be not that which thou shouldest makep? If the circumstance of the Lord's people being universally "evil spoken of" appear an argument against them, know, that it is greatly in their favour ; and that, if you belong to a party that is not universally evil spoken of by the ungodly world, you are not of the party to which Paul belonged, nor shall have your por- tion with him in the eternal world.
What though they be "a little flock?" they are those to whom " it is the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom q." What if they be walking in " a strait and narrow, unfre- quented path?" it is " the path that leadeth unto life," whilst all other paths, however frequented, " lead only to destruc- tion r." The time is shortly coming, when they who now most loudly condemn them, will yet still more loudly condemn themselves ; " We fools counted their life madness, and their end to be without honour : but now they are numbered with the saints s," &c.
To all then I say, Beware what sentiments you imbibe respecting the Gospel of Christ; and beg of God that you may so think of it in this world, as you will assuredly think of it in the world to come.]
p Heb. xi. 24—26. q Luke xii. 32.
r Matt. vii. 13, 14. » Wisd. v. 4.
Acts xxviii. 28. Be it known therefore unto you, that the sal- vation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
WHEN we consider how often we are called toae- ther to hear the word of God, we are surprised and humbled to find so little good done by it. But the Apostles themselves had the same cause for complaint as we. We can scarcely conceive a more solemn occasion than that on which the Jews at Rome were convened to hear the Gospel. St. Paul was brought thither as a prisoner, on account of his zeal and fide- lity in the cause of Christ. The Jews were anxious to know from himself what were the peculiar doctrines which he maintained : and, having appointed a day for that purpose, they came to his lodging, and at- tended to his discourse from morning to evening.