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tender it in the fulleft manner to the moft abandoned. But fome appear to reject it with difdain, as if, because of their amiable temper and moral character, it were unneceffary for them to feek redemption through the blood of the crofs. Alas! they deceive themfelves. If they be as exemplary as Cornelius, which perhaps may be doubted, yet he will teach them to place a high value upon the falvation, exhibited in the Gospel; and his case will condemn their proud contempt of this mercy.

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To men of all characters the good tidings are addreffed. The Lord Chriftfis preached unto us for the forgiveness of fins. Is not this the bleffing, which is indifpenfably requifite? Then let us obey the great evangelical precept, without cavilling, and believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift, as having made peace for us. So will the word of God come unto us, as it did to Cornelius," in demonftration of the Spirit and of power.' The Holy Ghoft is not now communicated in those extraordinary operations, which were then expedient; but he defcends, as certainly as he did in the primitive ages, on all who cordially accept the meffage of grace. He enlightens, fanctifies, and comforts them, and thus gives them an unquestionable evidence, that they have not "believed a lie." Let us look up in fervent prayer for this efficacious influence, that he may accomplish in us "all the good pleasure of his goodness." Then, like the devout Centurion, we fhall fhout aloud for joy, whilft we magnify God for his mercy, and celebrate t' praises of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift. Amen.

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HEROD

HEROD AGRIPPA.

СНАР. XI.

Herod perfecuted the Church-killed James-imprisoned Peter-difappointed by that Apostle's miraculous escape -flattered, as if he were a deity-fuddenly destroyed for his pride.

THE faithful followers of Chrift, though called

to maintain a fevere warfare agaiaft an evil world, are not every moment engaged in actual conflict. For gracious purposes they may be at times exempted from all external difturbances, and permitted to enjoy a ftate of eafe and profperity. "The Lord maketh even their enemies to be at peace with them *." Such a season occurred after the converfion of St. Paul. Perhaps fome of the violent oppofers of the Gospel were difcouraged, when they faw fo bold a champion defert them. "Then had the churches reft throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoft, were multiplied +." At length, however, a furious perfecutor arofe, and threatened them with terrible devastation. But, after being fuffered to fhew the malignity of his heart, he was fuddenly cut down by the hand of God, whom he had provoked.

The contemplation of such characters may excite many painful fenfations; but it will fuggeft profitable reflections. We fhall here perceive, that our de

* Prov. xvi. 7. † A&s ix. 31.

praved nature is filled with enmity against God and his people, that the fierceft adverfaries of the truth are not to be dreaded or envied, in the height of all their pomp and power, and that their triumphing is fhort. We fhall learn, alfo, from the inftance before us, to fear before that holy Lord God, who is jealous of his honour, and whofe anger is tremendous, when he arifeth to take vengeance.

The perfon, now introduced to our notice, is Herod furnamed Agrippa, grandfon of that Herod, who maffacred the children at Bethlehem, nephew to him who murdered John the Baptift, and the father of that prince who was "almoft perfuaded to be a Chriftian." This man was the king of Judea, which he governed as a Roman province. He is faid to have been zealous for the religion of the Jews: but, perhaps, he profeffed it only with the view of conciliating their favour; at leaft, he fhewed in his general conduct a fondnefs for popularity.

His

avowed oppofition to the Gofpel may in fome degree be ascribed to that principle: and it is obvious from the haughtiness of fpirit, which he evidently poffefsed, that he muft himfelf have been totally averfe to the humbling doctrines of our religion.

"Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church *." We lament, that power fhould ever be exercised for such purposes; and that they, who are appointed "for the punishment of evil doers," fhould exert their authority to harafs and destroy them that do well. The flock of Chrift was the object of this tyrant's indignation: he regarded not their inoffenfive and benevolent difpofition, but like a ravenous wolf fought to fcatter and devour them; and they like defenceless fheep were obliged to fly, or doomed to the flaughter. They were afAicted in different ways, not by reproach and con

Acts xii. 1, &c.

tempt

tempt alone, not merely by the deprivation of their worldly fubftance, but by imprisonment, tortures, and death. It fhould feem, that their religion was their only offence, and the true caufe of that malignity, with which they were treated. Chriftians may be guilty of imprudence and misconduct: but it is their attachment to their divine Mafter, which principally excites perfecution against them. Thus Jefus declared; "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own but because ye are not of the world, but I have chofen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you

Probably, many perfons in a private fituation fell under Herod's refentment; but thefe were not of confequence enough to fatiate his fury. He turned his hand against fome of the leading characters in the Church, and, of courfe, the Apoftles were firft marked out for deftruction. James, the brother of John, was seized and flain with the fword: thus he, who had been fo dear to Jefus, foon finished his labours, and, before any of the twelve, received the crown of martyrdom. The lofs of fo valuable a life, when Christianity stood in need of every support, was a calamitous difpenfation. But, perhaps, the violence and cruelty of the oppreffor promoted, inftead of checking, the progrefs of the Gofpel. Did it not appear more glorious, through St. James's readiness to fuffer in its defence, and the fubfequent perfeverance of his affociates in the miniftry, who continued to defpife the menaces of their enraged perfecutors ? The Jews, however, felt themselves gratified by the king's fanguinary conduct, and, probably, flattered him for the fervour of his religious zeal. With a view, therefore, to recommend himfelf and his adminiftration, he proceeded to further acts of feverity against the Chriftians. Alas! to what lengths of

* John xv. 19.

folly

folly and wickednefs have men been hurried by a fondness for vain applaufe! Let us beware of indulging a paffion, which is of fo deftructive a tendency.

The affiduous and unwearied exertions of St. Peter in propagating the truth rendered him particularly obnoxious. Accordingly, the tyrant marked him out for the next victim, apprehended and imprifoned him. It was intended that his death fhould be a public exhibition, as a fight which would afford peculiar pleasure to the people. But the celebration. of the paflover interfered with the execution. Thefe murderers were exact in their ceremonial obfervances, juft as the murderers of Jefus, who, while they contrived his crucifixion, paid a fcrupulous attention to the holy feaft. It was decreed, therefore, that the Apoftle fhould be brought forth to fuffer, at the conclufion of the folemnity. But his hour was not then come. Whatever our enemies may threaten, we poffefs an infallible fecurity under the care and protection of our Almighty Lord, fo long as He fhall pleafe to employ us in his fervice, or retain us in our appointed poft. Let us leave to him the determination of every event, and be folicitous, not fo much to escape the hand of violence, as to anfwer fome ufeful purpose, "whether it be by life or by death."

Herod, determined to make fure of his prifoner, not only kept him in clofe confinement, but committed him to the custody of four quaternions of foldiers, left any rescue or escape should be attempted. But no ftrength or contrivance can prevail against the counel of the Lord. If He fhall fay, "Go forth," no gates or chains, nor even all the armed force of the moft potent monarch, can hold one weak, defenceless faint in bondage. The inceffant prayers of the Church, which were offered up for the Apostle, procured the divine interpofition for his releafe, and

effectually

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