results of his redeeming love to the world at large. He commanded them as his chosen witnesses to preach his Gospel of mercy in all the world. And to convince them that the Jews who had rejected and crucified Him were not excluded from his mercy, He commands them to "begin" their ministry of reconciliation" at Jerusalem." He imparted to them the Holy Ghost, to qualify them for their mission. To assure them that they would not be unaided and unblest in their work, He told them of his glory,—that "all power was given unto him in heaven and in earth,"-that his presence would be with them and with their successors "to the end of the world." He would, doubtless, also tell them of the glory to which He was about to be exalted at the right hand of God, as also of the future glories of his spiritual kingdom in this world, everywhere to be established by the preaching of the Gospel. At his last meeting, "He commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father: ""Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."*

Thus enlightened in the knowledge of the great mysteries of redemption, refreshed and confirmed in faith and love, they meet their risen Lord for the last time at Jerusalem. "He led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was

* Acts i. 4; Luke xxiv. 49.

parted from them, and carried up into heaven."* We must linger awhile and contemplate this glorious scene. Bethany, or Mount Olivet, where this took place, was a memorable spot. Often had Jesus retired to this secluded spot with his disciples, and thither He now for the last time conducts them. It was from hence, or near this, He had made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and had endured that unparalleled agony of soul when "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."+ Here He was betrayed and forsaken by his disciples, and led away by his enemies to judgment and to death. To this memorable locality Christ now led his disciples, that the place of so much humiliation and suffering to Him might be the scene of his glory. His last act was to bless them. While they gaze on their Lord, and listen with joy to those unspeakable words of blessing which He pronounced, "He was parted from them." They beheld Him gradually leaving the earth and ascending up towards heaven. They see Him ascend in his risen body in which He had conversed with them, most likely all at once transfigured and glorious as it appeared at the Transfiguration, gilding as the setting sun does the clouds with its glories. They watch his ascension, till "a cloud received him out of their sight." Still they gaze upward, and hope the cloud will pass away, that they may see once more their beloved Lord. "And while they looked stedfastly + Luke xxii. 44.

* Luke xxiv. 50, 51.

*

towards heaven as he went up, behold, two angels stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." What a "time of refreshing" must have proved to them this glorious ascension of their Lord to heaven! It must, if aught of that yet remained, have removed for ever all their doubts and fears as to his character and claims. That He left them in the act of blessing them, would be to them a delightful assurance of his full forgiveness and love. How would the full force and meaning of the promise He had given them now strike them-"I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am ye may be also." With what confidence and raised hopes would they look for the fulfilment of his words-"It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you." "Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." We wonder not at the effect of all this"They worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God."

*Acts i. 10, 11.

+ John xiv. 2, 3. John xvi. 7; Luke xxiv. 49.

F

CHAPTER V.

TIMES OF REFRESHING ON THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST.

We now come to the contemplation of one of those "times of refreshing" vouchsafed to the Church, to which all that has been previously noticed was preparatory. The mission of the Baptist-the incarnation and personal ministry of the Redeemer-his death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven-the commission He gave to his Apostles to preach the Gospel to the world-his declaration that "all power in heaven and earth" was given unto Him-and his promise that He would be with them and their successors to the end of time, were all designed for their encouragement, to assure them of their success in their great enterprise, and to prepare them for the great Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The great work to which the Saviour had called and consecrated them required all this. The Gospel is emphatically called “the ministration of the Spirit."* It is spiritual in its character, agency, and results. There were impediments and 2 Cor. iii. 8.

obstacles opposed to its progress and establishment in the world which could only be overcome by such a Divine power. The universal ignorance and depravity of mankind, the prevalence and potency of false systems of religion, the carnal policy and might of States which opposed its progress—all needed, not only the power of the Redeemer to overrule all events for its ultimate triumphs, but the influence of the Spirit to dispose the hearts of men to receive it. This is equally true of individuals as of the great masses of society, to be permeated and sanctified by the Gospel, of every age and of every clime. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." *

The gift of the Holy Spirit was to be the evidence and fruit of the ascension and exaltation of the Redeemer in heaven. We read :-"The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."+ Therefore said He to his disciples, "I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Ancient prophecy had no less clearly pointed to this connexion, like that of cause and effect, of the gift of the Spirit and the exaltation of the Redeemer-" Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men ; † John vii. 39.

Zech. iv. 6.

John xvi. 7, 8.