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they perceived their intention, rent their clothes,, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men, of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times: past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways,”. that is to live according to the light of nature and reason, without a more particular revelation of his divine will; Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts. with fruits and gladness" that is, there was not wanting evidence to those, who should diligently seek him even with that imperfect light, of his care and providence over his creatures; which were manifested in the various blessings bestowed upon them, supplying the comforts, and conveniencies of life, sustaining the bodies, and making glad the "hearts of men.

The conduct and language of the Apostles, as now stated, were highly becoming to themselves, and to the religion they professed. For, in the first place, what could be more truly benevolent than their ardent concern for the spiritual good of this people; their grief and distraction, for the perverse impiety which they were about to commit; and their strenuous endeavours to restrain them

from the deed, by making known to them the true God, to whom alone religious homage was due ? In the next place, how amiable is their humility, in putting themselves upon the same level with those poor ignorant creatures, who would have offered sacrifice to them: "We are men of like passions with yourselves!" Instead of feeling the least complacency in the honours designed them, they betray nothing but horror and shame, at having any part, however unwilling, in the profane attempt. And, lastly, their zeal for the honour of God is conspicuous throughout every part of the transaction. This indeed seems to have been the prime object in their thoughts, and chief cause of their violent emotion. To witness that adoration paid to the creature, which only belongs to the Creator, was shocking in their sight; as offering violence to the first principles of rational piety. And herein we discover a wide and essential difference between the teachers of revealed religion, and the most enlightened heathen philosophers; some of whom were desirous of being themselves esteemed gods, and all were content to adopt the popular worship of even the meanest animals; while the primitive Christians, as we are well informed, were willing rather to die, than to acknowledge Jupiter himself to be God.

The next point, worthy of observation, is the strange conduct of those men, who could scarce.

How

be restrained, by the most active exertions of Barnabas and Paul, from doing sacrifice unto them. For upon the arrival of certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, they were instigated by these persecutors, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead." shall we account for this gross contradiction? The Apostles had done nothing to deserve such treatment so far from it, that their behaviour, if examined with the slightest degree of reason and candour, could not fail to procure esteem and respect. But this wretched people were too absurd and violent for any thing like calm and dispassionate reflection: and where such men are concerned, it is common enough to pass suddenly from one extreme to another, especially if their first expectations happen to be disappointed. Now so it was in the present case. When they saw the miracle, their wonder carried them beyond all bounds, and they would have adored Barnabas and Paul as gods. But finding the title disclaimed, and no pretensions set up answerable to their stupid admiration, they lose all respect for such humble and unassuming characters, and are ready to visit on them their own gross error.

However remote from common life this instance may seem, we may yet apply it, to a certain degree, and draw some useful reflections from the application. Thus; we may sometimes observe an impru

dent ardour of mind, apt suddenly to conceive an high opinion and affection for particular persons. If, however, on further knowledge, they are found deficient in any of those qualities which were first imputed to them, the hasty impression soon changes to a very different and much more lasting sentiment; and this, very often equally groundless and unreasonable with the former. We are therefore bound in justice, as well as prudence, to guard against violent early prejudices, even in favour of others (as to those of an opposite nature, the duty is too clear to require any words ;) and if we have conceived such favourable opinions without due attention and examination, the imperfections of human nature ought to prepare us for a failure of our hopes, and at the same time lead us to form the most charitable judgment in our power. At least we should not think worse of a man, merely because we once thought better of him, than he deserves; I mean, if this be owing, not to any hypocrisy on his part, but to rashness and mistake on our own. You will not suppose, that I would here recommend any thing like suspicion of characters which are not known to us. Far from it. I look upon this to be much more inexcusable than the other; a direct and certain breach of Christian charity; whereas that can be only, and not necessarily, so in its consequences. An unsuspecting candour is perfectly consistent with a prudent re

serve; and when united, they form a temper more truly christian than vehement affections suddenly taken up, and too often as suddenly laid down. You see how soon the excessive veneration for Barnabas and Paul passed away, and was succeeded by an antipathy so strong as to thirst for their blood. Had the people been wise and moderate enough to form a just estimate of their characters, this could not have happened; they would in the first instance have known them to be but men ; and in the next, men so deserving of their respect and esteem, that they could not have been persuaded to do them injury or wrong. A candid caution frequently improves into confidence and affection; while sudden sympathies often end in uncharitableness and dislike.

St. Paul, whom they supposed dead, being restored, rose up and came into the city; and the next day departed with Barnabas to Derbe," whence, after having preached the Gospel and taught many there, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch. This was a striking proof of intrepidity, after the persecutions they had met with from the inhabitants of those cities; but it was necessary for "confirming the souls of the Disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith," for that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

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