CONTENTS.

LECTURE I. Acts i. 8. — YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH. Office of the Apostles, and their qualifications for it. 2 Why St. Paul was made the principal subject of this history. 3 Spiritual kingdom of Christ 6 Fulfilment of our Saviour's promise of a Comforter 7 Ascension 8 Decision of a question by prayer 10 Descent of the Holy Ghost 11 Propriety of the miraculous gift of tongues 13 Natural and spiritual kingdom of God ibid. Object of the gift of tongues 14 Process of conversion 16 LECTURE II. Acts ii. 36. — LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY, THAT GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST. Methods pursued by the first preachers of the Gospel in persuading Jews and Gentiles 18 St. Peter's discourse on the day of Pentecost 20 The discourses of the Apostles not complete summaries of Christianity 22 Preaching of John the Baptist, of Christ, and of the Apostles 23 A heart hardened against the truth 24 Claims of the Gospel to respect and forbearance from unbelievers 25 Causes of unbelief 26 Ministers of the Gospel to hearken not unto men but unto God 27 Community of goods 28 Christian charity 29 Sincerity in giving 30 Ananias and Sapphira 31 The effect of their punishment ibid. Prejudice of the Jewish rulers 32 The Christian believer still called upon to suffer 34 Abjuration of Romish errors ibid. LECTURE III. Acts vii. 59. — AND THEY STONED STEPHEN, CALLING UPON GOD, AND SAYING, LORD JESUS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT. Different descriptions of believers 36 Deacons 37 Bishops and presbyters 38 Character of Stephen ibid. Libertines 39 Stephen's defence before the Council 40 Stephen's vision 41 Influence of the Spirit on the dying Christian 42 Sleep in Jesus 44 Army of martyrs ibid. Persecution still to be apprehended 45 Example of the martyrs a condemnation of careless Christians 46 Prayer to Jesus Christ 47 Testimony of Stephen to the divinity of Christ 48 Conversion of the Samaritans 52 The faith requisite for baptism, not necessarily a saving faith: Simon Magus 58 Joy of the first converts 54 Christians ought to be different from the rest of the world 55 LECTURE IV. Rom. i. 1. — PAUL, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE, SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD. Character of St. Paul 57 The Gospel of Paul, and the Gospel of Jesus, one and the same 58 Parentage and name of St. Paul 59 Insufficiency of conscience 61 Question of St. Paul's sinfulness ibid. Conversion of St. Paid 68 Ambition of St. Paul 66 St. Paul not an enthusiast 68 Nor a dupe 69 His appeal to the Corinthians 70 Recapitulation of the argument 71 Contrast between St. Paul and the unbeliever 73 St. Paul a type of the Jewish nation 74 The conversion of St. Paul a special case 76 Necessity of greater diligence in using the ordinary means of conversion and renewal 77 LECTURE V. Rom i. 5. — BY WHOM WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE AND APOSTLESHIP, FOR OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH AMONG ALL NATIONS, FOR HIS NAME. St. Paul at Damascus 78 St. Paul at Jerusalem 79 St. Paul at Tarsus 80 Peculiarities in the history of St. Peter 81 A tender and zealous heart more acceptable to the Lord than intellectual superiority 88 Christ's promise to Peter 84 The literal interpretation is the true one 85 Peter laid the foundations of Christ's Church ibid. Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel 87 Inspiration of the Apostles, how consistent with their partial ignorance 87 The Apostles wrought miracles in the name of Jesus 90 Humility of the Apostles 91 Proselytes. — Cornelius 92 Sincerity of Cornelius 98 His example as head of a family 94 Cleaving unto the Lord with purpose of heart 95 Origin of the name of Christian ibid. LECTURE VI. Acts xvi. 5. — AND SO WERE THE CHURCHES ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH, AND INCREASED IN NUMBER DAILY. Recapitulation of points already noticed 98 Jesus Christ promised not temporal rewards, but hardships 100 Foundation and end of the Apostles' preaching Christ crucified 101 Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God ibid. St. Paul's human learning 102 The simple preaching of the Gospel 103 The order in. which the Gospel was preached 104 Churches planted by the Apostles 105 Bishops-Presbyters : their commission 106 St. Peter not the universal bishop 107 Sketch of the primitive Church ibid. Different orders and gifts 108 The pastoral office 110 The practice of the first believers 111 Faithfulness of the first teachers 112 Connexion between a Christian pastor and his flock 114 Christian ministers to copy the example of the first pastors of the Church 115 Ministerial labours blessed by the Spirit 116 LECTURE VII. Ephet. iii. 8. — UNTO ME, WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, IS THIS GRACE GIVEN THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST. Credibility] of St. Luke 122 The particularity of his narrative 123 His object 125 Why St. Luke dwells chiefly on the transactions of St. Paul ibid. The afflictions of the Church promoted its growth 127 Ordination of Saul and Barnabas 128 Necessity of a public and formal calling to the ministry ibid. The right of calling to the ministry exercised by bishops 130 Offence and punishment of Barjesus 131 The Gospel first solemnly preached to the Gentiles 133 Two kinds of hearers of the word 134 The outward forms of religion apt to be regarded as the substance 135 Effects of the word upon an awakened sinner 136 Incredulity of the Jews only partial 137 The Jews not judicially excluded from the Gospel covenant 138 Warning to be taken from their fate 139 Necessity of continued instruction to Christians 141 LECTURE VIII. Acts xv. 8, 9. — GOD, WHICH KNOWETH THE HEARTS, BARE THEM WITNESS, GIVING THEM THE HOLY GHOST, EVEN AS HE DID UNTO US : AND PUT NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THEM, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH. The admission of the Gentiles into the Gospel covenant is a great mystery 142 Epiphany of Christ 143 The Gospel mercies designed for all mankind 145 Precedence of the Jews ibid. Motives to thankfulness on the part of Gentile Christians 147 None deserved redemption ibid. Comprehensiveness of redemption 148 We should be thankful for the Christianity of our own country, and zealous in imparting it to others 149 Question as to the necessity of circumcision to Gentile converts 150 Its great importance 151 Decision of the Apostolic council 152 Meaning of the words, It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us 154 Dissension between Paul and Barnabas 156 Its effect upon Mark 157 Did not dissolve the friendship of Paul and Barnabas 158 The Apostles not exempt from human weakness 159 Distinction between intellectual gifts and moral graces, ibid. Imperfections not incompatible with spiritual excellence, 160 Christian ministers need the prayers of their brethren ibid. LECTURE IX. Acts xvii. 11. — THESE WERE MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, IN THAT THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, AND SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO. St. Luke a companion of St. Paul 162 St. Luke a native of Antioch 168 His name, and description - ibid. The same as Lucius 164 Timotheus; his parentage and education 165 His circumcision 166 Prudence of St. Paul's conduct in not offending the prejudices of his countrymen 168 Conversion of Lydia 169 She was disposed to inquiry; not constrained to belief 171 The Jews at Beroea 173 Not only Lydia, but her household, was baptised ibid. Slaves in ancient times 178 Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi 174 Conversion of the jailor ; its object ibid. Its circumstances 175 What kind of belief was required of converts 176 The growth of the spiritual iDan promoted by instruction 179 The praise of the Beroean Jews 180 Inconsistent with the Romish denunciations of scriptural inquiry 181 Conduct of our own Church in this respect, contrasted with that of the Romish Church 182 Qualifications of an inquirer after revealed truth 183 LECTURE X. Acts xvii. 32. — AND WHEN THEY HEARD OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, SOME MOCKED, AND OTHERS SAID, WE WILL HEAR THEE AGAIN OF THIS MATTER. St. Paul's visit to Athens 185 Reputation of Athens ibid. Mythology of the Athenians 186 Philosophical sects ibid. Sinful ignorance of the Athenians 187 Athens crowded with temples and idols 188 Offence of Alcibiades 189 Agora at Athens. Socrates ibid. Jews and proselytes at Athens 190 Four sects at Athens 191 Bodily resurrection unheard of ibid. Metempsychosis ibid. Stoics & Epicureans disqualified for receiving the Gospel, 192 Sadducees and Pharisees ibid. Unbelievers, profligates, and rationalists 193 Areopagus ibid. St. Pauls skill in framing his discourse 194 Altar of an unknown god 195 Epicureans and Peripatetics 196 Popular forms of religion ibid. The Athenians autochthones 197 Strength and weakness of human reason in inquiries after God 198 St. Paul's quotation from Aratus ibid. His opinion of human learning 199 His judgment in using it 199 St. Paul a model for missionaries 200 His sagacity in arguing with the Athenians 201 Sinfulness of die heathen world 202 A bodily resurrection scouted by the Athenians 203 Why that doctrine was rejected 204 Unbelievers by choice ibid. Religious opportunities not to be wasted 205 LECTURE XI. Acts xv iii. 9. — THEN SPAKE THE LORD TO PAUL IN THE NIGHT BY A VISION, BE NOT AFRAID, BUT SPEAK, AND HOLD NOT THY PEACE. St. Paul suffered by the Spirit to leave Athens, but commanded to remain at Corinth 207 Why St. Paul baptized only a few 208 Why he needed spiritual encouragement 209 All ministers need it 210 Apollos and. the Ephesian disciples, whether they believed in Jesus, or not 211 The faith requisite for baptism not always a fruitful faith 214 Demetrius the silversmith ibid. Why St. Paul abode two years at Ephesus 215 St. Paul's parting charge to the elders at Miletus. The Christian minister's humility and endurance 216 His fearlessness 217 St. Paul's knowledge of the evils which awaited him 218 The Christian minister must expect opposition and obloquy 219 Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, examples of faithfulness 220 The doctrines and precepts of the Gospel to be boldly declared ibid. Duty of those who are set over the church of God 221 Self-denying charity 222 Sayings of our Lord not recorded in the Gospels ibid. Labours of the other Apostles 223 Use of the portrait which St Luke has drawn of St. Paul, 224 LECTURE XII. Ephes, iii. 1 — PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE GENTILES. St. Paul's qualifications as a preacher of the Gospel 225 To be imitated 226 St. Paul did not court persecution 227 Motives of the Pharisees who defended St. Paul 228 Infidel High Priests 230 Cruelty of the Sadducees 231 Sect or Heresy 232 A conscience void of offence 234 St. Paul before Felix ibid. Felix trembling 236 Why he resisted conviction 238 False pretences of unbelievers 239 St. Paul's different modes of reasoning with Felix and Agrippa 240 St. Paul's appeal to Caesar 242 Effect of his residence at Rome 243 Divine Providence compatible with human prudence 244 Whether St. Paul visited Britain 245 We are to take warning from the example of those who rejected the Gospel ibid. LECTURES ON ST. JOHN'S GOSPEL. LECTURE I. John xx. 81 — AND MANY OTHER SIGNS TRULY DID JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK. BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD ; AND THAT BELIEVING, YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME. The Scriptures may be read with different objects in view 250 St. John's Gospel "the spiritual Gospel" 251 Why peculiarly interesting ibid. His object in writing it ibid. In the beginning was the Word 254 The Word was God 255 All things were made by Him 256 Himself being uncreate 257 Heb. i. 6. explained ibid. The Word is the giver of life 258 And the light of men 259 Not received as such by the world 260 Our duty, as walking in the light 261 St. John's description of the Word 262 Explanation of John i. 9. ibid. Explanation of John i. 11, 12 263 Belief required for regeneration 264 The Word was made flesh 265 Revelation to be received with meekness 266 LECTURE II. John i. 18. — NO MAN HATH SEEN GOD AT ANY TIME. THE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, WHICH IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, HE HATH DECLARED HIM. Christ the Son of God : in what sense 268 The only-begotten Son 269 No man can know God, but by his Son 270 Explanation of John i. 18 ; iii. 13 ibid. St. John's expressions unambiguous and positive 271 Pre-existence of the Messiah a Jewish notion 272 Inferiority of John the Baptist to Christ 273 Christ came down from heaven 274 Christ the Lamb of God 275 The death of Christ, a sacrifice 276 The Son of God : The Son of Man ; of David 277 Notions entertained by the Jews of their Messiah 278 Angels entrusted with the guardianship of righteous men 279 Expulsion of the money-changers from the temple 280 Our Saviour raised up his own body 281 Performed miracles in his own name 282 Not so the Apostles ibid. Why many rejected Christ 284 LECTURE III. John iii. 13. — NO MAN HATH ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, EVEN THE SON OF MAN WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. The conference with Nicodemus 284 The ordinance of baptism not temporary 287 In what sense Jesus came down from heaven 288 The Messiah to be lifted up 280 The death of Christ dm condition of man's salvation 294 Its efficacy 291 Christ crucified the object of our faith 293 John the Baptist's testimony to the exalted nature of Christ 294 The Samaritans' reception of Christ 295 Jesus made himself equal with God 296 And is to be worshipped equally with the Father 298 Christ the Son of God, and the Son of Man ibid. His discourse to the Jews in John v. 299 LECTURE IV. John viii. 58. — VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM. Of the expression my Father, used by Christ 301 Pre-existence of the Messiah 302 What was the blasphemy of which the Jews accused our Saviour 304 Where the Messiah was to be born 306 The Son of Man humbled and glorified 307 ThC worthiness of his obedience 309 The Son of God, and the Son of Man 310 The dominion of Christ 311 His humility 312 His equality with the Father ibid. The Holy Ghost conferred on the Apostles 314 The union of the two natures in Christ a certain but mysterious doctrine 315 How far the nature of God may be known 316 LECTURE V. John xvii. 3. — AND THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL; THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE, THE ONLY TRUE GOD ; AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM THOU HAST SENT. The economy of the Gospel covenant revealed by degrees 318 Our Saviour's prayer for the Apostles 319 John xvi. 1. explained 321 No contradistinction, as to nature, between God and Christ 322 Christ the true God 323 Our Saviour speaks of himself in language unsuited to a mere man 324 The intimate love and union between God and Christ 325 The glory of Christ with the Father 326 The exclamation of Thomas 327 Unitarian interpretation refuted 328 The intention of the Evangelist to exhibit Jesus as the true Messiah 329 Recapitulation of the doctrines asserted in this Gospel 330 Why rejected by some. heretics 331 The same doctrine enforced by St. John in his Epistles, 333 Notes on the Acts of the Apostles 335 A view of the difficulties attending the Trinitarian, Arian, and Socinian systems 359

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