harmless effects of modern oppositionwhen we feel impatient under the ridicule. and contempt which are still occasionally heaped upon us for our principles, our scruples, or our conduct-oh, let us chide our ungrateful bosoms, and seek to rise in our aspirations to Him who defends us from the woes and persecutions of primitive times, and permits us without molestation to sit every man under his own vine, and under his own fig-tree, none making afraid. And let us strive, at the same time, to gain spiritual advantage from every opposition which we are called upon to encounter in our heavenward pilgrimage.

Let us learn also from the history before us to cultivate a spirit of prayer, and especially a spirit of intercessory prayer! Oh how cheering must it have been to the persecuted disciples, not only to know that their beloved Apostle was liberated from prison and from death, but to believe that the deliverance was in

answer to their earnest and persevering supplications. And should not we also be cheered by similar considerations? Should we not take delight in those blessed exercises which are so well pleasing to God, and so efficacious in securing his favour and protection! Should we not be convinced, by such instances as these, that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him? And should we not be encouraged by the consideration of them to come boldly to a throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need? The Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament are full of similar examples, and if we wish to be followers of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises, we must pray often and perseveringly, not for ourselves only, but for others—for our families, our children, our servants, our dependents, our neighbours, our countrymen, our fellow-subjects and our fellow

men.

But whilst none should be excluded from our petitions-whilst we should pray for all men, whether Jews, Turks, infidels, or heretics, it is more especially our duty, and it ought to be more especially our delight, to pray for Christ's holy Catholic Church, particularly for that portion of it which exists within our own borders. "Pray," says the Psalmist, "for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee." And surely there never was a time when such petitions were more loudly called for than the period in which we now live-a period of extraordinary excitement whether for evil or good-a period when the powers of darkness are mightily put forth to resist the onward progress of piety and truth. To be neutral at such a period is doubly criminal in the sight of Him who hath called us to his service.

But what, it may be asked, can the great majority of Christians do in their humble condition and mean circumstances,

when wickedness prevails in high places, or when evil is threatened to our Zion by those who are in stations of eminence and power? They can generally do far more than they imagine. Though their power be small as individuals, in the aggregate, their strength will be great. When wicked men combine, let not good men be backward to unite, for in union is strength. They should join heart and hand in every good word and work: they should cheerfully unite in societies of a benevolent and religious character. But above all they should unite, as did the Christians in Jerusalem, in intercessory prayer. The fervent and united supplications of God's people cannot but avail much. When they seek him earnestly they shall find him a very present help. They shall have power with God, (as had Jacob) and shall prevail also.

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LECTURE VII.

ACTS xiii. 42-52.

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews, and religious proselytes followed Paul und Barnabas; who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

And the next sabbath-day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

I. VOL. II.