---

illustrates —

I. THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOSPEL TRUTH. This is here seen —

1. In shaking the religion of the monarch.

(1) There is no task more difficult than that of destroying a man's faith in his own religion. It is easier to argue a man out of anything than out of his religious creed — he has often given up his home, friends, and life for this.

(2) But this difficulty was emphasised in the case of a Jew. No religion ever took such a hold upon the human mind as Judaism.

(3) But of all classes none would feel it more difficult to change their religion than kings. Pride, policy, or fear binds them to their old creed.

(4) Add to all this that the new religion was neither popular nor respectable. Here is a glorious evidence of the power of our religion! It is to triumph over all religions. Like Aaron's rod, the Cross shall swallow up their enchantments, dispel every error that darkens the human judgment, snap every fetter that enthralls the human soul, give to every spirit its right and freedom.

2. In strengthening the heart of the apostle. What was it that braced up the soul of the apostle with so much unconquerable energy? Gospel truth. And does it not always act thus? While it overcomes the sinner with conviction, does it not fill the Christian with joy and peace in believing?

II. THE GRAND AIM OF GOSPEL TRUTH. To elevate, to stir the mind to action, to dispel its ignorance, correct its errors, remove its opposition; but its grand object is to make men Christians. But what is it to be a Christian? Is it to be orthodox in creed? No; there are many wicked spirits profound theologians. Is it to be regular in our attendance on religious ordinances? No; the Scribes and Pharisees were so. Is it to be attached to the person, character, and ministry of God's servants? No; Herod heard John gladly. Is it conviction of sin? No; Judas repented, Felix trembled, and Agrippa was almost a Christian. What, then, is it to be a Christian? Paul answers the question — to be as I am.

1. He accepted the atonement of Christ as the only hope of salvation.

2. He made the will of Christ the rule of his conduct. "What wilt Thou have me do?" was the first question he asked.

3. He cherished the love of Christ as the inspiration of his life. These three things made the apostle what he was, and are the essential elements of a Christian. Are you a Christian? Then there is oneness between you, Christ, and every holy spirit — you live in the sympathies of the good, and in the arms of redemptive mercy; the great God is your Father, Jesus is your brother, angels are your servants, and heaven at last will be your home; you can look and claim an interest in all. "All things are yours." How benevolent that wish of the apostle's, "I would to God," etc.; a nobler never entered a human heart. From it we learn that a Christian in chains is freer, happier, and nobler than a king upon his throne.

III. THE PRACTICAL METHOD OF GOSPEL TRUTH. How does this powerful truth attain this sublime object? By sentimental rhapsody, priestly interpositions, theatrical ritualism, noisy declamations? No. These may rouse the emotions, but cannot convince the judgment. By legislative enactment? There is no way by which coercion can travel to a man's soul, and touch the moral springs of action. What, then, is the method? Moral suasion. This implies two things —

1. The existence of evidence to convince the judgment. Before I could persuade an infidel to love and obey God, I must convince him by evidence of the being, excellency, and claims of the Great One. Before I can persuade a sinner to seek salvation in Christ, he must be convinced of his sin and danger, and of the suitability and willingness of Christ as a Saviour.

2. The existence of motives to change the will. Motives gathered from life, death, time, eternity. The presenting of these motives is persuasion — is the means by which men are to be made Christians. This persuasion is a peculiarity of our religion. The religion of heaven needs no persuasion — the spirits there have only to know their duty in order to perform it. Other religions on earth are too false to depend upon it. If the religion of the "false prophet" is to be propagated, it must be by the sword; if popery, by mystification; if deism, by the construction of fallacies. All Christianity wants is to be presented fairly to the mind, in humble dependence upon that Spirit that has pledged to crown it with success.

IV. THE SOLEMN FAILURE OF GOSPEL TRUTH. Only "almost." What was the reason he did not yield entirely? Because he did not think sufficiently and rightly upon it. The power of argument depends upon the consideration you give it.

V. THE PHILOSOPHIC GENIUS OF GOSPEL TRUTH. Paul's reply has a moral grandeur beyond description. Here is a spirit of the highest philanthropy.

1. It was a praying philanthropy: "I would to God."

2. It was a forgiving philanthropy.

3. It was a universal philanthropy.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

WEB: King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."