Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/824

 Blessed  Lord  so  often  demanding  faith  in  Himself  and  His  doctrine  (see, for  example,  chapter  XV). There is  only  one  true  God,  one  Saviour, and one  true  faith,  which  Jesus  Christ  taught  and  bequeathed  to  the Church that  He  founded. Any indifference  in  matters  of  faith,  or  any admiration of  it  in  others  must  come  from  a want  of  firm  religious convictions, and  is  a grievous  sin  against  faith.

The name  of  Christian  means  a disciple  and  adherent,  a follower of Jesus  Christ. It is  a glorious  title  to  bear,  and  is  a continual  exhortation to  us  who  do  bear  it,  to  cling  to  our  Lord  by  a firm  faith and true  love,  to  keep  His  commandments,  and  to  follow  His  example.

You may  take  example  from  the  centurion Cornelius. He was  not  a Christian,  and  yet  he  feared  God;  he prayed  continually,  and  did  good  to  his  neighbour. You are  a Christian,  and  yet  how  lukewarm  and  negligent  you  are  in  your prayers! How little  account  you  make  of  sin! How little  love  you bear to  your  neighbour!

EROD Agrippa, grandson  of  that  Herod  who  had  caused the little  children  of  Bethlehem  to  be  slaughtered,  was now reigning  in  Judaea. Wishing to  find  favour  with  the  Jews, he began  to  persecute  the  disciples  of  Jesus;  and  having  put James the  brother  of  John  to  death,  he  caused  Peter  to  be arrested  and  thrown  into  prison.

As it  was  the  time  of  the  Jewish  Passover,  Herod  gave  the apostle in  charge  to  four  files  of  soldiers,  that  they  might  guard him till  after  the  festival  time,  when  he  meant  to  put  him  to