by every art of shallow, but imposing attempt to undermine that faith, which t! solemnly promised to maintain and t From such deadly apostacy, notwithst:. intrusion from abroad of much an theology, we, of this favoured a empire are yet happily preserved. our priests still keep knowledge: still proclaim the words of unsophis our universities still train up the countries, in the faith of their fa send forth a clergy, learned in and conscientiously attached to our Catholic and Apostolic Ch we may enjoy these blessings. scrutable Wisdom to determin may remain assured, that suc individually enjoyed, so far dividually prepared for thei cultivation of piety in our 1 minds, moderation in our ableness in all our intellect

One word of practical a The text of this discourse does not, directly enjoin u But reason, revelation, a may, and must abundant neglect the study of the

ulous effusion of the nsequences of the utude, at this moment ontinue in progressive "ious period, when, the being come in, blindness Israel; and all Israel I the ends of the world rd, and all the kindreds of ip before Him.

t of this narrative, in the Acts, may be compressed ts instructive matter might iny volumes.

been intrusted, by his Divine keys of the kingdom of heath the office and privilege of th to Jews, and Gentiles, the hristian Church. The former umission, he had fulfilled, on the

of Pentecost; when, through here were added to the Church 1ousand souls. For the performatter part, he was not yet suitably wish prejudices still clung to his art; he still accounted the Gentiles 1 unclean; he still esteemed them admission, into the ordinary society

308

DISCOURSE XV.

ACTS x. 1.

THERE WAS A CERTAIN MAN IN CÆSAREA, CALLED CORNELIUS; A CENTURION OF THE BAND, CALLED THE ITALIAN BAND.

THIS is the plain and simple opening, of a plain and simple narrative; but the subject-matter of that narrative is peculiarly important: no less, than the first admission of the Gentiles into the Church of Christ: an event, pre-ordained from the foundation of the world; foretold by a succession of prophets, from the dying benediction of Noah, to the dying song of Symeon; prefigured by types and parables, in the Old Testament, and in the New; matured by a long, but indispensable preparation of circumstances, in the Jewish and the Gentile world; announced by our blessed Lord, as a leading object of his care on earth; ushered in, by the ministration of angels, and by the voice of God, from hea

ven; sealed by a miraculous effusion of the Holy Spirit; involving consequences of the utmost range, and magnitude,-at this moment in operation, and to continue in progressive operation, till that glorious period, when, the fulness of the Gentiles being come in, blindness shall be removed from Israel; and all Israel shall be saved; and all the ends of the world shall turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Him.

The leading object of this narrative, in the tenth chapter of the Acts, may be compressed into a few words; its instructive matter might be expanded into many volumes.

Saint Peter had been intrusted, by his Divine Master, with the keys of the kingdom of heaven; that is, with the office and privilege of first opening, both to Jews, and Gentiles, the gates of the Christian Church. The former part of this commission, he had fulfilled, on the memorable day of Pentecost; when, through his ministry, there were added to the Church about three thousand souls. For the performance of the latter part, he was not yet suitably prepared. Jewish prejudices still clung to his mind and heart; he still accounted the Gentiles common and unclean; he still esteemed them unworthy of admission, into the ordinary society

of his countrymen, much less, of reception into the solemn assembly of the Church of God.

But a second Pentecost was near at hand. To correct the Apostle's narrow, and erroneous views, a trance came upon him; a mysterious, but, significant vision appeared; and the Divine voice instructed him, that, what God had cleansed, whether it were thing or person, he was neither to call, nor to consider, common, or unclean. No sooner had the vision closed, than, by God's special appointment, three messengers stood before the gate, from Cæsarea, from Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and a Gentile, who had been visited by an angel, and divinely warned to send for Peter.

Instructed by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle obeyed the heavenly call; and hospitably received those Gentile messengers, with whom, but an hour before, he would have accounted it a profanation to associate. The next day, accompanied by six members of the Church in Joppa, wisely retained, as witnesses of what might happen, he proceeded to Cæsarea. (1) There, he found Cornelius, his family, and near friends, in a state of earnest expectation; to whom he succinctly, but impressively, stated the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. And, while he yet spake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that

Η εξένισε.