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“not I, but the grace of God which was with me *.” He renounced his uncommon labours and extensive fervices, as of no avail in the point of his acceptance with God: he gloried only in the cross of Chrift, as procuring pardon and peace, and exulted as being "complete in Him." It will be difficult, we allow, to your corrupt nature, to exert yourselves to the utmoft for the advancement of truth and righteoufnefs, and yet with unfeigned humility to caft all your works at the feet of Jefus, trufting in the efficacy of his facrifice and the merit of his obedience. But no otherwise can you maintain any well-grounded hope towards God. Your most admired duties, if not done in faith, will be rejected with abhorrence, and it will be faid at the laft, "Who hath required these at your hands?"

May the Lord Jefus Chrift, therefore, be exalted in our estimation, as "the end of the law for righteoufnefs !" With his holy Apoftle, may we "rejoice in Him, and have no confidence in the flesh !"

2 Cor. xi. II. 1 Cor. xv. 10.

Amen.

SAINT PAUL

SECT. 5.

Paul made his defence before the Sanhedrim-encouraged by a vifion-confpired against-fent to Cefarea-there pleaded his caufe with Felix, and afterwards with Feftus-appealed to Cefar-preached before king Agrippa.

IT was predicted by our Lord, that his Apoftles fhould be brought before governors and kings for his fake: but it does not appear, that any of them was called to this honour, fo much as St. Paul. The great men of the earth, indeed, fhewed no defire to be acquainted with his doctrine, nor was he admitted to audience in his proper character, as an ambaffador from Heaven; but he was conducted into their prefence as a criminal. How myfterious are the ways of Providence! Paul was caft into bonds, in order that he might declare the truth of the Gospel to magiftrates and princes. We fhall now behold him in this very fituation, arraigned before powerful and malicious enemies, yet, without timidity, or any painful anxiety for himself, moft earnestly folicitous to fave the fouls of his hearers. O for the fame bold and difinterested fpirit in all the minifters of Chrift! This would be the brightest ornament of their profeffion, and the strongest recommendation of the religion, which they preach.

*Matt. x. 18.

The

The Apoftle was a prifoner at Jerufalem, in the cuftody of Roman foldiers. He had been with difficulty rescued out of the hands of a Jewish mob, which was incensed against him; and, the Sanhedrim being fummoned for his trial, he proceeded to make his defence. He maintained before the council the integrity of his heart and conduct, though he had been apprehended and accused as a criminal *. His countenance, as well as his fpeech, betokened a holy firmness and intrepidity, the effect of conscious innocence, or rather of a divine influence, by which he was animated. The high prieft, the prefident of the court, commanded him, in violation of all the forms of juftice, to be fmitten on the mouth, evidently shewing a determination to filence him, or to hear nothing in his favour. The Apostle, however, not intimidated by fuch violent and injurious ufage, reprehended his judge, and folemnly declared that God would fhortly punish him for his bafe hypocrify. Poffibly, there was an improper warmth of teniper in the reproof: Paul, at least, acknowledged, that he was not aware of directing his cenfure against the high priest, who, for his office, ought to be treated with refpect. Yet, doubtless, he spake by a prophetic impulfe; and, according to his fentence, God did foon afterwards "fmite that whited wall" by a fingular deftruction. The example ought not to be pleaded in juftification of any infolence or refentment towards magiftrates: St. Paul himfelf feemed folicitous to guard against fuch an abuse of his conduct. Be it our concern to "live in all good confcience before God;" and then let us meekly commit to Him the event of all groundlefs and malicious accufations.

A prudent device of the Apoftle difconcerted the measures of his adverfaries for that time. He perceived, that the assembly confifted partly of Pharifees,

* A&ts xxiii. 1, &c.

and

and partly of Sadducees, who differed widely in their fentiments, especially concerning the refurrection of the dead. He therefore declared himfelf attached to the fect of the Pharifees, and affirmed that for his defence of their leading doctrine he then stood arraigned before them. As many as were of this perfuafion, immediately fhewed an inclination to favour him, and propofed his difmiffion. But fo warm were the debates occafioned by the subject, which he had started, that the council was thrown into the utmoft confufion. The Roman officer began to fear for the fafety of his prifoner, and, that he might not fuffer through the fierceness of the difputants, interpofed with an armed force for his deliverance, and conducted him back again to the caftle. The Lord fecures his people, amidt violent oppofition, by various ways. Sometimes he protects them, by permitting their enemies to be divided and incenfed against each other. The mutual hatred of wicked men is frequently fo great, that they cannot unite in any schemes for perfecuting the Church, as otherwife they would do. Thus "the wrath of man fhall praife God," and promote his purposes.

Our Apoftle remained in close confinement, diftreffed, probably, by gloomy apprehenfions, as if he were cut off from all further opportunities of usefulnefs. The following night, however, the Lord graciously appeared in a vifion to encourage and animate him, by an affurance that he fhould ftill continue his Jabours in the Gofpel, and bear his teftimony even at Rome, the imperial city. How tender are the compaffions of our God towards his afflicted people! In general, when their troubles increafe upon them, "their confolation alfo aboundeth by Christ *.” What, then, have they to fear? Or, what can man do

VOL. IV.

2 Cor. i. 5..
R

againft

against them? If the Lord declare his approbation, and fay to them, as he did to Paul," Be of good cheer," they fhould account it a fufficient compenfation for their fevereft perfecutions, and be imboldened to face a host of enemies.

Frefh dangers awaited the Apostle at Jerufalem. Such was the fury of his oppofers, that more than forty of them entered into an impious combination, and bound themfelves under a curfe to accomplish his murder. Even the chief priests and elders took part in the defign. But, though the horrid plan might feem to be well concerted, it was detected and defeated by the providence of God. A young man, nearly related to St. Paul, being apprized of the scheme, carried information of it to the Roman officer; in confequence of which the prifoner was immediately removed, and fent under a ftrong guard to Cefarea. His accufers, alfo, were commanded to follow him, that the matter might there be fairly investigated before Felix the governor.

It may appear ftrange, that one, whofe heart glowed with benevolence and a defire of promoting univerfal happiness, fhould be pursued with fuch malignity and rage, as if he had been the vileft of his fpecies and the peft of fociety. But in the oppofition, which was made to him and other eminent faints, a striking proof of human depravity is exhibited. Whilft they were treated with contempt and abhorrence, for righteousness' fake, it is obvious that the God, whom they served, was d.fpifed and hated and indeed, this enmity of the carnal mind against God is the grand fource and cause of perfecution, whatever may be pretended. But fhall the faithful followers of Chrift be intimidated? No: it is their privilege to maintain peace and joy, in dependence on their Almighty Redeemer. But "they that hate the righteous fhall be defolate." Their wifeft plans fhall turn to their own confufion. While they "take counsel together,-He that fitteth in the

heavens

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