2. Because then the City was fulleft of People, S. Job. ii. 13. V. 1. and vii. 2, 14, 37. 2. Why under any Likenesses? That others might believe; this, they faid, Thefe new Wine, ver. 13. ἐκ ἂν ἔπον, S. Chryfoft. for if, for all Men are full of TOTO ÉVETO TE Καλῶς πανταχε το ὡς πρόσκειται να μηδὲν αἰδητὸν δεὶ τὰ πνεύ 3. Under what Likeness ? 1. Of a mighty Wind. 1. To ftrike Terror into them. 2. To fhew what He would do; even, 1. In ourselves and Paffions. 2. In the World. 2. Of cloven Tongues; to fhew He would enable them to preach the Gospel to all Nations and Languages, S. Matt. xxviii. 19. 3. Of Fire, Ezek. i. 4. 1. Because it is of a penetrating and swift 2. Efficacious, 1. To burn up Sin. 2. To quicken and enflame our Hearts 4. What were the Effects of this Mission? 1. Plainly, Act. ii. 8. 2. Boldly, Act. ix. 29. 2. In the Spectators. 1. Some wonder'd, ver. 12. 2. Others A 2. Others mock'd, ver. 13. 3. In us, hereby we hear of Chrift. USES. 1. Blefs GOD for fending His Spirit. 2. Pray for it. 1. To enlighten our Minds, S. Job. xvi. 13. awake our Confciences, S. Job. xvi. 8. fubdue our Sins. 2. 3. 4. fupply us with Grace, and confirm it in us. Аст. A c T. ii. 37. Now when they heard this, they were prick'd in their Hearts, and faid unto Peter, and to the rest of the Apoftles, Men and Brethren, What Shall we do? I. DOCTRINE. W Hen we hear GOD reprove Sin, we fhould be prick'd at the Heart. So as 1. To be fenfible of Sin. 1. The Guilt of it, Pfal. li. 3, 4. 1. The Sinfulness of them. 2. The Multitude of them, Exr. ix. 6. 2. Temporal. 3. After Judgments, If. i. 5. Amos iv. 9. 6. 7. the Motions of the Spirit. the Reproofs of the Word. Why should we be thus prick'd at our Hearts, when Sin is réprov'd? 1. Because Reproofs bring Sin to our Remembrance, Pfal. 1. 21. 2. By them we perceive the Anger of GOD against it. 3. This is the End of Reproofs. USES USES. 1. Exhortation. Be prick'd at your Hearts when Sin is reprov'd. Confidering, 1. Who it is that reproves it, Amos iii. 8. Fer. v. 21, 22. 2. Reproofs without this Effect upon your 3. If you be not prick'd at Heart when re- 2. Reproof. If you have not been prick'd at your Hearts, 1. Do your Duty to GOD; you do not, 5. Truft on Him, Zeph. iii. 2. 6. Meditate upon Him, Pfal. x. 4. 7. Perform Obedience to Him as He requires, Zeph. iii. 2. 2. To Men, Gal. v. 19, 20. Colof. iii. 5. Levit. xix. II. II. DOCTRINE. Such as are prick'd in their Hearts, should be very Inquifitive what to do. 1. We are all capable of Holiness and Happinefs, Gen. i. 26. 2. But full of Sin and Mifery, Eph. ii. 3. I. Full 1. Full of Sin. 1. Guilt, Pfal. li. 45. 2. External. . 3. It is one great Part both of our Sin and Mi fery, that we are not fenfible of our Mifery and Sin. 1. That we are not fenfible of Sin, appears, 1. In that we are not griev'd for it, Ezek. vii. 16. nor fear to commit it, Pfal. xviii. nor strive to get it fubdu'd, Pfal. lvii. 2. 2. That we are not fenfible of Mifery, ap pears, 1. In that we rejoice in it. 2. In that we do not strive to get out of it. The Reason why we are not fenfible of Sin and Mifery, is 1. From the Darkness of our Minds, 1 Cor. 2. ii. 14. the Corruption of our Wills. 4. The first Step to Holiness and Felicity, is Senfibleness of our Sin and Misery. 5. There is none truly fenfible of his Sin and Mifery, but he will be very Inquifitive what to do, Act. xvi. 30. 1. To get his Sins pardon'd. 2. 3. his Heart cleans'd. his Soul fav'd, A. xvi. 30. And in these Things we have all great Caufe to enquire what to do. 1. Because our everlasting Happiness depends upon it. |