. Ml _# v.-- fi «x^»u^aiLCi A REVIEW O F Ecclesiastical History, &g. O F T H E STATE of the CHURCH DURING The FIRST CENTURY. By JOHN NEWTON, Curate of Olney, Bucks. Jeremiah 6. 16. Thus faith the Lord, Stand ye in the Ways and fee, and afk far the old Paths, -where is the good Way, and walk therein, and ye Jhall find Reft for your Souls ! Matt. 10. 25. It is enough for the Difciple that he be as his Mafter, and the ServanLas his Lord : If they have called the Mafter of the HoufrBelzebub, how much more Jhall they call them of his Houjhold. A REVIEW O F Ecclesiastical History, SO FAR AS IT CONCERNS THE PROGRESS, DECLENSIONS and REVIVALS O F Evangelical DocTRiNE-and Practice^ with A Brie* Account of the SPIRIT and METHODS BY WHICH Vital and Experimental RELIGION HAVE BEEN OPPOSED In all AGES of the CHURCH. By JOHN NEWTON, Curate of Olney, Bucks. Nafce Aliufque & Idem GaL 4. 29. But at then he that was born after the Flefh. perfecuted him that was "born after the Spirit, even fo it it now. .. JW . .WJL LONDON: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly? io the Poultry. M.DCC.LXX. ( v ) INTRODUCTION. 1 ^HO' the actions of mankind appear greatly diverfified from the influence of particular circumftances, human nature has been always the fame. The hif tory of all ages and countries uniformly con* firms the fcriptural doctrine, that man is a depraved and fallen creature, and that fome felfifh temper, ambition, avarice, pride, re venge, and the like, are, in effect, the main. fprings and motives of his conduct, unlefs fo far, and in fuch inftances, as they are cor rected and fubduedby Divine Grace. Therefore, when St. Paul fpeaks of the moft dreadful degree of impiety that can be imagined, Enmity againft God, he does not confider it as the fault of the particular time in which he lived, or impute it fingly either to the idolatrous heathens, or the obftinate Jews,* but he affirms univerfally, that the carnal mind (to (ppovnjita, tjjs o-apx.©.) the wifdom, the moft fpiritual and difcerning faculty of man, is enmity againft God. Men differ consi derably in capacity, rank, education and at tainments, they jar in fentiments and interefts, they mutually "revile, hate and dSftroy one A another •, ( vi 5 another; but in this point they all agree Whether Greeks or Barbarians, wife or igno rant, bond or free, the bent and difpofition of their minds, while unrenewed by grace, is black and implacable enmity againft the bleffed God. To thofe who acknowledge the authority of Scripture, St. Paul's exprefs affertion fhould be fufficient proof of this point, if we could pro duce no other ; but, befides the many other paffages in the book of God to the fame effect, it may be demonstrated by the moft obvious proofs, experience and matter of fact. The Hiftory of the Old Teftament from the death of Abel, the nature and grounds of the oppofi tion which Jefus and his apoftles met with, and the treatment of the moft exemplary Chriftians that have lived in fucceeding ages, are indis putable evidences of this offenfive truth ; for what can be ftronger marks of enmity againft God, than to defpife his word, to fcorn his fa vour, to oppofe his will, to carefs his enemies, and to infult and abufe his fervants, for no other offence than their attachment to his fervice ! But when, from thefe premifies, the apoftle infers, So then they that are in the flefh cannot pleafe God, tho' the confequence is evident, it may feem at firft view unnecefTary ; fo* can it be fuppofed that the carnal mind, which breathes a fpirit of defiance and enmity againft God, will have any defire or thought of pleafing him ? Yet thus it is. — The carnal mind is not only defperately wicked, but deeply deceitful j it deceives others, and often it deceives itfelf. As ( vii ) refting topics, from the voluminous materials already publifhed, but which, either from the fize or fcarcenefs of the books, or the lan guages in which they are written, are little more known to the generality of readers, than if they had never appeared in print. I fliall avoid, as far as poffible, interfering in the controversies on church government, referving to myfelf, and willingly leaving to others, the rights of private judgment, the juft privilege of Chriftians, Proteftants, and Britons. It muft be confeffed that the bulk of Eccle fiaftical Hiftory, as it is generally underftood, is little more than a hiftory of what the paf fions, prejudices and interested views of men have prompted them to perpetrate, under the pretext and fanction of religion. Enough has been wrote in this way ; Curiofity, nay Malice itfelf, need defire no more. I propofe to open a more pleafing profpect, to point out, by a long fucceffion of witneffes, the native ten dency and proper influence of the religion of Jefus ,- to- produce the concurring fuffrage of different ages, people and languages, in favour of what the wifdom of the world rejects and reviles ; to bring unanfwerable proofs that the doctrine of grace is a doctrine according to godlinefs, that the conftraining love of Chrift is the moft powerful motive to obedience, that it is the property of true faith to overcome the world, ( xviii ) world, and that the true church and people of Chrift have endured his crofs in every age ; the enemy has fhruft fore at them that they might fall, but the Lord has been their refuge and fupport ; they are placed upon a rock that cannot" be fhaken, they are kept [5- 'John 10. 14. 'John 6. 68. ' Phil. 3. 3. ( 37 ) that truly believe. And nothing lefs than this faith is fufficient to give any man a right to the name of a Chriftian. 6. The final caufe, or great ends of the the gofpel (refpeding man) are u holinefs and happinefs. The complete restoration of the foul to the favour and image of God, or eternal life begun here, to be confummated in glory. What has been already faid, renders it needlefs to enlarge upon this head. Nor fhall we con cern ourfelves here to vindicate this dodrine we have laid down from the charge of licen- tioufnefs, becaufe it is our profeffed defign in the progrefs of this work, to prove from the hiftory of the church, not only that thefe prin ciples, when rightly underftood, will infallibly produce obedience and fubmiffion to the whole will of God, but that thefe only can do it. Wherever and whenever the do&rines of free grace and juftification by faith have prevailed in the chriftian church, and according to the degree of clearnefs with which they have been enforced, the pradical duties of Chrifti anity have flourifhed in the fame proportion. Wherever they have declined, or been tem pered with the reafonings and expedients of men, either from a well meant, though mif taken fear, left they fhould be abufed, or from a defire to accommodate the gofpel, and render it more palatable to the depraved tafte of the world, the confequence has always been an equal declenfion in pradice. So long as the D 3 gofpel 9 Matt. i. 21. 25. 34. John 17. 24. ( 3«) gofpel of Chrift is maintained without adul teration, it is found fufficient for every valuable purpofe; but when the wifdom of man is permitted to add to the perfed work of God, a wide door is opened for innumerable mif chiefs — the divine commands are made void, new inventions are continually taking place, zeal is diverted into a wrong channel, and the greateft ftrefs laid upon things, either unne- ceffary or unwarrantable. Hence, perpetual occafion is given for ftrife, debates and divi- fions, 'till at length, the fpirit of Chriftianity is forgot, and the power of godlinefs loft amidft fierce contentions for the form. To fum up this enquiry in few words. The gofpel is a wife and gracious difpenfation, equally fuited to the neceffities of man, and to the perfedions of God. It proclaims relief to the miferable, and excludes none but thofe who exclude themfelves. It convinces a finner that he is unworthy of the fmaileft mercy, at the fame time, that it gives him a confidence to exped the greatest. It cuts off all pretence of glorying in the flefh, but it enables a guilty finner to glory in God. To them that have no might it encreafes ftrength, it gives eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, fubdues the enmity of the heart, fhews the nature of fin, the fpiritiulity and fandion of the law with the fulleft evidence, and by exhibiting Jefus as made of God, wifdom, righteoufnefs, fandi- fication and redemption to all who believe it makes obedience pradicable, eafy and de lightful (.39 ) lightful. The conftraining love of Chrift> engages the heart and every faculty in his fervice. His example illuftrates and recom mends his precepts, his prefence infpires cou rage and adivity under every preffure, and the profped of the glory to be revealed, is a continual fource of joy and peace, which paffeth the underftanding of the natural man. Thus the gofpel filleth the hungry with good things, but it fendeth the rich and felf- fuffi cient empty away, and leaves the impenitent and unbelieving in a ftate of aggravated guilt and condemnation. CHAP. III. Concerning the true Ground of the Oppofition our Lord met with in the Courfe of his Mitjiftry ; and the Objections and Artifices his Enemies employed to prejudice the People againft him, and prevent the Reception oj* his Doctrine. F our knowledge of the hiftory of Jefus was confined to the excellence of his cha rader, and the diffufive goodnefs that fhone forth in all his adions ; we fhould hardly con ceive it poffible that any people could be fo loft to gratitude and humanity, as to oppofe him. He went about doing good : He raifed ihe dead, healed every difeafe, and relieved D4 the (40 ) the diftreffes of all who applied to him^ without any difference of cafes, charaders or parties, as the fun, with a rich and unwearied profufion, fills every eye with his light. Wif dom flowed from his lips, and his whole con- dud was perfed and inculpable. How na tural is it to exped that a perfon fo amiable and benevolent, fo blamelefs and exemplary, fhould have been univerfally reveredw ! But we find, in fad, it was far otherwife. Inftead of the honours he juftly deferved, the returns he met with were reproach, perfe cution and death. The wonders of his power and goodnefs were malicioufly afcribed to Satan ; he was branded as an impoftor, mad man, and demoniac j he was made the fport of fervants and foldiers, and, at length, pub licly executed, with every poffible circumftance of ignominy and torture, as a malefador of the worft fort, What v The heathen moralifts have fuppofed that there is fomething fo amiable in virtue, that, could it be vifible, it would neceffarily attract: the love and admiration of all beholders. 1 his fentiment has been generally admired ; and we need not wonder ; fince it flatters the pride of man Without thwarting hi? paffions, In the Lord Jefus, this great defideratum was vouchfafed ; virtue and goodnefs were pleafed to become vifible, were manifeft in the flefh, But did the experiment anfwer to the ideas of the philofophers? Alas ! to the reproach of mankind, Jews and Gentiles confpired to treat him with the utmoft contempt. They Joved darknefs, and therefore could not bear the light. They had more compaffion and affection for the moft jnfarnoys malefadtor ; therefore, when the alternative was propofed to them, they releafed Barabbas, a robber and ft ffWdfrer, and, nail'd Jefus and yirtye to fhe crofs, uo What could (be the caufe and motives of fuch injurious treatment ? This is the fubject of our prefent enquiry. It might indeed be anfwered very briefly (as it has been) by af- cribing it to the peculiar wickednefs and per- verfenefs of the Jews. There is not a fallacy more frequent or pleasing to the minds of men, than while they ad contrary to prefent duty, to pleafe themfelves with imagining, how well they would have behaved in another fituation, or a different age. They think it a mark of virtue to condemn the wickednefs of former times, not aware that they themfelves are go verned by the fame fpirit. Thus thefe very Jews fpoke highly of the perfons of the pro phets, while they rejeded their teftimony, and blamed their forefathers for fhedding innocent blood, at the time they were thirfting for the blood of Jefus*. It is equally eafy, at prefent, to condemn the treachery of Judas, the cowardice of Pilate, the blindnefs of the people, and the malice of the priefts, who were all perfonally concerned in the death of Chrift. It is eafy to think, that if we had feen his works and heard his words, we would not have joined with the multitude in crying, crucify him ; though, it is to be feared, many, who thus flatter themfelves, have little lefs enmity againft his perfon and dodrine, than his actual murderers. On this account, I fhall give a detail of the true reafons why Chrift was oppofed in the flefh, and of the meafures em ployed * Matt. 23. 29, 30. ( 42 ) ployed againft him, in order to fhew that tha fame grounds of oppofition are deeply rooted in the fallen human nature ; and how probable it is, that if he was to appear again in the fame obfcure manner, in any country now called by his name, he would meet with little better treatment, unlefs when the conftitution and laws of a civil government might interpofe to prevent it. But it may be proper, in the firft place, briefly to delineate the charaders of the feds or parties mentioned by the evangelifts, whofe leaders jointly and feparately, both from com mon and diftind motives oppofed our Sa viour's miniftry,. and cavilled at his dodrine. Thefe * were the Pharifees, Sadducees and Herodians. The Pharifees, including the Scribes (who were chiefly of this fed) were profeffed ly the guardians of the law, and public teachers of people. They were held in high veneration, by the common people, for the aufterity of their deportment, the frequency of their de votions, and their exadnefs in the lefs effential parts of the law. They obferved the tra ditions of the Elders, were ftill adding to them ; and the confequence was (as it will always be in fuch a cafe) that they were fo pleafed with their own inventions, as to prefer them to the pofitive commands of God ; and their ftudious punduality in trifles, withdrew their regard from the moft important duties. Their y See Matt. 23. Mark 7. 13. Luke 18. 9 — 14, (43 ) Their fpecious fhew of piety was a fair out fide, under which, the groffeft abominations were concealed and indulged. They were full of pride, and a high conceit of their own goodnefs. They fafted and prayed to be feen and efteemed of men. They expeded re verence and homage from all, and challenged the higheft titles of refped, to be faluted as dodors and mafters, and to be honoured with the principal feats in all affemblies. Many of them made their folemn exterior a cloak for extortion and oppreffion, and the reft, if not hypocrites in the very worft fenfe, yet ckceived both themfelves and others by a form of godlinefs, when they were, in effed, enfiaved by their paffions, and lived according to the corrupt rule of their own imaginations. The Sadducees, their antagonifts and rivals, were equally, though differently, remote from the true knowledge and worfhip of God. They not only rejeded the tradition of the Elders, but a great part of the fcriptures like- wife, and admitted only the five books of Mofes as of divine authority. From this cir cumftance, together with the difficulty * they propofed to our Lord, and the anfwer he gave them ; it appears that they were perfons, who profeffing in general terms, to acknowledge a revelation from God, yet made their own pre judices and miftakes, under the dignified name of reafon, the ftandard to determine what books fhould be received as authentic, and in what fenfe 1 Matt. 22. 23. Acts 23. 8. (44) fenfe they mould be underftood. The doc trine of a refurredion did not accord with their notions, therefore they rejeded it, to gether a with thofe parts of fcripture which afferted it moft exprefsly. Their queftion, con cerning the feven brethren, feems to have been a trite objedion which they had often made, and which had never been anfwered to fatif- fadion, 'till our Lord refolved it. But the whole difficulty was founded upon falfe prin ciples, and when thefe were removed, all fell to the ground at once. From this, however, we m ,y Lam their charaderiftic, they were the cautious reafoners of thofe time, who valued themfelves on examining every thing cloiely, refufing to be influenced by the plau- fibie founds of antiquity and authority. The Herodians b were thofe who endea voured to ingratiate themfelves with Herod. It is moft probable that they received their name and diftindion, not fo much from any peculiar fentiments, as from attempting to accommodate their religion to the circum ftances of the times. The Pharifees boafting pf their privileges as the children of Abraham, could » That the Sadducees received only the law of Mofes, is the general opinion ; though, 1 do not fay, that it has been either indubitably proved, or univerfally held. That l!iey put their own fenfe upon the fcriptures (whether in whole or in part) which they did profefs to receive, is manifeft, from their afferting, that there is no refurrecYion, neither angel or fpirit. A tenet which contradicts not one or a few texts, but the whole ftrain and tenor both of the law and the prophets. b Matt. 22. 16. Mark 3. 6. (45 ) could hardly brook a foreign yoke, but the Herodians, from motives of intereft, were advocates for Herod and the Roman power. Thus they were oppofite to the Pharifees in political matters, as the Sadducees were in points of dodrine. And therefore the queftion concerning tribute, was propofed to our Lord jointly by the Pharifees and Herodians, the former defigning to render him obnoxious to the people, if he allowed of tribute ; the latter to accufe him to the government, if he refufed it. From what has been faid, it is evident, the leading principles of thefe feds, were not pe culiar to themfelves. They may rather be confidered univerfally, as fpecimens of the different appearances, a religious profeffion af- fumes, where the heart is not divinely en- lightned and converted to the love of the truth. In all fuch perfons, however high the pretence of religion may be carried, it cannot proceed from a nobler principle, or aim at a nobler objed than felf. Thefe difpofitions have appeared in every age and1 form of the Chriftian church, and are always adive to oppofe the felfdenying dodrines of the gofpel upon different pretences. The man, who, fond of his fancied attainments, and fcrupulous exadnefs in externals, defpifes all who will not conform to his rules, and challenges peculiar refped on account of his fuperior goodnefs, is a proud Pharifee. His zeal is dark, envious, and bitter; his obedience partial and felf- willed, and ( 46 ) and while he boafts of the knowledge of God, his heart rifes with enmity at the grace of the gofpel, which he boldly charges with opening a door to licentioufnefs. The modern Sa- ducee (like thofe of old) admits of a revelation, but then, full of his own wifdom and impor tance, he arraigns even the revelation he feems to allow at the bar of his narrow judgment; and as the fublime dodrines of truth pafs under his review, he affixes, without hefitation, the epithets of abfurd, inconfiftent and blafphe- mous, to whatever thwarts his pride, prejudice and ignorance. And thofe parts of fcripture which cannot be warped to fpeak his fenfe, he difcards from his canon as interpolated and fuppofititious. The Herodian is the man, how ever denominated or dignified, who is gover ned by intereft, as the others by pride, and vainly endeavours to reconcile the incompatible fervices of God and the world, Chrift and Belial. He avoids the exceffes of religious parties, fpeaks in term of moderation, and is not unwilling to be accounted the pattern and friend of fobriety and religion. He ftands fair with all who would be religious upon cheap terms, and fair in his own efteem, having numbers and authority on his fide. Thus he almoft perfuades himfelf he has carried his point, and that it is not fo impoffible to ferve two mafters, as our Lord's words feem to im port. But the preaching of the pure gofpel, which enforces the one thing needful, and will ( 47 ) will admit of no compliances with worldly in terefts, interferes with his plan, and incurs his refentment likewife ; though perhaps he will fhew his difpleafure, by more refined and fpe- cious methods, than the clamorous rage of hot bigotry has patience to wait for. We now proceed. The firft great caufe why Jefus was rejeded by thofe to whom he appeafcd, may be deduced from the tenor, of his dodrine, a fummary of which has been given in the former chapter. It offended the pride of the Pharifes, was repugnant to the wife infidelity of the Sadducees, and condemned the .pliant temper of the Herodians. The doc trines of free grace, faith and fpiritual obedi ence, were diametrecally oppofite to their in clinations. They muft have parted with all they admired and loved, if they had complied with him, but this is a facrifice too great for any to make, who had not deeply felt and known their need "of a Saviour. Thefe, on the con trary, were the whole, who faw no want of a phyfician, and therefore treated his offers with contempt. Befides, their diflike to his dodrine was increafed by his manner of enforcing it. He fpoke with authority, and fharply rebuked the hypocrify, ignorance, ambition, and avarice of thofe perfons who were accounted the wife and the good, who fat in Mofes's chair, and had hitherto been heard and obeyed with re verence. But Jefus expofed their true cha raders, (43) iracters, he fpoke of them as blind guides, he a compared them to painted fepulchres, and cautioned the people againft them as dan gerous deceivers. . It is no wonder therefore, that on this account, they hated him with a perfed hatred. Again. They were exceedingly offended with the high charader he affumed as the Son of God, and the Mefliah. On this ac count, they condemned him to die for blaf- phemy. They expeded a Mefliah indeed, who they profeffed was fpoken of in the Scripture, but they underftood not what the fcriptures had revealed, either concerning his divine nature, or his voluntary humiliation ; that he was to be the fon and lord of David, yet a man of forrows, and acquainted with grief. They denied his divinity, and them felves unwittingly fulfilled the prophecies that fpoke of his fufferings. Affording by their condud, a memorable proof, how fatally per fons may miftake the fenfe of the word of God, while they profefs highly to efteem it. What farther increafed their contempt of his claims, and contributed to harden their hearts more implacably againft him, was the ooYcurity and poverty of his ftate. While they 4 Matt. 23. 27. Nothing is more loathfome to our fen- fes, than a corpfe in the ftate of putrefaction, or a more ftriking contraft to the outfide of a fumptuous ornamented monument. Perhaps the vifible creation does not afford any other image that would fo ftrongly exprefs the true character of hypocrify and how hateful it appears in the fight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and before whom all things are naked and open. ( 49 ) they were governed by worldly wifdom and fought not the teaching of God's fpirit, they could not but fupp6fe an utter repugnance be tween the meannefs of his condition, and the honours he vindicated to himfelf. (They ex- peded a Mefliah to come in pomp and power, to deliver them from the Roman yoke.) For a perfon truly divine, who made himfelf equal with God, to be encompaffed with poverty and diftrefs, feemed fuch profane contradidion, as might juftify every mark of indignity they could offer him. And this difficulty muft equally affed every unenlightned mind. If man had been left to devife in what manner the Lord of the univerfe would probably def- cend to dwell a while with poor mortals in a vifible form ; they would undoubtedly have imagined fuch a fcene (if their thoughts could have reached it) as is defcribed by the prophets on other occafions. The Heavens bowing, the Earth fhaking, the Mountains ready to ftart from their places, and all nature labour ing to do homage to her Creator. Or if he came in a milder way, they would at leaft have contrived an affemblage of all that we conceive magnificent, a pomp and fplendor, furpaffing all the world ever' faw. Expeding nations, crowding to welcome his arrival, and thrones of gold, and palaces of ivory, would have been judged too mean, to accommodate fo glorious a gueft. But the Lord's thoughts and ways are different from man's. The beloved Son of God, by whom all things were made, E was ( 5'o ) was born in a ftable, and grew up in an ob- fc'ure and mean condition. He came to fuf fer and to die for fin, to fandify poverty and afflidion to his people, to fet a perfed exam ple of patience and fubmiffion, therefore he made himfelf of no reputation, but took on him the form and offices of a fervant. This was the appointment of divine wifdom, but fo incredible in the judgment of blinded mortals, that the Apoftle affures us, no man can fay e that Jefus is the Lord, can perceive and ac knowledge his inherent excellence, and au thority, through the difgraceful circumftances of his humiliation, but by the Holy Ghofi ': His enemies therefore thought they fufficiently refuted his affertions, by referring to his fup pofed parents, and the reputed place of his nativity. Their envy and hatred were ftill more in flamed, by obferving the charader of his fol lowers. Thefe were chiefly poor and illiterate perfons, and many of them had been notori- oufly wicked, or accounted fo ; publicans and finners, whofe names and profefiions were vile to a proverb. And for fuch as thefe, and al moft thefe only, to acknowledge the perfon whom they refufed, and by profeffing them felves his- difciples f, to fet up for being wifer than their teachers; this was a mortification to their pride which they could not bear, ef pecially when they found their number daily to e i. Cor. 12. 3. f John 7. 49. 9. 34. ( 5' ) to encreafe, and therefore could not but fear their own influence would proportionably decline. Once more. Miftaking the nature of his kingdom, which he often fpoke of, they op pofed him from reafons of ftate. They feared, or pretended to fear, that if they fuffered him to go on, the increafe of his difciples would give umbrage to the Romans who would come and take away both their places and their nation*. Some perhaps really had this apprehension, but it was more generally a pretence, which the leaders made ufe of to alarm the ignorant. They were, in truth, impatient of the Roman yoke, prone to tu mults, and ready to liften to every deceiver who promifed them deliverence, under pre tence of being their expeded Mefliah. But from enmity and oppofition to Jefus, they be came loyal at once. So they might accom- plifh their defigns againft him, they were con tent to forget other grievances, and openly profeffed, they would have no other king but Caefar. Thefe. were fome of the chief motives, which united the oppofite interefts and jarring fentiments of the Jewifh feds, againft our blef fed Lord. We are next to confider the me thods they employed to prejudice the multi tudes againft him. The bulk of the common people, feldom think for themfelves in re- E 2 ligious Cjohn 6r 48. ( 5* ) ligious concerns, but judge it fufficient to give up their underftandings and confciences to their profeffed h teachers. They are, however, for the moft part more unprejudiced and open to con- vidion than their guides, whofe reputation and intereft are more nearly concerned to maintain every eftablifhed error, and to flop up every avenue, by which truth and reformation might enter. The Jewifh people, uninfluenced by the proud and felfifh views of the priefts and rulers, readily honoured the miniftry of Chrift, and attended him in great multitudes. If they did not enter into the grand defign of his mif fion, they at leaft gave him teftimonies of re fped. When Jefus caufed the ' dumb to fpeak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to fee, they glorified the God of Ifrael, faying, a great prophet is rifen up amongft us, God has vifited his people. Now, what was to be done in this cafe ? Would the Scribes and Pharifees ftand uncon cerned ? No, it is faid in feveral places, they were filled with indignation k, and effayed every means, to bring his perfon and miracles into difrepute. The methods they ufed, are worthy h This is much to be lamented, for if the blind lead the blind, fhall they not both fall into the ditch? Matt. 15. 14. When the blind lead the blind, how indeed can it be Otherwile, if the former imagine they fee, and the latter are content to be lcd\ alafs for the people that are in fuch a cafe, alafs for their guides ! 'Matt. 15. 31. Luke 7. 16. kIt is a ftrong fymptom of hypocrify and enmity to the gofpel, to be offended with any new and remar kable difplays of divine grace. ( 53 ) worthy of notice, having been often repeated fince (as to their fubftance) againft the- fer vants of Chrift. i. They availed themfelves of a popular miftake, concerning his birth. Jefus was born in Bethlehem, according to the fcriptures, but being removed from thence in his infancy, to avoid Herod's cruelty, and his parents after wards living at Nazareth in Galilee, he was fuppofed by many, to have been born there. Even Nathaniel was prejudiced by this mif take, but happily yielded to Philip's advice to examine for himfelf. But it prevented many from enquiring much about Jefus, and there fore his enemies made the moft of it, and con fidently appealed to the fcripture, when it feemed to decide in their favour. b Search and look, for out of Galilee, arifeth no prophet. It is probable, many were ftaggered with this objection, and thought it fufficient to invali date all his difcourfes and miracles, fince let him fay and do what he would, he could not poffibly be the Mefliah, if he was born in Galilee. 2. They urged that he could not be of God, becaufe he infringed the law of Mofes, and broke the fabbath. This, though it may feem a groundlefs objedion to us, was not fo to many at that time, who knew not the fpiritual defign and meaning of the law, and, perhaps, he had not the opportunity to hear our E 3 Lord b John 7. 42. 52. ( 54) Lord b vindicate himfelf. They urged this ve hemently againft the force of a notorious miracle, and not without fome colour from the words of Mofes c himfelf; who had warned them to beware of falfe teachers, though they fhould confirm their dodrine by figns and wonders. 3. They reproached the freedom of his converfation. Jefus was of eafy accefs, and condefcended to converfe and eat with any who invited him. He neither pradifed, nor enjoyed the aufterities, which carry the air of fuperior fandity in the judgment of weak and fuperftitious minds. They therefore filled him a glutton d and wine-bibber, a friend of publi cans and finners; that is (as they intended it) a compannion with them, and a conniver at their wickednefs. Nothing could be more falfe and flanderous than this charge, or more eafily refuted, if the people would examine clofely. But as it came from teachers, who \yere highly reverenced for mortification, and as Jefus was ufually attended by many, with whom, it was thought infamous to affociate, it could not but have great weight with the credulous and indolent. 4. They laid much ftrefs upon the mean condition of his followers. They were moftly e Galileans, a people of fmall estimation, ancl of the loweft rank, fifhermen or publicans. While on the other hand, few or none of the rulers or Pharifees who were prefumed to be beft 6 John 9, 16. c Deut. 13. 2. <* Luke 7. 34. ( 55 ) beft qualified e to judge of his pretenfions, had believed on him. Thofe who are acquainted with human nature, cannot but know, how ftrongly this appeal to the judgment of perfons eminent for their learning or ftation, operates upon minds who have no better criterion of truth. How could a Jew, who had been from his infancy fuperftitioufly attached to the Pharifees, fuppofe, that thefe eminently de vout men, who fpent their lives in the ftudy of the law, would have rejeded Jefus, if he had been a good man ? 5. When notwithftanding all their furmifes, multitudes ftill profeffed high thoughts of Jefus, beholding his wonderful works; thev pro ceeded with the moft blafphemous effrontery to defame the miracles they could not deny, and maliciouflv afcribed them to the agency of the Devil f. This pertinacious refiftance to the convidion, both of their fenfes and confciences, was the higheft ftage of impiety, and confti- tuted their fin (as our Lord affured them) unpardonable. Not that any fin confidered in itfelf, is too great for the blood of Jefus to expiate, but as they utterly renounced and fcorned his mediation, there remained no other facrifice, but they were judicially given up to incurable impenitence and hardnefs of heart. Yet it is probable, that even this black affer tion, was not without influence upon fome, who were wedded to their fins, and therefore E 4 .. glad c John 7. 48. f Matt. 12. 14. j C 56 ) glad of any pretext, how unreafonable foever, to refufe the teftimony of truth. 6. Another means they made ufe of (the <• laft we fliall enumerate) and not the leaft ef fedual to intimidate the minds of the people from acknowledging Jefus, was the convincing argument of violence and ill treatment. Hav ing the power in their hands, they employed it againft his followers, and made an agree ment, that whoever confeffed he was Chrift, fhould be put out of the d Synagogue, that is, excommunicated. This decree feems to have been made by the Sanhedrim, or great council, , and to imply not meerly an exclufion from the rites of public worfhip, but likewife a pofitive punifhment, equivalent to an outlawry with us. The fear of incurring this penalty, re- ftrained the parents of the c man born bl'nd, and prevented many others, who were in their hearts convinced that he was the Mefliah, from owning him as fuch. They loved the world, they preferred the praife of men to the praife of God, and therefore remained filent and neuter. From fuch motives, and by fuch methods, our Lord was refifted and oppofed by the heads of the Jewifh nation. The fcribes and teachers, to whom the key of knowlege was by authority committed, difdained to ufe it themfelves, and thofe who were willing, they hindred. Had they been wife and faithful, they would 'have dircded the people to Chrift, but on the contrary, they darkened the plaineft fcriptures, dJwhn 9. 22. c John 12. 42. ( 57 ) fcriptures, and perverted the cleareft fads, to prevent (if poffible) his reception. In vain he fpoke as never man fpoke, and multiplied the wonders of his power and love in their prefence. In vain to them. — They perfued him with unwearied fubtlety B and malice, traduced him to the people and to the government, and would be fatisfied with nothing lefs than his death. So obftinate and wicked is the heart of man, fo fatal are the prejudices of pride and worldly intereft. For as we obferved before, thefe tempers were not peculiar to the Jews : they are effential to depraved nature, and ope rate univerfally, where the grace of God does not make a difference. To this hour, the gofpel of Chrift is oppofed upon the fame grounds, and by the like artifices, as were once employed againft his perfon. The dodrines which his faithful minifters deduce and enforce from the written word, are no other than what he himfelf taught, namely, a declaration of his perfonal honours and authority, of the infufficiency of formal worfhip, in which tbe heart is not concerned, of the extent and fpirituality of the law of God, and of falvation, freely proclaimed to the miferable, through faith in his name. The felf-righteous, the felf- wife, and all who are 8 Mark 12. 13 They fent Unto him certain of the Pharifees to catch him. Ay^iva expreffes the art and affiduity of fportfmen, in the various methods they ufe to enfnare, entangle, or deftroy their game. It well fuits the fpirit and defign of our Lord's enemies, in the queftion propofed, and is finely contrafted by the meeknefs and wifdom of his anfwer. ( 58 ) are devoted to the pleafures and honours of the world, have each their particular exceptions to thefe truths. The wifdom of God they account foolifhnefs, and the language of their hearts is, we will not have this man to reign over us. And the fuccefs of thefe dodrines, which is chiefly vifible among fuch as they have been accuftomed to defpife, is equally offenfive: yet fo inconfiftent are they, that if here and there, a few perfons who were before eminent for their rank, attainments, or mo rality, are prevailed on to account all things but lofs and dung, for the excellency of the know- legeof Chrift Jefus their Lord, this, inftead of removing their firft objedion, excites their rage and contempt ftill more. And as the motives of their hatred, fo their methods of expreffing it, are the fame. They are not afhamed to adopt and exaggerate the moft vulgar mifconceptions ; they fet the fcrip ture at variance with itfelf, and while they pafs over the plaineft and moft important paf- fages unnoticed, they dwell upon a few texts of more dubious import, and therefore more eafily accommodated to their fenfe ; with thefe they flourifh and triumph, and affed an high zeal in defence of the word of God. They reproach the pure gofpel as licentious, becaufe it expofes the vanity of their Angularities, and will worfhip, and are defirous to bind hea vier burthens upon mens fhoulders, which few of themfelves will touch with one of their fingers. They enlarge on the weaknefs and ignorance (59) ignorance of thofe who moftly receive the new dodrine, and entrench themfelves under the fandion of learned and dignified names. They even venture to explode and vilify the evident effeds of God's grace, and afcribe the agency of his fpirit to enthufiafm, infatuation and mad- nefs, if not exprefsly to diabolical influence. And laftly, fo far as divine providence per mits, they fhew themfelves aduated by the primitive fpirit of oppreffion and violence, in perfuing the faithful followers of the truth with cenfures and penalties. But let who will rage, and imagine vain things, Jefus is the King in Zion. He is the fame yefterday, to day, and for ever. There were a happy few in the days of his flefh, who beheld his glory, trufted on him for fal vation, and attended him amidft the many re proaches and fufferings he endured from fin ners. Of thefe, his firft witneffes, we are to fpeak in the following chapter. His gofpel likewife, though oppofed by many, and fligh ted by more, is never preached in vain. To fome, it will always be the power and wifdom of God, they know in whom they have believed, and therefore are not afhamed to appear in his caufe againft all difadvantages. Supported and encouraged by his fpirit, they go on from ftrength to ftrength, and are fucceffively made more than conquerors, by his blood, and the word of his teftimony. i CHAP. ( 60 > CHAP. IV. Obfervations on the calling a?id characters of our Lord's Apoftles, and Difciples, previous to his afcenfion. FROM what has been obferved in the preceding chapters, it is evident, that thofe who affert a principle of free-will in man, fufficiently enabling him to chufe and deter mine for himfelf, when the truths of the gof pel are plainly laid before him, do thereby (fo far as in them lies) render the falvation of mankind highly precarious, if not utterly hope- lefs and impracticable. Notwithftanding God was pleafed to fend his own fon with a gra cious meffage, notwithftanding his whole life was a feries of wonders, and all his adions difcovered a wifdom, £ower, and goodnefs, anfwerable to his high charader; notwithftand ing the time, manner, and defign of his ap pearance and fufferings, had been clearly fore told ; yet, fo far as a judgment can be made from the event, he would certainly have lived and died in vain, without influence or honour, without leaving a fingle difciple, if the fame grace that provided the means of redemption, had not engaged to make them effedual, by preparing and difpofing the hearts of finners to receive him. In the account given us by the Evangelifts, of thofe who profeffed themfelves his difciples, i we ( 61 ) we may difcern, as in miniature, the general methods of his grace, and comparing his per fonal miniftry, with the effeds of his gofpel, in all fucceeding times, we may be affured that the work and the power, are ftill the fame. The choice he made of his difciples, the man ner of their calling, their characters, and even their defeds and failings ; in a word, all that is recorded concerning them, is written for our inftrudion, and is particularly ufeful to teach us the true meaning of what pafles within our own obfervation. i. Several things are worthy our notice in this view, with refped to the choice of his difciples. i. They were comparatively very few. He was indeed ufually atttended by multitudes in the different places where he preached, be caufe he fpoke with a power they had never met with before, and becaufe he healed the fick, fed the hungry, and did good to all. But he had very few conftant followers. Thofe who affembled at Jerufalem after his afcenfion, are faid to have been but about 120'; and when he appointed his difciples a folemn meeting in Galilee, informing them before hand, of the time and place where he would come to them, the -number that then met here, is expreffed by the apoftle, to have been more than b 500. We can hardly fup- pofe * A£ts 1. 15. •> 1 Cor. 15. 6. The word brethren there ufed, does not prove that none but men were prer fent at that time, any more than that, becaufe the apof tles, ( 62 ) pofe that any who loved him, and were able to travel, would have been abfent upon fo in* terefting an occafion; but how fmall a com pany was this, if compared with the many thoufands, among whom he had converfed in all the cities and villages, through which he had paffed, preaching the gofpel, and per forming innumerable miracles, for more than three years! Well might the prophet fay, forfeeing the fmall fuccefs he would meet with, who hath believed our report, and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? But fince he, in whom the fulnefs of grace refided, had fo few difciples, it may leffen our furprize, that his gofpel, though in itfelf the power and wifdom of God, fhould meet with fo cold a reception amongft men, as it has in fad al ways done. 2. Of thofe few, who profeffed a more entire attachment to his perfon, a confiderable part, after attending him for fome time, went back and walked no more with him. They were but fuperficially convinced, and rather ftruck with the power of his words and works, than deeply fenfible of their own need of him. When therefore, upon a certain occafion, he fpoke of the more inward and experimental part of religion, the life of faith, and the neceffity of eating his flefh, and drinking his blood, ties, in their publick preaching, addreffed their hearers as Men and Brethren ; there were therefore no women amongft them, or the women were not confidered, as hav ing any intereft or concern in the gofpel miniftry. (63 ) blood, fo many were offended at his dodrine, and forfook b him, that he faid unto the twelve, will ye alfo go away ? Which feems to imply, that there were few but thefe remaining. Therefore, though we fee at prefent, that where the found of the gofpel brings multitudes together, many, who for a feafon appeared in earneft, gradually decline in their profeffion, and, at length, wholly return to their former ways, we have the lefs reafon to wonder, or be difcouraged, remembering that" it was thus from the beginning. 3. Thofe who believed on Chrift then, were chiefly (as we had occafion to obferve before) perfons of low condition, and many of them had been formerly vile and obnoxious in their condud. While the wife and learned rejeded him, his more immediate followers were Gali leans, fifhermen, publicans and finners. This was obferved and urged to his reproach and theirs, and the like offence has always attended his gofpel. But what enrages his enemies, fills the hearts' and mouths of his poor people with praife. They K adore his condefcenfion in taking notice of the moft unworthy, and ad mire the efficacy of his grace in making thofe who were once wretched flaves to Satan, a free and willing people in the day of his power. 4. But this was not univerfally the cafe. Though not many wife, rich or noble, were called b John 6. 66.» 67. c Luke 1. 52. 53. ( H ) called, there were fome, even of thefe. His grace triumphed over every circumftance of life. Zaccheus was a rich man % Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews, Jofeph an honourable counfellor. We alfo read of a nobleman, . or courtier, who believed with all his houfe. In every age, likewife, there have been fome perfons of diftinguifhed eminence, for birth, honours, and abilities, who have chearfully engaged in the profeffion of a defpifed gofpel, though they have thereby incurred a double fhare of oppofition from the men of the world, efpecially from thofe of their own rank. The number of thefe has been always fuf ficient to confute thofe who would insinuate, that the gofpel is only fuited to the tafte of the vulgar and ignorant; yet it has always been fo fmall as to make it evident, that the truth is not fupported by the wifdom or influence of men, but by the power and providence of God. 5. It is farther obfervable, that feveral of our Lord's few difciples were under previous connedions amongft themfelves. Peter f and Andrew were brothers, as likewife James and John, and thefe together with Philip, and perhaps •Zaccheus was a chief or principal publican, to whom the reft were accountable; a commiffioner of the revenue. And he was rich. The greek is more expreffive, and this was a rich man. Luke xix. 2. Perhaps alluding to what had paft a little before Chap, xviii. 2*5- This remark is added to remind us, that what is impoffible with men, is eafy to him, who can fpeak to the heart and turn it as he will. '.John 1. 4c. ( 65 ) perhaps Nathaniel, feem to have been all of one g town h. The other James, and Jude, were alfo brethren. So it is faid, Jefus loved Mary, and her Sifter, and Lazarus, three in one houfe; when perhaps, the whole place hardly offorded a fourth : and more in a fingle village, than were to be found in many larger cities taken together. This circumftance more ftrongly marked the difcrimination of his grace, in making the means effedual, where, and to whom he pleafed. Such has b?en the ufual event of his. gofpel fince. It is proclaimed to all, but accepted by few; and of thefe, feveral are often found in one family, while their next door neighbours account it a burden and of fence. It flourifhes here and there h in a few places, while thofp of the adjacent country are buried in more than Egyptian darknefs, and refift the endeavours of thofe who would invite them to partake of the fame benefits. Thus the Lord is pleafed to difplay his own fovereignty, in raising and fending forth his minifters, when and where he fees fit, and in F deter- g Comp. Mark i. 16. Luke 5. 10. with John j. 44, 45. Thefe fix, and more than thefe, weie fifhermen. John 21. 2. and fuch they continued, only their net fuc- cejs, and capture ivere fo much changed, that it became & new calling. He made them rimers of men. In the . fifhermans calling, there is required a certain dexterity, much patience, and a readinefs to bear hardfhips. Perhaps, many obfervations they made in their former bufinefs, were ufeful to them afterwards. And the Lord ftill brings up his fervants fo, that the remembrance of former years (th$ years of ignorance) becomes a rule and encouragement in future and different fcenes of life. h Amos. iv. 7, • (66 ) determining the fubjeds and meafure of their fuccefs. If others difpute and * cavil againft this procedure, thofe who believe, have caufe to adore his goodnefs to themfelves. And a day is at hand, when every mouth fhall be flopped that would contend with the juft judge of all the earth. The impenitent and unbe lieving, will not then dare to charge him with injuftice for dealing with them according to their own counfels and defires, inafmuch as when the light of truth was ready to break upon them, they chofe darknefs rather than light, becaufe their deeds were evil. 2. In the calling of our Lord's difciples, and the manner in which they were brought to know and ferve him, we may difcover the fame variety as, at this day, appears in the converfion of finners by the preaching of the gofpel. Some s See Rom. n. 23. There are but few who difpute upon the fubje£t of the Divine Decrees, with that reverence and caution St. Paul expreffes. In chap. 9, when an objection was ftarted, he cuts it fhort with, But who art thou, Oman, that repliejl againft God? And here he breaks off abruptly with, 0 the depth ! He feems to have fol lowed the narrow winding ftreams of human reafoning, "till he finds himfelf unawares upon the brink of an ocean that has neither bounds nor bottom. And every word expreffes the reverence and aftonifliment with which his mind was filled. The wifdom of the divine counfels in their firft plan, the knowledge of their extenfive confe- quences in this world, in all worlds, in time, and in eter nity. The riches of that wifdom and knowledge, the depth of thofe riches. His counfels inacceflible, his pro ceedings untraceable. All is wonderful in St. Paul's view. How different this from the trifling, arrogant fpirit of too many upon this topic ! (67) Some from a religious education, an early acquaintance with the fcriptures, and the fecret influence of the fpirit of God upon their hearts, are gradually prepared for the reception of the truth. They read, and ftrive, and pray, they feel an uneafinefs and a want which they know not how to remedy. They are sincerely defirous to know and do the will of God, and yet through mifappre- henfion, and the influence of popular pre judice, they are for a feafon with-held from the means that would relieve them. But, at length, the preaching of the gofpel explains to them the meaning of their former exercifes, exadly anfwers to the ftate of their minds, and thereby brings its own evidence. ' Similar to this, was the cafe of Nathaniel : When our Lord referred him to what had paffed under the fig-tree, where he had thought himfelf alone and unobferved, his doubts and fcruples vanifhed in an inftant. There is little doubt but Nathaniel had been praying under the fig-tree, and probably defiring a further knowledge of the prophecies, and their ac- complifhment in the Mefliah. He had heard of Jefus, but could not fully clear up the objedions made againft him, but now he was convinced and fatisfied in a moment. The attention of fome is drawn by what they fee and hear around them. They form a favourable opinion of the gofpel from the remarkable effeds it produces. But their firft enquiries are damped by difficulties which F 2 they (68) they cannot eafily get over, and they are ready to fay, How can thefe things be? Their. in terests and connedions in life are a farther hindrance, the fear of. man which bringeth a fnare is a great reftraint upon their enquiries ; but now and then, when they can venture without being noticed, they feek farther in struction. Now, though this hefitating fpirit, which pays fo much deference to worldly .regards in the fearch of truth, is highly blame- able, yet the Lord, who is rich in mercy, is often pleafed to produce a happy and abiding change from fuch imperfed beginnings. As they increafe in knowledge they gain more courage, and in time arrive to a comfortable experience and open profeflion of the truth. Thus it was with Nicodemus, he was at firft ignorant and fearful, but his interview with Jefus, by night, had a good effed. He after wards ventured to fpeak more publickly s in his favour, though ftill he did not join himfelf to the difciples. But the circumftances of Chrift's death freed him from all fear, and infpired him to attempt the moft obnoxious fervice,, when the apoftles themfelves were afraid to be feenk. Others are firft prompted to hear the gofpel from no higher motive than curiofity ; but going as mere fpedators, they find themfelves retained as parties unawares. The word of God, powerful and penetrating as a two-edged fword, difcovers the thoughts and intents of their ' John 7- 5°- k John 19- 39- (69) their hearts, preffes upon their confciences* and feems addreffed to themfelves alone. The fentiments they carry away with them are far different from thofe they brought, and a change in their whole deportment immediately takes place. Such was the cafe of Zaccheus1, he had heard much of Jefus and defired to fee him;, for this end, he ran before and climbed a tree, from whence he propofed to behold him unobferved. But how great muft his furprize and emotion have been, when Jefus, whom he had confidered as a ftranger, looked up, called him by his name, and in vited himfelf to his houfe. Some are drawn by the report of others freely declaring what the Lord has done for their fouls. The relation awakens in them defires after him which are not difappointed, for he is rich enough to fatisfy all who feek to him. So the Samaritans, whofe expeda tions were firft raifed by the woman's decla ration, m Come and fee a man which told me all things that ever I did, is not this the Chrift ? had foon a more convincing teftimony, and could fay, Now we believe, not becaufe of thy word, but we have heard him ourfelves, and know that this is indeed the Chrifi, the Saviour of the world. To a few, the firft impulfes of divine grace come fuddenly and unthought- of, when their hearts and hands are engaged quite another way: As Saul, who was feeking his father's F 3 affes, 1 Luke 19. 5. m John 4.42. ( 7° ) affes, received the unexpeded news of a king dom. A ray of truth pierces their minds like lightening, and difpofes them to leave their fchemes unfinifhed to feek the kingdom of God and his righteoufnefs only. a Thus our Lord paffed by the fons of Zebedee when mending their nets, and ° Matthew while bufied at the receipt of cuftom. He only faid, Follow me, he ufed no arguments, he propofed no rewards, but he fpoke to their hearts, and by the conftraining power of his love engaged them to a chearful and immediate obedience. Afflidions likewife are now, no lefs than formerly, a happy means to bring many to Jefus. He prepares them for heavenly blef fings by embittering or removing their crea ture-comforts. Had they continued in prof perity, they would not have thought of him, but the lofs of health, or friends, or fubftance, difappointments in life; or a near profped of death, conftrain them jn good-earneft to feek for oneable to deliver them, In the time of their diftrefs they fay, Arife and fave us. Not that afflidions in themfelves can produce this turn of thought. Too many in fuch circumftances tofs like a wild bull in a net; but when he fends afflidions for this purpofe, they accomplifh that which he pleafes. Thus, when he was upon earth, many who came or were brought p to him for the relief of bodily diforders, exper rienced a double cure. ' He healed their dif- eafes, " Mark i. 16, 19. ° Mark 2. 14. r Mark 2. 9. * John 9. 7—36—38. (7i ) eafes, and pardoned their fins. At the fame time that he restored the r blind to fight, he opened the eyes of their minds. He fome times made the affiidions of one, the means to bring a whole family to the knowledge of his grace. A confiderable part of his fol lowers were fuch as thefe, whom he had gra- cioufly relieved from diftreffes incurable by any hand but his. Some had been long and grievoufly tormented, had effayed every means, but found themfelves worfe and worfe til] they applied to him ; and having known the happy effeds of his Power and Compaffion, they would leave him no more. Laftly, we fometimes meet with inftances of his mercy and ability to fave even to the uttermoft, in the unhoped-for converfion of defperate and hardned finners, who have gone on with a high hand, regardlefs of mercies, warnings and judgments, 'till they feemed paft convidion, and given up to a re probate mind. Their ftate refembles that of the Demoniac, Luke 8. They are fo entirely under the power of the Devil (though perhaps they vainly boaft of freedom) that no argu ments, no motives, no refolutions can reftrain them within bounds ; but they break through every tie of nature, confcience and reafon, and are reftlefs drudges in the fervice of fin, though they feel themfelves miferable at prefent, and fee inevitable ruin before their eyes. Yet even this cafe is not too hard for him on whom F4 the ' John 4. 53. ( 7* ) the finners help is laid. He can difpoffefs the legion with a word, he can take the prey from the mighty, and deliver the lawful .cap tive, bind the ftrong one-armed, and divide his fpoil, Happy change, when the power of grace not only fets the foul at liberty from fin and Satan, but puts it in poffeffion of what were lately the inftruments of its flavery ! when all the powers and faculties of body and mind are redeemed to the Lord's ufe, and the experience of paft evil is made conducive to future comfort and advantage ! Such an inftance was that great finner, that penitent, believing, happy foul, of whom it is empha tically remarked, s She loved much, becaufe much had been forgiven her. Sometimes the deliverance is deferred 'till near the period of life, The poor wretch, labouring under the pangs or dread of death, and trembling at the apprehension of falling into the hands of the living God, is fnatched as a brand out of the fire ; he receives faith in a fuffering Saviour, and feels the power of atoning blood ; his terrors ceafe, and joy fucceeds, a joy unfpeak able and full of glory. Thus the expiring malefador l was converted upon the crofs, and received an infallible aflurance of Sal vation 3. The charaders of- cur Lord's difciples, with the account we have of their defeds and failings, may farther illuftrate the hiftory of Jiis church and gofpel, and afford an apology for » Luke 7, 47. » Luke 23. 43. • ( 73 ) for the blemifhes, which through human infirmity, do, more or lefs, attend the pre valence of his dodrines. The grace of God has a real influence upon the whole man. It enlightens the under ftanding, direds the will, purifies the af fedion, regulates the paffions, and correds the different exceffes to which different per fons are by conftitution or habit inclined. Yet it feldom wholly changes the complexion or temper of the animal frame. It does not impart any new natural powers, though it teaches the ufe and improvement of thofe we have received. It will difpofe us to feek inftrudion, make us open to convidion, and willing to part with our prejudices, fo far and fo foon as we difcover them, but it will not totally and inftantaneoufly remove them. Hence there are a great variety of charaders in the Chriftian life, and the feveral graces of the fpirit, as zeal, love, meeknefs, faith, appear with peculiar advantage in different' fubjeds ; yet fo, that every commendable property is fubjed to its particular inconvenience. Per- fedion cannot be found in fallen man. The beft are fometimes blameable, and the wifeft often miftaken. Warm and adive tempers, though influenced, in the main, by the noble ambition of pleafing God in all things, are apt to overfhoot themfelves, and to difcover a refentment and keennefs of fpirit which cannot be wholly juftified. Others of a more fixed and fedate temper, though lefs fubjed to ( 74 ) to this extreme, are prone to its oppofite; their gentlenefs degenerates into indolence, their .caution into cowardice. The principle of felf, likewife, which, though fubdued, is not eradicated, will, in fome inftances appear. Add to this, the unknown accefs and influence which the evil fpirits have upon our minds, the fudden and new emergencies which fur prife us into adion before we. have had time to deliberate, with many other considerations of a like nature, and it will be no wonder that fome things are always amifsu, in the beft and moft fuccefsful attempts to promote the glory of God and the good of fouls. And it is farther to be noted, that fome indivi duals will be found, who, though feemingly engaged in the fame good work, and, for a time, pretending to much zeal, are effentially defedive in their hearts and views; and when, at length, their true charaders are expofed, the world, who either cannot or will not diftinguifh, charge the faults of a few upon a whole profeffion ; as, in the former caffej they vyound the charader of a good man for unavoidable and involuntary miftakes. We fhall therefore fhew, that either the ex ceptions ™ A lukewarm, cautious fpirit, can eafily avoid and readily cenfure the miftakes and faults of thofe, who, fired with an honeft warmth for the honour of God, and the good of fouls, are fometimes tranfported beyond the bounds of ftricT: prudence. But though the beft intention cannot make that right which is wrong in itfelf, yet the zeal, diligence and difinterefled aim of fuch perfons are worthy of our efteem. (75) ceptions made, and fo loudly reverberated in our ears againft the gofpel dodrine, on thefe accounts, are unjuft, or that there was fuffi cient caufe to rejed and condemn our Lord and his apoftles for the fame reafons. The charader of Peter is marked with admirable propriety and confiftence by the evangelifts. He every where appears like himfelf. Earneftly devoted to his master's perfon, and breathing an honeft warmth for his fervice, he was, in a manner, the eye, the hand, the mouth of the apoftles He was the firft to afk, to anfwer, to propofe and to execute. He made a noble confeffion, for which our Lord honoured him with a pe culiar commendation. He waited but for a command to walk to him upon the water. He was not afraid to expofe himfelf in his Lord's defence, when he was furrounded and apprehended by his enemies. And though, in this laft inftance, his affedion was ill-ex- preffed, yet his motive was undoubtedly praife- worthy. His Heart flamed with zeal and love, and therefore he was always forward to diftinguifh himfelf. But the warmth of Peter's temper often betrayed him into great difficulties, and fhewed that the grace he had received was confiftent with many imperfedions. Though he sin cerely loved Chrift, and had forfaken all for him, he was, at one time, fo ignorant of the true defign of his incarnation, that he was angry and impatient to hear him fpeak of his fufferings, (76 ) fufferings, and brought upon himfelf a moft fevere rebuke. Not content with the ordinary fervices allotted to him, he offered himfelf to un neceffary trials, as in the above inftance, when he preffed to walk upon the water. The event fiiewed him his own weaknefs and infufficiency, yet his felf- confidence re vived and continued. When our Lord warned him again and again of his approaching fall, he thought and boldly affirmed that it was impoffible. He was fincere in his proteftation, but the adual experiment was neceffary to convince and humble him. Accordingly, when left to himfelf, he fell before the firft temptation. And here the impetuofity of. his temper was ftill manifeft. He did not flop at a simple denial of Jefus, he confirmed it by an oathw, and, at length, proceeded to utter bitter imprecations againft himfelf, if he fo much as knew him, whom he had feen tranf- figured in glory upon the mount, and proftrate in an agony in the garden. Such was the weaknefs and inconfiftence of this prince of the apoftks. None of thefe exceffes appeared in the con- dud of the traitor Judas. He was fo cir- enmfped and referved, that we do not find any of the difciples had the leaft fufpicion of him. "Mark 14.71. He b'gan to curfe and fivear. A>a6t- ftiTioo — To imprecate the moft dreadful curfes upon himfelf, and call folemnly on God to execute them. This was indeed the moft probable method to free himfelf from the fufpicion of being a difciple of Jefus, for no fuch lan guage had been, 'till then, heard among his followers. ( 77 ) him. But whilft his heart was full of wicked nefs, he could find fault with others, and charge their beft expreffions of love with in- difcretion. When Mary anointed our Lord's feet with ointment1, he w.is difpleafed at the wafte, and profeffed a warm concern for the poor ; but we are told the true reafon of his ceconomy : It was not becaufe he cared for the poor, but becaufe he was a thief, and had the bag, which contained the common ftock, en- trufted to him. The charge of the bag is an office full of temptation ; and an attachment to the bag has been often at the bottom of many cenfures and mifreprefentations which have been thrown out againft the people of God. It has been, and it will be fo ; but the Lord has appointed that where-ever the gofpel fhould be preached to the end of the world, this adion of Mary, with the obfervation of v N Judas upOn it, and the motive from which he made it, fhould be handed down together, that we may not be difcouraged at things of the fame kind. Without doubt, the treafon of Judas and his unhappy end, after having main tained a fair charader fo long, and fhared with the reft in the honours of the apoftlefhip, were to them an occafion of grief, and afforded their enefhies a fubjed of reproach and tri umph. But we may believe one reafon why our Lord chofe Judas, and continued him [o long with his difciples, to have been, that we might learn by this aweful inftance not to be fur- * John 12. 5, 6,, (78) furprifed if fome, who have made a fhew in the church, been chofen to important offices, and furnifhed with excellent gifts, do in the end prove hypocrites and traitors : Let him that thinketh hefiandeth, take heed left he fall. A defire of pre-eminence and diftindion is very unfuitable to the followers of Jefus, who made himfelf the fervant of all ; very unbe coming the beft of the children of men, who owe their breath to the mercy of God, have nothing that they can call their own, and have been unfaithful in the improvement of every talent. We allow that every appearance of this is a blemifh in the Chriftian charader, and efpecially in a Chriftian minifter ; but if on fome occafion, and in fome degree, human infirmity has wrought this way, though no example can juftify it, yet thofe, who through ignorance of their own hearts, are too rigid cenfurers of others, may be reminded that this evil frequently difcovered itfelf in the apoftles. They often difputed who fhould be the greateft; and when our Lord was fpeak ing of his approaching fufferings, two of them chofe that unfeafonable time to preclude the reft, and petitioned that they might have the chief feats in his kingdom. The firft offence was theirs; but when the ten heard it, they were all moved with indignation, and fhewed themfelves equally defirous of fuperiority. It is plain therefore, that unlefs the apoftles were hypocrites and mercenaries, fome tranfient efcapes of this fort (though confeffedly crimi nal ( 79 ) nal and indecent) are no fure proofs that fuch a perfon is not in the main fincere, difinterefted, and truly devoted to the fervice of God and his gofpel, No lefs contrary to the meek and gracious fpirit of Jefus, is an angry zeal, expreffing it felf in terms of ill-will and bitternefs to thofe who oppofe or injure us. One of the higheft attainments and brighteft evidences of true grace, is from a fenfe of the love and example of Chrift, to fhew bowels of mercy and long fuffering to all men, and by perfeverance in well-doing to overcome evil with good. And a contrary behaviour (if frequent and no torious) will, like a dead fly in precious oint ment, deftroy the favour, if not the efficacy, of all we can attempt for the fervice of God in the world. However, if repeated falfhoods and ftudied provocations do fometimes in an unguarded moment extort from the difciples of Chrift fuch expreffions and marks of dif- pleafure, as in their cooler hours they willing ly retrad and fincerely repent of before God ; this ought not to be exaggerated beyond bounds, as an offence inconfiftent with their profeffion, at leaft not by any who would be afraid to fpeak difhonourably of the apoftles James and John, who once went fo far in their anger y as to demand that fire might be fent from heaven to devour their adverfaries. We y Luke 9. 54. They thought they were influenced by a commendable zeal for their mafter, and that their pro pofal was warranted by an authorifed precedent. We do not ( So) We might proceed to other particulars, but enough has been faid to fhew the general refem blance which the preaching of the gofpel in later times bears to ourLord's perfonal miniftry : The dodrine is the fame, the effeds the fame. It was, and it is to many, afione of fumbling, and a rock of offence. The oppofition it has met with has been always owing to the fame evil principles of pride and the love of fin, which are latent in every unrenewed heart : Though the pretexts are various, they may be reduced to a few leading motives, which are always at work. The profeffors of this gof pel have at no time been very numerous, if compared with thofe who have rejeded it ; and of thefe, too many have difhonoured or for* faken it. Neither have thofe, who have re ceived it moft cordially, and been moft de firous to adorn and promote it, been wholly exempt from miftakes and imperfedions. The tenor of their condud has proved them par takers of a more excellent fpirit than others, their faith in Jefus has not been an empty no tion, but fruitful of good works, fuch as no man not find that they ever wifhed for fire to confume the Scribes and Pharifees, who were Chrift's moft inveterate enemies. But when the Samaritans rejected him, the vile Samari tans, whom they, upon a national prejudice, had been ac cuftomed to hate ; then their hearts deceived them, and they indulged their own corrupt paffions, while they fuppofed they were animated by a zeal for Chrift. Are we not often deceived in the fame way ? Can we not filently bear, or ingenuoufly extenuate, the faults and miftakes of our own party ; while we are all zeal and emotion, to expofe, cenfure and condemn what is amifs in others? ( 8i ). man could do except God was with him. They have been governed by higher motives and devoted to nobler aims, than the world can either underftand or bear — yet they are deeply confcious of inherent infirmity, and fometimes (to their great grief) they give too vifible proofs of it, which their watchful ad- verfaries are glad to aggravate and charge upcn them as confequences of, their dodrine. This fhould induce all who love the Lord Jefus, to redouble their guard, and to pray with David that they may be led in the right way becaufe of their obfervers. If the queftion is con cerning the infirmities, or even the vices off others, almoft every one is ready to plead in their behalf ; allowances are freely and largely made for human frailty, and none are willing to be thought harfh or cenforioUs. But the believer in Jefus muft look for no abatement or extenuation ; even the profeffed admirers of candour .and charity will nothefitate to put the worft conftrudion upon all he fays or does j for they are feeking occafioh to wound the gofpel through his mifcondud. They are fenfible that he is generally above them, and therefore rejoice to find or pretend a flaw, on which they may expatiate, to reduce him as near as poffible to their own .level; Though if their cenfures are extended to their juft con fequence, they will (as we have feen) fall hard upon the apoftles themfelves. I hope that what I have faid upon this fub jed: will neither be mifunderftood nor perverted. G We ( S2 ) We do not defend even the. infirmities of the beft men; much lefs would we provide a plea for perfecution or ambition. Let not the man who fuppofes gain to be godlinefs, who makes the gofpel a ladder whereby to climb the heights of worldly preferment, whofe heart like the infatiable fire is craving more, and pradifing every art to accumulate wealth, and honour in the church; — -Let not the - proud man, who would lord it over confcience, and though unable to command fire from, heaven, would gladly prepare fire and. flaugh- ter upon earth; for. all who. will not venture their fouls upon his faith;— Let not thefe avail, themfelves of the examples- of James and John: But rather let them tremble at the. refledion, that while they manifeft no. part of the apoftles graces, they are entirely poffeffed, of thofe tempers, the fmalleft traces of which our Lord fo feverely rebuked in his difciples. The firft believers, though not faultlefs, were fincere: The natural difpofition, of their hearts was changed ; they believed in Jefus, they loved him, they devoted themfelves to his fervice, they fubmitted to his inftrudions, fhared in his reproach, and could not be either enticed or. intimidated to leave him. Their gracious mafter was their guide and guard, their advocate and counfellor ; when they were in want, in danger, in. trouble, or.indcubt, they, applied to him, and found relief; hence, they, learned by degrees, to eaft all their care upon him. He correded every wrong difpofition, I. he" ( 83. ) he pardoned their failings and' enabled them to do better. His precepts taught them true wifdom, and his own example, which, to thofe who loved him, had the force of a thoufand precepts, was at once the model and the motive of their obedience. To make them afhamed of afpiring to be chief, he him felf, though Lord of all, converfed among them as a fervant, and condefcended to wafh their feet: To teach them forbearance and gentlenefs to their oppofers; they faw him weep over his bitterest enemies, and heard him pray for his adual murderers. Thus they gradually advanced in faith, love, and holinefs, as the experience of every day difclofed to them fome new difcovery of the treafures of wifdom, grace, and power, refidihg in their Lord and Saviour: He ex plained to them in private the difficulties which occurred in his more public difcourfes; by his obfervations on the common occur rences of life, he opened to them the myf- terious volumes of creation and providence, which none but thofe whom he vouchfafes to teach can understand aright : He prayed for them and with them, and taught them to pray for themfelves : He revealed unto them the unfeen realities of the eternal world, and fup ported them under the profped of approach ing trials ; particularly of his departure from them, by affuring them that he was going on their behalf, to prepare them a place in his kingdcm', and that in a little time he would G 2 return (84) return to receive them to himfelf, that they might dwell with him for ever. What he perfonally fpoke to them, and aded in their prefence, was recorded by his diredion, and has been preferved by his pro vidence for the ufe and comfort of his church : Though his enemies have raged horribly, they have not been able to fupprefs the divine vo lume; and though invifible to mortal eyes,, he is ftill near to all that feek him, and fo fupplies the want of his bodily prefence by the fecret communications of his fpirit, that his people have no reafon to complain of any dis advantage : Though they fee him not, they believe, love, rejoice and obey ; their atten tion and dependance are fixed upon him, they entruft him with all their concerns, they rely upon his promifes, they behold him as their high prieft, advocate and fhepherd, they live upon his fulnefs, and plead his righteoufnefs, and they find and feel that their reliance is not in vain. The difciples were content for his fake to bear the fcorn and injurious treatment of the world : They expeded no better ufage, nor • defired an higher honour, than to be felldw- fufferers with their Lord. When he propofed returning to Judea, at .a time they thought dangerous, and they could not alter his pur pofe, they did not wifh to be left behind ; Let us go, fays one of them to the reft, that we may die with him. It is true, when he was adually apprehended, the firft fhock of the ( 85) the trial was too ftrong, they forfook him and fled. He permitted this both to exempt them from danger, and to let tfltem know that of themfelves they could do nothing. But it feems they did notgO far. When Thomas afterwards faid, Except I fhall fee in his bands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thruft my hand into his fide, I will not believe ; he fpoke like one who had been an eye-witnefs to his fufferings, and expreffes an earneftnefs, as if he ftill faw him wounded and bleeding. This catastrophe indeed almoft difconcerted them ; they had trufted it was he that fhould deliver Ifrael, but they faw him oppreffed and flain by wicked men. From that time to his refurredion was a mournful inter val, the darkeft and moft diftreffing period his church ever knew. But the -third day difpelled their grief: He returned vidorious from the grave, proclaim ing peace by the blood of the crofs ; he de clared (and his appearance proved it) that the ranfom was paid and accepted, and that having now overcome the fharpnefs of death, he had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Then he fpoke peace to their hearts, he opened their underftandings to know the fcriptures, and breathed upon them his Holy Spirit : He converfed frequently with them during forty days ; gave them a large commiffion to preach his gofpel, and an invaluable promife of his prefence with them to the end of the world. G 3 When ( 86 ) When he had thus confirmed them by thofe inftrudions and affurances, which his wifdom faw neceffary, he was received up to heaven. They followed him with their hearts and eyes a-while, and then returned to Jerufalem re joicing. They were not afhamed of their cru cified Lord, or unwilling to bear the contemp tuous names of Galileans or Nazarenes for his fake. They were not afraid, as if left like fheep without a fhepherd in the midft of their enemies. They knew that though they could fee him no more, his eye would be always upon them, and his ear open to their prayer: They waited according to his command for a farther fupply of his fpirit to qualify them for .the important and difficult fervices which Were before them. Nor did they wait long; a few days after his afcenfion, while they were ' praying -with one heart and mind, the place where they were affembled was fhaken as with a mighty wind : The fpirit of power and wif dom was abundantly communicated to them ; they fpoke with new tongues, and imme diately began to preach boldly in the name of the Lord Jefus. With this folemn and memorable event, I fhall open the fecond book, and take up the thread of the Gofpel Hiftory from that glo rious day of Divine Power. The contents of this firft book, namely, a brief view of the neceffity and nature of the gofpel difpenfation, the caufes why it is and has been oppofed, and the circumftances of the firft believers, I have pre- i ( »7 ) premifed as general principles for my own and the readers affiftance in the progrefs of the work. It is much to be wifhed that every reader might be impreffed with the importance of bur fubjed. It is not a point of curiofity, but of univerfal concern, and that in the higheft and moft interefting fenfe. Moft of the refearches and difquifitions which employ the time and talents of men, are of a trivial or indifferent nature : We may range on different fides con cerning them ; we may give or refufe or re- trad our aflent when and as often as we pleafe. We may be totally ignorant of them without lofs, or be fkilled in them all without deriving any folid comfort or advantage from them : But the gofpel of Chrift is not like the dry uninteresting theories of human wifdom ; it will either wound or heal, be a favour of life or of death, a fource of endlefs comfort or the occafion of aggravated condemnation to all that hear of it. , To receive it, is to receive the earneft and aflurance of eternal happinefs ; to rejed it, or remain wilfully ignorant of its charaders and properties, will leave the fou1 oppreffed with guilt, and expofed to the wrath of God for ever. It highly concerns us there fore to enquire, Whether we believe the gofpel or no ; whether what we call the gofpel is the fame that Chrift and his apoftles taught, and whether it has had the fame or fimilar effeds upon our hearts. We live where the gofpel is generally profeffed, and we are reputed Chrif tians (88 ) tians from our cradles j but the word of God cautions us to take heed left we be deceived. We fee Chriftianity divided into innumerable feds and parties, each fupported by names, arguments, and books, and fighting for the credit of a denomination : But how many for get that in a little time all thefe divifions and and fubdivifions will be reduced to two ; the only real and proper diftribution by which mankind (as to their religious charader) ever was or will be diftinguifhed, and according to which their final ftates will be fpeedily de cided — The children of God, and the children of tbe wicked one. BOOK BOOK II. The Second Period of Chrifiianity, That I may neither incumber the Series of the Hiftory with too many Digressions, nor d prive myfelf of the Opportunity of m-kirv^ fuch Obfervations as the Subjed: will fuggeft conducive to our main Deign ; I propofe in the firft Chapter of this and the fucceed ing Book, to give a fuccind View of the Progrefs and State of Chriftianity during each Period : And then by way of Appen dix, to add one or more Chapters (as may be neceffary) on fuch Particulars as are of more immediate Application to the Circum ftances of our own Times. Chap. r. Of the Progrefs of the Gof pel from our Lord's Afcenfion to the Clofe of* the firft Century. 2. Of the Life and Character of St. Paul confidered as an Exemplar or Pattern of a Minifter of Jefus Chrift. 3. Of the irregularities and Offences which appeared in the Apoftolic Churches. 4. Of the Herefies pro pagated by falfe teachers in the Apoftles Days. ( 90 ) CHAP. J. Of the Progrefs of the Gofpel from our Lerd's Afcenfion to the Clofe of tbe firft Century. I 1HE natural weaknefs of.man is con- fpicuous in his moft important under takings : having no fund of fufficiency in himfelf, he is forced to colled all from without, and if the greatnefs of his prepara tions are not anfwerable to the extent of his defigns, he has little hopes of fuccefs. Far ther, when he has planned and provided to the utmoft of his rower, he is ftill fubjed to in numerable contingencies, which he can neither forefee nor prevent ; and has often the mortifi-. cation to fee his faireft profpeds blafted, and the whole apparatus of his labour and care on ly contribute to make his difappointment more confpicuous and painful. . The reverfe of this is the charader of the wonder-working God. To his power every thing is eafy ; he knows how to employ every creature and contingence as a means to accom- plifh his defigns ; not a feeming difficulty can intervene but by his permiffion, and he only permits it to illuftrate his own wifdom and agency <9* ) agency, in making it fubfervient to his will: Thus having all hearts and events in his hands, he fulfils his own counfels with the utmoft eafe and certainty; and to fhew that the work is his own, he often proceeds bv fuch methods, ,as vain men account weak and ir.fignifica.itj producing the moft extenfive and glorious con fluences from fmall and inconfiderdble begin nings. Thus the. Lord of hofts hath purpofed to ftain the pride of all human glory. This obfervation might be confirmed by in numerable examples taken from the common hiftory and .experience of mankind ; but the fubjed of our prefent undertaking exhibits the moft illuftrious proof. When the Jews had feen Jefus crucified, dead and buried, they ex- peded to hear no more of him : His difciples were few, men of no authority, learning or influence; and fince their Mafter, who had made them fuch large promifes, was at laft unable to fave himfelf from death ; it was pro bably expeded that his followers would dif- pgrfe of courfe, forfake their fuppofed delu- fiens, and return to their fifhing, and other employments fuited to their capacities and talents. They knew not that Jefus had arifen from the dead, and had frequently fhewn himfelf to his fervants to comfort and confirm their hearts. They little thought that he, whom they had feen expire on the crofs, was im- moveably feated at the right hand of God, poffeffed of all power in heaven and earth ; but (92) but his difciples knew this, and therefore con tinued to affemble in his name. We do not find that there was much notice taken of them till the feaft of Pentecoft, which was about ten days after his afcenfion. At this feafon z by the Jewifh law, the firft fruits of the earth were prefented at the temple. An appoint ment, typical of thofe more fublime firft fruits of fpiritual gifts and graces with which tbe Lord on this day enriched his difciples, (ac cording to his promife) enabling them to preach his gofpel and make his word effedual to the converfion of a large multitude ; as an earneft of that divine power, by which he would fup port and extend his church and miniftry to the end of the world. , When the hearts of God's people are united in love, and pleading his promifes in the fer vent exercife of faith and prayer, great things may be expeded. Such was the happy ftate of the difciples on this folemn day : They were affembled with one accord; no jars or divifions had as yet taken place among them; they were animated with one defire, and pray ing with one mind ; fuddenly and wonderfully they obtained an anfwer : The place they were in was fhaken as by a mighty wind "; their hearts were filled with the powerful energy of the Holy Spirit, and they were in- ftantaneoufly 1 Tiberius, A. D. 33.] Infixing the dates of our hif tory, I fliall conform to what I think the moft probable and authorifed opinion ; without perplexing either myfelf or my readers with the niceties of critical chronology; a A<2s shap. 2. I ( 93 ) ftantaneoufly enabled to fpeak languages which till then they were unacquainted with. Thefe inward powers were accompanied with the vifible fymbols of fiery tongues, which fat up on each of their heads : — A fit emblem both of the new faculties they had received, and of the conquering, affimilating efficacy of the Spirit by whom they fpoke, whofe operations like the fire are vehement, penetrating, tranf- forming and diffufive ; fpreading from heart to heart, from place to place, till the flame, which was now confined within a few breafts, was communicated to many nations, people and languages. The effeds of this Divine Communication were immediately manifeft ; they were filled with love, joy, and faith, and began boldly and publickly to praife God. Their emotion and zeal could not be long unnoticed : Thofe who firft obferved it, fpoke of it to others, and a rumour was fpread abroad. Jerufalem was at that time the occafional refort of the Jews and Jewifh profelytes, who were dif- perfed throughout the known world, and multitudes had come from different countries to celebrate the feaft. The promifcuous throng, who affembled upon the report, and had been accuftomed to different languages, were therefore greatly aftonifhed to hear of the wonderful works of God, every man in his own tongue. While fome expreffed their furprize at this, others afcribed it to the effeds of wine, and fhewed their fcom and defpite to ( 94) to the fpirit of grace, by reviling the apoftles as drunkards. Thus they no fooner entered upon their public fervice, than they began to find the fame treatment which their Lord' had met with, and were for his fake the fiibjeds of calumny and derifion. This is a remarka ble inftance of the fagacity and temper which' the men of the world difcover in the jud'g- ment they form of a work of God: Nor is it probable, that our modern reafoners would' have judged more favourably,, if they could: have been prefent at fuch a fcene, where feve-' ral perfons were fpeaking loud at the fame time, and each in a different language: fince they account the Operations of the fame fpirit, madnefs and folly, even where they are not attended with fuch extraordinary circum ftances. This weak and perverfe flander was imme diately refuted by the apoftle Peter, who ad dreffed the people in a grave and folemn dif- courfe ; and having in few words explained the nature of the fad, and fhewn that it was* an accomplifhment of ancient prophecies, he proceeded to apply himfelf more clofely to their confciences. He affured them that what they faw and heard was wrought by the power of Jefus of Nazareth, whom they had re- jeded before Pilate. He informed them of that honour and glory which he now poffeffed, and charged them as accomplices in the mur der of a perfon, whofe charader and dignity God had vindicated, by railing him from the dead. ( 95) dead. Though our Saviour had but few dif ciples during his perfonal miniftry, he had doubtlefs left a deep impreffion of his words and works in the hearts of many. This dif- courfe of Peter would naturally recal him to the remembrance of thofe who had feen him in the flefh, and lead them to r.efled how eameftly and unjuftly they had at the inftiga- tion of their priefts compelled Pilate to put him to death. Thefe refledions, the clofenefs of Peter's addrefs, and the power of the Spirit of God, concurred to give them a deep con- vidion of their fin. They were pierced to the heart. They no longer wondered; as curious,, fpedators, but were folicitous for themfelves,, and cried out, Brethren, what fhall we do ? Peter then proceeded to open the treafureof Gofper-grace, and to dired them to Jefus whom they had crucified, for Salvation. The effed of this day's preaching (for though only Peter is named, it is probable' there were more than one preacher or one difcourfe) was fignally happy. Three thoufand fouls were converted, and, profeffing their faith and repentance, were by baptifm publickly joined to the church. A farther addition was foon after made : Pe ter and John b having recovered a man from incurable lamenefs, by faith in the name of Jefus, the report of the miracle brought a great concourfe of people together a fecond time. Peter improved the occafion to preach to them. at the temple-gate, to the purport of his for mer* b Ads chap. 3. ( 96) mer difcourfe. He had an attentive auditory, and his word was made effedual to the con verfion of many. But by this time the ene mies of Jefus were greatly alarmed at the pro grefs of his dodrine, and having c notice of what had paffed, the priefts and Sadducees vio lently apprehended Peter with John, and put them in prifon. : He had not finifhed his dif courfe, but he had faid enough to be remem bered ; and this interruption, with the bold- nefs of his following defence, made his words more regarded. The next day they were brought before the high prieft, rulers and elders ; and being afked concerning the late miracle, Peter, who once had trembled at the voice of a girl, was not afraid to ufe the ut moft freedom and plainnefs with the council and heads of the Jewifh nation. He confeffed the name and caufe of Jefus, reminded, them of their wickednefs in caufing him to be cru- fied, and in dired anfwer to their queftion, affured them that the miracle was wrought in his name and by his power. Though the council were highly offended with this lan guage, and the more fo, as they obferved the perfons c A&s 4. 16, 17. Many confutations have been held and devices framed to ftop the progrefs of the Gofpel, as if it was a dangerous infection. But all fuch attemps are vain, they may as eafily reftrain the dawning of the day as fupprefs the fpreading of the Gofpel, when- the Lord is pleafed to raife up fit inftruments to promote it, and to vouchfife a feafon of refreshment from his prefence. Then its influence cannot be reftrained, a fpark becomes a flame, a little one a multitude, and oppofition only makes the effeds more vifible and noticed.. ( 97 ) perfons who fpoke were private and unlettered men, yet being unable to deny the fad, (for the man who had been lame ftood before them) and unwilling to incur the odium of punifhing an adion they were afhamed to dif- approve, they diffembled their rage, and for bidding the apoftles to fpeak any more to the people, they difmiffed them : Yet thev did not depart until they had protefted againft this inhibition, and declared their refolution to obey God rather than men. The believers, tho' numerous, amounting to many thoufands, lived in harmony and love, as children of one family. The greater part of them were poor; thofe therefore who had eftates or money, willingly put their all into a common flock for the ufe of whole, which was entrufted to the care of the apoftles. This is recorded as an inftance of the benevolent and difinterefted fpirit with which the gofpel in- fpired them, but is not enjoyned as a precedent to be univerfally obferved, fince we have many proofs that the ufual diftindions in civil life were retained in other churches planted by the apoftles ; and it foon gave occafion to difcover, that in the beft focieties there may be found fome unworthy intruders, and that very fpe- cious adions may be performed from bafe and difhcnourable motives. Even under this richeft difpenfation of grace, there were fome profef fors influenced by no higher motives than hy pocrify and vain glory. d Ananias, with his H wife * Ads chap. 5. ( 98 ) wife Sapphira, attempted to impofe on the apoftles by a concerted lye, and would have had the praife of giving their whole fubftance, when their avarice would only permit them to fpare a part. As a warning to all pretenders who feek to join or ferve the church from fordid and felfifh views, Peter, by the direc tion of the Holy Ghoft, denounced a fevere fentence againft this unhappy pair, and they both fell dead e at his feet. The caufe and fuddennefs of their death was a vindication of the apoftles integrity and authority, and a fea fonable admonition to others, to deter any from attempting to affociate with the difciples who were not in heart devoted to the Lord. The numbers of the believers ftill increafed, and the report of the apoftles dodrine and mi racles extended from Jerufalem to the adjacent parts. The priefts and fadducees therefore foon renewed their efforts to fupprefs them : they apprehended the apoftles again, and put them in the common prifon as malefadors; but the Lord, to confirm the faith and courage of his people, and to fhew how eafily he can proted thofe who ferve him, delivered thera the fame night by his angel. In the morning, when their enemies were met, and commanded them to be brought to their tribunal, they were furprized to hear that the prifon doors were found fecure, and the prifoners all efcaped. They c The apoflolic cenfures were not like the papal anathe mas, bruta fulmina, words without efFe£t ; they were ac complished in an inftant. See Ads xiii. 12. ( 99 ) They were, however, foon informed that they were not gone far, but were preaching boldly to the people (as the angel had dtreded them) regardlefs of their adverfaries defigns againft them. They were alarmed at this no tice, and began to be apprehensive of the event f; yet, hurried on by their enmity to Jefus and his gofpel, they once more fent their officers to take them, which they attempted in the mildeft manner poffible ; for, as the profecu- tion was groundlefs and malicious, they were not without fear left the multitude fhould in- terpofe : but they had to do with the followers of Jefus, who would countenance no tumult in their own favour, and were neither afraid nor afhamed to confefs his name in the face of danger. The apoftles therefore peaceably yielded themfelves, and being brought before the council, were feverely queftioned for difregarding the late prohibition they had re ceived. Peter and the reft anfwered with their ufual firmnefs ; they avowed, the fad, and their determination to perfevere E, and charged them as the betrayers and murderers of Jefus H 2 in f Ads 5. 24. It is not only a fruitlefs, but a very uneafy undertaking to fight againft the truth and thofe who profels it. The boldeft and wifeft champions in this defperate caufe are often brought to their wits end, and to forefee their own difappointment. g Peter and the apoftles anfwered, We ought to obey God rather than men. It fhould feem that this (if any) may be called a natural maxim, and that the rudeft favage, or the leaft child that can ( ioo ) in ftronger terms than before. The majority of the council were exceedingly enraged at their boldnefs ; they were cut to the heart, and confulted to put them to death. But the more moderate advice of Gamaliel prevailed. He fhewed them, from fome recent inftances, that if this new fed was no more than an hu man inftitution, they need not give themfelves trouble to fupprefs it, for it would foon fink and difappear of itfelf ; but if it was indeed of God, their oppofition would be not only in vain, but in effed a rebellion againft God him felf; he therefore recommended milder me thods, and having confiderable repute among them for his wifdom, the reft affented to him. In this manner the Lord, who has the hearts of all in his power, delivered the apoftles a third time, by railing them an advocate from amongft their enemies. Yet, to fave appear ances, and that it might not be thought the council had proceeded fo far without good caufe, they were not difmiffed till they had been fcourged, and again enjoined filence. They departed rejoicing that they had the ho nour can be made to underftand the terms, muft aflent to the truth of the propofition, as readily as they perceive that two and two make four : how ftrange then is it, that men of the greateft parts and penetration, in other things, fo fel dom receive it ! There are few periods to be found, even in the chriftian church, in which thofe who fteadily aded upon this principle were not confidered as heretics of the- wdrft fort. ( 101 ) nour to fuffer difgraceh for the fake of Chrift* and returned to encourage their companions ; continuing ftill publicly, and from houfe to houfe, to teach and preach in the name of Jefus. 1 Thefe were happy times, when the whole company of the faithful were of one heart and mind, firmly united in affedion, fentiment, ordinance and pradice. Their adverfaries, tho' angry and defirous to injure them, were powerfully restrained by the Divine Providence, fb that they enjoyed peace in the midft of war, and were favoured with much grace in their hearts, and a daily increafe in their numbers. Yet it was not long before an occafion arofe which might have had unhappy effeds, if the wifdom and authority of the apoftles had not provided an early remedy. The church as yet confifted only of Jewifh believers ; but thefe were diftinguifhed into Jews properly fo called, that is, natives and inhabitants of Judea, and Hellenifts or Grecians, the name given to thofe H3 of * Here were faith and love in exercife : to fuffer reproach for Chrift was in their efteem an honour and privilege. It is mournful to obferve how little of this fpirit is to be found amongft us. How foon are we offended and troubled when our names are reproached, how uneafy to lie under con tempt, how impatient to juftify ourfelves, and to be thought well of by all perfons ! Far from accounting it an honour to be made conformable to Jefus in this refped, we feel it a burden which we are reftlefs to (hake off: yet it muft be borne, or we muft give up profeffion and all ; for neither are our charaders more refpedable than the firft chriftians, nor is the world better reconciled (o the things of God now than it was then. ' Ads 6. ( 102 ) of the Jewifh race and profeflion who had been difperfed and fettled in the heathen countries. Many of thefe (as has been obferved) were at that time in Jerufalem, and among the firft converts to the gofpel. As the multitude who were fupplied out of the common ftock was very great, it is no wonder ifa few individuals were overlooked : fome unavoidable inftances of this fort gave rife to a complaint not only of negligence but partiality in the diftribution of the money, and the Hellenifts, or ftrangers, thought the others had an undue preference fhewn them. The apoftles, tho' upright and impartial, were unable to do every thing them felves, and therefore, to prevent fuch miftakes and fufpicions, and that they might devote their whole time and attention to the more important fervices of the miniftry, they entirely diverted themfelves of the pecuniary charge, and by their advice feven men were chofen, on whom, by prayer and impofition of hands, they folemnly devolved this truft. Thus the office of deacons was inftituted : they were men full of wifdom and the Holy Ghoft, and to them the care of the public money and the fupport of the poor was peculiarly confided. gome of them (perhaps all) were occafionally preachers, but this was no part of their office as deacons. By this expedient the caufe of murmuring was taken away, and the peace of the church confirmed. Tjberius, A. D, 34.] Thus the gofpel fjourifhed in defiance of oppofition. The Jews, 3 provoked ( *o3 ) provoked more and more, began to lofe all patience ; the mild counfels of Gamaliel could no longer reftrain them, but their blinded paf fions hurried them to the laft extremities. Stephen, one of the feven deacons newly eleded, was the firft who received the honour and crown of martyrdom : his zeal for the truth did not begin with his new office, tho' it is probable his undertaking that charge might place him more in view, and expofe him more immediately to perfecution. Promotions in the world are attended with worldly advan tages ; but fuch promotions in the church as are agreeable to the fpirit of God, will rather entitle a man to a larger fhare of labours and fufferings, and the painful pre-eminence of ftanding in the fore-front of the battle, to fuftain the hotteft brunt of every ftorm.-' Stephen was no fooner a public perfon than he became the mark of public oppofition. At firft they pretended to difpute with him, but when they were unable to refift the wifdom and fpirit by which he fpake, they had re courfe to more effedual methods to filence him ; they fuborned falfe witnefs (a main inftrument of perfecution) againft him, and having framed fuch an accufation as was moft likely to alarm the prejudice and inflame the rage of the people, they brought him before the council, and charged him that he had fpoken blafphemous words againft Mofes and againft God. Stephen, tho' alone and unfup- ported in the midft of furious enemies, ap- H 4 peared (104 ) peared firm and unmoved as a rock in the midft of waves; he was not only devoid of fear, but filled with joy k; the teftimony of a good confcience, the honour of fuffering for his Lord, and a fenfe of the love of God fhed abroad in his heart, not only preferved his foul in peace, but fpread a luftre and glory upon his countenance, fo that all who fat in the council, looking upon him, faw his face as it had been the face of an angel. In fuch a dif pofition he thought it not worth while to at tempt his own defence, but employed the whole time allotted him, in behalf of his adver- faries, that if poffible, by a diftind review of God's dealing with their nation, and their be haviour towards him, he might engage them to confider their ways, to repent and believe the gofpel. While he fpake of the things that had been long fince tranfaded, and kept within the bounds of Mofes, David and Solomon, they had patience to hear him ; but when he began to make application to themfelves with that warmth and plainnefs which the cafe re quired, they could bear no more ; his words cut them to the heart ; they no longer pre ferved the exterior gravity of their ftations and charaders, but gnafhed at him with their teeth, as tho' they would have devoured him alive. But vain are the attempts of men to intimi date thofe whom the Lord is pleafed to com fort ; he is always near to fupport his faithful fervants, * Ads 7. ( 105 > fervants, and can manifeft himfelf in a way which the world knows nothing of. Such a feafonable and fufficient difcoverv he made of himfelf to Stephen. As he looked ftedfaftly up to heaven, filently appealing from the in- juftice of his judges, he faw the heavens opened, and Jefus ftanding in glory at the right hand of God, as attending to all that paffed, and ready to receive him to himfelf. Tranfported with this divine aflurance, he was not at leifure to drop a fingle word to foften his incenfed enemies : he endeavoured to communicate the glorious idea with which his foul was filled, and without regarding the fure confequences of fuch a de-' claration, he told them plainly what he faw. This determined their refolves. Hitherto they had been willing to preferve the form, at leaft, of a judicial procefs ; but now, renouncing every restraint, and unmindful of their late acknowledgment to Pilate, that it was not lawful for them to put any man to death, they flopped their ears to fhut out any remonftrance that might be offered, dragged him violently out of the city, and ftoned him to death. His dying deportment, which fhewed how emi nently he was filled with the fpirit of Jefus, whom he faw, is recorded as a fit pattern for the imitation of all who fhould be called to fuffer for the truth -in fucceeding times ; he kneeled down with the fweeteft compofure, and having committed his departing foul into his Redeemer's hands, his only remaining con cern was for his murderers ; and his laftbreath was ( 106 ) ' was a prayer that this fin might not.be laid to their charge. Such refolution in the defence of truth, fuch calmnefs under fufferings, fuch tendernefs and compaffion towards thofe who oppofe, are the fureft marks of a high attain ment in Chriftianity. The death of Stephen, far from fatiating the rage of the rulerc1, rather animated and excited them to new mifchief; they obferved no far ther meafuses, but gave full vent to their cruelty, and railed a general perfecution againft the churcii. A young man named Saul, whom the Lord from before his birth had defigned for a nobler fervice, was at this time one of their moft zealous and adive inftruments; he haO been a confenting fpedater of Stephen's death, and kept the raiment of thofe that flew him. Encouraged by their example, he foon entered upon adion himfelf, and made havock of the church, forcibly entering into their houfes and dragging many to prifon, both men and women : the difciples therefore, according to their Lord's dirediou"1, gave way to the ftorm, and difperfed themfelves throughout Judea and Samaria, fpreading the knowledge of the gofpel wherever they went. Thus the methods taken to fupprefs the truth proved (as they often have fince) the means of pro moting its progrefs : yet the Lord, who ap points limits beyond which the fiercest attempts of men cannot pafs, preferved the apoftles in fafety at Jerufalem, where he had farther oc cafion 1 Ads 8. m Matt. 10. 23. ( io7 ) cafion for their fervice. Amongft the many who left the city was Philip, another of the deacons : he preached Chrift and his gofpel in Samaria, performed many cures and miracles among the people, and a great number received faith and were baptized. Here the gofpel triumphed over the illufions of Simon firnamed Magus, or the Sorcerer, who by his vain arts and arrogant pretenfions had long held the people in fubjedion and aftonifhment ; but the fuperior power of truth difpelled the charm, his votaries forfook him, and even the impoftor himfelf was fo far convinced that Philip aded by that divine power and authority to which he had only pretended, that he profeffed him felf a believer likewife, and behaved fo fairly that Philip admitted him to baptifm without fufpicion ; but when, foon after, Peter n and John came to Samaria, to communicate the gifts of the Holy Ghoft to the new difciples by impofition of hands, Simon difcovered his true charader, he offered money for a power to impart the fame gifts ; a propofal which fhe wed " Ads 8. 14. They fent Peter and John. We find nothing in this book to countenance the pre-eminence which the papifts afcribe to Peter ; he and John were de puted by all the apoftles, and went upon equal terms ; Peter did not fend John, nor go himfelf, without the advice and diredion of the reft. John had once defired to call for fire from heaven upon the Samaritans, but be was now better inftruded, and gladly went to impart to them the beft gifts he could beftow. If the Lord is pleafed to make any partakers of the fame precious faith with ourfelves, tho' they were once enemies, we fhould gladly forget all that is paft, and receive them as dear brethren and intimate friends. ( io8) fhewed his ignorance, wickednefs and ambi tion in the ftrongeft light, and proved him an entire ftranger to the grace of God. From him the hateful pradice of merchandizing in fpiritual concerns has derived the name of Simony, a crime which, tho' condemned by the laws of every chriftian country, as highly injurious and ° reproachful to the gofpel of Chrift, no laws or obligations have hitherto been able to fupprefs. Peter feverely rebuked his hypocrify, yet exhorted him to repentance and prayer. His words feemed to have fome weight with Simon for the prefent, but we hear no more of him among the believers : on the contrary, he is recorded in hiftory as an inveterate enemy to the faith and purity of the gofpel, and the author of thofe wild, abfurd and impure heresies which disturbed the firft ages of the church. About this time an eunuch, or great officer, of Candace queen of Ethiopia, who had been worfhipping at Jerufalem (which makes it probable that he was a profelyte to the faith of the ° In thefe abufes the church of Rome feems to derive rather from Simon Magus than from Simon Peter; yet it is to be wifhed fuch pradices were confined to the church of Rome only. Our laws have guarded againft them by a very folemn and circumftantial oath ; but that this oath, if not literally broken, is often fcandaloufly evaded, we need no other proof than the fhameful advertifements which fre quently appear in our public papers, not to fay that tho' there is no money in the cafe, yet all prefentations, ex changes and advancement that are tranfaded upon inte- refted views, are fo far limoniacal, in the fight of him who judges the heart. ( lo9 ) the God of Ifrael) was returning homeward. Tho' this nobleman had been at Jerufalem, he had either not heard of the apoftles and their new dodrines, or, being influenced by the priefts and rulers, had not thought them wor thy his notice. He was going home ignorant as he came, but the Lord, who is mindful of his people when they think not of him, ap points the time and the means of bringing them to the knowledge of the truth : and thefe are often feemingly precarious and contingent, that the work may more clearly be known to be his, and the praife afcribed to his power and providence. Philip, by the diredion of an angel, intercepted the Ethiopian upon the road :' he found him well employed, reading the prophet Ifaiah as he fat in his chariot : he had a very confufed idea of the paffage he was reading, but he knew it contained an important meaning, and was defirous to difcover it. Thofe who have a juft fenfe of the excellence of the fcripture, and perufe it, as he did, with a fincere intention to be inftruded by it, may be encouraged from this inftance to perfevere, tho' they find it at prefent hard to be under ftood : he who gave them the defire, will, in due time, provide them a teacher, and make dark things plain to them. When Philip drew near, and afked him, without ceremony, if he underftood what he read, he was not offended with the abruptnefs of his addrefs, but cour- teoufly invited him to fit with him, confeffing his ignorance, and the need he had of affiftance. The ( "o) The paffage which had perplexed him afforded Philip a fair opportunity of preaching Jefus : the eunuch believed, and was baptized in a water they were paffing by. In this cafe there feems to have been no exertion of an outward miracle to confirm the word, nor was it necef fary : the manner of Philip's meeting with him, the fuitablenefs of the queftion to the dubious ftate of his mind, and the difcovery he obtained, that the prophetical marks of the Meffiah exadly coincided with the hiftory of Jefus, afforded him fufficient evidence. The only extraordinary circumftance was the fud- den difappearing of Philip, who, having per formed his fervice, was removed by the power of the fpirit to Azotus, a place thirty miles di ftant; from whence proceeding along the fea- coaft, he preached at Joppa, Lydia, and all the intermediate places till he came toCefarea. In the mean time the eunuch, rejoicing in the Lord's goodnefs, purfued his journey to Ethio pia. We have no farther account of him in the New Teftament, but fome antient writers affure us, that he was the means of propagating the faith which he had received, firft in his own country, and afterwards in places ftill more remote. Tiberius, A. D. 35.] The church having fuffered much from the violence of the perfe cution, the Lord was pleafed to afford them intermiflion, and to give a remarkable p proof of the power of his grace, by the converfion of f Ads 9. ( III ) of Saul, one of their fierceft oppofers. He had been educated a pharifee, in a zealous at tachment to the law, and from a miftaken principle of confcience, thought it his duty to fupprefs the followers of Jefus ; the warmth of his temper prompted him to uncommon earneftnefs againft them, and as he was a young man, he was probably farther inftigated by a defire to ingratiate himfelf with the Jewifh rulers. Not content with the mifchief he had done at Jerufalem, he ftill breathed out threat- nings and flaughter againft them, and medi tated their deftrudion even in diftant places. With this view he obtained letters of authority from the chief priefts, and fet out for Damafcus, that if he found any difciples there, he might bring them bound with him to Jerufalem. Little was he aware of the event of his jour ney ! little did the believers imagine that the man, who now thirfted for their blood, would foon be their companion and leader ! The Lord often permits thofe to whom he fhews mercy, to run great previous lengths in their obftinacy and ignorance ; their fubfequent change is hereby more noticed, the riches of his grace are more remarkably exemplified for the encouragement of others, and fuch perfons, from a lively fenfe of their paft wickednefs, and the undeferved favour they have received, are ufually more ftrongly impreffed with a fenfe of divine love, and more warmly devoted to his fervice. Some fuch there have been in every period of the church, and efpecially when- ( »* ) whenever there has been a remarkable revival of the power of godlinefs. When Saul was drawing near to Damafcus, perhaps within fight of the city, anticipating his bloody de figns, and exulting in thought over the de- fencelefs fheep of Chrift, whom he had been taught to confider as fchifmatics and heretics, who deferved to be extirpated from the face of the earth ; he was fuddenly furrounded by a glorious light, exceeding the brightnefs of the mid- day fun, and heard a voice, not of uncer tain application, but expoftulating with him by name, Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou me ? If he was alarmed at the queftion, he was much more fo, when, upon afking, Who art Thou, Lord ? he was anfwered, I am Jefus the * Nazarene, whom thou perfecuteft. So nearly is the Lord interefted in his people, and fo dangerous is it to injure them : he accounts their caufe, their fufferings, their enemies, his own. The Nazarene was an epithet of con tempt affixed to the name of Jefus by thofe who hated r him, and it is probable that Saul had often fpoke of him in thefe terms; but now he found himfelf in the Nazarene' s power, and unable either to efcape or to plead ; he fell to the earth trembling and aftonifhed be yond expreffion ; he not only heard his voice but faw his s perfon, an interview which he could not have fuftained a moment, if the glory i This is the exad import of the Greek, ivcx; h Ni^wiiS- Ads 22. 8. r And for this reafon inferted in the title which Pilate put over his crofs. * Ads 9. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 9. ( us ) glory of Jefus had not been tempered with the milder beams of grace and love. The Lord fpared him, accepted his feeble furrender of himfelf, moderated his fears, and difmiffed him to Damafcus, as a willing trophy of his vidorious grace, and a fingular inftance how eafily he can fubdue the hardeft hearts to him felf. The brightnefs of the vifion had over- power'd his bodily eyes, fo that he was led by the hand ; but the eyes of his mind were opened ; his heart, his aims were changed ; he was become a new man, and inftead of threatenings and flaughter, he now breathed prayer and devotion to Jefus, and love to his people : he remained at Damafcus three days without fight or food, but the Lord remem bered his diftrefs, and fent to him a difciple named Ananias, who, from the charader he had heard of him, was at firft greatly furprized at the command he received to go to fuch a perfon ; but the Lord condefcended to acquaint him that Saul was a chofen inftrument, whom he had appointed to do and fuffer great things for his fake. When Ananias laid his hands on him, a thick film, refembling fcales, fell from his eyes; his fight was reftored, his- mind compofed, and he was immediately bap tized. Saul had feveral companions with him in his journey, who faw the dazzling light, heard the found of the voice which fpoke to him, 'and fell to the ground with furprize as he did ; they knew enough of the circumftances of the cafe to witnefs for him, that he neither I impofed ( Il4 ) impofed upon others nor himfelf; but we have no account that any of them were converted, the moft extraordinary occurrences being in- fufficient to change the heart, without the in terpofition of divine grace. Thus the late perfecuting Saul was numbered with the difciples, and foon diftinguifhed him felf amongft them : he now knew by expe rience the wickednefs and danger of oppofing the gofpel, and was defirous to repair the mif chief of his former rage and ill example. A fenfe of the mercy he had received, and com paffion for the fouls of others, made him feek every opportunity to perfuade and convince the Jews, his former companions and brethren ; but he foon found the fame treatment from them, which he himfelf had often offered to the difciples: they oppofed and vilified him as an apoftate, and at length confulted to kill him : his former zeal in their caufe was for got, or, if remembered, it was an argument fuited to inflame their refentment. But no counfel can prevail againft thofe whom the Lord prpteds. Saul had timely notice of their defigns, and becaufe they watched the gates of the city inceffantly, he was let down by a basket l over the wall ; for tho' he neither diftrufted 1 2 Cor. ii. 33. Through a window in a bafket was- 1 let doivn by the wall. The Lord often confounds the pride of his enemies by the manner in which he delivers his fer vants : he permits violent oppofitions and great preparations to be made againft them, and then difconcerts' the combi nations of the many, and the mighty, by feeble and un- thought-of means. ( ttS ) diftrufted his caufe nor his protedor, he Was not unmindful to employ prudent means for his prefervation. But before this he had made fome excurfions from Damafcus, and vifited Arabia ; for his own words affure us, that it was not till the third year after his converfion that he returned to Jerufalem. In this inter val the Lord, who had appeared to him in the way, by fubfequent revelations, fully inftruded him in the knowledge of his will, and quali fied him for the apoftolical office ; fo that he could afterwards fay, that he received neither his authority nor his information from men. When he came to Jerufalem he would have joined himfelf to the difciples, but they, re membering his former condud, and not clear ly informed of the manner and reality of his change, were at firft afraid of him. They had a right to be fatisfied of his fincerity. But being foon afterwards introduced by Bar nabas, he related to them the means of his converfion, and the occafion of his leaving Damafcus. He continued for fome time in Jerufalem and the neighbourhood, preaching and difputing in the name of the Lord Jefus. The Jews, who hated all the fervants of Chrift, could not but be particularly enraged at him, who had forfaken their party : againft him therefore they chiefly fet themfelves, and making repeated attempts to kill him, he withdrew again from Judea, and went thro' Syria to Tarfus in Cilicia, his native place. I 2 •> Caligula, ( zi6 ) Caligula, A.D. 38.] "Upon his recefs the churches in Judea, Samaria and Galilee had an interval of reft. The Jews, about this time, were taken up with their own affairs. Caligula, who had lately fucceeded Tiberius in the empire, prefumed to arrogate divine worfhip to himfelf, and commanded altars and temples to be ereded to his honour: he was readily obeyed in many places, but when he required his ftatue to be put up in the temple at Jerufalem, the Jewifh nation engaged as wone man to prevent it. They had rejeded the holy one and the true, and the troubles were now beginning to take place, which ended at length in their total ruin and extirpation. Againft this firft affront and prophanation intended to their temple, they united in earneft fupplications to Petro- nius, the governor of Syria, and with much entreaty obtained permiffion to fend their de puties to the emperor, who was, tho' with great difficulty, prevailed on to defift from his purpofe as to the temple ; but at the fame time he forbad them, under the fevereft penal ties, to oppofe the eredion or dedication of temples a The churches had reft, and walked in the fear of the Lord, and the comforts of the Holy Ghoft, and were edified and multiplied. Ads 9. 31. Some well-meaning perfons feem to forget this paffage, when they take it for granted, that the work of God cannot flourifh, except there is a violent outward oppofition againft it. The world will diflike the gofpel, but it is poffible in fome meafure to put to filence the ignorance of foolifb men by well-doing ; and the Lord can, and often does, favour his people with peace, and put their enemies under reftraint. w Jofephus de Bell- Jud. lib. 2. ( H7) temples to him, in any place without the city of Jerufalem. This injundion encouraged their enemies to affront their religion where- ever they pleafed, and laid a foundation for innumerable difturbances and diffentions, in which the Jews, whether aggreffors or not, were always the greateft fufferers. While they were thus diftraded among themfelves, the believers enjoyed a favourable refpite, and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghoft, were edified and increafed. A. D. 39.] As Peter had formerly feconded the labours of Philip, the deacon at Samaria, he now vifited thofe places where he had preached on his way to Cefarea, and ftrength ened the difciples he found there, by his doc trine and miracles. At Lydda* he reftored a man to immediate health, who had been many years ill of a dropfy. Being afterwards invited to Joppa, he raifed Tabitha or Dorcas to life, to the great joy of the poor and the widows I 3 whom * Ads 9. 32. He came to the faints at Lydda. The Scripture does not ufe the word faint in the narrow and ap propriate fenfe of fome, or with that improper extent which others have given to it in after times ; it is neither peculiar to apoftles and fathers, nor applicable to all who bear it in the Roman calendar, but it is the common appellation of all who believe in the Lord Jefus Chrift, and are laved from fin and condemnation by his grace. There have been faints in all ages, but real faints (while living) have ufually been branded with opprobious names. The world, which knows not Chrift, cannot diftinguifh his people, but will rather give the title of faints to many who have hated and perfq- cuted the gofpel. C n8 ) whom fhe had affifted by her alms and labours. While he made fome ftay here, his commiffion was enlarged, and he received diredion from the Lord to communicate the gofpel to the Gentiles, which had hitherto been restrained to the Jews, except in the cafe of the eunuch, for which Philip had been authorized by the exprefs command of an angel. When our Lord fent forth the apoftles to preach, while he was yet upon earth, he ex- prefsly confined their miffion to the houfe of Ifrael, and though, after his refurredion, he commanded them to difciple all nations, they did not immediately underftand the extent of his meaning ; tho' they were under an infal lible guidance, they were not fully inftruded at once, but received intimations of their duty from time to time, as circumftances varied, and as the defigns of Divine Providence were fucceffively opening. The great fhepherd and head of the church has an appointed time and manner for the accomplifhment of all his pur pofes ; nothing can be effedually done, but when and where he pleafes : but when his hour is come, then hard things become eafy> and crooked things ftrait ; his word, fpirit and providence then will all concur to make the path of duty plain to thofe who ferve him, tho" perhaps, till this knowledge is neceffary, he permits them to remain ignorant of what he has defigned them for. By this difcipline they are taught to depend entirely upon him, and are afterwards more fully affured that he 3 has ( "9 ) has fent and fucceeded them. Peter was not yet freed from the Jewifh prejudice, that all intercourfe with the heathens was unlawful ; or if he had been fo himfelf, he could not have eafiiy convinced the many thoufands of his brethren who laboured under the fame miftake. This fervice was therefore pointed out to him by means which left no room for doubt in his own mind, and enabled him fully to vindicate his condud toothers. y Cornelius, a Roman centurion, or captain, with his family and dependents, were the firft fruits of the Gentile converts. He lived at Casfarea, a city not far from Joppa, and which was the ordinary refidence of the Roman go vernors, and therefore promifcuoufly inhabited by Gentiles and Jews. It is not probable that he had never heard of Chrift, or the new in ftitution that was fpreading under his name; but, without doubt, what he knew of it was only from public rumour, in which the mifre- prefentations of malice, and the furmizes of ignorance ufually fo far prevail, that perfons of the beft difpofitions are often deterred from making thofe enquiries which the importance of truth deferves But the Lord, whom he knew not, had been gradually preparing him for the reception of the gofpel : he was already reclaimed from idolatry ; he was a devout worfhipper of God, exemplary in his family, juft in his dealings, and charitable to the poor. How few of thofe now called chriftians can equal y Ads 10. ( 120 ) equal his charader, while a ftranger to the gofpel, we may colled from daily obfervation. Yet thofe who plead for the fufficiency of what they ftile natural religion, would do well to obferve, that tho' he was in many refpeds a good man, and his sincerity was approved by God himfelf, yet he lacked one thing. But none who are made sincerely defirous to know the will of God, fhall be left finally deftitute; he will find a way to give them neceffary in formation. Cornelius, who had often waited upon God by faffing and prayer, and had, doubtlefs, at times, felt that fufpence and anxiety which can only be entirely removed by a clear knowledge of the gofpel covenant, obtained at length an illuftrious anfwer : an angel appeared to him, affured him that his prayer was heard, and direded him to fend for Peter, who fhould inform him more fully of his duty. It is obfervable that, tho' the angel was fo minutely exad in his diredions, as to mention the ftreet and the very houfe where Peter re fided, he faid not a word of the gofpel to Cor nelius, but referred him wholly to Peter. The wifdom and goodnefs of God is pleafed to make his people instrumental in teaching each Other. This not only fecures the honour of the fuccefs to him alone, but it conduces to their comfort and advantage. An angel could only fpeak hiftorically, that the thing is fo, but it comes nearer to our leyel when delivered by ( 121) by men who have been in the very cafe of others, and can fay experimentally, that they have found it fo. Who fo fit to commend the phyfician's fkill and tendernefs, as thofe who have been themfelves cured by him of a defpe rate difeafe? Peter had himfelf tafted that the Lord was gracious ; he had greatly finned, yet had been freely forgiven ; he had feen his excellent glory upon the mount, and had re ceived an exprefs commiffion from his mouth. In thefe, and other refpeds, he was a proper perfon to proclaim him to others, more fo than an angel from heaven. We may therefore fafely infer, a fortiori, that no man, however great his talents may otherwife be, can be qualified or fit to preach the gofpel, until he has known the evil of fin himfelf, and been a partaker of the pardoning grace of God thro' a crucified Redeemer. Cornelius was not difobedient to the heavenly vifion : his example and inftrudions had been a bleffing to his houfhold, fo that he had fe r- vants about him to whom he could communi cate this extraordinary event, and depend on their fidelity. Having related his vifion to them, he fent them to Joppa, to invite Peter to his houfe. When they departed from Caefarea, Peter was under the influence of the national preju dice, which would hardly have permitted him to have gone with them ; but while they were on the journey, the Lord prepared his mind to ( 122 ) to comply. The time was now* come, when it was neceffary he fhould know the extenfive defigns of God in favour of finners of all na tions, people and languages, and that tbe par tition-wall between Jews and Gentiles was broken down and taken away by the death of Chrift. He received this intimation by a vi fion, which exadly correfponded in its circum ftances with the cafe in hand. About noon the following day, when the meffengers were near to Joppa, he was retired to the top of the houfe, for the convenient exercife of fecret prayer, and having an appetite for food, he faw, as it were, a large fheet or wrapper let down from heaven, fufpended by the four corners, containing all forts of beafts, birds and reptiles, without any regard to the. ceremonial diftindion of clean and unclean : this appear ance was accompanied with a voice direding him, To flay and eat. When he anfwered, That he had never yet tranfgreffed the law, by eating unclean food ; the voice replied, What God hath cleanfed, that call not thou common or unclean. To imprefs the whole upon his mind, and to convince him that the vifion was real and fignificant, it was repeated three 1 In the Lord's difpenfations in favour of his people, there is often a counterpart refembling that which is related in this chapter. The minds of two or more perfons are inclined, by different means, to concur in the fame defign, tho' perhaps they are far afunder, and know nothing of each other's intentions : in time, circumftances fall out which conned their views, and prove that the whole was from the Lord. ( 123 ) three times. When it was finally withdrawn, and while he was thinking3 what it might im port, the men fent by Cornelius were enquiring for him at the door below, of which receiving previous notice by the fecret fuggeftion of the fpirit of God, and being direded to go with them without hefitation, he went down and fpoke to them before they had time to fend him word of their arrival by the people of the houfe. When he had heard their bufinefs, and compared the vifion of Cornelius with his own, he fcrupled no longer, but lodging the strangers that night, he accompanied them the next day, taking with him five of the brethren from Joppa, to be witneffes of what the Lord intended to do. Cornelius, who earnestly ex- peded his arrival, had affembled his friends and dependants againft his coming : he received Peter before them all with the greateft refped and cordiality, and gave him a particular, ac count of what had paft, profeffing that both he and his friends were ready to receive and obey his inftrudions. Peter now perceived and acknowledged the great truth the Lord had pointed out by fo many harmonizing cir cumftances, That the bleffings of the gofpel were ¦ Peter was faithful to the light he had already received, and did not haftily follow the firft impulfe upon his mind : tho' the liberty feemed to be authorized by a voice from heaven, he did not aceept it without confideration. His example ftiould be confidered by thofe who give themfelves up to the influence of every fudden imprefTion, without taking time to confider its nature and tendency, and how far it is coniiftent with the revealed will of God. ( 124) were no longer to be confined to the Jews, but that Jefus was appointed to be a light to enlighten b the Gentiles alfo. In his difcourfe to them he declared the perfon, charader and offices of Jefus, who had been lately crucified, affirming himfelf to have been an eye-witnefs of what he related ; he afferted his honour and authority as the Lord of all, the fovereign judge of the living and the dead ; that he was the Divine Saviour fpoken of by the prophets, and that all who believed in his name fhould receive the remiffion of fin. Here we fee the apoftle's dodrine to the Gentiles was the fame that he had preached at Jerufalem upon and after b Ads 10. 34. Few paflages of fcripture feem to have been more mifunderftood and mifreprefented than this and the following verfe ; as fome have prefumed that St. Paul's doftrine of juftification is correded, if not confuted, by St, James. So the apoftle Peter has been fuppofed to contra- did both St. Paul and himfelf (fee 1 Pet. 1. ver. 1, 2.) in another important truth of the gofpel. This miftake is more exculable in thofe who do not underftand the original; but thofe who do, ought not to avail themfelves of an am biguous word. The Greek ireotran©', from whence vreeo-u- vu)wt\v<; is derived, does not convey the fame idea that an Englifh reader receives from the word perfon ; it does not properly fignify a perfonal identity, but the outward ap pearance and circumftance of a perfon or thing. Thus it is fometimes rendered face, as Matt. 6. 16, and many other places, and is applied to the iky or air, Matt. 16. 3. coun tenance, Luke 9. 29. prefence, 2 Cor. 10. 1. fajhion, James 1. n. The meaning here is the fame as in Colofi". 3. 25. The Lord is not moved by the outward diftindions and differences amongft men, to which we often pay regard. (Compare 1 Sam. 16. 7.) He neither receives or rejeds any for being Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, bond or free, male or' female, but is rich in mercy to all who call upon - him. ( 125) after the day of Pentecoft, and the fame with what our Lord had declared cohcerning him felf; a free and compleat falvation by faith. He did not in the leaft attempt to accommo date his fubjed to any fuppofed prejudices of his new hearers, but faithfully acquitted him felf of his meffage, and left the event to God. The myftery of Chrift crucified, which was a ftumbling block to the Jews, was, by many of the Gentiles accounted foolifhnefs and ab furdity, but the apoftles propofed it fimply and indifferently to all. In the prefent cafe, the fuccefs was (what has perhaps feldom hap pened) univerfal ; the whole company be lieved, and received the Holy Ghoft imme diately, previous to baptifm, and without the ufual impofition of the apoftle's hands. This fignal atteftation with which the Lord ho noured their faith, unanfwerably removing every doubt concerning their fitnefs, Peter im mediately direded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jefus, thro' whom they had already received that inward and fpiritual grace, of which baptifm was the outwatd and vifible fign. When this affair was reported in Judea, it was not at firft agreeable to thofe who knew not the warrant and grounds on which Peter had proceeded ; fo that, when he returned to Jerufalem, he found himfelf under a neceffity of vindicating0 his condud to the Jewifh con verts : a full proof that they did not think him infallible, c Ads ii. ( 126 ) infallible, or poffefled of that fuperiority ovef the whole church, which defigning men, for promoting their own ends, have fince afcribed to him. But tho' he was an apoftle, and had aded by the exprefs command of God, and tho' their expostulation feems to have been hafty and rough, yet he did not think it be neath him to give an orderly and circumstan tial account of the whole bufinefs: they, on the other hand, were open to convidion, and, when they had heard his relation, they in- ftantly acquiefced, and glorified God for his grace given to the Gentiles. This mutual condefcenfion and ingenuoufnefs preferved the firft chriftians in peace, tho' they were not al ways exempted from miftakes and wrong im- preffions. By this time the believers, who had been difperfed by perfecution, had fpread the gofpel beyond the bounds of Judea and Galilee into Cyprus and Syria, and probably to more di ftant parts, particularly to Rome, which being the centre and conflux of the empire, would hardly be long unvifited ; howeyer, in all pl'aces the preaching of the word was confined to the Jews, till Peter's miffion to Cornelius afforded an authorized precedent for imparting it to the heathens. A. D. 40.] It was foon after publicly preached in Antioch, the capital of Syria, and no lefs eminent for luxury and depravity of manners ; yet amongft thefe diffolute and enfiaved people, the gofpel of Chrift, accom- ( I27 ) accompanied with a divine power, was fud denly and remarkably prevalent to turn a great multitude from darknefs to light, and from the power of Satan to God. The means of this happy change are exprefsly mentioned : What the Philofophers had long attempted in vain, by cold encomiums on the beauty of virtue, was fpeedily effeded by thofe who fimply preached the Lord Jefus, as the author, finifher and fountain of falvation. When the news of this good beginning was brought to Jerufalem, the apoftles fent Barnabas to An tioch, who, being a good man, and full of try? Holy Ghoft himfelf, was greatly rejoiced when he faw the numbers and sincerity of the converts, and animated them, by his exhorta tions, to cleave to the Lord with fteady refolu tion ; for he was fenfible of what they, per haps, were Tittle aware of as yet, how many arts the enemy of fouls employs to difcourage tffofe who are beginning to walk in Wifdom' s ways. He afterwards went to Saul, and pre vailed on him to leave Tarfus, and join with him in " the fervice of the gofpel at Antioch. By the Lord's bleffing on the endeavours of thefe faithful labourers, the church was fo greatly encreafed, that the believers there firft received the general denomination of Chrif tians : a fignificant and inftrudive appellation, ftrongly importing their duty and relation to Chrift, and to each other, and has therefore univerfally obtained, and will probably fubfift to the end of time. But tho' this name is ac counted honourable with us, and has always been ( 128) been deemed, by thofe who truly deferve it, the nobleft title, the 'higheft ftyle of man, it had not the fame general eftimation when firft im pofed ; in the mouth of unbelievers, whether Jews or Heathens, it was a term of infamy and reproach, and expreffive of the higheft contempt d, and may be therefore ranked among the many opprobious epithets by which the Lord's faithful followers have been marked out to the rage and fcorn of the world. Caligula, having rendered himfelf univer fally odious by his inhumanity and caprice, was affaffinated in his palace, in the fourth year of his reign e. Claudius, A. D. 41.] He was fuc ceeded by Claudius, who, foon after his entrance on the government, beftowed the kingdom of Judea on Herod Agrippa, a grand- fon of Herod ftiled the Great (mentioned Matt. 2.) and nephew to Herod the Tetrarch, who put John the Baptift to death. Trfis prince experienced much of that viciffitude which ufually attends ambition ; he had been detained in prifon and chains by Tiberius, greatly favoured and advanced by Caligula, and now feemed to have attained the fummit of his wifhes ; but employing his power to perfecute the church, he was fuddenly cut off in * quos per flagitia invifos vulgus Chriftianos appel- labat : audor nominis ejus Chriftus, qui Tiberio imperante, per procuratorem Ponticum Pilatum fuppliciis affedus erat. Tacitus, ann. 15. * Jofephus's Ant. lib. 10. ( 129 ) n the height of his profperity : For who can harden f himfelf againft the Lord and profjfer ! Herod was a profeffed zealot for the law of Mofes and the Jewifh inftitutions, and ftudied by every means to ingratiate himfelf with the people. He firft expended vaft fums in the de fence and ornament of the city ; but it was in his power to attempt a ftill more acceptable fervice, by exerting his authority againft the people of Chrift: and the motives of vanity and popularity, by which he was governed, prompted him to embrace the occafion. He began by apprehending the apoftle James, the fon of Zebedee, whom he haftily put to death ; and finding that the Jews were highly pleafed with this ftep, he proceeded to impri- fon Peter, intending to delay his execution till after the paffover, [A. D. 44.] that his zeal againft thefe innovators might be applauded by a greater number of fpedators. This ftroke, tho' very afflidive to the church, was wifely permitted, to illuftrate the courage and fidelity of the apoftles : it fhewed that their miracu lous powers and high office afforded them no fure exemption from perfecution, but that they ventured and aded upon the fame principles of faith and love to Jefus, in common with other believers. Thus James finifhed kis courfe, and received the crown the firft of the apoftles. But Peter, being defigned for farther fervices, was ftill fafe, though, to an eye of fenfe, he feemed marked out for a fpeedy facrifice : in- K ceffant f Ads 12. ( '3° ) ceffant prayer was made on his behalf by the difciples ; and the united prayers of God's people have an efficacy which can be withftood by no human power : when he inclines them to join with earneftnefs and perfeverance in prayer, it is becaufe he has already determined to grant their petition. In this cafe the anfwer was fignal, tho' not immediate. The night before Peter was to have been brought forth to fuffer, he was fleeping between his keepers with that ferenity which is peculiar to thofe who have a good caufe, a good confcience, and a fteady faith in God : neither the inconve niences of a prifon, nor the expedation of death, could difcompofe him, for he knew in whom he had believed ; but he was awakened by an angel, who freed him from his chains, opened the prifon-doors, and brought him into the ftreet unperceived by the guards. After the angel had thus fet him at liberty, and was departed, Peter went to the houfe where his friends were at that inftant praying for his deliverance. Thus they had a remark able proof that the Lord is indeed a God that heareth prayer ; and it is recorded for our en couragement. In the morning, Herod found himfelf dif appointed of his prey. The guards, upon ex- ' ainations, being unable to give an account -jaf their prifoner, he commanded them to be put to E Herod examined them himfelf. It is probable he found ftrong reafon to think Peter had been miraculoufly deli vered, ( *3i ) to death. It is probable that Herod, or his adyifers, might fufped a miraculous interpo fition (as the apoftles had been delivered the fame way a few years before;) but to punifh the keepers, as if they had been guilty of con niving at his efcape, was the moft likely me thod to ftop farther enquiry, and prevent the people from fuppofing any thing extraordinary in the affair. Herod did not long furvive this event. He lived and died a monument of the inftability of human greatnefs. He was much devoted to his Roman mafters, and had a tafte for their magnificence. This induced him to celebrate games and fhews at Cafarea, in honour of the emperor : here he laboured to difplay the ut moft of his grandeur. His pride was farther flattered by the arrival of an embaffy from Tyre and Sidon. Thefe cities had incurred his difpleafure, but, as they chiefly drew their fubfiftence from his dominions, they were compelled to fupplicate peace, which, though they had highly offended him, they obtained by their intereft with Blaftus his chamberlain. The king appointed a day to receive their fub miffion, when he appeared with a fplendor that dazzled the eyes of the fpedators : he ad dreffed himfelf to the ambaffadors in a pom pous oration, fuited, we may fuppofe, to give K 2 them Vered, but, like a zuife politician, he diflembled his convic tion, and, to ftifle all fufpicion, wreaked his refentment upon the foldiers. They, without doubt, believed there was fomething extraordinary in the cafe, and might have faid fo, if they had lived — but dead men tell no tales. ( i32 ) them the higheft idea both of his power and his clemency. When he had ended, he heard his praifes refound from every quarter : the multitude fhouted, It is the voice of a god, not of a man. His vain heart was elated with this impious compliment, which indeed was no more than had often been ufed upon fuch occafions among the heathens; but when it was now adopted by thofe who profeffed a knowledge of the true God, the proud worm, who durft be pleafed with it, was made a fudden and awful example of the divine difpleafure: the avenging angel of the Lord fmote him with an irrefiftible, tho' invifible ftroke, and, while furrounded with the fancied infignia of majefty, and in the midft of their idolatrous acclama tions, he found and confeffed himfelf a mortal. He was feized with excruciating pains, and ex pired in a few days, being in a manner de voured by vermin bred from his bowels. With his death the perfecution ceafed. He perifhed, and was quickly forgot ; but the word of God, which he had attempted to fupprefs, grew and multiplied as before. The church of Antioch, during this time, greatly encreafed, and enjoyed the benefit of many excellent teachers, fome of whom were endued with a prophetical fpirit, by which the Lord intimated his will to them in particular cafes. In this way they had been informed of an approaching dearth, and, as feafons of fear- city would feverely affed the difciples in Judea, who laboured under peculiar difficulties, they 3 chearjully ( 133 ) chearfully contributed to their relief, and fen^ the colledion to Jerufalem by Saul and Bar nabas, who, having fulfilled their commiffion, returned to Antioch about this timeh. [A.D. a $¦] Thefe two were foon afterwards appointed, by an exprefs revelation, to propagate the knowledge of the gofpel in other countries : they were fet apart to this fervice by the fo lemn prayers of the church, and attended by John, firnamed Mark, who had accompanied them from Jerufalem. Thus they went forth, like Abraham, uncertain whither they were to go, but affured of an infallible guidance and power to dired and prepare the way. It is generally believed that, nearly about the fame time, the apoftles at Jerufalem like- wife feparated to preach the gofpel, in the di- ftrids refpedively allotted them by the direc tion of the Holy Spirit ; and we have fome account from antiquity of their feveral pro vinces, according to which, they divided among them the greateft part of the known world, from India to Barbary, and from Abyf- finia to Scythia. Indeed there is no doubt but they executed their commiffion as apoftles, and fpread the gofpel far and wide ; but the particulars recorded of their labours, fufferings and circuits, are not tranfmitted with fuch au thenticity apd clearnefs, as to give entire fatif- fadion. The only certain hiftory we have of the apoftolic age is that of Luke, which we K 3 call h Ads 13. ( 134 ) call the Ads of the Apoftles, and this, from the period we are now come to, is confined to thofe events in which Paul was perfonally con cerned, and does not even carry on his hiftory to the end of his life. The wifdom of God having given us, both in the life of Jefus, and pf his firft fervants, rather a fpecimen fufficient for our inftrudion, than a compleat hiftory to gratify our curiofity, to this plan we fhall con form, and, while we have the light of an in- fpired writer, we fhall not wander after the glimmerings of tradition. I fhall therefore, in the progrefs of this chapter, confine myfelf to the Evangelift's narration, fo far as it goes ; and, when he leaves us, it will be fufficient to comprize, in a very narrow compafs, the moft certain, or moft probable incidents, which we can recover to complete the records of the firft century. Saul and Barnabas embarked at Seleucia, a fea-port in the neighbourhood of Antioch, and failed to Cyprus : they landed at Salamis, on the eaft fide, and proceeded thro' the ifland to Paphos, in the weft, making the firft tender of the gofpel in every place to the Jews. At Paphos, the Roman governor, Sergius Paulus, was defirous to hear the apoftles dodrine : he was attended by Elymas, a pretended magician and prophet, who, fearing the difcovery of his impoftures, laboured to divert the governor from his purpofe, and to prejudice him againft them. But Saul fharply rebuked his wickednefs, and, ( i35 ) and, by the * impulfe of the Holy Spirit, de nounced a fentence againft him, fuitable to his crime : he who endeavoured to detain others in darknefs and ignorance, was fuddenly ftruck blind himfelf. This punifhment, which he could neither forefee nor avoid, difcovered the vanity of his claims, and convinced the gover nor that the preachers fpoke by an authority fuperior to their own; he therefore attended more carefully to their words, and became foon a partaker of their faith. From Cyprus they failed to Perga, in Para philia, where their attendant Mark, either al ready wearied with fatigue, or apprehenfive of greater difficulties, or from a ficklenefs and levity of temper, would proceed no farther with them, but returned to Jerufalem. By this indifcretion he not only loft many valuable opportunities, which he afterwards regretted, but in the end gave occafion to a great diffe rence between Barnabas and Paul. Such is the ftate of humanity, that thofe perfons in a fociety who cannot do much good, are often, by their imprudence, the caufe of much harm, even K4 where ' It is exprefsly faid, Saul, or Paul, was filled with the Holy Ghoft; therefore the fevere expreffions in his repri mand were not the effeds of intemperate anger, but a fo lemn declaration of the Sorcerer's true charader ; yet it is fafer to imitate the apoftle in his patience and humility, than in this fingular inftance. The power of God, which accompanied his words, proved by what impulfe and autho rity he fpoke. We, who are not apoftles, and who make no claim to apoftolic power, fhall ad more in charader, to conform to the general rule St. Paul has given us, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. ( 136 ) where they intend otherwife. From Perga they proceeded to Antioch in Pifidia, and en tered into the fynagogue. [A. D. 46.] Their habit and manners befpoke them Jews, but perhaps the rulers of the fynagogue were not apprized of their charader. When the ordi nary fervice was finifhed, they were defired to propound their fentiments. Paul, who was ufually the fpeaker, addreffed them in a long difcourfe, a valuable abftrad of which is pre ferved to us. In his introdudion, he reminded them of their antient hiftory and prophecies, but the fum and fubftance of his fermon was Jefus. He proved from the fcripture, that He was the Meffiah, in whom the promifes cen tered, and propofed him to all as the great ob jed of faith, thro' whom, and by whom alone, forgivenefs of fin was to be obtained, and a free juftification from thofe offences for which the law of Mofes had made no provifion. In the clofe, he folemnly warned them of the danger of rejeding this Saviour and his gofpel. His difcourfe made no great impreffion upon the Jews, but fome of the heathens, who had been occafionally prefent, defired to hear the matter farther explained : accordingly, on the next Sabbath, almoft the whole city was coU Jeded to hear the gofpel, which exceedingly offended the Jews, and prompted them to in- terpofe with cavil and abufe. The apoftles then told them in plain terms, that, tho' their meffage was firft to them, yet, fince they re- fufed to receive it, they would henceforth freely ( >37 ) freely proclaim it to the heathens, from whom they expeded a more favourable hearing : nor were they difappointed in their hope, for many of the latter received the word with joy, both in the city and adjacent country*. The Jews, farther exafperated by this fuccefs, fo wrought upon the paffions and prejudices of fome per fons of influence, both men and women, who were probably profelytes, and fuperftitioufly devoted to their new profeffion, that Paul and Barnabas were violently compelled to depart ; but they left behind them difciples, the fruits of their miniftry, who were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, and thereby enabled to maintain the faith, tho' their teachers were forced from them. The apoftles, fhaking off the duft of their feet (as our Lord had commanded) for a tefti mony againft the obftinate infidelity of the Jews, went from thence to Iconium, the chief city of Lycaonia, where they made many con verts, both Jews and Gentiles. But the Jews who believed not, aduated by the fame fpirit in every place, oppofed them' earneftly ; yet they ftaid fo long, and met with fuch fuccefs, that * When the Jews faw the multitudes they were filled with envy. Among the clamours raifed againft perfons and dodrines in our own time, fome have not been afhamed to alledge the great concourfe of people ufually attending, as a fufficient objedion, forgetting (as it fhould feem) that this was one circumftance that provoked and inftigated the, enemies of chriftianity from the beginning. John 7.40. 48. and 11. 48. and 12. 19. 'Ads, ch. 14. The Jewsjlirred up the people, verfe 2. There is a natural enmity in the hearts, , that the city was divided ; a part holding with them, and a part influenced by their enemies, who from thence took occafion to reprefent them to the magistrates as difturbers of the public peace : a charge which has often been falfly urged againft the minifters of the gofpel. At length their adverfaries prevailed, and vio lent meafures were refolved on ; hut they, having notice of it, withdrew in time to Lyftra, in the fame province, where they purfued their miniftry with their ufual zeal and firmnefs, without being deterred by the oppofition they had already met with, or were likely to meet in every place. Among their hearers at Lyftra, there was one who had been a cripple from his birth : Paul, obferving his attention, and fome indications of faith in his behaviour, was direded to confirm the doc trine of Jefus by a fignal miracle. He com manded the lame man to ftand upright upon his feet, and his word was accompanied with immediate power ; the man, who had never walked, instantly fprang up, and poffeffed the perfed ufe of his limbs. It appeared from this inftance, that tho' miracles have a ten dency to roufe the attention, and are a proof of a power beyond the ordinary courfe of things, yet they cannot, of themfelves, inform or hearts of fome men, but in many it is dormant; they are engaged in bufinefs and pleafure, and would be content to let the people of God alone, as unworthy their notice : thefe muft be ftirred up by the more zealous, to join in the common caufe; and accordingly no pains or mifreprefen- tations are fpared to roufe them from their indolence. ( 139 ) or convince the mind of truth ; for the igno rant multitude, tho' greatly ftruck with what they faw, were fo far from believing the apoftle's dodrine, on the evidence of this miracle, that they endeavoured to account for it on their own idolatrous principles : they for got all they had heard of Jefus, and cried out, The gods are come down to us in the likenefs of men. Agreeable to their blinded notions* they called Barnabas, Jupiter ; and Paul, Mer cury : imagining fomething in them peculiarly charaderiftic of thofe fabulous deities. In the warmth of their fuperftition, they affembled with their high-prieftto and vidims, and would have offered facrifices to the men who came to turn them from dumb idols to ferve the Jiving God. But nothing gives the faithful minifters of Chrift greater pain, than to haVe any part of that honour or dependence addreffed to themfelves, which they are defirous wholly to engage for their Lord and Mafter. Paul and Barnabas, who had fuffered perfecution and ill treatment with patience, were tranfported be yond their ufual bounds at thefe marks of ig norant applaufe ; they rufhed in among the people, confeffed their own infirmities, boldly reproved m The high^prieft was probably willing to avail himfelf of the fuperftition of the people, and thought it a favourable occafion to eftablifh the belief of a peculiar fandity and vir tue in the temple at Lyftra, which might increafe the num ber of votaries, and promote his own wealth and influence ; juft as a legendary report of the appearance or miracles of fome faint, or angel, has been improved to procure a vene ration for particular cities, or temples, in chriftian countries, ( 140 ) reproved their blind idolatry, and direded them where alone their thanks and worfhip were due ; yet, with all they could fay, they hardly prevailed on them to defift. It was happy for them that they fought not their own glory, and could not be elated with the ap- plaufe of men. Poor and precarious is the reward of thofe who aim no higher than this ; for, as the tide, after running violently one way, foon and fuddenly reverts to the contrary extream, fo inconftant is the praife and regard of the unthinking many, who are governed by appearances, and fufceptive of every new impreffion. Some of the reftlefs Jews fol lowed the apoftles from Iconium, and, by their infinuations, prevailed on the fame people to treat thofe as malefadors, whom a little be fore they had revered as deities : they tumul- tuoufly affaulted Paul (who, being the chief fpeaker, was ufually the chief fufferer) ftoned him, and dragged him out of the city, fup pofing they had killed him : but the Lord, to whom the ifliies of life and death belong, re- ftored him, and healed his bruifes, fo that he rofe up while the difciples were forrovvfully ftanding round him, and having entered into the city, to fhew that he was neither dead nor intimidated, he was enabled to accompany Barnabas the next day to Derbe. Here they continued fome time, and taught many, and this was the boundary of their pre fent progrefs. From hence they returned (re gardlefs of their enemies) to the places they had ( Hl ) had been at before, to Lyftra, Iconium, An tioch, and Perga, confirming , the believers, forming them into focieties, and conftituting elders and paftors, from amongft themfelves, in every church. In all places they took care to inftrud the believers in the nature of their profeffion, and reminded them of an unalter able neceffity in the prefent conftitution of things, That thro' much tribulation n we muft enter into the kingdom of God. After this, recommending the new converts to the grace and care of the Lord, in whom they had be lieved, they again took fhipping, and returned to Antioch in Syria. Upon their arrival they affembled the whole church, and gave them a particular account of all that the Lord had done for a Ads 14. 22. That this was the cafe in the primitive times, is generally allowed ; but we have been told by fome, that things are now greatly altered in this refped : they would perluade us that our Lord's words (Matt. 7. 13.) are no longer in force ; that the way to the kingdom, in our happy days, is broad, fpacious, fmooth, and thronged by multitudes (the very charaders he has given us of the road to deftrudion.)' Such teachers and writers are little aware how they proclaim their own ignorance. if they knew the fpirit of enmity which the world bears to true chriftianity — the trials with which the Lord vifits his people, to prove and exercife their faith — the aftaults and temptations they endure from the powers of darknefs — the griefs they feel from a fenfe of their own unfaithfulnels and unfruitfulnefs — the fightings without, and fears within, which are more or lefs exprienced in the chriftian life — If they knew thefe things, they would fpeak otherwife. The beaten way to honours and preferments is, perhap?, free fiom thefe tribulations ; but not fo the way that will lead to the kingdom of God. ( H2 ) for them, and by them, in their late circuit. [A. D. 47. J This is the news which believers delight to relate and hear ; the traverfes of po licy, or the events of war (the ufual topics of converfation,) afford them but little' entertain ment, but it rejoices their hearts to be informed of new acceffions to the Redeemer's kingdom, and to fee how his wifdom and grace triumph over all oppofition- Hitherto the church had only to ftruggle with outward difficulties; but, as human na ture is always the fame, and the apoftolical times were to tranfmit inftrudion to the people of God in every fucceeding period, miftakes, difputes and divifions were, by degrees, per mitted to take place among profeffed believers. If it had not been fo, we might not only have been difcouraged by the great difparity between the firft chriftians, and thofe who have lived fince, but, for want of rules and precedents of fufficient authority, we fhould have been con tinually at a lofs how to oppofe and confute the various errors which have appeared and been revived during fo many centuries : the Divine Wifdom therefore thought fit to fuffer every falfe and dangerous notion, whereby the enemy of fouls would at any time attempt to corrupt the fimplicity of the faith, to make its firft en trance while the apoftles were yet living, that we might have their inftrudic/ns and examples to guide us in every emergency. However pa radoxical it may feem, we hope in a proper place to fhew, that no new opinion, either right ( H3 ) right or wrong, refpeding the faith in Chrift, has been ftarted fince the clofe of the fcriptural Canon. As the gofpel, that good and perfed gift, came down from the Father of Light compleat, and has received no amendment from the hands thro' which it has fucceffively paft, — fo, on the other hand, the Grand Deceiver exerted all his force againft it, and availed him felf of all his influence on the ignorance and wickednefs of men from the very beginning, and has no fubtile devices in referve now, having tried his utmoft refources over and over. It is true, length of time, and change of circumftances, have afforded him opportu nities of placing his delufions in various lights, and have given fome of his fchemes a feeming ftrength and eftablifhment which they had not at firft ; but, as a man attained to his full fta- ture and vigour, is the fame individual perfon that was once an infant unable to ftand alone, fo there neither is, nor has been, any erroneous principle, however authorized or recommended, or perhaps applauded as a new difcovery, by thofe who are ignorant of fcripture and anti quity, but we can, from exprefs paffages in the apoftles writings, fhew that the fame ex ifted in their time, tho' in a more feeble and infantile ftate. This point we are to illuftrate more at large hereafter ; at prefent I am only concerned to take notice of a diffention that arofe among the believers at Antioch, not long after the return of Saul and Barnabas, which made their prefence there particularly ufeful : this ( H4 ) this was occafioned by fome Judaizing profef fors who came down from Judea, and taught the Gentile converts, that, except they were circumcifed, and kept the law of Mofes, they could not be faved. This dangerous pofition, arifing from a mifapprehenfion of the righteouf nefs of Chrift, as the only ground of a sinner's acceptance with God, and tending to fubftitute a quickfand for the foundation of hope, inftead of the immoveable rock which God has laid in Zion, was warmly oppofed by thefe apoftles of the Gentiles; they had a double convidion of its falfehood, both from the nature of the faith they had received themfelves, and the effeds of the gofpel they had imparted to others ; but many weaker minds, having lefs experience of the work of grace in their own hearts, and lefs acquaintance with what the Lord had wrought in others, were ftaggered. When, therefore, after many debates, the point was not fettled to fatisfadion, it was re folved to depute Paul and Barnabas to confult the apoftles and elders at Jerufalem. [A D. 49.] If this (as feems probable) was the journey St. Paul refers to, Gal. 2. they were direded to take this ftep by the Spirit of God, fince he there fays that he went up to Jerufalem by, or in confequence of, a revelation : they were accompanied by fome brethren, and in every place where they found believers, they com forted them with the account of their late pro grefs. At Jerufalem they were cordially re ceived, and having declared the happy fruits of ( '45 ) of their preaching to the heathens, tho' they had not attempted to bind them to the Mofaic law, they proceeded to declare the tenet which had been lately advanced, and their motives for oppofing it : they foon found perfons of the fame legal fpirit, who juftified and repeated the obligation of the ceremonial law upon all who embraced the gofpel. Upon this, a par ticular day was named for the whole affembly to meet, and difcufs the queftion. In this convention there was the higheft room to ex ped that the fpirit of God would influence their refolves, and guard them from giving , their fandion to an error, and he did fo, yet not by an audible voice or inftantaneous im pulfe, but by prefiding over their debates, and enabling them, in the conclufion, to colled and pronounce the true ftate of the queftion with infallible evidence and certainty. Here again it is plain that Peter little thought him felf entitled to that fupreme prerogative, as the immediate Vicar of Jefus Chrift, which his pretended fucceffors falfely afcribe to him ; nor did his brethren remind him of his privi lege, otherwife there could have been no de bate, for his declaration would have been de- cifive ; but waving the claim of authority, he argued the infignificance of the Jewifh rites as to falvation, from the Lord's condud towards Cornelius and his friends, by his miniftry. Thefe were the firft Gentile converts, and in this inftance, he faid, the Lord had fully de clared his mind, making no difference between L Jew ( H6 ) Jew and Gentile, purifying their hearts by faith in his blood, and imparting to them thofe fub ftantial bleffings, of which the ceremonial law exhibited no more than the fhadow, and which, in comparifon of the liberty of the gofpel, he termed an unneceffary yoke too heavy to be borne. The affembly then kept filence, while Paul and Barnabas related more at large the fruits of their late miffion among the heathens. The conference was clofed, and the determination given, not by Peter, but by James, who afferted the Gentiles freedom from the Jewifh yoke, and enjoined them only to abftainfrom fornication, from things offered to idols, and from blood. The two latter points were neceffary to preferve a friendly intercourfe between the Gentile and Jewifh converts, fo long as thefe were indulged in obferving the Levitical inftitutions ; and the prohibition from fornication, tho' immediately helonging to the moral law, which was of univerfal obligation, was added to give the Gentiles a deeper fenfe of the guilt and evil of a pradice, which the moft civilized and virtuous heathens confidered as almoft, if not wholly innocent. This fentence was generally embraced, and a letter to the fame effed was written to the believers at Antioch, confirming them in their chriftian liberty. In this they thought it a fufficient condemnation of the oppofite opinion to fay, They had given no fuch command ment : a proteftation the apoftles might have often repeated, had they lived to this day ; but ( H7 ) but fince their genuine writings ftill fubfift, we may, by parity of reafon, ftill infer, that we need not be afraid of rejeding any thing that is enjoined as binding upon the confcience, if we can be fure that the apoftles, who were divinely infpired to explain the chriftian faith and prac tice, have given us no precept in its favour. They likewife took care to affert their firm perfuafion, that their decifion was agreeable to the didates of the Holy Spirit. This convoca tion has generally been ftiled, The firft Chrif tian Council ; but indeed, when we compare it with thofe which bore the fame name after wards, and were profeffedly formed upon this precedent, we fhall be almoft tempted to fay, It was not only the Firft, but the Laft. Here were no intrigues pradifed, no temporal inte refts confulted, no fierce and bloody anathemas iffued to give a fandion to perfecution, no un certainty or animofity in the iffue, but the af fair was conduded with freedom and modera tion, and the conclufion made by general con fent, and to the fatisfadion of both parties : how different, in thefe refpeds, from the fpi rit of* after times ! But tho' this anfwered the end in the prefent cafe, the judgment of the apoftles was not entirely obeyed, even while they lived. This debate was revived in other places, and proved a frequent impediment to the peace of the church, fo long at leaft as the temple and worfhip of Jerufalem continued, and gave St. Paul occafion to write his epiftle to the Galatians exprefsly on this fubjed ; nay, L 2 it ( H8 ) it feems the miftake ftill fubfifted in Judea, tho' none publicly ventured to contradid the decree when it was made ; for when, fome time after, Peter went to Antioch, and con verfed ° freely with the Gentile converts, living after their manner for a feafon, yet, when fome brethren came down from Jerufalem, he was fo fearful to offend them in this matter, that he feparated himfelf again, and, by his influence, prevailed on Barnabas likewife to diffemble in favour of thofe of the circumcifion. For this weak compliance, whereby he feemed to overthrow what he had before eftablifhed, St. Paul withftood him to his face : he did not detrad from his charader by infinuations to his prejudice behind his back, nor did he content himfelf with reproving him in fecret, but, as the offence was public, tending to con firm the Jews in their bigotry, and to offend the weak on both fides, he boldly and publicly rebuked him before them all. Strange weak nefs incident to the beft of men, that Peter, who had firft laid afide his prejudices, who had vifited the Gentiles by divine diredion, had feen the happy effeds of his compliance, and vindicated his own condud fo unanfwer- ably upon a late occafion, fhould now fhrink and trifle, expofe himfelf and grieve his bre thren, thro' fear of thofe who came from Je rufalem ! To be delivered from the fear of man, is a deliverance indeed ! It was happy for Peter that he had, in his brother Paul, a faithful 0 Gal. 2. ii. ( J49 ) faithful friend, who, by a few well-timed words, broke the chain and fet him at liberty. It is furprizing jthat any who have read this paffage fhould dream of fixing on Peter, above any other of the apoftles, to be the fupreme and infallible head of the chriftian church. Juftus and Silas, two of the brethren, were fent with Barnabas and Paul to accompany the letter, and to declare the purport of it more at large. They were gladly received at Antioch, and not only confirmed the peace of the church, but were farther helpful to their faith, by the fingular gifts with which the Lord had honoured them. In a little time Juftus re turned to Jerufalem, but Silas chofe to conti nue longer, and wk afterwards the conftant companion of St. Paul in his travels. A. D. 50.] This obftacle being removed, the gofpel flourifhed greatly at Antioch. But, amidft all their fervices and fuccefs there, Paul and Barnabas could not forget the converts they had left in Cyprus and Afia Minor ; they pro pofed therefore to make them a fecond vifit, to comfort them, and to fee how the work had profpered in their abfence : but a difficulty was ftarted concerning John, firnamed Mark, who had formerly left them at Perga, and having probably repented of his irrefolution, was now defirous to proceed with them again. Paul warmly oppofed this, thinking him highly culpable for his inconftancy, and perhaps too much influenced againft him by a fpirit of re- fentment not wholly excufable. On the other L 3 hand, ( 150 ) hand, Barnabas undertook his apology, in which, befides his tendernefs to his fruit, he feems to have been moved ^by considerations which ought to have no place where the fer vice of God is concerned. John wa.s his sifter's fon, and this led him to confider his condud in the moft favourable light. Thus they were both a little partial in the caufe, but much more wrong in the iffue ; for the contention became fo fharp between them, that it broke their harmony. They determined to part ; accordingly Barnabas took Mark (whofe com pany he had dearly purchafed by the lofs of Paul's) and failed to Cyprus, his native place ; and Paul, chufing Silas in his room, went thro' Syria and Cilicia, being recommended to the Lord by the prayers ot the brethren. So that their former work was now divided between them. 1 muft venture to digrefs here a little for the fake of two remarks, of which the courfe of our hiftory may often remind the reader. I, How fmall an occafion will difcover human infirmity even in the brighteft charaders ! Not all the graces of Paul and Barnabas, nor the remembrance of the fervices and difficulties they had jointly experienced, nor the impor tance of the common caufe in which they were engaged, nor the fear of giving offence to the world and to the church, could reftrain thefe dear friends, fellow labourers and fellow fufferers, from contending and feperating about a trifle. 2. How wife is the over- ruling pro vidence ( i5i ) vidence of God, permitting fuch things for the trial of fome, the inftrudion of others, and the better carrying on his own defigns ! In fucceeding revivals of religion, the like dif ferences p have fometimes taken place among the main inftruments, and from as trivial caufes ; and tho' they have not obtained with out fault in fome, and Inconvenience to many, yet the event has proved them no hindrance upon the whole. The work has become more diffufive, and more inconteftible, when per fons of different tempers, fentiments and ta lents, who feemed to fuperficial obfervers as the heads of different parties, have laboured with equal zeal and fuccefs in advancing the one great defign of the gofpel. As a fkilful gardener raifes many plants in a little fpot of ground, and removes them afterwards to places where they will have more room to grow and flourifh j fo they, who are defigned for exten five ufefulnefs, are often firft reared within a little compafs, within the fight and knowledge of each other, where they are fheltered and ftrengthened, while tender, by their mutual advices, prayers and examples, and feem to have only one heart and one mind. But were L 4 they p To mention only one by anticipation — the unhappy difpute between Luther and Zuinglius, and their refpedive followers, concerning the words — This is my body. The difference between them was little more than imaginary, but the mifchiefs it occafioned were real, important and numerous, and would probaby have ftifled the Reformation in its birth, if it had not been fo remarkably under an al mighty protedion. ( 152 ) they always to continue thus clofely conneded, no one would have room to expand according to the meafure of gifts and fervices which the Lord has appointed them, therefore they are thinned and tranfplanted : either perfecutions from without, or weakneffes, miftakes or jea- loufies among themfelves, fcatter them afar, to places and undertakings they had no thoughts of, and which would not have been otherwife attempted. The apoftle Paul, with his companion * Silas, proceeded (as has been mentioned) thro' Syria and Cilicia, to the parts he had formerly vifited. When he came to Lyftra, he chofe Timothy for his affociate and companion in his journey, who it is probable had been con verted by his miniftry, and a witnefs to his fufferings for the gofpelj when he was there before. Timothy was of Jewifh extrad by the mother's fide, and carefully educated from his infancy in the knowledge of the fcriptures; v but his father was a Greek. This circumftance being generally known to the Jews, and likely to render him lefs acceptable among them, Paul, to obviate their prejudices, direded him to be circumcifed, thus fhewing his readinefs to'become all things to all men, fo far as was confiftent with a good confcience, and condu cive to edification ; for tho', when the obfer vance of the Mofaic law was infifted on as ne ceffary to falvation, he fteadily oppofed it, and would not admit the leaft addition to the dodrine i Ads 1 6. ( i53 ) dodrine of free juftification by the blood of Chrift, he was willing to permit it to the Jewifh converts in their prefent fituation, and to accommodate himfelf to their weaknefs, for their advantage. He had before withftood the circumcision of Titus (who was a Gentile) when it was Urged as a neceffary point, but now that debatewas fettled in favour of gofpel liberty, he propofed the circumcision of Ti mothy himfelf. The feeming inconfiftence of his condud vanifhes, if the difference of the two cafes is rightly underftood ; but thofe who ad from the moft enlarged principles, who know when and in what points refolution is neceffary, and when and how far it is expe dient to yield to others, will always be thought inconftant and inconfiftent by the zealots of parties. In the courfe of his progrefs he deli vered, in every city, the decree lately deter mined at Jerufalem, which, tho' primarily di reded to Antioch, was of equal force, as a rule and bond of peace, in all places where there were both Jewifh and- Gentile converts. Thus having watered his former planting, he pro ceeded to preach in Phrygia and Galatia. The route of the gofpel was direded by the fpirit of God, who reftrained the apoftle from en tering the province which is called, by way of diftindion, the Proconfular Afia, of which Ephefus was the capital ; not that this country was to be excluded from the knowledge of Chrift, for St. Paul preached in many ' parts of it ' See Ads 19. 10. ( '54 ) it afterwards with great fuccefs ; but the propef feafon was not yet come, the Lord having an important fervice for them firft in another place. For the fame reafon, and by the fame influence, they were prevented going into By- thinia, which they had fome thoughts of at tempting. Thus, in a manner undetermined where they were to labour, they came to Troas, a fea-port in the Archipelago, and when their journey was now bounded by the fea, they received a farther intimation of the Lord's will, and found that he had been lead ing them in the right way, for they were brought to a port proper for embarking to the place where the Lord had defigned to fend them. A. D. 51.] Here St. Paul had a vifion by night, of a man ftanding by him, whofe garb and expreffion intimated his country, and en treating him, faying, Come over into Macedo nia, and help us. This vifion was attended with fuch circumftances as left no room to doubt either its origin or meaning, fo that, when he had communicated it to his compa nions, they affuredly colleded that the Lord called them into Macedonia : accordingly they took fhipping, and having a favourable wind, they foon arrived at Neapolis, from whence they proceeded by land to Philippi, a place of note, and a Roman colony. Their preaching and continuance in this city, which in time be came the feat of a flourifhing church, was produdive ( *SS ) f produdive of feveral interefting and important events. On the fabbath day they went out of the city to a place by the river-fide (a ufual refort of the Jews for the exercife of public prayer) where meeting with fome women (as it fhould feem) before the reft were affembled, they fpake freely of the great fubjed, which was always uppermoft in their hearts and mouths. One of them, named Lydia, a native of Thy- atira, and then refident at Philippi, gave a peculiar attention to St. Paul's difcourfe : the reafon is affigned, the Lord opened her heart. The reft heard the fame words ; but the hearts of all are dull, contraded, and averfe to fpi ritual truths, fo that, without a divine inter pofition, the moft powerful fpeakers fpeak in vain. Lydia heard to good purpofe ; fhe be lieved, and was immediately baptized with her family, and gladly received the meffengers of gofpel grace into her houfe. Continuing to preach in this place fo long as they remained at Philippi, they were often met by a young woman under the influence of an evil fpirit, who, as they paffed by, cried after them, Thefe men are the fervants of the moft high God, who declare unto us the way, of falvation ; in like manner as the demoniacs had fometimes confeffed our Saviour's autho rity and miffion. It may feem ftrange that an evil fpirit fhould teftify in favour of the preachers of the gofpel ; but perhaps, it was either to make them fufpeded of a confederacy, ot ( 156 ) or to draw them into a fnare. However, when this had been often repeated, St. Paul, who could not bear to be fpoken well of by a fpirit which was not of God, commanded him, in the name of Jefus, to quit his poffeffion. The fpirit, compelled to obey, left the woman in- ftantly ; but this opened a way to give them disturbance in another manner : her mafters, to whom (he had formerly brought great profit by her divining talent, finding fhe was no longer willing or able to procure them advan tage by that means, apprehended Paul and Silas, as the chief inftruments of their lofs, and brought them before the magistrates with the heavy charge (which is ufually reviv'd when the preaching of the gofpel interferes with the views of intereft) that they exceed ingly difturbed the peace of the city, by at tempting innovations contrary to the eftablifhed religion : they ftiled them Jews to the Ro mans, on account of their open abhorrence of idol worship, which was carefully fupported by the Roman laws and cuftoms. The un thinking multitude foon joined in the alarm, and the magistrates, eafily prejudiced by. the terms of the accufation, inftead of ading as impartial judges, declared themfelves parties in the affair. Without examining into particu lars, they violently tore off the clothes of Paul and Silas, and having caufed them to be beat with many ftripes, they eaft them into prifon, giving the jailor a particular charge to keep them fafely. -This command was executed with ( 157 ) with feverity ; he thruft them into the inner prifon, and faftened their feet in the flocks : but no walls or dungeons can exclude thofe comforts of God's fpirit which are promifed to thofe who fuffer for righteoufnefs fake, and which are able to overpower the fenfe of every inconvenience. Paul and Silas were fo little difcompofed by this cruel treatment, that they joyfully fung hymns of praife to God, and were heard by the other prifoners, who pro bably were furprized at the chearfulnefs they expreffed in fuch circumftances. But they were furprized much more at the teftimony the Lord immediately gave in behalf of his fervants ; for while they were thus engaged, on a fudden the earth trembled ; the very foundations of the prifon were fhaken, fo that all the doors flew open, and every one's fetters and bonds were instantly loofed. The noife awakened the jailor, who, fuppofing the pri foners were all efcaped, and dreading the con- fequences, in the' firft tranfports of his terror, drew his fword to flay himfelf; for fo the falfe wifdom of the heathens, ignorant of the awful realities beyond the grave, taught men to avoid the preffure of prefent troubles, by defperately plunging themfelves into an un known eternity : but St. Paul, tho' in another part of the prifon, and in the dark, was made acquainted with his purpofe, and called out to him with a loud voice, Do thyfelf no harm, we are all here ! It increafed his furprize to find that his defign was made known to them, and ( '58) and that thofe whom he had treated fo hardly, fhould forget all their wrongs, and intereft themfelves in his prefervation. Such an in ftance of forgivenefs and tendernefs to an enemy deeply affeded him, and convinced him of the wrong he had done them, more forcibly than the fharpeft expoftulations could have done. This is indeed the peculiar tri umph of a Chriftian, to overcome evil with good. He immediately called for lights, and, in agony of guilt and terror, fprung in, and eaft himfelf at the feet of thofe over whom he had fo lately tyrannized : after this expreffion of his refped and compundion for the injury he had done them, he brought them out, and addreffed them with that queftion of the laft importance to every awakened foul, Sirs, what muft I do to be faved ? Paul and Silas, who had but one anfwer to this queftion, fuited to every rank of life, and to finners of every de gree, direded him to faith in the Lord Jefus Chrift, as the only and infallible means of fal vation. This faith the Lord was pleafed to give, fo that, when he had brought them to his houfe, and heard them explain the dodrine more at large, he believed and was baptized, with all his family. Upon this his forrow was turned into permanent joy ; and now it ap peared why the Lord had permitted his fer vants to be thus rudely handled : amongft other reafons, it was on the account of this jailor, who would otherwife have remained a ftranger to the gofpel, if the Lord, in the unfearchable ( 159 ) unfearchable riches of his mercy, had not thus fent it to him, and by the concurrent difpenfa tions of his providence, difpofed him to receive it with thankfulnefs, as life from the dead : it likewife proved the vanity of all attempts to fupprefs the truth. The magiftrates and people abufed the preachers and put them in prifon, but the effed was quite contrary to their inten tions, for by this means the jailor, the inftru ment of their cruelty, with his'houfhold, were converted, and thus the apoftle's enemies, thro' the over-ruling hand of God, became fubfervient to his defign, and helped him to fome of the firft members of his new church. The jailor, thus made partaker of the faith, expreffed his gratitude to his prifoners ; he wafhed their ftripes and fet meat before them, and was foon freed from any fufpence on their account ; for in the morning the magiftrate fent him orders to difmifs them from confine ment. But St. Paul was willing to let them know that they had failed in their duty, and aded againft thofe very laws and cuftoms, of which, as Romans, they profeffed to be fo te nacious. A citizen of Rome was not liable to bonds or fcourging, and a fubjed of Rome, tho' not a citizen, could not be legally pu- nifhed till he had been permitted to anfwer his accufers face to face (Ads 25. 16.) The apoftle was injured in both thefe refpeds; they had punifhed him without tryal, and they had bound and beat him, tho' he was a Rpman : he therefore afferted his privilege. 1 He ( 160 ) He might have infifted on fatisfadion, buthe was a Chriftian, a willing difciple of a fuffering Sa viour ; he had been once a perfecutor himfelf, and had obtained forgivenefs, therefore he found it eafy to forgive. His remonftrance made the magiftrates willing to fubmit to his terms ; they came themfelves, and honourably m'fmifled their prifoners, entreating them that, to prevent farther inconveniences, they would withdraw from the city, which they did, after they had taken leave of Lydia and the other difciples. A. D. 52.] From hence paffing thro' Am- phipolis and Apollonia, they came to Theffa- lonica, the refidence of the Roman governor. Here Paul, according to his ufual cuftom, ap plying himfelf firft to the Jews, difcourfed and reafoned with them in their fynagogue three fucceflive fabbaths out of their own fcriptures, opening s the true fenfe of the prophecies con cerning the Meffiah, and then fhewing their accomplifhment in the perfon of Jefus. His labour was not wholly in vain ; fome of them believed and became difciples, but the reft, and * Ads, ch. 17. v. 3. Opening and alledging; firft ex plaining the true fenfe of the paffage, and then laying down plain and undeniable dedudions from it, applicable to the cafe in hand. Thus much is implyed in the Greek words, Aianoiywi' *ai wa£aTi9s(Asi>®.. A proper model for preachers and writers in divinity. How many controverfies would ceafe, how much time would be redeemed, how many of fences would be avoided, if it was univerfally followed, if the fcriptures were explained in their true fenfe and con nection, and nothing advanced but what could be fairly de duced from fuch an explanation. ( -161 ) and the greater part, difcovered the indignation and enmity of their hearts againft the truth. Under fuch leaders, the unthinking rabble are eafily inftigated to do mifchief, fo that they found no difficulty to raife a tumultuous mob, who affaulted the houfe of Jafon, where Paul and Silas refided ; but not finding them there, they forced away Jafon and fome of the new believers before the magiftrates. The accufk- tion was, that the preachers of the gofpel, who, from the effed of their dodrine in di- fturbing the falfe peace of fin, began to be fufficiently defcribed, when fpoken of, as ' men who turned the world up-fide down, and threw all into confufion wherever they ap peared, were come thither alfo ; that Jafon had received and countenanced them, and that their fundamental tenets were inconfiftent with obedience to government, fince they profeffed and inculcated fubjedion to one Jelus, whom they ftiled their king. By fuch mifreprefen- tations the enemies of the gofpel dodrine have often aimed to render it obnoxious to the civil powers. The rulers were alarmed . at this ac- M cufation, ' It is ftill thought a fufficient and unanfwerableobjedion againft the preaching of the gofpel, to fay, Thefe opinions caufe divifions and feperations, and break the peace of fa milies and communities. We may bring the point to a Ihort iffue. Did our Lord fotetell this as one fure and per petual confequence that would attend the prevalence of his gofpel, or did he not ? If he did not, what is the meaning of Matt. 12. 34 — 36 ? If he did, then by what name are we to call that manner of preaching which has either no tendency, or no power, to difturb the falfe and dangerous peace of a wicked world. ( i6a ) cufation, but being unwilling to proceed to extremities, tho' obliged to take fome notice . of what feemed to affed the intereft of Casfar, they took fufficient fecurity of Jafon and the reft for their good behaviour, and difmiffed them without farther trouble. In the mean time Paul and Silas, againft whom the vio lence had been chiefly intended, were fent fafely away by the brethren to Berea, where, regardlefs of their paft dangers and fufferings, they purfued their endeavours to recommend the gofpel to the Jews • and in this place they met with a friendly reception. It is faid the Bereans were more noble than thofe of Thef- falonica ; for to be open to convidion and in formation is the mark of a noble mind : they were of a more free and ingenuous temper, not flaves to the fear of man or the power of prejudice ; they heard with candour, and ex amined the fcriptures themfelves to find the truth. The gofpel of Chrift is fuited to give the fulleft fatisfadion to enquirers of this fpirit; accordingly many of them believed. But when the Jews of Theffalonica were informed of this, they followed Paul thither, with a view to repeat the part they had aded in their own city ; but they came too late : Paul had already planted the gofpel, and leaving Silas and Timothy, who were lefs obnoxious, to remain a little longer with the brethren, he was conduded firft towards the fea, to elude the attempts of his enemies, and afterwards to Athens ; a city which, for its eminence in literature ( i°3 ) literature and all the pplite arts, Was ftiled, by general confent, The feat of the Mufes. --/. While the apoftle waited at Athens for the arrival of Silas and Timothy, his fpirit was enflamed with a lively concern for the honour of God and the welfare of fouls : it grieved him to fee a city, fo famed for refinement and philofophy, wholly given to idolatry, and, with refped to the moft important concerns of life, quite upon a level with the moft ignorant barbarians. St. Paul is generally allowed, by thofe who will allow him little elfe, to have been a man of tafte and letters. He was now at Athens, the fchool of philofopy and center of the fine arts : painting, ftatuary, architec ture and elegance appeared in every quarter ; but the affeding obfervation he had made of the ftate of the inhabitants, fo filled his mind, that he could take little notice of any thing elfe. To thofe who underftand the nearnefs and importance of an eternal ftate, the higheft improvements of unfandified reafon afford little more entertainment than the trivial fports of children, or the more wretched amufements of lunatics. He was (o ftruck with the igno rance, fuperftition and wickednefs of the people, that he could relifh none of the beau ties of the place, but, full of a different emo tion, compaflionately laboured to infpire them with true wifdom. He was foon encountered by the Epicurean and Stoic Philofophers, the refpedable advocates for thofe principles of pleafure and pride, to one or the other of M 2 which ( 164 ) which all men are enfiaved, till the gofpel fets them free. Here, in fome meafure, accom modating himfelf to the prevailing tafte, he reafoned with the reafoners, and filenced the wife men of the world, in their own way, by dint of argument : but the conteft was unequal, their fyllogifms foon failed them, and they were forced to retreat to their laft refuge, an affeded wit and raillery. Unable to anfwer the force of his difcourfes, they triumphed without a vidory, and expreffed their contempt of him and his dodrine by a word of the loweft and moft defpicable fignification, which our verfion not improperly renders, a Babler ; but perhaps no term in our language can fuf ficiently exprefs the poignancy of \the original. Others fo entirely miftook the ftate of the queftion, that they thought he was a publifher or fetter forth of ftrange gods ; they thought that Jefus and the Refurredion were deities they had not before heard of; and his difcourfe always turning upon thefe topics, they con cluded (indeed with reafon) that his only bufi nefs and defire was to proclaim to all, the Di vinity whom he worfhipped. And it is no wonder that, from a half-attention to his words, they fhould be induced to perfonify the Refurredion as a deity, . fince the heathens had altars ereded not only to Honour, Virtue and Liberty, but to the vices and diforders of human nature, fuch as Fear, Shame, Famine and Fevers. This ( i65 ) This weak miftake gave occafion to fummon him before the council who bore the name of Areopagus, or the Hill of Mars, from the place where they met ; an affembly in high eftimation for authority and wifdom, and whofe particular office it was to fuperintend the public religion, and preferve it from inno vation. It does not appear, however, that he underwent a formal tryal before them. His opponents feemed rather difpofed to gratify their curiofity than their malice : their polite nefs, perhaps, made them fomething averfe to the feverer forms of perfecution, and content with the lefs invidious (tho' to many not lefs formidable) methods of fcorn and ridicule. Their prevailing paffion was the love of no velty ; they fpent their time in telling or hearing fome new, or, as the Greek expreffes it, fome newer thing. The expeded news loft its relifh the moment it was known, and they were always in fearch of fomething newer ftill-, therefore the gofpel, tho' the ftrongeft, as well as the moft important news they had ever met with, could not engage fuch volatile minds : while it was the newer thing, the frefheft news, they were content to liften, but as foon as they were fatisfied what it was, they wanted to hear fomething elfe. The apoftle no where met with fo little fuccefs as amongft this polite, learned, ignorant people ; and wherever this Athenian fpirit prevails, it retards the fuccefs of the gofpel more than all the arts and violence of perfecution. M 3 The ( 166 ) The difcourfe of the apoftle on this occafion is equally a ftandard of fine addrefs and of juft reafoning. He had obferved their religious rites and worfhip with attention, and had fe- leded from among their numerous altars, the one which was moft fit for his purpofe. The beauty of his exordium is obfcured by the ex preffion, toofuperftitious, in our verfion ; the Greek word, to which it anfwers, is ambi guous, and fuited to befpeak a favourable hearing, rather than importing an abrupt re proof, q. d. I perceive indeed, Athenians, that you are obfervant of the invifible powers in an unufual manner, for, befides the variety of temples and altars which you have, in common with other cities of Greece, I obferved one with a peculiar infcription, To the unknown God : this God, as yet unknown to you, is he whom I ferve, and the new dodrine, of which you afk me, relates to his will and worfhip. This was the moft happy and pertinent me dium to enlarge from that could be imagined ; the Athenians, always eager to hear fome newer thing, expeded an account of new deities, but Paul referred them to an altar and infcription among themfelves, which, meerly by being obvious, had efcaped their refledion. It is to be feared that this obfervation and in fcription may fuit the devotions of many who think themfelves Chriftians. The fame ad drefs is vifible in his whole argument. To the Jews he quoted the books of the holy fcrip ture, but with thefe heathens he appealed to the ( i67_ ) the volume of creation, and argued from the impreffes of power, wifdom and goodnefs every where difplay ed before their eyes, the excellence and independence of their great au thor, how little he ftood in need of men, and how unworthy of his divine majefty all their laborious inventions were, while they thought to honour him by worfhipping the works of their own hands : he afferted the providence and omniprefence of God, that he was the fountain of life and all its comforts, the fu preme difpofer of all events, and the common father of mankind, confirming this part of his dodrine by a quotation from Aratus, one of their own poets. He. afterwards proceeded to the topics of revelation, a refurredion to future life, and a final judgment by the man Chrift Jefus. It would require too much room to point out particularly the fpirit, propriety and evidence of this fhort fermon. But no oratory or reafoning can change the heart. The effed: was the fame as may be obferved amongft ourfelves, when much inferior inftruments de clare the truths of God : fome mocked, and accounted this wifdom the mereft folly ; others, pleafed with his manner, and perhaps affeded with fome tranfient emotions of mind, expreffed a willingnefs to hear him again ; and a few, a very few, believed, among whom was Dionyzius, one of the Areopagite judges. Having fo little encouragement to prolong his ftay at Athens, the apoftle proceeded to Corinth, at that time accounted the chief city M4 of ( 168 ) of Greece. Here he unexpededly found com panions prepared for him u. Aquila, ^native of Pontus, by birth a Jew, with Prifcilla his wife, had received the faith of the gofpel in Italy, from whence they had lately been con- ftrained to remove by an edid of the emperor, enjoining all Jews to depart from Rome. Whether the Chriftians were particularly aimed at by the name of Jews in this decree, is un certain ; hut as their Lord and Mafter had lived in Judea, and the firft preachers and converts were generally of that nation, perhaps like- wife, becaufe they afferted and proved their dodrines from thofe books for which the Jews profeffed the higheft veneration, the chriftians were for fome time confidered as Jews by moft of the heathens. This happy pair, partners in faith and affedion, were led. by that Divine Providence which certainly, tho' fecretly, guides the fteps of his fervants, to feek. a retreat in Corinth, about the time St. Paul arrived there. They foon became ac quainted, and of courfe, intimate. He often mentions them in his writings, as having, upon many occafions, afforded him help and comfort ; for, as in nature, fo in grace, none are fo fufficient to themfelves, but they may be glad of affiftance from others, even from fuch as are, in many refpeds, their inferiors. They abode and wrought together, being of the fame bufinefs ; for tho' St. Paul well un derftood his liberty, and that, as a preacher of the u Ads, chap, 18, ( i69) the gofpel, he had a right to exped mainte nance from thofe to whom he miniftered, yet he condefcended to work, as a common handi craft, at the employment of making tents. One reafon of his fubmitting to this, he in forms us himfelf, was a prudent precaution to obviate any infinuations that might be raifed or received againft him, of a defign to make gain of godlinefs, or to abufe his influence to mer cenary purpofes. But his example may farther teach us, that fecular employments are not in themfelves incompatible with a faithful and re gular difcharge of the gofpel miniftry, when the circumftances of the times may fo require. But his main and proper bufinefs, to which he always attended in w feafon and out of feafon, was preaching the gofpel of Chrift. To this he addreffed himfelf at Corinth, firft (as ufual) to the Jews, being preffed in fpirit, borne on by a conftraining fenfe of the love of Chrift and the worth of fouls, and probably more > confirmed w 2 Tim. 4. 2. Be inftant, in feafon and out of feafon ; not unfeafonably, as fuppofing a time in which it would be better to forbear, but in feafon, at fet and ftated times, and out of feafon, that is occafionally. Improve every opportu nity that offers, not on the Lord's day only, but on any other, not only in a folemn and full difcourfe, but let the glory of God and the good of fouls be your fcope in every converfation ! It anfwers to the account the apoftle gives of his own condud : he preached publicly and from houfe to houfe, by night and by day, Ads 20. 20, 31. As a phyfician, befides his ordinary round of pradice, is ready to afford his help upon every fudden application, this fhould be the aim of a gofpel minifler, he fhould be conftant to all his ftated appointments, and willing to make the moft of every unexpeded call to fervice. ( 17° ) confirmed and warmed by the accounts brought him by Timothy and Titus, who rejoined him here from Macedonia. Animated, rather than difcouraged, by the oppofition he had formerly met with, he ftrenuoufly urged to the Jews, from their own fcriptures, the proofs that Jefus was the Mefliah, with fuch evidence as muft have gained their affent, had they not been hardened and obftinate ; but when they per- fifted in returning contradidion and defpite to his repeated labours of love, he at length gave them up, and told them, that having dis charged his duty and his confcience, their blood would be upon their own heads, that their guilt was moft aggravated and their de- ftrudion approaching, and that, for the future, he would frequent their fynagogues no more, but addrefs himfelf to the Gentiles. He ac cordingly preached in the houfe of one Juftus, near the fynagogue, and tho' moft of the Jews were hardened beyond the reach of convidion, yet the Lord had a fmall remnant amongft them here likewife. Crifpus, a chief ruler, or prefident of the fynagogue, believed, with all his houfe, and of the heathens many were converted and baptized. If Corinth was lefs celebrated than Athens for philofophy and fcience, it was more fo. for riches and luxury, which are no lefs powerful hindrances to the reception of the truth. This confideration, join'd to the violent fpirit of his . oppofers, might perhaps have prompted him to a fpeedy departure ; but the Lord, whom he ( i70 he ferved, appeared to him in a vifion, and bid him not be afraid or difcouraged, but con tinue to preach, affuring him his labour fhould not be in vain ; for, tho' prefent appearances might promife but little fuccefs, [A. D. 53.] he had many people known to himfelf in that proud, fenfual, idolatrous city. It fignifies but little, what enemies or difficulties a faithful minifter may be threatened with, if the Lord has many people in that place ; he who fent him to call them out of darknefs into his mar vellous light, will fupport and defend him, fo that either none fhall rife againft him, or at leaft none be able to prevail to his real harm. That the people, whom the Lord here fpoke of as his own, were no better, either by nature or pradice, than others, is plain, from what the apoftle reminds them of after their con verfion, 1 Cor. 6. 9 — 11. We* learn from the fame epiftle, that his conflids and exer- cifes at this time were very great. Supported, however, by fuch a feafonable and gracious en couragement, he remained there a year and half; and all the efforts of his enemies were infufficient, either to damp his zeal and adi vity, or to prevent the fuccefs of his labours, tho' the Lord permitted them to try what they could do, and thereby more clearly fhewed, that the fafety of his fervants depends on him felf. When Gallio was proconful of Achaia (who, as it feems by Luke's expreffion, entered upon his * 1 Cor. 2. 3. ( *72 ) his government during the apoftle's abode at Corinth) the Jews appeared tumultuoufly be fore the tribunal, with the old accufation, that he fubverted the laws of Mofes. Gallio pre vented Paul's intended defence, and refufed to interfere in points foreign to the Roman laws: he faid, that if their charge had been laid for any trefpafs or immorality, he would readily have taken cognizance of the affair, but fhould leave them to fettle their religious difputes between themfelves. With this reprimand he difmiffed, or rather drove them from his pre fence. The condud of Gallio in this affair has been confidered in different lights, and praifed or cenfured accordingly. Hiftory gives him a fair charader for equity and moderation ; and it muft be allowed he judged right, in re fusing to interpofe the civil authority to give fandion to perfecution : yet he feems, upon this occafion, to have difcovered that political indifference which has prompted fo many great and wife men, in the world's eftimation, to treat the gofpel as a trivial fcheme unworthy their notice : he rather fhewed contempt than impartiality; he would not hear either party, becaufe he defpifed both, and therefore drove them away with fcorn. In fine, the Jews not only failed in their defign, but were themfelves affaulted by fome of the inhabitants, who beat Softhenes, the chief ruler of the fynagogue, even in the open court, and Gallio, tho' he faw it, cared for none of thefe things ; which is a farther proof that he was influenced by fome ' ( '73 ) fome other motives than impartiality and a re gard to juftice, or he would not have fuffered his authority to be infulted, and a perfon (upon his own principles innocent) abufed before his face. I fuppofe (tho' it is a controverted point) that the Softhenes here mentioned was at that time an enemy to Paul, and joined in the pro- fecution attempted againft him. Perhaps he was afterwards converted, and accompanied the apoftle in his travels, as this name is pre-' fixed, with his own, to his firft epiftle to the Corinthians. Nero, A. D. 54.] St. Paul, after about two years ftay in Greece, from his firft landing' at Macedonia, embarked at Cenchrea, the port of Corinth, intending for Syria. In this voyage they touched at Ephefus, the chief city of the Proper or Proconfular Afia. Here, as in other places, he entered into the Jews fynagogues, defirous, if poffible, to lead them to the knowledge of the Meffiah. At this city he left his dear companions Aquila and Prifcilla, who would willingly have detained him lon ger ; but St. Paul, having formed the plan of his progrefs, in fuch manner as he judged moft fuitable to his main defign, readily facrificed the didates of affedion to the calls of duty, and perfifted in his purpofe to be at Jerufalem on the approaching paffover : he took leave of them therefore with a promife of returning at a proper time, and proceeding on his voyage, landed at Cafarea, from whence he went to Jerufalem. His ftay here was not long : having ( '74 ) having anfwered the defign of his journey, and converfed with the brethren, he revifited the places where he had formerly preached, and went firft to Antioch, and from thence thro' the provinces of Galatia and Phrygia. In this circuit he loft no time, but publifhed the glad tidings of falvation, and confirmed the hearts of the difciples, wherever he came. While he was on this fervice, there came to Ephefus a Jew of Alexandria, named Apollos"; he had been as yet only inftruded in the rudi ments of the faith, fo far as was communicated by the teaching and baptifm of John ; but tho' his knowledge was not extenfive, his zeal was lively and fervent, and having a prompt elocution, and great readinefs irt the fcriptures, he preach'd concerning Chrift with much free dom and earneftnefs, according to the meafure of light he had received. Aquila and Prifcilla were amongft his hearers, and having more experience and knowledge than himfelf, they eafily perceived wherein he was deficient, and, with candour and tendernefs, inftruded him farther. This paffage is worthy the notice both of preachers and hearers. What Apollos had learnt he willingly communicated ; what he was yet ignorant of, he as willingly received when propofed to him ; his zeal and humility went hand in hand. This is an amiable and thriving charader. The man who is faithful to prefent light, and open to farther convic tion, will foon be wife and fuccefsful ; the Lord will provide him both teachers and hearers ; ( ^75 ) hearers ; he fhall profit others and be profited himfelf every day. The prudence and mode ration of Aquila and Prifcilla are no lefs com mendable ; they did not acquiefce in all he faid becaufe he was eloquent and mighty in the fcriptures, neither did they rejed and dif- dain him becaufe they knew more than he, much lefs expofe and revile him as a low igno rant preacher, but they fpoke to him in pri vate ; they approved what was right, and fhewed him mildly and faithfully wherein he was defedive : they commended his zeal, and improved his knowledge. With thefe advan tages, and letters of recommendation to the brethren, he went from thence to Corinth, where he was highly ferviceable to the church, publicly maintaining and proving, againft the Jews, ^with great earneftnefs of fpirit and ftrength of argument, that Jefus was the Mef fiah. Not long after his departure *, Paul, having completed his progrefs thro' the upper or inte rior parts of Afia Minor, returned, according to his promife, to Ephefus. Here he found fome more difciples, who, like Apollos, tho' acquainted with the dodrine and baptifm of John, were hitherto ftrangers to thofe peculiar gifts, graces and comforts, which, as the fruits of the Holy Spirit, were beftowed on the be lievers in Jefus ; but, by the impofition of the apoftle's hands, they were immediately made partakers of the fame benefits. The y Ads, chap. 19. ( i76 ) A. D. 5$.] The apoftle, unwilling to give i : his own people, the Jews, continued his labours of love among them for three months, if, by any means, he might bring them to the acknowledgment of the truth ; but at length percieving that, inftead of yielding, they har dened themfelves ftill more, and obftinately laboured to traduce and defame the author and way of falvation before the people, he finally defifted, and feleding thofe who had received the gofpel from the many who might hinder and confufe them, he formed them into a fociety among themfelves. He continued daily to preach and defend the gofpel, for two years afterwards, in a public fchool, with indefati gable zeal and diligence, feconding his more ftated fervices with occafional and preffing ex hortations from houfe to houfe, and watering the feed with many prayers and tears. His labours were not in vain ; he had great fuccefs not only in the city of Ephefus, but amongft many, who, reforting thither from other parts, and with different views, were providentially led to hear him, and being divinely convinced themfelves, carried home the joyful tidings with them : fo that the knowledge of the gof pel was generally fpread throughout the pro vince. The attention of the people was ftill farther excited, and their prejudices foftened by the numerous difplays and vifible tendency of that divine power, by which the Lord con firmed the words of his fervant. Many-ftriking miracles, emblematical of the healing efficacy of ( ^77 ) of gofpel grace, were wrought by the moft inconsiderable means ; fo that perfons afflided with various maladies, or poffeffed by evil fpi- rits, were perfedly reftored to health, by the application of handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body. Among the various methods by which the gofpel has been oppofed, one is~ by a feeble imitation and a pretended acknowledgment of fome of its principles, while the heart is unac quainted or unaffeded with the defign and fcope of the whole dodrine. Enmity, or at beft, intereft, is often the fpring of many at tempts that are veiled under a fair profeffion of good words ; but fuch attempts will always iffue in the difappointment or confufion of thofe who venture on them. An inftance of this kind happened at Ephefus : Some vagrant Jews, who made claim to a power of exorcifing or difpoffeffing evil fpirits, ftruck with the miracles wrought in the name of Jefus, pre fumed to adopt this facred name into the num ber of their profeffed mysteries, and meeting with a fit fubjed for the exercife of their art, they undertook to adjure the evil fpirit to de part from a man, by the name of Jefus whom Paul preached ; but the man, under the in fluence of the evil fpirit, infulted and expofed them ; he acknowledged the authority of Jefus and the fidelity of Paul, but demanding farther who they were that durft make free with thefe names, far from obeying their fummons, he fiercely affaulted them, and forced them, tho* N feven ( '73) feven in number, to flee for their lives, naked, wounded and terrified. Great indeed is the power of the name of Jefus, but when not pronounced by faith it is fpoken in vain : Satan 'laughs at fuch vain pretenders, and prevails againft them. So, when thofe who are defti tute of faith, undertake to write or preach concerning Jefus, it will feldom prove to more purpofe than if they attempted to exorcife the people ; inftead of delivering others from the power of Satan, they are more and more fub- jeded to him themfelves, and, unlefs the grace of God interpofes to teach them better, their latter end is ufually worfe than their beginning. This public defeat of the enemy added to the triumph .of the gofpel and the honour of the apoftle, and produced a reverence and awe in the hearts of many, convincing them of the power of evil fpirits when not restrained, and the danger of trifling with the name or mi niftry of Chrift; and many who had been ad- dided to the magic arts (for which Ephefus was peculiarly infamous) renounced their delu- fions, confeffed their folly and wickednefs to the apoftle, made public profeffion of the gof pel, and, in proof that their faith and repen tance were fincere, brought the books con taining the fecrets and principles of their pre tended fkill, and publicly committed them to the flames. 'Thefe were either fo numerous, or fo dear, that the value was computed at fifty thoufand pieces of filver : what this fum might be in our money, the learned are not agreed ; ( '79 ) agreed ; the loweft calculations fix it at about fifteen hundred pounds, while fome compute it at more than feven thoufand. We are not, however, fure they were all on the fubjed of magic, a variety of other difquifitions might poffibly contribute to enlarge the pile. Curious books and curious arts had been multiplied, but the one book of truth now made the reft ufelefs and taftelefs ; thev had now found the pearl of great price, and willingly parted with their once-admired pebbles : and we may be lieve, that if the worth and power of the holy fcriptures were once generally known, many curious libraries, in our days, if they efcaped unhurnt, would at leaft remain unread and un noticed. When the wife thus renounced their wifdom, and the artful their gain, burnt their books with their own hands, and devoted themfelves to the ftudy of the fcriptures alone, it is once more obferved, So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed ! A. D. 57.] The apoftle, of whom it may be faid, with more propriety than of Casfar, that he accounted nothing done while any thing remained to do, in the midft of his im portant engagements at Ephefus, was ftill me ditating new fervices ; he retained a warm affedion and care for his friends in different, diftant, and oppofite quarters ; he had thoughts of revisiting Macedonia and Greece, and, from thence, once more to go to Jerufalem ; and, not content with reviewing his paft labours, he N 2 longed ( i8o) longed to preach in places he had not yet feen — faying, After I have been there, I muft alfo fee Rome : nor was Rome the boundary of his views, for from thence he propofed to proceed to Spain2. We are taught from our infancy to ad mire thofe who, in the language of the world, are filled great captains and conquerors, becaufe they burned with a defire to carry flaughter and terror into every part of the globe, and to aggrandize their names by the depopulation of countries, and the deftrudion of their fpecies, while this generous fpirit of St. Paul is almoft totally overlooked : unwearied by difficulties, undifmayed by dangers, unfatisfied with the greateft fuccefs, unaffeded with the jufteft ap- plaufe, he feemed to lay his benevolent fchemes wide as the human race : he reaped no profit, he fought no praife, he rejeded the allure ments of pleafure (to which the greateft con querors have often been irrefolute flaves) he endured the reproach and contempt of the people, which no hero, but the true Chriftian, was ever ftrong enough to bear with patience, and all this only to make others partakers of the happinefs which he enjoyed himfelf. How ever, finding it neceffary to continue fome time longer where he was, hedifpatched his beloved Timothy to Macedonia, to apprize his friends of his intention, and to prepare them for his vifit, when a proper opportunity fhould permit. In 1 Rom. 15. 24. ( i8i ) 7 In the mean time, an incident fell out which well illuftrates the caufes and genius of that oppofition and outcry which is ufually made when the power of gofpel truth interferes with the paffions and interefts of defigning men. St. Paul's great fuccefs, and the additions daily made to the church of Chrift, had a vifible tendency to leffen the eftimation and gain of thofe, whofe chief refource was in the igno rance 'and wickednefs of the people. Thefe were not backward to take the alarm, and had been waiting an opportunity to fhew their re- fentment. » he Lord, who holds all hearts in his own hands, had reftrained them hitherto, that his work of grace might not be difturbed; but when the apoftle was upon the point of departure, this reftraint was in fome meafure taken off. The temple of Diana at Ephefus was celebrated for its magnificence far and near, fo that many fhrines or models of it were made for fale, and in much demand. This branch of bufinefs brought in confiderable gain to the filverfmiths and other mechanics; but if the gofpel of Chrift continued to fpread, it was highly probable that thefe, with many other fuch toys, would be little enquired after. Demetrius, a leading man amongft them, con vening his brethren and dependents, and as many as he could whofe intereft feemed moft immediately affeded by this novel dodrine, harangued them with much addrefs and in fluence on a point in which they had fo near and mutual a concern ; he reminded them, N 3 with ( 182 ) with a feafonable franknefs, that their gain was at * ftake : this was the main argument ; yet, as one not wholly governed by mercenary views, he exprefs'd a very tender concern for the honour of Diana, left her worfhip and their advantage fhould ceafe together, as they certainly would, if this Paul fhould be peace ably fuffered to perfuade the people, that they can be no gods which are made with hands. An appeal to the two prevailing paffions of mankind, intereft and fuperftition, is feldom made in vain. The arguments of Demetrius have been employed a" thoufand times over againft the gofpel, tho' all oppofers have not had his honefty, in avowing- their leading mo tive. The dodrine which difcountenances folly and wickednefs will certainly be defamed and refifted by all who find their account in promoting them ; but as this motive is rather invidious, if infifted on alone, they exprefs likewife an earneft zeal for whatever tenets have the fandion of authority, antiquity or cuftom, with which their private intereft is infeparably conneded. He had faid enough to inflame his hearers, and thefe were fufficiently numerous to ftimulate the unthinking rabble, who, tho' quiet till they are headed by artful leaders, a This is the main objedion againft the gofpel, tho' pre texts are induftrioufly fought to hide it; it alarms thofe who thrive by the ignorance or wickednefs of the times : gain is the motive, the honour of Diana the plea. But it may be eafily proved, that fuch occupations as are endan gered by the fuccefs of the gofpel, are in themfelves injurious to the peace and good order of civil fociety, ( 1 83 ) leaders, are eafily roufed to rage and tumult when thus influenced, as the fea that has been long calm obeys the impulfe of the rifing gale. The outcry began by Demetrius and his com- penions, Great is Diana of the Ephefians, was foon refounded thro' the city, and the multi tude being informed that their eftablifhed reli gion, their ftately temple and coftly rites were all in danger, rufhed from all parts tumul tuoufly into the public theatre, dragging two of St. Paul's dear companions, Gaius and Arif- tarchus, along with them, perhaps with a de fign to throw them to the wild beafts, which were kept for the barbarous diverfion of the people at their public games. The apoftle, warmly concerned for his friends fafety, and confiding in the goodnefs of his caufe and the providence of his God, was not intimidated by this violent uproar, but purpofed to face the enraged mob ; but the earneft folicitations of the difciples, who could not but be anxious for the event, reftrained him : and even fome who had not received his dodrine, from a re gard to what they knew of his charader and condud, employ'd their endeavours to preferve him. Thefe, in the text, are ftiled Afiarchs, perfons of note who presided in the regulation of the games. Some of them fent to inform him, that in the prefent confufion it was not in their power to proted him from violence, and therefore defired he would keep in fafety. Tho' his refolution was not fhaken, yet judging this might be a providential intimation, that N 4 it ( i84) it was not his duty at that time to expofe him felf, hedefifted. The mob, thus difappointed with refped to him, and fecretly reftrained from hurting the others, continued in the ut moft confufion, tho' few knew why they were affembled, unlefs it was to join in the cry, Great is Diana of the Ephefians, which they repeated, without intermiffion, for two hours. When they had thus exhaufted themfelves, and their paffions, thro' wearinefs, began to fubfide, a public officer of the city feized the favourable moment to expoftulate with them concerning their behaviour ; he fpoke with freedom and addrefs, but with that indifference which the wife men of the world fo frequently difcover in religious concerns. Many deferve commendation for their readinefs to allow others the peaceable poffeffion of their own fentiments, who, at the fame time, call for our pity, that they have no inclination or lei fure to enquire for themfelves. He allowed, in general terms, the honours of Diana, and pleaded in behalf of the men, that they had not fpoke againft Diana in particular, or inter meddled with her temple1'. This was probably true in fad : St. Paul declared the folly of ido latry in general, but did not enter into dired confutation of any detached part of the heathen mytho- * Are neither robbers of churches, ver, 37. fhould rather be rendered Robbers of temples ; for tho' the word church is now expreffive of ibme particular places of worfhip, it is never, in the New Teftament, applied to buildings, but to perfons only, ( i85) mythology ; he propofed the plain truth of the gofpel, and when this was received, the whole fyftem of idol worfhip fell to the ground of itfelf. He farther reminded them, that if they had any juft caufe of complaint, they ought to feek redrefs in a courfe of law c; and then hinting at the confequences they were liable to, if called to a ftrid account d for their riot, he prevailed on them to feparate and de part quietly. Thus the apoftle, tho' threaten'd with a moft imminent and formidable danger, was preferved unhurt, and fuffered neither in his perfon nor charader. An encouraging proof that thofe who ad in the path of duty, and depend on the power of God, are equally fafe in all times and circumftances ; no lefs fafe, when furrounded by enraged enemies, than when encircled by kind and affiduous friends. He did not continue long at Ephefus after this tumult, but, taking leave of the difciples, he went to Troas, and from thence (as he had purpofed) to Macedonia*. We have but little account of this progrefs in the hiftory of the Ads, but from fome paffages ofof c The fervants of Chrift will feldom be compelled to anfwer for themfelves in a courfe of law, except in thofe places where fanguinary laws are contrived purpofely againft: them. In default of thefe, their ad verfaries will often ftoop to appeal from the magiftrate to the mob. d It feems, however, there was no more faid of it. It had been a no torious breach of the peace, but then it had been againft St. Paul and his companions, who had fufficient favour fhewn them if they came off with their lives. In any other cafe, fuch a tumult would have been deemed an high of fence, e Ads %o. ( 1 86 ) of his epiftles f, written about that time, we are informed that his exercifes and trials, both inward and outward, were very great. His folicitous affedion for the churches was far from being the fmalleft fource of his troubles, and coft him many g a pang : he loved them in the bowels of Jefus Chrift ; be could wil lingly have devoted his labours and life to each of them, but he could not be with them all ; and knowing the weaknefs of the heart, the fubtlety of Satan, and the obvious temptations arifing from the fear of man, the love of the world, and the arts of falfe teachers, he was jealous over thofe from whom he was abfent with a godly jealoufy h. At Troas he expeded to have met with Titus, on his return from Macedonia, but miffing him, tho' he had fa vourable opportunities of preaching the gofpel at * Troas, his mind was not at liberty to im prove them, but he hafted to be in Macedonia, that he might the fooner be fitisfied. There he tells us himfelf, he had no reft, but was troubled r 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13. and 7. 5. s See 2 Cor. 11. 28. That which com< th on me daily. The word is rtrwracn — and gives the idea of a camp or caftle hard befet with continual onfcts and affaults ; or of a man who has his way to force thro' a great crowd that are coming to meet him, fo that he muft not only be much encumbered and hin dered, but, unlefs he exerts himfelf to the utmoft, is in • danger of being trampled under their feet. By this lively figure the apoftle defcribes the part he took in the welfare of all the churches. His cares on their behalf were fo nu merous, urgent and continual, that they found full em ployment for his pra\ers, his thoughts and his time. k 2 Cor. 11. 1. * 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13. (i87). troubled on every fide, without were fight ings, within were fears ; but he fpeaks of it as a feafonable and gracious interpofition of that God, whofe charader k and prerogative it is to be a comforter of thofe that are eaft down ; that in thefe circumftances he was comforted by the coming of Titus, who relieved his fears by the favourable account he brought him from Corinth. A. D. 58. J How long he ftaid in thefe parts we are not told, but, in general, that he fpent fome time and vifited many places ; and it feems to have been in this circuit that he preached in Illyricum, a part of which country borders upon Macedonia, He afterwards pro ceeded to Greece, where he ftaid three months. He intended to have embarked from thence at fome port ; and to have proceeded immediately to Syria by fea ; but upon information that his reftlefs enemies, the Jews, were plotting to intercept and kill him, he determined to return thro' Macedonia. Several of his friends offered to accompany him thro' Afia, who embarking before him, waited for him at Troas, where he, at a convenient time, join'd them from Philippi, and remained there feven days. On the firft day of the week they had a fo lemn affembly, and St. Paul, who was to take a long and laft farewell of the difciples there the next morning, indulged his own and their affedions, by protrading his difcourfes and advices beyond the ufual bounds; he fpent the whole k 2 Cor. 7, 6. ( i88 ) whole day, even till midnight, in expatiating upon the pleafing topics of redeeming love. This does not indeed appear to have been his ufual pradice ; but fhould a company of be lievers now fpend a night together in the exer cifes they beft love, tho' it were but once, and when they had no expedation of meeting again, till they fhould meet in glory, it would be fufficient to open the mouths of prejudice and flander againft them, as regardlefs of the order of families, and the duties of common life. Particular notice is taken that they had many lights in the upper chamber where they were met, perhaps to remind us that the firft Chriftians were careful to condud their affem blies with order and propriety, fo as to give no juft caufe of offence ; yet their enemies quickly began to charge them with meeting in the dark, and invented many falfe and wicked flanders upon that fuppofition. The like falfe- hoods have been often repeated. A young man of the company, either lefs attentive, or lefs warmly engaged than the reft, dropped afleep, and not only loft much of an invaluable opportunity, but fell out of a window in which he was feated, from the third ftory, and was taken up to appearance dead : an incident which might have given thofe who hated the apoftle a farther occafion to clamour, and to revile his unfeafonable zeal ; but he went down in the fpirit of faith and prayer, and embracing the young man, reftored him to his friends alive. After they were recovered from ( i89 ) from the hurry of this event, and had taken fome refrefhment, he refumed his difcourfe, and continued in conference ' with them till the break of day, when he bid them farewel. His companions went along the coaft by fhipping to Affos, a place not very diftant, and to which the apoftle chofe to go by land, and on foot. Some think he did this by way of felf-denial, but it is not likely that he, who was the great afferter of evangelical and filial liberty, would lay any ftrefs upon fuch Angu larities. Self may readily fubmit to many things of this fort, and derive food, compla cence and ftrength frorh them. It is more probable he chofe to walk, either that he might embrace occafions of fervice by the way, or for the advantage of leifure and retire ment ; for Chriftians engaged in a very public fphere of life (as he was) are glad to redeem opportunities of being alone, at the price of fome inconveniences. But this circumftance is mentioned as charaderizing the fimplicity of his fpirit ; tho' greatly honoured and greatly beloved, he thought it not beneath him to walk from place to place, like an obfcure perfon. Embarking 1 This, as we have obferved, was upon a particular oc cafion ; they expeded to fee each other no more, and hardly knew how to part. The like circumftances might juftify fuch protraded meetings of chriftian friends ftill, but in general they are to be avoided : if frequently in dulged they would break in upon other things, indifpofe thofe who attend for the ordinary duties of their ftations, be prejudicial to health, and for thefe and other reafons prove a caufe of offence. ( 190 ) Embarking at Affos, and having touched at Mitylene and Samos, intermediate places, they arrived in a few days at Miletus. St. Paul pur- pofely paffed Ephefus, that he might not be detained or grieved by the many .dear friends he had in that city, for he was refolved, if poffible, to be at Jerufalem on the approaching day of Pentecoft ; but from Miletus he fent for the elders or bifhops of the church at Ephefus, to receive his final charge and bene- didion. When they came he addreffed them in a folemn and affedionate difcourfe. The fubftance of it, which is recorded for our in- ftrudion, if confidered only as a piece of ora tory, has been often admired and celebrated by critics : but there are ftrokes in it, the force and beauty of which no critic can truly relifh, except he has tafted of the fame fpirit which filled and animated the apoftle's heart when he fpoke it. He began with an appeal to themfelves con cerning his condud while refident among them, and reminded them of the diligence, fidelity and tendernefs which he had manifefted in the courfe of his miniftry; how he had feconded his public inftrudions with private arid re peated exhortations, watering them both with many prayers and tears : he informed them of the object and fervice of his prefent journey, and how uncertain he was what the iffue might prove to himfelf But tho' he had general in timations from the fpirit of God, to expect afflidions and bonds in every place, his deter mination ( '9i ) mination was fixed i he had counted the coft, and faw that nothing he could meet with was worth his ferious thought, fo that he might be able to fulfil his miniftry with honour, and to finifh his courfe with joy m; but this he faid he was affured of, that the pleafing opportuni- nities he had enjoyed with the believers at Ephefus, and in that neighbourhood, were ended, and that they now faw and heard him for the laft time. Only thofe who know the endeared affedion that fubfifts between a mi nifter of Chrift, and thofe to whom God has made him the inftrument of faving their fouls, can judge of the emotion with which he fpoke, and his friends heard, this part of his difcourfe. When he had thus touched and engaged their tendereft paffions, and prepared them to re ceive his parting folemn charge with a due attention, he exhorted them, in the moft ani mated terms, to follow his example, in per forming the part of faithful overfeers, or bi fhops, in the church which he now committed to their care, fuggefting two moft powerful motives, m The ftate of obedience and fervice which we owe to him who died for us, and rofe again, is often compared to a race or courfe; by which is intimated, the affiduity with which we ought to purfue our calling, the brevity of our labours and fufferings, the little attention we fhould pay to objeds around us, and that our eye and aim fhould be con ftantly direded to the prize fet before us. Every ftep in this race is attended with trouble, but the end will be un fpeakable joy. Thofe to whom the King fhall fay, Well done good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord ! will not then complain of the difficulties they met by the way. ( i92 ) motives, the confideration that they were ap pointed to this office by the Holy Ghoft, and that the fouls entrufted to them were the church of God, which he had purchafed with his own blood : he likewife warned them, that the utmoft circumfpedion would' be needful, for that he forefaw that after his de parture grievous wolves would enter amongft them, not fparing the flock, and alfo that out of their own number of profeffed difciples, men fhould arife fpeaking perverfe things. This double danger of falfe teachers from without, and reftlefs curious fpirits within the fold, all focieties of Chriftians are expofed to; and it is a flrong call to minifters, in all ages, to be mindful of the apoftle's charge, and to take heed to the flock over which the Holy Ghoft has made them overfeers. He again put them in remembrance of his own condud, his affiduity and difintereftednefs ; that he had not fought his own advantage, but had rather wrought with his own hands that he might not be chargeable to them : finally, commend ing them to God, and the word of his grace, he clofed his difcourfe, with proposing to their considerations an aphorifmof our Lord Jefus, and illuftrated by the whole tenor of his life, It is more bleffed to give than to receive. This fentiment, fo highly expreffive of the fpirit of the Divine Author, which had been hitherto preferved in the hearts and mouths of his difciples, was, upon this occafion, inferted into the written word, and is the only authentic tradition ( 193 ) tradition concerning him which has been tranfmitted to the church. Having finifhed his pathetic addrefs, he kneeled down and prayed with them. The final farewell was very affeding ; for how could thofe who owed him their fouls, who had been fo often com forted and edified by his inftrudions and ex ample, confider that they were to fee him no more in this world, without being greatly moved ? They accompanied him to the fhip, and then returned. The word which Luke the hiftorian makes ufe of upon this occafion, intimates that the concern was mutual ; it fig- nifies, to draw afunder by force, to feparate things clofely joined together. When we had gotten from them, or, as it might be rendered, When we had torn ourfelves from them, , well ex preffes the clofe union of their affedions, and the forrow and reludance which both fides felt at parting. When this ftruggle " was over, St. Paul and his company put to fea with a favourable gale, and having touched at Coos and Rhodes, two iflands of note in the ^Egean fea, continued their courfe to Patara in Lycia, where they feafonably met with a fhip upon the point of departure for Phoenicia, and embarking in her, they paffed on the fouth fide of Cyprus, and had a fafe voyage to Tyre, which being the deftined port of the veffel, they landed. As he was now not very far diftant from Jerufalem, and had finifhed that part of his voyage in O which " Ads, ch, 21. ( 194 ) which he was moft expofed to unavoidable delays by the occurrences of winds and wea ther, fo that he had a fair probability of reach ing Jerufalem within his prefcribed time, he confented to ftay feven days with fome dif ciples ° he found there. From fome of thefe he received an intimation, by a prophetic im pulfe, of the dangers he would be expofed to if he went to Jerufalem ; but he knew whom he had believed, and being convinced that his duty called him to perfevere, he was not inti midated by a profped of fuffering. At the appointed time he embarked again, the difciples with their families accompanying him to the water-fide, where he took leave of them in an affedionate prayer upon the fea-fhorep. He landed next at Ptolemais, a city of Galilee, and ftaid one day with the brethren there. The next day he proceeded to Caefarea, and lodged at the houfe of Philip the deacon, who had four daughters endued with the fpirit of pro phecy. During his ftay at Caefarea, a prophet named Agabus came down from Jerufalem, and, agreeable ° Ver. 4. Anv^di: ro:f pxMas might be rendered, Find ing out the difciples. There feems no reafon for fuppreffing the article, and the verb is ufed for finding out, in confe quence of fome defcription or enquiry, Luke 2. 16- We readily fuppofe, from the Apoftle's character, that his firft enquiry upon coming to any place where the gofpel had been preached, related to thofe who loved the Lord Jefus, and how they were to be met with. f Could many perfons now living have feen this, without doubt they would have fao6 ) importing his care to preferve the prifoner, becaufe he underftood him to be a Roman citizen, and that he had commanded his accufers to follow. Thus the confpiracy, which his enemies had formed to deftroy him, proved the occafion of his deliverance out of their hands. In about five days afterwards, Ananias the high-prieft, with the elders of the council, appeared x before Fcelix, againft Paul. The charge was opened by Tertullus, a venal orator, or advocate, whom they had retained for this purpofe, who began with a commen dation of the governor, in terms which might have fuited the illuftrious adions and wife meafures of princes ftudious of the public good, but were ill-applied to Fcelix (who was infa mous for his cruelty and oppreffion) and in the name of the Jews who hated him. But enmity to the gofpel will make men ftoop to the meaneft flattery and fevility, if, by that means, they have hope of gaining their point ! The fum of the accufation was, that Paul was an enemy to church and ftate, a difturber of the eftablifhed religion, and a mover of fedi- tion againft the government ; to which was added, as a popular proof of the charge, that he was a ringleader of the fed or herefy of the Nazarenes, fo called from Jefus of Nazareth, who was crucified, by a former governor, for afferting himfelf to be a king. Thus much feems implied in the term Nazarene, as the Jews 1 Ads, chap. 24. ( 207 ) Jews ufed it. The apoftle began his defence with a proteftation of his innocence, as to any defign of moving fedition or tumult, which he faid his enemies were unable to prove by a fingle fad : he proceeded to inform the go vernor of the true motives of their enmity againft him, and acknowledged that he wor- fhipped God in a way which they ftigmatized with the name of herefy or divifion ; for the proper y meaning of herefy is no more than fed or party. By farther declaring that he worfhipped the God of his fathers, and be lieved all things written in the law and the prophets, he proved, from the objed and the manner of his worfhip, that he was not guilty of any blameable innovations : he profeffed the hope of a refurredion, which his enemies could not but allow, and that it was his con ftant ftudy z and endeavour to maintain a con fcience y As the apoftle only cautions Titus to rejed or avoid a heretic (Tit. 3. 10.) but has not defined him exprefsly, many writers and teachers have had a fair field to exercife their fkill or their paffions upon the fubjed, yet the quef tion is far from determined to this day. Some would treat all thofe as heretics, who differ from them either in judg ment or pradice ; others explain the word quite away, as tho' the admonition to avoid a heretic was wholly unnecef fary. Perhaps the advice to Titus is nearly, if not exadly, equivalent to Rom. 16. 17. The fpirit of truth produces unity ; the fpirit of divifion is herefy. And the man who fiercely ftickles for opinions of his own, who ads contrary to the peaceable, forbearing, humble fpirit of the gofpel, who affeds to form a party and to be thought confiderable in it, is fo far a heretic. * Ads 24, 16. The Greek word here ufed («o-*£«J denotes the ftudy, diligence and profi ciency ( 208 ) fcience void of offence; and added, that it was not he, but the Jews themfelves, who had raifed the tumult, by affaulting him when he was peaceably attending in the temple, according to the prefcribed rules. He obferved that his firft accufers were not prefent, as they ought to have been ; and challenged any, who were within hearing, to prove their allegations in any one inftance. Fcelix having, perhaps, a favourable opi nion of the chriftian profeffion, which had been fettled fome time at Cjefarea, and being likewife defirous of farther information, de ferred the full difcuffion of the affair till the arrival of Lyfias : and committed Paul, in the mean time, to the care of a centurion, as a priloner at large, allowing him to go abroad in the city, and giving his friends liberty to vifit him at home. And thus he was provi dentially delivered from the blood-thirfty Jews, and found an afylum in the Roman power, which they had endeavoured to en gage for his deftrudion. He ciency of a perfon who is defirous to excel and be iminent in any particular art : as a painter for inftance ; he fearches out the beft matters and the beft pieces, he ftudies and co pies the beauties of others works, and is continually re touching and improving upon his own ; his acquaintance refledions and recreations are all accommodated to his main purpofe, and. tho' his pencil is fometimes at reft, his ima gination is fe'dom idle. Similar to this is the exercife of a good confcience, formed upon the model of the fcripture, and improved by diligence, meditation, examination and experience. ( 209 ) A. D. 59.] He was fent for, not long after, by Fcelix, and difcourfed before him and his wife Drufilla concerning the faith of Chrift. Curiofity was the governor's motive ; but the apoftle, who knew his charader, was faithful to him, and would not fpeak of the faith of Chrift only, to one who could not underftand it, but made a home application, by enlarging on righteoufnefs, temperance, and the im portant confequences of a future judgment* Thefe were fit topics to prefs upon an unjuft and rapacious governor, who lived in adultery, Drufilla (his reputed wife 'I having forfaken a lawful hufband to live with him. She was by birth a Jewefs, daughter of the Herod whofe death we have already mentioned, and having renounced her religion and her hufband for Fcelix, was, by the judgment of God, given up to hardnefs of heart ; fo that it does not appear that the apoftle's difcourfe made any rmpreffion upon her. It was otherwife with Fcelix, who, tho' a wicked man, had finned againft lefs light: he trembled at what he heard, and, not able to conceal his con cern, he cut fhort the interview, with a pro mife to fend for him again at a convenient fea fon. So great fometimes is the power of truth, when faithfully enforced ! With this only advantage on his fide, Paul the prifoner triumphs over a haughty governor, and makes him tremble. Great likewife is the power of fin ! Fcelix trembled at the review of the paft and the profped: of the future,, but he could P not ( 21© ) not ftop; he found fome avocation for ^his prefent relief, and put off his moft important concerns to a fitter opportunity, which it H probable never came. ' He faw and heard Paul afterwards, but the fame man had nomor.e the fame influence, "the accompanying force of the fpirit was withheld, and then he had no fiirthef vie w in converting with him, but 'the hope of receiving money 'for his enlargement; When the apoftle had continued in this fitua tion about two years, Fcelix Was recalled from his government : he had governed the Jews with fe verity and injuftice, and had reafon to fear they Would accufe him to the emperor ; therefore, to ingratiate himfelf with them, be left Paul in his confinement, thinking that.the detention of the perfon they hated might make them- more readily excufe what was paft; or at leaft he durft not provoke them farther, by releasing him. ¦ A. D. 60. J When Feftus, who fucceeded Fcelix in the government, went up to Jerufa lem a, the: high-prieft and elders applied to him, and requefted that Paul might be fent thither to be tried before the council ; and they appointed proper inftruments to affault and murther him in the journey. It feems they expeded this favour* would be eafily granted, as it is uiual for governors, at their firft coming amongft a people, to do. fome popular ->d; but Feftus refufed, and com manded them to follow him to Caefarea, where Ads, chap. 25. fan ) Where he himfelf would judge in the caufev The Jews accordingly exerted themfelves in one more effort, and, when Feftus. was re turned to Casfarea, prefented themfelves before him on an appointed day, and Paul being brought into the coUrt, they accufed him1 heavily, as they had done before, and to as little effed, hot being able to prove any thing againft him, or to invalidate his proteftation that he had committed no offence, either againft the law, or the temple, or the Roman government. Feftus, who had refufed to fend him to Jerufalem before, -was now willing to oblige them, perceiving the controverfy was of a religious kind, and what he had little knowledge of : he therefore afked Paul, if he Was willing to be tried, in his prefence, before "the council at Jerufalem. The apoftle, who knew what treatment he might exped from the Jews, anfwered, that he was then at Gefar's judgment- feat, where he ought to He tried, and that, if found guilty, he was not unwilling to fuffer; but that, againft the pro pofal of being delivered up to thofe who thirfted for his blood, he appealed to Csefar. This was one privilege 'of a Roman citizen, that, when he thought himfelfaggrieved in.an inferior court, he might, by entering fuch dn appeal, put a ftop to proceedings, and refer the caufe to the immediate determination of the emperor. From the example of St. Paul, who counted not his life dear, but was willing, not only to be bound, but to die for the Lord P 2 Jefus, ( 212) Jefus, we learn, that it is very allowable for a Chriftian to avail himfelf of the laws and pri vileges of his country, when unjuftly perfe cted for righteoufnefs-fake ; and perhaps, in fome cafes, it would be blameable to omit it. Civil liberty is a depofitum with which we are entrufted for pofterity, and, by all lawful means, fhould be carefully preferved. Feftus, after having confulted with his council and lawyers upon this unexpeded turn, admitted the appeal, and determined he fhould be fent to Rome. Paul had long had a defire to vifit the believers in that city, and had formed fome plans concerning it. But it is not in man that walketh to dired his fteps. His way was now opened in a manner he had not thought of, but in fuch a manner as made it more evi dent, that his bonds proved to the furtherance of the gofpel. Soon after this, Agrippa, fon of the late Herod, who had large territories, and the title of king, under the Romans, came, with his fifter Bernice, to congratulate Feftus upon his acceflion to his government : he was a man of a fair charader, a profeffed Jew, but pof- feffed of moderation and prudence. During their ftay, Feftus informed them of what had lately happened concerning Paul. The whole that he underftood of the affair was, that he had not been guilty of any crime, but that his accufers had certain queftions againft him of their own fuperfti tions, and concerning one Jefus, who was dead, and whom Paul affirmed to ( 213 ) to be alive. To him, the life and the death of Jefus were points of equal indifference : Not fo to thofe who believe } he died for them, and who exped that, becaufe he lives, they fhall live alfo. This imperfed account made Agrippa defirous to hear Paul himfelf, and accordingly, the next day, Agrippa, Bernice and Feftus, being feated in b court, attended by their officers and train, and a number of the principal people, Paul was once more brought forth e to fpeak in public for himfelf. On this occafion he addreffed himfelf particu larly to Agrippa, and having expreffed his fa tisfadion that he was permitted to fpeak before one who was fo well acquainted with the laws and cuftoms of the Jews, he related the caufe of his prefent confinement; he profeffed his faith and hope in the fcriptures, and then, as he had done before, he gave him an account of the extraordinary means by which he had been changed from a d perfecutor to a follower of Jefus, in his journey to Damafcus : his de fence therefore (as has been formerly obferved) P 3 was k The apology St. Paul made for himfelf was not his trial ; he had already flopped all proceedings at law by his appeal toCaefar : Nor was Feftus then as a judge upon hit tribunal. c Ads 26. d Speaking of his paft condud towards the difciples, he calls it madnefs— being exceedingly, or (as we exprefs it) raging mad againft them. A man in this ftate will affault any perfon he meets, he waits for no provocation, liftens to no entreaty, regards no confluences. Thus the apoftle judged of himfelf when a perfecutor of the church ; and the fpirit of perfecution in every age has been the fame. May God reftore thofe to their right minds who are governed by it. ( ?I4 ) was rather experimental than .argumentative, and made very different impreffions upon his hearers, Feftus, who feems to have had a good opinion of his fincerity and intention, yet, fuppofing no man in his fober fenfes could believe fuch a ftrange ftory, interrupted him jn his narration, and with an air, rather of piety than indignation, faid, Paul, thou art befide thy felf ! much learning hath made thee made! A fimilar judgment is paffed by too many upon all who profefs an acquaintance with the life of faith in an unfeen Jefus ; but ordinarily, now, the effed is not afcribed to jhe excefs of learning, but to the want of it : as, on the other hand, a man who maintains the wildeft abfurdities, puts his judgment and pnderftanding to little hazard in the world's efteem, if his chimasras are fet off with a com petent apparatus of literature. Agrippa hbw-> ever was differently affeded, efpecially when Paul made a bold appeal to himfelf, concern ing the notoriety of the fads which had lately happened, and the truth of the prophecies with which they were conneded. Here the power of truth triumphed again, and Agrippa Was fo ftruck, -that, without regarding the Jiumerous affembly, or the difpleafure fuch a decla- e His anfwer to Feftus is expreffed with much accuracy. £nd precifion I mi not mad, moft noble Feftus! but fpeak forr'i (arac.yf-svy-./13") the words of truth and fobernefsi Jy'iH'icfs dif. >ver:= itlclf either in the apprehenfion of a falfe ''"jn , or in the falfe apprehenfion of a true one. The : il,-e of were true in themfelves, and his ideas ¦ : ;',,'.r and proportionate, (( 2I5 K declaration might -give , both to Jews and. Ro mans, particularly to Feftus, who had ex preffed his fentiment juft before, he. gave way to the emotions of his mind, and faid aloud, Almoft. thou perfuadeft me to be a Chriftian. Yet this .was but .an involuntary convidion ; it did , honour to the. apoftle, but was of no benefit to himfelf. And the conceffion which, at firft view, feems , to proceed from an inge nuous fpirit, when clofely examined, amounts but to this, that tho' Agrippa was, indeed, convinced; of the truth, his heart was fo at tached to the prefent evil world, that he had neither cpuragenor will to follow it; as when we fay of a pidure, It looks almoft alive, we xlo not mean, ftridly, that there is any more life in the, painting, than in the canvafs on ..which it is drawn, but only that the refem blance is ftrong : So the almoft Chriftian, however fpecious in his profeffions, is ftill de- iftsbute of that living principle which alone can enab.le jhjm to make them good, and is, in rea lity, an utter ftranger to true Chriftianity. In ,the graceful return the apoftle made to the king's .acknowledgment, he hinted at this de- ffed, wifhing that both Agrippa, and all who -heard him, were not only almoft, but alto gether, as( he was himfelf, with an exception to the .chains he wore for the caufe of the gofpel. This anfwer difcovers, in one view, the confidence he had in his caufe, the happy frame of , his ,mind, the* engaging turn of his addrefs, and his unbounded benevolence : he P 4 could ( 216) could wifh nothing better, than what he him felf felt, to his deareft friends, and he wifhed nothing worfe to his greateft enemies,; nay, he wifhed that his enemies might, if poffible, experience all his comforts, without any of his trials. When Feftus and Agrippa were with drawn, they agreed, in their opinion, that he had done nothing deferving of death, or even of imprifonment, and that he might have been releafed, if he had not himfelf prevented f it, by appealing to Csefar. In confequence of the determination to fend him to Rome, he was committed to the cuftody of a centurion named Julius, with whom he embarked in a veffel that was on a trading voyage to feveral parts of the Leffer Afia. Ariftarchus and fome other of his friends went with him, and particularly the evangelift Luke, who feems to have been the infeparable companion of his travels, from the firft time he was at Troas. They touched the following day at Sidon, where the centu rion gave him liberty to refrefh himfelf, and vifit his friends. At their next port, Myra in Lycia, a veffel offering which was bound di- redly for Italy, they went on board her. In the beginning of this paffage they were retarded by contrary winds. At length they reached the ifland of Crete (now called Candia) and having put into a port, called the Fair-Havens, Paul would have perfiiaded them to have ftaid chere, intimating that, as the winter was now advancing, 1 Ads, ch. 27. ( 217 ) advancing, they would meet with many in conveniences and dangers, if they ventured to proceed any farther. Long voyages were fel dom attempted, during the winter, in thofe days, or for many ages after, till the know ledge of the compafs made way for thofe great improvements in navigation which now em bolden the mariner to fail, indifferently, at any feafon of the year. But it is probable the apoftle's precaution was not merely founded upon the obvious difadvantages of the feafon, but rather upon an extraordinary pre-intimation of what was foon to happen. But his remon ftrance was over-ruled, the centurion preferring the judgment of the mafter of the fhip, who thought it beft, if poffible, to reach another haven at the weft end of the ifland, which was thought to be more commodious and fafe than the place Paul propofed. A favourable wind fpringing up from the fouth, determined their refolves, and they fet fail with a good confidence of foon reaching their defired port. There is little doubt but Paul's cafe and charader had, by this time, engaged the notice of many of his fellow-pafiengers in the fhip. Upon a fuperficial enquiry they would learn, that he was the follower of one Jefus, who had been crucified ; that he was efteemed a fetter forth of ftrange Gods, and charged with having difturbed the public peace wherever he came. He probably took frequent occafions to fpeak of his Lord and Mafter to thofe about him, and as he had feveral companions, the manner { 2*8 ) manner of iheir facial worfhip qpuld, hardly pafs unobferved; but nonemergency had, , as, yet, occurred to manife^the (olidityand force of his principles to full advantage, ,and to make it evident; to all with whom he. failed, that his God was far unhke t])e idols of the hea thens,: and that the religion which prompted him to do and.fuffer, fpanuch for the. fake of Jefus, was founded, not jn, the imaginations and inventions of men, but, in reality and truth. In profperous circumfiances, moft people are eafily fatisfied with their ,own prin ciples, and are ready to > take it for., granted, that even the notions received .from no better fource than tradition or cuftom, cannot be wrong, or at leaft will not be dangerous ; but it is in a feafon of common diftrefs that the truth, and efficacy, of vital ^religion appear .with the moft; i.nconteftjble authority. The God who alone can deliver when all hope of, fafety is taken away, and the rejigibn which jean in fpire a man with confidence and peace, -when there is^ nothing, but cjifmay. and confufion around hjm,,. will .then, extort, fome acknow ledgment, even frona. thofe who had before thought of them with, indifference. ^ From thefe confiderations we may, colled, one general " re»fqn why the Lord, whip,, by hisj divine pro vidence adjufts, the. time and circumiliances, of every event, and without: wlaofe permiffion not a fparrow can faft to the ground, permits his ' faithful people to be ,{q ; often exercifed with fevere trials : it is, to manifeft th^t their hopes r 2I9 ) h«pes are well grounded, that they have not taken up with words and notions, but have 1 real and fure fupport, arid can hope and re joice in God under thofe preffures which de- • prive others of all their patience and all ,! heir courage; and, on the Other hand, to evince that his power and faithfulnefs are furely en gaged on their behalf, that he puts an honour upon their prayers, is near to help them in the time of trouble, and can deliver them out of their greateft extremities. We are not then to wonder that this favoured fervant of the Lord, after having endured fo many fufferings and hardfhips upon the land, was expofed, in the courfe of this voyage, to equal dangers and difficulties upon the fea ; for they had not long quitted their laft port before their hopes of gaining a better were blafted : they were overtaken by a fudden and violent ftorm. The name given it by the hiftorian, Euroclydon, expreffes its diredion to have been from the eaflem quarter, and its energy upon the waves, The tempeft irrefiftibly overpowered the mariners, arid rendered their art impradi- cable and vain : they were compelled to aban don the fhip to the diredion of the wind, and were hurried away they knew not where. Mention is made of the difficulty they had to fecure the fhip's boat, as the only probable means of efcaping if they fhould be wrecked, which yet, in the event, was wholly ufelefs to them : likewife of their endeavours to ftrengthen ¦''¦«"• the ( 220 ) the fhip by girding her with ropes, and of their throwing a confiderable part of the lading and tackling into the fea. In this diftreffed fitua tion, expeding every hour to be either fwal- lowed up by the waves, or dafhed to pieces againft unknown rocks or fhores, they conti nued fourteen days. When they were almoft worn out with hardfhip and anxiety, and there was no human probability of deliverance, the Lord manifefted the care he had of his fervants. The feamen had not feen fun or ftars for many .days, but his eye had been upon Paul and his companions every moment. No one on board could even conjedure into what part of the fea the fhip was driven, but the Lord knew, and his angels knew, and now one was commanded to appear, to comfort the apoftle, and to give him a word of comfort for all on board. Upon this, he addreffed the people in the fhip, exhorting them to take fome food, and to be of good courage -, for that the God to whom he belonged, and whom he ferved, had given him aflurance, by an angel, not only of his own fafety, but that the lives of all on board fhould be preferved for his fake ; that the fhip would be eaft upon a certain ifland, but he fully relied on the promife, that not one of them fhould be loft : he had been told that he muft ftand before Caefar, which was a fufficient earneft of his prefervation ; For who, or what, can difappoint the purpofe of God ? Amidft all thefe threatening appearances, Paul was, in reality, ( 221 ) reality, as fafe in the ftorm as Casfar could be thought upon the throne. And thus all his fervants are inviolaby preferved by his watchful providence, fo that neither elements nor enemies can hurt them, till the work he has appointed them is accomplifhed. At length the feamen perceived indications that they were drawing near to land ; and when they were driven into a convenient depth of water, they eaft anchor, and waited for the approach of day. In this interval the people were encouraged, by Paul's advice and example, to eat a hearty meal, by which their ftrength and fpirits were recruited to fuftain the fatigue they were yet to undergo. In the morning they faw an ifland, but knew it not. The mariners, regarding their own fafety only, were about to make their efcape in the boat; but Paul informing the foldiers that they could not be faved unlefs the feamen remained in the fhip, they paid fo much regard to his judgment as immediately to cut the ropes by which the boat was faftened, and give her up to the fea. Their only remaining refource was to force the fhip upon the fhore, in a place where landing would be moft pradicable, and of this the mariners were the moft proper judges. If this ifland (as is generally fuppofed) was that which we now call Malta, we know that it is almoft environed with rocks* They having therefore difcovered an open bay, with a beach 3 Qf ? «» . f ( 222 )' of fand or pebbles '*,; endeavoured to ninths' fhip there; but, had the, management of this' bufinefs, been left to tfrefpldiers and paffengers', whovvere unexperienced \ in. .fea affairs, they might probably have let hejc. drive at random againft the rocks, where, an efcape would (hu manly fpeaking) have. been i.mppffib.le. In this view, we may obfefve, that the, apoftle's firm confidence in the .promife^. "he 'had received was conneded with a prudent, attention to, the means, in their power," from which the promife received was. fo, far from, difpenfing them, that it was fhfir chief encouragement to be diligent in .employing: them/ This incident may. be applied .to points of more. general importance, and, if carefully attended to,, might , have de termined or prevented many, unhepeffafy arid perplexing difputes concerning, the .divine de crees, and their influence pn the contingencies of human life. .... What God has appointed fliall finely come to pafs, but, in fuch a" manner, that all the means and" fecondary caufes, by which 'he has determined to fulfil his defigns, fhall have their.proper place, and fubferyiehcy. Accordingly they made the beft of their' way to s They flifcovered a certain creekj with a Jhore< But there was a fhore all round the ifland. Aiyiaaos doesnot exprefs the fea-coaft in general, or a rocky craggy fhore, but the fkirts of an open bay, convenient for launching, landing, or drawing a net for fifh. iSee Matt. 13. 2, 48. John 21. 4. A mariner who underftood Greek would, perhaps, render the 'fentence thus — They obferved a certain bay, with a beach. And this they chofe as* the moft likely place to get fafe to. land. to the fhore ;;%ut before they 'quite reached it] the fhip Way "flopped by a point or bank "j where her 'fore'-partlftuck faft, and remairied immoveable, but the fterri, -• or - hinder part, was;;.prefently broken by1 the 'violence of the furges. In the general confufion, the foldiers, unmindful how much they , were 'indebted to Paul, propofed that all the prifonersT fhould be killed without diftindiori, left they fhould be accountable "if any of 'them efcap^ed ; hut the! centurion, who interefted'hifnfelf in 'his prefer vation, rejeded the motion, and commanded everyone to do what they could' for their own fafety. Many,- who' could fwim, eaft them felves into5 the fea ; 'the reft availed themfelves of planks and broken' pieces of the fhip, and: the merciful providence 'of the Lord gave their endeavours fuccefs, fo that the whole com pany,' confiftingof twohundred and feventy-fix perfons, came fafe to land' "^ ; '. The inhabitants, tho' called Barbarians, re ceived and accommodated them with great humanity, and1 manifefted a tendernefs, too rarely found, 'Upon fuch occafions, amongft thofe1 who heap the^ name of -Chriftians; they brought them under cover, and kindled fires to warm and ;dry them. The apoftle,' who cheaffully fuited himfelf to all circumftances^ affifted iii fupplying the fire with fuel; but having ',h Totth h&a.to.xaGts js rendered, in our verfion, A place where two feas met, but there is nothing anfwerable to the word met ; probahly it means what the mariners call a fpk orppint of fand running off from the fhore, and which had had a fufficient depth of water on either fide. 3 ( 224 ) having gathered a parcel of flicks, a viper, which was unperceived in the midft of them, faftened itfelf upon his hand : he had juft efcaped from ftorm and fhipwreck, and was expofed to as great a danger of another kind. Such is the nature of our prefent ftate, and it is a proof of our pride and ignorance, that we are feldom greatly apprehensive for ourfelves, but when fome formidable appearance is before our eyes. A tempeft, peftilence, or earth quake alarms us, and not without reafon ; but, alas ! we are not fuch mighty creatures as to have nothing to fear but from fuch powerful agents : a tile, a fly, a hair, or a grain of fand, are fufficient inftruments, in the hand of God, to remove a king from the throne to the grave, or to cut off the conqueror at the head of his vidorious armies. On the other hand, thofe who ferve the Lord, and truft in him, are equally fafe under all events ; neither ftorms, nor flood, nor flames, nor the many unthought- of evils which lurk around in the fmootheft fcenes of life, have permiffion to hurt them till their race is finifhed, and then it little fig- nifies by what means they are removed into (heir mafter's joy. The apoftle, in the ftrength of divine faith, fhook off the venomous crea ture into the fire, and remained unmoved and unhurt. The iflanders, who faw what had paft, judged at firft (from thofe faint appre- henfions of a fuperior power infliding punifh- ment on the wicked, which feem to remain in the darkest and moft ignorant nations) that he was ( 225 ) was certainly a murtherer, who, tho' he had efcaped the feas, was purfued by vengeance, and marked out for deftrudion ; but when, after expeding for fome time to fee him drop down dead, they found that he had received no harm, they retracfed their cenfure, and conceived him to be a god, or fomething more than man. This event probably prepared them to hear him with attention. The apoftle and his friends were courteoufly entertained three days by Publius, the chief perfon of the ifland, who refided near the place of their landing : he requited the kind nefs of his hpft, by reftoring to health his fa ther, who had been fome time ill of a fever and dyfentery. In the fame manner he laid his hands on many fick perfons, who were healed in anfwer to his prayers. Thefe acceptable fervices procured him much favour from the inhabitants, and when, after three months ftay, he was about to depart, they furnifhed him liberally with neceffary provifions for his voyage. A. D. 6 1.] They failed from thence in a fhip of Alexandria that had wintered in the ifland, and flopping three days at Syracufe in Sicily, foon after arrived at Rhegium, and from thence, in two days, at Puteoli, near Naples, where they difembarked, and conti nued a week, at the requeft of the chriftians of the place. From Puteoli to Rome their journey lay about one hundred miles by land. Q The ( 226 ) The difciples at Rome having heard of Paul's approach, feveral of them met him at a place called Appii Forum, and another party at the Three Taverns ; the former place being about fifty, and the other thirty miles from the city. At the fight of thefe believers, whom he had loved unfeen, we are told he thanked God and took courage. Even the apoftle Paul, tho' habitually flaming with zeal and love, was hot, always in the fame frame. We learn from his own account of himfelf, that he had fometimes fharp exercifes of mind, and per haps this was fuch a time, when his thoughts were much engaged on what awaited him upon his arrival at Rome, and his appearance before the cruel and capricious Nero. The Lord has fo conftituted his body, the Church, that the different members are needful and helpful to each other, and the ftronger are often indebted to the weaker. St. Paul him felf was revived and animated at this jundure by the fight of thofe who were, in every re fped, inferior to him : it rejoiced him to fee that Chrift his Lord was wbrfhipped at Rome alfo ; and being in the prefence of thofe with whom ¦ he could open his mind, and freely confer upon the glorious truths that filled his heart, he forgot at once the fatigue he had lately fuffered, and the future difficulties he had reafon to exped. Upon their arrival at Rome, the centurion delivered up the prifoners to the proper officer ; but Paul had the favour allowed him to live in ( 22; ) in a houfe which he hired, under the guard of one'foldier. Here he immediately difcovered his ufual adivity of fpirit in his Mafter's caufe, and, without lofing time, fent on the third day for the principal perfons of the Jews (ac cording to his general cuftom of making the firft declarations of the gofpel to them) and acquainted them with the caufe of his profe- cution and appeal : he affured them that he had no intention, in vindicating himfelf, to lay any thing to the charge of his own people ; adding, that, not for any Angularities of his own, or for any offence againft the law of Mofes, but for the hope of Ifrael, he was bound with1 the chain he then wore. They anfwered, that they had received no informa tion concerning him from Judea, but that they underftood the fed to which he profeffed an attachment was every where fpoken againft : they therefore defired to hear his fentiments, and appointed a day for the purpofe, when many of them came to him, and he fpent the whole day, from morning till evening, in proving, confirming and explaining the nature and neceffity of the gofpel and kingdom of Chrift, from the books of Mofes and the pro phets. His difcourfe had good effed upon fome, but others believed not, and they de- Q 2 parted 1 Among the Romans, the prifoner was always chained to the foldier or foldiers who guarded him. St. Paul fpeaks of his chain, both to friends and enemies, with an indif ference that fhews how well content he was to wear it for his Mafter's fake. See Ephef. 6. 20. 2 Tim. t. 16, ( 223 ) parted with considerable difagreement among themfelves ; the apoftle taking leave of them with that folemn warning, which our Lord had often ufed in the courfe of his miniftry, from the prophecy of Ifaiah*, denouncing in curable and judicial blindnefs and hardnefs of heart upon thofe who wilfully rejeded the propofal of the truth. He remained a prifoner in his own hired houfe for the fpace of two years, having an unreftrained liberty to receive all who came to him, and to preach the glad tidings of falvation by Chrift ; which, we learn from his epifties ', he did with fo much fuccefs, that his impri- fonment evidently contributed to the furthe rance of the gofpel, enlarged the number of believers, and animated the zeal and confidence of thofe who had already received faith and grace. A. D. 63.] The hiftory of St. Luke ends here, which I have followed more clofely than I at firft defigned, partly becaufe the fads he has recorded fuggeft many refledions which have, more or lefs, a reference to our main defign, and partly from a reludance to leave the only fure and inconteftible hiftory by which our refearches into the eftablifhment and ftate of the primitive church can be guided ; for tho' fome monuments of the early ages of chriftianity, which are ftill extant, have a great fhare of merit, and will afford us mate rials to make good our plan, yet they muft be feleded * Ifa. 6. 9, 10. ' Philip 1. 12. ( 229 ) feleded with caution, for it would be a want of ingenuoufnefs not to acknowledge that there are great mixtures and blemifhes to be found in the writings of thofe who lived neareft to the apoftles times : and in the moft ancient hiftorical remains feveral things have a place, which fhew that a fpirit of credulity and fu perftition had very early and extenfive in fluence ; the evident traces of which have given too fair an occafion to fome perfons, of more learning than candour, to attempt to bring the whole of thofe records into difrepute. But where the charaderiflic genius and native tendency of the gofpel are rightly underftood, and carefully attended to, a mind, not under the power of biafs and prejudice, will be fur- nifhed with fufficient data, whereby to diftin- guifh what is genuine and worthy of credit, from the fpurious and uncertain additions which have been incautioufly received. I fhall be brief in deducing our hiftory from this period to the clofe of the firft century. St. Paul, after more than two years confine ment at Rome, having not yet finifhed his ap pointed meafure of fervice, was providentially preferved from the defigns of all his enemies, and fet at liberty. We are told by fome, that, in pursuance of the defign he had long before expreffed, he went into Spain, and from thence to Gaul, now called France.: nor have endeavours been wanting to prove that he preached the gofpel even in the Britifh ifles. That he, at fome time, accomplifhed his de- Q3 fire ( 230 ) fire of vifiting Spain, is not improbable, but we have no certain evidence that he did Jo : Much lefs is there any ground for fuppofing that he was either in France or Britain. From his own writings, however, we have good reafon to believe, that, upon his difmiffion from Rome, he revifited the churches of Syria, and fome other parts of Afia ; for, in his epiftle to the Hebrews, he mentions his purpofe of feeing them, in company with his beloved Timothy ; and writing to Philemon, who lived at Coloffe, he requefts him to prepare him a lodging,- for that he hoped to be with him fhortly. And it was probably in this progrefs that he preached in Crete, and com mitted the churches he gathered there to the care of Titus ; for we have no account in the Ads of his having vifited that ifland before, except the little time he touched there in his paffage to Rome, which feems not to have been fufficient for fo great a work. How he was employed afterwards we know not, but it is generally agreed, that, towards the latter part of Nero's reign, he returned to Rome, and there received the crown of. martyrdom. In the accounts preferved of the reft of the apoftles, we likewife meet with great uncer tainty, nor can any thing be determined to fatisfadion, concerning either the feat of their labours, or the time or manner of their deaths. I fliall therefore wave a particular detail of what is not fupported by fufficient proof. I pnly obferve, concerning St. Peter, that the affertiofl ( 23I ) affertion of his having been bifhop of Rome, on which (and not on the true rock) the whole fyftem of the papacy is built, is not only in confiftent with what is recorded of him in the Ads, and the filence of St. Paul concerning him, in the epiftles he wrote from thence — but is fo far without foundation in ecclefiaftical' hiftory, that it ftill remains a point of dubious controverfy, whether he ever faw Rome in his' life : if he did, it was probably towards the clofe of it ; and the moft received opinion is, that he fuffered martyrdom there at the fame time with St.Paul ; that Peter was crucified, and that Paul had the favour of being beheaded, in confideration that he was a Roman citizen. The Chriftians, tho' generally defpifed, and often infulted for their profeflion, had not hi therto been fubjed to a dired and capital per fecution ; but Nero, who, intoxicated with power, had in a few years arrived at a pitch of wickednefs and cruelty till then unheard-of, at length direded his rage againft the fervants of Chrift,A. D. 64.] In his tenth year the city of Rome was fet on fire, and a very confiderable part of it confumed. This calamity was gene rally imputed to him, as the author, and it feems not without juftice. Mifchief and the mifery of others were the ftudy of his life, and be is reported to have expreffed great pleafure at the fpedacle, and to have fung the burning of Troy while Rome was in flames. Tho' he afterwards did many popular things, and fpared Q4 no ( 232 ) no expence in relieving the people, and re building the city, he could not clear himfelf from the fufpicion of the fad, any otherwife than by charging it upon the Chriftians. The heathen hiftorian Tacitus, in his account of this event, enables us fo well to judge of the charader which the Chriftians bore in his time, that I fhall fubjoin a tranflation of it for the information of the unlearned. ,c But neither the emperor's donations, nop the atonements offered to the gods, could re move the fcandal of this report, but it was ftill believed that the city had been burnt by his inftigation. Nero therefore, to put a ftop to the rumour, charged the fad, and inflided the fevereft punifhments for it, upon the Chriftians, as they were commonly called, A people deteftable for their crimes. The author of this fed was Chrift, who, in the reign of Tiberius, was put to death by Pontius Pilate. The deftrudive fuperftition which was by this means fuppreffed for the prefent, foon broke out again, and not only overfpread Judea, where it firft arofe, but reached even to Rome, where all abominations, from every quarter, are fure to meet, and to find acceptance. Some who confeffed themfelves Chriftians were firft apprehended, and a vaft multitude after wards upon their impeachment, who were condemned, not fo much for burning the city, as for being the objeds of univerfal hatred. Their fufferings and torments were heightened by mockery and derifion. Some were inclofed in 3 ( 233 ) ' in the fkins of wild beafts, that they might be torn in pieces by dogs, others were crucified, and others, being covered with inflamable matter, were lighted up as torches at the clofe of day. Thefe fpedacles were exhibited in Nero's gardens, where he held a kind of Cir- cenfian fhew, either mixing with the populace in the habit of a charioteer, or himfelf con tending in the race. Hence it came to pafs, that criminal and undeferving of mercy as they were, yet they were pitied, as being deftroyed meerly to gratify his favage and cruel difpofi tion, and not with any view to the public good." From this quotation it appears, that the Chriftians were confidered by the heathens as a fed that had been almoft crufhed by the death of their Mafter, but fuddenly recovered ftrength, and fpread far and near foon after wards ; that they were fo extremely odious, on account of the fuppofed abfurdity and wicked nefs of their principles, as to be thought ca pable of committing the worft crimes, when no fufficient proof could be found of their having committed any ; that they were treated as the profeffed enemies of mankind, and there fore, upon the firft occafion that offered, were promifcuoufly deftroyed with the moft unre lenting cruelty ; that they did not fuffer as common malefadors, who, when under the adual punifhment of their crimes, are ufually beheld with fome commiferation, but that infult and derifion were added to the moft exquifite ( 234 ) exquifite inventions of torture; and laftly, that if thefe violent proceedings were blamed by any, it proceeded rather from the hatred they bore to Nero, than from a fufpicion that the Chriftians met with any thing more than their juft defert. Thefe things are carefully to be obferved, if we would -form a right judgment of the primitive church. It is poffible many perfons fuppofe, that St. Paul's epiftles to the Romans, Corinthians, and Ephefians, were (like the paftoral letters of bifhops in our own times) addreffed to the bulk of the inhabitants in thofe places ; but the cafe was far otherwife. The Romans, to whom St. Paul wrote, were inconsiderable for their number, moft of them contemptible in the fight of the world on ac count of their poverty and low rank in life, and (as the above extrad from Tacitus proves) the objeds of public deteftation, for their attachment to the name and dodrines of Jefus. Whether this perfecution was confined to Rome, or carried on by public authority thro' all the provinces where Chriftians were to be found, is not abfolutely certain, tho' the latter feems moft probable ; for it is hardly to be fuppofed that Nero would rage againft them in the capital, and fuffer them to live in peace every where elfe. Tertullian exprefsly afferts, that Nero enjoined their deftrudion by public edids in the feveral provinces, and his tefti mony feems worthy of credit, as he mentions it in his apology, which, tho' written more than a century afterwards, ~ was not at fo great a" diftance ( 235 ) diftance of time but he might eafily have been contradided, if he had advanced an untruth. Befides, the example of Nero, withouf his exprefs injundions, feems to have been fuf ficient to awaken perfecution againft a people fo generally hated as the Chriftians were. Mul titudes, upon this occafion, had the honour to feal their profeffion with their blood ; but the caufe for which they fuffered triumphed over al' oppofition, and the martyrs places in the church were fupplied by an acceffion of frefh converts. This ftorm, tho' fharp, was not of very long continuance : it terminated with the life of Nero, who was compelled (tho' with ex treme reludance) to deftroy himfelf with his own hands, that he might efcape the moft ig nominious punifhment ; he having been, by a decree of the fenate, juftly and folemnly branded with the charader which malice and ignorance would have fixed upon the chriftian name, and condemned to be whipped to death as an enemy of the human race. A.D. 68, 69.J After him, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, were fucceffively acknowledged emperors, but their reigns were fhort and their deaths violent. The Jewifh war, which ended in the final cataftrophe and difperfion of that nation, was at this time carried on under the command of Vefpafian, who, while engaged in that fervice, was faluted emperor by his army, Upon ( 236) A. D. 70.] Upon this, leaving the conduct of the War to his fon Titus, he returned to Italy, and, foon after the death of Vitellius, was peaceably eftablifhed in the government. Titus having a fecret commiffion from God (whom he knew not) to execute > his fierce difpleafure againft the Jews, upon whom Wrath was now come to the uttermoft, after deftroying the whole country of Judea with fire and fword, laid fiege to Jerufalem ; and having taken it at the end of five months, with an incredible flaughter of the Jews and the deftrudion of the temple, he burnt the city and pulled down the very walls. More than a million of people, who had trufted in lying words, and boafted themfelves of an empty profeffion, perifhed in this war ; and thofe who furvived were reduced to flavery, fold, and difperfed into all parts, at the will of the conquerors. Thus ended the Jewifh ceco- nomy ; and the law of Mofes having received the accomplifhment of all its types, ceremo nies and precepts, in the perfon, life and death of Jefus the Meffiah, was irrevocably abrogated as to its obfervance, which was rendered ut terly impradicable by the deftrudion of the temple and the ceffation of the priefthood. A. D. yg-] Under Vefpafian, and Titus who fucceeded him, the chriftian church en joyed confiderable peace and liberty, though, upon many occafions, they fuffered from the ill-will of their adverfaries. Few, however, were put to death, publicly and profefledly for ( 237 ) for their religion, till Domitian, who came to the empire after his brother Titus, [A. D. 8 1.] and who too much refembled Nero in his temper and condud, imitated him likewife in employing his power againft the followers of Chrift. [A. D. 94.] Several are mentioned in hiftory who fuffered in bis time, but as little of moment, or that can be fully depended on, is recorded concerning them, I wave a recital of bare names. It is generally believed that St. John was banifhed to the ifle of Patmos by this emperor, where he wrote his epiftles to the churches of Afia, and the revelation of future events which he had re ceived from the Lord. Some there are who place, thefe events much earlier, under the reign of Claudius, but the former opinion. feems moft probable, and beft fupported by the teftimony of the ancients ; but the ftory of his having been eaft into a caldron of boiling oil, in the prefence (as fome add) of the Ro man fenate, does not feem fupported by any tolerable evidence. It is believed that he gained his liberty from banifhment, and returned to Ephefus, or the neighbouring parts; that he afterwards wrote his gofpel a little before his death, which is fuppofed to have happened about the laft year of the century. If fo, he was probably about an hundred years of age, and furvived the reft of the apoftles a confi derable fpace. Domitian, having made the earth groan under his cruelties and exceffes, was affaffi- nated ( 238 ) nated in the fixteenth year of his reign* [A. D. 96.] Nerva fucceeded (a man of much fairer charader) who repealed the fanguinary edids of his predeceffor ; and it does not ap pear that the Chriftians were generally perfe cted during his fhort government. Before his death (for he did not live two years) he adopted Trajan for his fucceffor, who came to the empire [A. D. 98.] with a general ap probation, and is ftill reputed one of the beft and wifeft princes that Rome was favoured with. From his condud, and that of fome of the following emperors, it appeared that the gofpel of Chrift was not only hated by fuch perfons as Nero and Domitian, who feemed profeffed enemies to every thing that was good and praife- worthy, but that men who defired to be thought the patrons of vir tue, and to ad upon the moft benevolent principles, had objections equally ftrong againft it ; for if Trajan did not iffue edids exprefsly againft the Chriftians, there was a very fharp perfecution carried on againft them in his reign ; and when Pliny (in an epiftle ftill ex tant) represented to him the greatnefs of their fufferings, and the multitude and innocence of the fufferers, the emperor interpofed no farther by his anfwer, than to forbid informa tions againft them, upon fufpicion, to be en couraged, but. direded that fuch as were proved to be Chriftians, and refufed to join in the heathen facrifices, fhould fuffer death : and when he vifited Afia, Ignatius, who was bifhop of ( 239 ) of Antioch, being brought before him, he condemned him, with his own mouth, to be fent to Rome, to be devoured by wild beafts. But we fhall refume the account of what hap pened under his reign hereafter, his fecond or third year [A.D. 100.] coinciding, according the generally-received computation, with the end of the firft century, which I have fixed as the limit of our refearches in the prefent vo lume. But before I conclude the chapter, it may be ufeful to enquire what might be the mo tives which influenced the heathens fo eagerly to embrace every occafion of fhewing their difpleafure againft the profeffors of chriftianity. The original and proper caufe of the inju rious treatment the firft Chriftians met with from the heathens, and particularly from the Roman government, which ufually tolerated every kind of religious worfhip that did not interfere with the public tranquillity and the obedience due to the ftate, was one that is of an abiding and univerfal influence, namely, that enmity of the carnal heart which cannot be brought to fubmit to the wifdom and will of God. This has been the fecret fource of all the perfecution which has been the lot of the true difciples of Chrift in every age. The fublime dodrines of the gofpel were offenfive to the pretended wifdom of men, and the fpi rituality of its precepts no lefs thwarted their paffions. Men, if only left to themfelves, can not but oppofe a fyftem which, at the fame I „ time ( 240 ) time that it reduces all their boafted diftinc- tions of charader to a perfed level in point of acceptance with God, enjoins a life and con verfation abfolutely inconfiftent with the cuf- toms and purfuits which univerfally prevail, and brands many of the moft allowed and au thorifed pradices with the bard names of wickednefs and folly. But they are not left to themfelves, but are, in a degree they are little aware of, under the influence of Satan, who, for the power he maintains and exerts over them, is ftiled in fcripture, The God of this World. Since their own evil difpofitions are thus inftigated by the great enemy of God and goodnefs, it is entirely owing to the powerful restraints of the providence of the Moft High, that his fervants can, at any time, or in any place, enjoy an interval of reft ; and tho' he has always made good his promife in favour of his church, that the gates of hell fhall not pre vail againft it; tho' they who oppofe it, fuc- ceffively perifh and leave their fchemes unfi- nifhed, while the intereft againft which they rage triumphs over all their attacks, and fub- fifts, revives and flourifhes amidft the ehanges which fweep away almoft the remembrance of the moft profperous human eftablifhments — yet he is pleafed, for wife reafons, to permit them to try what they can do. Hereby the faith and patience of his people are ftrengthened and difplayed, his care over them illuftrated, and thofe who are sincerely devoted to him are evidently diftinguifhed from hypocritea and ( 241 ) and pretenders, who join in an outward at tachment to his gofpel in times of profperity, but are prefently wearied and difgufled when ftorms and troubles arife. Amongft the more particular reafons why chriftianity was obnoxious to the heathens, not only perfons of vile charader, as Nero j but to fuch as Trajan and Marqus Aurelius, who are, even to this day, highly extolled for their probity and difcernment; we may men tion thefe that follow : and more than one of them may be eafily accommodated to fimilar events which ftand upon the records of hif tory, down to our own times, and their effeds will probably be felt by many who are yet un born. The Dodrine of the Crofs perhaps was, and always will be, the capital offence. The Chriftians profeffed to place all their hopes on the adions and fufferings of One, who died, to all appearance, like a common malefador. 'l This, confidered in one view, was thought fuch a kind and degree of infatuation, as pro voked the moft fovereign and univerfal con tempt ; and, in another view, it raifed a grave concern for the interefts of morality and virtue, in thofe whofe pride was flattered by their Own empty declamations on thofe founding topics. Every thing that was evil, they thought, might be expeded from men who openly declared that they hoped for eternal happinefs, not for their own works, which in this connedion they depreciated and renounced, R but ( 242 ) but on account of the righteoufnefs and media tion of another. If it was poffible that Chrif tians could maintain that courfe of condud which the gofpel requires, and, at the fame time, conceal the principles and motives on which they ad, they might perhaps come off more eafily with the world ; for the juftic*, temperance, goodnefs and truth, which become their, high calling, arefuited to conciliate peace with all men. But their principles muft not, cannot, be concealed. Thofe who know and love Jefus, and are fenfible of their immenfe obligations to him, will glory in him, and in him only ; they will avow, that it is not by their own power or holinefs that they efcape the pollutions of the world, but that they de rive all their ftrength from faith in his bloody and from the fupports of his grace. They dare not conceal this, nor do they defire it, tho' they are fenfible that the world, whether it bears the name of heathen or chriftian, will hate and defpife them for it. 2. The Romans, tho' attached to their old fyftem of idolatry, were not averfe to the ad miffion of new divinities, upon the ground of what a modern writer calls, a fpirit of inter community ; that is, every one had liberty to adopt what worfhip he pleafed, provided due honour was given to the antient eftablifhments. The votaries of the ^Egyptian, Roman and Syrian deities, while they paid fome peculiar regard to their own favourites, indulged each other in a mutual acknowledgment of the reft ; but ( 243 ) but the religion of Jefus was abfolutely incom patible with them all, would admit of no competition, and his followers could not avoid declaring, upon all occafions, that they were no gods that were made with hands. On this account they were confidered as a moft uncha ritable, proud, and narrow-hearted fed, as the Jews, for the fame reafon, had been before them. And thus it will always be — Nothing will more effedually fecure a man in the peace ful poffeffion of his own errors, than his plead ing for the indifference of error in general, and allowing thofe who moft widely differ from him, to be all right in their own way ; and this lukewarm comprehension, which is a principal part of that pretended candour and charity for which our own times are fo re markable, prefer ves a fort of intercourfe or confederacy amongft multitudes, who are hardly agreed, in any one thing, but their joint oppofition to the fpirit and defign of the gofpel. But they who love the truth cannot but declare againft every deviation from it; they are obliged to decline the propofed inter community, and to vindicate the commands and inftitutions of God from the inventions and traditions of men ; they not only build for themfelves upon the foundation which God has laid in Zion, but they are free to profefs their belief, that other foundation can no man lay, that there is no other name given under heaven by which a finner can be faved, and that none can have an intereft in this name R2 but ( 244 ) but by that faith which purifies the heart, works by love, and overcomes the world : therefore they always have been, and always will be hated, as uncharitable and cenforious, and are fure to be treated accordingly, fo far as opportunity and circumftances will permit thofe, who think themfelves aggrieved, to difcover their refentment. 3. The wifeft and moft refpedable cha raders among the heathen rulers, either for reafons of ftate, or from their own fuperftition, were generally the moft folicitous to preferve the old religion from innovations. The hif tory of mankind furnifhes us with frequent proofs, that perfons, in other refpeds, of the greateft penetration and genius, have often been as blindly devoted to the abfurdities of a falfe religion, as the weakeft among the vulgar j or if they have feen the folly of many things that have the fandion of antiquity and cuftom, yet the maxims of a falfe policy, and that fuppofed connedion and alliance between the eftablifhed religion and the welfare of the ftate which has been instilled into them from their infancy, induce them to think it their intereft, if not their duty, to keep up the fame exterior, and to leave things as they found them. Trajan feems to have been influenced by thefe considerations ; he was zealous for the heathen fyftem, in which he had been educated, and regarded it (as the Romans were accuftomed to do) as the bafis, or at leaft the chief fecurity, of the government. The Chriftians therefore were ( 245 ) were to be punifhed, not only for their obfti- nacy in maintaining their own opinions, but as being eventually enemies to the ftate ; for tho' their condud: was peaceable, and they paid a chearful obedience to laws and gover nors, while they did not interfere with that obedience they owed to Chrift their fupreme Lord, jet their dodrines, which ftruck at the very root of idolatry, made them accounted dangerous to fociety, and deferving to be ex terminated from it. 4. Thefe fufpicions were ftrengthened by the great fuccefs and fpread the gofpel obtained in this firft century : within the compafs of a few years it had extended to almoft every part of the Roman empire. In this view it ap peared formidable, and called for a fpeedy and vigorous fuppreffion before it fhould become quite infuperable, by the acceffion of frefh ftrength and numbers. But the event did not anfwer their expedation : believers grew and multiplied in defiance of all the cruelties exer cifed upon them ; the numbers and conftancy of the fufferers, and the gentle fpirit of meek nefs, forgivenefs and love, which they difco vered, often made lafting impreffions upon the people, fometimes upon their tormentors and judges ; and, by the bleffing of God upon their dodrine, thus powerfully recommended by their condud, and fealed by their blood, new converts were continually added to the church. R 2 c. When ( 246 ) 5. When it was thus determined to extir pate (if poffible) thefe odious and dangerous people, pretexts and occafions were always ready ; flanderous reports, concerning their tenets and affemblies, were induftrioufly pro moted, and* willingly believed. Some of thefe took their rife from mifapprehenfion ; fome were probably invented by thofe who apofta- • tized from the church, who, to juftify them felves, as well as to evince their sincerity, pretended to make difcoveries of horrid evils that prevailed amongft them, under the dif- guife of religion. Many, who would not have invented fuch ftories themfelves, were how ever well pleafed to circulate what they had heard, and took it for granted that every thing was true, which confirmed the opinion they had .before entertained of this peftilential and defpi- cable fed. But neither violence nor calumny could prevail againft the caufe and people of God and his Chrift : they were fupported by an, al mighty arm, and tho' many had the honour to lay down their lives in this glorious caufe, many more were preferved, by his providence, in the moft dangerous circumftances. The gofpel of Chrift, tho' contradidory to the received opinions, laws, .cuftoms and pur- fuits of every place where it appeared, tho' un- fupported either by arts or arms, tho' oppofed by power and policy on every fide, in a fpace of about fixty-fix years from our Lord's afcenfion (according to the promife he gave his difciples) had fpread fucceffively from Jerufalem, thro' Jude^ ( 247 ) Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth. Chriftians were to be found in every province where the Roman power ruled, and in moft of their principal cities ; and tho' not many noble, mighty, or wife were called, yet fome there were, and the power of the grace of Jefus was difplayed in every rank of life. Courtiers, fenators and commanders, notwithftanding the difficulty of their fituation, were not afhamed of his crofs ; and fome of the learned obtained that peace and happinefs, by embracing his gofpel, which they had . fought to no purpofe in the vain intricacies of a falfe philofophy. Nor was the fuccefs of the gofpel confined within the limits of the Roman empire, but extended eastward to Par- thia and Babylon, where the Roman eagles were not acknowledged. We are not fure, however, that there were matiy colleded fo cieties of Chriftians in every province, or that thofe focieties were in general very numerous : thofe parts of Afia and Greece which had been the fcene of St. Paul's labours, feem to have had the greateft number of fettled churches in proportion to their extent, and their largeft affemblies were probably in their principal cities, fuch as Antioch, Alexandria and Rome. But we have reafon to believe, from our Lord's own declarations, that real Chriftians, in the moft flourifhing times m of the church, have been very few, in comparifon with the many \vho chofe the broad and beaten road which R 4 leads m Matt. 7. 13, 14. ( 248 > leads to deftrudion : but thefe few are under his condud and bleffing, as the fait of the earth, and are therefore fcattered far and wide, according to the difpofal of his wife provi dence, who appoints the time of their birth, and the bounds of their habitation. If, by the epithet primitive, we mean that period during which the profeffed churches of Chrift preferved their faith and pradice re markably pure, and uninfluenced by the fpirit and maxims of the world, we cannot extend it far beyond the firft century. We are fure that a mournful declenfion prevailed very early, and quickly fpread, like a contagion, far and wide: and indeed the feeds of thofe evils, which afterwards produced fuch a plen tiful harveft of fcandals and mifchiefs, were already fown, and began to fpring up, while the apoftles were yet living. And we fhall fhew hereafter, that the firft and pureft age of the church was not free from fuch blemifhes as have been obfervable in all fucceeding revi vals of true religion. Thefe things are to be guarded againft with the utmoft attention, but they will more or lefs appear while human na ture continues in its prefent ftate of infirmity. While the profeffors of chriftianity were few, in comparifon of their opponents, while they were chi^fV poor and obfcure perfons, and had fharp perfections to grapple with, fo long they preferved the integrity and purity of their profeffion in general, and the diforders which appeared among them were faithfully and fuc- cefsfully ( 249 ) cefsfially Oppofed and eorteded ; afflidions and fufferings kept them firmly united in a love td the truth and to each other : but when they were favoured with intervals of peace, and the increafe of numbers and riches feemed to give them a more fixed eftablifhment in the world* they were foon corrupted, and that beautiful fimplicity, which is the charaderiftic of genuine chriftianity, was obfcUred by will-worfllip and vain reafonings. Amongft the multitudes who abandoned idolatry, and embraced the chriftiafj faith, there were feveral who had borne the fpecious name of philofophers. Some of thefe, on the one hand, laboured to retain as many d>f their favourite fentiments as they could, by any means, reconcile to the views they had formed of the gofpel ; and on the other hand, they endeavoured, if poffible, to-accommodate the chriftian fcheme to the tafte and prejudices of the 'times, in hopes thereby to make it mote generally acceptable. Thus the dodrines of the fcripture Were adulterated by thofe within the church, and mifreprefented to thofe with- ,out. Perhaps the firft alterations of this kind were not attempted with a bad intention, or extended to the moft important points; but the precedent was dangerous, for the progrefs of error, like that of fin, is from fmall begin nings to awful and unthought-of con-fequences. Gofpel truth, like a bank oppofed to a torrent, muft be preferved entire, to be ufeful ; if a breach is once made, tho' it may feem at firft to be fmall, none but He who fays to the fea, Hitherto ( 25o ) Hitherto fhalt thou come, but no farther, can fet bounds to the threatening inundation that will quickly follow. In effed, a very confi derable deviation from the plan of the apoftles had taken place in the churches, before the deceafe of fome who had perfonally converfed with them. We have no ecclefiaftical book of this age extant worthy of notice, except that called The Firft of the Two Epiftles to the Corin- ithians, which are afcribed to Clement bifhop of Rome, who is fuppofed to be the Clement mentioned by St. Paul in his epiftle to the Romans. This epiftle is not unfuitable to the charader of the time when it was written, and contains many ufeful things : yet it is not , (as we have it) free from fault, and, at the beft, deferves no higher commendation, than as a pious well-meant performance ; it ftands firft, both in point of time and merit, in the lift of thofe writings which bear the name of the apoftolical fathers, for the reft of them (if the genuine produdions of the perfons whofe names they bear) were compofed in the fecond century : for as to the epiftle afcribed to Bar nabas, St. Paul's companion, thofe who are ftrangers to the arguments by which many learned men have demonftrated it to be fpu- rious, may be convinced only by reading it, if they are in any meafure acquainted with the true fpirit of the apoftles writings. We are indeed affured that both the epiftles of Clement, this which bears the name of Barnabas, feveral faid (25I ) faid to have been written by Ignatius (the au thenticity of which has likewife been difputed) one by Polycarp, and the book called the Shepherd of Hermas, which is filled with visionary fables, were all in high efteem in the firft ages of the church, were read in their public affemblies, and confidered as little infe rior to the canonical writings ; which may be pleaded as one proof of what Ihave advanced concerning that declenfion of fpiritual tafte and difcernment which foon prevailed : for I think I may venture to fay, there are few, if any, of the proteftant churches,, but have furnifhed authors whofe writings (I mean the writings of fome one author) have far furpaffed all the apoftolical fathers taken together, and that not only in point of 'method and accuracy, but in fcriptural knowledge, folid judgment, and a juft application of evangelical dodrine to the purpofes of edification and obedience. But tho' the firft Chriftians were men fub jed to paffions and infirmities, like ourfelves, and were far from deferving or defiring that undiftinguifhing admiration and implicit fub miffion to all their fentiments, which were paid them by the ignorance and fuperftition of after-times — yet they were eminent for faith, love, felf-denial, and a juft contempt of the world ; multitudes of them chearfully w*t- neeffed to the truth with their blood, and, by their ftedfaftnefs and patience under trials, and their harmony among themfelves, often ex torted honourable teftimonies even from their pppofers. Could they have tranfmitted their fpirit,. ( 252 ) fpirit, together with their name, to fucceeding generations, the face of Ecclefiaftical Hiftory would have been very different from what it now bears ; but, by degrees, the love of novelty and the thirft of power, a relaxed attention to the precepts of Chrift, and an undue regard to the names, authority and pretenfions of men, introduced thofe confufions, contentions and enormities, which at length iffued in an almoft univerfal apoftacy from that faith and courfe of pradice which alone are worthy the name of chriftianity. The profecution of this fubjed, more efpecially with a view to the hiftory of the favoured few who were preferved frofn the general contagion, and of the treatment they met with who had the courage to cenfure Or withftand the abufes of the times they lived in, will be attempted in the following volumes of this work, if God, in whofe hands our times ate, is pleafed to afford opportunity, and if the fpecimen prefented to the public, in this Volume, fhould fo far meet the appro bation of competent judges, as to encourage the author to proceed. Some particulars which may conduce to render the ftate of the church in the firft cen tury more evident to the reader, as well as to give light into the true ftate of religion amongft ourfelves, and which could not be well intro duced in fhe courfe of our narration, without making too frequent and too long digreffions, I have, for that reafon, treated of feparately in the chapters that follow. CHAP. ( 253 ) CHAP. II. An Efiay on the Character of St. Paul, confi dered as an Exemplar or Pattern of a Mi nifter of Jefus Chrift. THE fuccefs with which the firft pro mulgation of the gofpel was attended, is to be ultimately afcribed to the bleffing and operation of the Holy Spirit ; an<$ the great means which the fpirit of God is pleafed to accompany with an efficacious power upon the fouls of men, is the fubjed: matter of the gofpel itfelf. He concurs with no other dodrine but that of the fcripture, . The moft laboured endeavours to produce a I moral change of heart and condud will always j prove ineffedual, unlefs accommodated to ttfe i principles of revelation, refpeding the ruin of | the human nature by fin, and the only poffible method of its recovery by Jefus Chrift. And as the Holy Spirit bears witnefs to no other dodrine, fo he ordinarily restrains his. ¦ bleffing to thofe minifters who have themfelves experienced the power of the truths which they deliver to others. A man may be fyfte- raatically right, and ftrenuous in the delivery and ( 254 ) and defence of orthodox notions, yet if he is not in fome degree poffeffed of the difpofitions and motives which become a minifter of the New Teftament, he will feldom be honoured with much fuccefs or acceptance ; the want of that difinterefted and dependant frame of mind, which the gofpel inculcates on all who profefs it, will render his labours infignificant : for the Holy Spirit, on whofe influence fuccefs entirely depends, will feldom co-operate with any but thofe who are sincerely governed by his pre cepts. A great ftrefs therefore is laid, in the New Teftament, upon the principles, tempers and condud which ought to diftinguifh the men who have the honour to be entrufted with the important charge of preaching the gofpel of Chrift. To delineate their proper charader, and to form their manners fuitable to their high calling, is the principal fcope of the epiftles to Timothy and Titus : and when we .confider what we read there, in connedion with many paffages to the fame purpofe, which occur oc cafionally in the infpired writings', we may well adopt the apoftle's words, Who is fuf ficient for thefe things ? A Chriftian, even in private life, is expofed to innumerable fnares and dangers, from his fituation in an evil world, the power and fubtlety of his fpiritual enemies, and the influence of the body of tm in himfelf, which, tho* weakened and de- fpoil'd of dominion, is not yet deftroyed. A minifter of the gofpel, befides thefe trials, ,in common ( 255 ) common with other Chriftians, has many pe culiar to himfelf; his fervices are more diffi cult, his temptations more various, his condud more noticed ; many eyes are upon him — fome envioufly watching for his halting, and fome perhaps too readily propofing him as a pattern, and content to adopt whatever has the fandion of his example : if encouraged and acceptable, he is in danger of being greatly hurt by popularity and the favour of friends : if oppofed and ill-treated (and this he muft exped in fome inftances if he is faithful) he is liable either to be furprized into anger and impatience, or to fink into dejedion and fear. It is therefore a great encouragement to find from fcripture (and not from fcripture only) how the grace of God has enabled others, in equal circumftances of danger and temptation, to rife fuperior to all impediments, and to maintain fuch a courfe of condud, that they ftand propofed as proper patterns for our imi tation, and call upon us to be followers of them, as they were of Chrift. Amongft thefe the charader of St. Paul fhines with a fuperior luftre ; he ftands diftin guifhed by the eminence of his knowledge, grace, labours and fuccefs, as a noble and ani mating exemplar of a minifter of Jefus Chrift. And if it fhould be thought a digreflion from the defign of an ecclefiaftical hiftory, to allot a few pages to the confideration of his principles, and the uniform tenor of his life, yet I hope the digreflion will not be unprofitable in itfelf, or ( 256 ) or judged unfuitable to my general plan j for I propofed not to confine myfelf to a dry detail of fads, but to point out the genuine tendency of the gofpel where it is truly received, and. the fpirit by which it is oppofed, and to fhew the impoffibility of reviving pradical godlinefs by any other means than thofe which were fa fignally fuccefsful in the firft age of the church. Was I to exhibit any recent charader with thefe views, the exceptions of partiality and prejudice would not be fo eafily obviated j the merits of fuch a charader, however commend able upon the whole, would be objeded to, and the incidental infirmities and indifcretions of the perfon (for the beft are not wholly free from blemifh) would be ftudioufly colleded and exaggerated, as a fufficient contraft to all that could be faid in his praife. But modefty forbids the fame open difingenuous treatment of one who was an apoftle of Chrift : befides, he lived and died long ago ; and as fome learned men have found, or pretended to find, a way to reconcile his writings with the pre vailing tafte of the times, he is commended in general terms, and claimed as a patron by all parties of the religious world ; therefore I am warranted to take it for granted, that none who profefs the name of Chriftians will be angry with me for attempting to place his fpirit and condud in as full a light as I can, or for proposing him as a proper criterion, whereby to judge of the merits and pretenfions of all who account themfelves minifters of Chrift. Many ( 257 ) Many things worthy our notice and imita tion have occurred concerning this apoftle whilft we were tracing that part of his hiftory which St. Luke has given us in the Ads ; but I would now attempt a more exad delineation of his charader, as it is farther exemplified in his own epiftles, or may be illuftrated from a review of what has been occafionally mentioned before. We may obferve much of the wifdom of God in difpofing the circumftances in which his people are placed previous to their conver fion : they only begin to know him when he is pleafed to reveal himfelf to them by his grace, but he knew them long before ; he de termines tbe hour of their birth, their fituation in life, and their earlieft connedions ; he watches over their childhood and youth, and preferves them from innumerable evils and dangers into which their follies, while in a ftate of ignorance and fin, might plunge themj and he permits their inclinations to take fuch a courfe, that, when he is pleafed to call them to the knowledge of his truth, many confe- quences of their paft condud, and the reflec tions they make upon them, may concur upon the whole in a fubferviency to fit them for the fervices into which he defigns to lead them af terwards. Thus he leads the blind by a way that they knew not, and often, for the mani feftation of his wifdom, power and grace, in bringing good out of evil, he, for a feafon, gives them up fo far to the effeds of their own S depravity, ( 258 ) depravity, that, in the judgment of men, none feem more unlikely to be the fubjeds of his grace, than fome of thofe whom he has pur- pofed not only to fave from ruin, but to make inftrumental to the falvation of others. I doubt not but fome of my readers, who are acquainted with their own hearts, will eafily apply this obfervation to themfelves ; but there are inftances in which the contraft is fo ftriking and ftrong, that it will be made for them by thofe who know them. It is however pecu liarly exemplified in the cafe of St. Paul : he was fet apart from the womb (as he himfelf tells us') to be a chofen inftrument of preach ing among the Gentiles the unfearchable riches of Chrift. The frame of his heart and the manner of his life, the profeffion he had made, and the fervices in which he was engaged be fore bis converfion, were evidently fuited to render him an unfufpeded as well as a zealous witnefs to the truth and power of the gofpel, after he had embraced it. The Lord's pur- ,pofe was to fhew the infufficiency of all legal appointments and human attainments, the power of his grace in fubduing the ftrongeft prejudices, and the riches of his mercy in pardoning the moft violent attempts againft his gofpel. We know not how this purpofe could have been more effedually anfwered, in a fingle inftance, than by making choice of our apoftle, who had been poffeffed of every advantage that can be imagined, exclufive of the » Gal. I. 15. * ( 259 ) the gofpel, and in confequence of thefe advari* tages had made the moft pertinacious efforts to fupprefs it : he was born a Jew, bred up under Gamaliel, a chief0 of the pharifees, the fed which profeffed the moft peculiar attach ment to the law of Mofes : his condud, before he became a Chriftian, was undoubtedly moral, if we underftand morality in that lean and con fined fenfe which it too frequently bears among ourfelves, as fignifying no more than an ex emption from grofs vices, together with a round of outward duties performed in a mer cenary fervile fpirit, to footh confcience and purchafe the favour of God. While he was thus bufied in obferving the letter of the law, he tells us, He was alive- — that is, he pleafed himfelf in his own attainments, doubted not of his ability to pleafe God, and that his ftate was fafe and good. Upon thefe principles (which ad uniformly upon all who are governed by them) his heart was filled with enmity againft the dodrines and people of Jefus, and his blinded confcience taught him that it was his duty to oppofe them : he was a willing witnefs at the death of Stephen?, and from a fpedator foon became a diftinguifhed ador in the like tragedies. Such is the unavoidable gradation, in a ftate of nature, from bad to worfe. The excefs and effeds of his rage are defcribed by St. Luke in very lively colours ; and he often acknowledges it in his epiftles : for tho' the Lord forgave him, he knew not how to forgive S 2 himfelf ° Phil. 3. f Acts 22. 20. ( 26o ) himfelf for having perfecuted and wafted the church of Godq: he made havock of the dif ciples like a lion or a wolf amongft a flock of fheep, preffing into their houfes, fparing none, not even women. Thus he was filled with the hateful fpirit of perfecution, which is un- diftinguifhing and unrelenting. The mifchiefs he could do in Jerufalem not being fufficient to gratify his infatiable cruelty and thirft of blood, he obtained (as has been formerly obferved) a commiffion from the high-prieft to harrafs the difciples at Damafcus. In this journey, when he was near the city, he was fuddenly ftruck to the ground by the voke and appear ance of the Lord Jefus. From that hour a memorable change took place in his heart and views, and having been baptized by Ananias, and received a free pardon of all his wickednefs, with a commiffion to the apoftolic office, he began to preach that faith which before he had fo induftrioufly labonred to deftroy. In this new light we are now to confider him, and whatever might be reafonably expeded from a fenfe of fuch a difplay of grace and mercy, in his behalf, we fliall find manifefted ,. in the fubfequent courfe of his life. Happy i are thofe who come the neareft to fuch an 1 exemplary pattern ! I. The charaderiftic excellence of St. Paul, which was as the fpring or fource of every other grace, was the ardency of the fupreme love he bore to his Lord and Saviour : it would not * Gal. i. 13. Cor. 15. 9. ( 26l ) not be eafy to find many periods throughout his epiftles which do not evidence the fulnefs of his heart in this refped : he feems delighted even with the found of the name of Jefus, fo\ that, regardlefs of the cold rules of ftudied I compofition, we find him repeating it ten ; times in the compafs of ten fucceffive verfes r. He was fo ftruck with the juft claim the Sa viour had to every heart, that he accounted a want of love to him the higheft pitch of ingra titude and wickednefs, and deferving the ut moft feverity of wrath and ruin'. When he was confcious that, for his unwearied applica tion to the fervice of the gofpel, in defiance of the many dangers and deaths which awaited him in every place, he appeared to many as one befide himfelf, and tranfported beyond the bounds of fober reafon, he thought it a fuffi cient apology to fay, The love of Chrift con- ftrains us'; we are content to be fools for his fake, to be defpifed fo he may be honoured, to be nothing in ourfelves that he may be all in all : he had fuch a fenfe of the glorious inva luable excellence of the perfon of Chrift, of his adorable condefcenfion in taking the nature and curfe of finners upon himfelf, and his compleat fuitablenefs and fufficiency, as the wifdom, righteoufnefs, fandification and re demption of his people, that he often feems at a lofs for words anfwerable to the emotions of his heart ; and when he has exhaufted the S 3 powers ' i Cor. r. i — 10. 8 i Cor. 16. 22. l 2 Cor. 5 14. ( 262 ) powers of language, and aftonifhed his readers with his inimitable energy, he intimates a con- vidion of his inability to do juftice to a fubjed, the height, and depth, and length and breadth of which are too great for our feeble capacities to grafp. But befides thefe general views, he was particularly affeded with the exceeding abundant love and grace of Chrift to himfelf, when he refleded on the circumftances in which the Lord had found him, and the great things he had done for him. That he who had before been a perfecutor, a blafphemer, and injurious, fhould be forgiven, accepted as a child of God, entrufted with the miniftry of the gofpel, and appointed to everlafting falva tion, was indeed an inftance of wonderful grace. So it appeared to himfelf, and at the thought of it he often feems to forget his pre fent fubjed, and breaks forth into inimitable digreffions to the praife of him who had loved him, and given himfelf for him. Happily convinced of the tendency and efficacy of this principle in himfelf, he propofes it to others, inftead of a thoufand arguments, whenever he would inculcate the moft unreferved obedience to tbe whole will of God, or ftir up believers to a holy diligence in adorning the dodrine of their God and Saviour in all things ; and his exhortations to the confcientious difcharge of the various duties of relative life, are generally enforced by this grand motive. In a word, at ajl times and in all places, the habitual and favourite ( 263 ) favourite fubjed that employed his thoughts, his tongue and his pen, was the love of Chrift. Supported and animated by this love, he exerted himfelf to the utmoft, in promoting the knowledge of him whom he loved, and bearing teftimony to his power and grace; nothing could difhearten or weary, or terrify or bribe him from his duty : and this muft and will be univerfally, the leading principle of a faithful minifter. Should a man poffefs the tongue of men and angels, the fineft genius, and the moft admired accomplifh ments, if he is not conftrained and direded by the love of Chrift, he will either do nothing, or nothing? to the purpofe; he will be unable to fupporc; either the frowns or the fmiles of the world ; his ftudies and endeavours will certainly be in fluenced by low and felfifh views ; intereft or a ; defire of applaufe may ftimulate him to fhine • as a fcholar, a critic, or a philofopher, but, till the love of Chrift rules in his heart, he] will neither have inclination nor power to exert I himfelf for the glory of God, or the good of ; fouls. ' II. The infeparable effed, and one of the fureft evidences of love to Chrift, is a love to his people. Of this likewife our apoftle exhi bits an inftrudive and affeding example ; the warmth and cordiality of his love to thofe who loved his Lord and Mafter, appear in every page of his writings ; he fo rejoiced in their profperity, that to hear of it, at any S 4 time, ( 264 ) time, made him in a manner forget his own forrows u, when encomp«ffed with troubles oh every fide ; and tho', in many inftances, he did not meet that grateful return he had reafon to exped, yet he could not be difcouraged : but when he had occafion to expoftulate with fome upon this account, he adds, 1 will ftill gladly fpend and be fpent for you, tho' the more I love you the lefs I am loved w. Of fuch a generous temper as this, the world, would they obferve it, muft acknowledge (as the magicians in ./Egypt) This is the finger of God ; for nothing but his grace can produce a condud fo contrary to the natural inclination of man, as to perfevere and increafe in kind nefs and affedion to thofe who perfevere in requiting it with coldnefs and ingratitude. His epiftles to the Theffalonians abound in fuch expreffions and ftrains of tendernefs as would doubtlefs be generally admired (efpecially by thofe who can read them in the original) were they not overlooked, thro' the unhappy difre gard which too many fhew to that beft of .books in which they are contained. When he is u z Cor. 7. 7, 13. See likewife Phil. 2. 28. Which finely intimates his tendernefs and affe&ion. He was oppreffed with forrow upon forrow, yet he felt more for the Phillip- pians than for himfelf. He mourned over Epaphroditus, when fick, for their fakes, and fent him away for their comfort when recovered ; and this he did as the moft effec tual means to leffen his own burthen, by fympathizing in that joy his friends would have in the interview, tho' he could not diredtly partake with them. w 2 Cor. 12. 15. ( 265) is appealing to themfelves concerning the fin- cerity of his condud, and how far he had been from abufing his authority, he fays, We were gentle among you even as a nurfe (or mother) cherifheth her children — who, by her tender and affiduous offices, fupplies their ina bility to take care of themfelves x. (It would be well if all who haveaim'd to derive a plenitude of power from the example of the apoftles, were equally defirous to imitate him in the ufe of it.) He then adds, So b.ing affedionately defirous of you, we were willing to have im parted unto you, not the gofpel of God only, but alfo our own fouls, becaufe ye were dear unto us. No comment can do juftice to the fpirit of this fentiment, or to the force of the expreffion in the Greek. In another paffage, which is rendered in our verfion, We being taken from you, the original term y has an em phafis which no fingle word in our language can anfwer : it imports fuch a ftate of fepara- tion as is made between a parent and a child by the death of either, when the child is left a helplefs and expofed orphan, or the parent is bereaved of the ftaff and comfort of his age ; it beautifully intimates the endearing affedion which fubfifted between the apoftle and the perfons he was writing to, and demonstrates the greateft tendernefs, fimplicity and con- defcenfion. But his regard went beyond words, and was evidenced by the whole courfe of his adions ; * i Theff. 2. 7, 8. * Amgpati?§it\ti;. j Theff. 2. I J. ( 266 ) adions ; nor was it confined to thofe who had enjoyed the benefits of his perfonal miniftry, his heart was charged with the care and wel fare of all the churches, and thofe who had not feen his face in the flefh had an unceafing fhare in his folicitude and prayers1; nay, fo ftrong was his love to the churches, that it balanced his habitual defire to be with Chrift ; he could not determine which was moft eli gible, to fuffer with the members upon earth (fo that he might be ferviceable to them) or to reign with the Head in heaven a. In the paf fage referred to, we fee the happy centripetal and centrifugal forces which carried him on thro' the circle of duty ; he conftantly tended and gravitated to his centre of reft, but fuccef- five opportunities of ufefulnefs and fervice drew him off, and made him willing to wait yet longer. In this part of his charader we are not to confider him exclufively as an apoftle. All who have truly known the gofpel to be the power of God unto falvation, are partakers of the fame fpirit according to the meafure of their faith. That perfon is unworthy the name of a Chriftian, who does not feel a con cern and affedion for his brethren who are in the world. It muft be allowed that prejudices and mifapprehenfions too often prevent the Lord's people from knowing each other, bur, fo far as they believe a perfon to be a child of God thro' faith, they cannot but love him. This 1 Col. 2. r. a Phil. i. 23, 24. ( 267 ) This is the immutable criterion which our Lord himfelf has given, whereby his real difciples are to be known aud acknowledged b; he has not direded us to judge by their dif- courfes, their knowledge, or even their zeal, but by the evidence they give of mutual love: and we may as eafily conceive of a fun without light, or a caufe without an effed, as of a perfon duly affeded with a fenfe of the glory of God and the love of Chrift, and not pro portionably filled with a fpirit of love to all who are like-minded. But efpecially this dif pofition is effential to a minifter of the gofpel, and the apoftle affures us, that all imaginable qualifications are of no avail without it ; tho' we could poffefs the powers of a prophet or an angel, or the zeal of a martyr, if we are defti tute of this love, we are, in the fight of God, but as founding c brafs, or a tinkling cymbal. III. St. Paul's inflexible attachment to the great dodrines of the gofpel is another part of his charader which deferves our attention ; he knew their worth, experienced their power in his own foul, and faw that, tho' they were unacceptable to the wifdom of the world, they bore the imprefs of the manifold wifdom of God. He takes notice that, in thofe early days, * Joh" 13- 35- c Sounding brafs, without meaning and without life. Such are the moft fpecious gifts and performances, if unac companied by a fpirit of love : they may perhaps be ufeful to others (as the found of a bell gives notice and brings people together) but the poffeflbr himfelf is a hfelds inftru ment ; he defigns no good, and will receive no reward. ( 268 ) days, there were many who corrupted the word of God d. The word properly fignifies to adulterate, to imitate the pradice of difho- neft vintners, who mix and fophifttcate their liquors, fo that, tho' the colour is preferved, and the tafte perhaps nearly counterfeited, the quality and properties are quite altered and depraved : but he fays, We are not as they. He preached the gofpel in its purity and fim plicity, the fincere genuine milk of the word, neither weakened by water e, or difguifed by any artful fweetening to render it more pa latable; he added nothing of his own, nor employed any art or glofs to palliate the truth, that it might be more acceptable to men of carnal minds; as he was not afhamed of it, neither was he afraid left it fhould fall without fuccefs to the ground, if not fupported and affifted by inventions -of his own ; he knew whofe word it was, and therefore chearfully ventured the iffue with Him, who alone could procure it a welcome reception ; and as he difdained the thought of deviating a tittle him felf from the plain and full declaration of the truth, neither could he bear, no, not for an hour, with thofe who prefumed to do fof. I doubt not but the warmth of his zeal, in this refped, has difgufled many in the prefent day, wherein a feeming candour and forbear ance is pleaded for and extended to almoft every fentiment, except the truths in which St. ' Kavntevwla. 2 Cor. 2. 17. e A$0?w y*\a,. I Pet. 2. 2- 1 Gal. 2. 5. ( 269 ) St. Paul gloried. There is little doubt but many, if they had the courage and honefty to fpeak out, would add St. Paul himfelf to the lift of thofe whom they defpife as uncharitable and hot-brained bigots ; for who has offended more than he againft the rules of that indiffe rence to error, which is at prefent mifcalled Charity ? The Galatians, in a fhort time after he left them, had ventured to admit fome al teration in the dodrine they had received from him; it was chiefly in one point: they had been perfuaded into an undue regard for the law of Mofes. This, fome may think, was little more than a circumftantial, that it could not have any great or dired influence upon their moral pradice, and that they might be very good men, and good Chriftians, tho', in this one thing, they could not fee exadly with their teacher's eyes. But how different was the apoftle's judgment! If the Galatians had returned to the pradice of idolatry, or broke out into the moft fcandalous immoralities, he could hardly have expreffed his furprize and grief in ftronger terms : he changes his ufual manner of addrefs, and fpeaks to them as a fenfelefs people € under the power of fome un accountable fafcination : he tells them that, by admitting fuch an addition h, fmall and in- confiderable as they might think it, they had, in effed, received another gofpel, which was however fo enervated and defpoiled of efficacy, that it was, more properly fpeaking, become no s Gal, 3. r. h Gal. 1. 6—9. ( *7° ) no gofpel at at all, utterly unworthy the leaf! pretence to the name. Farther, he denounces an anathema (the higheft curfe) upon any per fon who fhould dare to preach any fuch pre tended gofpel, even tho', if fuch a thing were poffible, it fhould be himfelf or an angel from heaven ; and this denunciation he immediately repeats, left it fhould be thought that he fpoke rather from warmth of temper, than from a juft fenfe of the importance of the cafe. What would fome of my readers think of a man who fhould, at this time, exprefs himfelf in terms like thefe ? But let it be remembered that our apoftle, who was fo ready with an anathema upon this occafion, and who, in another place, pafles the fame fevere judgment ' upon any man who does not love the Lord Jefus Chrift, was far from fpeaking thus from emotions of anger and ill-will ; the difpofition of his own mind, the tender concern with which he viewed the worft of finners, may be judged of from his willingnefs to be made an anathema himfelfk, after the manner of Chrift, if, by all he could fuffer, he might be a means of faving the Jews, who were his worft ene mies, and from whom he had conftantly re ceived the moft unjuft and cruel treatment : but when the caufe of the gofpel and the ho nour of Chrift were in queftion, he could not, he durft not confult with the feelings of flefh and blood, but, as the minifter and meflenger of the Lord, he folemnly declared what muft and ' i Cor. 16. ::2. k Rom, 9. 3. ( 27I ) and will be the awful confequence of negled- ing or corrupting the word of life. Every faithful minifter of the gofpel is pof- feffeffed of a degree of the fame attention to the purity of the truth and faith once delivered to the faints ; they muft not deviate from their inftrudions, nor can they behold with indiffe rence the fpecious attempts of others to miflead the unwary ; they know what cenfures they muft exped upon this account : it is fufficient for them that they can appeal to the fearcher of hearts, that tho*, as the fervants of Chrift, they dare not aim to pleafe men, by fpeaking finooth things, yet they ad from principles of benevolence and love, and would rejoice in the falvation of their greateft oppofers. The world perhaps would judge more favourably of them if they knew all, if they were witneffes to the prayers and tears which they pour out for them in fecret, and the emotio'ns of mind they feel when they are conftrained to declare the more awful parts of their meffage ; but as minifters, and in their public work, they can not avoid pointing out the danger of thofe who venture their fouls and eternal hopes upon any other dodrine than that which St. Paul preached. IV. But tho' St. Paul was fo tenacious of the great foundation-truths of the gofpel, and would not admit or connive at any dodrine that interfered with them, he exercifed, upon all occafions, a great tendernefs to weak con fciences, in matters that were not effential to 3 the ( 272 ) the faith, and when the fcruples were owing rather to a want of clear light than to obfti- nacy. This was evident in his condud with regard to the great controverfy that foon took place between the Jewifh and Gentile converts, about the diftindion of meats and drinks, and other rituals enjoined by the law of Mofes ; the obligation 1 of which, many, who had been educated in the pradice of thofe obfervances, did not immediately fee were fuperfeded by the gofpel of Chrift : he knew and afferted his own liberty, yet, in condefcenfion to the weaknefs of others, he often abridged himfelf of it, and declared that, rather than grieve or caufe offence to a weak brother, he would eat no meat while the world ftood. His pradice herein will probably be of general application, mutatis mutandis, fo long as the prefent ftate of human infirmity fubfifts. A defed in knowledge, the prejudices of education and cuftom, the remains of a legal fpirit, the in fluence of great names, and other caufes of a like nature, will probably always operate, fo far as to keep up leffer differences in judgment and pradice amongft thofe who agree in the great and fundamental truths. The enemy gains too mucn advantage from thefe things, not to improve fuch differences into divifions. Self is too prevalent in the beft men, and the tendency of Self is, to exad fubmiffion, to hurry to extremes, to exaggerate trifles into points of great confequence, and to render us 3 averfe 1 Rom. 14. ( 273 ) averfe to the healing expedients of peace. From thefe fources, difcords and evils innume rable have been multiplied and perpetuated among the various denominations under which the Lord's people have been ranged, which have greatly hindered the vyelfare and progrefs of the common caufe, and expofed each con tending party to the fcorn of their real enemies. But were the fpirit and condud of our apoftle more adopted, many debates would entirely ceafe; and in thofe things where a difference of judgment would ftill fubfift, the exercife of patience, gentlenefs and mutual forbearance, would perhaps afford fairer occafion for the dif play of the chriftian charader, than if we were all exadly of a mind ; then the ftrong would bear the infirmities of the weak, the one would not cenfure nor the other defpife, nor would thofe whofe minds have been enlarged by a variety of experience and obfervation, think it at all ftrange, much lefs would they be angry, if others, who have not had the fame advantages, cannot immediately enter into all their fenti ments, St. Paul, in knowledge, abilities and ufefulnefs, was eminently fuperior to all thofe among whom he chiefly converfed, and, as an apoftle, he had a ftronger right than any man, fince the apoftles day, could have, to exad an implicit deference and fubmiffion ; but he had drunk deeply of the fpirit of his Mafter, and we are concerned to follow him, as he fol lowed Chrift, in the exercife of tendernefs to the weakeft of the flock. T It ( 274 ) It is hot my prefent bufinefs to define what are properly effentials in the Chriftian Religion, and to feparate them clearly from the lefs im portant points, which, for that reafon, and in eontra-diftindion to the other, are called Cir- cumftantials. This would lead me too far, tho', perhaps, it would not be fo difficult as a perfon might at firft exped, who fhould be told of all that ha*s been written (with little fatisfadion) upon the fubjed. I forefee a fu ture period in our hiftory; when a difquifition of this kidd will be almoft neceffary; and if I am fpared to reach fo far, I fhall probably embrace the occafion. In the mean time I would juft hint an obfervation or two upon this head, which the intelligent reader (if he thinks them juft) may apply as he fees proper, i. Circumstantials and effentials in religion (if we fpeak with propriety) are derived from the fame fource, and refolved into the fame authority. To confider the commands of God as effentials, and the inventions and tra ditions of men fuperadded thereto, as circum- ftantials, would be a very improper, and indeed a very falfe divifion of the fubjed. Nothing but what is prefcribed by the word of God, or may be fairly deduced from it, is worthy the name even of a circumftantial in true reli gion. Human appointments, if not repugnant to fcripture and the light of confcience, may , be fubmitted to for the fake of peace, or when the general purpofes of edification cannot be attained without them, but they feem not to deferve ( *7S ) deferve a place even among the circumftantials of a religion which is of divine inftitution. All the laboured arguments, whether for or againft the colour of a garment, the fhape of a build ing, and a multitude of other things equally infignificant, feem to have occafioned a need- lefs lofs of time and temper, chiefly by a miftake of the queftion on both fides. 2. Effentials in chriftianity are thofe things without which no man can be a Chriftian in the fight of God, and by the decifion of his word ; and, on the other hand, thofe things only are effential, which whoever poffeffes is, by fcripture declaration, in a ftate of favour with God through Chrift. Thefe might be branched out into many particulars, but they are fully and furely comprized in two, Faith and Holinefs. Thefe are effential to the being of a Chriftian, are only to be found in a Chriftian, are infallible tokens that the poffeffor is accepted in the Beloved, and whoever dies without them muft affuredly perifh : thefe are effentials, becaufe they are abfolutely neceffary, for it is written, He that believeth not fhall be damned™, and, Without Holinefs no man fhall fee the Lord n : and they are effential like- wife, becaufe they demonftrate an intereft in the promife of everlafting life. Thus our Lord declares, He that heareth my words, and believeth in him that fent me, hath everlafting life, and fhall not come into condemnation, but is paffed from death unto life ° ; and the T 2 apoftle, mMarki6. 16. "Heb. 12. 14. ° John 5. 24. ( 276) apoftle, writing to the believing Romans, telk them, Now being made free from fin, and become the fervants of God, you have your fruit unto holinefs, and the end everlafting life p. Thefe then are the effentials of religion, and tho' they are produced by the fame power of the holy fpirit, and derived from a know ledge of the fame truths, and therefore cannot be feparated, they may properly be diftin guifhed, for the convidion of thofe who pre tend to one without the other. The moft fpecious appearances of holinefs, which are not accompanied with faith in Chrift, may be fafely rejeded as counterfeits. On the other hand, a profeffion of faith which is not evi denced by the fruits of holinefs, by gracious tempers, and a tenor of life becoming the gofpel, is dead, delufory and deftrudive. If the queftion is removed another ftep, and it fhould be afked, Which, or how many, of the dodrines of fcripture are neceffary to pro duce the faith and holinefs fuppofed requisite ? it may fuffice to fay, That, in the nature of things, no perfon can be expeded to believe in Chrift, till convinced of his need of him, and of his ability, as a Saviour, fully to anfwer his expedations : and as a fupreme love to God, and a hatred of all fin, are evidently included in the idea of holinefs, it fuppofes a difpofition of mind, which every man's experience proves to be beyond the power of fallen nature; and therefore, a competent knowledge and cordial acceptance » Rom. 6. 22. ( 277 ) acceptance of what the fcripture teaches, con cerning the nature and defert of fin, the perfon and mediatory ads of Chrift, the caufes, ends and effeds of his mediation, together with the neceffity of that change of heart which is ex preffed by a being born again, appear to be effentially neceffary to that faith and holinefs which are defcribed in the gofpel. 3. The circumftantials of religion include all thofe particulars of revelation, which a perfon, poffeffed of the above-mentioned effen tials, may as yet be unacquainted with, or unable to judge of with certainty. A careful application to the fcripture, a diligent waiting upon God in prayer, and an improvement of the means of grace, will (by the divine blef fing which is promifed to thofe who feek in this manner) increafe our light, comprehen sion and certainty, with regard to thefe points, which, tho' not effentially neceffary to the being of a Chriftian, are exceedingly condu cive to his well-being, to his growth and efta blifhment in the truth. This fubjed may be, perhaps, illuftrated from the animal frame, in which what we call the vital parts may be confidered as effential to life, becaufe there can be no life without them. We may eafily conceive that a man may live without an arm or leg, or feveral members and organs, which, tho', highly va luable for ufe and comfort, are not neceffarily conneded with life ; but if we conceive of him as deprived of his head, heart or lungs, T 3 we ( 278 ) we can no longer confider him as living : yet it is defirable to have a body not only ani mated but organized. So likewife in religion, thofe who are truly partakers of it will not too curioufly enquire, how much knowledge, or what degree of pradice, is barely confiftent with a poffibility of life, but they will earneftly defire to be acquainted with the whole will of God, and that every part of it may have a fuitable influence upon their pradice : but in the mean time a confolation is provided, in the promifes of God made to thofe who have received the feeds of faith and true holinefs, againft the fears, doubts and involuntary mif takes which, from remaining ignorance, they are yet fubjed to: he will fupply what is wanting, pardon what is amifs, and lead them on from ftrength to ftrength ; they are to walk by the light already afforded, to wait on him for an increafe, to be diffident of themfelves and gentle to others, and things which as yet they know not, God will, in his due time, re veal to them. But to return from this di greflion V. Every part of St. Paul's hiftory and writings demonftrates a difinterefted fpirit, and that his uncommon labours were direded to no other ends than the glory of God and the good of men. No man had probably fo great an influence over his hearers, or could have a jufter claim, from the nature and number of his fervices, to a fuitable provifion for himfelf; but he could fay, with truth, We feek not your's, ( 279 ) your's, but you. To cut off all occafions of mifapprehenfion on this head, he ufually fub- mitted to work with his own hands, rather than ' be chargeable to his friends. It is true, he does not propofe himfelf to us a pattern in this refped, for he tells us r that the labourer is worthy of his hire, and that the Lord had ordained that thofe who preach the gofpel fhould live by the gofpel ; and when he faw it expedient, he did not refufe to be himfelf af fifted by others. He fhewed, by accepting fuch affiftance from fome, that he underftood his liberty, and did not ad from a fpirit of pride or Angularity when he declined it ; and, by his. more general pradice, he evidenced that he was fuperior to all felfifh and merce nary motives ; and, upon the whole, he was content to appear and live as a poor man, and tho' he had learnt, in the fchool of Chrift, how to abound as well as to fuffer want, the latter feems to have been more frequently his lot'; he faw too many falfe teachers, who, under the fandion of a facred charader, made merchandize of fouls, and he not only feverely T 4 cen- ' i Cor. 9. 18. That — I may make the gofpel of Chrift without charge — p$a. till they are humbled by being left to commit many mortifying miftakes, they are too prone to lean to their own underftandings ; every day brings them into fome new difficulty, wherein they can get little diredion from what they have paffed thro' before, and often emergencies are fo prefling as hardly to leave room for deliberation : in fhort, it feems to be the Lord's pleafure, not fo much to preferve them from miftakes and indifcretions at firft, as to take occafion to humble them upon this account, and to fhew them how to corred them when made. Thus they are more con firmed in a fenfe of their own weaknefs and of his goodnefs, and are trained up, by time, obfervation and repeated trials, to a more per fed exercife of every branch of Chriftian wif dom; by degrees their judgments are formed to greater maturity, they are more jealous of themfelves, more acquainted with Satan's de vices, more capable of diftinguifhing the fpirit and condud of mankind, and efpecially more fimply dependent upon God for his teaching X and ( 3°6 ) and diredion : and thus they grow into a par ticipation of the fpirit of the gofpel, and are enabled to ad and fpeak as becomes the fer vants of Chrift. When his gofpel is faithfully preached and cordially received, there always will be fome who are able, by the grace of God, to put to filence the ignorance of foolifh men, and to demean themfelves fo that, if any will fpeak evil of them, the fhame is re torted upon themfelves ; but among the num bers who are forming in the fame fchool, there will likewife be fome (for the reafons I have fuggefted) whofe condud will, jn fome re- fpeds, be liable to cenfure, tho' their hearts are fincere, and there will frequently be others who (like the hearers compared by our Lord to feed fown upon rocky ground) will thruft themfelves amongft profeffors, be called by the fame Hame, and accounted by the world the fame people, who at length difcover them felves to be meer hypocrites. Thefe indeed will furnifh occafion enough for exception, and they who are glad to have it fo, will readily fuppofe or pretend that they are all alike. It remains to fhew that, in this fenfe, there is no new thing under the fun. It was fo from the beginning. The apoftle Paul bears an honourable tefti mony to the sincerity, zeal and grace of the believers amongft whom he had preached, and to whom he had written ; he commends their work of faith and labour of love ; he ftiles them his joy, his glory,- and his crown, and ( 3°7 ) &nd expreffes his confidence that the Lofdj who had begun a good work in them, would affured ly compleat it: but tho' he knew there were many perfons among them, who were well eftablifhed in the truth, and judicious in their condud, his admonitions upon feveral occafions fhew there Were others, whofe judg ments were weak, and behaviour unwar rantable. He fpeaks of the Corinthians f as a people enriched in the knowledge of Chrift, and ho noured with an eminency of gifts, yet he takes notice of many things bhmeable in them ; in- fomuch that, if the people who now cenfure appearances of a religious kind, becaufe they are not wholly free from imperfedion, could have had opportunity to judge of the Chriftians at Corinth in the fame fpirit, it is probable they would have defpifed and condemned thofe whom the apoftle loved, as much as they can poffibly do any fet of people now. They had firft received the gofpel from . St. Paul, but it had been confirmed to them afterwards by other minifters. The fervants of Chrift all preach the fame truths, but the Holy Spirit, who furnifhes them all for the work he appoints them to, diftributes to each one feverally, according to his own will ; he communicates a diverfity of gifts, not all to one perfon, but each has a talent given him to profit withal ; one' is favoured with a peculiar infight into the myfteries of the gofpel, another X 2 has * i Cor. i. ¦;. (3°8 ). has a power and pathos of expreffion, and an other is happy in a facility of applying to di- flreffed and wounded confciences. It is the duty and privilege of Chriftians to avail them felves of thefe different talents, to profit by each, to be thankful for all, and to efteem every faithful minifter very highly for his work-fake. But the Corinthians were unduely influenced by perfonal attachments, as their feveral inclinations led them ; they formed im prudent comparifons and preferences, were divided into parties, and drawn into conten tions upon this account, one faying, I am of Paul, another, I am of Apollos, or I of Ce phas u ; they thought it a mark of zeal to be ftrenuous for their refpedive favourites : but St. Paul affured them that it was a fign they were weak and low in the Chriftian life, and a means to keep them fo. Difputes and pre- poffeffions of this kind draw the mind away from its proper nourifhment, and afford occa fion for the various workings of our felfifh paf fions. Wherever the Lord is pleafed to raife up, in or near the fame place, Minifters who are of eminence in their different gifts, the effeds of this fpirit will be more or lefs ob fervable, and it is eagerly obferved by the world, and amplified to the utmoft, as a weighty objedion ; the Minifters are repre- fented to be artful defigning men, who, under the facred names of Chrift and the gofpel, are aiming chiefly or folely to form a party of de pendents " i Cor. i. 12. and 3, 4. ( 3°9 ) pendents upon themfelves ; and the people are accounted filly fheep, carried away captive by the influence of their popular leaders, info- much that they cannot, or dare not, receive the dodrines tjiey profefs to love, from any but their own favourites. The difpofition is certainly wrong, but let it be cenfured with candour, not as the peculiarity of this or that party, but as a fault which human nature is always prone to in a fimilar circumftance : it fhew'd a want of folid judgment in the Corin thians, but was no impeachment of their fin- eerity, much lefs did it prove that Paul, Apol los or Cephas, were mercenary ambitious men, who prostituted their talents and influence to gain difciples to themfelves, rather than to Chrift. The fame premiffes will admit of no ftronger conclufion now than in the apoftles days. The proper defign ,and tendency of the reli gion of Jefus is, to wean the affedions from the world, to mortify the didates of felf- love, and to teach us (by his example) to be gentle, forbearing, benevolent and difinterefted. This the world is aware of, and tho' they declare their diflike to the principles which alone can produce fuch a fpirit, they always exped it from the people who profefs them ; and there fore when, amongft the numbers of thefe, they can find a few inftances of perfons too much aduated by felfifh, worldly or angry tempers, it is eagerly objeded, Thefe are ex cellent people, if you would judge of them by X3 the ( 3.*° ) the length and frequency of their devotions, and by what they have to fay of 'their perfua- fion of God's love to them; but touch them in their property, and they fhew themfelves as unwilling to forego; and as anxious 'to ,grafp the good things of this world, as if they had no better claim to heaven than ourfelves, _ It is much to be lamented that fuch occafions of reproach are afforded to thofe who feek them. But what would they have faid of the Corin thians whom: the apoftle reproves in the fol lowing terms w: Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, becaufe you go to law one with another : Why do ye not rather take wrong ? Why do ye not rather fuffer yourfelves to be defrauded ? Nay, you do wrong and de fraud, and that your hrethren ! And, in the preceding chapter, he fpeaks of an enormity among them hardly to be heard of among the heathens, which, tho' the fault of one perfon, .brought difhpnour upon them all, becaufe they had not explicitly difowned it, and proceeded againft the offender. This is not to be won dered at, for we have often feen, in our own ; time, that tho'jeyil pradices have been cen- fured in the firoogeft terms of difallowance, and the offenders publicly and notorioufly dif- claitrei, yet many will ftill be fo deftitute of candour and equity as to infift on it, They are gll alike, „? ¦; The irregularities in tbe public worfhip at Qorinth were fuch as, if pradifed amongft purfelve.s, v i £or. 6. j, % ( 3n ) ourfelves, would excite a greater clamour than any thing of that nature which has been hi therto complained of. It appears that, far from conduding their affemblies with decency and order, they were fometimes in the greateft confufion : different perfons had a pfalm, a dodrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpre tation, many fpeaking together, and fometimes in different languages ; fo that the apoftle thought it very probable that, if an unbeliever came in amongft them, he would of courfe fay, They were mad*. And this want of de corum extended to their celebration of the Lord's fupper, where, fays the apoftle, Every one taketh before another, and one is hungry, and another is drunken y. I apprehend that thefe inftances of diforder cannot be parallelled by the moft irregular proceedings in our time, amongft any people that hold the principles which I am at prefent engaged to vindicate. Many of the Corinthians, as well as the Galatians2, had difcovered great unfteadinefs X 4 towards * i Cor. 14. 23. y 1 Cor. n. 21. z Yet he fays of the Galatians, that when he firft went among .them, they received him as an angel of God, and if poffible, would have plucked out their own eyes to have given them to him, Gal. 4. 15. Great is the power of the gofpel, it fubdues and poflefles the heart, and conciliates a tendernefs and relation between minifters and people, nearer and dearer than the ties of flefh and blood. But alas, how great likewife is the inconftancy of mortals ! the apoftle experienced it to his grief, and where he had the greateft profpedl, he was moft difappointed ; thofe who once would have ( 3" ) towards St. Paul, and had been feduced by falfe teachers and pretended apoftles. Inexpe rienced minds are very liable to fuch decep tions ; meaning well themfelves, they are too apt to liften to the fair words and fine fpeeches of thofe who lie in wait to deceive. The love of Chrift and the love of holinefs are the lead ing properties of a gracious heart, and fuch an one, till experience has made him wife, con ceives a good opinion of all who profefs a regard for Jefus, or for fandification ; he is not aware at firft, that there are thofe in the world who attempt to divide whatGod has joined together. When the blood and righteoufnefs of Chrift are recommended, not as the fource, but as a fubftitute for vital experimental religion, or when fome other fpirit is preached than that whofe office it is to teftify of Jefus, in either cafe the food of the foul is poifoned, and the evil begins to operate before it is perceived. Faithful minifters are accounted too low or too high, too ftrid or too remifs, according to the fpheme newly adopted ; they are firft difre garded, and at length confidered as enemies, hepaufe they perfift in the truth, and refufe to fuit themfelves to the new tafte of their hearers. Thus error, once admitted, makes an alarming progrefs, and po power but that of God can ftop Jwve plucked out their own eyes for his fervice, afterwards accounted him their enemy, for telling them the truth. We need not therefore wonder if there, are jnftances of tfeis fcjnd «*t prefent. ( 3*3 ) flop it. Hence proceed divifions, fub-divifions, diflindions, refinements, bitternefs, ftrife*, envyings, and by degrees enthufiafm, in the worft fenfe of the word : an evil to be dreaded and guarded againft no lefs earneftly than the beginning of a fire or a peftilence. Such trying circumftances will demonftrate who are indeed upon the right foundation, for others, having once begun, depart from the truth, grow worfe and worfe, deceiving and being de ceived ; and many who are built upon the rock, and therefore cannot be, totally or finally drawn away, yet fuffer unfpeakable lofs : the wood, hay and ftubble b, the unadvifed addi tions they have admitted to the fcriptural truths they once received, are burnt up in the time of temptation; they lofe much of their comfort and liability, and have in a manner all to begin again. The world, that knows not the weaknefs of man, or the power and de vices of Satan, laughs at thofe things, and ex- peds to fee them iffue in a univerfal confufion, like that of Babel. In the fame light it is moft probable the heathens beheld and derided the primitive Chriftians, for they likewife had their * That bitternefs and ftrife were too frequent in the pri mitive churches, appears from James 3. 14. Gal. 5. 15. and other texts. Our Lord's admonition, JVlatt. 7. 3 — 5. has always been too little regarded ; and few are yet fuf ficiently convinced of the folly and abfurdity of pointing out, and in an angry fpirit condemning, the miftakes and faults of others, while we indulge greater in ourfelves. Reformation (like modern charity) fhould begin at home J * I Cor. 3. 10 — 15. (3*4) 'their fhaking and fifting times ; many amongff them, who feemed to begin in the fpirit, were flopped fhort in their courfe by the arts of falfe teachers, to their great hindrance, and fome to their final overthrow, St. Paul addreffes no one church in terms of greater tendernefs and approbation than the Theffalonians j he commends their work of faith, and Lbour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jefus, and mentions them as a pattern to tbe other churches in Macedonia and Greece. Yet even among thefe he under ftood there were fome who walked diforderly, and were bufy bodies, not working at all: he ftrongly difapproved their condud, declaring, that, if any would not work, neither fhould he eat '. When perfons are newly awakened to a concern for their fouls, and deeply impreffed with the importance of eternity, it is no won der (considering the animal frame) if their at tention is fo engaged and erigroffed for a feafon, that they cannot attend to the affairs of com mon life with their ufual alacrity and freedom d: if their concern is of a right kind, they are gradually c 2 Theft. 3. 10, 11. - a See James 4. 9. The .word Kamfii^ rendered heavi- rtefs, anfwers neareft to dejection ; the derivation importing a downcaft countenance, and it exprefles that kind of for row which finks the fpirits and fixes the eyes upon the earth; Something of this is ufually difcernable when a real convic tion of fin takes place in the heart. The infpired apoftle recommends this temper and demeanour, as moft fuitable to the cafe of finners who are deftitute of faith and love, and cannot therefore rejoice upon good grounds ; and yet, when (3i5 ) gradually brought to peace and hope in be lieving; they recover their fpirits, and their civil callings being now fandified by a defire to glorify God in them, their diligence is not lefs, but frequently greater than before ; for now they ad not to pleafe men, or to pleafe themfelves, but what they do, they do heartily as to the Lord. However, amongft a number of people, natural temper, indifcretion, or in advertence may caufe fome to deviate from the general rule ; and tho' we cannot juftify any who are remifs in the difcharge of the relative duties of fociety, we may juftify the dodrines and principles they acknowledge from the charge of leading them into this miftake, un lefs. it can be proved that St. Paul's preaching was juftly chargeable with the fame fault. But thefe are fmall things, compared to what he fays in another place. He complains to the Philippians in this affeding language6— Many walk (not fome only, but many) of whom I have told you often, and now tell you, even weeping, that they are enemies of the "Crofs of Chrift f; whofe end is deftrudion, whofe god is their belly, who mind earthly things. when any perfon begins to be impreffed in this manner, and to fee the propriety of the apoftle's advice, it frequently happens that all who know him, both friends and enemies, will agree to pronounce him, Diforder'd in his fenfes. So different, fo oppofite are the fpirit of God and the fpirit of the world! c Phil. 3. 18, 19. f What dif- agreeable things the apoftle was apprehenfive of meeting, When he fhould revifit Corinth, we may learn from 2 Cor. 12. 20, 21. ( 3i6 ) things. St. Paul had occafion to exprefs him felf thus, and that again and again, even in the golden days of primitive chriftianity. Could their worft enemies have given them a worfe charader ? Can even malice itfelf defire to fix a harfher imputation upon any denomination of people now fubfifting ? Yet thefe are the words of truth and fobernefs, the words of an infpired apoftle, the words, not of refentment, but grief; he fpoke of it weeping; he would willingly have hoped better things ; but he knew what tempers and pradices were incon fiftent with a fincere acceptance of the gofpel, and, unlefs he would fhut his eyes and flop his ears, he could not but be fenfible that many, who were reputed Chriftians, difho- noured the name of chriftianity, and caufed the ways of truth to be evil fpoken of. Now what is the confequence ? Shall the apoftle bear the blame g of the evils and abominations he lamented ? for if he had not preached, thefe evils would not have appeared under the Chrif tian name. Shall the wickednefs of his pre tended « The apoftle knew that fome did or would prefume to infer a liberty to fin from the dodlrine which he preached, Rom. 6. i. yet he would not fupprefs or difguife the truths of God to prevent fuch a poor difingenuous perverfion : he knew likewife that no one, who had tafted that the Lord is gracious, can either form fuch a conclufion himfelf, or liften to it if propofed by others, therefore he thought it unneceffary to refute it at large. Shall we continue in fin that grace may abound ? God forbid ! This is a fufficient anfwer. This abfurd blafphemy expofes and confutes it felf; the terms are inconfiftent, impoffible, and contra dictory in the higheft degree. 3 ( 3»7 ) tended followers be charged as the neceffary effed of that pure and heavenly dodrine which he had delivered ? By no means. The grace of God, which he preached, taught and en abled thofe, who received it in their hearts, to deny all ungodlinefs and worldly lulls, and to live foberly, righteoufly and godly in the pre fent world. If enquiry was made concerning the tendency of his dodrine, he could appeal to the tempers and lives of multitudes'1, who had been thereby delivered from the love and power and fin, and filled with the fruits of righteoufnefs which are by Jefus Chrift, to the glory and praife of God. But it was like- wife true that they were ftill encumbered with a depraved nature, they were in a world full of temptations and fnares, and as their num bers were very great, fome inftances had oc curred of perfons fincerely well difpofed, who had too vifibly declined from the rule by which they profeffed and defired to walk. Againft their miftakes and faults he watchfully direded his exhortations and admonitions, as occafions offered, and they were generally attended with a good effed, to convince, humble, and reftore the offenders', and to increafe their circumfpedion for the time to come. It was true likewife, that there were fome gathered by the preaching of the gofpel into the number of profeffors, who were not effedually called and changed by the fpirit of God. Thefe, tho' for a time they had a name to * 2 Cor. 3. 2, 3. i 2 Cor. 7. 9. ( 3i* 3 to live, were no better than dead 4 and one reafon why the Lord permitted the offences and divifions we have mentioned to take place was, that, by the means of fuch herefies, thofe that were approved might be made ma nifeft, and the chaff feparated from the wheat ; for tho' the ignorant world would call even thofe perfons Chriftians, whofe condud proved them enemies to the crofs of Chrift, yet time, the teft of truth, unanfwerably evinced the difference. Thus St. John, who lived fome years after the reft of the apoftles, and faw many turn their backs upon the teachers and dodrines they had once owned, has obferved to this purpofe — They went out from us, but they were not of us ; for if they had been of us, they would, no doubt, have continued with us : but they went out that they might be made manifeft, that they were not all of usk. In a word, there were too many pretenders, fome things amifs where the heart and views were right in the main, and imperfedions in the beft ; the fcorneus and cavillers, who hated the light of the gofpel, and were always in fearch of fomething to confirm their prejudices againft it, met with much anfwerable to their wifhes, even in the firft and beft churches ; but to men of candour, who were ingenuous feekers of the truth, the fpirituality, humility and brotherly love that prevailed among the Chriftians, and the powerful effeds of their public ordinances, demonftrated that the truth was k 1 John 2, 19. < 3i9 ) was on their fide, and that God was affuredly. with them. We offer the fame apology, the fame train of reafoning, in behalf of what is now fo ge nerally deemed the foolifhnefs of preaching. The dodrines we defend, which fome (who cannot do it ignorantly) have the effrontery to mifreprefent as novel opinions, are, we doubt not, the dodrines of Chrift and his apoftles, and in fubftance the dodrines taught from the word of God, by'Wickliff, Luther, and the venerable reformers of our own church. We preach Chrift crucified, Chrift the end of the law for righteoufnefs, and the power of God for fandification, to every one that believeth : We preach falvation by grace thro' faith in his blood, and we are fure that they who receive this dodrine unfeignedly, will, by their lives and converfations, demonftrate it to be a doc trine according to godlinefs ; they are not in deed delivered from infirmities, they are liable to miftakes and indifcretions, and fee more amifs in themfelves than their worft enemies can charge them with : but fin is their burden, they figh to be delivered from it, and they exped a compleat redemption. We cannot indeed fay fo much for all who outwardly avow a belief of this dodrine ; there are pre tenders, who, while they profefs to believe in God, in works they deny him : but it has been fo from the beginning The mif- carriages of fuch perfons are charged indifcri- minately upon the focieties among whom they are ( 32° ) are mixed, and upon the truths which they feem to approve : but there is a righteous God, who in due time will vindicate his own gofpel and his own people from all afperfions. St. Paul obferved fuch things in his day, and he fpoke of them likewife, but he fpoke of them weeping. The true ftate of the mind may be determined from the temper with which the mifcarriages of profeffors are obferved ; the profane expatiate on them with delight, the felf-righteous with difdain, but they who know themfelves, and love the Lord, cannot fpeak of them without the fincerefl emotions of grief ; they are concerned for the honour of the gofpel, which is defamed under this pre tence, they are grieved for the unhappy and dangerous ftate of thofe by whom fuch offences come, and they fear for themfelves, left the enemy fhould gain an advantage over them likewife, for they know they have no ftrength' nor goodnefs of their own, therefore, avoiding unneceffary refledions on others, they endea vour to maintain a watchful jealoufy over themfelves, and to fix their hearts and hopes upon Chrift Jefus their Lord, who, they are perfuaded, is able to keep them from falling, to fave them to the uttermoft, and at length to prefent them, faultlefs, before the prefence of his glory with exceeding joy. CHAP. (3^i ) cz^K^.cx^tsaammmtnBiis6^ir* CHAP. IV. Of the Hereftes propagated by falfe Teacher i in the Apoftles Days. TH E parables in the thirteenth chapter of St.* Matthew are prophetical of the reception and event of the gofpel in fucceeding ages. In this view our Lord himfelf has explained them. Wherever it is preached, the hearers may be claffed according to the diftribution in the parable of the Sower : fome hear without underftanding or refledion ; in fome it excites a hafty emotion in the natu ral affedions, and produces an obfervable and fudden change in their condud, refembling the effeds of a real converfion to God, but the truth not being rooted in the heart, nor the foul united to Chrift by a living faith, thefe hopeful appearances are fooner or later blafted and come to nothing : others are really con vinced in their judgment of the truth and im portance of what they hear, but their hearts cleave to the duft, and the love of this world, the care of what they have, the defire of what they have not, the calls of bufinefs, or the fo- lications of pleafure, choak the word which Y they ( 322 ) they feem to receive, fo that it brings forth no fruit to perfedion : a part however (ufually the fmalleft part) who are compared to the good ground, are difpofed and enabled, by divine grace, to receive it thankfully, as life from the dead; and tho' they meet with many difficulties, and, like the corn upon the ground, pafs thro' a fucceffion of trying and changing feafons, yet having the love, promife and power of God engaged on their behalf, in defiance of frofts, and blafts, and ftorms, they are brought to maturity, and, when fully ripe,, are fafely gathered into his garner1. This is an epitome of the ecclefiaftical hiftory of every nation, and of every parifh, to which this word of falvation is fent m. But the parable of the tares" teaches us far ther to exped, that befides the general in fluence which Satan, as the god of this world, will exert to blind the eyes of mankind, left the light of the glorious gofpel fhould fhine upon them, he will take occafion, from the knowledge of the truth, to infinuate a variety of errors. His firft attempts in this way are often fo fpecious and unfufpeded, that they are compared to a man's fowing feed by Health and in the night, but, as the corn grew, a large crop of tares fpringing up. with it; demonftrated that an enemy had been there. This, in fad, has been univerfally the cafe, in every country and age where the gofpel has been received ; and we may re mark, 1 Mat. 3. iz. m Mat. 13. 25, 28. " 2 Cor. 4. 4. ( 323 ) •.;::. taarki that the fowing the good feed was the -occafion of the tares being eaft into the fame ground. When a people are involved in grofs darknefs and ignorance, fleeping in a falfe peace; and buried in the pleafures and purfuits of the world, they have neither leifure nor in clination "to ifivent or attend to novelties in religion, each one is fatisfied with that form (if even the form of godlinefs is retained) which he has received from his parents, and neither pretends or defires to be wifer than thofe who went before him ; but when the truth has fhone forth and been received, and feems to bid fair for farther fuccefs, Satan employs all his power and fubtlety, either to fupprefs or counterfeit it, or both. Much has been done in the former way ; he has pre vailed fo far qs.to enkindle the fierceft animo- fities againft the neareft relatives, and perfuaded men that they might do acceptable fervice to God, by punifhing his faithful fervants with torture, fire and fword0 : and no lefs indu- ftrious and fuccefsful has he been in pradifing upon the paffions and prejudices of mankind to admit and propagate, inftead of the gofpel of Chrift, and under that name, an endlefs diverfity of opinions, utterly incompatible with it ; of thefe, fome are ingenious and artful, adapted to gratify the pride of thofe who are wife in their own conceits ; others more grofs and extravagant, fuited to enflame the imagi nations, or to gratify the appetites of fuch Y 2 perfons 0 John 16. 2. ( 324 ) perfons as have not a turn for fpeculation and refinement. As thefe appearances have always accom panied the gofpel, fo they have always been a stumbling- block and offence to the world, and have furnifhed thofe who hated the light with a pretext for rejeding it ; and the dodrines of truth have been charged as the fource and caufe of thofe errors, which have only fprung from their abufe and perverfion. When po pery, for a feries of ages, detained mankind in darknefs and bondage, and deprived them • of the knowledge of the holy fcriptures, the tide of error ran uniformly in one great chan nel ; when dead works were fubflituted in the place of living faith, and the worfhip and truft, which is only due to Jefus the great Mediator, was blafphemoufly rlireded to fub- ordinate interceffors, to angels and to faints, whether real or pretended ; when forgivenefs of fin was expeded, not by the blood of Chrift, but by pennances, pilgrimages, maffes, ^and human abfolutions, by the repetition of many prayers, or the payment of fums of money — while things continued thus, the world was generally in that ftate of flupidity and blind fecurity, which is mifcalled religious peace and uniformity, and the controversies of the times were chiefly confined to thofe points which immediately affeded the power, wealth or pre-eminence of the feveral religious orders by whom the people were implicitly led ; fome differences of opinion were indeed known, ( 325 ) known, but the charge of herefy and dan gerous innovations was feldom fo much as pretended againft any, but the few who re- fufed to wear the mark of the J>eaft upon their right-hands and foreheads, and who, by the mercy of God, retained and profeffed the main truths of chriftianity in fome degree of power and purity. But when it pleafed God to revive the knowledge of the gofpel, by the miniftry of Luther and his affociates, and many were turned from darknefs to light, the enemy of mankind prefently changed his me thods, and, by his influence, the fowing of the good feed was followed by tares in abun dance ; in the courfe of a few years the glory of the Reformation was darkened, and its pro grefs obftruded, by the enthufiafm and infa tuation of men, who, under a pretence of improving upon Luther's plan, propagated the wildeft, moft extravagant and blafphemous opinions, and perpetrated (under the mafk of religion) fuch ads of cruelty, villainy and licentioufnefs, as have been feldom heard of in the world. The Papifts beheld thefe ex ceffes with pleafure : many of them could not but know that Luther, and the heads of the Reformation, did all that could be expeded from them, to fhew the folly and iniquity of fuch proceedings ; but, againft the light of truth and fad, they laboured to perfuade the world, that thefe were the neceffary confe- quences of Luther's dodrine, and that no better iffue could be juftly hoped for when Y 3 men ( 326) men, prefumed to depart from the authorized ftandards of popes and councils, and to read and examine the fcripture for themfelves. This religious madnefs was, however, of po long duration ; the people who held tenets inconfiftent with the peace of fociety, were defervedly treated as rebels and incendiaries by the governing powers, the ringleaders were punifhed, and the multitudes difperfed ; their moft obnoxious errors were gradually aban doned, and are now in a manner forgot. After the peace of Paffau, the Reformation acquired an tflablifhment in Germany and other places ; and fince that time, error has affumed a milder form, and has been fup ported by fofter methods, and more refpedable names. In our own country the fame fpirit of en thufiafm and diforder has appeared at different times (tho' it has been reftrained, by the pro vidence of God, from proceeding to the fame extremities) and has been moft notorious, when, or foon after, the power of gofpel truth has been moft eminently revived ; for (as I have already obferved) when religion is upon the decline, and only fo much of a profeflion retained as is confiftcnt with the love of the prefent world, and a conformity to the maxims and pradices of the many, we feldom hear of any errors prevailing, but fuch as will find a favourable toleration, and may be avowed without exciting very ftrong and general ex preffions of contempt and ill-will againft thofe who ( 327 ) who maintain them. But whenever real reli gion, as a life of faith in the Son of God, is fet forth upon the principles of fcripture, and by the operation of the Holy Spirit witneffes are raifed up, who, by their condud, de- monftrate that they are crucified with Chrift, to the law, to fin, and to the world, then is the time for Satan to difcredit this work, by impofing a variety of falfe views and ap pearances upon the minds of the ignorant and unwary, and be is feldom at a lofs for fit inftruments to promote his defigns. Since the late revival of the Reformation dodrines amongft us, we have, perhaps, fewer things of this kind to apologize for, than have been obfervable on any fimilar occafion; and the beft apology we can offer for what has been really blameable, is, to fhew that it was even thus in the apoftles days — and that, if any arguments taken from thefe blemifhes are conclufive againft what fome chufe to call the novel dodrines now, they would, with equal reafon, conclude againft the validity of the New Teftament. And not to confine myfelf to fuch things as the world is moft prone to except againft, I fhall endeavour to fhew that the feeds of all errors and heresies, the fafhionable, as well as thofe which are more generally defpifed, were fown in the firft age, and appeared fo early as to give occafion for the apoftles cenfures againft them. I do not mean by this, to parrallel every name and every fingularity that a fubtle ' Y4 head ( 32» ) head or a warm imagination may have ftarted, but to affign, in general, the principles to which all thefe delufions may be reduced, the fources to which thefe inebriating and dan gerous ftrepms may be traced ; for indeed the operations of the human mind feem to be much more fimple and limited than we are ordinarily aware. As there can be no new truths, tho' every truth appears new to. us which we have not known before, fo it is probable that there can be now no new errors ; at leaft it is certain that a competent knowledge of antiquity or even a careful perufal of the spoftles writings, will furnifh fufficient evi dence, that fome modern authors and teachers are, by no means, the inventors of the inge nious fchemes they have prefented to the public. Truth, like' the fun, maintains a conftant courie ; every thing would flagnate and die if we were deprived of it for a fingle day ; but errors are like comets, which, tho* too excentric to be fubjed exadly to our com putations, yet have their periods of approach and recefs, and fome of them have appeared and been-admhed, have been withdrawn and forgot, over and over again. Error, in the fimpleft form, is a mifappre henfion of the truth, Some part of the gofpel muft be known before any erroneous concep tions of it can take place. Thus we read? that Simon Magus was ftruck with Philip's preach ing, and the effeds which attended it ; he was fo f A£ts 8. 9—22. 3 ( 329 ) fo far impreffed, that it is faid, he believed, that is, he made a profeffion of faith ; he was convinced there was fomething extraordinary in the dodrine, but he underftood it not, and the event fhewed he had no part nor lot in the matter. He is thought, by the ancients, to have been the founder of that capital fed, which is known in general by the name of the Gnoftics, and which, like a gangrene, fpread far and wide, in various branches and fub- divifions, each fucceffive head refining upon the fyftem of the preceding. In Sir Peter King's Hiftory of the Apoftle's Creed, and Mofheim's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, the Englifh reader may fee the fubftance of the figments which thefe unhappy men, wife in their own conceit, vented under the name of the Chrif tian religion. The dodrine of Jefus Chrift, and of him crucified, which St. Paul preached, and in which he gloried, is the pillar and ground of truth, the rock upon which the church is built, and againft which the gates of hell fhall never prevail13. Miftakes in this point are fundamental, dangerous, and, if perfifted in, deftrudive; for, as fuch a knowledge of God as is conneded with his favour and commu nion, is eternal life, fo none can come to the Father but by the Son % nor can any know him, but thofe to whom the Son will reveal him s. On this account Satan's great endeavour (and i i Cor. 2, 2. Gal. 6. 14. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Mat. 16. 18. r John 17. 3. and 14. 6. ' Mat. 11, 27. ( 33° ) (and on his fuccefs herein the ftrength of his kingdom depends) is to darken and pervert the minds of men, left they fhould acknow ledge and underftand what the fcripture de clares of his perfon, charaders and offices, as well knowing that if thefe are fet afide, what ever elfe is left of religion will be utterly un availing. Jefus Chrift is revealed in the fcrip ture, and was preached by his firft difciples, as God manifeft in the flefh, a divine perfon in the human nature, who, by fubmitting to ignominy, pain and death, made a full and proper atonement for fin, and wrought out an everlafting righteoufnefs in favour of all who fhould believe in his name ; and be is fet forth in that nature, in which he fuffered, as the objed of our fupreme love, truft and ado ration. Other important dodrines, largely in fifted on in the word of God, fuch as the demerit of fin, the obnoxioufnefs of finners to punifhment, and the mifery and incapacity of man in his fallen ftate, are clofely conneded with this, and cannot be fatisfadorily ex plained without it. The neceffary method of our recovery exhibits the moft ftriking view of the ruin in which fin has involved us, and is the only adequate ftandard whereby to eftimate the unfpeakable love of God, mani fefted in our redemption. On the other hand, a knowledge of the true ftate of mankind, in confequence of the fall, is neceffary to obviate the prejudices of our minds againft a procedure which, tho' in itfelf the triumph of Divine 3 Wifdom, ( 33i ) Wifdom, is in many refpeds contradidory to our natural (and therefore falfe) notions of the fitnefs of things. St. Paul declares * that the natural man receiveth not the things of the fpirit of God, neither can he difcern them ; and in another place", That no man can fay (that is, fincerely and upon folid convidion) that Jefus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoft. To worfhip him who had been hanged upon a crofs, and to exped eternal happinefs from his death, , was to the Jews a ftumbling- block: it offended -their notions of the unity of the god head, and oppofed their high efteem of their own righteoufnefs.; and to the Greeks or Heathens, it appeared the greateft folly and ab furdity imaginable. For thefe reafons the gofpel was rejeded by multitudes as foon as propofed, and thofe who preached it were accounted bablers and madmen;, not becaufe they were at a lofs for propriety of expreffion, or difco vered any thing ridiculous in their condud, but becaufe they enforced tenets which were adjudged inconfiftent with the common-fenfe of mankind. n/ But notwithftanding thefe prejudices, the 'energy of their preaching, and the miraculous powers with which it was accompanied, made an impreffion upon many perfons, fo far as to induce them to profefs the name of Jefus, tho' they were not fpiritually enlightened into the mysteries of his religion, nor their hearts thoroughly fubdued to the obedience of the faith. 1 i Cor. 2. 14 "1 Cor. 12. 3. ( 332 ) faith. There are other points, within the compafs of the gofpel miniftry, more adapted to affed the minds of men in their natural ftate. Few are fo hardened but they have a confcience of fin, fome fears with refped to its confequences, and a pre-intimation of immor tality. Such are capable of being greatly af feded and moved, by a pathetic declaration of the terrors of the Lord, the folemnities of a future judgment, the joys of heaven, or the torments of hell. We cannot doubt that thefe topics, when infifted on with that ftrength of argument and warmth of fpirit, of which the apoftles were capable, would engage the at tention of many who were not partakers of that divine light, by which alone the whole fcheme of truth, in its harmony and beauty, can be perceived. The feed fown upon the rock fprang up immediately, the quicknefs of its growth, and the fuddennefs of its decay, proceeding from the fame caufe, a want of depth in the foil. Not a few of thefe hafty believers prefently renounced the faith altoge ther, and others, who went not fo far as to difown the name, endeavoured to accommo date the dodrine to their pre- poffeffions, and to explain or rejed what they could not un- derftand, in fuch a manner as to form a fyftem upon the whole agreeable to their own wills. Men of corrupt and prejudiced minds thus tampered with the truth, and their inventions, when made known, were adopted by others of the fame eaft of thought : as they were differently ( 333 ) differently inclined, they direded their enqui ries to different points, and each found parti- zans and adherents in their refpedive ways. Thus errors, and, in confequence, feds and divifions, were multiplied ; for v/hen men depart from the unerring guidance of God's word, there is no end of their imaginations, one Angularity produces another, and every new leader is flimulated to carry his difcoveries farther than thofe who have gone before him. Farther, as human nature is univerfally the fame, we may judge, from what we have feen, that there always have been perfons in clined to join in a religious profeflion, from the unworthy motives of worldly intereft, and a defire to ftand fair with their fellow-creatures. Temptations to this were not fo ftrong indeed at firft, nor fo general as they have often been fince, yet the force of friendfhip, relation, (and when chriftianity had been of fome years flanding) education, cuftom and human au thority is very confiderable ; nor is even perfe cution a fufficient bar againft hypocrites and intruders. They who fuffer for the gofpel, tho' defpifed by the world, are highly efteemed and confidered by their own fide ; it procures them an attention which they would not have otherwife obtained ; it may give them an im portance in their own eyes, furnifh them with fomething to talk of, and make them talked of by others. There are people who, for the fake of thefe advantages, will for a feafon ven ture ( 334 ) ture upon many hardfhips, tho', when the* trial comes very clofe, they will not endure to the end. In a word, there is no reafon to doubt but that amongft the numbers who pro feffed the gofpel at firft, there would be found the fame variety of tempers, circumftances, views and motives, as have ordinarily appeared amongft a great number of people, fuddenly formed in any other period of time; and the apoftle's writings prove that it was really fo. From thefe general principles, we may eafily account for the early introdudion and increafe of errors and heresies, and that they fhould be in a manner the fame as have fprung up with, or followed, fucceeding revivals of the truth. Nor is it juft caufe of furprize, if fincere Chriftians have been, in fome inftances, en tangled in the prevailing errors of the times : defigning no harm themfelves, they fufped none, and are therefore liable to be im pofed on by thofe who lie in wait to de ceive". When Chriftianity firft appeared, the hea then wifdom, known by the name of Philo fophy, was in the higheft repute : it had two principal branches, the Grecian and the Eaftern. The former admitted (at leaft did not condemn) a multiplicity and fubordination of deities, amongft whom, as agents and me diators between their fupreme Jupiter and mortals, the care and concerns of mankind were " Ephef. 4. 14. ' ( 335 ) were fubdivided, to each of which homage and facrifices were due: their mythology, or the pretended' hiftory of their divinities, was puerile and abfurd, and many of their religious rites inconfiftent with the pradice of public decorum and good morals. Some of the phi lofophers endeavoured to guard againft the worft abufes, and to form a fyftem of religion and morality, in which they feem to have proceeded as far as could be expeded from men who were totally ignorant of the true God, and of their own ftate : feme truths they were acquainted with, truths in theory, but utterly impradicable upon any principles but thofe of revelation. Amongft a vaft number of opinions concerning the chief good of man, a few held, that man's ho nour and happinefs muft confift in confor mity to and communion with God-; but how to attain thefe defireable ends,' they were en tirely ignorant The Eaftern philofophy was folemn and myfterious, not lefs fabulous than the other, but the fables were of a graver eaft ; it feemed to mourn under the fenfe of moral evil, and laboured in vain to account for its entrance ; its precepts were gloomy" and fevere, and a perfed courfe of bodily mortification was recommended as the great expedient to purify the foul from all its defilements, and to re- unite it, by degrees, to its great Author. St. ( 33^ ) St. Paul, in feveral paffages*, cautions the Chriftians againft corrupting the fimplicity of their faith, by admitting the reafonings and inventions of vain men. In fome places y he feems to fpeak more diredly of the Gnoftics, whofe heresies were little more than the fables of the Eaftern philofophy in a new drefs, with an acknowledgment of Jefus Chriftmas an extraordinary perfon, yet fo as utterly to ex clude and deny all the important truths re vealed in fcripture concerning him ; they dignified their fcheme with the name of Gnofis, or Science, but it was falfely fo called, and ftood in dired oppofition to the gofpel. On other occafions1 he appears to have had the Grecian philofophy chiefly in view. But not withftanding his admonitions, it was not long before the errors of philofophy had an ill in fluence upon the profeffors of the Chriftian faith ; and even feveral of the fathers darkened the glory of the truth, bv endeavouring to accommodate it to the tafte and genius of that heathen wifdom which they had before admired, and ftill thought might be ufeful to embellifh and recommend the gofpel. But, to confine myfelf to the apoftles times, it is plain, from the epiftles of St. Paul, John, Jude and Peter", that many falfe pro phets and teachers had, in their days, crept in, who » Coloff. 2. 8. i Tim. 6. 20. r 1 Tim. 1. 4. Tit. 3. 9. z Rom. 1. 21 — 23. 1 Cor. 1. 2c — 23. * Titus 1. 10. 1 John 4. 1. 2 Pet. 21. iS, 19. Jude 4. ( 337 ) who propagated damnable herefiies, even de nying the Lord who bought them, turning the grace of God into licentioufnefs, fpeaking great fwelling words of vanity, boafting them- , felves of freedom while they were in bondage ,to their own luffs. And in the epiftle to the church of Ephefus \ our Lord himfelf men tions a fed who bore the name of Nicolaitans, and expreffes his difapprobation of them in thofe awful terms, Whom I alfo hate. The peculiar tenets of the people condemned in thefe paffages of fcripture are not exprefsly mentioned ; but from thefe fources were moft probably derived the feds, which, in the .fecoad century, were known by the names of their feveral, leaders, Cerinthus, Saturninus, Cerdo, Marcion, Bafilides, Valentinus, and others; who all building upon the common foundation of the Eaftern philofophy, or Gnofis, fuperadded their own peculiarities, and were differently, tho' equally, remote from the truth. The one thing in which they all agreed, was, in perverting and oppofing the fcripture dodrine concerning the perfon of Chrift. On this point their opinions were as difcordant as abfurd : fome denied that Chrift was come in the flefh ; they pretended that Chrift was fent from heaven by the fupreme God, and united himfelf to Jefus, the fon of Jofeph and Mary, at his baptifm, and that, when the Jews apprehended the man Jefus, Z and * Rev. 2. 6. ( 338 ) and nailed him to the crofs, Chrift returned fo* heaven, and left him to fuffer by himfelf; others afcribed a heavenlv derivation to his body, affirming that it paffed thro' the Virgin Mary without any participation of her fub ftance ; while others afferted that he had no fubftantial flefh, but that his body was a meer phantom, or apparition, which was neither really born, nor did or could trulv fuffer. Again, there were others who held the reality of his human nature, yet main tained that Chrift did not fuffer at all, but that Simon of Cyrene (the bearer of his crofs) being taken by the Jews for him, was cru cified in his flead, while he ftood by and laughed at their miftake. A brief recital of thefe extravagancies is fufficient for my pre fent purpofe: for a more particular account, I refer the reader to Sir Peter King's Hiftory of the Creed', already mentioned. Many paf- fages in the apoftles writings are direded againft thefe dangerous errors, for they ftrike at the root of the faith and hope of the gofpel, and are fuhverfive of the whole tt.nor both of the Old and New Teftament. It was believed by the ancients, that St. John wrote his gofpel with fome view to thefe herefies, and it is certain that in his firft epiftle, where (putting the difciples upon their guard againft the many falfe prophets who were gone out into the world) he ob- ferves that the common point, in which all their ( 339 ) their divers Opinions agreed, was a denial that Jefus Chrift was come in the flefh0: he re minds them that, as they had heard Artti- chrift muft come, even fo now there were many Antichrists, and that the name was applicable to all who denied that Jefus is the Chrift: he admits that thefe falfe teachers went out from amongft themfelves, that is, they had borne the Chriftian name, but he refers to the dodrines they taught, as a fuf ficient proof that they had never been of the number of true Chriftians ; for if they had been of us, no doubt, they would have con tinued with usd. If opinions, equally wild and extravagant, were at this time maintained and propagated by perfons, who, for a feafon, had been warm for truth and reformation, we are not afraid that they would prejudice our caufe with any who will allow due weight to the reafoning of St. John ; for if they had been really of us once, they would have ftill continued with us. But the truth is, The teachers in our time, whofe leading tenets moft nearly fymbolize with thefe antient herefies, are not charged, or even fufpeded, of having had any attach ment to the dodrines which I am concerned to vindicate ; nor is an apology expeded from them, for they give but little offence. Since the fabulous difguife, under which the Gno- ftics of old veiled their opinions, has been . Z 2 laid c i John 2. 22. and 43, d 1 John 2. 19. ( 34° ) laid afide, their oppofition to the deity and atonement of Chfift has been adopted by fo many who are applauded for ingenuity, fine reafoning and great learning, that it bids fair to be the fafhionable divinity of the age ; and tho' the fufferings of Jefus are not denied, yet their proper caufes and ends are openly ex ploded, and the attempt has often proved an eafy path to acceptance, wealth and dig nity. The attachment of the Jewifh converts to the law of Mofes was another fource of error, which occafioned daily difputes in the churches, and gave rife, in the iffue, to dangerous heresies, fubverfive of the true faith ; even thofe of them, who had fin- cerely received the gofpel, could not eafily be perfuaded that a law, given to Mofes by God himfelf, with fo much folemnity, from mount Sinai, was to be entirely abrogated, and that their obligation to It was, ipfo facto, vacated the moment they believed in Jefus, who, by his obedience unto death, had ac complifhed all its types and ceremonies, and wrought out for his people an everlafting righteoufnefs commenfurate to its utmoft re quirements. The apoftles, who, after the pattern of their Lord, were gentle and tender to the weak of the flock, bore with their infirmities % and allowed them to retain a diftindion of meats and days, and other ob- fervances4 • Rom. 14. 2 — 6. ( 34i ) fervances, provided they did not confider thefe things in fuch a point of view, as to interfere with God's appointed method of juftification by faith in his Son ; but the matter was car ried much farther, for no fooner was there a church formed at Antioch, than they were troubled with perverfe teachers', who told them that, except they were circumcifed and kept the law of Moles, they could not be faved. The Galatians were greatly hurt by teachers of this fort8, and as the Jews were difpericd thro' all the provinces, the peace of the church was more or lefs affeded by their attempts to enforce the obfervance of the law, in almoft every place, till after the epiftle to the Hebrews was received, and obedience to the Levitical law rendered impradicable by the deftrudion of Jerufalem and the temple h. From that period, it is probable, the distinc tion of Jew and Gentile believers ceafed, and both parties were firmly incorporated into one body ; but a great number of the zealots for the law feparated themfelves, and were known in the following age by the name of Ebionites, adopting for their rule a mixture of law and gofpel, fo very different from the gofpel Saint Paul preached, that they openly ex preffed an abhorrence both of his perfon and writings. Z3 We ' A£b 15. 1, s Gal. 5. 4. * Col. 2. 16, Tit, 1. 10. Phil. 3. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 7. ( 342 ) We have an account likewifS of fome pretended teachers, who oppofed the impor tant dodrine of the Refurredion. Some ex- prefsly maintained that there was no Refur redion l; whom St. Paul confutes at large in his firft epiftle to the Corinthians. Others affirmed the Refurredion is paft already k. Perhaps they pretended that a moral change was defigned by the metaphorical expreffion of a refurredion ; the philofophers had ufed the word in this fenfe, and this would be fufficient to gain it admittance with fome, who would willingly reconcile their profeffion to the wifdom of the world : in either way, the very foundations of hope were removed : if this point is denied, the whole fyftem of Chriftian dodrine falls to the ground, and that dreadful train of confequences muft be admitted, which the apoftle enumerates1, (( If there be no refurredion of the dead, then is Chrift not rifen, then is our preaching vain and your faith alfo vain, ye are yet in your fins ; then they alfo who are fallen afleep in Chrift are perifhed." Since the fertile refur- rection of ancient miftakes, which is the fin and fcandal of the prefent age, we have been gravely told, that the word fignifies no more than the foul's awaking from the long fleep into which they fuppofe the period we call Death will plunge it, and that the body has no ' 1 Cor. 15. 12. k 2 Tim. 2. 18. 1 1 Cor. 15, 14 — j8. ( 343 y no fhare in the revival, but dies without hope: but we may thank God for the fcripture, which brings comfort, where philofophy gives up the caufe as defperate. Faith in Chrift is fo clofely conneded with the dodrine of a Refurredion, that it is common with thofe who oppofe the former, to ufe all their addrefs to explain the latter quite away, and whether they fay, It is paft already, or, It will never come, their motives, their de fign, and their manner of reafoning, are the fame. That there were perfons who abufed the dodrines of grace, as an encouragement to continue in the pradice of fin, may be in ferred from the epiftle of St. James, and feveral paffages of the other apoftles. Such, in our modern phrafe, are ftiled Antinomians, a name, it muft be confeffed, of very inde terminate application ; it is an epithet which many would fix, indifcriminately, upon all who preach a free falvation by faith in the blood of Jefus. If it is all of grace, and we can do nothing of ourfelves, if it is not of him that willeth nor of him that run neth, but of God that fheweth mercy, then we may live as we pleafe, endeavours are ufelefs, and obedience unneceffary m. Thefe are the inferences which the unenlightened heart charges as unavoidable confequences from the gofpel dodrine ; and from hence Z 4 we » Rom. n. 6. 2 Cor. 3. 5. Rom. 9. 16. ( 344 ) we obtain a corroborating . proof, that we do not miftake St. Paul's fenfe, or preach a gofpel different from his, becaufe he fore- faw that the fame objedions would feem to lie againft* himfelf, and he guards and pro tefts againft fuch a perverfion °, Shall we continue in fin that grace may abound ? God forbid ! It feems to have been upon this account that he was flandered, and by fome affirmed to have taught, Let us do evil, that good may come p — that is, in modern lan guage (and fuch things are not fpoken in corners amongft us) If any man would be a proper fubjed of what they call Grace, let hicr. become ftill more vile, and plunge into the moft atrocious wickednefs, for the greater the finner the better qualified for mercy. We are content to be reproached (as St. F.ul was in his time) for the truth's- fake, 'and we would be chiefly concerned for the unhappy fcoffers, who, unlefs God is pleafed to give them repentance unto life, will one d.iy wifh they had been idiots, or lunatics, rather than have vented their mali cious wit againft the grace and gofpel of the Lord Chrift. But it muft be allowed we have feen Antinomians in the worft fenfe of the word, men who have pleaded for fin, and, while they have laid claim to faith, have renounced and blafphemed that holinefs without n Rom. 3 7. and 9. 19. ? Rom. 6. 1. p Rom. 3. 8. ( 345 ) without which no. man fhall fee the Lord; We cannot wonder that even candid and well-meaning perfons have been greatly pre judiced, and difcouraged in their enquiries after truth, by the prefumption and wicked nefs of fuch pretended Chriftians. But no period of the' church, in which the gofpeh dodrine was known and preached, has been> free from offences of this fort. It was fo in the apoftles days. There were then many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, who fubverted whole houfes, teaching things which they ought not"1; who profeffed that they knew God, but in works denied him, being abominable and difobedient, and to every good work reprobate r ; who pretended to faith, but were deftitute of thofe fruits which true faith always produces s. Thefe are defcribed * as clouds without water, car ried about of winds ; trees whofe fruit wi- thereth, twice dead, plucked up by the roots ; raging waves of the feaj foaming out their own fhame; wandering ftars, to whom is referved the blacknefs of darknefs for ever. Sporting themfelves with their own de- ceivings, and beguiling unftable fouls*. In oppofition to fuch deceivers it is written, If we fay that we have fellowfhip with him, and walk in darknefs, we lie, and do not the 9 Tit. i. 10. n. r Tit. i. 16. s James 2. 14. 1 Jude 12, 13. u 2 Pet. 2. 13, 14. ( 346 ) the truth w: He that faith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him *, For every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himfelf, even as he is purey. The foun dation of God flandeth fure, having this feal z, The Lord knoweth them that are his, and, Let every one that nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity. St. Paul, writing to the Theffalonians con cerning the man of Sin a, who was to be fully revealed in the following ages, reminds them, that the myftery of iniquity, tho' at that time reftrained from a full manifeftation, did already work. Teaching us, that the feeds of that grand apoftacy, which at length overfpread the whole profeffing church, were fown, and fpringing up, at the time of his writing. And he mentions feveral particulars in his epiftle to » the Coloflians fc, fuch as, a voluntary or felf-devifed humility, in worfhipping angels as mediators or inter- ceffors, a dogmatic inhibition of things which God had left free, and a fpecious fcheme of will-worfhip and mortification, which, under pretence of felf-denial, did really gratify pride, vanity, and felf-righ- teoulnefs. The progrefs of our hiftory will fhew " I John 1.6. x i John 2. 4. y 1 John 3. 6. z 2 Tim. 2. 19. a 2 ThefT. 2. 3 — 10. b Col. 2. 18—23. ( 347 ) fhew what a harveft of dreadful and wide- fpreading evils were produced from thefe principles, until at length the gofpel of Chrift was wholly obfcured, and the lives and confciences of men were given up to the power of Antichrift, who, as god, in- folently fat down in the temple of God, and exalted himfelf above all laws, human and divine. It is fufficient to my purpofe, at prefent, to take notice, -that the, begin nings of that fpiritual infatuation, which fo long detained the world in chains, and dark nefs, and flavery, under the tyranny of the church of Rome, were obfervable in St. Paul's time, and therefore deferve a place in the lift of thofe peftilent heresies by which the enemy of fouls attempted to defile the faith, and diflurb the peace, of the primi tive church. Many other things are alluded to, which, for want of authentic records of the firft cen tury, we cannot with certainty explain. Befides the dodrine of the Nicolaitans, al ready mentioned, we read of the blafphemy of them which fay they are Jews but are not, but of the fynagogue of Satan c, Of them who held the dodrine of Balaam, and of the woman Jezebel, who called herfelf a prophetefs4. Thefe were certainly heretics, for our Lord feverely rebukes the churches for f Rev. 3. 9, " Rev. 2. 14. 20. ( 348 ) for not oppofing them to the utmoft; and, as he g'v.s them different names, they pro bably, differed from each other, tho' their ultimate tendency was the fame, to pervert the faith of the hearers, and to introduce licentioufhefs. of pradice. The gofpel truth is a dodrine according to godlinefs, and has a fandifying influence ; for the grace of God teaches' all who are partakers of it, to for- fake all ungodlinefs and worldly lufts, and to live foberly, righteoufly and godly in the prefent world'. But errors and herefies, in whatever degree they prevail, have a poi- fboous effed upon thofe who admit them : fome are calculated' to fet afide the whole frame of obedience which we owe to our God- and Saviour, and the moft refined and plaufible will deliver the foul into the power of fome eafy, befetting, and beloved fin, and furnifh arms and arguments to maintain it. And this explains what would otherwife feem a very ftrange phasnomenon. When the truth is propofed with the greateft clear- nefs and the greateft advantages, its votaries, at all times, and in all places, have been but few ; but whoever will ftand up on the fide of error, however wild and abfurd his opinions and condud may be, will hardly fail of obtaining adherents. It is becaufe error will tolerate thofe lufts and follies which c Titus 2. ir, 1?. ( 349 ) which truth will not endure: and in the prefent ftate of human depravity, more people will be found willing to give up their underftandings, than, to part with their fins. We may likewife colled from feveral texts in the epiftles, that there were thofe of old who denied what the fcripture teaches con cerning the depravity of human nature, the real guilt of finf, the influences of the Holy Spirit e, and the terrors of a future judgment h, tho' we cannot be fure ,that thefe dodrines were oppofed fo -openly and fo ftrenuoufly as they are in our own days. But I have remunerated enough to anfwer my purpofe, by way of apology for the evangelical doc trine, the modern oppofers of the laft-men- tioned points not being under any fufpicion or charge of what is called enthufiafm ; and all who are defpifed or perfecuted for refting the hope of their falvation folely upon the mediation of Jefus, and his obedience unto death, even the death of the crofs, are known to acknowledge them as effential truths ; indeed they ftand infeparably con neded with what they believe, of his perfon, offices, power and grace. A confcience im preffed with the majefty, holinefs and juftice of the great God, and that trembles at the denunciations of his law againft every tranf- grefiion, i i John i. 8, 10. e Jude 19. b 2 Pet. 3. 9. ( 35° ) greffion, dares not hope for peace without the difcovery of an adequate atonement for fin, nor venture its eternal concerns upon the interpofition of a creature. To fuch a one, all that is revealed of the love and fufferings of Jefus, would afford no folid ground of confolation, if the infinite dignity of his divine nature, and his voluntary fub ftitution in the place and on the behalf of finners, were not revealed with equal clear- nets ; and a convidion of that total infuf- ficiency for every good work', and the pre valence of indwelling fink, which the fcrip ture fo exprefsly declares to be the condition of every child of Adam, would plunge an awakened mind into hopeless defpair, if it Was not relieved by the gracious promife of the infallible Spirit1, whofe office is to teach, guide, comfort and feal the children of God unto the day of compleat redemp tion"; but having fuch a great high prieft", who, by his own blood, has entered into the holy place, to appear in the prefence of God for us, and 'having, in* the promife of the Holy Spirit0, a fource of fuccour and comfort anfwerable to all our ignorance, weaknefs, neceffities and temptations, we are enabled^ in the midft of fightings and fears p, to main tain 1 2 Cor. 3. 5. k Rom. 7. 18 — 24. ' John 14. 26. and 16. 7, 13. m Ephef. 4. 30. n Heb. 8. 1. and 9. 24. and 10. 19. ° Rom. 8. it>, 26, 27. p 2 Cor. 7-5- ( 35i ) tain a humble confidence that we fhall not be afhamed before him at his coming, but have, boldnefs in the day of judgment, the great and terrible day of the Lord'. On the other hand, it is no wonder that thofe who do not acknowledge the deity of the Saviour (not finding any other bafis whereon to reft the validity of an atonement for fin) fhould embrace every fhadow of an argu ment againft its neceffity, and be willing to think as highly as poffible of their own righteoufnefs and abilities; or, that being thus perfuaded that they can pleafe God, without the influence of his fpirit, themfelves, they fhould treat all claims to this affiftance in others, as enthufiafm and folly. Nor can we be furprized that many who rejed the fcripture teftimony concerning Chrift and the Holy Spirit, fhould ufe all their addrefs to prove 'that the foul finks into fleep and inadivity at death, that the refurredion of the flefh is improbable, and that it is injurious to the goodnefs of God, to fuppofe he will inflid eternal punifhment for fins committed within the compafs of a fhort life. Such rea fonings may be expeded from men who prefume upon the fufficiency of their own wifdom, who neither exped nor defire divine teaching, and who find a little relief in thefe fentiments, againft the fears and forebodings which will fometimes force themfelves upon their minds. It ^ i John 2. 28. and 4. 17. ( 352 ) It appears however, from the indifputabie evidence of the New Teftament, that, in the firft age of the church, the enemy fowed the tares of error and herefy in great abundance, and that the figments publifhed in that period, by men who profeffed fome regard to the name of Chrifi, have not been furpaffed, either as to abfurdity or wickednefs, by any attempts of the fame kind, in any ,age or country fince. It is true, -the vigilance and authority of the apoftles reftrained thefe ex ceffes from rifing to that height to which they afterwards attained ; but if the people who now objed to the variety of names, feds and fentiments, which have gradually pre vailed amongft us within thefe thirty years paft, had lived in the primitive church, tfiey would have had at leaft equal caufe for making the like objedions. If, upon thefe accounts, they now think themfelves at liberty to rejed all parties alike, without examination, as empty pretenders to the truth, purity, and power of religion, there is little doubt but they would have done the fame then. The apoftles were perfonally prefent with the firft churches, their writings were appointed to be the rule of fucceeding times, and, thro' the mercy of God, are in our hands. Whoever is fincerely defirous to know the will of God, by attending to thefe lively oracles, will be enabled to difcern the path of truth and peace, thro' the midft of that maze of opinions, wherein ( 353 ) Wherein fo many are bewildered and ldft ; but whoever is too wife, or too indolent, to fearch the fcripture hUmbly and diligently for himfelf, would have paid as little regard to the authority of the apoftleSj if he could have converfed with them; nay, the advantage is on our fide, for, as the fcriptures are held in profeffed veneration, we run no immediate rifle of charader or intereft by confulting them, or they may be perufed in retirement, unobferved by our neareft friends : whereas the apoftles, tho' highly fpoken of amongft us, were accounted, while they lived, the filth and off-fcouring of all things, they were defpifed for their poverty and the meannefs of their appearance, and detefted as bigots and enthufiafts, fo that it required fome degree of faith and grace not to be afhamed of them. Let not the reader be offended, if I clofe this book, as I did the former, with entreating him to refled on the importance of having right views of the gofpel of Chrift, and of the fpirit of Chriftianity. Thefe are topics of univerfal concern. A believer in Jefus, how ever obfeure, unnoticed or oppreffed in the prefent life, is happy; he is a child of God, the charge of angels, an heir of glory ' ; he has meat to eat that the world knows not of, and from the knowledge of his union and relation to his Redeemer *, he derives a peace which paffes underftanding, and a power fuited to A a every * Rom. 8. 14, 17. •¦Phil. 4. 7. ( 354 ) every fervice and circumftance of life ; th° weak in. himfelf he is ftrong in the grace that *s in Chrift Jefus the Lord % upon whom he relies, as his wifdom, righteoufnefs, fandification, and expedsfrom him, in due time, a compleat re demption from every .evil w; his faith is not meerly fpeculative, like the cold aflent we give to a mathematical truth, nor is it the blind im pulfe of a warm imagination, but it is the effed of an apprehenfion of the wifdom, power and love difplayed in the redemption of finners by Jefus Chrift j it is a conftraining principle x, that works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world ; it gives the foretafte and evidence of things invsfible to mortal eyes, and transforming the foul into the refemblance of what it beholds, fills the heart with bene volence, gentlenefs and patience, and direds every adion to the fublimeft ends, the glory of God, and the good of mankind. But whatever is ftiled religion, that is not thus pure, thus peaceable, thus operative, or at leaft that does not lead the foul to defire the graces of the fpirit, and to feek them in God's appointed way, by faith in his Son, is un worthy the name. If you have not the fpirit of Chrift, you are none of his y; whatever elfe you may have, you have no intereft in the promifed bleffings of the gofpel; whatever elfe E 2 Cor. 12. 9. tt 2Tim. 2. i. * i Cor. I..30. -¦ Gal. 5. 6. Ads 15. 9. 1 John 5, 4. Heb. it. 1. 2 Cor. 3. i?. y Rom. 8.9. I ( 355 ) elfe you can do, you cannot pleafe God '.' If you do not count all things lofs, and of no value*, in comparifon of the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift Jefus the Lord, you cer tainly do not underftand the word Gofpel in St. Paul's fenfe ; if you did, you would be of his mind : and are you not in danger of in curring that anathema, which, under the in fluence of the Spirit of God, he denounces h againft all who love not the Lord Jefus? Search the fcriptures, if you really think that in them you have eternal life0. If indeed ou could prove them to be cunningly devifed ables, you might negled them without dan ger *; but, if the fcriptures are true, there is a day coming when God fhall judge the world e. I need not appeal to fcripture to convince you, that, whatever your fituation in life is, you muft leave it, and experience a moment, when the pleafures or honours of this world will afford you no comfort ; but, if the fcriptures are true, you muft then appear before the judgment-feat of Chrift; you muft ftand either at the right-hand or the left f . Important alternative ! For to thofe on the left-hand the King will fay, Depart from me, ye accurfed 8 !- — If hitherto, while you have profeffed his name, you have had your heart filled with enmity againft his doctrine and his people, * Heb. ii. 6. * Phil. 3. 8. * iCor. 16. 22. e John 5. 39. d2Pet. 1. 16. ° Afts. 17. 31: f 2 Cor. 5.10. s Mat. 25. 41. (356 ) people, if you have accounted his wifdom foolifhnefs, and reproached the operations of his fpirit as enthufiafm and madnefs — it is tq be hoped you have done it thro' ignorance, you knew not what you did h ; there is then forgivenefs with him; as yet he is upon a throne of grace. May the Spirit of God lead you to him before he takes his feat upon the throne of judgment J otherwife you are loft for ever. My heart's defire and prayer to God, for my readers, will be, that not one of them may fall under that awful fentence, Behold, ye defpifers, and wonder and perifh ! for I work a work in your days, which you fhall in no wife believe, tho' a man declare it unto you'. * i Tim. i. 15. Luke 23. 34. • Afls 13. 4.1, INPU INDEX. Page jfLEXANDER the Great — 14 -*-* Athens, Paul at 163 — 167 Apollos — — 174, 175 Apoftles, not conftantly and uniformly in fallible — — — 197 Agrippa and Bernice — — 212 Antinomians — — 343 Birth of Christ — — 3 ..,.—. why fo long deferred ? — — — 4> 5» J3> *6 Barnabas, Epiftle of — — 250 Believer, experimental, hisPrivileges 353, 354 Christ, perfed God and perfed Man 23 - His Sufferings impoffible to be accounted for, unlefs confidered as an Atonement ¦— — — 25 His perfonal Minifiry, why oppofed — — 47 — 51 chief Objedions alledged againft Him, by the Jews of His own Time — " — — 53—57 His primitive Difciples few, and moftly of obfcure Rank — 61 — 64 His Followers called Chriftians _ — — — 127, 128 His Divinity and Satisfaction . the only Grounds of Comfort to fallen Man — — — 35° Chriftians, primitive, why perfecuted 239 — 248 I Chriftians, INDEX. Page Chriftians, primitive, their Charader . 25 1 Chriftianity, foon began to be corrupted — — 248, 249, 33<>> 34° Converfion, not always effcded by the fame Means — — 67 — j%- Caligula — — — 116, 128 Cornelius the Centurion — 119— -125, Corinth, Paul at — 167 — 173 Clement of Rome — — 250 Churches, apoftolical, were not without their Faults — — 298 — 32© Deacons, primitive — — 10a Domitian — — — 237 Euroclydon — — 219 Effentials and Circumftantials in Religion — — — — 274—278 Ebionites — — — 341 Faith, its Nature and Caufe — 35, 36 Free-Will, a falfe and dangerous Dodrine 60 Fcelix and Drufilla — — 209 Feftus — — — 210 Gofpel, defined — — 17 Gnoftics — — — 329 Heathens, ancient, charaderized 7, 8 Herodians, who — — 44 Herod (Agrippa) — 1 2 8 — 1 3 2 Heretic, who — — Note, 207 Hereftes, early — — 337 Jews, antient, their Charader — 10—13 -— — good Effeds of their feveral Difper- fions _ -^ _ 14 Judas, INDEX. Page Judas, his Charader — 76 James put to death — — 129 Jailor's Converfion — 1^7—159 Jerufalem taken by Titus — 236 John, St. banifh'd to Patmos — 237 — his Gofpel — — 338 Minifters, their peculiar Temptations 255 — — their Duty as to Matters of Doctrine — — — 271 ¦ — fhould be difinterefted. — 281 — — — — fhould hefiedfaft, yet candid 286 fhould he bumble — 293 Summary of their Charader, who are Minifters indeed — 294, 295 — — Such muft expedl: Perfecution 296 Nero — — 231, 235 Nerva — — ,— 238 Nicola'itans — • — 337 Philofophers, Heathen, general Account of — — — 8, 9 Philofophy of the Greeks — 334 of the Orientals — 335 Pharifees — — — 42 — modern ones — — 45 Peter, St. — — 75, 231 Pentecoft, Day of — — 9a — 95 Philip t St, — — — 107 inftruds theEthiopianEunuch 109 Paul, St. his Charader and Converfion — rebukes Peter — 14& __, parts from Barnabas 149 — 152 Paul, INDEX. Page Paul, St. his laft Addrefs tp the Elders of Ephefus — — 1 90 brought before Fcelix — 206 ¦ ¦ embarques for Rome — 216 eaft on Malta — — 223 arrives at Rome — — 226 martyred — — 230 a large Difplay of his Charader 258 andfequ. — His Manner and Method as a Preacher — — 287 — 291 Popery, the Seeds of, fown very early 34-6* 347 Roman Empire — — 1 5 Revelation, written; not fufficient, with out the additional inward Revelation of the Holy Spirit in a way of Grace — 21 Rome, burnt — — — 231 Religion, fcriptural, look'd upon at prefent as Enthufiafm — — .351 ¦ ¦ wherein vital Religion really con- fifts — — — 354 Sadducees — — — - 43 Stephen, St. — - — — 103 Simon Magus — — 107 Thief on the Crofs, his Cafe confidered 32 — 35 Timothy — — — 152 Tacitus, his Account of the primitive Chriftians — — 232 Trajan — — — 238 Vefpaftan — — - — 235 Zeal, good and bad — 282— 28 5 FINIS. ¦'*¦