synagogue, and hoping, perhaps, that they had lately come from the Holy City, sent to them, inviting them to speak to the people.

Here indeed was an opportunity at which S. Paul must have rejoiced. Though called to be the Apostle of the Gentiles, yet he himself was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, consumed with a burning, passionate zeal for the salvation of his 'brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh' (Rom. ix. 3-5; x. 1). The chosen people had rejected his testimony in Jerusalem; they had persecuted and slain the followers of the crucified and risen Messiah; yet he clings to the hope that here in this far-off city, they may receive the message of salvation gladly.

He secures the attention of the audience by dwelling on God's mercies to His chosen people, how He bare them and carried them as a nursing father in the wilderness—(see marg. reading, Deut. i. 31)-gave them the land of Canaan in possession-sent them judges and prophets, and raised up David to be their king.

He then points out that GOD has fulfilled His promise to David by raising up unto Israel of his seed a Saviour, JESUS, and that they who dwelt at Jerusalem and their rulers, because they knew Him not, rejected and crucified Him, though in so doing they were but fulfilling all that the prophets had spoken of the Messiah.

Yet being very GoD it was not possible that His flesh should see corruption. This very same JESUS, who was laid in the sepulchre, was now their risen and glorified Saviour, through whom they might obtain forgiveness of all their sins, and be justified or acquitted before GOD (v. 16-39).

3. Rejected and Persecuted (v. 40-52).

Very various were the feelings set in motion by S. Paul's eloquent appeal. As he looks round the assembly and sees the various expressions of their faces, he closes his sermon with a solemn warning to those who, by long continuance in sin, should so harden their hearts as to become incredulous,

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and proof against all warnings (v. 41; Hab. i. 5). His discourse had made a profound impression. The congregation broke up to carry to their homes the report of this strange sermon. Jews, proselytes, and Gentiles crowded round the missionaries, entreating that they might hear the same words on the following Sabbath. During the week the Apostles laboured diligently to deepen the impression that had been made, and on the following Sabbath the synagogue was filled, not only with Jews and proselytes, but also with Gentiles, who crowded together to hear the word of God.

The Jews were bitterly offended. Filled with envy at the thought of these uncircumcised Gentiles claiming a share in Israel's Messiah, they began contradicting and blaspheming, and drew upon themselves the stern reproof of the Apostles. Seeing ye judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles' (v. 46). As CHRIST came first unto His own, so did His messengers declare first the glad tidings of salvation unto the Jews; but when they rejected the word, it was proclaimed to all who would receive it (S. Matt. xxii. 8, 9; Is. xlix. 6). Joyfully did the Gentiles receive the message of salvation; they yielded themselves to the grace of GOD, and the word of the LORD was published throughout all that region.

The faith of the new converts was soon tried by persecution. The Jews stirred up the heathen magistrates and those in high position at Antioch, and expelled the missionaries from their coasts. But while men reviled and persecuted them, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer; and, shaking off the dust of their feet as they left the city, the Apostles turned towards the southeast, and took the road across the grassy plains leading to Iconium.

Lessons to be drawn from the Narrative :

1. 'Take heed how ye hear.' If we resist God's grace, and harden our hearts against His offers of mercy, our privileges

and opportunities will be taken away, and given to those who will make a better use of them.

2. It is God's will that all should be saved and should come to the knowledge of the truth. He wills not, He desires not the death of the sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live; but at the same time He does not force man to accept His offers; we must each one exercise our own free-will, and choose either good or evil.

3. Never to think ourselves wiser or better than others, or cling in a narrow, selfish spirit to our own prejudices or opinions.

Perils in the City-Perils by the Heathen.

Read Acts xiv. Learn Ps. cxxvi. 6, 7; Rom. viii. 18.
1. Iconium (v. 1-7).

At Iconium, the two Apostles pursued the same plan as at Antioch. They went repeatedly to the synagogue, proclaiming to their fellow-countrymen the message of salvation. At first they were well received. Multitudes of Jews and proselytes believed, and many signs and wonders were done; miracles of healing on the bodies as well as the souls of those who had faith to believe. But the enemy of souls soon succeeded in raising up a bitter persecution against the two Apostles. Perhaps, though the miracles themselves could not be denied, they were attributed to the power of magic or of evil spirits; the city was divided (comp. S. John vii. 12, 43; x. 19; S. Luke xii. 51), and the Apostles, to avoid being stoned, were compelled to seek refuge among the half-civilised people of the hill-country of Lycaonia (S. Matt. x. 23).

2. The Healing of the Cripple at Lystra (v. 8–18).

The little town of Lystra, which was the first to receive the two missionaries after their flight from Iconium, contained no synagogue. Its inhabitants were heathen-worshippers of Jupiter, whose temple stood at the gate of their city (v. 13); yet in this remote corner one half-Jewish family had settled

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who must gladly have welcomed their two fellow-countrymen. The Jewess Eunice, married to a Greek, was living there with her mother Lois and her son Timothy (ch. xvi. 1; xx. 4; 2 Tim. i. 5). The careful education she gave her son in the Holy Scriptures from his childhood (2 Tim. iii. 15) marks her out as a devout and holy woman, intent on shielding her son to the utmost of her power from the corrupting influences of the heathen around. How joyfully must such a family have shown hospitality to the persecuted missionaries!

And here, among these rude tribes, as in the more civilised cities, the power of the LORD was present to heal the bodies and souls of men. There sat a certain man at Lystra' (v. 8), a cripple from his birth, probably brought by his friends to a much-frequented place to ask alms of the passers-by. In this place of public resort the Apostles proclaimed their message, and one day, while thus engaged, the earnest attention of the poor helpless cripple attracted the notice of S. Paul.

Perceiving that he had faith to be healed, he fixes his earrest gaze upon him, bidding him in a loud voice Stand upright on thy feet' (v. 10). Instantly the hitherto helpless cripple springs to his feet, leaping and walking, and doubtless praising GOD for his marvellous cure.

Full of wonder and admiration at so unexpected a miracle, the ignorant people could only imagine that their gods had visited them in the likeness of men, and, anxious to show them all honour, they at once prepared to offer sacrifice to them. Great was the commotion in the city. A procession of white-robed priests with knives in their hands, leading oxen gaily adorned with garlands for sacrifice, stopped before the door of the house-probably the house of Timothy-to which the Apostles had retired after the miracle. Horror-struck and indignant at so great a sacrilege, the two Apostles rush into the midst of the excited crowd, rending their garments, showing thus, by signs as well as by words, their grief and