1. Deep contrition —
[They were " pricked to the heart" with a sense of all their sins, and especially the sin of crucifying the Lord Jesus. And we also must be humbled in like manner ; seeing that our sins were the procuring cause of Christ's death b ; yea, and we have crucified him afresh ten thousand times by our conti- nuance in sinc.]
2. Extreme earnestness —
[Nothing lay so near their hearts, as to obtain the know- ledge of salvation. Thus must we also feel our whole souls engaged in this great concern.]
3. A determination to comply with God's terms, whatever they should be —
[This is one of the strongest and most unequivocal marks of true penitence. And it must shew itself in us, as well as in them. We must not dispute about the terms, as too humi- liating, or too strict, but be willing to be saved on the condi- tions prescribed in the Gospel.]
4. A respectful regard for those whom they once hated for their attachment to Christ —
[The Apostles had addressed them in these respectful and affectionate terms, " Men and Brethren." They now, in their turn, use the same language towards the Apostles ; though but one hour before, no words would have been too harsh to use in invectives against them. Thus must our hearts also be turned towards the ministers and the Disciples of Christ, how- ever much we may have before hated and despised them. Nor are our inquiries after salvation such as they ought to be, if they be not accompanied with all these marks of penitence and contrition.]
This inquiry was not in vain, as we may see from, II. God's answer to it —
The reply given by God's ambassador, contains,
1. A plain direction — [The term " repent" imports in this place a change of mind6-: and it refers to their former apprehensions of Christ : they had lately crucified him as an impostor ; now they must be persuaded that he was the true Messiah ; yea, they must rely on his death as an atonement offered for them, and seek the remission of their sins through him alone : they must moreover " be baptized in his name," and become his avowed, his faithful Disciples.
b Isai. liii. 4, 5. c Heb. vi. 4— (5.