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I propose to illustrate this description of the blessed Spirit —

I. BY THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFECTS PRODUCED UPON THE APOSTLES.

II. BY THE ORDINARY INFLUENCE EXERTED ON THEM AND ON ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS.

I. Consider, then, in these extraordinary gifts, which were only intended for the time, how mightily God wrought in man.

1. Take the gift of tongues.

2. Mark the illumination of the mind with the full truth.

3. Mark the power with which they spake. All was light, all feeling.

4. Mark their miracles of healing.

5. Note their discernment of spirits, as in the cases of Ananias and Simon Magus.

6. Finally, take their courage.

II. BY THE ORDINARY INFLUENCES EXERTED ON THE APOSTLES AND ON ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS. Let us, then, consider how this power manifests itself. And here, too, we shall see a mighty working of God in man, not inferior in real glory, and superior in grace, to those extraordinary illapses. This is displayed —

1. In the awakening of the soul of man from its deep and deadly sleep of sin.

2. Our subject is illustrated by the office of the Spirit as the Comforter.

3. We have another instance in the office of the Spirit as the Holy Ghost the Sanctifier.

4. Take a final instance from the fruits of the Spirit.I apply this subject to your edification by observing —

1. That there is a power promised to you more glorious than all the endowments of apostolic gifts.

2. Fix the greatness of the blessing before you.

3. Do you ask how you are to attain it? See your example in the apostles. Believe your Lord: "I send the promise of My Father upon you."

4. Know that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Aspire, then, to this.

5. Ask the effusion of the Spirit upon your friends, the whole Church, and the world.

(R. Watson.)

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KJV: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

WEB: As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you."