may all with one heart and one mind devote yourselves to him instantly and without reserve.]
2. Those who think themselves altogether per- suaded to embrace Christ —
[It is not uncommon to feel a very fervent desire to serve the Lord at one time, and afterwards to relapse into a state of coldness and indifference. Our spiritual enemies often appear dead, when they are only lulled asleep for a season. But O ! brethren, beware how you leave your first love, or look back after having put your hand to the plough. See the bright example before you : see how, like the sun in its course, he sinned brighter and brighter to the perfect day. So do ye also proceed. Never think you have attained any thing, whilst any thing remains to be attained. Be never weary in well doing. Think what an ornament Paul was to his profession, and what a blessing to the world ; and strive, that as God was glorified in him, so he may be more and more glorified in you also.]
Paul's deliverance from shipwreck.
Acts xxvik 25. Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
WHATEVER difference there may sometimes appear between the dispensations of God's providence and the declarations of his word, we may be well assured that there never was, nor ever shall be, the slightest opposition between them. The declarations of God indeed may be conditional, when the con- ditions are not actually expressed; and then the event predicted, will be conformed, not to the zcords, but to the spirit of the declaration. This was re- markably the case with respect to Nineveh, which was spared, apparently in opposition to the threaten- ings denounced against them, but really in conform} ly with the conditions contained in them : but no word that was unconditionally uttered, ever foiled of its accomplishment.
In the history of St. Paul there were strong and positive assurances given him, that he should preach the Gospel at Romea. But various circumstances
il Acts xix. 21. and xxiii. 11.
1815.] Paul's deliverance from shipwreck. 587
arose from time to time, which threatened to defeat this purpose of the Most High. When Paul was seized in the temple., the people dragged him out with extreme violence, and " went about to kill himb:" and when he made his defence before them, they were wrought up almost to madness, and cried out, " Away with such a fellow from the earth ; for it is not fit that he should livec!" The next day, when he was standing before the Jewish council, there arose so great a dissension between his auditors, that he was in danger of being " pulled in pieces by themd." Then there was a conspiracy of more than forty persons formed to take away his life6 : and, when this was, almost by miracle, defeated, another conspiracy was formed and defeated in like manner, notwithstanding the judge himself strove to favour itf. At last he was sent by sea to Rome : but behold, he was overtaken with a storm, which seemed to cut off all hope of his ever arriving at his final destination. Even Paul himself appears now to have given up all expectation that his life would be spared : but God sent an angel to dissipate his fears, and to assure him, that what had been spoken to him respecting his standing before Caesar, should certainly be ac- complishedg. This declaration the Apostle fully cre- dited ; and he took occasion from it to comfort and encourage all that were in the ship with him ; " Sirs, be of good cheer ; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."
From these words, as verified in the event, we shall take occasion to set before you,
I. The office of faith—
[Faith is represented by St. Paul as " the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen :" and such it manifested itself to be in Paul at this time : he saw not how his deliverance was to be effected ; but God had told him that the whole crew should be saved ; and therefore he entertained no doubt, whatever as to the issue of their present dangers.