pentance, and of participation in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, need we be surprised that many should rejoice to accept such offers on the terms proposed?"

66

No," replied Harry, "if we did not know that the miracles of our Saviour himself, and his offers of pardon, were frequently rejected. I do not remember to have read of three thousand being converted by him."

"That is very true, my dear child; but are you not aware that this is but the fulfilment of his own predictions: He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER works than these, shall he do. It is expedient for you that, I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. You shall receive POWER after the Holy Ghost is come upon you*. The Comforter, the

John, xiv. 12.-xvi. 7. Acts, i. 8.

Holy Ghost, was now come, the promised power was now given, and its first exercise fulfilled another prediction of our Lord, He shall glorify me*.

The discourse which Peter pronounced under this new influence, was evidently designed to afford the clearest testimony to the resurrection, ascension, and divine authority of the crucified Saviour. And yet, with all the natural feeling and the miraculous evidence in its favour, which I have mentioned, this address might have failed to produce the effect described, if the same blessed Spirit had not also influenced the hearts of the audience, subduing prejudice, carrying conviction to the conscience, and strengthening the newly-awakened resolution to submit to the loss of all worldly comfort and prosperity, for the sake of him who had done and suffered so much for them and for mankind.

* John, xvi. 14.

"Many persons doubtless rejected the evidences we have noticed, and hardened their hearts against those gentle intimations by which the Holy Spirit would have testified to their consciences that these things were so; and it was to be expected that these unhappy men would become more confirmed in their prejudices, and more exasperated against the Apostles, who were endeavouring, by the strenuous exertion of their natural powers, and also of those with which they were miraculously gifted, to overthrow the darling hope of the nation, by establishing as a truth that Jesus was the Messiah."

"I see it plainly now, mamma. The Apostles could have nothing but ill-treatment to expect from all their countrymen who did not believe them."

"And do you not also see, that it is unnatural for men voluntarily to submit to ill-treatment, or to endure hunger and

thirst, cold and nakedness? When illtreatment is carried to the length described by Clement, bishop of Rome*, it is incredible that any man would choose to endure it without some obvious and powerful motive."

Mrs. Beaufoy then took up a book which was lying beside her, and read the following passage:

The most faithful and righteous, pillars of the church have been persecuted ' even to the most grievous deaths. Let. us set before our eyes the holy Apostles. 'Peter, by unjust envy, underwent, not 'one or two, but many sufferings; till at

last, being martyred, he went to the 'place of glory that was due unto him.

For the same cause did Paul, in like manner, receive the reward of his pa'tience. Seven times he was in bonds;,

* Believed to be the same person mentioned by Paul, Philipp. iv. 3.

'he was whipped, was stoned; he preach'ed both in the East and the West, leav'ing behind him the glorious report of his

faith; and so, having taught the whole 'world righteousness, and for that end 'travelled even unto the utmost bounds of 'the West, he at last suffered martyrdom by the command of the governors, and de'parted out of the world, and went unto

his holy place, being become a most ' eminent pattern of patience unto all ages. 'To these holy Apostles were joined a 'very great number of others, who having "through envy undergone, in like manner, 'many pains and torments, have left a glo'rious example to us. For this, not only men, but women have been persecuted;

and having suffered very grievous and "cruel punishments, have finished the 'course of their faith with firmness*.'

"What think you of this?" said Mrs.

• Paley, p. 47.