V ers. 3G, 37.-.A great example of spiritual excellence. The intention of the writer is to set in contrast the work of the Spirit in Barnabas and the work of the devil in the hearts of Ananias a.nd Sapphira, as a.Isa to show to us the relation of character and life to one another; the bles~ing on those that obey the Spirit, the curse on those that Ii~ a~ainst the Holy Ghost a.nd reBiet the will of God in his Church. 'l'he difference of meaning in "paraklesis," according to some "exhortation," according to others "consolation," helps UB to keep in mind that the exhortation was consolation; that those who preached appeared among men not as mere dry exhorters and teachers, but as proclaiming a kin;;dom which is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the lfoly Ghost." I. TIIE ClIANGE Vfl:OUGlIT in Joseph Barnabas. 1. A Levite, but not passing by the fallen and dying humanity. Notice the contrast between the priesthood of the old covelliillt and the priesthood of the new; between the_man of a corrupt and decayinit cm. 1v. 1-37.J 'l'&E ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 111
system nnd the new mo.n in Christ. 2. A Oypriot from a. country noterl for its self- indulgent luxury o.nd sensuality, yet by tho Spirit of Christ delivered from selfishness. 3. A man or some wealth, becoming poor for Christ's sa.ke and the gospel's, and subjecting himself to lho now law of the apostles. The wonders of the Middle Acres anticipated. Yet our o.im should not bo to fill tho Church's treasuries, but to bless°the world with the spirit ohelf-so.crifice. The abuses of the eccle~ia.stics have always been their not beic"0 true sons of exhortation and consolation, but " greedy of filthy lucre." II. THE ILLUSTRATION 01' GOSPEL PRINCIPLES. 1. Counting all things loss for Christ. Losing life to find it. 'l'he Church, as well as the individual, is richest ar.d happiest when it reckons its whole self o.s devoted to the work of helping others. 2. 'l'he sons of exhortation and consolation, i.e. the messengers of mercy, must be cxample1:1 of self-sacrifice, and enforce their precepts with public deeds of generosity, and ma.nifesta.tion of tho work of the Spirit in their own lives. 'l'he preaching of the Church will never much affect the world so long as it does not lay its wealth at the feet of Christ. 3. The true law of Christ's kingdom is not" Each one for himself and by himself," but all faithful to the vocation of the Church. "At the apostles' feet." He was a rich mar., and probably a highly educated man, but he did not set up a Church for himself. He recognized Christ's rule. He was willing to be a serva.nt that he might fulfil his ministry of consola.tion to the world, and so he was immediately recognized. by those who represented the Master-" surna.med by the apostles." 4. The stamp of specia.l, solemn approval is set on faithfulness to conscience in the money matters of the Church. 'l'here is an eye watching our hand. The money brought should be not merely wha.t the world expects to be brought, or what will satisfy the demands of the time and maintain our reputation with fellow-Christians, but what the "law or Christ" dictates, which is the law of absolute self-denial, and overflowing brotherly affection. "\Ve may not be a Paul, or an Apollos, or a. Peter, or a John, lacking qualifications for such eminence, but we may emulate the example of Joseph Barnabas, and be sons of con- solation, channels of blessing and comfort to the world. If we would be so, let us lay what we have at the feet of the apostles, avoiding caprice, se!F-will, disorder, heresy, strife, self-exaltation. '!'here is a tl'ue apostolic doctrine and fellowship in the world. Cling to it, and ca.st all to it.-R.. Vers. 4-22.-Tliefirst trial of Christian preachers in a court of judgment, and their victory. A few words of an historic cha.racter la.y for us the scene of this trial, put us in possession of the question at issue and of the parties, as between whom, if not really so, it is to he settled. ·we are, however, justly at liberty to take note of certain silence as well a.s of certain utterance and preparations for utterance. Those who" laid hands" on Peter a.nd John," and put them in ward" last night, were silent then as to the reason why. No such thing as a civil uproar was hinted at, as matter of apprehension ; and no sufficient ecclesiastical reason could, it is evident, be so much as formulated into a. proposition capable of representing either morals or law. "lleing grieved(!) that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead," is all their case showed last night. And this morning the Sanhedrirn-who as much for moral as for civil rea.sonR ought to have been examples of somethin[? different from this-l'ender themselves collectively amenable to the same remarks. It was well for all of them that Peter and John were not Homans, either by purchase or by birth (eh. xvi. 37; xxii. 28). On. the other hand, the silence ot' Peter and John themselves on this matter is worthy of notice, They remembered something of that great gift, grea.ter grace of their Master, and were now learniug in practice some lessons of him. Sometimes the very achievements of silence are great, and great often the rewards of it shall be. They were silent-, for tho injustice of their imprisonment had been incon- venience personal lo themselves, but just as likely advantage to their Master's cause. They were silent, rather than wa.ste time and waken temper as well as prejudice t0ward them in their would-be judges. And they were silent, on tho very wise principle of letting "these men alone," tho.t they might run out the more quickly and self- s:ondemnincrlv their humiliated career. And it was not long before it was seen to wh:it Jndignified°shifts they were brought. Notico- 1. 'rHE VEBY ILL-SHAPED INDIJTMENT, (Ver. 7.) It were, indeed, only by courtesy that it could be digr.ified with the na1J1e of an indictment at all. The Sanh~drim grea.tly H-2 'l'HE AC'rS OF THE APOSTLES. [os.1v. 1-87.