They scrupled not to proclaim the same glad tidings of salvation through the crueified and risen Messiah, which were so obnoxious to the Sanhedrim; and, if it were possible, they were more undaunted, more full and explicit, more bold and uncompromising than before. God evidently overruled the opposition they had met with to the quickening of their own souls -to the increase of their faith and confidence in the Saviour-and to the strengthening of their purpose to venture liberty and life itself in executing the charge committed to their trust. Their personal trial had thus operated favourably both as it regarded their own character, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom.

And is not this still seen to be the effect of the afflictions, and trials, and opposition of ungodly or unreasonable men, to which the Ministers of Christ are still more or less exposed in the discharge of their arduous duties? Undoubtedlywhere recourse is had in their hour of

affliction to the same gracious and Almighty friend. He makes their profiting to appear unto all men. They come out of the furnace purified as gold. And be the character of their affliction what it may— be it personal or domestic-mental or corporeal-it is overruled to the increase of their holiness and their usefulness. They can then testify of God's goodness, and the Saviour's love, and the power of his communicated strength, with a boldness and a decision which no inexperienced pastor can properly exhibit. They can then testify not only of what they suppose, and believe, and deduce-but of what they know by personal experience, and are assured of in their inmost souls. Hence is it that the most faithful and the most edifying of God's ministering servants are generally the most severely tried,-in order that from their own experience they may be able to instruct and comfort the people committed to their charge. And many such, I doubt not, are to be found

who can take up with sincerity the language of the persecuted and suffering, but still joyful and rejoicing Apostle, and say, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation."

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LECTURE VII.

ACTS v. 11-16.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

And by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people: (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vered with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

THE event recorded in the preceding context-the sudden and judicial death of

Ananias and Sapphira-is inexpressibly awful and admonitory. Eighteen hundred years have passed away since it occurred, but the lessons which it teaches are ever present, and still does its recital awaken attention, and cause "the ear of every one that heareth it to tingle." To every deliberate and presumptuous offender it speaks in alarming accents. It tells him in language not to be mistaken that God is not mocked-that he is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. You may "lie unto the Holy Ghost," but you cannot deceive him. He penetrates into the deepest recesses of the soul, and scans the motives of every action and of every word. Nor is it with a Being who is omniscient merely, that you have to do, but with a Being who cannot tolerate sin —who cannot look upon iniquity, and who will by no means clear the guilty. He who penetrated into the secret motives and sentiments and feelings, of Ananias and Sapphira, penetrates also into yours; and