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SERMON XV.

ORIGIN OF THE CHRISTIAN NAME, AND SUCCESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

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Acts xi. 26.

The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. DISCIPLE is a word nearly synonimous in its import with the term, scholar. Or, a disciple is one who attends the lectures, and professes the tenets of another. A disciple of Christ, is one who believes his doctrines, imbibes his Spirit, and follows his example. The disciples, or followers of Christ, were first denominated Christians at Antioch, in Syria, in the forty-second year of the Christian era. This was once considered the third city in the world; famous for its beauty, greatness, and population. It was built by Antiochus and Seleucius Nicanor, partly on a hill, and partly on a plain. It has the river Orontes in its neighbourhood, with a celebrated grove, called Daphne; whence, to distinguish it from other cities of the same name, it has been called Antiochia, near Daphne. The enemies of the disciples of Christ had used the epithets, Nazarene and Galilean, by way of reproach; and hence some are ready to conclude, they invented the term Christian, as an opprobrious name. But, to me this seems improbable, as they were unwilling to allow that Jesus was the Christ, or the Messiah. The original seems to imply, that the name of Christians was given to the disciples by a divine monition. Doubtless it was afterwards used as a term of reproach by their per secutors, though it was honourable in its meaning and original. In the apostolical age, this epithet

aptly denoted the reliance of the saints on that anointed Prince and Saviour, who was generally rejected with disdain by Jews and Gentiles. It also implied, that they also were partakers of an unction or anointing by the Holy Spirit. In the present age it is so promiscuously applied to a vast multitude, that it scarcely implies either honour or reproach. They who seriously profess to believe in Christ and obey him, are generally distinguished by other names, whether they are spoken of with respect or in derision. The terms brethren, believers, saints, and faithful, are most commonly used in the New Testament. The saints are so called, on the account of their being renewed and sanctified by the Holy Ghost. They are called brethren, because all who are born again, are one family in Christ, the sons of God in a spiritual sense. They are called believers, because they assent to the truths of divine revelation, and have received Christ as their God and only Saviour. They are called faithful, because they are servants of Christ from the heart, and not in mere externals. In the Christian world, mankind are denominated Christians in a twofold and essentially different sense. They are so called, whether they are so only nominally, or really so. That is, There are those who are Christians in name only, and there are Christians indeed. The name Christian, perhaps, is the most suitable title, or epithet, for all who are the disciples or followers of Christ. But, as particular passages of the sacred scriptures, havé, from the ambiguity of language, and the different views of mankind, been variously interpreted by dif ferent commentaries, these diversities have given birth to a multiplicity of different sects. Hence the different sects, or denominations, of professed Christians, have been distinguished by different appellations; and these names generally have been derived from the name of the person who was the author, or who was at the head of the new sect or denomination

But Jerusalem is justly styled the mother church. Repentance and remission of sins were to be preached, beginning at Jerusalem. However, the gospel was soon promulged in Judea and Galilee, Samaria, Ethiopia, and Cæsarea. Churches were soon planted at Antioch and Galatia, Philippi and Thessalonica, Berea and Athens, Corinth, Rome, and Colosse. The seven churches of Asia, also were founded within the first century, and the gospel preached in several other places. For several centuries, the Latin and Greek churches comprised the greater part of Christendom. On the account of their antiquity, their variableness, and scanty history, we have no very satisfactory information concerning any one. The church of Rome, is considered as the most ancient of all the established churches; but the first account of this church is very imperfect. It has not such trophies of scriptural fame as some of the other apostolical churches; although at an carly period it was by no means insignificant, either for the number or piety of her converts. I shall proceed to take notice of some of the religious sects, which have sprung up, or denominations of Christians, which have been established, since the days of apostolical and primitive Christianity.

Ist. The Arians first made their appearance in the year of our Lord, 315. They derive their name, and have their peculiar tenets from one Arius, a presbyter of the church of Alexandria. He insisted,

that the Son of God was totally and essentially distinct from the Father; the first and noblest of those beings whom God had created; the instrument, by whose subordinate operation, he formed the universe; and therefore, inferiour to the Father both in nature and dignity. He also held, that the Holy Ghost was not God; but created by the power of the Son. The Arians owned that the Son was the Word; but they denied that Word to have been eternal. They held, that Christ hand nothing of man in him,

but the flesh, to which the Word was joined, and which was the same as the soul in our bodies. These and some other tenets which they professed, were considered as heretical by the churches in this age. In the year 320, by a council at Alexandria, under Alexander, bishop of that city, Arius was accused of impiety, and expelled from the communion of the church. In the year 325, the same things were brought and transacted against him. by three hundred and eighty fathers in the general council of Nice, assembled by Constantine. is peculiar sentiments, however, continued to spread.

2d. The Greek, or eastern church, with all the branches which have sprung from it. hs as great extent of territory, perhaps, as the Latin or western church. Greece, Egypt, Abyssinia, Nubia, Lybia, and Palestine, are chiefly under the jurisdiction of her patriarchs. The Kussians adhere to the doctrines and ceremonies of the Greek church, though they are now independent of the Patriarch of Constantinople. Several other places, districts, and islands are connected and belong to the eastern or Greek jurisdiction. Therefore it is with impropriety, that the church of Rome is called by her members the Catholick or Universal church. About the middle of the ninth century, in consequence of religious dissentions and controversies between the Latin church and the Greek, the latter may be said to have separated from the former. They disown the supremacy, authority, and pretensions of the Pope. They grant no indulgencies, nor do they lay any claim to the character of infallibility, like the church of Rome. They deny that there is any such place as purgatory; notwithstanding they pray for the dead, that God would have mercy on them at the general judgement. Like the Romans, they believe the doctrine of consubstantiation, or the union of the body of Christ with the bread of the sacrament. Since the Geeks became subject to the Turkish yoke, they have sunk

into the most deplorable ignorance, in consequence of the slavery and thraldom under which they groan. Their religion is now greatly corrupted. The tenets of the Latin and Greek churches, are in some respects similar; but in others, widely different. The latter deny that the church of Rome is the true, catholick church.

3d. About the year 1380,appeared the Wickliffites, the followers of the famous John Wickliffe, called the first reformer, who was born in Yorkshire. He attacked the jurisdiction of the Pope and the Bishops. For this he was twice summoned to attend a council at Lambeth, to give an account of his doctrines; but being countenanced by the duke of Lan caster, was both times dismissed without condemnation. He therefore continued to spread his new principles as usual, and drew after him a great number of disciples. The archbishop of Canterbury called another council, which condemned twentyfour propositions of Wickliffe and his disciples, about which time he died. He was doubtless a very extraordinary man, considering the times in which he lived. He discovered the absurdities and impositions of the church of Rome, and had the honesty and resolution to promulgate his opinions; which, a little more support, would probably have enabled him to establish. They were, however, considered the foundation of the subsequent reformation.

4th. The Hussites were a party of reformers, the followers of John Huss, who adopted the sentiments of Wickliffe and the Waldenses; and in the year 1407, began openly to oppose and preach against divers errours in doctrine, as well as corruptions in point of discipline, then reigning in the church. This eminent man, whose piety was equally sincere and fervent, though his zeal was perhaps too violent, and his prudence not always circumspect, was summoned to appear before the council of Constance. He was declared a heretick, and condemned to be burnt

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