64 CHRIST EXALTED AND THE SPIRIT GlVEÑ. EsER14I. TV. plainly appear to be divine. It is the promised Spirit which our Saviour gave to men. It can never be said they were casual events, or they happened by chance, for they were foretold by the ancient prophets, by John the baptist, and by our blessed Saviour : They were pro- mised to,Christ Jesus by his rather, and he promised them to his own disciples, and bid them wait at Jeru- salem, till they received them. Luke xxiv. 49., There is a long shining track of divine promise and faithfulness, and a blessed harmony of grace and truth, that runs through all this event to the pouring down of the Holy Spirit, and we may trace it through the writings of the prophets and apostles-with sacred delight. Is the Spirit sent down to men in this wondrous manner, then God has not failed of bis promises to the Jews and gentiles, made by his ancient prophets ; then the Father hath not failed of his promise to his Son Jesus, nor has the Son of God failed of his promise to his disciples and followers. Actsii. 16, 17. Luke xxiv. 49. John xv. 26. Acts i. '8. compared with my text. Remark II. Are these wondrous gifts of the Spirit sent down to publish and confirm the blessed gospel ; then surely " it demands our firmest faith, since it was propagated at first by such divine miracles, and has been established by such surprizing and glorious gifts." How wisely has God ordained these visible and sensible won- ders, to prove the exaltation of his Son Jesus, when he left the world, and became invisible to men ? " He hath shed forth all this which you see and hear ;" and this is the last and the greatest witness to christianity, and it confirms all the rest. Our Saviour wrought manymira- cles indeed, and he spoke as never man spake ; yet he assured his disciples, that after his departure they should not only do the same works, " but greater works than these shall ye do, because Igo tomy rather;" Johnxiv. 12. Our blessed Lord cast out devils, healed diseases, and raised the dead; what greater works then can we sup- pose were left for the apostles to perform, or what great- er gifts than these can be conferred upon them ? May I have leave to express a conjecture here that these might be "the word of wisdom and knowledge, and the gift of tongues." We grant it was indeed a miracle, to heal the bodies, of the sick with, a word ; but does it not seem a
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