2. The manner is to be considered. The word must be closely and prudently applied ; for here is both a close and prudent application.
[1.] Close. He discourseth of virtues opposite to the vices where- with this man was blemished. The word hath force of itself, yet managed with dexterity, as a dart that falleth by its own weight, it will pierce ; but especially when feathered, and directed and cast by a skilful hand, and levelled at the mark : ' This is Jesus, whom ye have crucified. And when they heard that, they were pricked at the heart,' Acts ii. 36, 37. Not when they saw the miracle, not while the doctrine was delivered. In the doctrine delivered we do but bend the bow ; in application we let fly the arrow and shoot at the mark. A clap of thunder when distant doth not startle me, but when it is in my own zenith.
[2.] Prudent. Paul is here an example of prudence as well as of faithfulness. When he spake to Felix and Drusilla, he doth not charge them with intemperance, or unchastity, or injustice ; but dis- courseth of justice and temperance, that by that which is right they might understand that whicli is crooked, and from the rule know their own enormity. He lays the looking-glass before their eyes, and lets them see themselves, and behold their natural face in a glass.
III. The effect or fruit, how it doth or may come to nothing.
1. Through the levity of man, whose pangs of devotion are soon spent. The righteousness of the hypociite is compared to the morning clouds and the early dews, Hosea vi. 4 ; the righteousness of the upright to the morning light. Pro v. iv. 18.
2. Their addictedness to their lusts, which is greater than their
364 SERMON UPON ACTS XXIV. 25.
affection to religion : Luke viii. 14, * And that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to per- fection/ Sentiments of religion die away through cares of the world or voluptuous living.
3. Their unskilfulness in handling wounds of conscience. Some think they are never wounded enough ; but it is not the deepness oi the wound, but the soundness of cure that is to be regarded. Some heal their wounds slightly, a palliate cure ; they skin it over when it festereth within. Others dissemble it till it proveth deadly. Others run to a worldly cure, as if soul-thirst could be quenched at the next ditch, or an evil spirit could be cured by music. Some by a clatter and din of business put off that which they do not put away : Amos vi. 3, ' Ye put away the evil day.' Cain, in anguish of conscience, fell abuilding of cities.
4. Want of God's grace : Acts xvi. 14, ' And a certain woman named Lydia, which worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened.' Which is forfeited by the party who hath common helps and advantages. Some put away the word : Acts xiii. 46, ' It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you ; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo ! we turn to the gentiles.' Some put away trouble of conscience : Gen. vi. 3, * My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh.' Some lose their tastes and relishes of christian doctrine, and relapse into a carnal savour : Heb. vi. 3, 4, ' For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word, and the powers of the world to come, if they fall away, to renew them to repentance.'
Use 1. Information. We learn divers profitable lessons from hence.
1. The power of the word. Here is a notable instance of it, if we consider the person who trembled. Felix — (1.) By religion a pagan, who did not believe the gospel. The devils believe and tremble, and the word worketh effectually in them that believe ; but here an infidel is fain to stoop to the evidence of it, and at the same time it breaketh upon his heart and mind so far as to make him afraid. (2.) By his quality, a judge. The prisoner maketh the judge tremble. Outward distance and disadvantages should not discourage us ; our testimony rightly managed may alarm the consciences of those who are ready to condemn us. (3.) By his disposition ; not a devout man, but a man hardened in a course of sinning. We should despair of none. God can find his way into the consciences of the most sensual. (4.) For his outward condition, a man glutted with worldly happiness ; yet the thoughts of the other world will soon sour all the prosperity of the present life. (5.) For his temper now ; he sent for Paul out of curiosity, to satisfy his Jewish wife or minion ; but God can make use of man's sins to glorify himself and his truth. This power of the word, this convincing power, should be often thought of ; they that feel it not, fear it : John iii. 20, ' For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.'