The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 41

if any m11.n wi_ll," etc._ . True work■ of a heart divinely 11.nd graciously opened are named. Here 1s humility-ehe eubmits herself to the judgment of Christians more 11.dVBIJoed. 'leachableness, _thar.kfidnus to God, bu.,;y love IUld kindness, the ~etting o/ a good example. She ded1oates her house, with herself, to the service of Christ.---J. Vers. 16-18.-The wimes, of evil to the good. I. THE SOOTHSAYING DAMSEL. Here wa.s a girl living upon imposture, and bringing gain to her mnsters out of trnffio In fancies and_ lies. Magic and soothsa~·ing tra<les upon the imagination and wishes or the popular mind. Instead of leading the mind to the truth, it leads the mind to the habit of postponing truth to de\'ice anJ interest. Itis the very opposite temper to that of true Christianity. II. Hfill: wtn.~ ~ 'l'HE TRUTH. It was doubtless involuntary, extorted from her by overpowenng conv1ct1on. So does the truth not seldom come from strange lips. The girl felt the contrast in these men to herself. Here were servants of God ; shu was the servant of lucre and self-interest. They with truth upon their lips, and their lives in their hands; she with cunning lies and deceits, framed to defraud men of their substance and injurious to their souls. They lead on the way to salvation and blessedness ; she, to disappointment and ruin. IIL 'l'HE OONDUCT OF THE APOSTLES. It gives a rule tous. There can be no fellow• ship, and therefore no pact nor even momentary compromise, between light and dark• ness. Trnth needs no such help, and never have such devices been known to forward its course. Compliments are to be distrusted by the worker for God. The tinder of vanity is ever ready to be inflamed.. The temptation is to put down to our own merit that which is the work of Di\'ine grace. Jealousy against evil is disarmed, watchfulness relaxed. Good men may thus be seduced from the service of God into that of men, or worse. Before firmness and loyalty to conscience the evil and seducing spirits flee.-J. Vers. 19-34.--Joy in tnoulatwn. ".All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer penecution." "We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom." The truth of these Pauline sayings had often been tested by experiences, of which this at Philippi was one of the most significa.nt. Here, too, was one of the places where he learned to say, "Thanks be to God, who always maketh us to triumph I" I. SELF-O."'TEREBT IN A.RHB AGAINST THE TRUTH, So often-especially in our day- are men's int.erests and profits on the same side with Christia.city; we need to be reminded that godliness and gain (in the immediate and lower sense) are not identical. 1. The root of opposition to the truth. They saw their hope of !?:a.in was gone. Wherever men strike a blow against pure morality, sound and unrefuted principles of teaching, we may rely upon it some " vested interest" is at bottom the cause. 'l'he progress of the gospel has put an end to many false callings, and, let us hope, will put an end to many more. 2. The weapons of falsehood. False accusations, misrepresentations. Malice knows that the most effective mode of attack is the indirect. If you cannot disprove a man's arguments, you may blacken his character. If his private life is blameless, try to show that hii principles are dangerous to society, If he speaks unwelcome truth, accuse him of breaking up the general peace and good feeling (1 Kings xviii. 17; Amos vii 10). '!'he wolf in the fable! Crafty use of ca.tch- cries is another instrument of passion and malice. The great Roman name and power is assailed, and that by hated and despicable Jews! 'l'bis the first time that Roman law is iuvoked affainst the CL.ristian. Observe the half-truth in the arguments of malice. Christia~ity ~ make men restless-it frighteus the evil out of false repooe. It does unhinge old customs, and was destined to overthrow the Roman pride. 'l'hus was the multitude excited, as often under such circumstances, and, amidst howls of rage and gusts of indignation, the apostles are roughly handled, their garments torn; they are beaten and Cll8t into close confinement. So do malice and passion often appear t.o gain their will, while they are preparing for themselves a defeat. II. b.'W ARD JOY .A..IUDST OUTWARD DARKNESS j INWARD LIBERTY IN BONDS AND PRISON, At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymn.a. What seems to be the gate of death and of hell may be converted by prayer and song into the gate of heaven, the avenue to Paradise. 'Tie nqt the place that sanctifies the spirit, but the spirit that ancti.6.es the plaoe. Great the triumph of the spirit, to sing, not within the safe walls CH, XVI, 1-40,] THE AO'fB OF THE APOSTLES. 43