LECTURE V.

ACTS II. 42.-CHAP. III.

Lives and Manners of the first Converts of the Gospel-Miraculous cure of a lame Man-Peter's Address to the People on that Occasion, Jerusalem, A.D. 33.

A CONTEMPLATION of the means used by Divine Providence to effect its purposes, is both interesting and striking; interesting, as we are ourselves the objects of its care, and striking, as the ends are frequently produced by methods, not only above, but contrary to, all human reasoning. "Are not my ways higher than your ways, says God by his prophet, and my thoughts than your thoughts?" In opposition to all ordinary arguments, the same circumstances, in the hand of heaven, do not always produce the same effects; though they are always so modelled by Supreme Wisdom, as to bring forth that event which is most salutary to the general ends of creation. The rain, which at some seasons refreshes the earth, and is the efficient cause of its beauty and fertility, at other times destroys the labour of the husbandman, and

1 Isaiah lv. 9.

maketh the land barren for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. The gift of tongues, which, as we have seen in the last lecture, was given as a blessing to the primitive Church, and doubtless was of the greatest efficacy in promoting the happy influence of the Gospel, in more early times was bestowed as a punishment for the haughtiness and uncontroulable ambition of mankind. "Behold the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do," to shew their arrogance and their pride. "Let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. Thus did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth'." Such was the effect of the miraculous introduction of a variety of languages on the plains of Babel; but the gift of tongues on the day of Pentecost, in the metropolis of Judea, produced very contrary, and much happier effects. It prepared the way for arranging all the present and future followers of Christ under one supreme director, that they might be one fold under one shepherd. It opened the sweet springs of salvation in every climate, and made all partakers of its benefits. Whatever country feels the influence of our Saviour's love, that country may truly be said clearly to understand his language, like the first converts at Jerusalem; whilst those who taste not how gracious the Lord is, are like the builders at Babel, they hear indeed the voice, but understand not the language which

1 Gen. xi. 6, 7.

is spoken unto them. When the good shepherd "putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." The introduction of new tongues at Babel rendered language of little use to those who were then assembled; it confounded all, it dispersed all. The gift of tongues at Jerusalem had a different effect; it collected all true believers, as it were, into one place; it formed one happy brotherhood, and presented salvation to those who were near, and to those who were afar off. The one was a mark of the carnal, the other of the spiritual life; for "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive 2."

When the great effusion of the Holy Spirit had taken place, it is natural to inquire, what impression so important a circumstance made on the minds of all who were acquainted with it? Those who were not converts beheld it with reverential awe. The history informs us, "Fear came upon every soul." Happy prelude in many, to a further, and more perfect, knowledge of the truth; which the

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signs and wonders of the Apostles" were intended to confirm! But alas! fatal, very fatal to those who resisted this warning. "If I had not come and spoken to them, (said our Lord on another important occasion) they had not had sin, but now they have no cloke for their sin 3." With how much real fear and apprehension ought every man, born and educated in a Christian country, to hear

1 John x. 4.

21 Cor. xv. 22.
G

3 John xv. 22.

these words?" If ye know these things, my brethren, happy are ye if ye do them 1"

The lives and manners of the new converts were of a description truly according with the new profession of religion. I recur not here to any history, but that which is now before us; and where else can we expect to find a more pleasing picture of all that is amiable, of all that is instructive, in Christianity? As charity, in the true sense of the word, as the love of mankind founded on the love of God through Christ, as a perfect and more exalted holiness, animated their whole conduct, we behold nothing but that happy community of sentiments which is the ornament and perfection of the Christian Covenant. Having saved themselves, by the glad tidings just presented to them, from the sins and iniquities of an "untoward," a depraved generation, having separated themselves from a dangerous and destructive society; according to the admonition of Peter, they associated in kind and friendly intercouse with their great deliverers, the Apostles and first followers of their blessed Master. They continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine;" in hearing the Apostles declare unto them the way of salvation, and bringing forth in themselves the genuine fruits of the Spirit; "in fellowship," that is, not communion, but communication, a generous and unaffected liberality to all their brethren; "in breaking of bread," in the administration and participation, as

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it is imagined, of the Lord's Supper, but certainly in exercising an open and unreserved hospitality; " and in prayer," in addressing their united petitions to their great Creator, through Him who alone makes all our prayers acceptable, and who says, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you'."

Whose heart does not burn within him, when he is informed of such a state of society, as he in vain can hope to see? Yet may every man, within his own breast, establish such a community of graces, as the God of Christians will look upon with pleasure. "All that believed were together, and had all things common." This expression neither means that they assembled at one time in one place, nor that they resigned all particular interest in the property which they possessed. It must be remembered, with respect to the former observation, that the Christian society now consisted of at least three thousand one hundred and twenty persons, too many assuredly to associate together in any sense of the word; and with regard to property, it is evident they had not parted with all their interest in it, as some, we afterwards find, sold such possessions as they had, to be distributed for charitable purposes; which they could not have done, had they literally had all things common. A general, a liberal, and friendly communication is all that is meant to be expressed. This is a reasonable interpretation; and the nearer

'John xiv. 13.