Every man goes to hie own place; and & savour of life unto life or of death unto de~tb hne been tasted by many.-J. Vere. 1-32.-The apostolic defence in the presence of Festw and Agrippa. I. Tm~ DEARING OF TH& MAN. Dignity, gentleness, courtesy---a true Christian gentleman. II. THE APPEAL TO FA01·s. 'l'he incontrovertible evidence. "Once I was a persecutor; now I e.m a disciple." III. THE PROCLAMATION OF A TuvrNI!: MISSION. Showing that there was reason in hi, firmness and confidence ; he was divinely sent and would be divinely cared for. IV. THE CHALLENGE TO TRY HIS DOCTRINE AND WORK BY THE STANDARD OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, Those who oppose him are the offenders. He is simply a witness. This is the true strength of all God's people. They build on the Word which is already given. They show the harmony between Scripture and fact. V. THE PERSONAL APPEAL included in the address, both to the Jews and M> the heathen. "Would to God you were such as I." VI. THE DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF THE ADDRESS on the two different men. To the Gentile it was simply foolishness; to the apostate Jew it was a voice of God speaking to the slumbering conscience. Agrippa's irony meant resistance to the Holy Ghost. Although neither were converted, they were both impressed with the simplicity and sincerity and harmlessness of the man. But again the hand of God was over him. Had he been set e.t liberty, his life would soon have been sacrificed. So Luther's imprisonment in the Wartburg was his protection from enemies.-B. Ver. 8.-Resurrection in the light of revelation. "Why should it be thought," etc.? Grounds of the incredible. Contradiction of reason. Contradiction of experience. Absolute isolation of a fact. A statement is credible because it is rational, because it has been predicted, because it is analogous to and harmonious with experience, because it is morally and practically serviceable to humanity. I. THE APPEAL TO FAITH. You believe so much; why not this? The Jewish Scrip- tures contained the doctrine of resurrection. Enoch. Abraham's anticipation of Isaac's resurrection. Moses. Elijah. The teaching of the Psalms and prophets. The growth of the doctrine through the post-Exilian times. Even the heathen not wi thoot much that prepared the way for the truth. Doctrine of the dead and of the future life. Longing for the perfection of humanity. Moral helplessness. II. THE CHALLENGE OF CHRISTIANITY TO PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE. 1. The credible ought to be accepted, if it comes with _the ·evidence of fact. 2. The real root of unbelief is personal and moral. Paul refers to himself, "I was once as you are ; but the facts were too much for me." 3. The resurrection is not a mere speculative doctrine or unpractical mystery, but it is the root of the whole system of Christianity; it stands at the entrance of the new way, into which we are all invited, both as sealing the testi- mony of Christ, e.nd as opening the new woi-ld to our faith and setting our affection on things above.-R. • Ver. 18.-The mission of the gospel to the world, "To open their eyes," etc. L THE STATE OF THE WORLD WITHOUT CHRIST. 1. Darkness. Intellectual. Moral. No exceptions. The light of the Greek and Roman worlds turned by sin into grosser darkness, Superstition. 2. The rule of evil spirits, The power possessed by f.i.lse teachers. The dominion of the senses. The reign of fear. 3. The condemnation of Divine righteousness. Impossibility that such ignorance should remain. The visita- tions of judgment. Awful calamities of the ancient world, the working out of sin. II. 'l'RE DISPENSATION OF MEilCY. 1. The preparation of light through the ages reveal- ing the Divine purpose. 2. The advent of Jesus Christ and the lifting up of the light into the heavens. 3. The mission of the gospel through its preachers, so different from anythin~ seen in the heathen world. "How shall they hear without a preacher?" 4. The fulfilment of the mission from e.ge to age, e.nd its prospects of speedy accomplish- ment, They are turning to the light, e.nd all the world shall see the salvation.-R. Ver. 22.-The believing retrospect. "Having therefore obtained help of God, I oontiuue unto this de.y." 'rimes when retrospect and ihe grateful ackuowled.,"lllent 2i8 THE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. Con, xxvt. 1-32,
which fioWII from it a.re especially profitable. At the critical junctures of life. When a wsttmony for God is demanded of ue for the sake of others, "Unto this day." I. THE HIGHER VIEW OF LIFE. 1. A mission, a testimony. 2. A co-operation with the Divine work, running parallel with the line of infinite wisdom and righteousness. 3, A gracious fruit of heavenly bestowment. "Help from God." 4. A life lived by prayer, linked on to the throne of grace. II. AN ENOOURAGING AND STIMULATING EXAMPLE. The profitable use which should be made of biography. The lessons of Paul's life. Divine strength ma.de perfect in human weakness. Teaching us: 1. To follow the Spirit. 2. To depend upon the Divine control of circumstances and of the oppositions of men. 8. To main ta.in oonfidence and courage by laying hold of a great future, 4. To be bold in speaking for Christ, especially when we oa.n say, a.s Paul could, that he "said nothing but what the prophets and Moses said." The sure ground is the written Word. 'l'o preach ourselves is to , 1btain no help from God ; to magnify his Word is to ensure his blessing and be sustained to the end.-R.