deration of our appetites is the best way to reap the fullest enjoyment from them.

VI.

There are some circumstances in this act of devotion of St. Paul's which are deserving our attention, and with which I shall conclude my discourse.

Of so large a number as the ship's company consisted, two hundred and seventy-six, all of them, except our apostle and St. Luke, and perhaps a few more, were heathen idolaters, ignorant of the true God.

Paul had before told them, that this God, whom he worshiped, had signified to him by a divine messenger the extreme hazard they should run, besides the loss of the ship and their goods, but that none of their lives should be lost. This could not but make deep impression upon them in their present situation; and the more, as he would not spare to assert, that he alone must be the supreme God who could foretell things to come, and who had the elements, the winds, and the seas, and every thing at his command.

The subject matter of his prayer, when he begged the blessing of God on the food they

were

were going to partake of, we are not told; but we may imagine that he would now address him as the supreme Father and Governor of the universe, and only true God, and thank him for that provision for their necessities, and for his promised protection in their present great danger, and in the assurance that he had given them of their lives being preserved; and would probably in the end pray that their future time in this world, which he should allot them, might be spent as became them, in endeavouring to know and serve him better than they had hitherto done.

Paul's good sense would not permit him unseasonably to make too long an oration at such a critical moment; but his piety and benevolence would prompt him in a few words to insinuate and teach something of the na ture I have supposed,

VII.

We cannot reasonably doubt, but that the apostle's pious behaviour, and open assertion of his being a worshiper of the one only true God, must have had a good effect upon some

few,

few, at least, of that great number of seafaring men, soldiers, and others, that were in the ship, especially after they had seen his predictions fulfilled, and themselves delivered out of so great a danger.

They would afterwards tell of these extraordinary things, and talk of them to their friends, and relations, and acquaintance; and they themselves, or others from their report, might be induced to make further inquiry after Paul, and the new religion that he taught; and thus be brought to forsake their sins and the worship of their false gods, and embrace the gospel, and be saved by it for ever.

Thus were men brought to know the great truths concerning God and Christ, and a future eternal life, in former times; and thus must the same good work be promoted now, by those who are enlightened and informed themselves, taking every opportunity to spread and excite inquiry concerning them in others.

For, although every thing is of God, he brings about his kind purposes by human means; and by neglecting opportunities that arise to inform and instruct others by your conversation or example, or in any other way,

you

you know not the injury you may do them, nor the stop you may put to the propagation of divine truth,

One short remark will finish the whole of what I have to offer to you on the subject.

VIII.

Our apostle's example, in standing forth and giving thanks to God before eating, in the presence and name of such a mixed multitude, many of them heathens, may teach and encourage us at no time to omit so fitting a duty as that of saying Grace as we term it, or begging the divine blessing upon us at our meals, and thanking him for his benefits; though some should be present who may think lightly of such a duty, and of the acknowledgements constantly due to so adorable a majesty and goodness.

The doing of right things, and such as become us and are our indubitable duty, with firmness, may have a good effect upon others, and engage their approbation; besides that it argues great meanness and cowardice of spirit, in suffering ourselves at any time to be deterred or drawn away from what is reason

able,

able, just, and true, by the fear of, or complaisance for, any persons whatsoever.

Unto God alone be glory in all things, and for

ever!

PRAYER.

O thou, the first and the last, without beginning and without end, God by thyself alone! unspeakably glorious in all that can be called perfection! who hadst from all eternity been complete in blessedness before thou gavest us a being; and standest not in need of any services of ours, nor dost require our praises and thanksgivings for thyself alone; but because thou takest pleasure in bringing us to such dispositions towards thee, as are needful for our own happiness:

Surrounded continually by thy benefits, and sustained by thy power, let no day pass without being often witness to our grateful sense and recollection of thee and thy goodness, and endeavours in all things to please and obey thee.

Preserve us, especially, from resting in any of thy creatures, which thou hast made the instruments of our support, complacency, and

delight: