prepared to speak to hearts '(lreparcd to receive. The text Is thAt God accepts every m:m who is rendy "t-0 wnlk humbly with him, to do justice a.nd to love mercy" (Micah '\'i. 8). And the rea.l sermon consists of this, that Jesus Christ is the only way hereto. His Kame, bis a.nointing, his unwearied goodness, bis oneness with God, his cntcifying, his rising from the gra.ve, his charge to the apostles in that mystic forty <lays that they now should preach him " to all the worl,l," as, in fine, Judge of living and d('(ld,-these are_ the touching, thrilling, inspiring heads of Peter's discourse, a summary of the way of ltfe, And the practical exhortation in the conclusi,m amounts to this, tbat to Je_sus all men are to have recourse-he, the one object of faith for the forgive- ness of sms: "Every one that b"licveth on him shall through his Name receive remission of sins." \Vith these words the errand of Peter was very nearly finished. The '\'isions and the trance, the intimations of the Spirit, and the journeyings to and fro of mes.~engers, the e:s:pectant Cornelius and friends, have all found their meaning face to face with one another. Men might little think to-day what lay in that brief address of Peter, or that. matter of such precious import could lie in so simple a rehearsal. Yet it was so. '!'hose few words of Peter were even burdened with the material of hope, comfort, joy. They were like the cbarter of liberty, of right, of wealth, to a household and a nation. They were really such a charter to the world. !II. 'l'HE SANCTION DY WHICH THIS GnEAT TRANSITION IS CONFIRMED AND OBOWNED. This consisted in the descent of the Holy Ghost, with his wondrous powers. It was another scene of Pentecost; nay, it was the other scene of Pentecost, its counterpart. Pentecost in its divinest significance, let us say, in the Divine eye itself, awaited this perfecting. The world, it is true, does not yet lie at the feet of Jesus, but "this day is sal ,·ation" proclaimed to the world, anJ "the Son of man" is announced as " come to ~eek and to save that which was lost," of whatsoever nation, tribll, tongue. Again, "there was great joy in that city n and in that house. Notice: 1. The stress that is hid on "those of the circumcision" being witnesses of the elTects of the descent of the Holy Spirit "upon the Gentiles." 2. The respect shown to the administration of the initiatory rite of baptism. 3. 'l'he little stress that is laid upon the matter who should be the ad.ministerers of that rite. It is only said that Peter uttered forth the deciding word that this oongregation of Gentiles, upon whom the gift of the Holy Ghost had fallen, and who were showing manifestly forth his "gifts," "should be htptized in the Name of the Lord." ,ve are reminded of the words of Paul, "I thank God I baptized none of you, save," etc. (1 Cor. i 14). The apparent abstinence on the part of Peter now, and the language of Paul subsequently, whatever else may possibly underlie them both, may certainly be justly understood to "magnify the office " and the work of preaching. In how little honour do we sometimes hold that which was now honoured so highly alike by the anxious longing and attention of Cornelius and his friends; by the conduct of Peter; and by the Di vine preparation of vision, trance, tho Spirit, and some coincident providences! '!'he" words" of Jesus are" spirit and are life." Near the fount itself they were sometimes honoured as such. They spread light and life. They have lost nothing of their own force as time has gone on, nor ever will to time's end, though men may neglect or reject.-B.
Vera. 2, 22.-Devout heathen.. To correct the tendency to limit the operations of Divine grace to particular sections, classes, or nations, the Scriptures record instances of true devoutness and sincere piety both before and outside the Abrahamic covenant. 'l'he comforting and inspiring truth of the Divine call and election man has too often changed into a doctrine of Divine favouritism, involving the sovereign and groundless choice of some, and the consequent repudiation and hopeless condition of many. We should ever seek to hold the truth which God is pleased to reveal with a jealousy of ourselves, lest we should unduly apply it to the disadvantage of others. Our God bas said, ".All souls are mine;" he maketh "his sun to rise upon the evil and upon the good." And if he claims the right to judge all mankind, he must have given them all knowledge, opportunities, and measures of grace. While f?-llY realizing that the only book revelation has been made to the Jew and the Clmstian, and that the great revelation of God to man has been made in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that this revelation is the key to, and the completion of, all others, we need not refuse t'-' admit tbat God hall had gracious access w the minds and hearui of heathen J>COples, Oil, X, 1-48,] TIIE ACTS OF TUE .HOST LES.