The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 140

apostles-this, in the state of popular feeling, could not be ventured on; to approve their conduct-this was conscience' dictate, but conscience was hero stifled by e. powerful conspiracy of interest; the misemble compromise remained-to discharge the pri110ners for fear of _the multit~de, to warn them against f~rther teaching in fonr for themselves. There 1s danger in all societies and committees of men for the conscience. 'l'hcy are more timid than in isolation, and timidity is mean and treacherous to the noblest instincts of the heart. Men will back one another up in doing things or refraining from doin<> thin!ZS, when they would have been more true if left to them~lves: 'Tisa moral t~ial in °these respects to act with others. Shelter for our cowardice, stimulus to our active passions, is found in the fellowship of close interests. V. THE I'RORIBITION AND RELEASE. The apostles were no more to "speak in this Nam~," ~hich had proved so mighty a spell to loose. Moro definitely utterance of, and teaching in, the Name are forbidden. The Name stands as usunl for all that lies behind it-the whole contents of Christian truth. 1. The prohibition aimed at an impossibiUty. The mind cannot be chained; the spontaneous movements of the spirit cannot be checked by force; the Word of God csnnot be bound. Force co.n only act within the laws of nature; it enters not the kingdom of spirit. 2. The martyr's alternative. Shall he obey God or man? 'l'he tyrant must tremble when he hears the question put. Physical necessity is on his side; moral necessity, revealed in the conscience, on the other. The one says to the witness-You shall not; the other replies from his breast-I cannot but. Obedience to God gives confidence and eecurity. The tyrant and hls victim change places when it is seen that the latter has placed himself against the rock of eternal right. 3. The martyr's decision. He will not obey man rather than God. He ha.s one clear principle only-to obey the voice in his soul. Immediate consequences form no element of calculation. They may be favourable to him, as no,v in the physical sense, for the many may be for the moment on his side; or they may be fatal. With eye far fixed on eternity, and ear attent upon the Divine voice, he goes forward. He trusts God and is not afraid. His being Is only safe in devotion to duty.-J. Vers. 23-31.-Thejoy of faith confirmed. The Church, on hearing of the recent events, break out into expressions of joy. AB usual on such occasions, the voice of ancient sacred song becomes their voice. I. Oun HELP IS IN THE CREATOR. Man's need and weakness lead him now to shun and now to seek almighty power. There are awful moments when the soul's sin seems to have called the lightning and the thunder from the Rky, to have awoke the threat of the earthquake, the storm, and the sea. Other exultant moments, when the solemn sounds of the deep heart of nature are lilte the cannon of a friendly force advancin~ to a belee.goered city's aid. 'l'he most powerful conqueror, like Napoleon amidst the snows of Russia, may be in turn conquered by the physical forces of nature. The moral forces represented in the will of the Almighty and All-Holy cannot be successfully resisted. This is the deep truth in the Davidic psalm. IL l'HYSICAL FEEBLD-'ESB WITH MOBAL lllIGJIT. 1. In the case of David and his kingdom. Study the historical circumstances reflected in the psalm. Look at the tiny kingdom of Judah, placed amidst great foes on every hand. She led a threatened life for ages; it seemed impossible she could survive. Yet the small one became a thousand, the vine grew in spite of every cropping fox or wasting boar, the little lodge in the garden was not overthrown till it had sent forth a ray of light over the lands. Moral life, derived from the immediate inspiration of God, was in her. 'l'ho enmity of the world served but to elicit and mature that life. 2. In the case of Christ and his kingdom. The like relation is repeated in another form. Corrupt Israel joins with pagan Rome in the attempt to suppress the truth and resist the will of God. David, the anointed king of Jehovah's selection, is the type, in a lower relation, of Jesus, the anointed Prince in the higher and purely spiritual relation, Upon this analogy hope is firmly built. As the great prince of olden time had risen in Jchovah's might superior to all his foes, so might his Antitype be expected to lay prostrate faithleu Israel's and proud Rome's might beneath his throne o! moral 1Ilaje11ty. OH, IV, 1-37,] THE ACTS OF 'l'HE .APOSTLES. 135