the Christian Church as it exists in substance to this day, in all countries where the faith of Christ is professed, as the religion of the land. These elders were the pastors each of his respective flock or fold, solemnly "ordained," that is, appointed by the Apostles, who were, as we have seen, duly commissioned for the purpose. When the increase of the Church throughout the world, and the decrease of the Apostles, as they gradually were called to their rest, made it impracticable for them to superintend the whole, they commissioned others who first assisted, and then succeeded them. After a while the title of Overseer or Bishop was confined to these higher elders. Thus Titus was appointed by St. Paul to “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city;" and thus Timothy was directed "to charge that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables'." We have here the first rudiments of a settled ministry, which, where it exists, is one of the main blessings of Christianity. We see here that the Apostles formed it during their lives as it continues among us to this day: priests, or pastors, or elders, over every separate flock ordained, appointed, and superintended by Overseers or Bishops, selected among them for pre eminence by competent authority".

Archbishop Sumner.

2 Dean Howard.

In

this form we find the Church throughout its history, and the experience of all ages teaches us, even without referring to the written Word of God, that religion cannot subsist in the world without public rites, public worship, and public teaching; nor can these offices be performed with any degree of propriety or effect, except by persons duly qualified and set apart for that purpose'. Paul and Barnabas now returned by sea from Pamphylia to the Syrian Antioch, from whence they had been originally sent forth. They had been now absent on their mission six or seven years. But the grace of God had been granted to the prayer of those who "laid their hands upon them, and sent them away," and had blessed their journey to an extent to which their hopes could scarcely have been raised. They could hardly have expected that in Cyprus, where their work began, the first-fruits of their ministry should have been the Roman governor of the island. They could hardly have expected that in Pisidia, where the name of Jesus was proclaimed to a mixed assembly of Jews and Gentiles, the Gentiles should have been the first to intreat that they might hear more of the Word of this salvation. They had set out trusting in God, and not counting their lives dear unto themselves; but He had been their support Bishop Tomline.

3

and confidence when opposed by Elymas, and had delivered them from death at Lystra. So, "when they were come and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles."

SECT.CCIX.-The Apostles come together at Jerusalem.Acts xv. 1-29; Gal. ii. 1-8.

66

ALL was going on favourably at Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas abode a long time with the disciples," when "certain men, which came down from Judæa, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." The important question, whether the Gentiles converted to Christianity should also be obliged to obey the Mosaic Law, was a subject which affected the most deep-rooted prejudices, and roused the strongest passions, of every Jewish mind; on which some of the very chief of the Apostles seem to have been divided, if not in opinion, yet in some circumstances of their conduct, and to have expressed this difference of opinion with considerable warmth. Many were staggered; and, therefore, from a desire of satisfying their consciences, and restoring the peace of the Church, it was agreed that "Paul and Barnabas, and certain of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and elders about 4 Archbishop Sumner.

5 Dr. Graves.

this question ;" and we learn from the Epistle to the Galatians, that this visit to Jerusalem was undertaken "by revelation," that is, by Divine direction, as well as in accordance with the wish of the Church. Paul determined to take with him Titus, who, being a Greek, and a Gentile, was not circumcised, on purpose to show that his sentiments were quite opposite to those of the false Jewish zealots who came to Antioch, and insinuated themselves into the assemblies there, with a design to ensnare and oppose St. Paul's doctrine, and to bring all the Gentile Christians to embrace the unnecessary slavery of the Jewish ceremonies'. This conduct of St. Paul with respect to Titus, in not submitting to his being circumcised when it was insisted on as necessary to salvation, is very consistent with what he afterwards did without restraint under different circumstances with regard to Timothy'.

St. Paul now "communicated unto them the Gospel which he had preached but privately to them, which were of reputation," in order to satisfy them what his doctrine and mission had been, lest his opposers might unsettle the Churches, which he had planted or should plant, by urging that the Apostles knew not what he preached, nor had even owned it for the Gospel, nor him for an Apostle'.

6

Archbishop Sumner.

* Dr. Doddridge.

7 Pyle.
9 Locke.

He and Barnabas and Titus were "received of the Church.” "And the Apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter," on which they had been deputed to consult them. This was the first Council of the Church assembled at Jerusalem to counteract and censure the first remarkable division that disturbed the harmony and concord which had hitherto pervaded the infant Church'. This Council differed from all other Councils that were ever afterwards held, in the material circumstance that its members were under the guidance of the Spirit of God', and that it was not premeditated and solemnly summoned, but was only composed of such as happened to be at Jerusalem, none that were abroad from thence having been brought in to attend it 3. When the question was then agitated, whether obedience to the Mosaic Law should be urged upon the believing Gentiles, Peter rose up, and declared how God had commissioned him to preach the Gospel to the uncircumcised, had given them the Holy Spirit, and had purified their hearts by faith. He argued, therefore, that being received to the Divine favour, without ceremonial observances, they should be left to their full liberty; and he maintained the important doctrine, that none can be saved any otherwise than through the grace of the Lord Jesus 'Bishop Tomline.

1
' Dr. Hales.

Dr. Lightfoot.