be delivered into the hands of the Romans. Imme- diately all the saints at that place besought Paul with tears to desist from his purpose, that by staying away from Jerusalem he might avoid the predicted evils. This advice, though well meant on their parts, proceeded in reality from Satan himself; who knew, that if he could intimidate the Apostle Paul, he should gain a material advantage over the whole Church of God. But Paul was aware of Satan's de- vice, and saw his agency, though under the semblance of an angel of light : and his answer to his weeping- friends shews how every Christian should act, when tempted to turn from the path of duty ; " What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart ? for I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
From these words we shall take occasion to shew,
I. That the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of all that we can do or suffer for him —
Were Christians as well acquainted with their Lord as they ought to be, there would be no occasion to insist upon so obvious a truth. But that none may continue ignorant of it, we entreat you to consider,
1. Who he is —
[He is no other than God's co-equal, co-eternal Son ; " God of God, Light of light, very God of very God ;" even " God over all, blessed for evermore." Every perfection of the
Deity is his He is " the brightness of his Father's
glory, and the express image of his person."
Now we are told, that " for a good man some would even dare to die :" shall less regard then be shewn for him who is God, as well as man ? If our admiration of a creatures excel- lence be such as to make us voluntarily surrender up our life for him, shall any thing be deemed too much to do or surfer for the Creator, in whom all excellence is combined, and from whom all excellence proceeds ? Shall a star be so admired, and the sun itself not be glorious in our eyes?]
2. What he has done and suffered for us —
[From all eternity, before we or even the worlds were made, did he set his love upon us, and enter into a covenant with the Father to redeem us from the miseries, which he fore-
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saw we should bring upon ourselves. In the fulness of time he took upon him our nature for this very end : yes " though he was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, he emptied himself of all his glory, and took upon him the form of a servant." During his whole stay upon earth he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and, when the appointed hour was come, he surrendered himself into the hands of his enemies, and " became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
What shall we say to these things ? Did he act thus to- wards us when enemies ; and shall we account any thing too much to do or suffer for Him, who has shewn himself so great a friend ?]
3. What he is yet doing for us —
[Day and night is he interceding for us, that the wrath of God, which we have merited, may be averted from us. Whence is it that such barren fig-trees as we are, are yet permitted to cumber the ground ? If he had not so often pleaded, " Spare them, O my Father, yet another year!" should we not have long since been cut down, and cast into the fire ?
Behold how, notwithstanding all our obstinacy in sin, he is yet sending his word to instruct us, his ministers to invite us, yea more, his good Spirit also to strive with us, if by any means he may save our souls alive. Know ye, that every good purpose or desire that has ever existed in your bosoms, has been inspired by him, with a view to bring you home to the fold of God.