Acts 25:27

REFLECTIONS

READER! learn from Paul's history, in the unceasing pursuits of those men for his blood, the bitterness of heart in a state of nature, against the doctrine of grace; and be convinced, that in every individual of the fallen sons of Adam, the case is the same. The carnal mind is enmity against God. Oh! the blessedness, when brought out of this Adam-nature, by sovereign mercy; and brought into an heartfelt acquaintance, with the Lord Jesus Christ. None but they who know the truth, from a personal experience of its Almighty power, as Paul did, having part in the first resurrection, can, like him, enjoy it. But, where a saving work of God the Holy Ghost, hath taken place in the soul, by regeneration; that person will have the same confidence as the Apostle had, and with the same holy joy, be always speaking, as he did, of One Jesus, who was dead, whom the heart affirms to be alive.

Blessed Lord Jesus! be thou everlastingly loved and adored, for thy grace, and wisdom, imparted to thy servant Paul, when thus ready to be swallowed up by his enemies. Surely, Lord, it was thy strength; made manifest in creature weakness. It was Jesus who taught him, in such a moment, to make an appeal to Caesar: though Caesar no more than Festus was a friend to Paul, or his Lord. Here, Lord, thy promise was fulfilled in giving him a word and wisdom, which all the adversaries of thy poor prisoner, could neither gainsay nor resist! And thus, in a moment, their whole policy fell to the ground! And, thus the Lord is continually doing now, amidst the exercises of his people, by which they are more than conquerors, through Him that loveth them.