bodies and our souls a living sacrifice," and " glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are his." Whatever be our calling in life, there can be no reason why we should not " de- light ourselves in God," and " live, not to ourselves, but unto him that died for us and rose again." Why should not every one of us have the same frame of mind as David, whose duties must certainly have been as numerous and important as any that we are called to perform5? We cannot, as has before been observed, be constantly engaged in religious duties ; but we may have our hearts always disposed for the enjoyment of them11: and it is certainly incumbent on us to embrace all seasonable opportunities of waiting upon God in the Church, and at his table, and in our families and the closet. Our daily intercourse with our friends should also be improved for the advancement of true religion, and every returning meal should afford us an occasion of enjoying and glorifying our heavenly Benefactor'. It is our privilege, as much as that of the pri- mitive Christians, to " eat our meat with gladness and singleness of heart, blessing and praising God."]
With such knowledge of their conduct we may expect to hear of, III. Their increase —
Their conduct conciliated the regard of all the people —
[Doubtless the natural man hates the light, because the evil of his own ways is exposed by it. Yet there is something in true religion which approves its excellence, even to the very people who hate it. Herod, from a full conviction that " John was a just and holy man, feared him," and complied with his advice in many particulars ; though afterwards he imprisoned him and put him to death. Thus the wonderful change that was wrought upon the first converts, from selfishness to cha- rity, and from irreligion to the most exalted piety, excited the admiration and the love of all.
How blessed is it, where the conduct of professors is so exemplary, as " to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men," and to engage the esteem of those who are condemned by it ! We must not indeed expect always to secure the favour of men; but we should endeavour so to act as to deserve it.]
Their numbers also were increased from day to
day—
[Doubtless conversion is the fruit of divine grace alone : " AVhether Paul plant, or Apollos water, it is God alone that
B l's. lxiii. 1 — 5. and lxxxiv. 1 — 4, 10. h 1 Thcss. v. 16—18. * 1 John i. 3.