which lurk within us, to betray us. If we put ourselves under this guide, we shall be more than conquerors; for we shall experimentally find, that they that be for us, will be stronger than those that are against us.-Propagate the religion of Christ within your breasts, and the gracious promises of the Gospel shall refresh your souls." Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses '."

Bb

LECTURE XX.

ACTS XIX. 21. XX. 1-6.

St. Paul's third Apostolic Journey continued. Ephesus.—Macedonia.-Greece.-[Corinth.]-Troas. A. D. 59, 60.

WHEN We view the characters and conduct of the Apostles at the distance of time in which we stand, and contemplate the various fortunes of Christianity in different ages and countries, the mind is impressed with a deep solemnity of thought, and an overwhelming sense of the awful providence of God. As our ways are not as his ways, and our thoughts as his thoughts, it necessarily follows that there must be many circumstances and events, inscrutable by human understanding, the causes of which are not only perfectly clear to the foreknowledge of God, but perfectly consistent with the freewill which he hath implanted in man. If this then be allowed, we may reasonably conclude, that the course of moral actions leads to one great and comprehensive end, not only the good of individuals, but the good of the whole; "for we know that all things work together for good to them that

love God, to them who are the called according to

his purpose.

But as this world is a world of trial, and no man is permitted to enter into the sanctuary, who falls short in the way of his salvation, it becomes him, according to the estimate at which he values his everlasting safety, to give his utmost " diligence to make his calling and election sure." The preservation of one soul from never-ending and irremediable perdition, is an object of infinite concern, and a link of that chain which leads up to the footstool of the immortal God. The pious and zealous Apostle, therefore, who gives himself wholly to the conversion of a sinner, and the humble penitent, who submits to the strength of argument, and to the still more powerful influence of the Spirit, enlivening and enlightening his understanding, are both employed in the noblest of undertakings; they are doing the work of God in the world; they are completing the plan of an everlasting Providence, and filling the courts of heaven itself with devout and holy worshippers.

The great motive of all human actions is the glory and love of God, a gracious principle implanted by God himself, which inclines us to delight in all that He commands, to esteem all that He esteems, to interest ourselves in every thing that belongs to Him, and to possess no happiness separate from Him, or inconsistent with his sacred and inviolable will. Worthy art Thou, O Lord, to receive

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glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created'!"

If we look then for a principle on which the primitive Apostles acted, and on which holy men in every age have acted, we find it here. Christ himself, the great High Priest, professes the same implicit and sanctifying obedience, on removing the sacrifices of the law. "Lo! I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all."

This train of thoughts naturally arises in our minds when we behold the great difficulties and dangers which the first disciples of our Lord encountered, and which were so particularly manifested in the travels and sufferings of St. Paul. No part of his conduct betrayed his mission. Firm, strenuous, intrepid, he met affliction as a friend. "None of these things move me," said he, in the very spirit of Christian fortitude. Neither in his temper, nor his manner, did the character of an Apostle suffer in his hands. "If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all 3." Though the mind of a good man cannot but be troubled at the tribulation which he suffers even in a righteous cause, yet is his dejection far removed from despair. Nay, in the bottom of his soul there lurks a secret joy, which

1 Rev. iv. 11.

2 Heb. x. 9, 10.

3 Phil. ii. 17.

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being founded on a true principle, animates and sustains him in every conflict; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things'."

The affairs of the Church of Ephesus being in a prosperous situation, as we observed at the conclusion of the last lecture, St. Paul began to arrange plans for his future travels through Macedonia and Achaia, intending from thence to go to Jerusalem, and afterwards to Rome. In the mean time, he employs two faithful ministers of the Gospel, Timothy and Erastus, and sends them into Macedonia in his stead. It has been conjectured, that St. Paul had heard of the death of Claudius Cæsar, and the revocation, or at least suspension, of his decree against the Christians. A Christian society appears also to have been established at Rome, to which the Apostle not long after addressed an epistle. We do not wonder that the indefatigable mind of the Apostle should prompt him to visit the then metropolis of the world. But the time for this journey was not yet arrived. His plans were altered, for reasons which we shall afterwards have occasion to remark.

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Though a great and effectual door (as St. Paul writes to the Corinthians) had been opened to him at Ephesus, yet, he adds, there are many adversaries." The very best days of the Church must expect such interruptions. The very best of men must look for opposition. No one will wonder

1 2 Cor. vi 10.

2 A. D. 59.

3 1 Cor. xvi. 9.