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faction; and left them to meditate on the glorious occurrences of the day.

Thomas, surnamed Didymus, happened to be absent on this occasion, so that he still remained incredulous, and plainly declared that he should never be convinced of Christ's resurrection, unless he were permitted to thrust his fingers into the prints of the nails, and his hand into the wound which had been opened by the centurion's spear. At the expiration of eight days, however, he was overwhelmed with confusion at the sight of Jesus, and instead of taking the full demonstration which he had before insisted on, he prostrated himself at his feet, and acknowledged him as his Lord and his God. Hereupon he was dismissed with this mild reproof, "Thou believest Thomas, because thou hast seen; but blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe."

Shortly after this blessed manifestation, the eleven disciples quitted Jerusalem according to the divine appointment, and went to Galilee, where their Master indulged them again with his presence, and renewed his former commission to preach and confirm his gospel, in these words, "All power is given to me both in heaven and earth. Go, therefore, and preach to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

Upon another occasion he revealed himself to seven of the disciples, and having wrought a beneficial miracle for their subsistence, condescended to eat and drink with them. He also gave Peter an especial charge to feed the flock of God, and predicted the martyrdom which should terminate the labours of that apostle.

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Having thus manifested himself to his beloved disciples for the space of forty days, during which time he conversed familiarly on subjects of eternal importance, and comforted them with the assurance of his continual blessing, the Redeemer gathered all his church together, as is supposed to the number of * five hundred, and led them to a mountain where he gave them a solemn benediction, and promised to confirm their testimony respecting him by various miraculous signs and wonders.

Having given these irrefragable proofs of his resurrection, and commanded his disciples to wait at Jerusalem till they received the promised Comforter, Jesus led the objects of his especial favor to the Mount of Olives, whence he ascended, in a bright cloud, to those regions of pure delight, which had been governed by his sceptre before the foundations of the world; and which now resounded with the new song † of "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, honour, glory, and blessing."

*See 1 Corinthians, xv. chap. 6th verse. Revelations, chap. v. 12th verse.

276

CHAP. XII.

From the Ascension of our Saviour to the Death of St. Paul.

A.D: THE disciples, having received an assurance

33.

from a celestial spirit, that the same Jesus who had now ascended into heaven, should in like manner come down again from thence, returned to Jerusalem; and devoted their time to fasting, prayer, and such other acts of piety as were most likely to qualify them for the reception of the Holy Ghost. After some time, it was proposed to choose a new member into the apostolic college, in order to fill up the vacaney which had been made by Judas; and Matthias, one of the seventy disciples, was chosen, by lot, upon this occasion.

*

On the morning which ushered in the great feast of Pentecost, a mighty sound was suddenly heard from heaven; a rushing wind seemed to fill the room where the disciples were assembled, and cloven tongues of fire set upon each of their heads. Being now filled with the Holy Ghost, and inspired with the knowledge of foreign tongues, they immediately began to declare the wonderful works of God to a concourse of people, both Jews and proselytes, who ran together at the report of this great event; and Peter delivered such

The disciples of Christ, who were at this time about a hundred and twenty in number, were assembled in a large upper room, in the city of Jerusalem.

an animated discourse upon the occasion, that three thousand of his auditors were happily convinced of the truth of his assertions, and publicly acknowledged their faith in the crucified Redeemer.

At the hour of evening prayer, Peter and John repaired to the temple and healed a poor cripple who sat at the gate to solicit alms. This miracle, being performed in such a public manner, excited general attention ; and, whilst the man who had received the cure was leaping and praising God, a concourse of people assembled about the apostles in Solomon's porch. Peter resolved to embrace so favorable an opportunity of bearing witness to the Divinity of his glorified Master; and his sermon was attended with such signal success, that five thousand persons were immediately converted to the faith of Christ; and those who had previously received the glad tidings of the gospel were so firmly esta blished in the fundamental truths of their new religion, that they began to lay aside their dread of persecution, and devoted the greatest part of their time to works of charity and exemplary piety.

The members of the sanhedrim were no sooner apprised of these proceedings, than they sent officers to apprehend the apostles, and put them in prison; but upon Peter's boldly asserting the resurrection of Jesus, and demonstrating, from the scriptures, that he was the chief corner stone, which had been, long since, foretold to be rejected by the builders, they contented themselves for the present, with forbidding them to resume their ministerial employment.

Peter, having assured the members of the sanhedrim, that he should obey the commands of God rather than those of man, returned to the other dis

ciples, and acquainted them with what had passed. Hereupon they unanimously prayed, that the Deity would confirm their faith, courage, and miraculous gifts, for the furtherance of his gospel: and their apartment was immediately shaken in so miraculous a manner, that they were thoroughly convinced of the presence of their Redeemer, and consequently resolved to persevere in their undertaking, notwithstanding all the opposition and discouragements which they might receive from Jews and Gentiles.

The Jewish rulers were highly exasperated at the violation of their command, and ordered the apostles to be again thrown into confinement; but, during the night, they were liberated by an angel, and sent back to preach ́the great atonement of the Messiah, When, therefore, the council assembled to determine on the fate of their prisoners, they received the astonishing news of their escape, and were, soon after, informed that they were haranguing the populace in the temple. Hereupon the captain and other officers of the temple were desired to seize the preachers, and bring them before the sanhedrim but Peter and his colleagues answered to their accusation with such extraordinary boldness, and adduced such irrefragable reasons in support of their conduct, that Gamaliel, a pharisee of exemplary piety and great reputation, overruled the intentions of the other judges, and persuaded them to moderate their resentment, lest they should eventually be found to fight against God. The apostles were therefore dismissed, after a slight chastisement, and their brethren rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the cause of their divine Master.

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