"I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds."

How benign is the spirit of the Gospel, and how amiable the character which it is adapted to form! Paul's character was formed in this way; but we shall confine ourselves to three views of it, suggested by the text-his DECISION-his ENJOYMENT-and his BENEVOLENCE.

I. His DECISION: this is intimated in the words such as I am."

What then was Paul? He was a Christian This is evidently what he meant to declare in this address he wishes it to be clearly understood that he was "altogether" what Agrippa was only partially persuaded to become.

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And what is included in the disposition and character of a Christian? Not the attainment of knowledge merely not a plausible profession only: but living faith, holy love, and spiritual operative life. Every man is not a Christian who can talk about Christianity, who assents to its evidences, and says that he believes its doctrines; but that man is a Christian who with his heart gives credit to the Gospel of Christ, who feels its power on his mind, and manifests its effects on his temper and in his life.

Bear in mind, it avails not what you are, unless you be Christians. Were you ever so rich, or wise, or learned; ever so highly respected in society, or beloved by your friends, it would be nothing or next to nothing, unless you are brought to a cordial belief of the Gospel, and to an affectionate obedience of Jesus Christ. It is not in the power of man to bring you to this,

for it was not in the power of Paul effectually to

persuade Agrippa.

But may the Spirit of God undertake the work! May he touch the heart, and the change is produced! Is there not in you some desire to be Christians? Is there not some decision felt on this important point? We hope there is; and our prayer is presented to God, that the pleasing expectation may not be disappointed. You give ministers the credit of concern for your souls; you perceive their solicitude in their prayers for you, and in their pleading with you, but are you not concerned for yourselves? Is not your eternal welfare nearest your own hearts? You are convinced of the emptiness of a mere name, the vanity of an external profession of godliness, unaccompanied with its life and power; and are you not saying, "O that I were, as Paul was, a sincere and decided Christian !"

II. Observe his ENJOYMENT.

This is strikingly evident. He was satisfied with the choice he had made. He had no secret misgiving, no uneasy apprehension, that in embracing Christianity he had done foolishly. All that he witnessed around him, and felt within him, tended only to confirm his faith in the Gospel, and to enliven the hope which the Gospel inspires.

But he was more than satisfied; he was happymuch more happy in his fetters of affliction, and amidst the reproach which he endured, than all the splendid audience which he addressed, sitting in external ease.

And let it be remarked, a man is happy not according to his rank, but the state of his heart: he has real enjoyment not according to outward

appearance, but inward, mental feeling. Joseph, calumniated and imprisoned, was not anxious in the least; for "the Lord was with him, and shewed him mercy." Daniel and his three friends, harassed and insulted by a tyrant, were perfectly composed for their confidence was in God, and their salvation was from him. But no instance is more memorable than this of the Apostle :-When he and Silas, his brother and companion in tribulation, were thrust into the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks, "at midnight they prayed, and"-such was the fervour of their devotion, such the holy ardour and elevated pleasure which they felt even in the depth of adversity, that they "sang praises to God, and the prisoners heard them." He could say, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." "Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ."

And this happiness, remember, Christianity produces. It is the Gospel, the knowledge and belief of the Gospel, which refines the enjoyment, and exalts the felicity of man. May we have experimental acquaintance with it, and believe it with the heart unto righteousness! "The glorious Gospel of the blessed God" does not mock us with shadows, and delude us with empty promise: it is all reality. It announces blessings suited to the nature, adapted to the wants, and lasting as the immortality of the soul. It brings nigh salvation for the guilty, pardon for infinite offence. It reveals the all-important

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fact, that God can be " just, and yet the justifier of him that believes in Jesus ;" and that, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." It imparts rest to the weary spirit, joy to the troubled breast, strong consolation, and good hope through grace," amidst the most painful privations and adversities of life.

In such degree as we know this in our personal experience, we have the witness in ourselves that the Gospel is true, and that Christianity is of God; and doubtless the blame belongs to us that our experience is so defective, and our enjoyment so small. We live not under the influence of the Gospel, as we ought; we live not in the exercise of faith and love, as we ought; we live not above the world and near to God, as we ought: we are negligent in cherishing that spiritual mind, that devotional temper, those holy and heavenly affections, which would most effectually secure our peace, and advance our comfort. Henceforth may our repentance be unto salvation, and our resolutions abiding; then will our happiness be more exalted!

III. Observe his BENEVOLENCE.

This is the most prominent idea in the text, the leading sentiment which it conveys. The good-will of this Apostle first regarded Agrippa, but it did not rest with him: it was diffusive, it spread through the whole company. Here were not only the king and his sister Bernice, in the attire and pomp of royalty, but Festus the governor, and his splendid court, with a crowded assembly of military officers, civil magistrates, and principal citizens. Paul beheld them, and how did he feel? None of them were objects to be envied by this happy Christian. He

felt compassion for their state; he felt the tenderest concern for their souls; and hence the friendly desire which he laboured not to suppress, that all within the sound of his voice were altogether such as himself.

In one respect, it is true, he desired no resemblance this is beautifully expressed in the wordsPaul stood in chains before except these bonds.” Agrippa and the court, but he had no wish that they should be chained. He was charged as a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition among all the Jews, a ringleader of a detestable and dangerous sect; but he had no desire that they should be slandered like him-no inclination that they should be persecuted and afflicted on any account-" Such as I am, ercept these bonds."

There are persons who, if they suffer undeservedly incline that their accusers share with them in suffering, that thus they may learn sympathy, and be induced to pity. There is a shew of reason in this, but it is not religion: it is not the temper which Christianity approves, nor was it the mind of this eminent disciple of Jesus Christ.

Some there are also who adopt the sentiment of the text, but with little propriety. They avow attachment to religious principles, and want others to do the same, but seem not to suspect the serious defects of their own character. With all their zeal for the cause of truth, they imbibe not its spirit, they live not under its influence, they practically disregard its plainest precepts. Let such persons first see that they are Christians themselves, and then let them evidence concern for the Christianity of others.

It is well to judge of the religion of Jesus Christ by its effects, and behold its effects in this courageous