SERMON XX.

THE EFFECTS OF DIVINE GRACE AS DISPLAYED AT ANTIOCH.

ACTS xi, 23.

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

THE various methods by which the wisdom and the power of God, render all the occurrences that take place in the world, subservient to the accomplishment of his designs, form a subject which is well-deserving our contemplation; since it is calculated to afford us exalted views of His greatness and majesty. The Almighty, not only makes use of the willing services of holy angels or of pious men in performing his purposes, but he overrules even the malice of evil spirits and the base passions of the wicked, to accomplish his will: and

while they design only evil, and perhaps fancy that they can oppose Omnipotence, they are only the instruments by which he works. He uses them so long as he sees fit; and then lays them aside; or brings upon them the just punishment, which their rebellion and malignant intentions have merited. A remarkable instance of the power of God, in thus bringing good out of apparent evil, may be found in the verses connected with our text. The Jews, filled with blind and malignant rage against the religion of Jesus, had excited persecution against his followers, and had prevailed so far as to put to death Stephen, one of his most faithful and eminent servants. The consequence of this event was, that the disciples, who had been dwelling together in great peace and comfort at Jerusalem, were compelled to separate, and to betake themselves to various parts of the world, where they might hope to escape the rage of their persecutors. At first sight all this appeared little calculated to promote the cause of christianity; but it was, in fact, the very thing that was suited to spread it most widely. For while the disciples enjoyed outward peace at Jerusalem, they were little disposed to break up the pleasing and happy society which they enjoyed: but when persecution scattered them abroad, they carried the

knowledge of the Saviour into every place whither they came: and thus, the very means by which satan and his servants hoped to prevail against the cause of Christ, were overruled by God, for the more extensive diffusion of the knowledge of his gospel.

In the verses immediately preceding our text, we are told, that, "they which were "scattered abroad upon the persecution that "arose about Stephen, travelled as far as "Phenice and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching. "the word to none but the Jews only. And "some of them were men of Cyprus and 'Cyrene, which when they were come to

Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching "the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord "was with them: and a great number believed " and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of "these things came unto the ears of the "church which was in Jerusalem: and they "sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as "far as Antioch: who, when he came, and "had seen the grace of God, was glad, and "exhorted them all, that with purpose of "heart they would cleave unto the Lord. "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy "Ghost and of faith: and much people was "added unto the Lord."

Our text presents two subjects for our consideration ;-first, The cause of the joy which Barnabas experienced on account of the disciples at Antioch; and secondly, The exhortation which he gave to them.

I. First, then, we are to consider the cause of his joy," When he came, and had seen the grace of God, he was glad."

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The word grace, is in scripture used to denote a free and undeserved favour bestowed by God upon any one. In this sense St. Paul speaks of the honour put upon him by God, in his appointment to the apostolical office, in these terms-" Unto me, who "am less than the least of all saints, is this

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grace given, that I should preach among the "gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." 1 But the word is generally used to denote the grand instance of the unmerited kindness and mercy of God, which he has shown, in providing for lost, sinful, and unworthy man, salvation from the just punishment which by his transgressions he has incurred. By grace ye are "saved." "The grace of God bringeth sal"vation."3

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In our text, however, when we are told

'Ephes. iii, 8.

2 Ephes. ii, 5. 3 Titus ii, 11.

that Barnabas "saw the grace of God," the meaning evidently is, that he perceived in the conduct of the new converts at Antioch, those effects of divine grace, which led him to believe, and to rejoice in the belief, that they were christians, not in name and profession alone, but in truth. That they not only were outwardly made members of the christian church by baptism; but possessed the inward and spiritual grace' the thing signified'' the death unto sin' - and the 'new birth unto righteousness.' For remember, my brethren, that though our salvation proceeds only from free grace and undeserved mercy; it consists not merely in a deliverance from the punishment of sin in another world, but in redemption from the power and the love of it in the present life. And the effects of the grace of God in this respect, must be visible and evident in your life and conduct, before those who are appointed to watch over your souls can rejoice in the cheering hope, that you are walking in a path, which will conduct you to everlasting glory.

The persons, of whom mention is made in our text, had probably been brought up in idolatry; certainly in careless ungodliness. They had had their "conversation in the world accord"ing to the lusts of men, and not according