But let us turn from the awful condition of the enemies of the gospel, to contemplate the happiness and the joy of those who cordially received it. "And the disciples," it is added in the last verse, "were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." Blessed effect of the reception of the Lord Jesus into the heart by faith! Well did the Apostle, of whom we are speaking, declare, that "the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

My Christian brethren! ye who have received with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls, do not rest satisfied with any thing short of that heavenly joy which is freely offered to every believing soul. Much injury is done to religion-much discomfort falls to the lot of many of the people of God, because they stop short of that blessed portion of peace and joy, which even here their gracious Redeemer is ready to bestow. Worldly persons are apt to suppose,

and still oftener to insinuate, that religion is a gloomy and melancholy service; and too many religious persons unintentionally strengthen the opinion, by giving way to despondency, or by assuming an improper austerity of manners. But let not such results be attributed to religion. The religion of the bible is a cheerful, no less than a serious religion. It enjoins indeed repentance for our sins, and a holy fear of offending, but it bids us, at the same time, rejoice in our trembling. It takes for granted that we shall experience tribulation, but it gives us a solid and sufficient ground for glorying amidst it all. It bids us

rejoice in the Lord at all times”—in affliction no less than in prosperity-assured that the God in whom we trust is our covenanted God and Father in Christ Jesus-and that the Saviour, in whose atonement we confide, is both able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come unto God through him.

But let me remind you, brethren, that

the joy which the disciples at Antioch experienced was the result of spiritual influence. "They were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." Yes, the true joy of every faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is intimately connected with that grace which he receives from on high. It is enumerated by St. Paul among the "fruits of the spirit." In order, therefore, to obtain it, we must secure his presence in the soul. But how can we obtain it? Let the Saviour himself reply: "Ask and ye shall have, seek and ye shall find." Here, then, you must begin, if you would possess this joy. this joy. Its seed is sown amidst the tears of repentance-its blossoms are made to expand by faith and hope-and its maturity is inseparable from that of all the other graces of the spirit. Where true Christian joy is found, there also will be found "love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." All joy which is not accompanied by these is a spurious plant which will

speedily decay. The transports of enthusiasm may sometimes appear more lively than the joy which the Holy Ghost inspires; but, for the most part, they soon give way to despondency; whilst the latter continues to burn with a pure and steady flame, becoming brighter and brighter in proportion as the soul is more completely renewed after the divine image.

And

May you, my Christian friends, who are faithfully serving the Lord, enjoy, and be enabled to exemplify more and more, the happiness of his service. The more heartily you engage in it, the more will you find it to be perfect freedom. whilst your joy will be increased by your spiritual diligence, so will your spiritual diligence be quickened by your joy. The "joy of the Lord will be your strength : you shall mount up with wings as eaglesyou shall run and not be weary-you shall walk, and not faint."

192

LECTURE VIII.

ACTS xiv. 1-18.

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks, believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected against the brethren.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles.

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: