SERM. IV.i CHRIST EXALTED AND THE SPIRIT GIVEN. 63 ders; and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will." St. Paul assures the Corinthians, that when an unlearned man, or an unbe- liever came into their assemblies, and heard them speak by inspiration the doctriríes of the gospel in a proper manner, " he is convinced, he is judged, the secrets of his heart are made manifest, and falling down on his face, he will worship God, and will report that God is in youofa truth ;" 1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25. And indeed without these demonstrations of the Spirit attending the gospel in the first publication of it, it was not to be supposed, that so new and strange a religion should make its way like lightning through the nations, in opposition to the prejudices of mankind and the power of princes, and in a few years illuminate so many dark countries, which had lain for long ages under the shadow of death. When christianity was well established in the world, these extraordinary gifts died away by degrees. t As for the graces of the Spirit, the design of themwas directly tochange sinners into saints, and to raise a church for Christ amongmen. These were communicated some- times in an extraordinary manner and degree in the pri- mitive days, in order to give the gospel a more speedy success, after the exaltation of our blessed Lórd But these are continued also in following ages, and sent down among men daily, by our blessed Saviour in his glorified state, who is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, that he may maintain an everlasting kingdom on earth, through all ages, by bestowing repentance on men, and forgiveness of sins; Acts v. 31. It is by these influences new converts are made, sinners are called and sanctified churches are raised or continued in a long succession, and the family of Christ restored, when it is diminished 'by the persecution of tyrants on earth, or bycalling away the saints to heaven by death in the course of nature. Thus I have given you a very brief account of the in- fluences of the blessed Spirit, both with regard to gifts and graces, which were promised by the Father and shed forth by our exalted Saviour, together with the most emi- nent and important uses and designs of them. Permit me now to conclude with these four Remarks: Remark I. Since the gifts of the Spirit are shed forth, in a way of promise and prediction, they more
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