The doctrine of the Apostles, though varied as to the mode in which it was announced, and adapted to the particular circumstances and habits of those to whom it was addressed, was substantially the same. Wherever they came, they preached repentance and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ; who, though crucified as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, "was declared to be the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead," and his ascension into heaven. Of these wonderful and most important facts, the Apostles affirmed themselves to have been eye-witnesses; and in proof of the truth of their assertions, they appealed to their own miraculous endowments, and assured those who would receive their testimony that they also should be partakers of the Holy Ghost. They exhibited that Divine Person as the Source of all spiritual excellence and power, and described "the purchased possession" as the inheritance of those who should be sanctified and prepared for it by his gracious influences. They confirmed all the great truths of natural religion, and all the spiritual principles and moral duties which are contained in the Law and the Prophets, and which were briefly comprehended both by Christ and his Apostles in the love of God and of our neighbor. They required from their converts a most holy character and conduct, a "conversation becoming the Gospel," detached from the false principles and the corrupt customs and pleasures of the world, and elevated to the spiritual and heavenly realities which it reveals; a life exemplary in the fulfillment of every relative and social duty, conspicuous in all that is "lovely and of good report," "zealous of good works." They announced the appointment, in the counsels of the Almighty, of " a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ," according to the Gospel," whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead." They consoled and animated the faithful Christian to patient continuance in well-doing by the prospect of a glorious resurrection to eternal life, and the promise of " the fullness of joy, and of plea sures at God's right hand for evermore." They warned and persuaded the unblieving and disobedient by "the terrors of the Lord," by the denunciation of a "fearful looking for of judg. ment," of "destruction from the presence of the Lord," of a "resurrection to damnation."

Such is a brief outline of the principle points of "the Apostle's VOL. II.-23

doctrine," as they are to be collected from the record of their Acts contained in the New Testament, and as we may, for the most part, find them comprised in that ancient summary of faith called "the Apostle's Creed." It is, no doubt true, that we possess only an imperfect memorial of their discourses and addresses to different persons, and at different places; but it is equally certain, that, in the inspired history of their early proceedings, which, by the Divine wisdom and goodness, has been transmitted to us, we have the substance of their declarations, the great fundamental facts which form the subjects of their testimony, together with the leading doctrines and principles of the religion which they taught. In their more private instructions and exhortations to their converts, which probably embraced much of the important and interesting matter récorded by the four Evangelists in the Gospels, and in the Epistles addressed by several of the Apostles to some of the churches which were founded by their preaching and labors, the grand outline of Christian truth, which alone could be comprised in public and popular discourses, was strengthened and filled up with ample details, both of primary and subordinate importance. The universal guilt and condemnation of mankind as transgressors of the Divine laws, whether natural or revealed, the corruption of human nature, and the moral impotence of man, unenlightened and unassisted from above, to know and do the will of God, the origin of human redemption in his free and undeserved mercy and grace, the Divine glory of our Saviour as the Son of God, the infinite value and sufficiency of his sacrifice upon the cross as an atonement for the sins of the whole world, the prevalence of his intercession in heaven, the universal offer of salvation through Christ to the whole race of mankind, justification, "not by works of righteousness," but by the mercy of God through faith in Christ only, the necessity of regeneration by water and the Holy Spirit, the progressive work of sanctification under the same gracious influence, the life of faith and holy communion of the believer with his God and Saviour, the privileges of the children of God, their peculiar character and dispositions, security and happiness, the glorious prospects held out to them of future and everlasting dignity and blessedness-these, together, in due time, with the sublime predictions and anticipations of the future state of the church, suffering and triumphant, until the final consummation of all things in the glory of "the new heavens

and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," are among the numerous and important topics communicated to the Apostles "by inspiration of God," and by them delivered to the primitive churches, and unfolded in their writings, for the guidance and instruction, the consolation and joy of the faithful in all ages to the end of the world.

And here, familiar as these points of Apostolic doctrine may be to us who enjoy the privilege of studying them in the records of the New Testament, and in the authorized formularies of our own church, I cannot but call your attention to the mysterious grandeur, the Divine authority, and the infinite excellence and importance of those sacred truths. Compared with all that human wisdom and philosophy had ever taught, the discoveries of the Christian revelation appear transcendant and unrivalled. Even the glory of the Mosaic dispensation, though containing the clements and "the shadows of good things to come," fades and vanishes in the superior lustre of "the glory which excelleth." In all that most intimately concerns the moral and religious instruction, and the temporal and eternal welfare of mankind, the Gospel approves itself as "the wisdom and the power of God;" as communicating truths which, unrevealed, could never have entered into the mind of man, as accomplishing purposes to which mere human resources were utterly inadequate, as conferring and securing blessings exceeding all calculation and conception-God reconciled to a rebellious world through the intervention of his equal and eternal Son; man," dead in trespasses and sins," quickened, illuminated, humbled, accepted, renovated, comforted, saved; His relation to an Almighty Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, graciously unfolded and affectionately enforced; the most free and unlimited promises of forgiveness and grace, of spiritual guidance, support and consolation, profusely lavished; the principles and rules of duty perspicuously developed, and attractively and impressively exemplified; the fear of death relieved, and, as far as possible, removed; and the path of immortal life and happiness gloriously displayed and triumphantly ascertained-Can any thing more precious, or more wonderful be imagined than 'a system such as this, which provides for all the wants, satisfies all the desires, and realizes and infinitely exceeds all the expectations of a fallen and guilty, but immortal, creature; which illustrates and harmonizes the Divine perfections, glorifies God and saves a ruined world.

Yet such was "the doctrine" revealed by the Divine Spirit, and taught by the Apostles in all their addresses and writings; and the introduction of this Gospel of these good tidings, as they are justly called, formed the most memorable and important era in the history of mankind. From that blessed period, a new and most delightful relation commenced between God and man. His hearlds, according to our Saviour's last command, went into all the world, and proclaimed the offers of mercy; and his grace disposed multitudes to accept them. Companies of believers were thus collected, as at Jerusalem, in various places, and formed into communities, planted and watered, superintended and visited by the Apostles, governed by their authority, instructed and guided by them and by the elders whom they ordained, and regulated by the general principles and precepts which they delivered for the observance of "all the churches."

Nothing can be more natural, and nothing more definite and apparent, than this "fellowship of the Apostles," which formed the basis of the constitution and discipline of the primitive churches. While those inspired and holy men were continued upon earth, all were under their superintendance and care. But since government and order are visible in all the works of God, and essential to the welfare of all communities and bodies of men, whether civil or religious, it follows as an evident dictate of reason, that the Apostles should, as in point of fact we find it recorded in the New Testament, and in the subsequent history of the Christian church, that they actually did, transmit their ordinary authority to other "faithful men," for the guidance and govcrnment, the instruction and edification of believers, from one generation to another.

To this fellowship with the chief pastors of Christ's flock were added in the primitive church, "the breaking of bread and prayers” -the celebration of the holy communion of the Lord's Supper, and the exercise of united worship. One only of the sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ is here mentioned; because the initiatory ordinance of Baptism invariably preceded the title of any one to the character and privileges of his disciples; and because it is, in consequence, once only administered at the commencement of the Christian course; whereas the participation of the other Sacrament was to be frequently repeated for the nourishment and support of the spiritual life, and as the bond and pledge of brotherly union and love; while "supplications, prayers, and giving of

thanks" were in these earliest assemblies of the faithful made for themselves and "for all men," according to their various exigencies and circumstancs as Christians, and as members of civil society. Wherever, in the Apostolic writings, any notices of devotional occupations of the church occur, which, as we might expect, are not frequent, the same brief outline may be observed-the reading of the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the word, the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and the exercise of prayer. Thus, at Troas, "upon the first day of the week," which is emphatical marked by the sacred historian as the stated period of public devotion and communion under the dispensation of a risen Saviour, "when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them."

Such was the simple, yet sublime, origin of the Apostolic doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Christian church; an institution founded by infinite wisdom and goodness for diffusing, preserving, and perpetuating the knowledge of the only true God, and of Jesus Christ whom he sent, for restoring man to his allegiance to his maker, rescuing him from the guilt and condemnation and dominion of sin, inculcating upon him holy principles, nourishing him with spiritual strength, and training him to such a pure and elevated character, and to such habits of piety and of moral and religious obedience, as, after rendering him useful and exemplary in all that is good and excellent during his pilgrimage upon earth, should conduct him as the child of God to an inheritance in heaven. So great and exalted a purpose, to be accomplished in such a being as man, would, it is manifest, be opposed by the corruption of human nature, the enmity of a world immersed in idolatry and sin, and the malice of that powerful and subtle adversary, who had, during so many ages, triumphed amidst its darkness, superstition and wickedness. But the converts at Jerusalem, strengthened and animated by the spirit from on high, "added to their faith, virtue," the holy courage and persevering resolution, without which the spiritual principles, the difficult and self-denying duties, and the high and heavenly hope of the Christian calling cannot be maintained. They continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship," and in devout communion with their brethren, and thus exhibited in every part of their dispositions and conduct the genuine fruits of the Spirit which they had received.