Vere. 30, 31.-.A type and a model of the <Jhri.~ti,a,n preacher. These striking, closing words of a. history, than which, take it all in all, there is not a more impressi \'e to be found-always excepting the one history-show the performing in right earnest of the parting injunction of the ascending Lord of the Church. For Rome is the scene, that metropolis and type of the world. "All" the various inhabitants of it, not Jews only, are now both sought and found. To these "the p:ospel " is preached. And the crucified but now risen Lord is the one central theme. We have, therefore, in Paul, at this most touching, most amazing episode of his career, a. living example, and " by the grace of God" a truly worthy example, of " the faithful fulfilling" of the work belonging to the minister of Christ. These are the leading marks of him, as here instanced. L HE HAS A VOICE AND HEART FOR ALL WHOM HE O.AN BEACH .ACCORDING TO THE ClllCUMST ANCES IN WHICH HE 111.Ay BE PLACED OF PROVIDENCE. Paul cannot now go out to the highways and byways. But " his own hired house" is one kept, as very few others are kept in any analogous circumstances, with open doors. And doors open impartially to "all" who would come. II. HE DOES NOT FEEL THAT HE HAS .ANY TRUTH TO Ill.AKE, OR EVEN TO DISCOVER, BUT any TO PD.OCLADL 1. His message is to his hand. He has discovered its sum and substance long a.go. He keeps to this theme. 2. This is his forte. And he does not prufel!6 another. The mind of the Christian preacher is abundantly open to any, or, if possible, to all, "a.rts and sciences and philosophies;" but these are not his sterling coin. They are not the matters for the pronounced deliverances of bis voice. He may be beholden to them in his education, and it is a shame if he is not. He may lay them under any amount of contribution for purposes of illustration, But they are not the subject-matter of hie preaching and teaching. ill HJ!: PROCL.AlllB WITH AliT UNUSUAL CERTAINTY OF BOUND, EVEN WITH BOLDNESS, This is the more remarkable, because: (1) What he has to say is not that for which there is at first any very largespreadj desire. (2) It ie what is sure to be rejected by many contemptuously, by other many indifferently, while it will stir strong oppo- sition in the heart and in the action of not a few. But, on the other hand, the clear ring of his voice and the unstam.mering declaration of his thoughts result from: (1) Strong persona.I convictions as to what he proclaims. (2) Determined personal attach- ment to it. (3) The spirit of loyal fidelity to it-that be it what it may, in the esteem of a thousand to one, yet he will lay it open before all as ita due, It shall not suffer prejudice from suppression or from a timid partial disclosure of it. (4) Honest and not merely boastful upliftedness above regard to the personal eonsequences to self. The genuine preacher of the truth of Christ is not, indeed, to hold hie life in his own hand, but he is "rather" to hold this--ilnd unmistakably-that God holds, that his Master Chriat holds, that life in their hand respectively. (5) An irresistible impulse to confront the people with his proclamation, and bring them by all means possible into snch contact with it that the1 can ~o longer be i~norani of it, eveil if theT tiec} fjom it and reject it, clt. nv111. 1, -31.) 'l'IIE AC 11'8 OF THE APOR'l'LER. 311
IV. lIF: PUTS TIIIS HONOUR ON ms OWN WORK, ON ms MASTER'S WORK, THAT .FIE CI,EA VEB TO IT, YEAR AFTER YEAR, W!Til PERSEVERING DILIGENCE. The work of Christ docs, beyond doubt, stand in this blessed contrast with all other work, even tho most necessary and the most innocent. It rewards confidence. It merits devotion. Its manifest and felt value grows with age and experience and power to gaze beyond the limits of sense. And when the use of all other work dwindles to the truer dimensions that belong to it, this justly magnifies itself and shines with brighter lustre. Paul must have often addressed himself and his own soul in the words in which be addresses Christia11s generally, in the most inspiring connection, '' ·wherefore be stead- fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as .•. your labour is not in vain in the Lord."-B.