Srom f 0e &i6rart> of (professor JSamuef (Utiffer in (Jltemorp of 3ubge ^amuef (Jttiffer QBrecftinribge $reeenfeb fig £&amuef (Jtttffer QBrecftinrtbge feong to f0e &i6rar£ of (princeton £(5eofo<$tcaf ^emindrg A NEW AND COMPLETE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THK HOLY BIBLE, FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CllllISTIANITT, BY OUR BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, AND HIS HOLY EVANGELISTS, APOSTLES, DISCIPLES, 00^©$$®»»'< TRENTON: PUBLISHED BY J. J. WILSON, AND D. FEKTON, '.Tames J. Wilson, Printer. J SI 3. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/newcompleteunive04kimp CONTENTS OF THE WHOLE WORK. The History of that stupendous Work the Creation of the World. The Creation of Adam and Eve — their Temptation, Fall, and Expulsion from Paradise — Its fatal consequences, &c. The Wickedness of Mankind. — The General Deluge The Preservation of Noah and his Family, &e. The Building of Bahel — Confusion of Tongues, and Dispersion of the People. History of Abraham and his Family. — Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, &c. History of Joseph and his Brethren, &c. Persecutions of the Israelites by Pharaoh King of Egypt, with the various Transactions that took place previous to their being miraculously released from Bondage. The astonishing Miracles performed by Moses in Egypt, the Wilderness and other places. The Travels and various Revolutions of the Israelites, with the great Miracles wrought in their favor by Divine Interposi- tion before their Settlement at Jerusalem. History of Sampson, Saul and Jonathan, Naomi and Ruth, Judith and Holofernes, Susanna and the Elders, Hainan and Mordeeai, Deborah and Barak, &c. History of the Babylonish Captivity.— .Destruction of Jerusa- lem, &c. &c. Account of the ancient State of Jerusalem, with an accurate description of that magnificent Building, Solomon's Temple. The various Predictions of the Prophets, concerning the Com- ing and Offices of the Messiah, the Restoration of the Jews, kc. with other Prophecies that have been, and are now fill? filling, in different parts of the World. INCLUDING PARTICULAR ACCOUNTS OF THE LIVES AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE MOST EMINENT PATRIARCHS, PROPHETS, AND OTHER SERVANTS OF GOD, Who, by an inspired Grace, have distinguished themselves in the Display of Divine Wisdom j SUCH AS NOAH; JOSHUA, EZEKIEL, OB AD I AH, ABRAHAM, SAMUEL, JEREMIAH, NEHEMIAH, ISAAC, DAVID, DANIEL, HO SEA, JACOB, SOLOMON, JONAH, 2ECHERIAH, JOSEPH, JOB, ELIJAH, AMOS, MOSES, ISAIAH, ELISHA, MALACHI, &C, TOGETHER WITH A FULL AND UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE LIFE, TRANSACTIONS, AND MIRACLES, BLESSED REDEEMER, PROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS CRUCIFIXION, RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION. Also the Lives, Travels, Doctrines, Sufferings, and various Martyrdoms of the Holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; with the Lives of the Holy Apostles, and other Disciples ; particularly St. Peter, Paul, Andrew, James the Great and Less, PmLir, Bartholomew, Simon, Jude, Matthias, Barnabas, Stephen, Timothy, Titus, &e. who were made Instruments, hy Divine Grace, in pro- moting the Establishment of Christianity, the Foundation whereon are built all our Hopes of Eternal Salvation. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, A summary View of the great Difference between the Law as delivered by MOSES and the PROPHETS, and the Gospel under CHRIST and his APOSTLES. Also the connexion between the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS, with a clear Display of the great Truths of DIVINE REVELATION. INCLUDING, THE VARIOUS OBSERVATIONS, COMMENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, Of the most learned Bishops, Divines, Ecclesiastical and other authentic, ancient and modern Historians, who have hitherto written on the subject. The whole calculated to Enlighten the Understanding, purify the Heart, and promote that Knowledge, by which we may obtain Happiness in this World, and eternal Salvation in that which is to come. A NEW AND COMPLETE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE. PART II. CONTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOK I. FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, TO HIS ASCENSIOX 1NTO HEAVEN. [INCLUDING A PERIOD OF 33 YEARS."] CHAP. XII. Our Blessed Lord goes io the house of Simon the leper at Beth- any, where he is anointed by a poor hut jrions woman. The Sanhedrim meet at Jerusalem, and form an ultimate resolu- tion of putting him to death. Our Lord teaches his disciples humility by condescending to wash their feet. Intimates to them who should betray him into the hands of his enemies. The perfidious Judas goes to the Sanhedrim and agrees to betray his Master for thirty pieces of silver. Our Lord ex- horts his other apostles to mutual love. Sends Peter and John to Jerusalem to make the necessary preparations for celebrating the Passover. Mevivcs the drooping spirits of his & EROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, aposlJes, by promising them a belter life, and the gifts of the- Holy Ghost? after his departure. Goes to Jerusalem, and after eating the Passover, institutes the Sacrament, in com- memoration of his death and sufferings. Reproves his apos- tles for their ambitious thoughts. Predicts Peter's cowardice in denying him. Fortifies his disciples against his approach- ing death. Foretels Peter's cowardice again. Preaches to and prays with his disciples for the last time. Retires into the garden of Gethsemane, where he prays in private to. his Father. Is in great agony on the occasion; but receives comfortfrom a Divine messenger. Is betrayed by Judas, and seized by a band of soldiers. AFTER our Blessed Lord had finished his prophetic discourse to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, he re- tired with them to Bethany, and there entered the house of one Simon, whom, among his other miracles, he had cured of a leprosy. While he was here, a woman, who, doubtless, had been an object of his mercy, and was now desirous of testifying her acknowledgments for the past benefits received, came into the room where he was, and, out of an alabaster cruse, poured so great a quantity of rich ointment upon his head, as scented the whole house with its fragrancy. This action greatly displeased the disciples, who knew their Master was not delighted with luxuries of any kind; and therefore they rebuked the woman, imagining that it would have been more accepta- ble to the Son of (rod, if the ointment had been sold, and the money distributed among the sons and daughters of poverty and affliction. But our Blessed Lord reproved his disciples for their conduct. He told them that those who did not now testify their love to him would soon be deprived of the opportunity of doing it, as the time of his ministry was near its period, when the king of terrors should enjoy a short triumph over his body; and that therefore this woman had seasonably anointed him for his burial. And to make them sensible of their folly in blam- ing the woman for her conduct, he assured them, that she should be highly celebrated for this action, in every part of the world, and that her memory should live to the latest period of time. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever ihis gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO BEATEN. 7 this «/so //m£ afc fiuth done shall be spoken of for a me- mo rial of her. Mark xiv. 9. After this transaction our Lord left Simon's house, and went to that of Martha's, where he continued all the next day, without going to Jerusalem, as he had done the day before. In the mean time the Sanhedrim assembled at the palace of Caiphas the high-priest, where the Priests, Scribes, and Elders of the people, held a solemn debate and consultation how they might take Jesus by some secret stratagem, and put him to death. This was the second council they had held on the occasion, and though therein it was determined he should die, yet they thought it not advisable to put their design into execution during the time of the approaching solemnity, lest it should cause a sedition among the people, who had the highest veneration for him. And the chief jiriests and the Scribe* sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast-day, lest there be an uproar of the people. On the second evening of our Lord's being at Bethany, he supped, with his disciples, at Martha's house ; and, while they were at table, considering within himself, that bis time was now short, he resolved to give them a far- ther testimony of his love, and, from his own example, teach them two virtues, which, of all others, were more especially requisite in their ministry of the Gospel, name- ly, humility and charity. To this purpose, risiug from the table, laying aside his upper garment, and girding himself with a towel (as the manner of servants then was when they waited on their masters) he poured water into a bason, and began to wash his apostles' feet, and to wipe them with the towel. Amazed at this conde- scension, Peter, (when he came to him) modestly declin- ed it; but his Master told him, that if he refused to sub- mit implicitly to all his orders, he could have no part with him; upon which Peter cried out, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. But our Lord told him that the person who had bathed himself had no reason to wash any part of the body, except his feet* which he might have dirtied by walking from the bath* 8 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, When our Blessed Lord had made an end of washing his disciples' feet, he put on his garment, and sitting down again at the table, explained to them the meaning of what he had done, viz. " That since he, who was justly ac- f knowledged to be their Lord and Master, had conde- " scended so far as to wash their feet, they, in imitation *° of his example, ought to think it no disparagement to *4' them, to perform the meanest offices of kindness and " charity to each other; for, though they were exalted to u the dignity of his apostles, yet still they were but his " servants ; and that therefore it would be an high piece 6i of arrogance in them to assume more state and grandeur u than their Master had done before them." After saying this, our Blessed Lord told them, that though he had called them all to the apostles hip, and well knew the secret disposition of every heart before he chose them, they need not be surprized that one among them should prove a traitor, as it was done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, lie that eatetli bread with me- hath lift up his heel against me. This moving declaration greatly affected the disciples, and they began every one of them to say to their Master, Lord, Is it IP But Jesus not giving them any decisive answer, John, his beloved disciple, who stood nearest him, asked, in a soft tone of voice, who among the disciples would be guilty of so de- testable a crime? Jesus told him that the person to whom he should give the sop, when he had dipped it, should betray him. Accordingly, as soon as he had dipped the sop in the dish, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, saying to bini, at the same time, what thou doest, do quickly. The rest of the apostles were totally ignorant of the signal which our Lord had given to his beloved disciple John, and therefore, when they heard the words what thou doest, do quickly, they supposed it to be an order given to Judas (as he was the purse-bearer) either to bestow something on the poor, or to provide what was necessary for the celebration of the ensuing feast. As soon as supper was ended, Judas, being now con- firmed in his wicked resolution, left Bethany, and went to Jerusalem. On his arrival there, understanding that the Sanhedrim was met at the highrpriest's house, he inime- TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN'. 9 dialcly repaired to the place, and offered, upon their ^iviiii; liini a sufficient reward, to betray his Master, and to deliver him privately into his hands. This proposition was highly pleasing to the council, who immediately bar- gained with him for thirty pieces of silver; and, when Judas had received the money, lie, from that moment, ht an opportunity to betray his Master in the absence of the multitude, though he immediately returned, and associated himself with his fellow disciples. While Judas was thus bartering for his Master's blood, our Blessed Lord was preparing the rest of his apostles for his departure, and endeavoring to comfort them with this consideration: That his death would be a means of displaying both his own, and his Father's glory, as it was a preliminary to his resurrection and ascension into heaven. As, therefore, it wa decreed that he must leave them, the stronger should their union be with each other; and therefore he very earnestly recommended tolliem the duty of mutual love, a duty which had hitherto been so much neglected, that his enjoining them might well be accounted a new eommandmeut, and what was to be the common badge and character of his true disciples ever after. On the day preceding that of the passover, our Lord sent Peter and John to Jerusalem, to prepare all things necessary for the celebration of the passover; and, lest they should want a convenient room for that purpose, he predisposed the heart of a certain host in the city to ac- commodate them with one. Go ye (said he) into the city; and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water ; follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house, The master saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where T shall eat the passover with my disciples? Jlnd he will sheiv you a. large upper room furnished and prepared; there make ready for us. Mark adv. 13, &c. In obedience to these orders Peter and John immediate- ly repaired to Jerusalem, and having provided a lamb, slain it in the temple, sprinkled its blood on the altar, anil done every thing else that was required of them, they re- turned to their Master at Bethany. Our Lord, perceiving vol. iv. B 10 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, that his late discourse to his disciples about leaving the world and them, had destroyed all their hopes of secular greatness, and left them melancholy and disconsolate, stayed the greater part of the day with them in order to raise their drooping spirits. To effect this he assured them of an happy immortality, which (as he told them) he was going before to prepare for them in heaven, and wanted not power to do it, because he and his Father (as to their divinity) were perfectly the same. He farther promised to send them the Holy Spirit from above, which he represented as a comforter to support them in their af- flictions ; as a teacher, to instruct them in all necessary truths; and as an advocate, to plead and defend their cause against all their enemies. He told them that, from these considerations, they had no reason to be dejected, because, in this sense, he would be always with them ; because, whatever they asked in his name, his Father would give them ; and because, when he was gone, they should be enabled to do miracles greater than what they had seen him do. And therefore, Peace Heave with you (says he) my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled* neither let it be afraid. John xiv. 27. As soon as our Blessed Lord had finished his discourse; he arose, and, with his disciples, repaired to Jerusalem, whither they had no sooner arrived than they went into the house which had been prepared for them for cele- brating the passover. Towards the evening they sat down to table, soon after which our Lord began to renew the discourse that one in the company should certainly be- tray him, but that better it had been for the man who did so if he had never been born. This occasioned so general a concern and sadness, that every one began to enquire for himself, whether he was the man? At length it came to Judas's turn, who, having the confidence to ask the same question, received a positive answer that he was: whereupon he soon withdrew from his Master, and joined himself to his enemies, who were impatiently ex- pecting the performance of his promise. The paschal supper being ended, our Blessed Lord proceeded to the institution of another, in commemora- TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. II tion of his own death and passion. And Jesus took bread, and blessed it. and brake it, and gave to his disciples, and said, Take, eat: This is my body. Matth. xxvi. 20. Ob- serve this rite in remembrance of me, who, by dying for yon, will bring you out of the spiritual bondage, a bondage far worse than the Egyptian under which your ancestors groaned, and will establish you in the glorious liberty of the children of God. Do it in remembrance of me, who, by laying down my life, will ransom you from sin, from death, from hell, and will set open the gates of heaven to you that you may enter immortality in triumph. After having given the bread to his disciples, our Lord look the cup of wine, and having in like manner, blessed it, he gave it among them, saying, Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matth. xxvi. 27,28. All of you, and all who profess the Gospel in all ages, must drink of this cup, because it represents my blood shod for the remission of the sins of mankind ; and by which the new covenant between God and man is ratified. It is, therefore, my blood of the new covenant; so that this in- stitution exhibits to your joyful meditation the grand basis of the hopes of the children of men, and perpetuates the memory of it, to the end of the world. He added, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you, in my Father's king- dom. Matth. xxvi. 29. This manifestation of the Son of God is the most il- lustrious, and most momentous event that ever occurred, and must certainly engage the attention and meditation of every serious Christian. To his life and death, his resur- rection and ascension into glory, we are indebted for our hopes and assurances of pardon, for our peace, and for our happiness. To procure our benefit, he conde- scended to put on him the veil of flesh ; he poured Divine instruction from his lips, and shone forth an all-perfect and all lovely example. For our benefit he submitted to a course of the most cruel treatment, to the agonies of the cross, and to the stroke of the king of terrors. For our benefit he arose again with power and lustre, and as- cended into the mansions of eternal happiness. With the iH FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, greatest wisdom and goodness, therefore, did the benefi- cent Jesus institute a rite, which should recal his love to our memories, and awake each pious passion in our breast; a rite which, by the breaking of bread, and the pouring out of wine, should represent to us, in a striking manner, that most signal proof of the affection both of him .and his heavenly Father, when his tender frame was ex- posed to wounds and bruises, and when streams of the most precious blood issued from his body, for our sakes. The more we reflect on this instance of Divine love, the more we shall perceive that there was a peculiar proprie- ty in pointing out, by a particular ordinance, a circum- stance of such immense importance. Nay, we may even venture to assert, that in some dark and corrupt ages, when the scriptures were little known by the common people, and hardly studied by the priest, the death of our Saviour might have been almost forgotten, had not the remembrance of it been renewed by the celebration of this sacred ordinance. It should also be remembered, that the vanities of the world, the allurements of sensual pleasure, the charms of ambition, the splendor of riches ; in short, temptations from worldly objects of every kind, have often too fatal an influence on our tempers and con- duct. They have a fatal tendency to draw the mind aside to folly, and to obliterate the practices of things Divine. It was, therefore, a wise, a kind intention of our Great Redeemer, by a frequent repetition of. the sacramental feast, to call back the wandering heart of man, to a sense of his duty and obligations as a Christian. The important, the awful scene was now approaching, when the great work was to be finished. The traitor Judas was gone to the chief priests and elders, for a band of soldiers to apprehend him ; but this did not discompose the Redeemer of mankind ; he took occasion to meditate on the glory that would accrue, both to himself, and to his Father, from those sufferings, and mentioned the same to his disciples. Now (said he) is ihe son of man glori- fied, and God is glorified in him. He also told them, that, having already done honor to his Father, by the past actions of his life, and being about to honor liim yet farther by his sufferings and death, which would display TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAYEN. 1 •'. his perfections, particularly his infinite love to the human rate, in the most astonishing and amiable light, lie was, in his turn, to receive honor from his father, intimating, that lie was to be exalted to the right hand of Omnipo- tence. Some of the apostles, still imagining that our Lord spoke of the glory of a temporal kingdom, their ambition was again revived, and they fell unto unseasonable con- tentions about priority, or who should have the office of l lie highest trust and honor about their Master. This con- tention was highly offensive to our Lord, who reproved them for their conduct, and then adjusted their disputes by the same kind of arguments he had used on a former occasion. He told them that among the Gentiles those were reckoned the greatest who had the greatest power, and exercised it in the most absolute manner; but that their greatness should be very different: that whosoever was desirous of being great, or chief among them, must be so by his humility, and the service he rendered to the rest, in imitation of him who had been a servant to them all. At the same time, to check their ambition, and lead them to form a just notion of his kingdom, he told them that he was soon to leave them, and that whither he was going, they could not at that time follow him : for which reason, instead of contending with one another which of them should be the greatest, they would do well to be strongly attached to each other in the happy bonds of unity and love. Peter's mind was particularly impressed with the words which our Lord had spoken concerning his going to a place whither his disciples could not come. He therefore asked him, Where he was going? To which Jesus re- plied, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me afterwards. In order to make his disciples farther humble, watch- ful, and kindly affectionate towards each other, he .in- sured them that Satan was seeking.to ruin them all by his temptations; but in doing of this he particularly address- ed himself to Simon. Simon. Simon, (said he) behold, Satan hath desired to have ijou. that he might sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for ihee that thy faith fail not ; 14 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren, Peter was greatly displeased that his Master should have singled him out as the weakest, for so he interpreted Lis praying for him particularly; and supposing that he mentioned Satan's seeking to sift him, as the thing which would hinder him from following his Master, he said unto him, Lord, 1 am ready to go with thee into prison, and to death. But Jesus, knowing his weakness, replied, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke xxii. 31. After our Blessed Lord had thus spoken to Peter in particular, he turned himself to the rest of his disciples, and addressed the whole in words to this effect: u When, I sent you formerly to preach the Gospel, I ordered you to go without any provision, either for your sustenance or defence, assuring you, that though you would, indeed, meet with great opposition, yet Providence would dispose some men in all places to be your friends, and to furnish you with all necessaries ; and accordingly you found that you wanted for nothing, but were wonderfully supported, without any care or provision of your own, in the whole journey, and finished your work with success. But now the case is very different : the time of that greatest trial and distress, whereof I have often forewarned you, is just at hand; and you may now make all the provision in your power, and arm yourselves against it, as much as you are able. I have finished the work for which I was sent into the world ; and nothing now remains for me, but to under- go the sufferings which the prophets have foretold con- cerning me, and to complete the wise dispensation of Providence, by submitting at last to a cruel and igno- minious death." The disciples, thinking that their great Master meant that they should arm themselves in a literal sense, and endeavor to oppose the assaults that would be shortly made upon them by the Jews, answered, Lord, here are two swords. But the Blessed Jesus, who intended only to convey an idea of their approaching distress and temptations, and to arm them against the attacks they might meet with, replied, It is enough; you need not TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 15 trouble yourselves about any more weapons of this nature for your defence. Be not terrified and disconsolate, be- cause 1 have told you that 1 must undergo great suffer- ings, and be taken away from you for a time. You have always been taught to believe in God, who is £|P Al- mighty Preserver and Governor of all tilings; and to rely on him for deliverance in every affliction and distress. Having said this, they finished the passover with sinking an hymn, immediately after which our Lord quilted the place, and retired with his disciples to the Mount of Olives. On their arrival at the place which was to be the scene of our Lord's sufferings, he desired them to fortify them- selves by prayer, and forewarned them of the terrible effects his sufferings would have upon them. He told them that what he should undergo would make them all tremble, agreeable to the prediction of the prophet Zechariah: / will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall he scattered abroad. To strengthen their faith, however, he not only mentioned his own resurrec- tion, but told them they should see him in Galilee, after lie was risen from the dead. On our Lord's mentioning the effect that his suffering* would have upon his disciples, Peter recollected what had been said to him in particular before they left the house where they had been celebrating the passover. Grieving, therefore, afresh, to find his Master entertain such thoughts of him, and being now armed with a sword, the vehemence of his temper urged him to boast a second time of his courageous and close attachment to his Master. Though all men (said he) should he offended because of thee, yet I never will be offended. But Jesus, knowing that human confidence was weak and frail, thought proper to forewarn him again of his danger; and therefore told him, that the cock should not crow before he had denied him thrice. Peter, however, still con- tinued to repeat his confidence, saying, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. And all the rest of the disciples joined with Peter in professing their fixed resolution of suffering death rather than they would deny their Master, 16 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, The compassionate Redeemer of mankind, not willing to lose one single moment of the short time of his ministry that yet remained, continued to instruct his disciples in the great truths lie came into the world to explain; and from (vv- vines that were growing round him on the Mount of Olives, delivered to them his last and most excellent discourse, the substance of which was to the following effect : " Hitherto the Jewish church and nation have been the peculiar care of Providence, in like manner as a choice vine, likely to bring forth much fruit, is the special care of the husbandman. But from henceforth, my church, my disciples, and the professors of my religion, of what country or nation soever they be, shall become the people of God, and the peculiar care ~ of Divine Providence. I will be to them as the root and stock of a vine, of which they are the branches, and my Father the husbandman and vine-dresser. As in the management of a choice vine, the skilful vine-dresser cuts off all barren and superfluous branches, that they may not burthen nor exhaust the tree, and prunes and dresses the fruitful branches, that they may grow continually and bear more fruit; so, in the government of my church, all useless, wicked, and incorrigible members, my Father, by his judgment, will cut off and destroy; but those who are sincerely pious and good, he will, by the various and merciful dispensations of his Providence towards them, try, purify, and amend, that they may daily improve, and be more and more abundant in all good works. " Now ye, my apostles, are such members as these, being purified in heart and mind, and prepared for every good work, by your lively faith in me, and sincere resolutions to obey my commands. Continue steadfastly in this state, and then you may be sure of obtaining all spiritual blessings from me, as the branches receive sap and nourishment from the vine. But as a branch, without continuing on the vine, cannot bear any fruit, but present- ly dries up and perishes ; so ye, unless ye continue stead- fast in your communion with me, by a lively faith and sincere obedience, so as to receive grace ard spiritual blessings, can never bring forth any good fruit of true TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 17 holiness and righteousness, but will fall into vanity, and superstition. In this rase ye shall be cast out from me, and perish for ever, even as a fruitless branch is cut oil" from the vine, left to wither and dry, and is, at last, burnt in the file. ,; But if you continue in me, by believing my words, and holding fast that ye believe, and obeying and practising it accordingly, no power, or malice, either of man or of devils, shall be able to hurt you, or oppose your doctrines. For though I be absent from you in body, yet I will hear your prayers, and my Father him- self also will hear you ; and whatsoever ye shall ask, for the glory of God, and the propagation of my true religion in the world, shall certainly be granted you. But above all things, carefully remember to demonstrate your con- tinuance in me, by abounding in all good works of holi- ness, righteousness and charity. This is the honor which my Father desires and expects from you; even as it is the glory and desire of a vine-dresser that his vine should bring forth much fruit. And this is the honor that I my- self expect from you, that ye should prove yourselves to be really and indeed my disciples, by imitating my ex- ample, and obeying my commands. This ye are bound to do, not only in duty, but in gratitude also; for as my Father hath loved you, so have I also loved you ; and ye, in like manner, ought to love me again, that you may continue to be loved by me. But the way to express your love towards me, and to continue to be loved by me, is to keep my commandments; even as I, by keeping my Father's commandments, have expressed my love to- wards him, and continue to beloved by him. " These things do I speak to you before my departure, that the comfort ye have had in my presence may be con- tinued in my absence, and even increased to the coming of the Holy Spirit, as it will be upon the condition that I have so often repeated to you, namely, that you keep my commandments. And the principal of these command- ments is, that ye love one another; not after the common fashion of the world, but in such a manner as I have loved you ; nor can you be ignorant of what sort of love that is, when I tell you that I am now going to lay down vol. iv. C 1& FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, my life for you. This is the highest instance in which ii is possible for any person to express his love towards his greatest friends and benefactors; but this I am now going to do for you, and for all mankind. I do not consider you as my benefactors, but as my friends, upon this easy con- dition only, that ye keep my commandments. I might, indeed, justly call you servants, considering the great difference between me and you, and the obligation ye have to obey my commandments ; but I have not treated you as servants, who are not admitted into their master's counsels, but as friends, revealing to you the whole will of my Father, with all freedom and plainness. I have behaved myself to you as to the nearest friends. Not that you first obliged me, or did any acts of kindness for me ; but I have freely, and of my own good pleasure, chosen you to be my apostles, and the preachers of my Gospel, that you may go and declare the will of God to the world, and bring forth much and lasting fruit in the conversion of men to the profession and practice of true religion and virtue. In the performance of this work, whatsoever ye shall ask of my Father in my name, in order to enable you to perform it effectually, and with full success, shall certainly be granted unto you. " Now all these things which 1 have spoken unto you concerning the greatness of my love towards you, in chusing you to be my apostles, in revealing unto you the whole will of my Father, and in laying down my life for you, I have urged and inculcated, as I at first told you, chiefly for this reason, that ye may learn, after my example, to love one another. The world, indeed, you must expect will hate and persecute you on my account. But at this you ought not to be surprized ov terrified, knowing that it is no worse treatment than I myself have met with before you. Be not, therefore, sur- prized when ye meet with opposition ; nor think to find better treatment in the world than I have done. Remem- ber what 1 have already told you, that the disciple is not above his master; nor is he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If men had generally and readily em- braced my doctrine, you might, indeed, have had some reason to expect that they would willingly have received yours also. But since I myself have suffered great in- TO His ASCENSION INTO lll.A\r.\. 1 ye are under the immediate apprehension of my depar- ture from you. and during that time of distress and temptation which shall befal you iu my absence, will he full of sorrow and anxiety of mind: hut when 1 return to you again, then ye shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and no power or malice of man shall ever be able to take from you any more the eause or con- tinuance of it. But though I shall return to you again, and your hearts will thereupon be filled with inexpressi- ble joy, and which never shall be taken from you any more: yet there will be no necessity that I should then continue long with you in person, to instruct you upon every occasion, as I have now done with my own mouth. For besides that the Holy Spirit will be sent to instruct you in all things necessary, my Father himself also will hear your petitions, and be ready to grant you whatso- ever you shall desire of him in my name, and as being my disciples. Hitherto ye have asked nothing of God iu my name; but from henceforth put up your petitions in my name ; and whatsoever ye shall so ask for the glory of God, and in order to enable you to go through the work of your ministry successfully, shall certainly be granted you; that your joy, which will begin at my appearing to you again, after my death, may be completed by the wonderful success and efficacy of your own ministry. " These things I have told you, at present, imperfectly and obscurely, according as your capacities are able to bear them. But the time is coming, when I will speak to you with more openness, freedom, and plainness, the whole, will of my Father concerning the nature and es- tablishment of my kingdom, and what things and in what manner ye ought to pray unto him for. After that time ye shall, with firm assurance, pray to my Father in my name for what ye waut. And I need not tell you, that I will intercede with the Father on your behalf; for besides the love he has borne for me, and the power and authori- ty my prayers have with him, he has moreover of him- self a great love for you, and a ready disposition to grant your prayers, because ye are become grateful and accept- able to him, by your love towards me, which ye hare 21 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, shown in embracing willingly that holy doctrine which I have revealed to you from him. " To conclude : the sum of what I have told you, is briefly and plainly this. I came from God my Father, and have lived upon earth in the state of frail and mortal man, that I might reveal to mankind the will of my heavenly Father, and the way to attain eternal life and happiness ; and now, having finished this great work, I am about to leave this world, and return again to my Father, from whence I at first came." From these last words, which were more plain and express than any our Lord had spoken before, his disci- ples clearly perceived that the departure he had so often mentioned, was no other than his actually going out of this world ; and therefore they made him a reply to this effect: *'•' Now, Lord, you speak plainly, and without any figure; so that we apprehend fully what you mean. And now that our curiosity is satisfied, you have likewise greatly confirmed our faith, having given us a certain token whereby we are assured that you know all things, even the hearts and secret thoughts of men, since you have answered us a question which gave us great per- plexity, and we were desirous to ask your opinion, but were afraid ; but now we are convinced that you are en- dued with a truly Divine power, and did, indeed, come forth from God." The answer our Blessed Lord made his disciples in consequence of these acknowledgments, was to the follow- ing effect: " And do you now at length firmly believe in me? Are you resolved to continue steadfast in this faith? Do you think yourselves able to persevere immovably in the profession of it? Be not confident of your own strength ; but pray that ye may be delivered from temptation in the time of distress, such as will come upon you much sooner than ye expect : For I tell you, that ye will all of ye within a few hours utterly forsake me, and fly in hopes to secure yourselves, leaving me alone. And yet I should not say alone, since my Father is with me, who is more than all. I have, therefore, acquainted you with these things before-hand, that your minds may be furnished with sufficient matter of comfort and strength to bear up TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN". 25 under all temptations, from the consideration of my having foretold not only what distress will befal you, but also how ye shall terminate your victory over all your enemies. You must, indeed, expect to meet with much affliction, hut let not this discourage you. I have subdued the world: follow my example, and partake of my reward. These filings I have spoken unto you, that in me \\t' might hare peace. In the ivorld ye shall have tribu- lation, hut he of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John xvi. 33. With these words our Blessed Lord finished his dis- (iiiir-e: immediately after which he lift up his eyes to heaven, and. in the most devout manner, prayed to his heavenly Father, not only in behalf of himself, but like- wise his apostles, and all succeeding Christians. This most beautiful and beneficent prayer is contained in the xviith chapter of the Gospel according to St. John: and the whole of it may be thus paraphrased : " Oh Almighty Father, now the time of my suffering, for which I was sent into the world, is arrived. I most earnestly intreat thee to support me under it, and make me triumph over death by a glorious resurrection, and ascension into heaven ; that by these means the glory may redound to thee, and cause thy will to be believed and obeyed through all the world, to the salvation of mankind, according to the full intent of that office and power with which thou didst originally invest me. In order to the bringing about this great design of salvation, I have de- clared thy will to mankind. I have published thy pre- cepts, and discharged the great mission entrusted to me. 1 have preached the doctrine of repentance to salvation, and have finished the work which thou sentest me to do, to the glory of thy name upon earth. And now, to com- plete the great design, do thou, O Almighty Father, likewise glorify me with thine own self. Support me under my sufferings; let me prevail and triumph over death, by a glorious resurrection; and exalt me again to the same glory in heaven, which I had with thee before the creation of the universe. I have manifested thy will to the disciples, the men that thou gavest me out of the world. To those persons thou didst, in thine infinite vol. iv. I) 26 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, wisdom, appoint, that thy truth should be made known: therefore, to them have I revealed the mysteries of thy kingdom, the precepts of thy Gospel, and the doctrine of thy salvation. And this doctrine they have willingly em- braced, steadfastly adhered to, and sincerely obeyed. They are fully satisfied and convinced that what I taught them as from thee was really a Divine doctrine, taught by thine immediate appointment and command: and that I did not preach auy human invention of men, but was really sent by thy Divine authority and com- mission. " For these persons, therefore, I now pray, that as thou hast begun the work of their salvation, by my preaching and revealing to them thy will, while I have been present with them here upon earth ; so also that thou wouldst preserve them when I am departed from this world, and complete the work of their salvation by my resurrection and ascension into heaven, after my death. 1 do not pray for the unbelieving impenitent world, but for those who have embraced that most holy doctrine, which thou hast taught them through me by my preach- ing; for those who have glorified, and will glorify thy name, by their ministry, and who, consequently, are to be esteemed as thine own in common with me. " I am now about to leave the world, in order to return to thee; but these my disciples, who continue after me, I recommend to thy Divine protection, when I am gone: endue them with powers to persevere in preaching and practising the truth, and to deliver the same holy doc- trines which I have given to them, that so they may re- main inseparably united to me, as I am to thee. So long as I have been with them in the world, I have watched over them, and kept them from falling away, both by example, preaching, and continual admonition, according to the power and authority, which thou didst commit to mo ; nor has one of my apostles miscarried under my care, except that perfidious traitor, who, as the scripture fore- told, lias ungratefully conspired with my enemies to de- stroy me, and will be punished according to his deserts. While I have continued with my disciples, I have watch- ed over them and preserved them under mine own eye; TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. ~7 but now, as 1 am going to leave the world, T beseech thee to keep ami assist them by thy good spirit; and let the expectation of their continuing under thy special care and protection, be their comfort and support in my absence. The world, indeed, will persecute and hate them, on this aceouut, as my doctrine is repugnant to the Inst and affections, the passions, designs, and inclinations of worldly men; it must necessarily be that the vicious and incorrigible world will oppose and persecute them, as it has before persecuted me. I beseech thee, therefore, take them under thy particular care, to support them against the violence and oppression of an evil world. I do not desire that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but preserve them in it to be instruments of thy word, thy glory, and to be teachers of thy truth ; nor suf- fer them to be either destroyed by the malice and Vio- lence, or corrupted by the evil custom and opinions, of a perverse and wicked generation. They are of a temper and spirit very different from the current affection and common dispositions of the world, according to the exam- ple of purity which I have set before them. Do thou pre- serve and increase in them that moderation and candor of mind, cause them to be thoroughly affected and impressed with that true doctrine so frequently recommended to them from my mouth, so as to express it visibly in their lives and practice, and to promote it zealously in their preach- ing, that they may, both by word and good example, be- come worthy and successful ministers of my gospel. u As thou hast sent me into the world to reveal thy will to mankind, so send I these my apostles to continue preaching the same doctrine begun by me. And the prin- cipal design of my exemplary life, constant teaching, and now voluntarily offering; myself to death for it is, to sanctify and enable them to preach with success and effi- cacy for the salvation of men. Neither pray I for these my apostles only, but for all others, who shall, by their preaching and practice, promote thy true religion ; and be- ing converted from the world, may, by their sincere en- deavors, go on to reform others, convincing the Avorld of the excellency of their religion, and consequently en- forcing men to acknowledge the truth and Divine author) 28 FROM THE BIRTH OP CHRIST, ty thereof. For promoting which great end, I have com- municated to my apostles the same power and authority of doing mighty works for the confirmation of their doctrine, and the evidence of thy truth, as thou didst communicate to me; that so I working in them, as thou hast done in me, and thus confirming with great efficacy and demonstration of the spirit, they may establish the same doctrine which 1 published in person, the world may, by this evidence, be convinced that I was really sent by thee, and that my dis- ciples act by the same Divine commission. " Holy and Almighty Father, all those whom thou hast thus given me, who have heartily embraced my doctrine, and sincerely obeyed it, I desire that thou wouldst make them partakers of the same happiness with myself, and exalt them to behold the incomprehensible glory where- with thou didst originally invest me, in thy eternal love, before the foundation of the world. The generality of mortals, O righteous Father, have not known thee, nor been willing to embrace and obey the revelation of thy will. But I have known thy will, and have made it known to my disciples, men of simplicity and honesty ; and they have embraced and obeyed it. And I will make it known to them, more and more, that they may grow up and improve in faith, in holiness, and in all good works, so as finally to arrive, and cause others to arrive, at that eternal happiness, which is the effect of thy infinite love towards me, and through me towards them." After our Lord had finished this pious and benevolent prayer, he left the Mount of Olives, and, accompanied by his disciples, crossed the brook Cedron, and proceeded to a place called Gethsemane, where was a garden well known to Judas, because thither our Lord and his apostles used frequently to repair, both for retirement and devotion. When our Lord approached the entrance of the garden of Crethseniane, he ordered his disciples to sit down till he should retire to pray, taking with him only Peter, James and John, those three select disciples whom he had before chosen to be witnesses of his transfiguration. The sufferings our Blessed Lord was now on the point of undergoing were so great, that the very prospect of TO HIS ASCT.NMON 1MH HEAVEN. B| then greatly affected him, and made bin express himself in (his doleful exclamation : .My sou/ is exceeding sorrow^ j'nl. even unto death, tarry ye here, and Wtttch. On this great occasion lie sustained those grievous sorrows in his soul, by which, as well as hy dying on the cross, he lie- came a sin-oilering, and accomplished the redemption of mankind. Our Blessed Lord now left his three favorite disciples, and retiring a small distance from them, prostrated him- self on the ground, beseeching of God, that if it was pos- sible (as all things were possible to him) he might be ex- cused from drinking the bitter potion ; but at the same time expressed his entire submission to the Divine will. O my Father (said he) if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as 1 icill, but as thou icilt. Mattb. xxvi. 39. Having prayed to this effect, he re- turned to his apostles, but finding them asleep he awoke them, and, in a reproof full of love, reminded Peter more especially of his late promises, and present neglect of him, when he most stood in need of his comfort and as- sistance. What (said he) could ye not watch with me one hour? Thou, who so lately didst boast of thy courage and constancy in my service; canst thou so soon forget thy master? He then advised Peter to keep himself awake, for fear of the temptations that were busy about him, and added this compassionate observation, that though the spirit was willing) and ready enough to make good reso- lutions, yet the flesh was weaJc, and unable, very often, to put them in execution. Thrice did our Blessed Lord retire, and pray in like manner to his heavenly Father; but, in the last time, his sense of God's indignation agaiust the sins of mankind, and the dismal prospect of what he was to suffer in the expiation of them, made his prayer more vehement, and his agonies so violent, that the sweat which fell from his body was like large drops of blood : and human na- ture must have beeu exhausted under it, had not an angel from heaven been immediately sent to strengthen and sup- port him. After receiving this Divine refreshment, our Blessed Lord returned the third time to his apostles : but finding 30 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, them still in the same sleepy condition, he told them, that they might sleep on as long as they pleased, because he had no farther occasion for their assistance ; but that it would not be improper for them to arise, because the traitor, who was to deliver him up to his enemies, was just at hand. Sleep on now (said he) and take your rest; behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betray- ed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; he is at hand that doth betray me. Matth. xxvi. 45, 16. The event will soon be over, which causes your sorrow : I am betrayed, and ready to be delivered up to death. Our Blessed Lord had no sooner spoke these words, than the perfidious Judas, accompanied by a band of soldiers and officers, together with some of the chief priests, Pharisees, and elders of the people, all armed with swords and staves, entered the garden in order to apprehend him. To prevent all mistakes, the traitor Ju- das had given them a sign, that the person, whom he should kiss, was the man they were to apprehend; and therefore, approaching our Lord with an address of seeming civility, he saluted him, and in return, received a reproof for his perfidy, but in such gentle and easy terms as spake a mind perfectly calm and undisturbed. Judas, (said our Lord) betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Our Lord then advanced forward, and, with an air of majesty, demanded of the soldiers whom they wanted? They told him Jesus of Nazareth. He replied, I. am he; thereby intimating that he was willing to put himself into their hands. At the same time, to shew them that they could not apprehend him without his own con- sent, he, in a very extraordinary manner, exerted his Di- vine power, by making the whole band fall back, and, for a time, depriving them of their natural strength. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, whom seek ye P They an- swered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them.. JLs soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. But the soldiers, imagining, perhaps, that they had been thrown down by some demon, or evil spirit, with TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 31 whom the Jews said he was in confederacy, advanced towards him a second time. Then asked he them again, whom seek- ye? and they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, J have told you that I am fee, again expressing his willingness to fall into their hands. //', therefore, ye seek- me. let these go their way; meaning, if your busi- ness be with me alone, do not interrupt my disciples. This request appears to have been made by our Lord that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, of them which thou gav est me have I lost none. For as he always proportioned the trials of his people to their strength, so he here took care that the disciples should, escape the storm, which none but himself could sustain. At length, some of the soldiers, more daring than the rest, began to lay hands on Jesus; upon which, some of the apostles, who were armed with swords, asked their Master if they might draw in his defence. But before he could give them an answer, Peter had drawn his sword, and, in great fury, struck at Malchus, one of the high- priest's servants, in doing which he happened to cut oft" his right ear. The enraged disciple was on the point of singly attacking the whole band, when Jesus ordered him to sheathe his sword, telling him, that his unseasonable and imprudent defenee might prove the occasion of his destruction. Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. He farther told him, that his conduct implied both a dis- trust of God (who could always make use of a variety of means for the safety of his people) and his ignorance in the scriptures. Thinkest thou (said he) that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures he fulfilled that thus it must be P Matth. xxvi. 53. Our Blessed Lord being tenderly inclined to prevent any bad consequences that might otherwise have arisen from Peter's rashness, touched the head of Malchus, and immediately healed him. Having done this, he turned about, and expostulated with the soldiers on the indignity of their apprehending him in so scandalous a manner, as if he had been a thief, or some vile malefactor, when they 32 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, had frequent opportunities of taking him in the temple. Be ye come out (said he) as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness, Luke xxii. 51, &c. They had hitherto kept at some distance, hut drew nearer when they found Jesus was in their power ; they were proof against all conviction, and resolutely bent on put- ting him to death. When the apostles saw their Master in the hands of his enemies, they lost all their courage, and (as he had foretold) left him, and betook themselves to flight. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Then the band and the captain and officers took Jesus and bound him. But it was not the cord which held him : his immense charity was by far a stronger bond. He could have broken those weak ties, and exerted his divinity in a more wonderful manner: he could have struck them all dead, with as much ease as he had before thrown them on the ground. But he patiently submitted to this, as to every other indignity which they had thought proper to offer him. He suffered himself to be disposed of agreea- ble to their will; and accordingly they led him away, in order to prosecute their designs of putting him to death. When the soldiers had bound our Lord, and were con- ducting him away, they observed a young man, whom they took to be one of his disciples, following him. En- raged at all those who were the followers of the Blessed Jesus, they attempted to seize him, but he having no other clothes on than a loose garment, slipped himself from it, and fled from them naked. This person, in all probability was the proprietor of the garden, who, being awakened with the noise made by the soldiers, and startled at the cause of it, hastily arose from his bed, and ran out with no other covering than a loose garment thrown over him. He might, probably, have had a re- spect for Jesus ; and therefore, when he found him in the hands of his enemies, was desirous of following him to see what would be the issue of his then situation. But, on being seized by the soldiers, and considering his own danger, he slipped from them, and fled. TO 1113 ASCENSION 1X10 HEAVEN. 33 chap. xiii. Our Blessed Lord is taken before the Sanhedrim, examined, and grossly insulted. Peter denies him thrice. Our Lord is condemned by the Sanhedrim, and carried before Pontius Pilate, the. Roman governor. The traitor Judas becomes his own executioner. Pilate publicly acquits Jesus, and refers his case to the decision of Herod, U'/io remits him to Pilule. The Roman governor makes a speech to the rulers of the Jens in favor of our Lord. The people are enraged against liim, and insist upon his being put to death, in consequence of which Pilate, to excite their pity, and obviate their request of having him put to death, orders him to be scourged. The people arc still resolute, upon tvhich Pilate uses farther en- deavors to appease their wrath, but without effect, and is at length obliged to comply with their unjust and severe de- mands. Our Blessed Lord is conducted to Mount Calvary, and there ignominiously crucified between tivo notorious malefactors. Is reviled and ill-treated by sever ul of the spectators. Strange phenomena appear during the lime of his being fastened on the cross. Our Lord, after being some time on the cross, calls upon his heavenly Father, and then gives up the ghost. AFTER the band of soldiers had apprehended our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane, they first took him before Annas, who was father-in-law to Caiphas the high-priest, and had formerly discharged that office him- self. But Annas, not chusing to interfere singly in so singular a matter, sent them to Caiphas, in whose palace, though it was late at night, the Sanhedrim were still sitting. Caiphas examined him very minutely concerning botli his doctrine and disciples ; in answer to which our Blessed Lord told him, that, since he had always taught in the most public manner, in the synagogues, and in the temple, he should rather enquire of those who had been his constant hearers. I spake openly to the world, (said he) I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort, and in secret have I said nothing. Why asketh thou me? Ask them which heard vol. iv. E 31 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, me what 1 have said unto them; behold, they know what I said. John xviii. 20, "Zi. All the actions of our Blessed Redeemer were done in public, and even in the presence of some of his most iu- veterate enemies. He, therefore, in his defence, very justly appealed to that part of his character; but his an- swer was construed as disrespectful, for when he had thus spoken, one of the officers, which stood by, struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, answerest thou the high-priest so? To which he meekly replied, with the greatest serenity of mind, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me? As if he had said, " Shew me, prove before this court, wherein my crime consists, or record it in the evidence on the face of my trial; which, if you cannot do, how can you answer this inhuman treatment to a defenceless person standing on his trial before the world, and in open court ?" The council perceiving that, from our Lord's own con- fession, they could not lay any just accusation against him, called upon several false witnesses, whom they had procured on the occasion; but these either disagreed in their relations, or came not sufficiently to the point. Two persons, indeed, were consistent in what they deposed, viz. that they had heard him say, he would pull doAvn the temple (meaning himself when he spoke it) and in three days rebuild it. But as this accusation was false in fact, and only founded upon a figurative expression of our Saviours, it was not thought to amount to any thing capital. Our Blessed Lord did not make any reply to the evi- dences that were produced against him. This greatly provoked the high-priest, who, supposing he intended, by his silence, to put an affront on the council, rose from his seat, and, in the most haughty and imperious manner, demanded the reason for so remarkable a conduct. An- swerest thou nothing? (said he) what is it which these witness against thee? And some of the council added. Art thou the Christ? In answer to this our Blessed Lord told them, that if he should tell them plainly they would not believe him ; and if he should demonstrate it TO HIS ASCFASIOX INTO HEAVEN. 35 iu them by the most evident and undeniable arguments, ycl neither would they he convinced, or let him go. The high -priest, finding all his endeavors to trepan our Lord in vain, said to him, I adjure you, by the living God, in whose presence you now stand, that you tell us plainly and truly, whether or not thou art the Messiah, the Son of God? Our Blessed Lord, being thus adjured by the chief mngistrate of the council, immediately answered iu the affirmative; and added, that they should shortly see a convincing evidence of the truth of what he said in the. wonderful destruction he would bring on the Jewish na. tion: in the progress which the Gospel should make over the earth ; and, finally, in his glorious appearance in the clouds of heaven at the last day, when he should come to judge the world. On our Blessed Lord's making this answer, a number of the council cried out at once, Art thou the Son of God? To which our Great Redeemer replied, Ye say that lam : a manner of speaking among the Jews which expressed a plain and strong affirmation of the question asked. When the high-priest heard this second assertion, he rent his clothes with great indignation, and said unto the council, Why need we trouble ourselves to seek for any more witnesses? Ye yourselves, nay, this whole assembly, are witnesses that he hath spoken manifest and notorious blasphemy? To which they all replied, that, for assum- ing to himself the character of the Messiah, he deserved to be put to death. After coming to this resolution the council broke up, and the members of it repaired to their respective homes, leaving our Lord to the mercy of the soldiers and the high- priest's servants, who offered all the acts of violence and effrontery that they could invent to his sacred person. Some spit in his face, others buffeted him, others blind- folded him, and others again smote him with their fists, calling on him to prophecy who it was that struck him. Such was the treatment of the Son of God, who, though unworthy of it, bore it with patience and resignation, leaving mankind an example to follow his steps, and 3G FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, submit to the will of God in all things, nor murmur at any of the dispensations of his Providence. During this melancholy scene, Peter, whose fears had made him flee from his Master in the garden, having a little recovered his spirits, and hoping to pass undis- covered in the throng, ventured in, among others, to see the issue of this fatal night, and, by the interest of his fellow-disciple John (who went with him) was let in by a maid-servant, to the high-priest's palace. It happened to be cold weather, and the servants and officers having kindled a fire in the common-hall, Peter went in, and sat down among them to warm himself. The maid-servant, who kept the door, followed Peter, and looking earnest- ly in his face, charged him with being one of our Lord's disciples. Art not thou also one of this maws disciples? This blunt attack threw Peter into such confusion, that lie flatly denied his having any connection with Jesus, replying, I am not, and adding, I know not, neither un- derstand I ivhat thou sayest. As if he had said, I do not understand any reason for your asking me such a ques- tion. Thus the very apostle who had but a short time before acknowledged his Master to be the Messiah, the son of the living God, and had so confidently boasted of his fortitude, and firm attachment to him in the greatest dangers, proved an arrant deserter of his cause upon trial. His shameful fears were altogether inexcusable, as the enemy who attacked him was one of the weaker sex, and the terror of the charge was in a great measure taken off, by the insinuation made in it that John was likewise known to be Christ's disciple: for as he was known at the high -priest's, he was consequently known in that character. Art thou not also one of this man's disciples ? Art thou not one of them, as well as lie who is sitting with you? Nothing can account for this conduct of Peter, but the confusion and panic which had seized him, on this occasion. As his inward perturbation must have appeared in his countenance and gesture, he did not chase to stay long with the servants at the fire. He went out, therefore, into the porch, where he was a little con- cealed. And another maid saw him, and began to say to them that stood by, this is one of them; and he again TO HJS ASCFATSION INTO IIEAVfcX. ■7, nied it, with an oath, I know not the man; adding per- jury to lving. After Peter had been thus attacked "without doors, lie thought proper to return and mix again with the crowd at the fire. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. From this circumstance we may conclude, that Peter left the porch where the second denial happened, and was come again into the hall. Here one of the servants of the high-priest, (-being liis kinsman whose ear Peter had rut off J saith, did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied him again, and immediately the cock cnw. The words of Malchiis's kinsman bringing to Peters remembrance what he had done to that slave, threw him into such a panic, that when those who stood by repeated the charge, he impudently denied it: He even began to curse and to swear, saying I know not this man of whom ye speak. For when they heard Peter deny the charge, they supported it by an argument drawn from the accent with which he pronounced his answer. Surely thou art one of them ; for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agrecth thereto : so that being pressed on all sides, to give his lie the better color, he prophaned the name of God, by imprecating the bitterest curses on himself, if he was telling a falsehood. Thus did Peter deny his master three distinct times, with oaths and asseverations, totally forgetting the vehe- ment protestations he had made, a few hours before, that he would never deny him. From this circumstance we are taught two lessons : first, that the greatest resolutions formed on our own strength cannot withstand the torrent of temptation : and, secondly, that the true disciples of Christ, though they fall, shall be brought to a conviction of their sin: for no sooner had Peter denied his Master the third time than the cock crew, and awaked in him the first conviction of his sin. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the icord of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter icent out, and wept bitterly. The circumstance of our Blessed Lord's turning and looking on Peter is most beautifully described by the 38 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, Evangelist St. Luke. It is reasonable to suppose that our Lord was placed on some eminence at one end of the hall, where he had been examined by the council, and was surrounded by the officers left to take care of him, while Peter was at the other end with the servants at the fire ; so that our Lord could easily look towards Peter, and hear him denying him. This being observed by Peter, and the cock instantly crowing, brought his master's prediction fresh into his mind. He was stung with deep remorse, and being unable to contain himself, covered his face with his garment to conceal the confusion he was in, and, going out into the porch, wept bitterly. Early the next morning the Sanhedrim* met in a full body in the temple, whither they ordered Jesus to be brought; and, having again enquired of him whether or not he was the true Messiah, and again received the same answer as before, they adjudged him guilty of blasphemy, and accordingly sentenced him to death. The grand assembly, having thus condemned our Lord, immediately resolved that he should be conducted to the palace of the Roman governor,! whose name, at that time was Pontius Pilate, in order that he might ratify their sentence, and grant a warrant for his execution. * The assembly, which was held the night before, and who had declared our Lord deserving of death, was neither general nor judi- cial, according to the sense of the law, which did not allow of justice being administered in private, or in the night-time. And therefore the high-priests and rulers met again in the morning, in the council-ehamber in the temple, (which they could not do the night before because it was then shut up) there to re-examine our Saviour, and condemn him in form. t The Roman governors of Judea generally resided at Cfesarea, but at the great feasts they went to Jerusalem (where was a palace appointed for their use) in order to prevent or suppress tumults, and to administer justice. Pilate, having been some time in Jerusalem before the feast, had been informed of the great ferment among the rulers, and the true character of the person on whose account it was raised. He therefore entertained a proper idea of the whole affair, and clearly saw through the malice and vindictive tempers of the rulers. He knew that for envy they had delivered him. He knew the cause of their envy, was impressed with a favorable opinion of Jesus, and resolved if possible, to deliver him out of the hands of his vile persecutors. TO 111S ASCENSION' INTO HEAVEN. 39 In tlie mean time Judas Iscariot (who had delivered our Lord into the hands of his enemies) watching the issue of these proceedings, and finding that his Master was delivered over to the secular power, repented of his perfidy, and was filled with the deepest remorse for what he had done. He saw all his golden dreams of temporal lienors sunk at once to nothing; he saw his kind, his indulgent Master, condemned and forsaken by all his followers. He saw all this, and determined, if possible, to make some satisfaction for the crime he had committed. In consequence of this repentance and resolution he went to the council-chamber, and confessed openly his sin before the chief priests and elders, 1 have sinned (said he) in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. He then offered them the money he had received to commit it, and earnestly wished he could recal the fatal trans- action of the preceding night. T5ut tills moving speech of Judas had no effect on the callous hearts of the Jewish rulers. They told him, that however he might think the prisoner innocent, and for that reason had sinned in bringing the sentence of death upon his head, they were not to blame; because they knew him to be a blasphemer, who deserved to die. What is that to us? said they; see thou to that. Nay, they even refused to take back the money they had given him as a reward for performing the base act of be- traying his Master. The deepest remorse now seized the mind of the wretched Judas, and his soul was agitated with the horrors of despair. The innocence and benevolence of his Master, the many favors he himself had received from him, and the many kind offices he had done for the sons and daughters of affliction, crowded at once into his mind, and rendered his torment intolerable. Racked with those agonizing passions, and unable to support the misery, he threw down the wages of his iniquity in the temple ; and, again confessing his owrn sin, and the inno- cence of his Master, went away in despair, and hauged himself. Thus died Judas Iscariot the traitor, a misera- ble example of the fatal influence of covetousness, and a standing monument of Divine vengeance to deter future 10 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, generations from acting in opposition to the dictates of con- science, through a love of the things of this world : for which this wretched mortal betrayed his Master, his friend, his Saviour, and accumulated such a load of guilt upon himself as sunk his soul into the deepest abyss of despair, to shake off which he died an ignominious deatii by his own hands. The pieces of silver, which Judas threw down in the council-chamber, were gathered up, and delivered to the priests, who did not think proper to put them into the treasury, because they were the price of blood. They therefore agreed to purchase with them a piece of ground then called the Potter's Field* (but afterwards the Field of Blood) as a place of interment for strangers. When the members of the Sanhedrim arrived at the governor's palace, they refused to go into the judgment- hall, f for fear of contracting some pollution. Pilate, therefore, went out to them ; and as he understood that they had already passed sentence on our Lord, he demanded the grounds of their accusation against him. Though it was very natural for the governor to ask this question, yet the Jews thought themselves highly affront- ed by it ; and being unwilling that any enquiry should be * The spot of ground, called the Potter's Field, lay on the west side of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and probably received its name from the people of that trade drying their pots there before they baked them. It was afterwards called the Field of Blood for the reason assigned by the Evangelist 5 but at present, from that venera- tion, which it has since obtained among Christians, it is named Campo Sancto, or the Holy Field. It is a small spot of ground, not much above thirty yards long, and about half as much broad. One part of it is taken up by a square fabric about twelve yards high, built for a charnel-house, in the covering of which are some openings to let down the bodies that are to be there interred. At a small dis- tance from this burial-place, is an intricate cave or sepulchre, con- sisting of several rooms one within another; in some of which it is said the apostles hid themselves when they forsook their Master, and fled. t In the governor's palace there was always a guard of Roman soldiers and a great company of servants ; and, as they were heathens, the Jews thought that, by touching any of them, they should be de- filed, and consequently, made incapable of eating the passover. of which no unclean person was to partake. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 41 made in the particulars of their proceedings, answered in general, that if he had not been a criminal, they would not have brought him at all, much less at so early an hour. Pilate then proceeded to examine Jesus; and finding he had not been guilty either of rebellion or sedition, but that he was accused of particulars relating to the. religion and customs of the Jews, grew angry and said, What are these tilings to me? Take him yourselves and judge him, according to your own law. Plainly insinuating, that in A.. his opinion the crime they laid to the prisoner's charge was not of a capital nature ; and that such punishments as they were permitted by Caesar to inflict were adequate to any misdemeanor that Jesus was charged with. But this proposal of the Roman governor was absolutely refused by the Jewish priests and elders, because it condemned their whole proceedings; and therefore they replied, that it was not permitted them to put any man to death. Pilate, by these reserved answers, perceiving that their intention was to make him the instrument of their malice against an innocent man, refused to intermeddle any farther in the affair, unless they would exhibit some arti- cles of accusation against him. Knowing, therefore, that Pilate was strougly attached to the Roman court, and a slave to its greatness, they alledged against our Lord, that he had been guilty of seditious practices, by using every means in his power to dissuade the people from paying taxes to Caesar, pretending that he himself was the Mes- siah, the great king of the Jews, whom they had so long expected. But they brought no proof of this assertion; they only insinuated that they had convicted him of this crime, which was absolutely false. The name of king particularly struck the attention of Pilate, who asked our Lord whether or not it was true what had been alledged against him, and whether he had really attempted to set himself up as king of the Jews? The answer our Lord made to this was to the following efl'ect : " Have you ever, during your stay in this province, heard any thing of me that gave you reason to suspect me guilty of secret practices and seditious designs against the government ? Or do you found your question only on the vol. iv. F O 42 PROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, present clamor and tumult that is raised against me? If this is the case, J>e very careful lest you he imposed on merely by the ambiguity of a word: for, to be king of the Jews is not to erect a temporal throne in opposition to that of Caesar, but a thing of a very different nature ; the king- dom of the Messiah is in the heaveuly Canaan." To this Pilate replied, Am la Jew? Can I tell what your expectations are, and in what sense you understand these words? The rulers and chiefs of your own people, who are the most proper judges of these matters, have brought you before me as a riotous and seditious person; if this be uot the truth, let me know what is, and the crime of which thou hast been guilty. The answer our Lord made to this was to the follow- ing effect : " I have, indeed, a kingdom, and this king- dom I have professed to establish. But then it is not of this world, nor have my endeavors to establish it any ten- dency to cause disturbances in the government. Had that been the case my servants and followers would have fought for me, and not suffered me to have fallen into the hands of the Jews. But I tell you plainly, my kingdom is wholly spiritual. I reign in the hearts of my people, and bring their wills and affections into a conformity to the will of God." Pilate then said unto our Lord, Art thou a king then? To which the Blessed Jesus replied, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end if as I horn, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. As if he had said, " In the sense I have told you I do declare myself to be a king. For this very end I came into the world ; and whoever sincerely loves, and is al- ways ready to embrace the truth, will hear my testimony, and be convinced by it." When Pilate found that our Lord disclaimed all right to secular kingdoms, he thought he had not any thing to do with examining him about the nature of his spiritual empire; and therefore, withdrawing from the court into the vestibulum (where his accusers were impatiently ex- pecting the ratification of their sentence, in order to exe- cution) he, contrary to their hopes, told them, that he TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 43 found nothing worthy of death in him. As if he had said, " I have again examined this man, but cannot find him guilty of any fault, which, according to the Roman law, is worthy of death." "When the chief priests and elders found themselves disappointed in their expectations, they grew exceeding clamorous, representing our Lord as a turbulent disturber of the people, and charging him with spreading seditious principles through all Galilee and Judea, even as far as Jerusalem. He stirreth up the people, (said they) begin- ningfrom Galilee to this place. Pilate hearing them name Galilee, and understanding, from enquiry, that our Lord was a Galilean, and, conse- quently, belonged to Herod's jurisdiction,* in order to get rid of the importunity of the Jews, and withal to fre& himself from this disagreeable affair, ordered him imme- diately to be taken before Herod, who, on account of the Passover, was then at Jerusalem. Herod was no less pleased at the honor done hiin by Pilate, than glad of having the opportunity of seeing .Testis, hoping that he should have the pleasure of seeing him perform some great miracle. And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Herod, however, soon found himself mistaken ; for. as he had apostatized from the doctrine of John the Baptist, to which he was once a convert, and had even put his teacher to death, the Blessed Jesus, however liberal of his miracles to the sons and daughters of afflic- tion, would not work them to gratify the curiosity of a tyrant; nor would he even answer a single question put to him by Herod. This made the tetrarch consider him as an insignificant, despicable person; and accordingly, having committed him to the derision and insults of his guards, wrho used him with the utmost indiguity, he or- * Pilate's government did not extent to Galilee; it included Judea only. Herod was at this time king, or tetrarch of Galilee, and, con- sequently, Jesus was his subject; and therefore, according to the Roman laws, it was Pilate's duty to send him to Herod, especially as he was accused of rebellion, and a design to make himself a king 14 TKOM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, dered him to be immediately taken back to Pilate,* first putting on him an old robe, or garment, resembling in color those worn by kings. The enemies of our Blessed Lord having re-conducted him to the palace of the Roman governor, Pilate addressed himself to the priests and rulers of the people, in words to this effect. He told them, " that though they had " brought this man before him as a seditious person, and (c a seducer of the people, yet, upon examination, he could " not find him guilty of auy of the crimes that were laid " to his charge ; that this was not his opinion only, but " that Herod (who was a more competent judge of the (i affair, and to whom he had sent him on purpose to take i: cognizance of it) had no ways signified that his crimes £e were capital ; and therefore, instead of taking away his (i life, he proposed some lesser punishment, if they a thought fit, such as scourging him a little with whips, £i and then dismissing him." But this lenity was so dis- agreeable to their enraged tempers, that they peremptori- ly demanded execution, crying out, Crucify him, Cruci- fy him. Pilate, still tender of shedding innocent blood, expostulated farther with them on the impropriety of their conduct, desiring to know what evil he had done ; for, as to his part, he could find no fault in him, much less any crime deserving of death. This, however, did but the more exasperate, and make them the more clamorous, for his speedy execution, And they cried out the more exceed- ingly, crucify him. The Roman governor had still one expedient left in favor of Jesus, which he thought would not fail him. Every passover he was obliged, by a certain custom, to pardon one criminal whom the Jews should nominate; and therefore the people, being at this time urgent with him to grant them that usual favor, he proposed two persons to them : namely, Barabbas, a notorious malefac- * Herod and Pilate had been long at variance, but on this occa- sion, they became perfectly reconciled. It is generally thought that the cause of their difference was, the massacre that Pilate made of some Galileans at Jerusalem during the time of the passover. (Luke xiii. 1.) which Herod resented, as an indignity put upon him, and an invasion of his authority, he being, at that time, tetrarch of Galilee TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. i'o tor, who, iii an insurrection with some other seditious prisons, had committed murder, and Jesus, who was called Christ. Pilate did not doubt hut that the populace, whom he knew were better inclined to our Lord than the rulers, would have preferred an innocent man to a thief and a murderer. But in this he found himself greatly mistaken: for, at the instigation of their priests, and others in authority, they desired that the favor might be granted to ISarabbas. In consequence of this, Pilate desired to know what he was to do with the person whom they called Christ; upon which they, one and all cried out. Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate still insisted on the. in- nocence of Jesus, and requested that they would he satis- lied with some lighter punishment than his being put to death ; but this, iustead of producing any good effect, only made them redouble their clamors, and, in the most tu- multuous manner imaginable, demand that he might be crucified. Just at this time Pilate received a message from his wife, then at Jerusalem, and who, that morning, had been informed of something in a dream, which gave her great uneasiness. The dream had such an effect on her spirits, that she could not rest till she had sent an account of it to her husband, who was then sitting with the tribunal on the judgment-seat, at the same time beseeching him not to have any hand in the deatli of the righteous person lie was then judging. " When he was set down on the judgment- " seat his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing " to do with that just man: for I have suffered many " things this day in a dream because of him." Matthew xxvii. 19. This message greatly affected Pilate, and made him still the more desirous of releasing Jesus, or at least of sparing his life. And therefore, in hopes of pacifying the rage of the multitude, and exciting their pity, he ordered him to be scourged. The soldiers who were appointed to inflict this punish- ment on our Lord, thinking it not sufficient to execute the simple orders of Pilate, thought proper to increase the punishment by measures of their own invention. They accordingly took our Lord into the common-hall, where, 46 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, after stripping him of his own clothes, they put a loose purple coat about him, for a robe; a wreath of thorns upon his head, for a crown; and a reed in his hand, for a sceptre; and then, in derision, saluted him, and bowing their knees, mocked him with the sham profession of al- legiance, saying, Hail, king of the Jews. After this, they spit in his face, smote him on the cheek, and (to make his crown of thorns pierce deeper into his flesh) several times struck him on the head. They then fastened him with cords to one of the pillars in the hall, and scourged him with such unrelenting cruelty, that the pavement was crimsoned with his most precious blood. In this piteous plight, with his head, face and body embrued in blood, and with all his mock ornaments on, Pilate, in hopes of moving the people's compassion, or- dered Jesus to be brought forth. As soon as he appeared, Pilate, addressing himself to the people, cried out, Behold the man! As if lie had said, "Will nothing make you relent? Have ye lost all the feelings of humanity, and bowels of compassion? Can you bear to see the innocent, a son of Abraham, thus injured?" But all this was to no purpose. The priests (whose rage and malice had extinguished not only the sentiments of justice, and feelings of pity, natural to the human heart, but also that love which countrymen usually bear each other) no sooner saw Jesus, than they began to fear the fickle populace might relent ; and therefore, laying decency aside, they led the way to the multitude, by crying out, with all their might, Crucify him! Crucify him ! Pilate, vexed to see the Jewish rulers thus obstinately bent on the destruction of a person from whom they had nothing to fear that was dangerous, either with regard to their church or state, passionately told them, that if they would have him crucified, they must do it themselves, for that he would not suffer his people to put to death an innocent man. In answer to this, the chief priests and elders told Pilate, that, admitting the accusation which had been laid against the prisoner not to be true, yet he had com- mitted such a crime in the presence of the whole council, TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 47 as, by their law, deserved the most ignominious death. That he had spoken blasphemy, by calling himself the Son of God, a title which do mortal could assume with- out the highest degree of guilt. We have a law (said they) and by our law he ought tu die, because he hath made himself the Sun of God. These last words raised some terror in Pilate, and gave him still farther uneasiness. He probably recollect- ed the miracles said to have been performed by Jesus, and (though an heathen himself) suspecting that he might be endued with some extraordinary powers, he began to apprehend that, if he proceeded to pass sentence on him, he should not only destroy an innocent person, but at once commit an act both of injustice and impiety. He therefore, returning with Jesus to the judgment-seat, begau to enquire into his origin and pedigree; but as it was no part of our Saviour's intention to escape death, he did not think proper to auswer either of the questions asked by the governor, or to say any thing in his own justification. Pilate, being greatly surprized at our Lord's silence, said unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? li'noicest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? To which our Blessed Lord replied, Thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. As if he had said, " I well know that you are Caesar's servant, and accountable to him for your conduct. I forgive you any injury, which, contrary to your inclination, the popular fury constrains you to do unto me. Thou hast that power from above, from the emperor; for which cause, the Jewish high-priest, who hath put me into thy hands, and, by pretending that I am an enemy to Caesar, forces thee to condemn me ; or, if thou refusest, will accuse thee as negligent of the emperor's interest: He, therefore, is more guilty than thou." He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. This modest reply made such an impression on Pilate, that he more strongly represented to the people his de- sire of releasing Jesus; upon which, to work effectually upon his fears, the chief priests and rulers cried out, If 48 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar' s friend : whoso- ever maJceth himself a king, speaketh against Caesar.* If thou dost release the prisoner, who hath set himself up for a king, and endeavored to raise a rebellion in the country, thou art unfaithful in the interest of the emperor thy master. Pilate, who well knew the jealous temper of his mas- ter Tiberius, and how easily a wrong representation of these proceedings might prove his ruin, had not courage to withstand this forcible menace. He, therefore, return- ing to the judgment-hall, ordered Jesus to be brought be- fore him to his public tribunal, which stood in a paved place called Gabatha,f in order to pass that sentence on him which he had been so repeatedly requested to do by his enemies. But previous to his discharging this melan- choly office, he called for some water, and, washing his * This threat and accusation seems to he the grand reason why Pilate afterwards sent an account of our Saviour and his crucifixion to the emperor Tiberius, in order to clear himself from any imputa- tion that might be maliciously laid to his ?harge, and to make the emperor sensible who were the persons that had been the sole instru- ments of causing our Lord to be put to death. The epistle, which Pilate wrote to the emperor on this occasion, was to the following effect : " Pilate to Tiberius, &c. " I have been forced to consent at length to the crucifixion of " Jesus Christ, to prevent a tumult among the Jews, though it was " very much against my will: for the world never saw, and proba- " bly never will see, a man of such extraordinary piety and upright- " ness. But the high-priest and Sanhedrim fulfilled in it the oracles (i of their prophets. Whilst he hung on the cross, a horrid dark- " ness, which covered the earth, seemed to threaten its final end. " His followers, who say that he was risen from the dead, and " ascended into heaven, and acknowledge him for their God, do still " submit, and, by their excellent lives, shew themselves the worthy " disciples of so extraordinary a Master. 1 did what I could to " save him from the malice of the Jews, but the fear of a total in- " surrection made me submit to his being crucified for the peace and " interest of your empire." t The word Gabatha, in the Syriac (which was the language then commonly spoken) signifies an elevation; and therefore the place, where Pilate had his tribunal erected, was probably a gallery or balcony belonging to his palace, and paved either with stone or marble. rO HIS ASCENSION IKTO HBAYEN. i'J hands in the presence of all the people, solemnly de- clared that he was innocent of the blood of that just man, and that the)/ must answer for it: upon which the whole body of the people cried out, His blood be on US, and on our children. This was an imprecation of the most shocking nature, and which brought on (hem that just punishment they have ever since so fatally experienced. Our Blessed Lord being thus condemned to the cross, the soldiers and officers, after repeating their former insults and indignities, took off the purple coat, and putting his own garments on him, and, having laid a heavy cross on his shoulders, led him away to his crucifixion. But when lie came to the gate of the city, his strength was so much exhausted, that lie was no longer able to stand under it. The fatigue of the preceding night spent without sleep, the sufferings he had undergone in the garden, his having been hurried from place to place, and obliged to stand the whole time of his trials; the want of food, and the loss of hlood he had sustained, and not his want of cour- age on this occasion, made him faint under the burthen of his cross. The soldiers seeing him unable to bear the Weight, laid it on one Simon, a Cyrenian (the father of Alexander and llufus, well known among the first chris- tians) and compelled him to bear it the rest of the way. Tlie Blessed Jesus, in his way to the place of execu- tion, was followed by an innumerable multitude of people, among whom were many good and pious women, who bitterly lamented the severity of his sentence, and ex- pressed the most conspicuous tokens of sincere compas- sion and grief on the occasion. Upon this our Blessed Lord, turned himself about, and, with a benevolence and tenderness truly divine, said to them, Daughters of Je- rusalem, weep not for me, but wee]) for yourselves* and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they sha I say, Blessed are the barren, and the, wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, ichat shall be done in the dry? Luke xxiii. 28, &c. As if he had said, " Dry up these tears ye daughters of Jerusalem, which ye shed in com- vol. iv. G 50 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, passion to me, and reserve them for the deplorable fate of yourselves, and of your children; for the calamities that will soon fall on you and your offspring are truly terrible, and call for the bitterest lamentations. In those days of vengeance you will passionately wish that you had not given birth to a generation, whose wickedness had rendered them the objects of the wrath of the Al- mighty, to such a degree, as never was, before expe- rienced in the world. Then shall they wish to be crushed under the weight of enormous mountains, and concealed from their enemies in the bowels of the hills. If the Ro- mans are permitted to inflict such punishments on me, who am innocent, how dreadful must the vengeance be, which they shall inflict on a nation, whose sins cry aloud to heaven, hastening the pace of the Divine judgments, and rendering the perpetrators as proper for punishment as dry wood is for the flames!" When our Blessed Lord came to the place of execu- tion, which was called Golgotha,* or Mount Calvary, the soldiers, before they nailed him to the cross, offered him a potion of vinegar mixed with gall, which, when he had tasted, he refused to drink. They then stripped off his clothes, and proceeded to the business of execution, by fastening him on the cross. But while they were piercing his hands and his feet with nails, instead of cry- ing out from the sharpness of the pain, he calmly, though fervently, prayed for them, and for all those who had any hand in his death ; beseeching the Almighty to forgive them, and excusing them himself by the only circum- stance that could alleviate their guilt; namely, their ig- norance. Father (said the compassionate Redeemer of mankind) forgive them, for they knoiv not what they do. But now behold the appointed soldiers dig the hole in which the cross is to be erected! — The cross is placed in * The word Golgotha, in the Syriac language, signifies the same that Calvary does iry Latin, and was so called, either because the form oi' the mount did somewhat resemble a man's skulS, or else, be- cause, from its being the common place of execution, a great num- ber of men's skulls were usually to be seen there. It was a small eminency, or hill, upon the greater mount of Moriah, and being ap- propriated for the execution of malefactors, was considered as aw execrable and polluted place. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 51 the ground, and the Blessed Jesus fastened on the bed of sorrows. — He is nailed to it — His nerves crack — His Mood distils — He hangs upon his wounds naked, a spec- tacle to heaven and earth; And, to stain his innocence in the eyes of the multitude, and to put hiin to the greater shame, they crucified him between two common malefac- tors. It was usual for the crimes committed by offenders to be distinctly written and placed over their heads on the cross. In conformity to this custom, Pilate ordered an inscription to be placed over the head of Jesus, and to bo written in the three following languages, namely, He- brew, Greek and Latin. This was accordingly done, and the inscription, according to the translation of each, Mas as follows : JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. But when the chief priests and elders had read this title, they were greatly displeased: because, as it repre- sented the crime for which Jesus was condemned, it in- sinuated that he had been acknowledged for the Messiah. Besides, being placed over the head of one who was dying by the most infamous punishment, it implied that all who attempted to deliver the Jews should perish in the same manner. The faith and hope of the nation, there- fore, being thus publicly ridiculed, it is no wonder that the priests thought themselves highly affronted; and accord- ingly came to Pilate, begging that the writing might be altered. But as he had intended the affront in revenge for their forcing him to crucify Jesus, contrary both to his judgment and inclination, he refused to grant their re- quest. What I have written (said he) I. have written. When the soldiers had nailed the Blessed Jesus to the cross, and fixed it upright in the ground, they divided his garments among them. But his coat, or vesture, being without seam, woven from the top throughout, they agreed not to rend it, but to cast lots for it, by which was fulfilled the prediction of the prophet concerning; the death and sufferings of the Messiah. They parted my garments among them, and for my vesture did they east lots. A sufficient indication that every circumstance at. 5& FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, tending the death and sufferings of the Blessed Jesus was long before determined in the court of heaven; and. accordingly his being crucified between two malefactors was expressly foretold — and he was numbered among the transgressors. The common people (whom the vile priests had in- censed against the Blessed Jesus, by the malicious false- hoods they had spread concerning him, and which they pretended to found on the deposition of witnesses) seeing him hang in so infamous a manner upon the cross, and reading the inscription that was placed over his head, signified their indignation at him by snrcastical ex- pressions, Thou (said they) that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. But the common people were not the only persons who mocked and derided the Blessed Jesus, while he was suffering to obtain the remission of sins for all man- kind. The rulers, who now imagined they had effectually destroyed his pretensions to the character of the Messiah, joined the populace, in ridiculing him, and with a mean- ness of soul, which many infamous wretches would have scorned, mocked him, even while he was struggling with the agonies of death. They scoffed at the miracles by which lie demonstrated himself to be the Messiah, and promised to believe in him, on condition of his proving his pretensions, by descending from the cross. lie saved others (said they) himself he cannot save; if he be the Icing of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. The soldiers also joined in t'ie general scene of mockery, If thou be the king of the Jews (said they) save thyself. If thou art the great Messiah so long ex- pected by the Jews, descend from the cross by miracle, and deliver thyself from these excruciating torments. With our Blessed Lord were crucified two notorious malefactors, one on his right hand, and the other on his left. One of these reviled and mocked him in the same gross manner with the multitude, requiring him to give them (as they desired) a demonstration of his being the true Messiah, by rescuing both himself and them from the TO HIS ASCSKSION INTO !lK.AYr.N\ 59 Classes whereon they were fixed, But the other malefac- tor reproved his companion for insulting the innocent, and (while himself was receiving the just reward of his crimes) for upbraiding a person who suffered unde- servingly. Having said this, lie looked upon Jesus with a noble reliance, and most wonderful faith, and humbly besought him to retain some remembrance of him, when lie came into his kingdom; to which our Lord returned him his most gracious promise of speedy felicity. I hit let us (before we proceed any farther in the rela- tion of this melancholy scene) attentively consider the sin- gularity of the circumstances that attended it, as they point out to our view events absolutely astonishing. When we remember the perfect innocence of our great Redeemer, the uncommon love he bore to the children of men, and the many kind and benevolent offices he did for the sons and daughters of affliction: when we reflect on the esteem in which lie was held all along by the common people, how cheerfully they followed him to the remotest corners of the country; nay, even into the desolate re- treats of the wilderness, and with what pleasure they listened to his discourses, we cannot help being astonish- ed to find them at the conclusion rushing all of a sudden into the opposite extremes, and every individual, as it were, combined to treat him with the most barbarous cruelty. When Pilate asked the people if they desired to have Jesus released, his followers, though they were very numerous, and might have made a great appearance in his behalf, remained absolutely silent, as if they had been speechless, or infatuated. The Roman soldiers, notwithstanding their general had declared him innocent, insulted him in the most inhuman manner. The Scribes and Pharisees ridiculed him. The common people, who had received him with Hosannas a few days before, mocked him as they passed by, and railed at him as a deceiver. Nay, the very thief on the cross reviled him. The followers of the Blessed Jesus had attached themselves to him in expectation of being raised to great wealth and power in his kingdom, which they imagined would have been long before established. But seeing no 54? FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, appearance of what they had so long hoped for, they permitted him to be condemned, perhaps because they thought it would have obliged him to break the Roman yoke by miracle. With respect to the soldiers, they were angry that any one should pretend to royalty in Judea, where Caesar had established his authority. Hence they insulted our Blessed Saviour with the title of king, and paid him, in mockery, the honors of a sovereign. As for the common people, they seem to have lost their opinion of him, probably because he had not rescued himself when they condemned him. They began, there- fore, to consider the story of his destroying the temple, and building it in three days, as a kind of blasphemy, because it required Divine power to execute such an un- dertaking. The priests and scribes were filled with the most im- placable and diabolical malice against him ; because he had torn off their masks of hypocrisy, and shewn them to the people in their full colors. It is therefore no wonder that they ridiculed his miracles from whence he derived his reputation. The thief also fancied that he must have delivered both himself and them, if he had been the Messiah ; but as no such deliverance appeared, he upbraided him for making pretensions to that high character. But now, serious reader, take one view of thy dying Saviour, breathing out his life upon the cross ! Behold his unspotted flesh lacerated with stripes, by which thou art healed ! See his hands extended and nailed to the cross; those beneficent hands, which were incessantly stretched out to unloose the heavy burthens, and to im- part blessings of every kind ! Behold his feet rivetted to the accursed tree with nails ! those feet which always went about doing good, and travelled far and near to spread the glad tidings of everlasting salvation! View his tender temples encircled with a wreath of thorns, which shoot their keen afflictive points into his blessed head; that head which was ever meditating peace to poor lost and undone sinners, and spent many a wakeful flight in ardent prayer, for their happiness! See him TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 55 laboring in the agonies of death! Breathing out his soul into the hands of his Almighty Father. and praying fox his cruel enemies ! Was ever love like this! Was eve* benevolence so finely displayed! () my soul, put thou thy trust in that bleeding, that dying Saviour! Then, though the pestilence walketh in darkness, and the sickness destroyeth at noon day; though thousands fall beside thee, and ten thousands at thy right hand, thou needest not fear the approach of any evil ! Either the destroying angels shall pass over thee, or dispense the corrections of a friend, not the scourges of an enemy, which, instead of hurting, will work for thy good. Then, though profaneness and infidelity, far more malignant evils, breathe their contagion, and taint multi- tudes around thee, thou shalt be safely hid in the hollow of his hand, and freed from every danger. Come then, my soul, let us take sanctuary under that tree of life, the ignominious cross of thy bleeding Saviour :' let us ily for safety to that city of refuge, opened in his bleeding wounds. These will prove a sacred hiding- place, not to be pierced by the flames of Divine wrath, or the fiery darts of temptation. His dying merits, his per- fect obedience, will be as rivers of water in a dry jrface, or as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. But particularly in that last tremendous day, when the heaven shall be rent asunder, and wrapped up like a scroll; and his Almighty arm shall arrest the sun in his career, aud dash the structure of the universe to pieces ; when the dead, both small aud great, shall be gathered before the throne of his glory, and the fates of all man- kind hang on the very point of a final irreversible de- cision: then, if thou hast faithfully trusted in him, and made his precepts thy constant directors, shalt thou be owned aud defended by him. O! reader, may both thou that peruseth, and him who hath written this for thy soul's advautage, be covered, at that unutterably im- portant juncture, by the wings of his redeeming love; then shall we behold all the horrid convulsions of ex- piring nature, with composure, with comfort! we shall then welcome the consummation of all things. 56 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, But see the sun, conscious of the suffering of his Maker, and as it were to hide his face from this detesta- ble action of mortals, is wrapped in the pitchy mantle of chaotic darkness! This preternatural eclipse of the sun continued for three hours, to the great terror and astonish- ment of the people present at the execution of our dear Re- deemer. And surely nothing could be more proper than this extraordinary alteration in the face of nature, while the sun of righteousness was withdrawing his beams, not only from the promised land, but from the whole world ; for it was at once a miraculous testimony given by the Almighty himself to the innocence of his Son, and a proper emblem of the departure of him who was the de- light of the world, at least till his luminous rays, like the beams of the morning, shone out a-new with additional splendor, in the ministry of his apostles. Nor was the darkness which now covered Judea, and the neighboring countries, beginning about noon and con- tinuing till Jesus expired, the effect of an ordinary eclipse of the sun. It is well known that these phe- nomena can only happen at the change of the moon; whereas the Jewish passover, at which time our dear Redeemer suffered, was always celebrated at the full. Besides, the total darkness of an eclipse of the sun never exceeds twelve or fifteen minutes, whereas this continued three full hours. Nothing, therefore, but the immediate hand of that Almighty Being, which placed the suu in the centre of the planetary system, could have produced this astonishing darkness. Nothing but Omnipotence, who first lighted this glorious luminary of heaven, could have deprived it of its cheering rays. Now, ye scoffers of Israel, whose blood ye have so earnestly desired, and wished it might fall upon you and your children, behold., all nature is dressed in the sable veil of sorrow, and in a language tiiat cannot be mistaken, mourns the departure of its Lord and Master; weeps for your crimes, and deprecates the vengeance of heaven upon your guilty heads ! Happy for you that this suffering Jesus is com- passion itself, and, even in the agonies of death, prays to his heavenly Father to avert from you the stroke of his justice! TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVE&. ^7 This preternatural eclipse of the sun was considered as a miracle by Hie heathens themselves; and one of them cried out, Either the world is at an end, or the God uf nature suffers. And well might lie use the expression : for never, since this planetary system was called from its primitive chaos, was known such a deprivation of light in the glorious luminary of day. Indeed, when the Al- nighty punished Pharaoh, for refusing to let the children of Israel depart out of his land, the sable veil of darkness was for three days drawn over Egypt. But this darkness was confined to a part of his kingdom: whereas this that happened at our Saviour's crucifixion was universal. When the darkness began, the disciples naturally considered it as a prelude to the deliverance of their master. For though the chief priests, elders, and people, had sarcastically desired him to descend from the ac- cursed tree, his friends could not but be persuaded, that he who had delivered so many from incurable diseases, who had created limbs for the maimed, and eyes for the blind; who had given speech to the dumb, and called the dead from the chambers of the dust, might easily save himself, even from the cross. When, therefore, his mother, his mother's sister, Mary Magdalene, and the beloved disciple John, (all of whom were dismal spectators of this unparalleled tragedy) observed the veil of darkness begin to extend over the face of nature, they drew near to the foot of the cross, probably in expectation that the son of God was going to shake the frame of the universe, unloose himself from the cross, and take ample vengeance on his cruel and per- fidious enemies. The Blessed Jesus was now in the midst of his suffer- ings. Yet, when he saw his mother and her companions, their grief greatly affected his tender breast, but more es- pecially the distress of his mother. The agonies of death, under which he was now laboring, could not prevent his expressing the most affectionate regard, both for her and for them. And therefore that she might have some con- solation to support her under the greatness of her sorrows, he told her, the disciple whom he loved would, for the sake of that love, supply his place to her after he was vol. iv. H 58 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, taken away from them, even the place of a son ; and there- fore he desired her to consider him as such, and expect from him all the duties of a child. Woman (said he) be- hold thy son ! „ Nor was this remarkable token of filial affection to- wards his mother, the only instance the dying Jesus gave of his sincere love to his friends and followers; the be- loved disciple John had also a token of his high esteem. He singled him out as the only person among his friends to supply his place with regard to his mo her. Accord- ingly, he desired him expressly to reverence her in the same manner as if she had been his own parent. A duty which the favorite disciple gladly undertook, carried her with him to his house, and maintained her from that hour to the day of her death, her husband Joseph, having, it seems, been dead some time. Thus, in the midst of the heaviest sufferings that human nature ever sustained, the Blessed Jesus demonstrated a Divine strength of benevolence. Even at the time when his own distress was at the highest pitch, and nature was dressed in the robe of mourning for the sufferings of the Redeemer of mankind ; his friends had so large a share of his concern, that their happiness interrupted the sharp- ness of his pains, and, for a short time, engrossed his thoughts. But now the moment, when he should resign his soul into the hands of his heavenly Father, approached, and he repeated part, at least, of the twenty-second psalm, ut- tering, with a loud voice, these remarkable words, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthaniP that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ! Or, as the words may be render- ed, My God, my God, hoiv long a time hast thou forsaken me /* * It is the opinion of some that our Blessed Saviour repeated th* whole Psalm; it being the custom of the Jews, in making quotations, to mention only the first words of the Psalm or section, which they cite. If so, as this Psalm contains the most remarkable particulars of our dear Redeemer's passion, being, as it were, a summary of all the prophecies relative to that subject, by repeating it on the cross, the Blessed Jesus signified that he was now accomplishing the things that were predicted concerning the Messiah. And as this TO HIS ASCENSION IXTO HEAVEN. ^9 Some of the people who stood by, when they heard our Blessed Saviour pronounce these words, misunderstood him; probably from their not hearing him distinctly, and concluded that he called for Elias. Upon which one of them filled a spunge with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink; being desirous to keep him alive as long as possible, to see whether Elias would come to take lii in down from the cross. Hut as soon as Jesus had tasted the vinegar, he said, it is finished. That is, the work of man's redemption is accomplished; that great work which the only begotten Son of God came into the World to perform, is finished. In speaking these words, he cried with an exceeding loud voice; after which he addressed his Almighty Father in these words : Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; having uttered which, he bowed his head, and yielded up the ghost. But behold ! at the very instant that the Blessed Jesus resigned his soul into the hands of his heavenly Father, the vail of the temple was miraculously rent, from the top to the bottom ; the earth trembled, from its very founda- tions, the flinty rocks burst asunder, and the sepulchres hewn in them were opened; and many bodies of saints deposited there awakened after his resurrection, from the sleep of death, left the gloomy chambers of the tomb, went into the city of Jerusalem, and appeared unto many. And as the rending the vail of the temple intimated, that the entrance into the holy place, the type of heaven, was now laid open to all nations ; so the resurrection of a number of saints from the dead demonstrated, that the power of death, and the grave, was broken ; the sting was taken from death, and the victory wrested from the grave. In short, our dear Redeemer's conquests over the euemies of mankind were shewn to be complete ; and an earnest was given of the general resurrection of the dead. Nor did the remarkable particulars which attended that awful period, when Jesus gave up the ghost, affect the natives of Judea only. The Roman centurion, who psalm is composed in the form of a prayer, by pronouncing it, at this time, he also claimed of his Father the performance of all the promises he had made, whether to him, or to his people, the chief of which are recorded in the latter part of the Psalm. 60 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, was placed near the cross to prevent disorders of any kind, glorified the Almighty, and cried out, Truly this man was the Son of God! The people had been very desirous of having him cru- cified ; but when they saw the face of the creation wrapped in the gloomy mantle of darkness during his crucifixion, and found his death accompanied with an earthquake, as if nature had been in an agony when he died, they right- ly interpreted these prodigies to be so many testimonies of his inuocence ; and their passions, which had been in- flamed and exasperated against him, became quite calm, or rather exerted in his favor. Some were angry with themselves for having neglected the opportunity the gov- ernor gave them of saving his life. Some were stung with remorse for having been active in procuring Pilate to con- demn him, and even offering the most bitter insults while he labored under the most cruel sufferings. And others were deeply affected at beholding the pains he suffered, which were undeservedly severe. These various passions, being visibly painted in their countenances, afforded a melancholy spectacle ; the whole multitude returned from the cruel execution with their eyes fixed on the earth, pensive and silent; their hearts were ready to burst with grief, they groaned within them- selves, and as they walked, smote themselves on their breasts. Jlnd all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts and returned. John xxiii. 48. The grief they now felt for the Blessed Jesus arose from a very different principle to that which had occasioned their former rage against him. The latter was entirely owing to the artful insinuations of their priests ; whereas their grief was gen- uine, and the natural feeling of their own hearts, greatly affected with the truth and innocence of him, who was the object of their commiseration. And as flattery had no share in their mourning, so the expressions of their sorrow were such as distinguished the real sentiments and feel- ings of their hearts. Thus was demonstrated, by many awful tokens, the truth, the divinity, and the power of our Redeemer's mission. And thus were the blind and deluded Jews TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HBAVEN. 6l ■track with horror at what they had beheld, being fully convinced; that the person they had cruelly put to death was no other than the Son of God — the promised Mes- siah— the Saviour of the world. CHAP. XIV. Our Blessed Lord is treated with indignity after his crucifixion. Joseph of .Irimalhea legs his body of Pilate, in order for in- terment. Pilate complies with his request* upon which Joseph, assisted by Nicodemns, takes away the body, and deposits it in a sepulchre which he had made for himself. The sepul- ehre is guarded by a body of Roman soldiers. Our Saviour's resurrection notified by angels, and testified by Mary Mag- dalene, but not believed. Our Lord appeareth to Mary. The soldiers appointed to guard the door of the sepulchre, being frightened at the appearance of an angel, ivho rolls away the stone that was placed against it, fly to Jerusalem. They relate the particulars of what they had seen to the heads of the Sanhedrim, who bribe them to give it out that our Lord's body 7vas stolen away by his disciples while themselves were asleep. Our Lord appears to two of his disciples as they are on their way to Emmaus, with whom he converses for some time, and then disappears. The ttvo disciples go to Jerusalem, and re- port what had passed to the rest of their companions, some of whom are doubtful of the truth of their relation. While they arc in debate together, our Saviour suddenly appears among them, removes their doubts, chastises them for their incredu- lity, and gives them several important instructions relative to their future conduct. He again appears to liis apostles, and convinces llwmas (who happened to be absent at the time of his former appearance J of the reality of his resur- rection. Our Lord appears to Peter, and others, as they are fishing, and performs a miracle; after which he particular- ly converses with Peter. He appears to his apostles for the last time, and after some conversation^ and bestowing on them his benediction, visibly ascends into heaven. THE day on which our Blessed Lord suffered was the eve, or preparation for the Paschal Festival, which, 63 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, that year, happened to fall on the Jewish sabbath-day, and was, therefore, a feast and sabbath together. That so great and solemn a day might not be prephaned* by the suspension of the bodies on the crosses, the rulers of the Jews went to Pilate, requesting of him that their legs might be broken to hasten their deaths, and that their bodies might be taken down* Pilate readily gave his consent, upon which they returned to the place of execu- tion, and immediately caused the first ceremony to be per- formed on the two thieves : But, when the soldiers came to Jesus, and found him already dead, instead of breaking his legs, one of them pierced his side with a spear, from which issued out a great quantity of blood and water. This wound was of the greatest importance to mankind, as it abundantly demonstrated the truth of our Saviour's death, and consequently prevented any objection being made by those who were enemies to the Gospel dispen- sation. The Evangelist adds, that the legs of our Great Redeemer were not broken, but his side pierced, that two particular prophecies might be fulfilled. A bone of him shall not be broken, and they shall look on him whom they have pierced. Among the disciples of our Lord was one named Jo- seph, a man of great wealth and honor, born in Arima- thea, and not improbably one of the council of the San- hedrim, but Avho stood in some fear of them while our Saviour was alive. After his death, however, he took courage, and going to Pilate, begged that he might take * The Jews had a strict injunction in their law, that the bodies of those who Mere executed should not hang all night, hut by all means be buried the same day, Deut. xxi. 22,2.3. But the Romans were ac- customed to do otherwise; they suffered the bodies to hang on the cross some time after they were dead, and, in some cases, a con- siderable time longer. It is probable the rulers of the Jews would have left the Romans to follow their own custom at this time, had it not been for the near approach of their passover, the festivity attend- ing which they thought might be damped by so melancholy a sight. On this account it was thai they petitioned Pilate to have them re- moved; and the reason why Pilate might be rather induced to grant their request, was that the Romans themselves had such respect for the feast-days of their emperors, that if any executions happened at those particular periods, they always took down their bodies, and de- livered them to their friends. TO HIS ASCENSION' INTO HEAVEN. 65 away the body of his Great Master, well knowing that if Mich a giant was not obtained, it would be ignomiuiously cast away with the two criminals that had sutl'ered witti him. Pilate was greatly surprized at the request of Joseph, thinking it highly improbable that our Lord should be dead in so short a time. He had, indeed, given orders for the soldiers to break the legs of the crucified persons, but he kuew it was common for them to live many hours after that operation was performed ; for though the pain they felt must be exquisite to the last degree, yet, as the vital parts remained untouched, life would continue some time in the miserable body. Pilate, therefore, called the centurion to know the truth of what Joseph had told him; and being convinced from his answer that Jesus had been dead some time, he readily complied with his request. In consequence of this, Joseph immediately repaired to Mount Calvary, and with the assistance of Nicodemus,* (another private disciple of our Lord's) took the body from the cross. Nieodemus had been iu such fear of the Sanhedrim, and therefore was so cautious of being seen to visit Jesus, that he always went to him by night. But in paying the last duties to his Master, he did not make use of any measures to conceal his affection for him. He shewed a courage and respect far superior to any of the apostles, not only assisting Joseph in taking the body of Jesus from the cross, but likewise bringing with him spices and various perfumes properly to prepare it for in- terment. Not far from the place of execution was a garden be- longing to Joseph, in which he had a short time before hewn out of a rock a sepulchre for his own private iuter- ment. Having, therefore, embalmed our Saviour's body, * This is the same ruler of the Jews and Master of Israel (as the Evangelist calls him, John iii. 1, lu.) who, at our Lord's first com- in^; to Jerusalem, after lie had entered upon his ministry, held a private conference with him. and for ever after was his disciple, (hough he made no open profession of it till after our Lord's death. There is some reason to imagine that when the Jews came to be in- formed of his conduct, and that he had been in his heart one of our Lord's disciples, they deposed him from the dignity of a senator, excommunicated lrim. and drove him out of Jerusalem. 61 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, and wound it up in clean linen cloths, they there interred it, and, with a large stone cut out of the rock for the pur- pose, closed the mouth of the sepulchre. Here we must make a short digression to contemplate on the wonderful contents of this repository of the dead. He who clothes himself with light as with a garment, and walks upon the wings of the wind, was pleased to wear the habiliments of mortality, and dwell among the pros- trate dead! Who can repeat the wondrous truths too often? Who can dwell upon the enchanting theme too long? He who sits enthroned in glory, and diffuses bliss among all the heavenly host, was once a pale and bloody corpse, and pressed the floor of this little sepulchre ! O death ! how great was thy triumph in that hour ! never did thy gloomy realms contain such a prisoner before — - Prisoner, did I say? No, he was more than Conqueror. He arose far more mighty than Samson from a transient slumber; broke down the gates, and demolished the strong holds of those dark dominions. And this, O mor- tals, is your consolation and security. Jesus, sleeping in the chambers of the tomb, has brightened the dismal mansion, and left an inviting odor in those beds of dust. The dying Jesus is your sure protection, your unquestion- able passport, through the territories of the grave. Be- lieve in him, and they shall prove an highway to Sion; shall transmit you safe to Paradise. Believe in him, and you shall be no losers, but unspeakable gainers by your dissolution. For hear what the oracle of heaven says, on this important point; whoso believeth in me shall never die. Death shall no longer be inflicted as a punishment, but rather vouchsafed as a blessing. The exit is the end of their frailty, and their entrance upon perfection : their last groan is the prelude to life and immortality. — But to return. Mary Magdalene, and some other women of Galilee, who had watched their dear Redeemer in his last mo- ments, and had accompanied his body to the sepulchre in Joseph's garden, observing that the funeral rites were performed in a hurry, and therefore not satisfactory to their wishes, agreed among themselves, as soon as the sabbath should be over, to return to the sepulchre, and TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 6j embalm the body of their dead Saviour, by anointing and swathing him in the manner then common among the Jews. Accordingly, they returned to the city, and pur- chased spices of various sorts, with other articles, neces- sary for that purpose. On the sabbath-day the rulers of the .Tews weut to Pilate and informed him, " That our Lord (whom they called an impostor) having, in his life-time, made it his boast, that on the third day, he would rise again from the dead, they therefore requested of him, that he would order the sepulchre to be kept under a strong guard until that day was passed, lest his disciples should steal him away by night, and then give it out, that he was risen from the dead, which might prove a more dangerous se- duction to the people, than any thing they had yet fallen into." This request being thought reasonable by Pilate, he gave them leave to take as many soldiers as they pleased out of the cohort, which, at the feast, kept guard in the porticos of the temple. The priests, having thus obtained a guard of Roman soldiers, men long accustomed to military duties, and therefore the most proper for watching the body, set out with them to the sepulchre; and to prevent them from combining with the disciples in carrying on any fraud, placed them at their post, and sealed the stone which was rolled at the door of the sepulchre. But what was de- signed to expose the mission and doctrine of Jesus as rank falsehood and vile imposture, proved in fact, the strongest confirmation of the truth and divinity of the same that could possibly be given ; and placed, what the Jewish rulers wanted to refute (which was his resurrec- tion from the dead) even beyond a doubt. Early the next morning, even at break of day, Mary Magdalene, with Mary the mother of James, and the other women, who, on the Friday evening, had prepared spices and perfumes, went to the sepulchre to embalm again our Saviour's body, ignorant of the guard that was placed before the sepulchre. Their whole care and con- sultation on the way was, how they might get the large stone, that was at the entrance, removed. But, before vox. iv. I 66 EEOM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, they arrived at the place, an angel from heaven had rolled it away, and sat upon it; at the sight of whom (for his counteuance was like lightning) and at the noise of an earthquake, which accompanied his appearance, the guards fell down like so many dead men. By this means when the women arrived at the place they had free en- trance into the sepulchre, but were not a little astonished at looking in to find an angel, in a refulgent habit, sitting in the place where the body had laid. Frightened at so unexpected a sight, they were on the point of turning back, when the heavenly messenger, to banish their fears, told them, in a gentle accent, that he knew their errand. Fear not (said he) for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen as he said. He then invited them to go down into the sepulchre, and view the place where the Sou of God had lain; that is,, to look on the linen clothes and the napkin that was about his head, and which he had left behind him when lie arose from the dead. The women, encouraged by the agreeable manner in which the angel had spoke, went down into the sepul- chre, when, behold, there appeared before them another of the angelic choir. This Divine messenger gently chid them for seeking the living among the dead, and for not remembering the words which their great Master had himself told them with regard to his own resurrection. Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here? but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he urns yet in Galilee, saying, the son of man must be de- livered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. When the women had satisfied their curiosity by look- ing at the place where our Lord had lain, and where nothing was to be found but the linen clothes which were wrapped round his body, and the napkin about his head, the angel, who first appeared to them, bade them go im- mediately and tell his disciples (but particularly Peter) the glad tidings of his resurrection from the dead : that he was going before them to Galilee : and that they should there have the pleasure of seeing him. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 6/ In obedience to these commands, the Women Inline diately left the sepulchre, and hastened to find oul the. apostles, which they had no sooner done, than Mary Magdalene related to them all they had heard and seen; but they, instead of believing them, looked upon all they said as nothing more than the product of a weak and frightened imagination. Out of curiosity, however, Peter and John ran to the sepulchre, and found all they had said to be true, the body being gone, the burying clothes lying on the ground, and the napkin, which was about our Lord's head, folded and laid by itself. But notwith- standing this, such was their incredulity with respect to his being risen from the dead, that they returned quietly home, not supposing any thing else but that some person or other had taken away the body. Mary Magdalene, however, who had returned with Peter and John, stayed behind, and continued weeping at the door of the sepulchre. She could not yet under- stand what was meant by the angel's telling her our Lord was riseu from the dead, and therefore was exceeding anxious to find the body. Accordingly, going down into the sepulchre to examine it once more, she saw two angels, the one sitting at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain. On beholding these heavenly messengers dressed in the robes of light, she was greatly terrified. But her fears were greatly miti- gated by their asking her, in the most endearing accent, this question: Woman, why weepest thouP To which she replied, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. On pronouncing these words she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing near her; but the terror she was in, aud the gar- ments in which he now appeared, prevented her, for some time, from knowing him. Jesus repeated the same ques- tion before put to her by the angels : Woman (said he) why iceepest thou? To which Mary (who now supposed him to be the gardener) answered, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. But our Blessed Lord, being willing to remove her anxiety, called her by her name, with his usual tone of voice. On this she immediately knew hiui, 68 EROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, and, falling down, would have embraced his knee, ac- cording to that modesty and reverence with which the women of the east saluted the men, more especially those who were their superiors. But Jesus refused this com- pliment, telling her that he was not immediately going to ascend to his father. At the same time he said unto her, Go to my brethren, and say unto them. I ascend to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God ; intimating that he had risen from the dead, and should, in a short time, totally leave the world, and ascend into heaven. The kindness of this message, sent by our dear Re- deemer to his disciples, will appear above all praise, if we remember their late behavior. They had every . one of them forsaken him in the greatest extremity. When he was scourged and mocked by the Roman soldiers, de- rided by his countrymen, and spitefully treated by all, they hid themselves in some place of safety, and preferred their own security to the deliverance of their Master. Simon, a Cyrenian, was compelled, by the Roman soldiers, to ease him of his ponderous burthen. But, not- withstanding they had refused to assist their Master, during his sufferings for the sins of the world, he graciously, he freely forgave them ; he assured them of their pardon, and called them even by the endearing name of brethren. In the mean time the guards, who had been appointed to watch the sepulchre in which our Lord was laid, and was frightened at the appearance of the angel that sat on the stone which had fastened up the mouth of it, fled into the city, and related all that had happened to the chief priests and rulers of the Sanhedrim. In consequence of this a general council was immediately summoned, in order to consult what was to be done in an affair of so important a nature. After various debates, they at length resolved to bribe the soldiers with a large sum of money, and thereby engage them to give it out among the people, that while themselves were asleep, the disciples of Jesus came, and stole him away; promising them withal, that, in case this their pretended neglect should come to the. ears of the governor, they would take care to pacify him. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. GO The soldiers readily accepted this offer, took the money, and strictly obeyed the orders of their masters. And the report they propagated, in consequence of this, was cur- rent among the Jews for many years after. In the afternoon of the same day on which our Blessed Lord arose from the dead, two of his disciples left Jeru- salem, in order to go to a village called Emmaus, about two miles distant. The concern they were in on account of the death of their great and beloved Master was suffi- ciently visible in their countenances ; and as they pursued their journey talking to each other about the things that bad lately happened among them concerning the life and doctrine, the sufferings and death of the holy Jesus, and of the report that was just spread of his being that very morning risen from the dead, Jesus himself appeared and joined company with them. As our Lord looked like a stranger, the two disciples had not the least suspicion that he was the Great Re- deemer of the sons of men. But he soon entered into dis- course with them, by enquiring what event had so closely engaged them in conversation, and why they appeared so sorrowful and dejected, as if they had met with some heavy disappointment? One of them, whose name was Cleopas, being greatly surprized at this question, asked our Lord if it were possible that he could be so great a stranger to the affairs of the world, as to have been at Jerusalem, and not to Lave heard the surprizing events that had happened there? Events that had astonished the whole city, and were then the general topics of conversation among all the inhabitants? Jesus answered. What things? What surprizing events do you mean? Cleopas, thinking our Lord a total stranger to what had happened, proceeded to relate to him the particulars, which he communicated in words to this effect: " The " events I mean are those which have happened con- u cerning Jesus of Nazareth, who appeared as a great <( prophet and teacher sent from Mod ; and accordingly i( was highly venerated among the people for the excel- u lency of his doctrine, and the wimbcr, benefit, and a greatness of his miracles. Our chief priests and elders. VO FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, " envying him as one who lessened their authority u over the people, apprehended him, and found means " to put him to death. But we firmly believed that he " would have proved himself the Messiah, or Great (i Deliverer. And this persuasion we supported for a a long time, nor were willing to abandon it, even when " we saw him put to death. But it is now the third day t( since these things were done ; and therefore begin to ({ fear we were mistaken. This very morning, indeed, a {i circumstance happened which greatly surprized us, :i and we are exceeding anxious with regard to the event. iC Some women who had entertained the same hopes and {i expectations as ourselves, going early in the morning " to pay their last duties to their Master, by embalming te his body, returned in great haste to the city, and in- " formed us, that they had been at the sepulchre, but te were disappointed in not finding the body; and, to in- u crease our surprize, they added, that they had seen " two angels, who told them that Jesus was risen from (i the dead. This relation appeared at first to us as an 6i idle tale, altogether incredible ; but two of the company u going immediately after to the sepulchre, found every " thing exactly as the women had reported ; so that we f* are in great doubt and perplexity with regard to this ci wonderful event.77 The reply our Lord made to his two disciples, after having heard this relation from Cleopas, was to the fol- lowing effect : " Why are ye so very averse to believe " what the prophets have, as it were, with one voice, 6£ predicted concerning the Messiah? Is it not clearly, " and very expressly, foretold in all the prophetic " writings, that it was appointed by the Almighty for the i: Messiah to suffer in this manner; and that, after sus- " taining the greatest indignities, reproach, and contempt, (i from the malice and perverseness of mankind, and even " undergoing an ignominious and cruel death, he should " be exalted to a glorious and eternal kingdom?" Having said this, he began at the writings of Moses, and explain- ed to them, in order, all the principal passages, both in the books of that great legislator, and the writings of the other prophets, relative to his own sufferings, death, and TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. Jl glorious resurrection. This he did with such surprizing clearness and strength, that the two disciples (not yet sus- pecting who he was) were as much amazed to iind him so well acquainted with all that Jesus did and suffered, as they at first wondered at his appearing to be totally ignorant of these transactions. When the two disciples, accompanied by our Blessed Lord, arrived at the village whither they were going, and Jesus seemed as if he would have passed on, and travel- led farther, they, desirous of his company, pressed him, in the strongest maimer, to tarry with them that night, the day being then far spent. To this request the great Re- deemer of mankind consented ; and when they were sat down to supper, he took bread, gave thanks to God, brake it, and gave it to them, in the same manner he had done while he conversed with them upon earth before his death. This circumstance strongly engaged the attention of the two disciples, who, looking steadfastly at him, dis- covered that he was no less a person than their great and beloved Master. And their eyes were opened and they knew him. But they had no time to express their astonish- ment and joy on the occasion ; for he immediately vanished out of their sight. As soon as the two disciples bad recovered from their surprize, they immediately hastened to Jerusalem, where they found all the apostles (Thomas excepted) together. with several other disciples, discoursing about the res- urrection of their Master; and, on their entering the room, the disciples accosted them with these words : The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon. They had given little credit to the reports of the women, supposing they were occasioned more by imagination than reality. But when a person of Simon's capacity and gravity declared he had seen the Lord, the greater part of them began to think that he was really risen from the dead. And their belief was greatly confirmed by the ar- rival of the two disciples from Emmaus, who declared that Jesus had appeared to them on the road, and had discovered himself to be their Master, by breaking of bread. 7& FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST; While the two disciples from Emmaus were describing the manner of our Lord's appearing to them, and using arguments to convince those who doubted of the truth of it, their great Master himself put an end to the debate by suddenly appearing in the midst of them, and saying. Peace be unto you. The appearance of our Blessed Saviour greatly terrified the disciples, who imagined they saw a spirit; for having secured the doors of the house where they were assembled for fear of the Jews, and Jesus having entered without the knowledge of any person belonging to the house, it was natural for them to think that a spirit only could enter. The circumstance, therefore, of the doors being shut, is very happily men- tioned by the Evangelist, because it points out a clear reason why the disciples took their Master for a spirit, notwithstanding many of them were convinced, in their own minds, that he was really risen from the dead, and were that moment conversing about his resurrection. But to dispel their fears and doubts, our Blessed Lord spoke to them in. the most endearing manner; having done which he shewed them his hands and his feet, and de- sired them to handle him, in order to convince themselves, by the united powers of their different senses, that it was he himself, and no spectre, or apparition. Why are ye troubled (said the benevolent Redeemer of mankind) and why do thoughts arise in your hearts P Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself : handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. These infallible proofs sufficiently convinced the dis- ciples (at the time they saw them) of the truth of their Lord's resurrection, and they received them with rapture and exultation. But their joy and wonder had so great an effect upon their minds, that some of them (sensible of the great commotion they were in) suspended their belief till they had considered the matter more calmly. Jesus, therefore, knowing their thoughts, called for meat, and eat with them, in order to prove more fully the truth of his resurrection from the dead, and the reality of his presence with them on this occasion. After our Blessed Redeemer had given his apostles and disciples this farther demonstration of his having TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN". 7 0 vanquished the power of death, and opened the tremen- dous portals of the grave, he gently chastised them for their unbelief, and then repeated his salutation, Peace be unto you. Having done this, he gave his apostles some instructions relative to their future conduct, and informed them with what power they should be invested, in order to propagate his Gospel, during their residence on earth; all which he expressed in words to this effect: "The " same commission that my Father hath given unto me, " I give unto you : go ye, therefore, into every part of " the world, and preach the Gospel to all the children " of nien." Then breathing on them he said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are re- mitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. " Receive the Holy Ghost to direct and " assist you in the execution of your commission. Who- " ever embraces your doctrine, and sincerely repents, ye " shall remit his sins, and your sentence of absolution " shall be ratified and confirmed in the courts of heaven. " And whoever either obstinately rejects your doctrine, " disobeys it, or behaves himself unworthily after he has " embraced it, his sins shall not be forgiven him; but the " censure ye shall pass upon him on earth shall be con- " firmed in heaven." Having said this, our Blessed Lord disappeared, leaving his apostles and disciples to con- template on the wonderful things they had both seen and heard. — And thus ended the first day of the wreek, which, in honor of our Blessed Saviour's resurrection, has, ever since, among all Christians, been kept as the Sabbath. Thus have we enumerated, in the most explicit man- ner, the transactions of that day on which the great Re- deemer of mankind arose from the dead ; a day highly to be remembered by the children of men, throughout all generations. A day, in which was fully completed and displayed the conceptions lodged in the breast of infinite wisdom from all eternity! even those thoughts of love and mercy, on which the salvation of the world depended. Christians have therefore the highest reason to solemnize this day with gladness, each returning week, by ceasing from their labor, and giving up themselves to prayer, pious meditations, aud other exercises of religion. The vol. iv. K 74 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, redemption of mankind which they weekly commemorate affords matter for eternal thought; it is a subject impossi- ble to be equalled, and whose lustre neither length of time, nor frequent reviewing, can either tarnish or di- minish. It resembles the sun, which we behold always the same glorious and luminous object; for the benefit we celebrate is, after so many ages, as fresh and beautiful a? ever, and will always continue the same, flourishing in the memories of pious people, through the endless revolu- tions of eternity. Redemption is the brightest mirror by which we contemplate the goodness of the Almighty. Other gifts are only mites from the Divine treasure; but redemption opens, I had almost said exhausts, all the stores of his grace. May it be constantly the favorite subject of our meditations, more delightful to our musing minds, than applause to the ambitious ear! May it be the darling theme of our discourse ; sweeter to our tongues than the dropping of the honey comb to the taste! May it be our choicest comfort, through all the changes of this mortal life ; and the reviving cordial, even in the last extremities of dissolution itself! At the time our Blessed Lord appeared before his apostles at Jerusalem after his resurrection, Thomas, otherwise called Didymus, was absent. When, therefore, he came to them they told him that they had seen the Lord, and repeated to him the words he had delivered in their hearing;. But Thomas, who was naturally of a very incredulous disposition, would not believe them, saying, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. As if he had said, " This event is of such great importance, that unless, to prevent all possibility of deception, I see him with my own eyes, and feel him with mine own hands, putting my fingers into the prints of the nails whereby he was fasten- ed to the cross, and thrust my hand into his side which the soldier pierced with his spear, I will not believe that he is really and truly risen from the dead." Eight days after this, when the apostles were met to- gether in the same place, with the doors shut for fear of the Jews, and Thomas was with them, Jesus again ap TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 7.1F pcared, and standing in the midst of them, saluted (hem, as before, with the blessing of Peace. Having done this he turned himself to Thomas, and, knowing his unbelief. addressed him in words to this effect: li Thomas, since <•' thou wilt not be contented to rely on the testimony of •'•' others, but must be convinced by the experience of thy " own senses, behold the wounds in mine hands, and '•' reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and u doubt no longer of the reality of my resurrection/' Thomas immediately obeyed the kind invitation of his dear Master, and being fully satisfied, according to his own desire, he cried out, My Lord and my God. As if he had said, " I am now abundantly conviuced ; thou art, •'•' indeed, my Lord, the very same that was crucified ; and " I acknowledge thy Almighty power in having tri- •'• umphed over death, and most sincerely worship thee as •• my God.*' To this the Blessed Jesus replied, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed ; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. " Because thou hast both seen and felt me, thou hast believed that I am really risen from the dead. But blessed are those, who, without such evidence of the senses, shall, upon credible testimony, be willing to believe and embrace a doctrine, which tends so much to the glory of God, and the salva- tion of the sons of men." — St. John adds, that the Blessed Jesus appeared, on several other occasions, to his dis- ciples after his resurrection ; and by many clear and in- fallible proofs, not meutioned by him, fully convinced them that he was alive after his resurrection. He ob- serves, at the same time, that those which he has men- tioned are abundantly sufficient to induce men to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the great Messiah so often foretold by the ancient prophets ; and that by means of that belief they may obtain everlasting life in the happy regious of the heavenly Canaan. Our Blessed Saviour having, first by the angels, and afterwards in person, ordered his disciples to repair into Galilee, they accordingly, as soon as the feast was over, left Jerusalem, and returned to the different provinces from whence they came. They had not been long. there 7^ FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, •when Peter, with several others of the apogtles, returned to their old trade of fishing, in the lake, or sea of Tibe- rias. After toiling all night without success, early in the morning they saw Jesus standing on the shore, but did not then know him to be their Master. He, however, called to them, and asked if they had taken any fish ; to which they answered, they had caught nothing. Jesus then said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. The disciples, imagining that he might be acquainted with the places proper for fishing, did as he had directed them, and inclosed in their net such a multitude of fishes, that they were notable to draw it into the boat, but were forced to drag it after them in the water towards the shore. This remarkable success, after toiling all night to no purpose, caused various conjectures among them with re- gard to the stranger on shore, who had given them such happy advice. The greater part of the apostles said they could not imagine who he was; but two of them were per- suaded that he was no other than their great and beloved Master. John was fully convinced of his being the Lord, and accordingly told his thoughts to Simon Peter, who, making no doubt of it, immediately girt on his fishers coat, and leaped into the sea, in order to get ashore sooner than the boat could be brought to land, dragging after it a net full of large fishes. When all the apostles had got on shore, they were greatly surprized to find a fire kindled, on which was a fish, and near it some hread. But these not being suffi- cient for them all, Jesus bade them bring some of the fish they had just caught, which having done, he divided the bread and fish among them, and they sat down to refresh themselves in the presence of their beloved Master. Thus did the Blessed Jesus prove again to his disciples the re- ality of his resurrection, not only by delivering food to them with his own hands, but by working a miracle like that which, at the beginning of his ministry, had made such an impression on their minds as to induce them to become his followers. This was the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples after that he was risen from the dead. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 77 When the disciples had sufficiently refreshed them selves, .lesus entered into conversation with Peter. To whom lie said, lovest thou me more than these? Art thnu more zealous and affectionate towards me, than (lie rest of my disciples? To which Peter answered, Yea, L&rd: thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus repeated the same question twice, and received the same answer from Peler; upon which he said unto him, Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep. " Express thou thy love towards me, by the care of my flock committed to thy charge. Shew your love to me, by publishing the great salvation I have accomplish- ed ; and feeding the souls of faithful believers with that food which never perishes, but endureth for ever and ever." Our Lord then farther said unto Peter: Verily, I say unto thee, When thou icasi l young, thou, girdest thy- self\ and wallcest whither thou icouldst: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and an- other shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldst not. By these last words Jesus signified that Peter's death was to be by crucifixion, which he should suffer for the glory of God, aud the testimony of the truth of the Christian religion. When Peter was informed by our Lord of what was to he his own fate, he was desirous of knowing that of his fellow-disciple John, and therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? But Jesus, instead of grati- fying his curiosity, required him to attend to his own con- cerns, and as he was to resemble him in the manner of his death, so to endeavor to imitate him in his deportment under it. After this our Lord having appointed a solemn meeting of as many of his disciples as could conveniently be got together, and named a certain mountain in Galilee (pro- bably that on which he was transfigured) for the purpose, they assembled at the time appointed. They did not wait long before the Blessed Jesus appeared to them, on which they were seized with rapture, their hearts over- flowed with gladness, they approached their kind and be- nevolent Master, and worshipped him. Here our Blessed Lord told his apostles, that all power, both in heaven and earth, was given to him ; commanded them to instruct all !?8 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, nations, and to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and to press them to be diligent in enforcing his precepts among their hearers, he promised them his protection and assistance in the ardu- ous task they were about to undertake. Forty days was the time pre-ordained for our Lord's continuance upon earth after his resurrection. These days being now almost expired, the apostles (according as they had been ordered) with some of their select friends, re- turned to Jerusalem, and there assembled themselves in a private place, as they had always done after the cruci- fixion of their Master. Here our Blessed Lord appeared to them for the last time ; and after instructing them in many particulars concerning the kingdom of God, and the manner in which they were to behave themselves in prop- agating the doctrine of the Gospel, he put them in mind, that during his abode with them in Galilee, he had often told them, that all things written in the law, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning him, were to be exactly ac- complished. At the same time, he opened their under- standings; that is, he removed their prejudices by the operation of his spirit, cleared their doubts, improved their memories, strengthened their judgments, aud enabled them to discern the true meaning of the scriptures. He then reminded them that both Moses and the prophets had foretold that the Messiah was to suffer in the very same manner he had suffered ; that he was to rise from the dead on the third day as he had done; and that re- pentance and remission of sins was to be preached, in the Messiah's name, among all nations, beginning with the Jews. He told them, that they were to testify unto the world the exact accomplishment in him of all things fore- told concerning the Messiah ; and closed his instructions to them by giving them a particular charge that they should not depart from Jerusalem, until they had re- ceived that miraculous effusion of the Holy Ghost, which he had promised, and would shortly send down upon them. He likewise gave them to understand, that, after the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them, they would have juster notions of those matters, aud be sufficiently TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 79 enabled to be the authentic witnesses of his life and actions throughout the world. After our Blessed Lord had thus fortified his apostles for the important work they were going to undertake, he led them out of the city to that part of the mount of Olives, which was nearest to Bethany. On their arrival there, he gave them some farther instructions relative to the measures they were to follow in order to propagate his gospel, after which he lifted, up his hands and blessed them. While he was doing this, and his apostles were placed in an adoring posture, he was parted from them in the midst of the day, beiug gradually taken up, in a shining cloud, and triumphantly carried into heaven, where he now sitteth at the right hand of God his Father, to whom he honor, glory and power, for ever and ever. Amen. Hossanna to the prince of light, That clothed himself in clay ; Opened the iron gates of death, And tore the bars away. Death is no more the king of dread, Since Christ our Lord arose; He took the tyrant's sting away, And spoiled our hellish foes. See how the Conqueror mounts aloft. And to his Father flies, With scars of honor in his flesh, And triumph in his eyes. There our exalted Saviour reigns, And scatters blessings down; Our Jesus fills the right hand seat Of the celestial throne. In this illustrious manner did the Great Redeemer of mankind depart, after having finished the grand work about which he was sent into the world : a work, which angels, with joy, described was to happen, and which, through all eternity to come, at periods the most immense- ly distant from the time of its execution, will be looked back upon with inexpressible delight by every inhabitant of 80 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, heaven: for, though the minute affairs of time may vanish together, and be lost, when they are removed back far by the endless progression of duration, yet this object is such, that no distance, however great, can lessen it. The king- dom of heaven is erected on the incarnation and suffer- ings of the Son of God, and therefore no mortal what- ever can forget the foundation on which his happiness stands established ; nor will any fail of obtaining a seat in those mansions, provided he preserves a proper sub- jection to him, who reigneth for ever and ever, and whose favor is better than life itself. It may not be improper, in this place, to admit a few reflections on the life of the Blessed Jesus — a life the greatest and best that was ever led by man, or was ever the subject of any history, since the universe was called from its original chaos by the powerful word of the Al- mighty. The human character of the Blessed Jesus is entirely different from that of all other men whatever; for where- as they have selfish passions deeply rooted in their breasts, and are influenced by them in almost every thing they do, Jesus was so entirely free from them, that the most severe scrutiny cannot furnish one single action, in the whole course of his life, wherein he consulted his own interest only. No ; he was influenced by very different motives; the happiness and eternal welfare of sinners regulated his conduct; and while others followed their respective occupations, Jesus had no other business than that of promoting the happiness of the sons of men. Nor did he wait till he was solicited to extend his benevolent hand to the distressed: he went about doing good, and always accounted it more blessed to give than to receive ; resembling God rather than man. He went about doing good : benevolence was the very life of his soul : he not only did good to objects presented to him for relief, but he industriously sought them out, in order to extend his compassionate assistance. It is common for persons of the most exalted faculties to be elated with success aud applause, or dejected by censure and disappointments; but the Blessed Jesus was not elated by the one, nor depressed by the other. He TO II1S ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 81 was never more courageous, than when he met with the greatest opposition and cruel treatment; nor more humble than when the sons of men worshipped at his feet. He came into the world inspired with the grandest purpose that ever was formed, that of saving from eternal perdition, not a single nation, but the whole world; and in the execution of it, went through the longest and heaviest (rain of labors that ever was sustained, with a constancy and resolution, on which no disadvantageous impression could be made by any accident whatever. Calumny, threatnings, bad success, with many other evils constantly attending him, served only to quicken his endeavors in this glorious enterprizc, which he un- weariedly pursued even till he finished it by his death. The generality of mankind are prone to retaliate in- juries received, and all seem to take a satisfaction in complaining of the cruelties of those who oppress them ; whereas the whole of Christ's labors breathed nothing but meekness, patience, and forgiveness, even to his bitterest enemies, and in the midst of the most excru- ciating torments. The words, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, uttered by him when his enemies were nailing him to the cross, fitly express the temper which he maintained through the whole course of his life, even when assaulted by the heaviest provocations. He was destined to sufferings here below, in order that he might raise his people to honor, glory, and immortali- ty, in the realms of bliss above ; and therefore patiently, yea joyfully, submitted to all that the malice of earth and hell could inflict. He was vilified, that we might be hon- ored : he died, that we might live for ever and ever. To conclude: the greatest and best men have dis- covered the degeneracy aud corruption of human nature, and shewn themselves to have been nothing more than men ; but it was otherwise with Jesus. He was superior to all the men that ever lived, both with regard to the purity of his manners, and the perfection of his virtues. He was holy, harmless, undefined, and separated from sinners. Whether we consider him as a teacher, or as a man, he did no sin; neither was guile found in his mouth, vox. iv. L $2 EROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, His whole life was perfectly free from spot or weakness? at the same time it was remarkable for the greatest and extensive exercises of virtue. But never to have com- mitted the least sin, in word or in deed, never to have uttered any sentiment that could be censured, upon the various topics of religion and morality, which were the daily subjects of his discourses, and that through the course of a life filled witli action, aud led under the ob- servation of many enemies, who had always access to converse with him, and who often came to find fault, is a pitch of perfection evidently above the reach of human nature; and consequently he who possessed it must have- been Divine. Such was the person who is the subject of the evan- gelical history. If the reader, by reviewing his life, doctrine and miracles, as they are here represented to him, united in one series, has a clearer idea of these things thau before, or observes a beauty in his actions thus linked together, which taken separately do not ap- pear so fully; if he feels himself touched by the charac- ter of Jesus in general, or with any of his sermons and actions in particular, thus simply delineated in writing, whose principal charms are the beauties of truth : above all, if his dying so generously for men strikes him with admiration, or fills him with joy in the prospect of that pardon whicii is thereby purchased for the world : let him seriously consider with himself what improvement he ought to make of the Divine goodness. Jesus, by his death, hath set open the gates of immor tality to the sons of men; and by his word, spirit and ex- ample, graciously offers to make them meet for the glorious rewards in the kingdom of the heavenly Canaan, and to conduct them into the inheritance of the saints in light. Let us, therefore, remember, that being born under the dispensation of his gospel, we have, from our earliest years, enjoyed the best means of securing to ourselves an interest in that favor of God, which is life; and that loving-kindness, which is better than life. We have been called to aspire after an exaltation to the felicity of the heavenly mansions exhibited to mortal eyes in the man Jesus Christ, to fire us with the noblest TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. S3 ambition. His Gospel teaches us that we arc made for eternity: and that our present life is to our future ex- istence, as infancy is to manhood. But as in the former, many things are to be learned, many hardships to be en- dured, many habits to be acquired, and that by a course of exercises, which in themselves though painful, and possibly useless to the child, yet are necessary to fit him, for the business and enjoyments of manhood. So while we remain in this infancy of human life, tilings are to be learned, hardships to be endured, and habits to be acquired, by a laborious discipline, which, however painful, must be undergone, because necessary to fit us for the employments and pleasures of our riper existence, in the realms above, always remembering that whatever our trials may be, in this world, if we ask for God's as- sistance, he has promised to give it. Enflamed, therefore, with the love of immortality and its joys, let us submit ourselves to our heavenly teacher, and learn of him those graces, which alone can render life pleasant, death desirable, and fill eternity with ecstatic joys. We cannot close the solemn scene of the life of our dear Lord and Saviour with greater propriety than by making a few observations on the nature of his religion, and con- sidering the great benefits which will infallibly result to all, who shall, by faith, receive and embrace his holy doctrine. The religion of Christ is the perfection of human nature, and the foundation of uniform, exalted pleasure : of public order, and private happiness. Christianity is the most excellent and the most useful institution, having the promise of the life that vow is, and of that which is to come. It is the voice of reason : it is also the language of scripture : the ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace : And our Blessed Saviour himself assures us, that his precepts are easy, and the burthen of his religion light. The Christian religion comprehends all we ought to believe, and all we ought to practise: its positive rites are few, and perfectly intelligible to every capacity ; and the whole is manifestly adapted to establish in us a 84 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, proper sense of the great obligations we lay under both to God and Christ. The Gospel places religion not in abtruse speculation, and metaphysical subtleties; not in outward shew, and tedious ceremony ; not in superstitious austerities and en- thusiastic visions ; but in purity of heart and holiness of life. The sum of our duty (according to our Great Master himself) consists in the love of God, and of our lie ghbor. According to St. Paul, in denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and in living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. According to St. James, in visiting the fatherless and widow in affliction, and in keeping ourselves unspotted from the world. This is the constant strain and tenor of the gospel. This it inculcates most earnestly, and on this it lays the greatest stress. It may be asked if the Christian religion is only a view of the law of nature, or merely a refined system of moral- ity? To which we answer, that it is a great deal more than either. It is an act of grace, a stupendous plan of Providence, for the recovery of mankind from a state of degradation and ruin, to the favor of the Almighty, and to the hopes of a happy immortality through a Mediator. Under this dispensation, true religion consists in a re- pentance towards God, and in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the person appointed by the supreme authority of heaven and earth, to reconcile apostate man to his of- fended Creator. And what hardship is there in all this? Surely none. Nay, the practice of religion is much easier than the servitude of sin. It certainly must be allowed by all that our rational powers are impaired, and the soul weakened by sin. The animal passions are strong, and apt to oppose the dictates of the Spirit of God: objects of sense make pow- erful impressions on the mind. We are, in every situation, surrounded with many snares and temptations. In such a disordered state of things, to maintain an undeviating path of duty, cannot be effected by poor weak man. There are, however, generous aids afforded us to per- severe in the ways of the Lord. The gracious Author of nature has planted in the human breast a quick sense of good and evil ; a faculty TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 8;i which strongly dictates right and wrong; and though by the strength of appetite and warmth of passion, men are oft in hurried into immoral practices, yet iu the beginning, especially when there has been the advantage of a good education, it is usually with reluctance and opposition of mind. What inward struggles precede! What bitter pangs attend their sinful excesses! What guilty blushes and uneasy fears! What frightful prospects and pale re- views! Terrors are upon them, and a jive not blown eon- sumeth them. To make a mock at sin, and to commit in- iquity without remorse, requires great length of time, and much painful labor; more labor than is requisite to attain that habitual goodness which is the glory of the man, the ornament of the Christian, and the chief of his happiness. The soul can no more be reconciled to acts of wicked- ness and injustice, than the body to excess, but by suffer- ing many bitter pains, and cruel attacks. The mouth of conscience may, indeed, be stopped for a time, by false principles: its secret whispers may be drowned by the noise of company, and stifled by the en tertainments of sense; but this principle of conscience is so deeply rooted iu human nature, and, at the same time, her voice is so clear and strong, that the sinner's arts will be unable to lull her into a lasting security. When the hour of calamity arrives : when sickness seizcth, and death approaches the sinner, conscience now constrains him to listen to her accusations, and will not suffer the temples of his head to take any rest. There is no peace to the wicked; the foundations of peace are sub- verted, they are at utter enmity with their reasou, with their conscience, and with their God. Not so is the case of true religion. For when religion, pure and genuine, forms the tempers, and governs the life, conscience applauds, and peace takes his residence in the breast. The soul is in its proper state. There i* order and regularity both in the faculties and actions. Conscious of its own integrity, and secure of divine ap- probation, the soul enjoys a calmness not to be described. But why do we call this happy frame calmness only? It is far more than mere calmness. The air mav be calm. s 85 PROM THE BIRTH OP CHRIST, and the day overcast with thick mists and clouds. The pious and virtuous mind resembles a serene day, en- lightened and enlivened with the brightest rays of the sun. Though all without may be clouds and darkness, there is light in the heart of a pious man. He is satisfied from himself, and is filed with peace and joy in believing. In the concluding scene (the awful moment of dissolu- tion) all is peaceful and serene. The immortal part quit its tenement of clay, with the well grounded hopes of ascending to happiness and glory. Nor docs the gospel enjoin any duty but what is fit and reasonable. It calls upon all its professors to prac- tice reverence, submission, and gratitude to God; justice, truth, and uuiversal benevolence to men ; and to maintain the government of our own minds. And what has any one to object against this? From the least to the greatest commandment of our dear Redeemer, there is not one which impartial reason can find fault with. His law is perfect; his precepts are true and righteous, altogether. Not even those excepted, which require its to love our enemies, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. To forgive an injury is more generous and manly than to re- venge it : to control a licentious appetite than to indulge it : to suffer poverty, reproach, and even death itself, in the sacred cause of truth and integrity, is much wiser and better, than, by base compliances, to make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. Thus in a storm at sea, or a conflagration on the land, a man with pleasure abandons his lumber, to secure his jewels. Piety and virtue are the wisest and most reason- able things in the world ; vice and wickedness the most irrational and absurd. The all-wise Author of our being hath so framed our natures, and placed us in such relations, that there is nothing vicious, but what is injurious; nothing virtuous but what is advantageous to our present interest, both with respect to body and mind. Meekness and humility, patience and universal charity, and grace, give a joy un- known to transgressors. The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society. Tem- TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 87 porauce and sobriety are the best preservatives of health and strength; but sin and debauchery impair the body, consume the substance, reduce us to poverty, and form the direct path to an immature and untimely death. To render our duty easy, we have (he example, as well as the commands, of the blessed Jesus. The mas- ters of morality among the heathens gave excellent rules for the regulation of men's manners; but they wanted either the honesty, or the courage to try their own argu- ments upon themselves. It was a strong presumption that the yoke of the Scribes and Pharisees was grievous, when they laid heavy burdens upon men's shoulders, which they themselves refused to touch with one of their lingers. Not thus our great law-giver, Jesus Christ the righteous. His behavior was in all respects, conformable to his doctrine. His devotion towards God, how sublime and ardent! benevolence towards men, how great and diflusive ! He was in his life an exact pattern of inno- cence; for he did no sin: neither was guile found in his mouth. In the Son of God incarnate is exhibited the brightest, the fairest resemblance of the Father, that heaven and earth ever beheld, an example peculiarly persuasive, calculated to inspire resolution, and to ani- mate us to use our utmost endeavors to imitate the divine pattern, the example of the author and finisher of our faith, of him who loved us, and gave himself for its. Our profession and character as Christians oblige us to make this example the model of our lives. Every motive of decency, gratitude, and interest, constrain us to tread the paths he trod before us. We should also remember that our burden is easy; because God, who knoweth ichereof ice are made, who considereth that we are but dust, is ever ready to assist us. The heathens themselves had some notion of this as- sistance, though guided only by the glimmering lamp of reason. But what they looked upon as probable, the Gospel clearly and strongly asserts. We there hear the apostle exhorting, Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. We there hear the blessed Jesus him- self arguing in this convincing manner: If ye. being evil, 88 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him? We would not here be understood to mean, that the agency of the spirit is irresistible, and lays a necessitating bias on all the faculties and affections. Were this the case, precepts and prohibitions, promises and threatnings, would signify nothing ; and duty and obligation would be words without a raeauing. The spirit assisteth in a man- ner agreeable to the frame of human nature; not control- ing the free use of reason, but by assisting the under- standing, influencing the will, and moderating the affec- tions. But though we may not be able to explain the mode of his operations, the scriptures warrant us to as- sert, that when men are renewed and prepared for heaven, it is through sanctiflcation of the sjririt, and be- lief of the truth. How enlivening the thought ! how en- couraging the motive! We are not left to struggle alone with the difficulties which attend the practice of virtue, in the present imperfect state. The merciful Father of our spirit is ever near to help our infirmities, to enlighten the understanding, to strengthen good resolutions, and in concurrence with our own endeavors, to make us con- querors over all opposition. Faithful is he to his prom- ises, and will not suffer the sincere and well disposed to be tempted above what they are able to bear. What can be desired more than this? To promote the happiness of his people, every thing is done that is requisite, his grace is all sufficient, his spirit is able to conduct us through this vale of tears, to never-fading bliss. We should also remember, that the great doctrine of the Gospel, concerning the propitious mercy of God to all penitents, through Christ Jesus, greatly contributes to the consolation of Christians. Let it be granted, that the hope of pardon is essential to the religion of fallen creatures, and one of its first principles, yet, considering the doubts and suspicions which are apt to arise in a mind conscious of guilt, it is undoubtedly a great and in- estimable favor, to be relieved in this respect, by the in- terposition of Divine assistance. This is our happiness. We are fully assured, that upon our true repentance, we TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 8$ shall, through the mediation of Christ, receive the fall remission of sins, and be restored to the same state and favor with our Maker, as if we had never transgressed his laws. Here the Gospel triumphs. With these as- surances it abounds. Upon this head the declaration of our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles are so express and full, that every one who believes them, and knows him- self to be a true penitent, must banish every doubt and fear, and rejoice with joy unspeakable. Come unto me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. xi. 28. till manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men. Matt. xii. 31. Be it known unto you therefore men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the laxv of Moses. Acts xiii, 38, 39. What grace and favor is this! who can dwell upon the transporting theme too long! Now our way is plain before us, and the burden we are to bear is made comfortably easy. No sins are unpardonable, if repented and forsaken. Consider this, all ye who have never yet regarded re- ligion, but pursued a course of vice and sensuality all your lives long. Though your conduct has been base, to the last degree, your case is not desperate. Far from it. The God whom you have so highly offended commiser- ates your errors, is ever ready to extend his pardoning mercy to his most degenerate creatures, upon their faith and repentance, and is in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself, not imputing unto penitent sinners their trespasses. Let the wicked, therefore, forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him re- turn unto the Lord, and he icill have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah lv. 7. Another particular, which renders the Christian re- ligion delightful is, its leading us to the perfect, eternal life of heaven. It cannot be denied but that we may draw from the light of nature strong presumptions of a future state. The present existence does not look like an entire scene, but rather like the infancy of human nature, which voi,. it. M 90 FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, is capable of arriving at a much higher degree of maturi- ty; but whatever solid foundation the doctrine of a future state may have had, in nature and reason, certain it is, •through the habitual neglect of reflection, and the force of irregular passions, this doctrine was, before the coming of our Blessed Saviour, very much disfigured, and, in a great measure, lost, among the sons of men. In the heathen world, a future state of rewards and punishments was a matter of mere speculation and un- certainty, sometimes hoped for, sometimes doubted of, and sometimes absolutely denied. The law of Moses, though of divine original, is chiefly inforced by promises of temporal blessings; and, even in the writings of the prophets, a future immortality is very sparingly mention- ed, and obscurely represented, but the doctrine of our Saviour hath brought life and immortality to light. In the gospel we have a distinct account of another world, attended with many engagiug circumstances ; about which the decisions of reason were dark and confused. We have the testimony of the author of our religion, who was raised from the dead, and who afterwards, in the presence of his disciples, ascended into heaven. In the New Tes- tament it is expressly declared, that good men, when ab- sent from the body, are present with the Lord. Here we are assured of the resurrection of the body in a glorious form, clothed with immortal vigor, suited to the active nature of the animating spirit, and assisting its most en larged operations and incessant progress towards perfec- tion. Here we are assured, that the righteous shall go into life everlasting, that they shall enter into the heaven- ly Canaan, where no ignorance shall cloud the under- standing, no vice disturb the will. In these regions of perfection, nothing but love shall possess the soul; noth- ing but gratitude employ the tongue ; there the righteous shall be united to an innumerable company of angels, and to the general assembly and church of the first born : there they shall sec their exalted Redeemer, at the right hand of Omnipotence, and sit down with him on his throne; there they shall be admitted into the immediate presence of the supreme fountain of life and happiness. TO MIS ASCENSION ISTO HE U'F.X. 9J and. beholding lus face, be changed into the same image, from glory to glery. Here language — here imagination, fails as ! It requires tin4 genius, the knowledge, the pen of an angel, to paint the happiness, the blissful scene of the New Jerusalem, which human eves cannot behold, till this mortal body shall be purified from its corruption, and dressed in the robes of immortality: " eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart to conceive, the joys which God bath prepared for them that love him." "What is the heaven of the heathens when compared with the heaven of the Christians? The hope, the prospect of this, is sufficient to reconcile us to all the difficulties that may attend our progress, sweeten all our labors, alle- viate every grief, and silence every murmur. But why, says the libertine in the gaiety of his heart, should there be any difficulties, or restraint, at all? God hath made nothing in vain. The appetites he hath planted in the human breast are to be gratified. To deny or restrain them, is ignominious bondage; but to give full scope to every desire and passion of the heart, without check or control, is true manly freedom. In opposition to this loose and careless way of reason- ing, let it be considered, that the liberty of a rational creature doth not consist in an entire exemption from all control, but in following the dictates of reason, as the governing principle, and in keeping the various passions in due subordination. To follow the regular notion of those affections which the wise Creator hath implanted within us, is our duty; but as our natural desires, in this state of trial, are often irregular, we are bound to restrain their excesses, and not indulge them, but in a strict sub- serviency to the integrity and peace of our minds, and to the order and happiness of human society established in the world. Those who allow the supreme command to be usurped by seusual and brutal appetites, may promise themselves liberties, but are truly and absolutely the servants of corruption. To be vicious, is to be enslaved. We behold with pity those miserable objects that are chained in the gallies, or confined in dark prisons and loathsome dungeons : but how much more abject and vile 9S FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, is the slavery of the sinner ! No slavery of the body is equal to the bondage of the mind : no chains press so closely, or gall so cruelly, as the fetters of sin, which corrode the very substance of the soul, and fret every faculty. It must, indeed, be confessed, that there are some profligates, so hardened by customs, as to be past all feeling; and, because insensible of their bondage, boast of this insensibility as a mark of their native freedom, and of their happiness. Vain men! they might extol, with equal propriety, the peculiar happiness of an apoplexy, or the profound tranquility of a lethargy. Thus have we endeavored to place, in a plain and con- spicuous light, some of the peculiar excellencies of the Christian religion ; and, from hence, many useful reflec- tions will naturally arise in the mind of every attentive reader. It is the religion of Jesus that hath removed idolatry and superstition, and brought immortality to light, when concealed under a veil of darkness almost im- penetrable. This hath set the great truths of religion in a clear and conspicuous point of view, and proposed new and powerful motives to influence our minds, and to de- termine our conduct. Nothing is enjoined to be believed, but what is worthy of God ; nothing to be practised, but what is friendly to man. All the doctrines of the Gospel are rational and consistent ; all its precepts are truly wise, just, and good. The gospel contains nothing grievous to an ingenuous mind ; it debars us from nothing, but doing harm to ourselves, or to our fellow creatures ; and permits us to range any where, but in the paths of danger and destruction. It only requires us to act up to its excellent commands, and to prefer to the vanishing pleasure of sin, the smiles of a reconciled God, and an eternal weight of glory. Surely no man who is a real friend to the cause of virtue, and to the interest of mankind, can ever be an enemy to Christianity, if he truly understands it, and se- riously reflects on its wise and useful tendency. It con- ducted us to our journey's end, by the plainest and se- curest path; where the steps are not straitened, and where he that runneth stumbletk not. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. 93 Wc ought daily to adore the God of nature, for light- ing up the sun, that glorious, though imperfect image of his own unapproachable lustre; and appointing it to gild the earth with its various rays, to cheer us with its benign influence, and to guide and direct us in our journies and our labors. But how incomparably more valuable is that day-spring from on high, which hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace P Oh Christians, whose eyes are so happy to see, and your ears to hear, what abundant reason have you to give daily and hourly praise to your beneficent Creator! When, therefore, your minds are delighted with contemplating the riches of the Gospel, when you reflect (as you cer- tainly must do) with wonder and joy on the happy means of your redemption; when you feel the burthen of your guilt removed, the freedom of your address to the throne of Grace encouraged, and see the prospect of a fair in- heritance of eternal glory opening upon you ; then, in the pleasing transports of your souls, borrow the joyful an- them of the psalmist, and say, with the humblest gratitude and self-resignation, God is the Lord who sheweth us light; bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. Adore God, who first commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that by the discoveries of his word, and the operations of his spirit, he hath shined in your hearts, to give you the knowledge of his glory, as refected from the face of his Son. Blest arc the souls that hear and know The Gospel's joyful sound ; Peace shall attend the paths they go, And light their steps surround. Their joy shall bear their spirits up, Through their Redeemer's name I His righteousness exalts their hope. Nor Satan dares condemn. The Lord, our glory and defence. Strength and salvation gives: Christian, thy king for ever reigns Thv God forever live*. 94 FliOM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, Let us, therefore, who live under the Gospel, the most gracious dispensation bestowed by God to mankind, count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord; and not suffer our- selves, by the slight cavils of unbelievers, to be moved aivay from the hope of the Gospel. Let us demonstrate that we believe the superior excellency of the Christian dispensation, by conforming to its precepts. Let us shew that we are Christians in deed, and in truth; not by end- less disputes about trifles, and the transports of a blind zeal, but by abounding in those fruits of righteousness, which are, through Christ, to the praise and glory of God. From what has been said, we may clearly perceive how groundless all those prejudices are, which some conceive against religion, as if it was a peevish, morose thing, bur- densome to human nature, and inconsistent with the true enjoyment of life. Such sentiments are too apt to prevail in the heat of youth, when the spirits are brisk and lively, and the passions warm and impetuous; but it is wholly a mistake, and a mistake of the most dangerous tendency. The truth is, there is no pleasure like that of a good con- science ; no real peace but what results from a sense of the Divine favor. This enables the mind, and can alone support it under all the various and unequal scenes of the present state of trial. This lays a sure foundation of an easy, comfortable life, of a serene, peaceful death, and of eternal joy and happiness hereafter ; whereas vice is ruin- ous to all our most valuable interests ; spoils the native beauty, and subverts the order of the soul ; renders us the scorn of man, the rejected of God, and, without timely re- pentance, will rob us of a happy eternity. Religion is the health, the liberty, and the happiness of the Soul; sin is the disease, the servitude, and destruction of it. — It will, perhaps, be said, that the sons of vice and riot have pleasure in sensual indulgences. This we allow; but must observe, that it is altogether of the lowest kind, empty, fleeting, and transient; like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the mirth of the wicked. It makes a noise and a blaze for the present ; but soon vanishes away into smoke and vapor. TO HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. Q9 On the other hand, the pleasure of religion is solid and lasting; and will attend us through all, even the last stages of life. When we have passed the levity of youth, and have lost all relish for gay entertainments ; when old age steals upon us, and stoops towards the grave, this will cleave fast to us, and give us relief. Clad in this immortal robe, we need not fear the awful summons of the king of terrors, nor regret our retiring into the chambers of the dust. Our immortal part will wing its way to the arms of its Redeemer, and find rest in the heavenly mansions. And though our earthly part, this tabernacle of clay, returns to its original dust, and is dissolved, our joy, our consolation, our confidence is, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Such will be the happy consequences attendant on all those who strictly adhere to the Christian religion, and diligently, through the course of their lives, follow (as far as human nature will admit) the precepts laid down by their Divine Master, the Great Saviour and Redeemer of the world. Who shall inhabit in thy hill, O God of Holiness ? Whom will the Lord admit to dwell So near his throne of grace? The man that walks in pious ways, And works with righteous hands, That trusts his Maker's promises, And follows his commands. He speaks the meaning of his heart, Nor slanders with his tongue; Will scarce believe an ill report, Nor do his neighbor wronar. The wealthy sinner he contemns, Loves all that fear the Lord; And throughout life, in all he says, Most strictly keeps his word. His handstlisdain a golden bribe, And never gripe the poor : This man shall dwell with God on earth, And find his heaven secure. A NEW AND COMPLETE UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE. PART II. FROM THE ASCENSION OF OUR BLESSED LORD INTO HEAVEN, TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY, BY HIS APOSTLES AND OTHER PROPAGATORS OF HIS GOSPEL. book n. [INCLUDING A PERIOD OF 64 YEARS.] CHAP. I. After our Lord's ascension into heaven the apostles return to Jerusalem, and elect Matthias into their number. They are all filled with the Holy Ghost. The Jeivs are surprised at the event, and some of them endeavor to turn it into ridicule; but Peter confutes their calumny, and, by an admirable speech on the occasion, makes many converts. Peter performs a miracle, and makes another speech to the people, which proves highly successful to the propagation of the gospel. Jit the instigation of the rulers of the Jeivs, the twelve apostles are committed to prison, and taken before the Sanhedrim; but, after an unanswerable vindication of their conduct, are dis- missed. The punishment of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter cures many people of different infirmities. The apostles are again committed to prison, hit released in the night by an aol. iv. N 98 FROM THE ASCENSION OP CHRIST, angel from heaven. They, however, go before the Sanhedrim, and are sentenced to be scourged. They elect seven deacons as stewards of the public stock for the relief of the distressed. Stephen, one of the new-elected deacons, is accused of blas- phemy, and taken before the Sanhedrim. He vindicates him- self before his judges, and boldly accuses the Jeivs of being more impious than their ancestors. The Jeivs are so enraged at this, that they unmercifully drag him out of the city, and stone him to death. Saul, a young man of Cilicia, is particu- larly active in the death of Stephen, and, at his instigation, most of the Christian converts are compelled to leave Jeru- salem. THE Blessed Saviour of the world having fulfilled all things prophesied of his mission here on earth, and having, in a most solemn manner, taken leave of his dis- ciples, visibly retired before their eyes to eternal rest in his Father's kingdom. With hearts full of grief and ad- miration they deplored the loss of the presence of their dear-loved Lord ; and, with longing eyes, paid their last attendance till he disappeared. They continued, for some time, fondly looking towards the place where their Lord was gone, till at length two angels in the shape of men, and gloriously apparelled, appeared before them, and delivered a message of consolation to this effect : u Forbear, O Galileans, your further admiration: Your u gracious Lord, whom even now you beheld ascending to " heaven, shall one day come to judge the world in as " glorious a maimer as he now departed from you. He i( hath not absolutely left you, but is gone to take pos- ": session of that kingdom which he will contiuue to gov- u ern to the end of the world." The apostles and disciples of our Lord (among whom was Mary the mother of Jesus, and some other pious women who had attended him in his ministry) being greatly comforted by this Divine message, immediately returned to Jerusalem, where they spent their time in acts of religious worship, assembling daily in a certain upper room which they had made choice of for that pur- pose. Peter had thought it necessary that a proper person should be chosen to supply the place of the perfidious TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. {)]} Judas, that the number of the apostles might be twelve, as was originally appointed by their Master. To effect I his. in one of their assemblies (which consisted of an hundred and twenty) Peter addressed himself to his fellow-apostles in a speech which he had made for the purpose, the substance of which was to this effect: u Ye **' know, brethren, what the royal prophet David* fore- u told, and which has been punctually fulfilled, concern- " ing Judas, who was of our society, a fellow-disciple, u and an apostle chosen with us. For a sum of money *'• lie betrayed his Master to his enemies, after which, u being troubled for what he had done, he returned the '' money to the priest, who, not daring to put it into the €t treasury, bought a field with it for the interment of u strangers. This fact, and the fate of Judas, was tt universally known to all that dwelt in Jerusalem, and u therefore the field that was bought with that money (i was vulgarly kuown by the name of the Field of " Blood. To Judas, therefore, belongs that which is ** mentioned by the holy Psalmist,! not by way of exe- u cration, but of prediction : that as he should come to a a desperate miserable end, so the office which he had " h -Id with the rest of the twelve, should be bestowed on *' another. It is then our duty, according to this prophecy, u to make choice of some one of these persons that are ft present (and who have continued with us ever since our " Lord undertook the charge and care of us, till his " ascension into heaven) that he may succeed Judas iu " the apostleship." The proposition made by Peter was unanimously ap- proved of by the assembly ; upon which two candidates W'M-e immediately nominated, namely, Jonas, surnamed Barnabas, and Matthias, one of tiie seventy disciples. The choice of one of these two was to be determined by lot, previous to which the apostles solemnly invoked the Divine direction in the following words: Thou, Lord, which knoicest the hearts of all men, sheiv whether of those two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of * Psl.xli. 9. t Psal. Jxix. 25. and cix. S 100 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas, by transgression, fell. Acts i. %% 25. Having said this, they proceeded to draw lots, which happening to fall on Matthias, he was accordingly elected into the number of the twelve apostles. The number of the apostles being now complete, on the day of Pentecost,* they all assembled together at their accustomed place, in order to perform their religious duties. While they were thus employed, a prodigious noise (much like the rushing of a loud impetuous wind) suddenly filled all the house in which they were, and a kind of fiery vapor, or exhalation, formed in the figure of a man's tongue, but divided a little at the tip, sat on the head of each ; whereupon they were all immediately filled with the Holy Ghost, and, by its Divine inspira- tion, were enabled to speak in several different languages. At this time there were at Jerusalem many Jews and proselytes, who had come thither from different parts of the world, to the celebration of the feast. When these, therefore, were informed of the great miracle which had taken place with the apostles, and were convinced of the truth of it by hearing them speak the languages of their respective countries, they were greatly astonished, and knew not what to make of so singular an event. Some of them argued among themselves to this effect: " How (i have these men, who are natives of Galilee, and have * This word is derived from the Greek, and signifies the fiftieth, because the Feast of Pentecost was celebrated the fiftieth day after the sixteenth of the month Nisan, which was the second day of the Feast of the Passover, Levit. xxiii. 15, 16. And for the same reason it is called the Feast of Weeks, because it was observed seven weeks after the Passover, Deut. xvi. 9. It was at first instituted in order to oblige the Jews to repair to the temple of the Lord, there to acknowledge his dominion and sovereignty over all their labors, and there to render thanks to him for the law, which he gave them on the fiftieth day after their departure out of Egypt. In like manner, the Christian Church celebrates the feast of Pentecost fifty days, or seven weeks, after the Passover, or resurrection of our Blessed Saviour, to put us in remembrance, that the Gifts of the Spirit were then poured out in a plentiful manner, as the first-fruits of our Saviour's ascension into heaven, and that the Gospel began to be published by the apostles on the like day that the ancient Law was given to the Hebrews. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 101 (t continued all their lives there, acquired this knowledge? " For in our respective languages we hear them preach* (t ing the doctrine of Christ, and the wonderful things " God hath wrought by him. This certainly must imply " something of very great moment/' But others were of a different opinion, and, in a scoffing manner, ridiculed the miracle, attributing the powers possessed by the apostles to arise from inebriation : These men (said they) are full of new wine* ' To destroy this calumny, and to open the eyes of the yet deluded and perverse Jews, Peter, in the name of the rest, addressed the multitude in a most admirable speech, the substance of which was to the following effect : " Ye men of Judea, and all that at this time see and hear what the Lord hath done, be assured these things are not the effect of wine : ye know in your consciences, it cannot be so, since it is but the third hour of the day.* But this is the completion of a famous prophecy of Joel, who saith, In the last days I will four out my Spirit upon all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.\ All ranks and qualities of men shall receive the effusion of the Spirit of God, and those who were never brought up in the schools of the prophets, shall be enabled to preach the Gospel of Christ wherever they go. And after that there shall be fearful and astonishing sights and prodigies, and many great slaughters in Judea, as forerunners and prog- nostics of the destruction which shall befal this people for their crucifying Christ, and from which the only way to rescue yourselves is, to repent and acknowledge him, which is the design of this miraculous descent of the Holy Ghost. Observe and attend, ye men of Israel, for you are chiefly concerned in this great affair. This Jesus of Nazareth being demonstrated to be sent from God by the mighty works he did among you, all which you know to be true : Him, I say, being permitted to fall into your hands, you apprehended and barbarous- * That is, nine o'clock, the time of morning prayers, to which the Jews generally went fasting. t See Joel ii. 28. 102 TROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST , ci ly crucified : Him, whom God, by his determinate li council, had given to retrieve you from your lost condi- " tion, ye, with profane hands, have slain. This same (e Jesus, whom ye thus treated, hath God raised again, " delivering him from the power of death ; and, besides " many other things, the prophecies concerning him re- " quired that he should not long lie under death. Hear " what David the royal psalmist says, I have set the " Lord always before me : because he is at my right hand, u I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and (( my glory rejoiceth : my flesh also shall rest in hope. u For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell ; neither wilt " thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou 65 wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is ful- u ness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for {i ever more. Give me leave, brethren, to speak freely " concerning David, who thus prophesied. He died 66 like other men, had a solemn interment, and Ave have *'•' his monument this day to shew, and from whence he li never arose. Therefore, he spake not of himself, but " by way of prediction of the Messiah, whom he knew "•' would infallibly spring from his loins, and be a prince u and ruler of his church. These words of his were a prophetic, and literally verified in the resurrection of f? Jesus, whose soul did not continue so long in a state of u separation as that his body should be corrupted ; and u accordingly God raised him up in three days, of which u all we apostles were eye-witnesses. He having, there- (i fore, assumed his regal state and office in heaven, and »• God having given him power to send the Holy Ghost, (< he hath now punctually fulfilled his promise in sending " it on us in the most extensive manner; one great effect " of which yourselves can testify, by haviug heard us £i speak languages which, a short time before, we did not ft understand. This great and important truth, therefore, " I now proclaim to you, That God the Father hath *i raised up that Christ, whom ye Jews have crucified, u. and that he now sits on the right hand of him in the " kingdom of heaven." This speech, or rather sermon, of Peter's, so wrought upon the minds of the people, that they called out most TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 103 passionately to him, and the rest of the apostles, request- ing their advice what measures they should pursue, in order to shake oft' that guilt with which they had been so long loaded. Peter readily complied with their request, and in a most tender and affectionate address, told them, that in order to lay aside their infidelity, they must, with true contrition, acknowledge their sins, enter upon the Christian profession with a firm resolution of never falling from it; aud that they must receive baptism from the apostles, who were thereby empowered to convey re- mission of sins to all true penitents. Repent and be bap- tized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts ii. 38, 39. In consequence of this affectionate address, those who were really touched with what Peter had said im- mediately renounced their former course of life, and proved the sincerity of their hearts by receiving baptism. On that day about three thousand people were converted to the faith of Christ, who continued assiduous in hearing the apostles teach, and in bringing their goods liberally for the relief of the distressed. Nor were the converts only impressed with fear and reverence, but a general surprize took place among all that saw these strange and early operations of the Holy Ghost, which were still farther confirmed by several miracles performed by the apostles. The Gospel thus gaining ground, those that received it assembled together for the service of God, constantly observing the times of public prayers, and receiving the sacrament of the Lord's supper : they distributed to the necessities of the poorer sort as freely as God had given them ability, spending their time in acts of devotion and charity, and exercising works of mercy to all. By the pious examples of these many others were induced to join them, which gave the apostles a fruitful harvest of their ministry, and by their repeated exhortations, others were daily rescued from the wicked and dangerous con- 104? FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, verse of the perverse Jews, and heartily embraced the doctrine of Christ. After this wonderful reformation among the people in consequence of Peter's discourses, that apostle, accom- panied by John, went one day to the temple about three o'clock in the afternoon, which was one of the times gen- erally set apart for prayer. As they entered in at the gate of the temple towards the east in Solomon's porch, which was called the beautiful gate, they saw a poor cripple, who had been lame from his birth, lying there, and begging alms of those who passed him. As soon as the cripple saw Peter and John, he looked up in their faces and earnestly begged charity of them ; upon which Peter, looking steadfastly at him, said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. No sooner were these words spoken than the poor cripple was made whole. His joints became strait and his nerves strong, so that he went with the apostles into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. The poor man, who had sat daily, for a long time, asking alms at the door of the temple, was universally known by the people, who seeing him walking and praising God, were amazed at the greatness of the cure : they therefore flocked in great numbers round the apostles, by whom the poor man kept close, being unwilling to part with those from whom he had received so dis- tinguished a benefit. Peter, observing the astonishment of the multitude, and thinking it a convenient opportuni- ty of increasing the number of his followers, addressed himself to them in a long and very pertinent harangue, the substance of which was to this effect : " Ye men of " Israel, why do you look upon this cure as a thing ci strange? Or why do you attribute any thing to us in " this matter, as if it were in our power to perform so " great a miracle? The God of our fathers gave this " power to Jesus, whom you delivered to Pilate to be " crucified, releasing a known murderer and a thief, and " putting to death Him, who came to give life to the 1 • world ; whom God hath been pleased to raise from the " dead, and make us witnesses thereof. Be assured, it is TO TII£ FULL ESTABLISHMENT or CHRISTIANITY. 105 by belief in him that this man hath been recovered from Ills lameness. The man you all well know, having, for many years, seen him a begging cripple; t and the faith we have in the power of Him on whom • we believe, hath wrought the remarkable cure at • which yea all so greatly wonder. I do imagiue, i brethren, thai such among you who rejected Christ did • it through ignorance, not knowing him to be the Mes- • siiih ; and that the like was the case with your rulers. ' But by these means the many prophecies in the i scriptures, that the Messiah should be put to death, • have been fulfilled. Do you, therefore, amend your i lives, that your past offences may be pardoned, and •' that, at the second coming of Christ for the delivery ' and rescue of the faithful, you may, by repentance, be ' admitted into the number of the elect. The Christ you ' have persecuted, and of whose resurrection we have ' been eye-witnesses, hath now entered upon his sove- • reignty in heaven, whereby hath been fulfilled all the ' prophecies concerning him, particularly that of Moses, who truly said unto the fathers, .2 prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, • like unto me, and him shall ye hear in all things ichat~ *' soever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, • that every soul which shall not hear that prophet, shall • be destroyed from among the people. Aud not only f Moses, but all the prophets, from Samuel, as many as i have spolcen,* have foretold the coming of the Messiah, •' with the destruction of those who should reject, and i the especial mercies to them that shoulrf believe in him. i Ye are the particular persons of whom the prophets •' foretold, and to whom the promise and covenant whicli * The account of the prophets is here begun from Samuel, be- cause the schools of the prophets were first instituted and erected by him; and not that there was no prophet before him. The sons of the prophets spent the greater part of their time in studying the law, and praising and serving God, and some were sent on njessages to the people (for all were not called to the prophetic office) and there- fore it is added, as many (is have spoken; that is, as many out of the schools of the prophets as were Divinely called to the prophetic office. VOL. iv. O 106 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, a God made Avith Abraham (that in his seed all the a nations of the earth should be blessed J did primarily 6i belong. Ye are the heirs of this covenant, and God li hath been pleased to make the first overtures of mercy u to you, that ye might receive the Gospel of his beloved il Son, and repent of the iuiquities which ye have done unto {s him." — This was the purport of St. Peter's speech on this occasion ; and such was its efficacy, that it converted so many of his hearers, as to make the whole number amount to no less than five thousand. While Peter was instructing the people, the captain of the temple, at the instigation of the priests and sadducees, came with an armed force, suddenly seized the two apostles, and conducted them to prison. The next morning the great Sanhedrim met, and having ordered the apostles to be brought before them, demanded by what power they had wrought that miracle upon the lame man, and who it was that gave them authority to preach to the people? In answer to these questions, Peter, being endued with an extraordinary presence of mind and elocution of tongue, spoke to this effect : " Ye " rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, we are this " day examined before you concerning an action, which i; is so far from being criminal, that it is an act of special " mercy. Be assured, that the miraculous cure performed " on the lame man was wrought by no other means, than "• by invoking the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye " crucified, and God most miraculously raised again. u This is he that was prophesied of under the title of a " refuse stone, rejected by you, the chief of the Jews, " and treated with contempt; but is now, by his resurrec- i( tion, enthroned in power, and is, indeed, become the (i ruler and king of the church, the prime foundation- (i stone of the whole fabric. In him alone must salvation " now be hoped for by all ; nor can ye expect to be saved " unless you readily receive, and heartily embrace, his " doctrine." The council, seeing with what courage and freedom of speech the apostles behaved themselves, and withal con- sidering that their education alone could not have raised them above the capacity of other men (being neither TO THE ri'LL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 107 skilled iii the learning of the Jews, nor, as men of dis- tinction, instructed in their laws) they were greatly astonished ; and still more so, when they recollected that the two apostles were of those who had attended Jesus in his life time, and saw the man on whom they had wrought the miraculous cure stand by them ready to attest the truth of it. From these considerations they knew not, for some time, how to act, till at length they resolved to hold a private conference among themselves, and, for that purpose, ordered the apostles to withdraw. As soon as they were gone, the council entered into debate on the subject, arguing with one another to this effect: " As to ft the men, we have nothing to accuse them of; for, that ii they have performed a great miracle is apparent to u many, and the man that was healed is a living witness " of the truth of it. Since, therefore, they have not been (i guilty of any breach of our laws, to prevent their further (i seducing the people (who are too apt to be led away by fi them) we will call them in, aud forbid them, upon K severe penalties, to preach Christ and his Gospel any u more." In consequence of this resolution, the two apostles, were called in, aud commanded not to talk pri- vately, or teach publicly, any thing concerning the faith of Christ. But the Christian heroes, whose commission was from an higher power than any on earth, slighting this in- terdict, and all their threats, made answer, " That since **' they had received a command from heaven, to declare i; to all nations what they had heard or seen, it was cer~ " tainly their duty to obey God rather than them." This was a fair appeal to the consciences of their very judges; but their judges, instead of being satisfied with it, would probably have proceeded to some greater violence, had not the people's veneration for the apostles put a restraint upon their malice. All, therefore, that they dared to do was, to repeat and enforce their menaces ; having done which, they ordered them to be discharged. As soou as the two apostles were dismissed, they re- turned with great joy to their brethren, who, with infinite satisfaction, heard the report of all that had passed. They then unanimously glorified God, who, by his holy prophet David, had foretold what was now come to pags ; 108 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, that the Jews should oppose Christ, say false things of him, deny and crucify him. first, and, when God had raised him from the dead, oppose the preaching of him * that the princes and governors, Herod and Pontius Pilate, should combine against him, and the rulers should, in council, endeavor to suppress the propagation of his doc- trine. And now Lord, said they, behold their threaten- trigs; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand- to heal; and thai signs and iconders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. No sooner had they con- cluded their prayer than the house in which they were was shaken witli a mighty wind, in like manner as it had been before on the day of Pentecost; whereupon they were instantly replenished with fresh measures of the Holy Ghost, and, notwithstanding all the threats of the Jewish rulers, found themselves invigorated to preach the Gospel of Christ with more boldness and resolution than ever. The charity, at this time, among believers, was very large and extensive. Such as had houses, or possessions of any kind, sold them, and deposited the money in the hands of the apostles, to be by them distributed, in due proportions, according to the necessities of their brethren. This a certain Levite, (a native of Cyprus, called Joses, but by the apostles, surnamed Barnabas, or the Son of Consolation J did with great readiness and singleness of iieart, selling the estate of which he was possessed, and giving the whole produce to the apostles. In imitation of this good man, one Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, re- solved to devote all they had to the service of the church; in consequence of which they sold their estate, but after- wards altering their minds jointly agreed to keep some part of the money, intending thereby to impose upon the apostles. Ananias going first into the presence of the apostles, with great assurance, and seeming cheerfulness, produced the money, and laid it at their feet. But Peter, who, by Divine inspiration, knew the cheat, in a holy in- clignation and abhorrence of so vile an act of sacrilege, re- prehended hira in words to this eflV.ct: " How, 0 Ana- " nias, hath 8a tan persuaded thee thus to attempt to de- TO Tim IUI.I, ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 109 (i ceivc the Holy Ghost, in purloining purl of tliat which •• thou hadst consecrated to God's service, and the use of u bis church? Before thy land was sold. Mas it not " wholly thine? And when it was sold, didst thou not st receive the full price for it? Was it not then in thy full {i power to perform thy vow? Thy iniquitous conduct in ft concealing a part of the money is not only an injury to 6i the church, but to God, who knew thy private vow, that " it was consecrating of all, and not this part only which " thou hast brought to us." These piercing words, to- gether with the horrors of conscious guilt, so impressed the mind and heart of Ananias, that he fell down dead on the spot, to the great astonishmeut and terror of all present; and his body was immediately taken away for interment. About three hours after, his wife Sapphira went to the assembly, not in the least suspecting what had happened to her sacrilegious consort. Peter asked her whether the sum which her husband had brought was the "whole for which their estate was sold. To this she an- swered in the affirmative; upon which Peter reprehended her in words to this effect : " How durst you both com- " bine to provoke God, to try whether he will punish this u your impious fraud, or uot? That you may see haw " highly God resents your sacrilegious intentions, behold (i the men are coming in, who have buried your dead u husband, and now they shall do as much for you." No sooner had he spoken these words than Sapphira fell dead at his feet, and the same persons that had buried Ananias, carried her out from the assembly, and laid her by him. These remarkable instances of the Divine wrath filled all the converts with fear and trembling, and pre- vented, in a great measure, that hypocrisy and dissimula- tion by which others might have nattered themselves with deceiving the church. Miracles of severity were not, however, much practised by the apostles. Acts of mercy were their proper pro- vince, and healing the diseased and freeing the possessed) a great part of their employment. In the execution of this business the Divine power so far attended them, that even the shadow of Peter passing by cured the si who, in the open streets, were laid on beds and con 110 FROM THE ASCEXSION OF CHRIST, on purpose to receive the benefit of his salutary influence." Nor were these marvellous cures confined to the inhabit- ants of Jerusalem only, but the people of several neighbor- ing; towns and villages brought thither their sick, their lame, and possessed, all of whom were, by the apostles, relieved from their respective infirmities. The fame of these cures, and the great success which Christianity gained by the miracles and preaching of the apostles, reaching the ears of the high priest, and some others of the Sanhedrim (who were of the sect of the Sad- ducees) they were highly incensed against the apostles, and therefore caused them to be apprehended, aud thrown into the common prison. But that very night they were released from their confinement. The prison- doors, though fastened with the utmost caution, opened of them- selves at the approach of a messenger from the courts of heaven, who commanded the apostles to leave the dungeon, repair to the temple, and preach the glad tidings of the Gospel to the people. Early the next morning the council again assembled, and, thinking the apostles were in safe custody, dis- patched their officers to the prison, with orders to bring them immediately before them. The officers accordingly went to obey their orders, but, behold, when they came to the prison, they could not find the apostles. In conse- quence of this they returned to the council, telling them, that the doors of the prison were shut, indeed, and the keepers all upon their guard, but as for the persons whom they were sent for, there was not one of them to be found. This intelligence greatly surprized the council, who wondered how it could be, that, the prison being shut, and the guard at the doors, the prisoners should escape. But while they were in this state of perplexity a messenger arrived with news, that the men, whom they had the night before committed to prison, were then in the temple, preaching and instructing the people. In consequence of this, the captain of the guard, with some other officers, im- mediately went to the temple, and entreated the apostles to go before the council, not daring to offer any violence to them, for fear of being stoned by the people. TO THE FLU. ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. J 1 i As soon as the apostles appeared before their judges, ihe high-priest demanded how they durst presume to preach a doctrine, which so lately had been interdicted them? To which Peter, in the name of the rest, returned them an answer to this effect: •• We certainly ought to (t obey God rather than man. And though you have so u barbarously and contumcliously treated the Blessed a Jesus, yet God hath raised him up to be a prince and " Saviour, to give both repentance and remission of sins. " And of these things both we, and the miraculous power " which the Holy Ghost hath conferred on all Christians, " arc witnesses." This answer greatly exasperated the council, and they began to consult among themselves in what manner they should punish them. Their first resolution was, to put them to death, but this was over-ruled by the wise advice of a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a man of the most distinguished reputation, and universally respected. After ordering the apostles to withdraw, he advised the council to proceed in the affair with great caution, lest bad con- sequences might attend their resolutions. He told them that several persons had formerly raised parties, aud drawn great numbers of people after them ; but that all their schemes had miscarried, and their designs rendered abortive, without the interposition of that court. That they would, therefore, do well to let the apostles alone ; for if their doctrines and designs were of human inven- tion, they would come to nothing; but if they were of God, all their powers and policies would be of none effect, aud sad experience would too soon convince them, that they had themselves opposed the counsels of the Most High. This speech so far diverted the indignation of the council, that they changed the sentence (at first designed against the apostles' lives) into a corporal punishment. They therefore, after remandiug them into court, ordered them to be immediately scourged, which being done, they strictly charged them not to preach any more in the name of Jesus, and, with this charge, gave them their liberty. But this punishment and injunction had little effect on the disciples of the Blessed Jesus. They returned home iiZ FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, in triumph, rejoicing that they were thought worthy to suffer in so righteous a cause, and to undergo shame and reproach for so kind and powerful a Master. Nor could all the opposition of man, blended with the malice of the power of darkness, discourage them from performing their duty to God, or lessen their zeal for preaching, both in public and private, the doctrine of the Gospel. The great iucrease of believers, and the ready access to the common fund for the relief of the poor, made the in- stitution of another order of men in the Christian church highly necessary. Among the great number of converts were some Jews, who, by having been long in foreign countries, had disused the Hebrew, and spoke only the Grecian tongue, so that they were considered by the com- mon Jews as if they had been foreigners. These people complained to the apostles, that, in the distribution of the charity-money, an undue preference was given to the Hebrew widows, whilst theirs were too frequently neg- lected. In consequence of this complaint the apostles as- sembled together the whole multitude of their disciples, when Peter, in the name of the rest, addressed them in words to this etfect: il It is not reasonable that we should " neglect the preaching of the Gospel, by undertaking the ii care of looking after the poor. Therefore, brethren, do (e you nominate to us seven men, who have shewn them- " selves to be faithful, trusty persons, eminent among you " for wisdom, and other good gifts, that we may appoint " (that is, consecrate or ordain) to the office of Deacons in {i the church, and entrust them with the care of distribu- (i ting to those who want out of the public stock. In the " choice of these, let it be observed, that they be persons " well versed in the knowledge of Divine matters, that " they may give assistance to us occasionally in preach - u ing the word, and receiving proselytes to the faith by " Baptism. And by these means we shall be less inter- " rupted in our daily employment of praying, and preach- " ing the Gospel." This proposal was highly satisfactory to the whole assembly, who immediately nominated seven persons, namely, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Pharmenas, and Nicolas. These seven they presented TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 113 to the twelve apostles, who, by prayer, and laying their hands on them, ordained them to the olfice of deacons.* Of these seven, the most eminent for the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit was Stephen. He preached the Gos- pel with a noble courage and resolution, and confirmed it With many public and unquestionable miracles among the people, insomuch, that by his means the Christian re- ligion gained ground abundantly. Converts came in apace ; aud great numbers of the priests themselves laid aside their prejudices and embraced the Gospel. The great zeal of Stephen for propagating the Gospel, and the success that attended his endeavors, soon awaken- ed the malice of his adversaries, who procured some membersf of the most learned synagogues, then iu Jeru- * The names of these seven deacons are all of Greek extract, from whence we may inter, that, very probably, they were all na- tives of Greece, and that, consequently, by their designation, the church was desirous to give full satisfaction to the complaint of those, whose widows had been before neglected. Of the two first of these, viz. Stephen and Philip, the sacred history has given us a sufficient account, but of the rest we have nothing certain, except we will admit of what the Latins tell us of Prochorus, viz. that on the 9th of August he suffered martyrdom at Antioch, after having made himself famous for his miracles: of Nicanor, that on the 10th of January he suffered in the Isle of Cyprus, after having given great demonstrations of his faith and virtue: of Timon, that on the 19th of April, he was first thrown iuto the fire, and, when he had miraculously escaped from thence, he was fixed upon a cross at Co- rinth: of Parmenas, that on the 23d of January he suffered at Phi- lippi, in Macedonia: and of Nicolas, that, either by design or indis- cretion, he gave rise to the infamous sect of Nicolaitans, aud there- fore no Christian church has ever yet paid any honor to his memory. t As there were people of all nations, proselytes to the Jewish re- ligion, dwelling at Jerusalem, it is reasonable to imagine, that they had synagogues, or places appointed for prayer, for hearing the law, and pious exhortations in their own languages. The Jews tell us, that there were no less than four hundred and eighty of these in Je- rusalem, which were so many inferior churches, and subordinate to the temple, as their cathedral. These synagogues very probably were built, and maintained by the several nations, or degrees of people that resorted to them, and from these they had their names, as the Synagogue of Libertines, i. e. of such as were Denizens of Rome, of the Cyrenians, the Alexandrians, &c. But it is to be ob- served of these synagogues, that they were not only places of re- ligious worship, but a sort of colleges, or schools likewise, where VOL, iv. P 114 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, salcm, to dispute with him. But, when they found their disputants baffled, and unable to withstand the force of those arguments with whieh the Divine wisdom had in- spired Stephen, they betook themselves to vile practices. Having procured some profligate men to accuse him of blasphemy, they caused him to be apprehended, and, in a tumultuous manner, took him before the Sanhedrim, in order to obtain a formal sentence against him. While Stephen stood before the council, the judges, and all the people then present, beheld a lustre and radiancy in his countenance, not unlike the appearance of an angel. This, however, did not so far intimidate the Sanhedrim as to prevent them from listening to the ac- cusation of the false-witnesses, who charged him with blasphemy, in foretelling the destruction of the temple, and the change of the Mosaic rites and ceremonies. This ?nan (said they) ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy -place and the laic. For we have heard him say, Jesus of JWixareili shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. The high-priest, having heard the accusation against Stephen, asked him, whether or not he was guilty of thus prophesying the destruction of the temple, and change of the Jewish religion? In answer to this question, Stephen made a very grave and severe oration, the substance of whieh was to the following effect: " Hearken unto me, ye descendants of Jacob ; the Al- mighty, whose glory is from everlasting, appeared to our father Abraham, before he sojourned in Charran, even while he dwelt iu Mesopotamia, commanding him to leave his country and relations, and retire into a land which he would shew him. persons were instructed in the law and traditions of the Jews. The Jews at this time were dispersed in several foreign parts, and from these they sent their youth to Jerusalem to be educated in the syna- gogue, or college, peculiar to their respective countries. St. Paul was of the province of Cilicia, and, as it is reasonable to think that he studied in a college, either belonging to the country where he was born, or proper to his quality, as a freeman of Rome; there seems to be no incongruity in supposing, that he might possibly be que, either of those Libertine, or Oiiieian disputants, who entered the lists with St. Stephen. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OV CHRISTIANITY. 11$ •• Abraham obeyed the Divine mandate; he left the land of the Chaldeans and pitehed his tent in Chun an; from whence, after his father was dead, lie removed into Canaan, even the land you now inhabit; hut he gave him no inheritance in this country, not even so much as to set his foot upon. He promised, indeed, he would give it him for a possession, which should descend to his pos- terity, though at tills time he had no child. u God also indicated to him that his seed should so- journ in a strange land ; the people of which should make them bondmen, and treat them cruelly four hundred years. After which, he would judge that nation, bring out his people who should serve him in this place, as an earnest of which, he gave him the covenant of circum- cision; and afterwards a son whom Abraham circumcised the eighth day, calling his name Isaac, who begat Jacob? and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. " But these, moved with envy, sold their brother Jo- seph into Egypt, where the Almighty protected him, de- livered him from all his afflictions, indued hint with wis- dom, and gave him favor in the sight of Pharaoh, the monarch of Egypt, who made him governor both of his house and kingdom. u Soon after this exaltation of Joseph, the countries of Egypt and Canaan were afflicted with a terrible famine, and our fathers found no sustenance either for themselves or flocks. But as soon as Jacob heard the welcome tidings, that there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers thither to purchase bread for the people of his household. And in their second journey thither, Joseph made him- self known to his brethren, and also iuformed Pharaoh of his country and relations. After which Joseph's father, with his whole house, consisting of three-score and fif- teen souls, weut down into Egypt, where both Jacob and our fathers died, and were carried to Sychem, and de- posited in the sepulchre purchased of the sons of Emmor, the father of Sychem. " But as the time for fulfilling the promise made to Abraham approached, the people multiplied in Egypt, till another king arose, who was not acquainted with the merits of Joseph, and the great thiugs he had done for 11(5 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, that country. This prince used our fathers with cruelly, and artfully attempted to destroy all the male children. At this time Moses was born, and being exceeding fair, was nourished three months in his father's house ; but as it was dangerous to conceal him there any longer, he was hid among the flags on the bank of the river; when the daughter of Pharaoh found him, and educated him as her own son. " Tims Moses became acquainted with all the learn- ing of Egypt, and was mighty both in word and deed ; but when he was forty years old he thought proper to visit his brethren, the children of Israel ; and seeing an Egyptian smite an Hebrew, he assisted the suffering per- son, and slew the Egyptian ; supposing that his brethren would have been persuaded that from his hand, with the assistance of the Almighty, they might expect deliver- ance; but they conceived no hopes of this kind. (i The next day he again visited them, and seeing two of them striving together, he endeavored to make them friends : Ye are brethren, said he to them, why do ye injure one another? But he who did his neighbor wrong, instead of listening to his advice, thrust him away, say- ing, By what authority art thou a judge of our actions? wilt thou kill me as thou didst the Egyptian yesterday? " Moses, at this answer, fled from Egypt, and so- journed in the land of Media, where he begat two sons. And at the end of forty years, the angel of the Lord ap- peared unto him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, out of the middle of a bush burning with fire : this was a sight which surprized Moses; and as he drew near to view more attentively so uncommon a thing, God called unto him, saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. At which Moses trembled, and turned aside his face. But ihe Lord said to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. I have long seen the afflictions of my people, which are in Egypt; I have heard their cries, and am now descended from heaven to deliver them. Come therefore, I tcill send thee into Egypt. TO THE FITLL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 117 " Thus was that Moses whom they refused, sent by fi od to he ruler and deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. Accordingly he brought them out after he had shewed signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, in the Red sea, and in the wilder- ness, forty years. It is this Moses that told our fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, and your brethren, like unto me. Him shall ye hear. " And this prophet is the same who was in the church in the wilderness, with the angel which spake unto Moses in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers : the. same who received the lively oracles to give unto us : he whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and were desirous of returning to their state of bondage ; commanding Aaron to make them gods to go before them ; and pretending that they knew not what was become of Moses, who delivered them from the slavery of Egypt. They now made a calf, offered sacrifices to it, and re- joiced in the work of their own hands. From these idola- trous proceedings they lost that divine protection which had hitherto attended them as the prophets have recorded. 0 ye houses of Israel/ have you offered unto me slain leasts and sacrifices, by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Ilemphan: figures which ye made to worship them: I will carry you away beyond Babylon. " Our fathers were possessed of the tabernacle of wit- ness in the wilderness; being made according to the pattern Moses had seen in the mount. This tabernacle our fathers brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, who were driven out by the Almighty, till the days of David, a favorite of the Most High, and who was desirous of finding a tabernacle for the God of Jacob ; but Solomon built him an house. " We must not, however, think, that the Almighty will reside in temples made with hands, as the prophet beautifully observed, Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool : ichat house will ye build me, saith the Lord, or where is the place of my rest? Hath not mine hand made all these things? US FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, i( Ye stiff-necked, ye uncircumcised in heart and cars, will ye for ever resist the Holy Ghost? Ye tread in the paths of your fathers ; as they did, so do you still con- tinue to do. Did not your fathers persecute every one of the prophets? did not they slay them who shewed the coming of the Holy One, whom ye yourselves have be- trayed and murdered? Ye have received the law by the disposition of angels, but never kept it." This speech, but particularly the conclusive part of it, incensed the council to such a degree against Stephen, that they made use of the most bitter invectives, and re- solved to chastise him by no less a punishment than death. But Stephen was totally regardless of what they said or did, having his mind employed in the delightful prospect of heaven, and the appearance of the Blessed Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The visionary prospect of this heavenly scene so enraptured his soul, that he could not help communicating it to the council. Behold, (said he) I see the heavens opened, and the £°>on of Man standing at the right hand of God. On saying these words, the resentment of the council against him was so ungovernably increased, that raising a loud clamor, and stopping their ears against all cries for mercy, they immediately dragged him away without the city, and stoned him to death. Whilst Stephen was undergo- ing this punishment, he first devoutly recommended his soul to God, and then earnestly prayed for his murderers, that the sin they were committing might not be laid to their charge; having done which he quietly resigned his soul into the hands of Him who gave it. His remains were decently interred by devout men (proselytes to the Christian faith) who made great lamentation over him. Among the many that were enraged against Stephen, one particular person, who had but too great an hand in his death, was a young man of Cilicia, named Saul. This person, out of his great officiousness to have Stephen executed, undertook to look to the clothes of the wit- nesses, who usually stripped themselves to throw the first stones (as the law directed) at the person who was to suffer by their evidence. Not satisfied with this, Saul, out of his passionate concern for the traditions of the TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 119 ancients, and his natural inveteracy on that account, against the advocates of the Gospel, resolved to persecute all he could who professed the new religion. He accord- ingly applied to the Sanhedrim for a commission for this purpose, which was no sooner granted, than he imme- diately proceeded to carry it into execution. Having proper assistance, he broke open houses, seized upon all who looked like the disciples of Jesus, and unmercifully dragged them to prison, where he caused them to be scourged, and otherwise ignomiuiously punished. These acts of cruelty he exercised wherever he went; so that most of the believers, except the apostles, were forced to leave Jerusalem, and disperse themselves in the regions of Judea and Samaria, Syria and Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, &c. In consequeuce of this, the glad tidings of the Gospel, (which had, till now, been coniined to Judea, and many professors of it obliged to hide themselves in secret places) was preached to the Gentile world, and an ancient prophecy was fulfilled, which says. Out of Sion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Thus did the Almighty bring good out of evil, and cause the malicious intentions of the wicked to redound to his honor and praise. 120 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, CHAP. II. Philip, the deacon, preaches the Gospel in Samaria with great success. One Simon, a magician, pretending to become a convert, is baptized by Philip. The apostles, hearing of Philip's success in Samaria, send Peter and John thither to confirm his doctrine. Simon the magician offers the apostles money to invest him with the power of working miracles; but Peter, knowing the iniquity of his heart, instead of comply- ing with his request, severely rebukes him. Peter and John return to Jerusalem. Philip converts an eunuch belonging to the queen of Ethiopia. The miraculous conversion of Saul, the great persecutor of the proselytes in Judea. He preaches the Gospel at Damascus, for which the inhabitants seek his life, but he happily makes liis escape. He goes to Jerusalem and is kindly received by the apostles. Proceeds from thence to Tarsus, and preaches the Gospel in Cilicia and Syria. Peter visits various parts of Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Cures one JEneas of a paralytic disorder, and raises a dead woman to life at Joppa. Is sent for by Cornelius, a Roman officer, whom he converts, with several other Gentiles. He returns to Jerusalem, and is censured by the Jeivish converts there, for his familiarity with the Gentiles. He justifies his conduct on this head, and acquits himself with satisfaction to his hearers. AMONG those who fled from Jerusalem in conse- quence of the violent persecution by Saul, was Philip the deacon, the next in order after Stephen. He directed his course towards Samaria, preaching the Gospel at various places in his way, and at length took up his resi- dence in that city. His labors here were crowned with success; he confirmed the doctrine he preached by the performance of many distinguished miracles, and in a short time, was attended by a prodigious number of con- verts. In the city lived a person named Simon, who, by his sorcery and magical arts, had so strangely gained the veneration of the people, that they considered iiis diaboli- cal illusions as real operations of the power of God. Simon, seeing great numbers of his admirers fall off from him, and embrace the doctrine preached by Philip, TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 121 pretended to be a convert likewise, and (in hopes of ob- taining some share of the miraculous gifts, which he could not but admire in Philip) was baptized by him with some others who had embraced the doctrine of Christ. The great success which attended Philip at Samaria being made known to the apostles at Jerusalem, they sent Peter and John to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost on the new converts. Simou, the magician, perceiving that a power of working miracles was consequent to all those on whom the apostles laid their hands, offered to give them money if they would invest him with a like power. But Peter, knowing the insincerity of his heart, rejected his offer with scorn and detestation ; and severe- ly rebuked him in words to this effect: " Thy money " (said the great apostle) perish with thee. As thy heart '•' is full of hypocrisy and deceit, thou shalt never be in- " vested with any part of this Divine privilege, for thy ••' design in desiring these gifts is, to advance thy own " credit and esteem among men, and not to enlarge the " kingdom of Christ. Repent, therefore, and humble " thyself before God for this wicked and impious pro- " prosal, that the»thdughts of thy heart may be forgiven " thee ; for I perceive that thy temper and disposition of " mind is still vicious and corrupt; that thou art yet u bound by the chains of iniquity, and in a state dis- " pleasing to God, and dangerous to thyself." This severe rebuke from Peter greatly affected the mind of Simon : his conscience flew in his face, and he earnestly entreated the apostles to make intercession for hini to the throne of grace, that the Almighty might pardon his sins, and not inflict on him those heavy judg- ments which Peter had intimated were likely to fall on him for his enormous transgressions. The two apostles, having confirmed the doctrine preached by Philip in Samaria, left that city and return- ed to Jerusalem, in their way to which they expounded the doctrine of Christ in several considerable villages, and were so successful, as to bring over a prodigious number of sincere proselytes. vol. iv. Q 1&& FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Soon after Peter and John left Samaria, Philip re- ceived orders from an heavenly messenger to quit that city, and go Southward into the road which led from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip immediately obeyed the Divine mandate ; but he had not travelled far before he espied a chariot with a splendid retinue, which, on en- quiry, he found belonged 10 an eunuch, the treasurer of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, who being a proselyte to the Jewish religion, had been to pay his devotions at Jerusa- lem, and was then upon his journey home. When Philip approached the chariot he was directed by the Spirit of God to stop and speak to the person within it. This he accordingly did, and found the treasurer commendably employed in reading a passage of the prophet Isaiah. Philip, after apologizing for interrupting him, asked if he clearly understood what he was reading; upon which the treasurer candidly acknowledged he did not, and besought him to get into the chariot and instruct him. Philip readily obeyed, and when he came to examine the passage which had so much perplexed, and engaged the attention of the treasurer, he found it to be the following : He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep dumb before the shearer he opened riot his mouth ; in his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and who shall declare his generation? For his life ivas taken from the earth. This text the treasurer desired Philip to explain, asking him, whether the prophet spoke this of himself, or of some other person? Philip took this opportunity of preaching to him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and clearly pointed out to him that not only the sense of the passage in question, but likewise several others in the ancient prophets, was fully accomplished in his person, and the transactions that had taken place during his stay ou earth. While Philip was expounding the doctrine of Christ to the Ethiopian, they happened to come to a piece of water by the road side ; upon which the eunuch said, See here is water ; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Philip said. If thou believest with all thine heart, thou maijest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. On this the eunuch ordered TO THE PULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1&8 the chariot to stop, and both eettitig out and entering the water, Philip performed on him the ceremony of baptism. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, thai the eunuch taw him no wore ; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip wis found at .Izotus : and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea. Acts viii. 39, 40. In the mean time Haul was very active in persecuting the believers of Christ in Jerusalem and its neighborhood ; but such was his fiery zeal against the faithful, that he resolved to carry Ins cruelty and resentment still farther. lie therefore applied to the Sanhedrim, and obtained a commission from that court to extend his persecution to Damascus, and to bring such believers as he might find iu that city bound to Jerusalem. Saul, pleased with the horrid power with which he was invested by the Sanhedrim, left Jerusalem, and prosecuted his journey towards Damascus, being fully resolved to execute his commission with the strictest severity. But it was the Divine will, in mercy to him as well as those he went to persecute, to frustrate his inten- tions. When he came near Damascus, a refulgent light, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, darted upon him, at which he was greatly amazed and confounded, falling, together with his horse, prostrate on the ground. This light was accompanied with a voice, in the Hebrew lan- guage, saying, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? To which Saul replied, Who art thou, Lord? He was immediately answered, / am Jesus whom thou per- secutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. As if he had said, " All thy attempts to extirpate the faith in me will prove abortive, and, like kicking against the spikes, wound and torment thyself." Saul was now sufficiently convinced of his folly in acting against Jesus, whom he was now assured to be the true Messiah. He therefore, trembling with fear, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? On which a voice re- plied, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Those who accompanied Saul were struck with fear and amazement, wondering that they should hear a voice, and yet see no man speak, whilst 12k FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Saul himself was so dazzled and overpowered by the light) that he quite lost his eye- sight. His companions, therefore, led him by the hand into the city of Damascus, where he continued three days totally blind, nor did he, in the whole time, take the least refreshment. At this time there dwelt in the city a certain disciple, named Ananias, whom the Lord, in a vision, commanded to go and find out one Saul of Tarsus (then lodging at the house of one Judas, a Jew) and, by laying his hands on him, to remove his blindness. Ananias was startled at the name of the man, and, to excuse himself, alledged his violent persecutions of the church, and with what a wicked intent he was then come to Damascus. But to this the vision told him, that he was appointed, by the Divine Being, to be a powerful instrument in the propagation of the Gospel, both among the Jews and Gentiles, and that, how much soever he had persecuted Christianity heretofore, he was now to become a zealous defender of it, and even to die in testimony of its truth. Encouraged with this assurance, Ananias repaired to the house where Saul was, anxj, laying his hands on him, delivered a message to this effect : " That the Lord Jesus, " who had appeared to him in his journey, had sent him " not only to restore his eye-sight, but likewise to bestow " upon him the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, such as " might qualify him for the ministry to w inch he was then " appointed.7' No sooner had Ananias finished his speech, than thick films, like scales, fell from Saul's eyes, and he received his sight: immediately after which he was baptized, and continued some days with the disciples at Damascus, preaching in the synagogues, and proving that Jesus was the Messiah. After staying some time at Damascus, Saul retired into the neighboring parts of Arabia Petrea, where he first planted the Gospel ; and, in the beginning of the next year, returned to Damascus. Here he applied, with the utmost assiduity, to the great work of the ministry, preaching Christ daily in the synagogues, and confuting all those who argued against his doctrine. He wras, in- deed, remarkably zealous in his preaching, and blessed with a very extraordinary method of reasoning, whereby TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 425 he undeniably proved the fundamental points of Chris- tianity. This irritated the Jews to the highest degree : and at length, after about three years continuance in the city, they found means to prevail on the governor of Damascus to have him apprehended, and confined. Hut they knew it would he difficult to take him, as lie had so many friends in the city: they therefore kept themselves in con- tinual watch, searching all the houses where they thought he might conceal himself, and likewise obtained a guard from the governor, to attend the different gates of the city, in order to prevent his escape. In this distress his Christian friends were far from deserting him; they tried every method that offered to procure his escape; but find- ing it impossible for him to pass through either of the. gates of the city, .they let him down from one of their houses in a basket over the wail, by which means the cruel designs of his enemies were rendered abortive. Saul, having thus escaped from his malicious persecu- tors in Damascus, repaired to Jerusalem, where, at first, lie was but coolly received among many of the disciples. They were not insensible of his former conduct, and were therefore doubtful of the sincerity of his heart, till at length Barnabas, who was privy to the circumstauces that had attended him both before and after his conversion, introduced him to the apostles, and, having clearly related to them every particular that had passed, they admitted him into their communion. He continued some time at Jerusalem, during which he preached with great boldness to the people ; and his sermons were so powerful, and dis- putations with his opponents so unanswerable, that they, like the Jews at Damascus, formed designs against his life. But as soon as this was known to the brethren, Lhej conducted him to Cesarea, from whence he set sail to his own city Tarsus, and continued, for some years, preach- ing the Gospel with great success in various parts of Cilicia and Syria. The church, at this time, was free from persecution. and flourished exceedingly: upon which Peter took the opportunity of making a geucral visitation to all the re- formed places in Judea, Galilee and Samaria. In his progress he arrived at a town called Lydda, where he 126 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, cured one iEneas of a paralytic disorder, which had con- fined him to his hed for eight years; and from this miracle all the inhabitants of Lydda (as well as a neighboring town called Saron) were prevailed on to embrace the doc- trine of Christ. From Lydda he was entreated by two messengers to go over to Joppa, a noted port about six miles distant, on account of one Tabitha, a Christian woman, venerable for her piety and diffusive charity, who was lately dead. Peter complied with the request of the messengers, and immediately accompanied them to Joppa. On his arrival at the house he found the body in au upper chamber ready prepared for interment, and surrounded by a number of mournful widows, who shewed him the coats and garments wherewith she had clothed them, the monuments of her liberality. They durst not, however, request him to raise her from the dead, but by their tears, and great commendations of her charity, sufficiently testi- fied their wishes that he would do it. Peter was not in- senihle of their meaniug, and was willing to grant what he knew would give them general satisfaction. Having, therefore, ordered them to withdraw, he first knelt down, and prayed for some time, with great fervency; after which, turning himself to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. Upon this, the good woman instantly opened her eyes, and Peter, taking her by the hand, raised her up, and presented her alive to her friends and relations. This miracle gained Peter a prodigious number of converts, and encouraged him, for a considerable time, to continue his abode at Joppa, during which he resided in the house of one Simon a Tanner. During his stay at Joppa, he one day retired to the top of the house, about noon, to pray. After he had finished his devotions he found himself hungry, and called for meat; but, while the people were preparing his dinner, he fell asleep, and beheld, in a vision, a large sheet, or table- cloth, let down, as it were, by the four corners from heaven, wherein] were creatures of all kinds, clean and unclean ; and, at the same time a voice said to him, Arise, Peter, kill and eat. But the apostle, being tenacious of the rites and institutions of the Mosaic law, declared his aversion to such a proceeding; upon which the voice re- TO THi: FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 127 joined, that >vhat God had pronounced clean, he ous;ht by no means to account common or unclean. This represen- tation was made to him three several times, after which the sheet was taken up, and the vision disappeared. When Peter awoke he could not help seriously reflect- ing on the vision he had beheld; and while he was wondering within himself what might be the event, he was interrupted by three messengers, who, knocking at the gate, desired to speak with him. They were accord- ingly admitted, and as soon as they saw Peter they ac- quainted him with their business, which was to the follow- ing purport: " That Cornelius, a Roman, captain of a " company in the Italian Legion,* then at Cesarea, a " person of eminent virtue, piety and charity, had, by an il immediate command from God, sent to him, begging u that he would return with them to give him some in- " structions on so important and singular an occasion. ,? Peter detained the messengers that night; but the next day he set out with them, accompanied by some of his brethren, and the day following arrived at Cesarea. Cornelius, being in expectation of his coming, had in- vited his friends and relations to his house, and as soon as Peter entered, he fell down at his feet to worship him; but the apostle, rejecting that honor as being due to God alone, raised him up, and then told the company, et That " though they must know it was not lawful for a Jew to " converse (more especially on the duties of religion) with * The Cohort of (he Romans, which we call hand, was a body or infantry, consisting of five hundred men, ten of which bands made a legion; and the manner in which the Romans distinguished and de- nominated their bands and legions was very various. Sometimes it was from the order of places, and so they were called the first or second band, according to their rank and precedency; Sometimes from the commanders thc\ were under, as the Augustan and Claudi- an band, &e. because persons of that name did lead them ; Sometimes from their own behavior, as the Victrix, the Ferrea, the conquering, the iron band, &c. by reason of the great valor, which, in some sharp engagements, these had shewn ; Sometimes from the countries they were chiefly quartered in, as the German and Pannonian band, &c. and sometimes from the parts from whence they were gathered, as this of Cornelius, is called the Italian band, because it was raised out of that country, and was a body of forces well known for llieii gallan- try and great exploits, among the writers of the Roman history. 128 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, <( those of another nation; yet, since God had taught him '.' to make no distinction, he very readily attended their " pleasure, and desired to know the occasion of their send- " ing for him." The reply Cornelius made in answer to this was to the following effect: "Four days ago, being fervently em- " ployed in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel £i from the courts of heaven appeared to me, declaring that " my prayers and alms were come up as a memorial before " the throne of the Most High ; and at the same time or- *• dered me to send to Joppa for one Simon Peter, who u lodged in the house of a Tanner near the sea side, and " would give me farther information in the mysteries of " salvation. Accordingly I made no hesitation to obey <( the heavenly messenger; I sent immediately for thee, " and now thou art come, and we are met together, I " desire to hear what instructions thou hast to communi- " cate." From this relation of the Roman officer Peter delivered a discourse to the assembly, which he began by declaring, " that he perceived plainly God had made no distinction u of persons and people, but that the pious and godly of " all nations, were to meet with acceptance. He told them, " that peace and reconciliation between God and man was u a doctrine published by the prophets of old, and, of 6i late, since the time of John the Baptist, preached ({ through Galilee and Judea ; that of this peace Jesus of " Nazareth was the only Mediator between God and a Man, as appeared by the Divine powers and graces (( wherewith he was invested, and which he constantly " exercised in doing good to mankind ; that of his life and (i actions, more especially of his Crucifixion by the Jews, " and resurrection from the dead, of his appearing to his " disciples, and even eating and drinking with them after " his resurrection, he and the rest of the apostles were " chosen witnesses; that from him they had received, be- " fore his ascension, a command and commission to pub- " lish to all nations, that he was the person, whom God " had ordained to be the Great Judge of the world ; that " all the prophets, with one consent, bore witness of him; TO THE W'i ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1^9 •■ ami that whoever believed in his name would certainly *• receive the remission of sins." "While Peter was thus speaking, the Holy Ghost came down upon the whole audience, and inspired them with gifts and graces, fitting them for several conditions in the church. The Jews who accompanied Peter, were great- ly astonished to see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost tvere poured upon the Gentiles; which being observed by Peter, he told them he knew no reason why those persons should not be baptized (having received the Holy Ghost) as well as they. He accordingly gave orders that they should be baptized, which being done, he staid with them several days, in order to confirm them in the Holy Faith they had so happily and earnestly embraced. The conduct of Peter on this occasion was considered in various lights by the brethren at Jerusalem, who be- ing but lately converted to the Christian Faith, were zealously attached to the religious ceremonies of the Mo- saic institution, and therefore most of them severely charged Peter, on his return to Jerusalem, as being too familiar with the Gentiles. How powerful is the preju- dice of education! The Jews had, for many ages, con- ceived an inveterate hatred to the Gentiles, considering them as persons not approved of by the Almighty, who had chosen the Jews for his peculiar people. The law of Moses, indeed, enjoined them to be kind to their own na- tion, in preference to all others; and the rites and institu- tions of their religion, and the peculiar form of their com- monwealth, rendered them very different from the inhabit- ants of other countries; a separation which in after ages they contracted into a much narrower compass. They were also tenaciously proud of their external privileges in being the descendants of Abraham ; and therefore looked upon the rest of the world as reprobates, refusing to hold any conversation with them, or even to treat them with common civility. It is therefore no wonder that they were highly dis- pleased with Peter; nor would he, in all probability, have been able to have defended his conduct in a satis- factory manner, had he not been charged with a peculiar commission from God for extending the privileges of the vol. iv. 11 130 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Gospel to the Gentile world. To satisfy them, however, of the propriety of his conduct, he first gave them a plain and minute narrative of the whole affair, together with the occasion of it; and then took occasion from the whole, to draw this inference: " That, since God had been " pleased to bestow on these Gentiles the same privi- (i leges, and marks of conversion, that he had done on H his select disciples, it would have been direct dis- " obedience in him to the Divine will, had he denied. •• them admission into the church, or refused them his " instructions and conversation." From this representation the whole audience were per- fectly satisfied ; and their displeasure against Peter was turned into praise and thanksgiving to God, for having communicated the same mercy to the Gentiles as he had doue to the Jews; namely, repentance unto life eternal. CHAP. HI. Barnabas ami Saul preach with great success at Jlntioch. Herod Jlgrippa, grandson of Herod the Great, persecutes the Christians, and orders James (the brother of JohnJ to be put to death. He casts Peter into prison, from whence he is miraculously released by an angel. The miserable death of Jlgrippa. Saul and Barnabas preach the Gospel in Cyprus, where they convert the governor; and Saul changes his name to that of Paul. They go from Cymnis to Perga, Pi* sidia, and Lystra. Jit the latter place Paul cures a lame man, from which incident he and Barnabas are reputed as Gods. Paul is stoned, but revives aiid returns to JLntioch. He and Barnabas go from thence to Jerusalem, in order to settle a matter of controvei'sy relative to circumcision. They return to JLntioch, where he reproves Peter for the improprie- ty of his conduct. Paul and Barnabas disagree, part, and go different ways. AFTER the general dispersion which took place in consequence of the martyrdom of Stephen, and the persecutions that followed, some disciples, who were I Q THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OV CHRISTIANITY. 1 ! I born in Cyprus and Cyrene,* having travelled through several countries, and hitherto preached to the Jews only, at length came to Antioeh.t where hearing of the conversion of Cornelius, and others, they applied themselves to the Greeks, who lived in that city, and, by the blessing of God, daily made great numbers of con- verts. Intimation of this being given to the apostles at Jerusalem, they dispatched one Barnabas, a pious man, and endued with many excellent gifts, to assist the dis- ciples, and confirm the believers in that city. The success of the Gospel in so large a place as Anli- och, gave great satisfaction to ilarnabas, who, after con- tinuing there some, time, and exhorting the people to hold fast the possession of that faith they had newly embraced, departed from thence to Tarsus, in order to find out Saul, whom he considered, from the fame he had heard of him, as a necessary person to assist him in facilitating the farther promulgation of the Gospel. Having found out Saul, he returned with him, in a short time, to Antioch, where, for the space of a whole year, they daily resorted to the most public place*, preaching and expounding the doctrine of their Great Master; by means of which they soon gained over such a prodigious number of converts, * This was a city of great note, and once of such power, as to contend with Carthage for some pre-eminences. It stood on the western parts of Lybia, (properly so called) and, as it was the prin- cipal city, it sometimes gave the name of Cyrcnaica to the whole country, which by the sacred writer is paraphrastically called Lybia about Cyrcne, Acts ii. 10. The city itself is famous in Holy Writ for being the birth-place of that Simon, whom the Jews com- pelled to bear our Saviour's Cross. t This Antioch, (to distinguish it from sixteen other cities, which, in Syria, and other countries, bore that name) was frequently called Antiochia Epidaphne, from its neighborhood to Daphne, a village where the Temple of Daphne stood. It was built, as some say, by Antiochus Epiphanes; as others, by Seleucus Nicanor, the first king of Syria after Alexander the Great, in memory of his father Anti- ochus, and was, after that, the royal seat of the kings of Syria. In the flourishing times of the Roman empire it was the ordinary resi- dence of the prefect, or governor of the eastern provinces, and was also honored with the residence of many of the Roman emperors, es- pecially of Verus and Valens, who spent here the greatest part of their time. As to its situation, it lay on both sides the river Orontes, about twelve miles distant from the Mediterranean Sea; was, in 132 , FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, that in this city the disciples of Jesus were first distin- guished by the honorable name of Christians.* The extensive circulation of the Gospel at Antioch opened an intercourse between the Christians of that city and those of Jerusalem. Many people resorted from the latter place to the former, and among them was one person named Agabus, who foretold, that there would shortly be a great famine in many parts of the Roman empire, which accordingly happened in the fourth year of tiie reign of the emperor Claudius. In consequence of this prophecy, the Christians of Antioch determined to make a collection for their brethren in Judca, which, on the approach of the dearth, they accordingly did, and sent it to the elders at Jerusalem by the hands of Barna- bas and Saul. About this time Herod Agrippa (the grandson of Herod the Great) in order to ingratiate himself with the heads of the obstinate Jews, raised a most violent perse- cution against the Christians, in the commencement of which he ordered James, the son of Zebedee (and brother of John) commonly called the Great, -\ to be put to death. Finding this cruel act was. acceptable to the chief priests and rulers, he resolved to extend his cruelty former times, adorned with many sumptuous palaces and stately temples, and both. by Nature and Art fortified even to admiration; but, being taken by the Saracens, and afterwards by tiie Turks, it began to grow into decay, and has ever since been in a desolate and ruinous condition. * Before this they were called among themselves brethren, saints, disciples, believers, and those that called on the name of Christ ; and among their enemies, Galileans, Jtfizarenes, and men of the sect: but now by the conversion of so many heathens, both in Cesareaand An- tioch, the believing Jews and Gentiles being all made one church, this new name was given them, as being more expressive of their common relation to Christ, their great Lord and Master. t He is commonly called the Great to distinguish him from an- other of the same name, who was bishop of Jerusalem, and called the Less. He had his first instruction, together with John, from the Baptist; but how he disposed of himself after our Lord's ascension does not appear. That he was very zealous and industrious in pro- pagating the Gospel, appears evident from Herod's making choice of him for the first sacrifice (after the death of Stephen) to the fury 'if the people. TO THE PULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHBJSTIAKITY. 138 to Peter. He accordingly caused him to lie apprehended ami put into prison, designing, immediately after the Feast of the Passover, to bring him forth to the Jews, and. if they desired it, to have him executed. Hut the. Christians were incessant in their prayers to God for his safety: nor were their prayers and solicitations in vain. Herod was persuaded in his own mind, that he should soon accomplish his design, and sacrifice Peter to the in- satiable cruelty of the .lews. Hut the night before this intended execution, a messenger from the courts of heaven visited the gloomy horrors of the dungeon, where lie found Peter asleep between two of his keepers. The augel raised him up, and taking oil* his chains, ordered him to gird on his garments, and follow him. Peter obeyed, and having passed through the first and second watch, they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord. The angel also accompanied him through one of the streets, and then departed. On this Peter (who had hitherto been con- fused, thinking all that had passed was no more than a dream) came to himself, and perceived that it was no vision, but that his great and beloved Master had really sent a messenger from above, and released him from prison. He therefore repaired to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where several disciples were met together, and sending up their prayers to heaven for his deliverance. As he siood knocking with- out, a maid-servant of the house, named Rhoda, knowing his voice, ran in, and acquainted the company that Peter was at the door. At first they would not pay any atten- tion to what she said: but on her persisting in (he truth of what she asserted, they concluded that it must have been his angel. Their doubts, however, were soon re- moved by the cntraucc of Peter, at the sight of whom they were all greatly astonished. Peter, beckoning them to hold their peace, related the whole particulars of his miraculous escape from prison, and, after ordering them to acquaint James, and the other brethren, with this good news, withdrew himself to a place of more retirement and security. 134 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Early the next morning the officers went from Herod to the prison, with orders to bring Peter out to the people, who were gathered together to behold his execu- tion. But when they came to the prison, they were in- formed by the keepers that Peter had made his escape. The officers immediately returned with this intelligence to Herod, who was so irritated at his being disappointed in his wicked design, that he commanded the keepers to be put to death, as supposing them accessary to his escape; after which he left Jerusalem, and retired to Cesarea. While Herod was in Cesarea a misunderstanding took place between him and the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, against whom lie was about to declare war. But they, dreading his power, (and knowing that in this time of scarcity their country was in a great measure de- pendent on Herod's dominions for its support) sent am- bassadors to Blastus, Herod's chamberlain, requesting liim to intercede in their behalf, and, if possible, to bring about an accommodation. Though Herod was highly displeased with them, yet he so far listened to his cham- berlain as to appoint a day for holding a public con- ference with the ambassadors; at which time, being dressed in his royal robes, and seated on a throne, he made a long harangue on the occasion. The fawning multitude, thinking to ingratiate themselves in his favor, and please the tyrant's pride with flattering applause, shouted out, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. This gratified the pride of Herod, who, assuming to himself that praise which belonged only to God, was in- stantly struck by an angel with a mortification in his bowels, which, in a short time, put a period to his existence. The tyrant Herod being thus removed, the Gospel greatly flourished and increased, new converts daily thronging to be admitted to the faith. About this time Barnabas and Saul, having discharged their trust in disposing of the contributions raised in An- tioch for the benefit of the Christians in Jerusalem and Judea, returned to that city, taking with them John, sur- TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 13 J named Mark,* a person well calculated to assist them in the propagation of the Gospel. Barnabas and Saul had not been long returned to An- tioch, when God, by some particular inspiration, gave them to understand, that lie had appointed them to carry his word into other places. This was likewise revealed to the members of the church then at Antioch, who, in consequence thereof, betook themselves to fasting and prayer: and Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen, (all of whom were endued with the spirit of prophecy) having laid their hands on them, sent them away, to preach the Gos- pel wherever they might be directed by Divine inspira- tion. On their departure from Antioch they went first to Seleucia,f from whence they took shipping for Cyprus, and began their ministerial office in the city of Salamis4 where they preached in the synagogues, and employed [Mark, who was of their compauy, in several offices of the church which they could not conveniently attend them- selves. From Salamis they proceeded to Paphos,§> the resi- dence of Sergius Paulus, the pro-consul, or governor of * This person, who is sometimes called John-Mark, and at other times simply Mark, or John, is very frequently confounded with the Evangelist St. Mark. He was a cousin and disciple of Barnabas, and the son of a Christian woman called Mary, at whose house in Jerusalem the apostles and disciples often assembled. t This city lay on the west, or rather a little north-west of the city of Antioch, upon the Mediterranean sea, and was so called from Seleucus its founder. 1 This was once a famous city in the isle of Cyprus, opposite to Seleucia, on the Syrian coast; and, as it was the first place in these parts where the Gospel was preached, it was, in the primitive times, made t lie See of the Primate, or Metropolitan of the whole island. In the reign of the emperor Trajan, it was destroyed by the Jews, and re-built, but, after that, being in the time of Herodius, sacked, and razed to the ground by the Saracens, it never recovered its former splendor, though out of its ruins is said to have arisen Fama- gusta, which was the chief place of the isle, when the Turks took it from the Venetians, in the year 1570. § Paphos was another city of Cyprus, lying on the western (as Salamis did on the eastern) track of the island. It was once famous for having in it a celebrated temple dedicated to Venus, who, from thence, is called, by antient writers, the Paphian Queen. 136 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, the island, a man of great wisdom and prudence, but un- happily seduced by the wicked artifices of Bar-jesus, an impostor, who stiled himself Elymas, or the magician. The governor being informed of the doctrine preached by Saul and Barnabas was desirous of hearing it, and there- fore sent to them for that purpose. They accordingly at- tended, but while Saul was delivering a discourse to him and the company present, the sorcerer (who stood by the pro-consul) used all the arguments he could to prevent his being converted to the faith. This being observed by Saul, he turned himself to the sorcerer, and severely chastised him in words to this effect: " O thou vile " sorcerer! Like the devil, by whom thou workest, thou u art an enemy to all goodness. Wilt thou persist in £i sorcery, in defiance of the faith of Christ, which comes " armed with a much greater power of miracles than *'• those to which thou falsely pretendest? Thou shalt 6i soon feel the vengeance of heaven ; for thou that per- u versely boldest out against the light of the Gospel, shalt " lose thy sight, which, by the power of God, shall, for 6i a time, be taken from thee." No sooner had Saul ut- tered these words than the sorcerer was struck blind, and implored some of the company to conduct him to his habitation. This miracle convinced the pro-consul of the truth of the doctrine he had heard, and he immediately became a convert to the faith. And from this event it is supposed, by some, that Saul changed his name to that of Paul,* which he ever after retained. * It is very observable, that, all along, before this circumstance of the Apostle's life, St. Luke calls him by the name of Saul, but ever after by that of Paul. From hence some imagine, that he as- MJined that name to himself, in memory of his converting of Sergius Paulas; just as the ancient Roman generals were accustomed to adopt the names of the provinces which they conquered. St. Austin, more than once, asserts, that he took it from a principle of humility, by a small variation changing his former name (whereby a proud haughty king of Israel was called) into that of Paulas, which sig- nifies little ; and that, in conformity to this, he calls himself less than the least of the Upostles. But the most rational account of the matter seems to be (bat of Origen, viz. that he, being of Jewish parentage, and born in Tarsus, a Roman city, had, at his circumcision, two names given him. Saul, a Jewish, and Paul, a Roman name, and TO THE ftJLL ESTABLISHMENT Of CHRISTIANITY. 136 After staying some time in (lie island of Cyprus, Paul and his companions weni Co Perga in Pamphylia,*" where Mark (not chusing any longer to prosecute so wandering ■ course of life) took his leave, and returned to Jerusalem. Prom Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia.f where, going into 1 lie synagogue on the sabbath-day, they sat themselves down to hear the performance of divine wor- ship. After the lessons, one out of the law, and the other out of the prophets (it being the custom for the Jewish doctors to expound some part of the scripture for the in- struction of the people) the chief persons of the assembly sent to Paul and his companions, to know whether either of them would preach a sermon of exhortation to the audience. This was an offer highly satisfactory to Paul, who, after intimating bis acceptance of it, arose, and de- livered a discourse to the people in words to this effect: " Hearken, all ye descendants of Jacob, and ye that fear the Almighty, to the words of my mouth. The God of Israel made choice of our fathers, and loved them, when they had no city of their own to dwell in, but were strangers and slaves in Egypt, bringing them from thence With a mighty hand, and a stretched-out arm; fed them in the wilderness forty years, and would not suffer his anger to rise against them, though they often provoked him in the desert. On their arrival in the land he prom- ised their fathers, lie destroyed the nations that inhabited it, and placed them in that fruitful country ; dividing it to them by lot. " When they were settled in the land, he gave them judges during four hundred and fifty years, till Samuel the prophet. But on their desiring a king, he placed over them Saul the son of Cis, a Benjamite, who reigned about forty years. After his death he placed David on the throne of Israel, giving him this testimony, I have found David the Son of Jesse, a man after mine own that when he preached to the Jews, he was called by his Jewish, and when to the Gentiles (as he did ehielly after this time) by his Ro- man name. * Paraphilia was a province of the Lesser Asia, not far from Cyprus. t This lay a little to thr north of Pamphylia. VOL. iv. S 138 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, heart, which shall fulfil all my will. And according to liis promise the Almighty hath raised up to tlie sons of David a Saviour Jesus, which is Christ the Lord; the Baptism of repentance having been preached before his coming by John. And as his fore-runner executed his office, he asked his followers, ivhom think ye that I am? You must not mistake me for the Messiah; he will soon follow me ; but I am not worthy to perform the meanest office for him. " To you, therefore, ye descendants of Abraham, and all others who fear the Almighty, is this word of salva- tion sent. For the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and rulers of Israel, being ignorant of him, and the voices of the prophets, though read every sabbath in their synagogues, fulfilled their predictions by condemning the immaculate son of the Most High. They found, indeed, no fault in him, though they earnestly desired Pilate that he might be slain. " When every tiling that had been written by the pro- phets concerning him was fulfilled, they took him from the tree, and deposited his body in the chambers of the grave. But death had no power to detain him : his Al- mighty Father raised him from the habitations of the dead. After which, he was seen during many days by his disciples who attended him from Galilee, and were the witnesses chosen by Omnipotence, of these great and miraculous works. And we now declare unto you glad tidings, namely, That the promise made by the Almighty to our forefathers, he hath performed to us their children by raising Jesus from the dead. The prophet David also said, Thou art my son, this day have 1 begotten thee. He also foretold, that he should return from the chambers of the dust, and no more be subject to corruption : I will give you, (said he) the sure mercies of David. And again, Thou shalt not suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Now this prophecy must relate to the Messiah, for David himself, after he had swayed the sceptre of Israel a cer- tain time, died, was deposited in the chambers of the grave, and his flesh saw corruption ; but the great son of David, whom the Almighty raised from the dead, never saw corruption. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. I3fl " Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this Saviour is preached unto you the for- giveness of sins. It is by his merits we are justified from all things, which was impossible by the law of Moses. Be careful, therefore, lest what was foretold by the pro- phets come upon you, Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work' a work in your Anna, a work which you shall in no ivise believe, though a man declare if unto you." This discourse was so well received by great numbers of the people, that when they got out of the synagogue, they besought Paul that he would deliver it again on the next sabbath. Paul promised to comply with their re- quest, which lie accordingly did, and on that day almost all the inhabitants of the city flocked to hear him. This irritated such of the Jews as were strong enemies to the Gospel : nor could they refrain from shewing their malice on the occasion. They several times not only interrupt- ed, but peremptorily contradicted Paul while he was preaching, and at length uttered many blasphemous ex- pressions against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But their opposition could not daunt the apostles, who boldly answered them as follows : It was necessary that the word of God should first have- been spoken to you; hut seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to he a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salva- tion unto the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they were greatly re- joiced, and glorified the name of God for his beneficent inercy revealed in the Gospel; and all who had any care or thought of the life to come immediately embraced the doctrine of Christ. This increased the malice and fury of the Jews, who, by false and artful insinuations, pre- vailed on some of the more bigotted and honorable women to bring over their husbands to their party : the conse- quence of this was, that Paul and Barnabas were driven out of the city, on leaving which they shook the dust oil' their feet, in testimony of the sense they had of the in- gratitude and infidelity of their oppressors. 140 FROM THE ASCENSION Or CHRIST* From Antioch Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium,* where they entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and, according to their usual custom, preached to the people ; the consequence of which was, that many, both Jews and Greeks, became proselytes to the Christian religion. From this success the two apostles continued some time at Iconium, during which the number of converts daily increased, and to confirm them in the faith, God added his testimony to their preaching, by enabling them to work miracles. But though they had gained a considerable number of inhabitants to the faith, yet there were many who continued in their infidelity : the whole leaven of Jewish malice began again to shew itself, and the unbe- lieving Jews, having stirred up the Gentiles against the apostles, at length prevailed on the multitude to stone them. But the apostles, having timely notice of their de- sign, fled from the city to Lystra and Derbe, (two other cities in the province of Lycaonia) where they preached the. Gospel to the inhabitants, as also to those who dwelt in the countries adjoining. While they were at Lystra a happy circumstance oc- curred both for the promulgation of the Gospel, and the conversion of a people who had greatly been de- voted to paganism. As Paul was one day preaching to the multitude, he saw amongst them a man who had been lame from his mothers womb, and had never walked. From the earnest attention which the cripple gave to the * This was the chief city of Lycaonia, a small province of Asia Minor, lying on the north-east of Pisidia, and hounded on the south hy Pamphylia and Cilicia. It is said, by Strabo, to have been well built, and situated in the richest part of the province. This is con- firmed by that celebrated modern historian and geographer, Mr Middleton, who says, "Iconi urn is situated in the ancient Lycaonia, " in a fertile plain, near a line large lake of fresh water, which was " anciently called Palus Toogilis. The city is surrounded by strong " walls, adorned with towers, and the whole is enclosed by a broad " and deep ditch. The Turks only inhabit the city. The Greeks, " Armenians and Jews dwell in the suburbs, which are exceeding u spacious. The city is defended by a small castle, and in it. are " several mosques, with some spacious caravanseras (or places of ' entertainment) for the accommodation of such caravans and " travellers as pass through the town." TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 141 discourse. Paul (who had, for some time, taken particular notice of him) perceived that lie had faith, and therefore thought proper to add the cure of his body to that of his soul, knowing that it would not only be beneficial to him. but would likewise confirm the faith of all those who should believe in Ids doctrine. And that the miracle might be wrought in the most conspicuous manner, Paul, in the midst of the congregation, said, in an audible voice, to the man, Stand upright on tbj feci; which Avoids were no sooner pronounced than lie arose, and leaped and walked. The people who beheld this miracle well knew that it could not be wrought by any human power; but having been initiated in the superstitious customs of the heathen-, they cried out, The gods are come down to us in the like- ness of men. Accordingly they called Barnabas Jupiter. on account of his venerable gravity, and Paul they named Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. It was not long before the fame of this miracle was spread throughout the city, in consequence of which al- most all the inhabitants gathered themselves together, and, preceded by the priest of Jupiter, and oxen dressed in garlands, went to the house where the apostles resided, intending to offer sacrifice before them. But as soon as Paul and Barnabas understood their intentions, they were greatly affected. at their superstitious design; and renting their clothes to express their grief and abhorrence, of the action, ran out to the multitude, whom Paul ad- dressed in words to this effect: " Ye men of Lystra, ye " are mistaken in the object of your worship; for though u we have done many miracles in the name, and by the " power of Christ, yet we are no more than men, and (i subject to the same passions with yourselves, and " preach unto you the glad tidings of salvation, that ye *6 may forsake the vanities of this world, and return to the. 66 living God, who created the heaven and the earth, the " sea, and all the creatures they contain. This Omnipo- f tent Being suffered all nations formerly to walk in their *•' own ways, though lie never left himself without witness, " doing the greatest good to the children of men; it is He *'< that sendeth rain from heaven, and crowneth the year 14*3 BROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST., u with fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with joy and (s gladness." This argument hail the desired effect, the people, (though with some difficulty) being persuaded to lay aside their idolatrous intentions. And surely no argument could be more properly adapted to answer the wishes of the inspired preacher. Is it possible that any human being can survey the several parts of the creation, and not discover, in every place, evident traces of an infinite wisdom, power and goodness? Who can survey universal nature, and not at once see and admire its great Author, who has disposed of all created things with such order and regularity, as to display, in the clearest manner, his own power and glory? Behold the sun! how justly is that source of light and heat placed in the centre of the planetary choir, that each may enjoy its destined share of its prolific beams ; so that the earth is not burnt by a too near approach, nor chilled by the northern blasts from too great a recess, but impregnated with fruits and flowers, by the happy influence of a vital heat, and crowned with luxuriant plenty by the benign influences of the season. Who can contemplate the wonderful properties of the air, and not reflect on the Divine wisdom that formed it? If we survey the earth, we there discover the footsteps of an Almighty Being, who hath filled it with a great variety of admirable and useful creatures, all of which are maintained by the bounty of his hand. It is he that clothes the grass with a delightful verdure, that crowns the year with his loving kindness, and causes the vallies to stand thick with corn. It is he that maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herbs for the service of man. He adorns the lilies of the field that neither toil nor spin, with a glory that excels the pomp and grandeur of Solomon's court. He shut up the sea with doors* and said, Hitherto shalt thou come and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves he stayed. It is the Almighty Being that arrests the storm, and smooths the tempestuous billows of the deep ; that delivereth the mariner from all his troubles, and bringeth his ship into the desired haven of safety. How reasonable, therefore, is it that we should worship and adore this Omnipotent, TO THE VUJUL EST.V03LISUMLNT OF CHRISTIANITY. 143 this kind Creator, and not transfer the honors due to him alone to frail mortals, much less to dumb idols, the work ef men's hands ! After Paul had performed the miracle on the lame man, he and Barnabas continued to persevere in the ex- ecution of their important commission, declaring, where- ever they went, the glad tidings of salvation to all who believed in the doc trine of Christ. But the malice of their enemies still pursued them: some inveterate Jews, who bad come from Antioch and Iconium, so exasperated and stirred up the multitude against them, that they took Paul, whom, just before, they would have adored, and stoned him ; after which they dragged him out of the city? supposing him to be dead. But when the disciples went to the place where he was (probably to inter bis body) he rose up,* and went into the city for that night, and the next day departed, with Barnabas, to Derbe, where they preached the Gospel, and converted many to the faith. They did not, however, continue long at Derbe, but returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, confirming the Christians of those places in the faith, earnestly per- suading them to persevere, and uot to be discouraged at those troubles and persecutions which they must expect would attend the profession of the Gospel. And that the affairs of the church might be conducted with more regu- larity, they ordained elders and pastors, to teach, instruct, and watch over them; having done which, they left them to the protection of the Almighty, to whose care they re- commended them by prayer and fasting. From Antioch they passed through Pisidia, and from thence went to Pamphylia; and, having preached to the people at Perga, they went down to Attalia, and return * This circumstance strongly confirmed the faith of his new con- verts, who all supposed that he was dead. His recovery must have evidently appeared miraculous, approaching, as near as can be con- ceived, to a resurrection from the dead. That it arose from a su- perior power was undeniably demonstrable, by his going the next day to Derbe, which was a considerable distance, and which he could not have done without the interposition of Divine Providence, because, in the common course of nature, he would more sensibly have felt his bruises than when he first received them. 134 FliOM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, ed, by sea, to Antioch in .Syria, from whence they had set out on this holy expedition. On their arrival here, they immediately assembled the church together, and, having given an account of their success, what miracles God had wrought by their hands, and a large door of faith, he, by their ministry, had opened to the Gentiles, they suspended their farther travels for the present, and, for a considerable time, took up their abode with the dis- ciples in that city. During their stay here, the church was greatly disturb- ed by means of some persons coming from J udea, who taught the people that there was no salvation without circumcision, and the observance of other legal cer- emonies. This doctrine was strongly opposed by Paul and Barnabas; in consequence of which, after many con- ferences and disputations, it was at length proposed, that the decision of the matter should be referred to the gen- eral assembly of the apostles at Jerusalem. This the whole church readily agreed to; and having deputed Barnabas and Paul, together with some others, to go with the message, they conducted them part of the way, and the two apostles, in passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, took care to relate what success they had met with in the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy and comfort of all the brethren in those parts. On their arrival at Jerusalem they were kindly re- ceived by the apostles and elders of the church, to whom, after reciting the great success they had met with in the propagation of the Gospel, they delivered the message on which they were sent. They told them, that when the Gentile proselytes, or others uncireumcised, came in to the faith, some Jewish converts, of the sect of the Phari- sees, said, that such could not be admitted into the church of Christ without circumcision ; that great disputes had arisen on tins head, and that the matter was referred to the church at Jerusalem. In consequence of this intelligence a council was im- mediately summoned to deliberate on the matter, and great disputes took place on the occasion. At length Peter, rising from his seat, addressed the audience in words to this effect : " It is well known to you all, that 10 THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 143 *• «omc time since Ged made choice of me first to "preach the Gospel to the Gentiles; and God, who u knew the sincerity of their hearts, testified that they '• were acceptable to him and fit to be baptized, bestow- •• ing on them the gift of the Holy Ghost, as he had " before upon ns, making no difference between us and •'•' them. By this one act the matter is already sufficiently w determined. Why, then, do ye press this thing so con- a trary to the will of God? and why would ye wish to " impose on the Gentile converts the performance of the •■ Mosaic law, which belonged not to them, and which " we Jews were so far from being able to perform, that u our conduct could not be justified ? It is from the u Gospel that we expect salvation and justification, ••' through faith and obedience to Christ, and not by an li observation of the Mosaic law: from whence it is plain, '•' that if the Gentiles believe, they have the same way to " salvation as ourselves." When Peter had concluded his observations, Paul and Barnabas, iu confirmation of what he had said, declared what miracles God had doue by them in the conversion of the Gentiles, which, they said, was another argument and testimony from heaven, that no difference ought to be made between them and the Jews. Upon this James (who was then bishop of Jerusalem and president of the council) stood up, and spoke to this effect: " Men and brethren, Peter hath sufficiently de- a monstrated that it was the will of God the Gentiles u should, without scruple, have the Gospel preached to " them, and be baptized. And this is agreeable to what " hath been foretold by the old prophets, particularly u Amos : In the later days I will return, and will build "again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; u and I will build again the ruins thereof and I will set ''' it up: That the residue of men might seek after the " Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is " called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. {i Wherefore it is my conclusion and determination, that '• we should not compel those to be circumcised, who " from Gentiles turn Christians, but content ourselves if " they believe. We who are Jews need not fear that this vol. iv. T ■146 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, u will bring a contempt upon Moses or the laws of the u Jews, since the contrary appears by the Christian " practice; for even where those proselytes of the Gen- " tiles are, the books of Moses are continued among " them, being read in the synagogues every sabbath -day, H to signify their respect to the law." The determination of the bishop of Jerusalem being unanimously agreed to, it was next resolved to send some proper persons with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, in order that they, having been present, might give a satis- factory account of the result of the apostles' embassy. They accordingly made choice of two, namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, men of distinguished rep- utation, and well respected by all Christians. These, ac- companied by Paul and Barnabas, proceeded to Antioch, taking with them a decree drawn up by the council, the substance of which was to this effect : " The apostles, u bishops of Judea and the whole society of Christians in " Jerusalem, salute the church of the Gentiles which is in " Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. We having received an ac- " count, that some of the Judaizing Christians who went *; from hence endeavored to subvert you, and lead you to " a groundless new doctrine of the necessity of all u Christians being circumcised, they having no instruc- 6{ tions from us so to do. We have decreed in council to u send two of our own bishops to accompany Barnabas 6i and Paul, persons who have, in preaching the Gospel. 6i behaved themselves with all sincerity, and hazarded " their lives in the service of Christ. We have sent these u that they may tell you by word of mouth more at large il our determination relative to the business on which you u sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. Having prayed <* to God to send his Holy Spirit to abide among us, and " lead us to all truth, we have determined, that the Gen- " tile Christians shall not be obliged to circumcision, or " other Judaical observances, or to any more than those " few things that have among the Jews been required of u all proselytes ; namely, that ye abstain from meats of- " fered to idols, and from blood, and from things " strangled, and from fornication ; which things, if ye " shall observe, there will be no more of the Mosaic law TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY, i 1/ K required of you, particularly circumcision shall not. '• Farewel." With this decree they immediately repaired to Antioch, whither they had no sooner arrived, than the Christian converts, hoth Jews and Gentiles, Assembled together in order to know the issue of their embassy. As soon as they were met, Paul and Barnabas presented to them the decretal epistle, which they caused to be read in the hear- ing of the whole congregation. The contents of the de- cree, which were ultimate, gave the highest satisfaction to the Gentile converts, who greatly rejoiced at finding them- selves discharged from the burden of the law, and con- firmed in their Christian liberty. While Judas and Silas were at Antioch, (being both men df excellent gifts in the interpretation of the scriptures) they employed their time in confirming be- lievers in the truth of Christianity, and, after a short stay, were, with all kindness and civility, dismissed by the church, in order to return to Jerusalem. But Silas, for some reasons, was unwilling to depart so soon, choosing rather to tarry with Paul and Barnabas. This he accord- ingly did, and those three, together with several others of the brethren, employed themselves in instructing such as had already received the Christian faith, and in preach- ing to others who had not yet embraced it. Soon after the determination of the council at Jerusa- lem, Peter went from thence to Antioch, where using the liberty, which the Gospel had given him, lie, for some time, conversed familiarly with the Gentile converts, eat- ing with them, and living with them in the same manner they did. This he had been taught to do by the vision of the sheet let down from heaven; this had been lately de- creed at Jerusalem ; this he had before practised with re- gard to Cornelius and his family, and justified the action to the satisfaction of his brethren; tiiis he had likewise done after his arrival at Antioch, till some Jewish Christians (still tenacious of the ceremonial law) coming thither from Jerusalem, Peter, fearful of offending or dis- pleasing them, withdrew himself from the Gentiles, as if it had been unlawful for him to hold conversation with uncircumcised persons; notwithstanding he knew, and 148 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, was fully satisfied, that our Blessed Saviour had broken down the wall of partition between the Jew and Gentile. Peter, by thus acting against the light of his own mind and judgment, condemned what he had approved, and de- stroyed the superstructure he had before erected : at the same time he confirmed the Jewish zealots in their gross errors, filled the minds of the Gentiles with scruples, and their consciences with fears. Paul, who was not ignorant of what pernicious influ- ence the example of so great an apostle might be (es- pecially when he saw Barnabas carried away with the stream of his indiscretion) was greatly irritated at his con- duct, and, in the presence of the whole church, se- verely rebuked him, for endeavoring to impose that yoke on the Gentiles, which he, though a Jew, thought himself at liberty to shake off. A few days after this Paul and Barnabas resolved to leave Antioch, and visit those places in which they had some time before planted Christianity among the Gentiles. In this intended excursion Barnabas proposed taking with them John Mark; but the proposition was highly disap- proved of by Paul, on account of Mark's having deserted them at Pamphylia. In consequence of this, a warm dis- pute took place between them, the issue of which was, that they determined to separate.* Accordingly, Barna- bas, accompanied by Mary, went to Cyprus, which was his native country; and soon after Paul having chosen Silas for his companion, set out on his intended visitation of the several places, in which he had before propagated Christianity. * From hence we may learn, not only, that these great lights in the Christian Church were men of the like passions with us, but that God, upon this occasion, did most eminentl illustrate the wisdom of his providence, by rendering the frailties of two such eminent ser- vants instrumental to the benefit of his church, since both of them thenceforward employed their extraordinary industry and zeal, sing- ly and apart, which till then had been united, and confined to the same places. TO T11K FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHKISTIAMTY. 1 10 chap. iv. Paul trav Is through various countries, accompanied by Silas and Timothy. They go to Philippi, where l'uul ejects a spirit of divination, for which he, and Silas are first scourged , and then put in prison, but afterwards honorably dismissed, l'aul meets with great opposition at Thessalonica, upon which he goes to lierca. and from thence to Athens, where he preaches and disputes with the people of that city. He goes from Athens to Vorinlh, from whence he ivrites his first epistle to the Tlicssaloiiians. Makes some converts, hut is greatly opposed by the Jews. Writes his second epistle to the, Thessalonians. Goes from Corinth to Ephesus, and, after staying there a short time, proceeds to Jerusalem, in order to celebrate the feast of the Passover. Returns from thence to Ephesus, where he baptizes several converts, confers on them the spirit of the Holy Ghost, and performs many astonishing miracles. Seven brothers, ivho are exorcists, attempt to imi- tate Paul, but are severely punished for their presumption. The travels of Peter, with the contents of hisfrst Epistle In the converted Jews. WHEN Paul left Antioch, after his separation from Barnabas, he and his companion Silas travelled over the provinces of Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, and leaving with each a copy of the sy nodical decree, which, a short time before, had been passed by the council at Jerusalem. From these parts they sailed to Crete,- w here Paul propagated the Gospel, and constituted Titus bishop and pastor of the island, leaving him to settle those * This was one of the richest and hest islands in the whole Medi- terranean Sea. It is said, at one time, to have contained no less than an hundred considerable towns or cities, from whence it had the name of Hecatompolis. From the goodness of the soil, and tempera- ture of the air, it was likewise stiled Macorios, or the Happy Island. At present it is commonly called Candia, from its principal town, which bears that name. It is situated opposite the mouth of the TEgean Sea, or Archipelago : and, while it continued in the hands of the Venetians, was an archbishop's see: great, rich and populous: hut, since it came into the possession of the Turks (which was in the year 1669) it has lost all marks of its former grandeur. 150 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, affairs of the church, which time would not permit the apostle to do. From Crete, Paul aud Silas returned to Cilicia, and from thence went to Lystra. Here they met with a young man named Timothy, whose father was a Greek, but his mother a Jewish convert, by whom he had been brought up under all the advantages of a pious and religious education, especially with regard to the Holy Scriptures, which he had studied with the greatest assiduity and success. This person Paul designed as a companion of his travels, and a special instrument in the ministry of the Gospel. But knowing that his being uncircumcised would prove a stumbling-block to the Jews, he caused him to be circum- cised; being willing, in lawful and indifferent matters, to conform himself to the tempers and dispositions of all, that he might thereby farther succeed in his ministry, and the sooner establish that doctrine he was sent to propagate. After staying a short time at Lystra, they passed through Phrygia* and Galatia,f where the apostle Paul was en- tertained with the greatest kindness and veneration by the people, who looked upon him as an angel sent immediate- ly from heaven. From hence he intended to have con- tinued his progress through the proconsular Asia, but was prohibited from so doing by a particular revelation. In consequence of this he went to Mysia, J and after attempt- ing in vain to go into Bithynia, § proceeded to Troas,j| * Phyrgia is a province of Asia Minor, having Bithynia to the north, Galatia to the east, Lycia to the south, and Mysia to the west. The inhabitants of this country (who are said to have been the in- ventors of augury and other kinds of divination) were anciently more superstitious than the other Asiatics, as appears from the rites which they used in the sacrifice of Cybele, and other heathen goddesses. t Galatia is a province of Asia Minor, bounded on the west by Phi; gia, on the east by the river Halys, on the north by Paphlago- nia, and on the south by Lyaconia. J Mysia is another small province of Asia Minor, bounded on the east by Phrygia, on the west by Troas, on the north by Bithynia, and on the south by the river Hermus. § Bithynia is likewise a region of Asia Minor, and received its name from one of its kings, named Bythinus; but in what age he reigned we are not informed. [| Troas was a small country belonging to Phrygia Minor, and sit- uated to the west of Mysia. upon the Hellespont. It took its name TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. IjI where soon after his arrival he had a vision, commanding him to direct his course for Macedonia.* Paul made im- mediate preparations for obeying these orders, being fully assured it was the Lord who had called him to preach the Gospel in that country. Paul and his companions, having embarked at Troas, sailed to the island of Samothracia,f and, the next day, landed at Neapolis,|. a port in Macedonia, from whence they travelled to Philippic a Roman colony, where they coutinued some days. At a small distance from Philippi the Jews had a proseuche, or place of devotion, which was much fre- quented by the devout women of their religion, who met there to pray and hear the law. In this place Paul and his companions preached the glad tidings of the Grospel, and, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, made many con- verts. Among these was a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple in Philippi, but a native of Thyatira, whom they baptized, with her whole family; in return for which she invited them to lodge in her house during their abode in that city. from its principal city, which was a sea-port, and situated about four miles from old Troy. * This is a large province in Greece, and was anciently called Emmathia, but, from the kings of Macedon, it was afterwards called Macedonia, which name it lias ever since retained. f Samothracia is a small island in the iEgean Sea, lying to the west of Troas, opposite the coast of Thrace, from whence it received its name. t Xeapolis was a sea-port, and stood very near to Thrace. At first it belonged to that province, but was afterwards taken into Macedonia. § Philippi was one of the chief cities of Macedonia, lying to the west of Neapolis. It was originally called Dathos, but afterwards took its name from Philip, the famous king of Macedon, who re- paired and beautified it. In process of time it became a Roman colony, and the inhabitants enjoyed the privileges of Roman citi- zens, and were governed by the Roman laws. These indulgences were conferred on them both by Julius and Augustus Caesar, very probably, in memory of the two great battles that were fought in the plains adjacent, the first between Julius and Pompey the Great, and the second between Augustus and Mark Antony on the one side, and Cassius and Brutus on the other. i0% FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, As Paul and his companions were one clay going, as usual, to the before-mentioned place of devotion, they were met by a certain damsel, who was possessed with a spirit of divination, by means of which her masters ac- quired considerable advantage. This woman followed Paul and his companion, crying out, These men are the servants of the Most High God, which shew us the way of salvation. Paul, at first, took no notice of her, not being willing to multiply miracles without necessity. Bat when he saw her following them several days together, he be- gan to be troubled ; and therefore, in imitation of his great master, (who would not suffer the devil to acknowledge Mm, lest his false and lying tongue should prejudice the truth in the minds of men) commanded the spirit, in the name of Jesus, to come out of her. Accordingly the evil spirit obeyed, and at that instant left the damsel. , This miraculous cure proving a great loss to her mas- ters, (who had acquired large sums from her soothsaying) they were vehemently incensed against the apostles. They therefore caused Paul and Silas to be apprehended and carried before the magistrates of the city, to whom they accused them of introducing many innovations, which were prejudicial to the state, and unlawful for them to comply with, as being Romans. The magistrates, being concerned for the tranquility of the state, and fearful of all disturbances, were very for- ward to punish the offenders, against whom the multitude testified; and therefore they commanded the officers to strip them, and scourge them severely as seditious per- sons. This was accordingly done, after which they were committed to close custody, and the jailer, having re- ceived a strict charge to keep them in the utmost security, not only thrust them into the inner prison, but likewise made their feet fast to the stocks. But neither the obscure dungeon, nor the pitchy man- tle of the night, can intercept the beams of Divine joy and comfort from the souls of pious men. Their minds were all serenity ; and at midnight they prayed, and sung praises to God so loud, that they were heard in every part of the prison. Nor were their prayers offered to the throne of grace in vain : an earthquake shook the foundations of TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1 .">•* the prison, opened the doors, loosed the chains, and set the prisoners at liberty. This convulsion of nature roused the jailor from his steep; and concluding, from what he saw, that all his prisoners were escaped, lie was going to put a period to his life, which being observed by Paul, he hastily called out, Do thyself no harw.for we are all here. The keep- er was as much surprized at this as he had been before terrified at the thoughts of their escape; and calling for a light, he went immediately into the presence of Paul and Silas, fell down at their feet, took them from the dungeon, brought them to his own house, washed their stripes, and then besought them to instruct him in the knowledge of that God who was so mighty to save. Paul readily grant- ed his request, telling him, that, if he believed in Jesus Christ, he and his whole house might be saved. Accord- ingly the jailor, with all his family, were, after a compe- tent instruction, baptized, and received as members of the Christian church. — How happy a change does the doc- trine of the Gospel make iu the minds of men ! How does it smooth the roughest tempers, and instil in their minds the sweetest principles of civility and good-nature! He, who but a few moments before tyrannized over Paul and Silas with the most cruel usage, now treated them with the greatest respect, and shewed them the highest marks of kindness. Early the next morning the magistrates (either having heard what had happened, or reflecting on what they had done as too harsh and unjustifiable) sent their sergeant to the jailor, with orders immediately to discharge Paul and Silas. The jailor joyfully delivered the message, and bade them depart in peace ; but Paul, in order to make the magistrates sensible what injury they had done them, and how unjustly they had punished them without examination or trial, refused to accept of their discharge, alledging, " that they were not only innocent persons, but denizens of Rome; that, as they had been illegally scourged and committed to prison, their delivery should be as public as was the injury, and attended with a solemn retraction of what they had done." vol. iv. U 154' VROM THE ASCEXSIOX OF CHRIST, The magistrates were greatly terrified at this message^ well knowing how dangerous it was to provoke the formidable power of the Romans, who never suffered any free man to be beateu uncondemned. They therefore went to the prison, and very submissively entreated them to depart without any farther disturbance. This small recompence for the cruel usage they had received was accepted by the meek followers of the Blessed Jesus : they accordingly left the prison, and retired to the house of Lydia, in which were a great number of converts. To those they related all that had passed, and after some conference with them, they took their leave and departed. From Philippi Paul and his companions travelled towards the west, till they arrived at Thessaloniea,* the metropolis of Macedonia. Here Paul preached in the synagogues of the Jews three sabbath-days successively, proving, from the predictions of the Old Testament, that the Messiah was to suffer, and to rise again ; and that the Blessed Jesus was the Messiah spoken of by the prophets. Some of his hearers, among whom were sever- al women of rank and quality, believed, and were con- verted to the faith, but the greater part of the Jews dis- approved of his doctrine. During their stay at Thessalouica, they lodged in the house of a certain Christian named Jason, who entertain- ed tliem very courteously. But the Jews, in general, were so incensed against them, that they would not suffer them to continue at rest. They refused to embrace the Gospel themselves, and therefore envied its success, and determined to oppose its progress. Accordingly they gathered together a great number of lewd aud wicked people, who beset the house of Jason, intending to take Paul, and deliver him up to an incensed multitude. But in this they were disappointed, he, with his companions, * Thessaloniea was anciently called Thesma, from the sea to which it adjoins. It is the opinion of some that it received the latter name in memory of the victory which Philip king of Macedon ob- tained over the Thessalonians; but others think it took its name from Thessaloniea, the wife of Cassander, and daughter of Philip. It is at present called Salonichi, has a safe harbor for the benefit of commerce, and is an archbishop's see of the Grecian church. ro THH BULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1 ;"»;- being removed from thence by the Christians, and con- cealed in some other part of the city. This disappoint- ment increased their rage, and they determined to be re- venged on Jason, who had concealed them. Accordingly they seized him, with some others of the brethren, and carried them before the magistrates of the city, accused them with disturbing the peace of the empire, and setting up Jesus as a king, in derogation of the emperors digni- ty and authority. In consequence of this accusation both the people and magistrates became their euemics; and though Jason was only accused of harboring Paul and his companions, yet the magistrates could not be prevail- ed ou to dismiss Jason and his brethren till they had given security for their future appearance. As soon as the tumult was over, those Thessalonians who had been converted sent away Paul and his com- panions, by night, to Bersea, a city about fifty miles to the south of Thessalonica. Here also Paul's great love for his countrymen the Jews, and his earnest wishes for their salvation, excited him to preach to them in particu- lar. Accordingly, he entered into their synagogue, and explained the Gospel to them, proving, from the scrip- tures of the Old Testament, the truth of the doctrine he advanced. The Jews here were of a more ingenuous and candid temper than those of Thessalonica; and as they heard him, with great reverence and attention, expound the scriptures, so they searched diligently, whether his proofs were proper and pertinent, and consonant to the sense of the text to which he referred. Having done this, and found every thing agreeable to what Paul had ad- vanced, many of them believed; and some Gentiles (among whom were several women of quality) following their example, became obedient to the faith. The news of this remarkable success being carried to Thessalonica, the Jews of that place were so incensed that great num- bers of them went to Beraia, and raised tumults in that city ; in consequence of which Paul, to avoid their fury, was obliged to leave the place, but Silas and Timothy, who, perhaps, were either less known, or less envied, remain »>d behind. 156 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Paul, leaving Benea under the conduct of certain guides, it was imagined that he designed to retire by sea out of Greece, that his restless enemies might cease their persecution; but the guides, in conformity to Paul's di- rection, conducted them to Athens,* where they left him, after receiving orders to tell Silas and Timothy to repair to him as soon as possible. While Paid continued at Athens, expecting the arrival of his companions, he walked up and down to take an accurate survey of the city, which he found wretchedly over-run with superstition and idolatry. The inhabitants were remarkably religious and devout, they had a great number of Gods whom they adored; false, indeed, they were, but such as they, being destitute of revelation, ac- counted true; and so very careful were they that no deity should want due honor from them, that they had an altar inscribed, to the unknown God.j- These superstitious practices greatly afflicted Paul, in consequence of which he exerted all his endeavors to convert the people. He disputed on the sabbath-day in the synagogues of the Jews ; and, at other times, took all op- portunities of preaching to the Athenians the coming of the Messiah to save the world. This doctrine was equally new and strange to the Athenians; and though they did not persecute Paul as * x^thens was once the most celebrated eity for learning of any in the world. It was situated on a gulf of the iEgean Sea, which comes up to the isthmus of* the Peloponnese, or Morea, in that dis- trict of Greece, called Attica, and was the parent of that dialect which was esteemed the purest and finest Greek. Cicero calls it the fountain, from whence civility, learning, and laws were derived to other nations. t That the Athenians had altars in their public places, without names on them, and others to unknown gods, is evident from the testimony of Laertius, who informs us, that when a great plague raged at Athens, and several means had been attempted for the re- moval of it, they were advised by Epimedies the philosopher, to build an altar and dedicate it to the proper and peculiar God to whom sacrifices were due. And the Athenians not knowing by what name to call him, erected an altar with this inscription, To the Gods of Asia, Europe, and Africa, to the strange and Unknown God : by which, as some imagine, they intended the God of the Jews, who had given such wonderful deliverances to his own people. ro mi'. 11 It I. ESTABLISHMENT OF CHKISTIANITY. i-^7 the .lows had done, yet his preaching Jesus was con- sidered, by the Epicurean* and Stoic philosophers, as a fabulous legend. The generality of the people, however, considered it as a discovery of some new gods, which they had not yet placed in their temples; and though they were not unwilling to receive any new deities, yet, as the Areopagusf was to judge of all gods, to whom public worship might be allowed, they took him before the members of that court, to give an account of his doctrine. Paul, being placed before the judges of this high assembly, explained the nature of the doctrine he taught in a very grave and elegant speech, the substance of which was to this effect: u Ye men of Athens, I am here (t brought as a prisoner into your supreme tribunal, as " one who sets forth strange doctrines; and yet, from I lie " observations 1 have made since I arrived in your city, " I find you so much attached to superstition, that you " know not what you worship, nay, that you even have " such a number of idols, that you cannot find names for " them; for one of your altars has upon it an inscription " to the unknown God. That the true God of heaven u and earth is, in a great measure, unknown to you is u very evident, and that is the Being whose works I " now publish to you. By Him was all nature created ; " and as he fills immensity with his presence, so he can- " not be circumscribed by temples made with hands. " Our worship, as men, can add nothing to his per- " fections; for all we have, and all we enjoy, is the un- " merited gift of his inexhaustible bounty. When he " created us out of nothing he appointed that we should " consider ourselves as children of the same common " parent; and in the course of his Providence he has so * The Epicureans among tie Greeks and Romans were much Hie same as the Sadducees among the Jews; for both denied a Divine providence and a future state. f The Areopagus was a celebrated court or senate, where justice was administered to all ranks of people by judges learned in the law. It was situated on Mars-hill, an eminence without the city, and many of the inhabitants of Athens spent much of their time in it, disputing with each other on speculative points, and asking news concerning the progress of the Roman arms in different parts of the world. {58 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, i: ordered it, that either by nature or revelation we should u use such means as may, in the end, lead us to the £i knowledge of himself, and promote our eternal bappi- ei ness, for he is every where present, and none of our u thoughts can be hidden from him. Nay, be not sur- " prized, for one of your own poets has expressly dc- 6t clared, that we arc the offspring of the Supreme Being, u and, therefore, we are not to form carnal notions of his u perfections, as if he could be represented in a human " shape. It is true, God, in his iniiuite mercy, drew a a veil over those ages of ignorance ; but now he hath a made his will known, and, therefore, those who have " been long slaves to their lusts and passions, are com- *'•' manded to turn from the evil of their ways, in order to •• obtain the Divine favor. And this is the more neces- i{ sary, because he hath fixed, by an unalterable decree, t{ that when the universal frame of nature shall be dis- (i solved, he will raise mankind from the grave, and re- 66 ward or punish them according to their works here *; below. As a proof of this he has already raised up '• Christ from the dead, and, as he has become the first " fruits of those who still sleep, so he has ordered that, " by him, all mankind shall be judged. Such is the " doctrine I deliver unto you, and I leave you to judge ft whether or not I have acted as an impostor." That part of Paul's discourse in which he mentioned the resurrection gave great offence to some of the philoso- phers, who mocked and derided him ; while others, more modest, but not satisfied with the proofs he had given, gravely said, We would hear thee again of this matter. After this Paul left the court, but not without some success, for a few of his auditors (among whom were Dionysius, one of the senators, and Damaris, a lady of considerable rank) believed his doctrine, and attended his instructions. — Thus boldly did this intrepid servant and soldier of Jesus Christ assert the cause of his Divine Master among the great, the wise and the learned ; and thus did he reason, with the most distinguished strength and eloquence, on the nature of God, and the manner in which he has commanded his creatures to worship him even in spirit and in truth. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 159 During Paul's stay at Athens, Timothy and Silas (according to the orders they had received) came to him from Thessalonica, with an account that the Christians there had been under persecution from their fellow- citizens ever since his departure. This gave great uneasiness to Paul, and at first inclined him to visit them in person, in order to confirm them in the faith they had embraced. But reflecting on the consequences that might ensue if he went himself, he sent Timothy and Silas to comfort them, and put them in mind of what he had before told them, namely, that persecution Avould be the constant attendant on their profession. After the departure of Timothy and Silas, Paul left Athens, and went to Corinth,* where he met with a cer- tain Jew, named Aquila, lately come from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had made an edict for banishing all the Jews from Home. Paul having in- structed these two in the Christian faith, took up his lodgings, with them (and made their house his principal place of residence) during his stay at Corinth. Every sabbath-day he preached in the synagogues, laboring to convince both Jews and Greeks, that Jesus was the true Me'ssiah. A short time after Paul had been at Corinth, Timothy and Silas arrived thither from Thessalonica, with the joyful news of the steadfast adherence of the Christians in that city to the truth of the Gospel. This was a matter of great consolation to Paul, who thereupon wrote his first Epistle to the Thessalonians. In this epistle (f he highly applauds their courage and zeal in the belief of the Christian religion, and exhorts them to a noble con- stancy and perseverence amidst their afflictions : he com- mends them for their charity to the believers in Mace- donia, and gives them many instructions concerning con- * Corinth was the capital of Aehaia, and had its name from one Corinthus, who took and rebuilt it. Its situation, which is at the bottom of the isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus to the continent, rendered it capable of commanding-all Greece; but its inhabitants. living' as it were upon two seas, were chiefly merchants, and by their commerce produced abundance of wealth, which produced ostenta- tion, effeminacy, and all manner of vice. 160 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST,. versation, and leading a good life : lie exhorts them to the practice of all purity and holiness ; to avoid idleness ; to be diligent in their callings, and not immoderate in their grief for the dead ; and concludes with instructions to them concerning the doctrine of the resurrection, the manner of Christ's coming to judge the world, and the obligation all were under to make a timely preparation for so solemn an event." After the arrival of Timothy and Silas at Corinth, Paul preached the doctrine of Christ with fresh ardor to the Jews ; but they instead of attending to what he said, opposed him, and what they could not conquer by fair argument, and force of reason, they endeavored to carry by noise and clamor, blended with blasphemous and op- probrious language. In consequence of this, Paul, to testify his abhorrence of their behavior, shook his gar- ments, and told them, that since they were determined to draw down the vengeance of heaven upon their own heads, he was absolutely guiltless and innocent, and would thenceforth address himself to the Gentiles. Ac- cordingly he left them, and repaired to the house of one Justus, a religious proselyte, where, by his preaching and miracles, he converted great numbers to the faith, among whom were some few Jews, particularly Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and two others of con- siderable distinction, who, with their families, were bap- tized, and admitted members of the Christian church. Paul was greatly perplexed in his mind on account of the perverseness and obstinacy of the Jews, and began to despair of being able to convince them of the impropriety of their behavior, or to bring them to an effectual discern- ment of the truth of his doctrine. But he was encouraged to persevere in the attempt by an heavenly vision, in which he was told, that notwithstanding the bad success he had hitherto met with, there was a large harvest to be gathered in that place : that therefore he should not be afraid of his enemies, but preach the Gospel boldly, for that he might be assured of the Divine protection in all his undertakings. In consequence of this, and in certain iiopes of success, Paul continued at Corinth for the space TO rHB rtlLL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. J 7* I of one year and six months, teaching the word of God with various success to the people. Some time after Paul had received encouragement from the heavenly vision, the Jews made a general insur- rection against hiin, and having taken him into custody, carried him before Gallio, who, at that time, was pro- consul of Achaia. The accusation they laid against him was, that he had attempted to introduce a new religion, contrary to what was established by the Jewish law, and permitted by the llomau powers. But, as Gallio appre- hended that this was a controversy which did not fall un- der the cognizance of the civil judicature, he would not have any concern in it, and therefore ordered his officers to drive them out of the court. Upon this the Gentiles took Sosthenes, a ruler of the synagogue, and one of Paul's chief accusers, and beat him publicly before the tribunal; but this did not give the pro-consul the least disturbance. Paul continued at Corinth some time after this incident, and, before his departure from thence, Avrole his second Epistle to the Thessaloniaus. In this Epistle " he en- deavors to confirm their minds in the faith, and to animate them courageously to endure persecution from the unbe- lieving Jews, a lost and undone race of men, whom the Divine vengeance was ready to overtake : he rectifies the misinterpretation which false teachers had made of some passages in his former Epistle, relative to the day of judgment, as if it was just at hand, and shews what events (especially that of the coming and destruction of the man of sin J must precede the approaoh of that day. Having craved their prayers in his behalf, and made his request to God in theirs, he concludes with divers pre- cepts, especially to shun idleness aud ill company, and mot to be weary in well-doing." After Paul had planted the church of Corinth, he left that city, and, taking with him Aquila and Priscilla, em- barked at Ceuchrea, from whence they sailed to Ephesus.* * Ephesus, the metropolis and principal mart of (he Pro-con- sular Asia, was situated upon the river Cayster, and on the side of a hill, which, towards the west, had the prospect of a lovely plain, watered and beautified with the pleasant circles of the river, vol. iv. X l&J KROxM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Here he preached some time in the synagogue of the Jews ; but, being resolved to attend the celebration of the passover at Jerusalem, he set sail for Cesarea, leaving be- hind him Aquila and Priscilla, to whom he promised to return (if God would permit) as soon as possible. From Cesarea Paul proceeded to Jerusalem, and after having visited the church there, and kept the feast of the Pass- over, went to Antioch. Here he stayed some time, and then traversed the countries of Cralatia and Phrygia, taking his course towards Ephesus, and confirming the new converted Christians in every place through which he passed. I)uring the time Paul spent in this large circuit, Pro- vidence look care of the churches of Ephesus and Corinth by means of one Apollos, an eloquent Jew of Alexandria, and well acquainted with the law and writings of the turning and winding in so many curious mazes, that some travellers have mistaken it for the meander, and this the rather, because the Turks gave it the name of the Lesser Mendres. Among heathen authors this city was once much celebrated for its famous temple of Diana, which, for its largeness and workmanship, was accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. It is said to have been 42.') feet long, 220 broad, and to have been supported with 127 pillars of marble, 70 feet high, whereof 27 were most curiously wrought, and all the rest polished. One Ctesiphon, a famous architect in his time, contrived the model of it, and that with so much art and curiosity, that it took up two hundred years before it was finished, even though it was built at the common charge of all Asia properly so called. After it was finished it was seven times set on fire; but. once more especially, on the very same day that Socrates was poisoned, 400 years before Christ; and, at another lime (when Erostratus fired it only to get himself a name) on the same night that Alexander the Great was born. It was rebuilt, however, and beautified by the Ephesians, to which work the Ladies of Ephesus contributed very largely. In the time of our apostle, it retained a great deal of its former grandeur; but at present it is only an heap of ruins. The only two buildings worth observation are, a strong and lofty castle, situate on an eminence, and a beautiful church, honored with the name of St. John, but now converted into a Turkish mosque. AH the rest of the place is the habitation of herdsmen and farmers, who live in low and humble cottages of dirt, covered oli the top with earth, and sheltered from the extremity of the weather by mighty masses of ruinous walls, the pride and osten- tation of former days, and in the present, the emblem of the frailty of the world, and the transient vanity of human glory. TO ill/: FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. i68 prophets. This man, going to Ephesus, though he was only instructed in the rudiments of Christianity, and John's baptism, yet taught with greal courage, and a most powerful. zeal. After being fully instructed in the faith by Aquila and Priscilla, he passed over into Achaia, being furnished with recommendatory letters by the churches of Ephesus and Corinth, lie was of great service in Achaia, by watering what Paul had planted, confirming the dis- ciples, and powerfully convincing many others of the .lews that Jesus was the true and only Messiah promised in the Sacred Writings. While Apollos was thus employed, Paul returned to Ephesus, where he took up his abode for a considerable time. The first thing he did after his return was, to ex- amine certain disciples (in number about twelve) whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed? To Which they answered, " That the doctriuc they had re- ceived did not promise any thing of that nature, nor had they ever heard that such an extraordinary spirit had been bestowed on the members of the church." This an- swer greatly surprized the apostle, who asked them in what name they had been baptized ; since in the Christian form, the name of the Holy Ghost was always express- ed? They replied, that they had only received John's baptism; upon which the apostle informed them that, though John's baptism commanded nothing but repent- ance, yet it tacitly implied the whole doctrine of Christ and the Holy Ghost. When they heard this they were baptized according to the form prescribed by Christ him- self, that is, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and after the apostle had prayed and laid his hands on them, they received the gifts of tongues and other miraculous powers. After ttris Paul entered into the Jewish synagogues, in which (for the first three months) he daily contended and disputed with the Jews, endeavoring, with great earnestness and resolution, to convince them of the truth of the Christian religion. But when, instead of meet- ing with success, he found they were inflexible in their obstinacy and infidelity, lie left the synagogue, and, taking those with him whom he had converted, instructed l/^ FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, them, and others who resorted to him, in the school of one Tyrannus. Here he continued to preach the Gospel two years, by which means the Jews and proselytes had an opportunity of hearing the glad tidings of salvation; and as miracles were the clearest evidence of a Divine com- mission, God was pleased to testily tlie truth of the doc- trine Paul preached, by a variety of miraculous opera- tions, many of which were of the most peculiar and extra- ordinary nature; for he not only healed those diseased persons that came to him, but, if handkerchiefs or aprons were only touched by him, and applied to the sick, or those possessed with evil spirits, they were instantly cured. In the city of Ephesus, and its neighborhood, wcro many vagabond Jews, who went about, from one place to the other, pretending to cure diseases, and cast Out devils by their exorcisms. Among these were seven brothers (the sons of one Sceva, a Jewish priest) who observing with what facility Paul effected his miraculous cures and dispossessions of evil spirits, attempted themselves to do the like ; and, to add greater force to their proceedings, instead of the usual form of incantation (which was in the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) they in- voked the name of Jesus over a demoniac. But here it pleased God to make a most distinguished and visible difference between those who applied this powerful name regularly and with commission, and others, who, of their own heads, and for ill designs, dared to usurp it; for the demoniac, falling upon the exorcists, tore off their clothes, wounded their bodies, and scarce suffered them to escape with their lives. When this singular event came to be known among the Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus, they were filled with such a reverential fear, that noue dared to mention the name of Jesus, but with the most profound respect ; and many, who had addicted themselves to the study of magic, ac- knowledged their sins, and publicly burnt their books, the value of which was estimated at no less than fifty thousand pieces of silver. So efficacious was the Gospel of Christ in these parts ! TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1/5 "While Paul was diligently pursuing his ministry at Ephesus, Peter was preaching the Gospel to the Jews in several provinces of the Lesser Asia; from whence, travelling eastward, he at length came to the ancient city of Babylon in Chaldea. Here he staid some time, and from hence wrote his first epistle (which is called a Cath- olic or General Epistle) to (he converted Jews who were dispersed in various parts of Chaldea. Peter introduces this admirable epistle with a solemn thanksgiving to God for their call to Christianity, whereby they had obtained a lively hope of an eternal inheritance in heaven; after which he recommends them to the practice of several virtues, as a means to make their calling and election sure, viz. " That they should live in a constant worship and fear of God, and imitate their Master, Jesus Christ, in holiness and purity; that they should be diligent hearers of the Gospel, and grow up to perfection by it; that they should lead exemplary lives among the Gentiles, abstaining from carnal lusts, and behaving themselves with modesty, thereby to convince their enemies, 'hat calumnies would be unreasonable; that they should be- have themselves well under their respective relations, sub- mitting themselves to their governors, whether superior or inferior to themselves in point of circumstances; that servants should obey their masters, wives be subject to their husbands, and husbands honor their wives; that they should all love one another fervently and unfeignedly, bear afflictions patiently, live in union, and sympathize with each other in their afflictions. And lastly, that the ministers and pastors of the several churches should take special care of the flocks committed to their charge; teach them diligently, and govern them gently, not seeking their own gain and profit, but the salvation of the souls of the people." — This is the purport of Peter's Epistle to the converted Jews; and the whole is written with a fervor and zeal truly consistent with the sentiments and abilities of so great an apostle. The language is simple, and every expression so formed, as to convey a thorough idea of his meaning to the weakest capacity. All the argu- ments he makes use of to teach them patience are drawn 166 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, from the sacred writings, and are consistent with the doc> trines of true religion. CHAP. T. 2* uniforms the resolution of leaving Ephesus, but, before Ms departure, receives advice of the misconduct of the converts at Corinth, in consequence of which he writes his first Epistle to the Corinthians. He likewise, on a like complaint, writes his Epistle to the Galatians. A great tumult happens at Ephesus, occasioned by one Demetrius, a silversmith ; but is at length suppressed by the judicious conduct of the Re- corder of the city. Paul, after appointing Timothy bishop of Ephesus, leaves that city, and goes to Macedonia, from whence he writes his second Epistle to the Corinthians. He leaves Macedonia, and goes to Corinth, from whence he ivrites his Epistle to the Romans. Returns from Corinth to Macedonia, and performs a singular miracle at Troas. Goes from Troas to Miletus, where he gives the Ephesian clergy his pastoral charge. Proceeds from Miletus to Jerusalem, where he is apprehended by the Jews. Claudius Lysias, commander of the Jloman garrison in the castle of Jlntonia, interposes in his behalf. Paul escapes scourging, and hap- pily eludes the malice of tlie Jews. PAUL, having been at Ephesus about two years, resolved to return into Macedonia, and after going from thence to Jerusalem, in order to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, to proceed in his journey, which he had long intended, to Rome. In consequence of these resolutions, and as a necessary preparation to carry them into execu- tion, lie sent Timothy and Erastus before him into Mace- donia, while himself staid behind at Ephesus, in order to settle some matters that were necessary to be adjusted pre- vious to his departure. Soon after Timothy and Erastus had left Ephesus, Paul received information of some disturbances at Corinth, hatched and fomented by a number of false teachers crept in among the converts of that city, who endeavored to TO THE FULL ESTAB1 ISHMBNT Of CBRIST1 \\IT\. tt>7 draw them into parties and factions, by persuading sonic in hi* for Paul, and others lor Apollos, the different per- sons from whom they had received instructions relative to the Christian faith. In consequence of these disturbances they committed great disorders, and celebrated the Holy Sacrament very irreverently. They were addicted to for- nication, and one in particular had run into incest, by marrying his Fathers wife. They were unjust and fraudulent in their dealings; they went to law at heathen tribunals, and, among them were found some, who were bold and profligate enough to deny the resurrection. To quell these schisms and factions which had taken place, and to chastise them in a proper manner for their misconduct, Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Coriuth- i:ms, in which lie " shews the inequality of Christ's min- isters, and their insufficiency for the work to which they are ordained, without the Divine assistance; orders the incestuous person to be excommunicated, lest his example should infect others; blames their litigious law-suits, as thinking it much better to refer their differences to some of their own body; propounds the first institution of the sacrament, and a previous examination of their lives, to bring them to a right use of it; and, having added several things concerning a decent behavior, both of men and women, in their churches; concerning the gifts of the Holy Ghost; the excellency of charity ; the gift of tongues, and prayer iu an unknown language, he proves the truth of the Gospel, and the certainty of a future resurrection, almost to a demonstration. It was about this time also that Paul wrote his Epistle to the Galatians. He had received information that, since his departure from thence, several impostors had crept in among them, who strongly insisted on the necessity of cir- cumcision, and other Mosaic rites, and greatly disparaged his authority. Paul, therefore, in this Epistle, reproves them with some necessary warmth and severity, for suf- fering themselves so easily to be imposed upon by the crafty artifices of seducers. He largely refutes these ju- daical opinions wherewith they were infected, and, by several arguments, proves, that the slavery of the law- brought a curse with it; was destructive of their Christian 17^ FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, liberty, and incapable of procuring their justification in the sight of God. Among these reproofs and arguments, however, he intermixes several exhortations full of pater- nal and apostolic charity; and, towards the conclusion, gives them many excellent rules and directions for the conduct of their lives and conversations." A short time before Paul left Ephesus, a circumstance occurred, which occasioned a general disturbance through- out the city, and had nearly proved fatal to him and his adherents. In the celebrated temple of Diana was au image of that goddess, which the idolatrous priests per- suaded the people was made by Jupiter himself, and dropped down from heaven; for which reason it was held in great veneration, not only at Ephesus, but throughout all Asia. In consequence of this the people procured silver shrines, or figures of the temple and Diana, of such a size as to carry in their pockets, either for curi- osity, or to stir them up to their devotion. This proved the source of a great deal of business to the silversmiths of Ephesus ; of whom one Demetrius Avas the chief. This man plainly perceiving that Christianity tended to the subversion of idolatry, and consequently to the ruin of their gainful employment, called all the artists together, and pathetically represented to them, how inevitably they must be reduced to a state of poverty, if they suffered Paul to bring their temple and goddess into contempt, by persuading people, as he did, that they were no gods which were made with hands. This speech of Demetrius fired them with a zeal which they could no longer contain ; so that they cried out with one voice, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. They* should, indeed, have considered that if their goddess was able to defend herself against the doctrines preached by Paul, neither she nor the temple were in auy danger: whereas if Paul was able to destroy their gods, it was in vain for them to resist him. But interest and superstition meeting in the minds of a bigotted multitude, admitted of no reason. They were all fired with a zeal for their god- dess, and determined, if they could find Paul, to expose him to the beasts in the theatre, it being customary, in those days, at the celebration of their public games and TO in: IBUSHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 1 09 festivals, to expose such as they deemed criminals to the ravage of wild beasta for the diversion of the spectators. The whole city was filled with the tumult: and the crowd missing Paul, laid hold on (»aius and Aristarchus, two Macedonians of Paul's company, and hurried them into the theatre, with a design to throw them to the wild beasts. Paul, who was at this time in a place of security,. ing of the danger to which his brethren were exposed, -was very desirous of venturing after them, in order to speak in their behalf: but he was at last dissuaded from it not only by the Christians, but also by the Gentile governors of the theatrical games', who were his friends, and who assured him that he would only endanger him- self without rescuing his friends. The noise and confusion of the multitude was now s, most of them not knowing the reason for which they were come together; and therefore some said one thing, and some another. In this distraction Alexan- der, a Jewish convert, was singled out by the multitude, and by the instigation of the Jews was going to make his defence, in which, doubtless, he would have laid the whole blame upon Paul; but the multitude perceiving him to be a Jew, and therefore suspecting he was one of Paul's associates, raised another outcry for near two hours together, wherein nothing could be heard, but Great is Diana of the Ephesians. This confusion brought the town-clerk, or recorder of the city, who kept the reg- ister of the games, into the theatre, to suppress, if possi- ble, so uncommon a tumult. Having, with great difficul- ty, obtained silence, he calmly and discreetly told them, " That it was sufficiently known to all the world what a mighty veneration the inhabitants of Ephesus had for their great goddess Diana, and the famous image which fell down from Jupiter, so that there needed not any dis- turbance to vindicate and assert it; that they had seized on persons, who were not guilty either of sacrilege or blasphemy against their goddess ; that if Demetrius and his company had any just charge against them, the courts were sitting, and they might enter their accusation; or, if the controversy was about any other matter, there were proper judicatures to determine if iu: that therefore they voi. iv. Y I1/*) FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, would do well to be pacified, having done more already than they could answer, and being in danger of incurring a severe punishment, if they should be called to an ac- count (as very likely they might) for that day's riotous assembly." This speech had the desired effect : the multitude were convinced that they had acted very improperly, and therefore repaired to their respective habitations; and Graius, Aristarchus, and Alexander were released with- out any hurt. But the escape of Paul was so remarkable, that he mentions it as a miraculous deliverance. We had (says he) the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, hut in God, who raised the dead, who delivered us from so great a death. And in another place lie tells us, he fought icith beasts at Ephesus; alluding either to the desigu of the enraged multitude of throwing him to the wild beasts in the thea- tre, though their intention was not executed, or to the manners of the people, who justly deserved the character of being savage and brutal to the highest degree. Soon after the tumult was suppressed at Ephesus, Paul, having called the church together, and constituted Timothy bishop of the place, took his leave, and depart- ed by Troas to Macedonia; where, having instructed some, and confirmed others in the principles of a sound faith and holy life, he continued his preaching all over the country, even as far as Illyricum.* During this jour- ney Paul met with many troubles and dangers, without were fightings, and within fears; but God, who comfort - * This is a province of Europe, lying to the north or north-west of Macedonia, along the Adriatic Sea, now called the Gtilph of Venice. It was commonly distinguished into two parts; Lyburnia to the north, where now lies Croatia; and Dalmatia to the south, which still retains its name. St. Paul tells us, that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, he had fully preached the Gospel of Christ. Rom. xv. 19. So that he must have travelled into Syria, Phoenicia, Arabia, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, Galatia, Pont us, Paphlagonia, Phrygia, Troas, Asia, Caria, Lysia, Ionia, Lydia, the isles of Cyprus and Crete, Thracia, Macedonia, Thes- salia, and Achaia. So justly, and without ostentation, might he say, that, in relation to the other apostles, he labored more abundantly than them all. 1 Cor. xv. 10. to Tin: full establishment of Christianity. 17 1 cth those that arc cast down, revived his spirits by the arrival of Titus, who gave him a pleasing account of the gsod effects his epistle had produced at Corinth, ami •what great reformation it had wrought among the converts of that city. 13ut, as several vain-glorious teachers still persisted iii their contumacy, vilifying his authority, and misrepresenting his words and actions; charging him, particularly with levity, in not going there according to Lis promise; with severity, in his dealings with the in- cestuous person; with imperiousness in his writings, ab- jectness in his person, and some small tincture of irreligion in overthrowing the Mosaic law (all which he understood from Titus) he thought it necessary to write a second epistle to the Corinthians. In this epistle u he excuses his not going directly to Corinth, for fear of occasioning them sorrow, and giving himself uneasiness, in being obliged to treat with severity those who had not yet amended their faults. He commends their zeal against the incestu- ous person, but now that lie had suffered enough for his transgression, allowed them to be reconciled to him. He justifies his own conduct, vindicates the dignity and min- istry of the Gospel, and proves its great excellence above, the law. He declaims agaiust those false teachers, who made it their business to traduce and vilify him, and threatens them with his apostolic authority whenever he shall arrive among them. He then speaks of himself with some advantage, and, though he mentions his supernatur- al gifts and revelations, yet seems to glory most in his extraordinary laborings and sufferings for the Gospel. And, lastly, he exhorts them all to the works of penance and mortification, lest, when he arrived thither, he should be obliged to exert his authority against offenders ; and particularly cautions them to have their alms in readiness, that they may not be an hindrance to him when he shall arrive at Corinth." After Paul had travelled through the principal places in Macedonia and Achaia, confirming those who had been converted, and bringing over others to the faith, he proceeded to Corinth, where he took up his residence for the space of three months. During his abode hero he wrote his famous Epistle to the Romans, which he sent 1/2 PROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, by Pbebe, a deaconess of the church of Ccncbrea, near Corinth. In this Epistle " lie states and determines the great controversy between the Jews and the Gentiles, rela- tive to the obligation of the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law, and those main and material doctrines of Christianity which depend on it, such as that of Christian liberty, the use of different tilings, &c. He also points out the effects of original sin, and the power it has even among the regenerate; and, through the whole of the Epistle, intermixes many admirable instructions and ex- hortations to the duties of an holy and religious life, such as the Christian doctrine doth naturally tend to produce." Paul, having gathered considerable alms both in Mace- donia and Achaia, resolved to leave Corinth, in order to carry them into Judea for the relief of the Christians in those parts. His first intention was to go through Syria, as being by far the nearest way ; but having received infor- mation that the Jews of that country had formed a con- spiracy against his life, he altered his course, and deter- mined to go through Macedonia. Accordingly, leaving Corinth, he proceeded to Philippi, where he stayed some time, in order to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. From hence he took shipping, and, in five days, landed at Troas, where he continued a week. On the sabbath, which was the last day of his staying there, he preached to the Christians of the place, who had assembled to- gether in order to receive the sacrament; and, as he in- tended leaving them the next morning, he continued his harangue till midnight. The length of his discourse, and the time of night, caused some of his hearers to be so fa- tigued as to fall asleep. Among these was a young man named Eutychus, who, sitting in a higher window, so forgot himself, that he fell from thence to the ground, and was taken up dead. This circumstance being made known to the apostle, he stopped his discourse, and going to the young man, by prayers to the throne of grace, re- stored him to life and health. — How indefatigable was this great apostle in doing good ! how closely did he tread in the steps of his great master, who went about doing good/ He preached and wrought miracles, wher- ever he went. Like a master-builder* he either laid a TO ["HE FL'I.L ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 17-3 foundation, or raised the superstructure. He was instant, in season and out of season, and spared no pains in r;i- demvoring to secure the eternal welfare of his fellow- neat ures. After performing this miracle, Paul resumed his dis- course, and having speut the whole night in these holy exercises, early the next morning he took his leave, and travelled on loot to Assos,'*" whither he had before sent liis companions (anions; whom was Luke) by sea. From Assos they sailed to Mitylene;f then passing by Chios,! arrived at Samos,§ and proceeded to Trogyllium,|| from * Assos is a sea-port town, situate on the south-west part of the province of Troas, and over-against the island Lesbos. By laud, it is a great deal nearer Troas, than it is by sea, because of a promon- tory that runs a great way into the ocean, and must be doubled be- fore we can come to Assos, which was the reason that the apostle chose rather to walk it. t Mitylene was one of the principal cities of the isle of Lesbos, seated in a peninsula, with a commodious haven on each side, and soon became so considerable, as to give name to the whole island (at present called Metelin) many years ago. The island (which is one of the largest in the Archipelago) was, in former times, renowned for the mauy eminent persons it had produced; such as Sappho, the iinentress of Sapphic verses; Alcteus, a famous Lyric poet; Pitta- cus, one of the seven wise men of Greece; Theophrastus, the noble physician and philosopher; and Arion, the celebrated musician ; and the Turks, who have it now in possession, think it still a place of consequence enough to deserve a fortress and garrison to defend it. $ Chios is an island in the Archipelago, next to Lesbos, or Mete- lin, both in its situation and bigness. It lies over-against Smyrna, and is not above four leagues distant from the Asiatic continent. It is celebrated by Horace and Martial, for the wine and figs that came from thenee ; but, at present, its renown is, that it produces the most excellent mastic in the world, wherein the people pay their tribute to the Grand Seignior. Nor is it less remarkable for what Sir Paul Hicaut, in his Present State of the Greek Church) tells us of it, viz. that there is no place in the Turkish dominions, where Christians enjoy more freedom in their religion and estates than in this isle, to which they are entitled by an ancient capitulation made with Sultan Mahomet II. which, to this day. is maintained so faithfully, that no Turk can strike or abuse a Christian, without severe cor rection. § Samos is another isle in the Archipelago, lying south-east of Chios, and about five miles from the Asiatic continent. It is famous among the heathen writers fur the worship of Juno; for one of ihe sybils called Sybilla Sauiia; for Pherecvdes, who foretold an earth- 17*i FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, whence, after staying one day, they went to Miletus,* not putting in at Ephesus, because the apostle was resolved, if possible, to be at Jerusalem at the Feast of Pentecost. Soon after Paul arrived at Miletus he sent to Ephesus, to assemble together the pastors and elders of the ehurches in that city. On their arrival, he delivered to them a very long and pathetic discourse, wherein he reminded them with what uprightness and integrity, with what affection and humility, and, with what great dan- ger and trouble, he had been conversant among them, and preached the Gospel to them, ever since his coming into those parts : that he had not failed to acquaint them both publicly and privately, with whatsoever might be profitable to their souls, urging both Jews and Gentiles to repentance and reformation, and an hearty reception of the faith of Christ: That now he was determined to go to Jerusalem, where he did not know what particular suffer- ings would befal him, only that he had been foretold by those, who were endued with prophetic gifts of the Holy Ghost, that, in every city, bonds and afflictions would attend him; but that he was not concerned at this, being quake that happened there by drinking of the waters ; and more es- pecially, for the birth of Pythagoras, who excelled all the seven wise men, so renowned among the Greeks. It was formerly a free common- wealth, and the inhabitants were so powerful, that they managed many prosperous wars against their neighbors; but, at present, the Turks have reduced it to such a mean and depopulated condition, that a few pirates dare land and plunder as they please; so that ever since the year 1676, no Turk has ever ventured to live upon it for fear of being carried into captivity by those rovers. II Trogyllium is a cape, or promontory, on the Asiatic eoast, op- posite to Santos, and much below Ephesus, having a town of the same name. * Miletus was a port town on the continent of Asia Minor, and in the province of Caria, memorable for being the birth-place of Thales, one of the seven wise men in Greece, and father of the Tonic philosopher; of Anaximenes, his scholar; Timotheus the musician, and Anaximenius the philosopher. At present it is called by the Turks, Melas; and not far distant from it is the true meander, which, though it cneircles all the plain it runs through with many pleasing mazes and innumerable windings, yet, in some places, it goes with such a current, as stirs up the earth and gravel from the bottom, which makes its water not so clear and crystalliue, as might lie expected. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 175 willing to lay down his life whenever the Gospel required it, and fully determined to serve, with the strictest fideli- ty, his great Lord and Master. Here he made a short pause, and then resumed his discourse in words to this effect : " I well know that you will see my face no more: a but for my encouragement and satisfaction, ye your- •'•' selves can boar me witness, that 1 have not, by con- u cealing any part of the Christian doctrine, betrayed '• your souls. And as for yourselves, whom God hath (i made bishops and pastors of his church, you should be "' careful to feed, guide and direct those Christians under *• your inspection, and be infinitely tender of the welfare u of souls, for whose redemption the Blessed Jesus laid (( down his own life. All the care, therefore, possible for " you to use is no more than necessary ; for, after my de- u parture, heretical teachers will appear in the church, to " the great danger of the souls of men, seeking, by u every crafty method, and pernicious doctrine, to gain " proselytes to their party, and, by those means, fill the " church of Christ with schisms and factions. Watch ye, u therefore, and remember with what tears and sorrow I a have, during three years, warned you of these things. " And now I recommend you to the Divine favor and a protection, and to the rules and instructions of the " Gospel, which, if properly adhered to, will undoubtedly " dispose and perfect you for that state of happiness " which the. Almighty hath prepared for good men in the •'' mansions of eternity. Ye well know that I have, from " the beginning, dealt faithfully and uprightly with you ; •f that I have not had any covetous designs, or ever " desired the riches of other men ; nay, I have labored u with mine own hands, to support myself and my com- " panions : you ought therefore to support the weak, and " relieve the poor, rather than be yourselves chargeable to u others, according to that incomparable saying of the " great Redeemer of mankind, It is move blessed to give, " than to veceive.7' — If we minutely attend to the whole of this apostle's preaching and writing, we shall find that he strenuously inculcates not only points of faith, but also practical duties, without which our faith would be in vain. 1/6 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, After Paul had finished his farewel discourse to the bishops and pastors of Ephesus, he knelt down, and, by way of a final conclusion, joined with them fervently in prayer; which being over they all melted into tears, and, with the greatest expression of sorrow, attended him to the ship, grieving, in the most passionate manner, on ac- count of his having told them that they should see his face no more. After Paul had taken this affecting farewel of the pastors and elders of Ephesus, he, with his attendants, left Miletus, and going on board a ship sailed with a fail- wind to Coos.* The day after their arrival here, they proceeded to Rhodes,! an^ fr°m thence to Patara,J where, meeting with a ship bound for Phoenicia, they went on board,' and, passing Cyprus, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, the place where the ship was to un- lade her burthen. Paul staid at Tyre seven days, in the course of which lie was advised by some Christians of the place not to go up to Jerusalem. But this advice Paul would by no means take; upon which the disciples, accompanied by their wives and children, attended him out of the city, and when they came to the sea-shore, Paul knelt down * This was an island in the Archipelago, lying near the south- west point of Asia Minor, and having a city of the same name. It was formerly celebrated for the birth of Hippocrates the famous physician, and Apelles the famous painter; for a stately temple dedicated to Apollo, and another to Juno; for the richness of its wines, and for the fineness of a stuff, made here, which was perfect- ly transparent, and called vestimenta coa. t Rhodes lies south of the province of Caria in Lesser Asia; and, among the Asiatic isles, was accounted for dignity next to Cyprus and Lesbos. It was remarkable among the ancients for the expert- ness of its inhabitants in the art of navigation; for a college, in which the students were eminent for eloquence and mathematics; for the clearness of its air; for its pleasant and healthy climate, which induced the Roman nobility to make it a place of their recess,; and more especially, for its prodigious statue of brass, consecrated to Apollo, or the sun, and called his Colossus. This statue was seventy cubits high, and stood astride over the mouth of the harbor, so that the ships sailed between its legs. \ This is a sea-port of Lycia, formerly beautified with a good harbor, and many temples, whereof one was dedicated to Apollo, TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF C1IUISTI AMTV. 177 and prayed for thein, in the same maimer lie bad done before at Miletus. From Tyre Paul and liis companions sailed to Ptole- maic • where they staid one day, spending their time in conversation with the disciples of that place. The next day they went to Cesarea, and visited Philip, one of the seven deacons, who had been, sent by the apostles to preach the Gospel in Samaria and other places. This Philip had four virgin daughters, all of whom were en- dued with the gift of prophecy; and on this account, to- gether with Paul's great regard for Philip, he resided at his house during his stay at Cesarea. While Paul was at Philip's house, there came thither a prophet, named Agabus, from Judea. This person, after the manner of the old prophets (who often prophesied by symbols, or significant expressions) took Paul's girdle, and, binding it about his own hands and feet, said, in the presence and hearing of the whole company, Thus saith the Holy Ghost; So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. On the prophet's saying these words, not only the companions of Paul, but likewise all the Christians present, were greatly troubled, and earnestly besought him that he would not go up to Jeru- salem. To which Paul replied, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. AVrheu the disciples found that Paul's resolution was not to be shaken, they did not importune him any farther; in consequence of which, he and his companions left Cesarea, and prosecuting their journey arrived safe at Jerusalem, where they were kindly and joyfully received by the Christians of that city. The day after Paul and his companions arrived at Jeru- salem, they went to the house of James the apostle, where the rest of the bishops and governors of the church were assembled together. After mutual salutations, Paul gave them a particular account of the success with whiefa * A sea-port,nt' Syria, between Tyre and Cesarea. vol. iv. Z 178 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, God had blessed his endeavors in propagating Christian- ity among the Gentiles, for which they all joined in glorifying God. Having done this they told Paul, that he was now come to a place, in which were many thou- sands of Jewish converts, Who were all zealous for the law of Moses, and who had been informed that he taught the Jews whom he converted to renounce circumcision, and the ceremonies of the law. That as soon as the multitude heard of his arrival, they would all assemble together to see how he behaved himself in this matter; and therefore, to prevent any disturbance, they thought it advisable for him to join himself with four men who were then going to discharge a vow; to perform the usual rites and ceremo- nies with them; to be at the charge of having their heads shaved ; and to provide such sacrifices as the law directed ; whereby it would appear, that the reports spread of him were groundless, and that himself was an observer of the Mosaic institutions. Paul readily agreed to follow the advice given him by his brethren; in consequence of which, taking with him the four persons who were to discharge their vows, he went into the temple, and told the priests that, as the time of their vow was now expired, and their purification reg- ularly performed, they were come to make their oblation according to law. The time of offering these oblations was seven days, near the close of which certain Jews from Asia (who had there been strong opposers to PauFs doctrine) finding him in the temple began to raise a tumult, and seizing on him called to their brethren the Jews to assist them, declaring that he was the person who had preached doctrines derogatory to the Jewish nation, and destructive to the institutions of the law of Moses. This accusation, though absolutely false, occasioned such an universal disgust among the people to Paul, that they immediately fell on him, and dragged him out of the temple, shutting the doors to prevent his returning into that holy place. After they had got him out of the temple they treated him with great indignity, and would certainly have killed him, had not Claudius Lysias, the commander of the Roman garrison in the castle of Antonia, come, with a TO THK 1CLL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. i79 « onsiderable force, to his assistance. Lysias conducted hiui to the castle, in the way to which Paul begged jut mission to speak to him; but the governor (supposing him to be an Egyptian, who, not many years before, had raised a sedition in Judca, and headed a party of four thousand profligate wretches) seemed to refuse him that favor, until Paul informed him that he was a Jew of Tarsus, and a freeman of a rich and honorable city, and therefore humbly hoped that he would not deny him the privilege of vindicating himself. The governor consent- ing to this request, Paul, standing upon the stairs that led into the castle, after making signs for the multitude to be silent, made a speech to them in the Hebrew lan- guage, the substance of which was to the following effect : (t Listen, ye descendants of Jacob, to a person of your own religion, and like yourselves a child of Abraham ; born in Tarsus, and brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and fully instructed in the law delivered by Moses to our forefathers, and formerly as zealous for the temple worship, as ye are at present. " Nay, I persecuted unto death all who believed in Jesus, seizing on all I could find, both men and women, and casting them into prison. " But as I was pursuing my journey, to execute this commission, and was arrived near Damascus, there ap- peared about mid- day, a light from heaven, shining round about me. " Terrified at so awful an appearance, I fell to the ground, and heard a voice, saying unto me, Saul. Saul, why persecutest thou me? To which I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And the voice replied, I am Jesus of *Yazareth whom thou persecutest. " After recovering from the terror with which my mind was filled, I answered, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus, and there it shall he told thee of all things which are appoint- edfor thee to do. were ready to overtake them." To this purpose he in- serts, in his Epistle, many excellent exhortations, such as, ft to bear afflictions, to hear the word of God, to mortify " their passions, to bridle their tongues, to avoid cursing •• and swearing, and to adorn their Christian profession ••' with a good conversation, with meekness, peaceable- " ncss and charity/' It was not long after James had written this Epistle, before a period was put to all his labors. The governing part of the Jews, being highly enraged at the disappoint- ment they had met with in Paul's appealing to Caesar, were now resolved to revenge it upon James; according- ly, taking the opportunity of the death of Festus (before the arrival of xUbinus his successor) Ananias the high- priest summoned James, and some others, before the Sanhedrim, who required them to renounce their Chris- tian faith. Their desire more especially was, that James should make his renunciation in the most public manner, and therefore they carried him up to the battlements of the temple, and threatened to throw him down from thence in case he refused complying with their request. But James, instead of gratifying their desires, began himself to confess, and to exhort others to confess, the faitli of Christ, in the presence of those wiio came to hear his recantation; upon which the members of the San he - * This Epistle of St. James, with the two of St Peter, three of St. John, and that of Jude, obtained the name of Catholic, from their being directed (not as St. Paul's were to any particular church) but to all the faithful wherever dispersed. Their being, therefore, only in the nature, as it were, of circular letters, was the reason why it was some time before they were admitted into the canon of the church. vox. iv. C c 208 FROM THE ASCENSION OP CHRIST, drim were so incensed that they ordered him to be thrown down headlong from the place where he stood. By this fall he was greatly bruised, but not quite killed; and therefore having recovered himself so far as to be able to rise on his knees, he prayed fervently to heaven for his persecutors, in the manner of the protomartyr Stephen. But malice is too diabolical to be pacified with kind- ness, or satisfied with cruelty. Accordingly, his enemies, vexed that they had not fully accomplished their work, poured a shower of stones upon him while he was im- ploring their forgiveness at the throne of grace, and one of them, more cruel and inveterate than the rest, put an end to his misery, by dashing out his brains with a ful- ler's club.* Thus did this great and good man finish his course in the 96th year of his age, and about twenty-four years after our Blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven. His remains were deposited in a tomb, which he had caused to be made on the Mount of Olives: and his brother Simon was, by the general voice of the Christians, ap- pointed his successor in the bishopric of Jerusalem. The apostle James was a man of exemplary piety and devotion. Prayer was his daily business and delight: so constant was he at his devotions that his knees became hard and callous; and so prevalent in his petitions to heaven, that, in a time of great drought, he prayed for rain and obtained it. Nor was his charity to his fellow- creatures less than his piety towards Grod; he did good to all, watched over the souls of men, and made their eternal welfare his constant study. He was of a remark- able meek and humble temper, honoring what was ex- cellent in others, but concealing what was valuable in himself. The dignity of the place he so worthily filled * The perpetrators of this harbarous act were considered in the most detestable light by the sober and just persons among the Jews themselves. Even their own historian Josephus could not but con- demn it, and (as himself testifies) all the honest and conscientious people of the city remonstrated against it, both to their king Agrip- pa, and to the Roman governor Albimis; insomuch that the high- priest, by whose authority it was committed, was, in a few months itftfer, degraded, and another placed in his stead. TO THE H LL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 203 eould not induce him to entertain lofty thoughts of him- self above his brethren: on the contrary, he strove to conceal whatever might place him in a higher rank than the other disciples of the Lord of Glory. He was the de- light of all good men, and so much in the favor aud esti- mation of the people, that they used to flock after him, and strive who should touch even but the hem of his gar- ment. In short, he was a man of so amiable a temper as to be the wonder of the age in which he lived ; and from the reputation of his holy and religious life, was stiled James the Just. CHAP. VII. Paul, after being confined more than tivo years at Ronjf, ob- tains Ids liber tn, and writes his Epistle to the Hebrews, He travels into Spain and other western parts, and then return- ing eastward, goes to Judea. Jlccount of the Travels and preaching of Peter, with his conquest over Simon Magus, the noted sorcerer. Peter and Paul are committed to prison by order of the emperor Nero, who raises the first general persecution against the Christians. Account of Paul's far- ther travels, ivith his first Epistle to Timothy, and another to Titus. He returns to Home, and, with Peter, is again committed to prison. Paul ivrites his second Epistle to Timo- thy. Both suffer martyrdom at Rome, the one being cruci fed, and the other beheaded. AFTER Paul had continued at Rome upwards of two years, in a state of confinement, he obtained his lib- erty, but by what means we have not any account in his- tory. It may be presumed that, the Jews not having suf ficient proof of the accusation they had laid against him, or being informed that what they alledged was no viola- tion of any Roman law, they durst not implead him be- fore the emperor; and therefore, of course, he was per- mitted to go at large. Paul, having obtained his liberty, left Rome, and travelled into various parts of Italy, preaching the Gospel SiOl FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, "with different success. In some places he made many con- verts, bnt in others he met with great opposition. Before he left Italy, he wrote his famous aud most elaborate Epistle to the Hebrews, that is, to the converted Jews who dwelt in Jerusalem and its neighborhood. His main design, in this Epistle, is, " to magnify Christ, and the (i religion of the Gospel, above Moses and the Jewish " economy, that, by this means, he may the better estab- " lish the converted Jews in the belief aud profession i( of Christianity. To this purpose he represents our " Saviour, in his Divine nature, far superior to all angels, (i and all created beings; and, in his mediatorial capacity, " a greater lawgiver than Moses ; a greater priest than " Aaron; and a greater king and priest than Melehise- " dec. He informs them, that the ceremonies, the sacri- a fices, and the observances of the law, could have no " virtue in themselves, but only as they were types of (i Jesus Christ; aud, being now accomplished in his per- (i son, and by his ministry, were finally and totally abol- 6i ished. He insists upon the necessity of faith, and, by <% the examples of the patriarchs and prophets, proves, Ci that justification is to be had no other way, than by the " merits of a dying Saviour. And lastly, he lays before (i them many excellent precepts for the regulation of " their lives ; exhortations to trust and confidence in *f Christ, in all their sufferings; and strict cautions " against apostacy from his religion, even in the hottest (i persecutions." A short time after Paul had written this Epistle to the Hebrews, he left Italy, and, accompanied by Timothy, prosecuted his long intended journey into Spain; and, according to the testimony of several writers, crossed the sea, and preached the Gospel in Britain.* What success * Clements, in his famous Epistle to the Corinthians, expressly tells us, that, being a preacher, both to the East and West, he taught righteousness to the whole World, and went to the utmost bounds of the West; and Theodoret and others inform us, that he preached not only in Spain, but went to other nations, and brought the Gospel into the isles of the sea, by which he undoubtedly means Britain: and, therefore, he elsewhere reckons the Gauls and Britons, among the people, whom the apostles, and particularly Paul, per- suaded to embrace the doctrine of Christ. TO THE KVLL ESTABLISHMENT 01- CHRISTIANITY. 2t)r/ lie had in these western parts is not known: however, after going from one place to another for the space of eight or nine months, he returned again eastward, visited ►Sicily, Greece and Crete (at the latter of which places he constituted Titus hishop of the island) and then went into Judca, where we shall for the present leave him, in order to take some notice of Peter, his fellow-laborer in the cause of Christ. In what manner Peter employed his time, after his escape out of prison, we have not any certain account. It is, however, generally agreed, that about the second year of the emperor Claudius, he went to Rome, and there continued for some time, till at length that emperor, taking advantage of some seditions and tumults raised by the Jews, published an edict for banishing all the Jews from that city; in consequence of which Peter returned to Jerusalem. After staying some time in the capital of Judea, he visited the several churches which he had planted in the East, and carried the glad tidings of the Gospel into Africa, Sicily, Italy, and even as far as Britain, in all which places he brought over great numbers to the Christian faith. Having thus propagated the Gospel in the Western, as well as the Eastern parts of the world, Peter, towards the latter end of the reign of Nero, returned to Rome, the Jews, after the death of Claudius, being permitted to reside in that city with the same freedom as before that emperor issued his edict for their banishment. On Peter's arrival at Rome, he met with his fellow-laborer Paul, who had just returned thither from Judea. The two apostles found the minds of the people strangely be- witched, and hardened against the doctrines of the Gos- pel, by the subtilties and magical arts of Simon Magus, whom Peter had severely chastised for his wickedness at Samaria. This monster of impiety not only opposed the preaching of the apostles, but likewise did all in his power to render them and their doctrine odious to the emperor. Peter, foreseeing that the calumnies of Simon and his adherents would be injurious to the cause of his great Master, thought himself obliged to oppose him with all his might; and having discovered the vanity of 3Q# ERQM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Iiis impostures in several remarkable instances,* lie at length worked him up to such a pitch of madness and desperation, that to give the people an evident demon- stration of his having those supernatural powers lie had pretended, he promised that, on such a day, he would ascend visibly up into heaven. Accordingly, at the time appointed, when prodigious numbers of people were as- sembled to behold so extraordinary a sight, he went up to the summit of a mount, from whence he raised himself, and, by the assistance of some magic arts, seemed as if he was flying towards the regions of heaven. Peter and Paul, beholding the delusion, had recourse to prayers, and obtained their petitions of the Almighty, namely, that the impostor should be soon discovered, for the honor of the Blessed Jesus. Accordingly, he fell head- long to the ground, and was so bruised by the fall, that, in a short time, he expired. * Cave, in his Lives of the Apostles, mentions one of these in- stances as related by Hegcsippus the younger, who was contem- porary with St. Ambrose. " There was (says that writer) in Rome, u a gentleman of some note, a kinsman to the emperor, who had " lately died. In consequence of this, those who knew St. Peter's " power in working miracles, advised his friends to send for him, " and others likewise prevailed, that Simon the magician might be " sent for. Glad of this occasion to magnify himself before the peo- " pie, Simon proposed to Peter, that, if he raised the man to life, " Peter, who had reviled the mighty fower of God (as he stiled "himself) should lose his life ; but that, if Peter prevailed, he would w submit to the same penalty. Peter accepted the challenge; and, " when Simon began his charms and enchantments, the dead body " seemed to move his hand : whereupon, the people who stood by, " thinking that the person was alive, were going to fall foul on " Peter, for daring to oppose so great a power. But Peter, intreat- " ing their patience, desired only that the magician might be re- a moved from the bed-side; which, when they had so done, the de- " eeption vanished, and the body remained without the least sign of "motion. Then Peter, standing at a good distance from the bed, " silently made his addresses to heaven, and when he had so done, "in the presence of them all, commanded the man, in the name of " the Lord Jesus, to arise, which he instantly did; so that the peo- " pie changing their minds, were going to stone the magician, but "that Peter interposed for his life, by telling them, that it would " be punishment enough to him to live, and see, that in despite of " all his power and malice, tho kingdom of Christ would increase u and flourish. '* to rHE it i.i. lstablisiimi-.nl of Christianity. £07 The emperor Nero was a professed patron of ma. gicians, and then lore, when he heard of this event, lie, was greatly irritated. lie had a particular dislike to the doctrine of Christianity, as being totally repugnant to the lusts and passions which he indulged : and was highly pffended at Peter for having made so many converts, among whom were several persons of distinction. In consequence of this he ordered hiin and Paul to be ap- prehended and cast into prison, soon after which, an event- occurred, from whence he took the opportunity of shewing his resentment to the Jews, and that in the most severe manner. He issued out an edict, ordering the Christian Jews to be persecuted in every part of his em- pire; in consequence of which all orders and degrees of * The emperor Nero, in the former part of his reign, governed with tolerable credit to himself; but in the latter part he gave way to the greatest extravagance of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities. The event above alluded to is this. Among other dia- bolical whims he took it into his head to order, that the city of Koine should be set on fire, which was done by his officers, guards, and servants, accordingly. While the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macenas, played upon his harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy, and openly declared, " That he wished the ruin of all things before his death." Among the noble buildings burnt was the Circus, or place appropriated to horse-races: it was half a mile in length, of an oval form, with rows of seats rising above each other, and capable of receiving, with ease, upwards of 100,000 spectators. Besides this noble pile, many other palaces and houses were consumed: several thousands perished in the flames, were smothered with the smoke, or buried beneath the ruins. This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero find- ing that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised upon the Christians were such as even ex- cited the commiseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even re- fined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians, that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in the skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs till they expired; and others dressed in shirts made still' with wax, fixed to axle-trees, and set on fire in his gardens in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general through- out the whole of the Roman empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. 208 FItOxM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, that people were treated with the greatest contempt and cruelty that could be invented. But before the burning of the city, and the persecution commenced against the Christians, in consequence of Nero's edict, both Peter and Paul made their escape from confinement. Peter continued at Home, but Paul left it, and went into Judea, where he staid some time, after which he went into Asia, and met Timothy at Ephesus. From hence he paid a visit to the Colossians, whom he had never before seen, and after staying with them some time returned to Ephesus, and excommuni- cated Hymeneus* and Alexander, for denying the resur- rection of the dead, and other articles of the Christian faith. From Ephesus he went into Macedonia, but pre- vious to liis departure, enjoined Timothy (whom he had constituted bishop of Ephesusf constantly to reside in that city, and to take the charge of all the Pro-consular Asia. After Paul had visited several places in Macedonia, lie went to Philippic where he staid some time, during which he daily preached to the people, made many new converts, and farther established those who had before * This Hymeneus was, very probably, a citizen of Ephesus, who, being converted by St. Paul's first sermons, fell afterwards into the heresy of those, who denied the resurrection of the body, and af- firmed, that there was no other resurrection, than that of the soul, which, by faith and baptism, is revived from sin to grace. The Alex- ander, who was his colleague in this heresy, was doubtless, the cop- persmith whom St. Paul, in his second Epistle to Timothy, so loudly complains of, as greatly obstructing the good effects of his preach- ing, chap. iv. 14. but whether it was the same Alexander, who would have addressed himself to the multitude, which Demetrius, the silversmith of Ephesus, had drawn together, Acts, xix. 24. is a matter of some doubt. However this be, it is certain, that their notion of no other resurrection than a spiritual one, was destructive of the very foundations of Christianity, which are laid in the hopes of a resurrection from the dead; and, therefore, the apostle thought it expedient to have them excommunicated, i. e. separated from the society of the faithful, and deprived of the privileges of being present at religious assemblies, of partaking of the Lord's Supper, and joining in such other holy offices, as linked Christians together in one and the same society and communion. t See 1 Tim. i. 3. } See Philip, i. 23, 26. TO THE Ft LI- ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 209 embraced the faith in the principles of Christianity. Be* fore he left Macedonia lie wrote his first Epistle to Tim- othy, in which •• h<' lays down the duties and qualifica- '•' tions of a bishop, as well in respect of his ministry, as H of his private conversation, and instructs him in the " office of a true Christian pastor." Leaving Macedonia, Paul directed his course to Nico- faolis, a populous city situated on the banks of the Danube, where he took up his winter quarters. During his stay here, he wrote his Epistle to Titus at Crete; wherein •• he describes to hi in (as he had done to Tim- hi othy) the qualifications which a bishop ought to have, '- and more especially a bishop of Crete, where some ,k' sharpness and severity was necessary amidst a people " of their perverse and obstinate tempers. He admon- " ishes him not to softer the flock, committed to his " charge, to be led away by the delusions of Judaism; " and lastly, lays down precepts for people in all con- " ditions of life, even not forgetting servants, because " our Blessed Saviour has poured out his grace upon all " men/' In the begiuning of the spring Paul left Nicopolis, and went to Corinth. After staying a short time here, he crossed the sea into Asia, and went to Ephesus, and from thence proceeded to Miletum. From Miletum he travel- led northward to Troas, and lodged with Carpus, one of his disciples, where he left his cloke,* some books, and other articles. From Troas he went to Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, where he suffered those persecutions and afflictions, of which he makes meution to Timothy, and thanks God for his deliverance from them.f After visiting these, and many other places, Paul went again to Home, knowing that the persecution which had taken place in that city, in consequence of the edict issued by Nero, was somewhat abated. Meeting with Peter, they conjunctively used their utmost endeavors to instruct the Jews in their synagogues, and to convert the Gentiles in all public places and assemblies. This, however, soon * See 2 Tim. iv. 13. t 2 Tim. iii. 4-. voi. iv. D n 210 EROxM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. raised the malice and indignation of the magistrates, who were still inflamed against the Jews. Nero was at that time in Greece, and had left Helius to supply his place during his absence, investing him with exorbitant powers, which he exercised with the most unbounded rigor. It was a crime sufficient for these two apostles (in the eyes of Helius) that they were Christians. The particular prejudice he took against Peter was, his having defeated Simon Magus ; and that against Paul, his having con- verted one of the emperor's concubines. He therefore or- dered them both to be apprehended and committed to prison, where they spent their time in the most solemn acts of devotion, and, as opportunity offered, preached t!.-_ Gospel to their guards and fellow prisoners, among whom it is said they converted Processus and Martinian^ two principal officers of the army. While they were in prison Peter wrote his second gen- eral epistle to the converted Jews, who were dispersed in the several provinces of Asia. In this epistle " he en- *' deavors, by earnest exhortations, to prevail with them " to persevere in the doctrine which they had received, " and to testify the soundness and sincerity of their faith " by a Christian life. He forewarns them of the false li teachers that would shortly spring up among them, u foretels their sad and miserable destruction, and de- " scribes them by their odious characters that they may u avoid them. He vindicates the doctrine of Christ's u coming to judgment, which the heretics of those times " denied, that thereby they might encourage men the " more securely to pursue their lewd courses. And " lastly, he describes the great and terrible day of the u Lord, when the elements shall melt, and the whole u frame of nature be dissolved, thereby to excite them to w become circumspect and diligent, in order to be found " of him in peace, without sjiot, and blameless." Much about the same time that Peter wrote this epistle to the converted Jews in Asia, Paul wrote his second epistle to Timothy, wherein " he informs him of the near " approach of his death, and desires him to come to him " before winter, because most of his companions, upon " one affair or other, were departed from him. He ex- 10 THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRIST! \NI I V. Si 1 ••' horts him to discharge all the duties of a bishop and •• pastor, suitable to those excellent gifts he had received, »'• and with a generous contempt of the world, and world- •'• ly things. He admonislies him, not to forget the doc- -' trine which he had taught him, nor to be surprized or ii disturbed at the apostacy of some from the faith, but to u preach the more zealously against such opposers, as " placed their confidence in those teachers, who left the " truth to turn unto fables. And lastly, he informs him, 4i how, at his first appearing before Hclius, all his com- " panions, for fear of being involved in his punishment, "forsook him, but that the Lord stood by him and " strengthened him, to make his preaching more con- " spicuous and effectual to the Gentiles.'7 When the two apostles had been in confinement about eight months, the cruel Nero returned from Greece, and entered Rome in triumph. Soon after his return it was ultimately resolved, that the two apostles should be put to death. Peter, as a Jew and foreigner, was sentenced to be crucified; and Paul, as a Roman citizen, to be be- headed. On the 29th of June (as it is generally supposed) these sentences were put in execution. Peter, after being first scourged, according to the Roman custom, was taken from the prison, and led to the top of the Vatican Mount near the Tiber, where he was sentenced to surrender up his life on the cross. On his arrival at the place of exe- cution, he begged the favor of the officers that he might not be crucified in the common manner, but with his head downwards, thinking himself unworthy to suffer in the same posture in which his Lord and Master had suffered before him. This request was accordingly complied with ; and in this manner did the great apostle Peter resign his soul into the hands of Him who came down from heaven to ransom mankind from destruction, and open for them the gates of the heavenly Canaan. While Peter was suffering on the top of the Vatican Mount, his fellow-apostle Paul was conducted to a place called Aquae Salvise, about three miles from Rome, in or- der to undergo the punishment denounced against him by the cruel Nero. In his way he converted three of the soldiers who were sent to guard him to his execution, and 212 PROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, who, within a few days after, died martyrs themselves. As soon as Paul arrived at the place of execution, he knelt down, and after praying for some time with the greatest fervency, cheerfully gave up his neck to the fatal stroke; quitting this vale of misery in hopes of pass- ing to the blissful regions of immortality, to the kingdom of his beloved Master, the Great .Redeemer of the human race. Thus died these two most eminent apostles of Jesus Christ, after they had, with indefatigable labor, reaped a glorious harvest of infinite numbers of souls, and triumph- antly propagated salvation through the then most consid- erable parts of the world. The body of Peter, being taken from the cross, was embalmed after the Jewish manner by Marcellinus the Presbyter, and buried in the Vatican near the Triumphal Way. Over "his grave a small church was afterwards erected, which being, in the course of time, destroyed, his body was removed to the cemetry in the Appian Way, two miles distant from Rome. Here it continued till the time of pope Cornelius, when it was re-conveyed to the Vatican, where it abode in some obscurity, till Constantine the Great, from the profound reverence he had for the Christian religion, having re-built and en- larged the Vatican to the honor of St. Peter, enriched it with gifts and ornaments, which, in every age, increased in splendor and beauty, till it became one of the wonders of the world, and in that light was considered for many years after. The remains of Paul were deposited in the Via Ostien- sis, about two miles from Rome. Constantine the Great, at the instance of Pope Sylvester, built a stately church over his grave, which he adorned with an hundred marble columns, and beautified with the most exquisite workmanship. It may not be improper, before we part with these two great apostles, to mention some particulars relative to their persons and characters. And first, St. Peter (according to the description given of him by Nicephorus) was of a middle size, but somewhat slender, and inclining to tallness : his complexion was very pale : TO THE FUEL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 213 Lis hair thick and curled; his eyes black; his eye-brows t h in : and his nose large, hut not sharp. With respect to his disposition, if we consider him as a man, there stums to have been a natural eagerness predominant in his temper, which animated his soul to the most hold and sometimes rash undertakings. It was this, in a great measure, that prompted him to be so very forward to speak, and to return answers sometimes before he had well considered them. It was this that made him expose his person to the most imminent dangers, promise those great things in behalf of his master, resolutely draw his sword iu his quarrel against a whole band of soldiers, and wound a servant of the high-priest; nay, he had, in all probability, attempted greater things, had not his Lord restrained his impetuosity, and given a reasonable check to his fury. If we consider him as a disciple of the Blessed Jesus. we shall find him exemplary in the great duties of reli- gion. His humility and lowliness of mind were remark- able. With what a passionate earnestness on the convic- tion of a miracle, did he beg of our blessed Saviour to depart from him; thinking it unworthy the Son of God to come near so vile a sinner! When the great Redeemer of mankind, by that amaz- ing condescension, stooped so low as to wash the feet of bis disciples, Peter could not be persuaded to admit his performing it, thinking it highly improper that so great a person should submit to such a servile office towards a person so mean as himself; nor could he be induced to admit of it till his great Master threatened to deprive him of his favor. When Cornelius, the Roman centurion, would have treated him with more than ordinary marks of esteem and veneration, he was so far from complying with it, that he declared he was nothing more than a mortal like himself. His love and zeal for his master were remarkable ; he thought he could never express either at too high a rate: venturing on the greatest perils, and exposing his life to the most imminent dangers. His forwardness to own his great Master for the Messiah and Son of the Most High, S14& FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, was remarkably great; and it was this that drew from his Lord that honorable encomium, Blessed art thou, Simon JBar-jona. But his distinguished courage and constancy in con- fessing Christ, even before his most inveterate enemies, was still greater, after he had recovered himself from his fall. How plainly does he tell the Jews that they were the murderers and crucifiers of the Lord of Glory? Nay, with what an undaunted courage, with what an heroic greatness of soul, did he tell the very Sanhedrim, who had sentenced and condemned him, that they were guilty of his death, and that they had no other way of escaping the vengeance of the Almighty, but by the merits of that very Jesus, whom they had crucified and put to death. Lastly, if we consider him as an apostle, as a pastor, or shepherd of the souls of men, we shall find him faith- ful and diligent in his office, zealously endeavoring to in- struct the ignorant, reduce the erroneous, strengthen the weak, confirm the strong, reclaim the vicious, and turn the children of men into the paths of righteousness. He never omitted any opportunity of preaching to the people, and spreading the glad tidings of the Gospel among the human race ; and so powerful were his discourses, that he brought over many thousands of converts. How many painful journies and dangerous voyages did he undertake ! with what unconquerable patience did he endure the greatest trials, surmount every difficulty, and remove every disposition, that he might circulate and establish the Gospel of his beloved Master ! Never refusing even to lay down his life to promote it. Nor was he assiduous only to perform these duties himself; but was also careful to animate others to do the like, earnestly pressing and persuading the pastors and governors of the church to feed the flock of God, to labor freely for the good of the souls of men, and not to undertake those offices to ac- quire advantages to themselves; beseeching them to treat the flock committed to their care with lenity and gentle- ness, and to be themselves shining examples of piety and religion, the surest method of rendering their ministry successful. And because it was impossible for him to be always present, to teach and warn the children of men, ro THE FELL ESTABLX9BMEK1 0] CHMSTIANITT. 515 he endeavored, by letters, to imprint in their minds the practice of what they had been taught — a method he tells ns he was resolved to pursue, as long as lie continued an inhabitant of this world; thinking it meet, while he was in this tabernacle, to stir tip, by patting them in mind of these things; that so they might be able, after his decease, to have them always in remembrance. Thus lived, thus died, Simon Peter, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and at length to offer up his life in ratification of the doctrine he delivered and the faith he maintained and propagated. St. Paul was, in person, of a low and small stature, somewhat stooping: his complexion was fair; his counte- nance grave ; his head small ; his eyes sparkling; his nose high and bending; and his hair thick and dark, but mixed with grey. His constitution was weak, and he was often subject to distempers; but his mind was strong, and he possessed a solid judgment, quick discernment, and prompt memory, all which were improved by the advantages of a liberal education. His humility and self- abasement were wonderful ; his sobriety and temperance singularly strict; and his contempt for the world great and generous. His kindness and charity were remarka- ble : he had a quick sense of the wants of others, and a most compassionate tenderness for all who were in distress. To what place soever he went, it was always one of his first cares to make provision for the poor, and to stir up the bounty of the rich and wealthy in their be- half. But his charity to the souls of men was infinitely greater, fearing no dangers, refusing no labors, going through good and evil report, that he might gain men over to the knowledge of the truth, take them out of the crooked paths and place them in the strait way that leadeth to life eternal. Nor was his charity to men greater than his zeal to God, laboring, with all his might, to promote the honor of his Master. When he was at Athens, and saw the people of that city involved in the grossest superstition and idolatry, and giving that honor which was due to God alone, to statues and images, his zeal was fired and he could not help letting them know the resentment of 216 EfcOM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, his mind, and how greatly they dishonored God, the great Maker and Preserver of the world. Through the course of an extensive ministry, he never suffered himself to be interrupted in his endeavors for propagating the Gospel by the dangers and difficulties he met with, or the troubles and oppositions that were raised against him. This will evidently appear if we take a survey of the trials aud sufferings he underwent; some part whereof are thus briefly summed up by himself: In labors abundant, in stripes above measure, in death oft; thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice suffered ship- wreck, a night and a day in the deep. In journeying often, in perils of water, in perils by his countrymen, in perils by the heathens, in perils in the city, in perils in the wil- derness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in icatchings often, in hunger and thirst: in fastings often: in cold and nakedness, and besides those things that were with- out, which daily came upon him, the care of all the churches: 2 Cor. xi. 23, &c. An account, though very great, yet far short of what he endured. He did not want for solicitations both from Jews aud Gentiles ; and might, doubtless, in some measure, have made his own terms, would he have been false to his trust, and quitted that way which was then every where spoken against. But alas ! those things weighed little with our apostle, who counted not his life dear unto him, so that he might finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus. And therefore, when he found himself under the sentence of death, he could triumphantly say, J have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. In short, he was a man in whom the grace of God was displayed with peculiar lustre, and who gave the most Convincing proof that the influence of Gospel principles exceed all moral and legal obligations. The Gospel 'tis which streaks the morning bright, 'Tis this which gilds the horrors of the night. When wealth forsakes us or when friends are few j Wheu friends are faithless, or when foes pursue; 10 THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 817 Tie this which wards the .blow, or stills the smart, Disarms affliction, or repels its dart; Within the breasl bids purest raptures rise, Bids awful conscience spread her cloudless skies. When the storm thickens, and the thunders roll, When the earth trembles to the affrighted pole, The virtuous mind, nor doubts, nor tears assail, For storms are zephyrs, or a gentler gale; Rut when disease obstructs the laboring breath, When the pulse thickens, and each gasp is death. E'en then religion shall sustain the just, Grace their last moments, nor desert their dust. CHAP. VIII. Containing an Account of the Transactions, Travels, Persecu- tions and Sufferings of St. Andrew, St. James the Great, St. John the Evangelist, St. Philip,, and the other Apostles, Evangelists and Disciples of Christ, to/jo, after our Lord's ascension into heaven, spent their time in laboring to propagate the Gospel in different parts of the rvorld; most of ivhom suffered martyrdom for the cause of their Great Lord and Master. EN the preceding Chapters we have given a minute detail of the transactions of those two great apostles Peter and Paul, as related by the Evangelist St. Luke; to- gether with an account of the persecutions and sufferings of St. Stephen, and St. James the Less, bishop of Jeru- salem. "We shall therefore, in this Chapter proceed to re- late the particulars concerning their fellow- laborers in the cause of Christ; in doing which we shall begin with the Apostle St. ANDREW. After the ascension of our Blessed Lord into heaven, and the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles, to qualify them for the great business they were about to un- dertake, St. Andrew wras appointed to preach the Go9pel in Scythia and the neighboring countries. Accordingly VOL. IV. E E S18 E&OM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, he departed from Jerusalem, and first travelled through Cappadocia, Galatia and Bythinia, instructing the in- habitants in the faith of Christ, and continued his journey along the Euxine Sea, into the desarts of Scythia. On his arrival at a place called Amynsus, lie was received with great civility by a distinguished Jew of that town; upon which he went into the synagogue, preached to them con- cerning Jesus, and, from the prophecies of the Old Testa- ment, proved him to be the Messiah and Saviour of the world. During his stay here he converted many to the true faith, having done which, previous to his departure, lie ordained them priests, and settled the times of their public meetings for the performance of Divine worship. Leaving Amynsus, he proceeded to Trapezium, a mari- time city on the Euxine Sea; from whence, after visiting many other places, he went to Nice, where he staid two years preaching and working miracles with great success. From Nice he proceeded to Nicomedia, and from thence toChalcedon, where betook shipping, and sailing through the Propontis, passed the Euxine Sea to Heraclea, and afterwards to Amastris; in all which places he met with very great difficulties, but overcame them by an invincible patience and resolution. From Amastris, Andrew went to Sinope, a city situ- ated on the Euxine Sea, and famous both for the birth and burial of King Mithridates. The inhabitants of this city were chiefly Jews, who, partly from a zeal for their religion, and partly from their barbarous manners, were exasperated against Andrew, and entered into a confeder- acy to burn the house in which he lodged. But being dis- appointed in their design, they treated him with the most savage cruelty, throwing him on the ground, stamping upon him with their feet, pulling and dragging him from place to place : some beating him with clubs, and others pelting him with stones, till at length, apprehending they had entirely deprived him of life, they cast him out into the fields. But he miraculously recovered, and re- turned publicly into the city; by which, and other miracles he wrought among them, he converted many from the errors of their ways, and induced them to become disci- ples of the Blessed Jesus, TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 219 Departing from Sinope, he returned to Jerusalem, and, after staying a short time in his own country, went again into the province allotted for the service of his min- istry, which greatly flourished through the power of the Divine grace that attended it. He travelled over Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, Achaia, and Epirus,* preaching the Gospel, propagating Christianity, and confirming the doctrine he taught with signs and miracles. At length he arrived at Patrea,f a city of xlchaia, where he gave his last and greatest testimony to the Gospel of his Divine Master, by cheerfully sealing it with his blood. It happened that iEgenas, the pro-consul of Achaia, came at this time to Patrea, where, knowiug that many of the people had abandoned the heathen religion and em- braced the gospel of Christ, he had recourse to every method both of favor and cruelty, to reduce the people to their old idolatry. The apostle, whom no difficulties or dangers could deter from performing the duties of his ministry, addressed himself to the pro-consul, calmly put- ting him in mind that, being only a judge of men, he ought to revere Him who was the supreme and impartial judge of all, pay him the divine honors due to his exaltetl majesty, and abandon the impieties of his idolatrous wor- ship : observing to him, that if he would renounce his idolatries, and heartily embrace the Christian faith, he might, with him and the members who had believed in the Son of God, receive eternal happiness in the Messiah's kingdom. The pro-consul told St. Andrew he would never em- brace the religion he had mentioned, and that if he did not sacrifice to the Gods (in order that all those whom he * Epirus was a province of Greece, lying along tlie coast of the Ionian Sea, and having for its bounds Albania on the north, Thes- saly on the south, Achaia on the south east, and the ocean on the west. f Patrea was situated on an hill near the sea, about ten miles from the mouth of the gulph Lepanto. The goddess Diana was wor- shipped here in the most diabolical manner, having a most beautiful young man and maid, every year, sacrificed to her, till by the preaching of St. Andrew, one Eurypilus, a great man of the place, being converted to Christianity, occasioned that barbarous custom tq be totallv laid aside , 220 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, had seduced might, by his example, be brought back to the ancient religion they had forsaken) he would cause him to be immediately put to death. The apostle replied, that he saw it was in vain to endeavor to persuade a person incapable of sober counsels, and hardened in his own blindness and folly, to forsake his evil ways; and that, with respect to himself, he might act as he pleased, and if he had any torment greater than another, he might inflict it upon him; as the stricter constancy he shewed in bis sufferings for Christ, the more acceptable be should be to his Lord and Master, after his departure from this wicked world. This so irritated iEgenas, that he immediately con- demned him to death. Accordingly, after being scourged, in the most unmerciful manner, by seven lictors, he was led away to be crucified. As soon as he approached the cross he knelt down, and saluted it in words to this effect : (i I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The ei cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hang- " ing on it, and adorned with his members as with so " many inestimable jewels. I therefore come joyfully (i and triumphantly to it, that it may receive me as a disci- " pie and follower of Him, who once hung upon it, and 6i be the means of carrying me safe to my Master, being " the instrument on which he redeemed me.77 After offering up his prayers to the throne of grace, and exhorting the people to constancy and perseverance in the faith he had delivered to them, he was fastened to the cross, on which he hung two whole days teaching and instructing the people. In the mean time great interest was made with the pro-consul to save his life; but the apostle earnestly begged of God, that he might then de- part, and seal the truth of his religion with his blood. His prayers were heard, and he soon after expired on the last day of November, but in what year is not certain. The cross on which he was fixed was made of two pieces of timber, crossing each other in the middle, in the shape of the letter X, (which has ever since been known by the name of St. Andrew's Cross J and to this he was fastened, not with nails, but cords, to make his death more painful and lingering. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 2£i His body being taken down from Che cross, was decent- ly and honorably interred by Mavimilla, a lady of great! quality and estate, and whom Nicephorus tells us was wife to the pro-consal. Constantine the Great afterwards removed his body to Constantinople, and buried it in the great church he had built to the honor of the apostles. This structure being taken down some hundred years after by the emperor Justinian, in order to be rebuilt, the. body of St. Andrew was found in a wooden coffin, and again deposited in the same place it had been before, which was afterwards reverenced by all true professors of the Christian religion. St. JAMES the Great. This apostle was surnamed the Great, to distinguish him from that James (another of the apostles) who was bishop of Jerusalem. After the ascension of the Blessed Jesus he preached to the dispersed Jews; that is, to those converts who were dispersed after the death of Stephen. He first preached the Gospel in several parts of Judea and Samaria, after which he visited Spain, where he planted Christianity, and appointed some select disciples to perfect what he had begun. After this he returned to Judea, where he continued preaching, in different parts, for some time, with great success: till at length Herod (who was a bigot to the Jewish religion, and desirous of acquiring the favor of the Jews) began a violent persecution against the Christians, and to such a degree did his zeal animate him, that, after a short trial, he ordered James to be put to death. As lie was led to the place of execution, the officer that guarded him to the tribunal, or rather his accuser, having been converted by that remarkable courage and constancy shewn by the apostle at the time of his trial, repented of what he had done, came aud fell down at the apostle's feet, and heartily begged pardon for what he had said against him. The holy man, after recovering from the surprize, tenderly embraced him. Peace, said he, my son, peace be to thee and the jmrdon of thif faults. Upon which the officer publicly declared himself a christian, and both were beheaded at the same time. %%% FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, Thus fell the great apostle St. James, taking cheerful- ly that cup of which he had long before told his Lord and Master he was both ready and willing to drink. St. JOHN the Evangelist. Though this apostle was by much the youngest of the whole, yet he was admitted into as great a share of his Master's confidence as any. He was one of those to whom our Lord communicated the most private passages of his life; one of those whom he took with him when he raised, the daughter of Jairus from the dead ; one of those to whom he gave a specimen of his divinity in his transfigu- ration on the mount; one of those who were present at his conference with Moses and Elijah, and heard that voice which declared him the beloved Son of God; and one of those who were companions in his solitude, most retired devotions, and bitter agonies in the garden. These instances of particular favor our apostle en- deavored, in some measure, to answer, by returns of par- ticular kindness and constancy ; for though he at first de- serted his Master on his apprehension, yet he soon dis- covered the impropriety of his conduct; he therefore went back to seek his Saviour, confidently entered the high- priest's hall, followed, our Lord through the several par- ticulars of his trial, and at last waited on him at his ex. ecution, owning Him, as well as being owned by Him, in the midst of armed soldiers, and in the thickest crowds of his inveterate enemies. Here it was that our Great Redeemer committed to his care his sorrowful and dis- consolate mother with his dying breath. And certainly our Blessed Lord could not have given a more honorable testimony of his particular kindness and respect to John, than by leaving his own mother to his trust and care, and substituting him to supply that duty he himself paid her while he resided in this vale of sorrow. When the apostles made a division of the provinces among them after our Saviour's ascension into heaven, in order to circulate the doctrine of their Lord and Master, that of Asia fell to the share of St. John, though he did not immediately enter upon his charge, but continued at TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 363 Jerusalem till the death of the Blessed Virgiu, which happened about fifteen years after our Lord's ascension. After being thus released from the trust committed to his care by his dying Master, he went into Asia, and in- dustriously applied himself to the propagation of Christi- anity, preaching where the Gospel had not then been known, and confirming it where it was already planted. Many churches of note and eminence were founded by him, particularly those of Smyrna,* Philadelphia, Lao- * Some of the fathers of the church relate the following very singular circumstance, in which St. John was materially concerned : Being in the Christian church at Smyrna, he beheld a comely young man among the congregation. As he was particularly struck with his appearance, he fervently recommended him to the bishop of Smyrna, in the name of Christ. St. John went to Ephesus, and the bishop taking home the young man, instructed him in every Chris- tian duty, and made him a pastor. The youth, however, falling into had company, grew debauched, associated with thieves, and became the captain of a band of robbers. When St. John came again to Smyrna, he enquired after the young man; and was told by the bishop that he was dead. " Dead, (said he) of what disease did he die r" To which the bishop replied, with tears, " He is dead to God, has turned not only libertine but a thief, and has committed many robberies and murders in the neighboring mountains, where he commands a most desperate gang." The apostle was greatly af- flicted at this intelligence, but immediately ordered a horse and a guide to conduct him to the mountains. Arriving at a very deso- late part, he was suddenly surrounded by a detachment of the rob- bers, who were roaming after prey. " This is the very thing I wanted, said St. John, very calmly, shew me the way to your cap- tain; 'tis with him I have business." And by his venerable appear- ance, for the saint was now upwards of ninety years of age, they immediately complied, and treated him with a peculiar degree of reverence, for which they could not account. When the captain of the robbers first saw him, he darted a tierce look at him, but in a few minutes recollecting the holy apostle, he changed color, was filled with confusion, and so overwhelmed with shame, that he hastily fled. The aged apostle followed as quick as possible, and called to him in these soothing words: " Stay, my son, why do you fly from your father, who loves you ? Let not an armed man fly from one that is unarmed, a young man from an old man. — Have pity upon me, son; — fear not, there is yet hope of salvation; I will answer for thee to Christ, I will die for thee, as Christ died for us all; I will, if occasion requires, give my life for thee. — Believe me, it is Christ himself that hath sent me." On hearing these words, the astonished robber stopped — dropped his weapons, stood mute for £34 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, dicea, and others ; but his chief place of residence was at Ephesus, where St. Paul had founded a church, and con- stituted Timothy bishop. After John had spent several years at Ephesus, an ac- cusation was laid against hiin before the emperor Do- mitian (who had then began a persecution against the Christians) as being an asserter of false doctrine and im- piety, and a public subverter of the religion of the em- pire. In consequence of this, and in conformity to the orders of Domitian, the pro-consul of Ephesus sent him bound to Rome, where he met with that treatment, which might have been expected from so barbarous a prince, being thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. But the Al- mighty, who reserved him for farther service in the vine- yard of his son, restrained the heat, as he did in the fiery furnace of old, and delivered him from this seemingly unavoidable destruction. And surely one would have thought that so miraculous a deliverance might have been sufficient to have persuaded any rational man, that the religion he taught was from God, and that he was protected from danger by the hand of Omnipotence. But miracles themselves were not sufficient to convince this cruel emperor, or abate his fury. He ordered St. John to be transported to a disconsolate island in the Archi- pelago, called Patmos, where he continued several years instructing the poor inhabitants in the knowledge of the Christian faith ; and here, about the end of Domitian's reign, he wrote his book of Revelations, exhibiting by some time, and at length bursting into tears, he ran and embraced the apostle, but at the same time covered his right baud which had committed murder, that it should not touch the holy man. St. John, however, told him, that if he sincerely repented, Christ would par- don him, pointed out several texts of scripture to confirm what he said, prayed for him heartily, and even kissed his murdering hand, which he assured him would be forgiven on his real repentance. The robber now became a second time a convert, but with better success than at first, for he continued steadfast in his faith, and in the practice of every virtue till bis deatb. Another advantage accrued from his second conversion ; his companions, and associates in wick- edness, struck by his example, and persuaded by his discourses, re- formed their lives, embraced the Christian faith, and became useful members of society. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OT CHRISTIANITY. 223 visions, and prophetical representations, the state and condition of Christianity that would take place in the future periods and ages of the chnrch. On the death of Domitian, and the succession of Narva. (Who repealed all the odious acts of his predecessors, and by public edicts recalled those whom the fury of Domi- tian had banished) St. John returned to Asia, and again fixed his residence at Ephesus. on account of Timothy their bishop having some time before been put to death by the people of that city. Here, with the assistance of seven other bishops, lie took upon himself the govern- ment of the large diocese of Asia Minor, and disposed of the clergy in the best manner he could, spending his time in au indefatigable execution of his charge, travelling from one part to another, and instructing the people in the principles of that holy religion he was sent to propa- gate. In this manner did John continue to spend his lime till death put a period to his labors, which happened in the beginning of the reign of the emperor Trajan. His re- mains were deposited in the city of Ephesus, where several of the fathers observe, that his tomb, in their time, was remaining in a church, which was built to his honor, and called by his name. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death; notwithstanding which he is deemed a martyr, on account of his having undergone the mode of an execution, though it did not take efiect. He lived the longest of any of the apostles, being near an hundred years of age at the time of his death; and the church commemorates the 57th day of December to his memory. St. John, having been brought up to the business of a fisherman, never received a liberal education; but what was wanting from human art was abundantly supplied by the excellent constitution of his mind, and that fulness of Divine grace with which he was adorned. His humil- ity was admirable, always studiously concealing what- ever tended to bis own honor. In his epistles he never stiles himself either Apostle or Evangelist; the title of presbyter, or elder, is all he assumes, and probably as much in regard to his age as bis office. In his Gospel, voi. iv. F f 2£fl FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, when he speaks of the disciple idiom Jesus loved, he con^ ceals his own name, leaving the reader to discover who he meant. He practised charity to the utmost extent, and affectionately recommended it to all mankind. This (and the love of our neighbor) is the great vein that runs through all his writings, more especially his Epistles, wherein he urges it as the great and peculiar law of Christianity, and without which all pretensions to our Blessed Saviour are vain and frivolous; useless aud in- signiticant. When age and the infirmities of nature had rendered him so weak, that he was unable to preach to the people any longer, he was led at every public meeting, to the church at Ephesus, where he generally addressed himself to the people in these words: Little children, love one another. When his hearers, tired with the constant repetition of the same thing, asked him the reason of it, he told them, that to love one another was the command of our Blessed Saviour. The greatest instance of our apostle's care for the souls of men, is displayed in the inimitable writings he left to posterity. The first of which in point of time, though placed last in the sacred canon, is his Apocalypse, or book of revelations, which he wrote during his banish- ment in the island of Patmos. Next to the Apocalypse, in order of time, are his three epistles, the first of which is catholic, calculated for all times and places, containing the most excellent rules for the conduct of a Christian life, pressing to holiness and pureness of manners, and not to be satisfied with a naked and empty profession of religion, not to be led away with the crafty insinuation of seducers, and cautioning men against the poisonous principles and practices of the Gnostics. The apostle here, according to his usual modes- ty, conceals his name, it being of more consequence to a wise man what is said than who says it. It appears from St. Augustine, that this Epistle was anciently in- scribed to the ParthianSji because, in all probability, St. John preached the Gospel in Parthia. The other two Epistles are but short, and directed to particular persons ; the ore to a woman of honorable quality, encouraging her and her children to charity, to perseverance in good works, and to shew no countenance to false teachers and deceivers. The other Epistle is directed to the charitable and hospitable Gains, the kindest friend, and the most courteous entertainer of all indigent Christians. Before he undertook the task of writing his Gospel., he caused a general fast to be kept in all the churches throughout Asia, to implore the blessing of heaven on so great and momentous an undertaking. When this was done he set about the work, and completed it in so ex- cellent and sublime a manner, that the ancients generally compared him to an eagle soaring aloft among the clouds, whither the meek eye of man was not able to follow him. St. Paul, in speaking of the writings of this apostle, says, " Among all the evangelical writers, none are like St. John for the sublimity of his speech, and the height of his discourses, which are beyond any man's capacity fully to reach and comprehend.7' This is corroborated by Epiphanius, who says, " St. John, by a loftiness and speech peculiar to himself, acquaints us, as it were out of the clouds and dark recesses of wisdom, with the Di- vine doctrine of the Son of God." Such is the character given of the writings of this great apostle and evangelist, who was honored with the en- dearing title of being the beloved disciple of the Son of God ; a writer so profound as to deserve, by way of emi- nence, the character of St. John the Divine. St. PHILIP. In the distribution made by the apostles of the several regions of the world in which they were to preach the Gospel after our Lord's ascension, the Upper Asia fell to Philip, where he labored with the most indefatigable diligence to propagate the doctrine of his Master in those parts. From the constancy and power of his preaching, and the efficacy pf his miracles, he gained numerous con- verts, whom he baptized in the Christian faith, curing at once their bodies of infirmities and distempers, and their souls of errors and idolatry. Here he continued a con- siderable time, and, before he left the place, settled the churches, and appointed guides and ministers over those whom he had converted, #&8 l'ROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, After Philip had, for several years, successfully ex- ercised his apostolic office in Upper Asia, he went to Hierapolis in Phrygia, a city remarkably rich and popu- lous, but at the same time over-run with the most enor- mous idolatry. Philip was greatly grieved to see the people so wretchedly enslaved by error and superstition : he therefore repeatedly oifered up his prayers to heaven in their behalf, till, by his prayers, and often calling on the name of Christ, he procured the death, or at least the vanishing, of a dragon, or enormous serpent, to which they paid adoration. Having thus demolished their deity, Philip clearly de- monstrated to them how ridiculous and unjust it was to pay divine honors to such odious creatures : he told them that God alone was to be worshipped as the great parent of all the world, who, in the beginning, made men after his glorious image, and when fallen from that innocent and happy state, sent his ovvu Son into the world to re- deem them. That, in order to perform this glorious work, he died on the cross, and rose again from the dead, and at the end of the world would come again to raise all the sons of men from the chambers of the dust, and either sentence them to everlasting punishment, or reward them with everlasting felicity. This discourse roused them from their lethargy; inso- much that great numbers, being ashamed of their idolatry, immediately forsook it, and embraced the doctrine of the Gospel. But the success attending Philip's endeavors proved fatal to him. The magistrates were so incensed at his having obtained such a number of converts that they resolved to put an effectual stop to his proceedings. They accordingly ordered him to be seized, and thrown into prison, from whence, after being severely scourged, he was led to execution, and put to death, the manner of which, according to some, was, by being hanged against a pillar, and, according to others, by crucifixion. As soon as he was dead, his body was taken down by Bartholomew, his fellow-laborer in the Gospel, and Mariamne his sister, the constant companion of his travels, and decently interred in a private place near the city ; TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 229 both of whom, for performing this friendly office, barely escaped with their lives. The martyrdom of St. Philip happened about eight years after that of St. James the (neat: and his name, together with that of St. James the Less, is commem- orated on the first of May. St. BARTHOLOMEW. This apostle is mentioned among the immediate disci- ples of our Lord under the appellation of Bartholomew, though it is evident, from divers passages in scripture^ that he was also called Nathaniel.* After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Bartholomew visited different parts of the Avorld, in order to propagate the Gospel of his Master, and at length penetrated as far as the Hither India. Here he remained a considerable time, and then went to Hierapolis in Phrygia, where he labored (in conjunction with Philip) to plaut Christianity in those parts ; and to convince the blind idolaters of the evil of their ways, and direct them in the paths which lead to eternal salvation. This enraging the bigotted magistrates, they sentenced Bartholomew to death, and * That Nathaniel and Bartholomew were only two names for one and the same person, the one his proper, and the other his relative name, is beyond all doubt; but then the question is, upon what ac> connt it was, that he had his relative name conferred on him. That several sects in the Jewish church, denominated themselves from some famous person of that nation (as the Essenes did from Enoch, and the Sadducees from Sadoc) cannot he denied; and therefore, if we may suppose that there were others, who called themselves Tholmrcans, from Tholmai, scholar to Heber, the ancient master of the Hebrews, who flourished in Debir and Hebron, it will be no hard matter to make Nathaniel of this order and institution, and there- upon to give him the name of Bartholomew, i. e. a scholar of the Tholmseans, and so create him (as he is said to have been) a doctor of the Jewish law. But an easier explanation of this matter will appear from the following observations That, as the first syllable of his name signifies a Son, the word Bar-tholomew will import no more, than the Son of Tholomew, or Tholmai, which was no un- common name among the Jews. And, that it was an usual thing among them, for the son thus to derive his name, is evident from the instance of Bar-tinii'jus. which is interpreted the Son ofTimseus, Mark x. 46, and that of Bar-jona, Matth. xvi. 17. which St. John makes the same with Simon, son of Jonas, John, xxi. 15. £30 FyltOM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, he was accordingly fastened to a cross ; but their con- sciences staring them in their faces for the iniquity they were about to commit, they ordered him to be taken down, and set at liberty. In consequence of this our apostle left Hiei'apolis, and went to Lycaonia, where he obtained a great number of converts, whom he instructed and trained up in the prin- ciples of the Christian religion. From Lycaonia he went to Albania, a city on the Caspian Sea, a place miserably over-run with idolatry, from which he labored hard to reclaim the people. But his endeavors to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, instead of proving effectual, only procured his destruction. The magistrates were so incensed against him, that they prevailed on the governor to order him to be put to death, which was accordingly done with the most distinguished cruelty. It is the general opinion of most writers, that he was first severely beaten with sticks, then crucified, afterwards flayed while still alive, and, lastly, that his head was severed from his body. The anniversary of his martyrdom is kept on the 21th of August, the day on which he cheerfully resigned himself in defence of the doctrine of his great Lord and Master. St. MATTHEW. During the first eight years after our Blessed Lord's ascension into heaven, Matthew continued to preach the Gospel with great assiduity in different parts of Judea; after which he left the country of Palestine in order to convert the Gentile world. But before his departure, at the earnest solicitation of the Jewish converts in Judea, he wrote the History of the life and actions of the Blessed Jesus; which he left among them as a standing monu- ment of. what he had so often delivered to them in his sermons. After Matthew left Judea, he travelled into various parts, but the particular places he visited are not certain- ly known. However, after laboring indefatigably in the vineyard of his Master, he suffered martyrdom at a city called Nadabar in Ethiopia ; but the particular manner of TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT C^F CHRISTIANITY. 231 his death is not certainly known, though it is the general conceived opinion that he was slain with an halbert. His martyrdom is commemorated by the church on the 21st day of September. St. Matthew was a remarkable instance of the power of religion, in bringing men to a proper temper of mind. If we reflect upon his circumstances while he continued a stranger to the great Redeemer of mankind, we shall find that the love of the world had possessed his heart. But notwithstanding this, no sooner did Christ call him, than he abandoned, without the least scruple or hesita- tion, all his riches; nay, he not only renounced his lucra- tive trade, but ran the greatest hazards of displeasing the masters who employed him, for quitting their service without giving them the least notice, and leaving his ac- counts in confusion. Had our Blessed Saviour appeared as a secular prince, clothed with temporal power and authority, it would have been no wonder for him to have gone over to his service; but when he appeared under all the circumstances of poverty, when he seemed to promise his followers nothing but misery and sufferings, in this life, and to propose no other rewards than the invisible encouragements of another world, his change appears truly wonderful and surprizing — but Divine grace can subdue all opposition. His contempt of the world was fully manifested in his exemplary temperance and abstemiousness from all de- lights and pleasures ; insomuch, that he even refused the ordinary conveniencies and accommodations of life. He waa remarkably modest in the opinion he entertained of himself, always giving the preference to others, even though their abilities were not so conspicuous as his own. The rest of the evangelists are careful to mention the honor of his apostleship, but speak of his former sordid, dishonest, and disgraceful course of life, only under the name of Levi; while he himself sets it down with all its circumstances, under his own proper and common name. A conduct which at once commends the prudence and candor of the apostle, and suggests to us this useful re- flection, That the greatest sinners are not excluded from Divine grace; nor can any, if penitent, have just reason 232 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, to despair, when publicans and sinners find mercy at the throne of grace. The Gospel which St. Matthew wrote at the iutreaty of the Jewish converts, before he left Judca, was penned in the Hebrew language, but soon after translated into Greek by one of his disciples. After the Greek transla- tion was admitted, the Hebrew copy was chiefly owned and used by the Nazarsei, a middle sect between Jews and Christians; with the former they adhered to the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law, and with the latter they believed in Christ, and embraced his religion; and hence this Gospel has been styled The Gospel according to the Hebrews, and The Gospel of the Nazarenes. St. THOMAS. The apostle Thomas, after our Lord's ascension, con^ tinued to preach the Gospel in various parts of Judea; till at length, being interrupted by the dispersion of the Christian church in Jerusalem, he repaired into Parthia, the province assigned him for his ministry. He after- wards preached the Gospel to the Medes, Persians, Carmans, Hyrcani, Braciarians, and the neighboring nations. During his preaching in Persia, he is said to have met with the magi, or wise men, who had taken that long journey at our Saviour's birth to worship him, whom he baptized, and took with him, as his companions and assistants in propagating the Gospel. Leaving Persia he travelled into Ethiopia, preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel, healing the sick, and working other miracles, to prove he had his commission from on high. After travelling through these countries, he entered India, and went first to Socotora, an island in the Ara- bian sea, and then to Cranganor, from whence, having converted many from the error of their ways, he travelled further into the east. Having successfully preached the Gospel here, he returned back to the kingdom of Coro- mandel, where at Malipur, the metropolis of the king- dom, not far from the mouth of the Ganges, he began to erect a place for Hivine worship, but was interrupted by rO THE FL'I.I. ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 233 the idolatrous priests, and Sagamo, prince of the country. However, after lie had performed several miracles, he was suffered to proceed in the work, and Sagamo him- self embraced the Christian faith, whose example Mas soon followed by great numbers of his friends and subjects. This remarkable success alarmed the Brachmans. who plainly perceived that their religion would be soon extir- pated unless some method could be found of putting a stop to the progress of Christianity: they therefore re- solved to put the apostle to death. At a small distance from the city was a tomb, whither St. Thomas often re- tired for private devotion : hither the Brachmans and their armed followers pursued him, and while he was at prayer, they first threw at him a shower of darts, after which one of the priests ran him through the body with a lance. His corpse was taken up by his disciples, and buried in the church he had caused to be erected, and which was afterwards improved into a fabric of very great magnificence. His martyrdom is commemorated on the 21st of December. St. Chrysostom says, that St. Thomas, who at first wras the weakest and most incredulous of all the apostles, became, through Christ's condescension to satisfy his scruples, and the power of the Divine grace, the most active and invincible of them all; travelling over most parts of the world, and living without fear in the midst of barbarous nations, through the efficacy of that Almighty power, which can make the weakest vessels to perform acts of the greatest difficulty and moment. St. SIMON, commonly called the Zealot. This apostle, in the catalogue of our Lord's chosen dis- ciples, is stiled Simon the Canaanite, from whence some are of opinion that he was born at Cana in Galilee ; and it is generally thought that he was the bridegroom mentioned by St. John at whose marriage our Blessed Saviour turn- ed the water into wine. The name of this apostle is derived from the Hebrew word knah which signifies zeal, aud denotes a warm and voi. iv. G a 234 EEOM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, sprightly disposition. He did not, however, acquire this name from his ardent affection to his Master, and the de- sire of advancing his religion in the world, but from his zealous attachment to a particular sect of religion before he became acquainted with his great Lord and Master. In order to explain this matter more clearly to the un- derstanding of our readers, it is necessary to observe, that as there were several sects and parties among the Jews, so there was one, either a distinct sect, or at least a branch of the Pharisees, called the sect of the Zealots. This sect took upon them to inflict punishments in extra- ordinary cases ; and that not only by the connivance, but with the leave both of the rulers and people, till, in pro- cess of time, their zeal degenerated into all kinds of licen- tiousness and wild extravagance; and they not only be- came the pests of the commonwealth in their own territo- ries, but were likewise hated by the people of those parts which belonged to the Romans. They were continually urging the people to shake off the Roman yoke and assert their natural liberty, taking care, when they had thrown, all things into confusion, to make their own advantage of the consequences arising therefrom. Josephus gives a very long and particular account of them, throughout the whole of which he repeatedly represents them as the great plague of the Jewish nation. Various attempts were made, especially by Ananas the high-priest, to reduce them to order, and oblige them to observe the rules of so- briety; but all endeavors proved ineffectual. They con- tinued their violent proceedings, and, joining with the Idumeans, committed every kind of outrage. They broke into the sanctuary, slew the priests themselves before the altar, and filled the streets of Jerusalem with tumults, ra- pine and blood. Nay, when Jerusalem was closely be- sieged by the Roman army, they continued their detesta- ble proceedings, creating fresh tumults and factions, and were indeed the principal cause of the ill success of tlitv Jews in that fatal war. This is a true account of the sect of the Zealots ; though, whatever St. Simon was before, we have no reason to suspect but that after his conversion he was very zealous for the honor of his Master, and considered all those who TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHBISTIAXITY. 335 were enemies to Christ as enemies to himself, however near they might be to him in any natural relation. As he was very exact in all the practical duties of the Christian religion, so he shewed a very serious and pious indigna- tion towards those who professed religion, and a faith in Christ with their mouths, but dishonored their sacred pro- fession by their irregular and vicious lives, as many of the first professing Christians really did. St. Simon continued in commuuion with the rest of the apostles and disciples at Jerusalem; and at the feast of Pentecost received t!.-2 same miraculous gifts of the Holy (J host; so that he was qualified with the rest of his brethren for the apostolic office. In propagating the Gospel of the Son of God, we cannot doubt of his exer- cising his gifts with the same zeal and fidelity, as his fellow apostles, though in what part of the world is un- certain ; some say lie went into Egypt, Cyrenc and Africa, preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of those remote and barbarous countries; and others add, that after he had passed through those burning wastes, he preached the Gospel to the inhabitants of the western parts, and even in Britain ; where, having converted great multitudes, and sustained the greatest hardships and per- secutions, he was at last crucified, and buried in some part of that island ; but the exact place where is unknown. The church, joining him with St. Jude, commemorate his memory on the 2 3th of October. St. JUDE. It is very observable of this apostle, that the Evan- gelists commonly call him, not Jude, but either Thaddseus or Labba?us; the reason of which, in all human probabili- ty, is from the particular dislike they had to the name which was so nearly similar to that of the base and per- fidious Judas Iscariot, who treacherously sold and be- trayed his Master. Jude was brother to James the Less, afterwards bishop of Jerusalem, being the son of Joseph by a former wife. It is not known when or by what means he became a dis- ciple of our Blessed Saviour, there not being any thing S3b' FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, said of him, till we find him in the catalogue of the twelve apostles; nor afterwards till Christ's Last Supper, when discoursing with them about his departure, and comforting them with a promise, that he would return to them again, meaning after his resurrection from the dead. The sacred records are so very short in their accounts of this apostle, that we must be beholden to other ecclesi- astical writers, for information relative to his conduct after the ascension of our Blessed Lord into heaven. Paulinos tells us, that the part which fell to his share in the apostolic division of the provinces, was Lybia, but he does not tell us whether it was the Cyrcnian Lybia, which is thought to have received the (Gospel from St. Mark, or the more southern parts of Africa. But how- ever that he, in his first setting out to preach the Gospel, he travelled up and down Judea and Galilee; then through Samaria into Iduuiea, and to the cities of Arabia and the neighboring countries, and afterwards to Syria and Mesopotamia. Nicephorus adds, that he came at last to Edessa, where Abagarus governed, and where Thaddeus, one of the seventy, had already sown the seeds of the Gospel. Here he perfected what the other had begun; and having by his sermons and miracles es- tablished the religion of Jesus, he died in peace; but others say that he was slain at Berites, and honorably buried there. The writers of the Latin church are unanimous in declaring, that he travelled into Persia, where, after great success in his apostolical ministry for many years, he was at last, for his freely and openly re- proving the superstitious rites and customs of the Magi, cruelly put to death. St. Jude wrote only one epistle, which is placed the last of those seven, stiled catholic, in the sacred canon. It has no particular inscription, as the other six have, but is thought to have been primarily intended for the Christian Jews in their several dispersions, as were the epistles of the apostle Peter. In it he informs them, " that he at first " intended to have wrote to them concerning the common li salvation, in oriler to confirm them in their belief; " but, finding the doctrine of Christ attacked on all sides {i by heretics, he thought it more necessary to exhort them TO THE Fl'LL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 2*7 u to stand up manfully in defence of the faith once dv- *• livered to the saints, and to oppose those false teachers, " w ho so earnestly labored to corrupt them ; and that they '• might know these the better, he describes them in their " proper colors, and foretels their future, if not impending " danger; but, at the same time, he endeavors to exhort ii them, by all gentle methods to save them, and to take '* them out of the jive into which their own folly had cast " them." It was some time before this epistle was generally re- ceived in the church. The author indeed, like St. James, St. John, and sometimes St. Paul, does not call himself an apostle, but only the servant of Christ. liut he has added what is equivalent, Jude the brother of James, a character which can only belong to himself; and surely the humility of a follower of Christ should be no objection to his writings. St. MATTHIAS. Matthias was one of the seventy disciples whom our Blessed Lord made choice of to assist him in the dis- charge of his public ministry. After his death Matthias was elected into the apostleship, to supply the place of Judas, who was so struck with remorse at having betray- ed his Master, as to put a period to his own existence. After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Matthias spent the first year of his ministry in Judea, where lie was so successful as to bring over a prodigious number of people to the Christian faith. From Judea he travelled into other countries, and, proceeding eastward, came at length to Ethiopia. Here he likewise made many converts, but the inhabitants in general being of a fierce and untractable temper, resolved to take away his life, which they effected by first stoning him, and then severing his head from his body. The anniversary of his martyrdom is kept in the Christian church on the 21th of February. « St. MARK. In the dispersion of the apostles for propagating the Gospel in different parts of the world, after our Lord"* 238 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST; ascension into heaven, St. Mark was, by Peter, sent iuto Egypt, where he soon planted a church in Alexandria, the metropolis; and such was his success, that he con- verted prodigious multitudes of people, both men and women, to the Christian religion. St. Mark did not coufine himself to Alexandria, and the oriental parts of Egypt, but removed westward to Lybia, passing through the countries of Marmarcia, Pen- tapolis, and others adjacent, where, though the people were both barbarous in their manners, and idolatrous in their worship, yet by Ids preaching and miracles he pre- vailed on them to embrace the tenets of the gospel; nor did lie leave them till he had confirmed them in the faith. After this long tour he returned to Alexandria, where he preached with the greatest freedom, ordered and dis- posed of the affairs of the church, and wisely provided for a succession, by constituting governors and pastors of it. But the restless enemy of the souls of men would not suffer our apostle to continue in peace and quietness, for while he was assiduously laboring in the vineyard of his Master, the idolatrous inhabitants, about the time of Easter, when they were celebrating the solemnities of Serapis, tumultously seized him; and, binding his feet with cords, dragged him through the streets, and over the most craggy places, to the Bucelus, a precipice near the sea, leaving him there in a lonesome prison, for that night; but his great and beloved Master appeared to him in a vision, comforting and encouraging him, under the ruins of his shattered body. Early the next morning the tragedy began afresh ; and they dragged him about in the same cruel and barbarous manner, till he expired. But their malice did not end with his death ; for they burnt his mangled body after they had so inhumanly deprived it of life; but the Christians gathered up his bones and ashes, and decently interred them near the place where he used to preach. His remains were afterwards, with great pomp, removed from Alexandria to Venice, where they were religiously honored, and he was adopted the titular saint and patron of that state. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 2 Vj He suffered martyrdom on the S.ith of April, but the year is not absolutely known; the most probable opinion is, thai it happened about the end of the reign of Nero. His Gospel, the only writing he left behind him, was written at the intreaty and earnest desire of the converts at Rome, who, not content with having heard St. Peter preach, pressed St. Mark, his disciple, to commit to writing an historical account of what he had delivered to them, which lie performed with equal faithfulness and brevity, and being perused and approved by St. Peter, it was commanded to be publicly read in their assemblies. It was frequently stiled St. Peter's gospel, not because he dictated it to St. Mark, but because the latter com- posed it from the accounts St. Peter usually delivered in his discourse to the people. And this is probably the reason of what St. Chrysostom observes, that in his stile and manner of expression he delights to imitate St. Peter, representing a great deal in a few words. St. LUKE. The Evangelist St. Luke was a native of Antioch in Syria, and by profession a physician ; and it is the geu- eral opinion of most ancient historians, that he was also well acquainted with the art of painting. After our Lord's ascension into heaven, he spent a great part of his time with St. Paul, whom he accom- panied to various places, and greatly assisted in bringing over proselytes to the Christian faith. This so endeared him to that apostle, that he seems delighted witli owning him for his fellow-laborer, and in calling him the beloved physician, and the brother ichose praise is in the Gospel. St. Luke preached the Gospel with great success in a variety of places, independent of his assisting St. Paul. He travelled into different parts of Egypt and Greece, in the latter of which countries the idolatrous priests were, so incensed against him that they put him to death, which they effected by hanging him on the branch of an olive tree. The anniversary of his martyrdom is held on the 18th of October. St. Luke wrote two books for the use of the church ; namely, his Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles. Both S40 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, these he dedicated to Theophilus, which many of the ancients suppose to be a feigned name, denoting a lover of God, a title common to all sincere Christians. But others think it was a real person, because the title of most excellent is attributed to him ; which was the usual form of address, in those times, to princes and other distin- guished characters. His Gospel contains the principal Transactions of the Life of our Blessed Redeemer; and in his Acts of the Apostles (which it is probable he wrote at Home about the time of Paul's imprisonment) are recorded the most material actions of the principal apostles, especially St. Paul, whose activity in the cause of Christ made him bear a very great part in the labors of his Master; and St. Luke, being almost his constant attendant, and privy to his most intimate transactions, was consequently capa- ble of giving a more full and satisfactory account of them than any other of the apostles. In both these treatises his manner of writing is exact and accurate; his stile noble and elegant, sublime and lofty, and yet clear and perspicuous, flowing with an easy and natural grace and sweetness, admirably adapted to an historical design. In short, as an historian he was faithful in his relations, and elegant in his writings; as a minister, careful and diligent for the good of souls ; as a Christian, devout and pious; and to crown all the rest, he laid down his life in testimony of the gospel he had both preached and published to the world. St. BARNABAS. After our Lord's ascension into heaven, Barnabas con- tinued, for a considerable time, witli St. Paul, being his constant attendant wherever he went. He travelled with him to a great variety of places in different parts of the world, and was of the most infinite service in helping him to propagate the Gospel of his great Lord and Master. At length, however, a dispute arose between them while they were at Antioch, the issue of which was, that Bar- nabas left Paul at Antioch, and retired to Cyprus, his native country. TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 21 ll After this separation from St. Paul the sacred writings i^ivc us uo account of St. Barnabas; nor are the ecclesias- tical writers agreed among themselves with regard to the actions of our aposlle, after his sailing for Cyprus. This, however, seems to he certain, that he did not spend the whole remainder of his life in that island, but visited dif- ferent parts of the world, preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel, healing the sick, and working other miracles among the Gentiles. After long and painful travels, at- tended with different degrees of success in different places, he returned to Cyprus, his native country, where he suffered martyrdom in the following manner : Certain Jews coming from Syria and Salamis, where Barnabas was then preaching the Gospel, being highly exasperated at his extraordinary success, fell upon him as he was dis- puting in the synagogue, dragged him out, and, after the most inhuman tortures, stoned him to death. His kins- man, John Mark, who was a spectator of this barbarous action, privately interred his body in a cave ; where it re- mained till the time of the emperor Zeno, in the year of Christ 185, when it was discovered, with St. Matthew's gospel in Hebrew, written with his own hand, lying on his breast. The anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Barnabas is kept on the 11th of June. TIMOTHY. This great assertor of the cause of Christ was a disci- ple of St. Paul, and born at Lystra in Lycaonia. His father was a Gentile, but his mother was a Jewess. Her name was Eurice, and that of his grand mother, Lais. These particulars are taken notice of, because St. Paul commends their piety and the good education which they had given Timothy. When St. Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, about the year of Christ 51 or 52, the brethren gave such an ad- vantageous testimony of the merit and good disposition of Timothy, that the apostle took him with him, in order to assist him in propagating the doctrine of his Great Lord and Master. Timothy applied himself to labor vox. iv. H h 842 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, with St. Paul in the business of the Gospel, ami did him very important services, through the whole course of his preaching. St. Paul calls him not only his dearly beloved son, but also his brother, the companion of his labors, and a man of God. This holy disciple accompanied St. Paul to Mace- donia, to Philippi, to Thessalonica, to Berea; and when the apostle went from Berea, he left Timothy and Silas there, to confirm the converts. When he came to Athens, he sent for Timothy to come thither to him ; and when he was come, and had given him an account of the churches of Macedonia, St. Paul sent him back to Thessalonica. from whence he afterwards returned with Silas, and came to St. Paul at Corinth. There he continued with him for some time, and the apostle mentions him with Silas, at the beginning of the two epistles which he then wrote to the Thessalonians. Some years after this, St. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia; and gave Timothy orders to call at Corinth, to refresh the minds of the Corinthians, with regard to the truths which he had inculcated in them. Some time after, writing to the same Corinthians, he recommends them to take care of Timothy, and send him back in peace ; after which Timothy returned to St. Paul into Asia, who there stayed for him. They went together into Macedonia; and the apostle puts Timothy's name with his own, before the second Epistle to the Corinthians, which he wrote to them from Macedonia, about the middle of the year of Christ 57- And he sends his recommendations to the Romans in the letter which lie wrote from Corinth the same year. When St. Paul returned from Rome, in 61, he left Timothy at Ephesus to take care of that church of which lie was the first bishop, as he is recognized by the council of Chalcedon. St. Paul wrote to him from Macedonia the first of the two letters which are addressed to him. He recommends him to be more moderate in his austeri- ties, and to drink a little wine, because of the weakness of his stomach, and his frequent infirmities. After the apostle came to Rome in the year 6;?, being then very near his death, lie wrote to him his second letter, which TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 213 is full of marks of kindness and tenderness for this his dear disciple: and which is justly looked upon as the. last will of St. Paul. He desires him to come to Jlome to him before winter, and bring with him several things which he had left at Troas. If Timothy went to Home, as it is probable he did, he must have been an eye-witness of the martyrdom of Paul, which happened in the year of Christ 66. After Timothy had visited Paul at Rome he returned to Ephesus, where he continued to govern the church as its bishop, without the least interruption, for a considera- ble time, till at length he fell a victim to the malice of the Pagans, who were his most inveterate enemies. These beat hens made a great feast, in the celebration of which, they carried in procession the images of their idols, being all masked, and armed with clubs, and other offensive weapons. Timothy, seeing the procession, was so irritated at their idolatry and superstition, that be rushed in among them in order to stop their proceedings; upon which they immediately fell upon him, and, with their clubs, beat him in so unmerciful a manner, that he soon expired. They left the body on the spot where they had murdered him, which was removed from thence by some of his disciples, and decently interred on the top of a mountain at a small distance from the city. The Greeks commemorate his martyrdom on the 22d of January, the day on which it is generally supposed he gave up his life in defence of the doctrine he had long labored to propa- gate ; and during which time he had brought over great numbers of people to embrace the truth of the Christian religion. TITUS. Titus was a native of Greece, and a Gentile by birth; but was converted to the Christian faith by the apostle Paul, who, in consequence of his strict adherence to the doctrine of Christ, calls him his son. St. Jerome tells us that he was St. Paul's interpreter; and that, probably, because he might write what Paul dictated, or translate into Greek what he had written in Latin, £M FROM THE ASCENSION OP CHRIST, Soon after the conversion of Titus, the apostle Paul took him with him to Jerusalem, which was at the time when he went thither about deciding the dispute then in agitation relative to the converted Gentiles being made subject to the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. On their arrival there some of the people were desirous that Titus should be circumcised ; but this was not only refused by Titus, buf totally objected to by Paul. After this controversy was ended at Jerusalem, Paul sent Titus from thence to Corinth, in order to adjust some disputes which had taken place in the church of that city. Titus was received by the people with the greatest marks of respect; and, from the various discourses he preached on the occasion, was so successful as effectually to dis- charge the business on which he was sent. After staying some time at Corinth, Titus went from thence into Macedonia, in order to inform Paul of the state of the church in that city. Paul was well pleased with the account he gave, and the success of his embassy; and intending himself to go to Corinth, desired Titus to return thither, to make some necessary preparations pre- vious to his departure for that city. Titus readily under- took the journey, and immediately set off, carrying with him St. Paul's second Epistle to the Corinthians. Titus was made bishop of the island of Crete about the 63d year after Christ, when St. Paul was obliged to quit that island, in order to take care of the other churches. The following year Paul wrote him to desire, that as soon as he should have sent Tychicus to him for supplying his place in Crete, he would come to him to Kicopolis in Epirus, where the apostle intended to pass Jtis winter. The subject of this Epistle is to represent to Titus what are the qualities that a bishop should be endued with. As the principal function which Titus was to ex- ercise in the isle of Crete was to ordain priests and bishops, it was highly incumbent on him to make a dis- creet choice. The apostle also gives him a sketch of the advice and instructions which he was to propound to all sorts of persons : to the aged, both men and women ; tp young people of each sex ; to slaves or servants. He ex- TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 2 l.'» noits him to keep a strict eye over the Cretans; and to reprove them with severity, as being a people addicted to lying;, wickedness, idleness and gluttony. And as many Jews were in the churches of Crete, he exhorts Titus to oppose their vain traditions and Jewish fables; and ai the same time to shew them that the observation of the law ceremonies is no longer necessary; that the distinc- tion of meat is abolished : and that every thing is pure and clean to those that are so themselves : he puts him in mind of exhorting the faithful to be obedient to temporal power; to avoid disputes, quarrels and slander; to apply themselves to honest callings; and to shun the company of a heretic, after the first and second admonition. Titus was deputed to preach the Gospel in Dalmatia, where he was situated when the apostle wrote his second epistle to Timothy. He afterwards returned into Crete ; from which it is said, he propagated the Gospel into the neighboring islands. He died at the age of 94, and was buried in Crete. The Greeks keep his festival on the 25th of August, and the Latins on the 4th of January. JOHN MARK. John Mark, cousin to St. Barnabas, and a disciple of his, was the son of a Christian woman, named Mary, who had a house in Jerusalem, where the apostles and the faithful generally used to meet. Here they were at prayers in the night, when St. Peter, who was delivered out of prison by the angel, came and knocked at the door; and in this house the celebrated church of Sicn was said to have been afterwards established. John Mark, whom some, very improperly confound with the Evangelist St. Mark, adhered to St. Paul and St. Barnabas, and followed them in their return to Anti- och. He continued in their company and service till they came to Perga. in Pamphylia; but then seeing that they were undertaking a longer journey, he left them and re- turned to Jerusalem. This happened in the year 45 of the common era. Some years after, that is to say in the year 51, Paul and Barnabas preparing to return into Asia, in order to visit the churches, which they had formed there, the lat 348 FEOM THE ASCENSION OP CHRIST, ter was of opinion, that John should accompany them in this journey; but Paul would not consent to it: upon which occasion these two apostles separated. Paul went to Asia, and Barnabas with John Mark, to the isle of Cyprus. What John Mark did after this journey we do not know, till we find him at Rome in the year 63, per- forming signal services for St. Paul, during his imprison- ment. The apostle speaks advantageously of him in his epistle to the Colossians, Jllarcus, sister's son to Barna- bas, saluteth you. Jf he cometh unto you, receive him. He makes mention of him again in his epistle to Phile- mon, written in the year 63; at which time he was with St. Paul at Rome ; but in the year 65 he was with Timo- thy in Asia. And St. Paul writing to Timothy, desires him to bring Marcus to Rome; adding that he was use- ful to him for the ministry of the Gospel. In the Greek and Latin churches, the festival of John Mark is kept on the 27th of September. Some say that lie was bishop of Biblis, in Phoenicia. The Greeks give, him the title of apostle ; and say that the sick were cured by his shadow only. It is very probable that he died at Ephesus, where his tomb was very much celebrated and resorted to. He is sometimes called simply John, or Mark. The year of his death we are strangers to ; and shall not collect all that is said of him in apocryphal and uncertain authors. CLEMENT. Clement is mentioned by St. Paul, in his epistle to ihe Philippians, where the apostle says that Clement's name is written in the book of life. The generality of the fathers, and other interpreters, make no question but that this is the same Clement who succeeded St. Paul, after Linus and Anaciet, in the government of the church of Home ; and this seems to be intimated, when in the office for St. Clement's day, that church appoints this part of the Epistle to the Philippians to be read. We find several things relating to Clement's life, in the recognitions and constitutions called apostolic ; but as those works are not all looked upon as authentic, though TO THE FULL ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRISTIANITY. 24? there may be truths in some of them derived from the tra- dition of the first ages, little stress is to be laid upon their testimony. St. Chrysostom thinks that Clement, men- tioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians, was one of the apostle's constant fellow-travellers. Irenseus, Origin. Clemens of Alexandria, and others uf the ancients assert, that Clement was a disciple of the apostles: that he had seen them, and heard their instructions. St. Epi- phanius, Jerome, Rufinus, Bede, and some others, Mere of opinion, that as the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul could not be. continually at Home, by reason of the fre- quent journies which they were obliged to make to other places, and it was not proper that the city of Rome should be without a bishop, there was a necessity to supply the want of them by establishing Linus, Anaclet, and Clem- eut there. The constitutions inform us, that Linus was ordained by St. Paul; Tertullian and Epiphanius say, that St. Peter ordained Clement. Rufinus tells us that this apostle chose St. Clement for his successor. Rut. Epiphanius believes, that after he had been made bishop of Rome by St. Peter, he refused to exercise his office, till after the death of Linus and Anaclet, he was obliged to take upon him the care of the church; and this is the most generally received opinion. St. Peter's immediate successor was Linus; Linus was succeeded by Auaclet; and Anaclet by Clement, in the year of Christ ninety-one, which was the tenth of the reign of Domitian. During his government over the church of Rome, that of Corinth was disturbed by a spirit of division, upon which Clement wrote a loug letter to the Corinthians, which is still extant, and was so much esteemed by the ancients, that they read it publicly in many churches; and some have been inclined to range it among the ca- nonical writings. In what manner Clement conducted himself, and how he escaped the general persecution under the emperor Domitian, we have not any certain accounts; but we are very well assured that he lived to the third year of the emperor Trajan, which is the hundredth of the Christian era. His festival is set down by Bede, and all the Latin Martyrologisls, on the 23d of November; and the Greeks 218 FROM THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST^ honor him on the 24th and 25th of the same month, Rufinus and pope Zozimus, give him the title of Martyr ; and the Roman church, in its canon, places him among the saints who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of Christ. Thus have we given the most ample account of the followers of the Blessed Jesus; the persons who spread, and caused to be spread, the light of the Gospel over the whole world, removed the veil of ignorance and super- stition drawn over the kingdoms of the earth, and taught us the method of attaining eternal happiness in the courts of the New Jerusalem. May we all follow their glorious examples! May we imitate their faith, their piety, their charity, and their love ! Then shall we pass through things temporal in such a manner, that we shall finally gain the things eter- nal, and, through the merits of an all-perfect Redeemer, be admitted as worthy guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Behold the Glories of the Lamb I Amidst his Father's throue; Prepare new honors for his name, And songs before unknown. Let elders worship at his feet, The church adore around, With vials full of odors sweet, And harps of sweeter sound. Those are the prayers of the saints, And these the hymns they raise: Jesus is kind to our complaints, He loves to hear our praise. Now to the Lamb that once was slain Be endless blessings paid; Salvation, Glory, Joy remain For ever on thy head. Thou hast redeemed our souls with bloo.d, Hast set the prisoners free ; Hast made us kings and priests to God, And we shall reign with thee. The worlds of nature and of grace Are put beneath thy power: Then shorten these delaying days. And bring the promised hour. APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY BIBLE CONTAINING VARIOUS PARTICULARS NECESSARY TO ILLUSTRATE ANI» ELUCIDATE THE SACRED WRITINGS CONTAINED BOTH IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. CHAP. I. On the Connection of the Old and New Testament, or General Agreement of the Sacred Writers; with a summary View of the great Truth of Divine Revelation. THE Sacred Volume, which we call the BIBLE, is not a book compiled by a single author, nor by many persons in conjunction in the same age, in which there would be no difficulty in forming a consistent composition, nor would it be any wonder to find the various parts in a just and close connection. But the scriptures were done by several hands, in very different conditions of life, and iu very distant ages, at which distinct and separate periods the world must have put on a new face, and men must have had different interests to pursue. David wrote about 400 years after Moses, and Isaiah about 250 years after David ; and Matthew more than 700 after Isaiah : and yet these authors, with all the other prophets and apostles, write in perfect harmony, confirm- ing the authority of their predecessors, laboring to reduce vol. iv. I I 230 ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN the people to the observance of their instructions, and loudly exclaiming against their neglect and contempt of them, and denouncing the severest judgments upon such as should continue disobedient. This was the principal work of the prophets in a long succession ; and it is well known that our Lord came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil, that is, to vindicate and illustrate their meaning, to complete what was imperfect, and to answer the highest ends of what was typical and figurative. As the writers, therefore, of the Holy Scriptures are all in perfect connection and harmony together, mutually confirming the doctrine and testimony of each other, and concurring to establish the very same religious truths and principles, it is an undeniable proof that all derive their instructions from the same fountain, namely, the wisdom of God, and were, indeed, under the direction and illu- mination of his Spirit. The Christian faith is, and for many years has been, embraced in all those numerous and distant lands which once composed the Roman empire, and even in countries far beyond the utmost bounds thereof. In all these spacious regions, the Christian faith, in one form or other, has been professed; and baptism and the Lord's Supper have been administered, in a succession of ages, both of which institutions were handed down to us from the mouth of our Blessed Redeemer, by his holy apostles and evan- gelists. No fact can be more evident than this ; and from our Lord and his apostles, the Gospel spread over the greatest part of the known world, which before its publication was universally involved in idolatry, established by long custom and human laws, strongly defended by all the power and learning of the world, by all the zeal of super- stition, by all the blindness of profound ignorance, and by all the incorrigible perverseness of corrupt and disso- lute manners; a complication of causes which would for ever bid defiance to any philosophy or wisdom of the few that can be supposed to obtain a better sense in the midst of universal darkness and depravity. But the Gospel gained a most complete and extensive victory over THE OLD AND XEW TESTAMENTS. 251 all these, demolished (lie idols of the heathen world, and every where erected the trophies of a conquering Jesus. Now this surprizing change, which is evident to all mankind, could have been effected by no other means whatever, but by a Divine and supernatural influence. It is true indeed, that, by human power and policy, great revolutions have been brought about in all ages and parts of the world; and therefore we do not wonder at the cir- culation of the Mahometan or Turkish religion, as it was propagated by the sword, under a mighty warrior and politician, who by ravage, bloodshed and desolation, con- quered many nations and kingdoms, laid the foundation of a potent and spacious empire ; and thus by violence opened a way for the reception and extensive profession of his newly devised religion. But the religion of Jesus was triumphant, not only without the aid of human power or policy, but even in direct opposition to it. The plain fact is this : A person, about thirty years of age, called Jesus, brought up in the most humble situation of life, without the least human interest or influence, begins to preach re- pentance among the Jews, the most superstitious and bigotted people in the world; declares himself the Son of God, gathers a few disciples, persons in the same humble and mean condition with himself, fishermen, publicans and such like, and sends them about preaching, what he called the Gospel, and Kingdom of God. He himself was despised by the superstitious, and greatly opposed and harrassed by men of power and learning. However, he preached for more than three years ; when they caught him and crucified him as an infamous male- factor. This direful event, he plainly foresaw and foretold ; but, not the least discouraged by the prospect, he com- manded his disciples to go and preach his Gospel over all the world : promising that after his death he would assist them with power from heaven, in virtue of which they should certainly succeed. They believed him ; they set out; they preached up their crucified Master, as the Lord and Saviour of all mankind ; and, which is very strange, under the conduct and influence of a Master^ £53 ON THE CONNECTION BETWEffN who was dead to the world, and gone to another state! They prevailed; and in spite of the fury of the multitude, the most inveterate prejudices of the whole world, the zeal of superstition, the hatred of the Jews, the contempt of the Greeks, the power of the Romans, the pride of philosophers, and the policy of statesmen, their doctrine, like the sun, almost at once, enlightened the whole sys- tem of pagan idolatry and religion, and advanced into the darkest and remotest corners of the earth. Of this we, in this Christian age, are living monuments and proofs ; many of us, it is to be hoped, have received the Gospel; we own it a glorious and a shining light; we have renounced the idolatry and vain conversation of our ancient predecessors; we confess and own the crucified Jesus, our King and Head, and hope for eternal life and salvation through him. From all tins it is clearly evident that Jesus was really the Son of God, that lie actually rose again from the dead, arid ascended into heaven, and that from thence he sent his disciples the aids and powers which he had promised, and which were so far above all that is human, that they carried their own evidence along with them, and rendered their doctrine so surprizingly successful. As Jesus did not send his disciples to preach to all the world till after his death; and as he then did actually furnish them with all miraculous powers to render their doctrine effectual ; this is the most convincing proof that the doctrine was Divine, and that he liimself was actually gone to heaven, and took up his residence at the right hand of Him who sent him into the world for the re- demption of lost mankind. It is therefore certain, beyond all doubt, that Jesus Christ was sent from heaven to reveal the gospel to the world. As we are from hence very certain, that we have in our hands the writings of the apostles, we may be sure that they contain a revelation from heaven, or that doctrine, which Christ received from God his Father, and delivered to his disciples. If so, then the writings of the Old Testament are also the word of God, because Christ and his apostles declare them to be such; therefore all scripture is given by inspiration. THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMEN1 233 The same thing may be proved by the long train of miraculous operations, which could he effected only by Divine power, and which were wrought in confirmation of 1 lie mission of the prophets and apostles: as also from the spirit of prophecy, predicting future events at a great distance of time. Which no human sagacity could possihly foresee, and yet were actually fuliilled in correspondence to the prediction. One instance of this is particularly evident in the present state and condition of the Jews: off whom it was foretold that, for their disobedience, they should become a dispersed people, and despised through- out the face of the earth. Our Lord, contrary to all human probability, while lie was on earth, foretold the destruction of the Jew ish temple and polity, and their dispersion among all nations, which was actually accomplished in about forty years after. In this dispersed state they have now continued above seventeen hundred years in great numbers, and in great ignominy and contempt, and yet quite distinct and sepa- rate from the people among whom they live. This is a sufficient demonstration, that the wisdom which formed them into a peculiar people, as they have been almost ever since the deluge, is not human but Divine; for no human wisdom or power could ever form, or ever execute, so vast, so extensive a design. It must be the wisdom and power of that Oiod alone, who is the same in every age, and who in every age has exercised a singular providence over his peculiar people, the descend- ants of Abraham, his servant. Thus, the present state and being of the Jews is a very public and standing evideuce of the truth of revelation, in two respects : First, with regard to their long dispersion through most parts of the earth, and the various calamities they have suffered therein. And secondly, witli respect to their be- ing preserved as a distinct and separate body; both of which circumstances plainly shew us, that it was the will of Divine providence to preserve the Jewish nation in their dispersion, and to preserve them a distinct and separate people, ia order to their future restoration. 234 ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN We, and many other nations at this day, see these pre- dictions verified in the present state of the Jews, who have been so long, and still are so miraculously preserved, separate from all other people. Now this is a standing miracle, a wonderful work of Divine providence, and as strong a proof of revelation, as if we were to see the dead, every year rise out of their graves, in confirmation of it; for we have still among us, after so long a time, and so many various revolutions in human affairs, the peculiar people, whom God, above three thousand years ago, separated unto himself: the very people who are the principal subject of revelation, and who are said there to be the principal objects of his providence, and we see them at this day to be so in a very surprizing manner. Therefore in their present state we may plainly read the ancient promise made to Abraham, the head and root of the nation, the many wonderful works wrought for them from first to last, and the truth of prophetic predictions ; in the present state of the Jews, we may read the truth of the Gospel, for the rejection of which, God rejected them, and scattered them over the face of the earth. In short, we are certain there were such a people as the Jews, to whom God delivered the revelation of his will in ancient time, for the descendants of these very people exist among us at this day. We are sure the numerous predictions of Scripture, both in the Old and New Testament, relating to the Jews, are true; for we see them made good in their present state; and therefore we may be assured that the holy scriptures are given by inspiration from God ; for only the spirit of God could foretel such events, and the same spirit which foretold these events, spake by the prophets and apostles, and inspired them with all that Divine wis- dom and knowledge which we find in all their writings. We might add the long apostacy and general corruption of the profession of Christianity, so plainly foretold, and under such express and particular characters, in the apostolic writings. This all the world may see has been abundantly fulfilled in the church of Home. i IIP. OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. Z5( Now, only the spirit of God could foresee thai such a distant and deplorable state of tiling which no human probability could have conjectured, would have arisen out of the pure and heavenly doctrine of Christ. But the spirit which predicted this event, is the very same which was poured out upon the apostles, and enlightened their minds with the knowledge of the Gospel; therefore the Apostles, who wrote the New Testament, had the spirit of God, and were enlightened by it. By these arguments, we are pointing out the only foun- tain of life and happiness, a mine more valuable than of gold and precious stones; a plentiful magazine of heaven- ly and everlasting wealth, au inexhaustable fund of solid comfort and peace, the holy scriptures, the word of the everlasting God ; a treasure of more immense value, than any which we have in our possession, if we are wise to make a right improvement of it. But the connection and harmony of the sacred writings will receive a farther illustration, if we trace the Divine dispensations called in the same, the Ways and Works of God. The icays of God frequently signify the rules of life, which he hath given us to observe, Ps. cxix. 3. They also do no iniquity ; they walk in his ways; that is, in the laic of the Lord. The Works of God may signify, the mere operations and productions of his power; but both these words have a more restricted and emphatical signification. A tragi signifies also a course of action, a custom, constitution, or institution, which any person or number of persons form to themselves. Prov. viii. S3. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old. Prov. xii. 26. The way of the wicked (their course of action) seduceth them. Hence ways and works signify the appointments, con- stitutions, or dispensations of God, by which we are to understand, the methods devised and carried on by the wisdom and goodness of God, to discover or shew him- self, his nature and will, his beneficence and justice, to the minds of his reasonable creatures, for their instruction, 2j6 on the connection between discipline and reformation in order to promote their hap- piness. These are the great ends of the Divine dispensations, as set forth to us, in the sacred word, which uniformly tends to promote the same; and these are the principal points to be attended to in the explication of them. The great God, for ever to be adored, hath actually given existence to a world of human beings such as we are. He therefore is our father, and we are his offspring, whom he hath created in love, that in a right use of the means he hath graciously afforded us, we might be qualified for honor and immortality in the heavenly world. This seems to be the highest design the Divine good- ness can form, and the highest excellency to which our nature can attain. This may be considered as the basis of all the Divine dispensations from the beginning of the world; for unless heavenly dispositions are implanted in our minds, we cannot be qualified for honor and enjoy- ment. It is therefore becoming the father of our spirits, and suitable to the nature of our capacities and circumstances, that proper means be provided for our instruction and dis- cipline. For instance. As God is not the object of any of our senses, and can be seen only by our understandings, it is proper that he should set before us, in the frame and fur- niture of the world, such visible and various displays of his being, power, wisdom, justice, and kind regard, as may engage our attention, discover his eternal Godhead, and lead us to the acknowledgment, adoration, love, and dutiful obedience to our Creator, father and benefactor. These are the works, the dispensations, or constitutions of nature, whereby the Almighty, as in a glass, has dis- covered himself to the thoughts and eyes of his creatures here below. Eut besides the constitution of universal nature, there are a variety of dispensations, which are more immediate- ly relative to mankind; as the being born of parents to supply the several generations of the world, whence re- sult sundry relations and duties; the being sustained by food; covered and sheltered by clothes and habitations; healed by physicians ; taught by the learued and skilful ; Till: OLD AMI \!'.\\ TF.STAMKN I 237 the infirmities, appetites and passions of our constitution; the forming societies for mutual help and commerce; the institution of government, or the subordination of some to the authority of others, for preserving good order, for the protection of virtue, and punishment of vice. Add to these, wars, pestilence, famine, earthquakes, and such like events; all these may be reckoned among the Divine appointments or dispensations, some for the exercise of our rational faculties in right action; and some for discipline, correction and reformation. By these ways or dispensations, which in scripture are considered as the great hinges of Divine providence, on which his dealings with mankind have turned; or as the principal events, by which the great purposes and coun- sels of God's will have been executed, are chiefly to be at- tended unto; because right conceptions of these, under their circumstances and connexions, will greatly con- tribute to the explaining of scripture Divinity, and demon- strating the harmony and agreement of sacred writ. Let us therefore take a general survey of them. First, the Creation of the World, as already consider- ed. Secondly, the Formation of Man, after the image of God. Thirdly, Man being subjected to trial, in order to prove his obedience, yielded to temptation; sinned, and so be- came liable to the threatening of eternal death. But, Fourthly, God, not willing to destroy his creature, was graciously pleased, in his infinite mercy aud good- ness, to introduce a new dispensation of grace in the hands of an all-glorious Mediator; at the same time sub- jecting the human race to a laborious life, to diseases and death temporal; and thus in great goodness, to subdue the fleshly principle, to shew the atrocious nature of sin, and by setting forth the pride, vanity, and self-sufficiency of the creature, turn his regard more steadily to the all-suffi- cient Creator. But men multiplying in the earth, abused the goodness of God, and in about 1656 years time became so wicked, that all flesh had corrupted his way, and the earth was filled with violence. In order to purge the world from in- vol. iv. K K 258 ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN iquity, and to recover it to a state of righteousness, God was pleased, by a deluge of water, to destroy that wick- ed generation, preserving the only family that remained uncorrupt in the old world, in order to propagate piety and obedience in the new. At the same time, and for the same good purposes, he reduced human life into much narrower bounds. Not long after the deluge, to prevent a second general corruption, God introduced another dispensation by con- founding the language of mankind; which divided the world into several distinct societies, and consequently kept them under a stricter government, and better pre- served their liberties, than if the world had been one great empire. Thus the outrage of violence and rapine was, in a great measure, cured. But notwithstanding this, mankind fell into a different iniquity, namely, that of idolatry, where- by, within 400 years after the flood, the worship and knowledge of the only true God was in danger of being utterly lost. To prevent this, the Divine wisdom formed a new dispensation by calling Abraham from among his idolatrous kindred, and constituting his family the stand- ard of Divine knowledge. To them he spoke and revealed himself at sundry times, and in divers manners, and separated them from the rest of the world, by peculiar laws, and religious ceremo- nies, to secure them from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. Thus they became God's peculiar people, be- ing distinguished above all other nations, and to this day, blessed be God, we experience the happy effects of so singular a distinction, and owe to it both our Bible, and the very being of a Gospel church. The family of Abraham, by the Divine direction, was led into Egypt; and when they had been there, under grievous oppression, 215 years, and were grown nume- rous enough to be a nation, God set himself at the head of them, as their King; and in a country much esteemed for learning and arts, whither men of genius and curiosity resorted from all other parts; upon this stage, so proper because public, God. as the King of Israel, combatted the king of Egypt and his fictitious gods, and displayed his T1113 6LD AND NEW TE8TAHEN1 infinitely superior power both to destroy and save, by many plagues inflicted upon the land of Egypt, and by bringing out the Israelites in opposition to all the force of the king, and settling them, after they had been sufficient- ly disciplined in the wilderness, in the land of Canaan. Here God set up his peculiar kingdom amongst them, and they alone of all the nations of the earth were the subjects of it, and happy in its singular privileges and blessings; but at the same time were made sensible of various providential dispensations, the general rule of which was this: while they adhered to the worship of the true God, they were always prosperous; when they de- clined to idolatry, they were either oppressed at home, or carried captive into other countries. The long captivity in Babylon was not only a punish- ment to the Jews, but also a method of publishing the knowledge of the true God over all the Babylonish em- pire, as appears evidently in the Book of Daniel. The division of the Grecian empire, which put an end to the Persian, after the death of Alexander, caused a new dispersion of the Jews, especially in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Cyrene, and Lybia, where their synagogues were very common. Lastly, when they were subjected to the Roman power, their God and religion became more known all over the Roman empire. Thus the way for the kingdom of the Messiah was gradually prepared ; for though the knowledge of God received from the Jews, made no public reformation of pagan idolatry, yet it greatly disposed men to receive the Gospel, when it should be preached unto them. Some became Jews, many renounced idolatry, and worshipped no other but the living and true God, who, in the Acts of the Apostles, are called devout proselytes, Greeks, those that feared God. Thus have we, in a concise manner, traced things from the beginning of the world to the coming of Christ, who came in the fulness of time, for he came as soon as God, by the various methods of his providence, had pre- pared the world to receive him. When God had made ready a people prepared for him, then Christ came, and fully explained the nature, laws, extent, and glory of ihe &6(J on the connection between kingdom of God, and fulfilled the great and most ex- cellent design of Divine wisdom, by giving himself a sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of the world. Then the great mystery of God, the calling of other nations, besides the Jews, into his kingdom and church, was opened, and made manifest by the preaching of the Gospel. For this purpose, he sent out his apostles, fur- nished with proper powers and credentials, especially the gift of tongues, whereby they were enabled to com- municate the wonderful things of God to people of dif- ferent countries; and by this means, the glad tidings of salvation, and the glorious lights and privileges of the Gospel, have reached even unto the uttermost parts of the earth. But as Christ came to restore, lo explain, and, by the most glorious promises, to enforce the law of nations; and consequently as his design was to erect an universal religion, which should be recommended to all people, and which therefore was to interfere with no political establishments, but should leave them, in every country, just as it found them, teaching the nations to observe the will of God as contained in his sacred word, in the hope of eternal life : upon this grand, noble, and extensive plan, the Jewish polity would be sunk to a level with all other national governments; and the Jew on account of any prior, national advantages, would have no more claim to the blessings and privileges of the kingdom of God, than any of the Gentiles or nations, who in any of the most barbarous and despised parts of the earth should receive the faith of the Gospel : for in the Christian religion there is neither Greek nor Jew, circmncision nor uncircum- cision, Barlarian, Sycthian, bond nor free; hut Christ, that is, the faith and obedience, or true religion, which Christ taught, is all, and in all. Col. iii. 11. Thus the Jew is fallen by that very method of Divine wisdom and grace, which brought salvation to other nations. Thus the diminishing of the Jeivs, is the riches of the world, and the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world. Rom. xi. 12, 15. or the opening a door for the whole world, to come into the peculiar kingdom of God. This is the idea we ought to have of the rejection of the THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. ^iii Jews. The grace of God was. and is still, as free to them as to oilier people, and the same benefits will arise to thcni, if they quit their long established obstinacy, and embrace the doctrine of Christ. Soon after the publication of the Gospel, their polity and civil constitution (which otherwise would have re- mained in full force, and have obliged them to obey its laws, ns much as the constitutions of other kingdoms of the world obliged their respective subjects) were quite overthrown by the destruction of the temple, and the ex- pulsion of the Jews out of the land of Canaan, which they have not been able to recover, but remain dispersed over the face of the whole earth to this day. Thus the Gospel dispensation was erected, and spread and pre- vailed throughout the world. Some time after the establishment of the Gospel, a grand apostacy and corruption of religion took place in the Christian church, which was predicted by the apos- tles, and at large foretold in the book of the Revelation. After the apostles were removed out of the world, it pleased God to leave some of the professors of the Gospel, in matters of religion, to their own ignorance, passions and prejudices. Thus the Christian faith by degrees was depraved, till the man of sin (that is the church of Rome) arose, a tyrannical, usurped power, domineering over, and im- posing upon conscience, forbidding the use of understand- ing, and intoxicating the inhabitants of the earth with false and delusive learning, worldly pomp and splendor, and cruel persecution of the truth. This was to be a long and severe trial of the faith and patience of the saints. In the times of this sad dispensa- tion, it is certain, we are now living; but we hope to- wards the Litter eud of it. Through the whole course of it, God hath variously appeared, both in wrath against the corrupters and persecutors of religion ; and in mercy for the comfort and support of those who have labored under their oppression. This persecution continued with great severity for a long course of time, till at length the morning of reform- ation appeared in our happy land, which for some cen- 262 ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN turies had been gradually advancing, and still continues to advance towards the perfect day; for a spirit of reli- gious liberty, which hath been long oppressed, revives and gains strength; the scriptures are more carefully studied; ecclesiastical persecution and tyranny, under every form, more generally detested ; and things seem to have a tendency towards love, unity and concord, the most perfect state of religion in this world. This must afford satisfaction to every good man who will cheerfully join his endeavors to bring on the next glorious dispensation, which we have in prospect, when the mystery of God, with regard to the aforesaid corrupt state of religion, shall be finished, when Babylon, in all its principles and powers, shall fall; and when the holy city, the new Jerusalem, shall be fully established. Thus have we endeavored to give a sketch of the works of God from the beginning of the world ; and very beautiful and surprizing would the whole appear, could we see them in a full and clear light, as they are held forth to our view in the sacred writings, of the harmony and agreement of which they are, among other consider- ations, an undoubted evidence. As scripture is the best explication of scripture, we shall make some general remarks, founded on the same, which will greatly assist our conceptions of, and enquiries into these very important points. All the Divine dispensations are agreeable to the most perfect rules of righteousness and truth. Nothing false, unjust, or injurious, can be charged on the ways and works of God; for all God's ways are judgment; a God of truth, and wit/iout iniquity ; just and right is he. Deut. xxxii. 4. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Psal. cxlv. 17« The ways of God are not to be considered as the effects of necessity, as if the end proposed could not possibly have been gained by other means ; but as the result of choice, or Divine wisdom, preferring such par- ticular methods to any other, as best adapted to our cir- cumstances, and as the most likely to make mankind wise and happy. THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. 263 For instance, it is by the dispensation of God, that our present life is sustained by food ; not because it is impossible we should live in any other way, for the Al- mighty could sustain us in perfect health by an act of his own immediate power. Again, our food is produced by the influence of the sun, by rain, the fertility of the ground : not because food could not be otherwise pro- duced, for God could by an immediate act of his own power, create food for us every day, as he did for the Israelites in the wilderness; but this method of sustaining our lives is a continuance of Divine wisdom, to shew himself to our understandings, and to exercise our indus- try in providing a subsistence, and to be mutually help- ful to each other. Hence the works of God, in scripture, are assigned to his wisdom. See Psal. civ. 24. Prov. viii. 21. All the dispensations of God are calculated to promote obedience to his holy will ; or to promote holiness of heart and life. This is the line which runs through the whole; for, however our circumstances may differ from those of our first parents, the end of our being is the same as theirs, and we, as well as they, are upon trial, that we by grace may have habits of holiness confirmed in us, and be fitted for eternal life, which is the inheritance of those that are sanctified. Though it is a melancholy reflection to consider, how the wickedness of men hath from time to time abused the patience of God, yet it must give pleasure to observe, how his goodness hath applied various remedies to prevent or heal the corruptions of mankind. In whatever way they have gone astray from him, his wisdom has never been at a loss to find out the most proper expedients to reclaim them. His gracious design is evidently to save a sinful world, and to carry religion both in its personal influences, and general prevalence, to the highest perfection our present condition will admit. The scripture dispensations were severally adapted to the different capacities and improvements, as also to the moral state and circumstances, of mankind. The several ages may be compared to the several stages of human life, infancy, youth, manhood and old age. 264 ON THE CfONNECTIOX BETWEEN Now, as man under due culture gradually improves in knowledge and wisdom, from infancy to old age, so we may conceive of the world, as gradually improving in mental and religious attainments under several Divine dispensations : which dispensations have in every period been suitable to the improvements in knowledge, which then subsisted in the world. Adam, when created, may be considered as a child without knowledge, learning and experience, and there- fore the dispensation he was under was very different from that which we are under, who enjoy the benefit and light of so many preceding dispensations. Thus mankind, reflecting upon preceding dispensa- tions, will be admonished and directed to reform old er- rors and corruptions; and thus, even the monstrous apos- tacy of the church of Rome, may serve to introduce and establish the most perfect state of Christianity, that we. expect will succeed the dispensation under which we live. All God's dispensations have a practical tendency, or direct to holiness or obedience to his law; and he has al- ways provided sufficient support for integrity and virtue. Tiie sincere and upright, who chuse the way of truth, or turn from sin unto righteousness, the righteous and mer- ciful God will never forsake. They make a wise improve- ment of his dispensations ; and under all trials and afflic- tions, he will guide and support them ; and their path shall be as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the world, saith the apostle James. Then all God's works were formed and planned in his counsels, and lay under his eye in one comprehensive view, and therefore must be perfectly consistent. One uniform method must be laid, and one even thread of design must run through the whole. They are not the result of sudden incoherent thoughts, but a well- digested plan, formed upon the justest principles by him, who seeth all his works from the beginning to the end. Whence it follows, that if we do not discern one coherent design in the Divine dispensations : or if we make any THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. 36$ one part clash with the rest, we may be sure we do not understand them. Goodness was the principle of creation. God made man because he delighted to communicate being and happi- ness. Consequently goodness and fatherly love, which was the beginning and foundation of God's works, must run equally through them all, from first to last. Previous notice was given of some of the principal dis- pensations, either for warning, or to prepare men for the reception of them. The deluge was preached by Noah one hundred and twenty years before it came to pass. The Jewish dispensation was predicted to Abraham four hundred and thirty years before-hand. Jeremiah foretold the Babylonish captivity, and Paul and John at large predicted and described the grand apostacy. But the coming of the Messiah and the Gospel dispen- sation run through the whole, from the beginning to the end, in a less or greater degree of light; and it was fitting that this, which is the chief of God's works, should re- ceive the highest testimony from prophecy ; therefore it was fit it should not be introduced, till it had received that evidence, which in scripture is called the fulness of time. Gal. iv. 4. The dispensations of God are intended for our study and contemplation; and it is a singular advantage to form right notions of them, because they will enlarge our conceptions of God, and influence our dispositions towards him. If we judge truly of God's works, we shall have hon- orable ideas of the Divine agent. His wisdom, his good- ness and truth, will stand in a fair light, and we shall coufess him infinitely worthy of our highest regard. Then we shall think of God with admiration, pleasure and delight. Ps. xcii. 4. Thou Lord hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands. But if we form such conceptions of the ways of God, as represent them to be arbitrary and tyrannical, incon- sistent with all our notions of justice and goodness, the VOL. iv. L L S66 ©N THE CONNECTION BETWEEN effect of sovereigu will, without either reason or love, lie must stand before our thoughts in the most frightful colors. The most horrid gloom will be drawn over the perfections of the best of heings, our minds will be filled with darkness and dread ; and if we worship him at all, our worship and obedience will not be the free and gen- erous duty of sons ; but the joyless, constrained drudgery of slaves. It must be remembered, that the works of God are un- searchable, and past finding out to perfection. O Lord, how great are thy works, and thy thoughts are very deep! Ps. xciii. 5. From a just seuse of the unfathomable na- ture of the Divine dispensation, the apostle concludes a discourse upon the rejection of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles, with this solemn exclamation, 0 the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.' How unsearchable are his judgments ; And his ways past finding out. Rom. xi. 33. It becomes us to admire and adore the counsels of in- finite wisdom, and to acquiesce, where we cannot gain a full knowledge of them. We cannot comprehend the ways of God in their full extent, in all their largest views, and remotest connections. He therefore that is wise, will not cavil at them, nor foolishly endeavor to pry into them, beyond the bounds of revelation, and of human un- derstanding. Under all our present darkness, and under every dis- pensation, an honest heart, sincerely desirous to know the truth, will be seriously inquisitive after it, meekly submissive to what God hath revealed and commanded; willing to work together with him ; and patiently perse- vere in well-doing. Such a temper, and such a conduct, is the best and safest guide under every dispensation, will enable us to follow God, to comply with every de- sign of his providence, to overcome in every hour of trial, and will lead us to eternal life. For this reason, then, it is not only our duty, but will be the most evident testimony we can give of our wisdom, frequently to read and meditate on the Bible, that our minds being well furnished with heavenly knowledge, THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT. 2^7 nml our hearts tinctured with a Divine spirit, wo may be prepared for glory, honor and immortality. How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy word, O Lord, dolli rules impart, To keep the conscience clean. When once it enters to the mind. It spreads such light abroad, The meanest souls instruction find, And raise their thoughts to God. "Tis like the sun, an heavenly light, That guides us all the day ; And through the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way. Thy word is everlasting truth, How pure is every page! Thy Holy Book shall guide our youth. And well support our age. CHAP. II. On the Necessity of an extraordinainf Revelation from God, as deduced from the depraved State of Human Nature. IX the preceding chapter we have endeavored to demonstrate the great and close connection there is be- tween the Old and New Testament, or harmony and agreemeut of the sacred writers; which we have done by producing various proofs and arguments drawn from the state, circumstances, and conditions of the writers, the nature of their subjects and the Divine dispensations in general, and subjoined such remarks as may tend to in- struct and improve the serious Christian in the knowl- edge of his holy profession. We shall, therefore, as a necessary companion to the foregoing, point out, in this chapter, the necessity of an extraordinary revelation from £68 ON THE NECESSITY God, as deduced from the depraved state of human na ture. The scriptures, as contained in the Bible, are the word of God; they are the language and address of the Uni- versal Father to his children in this world, whom he ad- dresses in the character of Sovereign Lord of the uni- verse, and strictly enjoins to obey his voice. The scrip- tures are given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim. iii. 16. Mankind, in a faithful use of their natural powers, might know God. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them, for the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, Rom. i. 19. Bo that even the heathens, who have no other rule than the light of nature, it might reasonably be thought could not be totally igno- rant of the wise dispensations of Providence. But how much mankind, in all ages, have abused and misapplied their understandings, is notoriously evident, and therefore it must be clear how much they stand in need of an extraordinary revelation to correct their errors, to reduce them to the obedience of God, and to secure them from relapsing into idolatry, and apostacy from him. No book certainly can contain more evident marks of such Revelation than the Scriptures, eminently so called, of which we are happily possessed. In them we have the fullest and clearest account of the nature and perfec- tion of God, beyond what the world at best could have attained to, and far beyond what could, in the ordinary course of things, have been, by any other means, pre- served through succeeding generations. In the scriptures, as in a durable storehouse, not to be demolished by time, we have the most noble discoveries of the nature and perfection of God, as he is our Maker, our Father, Owner, Ruler, and daily Benefactor; as he is glorious in all his attributes, as he is infinite, and independent, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, knowledge, wisdom and power, as perfectly holy, good, righteous and true. OF AN EXTRAORDINARY REVELATION. 26fl • These glories of liis Divine, nature are described, not in the way of philosophical dissertations; not by a series of abstract reasoning, which arc of no use to the bulk of mankind, who have but little leisure, and perhaps less inclination to attend to the curious and abstruse deduc- tions of reason; not thus are the glories of the Divine nature delineated in scripture, but exhibited in a long, easy and intelligible series of facts and events, wherein God hath manifested his goodness, wisdom, power and justice, from the beginning of the world. In this way the mind, with very little labor of thought, is at once convinced of the being and perfections of God, and struck with admiration, reverence, love, and those other affections, which the knowledge of God should produce in us. In the scriptures, God appears not only in every view that the most profound philosophy can discover, but also in a practical light. We are there taught, that great as he is in himself, he is our God and Father, that he hath from his own immensity of being, given us being; that he constantly regards us, interests himself in our affairs, is concerned for our welfare; that our safety is in his favor, and that in his favor, and under his protection, we are in- finitely safe and happy; that we are accountable to him for our actions ; that we are continually under his eye ; that he hath taken us into the nearest relation to himself, and that in order to promote our future and eternal happi- ness, he hath carried on various dispensations from the beginning of the world to the present time. Thus we not only, in the easiest and clearest way. learn the perfections of scripture, but we learn them in a manner the most proper and powerful to engage and unite our hearts to God, and cause us to consider ourselves in- finitely interested in his attributes and perfections. In the scriptures we may not only with case learn our duty in the fullest extent, but at the same time, by the numerous examples of pious men in all ages, we may see that it is practicable, and may see how to engage in it. By reading the scriptures, we may discern the reason- ableness aud the beauty of holiness, and also be furnished with the strongest arguments aud motives to embrace it S/0 OX THE NECESSITY and to persevere therein. We are also assured in sacred writ of the Divine aid and assistance in our duties, trials and temptations; of the Divine consolation and encourage- ment in all our troubles and distresses; and if, through the Divine grace, we persevere in faith and holiness, of everlasting glory in the realms of bliss. In this sacred treasure we have the truest and most ef- fectual rules, whereby to form our lives ; not simple pro- positions, not mere lectures of dull morality, but instruc- tions intermixed with the promise of a Divine power to work mightily in us, and lead us to a Divine life and spiritual nature. Here religion appears In all its truth, lustre, sweetness and majesty. Here it is arrayed in all its charms, not as a sour, severe, morose, gloomy principle, forbidding en- joyment, and the parent only of sorrow, horror and de- spair; but as our life, our glory, our peace, our joy, as giving us the truest relish and enjoyment of life, as the source of the most solid pleasure and comfort, uniting us to God, as lodging us for ever in the arms of Almighty love and goodness, as leading to and preparing us for endless joy and pleasure at his right hand. As to sin and wickedness, philosophers have said much concerning the odious nature of vice, that it is evil, and the worst of evils, that is the disease and deformity of the mind, pernicious to the health of the body, and ruinous to the worldly interest. Their reflections were so far just; but they could only be comprehended by men of letters and study ; the com- mon people received little or no advantage from them; hut in the scriptures, the meanest minds are favored witli far better instructions than they could give. There sin is not only set forth in all its odious colors, in all its pernicious effects, as to the present life, but its deadly nature is demonstrated as it stands in contrariety to God, as it is the transgression of his holy law, as it ex- poseth us to his displeasure, and is opposite to all the. ends of our creation, and consequently as deserving of death. In scripture we learn, that God will punish the impeni- tent workers of iniquity with everlasting destruction, and OP xs EXTRAOBDINAHY REVELATION. 271 purge out of his kingdom every thing that offends. All this is so plainly and powerfully inculcated upon the midd, by many dreadful examples ot* the Divine ven- ace upon ungodly men throughout the whole scries of scripture history, by many express declarations of God's wrath, and so many exhortations of his goodness and mercy to turn from every evil way, that no one who carefully and seriously reads the scriptures, can miss, not only of seeing the evil, the irregularity and deformity of sin, but of having his mind affected witli it, and being brought into the most settled detestation of it. AVith regard to pardon of sin, the wisest of philoso- phers seem to have had little or no notion of it. They considered it very superficially, as repugnant to the Di- vine perfection, and, therefore, say little or nothing, whether God would be propitious to sinners, or in what way he would be pleased in his wisdom to pardon trans- gression. Sacrifices were frequent among them ; but they seem to have understood but little of their true nature and end, nor were at all solicitous to enquire into them. In fact they did not understand the true demerit of sin, and, therefore, of course must be in the dark as to the re- mission of it. But all these things are open and obvious to the weakest capacity, in scripture. How much the world was in the dark about a future state, without a revelation, is well known ; and how clear- ly the world to come is opened to us in the awful pros- pects of eternal happiness, or endless perdition, can be concealed from none who are ever so little acquainted witli the Gospel of Christ. These things duly attended to, will shew the precious value of the holy scriptures, that God's word is truth, and able to make us wise unto salvation, and further demon- strate that it is our duty to be frequently attentive in read- ing them. Reading the scriptures is one of the first principles of our religion, as we are Christians; because our profession is built wholly upon the scriptures. The word of God is the guide of our actions. It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our "paths, Vs. cxix. 105. Should we not 272 ON THE NECESSITY then diligently study the word of God, that we may not wander from his commandments? The word of God is the spring of all our hopes and comfort. There, and there alone, we have the rich and immense treasure of the Divine promises; and from thence alone, we can draw solid support and consolation, in a dark hour of trial and affliction. In short, to all the valuable purposes of knowledge and life, the scriptures excel all human compositions what- ever. The writings of men are but as the twinkliug stars to that ocean of light, which is daily poured forth from the body of the sun. Of all the means of knowledge and wisdom in the world, none are to be compared with the word of God. We should, therefore, have our eyes in- tent upon the light, for God hath given us this invaluable treasure, the holy scriptures, that we should make them our study. It must be carefully observed, that it is not enough to be frequently reading the scriptures, but that while we read, we should employ all our attention to understand them. The scripture may be understood, but evidently not in every degree by every man ; for as there are various sorts and degrees of knowledge in scripture, some perhaps, at present, beyond the reach of any man that ever yet was in the world; and as there are men in various capaci- ties and degrees of learning, so it is manifest, all men cannot attain to the same degree of understanding in Di- vine things ; but there must necessarily be a great differ- ence between the knowledge of one man and another in matters of faith and revelation. This shews the absurdity of the popish scheme, which pretends to reduce the Christian faith in all its parts to a certain invariable standard, to which every man either with or without understanding, must conform. This also shews, that notwithstanding it is our duty to communicate knowledge to one another, it is repugnant to the nature and design of Christianity, to quarrel with one another, or to be displeased, because we have not the same degree of understanding in matters of faith ; be- cause this, according to the present constitution of our OF AN EXTRAORDINARY REVELATION. 273 minds, and of the revelation God hath given us, equally understood by all. is absolutely impracticable. But although the scriptures are not understood in every degree by every man, yet they may be understood by every man, so far as God requircth ; that is, so far as he is capable of understanding them; for what a man can understand; lie may understand, if he is not wanting to himself. Further, those things in scripture which arc of the highest importance, and conducive to eternal life and sal- vation, are easy to be understood, and, therefore, how perplexed soever other things may be, about which men have differed, and which men by their difference, have more perplexed ; the grand principles of faith in Christ, and obedience to the rules of the Gospel are so evident, that any ordinary capacity may, with due care and atten- tion, easily gain a complete knowledge of them. The things chiefly to be understood iu scripture, are Principles, or the grounds and reasons of things, and Precepts, which are the rules of duty ; now if we mistake either, we shall throw all into confusion, our way will be all mist and clouds, that which should be light will be darkness, or, which is the same, a false light, to mislead us : that which should be our joy, will be heaviness ; that which should be our comfort, and inspire cheerful hope, will be a dead weight to burthen our spirits and clog our course. Our path, which should be as the shining light, that shineth more aud more, will be a gloomy, melancholy road, and we shall make our way with difficulty, because we want that true sense and knowledge of the ways and will of God, which is necessary to give life, comfort and vigor. Frightful images will terrify our consciences, and fill us with groundless fear. God will be described in a monstrous light, aud all the ravishing glories of his truth, wisdom and love, which should powerfully draw our hearts to him, will be hid from our eyes. The lustre of redeeming grace will be eclipsed ; some parts of religion will be superstitiously magniGed, while others will be undervalued. Further, if for want of due attention to the sense of scripture we mistake, or fall into error, we ought to be vol. iv. 31 M &74' Otf THE NECESSITY sensible that religious error is of a far worse nature than any other : not only as it is an error in a matter of the greatest importance, but as it is of all others the most difficult to be corrected. Hence those grosser instances of persecution and bloodshed, which have indelibly stained the Christian name. Hence those wranglings, debates, heats and animosities, which have destroyed Christian societies. These things are the fruits of men's taking their religious principles upon trust, and not founding them on the scriptures studied and understood by them- selves. Such contempt and neglect of the word of God, exposeth them to strong delusion, and such delusion leads them to fight in the dark for they know not what, Thus religion is corrupted, the corruption of it defended, and irreligion and infidelity propagated, even by those who profess themselves religious people. By these unhappy means, what numbers in our land have been drawn into deism ! xind by these unhappy means (if the truth were known) religion appears but in a doubtful light to many, who seem to be strict professors of it; for where it is not received in the proper evidence., there cannot be a full and strong assent of faith ; and no man can receive it in its proper evidence, who does not carefully endeavor to understand the scriptures. Thus many who talk much of the word of God, and pretend a great reverence for it, may possibly at the last day, be ranked among the despisers of it ; because al- though they have, perhaps, been frequently reading it, they never set themselves in good earnest to understand it, and so in effect might as well not have read it at all ; for their reading it is only from a superstitious opinion, as Turks, Jews, and Papists turn over the books in re- putation among them, not from a love of truth, or a desire of understanding truth; not to open their eyes, and to give them a more just and distinct view of the ways and dispensations of God; not to confirm and establish their minds in the faith of God, and of Christ: not for those purposes, it is much to be feared, are the scriptures read, but only iu a customary, superstitious way, or at least very carelessly and superficially; and, therefore, there are so few professors of Christianity that grow in grace, OF AN EXTRAORDINARY REVELATION. C-' who rise in spiritual strength, peace, love and joy ; be- cause there are so few that grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. iii. 18. Whatever things were written aforetime, were icrit- ten for our learning,- for our instruction, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope, Horn. xv. 4. We have hope through that patience and comfort which is taught in the scriptures; but the grounds and reasons of that patience and comfort must be under- stood ; otherwise we cannot establish in our minds a sure and solid hope. Hence it is that the Christian hope, that faith and hope which overcometh the world, are so very rare ; therefore, so few rejoice in hope, because so few understand the scriptures which are the ground and foundation of the true Christian hope. Let it be remembered, that we shall have the benefit of the scriptures by studiously endeavoring to understand them, and then shall we learn, if we follow on, to know the Lord. So far as we understand the word of truth, we shall be truly enlightened, our consciences will be rightly di- rected, and all our principles well established ; we shall see its real value, and it will be proportionably esteemed ; we shall taste its comforts, feel its power, be convinced of its Divine original, and it will be both pleasant and precious to us. The more we understand of the scriptures, with the greater pleasure we shall see the righteousness, wisdom, and goodness of all Divine dispensations, that all of them are adjusted and settled by the love of a father, and calculated to promote our happiness. This will draw our hearts to God, and shew us the propriety of acquiescing with the constitutions of his grace. If we build upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, our faith will stand upon a sure bottom, and not upon the weak, precarious judgment of man; henceforth we shall be no more children tossed to and fro, and car- ried about with every wind of doctrine, but shall by use have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Thus we shall grow up into Christ in all things, in knowledge, in faith, and in love. Thus we shall be root- S76 ON THE NECESSITY, &C. ed and grounded in love, in the love of God, of truth, and of our neighbor. The knowledge we gain, whether it be more or less, being drawn from the fountain, will com pose our spirits, and incline us neither to despise the weakness of those that know less, nor reject the instruc- tions of those that may know more than ourselves. These weighty considerations should engage us to read the scriptures, with all possible care and diligence ; and to study them with an upright desire of gaining their true sense and meaning. We all know how much men are at variance concern- ing the true sense and import of scripture, one affirming that this, another that that, is the precise meaning ; but this variety of sentiments is permitted to teach us to practice charity towards one another, and should convince us that we ought not to resign our understanding to others, but be ultimately guided by the scriptures them- selves. Upon the whole, it is evident from the fallible state of human nature, the prevalence of human prejudices, the defects of human reason, and the proneness of mankind in general to sin and iniquity of every kind and degree, that a certain method of direction from the all- wise God is ab- solutely necessary to guide them into those paths that lead to the obedience of his will, and their own truest in- terest and happiness ; it is also as evident, that the sacred scriptures of the Old and New Testament are entirely and fully conducive to those grand important purposes, being, as before observed, given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction f for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God, may be perfect m9 thoroughly furnished unto all good works. CHAP. 111. On the Authority and Excellency of the Scriptures, founded on the express and frequent Assertions of Moses, the Prophets and Apostles. IT has been already observed, that a Divine revela- tion is perfectly consonant to the goodness and love of God, to the relation in which we stand to him, and the gracious purposes for which he has given us being. We have likewise endeavored to prove the expediency of Revelation from the depraved state of human nature, and shall now observe, that no books were ever more publicly, or more commonly known, being read and heard with the greatest reverence once a week, in both Jew and Christian assemblies, for a very long course of time ; the Old Testa- ment before the coming of our Lord, and the Old and New after his coming, to this very day. So that it is, in the nature of things, impossible that the holy scriptures should be adulterated ; nor could any man, who was dis- posed to alter or corrupt them, promise himself success in an attempt, which must immediately be detected and con founded by thousands of copies every where dispersed, and constantly read before numerous assemblies in various languages of even more nations than ever com- posed the Roman empire in its largest extent. Transcribers may, indeed, make literal mistakes, but those are easily corrected by a variety of manuscripts ; and translators may differ in giving the literal sense of some words and phrases; but not so as to render the sub- jects and substance of the scriptures, either obscure or un- certain ; for you may take any translation in any language. or done by any party among Christians, and you will find they all agree in the great doctrines of salvation, and the several laws and duties enjoined by the Divine com- mand : though they may not render the letter of the text in the same words, nor with the same propriety of ex- pression. The more perfect and exact in every point any trans- lation is, the better it is : but it is very certain, that all &78 ON THE AUTHORITY things pertaining to the dispensations of God, his grace and promises, and our hopes and duty, have been pre- served pure and entire in every translation, from tSie be- ginning to this day; and this is abundantly sufficient for our instruction, comfort, direction, and edification. Persons in foreign commerce, who do not understand foreign languages, are obliged to carry it on by the help of translators ; and if a letter in Italian, German, Spanish or French, was put into the hands of twenty translators, it is much if every translation would not differ more or less in some expressions, and yet they might all agree with respect to the sense of the merchant ; and this being all his correspondent wants to understand, he will not think it worth his pains to enter into points, or a critical propriety of phrases, which have no reference to his busi- ness. Just so it is with respect to the translation of the bible. In more than the space of an hundred years, learning may have received considerable improvements, and by that means some inaccuracies may be found in a transla- tion, more than an hundred years old ; but those who are disposed to believe the authenticity of scripture, may rest fully satisfied, that as our English translation is in itself, by far the most excellent book in our language, so it is a pure and plentiful fountain of Divine knowledge, giving a true, clear and full account of the Divine dispensations, and particularly of the Gospel of our salvation, insomuch, that whoever studies the same, studies the only way to eternal happiness. Thus by shewing the sufficiency of the translation, which, thanks be to God, is in our hands, the way is pre pared for advancing a few arguments to establish the au- thority and excellency of the scriptures, and to shew they were indeed given by inspiration of God, or that, in them, the holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy spirit. We have sufficient reason to believe, that we have in our hands the very books that were written by Moses, by the prophets, and by the apostles of Christ. Now that those books were given by inspiration from God, or that the persons who wrote them have delivered to us what AND EXCELLENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 279 they received from heaven, will appear from their own express and frequent assertions. Moses and the prophets always declared they spake in (he name of the Lord, and delivered to the people what they received in commission from him. The apostles, likewise, assure us, that they were taught hy Jesus Christ, the Son of God; were endued with the Spirit of God, and commissioned by him to preach the Gospel to all nations: and we have the utmost reason to believe that they have strictly told us the truth. They appear to have been persons of the greatest characters for honor and probity. In the whole of their conduct we find the utmost integrity and disinterestedness, and in every part of their history and writings the utmost simplicity and impartiality. We may carry this argument further, and set it in a still stronger light in the case of the prophets. It is cer- tain that the prophets in a long series, one after another, gained no advantage from speaking in the name of the. Lord ; but on the other hand, that they incurred scorn and contempt from the generality of their countrymen. When they entered upon the ungrateful office, they renounced all worldly views, and were harassed and persecuted in proportion to their fidelity in executing their commission. Now, there is nothing to be found in human nature, or in any state of things, that can be supposed to exist, that can possibly account for this conduct, but that they really- had a Divine commission from God ; and their writings prove they were men of good understanding, and of a sound and excellent judgment. The force of this argument will be seen more evidently in the case of the apostles. No history in the world hath been better preserved than that of the New Testament: there we find that Jesus Christ had gathered, while he was upon earth, some hundreds of disciples, who all made profession of faith to him, immediately after his death, declaring that he was risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Particularly the apostles, with several others, went about preaching the Gospel, first in Judea, then in all parts of the Roman empire, persuading them to believe in Christ, affirming that he was the Son of £80 ON THE AUTHORITY God, that all the wonderful works related of liim were true, and that they had a commission from heaven to teach and propagate his religion every where, though they should every where meet with the most violent op- position and the cruellest treatment. The apostles had an amazing knowledge of God, and the perfections of the Divine nature; they set the dispen- sations of his wisdom, and the grand design of his love in the clearest and most amiable light; they well understood the whole system of the Divine law as a perfect rule of practice, and fixed every branch of it upon a proper foun- dation. They were men of the most excellent and Divine spirit, next to their Lord and Master, that the world was ever acquainted with. They were fully satisfied that what they reported was true, and they were perfectly capable of receiving the clearest evidence, and fullest satisfaction ; what they re- ported was not a matter of mere opinion, as in the case of superstition, nor a warm suggestion, or secret impulse upon their minds, as in the ease of enthusiasm, but a plain matter of fact. We cannot (say they) but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Acts iv. 10. They were not things which they conceived or fancied, but which all of them, with great multitudes of people, had often and openly, for more than three years together, seen witli their eyes, and heard with their ears ; and that they were not mistaken or deceived, they were so fully satisfied, that they ventured all they had in the world, and even life itself, upon the truth of what they had heard and seen ; consequently, their assurance must be to the highest and fullest degree of satisfaction, leaving no room for doubt or uncertainty. It is certain the apostles, who were the familiar com- panions of our blessed Lord, had not the least scruple or difficulty concerning any thing related in the Gospel. They were fully convinced, perfectly assured, they saw Christ upon earth, that they conversed with him, that they heard the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth, that they saw him work miracles, that they be- held him crucified and dead, that they saw him alive again in a few days, that they heard him give them a AND EXCELLEXCY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 2$i commission to preach tlic Gospel to all nations, and promise them success ; that they actually saw him ascend up into heaven; that the Holy Ghost fell upon them on the day of Pentecost, and that by his influence they actually felt themselves endued with a new and miracu- lous power, which accompanied them during the course of their ministry; and to their being fully persuaded of the truth of these things, and to no other possible cause, can we assign their steady and zealous endeavors to pub- lish and spread the Gospel. Add to all this, that the apostles were amazingly suc- cessful in preaching the Gospel, amidst all the opposition with which they met, during the course of their ministry. These men in private and humble life, these defence- less men, quite destitute of all worldly power and inter- est, only by the force of truth, the truth of the Gospel, Avhich they preached, and the power which they received from their Master, after he ascended into heaven, en- countered the fury of a bigotted and enraged multitude, and overcame the most inveterate prejudices. Their doctrine had a most amazing effect and influence on the minds of multitudes, who, by the power of God, at their preaching, were daily added to the church. These considerations, weighed together in an impartial balance, will sufficiently prove the authenticity of the apostles' mission and doctrine, that they received their commission and instruction from Jesus the eternal Son of God ; and upon the grounds of this argument alone, the sincere believer may be fully convinced that the apostles were inspired by the spirit of God, and that they have in their writings infallibly delivered the truth, in all things pertaining to the Christian faith and doctrine. If Jesus Christ came from the right hand of his Father to explain to us the Divine mind and will; if his apostles were taught by him, and after his ascension received the gifts of the Holy Ghost in a most miraculous manner, en- abling them to perform wonders in confirmation of the doctrine they delivered; it certainly follows, that the books of Moses, and of the prophets, are undoubtedly the word of God ; and that the sacred history may be de- pended on as a true account of things : for those books vol. iv. N w 28& ON THE AUTHORITY are not only asserted by our Lord and his apostles, in general, to be the word of God, given by inspiration, and a true rule of knowledge, faith and doctrine ; but particu- lar passages are frequently produced in proof or confirm- ation of the doctrine they taught, and almost every single part of the history, from the beginning to the end, as of Adam, Enoch, Noah, the Deluge, Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham, the Israelites, and their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and settlement in the Land of Canaan, and all the surprizing events in their history, are referred to as undeniably authentic. What our Blessed Lord and his apostles have taught in the books of the New Testament, is certainly the truth, as they received it from God. Wherefore the scriptures of the Old Testament are also given by in- spiration, and are a sacred repository of Divine knowl- edge, of undoubted credit and veracity; for our Lord and his apostles have represented and established them as such. Therefore the frequent and express assertions of Moses, the prophets and apostles, taken in connection with their proper circumstances, is a proof of the truth of revelation, as it stands in the scriptures. Thus we have endeavored to deduce the authority and excellence of the scriptures, as contained in the Holy Bible, and comprizing the books of the Old and New Testament, from the express, frequent and concurring declarations of their respective writers, viz. Moses, the prophets and apostles, and would subjoin this single re- mark for the comfort and edification of the pious Chris- tian. As you find, upon the strictest examination, an entire uniformity of doctrine, opinion and sentiment, concerning the great things of God in all the sacred writings, that they all represent the Divine nature in the same light : in short, as they all tend absolutely to lead us to the cove- nant of grace and the sufferings and atonement of Jesus Christ for life and salvation; let us not be wavering in our opinion, but steadfastly maintain the faith once de- livered to the saints, ever remembering that He is faith- ful, who hath promised, and who has declared, that ^\l> EXCELLENT \ OF THE SCRIPT! RES. fa ,tucu and earth way pass away, but not one jot or tUth of his word shall pass away. CHAP. IV. On the internal Worth and Excellency of the Scriptures, as containing the best Principles of Knowledge, Holiness and Comfort. THE arguments wo have already advanced are taken from the external evidence, that the scriptures are the word of God : we now proceed to consider their in- ternal wortb and excellency, which more fully and clear- ly demonstrates their Diviue original, and falls in with the second part of our design, which was to state the use and importance of the holy scriptures. Considering the sacred writings as a gift and blessing from God, the father of all light, and fountain of all good, for our improvement in knowledge and holiness, in order to our being advanced to eternal glory and happiness, we may in general conclude, that the scriptures are in worth and usefulness fully proportionable to the wisdom and goodness of the donor, and to the noble and beneficent end for which they are intended. They are a glorious display of heavenly light, irradiating the darkness of the world, which otherwise would have been involved in the blackest night of ignorance. Let it be observed to the honor of the bible, that it is the book, which, under the Divine Providence, has pre- served in the world, the knowledge of the only true God, which otherwise must have been lost and extinguished; for when God iu his infinite wisdom was pleased to call Abraham, and separate his family to the purposes of rev- elation, idolatry, even in those early days, not long after the flood, was so far spread, that some of Abraham's family were idolaters, and served other gods. So far indeed did the corruption of religion prevail, 'hat all nations, losing the true idea of the great and 281 ON THE INTERNAL WORTH glorious Creator of heaven and earth, fell into the gross- est idolatry and superstition, together with every abomin- able vice, except the nation of the Jews, who enjoyed the word and revelation of God ; and it was that very Word and revelation after our Saviour came into the world, which enlightened the Gentiles, and so generally brought them over to the worship and obedience of the great Lord of the universe. Under God, the scripture must be owned the instru- mental cause of all the true religiou that is to be found in the world, and it will be established more and more; it will shine forth more and more; it will be honored mora and more, in the truth of its doctrines, in the wisdom of its precepts, in the accomplishment of its predictions and promises, and in the appearing of our Lord at the last day to receive in his joy all that know and obey the Gospel of his grace. Thus much may be truly said of the usefulness of scripture in general, which gives it infinitely the prefer- ence to all books of mere human composition, as it has been the means of preserving in the world the grand prin- ciples of religion, the knowledge of the being aud per- fections of God, and of the true spiritual worship, which alone pleaseth him, and cnobles, purifies and comforts our souls; and just in proportion as the bible is received, esteemed and diligently studied, true religion has pre vailed, and will always prevail and flourish. On the other hand, in proportion as the scriptures are unknown, neglected, abused and perverted ; ignorance, idolatry, ir- religion, error, superstition and immorality, have and will spread their gloom, and more or less infect nations and particular persons. The scriptures contaiu principles, which must be al- lowed to be of a superior and excellent kind. The best principles that can be found of knowledge, holiness and comfort. Here the mind expatiates in a boundless field of heavenly light, and clearly views the prospects of truth, where the eye of mere nature could never have penetrated. Here we see the being of God asserted, his nature and perfections, his glorious majesty and universal sovereignty described, with the justcst propriety of senti- AND EXCELLENCE OF THE SCIUFTLUES. 288 ment, and the utmost elegance of language. A few sen- tences in tliis holy book will give us much clearer cun- ceptions of God, than all the volumes of philosophy, written by strangers to revelation. Here we are taught the various dispensations of Divine wisdom and good- ness, from the beginning of the world to this day, and even to the end of time. Here we find a two-fold covenant; of works which threaten death to every transgressor; of grace which grants pardon and redemption to every believer, and promises all needful supplies to the humble and sincere. Here we learn how God created a kingdom among the nations, or a peculiar congregation, to prevent the uni- versal corruption of the world, and like a star in the firmament, to diffuse the light of Divine kuowlcdge throughout the darkness of the earth. At length we see the Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, appear to take away sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness, or salvation, to illustrate the grace of God, and give the plainest explanation of his will and duty, to shew the future world in the clearest and most awful view, and to appoint the most powerful means to attract our hearts to God, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. In the scriptures the design of our present existence in this world is represented in a manner agreeable to the appearance of things, and the wisdom and goodness of God, not to be for enjoyment, but for trial, not to gaiu temporal pleasures or possessions, but to discipline our souls, and to prepare them for immortal glory and honor. In particular, the many afflictions incident to our frailty, are set in a true and encouraging light, as the discipline and correction of our heavenly father; not for our de- struction, but for our improvement in holiness, to purify our spirits from sensuality, to draw our regard to things heavenly and eternal, to exercise our faith, hope, patience and every virtue, which is our real excellency, and best qualification for everlasting happiness. In the scripture we find the best principles of holiness, or of that state of mind, whereby we are habitually de- voted to God and truth. For there we are shewn the 286 ON THE INTERNAL WORTH nature and design of living, in a manner greatly superior to what we could have derived from our own reason and reflection. There we read, that we were formed in the image of God, inspired with understanding, raised great- ly in our faculties above the rest of the creation, and made for ends proportionally great and noble ; not for the meau purposes of time and sense, but for God ; for his honor and favor, to shew forth his praise, and for ever enjoy his goodness. Every obligation resulting from this important consideration, even the gracious and excellent purposes of our being, is with the greatest propriety and force urged upon us. In most parts of the holy scriptures, the love of God smiles upon us with an attractive and endearing aspect, to draw our affections to him, and to give a constancy and steadiness to our obedience in the midst of so many, and so strong temptations, when wre know the necessity of trials, troubles and affliction of every kind, in this vale of tears, in order to prepare us for a residence in the heavenly mansions, where sorrow shall be no more, where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes, and eudless ages shall be spent in the uninterrupted fruition of such blessings as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of mau to conceive. In the scripture we have the Divine displeasure against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men, set upon its true foundation; the odious and pernicious nature of sin, which is in itself false and mischievous, the greatest evil in the universe, and that which alone can deprive us of happiness, and subject us to eternal misery. In the word of God, his favor to pious persons is also set upon its proper foundation; the amiable and excellent nature of true holiness, which in itself is true and salutary, the greatest preparative for future glory, is represented in the most lively and engaging colors. Here we are kindly encouraged by the Divine grace, to think of our ways, and by true repentance, to turn from whatever is repugnant to the obedience of God. Here we are directed frequently to examine our hearts, to banish thence every corrupt principle, and to keep the spring of action within us pure from any disorderly AND EXCELLENCY OF THE SCRIPTURES. 287 thought and inclination; to guard our spirits with a Watchful eye, from every impure motion and suggestion; lo be vigilant against every temptation and assault of the grand enemy of souls, that we may keep ourselves unde- nted in the ways of God. Here we are instructed in the most perfect and reason- able sobriety, temperance and self-denial, and warned of the danger of every sensual snare and allurement. Here this perishing body, with whatever can delight and adorn it; here this present world, with whatever in it that can engage our affections and esteem, are fully ex- posed to the judgment and censure of reason, and mani- festly shewn to be emptiness and vanity, infinitely below the excellence and worth of immortal spirits; and there- fore unfit to be pursued at the expence of our present in- tegrity, or future felicity. In the holy scriptures we arc taught the ordinances of religion, both public and private, in the conscientious use of which we shall grow into perfect men in Christ Jesus; particularly we are commanded to set apart a competent portion of our time every day, and to keep the sabbath, holy every week ; that by serious meditation upon God's word, and pouring out our hearts before him in prayer and thanksgiving, we may renew our spiritual strength; be more and more confirmed in the habits of holiness, and find ourselves still advancing nearer to heavenly perfection. This sketch of the principles of holiness, to be derived from the scriptures, clearly prove their Divine original and excellence, as it sets them greatly above any thing human wisdom can discover or devise. In the scriptures we also find the best principles of comfort and refreshment to the soul. How needful are such principles in a scene of afflictions, sin and weak- ness! In general, under how many amiable characters, under how many sweet encouragements, are we invited to put our trust in God ; to look unto him, and make his name, his goodness and power, our refuge in every want, danger, difficulty and conilict? Being assured that he careth for us while we hope in him; and that He will never leave us nor forsake us! We are encouraged to 288 ON THE INTERNAL WORTH hold out unto the end ; persuaded, that however He may permit our sufferings and griefs. He will never forget us, hut will make all things, how bitter soever, work together for our good. Heaven is at all times open to our complaints and sup- plications; and the throne of God, which is a throne of grace, is easy of access, to the breathings and desires of the penitent believing soul. Thus we see the scriptures contain, beyond all dispute, the best principles of knowledge, of holiness and comfort. It is no less evident that they deliver the best precepts for directing all our actions, which may be reduced to three heads ; our duty to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves. We are taught to worship God with a sincere admira- tion of his glory and perfections, with profound reverence of his greatness, with humble adoration of his sovereignty, with the highest love and esteem for his excellency and amiableness, with joy and gratitude for his goodness, and with a heart truly devoted to his honor and glory. To our neighbor we are directed to perform not only justice, truth and equity, but also unfeigned charity, the most extensive kindness and benevolence. To ourselves, we owe self-preservation and self-gov- ernment; and the scriptures admonish us to take the wisest care of our being, by cultivating and guarding our minds, and by mortifying all inordinate affections and passions. In short, all that our reason can find in the law or re- ligion of nature, is most clearly and beautifully displayed to us by revelation, and moreover, the wisdom of God has not only perfected and supplied our deficiences, but hath discovered to us the riches of goodness, knowledge and power, infinitely beyond what our natural faculties could ever have attained. It is further evident, that the writings both of the Old and New Testament form a storehouse of the most sacred and useful knowledge, admirably adapted to the improve- ment of our minds in faith and holiness, and calculated, by a proper attention to them, to produce our future and eternal happiness. an*i> r.\