dies profeffing a particular sense of the holy fcriptures; and it is poffible, that sense may not be the true one. But the primitive martyrs, at least the earliest of them, died in atteftation of public Facts; touching which it was impoffible, that they themselves should be deceived, and all the world faw, they could have no imaginable temptation, to deceive others. The martyrdom of fuch men was, indeed, a strong argument, in favour of their cause; to which their blameless lives, and unexampled fortitude, gave additional luftre. Cicero has exhibited, with his usual vigour of imagination, and energy of language, a ftriking picture of Roman patience, in one who was publicly fcourged, while not a groan was heard, not a word was uttered, during his chastisement, except "Civis Romanus fum "." But among the first Christians were many, of each fex and of every age, who, under much sharper tortures, poffeffed no less courage; from whofe lips, after praying for their enemies, not a fyllable could be extorted, excepting that name, in which they gloried even in death, Xgisiavos ap. They "I am a Roman." Vid. Cic. in Verr. L. V. c. lxii. i "I am a Chriftian." See an elegant and affecting letter, in Eufeb. Hift. Eccl. L. V. c. i. giving an account of the martyrdom k evidently fhewed, or rather, as it was on the occafion remarked, He who fuffered in them, and fupported them, thewed, ότι μηδεν φοβερον όπ8 Πατρος αγάπη, μηδε αλγεινον όπε Χριςε δόξα κ. Their caufe was the cause of truth; and the malice of the world, the machinations of infidelity, and the gates of hell, never did, nor ever shall, prevail against it. It is founded upon a rock, and that rock is Chrift, "the fame yesterday, and to day, and for ever'." martyrdom of fome Chriftians in Gaul. See alfo L. IV. c. xv. p. 167. and L. VIII. c. iii. Where the love of the Father reigns, nothing can create fear; where Chrift's glory is the object, nothing can give pain." See the letter, as above, p. 2oz. See likewise the Epiftle concerning the martyrdom of Polycarp, Ibid. p. 162. n. 5. Heb. xiii. 8. SERMON III. MAT T. XXIV. 4, 5· Take heed that no man deceive you. For many Shall come in my name, faying, I am Chrift; and fhall deceive WE many. E have confidered one of the figns, which our bleffed Saviour gave to his difciples, whereby it might be known, that the defolation of the temple, and the overthrow of the Jewish ftate, were nigh at hand. The gospel, it was foretold, should be preached in all the world; and then the end should come. However, from this mark alone, had no others been added, the time of the approaching vengeance could not have been discovered, with fufficient precifion, to answer all thofe purposes of mercy, which the Redeemer of mankind graciously intended. Before F 4 Before St. Paul had finished the course of his ministry, he himself informs us, that the "found" of the apostles was gone forth "into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world;" that the gofpel was "come,' or rather was "" prefent," had taken firm hold, and was bringing forth fruit, in all the world, having been preached to the whole creation under heaven. Here then was the accomplishment of our Lord's prediction. But although there now were believers in all lands; yet inasmuch as there were still, and long after this time, many adversaries, and hitherto perhaps fome cities, or diftricts, where the faith had not been taught; it might have been doubted, by the Christians in Judea, who were moft nearly concerned in the prophecies refpecting Jerufalem, whether the gospel had been preached, in that fulness and extent, with which it was to be published, before the Jewish affairs should have an end. At least thofe among them, Rom. x. 18. + b Col. i. 5, 6. Το ευαγγέλιο τε παρόντος εἰς ὑμᾶς, καθώς και εν παντι τῷ κόσμῳ. c. Ibid. i. 23. It is not, as the common translation would on xvioes, but xnguxdertos ex lead us to fuppofe, xnguxderros πάση τη κτίσει, τη ύπο τον δρανον. who |