at large on its important incidents. I may just observe, that on the memorable day of Pentecost, it was he, who addressed the multitude with such convincing argument, and pungent application, that thousands were brought to repentance and faith in the Gospel. It was Peter, who said to the cripple, that lay at the Beautiful gate of the temple, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee," and in the name of Jesus healed him. And so effectually did he address the multitude, who ran together to behold the miracle, that thousands more believed, and were added to the church. The apostles being arraigned before the sanhedrim, Peter was the speaker; and that timid man, who lately denied his Master, now boldly charges his judges with crucifying the Christ, "whom God had raised from the dead." It was not a solitary miracle which was wrought; many signs and wonders were performed by the hands of the apostles among the people. Peter, on these, as on all occasions, attracted special attention; they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least, the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them; and they were healed, every one." These miracles, which should have convinced, only enraged the Jewish rulers; and all the apostles were cast into the common prison. An angel delivered them from confinement, and immediately they preached the Gospel in the temple. And when again brought before the council, Peter, nothing daunted, replied to the rebuke"We ought to obey God rather than men," and again

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charged them with crucifying, as a malefactor, that very person, whom God had raised from the dead, and exalted to the highest glory, as a prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel. A brighter picture of faith, and zeal, and christian intrepidity cannot well be imagined. After this, Peter and John were delegated from the apostles to preach in Samaria, and impart spiritual gifts. It was there he rebuked Simon, the sorcerer, because he thought the gift of God could be purchased with money. In short, this indefatigable apostle passed through all quarters, preaching the gospel and confirming it with miracles. Though the "apostle of the circumcision," he was the first directed by a heavenly vision, to preach it to the gentiles.

Time will permit me to mention but one incident more, in the eventful life of this apostle. A violent persecution arose against the church, and Herod Agrippa, having killed James, the brother of John,with the sword, and perceiving it pleased the Jews, seized Peter also, and thrust him into prison, loaded with chains, and guarded by sixteen soldiers, determining soon to bring him out to execution for the entertainment of the people.But the prayers of the church continually went up for him; and once more God sent his angel for his rescue. Instantly his chains fell off; the iron gates, without a human hand, flew open, and this favored servant of the Redeemer walked forth through the midst of sentinels in perfect safety. Notwithstanding his activity, and boldness, and the extent of his travels and labors among hostile and persecuting Jews and Gentiles, the life of this eminent apostle was preserved to an advan

ced age. And his labors were not for that age only. His two epistles are preserved in the sacred canon for the instruction of all generations.

The death of this ardent apostle was worthy of the life, which he had spent in zealous and ceaseless efforts, to spread the gospel. He sealed it with his blood, and received the crown of martyrdom, as his Master had predicted to him. According to the best accounts he was crucified at Rome, under the reign of Nero, and about the same time with his fellow apostle, St. Paul.

Thus have I given you an imperfect sketch of the life of Peter; interweaving brief remarks to render his example profitable. In most respects, it is in a high degree edifying and animating, and in others it is a most solemn warning to the best and the highest, "lest, while they think they stand, they should also fall." There is a proneness in inconsiderate men, to gaze intensely and with satisfaction on the falls of good men, and to proclaim the blots on their escutcheon. It seems to render the painful distance between them less, to reduce good and bad, great and little, somewhat nearer to a level. By some such men, Peter is almost classed with the traitor Judas. Our blessed Lord did not so estimate the affectionate, sincere, and ardent Peter; and so must not we estimate him. He rebuked his faults, but still cherished him as one of the first, if not the very first of the twelve ; and honored him as the most conspicuous instrument of pleading his cause, honored him in its first dreadful struggles with Jewish prejudice and malignity. Did he fall shamefully? I

defend not the faults of good men; but be it remembered, he repented immediately, and continually, and to the last moments of his devoted life. Did he betray pusillanimous weakness? he exhibited ever after, fearless courage in the cause of his Master, in the face of all the powers of the world arrayed against him.— Was he often forward, presumptuous, and rash? Let not the careless and indolent censure him for this, nor for a moment imagine, that their caution and inactivity are more pleasing to God, than the honest warmth of those, who, like Peter, may occasionally over-act their part. The latter may be often, but the former, if destitute of love and zeal, are never right.

Finally, when we consider the zeal, and fortitude, the labors and sufferings of Peter, and of all the noble army of martyrs, who counted not their lives dear to them for the gospel, let us cherish the same energetic faith, and adhere, in every trial, to the same divine principles. But we shall falter and fall, except we watch and pray, and lean continually on that gracious support, which finally carried them through. They have entered into glory, and are interested spectators of our conflict. "Wherefore, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnessess, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race which is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author, and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

SERMON XV.

FRUITS OF RENOVATION.

ROMANS xii. 2,

And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the re newing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

It cannot have escaped the attentive reader of the apostolic epistles, that matters of doctrine and argumentative discussion, and sometimes of local interest, occupy the first part and body of the epistle; and that the sacred writer reserves the conclusion, to be filled with an earnest statement of christian duties, with close appeals to the conscience, and hortatory addresses to different classes and descriptions of his readers, the end of which is to make them "holy in all manner of conversation and godliness." The four last chapters of the epistle to the Romans are thus occupied. In the first part of this epistle, as Peter observes, "there are things