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I. ITS TEST. The apostles did not wish to separate themselves from the Jewish Church, for it was while .entering the temple that Peter and John restored the lame man. See these men, then, confronted by a positive command from the nation's highest tribunal to be silent, a tribunal, too, that had condemned their Master. National love, respect for law, pride of race, reverence for institutions hoary with age, strength of social ties, personal friendships, a shrinking from becoming disturbers of the peace, fear for personal safety — all these conspired to intensify the command "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." What now enables them to oppose the Sanhedrin's command? Their personal love for Jesus. To be silent is impossible. Bound to their nation by enduring ties, a stronger cord binds them to Jesus. "We cannot but speak." And speak they did, with added boldness. There are currents in the sea which, despite opposing winds and tides, move on their way unhindered, impelled by a mighty force hidden far in the depths. Such a force in the hearts of these disciples was love for Christ.

II. ITS MANIFESTATIONS. Men are sometimes called courageous when they are only reckless. The man of real courage will be bold enough, and calm enough, to act wisely. In the conduct of the apostles every mark of true courage is manifest.

1. They show that their course is not prompted by impulse or passion. They are moved by deep convictions. They plant themselves on the highest conceivable ground, the sense of right. They have no ambitious ends to seek, no revenge to gratify, no popular applause to gain. "Thrice armed is he who bath his quarrel just." When the Empress Eudoxia sent threatening messages to in Constantinople to desist from his pungent reproofs, the golden-tongued preacher replied: "Tell the Empress that Chrysostom fears nothing but sin." Note, as an evidence of wisdom, how sagaciously the apostles appeal to this self-same principle of right in the minds of their accusers. "Judge ye." This sense that it is right to hearken more unto God than unto men, whether adopted in practical life or not, must and does commend itself to every man's conscience. Those who adhere to it gain the confidence of all. "What," was asked by a merchant of a poor boy applying for a situation, "should you say if I were to tell you to work on Sunday?" "I shouldn't come; for God has said, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,' and I shall do as God bus told me." "Then," said the employer, "you are the boy I am looking for."

2. The apostles' courage is seen in the company they keep. "Being let go, they went to their own company," etc. How changed the aspect! In the Sanhedrin the air was dense with suspicion and malice — here is love, purity, and the peace of heaven. Courage is of the right kind when it seeks to sustain itself by breathing an atmosphere like this.

III. ITS SOURCE (ver. 31). The breath of God's Spirit upon their spirits. Christ did not send the apostles into trial without providing them with a power adequate to every want. Christians should learn to look to the Holy Spirit to work in them and for them whatever their needs require. If courage is the virtue needed here, then courage will be the product of the Spirit. Before the Sanhedrin the Spirit makes Peter bold; but afterwards the same Spirit made him deeply humble. John, originally a "son of thunder," was by the Spirit's agency so transformed as to become a renowned example of Christian gentleness.

(Monday Club Sermons.)

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KJV: And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

WEB: They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.