LV.

ACTS, iv. 32.

AND THEY WERE OF ONE HEART AND

ONE SOUL.

THE

'HE New Testament was compofed by eight perfons-Matthew-Mark-Luke—John

-Paul-Peter-James-and Jude.

All these

perfons wrote at different times, and in different places. Their writings confist of various subjects -of hiftorical narratives of accounts of the early establishment of the Chriftian church-of ex planations of the religion they taught-and of the feveral rules it inculcated. And yet, notwithstanding they all treat, more or lefs, on the fame fubjects, and under fuch a variety of circumstances; yet both in the historical and doctrinal parts, they all agree fo faithfully, as to conftitute one history,

and one fyftem of religion. What little variations we find among them, are of no confequence in themselves; but of great confequence in proving the authenticity of the whole. They plainly shew, the several writers did not write in concert.

If all this do not amount to a full evidence of the truth of Scripture, I know not what can. Where fhall we find eight perfons coming forward from different places, and at different times, uniting fo circumftantially in a falfhood? Falfhood always falters, and is continually shifting its ground, and labouring to make out a confiftent story. One lying witness, on being closely questioned in many particulars, can hardly escape detection. But when eight lying witneffes are examined feparately on the feveral pretended facts of a falfhood, it is impoffible they fhould all agree.

LVI.

JAMES, ii. 23.

HE WAS CALLED THE FRIEND OF GOD.

"HIS was spoken of Abraham. But as we all

TH

may have the fame accefs to God which Abraham had, we may all, in a degree, be, as he was, the friends of God-or rather (to express our felves in more modeft language,) we may hope to make God our friend. If we can fix this hope on good grounds in our minds, we want nothing more to secure our happiness, both in this world and the next. The friendship and protection of an Almighty God are fo great, that every thing in the world must appear as nothing in the comparison.

Are our circumstances straitened? He who has a reverfion of infinite value in view, cannot, or ought not, to be much depreffed on the trifling circumstances of a journey to receive it.

Are

Are we fick, or perhaps approaching our latter end? But fhould not we be cheered on arriving at the very threshold of our Friend's door? Let us not then think of the storm without; but of the kind reception and comfort we shall receive within.

Are our services lefs requited than we think they fhould be?-Let us think the more of that potent Friend, who will not fuffer the least of our good actions to pass unrewarded.

Or do we think ourselves neglected by our friends, and less respected in general than we hoped to have been?-Alas! let not our minds run on fuch trifles. Have we the confolation to think our great Friend looks favourably upon us? Then let us turn round with complacency, and smile at the neglect of the world.

Thus too, when we have received an injurywhen our characters have been maligned or when we have met with ingratitude from those we have affifted let us recollect we have a Friend, to whom we may bring all our complaints, and who will, in due time, redress all our patient fufferings. -It may, therefore, be our constant confolation, on every occafion, If God be with us, what matters it who is against us!

LVII.

GAL. i. 16.

I CONFERRED NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD.

T

HE Apostle particularly means, that he held

no conference with flesh and blood in religious matters. He attended only to the revelation of God. And indeed it is in religious matters, in which flesh and blood are chiefly the most miserable advisers. But they are vile counsellors on all fubjects, as well as in religion. There are very few actions of our lives which they do not, in fome degree govern, and, in general, mislead. With all the pleafures of the world they go hand in hand. They eafily filence the voice of temperance; and if not severely checked, foon lead us into fenfuality. A man under the influence of flesh and blood, is, in fact, a brute.