HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vere. 1-21.-Truthfrom the tribunal. The principles which are illll8trated or sug- gested here are- I. THAT MEN IN TIIE HIGHEST RELIGIOUS POSITION HAY BE ALL WRONG IN THEIR THEOLOGY. The priests were grieved that the apostles taught the people that which we know to have been God's own truth (ver. 2). In every age since then, the tcachin"' of pure doctrine has been a veritable grief to those who havo been regarded by ma.ny as the religious authorities of the land. II. 'l'HAT MEN IN THE HIGHEST POLITICAL POSITIO~ MAY BF. USING THEIR POWER AGAINST THE WELL·BEING OF THE S7ATE. The state officials "came upon" the apostles of our Lord (ver. 1), and "laid hands on them, and put them in hold" ( ver. 3). How often has this scene been re-enacted since then ; the men in office using their authority to restrain and silence the teachers of truth, the reformers of national life! Ill. THAT FAITHFUL MEN HAVE THEIR CONSOLATIONS WIIE~ OPPOSED AND SILENCED BY THE STRONG, That was not a very unhappy evening which Peter and John spent in the stronghold of the temple. As tiley walked within the narrow bounds of their captivity, they thought rejoicingly of the "five thousand men " who had heard the word they had spoken, and had believed it and been saved by it. Spiritual successes are an ample compensation for material discouragements (eh. xvi. 25). IV. THAT TO FAITHFUL HEN GoD GRANTS COURAGE A..."'W CONSTANCY ACCORDING TO THEm DAY. (Vers. 5-13.) Before the Sanhedrim Peter and John show them- selves bravo and fearless. There is nothing apologetic about their demeanour, nothing supplicatory about their tone. They stand erect and they "speak straight on," as men who stand before God and who speak for him. In truth, they are men in whom God dwells (ver. 8); hence their noble attitude and their manly spirit. God gives them grace according to their day. So will he to us also. Let us be receptive of his trnth when he speaks to us; let us be faithful at our post when we speak for him; and then, whea the trial hour shall come, he will nerve us for the scenes through which we shall have to pass, and we shall be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." V. TIIAT THERE IS ONE, AND ONLY ONE, BOAD TO HEAVEN. (Ver. 12.) Many paths lead into it; there are many ruts in the road; many very different pilgrims along it; many views as we look out on either side of it and at different stages on it. But there is only one way: this is found in him who says," I am the Way." VI. 'rHAT THE SPIBITUAL TRIUMPHS OF CHRISTIAN TRUTH ARE THE MOST COGE::-!T WITNESSES ON ITS BEHALF. (Ver. 14.) In presence of reclaimed drunkenness, silenced profanity, cleansed and uplifted impurity, regeneratecl selfishness, humbled pride, what can infidelity or irreverence do? It is dumb; it is helpless. VII. TIIAT HU.MAN ERROR 18 IMPOTENT IN ITS CONTEST WITH DIVL.= TRUTII. (Vere. 16-21.) .Authority, in the person of this Jewish Sanhedrim, is ill intentioucJ. enough; it is willing enough to smite; it considers patiently and earnestly how far it dares to go; it threatens, forbids, threatens still further, and then impotently and ignominiously releases. Error is often fiercely antagonistic, i~dustrlously hos~il~, actively opposed to the truth of God; but-let us take courage in dark hours-it 1s held undor restraint; there is a point beyond which it cannot go; it will be compellcJ. to relax its hold, and truth will come forth, before long, rejoicing in its liberty.-U.
Ver. 13.-.Association with (Jhrist. We gather from these words - I. THAT LEARNING IS NOT NECESSARY 'l'O GOODNESS. 'l'he persecutors of Pet.or and John" perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men;" not unedacaten. men, A<n'B. K l~(l THE .ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [oH. IV. 1-37,
in the worst sense of that term, but le.eking in the higher culture of their time. But though thus comparatively unlearned, they were men of strong faith, of true piety, -of godly zeal, admirable in the sight of men, acceptable servants of Jesus Christ. Human learning is_~ desira_ble, but it is fo.r from being, a necessary, thing to excellence of chamchff or nob1hty of life. Il. TRAT COURAGE IN THE OONDUCT OF THE GOOD WILL ARREST THE ATTE:!.'TION oF THOSE WHO ARE IN THE WRONG. "When they saw tho boldness of Peter and John .•. they m_arvelled." Whatever virtues are unappreciated by the ungodly, courage always enlists attention and provokes admiration. De brave, o.nd you will bo h0ard ; stand to your colours with undannted spirit, and men will, however 1·eluctantly, yield you their respect. III. THAT ASSOCIATION WITH JESUS CHRIST WILL ACCOUNT FOR ANY EXOELLENOY oF CHARACTER. When the priests 1rnd elders wanted to account to themselves for the boldness of these two men they remembered their connection with Christ, and were no longer at fault. That will account for anything that is good. Much intimacy with him who "regarded not the person of man" will always make men brave; frequent communion with that Holy One of God will always make men pure of heart; close friendship with him who came to lay down his life for the sheep will always mako men unselfish, etc. IV. TfilT THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HUMA.N CHARACTER ARE THOSE WHICH ARE SUGGESTIVE OF JESUS CHRIST. There is nothing which is such a tribute to human worth as that men are thereby reminded of Christ. What impression are we most anxious to convey about ourselves? The answer to that question will be a. sure criterion of our spiritual standing. If we are nearing the goal which is set before us, if we are attaining to any real height of Christian excellency, we shall be truly and earnestly solicitous that our constant Epirit and daily behaviour will be suggestive of the temper and the principles of Jesus Christ onr Lord.-C.