them not to speak at all, nor teach in the Name of Jesus." The holy ministers of the Gospel would make no compromise. They knew their duty, and were resolved, by God's help, to fulfil it. They were required only to desist from asserting publicly the facts upon which the Christian religion rested; not to unsay what had been advanced, but to proclaim the same things no more in the presence of the people. These were terms, however, to which they refused to submit. They were not at liberty to be silent on a subject, supreme in importance, on which they had been commanded to deliver instruction by their revered Prince and Saviour. "Whether it be right in the sight of God," said they, "to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye: For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." In defiance of the menaces of the Sanhedrim, they pursued, with unshaken zeal, the functions of their high calling. "Being let go, they went to their own company', and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them." The Christian fraternity offered up prayer for renewed support under persecution-not for exemption from trouble and suffering, but for courage to meet them, and grace to perform their work with unfainting hearts. A Divine signal was vouchsafed of the acceptance of

1 πρὸς τοὺς ἰδίους—to their brethren.

the petition. "When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled (a second time,) with the Holy Ghost." Thus fortified from above, the faithful witnesses of Christ persevered in their sacred labours. They "spake the word of God with boldness 1"

Soon after this, the High-priest and the party of the Sadducees, "filled with indignation," made a fresh attempt to subdue the Apostles to obedience, and committed them to "the common prison." But powerless is the rage of man against those whom God protects. "The Angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the Temple to the people all the words of this life; and, when they heard that, they entered into the Temple early in the morning and taught." The Jewish elders, on that morning assembled, commanded that the preachers of the cross should be led into their presence. They learned that the prison-house, though guarded with all care, was empty; and, when informed that the persons, on whom its gates had been closed, were engaged in their usual office of instructing the

The Apostles had prayed, that "with all boldness," or freedom-μετὰ παῤῥησίας πάσης-they might deliver the word of God. Their prayer was heard. "They spake the word of God with boldness.”—μετὰ παῤῥησίας.

people in the Temple, they received the intelligence with uneasiness, and "doubted whereunto this would grow," but they hardened their hearts against the feeling which the account ought to have excited, and determined to proceed in calling to trial the troublesome objects of their resentment.

3

The Apostles were arrested in the temple, and brought before the Jewish authorities, "all the senate of the children of Israel," convened on the occasion. "The high-priest asked them," addressing himself particularly, we may suppose, to Peter and John, "Did not we straitly command you, that ye should not teach in this Name1? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine 2, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Peter, the most active and prominent of the Apostolic band, was ready with a reply. "Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. of sins.

4

And

1 ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ-concerning this Name-concerning

we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him 1.”

3

The alarm of the Jewish hierarchy at the growing influence of the Apostles became more and more evident. When they heard them thus speak, “they were cut to the heart 2, and took counsel to slay them." One of the elders, however, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, of great celebrity, suggested a more prudent course, and advised: "Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men." He instanced cases of vain boasters of a holy commission,

5

1 Acts v. 28-32.

2

diεmpiovro-they were cut through-cut to the heart, as with

a saw.

* ΕΒΟΥΛΕΥΟΝΤΟ ἀνελεῖν αὐτούς. Βουλεύομαι signifes here, not to take counsel only, but to resolve; as in Acts xv. 37. xxvii. 39. 2 Cor. i. 17.

4 This is thought to have been the learned scribe at whose feet St. Paul was brought up. He was a strict Pharisee, and (as Bishop Pearson remarks) might have been the more disposed to the side of the Christian teachers from observing the inveteracy of the Sadducees against them. Gamaliel had the honour to be the second, who, for his skill in the law, obtained the high title of Rabban. He was grandson of Hillel, the celebrated Jewish doctor, and son (it has been supposed) of that Simeon, who took the infant Jesus in his arms, when He was presented in the temple. Luke ii. 28.

5

Tí μéλλεтε πρáσoov, what ye are about to do. It had before been the intention of the rulers to put the Apostles to death, ver. 33.-Pearce, in loc.

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who, with their adherents, had sunk into insignificance, and argued that, if the Apostles were imposing a fable on the world, they would soon share the same fate; but that, if they were really Divine messengers, it would be impious and fruitless to attempt to stop their progress. "I say unto you," said Gamaliel, "refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel, or this work, be of men, it will come to nought; but, if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Observe the language of this Jewish scribe," had in reputation among all the people:" If this counsel, or this work, be of God." Even Gamaliel and his companions on the bench of judgment, (for "to him they all agreed") thought it at least a possible case, that the Christian religion might have God for its author. thing, then, had occurred to prove it a human contrivance. But the ambassadors of Jesus were to be punished, though they could not be answered. The fury of the rulers was restrained, but not quelled. They were still too angry to follow Gamaliel's advice, to "refrain from these men and let them alone." The Apostles were scourged for neglect of former commands, and dismissed with another injunction to desist from the proclamation of their doctrines. It is probable that the punishment imposed was public, for " they departed from the

No