judice, and sin, which preclude the Gospel, and prevent the cordial reception of its salutary truths.

The text is illustrated by what is recorded of Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Here was the change produced, and its happy effect. So in the case of these disciples; their understanding being opened, "they worshipped Jesus, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God" The change was not trivial, which was followed with such important effects. It includes, therefore, the enlightening of the mind, the softening of the heart, the subduing of the will, and the regulating of the affections of the soul. In other words, when the understanding is opened, the mind not only perceives truth in its nature and evidences; but the heart loves it for its intrinsic worth; the soul receives it; the whole man feels interested in it, and is affected by it. The Bereans were the subjects of this change, when "they received the word with all readiness of mind; and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." The Thessalonians also, of whom the Apostle affirms; "Ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe; for ye brethren, became followers of the churches of God." And again, "Our Gospel came not unto you in word only; but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost;and ye became followers of us, and of the Lord." We notice,

II. The AUTHOR of this change.

* Luke xxiv. 52, 53.

"Then opened He their understanding." It was the Lord Jesus Christ, by his Spirit.-Means were used; but that which gave them effect was, the powerful agency of the Spirit of Christ. In the exertion of this, he performs his work as the Prophet of the church. He manifests" his glory," which is that of "the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." He communicates his "treasures of wisdom and knowledge," so as to enable his disciples to say, "Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." Were the Apostles acquainted with this change? Did they know the things of the Gospel in their best effects on the heart? They account for it thus: "God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God;" that is, the Spirit of Christ; "that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God." This inward illumination is of essential importance. It is that teaching which characterises the children of God, and which invariably leads the subjects of it to Jesus Christ: hence he hath said-" It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every man, therefore, that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me t."

The necessity of this teaching appears from two considerations.

First, from the insufficiency of human powers. Let a man possess the strongest intellect; a mind richly furnished with knowledge, enlarged and improved by a liberal education; let him possess the quickest parts, the most penetrating capacity; he knows nothing aright of the things of salvation, till the Lord Jesus open his understanding. The Greek ↑ John vi. 45.

1 Cor. ii. 10. 12.

philosophers, mentioned by the Apostle, were men of considerable learning and science, yet to them the preaching of the Cross was "foolishness." The Jewish Scribes and Pharisees were well acquainted with the letter of Scripture: many of them were distinguished by their abilities and influence: Paul styles them "the princes of this world;" but Christ calls them " blind guides:" for they were most miserably blind in things which they ought best to have known. No human advantages whatever can compensate for the teaching of the Spirit of Christ. Mark that memorable passage: "The natural man;" that is, the unregenerate man, unenlightened and unrenewed by the Holy Spirit, be his intelligence or his talents what they may;-" the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."—It also appears,

Secondly, from the inefficacy of outward means.— The Jews, under the ministry of Isaiah, enjoyed distinguished means of instruction and salvation. He was a plain and faithful preacher. He was evangelical in an uncommon degree. He wrote more like an Apostlé of Jesus Christ, than a Prophet in the Old-Testament Church; yet hear his complaint: "Who hath believed our report; and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" But they that attended the personal ministry of our Lord himself were still more signally favoured; they enjoyed the highest advantages: and how were these advantages improved? Rather, how were they abused? This is taught in several parables; particularly in that

* 1 Cor. ii. 14.

of the Vineyard let out to Husbandmen, and the Marriage Supper. It is intimated also in those remarkable words; "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented;" as if he had said- Neither the calls of mercy, nor the denunciations of judgment, produce their proper effect.' How pathetic is the language, but what an affecting truth it implies

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them who were sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" No words can be more plain than these which follow, and they are emphatically the words of Christ---" All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." While this proves the dreadful depravity of the human heart, it demonstrates also the entire inefficacy of outward means; and that hearts are opened, souls are saved, only by the all-powerful energy of the Spirit of Christ.

Recollect how it was after the ascension of our blessed Lord. Then was the Spirit given in large and rich effusion; and what was the effect? Truth and grace found their way to the hearts of multitudes, and thousands were converted in one day! It was not because of any special virtue in the means adopted, not because of any peculiar worthiness in the instruments employed: "the hand of the Lord was with them :" Divine energy was exerted and hence "a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

Reviving thought! The hand of the Lord is not weakened; the arm of Jehovah is not shortened.

The residue of the Spirit is with Him; and this Spirit is not restrained. Pray earnestly that what men and means cannot effect, the Lord the Spirit may speedily accomplish! That the Saviour, despised and rejected of men, may be affectionately received; and his Gospel, the message of life and peace, cordially obeyed! "You that make mention of the Lord"-his remembrancers, the people who plead with him, and for him, seeking the prosperity of his cause--" keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

Let us not mistake the nature of this work of the Lord. There is a wide difference between the opening of the Scriptures merely, and the opening of the heart; many enjoy the privilege of the former, who are strangers to the experience of the latter. The Apostles were much engaged in opening the Scriptures to their hearers, and so are ministers in the present day; but it is Christ, by his Spirit, who opens the heart. Be thankful! He who best knows the heart, himself unlocks it. He has a key, if I may so speak, that fits the cross-wards of the most untoward will; and when he turns this key, the work is done. Ministers may preach the word: they may stand and proclaim the Gospel, till they can stand no longer they may knock at men's hearts, till their own hearts ake; but hearts are opened only by the energy of the Spirit of Christ. It is predicted of him; "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion; rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." And hence, " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." In the greatness, the majesty of his might, he subdues the soul of man, and conquers the stoutest sinner to himself. This power