2. Those who profess themselves to have received the Gospel —
[See that ye " adorn the Gospel ; that ye adorn it in all things." Let the change be as visible in you, as it was in Paul. I mean not that ye are to affect the same ostensible character as he sustained ; for ye are not called to that : but to live unto God ye are called ; and to exert yourselves, according to your opportunities and ability, to promote his glory in the world, ye are called: and therefore to all of you, without exception, I say, " Let your light so shine before men, that they, beholding your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven1."]
i Matt. v. 16.
Gal. ii. 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you.
NEVER, from the foundation of the world, was there, as far as we know, a richer combination of graces in any child of man, than in the Apostle Paul. As in light there is an assemblage of very different rays, which, when in due proportion and in simul- taneous motion, cause that bright and pure effulgence which we call light, so in him were found dispositions most opposed to each other, yet so combined as to form in him the most perfect character. Certainly, that which first of all strikes us as constituting the chief trait in his character, is a freedom from all selfish feelings, and a willingness to do or suffer any thing whereby man may be benefited, and God be glo- rified. Yet, in the passage which we have just read, we see, not only an inflexibility of mind, but such an expression of it as we should scarcely have expected from so mild and kind a man.
When he was at Jerusalem, attended by a young- disciple, named Titus, he was urged to have him cir- cumcised ; not for the purpose of removing prejudice, and gaining an easier access to the minds of men,