'ffW'i' •• ' 'J5S-' J- ■■■, wT* i* "iiSi, ■ m ^ V- ■ '■^ij ^i^iit THE NEW AND COMPLETE LIFE OF OUR BLESSED LORD AND ? JESUS CHI THAT GREAT E AS WELL AS SAVIOUI ' CONTAINING An authentic account of all the real fact^ exemplary life, meritorious sufferings, u TO WHICH IS ADDED The Lives, Transactions, Sufferings and Deaths OF HIS HOLY APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, AND DISCIPLES. THE WHOLE INTERSPERSED WITH \ PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND USEFUL REMARKS. BY PAUL WRIGHT, D. D. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. IL Wj^wui wiiMM.immwmiimmnmKmmmmmmmimtmmmnmmmmi PUBLISHED BY DANIEL FENTON, MILL-HILL, NEAR TRENTOBT, James Oram, Printer, 1810. -^^ ■'/ CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXIII, Christ's Agony and Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane : Judas betray eth Jesus with a Kiss : The Officers and Soldi- ers, at Christ's word, fall to the ground : Christ healeth a Servant of the High-Priest, whose Ear was cut off by Peter: His Disciples flee : He is led bound to Annas and Caiaphas. 9 CHAPTER XXXIV^. Peter thrice denies his having any knowledge of Jesus ; but on his Lord's turning and looking on him, he repenteth 18 CHAPTER XXXV. The Trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrim, or grand Council of the Jews. • . . • . . . , 2^ CHAPTER XXXVI. Jesus is led before Pilate : Judas relents, carries back the mo- ney, and hangs himself: The Governor refuses to judge our blessed Saviour, declares him innocent, and sends him to Herod ; who, after hearing his Accusers, sends him back again • 27 CHAPTER XXXVH. Pilate gives the Jews their choice of Jesus or Barabas to be released : Upon the clamour of the common People, Bar- abas is loosed, and Jesus delivered up to be crucified : He is crowned with thorns, spit on, and mocked SQ CHAPTER XXXVHI. JEsus is led forth to Calvary : Simon, the Cyrenian, compelled to carry the Cross : He is crucified between two Malefac- tors : A Title is put upon the Cross by Pilate, and lots cast for his Garment: The Multitude, the Rulers, the Priests, and the Soldiers revile Jesus : The conversion of one of the Thieves : The great and unnatural Eclipse of the Sun : Je- SL's speaks to his friends from the Cross, cries, " It is finish- ed," recommends his Spirit into the hands of his Heavenly Father and expires • • • 45! fy CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER XXXIX. A Roman Soldier thursts his spear into our Saviour's Side : Jo- sepli of Arimathea comes to Pilate, and begs of him the Body of Jesus 61 CHAPTER XL. Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, go out to view the Se- pulchre, and bring Spices to embalm the body of Jesus : A great earthquake accompanies the resurrection : An an- gel descends, and Jesus rises from the dead : The behaviour of the Jewish rulers thereupon 66 CHAPl'ER XU. The Speech of the Angel to the Women, informing them that Jksus was risen : Peter and John go into the Sepulchre : Christ appears to Mary Magdalene : The company of \\ omen set out a second time in quest of Peter and John : Jesus meets them : Mary Magdalene and the company of Women return from their several interviews with Jesus .* Peter runs to the Sepulchre a second time, and as he re- turns sees his great Lord and Master 6^ CHAPTER XLH. Jesus appears to two of his Disciples on the Road to Emmaus : He appears to his apostles on the evening of the Resurrec- tion, Thomas being absent: He appears again to the Apos- tles, and convinces Thomas : Shews himself to his Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias : and to five hundred of the Brethren in Galilee. . , 79 CHAPTER XLHL Jesus ascends into Heaven : The principal Arguments of the Deists against our blessed Saviour's Resurrtcnon consider- ed and refuted : Rellections on the Life and poctriiic of our great Redeemer g^f CHAPTER XLIV. Observations on the Doctrine of our blessed Lord and Saviour ; The Excellency of the Religion he inforced and inculcated * And the Reasonableness of, and Pleasure resulting from a Christian Life , i02 CONTENTS. Lives of the Apostles, ^c. PAGl-.. Life of St. Matthew, the Evangelist and Apostle 1^3 St. Mark, the Evangelist and Apostle 131 St. Luke, the Evangelist i-3S St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist, commonly called the Divine 1 "l-S St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles 150 St. James the Apostle, surnamed the Great 220 St. James the Apostle, surnamed the Less 2-7 St. Peter, the Apostle to the Jews 235 St. Jude, the Apostle ^75 St. Thomas, the Apostle. . 279 St. Andrew, the Apostle -83 St. Bartholomew, the Apostle 29 i St. Barnabas, the Apostle 2i?5 St. Philip, the Apostle 303 St. Simon, the Apostle, surnamed the Zealot. . . . . bOt St. Matthias, the Apostle 30y . ' I'he Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. . 312 Mary Magdalene. 319 Mary, the Sister of Lazarus ^o, Mary of Cleopas 32 1 Mary Salome, an Hebre^v Convert. . . » 322 Trophimus, a Gentile Convert*. io. Tychius, a Gentile Convert 323 Tertius, a Gentile Gonvert. i^J. . I^inus, a Gentile Convert • • i^' Onesiphorus, a Gentile Convert 324 ^ Sttphanus, a Gentile Convert z(^. Phebe, a Deaconess 325 Sosipater, a Gentile Convert ib. Demas, a Gentile Professor 325 Aristarchus, a Gentile Convert zi>. Clement, a Gentile Convert ^27 Ananias, a Jewish Convert i^. Nicholas, a Disciple and Deacon 328 Nicodemus, an Hebrew Convert id. Joseph of Arimatiiea, an Hebrew Disciple 329 Philemon, a Gentile Convert 330 Priscilla, a Jewish Convert. id. Apollos, a Jewish Convert . 331 T itus, a Gentile Gonvert. 332 Timothy, a Gentile Convert 3)3 St. Stephen, tlie ProtO'Martyr. ^ 334 St. Silas, or Sylvanus, an Hebrew Disciple 335 St. Philip, the DeacoDj an Hebrew Convert.- 33T vi CONTENTS. A General Vieiv of the Apostolic Churches, PAGE. The Clmtch at Antioch, in Syria 3.'59 The Church at Home, in Italy 341 The Church at Jerusalem, in Judea , 345 The Ciiurch at Constantinople, anciently called Byzantium. . 347 The Church at Alexandria, in Egypt 348 M« The Evidences upon which Christianity is founded ; including a complete defence of Christianity, together with plain and satisfactory Answers to all Objections made against our Holy Religion by Jews, Atheists, Deists. Infidels, Free- Thinkers, Sec 350 APPENDIX. Evidences of the Christian Religion, briefly and plainly stated^ by James Beattie, LL, D, F, R. S. Introduction 36*> . CHAPTER I. Revelation is useful and necessary. ....,.*... 373 CHAPTER IJ. The Gospel History is True 384 Skct. I. The Gospel considered as a portion of anci- ent history 385 Sect. II. The subject continued. Of the argument from prophecy 401 StcT. III. The Subject continued. The f^iith of the first disciples was the effect, not of weakness, but of well grounded conviction 409 Sect. W. The Subject continued. The excellency and singular nature of Christianity, a proof of its truth. . 427 CONTENTS. _ PAGE. CHAPTER III. I. II. From the number, the abilities, and the virtues of unbelievers 44.7 III. trom the obscurity of particular doctrines and pas- _^sages 453 Iv. I'rom supposed inconsistencies in the gospel history. Of inspiration 457 V. From supposed unsuitableness of Christianity to the general course of human affairs 461 VI. From its supposed inefficacy in reforming mankind. 465 VII. From the apparent insignificancy of the human race, as compared with the extent of the universe. . . 472 aMfe,^,^^ THE NEW AND COMPLETE UFK OF OUR BLESSED LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST: CONTAINTNG The most authentic and full account of all the wonderful TRANSACTIONS, SUFFERINGS, AND DEATH OF OUR ' GLORIOUS REDEEMER, WITH THE LIVES, ACTS, AND SUFFERINGS, OF HIS UOLY APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, DISCIPLES, &C. IN- CLUDING THE LIVES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE VIRGIN MARY, AND MANY OTHER EMINENT PERSONS AND PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS, NOT TO BE FOUND IN ANY OTHER WORK OF THIS KIND.^ CHAPTER XXXIIL Christ's Agony and Pray €7' in the Garden of Geth- semane: Judas betray eth Jesus with a Kiss: The Officers and Soldiers, at Christ's Word, fall to the Ground: Christ healeth a Servant of the Uigh^ Priest, whose Tar xvas cut off by Peter: His Disci- ples flee: He is led bound to Annas and Caiphas, JL HE prayer of our great Intercessor being ended, he, with his disciples, came down from the Mount of Olives into the field below, called Gethsemene, through which the brook Cedron ran, and in it, on the other side of the brook, v/as a garden, called the garden of VOL. ii B 10 NEW AMI) COMPLETE Gcthsemenc. Here he desired his disciples to sit down, perhaps at tlic garden-door within, till he should retire to pray, taking with him, Peter, James, an(iend him without his own consent, he in an extraordinary manner, exerted his divine po\VTer, ke made the \a liole band fall back, and threw them to rlie ground : Jesus, therefore, knowing oil things that should come upon Jiim, ivent forth, and said unto them, Wliom seek ye ? They answered hbn, Jesus of Naza- reth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, zvhieh betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went back- ward, and fell to the ground. But the soldiers and the Jews imagining, perhaps, that they had been thrown down by some deemon or evil spirit, with whom the die Jevv's said he was in confederacy, advanced towards him a second time : Theri asked he them again. Whom seek ye ? And they said Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus an- swered, I have told you, that lam he ; expressing again his willingness to fall into their hands : If therefore ye ,ieek me, let these go their way. If your business be \\ ith me alone, suffer my disciples to pass : for the party had sun^ounded them also. He seems to have made this request to the soldiers, tlmt the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them xvhich thou gavest me have I lost none. For as he always proportions the iriiils of lus people to their strength ; so here he took care that the disciples should escape the storm, which none but himself could bear. Some of the soldiers, more daring than the rest, at Icncilh rudelv cauQ'ht Jesus, and bound him: uDon \vhicl) Peter drew his sword, and smote off the ear of the high-priest's servants, who probably was shewing greater forwardness than the rest in this business : 77ien Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high-priesfs servant, and cut ojf his right ear ; the servants name was Malchus. The enrap-ed apostle was on the point of singly attacking the whole band, \vhen Jesus ordered him to sheath his sword,- telling him, that his unseasonable and imprudent defence tnight prove the occasion of his destruction : They\ L1F£ of CHRIST. 1.; ^'aid Jesus unto him^ put up agdin thy sxvorcl Into its place ; for all they that take the sivord^ shall purisk with the sword. He told him likewise, that it implied both a distrust of the Divine Providence, which ciiu always employ a- variety of means for the safety of good men, and also his ignorance in the Scriptures : Thinkest thou^ said he, that I cannot %ow pray to my Father^ and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of ajigels ? But how then shall the Scriptures he fidfilled^ that thus it must be ? Matt. xxvi. S2>^ S4. Legion was a Roman military term, being the name W^hich they gave to a body of five or six thousand men : Avherefore, in regard that the band which now sur- rounded them, was a Roman cohort, our Lord might make use of this term by way of contrast, to shew what an inconsiderable thing the cohort was, in comparison of the force he could summon to his assistimce ; more than twelve legions, not of soldiers, but of angels. He yet was tenderly inclined to prevent any bad conse- quences, which might have flowed from Peter's rash- ness, by healing the servant, and adding, in his rebuke to him, a declaration of his willingness to suffer : The cup which my Father hat J i given mCj shall I not drink it ? Our Lord's healing the ear^of Malchus, by touchi no- it, seems to imply, that he created a new one in thi place of that which was cut off; but though he per- formed the cure some other way, it equally demon- strates both his goodness and his povvcr. No wound or distemper was incurable in the hand of Jesus ; nci ther was any injury so great tliat he could notforgivt. - It seems somewhat surprising that this evident m.iraclr did not make an impression upon the chief priests, es^ pecially as our Lord put them in mind, at the same timr of his other miracles; for having first said, Suffer yc thus far ; and he touched his ear^ and healed him: he: added. Be ye come out^ as against a tJiief xvitli sivord-. and staves ? When I was daily with you in tJie tempic. U. ^'S-EW AND COMPLETE ijc stretcJicd jhrtJi no hands against me: but this U your hour, and the power of darkness. Luke xxii. 51, 52, S3. They had kept at a distance during the attack but drew near, when they understood that Jesus, was in their power ; for they were proof against all con- viction, being obstinately bent on putting him to death. And the disciples when they saw their Master in the hands of his enemies, forsook him and fled, ac- cording to his prediction ; notwithstanding they might ha^e followed him without any danger, as the priests had no design against them : Then all the disciples for- sook him, and fled. Then the band, and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesits and bound him. But it was not the cord which held him ; his immense char- ity was by a far stronger band ; he could, with more ease than Sampson, liave broken those weak ties, and exerted his divinity in a more wonderful manner ; he could have stricken 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 pleased to offer him ; so meek was he un- der the greatest injuries. Having thus secured him, they led him away : And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body ; and the young man laid hold on him : and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. This, per- haps, was the proprietor of the garden ; who being awakened with the noise, came out with the linen cloth, in which he had been lying, cast around his naked bo- dy ; and forgetting the dress he was in, and having a. respect for Jesus, followed him. He was first led to Arenas, father-in-law of Caiaplias who was high-priest that year. Annas having himself discharged tlic office of high-priest, was consequently a person of distinguished character, which, together with his relation to the high-priest, made him worthy of the respect they now paid him ; but he refused singly to meddle in the affair; they, therefore, carried Jesus to Caiaphashmiself, at whose palace the chief priests, el- i.lFE OF CHRIST. 17 ders, and Scribes were assembled, liaving staid tliere ♦ all night to see the issue of their stratagem. This Ca • iphas was he that advised the council to put Jesug to death, e^en admitting he was innocent, for the safety of the whole Jewish nation. He was advanced to the sacerdotal dignity by Valerius Gratus, Pilate's prede- cessor, and was divested of it by Vitellius, governor of ^)Tia, after he had deposed Pilate from his procurator- ship ; and therefore seems to have enjoyed it durinir the whole course of Pilate's government. V or.. JK 13 ''^'EW AND COMPLETE CHAPTER XXXIV. Peter thrice denies his having any Knowledge qf]Esus ; but on his hoRD^s turning and looking on him^ he re- pent eth, JL HE trial of our blessed Lord in the high-priest'ef palace, and Peter's denying him, being cotemporary events, might be repeated by the evangelical historians according to their pleasure. The evangelists Matthew and Mark describe the trial first, as it is the principal fact ; but Luke after the denials of Peter. John has preserved the natural order here ; for he begins with the first denial, because it happened immediately after Peter entered the palace, then giVes the history of the trial as the principal fact, concluding with the subse- quent denials. But though this be the natural order, we shall view the denials together, previous to the trial^^ in order to form a better idea of them. When Jesus was apprehended, the apostles, in great consternation, forsook him, and fled, according to the prediction concerning them : some of them, however, recovering out of the panic that had seized them, fol- lowed the band at a distance, to see what the issue would be. Of this number was Peter, and another dis- ciple, whom John has mentioned, without giving his name, and who, therefore, is supposed to have been John himself. This disciple being acquainted at the high-priest- s, got admittance for himself first, and soon after lor Peter, who had come with him ; And Simon Peter foUoivcd Jesus, and so did another disciple : that disciple was known unto the high-priest, and went in icith Jesus into the palace of the high-priest. But Pe^ ter stood at the door xvithout. Then went out that other disciple, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. And xvhen t.Iieij had kindled afire in the midst of the hall, and ivere set down together^ Pctc^' sat down amons, them. The maid servant who LIFE OF CHRIST. i9 kept the door, concluding Peter to be a disciple also, followed after him to the fire, and looking earnestly at him, charged him with the supposed crime ; Y'/ieii sailh the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples F This blunt attack threw Peter into such confusion, tjiat he flatly denied his having any connection with Jesus, replying, / a?n ^oty and adding, / ktioit not, neither understand I zvhat thou saijest. As if he had said, I do not understand there is any reason for your asking me such a question. Thus, the very apostle who had before acknowledged his Master to be the Messiah, the Son of the Living- God, who was honoured with the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and had so confidently boasted of 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 ene- my w^ho 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 like- wise 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 vuni's disciples ? Art thou not one of them as well as he who is sitting witli you ? Equivocation, mental reservation, and such like base arts, are below the dignity and cour- age of reasonable creatures ; but downright lying, an(J that in the presence of John his fellow-disciple, is abo- minable, and can only be accounted for, by the confu- sion and panic which had seized him on this occasion. As Peter's inward perturbation must have appeared in his countenance and gesture, he did not choose to stay long with the servants at the fire ; he went out, there- fore, into the porch, where he was a little concealed : And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew, namely, for the first time. And the maid saw hivi again, and began to say to them that stood by. This is one of them ; and he again denied it zvith an oath^ I know not the man : thus aggravating his former crim<^ by that of perjury. 20 IfeNEW AND COMPLETE Peter havingbcen thus attacked without doors, thought : proper to return and mix with the crowd at the fire : J?id Simon Peter stood and ivmnned himself. From this circumstance, we may conclude,, that the ensuing was the third denial; and that Peter left the porch where the second denial happened, and was come again into the hall : Ilei^e one of the servants of the higli- priesty being his kinsman tvhose ear Peter cut off^ saith. Bid not I see thee in the garden ivith him F Pe- ter then denied again, 'and immediately the cock crew. The words of Malchus's kinsman, bringing to Peter's remembrance v/hat he had done to that servant, threw him into such a panic, that when those who stood by repeated the chai'ge, he impudently denied it ; He even began to curse and to swear, sayings I know not this ':nan of ivhom 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 agreeth thereto ; so that, be- ing pressed on all sides, to give his lie the better colour he profaned the name of God, by in;iprecating the bit- terest curses on himself, if he was telling a falsehood : perhaps, he hoped, by these acts of impiety, to convince them effectually, that he was not Christ's disciple. This zealous apostle thus denied his Master three distinct times, with oaths and asser\'ations, totally for- getting the A'ehement protestations he had made a few hours before, that he ^vould never deny him. ^He was permitted to fall in this manner, to teach us two les- sons : the first, that whatever a person's attainments might ha\ e been formerly, if once he passes the bounds of innocence, he commonly proceeds from bad to ^vorse, one sin naturally draws on another ; for which reason, the very least appearances of evil are to be avoid- ed, and the greatest humility and self-diffidence main- tained : in the second place, ^\'e may learn, that no sin- ner who repents, and has coniidence in the goodness of God, should ever despair : for he no sooner denied hi^ LIFE OF CHRIST. |^ SI Master the third time, than the cock crew, and awaken- ed in him the lirst conviction of his sin : And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him. Be- fore the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter zvent out,, and wept bitterly. St. Luke is the only evangelist who has preserved this beautiful circum- stance of Christ's turning and looking on Peten The members of the council who sat on Jesus, were placed at the upper end of the hall ; in the other, were the ser- vants with Peter at the fire : so that Jesus being pro- bably placed on some eminence, that his judges, who were numerous, might see and hear him, could easih' look over towards Peter, and observe him denying him, and in passionate terms, loud enough to be heard perhaps, over all the place. The look pierced him, and, with the crowing of the cock, brought Ixjs Master's prediction fresh into his mind. He was stung with deep remorse ; and, being unable to contain himsell', he covered his face with his garment to conceal the confusion he was in, and going out into the porch wept very bitterly. All this passed while the priests exam- ined Jesus with many taunts and revilings ; and while, tlie most zealous of Christ's disciples was denying him with oaths and imprecations, the others insulted him in the most inhuman manner. Thus a complica- tion of injuries, insults, and indignities, was at one time heaped upon the blessed Redeemer, the meek and mild Jesus, the suffering and wonderfully patient Son of the adorable Majesty of heaven. 22 jfe;,NEW AN.D COMPLETE CHAPTER XXXV. *Fhe Trial of liL%xi% before the Sajihedrim^ nr grarid Council of the Jews. A. HE band of soldiers having seized Jesus, led him to the high-priest's house, where all the chief priests, the Scribes, and the elders were assembled : And as soon as it xvas day^ the elders of the people^ and the chief priests^ and the Scribes, came together, and led him in- fo their coiinciL Probably the trial did not begin im- mediately on our Lord's arrival ; for though many of the judges were at the high-priest's before him, some persons of distinction might be absent, whose coming, the rest were, out of respect, inclined to wait for : but, as the passover was at hand, they had no time to lose \ so that as soon as the council was fully met, the trial was begun: And tJie high -priest asked Jesus of his dis- ciples, and of his doctrine. He enquired of him what his disciples were, for what end he had gathered them, Avhether it was to make himself a king, and what the doctrine was which he taught them? In these questions there was a great deal of art; for as the crime laid to our Saviour's charge was, that he had set up for the Messiah, and deluded the people, they expected he would claim that dignity in their presence, and so would on his own confession have condemned him, without any further process. This was unfair, as it was artful and ensnaring : to oblige a prisojtier on his trial to con^ fess what might take away his life, was a very inequita- ble method of proceeding; and Jesus expressed his opinion thereof with very good reason, and complained of It, bidding them prove \vhat they had laid to his charge by witnesses: Jesus anszcered him, I spake openly to the ivorld; I ever taught in the syiiagogue, and in the temple, whither tJie Jews always resort ^ and in secret have I said nothing. WInj askest thou vie? Ask them ivhich heard me, what I have said unto them : behof4 thcv know what I said. It wets greatlv to th^ LIFE OF CHRIST. 2?? Iit)iioiir of our blessed Redeemer, diat all his actions were done in public, under die eye even of his ene- mies; because, had he been carrying on any imposture, the lovers of goodness and truth had thus aJDundant opportunities of detecthig him with propriety : he therefore, in his defence, appealed to that part of hiei chai'acter ; yet his answer was construed disrespectful : for, wli€7i he had thus spoken, 07ie of the officers which stood by, struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, say- ing, Answerest thou the high-priest so? To which he meekly replied with the greatest serenity. If I have spoken evil, hear ivitness of the evil : but if zvell, zvhj sniitcst thou me f Shew me, prove before this court, wherein my crime consists, or record it in the evidence on the face of my trial ; which if thou cannot, how can thou answer this inhuman treatment to a defenceless prisoner, standing on his trial before the world,, and in open court, and strike me undeservedly ? In this instance Jesus became an example of his own precept; and if a man smite thee on thy right cheelr, turn to him the other also. Matt. v. 39, bearing the greatest injuries with an unprovoked patience, worthy of the meek Lamb of God. Jesus having declined answering the questions, where- by the council expected to have drawn from him an ac- knowledgment of his being the Messiah, they proceed- ed to examine many v/itnesses to prove his having as- sumed that character; as they considered such a pre- tension as blasphemy in his mouth, who being only a man according to their opinion, could not, without the highest affront to the Divine Majest}'-, pretend to the title of the Son of God, as it belonged only to the Mes- siah. But in this examination they acted like interest- ed and enraged persecutors, rather than impartial judges, forming their questions in the most artful manner, in order, if possible, to draw expressions from them which they might pervert into suspicions of guilt, as some foundation for eondemning Jesus, who had so long and S4 ■'" NEW AND COMPLETE faithfully laboured for their salvation. Their witnesses however, disappointed them, some of them disagreeing in their story, and others mentioning things of no man- ner of importance. At last, two persons agreed in their depositions, name ly, in hearing him say, that he was able to destroy the temple of God, and to raise it in three days. But this tes- timony was absolutely false; for our great Redeemer never said he could destroy and build the temple of Je- rusalem in three days, as they affirmed. It is true, that after banishing the traders from the temple, when the Jews desired to know by what authority he undertook to make such a reformation, he referred them to the mi- racle of his resurrection? saying. Destroy this Temple. (pointing probably to his body) and in three days I ivill raise it up. The witnesses, therefore, either through malice or ignorance perverted his answer into an affirmation, that he was able to destroy, and build the magnificent temple of Jerusalem in three days: and the judges considering that such an act could only be performed by Divine Power, interpreted his assertion •as blasphemy. Our Saviour, during the whole time, made no reply to the evidences that were produced against him, which greatly provoked the high-priest, who, supposing that lie intended by his silence, to put an affront on the coun- cil, rose from his scat, and with great perturbation, de- manded the reason of 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 thcu the Christ? To which our blessed Saviour ans^\ered, If I should tell jou plainly, you w^ould not be- lie\'C me ; and if I should demonstrate it to you by the most e\'ident and undeniable arguments, ye would nei- ther be convinced nor release me. After these things, the high- priest finding it impos- sible to ensnare Jesus, and being desirous of rendering LIFE OF CHRIST. f 2S the trial as short as possible, said to him, I adjure thee solemnly, by the dreadiul and tremendous name of" God, in whose presence thou standeth, that thou tell us plainly and truly, whether thou art the Messiah, the Son of God? This question was artfully contrived; for, if Jesus should answer it in the affirmative, they were ready to condemn him as a blasphemer ; if in tlie neg- ative, they intended to punish him as an impostor, v/ho had deceived the people by accepting from them the honours and titles of the Messiali. The blessed Jesus was not, howe^^er, intimidated by the consequence attending his confession of the truth, for being adjured by the chief magistrate, he immedi- ately confessed the charge, adding, ye shall shortly see a convincing evidence of this truth, in that wonderful and unparalelled destruction \vhich 1 will send upon the Jewish nation; in the quick and powerful progress which the gospel shall make over the earth ; and finally in my glorious appearance in the clouds of heaven at the last day, the sign you have so often demanded iu confirmation of my being sent from God. This answer of our blessed Saviour's, caused a num- ber of them to cry out at once, as astonished at the supposed blasphemy. Art thou the Son of God? To which our great Redeemer replied, Ye say that I am : a manner of speaking among the Jews, which express- ed a plain and strong afiirmation. The high-priest, on heaiing this second assertion, rent his clothes with great indignation, and said unto the council J Why need we trouble ourselves to seek jbr any more witnesses? Ye yourselves, nay, this whole assembly, ai'e witnesses that he hath spoken manifest and notorious blasphemy ; what think ye ? To which they all replied, that, for assuming to himself the character of the Messidi, he deserved to l>c put to death. VOL. ii. p 2d KEW and complete llie servants and common people then began to fall upon him as a man already condemned; spitting upon him, bufFetting him, and oftering him all manner of rudeness and indignities; they blindfolded him, and 3ome of the council, in order to ridicule him for having pretended to be the great Prophet, bid him exercise his prophetical gift, in declaring by whom he was smitten. Surely those miscreants could hardly invent any thing more expressive of the contempt in which they held our great Redeemer's pretensions to the Messiah. Thus was the great Judge of all the earth placed at the bar of frail mortals, falsely accused by the witness- es, unjustly condemned by his judges, and barbarous- ly insulted by all Yet, because it was agreeable to the end of his coming, he patiently submitted, though he could with a frown, have made his judges, his accus- ers, and those who had him in custody, to expire in a moment, or utterly dwindle aw aye LIFE OF CKRiSTo CHAPTER XXXVI. Jesus is led before Pilate: Judas relents y carries back the Money ^ and hangs himself: The Governor re- fuses to judge our blessed Saviour ^ declares him i?!- nocent, and sends him to Herod; who^ after Jiearing his Accusers, sends him back again, JL HE Saviour of the world, whom the whole Jewish nation, had so long expected, having been thus con- demned by the Sanhedrim, they consulted together^ and resolved to carry him before the governor, that he might likewise pass sentence on him. The Roman gov- ernors of Judea, generally lesided at Ca^sarea; but at the great feasts th^ came up to Jerusalem to prevent or suppress tumults, and to administer justice: it being a custom for the Roman governors of provinces, to visit the principal towns under their jurisdiction on this lat- ter account. Pilate, being accordingly come to Jerusa- lem some time before the feast, had been informed, probably by Joseph of Arimathea, of the great ferment amongst the rulers, and the true character of the person on whose account it was raised ; for he entertained a just notion of it : he knew that for envy they had de- livered him. He knew the cause of their envy, was im- pressed with a favourable opinion of Jesus, and wished if possible, to deliver him from his vile persecutors, who sought to put him to death. The Jewish council early in the morning brought Je ^ jrus to the hall of judgment, or governor's palace. They themselves, however, went not into the hall, but stood without, lest they should be rendered incapable of eating the passover, by being deiiledo Judas Iscariot, who had delivered his Master into the hands of the council, finding his project turned out very different from what he expected, was filled with the deepest remorse for what he had done, l:[e saw all 2^ >JEW AND COJVIPLETE his golden dreams of temporal honours and advantages, sunk at once to nothing : he saw his kind, his indulgent Master condemned, and forsaken by all his followers. He saw all tliis, and determined to make all the satisfac- tion in his power for the crime he had committed: ac- cordingly, he came and confessed openly his sin be- fore the chief priests and elders, offered them the mo- ney they had given him to commit it, and earnestly wished he could recal the fatal transaction of the pre- ceding night. It seems he thought this was the most public testimony he could possibly give of his Mas- ter's innocence, and his own repentance : I have, said he, committed a most horrid crime, in betray hig an innocent man to death. But this moving speech oi Judas had no effect on the callous hearts of the Jewish rulers: they affirmed, that however they might think the prisoner innocent, and for that reason had sinned in brii^iging the sentence of death upon his head, they were not to blame ; because they knew him a blasphe- mer, 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 per- forming the base act of betraying his Master, who had deserved from him the best of treatment. Convinced now, that it was not in his power to as- sist his Saviour, Judas's conscience, being stung with remorse, lashed him more furiously tJian before, sug- gesting thoughts, which by tin-ns, made the deepest wounds in his soul. The innocence and benevolence of his Master, the many favours he himself had receive ed 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. He was, if we may be allowed the comparison, like one placed on the brink of the infernal lake. Racked with these agonizing i)assions, unable to support the misery, he threw do\vn the wages of his iniquity in the temple, and confesshig at the same time his own sin, and the in- nocence oi his Master^ went away ia despair, and LIVE OF CHRIST. 29 hanged himself. Thus perished Judas Iscariot, the traitor, a miserable example of the fatal influence of cov- etousness, and a standing monument of divine ven- geance, to deter future generations from acting in oppo- sition to the dictates of Conscience, through a love of the things of this world; for which this wretched mor- tal betrayed his Master, his friend, his Saviour, and ac- cumulated such a load of guilt on himself as sunk his soul into the lowest pit of anguish and despondenc}'. The people gathered up the pieces of silver, cast down by Judas, and delivered them to the priests, who, think- ing it unlawful to put them into the treasury, because they were the wages of a traitor, agreed to lay them out in purchasing the potter's field, and to make it a common burial-place for strangers. This the evange- list tells us was done, that a particular prophecy relating to the Messiah might be fulfilled : ^nd tlieij took tJw thirty pieces of silver^ the price of him that was vahied, and gave them for the potter'' s fields as the Lord ap- pointed me. This prophecy is found in Zachai'iah, but by a mistake of some copyist, the word Jeremy is in serted in the Greek manuscripts oS. St. jVIatthew's gos- pel: unless we suppose with the learned Grotius, that this remarkable prophecy was first made by Jeremiah, and afterwards repeated by the immediate direction of the Spirit, byZechariah; and that therefore, the evan- gelist has only ascribed the prophecy to its original au- thor: but however this be, the prophecy is remarkable, and was remarkably fulfilled; and the evangelist puts the truth of this part of the history beyond all manner of exception, by thus appealing to a public transaction. We have before remarked, that the chief priests and elders refused to go themselves into the judgment-hall, lest they should contract some pollutions in the house of an Headien, Avhich would have rendered them unfit for eating the passover. The same reason also hindered them from entering the governor's palace on other fes- tivals, Vv'hen that magistrate attended in order to admin- ister justice : a kind of structure ^vas therefore erected> ikj NEW AND COMPLETE :adjoimng to the palace, which served instead of a tri>' bunal or judgment-seat. This structure, called in the Hebre^v Gabatha, was finely paved with small pieces of marble of different colours : being always exposed to the weather. Perhaps it resembled a stage, but larger, open on all sides, and on one part of it a throne was placed, whereon the governor sat to hear causes. One side of this structure joined to the palace, and a door was made in the wall, through which the governor pass- ed to his tribunal. By this contrivance, the peopld might stand round the tribunal in the open air, hear and see the governor when he spake to them from the pave- ment, and observe the whole administration of jus- tice, without danger of being defiled either by him or any of his attendants. The great Redeemer of mankind was brought be- fore this tribunal : and the priests and elders having taken their places around the pavement, the governor ascended the judgment- seat, and asked them what ac- cusation they brought against the prisoner ? Though nothing could be more natural than for the governor to ask this question, yet the Jews thought themselves highly affronted by it. They probably knew his senti- ments concerning the prisoner, and therefore consider^ ed his question as intended to insinuate, that they brought one to be condemned, against whom they could find no accusation. Pilate inight indeed speak to them in a stern manner, and by that means sufii- ciently indicate his displeasure : but, however that be, the Jews haughtily answered, if he had not been a very great and extraordinary malefactor; we should not have javen tl>oe this trouble at all, rnuch less at so unseason- able an hour as the present. Jesus was then examined by Pilate, who fi:nding he had not been guilty either of rebellion or sedition, but that he ^vas accused of particulars relating to the reli- gion and customs of the Jews, grew angry, and said. \vh?.x arc these things to me ? Take him yourselves^ LIFE OF CHRIST. 3i and judge him according to your own law : plainly in- sinuating, that in his opinion, the crime they laid to the prisoner's charge was not of a capital nature ; and that such punishnients as they were permitted by Caesar to inflict, were adequate to any misdemeanor that JKsuii was charged with. But this proposal of the Roman governor was absolutely refused^by the Jewish priests and elders, because it condemned their whole proceeds ing, and therefore they answered, We have no power to put any one to death, as this man certainly deserves, who has attempted not only to make innovations in our religion, but also set up himself for a king. This ea- gerness of the Jews to get Jesus condemned by the Roman governor, who often sentenced malefactors to be crucified, tended to fulfil the sayings of our great Redeemer, who during the course of his ministry, has often mentioned what kind of death he was appointed to die by the pre -determination of the Omnipresent Ood. As Pilate now found it impossible to prevent a tu- mult, unless he proceeded to try Jesus, he therefore ascended again the judgment- seat, and commanded his accusers to produce their charges against him. Ac- cordingly they accused him of seditious practices, af- firming that he had used every method in his power to dissuade the people from paying taxes to Caesar, pre- tending that he himself was the Messiah, the great king of the Jews, so long expected ,* but they brought no proof of this assertion. They only insinuated that they had already convicted him of this crime ; which was absolutely false, Pilate, however, asked him, Is it true, what these men lay tp thy charge, that thou hast in- deed attempted to set up thyself as king of the Jews ? To which Jesus replied, hast thou ever during thy stay in this province, heard any thing of me that gave thee any reason to suspect me guilty of secret practices and seditious designs against the government? Or dost thou found thy question only on the present clamour and tumult that is raised against me ? If this be the 32 NEW AND COMPLETE case, be very careful lest thou be 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 Cassar, but something very different froni it ; the kingdom of the Messiah is of a spiritual nature. Pilate replied, am Iga Jew ? Can I tell what their ex- pectations are, and in what superstitious sense they un* derstand these words ? The rulers and chiefs of their own people, we are the most proper judges of these particulars, have brought thee before me, as a riotous and seditious person ; rf this be not the truth, let me know what is, and the crime thou hast been guilty of, and what tj ley lay to thy charge. To which Jesus answered, I have indeed a king- dom, and this kingdom I have professed to establish ; but then it is not of this world, nor have my endeavours to establish it any tendency to cause disturbances in the government: for, had that been the case, my ser- vants would have fought for me, and not suffered me to have fallen into the hands of the Jews : but I tell thee plainly, my kingdom is wholy spiritual, consisting onl}^ in the obedience of the wills and affections of men to the laws of God. Pilate said, thou acknowiedgcst then in general, that thou hast pretended to be a king ? To .which the blessed Jesus replied. In the sense I have told thee, I have declared and do now declare myself to be a king : for this very end 1 was boni, and for this purpose I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth; and whosoever sincerely loves, and is always ready to embrace the truth, will hear my testimony and be con- vinced by it. Pilate said, JFIiat is t?'uth P and imme- diately went out to the Jews,, and said unto them, I have again examined this man, but can find him guilty of no fault, which, according to the Roman law, deserves to have the punishment of death inflicted for it. LIFE OF CIIUIST. SS 'Jf'hough the governor made this generous declaration of the innocence of our blessed Saviour, it had no ef- fect on the superstitious and bigoted Jews : they even persisted in their accusations with more vehemence than before, affirming that he had attempted to raise a sedition in Galilee : He stirred up, said they, the peo- ple^ beginning from Galilee, to this place. Jesus, how- ever, made no answer at all to this heavy charge ; nay, he continued silent, notwithstanding the governor him^ self expressly required him to speak in his own defence. A conduct so extraordinary, in such circumstances, as- tonished Pilate exceedingly : for he had great reason to be persuaded of the innocence of our dear Redeemer. The truth is, he was altogether ignorant of the divine council bv which the whole affair was directed, and the tinguished not only the sentiments of justice and feel- ings of pity, natural to the human heart, but also that love which countrymen bear for each other, no sooner sav^^ Jesus, than they began to fear the fickle populace might relent, and therefore, laying decency aside, they led the way to the multitude, crying out with all their might. Crucify him : Crucify him 1 Release not this man, but Barrabbas ! The governor vexed to see the Jewish rulers thus obstinately bent on the destruction of a person, from whom they had nothing to fear that was dani^erous, either with regard to their church or state, passionately- told them, that if they would have him crucified, they must do it themselves; because he would not suffer his people to murder a man who was guiltyof no crime. But this they all refused, thinking it dishonourable to receive permission to punish a person who had been more than once publicly declared innocent by his judge: besides they considered with themselves, that the go- vernor might afterwards have called it sedition, as the permission had been extorted from him. Accordingly they told him, tliat even though one of the things ai- ledged against the prisoner were true, he had commit- ted such a crinie in the presence of the council itself, as by law deserved the most ignominious death. He had spoken blasphemy, calling himself theSon of God^ a title which no mortal could assume without the high- est degree of ^uilt : V/elurcc a law, and bu oitr Ian; lie VOL. ij, .«' 42 NEW AND COMPLEti: ought to die, because he made himself the son of God, d divine person, Pilate's fear was increased when he heard that Je- sus called himself the Son of God: but knowing the obstinacy of the Jews in all matters of religion, he was afraid they would make a tumult in earnest : or, perhaps he was himself more afraid than ever to take away his life, because he suspected it might be true. He doubtless remembered the miracles said to have been performed by Jesus, and therefore suspected that he really was the Son of God : for it is well known that the religion which the governor professed, direct- ed him to acknowledge the existence of demi-gods and heroes, or men descended from the gods : nay, the Heathens believed, that their gods themselves some- times appeared upon earth in the form of men and conversed with them. These reflections induced Pilate to go again into the judgment-hall, and ask Jesus from what father he sprung, and from what country he came ? But our blessed Saviour gave him no answer, lest the gover- nor should reverse his sentence, and absolutely refuse to crucify him. Pilate marvelled greatly at this silence, and said unto Jesus, Why dost thou refuse to answer me ? Thou canst not be ignorant that I am invested Vi^ith absolute power, either to release or crucify thee. To which Jesus answered, I well know that thou art Caesar's servant, and accountable to him for thy man- agement, I forgive thee an injury, which, contrary to thy inclinations, the popular fury constrains thee to do unto me. Thou hast thy power fro77i above, from the emperor: for which cause, the Jewish high-priesty who hath put me into thy hands, and by pretending that 1 am Caesar's enemy, forces thee to condemn me i or if thou refusest, will accuse thee as negligent of the emperor's interest; he is more guilty than thee: IJe that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin, being instigated thereto Ini malice^ LIFE OF CHRIST. 4H Hearing this sweet and modest answer, such an Im- pression was thereby made on Pilate, that he went out to the people, and declared his intention of releasing Jesus, whether they gave their con&ent or not. Upon which the chief priests and rulers of Israel cried our^ // i/ioii let this ma?i go, tJioit art not Cccsar's friend ; zvhosoever maktth himself a king, speaketJi against de- sar. If thou releasest the prisoner, who hath set him- self up for a kingj and endeavoured to raise a rebel- lion in the country, thou art unfaithful to the interest of \h^ emperor thy master. This argument was weigh- tvj and shook Pilate's resolution to the very basis : he vv as terrified at the thought of being accused to Tibe- rius, who in all affairs of government always suspect- ed the worst, and punished the most minute crimes re- lative thereto, with death. The governor being thuj constrained to yield contrary to his inclination, was very angry with the priests for stirring up the people to such a pitch of madness, and determined to affront them. He therefore brought Jesus out a second time into the pavement, wearing the purple robe and the crov/n of thorns; and, pointing to him ; said, Behold your King ; ridiculing the national expectation of a Messiah, as their deliverer. Stung to the quick, by this sarcasticai expression, they cried out, Awai) witJi Jiim, away zvith him, cruci- jy him. To which Pilate answered, with the same mocking air. Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, IVe have no king but Cesar. Thus did they publicly renounce their hope of the Messiah, which the whole economy of their religion had been calculated to cherish : they also publicly acknov/- ledged their subjection to the Romans: and, conse- quently, condemned themselves, when they afterwards rebelled against the emperor Vespasian, who, with his son Titus, destroyed their city and temple. A\^e may here observe, that the great unwillingness of the governor to pass sentence of death upon Jesii?- 4i NEW AND COMPLETE has something in it very remarkable. For from the character of Pilate, as drawn by the Roman liistorians themselves, he seems to have been far from possessing any true principle of virtue. To what then could it be owing, that so wicked a man should so steadily ad- here to the cause of innocence, which he defended with uncommon bravery, and perhaps would never have abandoned it, had he not been forced by the threatenings of the chief priests and rulers of Israel? And w^hen he did yield, and passed sentence upon our dear Redeemer, why did he still declare him innocent? This can certainly be attributed to no other cause than to the secret and powerful direction of the providence of the Almighty, who intended that at the same time his son was condemned and executed as a malefactor, his innocence should be made appear in the most pub- lic manner, and by the most authentic evidence; even that of the judge himself. It was the power of the Almighty that set bounds to the inveterate malice and fury of the Jews, that would not suffer them to stain the innocence of the blessed Jesus, at the same time they deprived him ot his life ; but said to their boiste- rous malice, as he had before said to the foaming bil- lows of the ocean. Hitherto shall thou comcy but no furthti\ and here shalt thy proud waves he stayed i foi- none can stay his hand, or contfoulhis w^ill. X.Il''E OF CHRIST. 45 CHAPTER XXXVIII. ^Esvs is led for til to Calvary: Simon, tJie Cyrenian^ compelled to carry the Cross : He it crucified be- tween two Malefactors: A Title is put upon the Cross by Pilate, and Lots cast for his Garment : Tlie Multitude, the Rulers, the Priests, and the Soldiers revile Jesus ; TJlc conversion of one of the Thieves: The great and unnatural Eclipse of the Sun: Jesus speaks to his Friends from the Cross, cries, ** It is finished,'' recommends his Spirit into the Hands of his heavenly Father, and expires. vJ' my soul! come and follow thy Redeemer to the last scene of the most innocent and useful course that was ever passed on earth: follow him to Calvary's horrid eminence, to Calvary's fatal catastrophe; there fix thy most constant attention on that lovely, that sor- rowful spectacle. Behold the spotless victim nailed to a tree, and stabbed to the heart; hear him pouring out prayers for his murderers, before he poured out his soul for transgressors ; see the wounds that stream with forgiveness, and bleed balm for a distempered world. O ! see the justice and goodness of the Almigh- ty, his mercy, and his vengeance ; all his tremendous and gracious attributes manitested ; manifested with inexpressible splendour, in the most ignominious, and vet grandest of transactions that ever the world beheld ! After sentence was pronounced against the blessed Jesus, the soldiers were ordered to prepare for his ex- ecution; a command which they readily obeyed, and after clothing him in his own garments, led him away to crucify him. It is not said that they took the crown of thorns from his temples; probably he died wearing it, that the title placed over his head might be the better understood by the spectators 4G NEW AND COMPLETE The ministers of Jewish malice we may suppose, remitted none of the circumstances of affliction, which were ever laid on persons condemned to be cru- cified. Accordingly, Jesus was obliged to walk on. toot to the place of execution, bearing his cross; but 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 blood he had sustained, and not his want of coura^^e on this occasion made him lamt under the burden of his cross. The soldiers, seeing him unable to bear the weight, laid it on one Si- mon, a native of Cyrene, in Egypt, the father of Alex- ander and Rufus, well known among the first Chris- tians, and forced him to bear it after the great Re- deemer of mankind. The soldiers did not this, how- ever, out of compassion to the suffering Jesus, but to prevent his dying with the fatigue, and by that m.eans avoiding the punishment designed for him. In this journey to Calvary our blessed Saviour, was followed by an innumerable multitude of people, par^ ticularly of women, who lamented bitterly the severity of his sentence, and shewed all the tokens of sincere compassion and grief. Jesus, who always felt the woes of others more than he did his own, forgetting his distress at the very time when it lay heaviest upon him, turned himself about, and, with a benevolence and tenderness truly divine, said to them. Daughters of Jerusalem^ iveep not for mc^ hut weep for yourselves and for your children. For, behold, the da^s are com^ ing in tvhich they shall s ay ^ Blessed are the barren, and the zvombs that never bare, and the paps tvhich never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the moun- tains, Fallon us : and to the hills. Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, ivliat shall be done in a dry P As if he had said. Dry up these tears, ye daughters of Jerusalem, which ye shed in compassion to me, and reserve them for the deplorable fate ot LIFE OF CHRIST. At yourselves and your children ; for the calamities thafe will soon fall on you and your offspring, are truly ter- rible, and call for the bittetest lamentation. In those days of vengeance you will passionately wish that you had not given birth to a generation, whose wicked- ness has rendered them the objects of the wrath of the Almighty, to such a degree as was never 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 earth. The thoughts of these calamities afflict my soul far more than the feeling of my own sufferings: for if the Romans are permitted to inflict punishments on me who am innocent, how dreadful must the ven- geance be which they shall inflict on a nation whose sins cry aloud to heaven, hastening the pace of the di- vine judgments, and rendering the perpetrators as pro- per for judgment as dry wood is for flames of fire. At the place of execution, which was called Gol- gotha, or the place of a skull, from the criminal bones which lay scattered there, some of our Redeemer's friends offered him a stupifying potion, to render hrm insensible of the ignominy and excruciating pain of his punishment ; but as soon as he tasted the potion he refused to drink it, being determined to bear his sufferings, however sharp, not by intoxicating and stupifying himself, but by the strength of patience, fortitude and faith. Having therefore refused the potion, the soldiers began to execute their orders by stripping hlui quite naked, and in that condition began to fasten him to his cross. But while they were piercing his hands and his feet with nails, instead of crying out with the sharpness of the pain, he calmlv, though severely 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 circumstance that could alleviate their guilt ; I mean, their igix)- 4S I4E\V AND COMPLETE ranee. Father, said the compassionate Redeemer of mankind, forgive them: for they knoiv not ivhat they do. This was infinite meekness and goodness, truly worthy of the only begotten Son of God ; an exam- j3le of forgiveness, which, though it can never be equalled by any, should be imitated by all, then suffer- ing in a good cause. Behold now the appointed soldiers dig the hole in which the cross was to be erected. The cross is placed in the ground, and the blessed Jesus lies on the bed ot sorrows j they nail him to it; they erected it; his nerves crack ; his blood distils ; he hangs upon his wounds na- ked, a spectacle to heaven and earth. Thus was the on- ly begotten Son of God, who came down from heaven to save the world, crucified by his own creatures; and to render the ignominy still greater, placed between two thieves : Hear, O heavens I O earth, earth hear ! The Lord hath nourished and broiiglit up children, and they have rebelled against him; by rejecting the only Saviour, and the God of all their mercies. Crimes committed by malefactors were usually written on a white board with black, and placed over their heads on the cross. In conformity to this cus- torn, Pilate wrote a title in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, that all foreigners as well as natives, might be able to read it, and fastened it to the cross, over the head ot Jesus; and the inscription v^^as JE- SUS 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 represented the crime for which Jesus was con- demned, it insinuated that he had been acknowledged for the Messiah: besides, being placed over the head of one who was dying by the most infamous punish- ment, it implied that all who attempted to deliver the Jews, should perish in tlie same manner. The faitlr and hope of the nation, therefore, being thus publicly ridiculed, it is no wonder that the priests thought LIFE OF CHRIbT. 49 ihemsehxs highly afTronted ; and accordingly came to Pilate, begging that the writing might be altered ; but as he had intended the affront in revenge for their forc- ing him to crucify Jesus, contrary both to his judg- ment and inchnation, he refused to grant their re- quest : JFhat I have ivr it ten, said he, / have written; and persisted in his resolution not to alter the inscrip- tion. The soldiers having nailed the blessed Jesus to the cross, and erected it, divided his garments amongst 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, that the prediction of the prophet concerning the death and sufferings of the Messiah might be fulfilled : They parted my garments amongst them, and iipon mij vesture did they cast lots. A sufficient indication that every circumstance of the death and passion of the bless- ed Jesus was long before determined in the court of heaven -, and accordingly, his being crucified be- tween two malefectors was expressly foretold, Ajid he was numbered ivith the transgressors. When the common people j whom the vile priesti had incensed against the blessed Jesus, by the mali- cious falsehoods they had spread concerning him, and which they pretended to found on the deposition of witnesses, saw him hang in so infamous a manner up- on the cross, and reading the inscription that was plac- ed over his head, they expressed their indignation against him by sarcastical expressions : Ah, thou, said they, that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in tJiree days, save thyself, and come down from the cross. The multitude were not the only persons who mocked and derided the blessed Jesus, while he was suffering to obtain the remission of the sins of all man- kind. The rulers, who now imagined they had effec- tually destroyed his pretensions to the character of the; VOL. ii, a f,0 NEW AND COMPLETE iVIessiah, joined the populace in ridiculing him, and with a meanness of soul which many infamous wretch- es would have scorned, mocked hrm, even while he was struggling with the agonies of death : they scoff- ed at the miracles by which he demonstrated himself to be the Messiah, and promised to believe in him, on condition of his proving his pretensions by descending from the cross: He saved others^ said they, himself he cannot save. If he he the King of Israel, let him now come down fnnn the cross, and we zvill believe him ; not knowing what they said. Nothing could be more false and hypocritical than this pretension of the stiff-necked Jews; for they con- tinued in their unbelief, notwithstanding they well knew that he raised himself from the dead ; a much greater miracle than his coming down from the cross would have been, a miracle attested by witnesses whose veracity they could not call in question : it was told them by the soldiers whom they themselves plac- ed at the sepulchre to watch the body, and who they were obliged to bribe largely to conceal the truth. It is therefore abundantly evident, that if the blessed Jesus had descended from the cross, the Jewish priests would have continued in their infidelity ; and conse- quently that their declaration was made with no other intention than to insult the Redeemer of mankind,, thinking it impossible for him now to^ escape out of their hands. The soldiers also joined in this genera! scene of mockery, // thou he the King of the Jews, said they, save thyself. If thou art the great Messiah expected by the Jews, descend from the cross by mir- acle, and deliver thyself from these excruciating tor- ments, inflicted by thy enemies. One of the thieves could not forbear mocking the .^reat Lord ot heaven and earth, though labouring himself under the most racking pains, and struggling with the agonies of death: but the other exercised a m^st extraordinary faith,, at a time when our great Re- LIFE OF CHRIST. 51 deemerwas deserted by his Father, mocked by men, and hanged upon the cross, as the most ignominious of malefactors. This Jewish criminal seems to have en- tertained a more rational and exalted notion of the Mes- siah's kingdom than even the disciples themselves; they expected nothing but a secular empire: he gave strong intimations of his having an idea of Christ's spiritual dominion; for at the very time when Jesus was dying on the cross, he begged to be remembered by him when he came into his kingdom : Lord, said he, remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom. Nor did he make his request in vain : the great Re- deemer of mankind answered him, VerUy, I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise: There- by evidencing the immediate happiness of- the righte- ous after deatli. Let us now attentively consider the history of our blessed Saviour's passion, as it offers to our view events absolutely astonishing, for when we remember the perfect innocence of our great Redeemer, the un- <:ommon 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 ^ve reflect on the es- teem in which he was held all along by the common people, how cheerfully they followed him to the remot- x?st corners of the country, nay, even into the desolate retreats of the wilderness, and with what pleasure they listened to his discourses ; when we consider these par- ticulars, I say, we cannot help being astonished to find them at the conclusion, rushing all of a sudden into the opposite extremes, and every individual as it were, com- bijied to treat him with the most barbarous cruelty and insult, Pilate having asked the people, if they desired to have Jesus released, his disciples, though they were very numerous and might have made a great appear- ance in his behalf, remained absolutely silent, as if they had been speechless or infatuated. The Roman sol- 55f NEW AND COMPLETE diers, notwithstanding their general had declared hint innocent, insulted him in the most inhuman manner; the Scribes and Pharisees ridiculed him; the com- mon people, who had received him with Hosannas a few days before, wagged their heads at him as they passed by, and railed on him as a deceiver: nay, the very thief on the cross reviled him^ in the midst of his sufferings. Though this sudden revolution in the minds of the whole nation may seem unaccountable; 3^et if we could assign a proper reason for the silence of the disciples, the principle, which influenced the rest might be discovered in their several speeches. The followers of the blessed Jesus had attached them- selves to him, in expectation of being raised to great wealth and powder in his kingdom, which they expected would have been established long before this time: but seeing no appearance at all of what they had so long hoped for, they permitted him to be condemned, per- haps because they thought it would have obliged him to break the Roman yoke by some miraculous act of divine power. The soldiers were angry tliat any one should pretend to royalty in Judea, where Cccsar had established his authority: hence they insulted our blessed Saviour with the title of King, and paid him, in mockery, the honours of a sovereign ; and as for the common people, they seemed to have lost their opinion of him, proba- bly, because he had neither convinced the council, nor rescued himself when they condemned him. They be- gan, therefore, to consider the story of his pretending to destroy the temple, and build it in three days, as a kind of blasphemy, because it required divine power to perform such a work. The most implacable and diabolical malice irritated the priests and Scribes against him ; because he had torn oif their masks of hypocrisy, and shewed them to. LIFE OF CHRIST. 53 the people in their true colours. It is therefore^ no won- der that they ridiculed his miracles, from whence he derived his reputation. In short, the thief also fancied that he would have delivered both himself and them, if he had been the Messiah; but as no such deliver- ance appeared, he upbraided him for making preten- sions to the high character he assumed. Now, my soul, take a view of thy dying Saviour, breathing out his soul upon the cross! Behold his un- spotted flesh lacerated with stripes, by which thou art healed ! See his hands extended and nailed to the cross ; those beneficent hands, which were incessantly stretch- ed out to unloose the heavy burdens, and to impart 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 y^ake- ful night in ardent prayers for their happiness ! See him labouring in the agonies of death, breathing out his soul into the hands of his Almighty Father, and praying for his cruel enemies! Was ever love like this I Was ever benevolence so finely displayed ? O, my soul ! put thou thy trust in that bleeding, that dying Saviour; then, though the pestilence walketh in darkness, and the sick- ness destroyeth at noon-day : though thousands fall be- side thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand, thou needest not fear the approcich of any evil! Either the destroying angel 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 the morals of multitudes around thee, thou shalt be safely hid in the hollow of his hand, and freed from e^ery danger, in time, and for e^'er. 54 NEW AND COMPLETE Then, O my soul, take sanctuary under that tree of Hfe, the ignominious cross of thy bleeding Saviour ; let us fly 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 Avrath, or the fiery darts of temptation : his dying merits, his perfect obedience, will be as rivers of water in a dry place ^ or as the shadow of a great rock i?i a weary land. But particularly in that last tremendous day, when the heavens shall be rent asunder, and wrapped up like a scroll ; when his Almight}^ arm should arrest the sun in his career, and dash the structure of the universe to pieces ; ^vhen the dead, both small and great, shall be gathered before the throne of his glory, and the fates of all mankind hang on the very point of a final irreversi- ble decision: then, if thou hast faithfully trusted in him, and made his precepts thy constant directors, thou shall be owned and defended by liim. O reader ! may both thou that perusest, and he who hath written this for thy soul's advantage, be covered at that unutterably import- ant juncture, by the wings of his redeeming love; then shall we behold all the horrible convulsions of expiring nature with composure, with comfort! we shall even \\ elcome the consummation of all things, as the times of refreshing from the presence of tlie JLordy and be eternally happy with him. Behold the sun, conscious of the sufferings 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 astonishment of the people present at the execution of fjur deal' Redeemer. And surely nothing could be more ]>roper than this extraordinary alteration in the face of nature, while the Sun of Righteousness was withdraw- ing his beams, not only from the promised land, but from the whole v^^orld ; for it was at once a miraculous testimony given by the Almighty himself to the inno- cence of his Son, and a proper emblem of th<^ dcpar- LIFE OF CHRIST. j:i tare of him who was the Light of the world, at least till (lis luminous rays, like the beams of the moi niiij^;, shout, out anew with additional splendour, in the miu- 0ry of his apostles, after his ascension. ^ i he darkness which now covered Judea and the neighbouring' countries, beginning about noon, and con- tinuing till Jesus expired, could not be the effect of au ordinary eclipse of the sun. It is well known that these pI:o-:iiomena, can only happen at the change of the nqioop, whereas the JcAvish passover at which our dear Redeemer suifered, was always celebrated at the full i besides, thd total darkness of an eclipse of the sun, never exceeds twelve or fifteen minutes, whereas this conthiued full three hours. Nothing, therefore, but the im^mediate hand of that Almighty Being which placed the sun in the planetary system, could have produced this astonishing darkness: nothing but Om- nipotence who first lighted this glorious luminaiy of fieaven, could have deprived it of it's cheering ra} s- Now ye scofiers of Israel, whose blood ye have so ear- nestly desired, and wished it might fall upon you and your children 1 behold all nature is drest in the sable veil of sorrow, and in a language that cannot be mis- taken, mourns the departure of its Lord and Master; weeps for our crimes, and deprecates the vengeance of heaven upon our guilty heads! Happy for you that this sufiering Jesus is compassion itself, and even in the agonies of death, prays to his heavenly Father to avert from you the-stroke of his justice, thereby opening the gate of mercy even to you his murderers ! The Heathens themselves considered this preternat- ural eclipse of the sun as a miracle, and one of them cried out, ' Either the world is at an end, or the God of nature suffers!' And well might he use the expres- sion ; 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 Almighty punished Pharaoah for refusing to let the 56 NEW AND COMPLETE children of Israel depart out of his land, the sable veil of darkness ^vas for three days drawn over Egypt : but this darkness was confined to a part of that kingdom ; whereas this that happened at our Saviour's crucifixion, was universal, and not merely local. The disciples naturally considered the darkness, when it began, as a prelude to the deliverance of their Mas^ ter: 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 w^ho 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 observed the veil of darkness be- gin 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 uni- verse, unloose himself from the cross, and take ample vengeance on those cruel and perfidious enemies who had so despitefully treated him. At this awful period, the blessed Jesus was in the midst of his sufferings ; yet when he saw his mother and her companions, their grief greatly affected his tender breast, especially the distress of his mother. The ago- nies of death, under which he was now labouring, could not prevent his expressing the most affectionate regard both for her and for them : for that she might have some consolation 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 taken from them, even the place of a son; and. therefore, he desired her to consider him as such, and expect from him all the duties of a child : Wornarij said he, behold thij son! Llll-: OF CHRISTo or This remarkable token of filial affection towards his mother, was not the only instance the cly ini^ Jesus gave of his sincere love for his friends and followers; the beloved disciple had also a token of his high esteem : he singled him out as the only ^x^rson among his friends, to supply his place with regard to his mother. Accord- ingly, he desired him expressly to reverence her in the same manner as if she had been his own parent: a duty \vhich the favourite disciple gladly undertook; for he carried her widi him to his house, and maintained her from that hour, to the day of her death; her husband Joseph having been dead som.c time before. We have now before us an evident proof, that in the midst of the heaviest sufferings 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 her great Creator : 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. Now the moment when Jesus should resign his souf into the hands of his heavenly Father, approached, and he repeated part of the twenty-second Psalm, uttering with a loud voice, these remarkable words, £/oi, Etoi, lama sabacthani? that is, My God, Mif God, why hast thou forsaken me? Or, My God, My God, how long a time hast thou forsaken vie! as the words may be rendered. It is believed by some, that our blessed Saviour re- peated the whole Psalm, as it was customary with the Jews, in making quotations, to mention only the first words of the Psalm or section v/hich they cite. If so, as this Psalm contains the most remarkable particulars of our Redeemer's passion, being as it were a summa- ly of all the prophecies relative to that subject, by r.> VOL. ii. H 5-8 NEW AND COMPLETE peating it on the cross, the blessed Jesus si^iified that he was now accomplishing the things that were pre- dicted concerning the Messiah. And as the Psalm is composed in the form of a prayer, by pronouncing it at this time, he also claimed of his Father, the per- formance of all the promises he had made, whether to him or to his people; the ehief of which are recorded in the latter part of the Psalm above mentioned. When some of the people, who stood by, heard our blessed Saviour pronounce the first words of this Psalm, they misunderstood him, probably from their not hear- ing him distinctly, and concluded that he called for Etias; upon which one of them filled a spunge with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, being desirous of keeping him alive as long as possible, to see vv^hether Elias would come to take him down from the cross. But as soon as Jesus had tasted the vin- egar, he said, It is JiJiished: 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, and after that, he addressed his Almighty Father in words which form the best pattern of recommendatory prayer at the hour of death; Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having uttered these w^ords, he bowed his head, and yielded up the ghost. At the very instant that the blessed Jesus resigned his soul into the hands of his heavenly Father, behold, the veil of the temple was miraculously rent from the top to the bottom: probably in the presence of the priest who burnt incense in the holy place, and who doubtless published the account when he came out -. for our blessed Saviour expired at the ninth hour, the very time of oiR^ring the evening sacrifice. Nor was this the only miracle that happened at the death of the great Messiah ; no, the earth trembled from its very ioundations, the fiintv rocks burst asunder, and the se- LIFE OF CHRIST. 59 pulchres hewn in them were opened, and many bodies ^ of saints deposited there, awaked after liis resurrection ^ from the sleep of death, left the gloomy chambers of the tomb, went into the city of Jerusalem, and appear- ed unto many. In all probability these saints a\ ere dis ciples of our blessed Sa\'iour, who had but lately pass- ed through the %'alley of the shadow of death; for when they went into the city, they were kno\vn to be saints by the persons who saw them, which could not well have happened if they had not been cotemporaries with them. ^ As the rending of the veil of the temple intimated^ that the entrance into the holy place, the type of hea- ven, was now laid open to all nations ; so the resurrec- tion of a number of saints from the dead, demonstrat- ed 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 enemies of mankind, "were shewn to be com- plete, and an earnest was given of the general resur- rection. The remarkable events which attended that awful period when Jesus gave up the ghost, did not only af- fect the natives of Judea, but the Roman centurion, who 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. And all the people when they beheld heaven itself bearing witness of the truth of our great Redeemer's mission, smote their breasts and returned. They had been instant with loud voices lo have him crucified; but when they saw the face of the creation wrapt in the gloomy mantle of darkness dur- ing his crucifixion, and found his death accompanied \\\\h an earthquake, as if nature had been in agony when he died, they rightly interpreted these prodigies to be so many testimonies from the Almighty of his in- nocence, and their passions which had been iiiflamed and exasperated against him, became quite calm, or ^^.xerted in his behajf, 60 IJEW AND COMPLETE ^ Some tv'ere angry with themselves for neglecting the m opportunity the governor gave them of saving his life ; some were stung with remorse for having been active in procuring Pilate to condemn him, and even offering the most bitter insults, while he laboured under the cru- ellest of sufferings; and others were deeply affected at beholding the pains he had suffered, which were as se- vere as they were undeserved. These various passions being \'isibly painted in their countenances, afforded a melancholy spectacle; the whole multitude returning from the cruel execution, with their eyes fixed upon the earth, pensive and silent; their hearts ready to burst with grief, groaning deeply within themselves, shed- ding floods of tears, and smiting on their breasts, to testify their sorrow, > < It is. observable that the grief they now felt for the blessed Jesus was distinguished, from their former rage against him by this remarkable particular, that their rage was entirely owing to the artful insinuations of the priests ; whereas their grief was the genuine, 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 this mourning, so the expressions of their sorrow was such as became a real, an unfeigned passion. Nor was this unaffected mourning shewn by only a few persons, who might have been represented as the particular friends of the suffering Jesus; no, it was the general condition of the people who had repaired to Calvary, in order to behold the crucifixion of our dear Redeemer, that when they parted after he had given up the ghost, they covered the roads, and, as it weje. dcu'kened all the surrounding country. LtFE OF CHRIST. . «l m CHAPTER XXXIX. J Ro7nan Soldier thiirsts his spear into our Saviour's Side: Joseph ofArimathea comes to Pilate^ and begs of him the Body q/" Jesus. Y the law of Moses, it was expressly forbidden thai the bodies of those who were hanged should remain all night on the tree. In conformity to this law, and be- cause the Sabbath was at hand, the Jews begged the governor that the legs of the three persons crucified might be broken to hasten their death. To this request Pilate readily consented ; and accordingly gave the ne- cessary orders to the soldiers to put it in execution: but on perceiving that Jesus was already dead, the soldiers did not give themselves the trouble of breaking his legs, as they had done those of the two malefactors that were crucified with him. One of them, however, either out of wantonness or cruelty, thrust a spear into his side, and out of the wound flowed blood and water. Some suppose that the spear reached his heart; but however that be, it is certain, from the water which issued from the wound, that he pierced the pericardium ; and con- sequently must have killed him, had he not before been deprived of life. It was of the greatest importance to mankind that this wound was given, for it abundantly demonstrated the truth of our Saviour's death, and consequently pre- vented all objections that the enemies to our holy faith would otherwise have raised against it. The evangelist adds, that the legs of our great Redeemer were not broken, but his side pierced, that two particular prophe- cies might be fulfilled: A hone of him shall ?iot he bro- ken; and they shall look on him whom they have pierc- ed, and be convinced of the horrid impiety of the deed, as many of them afterwards were, on the preaching of Peter, 62 i^EW AND COMPLETE There was a person amongst the disciples of the blessed Jesus, called Joseph of Arimathea; he was equally remarkable for his birth, fortune, and office. This man, who was not to be intimidated by the malice of his countrymen, went boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of his great Master : he had indeed nothing to fear from the Roman go^'ernor, who, during the whole course of our Saviour's trial had shewn the great- est inclination to release him; but he had reason to ap- prehend, that this action might draw upon him the ma- lice of the rulers of the Jews, who had taken such great pains to get their Messiah crucified. The great regard, however, he had for the remains of his Master, made him despise the malice of the Jews, being per- suaded that Omnipotence would defend him, and cov- er his enemies with shame and confusion: and he well knew, that if no friend procured a grant of the bo- dy, it would be ignominiously cast out amongst the executed malefactors, and perhaps be exposed to many indignities. The governor was at first surprised at the request of Joseph, thinking it highly improbable that he should be dead in so short a time. He had indeed given orders for tlie soldiers to break the legs of the crucified per- sons ; but he knew it was not uncommon for them to live many hours after that operation was performed: for though the pain it left must be exquisite in the last degree, yet as the vital parts remained untouched, life would continue some time in the miserable bod}\ Pi- late, therefore, called the centurion to know the truth of what Joseph had told him ; and being convinced, from the answer of that officer, that Jesus had been dead some time, he readily granted the request. Having obtained his desire, this worthy counccllor repaired to mount Calvary ; and being assisted by Ni- codemus, took the body down from the cross. The latter was formerly so cautious in visiting Jesus, that he came to him by night; but in paying the last duties LIFE OF CHRIST. .. 6S .'^ # to hi^Sffster, he used no art to conceal his design : he shewed a courage far superior to that of any of the apostles ; not only assisting Joseph in taking down the body of Jesus from the cross, but bringing with him a quantity of spices necessary in the burial of his Saviour. Accordingly, they \\ rapt the body, witli the spices, in fme linen, and laid it in a ne^v sepulchre which Jo- seph had hewn out of a rock for himself. This sep- ulchre was situated in a garden near mount Calvary ; but being not entirely finished when they deposited in it the body of the blessed Jesus, they fastened the en- trance by rolling a very large stone upon it. What a wonderful spectacle was now exhibited in this memorable sepulchre ! He who clothes himself with hght, as with a garment, and walks upon the wings of the wind, \^^as pleased to wear the habiliments of mortality, and dwell amongst the prostrate dead ! Who can repeat the wondrous truth too often! Who can dwell upon the enchanting theme too long ! He who sits en- throned in glory, and diffuses bliss amongst all the hea- venly host, was once a pale and bloody corpse, and pressed the floor of this little sepulchre ! Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth ! In that solemn hour how great was thy triumph, O death ? never did thy gloomy realms contain such a prisoner before. — Prisoner did I say ? No, he was more than conqueror. He arose far more mightily than Sampson from a transient slumber ; broke down the gates, and demolished the strong holds of those dark dominions. And this, O mortals, is your consolation and security ! Jesus has trod the dreadful path, and smoothed it for your passage. Jesus, sleeping in the chambers of the tomb, has brightened the dismal man- sion, and left an hiviting odour in those beds of dust. The dying Jesus is your sure protection, your unques- tionable passport through the territories of the grave. Believe in him with all your hearts, and love and obey him, and you will find him the high ^vay to Sion : o4 NEW a:^d complete he will transmit you safe to paradise. Believeih 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. Their exit is the end of their frailty, ?nd their entrance upon perfection : their last groan is the prelude to life, immortality, and joy. The v/omen of Galilee, who had watched their dear Redeemer in his last moments, and accompanied his body to the sepulchre, observing that the funeral rites V. ere performed in a hurry, agreed among themselves as soon as the sabbath was passed, to return to the se- pulchre, and embalm the body of their great Saviour,, by anointing and swathing him in the manner then com- mon amongst the Jews. Accordingly, they returned to the city, and purchased the spices necessary for that purpose ; Nicodemus having furnished only a mixture of myrrh and aloes for the above end. The chief priests and Pharisees, during these trans- actions, remembering that Jesus had more than once predicted his own resurrection, came to the governor, and informed him of it ; begging at the same time, that a guard might be placed at the sepulchre, lest his disciples should carry away the body, and aflirm that he was risen from the dead. This happened a little be- fore it was dark in the evening, called by the Evangel- ist the next day, because the Jews began their day at sunset. This request being thought reasonable by Pi- late, he gave them leave to take as many soldiers as ihey pleased out of the cohort, which at the feast came from the castle Antonia, and kept guard in the porti- coes of the temple. That they were not Jewish but Roman soldiers whom the priests employed to watch the sepulchre, is evident from their asking them of the i^overnor : besides, when the soldiers returned with • • • 1 the news of oiu' Saviour's resurrection, the priests de^ LIFE OF CHRIST. 65 sired them to report that his disciples had stolen hiiri away while they slept ; and to encourage them to tell that falsehood boldly, promised that if their neglect of duty came to the governor's ears, proper methods should be used to pacify him, and deliver them from any punishment : a promise whicli there was no need of making to servants uiwler their own immediate com- mand. Now the priests having thus obtained a guard of Ro- man soldiers, men, long accustomed to military duties, and therefore most proper for watching the body, set out with them to the sepulchre ; and to prevent these guards from combining with the disciples in carrying on any fraud, placed them at their post, and sealed the stone which was rolled to the door of the sepulchre. Thus, whilst the priests cautiously proposed to pre- vent the resurrection of our great Redeemer from being palmed upon the w^orld, and doubtless intended, after the third day was past, to shew his body publicly as an impostor, they placed the truth of this stupenduous miracle beyond all doubt, by furnishing a number of unexceptionable witnesses to it whose testimony they themselves could not refuse or gainsay, and thejefore attempted to sti!le it. VOL. IK €^ J^'EW ANi) COMPLETE CHAPTER XL. Mary Alagdalene^ and the other Marij^ go out to view the Sepulchre^ and bring Spices to embalm the body of Jesus : A great earthquake accompanies the re- surrection : An angel descends^ and Jesus rises from the Dead: The behaviour of the Jewish rulers there- upon. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, came very early in the morning to visit the sepulchre, in order to embalm our Lord's body : for the performance of which they had, in concert with several other women from Galilee, brought ungu- ents and spices. But before they reached the sepul- chre, there was a great earthquake preceding the most memorable event that ever happened amongst the chil- dren of men, the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead : For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, aud came and rolled back the stone from the door of the sepulchre and sat upon it : his countenance was like lightnings and his raiment white as snow : and for fear of him the keepers did shake, ajid became as dead meji ; they fled into the city and the Saviour of the world rose from the dead. The angel, who had till then sat upon the stone quitted his station, entered into the sepulchre, and probably placed the linen clothes and napkin in the order they were afterwards found and observed by John and Peter. In the mean time, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were still on their way to the sepulchre, together with Salome,, who joined them on the road ; as they proceeded on their way, they consulted amongst them- selves with regard to the method of putting their inten- tion of embalming the body of their beloved master in execution ; particularly with respect to the enor- mous stone which they had seen placed there ^^ ith the LIFE OF CHRIST. 67 utmost difficulty two days before : TFho^ said they, sJiall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? for it xvas very great. But in the midst of their delib- eration about removing this great and sole obstacle to their design (for it does not appear they knew any thing of the guard) they lift up their eyes, and perceived it was already rolled away : alarn;ied at so extraordinary and so unexpected a circumstance, Mary Magdalene concluded, that the stone could not be rolled away witli- out some design ; and that they who rolled it away could have no other design than that of removing our Lord's body : and being convinced by appearances that they 'had really done so, she ran immediately to acquaint Peter and John of what she had seen, and what she suspected ; leaving Mary and Salome tliere, that if the other women should arrive during her absence, they might acquaint them with their surprise at finding the stone rem.oved, and of Mary Magdalene's runjiing to inform the apostles of tlie extraordinary event. The soldiers who were terrified at seeing aji awful messenger from on high, roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and open it in quality of a ser^ 'iant, fled into the city, and informed the Jewish rulers of these miraculous appearances. This account was highly mortifying to the chief priests, as it was a proof of our Saviour's resurrection that could not be denied; they therefore resolved to stifle it immediately ; and ac- cordingly, bribed the soldiers to conceal the real fact, and to publish every where, that his disciples had stolen the body out of the sepulchre. What ! the body taken away while the sepulchre was guarded by Roman sol- diers ? Yes ! the disciples stole the body while the soldiers slept. A story so inconsistent, and which so evidently cai'ries the marks of its own confutation with it, deserves no answer- The priests themselves could not be so stupid as not to foresee what construction the world would put upon the relation of persons, who pre- tend to kno^v and tell what was done while they wciy asleep, and in a state of inseiisibility. NEW AND COMPLETE CHAPTER XLI. ^fhe Speech of the Angel to the JFomen^ hifo7*ming them that Jesus was risen: Peter and John go into the Sepulchre: Christ appears to Mary Magdalene : The company of Women set out a second Time in- Quest of Peter and John : Jesus meets them : Ma- ry Magdalene and the company of Women return from their several Interviews ivith Jesus: Peter runs to the Sepulchre a second Time^ arid as he re- turns sees his great Lord and Master, XlLFTER Mary Magdalene was gone to inform the disciples that the stone was rolled away from the mouth of the sepulchre, and the supposed body taken away, INIary and Salome drew near towards the sepulchre, and at their aiTival found what they expected, the body of their beloved Master gone from the place where it had been deposited b^ Nicodemus and Joseph of Arima- thea; but at the^same time beheld, to their great aston- ishment, a beautiful young man, in shining raiment, very glorious to behold, sitting at the right side of the ^sepulchre. Matthew tells us, that it was the angel who had rolled awa)^ the stone, and frightened away the guards from the sepulchre. It seems he had now laid aside his terrors in which he was then arrayed, and as- sumed the form and dress of a human being, in order that these pious women, "who had accompanied him dur- ing the greatest part of the time of his public ministry, might not be terrified : but, notwithstanding his beauty and benign appearance, they were greatly affrighted, and on the point of turning back when the heavenly mes- senger, to banish their fears, told them, in a gentle ac- cent, that he knew their errand : P^ear not^ said he ; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was cnwified. He is 710 1 here ; for he i$ risen, as he said: and then invited them to come down into the sepulchre, and view the place where the Son of God had lain ; that is, to look on the linen clothes, and the napkin that was about his LIFE OF CHRIST. 69 liead, and which he had left behhid him when he rose from the dead : for to look at the place in any other view would not have tended to confirm their faith of his being risen. Greatly encouraged by the agreeable news, as well as by the sweet accent with which this messenger from the heavenly Canaan delivered his speech, the women went down into the sepulchre, when behold another of the angelic choir appeared. Probably the one sat at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain ; the position in which they appeared to Mary Magdalene afterwards. However, they did not seem to give credit to what was told them by the angels ; and therefore the other gently chid them for seeking the living amongst the dead, with an intention to do him an office due only to the latter, and for not believing what was told them by a messenger from heaven, or rather for not remember- ing the w^ords which their great Master had himself told them with regard to his own resurrection : Why seek ye the hving amongst the dead? He is not here, but is risen : remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying. The son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. After this, when the women had satisfied their curi- osity by looking at the place where our Lord had lain, and where nothing was to be found but the linen clothes, the angel who first appeared to them resumed the dis- course, and bade them to go and tell his disciples, par- ticularly 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 in person. The disciples, it may reasonably be supposed, were ordered to go into Galilee to meet their great and be^ ro NEW AND COMPLETE loved Master, because they were now most of them in Jerusalem, celebrating the passover; audit may easily be imagined that, on the receiving the news of the Lord's resurrection, many, if not all of them, would resolve to tarry in Jerusalem, in expectation of meeting him : a thing which must have proved of great detri- ment to them at that time of the year, when the harvest was about to begin, the sheaf of first fruits being always offered on the second day of the passover-week. In order therefore to prevent their staying so long from home, the message was sent directing them to return to Galilee, with full assurance, that they should there have the pleasure of seeing their great Lord and Mas- ter; and by that means be happily relieved from the suspicion of his being an impostor, which doubtless had arisen in their minds, when they saw him expire on the cross. Hereupon the women, highly elated with the news of their Lord's resurrection, left the sepul- chre immediately, and ran to carry the disciples these glad-tidings. In the mean time, Peter and John, having been in» formed by Mary Magdalene, that the stone was rolled away, and the body of Jesus not to be found, were hastening to the grave, and missed the women who had seen this vision of angels. These disciples being asto- nished at what Mary Magdalene had told them, and de- sirous of having their doubts cleared up, made all the haste possible to the sepulchre ; and John being young- er than Peter, arrived at the sepulchre first, but did not go in, contenting himself with stooping down and see- ing the linen clothes lying which had been wrapped about our Saviour's body. Peter soon arrived, and went into the sepulchre, where he saw the lineii clothes lie ; and the napkin that was about his head^ not lying with the linen clothes^ but wrapped together in a place by itself. It is the opinion of some, that our dear Redeemer folded up the napkin, to shew the perfect calmness and composure with which [he arose, as out of a common LIFE OF CHRIST. rt sleep : but however that be, it is certain that he left the grave clothes in the sepulchre, to shew that his body was not stolen away by his disciples, who in such a case would not have taken time to have stripped it : be- sides, the circumstance of the grave cloathes, disposed the disciples themselves to believe, when the resurrec- tion was related to them ; but at present they had not the least suspicion that he was risen from the dead, as the angels had affirmed. Having thus satisfied themselves that what Mary Magdalene had told them was really true, those two dis- ciples returned to their respective habitations : but Ma- ry continued weeping at the door of the sepulchre : she had, it seems, followed Peter and John to the garden, but did not return with them, being anxious to find the body ; accordingly, stepping down into the sepul- chre to examine it once more, she saw two anj^els sit- ting, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They were now in the same position, as when they appeared to the other wo- men ; but had rendered themselves invisible while Pe- ter and John were at the sepulchre, seeking our Lord. Mary beholding these heavenly messengers dressed in the robes of light, was greatly terrified: but they, in the most endearing accent, asked her, TFomaUy why xveepest thou ? To which she answered. Because they have taken axvay my Lord^ and I know not where they laid him. On pronouncing these ^vords, she turned her- self about, and saw Jesus standing near her; but the terror she was in, and the garments in which he was now dressed, prevented her from knowing him for some time. Jesus repeated the same question used before by the angel. Woman ^ why weepest thou? To which Ma- ry who now supposed him to be the gardener, answered. Sir, if his body was troublesome in the sepulchre, and thou hast removed him, tell me where he is deposited, and I will take him away. But our blessed Saviour willing to remove her anxiety, called her by her name,. 7% NEW AND COMPLETE with his usual tone of voice. On which she immedi- ately knew him ; and falling down before him would have embraced his knees, according to that modesty and rcA erence with which the women of the East salut- ed the men, especially those who were their superiors ill station and dignity. Jesus refused this compliment, telling her, that he was not going immediately into heaven : he was often to shew himself to his disciples before he ascended, so that she would have frequent opportunities of shewing her regard to him : and at the same time, said to her, Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my father, and your father ; and to my God, and your God, Thuscjid the blessed Jesus contemplate with a singular pleasure the work of redemption he had just finished. The happy relation between God and man which had been long cancelled by sin, was now renew- ed: the AlmiQ-htv, who had disowned them on account of their rebellion was again reconciled unto them : he was become their God and Father: 'they were exalted to the honourable relation of Christ's brethren, and the sons of God ; and their father loved them with an alFection far exceeding that of the most tender-hearted parent upon earth. The kindness of this message sent by our dear Re- deemer to his disciples, w^ill appear above all praise, if we remember their late behaviour; they had every one of them forsaken him in his greatest extremity when he was scourged and mocked by the Roman soldiers, derided by his countrymen, and spitefully entreated by all, they hid themselves in some place of .safety, and preferred their own security to the deliverance of their Master : when he fainted under the burden of the cross, not one of them was there to assist him ; Simon, a Cy- renian, was compelled by the Roman soldiers to ease him of his pondrous burden. But notwithstanding they had refused to assist their Master during his suf- ferings for the sins of the world, he graciously, he freely LIFE OF CHRIST. rs for^^ave them; be assured them of their pardon, and even called them by the endearing name of brethren, notwithstanding their former slighting conduct. We cannot help observing that there is something very remarkable in this part of the history : none of the apostles or male disciples were honoured with the first visions of the angels, or with the immediate news of the resurrection of the Son of God, much less with the appearance of Jesus himself. The an- gels in the sepulchre kept themselves invisible all the time that Peter and John were observing the linen clothes and satisfying themselves that the body of their Master was not there : perhaps the male disci- ples in general were treated with this mark of disre^ spect, both because they had, with shameful coward- ice, forsaken their Master when he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies, and because their faith was •so weak that they had absolutely despaired of his being the Messiah, when they saw him expire on the cross: but how different was that conduct of the women! Laying aside the weakness and timidity natural to their sex, they shewed an uncommon magnanimity on this melancholy occasion; for in contradiction to the whole nation, who, with one voice required Jesus to be crucified as a deceiver, they proclaimed his inno- cence by tears? cries, and lamentations, when they saw him led forth to suffer on mount Calvary ; accom- panied him to the cross, the most hifamous of all pun- ishments; kindly waited on him in his expiring mo- ments, giving him all the consolation in their power, though at the same time the sight of his sufferings pierced them to the heart ; and when he expired, and was carried off, they accompanied him" to his grave; not despairing, though they found he had not deliver- ed himself, but to appearance was conquered by death the universal enemy of mankind. Perhaps these pi- ous women entertained some faint hopes that he would still revive; or, if they did not entertain expectations of that kind, they at least cherished a strong degree VOL. ii: . K. 74 NEW AND COIVIPLETE of love for their Lord, and determined to do him all possible honour. It may be observed* a faith so remarkably strorTg, a love so ardent, and a fortitude so unshaken, could not fail of receiving distinguishing tokens of the divine approbation; and they wgyg accordingly honoured with the nevi^s of Christ's resurrection before the male dis- ciples had their eyes cheered with the first sight of their beloved Lord, aftpr he arose from the chambers of the grave ; so that they preached the joyful tidings of his resurrection to the apostles themselves. But there seems to have been other reasons why. our great Re- deemer shewed himself first to the women : the thoughts of the apostles were constantly fixed on a temporal kingdom, and they had wrested all his words into an agreement wMth that favourite notion ; and whatever they could not construe as consonant to that opinion, they seemed either to have disbelieved or dis- regarded. Notwithstanding Jesus had foretold his own suffer- ing no less than seven different times, the apostles were astonished above measure when they saw him expire on the cross. Immortality and terrestrial do- minion were, according to their notion, the character- istics of the Messiah -, for which reasen, when they found that instead of establishing himself in the pos- session of the univeiTsal empire, he had neither deliv- ered himself from an handful of enemies, nor even from death, they gave over all hopes of his being the Messiah : and as for his resurrection, they seem not to have entertained the least notion of it ; so that, when the news of this great event was brought to them, they considered it as an idle tale. But not so the wo- men; they were more submissive to their Master's in- structions, and consequently were much better pre- pared for seeing him after his resurrection than the apostles : for though they did not expect that he would rise from' the * dead, yet they were not prejudiced against it. iAi'E OF CliRTST. fii The apostles, on the other hand, not^only absolutely rejected the matter at first, as a thing incredible, but even afttr they were acquainted with the accounts the soldiers had given of this transaction : nay, alter they had seen the blessed Jesus himself, some of them were so unreasonable as still to doubt. How much rather then would their incredulity have led them to suspect his appearing as an illusion, had he shewed himself to them ! These reports led them to recollect the arguments proper for disposing them to believe ; particularly the prophecies that had been so often de- livered in their own hearing, concerning his resurrec- tion. Hence the angels, when they told this event to the women, and desired them to carry the news of it to his disciples, put them in mind of the predictions Jesus himself had made, as a confirmation of it. Hence we also see the reason why Jesus, before he made himself known to the disciples at Emmaus, prepared them for a discovery, by expounding to them on the road, the several prophecies concerning the Messiah, contained in the Old Testament, which hitherto they had little attended to, or did not understand. The company oPwomen we have observed, return- ed to the city, while Peter, John, and Mary Magda- lene, were at the sepulchre. On their arrival they told as many of the disciples as they could find, that they had seen at the sepulchre a vision of angels, who as- sured them that Jesus was risen from the dead. This new information astonished the disciples exceedingly : and as they had before sent Peter and John to exam- ine into the truth of what Mary Magdalene had told them concerning the body's being removed out of the sepulchre, so they now judged it highly proper to send some of their number to see the angels, and learn from them the joyful tidings ofthat great transaction of wliich the women had given them an account. That this was really the case, appears from what the disci- ples, in their journey to Emmaus, told their great Lord ^-k1 Master; namely that when the women came and 76 MEW AND COMPLETE told them that they had seen a vision of angels, cer- tain of their number went to the sepulchre, and found it even as the women had said, but saw not«jEsus. We may venture to affirm, that this second deputa- tion from the apostles did not go alone ; for as Mary Magdalene returned with Peter and John, who w^ent to examine the truth of her information, so the women who brought an account of the vision of angels, in all probability returned with those who were sent to be witnesses of the truth of their report : besides curiosity they had an errand thither. The angels had expressly ordered them to tell the new^s to Peter in particular; for which reason, when they understood that he was gone to the sepulchre, it is natural to think they w^ould return with the disciples to seek him. About the time that the disciples and women set out for the sepul- chre, Peter and John reached the city, but passing through a different street did not meet their brethren in the way. Having a great desire to reach the sepulchre, the disciples soon left the women behind, and just as they arrived, Mary Magdalene having seen the Lord, was coming away ; but they did not meet her, because they entered the garden at one door, while she was coming out at an another. When they came to the sep- ulchre, they saw^ the angels, and received from them the news of their blessed Master's resurrection , for St. Luke tells us, theyfoimd it even as the women had said. Highly elated with their success, they departed and ran back to the city, with such expedition, that they gave an account of what they had seen in the hearing of the two disciples, before Mary Magdalene arrived. Nor will their speed appear at all incredible if we consider that the nature of the tidings the apos- tles had to carry gave them wings, as it were, to m.ake their brethren partakers of their joy at this surprising event. LIFE OF CHRIST. V The comply of women who followed the disci- ples, happening, in the mean time, to meet Peter and John, went forward in quest of them : but they had not gone far from the sepulchre, before Jesus himself met them, and said, Alt hail ! On which they approached their great Lord and Master, held him by thejett and zvorshipped him. This favour of embrac- ing his knees, Jesus had before refused to Mary Mag- dalene, because it was not then necessary ; but he granted it to the women, because the angel's words having strongly impressed theirmindswith the notion of his resurrection, they might have taken his appearance for an illusion of their own imagination, had he not permitted them to handle him, and convince them- selves by united reports of their senses ; besides, if our Lord intended that Mary Magdaleife should go away as fast as possible, and publish the news, he might hinder her from embracing his knees, to prevent her loosing any time before she returned. These pious women having tarried some time with Jesus on the road, did not arrive with the joyful ti- dings of their great Master's resurrection, till some time after Peter and John ; and perhaps were over- taken by Mary Magdalene on the road, unless we sup- pose that she arrived a few minutes before them. But be that as it may, this is certain, that they arrived ei- ther at or near the same time; so that their accounts of this miraculous event tended to confirm each other's belief of it. The relation of the women having filled the disci- ples with astonishment, they considered the account they had before given them, ot their having seen a vi- sion of angels, as an idle tale, and now they stem to have considered this as' something worse ; for the evangelist tells us, theij believed not. Peter, indeed, to whom the angel sent the message, w^as disposed by his sanguine temper to give a little more credit to their words than the rest : possibly because the messengers rs NEW AND COMPLETE from the heavenly Canaan, had done ]||m the honour , of naming him in particular. Elated with the respect paid him in particular, he immediately repaired again to the sepulchre; hoping, in all probability, that his Master would appear to him, or at least the angel, who had so particularly distinguished him from the rest of his brethren. When Peter arrived at the sepulchre, he stooped down; and seeing the linen clothesjying in the same manner as before, he viewed their position, the form in which they were laid, and returned wondering greatly in himself at that zvJiich ivas come to pass. In all probability, it was now that Peter was favoured with the sight of his Master. 1 Cor. xv. 5 ; for the evangelist tells u5, that it happened on the day of our blessed Saviour's resurrection. LIFK OF CHRIST. 79 CHAPTER XLIL Jesus appears to fzvo of his Disciples on the Road to Emmaus : He appears to his apostles on the Eve- ning of the Resurrection^ Thomas being absent : He appears again to the Apostles, and convinces Thomas : Shews himself to his Disciples at the Sea of Tiberi- as; and to Jive hjmdred of the Brethren in Galilee, !l^ OT long after the womens' first return to the dis- ciples with the news that they had seen a vision of an- gels, who told them,that Jesus was risen from the dead, two of the brethren departed on their journey to a vil- lage called Em maus, about two miles distant from Je- rusalem. Hie concern they were in on account of the death of their great and beloved Master, was sufficient- ly visible in their countenances ; and as they pursued their journey talking with one another, and debating about the things that had lately happened amongst them, concerning the life and doctrine, the sufferings and death of the holy Jesus, and of the report that was just spread amongst his disciples, of his being that very morning risen from the dead, Jesus himself overtook them, and joined their company. Appearing like a stranger, they did not in the least suspect,%iat their fellow-traveller was the great Re- deemer of men. He soon entered into discourse with them, by inquiring what event had so closely engaged them in conversation, and why they appeared so sor- rowful and dejected, as if they had met with some heavy disappointment or sore affliction ? Cleopas, one of the disciples, being surprised at the question, replied, is it possible that you can be so great a stranger to the affairs of the w^orld, as to have been at Jerusalem, and not have heard the surprising events that have happened there : events that have astonish- ed the whole city, and are now the constant topic oi ^RP^ 80. Kew and complete conversation amongst all the inhabitants? Jesus an- swered, what surprising events do you mean ? To which Cleopas replied, The transactions which have happened concerning Jesus of Nazareth, w^ho ap- peared as a great prophet and teacher sent from God j and accordingly was highly venerated amongst the people, for the excellency of his doctrine, and the num* ber, benefit, and greatness of his miracles. Our chief priests and elders, therefore, envwig him as one who lessened their authority over the^ople, apprehended him, and found means to put him to death ; but we firmly believed he would have proved himself the Mes- siah, or great deliverer : and this persuasion we a long time supported, nor were we willing to abandon it, even when we saw him put to death : but it is now three days since these things were done, and therefore begin to fear we were mistaken concerning him. A thing indeed happened this very morning, which extremely surprises us, and we are very solicitous with regard to the event. Some women who had enter- tained the same hopes and expectations as we, going early in the morning to pay their last duties to their Master, by embalming his body, returned with great haste to the city, and informed us that they had been at the sepulchre, but were disappointed of finding the body ; and to increase our surprise, they added, that they had seen a vision of angels who told W^m that Jesus was risen from the dead. This relation ap- peared at first to us an idle tale, altogether incredi- ble ; but two of the company going immediately after to the sepulchre, found every thing exactly as the wo- men had reported ; they saw the angels, but heard not any thing of the body — so that we are still in doubt and perplexity with regard to this wonderful event, and what the end of these things will be. Jesus re- plied, why are ye so very averse to believe that all the prophets have with one voice predicted concerning the Messiah ? Is It not clearly, and very expressly fore- told, in all the prophetic writings, that it was ap- .- LIFE OF CHRIST. |1 pointed by the council of Omnipotence for the Mes- siah to suffer in this manner, and that after sustaining the greatest indignities, reproach and contempt from the malice and perverseness of mankind, and even un- dergoing an ignominious and cruel death, to be ex- alted to a glorious and eternal kingdom. After hav- ing said this, he began at the w^ritings of Moses, and explained to them in order, all the principal passages, both in the books of that great legislator, and the wri- tings of the other prophets, relating to his own suffer- ings, death, and glorious resurrection, as predicted of him. This he did, with such surprising plainness, clearness and strength, that the two disciples, not yet suspecting who he was, were as much amazed to find a stranger 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. They were also as- tonished to hear him interpret and apply the Scriptures to their present purpose, with such readiness and con- vincing clearness of argument, as carried with it a strange and unusual authority and efficacy. When there- fore they came to the village whither they were going, and Jesus seemed as if he would have passed on and tra- velled further, they, desirous of his company, pressed him in the strongest manner, to tarry with them that night, as it was then late in the evening. The great Redeemer of mankind consented to this request, and when they w^ere sat down to supper, he took bread, and gave thanks to God, and brake it, and gave it to them in the same manner he used to do while he conversed with them upon earth before his death. This engaged their attention, and looking stedfastly on him, they perceived it was their great and beloved Master : but they had then no time to express their joy and astonishment to their benevolent Redeemer 5 for he vanished out of their sight immedi- ately. VOL, ii; L 53 NEW AND COMPLETE ^ No sooner did they perceive that their Master was departed, than they said one to another, How slow and stupid were we before, not to know him on the road while he explained to us the Scriptures; when be- sides the affability of his discourse, and the strength and clearness of his arguments, we perceived such an authority in what he said, and such a powerful effica- cy attending his words, and striking our hearts with affection, as we could not but have known, if we had not been remarkably stupid, to have been the very same that used to accompany his teaching, and was peculiar to our dear Master, who spake as never man spoke. After this surprising event, they did not think pro- per to stay any longer in Emmaus, but returned that very night to Jerusalem and found the apostles, with several other disciples, discoursing about the resurrec- tion of their Master ^ and on their entering the room, the disciples accosted them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon, The reports of the women were little credited, sup- posing they were occasioned more by imagination than reality: but when a person of Simon's capacity and gravity declared he had seen the Lord, they be- gan to think that he was really risen from the dead, 'J heir belief of this was greatly confirmed by the ar- rival of the two disciples from Emmaus, who declar- ed to their brethren, how Jesus had appeared to them on the road and how they discovered him to be their Master, by his breaking of bread, when he sat down to supper with them. Durins: this conversation of the disciples from Em- maus, describing the manner ot the appearmg or Je- sus to them, and offering arguments to convince those who doubted the truth of it, their great Masterhimself put an end to the debate, by standing in the midst ot them, and saying, Peace be unto ijou. LIFE OF CHRIST. ^% The- disciples were greatly terrified at this appear- ance of our blessed Saviour, supposing they had seen a spirit ; for as they had secured the doors of the house where they were assembled for fear of the Jews, and Jesus having opened the locks, by his miraculous pow- er, without the knowledge of any in the house, it was natural for them to think that a spiritual substance only could enter. The circumstance therefore of the doors being shut, is very happily mentioned by Sr. John ; because it suggests a reason why the disciples took their Master for a spirit, notwithstanding many of them were convinced that he was really risen from the dead, and were that moment conversing about the event. However, to dispel their fears and doubts; Jesus came forward, spake to them in the most endearing accent, shewed them his hands and his feet, and de- sired them to handle him, in order to convince them- selves, by the united report of their different senses, that it was he himself, and no spectre or apparition : JVhij are ye troubled, said the benevolent Redeemer ot mankind, and zv/iy do thoughti> arise in your hearts ? Behold vuj hands and my feet, that it is I myself : han- dle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have, Luke xxiv. 38, 39. By these infallible proofs, the disciples were suffi- ciently convinced of the truth of their Lord's resur- rection, and they received him with rapture and exul- tation : but their joy and wonder had so great an ef- fect on 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: Je- sus therefore knowing their thoughts, called tor meat, and eat with them, in order to prove more fully, the truth of his resurrection from the dead, and the reality ^>f his presence with them at this time. When Jests had given this further occular demonstration ot his Slaving vanquished the power of death, and opened U NEW AND COMPLETE the tremendous portals of the grave, he again repeated his salutation. Peace be itnto you ; adding, The same commission that my Father hath given unto me, I give unto you: go ye therefore into every part of the w^orld, and preach the gospel to all the children of men. Then breathing on them, he said, receive ye the Holy Ghost^ to direct and assist you in the execution of your commission: whosoever 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 whosoever either obsti- nately rejects your doctrine, disobeys it, or behaves himself unworthily, after he hath embraced it, his sins shall not be forgiven him; but the censure ye shall pass upon him on earth, shall be confirmed in heaven to his condemnation. At this meeting of the apostles, Thomas, otherwise called Didymus, was absent; nor did this happen without the special direction of Providence, that the particular and extraordinary satisfaction which was af- terwards granted him, might be an abundant and un- deniable testimony of the truth of our blessed Sa- viour*s resurrection, to all succeeding generations. The rest of the apostles therefore told him, that they had seen the Lord, and repeated to him the words he had delivered in their hearing : but Thomas replied, 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 my own hands, put- ting my fingers into the print of the nails whereby he was fastened to the cross, and thrusting my hand into his side which the soldier pierced with his spear; I will not believe that he is risen from the dead in reali- ty and truth as ye affirm. We have now enumerated, in the most explicit manner, the transactions of that day, on which the great Redeemer of mankind arose from the dead ; a day highly to be remembered by the children of men>' UFE OF CHRIST. 85 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 salva- tion of the world depended. Christians have, there- fore, the highest reason to solemnize this day with gladness, each returning week, by ceasing from their labour, and giving up themselves to prayer, pious med- itations, and other exercises of religion. The redemp^ tion of mankind, which they weekly commemorate, affords matter of eternal thought; it is a subject im- possible to be equalled, and whose lustre, neither length of time, nor frequent reviewing can either tar- nish or diminish: it resembles the sun, which we be- hold always the same glorious and luminous object; for the benefit we celebrate is, after so many ages, as fresh and beautiful as ever, and will always continue the same, flourishing in the memories of all reasonable beings through the endless revolutions of eternity. Re- demption is the brightest mirror in which we contem- plate the goodness of the Almighty, other gifts are only mites from the divine treasury; but redemption opens, we had almost said exhausts, all the stores of grace. May it be constantly the favourite subject of our med- itations, more delightful to our musing minds, than ap- plause to the ambitious ear ! May it be the darling theme of our discourses; sweeter to our tongues than the droppings 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, and upon the \crge of the grave ! After our great Redeemer had been risen eight days from the dead, he shewed himself again to his disci- ples while Thomas was with them, and upbraided that disciple for his unbelief: but knowing that it did not, like that of the Pharisees, proceed from a wicked mind, but from an honest heart, and a sincere desire ot be- ing satisfied of the truth, he addressed himself parti- 86 NEW AND COMPLETE cularly to this doubting disciple: Thomas, said be,- since thou wilt not be contented to rely on the testi- mony of others, but must be convinced by the expe- rience of thy own senses, behold the wounds in my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and doubt no longer of the reality of my resur- rection from the tomb. The incredulous disciple immediately obeyed the kind invitation of his Master; and being fully satisfied according to his own desire, he cried out, I am abun- dantly convinced thou art indeed my Lord, the very same that was crucified ; and I acknowledge thy al- mighty power, in having triumphed over death, and worship thee as my God and Saviour. The blessed Jesus replied, Because thou hast both seen and felt me, Thomas, thou hast believed that I am really risen from the dead. Blessed are they who without such evidence of the senses, shall, upon cred- ible testimony, be willing to believe and embrace a doctrine, which tends so greatly to the glory of God, and the salvation of mankind. The blessed Jesus appeared, according to St. John, on several other occasions to his disciples after his re- surrection ; and by many infallible proofs, not men- tioned by the evangelists, fully convinced them, that he was alive after his passion: but that those which are mentioned, are abundantly sufiicient to induce men to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the great Messiah so often foretold by the ancient pro- phets; and that by means of that belief, they mav ob^ tain everlasting life, in the happy regions of the hea- venly Canaan, and there adore and praise him for ever. Jesus having first by the angels, and afterwards in person, ordered his disciples to repair to their respec- tive habitations in Galilee, it is reasonable to think LIFE OF CHRIST. 37 thev would leave Jerusalem as soon as possible. This they accordingly did, and on their arrival at their re- spective places of abode, applied themselves to their usual occupations; and the apostles returned to their old trade of fishing on the lake of Tiberius. Here they were toiling with their nets very early in the morning, and saw Jesus standing on the shore, but did not then know him to be their Master, as it was some- thing dark, and they at a considerable distance from him. He, however, called to them, and asked if they had taken any fish; to which they answered, they had caught nothing : he then desired them to let down their nets on the right side of the boat, and they should not be disappointed. The disciples imagining that he might be acquainted with the places proper for fishing, did as he had directed them, and enclosed in their net so vast a multitude of fishes, that they w^ere not able to draw it into the boat, but w^ere forced to drag it after them in the water towards the land. They had toiled, it seems, all the preceding night to no purpose; and therefore such remarkable success could not fail of causing various conjectures amongst them, with regard to a stranger on the shore, who had given them such happy advice. Some of the disciples declared they could not imagine who he w^as; but others were persuaded, that this person was no other than their great and beloved Master. John w^as fully convinced of his being the Lord, and accordingly told his thoughts to Simon Peter; who making no doubt of it, girt on his fisher's 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 such large fishes as were almost ready to sink it. The disciples, when they came ashore, found a fire kindled, and on it a fish broiling, and near it some bread: but neither being sufiicient for the company, Jesus bid them bring some of the fis'; thev had now raugbt, and invited them to eat w ith him. Thus did QB NEW AND COMPLETE the blessed Jesus prove again to his disciples the reali- ty of his resurrection, not only by eating with them, but by working a miracle, like that which, at the be- ginning of his ministry, had made such an impression upon them, as disposed them to be his constant follow* ers. This was the third time that Jesus appeared pub- licly to a great number of his disciples in a body, be- sides his shewing himself to particular persons, upon special occasions and at divers times. After they had eaten, Jesus reminded Peter how diligent^ and zealous he ought to be, in order to wipe off the stain of his denying him, when he was carried before the high-priest: Simony son of Jonas^ said our blessed Saviour to him, art thou more zealous and af- fectionate in thy love towards me than the rest of my disciples ? To which Peter answered, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He was taught modesty and diffidence by his late fall ; and therefore, would not compare himself with others, but humbly appealed to his Master's omniscience for the sincerity of his regard to him. Jesus answered, Express then thy love to- wards me by the care of my flock committed to thy charge : Feed my lambsyfeed my sheep. I well know indeed, continued the blessed Jesus, that thou wilt continue my faithful shepherd even until death : for the time will come, when thou, who now girdest on thy fishers' coat voluntarily, and stretchest out thy hands to come to me, shalt in thine old age be girt by others, and forced to stretch out thy hands against thy will, in a very different manner, for the sake of thy constant profession of my religion. Jesus, by these last words, signified the manner of Peter's death, and that he should finally suflfer martyr- dom for the glory of God, and the testimony of the truth of the Christian religion, which he had been in- strumental in propagating to the world. The disciples being now about to meet their great LIFI': OF CHUIST, f>9 Lord and Master, according- to the message he had sent them by the women, and having*, in all probability, ap- pointed this meeting at some former appearance, not mentioned by the evangelists, the brethren set out for the mountain in Galilee, perhaps that on which he \\\is transfigured. Here five hundred of them were gathered together, waiting the joyful sight of their great mas- ter, after he had triumphed over death and the grave ; some of them not having yet seen him alter his resur- rection from the dead. The disciples did not wait long before Jesus ap- peared, on which they were seized with rapture; and with hearts overflowing with gladness, they approached their kind, their benevolent Master, and ^vorshipped him. Some few, indeed, doubted, it being a thing- agreeable to nature for men to be afraid to believe what they vehemently wish, lest they should indulge them- selves in false joys, which vanish like the morning cloud. But Jesus afterwards appeared frequently to them, and gave all of them fuJl satisfaction, and instructed theni in many things relating to their preaching the gospel, establishino: the church, and sDreadiu"* it throui^'h the. known world. Our blessed Saviour, either at his appearance on tlic- mountain, or some subsequent appearance, not men- tioned by the evangelists, probably ordered them to re- turn to Jerusalem, as he proposed to ascend visibly into heaven from the top of the mount of Olives. \ OL. 11 9a NEW AND COMPLETE CHAPTER XLIIL Jesus ascends into Heaven : The p7'-wcipal Argume7its of the Deists against our blessed Saviour^s Resur- 7'ectwn considered and refuted: Reflections on the Life and Doctrine of our great Redeemer. x\BOUT twelve days before the feast of Pentecost, called in the law the feast of weeks, and nearly forty days after our blessed Saviour arose from the dead, the disciples repaired to Jerusalem, probably in conformity to a command given them by their great Master at one, of his appearances ; unless we suppose they went up to that city, in order to purify and prepare themselves for the solemnity now approaching. However that may be, the blessed Jesus made his last appearance here to his apostles : and, after instruct- ing them in many particulars concerning the kingdom of God, and the manner they were to behave them- selves in propagating the doctrine of the gospel, he put them in mind that, during his abode with them in Gal» ilee, he had often told them, that all things written in the iaw^, the prophets, and the Psalms concerning him, were to be exactly accomplished. At the same time, he opened their understandings, that is, he removed their prejudices by the operation of his spirit, cleared their doubts, improved their memories, strengthened their judgments, and enabled them to discern the true meaning of the Scriptures respecting his divine mis- sion. Being thus qualified by him for receiving the truth, he again assured them both that Moses and the prophets had foretold that the Messiah \vas to suffer in tlie very manner he had suffered, that he was to rise from the dead on the third day, as he had done, and that repentance and remission of sins was to be preached in the Mes- IJFE OF CHRIST. 91 tiiah's name amongst all nations, beginning ^\•ith the Jews at Jerusalem. After this, he delivered unto them their commission, to preach the doctrine of repentance and remission of sins in his name amongst all nations, and to testify un- to the world the exact accomplishment in him of all things foretold concerning the INIessiah; and, to enable them to perform this important work, promised to be- stow on them the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, which he called the promise of his Father; because the Al- mighty had promised them by his prophets in the Old Testament. Being thus fortified for the important work they were going to undertake, he led them on to the Mount of Olives as fai' as Bethany ; w^here, standing on a hill above the town, he told them that he was now raised to the government. of heaven and earth ; for which reason they might go courageously through all the world, and preach the gospel to every rational creature; assuring themselves that affairs in all countries should be so or- dered, as to dispose the inhabitimts for the reception of the gospel ; that they who believed, were to be admit- ted into his church by the rite of baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and to be taught, in consequence of their baptism, to obey all the precepts he had enjoined them: that such baptised be- lievers should receive pardon of their sins, together with eternal life in the happy mansions of his Father's kingdom; but that those who refused to embrace the doctrines of the gospel, sliould be forever excluded those happy regions, and have their portion in tlie lake that burnetii with fire and brimstone; that while they were employed in this work, he Avould be w'lih them to the end of the world, to guide them by his counsel, to assist them by his Spirit, and to protect them by his providence. Finally, that those who should, througli their preacliing, be induced to believe, should them- ^4ve^ W9rk most astonishing miracles, by which tli^ t2 NEW AND COMPLLTE gospel should be propagated with the greatest rapidity and success. After Jesus had spoken these things, he lifted up his jiands and blessed them ; and in the action of blessing them, he was parted from them in the midst of the day, a shining cloud receiving him out of their sight : that is, this brilliant cloud encompassed him about, and carried him up to heaven, not suddenly, but at leisure, that they might behold him departing and see tlie proof of his having come down from heaven, as he had promised them. The blessed Jesus ascended in a cloud which was more bright and pure than the clearest lambent flame, being no other than the Shechinah, or glory of the Lord, the visible symbol of the divine Presence which had so often appeared to the patriarchs of old, which filled the temple at its dedication, and which, in its greatest splendour, cannot be beheld with mortal eyes ; for which reason, it is called the light inaccessible in which the Almighty resides, and with which he is sur- rounded* It was probably on this occasion that our Lord's body was changed, acquiring the glories of immortality, perhaps in the presence of his disciples, who stedfastly beheld him as he mounted from the earth. And as he ascended, the flaming cloud that surrounded him mark- ed his passage througli the air, but gradually lost its magnitude in the eyes of those who stood below, till at last it vanished, together with their beloved Master out of their sight ; for he w^as received up where the Divine Being manifests himself in a peculiar manner, and was set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high ; all power in heaven and earth being now given him : and this universal government he will hold, till he establishes the dominion of righteousness, when he will deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Fathei^ thai God may be all in oil, 1 Cor. xv. 28. LIIE OF CHRIST. 9^ I'hus did the great Redeemer of mankind depart in a most illustrious manner, after having finished the grand work which he left the bosom of his Father to execute ; a w^ork which God himself in the most re- motest eternity contemplated with pleasure, which angels with joy described as to happen, and which through all eternity to come, shall at periods the most immensely distant from the time of its execution be looked back upon with inexpressible delight by every inhabitant of heaven ; for though the minute affairs of time may vanish altogether and be lost, when they arc removed far back by the endless progression of dura^ tion, this object is such, that no distance, however great, can lessen it : the kingdom of heaven is erected on the incarnation and sufferings of the Son of God, the kingdom and city of the Almighty comprehending all the virtuous beings in the universe, made happy by goodness and love ; and, therefore, none of them can never forget the foundation on which their happiness stands established : the human species in particular, recovered by the labour of the Son of God will view their deliverer, and look back on his stupendous un- dertaking with the highest rapture while they are feast- ing without interruption, on its delicious fruits : the rest of the members of the city of God will contem- plate it w^ith perpetual pleasure, as the happy means of recovering their kindred that were lost; possibly the grand confirmation of the whole rational system in sub- jection to him who reigned for ever, whose favour is better than life itself, and at whose right-hand there arc pleasures for evermore. We have now followed our dear Redeemer through all the transactions of his life, and enlarged on the stu- pendous miracles of his resurrection, as the whole Clii*istian doctrine is founded on that crlorious event. And it is abundantly evident from this history, that our blessed Saviour shewed himself to his disciples and friends only, not to the Jews in general. This circum- stance gave Spinoza a pretence for raising an objection n NEW AND COMPLETE which his disciples have considered as the strongest ai> gument against our Lord's resurrection. ' If, say they, he really rose from the dead, to have shewed him- self to his enemies as well to his friends, would have put the truth of his resurrection beyond all doubt, than which nothing could be more necessary to the cause of Christianity ; and therefore, the supposition of his hav- ing confined his appearances, after his resurrection to a few select friends, renders the affair extremely suspi- cious and unworthy of credit.' This argument, however plausible it may appear at first sight, is destitute of the least force ; because it may be demonstrated, that if Jesus had shewed him- self to his enemies, and to all the people in general, these appearances, instead of putting the truth of his resurrection bevond all doubt, would have weakened the evidence of it, at least in after ages ; and, conse- quently, have been of infinite prejudice to mankiixl — for upon the supposition that our blessed Saviour had shewed himself openly, one of these two things must necessarily have happened; either his enemies, sub- mitting to the evidence of their senses, would have be- lieved his resurrection, or, resisting that evidence, they would reject it altogether. Wc shall begin with taking the latter into consideration. Its very evident, that those enemies of the Q-reat Re- deemer of mankind, who resisted the evidence of their Menses, or who, though really convinced, would not ac- knowledge their conviction, must have justified their disbelief by affirming that the person who appeared to them as risen from the dead, was not Jesus whom the Roman governor had crucified, but an impostor who personated him. On any other foundation their infi- delity would have been ridiculous and absurd ; but, if the unbelieving Jews, by our Lord's appearing per- sonally to them, would have been laid under a necessity of denying the reality of his resurrection, even though persuaded of it in their own minds, the evidence4)f flict LIFE OF CHRIST. 5J could have gained nothing by such public appearances; because the generality of the Jews Av^ere not capable of passing a judgment upon the falsehood which C pi r i s t' s enemies must have made use of to support their denial of his resurrection, being unacquainted with Jesus, they could not certainly tell whether he was really the person whom the Romans had crucified. His apostles, disciples, and acquaintance, who, by their long attend- ance on him, knew his stature, shape, air, voice, and manner, were the only proper persons by whose de- termination the point in dispute could be decided ; con- sequently, if our Lord had appeared to all the people, if any considerable number of his enemies had continu- ed in their infidelity, the whole stress of the evidence of his resurrection must have rested on the evidence of the very persons who according to the plan pitched upon by Providence, bear witness to it now, and upon whose testimony the world has believed it : so that instead of gaining an additional evidence by the proposed method of shewing Jesus publicly to all the people, w^e should have had nothing to trust but the testimony of his disciples, and that clogged with the incumbrance that his resurrection was denied by niany to whom he appeared, and who were not convinced by the testimony of their senses. In the second place, it may be supposed that in case our blessed Saviour had shewed himself publicly, the whole nation of the Jews must have believed, and that future generations would thus have had the fullest evi-^ dence of the truth of his resurrection, beyond all possi- bility of a doubt. However, this will not appear to be the case, if we con^ sider, that the greatest part of our Lord's enemies hav- ingnot given themselves the trouble of attending him of- ten, cannot be supposed to have been so well acquaint- ed with his person as to know him with certainty; for which reason, though he had shewed himself to'them, even their belief ©f his resurrection must, in a great 90 NEW AND COINIPLEIE measure, have depended on the testimony of his disci- ples and friends : if so, it is not very probable that his appearing publicly would have had any great effect on the Jews, to persuade them to embrace a crucified Messi- ah. It is far more reasonable to believe, that they would have rejected the whole, and continued in their infidelity, unless a divine power interposed to remove tlie veil from their hearts. In order to give the argument all the force the De- ists can desire, let us further suppose, that, in conse- quence of our blessed Saviour's appearing to all the people of the Jews, the nation in general would have been convinced of the truth of his resurrection, and become his disciples ; what advantage would the cause of Christianity have reaped from such eifects of om* Lord's public appearance ? Would the evidence of his resurrection, have become thereby the more unques- tionable? or would the modern infidels have been the better disposed to believe in this crucified Je- sus? By no means: for we do not find that men of this class are at all the more ready to believe the miracles of Moses in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the Wilderness, because the whole nation were wit- nesses of them. The truth is, had our blessed Re- deemer persuaded all the people of the Jews, by ap- peai^ing personally to them, the objections against his resurrection would have been ten times more numer- ous and forcible than they are at present; for would not the whole have been called a state-trick, a Jewish i'able, a mere political contrivance, to patch up their broken credit, after they had so long talked of a Mes- siah, who was to come at that time? Besides, we should certainly have been told, that the government being engaged in the plot, a fraud of this kind might have easily been carried on, especially as the people in gene- ral would eagerly fall in with it; because it was so ex- actly adapted to their prejudices, and because the fe^v who had sagacity enough to detect the fraud, could have no opportunity of examining into it; or, if they LIFE OF CHRIST. 97 did examine and detect the fraud, would not have dared to make any discovery of it, in opposition to the whole weight of the state : so that they would let it pass quietly, without once calling it in question. The resurrection of our great Redeemer universally believed amongst the Jews, and published to the world by the unanimous voice of the nation would, to say the truth, have been liable to an infinite number of objec- tions, which are all effectually cut off by the method made choice of by the wisdom of Providence ; for as the people in general, and the rulers in particular, continued in their infidelity, the persons concerned in this supposed fraud, must have carried it on under the greatest disadvantages. The reason is, that instead of making^ manv friends to assist them, which a fraud of this kind requires, all men were their enemies, and interested to discover the cheat. The Jewish rulers, in particular gave all possible encouragement to make the strictest scrutiny into the fact, and into all its cir- cumstances ; and many doubtless, zealously made the inquiry with the utmost exactness. The apostles who preached the resurrection, exposed themselves to the fiercest resentment of the men in power ; because the resurrection of our great Redeemer cast the greatest reflection upon those who had put him to death. It should also be remembered, that if the generality of the nation had not continued in their unbelief, the apostles, who preached the resurrection, would not have suflfered these persecutions, which in every coun- try were raised against them, chiefly by the Jews ; and consequently one of the strongest arguments for the truth of their testimony would have been wanting : whereas, by their having been persecuted to death for their preaching the resurrection of their great Master, they fully demonstrated how sincerely they believed the great fact which they preached, in continual jeop- ardv of their lives, notwithstanding; the virulent malice and restless persecution of their enemies. VOL. ii. N 9^ NEW AND COMPLETE We have thus endeavored to ansv^^er, in the plainest and most satisfactory manner, the principal objection made by the Deists against the truth of our blessed Saviour*s resurrection ; and shall conclude this chapter with 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 uni- verse was called from its original chaos, by the power- ful word of the Almighty, which spake it into being. As the human character of the blessed Jesus results from the accounts given of him by the evangelists (for they have not formally drawn it up) so it is entirely different from that of all other men whatsoever ; for whereas 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 in- fluenced by very different motives ; the present hap- piness and eternal welfare of sinners regulated his con- duct; and while others followed their respective oc- cupations, 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, in every act of his life. Persons of the most exalted faculties are apt to be elated with success and applause, or dejected by cen- sure and disappointments: but the blessed Jesus was never elevated by the one, nor depressed by the other ; he 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 grand- est purpose that ever was formed, that of saving from< LIFE OF CHRIST. 99 eternal perdition, not a single nation, but the whole world ; and in the execution of it, went through the longest and heaviest train of labours that ever was sus- tained, with a constancy and resolution, on which no disadvantageous impression could be made by any ac- cident whatever : calumny, threatenings, bad success, with many other evils constantly attending him, served only to quicken his endeavors in this glorious enter- prise, which he unweariedly pursued, even till he finished it by his death on the cross. Mankind are prone to retaliate injuries received, and seem to take a satisfaction in complaining of the cruelties of those who oppress them ; whereas, the whole of Christ's labours breathed nothing but meek^ ness, patience, and forgiveness, even to his bitterest enemies, and in ihe midst of the most excruciating torments. The words Father, forgive theniyfor they know not what they do, uttered by him when his ene- mies 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 provo- cations. The truth is, he never signified on any occa- sion, the least resentment by speech or action, nor in- deed any emotion of mind whatever, except such as flowed from pity and charity ; consequently such only as expressed the deepest concern for the welfare of mankind, to which his glorious life and sufferings ef« fectually opened the way. The greatest and best men have had their fallings, which tarnish the lustre of their virtues, and shew them to have been nothing more than men. This was the case with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David, Paul, and other heroes celebrated in history ; but it "wasotherwise 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, undefiled, and separated from sinners, IVhether we consider him as a teacher or as a man, ht 100 NEW ANli COMPLETE did not silly neither was guile found in his mouth. I Peter, ii. 22. His whole life was perfectly free from spot or weakness, at the same time it was remarkable for the greatest and most extensive exercises of virtue i but never to have committed 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 discour- ses, and that through the course of a life filled with the action, and led under the observation of manV enemies, who had always access to converse with him, and who often came to find fault, is a pitch of perfec- tion evidently above the reach of human nature ; and consequently, he who possessed it, must have been divine, and a most perfect Being. This adorable Person is the subject of the evangeli- cal history. If the reader, by reviewing his life, doc- trine, and miracles, as they are here represented to him united in one series, has a clearer idea of these things than before, or observes a beauty in his actions thus Jinked together, which taken separately, do not appear so fully; if he feels himself touched by the character of Jesus in general, or with any of his ser- mons 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 oHhat pardon which is hereby purchased for the world j let him seriously consider with himself, what improvement he ought to make of the divine goodness, and what returns of praise and gratitude are due to him. The Saviour of mankind, by his death, has set open the gates of immortality to all the posterity of Adam y and by his word, spirit and example, graciously offers to make them meet for the glorious rewards in the kmgdom of the heavenly Canaan, and to conduct them into the inheritance of the saints in light : let us, ther^» LIFE OF CHRIST. 101 fore, remember, that, being born under the dispensa- tion of his gospel, we have, from our earliest years, enjoyed the best means ot acquiring wisdom, virtue, and happiness, the lineaments of the image of God. We have been called to aspire after an exaltation to the nature and felicity of the Almighty exhibited to mortal eyes in the man Christ Jesus, to fire us with the noblest ambition. His gospel teaches us that we are made for eternity ; and that our present life is to our future existence, as infancy is to manhood : but as in the former, many things are to be learned, many hardships to be endured, many habits to be acquired, and that by a tedious 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, things are to be learned, hard- ships to be endured, and habits to be acquired by a laborious course of 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. 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, fill eternity with ecstatic joys, and the tongues and hearts of the blessed with a song of triumph in honour of their Deliverer. 102 NEW AND COMPLETE CHAPTER XLIV. Observations on the Doctrine of our blessed Lord and Saviour : The Excellency of the Religion he enforced and inculcated : And the Reasonableness of and Pleasure resulting from a Christian Life, W E cannot more properly conclude our history of the life of the blessed Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, nor place the great doctrines taught by the benevolent Son of the Most High, in a more conspicu- ous light, than by removing a few prejudices which some, we fear too many, have formed against the re- ligion of the holy Jesus, and shew that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. There have not, perhaps, been greater enemies to the progress of religion, than those who delineate it in a gloomy and terrifying form ; nor any guilty of a more injurious calumny against the gospel, than those who represent its precepts as rigorous impositions and unnecessary restraints. True religion is the perfec- tion of human nature, and the foundation of uniform exalted pleasure, of public order and private happi- ness. Christianity is the most excellent and the most useful institution, having the promise of the life that now 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 mays of pleasantness ^ and all her paths are peace. Prov. iii. 17. And our blessed Sa- viour himself assures us, that his precepts are easy, and the burden of his religion light and pleasant. The religion which Christ came into this lower world to establish, is a rational service, a worship in spirit and in truth, a worship worthy of the majesty of the Almighty to receive, and of the nature of man to pay. One of its important branches is natural religi- on, inforced by additional inotives and new discQve» LIFE OF CHRIST. 103 rie5 : its positive rights are few, of plain and easy sig- niticancy, and manifestly adopted to establish a sense of moral obligations. The gospel places religion not in abstruse speculation and metaphysical subtiltics ; not in outward shew and tedious ceremony ; not in superstitious austerities and enthusiastic vision, 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 oj our neighbour : according to St. Paul, in denying ungodliness and ivorldly lusts ; and in living soberly, righleousli/f and godly in this present zvorld : according to St James, in visiting the fatherless and xvidoivs in affliction^ and in keeping our- selves unspotted from the zvorld. This is the constant strain and tenor of the gospel ; this it inculcates most earnestly, and on this it lays the greatest stress, as most conducive to true and substantial happiness. If it be asked, whether the Christian system is only a republication of the law of nature, or merely a re- fined system of morality } We reply, No, certainly ; it is a great deal more. It is an act of grace, a stupen- dous plan of Providence, designed for the recovery of mankind from a state of degradation and ruin, to the favour of the Almighty, and to the hopes of a happy immortality through a Mediator. Under this dispen- sation, true religion consists in a repentance 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 offended Creator, as a sacrifice for sin ; our vital head, and go- verning Lord. This is the religion of Christians ; and what hardship, what exaction is there in all this ? Surely none: nay, the practice of religion is much easier than the servitude of sin, which at ber,t is the vilest drudgery, and yields the worst kind of wages. All will readily agree, that our rational powers are impaired, and the soul weakened by sin ; the animal passions are strong and apt to oppose the dictates of 104 NEW AND COMPLETE reason ; objects of sense, make powerful impressions on the mind ; we are in every situation surrounded with many snares and temptations : in such a disor- dered state of things, to maintain a course of strict piety and uncorrupted virtue, is a work of great diffi- culty. There are, however, many tender propensions and generous instincts interwoven with our very being, as restraints from vice, and incitements to virtue. The gracious Author of nature has planted in the human breast^ a quick sense of good and evil 3 a faculty which strongly dictates right and wrong; and, though, by the strength of appetite and warmth of passion, men are often hurried into immoral practices ; yet in the beginning, especially when there has been the advan- tage of a good education, it is usually with reluctance and opposition of mind. What inward struggles pre- cede, what bitter pangs attend their sinful excesses I What guilty blushes and uneasy fears 1 What frightful prospects and pale reviews ! ' Terrors are upon them, and a fire not blown consumeth them.' To make a mock at sin, and to commit iniquity without remorse,, is an attainment that requires length of time, and much painful labour ; more labour than is requisite to attain that habitual goodness which is the glory of the man, the ornament of the Christian, his preparation for heaven, and the chief source of his happiness there. The soul can no more be reconciled to flagrant acts of wickedness and injustice, than the body to excess, without suffering many bitter pains and cruel attacks, attacks attended with much anguish and vexation of spirit. Conscience may indeed be stopped and put to si- lence for a while by false principles, its secret whispers may be drowned by the noise of company, and stifled by entertainments of sense ; but this principle of con- science is so deeply rooted in human nature, and at the same time, her voice is so clear and strong, that all tbiC sinner's arts will be unable to lull her into a lasting security. When the hour of calamity arrives, when LIVE OF CHRISTa \op sickness seizeth, and death approachedi the sinner, conscience constrains him to listen to her accusations, and will not suffer the temples of his head to take any rest: There is no peace for the wicked ; the founda- tions of peace are subverted, they are at utter enmity with their reason, with their conscience, and with the God of their mercies. The case is far otherwise with true religion: con- science is on her side : reason pleads for her, and in- terest joins in the recommendation. When religion pure and genuine forms the temper, and governs the life, conscience applauds, and peace takes her residence in the breast: the soul is in its proper state, there is order and regularity both in the faculties and actions. Conscious of its own integrity, and secure of the di- vine approbation, the soul enjoys a calmness not to be described: but why do I call this happy frame calm- ness only? It is far more than mere calmness: the air may be calm, and the day overcast with thick mists and dark clouds : the pious and virtuous mind resembles a serene day, enlightened and enlivened with the bright- est rays of the sun; though all without may be clouds and darkness, there is a light in the heart of a pious man ; he is satisfied from himself, and is filled with peace and joy in believing: in the concluding scene, the awful moment of dissolution, all is peaceful and se- rene. The immortal part quits its tenement of clay with the well-grounded hopes of ascending to happi- ness and glory, without mixture, and without end. The gospel enjoins no duty but what is fit and rea- sonable: it calls upon all its professors to practise reve- rence, submission, and gratitude to God; justice, truth, and universal 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, VOL. ii. a f06 NEW AND COMPLETE Not even those excepted, which require us to love our enemies, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. To forgive an injury is more generous and manly than to revenge it ; to controul 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 ; pi- ety and virtue ai^e the wisest and most reasonable things in the world, vice and wickedness the most irrational, absurd, and pernicious. The infinitely 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 vir- tuous but what is advantageous to our present interest, both with respect to body and mind. Meekness and humility, patience, and universal charity, ai'e graces which give a joy unknown to transgressors. The di- vine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society. Temperance and sobriety are the best preservatives of health and strength ; but sin and debauchery impair the body, con- sume the substance, reduce to poverty, and form the direct path to an immature and untimely death. Now this is the chief excellency of all laws ; and what will always render their burden pleasant and delightful is, that they enjoin nothing unbecoming or injurious; but, on the contrary, what is profitable, and of a salutary- nature. Besides, to render oar duty easy, we have the ex- ample as well as the commands of the blessed Jesus. The masters of morality amongst the Heathens gave excellent rules for regulation of men's manners; but they wanted either the honesty or the courage to try their own arguments upon themselves. It was a strong presumption that the yoke of the Scribes and Pharisees LIFE OF CHRIST. 107 was gricvcms, when they laid heavy burdens upon men's shoulders, which they themselves refused to touch with one of their fingers. Not thus our great lawgi\er, Jesus Christ the righteous; his behaviour was, in all respects, conformable to his doctrine ; his devotion towards God, how sublime and ardent! benevolence towards men, how great and diffusive ? He was in his life an exact pattern of innocence : for he did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. In the Son of God incarnate is exhibited the brightest, the fairest re- semblance of the Father, that earth or heaven ever be- held : an example peculiarly persuasive, calculated to inspire resolution, and to animate us to use our utmost endeavours to imitate the divine pattern, the example of the author and finisher of our faith, of him who loved us, and gave himself for us. Our profession and character as Christians oblige us to make this exam- ple the model of our lives. Every motive of de- cency, gratitude and interest, constrains us to tread the paths he trod before us, more especially when ^ve reflect that it was marked out to us by unerring wis- dom. Let us aJso remember, that our burden is easy ; be^ cause God, who knoweth whereof we are made, who considereth that we are but dust, is ever ready to assist us. The heathen sages themselves had some no- tions of his assistance, though guided only by a glim- mering 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 unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy y and find grace to help in the time of need, Heb. iv. 16, We diere hear the blessed Jesus himself arguing in this convincing manner, If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children^ how much more f;hall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? Luke ix. 13. * We would not here be imderstood to mean, that tlic 103 NEW AND COMPLEIE agency of the spirit is irresistible, and lays a necessi- tating bias on all the faculties and affections. Were this the case, precepts and prohibitions, promises and threatenings, would signify nothing; and duty and ob- ligation would be words without a meaning. The spirit assisteth in a manner agreeable to the frame of human nature ; not controuling the free use of reason, but by assisting the understanding, influencing the will, and moderating the affections ; but though we may not be able to explain the mode of his operations, the Scrip- tures warrant us to assert, that, when men are renewed and prepared for heaven, it is through sanctification of the spirit, and belief of the truth. How enlivening the thought ! how encouraging 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 spirits is ever near to help our infirmities, to enlighten the understanding, to strengthen good resolutions, and, in concurrence with our own endeavours, to make us conquerors over all opposition. Faithful is he to his promises 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 virtue and happiness of his moral ofl^spring, the Supreme Parent hath done all that is consistent with the holiness of his nature, and the free agency of man : if then we are not virtuous and happy, it is our own faults, and we are utterly inex- cusable, in refusing the grace and mercy proffered in the gospel. Let us also remember, that the great doctrine of the gospel concerning the propitious mercy of God to all the penitents through Christ Jesus, greatly contri- butes to the ease and pleasure of a religious life. 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 G:reat and inestimable fiivour. to be relieved in this re- i> LIFE OF CHRIST. 109 spcct by a Messenger from Omnipotence himself. This iis our happiness : we are not left to depend upon con- sequential reasonings, which the bulk of mankind are little used to; but we are assured, that upon our true repentance, we shall, through the mediation of C h r i s t, receive the full remission of past sins, and be restored to the same state and favour with our Maker, as if we had never transgressed his laws; here the gospel tri- umphs : with these assurances it abounds; upon his head the declarations of our blessed Saviour and his apostles are so express and full that every one who be- lieves them, and knows himself to be a true penitent, must banish every doubt and fear, and rejoice with joy unspeakable : Come unto me^ all ye that labour^ and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. xi. 28. All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, ch. xiii. 31. Be it knoivn unto you, men and bre- thren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are jus- tified ft^om all things, from which ye could not be jus- tified by the law of Moses, Acts xiii. 38, 39. The blood of Jesus cleanse th from all sin, John i. 7. What grace and favour is this ! Who can dwell upon the transporting theme too long ! Now our way is plain be- fore us, and the burden we are to bear is made easy. No sins are unpardonable, if repented of and forsaken ; for it is said such shall find mercy. You who have never yet regarded religion, but pur- sued a course of vice and sensuality all your lives long, are earnestly entreated to consider, that, 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 oftended commiserates your errors, is ever ready to extend his pardoning mercy to his most degenerate creatures upon their repentance and reformation, and, is in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself not imputing unto penitent sinners their trespasses, 2 Cor. v. 19. Let the wicked, xh^rt^oYQ, forsake his way, and the uwighteous man his thoughts; and let him return 3 10 > NEW x\ND COMPLETE unto the Lord^ who will so liberally extend his mercy to him ; a7id to our God^ who will thus abundantly par " don^ Isaiah Iv. 7. What still further conduces to render the Christian re* ligion easy and 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 presump- tions of a future sta.te : the present existence does not look like an entire scene, but rather like the infancy of human nature, which is capable of aiTiving at a much higher degree of maturity: but whatever solid foun- dation the doctrine of a future state may have in nature and reason, certain it is, that through the habitual ne- glect 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 amongst the sons of men, some of whom affirm- ed, that there was neither resurrection, angel, or spirit* A future state of rewards and punishments was a matter of mere speculation and uncertainty in the hea- then world ; it was sometimes hoped for, sometimes doubted of, and sometimes absolutely denied. The lav/ of Moses, though of divine original, is chiefly en- forced by^ promises of temporal blessings ; and, even in the writings of the prophets, a future immortality is very sparingly mentioned, and obscurely represented: but the doctrine of our Saviour hath brought life and immortaliti/ to light. In the gospel we have a distinct ' account ot another v/orld, attended with many engage ing circumstances, about which the decisions of reason were dark and confused. We have the testimony of the Author of our religion, who was raided from the dead, and who afterwards, in the presence of his disci- ples, ascended into heaven. In the New Testament it is expressly declared that good men, when absent from the body^ are present with the Lord. Here we, are as- sured of the resurrection of the body in a glorious form, clothed with immortal visrour. suited to the active na-? LIFE OF CHRIST. 1 1 i ture of the animating spirit, and assisting its most cn- lai'ged operations and incessant progress towards per- fection. Here we are assured, that the righteous shall go into lije everlasting ; that they shall enter into the kingdom of the heavenly Canaan, where no ignorances shall cloud the understanding, no vice disturb the will. In these regions of perfection, nothing but love shall possess the soul; nothing but gratitude employ the tongue: there the righteous shall be united to an innu- merable company of angels^ and to the general assemblij and church of the first born: there they shall see theii* exalted Redeemer at the right hand of Omnipotence, and sit down with him on his tlu'one ; there they shall be admitted into the immediate presence of the Su- preme Fountain of life and happiness, and, beholding his face, be changed into the same image from glory to glory.. — Here language--*-here imagination fails me ! It requires the genius, the knowledge, and the pen of an angel, to paint the happiness, the blissful scene of the new Jerusalem, w^hich human eyes cannot behold till this mortal body shall be purified from its corruption and dressed in the robes of immortality ; Eye hath ?iot seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart to conceive the joys -which God hath prepared for them that love him, — What is the Elysium of the Heathens; compared w^ith 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 labours, alleviate every grief, and silence every murmur, by impressing on our minds a meek acquies- cence with the divine dispensations in the course of lii;-^ providence. But the libertine, in the gaiety of his heart, may pos- sibly enquire, why there should be any difficulties or restraint at all ? God hath made nothing in vain. The appetites he hath pkmted in the human breast are to be gratified: to deny, or to restrain them, is ignominious bondage; but to give full scope to every desire and passion of the heart, without cheek or controul, is true 112 NEW AND COMPLETE manly freedom, and only pursuing the dictates of na* ture. In order to confute and expose this loose and care- less way of reasoning, let it be considered, that the lib- ert}'^ of a rational creature doth not consist in an entire exemption from all controul, but in following the dic- tates of reason as the governing principle, and in keep- ing the various passions in due subordination. To fol- low the regular motion 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 ir- regular, we are bound to restrain their excesses, and not to indulge them, but in a strict subserviency to the integrity and peace of our minds, and to the order and happiness of human society established in the world. They who allow the supreme command to be usurped by sense and brutal appetite, may promise themselves liberty, but are truly and absolutely the servants of cor- ruption : 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 dun- geons ; but much more abject and vile is the slavery of the sinner ! No slavery of the body is equal to the bon- dage of the mind : no chains press so closely or gall so cruelly as the fetters of sin, which corrode the very sub- stance of the soul, fret every faculty, and degrade men below the brute part of the creation. We must indeed confess, that there are some pro- fligates so hardened by custom, as to be past all feeling; and, because insensible of their bondage, boast of this insensibility as a mark of their native freedom, and their happiness. Vain men : they might extol with equal propriety, the peculiar happiness of an apoplexy, the profound tranquility of a lethargy, or, we may add, the ideal paradise of a lool or a mad- man. We have, in the foregoing observations, endeavour- ed to place in a plain and conspicuous light, some LIFE OF CHRIST. UO (4^ the peculiar excellencies of the christian religion ; and from hence many useful reflections will naturallv arise in tlie mind of every attentive reader„ It is the rehgion of Jesus, that hath removed idolatry and su- perstition, and brought immortality to lights when con- cealed under a veil of darkness almost impenetrable. This hath set the great truths of religion in a clear and conspicuous point of view, and proposed new and pow- erful motives to influence our mindsy and to determine 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 gos- pel 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 no- thinsT but doin^^ harm to ourselves or to our fellow crea- • -I'll tures; and permits us to range anywhere biit m the paths of danger and destruction. It only requires us to act up to the dignity of the rational nature, and to prefer to the vanishing pleasures of sin, the smiles of a reconciled God, and an eternal weight of Glory : and is this a ri- gorous exaction, a heavy burden not to be endured ? How can sinful mortals harbour a thought so ridiculous and unworthy ? Can any man who is a real friend to the cause of vir- tue, and to the interest of mankind, ever be an enemy to Christianity, if he truly understands it, and seriously reflects on its wise and useful tendency 1 Impossible, for it conducted! us to ounjourney's end by the plainest and securest path, where the steps are not straightened, and where he thatrunnefh stumbleth not. IjgI us who live under this last and most gracious dispensation of God to mankind, coiwt ail things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge af Christ Jesus our Lord: and not sufter ourselves, by the slight cavils of unbelievers, to be mov- ed away from the hope of the gospel. Let us demonstrate, that we believe the superior excellency of die Christian, dispensation, by conforming to its precepts. Let us shew- that we are Christians in deed j;ind in truth ; not by VOL. yi\ ^ Ii4 NEW AN'D COMPLETE endless disputes about trifles, and the transports of vn blind zeal, but by practising that universal, that exalt- ed goodness, our holy religion recommends, and by abounding in those yrw?^^ of righteousness xvhich are bij Jesus Christy unto the glory and praise of God,' Phil. i. 11. We may clearly perceive, from what has been said, how groundless all those prejudices are which some conceit e against religion, as if it was a peevish, morose scl'\eme, burdensome to human nature, and inconsistent with the true enjoyment of life. Such sentiments arc too apt to prevail in the heat of youth, when the spi- rits are brisk and lively, and the passions warm and im- petuous : 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 conscience, no real peace but what results from the practice of virtue ; this eno- bles the mind, and can alone support it under all the va- rious and unequal scenes of the present state of trial ; this lays a sure foundation of an easy, comfortable life, of a serene, peaceful death, andof eternal joy and happi- ness hereafter : whereas vice is ruinous to all our most valuable interests ; it spoils the native beauty, and sub- verts the order of the soul ; it renders us the scorn of man, the rejected of God, and, without timely repent- ance, will rob us of a happy eternity. Religion is the health, the liberty, and the happiness of the soul ; sin is the disease, the ser^'itude, and destruction of it, both here and for ever. If these arguments be not sufficient to convince you, let me lead you into the chamber of an habitual rioter, the lewd debauchee, worn out in the cause of iniquity, his bones full of the sins of his youth, that from his own mouth, as he lies on his expiring bed, you may learn that the way of transgression is hard ; and that how- ever sweet sin m.ay be in the commission, it biteth like H serpent^ and sting et J i like an adder, Prov. xxiii. 32. Ihis awful truth is exemplified in a very strong point Lli-E OF CHRIST. lU of vicw, by the late celebrated Dr. Young, in his Cen- taur 7iot Fabulous y page 149 — 161, where he draws a most awful picture of the last scene of an abandoned profligate, who had despised religion, and led a life of pleasure and dissipation. The relation is as follo^vs : " I am going, Reader, to represent to thee the last moments of a person of high birth and spirit, of great parts and strong passions, every way accomplished, not the least in iniquity ; his unkind treatment was the death of a most valuable wife,,and his monstrous extravagiuice in effect, disinherited his only child. And surely tin* death-bed of a profligate is next in horror, to that abyss to which it leads : it has the most of hell that is visible upon earth, and he that has seen it has more than faith to confirm him in his creed. I see it now, says the worthy divine from whom I shall borrow this relation, for who can forget it ? Are there in it no flames and fu- ries ? — You are ignorant then, of what a saei'ed imagi- nation can figure, what a guilty heart can feel ! How dismal is it i The two great enemies of soul and body, sickness and sin, sink and confound his friends ; si- lence and darkness the shocking scene; sickness ex- cludes the light of heaven, and sin its blessed hope. Oh, double darkness ! more than Egyptian ! accutelv to be felt ! " The sad evening before the death of that noble youth, w^hose last hours suggested these thoughts, T was with him. No one was there but his physician, and an intimate acquaintance whom he loved and whom he had ruined. At my coming, he said, *\vouandthc physician are come too late. I have neither life nor hope. You both aim at miracles. You would raise tb.e dcad.'^ " Heaven, I said uas merciful. — Or I could not been thus guilty. What has it not done to bless, and to save me '?• — I have been too strong for Omnipotence . I plucked down ruin.'' 116 NEW AND COMPLETE '* I said, the blessed Redeemer "—Hold! Hold! you Avound me ! That is the rock on which I have split 1 I denied his name." '-' Refusing to hear any thing from me, or take any thing from the phycisian, he lay silent, as far as sudden darts of pain would permit, till the clock struck ; then he cried out with vehemence, " Oh time 1 time 1 It is fit thou shouldst thus strike thy murderer to the heart. How art thou fled forever ?-i-A month ?'-^0h for a sin- gle \veek ! I ask not for years, though an^^age were too little for the much I have to do." *^ On my saying we w^ould not do too much; that heaven was a blessed place. — " So much the worse. 'Tis lost I 'Us lost I Heaven is to me the severest part of hell!" ** Soon after I proposed prayer.- — '^ Pray you that can : I never prayed : I cannot pray.- — Nor need L Heaven is on my side already ; it closes with my con- science; its severest strokes but second my own." *' His friend being much touched, even to tears at this (for who could forbear ? I could not) he, with a most affectionate look said, *^ Keep these tears for thy^ self. I have undone thee.- — Dost thou weep for me ? That's cruel. What can pain me more ?" " Here his friend, too much affected, would have left him. I '' No, stay. Thou still may'st hope ;— therefore hear me. How madly have I talked? How madly hast thou listened and believed ? But look on my present state as a full answer to thee and to myself. This body is all Vv eakness and pain ; but my soul, as if stung up by tor- ment, to greater strength and spirit, is full powerful to reason ; full mighty to suffer. And that which thus tri. •umphs v/itlun the jaws of mortality, is doubtless im-. LIFE OF CHRIST. i\7 niortal. And as for a Deity, nothing less than an Al- mighty could inflict the pains I feel." " I was about to congratulate this passive, involua- tary confession, in his asserting the two prime articles of his creed, extorted by the rack of nature : when he thus very passionately added, " No, no! let me speak on. — I have not long to speak.-— My much injured friend ! my soul as my body, lies, in ruins, in scatter- ed fragments of broken thought : remorse for the past throws my thoughts on the future : worse dread of the future strikes it baclf on the past. I turn, and turn, and find no ray.-^-Didst thou feel half the mountain that is on me, thou wouldst struggle with the martyr for his stake, and bless heaven for the flames;-— that is not an everlasting flame ; that is not an unquenchable fire." *' How were we struck ? Yet, soon after still more. With what an eye of distraction, what a face of despair he cried out, *' My principles have poisoned my friend : my extravagance has beggared my boy ; my unkind- ness has murdered my wife ! And is there another hell ? Oh ! thou blasphemed, yet most indulgent Lord God ! Hell itself is a refuge if it hides me from thy frown. — '* *' Soon after, his understanding failed ; his terrified imagination uttered horrors not to be repeated, or ever forgotten ; and before the sun (which I hope has seeji few like him) arose, this gay, young, noble, ingenuous, accomplished, and most WTCtched mortal expired." It sometimes happens, we confess, that men who have led very wicked lives have gone out of the world as they lived in it, defying conscience, and deriding a future judgment as an idle fiction : but these instances iu-e very rare, and only prove that there are monsters in the moral as well as in the natural world, who have sported with their own deceivings, and have e\'en dared to lift their puny and rebellious arm against Omnipo- tence? 118 NEW AND COMPLETE But it ^vill perhaps be said, that the sons of vice and, riot have pleasure in sensual indulgences. Allowed : but it is altogether of the lower 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 vapour. On the other hand, the pleasure of religion is solidand lasting,- and will attend us through all, even the last stages of life. When we have passed the levity of youth, and have lost our relish for the gay entertainments of sense ; when old age steals upon us, and bends us towards the grave, this will cleave fast to us, and give us relief. It will be so far from termina- ting at death, that it then commences perfect, and con- tinually improves with new additions, and ever-bloom- ing joys. If our souls are clad in thi^ immortal robe, w^e 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 Om- nipotent Redeemer, and find rest in the hea^^enly man- sions of the Almighty. And though our earthly part, this tabernacle of clay, return to its original dust, it is only to be raised in a more beautiful and heavenly form. If it retires into the shadow of death, and visits the gloomy habitations of the grave, it is only to return from a short confinement to endless liberty ; for our jn^eat master will lead his redeemed from the chambers o ... . ' of the grave, and guide them in his strength to his holy habitation : he will plant them in the mountain of his inheritance, in the place he hath prepared for them, even the sanctuary which his hands hath established; and wc shall be with the Lord for ever and ever, to serve him day and night in his temple, where the in- habitant shall never say, I am sick ; where the wicked shall cease from troubling, and where the weary soul, will be for ever at rest. We shall here subjoin a copy of a letter, sent hf LIKE OF CHRIST. 119 Publius Lentulus, governor of Jiidea, to the senate of Rome, respecting the person and action of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Cpirist ; which may serve as a strong testimony and evidence in favour of the di- A inity of the Lord's person and doctrines, against the stale objections of the Deists, as the authenticity of the ancient manuscripts, from which it was translated, is founded on the best authority. Tiberius Cassar was then emperor, and caused the extraordinary intellig-ence contained in this letter, to be published throughout all the Roman provinces. One would have thought this confirmation issued by the Roman governor, might have convinced the generality of the Romans, as m ell as Jews concernine: the divinitv of our Lord's mission ; but such was the universal prejudice of the people, that no- thing would satisfy those who had not gi\cn credit to the words of Christ himself. The epistle runs as fol- lows ; " There appeared in these our days a man of grciit virtue, named Je s us C h r i s t, who is yet living amongst us, and of the Gentiles is accepted as a Prophet of Truth, but by his own disciples called the Son of God. He raiseth the dead and cureth all manner of diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall and comely, with a AX-ry reverend countenance, such as the beholders may both love 'And fear : his hair is the colour of a filbert full ripe, and plain almost down to his ears, but from hiscars down- ^vard some^^ hat curled, more orient of colour, and wav- ing about his shoulders. In the midst of his head goeth a seam or partition of his hair, after the manner of the Na- zarites ; his forehead very plain and smooth ; his face ivithout spot or wrinkle, beautified >vith comely red ; his nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be repre- hended ; his beard somev/hat thick, agreaable in co- lour to the hair of his head, not of any great length, hut forked in the midst ; of an innocent, mature look ; liis eyes grey, clear, and quick. In reproving he is terri- ble ; in admonishing courteous and fair spoken ; plea- sf!Rt in speech* mixed v, ith gravity. It cannot be re- 120 NEW AND COMPLETE membered that any have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. In proportion of body well- shaped and straight ; his hands and arms right delectable to be- hold ; in speaking very temperate, modest, and wise. A man for singular beauty, surpassing the children of men," THE NEW, COMPLETE, and AUTHENTIC LIVES OF THE APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, DISCIPLES &c. Of our blessed Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. VOL. U. THE NEW, COMPLETE, and AUTHENTIC LIVES OF THE APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, DISCIPLES, &c, Of our blessed Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST, THE LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW, The Evangelist and Apostle, HIS evangelist was also called Levi, and, though a Roman officer, was a true Hebrew, and probably a Galilean. Kirsten, an Arabian author, tells us, that he was born at Nazareth, a city in the tribe of Zeb- ulon, famous for the habitation of Joseph and Mary, and the place where our blessed Saviour resided the whole time of his private life. St. Matthew was the son of Alpheus and Mary, sister, or kinswoman to the blessed Virgin, both originally descended from the tribe of Issachar. The occupation of Matthew was that of a publi- can, or tax-gatherer to the Romans, an office detested by the generality of the Jews. Amongst the Romans, indeed, it was accounted a place of power and credit, and, as such, rarely conferred on any but Roman knights : and T, Fl. Sabimus, father of the empe- m LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW. Tor Vespasian, was the publican of the Asian pr0- vinces, an office which he discharged so greatly to the satisfaction of the public, that they erected statues to him. These officers being sent into the provinces to gather the tributes, generally employed the natives un- der them, as persons best skilled in the affairs and cus- toms of their own country. On two accounts, this office was odious to the Jews, First, because the persons who managed it were gen- erally covetous and great exactors; for having them- selves farmed the customs of the Romans, they used every method of oppression, in order to pay their rents to the Romans and procure an advantage to them- selves. Of this Zaccheus, the chief of these farmers, was very sensible after his conversion, when he offered to make a fourfold restitution to all from whom he had taken any thing by fraud and extortion. And up- on this account they became infamous, even amongst the Gentiles themselves, who commonly mention them as public robbers, and though members of the com- munity, were more voracious and destructive in a city than wild beasts in a forest. The other particular which rendered them so hateful to the Jews, was the tribute they demanded, which they considered not on- ly as a burden, but also as an affront to their nation ; for they looked upon themselves as a free people, hav- ing received that privilege immediately from God himself; and therefore they considered this tribute as a daily and standing instance of their slavery, which they detested above every thing ; and it was this that betrayed them into so many rebellions against the Ro- mans. We may add, that these publicans were oblig- ed by their office to have frequent dealings and con- versation with the Gentiles, which the Jews consid- ered as an abomination ; and though they were them- selves Jews, they rigorously exacted the taxes of their brethren, and thereby seemed to conspire with the Romans to entail perpetual slavery on their own coun- trymen. LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW* 135 The publicans, by these practices, became univer- sally abhorred by the Jewish nation, so that it was reckoned unlawful to assist them in the common offi- ces of humanity: nay, they asserted it was no crime to cheat and over-reach a publican, though they broke the solemnity of an oath: they might not eat or drink, converse or travel with them ; they were considered as common thieves and robbers, and the money receiv- ed of them was not permitted to be deposited with others, considering it as gained by rapine and violence; they were not admitted to give testimony in any court of justice; they were looked upon in so infamous a light, that they were not only banished from all com- munication in matters of divine worship, but shunned in all affairs of civil societv and commerce, as the pests of their country, as persons whose conversation was infectious and not at all better than the Meathens themselves. And hence they had a common proverb amongst them, * Take not a wife out of that family in which there is a publican ; for they are all publicans ! that is, they are all thieves, robbers, and wicked sin- ners. And to this proverbial custom our blessed Sa- viour alludes, when speaking of a hardened sinner, on whom neither private reproofs, nor the public cen- sures and admonitions of the church, can prevail, Le^ him be to thee as an Heathen man and publicans or, in other words, an incorrigible sinner. * St. Matthew the evangelist was of this profession, and he seems to have been more particularly employ- ed in collecting the customs on commodities that came by sea into Galilee, and the tribute which passengers w^ere to pay who went by water: and for this purpose the office or custom-house stood by the sea-side, that the officers might be always at hand: and here it vi^as, as St. Mark intimates, that Matthew sat at the receipt of custom, where the tribute-monev was collected. After having cured a person long afilictcd with the palsy, our blessed Lord retired out of Capernaum, to 126 LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW. walk by the sea-side, where he taught the people that flocked after him. Here he saw Matthew sitting in his office, and called him to follow him. The man was rich, had a large and profitable employment, was a wise and prudent person, and doubtless understood what it would cost him to comply with the call of Je- sus: he was not ignorant that he must exchange wealth for poverty, a custom-house for a prison, rich and pow- erful masters, for a naked and despised Saviour : but he overlooked all these considerations, left all his in- terest and relations, to become our Lord's disciple, and to embrace a more spiritual way of commerce and traffic, which might bring glory to God, and peace of conscience to himself. It is not likely that he was before wholly unac- quainted with our Saviour's person or doctrine, espe- cially as he resided at Capernaum, where our Lord so often preached, and wrought his miracles; so that he must in some measure, be prepared to receive the im- pressions which our Saviour's call made upon him, and to shew that he was not discontented at his change; he entertained both his Master and his disciples at his house, calling together his friends, especially those of his own profession, hoping no doubt that they might also be converted by the company and conver- sation of our blessed Redeemer. As the Pharisees had sought all opportunities of raising objections against the doctrine of the blessed Jesus, so they took this opportunity of suggesting to his disciples, that it was highly unbecoming so pure and holy a person, as their Master pretended himself to be, to converse so familiarly with the worst of men, with publicans and sinners, persons infamous to a pro- verb ; but he presently replied to them, that these were the sick, and therefore needed the physician : that his company was of the most consequence, where the souls of men most required it : that God himself preferred works of mercy and charity, especially in JLIFE OF ST. MATTHEW. 127 doing good to the souls of meiij infinitely above all ri- tual observances, and that the principal design of his coming into the world, was not to call the righteous, or those who like themselves vainly pretended to be so, but-sinners, modest, humble, self-convinced sinners, to repentance, and to reduce them to a better state and course of life than they had hitherto pursued. St. Matthew after his election to the apostleship, continued with the rest till the ascension of his great and beloved Master, after which, for the first eight years at least he preached in diflferent parts of Judea, but afterwards he left the country of Palestine to con- vert the Gentile world before his departure, he was entreated by the Jewish converts to write the history of the life and actions of the blessed Jesus, and leave it amongst them as a standing monument of what he had so often delivered to them in his sermons. This he readily complied with, as we shall more particular- ly mention, in giving an account of the gospel penned by him. Leaving Judea, he travelled into several parts, es- pecially Ethiopia; but the particular places he visit- ed are not known with any certainty. Metaphrastus tells us, that he first visited Parthia, and after planting Christianity in those parts, he travelled into Ethiopia; where, by his preaching and miracles, he triumphed over superstition and idolatry, convinced multitudes of the error of their ways, and prevailed on them to obey the precepts of the gospel : ordain them spirit- ual guides and pastors to confirm them in the faith, and bringing over others to the religion of the son of God, which he had inculcated both by his doctrine and example. Having laboured indefatigably in the vineyard of his Master, he afterwards suffered martyrdom at a city of Ethiopia, called Naddabar; but by what kind of 128 LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW. t*< death is not absolutely known, though the general opinion is that he was slain with an halbert. This apostle was a remarkable instance of the pow- er of religion, in bringing men to a better temper of mind. H we reflect upon his circumstances while he continued a stranger to the great Redeemer of man- kind, we shall find that the love of the world had pos- sessed his heart. He had acquired a plentiful estate, was in possession ofa very rich and profitable office, sup- ported by the power and favour of the Romans, prompted by covetous inclinations, and these confirm- ed by long habits and customs: but notwithstanding all this, no sooner did Christ call him, than he aban- doned, without the least scruple or hesitation, all his riches; nay, he not only renounced his lucrative of- fice, but ran the greatest hazard of displeasing the masters who employed him, for quitting their service, without giving them the least notice and leaving his accounts in confusion. Had our blessed Saviour appeared as a secular prince clothed with temporal power and authority, it would have been no wonder for St. Matthew to have gone over to his service, but when he appeared under all the circumstances of meanness and disgrace, when he seems 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 surprising. It was indeed so remarkable, that both Porphyry and Ju- lian, two subtle adversariesof the Christian religion, took occasion from hence to charge him either with false- hood or folly : with the former, if he did not give a true account of things ; and with the latter, if his case was fairly represented, in so hastily following the per- son who called him : but these detractors would have done well to have remembered, that the holy Jesus was no common person; his commands were attended with something more than common* IJFE OF ST. MATTHEW. 129 St. Jerom is of opinion, that besides the divinity \vhich evidently appeared in the miracles of the Lamb of God, there was a divine brightness and kind of ma- jesty in his looks, which was at first sight sufficient to draw persons after him ; but however that be, his mi- raculous powers that retitcted a lustre from every quar- ter, and the efficacy of his doctrine accom[)anied with the divine grace made way for the summons sent to our apostle, and enabled him to conquer all op{)osi- tions, and all the difficulties that opposed his obeying the commands of his Saviour, when he received the ])owerful call. A still farther evidence of this contempt of the world appeared in his exemplary temperance and ab- stemiousness from all delights and pleasures; nay, even, from the ordinary conveniency and accommo- dations of it; he was so far from indulging his appe- tite with delicate rarities, that he retused to gratify it with lawful and ordinary provisions; his usual diet being only herbs, roots, seed';, and berries: but what appeared most remarkable in him, and which, though the least virtue in itself, is the greatest in the esteem and value of a wise man, was his humilitv: he was mean and modest in his own opinion, always prefer- ing others to himself : for whereas the other evange- lists, in describing the apostles by pairs, constantly place him before St. Thomas, he modestly places hini before himself. The rest of the evangelists are careful to mention the honour of his apostleship, but speak of his former sordid, dishonest, and disgraceful course of life, only under trie 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 candour of the apostle, and sug- gests to us this useful reflection. That the greatest sinners are not excluded from divine grace; nor can any, if penitent, have just reason to despair^ when VOL.ii. R 120 LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW. publicans and sinners find mercy ^t the throne of grace. The conduct of the other evangelists with re- gard to St. Matthew, should also teach us to use a penitent brother wMth the greatest modesty and ten- derness ', it being contrary to the rules of civility, as well as the laws of religion, to upbraid and reproach a person, after his repentance, with the errors of his former life and practices. We shall conclude the life of this apostle with a re- mark concerning his gospel, which was written at the entreaty of the Jewish converts, while he abode in Palestine, but at what particular time, is uncertain; some will have it to be written eight, some fifteen, and some thirty vears after our Lord's ascension : it was originally written in Hebrew, but, soon after translat- ed into Greek by one of the disciples, probably by St. James the Less : but whoever the translator was, is of no consequence, because the version was well know^i to the apostles, and approved by themj and ac- cordingly the church has from the earliest ages receiv- ed the Greek copy as authentic, and placed it in the sacred canon of Scripture. The Greek translation having been entertained, the Hebrew copy was afterwards chiefly owned and used by the Nazara?i, a middle sect between Jews and Christians; with the former, they adhered to the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law ; and with the lat- ter, they believed in Christ, and embraced his reli- gion; and hence this gospel has been styled, 'The gospel according to the Hebrews, and the gospel of the Nazarenes.' But after a time, it was interpolated by these Christians, who inserted several passages of the evangelical history ; which they had heard from tlie apostles, or from those who had familiarly convers- ed with them ; and to these additions the ancient fa- thers frequently refer in their writings. The Ebonites^ \)\\ tlie contrary, struck out many passages because They were not favourable to their tenets. A Hebre^j^?" LIFE OF ST. MARK. 131 copy of St. Matthew's gospel (but whether exactly the same as that written by the apostle, is uncertain) was found amongst the other books in the treasury of the Jews at Tiberias, by one Joseph, a Jew, who af- ter his conversion, was a man of great honour and es- teem in the reign of Constantine. St. Jerom assures us that another was kept in the library at Ca^sarea in his time, and another by the Nazarenes at Berea, from whom he procured the Hberty to transcribe it, and which he afterwards translated both into Greek and Latin, with this remarkable observation, that in quot- ing the text of the Old Testament, the evangelist im- mediately follows the Hebrew, without taking notice of the Septuagint translation. A copy of this gospel was also dug up in the year 485, on opening the grave of St. Barnabas, in Cyprus, transcribed with his own hand; but these copies have long since perished: and with regard to those published since by Tile and Munster, the barbarous and corrupt stile sufficiently demonstrate that they were not originals, but the translation of a more ignorant and corrupt age, and therefore deservedly rejected by the morejudicious and enlightened part of mankind. rHE LIFE OF ST. MARK, The Evangelist and Apostle, JL HOUGH the name of St, Mark seems to be of Koman original, he was nevertheless descended from Jewish parents, and ot the tribe of Levi: nor was it uncommon amongst the Jews to change their names on some remarkable revolution or incident of life, or when they intended to travel into any of the Pomgn provinces in Europe, 132 LIFE OF ST. MARK. St. Mark was generally considered by the ancients, as one of the seventy disciples; and Epiphanius ex- pressly tells us, that ' he was one of those who, tak- ing exception at our Lord's discourse of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, went back and walked no more with him/ But there appears no manner of foundation for these-opinions, nor for that of Nice- phorus, who will have him to be the son of St. Peter's sister: nay, Pepias, bishop of Hierapolis, who lived near the apostolic times, positively affirms, that he was neither a hearer nor follower of our Saviour. It is therefore most probable, that he was converted by some ot the apostles, perhaps by St. Peter, whom he constantly attended in his travels, supplying the place of an amanuensis and interpreter: for though the apostles were divinely inspired, and had, amongst other miraculous powers, the gift of tongues confer- red upon them, yet the interpretation of tongues was a gift more peculiar to some than to others; and this probably was St. Mark's talent, in expounding St. Pe- ter's discourses whether by word or vvTiting, to those who were strangers to the language in w^hich they were delivered: but however this be, he accompanied him in his apostolical progress, preached the gospel in Italy and at Rome, where at the request of the Chris- tians of these parts, he composed and wrote the gos- pel, which is called after his name. We are told bv Eusebius, that St. Mark was sent into Egypt by St. Peter to preach the gospel, and ac- cordingly planted a church in Alexandria, the me- tropolis of it; and his success was so very remarkable, that he converted multitudes both ot men and women, persuading them not only to embrace the Christian re- ligion, but also a life of more than ordinary strictness. That there was indeed a sect in Egypt remarkably strict in their discipline is evident from Philo, who gives the following account of them. * Th.ere is, says he, a sort of persons in many parts .LIFE OF ST. MARK, nj, of the world, especially near the Alaroeotick lake in E-rypt, who have formed themselves into religious so- cietiesandleadastrict philosophical and contemplative course of life. When they first enter on this manner of living, they renounce all secular interests and em- ployments, and leaving their estates to their relations, retire into gardens, and places devoted to solitude and contemplation. Their houses, or colleges, are not con- tiguous, that, being free from noise and tumult, they might the better attend to the designs ot a contempla- tive life ; nor yet removed at too great a distance, that they may maintain mutual society, and be conveni- ently capable of helping and assisting one another. In each of these houses is an oratory, called Semnion and Monasterion, in which they discharged the more secret and solemn rites of their religion, divided in the middle by a partition-wall three or four cubits high, one apartment being for the men, and the other for the women. Here they publicly meet every se- venth day, where, being seated according to their se- liiority, and having composed themselves with great decency and reverence, the most aged person amongst them and the best skilled in the dogmata and prin- ciples of their institution, comes forth into the niidst, gravely and soberly discoursing on wliat may make the greatest impression on their minds; the rest at- tending with the most profound silence, and only tes- tifying their assent with the motion of their eves or head. Their discourses are commonly mystical and allegorical, seeking hidden senses under plain words : and of such an allegorical philosophy the books of their religion, left them by their ancestors, consist: the law they compare to an animal, the letters of it resembling the body, while the soul of it lies in these abstruse and recondite notions, which the external veil and surface of the words conceal from common understanding. ^ With regard to their method of living, they take very little care of their bodies, spending their whole I3i LIFE OF ST. MARK. time in perfecting their minds by precepts of wisdom'' and religion; the day they wholly spend in pious and divine meditations, in reading and expounding the law and the prophets, and the holy volumes of the an- cient founders of their sect» and in singing Psalms to the honour of their Maker; absolutely temperate and abstemious, neither eating nor drinking till night, the only time they think proper to refresh and regale the body ; and some of them out of an insatiable desire of growing in knowledge and virtue, fast many days together. 1 heir diet is plain and simple, sufficient only to satisfy the calls of nature, a little bread, salt, and water being their constant bill of fare. Their clothes are as mean as their food, designed only as present security against cold and naked- ness. Nor is this the case only of the men, but also of the pious and devout women that live amongst them; who religiously observe every seventh day, and especially the preparatory week to the great solemnity, wiiich thev keep with all expressions of sincere devo-^ tion, and also with severe abstinence.* Eusebius affirms, that these excellent persons were Christians, converted and brought under such admira- ble rules and institutions by St. Mark at his coming hither, accommodating all passages to the manner and discipline of the Christians; and is followed by Epi- ))hanius, Jerom, and others. But whoever seriously and impartially considers Philo's account, will plainly find, that he intends it of the Jews, and professors of the Alosaic religion, though what particular sect they were, I sliall not pretend to determine ; perhaps they were Essenes: but however that be, it is plain they were not Christians; for Philo speaks of them as an institution of some standing; whereas, the Christians had but very lately appeared in the world, especially in Egypt: besides, many parts of Philo's account does not in several parts agree with the state and manners of the Christians at that time ; as that they withdrew themselves from public conversation, and all the afvj l^IFE OF ST. MARK. 135 fairs of civil life, which the Christians never did, hut when forced to it hy violent persecutions ; for at other times, as Justin Martyr, and Tertulian tells us, th.iy mixed themselves promiscuously with the inhabitants of the country, dwelt in towns and cities, ploughed their lands, and followed their respective trades and callinijs like other men. Nor can the books which Philo tells us thev had, besides those of Moses and the prophets, be understood of those of the Christians-, for the writings of the evangelists had been very late- ly published, and consequently could not come under the character of ancient authors. Not to mention that some of their ceremonies were such as the Christian? of those days were absolute strangers to, not being in- troduced into the church till some ages after Pnilo wrote his account : nay, some of them were never used by the primitive Christians, especially their reli- gious dances, which Philo particularly describes, as used by them at their festival solemnities, especially that remarkable one which they observed at the end of every seven weeks; when their entertainment be- ing ended, they all rose up, the men in one company and the woman in another, dancing with various mea- sures and motions, each company singing divine hymns and songs, and having a precentor going before each division, singing alternately ; till, in the conclusion, they joined in one common chorus, in imitation ot the triumphant song sung by Moses and the Israelites, af* ter their great deliverance at the Red Sea, from the hostile attempts of Pharaoh and his army, Frofi! these, and several other particulars that might be mentioned, it will appear, that these could not be Christians; it is not indeed to be doubted, but that persons educated under such excellent rules and me- thods of life, were more than ordinarily pre[)arcd for the reception of Christianity, and could not fail of rendering St. Mark's success surprising in those parts, and open a path for men to come in multitudes to em- brace the d-3ctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ,, 135 LIFE OF ST. MARK. This apostle did not confine himself to Alexandria, and the oriental parts of Egypt, but removed west- ward to Lybia, passing through the countries of Mar- inarcia, Pentapoh's, and others adjacent, where though the people were both barbarous in their manners, and idolatrous in their worship, yet by his preaching and miracles, he prevailed on them to embrace the tenets of the gospel ; nor did he leave them till he had con- firmed them in the faith of his divine Master. He returned, after his long tour, to Alexandria, where he preached with the greatest freedom, ordered and disposed 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 la- bouring in the vineyard of his Aiaster the idolatrous inhabitants about the time of Easter, when they were celebrating the solemnities of Serapis, tumultuously entered the church, forced St. Mark, then performing divine service, from thence, 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 his soul, under the ruins of his shattered body, llie next morning early, the tragedy began afresh, dragging him about in the same cruel and barbarous manner, till he expired : but their malice did not end with his death, they burnt his mangled body, after they had so inhu- manly deprived it of life; but the Christians, after the hellish tragedy was over, gathered up his bones and ashes, and decently interred them near the place where be used to preach. His remains were after- wards, with great pomp, removed from Alexandria to Venice, wdiere they are religiously honoured, and he adopted as the titular saint and patron of that state and people. He gulTered martyrdom on the 25th of LIFE OF ST. MARK. I37 April, but the year is not absolutely known ; the most probable opinion however is, that it happened about the end of Nero's reign. As to his person, St. Mark was of a middle size and stature, his nose long, his eyebrows turning back, his eyes graceful and amiable, his head bald, his beard thick and grey, his gait cjuick, and the constitution of his body strong and healthful. The only writing he left behind him, was his gospel, written as we have before observed, at the entreaty and earnest desire of the converts at Rome, who not con- tent to have heard St. Peter preach, pressed St. Mark his disciple, to commit to writing, an historical account of what he had delivered to them, which he performed with equal faithfulness and brevity, and being perused and approved by St. Peter, was commanded to be public- ly read in their assemblies. It was frequently styled St. Peter's gospel, not because he dictated it to St. Mark, but because the latter composed it from the accounts St. Peter usually delivered in his discourses to the peo- ple : and this is probably the reason of what St. Chrys- ostom observes, that in his style and manner of ex<- pression, he delights to imitate St. Peter, representing a great deal in a few words. The remarkable impar- tiality he observed in all his relations, is plain, from hence, that he is so far from concealing the shameful lapse and denial of Peter, his dear tutor and master, that he describes it with more aggravating circumstances than any of the other evangelists. The Venetians pre- tend to have the original Greek copy of St. Mark's gospel, written with his own hand : but this manu- script, if written by St. Mark, is now useless, the very- letters being rendered illegible by length of time. VOL. n. I3J LIFE or Sr. LUKE. ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST. u)T. LUKE was bom at Antioch, the metropolis of Syria, a city celebrated for the pleasantness of its sit- uation, the fertility of its soil, the riches of its com- merce, the wisdom of its senate, and the civility and politeness of its inhabitants, by the pens of some of the greatest orators of those times. It was eminent for schools of learning, which produced the most renown- ed masters in the arts and sciences ; so that being born as it were, in the lap of the muses, he could not well fail of acquiring an ingenuous and liberal education : but he Avas not contented with the learning of his own country, he travelled for improvement into several parts of Greece and Egypt, and became particularly skilled in physic, which he made his profession. They who would, from this particular, infer the quality of his birth and fortune, seem to forget that the healing art was, in these early times, generally practised by servants ; and hence Grotius is of opinion that St. Luke was carried to Rome, and lived there a servant to some noble family, in quality of a physician : but after obtaining his freedom, he returned into to his ovvn country, and probably continued his profession till his death, it being so highly consistent with, and in many cases subservient to, the care of souls.. He is also famous for his skill in another art, namely, painting, and an ancient inscription was found in a vault near the church of St. Maria de Via Lata, at Rome, supposed to have been the place, where St. Paul dwelt, which mentions a picture of the blessed Virgin, Una ex vii. ab Luc a DEPicTis, being one of the seven painted by St, JLuke> It is not certainly known when St. Luke became a Christian, after having been a Jewish proselyte: those who understand him in the beginning of his gospel, to say that he had the facts from the reports of others, who were eye witnesses, suppose him to have been convert* LIFE OF ST. LUKE. 139 - t cd by St. Paul, and that he learned the history of his gospel from the conversation of that apostle, and wrote it under his direction ; and that when St. Paul, in one of his epistles, says, according to my gospel^ he means this of St. Luke, which he styles his, from tlie great share he had in its composition. They, on the other hand, who liold that he wrote his gospel from his own personal knowledge, observe, thai he could not receive it from St. Paul, as an eye-witness of the matter contained in it, because all those matters were transacted before his conversion ; and that he never saw our Lord before he appeared to him in his jour- ney to Damascus, which was some time after he ascend- ed into heaven. Consequently, when St. Paul says, according to my gospel, he means no more than the gos- pel in general which he preached ; the whole preaching of tiie apostles, styled the gospel, all having an uniform tendency to inculcate and establish the faith and prac- tice of the Christian religion. But they further observe, that it is 4iot probable that St. Luke was converted by St Paul, because the latter would in that case have styled him his son, it being the constant practice of the apostles to call all eminent con- verts by that appellation ; but he mentions him by tlie name of Luke, the beloved physician* They therefore suppose that he studied tiie law in one of the sichools of Jerusalem, where he was converted by our Lord, and was'one of the seventy disciples mentioned in Scripture, However this be, St. Luke became the inseparable companion of St. Paul in all his travels, and his constant fellow- labourer in the work of the ministry ; he follow- ed him in all his dangers, was with him at his several arraignments at Jerusalem, accompanied him in his te- dious and dangerous voyage to Rome, where he still at- tended on him, to administer to him in his necessities, and supply those ministerial offices, which the apostle's confinement would not suffer him to undcrtcrke ; and 140 LIFE OF ST. LUKE. especially in carrying messages to other churches, where he had planted the Christian religion. This infinitely endeared him to St. Paul, who seemed delighted with ownine: him for his fellow-labourer and in caliins: him the beloved physician^ and the /^ro^Aer whose praise is in thegospely 2 Cor. viii. 18. It is very probable, he did not leave St. Paul till he had finished his course, and received the crown of mar- tyrdom ; though some tell us, that he left St. Paul at Rome, and returned back into the East, travelling into Egypt and several parts of Lybia, where he preached the gospel, wrought miracles, converted multitudes, and constituted guides and ministers of religion ; nay that he himself undertook the episcopal charge of the city of Thebais. Epiphanius tells us, that he first preach- ed in Dalmatia and Galatia, then in Italy and Macedo- nia, where he spared no pains, and declined no dangers, that he might faithfully discharge the trust committed to him by his great Master. The time or manner of his death are not very Avell agreed upon by the ancients ; some affirming hiwi to die in Egypt, others in Greece, the Roman martyrology in,Bythinia, and Dorothccus at Ephesus ; some will have that he died a natural, and others a violent death. Indeed, neither Eusebius nor St. Jerom take any notice of it, but Gregory Nazianzen, Paulinus bishop of Nola, and several others, expressly assert, that he suffered martyrdom ; and Nicephorus gives us this particular account of it : '' That coming into Greece, he success- fully preached the gospel, and baptised many converts into the Christian faith, till, at last, a party of infidels opposed his doctrines ; but being unable to silence him by reason and argument, they had recourse to cruelty, dragged him from the place where he was teaching the gospel, and hung him on an olive tree, in the eightieth, or according to St. Jerom, in the eighty fourth year of his age." Kirstenius thinks, he suffered martyrdom at Rome soon after St. Pauls first imprisonment be- LIFE OF ST. LUKE. Ul cause he did not continue his acts of the apostles any further, which it is natural to think he would|have done had he lived any considerable time after St. Paul's de- parture. His body was afterwards, by the command of Constantine, or his son Constantius, removed with great solemnity to Constantinople, and buried in the great church, erectedto the memory of the apostles, in that city. His gospel, and the acts of the apostles, were written by him for the use^f the church ; both which he ded- icated to Theophilus, which many of the ancients sup- posed to be a feigned name, denoting a lover of God, a title common to all sincere Clu'istians : but others think it was a real person, because the title of " most excel- lent," is attributed to him, the usual title and form of address in those times to princes and great men. Pro- bably he was some magistrate, whom St. Luke had converted and baptized, and to whom he dedicated these books, not only as a testimony of honourable re- spect, but also as a means of giving him further certain- ty and assurance of those things- wherein he had in- structed him, and which it was requisite he should be informed of. The principal transactions of our Lord's life are con- tained in his gospel ; and the particulars omitted by him, are, in general, of less importance than those the other evangelists forbear to mention. The acts of the apostles written by St. Luke were no doubt penned at Rome, about the time of St. Paul's imprisonment there, with which he concludes his his- tory. It contains the actions, and sometimes the suf- ferings of the principal apostles, especially St. Paul, whose activity in the cause of Christ made him bear a greater part in the labours of his master: and St. Luke being his constant attendant, an eye witness of the whole carriage of his life, and privy to his most intimate trans- actions was consequently capable of giving a more full 142 LIFE OF ST. LUKE. aiid satisfactory account of them. Amongst other things" he enumerates the great miracles the apostles did in confirmation of the doctrine they advanced. His manner of writing, in both these treatises, is ex- act and accurate ; his style 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 histo- rian, he was faithful in his relations, and elegant in his writing ; as a minister, careful and diligent for the good of souls; as a Christian, devout and pious ; and to crown all the rest, laid down his life in testimony of that gos- pel he had both preached and published to the world, by the command of his Lord. THE LIFE OF ST. JOHN, The Apostle and Evangelist ; commonly called the Divine^ JL HIS beloved disciple of our Lord was a native of Galilee, the son of Zebedee and Salome, one of those devout women that constantly attended on our Lord in his ministry, and brother of James the Great. Before his becoming a disciple of the blessed Jesus, he was, in all probability, a follower of John the Baptist, and is thought to be that other disciple, who, in the first chap- ter of his gospel, is said to have been present with An- drew when John had declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God J and thereupon to have followed him to the place of his residence. Though St. John was by much the youngest of the apostles, he was nevertheless admitted into as great a share of his Master's confidence as any of them. He v^as one of those to whom he communicated the most P.IFK OF SIT. LUKE. U.T private transactions of his life : one of those whom he took with him when he raised the daughter of J aims from the dead ; one of those to -whom he exhibited a specimen of his divinit}', in his transfiguration on the mount ; one of those who were present at liis confer- ence with Moses and EHas, and heard that voice which declared him the beloved Son of God ; and one of those who were companions in his solitude, most retired de- votions, and bitter agonies in the garden. Thus of the three who were made the witnesses of their Master's actions, which it was convenient to conceal from the world, St. John constantly enjoyed the privilege of being one : nay, even of these three he seems to have had, in some respects, the preference : witness his lying on his master's bosom at the paschal supper : and even when Peter was desirous of knowing who was the per- son that should betray their Master, and durst not him- self ask the question, he made use of St. John to pro- pose it to their Lord, as the person most likely to suc- ceed in obtaining: an answer. Our apostle endeavoured, in some measure, to an- swer these instances of particular favour, by returns of particular kindness and constancy ; for though he had at first deserted his Master on his apprehension, yet he soon recovered himself, and came to seek his saviour, confidently entered the high-priest's hall, followed our Lord through the several particulars of his trial, and at last waited on him at his execution, owning him, as well as being owuied by him, in the midst of armed soldiers, and in the thickest crowds of his most invete- rate enemies. Here it was tliat our great Redeemer committed to his care his sorrowful and disconsolate mother with his dying breath. And certainly the holy Jesus could not have given a more honourable testimo- ny of his particular respect and kindness to St. 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 amongst men. 144 LIFE OF ST. JOHN. St. John no sooner heard of our Lord's being risen from the chambers of the dust, than he, in company with Peter, hastened to the sepulchre. There seems indeed to have been a peculiar intimacy between these two disciples ; it was Peter that St. John introduced into the palace of the high-priest; it was Peter to whom he gave notice of Christ's appearing when he came to them at the sea of Tiberias, in the habit of a stran. frer; and it was for St. John that Peter was so solici- '-^ . • • . tously inquisitive to know what was determined con- cerning him when our Saviour expressed himself some- what ambiguously respecting that disciple. After the ascension of the Saviour of the world, when the apostles made a division of the provinces amongst themselves, that of Asia fell to the share of St. John, though he did not immediately enter upon his charge, but continued at Jerusalem till the death of the blessed Virgin, which happened about fifteen years after our Lord's ascension: being released from the trust committed to his care by his dying Master, he re- tired into Asia, and industriously applied himself to the propagating of Christianity, preaching where the gospel had not yet been known, and confirming it where it was already planted. Many churches of note and emnience were of his founding, particularly those of Symrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, La- odicea, and others; but his chief place of residence was at Ephesus, where St. Paul had many years before founded a church, and constituted Timothy bishop of it. Nor can we suppose that he confined his ministry entirely to Asia Minor; it is highly reasonable to think that he preached in other parts of the East, probably to the Parthians, his first epistle being anciently di- rected to them ; and the Jesuits assure us that the inhabi- tants of the kingdom of Bassora in India, affirm, that, according to a tradition handed down from their ances- tors, St. John planted the Christian faith in their coun- try, where the Christians are called by his name. LIFE OF ST. JOHN. U5 Having spent several years at Ephcsiis, he was accus- ed to Domitian, who had begun a persecution' against the Christians as an eminent asserter of Atheism and impiety, and a pubUc subverter of the religion of the empire ; so that by his command, the proconsul sent him bound to Rom.e, where he met with the treatment that might have been expected from so barbarous a prince, being thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil : but the Almighty, who reserved him for further services in the vineyard of his Son, restrained the heat, as he did in the fiery furnace of old, and delivered him from this seeming unavoidable destruction. And surely one would have thought that so miraculous a deliverance would ha\e been sufficient to have persuaded any ra- tional man that the religion he taught was from God, and that he w^as protected from danger by the hand of Omnipotence ; but miracles themselves were not sufti- cient to convince this cruel emperor, or aba.teliis Fury: he ordered St. John to be transported to a disconsolate island in the Archipelago, 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 v/rote his book of Revelation, exhibiting, by visions and prophetical representations, the state and condition of Cliristianity in the future periods and ages of the church, till the final consummation of all things. After the death of Domitian, and on the succession, of Nerva, who repealed all the odious acts of his pre- decessor, and by public edicts recalled those whom the fury of Domitian had banished, St. John returned to Asia and fixed his seat again at Ephesus ; and rather, because the people of that city had lately martjred Timothy their bishop. Here, with the assistance of •seven other bishops, he took upon himself the gov^TJi- ment of the large diocese of Asia Minor, erected ora- tories, and disposed of the clergy in the best raannci* that the circumstances of those times would permit, spending his time in an indefatigable*- execution of his VOL.il. T ii!y LIFE OF ST. JOHiV. charge, travelling from East to West to instruct the world in the principles of the holy religion, he was sent to propagate. In this manner St. John continued to labour in the vineyard of his great Master, till death put a period to iill his toils and sufferings; which hap- pened in the beginning of Trajan's reign, in the ninety- eighth year of his age, and he was buried near Ephesus* according to Eusebius. This great evangelist and apostle seems always to have led a single life; though some of the ancients tell us he was a married man. With regard to his natural temper, he seems to have been of an eager and reso- lute disposition, easily inflamed, but which age had re- duced to a calmer temper. He was polished by no study or arts of learning; but, what Vv'as 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 humility v/as admirable, studiously concealing his own honour; for in his epistles, he never styles himself either a]X)stle or evangelist; the title of presbyter or elder, is all he as- sumes, and probably in regard to his age as much as his office, in his gospel, when he speaks of the Disciple whoin Jesus loved^ he constantly conceals his own name, leavino: the reader to discover v/hom he meant : love and charity he practised himself, and affectionately pressed them upon others; the great love of his Sa- viour towards him, seems to have inspired his soul with a larger and more generous charity than the rest. This is the great vein that runs through all his writings, es- pecially his epistles, where he urges it as the great and peculiar law of Cliristianity, and without which all other pretences to the religion of the holy Jesus are vain and frivolous, useless and insignificant: and this was his constant practice to the very hour of his dis- solution ; for when age and the decays of nature had rendered him so weak that he was unable to preach to the people any longer, he was constantly led, at every public meeting, to the church of Ephesus, and always LIFE OF ST. JOHN. 147 repeated to them the same precept, Little children love one anot/ier: and when his hearers, wearied with the constant repetition of the same thini^, asked him whv he never varied his discourse, he answered, "Because to love one another was the command of our blessed Saviour, and if they did nothing more, this alone was sufficient to denote whose tliey were, and whom the^ served." The largest measures of his charity were, however, displaj'cd in the remarkable care he took to promote the salvation of the souls of men; travelling from East to West, in propagating the principles of that religion he was sent to teach, patiently enduring every torment, surmounting every difficulty, and removing every obstacle, to save the souls of the human race, free their minds from error and idolatry, and turn them from the paths of vice and debauchery. Amongst ma- ny other instances of this kind, Eusebius relates the folio win 2:. " St. John, during one of his visitations of the church at Ephesus, was greatly pleased with the appearance and behaviour of a yoiuig man, whom he called to him, and, with a special charge, recommended to the bishop, who undertook the trust, and promised to discharge it with the greatest fidelity : accordingl}', the bishop took him home with him to his house, carefully instructed him in the principles of the Christian religion, and at last baptised and confirmed him. After he had pro- ceeded thus far, he thought he might a little relax the reins of discipline; but the youth made a bad use of his lilxirty, and being debauched by evil company, be- came the captain of a gang of robbers, and committed the most horrid outrages in the adjacent countries. St. John, being informed of this at his return, sharply re- proved the bishop, and determined to find the }^oung man out; never considering the d^igerstliat would in- evitably attend him, by venturing himself amongst persons of desperate fortunes : accordingly, he repaired 148 LIFE OF ST. JOHN. to the mountains where they usually abode, and being taken by one of the robbers placed as a watch, he de- sired to be carried to their captain, who, on seeing St. John coming towards him, immediately fled. The apos- - tie forgetting his age, hastened after him ; but being unable to overtake him, he passionately cried out, ' Child, ^vhy dost thou run from thy Father, an old and defenceless man? Spare me the pains of following thee, and let not terrors and despair seize upon thee. Thy salvation is not irrecoverable. Stay, and be con- vinced that Christ himself hath sent me.' At these words the young man stopped, fixed his eyes upon the earth, trembled in every part, and burst into a flood of tears. And when the aged apostle approached he cm- braced him, and implored forgiveness with such weep- ing and lamentations, that he seemed to be re-baptized, and to wash away his sins with his own tears. The apostle received him with the greatest kindness, assured him that he had obtained pardon for his sins at the hands of his OTcat Redeemer, and returned him a true penitent and convert to the church of which he was a member. Our apostle's cai'e for the souls of men, is further evidenced by the writings he left to posterity. The first of which in time, though placed last in the sacred can- on, is his Apocalypse, or book of Revelation, which he wrote during his banishment to Patmos. After the preface and admonition given to the bishops of the se- ven churches in Asia, it contains a prophetic view of the persecutions the faithful were to suffer from the Jews, Heretics, and tyrannical princes, together with the peaceable and flourishing state of the church, till dis- turbed by other enemies; and the happiness of the church triumphant in heaven. And hence St. John is, in the strictest sense, a prophet, and has thereby one material addition to his titles, being not only an apostle and evangelist, but also a prophet: an honour peculiar to himself. St. Peter was an apostle, but no evange- list: St. Mark and St. Luke were evaneelists, but no LIIE OF ST. JOHN. 149 apostles: St. Matthew, was an apostle and evangelist, but no prophet : but St. John was an apostle, an evan- gelist, and a prophet likewise. His three epistles take place, in order of time, next to the Apocalypse ; the first of which is catholic, be- ing calcidated for all times and places, and 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 insinua- tions of seducers ; and cautioning men against the poi- sonous principles and practices of the Gnostics. The apostle here, according to his usual modesty conceals his name, it being of more consequence to a wise man what is said, than he who says it. It appears from St. Augustine, that this epistle was anciently inscribed to the Parthians, because, in all probability, St. John preached the gospel in Parthia. The other two epistles are but short, and directed to particular persons; the one a lady of great quality, the other to the charitable and hospitable Gains, the kindest friend, and the most courteous entertainer of all indigent Christians, in those primitive times. We are told by Eusebius and St. Jerom, that St. John, having perused the other three gospels, approved and confirmed them by his authority ; but observing, at the same time, that these evangelists had omitted seve- ral of our blessed Saviour's transactions, particularly those w^ich were performed before the Baptist's im- prisonment, he wrote his gospel to supply what was wanting in them : and because several Heretics were at that time sprung up in the church, who denied the di- vinity of our blessed Saviour, he took care to guard against these heresies, by proving that our great Re- deemer was God from everlasting. He largclv records our Saviour's discourses, but takes little notice of his miracles, probably because the other evangelists had so fully and particularly written concerning them. low hl¥k OF ST. PAUL. Previous to his undertaking the task of writing his gospel, he caused a general fast to be kept by all the Asian churches, to implore the blessing of heaven on so great and momentuous an undertaking. When this was done, he set about the work, and compleated it in so excellent and sublime a manner, that the ancients generally compared him to an eagle's soaring aloft amongst the clouds, whither the weak eye of man was not able to follow him. *^ Amongst all the evangelical writers," says St. Basil," " none are like St. John, the son of thunder, for the sublimity of his speech, and the height of his discourses, which are beyond any man's capacity fully to reach and comprehend." '' St. John, as a true son of thunder," says Epiphanius, by a loftiness of speech peculiar to himself, " acquaints us, as it were out of the clouds and dark recesses of wis- dom", with the divine doctrine of the Son of God, the glorious Saviour of mankind." Thus we have given the character of the writings of this great apostle and evangelist, who as we have hint- ed before, was honoured with the endearing title of being the beloved disciple of the Son of God ; and was a writer so sublime as to deserve, by way of eminence, the character of St, John the Divine, THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL, The Apostle to the Gentiles* JL HIS eminent and laborious apostle was a native of Tarsus, and a descendant from the ancient stock of Abraham. He was born about two years before the blessed Jesus, and belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, who thus prophecied of him. Benjamin shall raven as a wolf; in the morning he shall LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 151 devour the prey, a7id at night he shall divide the spoil ; a propheticl character which Tertullian and others will liave to be accomplished in this apostle : for in his youth, or the morning of his days, he persecuted the churches, destroying the flock of the Almighty ; de- vouring the prey : in his declining age, or evening of his days, he became a physician of the nations, feeding and distributins: with the [greatest care and assiduit\ , the sheep of Christ, the great Shepherd of Israel. The place of this apostle's nativity, was Tarsus, the metropolis of Cilica, situated about three hundred miles distant from Jerusalem ; it was exceedingly rich and populous, and a Roman minicipium, or free corpora- tion, invested with the privileges of Rome by the two first emperors, as a reward for the citizens' firm adhe- rence to the Caesars, in the rebellion of Crassus. St. Paul was therefore born a Roman citizen, and he often pleads this privilege on his trials. The inhabitants of Tarsus usually sent their children into other cities for learning and improvement, espe- cially to Jerusalem, where they were so numerous that they had a synagogue of their own, called the syna- gogue of theCilicians. To this capital our apostle was also sent, and brought up at the feet of that eminent rabbi Gamaliel, in the most exact knowledge of the law of Moses : nor did he fail to profit by the instructions of that great master ; for he so diligently conformed himself to his precepts, that, without boasting, he as- serts of himself, that touching the righteousness of the law, he was blameless, and defied even his enemies to alledge any thing to the contrary, even in his youth. — He joined himself to the sect of the Pharisees, the most strict order of the Jewish religion ; but, at the same time, the proudest, and the greatest enemies to Christ and his holy religion, as evidently appears by the cha- racter given of them by the evangelists, and our Lord's description of that self righteous sect* 152 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. •i Respecting his double capacity, of Jewish extraction and Roman freedom, he had two names, Saul mid Paul, the former Hebrew, and the latter Latin. It was com- mon for the descendants of Benjamin to give the name of Saul to their children ever since the time of the first king of Israel, who was chosen out of that tribe ; and Paul was a name as common amongst the Romans. We must also consider his trade of tent-making as part of his education, it being the constant practice of the Jews, to bring up their children to some honest calling, that, in case of necessity, they might provide for them- selves by the labour of their own hands, without being burthensome to the public. Having obtained a thoroughknowledge of the sciences cultivated by the Jews, and being naturally of a very Iiot and fiery temper, Saul became a great champion for the law of Moses, and the tradition of the elders, which he considered as a zeal for God. This rendered, him impatient of all opposition to the doctrine and tenets he had imbibed, and a vehement blasphemer and per- secutor of Christians, who were commonly reputed the enemies and destroyers of the Jewish economy. We must not however consider our apostle as guilty of the pride and hypocrisy of the Pharisees ; for he declares, that he had ever been careful to act in conformity to the dictates of his conscience, by which he thought himself bound to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. It was therefore the prejudice of his education, and the natural warmth of his temper, that excited him to those violent persecutions of the Chris- tians, for which he became so famous in the infancy of the church. We find that the first action he enrasred in, was the disputation he and his rountr}'men had with the martyr Stephen, concerning tlie Messiah. The Chi'isi- tian was too hard for them in t^P dispute ; but they were too powerful for him in tlicir civil interests; for being enraged at his convincing arguments, they car- LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 153 ried him before tlic high-priest, who by false accusa- tions condemned him to death. How far Saul was concerned in this cruel action, is impossible to say ; all we know is, that he kept the raiment of them that slew him, and, consequently, was accessary to his death. The enemies of the church havins: thus raised a storm of persecution against it, it increased prodigiously, and the poor Christians of Jerusalem were miserably harrassed and dispersed. In this persecution, our apos- tle was principal agent, searching all the adjacent parts for the afflicted saints, beating some in the synagogue, com- pelling some to blaspheme, confining some in prison, and procuring others to be put to death for their pro- fession : nor could Jerusalem and the adjacent parts confine his fiery zeal ; he applied to the Sanhedrim, and procured a commission from that court, to extend his persecution to Damascus. How eternally insatiable is the fury of a misguided zeal ! how restless and un- wearied in its designs of cruelty ? It had already suf- ficiently harrassed the poor Christians at Jerusalem, but not content with thatj it persecuted them to strange cities, even to Dam.ascus itself, whither many of then\ ' had fled for shelter, resolving to bring them b-ack to Jerusalem, in order to their punishment and execu- tion there. We think it necessary to observe here, that the Jew- ish Sanhedrim had not only the power of seizing and scourging ofienders against their law within the bounds of their own country, but, by the connivance and fa- vour of the Romans, might send into other coun- tries, where there were any synagogues that acknow- ledged a dependence in religious aifairs upon the coun- cil of Jerusalem, to apprehend them : and accordingly Saul \vas sent to Damascus, to apprehend what Chris- tians he could find in that city, and bring them bound to Jerusalem, to be tried and punished. It was however Saul's peculiar happiness, that the VOL. ii. u 154 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. Almighty designed to employ him in a work of a very difterent nature, and accordingly stopped him in his ioiimey : for as he was travelling between Jerusalem and Damascus, to execute the commission of the Jew- ish Sanhedrim, a refulgent light, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, darted upon him ; at which both he and his companions were terribly amazed and con- founded, falling together with their horses, prostrate on the ground. Amidst this confusion, a voice was heard in the Hebrew language, saying, Said^ Said^ why per- seciitest thou me ? To which Saul replied, TVho art thouy Lord ? And was immediately answered, / a7n Jesus, of Nazareth, xvhom thou persecutest : it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. As if the blessed Jesus had said, '' All thy attempts to extirpate the faith in me, will prove abortive, and, like kicking against the spikes wound and torment thyself the more." Being now sufficiently convinced of his folly in act- inp- against Jesus, whom he was now assured to be the true Messiah, Saul asked, Lordy what wilt thou have me to do ? On which the blessed Jesus informed him of the true intention of his appearance, ' Arise, said he, and stand upon thy feet ; for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee ; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the po\^ er of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins^ and inheritance amongst them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts xxvi. 16, 17, 18. And for further instruction the immaculate Jesus referred him to one of his followers, nanled Ananias, command- ing him to repair immediately to the city, and receive further instruction from that disciple. The men who were with him heard tlie voice, but did not see the person w ho spake from heaven : in all LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 155 probability they were ignorant of tlic Hebrew lanp;iiaii^e, and therefore only heard a confused sound ; Ibr the apostle himself tells us, that they heard not the voice of him that spake, that is, they did not liear it with a proper degree of understanding. Saul now arose from the earth, but found himself de- prived of sight, the resplendent brightness of the vision being too intense for mortal eyes to behold. His com- panions therefore led him by the hand to the city of Damascus, where he entered the house of Judas, and remained there three days without sight, neither did he eat or drink but spent his time in prayer to the Almigh- ty, beseeching him to pai'don the sins of his past life, and be gracious to him. Our blessed Saviour, in the mean time appeared in a vision to Ananias, a very devout and religious man, highly esteemed by all the inhabitants of Damascus, though he professed the religion of the crucified Jesus^ commanding him to go into such a street of the city, and enquire in the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus, then offering up the most fervent prayers to the throne of grace. Ananias, who, was ever ready to obey the commands of the Most High, staitled at the name, having heard of his bloody practices at Jerusalem, and what commission he w^as now come to execute in Da- mascus : he therefore suspected that his pretended con- version was nothing more than a snare artfuli}' laid for the Christians. But our blessed Saviour soon removed his apprehensions, by telling him that his suspicions were entirely destitute of foundation ; and that he had now taken him as a chosen vessel to preach the gospel both to llie Jews and Gentiles, and even before the greatest monarchs of the earth ; acquainting liini at the same time, with the great things he should do and suffer for the sake of the gospel, \vhat chains and impiison- ments, what racks and scourges, what hiuiger and thirst, what shipwrecks, and that, at last, he should even suf- ler death itself. 156 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. The fears of Ananias l^eing thus quieted, he imme* diately obeyed the- heavenly vision, repaired to the house of Judas, and laid hands upon Saul, saying, ''That Je- sus who appeared to thee in the way, hath sent me to restore thy sight, and by the infusion of his spirit, to give thee tlie knowledge of those truths which thou hast blindly and ignorantly persecuted ; but who now is wil- ling to receive thee by baptism into his church, and make thee a member of his body." This speech was no sooner pronounced, than there fell from his eyes, thick films resembling scales, and he received his sight, and after baptism conversed freely with the Christians of Damascus. Nor did he only con- verse with them ; he also to the great astonishment of the whole church, preached the gospel to those Chris- tians he came down with an intention to destroy, bold- ly asserting, that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God ; and proving it to the Jews with such demonstrative evi- dence, that they w ere confounded, and found it impos- sible to answer him, or disapprove his arguments. St. Paul did not stay long at Damascus after his con- version ; nor did he return to Jerusalem, but being commanded to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he re- tired into Arabia Petrse, where he received a full reve- lation of all the mvsteries of Christianity ; for he him- self declares, that he conversed not with flesh and blood. And having preached in several parts of that country some time, he returned again to Damascus, applying himself with the utmost assiduity to the great work of the ministiy, frequenting the synagogues there, power- fully confuting the objections commonly made by the descendants of Jacob against Jesus of Nazareth, and converting great numbers of Jews and Gentiles to the faith. This apostle was indeed remarkably zealous in hi.s preaching, and blessed with a very extraordinary me- thod of reaisoning, whereby he proved the fundamenti^l LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 157 points of Christianity beyond exception. This irritiited the Jews to the highest degree: and. at length, after two or three years continuance in those parts, they found means to prevail on the governor of Damascus to have him put to death : but they knew it would be difficult to take him, as he had so many friends in tlie city; they therefore kept themselves a continual watcli, searched all the houses where they supposed he might conceal him- self, and also obtained a guard from the governor to ob- serve the gates, in order to prevent his escaping from the place. His Christian friends were far from deserting him in this distress ; they tried every method that offered to procure his escape: but finding it impossible for him to pass through either of the gates of the city, they let him down from one of their houses through a window in a basket, over the wall, by which means the cruel designs of his enemies were rendered ineffectual. St. Paul having thus eacaped from his malicious persecu- tors, repaired to Jerusalem, and, on his arrival, ad- dressed himself to the church: but they knowing well the former temper and principles of this great perse- cutor, shunned his company, till Barnabas brought him to Peter, who was not yet cast into prison, and to James our Lord's brother, bishop of Jerusalem, informing them of his miraculous conversion, and that he had preached the gospel with the greatest boldness in the synagogue of Damascus ; upon which they gladly re- ceived him, and entertained him fifteen days with the greatest hospitality and affection. He was remarkably assidious during this interval, in preaching the gospel of the Son of God, and con- futing the Hellenistic Jews, with the greatest courage and resolution. But snares were soon laid for him, as malice can as easily cease to be, as to remain inactive; and being warned by God in a vision, that his testimo- ny would not be recei\ ed at Jerusalem, and therefore it was necessar}' foi' him to depart and preach the gos- 155. LIFE OF ST. rAUL. pel to the Gentiles. Accordingly, being conducted by the brethren to Cecsarea Philippi, he set sail for Tar- sus, his native city; from whence he was soon after brought by Barnabas to Antioch, to assist him in pro- pagating Christianity in that city. In this employment he spent one whole year, and had the pleasure of seeing the gospel flourish in a very remarkable manner in those parts. Here the disciples first acquired the name of Chris- tians, for before they were styled Nazareens ; but this appellation soon prevailed all over the world, and the former was in a few ages, almost entirely laid aside. A terrible famine, foretold by Hygabus, happened about this time, in several parts of the Roman empire, particularly in Judea; which induced the Christians at Antioch to compassionate the miseries of their brethren at Jerusalem; and, accordingly raised considerable con- tributions for their relief, which they sent to the capital of Judea by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, who im- mediately after executing their commission, returned to Antioch, But while they were performing the pub-r lie exercices of religion, it was revealed to them by the Holy Ghost, that they should set apart Barnabas and Saul, to preach the gospel in other places, which was accordingly done, and they were immediately de- puted for that service by prayer, fasting, and the impo- sition of hands. They first of all visited Selucia, where they did not continue long, but sailed for Cyprus ; and at Salamis, a great city in that island, they preached in the syna- gogue of the Jews. From hence they removed to Pa- phos, the residence of Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of the island, a man of great wisdom and prudence, but miserably seduced by the wicked artifices of Bar- Jesus, a Jewish impostor, who syled himself Elymas, or the magician, vehemently opposed the apostles, an4 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 139 kept the proconsul from embracing the faith, as preached by them. However, the proconsul called for the apostles, who, after severely checking Ely mas for his malicious op- position to the truth, told him the divine vengeance was now ready to seize upon him ; and immediately he was deprived of his sight. The vengeance of the Ahnighty, in depriving him of the' use of his bodily eyes, bore a remarkable analogy to the blindness of those of his mind, which were so wilfully and maliciously shut against the light of the gospel, and also endeavoured to keep others in darkness and ignorance. This miracle convinced the proconsul of the truth of the doctrines^ taught by the apostles and made him a convert to Chris- tiiuiitv. ml After this remarkable success in Cyprus, St. Paul repaired to Phrygia and Pamphilia, and taking Titus Avith him in the room of Mark, who was gone to Jeru- salem, travelled to Antioch, the metropolis of Pisidia. Soon after their arrival, they entered the synagogue of the Jews on the Sabbath-day, and after the reading of the law, Paul being invited by the rulers of the Syna- gogue, delivered himself in the following manner : *' 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 stretclied 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 promised their fathers, he destroyed the na- tions that inhabited it, and placed them in that fruitful country, dividing it to them by lot, for their inheri- tance. ** As soon as they were settled in the land, he gave ICO LU'E OF ST. PAUL. 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 Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned about forty years; and 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 heart, which shall fulfil all my will. And according to his promise, the Almighty hath raised up to the 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 the fore- runner executed hisoffice, heasked his followers. Whom 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. " Therefore, ye descendants of Abraham, and ail others who fear the Almighty, to you is the word of this salvation 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 sy- nagogues, 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 crucified. " Every thing that had been written by the prophets concerning him, being now 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 who are the witnesses, chosen by Omnipotence, of these great and mirciculous works. And we now declare unto you glad-tidingSj 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 ])rophet David also said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. He also foretokl, that he should return LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 161 from the chambers of the dust, and no more be sub- ject to corruption : / xoill give him, said he, flic sure mercies of David. And again, Thou shall not suffer thine II oh) One to see corruption Now this prophecy must relate to the Messiah, for David himself, after he liad swayed the sceptre of Israel a certain time, fell asleep, was deposited in the chambers of the grave, and his flesh saw corruption: but the great Son of Da- vid, whom the Almighty raised from the dead, never saw corruption, as it w^as written of him, " Therefore, be it known unto you, men and bre- thren, that through this Saviour is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: it is by his merits we are jus- tified from all things, which was impossible by the law of Moses. Be careful, therefore, lest what was fore- told by the prophets come upon you, Behold^ ye des- pisersy and xvonder, and perish : for I ivork a work in your days, a ztork which you si toll in no ivise believe^ though a man declare it unto you.'' The apostle's speech had the desired effect ; for se- veral of the Jews, who were convinced of the truth, desired to hear him on the next Sabbath, and the apos- tles persuaded them to continue firm in the belief of these things. The ensuing Sabbath, almost the whole city flocked to hear the apostles ; at which the Jews were filled with envy, and contradicted Paul, uttering many blasphemous expressions against the name of Jesus of Nazareth : but their opposition could not daunt the apostles, who boldly declared, that our bless- ed Saviour had charged them to preach the gospel first to the Jews; but as they so obstinately rejected it, they were now to address themselves to the Gentiles ; who, hearing: this, rejoiced exceedinjrlv, maenifvino- the word of the Almighty, and many of them em- braced the doctrines of the gospel. This increased the malice and fury of the Jews, who, by false and artful insinuations, prevailed on some of the more de- vout and honourable women to bring over their hus- VOL. ii, X 16^ LIFE OF ST. PAUL. bands to the party ; by which means, Paul and Bar- nabas were driven out of the city. At which the apostles departed, shaking off the dust from their feet, as a testimony of their ingratitude, infidelity, and re- jection of the gospel. They went from Antioch to Iconium, the metropo- lis of Lycaonia, a province of the Lesser Asia, where they again entered into a synagogue of the Jews, not- withstanding the ill-treatment they had met with from the Jews in other places ; for so great was their zeal for the gospel, that they were not to be deterred from preaching it by ill usage, however great. Therefore, according to their usual method, they began their pr^ching in the assembly of Israelites ; and the Al- mighty so far assisted their endeavours, that many, both Jews and proselytes, believed. Their success en- couraged them to continue a considerable time in this city, to instruct the converts, and confirm their faith by miracles. But, though they had gained a consider- able part of the city to the faith, yet many continued in their infidelity : the old leven of Jewish malice be- gan again to ferment, and the unbelieving Jews have stirred up the Gentiles against the apostles, at last pre- vailed on the multitude to stone them : but the apos- tles having timely notice of their design, fled from the city, and travelled to Lystra, where they preached the gospel to the inhabitants, and those who dwelt in the country adjacent. At Lystra, there was a man amongst the converts, who had been lame from his mother's womb, and^ never had walked : and Paul, perceiving that he had faith to be saved, 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 to all the rest of the be- lievers, by confirming their faith : and, that the mira- cle might be wrought in the most conspicuous man- ner, he, in the midst of the congregation, said in an audible voice to the man^ Stand upright on thij feet : LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 16;; and the words were no sooner pronounced, than his strength was at once restored, and he leaped up and walked, praising God. They who were eye-witnesses to this miracle well knew, that it was not wrought by any human power; but having been initiated into the superstitious customs ot the Heathens, cried out, in the speech of Lycoania, The Gods are come dozvii to us in the likeness of men. And accordingly they called Barnabas Jupiter, be- cause of his venerable gravity, and Paul Mercury, from his eloquence. Nor was it long before the whole city resounded with acclamations ; so that almost all the inhabitants gathered themselves together, and pre- ceded by the priest of Jupiter, and oxen dressed in garlands, they came to the house were the apostles were, intending to do sacrifice to them : But as soon, as Barnabas and Paul understood their intentions, thev were greatly affected at this superstitious attempt; and rending their clothes to express their grief and abhor- rence of the action ran to them, crying out, '' Ye men of Lystra, ye are mistaken in the object of your wor- ship ; for though we have done many miracles in the name, and by the power of Christ, yet we are no more than men, and subject to the same passions as yourselves, and preach unto you the glad-tidings of salvation, that ye may forsake the vanities of this world, and turn to the living God, who created the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all the creatures they con- tain. This Omnipotent Being suffered all nations for- merly to walk in their own ways, though he never left himself without a witness, doing the greatest good to the children of men ; it is he that sendeth rain from heaven, and crowneth the year with fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with joy and gladness." The apostle's arguments had the desired effect : and the people were at last, though with difficulty, per- suaded to lay aside their intended idolatrous sacrifice ; snd surely no argument could be more proper to affect 164 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. the minds of the audience. Is it possible to survey the several pnrts ot the creation, and not discover in every- place, evident traces of an infinite wisdom, power, and goodness ? Who can contemplate the heavens and not discern tlie wisdom of Omnipotence, adorniny: in the most beautitul manner those lofty regions ? 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 his 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 hap- py influence of a vital heat, and crowned with luxuri- ent plenty by the benign influences of the seasons. Who but an infinite Being could launch these massive globes through the immense regions of space and con- fine their motions to their respective orbits? Who poizes the balancings of the clouds^ that divides a water course for the overflowing; of waters^ and a way for the lightning of thunder ? Who can hind the sweet influ- ences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion f Or who can bring forth Mazaroth in his season, or guide Arc- turns with his so7is P Do these happen by chance, or by the secret appointment of Infinite Wisdom ? Who can contemplate the wonderful properties of the air, the great treasury of vital breath, and not reflect on the Divine Wisdom that formed it ? If we survey the earth, w^e there discover the footsteps of an Almighty Being, who stretches/: the North over the emptij place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing ; filling it vv'ith a great variety of admirable and useful creatures, and main- taining them all by the bounty of his hand. ^It is he that clothes the grass with delightful verdure, that crowns the year with his loving kindness, and causes the valleys to stand thick with corn. It is he that 7naketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the service of 7nan : 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 shuts up iiic sea witli doors, and said. Hitherto shatt thou come^ m«E OF ST. PAUL. 165 hut no further, and here shall thy proud ivaves be stay- ed, h is this Almighty Being that arrests the storm, and smooths the tempestuous billows of the deep ; that delivereth the mariner from all his troubles, and bring- eth his ship into the desired haven of safety. How reasonable, therefore, is it that we should worship and -adore this Omnipotent, this kind Creator, and not transfer the honours due to him alone, to frail mortals, much less to dumb idols, the \vorks of mens' hands, which cannot profit. Thus having persuaded the people to desist troni the idolatrous worship they would have paid them, the apostles continued their labours in instructing the peo- ple, and planting in this city the gospel of the Son of God : but the malice of the Jews still pursued them ; for some of these bigotted Israelites coming from An- tioch and Iconium, exasperated and stirred up the multitude ; so that those very persons who could hard*- ]y be restrained from offering sacrifice to them, now used them like slaves, stoning them in so cruel a man- ner, that Paul was thought to be dead, and as such they dragged him out of the city ; but while the Chris- tians of Lystra were attending on his corpse, probably in order to carry him to his grave, he arose and return- ed with them into the city ; and the next day depart- ed with Barnabas to Derbe where they preached the gospel, and converted many ; no danger being able to terrify them from the work of the n)inistry, and pub- lishing the glad-tidings of salvation in every place they came to. How^ever, they did not long continue at Derbej but returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, confirming the Christians of those places in the faith, earnestly persuading them to persevere, and not be discouraged with those troublesand persecutions which they muse expect would attend the profession of the gospel. And that the affairs of the church might be conducted with more regularity, they ordained elders 166 LIKE OF ST. PAUL. and pastors, to teach, to instruct, and to watch over them ; and then left them to the protection of the Al- mighty to whose care they recommended them by fasting and prayer. The Apostles after leaving Antioch, passed through Pisidia, and came toPamphylia ; and after preaching the gospel at Perga, they went down to Attalia. Having thus finished the circuit of their ministry, they returned back to Antioch in Syria, from whence they at first departed. Here they summoned the church, and gave them an account of their ministry, the suc- cess it had met with in these different parts, and how great a door had thus been opened for the conversion of the Heathens. During St. PauFs stay at Antioch, that famous con- troversy, relating to the observation of the Jewish ce- remonies in the Christian dispensation, was set on foot by certain Jewish converts, to the great disturbance of the whole church. And it was determined to send Paul and Barnabas to consult with the Apostles and church at Jerusalem, that this affair might be settled on the most solid foundation. On their arrival at Jeru- salem, thev first addressed themselves to Peter, James, and John, the pillars ot that church, by whom they were kindly entertained, and kindly admitted to the right-hand of fellowship. And perceiving by the ac- count given them by St. Paul, that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to him, as that of the circumcision was to Peter, they agreed that Peter should preach to the Jews, and Paul to the Gentiles. This being determined, a council was summoned, wherein Peter declared his opinion, and Paul and Barnabas acquainted them with the great things God by their ministry, had done amongst the Gentiles. A plain evidence, that they were accepted by the Al- mighty, though uncircumcised, as well as the Jews with all their legal rights and privileges. According- ]y^ it was unanimously determined, that the Gentiles- LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 167 were not under the obligation of the law of Moses, and therefore, for their fuller satisfaction in this mat- ter, it was agreed, that some persons of their own church should be joined with Paul and Barnabas, to carry the decrees of the council to Antioch. St. Paul and his companions, having received the decretal epistle, returned back to Antioch : and soon after Peter himself came dov^n. On reading this ej^is- tie in the church the converts conversed freely and in- offensively with the Gentiles, till some of the Jews coming thither from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew his conversation, as if it had been a thing unwarrantable and unlawful. By such a strange method of proceed- ing, the minds of many were dissatislied, and their con- sciences very uneasy. St. Paul, with the greatest con- cern, observed it, and publicly rebuked Peter with that sharpness and severity his unwarrantable practice called for on such an important occasion, Paul and Barnabas, soon after this dispute, resolved to visit thechurches they had planted amongst the Gen- tiles, and Barnabas was desirous of taking with them his cousin Mark : but this Paul strenuously opposed, as he had left them in their former journey. This trifling dispute arose to such a height, that these two great apostles and fellow-labourers in the gospel parted asun- der ; Barnabas, taking Mark with him repaired to Cy- prus his native country ; and Paul, having made choice of Silas, and recommended the success of his under- taking to the care of Divine Providence, set forward on his intended journey. St. Paul and Silas first visited the churches of Syria and Cicilia, confirming them in the faith, by their in- structions and exhortations. Hence thev sailed to Crete, where Paul preached the gospel, and constitut- ed Titus to be the first bishop and pastor of that island, leaving; him to settle those affairs of the church Vv^hich time would not permit the anostle to settle himselt. 163 LIFE OF ST. PAUL.' From hence Paul and Silas returned back Into Cicllia, and came to Lystra, where they found Timothy, whose father was a Greek, but his mother was a Jewish con- vert, and by her he had been brought up under all the advantages of a pious and religious education, espe- cially with regard to the Holy Scriptures; which he had studied with the greatest assiduity and success. This person St. Paul designed for the 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, caused him to be circumcised; being willing in lawful and indifferent matters, in order to save the souls of men, to conform himselt to their tempers, apprehensions, and prejudices. St. Paul and his companions now departed from Lystra, passing through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, where the apostle was entertained with the greatest kindness and veneration, the people looking upon him as an angel sent immediately from heaven; and being by revelation forbidden to go into Asia, he was commanded by a second vision to repair to Ma- cedonia, to preach the gospel. Accordingly, our apostle prepared to pass from Asia into Europe. HereSr. Luke joined them, and became ever after the inseparable companion of St. Paul, who being desirous of finding the speediest passage into Macedonia, took ship withhis companions Silas, Luke, and Timothy, and came to Samothracia, an island iii the iEgean sea, not far from Thrace ; and the next dav to Neapolls, a port of Macedonia. Leaving Nea- polis they repaired to Philippi, the metropolis of that part of Macedonia, a Roman colony where, for some days, they resided Paul, according to his constant practice, preached i«^ a Proseucha or oratory of the Jews, which stood by the river side, at some distance from this city, and was J.IFE OF ST. PAUL. 1^9 much frequented by the devout women of tlieir religi- on, who met there to pray and hear the law. To these St. Paul preached the glad-tidings of the gospel ; and by the influence of the Holy Spirit, converted many, especially a certain woman nanied Lydia, a Jewish proselyte, a seller of purple in that city, but a native of Thyatira. This woman being baptized with her whole family, was so importunate with St. Paul and his com- panions to abide at her house, that they were con- strained to accept of her invitation. While the apostles resided at Philippi, they continu- ed their daily course of worshipping at the same ora- tory. And after several days, as they were repairin^^ to the same place of devotion, there met them a damsel who had a prophetic spirit of divination, by whom her masters acquired very great advantage. 1 his woman followed Paul and his companions, crying out, Tliesi' men are the servants of the Most High God, ivhick shew unto lis the way to salvation. Paul, at first, took no notice of her, not being willing to multiply mira- cles without necessity: but when he saw her following them several days together, he began to be troubled j and in imitation of his great Master, who would not suffer the devil to acknowledge him, 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. The devil with reluct- ance obeyed, and left the damsel immediately. As this miraculous cure proved a great loss to her masters, who acquired large gains from her soothsay- ing, they were filled with malice and envy against the apostles; and, by their instigation, the multitude arose, and, seizing upon Paul and his companions, hurried them before the mav here he stayed seven days ; here he preached to them on the Lord's day, and continued his discourse till mid- night, being himself to depart in the morning. The length of his discourse and the time of the night caus- ed some of his audience to be overtaken with sleep, and amongst them a young man, named Eutychus, who fell Irom the third story, and was taken up dead; but the apostle, by his prayer to the throne of grace, pre- sently restored him to life, and health. How indefati- gable was the industry of this great apostle ! How close- ly did he tread in the steps of his great Master, who Tivent about doing good! He preached and wrought mi- racles' in the name and by the power of Christ, wher- ever he came ! As a master-builder, he either laid a foundation, or raised the superstructure ! He was instant in season and out of season, and spared no pains to as- sist the souls of men by warning and persuading some, and confuting, and establishing others. After having spent the night in holy exercises, St. Paul took his leave of the brethren in the morning, tra- velling on foot to Assos, a sea-port town, whither he had before sent his companions by sea : from thence they sailed to Mytilene, a city in the isle of Lesbos : the next dav thev sailed from thence, and came over as'ainst Chios, and the day following landed at Trog}llium, promontory of Ionia, near Samos : the next day they came to Miletus, not putting in at Ephesus, because the apostle was resolved to be at Jerusalem on the day o^- Pentecost, if possible. Arriving at Miletus, he sent Ephesus, to summon the elders of the church, and on their comine:, reniip.ded ihem of the manner in which he had conversed amongst ihem : how faithfully and affectionately he had dischiu"- ged the offices of his ministry, and how incessantly he had laboured for the good of the souls of men ; adding that ho had ne\'cr failed to acquaint them, both in pub- 158 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. lie and private, with whatever might he useful and pro. fitable to them ; urging both the Jews and Gentiles to repentance, and reformation of life, and a hearty enter- tainment of the faith of C h r i s t : that now he was going up to Jerusalem, where he was ignorant of what might befal him, except what had been foretold him by those w^ho were endued with the prophetical gifts of the Holy Ghost ; namely, that afflictions and imprisonment would attend him ; but this gave him no concern, being w il- ling to lay down his life whenever the gospel required it, and fully determined to serve faithfully his Lord and Master. '' I well know, continued he, that ye will see my face no more : but for my encouragement and satisfac- tion, ye yourselves can bear me witness, that I have not by concealing any part of the Christian doctrine, betrayed your souls, and as for yourselves, whom God hath made bishops and pastors of his church, you should be careful to feed, guide, and direct those Christians under your in- spection, and be infmitely tender of the welfare of the souls, for whose redemption the blessed Je su s laid down his own life. All the care, therefore, possible for you to use, is no more than necessary ; for after my departure, heretical teachers will appear in the church, to the great danger of the souls of men, seeking by every crafty method, and pernicious doctrine, to gain proselytes to their party, and by that means fill the church of Ch r i s t with schisms and factions. Watch ye therefore, and remember, v/ithwhat tears and sorrow I have, during three years, w^arned you of tliese things : and now I re- commend you to the divine favour and protection, and to the rules and instructions of the gospel, which if ad- hered to, w ill undoubtedly dispose and perfect you for that state of happiness which the Almighty hath pre- pared for the good men in the mansions of eternity. — • You wxll know that I have from the beginning dealt faithfully and uprightly with you ; that I have had no covetous designs, or ever desired the riches of other men ; nay, I have laboured with mine own hands, to support me and ray companions ; you ought therefore to support the weak, and relieve the poor, rather than IJFE OF ST. PAUL. 189 be yourselves cliargeable to others, according to that in- comparable saying of the great Redeemer of mankind, It is more blessed to give than to receive. After having finished his discourse, St. Paul kneeled down, and joined with them in prayer ; when they all melted into tears, and, with the greatest expressions of sorrow, attended him to the ship ; grieving in the most l^assionate manner for w hat he had told them, that they should see his face no more. Departing from Myletus, Paul and his companions arrived at Coos, from whence they sailed the next day to Rhodes, two islands in the iEgian sea. From whence they came to Patra, the metropolis of Lycia, where they went on board another vessel bound for Tyre in Phoe- nicia. On his arrival he visited the brethren there, and continued w ith them a week, and was advised by some of them, who had the gift of prophecy, not to go up to Jerusalem; but the apostle would by no means aban- don his design, or refuse to suffer any thing, provided he might spread the gospel of his Saviour. Finding all persuasions were in vain, they all accompanied him to the shore, where he kneeled down and prayed with them; and after embracing them with tlie utmost af- fection, he went on board, and came to Ptolemais, and the next day to Caesarea. Here Paul and his compan- ions lodged in the house of Philip, the Evangelist, one of the seven deacons set apart by tiie apostles, and who had before converted the Samaritans. Philip had four daughters, ail virgins, each of whom had a prophetic spirit. While they were in this place, Agabus a Christian prophet, came thither -from Judea, who taking PauPs girdle, bound his own hands and feet with it; signify- jng by this external symbol, that the Jews would bind Paul in that manner, and deliver him to the Gentiles. Whereupon, both his own companions and the Chris- tians of Caesarea, earnestly besouglit him, that \\^ would 190 LU^E OF ST. PAUL. not go up to Jerusalem ; but the apostle asked them, if they intended by these passionate dissuasives to add more affliction to his sorrow? For I am ready ^ con- tinued he, not only to he bounds hut also to die at JerU' salem^for the name of the Lord Jesus. When the dis- ciples found that his resolution was not to be shaken they importuned him no further, leaving the event to be determined according to the pleasure of the Most High. And all things being ready, Paul and his com- panions set forward on their journey, and were kindly undjoyfully received by the Christians at Jerusalem, on their arrival. Paul and his companions, the next day after their ar- rival, went to the house of St. James the apostle, where the rest of the bishops and governors of the church were met together. After mutual salutation, the apos- tle gave them a particular account of the success with which God had blessed his endeavours in propagating Christianity amongst the Gentiles ; for which they all joined in thanksgiving to God ; but withal told him, that he \\^as now^ come to a place where there ^vere many thousands of Jewish converts, who were all zealous for the law^ of Moses, and who had been informed, that he taught the Jews whom he had converted, to renounce circumcision, and the ceremonies of the law; that as soon as the multitude heard of his arrival, they would all assemble to see how he behaved himself in this mat- ter: and therefore, to prevent disturbance, they thouglit k advisable for him to join himself with four persons, who were at that time to accomplish a vow, and per- form the usual rites and ceremonies with them, and provide such sacrifices for them, as the law, in that case, required ; and that as a symbol of their discharging their vow, they might shave their heads ; whereby it would appear, that the reports that were spread con- cerning him, were false and groundless, and that he iiimself still observed the rites and orders of the Mo- saical institutions. But with regard to the Gentile con- verts, they required no such observances at their hands^ LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 1^1 nor expected any thing- more from them In these indif- ferent matters, than what had been before determined in the synod formerly held at Jerusalem. St. Paul, who in such cases was willing to become all things to all men, that he might gain the more, consented to their counsel ; and, taking the persons with him to the tem- ple, told the priests that the time of a vow they had made being now expired, and having purified them- sches as the nature of their case required, they were come to make the offerings which the law enjoined. When the seven davs, which those sacrifices were to be oftered, were almost ended, certain Jew s from Asia, finding him in the temple, began to raise a tumult, and laying hold on Paul, called to their brethren the Jews to assist them, declaring that this was the person who every w^here preached doctrines detrimental to the Jew- ish nation, and destructive to the institutions of the law, and the purity of that sacred place which he had now defiled, by bringing Greeks into the temple ; pos- itively concluding, that because they had seen Trophi- mus, a Gentile convert, with him in the city, that he had also brought him into the temple : so apt is malice to make any supposition in order to draw from thence its own conclusion. This accusation, though absolute- ly false, set the whole city in an uproar, and seizing on the apostle, they dragged him out of the temple, when the doors w^ere immediately shut, to prevent his return- ing into that holy place : nor had they failed of soon putting a period to all his sufferings and troubles, had not Claudius Lysias, commander of the Roman garri- son, in the castle of Antonio, arrived with a band of sol- diers to his rescue, and supposing, from the great tu- mult of the Jews, that he was more than an ordinary malefactor, loaded him with a double chain, though he was as yet altogether ignorant, either of his country, or the crime he was accused of; it being impossible to ob- tain any satisfactory answer from the multitude, who called for nothing but his death, following the soldiers iu such a riotous manner, that they were forced to carrv- 192 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. the apostle in their arms, to secure him from the rage and violence >o{' the people, wlio were ready to tear him in pieces. While they were going in this manner towards the castle, Paul asked the governor whether he might have the liberty of speaking to him ; who, finding he undei**- stood the Greek language, inquired of him whether he was not an Egyptian, who, a few years before had rais- ed a sedition in Judea, and headed a party of four thou- sand vile and profligate wretches. To which the apos- tle replied, that he was a Jew of Tarsus, a freeman of a rich and honourable city, and therefore begged of him, that he might have leave to speak unto the people. This the Roman officer readily granted, and Paul, standing near the door of the castle, made signs that they should hold their peace, and began to address them in the Hebrew language : which engaged them to listen with more attention to the following extraordinary narra^ tive. '^ Ye descendants of Jacob, listen to a person of your own religion, and like yourselves, a child of Abra- ham; born in Tarsus, and brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and fully instructed in the lav/ de- livered bv Moses to our forefathers, and formerly as zealous for the temple- worship as ye are at present. '* Yea, more, I persecuted unto death all w^ho believed in Jesus, seizing on all I could find both men and wo- men, and cast them into prison. This the high-priest, and all our elders well know; for from them I received a commission, and repaired to Damascus, to bring from thence to Jerusalem all the Christians, in order to their undergoing an exemplary punishment. But as I was pursuing my journey, to execute this commission, and being arrived near Damascus, there appeared, about mid-day, a light from heaven, shining around me whh great brightness. I.IFE OF ST. PAUL* 19d " Being terrified at so awful an appearance 1 fell to the ground, and lieard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? To which I answered, fFho art thou. Lord? And the voice replied, / am Jesus of Nazareth, whom tliou persecutest, ^ " My companions, during this interval, were greatly terrified at the great light which surrounded me; but diey did not understand the words that were spoken from above. " As soon as I had recovered from the terror with which my mind was filled, qn seing Jesus so highly advanced above all eiu-thly power, I answered, Wliat shall I do, Lord? And he replied, Arise, and ^o into Da- mascus: and there it shall be told thee of all things ^ which are appointed for thee to do. " I was immediately deprived of sight by the brii-^ liance of the glory that shone around me; so that my companions led me by the hand to Damascus^ where one Ananias, a person well respected by all the Jews of that city, visited me, and said, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in a moment my eyes were opened, and I sa^v him standing before me. *' Perceiving that my sight was restored he said to ' me, The Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Ja- ' cob, hath appointed thee to know his will, to see the * great Messiah the Holy One of God, and hear the ^ voice of his mouth : ibr thou art chosen to be a wit- * ness, to all the nations of the eaith, of those surpris- ' ing things which tliou hast seen .and heard. Why ' therefore tarriest thou here any longer? Arise, and be * baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name 'of the Lord: " In a short time after this glorious vision, and mi- raculous power of the Most High, when I was return- ed from Damascus to Jerusalem, and ofl'ering up my VOL. ii, B b l§'i Lite OF sr. PAUL. prayers in the tcriiple, I fell into a trance, and again saw the i^reat Son of David, who said unto me ^ Depart ' quickl}" from Jerusalem; for the sons of Jacob will re- * fuse to believe thy testimony concerning me.' And I answered, * Lord, they know how cruelly I used thy ' saints and followers ; that I imprisoned and beat them * in every city, and in every synagogue. Nay, when ' they shed the blood of thy holy martyr Stephen, I was * also one of the spectators ; I consented to his death ; * I even kept the raiment of those that slew him.' But he replied, * Depart : I will send thee to countries far * remote ; even to the Gentiles, that thou mayest there * speak in my name and publish to them my salva- *tion.' Till now the Jews had listened with some attention to his speech; but, on his mentioning the commission he had received to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, their fury knew no bounds; crying out, with one ac- cord, Away with such a fellow from the earth: he is unworthy to be ranked amongst the race of mortals, or even to breathe the vital air. And as they thought w^ords too weak to express their fury, they threw off their clothes, and filled the air with dust, indicating their great desire of stoning him to death. At this instant a captain of the guard commanded him to be brought within the castle, and that he should be examined by scourging, till he confessed the reason of the uncommon rage shewn against him by the peo- ple. Accordingly, the lictor bound him, and was go- ing to put the orders he had received into execution, when Paul asked tlie centurion that stood by, whether it was lawful to scourge a citizen of Rome, before any sentence had been passed upon him ? The centurion, instead of answering the question, repaired immedi- ately to the governor, desiring him to take care how he proceeded against the prisoner, because he was a Eonian* LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 191 On this information, the governor himself came into the prison, and asked Paul, whether he was really a Irec citizen of Rome? And being told he was, he answered, that he himself procured the great privilege by a large sum of money ; but Paul answered, / was free born. On receiving this account, the governor commanded the centurion not to scourge him, being terrified at what he had already done; in chaining a free denizen of Rome. The next day therefore he ordered his chains to be taken off; and that he might thoroughly satisfy himself of the cause of so unusual a tumult the preceding day, summoned the Sanhedrim to meet, and brought down Paul before them, that they might hear his defence. Being thus placed before the high council of the Jews, Paul told them, that in all the passages of his life, he had taken care to govern his actions by the se- verest rules of duty and conscience : Men and brethren^ I have lived i?i all good conscience before God until this day. How great is the security of a truly good man? How strong, though invisible, a support does innocence become in the greatest danger! With how generous i^ confidence does virtue and honesty guard the breast of 21 true professor of Christianity ! Nothing else indeed can lay a solid foundation for satisfaction and tranquil- ity. When any calaAitv o\'ertakes us, religion and a good conscience fill tne breast with ajieavenly serenity, which all the litttle accidents of this world can neither ruffle or discompose. And, accordingly, Seneca com- pares the mind of a wise and good man to the state of the upper region, which is always calm cuid i^erene^ though all around is tumult and confusion. However this expression of the apostle might tend to shew the true state of his mind; the high-priest Ananias was so oflended at it, that he commanded those who stood next to him, to strike him on the face; at which the apostle smartly replied, God shall smite thee. ^ thou xvhited vjalL Thou art placed on th'" seat of judg 196 LIFE OF ST. PAUl^ ment to determine according to the law, and command- est me to be smitten in direct opposition to its precepts. On which some of the spectators replied, it is not law- ful to revile the hi^^h-priest of the Almighty. And Paul answered, I did not know that Ananjas was appointed by God to be an high-priest; but as he is invested with authority, it is unjust to revile him, God himself Having commanded, that tw man should speak evil of the ruler of the people, St. Paul, now perceiving the council consisted partly of Sadducees and partly of Pharisees, cried aloud. Men and brethren^ lam a Pharisee^ a son of a Pharisee^ and am now brought before this tribu- nal, for asserting: the resuiTCCtion from the dead." This declaration threw the whole court mto confusion ; the Pharisees, being zealous patrons of that tenet, declared the prisoner innocent, and that in all probability he had received some intimation from heaven by an angel, or die silent whispers of the Holy Spirit; and if so, they really fought against the Omnipotence himself, by op- posing his doctrine. While the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, together with the existence of either imgel or si>irit, strenuously insisted that the apostle was a turbulent person, and ought to be punished for his mis- conduct. Hereupon the council was gr||dy divided, and their dissentions increased to that Jlp-ee, that the captain feared Paul would have been pulled in pieces by them, and therefore took him from the bar, and carried him back to U^-e castle. But during the silence of the night, the great Redeemer of mankind, to comfort his faithful servant uixler all the terrors he had suffered the two pre- ceding days, appeared to him in a vision, encouraging him to constancy and resolution, assuring him, that as he had borne witness of him at Jerusalem, he should, notwithstanding all the malice and wicked designs of his enemies, live to bear his testimony even in Rome itself before the Gentiles. '^lie Jews, whose envy and malice were i;ncrcased by I.H'E OF ST. PAUL. 197 the dilatory proceedings, determined, the next morn- ing, to use a quicker method of putting a period to his life. In order to this, about forty of the most turbu- lent entered into a shocking confederacy of killing him, ratifying it by an oath, and the most bitter execration, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had put their inhuman desi2:n in execution : but such vile mon- sters would do well to remember, that a Being, from whose eye nothing can be concealed, and whose power nothing can resist, is privy to all theif" actions, often ren- ders their designs abortive, and will surely punish them for their base attempts. Accordingly, this design, though probably concluded under the pitchy mantle of the night was discovered to St. Paul, b}^ his sister's son, and, at the request of the apostle, told to the gov- ernor himself, who immediately commanded two par- ties of horse and foot to be ready by nine o'clock that night, in order to conduct St. Paul to Felix, the Roman governor of that province, to whom also he sent an ac- count of the whole proceedings of the Jews against the prisoner; and, at the same time, ordered his accusers also to appear before the Roman magistrate : accord- ingly St. Paul was conducted to Antipatris, and after- wards to Csesarea, where the letters being delivered to Felix, the apostle was also presented to him; and fmd- ing tliat he belonged to the province of Cilicia, he told him, that as soon as his accusers were come down, he would determine the affair, and commanded him to be secured in the place called Herod's Hall, till they should appear against him. Ananias the high priest, with some others of the Sanhedrim, came to Ca^sarea, a lew days after St. Paul's arrival, accompanied by Tcrtuilus their advocate, who, in a short, but eloquent speech, adorned with all the flattering and insinuating arts of oratory, began to ac- cuse the apostle, charging him with sedition, heresy, and the profanation of the temple ; tluit they would have saved him the trouble of this hearing, by judging him according to their own law, had not Lysias, the 198 LIFE OF ST. PAUL. chief captain, violently taken him from them, and sent both the prisoner and them to Cassarea, by a guard of soldiers. The charge of the orator against the apostle being finished, Felix told St. Paul, that he was now at liberty to make his defence: accordingly he distinctly answer- ed every part of the charge, in the following manner. ** I answer this charge of the Jews with greater satis- faction before thee, because thou hast for many years been a judge of this nation. About twelve days since, I repaired to Jerusalem, to worship the God of Jacob ; but I neither disputed with any man, or endeavoured to stir up the people in the synagogues of the city ; nor can they prove the charge they have brought against me at this time. *' However, I readily confess, that after the way v^hich they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, firmly believing every part of the wi'itings of Moses and the prophets ; and, at the same time, believe as they themselves also do, that the Almighty will raise at the last day, both the just and unjust from the dead; and I am careful to maintain a clear and quiet con- science, both towards God and man, agreeable to this faith. '* Having spent some years in distant countries, I re- paired to Jerusalem, with the alms I had collected in other provinces, for the poor of mine o^vn nation, and piferings for the God of Jacob. And while I was per- forming the duties of religion, certain Asiatic Jews found me in the temple, purified according to the law; but neither attended with a multitude of followers, or the least tumultuous assembly. It was therefore ne- cessary, that these Jews should have been here, if they had any thing to alledge against me : nay, I appeal to those of the Sanhedrim here present, if any thing has been laid to my charge, except the objectioirs of th^ LIFE OF ST. PAUL. 199 Sadducecs, who violently opposed me for asserting the doctrine of the resurrection from the grave at the last day.'^ Having thus heard both parties, Felix refused to pass any final sentence, till he had more fully advised about it, and consulted Lysias the governor of the castle, who ^vas the most proper person to give an account of the sedition and tumult ; commanding, in the mean time that St. Paul should be kept under a guard, but at the same time enjoy the liberty of being visited by his friends, and receive from them any office of friendship and kindness they thought proper to bestow. Drusilla, a Jewess, and daughter of the elder Herod, who was also the wife of Felix, soon after this came down to him at C^esarea, in whose presence the gover- nor sent for Paul, and gave him leave to explain the doctrines of Christianity. In this discourse, the apos- tle took occasion particularly to insist upon the great obligation which the laws of Christ lay upon men to judgment and righteousness, to sobriety and chastity; urging, at the same time, the true and impartial account that must be given at the judgment of the great day, Avhenall m and he could not but let them know the resentment of his mind, and how greatly they dishonoured God, the great maker and preserver of the world. This zeal must have rendered him remarkably diligent and in- dustrious in the execution of his office, warning, reprov- ing, entreating, persuading, preaching in season and out of season, by night and by day, by sea and by land: he thought no pains too much to be taken, no dangers too great to be overcome. For thirty-five years after his conversion he seldom staid long in one place, travelling from Jerusalem through Arabia, Asia, and Greece, to Illyricum, to Rome, and to the utmost bounds of the Western world, VOL. ii. r ' F, e ^IB LIFE OF ST. PAUL. preaching the gospel of CiiRist. Running, says St. Jerom, from ocean to ocean, like the sun in the heavens, of which it is said, his circuit is from the one end of the heavens to the other, sooner wanting ground to tread on, than a desire to propagate the faith of Christ. Nicepho- rus compares him to a bird in the air, which in a few years Hew round the world : Isidore, to a winged husband- man, who flew from place to place to cultivate the world with the most exact rules and institutions of life. And while the other apostles confine themselves, as it were, to one spot, choosing this or that particular place for their ministr}', St.. Paul over-ran the whole ^vorld to its utmost bounds and corners, planting all places where he came with the divine doctrines of the gospel. Nor in this course was he tired with the dangers and diffi- culties he met with, the troubles and oppositions that were raised against him : but all these served only to reflect a greater lustre on his patience ; of which he was a most eminent pattern, enduring the greatest trou- bles and persecutions, with a patience triumphant and unconquerable. This will easily appear if we take a survey of what trials and sufferings he underwent ; some part whei'tof are thus briefly summed up by himself: l7i labours abun- dant, hi stripes above measure^ in prisons frequent^ in deaths oft ; thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice suffered shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep: injour- neyings often, in perils of water^ in perils by his coun- trymen, in perils by the Heathen, i?i perils in the city^ in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils amongst false brethren : in rveariness, in painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst ; in fasting soft en. in cold and nakedness ; and besides those things that were zvithout, which daily came upon him, the care of all the churches. An account, though very great, yet far short of \^ hat he endured. All wliich he cheerfulh- underwent with a soul as calm and serene as the morn- ing sun ; no malice or rage, nor fury or storms, could rufllQ or discompose his spirit : nay, they animated hinr LIFE OF ST. PAUL. ^19 to rise up with the greater eagerness and resolution to perform his duty. Could all the powers of men and devils, spite and opposition, torments and thrcatenings, ha\ e been able to baffle him out of that religion he had embraced, he must have deserted his station : but his soul was steeled with a courage and resolution that was impenetrable ; and on which no temptation, either from hopes or fears, could make imy more impression, than an arrow jshot against a wall of adamant. He did not want solicitations bolii from Jews and 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! these things weighed lit- tle with our apostle, who counted not his life dear luito him^ so that he might finish his course with joy ^ and the 7ninistr2j which he had received of the Lord Jesus ; and therefore, when he thought himself under the sentence of death, could triumphantly say, I have fought a good fight ^ I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. In short, he was a man in whom the divine life emi- nently displayed itself ; he lived piously and devoutly, soberly and temperately, justly and righteously ; care- ful always to keep a conscience void of offence both to- wards God and man, I'his, he tells us, A\as his support under all his sufferings ; this the foundation of his con- fidence towards God, and his firm hopes of happiness in another world. This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world, ia short, as the love of this great apostle to his divine Master jknew no bounds, so the beauty and energy of his wri- tings, as well as his suflerings in support of the truth lif iispoused and inculcated, arc beyond example. IJFE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE, Surnamed the Great, JL HIS apostle was a native of Galilee, born in all pro- bability either at Capernaum or Bethsaida, as he was a partner with Simon Peter in the fishing trade. The epi^ thet of Great was given him, to distinguish him from another apostle of the same name. He was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, who kept several servants to carry on his trade, and therefore must have been a person of consequence in his way. His mother's name was Mary , surnamed Salome, the daugh- ter of Cleopas, and sister, or rather cousin-german to Mary the mother of our Lord; so that he had the hon- our of being a near relation to Christ himself. He was brought up to the trade of his father ; a mean oc- cupation indeed, in the eye of the world, but no em- ployment is mean that is honest and industrious; and it should be remembered that the Son of God him.self stooped so low, as to become the reputed son of a car- penter, and during the retirement of his private life, la- boured himself at his father's trade ; not merely devot- ing himself to contemplations, nor withdrawing from all useful society with the world, and hiding himself in the solitudes of an anchoret, but busying himself in an active course of life, as he continually went about doing good to the souls and bodies of mankind. Not the least discouraged at the meanness of his fii- ther's trade, St. James applied himself to it with re- markable assiduity, and was exercising his employ- ment when the Saviour of the world passing by the sea of Galilee, saw him with his brother in the ship, and called them both to be his disciples. Nor was the call in vain; they cheerfully complied with it, and im- LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE GREAT. 221 mediately left all, to follow him: they did not stay to dispute his commands, or solicitously inquire into the minute consequences of the undertaking, the troubles and dangers that might attend this new employment; but readily delivered themselves up to perform what- ever service he should call them to. He was called soon after this from the station of an ordinary disciple, to the apostolical office, and even hon- oured with some particular favours beyond most of the apostles, being one of the three whom our Lord made choice of, as his companion in the more intimate transactions of his life, from which the rest were ex- cluded. Thus, with Peter and his brother John, he at- tended his Master when he raised the daughter of Ja- irus from the dead; he was admitted to Christ's glorious transfiguration on the mount, and heard the discourses that passed between him and the great min- isters from the courts of heaven : and when the holy Jesus was to undergo his bitter agony in the garden, as preparatory sufferings to his passion, James was one of tlie three taken to be a spectator of them. It is not easy to determine what reasons induced the Redeemer of mankind to admit those three apostles to peculiar acts of favour ; though he doulDtless did it for wise and proper ends. Whether he designed these three to be more solemn and peculiar witnesses of some remarkable transactions of his life than the other apos- tles ; or that they would be more eminently useful and serviceable in some parts of the apostolic office ; or to encourage them thereby to prepare for the sufferings that would attend them in the ministry; or whether he designed them for some more eminent kinds of mar- tyrdom than the rest of his disciples. It was not the least instance of particular lionour that our Lord conferred on these apostles, w hen he called them to the apostolate, that he gave them a new name and title. A thing not uncommon of old, for the Al- 222 JJFE OF ST. JAiMES THE GREAT. mighty often imposed new names on persons, when he intended Uiem for some great and peculiar services and employments ; instances of this we have seen ii;^ Abraham and Jacob. Accordingly our Lord, at th^ election of these three apostles, gave them new names: Simon lie called Feter^ or a rock, and James and John, Boanerges^ or the sons of thunder. What our Lord intended by their surnames is much easier to conjec- ture than determine; some think it was given them on account of their being present in the mount, when a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my belov- ed son, he. when the people heard the same voice at another time, they said " It thundered." But this ob- servation is in itself very inconsiderable, because it was equally applicable to Peter as to them. Others think that it was given tliem on account of their loud and bold speaking the gospel to the world, fearing no threatenings, despising all opposition, and going on thundering in the ears of a drowsy and sleepy world ; rousing and awakening the consciences of men with the earnestness and vehemence of their preaching, which resembled thunder, as the voice of God powerfully shakes the natural world, and breaks in pieces the ce- dars of Lebanon. Others think it relates to the doc- trines they delivered, teaching the great mysteries of the gospel in a more profound and loftier strain than che rest. How far the latter ophiion might be true with regard to St. James, the scriptures are wholly silent; but it was certainly verified in his brother John, whose gospel is so full of the more sublime notions and mvsteries of the gospel concerning the divinity, pre-existence, &c. of Christ? that he is generally affirmed by the ancients to thunder rather than speak. Perhaps the expressions may denote no more than that in general they were to be prime and eminent ministers, in this new state of things; the introducing the gospel or evangelical dis- pensation, being called '' a voice shaking the heaven and the earth," and therefore exactlv correspondent to LlIiE OF ST. JAMES THE GREAT. 223 die native importance of the word, signifying an earth- quake, or a vehement commotion, that Uke thunder, makes an alarming noise. IIo^vever this be, onr blessed Saviour doubtless by this term alluded to the furious and resolute disposi- tions of these two brothers, who seem to have been of a more fiery temper than the rest of the apostles, of which we have this memorable instance. When our Lord was determined on his journey to Jerusalem, he sent some of his disciples before him to make prepara- tion for his coming; but, on their entering a village of Samaria, were rudely rejected, from the old grudge that subsisted between the Samaritans and the Jews, and because our Saviour, by going up to Jerusalem, seemed to. slight their place of worship on mount Gar- izim. This piece of rudeness and inhumanity was so high- ly resented by St. James and his brother John, that they came to Jesus, desiring to know if he would not imi- tate Elias, by calling down fire from heaven to consume this barbarous, unhospitable people. So apt are men for every trifling provocation to call upon heaven to re- venge them on the aggressors, according to the extra- vap'ancies of their own unreasonable passions ! But the holy Jesus soon convinced them of their mistake, by telling them, that lie was come to save the lives of the children of men, and not to destroy them. We have no account from sacred history, what be came of St. James after the ascension of his great and beloved Master. Sophronius tells us, that he preached to the dispersed Jev/s, that is, to those converts who were dispersed after the death of Stephen. The Spa- nish writers will have it, that after preaching the gospel in several parts of Judea and Samaria, he visited Spain, where he planted Christianity, and appointed some se- lect disciples to perfect what he had begun; but if we consider tb.G shortness of St. James's lite, and that th^ 221, LIFE OF ST. JAiMES THE GREAl*. apostles continued in a body at Jerusalem, even after the dispersion of the other Christians, we shall find it difficult to allow time sufficient for so tedious and dif- ficult a voyage as that was in those early ages ; and there- fore it is safest to confine his ministry to Judea and the countries bordering upon it. We learn from prophane history, that Herod Agrip-. pa, son of Aristobulus and grand-son of Herod the Great, had been a great fitvourite both with the empe- ror Caligula and his successor Claudius, who conferred on him his grandfather's kingdoms, and sent him into Judea. Herod was noble and generous, prudent and pol- itic, thoroughly versed in all the arts and intrigues of a court; he knew how to oblige his enemies, and mollify or avert the displeasure of the emperor. He was of a courteous and affiible disposition ; but at the same time a great zealot of the Jewish religion, and a very accu- rate observer of the Mosaic law. This prince, at his arrival in his new kingdom, thought there was no surer way of ingratiating himself into the favour of the po- pulace, than by persecuting the Christians, whom he knew the Jews detested. Accordingly, he began a vi- olent persecution ; but the commonality being too mean a sacrifice to satisfy his own zeal, and favour his popu- lar designs, he laid hands on St. James, whose active temper and vigorous manner of contendhig for the truth and excellency of the Christian religion rendered him a proper victim at this time. The same zeal which animated Herod to lay hands on St. James, also prompted him to pass sentence of death on him immediately. As he 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 apos- tle at the time of his trial, repented of what he had done, came and 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 surprise, tenderly LIFE OF ST. JAMEh. THE Gt^EAT. S1Z5 embraced him. ^' Peace, said he, " ni}^ son, peace be to thee, and the pardon of thy faidts." Upon which the officer publicly declared himself a Christian, and both v/ere beheaded at the same time. Thus fell the great apostle, James, the protomartyr of the apostles, and the first of that number that gained the crown, taking cheerfully that cup of which he had long since told hi;^ Lord he was ready to drink* However, the divine vengeance, that never slcepsj tvould not suffer the death of this innocent and righte- ous man to pass long unrevenged; for shortly after the martyrdom of St. James, Herod removed to Cccsarea/ in order to make war on the neicrhbourino: Tvrians and Sidonians; and while he continued in this city, hepra- claimed solemn fights and festival entertainments to be held in honour of Caesar to which there Hocked a pro- digious confluence of the principal inhabitants of the adjacent parts. Early in the morning of the second day, he came w^ith great state into the theatre, to make an oration to the people ; and being clothed in a robe euriously wrought with silver, the beams of the sun were reflected from it with such lustre, that the people cried out, that it was some deity they beheld ; and that he who spoke to them must be something above t\\'(r> common standard of humanity. This impious aj)plause Herod received without the least token of dislike, or sense of the injury that was done by it to the Supreme Being* But a sudden ac- cident changed the scene, and turned their mirth and rejoicing into melancholy and mourning; for Herod looking up, saw an owl perched upon a rope over hin Jiead, which he considered as the fatal minister of his death ; on which an incurable melanchol}^ seized his mind, and the most exquisite torments his bowels, oc- casioned bv those worms St. Luke mentions; so that turning to the people, he cried out, " Beliold the deity you admired, and yourselves evidently convinced of flattery and falsehood : see me this moment condemnt^ii VOL. ii, V f 227 i.lI^E OF ST. JAMES TllE GREAT. by the laws of fate to die, whom just now you styled immortal." He was removed into the palace, but his pains still increased upon him; and thougli the people fasted, and offered prayers for his life and health, yet his acute torments prevailed^ and after five days put a period to his life. LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE, Sur named the Less^ 3EFORE we enter upon the life of this apostle, it wall be necessary to remove some difficulties relating to his person. It has been doubted by some whether this was the same with that St. James, who was afterwards bishop of Jerusalem, two of his name being mentioned in the sacred writings, namely, St. James the Great and St. James the Less, both apostles ; the ancients mention a third, surnamed the Just, which they will have to be distinct from the former, and bishop of Jerusalem ; but this opinion is built on a sandy foundation ; for nothing is plainer, than that St. James the apostle, whom St, Paul calls our Lord''s brother^ and reckons wdth Peter and John, one of the pillars of the church, was the same who presided among the apostles, doubtless by virtue of his episcopal office, and determined the causes in the synod of Jerusalem. Nor do either Clemens, Alexan- drinus, or Eusebius, mention any more than two, St. James slain by Herod, and St. James the Just, bishop of Jerusalem, whom they expressly affirm to be the* same with him who is called the brother of our Lord by St. Paul. The difficulties with regard to this person being thus removed, we shall proceed to the history of his life. It \s reasonable to think that he was the ^on of Joseph, LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. nX afterwards the husband of Mary, by his first wife, \\ horn St. Jerom styles Escha, and adds, that she was the daughter of Aggi, brother to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist: hence he was reputed our Lord's bro- ther. We iind indeed several mentioned as the bre- thren of our Saviour, in the evangeHcal history ; but in what sense, was greatly controverted by the ancients. St. Jerom, St. 'Chrysostom, and some others, will have them to have been so called from their being the sons of Mary, cousin-german, or according to the Hebre^v idiom, sister to the Virgin Mary: but Eusebius, Epi- phanius, imd many others tell us, they were the children of Joseph by a former wife; and this seems most natu- ral, and best agrees with what the evangelist says of them, when he enumerates the questions of the Jews: Is not this the carpente}-'' s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brethren^ James, and loses, and SimeoJi and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? JVhence then has this man these things ? By which it is plain that the Jev/s understood these persons not to be Christ'^ kinsmen only, but his brethren ) the same Carpenter's sons having the same relation to him, that Jesus him- self had: indeed they had more, Christ being only his reputed, they his real sons. Upon this account tlie blessed Virgin is sometimes called the mother of James and Joses; and by this name Ave frequently find her mentioned bv the evaui^elists in relatiniif our Eord'^ crucifixion : and tliough she was only mother-in-law to St. James, yet the evangelists might choose to style her so, because she was commonly called his mother after the death of Joseph: perhaps she herself chose tliat ti- tie, that the Son of God, whom as a virgin she had brought into the Avorld, might be the better concealed, and less exposed to the envious malice of the Jews. To this it may be added, that Josephus, who was emi- nently skilled in matters of genealogy and descent, ex- pressly says, that St. Jaines was the brother of Jesus Christ. There is indeed, one objection against this^ namely, that he Is called the son cf Alpheus: but this may mean no more, than either that Josepii was called n^ LIFE OF ST. 3AMES THE LESS, by another name, a thing very common among the Jews, or that James himself was a disciple of some particular sect or sj'nagogue called Alpheans, there be- ing many such sects about this time amongst the Jews. The sacred history is silent with regard to tlie place of his birth: the Jews, in their Talmud, call him a man of the town of Sechania : but where th?it place was situated is uncertain: nor is it known what his particular way or course of life was before he was called to the apostleship : the sacred writers having been silent with regard to this particular, mentioning nothing concern- ing him during the life of our Saviour. St. James was honoured, after the resurrection, with a particular appearance of our Lord to him, which though passed over in silence by the evangelists, is re- corded by St. Paul and St. Jerom, from the Hebrew gospel of the Nazarenes, which contain several particu- lars omitted by the evangelical historians, gives the fol- lowing relation of his appearance to this apostle. St. James had solemnly sworn, that from the time he had drank of the cup at the institution of the supper, he .would eat bread no more, till he s'aw the Lord risen from the dead; our Lord, therefore, being returned from the grave, came and appeared to him, and commanded bread to be set before him, v/hich he took, blessed, and brake, and gave to St. James, saying, *^ Eat thy bread, aiiy brother, for the Son of man is truly risen from amongst them that sleep.'* After the resurrection of our Saviour, iie was cho- sen bishop of Jerusalem, being preferred before all the rest, for his near relation to Christ; and for the same reason, we find Sim^eon chosen to be his immediate suc- cessor in that see, because, after St. James, he was our Lord's next kinsman; a consideration that made Pe- ter and the two sons of Zebedee, though they had been pcculiarlj^ honoured by our Saviour, not to contend for |his high and honourable station, but freely chose JamQs LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. 229 the Just, bishop of Jerusalem. This dignity is indeed said by some of the ancients to have been conferred on him by Christ, who constituted him bishop at tlic time of his appearing to him : but it is safest to follow the general opinion, that this dignity was conferred up- on him by the apostles; though possibly they might receive some intimations from our Lord concerning it. St. Paul, when he came to Jerusalem, after his con- version, applied to St. James, and was by him honoured with the right-hand of fellowship : and Peter sent to St. James the news of his miraculous de|iverance out of prison, .Go, said he, shew these things unto James and to the brethren; that is, to the whole church, es- pecially to St. James the pastor of it at that time. This apostle was remarkably active in the synod of Jerusalem, v/hen the m-eat cause relatine^ to the Mosaic rites was debated; for the cause bemg opened by Pe- ter, and further debated by Paul and Barnabas, St. James stood up to pass the final decretory sentence, — That the Gentile converts w^ere not to be loaded widi the Jewish yoke; a few indifferent rites only, being or- dered to be observed in order to produce an accommo- dation between the Jews and Gentiles, ushering in tliQ expedient with this positive conclusion, " This is my sentence and determination:" a circumstance the more considerable, because spoken at a time ^vhen Peter was in council, and produced not the least intimation of the authority afterwards ascribed to him. St. James performed every part of this charge with all possible care and industry, omitting no particular necessary to be observed by a diligent and faithful guide of souls; strengthening the weak, instructing the ig- norant, reducing the erroneous, reproving the obstinate ; and, by the constancy of his sermons, conquering the stubbornness of that perverse and refractory generation he had to deal with, many of the nobler and better soil being persuaded to embrace the Christian faith: butfi sao LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. a person so careful, so successful in his charge, could not fail of awakening the spite and malice of his ene- mies ; a sort of men of whom the apostle has given too true a character, that they please not Gody and are con- irarij to all men. The Jews being vexed to see St. Paul had escaped their hands by appealing unto Ccesar, their malice be- came as great and insatiable as hell itself, so that as they could not liave their revenge on St. Paul, they turned their fur}^ against St. James ; but being unable to eUtct their design under the government of Festus, they determined to attempt it under the procuratorship of Albinus his successor, Ananus the younger, of the sect of the Sadducees, being high priest. They were however feai'ful that Albinus would oppose their design andtherefore thought it the surest method to dispatch him if possible before the new governor cu^rived. In order to this, a council was summoned, and tlic apostle with others, arraigned and condemned as violaters of the law : but that the action might appear more plausible and popular, the Scribes and Pharisees, masters in the art of dissimulation, endeavoured to ensnare him, they persuaded him that they placed the greatest confidence in him ; that the whole nation, as well as themselves gave hiwi the title of a just man, and one that was no respector of persons ; and they therefore desired he would correct the error and false opinion the people had conceived of Jesus, whom they considered as the Messiah, and take this opportunity of the universal confluence to the paschal solemnity, to set them right in their opinions in this particular, and that he v/ould go with them to the top of the temple, where he might be seen and heard by all the people. To this the apostle readily consented, and being ad» vantageously placed on a pinnacle of the temple, they ad- dressed him in the following manner : *' Tell us O Jus- tus! whom we have all the reason in the world to believe that the people are thus generally led away with the doc.. LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. 231 trine of Jesus, who was crucified ; tell us, what is this institution of the crucified Jesus ?" To which the apos- tle answered with an audible voice : " Why do you en- quire of Jesus, the Son of man ? He sits in heaven at the ri^f^ht hand of the Majesty on high, and will come again in the clouds of heaven. The people below hear- ing this, glorified the blessed Jesus, and openly pro- claimed, *' Hosannato the Son of David." Hereupon the Scribes and Pharisees perceived that they had acted foolishly ; that instead of reclaiming, the}' had confirmed the people in their error ; and that there w-^asno way leftbut to dispatch him immediately, in order to warn others, by his sufferings, not to believe in Je- sus of Nazareth ; accordingly they suddenly cried out. That Justus himself was seduced and become an im- poster ; and immediately threw him from the pinnacle on which he stood, into the court below ; but not be- ing killed on the spot, he recovered himself so far as to rise on his knees, and pray fervently to heaven for his murderers : but malice is too diabolical to be pacified with kindness or satisfied with cruelty ; little portions of revenge serve only to enllame it, and rouse it up to greater acts of cruelty. Accordingly, his enemies, vexed that they had not fully accomplished their work, poured a shower of stones upon him, while he was imploring their forgiveness at the throne of grace ; and one of them, more merciful than the rest, with a fuller's club put an end to his misery. This great and good num thus finished hi:; coun;e in the ninetv- sixth vear of his -^q-c, and about tv/cntv- four years after oiu' blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven. His death \vas lamented by all good men, even by the sober and just persons amongst tlie Jews them- selves, as Josephus himself confesses. Ke was buried according to Gregory of Tours, on Mount Olivet, in a tomb he had built for himself, and in which he had bu- ried Zazharias and Old Simeon. Heiessipus savs, he ^*tis buried in the court of the temple, where he suffered 5J32 LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS* martyrdom, and that a monument was there erected to his memory : but the former seems more agreeable to reason ; for the Jews very rarely buried any person in the city, much less in the courts of the temple ; and therefore it is not natural to think they would permit that honour to be paid to him they so lately put to death as an impostor and deceiver. St. James was a man of exemplary piety and devo- tion, educated under the strictest rules and institutions of religion, a priest of the ancient order of the RechabiteSy or rather as Epiphanius conjectures, according to the most ancient oi'der and form of priesthood, when the sacerdotal office was the prerogative of the first-born ; but whether this kind of priesthood was at any time ob- served under the Mosaic dispensation, we are no where told in Sacred Writ ; but however that be,it is certain that he had the privilege of entering the sanctuary, or holy place, when he pleased, though none but priests of the order of Aaron were permitted to enter there besides himself. Prayer was his constant business and delight ; he seemed to live upon it, and to have continually his conversation in heaven ; and therefore, used constantly to repair into the temple to pray, w hich he always per- formed kneeling, and with the greatest reverence, till by his daily devotions, his knees were become hard and callous like those of a camel. And he who has told us^ Tliat the prayer of a righteous manavaileth much^ found it so by his own experience, heaven lending a more im- mediate ear to his petitions ; so that in a time of i^e- markable drought, on his praying for rain, the clouds melted into fruitful showers, and relieved the necessi- ties of the people. His charity towards men was not less singular than his piety towards God ; he did good to all, watched over the souls of men, and studied to advance their eternal welfare ; his daily errand into the temple was to pray for the happiness of the people, and that God would. \iot severely I'eckcn ^vith them ; he could forgive hi5> LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. 232 most inveterate enemies, and overcome evil with good : w^hen thrown from the top of the temple, he miide use of his latest breath in sending up petitions to hea- ven for the pardon of his murderers, " I beseech thee, O Almighty Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,'* This apostle was of a remarkable meek and humble temper, honouring what was excellent in others, con- cealing what was valuable in himself : neither the emi- nency of his relation to the blessed Jesus, nor the dig- nity of the place he so worthily filled could induce him to entertain lofty thoughts of himself above the rest of 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. Though he was brother to the Redeemer of mankind he styles himself only the servant of our Lord Jesus Christ; not so much as mentioning his being an apostle of his divine Master. He was a person of extraordinary temper&:icc, wholly abstaining from fiesh, drinking neither wine nor strong drink, and never using the bath. His holy and mortjfied mind was contented with the meanest accommodations ; he went barefoot, and never wore any other than linen garments. He lived indeed after the strictest rules of the Nazarite order ; and as the mitre he wore on his head evinced his priesthood, ■'.vhich was rather from Melchizedeck than Aaron; so his never shaving his head, or using any ointments, his habit and diet, and the great severity of his life, shew- ed him to belong to the Nazarite institution, to which he was consecrated, even from his mother's womb. A man of so divine a temper, that he was at once the love and wonder of his age ; and from the reputation of his holy and religious life, was styled James the Jiisf, He was indeed the safety and happiness of the nation, which was reckoned to depend upon his prayers and interest with heaven; and hence he acquired the title VOL. ii* c g mi LIFE OF ST. JAMES THE LESS. o^ Oblias, or OxUamt the defence and fortress of the pedple ; indicating, that when he was no more, their castles would be dismantled and their strength laid level with the ground : and so indeed it proved ; for a few years after his death, the Roman army broke in upon them, and filled the country with blood and slaughter. It is indeed no wonder that the judgments of the Almighty, like a flood, should come rolling in upon a nation, when the sluices are plucked up, and Moses taken away that stood in the gap to oppose them. In short, St. James was the delight of all good men, and in so great favour and estimation with the people, that they used to flock atter him, and strive who should touch, if it were only the border of his garment; his very episcopal chair, as Eusebius informs us, wherein he used to sit, was carefully preserved^ and had a kind of veneration paid it, even in his time. He., was beloved not only by his friends, but also by his enemies, and the Jews themselves mention St. James in their Talmud, as a person who wrought mir- acles in the name of Jesus his Master ; and the wisest of t^em considered his martyrdom as the principal cause of all those calamities that soon after flowed in upon them. Josephus in particular reckons the death of St. James, as the action that more immediately roused the divine vengeance, and hastened the univer- sal ruin of that nation by the Roman armies. This apostle wTote only one epistle, probably not Jong before his martyrdom, as appears from some pas- sages in it relating to die near approach of the destruc* tion of the Jews : he directed it to the Jewish converts dispersed up and down those eastern countries, to com- fort them under their sufferings, and confirm them against error : he saw a great degeneracy of manners coming on, and that the purity of the Christian faith began to be undermined by the doctrines and practices of the Gnostics, who, under pretence of zeal, for the legal rites, generally mixed themselves with the Jews; He beheld libertinism flowing in apace, and the way LIFE OF ST. TETER. 235 to heaven made soft and easy, men declaiming against §ood works as useless and unnecessary, and asserting that a naked beHefwas sufficient to salvation. These doctrines the apostle opposes, presses the purity, pa- tience, charity, and all the virtues of a good life ; and by undeniable arguments proves, that such a faith alone, which has Christ for its object, and vyorks by Jove and holiness, can justify us before God, and pro- cure our admittance into the celestial kingdom of eter- nal ^lorv. THE LIFE OF ST. PETER, TJie Apostle to the Jeius, A HIS remarkable apostle and disciple of our blessed Lord and Saviour was born at Bethsaida, a city of Galilee, situate on the banks of the lake of Genesa- reth, called also the sea of Galilee, from its being situated in that country; and the lake of Tiberias, from that city being built on its banks: but the particular time of this great apostle's birth cannot be known ; the evangelists and other wTiters among the primitive Christians, having been silent with regard to this par- ticular. It is, however, pretty certain, that he was at least ten years older than his Master; the circumstan- ces of his being married, and in a settled coarse of life, when he became a follower of the great Messiah, and that authority and respect the gravity of his person procured him among the rest of the apostles, sufficient- ly declare this conjecture to be very far from being improbable. St. Peter being a descendant of Abraham, was cir- cumcised according to the rites of the Mosaic law, and called by his parents, Simon or Simeon, a name at that time common among the Jews : but after his becom- ing a disciple of the blessed Jesus: the additional ritJe of Cephas was conferred upon him by his Master J36 LIFE OF ST. PETER. to denote the firmness of his faith ; the word Cephas in the Syriac, the common language of the Jews at that time, signifying stone or rock : and hence he is called in Greek PetroSi and by us Peter, which appellation bears the same meaning. The evangelists have also been silent with regard to the parents of St. Peter, except in telling us that his father's name was Jonah, probably a fisherman of Beth- saida : but whatever was his trade he was highly ho- noured by our blessed Saviour, who chose two of his sons, Andrew and Peter, to be his apostles, and preach- ers of the glad-tidings of salvation to mankind. While young, St. Peter was brought up to the trade pf tishing on the lake of Bethsaida, famous for differ- ent kinds offish, which excelled all others in the fine- ness of the taste. Here he closely followed this trade : but afterwards removed to Capernaum, probably on his being married, where he settled ; for we find he had a house there when our Saviour began his public ministry, and there he paid tribute. Nicephorus tells us, that Helen, the mother of Constantine, erected a beautiful church over the ruins of St. Peter's house, in honour of him. The town of Capernaum was as well situated as Bethsaida, for the carrying on his trade, standing at the influx of the river Jordan into the sea of Galilee, and w^here he might, with equal advantage, reap the fruits of an honest and industrious diligence. The bu- siness of St. Peter was, we confess, both mean and ser- vile : it exposed him to all the injuries of the weather, ^ the tempestuousness of the sea, and the darkness and horror of the night, and all to acquire a mean live- lihood for himself and his family ; but meanness is no exception to the Almighty ; the poor, if virtuous, are as dear to heaven as the wealthy, the great and the powerful : the beggar and the monarch are equally regarded by the great parent of the human race, with LIFE OF ST. PETER. 237 whom there is no respect of persons ; and who is the rewarder of all that diligently seek him. Here we cannot help observing^ the wise and ad- mirable methods made use of by Divine Providence, in making choice of such mean and unlikely instru- ments in planting and propagating the christian reli- crion in the world: men who were destitute of every advantage ot education, and brought up to the mean- est employments, were chosen to confound the wise, and overturn the learning of the prudent. Such were the persons whom the Almighty sent to propagate the religion of his Son; to silence the wise, the scribe, and the disputer of this world, and to make foolish the wisdom of thjs earth: for though the Jews requir- ed a sign, and the Greeks sought after wisdom ; though the preaching of a crucified Saviour was a scandal to the former, and foolishness to the learned latter; yet by this foolishness of preaching, God was pleased to save them that believed ; and, in the event, made it appear, that the foolishness of God Is iviser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men ; that so the honour of all may redound to himself, that no flesh should glory in his presence, but he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord, to whom alone all honour is due. We are not told of what sect St. Peter was, before he became a follower of the blessed Jesus; but it is high- ly probable that he was a disciple of John the Bap- tist. We know that his brother Andrew was a fol- lower of that great preacher of repentance ; and it is very unlikely that he, who was so ready to carry his brother the early tidings of the Messiah, that the Son of Righteousness was already risen in these parts, should not be equally solicitous to bring him under the discipline and influence of John the Baptist, the day-star which appeared to usher in the appear- ance of the Son of God : besides, Peter's great read- iness and curiosity at the first news of Christ's ap-. peering, to conie to him and converse with him, shews 238 JJFE OF ST. PETEH. that his expectations had been awakened, and somp glimmering rays of hope conveyed to him by the preaching and ministry of John, who was the voice of one crying in the zvilder?iess. Prepare ye the xvay of the Lord, 7nakc his paths straight. i Whether Peter was or was not a disciple of John the Baptist, he became acquainted with the immacu- Jate Lamb of God in the following manner: The bless- ed Jesus, liaving spent thirty years in the solitude of a private life, had lately been baptised by John in Jordan, and there owned by the solemn attestation of heaven to be the Son of God; whereupon he was im- mediately hurried into the wilderness, and there for forty days maintained a personal contest with the De- vil, but having conquered this great enemy of man- kind, he returned to Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptising his proselytes, and endeavouring to answer the Jews, who had sent a deputation to him to enquire concerning the new Messiah that appeared among them. To satisfy these curious inquiries of Israel, John faithfully related every thing he knew concerning him, gave him the greatest character, and soon after pointed him out to his disciples; upon which two of them presently followed the great Redeemer of mankind, one of which was Andrew, Simon's bro- ther. They canie to him towards evening, and in all probability stayed with him the whole night, during which time Andrew had an opportunity of informing himself, and of satisfying his mos.t anxious scruples. He did not long conceal the joyful discovery he had made; for early in the morning he hastened to ac- • quaint his brother Simon that he had found the Mes- siah. It is not enough to be happy alone; religion is a communicative principle, that like the circles in the water, delights to multiply itself, and to diffuse its influences all around, especially on those whom nature has placed nearest to us. '' I have (said he with rap- ture to his brother) found that eminent person §o long LIFE OF ST. PETER. 235 and signally foretold by the prophets, and whom all the devout and pious amongst the sons of Jacob so earnestly expected to appear.'* St. Peter, who was one of those who >vaited for Redemption in Israel, ravished with joyful news, and impatient of delay, presently followed his brother to the place; and, on his arrival, our blessed Saviour im- mediately gave him a proof of his divinity, saluting; him at first sight by his name, and telling him both who he was, his name, and kindred, and what title should soon be conferred upon him by the authority ot his Master. Whether these two sons of Jonah constantly attend- ed in person from that time on the great Redeemer ot mankind, and became his disciples, the sacred history does not mention. It is however probable, that they stayed with him some time, till they Vvcre instructed in the first rudiments of his doctrine, and then, by the leave of their great and benevolent Master, returned to their families and to their callings; for it is reason- able to suppose, that the blessed Jesus was not at this time willing to awaken the jealousy of the rulers ot Israel, and the suspicion of tlie Romans, by a nume- rous retinue^ and therefore dismissed his disciples., amongst the rest Andrew and Peter, who returned to their trade of fishing on the lake, where they were af- terwards found by our blessed Redeemer. Our Lord had now more than a year entered on hfi: public ministry, going into every part of the country, to seek opportunities of doing good to the children oT men; so that by the constancy of his preaching,and the reputation of his miracles, his fame was spi'tad throughout all Judea, and multitudes of people Hock- ed to him from all parts to hear his doctrine, and be spectators of his mighty works. And surely it is no wonder that the parched and barren earth, thirsted for the kindly dews and showers of heaven, to retresh it. no LIFE OF ST. PETER. In order to avoid this prodigious throng of people, our great Redeemer often retired to some solitary- place, to indulge the privacies of contemplation: in one of these retreats on the banks of the sea of Gali- lee, the multitude found him out, and ran to him from the city. Our Saviour, therefore, to avoid the crowd, stepped into a fishing-boat which lay near the shore, and belonged to Simon Peter, who, together with his companions were on shore drying their nets, after an unsuccessful night spent in toil and labour. The bless- ed Jesus, w^ho might have commanded, was pleased to entreat Peter, who now returned to his boat, to thrust off a little from the land, that he might instruct the people, who were gathered in prodigious crowds on the borders of the lake, to hear him. St. Peter gladly complied with the request of his Master, who delivered his heavenly doctrine to the people on shore. As soon as he had ended his dis- course, he resolved to seal his miracles, that the people might be persuaded he was a teacher comt Jrom God; accordingly, he ordered Simon to row further from the shore, and cast his net into the sea. To which Si- nfion answered, that they had laboured the whole pre- ceding night, and had taken nothing; and if they could not then succeed, there was little hopes of it now, as the day was far less proper for fishing than the night : but as his Master was pleased to command, he would readily obey; and, accordingly, he letdown his net, when, to the astonishment both of him and his companions, so great a multitude of fishes were enclosed, that they were obliged to call their partners to their assistance. Amazed at this miraculous draught of fishes, Simon Peter, in an extacy of admiration, blended with awe and humility, fell prostrate at his Master's feet, ac- knowledging himself a vile and sinful person, and thinking himself unworthy of being admitted into the presence of a person so immediately sent from God; LIFE OF ST. PETER 241 but the compassionate Son of the Most High kindly re^ moved his fears, telUnghim that this miracle was wrought to confirm his faith, and to indicate to him, that the Al- mighty had appointed a more noble employment for him, that of saving the souls of the children of men. From this time Peter and his companions became the inseparable and constant disciples of the great Messiah, living under the rules of his institutions and discipline. , Our blessed Saviour returned soon after to Caperna- urn with his disciples, where they found the mother-in- law of Peter dangerously ill of a fever : but the com- passionate Jesus, who never omitted an opportunity of doing good to the human race, rebuked the disease, and taking her by the hand, restored her in a moment to her former health ; demonstrating at once his power and willingness to relieve and comfort the sons and daughters of affliction and sorrow. The adorable Redeemer, having for some time en- tered on his public ministry, thought proper to elect some peculiar persons from amongst his followers, to be constant witnesses of his miracles and doctrines, and who after his departure, might be intrusted with the care of building his church, and planting that religion in the world, for which he himself left the mansions of heaven, and put on the veil of mortality. In order to this, he withdrew privately in the evening to a solitary mountain, where he spent the night in solemn addresses to his Almighty Father, for rendering the great work he was going to undertake prosperous and beneficial to mankind. The disciples came to him early the next morn- ing, out of whom he made choice of twelve to be his apostles, and the constant attendants on his person.- — • These he afterwards invested with the power of work- ing miracles, and sent them into dilFerent pai'ts of Ju- dea, in order to ciwry on with more rapidity the great VOL. ii. H h 242 LIFE OF ST. PETER. work \vhich he himself had so happily begun among the people. The evangelists in general, in their enumeration of the apostles, constantly place St. Peter first. Indeed, the age and gravity of his person, together with his be- ing first called to be an apostle, particularly qualified him for being president of this sacred college : but we must not suppose that St. Peter was invested with any personal prerogative above his brethren ; none of them ever intimated any such thing ; and St. Paul says ex- pressly, that he himself was not inferior to the very chief of the apostles ; for he was not less eminent for useful- ness and success in his ministry. This election had not long taken place, when the blessed Jesus, attended by Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, followed Jairiis, a ruler of the synagogue, to his house, in order to restore his daughter, an only child who lay at the point of death ; but before their arrival, a messenger met them with the news that the damsel was dead, and therefore it was unnecessary for our Sa- viour to eive himself any further trouble : but our Lord bid the ruler not despair ; for, if he believed, his daugh- ter should yet be restored to her former health : and accordingly , on his arrival he took the maid by the hand, and with the power of his word recalled her fleeting spirit, which had quitted its earthly tabernacle, and re- stored her again to life and health, in the presence of her astonished friends. No further account of St. Peter, in particular, occurs till the night after our Saviour's miraculously feeding the multitude in the wilderness. Jesus had ordered his disciples to take ship, and pass over to the other side, while he sent the multitude away ; but a violent storm arising, they were in great danger of their lives, when their great Master cam.e to them, walking on the surface of the boisterous billows, with the same ease as if it had been dry ground. At his approach, the disciples were LIFE OF ST. PKTER. 243 greatly terrified, supposing they liad seen a spirit ; but their compassionate Master soon dispelled their fears, by telHng them it was he himself, and therefore tliev liad no reason to be terrified. St. Peter^ who w^as always remarkable for bold reso- lutions and precipitate zeal, desired his Master to give him lea\'e to come to him on the water ; and on obtain- mg permission, he left the ship, and walked on the sea to meet his Saviour ; but when he heard the deep roar about him, and the waves increase, he began to be afraid ; and as his faith declined, his bodv sunk into the w^ater ; so that, m the greatest agony, lie called for assistance to him who was able to save : nor was his cry in vain ; the compassionate Redeemer of mankhid stretched out his hand, and again placed him on the surface of the water, with this gentle reproof, 0 thou of little faith wherefore didst thou doiibt"^ And no sooner was the blessed Jesus and his disciple entered into the ship, than the winds ceased, the waves subsided, and the ship w^as at the land whither they were going.- — A miracle of this kind could not fail of astonishine: the disciples, and convincing them of the divinity of his person ; accordingly, they drew near, and worshipped him with this confession, of a truth thou art the Son of God, Our blessed Saviour, the next day, entered the syna^ gogue of Capernaum ; and, from the miracle of the loaves, took occasion to discourse concerning himself, as the true manna, and the bread V)hich came down from heaven : opening to them the more sublime and spi- ritual mysteries, and the necessary and important du- ties of the gospel. On which great part of the audi- ence, who expected he was going to erect a temporal kingdom, and re-establish the throne of Da\-id in Jeru- salem, olfcnded at his representing his dominions ab. entirely spiritual, departed from him, and came no more to hear his discourses. Jesus, on beholding this de- Action, turned himself towards hi^ disciples, and asked 244 l^^ OF ST. PETER. them whether they also would go away ? To which Pe- ter replied, Lord, whither shall we go P thou hast the words oj^ eternal life : thy doctrine alone can instruct us in the paths that lead to happiness ; and thou art the true Messiah, the great prophet so fully foretold and so long expected by our nation. Our great Redeemer being willing to hear what ac- count his disciples would give him of the various opin- ions of the people, asked them w^hat the world said concerning him? To which they replied, that some took him for John the Baptist risen from the dead ; some thought him to be Elias, and others Jeremiah, or one of the old prophets. Tliis account not satisfying our bles- sed Saviour, he told them that it was no wonder that the people, ,who had seldom seen him, should form various conjectures concerning him and the doctrine he preached ; but as they had been constantly with him, heard his ser- mons, and been spectators of his miracles, it was natural to think they might form a truer idea of him ; and there- fore, asked them what they themselves thought of him; To which Peter in the name of the rest, answered, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, anointed and set apart by the Most High, to be the^great King, Priest, and Prophet of Israel. This full and comprehensive declaration of Peter, satisfied the enquiry of our blessed Saviour, who an- swered, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my foither ivlnch is in heaven: that is, this faith which thou hast now confessed, is not human, or built upon the testi- mony of man, but upon those ( vidcnces and principles which I was sent from God to reveal unto the world, and those great and solemn attestations he hath given from heaven to the truth both of my person and doc- trine : therefore, I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, cud upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shell not prevail against it. As thy name sig- nifies a rock, so shalt^ thou prove firm, solid, and im- LIFE OF ST. PETER. 245 movable, in building my church, which shall be so iirmly established by thy care and diligence to that faith thou hast now professed, that all the assaults of men and devils shall not be able to destroy, by their utmost ef- forts. x\t this time the disciples had no idea that their Mas- ter was to suffer death for the sins of the world; on the contrary, they considered him as immortal, having im- bibed the opinion of the Scribes and Pharisees, That Christ abideth forever: so that when the blessed Jesus told them of the sufferings he must undergo at Jerusa- lem, what affronts and indignities he must suffer, and be at last put to death with all the effects of torture and disgrace, by a sentence of the Jewish Sanhedrim, St. Peter, who could not endure the thought of his Mas- ter's suffering even the least punishment, much less those cruelties he had mentioned, and at last death it- self, interrupted him very unseasonably, and, said. Be it Jar from thee^ Lord; this shall not be done wit o thee. He considered these sufferings as inconsistent with the character of the great Messiah, whom he expected would restore the splendour of the throne of David his father, and reduce all the kingdoms of the earth to his obedi- ence. Our blessed Saviour, who canie down from heaven to give his life a ransom for the sins of the world, and who valued the redemption of mankind infinitely more than his own ease and safety, highly resented this speech (3f St. Peter, and accordingly returned this sharj) re- proof. Get thee behind me^ Satan ; thou art an offence to me ; thou favour est not the things of God, but those that he of men. After these transactions, the great Redeemer of the sons of men, being about to receive a specimen of his future glorification, took with him three of the most in- timate of his apostles, Peter and the two sons of Zeb- edee, and went up into a very high mountain, and while 246 LIl'E OF ST. PETER, they were employed in earnest addresses to the Almigh- ty, he was transfigured before them, such lustre beam- ing from his face, as exceeded the brightness of the meridian sun; and such rays of light issued from his garments, as exceeded the light of the clearest day ; an evident and sensible representation of that state, when the just shall walk 'm ivhite robes ^ and shi?ie as the sun ill the A'i?igdom of their father . During this heavenly scene, the great prophets Moses and Elias appeared in all the brightness and majesty of a glorified state, fa- 3niliarly conversing with him, and discoursing of the death and sufferings he was shortly to undergo, and his ascension to the heavenly regions of happiness and glory. St. Peter and the two apostles were in the mean time fallen asleep, being either weary for want of natural rest ; or, overpowered with these extraordinary appear- ances, which the frailty and weakness of their nature could not support, were fallen into a trance : but on their awaking, were strangely surprised to see their Lord surrounded with. so much glory, and those two great persons conversing with him. They however, remained silent till those visitants from the court of hea- ven ^\'ere going to depart, when Peter, in a rapture and extacy of mind, addressed himself to his Master, de- darinp- their infinite f)leasure and delight in being fa- voured with this glorious spectacle ; and desired his leave to erect three tabernacles, one for him, one for Moses, and one for Elias; but while he was speaking, a bright cloud suddenly overshaded those two great prophets, and a voice came from it, uttering these re- markablc words, Thh is my beloved Son i?i whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. On which the apostles M'ere seized with tl^e utmost consternation, and fell upon their faces to the ground; but Jehus touching them, bid them dismiss their fears and look up with confidence. They immediately obeyed, but saw their Master only; the others having vanished, togedier with the cloud of light they had lately beheld. l.IFE OF ST. PETER 247 This heavenly scene bcin^^ ended, our blessed Sa- viour travelled through Galilee with his apoistles, and at his return to Capernaum, the tax- gatherers came to Peter, and asked him, whether his Master was not obliged to pay tribute. To which Peter readily de- clared he did. On his entering the house to give his Master aii account of this demand, Jesus prevented him, by asking, JV/iat tli'mkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the A'ings of the earth take custom or tribute? oj their own children^ or of strangers? To which Peter answered, not from their servants and family, but from strangers. Then, replied our Lord, are the children free, I myself as being the Son of God, and you as my servants, are free from this tax, yearly paid to God, for repairing his temple at Jerusalem. But rather than give oifence, by seeming to despise the house of God, and undervalue that authority which had settled this tribute, he determined to pay it, though at the expence of a miracle. Accordingly, he ordered Peter to repair to the sea with a hook, and take the first fish that of- fered, in whose mouth he should find a piece of mo- ney. The disciple obeyed, and found the money as his Master had foretold, and gave to the gatherers ol the tribute for his Master and himsell', as their propor- tion of it, ^ Our blessed Saviour having entered the cit}- of Je- rusalem in triumph, he repaired to Bethany ; from whence he sent t\vo of his disciples, Peter and John, to make preparation for his celebrating the passover be- fore his death. Preparation being made, the great Rcdeciuer and his apostles entered the house, and set down at table. But their great Master, who often taught them by examplt as well as precept, arose from his scat, kiid aside his upper garment, took a towel, and pouring water into a bason, began to v/ash his disciples' feet, to teach thcni humility and charity by his own example. But on his coming to Peter, he would by no means admit his Mas- 24S LIFE OF ST. PETKK. ter to pcribrm so mean and condescending an office. What! the Son of God stoop to wash the feet of a sinful morUd ! A thought which shocked the apostle, who strenuously declared, T/iou shalt never xvash viy feet. But the blessed Jesus told him, that if he wash- ed him not, he could have no part with him; meaning that this action was mystical, and signified the remission of sins, and the purifying virtue of the spirit of the Most High, to be poured upon all true Christians. I'his answer sufficiently removed the scruples of Pe- ter, w^ho cried out, Lordy not my feet only^ but also my hands and my head. The dear Redeemer now began the institution of hi^i supper, that great and solemn institution, whicli he re- solved to leave behind him, to be constantlv celebrated in his church as a standing monument and memorial of his love in dvino; for mankind; teilinj^: them at the same time, that he himself was now going to leave them, and that whither he went, they could not come. Pe-. ter, not well understanding what he meant, asked him, v/hither he was going? To which our blessed Lord re- plied, that he was going to that place, whither he could not now, but should hereafter follow him ; intimating the martyrdom he was to suiFer fpr his Master's reii- scion. Peter answered, that he was readv to follow him. even if it required him to lay down his life. This con- fident presumption was not at all agreeable to the bless- ed Jesus, who told him he had promised great things, but would be so far from performing them, that before the cock crew twice, that is before three in the morn- ing, he would deny his Master thrice. Having now ended supper, they sung an hymn, and departed to the Mount of Olives; where Jesus again put them in mind how greatly the things lie was going to suiier would ofiend them. To w^iich PeXer replied, that though all men shall he offeiided because of thef. yct^dll 1 7jever be offended. Ul'E OF ST. MTEk. 249 After this they repaired to the i^ardcn of Gcthscma- lie ; and leaving the rest of the apostles near the en- trance, our blessed Sa^'iour, taking with him Peter. James, and John, retired into the more solitary parts of the garden, to enter on the preparatory scene of thc^ great tragedy that was now nigh at hand. The blessed Je su s at this awful juncture laboured un- der the bitterest agony that human nature could suffer, during \\'hich he prayed with the utmost fervency to his almighty Father, offering up prayers and supplications^ with strong cryings and tears; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. While our great Redeemer was thus interceding with the Almighty, his three disciples were fallen asleep, though he had made three several visits to them; calling to Peter, asked him, if he could not w^atch one hour with him? advising tbem all to watch and pray, that they might not enter into temptation, adding. The spirit irt- deed is willing^ but the flesh is weakt. During our Lord's conversation with them, a band of soldiers from the chief priests and elders, preceded ])y the traitor Judas to conduct and direct them, rushed into the garden, and seized the great High- Priest of our profession. Peter, whose ungovernable zeal would admit of no restraint, drew his sword, and without the least or- der from his Master, struck at one of the persons who seemed to be remarkably busy in binding Jesus, and tut off his right ear. This wild and unwarrantable zeal was very offensive to his Master, who rebuked Peter, and entreated the patience of the soldiers, while he heal- ed the wound by a miracle. The fidelity of the apostles, which they had urged \Vith so much confidence, was now put to the trial. l.^hey saw their Master in the hands of a rude and inconside-* rate band of men ; and therefore should have exerted their power to release him, or at least have been the companions of his sufferings, and endeavoured, by every VOL. iL I i 25(y LIFE OF ST. PETER. kind and endearing action', to have lessened his grief. But alas! instead of assisting or comforting their Master. they all forsook him and fled, — from innocence in dis- tress. Hereupon the soldiers who had bound Jesus led him away, delivered him to the chief priests and elders, who carried him from one tribunal to another; first to Annas, and then to Caiaphas, where the Jev^dsh Sanhedrim were assembled in order to try and condemn him to death. Peter y who in the mean time had followed the other disciples in their flight, recovered his spirits, and en- couraged by his companion St. John, returned to seek his Master ; and seeing him leading to the high-priest's hall, followed at a distance, to know the event : but oiji his coming to the door he was refused admittance, till one pf the disciples, probably St. John, who was ac- quainted there, came out, and prevailed on the servant who kept the door, to let him in. Peter being admit- ted, repaired to the fire burning in the middle of the haltj round which the officers and servants were stand- ing; where being observed by the maid-servant who let him in, she charged him with being one of C h r i s t ' s disciples; but Peter publicly denied the charge, declar- ing that he did not know him, and presently withdrew into a porch, where he heard the cock crow : an inti- mation seemingly sufficient to have awakened his con- science into a quick sense of his duty, and the promise he had a few hours before made to his Master. But,- alas! human nature when left to itself, is remarkably Irail and inconstant. This Peter sufficiently experi- enced; for while he continued in the porch, another maid met him, and charsred him with beins: one of the tbliowers of Jesus of Nazareth; 'which Peter stiffly denied, and, the better to gain belief, uttered an oath., to confirm his assertion. Nearly an hour after this, the servant of the high- LIFE OF ST. PETIlR. 25 t priest (he whose ear Peter had cut off) charged him with being a disciple of Christ, and that he himself had seen him in the garden with him; adding*, that his ver}^ speech proved him to l)e a Galilean. Peter, how- ever, still denied the fact; and to add the highest ac- complishment to his sins, ratified it, not only by an oathj but a solemn curse and execration, that he was not the person, that he knew not the man. But no sooner had he uttered this denial, than the cock crew. At whicli Iiis Master turned about, and earnestly looked upon him : a look that pierced him to the heart, and brought to his remembrance what his Saviour more thau once foretold, that he Vv^ould basely and shamefully deny him. Peter was now no longer able to contain his sorrow; he fled from thp palace of the high-priest, and wept bitterly, passionately bewailing his folly, and tlie aggravations of his sin ; endeavouring thereby to make 'some repa- ration for his apostacy, and reco\'er the favour of hea- ven, and prevent the execution of divine justice, b}- takinga severe revenge upon himself for his crime. St. Peter's fall should convince us of the miserable frailty even of the best of men, and effectually subdue those vain confidences which are apt to rise in our hearts from our ouii supposed strength and virtue; for as this great disciple fell in so scandalous a manner, we should hereafter cease to depend upon the highest degree of knowledge, when one so wise, so perfectly satisfied oi the truth of the Christian doctrine, was after the fullest convictions of his own conscience, so weak and frail as to deny and abjure his Lord who instructed and bought him, even at die price of his own blood ? Who shall presume upon his best resolutions^ when he \vho de- clared so firm a purpose of adhereiug to Jesus, did within a few hours peremptorily and solemnly disown that very person for whose sake he was lately ready and disposed to lay down his hfe. From this example we should also remember the wis^ 4om and goodness of the Almightv, in causing the §52 tlFE OF ST. PETER. faults and infirmities of his saints to be recorded in the Holy Scriptures, and the use we ought to make of their failings and temptations. Their eminent virtues, and their eminent repentance where they did amiss, are written as a seasonable warning, and exhibit an instance of humiliation to all future ages ; by letting us see, that the most perfect are but men, subject to blemishes and imperfections : and that the highest and purest state is no security from danger. This should make us very tender how we judge and despise our brethren; whose faults, however severely we may censure them, might probably have been our own had we been in their cir- cumstances and surrounded with their temptations : for let him that thinketh he standethy take heed lest he fall. We should not then promise ourselves safety and free- dom from temptations in any circumstances in life ; or so far presume on our own virtue, as to think we are incapable of committing the blackest crimes, should the Almighty withdraw his grace, and leave us to our- selves. We have no account whether St. Peter, after the de- nial of his Master, retired into some solitary place to give vent to his grief, and indulge his tears : or whether he followed his Saviour through the several stages of his trial, and personally attended as a mourner at the fu- neral of his Master. But however that be, he staid at Jerusalem, or, at least, in the neighbourhood, and probably with St. John ; for when Mary Magdalene re- turned from the sepulchre, to inform the disciples that the stone was rolled away from the door, and the body not to be found, Peter and John set out immediately to- wards the garden, John who was the younger arrived first at the sepulchre, looked into it, but did not enter, either out of fear, or a reverence to his Saviour. Peter, vvhose zeal was greatly increased, came sooi;\ after, and resolutely went into the sepulchre where he found the linen clothes lying together in one place, the napkin that was about his head wrapped together iu LIFE OF ST. PETER. 253 another; a sufficient indication that the body was not stolen away : for had that been the case so much care and order w^ould not have been observed in dispos- ing of the hnen clothes. But he did not wait loni^ in suspence with regard to his great Lord and Master ; for the same day, and probably about noon, Jesus ap- peared to him ; perhaps in compassion to his sorrow, in which he was overwhelmed for his late shameful de- nial of his Master. And as he was the first of the dis- ciples who had made a signal confession of the divinity of the Messiah, so it was reasonable he should first see him after his resurrection ; and, at the same time to con- vince him that the crime he had been s:uiltv of in denv- ing him was pardoned, and that he was come, like the good Samaritan, to pour oil into his wounded conscience, and administer comfort to his afflicted soul. The apostles soon after prepared to obey the com- mand of their great Master, of retiring into Galilee ; and we find that Peter, Nathaniel, the two sons of Ze- bedee, and two other disciples, returned to their old trade of fishing on the lake. One morning early as they were labouring at their employment, having spent the whole night to no purpose, they saw on the shore a grave person (perhaps in the habit of a traveller) who called to them, and asked if they had any meat ? To w^hich they answered No. Cast then, replied he, the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.-— They followed his directions, and enclosed a prodigious number of large fish. Astonished at such remarkable success, the disciples looked one upon another for some time, till St. John told Peter, that the person on the shore, was doubtless their great Lord and Master, whom the winds, the sea, and the inhabitants of the watery region, were so ready to yield obedience to. St. Peter no sooner heard the beloved disciple declare his opinion, concerning the stranger, than his zeal took fire, and notwithstanding the coolness of the season, girt on his fisher's coat, threw himself into the sea, and 254 LIFE OP ST. PEThR, swam to shore ; his impatience to be with his Lord aud Master, not suffering him to stay the few minutes ne^ cessary to bring the ship to the shore. " As soon as the disciples came on kind, they found a fire kindled, and a fish laid upon it, either immediately created by the power of their divine Master, or that came ashore of its own accord, and offered itself to his hand : but notwithstanding there were fish already on the fire, he ordered them to bring of those they had now caught, and dress them for their repast, he himself eat- ing with them ; both to give them an instance of mu- tual love and friendship, and also to assure them of the truth of his human nature, since he was risen from the dead, as they now beheld. The repast being ended, our blessed Saviour address- ed himself particularly to St. Peter, urging him to the utmost diligence in his care of souls ; and because he knew that nothing but a sincere love to himself could support him under the troubles and dangers of so labo- rious and difficult an employment, he inquired of him whether he loved him more than the rest of the apostles; mildly reproving him for his over-confident resolution. Peter, whom fatal experience had taught humility, mo- destly answered, that none knew so well as himself the integrity of his affections ^ thou knov/est the hearts of all men, nothing is hid from thee, and therefore thou knowest that I love thee. The question was three sev- eral times repeated by our blessed Saviour, and as man}' times answered by the apostle : it being but just that he, who by a threefold denial, had given so much reason to question his affection, should now, by a threefold confession, give more than common assurance of his sincere love for his Master ; and to each of these con- fessions, our great Redeemer added this signal trial of his affection. Feed my sheep. Our dear Lord having thus engaged Peter to a cheer- M compliance with dangers that might attend the dis- LIFE OF ST. PETER. 255 eliars^e of his office, particularly intimated to him the fate that would attend him ; telling him, that when he was young, he girt himself, lived at his pleasure, and went wherever his fancy directed him ; but when he .should reach the term of old age, he should stretch fordi his hands, and another should gird him, and bind him, and lead him, whither he had no desire to go ; in- timating, as the evangelists tell us, by what death he should glorify God, and sealthe truth with his blood. St. Peter was not averse to drinking the bitter cup, and making his confession as public as his denial, that he might thereby testify the sincerity of his sorrow, and contrition for his great ofience. And seeing John fol- lowing, he asked his great Master A\-hat should be his fate, and whether he who had been the object of his Master's love in his life-time, should not have as hon- ourable a death as he that had denied him ? To which Jesus replied, it doth not concern thee to know how I shall dispose of events with regard to him ; he shall see the destruction of the Jewish nation, and then go down in peace to the chambers of the dust. Our blessed Saviour soon after appeared to his disci- ples at Jerusalem to take his last farewel of them, who Jiad constantly attended him during his ministry amongst the sons of men. He now led them out as far as Beth- any ; a small village on Mount Olivet, where he brief!} told them, that they were the persons he had chosen to be the witnesses both of his death and resurrection ; a testimony which they should publish in every part ol the world ; in order to which, he would, after his as- cension into heaven, pour out his spirit upon them h\ an extraordinary manner, they they might be the better enabled to struggle with that violent rage and fury \vith uiiich the doctrine of the gospel would be opposed b}" men and dcA'ils ; adding, that in the mean time they should return to Jerusalem and there wait till those mirac- ulous powers were given from on high. This discourse being finished, he laid hands upon them, and gave them ^56 LIFE OF ST. PETEtl. his solemn benediction ; during \vhich he was taken from them, and received up into the regions of the hea- venly Canaan. Our glorious Redeemer having left this vale of misery and ascended into the blissful habitations of immortal- ity, the apostles began to act in conformity to the power and commission they had received from him. The first object that engaged their attention after their re- turn to Jerusalem, was to fill up the vacancy in their college, lately made by the unhappy fall and apostacy of Judas. In order to this they called together the church, and entered into an upper- room, where Peter, as president of the assembly, proposed to them the choice of a new apostle. He put them in mind that Ju- das, one of the disciples of their great and beloved Mas- ter, being betrayed by his covetous and insatiable tem- per, had lately fallen from the honour of his place and ministry ; that this was no more than what the prophet had long since foretold should come to pass ; and that the care of the church which had been committed to him, should devolve upon another ; that therefore it was highly necessary that some person who had been fami- liarly conversant with the blessed Jesus, from first to last, and consequently, a competent witness both of his doctrine and miracles, his death, resurrection, and as- cension, should be substituted.in his room, and appoint- ed to that high office. In order to which two candidates were proposed, Joseph, called Barsabas, and Matthias, both qualified for the great and important office of the apostleship ; and having prayed that the Divine Provi- dence would immediately guide and direct their choice, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was accordingly admitted into the number of the twelve apostles of our Lord. This vacancy being filled up in the apostoljc collegCy they spent their time in prayer and meditation, till the feast of Pentecost; when the promise of their great Mas- ter in sending the Holy Ghost was fulfilled. The chris- LIFE OF ST. PETER. 2jr tian assembly were met as usual, to perform the public services of their worship, when suddenly a sound, like that of a mighty wind, rushed in upon them, represent- ing the powerful efficacy of that Divine Spirit which was now to be communicated to them ; after which there appeared small flames of fire, which in the shape of cloven tongues, descended, and sat upon the head of each of them, to denote that their enjoyment of this gift should be constant and perpetual, and not like the pro- phets of old, who were inspired only at some particular times and seasons : upon which they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, which, in an instant enabled them to speak fluently sevei^al languages they had never learned, itnd probably never heard till this time. As this surprising transaction had dificrent effects on the minds of the audience, some considering it as the effect of a miracle, and others to the power and strength «f new wine : the apostles thereupon all stood up, and Peter, in the name of the rest, undertook to confute this injurious calumny : he told them that this scandalous slander proceeded from the spirit of malice and false- hood ; that their censure was as uncharitable as it was unjust ; that it was early in the morning, and thorc Fore not a time for drinking, especially on a day set apart for devotion ; that these extraordinary and miraculous ef- fects were but the accomplishment of an ancient pro- phecy, which the Almighty had expressly declared should be fulfilled ia the times of the Messiah ; that Jesus of Nazareth had evidently proved himself to be that gi'cat prophet, the Son of the Most High, by many imquestionablc miracles, of wliich they themselves had been eye-witnesses ; and though by the permission of Omnipotence, wlio had determined by this means, to bnng about the redemption of mankind, they had ^\ ick- edly crucified and slain him, yet God had raised Iiim from the dead. Though this ■^^•as the first discourse that St. Peter ever made in public, it deeply afiected the audience, VOL. ii. K k 253' LIFE OP ST. PETER. and every word, like a dagger, pierced them to the heart; so that they cried out, Men and Brethren y what shall we do ? To which Peter answered, " The only way to expiate j^our guilt, and obtain Pardon, for the sins you have committed, and acquire the gifts of the Holy Ghost, is to repent sincerely, and be baptized into the religion of this crucified Saviour." A short time after this wonderful conversation, Peter and John going up to the temple about three in the af- ternoon, near the conclusion of one of the solemn hours of prayer, they saw a poor impotent cripple near forty years of age, who had been lame from his birth, laying at the beautiful gate of the temple, and asking alms of those who entered the sacred edifice. This miserable object moved flieir compassion ; and Peter beholding him with attention, said, " The riches of this world, the silver and gold so highly coveted by the sons of men, are not in my power to bestow ; but I possess the power of restoring life and health, and am ready to assist thee." Then taking the man by the hand, com- manded him in the name of Jesus of Nazareth to rise up and walk. Immediately the nerves and sinews were enlarged, and the several parts of the diseased members performed their natural functions :, upon which the man accompanied them into the temple, in walking, leaping, and praising God for his cure. An event so strange and extraordinary, filled the minds of the people with admiration, and their curios- ity drew them round the apostles to view the men who had performed it. Peter, seeing the multitude gather- ing round them took the opportunity of speaking to them in the following manner. " Men and brethren, this remarkable cure should not excite your admiration of us, as if we had performed it by our own power ; it Was wrought rn the name of Jesus of Nazareth, our cru- cified Master, by the power of that very Christ, that: holy and just Person, whom you yourselves have deni- ed? and delivered to Pilate^ nay, and preferred a mur- LirE OF ST. PETER 85.9 xierer before him, when the governor was desirous of letting him go : but though you have put him to deatli, yet we are witnesses that he liath aiisen again from the dead, and that he is ascended into heaven, where he will remain till the great and tremendous day of general re- stitution." While Peter was speaking to the people in one part of the temple, John was in all probability, doing the same in the other : and the success plainly indicated how powerfully the preaching of the gospel was ; five thousand persons embracing the doctrine of the gospel, and acknowledging the crucified Jesus for their Lord and Redeemer. The. attention and envy of the rulers of Israel could not fail of being excited atjsuch amazing success iVom the preaching of the apostles ; accordingly, the priests and Sadducees repaired to the Roman magistrate, and intimated to him, that, in all probability, this concourse of people would prove the cause of a tumult and insur- rection. Upon this information, the captain of tlie tem- ple seized on the apostles, and cast them into prison. The next day they were carried before the Jewish San- hedrim : and being asked by what power and authority they had done this, Peter boldly answered, *'Be it known unto you and to all the descendants of Jacob, that this miracle was wrought wholly in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye yourselves have crucified and slain, and whom the Almighty hath raised again froni the dead. This is the stone which your builders refused^ and which is become the head of the corner; nor is there any other way by which you, or any of the sons of men can be saved, but by this crucified Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." After beholding the apostles with a kind of aston- ishment, the court remembered that they had seen them with Jesus of Nazareth, and therefore ordered them tp withdraw- whilst they debated amongst themselves 260 LIFE OF ST. PETER. what was proper to be done : it was impossible to deny the miracle, formed before all the people, and the per- son on whom it was wrought was no stranger in Jerusa- lem. They resolved therefore to charge them strictly not to preach any more in the name of Je sus : accordingly, they were again called in, and acquainted with the re- solution of the council : to which the appstles answered, " That as they had received a commission from heaven to declare to all nations what they had ^een and heard, it was certainly their duty to obey God, rather than man." Although this was a fiiir appeal to the consciences of their very judges ; yet these rulers of Israel, instead of being satisfied with it, would in all probability have pro- ceeded to a greater violence, had not the peoples vene- ration for the apostles checked their malice ; so that all they dared to do, was to enforce their menaces, and suffer them to depart. This intrepidity of the apostles had the desired effect : the church increased exceedingly : and that so great a company, especially the poor and needy, might be main- tained, the professors of the religion of the holy Jesus sold their estates, and brought the money to the apostles that they might deposit it in one common treasury, and from thence supply the several exigencies of their poor brethren. We find, however, that hypocrisy was not unknown amongst the professors of religion, even in these primi* tive times. Ananias and his wife Sapphira, having embraced the doctrine of the gospel, pretended to fol- low the free and generous spirit of these times, by coiv iiecrating and devoting their estate to the honour of God, and the necessities of the church. Accordingly^ they sold their possessions, and brought part of the mo- ney and laid it at the apostles' feet ; hoping to deceive them, though guided by the spirit of Omnipotence : but Peter, at his first cgming in, asked Ananias, how LWE OF ST. PETER. 261 he could suffer Satan to fill his heart with such enor- mous wickedness, as to think to deceive the Holy Ghost ? That before it was sold, it was wholly in his own power; and afterwards the money entirely at his own disposal : so that this action was capable of no other interpretation, than that he had not only abused and injured man, but mocked the Almighty himself, who he must know was privy to the most secret thoughts of his heart. No sooner had the apostles finished, than Ananias, to the great terror of all that were present, fell down dead by a stroke from heaven ; and not long after his wife came in, whom Peter reproved in the same man- ner he had done her husband, adding, that she should immediately end her life in the same awful manner ; upon which she was smitten by the hand of Omnipo- tence, and fell down dead ; sharing with her husband in the punishment, as she had before in the heinous crime. v This remarkable instance of severity, filled all the converts with fear and trembling, and prevented in a great measure, that hypocrisy and dissimulation, by which others might flatter themselves to deceive the church. But such instances of severity were very ex- traordinary; the power of the apostles was generall) exerted in works of mercy and beneficence towards the sons and daughters of affliction: they cured all kinds of diseases, and cast out devils; so that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that the shadow, at least of Peter, as he passed by, might cover some of them : well knowing, a single touch or word from either of the apostles, was sufficient to remove a disease of the most inveterate nature. However, these stupendous works of the apostles, and the groAving numbers of the church alarmed the rulers of Israel, who seized the apostles and cast them 263. LIFE OF ST. PETER. into prison. Their power, however, was limited, and like the drop of a bucket to the ocean, when opposed to the Ahiiighty arm of the great Jehovah. The pri- son doors, though fastened with the utmost caution, opened of themselves at the approach of a messenger from the court of hea^'^en, who commanded the apos- tles to leave the dungeon, repair to the temple, and preach the glad-tidings of the gospel to the people in Jerusalem. When the officers returned in the morning, they found the prison doors shut and guarded, but the prisoners gone. This remarkable circumstance greatly alarmed them, and they repaired to the council to acquaint them with wdiat had happened. The rulers were astonished at the news ; but hearing that the apostles were teach- ing in the temple, they sent an officer to bring them, without the least violence to their persons, before the Sanhedrim, Their orders were soon obeyed, and the disciples of Jesus placed before the same court, by which their Master had been so lately condemned. Being thus brought before the Sanhedrim^ the high- priest asked the apostles how they dared to pi'opagate a doctrine they had lately so strictly charged them not to preach : to which Peter, in the name of the rest, repli- ed, " We certainly ought to obey God rather than man; and though you have so barbarously and contumelious- iy treated the Saviour of the world, yet God hath raised him up to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give both re- pentance and remission of sins : and of these things JDOth Vv^e are witnesses, together with the miraculous powers which the Holy Ghost hath conferred on all Christians." As the apostles delivered this answer with remarka- ble boldness, it exasperated the council, and they be- gan to consult how they might destroy them : but Ga- maliel, a grave and learned counsellor, after command- ing the apostles to withdraw, desired them to proceed LIFE OF ST. PETER. 253 with cUution in aii aftliir of this nature ; reminding then^, that several persons had ah-eady raised parties, and drawn great numbers of persons after them ; but that every one of them had miscarried, and all their designs were rendered abortive without the interposition of tliat court. That they would therefore do well to let the apostles alone ; for if their doctrines and designs were of human invention, they would come to nothing; but if they were of God, all their powers and policy ^\ ould be of no eftcct. The council were satisfied with this prudent and ra- tional advice, and after commanding the apostles to be scourged, they strictly charged them to preach no more in the name of Jesus, and set them at liberty: but this charge had little eftect on the disciples of the blessed Jesus; they returned home 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 so powerful a Master. Hitherto the church of Jerusalem had been tossed with gentle storms, but now it was overtaken by a more violent tempest, which commenced w ith the death of tlie protomartyr Stephen, and was now carried on with greater violence ; nor did it end but with the dispersion of the disciples, by which means, the glad-tidings of the gospel, which had till then been confmed to Judea, and the professors of it liid in secret places, was nov\ preached to the Gentile w orld, and an ancient prophecy- fulfilled, which says Out of Zion shall go forth the law^ and the word of tlie Lord from Jerusalem. Thus does the Almighty bring good out of evil, and cause the malicious intentions of the wicked to redound to his praise, in the further spreading of the truth. The followers of the blessed Jes*us being thus dis- persed, Philip the deacon, retired to Samaria, where he preached the gospel, and confirmed his doctrine by many miraculous cures, and casting out devils. In this 264 LIFE OF ST. PETER. city was one Simon, who, by magic arts and diaboKcal sorceries, was beheld with admiration by the people; and some considered him as the great power of God; a name he blasphemously gave himself, pretending to be the first and chief deity, or what every nation consi- dered as the supreme God. This wicked mortal hear- ing the sermons of Philip, and beholding the miracles wrought by him, became a convert to the religion of Jesus, and was baptised with others who had embrac- ed Christianity. Several of the apostles who continued at Jerusalem, were soon informed of this remarkable success of Phil- ip's ministry at Samaria, and thought it necessary to send him assistance. Accordingly, Peter and John were deputed to this infant church, who having prayed and laid their hands on the new converts, they received the Holy Ghost. Such miraculous gifts astonished the magician, and desirous of obtaining the same privilege, he offered the disciples money to invest him with this power, that on whomsoever he laid his hands he might receive the Holy Ghost ; but Peter, who perceived the insincerity of his heart, rejected his offer with scorn and detestation. " Thy money, said that great apostle, perish with thee. And as thy heart is full of hypocrisy and deceit, thou canst have no shai^e nor portion in so great a privilege. Thou wouldest do well to repent for so monstrous a crime, and sincerely apply thyself to seek the Almighty, that the thoughts of thy heart may be forgiven thee ; for I perceive that thy temper and dispo- sition of mind is still vicious and corrupt, and that thou art yet bound by the chains of iniquity, and in a state displeasing to the Almighty, and dangerous to the wel- fare o^ thy own soul," This speech of St. Peter terrified Simon, his con- science flew in his face, and he prayed the apostles to make intercession for him to the throne of grace, tliat the Almighty might pardon his sin, and not inflict on him those heavy judgments they had denounced. LIFE OF ST. FETllIt. t(^^ After tills violent storm, the church enjoyed a time of calmness and serenity ; during which St. Peter went to visit the churches lately planted in those parts by the disciples whom the persecution had dispersed : and at his arrival at Lydda he miraculously healed Eneas, who had been afflicted w^Ith the palsy, and confined to his bed eight vears ; but on Peter's bidding him arise in the name of Jesus, he was immediately re- stored to perfect health. Nor was the success of this miracle confined to Eneas and his family, the fame of it being blazed through all the neighbouring country, and many believed in the doctrine of the Son of God. It was even known at Joppa, a sea-port town, about six miles from Lydda ; and the brethren immediately sent for Peter on the following melancholy occasion-, Tabitha whose Greek name was Dorcas, a woman venerable for her piety and extensive charity, was newly dead, to the great lossof all mankind who loved the paths of virtue, especially the poor and afflicted, who were supported by her benevolence. When St. Peter arrived, he found her dressed for her funeral solemnity, and surrounded by mournful widows, who shewed the coats and garments where- with she had clothed them, the monuments of her li- berality : but Peter put them all out, and kneeling down, prayed with the utmost fervency ; then turning- to the body, he commanded her to arise, and taking her by the hand, presented her in perfect health to hei friends and others, who were assembled to pay their last duties to so good a woman. This miracle confirm- ed those who newly em.braced the gospel of Jescjs, and converted many more to the faith. After which, he stayed a considerable time here, and lodged in the house of Simon a Tanner, at Joppa, While he abode in this city, one day, when he was offering up his prayers to the Almighty, he found him- self hungry, and called for meat; but while it was dressing for him, he fell into a trance, wherein wa^ VOL. ii. 1. 1 S6^ LIFE OF ST. PETEFS presented td him a large sheet let down from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures, clean and unclean ; and at the same time a voice said to him, A?'ise Peter^ kill and eat ; but the apostle, as yet tenacious of the rites and institutions of the Mosaic law, answered, that his conscience refused to comply, having never eaten anv thing that was common or unclean. To which the voice replied, *' That it was unjust to consider that as common w^hich God had cleansed." This was done thrice, after which the vessel was again drawn up to heaven, and the vision disappeared. By this symboli- cal representation, St. Peter was given to understand, that the Almightv was now going to send him on a new embassy, which the Spirit at the same time com- manded him to undertake. While he was still won- dering with himself what the event could prove, three messengers knocked at the gate, enquiring for him ; and from them he received the following account : That Cornelius, a Roman captain of a band of Italian soldiers at Ca^sarea, a person of great pietyandreligion, one who had been long a proselyte of the gate, had sent for him by an immediate command from God. Peter accompanied with some of the brethren, went the next day with the messengers, and soon after ar- rived at Ca^sarea. Cornelius having information of his coming, had summoned his friends and kindred to Caesarea ; and at the apostle's entering his house, fell at his feet, a method of address frequent in the Eastern countries; but Peter, who considered that honour as due only to the Almighty, lifted him up, and declared to the com- pany the reason of his coming, saying that he had lately learned that with God there was no respect of persons. As soon as the apostle had ended his speech, Cor- nelius, at his request, related the particular reason for his sending for him. *' Four days ago, said this Ro- man officer, being conversant in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel from the courts of heaven appear- LIFE OF ST. PETER. sef ed 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, ordered me to send to Joppa, for one Simon Peter, who lodged at the house of a Tanner near the sea-side^ who would give me further information in the duties of religion. Accord- ingly, I made no hesitation to obey the Heavenly mes- senger, but sent immediately for thee." The apostle was at first astonished at this relation of the centurion ; but he was soon convinced that God had broken down the partition-wall, and no longer maintained a peculiar kindness tor the sons of Jacob ; that it was not the nation, but the religion ; not the external quality of the man, but the internal temper of the mind, that recommended the human race to the favour of Omnipotence : that the devout and pious, the righteous and the good man, whatever part of the the earth he may inhabit, is the favourite of heaven ; that God as highly respects a just and virtuous man in the barren wastes of Scythia, as on the mountain of Sion ; that the reconciling and making peace between God and man by Jesus Christ, was the doctrine pub- lished by the prophets of old ; and that God had now anointed and consecrated Jesus of IS^azareth with di- vine power, in the exercise whereof he went about doing good to the children of men. At the time that Peter was thus preaching to thehii the Holy Ghost fell upon the greatest part of his hear ers, enabling them to speak several languages, and in them to magnify the great Creator of the sons of men At this the Jews, who accompanied Peter, marvelled exceedingly, to see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost, were poured upon the Gentiles; and Peter seeing this, told the company, that he knew no reason why these persons should not be baptized, as they had received the Holy Ghost a? well as they ; and accordingly, ho gave orders that they should be baptized ; and, to con- firm them in the holy faith they had embraced, he tai lied some time with them.. S65 Lli L OF Si. PETER. Having thus finished his visitation to the new plani- ed churches, Peter returned to Jerusalem, and was in- defatigable in instructing the converts in the religion of Jesus, and preaching the glad-tidings of salvation to the descendants of Jacob : but he did not long con- tinue in this pleasing course ; Herod Agrippa, in or- der to ingratiate himself into the favour of the Jews, put St. James to death, and finding the action was highly acceptable to that stiff-necked people, he re- solved to extend his cruelty to Peter, and accordingly cast him into prison : but the churches were incessant in their prayers to God for his safety ; and what have mortals to fear, when guarded by the hand of Omnip- otence ! Herod was persuaded he should soon accom- plish his intentions, and sacrifice Peter to the insatia- ble cruelty of the Jews; - The night before the intended execution a messen- ger from the court of heaven visited the gloomy dun- geon, where he found Peter asleep between his keep- ers. The angel raised him up, took off his chains, or- dered him to gird on his garments, and follow him : Peter obeyed, and having passed through the first and second w^atcb. they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord : the angelalso accompanied him through one of the streets, and then departed from him ; on which Peter came to himself, and perceived that it was no vision, but that hk great and beloved Master had really sent a mes- senger from above, and released him from prison. He therefore repaired to the house of Mary, where the church was assembled, and offering up tlieir prayers to the throne of grace for his safety. On his knocking ;U the door, a maid who come to let him in, knowing his voice, ran back to tell them that Peter was at the door^ which they at first considered as the effect of tancy : but the damsel continuing to affirm that it was really true, they concluded it was' an angel or some messenger sent to him from the court of heaven : but on opening the door, they were convinced of their LIFE OF ST. PETER, 269 mistake, finding that it was Peter himself, who briefly told them how he was delivered, and, desiring them to inform his brethren of his being set at liberty, he retir- ed from them. The officers came in the morning from Herod to the prison, with orders to bring Peter out to the people, who were gathered together to behold his execution : but when they came to the prison, the keepers informed them, that the apostle had made his escape ; which so exasperated Herod, that he commanded those to be put to death who were intrusted with the care of the pri- soner. After tliis miraculous deliverance of St. Peter, a con- troversy arose between the Jewish and the Gentile con- verts, with regard to the observation of the Mosaic law, a dispute which gave great uneasiness to the minds of many persons ; the Jews zealously contending, that it was absolutely necessary to salvation to be circum- cised, and observe the precepts of the ceremonial law as well as those of the gospel. To compose this dif? ference, it was thought necessary to summon a general council of the apostles and brethren to meet at Jerusa- lem. This was accordingly done, and the case tho- roughly debated. At last Peter stood up, and declared, that God hav- ing chosen him out of all the apostles to be a preacher of the gospel not only to the Jews, but also to the Geuw tiles, God who was best able to judge of the hearts of men, had borne witness to them, that they were accept* ed of him by giving them his Holy Spirit, as he had done the Jews ; and, consequently, that there was no difference between them. St. Peter's declaration convinced the church, and it was unanimously decreed, that no other burthen than the temporary observance of a few particular precepts,, equally convcjiient to Jew and Gentile, should be im- 270 LIFE OF ST. PETER. posed on them : and the decision drawn up into asy- nodical epistle, and sent to the several churches, for allaying the heats and controversies v^hich had been occasioned by this dispute. Peter soon after left Jerusalem^ and went down to Antioch ; where, using the liberty given him by the gospel, he freely ate and conversed with the Gentile proselytes, considering them now as fellow -citizens tvith the saints^ and of the household oj^God. This he had been taught by the vision of the sheet let down from heaven -, this had been lately decreed at Jerusa- lem ^ this he had before practised with regard to Cor- nelius and his family, and justified the action to the satisfaction of his accusers ; and this he had freely and innocently done at Antioch, till some of the Jewish brethren coming thither, he, for fear of offending them, withdrew himself from the Gentiles, as if it had been unlawful for him to hold conversation with uncircum- cised persons ; notwithstanding he knew, and was fully satisfied, that our blessed Saviour had broken down the partition wall between the Jew^s and Gentiles un- der the gospeL Having thus acted against the light of his own mind and judgment, Peter condemned what he had approved, and destroyed the superstructure he had be- fore erected -, at. the same thne, he confirmed the Jew- ish zealots in their inveterate errors, filled the minds oP the Gentiles with scruples, and their consciences with fears. Nor was this all, the old prejudices between Jew and Gentile were revived, and the whole number of Jewish converts, following the apostle's examples, separated themselves from the company of the Gentile Christians; nay, even Barnabas, himself was carried away by the torrent of unwarrantable practice that now unhappily prevailed. The apostle Paul was novv at Antioch^ and resolute- ly opposed St. Peter to his face ^ he publicly reproveci LIFE OF ST. PETER. 271 him as a person worthy to be blamed for his gross pre- varication. He reasoned and severely expostulated with him, that he who washimselt a Jew, and conse- quently under a more immediate obligation oi observ- ing the Mosaic law, should throw ofFthe yoke himself, and at the same time endeavour to impose it on the Gentiles, who were never under the necessity of ob- serving the ceremonies of the Israelites ; a severe, though an impartial charge. Thus far we have had an infallible guide to direct us in writing the life of this great apostle; but here the sacred historian hath left us, and therefore we must have recourse to the ancients for materials in the fur- ther prosecution of his history. Before this contest at Antioch, St. Peter had preach- ed the gospel in various parts of the world, enlarged the kingdom of his great Master^ and spreading the glad-tidings of salvation amongst the inhabitants of various countries : and, amongst the rest, those of ilome, then the mistress of the world. In that capital he is said to have continued several years, till the em- peror Claudius taking advantage of some seditious tu- mults raised by the Jews, published an edict, whereby they were banished from Rome, and amongst the rest St. Peter, who returned to Jerusalem, and was present at the synod already mentioned ; but how long he con- tinued in the capital of Judea is uncertain ; for we have no account of his transactions for many years. This however is certain, that he was not idle in the service of his great Master; and Eusebius tells us, from Metaphrastes, that he visited several of the west- ern parts, and particularly the island of Crcat-Brltain, where he continued several years, spreading the glad fidings of salvation in these remote parts, and convert- ing the several nations to the faith of the gospel. However this be, w^hcther St. Peter was or was not in England, it is certain, that to^var(is the latter end 2/2 LIFE OF ST, PETER. of Nero's reign he returned to Rome, where he found the minds of the people strongly bewitched, and har- dened against the doctrines of the gospel by the sor- ceries of Simon Magus, who, as I have already ob- served, was chastised by Peter for his wickedness at Samaria. This Monster of impiety not only opposed the preaching of the apostles, but also did all in his power to render them and their doctrines odious to the emperor. St. Peter foreseeing that the calumnies of Simon and his adherents would hasten his death, took the greater pains, and was still more assiduous to con- firm those he had been any ways instrumental in con- verting in the sublime truths they had received. In order to this, the apostle strongly opposed the great deceiver of mankind ; for in the last year of his life, he seems to have written his two epistles to the dispersed Jews in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bythinia ; and, in an appointed encounter with Simon^, discovered his magical impostures, and through the power and the assistance of the Almighty, brought him to an exemplary and miserable death. The account of the miserable end of this unhappy man no sooner reached the emperor's ears, than he vowed revenge, both for the death of his favourite, and the endeavours used by the apostles to turn man- kind from darkness unto lights and from the power of Satan unto God, Accordingly, he issued orders for apprehending St. Peter, together with his companion St. Paul. St. Ambrose tells us, that when the people perceived the danger to which St. Peter was now ex- posed, they prayed him to quit Rome, and repair for a while to some secure retreat, that his life might be preserved for the benefit ot the church. Peter, with great reluctance, yielded to their entreaties, and made his escape by night : but as he passed the gate, he was;,, met by a person in the form of his great and beloved Master, and on Peter's asking him, whither he was going, answered, *^ To Rome to be crucified a seeoFMi LIFE OF ST. PETER. 3?n time :'' which Peter taklni^ for a reproof of his coward- ice, returned again into the city, was soon after appre- hended, and cast, together with St. Paul, into the Ma- mertine prison. Here they were confined eight or nine months, but spent their time in the exercise of rcHgion, especially in preaching to the prisoners, and those \vho resorted to them : and during this confinement, it is generally thought St. Peter wrote his second epistle to the dispersed Jews ; wherein he endeavours to confirm them in the belief and practice of Christianity, and to fortify them against those poisonous and pernicious principles and actions, which began to break in upon, the church, then in its infancy. At length, Nero returning from Achla, entered Rome in triumph; and soon after his arrival, resolved that the apostles should fall as victims and sacrifices to his cru- eltv and revenot^. WHiile the fatal stroke was dailv ex- pected, the Christians in Rome were continually offer- ing up their prayers to heaven to protect those two holy persons : but the Almighty Vv'as now willing to put an end to their sorrows; and after sealino: the truth thcv had preached ^vith then^ own blood, to receive them into the regions of eternal bliss and happiness, and exchange their crowns of martyrdom for crowns of glory. Ac- eoixlingly, they were both condemned by the cruel em- peror of Rome; and St. Peter having taken his fare- well of the brethren, especially St. Paul, was taken from the prison, and led to the top of the Vatican mount, near the 'Jlber, w here he was sentenced to surrender u his life by crucifixion* i> Coming to the place of execution, he begged tiic n- V our of the officers, that he might not be crucified in the common manner, but ^v ith his head downwards, af- firming, that he was unworthy to sufter in the same j")os- ture in which his Lord had suffered before him. This recjuest was accordingly complied \vith, and the great apostle St. Peter surrendered up his soul into the hands of his great and beneficent Master, who came down VOL. ii. M m 2U LIFE OF ST. PETER. from heaven to ransom mankind from destruction, and to open the gates of the heavenly Canaan to all believers. The body of Peter being taken down from the cross, is said to have been embalmed by Mercellinus the pres- byter, after the manner of the Jews, and then buried in the Vatican, near the Appian-way, two miles from Rome. Here it remained till the time of pope Corne- lius, who conveyed it to the Vatican at Rome, where it rested in an obscure place, till the reign of Constan- tine, who^ from the great reverence he entertained for the Christian religion, erected many churches at Rome, and rebuilt and vastly enlarged the Vatican in honour of St, Peter. If we consider St. Peter as a man, there will seem to have been a natural eagerness predominant in his tem- per, which animated his soul to the most bold and gen- erous undertakings : but if we consider him as a disci- ple of the blessed Jesus, we shall find him exemplary in the great duties of religion. To conclude: if we consider him as an apostle, as a pastor, or a shepherd of the souls of men, we shall find him faithful and dili- gent in his office, zealously endeavouring to instruct 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 peo- ple and spreading the glad- tidings of the gospel amongst the human race: and so pow^erful were his discourses, that he converted many thousands at one time. How many painful journics and dangerous voyages did he imdertake! With what unconquerable patience ^did he endure the greatest trials, surmount every difficulty, and remove every obstacle, that he might plant the gos- pel of his beloved Master! Never refusing even to lay down his life to promote it : nor was he only assidious to perform these duties himself; he was also careful to animate others to do the like, earnestly pressing and persuading the pastors and go\ ernors of the church to LIFE OF ST. JUDE. 2^5 leed the flock of God, to labour freely for the good of the souls of men, and not undertake those offices to ac- quire advantages to themselves; beseeching them to treat the flock committed to their care, with lenity and gentleness, 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 chil- dren of men, he endeavoured by letters to imprint in their minds the practice of what they had been taught: a method, he tells us, he was resolved to pursue, as long as he continued an inhabitant of this world ; think- ing it meet, while he was in this tabernacle, to stir up the professors of the gospel, by putting them in mind of these things; that so they might be able after his decease to have them alwavs in remembrance, and not let them slip out of their minds., ST. JUDE, THE APOSTLE^ u)T. JUDE is mentioned by three several names in tht; evangelical history, namely, Jude or Judas, Thaddeus^ and Lebbeus. The first he had in common with the other Jews, and in honour of one of the twehe patri- archs ; the other two might be added to the former, partly to distinguish him from Judas the traitor, who had rendered the name odious to the Christians, and partly as a commendation of his wisdom and zeal: for Lebbeus, according to St. Jerom, signifies a man of understanding, and Thaddeus imports divine favour; and hence some of the fathers called him Zelotes, or Zealous. This apostle was brother to St. James the Less, af terwards bishop of Jerusalem, being the son of Joseph, the reputed father of Christ, by a former wife. It is not known when, or by what means, he becam^ a dis- 2/6 LIFE OF ST. JUDE, ciple of our blessed Saviour, nothing being said of him, tillwc find him in the catalogue of the twelve apostles ; nor afterwards till Christ's last supper, when dis- coursing with them about his departure, and comfort- ing them with a promise, that he would return to them again, meaning after his resmTection, and that the world should see him no more, though they should see him; our apostle said to his Master, Lord^ how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the xvorld? It seems, from this question, that St. Jude expected that the Messiah would establish a secular kingdom ; and, therefore, could not reconcile the solemnity and grandeur of it, with the private manifestations of Christ to his disciples only. It is affirmed by Jerom, that Thomas sent Jude the apostle soon after our Lord's ascension, to Edessa, to heal Abagarus ; but this is a mistake, it being Thad- deus, one of the seventy disciples, and not Judas Thad- deus the apostle, who was sent to Abagarus. We are told by Paulinus, that the province which fell to the share of St. Jude in the apostolic division, of the provinces, "was Lybia ; but he does not tell us, whether it was the Cyrenean Lybia, which is thought to have received the gospel from St. Mark, or the more bouthern part of Africa : but however that be, in his first setting out to preach the gospel, he travelled up and down Judea and Galilee; then through Samaria into Idumea, and to ihe cities of Arabia, and the neighbour- ing countries, and afterwards to Syria and Mesopota- mia. Nicephorus, adds, that he came at last to Edessa, where Abaragus governed, and where Thaddeus, one of the seventy, had already sown the seeds of the gos- pel. Here he perfected what the other had begun ; and having by his sermons and miracles establislied die religion of Jesus, he died in peace; but others say that he was slain at Berytes, and honourablv buried there. LIFE OF ST. JUDE. ^77 The writers of the Latin church are unanimous in declaring-, that St. Jude travelled into Persia, where, after great success in his apostolical ministry for many- years, he was at last, for his free and open reproving the superstitious rites and customs of the Magi, cru- elly put to death by the enemies of the gospel. We do not find that St. Jude left more than one epis- tle, which is placed the last of those seven, styled cath- olic, in the sacred canon. It hath no particular inscrip- tion, as the other six ha^'e, but is thought to have been primarily intended for the Christian Jews, in their sev- eral dispersions, as St. Peter's epistles were. In it he he tells them, ^' That he at first intended to write to them in general of the common salvation, and establish and confirm them in it: but seeing the doctrine of Christ attacked on every side by Hereticks, he conceived it more necessary to spend his time in exhorting them to fight manfully in defence of tJie faith once delivered to the saints, and oppose the false teachers who laboured so indefatigably to corrupt the truth." It is generally understood, the Heretics mcani in this epistle, were the Kicolatans, the Gnostics, tly* follow- ers of Simon Magus and others of the same kiiid, whose morals were as corrupt as their doctrine, trusting to a faith without works, as sufficient to their salvation : so that the subject of St. Jude's epistle is nearly the same with that of the second of St. Peter, whose sense he generally follows, and often uses the very same expres- sions : only as the infection had spread itself further, imd had gotten more ground, he seems to oppose diose Heretics with more zeal and sharpness than Peter had done : but because true Christian charity, though it be zealous, yet is without bitterness and hatred, he exhorts the Christians to use gentle methods with those de- luded people, and to pluck them as brands out of the fire ; meaning by fire, iheir impious principles and prac- tices, which if continued in, would certainly consume them. He seems expressly to cite St. Peter's second 278 LIFE OF ST. JUDE. epistle, and to intimate plainly that most of the apostles were dead; so that his epistle seems not to have been written till after Nero's reign and the destruction of Je- rusalem by the Romans. This epistle was not at first generally received in the church ; the author indeed, like James, John, and some- times Paul himself, does not call himself an apostle, styling himself only the servant of Christ ; but he has added what is equivalent, Jude the brother of James, a character that can belong to none but our apostle : and surely the humility of a follower of Je s us should be no objection against his wtI tings, but rather a recommen- dation of them. One great objection against this Cpistle, was the apos- tle's mentioning the tradition of Michael the archangel contending with the Devil about the body of Moses, but he has done no more than St. Paul in naming Jan- nes and Jambres ; namely, alleging a story which was then current and acknowledged by the Jews, though nothing of it was inserted in the sacred writings, so that St. Jude reasons with the Jews from their own au- thors and concessions, the more easily to convince and confute them. We have now, we trust, obviated the difficulties that have arisen, concerning the epistle of St. Jude ; and Eusebius tells us, that in his time most churches read it publicly : it is indeed evident, that before the close of the fourth age, it was acknowledged as canonical Scripture, in the councils of Laodicea and Carthage by general consent. AN ACCOUNT OF ST, THOMAS The Apostle, A HE Jews, when they travelled into foreign coun- tries, or familiarly conversed with the Greeks and Ro- mans, were wont to assume a Latin name of the same signification, or at least that bore some afiinity with that by which they were known in their own country. Thus our blessed Saviour was called Christ, answer- ing to his Hebrew title Messiah^ the anointed : Simon who was called Cephas in Hebrew, was styled Petros in Greek, both signifying a rock : Tabithuy was called Doreas, both signifying a goat : and thus Thomas, ac- cording to the Syriac import of his name, was called Di/dimus, a twin, which is the meaning of both appella- tions. There is no mention in the evangelical hi-itory either of the country or kindred of St. Thomas : it is ho\\'- ever certain that he was a Jew, and in all probability a Galilean. Metaphrastes tells us, that he was decended from very mean parents, who brought hnii up to the trade of fishing ; but at the same time, took care to gi\e him a more useful education, instructing him in the know- ledge of the Scriptine, whereby he learned wisely to re- gulate his conduct. This apostle was, togetlier A\itht]ie rest, called to the apostleship and not long after gave an eminent instance of his being ready to undergo the most melanchol}- fate that might attend him : for when the rest of the apos- tles were dissuadins: their Muster from iJ-oin^r into Juden at the time of Lazarus's death, because the Jews lately endeavoured to stone him, Thomas desired them not to Jiinder his journey thither, though it might cost them all their lives : Let us go, said he, that xve may die with him : conGluding. that instead of Laztu'us being raised ^SO LIFE OF ST. THOMAS. from the dead, they should all, like him, be placed in the chambers of the dust. The holy Je sus, a little before his suffering, had been speaking to them of the joys of heaven, and had told them, that he was going to prepare mansions for them, that they might follow him, and that they knew both the place whither he was going, and the way thither ; on hearing this, our apostle replied, that they knew not whither he was going, much less the* way that would lead them thither. To which our Lord returned this short but satisfactory answer, lam the vmt/ ; lam the person whom the Father hath sent into the world to shew mankind the paths that lead to eternal life, and therefore you cannot miss the way if you follow my example, and obey my precepts. The minds of the disciples, w^ho had seen their great Master expire on the cross, were distracted by hopes and fears concerning his resurrection, about which they were not then fully satisfied which engaged him the sooner to hasten his appearance, that by the sensible manifestations of himself he might put the matter be- yond all possibility of dispute. Accordingly, the very day on which he arose from the dead, he came into the house where they v/ere assembled, while, for fear of the Jews, the doors were close shut,and gave them sufficient assurance, that he was risen from the dead. Thomas was not present at this meeting, having probably never rejoined their company since their dispersion in the garden, when every one's fears prompted him to con- sult his own safetv. At his return, thev told him, that the Lord had aj^peared to them, but he obstinately re- fused to give credit to what they said, or to believe that it was really he, presuming it rather a spectre or appa- rition, unless he might see the very print of the nails, and feel the wounds in his hands and side : a strong piece of infidelity ! Was it any thing more than what- Moses and the prophets had long since foretold ? Had not our Lord frequently declared in plain tefms, that he LIIE or ST. THOMAJv. 2«?l ^luist rise from the dead the third day ? And could tliejr question the possibiUty of what he toid them, when thf:y had so often seen him work the greatest miracles ? The stubbornness of Thomas, on this occasion, might have betrayed him into an eternal infidcHty ; but our compassionate Saviour would not take the advan- tage of his perverse obstinacy ; for, on that day seven- niglit he came again to them, as they were met at their solemn devotions, and, calling to Thomas, bade him look upon his hands, put his fmgers into the print of the nails, and thrust his himd into his side, to i-atisfy his faith by a demonstration from the senses. Thomas was soon convinced of his error and obstinacy, confess- ingthat he now acknowledged him to be his Lord and Mastei*, a God omnipotent, as he was thus able to res- cue himself from the power of death. Our Lord an- swered, that it was happy for him that he believed the testim.ony of his own senses ; but that it was a more noble and commendable act of fl\ith, to acquiesce in a rational evidence, and to receive the doctrines and precepts of the gospel upon such testimonies and assurances as will sat- isfy a wise and sober man^ though he did not himself behold them. After the blessed Jesus had left this vale of n.isu)^ and bestowed eminent gifts and miraculous powers on the apostles, St. Thomas, as well as the rest, preached the gospel in several parts of Judea i and, after the dis- persion of tlte Christian church in Jerusalem, repaired : r^rought back to the ancient religion they had forsakem' LIFE OF ST. ANDREW. ^^9^ I'd which the apostle replied, that he saw it was in vain to endeavour to persuade a person incapable of sober counsels, and hardened in his own blindnessand folly; that with regard to himself, he might act as he pleased, and if he had any torment greater than ano- ther, he might heap that upon him; as the greater con- stancy he shewed in his sufferings for Christ, the more acceptable he should be to his Lord and Master, i^geas, upon this, immediately passed sentence of death upon him, not being able to restrain his rage any longer. The proconsul first ordered St. Andrew to be scourg- ed, seven lictors successively whipping his naked body 5 and, seeing his invincible patience and constancy^ commanded him to be crucified; but to be fastened to the cross with cords instead of nails, that his death might be more lingering and tedious. As he v^'as led to the place of execution, walking with a cheerful and composed mind, the people cried out that a good and innocent man was unjustly condenined to die. Oil his coming near the cross, he saluted it in the follow- ing manner: I have long desired and expected this? happy hour. The cross has been corisecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it, and adorned with hi? xnembersaswithsomanyinestimable jewels: I therefore come joyfully and triumphing to it, that it may receive me as a disciple and follower of him who once hune^ upon it, and be the means of carrying me safe to mv Master, being the instrument on which he redeemed me and all his people from everlasting misery." Having offered up his prayers to the throne of grace, and exhorted the people to constancy and persever- ance in the religion 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 to the proconsul to spare his life; but the apostle earnestly begged of ihe Almighty, that he might now depart* and seal the TOL. ii, 00 2f denote his relative capacity, either as a son or a scho- Jar. If it refers to his father, he was the son of Thai- mai, a name not uncommon amongst the Jews: if to his sect as a scholar, he was of the school of the Thai- masans, so called froni their founder Thalmaei, scholar to Heber, the ancient master of the Hebrews. Now it was usual for scholars, out of a great reverence to their master, as first institutor of the order, to adopt his name, as Ben-ezra, Ben-usiel, and the like: but which ever of these conjectures appears most satisfac- tory to the reader, either will be sufficient for my pur- pose, namely, to reconcile the difference there seems to be between St. John and the other evangelists about the name of this apostle, the one calling him by his proper name, and the other by his relative or paternal •appellation. St. Augustine indeed seemed to object, that it is not probable that our blessed Saviour, who proposed to confound the wisdom of this world by the preaching of illiterate men, would choose Nathanael, a doctor of the law, to be one of his apostles: but this objec- tion will appear to be built on a sandy foundation, if we consider that the same argument isas strong against Philip, of whose knowledge in the law and the pro- phets, there is as strong evidence in the history of the gospel as for that of Nathanael; and may be urged with still greater force against St. Paul, whose abilities in human learning were remarkably great, and few were more complete masters of the Jewish law, than that great apostle. This difficulty being removed, we shall proceed to the history of this apostle, and consider the names of Nathanael and Bartholomew as belonging to one and the same, and not to two persons. -4s tQ his descent and family, some are of opinio^, LIFE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW, 293 that he was a Syrian, and that he was descended from the Ptolemies of Egypt : probably for no other rea- son than the mere analogy and sound of the name : but it is plain from the evangelical history, that he was a Galilean, St. John having expressly told us, that Na- thanael was of Cana in that part of Judea. His trade and manner of life are not mentioned in Scripture, though from some circumstances there is room to ima- gine that he was a fisherman: but however that be, he was at his first coming to Christ, conducted by Philip, who told him they had now found the long expected Messiah so often foretold by Moses and the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And when he objected that the Messiah could not be born in Nazareth, Philip desired nim to come and satisfy himself of the truth. Our blessed Saviour, on his approach, entertained him with this honourable character, that he was an Israelite indeed, a man of true simplicity and dignity; and indeed his simplicity particularly appears in this, that when he was told of Jesus, he did not object against the meanness ot his original, the low condition of his parents, or the narrowness of their fortunes, but only against the place of his birth, which, as he justly observed, could not be Nazareth, the Scriptures peremptorily foretelling that the Messiah should be jborn at Bethlehem. This apostle was greatly surprised at our Lord's sal- utation, wondering how he could know him at the first sight, being certain he had never before seen his face: but he was answered, that he had seen him while he was yet under the fig-tree, even before Philip call- ed him. Convinced by this instance of our Lord's divinity, he presently made this confession, that he was now sure that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God, whom he had appointed to govern his church. Our blessed Saviour told him, that if, from this instance, he could believe him to be the Messiah, 294 LIFE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW. he should have far greater arguments to confirm his faith ; for that he should hereafter behold the heavens opened to receive him, and the angels visibly appear- ing to attend his triumphant entrance into the heaven of heavens. After the visible descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles, St. Bartholomew visited different parts of the world to preach the gospel, and penetrated as far as the hither India. Having spent a considerable time there, and in the eastern extremities of Asia, he re- turned to the northern and western parts: and we find him at Hierapolis in Phrygia, labouring in concert with St. Philip, to plant Christianity in those parts, and to convince the blind idolaters of the evil of their ways, and direct them in the paths that lead to the re- gions of felicity. This enraged the bigotted magis- trates, and he was, together with St. Philip, designed for Martyrdom ; and in order to this fastened to a cross : but a sudden trembling and motion of the earth con- vinced the idolaters that the justice of Omnipotence would revenge their deaths; so that they took him im- mediately down from the cross and dismissed him. St. Bartholomew passed from hence into Lycaonia, and St. Chrysostom assures us, that he instructed and trained up the inhabitants in the Christian discipline. His last remove was to Adrianople in great Armenia, a place miserably over-run with idolatry, from which he laboured to reclaim the people : but his endeavours to turn them from darkness unto lights and from the poxver of Satan unto God, were so far from having the desired effect, that it provoked the magistrates, who prevailed on the governor to put him to death, which he cheerfully underwent, sealing with his blood the truth of the doctrine he had preached. We are told by some of the ancients, that he was crucified with his head downwards; and by others, that he was flayed alive. Perhaps he suffered both ; LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS* 295 for Plutarch records a particular instance of Mesobates the Persian eunuch, who was first flayed alive, and thencrucified; and the inhabitantsof Adrianople might easily borrow this barbarous and inhuman cruelty from the Persians, who were remarkably severe in their pu- nishments. AN ACCOUNT OF ST. BARNABAS, The Apostle. JL HIS apostle was at first called Joses, a softer ter- mination generally given by the Greeks to Joseph ; his fellow disciples added the name of Barnabas, as significant of some extraordinary property in him. St. Luke interprets it, the son of consolation, which he was ever ready to administer to the afflicted, both by word and action ; as his comfortable discourses, his selling his own estate, and collecting the benevolence of others, for the relief of the poor indigent Chris- tians, abundantly testify. St. Jerom observes that his name also denotes the son of a prophet : and in this respect likewise it was well suited to our apostle, as being eminent for his endowments and prophetic gifts. St. Barnabas was a descendant of the tribe of Levi^ of a family removed out of Judea, and settled in the isle of Cyprus, where they had purchased an estate, as the Levites might do out of their country. His pa- rents finding their son of a promising genius and dis- position, placed him in one of the schools of Jerusa- lem, under the tuition of Gamaliel, St. Paul's master^ a circumstance which, in all probability, laid the first foundation for that intimacy which afterwards sub- sisted between these two eminent servants of Jesus Christ. St. Barnabas is first mentioned in the Holy Scrip- ture, in record of that great and worthy service, he did 296 LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS, the chufch of Christ, by securing it with the sale of his patrimony in Cyprus, the whole price of which he laid at the apostle's feet, to be put into the conrimori stock, and disposed of as they should think fit, amongst the indigent followers of the Holy Jesus. This wor- thy example was followed by those who were blessed with the goods of fortune: none kept their plenty to themselves, but turned their houses and lands into mo- ney, and devoted it to the common use of the churchy St. Barnabas is indeed mentioned as selling the most valuable estate on this occasion; or being the most forward and ready to begin a common stock and set others a laudable pattern of charity and benevolence to the brethren. Our apostle now became considerable in the minis- try and government of the church; for we find that St. Paul coming to Jerusalem three years after his con- version, and not readily procuring admittance into the church, because he had been so grievous a persecutor of it, and might still be suspected of a design to be- tray it, he addressed himself to Barnabas as a leading man amongst the Christians, and one that had personal knowledge of him. He accordingly introduced him to Peter and James and satisfied them of the sincerity of his conversion, and in what miraculous manner it was brought about. The agreeable news was brought to Jerusalem, about four or five vears afterwards that several of their bodv who had been driven out of Judeaby the persecutions raised about St, Stephen, had preached at Antioch with such success, that a great number, both of Jew? smd proselytes embraced Christianity, and were desir- ous that some of the superior order would come down 5ind confirm them. This request was immediately granted; and Barnabas was deputed to settle this new plantation. Upon his arrival, he rejoiced extremely;, ?o see what progress the gospel had made amongst them ; and earnestly exhorted them to continue im- Lirt: OF ST. BAl^NABAS. 297 moveable in their profession of Chris-t Jesus. And beinghimself a good man, and full of the Holy Ghosts and of faith, his charitable deeds accompanying his discourses, and his pious life exemplifying his sound doctrine, the people were greatly influenced by him, and very large additions were made to the Christian church: but there being too large a field for one la- bourer, he went to fetch Paul from Tarsus, who came back with him to Antioch, and assisted him a whole year in establishing that church. Their labours pros- pered, their assemblies were crowded, and the disci- ples, who before this were called amongst themselves brethren, believers^ elect, and by their enemies, Naza- reiiei>, and Galileans, were now called Christians first in this city. While these apostles preached at Antioch, Agabus, a prophet, gave the church notice, that there would shortly be a great famine throughout the Roman em- pire; especially in Judea. On hearing this prophecy, the Christians of Antioch considering the number and necessities of their brethren at Jerusalem, and how generously the rich amongst them had exhausted their estates in maintaining the poor, determined to send them assistance against the ensuing scarcity, which they raised by contributions according to every man*s abilities, and sent it to the heads of the church at Je- rusalem, by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. This famine lay heavy on Judea, during the four years go- vernment of Caspius Fadus, and Tiberias Alexander, who, under the emperor Claudius, were presidents ot that province. After the apostles had fulfilled their charitable em- bassy, and staid some time at Jerusalem to see the good effect ot it, they returned again to Antioch, bringing with them John, whose surname was Mark, the son of Mary, sister to Barnabas ; and at whose house the disciples found both security for their persons, and con- veniency for the solemnity of their worship. But soon VOL. ii. p p 258 LIFE OF Sr. BARNABAS. after the apostles* return to Antioch, an express reve- lation was made to the church, by the mouth of one of the prophets who ministered there, that Barnabas and Paul should be set apart for an extraordinary work, unto which the Holy Ghost had appointed them. Up- on this declaration the church set apart a day tor a so- icmn mission, and after devout prayer and fasting, they laid their hands upon them, and ordained them to their office; which was to travel over certain countries, and preach the gospel to the Gentiles: from this joint com- mission, Barnabas obtained the name of an apostle, not only amongst later WTiters of the church, but with St. Paul himself, and with St. Luke, in the history of the acts of the apostles written by him. Being thus consecrated the apostles of the Gentiles, they entered upon their ministry, taking with them John Mark for their minister or deacon, who assisted them in many ecclesiastical offices, particularly in tak- ing care of the poor and receiving contributions for them. After their departure from Antioch, the first city they visited wasSelucia, a city of Syria, adjoining to the sea; from whence they sailed for the island of Cy- prus, the native place of St. Barnabas, and arrived at Salamis, a port formerly remarkable for its trade. Here they boldly preached the doctrines of the gospel, in the synagogue of the Jews ; and from thence travelled to Paphos, the capital of the island. Here their preach- ing was attended with remarkable success; Servius Paulus, the proconsul, being, amongst others, con- verted to the faith of the gospel. Having quitted Cyprus, they crossed the sea to preach in Pamphylia, where their deacon John, to the great grief of his uncle Barnabas, left them, and returned to Jerusalem. The aposlle^afterwards went to Perga, where they did not continue long, but travelled se- • Ycnty or eighty miles northward to Antioch in Pisidia^ LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. 29^ SO called to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria, where the apostles received their ordination. Here they preached to the Jews in their synagogue ; but meet- ing with blasphemous opposition, they told them plain- ly, that they thought it reasonable to preach the gospel first to them; but as they had so unthankfully rejected it, they would now make the same offers of salvation to the Gentiles, according to the commandment of God, by his prophets; but the exasperated Jews stirred up some of the principal citizens to persecute them, and force them to leave ihe city; whereupon they de- parted from Antioch, and came to Iconium the metro* polis of Lycaonia, where they continued a considera- ble time, preaching in the synagogues with great suc- cess: but, at last, the old spirit of Jewish rage and malice prevailed against them, and obliged them, in order to avoid the madness of the multitude, to retire to Derbe, a city of Lycaonia. They returned from Derbe to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia, confirming the souls of the disci- pies, and exhorting them to continue in the faith ; and that loe must tltroagh much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. After a short stay, they again vis- ited the churches of Pamphylia, Perga, and Attalia^ where they took ship and sailed to Antioch in Syria, the place from whence they first set out. Presently af- ter their arrival, they called the church of this city to? gether, and gave them an account of their travels, and of the great success which had attended their preaching in the Gentile world. They had not long continued in this city, before ihcir assistance was required to compose a di (Terence in this church, occasioned by some of the Jewish converts, who endeavoured to persuade the Gentiles that they were bound to observe the law of Moses, as well as that of Christ; and be circumcised as well as baptized. F5ar-» iiabas endeavoured to persuade the zealots from press- ing such unnecessary observations; but all hif ^ndea 300 LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. vours proving ineffectual, he was deputed with St. Paul, and others, to go to the church at Jerusalem, to submit the question to be determined there in a full assembly. During their stay at Jerusalem, Mark, in all proba- bility, reconciled himself to his uncle Barnabas, and returned with him and St. Paul to Antioch, after they had succeeded in their business at Jerusalem, and ob- tained a decree from the synod there, that the Gentile converts should not have circumcision and other Mo- saic rites imposed upon them, as they were now under the gospel dispensation. The minds of the Gentiles were greatly quieted and comforted by this determination; nevertheless it did not prevent the bigotted Jews from keeping up a sep- aration from them; and that with so much obstinacy, that when St. Peter some time after came to Antioch, he, for fear of offending them, contradicted his former practice, and late speech and vote in the synod of Je- rusalem, by refraining from all kind of communion with the Gentiles; and Barnabas himself, though so great and good a man, was induced, by the authority of his example to commit the same error; though doubtless, on being reproved by St. Paul, they both took more courage, and walked according to that true liberty and freedom which the gospel imparts. After this transaction, Paul made a proposal to Bar- nabas, that they should repeat their late travels amongst the Gentiles, and see how the churches they had plant- ed increased in their numbers, and improved in the doctrines they had taught them. Barnabas very read- ily complied with the proposal, but desired they might take with them this reconciled nephew, John Mark. This Paul absolutely refused, because in their former voyage, Mark had not shewn the constancy of a faith- ful minister of Christ, but consulted his own ease at ^ dangerous juncture, departed from them without LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS. Soi le^ve at Pamphylia, and returned to Jerusalem/ Bar- nabas still insisted on taking him, and the other con- tinuing as resolute to oppose it, a short debate arose, which terminated in a rupture , whereby these two holy men, who had for several years been companions in the ministry, and with united endeavours propagat- ed the gospel of the Son of God, now took different provinces. Barnabas, with his kinsman, sailed to his own country, Cyprus; and Paul travelled to the churches of Syria and Cilicia, taking Silas with him. The sacred writers give us no account of St. Barna- bas, after his separation from St. Paul; nor are the ec- clesiastical writers agreed amongst themselves with re- gard to the actions of our apostle, after his sailing for Cyprus: this however seems to be certain, that he did not spend the whole remainder of his life in that island, but visited different parts of the world, preaching the glad-tidings of the gospel, healing the sick, and work- ing other miracles amongst the Gentiles ; and after long and painful travels, attended w^ith different de- grees of success in different places, he returned to Cy- prus, his native country, where he suffered martyrdom in the following manner: certain Jews coming from Syria to Salamis, where Barnabas was then preaching the gospel, were highly exasperated at his extraordina- ry success, fell upon him as he was disputing in the sy- nagogue, dragged him out, and after the most inhu- man tortures, stoned him to death. His kinsman John Mark, w^ho was a spectator of this barbarous action, privately interred his body in a cave, where it remain- ed till the time of the emperor Zeno, in the year of Christ 485, when it was discovered laying on hii breast, with St. Matthew's gospel in Hebrew, written with his own hand. An epistle in Greek is still extant, which bears this apostle's name: but the church has not received it into the canon of Scripture : and for that reason, both Eu~ sebius and St. Jerom called it apocryphal, though 302 LIFE OF ST. BARNABAS they (!b not deny its being the work of St. Barnabas* Clemens Alexandrinus and Origen often quote it as his, and Monardus, who pubHshed the Greek with the old Latin version, sufficiently shews, that it is the same known to the ancients, because all their quota- tions are found in it. The style of it resembles that of the apostolic age; but it appears to have been writ- ten some time after the destruction of Jerusalem, a pe- riod which St. Barnabas may easily be supposed to survive: the beginning of it is wanting, and the in- scription, if ever it had any; but the matter of it evi- dently shews, that it v^as written to such Jews as are mentioned in the fifteenth chapter of the Acts, who having embraced Christianity, still held, that the ob- servance of the ceremonial law was necessary to sal- vation : but this law St. Barnabas ahews to be abolisli.- ed by the gospel, and that the customs of it are of no consequence to the Christians. The latter part con- tains excellent precepts, delivered under two different similitudes, the one of light, the other of darkness; the former under the conduct of the angels of God, the latter under the influence of the angels of Satan. The way of light is a summary of what the Christian is to do, that he may attain eternal happiness ; and the way of darkness represents those particular sins and vices which exclude men from the kingdom of hea- ven. He closes the whole with pressing Christians to live in such a manner, while they sojourn in this vale of misery, that they may after they quit it, enjoy the plea- sures of the heavenly Canaan, and inherit the king- dom of glory for ever and ever. AN ACCOUNT OF ST. PHILIP, The Apostle. OT. PHILIP was a native of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. He had the honour of being first called to be a disciple of the great Messiah, which happened in the following manner. Our blessed Sa- viour, soon after his return from the wilderness, where he had been tempted by the devil, met with Andrew and his brother Peter, and after some discourse parted from them. The next day, as he was passing through Galilee, he found Philip, whom he presently command- ed to follow him, the constant form he made use of in calling his disciples, and those that inseparably at- tended him ; so that the prerogative of being first call- ed, evidently belongs to St. Philip, he being the first of our Lord's disciples; for though Andrew and St, John were the first that came and conversed with the Saviour of the world, yet they immediately returned to their occupation, and were not called till a whole year afterwards. Our apostle was not idle after the honour he had re- ceived of being called to attend the Saviour of the world; he immediately imparted the glad-tidings ol the Messiah's appearance to his brother Nathanael, and conducted him to Jesus: so ready is a good man to conduct others in the paths that lead to happiness and peace. We have very little recorded of St. Philip by the evangelists, after his being called to the apostleship, It was, however to him that our Saviour proposed the question, where they should find bread sufiicient to sa- tisfy the hunger of so great a multitude? To which Philip answered, that it was not easy to procure so- large a quantity \ not considering, that it was equally ;JP4 LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. easy for Almighty power to feed double the number, when it pleased to exert itself. It was also to the same apostle, that the Gentile proselytes, who came up to worship at Jerusalem, applied, when they were desi- rous to see the Saviour of the world : and it was with him our Lord had the discourse a little before the pas- chal supper, when he was about going to suffer. While the holy compassionate Jesus was fortifying the minds of his disciples with proper considerations against his departure from them, and had told them of a place in the mansions of the heavenly Canaan : that he was the waijy the truth and the life : that no man could come to the Father but by hiniy and that knowing him^ they, both knew and had seen the Father : Philip, not thoroughly understanding the force of his Master^s reasonings begged of him that he would shew them the Father. We can hardly suppose that Philip should have such gross conceptions of the Deity, as to ima- gine the Father invested with a corporeal and visible nature ; but Christ having told them that they had seen him, and knowing that cf old God frequently appeared in a visible shape, he only desired that he would manifest himself to them by some such appear- ance. Our Lord gently reproved his ignorance, that after attending so long to his instructions, he should know, that he was the image of his Father, the express characters of his infinite wisdom, power, and good- ness appearing in him; that he said and did nothing but by his Father's appointment, which, if they did not believe, his miracles were a sufficient evidence; that such demands were therefore unnecessary and im- pertinent; and that it was an indication of great weak- ness in him, after three years education under his dis- cipline and institution, to appear so ignorant with re- gard to these particulars. We are told by the ancients, that in the distribution made by the apostles of the several regions of the world, the upper Asia fell to the share o^ St. Philip^ LIFE OF ST. PHILIP, 305 where he applied himself with an indefatigable dili- gence and industry, to turn the children of men from the paths of wickedness which lead to destruction, to the ways that terminate in eternal felicity : and by the constancy and power of his preaching, and the eflicacy of his miracles, he gained numerous converts, whom he baptised into the Christian faith, curing at once their bodies of infirmities and distempers; and their souls of error and idolatry, he continued with them a conside- rable time in settling churches, and appointing them spiritual guides and ministers. Having several years successfully exercised his apos^ tolical office in all those parts, he came at last to Hier- apolis in Phrygia, a city remarkably rich and populous, but at the same time over-run with the most eaormou-. idolatry : amongst the many vain and trifling deities, to whom they paid religious adoration, was a serpent or dragon, of an enormous magnitude which they wor- shipped with the most solemn reverence and devotion. Being grieved to see the people so WTetchedly en- slaved by error and superstition, St. Philip continuall\ offered his addresses to heaven, till by his prayers, and often calling upon the name of Christ, he procured the death or at least the vanishing of this famous and beloved serpent. Having duis demolished their deity, he demonstrated to them how ridiculous and unjust it was for them to pay divine honours to such odious crea- tures, shewed them, that God alone was to be worship- ped as the great Parent of all the world, who in the be- ginning made man after his glorious image, and when fallen from that innocent and happy state, sent his own Son into die world to redeem him ; that in order to perform this glorious w^ork, he died on the cross, and rose again from the dead, and at the end of the vvorld will come again to raise all the sons of men from die chambers of the dust, and sentence them to everlasting rewards and punishments, according to their works. This discourse roused them from their lethargy ; so that great numbers were ashamed of their late idolatry, and VOL. ii. (^q 300 LIFE OF ST. PHIUP. embraced the doctrines of the gospel with earnestness and sincerity. The great enemy of mankind, being provoked at this success had recourse to his old methods, cruelty and persecution. The magistrates of the city seized the apostle, and having thrown him into prison, caused him to be severely scourged. When this preparatory cru- elty was over, he was led to execution, and, being bound, was hanged against a pillar ; or, according to others, crucified : but Omnipotence did not behold this scene of cruelty without testifying his anger; for when this indefatigable apostle was expiring, the earth began sud- denly to quake, and the ground whereon the people stood to sink under them ; but, on their considering it as a mark of the divine vengeance, and imploring par- don for their crime, it suddenly stopt, and returned to its former position. The apostle being dead, his bod)" was taken down by St. Bartholomew, his fellow-la- bourer in the gospel, and Mariamne, St. Philip's sister, the constant companions of his travels, and decently buried ; after which they confirmed the people in the faith of Christ, and departed from those parts. The ancient writers unanimously agree that he was a married man; and Clemens of Alexandria, that he had daughters, whom he disposed of in marriage : but he, not carefully distinguishing between Philip the deacon, who lived at Ca^sarea with his three virgin daughters, as mentioned in the acts of the apostles, has caused some confusion amongst the ancient authors: nay, some have concluded, that they were one and the same per- son; though the one was called to the apostlcship, by our Lord himself^ and the other only a deacon chosen by the apostles at Jerusalem, after' the descent of the Holy Ghost upon them. It does not appear that St. Philip left any writings be- hind him, being fully employed in ministeries more immediately useful to the happiness of mankind as aR^ apostle* ST. SIMON, THE APOSTLE, Surnamed the Zealot' A HIS apostle was, as some think, one of the four brothers of our Saviour, sons of Joseph by his former marriage ; though the only proof of It is, that one of these was called Simon, too weak an argument to found any on, except a bare conjecture. In the catalogue of the apostles, he is styled $imo?i the Canaaiiite, whence some conjecture he was born at Cana of Galilee, and others will have him to have been the bridegroom men- tioned by St. John, at whose marriage our blessed Sa- viour turned the water into wine : but this ^.vord lias no relation to liis country, or the place of his nativity, be- ing derived from the Hebrew word knah, v/hich signi- fies zeal ; and denotes a warm and sprightly temper. What some of the evangelists call Ca?jaa?iite, others, rendering the Hebrew by the Greek word, style Zealot; not from his great zeal, his ardent affection to his Mas- ter, and a desire of advancing his religion in the world, but from his warm, active temper, and ::ealous forward- ness in some particular sect of religion, before our Sa- viour called him to be a disciple. That we may understand this the better it will be ne- cessary to observe, that as there were several sects and parties amongst the Jews, so there was one, either a dis- tinct sect, or at least, a branch of the Pharisees, called the sect of the Zealots : they were remarkable assert- ers of the honour of the law, and of the strictness and purity of religion, assuming a liberty to themselves of questioning notorious offenders, without staying for the ordinary formalities of law ; nay, they did not scruple, when they thought it necessary, to inflict capital punish- ments upon them: thus, when a blasphemer cursed God \-)y the name of an iglol, the Zealot who first met hiui SOS LIFE OF ST. SIMON. had the liberty of killing him, without carrying him be« fore the Sanhedrim. They considered themselves as the successors of Phineas, who in defence of the hon- our of God, inflicted death on Zimri and Cozbi : an act which was coujited unto him for righteousness unto all genei'ations for ever more ; and God was so well pleased with it, that he made with him^ and his seed af- ter him the covenant of an everlasting priesthood^ be-^ cause he was zealous for his Gody afid made an atone- ment for Israel, Whatever St. Simon was before, we can have no rea- son tc suspect, but that after his conversion he was ve- ry zealous for the honour of his master, and considered all those who were enemies to Christ, as enemies to himself, how near soever they might be to him in any natural relation : and he was very exact in all the prac- tical duties of the Christian religion, so he shewed a ve- r}^ serious and pious indignation towards those w^ho pro- fessed religion, and a faith in Christ, with their mouths, but dishonoured their sacred profession, by their irregular and vicious lives, as many of the first Christians really did, and became heretics and apos- tates. We are told by Theodoret, that St. .Simon the Zeal- ot was of the tribe of Zebulon or Naphthali, and that by this particular he was distinguished from St. Simon, a relation of our blessed Saviour, and after St. James, bishop of Jerusalem, who was of the tribe of Judah ; but there are stronger reasons to prove this difference, the authority of Eusebius, who never calls Simon bi- shop of Jerusalem, an apostle, but says expressly, that the apostolic age ended with his death, who died before Simon, bishop of Jerusalem. It appears tliat St. Simon continued in communion with the rest of the apostles and disciples at Jerusalem ; and at the feast of Pentecost, received the same mira^ culous gift of the Holy Gliost : so that he was qualified LIFE OF ST. MATTHIAS. 509 with the rest of his brethren for the apostohc office, in propagciting the gospel of the son of God ; and we can- not doubt of his exercising his gifts with the same zeal and fideUty, though in what part of the world, is uncer- tain, some say he went into Egypt, Cyrene, and Africa, preaching the gospel to the inhabitants of those remote and barbarous countries : and others add, that after he had just passed through those burning wastes, he took ship, and visited the frozen regions of the North, preach- ing the gospel to the inhabitants of the western parts, and even in Britain itself, where having converted great multitudes, and sustained the greatest hardships and persecutions, he was at length crucified, and buried in some part of Great Britain, but the particular spot can- not be ascertained. AN ACCOUNT OF ST INIATTHIAS, The Apostle, St. MATTHIAS not being an apostle of the first election, immediately called and chosen by the Son of God himself, it cannot be expected that any account of him can be found in the evangelical history. He was one of our Lord's disciples, probably one of the se- venty, that had attended on him the whole time of his public ministry, and after his death was elected into the apostolate, to supply the place of Judas, who, after be- traying his great Lord and Master, laid violent hands on himself. As the defection of Judas had made a vacancy in the apostolic college, the first thing the disciples did, after their return from Mount Olivet, w^hen their great Mas- ter ascended to the throne of glor}^ was to fill up this vacancy wilh a proper person. Accordingly, Peter ac- quainted them that Judas, according to the prophetical prediction, being fallen from his ministry, it was nccf:> SIO LIFE OF ST. ^rATTHIAS sary that aiiotlicr should be substituted in his roftm, and at the same time requisite, that the person elected should have been a constant attendant on the blessed Jesus, that he might be the better qualified for bearing witness to his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intf^rcession. St. Peter having thus addressed the assembly, two persons^ere proposed, namely, Joseph called Barsabas, and Matthias, both of whom were duly qualified for that important office. The method of election was by lots, a way common both amongst the Jews and Gen- tiles for determining doubtful and difficult cases, espe- cially in choosing judges or magistrates; and this course seems to have been taken by the apostles, because the Holy Ghost was not yet given, by whose immediate dictates and inspirations they were afterwards chiefly guided. That the business might proceed with "^the greater alacrity and success, they first solemnly made their ad- dresses to heaven, that the omniscient Being, who gov-^ erned the world, and perfectly understood the tempers and dispositions of men, would immediately guide and direct the choice, and shew them which of the two he ^vould appoint to take that part of the apostolic charge, from which Judas had so lately fallen. The prayer be^ jng ended, the lots were drawn, by which it appeared that Matthias was the person, and he was numbered amongst the twelve apostles accordingly. Soon after this election, the promised powers of the Holy Ghost were conferred upon the apostles, to qualify them for that great and arduous employment upon which they were sent, the establishing the holy religion of the Son of God amongst the children of men, in various parts of the world. The first years of the ministry of St. Matthias, were spent in Judt'a, -where he reaped a very considerable LIFE OF ST. MATTHIAS. 311 harvest of souls, and then travelled into different parts of the world, to publish the glad-tidings of salvation to the people who had never yet heard of our Saviour: but the particular parts he visited, are not certainly known. The Greeks suppose, that he travelled east- ward; St. Jerom, says, his principal residence was near the influx of the river Apsus, into the haven of Hys- cus in Cappadocia: but the people w^ere remarkably rough and uncivilized, so that it is no v/onder that he at last fell a victim to their ferocity ; though this did not happen till after he had long indcfatigably laboured in the vineyard of his great Master, and brought over vast numbers to an acknowledgment and reception of the truth. We are not told by what kind of death this apostle left the regions of mortality, and sealed the truth of the gospel, he had so assidiously preached, with his blood. Dorotheus says, he finished his course at Sebastople, and was buried there near the temple of the sun. An ancient martyrologist reports him to have been seized by the Jews, and as a blasphemer, to have been stoned, and then beheaded : but the Greek oflices, supported herein by several ancient breviaries, tell us, that he was crucified. His body is by some pretended to be now at Rome, where some relics of it arc shewn ^vith great veneration; while others contend, that it is at Triers in Germany. Bollandus is of opinion, that the body of Matthias, now at Rome, is that of Matthias, who wa^ bishop of Jerusalem in the year 120, and whose history they have confounded with that of the apostle St. Mat- thias ; but Popish legends and traditions are in no in- stance to be relied on^ AN ACCOUNT OF THE VIRGIN MARY, Mother of Jesus* W E are taught by the predictions of the prophets, that a virgin was to be the mother of the promised Messiah, and we are also assured by the unanimous con- currence of the evangehsts, that this virgin's name was Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anne, of the tribe of Judah, and married to Joseph of the same tribe. The Scripture indeed tells us no more of the blessed virgin's parents, than that she was of the family of Da- vid, and of the town of Bethlehem; not so much as their itames b.eing mentioned, unless by Heli, in St. Luke's genealogy we understand Joachim the virgin's- father. All that is said concerning the birth of Mary and her parents, is to be found only in some apocry- phal writings; and which however are very ancient. St, John says that Mary the wife of Cleopas, who was the mother of those which the gospel styles our Lord's bre- thren, was the virgin's sister. Mary then v/as of the royal race of David; she was allied likewise to the family of Aaron, since Elizabeth the wife of Zachari- as, and mother of John the Baptist, was the cousin of Mary, In conformity to the Greek church, the Latins have for some centuries past honoured St. Joachim as the Hi- ther of St. Anne, the mother of the blessed virgin; and though God hath not been pleased to acquaint us with the particulars of her birth; yet the Roman church,, from a grateful sense of the infinite blessings conveyed to us by the blessed Jesus, hath long celebrated her conception on the eighth of December in the West, and on the ninth in the East, cUid her nativity on the eighth of September. An anniversary festival of her repre- sentation in the temple is kept likewise on the twenty- first of November; and it is commonly beUved, that LIFE OF THE VIRGIX :\IARV. 313 she was consecrated to God at three years of age: but not to build upon uncertainties, thus much we are as- sured by the testimony of an angel, that she was liap- py above all other women in the divine favour ; that she was full of grace ; and that the Lord was in a pe- culiar manner w^ith her. Whether the holy virgin immediately after the an- nunciation, went up to the passover at Jerusalem (as some have imagined, this being the season of the year for it) or not, we have no account from the evangelist St. Luke : but this he assures us that a little while after she set out for Hebron, a city in the mountains of Judah in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth, to con- gratulate herupon her pregnancy, which she had learn- ed from the angel, at an age w^hen such a blessing was not usually to be expected. No sooner had Mary entered the house, and began to speak, than, upon Elizabeth's hearing the voice of her cousin's salutation, her child, young John the Bap- tist, transported with supernatural emotions of joy, leaped in her womb : whereupon she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and being by divine inspiration acquaint- ed with the mystery of the incarnation, she re-saluted ISlary, and cried out. Blessed art thuii amongst womeriy and blessed is the fruit of thy iconih, Atjid whence is this to mey that the mother of my Lord should come to vie F For lo, as soon as the voice of thij salutation sounds ed in mine ears the babe leaped in my loumbfor joy. And blessed is she that believed : Jor there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord, Then Mary, tilled w ith acknowledgments and supernatural light, praised God, saying, My soul dotli magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour^ &:c. Mary having continued here about three months, till Elizabeth w^as delivered, as St. Ambrose thinks, that she might see him on whose account she principally VOL. ii. R r 4l^ U¥t OF THE VmciN MAUY. made that visits returned afterwards to her own house at Nazareth, waiting tor the time of her delivery ; but when she w^as ready to be deHvered, an edict was pub-^ lished by Caesar Augustus, in the year of the world 4000, the first of Christ, and the third before the vul- gar JEra. ; which decreed that all the subjects of the Ro- man empire should go to the respective cities and places ; there to have their names registered according to their families. Thus Joseph and Mary, who were both of the lineage of David, repaired to their city of Bethlehem, the original and native place of their fami- ly : but while they were in this city, the time being fulfilled in which Mary was to be delivered, she brought forth her first-born son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger ot the stable whither they had retired ; for they could find no place in the public inns, because of the great concourse of people that were then at Bethlehem on the same occasion ; or they were forced to withdraw into the stable of the inn, not being able to get a more convenient place for her to be delivered in. The angels made the birth of Christ known to the shepherds who were at this time in the fields near Beth- lehem, and who came in the night to see Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger, in order to pay him their tribute of adoration. Mary took notice of all these things, and laid them up in her heart. Some time after came the Magi, or wise men from the East, and brought to Jesus the mysterious presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, having been directed thither bv a star which led the wav before them to the very house where the babe lay. After this, being warned by an angel that appeared to them in a dream, they returned into their own country by a way difl^erent from that by which they came, witl^out giving Herod the intelligence he wanted ; which he pretended was in order to come and worship the babe, though his real design was to cut him off, from ^ jealousy of his rivalling that artful monarch in his sovereignty over th^ Jews. LIFE OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 315 The time of Mary's purification being now come, that is, forty days after the birth of Jesus, she went to lerusaleni, to present her son in the temple ; and there to offer the sacrifice appointed by the law, for the pu- rification of women after child-birth. At that time there was at Jerusalem an old man named Simeon^ who was full of the Holy Ghost ; and had received a secret assurance, that he should not die till he had seen Christ the Lord : Accordingly, he came into the temple by the impulse of the Spirit of God, and taking the child Jesus in his arms, blessed the Lord ; and then addressing himself to Mary, said, This child is sent for the raising and falling of many in Israel ; and for a sign ivhich shall be spoken against ; even so far as that thy own soul shall be pierced as with a sword, that the secret thoughts in the hearts of many may be dis- covered and laid open. When Joseph and Mary were preparing afterwards to return to their own country of Nazareth the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, bidding him to retire into Egypt with Mary and the child, be- cause Herod had a design to destroy Jesus. Joseph obeyed the admonition, and continued in Egypt till after the death of Herod ; when both he and Mary returned to Nazareth, not daring to go to Bethlehem, because it was in the jurisdiction of Archelaus, the son and successor of Herod the Great who was a cruel prince. Now it being the constant practice of Joseph and Mary to go every year to Jerusalem, to the feast of the passover; and when Jesus was twelve years of age, they brought him with them to the capital. When the days of the festival were ended they set out on their return home ; but the child Jesus continued at Jeru- salem, without their perceiving it, and thinking that he might be with some of the company^ they went on a day's journey -, when not finding him amongst their acquaintance; thev returned t»o Jerusalem, seeking fo; Ul5 LIFE OF IHE VIRGIN MAHY. him ; three days after, they found him In the ternple, sitting amongst the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. When they saw him, they were filled with astonishment; and Mary said to him, my son, why hast thou served us thus ? Behold thy father and myself, who have sought thee in great affliction. Jesus answered them, Why did you seek me? Did not you know that I must be employed about my Father^s busi- ness ? afterwards he returned with them to Nazareth, and lived with filial submission to -them: but his mother laid up all these things in her heart. The gos- pel says nothing more of the virgin Mary, till the mar- riage at Cana of Galilee, where she was present with Jesus her son. The blessed Jesus, In the thirtieth year of the vulgar a^ra, resolved to manifest himself to the world, and therefore, went to be baptised by St. John, from thence into the wilderness, and thence to the above-mention- ed wedding, to which he, with his mother and disci- ples, had been invited. At this entertainment, the pro- vision of wine being somewhat scanty (probably be- cause the friends of the mdrried couple were in hum- ble circumstances) Christ's mother told her son, they had no wine, not doubting of his pov/er to supply them : to which Jesus answered in terms which had some appearance of a rebuke, Woman, tvhat Jtave I to do with thee f mine hour is not yet come. Six great stone pitchers being in the room, Jesus ordered them to be filled brimfull of w^ater ; and after- wards commanded the servants to fill out and carry it to the master ot the feast, who, on tasting it, found it to be excellent v^'ine. This is the first miracle Jesus wrought at the beginning of his public ministry; and from hence our Lord went to Capernaum with his mother and brethren. It is true, we learn from the third chapter of St, Mark, that on a certain day in the year of Christ LIFE OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 317 thirty-four, and vulgar a:ra thirty-one, that as Jesus Christ was teaching in a house at Capernaum, so great a crowd of people stood about him, that neither he nor his disciples had time to take any refreshment ; which caused a report to be spread abroad, that he had fainted away, or fallen into a swoon. The virgin and the brethren or relations of Jesus came to see what had given occasion to this report ; and when they could not get into the house for the throngs of people, they caused a messafre to be conveved from one to another, till it was told Jesus,*' That his mother and his breth- ren were at the door, and desired to speak with him." Jesus being accordingly informed of their coming, and that they waited to speak with him, being at that in- stant engaged in the work of his ministry, preaching the word of God, he made this reply. Who is my mother^ and zcho are viy brethren f And looking upon those that were round about him, he said, these are my mother and brethren ; declaring, That zvhosoever did the will oj his heavenly FatJier, the same was his mother^ and sister, and brother. This was what Christ had taught in another place, that we must prefer God to all human relations, and give the preference to his ser- vice : but this saying could not reflect upon his mother, who was amongst the principal of those who did the will of his heavenly Father. Immediately upon Mary's approach, a woman of the company said with a loud voice, directing her words to Jesus : Blessed is the xvomb that hare thce^ and the paps zvhich thou hast sucked. To which he replied, Yea, rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Not intimating hereby, that she who had the honour to bear him, did not deserve to be called blessed throughout all generations ; but that even her happiness consisted more in doing the will of Christ than in giving him a human body, which was indeed not her own act, but eftected by the pov.^e^ of God- 518 LIFE OF THE VIRGIN MARY. We have no further account of the holy virgin from this time, till we find her in Jerusalem at the last pass- over our Saviour celebrated there ; which was in the thirty-sixth year of Christ, and thirty-third of the vul- gar asra. In this city she saw all that was transacted against him, followed him to Mount Calvary, and stayed at the foot of the cross during the passion of her blessed Son. We cannot doubt but her soul was at this time pierced through, as old Simeon had pro- phesied, with the most acute pains, for the death of such a Son. Yet her constancy was remarkable : for when the apostles were all frightened away from their Master, she, with a courage undaunted, and worthy of the mother of Christ, continued even in the midst of the executioners, being prepared to die with her Son, who was now become her Saviour ; who being now ready to leave the world, and seeing his mother at the foot of the cross, and his beloved disciple St. John near her, he bequeathed her to him by his last will and testament, saying to his mother, JVo7na?i, be- hold thy Son ; and to his disciple. Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple took her home to his own house, and provided for her. Some authors of the fifth century think the virgin Mary died and was buried at Jerusalem, or rather in her sepulchre at Gethsemane, near that city, w^here to this day, it is shewn in a magnificent church dedi- cated to her. The ancient fathers of the Eastern and Western churches, asserted her perpetual virginity, and St. Au- gustine tells us, that this is one of those points which we ought to receive as of apostolic tradition, since the Holy Scripture gives us no more account of it, than by only remarking how fully the blessed virgin was resolved to serve God with an entire purity. The title which hath been constantly appropriated to her in all ages, as often as she is mentioned, is a good argument to confirm cur belief concerning this: See Ezekiel MARY MAGDALENE. A HIS remarkable convert was a native either of Magdala, a town in Galilee, on the other side of Jor- dan, or Magdalos, a town situated at the foot of Mount Carmel, and had her surname from the place of her birth. Some affirm, that she was the sinner men- tioned by St. Luke, ch. vii. 37, &c. but this opinion is built only on conjecture. Both St. Matthew and St. Mark tell us, that Jesus had cast out of her seven devils ; which some understand in a literal, and others in a figurative sense. Mary became, however a constant attendant on the blessed Jesus, after he had removed her plague. She followed him to Mount Calvary, continued amidst the Roman guards at the foot of the cross, with the holy virgin, and saw his precious body laid in the tomb ; after which she returned to Jerusalem, in order, after the Sabbath, to embalm her Lord. She also carried the welcome tidings to Peter and John, and our blessed Lord himself appeared to her first after his resurrection. The apostles, however, did not believe her report, till it was confirmed by others, and they themselves had seen their Saviour. After this event, she is not mentioned in sacred writ. MARY, THE SISTER OF LAZARUS. iVIaRY, the sister of Lazarus, with her sister Mar- tha, lived with tl^eir brother at Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. Our dear Redeemer had a particular af- fection for this family, and often retired to their house with his disciples. One day (and perhaps the first time that Jesus went thither) ^Tartha received him \^ith 320 LIFE OF MARY, SISTER OF LAZARUS. remarkable affection, and took abundance of pains in providing a proper entertainment for him ; but Mary her sister continued sitting at her Saviour's feet, listen- ing to his words with peculiar attention. This Mar- tha considered as an instance of disrespect, and there- fore said to Jesus, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve thee alone ? Bid her, there- fore, that she help me. But our Lord justified Mary, by telling her sister ; that she had chosen the better part, which she should never be deprived of. Lazarus their brother, some time after this, fell sick, and his sisters sent to acquaint Jesus of the misfor- tune 'y but he did not arrive at Bethany till after Laza- rus was dead. Martha hearing Jesus was come into the neighbourhood, went to him, and told him, that if he had not been absent her brother had been still alive. Jesus promised her, that her brother should rise again : to which Martha answered, / knozv that he shall rise again at the last day. Jesus replied, / am tJie resur- rection ajid the life : he that helieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live s and ivhosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die, believest thou this .^ Martha answered, Yea Lord : I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, zvhich should come into the noorld. Having said this, she departed, and gave her sister notice privately, that Jesus was come. Mary, as soon as she heard the welcome tidings, arose and went to Jesus : and, as Martha, had done before her, said, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. The blessed Jesus was greatly moved at i\\Q pathetic complaints of these worthy sisters, and on asking where they had buried him, they conducted him to the sepulchre. On his arrival at the place where the body of Lazarus was deposited, the great Redeemer of mankind groaned deeply in his spirit ; he vvept, he prayed to his Father, and then cried with a loud voice, Lazarus^ come forth. The dead obeyed the voice of the Son of God 5 Lazarus immediately re- vived, and Jesus restored him to his sisters. LIFE OF MARY OF CLEOPAS. 321 During the supper at Bethany, Mary, to express her gratitude to Jesus, took a pound of spikenard, a very precious perfume, and poured it on the head and feet of Jesus, wiping his feet with the hair of her head: and the w^hole house was filled with the odour of tlie ointment. Judas Iscariot was highh' offended at this generous action ; but his Master vindicated Mary and told him, that by this she had performed an act preparatory to his embalment, signifying, that his death and burial were not far off. This is the last account of her in Scripture. MARY OF CLEOPAS. OT. JEROM says, that Mary had the name of Cleo^ pas, on account of her father, her iamilv, or some other reason not known. Others believe, with greater proba- bility, that she was wife of Cleopas, and mother of St. James the Less. However, she was present at the last passover, just before the death of our Saviour; she followed him to Mount Calvary : and, during his pas- sion, she was, together with the virgin, at the foot ol" his cross : she was also present at his burial, and on the Friday before had prepared the perfumes for em- balming him. The year when Mary the \vife of Cleopas died is not known ; but the Greeks keep the eighth of April in memory of the holy w'omen w4io brought perfumes to embalm the body of Christ, and pretend to have their bodies at Constantinople in a church of the holy virgin, built by Justin IT.. VOL. u. Mary salome, an hebr£w coNVERt. JL HIS holy woman was the daughter of Mary of Cle- opas, mentioned in the preceding article and the sister of St. James the Less, and others, who are in Scripture oalled the brethren of our Lord : she was cousin- ger- man to the blessed Jesus, according to the flesh, and niece to the blessed virgin Mary. Her proper name was Salome and was improperly called Mary, which was the name of her mother ; she was the wife of Ze- bedee, and mother of St. James the Great, and St. John the evangelist : she was also one of these pious women that used to attend upon our blessed Saviour in his journeys, and to minister to him. It was she that re- questod Jesus to place her two sons, James and John, the one on his right-hand and the other on his left in his kingdom. Salome followed our Saviour to Calvary, and did not forsake him even at the cross : she was also one of the holy women who brought perfumes to embalm him, and for that purpose came early on the Sunday morn- ing to the sepulchre. TROPHIMUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. 1 ROPHIMUS was a disciple of St. Paul, aGentile by religion, and an Ephesian by birth. After Paul had converted him, he constantly adhered to him nor did he quit him ever after. He came with the apostle from Ephesus to Corinth, and kept him company in his whole journey from Corinth to Jerusalem, in the year of our Lord fifty-eight. The Greeks keep the fourteenth of April in honour of Trophimus ; and say he was be- headed by the command of Nero, together with Sto Paul. His festival is observed on the twenty-ninth day of December by those of Aries, TYCHICUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. JL YCHICUS was also a disciple of St. Paul, whom that apostle had often made use of for carrying his let- ters to the several churches. He was of the province of Asia, and accompanied St. Paul, when in the jxar fifty-eight, he made his journey from Corinth to Jeru- salem. He carried the epistle to the Colosians written in the year sixty-one ; and that to the Ephesians written in sixty-five, and the first to Timothy, written in sixty- four. The Greeks celebrate the festival of Tychicus on the eighth or ninth of December, and give him the title of one of the seventy disciples, and bishop of Colophon, in the province of Asia. Other martyrologists mark his festival on the nineteenth of April. TERTIUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. JL ERTIUS, called also Tirentius,was the amanu^nsir. or scribe of St. Paul, when he wrote his epistle to the Romans in the year of Christ fifty-eight, as appears in the sixteenth chapter, / Tertiiis, who xvrote this cpistlt, salute you hi the Lord. The Greeks keep his iestiviVl on the tenth of November and give him great commen- dations : and they make him successor to Sosipatcr in the bishoprick of Iconium, in Asia. LINUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. JLflNUS was one of St. Paul's disciples, who mcntioiLs him in the first chapter of his second epistle to Timo- thy, " Linus and Claudia, and all the brethren greet ye." St. Irenseus, Eusebius, Optatus, Epiphanius, St. Je- xovciy and Theodorct, affirm, that Linus succeeded im - 3^4 . LIFE OF ONESIPHORUS, &c. mediately to St. Peter in the see of Rome : he governed for twelve vears and some months. The destruction of Jerusalem happened during his pontificate, in the year of Christ sevent}". His festival is kept on the fifth of November by the Greeks, and on the twenty- third of September by the Latins. ONESIPHORUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. OnESIPHORUS W3.S a disciple of St. Paul, and is mentioned by him in the first chapter of his second epis- tle to Timothy. He came to Rome in the year of C h r ist sixty-five, while the apostle was in prison for the faith, and at a time wdien almost every one had forsaken him. The Greeks place his festival on the twenty-ninth of April arxl the eighth of December, and rank him in the order of the seventy disciples, and seem to ascribe martyrdom to him. The Roman martyroiogy on the sixteenth of December says, that he suflered martyr- dom on the Hellespont, whither he went to preach the gospel along with Porphyrins. stephanus, a gentile convert. j^TEPHANUS was one of the principal christians of Corinth, \\hom St. Paul baptised with all his family, as we find in the first chapter of the epistle to the Corin- thians, propably about the fifty-second year of Christ. Stephanus devoted himself to the service of the church ; and in the year of our Lord fifty-six, he came to St. Paul at Ephes\is, and according to Chrysostom, brought him letters w hich the church of Corinth wrote to him, in order to consult him concerning marriage, continency, and perhaps other subjects, which St. Paul treats of in the said first epistle to the Corinthians.— LIFE OF PHEBE, &c. 32i This the apostle wrote from Ephesus in the fifty- sixth year ; and it was sent by Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaieus, to the Corinthian church. PHEBE, A DEACONNESS. JPhEBE, for whom St. Paul had a particular esteem was adeaconness of the port of Corinth called Ccnchrea : and Theodoret thinks, that the apostle lodged at the house of this holy woman for some time, while he con- tinued in or near Corinth. In the sixteenth chapter of Romans, Paul says, / commerid unto you Phebe our sis- ter, xvhich is a sei^ant of the church which is at Ccn- chrea : that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints ? and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you : for she hath been a succour er of many, and of myself also. Some moderns ha^'e ad- vanced a notion that Phebe was wife to St. Paul ; but none of the ancients have said any thing like it. It is thought that, in quality of deaconness, she vv^as employ- ed by the church in some ministrations suitable to her sex and condition ; such as visiting and instructing the Christian women attending them in their sicknesses and distributing alms to them. Phebe's festival is fixed by the martyrologists on the third of Septemljcr. SOSIPATER, A GENTILE CONVERT. W E think, that it may be confidently asserted, thai this Sosipater, who was at Rome in tlie lifty-eighth year of Christ, when St. Paul wrote his epistle to the Ro- mans of Bei ea : since he accompanied Paul, in the same: year fifty-eight, in his journey to Jerusalem ; and who probably went with him from Corinth, whence tlic epis- tle to the Romans was written, to go by the wa\' of Mace- donia to Jerusalem ; as may be seen in the twentietli chapter cf the acts of the apostles. S26 LIFE OF DFMAS, &c: The Latins celebrate his feast on the twenty-fifth of June, and call him a disciple of St. Paul. The Greeks honour him upon the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth of April. DEMAS, A GENTILE PROFESSOR. JL HE apostle Paul, in the fourth chapter of the Co^ losians, mentions Demas as a native of Thessalonica. At first he was one of the most zealous disciples which this apostle had, and was very serviceable to him at Rome during his imprisonment there : but some years after, about the year of Christ sixty-five, he foorsook St. Paul, in order to follow a more secular life, and with- drew to Thessalonica, the place of his birth, Epiphanius informs us, that he renounced the faith, and with Cerinthius, Ebion and others, held Jesus Christ to be a mere man: but others affirm that he recovered after his fall and suffered martyrdom for the truth. ARISTARCHUS, A GENTILE CONVERT, ArISTARCHUS was one of St. PauPs disciples, who has mentioned him in his epistles to the Colossians and Philemon ; he is also often mentioned in the acts of the apostles. He was a Macedonian, and a native of Thessalonica: he accompanied Paul to Ephesus, and continued with him during the two years of his abode there, partaking with him in all the dangers and labours of the apostleship. He was very near being killed in a tumult raised by the Ephesian goldsmiths. The Greeks say he was bishop of Apamea, in Syria, and was beheaded with St. Paul at Rome, in the reign of Nero : continuing to the very last inviolably attache^ to that apostle, with whom he had laboured in the work ^f the ministry. CLEMENT, A GENTILE CONVERT. JL HIS disciple is mentioned by St. Paul in his epistle to die Philippians, where the apostle says, thatCkmi nt's name is written in the book ol" life. The gcjierality of the fathers, and other interpreters, make no question but that this is the same Clement who succeeded St. Peter, after Linus and Cletus, in the government of the church of Rome ; 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. On the con- tnu-y, Grotius is of opinion, that the Clement Paul speaks of was no more tlian a priest of the church of Philippi in Macedonia. We have no certain accounts oi" what happened to St. Clement during the persecution under Domitian ; but we are very well assured that he li\'ed to the third year of Trajan, which is the hundreth oV Jesus Christ. His festival is set do\\ai bv Bedc, and all the Latin martyrologists, on the twenty-third oi' November. The Greeks honour him on the t^vent3^- fourth or twenty-fifth of the same month. He is rank- ed amongst the martyrs. ANANIAS, A JEWISH CONVERT. A.NANIAS was a disciple of the blessed Jesus: hr dwelt at Damascus, when he was directed in a vision from the Lord, to go and find Paul, who had been lately converted and was come to that city. We know no other circumstances of Ananias's life besides this now related. The modern Greeks main- tain, that he was one of the seventy disciples, and made bishop of Damascus; and that having obtained tiic crown of martyrdom, he was buried in the same city : and here a fine church is to be seen in the place where he was interred > % NICHOLAS, A DISCIPLE AND DEACON. JN ICHOLAS was a proselyte at Antioch, and there converted from the Pagan to the Jewish religion ; but the time of his birth is uncertain. Afterwards he em- braced Christianity, and was one of the most zealous and most holy men amongst the first Christians : so that he was chosen for one of the seven first deacons of the church of Jerusalem. But he afterwards plunged him- self into irregularities, and gave beginnings to the sect of the Nicolaitiuis, to that of the Gnostics, and to se- veral others ; who following the bent of their passions, invented a thousand different sorts of crimes and ex- cesses. NICODEMUS, AN HEBREW CONVERT. A HIS remarkable disciple of our blessed Saviour was a Jew by nation, and by sect a Pharisee. The gospel calls him a ruler of the Jews; and Christ gives him the name of a master of Israel. .When our Saviour began to manifest himself b}^ his miracles at Jerusalem, at the first passover which he celebrated there after his baptism, Nicodemus made no doubt but that he was the Messiah, and came to him by night, that he might learn of him the way to salvation. Nicodemus, after this conversation, became a disci- ple of Jesus Christ; and there is no doubt but he came to hear him, as often as our Saviour came to Je- rusalem. It happened on a time, that the priests and Pharisees had sent officers to seize Jesus, who returned to them, and made this report, that never man spoke as he did. Afterwards, Nicodemus declared himself open- ly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when became with Jo- seph of Arimathea to pay the last duties to the body LIFE OF JOSEPH OF ARIMATIIEA. 339 of Christ, crucified; which they took down from the cross, embahned, and laid in the sepulchre prepared Ibr his reception. When he died, Gamaliel buried him honourably near St. Stephen: his body was discovered in the year 415, together with those of St. Stephen and Gamaliel, and the Latin church pays honour on the third of August to all the three. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, An Hebrezv Disciple, J OSEPH of Arimathea, or of Ranatha, Rama, or Ra- mula, a city between Joppa and Jerusalem, was a Jewish senator, and privately a disciple of Jesus Christ: he was not consenting to the designs of the rest of the Jews, particularly of the members of the Sanhedrim, who condemned and put Jesus Christ to death: but whert our Saviour was dead, he w^nt boldly to Pilate, and de- sired the body of Jesus, in order to bury it. This he obtained; and, accordingly he buried it after an hon- ourable manner, in a sepulchre newly made in a gar- den, which was upon the same Mount Calvary where Jesus had been crucified. After he had placed it there he closed the entrance of it with a stone cut particu- larly for this purpose, and which exactly filled the open part. The festival of Joseph of Arimathea is observed by the Greek church on the thirtv- first of July. vol.. ii- '>t; PHILEMON, A GENTILE CONVERT= JL HIS eminent disciple was a rich citizen of Colosse, and probably a native of that place. He was converted, together with his wife, to the Christian faith, by Epa- phras, a disciple of St. Paul ; for Paul himself never preached in Colosse, though he wrote an epistle to the brethren there. We read, that Philemon had made a church of his house : and all his domestics, as well as himself, were of the household of faith. His charity, liberality, and compassion were a sure refuge to all who were in dis- tress: he followed tlie example of that Great Master in whom he believed; and was delighted, when exer- cised in works of beneficence and mercy. His name is placed on the twenty-second of November in the martyroligies. PRISCILLA, A JEWISH CONVERT. AN the times of the apostles, Priscilla was very fa- mous in the church, and is often mentioned by the sa- cred writers before her husband Aquila. The}^ were both Jews; but their country and births are uncertain. They were at Corinth when St. Paul came thither, and had the happiness of entertaining him in their house a very considerable time; the apostle being of the same trade with Aquila; namely, a maker of tents of leather, for the use of the army, and at which they both wrought for some time, for their livelihood. On St. Paul's leaving Corinth, both Aquila and Pris- cilla came with him to Ephesus, where they dwelt a considerable time, and preached the gospel with good success. Their house was so well regulated, that St. LIFE OF APOLLOS. 33! Paul calls it a church; an example that should hi some measure, be followed by every one who pretends to be a follower of the blessed Jesus, though shamct\illy ne- glected by the greatest part of Christians in the pre- sent day. Whether they died in peace, or by the hands of riiosr who opposed the progress of the Christian faith is not known; but however this be, they laboured faithfully to extend the religion of Jesus; and therefore, have been justly placed amongst the first preachers of the gospel in the apostolic age. APOLLOS, A JEWISH CONVERT. JL HE ancient writers give no account either of the birth or family of Apollos : all they mention is that he ^vas a Jew of Alexandria, and came to Ephesus during St. Paul's absence, who was gone to Jerusa- lem, to visit the other apostles and the church in that city. This eminent person was distinguished for his elo- quence, and knowledge of the Scriptures. He was in- structed in the way of the Lord, and as he spoke with zeal and fervour, taught diligently the things relating to the kingdom of heaven, though he knew only the baptism of John. Apollos was no sooner come to Ephesus, than ho be- gan to speak boldly in the synagogue, and to shew that Jesus was the Christ. Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him home with them and instructed him more fully in the ways of the Almight} , and bap- tized him. He was very useful at Corinth, in convin- cing the Jewsotit of the Scriptures, and demonstrathig to them , that Jesus was the Christ. Thus lie watered what Paul had planted in that city. 332 LIFE OF TITUS. It is allowed by all, that he was an active and power- ful preacher of that gospel ; and that great numbers were, by his preaching, rendered obedient to the faith of Christ. TITUS, A GENTILE CONVERT. Jl HIS eminent person was a Heathen by religion and birth, but converted by St. Paul who calls him his son. Titus was sent by Paul to Corinth, upon occasion of some disputes which then divided the church. He was yery well recei^^ed by the Corinthians, and very much satisfied with their ready compliance ; but would re- ceive nothing from them, imitating thereby the distress- edness of his Master, who sought not theirs, but them. He went from Corinth to St. Paul into Macedonia, and gave him an account of the state of the Corinthian church. A little while after, the apostle desired him to return again to Corinth, to set things in order against his coming. Titus readily undertook this journey, and departed immediately, carrying with him Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Titus was made bishop of the isle of Crete, about the sixty-third year of Christ, w^hen St. Paul was obli- ged to quit this island, in order to take care of the other churches. The foliovvdng year he WTote to him to de- iiire, that as soon as he should have sent Tychicus or Artemas to him for supplying his place in Crete, Titus would come to him to Nicopolis in Macedonia, or to Nicopoiis in Epirus upon the gulf of Ambracia, where the apostle intended to pass his winter. The subject of this epistle is to represent to Titus what are the qual- ities that a bishop should be endued with. St. PauPs epistle to Titus has always been acknow- ledged by the church. The Marcioiiates did not receive LIFE OF TIMOTHY. 315 it, nor did the Basilidians, and some other Heretics ; but Tartian, the head of the Encratites, received it, and preferred it before all the rest. It is not certainly known by whom it was sent nor from what place it was written. It appears, that Titus was deputed to preach the gos- pel in Dalmatia ; and he was still there in the year six- ty-five, when the apostle wrote his second epistle to Timothy. He died at the age of ninety-four, and was buried in Crete. His festival is kept by the Greeks on the 25th of August, and on the fourth of January by the Latin church. TIMOTHY, A GENTILE CONVERT. JtiLE was born, according to some, at Lystra ; or, ac- cording to others, at Derbe. His father wajs a Gentile, but his mother a Jewess, whose name w^as Eunice, and that of his grandmother Lais. He was a convert and a disciple of St. Paul. We take notice of these particulars, because St. Paul commends their piety, and the good education ^vhich they had given Tnnothy. When Paul came to Derbe and Lystra about the year of Chtiist fifty-one or filty- two, the brethren gave a very advantageous testimony of the merit and good dispositions of Timothy ; and the apostle would have him along with him ; but he circumcised him at Lystra, before he received him into his company. Timothy applied himself to labour with St. Paul in the business of the gospel ; and did him very import- ant services, through the whole course of his preaching. Timothy accompanied St. Paul to Macedonia, to Philippi, to Thessalonica, to Berea; and when the apostle went from Bcrea, he left Timothy and Silas .^3^ LIFE OF ST. STEPHEN. there to confirm the converts. When he came to Athens, he sent to Timothy to come thither to him ; and when he was come, and had given an account of the churches of Macedonia, Paul sent him back to Thessalonica, from whence he afterwards returned with Silas, and came to Paul at Corinth. There he continued with him, and the apostle mentions with him Silas, at the beginning of the two epistles, which he then wrote to the church at Thessalonica. In the year sixty -three, when Paul wrote to the Hebrews, he tells them that Timothy was come out of prison ; but he gives us no circumstances either of the imprisonment of this dis- ciple, or of his release. In sixty-four, when Paul re- turned from Rome, he left Timothy at Ephesus, to take care of that church, of which he was the first Bi- shop, as he is recognized by the council of Chalcedon. Paul wrote to Timothy from Macedonia, the first of the two letters which are addressed to him. We may safely affirm, that^ if he did not die before the year ninety-seven, he must be the angel of the church of Ephesus, to whom St. John writes. Rev. ii. 2-— 5 : though the reproaches which the Holy Ghost make to him, &:c. of having left his first love, do not seem to belong to so holy a man as Timothy was. ST. STEPHEN, THE PROTO-MARTYR. W HEN the seven deacons were chosen, we find Ste- phen was always placed at their head, as the chief and most worthy ; and it is generally believed that he had been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. However, he was remarkably zealous for the cause of religion, and full of the Holy Ghost ; working many wonderful miracles before the people, and pressing them with the greatest earnestness to embrace the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Chkist. LTFi: OF ST. SrFPHEN. 335 The Jews were highly provoked at the zeal of Ste- phen, and some of the synagague of the freed men of . Cyrenia, Alexandria, and other plaees, entered into a dispute with him ; but being unable to resist the wis- dom and spirit by which he spake, they suborned false witnesses against him, to testify that they heard him blaspheme against Moses and against God. Nor did they stop here : they stirred up the people by their calumnies : so that they dragged him before the coun- cil of the nation, or great Sanhedrim, where they pro- duced false witnesses against him, who deposed, that they had heard him speak against the temple, and against the law, and affirm that Jesus of Nazareth would de- stroy the holy place, and abolish the law of Moses. — Stephen, supported by his own innocence, and an in- visible Power from on high, appeared undaunted in the midst of this assembly, and his countenance shone like that of an angel. The Jewish council were so hisfhlv enrajred at the speech of Stephen, especially the latter part of it, that they gnashed their teeth against him : but Stephen lift- ing up his eyes to hea\'en, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of Omnipotence; upon which he said to the council, I see the heavens open^ and the So7i of man standing at the right hand of God. This so greatly provoked the Jews, that they cried out with one voice, and stopped their ears, as if they had heard some dreadful blasphemy ; and falling upon him, they dragged him out of the city, and stoned him to death. It is related in Scripture, that St. Stephen, while they were mangling his body w^ith stones, was praying to God for their pardon. Lord, said he, lay not this sin to their c/iarge. And then calling on his dear Redeemer to receive his spirit, he yielded up his soul. Some pi- ous persons who beheld the martyrdom of this good man, took care to bury his remains ; and the church attended his funeral with great lamentations. ST. SILAS, OR SYLVANUS, j4n Hebrew Disciple, JL HIS holy person was, according to St Luke, a chief man amongst the brethren, an expression which indi- cates that he was one of the seventy disciples : but the •first account \ve have of him is in the transaction rela- ting to the dispute between the Jewish and .Christian converts, with regard to the necessity of keeping the law of Moses, when they chose Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas, to go to Jerusalem, to advise with the apos- tles concerning this question. Be that as it may, when the dispute happened between Paul and Barnabas, which terminated in a rupture, Si- las joined himself to Paul, and became his companion and assistant in the great work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. They first visited the churches of Syria and Cilicia ; from thence they passed into Lyco- nia, Phrygia, and Galatia ; and lastly, they crossed the sea and came into Macedonia. During their stay at Philippi, they found a young woman possessed with an unclean spirit, who followed them several days, till Paul cast out the evil spirit, and delivered her from so dreadful a plague. This action provoked the masters of the young woman ; for she ac- quired considerable gains by the oracles and predic- tions the devil pronounced by making use of her or- gans : they therefore seized upon Paul and Silas, drag- ged them before the magistrates, and accused them of introducing cuiitoms amongst them, contrary to those of the Romans ; so that the magistrates ordered that Paul and Silas should be scourged, and committed to prison : but in the night time, there ^vas a great earth- quake, the doors of the 'prison opened, and the fetters of the prisoners fell off without any human assistance. Departing from Philippi, they travelled to Thessalo- nica and Berea, where they preached the doctrines of the gospel ; and Paul continuing his journey to Athens : LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. 337 sent Silas thither, though they did not meet llll iliev both arrived at Corinth, where St. Paul wrote his two epistles to the Thessalonian church. ST. PHILIP, THE DEACON, An Hebrew Convert* It is supposed that Philip was a native of Caesarea in Galilee, it being certain that his daughters lived in that city ; however, he was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles soon after our Saviour's resur- rection. All the Christians, except the apostles, having after the death of Stephen, left Jerusalem, and dispersed themselves in several parts, Philip went down to preach the gospel at Samaria, where he wrought many mira- cles, and converted great numbers to the faith ; he also baptized them, but being only a deacon, could not ad- minister the sacrament of the Lord's supper. It is probable Philip was at Samaria when the angel directed him to go towards the South, to the road that leads from Jerusalem to Old Gaza, an ancient citv in the route to Egypt. Philip obeyed the summons of the heavenly messenger, and there met with an Ethio- pian eunuch, belonging to Candace, queen of Ethiopia : a person who was highly esteemed by his mistress, as well as intrusted with the care of all her revenues, and who had been at Jerusalem to worship the Almiglity in that city. When the chariot of this Ethiopian appeared in the sight of Philip, the angel bid him advance towards tlic stranger : he immediately obeyed, and heard the eunuch reading a passage of the prophet Isaiah ; upon which Philip asked him, if he understood what he was read- VOL. ii. u \\ :\38 LIFE OF ST. PHILIP. ing ? And the eunuch ans^vered, How should I under- stand, except some person should explain it to me : desiring Philip, that he ^vould come and sit down by him in the chariot. The passage he read was this ; He was led as a sheep to the slaughter ; and as a lamb before his shearers is dumb so he openeth not his mouth* Having finished this passage, the eunuch desired to know whom the prophet intended ; •■ Is it, says he, him- self the prophet here means, or spme other man." In answer to the question proposed by the eunuch, Philip began to instruct him concerning the Redeemer of the world, the man Christ Jesus; and afterwards bap- tized him, and he became a member of the church of Christ. The sacred writers are silent with regard to the actions of Philip, after the time of his baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch— but the Greek ecclesiastical writers say, that he left Palestine and travelled to Tralles, in the Lesser Asia, where he founded a church, of which he was both the bishop and apostle ; and where, after long labouring in the vineyard of his Master, and working many miracles, he slept in peace, and v/as buried in the church he had caused to be erected. HAVING now given the most ample account pos- sible of the followers of the blessed Jesus, the persons who spread the light of the glorious 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 it be our highest ambition to follow their bright example as they follow- ed Christ; may we imitate their faith, piety, hope, and love : then shall we pass through things temporal in such a manner, that we shall finally gain the things that are eternal, and be admitted as worthy guests at the marriage -supper of the Lamb, to adore and praise him, and live and reign with him in his heavenly king- dom for ever and ever. So be it. A COMPLETE, GENERAL VIEW OF THE APOSTLES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS, IN THE FIVE GREAT CHURCHES FOUNDED BY THEM, THENCE CALLED BY THE ANCIENTS, APOSTOLIC CHURCHES: During the first three hundred yeai's of the Christian iEra. THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH, IN SYRIA. W E place this first, partly because it is generally ac- knowledged, even by the Romish writers, that a church was founded here by St. Peter some considerable time before that at Rome; partly because here it was that the venerable name of Christians did first commence. In which respect the fathers in the coimcil at Constantino- ple, under Nectarius, in their synodicon to them at Rome, style the church at Antioch, 77ie most ancient and truly apostolical ; and, St. Chrysostom, the head oj the whole world. The succession of its bishops, till the time of Constantine (which shall be the boundary of this ac- count) was in the following order : 1. St. Peter the apostle, who governed this church, at least seven years : Nicephorus of Constantinople says eleven. 2. Evodius, who sat twenty-three }'ears. The disciples w^ere first called Christians at Antioch in his time. 3. Ignatius, after near forty years presidency over this church, was carried out of Syria to Rome, and there thrown to wild beasts in the theatre, A. D. one 340 THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH IN SYRIA. hundred and ten ; Trajan, eleven. 4. Heron : he was bishop twenty years. To him succeeded, 5. CorneHus, who kept the place thirteen years, dying A. D. one hun- dred and forty-two. 6. Eros, twenty>six; or as Eu- sebius says, twenty-four years, 7. Theophilus, thir- teen : he w as a man of great parts and learning ; many of his works were extant in Eusebius's time, and some of them are handed down to us, 8. Maximinus, thir- teen : lie dying, the next that was chosen, was, 9. Se- rapio, twenty-five: many of his works are mentioned by Eusebius and St. Jerom. To him succeeded, 10. Asclepiades: he was a man of great worth and emi- nency, and invincible constanc}/ in the time of perse- cution: he continued in this see nine years. 11. Phi- letus, eight. 12. Zebinus, or Zebennus: he sat six years. 13., Babylas, thirteen: after many conflicts and sufferings for the faith, he received the crown of mar- tyrdom under Decius, who demanded his chains to be buried with him. 14. Fabius, or, as the patriarch Ni- cephorus calls him. Flavins, possessed the chair nine years. He was a little inclining towards novationism. 15. Demetrianus: he sat bishop, according to Nice- phorus four; Eusebius says eight years. 16. Paulus Samosatenus sat in the chair eight years ; when, for his unepiscopai manners and practices, his unsound dog- mata and principles, and especially his mean and un- w^orthy opinions concerning our Saviour, he was con- demned and deposed by a synod at Antioch, whose syn- odical determination is at large extant in Eusebius's history. 17. Domnus succeeded in the place of the deposed. He was son to Demetrian, Paulus's prede- cessor in that see; constituted and ordained to the place by the fathers of that synod, who further give him this honourable character, that he was a man endued with all episcopal virtues and ornaments. Eusebius makes him to have held the see six, Nicephorus but two years, 18. Timssus: he sat in the chair ten years. 19. Cyril- lus, who presided over that church, in the account of Nicephorus, fifteen; according to Eusebius twenty- four vears. 20. Tvrannus: he sat thirteen vears. In THE CHURCH AT ROME. :34l his time began the tenth persecution under Dioclcsian, which raged with great severity against the christians. 21. Vitalis, six. 22. PauHnus, or as Nicephorus calls him, Paulus : who after five years, was deposed and driven out by the Arian faction, which then prevailed. 23. Eustathius, formerly bishop of Beroea, was a learn- ed man, and of great note and eminency in the coun- cil of Nice, which was the first general council sum- moned by Constantine the Great, after he had restored peace and prosperity to the church in general. THE CHURCH AT ROME, IN ITALY. _ ANY of the fathers having with good reason, equally attributed the foundation of this celebrated church to Peter and Paul, the one as the apostle ot the circumcision preached to the Jews, while the other, probably as the apostle of the uncircumcision preached to the-Gentiles. The following is the order in which its bishops succeeded. 1. St. Peter and St. Paul, who both suftered martyr- dom under Nero, the Roman emperor. 2. Linus, the son of Herculanus, a Tuscan ; he is mentioned by Paul : he sat between eleven and twelve years. 3. Cleus, or Anacletus,or Anancletus a Roman, the son of yEmilianus: he sat nine, though others say but two years. 4. Clemens, a Roman, born in Mount Ca?lius, was the son of Faustinus, near akin, say some, to the emperor : he was condemned to dig in the marble quarries near the Euxine sea, and, by the command of Trajan, with an anchor about his neck, thrown into the sea. He was bishop of Rome nine years and four months. 5. Euaristus, by birth a Greek, but his father was a jew of Bethlehem: he is said to have been crowned with martyrdom the last year of Trajan, in the ninth of his bishopric, or the thirteenth according to others. 6, Alexander, a Roman, though voung in 342 THE CHURCH AT ROME years, was grave in his manners and conversation : he sat ten years and seven months, and died a martyr. 7. Xystus, or Sixtus, a Roman : he w^as martyred in the tenth year of his bishopric, and buried in the Vati- can at Rome. 8. Telesphorus, a Greek, succeeded. Justin the martyr flourished in his time. He died a martyr, having sat eleven years and three months ; ten years and eight months, according to others ; he lies buried near St. Peter, in the V^atican. 9. Hyginus, the son of an Athenian philosopher, was advanced to the chair under Antoninus Pius: he sat four years: Eusebius says eight. 10. Pius, an Italian, was born at Aquileia : he died, having been bishop eleven years and four months ; according to Eusebius, fifteen years. 1 1 . Anicetus, born in Syria : he is said, after nine, or, according to others, elev^en years, to have suffered martyrdom, and was buried in the Via Appia, in the cemetry of Callistus. In his time Polycarp came to Rome. 12. Sotar, or, as Nicephorus calls him, Sote- richus, was a Campanian, the son of Concordius. There was an intercourse of letters between him and Dionysius bishop of Corinth. He died after he had sat nine, or, as Eusebius reckons, seven years. 13. Eleu- therius, born at Nicopolis in Greece. To him Lucius king of Britain, sent a letter and an embassy. He sat fifteen years, died A. D. one hundred and eighty-six, and lies buried in the Vatican at Rome. 14. Victor, an African, the son of Felix, was a man of a furious and intemperate spirit. He was bishop ten years. 15. Zephyrinus, a Roman, succeeded, and possessed the chair eight, or, as others say, eighteen years ; twen- ty, says Onuphrius : he was a pious and learned man, but a little warped towards the errors of Montanus. 1(S. Callistus, or Calixtus, the son of Domitius, a Ro- man ; a prudent and a modest man : he suffered much in the persecution under Alexander Severus, under whom he became a martyr, being thrown into a well by the procurement of Ulpian the great lawyer, but a severe enemy to Christians. He sat six years, or, as others maintain, five and one month j and though he THE CHURCH AT ROME. 343 made a ccmetry, or burial place, called after his own name, yet was be buried in that of Calepodius, in the Appian Way. 17. Urbanus, the son of Pontianus, a Koman ; after four, or as some, six years, he suflFered martyrdom for the faith ; Eusebius has five, St. Jerom, in his translation, nine. He was buried in Pra^tcx- tatus*s cemetry, in the Appian Way. 18. Pontjanus, the son of Calphurnius, a Roman : for his boldly re- proving the Roman idolatry, he was banished into the island of Sardinia, where he died ; he was bishop about three or four, or, as Eusebius says, five years. 19. Anteros, a Greek, the son of Romulus : he died, according to some, when he had kept his place only one month, (though others, without reason, make him to have lived in it many years) and was buried in the cemetry of Callistus. 20. Fabianus, a Roman, he was unexpectedly chosen bishop, while, several others being in competition, a pigeon suddenly descended, and sat upon his head, the great emblem of the Holy Spirit. He died a martyr, after fourteen years ; and was buried in the same place with his predecessor. 21. Cornelius, a Roman, who opposed and condemned Novocation : frequent letters passed between him and Cyprian. After somewhat more than two years, he was first cruelly whipped, then beheaded, and after- wards buried in a vault within the grange of Lucina, near the Appian Way. 22. Lucius, a Roman, sat two, or as others say, three years : he suffered martyr- dom by the command of Valerian, and was buried in Callistus's cemetery. 23. Stephanus, a Roman, the son of Julius : great contests were between him and Cyprian, about re-baptizing those who had been bap- tized by heretics. He was beheaded after he had sat about two or three years, though others say seven, and was buried by his predecessor. 24. Xvstus, a Greek, formerly a philosopher of Athens. Atter one, or, as others compute, two years and ten months, he suffer- ed martyrdom : Eusebius reckons it eight years. 25. Dionysius, of a monk made bisliop : in the judgment of Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, was a truly learn- ed and admirable person. The time of his presidency 344 THE CHURCH AT ROME. is uncertainly assigned, six, nine, ten, eleven : Euse- bius extends it to twelve years. 26. Felix, a Roman ; in his time arose the Manichaean heresy. He suffer- ed about the fourth or fifth year of his episcopacy, and lies buried in the Aurelian Way, in a cemetery of his own, two miles from Rome. 27. Eutychianus, a Tuscan, a man exceedingly careful of the burial of martyrs ; after one year's space, was himself crowned with martyrdom : Eusebius allows him but eight months : Onuphrius eight years and six months. 28. Caius, or as Eusebius calls him, Gaianus a Dalmatian, kinsman to the emperor Dioclesian, and in the per- secution under him, became a martyr. He sat eleven years ; some say longer : Eusebius fifteen years. He w^as beheaded, and buried in Callistus's cemeterv. 29. Marceilinus, a Roman : through fear of torment he sacrificed to the gods ; but recovering himself died a martyr, after he had sat eight or nine years. He was beheaded and buried in the cemeterv of Priscilla, in the Salarian Way. To him succeeded, 30. Marcellus, a Roman : he was condemned by Max- entius the tyrant, to keep beasts in a stable, which he performed, yet without omitting his prayers and exer- cises of devotion. He died after five years and six months, and was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla. 31. Eusebius, a Greek, was the son of a physician: he suffered much under the tyranny of Maxentius. He sat six years, say some, though Eusebius allows him but seven months : Onuphrius one year and seven months. He was buried in the Appian Way, near Callistus's cemeterv. 32. Miltiades, an African : he might probably be a confessor under Maxentius, but could not be a martyr under Maximinus, as some re- port him. He sat three or four, though others assign liini but two years ; and was buried in the cemetery of Callistus. 33. Silvester, a Roman ; he was elected unto the place, A. D.. three hundred and fourteen, fetched from the mountain Soract, whither he had fled for fear of persecution. He was highly in favour with Constantine the Great. He sat twenty-three, Nicepho- rus says twenty-eight years. THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM, IN JUDEA. JLT may with some degree of truth be affirmed, that the church of Jerusalem was founded by our Lord himself, as it was for some time cultivated and im- proved by the ministry of the whole college of apos- tles. The bishops of it succeeded in the following order : 1. St. James the Less, the brother of our Lord, by him, say some, immediately constituted bishop; but as others, more probably alledge, by the apostles : he was thrown off the temple, and his brains beat out with a fuller's club. 2. Simeon, the son of Clcopas, brother of Joseph, our I^ord's reputed father ; he sat in this chair twenty-three years, and suffered martyr- dom in the reign of Trajan, in the one hundred and twentieth year of his age. 3 Justus succeeded in his room, and sat six years. 4. Zecheus, or, as Nicepho- rus the patriarch calls him, Zacharias, four. 5. To- bias: to him, after four years succeeded. G, Benja- min, who sat two years. 7 John, who continued the same space. 8. Matthias, or Matthajus, two years. 9. Philipus, one year: next came. 10. Senaca, who sat fourycars. 1 1. Justus, four. 12. Levi or Lebes, two. 1 3. Ephrem,or, Ephres, or as Epiphanius styles him, Vaphres, two. 14. Joseph, two. 15. Judas, two. We may observe, that most of these bishops governed the church but a short time, following one another with a very quick succession : which, doubt- less, was in a great measure owing to the turbulent and unquiet humour of the Jewish nation, frequently rebelling against the Roman powers, whereby they provoked them to fall heavy upon them, and cut o{l all that came in their wav, makin^i no distinction be- tween Jews and Christians ; as indeed they were all Jews, though differing in the rites of their religion : for hitherto the bishops of Jerusalem had successively VOL. ii, jc X 246 THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM. been of the circumcision, the church there having been entirely made up of Jewish converts : but Jerusalem beinor now utterly laid waste, and the Jews dispersed into all other countries, the Gentiles were admitted not only into the bodv of that church, but even into the episcopal chair. They are ranged in the following order: 16. Marcus, who sat eight years. 17. Cassi- anus, eight. 18. Publius, five. 19. Maximus, four. 20. Julanus, two. 21. Caianus, three. 22. Julianus, four. 23. Elius, two. We do not find this bishop mentioned by Eusebius ; but he is recorded by Nice- phorus of Constantinople. 24. Capito, four. 25. Max- imus, four. 26. Antonius, five. 27. Valens, three. 28. Dulichianus, tw^o. £9. Narcissus, four. He was a man of eminent piety, famous for the great miracles which he wrought ; but not being able to bear the as-^ persions which some unjustly cast upon him (though God finally and miraculously vindicated his innocency) he left his church, and retired into desarts and solitary places. In his absence was chosen, 30. Dius, who sat eight years after him. 31. Germanio, four. 32, Gordius, five. In his time Narcissus as one from the dead, returned from his place of retirement, and was importuned by the people again to take the govern- ment of the church upon him ; being highly reve^-enc- ed by them, both for his strict and philosophical course ot life, and the signal vengeance which God took of his accusers: and in this second administration he continued ten years, suffering martyrdom when he was near an hundred and twenty years old. To re- lieve the infirmities of his great age, they took in to be his colleague, 33. Alexander, formerly bishop of Cap- padocia : he was an eminent confessor, and after having sat fifteen years, died in prison, under the De- cian persecution. 34. Mazabanes, nine years. 35. Hymen22us, twenty-three, 36. Zabdas, ten. 37. Her- mon, nine. He was, as Eusebius tells us, the last bishop of this see, before that fatal persecution that raged even in his time. 38. Marcarius, ordained A. D. three hundred and fifteen : he was present m THE CHURCH AT CONSTANTINOPLE. 547 the great Nicene council. He sat, says Nicephorus of Constantinople, twenty-years: but St. Jerom al- lows him to have continued a muph longer time in the government of the church. THE CHURCH AT CONSTANTINOPLE, Ancieiitlii called Byzantium, At cannot be doubted that this church was first found- ed by St. Andrew. The succession of it's bishops was as follows : 1. St. Andrew the apostle. He was crucified afc Patrse in Achaia. 2. Stachys, whom St. Paul calls his beloved Stachys, ordained bishop by St. Andrew : he sat sixteen years. 4. Onesimus, fourteen. 4. Poly- carpus, seventeen. 5. Plutarchus, sixteen. 6. Scde- cio, nine. 7. Diogenes, fifteen. Of the last three no mention is made in Nicephorus of Constantinople, but they are delivered by Nicephorus Callistus, lib. viii.c. 6. p. 540. 8. Eleutheris, seven. 9. Felix, five. 10. Polycarpus, seventeen. 11. Athenodorus, four. He erected a church called Elea, afterwards much beau- tified and enlarged by Constantine the Great. 12, Euzoius, sixteen ; though Nicephorus Callistus allows but six. 13. Laurentius, eleven years and six months. 14. Alypius, thirteen. 15. Pertinax, a man of con- sular dignity : he built another church near the sea side, which he called Peace. He sat nineteen years, which Nicephorus Callistus reduces to nine. US. Olim- pianus, eleven. 17. Marcus, thirteen. 18. Cyriacus, or Cyriliianus, sixteen. 19. Constantinus, seven. In the first year of his bishopric, he built a church in the north part of the city, which he dedicated to the ho- nour of Euphemia, the martyr, who had suffered in that place. In this oratory he spent the remainder of jhi^life, quitting his episcopal chair to 20. Titus, who 348 THE CHURCH AT ALEXANDRIA, sat thirty-five years and six months ; though Nicepho- rus Callistus makes it thirty-seven years. After him came 21. Dometius, brother (as they tell us) to the emperor Probus. He was bishop twenty-one years and six months. 22. Probus succeeded his father Do- metius, and sat tv^elve years after him. 23. Metro- phanus his brother, who governed that church ten years. And in his time it was that Constantine trans- lated the imperial court hither, enlarged and adorned it, called it after his own name, and made it the seat of the empire. 24. Alexander succeeded j he was a man of great piety and integrity, zealous and constant in maintaining the truth against the blasphemies of Arius. He sat twenty-three years. THE CHURCH AT ALEXANDRIA, In Egypt, Ecclesiastical writers afRrm, that the foun- dations of this church were laid, and a great part of its superstructure raised by St. Mark ; who though not strictly and properly an apostle, yet being an apostle at large, and immediately commissioned by St. JPeter, it justly obtained the honour of an apostolical church. Its bishops and governors are thus set down. 1. St. Mark the evangelist, of whose travels and martyrdom we have spoken in his life. He sat two years. 2. Aninanus, characterized by Eusebius *' A man beloved of God, and admirable in all things." He sat twenty-two years. 3. Avilius, twelve ; or, as Eusebius says, thirteen years. 4. Cerdo, who succeed- ed about the first year of Trajan. He sat ten years ; according to Eusebius, eleven. 5. Primus, twelve, 6. Justus, or Justinus, ten. 7. Eumenes, ten, or as Eusebius affirms, thirteen : St. Jerom, in his transla- tion,, calls him Hymen'cgus, 3. Marcus, or Marcianus, THE CHURCH AT ALEXANDRIA. 545 thirteen; or, as Eusebius states, ten. 9. Ccladlon, ten ; but in Eusebius's computation, fourteen. 10. Agrippinus, fourteen : according to Eusebius, twelve. 11. J ulianus, fifteen ; though Eusebius allows but ten. 12. Demetrius, twenty-one; according to Eusebius, forty-three. 13. Heraclas, a man of philosophical ge- nius and way of life. He sat sixteen years; though Nicephorus of Constantinople, by a mistake, we sup- pose, for his predecessor, makes it forty-three. 14 Di- onysius, seventeen. He was one of the most eminent bishops of his time. He died iri the twelfth year of the emperor (lallineus. 15. Maximus. Of a presby- ter he was made bishop of Alexandria. He sat in that chair eighteen years, according to Eusebius's compu- tation; though Nicephorus of Constantinople assigns him but eight. i6. Theonas, seventeen; or accord- ing to St. Jeromes version of Eusebius, nineteen. To him succeeded 17. Petrus, twelve. He began his of- fice three years before the last persecution. A man of infinite strictness and accuracy, and of indefatigable industry for the good of the church. He suffered in the ninth year of the persecution, gaining the crown of martyrdom with the loss of his head. 18. Achillas nine ; though Nicephorus of Constantinople allows him but one year. By him Arius, upon his submission was ordained presbyter. 19. Alexander, twenty-three. Under him Arius who was at Alexandria, began more openly to broach his heresy. He was justly excom- municated and thrust out of the Church by Alexan- der ; and shortly after condemned by the fathers at the council of Nice. Nevertheless, his abominable tenets have infected the church, more or less, to the present day, and are openly avowed by the enemies of the gos- pel of Jesus, who is God over all, blessed ior ever. Amen. The EVIDENCES upon which CHRISTIANITY is founded; i?icludi?ig a Complete Defonce of Christi- anity, together with plain and satisfoctory Answers to all Objections made against our Holy Religion by Jews, Atheists, Deists, Infidels, Free- Thinkers, l^e. x\-MONGST other undoubted authorities concern- ing our Saviour and his miracles, extant amongst Pa- gan writers, the particulars which follow, are all at- tested by some one or other of those Heathen authors, who lived in or near the age of our Saviour and his disciples. " That Augustus Csesar had ordered the whole em- pire to be censed or taxed," which brought our Sa- viour's reputed parents to Bethlehem: this is mention- ed by several Roman historians, as Tacitus, Suetonius, and Dion. " That a great light, or a new star appear- ed in the east, which directed the wise men to our Sa- viour:" this is recorded by Chalcidius. '* That Herod, the king of Palestine, so often mentioned in the Ro- man history, made a great slaughter of innocent chil- dren," being so jealous of his successor, that he put to death his own sons on that account; this character of him is given by several historians, and this cruel fact mentioned by Macrobius, a Heathen author, who tells it is a known thing, without any mark or doubt upon it. '*That our Saviour had been in Egypt :" this, Cel- sus, though he raises a monstrous story upon it, is so far from denying, that he tells us our Saviour learned the arts of magic in that country. '* That Pontius Pi- late was governor of Judea; that our Saviour was brought in judgment before him, and by him con- demned and crucified :" this is recorded by Tacitus. ■ * That many miraculous cures and works, out of the ordinary course of nature, were wrought by him:^' this is confessed by Julian the apostate, Porphyry, and Hi- erocles, all of them not only Pagans, but professed THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY 351 enernies and persecutors of Christianity. '' That our Saviour foretold several things which came to pass ac- cording to his predictions:" this was attested by Phe- legon, in his annals, as we are assured by the learned Origen against Celsus. *' That at the time when our Saviour died, there was a miraculous darkness, and a great earthquake:" this is reckoned by the same Phe- legon the Trallian, who was likewise a Pagan, and freeman to j^drian the emperor. We may here ob- serve, that a native of Trallian, which was not situat- ed at so great a distance from Palestine, might very probably be informed of such remarkable events as had passed amongst the Jews in the age immediately preceding his own times, since several of his country- men with whom he had conversed, might have receiv- ed a confused report of our Saviour before his cruci- fixion, and probably lived within the shake of the earthquake, and the shadow of the eclipse, which are recorded by this author. '* That Christ was worship- ped as a God amongst the Christians; that they would rather suffer death than blaspheme him; that they re- ceived a sacrament, and by it entered into a vow of abstaining from sin and wickedness," conformable to the advice given by St. Paul; *' that they had private assemblies of worship, and used to join together in hymns:" this is the account which Pliny the younger gives of Christianity in his days, about seventy years after the death of Christ and which agrees in all its circumstances with the account we have in holy writ, of the first state of Christianity after the crucifixion of our blessed Saviour. " That St. Peter, whose miracles are many of them recorded in holy writ, did many wonderful works," is owned by Julian, the apostate, who therefore represents him as a great magician, and one who had in his possession a book of ma^^ical se- crets left him by our Saviour. *' That the devils or evil spirits were subject to them," we may learn from Porphyry, who objects to Christianity, that since Je- sus had began to be worshipped, /Esculapius and the rest of the gods did no more converse with men : nay. 152 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. Celsus himself affirms the same thing in effect, when he says, that the power which seemed to reside in Chris- tians proceeded from the use of certain names, and the invocation of certain daemon's; Origen remarks on this passage, that the author doubtless hints at those Christians who ppt to flight evil spirits and healed those who were possessed w^ith them; a fact which had been often seen^ and which he himself had seen, as he declares in another part of his discourse against Celsus. But at the same time, he assures us bv the use of no other name but that of Jesus, to which were added several passages in his history, but nothing like anv invocation to daemons. Celsus was so hard set with the report of our Sa-^ viour's miracles, and the confident attestations con- cerning him, that though he often intimates he did not believe them to be true, yet knowing he might be si- lenced in such an answer, provides himself with ano- ther retreat, when beaten out of this, namely, that our Saviour was a magician. Thus he compares the (ecd- * ing of so many thousands, at two different times, with a few loaves and fishes, to the magical feasts of those Egyptian impostors, w4io would present their specta- tors with visionary entertainments, that had in them neither substance nor reality: which, by the way, is to suppose that an hungry and fainting multitude were filled by an apparition, or strengthened and refreshed with shadows. The unconverted Heathens, who were pressed by the many authorities that confirmed our Saviour's mir- acles, as well as the unbelieving Jews, who had ac- tually seen them, Vv^ere driven to account for them after the same manner; for, to work by magic, in the Hea- then way of S])eaking, Vv^as in the language of the Jews, to cast out devils by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Our Saviour, who knew that unbelievers, in all ages would put this perverse interpretation on his miracles, lias branded the malignity of those men, who.. THE EVIDElSrCKS OP CHRISTIANITY 3^3 Cbntrary to the dictates of their own hearts started such an unreasonable objection, as a blasphemy ai^ainst the Holy Ghost, and declared not only the guilt, but the punishment of so black a crime. At the same time, he condescended to shew the vanit}- and emptiness of this objection against his miracles, by representing, that they evidently tended to the destruction of those pow- ers, to whose assistance the enemies of his doctrine then ascribed them. An argument which, if duly weighed, renders the objection so very frivilous and groundless that we may venture to call it even blasphemy against common sense. It would be absurd to imagine, that evil spirits would enter into a combination with our Sa- - viour to cut off all their correspondence and intercourse with mankind, and to prevent any for the future from addicting themselves to those rites and ceremonies, which had done them so much honour. We sec the early effect which Christianity had on the minds of men in this particular, by that number of books which were filled with the secrets of magie, and made a sacrifice to Christianity by the converts mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. We have^likewise an eminent inst:jnceof the inconsistency of our religion with magic, in the his- tory of the famous Aquila. This person, who was a kinsman of the emperor Trajan, and likewise a man of great learning, notwithstanding he had embraced Chris- tianity, could not be brought off from the studies of magic, by the repeated admonitions of his fellow Chris- tians; so that at lengtli they expelled him their societ}', as rather choosing to lose the reputation of so conside- rable a proselyte, than communicate with one who deali in such dark and infernal practices. Besides, we may observe, that all the favourers of magic were the most professed and bitter enemies to the Christian religion ; not to mention Simon Magus and many others, we shall only take notice of those two great persecutors o( Chris- tianity, the emperors Adrian and Julian the apostxite, both of them initiated in the mysteries of di\ ination, and skilled in all the depths of magic. — We shall only add, that evil spirits cannot be supposed to ]l:\^ e ron. voL# ih V y 3^4 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. Gurred in the establishment of a religion, which tri- timphed over them, drove them out of the places they j>ossessed, and divested them of their influence on man- kind; nor would we mention this particular, though it be stated by Christian authors, did it not appear from the authorities above cited, that this was a fact confessed bv Heathens themselves. When a man is born under Christian parents, and trained up in the profession of that religion from a child, he generally guides himself by the rules of the Chris- tian faith, in believing what is delivered by the evange- lists; the learned Pagans of antiquity, before they be- came Christians, were only guided by the common rule^ of historical faith ; that is, they examined the nature of the evidence which was to be met with in common fame, tradition, and the writings of those persons who related them, together with the number, concurrence, veracity, and private characters of those persons ; and being con- vinced upon all accounts, that they had the same reason to believe the history of our Saviour, as that of any other person to which they themselves were not actu- ally eye-witnesses, they were bound by all the rules of historical faith, and of right reason, to give credit to this history. This they did accordingly, and in consequence of it, published the same truths themselves, suffered many afftictions, and very often death itself, in the as- sertion of them. But while we affirm, an historical be- lief of the acts of our Saviour might induce these learn- ed Pagans to embrace his doctrine, we do not deny that there were many other motives, which conduced to it, as the excellency of his precepts, the fulfilling of pro- phecies, the miracles of his disciples, the irreproacha- ble lives and magnanimous sufferings of their follow- ers, with other considerations of the same nature: but whatever other collateral arguments wrought more or less with philosophers of that age, it is certain that a be- lief in the history of our Saviour was one motive with every new convert, and that upon which all others turn- ed, as being the very basis and foundation of Christi- anity. THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. .-sss A learned man of our nation^ who examined tlie wri- tings of our most ancient fathers, refers to several j^as- sages in Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clemens of Alexandria, Origen, and Cyprian, by which he plainly shews, that each of these early writers, ascribed to the four evan- gelists by name, their respective histories; so that there is not the least room for doubting of their belief in the history of our Saviour, as recorded in the gospels. Wc shall only add that three of the live fathers here men- tioned, and probably four, were Pagans converted to Christianity, as they were all of them very inquisitive and deep in the knowledge of Heathen learning and philosophy. Several of these therefore, when they had informed themselves of our Saviour's history, and examined with unprejudiced minds the doctrines and manners of his disciples and followers, were so struck and convinced, that they professed themselves the faith ; notwithstand- ing, by this profession at that juncture of time, they bid farewell to all the pleasures of this life, renounced all the views of ambition, engaged in an uninterrupted course of severities, and exposed themselves to the public hatred and contempt, to sufterings of all kinds, and to death itself. Of this sort we may reckon those three early converts to Christianit} % who each of them was a member of a senate famous for its wisdom and learning. Joseph the Arimathean, was of the Jewish Sanhedrim: Dionysius, of the Athenian Areopagus; and Flavins Clemens, of the Roman senate ; nay at the time gf his death, consul of Rome. Tertullian tells the Roman governors, that their cor- porations, councils, armies, tribes, companies, the pa- lace, senate, and courts of judicature were filled will* Christians; as Arnobius asserts, that men of the fniest parts and learning, oratory, grammarians, rhetoricians, lawyers, physicians, philosophers, despising the senti- inents they had been once fond of, took up their rest in jltie Christian religion; and who can imagine, that men 2j6 the KVlDENGhS OF CHRISTIANITY. of this character did not dioroiighly inform themselvej> of the history of that person whose doctrines they em- braced? Besides innumerable authors that are lost, we have the undoubted names, works, or fragments of several Pagan philosophers, which shew them to have been as learned as any unconverted Heathen authors of the age in which they lived. If we look into the greatest nur- series of learning in those ages of the world, we find in Athens, Dionysius, Quadratus, Aristides, and Atheur agoras ; and in Alexandria, Dionysius, Clemens, Am* monius,and to whom we may add Origen ; for though his father was a Christian martyr, he became without all controversy, the most learned and able philosopher of his age, by his education at Alexandria, in that famous seminary of arts and sciences. Heathens of every age, sex, and quality, born in the most different climates, and bred up under the most different institutions, v/hen they saw men of plain sense without the help of learning, armed with patience and courage, instead of wealth, pomp, or power, express- ing ill their lives those excellent doctrines of morality^ which they taught, as delivered to them from our Sa- viour, averring that they had seen his miracles during his life, and conversed v\'ith him after his death ; when they saw no suspicion of falsehood, treachery, or world- ly interest, in their behaviour and conversation, and that they submitted to the most ignominious and cruel deaths, rather than retract their testimony, or even be silent in matters w^hich they w^ere to publish by their Saviour's especial command, there was no reason to doubt the veracity of those facts which they related, or ^he divine mission in Vvhich they were employed. A few persons of an odious and despised countrj . could not have filled the world with believers, had they not shewn undoubted credentials from the divine Per son v;ho sent them on such a message. Accordingly, THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. Sn7 we are assured, that they were invested with the power of working miracles, which was the most short and the most convincing argument that could be produced, and the only one that was adapted to the reason of all mankind, to the capacities of the wise and ignorant, and could overcome every caS'il and every prejudice. Who would not believe that our Saviour healed the sick, and raised the dead, when it was published by those who themselves often did the same miracles, in their presence, and in his name ? Could any reasonable person imagine, that God Almighty would arm men with such powers to authorize a lie, and establish a re- ligion in the world which was displeasing to him, or that evil spirits would lend them such an effbctuiil as- sistance to beat down vice and idolatr}-. ^ When the apostles had formed many asscm!)lies in several pans of the Pagan world, who gave credit to the glad-tidings of the gospel, that, upon their departure, the memory of what they had related might not perish, they appointed out of these new converts, ftiCnof the best sense and the most unblemished lives, to preside over these several assemblies, and to inculcate without ceasing, what they had heard from the mouths of these eve-witnesses. The succession of bishops was quick in the three first centuries, because the bishop \'ery often ended ir: the martyr ; for when a persecution arose in any place, the first fury of it fell upon this'ordcr of holy men, wh(> abundantly testified by their deaths and sufferings, that they did not undertake these olhces out of any tem- poral vievv^s, that they were sincere and satisfied in the belief of what they taught, and diat they lirmly ad- hered to what they had received from the iipostles, as laying down their lives in the same hope, and upon the same principles. None can be supposed so ut- terly regardless of their own happiness, as to expire in torment, and hazard their eternity, to support any faj^les and inventions pf their own, or any Ibrircrie- 3^8 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITV. of their predecessors who had presided in the sam$ church, and which might have been easily detected by the tradition of that particular church, as well as by the concurring testimony of others. To this pur- pose, we think it is very remarkable, that there was not a single martyr amongst those many heretics, who disagreed with the apostolical church, and introduced several wild alid absurd notions into the doctrines of Christianity. Tliey durst not stake their present and future happiness on their own chimerical imaginations and did not only shun persecution, but affirmed, that it Avas unncessary for their followers to bear their religion through such fiery trials. Amongst the accounts of those very few, out of in- numerable multitudes who had embraced Christianity, we shall single out four persons eminent for their lives, their writings, and their sufferings, that were successively cotemporaries, and bring us down as far as the year of our Lord 254. St. John who was the beloved disciple, and conversed the most intimately with our Saviour, lived till A. D. 100. Poly carp, who was the disciple of St. John, and had conversed with other of the apos- tles and disciples of our Lord, lived till A. D. 167, though his life was shortened by martyrdom. Irenaeus, who was the disciple of Polycarp, and had conversed with many of the immediate disciples of the apostles, lived at the lowest computation of his age, till the year 202, when he was likewise cut off by martyrdom : in which yeur the great Origen was appointed regent of the catechetic school in Alexandria, and as he was the miracle of that age, for industry, learning, and philoso- phy, he was looked on as the champion of Christianity, till the year 254 ; when he died, he was certainly actua- ted by the spirit of it, as appears in the whole course of his life and writings ; nay, he had undergone trials worse than death. The Christians, who carried their religion through so many general and particular persecutions, were inces^. THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. 359 santly comforting and supporting one another witli the example and history of our Saviour and his apostles : it was the subject not only of their solemn assemblies but of their private visits and conversation. '* Our virgins," says Tatian, who lived in the second century, " discourse over their distaffs on divine subjects." In- deed, when religion was woven into the civil govern- ment, and flourished under the protection of the empe- rors, mens' thoughts and discourses were, as they are now, full of secular affairs ; but in the three first cen- turies of Christianity, men who embraced this religion had givePx up all their interests in this world, and lived in a perpetual preparation for the next, as not know- ing how soon they might be called to it : so that they had little else to talk of but the life and doctrines of that divine Person which was their hope, their encour- agement, and their glory. We cannot imagine, that there was a single person arrived at any degree of age or consideration, who had not heard and repeated above a thousand times in his life, all the particulars of our Saviour's birth, life, death resurrection, and ascension ; especiall}^ if we consider that they could not then be received as Christians, till they had undergone several examinations. Persons of riper years, who flocked daily in the church daring the three first centuries, were obliged to pass through many repeated instructions, and give a strict account of their proficiency, before they were admitted to bap- tism. And as for those who were born of Christian parents and had been baptized in their infancy, the} were, with the like care, prepared and disciplinedfor con- firmation, \vhich they could not arrive at, till they were found upon examination to have made a sufficient pro- gress in the knowledge of Christianity. We must further observe, that there was not onl} in those times this religious conversation amongst pri- vate Christians, but a constant correspondence between the churches that were established by the apostles or 360 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. their successors, in the several parts of the world. If any new doctrine was stated, or any fact reported of our Saviour, a strict inquiry was made amongst the churches, especially those pkmted by the apostles themselves, whether they had received any such doctrine or account of our Saviour, from the mouths of the apostles, or the tradition of the Christians who had preceded the pre- sent members of the churches, which were thus con- sulted. By this means, when any novelty was pub- lished, it was immediately detected and censured. St. John, who lived so many years after our Saviour, was appealed to in those emergencies, as the livings; oracle of the church ; and as his oral testimony lasted the first century, many have observed, that by a partic- ulapv providence of God, several of our Saviour's disci- ples, and of the early converts of his religion, lived to a very great age, that they might personally convey the truth of the gospel to those times, v/hich were very re- mote from the first publication of it. Of these besides St. John we have a remarkable instance in Simeon, who was one of the seventy sent forth by our Saviour, to publish the gospel before his crucifixion, and a near kinsman to our Lord. This venerable person, who had probably heard witli his own ears, our Saviour's prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, presided over the church established in that city, during the time of its memorable siege, and drew his congregation out of those dreadful and unpar- alleled calamities which befell his countrymen, by fol- lowing the advice our Saviour had given, when they should see Jerusalem encompassed with armies, and the Roman standards, or abomination of desolation, set up. He lived till the year of our Lord 107, when he was martyred under the emperor Trajan. Ireneaus very aptly remarks, that those barbarous nations, who in his time were not possessed of the writ- len (gospels, and had only learned the history of our Sa* I^IIE EVIDENTCES OF (!:HRISTIAMTY 361 vnoiir from those who had converted them to Christian- ity before the gospels were written, had amongst them the same accounts of our Saviour, which are to be met with in the four evangeHsts ; an incontestable proof of the harmony and concurrence between the holy scrip- ture and the tradition of the churches in those early times of Christianity. Thus we see what opportunities the learned and inquisitive Heathens had of informing themselves of the truth of our Saviour's history, during the three first centuries, especially as they lay nearer one than another to the fountain-head ; besides w^hicli there were many uncontroverted traditions, records of Christianity, and particular histories, that then threw light into these matters, but are now entirely lost. We cannot omit that which appears to us a standing miracle in the three first (J^enturies, namely, that amaz- ing and supernatural courage or patience w^hich was shewn by innumerable multitudes of martyrs, in those slow and painful torments that were inflicted on them. We cannot conceive a man placed in the burning iron chair at Lyons, amidst the insults and mockeries of a crowded amphitheatre, and still keeping his seat ; or stretched upon a grate of iron, over coals of lire, and breathing out his soul amongst the exquisite sufferings of such a tedious execution, rather than renounce his religion, or blaspheme his Saviour. Such trials seem to us above the strength of human nature, and able to overbear duty, reason, faith, conviction, nay, and the most absolute certainty of a future state. Humanity unassisted in an extraordinary manner, must have sha- ken off the present pressure, and have delivered itself out of such a dreadful distress, by any means that could, have been suggested to it. W^e can easil}' imagine^ that many persons, in so good a cause, might have laid down their lives at the gibbet, tlic stake, or the block : but to expire leisuicly amongst the most exquisite tor- lures, when tliey might come out of them, even by a mental reservation, or an hypocrisy, which was not with^ out a possibility of being folio we'd by a r«^n'-r,t;)nrc and VOL. ii. ' c: z 362 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISl'IANITY. forgiveness, has something in it so far beyond the nat- ural strength of mortals that one cannot but think there was some miraculous power to support the sufferer. We find the church of Smyrna, in that admirable let- ter which gives an account of the death of Polycarp, their beloved bishop; mentioning the cruel torments of other early martyrs of Christianity, are of opinion, that our Saviour stood by them in a vision, ancl personally conversed with them, to give strength and comfort dur- ing the bitterness of their long continued agonies ; and we have the story of a young man, who having suffered many tortures, escaped with life, and told his fellow Christians, that the pain of them had been rendered tol- erable by the presence of an angel who stood by him, wiped off the tears and sweat, which ran down his face whilst he lay under his sufferings. We are assured, at least, that the first martyr for Christianity was encour- aged in his last moments, by a vision of that divine Per- son, for whom he suffered, and into whose presence he was then hastening. It is certain, that the deaths and sufferings of the pri- mitive Christians had a great share in the conversion of those learned Pagans, who lived in the ages of perse- cution, which with some'intervals and abatements, last- ed near three hundred years after our Saviour. Justin Martyr, TertuUian, Lactantius, Arnobius, and others^ tells us, that this first of all alarmed their curiosity, roused their attention, and made them seriously inqui- sitive into the nature of that religion, which could endue the mind with so much strength, and overcome tli€ fear of death, nay, raise an earnest desire of it, though it appeared in all its terrors. This they found had not been affected by all the doctrines of those philosophers, whom they had thoroughly studied, and who had been labouring at this great point. The sight of these dying and tormented martyrs, engaged them to search into the history and doctrines of him for whom they suffered. The more they seai'ched, the more they were convinced : THE EVIDENCES OF CnRlSTIAMT\'. saS till their conviction grew so strong, that they tlicmsclvcs embraced the same truths, and either actuallv laid down tlieir lives, or were always in a readiness to do it, rather than depart from them. There arc predictions of our Saviour recorded b) the evangelists, which were not completed till after their deaths, and had no likelihood of being so, when they were pronounced by our blessed Saviour. — Such was that wonderful notice he gave them, that they should be brought before gjovernors and kings for his sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles, Madi. X. 18. with the other like prophecies, by which he fore- told that his disciples were to be i^ersecuted. Origen insists with great strength, on that wonderful prediction of our Saviour concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, pronounced at a time, as he observes, when there was no likelihood nor appearance of it. This has been taken notice of and inculcated bv so manv others that we shall refer you to what this father has said on the subject in his first book against Celsus. And a;;. to the accomplishment of this remarkable prophecy, shall only observe, that whoever reads the account given us by Josephus, without knowing his character, and compares it with what our Saviour Ibretold, would think the historian had notliing else in view but to adjust the event to the prediction. Tlie ancient Christians were so entirely persuaded of the force of our Saviour's prophecies, and of the pun- ishment Avhich the Jews had drawn upon thejnselvcs, and upon their children : for the treatment w hich tlic Messiah had received at their hands, that they did nor doubt but they would always remain an abandoned and dispersed people, an hissing and astonishment amongst the nations, as they are to this day. in short, that they had lost their peculiarity of being God's people, which vas no^v transferred to the body of Chri^>tians, and "hich preserved the church of Tti p.nr amnn^.^si all th;: S64 THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. conflicts, difliculties, and persecutions in which it was engaged, as it had preserved the Jewish government and economy for so many ages, whilst it had the same truth and vital principle in it, notwithstanding it was so frequently in danger of being utterly abolished and destroyed. Origen, in his fourth book against Celsus, mentioning their being cast out of Jerusalem, to which their worship was annexed, deprived of their temple and sacrifice, their religious rites and solemnities, and scattered over the face of the earth, ventures to assure them with a face of confidence, that they would never be re-established, since they had committed that horrid crime against the Saviour of the world. This was a bold assertion in the good man, who knew how this people had been so wonderfully re-established in former times, when they were almost swallowed up, and in the most desperate state of desolation, as in their deliver- ance out of the Babylonish captivity, and the oppressions of Antiochus Epiphanes : nay he knew that within less than an hundred years before his own time, the Jews had made such a powerful effort for their re-establish. mtnt under Barchocab, in the reign of Adrian, as shook tlie whole Roman empire : but he founded his opinion on a sure word of prophecy, and on the punishment they had so justly incurred j and we find by a long ex- perience of fifteen hundred years, that he was not mis- taken, nay, that his opinion gathers strength daily, since the Jews are now at a greater distance from any proba- bility of such a re- establishment, than they were when Origen wrote. In the primitive times, the Christian religion shewed its full force and efficacy on the minds of men, and many examples demonstrated what great and generous ^ouls it was capable of producing. It exalted and re- fined its proselytes to a very high degree of perfection, and set them far above the pleasures, and even the pains, of this life. It strengthened the infirmity, and broke the fierceness of human nature. It lifted up the minds of the ignorant to the knowledge and worship of THE liVIDENXES OF CHinSTIANITY. GG5 him that made them, and inspired the vicious ^\ith ii rational devotion, a strict purity of heart, and an un- bounded love to their fellow-creatures. In ])ropoition as it spread through the world, it seemed to change mankind into another species of beings. No sooner was a convert initiated into it, but by an easy liguie he became a new man, and both acted and looked upon himself as one re-generated and born a second lime into another state of existence. But we find no argument made a stronger impression on the minds of these eminent Pagan converts, for strengthening their faith in the history of our Saviour, than the predictions relating to him in those old pro- phetic writings, which were deposited amongst the liands of the greatest enemies to Christianity and owned by them to have been extant many ages before his ap- pearance. The learned Heathen converts were aston- ished to see the whole history of their Saviour's life published before he was born, and to find tliat the evan- gelists and prophets in their accounts of the Messiah, differed qnly in point of time, that one foretelling what should happen to him, and the other describingthose\ ery particulars as ^vhat had actually happened. This our Saviour himself was pleased to make use of as the strongest argument of his being the promised Messiah, and without it would iiardlv have reconciled his disci- pies to the ignominy of his death, as in that remarkable passage which mentions his conversation with the two disciples, on the day of his resurrection, St. Luke xxiv, 13. to the end. Besides the Heathen converts after having travelled through all human Iciu-ning, and lor, tified their minds with the knowledge of art and sciences were particularly qualified to examine these prophecies wdth great care an impartiality, and without prejudice or prepossession ; so as to establish in their minds the firm belief of the truth and excellency of the Christian religion, beyond the least degree of a doubt concern- ing it. FINIS. APPENDIX. EVIDENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION Briefly and /ilainly stated'. BY JAMES BEATTIE, LL. D. F. R. S. E. PROFESSOR OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY IN MARISCHAL COLLEGE, ABERDEEN, AND MEMBER OF THE ZEA- LAND SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, AND OF THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETYOF MANCHESTER. INTRODUCTION. JL HAT there is in the world, and that for more than seventeen hundred years there has been, a Religion called The Christian, will hardly be controverted: and that it must have derived its origin from some per- son or persons, who introduced and taught it, seems to be equally certain, or at least will not be denied by those who allow a cause to be necessary to the production of an effect. This religion, say the Christians, derives its origin from Jesus Christ; a person of unequalled wisdom, unexampled goodness, and supernatural power; who taught it to his disciples, commanding them to preach it in all nations. This religion, says the infidel, admit- ting that Jesus introduced it, derives its origin from imposture and falsehood, and owes its continuance to the enthusiasm, the knavery, and the folly of mankind. The tendency of this religion, say its enemies, is to darken and bewilder the understanding, to interrupt the pleasures of life, to confound human affairs, to debase the mind by superstition, and to make men timorous and cruel. The tendency of this religion, say they who are better acquainted with it, is to enlighten the mind with true wisdom ; to banish superstition ; to promote universal righteousness, charity, and peace; to com- fort us in adversity, and give prosperity its highest re- lish; to encourage the most transporting hopes, with full assurance that they will not be disappointed ; to re- press every malevolent and every evil passion; to make men, whatever their outward circumstances may be, re- signed and thankful ; and, in a word, to promote their happiness, both in time, and through all eternity. VOL. il. 3 A S70 iNTRODUCTlUN. Opfnions SO opposite cannot both be true ; and they who have the nieans of knowing the truth, ought to inquire on which side it lies. If this reUgion be from heaven, to be indifferent about it is inexcusable, and must be dangerous. And no man is entitled to say, that it is not from heaven, till he has studied its evidence and doc- trines, and found the former insufficient to satisfy a fair mind, and the latter unworthy of a divine original. To refuse to believe, or inquire ibout this religion, because one may have read or heard some things plausibly writ- ten or said against it, would be as uncandid, as to re- fuse all information concerning my character, for ex- ample, except that which is known to have been given by my mortal enemy. Between the two cases, how- ever, there is this difference; and a very considerable one it seems to be. To the greater part of mankind it is a matter of no moment to be informed, whether I be honest, or the contrary, a man of sense, or a fool. But if the Christian religion be true, and that it is false has not yet been proved, it must be a matter of infinite con- cern to us all, that it be accurately studied, and well understood. In defence of Christianity many excellent books have been written; by Grotius, Clarke, Locke, Lardner, Butler, West, Lyttleton, Sherlock, and others, whose integrity and learning will not be called in question. The design of this little work is, not to supercede, as unnecessary, but to recommend, and serve as an intro- duction to, the perusal of those great authors; by show- ing as plainly, and as briefly, as I can, to every candid reader, and especially to the young, that the evidence of this religion is at least strong enough to merit atten- tion and deliberate inquiry. If I can accomplish even this purpose, I shall do service to a cause, which, as a friend to makind, I have always had very much at heart. For, from several conversations w4iich it has been my chance to have with unbelievers, I have learned, that ignorance of the nature of our religion, and a disin- clination to study both it and its evidence are to be reck= oned among the chief causes gf infidelity. INTRODUCTION. Sfi I have sometimes met with little practical treatises called Ten mitiutes advice-^to those who are about to engage in such or such an enterprise. Those perform- ances may have their use, though they should not con- tain a full detail of the business alluded to. I mean to give Tvw hours advice' — to that jjerson, who may be in danger from the books, or from the company, of infi- dels, and is candid enough to desire to be informed, in few words, whether the evidence on the other side be so plausible as to deserve the notice of a rational mind. If I shall satisfy him that it is, he will naturally lay mc aside, and have recourse, for futher information, to those authors who have gone through the ^A'hole sub- ject, and illustrated and proved many things, which the narrowness of my plan permits me only to affirm, or perhap§ only to hint at. And, which is far the most im- portant part of the whole procedure, he will at the same time REVERENTLY CONSULT thosc SacTcd Oracles, which contain the history of Divine Revelation ; and w^hich he will fmd, more frequently, perhaps, and more fully, than he could have imagined, to carry their own evidence along with them. And when he has done all this, in the spirit of candour, and with an humble and docile mind, and a sincere desire to know the truth and his duty, I may venture to assure him, that he \\^ill not regret the time he has employed in the study, and tliat from the writings or conversation of unbelievers his faith will never be fn danger any more* Xl/ \U CHAPTER I. REVELATION IS USEFUL AND NECESSARY, HE evidence of the Christian Religion is a subject of great extent: all I purpose to do is, to give a sum- mary view of it. I do not mean to produce proof for every one of the assertions I may make concerning mat- ters of fact: for this would require a great deal of time, but knowing, tliat to the l^est cause every sort of mis- representation is injurious, I shall be careful to ad- vance nothing as certain, but what does admit of proof and has actually been proved by the learned authors, who have distinguislied themselves on the side of trutli in this controversy. This evidence lias been divided into external and in- ternal: the former arising from prophecy, miracles, and historical testimony ; the latter, from the peculiar char- acter, and intrinsic excellency of the Christian religion. Some authors have enlarged chiefly on the one sort of evidence, and some on the other; and some have been equally attentive to both. I shall speak, first, of the external evidence, and, secondly, of the internal; though occasionally perhaps, and in order to avoid prolixity and needless repetition, I may speak of both at the same time. The first thing to be inquired into is, the importance and usefulness of Divine Revelation. For, if such a thing be useful and important, and even necessary to man, it must be suitable to the divine wisdom and good- ness to bestow it. 1. If man had persevered in his primitive innocence: if human principles and practice had no influence on human happiness, or on each other; and if ignorance, inattention, and prejudice, if superstition and sensuaU S74. REVELATION IS USEFUL ity, if savage life and sanguinary passions, had no ten- dency to coiTupt mens opinions, to pervert their reason, and to pkinge them into guilt and wretchedness; — oa these suppositions, I should readily admit, that there is no need of revelation. But from daily experience, and from the history of men in all ages it appears, that not one of the things now supposed is agreeable to fact. That man did not persevere in innocence, requires no proof. That corrupt principles and criminal practices lead to misery, and truth and virtue to happiness, is as evident, as that order is preferable to confusion, securi- ty to danger, and a wise and good man to a barbarian or wild beast. That, even though our intentions be good, we must mistake our duty, if we are ignorant of the nature of that Being who is the object of it, will not be doubted by those who have observed, that we must believe a man to be our parent or benefactor, before we can be sensible that we owe him the duty of gratitude or filial affection. And that mens notions of all the ob- jects of duty, of their Creator, their fellow-men, and themselves, are liable to be perverted, and in every country unenlightened by revelation, have been per- verted, by the weakness of the human understanding, by the force of prejudice and passion, by vice, by in- attention, by superstition, and by ignorance, the history of mankind proves to be a melancholy, but incontesti- ble truth. This being granted, it will follow, that a revelation, which rectifies and ascertains mens notions of the seve- ral objects of duty, by explaining the nature of God and of man, and by informing their conscience with respect to particular duties, must be highly important and beneficial; and must even be necessary to the at- tainment of that degree of happiness and virtue, where- of human nature appears to be susceptible, and for which therefore, we may presume that man was made. 2. The character of the supreme Being, and the na- ture and destination of man, must be very imperfectly known to those who have received no positive infor- mation concerning the reality of a future state, and AND NECESSARY. Z7S its connection with the present. Now this is a point on which all the evidences collected by human rea* son, while unaided by divine light, amount to nothin<^ higher than probable conjecture. But that better evi- dence, in so interesting a matter, must be a desirable thing will be acknowledged by all men : — unless there be men who believe that a future state is an absolute impossibility. Revelation, therefore, seems to be ne- cessary, to give such evidence of another life, and such intelligence concerning ita as may vindicate the divine goodness and wisdom with respect to the con^ stitution of the present ; and such as may also prove a comfort to good men, and a restraint on the pas- sions of the wicked ; and such, moreover, as may serve for a solemn intimation to all men, that their beha- viour in this state of trial is to them a matter of infinite importance. That this last consideration strengthens morality, or promotes at least the peace of society, and consequently, the happiness of mankind, seems to be admitted by the enemies, as well as by the friends of religion. Else how can we account for that favourite notion of the infidel, that religion was contrived, and is patronized, by politicians, in order to overawe the world, and make the passions of men more managea- ble .^^ 3. Revelation is further necessary, to explain on what terms we may hope for pardon, consistently with the perfection of divine justice. Of the necessity of expiation for guilt, all mankind seem to have had an idea; as appears for the universal use of sacrifices. — But, from the multitude of the pagan expiatory rites ; from the absurdity of all, and the impiety of many of them ; and especially from the circumstance of their consulting oracles on the subject of atonement ; we may warrantably infer, not only their ignorance of duty in this particular, but also their consciousness of that ignorance. And some of their best philosophers of the Socratic school seemed to think, that, till God should be pleased to reveal his will in an extraordinary man- ner, it would be impossible for man to know what re- 376 REVELATION IS USEFUL ligious service would be most acceptable to him. To those, who were so wise, and so candid, as to think and speak in this manner, may we not presume, that the Christian doctrine of repentance and faith, if they had rightly understood it, and if they had known its evidence, would have been a most welcome disco- very ? To our infidels, indeed, it is not welcome; for they say they have no need of it : being, it seems, fully sat- isfied, that, however ignorant Socrates might confess himself to be, they have all the knowledge that man has occasion for. And yet, if it had not been for this manifestation of divine grace and truth, they would, probably, at this day, have been consulting oracles, offering incense to idols, or perhaps, like many of our remote forefathers, polluting the creation with hu- man sacrifices. Certain it is, that in these things no material reformation was ever introduced, or attempt- ed by the philosophers of old. That men should wor- ship the gods, and perform the sacrifices, and other rites, as by law established, was the doctrine, not of Pythagoras and Epictetus only, but of Cicero, a wiser, or more learned man at least, than either, and even of Socrates himself, the wisest of them all. So that, if philosophy had been man's only guide, it is probable, nay it is more than probable, that idolatry would at this day have been his religion. 4. Revelation is yet further necessary, in order to make the whole of human duty not only knoivn but obvious to all capacities. The best heathen moralists acknowledged their ignorance in some points of duty; and whatthey knew they had notpower to enforce upon the common people, who, in ancient times, were very illiterate, having rarely access to books, whereof there were then but few in the world. Though they had possessed such power, and been all of the same mind, which was by no means the case; and though they had not been prompted, as most oi them were, by pride, vanity, or the spirit of contradiction, to intro- duce new systems, yet their labours could have but And necessary. jrr Jittle effect. Such arguments as they had to offer, the greater part of mankind could not understand. For, in fact, the common people, in general, are not capa- ble of perceiving the force of arguments, especially when the reasoning is complex, and relates to matters so remote from sense of the truths of morality and re- ligion. Of this some ancient lavVgivers, as Minos of Crete, and Numa of Rome were so sensible, that they thought it prudent to ascribe to their institutions a di- vine original, pretending that they received them from the godsi I do not mean to say, that the doctrines of the phi- losophers, particularly ot Socrates, and the better sort of Stoicks, did no good. What Socrates taught, or rather conjectured, concerning the immortality of the soul; and what both he and the Stoicks delivered, though not always clearly or consistently, with respect to the divine existence, providence, omnipresence, and omnipo- tence, was, no doubt, of use in disr/ipatingsome of those clouds of superstition and error, which then oversha- dowed the nations. But, as a system of natural reli- gion and moral duty, all ancient philosophy was very incomplete, as Socrates well knew ; nor was it accom- panied with evidence or authoiity sufficient to raise the attention, or convince the understanding of anv, except, perhaps, of a few speculative men : and even ihey were inclined, as Lactantius, Cicero, and Aristo* tie* testify, to make it a subject of declamation and dispute, and a mere ton^ue'extrcise, rather than a rule of life. Indeed, if we believe -Laertius, who, thou'^-h neither an elegant nor a judicious writer, yet deserves praise as a collector of anecdotes; nay, if we believe Cicero, to v/hose judgment more respect is due; we must also believe, that the greater part of those, v»'hom antiquity honoured with the name of philosophers, were men of loose principles and bad morals. Many of them disgraced human reason by their profligate * Lactantius, iii. 15. IG. Cicero, Tusc. quacst. ii. -J. /il^r.- l^thic. ii. 13. ^« REVELATION IS USEFUL tenets and sophistical wrangling ; and some of theme, by their impudence, buffoonery, and beastliness were a disgrace to human nature. But, even from the best of them, what was to be expected in behalf of the common people, that is, of mankind ? Socrates was the most popular, and, in all respects, the least exceptionable teacher of heathen morahtVr He taught, that is, conversed in public as well as in private; and all who choose it were per- mitted to attend him. But he never set himself up as a general reformer, nor did he pretend to more wis- dom than other men. And, as the charms of his con- versation drew the chief men of Athens around him, we may presume, that the common people, probably not very curious to know what he said, would keep at a distance. Besides, his peculiar way of reasoning, by question and answer, though as fair and satisfacto- ry as can be, is better suited to the purpose of instruct- ing a small circle of friends, conversing familiarly and at leisure, than of conveying knowledge to the com- mon people. About the common people the Stoicks gave them- selves no trouble, but seem to have considered them as little better than beasts. Some of their paradoxes would appear, from their extreme absurdity, to have been contrived on purpose to exclude the herd of man- kind from the sublime mysteries of that philosophy. And many of their tenets they wrapt up in strange language, (for they were very licentious in the use of words ;) and they so perplexed the human intellect by frivolous disputation, that their teaching could not be generally useful; nay, even to those men of learning who had made it their duty, it must have been in many particulars unintelligible. Cicero, indeed, in his book of moral duties explained the practical part of their moral philosophy, in a clear and elegant style ; andj, by so doing, enriched his native tongue with the best system of Pagan morality extant. Yet still it is an imperfect system ; and for a great part of it he was kidebted, not to the Stoicks, whom, though he fol° AND NECESSARY. S79 jowed, be did not follow as a translator, but to Plato, Aristotle, and his own good sense. Though the Stoicks had been better qualified than they were, for the office of public teachers, the people would not have greatly profited by what they taught. That external things are neither good nor evil ; and that to be stretched on a rack, or to repose on a bed of roses, are, to a wise man, matters ot equal and ab- solute indifference ; is a tenet which the generality of mankind could hardly believe, and which, if they did believe it, was more like to do them harm than good. For from this principle it would require no profound skill in logic (and the Stoicks were deep logicians) to infer, that, by robbing a wise man of his money, cutting off his leg or arm, stealing his child, or mur- dering his friend, they only took that from him on which he set no value. That men ought to be resign- ed to the divine will, but that, when any thing vexed them, they had an undoubted right to make away with themselves, after the example of Zeno, who in a pet hanged himself, because he had hurt his finger*; would, to a man of plain sense, appear neither very consistent doctrine, nor very beneficial. That the Deity is superior to fate, and that fate is superior to the Deity, is not more consistent ; and that the world is God, or at least his body or substance, is an aphor- ism that throws no great light on the first principles ot theology. That the soul is immortal, is affirmed by Seneca; who also affirms that death is nothing, and reduces every thing to nothing, and that the tranquil- ity of the dead is the same with that of those who are not bornf. That at death we return to the elements whence we came, and lose all personal existence ; that there is no future punishment or reward, and that it is no matter whether there be any or not ; are doctrines of the same school, alike unfriendly to happiness and to virtue. That pity is unworthy of a wise man, is a strange lesson to inculcate on beings so frail as we are. ^ Diogenes Laertius. f Deo Consolat. ad Txlarc. cap. 19. S8G REVELATION IS USEFUL who stand so much in need of the compassion and kindness of one another : yet this was taught by the followers of Zeno. And that human souls are part of the divine essence, and that a man may become equal and in some respects superior to the Deity : — Is this audacious and impious tenet likely to have any other effect, than to cherish pride and presumption so ex- travagant, as to harden the heart against every amiable affection, and make the understanding equally impa- tient to hear, and incapable to receive, the dictates of true wisdom o^ In fact, notwithstanding the morals of some of them which I am not anxious to find fault with, and the beauty of many of their sentiments, which I readily acknovt^ledge, I am in doubt, whether, as teachers of the common people, they would not have been as blind guides, as even the Epicureans themselves. The doc- trines of the latter were downright atheism : and those of the former plainly lead to it; as indeed every form of false pliijosophy must do, that teaches men to think and speak irreverently of the Supreme Being, and tQ deny a future state of retribution. Of the Stoicks^ therefore, Milton, who knew them well, spoke neithei: rashly nor too severely, when he said j Alas l what can they teach, and not mislead, Ignorant of themselves, of God much more ? Much of the soul they talk, but all awry ; And in themselves seek virtue, and to themselve;j All glory arrogate, to God give none, Paradise Regained* But, when the fullness of the time was come, the Teacher of the Poor did at least appear: not, like the Stoic, proud, hard-hearted, and disputatious ; but^ jike the Son of God, meek and unaffected, compas- sionate and lowly, divinely benevolent and divinely wise. * Go,' said he, to two of John's disciples, who had come to ask whether he was the Messiah, ' Go ^ your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and AND NECESSARY. 38! * heard; how that the Wind see, the lame walk, the le- *pers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, * and good tidings are preached to the poor.' All this had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah ; and in Jesus the prophecy was fulfilled. And his doctrine was dis- tinguished from that of all other teachers, not only by its intrinsic excellence, and by those mighty works that bore testimony to its truth, but alio by its being in so peculiar a manner addressed to the poor, and suited to their capacity, and consequently to that of all the rest of mankind. His birth was announced, not to the great ones of the earth, but to shepherds. On poverty of spirit, or lowliness of mind, which is indeed the foun- dation of the ChristicUi character, he pronounced particu- lar benediction : his servants he chose from among the poor; and, by the establishment of a church, he pro- vided a perpetual succession of ministers, who should preach the gospel to the poor, and to ail other ranks of men to the end of the world. In consequence of this most gracious dispensation, the meanest of the Chris- tian people, if it is not their own fault, may, in all ordi* nary cases, learn juster notions of virtue and vice, of God and man, of Providence and a future state, than the most learned philosopher could ever attain in the days of paganism. Can these facts be denied? And in him who admits them is it possible that any doubt should remain, concerning the usefulness of divine revelation, or the infinite importance of that which is brought to light by the gospel? Let not the infidel pretend, that human reason is alone sufficient to discover the whole of man's duty, and establish in the world a cpmplete or comfortable system of natural religion. For it is certain, that, even in the most polite nations, unassisted reason never did this, and, in the opinion of Socrates, never could. And of barbarous nations it will not be said, that their reasoii ever made important discoveries of any kind. And it deserves particular notice, that what our infidels call patural religion is in a great measure, as Rousseau him- self acknowledges, derived from that ^'cry scripture. 382 REVELATIONT IS USEFUL which they absurdly and wickedly reject. I do not mean, that their ideas on this subject are acquired by an actual perusal of holy writ. In this study it is to be feared, that few or none of them ever made great profi- ciency. Those ideas they derive from impressions made on their minds in infcincy and early youth ; when, to- gether with the humility and candour, it is probable they also had, what ever}^ Christian must have, the teachableness of little children. The writings too, and the conversation of Christians, to which, in these parts of the world, they must sometimes attend, may convey to them principles which they admit as rational, though perhaps they might be inclined to overlook, if they knew them to be scriptural. If revelation be so highly important, it is most suit- able to the wisdom and mercy of God to bestow it; and some persons even of the heathen, particularly So- crates, were not without hope, that one time or other it would be bestowed. So far was that great man from asserting the sufficiency of his knowledge, with re- spect either to divine or to human things, that though by no means a sceptic, he used through excess of mo- desty to say, that he knew nothing but his own igno- rance. He taught, that the gods grant extraordinary communications of wisdom to those to whom they are propitious : and recommended it to his friends to have recourse to oracles, and other religious rites, in order to obtain from heaven such necessary or useful informa- tion as human reason was not of itself able to supply.* Indeed the oracles, divinations, and auguries, so much attended to by the pagan world, prove, as already hint- ed, their consciousness of their own ignorance, and of the need that mankind have of supernatural illumina- tion. Of their oracles we know little, and can affirm no- thing but what partakes more or less of conjecture. That they were the contrivance of priest-craft, has been said, and may in part be true. It has also been said, * Xenoph. Memorab. lib. 1 AND NECESSARY. 385 that demons had a concern in them ; and this no con- siderate person will affirm to be impossible. Perhaps they may have been permitted by Providence to keep up in the minds of men a sense of the insufficiency of human reason, and to make diem think, as Socrates did, that divine revelation was, at least, a desirable thing. This is certain, that Socrates had fliith in them; thai, though some of their answers might easily be account- ed for, others are rather extraordinary ; that Providence did, for a time, permit them; and that, soon after the great revelation took place, they became universally si- lent. These facts deserve the attention of those who reject the gospel. But, however desirable revelation may be, and how- ever beneficial, w^e must not have the presumption to think that the Deity is obliged to bestow it. For this we have no better reason than to suppose that he was obliged to create man at first; or that he is under any necessary determination, arising from the perfection of his nature, to make men archangels, or to make all men equal in rank or sagacity. His dispensations of bene- volence and grace are all gratuitous. We have no- thing but what we have received from him, and what he might have with-held, w^ithout any imputation on his goodness, or any diminution of his eternal and unalter- able felicity. Nor is it possible for us to judge how far it may be consistent with the views of his Providence, to make this revelation universal. Its good eftects may be so, though it is not universally known : for it teaches, that persons wdio lived long before our Lord appeared on earth, and who never heard of his name, may be sa\ cd by his merits. This being admitted, no conclusion unfavourable to Christianity can be drawn from the circumstance of its being known in some parts only of the world, and not known till four thousand years after the creation. For if it had been known one thousand, or three thousand years sooner, a captious mind might still ask, why it was not earlier, and coeval with mankind, or at least with 384 REVELATION IS USEFUL the fall. Whatever concerns man must have a begin- ning; and that Being who governs the universe, who alone perfectly knows his own counselsj and who sees at once tlie past, the present, and the future, can alone determine when any particular dispensation of Provi- dence ought to begin; how quick or how slow it ought to be in its progress; and when it is to be completed. Many discoveries, beneficial to mankind, have been made in modern times. How absurd would it be to sup- pose the recency of a discovery an argument against its usefulness ; or against the goodness of God in giv- ing man the power of making it now, rather than at an earlier period ! Every thing here is progressive. If at once, and in the beginnings man had received all the good things that a gracious Creator had destined for him, this life could not have been a state of probation; and Ave, having no desires ungratified^ no faculties un- improved, and nothing further to hope or to fear, must ha^'c been equally incapable of activity and happiness. CHAPTER H. THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. JL HE gospel history being conveyed to us in writing; the only possible way in which it could be safely con- veyed through the long succession of seventeen hun- dred years, its evidences must, in part, depend on hu- man testimony. In some respects, however, they are peculiar, and differ from those of other histories. No circumstance of the life of Julius Caesar; the battle of Pharsalia for example, the destruction of the Nervii, or the invasion of Britain ; is alluded to, so far as I know, in any writing previous to the birth of that commander : but many of the facts recorded in the gospel, though seemingly of far less magnitude, bear a striking resem- blance to the events foretold by Jewish prophets, who lived several hundred vears before the birth of Christ. THE Gospel history is true. asa ^" The particulars of Caesar's life, the speeches he made, and the great transactions he was engaged in, made no material alteration, except, perhaps, to the worse, in the manners and sentiments of mankind. But the things that were done, and the doctrines tfiat were taught, by the supposed son of a carpenter of Judea, and by some fishermen his friends, produced a most important change forthe better, in human sentiments and manners; achange diffused through many nations, and of which we at this day see and feel tiae consequences. The evidences of the gospel, therefore, are to be treat- ed somewhat differently from those of other historical records. I shall first consider it, merely as a portion of ancient history. Secondly, I shall speak of it as the ac- complishment of certain prophecies. And I shall af- terwards inquire, w^hether it may not be further con- firmed, by the peculiar excellency of the knowledge we derive from it, as well as by the extraordinary changes introduced by it into the system of human affairs. SECTION I. The Gospel considered as a portion of ancient history^ x\Sa short preface to what I have to say on the evi- dence of the gospel, considered as a portion of ancient history, it may be proper to set down the follow^inp* re- marks on testimony. It is natural for man to speak as he thinks ; and it is easy too, like walking forw^ard. One may walk back- waixls or sideways ; but it is uneasy, and a sort of force upon nature : and the same thing is true of speaking or declaring what is contrary to one's belief. At least this is the general rule. Long practice in falsehood, or in walking sideways or backward, may, no doubt, render it easy; but it requires long practice to make it so. We naturally believe what others tell us. We trust VOL. ir, 3 c ^ 86 tHE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE the word of a man of whose honesty we have had ex- perienee; but we also credit testimony previous to ex- perience : for children, w^ho have least experience, are most credulous. It is from having experienced the dishonesty of men, and the motives that tempt them to falsify, that we come to distrust, or disbelieve what they say. In general, when we doubt a man's word, we have always one or other of these four reasons for it : w^e think, that what he says is incredible or improbable; or that there is some temptation or motive which inclines him in the present case to violate truth; or that he is not a competent judge of the matter wherein he gives testimony ; or perhaps, we doubt his veracity now, be- cause we have known him to be a deceiver formerly. If we have no reason to distrust his integrity ; if we think him a competent judge of that which he affirms ; if we know of no motive of vanity or interest that might incline him to falsify ; and if he affirm nothing but what is credible and probable ; we shall without scru- ple acquiesce in his declaration. Our faith in testimony often rises to absolute certain- ty. That there are such towns as Constantinople and Symrna, and such countries as Asia, Africa, and Eu- rope ; that Caesar and Hannibal were real men, and great commanders, the one a Roman, the other a Car- thaginian ; that William of Normandy conquered Eng- land; and that Charles I. was beheaded, &c. every person, who knows any thing of history, accounts him- self absolutely certain. For the testimonies that confirm these, and the like truths, are so many, so various, and so consistent, that we justly think it impossible they should be fictitious. When a number of persons, not acting in concert, having no interest to conceal what is true, or affirm w hat is false, and competent judges of what they testi- tify, concur in making the same report, it would be thou8:ht madness to disbelieve them. Even when three, or when two witnesses, separately examined, and ^vha feiave had no opportunity to contrive a plan before hand. THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE 3«r agree in their declaration, we believe them, thour^h vv^e have had no experience of their veracity; because vvq know, that in such a case, their testimonies would not be uniform, if they were not true. — In this way, men have judged in all ages; and upon this principle, the most important questions relating to life and property are decided: and of such decisions and judgments, the* general experience of mankind proves the utility, and the rectitude. An impossible fact, no testimony whatever, not even that of our own senses, would make us belie\ e. If 1 were to see the same individual man double, or in two places at the jsame time, I should certainly tliiiik, not that it was so, but that something was wrong in my sight, or that the appearance might be owing to some peculiarity in the medium through which I sa^v it. When a fact is possible, and still more when it is not improbable, the testimony of a stranger would incline us to believe, unless we had reason to suspect him of a design to impose upon us. Miraculous facts are not to be ranked with impossi- bilities. There was a time, \\hen the matter that com- poses my body was as vpid of life, as it will be when it shall ha\ e lain twenty years in tlve gra^^e; when the ele- mentary particles, whereof my eye is made up, could no more enable a percipient being to see, than they can now enable one to speak ; and when that ^vhieh forms the substance of this hand was as inert as a stone. Yet now, by the goodness of the Creator, the first lives, the last moves, and by means of the second I perceive light and colours. And if Almighty power can bring about ail this gmduallv, by one particular succession of causes and effects, may not the same power perform it in an instant, and by the operation of other Oiiuses to us unknown? Or will the atheist say (and none who be- lieves in God can doubt the possibility of miracles) that he himself knows every possible cause that can ope- rate in the production of any affect? Or is he certain that there is no such thins; in the univers even in the lowest degree. But I need not quit the tract of my argument, for the sake of a paradox, so contrary to the natural dictates of rationality, and which has been unanswerably confuted by Dr. Campbell in his Disser- tation on Miracles, In fact, every event admits of proof from human testimony, which it is possible for a suffi- cient number of competent witnesses to see and to hear. Some things may seem to be supernatural, which are really not so: such are the tricks of the juggler; where- of, when we are told the contrivance, we are surprised to find it so easy, and almost ashamed of having ever wondered at it. Some other things appear supernatu- ral to those only who are ignorant of their causes: and such as many facts in electricity, magnetism, and other parts of experimental philosophy. But the mighty works of our Saviour are quite of a different kind. To raise the dead to life, to cure the most violent disease by speaking a word, to w aik on the surface of a stormy sea:-— these, and many other things recorded in the gospel, are truly miraculous; and such as, to human apprehension, that powder only can per- form, which, having established the course of nature is alone able to change it. Of this sort of miracles tlie author of our religion not only wrought many, but also imparted to his apos- tles the power of doing the same. And, what was still more wonderful, if any thing could be more so, he him- self, after having been crucified, in the presence of a great multitude, and pierced with a lance, and found to be dead, and after lying part of diree days in the grave, arose to life, reanimated that body which had been man- gled on the cross, passed forty days on earth after his resurrection, during which time he frequently convers- ed with his disciples, and at last, in open day, and while he was speaking to them, visibly ascended from the earth till a cloud received him out of their sight. These mi- racles transcend all power but what is divine. So that, if we admit the gospel history to be true, wc must be- Jieve, be) ond a possibility of doubt, that our Lord was, ivhat he declared himself to be, a person invested with 390 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. divine j)ower, and employed in a divine mission. The truth of the history maybe proved from many consid- erations. It might be proved from the existence, and singular nature of the religion of Jesus. On the supposition that the gospel is true, the peculiar character of thiB religion, its. present state, and the various revolutions it has un- dergone, may be easily accounted for ; on the contrary supposition, nothing in the whole compass of human ailairs is more unaccountable, than the rise and progress of Christianity. Its history may be traced from the present age up to that of the apostles. Since that pe- riod, down to these times, so many writers speak of this gospel, and concur in so many particulars concern- ing it, that there is not, perhaps any other ancient re- cord, for whose authenticity so many vouchers could be produced. And we knov/ for certain, that many intelligent persons of the primitive church, who had the best opportunities of knowing the truth of this mat- ter, and whose supreme concern it was to inquire into it, and not suffer themselves to be mistaken, believed and asserted the truth of the gospel and suffered death in coniirniation of their faith and testimony. Can any thing like this be urged in favour of Xenophon, Sallust, or Tacitus ; whose authority, notwithstanding the world is not much inclined, and in general, has no great rea- son to call in questi and on THE GOSPEL IIISTCmY IS TRUE. 595 the day of Pentecost three thousand were converted, and five thousand a few days after. — Secondly ; Peter and Paul, though for a time permitted to live, did not live in peace, but underwent cruel persecution ; and the former, if he had not by miracle escaped, would have been murdered by Ilerod, as James was: — Third- ly ; Several of the apostles, soon after the descent of the Holy Ghost, left Jerusalem, and went to preach elsewhere. — Fourthly; It may be presumed that the Christians of that age were quiet and inoffensive ; we know indeed tor certain that they were so ; and the rulers might be afraid to declare open war against them as not knowing how numerous they might be ; and dreading also, if they should drive matters to extremi- ty, the effects ot that influence, which the apostles from time to time acquired among the common people. — The most oppressive tyrants, even when armed with absolute authoritv, are not without fears of this kind : how much more timorous must a tyrannical aristocracy have been, that was destitute of mutual confidence, and over-aw^ed by the Roman power I To which I may add, fifthly, That the advice given by Gamaliel in the council, ' Refrain from these men, * and let them alone: {for if this counsel or this work * be of men, it will come to noujjht : but if k be ot * God, ye cannot overthrow it ;) lest haply ye be found * even to fight against God : I say, this advice had great weight with them ; which indeed it deserved to have, as a better could not have been oriven. The event has proved, that Gamaliel was a wise as well as a pious man : and what was thus so seasonably spoken to the first enemies of the gospel, may with equal propriety, be addressed to them who oppose it in these latter dayb. In ancient writings, as there is nothing to invalidate the gospel history, so there are several testimonies to confirm it. I'hat Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was the founder of the sect of Christians is attested by Tacitus, and admitted, I think, by all writers on the subject. Facts recorded in the New-Testameutj 3«6 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. concerning Herod, Pilate, Festus, and Felix, are men- tioned by J osepbus,and in the Jewish Talmud. And the new star that shone on the nativity, the earthquake and preternatural darkness that accompanied the crucifix- ion, and the massacre of the innocents by Herod, are with some reason supposed to have been mentioned by Pagan authors, as well as by the evangelists*. This, however, is not affirmed as certain; nor does any ma- terial part of the evidence depend upon it. It is true, that the Roman writers of that time, both historians and philosophers, seem to have been very ignorant of our Saviour*s history and doctrine, and to have had no curiosity to know either. Is this wonder- ful? It will not appear so to him who considers the distance of Judea from Rome, and the state of navi- gation in those days ; the contemptuous opinion which the Romans, the masters of the world entertained, both of the national character, and the religion of the Jews; the proud spirit of the heathen philosophy, so direptly repugnant to that humble and docile disposi- tion, which is required of every disciple of Christ: the extreme dissimilitude between a practical religion, whose sole aim is to purify the soul, and prepare it for heaven, and a philosophy framed chiefly for the pur- pose of- dispute and rhetorical declamation ; the mean condition, and unassuming manners, of the publish- ers of the gospel, so unlike the pomp and pedantry of the Epicureans and the Stoicks : and above all, per- haps, that crucifixion, which the author of Christian- ity was known to have undergone, and which his fol- lowers avowed and gloried in; but which, according to the modes of thinking that then universally prevail- ed through all the rest of the Roman empire, as well as in Judea, was a death of so much ignominy, that no person was thought likely to suffer it, who had, or deserved to have, any reputation in the world. He who considers these things; and who knows the state * See Grotius de ver. rel. Christ, lib. III. I4. and Macrob, Sat lib. II. 4c THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. Q97 of learning at that time, the characters of those who were reputed learned, and the real nature of the Chris- tian religion, may, indeed, wonder to hear that so ma- ny were converted to the faith; but will not wonder to find, that neither Seneca nor Epictetus, the elder nor the younger Pliny, Tacitus nor Marcus Aurelius were amon^ the number. See this matter illustrated, with great precision and elegance, in the fourth chap- ter of Disquisitions (by Sir David Dalrymple) concern- ing the antiquities of the Christian church*. Some of the first Christians, whose writings are still extantj speak of the gospels as the work of those evan- gelists whose name they bear. And they had good op- portunities of information in this particular, as well as of comparing the gospel history with the most authen- tic traditions concerning the persons and events there- in recorded: Origen, who was born in the second cen- tury, being contemporary with Ireneus, who was the disciple of Polycarp, who had been the disciple of the apostle John, and personally acquainted with others of the early Christians. Is it to be imagined, that those tnen would not be inquisitive about the truth of a re- ligion, for which they had ground to believe, that they were likely to suffer persecution and martyrdom ? Jf we suppose ourselves in their situation, with the same alarming view before us, and with the same means of knowledge they had, we shall see that it is not possi- ble for a man of common understanding to do, and to suflfer what they did and sufl^ered, unless he firmly be- lieve the doctrine he maintains, and know that he has good reason to believe it. To all this we may add, that the Epistles, which are of the same age with the historical part of the New- Testament, appear evidently to have been written by men who were in earnest in what they wrote, and to be adapted to real occurrences and circumstances of the times. The style, too, of the gospel bears intrinsic evidence * See also Bishop Porteus's sermons, ser. x. 398 THE GOSPEL lllSTORY IS TRUi.. of Its truth. We find here no appearance of artifice or of party-spirit; no attempts to exaggerate on the one hand, or depreciate on the other; no remarks thrown in to anticipate objections ; nothing of that caution, which never fails to distinguish the testimony of those who are conscious of imposture; no endea- vour to reconcile the reader's mind to what may be ex- traordinary in the narrative: all is fair, candid, and simple; the historians make no reflections of their own, but confine themselves to matter of fact, that is, to what they heard and saw ; and honestly record their own mistakes and faults, as well as the other particu- lars of the storv. For a more full display of some of these arguments, as well as for other things that might be mentioned on this head, the reader, till he have leisure to peruse more volumnious writings, may consult Addison's short, but elegant Treatise of the Christian religion. Whence it will appear, that the gospel history is, at least, as well vouched as any other of that time; and that w^e have as good reason to believe what the New-Testament re- cords of the birth, life, miracles, death, and doctrine of Christ, as to believe the battle of Cannae, the as- sassination of Julius Caesar, or any other ancient fact. Nay, we have still extant among us two visible proofs, not hitherto mentioned, of the truth of the gospel, I mean the two Sacraments ; wdiich are known to have been in the Christian church from the beginning, and the origin of which it would not be easy to account for, on the supposition that the gospel is not true. These institutions, beside other excellent purposes which they serve, will continue to bear testimony to the truth of our religion, to the end of the world. If it be said, that the apostles might have invented what they record of these institutions, as well as other particulars ot the history ; I shall only answer at pre- sent, (for their veracity will be considered hereafter) that two simple rites, which can afford no gratification to avarice, ambition, or sensuality, and whose chief end is to promote humility, piety, and purity of heart;; THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 399 could hardly have been the contrivance of men, who had determined, as those who reject their testimony must believe, to live and die impostors and hypocrites. For the institution of these rites is a matter in whicii they could not have been imposed on. They could not have fancied, that they had received a commission to baptize the nations, if they had received no such commission: they could not have believed that they were present at the celebration of the first supper, if they had not been present. But are not those parts of the Roman story, above alluded to, more probable in themselves, than the gos- pel history? are not the former agreeable to the com- mon course of human affairs : and is not the latter a recital of events, whereof many are extraordinary, and unlike any thing we have ever seen ? Permit me to ask in return, whether if mankind were told, and prevailed on to believe, that a revelation of the Di- vine will was to be made from heaven, it would not be natural for them to expect something extraordinary? Would they not have reason to say, * God's thoughts * are not our thoughts, neither are our ways his ways? ' As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his * ways higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our * thoughts. This revelation, being a supernatural thing, * will probably, nay, must certainly, be attended with ' supernatural circumstances.' In fact, the gospel his- tory, considered as the account of a divine revelation, is not less probable, than the Roman story considered as a narrative of the works of men. From what we know of the weakness, wickedness, and other pecu- liarities of the human character, we admit the proba- bility of what is recorded concerning Hannibal and Caesar : and from what we know, with equal certainty, of the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, we ad- mit the probability of the sacred history. To our bo- dily eyes the Divine Essence, and the human soul arc equally invisible: the nature of both we discover in fheir works; from which it is not more evident, that 4Q0 THE pOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. man is wicked and weak, than that God is wise, al- mighty, and good. Had there been nothing extraordinary in the life and doctrine of Jesus, it would have supplied an argument of no little weight against his divine mission. This man, it might have been objected, gives out, that he is sent of God, tliat he speaks by inspiration, and that his works are the works of divine power. And yet he does and says nothing but what an ordinary man might say and do; nor has any thing ever happened to him beyond the common occurrences of life. Why then should we believe, that either his wisdom or his power is superior to that of other men ? To this ob- jection, had it been founded in fact, it would not, I ap- prehend have been easy to frame an answer. The su- pernatural events, therefore, recorded in the gospel, unless they could be proved to be either unworthy of God, or impossible to themselves, (which no person will ever affirm who knows what they are,) will be found to add to its credibility , and that in the same proportion nearly, in which supernatural events, relat- ed of an ordinary man, would take away from the cre- dit of the historian who should relate them. The probability, that the gospel may be true, is also inferred from the utter improbability it should be false. Itis,aswill bemore particularly remarked inthesequel, like nothing of human contrivance. The perfection of its morality transcends the best efforts of human wisdom: the character of its Founder is far superior to that of a mere man: and it will not be said, that his apostles can be compared to any other fishermen, or any other teachers, that ever were heard of. The views, displayed in the gospel, of the divine dispensa- tions with respect to the human race, are such as, be- fore the commencement of our Saviour's ministry, had never entered into the mind of man. To believe all this to be a mere human fable, requires a degree ot cre- dulity, which, in the ordinary affairs of life, would do a man little credit: it is like believing, that a first-rate THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 40t ship of war might have been the t\'ork and the inven- tion of a child. Had the apostles intended an imposture, there would not have been so many of them. Of twelve persons employed in promulgating a fable, and wandering with that purpose into different parts of the earth, it is not to be expected that, in defiance of persecution and death, all would, to the end, persevere in the same de- claration. But all the apostles did persevere. One in- deed was a traitor: — ^and what became of him? At a time when from man, he had every thing to hope, and nothing to fear; his master being condemned, his for- mer associates dispersed and terrified, and himself pa- tronized by the Jewish rulers ; this traitor was seized with remorse, confessed that he had betrayed innocent blood, returned the wages of iniquity to those from whom he had received it, and in despair ' departed, and * went and hanj^ed himself.' All this is natural and probable, on the supposition that the gospel is true ; on the contrary supposition, it is incredible and impo^j- sible. SECTION IL THE SUBJECT C0NTINUEI5* Of the argument from prophecy. ^Mi^ JL HE gospel history is, in many particulars, an ac- complishment of certain prophecies, preserved as sa- cred by the Jews themselves, and committed to writ- ing several hundred years before our Saviour was born. That prophecy is possible, must be admitted b} all who admit the possibility of other miracles, that is, by all who acknowledge the power and omniscience of the Deity. And that, in former times, and previously to the last and great manifestation of divine truth, pro- phecy and other miracles might have been expedient or VOL, ii; 3 e m THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. necessar}% though now they are so no longer, it would be very presumptuous to deny. In the history of the Old Testament, it appears, that, Irom the earliest ages, an expectation had prevailed^ among the Jews and their forefathers, that an extraor- dinary person, called by some of the prophets, the Mes- siah, that is, the Anointed, or the Christ, would at one time or other appear on earth, and bring about a very important change in the condition of the Jews, and of all other nations. The ancient prophecies that seem to relate to this person, when taken separately, may, to a superficial view, appear to have less signifi- cancy, than Christians ascribe to them. But he, who compares them together, and observes, how they refer to, and illustrate, and often imitate the language, and sometimes copy the words of one another, will be struck with their consistency and connection ; and astonished to find so many of them, notwithstanding the variety and apparent incongruity of the circumstances foretold, so exacdy fulfilled in the history of the birth, life, death, and religion, of Jesus of Nazareth. Soon after the fall, it was foretold, of this Great per- son*, that he should be, in a peculiar sense, the son of a woman; that, from the malignity of the devil, he should be a sufferer, but that he should bring destruc- tion on that evil spirit. Two thousand years after, it was foretold to Abraham, that this person should be of the posterity of Isaac, and a blessing to all nations ; and it was afterwards predicted, that he should be of the tribe of Judah, and family of David, and be bora of a virgin in the tov/n of Bethlehem. It was foretold, by the patriarch Israel, that till he should comt^, the Jewish government would not be subverted; and by the prophet Daniel the exact time of his death is fore- told, as Mr. Ferguson has proved in the most satisfac- tory manner. It was foretold, that this Messiah, this triumphant Prince and Saviour, should die a violenc death, as a malefactor, not for any sin of his own, but * Genesis III. 15. Gerard's Sermons, 4. 5. d,. THE GOSPEL HISTORV IS TRUE. 40S far the sins of mankind ; and that soon after his death the city and temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed: ])ut notwithstanding his ignominious death, it was fore- told that his dominion should be over all nations, and without end, that he should speak peace to the heathen, and introduce a new dispensation of things, tending to, and terminating in, peace and happiness eternal. It was foretold, that he should preach good tidings to the poor, and perform many miracles for the allevia- tion of human infirmity; particularly, tliat he should give sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and the perfect use of their limbs to the lame. It was foretold, that he should be sold for thirty pieces of silver, and that with this money a potter's field should be bought; that he should be scourged, buffeted, and spit upon ; that he should be meek and silent before his accusers; that his hands and feet should be pierced, but that his bones should not be broken; that gall and vinegar should be offered him to drink ; that lots should be cast for his garments; that he should be buried in a rich man's sepulchre; and that he should rise again without seeing corruption. How far these predictions were verified in Jesus, no person needs be informed who has read the New-Testament. And in him alone they were verified, and in no other man that ever ap- peared on the earth. But are all these predictions applied with equal plain- ness by the prophets to the Messiah? They are not : some are more explicit and positive, others only insinuated. And if we had no other evidence of the truth of our religion, I grant that this would be defective. But, when we take a general view of the Old and New- Tes- taments, and observe, that the one is, as it were, a com- pletion of the other: and that the revekitions recorded in both, though consisting of many parts, and deliver- ed by different authors, and in different ages, have the same tendency, and the most perfect unity of design:-— Avhenwe reflect that these prophecies would mean no- thing, if they were not fulfilled in Jesus, but that, as fulfilled m him, they have a most important meaning; iQ4 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. and that the prophets, who uttered them, predicted sev- eral other things, that have come to pass, particularly concerning Tyre and Egypt, Cyrus and Babylon, and the state of the Jews, after their dispersion by the Ro- mans : — and, v/hich is still more to the present purpose, when we find our Saviour, and his apostles, whose ve- racity and supernatural knowledge we can prove by other evidence^ appealing to these prophecies, and there- by justifying their doctrine and conduct, and thereby often silencing and converting Jews, who had studied the prophets, and acknowledged their authenticity :-— in a word, when we join this to the other proofs of our religion, we become sensible, that the argument from prophecy has a force in it, which cannot fail to make a strong impression on every candid and considerate mind. But let not the adversary triumph, though to him this . argument should not appear satisfactory : for the truth of our religion might be proved, though we were to omit this part of the evidence. Yet this has its use, in confirming the faith of the inquisitive Christian: and this has iDcen singularly useful, in the conversion of the modern infidel, as well as of the ancient Jew. See Bishop Burnet's account of the death of the Earl of Rochester. The better sort of the ancient philosophers admitted, that certain offices of good- will were due to all men. But universal benevolence, or a desire to promote the virtue and happiness of all men, seems not to have been prevalent either among them, or among the Jews. Love to one's country, is celebrated by the Greek and Ro- man writers, as a sublime virtue : but it was such a love, as prompted men to nothing more, than to take care of the interests of their own community, with lit- tle or no concern for those of other nations. In this re- spect, the Jews were as narrow-minded as any people could be : they despised and hated all other nations ; although the morality of Moses and the prophets ought to have given them a more liberal way of thinking. Into the mind of a Jew, therefore, how could it enter, except by supernatural means, that the promised Prince and THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUK. 40.5 Messiah, from whom so many great things were ex- pected in behalf of the Jewish nation, should also be a * light to lighten the Gentiles;' and that the influence of his power and benignity, as the deliverer of mankind, should be universal and eternal ? This magnificent idea is familiar to us, because we derive it from Holy Writ; but how remote it must have been from the minds of men lu^aided by revelation, may appear from this, that there is no trace of it in any pagan author ;•— except, perhaps, in the fourth eclogue of Virgil ; and that po- em is generally thought to have been composed from some fragments of ancient prophecy, probably of Isaiah, which had come, we know not how, into the hands of the great Roman poet. Of several other prophecies it would not be difficult to show, that, considering the opinions and temper of the Jews, they are wholly unaccountable, unless we suppose them to have been the dictates of inspiration. Such is that memorable one of Zechariah, afterwards literally fulfilled in all its parts : ' Rejoice greatly, O ' daughter of Zion ; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem : ' behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and ' having salvation ; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and * upon a colt, the foal of an ass.' Was this likely to happen ? Was it thus, that kings and conquerors used to enter their capital cities? Was it with this humble equipage that the Jews expected their glorious and tri- umphant Messiah w^ould appear ? Yet thus he did ap- pear ; infinitely more triumphant and glorious, than if he had been what they expected. Before I leave the subject of prophecy, let me sub- join a remiu'k, which is perhaps, too early introduced, but which, when tlie veracity of the apostles shall have been evinced from other topics, will be found to have great weight in the argument. It is, that there are also, in the New-Testament, predictions, which have been plainly accomplished. Such is our Lord's prophecy, that he should be betrayed, delivered to the Gentiles, insulted and crucified, and should rise from the dead on the third day : events, which fell out accordingly ; 406 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. but of which, at the time he foretold them, one seemefl to be impossible, and the others very improbable. And such is that, which he so particularly delivered con- cerning Peter's momentary apostacy ; a circumstance which, considering the zeal, the generosity, and the in- trepidity of that apostle, was most unlikely, and which Peter himself, notwithstanding his A^eneration for his master, did not believe to be possible, till he found it had happened. I may add, that Peter's exemplary pen- itence, and subsequent conduct, when viewed in 4 connection with the peculiarity of his character, form a striking proof, that his faith was equally well-founded and sincere, and that he * knew in whom he believed.' Those other predictions, that have been supposed to allude to the church of Rome, or to the Mahometan im- posture, I do not touch upon ; because the world has not yet perhaps seen their completion. But that of the destruction of Jerusalem must not be overlooked ; as it was so soon, and in so signal a manner verified ; and as it related to an event, which, when our Saviour fore- told it, the Jews being then at peace witl;i the Romans, and apparently reconciled to their yoke, no human wis- dom could have foreseen. So great is the resemblance between this prophecy and the calamities that followed, as these are recorded by Flavins Josephus, who had the best opportunities of information, being himself present at the siege ; so like, I say, is the prediction to the event, that one would not be surprised, if the infidel were to suspect, that the event must have been prior to the prediction. But it is somewhat remarkable, that Matthew, Mark, and Luke, who have recorded this prophecy, died before the destruction of Jerusalem, and that John, who survived it, has not recorded the prophecy. I shall first set down some parts of this prophecy, introduced with a prediction of Daniel ; and secondly, I shall quote some passages from Josephus, and one sentence from Tacitus, relating to the events whereby those predictions seem plainly to have been accorn-^ plished. THE GOSPEL HIS'IORY IS TRUE. 407 * After threescore and two weeks,' says Daniel, * Messiah shall be cut off, — and the people of the prince ' that shall come, shall destroy the city and sanctuary ; * and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the * end of the war desolations are determined.' ' Seest thou these great buildings,' says our Saviour, speaking of the temple ? * There shall not be left one * stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ' The days shall come upon thee, (O Jerusalem) when * thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and keep * thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the * ground, and shall not leave thee one stone upon ano- * ther.— And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, * and famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights ; and ' great signs shall there be from heaven. — There shall * be great tribulation, such as never happened from the ' beginning of the world, to this time. — They shall fall * by the edge of the sword, and shall be led av. ay cap- ^ tive into all nations : and Jerusalem shall be trodden ' down of the Gentiles. — This generation shall not pass, * till all these things be fulfilled.' The reader may compare this prophecy, with the fol- lowing extracts ; the fifth of which is from Tacitus, the rest from Josephus. 1. ' Titus commanded his soldiers to dig up the ' foundations of both the city and the temple.' 2. ' Vespasian's army compassed the city round ' about with a wall of thirty-nine furlongs, having on ' it thirteen towers, and kept them in on every side ; ' and so made it impossible for the Sew^ within the city * to escape.' 3. ' Titus having commanded his soldiers to dig up * the city, this was so completely done, by levelling * the whole compass of it, except three towers, that * they who came to see it w^ere persuaded it could never * be built again.' 4. ' In the times of Claudius and Nero,' (a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem,) * there happened ' in Judea a prodigious tempest, and \'ehement winds ^ with rain, and dreadful lightning, and thunder, and * roarings of the trembling earth,' 4.08 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE.^ 5. * Armies seemed to encounter, and weapons to glitter in the sky ; the temple seemed to blaze with fire issuing from tlie clouds ; and a voice, more than human, was heard, declaring that the deities were quitting the place, which was attended with the sound of a great motion, as of persons going away. 6. ' The great gate of the temple, (which twenty men could scarcely shut, and which was secured by bolts and bars,) ' was seen to open of its own accord: a sword appeared hanging over the city : a comet was seen pointing down upon it for a whole year to- gether. Before the sun went down, there appeared armies in battle-array, and chariots compassing the country, and investing the cities : a thing so strange, that it would pass for a fable, were there not living men to attest it. 7. ' Never was anv nation more wicked, nor ever did a city suffer as they did. — All the miseries that mankind had suffered from the beginning of the world were not to be compared with those that the Jewish nation did then suffer. The number of captives was ninety seven thousand. Titus sent many to Egypt, and most of them he dispersed into the Roman pro- vinces*.' In Jerusalem, during the seige, there perished by fa- mine, disease, and the sword, six hundred thousand, according to Suetonius ; eleven hundred thousand, ac- j cording to Josephus and Jornandes. And not long af- ter, a general persecution of the Jews took place through- out the Roman empire. — All these things came to pass within the space of forty years after the death of our Saviour ; so that the generation, which v/as on earth when he uttered this memorable prophecy, had not passed away, when it was in all its parts accomplished. This extraordinary revolution has had consequences not less extraordinary. Ever since the period T speak of, the Jews have been dispersed through all nations, * See Whilby quoted by West, in his Observations on the his- tory and evidences of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; p. 380. edit. 5. THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE* 4ioa without obtaining a rct^ular establishment in any; have been generally despised wherever they w ent ; huve been without a king, without a prince, and without a sacri- fice : and yet have not lost dieir religion, nor been in- corporated w^ith the Gentiles among v\ horn they v.an- der ; but still remain a distinct people. Has such been the fate of any other niition ? Could this, then, ha^e been foreseen or fore told, except by supernatural means? Yet of them this was foretold by Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Moses, indeed the whole history of this people, before their dispersion by Titus, and since^ bears irrefragable testimony to the truth of both the C»id Testament and the New. See Addison's remcu^cs on it, in the four hundred and ninety-fifth paper of the Spectator^'. -^So much for prophecy. The argument ari.^nig from the excellency, and singular nature, of tiie Christian doctrine, will be considered bv and bv* SECTION IIL THE SUBJECT CONTIN"UED* The faith of the first disciples vms the effect^ ?7ot of weakness, hut of well- 'grounded conviction. JL HE historical part of the New-Testament was writ- ten by men, who ^vere eye-witnesses of many of the facts they relate, and had the rest from the authentic information of eye- witnesses* Those men either .did jvroT BELIEVE wliat thcy wrote, or did believe it. 1. If they did not believe what they wrote, they were impostorsj and wanted to deceive the world. Now men never form a plan of that nature, unless widi a view to gain some end ; that is, to obtain some good, real or imaginary. For it is inconceivable, that a ratioi sal beiiig- should give himself the trouble to invent an imposture, * See also Butler's Analo.i^y, part II. chap. 7. VOL. ii. 3 V 410 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. and support it through life ; a work of great difficulty'^ and, in a case like that before us, of the greatest danger; in order to draw down mischief upon himself : and it is not more probable, that he should do all this by chance^ and without any purpose or intention whatever. When Psalmanazar forged his fable of the island Formosa, ©an we imagine that he had no meaning in it, or that by so doing he intended to hurt his own interest ? It is not more likely, that he hoped to make liis fortune by it? What then was the motive that could induce the apostles to deceive mankind? what fortune did they hope to make ? what good, real or imaginary, could they have in view, if they were conscious, that what they affirmed was falsehood ? Certain it is, that, when their Lord left them, they could no longer expect to advance their temporal in- terest, by adhering to his cause. On the contrary, they Were told from the first, and after his death, they knew and believed, that persecution and martyrdom would be their lot in this world ; and, as the Jewish education must have taught them that God is just and holy, they knowing themselves to be deceivers, could entertain no hope with respect to the next. And this must equal- ly have been the state of their mind, whether with the Pharisees they believed a future life, or with the Saddu- cees denied it. Surely, the certain prospect of perse- cution here, with no hope of reward, or with the appre- hension of punishment, hereafter, can never be the mo- tive that tempts men to falsify. Present gain might tempt the covetous, present power the ambitious, or present pleasure the sensual ; and a delusive hope of fu- ture pleasure or power might tempt the enthusiast.-— But, where none of these temptations existed ; and with respect to the apostles, it is certain, that none of them did or could exist ; what was there in nature, or in the human imagination, that could induce them, in support of a lie, to encounter a life of pain and poverty, perse- cution and scorn ! All the impostors that ever appeared on earth aimed at the acquisition of temporal advanta- ges^ of pleasure, wealth, or power : and indeed it is^ THE G03PEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 4.1,) liard to conceive, what other motives could induce id. rational being to become an impostor. And, with these allurements in their eye, we too often find that men can harden themselves, for a time, at least, against the ter- rors of a life to come. W ill it be said, that the apostles intended, by an im- posture, merely to distinguish themselves, and acquire fame ? This could not be their intention. All their doctrines have a tendencv to raise the mind above the present world, and make it superior to every consider- ation of that sort. The love of fame is not that uni- versal passion which Dr. Young supposes it to be.-*- They vv^ho have conversed with many people, of differ- ent conditions and characters, must have found, that the greater part of mankind have no idea of such a pas- sion. Nor is the love of distinction so strong in any breast, as to make man expose himself knowingly to perdition and infamy in order to obtain it, Let it be observed too, that the first apostles were men of mean condition, mean education, and mean employment, an^l most of them considerably advanced in years. In the minds of such men we never see the love of fame pre- dominant ; though in such minds we often see the love of a fair character prevail, which, however most men know is not to be acquired by dishonesty and false- hood. When men resolve to set an imposture on foot, the)" must have some reason to expect success in it : because a detection is in all cases dangerous, and may, in many be fatal. The juggler knows, that his audience are cred- ulous, and more willing to wonder than to inquire : he knows too, that some of them are his confederates, and that far the greater number are ready to take his part agaip.st those v>/ho by their impertinent curiosity or un- belief, may be inclined to interrupt the entertainment. Psalmanazar was in no danger of detection ; his island being little known, and at a great distance. He con- trived a probable tale ; and, to make it the more pro- bable, he did what he knew no-body would suspect him of havino- done, because no man had ever done so htn 412 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. fere,-— he invented a new language. In fact, though at first some doubted, he was never detected ; his fable obtained credit for more than half a century ; and it was his own voluntary confession, tlje eifect of sincere, though late repentance, that let the world into the secret. Now, suppose a few illiterate fishermen to contrive a new religion, different from all others ; and endeavour to obtrude it on mankind, in opposition, to the tempo- ral interests of their immediate rulers, and to all the prejudices, the passions, the power, the learning, the philosophy, and the eloquence, of an enlightened and inquisitive age ; what chance would they have to suc- ceed in the imposture ! How is it possible, that they should entertain any hope of success at all ! The thing is impossible. And therefore the apostles must have certainly known, that their religion w^as from heaven, and would be supported by supernatural means ; which actually happened to be the case. For on no other supposition can the extraordinary success of their min- istry be accounted for, A disposition to falsify and deceive, is a criminal pas- sion, that never appears single or solitary in the mind. Other evil passions never fail to accompany this ; for where the love of truth is not, virtue cannot be. But the apostles, after their conversion, w^ere patterns of every virtue ; of humility, patience, benevolence, piety, and the most amiable simplicity of manners : virtues, which never did, and never can, meet in the character of a deceiver. Lying makes a man infamous ; which it would not do, if the world did not know, by the ex- perience of all ages, that from him, v/ho is inclined to that practice, no good is to be expected.—*! may add, that the virtues above mentioned, exemplified as they uiiiformly were in all the apostles, must have been the effect, not so much of natural disposition, for the apos- tles were in other respects, of diflerent characters, as of that diviiie grace and truth, with w^hich they were equally and uniformly enlightened. The first preachers of the gospel taught men to sub- dvie all irregular desires of pleasure^ wealth and power, THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 413 and to suppress every tendency of the heart to pride, vanity, and vain-g'lory. Had they themselves been ac- tuated by such desires, or tendencies, their conduct must have behed their doctrine. But no t^vo things can be more consistent, than the doctrine and practice of the apostles: they taught uhat they practised, they prac- tised vv hat they taught; and through life, and at death, their whole behaviour was uniform. By what they taught they could never hope to make themselves popular, either in the higher or in the lower ranks of Hfe; for they flattered no human vice, but ab- solutely prohibited ail. Among the vulgar they met with no little opposition, from prejudice, want of sense, and brutal manners. From the learned, of their own, or of other countries, they could expect no indulgence ; because the religion they introduced, was, in most things, directly opposite to the spirit of pagan philoso- ph} , as well as to the tenets and temper of the Jewish sectaries. And from the Roman emperors, who in those days might be called the sovereigns of the world, what but persecution, could that man look for, who was to deny their deification, and refuse to pay them divine honours: a prerogative, whereof those proud poten- tates too well knew the value to permit it to be \^ rested from them with impunity; but which, however, was at last, though net with impunity, wrested from them, in consequence of the preaching of a few unlettered fish- ermen, from Judea. Though the apostles did not, as some enthusiast have done, provoke persecution, but exerted on all proper occasions a becoming prudence, yet self-interest can- not be said to have determined their conduct in a sin- gle instance. On the contrary, nothing is more evident, from their history and writings, than that, after the com- mencement of their ministry, the business of their lives was, to promote the glory of God, and make men superior, both to the adversities and prosperities of this life, and happy in that which is to com.e. And this they did, not by recommending, like the Stoics, an unnatu- ral and impracticable insensibility, or a stera resolution A>16> THE GOSPEL IHSTORY IS TRUE. to submit to that which cannot be resisted ; but by teacli^ ing, that the evils incident to this state of trial are all in- tended by the merciful father of mankind, as paternal admonitions, or as opportunities of calling forth and ex- ercising those virtues, which are necessary to prepare us for the enjoyment of future reward. And let it not be forgotten, that they had been educat- ed in the principles and prejudices of the Jews; a na- tion at that time universally despised, and, if we admit the testimony of their countryman Josephus, as wicked as any that ever was on the earth ; in spite of the advan- tages they ought to have derived from Moses, and their other moralists and prophets. The virtue of the Ro- man people was not in those days exemplary. Yet, when we compare their manners, as they occasionally appeal' in the sacred histor}^, with those of the Jews, how are we struck with the difference ! The Romans are indeed Pagans; but they are not destitute of that good- nature and loveof justice, which one expects to find in a civilized nation: the Jews arc seldom seen in any other character than that of bloody barbarians. Pontius Pilate avowed our Lord's inno- cence, and showed an inclination to save his life ; Gal- lio, pro -consul of Achaia acted with good sense and moderation, when Paul was brought before him* ; Clau- dius Lysias, Festus, and Felix, in their treatment of the same apostle, were not unmercifully severe; and the centurion, whose prisoner he was in his voyage to Italy, was very much attached to him. But the Jew- ish priests, scribes and elders, conspired to murder our Saviour without a trial, suborned persons to bear false witness against him, and bribed one of his followers to betray him : and the same assembly, or their success- ors in office, connived at a scheme, and of course con- curred in it, for the assassination of Paul. In a word, it appears, that the greater part, and what we call the better sort, of the Jews of that age when they had re- * See Disquisitions concerning the antiquities of tlie Christhiu phurch, chap. l# THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 415 S^Slved on any measure, would not hesitate to employ any means, however unjust, cruel, or shameful, in the accomplishment of it. That a nation so utterly prof- ligate should have, at the same time, produced twelve men of such exalted piety, generous benevolence, and morals so refined and so perfect, as Jesus Christ and his apostles, is almost as great a miracle, by the acknow- ledgment of Rousseau himself (who is not partial to the sacred writers), as any that stands on record. There must have been something extraordinary in the cause, that could in these circumstances produce chai'actcrs so transcendently excellent. Of our Lord's disciples, previously to their conver- sion, w^e know little; but this we know, that they be- came soon after preachers and patterns of righteousness. How is it possible that this should have been the effect of their engaging in an imposture? Can the continued practice of hypocrisy and lying, improve and purify the heart? The age wherein they livedo being more enlight- ened than any that had gone before it, and beyond mea- sure addicted to disputation and inquiry, was a. most unfavourable period for the introduction of any public fraud. In all that part of the world the arms of Rome had established her policy, the exactness whereof is well known: and the Greek learning, universally studied by the Romans, was likely to be carried into every country that was subject to their power. It deserves particular notice, that, till after the death of their master, the apostles were never cured of the national mistake, that the Messiah was to be a great tem- poral prince, and to make the Jews the most powerful people in the world. Accoixlingly we find, that imme- diately after his crucifixion, they were greatly discon- certed, and at a loss what to think of hiiu. ' We trust- ' ed, said they, that it had been he who should have re- * deemed Israel*.' At that time, it seems, the cross was a stumbling-block to them, as well as to others. And no wonder; considering the hopes they had form- * See the last chapter of St. Luke. 416 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. ed, and die sad disappointment, occasioned by an event, which, though he had plainly foretold it, they were so unwilling to believe, as to flatter themselves it could not happen. In this state of confusion and trouble, if they had entertained any suspicion of imposture, nay, if they had not been certain that there was no imposture, might they not, with a very good grace, and is it not probable that they would, have returned to their busi- ness and their first religion, saying, This was not the man whom we believed him to be? And, as, for rea- sons already given, nothing could have been more agree- able to their rulers, than such a declaration from such persons, it must undoubtedly have promoted their tem- poral interest. But their adherence to their Lord, and his cause, in circumstances so very extraordinary, is a proof, that they knew they did right ; and were tho- roughly satisfied, that the supernatural knowledge, which they received about this time, from himself, after his resurrection, and at the descent of the Holy Ghost^ was really from heaven. The reader will be pleased to bestow a second thought on this argument. Let us for a moment take for grant- ed, what is plainly absurd, and suppose it possible, that the apostles, during the life of their master, might have been imposed on ; that the miracles they saw him per- form were not real, but fictitious; that the divine sanc- tity of his manners was assumed, and not genuine ; and that the excellency of his doctrine, the authority that accompanied all his w^ords, and the veneration which his presence inspired, were the effect of mere human eloquence and address : yet surely his death, if it had put an end to his being, would have at last opened their eyes, and satisfied them, that he was not what he had de* clared himself to be. With this persuasion, which on the present supposition they must have had, they, in af- firming that he was risen from the dead, and in contin- uing to teach what he had taught, must have known themselves to be impostors. What then could be their motive to persist in a lie ? That which could be no mo- tive at all: the certain prospect of persecution, and THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 4ir death, for how could they ima;i;Ine It would fare bet- ter with thcfn, than it had fared with their mahter !) without any advantage whatever to counterbalance those evils. And what would have been their motives Vo return to their Jewish profession, and acknowledge they had been imposed on ? The strongest that can influence human nature : first, that indignation, which would be natural in men who liad forsaken all to fol- low a person, whom they now found to have deluded them into a very dangerous snare ; secondly, the hope of advancing their interest, by doing that which, for reasons already given, must have gratified their rulers in the highest degree : and, thirdly, the consciousness of having, as became honest men, performed a duty, which thev owed to themselves, their religion and their country. In fact, if they were endowed with any share of understanding, or of spirit, nay, if they were not both idiois and madmen, it is not possible to account for their conduct on any other supposition than this, that their testimony is true. The man must be credu- lous indeed, as well as ignorant of human nature, who can hesitate to admit this conclusion; unless he chooses to reject the New-Testament history altogether. And if he do this, let him account for the existence of the Christian religion, if he can. And let him no more pretend, that credit is due to ancient records. When we compare the four gospels with one ano- ther, we see nothing like collusion in the authors, but we may see very plain evidence that there is no collu- sion. Th^v do not all relate the same things, nor in exactly the same manner; nor does any one of their books seem intended as an apology for any other, or as a comment upon it. In the style of each there are peculiarities, more observable indeed in the original Greek tlian in any translation ; but the same unailect- ed simplicity prevails through all. Their testiinonies differ not in any thing material ; and yet they difTeras much as is usually expected in witnesses, separately examined, and giving a candid account of what they had seen and heard. A perfect co-incidence, where VOL. fi. 3 G 4I.S THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. testimonies consist of many particulars, would breed suspicion of a preconcerted plan : a few slight varia- tions, in matters of little moment, would, in most cases, impress a persuasion of the integrity of witness- es. If in this manner we judge of the veracity of on^ another, and if the common sense of mankind war- rants the judgment, and their experience, after long trial, finds no flaw in it ; why should we argue from different principles, in judging of the veracity of the evangelists ? Laying all these things together ; every person, who understands human nature, and has read the New Testament with care, and with thathumility and teach- ableness, that form, as it were, the ground-work of Christian faith, must be satisfied that the apostles were no impostors, but believed sincerely what they taught ; which, indeed, to a man of taste would appear, as ob- served already, from the simplicity and artless manner, in u'hich they tell their story, deliver their doctrine, and record their own faults, mistakes, and follies. J I. They believed what they taught, and what they recorded. And if so, ""their faith must have been the effect, either ot weakness, or of well grounded con- viction. Of weakness it could not be the effect. Such of their doctrines as are level to human capacity, appear to be agreeable to the purest truth, and the soundest moralityo All the genius and learning of the heathen "World 5 all the penetration of Pythagoras, Socrates, and Aristotle, had never been able to produce such a system of moral duty, and so rational an account of Providence, and of man, as is to be found in the New Testament. Compared, indeed, to this, all other mo- ral and theological wisdom Loses discountenanced, and like folly shows. Was the great apostle of the Gentiles a weak man ; he who spoke and wrote with such energy and address, and whose eloquence made a Roman pro-consul trem- ble r Were those weak men, who taught a system of THE GOSPEL HIS'l'ORY IS TRUE. 419 opinions, which even the sovereigns of the world, and some of the least cruel, the most learned, and the most politick of them too, thought it their interest to bear down and destroy, not with argument, in which it ■ would appear they had no confidence, but with fire and sword ? Were those weak men, who, in defiance of persecution, and in opposition to all the power, po- licy, and learning, of the Roman empire, brought in, though unarmed and defenceless, a new religion which continues to this day ; is gradually extending itself over the earth more and more ; and by the still small voice of reason, daily puts to silence, or confutes at least, its most cunning and most inveterate adversa- ries ? Were those weak men, who taught that which has given wisdom and happiness to millions of man- kind, and has, without violence, introduced into the manners and policy of a great part of the world, changes the most important and beneficial, and likely to be as durable as the world itself? Could those, in fine, be weak men, whom the most inquisitive and most enlightened minds that have been on earth since their time, whom Bacon and Grotius, whom Newton and Boyle, whom Hooker, Clarke, Butler, and Stil- Hngileet, whom Milton, Clarendon, Addison, Arbuth- not, and Lyttleton, have held in the highest venera- tion, as not only wise, but inspired ? Either, then, let the infidel admit that the publishers of Christianity were not weak men ; or let him prove, that the great persons, now mentioned, were destitute of understand- ing, or at least, in that respect, inferior to himself. In the sciences it has often happened, that, from ig- norance of nature, men of great abilities have been led into error, which accidental discovery, or more accu- rate observation, has enabled succeedinc; inquiries to rectify. But no modern discoveries invalidate in the smallest degree, the proofs of our religion. There is nothing in the philosophy of evidence, that corresponds to telescopes, or microscopes, to electricity or mag- netism, ^len judge of that matter now, as they did ibrmerly. Credible testimony, and their senses, thev 420 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. believed from the bes^innine:* and thev do so still. Xoi has it yet been found out, that any miracle recorded in the Gospel is impossible to divine power, or any doctrine there tau2:ht, unworthv of divine wisdom. Every new discovery in the visible universe, exalts, when rightlv understood, our ideas of the goodness and greatness of tht Creator, and ought, consequently, to cherish that love and fear of him, which the whole tenor of revelation commands us to cultivate- And every late improvement in criticism, and the know- ledge of antiquity, is found, when applied to the sa- cred writings, to throw light upon them, and, by so doing, to confirm the history, and recommend the doctrine. The progress of science, therefore, where- by, in so-many other respects the opinions ot the an- tients have been confuted or rectified, seems to confirm what the apostles taught concerning the religion of Jesus, by proving its permanency and unalterable na- ture. Granting then, that the modern infidel, profiting by the discoveries of latter times, miay be better intorm- ed in the sciences, than the primjitive Christians were : it will not follow that he, or that the acutest of our philosophers, can be a better judge of the leading evi- dences of Christianity. It is true, that in some things we are not so credulous, as the w^orld must have been while philosoDhv and historv were little known : and tnat ot course we are more scrupulous in the exami- nation ot some sorts of evidence. But, in regard to the miracles, whereof the apostles were eye-witnesses, which they recorded in their writings, in the belief of which they lived and died and, niost of which their enemies ot that time did not deny, they were as little liable to be imposed on, as if each of them had pos- sessed the learning of Grotius, with the penetration of Newton. For such was the nature of those miracles, that, to make an attentive spectator a competent judge of them, neither learning nor genius, was necessary ; nor any other talent or accomplishment, but a sound mind, an honest hearty and the right use of one's senses. THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 421 They saw men, whom they, and all the country knew to have been blind from their birth, made to see in an instant, without the application of any instru- ment or medicine : they saw leprosy, palsy, and other obstinate diseases, removed in the same manner, by barelv speaking a word : they saw the dead raised to Jife, yea, raised even from the grave : they saw a man's ear cut off, by the sword of Peter, and the wound im- mediatelv healed with a touch : thev saw water con- verted into wmc, in the presence or many persons, who drank of it, and were satisfied that the transfor- mation was real : they themselves were part of a mul- titude of five thousand, whose hunger was allayed, bv a few loaves and fishes, when more fragments were left, than there had been food at first : they saw their Master walk on the surface of the sea ; and they were present when, at his command, a storm was changed into a calm. By the instantaneous operation of the same divine word, they frequently saw human bodies set free from the tyranny of demons : for that God, in order to ma- nifest the supremacy of his Son over the powers of darkness, as well as over the visible universe, might, at that time, and in that country, permit evil spirits to molest mankind more than usual, will not be af- firmed to be either impossible or improbable, by those who acknowledge the possibility of revelation. Or if we suppsoe the distemper to have been no other than madness, or than epilepsy, (which, however, the gene- ral tenor of the history will hardly permit us to sup- pose,) the cure must still be allowed to be miraculous. For, to remove these diseases by speaking a word, and to expel a demon, are equally beyond the reach of human power, and equally easy to that which is divine. The apostles heard their Master foretel several events, particularly his crucifixion and resurrection, and they saw that, as well as some of his other pro- phecies, accomplished. They saw him [)ublicly cru- cified, pierced with a spear, and buried. They saw the prodigies that accompanied his last suffering ; at 422 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. jeast, they must have seen the preternatural darkness, and felt the earthquake ; and the rending of the veil of the temple they would not have mentioned, if they had not known that it was so. Three days after, ac- cording to his prediction, they saw him alive again, conversed with him, ate, and probably drank with him, felt his body to be a real material body, felt even the scars of his wounds, saw him frequently during the space of forty days; and finally, were standing by him and receiving his benediction, when in open day they saw him ascend towards heaven, following him with their eyes, till a cloud received him out of their sight. These are facts, in regard to which they could not be mistaken, though they had been the most credulous of mankind. But credulous they were not : some of them, on the contrary, seem to have been unreasonably sceptical. Indeed, if we allow them to have had com- mon understanding, which no person who knows their story will deny, we must suppose, that they would not rashly, or without full conviction engage in a cause which, in a temporal view, was likely to cost them so dear. They were, it is true, unlettered men : but the propriety of their conduct, the wisdom of their doc- trine, and the success of their ministry, are so much the clearer proofs of their inspiration. One of them, a man of learing and uncommon abil- ities, a zealous Jew, and an unrelenting persecutor of christians, in the midst of his sanguinary career, while he, * verily thought with himself,' that the cause he had engaged in w^as acceptable to God, and beneficial to his country ; — while, by adhering to it, he seemed to have every thing to hope that could gratify his ambi- tion, and while, by revolting from it, in the way he did, he had every temporal inconvenience to fear, that can intimidate human nature : this man, 1 say, while in these circumstances, and charged with a public commission, which he himself had solicited from the high priest, and at the head of a train of attendants, was, together with them, at noon-day, struck to the earth by an extraordinary light from heaven ; in con- THE GOSPEL IIISTORV IS TRUE. 423 sequence of which he became a Christian, declaring that he had been warned by a supernatural voice ; re- nouned for ever all worldly pursuits, and cheerfully submitted to poverty, persecution and death, for the religion of Jesus. What could be his motive ? Was it a regard to duty, founded on his knowledge, and his love of the truth ? Then is his conduct easily accounted for; and his re- signation to the many evils he had to suffer was the ef- fect of that support, which pious men receive, from the approbation of their own mind, the hope of a fu- ture reward, and the enlivening influence of divine grace. From any other principle is it possible to ac- count rationally for his conduct r Was it from lust of fame, the desire of pleasure or of power, or in order to better his fortune, that this man with a mind eleva- ted by genius, and enlightened by learning, choose to descend, with certain, imminent, and dreadful danger to himself, from a high and honourable station, — that he might becomethe associate of afew poor,despised. per- secuted, and illiterate fishermen, among whom henever assumed any superiority, and whose master had lately- been put to an ignominious death, as a malefactor, not only of the worst kind, but also of the meanest condition ? In a word, Paul either was, or was not, an impostor. If he was an impostor, he must have been a very sin- gular one indeed. For instead of aiming at riches, honour, pleasure, or power, (and at one or other, or all of these, all other impostors have aimed,) his hopes and purposes must, in every respect, have had a con- trary direction. He must have preferred contempt to honour, imprisonment to liberty, danger to security, and scourging, stoning, hunger, and nakedness*, and martyrdom, (for they vi-ere all before him, and he un- derwent them all, without a murmur,) to a life of ease and affluence. And, finally, being a strict Pharisee, and consequently believing a future state, he must, * 2 Cor. xi. 2r. 1 Cor. iv. 11, 12, 13. 424 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. without any temporal allurement whatever, have pre- ferred damnation to happiness in the world to come. But, could he thus, in every sense of the v^ord, prefer misery to its opposite? If he could, he was a mad- man ; — which his writings and history prove he was not. If he was no impostor, he must have been an honest man : and, that being admitted, we must also admit what he testifies concerning the manner and copse- quences of his conversion ; in other words we must be- lieve the gospel to be true. And if he was the author of those epistles, which, ever since they were written have borne his name ; and if he taught those doctrines, which the physician Luke, his fellow-traveller, heard from his mouth, and has recorded, he must have been no frantic or weak enthusiast, but a person of good un- derstanding, of exemplary virtue, and of the highest at- tainments in true wisdom ; — in that wisdom, I mean, ' which is from above,' and which tends to purify our nature, and make us happy, both now, and for ever. The thirteenth chapter of his first epistle to the Corin- thians, would alone prove him to have been one of the best and wisest men that ever lived. I said, that Paul, if he was not an impostor, must have been an honest man; and, this being admitted, that the gospel must be true. If indeed it could be shown, that he was credulous, and that before his con- version he had entertained any partiality to the doc- trines and character of Jesus, it might seem possible at least, though no doubt very improbable, that his passions and imagination might have disordered his judgment, and perverted his senses; and, therefore, that the circumstances of his conversion, though be- lieved by him to be real, might have been visionary. Well : was he a credulous man ? Or had he any par- tiality of this kind ? So far was he from being credulous, that all he had heard of our Lord's miracles (for he must have heard of them, and from eye-witnesses too,) had no weight with him ; and nothing could overcome his incredu- THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUF. 4*5 Uty, but a niiraclc wrought upon himself: — wrought, not hi darkness or in sohtudc, or at a time, when any thing had happened, to enl'eeble or depress his mind, but at noon-day, in the pubHe highway, in the midst of his ad* herents, in the neighbourhood of a great town, and tvhile he himself was employed, as he firmly believed, in the service of God, and of his country. And so far was he from entertaining any partiality to the Christian cause, that, till this miracle was wrought for his con- version, he looked upon Jesus as an impostor and blas- phemer, and upon the disciples, as a set of men, whom it w^as, in the highest degree, meritorious to persecute and destroy. In some of his epistles, addressed to churches he had planted, we find him declaring, as a thing which they knew to be true, that he was endowed with the power of working miracles, and had actually wrought many. If the fact had been otherwise, would he have hazarded such a declaration, in writing to a people, among \vhom he knew he had personal opposers, and whom he was reproving for several irregularities*? And if the fact was so,-— if he really w^as a worker of miracles, as well as a preacher of the purest and sublimest morality^ must we not consider him, as in a very peculiar man- ner, and in a very high degree, llivoured by that Being, who is the giver of every good and of ever\^ perfect gift?-— They, who believe in God^ and candidly weigh. all these circumstances, will not object to St. Paul's ve- racity. And if that which he testifies concerning him^ self be true, it is absolutely impossible that die gospel cim be false. Indeed, the conversion of this great man, and his conduct, both before and after he became an apostle, do alone amount to such a proof of our religion, as can- not be overtl-rown ; — -in any other way, than by proving the Acts of the Apostles, and the subsequent epistlesy to be fiction and forgery. The reader will find a tuli, an elegant, and, 1 think, an unanswerable illustration, cf * See Butler's analogy, part 2, chap. 7. VOL. ii. 3 li, ^6 l]ll1i GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. this argument, in Lord Lyttleton's Remarks on the cori- version of St, Paul. And now, to conclude this part of the subject,—*^ Let them, who are acquainted wivli the history of our Saviour, attend to it ever so sHghtly, and then say, what regard is due to the judgment of those, who talk of electricity and magnetism, as principles in nature, ca- pable of exalting the man who imderstands them into a worker of miracles. Will magnetism or electricity, or any other natural principle that can be mentioned^ enable the person who is skilled in it to raise himself or others from the dead; to cure diseases by speaking a word; to foretel future events; to make a few loaves and fishes a sufficient meal for five thousand men; to publish a system of morality more perfect than any other, that ever was in the world ; to impart to other men the power of working miracles^ and particularly, of speaking languages they had never learned? We have heard of making the agitation of water subside by pour- ing oil on it ; Plutarch mentions this as a v»^ell known fact, quotes Aristotle's reason for it, and gives another of his own* ; and of late it is said to have been proved by experiment; but who will undertake to calm the sea by uttering a word! They, who compare the meekness and benevolence^ the candour and modesty, the power and the dignity, of our Saviour, with the craft, secrecy, and ostentation of a juggler, (one trembles even to think of the compari- son,) and find no material difference between the migh- ty works of the one, and the petty tricks of the other, are far beyond the reach of argument, and must, on this subject at least, be absolutely irrational. As well might they say, that the juggler, because he can shift a card, or manage an easy calculation, must have the command of nature, and the power of changing death into life. The clown, who should say so, Avould be laughed at for his credulity and ignorance. What then shall wc r»iiik of the philosopher, who, in his judgment of ouf * p Plur. N^t^Quacst. \%r THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. A%7 Saviour's miracles, shows himself equally ignorant luid credulous.^ Lastly; the apostles found themselves endowed, agreeably to their Lord's prediction, with the power of working such miracles as he had wrought. They saw the lame walk, the living drop down dead, and the dead arise to life, at their command. They felt themselves on a sudden enabled to speak a variety of languages they had never learned ; a talent which, in the course of their ministry, they must have had frequent occasion to exercise. In this, is it probable, is it possible, that they could be mistaken? Their faith, therefore, w^as the effect, not of weak- ness, butof WELL-GROUNDED CONVICTION, CoX- SEC^UENTLY, THEIR TESTIMONY IS TRUE. SECTION IV. THE SUBJECT CONTINUED, The exeellency and singular nature of Christianity, a proof of its truth. At was hinted, that the other evidences of our reli- gion may be greatly confirmed by the consideration of its singular nature, and by the peculiar excellency of the knowledge w^e derive from it. For, if it shall be found to have made its way in the world, in opposition to human power, and by more than human means; if its excellency be such as to transcend the noblest cftbrts of human wisdom; and if, in its purity and tendency, it be altogether worthy of God; we must, I think, as- s\v:n it a divine orisrinal. Some things pertaining to this part of the subjeot; have been mentioned already. But, in a disquisition of this sort, in which the evidence hangs so closely to- gether, that scarce any one p-.ut of it can be trcpted sep- 428 THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. arate from the rest, a few repetitions will be pardoned, because it is not easy to avoid them. Never was there on earth any other person of so ex- traordinary a character, as the Founder of our reUgion. In him we uniformly see a mildness, dignity, and com- posure, and a perfection of wisdom and of goodness, that plainly point him out as a superior being. But his su- periority was all in his own divine mind. He had none of those outward advantages, that hare distinguished all other lawgivers. He had no influence in the state ; he had no wealth ; he aimed at no Vvorldly power. He Avas the son of a carpenter's wife, and he was him- self a carpenter. So poor were his reputed parents, that at the time of his birth, his mother could obtain no better lodging than a stable : and so poor was he him- self, that he often had no lodging at all. That he had no advantages of education, we may infer from the sur- prise expressed by his neighbours, on hearing him speak in the synagogue : ' Whence hath this man these things ? * What wisdom is this which is given him? Is not this ' the carpenter, the son of Mary ? Are not his brethren * and sisters with us?' This point, however, we need not insist on ; as from no education, tliat his own or any other country could have afforded, was it possible for him to derive that supernatural wisdom and power, that vsanctity of life, and that purity of doctrine, which dis- tinguish him from all other human beings. His first ad- herents were a few fishermen ; for whom he was so far from making any provision, that, when he sent them out to preach repentance, and heal diseases, they were, by his desire, furnished with nothing, but one coat, a pair of sandals, and a staff. He went about, in great humility and meekness, doing good, teaching wisdom, and glorifying God, ibr the space of about three years, after the commencement of his ministry; and then, as he himself had foreseen and foretold, he was publicly crucified. — This is the man, who at this day, gives law* to a great part of the world, and to all the most en- lightened nations. This is the man, who has been the author of virtue and happiness to miilionSj and miliions ^HE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 429 of the human race. And this is he, whom the wisest and best men that ever lived have reverenced as a di- vine person, and gloried in, as the Deliverer and Sa- viour of mankind. In all this is there nothing extraordinary, nothing that seems to require the operation of more than hu- man wisdom, and more than human powxr ? We have heard of great events proceeding from small causes ; but in general we can trace the connection between them, and account for it from the common principles that regulate human affairs. But here, supposing Je- sus to liave been nothing more than a mere man, and no other tlian human means to have been employed in promulgating and supporting his religion ; the cause and the effect are utterly inadequate, and the influence of the one upon the other perfectly unintelligible. This religion, taught at first by a few obscure, un- lettered, and persecuted men, most of M^iom were put to death for no other reason, but because they taught it, was in a very short tin^ spread over part of Asia, and a great part of Europe; notwithstanding the bloody per- secutions which it had to encounter, from Nero to Di- oclesian. Think of the power engaged to bear it down, and that by which it was to be supported ; and can there be any doubt, that truth, and miracles, and the protec- tion of heaven, must have been on its side ? Was any other religion ever introduced in this manner ; The Ma- hometan was brought in by a commander at the head of a victorious army, and in a part of the world which has never, in any age been distinguished for liberty or lite- rature : nay, to this day, slavery and ignorance are the inseparable attendants of the religion of Mahomet. The Jewish was established in one small nation only, and had, for its apparent author, the greatest man of that na- tion, and met there with no considerable opponent ; which, by the by, considering its burdensome ceremo- nies, could hardly have happened, and, we are sure, did not happen, without the aid of miracles. The pagan religions were a sort of political institutions, adapted to tlie ignorance and credulity of thoiie who received them ; 4Zi) THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE; so that they had no opposition either to suffer or to fear 2 nor indeed do they seem to have been considered as of moment enough to excite serious controversy, far less to kindle persecution. No man ever laid down his life for the honour of Jupiter, Neptune, or Apollo : but how many thousands have sealed their Christian testi- mony with their blood! Another singularity in our religion is, that it has been more spoken against than any other. Every part of its evidence has been repeatedly examined, objected to, and vindicated. Equally friendly to freedom and true philosophy, v/herever it has existed in any tolerable pu- rity, it has raised the attention of inquisitive men ; the greatest philosophers that ever lived have enquired into it, and found it true; and the utmost acuteness of so- phistry, has been employed to prove it false. What is the consequence of all this ? It is, that the evidence of our faith remains at this day, as clear and complete, as it has been in any age since that of the apostles and their immediate successors. Light minds, from inat- tention or ignorance; profligate minds, from a dislike to its purity ; and vain minds, out of ostentation, and from the love of singularity, may have apostatised from it : but tl^ Christian, who has made it his study, and knows the reason of the faith that is in him, will not admit that any argument has ever been brought against it, which has not been refuted." Can this be said of any other religion, or of any system of unchristian opinions, that ever was heard of? Nay, I trust there are, and I believe it will not be doubted that there are, many thou- sands of learned and rational Christians, who, if they were called to so severe a trial, would cheerfully lay down their lives for the honour of God and their Re- deemer. Is the zeal and sincerity of the unbeliever equally to be depended on? Would any disciple of Bo- lingbroke, Hume, or Voltaire, suffer martyrdom in the cause of his master. These singularities in the fate and fortune of Chris- tianity, seem to show, that it could not have either been so generally known, or so long existed, if it had not THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. 4.S1 been supported by means more than human. There are m it other singularities, which prove, that it deserv- ed to be so supported, and that it eould not have been the work of mere human wisdom. The evidence arising from these, has been called its Internal Evidence ; and is, in the opinion of some learn- ed men, so great that scarce any other is necessary to prove our religion to be from Iieaven. For first, the morality of the gospel gives it an infinite superiority over all systems of doctrines that ever were devised by man. Were our lives and opinions to be regulated as it prescribes, nothing would be wanting to make us happy: there would be no injustice, no impiety, no disorderly passions ; harmony and love would universally prevail, every man, content with his lot, resigned to the divine will, and fully persuaded that SL happy eternity. is before him, would pass his days in tranquility and joy, to which, neither anxiety, nor pain, nor even the fear of death, could ever give any inter- ruption. The best systems of pagan ethicks are very imperfect, and not free from absurdity ; and in them are recommended, modes of thinking unsuitable to hu- man nature, and modes of conduct, which, though they might have been useful in a political view, did not tend to virtue and happiness universal. But of all our Lord's institutions the end and aim is, to promote the happi- ness, by promoting the virtue, of all mankind. And secondly ; his peculiar doctrines are not like any thing of human contrivance. * Ne^er man spake like this man.' One of the first names given to that dispensation of things which he came to introduce was t/ie kingdom^ or the reign, of heaven. It was justly so called ; being thus distinguished, not only from the religion of Moses, the sanctions whereof related to the present life, but also from every human scheme of mo- ral, political, or ecclesiastical legislation. The views of the heathen moralist extended not be- yond this world ; those of the Christian are fixed on that which is to come. The former was concerned for his own country only, or chiefly ; the latter takes con- ^ THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. ceni in the happiness of all men, of all nations, condi^ tions, and capacities. A few, and but a few of the an^ cient philosophers, spoke of a future state of retribution as a thing desirable and not improbable ; revelation speaks of it as certain ; and of the present life, as a state of trial, wherein virtue or holiness is necessary, not only to entitle us to that salvation, which, through the mercy of God, and the merits of his Son, Christians are taught to look for, but also to prepare us, by habits of piety and benevolence, for a reward, which none but the pure in heart, can receive, or could relish. The duties of piety, as far as the heart is concerned, were not much attended to by the heathen lawgiver. Cicero coldly ranks them with the social virtues, and says very little about them. The sacrifices were mere ceremony. And what the Stoics taught of resignation to the will of heaven, or to the decrees of fate, was so repugnant to some of their other tenets, that little good could be expected from it. But of every Christian, virtue, piety is an essential part. The love and the fear of God must every moment prevail in the heart of a follower of Jesus ; and whether he eats or drinks, or whatever he does, it must be all to the glory of the Cre- ator. How different this from the philosophy of Greece and Rome ! In a word, the heathen morality, eve?i in its bestform^ that is, as two or three of their best philosophers taught it, amounts to little more than this : Be useful to your- selves, your friends, and your country : so shall ye be respectable while ye live, and honoured when ye die ; and it is to hoped ye may receive reward in another life. The language of the Christian lawgiver is different* The world is not worthy of the ambition of an immor- tal being. Its honoiu's and pleasures have a tendency to debase the mind and disqualify it for future happi^ ness. Set therefore your affections on things above^ and not on things on the earth. Let it be your supreme desire to obtain God's favour : and by a course of dis- cipline, begun here, and to be compleated hereafter^ prepare }'oursehTs for a re-admission into that rank THE GOSPEL HISIORY IS TRUE. 4'?3 which was forfeited by the fall, and for again be in^^ but a little lower than the angels, and crowned with glory and honour everlasting. AVhat an idea is here ! Is there any thing like this in Xenophon or Plato, in Cicero, Seneca, or Epicte- tus ? * Whence had this man these things ? What wisdom is this that was given him ? Surely man gave it not ; for man hud it not to give. This is an idea, which never occurred to human ima^'ination till it was taught by a poor carpenter of Galilee, and by ii few fishermen who followed him. Yet to the native dignity, and undeniable degeneracy of human nature, no other moral theory was ever so well adapted ; and no other has so direct a tendency to promote the glo- ry of God, and the real good of mankind. Is it possi- ble^ to explain this upon the principles that usually re- gulate human affairs ? Is it possible for us to believe, that teachers so holy, so benevolent, and so pious, so superior to the world, and so thoroughly disengaged from its allurements, were not taught of God ? As eas\ almost it is to believe, that this world was not made by him. Is it possible for us to imagine, that persons of such a character could have employed their lives in the promulgation of a lie, and willingly encountered perse- cution and death, in support of it ? As ^vell may Ave imagine, that an evil tree brings forth good fruit, and that men gather grapes from thorns, and figs from this- tles. But had not the prophets prophesied of Christ and his gospel, and its character and tendency? And if so, how can it be said, that no such thing had ever before occurred to human imagination ? — It is true that the prophets had prophecied these things ; but, though they foretold^ it is not certain that they Jbresaiv them. On. the contrary, there is reason to think, that if they had distinctly understood what they predicted, they would have expressed it in plainer and less figurative lan- guage ; or at least, that they would have left traditions behind them, which, in after times, among people so te- nacious of tradition as the Jews were, might have served VOL. ii. 3 I 434' THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. as a key to those sacred writinp^s. It was enough for the prophets to know that they had authority to speak what they spoke, or to commit to writing what the Spi- rit suggested : to explain it to the people, or to inquire themselves into the meaning of it, was probably no part of their business. And it must be as easy for divine power to make prophets foretel without foresight, as to enable them both to foretel and to foresee. After all, it must be owned, that this argument for Christianity, drawn from the peculiar excellency of its doctrines, cannot appear equally striking to all men.— They only will see it in its full lustre, who are conver- sant in Holy Writ, and have a pretty distinct view of the whole extent of Christian theology, whereof I can- not, in so small a tract as this, propose to give even an abridgment. To Mr. Jenyn's View of the internal evi- dence of Christianity, in which many ingenious obser- vations, though all are not unexceptionable, I beg leave to refer the reader ; and shall conclude this part of my subject with a remark or two. What an elevation must it give to our pious affec- tions, to contemplate the Supreme Being, and his Pro- vidence, as revealed to us in Scripture ! We are there taught, that man was created in the image of God, inno- cent, and happy : and that he had no sooner fallen into sin, than his Creator, instead of abandoning him, and his offspring to the natural consequences of his disobe- dience, and of their hereditary depravity, was pleased to begin a wonderful dispensation of grace, in order to re- scue from perdition and raise again to happiness, as many as should acquiesce in the terms of the offered salvation, and reg-ukite their lives accordingly. By the sacred books, that contain the history of this dispensation, we are further taught, that God is a Spi- rit, unchangeable, and eternal, universally present, and absolutely perfect ; that it is our duty to fear him as a being of consummate purity, and inflexibly justice, and to ioye him as the fadier of mercies, and the God of all consolation : to trust in liim, as the friend, the com- forter, and the almighty guardian of all who believe and THE GOSPEL lilSTORV IS TRUE. 4S5 obey him ; to rejoice in him, as the best of beini^s, and adore him as the greatest : — we are taught, that he will make allowance for the frailties of our nature, and par- don the sins of those who repent : — and, that we may sec, in the strongest light, his peculiar benignity to the human race, we are taught, that he gave his only Son as our ransom and deliverer ; and we are not only per- mitted, but commanded, to pray to him, and address him as our Father : — we are taught, moreover, that the evils incident to this state of trial, are permitted by him, in order to exercise our virtue, and so prepare us for a future state of never-endino; felicitv ; and that these momentary afflictions are pledges of his paternal icve, and shall, if we receive them as such, and venerate them accordingly, work out for us ' an exceeding great and eternal weight of glory.' If these hopes and these sentiments contribute more to our happiness, and to the purification of our nature, than any thing else in the world caji do, surely that religion, to which alone we owe these sentiments and hopes, must be the greatest blessing that ever was conferred on the posteritj' ol Adam. And is it, after ail, but a mere human contrivance; the invention of mean and illiterate men, who lived, and who died, in the voluntary promulgation of fafsehood ? To what other human artifice does this bear any resem- blance ? Does not this religion as plainly prove itself to be the work of a wise and gracious God, as the ab- surdity of the pagan superstitions proves them to have been the work of weak and wretched men ? To the great end of improving, renewing, and j)er- fectmg our whole nature, no invention of man could ever have been adapted ; that being an idea which could never have occurred to mere human wisdouK and wiiich if it had occurred, would have been deemed an irnpos- sibiiity. But to this great end, so worthy of God, and so honourable to man, our religion is adapted in huch a wav, as fills the humble and considerate mind with wonder and adoration ; and w^ould iifdced raise inex- pressible astonishment, if it had not been familiar to u^ troni our infancv. 43d THE GOSPEL HISTORY IS TRUE. Christianity proposes to onr imitation the highest ex- amples of benevolence, purity, and piety. It shows, that all our actions, purposes, and thoughts,^ are to us of infinite importance ; their consequences being no- thing less than happiness or misery in the life to come ; and thus it operates most powerfully on our self-love. By teaching, that all mankind are brethren ; by com- manding us to love our neighbour as ourselves ; and by declaring every man our neighbour to whom we have it in our power to do good ; it improves benevo- lence to the highest pitch. By prohibiting revenge, malice, pride, vanity, envy, sensuality, and covetous- ness ; and by requiring us to foi give, to pray for, and to bless our enemies, and to do to others as we would that they should do to us, it lays a restraint on every malevolent and turbulent passion ; and reduces the whole of social virtue to tv/o or three precepts ; so brief, that they cannot be forgotten ; so plain, that they can- not be misunderstood ; so reasonable, that no man of sense controverts them ; and so well suited to hu- man nature, and human affairs, that every candid mind may easily, and on all occasions, apply them to prac- tice. Christianity recommends the strictest self-attention, by this awful consideration, that God is continually present with us, knows what we think, as well as what Me do, and will judge the world in righteousness, and render unto every man according to his works. It makes lis consider conscience, as his voice and law within us ; purity of heart, as that which alone can qualify us for the enjoyment of future reward ; and mutual love, or charity, as that, v/ithout which all other virtues andac^ eomplishments are of no value : and by a view of things peculiarly striking, it causes vice to appear a most per- nicious and abominable thing, which cannot escape punishment. Purity of heart it still further recom- miended, by teaching this wonderful doctrine ; that evQi the bodies of good men shall at last, in a glorified state, be re-united to ^eir souls, and made, as that of Adam originally ^^-as, immortal ; and that, therefore in this OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. i^r life of general probation, they must Be kept free from dishonour, and, instead of ministering to those sensu- alities that debase our nature, be employed as instru- ments in doing good. In a word, Christianity, as Bishop Taylor well ob- * serves, is a doctrine in which nothing is superfluous 'or burdensome; and in which there is nothing want- ' ing, which can procure happiness to mankind, or by * which God can be glorified. And if,' continues he, ' wisdom, and mercy, and justice, and simplicity, and * holiness, and purity, and meekness, and contentedness, * and charity, be images of God, and rays of divinit}', ' then that doctrine, in which all these shine so glorious- * ly, and in which nothing else is ingredient, must needs * be from God*.' I conclude the chapter in the following words of the same great author. * If the holy Jesus had come into * the \^'orld with less splendour of power and mighty * demonstrations, yet the excellency of what he taught ' makes him alone fit to be the master of the world*' CHAPTER III. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. JL HE advocate for Christianity has nothing to do with the peculiar tenets of Luther, Calvin, or Bellarmine, or with any other system which is liable to be tinctured with human infirmity: his business is, to vindicate ' the 'truth as it is in Jesus.' I do not therefore think my- self concerned to answer any objection of those wri- ters, \\'ho mistake the corruptions of Christianity for Christianity itself. They who persecute, or hate, or even judge uncharitably of others, act in direct oppo- * Mora! Demonstration of the Truth of the Christian Religion. 438 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED sition to the plainest, and indeed, to the essential doc- trines of the gospel : and every church that encourages cruelty, injustice, or uncharitablencss, in any degree, is in the same degree unchristian. But, why should Christianity be liable to corruption? Would not the power and goodness of God have ap- peared in it more conspicuously, if he had made it in- susceptible of debasement or change? Totally to de- base or alter it, is indeed impossible, as long as the sa- cred records remain: to which all sects of Christians appeal as their standard of faith, and which their mu- tual jealousy of each other will never suffer to be ma- terially corrupted. But every thing must be liable to debasement, which is entrusted to a creature so frail and fallible as man. What is more debased, or more per-, verted, than health and speech ? Yet it will not be said, that the divine goodness and power, would have ap- peared more conspicuously in us, if we had all been sickly and dumb. In every state of moral probation error must be possible, and evil must exist. But, beside the general principle of debasement arising from the frailty of our nature, other causes of a more particular, and indeed of an extraordinary kind, co-operated, soon after the apostolic age, in cor- rupting the Christian religion. Was it possible, tliat its gentle influence could check the progress of that ruin, into which the enormous mass of the Roman pow- er was then rushing headlong; or prevent the confu- sion, the crimes, and the universal degeneracy of man- ners, which always attend the fall of empire, and did so remarkably distinguish that of the Roman ? And amidst the savage uproar of the conquering invaders from the north, was it possible, that the soft accents of the gos- pel of peace could be heard with eHicacy, or heard at all? Then followed that long night ot intellectual dark- ness, threatening the final extinction of every ray of knowledo'C, that had hitherto enlig-litened the sons of men. And, from this chaos of ignorance, was it pos- sible to exclude the fiends of superstition, or those Other sanguinary demons of rapacity and cruelty, which OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 43? never fail to haunt the uncultivated mind? It cannot be matter of surprise, that, in these circumstances, a re- ligion founded in peace, in right reason, and in the pur- est morality, should first be neglected, then misunder- stood, and afterwards grossl}' corrupted ; and that, from being made subservient to the purposes of human, and often of barbarous policy, it should, in its corrupted state, contract many stains of barbarism, and much of the pride and vanity, and other follies of human nature. In fact, in the course of a few centuries, Christianity had lost its beauty, and purifying virtue, and, like a stream choaked with rubbish, if the reader will par- don the figure, presented an image of danger and deso- lation, rather than of utility and comfort. But though the waters were polluted, the fountain was not dried up. And, by the gradual operation of causes, some more, and others less observable, when obstructions began at last to give way, and the channel to open, this river of life again broke forth in a copious and sprightly cur- rent ; which, though not yet every where free from re- straint, nor in any nation restored to its primitive pu- rity, will, in time, it is hoped, diffuse itself by the di- vine blessing, into all lands, and, in its progress, Work itself cleaT*, and, as it runs, refine ; '1 ill by degrees the floating mirror shine. Reflect the flowers that on its border blow, And heaven's own light in its fair bosom show. For, to drop the allegory, whatever other changes may happen, we have nothing nowto apprehend similar to the Gothic invasions, or to that extinction of literature which attended and followed them. As the world is now coiistituted, learning and liberal inquiry are likely to prevail in it more and more. And, as these prevail, ignorance and tyranny, sophistry and superstition, which have hitherto been the most deadly enemies of both Christain faith and true philosophy, will, in the same proportion, lose their infiuence. i3ut to return. 440 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. To confute all the cavils of unbelief, would be end- less ; and, to enter very minutely into the detail of them would extend this little work to a size, which might discourage from reading it those for whom it was in- tended. I confine myself, therefore, to those objec- tions, chiefly, which I have heard in conversation, and which seem to me most likely to draw the attention, and pervert the minds of young persons. And, of these objections, several have been considered already. I. The number of unbelievers, who have appeared in this and other ages^ and the learning and abilities of some of them, are, I find, stumbling-blocks to many. But let it be remembered, that a greater number might be specified of believers, still more distinguished for learning, candour, and penetration, than any infidels that can be named of this, or any other age. Nor let it be forgotten, that the founders of our religion foretold, that unbelievers of various kinds, and of considerable abil- ities, would arise : so that, if they had not arisen, seve- ral prophecies in the New- Testament would not have been accomplished. But passing this ; and in order to give a more expli- cit answer to the objection; it may be proper to consid- er, what, from the declarations of our Lord himself, as well as from the nature of the thing, may be inferred concerning the character of those persons, who should be capable of becoming his disciples. For, if it shall be found, that there are infidels who have not that char- acter, and that infidels in general have it not, their unbe- lief is a proof of his wisdom and foreknowledge, and may consequently furnish an argument, not against his religion, but for it. II. The firstthing necessary to qualify the human mind for receiving this, or indeed, any other doctrine, is at- tention. This our Lord repeatedly demanded : ' he ' that hath ears to hear, let him hear.' The mighty works he performed, the wonderful things he spoke, the sanc- tity of his life, the benevolence of his manners, and the authority that accompanied his teaching, were sufficient, one would think, to have made all Syria attend^ and did OBJFXTIONS ANSWERED. 441 in fact, raise the attention of many. And, though we see no miracles, as they did, nor hear the voice of the divine teacher, yet we see, we hear, and we read, con- cerning him, what is sufficient to make every one of us attend, who desires to know the truth, and his duty. The existence, and long continuance of this religion ; its singular nature and history; and the learning, abilities, and virtues, of many of those who have believed, ought to satisfy every considerate mind, that there is some- thing extraordinary in it, and that to be indift'erent about it may be very dangerous. 2. But, secondly, in order to know * the truth as it is *in Jesus,' we must not only attend, but also inquire. Our Saviour often taught in parables. His hearers, if they had been suitably affected by his miracles aiid plainer doctrines, would have asked the meaning of those darker sayings : and when they did so, with a sin- cere desire of information, we find, that he always gave it. They who expressed no curiosity, and made no inquiry, he permitted to remain in ignorance. Was this unreasonable ? He came to call sinners to repentance, but not to compel them. Every circumstance consi- dered of his lite and doctrine, his benevolence, his pi- ety, his power, and his wisdom, (whereof the Jews could not be ignorant;) did not this want of curiosity amount to a proof, that tlieir hearts were, by prejudice, and other bad habits, hardened against the love both of God and of man, as well as of truth? And, is it possible, that hearts of such a temper should voluntiuily receive a religion, whereof piety and benevolence, or (to adopt the scriptural terms) godliness and charity, are essential principles? Let it be considered further, that, till our curiosity with respect to religion be so far raised, as to incline us to study the Scriptures, we cannot feel the force of some of the strongest proofs of their truth; those pai'- ticularly, as already hinted, that arise from their pecu- liar excellence, and from prophecy. And theicfore he, who is disposed to cavil at religion, and will not give himself the trouble to study it, must necessarily remain VOL. lU 3 K U2 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. ignorant and sceptical. Is there any thing strange m this ? Suppose a father to desire his son to study medi- cine ; and suppose that the son, from prejudices against it, or indifference about it, will not attend, either to what his master says, or to the books he recommends, is it possible that he can ever become a physician, or get the better of his prejudices? Will the careless sceptic excuse himself by saying, * I need not read the Bible; ' I know from Voltaire, and Hume, and Bolingbroke, * what Christianity is ?' Then let him be told, that every one of the persons mentioned, and every other infi- del whose writings are extant, can be proved, from his own books, to have been grossly ignorant of Christi- anity. And let him be reminded further, that to ac- quiesce in that character of Jesus, or of any other per- son, which is given by the declared and mortal enemy of that person, is no sign either of prudence or of can- dour. But I have looked, he will perhaps say, into creeds and confessions, which are said to contain the very quint- €scence of Scripture; and they are not at all to my mind; and I suppose I should find Scripture itself as little so : why then should I read it? I answer, suppos- ing those creeds and confessions unexceptionable, which all creeds and confessions are not; yet still they are abridgments, and to him who is not conversant in Scripture iTmst appear abstruse, and hardly intelligible. And besides, recurring to an example already given, let me be permitted to say, that if any man were vety much interested to know my character, and had the means of knowing it by conversing and living with me, he would, if he were either honest or wise, study my- self, and not trust implicitly to what is said of me, ei- ther by my enemies, or by my friends. We are com- manded to search the Scriptures, and told that in them we shall find evidence of their truth. If we have not done so, we know not what they are : if we will not do so, we never can know it. 3. A third thing, necessary to prepare us for the re- dLption of the Christiiui faith, is, a lowiy mind, free OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 443 from prejudice, and willing to hear, and to learn. This our Lord often declares, * Verily I say unto you, who- * soever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a lit- * tie child, shall in no wise enter therein:' the obvious meaning whereof is, that if we do not attend to the doctrines of the gospel, with the humility and teacha- bleness of a young child, it is impossible for us to be- lieve them, A yoimg child is of all animals, the most unassuminc-and docile. He is not inclined to cavil at the information he may receive from an affectionate fa- ther. And he is free from prejudice, and soon l>ecomes sensible of his own weakness, and of the need he lias of instruction At least, if this is not true of every child, it is certainlv true of manv, and ousrht to be of all. When, with these dispositions, men begin, and carry on their inquiries into Christianity, they will not object to its doctrine, or be dissatisfied with its evi- dence; but will adore the infinite goodness and conde- scension of the Deity, in treating them as his children, and permitting them to call him their father. Is it too much, to require of Christians, this humility, candour, and exemption from prejudice? It is no more than Newton requires of every one who would study phi- losophy: it is no more than every master requires of his apprentice. But, must the young Christian, during his novici- ate, make no use of his reason? has he nothing to do, but to listen, and believe ? He is commanded to use his reason in all cases, in which a prudent father would encourage his child to use it; that is, in all cases where- of he is a competent judge: and, in all cases whatever, he must use his reason, so far, as to admit nothing that contradicts it. But, as a father is sometimes obliged, and has an undoubted right, to require implicit faith from his children, and to tell them, that, till their facul- ties be more improved, they will not understand the reason of such and such a preceptor doctrine; so our heavenly Father has an undoubted right to require of us a thankiul acquiescence in dispensations of Providence, which, in this life, we cannot understand, and an assent 4>i4 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. to doctrines which may, at present, transcend ourrea- son. Every day we see what we cannot account for, and believe what we do not distinctly comprehend. So that, if there were nothing of this kind in our religion, it would be like none of the other works of God, that we are acquainted with, and would rather resemble the invention of a cautious man. But, though the myste- ries of Christianity, may transcend human reason, not one of them contradicts it. That there is a Mediator between God and man ^can- not appear contrary to reason, or in any degree improb- able, when we consider, that all the good things we re- ceive, though the free gifts of God, come to us by the intervention of various agents and ii~istruments."-— That the divine dispensations with respect to the human race, should comprehend a long train of effects and causes, and a long succession of years, will not seem extraor- dinary to those v/ho have observed, as every conside- rate person must have done, that the growth of plants and animals, and all the other operations of nature, are progressive and gradual.— The incarnation is not, to us more luiintelligible, than the union of a human body with a human soul.— -To atone voluntarily for the sin of others, may be as possible to a superior being, and in him may be as consonant to equity, as, among infe- rior beings, for one man gratuitously to pay another's debt. — That the grrice of God should exert itself in supporting^ cherishing, and sanctifying the true believ- er, is as easily understood, as any other exertion of di- vine goodness. — And that there should be a resurrec- tion of the body, is suitable to many analogies in na- ture, and particularly to that alluded to by the apostle^ of a new and flourishing vegetable, rising from a buri- ed and corrupted grain of corn. While one, too anxiously endeavours to explain these and some of the other mvsterious doctrines of our re- ligion, one may, no doubt, say unwarrantable things. But if we take them as they are delivered in Holy Writ, our only infallible standard of faith, we shall not find that they contam any thing in which a man of the sound- OBJECTIONS ANSWIiRED. 445 est and fairest mind, who has studied the gospel and its evidences, may not, without difiiculty, ac(|uiescc. 1. The last thing I shall mention, as a rccjuisite to the profitable study of the New Testament, is a desire that it may be true. He, who has not this desire, must ei- ther be ignorant of Christianity, and consequently unfit to receive it ; or must be indifferent both to the glory of God, and to the good of mankind, and consequently averse to the reception of it. That our religion should be true, is, as I remarked already, the interest of all men, except of those hardened sinners, who are deter- mined not to repent : for to the penitent believer, who regrets the frailty of his nature, and studies to reform it, the gospel speaks nothing but peace, and pardon, and everlasting comfort. That we readily believe what we "vvish to be true, has been often said, and is become proverbial. But belief of this sort may be as rational as any other. I see a stranger, whose countenance and manner please me, and 1 wish to find him as good as he is agreeable : I cultivate his acquaintance, and after long trial discover that he is every thing I would have him to be. Is this discovery the less to be depended on, for having been preceded, and partly occasioned, by a preposses- sion in his favour? And if, at first sight, I had con- ceived a contrary prepossession, and always kept at a distance from him, and been unwiHing to receive information concerning him, except from his ene- mies, should I not have persisted in my dislike, how- ever luimerited on his part, and uncandid on mine ? The former case is similar to that of those, who stud\ Christianity because they love it : the latter resembles that of him who remains in unbelief, because he dislikes the gospel, or disregaixls it. Conviction may be extorted by evidence, so as to rise necessarily in every rational mind to whom the evidence is presented. Such is that which is enforced upon us by mathematical proof, or by the testimony of sense, or of meniorv. And in this kind of conviction, there can be no more merit, or demerit, than in seeing what U& OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. is exposed to our view, on hearing what is sounded in our ear. Christian faith is not of this kind. In it the heart and affections are concerned, as well as the understanding. Our Lord pronounced no benedic- tion on Thomas for having believed his sight and touch: ' but, Blessed, said he, are they who have not seen» ^ and yet have believed :' that is, who without such * evidence of sense (I quote Dr. Clarke's Paraphrase) * shall, upon credible testimony, be willing to believe * and embrace a doctrine which tends so greatly to the glory of God, and the salvation of men/ The doubts ot Thomas, were, on this extraordinary occasion, re- moved by irresistible evidence : but it would not have suited the genius of a religion, framed for proving the virtue, and purifying the nature of moral beings, that its evidences, in general, should have been such, as either to compel, assent, or infringe the freedom of obedience. They are indeed so powerful, that nothing but ignorance, or hardness of heart, can prevent their making a deep impression ; but their full effect is felt by those minds only, who, together with lowliness, do- cility, and candour, entertain a predilection for that gospel, which proclaims, * Glory to God in the high- * est, peace on earth, and good-will towards men.' — In true Christian faith, therefore, there is virtue. Jt is indeed an assemblage of many virtues ; of piety, be- nevolence, humility, and the love of truth, and of good- ness. No wonder, then, that the apostle should have declared, ' that without faith it is impossible to please * God,' But, ought we not in charity to believe, that there may be infidels of so good a heart as to love the doc- trine, though they have the misfortune to be dissatisfi- ed with the evidence of the gospel ? Charity, no doubt ^ which thinketh no evil, ought to make us believe that this is the case, wherever it is possible. But it is not possible that this can be the case of those who labour to subvert the faith of others ; and who are so far from expressing regret at the discovery of any supposed defect in the evidence of Christianity, or OBJECTKTNS ANSWERED. 447 seeming to think it a misfortune, or a disappointment, that they rejoice in it, and triumph in that superior penetration, which they fondly imagine has enabled them to make it. And now, if, as I have endeavoured to prove, it ap- pears from the declaratioTis of our Saviour himself, and from the nature of the human mind, that they only can believe his religion, who attend to it, and who study it with candour, humility, and a sincere desire to find it true ; is it wonderful, that those men should be un- believers who write and speak against it, and show by what they write and speak, that they do not under- stand, and have never studied it ? Can that man wish the gospel to be true, who employs his life in labour- ing to prove it false ? Can he be said to have read it wqth attention, or to have read it all, who, with Rous- seau, declares our Lord's miracles a discredit to his re- ligion, and cannot distinguish between them and the tricks of jugglers ? Can they be thought to have stu- died it with humility and candour, who sneer at it, like Shaftesbury ; who laugh at it, like V^oltaire ; or who treat it with contempt and insult, like the cool and in- siduous Hume, or the proud and presumptuous Boling- broke ? Had religion been suited to heads and hearts like these, to them I should have left the defence ot it; for it would have been a very different thing indeed from what it is. Their rejection of it supplies, if I mistake not, a pretty strong argument for its truth, as well as for its excellency. II. Not only the number, and the learning of unbe- lievers, but even their virtue, has been pleaded, in their behalf ; and as an argument to prove, that Christianity is unnecessary. Of their virtue, I have not much to say ; enough indeed has been said by themselves, and their admir- ers. But ostentation is neither virtue, nor a sign of it : and perhaps the world would not have judged less favourably of them, if they had been more modest on this head. In fact, some late compliments that have been paid both to thei-r virtue and to theii wisdom. 44a OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. are so ridiculously extravagant, that they would have passed for derision, if not for scurrility, if they had not come from those who are known to be devoted adhe- rents of the party. To examine, with any degree of minuteness, the infidel's claim to the approbation and gratitude of mankind, by an inquiry into the private character of individuals, would be a task equally inviduous and disagreeable. I leave it, therefore, to their biogra- phers ; whose labours, however, if we may be allowed to take lloiisstaiis Confessions, and Voltaire's Me- moirs of himself ^ as a specimen of this sort of history, will not reflect great honour on either the infidel or his cause. There are different sorts of infidels. Some not only reject our religion, but also write against it, and do what in them lies to make mankind reject it : others satisfy themselves with speaking of it occasionally in terms of dislike and scorn : and a third sort perhaps there may be, though they are not so frequently met with, w^ho only disbelieve it, without seeking to make others disbelieve. These last are the objects of pity, rather than of blame : but it may be worth their while to consider, whether their unbelief be the efi^ect of candid inquiry, or of prejudice, and wilful inattention. The active and more zealous infidel either is certain, that we shall not, in a future life, be called to an ac- count for our conduct in the present, or is somewhat uncertain with respect to that matter. Now, though he were absolutely certain, that our existence ends at death, or that the gospel is not true, (which no human being ever was, or can be, yet his endeavours to make others think so would do no honour to his goodness, of heart. For infidels must know, that they cannot demonstrate; either that the gospel is false, or that a future state is impossible ; and they must also know (or they know very little) that, to a sincere Christian, nothing can give more exquisite distress, than to be perplexed with doubts concerning the truth of that religion which is the foundation of his dearest hopes. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. , 440 But if they be not themselves absolutely certain that there is no life to come, and yet labour to persuade others that there is none, their conduct must be imput- ed, not merely to want of benevolence, but to down- right malignity. For the lan^uaf^e of such conduct is no other than this. Those people, who believe what we tell them, mav, for any thing that we certainly know to the con- trary, fmd themselves miserably mistaken after all: however their admiration flatters our vanitv; and therefore we endeavour to make them think as we speak, be the consequences what they wilL What sort of virtue is this .f* Is it not that of the madman mentioned by Solomon, who * casteth fire-brands, ar- ' rows, and death, and saith, am 1 not in sport?* Is it not that of a conceited theorist, who, in order to grat- ify his own beggarly ambition, tampers with the hap- piness of mankind, as if it w^ere a thing a'i no value? ' But you mistake the matter entirely, he will reply, * I'teach men to think freelv, because I wish to rid the ' world of superstition, which is w^orse than irreligion, * or even than atheism:' — and then, perhaps, he will run out into a detail of the enormities, that supersti- tion has prompted Christians to perpetrate. Whether it or atheism be the greater evil, is a point which, if prosecuted would lead into a long and in- tricate inquiry. The former arises from false opinions concerning invisible beings; and, as the forms of false- hood are innumerable, those of superstition must be so too: and, to human societv, some of these mav be more detrimental, others less, and some, perhaps, not at all. But, to shorten the controversy, I shall admits that in all its forms, superstition is a very bad thing; and that he would deserve well of mankind, who should drive it out of the world. But who is the man, who is most likely to do this ? and what are the best means of doing it ? The answer is easy: Jesus Christ is the man, and his religion the means. Had it not been for the divine goodness manifested in him, we should, at this day, have been pagans, the most super-* VOL. ii^ 3 T. 450 OBJECTIO^S ANSWERED. stitious of human kind. Wherever his religion is preached in its purity, superstition vanishes, like the birds of night at the rising of the sun. And as long as the existence of beings superior to man is believed to be either probable or possible, the world, where it is not enlightened with the knowledge of the one liv- ing and true God, will always be, as it always has been, superstitiously afraid of them. By divesting the hu- man race of all religion, if that were practicable, you might, no doubt, free them from superstition: even as, by training poor children to midnight robbery, you might, in time, get the better of those ideas of noc- turnal goblins, that may have been impressed upon their infancy. But before either expedient be tried, it would not be amiss to enquire, whether the cure is not worse than the disease, and whether the disease might not be more effectually cured, by teaching the knowledge of truth, and the love of virtue. — In fact, with superstition, with hypocrisy, with unchari- table or wrong headed enthusiasm, and with all those other enormities, which infidels charge on Christianity, in order to vindicate their dislike of it, Christianity is no more chargeable, and has nothing more to do, than with house-breaking, gambling, blasphemy, atheism, or witchcraft. Of this they cannot be ignorant, if they know any thing at all of the matter: and of a re- ligion, or of a person, whereof they knov^^ nothings modesty requires, that they should say nothing ; can- dour, at least, requires, that they should say nothing abusive. Jn the ordinary affairs of life, when a man has been proved guilty of mistake or falsehood, it is expected, that he will make an acknowledgment to those who may have been injured by it; to the public, if the pub- lic have reason to complain, or to individuals, if they only have suffered by his temerity. At any rate, it is expected, that if he should not have made an acknow- ledgment in form, he will, for the future, be more cau- tious, and not give additional offence, by repeating those falsehoods whereof he has been convicted. But OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. mi if he do neither; if he persevere in the same injurious contiuct, and reiterate his former misrepresentations, With as much confidence, as, if, instead of having been confuted, they had never been answered, and were in- deed unanswerablci v^hat should we think of such a man? Should we extol him as a pattern of wisdom and virtue? Or should we not rather charge him with obstinacy and want of candour, such as an honest man would be ashamed of? Is it fair to examine, by this rule, the conduct ot infidel writers? Or does the merit of having made books against religion raise them so high above all considerations of rectitude, as to jus- tify in them what would go near to make other men infamous ? Now, it is certain, that some late infidel writers lived to see many, and perhaps most, of their misre- presentations and sophistries, fairly exposed, and con- futed unanswerably. And what was tlie consequence? Did they acknowledge their errors, retract what they had talsely afiirmed, correct their reasonings, or reform their principles ? did they express any concern for having violated truth, ridiculed the religion of their country, or insulted the common sense of mankind? iSio such matter. They went on publishing and repub- lishing what they had formerly published, with the same assurance, as if nothing ever had been said, or could be said, against it. Hitherto it does not appear, that we have any great reason to compliment these unbelievers upon their vir- tue. Wit and humour they may have, and eloquence, and polished manners, and learning; and all this the gambler and thief may have, as well as they, and in as great a degree. And it is very much the interest of the thief and gambler, as w^eli as infidel writer, that he pubsess these and the like accomplishments. For, by fixing the public attention upon his out-side, they make it the more easy for him to hide the dispositions that lurk within. But, why seek to depreciate the unbeliever's char- acter by invidious comparisons ? The comparisons are. 452 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. in my opinion, fair, and not invidious: however, I drop them. Admitting then his behaviour to be as decent and regular as his admirers would have us be- lieve, yet what can we lience infer ? Little more, I ap- prehend, than that he is attentive to his interest, and the friend of his own cause. H I were to settle in France, and wished to be popular there, would it be any great merit in me, to comply with the customs, obey the laws, and speak the language of that coun- try ? Now, the enemies of Christ are, in more senses than one, strangers and sojourners in the Christian "world. Its policy they did not contrive ; its laws they did not make; its customs, and the general modes of thinking and speaking that prevail in it, they did not introduce. Ail this is as really the work of Christians, as the lano^uag^e and laws of France are the work of the French nation. And 1 presume it will be admit- ted, that, in the Christian commonwealth, the aliens, compared with the citizens, are still the minority, and but a small one. What then would the unbeliever gain, if, in his manners, as well as opinions, he were to set himself in opposition to the people among whom he resides? He would gain little popularity, and few pro- selytes ; nay, by thus explaining and exemplifying his principles in his practice, he would disgust many whom it is his ambition to please ; and m.ake those consider him as a dangerous man, who now, from not rightly understanding his tenets, may look on him as inoffen- sive, or at worst, as only whimsical. He may, for example, w^ith impunity, laugh at the observance of the Sabbath ; or complain of it, which I have heard him do, as a grievous interruption to in- dustry : but if he were to force his servants and cattle to their customary work on that day, he would not be a gainer by his singularity. He may speak with con- tempt of those who baptized him : but were he pub- jickiy to abjure his baptism, or refuse to admit his chil- dren to that rite, his profaneness and obstinacy would not raise him in the public esteem. He may, in his books, abuse the ministers of God's word, and call OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 453 them, as he has often done, enthusiasts and hypocrites: but were he in the public street to insult them with this language, he would be pointed at as a madman, or a monster. He may, in a word, think as he pleases ; and, in some nations, he may print and publish what he pleases : but violent measures, and practices di- rectJy opposite to those ot the community in which he lives, would frustrate every scheme of the unbe- liever. By good humour, a winning address, and such insinuation as may 'half show and half veil his deep * intent,' he may work his way gradually into the hearts of men, and, in case of danger, secure an evasion for himself, saying, * Am I not in sport ?' — But ail at once to throw off disguise, to make open war on Christi- anity, declaring those to be fools and knaves who be- lieve it, and in the sight of all men to trample upon the laws of his country, whereof the institutions of Jesus form a very considerable part, would be equally ruinous to his cause, and to himself. Hi. Objections have been raised against our reli- gion, from the obscurity of particular doctrines and passages. But these obscurities have, by some writers, been both multiplied and magnified far beyond the truth. Father Simon endeavours to prove, that Scrip- ture cannot be understood without the traditions of an infallible church : and it is easy to see his motives for supporting that opinion. But in fact, the essentials of religion are intelligible to all capacities; especially to all who have been, in any degree, improved by Scrip- tural knowledge: for, without this, I must again re- peat, that neither Christianity, nor its evidences, can ever be rightly understood. And, that, in a thing so extraordinary as divine revelation, there should be, as observed already, some particulars, which, in this im- perfect state, we cannot distinctly comprehend, it would surely be reasonable to expect; since we find, that in the other works of God there are innumerable appearances that surpass our comprehension. Nor less reasonable is it to suppose, that of an age and country ^0 remote as that of the apostles, many customs and 45t OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. forms of speech, occasionally alluded to in their wri- tins, may now be forgotten, or not perfectly intelli- gible. In books too, that existed fourteen hundred years before the invention of printing, it can be no matter of wonder, that by the inaccuracy of transcribers, there may have been introduced variations, and even cor- ruptions of the original text. Yet these must have been inconsiderable ; more so, perhaps, than those of any other ancient writings. For first, the transcribers of the New Testament must have always engaged in their work with the idea, that the book before them was sacred ; which would, no doubt, incline them to be as attentive as possible. Secondly, the mu- tual jealousy of the several sects of Christians, who all agreed in appealing to this book, as the standard of taith, would make them examine, with peculiar care, those copies of it that might be circulated by adversa- ries, and be ready to expose any inaccuracy wherever it should appear. And thirdly, on comparing the seve- ral copies and manuscripts,; the many translations that have been made at different times, into different lan- guages; and the innumerable quotations from holy writ, that are found in the Greek and Latin fathers, it appears that the sacred text must have been in all ages very much the same; Bently, whose skill in this sort of learning, will not be questioned, observes, that the New-Testament has suffered less injury from the hand of time, than any profane author. Indeed there never was any profane author, in whose preservation and pu- rity mankind were so deeply interested, as all the Chris- tian world have been, for these seventeen hundred years, in ascertaining, and preserving from corruption or change, the original records of Christianity. As to the Old Testament, though it may have sut^- fered more than the New, we have no reason to think it has suffered much, it was entrusted to a people, who, satisfied of its divine origin, were so religiously careful of it, as to number the words, and even the letters contained in the several books j and who^ bc> OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 43$ ing also divided into sects, would be watchful to de- tect every error in transcription, whether the ciTect of design or of inadvertance. By the mutual jealousy of religious parties, where it does not degenerate into uncharitableness, several good purposes may be ansv^'ered. Being, as it were, spies on each other's conduct, they reciprocally stand in awe of each other: the natural effect of which is, to promote activity, vigilance, and emulation. And if we are at pains to cultivate that godliness, sobriety, and charity, which all Christians admit to be indispen- sable ; and if w^e inquire humbly into the truth, and pray for grace to discover it, which also they all acknow- ledge to be their duty, it may be presumed, from the goodness of our Creator, and from the different de- grees of understanding which he has been pleased to bestow on different men, that diversities of opinion, in speculative matters, will not be imputed to us. — Hence, let all parties learn moderation and mutual forbearance. That man must have a strange turn of mind, who can bring himself to believe, that those Christians only can be saved, who think exactly as he does. In whatever way we employ ourselves in this world, it seems to be the intention of Providence that we shall have difficulties to encounter: for care, as Virgil ob- serves, stimulates the soul, as inaction renders it leth- argic. The cross accidents of life make invention, patience, and fortitude necessary, to prevent, to sup- port, and to overcome them. Man, born ignorant, must labour in the acquisition of knowledge. His reason is weak, but it is improvable ; and, from a sense of its weakness, he feels the necessity of improv- ing it, by free and fair inquiry into the nature of those things that exercise it. Obscurities in philosophy, by forcing us to attend and investigate, rouse the inven- tive powers, and strengthen both the understanding and the memory. And the obscurities of religion, far from being considerable enough to discourage inqui- ry, serve only to awaken the curiosity of the Christian ; 456 OBJECTIONS ANSWEUED. disposing him to search the Scripture ; to examine his own mind ; to meditate on the nature, the providence^ the word, and the works of God ; to be humble, in consideration of his ignorance and infirmity; and to implore the aid of the Holy Spirit, to guide him into all necessarv truth. Are these exercises detrimental to human nature ? Are they not, in the highest degree, beneficial ? Let not then the obscurities of particular passages and doctrines be objected to the religion of the New-Testament. When fairly stated, they will be found rather to add to its evidence. At least, they prov^it to be exactly similar to the other works of the same great and good Being, who, by the constitution of every thing here below, plainly shows, that our pre- sent state is a state of trial. These remarks may suggest an answer to what has been objected to our religion by those, who wonder, that, after having been preached seventeen hundred years in the most enlightened parts of the world, it should still need interpretation, and give scope to -the labours of the critic, translator, and antiquary. To him who has studied the analogies of nature, this can be no matter of w^onder. In the other works ot God we are continually making new discoveries \ without fore- seeing any end to human research, or anv peiiod that promises complete gratification to human curiosity. This having been the case in all past ages, and all other sciences, we may reasonably conclude that it will be so in every age to come 5 and that the contemplation of the divine goodness and wisdom, as displayed in the works of creation and providence, may furnish de- lightful employment, even for eternity. For an Al- mighty Creator may make his works of infinite extent, if he pleases; and to a limited understan^ding, the ex- amination of that which is infinite, can never come to an end. Every day we have something to do ; if we had not we should be miserable. Every art and science admits of improvement ; if it did not, the human mind would languish in idleness, human labour would no longer OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 457 be amusing, and the spirit of enterprize, and the vi- cissitudes of hope and fear, would be no more; a state of things equally inconsistent with the virtue, and the happiness of such a creature as man. The essential doctrines of our religion, like the practical, and most necessary parts of agriculture, medicine, navigation, and other sciences, are within the reach of everv mind, who IS willing to be mstructed. And yet, in our re- ligion, as in the arts and sciences, there still is, and probably will continue to be, room for inquiry, and need of illustration : and he who humbly inquires, with a sincere desire to know the truth, and do good by explaining it, will ever have reason to rejoice in his labour, as contributing no less to his own happiness and virtue, than to that of mankind. To which let me add, with respect to those who employ themselves in illustrating theological truth, that, as long as men are liable to mistake, the penetration of one may be useful in correcting the inaccuracy of another. IV. Some are at a loss to reconcile the inspiration of the evangelists with those particulars wherein their gospels seem to differ from one another. They do not all record the same things, nor do they relate all the same events in the same manner The differences are indeed, minute: but they are perceptible. Mow could this be, if the historians were inspired? The following answer to this query is submitted to the reader. Socrates long ago observed, that man has no need of supernatural information concerning those things which his natural faculties are alone sufficient to dis- cover. To enable the apostles to comprehend all evan- gelical truth, supernatural light was necessary. Their Master accordingly promised it, and on the dav of Pentecost, or soon after, they received it. I say, vr soon (if(€i\ because, subsequent to the descent of the tloly Spirit, on that day, a particular revelation, relat- ing to the conversion of the Gentiles, was made to l^eter, and the whole scheme of the gospel, as well as Its miraculous gifts and graces, communicated to Paul VOL. ii. 3 M -^58 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. by immediate inspiration. After this, we find, that ifi their doctrine they lay claim to infallibility, in pretty strong terms. On some extraordinary emergencies too^ in the course of their ministry, as in the case of their being arraigned before kings and rulers, it was pro- mised that they should receive aid from heaven in mak- ing their defence. But inspiration was not necessary to enable them ta see and hear; or to teach them how to conduct them- selves in the common business of life. After their con- version, we have no reason to think, that John was a more expert fisherman, or Luke a more skilful phy- sician> than before. As historians, therefore, they need not, I presume, be considered in any other light, than that of honest men, recording what they saw and heard, and had examined, and were competent judges of, and deeply interested in : for, on this supposition, thein testimony is fully sufficient to establish the truth of the gospel. And this may account for their not all recording the same things, nor describing the same events in exactly the same way. If John, for example, saw his Master do, or heard him say, what Matthew did not see or hear, which might have happened in an hundred instances, it was equally natural, for the former to record, and for the latter not to record it. And, if Matthew and Mark, supposed to have been spectators of the crucifixion, were so stationed in the croud, as to hear the one rob- ber revile their dying Lord, and to see the other move his lips, but, without hearing what he said, it was not unnatural tor them to conclude, as the combination against him, seemed now to be universal, that both the robbers reviled him; which yet Luke, or some other person from whom Luke received his information, might, by being more advantageously situated, and hearing the words of the penitent robber, know to be true ot only one of them. At any rate, we may, with confidence affirm, that if the evangelists had been to invent a fable, and obtrude it on the world for truth, they would have taken care that there should be nosucfc. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.. 4^ contrariety in their testimonies, as there confessedly is in this instance; \Ahich, however, is not so important, as either to detract from the veracity of the historians, or throw any blemish on the purity of the gospel. The same thing may be said of our Lord's genealo- gy, as it is differently stated by Matthew and Luke. If either account had been false, both would not have ex- isted. Both, therefore, are true; and may be recon- ciled, by supposing the one to be the genealogy of his mother, and the other that of his reputed father. In the most material articles they agree; namely, that he was descended from Abraham, and of the family of David. And it is impossible to imagine any motive, that could induce either Luke or Matthew to misrepre- sent the subsequent articles; as among a people, so cu- rious in genealogy as the Jews were, the error might be so easily found out. When the matter inquired into is very complex, au exact coincidence in the testimony of witnesses is not expected. Let them be ever so attentive and candid, they could not have stood all in the same place, nor con- sequently have taken notice of the very same particu- lars without variation. Of some sorts of facts, too, the memory of som.e men is more tenacious than that of others. One remembers best what he saw, another what he heard : one attends to the connection of events, with their effects and causes ; another considers them separately, and, as each event is in itself. Hence as formerly observed, some diversities in what they declare, concerning circumstances of little moment, would convey a fa\'ourable opinion of the veracity of witnesses , whereas, a perfect sameness of declaration might, in the case supposed, breed suspicion of a pre- concerted plan. But though, after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the apostles laid claim to infalli- bility of doctrine, they never gave out, that their whole conduct \vas under the guidance of inspiration. They were indeed holy men ; but still they were men ; and, a^ such, liable both to sins of inFirmitv, which they 460 OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. humbly acknowledge, and from which they affirm that no man is free, and also to error, not in doctrine indeed, but in those matters of less moment, in which they had nothing but their own reason to direct them. ' If wc ' say we have no sin, says St. John, we deceive our- * selves, and the truth is not in us. * We are men of * like passions with you,' said Paul and Barnabas, when the people of Lystra were preparing to pay them di- vine honours. And here, let me ask in passing, whether these two apostles, if they had been impostors, or wish- ed to gain undue influence over the minds of men, would have been so zealous in refusing those honours, and so anxious to convert that people from idolatry. And let me ask further, with respect to the apostles in general, whether, if ambition, or vanity, or any other principle than the love of truth, had been the motive of their conduct ; they would so uniformly, and with such solemnity of protestation, have ascribed all the glory of their miracles and doctrine, not to themselves, but to their crucified Lord. And now, if I have rightly stated the nature of their inspiration, can it appear strange, or in any respect de- rogatory from the character of the apostles and evan- gelists, that Paul and Barnabas should differ in opinion, concerning the propriety of taking John, surnamed Mark, along >vith them: that this John should have been suspected of a temporary neglect of duty* : that Peter and Paul, though men of distinguished fortitude, should, on one or two occasions, have been seized with a momentary fit of fear; or, that the former apostle should have bten reproved by the latter, for an incon- sistency of conduct, owing to his having been, in one particular case, too indulgent to certain prejudices of his Jewish countrymen | :- — a principle very natural in itself, especially to a warm hearted, affectionate pian, like Peter, and in ordinary cases not very blameable? All this might have appeared strange, if the apostles had ever pretended that their conduct was as blameless as * Acts XV, Sr. — 10. {- Calat. ii. 1 1. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 461 their doctrine. But they modestly declared it was not. Does this invalidate their testimony ? Does it not, on the contrary, do honour to their candour, and prove them to have been equally incapable of deceit, and of ostentation ? V. Christianity, it has been said, is a religion so ill adapted to this world, that it is impossible to live here, as people must do, and yet comply with the strictness of its morality. I admit, that human affairs are too often conducted on principles very different from those of Jesus ; that the man \v-ho sets his affections on this \vorld and resolves to act accordingly, will not fmd encour- agement in the gospel ; and that to the voluptuous, the ignorant, and the thoughtless part of mankind, the be- haviour of a sincere Christian may sometimes appear not a little singular. Nor can this seem wonderful to those who consider, that our Lord came into the world, to teach men, not how to become rich, renowned, or great, but how to prepare themselves for eternity. But though the principles of Christian and of worldly policy are too often inconsistent, it does not follow, that thev are necessarily so, or that they ought to be so. Human affairs, conducted on Christian principles, would trans- form this world, which, notwithstanding all that human laws can do, is a very confused scene, into an assylum of righteousness and peace. Our religion prohibits all injustice, contention, covet- ousness, pride, revenge, turbulence, hatred, and dis- content ; and all pleasures, passions, aud purposes, that tend to debase the soul, or molest our neighbour. It enjoins compassion, liberality, and faithfulness ; and de- clares, that no other virtue can make amends for the want of that benevolence of charity, ' which suffereth ' long, and is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is * not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemingly, * seeketli not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh * no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the ' trutl:^.' ^^'hat is there in this chanty, thai tends to * 1 Cor. xiii. 4j52 ©BJEC'IIONS ANSWERED. interrupt the business, or innocent comforts of life, ^ the prosperity of nations ? The injurious man, and the sensual, the proud, the covetous, and the hard-hearted may object to the morality of the gospel, as the cheat and robber may to the laws of the land, as unreasonably severe : but the just, the intelligent, the good-natured, and the sober-minded, will ever be of a diiFerent opin- ion. Those devout and generous affections, that contin- ually prevail in the breast of a true christian, are, in them- selves, exquisitely delightful ; and, instead of lessening other innocent pleasures, cannot fail to increase, enoble, and refine them. The gospel, say some, does no where recommend patriotism, or the love of our country ; that sublime A'irtue, so highly celebrated by the Greeks and Romans which gives elevation to the human soul, and has pro- duced so many great characters, and gallant deeds.-*-' It is true, that a Christian's principles makes him a cit- izen of the w orld ; by declaring it to be his duty to wish well, and, as he has opportunity, to do good to all men, whatever be their religion, or country. And it is also true, that patriotism, when it divests a man of Christian benevolence, and makes him indifferent to the welfare of the stranger and the alien, ceases to be a virtue, and becomes a surly, savage, and selfish thing. What should we think of the clo\^ii, who would refuse to take con- cern in human affairs, except within the precincts of his own parish ? In the eye of the Christian philoso- pher, that person is equally censurable, for his narrow views, and want of humanity, who is interested for his own country only ; or who, in order to raise it, would pull others down. Patriotism is partly a selfish, and partly a generous principle. Whatever is selfish in it, Chris- tianity discountenances ; whatever is generous, it re^ commends. A partiality in favour of those who depend on us, who are related to us by blood, or by friendship, and who worship the same God and Saviour whom we wor- ship, as it is natural to man, is also suitable to the spirit of the gospel. Our Lord commanded his apostles to. OBJECTIONS ANSWEREIJ. 46:> ttlake the first offers of salvation to their countrymen the Jews : and he himself, foreseeing the ruin of liis country, addressed Jerusalem in the most pathetic strains of affection, and wept over it. * If any provide not for * his own,' says the apostle, especially for those of his * own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than * an infidel.' ' As w^e have opportunity,' says he in another place, * let us do good unto all men, especially * unto them that are of the household of faith. Our Saviour graciously forbids excessive anxiety* with regard to the events of life, and the good tilings of this world : but his religion, as well as that of Moses, is most unfriendly to indolence ; and his apostles recom- mended industry, both by precept, and by example. Nay, there is reason to think, that he himself had la- boured with his own hands in his reputed father's pro- fession : for otherwise his townsmen would not have ealled him the carpenter. He prohibits revenge and contention, but not self-defence ; and this no lawgiver ever found it necessary to enjoin, as the instincts of our nature, and the well being of society, render it indis- pensable. And though, with respect to injury, the first disciples were commanded to be passive ; as we all are, to forbear, and forgive : yet he allowed them to speak in their own vindication, and even promised supernat- ural aid, when they should be obliged to do so. War cannot suit the genius of a religion, whose end is peace : but what then? If wars were to cease through- out the world, would society be less comfortable than it is, or any nation less flourishing ? All mankind speak of war as a calamity. But war, it will be urged is un- avoidable. Perhaps it may be so : and when it is, that religion surely cannot be said to forbid it, which permits self-defence, and enjoins submission to government. There is no opposition between the character of a good * Malt. vi. 25. — 3 1. That phravi in our verson, take no thouci:lit, does not now give die meaning of the Greek term. But, as an •apol'^ ogy for the translators, it may be observed, that, in the En^^li^h of their time, thought was sometimes used to express great anxiety, or solicitude. Jjacon, in his history of Henry Vll speaks of u man ■S less we have the inexcusable temerity to judge of him by ourselves; and to infer, because our i^oodness is no- thing, that his cannot be perfect; and, because we are ignorant and weak, that he cannot be omniscient and almighty. Far less absurd would it be for the unlet- tered peasant to deny the possibility of calculating- eclipses; for the blind to believe, that, because they cannot ste, there is none else who can ; and, for the poor to conclude, because they cannot relieve them- selves, that it is not in the power of generosity to re- lieve them. Great extent is a thing so striking to our imagina^- tion, that sometimes, in the moment of forgetfulness., we are apt to think nothing can be important, but wlicit is of vast corporeal magnitude. *And yet, even to our apprehension, when we are willing to be rational, how much more sublime and more interesting an object Is a mind like that of Newton, than the unwieldy force and brutal stupididy of such a monster as the poets dc-. scribe Polyphemus? Who, that had it in his power, would scruple to destroy a whale, in order to preserve a child? Nay, when compared with the happiness of one immortal mind, the greatest imaginable accumula- tion of inanimate substance, must appear an insigniti- cant thing. ' If we consider, says Bentley, the digni- * ty of an intelligent being, and put that in the scale, ' against brute and inanimate matter, we may afiirm, * without overvaluing human nature, that the soul of ' one virtuous man, is of greater worth and excellency, ' than the sun and his planets, and all the stars in the * world.' Let us not then make bulk the standard of value; or judge of the importance of man from the. weight of his body, or from the size or situation of tlie. planet that is now his place of abode. Our Saviour, as if to obviate objections of this na- ture, expresses most emphatically the superintending, care of Providence, when he teaches, that it is God who adorns the grass of the field, that without him a Bparrow falls not on the ground, and that even the hairs of our head arc numbered. Yet this is no c.:caggera- VOL. ii; 3 0 4fA OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. tion ; but must, if God is omniscient and almighty, be literallj'^ true. By a stupendous exuberance of ani- mal, vegetable, and mineral production, and by an ap- paratus still more stupendous, (if that were possible,) for the distribution of light and heat, he supplies the means of life and comfort to the short-lived inhabitants . of this globe. Can it then appear incredible; nay, docs not this consideration render it in the highest de- gree probable, that he has also prepared the means of eternal happiness for beings, whom he has formed for eternal duration, whom he has endowed with faculties so noble as those of the human soul, and, for whose accommodation chiefly, during their present state of trial, he has provided all the magnificence of this sub- lunary world? As far as our knowledge of nature extends, there is a w^onderful subserviency of one thing to another. By means of comets it is probable, and by means of at- traction it is possible, that our solar system may be con- nected with other solar systems. Our primary and se- condary planets, all dependent on the great central orb, reciprocally transmit their influences ; whereby our at- mosphere is variously affected, and prepared for yield- ing nourishment to the innumerable tribes of animal ^nd vegetable nature that surround us : and from man^ to the most diminutive insect, and from the oak and ce- dar, to the smallest organised body, the microscope can discover, every individual being, is, not only complete in itself, consisting of parts mutually adapted, and ope- rating to their respective ends, but is also subservient to the necessities of we know not how many other ani- mal and vegetable species.-— In unseen worlds is it not probable, that similar analogies may take place? In this our first period of existence, our eye cannot penetrate beyond the present scene, and the human race appears one great and separate community: but with other vvorlds, and other communities, we probably may, and every argument for the truth of our religion gives us reason to think that we shall be connected hereafter. And if, by our bebiaviour, we may, even while here, as OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. Us, OUT Lord positively affirms, heighten in some degree, the felicity of angels, our salvation may hereafter be a matter of importance, not to us only, but to many other orders of immortal beings. They, it is true, will not sufibr for our guilt, nor be rewarded for our obedience. But it is not absurd to imagine, that our fall and recov- ery may be useful lo them as an example; and, that the divine grace manifested in our redemption may raise their adoration and gratitude into higher raptures, and quicken their ardour to inquire, with every new delight, into the dispensations of infinite wisdom. This is not mere conjecture. It derives plausibility from many analogies in nature ; as well as from Holy Writ, which represents the mystery of our redemption as an object of curiosity to superior beings, and our repentance as an occasion of their joy. That mankind should, in every part of their duration, remain a separate community, and unconnected with all the rest of the universe, would be a very extravagant conceit. Yet even on this supposition, they would not lose their importance ; and the religion of our Saviour, considered as the means of eternal happiness to mil, lions of the human race, will appear a work of such benignity, as could only proceed from the best of be- ings, and of such magnitude, as to be worthy of the greatest. It is a strange perversion of science, w hen men con- tract their views in the same proportion in which their knowledge of nature is extended. Yet this must be the case of those, who think it easier to divine power to make and preserve one world, than to create and gov. crn ten thousand worlds. If we judge of the divine power from what we know of our own, both are impos- sible. And, to divine power, supposed to be infinitely j.uperior to ours, both are not only possible, but easy, and equally so. The time was, when this globe was believed to be the universe ; and the sun, moon, and stars, to lun c been framed for no other purpose, but to enlighten and adorn this our habitation. If he, who entertains thi:3 opinion, Rnd 370 difficulty in concei\'ing ^re OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. it possible for the Deity to superintend terrestrial things, and to prepare the means of happiness, both here and hereafter, for man, to whose dominion they are all sub- jected; why should it be more difficult for the enlight- ened astronomer to conceive, that the Creator of all worlds is equally powerful to preserve, and equally at- tentive to provide for, the innumerable works of his hand! Every new discovery in the visible universe ought to give elevation, and a new impulse, to the pious affec- tions ; and the further w^e see that the works of God extend, the more let us be overwhelmed with devout as- tonishment, in the contemplation of his infinite, eternal, and universal Being. Paradoxical writers have flattered themselves, that infidelity would gain ground as philosophy advances. So sanguine, as I have been informed, was a late pro- jcctar in this way, that he would sometimes give it as his opinion, that Christianity could not outlast the present century. I wish he hacl lived to see his mistake. By spphistry, the faith of individuals may be unsettled; but that of nations is not so easily shaken : and sophis- try never prevails long in opposition to common sense. From true philosophy, and a right use of reason, our religion has nothing to apprehend. The more carefully and candidly it is studied, the more conspicuous will its truth and beauty appear. Wherever it and human nature are understood, they are found so admirably suited to each other, that the believer needs not fear, and it is vain for the adversary to wish, their final sepa- ration. God has joined them, and it is not in man's poAver to put them asunder. This hope, from consid- ering the character of man, and the genius of the gos- pel, w^e should have had reason to rejoice in, even though the highest authority had not assured us, that against the church of Christ, not even the gates of hell shall prevail. The stomach must be depraved, that transforms ali- ment into poison ; and the eye cannot be sound, which day -light dazzles into blindness. Nor less unsound, or less depraved, is that understanding, which perverts sci.- OBJECTIONS ANSWT^RT^.D. 4r<7 encc into unbelief, and becomes ignorant of God, in proportion as the world is enlightened with the know- ledge of his works. Minute cavillers may grow more sceptical, the greater dexterity they acquire in misre- presenting facts, and misapplying language. But I know not whether a single instance can be mentioned of a tru- ly philosophic mind, who both understood Christianity, and disbelieved it. ^iiiiii^ SUBSCRIBERS NAMES TO THE LIFE OF CHRISF XFJl'-^rER^F.Y, Trenton, Governor Jos. Bloomfield, Charles Bodine, Elisha Forman, William B. Green, Thomas Hendrickson, Elijah Hendrickson, Benjamin Jones, Asa Knowles, Mary Ann Lawrence, Robert M'Xeely, esq. John Morris, James Oram, 15 copies. Felix Owins, Mary B. Potts, John Runyan, Israel Taylor. Man.^fidd. Charlotte Biddle, Henry S. Boulton, Joseph Graft, John English, Jacob Ci. Smith. JKorthampton. William Brick, 8am uel Beck, Hiicison Burr, James Branson, Benjamin Cox, J*4\n Cojtj Hillman Dobbins, William Dobbins, Joseph Earle, William Engeard^ Jeremiah Hains> William Irick, Daniel Joyce, Job Jones, Phineas Kirkbride* Charles Miller, Joseph Newton, Isaac Newton, Josiah Pricket, Isaac Ridgway, Phillip Strieker, William Vanzant* Jacob Woolston, Thomas Wilson, William Wilson.;. Evesham, Abel Austin, Samuel Austin, Abijah Branin, Francis Braddochf Jacob Ballinger, Uriah Borton, Joseph Coles, Sarah Coate, Joab Dobbinsf Owen Dav s, David Davis, Oabricl Davif^ 48o SUBSCRIBERS NAMES; AEW-JERSEY, James F.ldridge, Jacob Evansj jun. John Evans, Joseph Gardiner, Thomas Gloveiv William Heulings, Asa Haines, Solomon Haines, Rachael Haines, Johnathan Haines, Ner Haines, William Haines, Cox Haines, Thomas Haines, Stacy Haines, Abraham Haines, Sarah Holmes, Thomas Hollinshead, Thomas Ham mill, Thomas Inskeep, William Joyce, Benjamin H. Lippencott, Aaron T. Lippencott, Abel Lippencott, Jacob Lippencott, Daniel Leeds, Rev, Alexander M'Go\Yaji, Wilson M'Gowan, John Moore jun. Stacy Moore, Cyrus Moore, Bethuel Moore, jun, Joseph Moore, Sherwin Peacock, William Peacock, W^illiam Page, Jonathan Ouicksal!, Job Rakestraw, David Shinn, Isaac Stokes, John Stokes, \Yjlliam Stockton,- Jonathan Smith, Isaac Stevenson,- Isaac Sharp, Johti 'J'rothj Charles Wilklns; lesse Williams, Micaijah Wills, JLumberton, Elizabeth Custer, Jacob Clause, Samuel Haines, Daniel Wells, Ann Woolstoon. Bar dent on, James Davidson, Moore Edwards. Burlington. Isaac GifFord, Samuel Hamraell, Benjamin JeflTeris Josnua M. Wallace^ Enoch Warrington^ Derrick Lowden, John SJlpath. Willing b or oug/i, Robert Lucas. Waterford^ Edward Collins, Isaac Ellis, Joseph Heulings, William Thorn. Chester, b, c\ John Bispham, Samuel Covvgill,r Robert Engle, Isaac Fen ni more, Abraham Harris,, Isaac Heulings, xA.aion King, Peter King, Joseph Pearson, Samuel Slim, Samuel & John Wat"2 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES KEW'JERSEY. 481 Princeton, Kev. Enoch Burt, G. Beaity, Raphael Bell, Joseph Barr, David Cokman, Daniel Connfort, .Tolin S. Conger, Jacob R. Castner, William Dunlap, Henry Dwight, Matthew Griggs, IVlary Gifford* John R. Hamilton, Nathaniel Henrys James Latta, Philip Lindsley, John Lindsley, H. M. Perrine, Rev. Samuel S. Smith, D. D. John Smith, Kev. William Schenck, Mary Stockton, Jared D. '1 yler. Dr. John Vancleve, R. Voorhees, John S. Wood. Maidenhead. Isaac Brearley, ^ohn Breavley, Sarah Brearley, Stephen Johnes, Kphraim Phillips, Enoch Smith. Runsum. Henry Tiebout. Eatentoivn^ Thomas Little, esq. Thomas Little, jun. Peter T.Wolcott. Mulberry Hill. Dr. John Lawrence. Vol. ii. Long-Branch. Joshua Bennet, Joseph Parker. Monmouth, John Bugen, Elias Covenhoven, Alice Covenhoven, Jacob Hendrickson, Richard Horsefield, Samuel Imlay, John Perrine, Ezekiel Robbins, Josepii L, Shaver, Peter Thompson, Rev. John Woodhull, D. Di NeiV'Egyfit, Bowman Webster, Hanover. William Budd, Alexander Shreeve, Samuel Wright. Xetv-Mills. Dr. Jacob Egbert, Anthony S. Earle, Jacob Heisler. HoJiewelU William Lanning, Sarah Phillips, John Smith, esq. JoJin Stout, Stephen Titus, Thomas Wigins. jimivelL Samuel Abbott, Col. David Bishojlj Samuel Barber, Samuel Bruer, ]\rary Brittain, Cornelius Coryell, Christopher Cool, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES- J^EW'JERSEY. Jacob Corson, Jacob Dilts, Emly Holcomb, Isaac Hainds, John Ilanna, George Johnson, Joseph Lambert, Joseph Lambtrty Ann Mattison, Peter P. Quick, Franklin Rake, George Simmins, Gilbert Vancamp, Henry Vandolah, Jacob Williamson, Cornelius WykcofF;. Henry Williamson. Hillsborough* Benjamin Beekmaii, B Cornell, Peter B. Dumont, Isaac Hagaman, Rcv. Peter Labagh, Peter & I. La Tourette, 3 co. James Miller, Abraham G SchencK, Henry StaatSy Rev. John Scureman, Gilbert B. Taylor, Williampie Terhune, Ann Vandyke, Rynier Veghte. Griggstown. John Baird, Jonas Newton, Cornelius bimonson-, Sarah "v'^ndyke. Bethlehenu Conrad Apgar, Nicholas Apgar, Matthias Apgar, lienry Back man, Thomas Banghart, Abraham Carkeef, David Cownover^ Jacob Grevelini*, Peter Creveling, John Clark, Asa D. James Dunham, William Fleming, John Holmes, Samuel Hope, Matthias Housel, Henry Hockenbery, Adam Hope, S. Johnson, Samuel Maxwell, Jacob Melick, jun. Benjamin Opdyke, Benjamin Oydyke, jun«. Daniel V. Ruskirk, • Joseph Smith, Jacob Smith, John Twining, James W^yckoff, William Williamson, Baski7ig-Ridge, Bailey Brees, Rev. Robert Finley, Jacob Fingler, Jonathan Watkins. Readington, Wm. Bloom, John iiaker, John Brittain, Jacob CarhihufiT, I'.zekiel Cole, sen. Derrick Demott, William Dally, Peter Laljoyteaux, John G. Pittenger, Peter Quick, Nicholas Stillwellr Goi. John Smith, L. Schamp, Peter 1 enbrook, Christopher Van Dorei^j, Henry Van Fleets SUBSCRIBERS NAMES,. JsTEH -JERSEY, 4*3 Peter Vroono, William Van Fleet, Heniy WyckoflT. Cornelius Wyckoff, Benjamin Yourks, Bedminnter, Nicholas Arrasmith, esq. Martin B. John Blair, Ebenczer Barkley, Abraham Brown, David Dunham, Peter Dorn, Christian Euff, Mary Gaston, James Henry, Charles Hardenborgh, J. D.M ^Nicholas Joralaman, William J odd, Cornelius La rourette, W' illiam Logan, Cornelius Powlson, John M- Poulson, John Kunk, John D. btryker Simon iSuydam, Peter Sutphen, W illiam Smith, Thomas Stout, Abraham Simonson, Levi Sutton, Jacob Voorhees, Gilbert Van Doren, Aaron Van Doren, Abraham L V'anarsdalc. Veal'Town. David Cummings, W^iUiam Cummings. Mcndham. Rev. Amze Armstrong, James M. Clark, Luther Conkling, Henry Cooper, John Drake, Stephen Dodd, Peter Gillen, Isaac Hathaway, W illiam Morrow, Robert Miller, Ephraim Sanders, Daniel Thompson, seii. Joseph >jevius. Chester^ s. c. Jacob Conine. Joseph Coleman, Margaret Van Doren, William Van Doren. JVew-Brunswick* John Fourat. J\''eivfou7idland» Silas Day. Morristown. Nathaniel Bull, Simeon Broadvvell, John Craft, Isaac Carfield, Ezekiel Day, Moses Estey, Lewis Freeman, Seth Gregory, Mahlon Gord, Samuel Holiday, B. K. James James, Elias Jaggers, L. Moore, John Millard, Lewis Mills, Benjamin Marsh, Jabez Mills, Henry P. Russell, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Russell, Charles Russell, Wm Tuttle, Uzal TiUtle, 484 SU: BRIBERS NAMES. NEW-JERSEY, Ashbel Tuttle, Peter I. Van Berren, David Wooley, John Wooley, Elias Ward. Chatham y m. c, Isaac Brittain, Bonnel R. Brant, Jacob Bonnel, Silas FosttT, Samuel Gardner, Jacob Morrel, Ebenezer Riyon, John Roberts, Wm. Spencer, William StiUwell, Bottkhill. Lydia Bruen, J«' ' B. Benjamin Brue% Barzilla Casfield, John Hancock, Joseph P. Marsh, Josiah Miller, B. SayrCo Hanover, Aaron Ball, Rev. Aaron Condit, David Gorv, Alvan Campfield, Linus Condit, Stephen Kitchel, Henry Morry, Wm. Voorhees, Timothy Ward, Sfiringjidd, D. C. Baldwin, Simeon Bryant, Jacob Dean, Moses Edwards, Aaron Hand, William Parsill. Williajn Rusbcll, Dr. Daniel Sitfin. Stephen Sanders, Henry Wade, Rev. Gershom Williams, Caleb Woodruff, Abraham WooUey, Uzal Wade. South-Orange, Job Brown, Samuel Brown, Jonathan Brown, Nathaniel Bruin, Aaron Crowell, Daniel Edwards, Samuel Freeman, Jedediah Freeman, Jotham Freeman, Rev. Asa Hillyer, Abraham Harrison, Cyrus Jones, Joseph Matthews, David Mann, John Peck, jun. James Peck, John Quinby, Nathan Squier, William Smith, Henry Taylor, Phineas Taylor, Ezekiel Taylor, Nathaniel i'aylor, Amos Vincent. Jejfer son-Village* ■, Samuel Allen, William Brown, Cyrus Durand, John Uurand, Caleb Durand, Samuel Durand, John Lyon. Westjield. Jonathan L Bake^'. Richard Cadmauj SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. JVEW-JERSEY. 435 Lewis Miller, Isaiah bhotwell. JVenvark* Uzal Anson, James Beach, E. Boudinot, jun. Gen- J. Cumming, Abner Crane, Mrs, Mary Crane, Charles C. D. Nehemiah Hedden, Joshua Horton, Hannah Holeton, E. H Jonathan Lyon, Hobart Littell, Ebenezer B. M'Lain, Kobert M'Chose, Ebenezer S. Phelps, James Richards, Isaac Slote, Isaac bayrs, Joseph Wilbure. Union, John Braisted, David Crane, Hope Carpenter, Caleb Jefferys, jun. Abraham Lyon, John C. Lum, James Meeker, John Maxfield, Matthias Potter, Jedediah Williams. Sfireivsbury, John Borden, William Crai.f^, Mary Crawford, Deborah Coriies, M. D Jacob Fleming, James Green, Esq. WiUiam Hai^ht, John Hance. John Hartshorn, jun. Abraham Holmes, Increase King, Aaron Lain, Lewis Macknight, James Salter, Barnt Tysen, Brittain White, Benjamin White. Piscataway. Jonathan Dunham, George Farmer, William Harris, David Harris, John Harris, James Harris, John Keve, James Littell, Oliver Post, Jacob Snyder, John Stine, Jacob Van Devanter, sen. Elias Vanzant, Daniel Vail, Peter Vail, Joel Vail. JS/eiV'Market . Caleb Carman. Warren. John A. Fisher, Frederic Vermeule, esq. Bridgewater. WiUiam Dalley, George I. Van Nest, Cornelius \"anhorn. Chesterfield. Joseph Middleton, Israel Mitlon, Apollo Woodward. 48^ SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. JVEW'JERSEY. Cumberland c. Noah Burt, Wm. C. Daniel Garad, Ogden Daniels, William Davis, Humphries Green, Peter Ladow, jun. J M. William Mason, John Tubman, Amos Wtstcott, esq. Kingnvood. John Brittain, L. C. David Curtis, Samuel Grant, Samuel Lott, Paul H. M. esq. Samuel Mannon, David Teumy, John Teumy, Aaron Warlord, George Wert, Jacob Wert. Pittstown* John Arrison, , John Fulper, R. F. Forman, James P. Hunt, Edward Rockhill. GreeJiivic/i, s c. Joseph A. Atlee, John P. Arnott, George M. Albright, Abraham Biddleman, Jacob Beyer, Thomas BuUman, Ivathanicl Barber, John Coleman, Wiililm Carter, William Crawling, Peter Cavling, G. Chamberlin, John Carpenter, Lew^is Cline, Charles Carter, esq. Samuel Drake, John Grace, James Hyndshaw. esq; Isaac Hughes, Dr. John Hughes, Martha Hughes, William Hunt, John Hunt, Amos Hixson, Daniel Hixson, Abm. Hance, William Kenedy, esq. Daniel S. Moore, Jacob MeUick, John Phillips, Dr. Jacob Reiss, A. D. Kunkle, David Riley, Joseph Roseberry, Michael Roseberry, Elizabeth Reynele, Jonathan Robbins, C. Smith, John Sharps, Christiana Sharps, Christian Sharps, Thomas Stewart, esq. Joim r. Simpson, Jacob Seigle, Peter Sharps, I'hilip Seagar, Philip Sine, Peter G. Tilton, B. Tomer, Wm. Wilson, John Walter, Jacob Young. Mexandria, Abraham Bloom, Daniel Brink, John Derumple, Joseph Cooper, William Case, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 487 XEW'JERSEY. J. — -D. John Fine, Philip Fine, jun. William Godly, Thoinas liotlge, Zebedee Hughes, John ')ufr, Paul li. M. Prevost, esq. Michael Rimond, William Waggoner, Abel White. Lebanon, Henry Aller, George Ape-ar, Harbit Apgar, Peter Apgar, William Apgar, Gilbert Bodine, J. B. Ra^ph Beavers, Andrew Creger, •Matthias CraLer, esq. John Dennis, Jesse Everitt, John Lveritl, J. E. Joseph Everitt, Morris Fritt^, Wm. Force, B F. John Fisher, Frederick Fritts, jun. Joseph Force, Peter Flomerfelt, esq. John Gulick, S.—- -G. W. G. John Henry, Edward Hill,^ Arthur Henarie, Wm. Hazlct, William Hann, esq, Peter Hoppough, Calvin Hill, Kichard Hamlet, John Imrey, Samuel Jones, Peter Jinnings, Richard Kaszat, T. Liniger, J. L. Jacob M Kinney, Andrew Omnick, Chailes Phillips, John Rodenbough, John Shaver. Catharine '^hurts, Elenor bmith, Joseph Smith, Morris Sharp, William Shannon, Aaron Sutton, David Sharp, Michael Shurts, John Smith, John Stravble, Jtsse Thatclijsr, Henry Tunison, John Van Fltet, William Vanhorn^ Robert Wilson, Peter R. Weller, Francis Yaw gen, Peter Yawgen, ♦ Peter Young, George Young. JVew-GcrmantoiV}! . Theophilu* Hardy, Jacob Kline. Crosstvicks* Thomas Moore Edwards., Samuel Fowler. Bloomsbw If, John Duckworth. Somerset c, George Flomerfelt, Joseph A. Osburn. 4SS SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Umori'Farm, Robert Taylor. Anbury, Benjamin Cole, Wm. M'Cullough, esq. 'I'homas Scureman. West- Windsor. Jacob I. Bergen, Elijah Davis, John Davis, Peter Hooper, Samuel Robbins, Richard Runyan, Robert Runyan, Matthew Rue, John Rue, Ezekiel Smithy J. Smith. Te'wksbury, Charles Apgar, Peter Apgar, Jacob Best, P. E. Joshua Farley, David Felmly, Benjamin Fritts, George Fisher, p._-E. Philip Hyler, Richard Joll|f, Moses Harvey, John Moore, John M^Kinstry. Isaac Ogden, Jonathan Potter, John G. baiter, Andrew Stout, William i harp, Alexander Ramsey. Nottingham* Josiah Appleton, Gen. John Beatty, Henry Bellerjeau, Charles Butcher, Gilbert Brown, Jesse Coleman, Charles Wesley Fenton Daniel Fenton, jun. John Johnston, James Morford, John Mount, Elijah Stout. '^een-'Ann^s Samuel Burgess. Cranhury. John Applegate, E.- Ayres, John P. Bergen, Charles Barclay, James Llark, Y lizabeth Grover, Nathaniel Hunt, James Hay, Samuel Kerr, John Kerr, Joseph M'Chesney, Dr. Ralph Lott, Rebecca Reed, Garret Snedeker, "William Schenck, Rev. George S. Woodhull Vincent "Wetherill. South-Amboy, John Anderson, Thomas Cook, esqr James Davison, Nathan Dons, Amy Fain, David Hall, Stephen Hooper, William Huston, Cornelius Johnsoa. Vincent Miller, John Mount, Matthias Mount., Samuel Pitney? SUBSCRIBERS NAMES A'EW-JERSEY. 489 John Rue, William Robinson^ David Sutfin Jacob Suidam, jun. Joseph Vane leaf, David Vanderveer, Tunis G. Vanderveer, Garret Wyckoff. Bernard, David Kirkpatrick. Montgomery. Rev. David Bartine, 3 copies. William R. bchenck, Haddonfield. John A. Crisson, Turner Ridi-on, Thomas Redman. Gloucester. Joseph Abell, Isaac Browning, Samuel W. Blackwood, Marniaduke Burrough, John Brick, Abel Clement, Isaac Cooper, William Champion, David Doughten, Abraham Fennimore, John Gant, Joseph (/lover, Isaac Glover, Isaac Hay, V\ illiam Hugg, James blurley, Amos Haines, Samuel Henry, J. Heritage, Joseph Mickle, John M*Callister, 10 copies. William Mailock, Jesse Sparks, Sarah Stokes, John Stokes, Joseph Sloan, William Troth, Joseph Thuckray, Joseph Wills. Woodbury. Dr. Eli Ayres, D. Davenport, ^lessrs. Brick & French, J. H. James Matlock, Elias Reynolds, Apollo Woodward, Benjamin Whitecar, John M. White. De^itford, John Carter, Isaac Hinchman, Jonathan Johnson, Ebren Powel, Samuel Sterling, Jesse Smith. Woolivich* Edward Bates, Josiah Chatham, William Elwell, Jacob Gosling, • ^ Daniel Gardiner, Philip Lutts, Isaac Morgan, ^^ . Mulford, John Pissant, Samuel Weatherby, Greenwich, g, c. Enoch Agguigs, Mary Allen, EMward Bates, jun. Dr. J. Clark, James Casseday, Nathan Cooper, Thomas Carpenter, Joseph V. Clark, George Hillerman.. John Ugood, Jonatlian Paul, 490 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. XEllWERSEY. Silas Richards, John Richards, Joseph Sweeten, Josiah Stokes, Willet Smith, Samuel Tonkin, Hudson Tomlin, John L. Vanneman, Robert Wallace. Salem c. Jedediah T, Allen, Deborah Clark) John t ooper, William Carpenter, Joseph Cook, Alexander Dean, Samuel Dean, Jeremiah Dubois, James Dickinson, Samuel Hall, Thomas Pervin, William Smith, David B. Smith, Robert Van Mater. Siveedsboro ugh . William Harrison, Francis Hover, Dr. James Stratton, Ebenezer Sumer, Richard Tittemary. Freehold., m. c, Kenneth Anderson, David Bow^n, James Baird, Garret G. Conover, Elias Conover, linoch Covi'ard, John Craig, sen. Zebulon Clayton, John Clayton, William I. Craig, Jacob Covenhoven, Cornelius Covenhoven, Garret Covenhoven, Catharine Covenhoven, John Clayton, Rev. Benjamin Dubois, Daniel Dey, Tunis Dubois, John I. Ely, Dr. Samuel Forman, Kenneth Hankinson, James Herbert, esq. Jonathan R. Gordon, Samuel Ivins, Robert Jones, Abraham Johnson, John Reed, Aaron Reed, James Robinson, John I. Reed, John J. Rue, Catharine Schenck? Sarah Schenck, Rulef P. Schenck, James Scott, John T. Smith, Samuel T^ Thompson^ Mary Thompson, Peter Vandorn, W Wickoff, William Wilson, James Wall, John W'hitlock, William Wooley. Middletown-Point* Sarah Bates, Z. Clevenger, Derrick Whitlock. Hamburg. Thomas C. Ryuson, Middletonvn^ m. c. Esther Burrowes, Samuel Beers, Thomas Covenhoven, Cornelius R. Covenhoven^ William Conover, David Clarkt SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. A9^ JN'EW-JEnSEY. Daniel H. Dubois, Rev. John Fountain, Capt. Fred. Hendrickson, Joseph Holmes, John S. Holmes, A. Hills, H end lick Hendrickson, Stephen JManning, John Smock, Burns Smock, Daniel Schenck, Delefeat Schenck, Isaac Van Doren, Jos. H. Van Mater. MQimt-Pleasant , Hendrick Hiers, John P. Vanpelt. Morris c. K. B. Silas Cook, Jacob Deake, John P. Dorsey, Zephaniah Drake, Rev. Lemuel Fordham, J F. John D. Gardiner, Abner Whitehead, E. Hallsey, jup. Benjamin Lindsley, Joseph M. Lindsley, Silas Lindsley, Ebenezer Morehous, & B M. Rev. Stephen Occcrtom, John Smith, James H. Thomas. Kitigston- Elijah Blackwell, Rev. David Comfort, D. Clarkson, James M'Chesney, Dr. Jacob Scudder, Elias Scudder. Rocky-HUL William truser, Samuel Mershon, John Reeve. Ten-Mile-Run. Elias Baker. Mapletonvn, Thomas Blackwell, John Cruser, William Covenhoven> Samuel Ivins. Pleasant 'Plains. Rev. James S. Cannon. Dutch-A'eck. Ezekiel Anderson, Peter Bergen, Covet Voorhees. Raritan-Landing, Michael Garrish. Bound' Brook. John Campneld. Franklin. John M. Bayard, Andrew Brown, William French, Samuel Garritson, Garret Polhemus, Abraham I. Voorhees, Denice Vanliew, Elizabeth Vanliew, Simon Vannortwick, John L Wyckotf. Pluckamin. James \''anderveer. 49^ SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. JSfEW'JERSEY, Sussex c. Nicholas Abbertson, Maria S. Blair, David Barclay, Charles Croxall, Jacob Ciniis, Daniel GurHs, Isiathan Cook, Mary Davison, James Davison, George Hibhs, John Hartley, Thomas Harm an, James Hayes, William Hibler, Klias Jones, Joseph K^rr, John JLiacey, William l.oder, John M^Miirline, Jacob Milltr, Reubt n hearle, WiUiam Shatp> Joshua Svvayze, William Taylor, jun. Robert C. Thompson, Deerfitld^ c. c. Hlijah Davis, Enos Davis, John Davis, Elizabeth Foster, J. G. jun. John Johnson, Enoch Paul in. Rev. Nathaniel Reeve, Henry Richman, William bhull, Abraham Swing, Henry Shoemaker, Samuel Thompson, Jeremiah Wood, J W. Fairfield* John Bateman. Burgin Bateman, Preston Bishop, David Clark, Amos Fithian, Ephraim Lummis, jun. Enoch H Moore, Curtis Ogden, Ethan O shorn, Henry Westcott, Amos Westcott, jun. Butler Newcomb. Bridgetoivn, Enoch Burgin, Jeremiah Brick, J. Bennett, Wm. Crooks, Daniel > Imer, Jonathan Elmer, William Merritt, Samuel Moore Shute, Stephen Miller, Jacob Perhannes, William Potter, Lott Randolph, Stephen Reeves, Elias Rose, Mark Riley, Ephraim Seeby, Ebenezer Seeby, Samuel Seeby, Jeremiah Stratton, 'i homas Woodruff, Charles Woodruff. Roadstoivn, Harvey Sheppard, George Smith. Middlesex. James Abraham, Frederic BuckeleWj Paul Miller, Daniel Miller, Joseph Wall. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. J^EW-JERSEY, 4^3 BeatieS'toivn. Matlhew Martin. Eaat'Windsor. Samuel Allen, iLuphame Breese, L. Covenhovcn, David Covenhoven, Elias Dancer, John Dickson, Aaron Forman, Lewis Forman, Jacob Hight, John Hulit, Daniel Johnes, Frederick Miller^ Jacob Warner. Indefiendence, «. r. Samuel Bradford, Elisha Bird, jun. FJijah Lanning, Joseph Murry. Boxbfrrij. Cadwalader Smith. Downs. George Elkinton, Peter Campbell. Ca/ie-May. Rev. Thomas Brooks, Daniel Goff. Cumberland c. David Mason, Joseph Prickelt. Port- Elizabeth. Deborah I^e. PENNSYLVANIA. Korthamiiton, John Corson, esq. Gilliam Cornell, Thomas Hutchinson, Peter Lefferts, David Taggart. Middletown. Joseph Subeer. Falhto'wn. Esther Brelsford, John Comfort, Moses Doan, William J. Green, Barclay Ivins, Martha Lancaster, Wm. Moon, Lucy Mull, Jacob Singleton, '1 homas Scattergood, Hector Thompson, William Warner. LoweT'Mak.Jield. Cornelius Slack, Joseph Wender. Yardleville, Joseph Baldwin, Isaiah Van Zant, Farmer. Thomas Yardley. U/i/ier-MakeJield. Mary Betts, Joseph Thornton. Dolington, John Whitecar. 494 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. PEAWSYL FJJVIJ. Solcbury. Israel Childs, Aaron Eastburii, Amos Scott, Robert T. Neely, Joseph Wilkinson. JVeiv-HoJw. Amos Ely, Samuel Kip say. Buckingham, Ebenezer Conrad. JVewtoivn, Amos Brii^gs. jittleborough. Eliza Hains, Thomas Kitchen, Gabriel Mitchel. Milford. William Hulme. Moreland» Joseph Pryor, Hugh Roberts, Richard Robb, John Robinson, George S. Shelmire. jFrank/ori* Rachael Carpenter, Joseph Guilkey, W. Hurst. Abingion, William Francis, Levi Fisher, Wm. Grant, Isaac Hallowell, John R. Hallowell, John Morrison, Rev. Wm. M. Tentnt D. D. Thomas Tyson, John Tyson, Elijah Tyson, Benjamin Tyson. Ufifier 'Dublin, John Burk, 2 copies. Benjamin Barnes, James Barnes, Conrad Clime, George Dresher, Levi Darrah. Joseph Fitwater, George Hague, Levi Jarret, Isaac Kirk, Joseph Lukens, W^m. Lukens, Samuel Robinson, James Kutter, Martha Sturges, Alice Thomas, Jesse West, Joseph Wise. Whitpain. Samuel Ashmead, 1 homas Butcher, Mordecai Jones, Daniel Lavering, Randle Orsborn, Isaac H. Putner, Job Roberts, John Styer, David Thomas, Rev. George Wack, John Wentz, Jacob Yost, Isaac Zimmerman, Jacob Zimmerman, Whitemarsh. Adam Huffman, Jesse Jarrett, Samuel Maulsby, Jonathan Roberts, John Smith, ^ SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 495 PEA'jVSYL vania. D. Wolmer, Septimus Wood, Isaac Williams. Plymouth. Alexander Crawford, Samuel Davis, Edward Roberts. JSiorrington. Samuel Knose, Joseph Roberts, David Supplee, J. — z — JVorristown, Daniel Arnold, Robert Carothers, Robert llammell. Rev. John Jones, Philip Markley, Jesse Roberts, George Righter, Matthias Thoplin, Mark Thompson, William Thomas, Worcester, John Benson, Evan Bisson, John Davib, Peter Johnson, Joseph Syson, Abraham Supplee. Gwynedd. Jesse Foulke, Amos Griffith, Benjamin Harry, Edward Jenkins, John Knipe, Joseph Lewis, esq. Jpseph Meridith, George Roberts, George Sheive. Dristoi. John Bissonett, Phineas Buckley, Joseph Headley, Thomas Leonard, Jonathan Pursill, Abel Van Zant. .^e-wfiort. Samuel Vanschuyler. Aew-Brittain. John Duncan, John Davis, Margaret Grearal, Charles Humphrey, Elizabeth Haas, Abner Morris, Edward Matthew, Benjamin Matthew, sen, David Swart, Ephraim 1 homas. Tredyffrin. John Beaver, Joseph Bartholomew, John Brown, Israel Davis, John Jones, James Kennedy, John Kugler, Mary Moore, John Rouland» Abel Reese, Jolin Reese, Daniel Richards, Hananiah Walker, David \\'ilson. Eastoji, Joseph Burke, M. Chun hman, Conrad Davis, Barnabas Davis. 49^ SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. PEJVJVSYL VAJVIJ. Peter Deats, John C. Ernet, WilHam G. hrnc^t, George W. Ernet, Abraham Ealer, John Green, Abraham Hay, Davis Jones, John Megoodin, J. Mixseil, Rev. Thomas Pomp, Martin Potturpt, George Ress, John Ross, esq. Sarah Scoby, John Tucker, Wm. Torbert. Providence. Matthias Brumback, Joshua Crawford, Robert Gettys, John Hiser, Mary Logan. East' Whiteland, Benjamin Bartholomew, William Everhart, M. G.- Campfield Harris, Enoch Kitchen, George Maiin, Randal Malin, William Richison, Samuel Richison, John Sim onton, David Todd, Mai-y Watson. Willistoivn. Andrew Alexander, Abner Eachus, William Evans, Lewis Garret, John Garret, Nathan Garret, William Garret, jui;, Abner Griffith, John Harris, Thomas Hall, Amos Hilberd, John Hansley, Isaac Haines, George Herzel, Thomas Mattock, Michael Sill, Townsend Thomas, Joseph Waterman, Great 'Valley, David Cloyd, Josiah Hilberd, William Harris, Rev. William Latta, James Malin. Radnor. David Brooke, Wm. Black, Abel Leurs, Edward Siter. Goshen.. Joseph Garrett, Benjeimin Garrett, Isaac Haines, sen. Abraham Pratt, John Singler, Nathan Sharpless, John Townsend, Wm. Worthington, Eber Worthington* Horscham. John Carr, Mary Carr, James Van Zant. U/ifier-Merion. Benjamin Brooks^ Peter Ramsey, Jacob Ramsay, Jonathan Ramsey, Richard Rue, SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. FEAJVSYL VANU. 497 ^mK Germantoivn, Samuel Blair, Rev. Charles Helfeusteiu, Samuel Keyser, William Keyser, Daniel Lippard. Upper-Provideyice, Israel Bringhurst. Lovjer-Providence. James Been. Tominson. Samuel Castner, John Rife, Jacob Rulf, Abraham Supple, Abraham Slover, Joseph Smith, Jacob Wompole, Wayne c. Adrian Dawes. Sfiringfield, Joseph Breackenridge, Jeremiah Billeu, Christopher Rex. Williams, Philip Drumheller. Cheltenham, Richard Leech, Richard Martin, Bartholomew Mether, John Sutten. Philadcl/ihia» Thomas Branagaji, 20 copies Benedict Dorsey, John Coffman, Philip Dolts, Stephen Littell, VOL. ik 3r Stephen Large, Jacob Miller, esq. Samuel Townsend, Samuel Wilson. Hartford. Charles Collins, E. Johnson, Adam Litzenburgh, Joseph Vogdes, Benjamin Yard. Miles 'Town, Dr. Geqrge D. Beneville, John Backman, Isaac Thomas, Richard Wilson. Bensalem, Henry Ridge, jun. Southamfiton, Jacob Krewson. ^