can give the increase." Yet God uses various means to ac- complish this work; and one of peculiar efficacy is, the conduct of his people : by that he " puts to silence the ignorance of foolish men," and constrains them to "glorify him in the day of visitation." It is highly probable that the exalted piety and unbounded charity of the first converts were greatly instru- mental to the conversion of those around them. Every one of them was a preacher in his own house, by his actions at least, if not by words. And O! what might not be hoped for, if all who profess religion, breathed the spirit that displayed itself at that period of the Church ? Truly, many might be awakened to a concern for their souls, and be constrained to say, " We will go with you ; for we perceive that God is with you of a truth." Let this be borne in mind, as an incentive to a conti- nual progress in holiness ; and let us strive "so to make our light shine before men, that others, beholding our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven."]
We may learn from hence,
1. At what a low ebb religion is amongst us!
[If we compare our attainments with those recorded in our text, what reason shall we see to blush and be ashamed ! How has selfishness triumphed over charity, and lukewarm- ness assumed the place of piety ! But let us not imagine that religion is different now from what it was in that day. Some difference in our mode of exercising religion may justly be admitted: but in our spirit there should be no difference at all : God is the same gracious God as ever ; his Gospel is as worthy of all acceptation as ever ; and the blessings we re- ceive by means of it are as great as ever : and therefore we ought to feel its power and evince its efficacy, as much as others have done at any period of the Church. Let us then set this example before our eyes, and endeavour to walk even as they walked.]
2. How we may be instrumental to the increase of the Church —
[Much may be done, very much, by every member of the Church of Christ. The influence of a bright example is still as great as ever. As any instance of misconduct in professors hardens others against the truth, so the beauty of holiness exhibited by them has a powerful tendency to win the souls of adversaries. If, on the one hand, by an uncharitable or irre- ligious deportment, we may " destroy many souls for whom Christ died," so, by a life becoming the Gospel, we may " win many who never would have obeyed the preached word." Let us then attend to our conduct in every state and circumstance