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Aprii 19^August \S] FAMILY READINGS. [December }Q

in the Author's language in v.v. 8-10, that Luke the beloved Physician joined the Apostle's company at Troas, and 'became thenceforward his friend and companion in travel, as well as his historian. And here we read of the richly-blest labours and sufferings of St. Paul at Philippi, to the converts of which Roman colony, at a later period, he addressed the most commendatory of his epistles that we possess.

Up to this time, the Gospel seems to have been unknown in Europe : and it is worthy of remark that Paul and Luke, the two most highly educated of the Apostolic band, were of those chosen to fulfil this deeply-important mission. Gentile philosophy was now to be as closely encountered as Jewish prejudice; and the gifts of reason were required to contend with the disciples of the Porch and the Garden, as well as the wisdom of revelation to overcome and direct them.

But while these means were made use of by the God of Providence and Grace as best adapted to the end in view, all *'occasion of boasting" was taken away from man by the way in which the Spirit of

God is recorded to have acted in the hearts of the converted. It was by the Lord that the heart of Lydia was opened, and by a special act of grace that the spirit of divination was cast out of the Priestess of Apollo. It was God's mercy that protected the imprisoned Apostles, and the terrors of the Lord that fell upon the heart of the awakened gaoler. Satan and Man combined their forces against the Saints of God, but the truth of their cause and the guardianship of their Master, sustained and protected them; and so Lydia and her household, and the gaoler " and all his," joined the ranks of the faithful by the initiation of Baptism, and swelled the nuijiber of witnesses of Christ, the Saviour of mankind!

Nor was God glorified alone in the spiritual world by these successes of the heralds of His Truth. The Heathen (217) Aprii m^AMffUMi \9] FAMILY READINGS. [December 17

magistrates were compelled to respect those whose doctrine they rejected, when they saw their quiet firmness^ their cheerful unmurmuring submission to unjust persecution, their dignified exaction of apology from those who had passed an insult on their social rank and civil privileges. True it is, that it was the Roman and not the Divine power that they feared, but these fears were aroused by men acting under divine commission; and God's name was glorified in the respect shewn to His acknowledged servants. We cannot suppose that so paltry a feeling as selfish gratification was sought by such men as Paul and Silas; Luke and Timothy: but their independent and dignified conduct, recorded at the close of the chapter, seems rather to teach us that self-respect is a necessary element in the character of the ministers of God, and that they who consistently exhibit it will be sure to find God, and themselves as His Servants, respected by others as well.

April 20— August 19— December 17.

THE ACTS, Chap. 17.

The contents of this chapter prove to us that St. Paul had not ceased to take an interest in his kinsmen according to the fiesh, even though he knew that his special mission was to the great Gentile family.

Among the Thessalonians (to whom two of his epistles were subsequently addressed,) and also among the more noble and more just Bereans, he commenced his missionary labours through the lost sheep of the house of Israel: and even after the persecution of his nation had driven him to Athens, he again '^disputed in the Synagogue."

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AprU 2d—August \9] FAMILY READINGS. [December \7

His behaviour at Athens seems to call for special atten-tion^ as this was the seat of Philosophy and Literature^ and he was the first preacher of divine Truth who had visited it. First let us notice the points chiefly observable in his conduct; and then remark upon the peculiar skill of his oratory.

His active interest in the spiritual circumstances of those among whom he dwelt; his vexation of spirit at their alienation from the living God ; and his threefold endeavours to ameliorate their condition—first, through the medium of God*s chosen people ; secondly, through all the " devout persons," or Jewish proselytes, who showed a respect fctr God's truth; thirdly, through those whom he casually encountered in the fonun : all these hold out a striking model to our too passive Christianity, which allows without emotion or effort to improve them, the ignorant to abide in their ignorance, and the wicked to continue unchecked in their sins !

Again: his willingness to enter into controversy with the leading human Philosophers, to teach them the superiority of the wisdom which is from above, shows that there is a hallowed use in public discussion, when conducted in fairness and honesty: but in the address of the Apostle, while we find great readiness in availing himself of their love of novelty by setting before them the most striking features of God's revelation, we find nothing of that cruel

and condemnatory declamation, or of that unloving bitterness, which are imhap-pily characteristic of modem controversy.

In commenting on the structure of his oration, we are led first to note, that the Apostle attracts the attention of his auditory by a general compliment, the force of which is lost in o\ir English translation of the Bible. '' Ye men of Athens," he commences, *^ I perceive that in all things ye are very much given to religious observances: for as I passed by, and

beheld the several objects of your worship, I found not (219) April fX^Avguii \9] FAMILY RBADIN08. iDeeemher M

merely the ordinary altars^ but one moreover with this inscription—

To the Unknown God." And then, having won their favourable regard by an acknowledgment of their piety, and knowing how great a point it is in argument only to argue on principles admitted by the adversary, he avails himself at once of their admitted ignorance to offer them the instruction they required, and which they could not, as a people fond of knowledge, without inconsistency refuse. But when he enters upon the awful subject of revealed truth, he no longer shelters himself under argument. He proceeds to teach with dignity and authority the nature and the attributes of God. In the course of this teaching, however, he does not neglect the graces of elocution; and perhaps we ought to stand on the Areopagus, ere we can fully realize the exquisite skill of his allusion to present objects, when, under the very shadow of the Acropolis, which was thronged at that day with the temples and statues of heathen deities, he speaks of God

" dwelling not in temples made with hands ;" of " not being worshipped with men's hands as though He needed any thing;" of His being " felt after and feared " as being near, though invisible !

Again, there is equal skill shown in his quotation from their poet Aratus, in his comment on which he throws out a brilliant sarcasm on the absurdity of image worship : it seems as though he said. Ye acknowledge yourselves the offspring of God, and yet these painted and jewelled vanities are all ye can shew for a parentage. Ye KNOW

they are not, and cannot be, your parents. Act by Him then, whom you acknowledge your God and Father, as ye would by your own

parents; and no longer pay to a living Father a mocking and fanciful reverence, [but a real and a reasonable service!

And when he has thus led their minds to the contemplation of the living and true God, he winds up his address by (220) April 21-^August 20] FAMILY READINGS. [December \6

exhortation to repentance, assuring them of the coming judgment, and urging them to faith in Christ, grounded on the sufficient and reasonable evidence of His Resurrection from the dead.

If we are still Gentile in heart, may we be led, like Dionysius and Damaris, to lay hold on the Truth as here revealed by the Apostle to the Athenians.

April 21— August 20— December 18.

THE ACTS, Chap. 18.

Though the success of St. Paul at Athens was comparatively slight, it does not seem to have discouraged him. He pursued a similar course at Corinth, the capital of Achaia, but with greater success; for in this important and voluptuous city he established that flourishing, though sometimes inconsistent church, to which he afterwards addressed two of his epistles. He appears early to have left the Jews to their prejudices, and to have addressed himself specially to the Gentiles ; but not to have gone alone to them; for Justus and Crispus appear to have been the first-fruits of his ministry, and Aquila and Priscilla (who probably were already acquainted with the way of the Lord) swelled the number of the Hebrew-Christians at Corinth.

We cannot wonder at his protracted residence in this capital, when we read that, notwithstanding its effeminacy and luxury, the Lord Himself encouraged him by the information that He had much people therein. May not this teach us not

to be led into an uncharitable condemnation of any given place, because it bears a general stamp of evil upon it?

Beneath the surface of evil, there may be much latent good. (221) April ^X-^August 70] FAMILY READING?. [December \Q

There may be a sanctifying remnant^ like the seven thousand of oldj who had not bowed the knee to Baal, even amid the multitude of the unrighteous: and a proper encouragement of that which is true and holy may bring out righteousness with triumphant colours, while a habitual depreciation of the whole place might tend to depress, if it did not entirely subdue, what remained of holiness within it.

We are introduced in this chapter to the brother of the Koman Philosopher Seneca, in the person of Gallio, the pro-consul of Achaia.

We should scarcely recognize in his conduct here related the character given of him by his brother: " No mortal," he writes, " was ever so mild to any one as he was to all; and in him there was such a natural power of goodness, that there was no semblance of art or dissimulation." But at the same time that his conduct to the tumultuous Jews does not bear out this account of Seneca, it certainly does not warrant the popular impression that exists among cursory readers of the Scripture, that Gallio is the type or representative of those who are indifferent to all matters of spiritual interest.

It was some time after the insurrection here alluded to that St. Paul, having effectually planted the Gospel in Europe, returned into Asia accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Having left them at Ephesus, he sailed to Cesarea, then kept the passover at Jerusalem, then went to Antioch, and from thence made a regular tour of visitation through Galatia and Phrygia.

Aquila and Priscilla were not idle during the Apostle's absence.

Apollos, a very giant in scriptural knowledge, but not yet acquainted with the actual history of the Messiah, was instructed by them more perfectly in the way of the Lord; and through him, under their

assistance, was established that spiritual connexion between Asia and Europe (222)

April 2Z^Atigu8t 2\] FAMILY READINGS. [December \9

which the ApoBtle had commenced^ when first the vision sent from God summoned him to plant the standard of the cross upon our western shore.

The general lessons to be learned from this chapter appear to be—

firsts that of perseverance and activity in the cause of the truth, as illustrated in the conduct of the Apostle: secondly, the use of time and means, like Aquila, who was content to work for his livelihood, but neglected not the opportunity of improving others in spiritual knowledge: thirdly, the duty of receiving increased instruction with gratitude and docility, like the learned but humble-minded Alexandrian, ApoUos.

April 22— August 21— Decrmber 19.

THE ACTS, Chap. 19.

The opening of this chapter is interesting on several accounts. First, it shows how extensive was the influence of John the Baptist, whose doctrine of repentance had established itself at Ephesus, and thus prepared the Jews of Asia Minor for the revelation of Jesus Christ: secondly, it represents a peculiar kind of ignorance, common in the present day, where men professing a belief of the necessity of repentance, yet feel not, nor are willing to admit, the influence of the Holy Ghost Who has wrought this belief in their hearts: and, thirdly it shows us, by example, how readily and thankfully we should avail of increased means of grace, when the Providence of God extends them for our reception.

The laborious and perilous service of twenty years had neither abated the ardour nor lessened the energy of St. Paul. (228) April22—A¥gMst2\'i FAMILT READINGS. [December \9

His daily disputations in the school of Tyrannus at Ephesus, read a striking lesson to the coldness and infrequency with which the Gospel is made known to inquirers in the present day. But when we admit this^ we should examine ourselves at the same time^ as being probably its partial cause^ and ask^ if we were earnest in our prayers for the ministry, and faithful in seeking the word of the Lord at their mouth, might we not materially increase the zeal of those whom God has appointed to "keep knowledge" for His people, (see Mai. ii. 7.)

The success of the Gospel, and the miraculous power of healing bestowed on the Apostles, led to many godless counterfeits. A special instance of one of these is recorded^ apparently with the intention of teaching us how the selfish hypocrisy of the infidel recoils upon himself; glorifying God when he least expects and desires it, and justly defeating the ends for which it was assumed.

We learn also from this chapter, how the revelation of God, under the new dispensation, triumphs over the delusions of Satan, just as it had done under the old. As the enchantments of Balaam faded before God's expressed will; and the Magicians of Egypt failed to stand before Moses and Aaron; so the magical books and curious arts of the Ephesians were counted vain and unprofitable, when exposed beneath the light of the Gospel. Perhaps no more striking triumph of the truth over men's minds is recorded, than that contained in the nineteenth verse of this chapter. Superstition often lingers, even after we think it has departed. The wisdom of man fails to destroy it. But the wisdom of God first exposes its folly, and then man, truly enlightened, voluntarily eradicates it from his heart, as a plant that spreads poison wherever it is allowed to^ grow.

The latter half of this chapter gives a most graphic description of a popular tumult, excited for selfish purposes (224}

April 23-^August ^] FAMILY READINGS. [December'20

against the heralds of the truth of Christ. The wild and irrational idolatry of the Ephesians appears in striking contrast beside the "

reasonable service " rendered to Almighty God by his ransomed children. May we have grace to follow the consistent path of holiness, suffering, and obedience, of which so illustrious example has been set us by the persecuted Apostle and his brethren in the Lord: and may we be enabled to look as it were through them to the Master whom they served, and who is as ready to hear our prayers and to help our infirmities as He was to succour them in their hour of need!

^^>^^.^t^ ^>^^.»-^»^^^.^^^t^»y%^>^>^>^i^>^^»^»^>^"

April 23— August 22— December 20.

THE ACTS, Chap. 20.

The wisdom and faith of Paul led him to depart from Ephesus, when he found that his continued presence would be likely to cause increased contention. But though being persecuted in this city he thought it right to flee into another, he did not leave the Church at Ephesus without taking due heed for its orderly government.

Of his visit at this period into Macedonia and the parts lying to the north-west of Greece, and his subsequent brief residence ih Greece itself, we learn nothing from the record before us, save that he was again persecuted by the Jews, and was immediately afterwards rejoined by St. Luke, who seems to have remained at Philippi when Paul and Silas were driven thence by persecution.

The seventh verse contains one of the most striking scriptural illustrations of the Lord's Day being adopted as the Christian Sabbath, in place of the seventh day of the week. It is related, as though it were already matter of

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■« »«

.J •- . » !••'

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*nr f yiAai <p ftradt iready Paul

r .f .&'^ :::.:. i^t* n. " & vafloct dvt flBons tD diew the

' u«..m. .1 r -1-^'^ !E1 '^ r BBmnmni. w ^v^&D as the obBerrance

» t:!* XLT*- L.' ii ::.f ▼:*•* » tut ::ririfitnai dar dfrei^

Tif mr^.trv^ ^ll^ rr^n*. nf Xoirirctiiif after las mtHtal

;.... Ti.::-r i^' • a i.. Hi Ii'Ut n Uif a&csuni and reeped &lt ir r. r.a i'^ i^t i_^/:Tiit> a: u^rMt; a ^laoeK^iere his ivr^T-ai...!! ui-L Tim-t i^iianruzL. LirJOL,'iras peascmallT ^i^dl tui.r7 j.^-u T i.t-L. :n. i-ifr inancr Tisii. ie had ^nittod Ac place iL

ziii^^t vziL !.>. T-:«:i:2i3Beic froK sut ineetiiiir with Titus, Titt iLTt-PtL rloJiri cc uie Jk^ciscte to the Eldos of £^L'/F^^. ^Ij:

<:2. ic£ lui ictL: inr ^ BKCt Ibb at MilehiSy is *>>:":. tTr'-.-J.:^ i^li hjcriiriTr, It f?TK ns a sizikiiig picture erf tjj*: lc*-K.*'.^f. irj£t^zi..z^

tzLi dci£ret$ of lliis h^fahr-gified wri'tz-t cf Clria::, ar.£ ^:w$ iwnr mudi his strong and z^'>u» f^tL »H f.T-1 &boTe tLase ccnadenlkns that would t^ve a^-frc-Urd a less ^pirirsju Eii^d. It teaches as also, that Ki* W'-MriTh of prescliirLZ in piiKic were enforced hy his j^trvnk^l mliil^trations from house to house, and Ans exhibits i\ui

%Ofiid character of evangelical instmctiDn^ while k leads UK to cultivate that affectionate commnnioiL between pastor ttfiil llock which is invariably blest so mnch to boA wherever it i:xUU* It reeals to ns who read as well as to those—^Elders MM iinry wiste —who heard it, the fundamental principles of the iiokfud, ^^repeniAuce toward God and £iith toward our Lord tUimn Chmt,** which no

&ithful preacher ever loses sight of, tiVim when administering

"strong meat to Aem that are of full ftgij" in the Gospel.

TluJ paiuful prophecy of the Apostle, contained in

V, «♦, Hi), SO, appears to have been afterwards sadly realized (1220) AprilfU — AtiyutiaS] FlUILT READINGS. [Drcnnicr 31

in the £phesian Church, as we may leam from several passages in St.

Paul's first epistle to its first Bishop, the youthful Timothy. Would that when we read oi their errors, ■we could be led to think of our own! The same deformities of tyranny, superstition, and falsehood, have characterized the later as well as the earlier Church: but assuredly the condemnation due to us must be greater than theirs, if we neglect or pervert the great salvation revealed to uy in the written word. While knowledge was limited to a few, the multitude would be easily led away by its assumption; but we should seem to be without excuse, if, with the Word of God in our hands, and the Church of GoD proclaiming its truth throughout the length and breadth of our land, we persisted in still clinging to ignM-ance, and preferring by our own voluntary choice the darkness of nature to the revealed light of the Truth as it is in Jesus.

r 23— December 21.

THE ACTS, Chap. 21.

St. Paul bad not long leil the sorrowing disciples of Miletus and the Elders of the Cburch of Ephesus, ere the difficulties of his approaching journey thickened around him. When passing a week (so as to include at least one Lord's Day, as he had done at Troas) with the disciples at Tyre, the mart of nations, the dangers of his visit to Jerusalem were prophesied, and a vain attempt was made to induce him to ' change his plan. Again, after visiting Ptolemais, tT

Acre, when at Cesarea, partaking of the christian h of the Evangelist and Deacon Philip, the social party was sadly broken in upon by the announ (227) «■

April fl^—Augu»i*2ai] YAUILY READINGS. [Deeemher 2\ Agabus (whose prophetic powers had already been tested by facts,) that bonds beneath the Gentile power awaited him at Jerusalem.

The conduct of the Apostle on this occasion teaches us the duty of perseverance as well as boldness in the cause of our Master: we must be ready to suffer for Christ, even as He also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps. The threats of danger did not divert St. Paul from the thorny path of duty; and we must be firm and faithful in the midst of present temptation and coming evil, if we do not wish the instruction here recorded to be lost upon us.

In the way the joyful reception of the Apostle at Jerusalem is made known •to us, we have another indication of the dignity of James the Less, as presiding over the Church at that sacred seat of its foundation: and in the advice given to St. Paul, or rather the injunction laid upon him by the Church (which he immediately obeyed), we have a practical lesson taught us as to .the extent and obligation of expediency. "We see from this behaviour of St. Paul," it has been remarked, " that, for the sake of peace, and to avoid giving offence, it is expedient and lawful to conform to established usages and ceremonies, if innocent, though not essential to religion." This is true: but the lesson taught us would seem to go beyond this, and say, that such concessions are not only allowable and lawful but a duty, when thereby we can refresh the conscience of weak brethren, and glorify Gon by biinging them a step forward in the path of salvation.

To understand the tumultuous excitement that prevailed in Jerusalem, as recorded in the latter part of the chapter, we should bear in mind that the Jews were fretting impatiently beneath the yoke of Rome, and that frequent attlittipts

at insurrection had been made among them. This made the (228) April25-Augutt24] FAMILY READINGS. [December 22

garrison of the castle of Antonia watchful and alert: and at this time, the suspicions of Claudius Lysias, the Chief-Captain, seem to have been specially aroused, under the idea that Paul was the false prophet from Egypt, who a short time before had excited a sedition, endeavouring to persuade the people to follow him to mount Olivet to see the walls of the city fall down at his command, and intending to force a passage into the city and master the Roman guards. The

attempt had been frustrated by Felix, but the author of the sedition had made his escape; and the Chief-Captain now seized Paul, under the impression that he was this same malefactor, engaged in a second and similar attempt.

We cannot but admire the extreme self-possession and dignity of the Apostle, who, under all the circumstances of personal violence, suspicion of treason, and popular tumult, yet retained the calmness to explain every thing to the Chief-Officer into whose custody he was delivered, and persuade him to grant licence for him to make a public oration. But the sense of serving God gives dignity and power to the mind that would have been comparatively impotent in mere human affairs!

April 25— August 24— December 22.

THE ACTS, Chap. 22.

No opportunity of usefulness is to be despised. When St. Paul found himself in a position to address his countrymen, he endeavoured to use it to the best advantage. The difference between his addresses to the Jews and to the Heathen is very marked; but in both cases he strives to approach them through their sympathies. He commences the address before us by a double claim of brotherhood: (229)

April25—Awfu»t24] FAMILY READINGS. [December 2^

firsts in the words he used; secondly^ in the language wherein he clothed them. He called them his brethren^ and he called them so in their own tongue. Even heyond this^ he acknowledges a sympathy of a more painful character, for he admits that he once participated in those feelings which now animated them, and persecuted to bonds

£|iid death the followers of Christ.

With the history of the conversion of this Apostle we are akeady familiar, from the record of the ninth chapter of this book. The circumstance that prevented his completing the account now before us, is strikingly illustrative of the bigotry of the Jewish character;

directly they had an intimation of divine favour being extended to the despised Gentiles, that moment they refused to hear a word more. Let this misconduct of theirs convey a warning to us; it is not by the indulgence of our prejudices^ that we fit ourselves either for the reception of truth, or for the duty of extending it to others. The graces of Christianity should enlarge our sympathies, not increase our natural fondness for exclusion.

' In the concluding part of the chapter, after being tau^t incidentally the cruel custom of the Romans of extracting by torture a confession from the accused, we are led to a consideration of the value of civil privileges, where possessed. Had not St. Paul been a freeman of Rome, he could not on this occasion have escaped examination by scourging. The assertion however of his civil right, placed him in a position even of superiority over the Chief-Captain: for Claudius Lysias had only acquired by costly ptirchase that dignity and privilege of which the Apostle was possessed by inheritance.

*How was the night passed before Paul was brought before the Jewish council ? Doubtless in prayer and supplication that he might fitly discharge the peculiar duties of

his position. It had been foretold that the disciples should (230)

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be brouglit before Magistrates and Councils^ and he would be anxious on each occasion to witness a good confession in his Master's cause. May we, each in our several stations, cherish this same desire in our own hearts. In all circumstances of our life recognizing divine providence, and unceasingly striving so to fulfil the duties of our position as to glorify the name of Him who has called us to fill it!

k,%/V\/%«X/<^^'V^«V^ V'^^/^^#*./%/\/*^%'X^*^-WW>*

April 26— August 25— December 23.

THE ACTS, Chap. 23.

When we read of the indignant Apostle quoting the Scripture which shews that he would not voluntarily have spoken evil of any one in authority, we are led to wonder that he should not have known the person of the High-Priest, from the mere fact of seeing him preside over the council. Thii^ is accounted for by the history of the period.

Ananias had been High-Priest when St. Paul was at Jerusalem before; but he had been subsequently deprived of his oflice. At this particular epoch, when the Apostle was brought before the ^

Sanhedrim, theiy we^e destitute of any duly-appointed High-Priest, and Ananias had boldly assumed that office on his own authority; so that Paul might well plead in excuse that he was ignorant of his dignity, even though he might have known his person. It may be a matter of interest to most readers of the Scripture to know, that the Apostle's prophetic declaration, "God shall smite thee," was fulfilled.

"About five years after this," we are informed, ^'Ananias was dragged from an aqueduct in which he had: concealed himself from a tumult, and put to death by

assassins."

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AprU'M}>^Au^u8t25] FAMILY KSAPINOS. [Deemnber23

There was great wisdom as well as justice in St. Paul's conduct before the council^ when he fixed the question of his imprisonment upon a fact partially recognized, and declaicd that he ranged himself under the same banner with those among them who contended for the Truth. " The hope, and the resurrection, of the dead," were indeed common ground for the faithfiil, though not the formal, Pharisee and himself to stand upon; and though the former was not yet awakened to the fact of Jesus being " the Resurrection and the Life," it was clear that there was infinitely greater hope of his being so, than of the reckless and profane Sadducee, who despised the prospect and denied the fact of an eternal inheritance.

The excitement of that turbulent day must have been sweetly stilled by the revelation of the following night. While murderous Jews were maturing their foul conspiracy. He who was mightier for Paul than

they who were against him, was consoling him with the assurance that he should be privileged to carry his testimony to the Truth to the metropolis of the world's empire. So hardened in crime and so bold in its perpetration were the bigoted Jews of that day, that they seem to have aflfected little concealment of their wicked intention: but however this might be, it was so far revealed, that the nephew of the prisoner was enabled to make it known to the intended victim. The Chief-Captain, who would seem to have been a man of kindly and even affectionate disposition, took the necessary steps to frustrate the conspiracy, and an indication of the fulfilment of the Lord's promise (that Paul should testify to Him at Rome) was forthwith manifested, in his transfer from the power of the Jews to that of the Roman Procurator, who represented at Cesarea the imperial government.

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AprU21 —A«^us<26] FAMILY READINGS. [December^

The most striking lesson for us to learn from this record is, unhesitatingly to rely upon the providence and goodness of our Lord.

When danger most threatens, Christ is nearest to us: and just as He supported Paul under trial, and revealed Himself to him in his greatest need, so will He ever be near to hear the cry of them that call upon Him, and to deliver them out of their distress!

April 27— August 26— Dscembbr 24.

THE ACTS, Chap. 24.

We have an interesting contrast before us in the smooth and flattering oration of the hired pleader, Tertullus, and the manly and straightforward address of the imprisoned Apostle. The accusations brought against the latter are simply but decidedly met in his brief defence. He recognizes with gladness the fact of Felix being his judge, because, not only had he now been for several years Procurator of Judea, but had a close and accurate knowledge of Jewish customs, having married Brasilia, the '^daughter of Herod-Agrippa. In his defence, first, he urges the moral impossibility of his

having excited any seditious movement in Jerusalem, inasmuch as only twelve days had now elapsed since he arrived there for the purpose of worship. He then admits the charge of what they call heresy; but asserts that every opinion he does hold is conformable to the doctrines of the Law and the Prophets. Lastly, he states the object of his visit to Jerusalem after a protracted absence, which was, not tumult or sedition, but benevolence—he having been charged to bring to his nation alms and offerings, the benevolent contributions of the Gentile Church to their

necessities.

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Apra2:i^Augu$t25] FAMILY READINGS. [Z^ecem&er 24

The result of this defence was highly important and beneficial to the cause of Christianity. Felix postponed the question until the testimony of the Chief-Captain could be received: from the letter he had received from him^ and from the defence of the prisoner, it was manifest that it was in mere persecution that the Jews were clamouring for Paulas destruction; and, bad as Felix was, he did not choose to deliver so intrepid a defender of the faith to their malice.

In the comparative liberty, therefore, that St. Paul enjoyed during the two following years in the important city of Cesarea, much opportunity of usefulness must have occurred: externally, he could hold frequent intercourse with the christians of Jerusalem on the one hand, and no little with Antioch on the other: internally, he must have had great means of strengthening the local Church, among the members of which were Philip the Evangelist and his family, and probably Mnason of Cyprus, with Cornelius the centurion and his Gentile friends who believed.

And besides these opportunities of strengthening and refreshing the faithful, we have positive testimony to his zeal in seeking to arouse the hitherto unconvicted of sin to repentance. The rapacious and licentious Felix, with her whom he had seduced from the side of Azizus to his own, t;remble^ before his eloquence, when he reasoned

of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come! O that these solemn thoughts might aifect us more deeply and permanently than they did him! That we, knowing that God hath not called us to uncleanness but unto holiness, might truly follow the holy path that has been made known to us 1 That the preaching of the Apostle, and the warning held out by the miserable, the remorseful, but the impenitent Felix, might rouse us to that godly sorrow for sin which worketh repentance unto life,

not to be repented of! C234)

April2B—August 27] FAMILY READINGS. [December 2S

April 28— August 27— December 28.

THE ACTS, Chap. 25.

We have abundant reason to admire the providence of God in reading this chapter. As the two years comparative freedom which Paul had enjoyed at Cesarea had tended to confirm and spread the Gospel in the east, so now the more straight bondage into which he was to be delivered, was to promote its extension even to the utmost borders of the west.

So soon as Festus had entered upon his duties as governor of the province, the Jews by public accusation and secret conspiracy sought the destruction of the indefatigable Paul. The justice however of one great principle of Roman law, the confronting the accuser and the accused, forbade their intention to be carried into efiect.

And surely from this we may learn a lesson profitable to ourselves; if even the heathen would not condemn an accused person without giving him the opportunity of justifying himself, how sore witness shall these raise up in the judgment against professing christians, who encourage evil reports, unkind slanders, or unjust condemnations against absent brethren who are unable to justify themselves : yet how commonly do we find this done in the heart of christian society, and even in the bosom of christian families!

When we read of the Apostle's appeal to Caesar—an

appeal which his civil right as a Roman citizen enabled him to make—we must not forget the vision he had received, wherein it was foretold him that he should testify to Christ at Rome ! His vigorous mind and keen spiritual perception, would doubtless seize upon the point of the revelation given (235) AprU2»^August ^] FAMILY READINGS. [DecembfT^

to him, and enable him in faith to avail of the opportunity thus afforded, whereby God's revealed intention might be forthwith fulfilled.

Again, we cannot but see the working of the hand of God in bringing the brother of I)rusilla, and the son of that monarch who had last persecuted the christian church, beneath the influence of the Apostle's preaching. While Paul was yet a prisoner in the hands of Festus, the son and daughter of Herod-Agrippa came to salute the Eoman governor. In the hope of ascertaining more definite information as to his supposed offence from one who was himself a Jew, the Roman polytheist mentioned the case of Paul to the King: and he, who must have remembered his father's persecution of the Christians, would not unnaturally desire to hear that distinguished teacher of the doctrine, who now for a period approaching thirty years had continually faced danger and death in the cause of his crucified Master.

Thus, through divine providence working amid the volitions of sinful men, was that distinguished scene brought about when the Gentile, the Jew, and the Christian were thrown together in one party. Paul,"

brought before a governor and a King for Christ's sake," noV raised that testimony which was against both. May we who read profit more than they who heard his testimony! May we neither reject the truth, which the Apostle so manfully defeiuded, from the blincbiess of the Roman, or the hardheartedness of the Jew, but rather receive with meekness that engrafted word, which is able to save our souls !

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April 29— August 28— December 29.

THE ACTS, Chap. 26.

In the defence of St. Paul before the Jewish King, he recapitulates that wondrous scene of his conversion which we have twice previously been called upon to notice. It is no wonder that he himself would bring out all his powers of eloquence on so interesting an occasion; for though probably he would be internally aware that he would fail to convert Agrippa, and that his own captivity at Rome was certain; yet a glorious vision of hope could not fail to expand itself before him, when he thought of the possibility of bringing the Jewish Monarch to the knowledge of Messias, and leading the high-priest (who by the permission of the !Eoman Emperor was nominated by the King) and multitudes of his brethren to the confession of the true faith!

In accordance with this feding, he first exhorts the king, as one well acquainted. with the religious controversies of his age, to listen to him with patience ; he then recites his own union with the party of the Pharisees, and states that the cause for which he suffered was the universal belief of all the feithful of the Jews; namely, faith in the promised Messias, and the resurrection of the dead, and the future state of glory. This was his faith always: yet notwithstanding this faith, he had at one time persecuted the Christians, because he believed them not to hold it. But God had shewed him the error of his way, and converted him from his blindness.

Agrippa was more courteous and attentive than the Jewish auditory, whom he had previously addressed from the steps of the castle of Antonia. When he had addressed

himself to them, they refused to listen to the tidings of (287)

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Salvation bein;; carried to the Genbles: but the "king allowed him to complete his narratiTe.

Although however the Jewish Monarch coTild receive with respectful attention the doctrine of a risen Saviour, who should preach repentance both to Jew and Gentile, there was one present whom either the novehy of the tidings, or their disagreeable nature, at once offended. The haughty sarcasm burst from the lips of the Gentile Governor—"Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." How impressive is the lesson these words convey! The most sacred truths of God, the hope of immortality, the resurrection of the dead, the promise of forgiveness of sin, all seem but folly—

mere madness— to the ignorant and wordly-minded ! Let not this lesson be lost upon us. The record of the Gentile Festus teaches us what we should be, were we without Christ, and aliens from the common-wealth of the true Israel: for " the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

One more fact is deserving of our notice; that is, that the Apostle did not rest content with pressing mere doctrine or opinion upon the Jewish King, he urged also the weight of evidence. He reminds him that the suflering and resurrection of Christ was no obscure fact—not a thing done in a comer; but was now matter of history, and established upon a double testimony that could not be overthrown.

First, the testimony of Prophets that these things toould take place j secondly, the testimony of competent witnesses that these things had taken place.

Let not this double testimony be lost upon ant who have to the written Word of God. The acknowledgment of

pa that he was altn^tat persuaded to be a Christian, mns him in our judgment that he did not become really

^April aO^August 29] FAMILY READINGS. [December dO

one. What will our profession of the religion of Christ do for us at the last day ? Assuredly it will form the ground of the verdict to be passed upon us. Either, having lived according to that holy profession, we shall be "found in Christ,'* (see Phil, iii, 9, 11); or, having denied in practice the profession of our lips, we shall come under the awful sentence, " Depart from me, ye cursed; I never knew you." May the contemplation of this solemn alternative work in us repentance and amendment of life, to the glory of our Lord and Head Christ Jesus !

April 30— August 29^— December 30. . THE ACTS, Chap. 27.

We are reminded by the record of the Apostle's voyages in the merchant ships of Adramyttium and Alexandria, of a peculiar feature in the economy of God's providence. We are for the most part ready enough to recognise the direct intervention of divine power, and to bow before His will as revealed by Himself; but we do not with equal facility perceive His intentions, when they come to us through a series of indications, rather than by direct injunction. Thus it has happened that, of the thousands upon thousands engaged in each generation in the pursuit of Commerce, that pursuit has been by an immeasurable majority devoted to selfish purposes, instead of being reverently recognised as an agent for God in heralding His revealed will throughout the universe.

But if we look to the ancient Scriptures, we shall almost always find that commerce, when recorded, was subservient to some great design of God ; as for instance, in the case of the Ishmaelites who brought Joseph the deliverer of his race down into Egypt; or of the merchant seamen of Tarshish, (239) AprU90-^AugH9t^\ FAMILY K£ADINUS. IDeemberaO

who took Jonah in his flight from Joppa^ and were thus led to the acknowledgment of the true God ; or of those Tyrians who brought

up the materials of the Temple of Jerusalem, the great testimony to the Lord who had chosen to set His name there!

And thus too in the New Testament, not merely has the Redeemer of the world been introduced to us, in so many striking scenes of His ministry, through the extensive fishing-trade of Tiberias, but, in the chapter before us, we are shown how instrumental commerce was in advancing the success of St. Paul through his various voyages, and bringing him far upon his way to plead the cause of Christ at Rome.

These thoughts (which have elsewhere been more fully expanded*) may wholesomely remind those of our nation who are engaged in commercial life, that they too have a trust reposed in them by God, and a work to do for Him, in hallowing their daily labours and their daily gains to His glory.

But it is not only to the followers of Commerce that a lesson is taught by this chapter. All of us alike may learn to admire the providence and love of GoD, -who so watched over the welfare of his faithful servant, that he not only pre-served him in the time of danger, but also gave to his prayers all them that were with him. How are we taught herein the value of sanctity in the sight of God ! The two hundred three score and sixteen souls were preserved for the sake of the Apostle, even as the cities of the plain, but for their desperate and universal degradation, might have been preserved at the intercession of Abraham in former days !

Let then the power of intercessory prayer—the fact that the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avail much; the

• See a Sermon entitled " Commerce a Divine Missionary."

London : Smith, Elder, & Co., 18i5.

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Mai^ 2^August 20] FAMILY READINGS. [December 91

necessity of holiness; and the blessedness of having holy men of God amongst us; be impressed upon all of us by the record we have read

to-day !

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Mat 2— August 30— December 31.

THE ACTS, Chap. 28.

The history of the Acts of the Apostles, after giving an account of St.

Paul's successful preaching and miraculous healing at Melita, concludes with a brief allusion to his first iniprisonment at Rome.

About thirty years had elapsed from the time of the crucifixion; and in the course of this single generation, the christian faith had not only been preached with success in Syria, Greece, and Asia-Minor, but had spread throughout almost all parts of the Roman empire, and even, as we have reason to believe, to Parthia and India. At the time of the Apostle's arrival in Italy, he found, apparently without expecting it, brethren at PuteoU: and when on his journey to Rome, he was greeted by a number of brethren, who came out to a considerable distance to receive with honour the christian hero!

All this was clearly the work of God, No human ingenuity, unaided by wealth, station, or the sword, could have effected so wondrous a revolution in the moral history of man. God had manifestly chosen the weak things of the world to overcome them that were mighty: and the meek, patient, sufifering spirit of Christianity, now firmly planted in the metropolis of the world, was destined soon to rise in the vigour of that great fifth monarchy, which should triumph over the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.

In the brief account that is given us of St, Paul at Rome, we are led to observe his usual custom of first preach-(241) Ma^ 2^Augu$t 90} FAMILY READINGS. [December ^\ ing the Gospel to those of his own nation: when this was unhappily proved to have but little eflfect, he turned with his whole force to

fulfil his mission to the Gentiles.

Nor are we to suppose that preaching and disputation were the sole emplojnnents of the Apostle during the time of his imprisonment at Home; we have good reason to believe that four at least of his epistles were written during these two years, namely, those to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, and to Philemon; and lastly, that to the Philip-pians, which was indited at some interval later than the others.

We now close this important history: but let us not fail to observe, that the last thing recorded of St. Paul is the same as that recorded of him at the first, after his conversion. Then, "straightway he, preacihed Christ, that he is the Son of God." Now too he *^ preached the Kingdom of God, and taught those things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ." *^ Faithful to the end," might be written as the motto of this great Apostle, and we who read of his fidelity should assume the like motto for ourselves. For us, no less than for him, has Jesus Christ the righteous left his revelation! For our sins, no less than for his, did Jesus die. For our justification, no less than for his, did Jesus rise again 1 For our saactification, no less than for his, did the risen Saviour plead with the Father that the Holy Ghost might be given upon earth!

May that Holy Spirit, who, in mercy to our ignorance, dictated the Holy Gospels and the book of the Acts which we have read; in like mercy to our weakness, bestow on us His grace, that we may faithfully receive and apply to our own souls the blessed knowledge they contain!

THE END.

^^■^■^ -"~ " i I —_n_n_n_~n_rir\n-rLf 8L0MAN, Printer, King-Street, Yarmoutli.

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