Knowledge of all neceflary Doctrines to themselves. THIS indeed was but previous to THAT; it being impoffible for any one to inform another of what he bimfelf is ignorant. And therefore though the Apostles had lived a very confiderable Time under the Miniftry of our Saviour himself, and had heard the Doctrines of the Gospel Difpenfation from his own Mouth; yet he, knowing the Weakness and Dulnefs of their Capacities, judged it requifite, that, after his Departure, the Holy Ghost fhould refresh their Memories, and enlighten their Understandings, with a clear Knowledge of thofe Points, they might forget, or not rightly apprehend. Agreeably hereunto, he fpeaks to them in John xiv. 26. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will fend in my Name, he shall teach you all Things, and bring all Things to your Remembrance whatsoever I have faid unto you. And again, in John xvi. 12. 13. I have yet many Things to Jay unto you, but ye cannot hear them now. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth.

Neither were thefe I have already mentioned the only Benefits redounding to the Apoftles from the Defcent of the Holy F 3 Gholt

Ghoft, but they received likewife the Power of working Miracles. Thus at the 43d Verfe of the Chapter before us, we read, that many Wonders and Signs were done by the Apostles. And feveral of thefe are recorded in this Book of their Acts; fuch as communicating the Holy Ghoft to others; driving unclean Spirits out of those who were vexed with them; giving Soundness of Limbs to Men that were born Cripples: reftoring the Dead to Life; Ariking Offenders dead; and the like.

Thus by the Defcent of the Holy Ghost, the Apostles were enrich'd with a Treasure of heavenly Doctrines: They were capacitated to deliver them to Men of any Nation whatfoever: And could work Miracles to convince thofe to whom they de livered them, oftheir Truth and Certainty.

And as thefe extraordinary Talents and Privileges were given to the Apostles of our Lord; fo they did not bury them, or permit them to lye by neglected; but employ'd them according to the Defign of him by whom they were given. Which leads me to the laft Head of Difcourse, to wit, the Behaviour of the Apoftles after the Defcent of the Holy Ghost upon them. But this I fhall referve to another Opportunity.. SER.

SERMON iv.

Acts ii. 33.

Therefore being by the Right Hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promife of the Holy Ghoft, he hath fhed forth this, which ye now fee, and hear.

IN

N my foregoing Difcourfe from these Words, I propofed to confider these three Things.

First, The Exaltation of CHRIST. Secondly, The Defcent of the Holy Ghost after CHRIST'S Exaltation. And Thirdly, The Behaviour of the Apostles after this Defcent upon them.

Under the First of thefe Heads I fhewed, That the Exaltation of CHRIST CONfifted in the Enjoyment of that Power, Happiness, and Glory, to which his hu man Nature was advanced by his Refurrection from the Dead; by his Afcenfion

into Heaven; by his fitting at the Right Hand of God; and by his being appointed Judge of the whole World.

Under the Second of them, I fhew'd; that, by the Descent of the Holy Ghost after CHRIST's Exaltation, the Apostles were furnished with a true Knowledge of all Points relating to the Salvation of Mankind, which were neceffary to be revealed to them: That they were likewife endow'd with the Gift of Languages, whereby they could deliver them to People of any Nation under Heaven: And could also perform miraculous Works in Confirmation of the Truth of what they deliver'd,

It remains now, that I proceed to the Third Thing propofed; namely, To confider the Behaviour of the Apostles ofter this Descent of the Holy Ghost upon them.

From hence we may fee, that the World has been mightily beholden to this Defcent of the Holy Ghost ever fince: And that the Virtue of thofe extraordinary Gifts is at firft communicated to the Apostles, reaches in a high Degree to all fucceeding Ages. For thofe extraordinary Gifts were not bestowed upon the Apoftles for the Advantage of Themfelves only,

but.

but for the good of Mankind in general. They were appointed by CHRIST to plant his Religion in the World, whereby Men fhould become acquainted with the Terms of Salvation; and be directed in the fure Way to everlasting Happiness. This was the Office they were call'd to: And 'twas for the effectual Difcharge hereof that they were so wonderfully endu'd with Power from on High. Which when receiv'd, they presently fet about their important Business; and in the Prosecution of it we may take notice;

First, That they behaved themfelves with the greatest Courage. This appears from their undaunted Boldness in preaching the Gospel of a crucified Saviour; and from their Patience under the Sufferings they endur'd upon that Account. Tho' they forefaw that they should be hated of all Men for the Sake of CHRIST; that they fhould be fcourged in the Synagogues; and caft out of 'em; that they should be brought before Magiftrates; and that those who killed them, should think they did God Service; yet they openly maintain'd the Cause of their Mafter, even in that very City at which he was murder'd: And even in the Prefence of thofe very Men, and Magistrates, who had but lately embru'd