through them all, let us this evening look at this one: We will endeavour to think of it in three different lights. We will

First. Consider our text as a PROPHECY; 1 will pour my Spirit upon thy seed; that is, upon the church, for that is the plain meaning.

Secondly. As a CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE; and we will enquire what the promise contains,—I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed. And

Thirdly. As a MORAL SENTENCE, and enquire what obligations go with the promise?

First. Let us remember, christians, the text is a PROPHECY. It is a sentence foreshewing things to come; and consequently if we compare history with prophecy, and find the event to answer what was foretold, we carry with us a grand light, or to speak more plainly, we obtain one clear, full proof that our religion is divine, that we have it from above, from the father of lights. I do not know how it may be with you, brethren, but in my opinion, the christian ought to have full, clear, sufficient proof;-proof sufficient to satisfy himself in his coolest moments of the divinity of his religion. The religion of the Bible calls us to embrace such hopes, calls us to such objects of hope, calls us to give up objects so dear to us in this life, to part with so much, and to expect so much more, that we ought to have good evidence that the call comes from above. Now we obtain this by observing that prophecy is one of the pillars on which christianity rests, and will stand for ever. Let us examine the subject.

Is it not matter of fact, that at a certain period of time there rises up in Judea that extraordinary person, Jesus; and that Jesus was a person inspired with a spirit of wisdom, justice and goodness more than human? Is not there a certain extension of thought, majesty of expression; in a word, a certain divinity in all he said and did, that every where proved that he came from God? After Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven, is it not matter of fact-that, according to his promise, at a certain time, there came a visible sign, and with it an amazing degree, more than human, of wisdom, goodness, benevolence, disinterestedness, which we should never have looked for amongst the Jews? They were the last of all people in whom we should have expected this disposition. Was it not remarkable that, in a very extraordinary manner, the apostles of Christ were inspired with this spirit, and diffused it through all the world? If they were confined in prison, they wrote, and their word came down with a certain clearness, force and excellency into the hands and hearts of thousands to this day; which makes out what my text speaks, I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed. Prophecy, or the foretelling of future events, I repeat, is one mark of God's speaking; and history, or the accomplishing of these events, is one way of obtaining clear evidence that it is God who speaks. So if I can find out that what the Bible foretold long before I was born, is actually now taking place, in vain the tempter, the

world, ten thousand worlds can attempt to cheat me of my Bible: I am sure it is divine.

In a number of other instances we might exemplify this head; but there is one that seems particularly to proclaim its divinity, and I select it because it belongs to every christian. The work of religion upon every christian we say carries with it a mark of its divinity; for the meaning of this prophetic language is-I will maintain true religion in the disciples of Christ to the end of time. Now the first part of religion with which a sinful man becomes acquainted is, Reproof.Reproof!—What does that produce? Pain; conviction of guilt, and consequently pain. And is it natural for a man to follow pain, or avoid it? Who does not know that to avoid it is the natural way; and that we no sooner discover any thing in every other case that gives us pain, than we draw back from it, and will not come near it again. But here is a case, when the sword of the divine Spirit, the word of God, touches the sinner, the sinner is found not to draw back, but to come towards it. For do not we know the desire of every upright man is that his soul may be searched? His desire when he hears the word of God is, Search me O God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Every man is endeared to him as he. enters into his sad case, the real state of his soul. I call this an internal but clear evidence of the divinity of our holy religion. There is a certain

content, satisfaction, yea pleasure accompanying the pain; a certain conviction that it ought to be what it is, which may be justly termed a demonstration of its divinity. O, blessed prophecy ! Although I see enough to strike me with awe, I see enough to raise in me the most lively hope.

But I must necessarily abridge this part of my subject. Every attentive mind may readily enlarge it. Look into the sacred history of the Jews, and you cannot see a travelling Jew about the country, whose condition was not foretold four thousand years ago, and thence you will conclude that prophecy came from God. If you are a man of reading, and look into the state of other nations, you will find that their present condition agrees with what was prophesied concerning them many ages since. You may go further, you may look into the christian church, and you will find that its history answers to what God foretold it should be. You will find it prophesied in the book of the Revelations, that the bulk of christians should fall into vice, and that a few should maintain their profession; that those few supported by the goodness and truth of the cause, the rectitude of their hearts, and the power of the Almighty, should be able to hold out to the end. But what is of still more importance to us is our next article.

Secondly. We propose to consider this prophecy in the light of a CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed. There is nothing perhaps upon which we want more instruction than this; for it is a very convenient and

tempting method to put to the account of God, (though it is a wicked and blasphemous one) all our follies and even vices in religion. Do men kill others for religion? They think (said our Saviour) they do God service. Do men run wild with their own fancies? It is they think the holy Spirit that inspires them. Do men go to dreams and visions? And do we wonder they stand fast in error, against all opposition? They are animated by the blessed Spirit of God! So that we hear all sorts of things put to the account of God himself. What shall we do in this case? Shall we take the method some do, deny the influence of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of those who abuse it? That would be running into an extreme. Shall we believe all that others attribute to the Holy Spirit? That would be an extreme on the other side. We will do neither. We will endeavour to represent the operation of the Spirit in its true light; and I think three remarks will be sufficient for the purpose.

1. The work of the Holy Spirit must be consis tent with the nature of that Spirit. Consequently it must be a wise, just, powerful, good and righteous work. If the Holy Spirit is just, his work must be just; consequently I have a right to look for conviction, pain and remorse in sinful man. It is just and right he should be sorry, for he has done great injury to himself, hurt to others, and offered great affront to God. I look upon the work of the Spirit to be genuine virtue, because the Spirit who works in the heart of a christian