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WHETHER therefore we observe the plain marks of national and religious prepoffeffions, in the minds of the difciples, during our Saviour's life, when they were perpetually mistaking the real character of the Meffiah; or whether we obferve them in their obftinate refufal afterwards to depart from the law of Mofes, and hold any intercourse with the Heathens, till commanded by exprefs revelation; whether we contemplate the jealousy, with which all the Apostles' conduct was watched by their converts, and the perpetual rancour with which St. Paul was oppofed; or whether we trace to this caufe the malignant eagerness, with which the Jews have always perfecuted the profelytes to Chriftianity *; in whatever mode we obferve it operating, we difcern, in an uniform and confiftent ftory, the plainest marks of a rooted and inflexible principle, extended over an whole nation, and influencing the conduct of

every

"The rage of the Jews against the Chriftians was conveyed from father to fon, from age to age; fo that the church of Chrift had, in no period of time, more bitter and defperate enemies, than that very people, to whom the immortal Saviour was more especially fent." Mofheim's Ecclefiaft. Hift. book 1. c. 5.

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every individual; a principle, which we have the strongest reafon to believe, that nothing but the most inconteftable marks of truth, nothing fhort of a divine interpofition, would be fufficient to eradicate from the minds of any confiderable part of the Jewish people.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE MIRACLES WROUGHT BY THE DISCIPLES, DURING THE LIFE OF OUR LORD.

Introduction and divifion of the fubject.-1ft, Proofs from Scripture, that this power was conferred-and 2dly, actually exercifed.-3dly, The purpose for which it was bestowed. -Laftly, the effect it produced on the minds of the Apoftles. One inftance against the exercise of this power examined.-Reasons affigned for it.-Further reflections upon the fubject.-Uniformity of the Divine difpenfations. -Refult of this inquiry favourable to the truth of our Holy Religion.-Vindication of the Apostles' character.

I

T may at first fight be improbable, that

the disciples, after having themselves exercised the power of working miracles, should fuffer their minds to give way to any doubt, refpecting the character and pretenfions of Jefus. When however the fact comes to be narrowly examined, it is to be accounted for upon the fame principles, by which

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which the rest of their conduct appears to have been guided; and instead of ano dng any just pretence for incredulity, it will corroborate the arguments, already advanced, in behalf of the Chriftian religion.

PROPHETÆ Veteris Teftamenti (fays a learned commentator,) patrabant quidem miracula, at hanc poteftatem aliis dare non poterant: quod Chriftus fecit Prophetarum dominus, et nunc cùm in terris ageret, et poftquàm in cœlum abiiffet *. This diftinction will be readily admitted by the careful reader of Holy Writ, with the exception perhaps of a fingle inftance+: but in order to proceed to the conclufions with the greater fafety; I fhall firft produce the Scriptural evidence for this interesting and important fact, and then inquire into the confequences, which it feems neceffarily to involve. In the firft place therefore, I propofe to fhew, that this miraculous power was really conferred: and fecondly, that it was as certainly exercifed. Thirdly, I fhall confider the purposes, for which it was beftowed; and laftly, the effect it feemed to produce upon the minds of those, to whom it was imparted.

Ift, THE

*Wetften. ad Matt. x. 1.

See 2 Kings ii. 9.

ift, THE teftimony of Scripture is decifive as to the fact of conferring the power; fince it is expreffly recorded, that it was bestowed not only upon the twelve Apostles, but upon seventy others alfo. Thus we read in the 10th chapter of St. Matthew, "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean fpirits, to caft them out, and to heal all manner of fickness, and all manner of difeafe.". "These twelve," it is repeated, "Jefus fent forth, and commanded them, faying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the loft fheep of the house of Ifrael. And as ye go, preach, faying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the fick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead *, caft out demons: freely ye have received, freely give +." The fame fact is recorded, though more concifely, by St. Mark. "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might fend them

forth

The

This claufe is omitted in the text of Griefbach. evidence of various MSS. concurs with other probabilities to establish the propriety of it's rejection.

↑ Vv. 1, 5-8.

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