Vers. 1-16.-Scenes by the way. I. FUGITIVE SERVICE, "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," bad said the Lord. But not as a hireliu;; who sees the wolf coming; rather as a brave warrior who retreats flghtin~. The brave retreat ll1ay reflect moro honour than the hopeless prolongation of warfare. \Ve ll1ust know wb.cn to give way. '.!.'here is a" wise passiveness". and a" masterly inacti1·ity." If we can but gain our Christian point, we should suffer no scruple of vanity to stand in our way. And how much good may be done in this fugitive way I The runner drops the seed as he goes. The greatest works have been done for Gou and the world by sufferers aud in the midst of suffering. In the world the faithful apostle has tribulation, but peace in his heart; and it distils from his lips upon his brethren as he goes. Perfect ease is not to be coveted by tho true servant of Christ. The pulpit is not an easy-chair. Meu are goaded to their best by pain. They are perfected for teaching in the school of suffering. Sympathy and love are deepened by common experience~ .. Courage is truly learned; they that kill the body are not feared, but only they thnt rnJure the son!. II. LOVING FELLowsm.r OF 'l'Hl!: SAINTS. (Vers. ,-16.) 1. E. hi/Jitocl in the j~·cist of love and the common lie,1ring of the Word. The one prrpres for the other; tL';.;etl,ur_ 156 THE ACTS 0F THE APOSTLES, [CB, U. 1-38.
they explain each other and enrich each other. Here is the first trace of the Sundav observance in the history of the Church. Christian associations are engrafted upon oh.l custo11;s. 2. As disturbed by grief, a11d restored. Eutychus sleeps duriug the preachmg, and falls dov.-'Il. He was taken up dead, or "for dead," as some expositors "·ould interpret. Paul falls upon him, like Elisha in the ca.:ie of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings iv. 34), and Elijah with the widow's son at Sarepta (1 Kings xvii. 21); so t.bat by ¥ital warmth he may restore him to life. This striking coincidence of death iu the midst of life, of life in the midst of death, must have powerfully reminded the ,lisciples of him who is the Resurrection and the Life, of his promise; and so must have strengthened faith, and drawn the bonds of love closer together. "He that brought him back is here." Not small was the consolation of the brethren as the young man ww; restored. HI. AN IMPRESSIVE SCE1'"E. 1. The apostle. He is on his last mission journey. He '' works while it is day;" preaching the Word with power; sealing his testimony with miracle, pursuing with constancy the end set before him. 2. The sleeper. A warning agaiust weakness and idleness. " I say unto all, Watch I" "The spirit is wi Hing, tho flesh is weak." 3. The 'IIIT/,Sleeping Divine watchful!ness and providence. "We have a God who helps, and the Lord God who saves from death." 4. The energy of the apostolic personality. He goes down in compassionate pity, falls upon Eutychus with earnest prayer, embraces him with urgent love. 5. The hush of the Divine presence. " Make no noise! " A lesson here for the chamber of the dead. God is here; his " finger touched him and he slept." Bow before his power and decree; collect the heart from distraction, in recollection of its consolations. "They are not dead, but sleep," may be said of our Christian friends. Amidst such humble and resigned silence angels pass through the house, with errands of ministry.-J. Vers. 17-38.-Paul's farewell to the tiUers of Ephesus. I. THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE EVANGELICAL PREAOHE!t. (Vers. 17-21.) 1. The spirit and conduct of the preacher himself; for this is inseparable from the preaching (vers. 18-20). He had lived with his flock. His life had been devoted to their service. He had entered the sphere of their life as the loving sharer in their joys and sorrows. He had presented to them a pattern of humility. He had borne them on his heart. He had been like a sower going forth weeping, to bear the precious seed. The life of the true pastor is a life of ruany tears-tears of self-doubt and weakness; tears of compassion and sorrow over others, like those of Jerem.i.a.b. over Jerusalem's fall, of Jesus over her deepet--fall. But this sowing of tears prepares for a harvest of joy. Suggestive was the word of Monica, Angustine's mother,•• The child of so many tears cannot be lost." Good is ¥erbal preaching; better the preaching of the life; and, perhaps, most impressive of all, the preaching of suffering and self-sacrifice for the truth. 2. Tl,e maetei· of Ms preaching. Repentance: a universal necessity. It includes knowledge of sin; remorse; desire for salvation. Hepentance has been described as a ladder of sorrow by which we descend into the depths of the heart. Faith : this, on the other hand, the celestial ladder, by which we rise to God and to eternity. It includes the knowledge of a Saviour; joy in the reception of him ; and firm confidence in his reconciling, sanctifying, and blessing grace. 3. The self-devotion of the preacher. (V ers. 22-35.) He should be cast in the heroic mould-that of the hero of the cross. The voice of the Almighty, .. Upward and onward! " 110unds in his ears evermore. He must be ready at any moment to say •• Good-bye " to dearest friends, and uproot himself from fondest associations. Past battles have only trained his faith and courage for greater struggles. This heroio word- " Thi?irs not to make reply; Tl eirs but to do or die" -was essentially the motto of the apostle. He must fulfil himself-cannot rest till be has i;triven to the end in the "noble contest," finished the race, attained the goal. In the heat of coming storm and darkness kindles the core of light; the Divine love has given all for him, and for it he will give all in return. Extremes meet in this suffering but triumphant man; bound by the irresistible command of bis Lord, yet free in the joyous obedience of love. II. EXRoBTATION AllD OONFIBlrlATIOll, 1. Ertkortation to /aitllfulneu. They are OD. XX, 1-38.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 1!57