bones, and he was weary of forbearing.' So it always is with deep
conviction. If a man has never felt that he must speak of Christ, he
is a very imperfect Christian. The glow of his own heart, the pity
for men who know Him not, his Lord's command, all concur to compel
speech. The full river cannot be dammed up.

II. The lame and impotent conclusion of the perplexed Council. How
plain the path is when only duty is taken as a guide, and how
vigorously and decisively a man marches along it! Peter had no
hesitation, and his resolved answer comes crashing in a straight
course, like a cannon-ball. The Council had a much more ambiguous
oracle to consult in order to settle their course, and they hesitate
accordingly, and at last do a something which is a nothing. They
wanted to trim their sails to catch popular favour, and so they could
not do anything thoroughly. To punish or acquit was the only
alternative for just judges. But they were not just; and as Jesus had
been crucified, not because Pilate thought Him guilty, but to please
the people, so His Apostles were let off, not because they were
innocent, but for the same reason. When popularity-hunters get on the
judicial bench, society must be rotten, and nearing its dissolution.
To 'decree unrighteousness by a law' is among the most hideous of
crimes. Judges 'willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,' are
portents indicative of corruption. We may remark here how the
physician's pen takes note of the patient's age, as making his cure
more striking, and manifestly miraculous.

III. The Church's answer to the first assault of the world's power.
How beautifully natural that is, 'Being let go, they went to their
own,' and how large a principle is expressed in the naive words! The
great law of association according to spiritual affinity has much to