CHAP. ling in them: nor did they as yet, in reality, know the Father.

IIL

17. Even after the resurrection of Jesus, unto the last, when he was about to take his leave of his little fam ily, whom he had made heirs of his kingdom by promise, they still remained ignorant of the nature of that kingdom. For being assembled together in his last interview with them, they asked him, saying, Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Actr. 6, 18. The only answer they received, was, "It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and all Judea, and in Samaria, and untó the utmost part of the earth."

7,8.

Lnke

19. It is evident that they were still intent upon an iv. 21, earthly kingdom-that they still imagined the Messiah would deliver their nation from under the Roman government, and restore again, that kingdom to Israel, which in the days of David and Solomon, stood in its highest degree of earthly glory: although Christ had plainly told them, That his kingdom was not of this world.

John xvi. 36.

Acts ii. 2,4.

20. But when the sound came from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled all the house where they were sitting-and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave trem utterance.

21. Then, and not till then, they began to know the truth of Christ's words, relating to the design of his work, and the nature of his kingdom. This was the Spirit of anointing with which Jesus himself was anointed; and which he had promised to send them, to lead them into all truth, and which brought to their remembrance whatever he had taught them, either by precept or example.

22. Here then was the true institution of the PRIMITIVE CHURCH; even the Spirit of truth and revelation of God given to the apostles, was the foundation upon which the Church was built :-The anointing of the Holy Ghost, that is, Christ himself, being the chief corner-stone: Christ dwelling in his people, and they in him, according to promise.

CHAPS

17.

III.

23. And as tongues were for a sign, and the apostles received this gift, in the first out-pouring of the Spirit; this gift was therefore the true and proper Mark xvi seal of their commission, to go and teach all nations, 1Cor.xiva to baptize them with the same Spirit, and teach them 11,22 to observe all things whatsoever Jesus had commanded them.

24. Hence it is evident that the Primitive Church was not built upon any human system whatever, artfully formed by man's device; but upon the inspiration of the living God, made manifest in the hearts of living and chosen witnesses.

John vit

25. The first apostles were plain, honest, illiterate men, who cared for no other knowledge than what is. they received from Jesus, who himself also, had never learned letters, according to the order of the Jewish priesthood.

shap

xiv.16 12

and

26. Jesus had promised them, saying, "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit xvi. 16. of truth, whom the world cannot receive." "When he the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come,"

27. This was the Spirit which the apostles receiv ed on the day of pentecost-This was the rule of their faith, the bond of their union, and the spring of their actions.

28. The work of Christ was spiritual: and therefore what Moses wrote upon hewed stone, Christ Jesus wrote upon the hearts and minds of his true followers and in the same manner the testimony of truth was conveyed from the apostles to others.

John xir.

15.

chap. xv.

29. Christ Jesus taught his apostles, saying, "It ye love me, keep my commandments. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall 9, 10, 14. abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love-Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command yon."

30. Nothing then was necessary to the government of the Church, but for those who had learned of

11.

Matt. v.

16.

CHAP. Christ, to walk even as he walked; to follow his example; and to let their light so shine, that others seeing their good works, might learn to copy after them. As saith the apostle, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." And again," Brethren, be Phil. followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample."

2 Cor. i

1.

27.

31. And thus while the spirit of love and obedience flowed from Christ the head, through every member of his body, which was his Church, they became one with Christ, as Christ was one with God. And hence the followers of Christ could say in the spirit of truth, 1Johniv. As he is, so are we in this world.

17.

John xvi

Aetsä 44-44.

chap. iv. 32-35.

32. Herein was the prayer of Christ Jesus answer ed, That they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

33. It is very evident that the Spirit which the apostles received on the day of pentecost, did actually produce the kind offices of love and benevolence, and every good work, in those who received the apostle's

word.

⚫ 34. The effects of that Spirit with which, and into which they were baptized, were manifest to the honest hearted, as flowing from a good cause; while to the blind and dishonest, they appeared as the effects of intoxication. Justice and freedom, harmony and peace, reigned in them and among them: and they were united together, not by human systems or the laws of men, but by the cords of faith and love.

35. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common :-and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.-And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

36. "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as had possessions of lands

or houses sold them, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."

37. Such then was the spirit of harmony, love, justice, and equality, that was manifest in the Primitive Church at Jerusalem; after which the Gentile churches more or less copied, in the days of the apostles. The whole work was evidently wrought by the internal operation of the wisdom and power of God ;—1 work which no human wisdom nor power on earth could ever have affected.

38. It is further evident, that the apostles exercised no authority over the conscience or conduct of any one, to force them to believe or practice any thing beyond, or contrary to their own convictions and choice.

CHAP.
III.

39. This is clear from the case of Ananias, con- Acts cerning the joint interest of the Church; who having sold a possession, came deceitfully to give up a part, under a pretence of giving up the whole. But Peter reproved him, saying, "While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

40. From which it may also be observed, that such was the burning and penetrating light of God, in those who were commissioned with the true gospel, as entirely excluded the feigned believer and the hyp ocrite, from any part or lot in that matter.

41. Those who are ignorant of the true spirit that governed the followers of Christ after the day of pentecost, might assign many reasons for the conduct of the apostles and the Primitive Church, in selling their possessions, and making distribution among the believers, as every man had need, and possessing all things common.

42. But in truth, it was impossible for those who were of one heart and of one soul, to act otherwise. They were members of Christ's body, and were actuated by one spirit, and therefore, if one member 1 Cor. suffered, all the rest suffered with it; and if one member rejoiced, all the rest rejoiced with it.

43. The very spirit of justice, equity and love, by

13, 14,90,

III.

HAP which they became of one heart, and of one soul, was the moving cause of their conduct. Their conduct was the only true seal of their profession, and the only true evidence that they had given up all for Christ and the kingdom of heaven's sake; as Peter plainly asserted that he and the rest of the apostles had done, before Jesus left them.

Acts vi.

1-3,

hap.viii.

44. The word of God, through the ministry of the apostles, was propagated first at Jerusalem. And believers having greatly multiplied, seven deacons, men filled with the Holy Ghost and with wisdom, were chosen by the advice of the apostles, to take the charge of the temporal economy of the church. 45." At that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."

46. Soon after this the gospel was opened to the Gentile nations, principally by the ministry of Paul, who had received his mission from Christ, through Ananias, a member of the church, and churches were planted among the Gentiles.

47. But the Gentile churches were very different from that which was first founded by the twelve apostles at Jerusalem. The church at Jerusalem was of one heart and of one soul; whereas diversity of sentiments and manners prevailed among the churches of the Gentiles.

48. Such however, was the spirit and nature of the gospel, that none were ever compelled to believe or practise any thing contrary to their own understanding and choice.