March 27

"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." — Act civ. 20.

THIS is the language of Peter and John, when examined before the Jewish sanhedrim, and commanded not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Note,

THE THINGS TO WHICH THEY REFER. They are of two classes —

What they had seen. They had witnessed God manifested in the flesh; they had seen him perform the most astonishing miracles, by which he clearly proved his Godhead; walking on the mighty ocean, stilling the tempest, having the elements of nature under his control, pouring the beams of light into the eye-lids of the blind, giving strength to the weak, awaking the dead from the slumbers of the tomb. They had seen the zeal and activity he displayed in his Father's work, his patience under the most trying provocations, the cruelty inflicted on him by his enemies; they had witnessed his agonies in the garden, and his sufferings on the cross; his triumph over death and his glorious ascension, when he led them out as far as to Bethany, and was parted from them while he blessed them.

What they had heard. They had listened to the sweet accents of mercy, gently flowing from his lips; his doctrine dropping as the rain, and his speech distilling as the dew; the testimony of the Father, who declared himself well pleased; his own sorrowful words when agonized in his soul; his parting benediction and solemn charge to preach the Gospel, — and could they be silent? They were greatly privileged in being his friends and companions. We cannot thus know him after the flesh, or enjoy his bodily presence; but we may obtain a spiritual knowledge of him, and realize the tokens of his grace.