*

one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22

18 His bishoprick-or office of overseeing others in the discharge of their duty. (Ps. lxix. 25, and cix. 8.)

22 Thus careful were the Apostles, with respect to the ministry, that no man take this honour to himself, but he that is called of God +.”

66

beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from

26

25 As there is a place for the righteous dead, so have the wicked, after their death, a place appointed for them.

which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell

26 Matthias,as appears from ver. 21, had been from the beginning an at

* Mary, the sorrowing mother of the crucified, found her refuge in prayer. It was soothing to her grief to join in supplication with those faithful few-the followers of her Son-whom no dangers could move from their faith; but who, bound the closer by a common danger, worshipped with one heart and one mind. Thus our Church to this day teaches us," with one accord, to make common supplication," Well is it when the mourner seeks the house of God.

†There is no doubt that either of the two would gladly have undertaken the office; but neither presumed to take it upon himself unauthor ized. Even the Apostles, as the Holy Ghost was not yet given in full measure, proceeded to the work with added reverence and unwonted care.

upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

tendant upon the ministry of our Lord; and was probably one of the witnesses of his resurrection.

CHAPTER II.

APRIL 5, AUGUST 4, Dec. 1.

EASTER DAY, evening, from ver. 22.

AND when the day of Pentecost all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven

2

*

was fully come, they were

? According to the promise of God, that He would give to his Church the Holy Ghost the comforter.

as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

3 Fire gives light for our safety, and warmth for our comfort-a fit emblem of the Spirit of holiness and peace.

*All now received the Spirit. Jesus had hitherto confined the gift to his Apostles. (John xx. 22.)

5 They were drawn to Jerusalem by the solemn festival of Pentecost. (Lev. xxiii. 15.)

Jews, devout men, out of every

As the dispersion of mankind was preceded by confusion of tongues, so their reunion, as the family of God, is preceded by the gift of tongues.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? and how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These 13 The faithful too often meet with busy mockers, who scoff at their religion.

men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with

the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of

* Pentecost means fifty. This feast was on the Lord's day—and fifty days after the resurrection.

Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken

15

to my

words: for these are not

15 Nine o'clock-the hour of prayer. On their high festivals the Jews attended the early service, fasting.

drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy : 19 and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

19 Awful signs and wonders preceded the notable day, when our Lord, by the Roman armies, laid low the once loved Jerusalem. (See John xxi. 22.)

:

Ver. 22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 be- 27 By sin cometh corruption. In cause thou wilt not leave my Jesus was no sin: consequently, in soul in hell, neither wilt thou his body was no corruption.

23 That counsel was stated, and that foreknowledge evidenced by the prophecies and their fulfilment.

suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this

before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This

Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

32 Faith rests on testimony. Thanks be to God, that the credibility of the Gospel-testimony, the more it is tried, the firmer does it stand.

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise

is unto you, and to your

39 The promise is even to the far off Gentiles.

children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word. were baptized and the same

41 Thus began to be fulfilled our Saviour's promise of success to his servants' labours. (John xiv. 12.)

they met for public worship, met

also at the table of the Lord *.

And fear came upon every

day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued sted- 42 The early Christians, as often as fastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. soul and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they,

continuing daily with one ac

44 A common danger makes a common cause. On these occasions rich

and poor shared their earthly possessions, and sought alike treasure from heaven. Otherwise the poorer Christians must have depended upon casual benevolence +.

Reader, never turn away from the holy communion, when you are thereto called by the Church. Remember that our Lord's command is for ever binding-" Do this."

This fact is not to be adduced as justifying a community of property. The peculiar occasion called for peculiar measures,

cord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

7 praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

47 Beautiful and interesting picture of a Christian church! Hence, as history informs us, even the scoffing persecutor could in no stronger terms then express his envy of the brethren, than by the testimony which

his very taunt supplied-" See how these Christians love one another!"

CHAPTER III.

APRIL 6, AUGUST 5, DEC. 2.

MONDAY IN EASTER-WEEK, evening. ST. PETER, morning.

6

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour*. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12 And 12 The Apostles always studiously when Peter saw it, he an- referred their power of healing to

6 So, religion offers not worldly advantages: but it gives powers of spiritual life; enabling men, long inactive, to "rise up, and walk”engaged in all those graces and virtues, the exercise of which prove the soul to be in health.

8

8 How natural a picture have we here of the overflowing spirits attendant upon joy all unlooked for.

The morning sacrifice was at the third hour, or nine o'clock; the second, at the sixth hour, or twelve o'clock; the evening sacrifice, at the ninth hour, or three o'clock. (Ch. ii. 15.)