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This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: LYON, CHARLES J TITLE: ESSAY WHEREIN THE CONDUCT OF APOSTLES PLACE: DA TE : 1812 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT Master Negative # BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARCKT Restrictions on Use: Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record -" — • I.] f 239 ; L99 njiiiiii riMiii-Tii Lyon, Charles Jiobsonj Essay wherein the conduct of the apostles of Christ before his ascension is considered in itself and in comparison v/ith their conduct afterwards •.. Cambridge lEngj 1812 tSj + 69 p ( Cambridge (Eng) university. Norrisian prise essays 1812) ^ i' t a' •*€•■"' \ } f • > ■ ■ f! ^ / • ' ^ "1 • • < ,- , ■ V _.'■ r \ ,^' K * * ^ ! TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE:_3^J21^21. REDUCTION RATIO: //^ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA Qg^ IB IIB DATE FILMED:_3_-_25r^5 INITIALS. C^^f??s3 HLMEDBY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. INC WOODDRIDGE. CT c Association for Information and Image IManagement 1100 Wayne Avenue. Suite 1100 Silver Spring. Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 1 2 3 I im IIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 liiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiili 12 13 14 15 mm iiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiii Ml Inches ITT JTTTl 1.0 LI 1.25 TTT 1^ 2.8 2.5 Ih |w 3.2 2.2 ■ 6.3 ■to 2.0 ts. Ui u ■muu, 1.8 1.4 1.6 T MfiNUFPICTURED TO flllM STflNDPRDS BY RPPLIED IMFIGEp INC. 1 dpHi ^: ^ U niQ, I ^' 'fj 'H AN ESSAY, WHEREIN THE CONDUCT OF THE I'h^ L?i3 itt th^ ffiltu of |Uw UarU APOSTLES OF CHRIST BEFORE HIS ASCENSION IS CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR CONDUCT AFTERWARDS. ::f > Published in pursuance of the Will of Mr. NORRIS, as having gained the ANNUAL PRIZE, instituted hy him in the University nf Cambridge. BY CHARLES J. LYON, B.A. OF TRINITV COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. AafSwuev irpo oipdaXfimv tjfiuv row dyadov^ * AirotrroKov^ , Clemens Romanus. " Non temere curatum est ut Chriitiana religto a rudibus auctoribus initium caperet. Istud q^idem recte,ne scilicet tanti facti gloria penes humanam esset industriam, sed Erasmus. emnis divine virtuti tribueretur.** \ CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED ^ J. SMITH, PRINTER w tJkg UNIVERSITT; AND SOLD BY DEIGHTON, CAMBRIDGE; LONGMAN, I^ATERNOSTEH'ROIV; AND HATCH ARD, PICCADILLY, LONDON; OLIf'HiNT, NAUGH, AND INNES, EDINBURGH. 1812. ( CONTENTS. I 1^ Page Introduction.. • ••• I CHAP. I. On the Conduct of tlie Apostles of Christ before his Ascension 7 CHAP. H. On the Conduct of the Apostles of Christ after his Ascension • 51 CHAP. III. Comparison between the Conduct of the Apostles before and ^fter the Ascension of Christ 60 CHAP. IV. Conclusion » , (55 / 343935 i. i f \ I /^ r \ Jak^Ii^. ESSAY, S^c. 8fc. INTRODUCTION. Christianity may be compared to an impregnable fortress founded on a rock, which has hitherto not only defended itself against the force of its enemies, but widely extended the limits of its possessions. At times indeed the garrison of this fortress has been so feeble, and its bulwarks so power- fully attacked, that its speedy destruction has seemed inevitable. Persecution, Super- stition, Fanaticism, and Infidelity, have in their turns threatened it with desolation, and to a certain extent their endeavours have been successful : thousands have fallen martyrs in its support, many have deserted to the standard of the enemy, whilst the operations of the remainder have occasionally been weakened or distracted by intestine divisions. But the fortress has ultimately been successful, and Christianity has tri- umphed over all opposition. She has glided from under the sword of Persecution, raised her head above the gloomy darkness of Superstition, found an antidote for the poisoned arrows of Fanaticism, and sustained the attacks of Infidelity unshaken ; and even now, in her turn, she bids fair to extend her sway over the dominions of her adversaries, and finally to reduce the nations of the earth under the benign influence of her power. So unparalleled an instance of success in the midst of almost insurmountable difficulties, incontestably proves the Divine origin of our Religion, and indicates moreover, that God has invariably supported his Church, as well by inspiring her with his Spirit, as hf ^ / \ 8 making the revolutions which have hap- pened in the world, subservient to her prosperity. This is the attestation of Scrip- ture, and it seems to be the only satisfactory way of accounting for so extraordinary an event. Some of the leading features in the history of the rise and progress of Ma- hommedism, so nearly coincide with those of Christianity, that a compaFison, in this respect, has naturally been instituted be- tween them. But there are two circum- stances peculiar to each, which mark a wide difference : Christianity was directly opposed, both to the inveterate prejudices of the Jews, and to the sensual idolatry of the Heathens; Mahommedism, a compound of Judaism, Paganism, and Christianity, was artfully adapted to the passions and predilections of the nations among which it was propagated : this, was disseminated with the assistahce of the sword; that, A 2 found its way throughout the whole Roman Empire, not only without the aid of the sword, but in opposition to the most stre- nuous exertions of the Civil authority.* Still however the history of Mahommedism has been of some service to Christianity. It has taught us to rest the evidence of the latter, not on its rapid progress and perma- nent establishment, abstractedly considered ; (for it is well known that the former, a religion which carries in it every mark of imposture, has not only been generally diffused, but for almost twelve hundred years, very firmly established, among many of the Asiatic nations,) but upou. these, taken in connection with its peculiar genius, and the means that were employed in pro- pagating it. On the one hand, we. perceive extraordinary effects produced solely by the combined agency of natural causes and human means; on the other, we see still * See SaU*s Koran, p. 65, ^j,.^ \ more extraordinary effects brought about in the absence of all natural causes, and only by the instrumentality of human means ; consequently, the latter can only be ac- counted for by supposing the interposition of praeternatural power.^ Mahommed converted his followers, and gained their assistance in disseminating his religion, by flattering their passions, by inspiring them with military ardor, and by exhibiting to them the prospect of a paradise in which all their sensual and ambitious desires should be eternally gratified. Jesus Christ sent forth his few illiterate and unarmed disciples, to publish a religion to the world wbicli they knew would not be welcomed, but opposed, with the certain expectation of suffering in this life, but at the sanxr time, ^ " Qux <:um \yet »e no;i iiuWant cflicociam p>drem tantis progrcsiiibus omiitn^ neoeisc c$t ^t^noamut, aut niiraeuhi n(fi\U*fe, aut iuroanam Dei uctionctn aspirantem Det;otiO| aut uUtimquc/* (irotiut dt Feritate, p. 147. 6 with the no less certain expectation of happiness in the next — not however of a Mahommedan happiness, but of a certain spiritual and refined felicity, which since it cannot operate on the carnal passions of men, is the less likely to stimulate them to any painful exertion. What then enabled these men to stem the torrent of worldly prejudice, to bear contempt with patience, and persecution with heroism, to persevere in the arduous conflict in defiance of all opposition, and at last to lay down their lives in defence of their religion ? Wc an- swer — The operation of Divine Influence on their minds. It will be the object of the following Essay to establish this position, and in particular to show, that the change which took place on the minds of the Apostles, about the time of Christ's ascen- sion, and which caused so striking a dif- ference between their conduct before and after that event, must be attributed solely to the effect of this influence. S / I Chap. I. On the CONDUCT of the APOSTLES of CHRIST BEFORE his ASCENSION. That our Lord selected for his Apostles, men of sound understandings, but whose abilities were perhaps not above mediocrity, and whose station in life was subordinate^ is well known ; and it would be irrelative to enquire into the reasons of such a choice. We proceed therefore to consider their conducts TTie three following propositions will, I think, be found to comprehend every cir- cumstance deserving of attention in the con- duct of the Apostles before the ascension. That they were slow both in believing and in comprehending the nature and object of Christ's mission. 8 That there were several blemishes in their character and conduct ; and That they had a strong personal attach- ment to Christ. Proposition I. That the Apostles were slow both in believing and in comprehending the nature and object of Chrisfs mission. When our Saviour summoned Peter and Andrew, the two sons of Zebedee, and Matthew the publican, to follow him, and when in obedience to the summons they immediately renounced their respective em- ployments and joined themselves to his suite, it is not easy for us to discover by what immediate motives they were induced so promptly to obey a call, which, from an ordinary person, would have been deemed preposterous. Whether their minds were influenced at the moment by an impulse of the Divine Spirit, or whether, as seems ; > 9 more probable, they had already conceived a high esteem and veneration for Christj, in consequence of some miracles which they had seen him perform, is difficult to determine.^ But whatever might be their object in becoming his followers, they cer- tainly appear, not only at that time, but during the whole life of their Divine Master, and even after his death and resurrection, to have entertained a very inadequ)ate idea of his true nature and character. They acknowledged indeed that he was the ex- pected Messiah ; ^ but so much were their views influenced by the current opinions of the times, that, like their countrymen at large, they expected that he was to establish a temporal kingdom upon earth, that the Jews were to be the subjects of this king- dom, and that under the victorious banners ■ They had probably been baptized by John the Baptist, and consequently taught to expect the ap- pearance of Christ. * Matt. xvi. 16. 10 of their splendcd Messiah, they were to triumph over the world.* Our Lord en- deavoured gradually to eradicate this pre- judice from their minds, by explaining to them the spiritual nature of his mission, and by instructing them to look for suffering and not for honour in this life. We find> however, that they were extremely re- luctant to digest this unpalatable doctrine; and it even appears surprising that they should still have acknowledged for their Messiah, one who inculcated upon them ft lesson so diametrically opposite from what they had been accustomed to receive. ■ * The gospel history will furnish us with several instances of the truth of the pro- position before us. *' Jesus began to show unto his disciples how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things of • " Pluribus persuasio inerat, antlquis sacerdotum literis contineri, eo ipso tempore fore, ut valesceret oriens, prefectique Judea rerum potirentur." Tadtus. i 11 the Elders and Chief Priests and Scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee Lord, this shall not be unto thee ; but he turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." ^ A short time after this when they were in Galilee, Christ again informed them that he should be betrayed into the hands of men, that they would kill him, and that he should rise again on the third day; ''and they were exceeding sorry." *" In a parallel passage it is said that *' they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him." ^ On another occasion Jesus said unto them, '' Whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him. Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how • I * Matt. xvi. 21—23. ^ Mark ix. 32. « Ibid. xvii. 22, 34. 12 ill u can we know the way? Jesus answered him, I am the way, the truth, and the life, — Philip saith unto him. Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us ; Jesus saith unto him. Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip ? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father." • It is to be observed, that in this passage Christ unfolds himself somewhat more plainly than usual ; and it must seem evident throughout, that he did not intend that even his immediate followers should all at once attain a thorough knowledge of his character as the '* Lamb of God who should take away the sins of the world " by his death upon the cross. This was more than they could bear till they had arrived at a more advanced state of know- ledge and improvement; as he himself intimates, " I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.^ He therefore probably permitted the veil, which II * John xiv. 4 — 9. ^ Ibid. xvi. 12.' 13 prejudice had cast over their minds, in some degree to remain, gradually removed it during his life, and finally took it away after his resurrection when '' he opened their understandings that they might under- stand the Scriptures."^ V The frequent disputes which took place among the Apostles respecting supremacy in the kingdom of Christ, and particulariy the arrogant pretensions of James and John, prove that a temporal and not a spiritual sovereignty was looked for. But it was not only during the life of Christ that the Apostles betrayed instances of blindness and incredulity: we shall find that they retained the same character after his death and resurrection. It has been seen that Christ foretold his *• Luke xxiv. 45. \\i 14 passion and resurrection to his Apostles. He was even so minute -as to inform them that when he was in the grave, they would be overwhehned with sorrow on that ac- count : " Verily 1 say unto you, ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall re- joice ; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." ' After so many and such explicit intimations, it might have been at least expected that they would have called to mind the pre- diction when the accomplishment of it had taken place. It received however a literal fulfilment in the very persons to whom it was delivered. We read that the intelligence of Christ's resurrection was conveyed to them, by the women who had been early at the sepulchre, "as they mourned and wept," and that the intelligence itself " seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed it not." "• The same day two of I • John xvi. i9# 20. * Lukexxiv. 11. 15 i L them went to Emmaus, to whom Jesus joined himself, ''as they walked and were sad." After explaining to him the cause of their disquietude, they add, '^ but we trusted that it had been he who should have redeemed Israel." We cannot feel surprised at the answer which such an instance of forget- fulness and unbelief extorted from Our Sa- viour, *' O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken ! ought not Christ to hiave suffered these things, and to enter into his glory ?"*> These two indeed were not Apostles, aS we read that when they returned to Jerusaleni they found the eleven gathered together: but there is sufficient evidence that the same uncertainty respecting the truth of the resur- nectioa prevailed among them also. Their refusing to believe the testimony of the women who had been early at the sepulchre, the terror which they betrayed upon Christ's ** Luke xxiv. 25, 26. 16 first re-appearance among them, and the excessive incredulity of Thomas, prove that his resurrection vs^as altogether unexpected. We find besides, that *' Jesus afterwards appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat; and upbraided them vs^ith their un- belief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." * But what seems difficult to account for is, that there were some among the disciples who did not even credit the evidence of their own senses when they saw him in Galilee : for it is said that when they saw him, they worshipped him ; but some doubted." ** Nor was the idea of a temporal sovereignty as yet altogether renounced. • Mark xvi. 14. ^ Matt, xxviii. 17. Some indeed put a different construction upon this passage, but the most obvious one seems in this instance to be the best. See Palet/s Evidences, '1 17 « We find them putting the question to Christ just before his ascension, '* Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel ? " ^^ The Apostles continued till the ascension, ignorant that the Gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles as well as Jews, though Christ had intimated to them on many occasions that this would be the case. He set them the example, by healing the servant of the centurion, and the daughter of the SyrO'Phocnician woman; and he expressly enjoined them before his ascension to " go and teach all nations,'' adding, that they were ** to be witnesses for him in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the eurth.'' ^ llic parables of the grain of mustard-seed and the fig-tree were intended to illustrate and enforce the same lesson : and lest parables, precepts and examples should prove insufficient to produce \ ♦ Acu i. 6. ^ Ibid. i. 8. 18 the desired effect, the aid of prophecy was called in. Jerusalem, it was predicted, would be destroyed, and the Apostles re- ceived a personal admonition to effect their escape on that occasion. ^ This could be only interpreted to signify that the Gospel was to be transferred to the Gentiles, and ought to have indelibly impressed their minds with the expectation of that event. It was not however till some time after the day of Pentecost that they understood that this was to take place; and even then, notwithstanding all the light which they enjoyed, an express revelation was necessary to persuade them of it ^. Proposition II. That there were several blemishes in the character and conduct of the Apostles. The most prominent examples of the truth of this proposition are those in which " Luke XX i. ^ Acts X. / 19 Peter, James, and John are concerned. Wc shall therefore begin with them. Our Lord had on several occasions discovered a marked partiality for these three Apostles. They were exclusively present with him on the mount of transfiguration, at the raising of Jairus' daughter, and during his last hours in the garden of Gethsemane. Instead however of properly viewing this distin- guished preference, James and John pre- sumed upon it, and considered themselves as on that account entitled to take precedence of their brethren. They accordingly ad- dressed themselves to Christ with the pe- tition that " they might sit, one on his right hand, and the other on his left, in his glory." ^ When Christ was on his way to Jerusalem, in passing through Samaria, they again betrayed an unjustifiable spirit. The Samaritans declined receiving Christ, because his face was as though he would go *" Mark x. 35 — 37. B 2 20 • to Jerusalem ; which when James and John saw, they requested permission to call down fire from heaven upon them ; " but Jesus turned and rebuked them, and said. Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of/' * John also exercised an unwarrantable zeal when he prohibited the man, whom he found working miracles in the name of Christ, from doing so any longer, because he did not follow him.*' The instances of Peters misconduct are always tempered with such a marked affection for his Lord, that whilst we cannot but censure the former, we are struck with admiration at the latter. Such are his self-confident resolution to die rather than forsake Christ, and his rash * zeal in cutting off the ear of Malchus. But the most culpable action of Peter was, his repeated denial of his Master in the hall of Caiaphas. Christ had shown him many marks of his peculiar favor, and Peter had 2 1 even received them with affectionate grati- tude ; yet was he at last perfidious enough to deny all knowledge of him, and even aggravated the turpitude of that action, by the oaths which he uttered and the anger he betrayed on the occasion.*^ It may finally be observed with respect to the three Apostles of whose misconduct we are now speaking, that when Christ had desired them to keep watch in the garden of Gethsemane while he prayed, they very inconsiderately suffered sleep to overpower them." *' The Apostles sometimes foolishly con- tended among themselves which of them should be the greatest, though Christ had frequently inculcated upon them the duty of humility, as the most distinguishing ornament of his followers. On such occa- sions he would exemplify his instructions by XjUKv IX. OO, *i^» *» Mark ix. 38, 39- f ! ^ Mark xiv. 71. ** Matt. XX vi. 40. 22 placing before them a little child, as a pattern 6f that humility and simplicity which he required from them.' When, however, a short time after one of these lessons had been given them, some little children were brought to Jesus that he might touch them, the dis- ciples were so little impressed by what they had just been taught, as to rebuke those who brought them ; '' but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased." '^ The last instance we read of in Scripture wherein the conduct of the Apostles is deserving of censure, is their cowardice, when, on the apprehension of their Master, '* they all forsook him and fled."^ This indeed, as it is the last, so is it by far the most culpable action of the Apostles. Proposition III. That the Apostles had a strong personal attach- ment to Christ. It is remarkable that notwithstanding the "^ Mark ix. 47. "" Ibid. x. 13, 14. « Matt. xxvi. 5Q. 23 Striking defects in the character of the Apostles, and their ignorance of the nature of that kingdom which Christ was about to establish in the world, they should still have retained an unaltered fidelity to his person. Perhaps the most eminent proof of this which they ever gave him during his life, was on that memorable and trying occasion, when he himself informed them of his approaching death, and their approaching defection. They unanimously declared that though all men should deny him, yet would they die with him rather than be chargeable with such perfidy.^ The confidence, it is true, which they placed in their own constancy, was, as the event proved, pre- mature ; but their resolution was noble, and their disinterested zeal, at a time when a fear of ignominy might have naturally cast a damp on their ardor, highly deserving of admiration. The repentance of Peter Matt. xxvi. 31, &c. next solicits our attention. It was manitestly for his interest at the time, to disclaim all connection with Jesus; not only because the avowal of it would have involved him in the same calamity, but because Christ surrounded as he then was by the insulting Jews, could not, in all human probability, have assisted him had it been necessary. It was probably by such considerations as these that he was swayed in denying him, forget- ful of his own resolution, and of Christ's prediction. A single look however from his Master brought both to his recollection, — " and he went out and ivept Utterly."^ There was another occasion on which the Apostles made a generous confession of Christ, in which Peter as usual took the lead, and spoke for the rest. Our Lord had delivered some doctrines which had offended the prejudices of many of his • Matt. xxvi. 75. y 25 disciples. They complained, '< this is a hard saying, who can hear it.>" and in con- sequence, they went back and walked no more with him. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve. Will ye also go away ? Simon Peter answered. Lord, to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life.'' ^ When the Apostles wished to dissuade their Master from going into Judea, on the ground that the Jews would probably stone him, and when, in opposition to their entreaties, he signified his resolution to go for the purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead, Thomas discovered his affection for his Lord by saying to his fellow-disciples^ ^^Let us also go, that we may die with him : "*" and they went accordingly. There are two or three considerations which greatly enhance the merit of this attachment. ^ John vi. 60, &c. " Ibid. xi. 16. 26 27 1st, Christ solemnly warned them of the sufferings that would inevitably attend the profession and preaching of his Gospel. ** Behold I send you forth," said he, " as sheep in the midst of wolves. — Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues : — and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake : " * and in another place, " yea the time cometh when whoso- ever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." Now the Apostles must have believed that these predictions would prove true. They were witnesses of the daily persecutions which their Master suffered from the Jewish Rulers, and as they were aware that ^' the servant is not above his Lord," they must have expected similar or even worse treatment for themselves.** To counterbalance this expectation we naturally look for some counteracting principle, V 1 * Matt. X. 16, &c. ^ Ibid. X. 25. some sure hope of ultimate reward which would certainly compensate for these suffer- ings. And yet we do not find that the expectation in the one case was at all equal to that in the other. It is true that Christ did promise them, both support under their afflictions in this life, and a very ample reward in the next,^ but the accomplish- ment of these promises was to be distant, their notions respecting Christ's kingdom, as we have already seen, were obscure, present appearances at least were unfavor- able, and the prospect of suffering was before their eyes. To continue their fidelity under such discouraging circumstances as these, was a strong proof of their attach- ment. 2dly, Christ also proposed to them some very severe tests as the onlv conditions on which they could be his disciples. ^^ He ' Matt.x. 19. John xvi. 33. Lukexxi. 15. 18. 28 that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me ; he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me ; and he that taketh not up his cross and foUoweth after me, is not worthy of me." • 3dly, He moreover said and did many things which must have been unpalatable to his Apostles, unacquainted as they then were with their true import. ''Think not that I am come to send peace upon the earth ; I came not ^to send peace, but a sword; for I am come to set a man at variance with his father, &c., and a man's foes shall be they of his own household." *> His associating too with publicans and sinners could not be very gratifying to those who expected him to establish a temporal king- dom. All this proves extraordinary attach- ment. Nor must we omit to mention the • Matt. X. 37, 38. ** Ver. 34. 29 alacrity with which the Apostles complied with the command of Christ, when he first called on them to follow him. The prophetic mantle of Elijah did not gain the heart of Elisha with more promptitude, *" than did the words of Christ, '' follow me," the ready obedience of the Apostles. We read of no reluctance, no hesitation, no excuses. They immediately left all and followed him, and this all did not consist merely of a boat and some fishing nets, (though that was to them exceedingly valuable, as being their sole means of ex- istence,) but they also left their parents, families, and all the pleasures of domestic intercourse, to attend a man whom they knew only by report, and to embark in a cause which seemed to hold out no recompence at all adequate to the immediate sacrifice. However faulty the Apostles might be •" 1 Kings xix. 19, 20. 30 in other respects, they never forsook their Lord till that melancholy occasion when he was betrayed by one of their own number, and conveyed away by an armed multitude. Even here Peter once more evinced his affection for him, by drawing his sword in his defence. He ran con- siderable risk by doing so, and had not Christ performed a miracle in his favor, the consequence might have been fatal to him. k Chap. II. On the CONDUCT of the APOSTLES of CHRIST after his ASCENSION. Ihis chapter may be divided into the two following propositions, That the Apostles were zealous in propa- gating Christianity in defiance of all oppo- sition, and That in the Gospels and Epistles, they exhibit some remarkable instances of candor, and excellency of character. Proposition I. That the Apostles were zealous in propagating Christianity in defiance of all opposition. I do not know that I can better illus- trate the truth of this proposition, than by first taking a cursory view of the history 32 33 in the Acts, and afterwards adverting to some particulars not there recorded. I would just premise however, that from the nature of the case, the Apostles could not have expected any other treatment from the world than what they in fact experienced. They entered upon their apostolical course with their eyes open. They knew a priori, that it would not be very grateful tidings to a Jew, that the Galilean who was re- cently crucified at Jerusalem as a malefactor was no other than the expected Messiah, and that in becoming his disciple he must abrogate the whole Mosaic ritual ; nor to a Heathen, who must renounce his idolatrous and sensual practices, cultivate inward purity, and submit to many temporal pri- vations without any temporal recompence.* * Dr. Jortin justly observes, that the opposition which Christianity met with both from Jews and Gentiles, arose principally from their vices ; and these the Apostles had to contend with as well as their pre- judices. i This expectation besides had been confirmed by the prediction of Christ. We now pro- ceed to the fact. It was owing to the miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, that they were quali- fied for successfully preaching the GospeL Peter led the way by making an address to his countrymen, and to those strangers who were then resident at Jerusalem, on the accomplishment of the Jewish prophecies in the person of Jesus Christ. The con- viction thus produced upon their minds was so powerful, that no less than three thousand were immediately converted. So unusual a circumstance soon attracted the attention of the Jewish Rulers, who, to prevent any farther proceedings of the same kind, seized Peter and John as they were preaching to the people, imprisoned them, and on the following day brought them before their tribunal. They were however unable to ^4 find any ground of accusation against them, and therefore they only threatened and dis- missed them, though their prisoners were bold enough to declare that they would obey God rather than man. No way intimidated, the Apostles continue to preach and work miracles. The Sanhedrim in consequence, seize, imprison, and try the ttvelvcy and liberate them, only at the instigation of one of their own body. Till this time the populace had sided with the Apostles, and this is the reason assigned for the impunity with which they were suffered to proceed/ The Sanhedrim now however found means to stir up the people in their own favor. Stephen the deacon is stoned •to death, a general persecution is raised, (in which Paul is said to *^ have breathed out slaughter and threatenings against the dis- ciples,") and the followers of the Apostles arc scattered abroad throughout Palestine, ' Acts iv. 21. H 35 in all parts of which they preach the Gospel. In the mean time Paul is con- verted to Christianity, and soon after we read that '' the churches had rest through- all Judea and Galilee and Samaria." During this interval of peace, the Apostles and their disciples were not inactive. Peter went " through all quarters," and first preached the Gospel to the Gentiles. Othcre travelled as far as Antioch, Phornice, and Cyprus, *' preaching the word." Barnabas now went in quest of Paul, and these two fix upon Antioch as the present field of their labors. Soon after this, Herod Agrippa, who had recently succeeded to the government of Judea, put the Apostle James to death, and imprisoned Peter, who was to have shared the same fitte, had he not been miraculously liberated on the night preceding the day of execution. From this period the history in the Acts pursues a narrower track, and principally C 2 ill 36 confines itself to the travels of St. Paul/ He and Barnabas went first from Antioch to Cyprus, where they converted the Roman Governor. They then proceeded through Pamphylia to Antioch in Psidia, at which place they preached to a numerous congregation of Jews and Gentiles. The Jews having procured their expulsion from Antioch they repaired to Iconium, where they made a considerable number of con- verts. Here too the Jews formed a con- spiracy to stone them, which obliged them to depart privately to Lystra. At this • I take the liberty of introducing the labors of St. Paul in considering the conduct of the Apostles after the Ascension, both because he was himself an Apostle, and because the history in the Acts is princi- pally occupied in detailing his travels and sufferings. We may infer also by analogy, what is unknown from what is known ; and conclude, that the labors of the other Apostles resembled those of St. Paul, since they were engaged in the same work and acted under similar circumstances. At all events, the history of St. Paul exhibits tht nature of the service. See 1 Cor. iv. 9. Pale/s Evidences, vol. I. p. 91 • k 37 place Paul was stoned and drawn out of the city for dead. They afterwards returned to Antioch in Syria. Some time after this Paul and Silas determined on revisiting the churches which the former, in company with Barnabas, had planted. This they did accordingly, and had the happiness of seeing them '' increase in number daily." The travels of St. Paul had hitherto been confined to Asia, but inconsequence of a divine intimation he now crossed the JEgean sea, and landed in Europe. At Philippi in Macedonia he was forcibly carried before the magistrates, and without even being heard, and in de- fiance of his privileges as a Roman citizen, he was beaten, imprisoned, and made fast in the stocks. At Thessalonica he ran considerable risk of his life, and it was not without some difiiculty that he effected his escape from the Jews. His enemies at this place could not have borne a more decided testimony to his zeal and success, than when they represented him as having '' turned the 38 world upside down." At Berea he ex- perienced similar treatment. At Athens he was arraigned before the court of Areopagus and insulted ; and at Corinth he was carried, by his implacable countrymen, before the Roman Governor, to whose contempt only for the Jews and their religion, he was indebted for deliverance from their power. Such a tissue of protracted calamities did not intimidate this indefatigable Apostle. He still prosecuted his labors with un- wearied assiduity, and with an intrepidity that seemed to gain strength by opposition. After leaving Corinth, he returned to Jerusalem, and from thence to Ephesus, where he remained two years. His zeal and success in preaching the Gospel at this city produced a tumult among those who were interested in the support of the national religion, which nearly proved fatal to him, and which induced him to leave Ephesus, and renew his labors in Macedonia and 39 Greece. From Greece he returned to Tyre, where it was attempted to dissuade him from proceeding to Jerusalem. His reply shows his undaunted courage in the cause of Christianity : " What, mean ye,^' said he, '* to weep and break my heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but to die, for the name of the Lord Jesus." • His reception at Jerusalem was similar to that at other places. A few days after his arrival the populace ''fell upon him in the temple, and would have put him to death had not the Roman guard interposed in his favor. The captain of the guard how- ever imprisoned, and would have scourged him, had he not pleaded the privilege of being a Roman. From this time to the conclusion of the history, a period of about three years, St. Paul remained under the custody of the ■ Acts xxi. 13. 40 Roman government. In the course of that period he was publicly tried four times, narrowly escaped assassination once, and finally was sent to Rome to be tried at the tribunal of the Emperor, to whom he had found it necessary to appeal. On his voyage thither he suffered shipwreck, and upon his arrival there he was committed to the care of a soldier, and continued to preach to as many as came to him. Thus far the history in the Acts extends. We are by no means however to conclude that St. Paul's labors for the promotion of Christianity, terminated after he was im- mured within the walls of a Roman prison. "The things which befel him happened rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel."* In that situation he not only continued to preach to those who came to hear him, but he wrote several epistles to the churches ■ Philip, i. 12. 41 which he had formerly planted. Besides this, ** his bonds in Christ were manifest in the palace and in all other places ; so that many of the brethren, waxing confident by his bonds, were much more bold to speak the word without fear." After an imprison- ment of two years at Rome, he was set at liberty, and preached the Gospel either in the east or west, or in both, till he was ap- prehended a second time and obtained the crown of martyrdom. Neither are we to suppose that St; Luke's account of St. Paul contains every circumstance which befel that Apostle. In our Epistles, he alludes to several events which are not even hinted at in the Acts : e. g. that after his escape from Damascus he went to Arabia,^ that he preached the Gospel in Illyricum,*' that he wrought many miracles at Corinth,"* and that he fought with wild beasts at Ephesus.* It is probable also that he visited ^ Gal. i. 7. ^ Rom. xv. 19. ^ 2 Cor. xii. 12. * 1 Cor. XV. 32. 42 43 i Crete, as he observes in his Epistle to Titus, that " he had left him there as Bishop to ordain Elders in every city." » In liis first EpisUe to the Corinthian church, St. Paul says, « For I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles^ as it were appointed to death ; for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, &c.— Even unto this hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place, and labor, working with our hands; being re- viled, we bless ; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat; we are made as the filth of the world, and as the offscouring of all things unto this day."* • Titus i. 5. * From the use of the plural number here, our analogical inference is confirmed, that the labors and sufferings of the other Apostles were similar to those of St. Paul. « Titus iv. 9- And in his second Epistle to the same church he observes, " of the Jews five times I re- ceived forty stripes save one, thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep : in journey- ings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness ; besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches/'** ** Titus xi. 24. It is to be observed, that the First Epistle to the Corinthians was written at Ephesus, just before the tumult (Acts xix.) ; and the Second at Macedonia in the year following; so that both of them were written before their author went to Jerusalem \ for the last time, and consequently before he suffered ] naany additional hardships. We may once more remark how 44 It is singular to observe, that the earliest and most active persecutor of the Christian faith, should become its earliest and most active friend ; that St. Paul who had done most against it, should afterwards do most for it ; and that he who had most roughly handled the Church with the iron grasp of persecution, should himself have been after- wards most roughly treated by the same relentless arm. Throughout the whole range of sacred and profane history, there is not a character (our Saviour excepted,) at once so interesting and extraordinary, or a life so eventful, as that of the Apostle Paul. We perceive in him every quality that can ennoble human nature, and raise it from that state of moral how very few of these circumstances are mentioned by St. Luke; particularly the three shipwrecks, not one of which is spoken of in the Acts ; for the one which St. Paul suffered on his voyage to Rome was subsequent to his writing this Epistle. degradation in which it is naturally sunk. He seems to have been particularly devoid of every disposition allied to selfishness — a principle which adheres to our nature with more obstinacy perhaps than any other, and which is indeed the very essence of the Fall. Animated by the purest love to God and to man, his sole object was to promote the glory of his Redeemer, and the spiritual welfare of the churches which he had planted ; and for this he cheerfully travelled, labored, suffered, and died. Christianity however may claim all the honor of his immortality; for it is im- probable, had he not been converted to that religion, that his name would have been transmitted to posterity. Foreign testimony, in addition to that of the Apostles themselves, might also be adduced, in support of the proposition before us. Clemens Romanus, who is honorably spoken of by St. Paul in his Epistle to the 46 Philippians," addresses the Corinthian church in the following words. " Let us take the examples of our own age. Through zeal and envy 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 to him. For the same cause did Paul in like manner, receive the reward of his patience: Seven times he was in bonds, he was whipped, was stoned ; he preached both in the east and in the west, leaving behind him the glorious report of . his faith ; and so having taught the tvhole 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 went unto • Titus iv. 3. u 47 his holy place, being a most eminent pattern of patience to all ages." ** From the account of the rapid progress of Christianity which Tacitus and Suetonius have given us, together with the infamy attached to his profession, an argument is fairly deducible in favor of the active zeal of its first teachers, notwithstanding the odium which they incurred on that account. But to expatiate upon this would lead me beyond the limits to which I am desirous of pre- scribing myself. If it be necessary to prove that the Apostles persevered in the course on which they so courageously entered, we have only to appeal to their lives, as they have been imperfectly transmitted to us, and to their epistles, which were all written, excepting a few of St. Paul's, a short time before their . 1 Ep. ad Cor. c. v. 48 death. With respect to their lives, we find no intimation of their having relaxed in their exertions to propagate the Gospel. If, dis- heartened by the sufferings they had already endured for the sake of their religion, they had desisted from any farther attempts to disseminate it, or had retired from the field 0f action to finish their days in peaceful obscurity, so remarkable a change in their conduct would doubtless have been urged by the enemies of the Gospel, as a plain indication of their apostacy; at least such a change must have been noticed by co- temporary writers; we have however no hint of any such circumstance. On the contrary, we know from Scripture that Peter and James the greater were put to death for their religion ; and we have un- doubted evidence that St. Paul and James the lesser also suffered martyrdom; the former at Rome in the reign of Nero, the latter at Jerusalem where he was bishop. It is highly probable moreover, that some of the other Apostles suffered martyrdom. But the Epistles plainly contradict this sup- position. Though written, as has heett already observed, towards the close of their lives, their zeal, as appears from them, so far from being extinguished, burnt with a more brilliant flame than ever. A general reference to these writings might be suf- ficient, but I cannot avoid quoting one or two passages, in which, as they had them- selves been warned by Christ, so they also warn their disciples to expect suffering for the sake of the Gospel. St. Paul tells Timothy that '* all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." ^ St. Peter says to his correspondents, ^* If when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God ; for even hereunto were ye called." *" To the same effect, St. James speaks, " Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name • 2 Tim. iii. 12. 1 Pet. ii. 20,21. 50 of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and patience; behold we count them happy which endure," ■ These in- stances are sufficient to show that no change had taken place in the minds of the Apostles, with respect to their religious views ; unless indeed we resort to the supposition, that having themselves experienced the baneful effects of preaching what they had at length discovered to be an imposture, they were inhuman enough to wish that their followers should experience them too — a sup- position, too extravagant to be admitted, and which is besides contradicted by the whole tenor of the New Testament. Proposition IL That in the Gospels and Epistles^ the Apostles exhibit some remarkable instances of candor and excellency of character. 1st, In the Gospels. It is a remarkable circumstance, and one to which too much * Jam. V. 10, II. V 51 importance can hardly be attached, both ai an evidence of Christianity in general, and of the genuineness of the Gospel history in particular, that the Apostles uniformly ex- hibit the conduct of their own body, with very few exceptions, in an unfavorable light. We can with difficulty persuade our- selves, in reading the Gospels, that they were composed by the very persons whose history they relate ; ^ and what encreases our admiration of their unparalleled candor is, that they were written — not at the time the transactions they relate took place — but long after ; when their authors no longer laboured under their former prejudices, but clearly understood, as well as firmly believed, the doctrines of Christianity ; and when they ^ As it is well known that Luke and Mark wrote their gospels, the former under the superintendence of St. Paul, the latter under Si. Peter ; and as it is pro- bahle that these two Evangelists were in the number of the Seventy, who were "eye-witnesses and ministers of the word," we may reasonably consider their gospels as Apostolic, as well as those of Matthew and Mark. D 2 52 must have looked back with surprise and self-reproach on the very errors which they relate of themselves in the gospels. It is singular to observe too, that though they wrote long after the events happened, they drop no expression from which this can be discovered, no allusion to their labors sub- sequent to the ascension, excepting in the last verse of St. Mark's gospel' They had by this time experienced much persecution from the world, yet they do not even speak of it, much less complain of it ; they had now seen many of Christ's predictions accomplished, yet they do not discover any solicitude to strengthen their authority by mentioning it ; they could now have palliated their past errors and misconduct, yet they are not so ambitious of human applause as to do so. One distinguished instance of their can- dor is, that in the account of the resurrection "* Lard. Hist. Ap. p. 164. V of Christ, they state that he appeared to his Disciples only, after that event,^ and that even some of these doubted whether it Were he. Had they reflected a little they might have seen that this confession would have afforded room for an objection to the truth of that event — an event on which the credibility of the whole Gospel history depended. But artful contrivance was no trait in the character of the Apostles. Of all writers in the world, they thought the least of providing against difficulties or of obviating objections. Conscious that they were writing what was true, and that truth requires not the aid either of art or of orna^ ment to recommend it, they always state the simple undisguised fact.*' Nor do they scruple to relate those facts which would apparently * Acts X. 40. xw WMKihm ^r Ta^Jipg i^fJifinvfAurup, nam h avruf (fta^fAOMm iura^ eopil/9. Eurip. Phoen, 1. 482. I 54 make against them, as well as those which would make for them. They are not ashamed, for example, to mention the mean birth, the obscure life, and the ignominious death of their Divine Master; and that their own birth too was mean, and their employments subordinate; that they were slow in believing the doctrines, and negligent in obeying the precepts of Christianity, and that they were frequently guilty of rash zeal, of ambition, of forgetfulness, and of cowardice. As it is the candor of the Evangelists we are speaking of, we may here observe that St. Luke's account of St. Paul is one un- , broken chain of impartial statement. He candidly acknowledges in one part, that '^ some believed the things spoken by Paul, and some believed not,'* and in another place he quietly allows the subject in dispute between Paul and his enemies to be thus misrepresented by a Roman gover- nor, that it related to '' one Jesus who was dead, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive." 55 But to multiply examples would be to tran- scribe the whole history of St. Paul. When we propagate a favorite opinion, we take pleasure in describing its favorable re- ception, but none in mentioning the odium and contempt it meets with ; on the con- trary, this is usually suppressed. But the history in the Gospels and Acts contains a minute account of the persecutions, im- prisonments, trials, flagellations, and re- proaches, which Christ and his Apostles endured on account of their religion. Again ; when we write in favor of any system, whether in the way of narrative or of argu- ment, we usually make it appear what side of the question we adopt ; nor is it reckoned any disparagement to the author who does so : yet even this small indulgence the Evangelists do not appear to have allowed themselves. 1 am not aware that there is any passage in their writings from which this can be inferred, excepting in the preface to St. Luke's Gospel. Their testimony, so s6 fer as appears from itself, might almost have been that of an enemy as well as of a friend. It only appears, that, whether candid and impartial. 2dly, In the Epistles. One passage from each of the Catholic Epistles of Peter, James and John, is all that I shall adduce under this head in support of our proposition. St. James observes, " If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, — that man's religion is vain ; pure rdigipn before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world/'' St. Peter writes thus, " Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrinjs, abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. — And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue, * Acts i. 26, 27. I 57 and to virtue, knowledge, and to knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, patience, and to patience, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, charity." ^ St. John says, '' Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ? "*^ These quotations speak for themselves. They breathe the spirit of piety, benevolence and love; and as the Apostles have never yet been charged with preaching what they did not practise, we need not allow our- selves for a moment to suppose, that they either did not feel the obligations, or perform the duties which they inculcated upon others. When they enjoin benevolence, we may reasonably conclude them to be benevolent, and when humility, humble. Such then was the character, and such " 2 Pet. i. 5. *" 1 John iii. I7, ig. 58 the conduct of the Founders of our holy Religion. Destitute of the advantages which education and splendid abilities confer, they were possessed of spiritual accomplish- ments which it was not in the power of human genius to impart. With the power of working the most astonishing miracles with the utmost facility, they combined the amiable graces of simplicity and benevolence on the one hand, and the most ardent and intrepid courage on the other : yet were they not elated by these endowments. It was in their power to have aggrandized themselves by means of the influence which they pos- sessed over the minds of the people ; * but the pomps and pleasures of this life had no .attractions for them. Humility was a pro- minent feature in their character. Their single aim was to preach salvation to their fellow-mortals through the merit of a Saviour, and they felt indifferent about their * AcuiT. 21. 59 temporal welfare, provided that great end were promoted. " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.*" ^ Dan. xii. 3. « Quand I'Ecriture parle des Apotres, elle nous les repr^sente comine des brilliantes ^loiles dans le firmament de TEglise; c'est-a-dire, comme des lumi^res en qui Dieu se plait h faire eclater toutes les richesses de sa grace." Bourdalou^. I fl A. Mr m ^^M^m COMPARISON between the CONDUCT of the APOSTLES before and after the ASCENSION of CHRIST. There is, prima facie, a very marked dissimilitude between the conduct of the Apostles before and after the Ascension. In general it is manifest, that the change was for the better, and that whereas before, # almost every thing is against them, after- wards, every thing is in their favor. I shall point out some particular instances of this. 1st, We find Peter, who had meanly as well as impiously denied Christ to a maid- servant, afterwards boldly and repeatedly confessing him before the Jewish Sanhedrim. He who wanted to dissuade Christ from dying on the cross, afterwards preached that event to the Jews, as the fundamental 61 article of the Christian faith.- In his Epistles too, he exhibits a very different temper from what he had discovered during the life-time of our Saviour. 2dly, John, who would have called fire from heaven on the detested Samaritans, afterwards went and preached to them the Gospel of peaces The national as well as personal aversion which he bore to them, was overlooked or forgotten in his desire for their salvation. In his Epistles we can trace no vestiges of that ambitious and re- sentful spirit which once actuated him, but we may clearly perceive a disposition dia- metrically opposite. ■ Acts ii. 36, " Piscator ille qui prius ad vocem mu- lierculaeabjuravitDominum, nunc audet apud infinitam hominuin multitudinem, h variis gentibus ac linguis conflatam, eamque tumultuantem, prodire in con- cionem intentis in turbam ocuJis, sublat^ue voce praedicare, Christum, eumque crucifixum.'' Erasmus. * Actsviii. 14, 15. 62 3dly, Peter, James, and John, who though distinguished by Christ above the other Apostles, were the most culpable during his life, seem, after his ascension, to have been more active in preaching the Gospel than their brethren. Peter, after zealously propagating Christianity throughout Judea and the provinces of Asia Minor,' suffered martyrdom at Rome. James was the first of the Apostles who was put to death, which was probably owing to his extraordinary zeal ; and John survived the longest of the twelve to bear evidence to the truth of Christianity, and for his fidelity in the sup- port of his religion, was banished to Patmos in his old age. 4thly, And in general, with respect to all the Apostles, it is manifest, that pre- vious to the Ascension, they were timid, unbelieving, and slow in their apprehension ; • 1 Pet. i. 1. f I 03 subsequent to it, bold, constant in the faith, and clear in their perception. On the one hand, we behold them pertinaciously look- ing for a temporal sovereignty, and quarrel- ing among themselves about supremacy under it ; on the other, zealously establish- ing a spiritual one, and firmly united in the promotion of that end. 5thly, The fidelity too with which the Evangelists relate their own errors and mis- conduct, may be considered as forming a contrast between their character before and after the Ascension. For it is not con- ceivable that, had they written before that event, they would have candidly stated the very faults they were at that time committing. Their ingenuousness was the fruit of that light and knowledge which they afterwards received. 6thly, There is one particular in which though we cannot contrast, we may compare I 62 3dly, Peter, James, and John, who though distinguished by Christ above the other Apostles^ were the most culpable during his Ufe, seem, after his ascension, to have been more active in preaching the Gospel than their brethren. Peter, after zealously propagating Christianity throughout Judea and the provinces of Asia Minor,' suffered martyrdom at Rome, James was the first of the Apostles who was put to death, which was probably owing to his extraordinary zeal ; and John survived the longest of the twelve to bear evidence to the truth of Christianity, and for his fidelity in the sup- port of his religion, was banished to Patmos in his old age. 4thly, And in general, with respect to all the Apostles, it is manifest, that pre- vious to the Ascension, they were timid, unbelieving, and slow in their apprehension ; • I Pet. i. I. f 63 subsequent to it, bold, constant in the faith, and clear in their perception. On the one hand, we behold them pertinaciously look- ing for a temporal sovereignty, and quarrel- ing among themselves about supremacy under it ; on the other, zealously establish- ing a spiritual one, and firmly united in the promotion of that end. I 5thly, The fidelity too with which the Evangelists relate their own errors and mis- conduct, may be considered as forming a contrast between their character before and after the Ascension. For it is not con- ceivable that, had they written before that event, they would have candidly stated the very faults they were at that time committing. Their ingenuousness was the fruit of that light and knowledge which they afterwards received. 6thly, There is one particular in which though we cannot contrast, we may compare 64 their conduct before with that after the Ascension ; and that is, in their attachment to Christ. The first was property an attach- ment to his person, the second, to his cause ; but the latter was more praiseworthy than the former, inasmuch as it is more difficult to preserve allegiance to an absent than to a present Lord. When every thing is re- moved from the eye of sense, and exhibited only to the eye of faith, there is a tendency in human nature to forget its obligations and to relax in its obedience. But we have seen that the Apostles preserved their allegiance with even more constancy in the latter case than in the former : for in the former, they all forsook their Master and fled, when he . was apprehended ; in the latter, they dieer- fully endured martyrdom rather than deny him. Chap IV. CONCLUSION. H.EE then is a very disdnc. and per- ceptible difference in the character and con- duct of the same persons, under two suc- cessive dispensations of things. We naturally enquire therefore into the cause which could have produced so remarkable a change, and the Scriptures will be found to satisfy us on this point. Our Saviour had predicted to his Apostles that, after his ascension, he would send his Holy Spirit, who should call to their remembrance every thing that he had said to them, and enable them, at the same time, to discern its spiritual im- port. Accordingly we find that the Spirit did enlighten their minds, and in fact wrought such a revolution in their views, as can alone account for the astonishing £ 66 change which we have seen took place in their conduct. " No sooner had the Apo- stles received this precious gift, this celestial guide, than their ignorance was turned into light, their doubts into certainty, their fears into a firm and invincible fortitude, and their former backwardness, into an ardent and hiextinguishable zeal, which led them to undertake their sacred office with the utmost intrepidity and alacrity of mind."' It is commonly supposed, and among others by the respectable author whom I have just quoted, that this spiritual revolution took place on the day of Pentecost. To me I confess it does not appear that that was the grand ara of their transition from . ignorance to knowl^e. There is no inti- mation in Scripture that the Apostles either expected or received any accession of spiritual light on that occasion, though it seems reasonable to suppose that they did • Moiheim't Ecc. Hitt. toI. I. c. 4. \k i 67 m wme measure. We only find, that at that period, they were endowed with mi- raculous gifts in order to qualify them for successfully promulgating their religion.** The change in their views that we are speaking of was undoubtedly owing to the influence of the Spirit: but it appears to have been progressive, and not instantaneous, to have even commenced during the life-time of our Saviour, and not to have been com- pleted probably till the sera of the conversion of the Gentiles. Indeed several stages of their progress in knowledge might be dis-» tinctly pointed out, omitting the frequent lessons and explanations which Christ gav« them during his life : ^ asfrst, the resurrection and re-appearance of Christ; secondly , when " their understandings were opened that they K hffaa-Kxydoi rot o^ot, Chrysostom, * Mark iv. 34. 68 might understand the Scriptures," and when it is immediately added, that "they re- turned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God:"' thirdly, the election of Matthias. The whole account of the pro- ceedings on that occasion implies a consider- able degree of spiritual discernment : fourth- hf, the day of Pentecost, and fifthly, the conversion of the Gentiles. k and harmonize with one another, and ren- ders the whole system, at once consistent with itself, and intelligible to us. Since then the Apostles received their commission from heaven, and were fiimished from the same source with the means of executing it, their testimony must be regarded as true, and thek injunctions as of para- mount obligation and importance. After all however it is not the aera of the Apostles' conversion that we need be so solicitous about determining, as that it was owing to the agency of the Spirit on their minds. To this only we can attribute it, whatever hypothesis we adopt as to the time. To endeavor to account for it in any other way, would involve insuperable diffi- culties ; while this, beautifully unites the two dispensations, makes them correspond Ji THE END. * Luke xxiv. 45. SS.