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And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us. Many despise it and turn from it. How do we regard it? Do we believe it? And does our life vouch for our faith? Can we say with David, Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore thy servant loveth them." Some would consider a regard that rose to admiration and astonishment as weakness of mind. But it is more than justified by prophets, by angels, by God himself, who has magnified his word above all his name. How little and mean are other things at which we wonder! Here is enough to fix, and fill, and employ the mind for ever! But let us not be found in the number of those who "wonder and perish." Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may lead us into all truth, that we may know the excellency of it from its influence in ourselves, and recommending it to others, be able to say with John, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

JULY 18.-"And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do."-Acts xv. 36.

NOTHING can be more pleasing to a Christian than to study the life of our Saviour; to follow him from place to place; to hear him -preaching the Gospel of the kingdom; to see him feeding the hungry, opening the eyes of the blind, raising the dead, and going about doing good. We may feel a considerable degree of the same pleasure in reading the acts of the Apostles. The Apostles in the Church of God were next to him in order of time, and next to him in dignity, and next to him in supernatural endowments, suffering, and usefulness. But in all things he must have the pre-eminence. He is fairer than the children of men. In following him we find nothing to scandalize or to distress. No censure ever attaches to his temper or conduct; he is always in character with himself as the Holy One of God; and we exclaim with the multitude, "He hath done all things well." But it is otherwise when we follow men, good men, great men, inspired men-" The best of men are but men at the best."

An instance of which comes before us this evening in the dispute between Paul and Barnabas. It will yield us several instructive meditations.

We begin with Paul's proposal to Barnabas-" Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do." The manner in which he speaks of the persons regarded is observable: he calls them " our brethren." Our Lord had said to his disciples, Call no man master, and be not ye called masters, for one is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. And they strictly adhered to the command. Paul does not avail himself of his office, talents, or success, to lord it over God's heritage. He exercised no dominion over their faith, but was a helper of their joy. The fraternal relation results from our very nature; for God has made of one blood all the nations of men, and they are all derived from one father, the first man, Adam -so that wherever I see a human being I see a brother. But the

Apostle here refers to the subjects of divine grace. They are new creatures; they are born again; but they are born of the same Spirit, they are redeemed by the same blood, justified by the same righteousness, heirs of the same glory and while partaking of " the common salvation," a communion subsists between them, unaffected by any difference of opinion, or distinction of circumstances.

These were universally esteemed by Paul; and he could say, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in since rity." But the persons he now wished to see were known to him and Barnabas. They had been blessed under their former ministry; for they had preached to them the word of the Lord before. It is natural for those who are spiritual fathers to feel a peculiar affec tion for their own offspring. If we have planted a tree we feel interested in its life and growth. What wonder then that Paul should wish to water what they had planted; or that having sown the seed, he wished to see the blade, the ear, and full corn in the ear. And the state of things required their inspection. The first Churches were exposed to a thousand discouragements and dangers. How soon were the Galatians "bewitched" from the truth, and lost the blessedness they had spoken of. There were deceitful workers at Corinth, and one wretch, as specious as he was injurious, who transformed himself into an angel of light. At Ephesus from among themselves arose men, speaking perverse things, and drawing away disciples after them. Wherever the good seed was sown the enemy was sure to sow tares. It was natural therefore that Paul should be concerned to visit "every city" where they had laboured, to know their estate, to refute any error in doctrine, to oppose any corruption in practice, to warn the unruly, to comfort the feebleminded, to uphold the weak; and to help them much who had believed through grace-How well could he say, "That which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?"

See the zeal of this man of God-"Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do"-He was never weary in well-doing. He made the end of one good work the beginning of another; and considered nothing done while any thing remained to be done. What he said of himself as a Christian applied equally to his character as a preacher and an apostle: "I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." To those who were ignorant of the principle that actuated him in these "labours more abundant, and deaths oft," he appeared like a man deranged; and he was so, when judged by the wisdom of the world, which is foolishness with God. But, says he, "Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." Hence too when he mentions his losses and persecutions he adds, “For the which cause I also suffer

these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

But Paul's zeal was always according to knowledge. Like the healthful heat of the body, it made him glow, but did not like a fever burn up his brain, No person of so much natural sanguineness of temper, and so much spiritual fervour, ever had so much prudence, or was so authorized from his own example to say to others, "Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the fear of the Lord is"-Hence his wish here not to go alone, but to take Barnabas with him as before. He knew that two were better than one. If one fell, the other would lift him up again. If one was tempted, the other could warn him. If one was distressed, the other could comfort him. If one was perplexed, the other could counsel him. He remembered that his Lord and Master, in the mission of the Seventy, had "sent them forth two by two, into every city and place whither he himself would come." He also had said, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

JULY 19.-"And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Painphylia, and went not with them to the work."Acts xv. 37, 38.

WE have heard Paul's proposal to Barnabas to revisit together the scenes of their former travels and labour. Here we see the difficulty that occurred in the execution of it. The occasion of it was Mark, not Mark the evangelist, but John Mark. He was the son of the sister of Barnabas. When Barnabas and Paul carried alms from Antioch to Jerusalem, they brought this young man back with them: and when they were sent forth from Antioch to spread the Gospel, they also took him along with them. But when they came to Perga in Pamphylia, he left Paul and his uncle to pursue their journey, and returned to Jerusalem.

Paul

On the present occasion Barnabas wished to take him again: but Paul was unwilling. Both had their reasons. Barnabas hoped he had been humbled for his fault, and that in this second excursion he would wipe off the disgrace of the first. Besides he was his nephew; and relative affection will often plead very hard. reflected on our Lord's words; "No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." He felt a very different spirit in himself; and deemed it right to notice a misconduct which, if tolerated in a public character, might be injurious by example. Perhaps both these good men erred a little; the one being too partial, and the other too severe. But with regard to the young man himself, we may observe two things. First, though we know not the particular reason for his delinquency, whether it was the attraction of home, (for he had a mother living in Jerusalem,) or the dread of difficulties and dangers in such a missionary life; he had done wrong in going back; and his declension not only affected his own reputation, but laid the ground of this disagreement

We

and discord. How much depends often upon one mistake. can never calculate the evils that may arise from it as to ourselves or others. Let us therefore walk circumspectly; and ponder the path of our feet, that our goings may be established.

Secondly, the severity of Paul and the kindness of Barnabas were probably blessed to him. It is certain that he acted a part afterwards; for Paul had subsequently a good opinion of him; and was not backward to express it. Hence he says to Timothy, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry." ." "And Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments,) if he come unto you receive him." Hence we infer, That we should be moderate in our censures. We may have cause to blame an individual; but we know not what he may become. He that is now like a bruised reed may prove like a cedar in Lebanon; and he that is now only like smoking flax may flame for God, and kindle many others. We also learn-That those we have censured for their faults we should be forward to encourage and recommend upon their improvement. Many when they have reflected upon a character, are delighted to find their reflections justified. This shows a littleness of mind and a vileness of heart. A man in proportion as he is truly good and great, will be glad to learn that he was mistaken in his moral forebodings. Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."

JULY 20.-" And the contention was sharp between them."-Acts xv. 39. THIS was sad. Persons may differ, but agree to differ, leaving each other to be fully persuaded in their own mind. Abraham and Lot differed: but “ Ábram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." And the one nobly gave up; and peace was the reward. But here neither would yield; and "the contention was sharp between them." Good men are often less persuadable and manageable in disputes than others; and it is to be accounted for from their conscientiousness, and the greater impor tance they attach to their opinions. In these cases they may be, and very often are mistaken; but while they think the cause of truth, the advancement of religion, and the honour of God are involved in the side they take, we need not wonder that they feel a kind of martyr-firmness as well as zeal. None of our passions assume so much the pretence of rectitude as our anger: but when we are jealous for the Lord of hosts, what fervour and faithfulness should we not display! Even the advocates of the religion of the Lamb of God have pleaded with pens dipped in gall, and tongues which seemed set on fire of hell. But the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Good men, and men eminently pious have their infirmities and imperfections. Even Moses spake unadvisedly with his lips. Elias

also was a man subject to like passions as we are. When Paul and Barnabas had healed the cripple at Lystra, and were in danger of being worshipped, they rent their clothes, and said, "Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you." And had these intentional idolaters been now present, and witnessed this angry contention, they would have had proof of it; and have no longer said, "The gods are come down in the likeness of men." Many a sacrifice of praise and confidence that we are ready to offer to a fellow-creature would be spoiled by a little more intimacy with them-" He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

Here we see, what we have many occasions to remark, the impartiality and fairness of the sacred writers. They give us no " faultless monsters;" but describe the failings as well as the excellences of the dearest servants of God. They are never afraid of the honour of religion on this account; neither should we

But let us remember for what purpose such faults are recorded in the Scriptures. It is not to render us careless in our walk, or to palliate our miscarriages; but to warn and admonish us. I am not to say, when irritated into asperity, "Why, Paul and Barnabas were hot and fierce too;" but to reflect on the weakness of human nature, and to learn my own danger-" If such men erred, let me beware." "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Happy is the man that feareth always.

JULY 21.-"They departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."-Acts xv. 39-41.

NOTHING could have been more unlikely or painful than this sepa ration. Barnabas was of a most affectionate and tender disposition, and was called "the son of consolation." It was he that introduced Paul to the Christians at Jerusalem, and convinced them of his conversion when they were all afraid of him. They were peculiarly attached to each other. They had always been companions in travelling and preaching. How often had they taken sweet counsel together, and gone to the house of God in company. How frequently had they united in holy exercises. Like David and Jonathan, they were knit together in love, and seemed to have but one heart and one soul-Yet they differ, contend sharply, and part! Who has not said in his haste, Áll men are liars! What can equal the pain that results from the disruption of friendship!

Yet the Lord can make the wrath of man to praise him. The separation of Paul and Barnabas was overruled for good, and "turned out rather to the furtherance of the Gospel." Two missions now issued forth instead of one.

For the breach between them did not take them off from their work, or relax their zeal in the noble cause to which they were pledged. Only it is observable, not only that they moved widely from each other, but that each repaired to his native country; Barnabas sailing for Cyprus, and Paul travelling through Syria and Cilicia. Were they, in taking these directions, guided by the Holy Ghost, or