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and then to support it by perverted passages of Scripture to their own destruction. But let it, my brethren, be our wisdom to withdraw ourselves from the danger. Let us search and study the Scriptures to our own edification, setting before us the example and exhortation of the apostle, who having proved all things in the faith and profession of Christ, held fast that which was good, that in us also God may be glorified.

SERMON XV.

ACTS, XXVI. 28.

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

How many are there among us, and among all professed Christians, in the same situation as Agrippa-" almost persuaded to be a Christian!" The powerful appeal of the apostle had awakened feelings in his breast, to which he had been hitherto a stranger. Being expert and learned in all question and customs then disputed among the Jews, and having derived from his education a knowledge of the evidences and truths of his religion, he was the better qualified to understand the arguments by which the apostle convinced him. To this knowledge the apostle

appealed in the beginning of his defence; and it was this knowledge, probably, that wrung from him the unwilling acknowledgment contained in my text: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

Agrippa had been bred up and in

structed under the most favourable circumstances: the most learned men of the age had been entrusted with his education; and we see, from this speech of St. Paul, he was acknowledged to be learned in all the customs and questions of the Jews. He was prepared, as far as circumstances would admit, for the reception of those divine truths which every faithful Jew anxiously looked for, waiting in all anxious expectation for the coming of the consolation of Israel.

He was convinced, therefore, by the appeal of St. Paul, and almost persuaded to be a Christian; that is, his mind assented to the truth of what St. Paul had urged; he was in himself convinced, but was too much influenced by the pride, the love, or the fear of the world, to carry his

convictions into practice, to become, not almost, but altogether a Christian.

In many points, my brethren, our situation is similar to that of Agrippa. We have not, indeed, the regal pomp and worldly vanities by which he was surrounded, to distract our

attention, or We may not

check our growth in grace. have had so many learned men to superintend our education; but the humblest Christian amongst us has advantages which no wealth, no exalted rank, could secure him he has been bred up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and in the full knowledge of those truths, which were only partially known to Agrippa. The Bible, from our very infancy, has been the constant subject of attention; its sacred pages have been open to us for our improvement, correction, and instruction in righteousness; and, as far as belief and acknowledgment of these truths is concerned, few are there among us who have not been almost persuaded to be Christians. Few are there who do not

profess to believe, and receive with reverence all that the sacred Scriptures contain. Few are there who would not be offended were we to deny to them the sacred name of Christians. And yet, my brethren, do not let us suffer ourselves to be led away by names; but examine ourselves strictly as to our real claim to this holy title. Is it a mere profession? Is it a mere name that will entitle us to consider ourselves Christians? Or is it such a change taking place in our hearts, and subduing all our evil affections, as weans us from the world, and brings us to God? Now, if this is Christianity, let us not trouble ourselves with considering how far our neighbour may be influenced by it, but try our own hearts, and if we do not there find such a spirit of faith, working by love, as is the first moving principle of Christian life, we may satisfy ourselves at once, that we also are among those who are almost Christians; we are among those who believe and profess, but put off the practice of our religion to some

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