which the Christiim system rested, and then gradul\lly unfold the various doctrines which were embodied in those facts, 'l'heir central, foundation fact was their Lord's resurrection. It even seems that, at first, the Resurrection stood out more prominently before the apostles' minds than the sacrifica.l death. The precise proportions and rela- tions of the Christian truths beoa.me matters of later adjustment; and, indeed, we are ritill trying to get them complete and satisfactory. Very many of the modern doctrinal controversies and sectarian disputes are occasioned by a failing sense of the prupo1·tiona and rela#ons in the whole of truth; some things are exaggerated and some under- estimated; men fight hard for pieces of truth, as if they were the whole. The true work, worthy to engage all our thought and heart, is the fair estimate of all the various pieces, and the skilful setting of each in its fitting place. In the early preaching of the apostles may also be noticed how they seem to stand aside, so that Christ, their Lord an<l Master, only may be seen and honoured. In this following the example of that Master, for he seemed ever to be stepping aside in order that men may fully see the Father. And in this also showing to us what is the essential spirit of all Christian preaching. The preacher's self must never be prominent; wo may only set forth "Christ Jesus the Lord." 'l'he scene in "Solomon's porch," or portico, may be described. It was on the eastern side of the temple, and "consisted of a double row of Corinthian columns, about thirty-seven feet high. It was, like the porticoes of all Greek cities, a favourite place of resort, especially as facing the morning sun in winter" (John :x. 23). In this same portico Jesus himself bad taught. The prominent points concerning the Lord Jesus presented by St. Peter are- I. JEHOVAH SENT AND ACli:NOWLEDGED mu. (Ver. 13.) The word Bon would be better Servant, and then the passage (Isa. xlii. 1), "Behold my Servant, whom I uphold," is at once brought to mind. In addressing the Jews, it was necessary to show that no claim was made for Jesus Christ as a new and indepe11de,. i God; the teaching of his divinity was consistent with both the teaching of the Divine Unity, which was the Jews' great truth, and the teachiug of the Divine Trinity, which is the great Christian truth. To the Jew a new God must be a false God, for ,Tehovah is one. Messengers of Jehovah they could receive. Manifestations of Jehovah they could accept. The conception of the " Son of God " was not to them an impossible one. And therefore our Lord so earnestly pressed that the Father God bad sent him; and the apostles urge that Jehovah's seal of acceptance rested on him and on his work. This truth is needed stilL We cannot rest in the salvation wrought by Christ unless we can fully see that it is God's salvation (see John iii. 16). II. ME.'il DENIED HIS MISSION, ..U.'D cRuCIFmD mu. (Ver. 13.) St. Peter gives the fact-Jesus was "delivered up; n and the aggravation of the fact-the clamours of malice actually overcame the natural sense of justice in the Roman governor. In reminding the people of this, St. Peter declares the 'l'TUJ1'al character of their act; and charges home upon the people the guilt of the judicial murder of no less a person than the national Messiah. For the actual denial of Christ, see John xix. 15; and for the purpose of Pila.te to release Christ, John xix. 4. The fact of the denial ia made the basis of the appeal for repentance. 'fhe fact of the crucifixion is urged as the guarantee of his actual death. Such enemies as they were would never leave their work imperfect. Ill. HE WA.II FREE FROM CRIME, AND JUST BEFORE MEN AND Gon. (Ver. 14.) The per~onal innocence of Jesus aggravates the iniquity of those who secured his death; l,ut it also hears directly upon the work of redemption that he wrought. Had be to bear the true burden of penalty for his own si.- s, he could not be the efficient Burden- hearer fOf' others. Had he spot, stain, or b1emish, he could not be the acceptable sacrifice for humanity, which must be the" Lamb without blemish." Show how much is made, in the Epistles, of the personal inI!occnce and perfoct virtue of the Saviour. r- Holy, harmless, undefiled," etc. IV. HE \VAB THE PRINCE .AND AUTHOR OF SALVATION AND LIFE. (Ver. 15.) For the term "Prince of life," see eh. v. 31; Heb. ii. 10; xii. 2. It means, "He who is the bource whence life and salvation flow." The chief thought in St. Peter's mind is that of the Resurrection. He who conquered death is "Prince of life," and has power io ;,;ive life. St. John also says, "Jn him was life, aud the life was the light of men." Ow Lord him::;clf said," I am the Way, the 'l'ruth, and the Life;" "I r.m come that they OH, III, 1-26.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 119
mig~t ~ave life;" "I give unto them ~temal l!fe." The wort~y appr~hension of what Christ is, and can do, makes the J ew1~h denial and crucifixwn of him seem a moBt hateful crime ; and our long neglect of him our unspeahble shame (Heh. ii. 3, 4). V, HIS MESSIAHSHIP, HIS :MISSION, AND HIB POWER TO SAVE, ARE, ONCE FOR ALL, AND SUFFIOIENTLY, DII0LARED IN HIS RESURRECTION. (Ver. 15.) If that resurrection be a fact-and to it all the apostles and disciples give witness, and on tho literal truth of it St. Paul is even willing to stake the Christian system-then there are important inferences to be drawn from the fa.et, and especially this one: Jesm is the Christ. 'l'herefore to him every knee should bow, and to him every sin-burdened heart should seek. So it is seon that the apostles were true preachers, model preachers; they set Jesus forth, and bid all eyes look to him.-R. T.