The new converts, we are told, continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread ;" by which last expression is meant their partaking together in frugal meals; especially participating in the Lord's supper. These feasts, which on other occasions are called feasts of love, were held in private, from house to house; because they could not celebrate the eucharist in the temple, whither however they resorted in public, to perform their devotions. A great change also took place in their temporal concerns they had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them all, as every man had need." This state of things was admirably suited to the infant church; for it was an argument of sincerity and zeal, unlike every thing in the common course of nature, and shewed their minds to be lifted up from the goods and treasures of this world to higher and better things.beside which, the poor had their wants supplied, as well as the gospel preached unto them both, distinguishing characters of a religion coming down from the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. And although such kind of charity and selfdenial, as that exercised by the primitive Christians, cannot now be expected, nor indeed well consist with the present state of the church, yet so far as it is practicable, it is certainly an indispensable duty, to "do good unto all men, and

can

especially unto the household of faith ;" that society of Christians, to whom we more particularly belong, who are of our nearer kindred and family, under our head Christ Jesus. God grant us this, and all other christian graces; and that he may add to the church daily such as should be saved.

LECTURE III.

CHAPTERS III, IV.

WHEN the Holy Ghost descended on the Apos

tles, beside the gift of tongues, they were likewise endued with the power of working miracles; as we learn from several passages in their history. But very few of these miracles are particularly recited; because the Acts of the Apostles are rather an account, and not a very full one, of the ministry of St. Peter and St. Paul, than of the whole body. So that although the rest, as we are assured in this book, performed signs and wonders as well as they, yet they are but slightly and incidentally mentioned.

The first work of this kind recorded of any of them, is found in the first eight verses of the third chapter, and was performed by Peter and John, on their way to the temple at the ninth hour, the time of evening sacrifice and prayer. At the gate, called Beautiful, from its grace and ornaments, which on the cast side opened into the court of the women, a man lame from his mother's womb was daily laid, for the purpose of asking alms: who see

ing these two Apostles, asked an alms of them among others. But instead of receiving what he hoped for, he was answered by St. Peter in the following words; "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee; in the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk." How simple, beautiful and affecting is this! how free from all ostentation of power, or even of benevolence! A stupendous miracle is performed, with less noise and parade than the most common acts; and although the blessing, conferred upon this miserable object, was infinitely above all worldly treasures, yet the Apostle seems as modest and unassuming, as if he were bestowing something of little or no value. In which last view we have a noble example of that pure spirit of charity, which we should endeavour to acquire, purged from all vain and selfish motives, and drawn from its true genuine sources, the love of God and man. We may also learn, by the way, another piece of instruction from the instance before us; never to pass by the distresses of a fellow-creature, whom we have any method of relieving, although perhaps different from what he supplicates. The lame man begged an alms but notwithstanding that he failed in his request, he obtained what was much better. So will it frequently happen in common life; we may not conveniently be able to give the boon required; let us not, therefore, consider ourselves discharged from all

obligation; for by duly examining the necessities of our poor brother, and the various means we possess ourselves, it is highly probable that something may be found not less effectual to his relief than what he asks. But to proceed:

When Peter took the lame man by the hand, and lifted him up, immediately his feet and anclebones received strength; and he leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God." Here, my brethren, is excellent matter for reflection and imitation. There are very few of us, I believe, who have not in the course of our lives been delivered from the evils of pain or sickness, danger or calamity; not indeed in the visibly miraculous manner of curing this impotent man, yet it may be in a way not less deserving our gratitude to Almighty God. For compare the gift of strength restored to his limbs with that of life and health restored to a man upon the verge of the grave, especially if to the pains of sickness (as sometimes happens) be added the tortures of a guilty mind :and you cannot hesitate a moment to acknowledge this last blessing to be as far superior to the other as life is to limb, and the soul to the body. Yet how do men thus rescued from hell and destruction conduct themselves? Are they zealous to repair to the house of God, and pour out their hearts in praise and thanksgiving for his great mercies ?