SERMON PEEACHED ON THE ISLAND. 281 
were thus singularly and favourably noticed. 
Far otherwise : for one especial purpose of 
the coming of the Holy Ghost was to ' con- 
vince the world of sin.' And that this 
purpose was accomplished on the memorable 
day alluded to is certain ; for the multi- 
tude, after hearing Peter's declaration, ' were 
pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter, 
and to the rest of the apostles, Men and 
brethren, what shall we do ?' 
" Oh what a glorious specimen of divine 
mercy was here ! what a proof that God is 
long-suffering, slow to anger, and willeth not 
the death of a sinner, but that all should turn 
unto Him, and live ! Here, in the very place 
where Christ was crucified^ among those who 
demanded his blood, did the Holy Spirit 
commence his operations, and say to each 
one of them, ' Come.' Brethren, we, by 
nature and practice, are exactly in the same 
state in which those Jews were. ' In us, 
that is, in our flesh, dwelleth no good thing.' 
But that same Holy Spirit who pricked the 
Jews in the heart is now striving with us, 
and convinces us, as it did them, of sin. It 
is allowed that the miraculous gifts of the 
T 
