Acts 21:40

REFLECTIONS

READER! what a sweet prospect is here shewn, to the ministers and congregations of the faithful, in the representations of Paul and his companions, going about in their visitation of the different Churches? The imagination cannot conceive anything equally lovely! And, though private Christians do not, because the Lord hath not called them to it, in their sweet societies and meetings, exercise any ministerial function with each other; yet are they both taught, and exhorted, by such examples, to have all their assemblings together, opened, and closed in prayer. And, when the Lord, who is in the midst of them, according to his own most sure promise, pours out upon them a Spirit of prayer, so that they commend each other to the Lord, the very place where they are assembled is sanctified, whether on the shore, or in the house: blessings are implored for those going away, and for those that remain behind; and the sweet union of Christ's love forms them one in Him, that whether absent froth each other, or present, they are accepted in Jesus!

How unpromising soever the removal of our friends may appear, though like Paul, bonds, or imprisonment await the believer; this reflection is always full of comfort: the Lord's people must be the Lord's care. That Scripture should never be forgotten: Yea, he loveth the people; all his saints are in thy hands. Oh! then, how sweetly one of the Apostles reasoneth upon it: Casting, saith he, all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Let Paul be at Ephesus, or Jerusalem; let the Lord's people he at home, or abroad; the consciousness of Jesus being with them, secures all. How wonderfully were all the circumstances of evil, made to minister to greater good, in his instance. The Jews would have killed him. The Roman power would have scourged him. But, the Lord puts a hook in the nose, and a bridle in the lips of both; and God shall be glorified by his servant's preaching a sermon to them, and which they shall hear. Reader! observe these things, and then remember that sweet promise: All things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who, are called, according to his purpose.