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minds of the devout multitude, when they beheld. twelve unlearned and simple Galileans thus distinguished by the visible evidences of divine favour, and suddenly speaking, with freedom and vernacular propriety, many languages which it was not possible that they should have learned by human means.

The propriety of this miracle, and its necessity to men who were commanded to teach all nations, are too obvious to need illustration. But it calls for one remark. There are two channels of information, by which the Creator has enabled mankind to arrive at a knowledge of truth, namely, sight, and hearing. And each has its appropriate sources, from which a knowledge of the things pertaining unto God are derived into the mind. The visible world, or natural kingdom of God, is the province, in which the eyes expatiate, in search of materials for contemplation: the invisible world, or spiritual kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, is that which cometh by hearing. In other words, the visible world leads the way to the religion of nature; the invisible, through hearing, to the religion of grace. As St. Paul says, The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his

eternal power and Godhead. But of the Christian religion he says, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. And that this method of arriving at divine truth is the surest, appears from this; that even the most stupendous miracles, although they overpowered the reason, and established the fact of divine interposition, did not enlighten the minds of those who were only spectators to the understanding of Gospel doctrine; whereas the plain and simple exposition of it, from the mouth of an Apostle, made thousands wise unto salvation.

The miracle, therefore, which was wrought on the day of Pentecost, was not intended merely to convince the assembled multitude, that the Apostles were divinely commissioned to preach a new religion, (although that was one important end to be answered); but to enable the Apostles themselves to use the instrument of speech, without let or hindrance, wheresoever they might be; that the word of the Lord might have free course and be glorified, being easily transmitted through the ears into the minds and hearts of men.

The simple preaching of the Gospel to heathen people was the end for which the gift of tongues

*Rom. i. 20.

+ Rom. x. 17.

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was bestowed upon its first teachers; but the gift was in itself so well calculated to excite admiration in those who witnessed its effects, that we are not to wonder, if some of the first converts abused it to the gratification of personal vanity. St. Paul with much earnestness instructs the Corinthians in the true purpose of that gift, the explanation of the divine counsels as revealed in Scripture, to the unconverted or the unlearned; which he terms prophesying: I would that ye spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except ye interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak unto you either by revelation, or by prophesying, or by doctrine ?* From this passage it appears, that those who possessed the gift of tongues, were not limited in their use of it by the exigency of the occasion, but could at any time speak in languages unknown to their hearers. It is an important fact, that even the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit might be misused and misapplied a consideration, which may inspire with diffidence and humility those who have made some * 1 Cor. xiv. 5.

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progress in the inward knowledge of Christianity, and some proficiency in its practical graces. Let none suppose themselves secure from error or lapse; but exert continual care and diligence to go on adding one virtue to another; and whatever degrees of light or strength they may have attained, pray for grace still further to improve them.

In my next Lecture I propose to consider some features of the discourse, which St. Peter delivered to the devout persons who were present at the first effusion of the Holy Spirit: at present I will only notice its results:---Then they that gladly received the word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls: and it is afterwards said, The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved: that is, as the original word denotes, those that were in a state to be saved; those who were prepared at once to obey the warning just delivered to them, save yourselves from this untoward generation. And what was the process? First, they believed the preaching of the Apostle; then they were baptized; then they continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers. To these devotional indications

of a true belief they added the more substantial fruits of the Spirit, They sold their possessions, and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. How beautiful a picture of the Church of Christ in all its primitive perfection! Steadfast belief; fervent piety; exemplary devotion; ardent charity! How striking and emphatic a description of the faithful ministers of Christ, and of the reception which such ministers will rarely fail to meet with; and they, that is, the Apostles and preachers of the word, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart-praising God, and having favour with all the people.

Be it our constant endeavour, my Christian friends, in the several stations which we occupy in the household of Christ, to approach, as nearly as possible, to that perfect model of faith, and zeal, and uniformity, and love. May we be enabled to prove ourselves in spirit, as in office, the true successors of the Apostles; and may you embody, by the aid of the Holy Ghost, in every part and feature of your conduct towards God and man, the scripture portrait of a primitive Christian.

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