in the cause. The kingdom of heaven was to him like treasure hid in a field, which, when he had found, he sold all that he had, and bought that field. It was the pearl of great price, infinitely excelling in lustre and value the brightest jewels of the world which in the eye of reason and religion are nothing more than dross or tinsel in comparison. Of him it might literally be said, that he "took no thought what he should eat, or what he should drink. He sought first and only the kingdom of God and his righteousness."

Teach us, O God, thus to chuse this better part, which can never be taken from us; through the merits and for the sake of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

LECTURE IV.

CHAPTER V.

THE Christian Religion stands upon the most

signal miracles ever recorded, and these for the most part gracious and benevolent in the highest degree; a consideration of great importance, as we may judge from the miserable shifts of its adversaries, who endeavouring to depreciate our Lord's works had nothing to object against them, except his cursing of the fig tree, and his permitting the devils to go into the herd of swine. But although mercy and compassion be their marked general features, it sometimes may happen, both for the vindication of God's truth and justice, and for the awful punishment of evil doers, that wonderful events of an opposite character are brought about, in order that they, who are not moved by goodness, may be alarmed by power; and may see, that God can as easily pull down as raise up, as instantly destroy as give life. In which respect the ispensations of his revealed will resemble the

ordinary course of his providence ; which abounds in every part with blessings, yet is occasionally overcast with clouds or shaken by storms, according to the views and purposes of his government.

Of this latter kind one of the few, which occur in the Gospel history, is found in the 5th chapter of the Acts. It was the sudden death of two persons, Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who had committed a very wicked and deliberate sin. For having sold a possession (according to the custom of several of the primitive Christians before observed) they kept back part of the price, laying the remainder at the Apostles feet, as the whole.

Now, the first thing which strikes us in this transaction, is its falsehood and hypocrisy, than which nothing can be more base and vile in any concerns; but especially in those of religion, where singleness and integrity of heart are peculiarly and indispensibly required. For what can be more hideous than to mask the most odious vices. under a shew of religious zeal, or what more offensive in the sight of God, than to make him as it were a party in deceiving man? Such examples bring virtue and religion into disrepute and contempt, though most undeservedly, for they are of all others most fatally opposed to their interests, and most condemned by their pure and genuine maxims. But the act now under consideration was of a much deeper dye than acts of common false

hood and insincerity. For the Holy Ghost had just shed abroad his divine influence in the hearts of the faithful; under the power of which, they who possessed houses or lands sold them for the benefit of the sick and poor, and threw the price into the common stock. This disinterested and charitable conduct, derived from celestial grace, it was the duty of every true disciple to preserve with invioJable care, free from all mixture of impure or unworthy motives. How great then must have been the guilt of those persons, who rejected the couneils and resisted the operations of the heavenly guide, and even in contempt of his extraordinary gifts actually present before their eyes, gave themselves over to their own wicked passions; who were in the first instance moved by a false and deceitful vanity, of appearing better before men than they really were; by a sordid avarice in the next, which tempted them to hold back part of the price ; and lastly, by a daring impiety to ratify the whole with a lie? Thus did they permit Satan, as St. Peter tells them, to fill their heart, that they should lie to the Holy Ghost; that is, not to men, but to God.

Another point of material consequence in this foul proceeding, was the deliberation with which it was conducted. There were several successive steps to be taken; and in every one of them the voice of conscience to be silenced and put down.

The fraud was first to be concerted between them; a considerable time must then elapse before the sale of their possessions could be completed; the price to be received, and afterwards laid down at the Apostles feet. Here were opportunities enough for reflection, if they had been willing to use them. But nothing seems to have been farther from their thoughts; they undertook the business with a settled and hardened purpose of going through without compunction or remorse; and time, which ought to have worked repentance and amendment, served but to confirm and finish their guilt. And what aggravates their offence, is, that the act was entirely voluntary. Had any sort of compulsion been employed by the Apostles for the purpose of adding to the charitable fund, some excuse or at least palliation might be found for the conduct in question. But so far from this was the fact, that the slightest inducement does not appear to be held out by them. To God alone were the possessors responsible; who, they well knew, or might have known, would not regard the external act, but the inward motive. And the opinion now advanced is supported by the argument of the Apostle ;

while it remained," says he, was it not thine own? and after it was sold was it not in thine owin power?" that is, was not the price of it at your own disposal? the sacrifice you pretended to make was not demanded of you; it was your own free