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godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

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SERMON XVII.

ACTS XXI. 16.

An old disciple.

In the course of my private readings, I was lately much struck with this short passage of Scripture. As I mused upon the words, they gave rise to a train of thought, which I found agreeable and edifying. And as I am always strongly inclined to call your attention to such particular portions of God's word as I have found profitable to myself, so I now beg leave. to set before you such views of this passage as were then presented mind.

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The apostle Paul was evidently much disposed to make honourable mention of his friends and companions in the christian faith. We observe him indulging this affectionate feeling in that part of the sacred volume, which records the acts of the apostles but this is more especially observable in his epistolary writings, where his saluta

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tions are no less marked and appropriate than they are frequent and numerous. In this he has immortalized the names of way many of his associates, of whose existence we should have been utterly ignorant, but for the significant mention he has made of them in the sacred pages. And here it is worthy to be noted, that, while he maintains the strictest silence with respect to his natural connexions, he seems anxious to have it known, that he enjoyed a peculiar degree of intimacy with many of the most faithful and zealous of his Lord's disciples.

The name of Mnason occurs only in this passage, and all the information we can obtain respecting him is confined within a very narrow compass-that he was by birth a Jew; that the place of his nativity was the isle of Cyprus; that he was converted by the ministry of Christ himself; and that he was numbered with those seventy disciples, who were sent out, two and two, to publish abroad the approach of their Master.

This venerable person, it appears, was a total stranger to the apostle till they unexpectedly met at Cæsarea, on Paul's re

turn from his second laborious mission. The apostle was at that time hastening to Jerusalem, that he might enjoy the consolation of mingling with his brethren there, at the approaching festival of Pentecost. And certain disciples of Cæsarea being minded to accompany the apostle on that occasion, they introduced him, it is said, to one Mnason, with whom they might lodge, and in whose house they might be accommodated during the hurry of the feast. From this short account we may gather, that Mnason's stated residence was at Jerusalem, and that he was there accustomed to exercise his liberality in keeping open house for the saints, supplying their wants, and ministering to their comfort in every way, for which either his piety or his property could qualify him.

Scantily, however, as materials are furnished for drawing the character, or reporting the actions of Mnason, there is an appellation given him, which more than makes up for all the deficiency. The sacred historian presents him to us under the character of an old disciple, a name of more interest and of greater estimation than any

of those flattering titles of distinction, which have been invented among men. Of all the highest dignities to which a man can aspire, the most solid and lasting is that of being numbered with Christ's disciples: and this was a distinction that belonged to Mnason. He was a man beloved of Christ, and saluted by his brethren as a fellow-citizen with the saints, and of the household of God. There is something in the presence of a real disciple of Christ peculiarly calculated to fix our attention, and draw out our regard. Wherever we behold such a one, we see a man who is in training for immortal honours; one, whose name is written in the Lamb's book of life; one, over whom the second death can have no power; one, who holds intimate fellowship with the Father of spirits; and for whom there is laid up in heaven a treasure that fadeth not away.

However pre-eminent a man may be in any other point of view; whatever badges of honour he may wear, or in whatever way he may be distinguished from the bulk of mankind, by wealth, by power, or by intellectual endowments; he does but entertain himself with empty vanities and child

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