we can approach to it in our conduct, the more bright will those good works shine, which spring out of a pure and lively faith.

Nor shall we wonder that such a proof of their religious principles, captivated even those who were unwilling to imitate their conduct. They saw them daily frequenting the temple, the appointed place of public worship; they saw them associating together, as St. Luke expresses it, with gladness and singleness of heart; they saw them praise God with that devotion which hypocrisy cannot offer; and therefore they were disposed to regard them with a favourable eye. For who, might they reasonably argue, has more reason to rejoice than a true believer? Who partakes less of the cares and tumults of life, than he who possesses his heart in simplicity and godly sincerity?

case.

A faith so pure, and a conduct so irreproachable, were likely to produce the most beneficial effects to the Christian Church; which was immediately the The Lord added daily to this heavenly society such as should be saved. The expression gives no latitude to a particular election or predestination, in opposition to the melancholy doctrine of reprobation; it signifies the saved, that is, those who were called to save themselves from an untoward generation, to separate themselves from the Jewish faith, and to join themselves to that purer establishment under Him who came to abolish the ceremonies of the law, and to introduce the blessings of the Gospel. Thus St. Paul says, "The preaching of the cross is to them that perish fool

ishness, but to us who are saved (rois owZoμevois, the same expression) the saved, it is the power of God';" which is still more clearly manifested in another passage, "I declare unto you the Gospel which I have preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved."

The conduct of the Apostles, at this moment so important to the interests of the Gospel, was earnest and indefatigable in the highest degree. Weighty indeed was the concern which the Holy Ghost had laid upon them, and strenuous the exertions which their employments required. They had now begun to feel the great end of their mission, and they used every opportunity to promote it. While the first impression of their preaching was strong upon the people, they frequented such public situations as might present to them the greatest concourse of people. The temple of the Jews was of this description; its avenues and porches were spacious, and it was the constant resort of great numbers, not only of the pious and devout, but of others, who, for various purposes, might be led thither. The Apostles, we are told, continued daily in the temple. Their own devotion, we may imagine, was a primary motive of their resorting thither; it was a place of public worship. Much did they need the assistance of Heaven; much did they implore it. Let their example operate strongly upon our minds, that every un2 1 Cor. xv. 1, 2.

11 Cor. i. 18.

dertaking should be begun, continued, and ended, under the protection of our Heavenly Director. Let this be the test of the true principles of our employment; for if we dare not pronounce one prayer for its success, it stands condemned, as an unworthy allotment of our time. This it is, to pray always, to be always in a disposition to pray; and when an opportunity offers, not to content ourselves with our solitary, though it may be proper devotion, but to go up with Peter and John at the ninth hour, (according to our computation of time at three in the afternoon) the usual hour of offering the evening sacrifice; at any hour when we are called to this duty; for, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, says our Lord, there am I in the midst of them 1."

As these holy men were ascending to the temple for these holy purposes, a certain man (ris avng) a well-known person, afflicted by a lameness, deemed incurable, as it was a natural infirmity, was daily placed near that gate of the temple which was called Beautiful, to receive the casual benefactions of the pious. These minute circumstances plainly manifest the reality of the situation which they describe. They refer to a particular person, and a particular place. From a knowledge of the former, it was easy to prove, or disprove, the whole truth of his story; and the situation of the latter The Jewish historian

was known to every Jew.

mentions, that the other gates of the temple were

1 Matt. xviii. 20.

covered with silver, and then gilt; but that this, which was emphatically called Beautiful, was constructed of Corinthian brass, a more precious metal, " much exceeding, he says, those of gold and silver 1"

The distressed beggar supplicated the same alms from Peter and John which he had been accustomed to receive from the compassionate. But the Apostles had much superior blessings to bestow. "Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, Look on us." They called his attention to them, not merely to excite hope and expectation, but that he might particularly observe the nature of the miracle, of which he was to be the happy object. "Silver and gold (says St. Peter) have I none;" in this respect I am as poor as you, but in others I am rich, richer than many who have bountifully administered to your necessities. I am rich in the gifts and graces of a new revelation. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." The miracle was immediate-he assisted the lame man with his hand, and he leaped and walked-he did, what ought to be the first action of every man after a recovery from sickness, or a restoration from any other dangerous calamity, he "entered into the temple, and praised God."

With respect to this miracle, we may observe, that the faith of the lame man was no way consulted on this occasion. Though it evidently be

1 Jos. De B. Jud. 1. 5. c. 3.

came the cause of his conversion, it was performed for the general benefit. Multitudes, from this moment, dated the important change which took place in their hearts. It was of the nature of our Lord's prayer at the resurrection of Lazarus: "Because of the people which stand by I said it, that they might believe that thou hast sent me '."

Though we have not the power of saying to the decrepit and distressed, Rise up and walk; though St. Peter's expression, Silver and gold have I none, may, in every sense, be applicable to ourselves; yet let us not imagine, that we are therefore discharged from the duty of alleviating the miseries of our fellow-creatures. Infirmity of mind is far more distressing, sin is a much more inveterate disorder, than the most incurable, the most painful, bodily disease. These we may, and, whenever we are able, ought to attempt to relieve; and in these cures, by the grace of God, we may often be successful. "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up" from the burthen of thy sins," and walk" in newness of life. Then, in more than a literal sense, "shall the lame man leap as an hart;" then " the tongue of the dumb shall sing "."

This was the first instance of the exertion of the miraculous powers of the Apostles after the descent of the Holy Ghost. Our Lord, while he was yet among them, had confirmed to them the truth

John xi. 42.

2 Isa. xxxv. 6.