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Faith is a triumphant principle. It supported the royal Psalmist under all his varied trials, and upheld the undaunted Paul amidst the storms which everywhere assailed him.

To the affrighted crew, the Apostle manifested its supporting influence, when he declared: "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told

me."

This is faith in its native simplicity. It is taking God at his word. It is trusting in a naked promise, believing that God will do as he hath said. It is confidence in the faithfulness, power, and love of Christ. It is reliance upon the truth of Him who cannot lie, whose counsel shall stand, and who will do all his pleasure. Such faith, as it honours God, so it brings peace and purity into the soul.

Being cast upon the Island of Melita, the Apostle would no doubt preach among its inhabitants the unsearchable riches of Christ. Publius, the chief man of the Island, lodged him three days courteously; to whom he rendered a signal benefit through the power of Jesus, by the restoration of his father to health.

The common people also were directed to attend unto the word of salvation, by his miraculous escape from death; for when a viper fastened itself upon his hand, he shook it off, without re ceiving any harm. Thus they saw in Paul theprisoner, a dignity far surpassing an ordinary character; and they honoured him with many honours.

At length the Apostle came to Rome. When

the brethren heard of his arrival in Italy, they came to meet him, as far as Appii Forum, whom, when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

After he had been three days at Rome, he called the chief of the Jews together, to whom he made known the reasons for his thus appearing as a prisoner amongst them; and when they had ap pointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodgings, to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the Prophets, from morning till evening; and some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. Through the preserving care of his Almighty Saviour, St. Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house? and received all that came unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching them those things which concern the Lord Jesus, no man forbidding him. The same God who quenched the violence of the burning fiery furnace, and shut the lions' mouths; restrained the power of Nero, and the fury of the Jews.

How divine was that principle which enabled the Apostle to undergo such a series of cruel mockings and scourgings. Blessed be God! the same faith is now imparted to every earnest seeker after Christ. We all need it, and we may all obtain it. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money.-Whosoever will, let him come, and take of the water of life freely. Look unto me, all ye ends of the

earth, and be ye saved. Incline your ear, and come unto me, hear, and your soul shall live."

Such is the freeness of redeeming love. The poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind are invited, while the proud, who make light of these blessings, are sent empty away.

With these invitations of mercy, the unwearied Apostle went forth into the highways and hedges, seeking out the lost sinners of mankind, and compelling them, through the force of Truth and Love, to come to the Gospel feast.

As a loving heart makes willing feet, so he considered no distance too great, no road too rough, if only he could be the means of saving sinners from the wrath to come.

He delighted in his work;-his whole heart was engaged in it, and his whole life was devoted to it. But, the time now drew near, when this

servant of Christ was to seal the Truth with his blood, and to receive the crown of martyrdom; a crown, in his estimation, infinitely surpassing in glory, all the diadems of the world.

From Rome, in what appears to be his last Epistle, St. Paul feelingly and triumphantly writes to his beloved Timothy :

"Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God. I am appointed a preacher,' and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles, for the which cause I suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have beE

lieved, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

"Remember, that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound; therefore, I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

"Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

"All they which are in Asia be turned away from me. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. When he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day; and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God, that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work,

and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever, amen.

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How sweet, how serene, how full of hope are his parting, his almost dying words: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me in that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Thus sank to rest this bright luminary of the Christian Church; but he only sank beneath the earthly horizon, to rise, with resplendent glory, in the morning of the resurrection.

Like his Divine Master, he was forsaken by his friends in the bitter hour of persecution; and like him, he prayed that it might not be laid to their charge.

Thus did Stephen, and so will all who possess the spirit of Jesus, and who feel the influence of that charity, which covereth, as with a mantle, a multitude of sins.

As he felt the blessedness of the promise: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;" so he could boldly say: "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

He was not afraid to die, for he had a desire to depart and to be with Christ. His heart was in heaven, because his treasure was there. When therefore the appointed hour arrived, which was to convey his waiting spirit into the presence of his God, he cared not by what instrument this blessed

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