And base things of the world, and things which are de-
spised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are
not, to bring to nought things that are.

Second point. Unfitness of the apostles for the propaga-
tion of a new religion. Their total despair, and ap-
parent abandonment of the design. The number and
constitution of the apostolic body. Their former jea-
lousies. Their dependance on their Master. Charac-
ters of individual apostles, of Peter, of John. Change
in their doctrines as well as in their characters. Ne-
cessity of the miracles of the resurrection and effusion
of the Holy Ghost.

LECTURE III.

ACTS v. 38, 39.

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and

let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of

men, it will come to nought:

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply

ye be found even to fight against God.

Progress of Christianity in Jerusalem improbable. Un-

popularity of the Galilæans. Christian doctrines ill

adapted to succeed in Jerusalem. Jewish attachment

to the temple. Expectation of the temporal Messiah.

Opinions of prevailing sects. The Pharisees, Sadducees,

Essenes, Zealots. Affair of Ananias and Sapphira.

First persecution. Death of Stephen. Conduct of

the apostles. Recapitulation.

LECTURE IV.

ACTS xii. 24.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Progress of Christianity in Palestine. State of Judæa.
Progress in Samaria. Difficulties of choosing coadjutors

in the enterprise. Simon Magus. His rejection. St.
Paul. His conversion and reception into the apo-
stolic body. His conversion miraculous, argued against
Kuinoel and other German theologians.

LECTURE V.

1 Cor. xii. 10, 11.

To another divers kinds of tongues; to another the in-
terpretation of tongues:

All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, di-
viding to every man severally as he will.

Necessity of the gift of tongues. General belief of the
Church. Vernacular language of Palestine, and ex-
tent to which Greek was spoken. Literal belief in the
gift necessary for the credibility of the scene on the
day of Pentecost. Improbability of the apostles learn-
ing Greek. Utility of the gift in other countries.
Sketch of the languages spoken among those nations
with which the apostles had intercourse. Affair at
Lystra. Other passages, in which the gift of tongues
is mentioned, discussed. Conclusion.

LECTURE VI.

1 COR. i. 23.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stum-
blingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.
Third point. Advantages and disadvantages arising from
the actual state of the world at the time of the first
propagation of Christianity. Prearrangement of the
world. The fulness of time. I. Dispersion of the
Jews. Their estimation in the world. Their recep-
tion of Christianity. II. Universal dominion of the
Romans. III. Religious state of the world. The

sensations of the apostles on entering an heathen city.

The cross of Christ.

LECTURE VII.

MATTHEW x. 16.

Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Change of character required in a Christian convert.
Proselytism of the Jews and Christians compared.
Wisdom and moderation of the apostles. Immortality
of the soul. Heathen opinions on this subject. Jewish
opinions. Manner in which it was taught by the аро-
stles. Conduct of the apostles with regard to slavery.

LECTURE VIII.

1 COR. XV. 19.

If in this world only we have hope in Christ, we are of

all men most miserable.

Fourth point. Possible motives of the apostles. General

view of their conduct and life. Inquiry into cases

analogous with theirs. Founders of other religions.

Their sufferings equalled. Soldiers. Gladiators. Mo-

dern missionaries. Teachers of heresies and reformers.

Actuating motives. Desire of gain, authority, post-

humous celebrity. Uncertainty of human fame. Hu-

mility of the apostles. The apostles believers or un-

believers. Difference between their miracles and those

of Jesus. Conclusion.

EXTRACT

EXTRACT

FROM

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF THE LATE

REV. JOHN BAMPTON,

CANON OF SALISBURY.

"I give and bequeath my Lands and "Estates to the Chancellor, Masters, and Scho"lars of the University of Oxford for ever, to "have and to hold all and singular the said "Lands or Estates upon trust, and to the in"tents and purposes hereinafter mentioned; "that is to say, I will and appoint that the "Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford "for the time being shall take and receive all "the rents, issues, and profits thereof, and (after "all taxes, reparations, and necessary deduc"tions made) that he pay all the remainder to "the endowment of eight Divinity Lecture "Sermons, to be established for ever in the said "University, and to be performed in the man"ner following:

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"I direct and appoint, that, upon the first Tuesday in Easter Term, a Lecturer be yearly

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"chosen by the Heads of Colleges only, and by no others, in the room adjoining to the Printing-House, between the hours of ten in the "morning and two in the afternoon, to preach "eight Divinity Lecture Sermons, the year following, at St. Mary's in Oxford, between the "commencement of the last month in Lent Term, and the end of the third week in Act "Term.

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"Also I direct and appoint, that the eight Divinity Lecture Sermons shall be preached upon either of the following Subjects-to con"firm and establish the Christian Faith, and to "confute all heretics and schismatics-upon the "divine authority of the holy Scriptures-upon "the authority of the writings of the primitive "Fathers, as to the faith and practice of the pri"mitive Church-upon the Divinity of our Lord "and Saviour Jesus Christ-upon the Divinity "of the Holy Ghost-upon the Articles of the "Christian Faith, as comprehended in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.

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"Also I direct, that thirty copies of the eight "Divinity Lecture Sermons shall be always printed, within two months after they are "preached, and one copy shall be given to the "Chancellor of the University, and one copy to "the Head of every College, and one copy to "the Mayor of the city of Oxford, and one