Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/797

 were with  him  (which  is  the  heresy  of  the  Sadducees)  were  filled with envy. And they  laid  hands  on  the  apostles  and  put  them in the  common  prison.”

But an  angel  of  the  Lord  came  by  night,  and  opening the doors  of  the  prison  led  them  forth,  saying:  “Go,  and, standing, speak  in  the  Temple  to  the  people  the  words  of  life!” Hearing this  they  went  into  the  Temple,  at  the  dawn  of  day, and taught.

The chief  priests  were  enraged  when  they  heard  that  the apostles were  again  teaching  in  the  Temple. They gave  orders to have  them  immediately  arrested,  and  put  in  prison. Then the apostles were  again  brought  before  the  Council,  and  the  elders said: “We  commanded  you  that  you  should  not  teach  in  this Name. Behold you  have  filled  Jerusalem  with  your  doctrine.” Peter and  the  apostles  answered:  “We  ought  to  obey  God rather than  men. The God  of  our  fathers  hath  raised  up  Jesus whom you  put  to  death,  hanging  Him  upon  a tree. Him God hath exalted  with  His  right  hand  to  be  Prince  and  Saviour,  to give  repentance  to  Israel,  and  remission  of  sins.”

When the  priests  and  ancients  heard  these  things  they  were filled with  anger,  and  thought  to  put  the  apostles  to  death. But one of  the  Council,  named  Gamaliel,  a doctor  of  the  law,  and respected by  all  the  people,  rising  up,  commanded  the  men  to be  removed  for  a little  time. He then  addressed  the  Council, saying: “Ye  men  of  Israel,  consider  with  yourselves  what  you are about  to  do  with  these  men. If this  work  be  of  men,  it will  fall  to  nothing. But if  it  be  of  God,  you  are  not  able  to