Acts 19

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIX.—Much more clear and glorious is the gospel dispensation which we enjoy than even the ministration of John Baptist. And much better the baptism of the Holy Ghost than that of mere water. But, alas, how many receive the external seals of God’s covenant who have no experimental, and very little notional, knowledge of him or his influences! And, though baptism is never to be repeated, yet the Spirit is daily to be received. With great boldness and persevering courage ought the gospel to be preached; and dreadful is their fate who put it from them, or attempt to counterfeit its miraculous confirmations. They but fight and labour for the devil, that he may reward them with shame and ruin.—But happy are they who are turned to the Lord by a cordial faith and genuine repentance! And hopeful is the case, when the peculiar favourites of Satan are made openly to renounce his service, sacrifice their dearest abominations with abhorrence, and remove every temptation of drawing back out of their own and their neighbour’s way. How furiously zealous are the most of mankind for a false religion, especially if worldly gain and long custom are on its side. And, with such, noise and clamour are invincible arguments for the most blasphemous absurdities. When those are so zealous for the devil, it is much to be lamented that many, called Christians, have so little concern for the glory of God.—Safe are the persons of God’s faithful ministers, since he can make heathens earnest advocates for, and prudent protectors of, them. Fear of men hinders many from wickedness; but much more wise are they who are prevented from it by serious views of their future account to God. 2