bystanders, he apologizes for the exclame.tion. Either he did not recognize Ananias for tho presiding high priest; or, recognizing, he mee.nt to intimate that, while he had nil respect for the office, he he.d none for the person who thus abused it. "If Paul," sl\ys Luther, "thus BBsnils the pries~ who ".V'as ordained.accordiag to the Law of Moses, why should I dread to assail the pamted bishops and gho8ts who come from the pope, without any command from God l\nd man?" 4. Self-possession l\nd prudence, with sincerity (ver. 6). Paul is the sheep among the wolves (Matt. x. 16). There was both tact and truth in this confession. He was a Pharisee by birth and education, and also by present position, as he upheld the authority of the Divine Law in opposition to the frivolity of the Sadducees. '!'hat was the common ground on which he and the Phari- sees stood. Paul says what is simply true. It is only self-control, sincerity, and sim- plicity which can give true firmness and consistency. II. 'I'm; INOONBISTEN0IEB OF DISHONESTY. (Vers. 7, etc.) There wae a split in the assembly, occasioned by Paul's confession. It is a picture of what is ever going on in the world. Sects and parties fall asunder, and make free space and passage for the truth of God. Party spirit drew the Pharisees over to Paul ; yet God's wisdom reaches its end by this means. He makes the wrath of man to praise him. The Roman officer takes, as usual, the part of an indifferentist, and orders the removal of the prisoner. Thus the contending parties are silenced, and their objects are defeated by their own passion and violence, while the cause of right prevails. IIL THE vorcE FROM HEAVEN. Great need brings great comfort. God is content with the witness he has borne. Greater than the trials from foes are those which arise from the self-doubts of a sensitive conscience. Have we said and done our best? The disappointment of the result reflects itself in the trouble of the conscience. But the results are not of our command; the purpose is. We cannot command success; but we may deserve it, and enjoy the testimony of a good conscience. The "comfort where- with I am comfo1ted of God." It compensates for the unjust judgment of the world; for the insults to one's office; for the griefs of self-condemnation. Above all, it strengthens for the conflicts of the future. It is a. laurel on the brow of the hero of God, the word: "Thou shalt bear witness again." Henceforward the apostolic history turns upon the witness which Paul is to fulfil at Rome. Lessons : The true Christian witness must have, first of all, the good conscience within his breast. The violence of the foes of truth will then be a certificate in his favour; he will enjoy the sympathy of the honest and unprejudiced on earth, and the assurance of the Divine Judge in heaven.-J. Vers. 1-21.-Paul's defence of himself to the people. L THE OIRCUlfSTANCES. 1. On the castle stairs. 2. Addressed to a tumultuous mob, full of passionate, murderous feeliug, quelled for the moment by Paul's self-control and tbe captain's influence, showing that they feared Rome, though they feared not God, and had no desire to know the truth. 3. The magic of the Hebrew tongue, that is, the Syriac or Aramaic Hebrew, which touched their national sympathies, and at once laid to rest any sus- picions that Paul waS' a foreigaer desecrating the temple. IL 'l'HE SUBSTANCE OF THE SPEECH. Facts speak for themselves. Once I was blind as you; now I see. The convert relating his experience. Power of such testimonies when simply and faithfully narrated. The evidence that Jesus was the Christ. The reason for Paul's mission to the Gentiles. III. THE DOOM OF JERUSALEM FORESHADOWED. "They will not receive of thy testi- mony concerning me." Resistance to the Holy Ghost. Stephen's blood wao crying out, and now they would have Paul's. 'l'he messenger sent from heaven unto the Gentiles betokened the Divine judgments about to be poured out on Jerusalem, and the blessing taken from them and given to those who would return faithfully the fruits of the ·vineyard. IV. THE HOLY BOLDNESS OF THE MAN who could speak thus to an infuriated mob. His confidence in truth, in his own mission, in the works of the Spirit, in the future of the Christian Church; and his fearlessness of man.-R.
Vera, 22-30.-Re.,r.ue o/ the prisoner and refermca of his cause to the Jewish San- hedrim, Notice- 202 THE AOTS OF THE .APOSTLES. [on. un. 1-80.