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OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.

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the Redeemer with full purpose of heart: this is to become a member of the real Church, and none but characters such as these compose the living Church of Christ; for He hath ransomed the Church, and bought it with his own blood, even those who are his peculiar people, being lous of good works." His blood avails not for those who never laid the foundation of repentance from dead works, nor faith towards God. Why should we deceive ourselves? Talk we of the Church with a name to live, whilst we are spiritually dead? To what purpose do we flatter ourselves with our national and religious privileges, if we have not received and embraced the truth as it is in Jesus? We are indeed outwardly in full possession of all the privileges of the New Testament; we have in our hands the apostles' doctrine, of which so many of our fellow-creatures are unfortunately deprived; but if we receive not the doctrine into our hearts, and it becomes not the rule of our lives, then do we but resemble those inhabitants of Jerusalem, who heard the doctrine, but mocking said, "these men are full of new wine. For let us observe, that if the doctrines of the Gospel be not cordially embraced in the full sense of "an inward and spiritual grace," they are generally despised along with those who preach them; but such as do not so embrace the doctrine, are not of the Church of

142 THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY [LECT.

Christ, by whatever name they may be called; neither shall we be so, unless we have the characteristics of the real Christian.

But, my brethren, in the more general view of the Church of God, in reliance upon His glorious promises, we have a right to hope, notwithstanding the gloomy aspect of the times, that a day will come when it shall be said of the Churches throughout the world, as it was said of those in Judea and Galilee and Samaria: they have rest from all troubles without, they are edified, they walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Here, brethren, are exhibited the unity of spirit, the bond of peace, and the righteousness of life; and it is only when all those who profess and call themselves Christians, shall walk according to this rule, that we can expect a similar unity in the mean time, it behoves us who profess to be members of the holy Catholic Church, and are in possession of the oracles of truth, to promote and exhibit to the world an example of that godly unity and brotherly love, which are the fruits of Christ dwelling richly in the heart in all wisdom. It is our duty, because Christ requires it of us it is our duty, because the times and the seasons call aloud for it; for who are they who must fight the Lord's battles, and proclaim the reign of peace, but those who have already felt and tasted

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OF ENLIGHTENED NATIONS.

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the blessings of it? Who are they who must diffuse the apostles' doctrine wherever a door is open, except those who know what that doctrine is, and have had the privilege of being born in a country where it is freely disseminated? Upon many of you who hear me in this place, brethren, a great responsibility rests, because by the manner in which you shall exhibit the apostles' doctrine, either by precept or example, may depend the decision of thousands. You are in that station of life which increases your responsibility and your duties, and when ye are dispersed throughout those places, where there is an access given to the word of God-dispersed, not, fortunately, by such a persecution as vexed the Church at Jerusalem; but under circumstances exceedingly favourable to the cause of Truth, you will, if you feel the blessings of grace upon your hearts, tell to others perishing with hunger what great things the Lord hath done for you; and thus will ye "let your light so shine before men that they, seeing your good works," may "glorify your Father which is in heaven." In all our speculations then upon the future destiny of the nations, let us ever keep in view the great promise, referring every event, under Providence, and every great change in the institutions of mankind, to the same; viz. "that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the

144 THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY, &C. [LECT. I.

waters cover the channels of the deep ;" and in this holy confidence may we every one of us use the comprehensive supplication, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

LECTURE II.

THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH FROM THE ENDING

OF THE FIRST PERSECUTION [A.D. 39] TO THE

APOSTOLIC COUNCIL HELD AT JERUSALEM IN THE YEAR 49, INCLUDING THE OPENING of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO THE GENTILES BY ST. PETER.

ST. MATTHEW xvi. 16, 17, 18, 19.

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

It is evident, from the whole tenor of the Acts of the Apostles, that the Holy Ghost was the sole

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