be careful when we are mocked, or in any way insulted, to preserve that evenness of temper which will enable us to reason calmly with those who thus behave. And especially when it is the truth of the things which we believe that is thus called in question, or pointed at with scorn, let us both be ready to give to every one, according to our ability, a reason of the hope that is in us, and also be careful so meekly to bear with our opponent, so gently and affectionately to reply, that we may justify the profession of our lips, by the effect of our faith upon our lives.

The argument of the apostle was of a kind to be conclusive with those who heard him. For they were all either Jews or proselytes, collected on occasion of the feast from the neighbouring nations, and probably acquainted with those prophecies which are here alluded to. Greatly should we be moved by such passages as these to acquaint ourselves in like manner with the ancient prophets; to study the volume of the elder covenant for our better help in understanding the later one. All is written for our instruction. And in all, holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. And the scribe rightly instructed for the kingdom of God should be able to bring out of his treasure things new and old. (See Matt. 13. 52.)

St. Peter shewed that what had happened on this occasion was no more than the fulfilment of a prophecy, that thus the Holy Spirit should be poured out, "before that great and notable day of the Lord come." And hence he turns his address, to urge on their attention the proofs of Jesus being their Lord and Christ, arguing from his resurrection, which was itself a most striking fulfilment of a prophecy in the Psalms. This prophecy shews the previous intention that Jesus should be so raised up. And here we read that He also was "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." So that God surely foreknew and planned all things relating to our redemption through Christ; both how He would have to die upon the cross, and how He would arise also from the dead. And thus God knows beforehand, also of us, all we do, and all we suffer; plans for us how we might do and suffer for the best; and ordains how according to our use of the time which here He gives, shall we in the end either perish or be for ever saved. Certain we are to come to one or other of these two ends. And fearful it is to think that we might by any possibility come to the end of death eternal. What is it then that God has ordained concerning us? "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Whosoever shall in earnest pray, through faith in Christ, and persevere in prayer and faith unto the end, the same shall live for ever. Let us then receive God's promises as they are generally set forth to us in holy Scripture. And in our doings let us follow that will of God which we have expressly declared unto us in the word of God. (See XXXIX Articles.)

Peter's address concluded. The hearers pricked in their heart.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are wit

my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

LECTURE 362.

What we who are baptized ought to do.

St. Peter in this conclusion of his address, dwells chiefly on the resurrection of Christ, shewing that by this event must be interpreted those words of David in the Psalms which could by no means be applied to the son of Jesse. And the like remark he makes on what David had foretold of Christ's ascension. From whence he argues that God had made the same Jesus whom they had crucified both Lord and Christ. Now this argument of the apostle supposes it to be a fact well known to all his hearers that Jesus of Nazareth had truly risen from the grave, had truly ascended into heaven. And these things being notorious in Jerusalem at the time, and also specially testified on this occasion, St. Peter might justly argue, that since the things were prophesied of Christ, Jesus to whom they happened must be the Christ Himself.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart.” The address of the apostle was convincing. Or rather, God's grace effectually moved their hearts to feel its weight. For without his grace, no such argument, however forcible to the mind, is able to bring conviction to the soul. His power must move us first. But in order to be so moved we must first pray for help. But it is He that must ever help us first to pray, must help in us that first faint longing in the heart, which is the ground of our first earnest prayers. To Him we owe it that we hear the

preacher's voice, that we read the word written by inspiration of the Spirit. To Him we must look for grace to profit by these his ordinances of Christian edification. And yet how much depends on our using his grace aright, on our striving for our parts to the utmost of our ability to mark, learn, and inwardly digest!

"They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" This is an inquiry well befitting those, who for the first time feel deeply the necessity of caring for the soul. This is a question we should each of us do well frequently to put to ourselves, as we become more and more convinced that this same Jesus is "both Lord and Christ." "What shall we do?" How can we better employ the talent committed to our charge? How can we become more truly devout to God, more right and reverent in our apprehension of Him, and of his dealings towards ourselves? How among our fellow creatures can we do more good, and feel more love? How might we be able to give a better account of the time we have, when we shall have time no more? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." This answer applies exactly to the case of those who, when they asked the question, had never been baptized. But it is also full of information profitable to ourselves. "For," as St. Peter added, "the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Called we have been by God's mercy to be Christians. Invited we are by his earnest appeal to save ourselves from an untoward generation. Already we have received the outward sign of baptism. Already, if we truly have repented, we have received also the inward grace, the remission of our sins in the name of Jesus Christ. Let us live then as they who have been forgiven, as they who have received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, the quickening of our understandings to know God's will, and of our hearts to love to do it. Let us live as though we did indeed truly love; as if with Christ we were risen from the death of sin, as if our hearts were ascended with Him into heaven; as if we were loving to be there with Him in thought, longing there to see Him as He is; glad to be dead to sin, and thankful to feel alive again unto righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Believers had all things in common.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were

together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

LECTURE 363.

How we ought to use our worldly goods.

The Gospel was for its growth compared by our Saviour to a grain of mustard seed. (See Matt. 13. 31.) Here we read of three thousand souls added in one day to the infant church. Soon afterwards five thousand are said to have believed. (Ch. 4. 4.) "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." (Ch. 19. 20.) May we find it thus to grow in our own hearts by faith! to be unto us daily more and more profitable, more and more precious, to occupy daily more of our meditation, and daily more to affect our lives! May our own growth in holiness and joy be a means of winning others to the faith! May the many thousands who dwell around us in the land, and the many millions who exist in foreign parts, still utterly estranged from God, be rapidly brought home into his fold; the zeal of those who know his will being adorned by their devotion to his service, and helping under his grace to add daily to the church such as become heirs of salva

tion.

This addition of three thousand converts took place on the occasion of the gift of tongues, after St. Peter's discourse on that affecting miracle. "They that gladly received his word were baptized." This was the course for them who were already grown up to man's estate; first to hear gladly, and then to receive baptism. We have been already baptized. Our life, through the care of Christian friends, has been from the very outset dedicated to Christ. And in proportion as we grow able to hear at all, it is our duty to hear gladly, to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save our souls. (See James 1. 21.) How far otherwise is the case of those who regret that they are thus bound in covenant with Christ, to renounce the world, the flesh, and the Devil! How far from gladly do they hear that word,

which so powerfully convinces them of sin! How hard is it for them to learn with joy the righteous judgment of God! And yet how often does God in his goodness make them glad to hear because eager to escape, glad to be told all their sins, because anxious to repent of all, glad to be instructed in all their duty, because fully purposed to obey in all !

But what an account of Christian duty is this, which is here given us in the case of the primitive disciples! How does it put to shame our worldly tempers, and our cold affections towards Christ our Lord! "They continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Instead of stedfast, we are apt in all these things to be variable. In doctrine how prone are many to waver and go astray; in fellowship, to violate the unity of the Spirit! In the breaking of the bread of the holy communion how backward are nearly all to attend! In prayers how slow, how cold are all, how wandering in thought, how wayward in heart! And how sad is the effect of this our unsteadiness on those who behold it in our lives! How different from the surprise and awe which the early converts raised in the beholders, by the fervour of their zeal, the stedfastness of their devotion! "Fear came upon every soul." Every one who witnessed their method of living was astonished, was alarmed about his own condition; considering probably thus each within himself: surely these men live not thus for nought; there must some strange thing have happened in the world, to have moved them to such a life as this; and how can I possibly be safe, if I neglect the preaching of that Gospel which has wrought so great a change in them?

And further they "had all things in common." They cared so little for this present world, that each gave up all he had for the common use of all. Each was content to share alike with the rest whatever had been his own property at the first. How far from such a spirit as this are they, who spend all their time in heaping up riches to themselves, and none in giving help to others! How far from it are they, who make money their chief delight; however much they have already seeking always to get more, or however little seeking always to have much! Let us feel rather that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Chap. 20. 35. This must be our way, to have all things in common; when we have the heart to give freely to the utmost of our power; when they who have much give largely, and they who have little receive thankfully; and when all either receive or give as they that must give account to Him, who is owner and Lord of all.