perty is subject to its particular inconvenience. Perfection cannot be found in fallen man. The best are sometimes blameable, and the wisest often mistaken. Warm and active tempers, though influenced in the main by the noble ambition of pleasing God in all things, are apt to overshoot themselves, and to discover a resentment and keenness of spirit which cannot be wholly justified. Others of a more fixed and sedate temper, though less subject to this extreme, are prone to its opposite; their gentleness degenerates into indolence, their caution into cowardice. The principle of self, likewise, which, though subdued, is not eradicated, will in some instances appear. Add to this the unknown access and influence which the evil spirits have upon our minds, the sudden and new emergencies which surprise us into action before we have had time to deliberate, with many other considerations of a like nature; and it will be no wonder that some things are always amiss* in the best and most successful attempts to promote the glory of God and the good of souls. And it is farther to be noted, that some individuals will be found who, though seemingly engaged in the same good work, and for a time pretending to much zeal, are essentially defective in their hearts and views; and when at length their true characters are exposed, the world, who either cannot, or will not distinguish, charge the faults of a few upon a whole profession, as, in the former case, they wound the character of a good man for unavoidable and involuntary mistakes. We shall therefore show, that either the exceptions made, and so loudly reverberated in our ears, against the gospel doctrine, on these accounts, are unjust, or that there was sufficient cause to reject and condemn our Lord and his apostles for the same

reasons.

The character of Peter is marked with admirable propriety and consistency by the evangelists. He every where appears like himself. Earnestly devoted to his Master's person, and breathing an honest warmth for his service, he was in a manner the eye, the hand, the mouth of the apostles: he was the first to ask, to answer, to propose, and to execute: he made a noble confession, for which our Lord honoured him with a peculiar commendation: he waited but for a command to walk to him upon the water: he was not afraid to expose himself in his Lord's defence, when he was surrounded and apprehended by his enemies: and though, in this last instance, his affection was ill expressed, yet

A lukewarm, cautious spirit can easily avoid, and readily censure the mistakes and faults of those who, fired with an honest warmth for the honour of God and the good of souls, are sometimes transported beyond the bounds of strict prudence. But though the best intention cannot make that right which is wrong in itself, yet the zeal, diligence, and disinterested aim of such persons are worthy of our esteem.

his motive was undoubtedly praise-worthy. His heart flamed with zeal and love, and therefore he was always forward to distinguish himself.

But the warmth of Peter's temper often betrayed him into great difficulties, and showed that the grace he had received was consistent with many imperfections. Though he sincerely loved Christ, and had forsaken all for him, he was at one time so ignorant of the true design of his incarnation, that he was angry and impatient to hear him speak of his sufferings, and brought upon himself a most severe rebuke. Not content with the ordinary services allotted to him, he offered himself to unnecessary trials, as in the above instance, when he pressed to walk upon the water. The event showed him his own weakness and insufficiency, yet his self-confidence revived and continued. When our Lord warned him again and again of his approaching fall, he thought, and boldly affirmed that it was impossible. He was sincere in his protestation; but the actual experiment was necessary to convince and humble him. Accordingly, when left to himself, he fell before the first temptation. And here the impetuosity of his temper was still manifest. He did not stop at a simple denial of Jesus, he confirmed it by an oath, and at length proceeded to utter bitter imprecations against himself, if he so much as knew him, whom he had seen transfigured in glory upon the mount, and prostrate in an agony in the garden. Such was the weakness and inconsistency of this prince of the apostles.

None of these excesses appeared in the conduct of the traitor Judas. He was so circumspect and reserved, that we do not find any of the disciples had the least suspicion of him. But, whilst his heart was full of wickedness, he could find fault with others, and charge their best expressions of love with indiscretion. When Mary anointed our Lord's feet with ointment (John xii. 5, 6,) he was displeased at the waste, and professed a warm concern for the poor; but we are told the true reason of his economy: It was not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag which contained the common stock entrusted to him. The charge of the bag is an office full of temptation, and an attachment to the bag has been often at the bottom of many censures and misrepresentations which have been thrown out against the people of God. It has been, and it will be so; but the Lord has appointed that wherever the gospel should be preached, to the end of the world, this action of Mary, with the observation of Judas upon it, and

† Mark xiv. 71. "He began to curse and swear."To imprecate the most dreadful curses upon himself, and call solemnly on God to execute them. This was indeed the most probable method to free himself from the suspicion of being a disciple of Jesus, for no such language had been till then heard among his followers.

I hope, that what I have said upon this subject will neither be misunderstood nor perverted. We do not defend even the infirmities of the best men; much less would we provide a plea for persecution or ambition. Let not the man, who supposes gain to be godliness, who makes the gospel a ladder, whereby to climb the heights of worldly preferment, whose heart, like the insatiable fire, is craving more, and practising every art to accumulate wealth and honour in the church; let not the proud man, who would lord it over conscience, and though unable to command fire from heaven, would gladly prepare fire and slaughter upon earth for all who will not venture their souls upon his faith; let not these avail themselves of the examples of James and John: but rather let them tremble at the reflection, that while they manifest no part of the apostles' graces, they are entirely possessed of those tempers, the smallest traces of which our Lord so severely rebuked in his disciples.

The first believers, though not faultless, were sincere: the natural disposition of their hearts was changed; they believed in Jesus; they loved him; they devoted themselves to his service; they submitted to his instructions, shared in his reproach, and could not be either enticed or intimidated to leave him. Their gracious Master was their guide and guard, their advocate and counsellor; when they were in want, in danger, in trouble, or in doubt, they applied to him, and found relief; hence they learned by degrees to cast all their care upon him. He corrected every wrong disposition; he pardoned their failings, and enabled them to do better. His precepts taught them true wisdom; and his own example, which, to those who loved him, had the force of a thousand precepts, was at once the model and the motive of their obedience. To make them ashamed of aspiring to be chief, he himself, though Lord of all, conversed among them as a servant, and condescended to wash their feet; to teach them forbearance and gentleness to their opposers,

Thus they gradually advanced in faith, love, and holiness, as the experience of every day disclosed to them some new discovery of the treasures of wisdom, grace, and power, residing in their Lord and Saviour: he explained to them in private the difficulties which occurred in his more public discourses; by his observations on the common occurrences of life he opened to them the myste rious volumes of creation and providence, which none but those whom he vouchsafes to teach can understand aright: he prayed for them, and with them, and taught them to pray for themselves: he revealed unto them the unseen realities of the eternal world, and supported them under the prospect of approaching trials; particularly of his departure from them, by assuring them that he was going on their behalf to prepare them a place in his kingdom, and that in a little time he would return to receive them to himself, that they might dwell with him for ever.

What he personally spoke to them, and acted in their presence, was recorded by his direction, and has been preserved by his providence for the use and comfort of his church. Though his enemies have raged horribly, they have not been able to sup press the divine volume; and, though invisible to mortal eyes, he is still near to all that seek him; and so supplies the want of his bodily presence by the secret communications of his Spirit, that his people have no reason to complain of any disadvantage: though they see him not, they believe, love, rejoice, and obey; their attention and dependence are fixed upon him; they intrust him with all their concerns; they rely upon his promises; they behold him as their Highpriest, Advocate, and Shepherd; they live upon his fulness, and plead his righteousness; and they find and feel that their reliance is not in vain.

The disciples were content for his sake to bear the scorn and injurious treatment of the world: they expected no better usage, nor desired a higher honour, than to be fellowsufferers with their Lord. When he propos ed returning to Judea, at a time they thought dangerous, and they could not alter his purpose, they did not wish to be left behind:

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Let us go (says one of them to the rest,) that we may die with him." It is true, when he was actually apprehended, the first shock of the trial was too strong: they forsook him and fled. He permitted this, both to exempt them from danger, and to let them know that of themselves they could do nothing. But it seems they did not go far. When Thomas afterwards said, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails.

thread of the gospel history from that glorious day of divine power. The contents of this first book, namely, a brief view of the neces sity and nature of the gospel-dispensation,— the causes why it is and has been opposed,— and the circumstances of the first believers,

But the third day dispelled their grief: he returned victorious from the grave, proclaiming peace by the blood of the cross; he declared, and his appearance proved it, that the ransom was paid and accepted; and that having now overcome the sharpness of death, he had opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Then he spoke peace to their hearts: he opened their understandings to know the scriptures, and breathed upon them his Holy Spirit: he conversed frequently with them during forty days; gave them a large commission to preach his gospel, and an invaluable promise of his presence with them to the end of the world.

When he had thus confirmed them by those instructions and assurances, which his wisdom saw necessary, he was received up to heaven. They followed him with their hearts and eyes a while, and then returned to Jerusalem rejoicing. They were not ashamed of their crucified Lord, or unwilling to bear the contemptuous names of Galileans or Nazarenes for his sake. They were not afraid, as if left like sheep without a shepherd in the midst of their enemies: they knew, that though they could see him no more, his eye would be always upon them, and his ear open to their prayer: they waited, according to his command, for a farther supply of his Spirit, to qualify them for the important and difficult services which were before them. Nor did they wait long; a few days after his ascension, while they were praying with one heart and mind, the place where they were assembled was shaken as with a mighty wind; the Spirit of power and wisdom was abundantly communicated to them; they spoke with new tongues, and immediately began to preach boldly, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

With this solemn and memorable event, I shall open the second book, and take up the

my own and the reader's assistance in the progress of the work.

It is much to be wished, that every reader might be impressed with the importance of our subject. It is not a point of curiosity, but of universal concern, and that in the highest and most interesting sense. Most of the researches and disquisitions which employ the time and talents of men, are of a trivial or indifferent nature. We may range on different sides concerning them; we may give or refuse, or retract our assent, when and as often as we please; we may be totally igno rant of them without loss, or be skilled in them all without deriving any solid comfort or advantage from them: but the gospel of Christ is not like the dry uninteresting theo ries of human wisdom; it will either wound or heal, be a savour of life or of death, a source of endless comfort, or the occasion of aggravated condemnation, to all that hear of it. To receive it, is to receive the earnest and assurance of eternal happiness; to reject it, or remain wilfully ignorant of its characters and properties, will leave the soul op pressed with guilt, and exposed to the wrath of God for ever. It highly concerns us, there fore, to inquire, Whether we believe the gospel or no, whether what we call the gos pel is the same that Christ and his apostles taught, and whether it has had the same or similar effects upon our hearts? We live where the gospel is generally professed, and we are reputed christians from our cradles; but the word of God cautions us to take heed, lest we be deceived. We see christianity divided into innumerable sects and parties, each supported by names, arguments, and books, and fighting for the credit of a denomination: but how many forget, that in a little time all these divisions and subdivisions will be reduced to two; the only real and proper distribution by which mankind, as to their religious character, ever was or will be distinguished, and according to which their final states will be speedily decided,―The children of God, and the children of the wicked one.