SERMON LXIV.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. ACTS ii, 1-4.

JOHN baptized with water unto repentance; but Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. All the disciples were baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, on the day of Pentecost. While they were assembled with one accord in one place, the Spirit of God came down from heaven, "as a mighty rushing wind, and filled the house where they were sitting: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

Let us make a few general observations upon this interesting passage: I. WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME, THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE.

The Pentecost was a Jewish festival, kept to commemorate the giving of the law upon Mount Sinai; and it was observed fifty days after the Passover. Christ had suffered at the Passover; but was glorified at the Pentecost. It was a dreadful day when the law was delivered on the mount that burned with fire; but it was a glorious day, when the Holy Ghost, as tongues of fire, came down upon the apostles, to qualify them for the blessed work of preaching the Gospel to all nations.

The Church of Christ was then but a little flock. They were all in one place. There were, indeed, many other followers of Jesus, in different parts of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria; but still the church was small. Jesus had laboured in the ministry, both privately and publickly, for the space of three years; he had travelled from place to place; had wrought mighty works amongst the people; and yet, after all, how few were truly converted to God! Let the faithful ministers of Christ, who see but little fruit of their labours, take encouragement; for great success does not always attend even the best of ministrations.

The followers of Jesus were few in number, but they were all of one accord. They had one faith, and one hope. They loved Jesus, and they loved one another. Happy would it have been, if the Church had continued in this temper. The spirit of religious unity brings down the Spirit of God; but jars and contentions cause him to depart.

II. SUDDENLY THERE CAME A SOUND FROM HEAVEN AS OF A MIGHTY RUSHING WIND, AND FILLED THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING. Let us never forget, that all our blessings come from heaven. The prayers of the disciples were directed to heaven: And from thence the

Spirit came down. "Every good and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James i, 17. Jesus was gone up into heaven to intercede for man; and the gift of the Spirit was the first blessing which he sent down.

Blessings sometimes come suddenly. We may have waited long in the way of duty; we may have been ready to conclude, that the blessing for which we waited would never come; but in a moment, when on the borders of despair, our souls have been satisfied with good things. Let this encourage us to persevere in duty; for the promise is sure. Let us be constantly prepared, for the reception of necessary gifts and graces; still patiently waiting for the happy moment, when God may see fit to bless our waiting souls.

The Spirit of God came as a mighty rushing wind. The operations of this Divine Spirit are various. Sometimes they are as a rushing wind, which carries all before it; but more frequently like a gentle breeze, and a still small voice. The Spirit came at that time as a rushing wind, to point out the force and energy of Gospel truth, which was accompanied with such amazing power, that, in a short time, many nations became obedient to the faith. But the ordinary influences of the Holy Ghost are of the gentle kind. Nevertheless, let us thankfully submit to his influences, whether they be like a torrent or a gentle stream. Let us not dare to direct God in the mode of his operations. He knows the various tempers and situations of men, and what methods of his grace are the most likely to succeed: Therefore, in whatever way he may see fit to work, let it be our constant care, not only to submit, but to co-work with him.

The house in which they were sitting was filled. Thus the principles of Christianity fill the heart, and are intended to be spread over the whole world. Yea, the time will come, when the influences of this Spirit shall be felt and enjoyed in every part of the habitable globe. When the seventh angel shall sound his trumpet, it will be said in heaven, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Rev. xi, 15. III. THERE APPEARED CLOVEN TONGUES AS OF FIRE, AND IT SAT UPON EACH OF THEM.

The Spirit appeared in the form of tongues, because the apostles were to speak for their Lord; and he gave them a door of utterance. May all our tongues be touched with hallowed fire, that we may speak for God! While ministers speak publickly, let private Christians speak privately; every one endeavouring to propagate the doctrines, and to recommend the duties and privileges of pure Christianity. Let us neither be afraid nor ashamed to speak in so good a cause.

The tongues were cloven. Sin introduced the confusion of tongues, but grace provided a remedy. The gift of tongues was necessary to enable the apostles to carry the Gospel to nations of various languages. On this very day, they spake to the people in various languages; using and improving the gift as soon as it was given; a lesson which we should learn, and constantly practise.

The tongues were like fire. The apostles were to speak with burning zeal; and their words were to be like fire. But this also pointed out the purifying influences of the word. The Spirit, as a purifying flame, accompanies the word when it is faithfully delivered, so that it becomes a means of sanctification. Christ said to the disciples, "Now are ye clean, through the word which I have spoken unto you;" and he put up the following prayer for them to the Father: "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." John xvii, 17.

The fiery tongues sat upon each of them. The whole assembly, men and women, were baptized with the Holy Ghost. All may speak in the name of the Lord. Women, who are not allowed to speak in the church, may exercise their gifts in a more private way. They may instruct children, servants, and friends; and thereby promote the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.

IV. AND THEY ALL WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY Ghost, and began TO SPEAK AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. The fiery tongues sat upon them; and the Holy Ghost entered and filled their hearts. Outward gifts are but of little use, without the inward operations of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were filled with miraculous gifts, which are not now to be expected; but all the true followers of Jesus are now filled with the graces of the Spirit. The Spirit came down to abide with the Church; and his blessed operations are constantly suited to the varying cases and circumstances of the church and of the world. Every man has that kind and degree of the Spirit's influence which is necessary, both for his own salvation, and for that usefulness amongst mankind to which he may be called. This remark will help us to form a right judgment of the various gifts of the Spirit, by which men have been influenced in different ages of the world.

They all began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance. No man should dare to speak for Christ, without the Spirit of Christ. Let ministers, whether they speak extempore, or by notes or written discourses, attend to this remark. Do they not all profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them the sacred office of the ministry? This is not a novel doctrine, introduced and palmed upon the credulous, by enthusiastic preachers. Our pious Reformers thought it necessary; and our rational divines, even now, profess it at their ordination. We contend not for miraculous gifts. They were necessary in the apostolic age, and for aught we know, they may be necessary in some future age; but they are not necessary now. We contend for the ordinary gifts of the Spirit, which are absolutely necessary at this day. And those sermons which are composed, and delivered, under the influences of the Holy Ghost, are made a general blessing to the people.

The gift of the Spirit demands our warmest gratitude. At this very time, we enjoy the blessed effects of that heavenly effusion. Had the Spirit been withheld, the prophecies would have failed, and infant Christianity would have perished. The truths which enlighten our dark world, would have been buried in oblivion; and every thing that is lovely and excellent amongst men, would soon have disappeared. O,

let us bless God for that glorious day: And, while we bring it to remembrance, let us devoutly pray for those Divine influences, which are necessary to salvation!

The festival of Whitsuntide was observed by the primitive church with peculiar solemnity; and, indeed, it is a season in which we should call to mind, not only the absolute necessity of holiness, but the means of acquiring it. All the means which we use to attain a conformity to the Divine image, must be accompanied with the influences of the Holy Spirit, or they will prove ineffectual. May this blessed Spirit abide in our churches, fill our hearts, and direct our steps to the heavenly Jerusalem! There may we ever adore the Supreme Being, whose Son redeemed us from death, and whose Spirit prepares and makes us meet for the mansions of the blessed! Amen.

SERMON LXV.

THE BREVITY OF HUMAN LIFE.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten: And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. PSALM Xc, 10.

It has been maintained by some, that the exact period of human life is absolutely fixed; but we cannot reconcile this opinion either with Scripture or reason. "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days." Ps. lv, 23. Do we not see many proofs of this? Are there not thousands among the dead, who might now have been amongst the living, had they been wise and prudent? Some hasten death by gluttony, drunkenness, and debauchery; others are cut off, by the arm of justice, for their crimes; and others destroy themselves by poison, hemp, and steel. Can we suppose that the exact moment of their death was fixed, without the horrid supposition, that he who fixed the end, fixed also the fatal means? This supposition would make God the author of sin. There is, indeed, an appointed time for man upon earth, which is well expressed in our text: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten." This is the common period of human life. We may die sooner, or live a little longer. By reason of strength, or a vigorous constitution, we may live fourscore years; but then it is "labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

Here we have two important truths: The period of human life is short; and, if we exceed that period, it is labour and sorrow. I. THE PERIOD OF HUMAN LIFE IS SHORT.

Passing over the thousands and millions who die in infancy, in youth, and in the bloom of life, we may say of all who attain the full age of

man, that their life is "a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James iv, 14. It may fitly be compared to a post, a shadow, a flower, a flood, a dream, and a tale that is told.

Our life appears short, when compared with the lives of the antedilu vians. They lived many hundreds of years. "All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred, sixty and nine years: And he died." Gen. v, 27. They were but children at threescore years and ten; but, when we attain that age, infirmities crowd upon us, and death is close behind. What an amazing abridgment of human life! Who can account for it upon natural principles? Their longevity might be occasioned by the regularity of the seasons, the fertility of the earth, the strength of their constitutions, or their particular manner of living; but the best way to account for it is, to ascribe it to the will of that God, in whom "we live, and move, and have our being." Acts xvii, 28. He saw fit to prolong their lives, and he has seen fit to cut ours short. In both cases, no doubt, his conduct has been guided by wisdom and goodness. O, let us seriously lay it to heart, lest death should cut us off, before the work of life be done!

The period of human life appears shorter still, when compared with the duration of the world. It is near six thousand years since the world was created. What a vast number of generations have passed away since then! "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: But the earth abideth." Eccles. i, 4. The generations from Abraham to David were fourteen; from David to the Babylonish captivity were fourteen; and from that period to the coming of Christ, there were fourteen generations. "When we survey such a series of generations, it is obvious to reflect, how, like the leaves of a tree, one passeth away, and another cometh. Of those who formerly lived upon the earth, and perhaps made the most conspicuous figure among the children of men, how many have there been whose names are perished with them, and how many of whom nothing but their names are remaining! Thus are we passing away, and thus shall we shortly be forgotten. Happy if, while we are forgotten of men, we are remembered by God, and our names are found written in the Book of Life !""*

When compared with eternity, our lives dwindle to a point. Those who entered upon eternity several thousand years ago, are but now upon the borders of an endless duration; and when thousands and millions of ages are gone, they will be exactly in the same situation. What a great subject for the little mind of man to contemplate! Endless duration confounds our thought. We may look at it, till, like a man who looks down a tremendous precipice, we turn giddy. If we stretch our thought as far as it can reach, eternity is before us still. If this globe, on which we live, were composed of small grains of sand, one of which should be removed every million of ages, the period would arrive when the last grain would be taken away; but even then, eternity would be but just beginning! What, then, is mortal life? What are threescore years and ten? How soon are they gone! They are lost in this vast

* Doddridge.