expression, that God did not leave his soul in hell', (that is, the grave, or rather the place of separate spirits) neither did he suffer his Holy One to see corruption, could not possibly apply to David in any sense, but applies most remarkably to Him, of whom David was, in this respect, the type. Jesus rose from the dead; David rose not from the dead; David ascended not into heaven; but Jesus, according to another prophecy of David, ascended into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God', the place to which, the Scripture informs us, he was exalted after his Ascension. From these prophecies, St. Peter passes on to the miracle, and emphatically refers to this great effusion of the Spirit, this open, unadorned miracle of speaking new tongues, the effect of which was now both seen and heard. The inference which he draws from these considerations, the House of Israel, as he informs them, believing in these Scriptures, could not but acknowledge to be just; that " God had made that same Jesus, whom they had crucified, that Jesus of Nazareth whom he preached, both Lord and Christ;" the true Messias, the Saviour of man, the head and completion of the Gospel dispensation.

The immediate effect of this discourse was more powerful than any which could have been produced by merely human argument. Prophecy and miracle happily conspired to render the hearts of the hearers a soil proper for the reception of the

1 Psalm xvi. 10.

2 Ibid. cx. 1.

How

blessed Spirit of God. Many of them had assented to the death of Jesus. Being now sensible of his sacred character, they were struck with compunction, " they were pricked in their hearts," as it is translated; they felt, what all those experience, who, by their sins, crucify the Lord of life afresh, and once more put him to an open shame. They apply to Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles, "Men! Brethren! what shall we do?" shall we obtain remission of this sin? What hope remains for us? Let every sinner hear the gracious answer (for whatever sin doth most easily beset him, is included in a firm rejection, or denial, of his Saviour) "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." The divine blessing, the free unmerited grace of God, will fall abundantly on the heart of the penitent; but to make this blessing productive, he must "bring forth fruits meet for repentance'." His soul must undergo, in Scripture language, a new creation; he must "die unto sin, that he may live unto righteousness." No superficial holiness will effect this happy purpose; even the waters of baptism, all-sanctifying as they are, though calculated for this very end, and producing it in the regenerate heart, will be wasted, or profaned, by an unprofitable participation of them. Neither is there reason to suppose that a miracle will be performed for the conversion of

Matt. iii. 8.

every sinner. Miraculous gifts, for express purposes, accompanied the preaching of the Apostles, but the ordinary influences of the Spirit are of a different nature; at least, they are communicated in a different manner. Yet even these so effectually take possession of the heart, as to render it (what, I pray God, all may have occasion to experience) a residence fit for the reception of so holy an inhabitant. But to invite this holy visitor,

much, very much preparation is required. Even on this occasion, St. Peter was obliged to lengthen his earnest exhortation. "With many other words did he testify, and exhort them, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Rest not yourselves inactive, under an expectation that God's Spirit will come to you uncalled; for though it is by grace ye are saved', yet remember, through faith must be the passage to it; a faith which in all true believers worketh by love; a faith which is verily and indeed the unmerited gift of God. "Save yourselves therefore from this untoward generation." Escape, as Lot did out of Sodom, and trust not yourselves for one moment to look behind you. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you "." Such power hath God given to those

who thus endeavour to work out their own salva

tion. Put away from you the evil of your doings; believe in Christ, not only as one whose precepts charm you, and whose character delights, but as your sole refuge and Redeemer, as one without

1

1 Ephes. ii. 5.

2 James iv. 7.

whose shelter and protection you must be miserable; but, having him, you have all that the heart of man can desire.

To us too it may be said, as it was at this time to the unbelieving Jews, "Repent;"-for men of every rank and quality, of every age and nation, need repentance. "Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ," for this is a positive ordinance, and an indispensable obligation, on entering the Christian Covenant. But if you have already been baptized, which, I trust, is the case with all that hear me, and do not repent according to the injunction of our Saviour, and the preaching of his Apostles, your spiritual life, believe me, has not yet begun; there is no harshness in saying, "ye are yet in your sins." For, (to change a little the expression of St. Paul') as he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, so neither is he a Christian who is one outwardly, neither can that be called baptism which is merely outward in the flesh; but he only is a Christian who is one inwardly, and true baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter only; that is, that the outward form is not by any means to supersede, or render ineffectual, the spiritual signification.

When we have meditated on all the circumstances of this wonderful chapter, our minds, by the blessing of God, will be fully prepared for the important consequence which followed. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized,

1 Rom. ii. 28, 29.

and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls! Blessed be God's name for this happy introduction of his Gospel! May it increase, by his powerful assistance, in every realm and nation! May it produce in us every spiritual comfort, every Christian grace! In every trial of our faith, in every affliction, whether of mind or body, still let the overruling influence of God's Holy Spirit invigorate and refresh our hearts; still let us look up to that Comforter, who, we are assured, will abide with us for ever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world, the carnal world, cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him (said Christ to his disciples, and in them to all the faithful) for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you: and let us revive under the impression of his last powerful and affectionate promise :-" I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS; I WILL COME UNTO YOU 2"

John xiv. 17.

2 Ibid. xviii.