. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

THE doctrine of a crucified Saviour is that which God has exclusively honoured in converting sinners to himself. The terrors of Mount Sinai are often used by him to awaken men from their slumbers; but it is "the law of faith," as published from Mount Zion, that alone captivates the souls of men. It was this, which, when exhibited in types and shadows, overcame the saints under the Jewish dispensation: and no sooner was it plainly preached by the Apostles, than thousands yielded to its all-powerful influence. The manner in which it operated we may see in the St. Peter had charged home upon his hearers the guilt of crucifying the Lord Jesus; and had declared that God had exalted that very Jesus to be the Sovereign "Lord” of all, and to be the "Christ," the anointed Saviour of the world. Instantly was a wonderful effect produced on the whole assembly: in order to illustrate which, we shall notice,

text.

I. The penitent's inquiry

In the question which these first converts put each to the Apostle who stood nearest to him, we may observe,

a ver. 36.

1. Deep contrition—

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[They were pricked to the heart" with a sense of all their sins, and especially the sin of crucifying the Lord Jesus. And we also must be humbled in like manner; seeing that our sins were the procuring cause of Christ's death; yea, and we have crucified him afresh ten thousand times by our continuance in sin.]

2. Extreme earnestness

[Nothing lay so near their hearts, as to obtain the knowledge of salvation. Thus must we also feel our whole souls

engaged in this great concern.]

3. A determination to comply with God's terms, whatever they should be

[This is one of the strongest and most unequivocal marks of true penitence. And it must shew itself in us, as well as in them. We must not dispute about the terms, as too humiliating, or too strict, but be willing to be saved on the conditions prescribed in the Gospel.]

4. A respectful regard for those whom they once hated for their attachment to Christ

[The Apostles had addressed them in these respectful and affectionate terms, "Men and Brethren." They now, in their turn, use the same language towards the Apostles; though but one hour before, no words would have been too harsh to use in invectives against them. Thus must our hearts also be turned towards the ministers and the Disciples of Christ, however much we may have before hated and despised them. Nor are our inquiries after salvation such as they ought to be, if they be not accompanied with all these marks of penitence and contrition.]

This inquiry was not in vain, as we may see from, II. God's answer to it

The reply given by God's ambassador, contains, 1. A plain direction

[The term "repent" imports in this place a change of mind and it refers to their former apprehensions of Christ: they had lately crucified him as an impostor; now they must be persuaded that he was the true Messiah; yea, they must rely on his death as an atonement offered for them, and seek the remission of their sins through him alone: they must moreover "be baptized in his name," and become his avowed, his faithful Disciples.

b Isai. liii. 4, 5.

e Heb. vi. 4—6.

4 μετανοήσατε.

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 made; that it was a part of the covenant of gracef; and that Jesus Christ himself referred to it as made in the Old Testament, and as to be fulfilled under the Christian dispensation, to all who should believe in him 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 distinction h

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.

g John vii. 37-39.

f Isai. lix. 21.

h Gal. iii. 14.

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