might have had unhappy effects, if the wisdom and authority of the apostles had not provided an early remedy. The church, as yet, consisted only of Jewish believers; but these were distinguished into Jews properly so called, that is, natives and inhabitants of Judea; and Hellenists or Grecians, the name given to those of the Jewish race and profession who had been dispersed and settled in the heathen countries. Many of these, as has been observed, were at that time in Jerusalem, and among the first converts to the Gospel. As the multitude who were supplied out of the common stock were very great, it is no wonder if a few individuals were overlooked. Some unavoidable instances of this sort gave rise to a complaint, not only of negligence, but partiality in the distribution of the money; and the Hellenists, or strangers, thought the others had an undue preference shown them. The apostles, though upright and impartial, were unable to do every thing themselves, and therefore, to prevent such mistakes and suspicions, and that they might devote their whole time and attention to the more important services of the ministry, they entirely divested themselves of the pecuniary charge; and, by their advice, seven men were chosen, on whom, by prayer and imposition of hands, they solemnly devolved this trust. Thus the office of deacons was instituted: they were men full of wisdom and the Holy Ghost, and to them the care of the public money, and the support of the poor, was peculiarly confided. Some of them, perhaps all, were occasionally preachers: but. this was no part of their office as deacons. By this expedient the cause of murmuring was taken away, and the peace of the church confirmed. TIBERIUS, A.D. 34.] Thus the Gospel flourished in defiance of opposition. The Jews, provoked

more and more, began to lose all patience; the mild counsels of Gamaliel could no longer restrain them, but their blinded passions hurried them to the last extremities. Stephen, one of the seven deacons newly elected, was the first who received the honour and crown of martyrdom. His zeal for the truth did not begin with his new office, though it is possible his undertaking that charge might place him more in view, and expose him more immediately to persecution. Promotions in the world are attended with worldly advantages; but such promotions in the church as are agreeable to the Spirit of God, will rather entitle a man to a larger share of labours and sufferings, and the painful pre-eminence of standing in the fore-front of the battle, to sustain the hottest brunt of every storm. Stephen was no sooner a public person than he became the mark of public opposition. At first, they pretended to dispute with him; but when they were unable to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake, they had recourse to more effectual methods to silence him; they suborned false witnesses (a main instrument of persecution) against him, and, having framed such an accusation as was most likely to alarm the prejudice and inflame the rage of the people, they brought him before the council, and charged him that he had spoken blasphemous words against Moses and against God. Stephen, though alone, and unsupported, in the midst of furious enemies, appeared firm and unmoved as a rock in the midst of waves; he was not only devoid of fear, but filled with joy;k the testimony of a good conscience, the honour of suffering for his Lord, and a sense of the love of God shed abroad in his heart, not only preserved his soul in peace, but spread a lustre and

k Acts vii.

glory upon his countenance; so that all who sat in the council, looking upon him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. In such a disposition, he thought it not worth while to attempthis own defence, but employed the whole time allotted him in behalf of his adversaries, that, if possible, by a distinct review of God's dealing with their nation, and their behaviour towards him, he might engage them to consider their ways, to repent, and believe the Gospel. While he spake of the things that had been long since transacted; and kept within the bounds of Moses, David and Solomon, they had patience to hear him; but when he began to make application to themselves with that warmth and plainness which the case required, they could hear no more; his words cut them to the heart; they no longer preserved the exterior gravity of their stations and characters, but gnashed at him with their teeth, as though they would have devoured him alive.

But vain are the attempts of men to intimidate those whom the Lord is pleased to comfort; he is always near, to support his faithful servants, and can manifest himself in a way which the world knows nothing of. Such a seasonable and sufficient discovery he made of himself to Stephen. As he looked stedfastly up to heaven, silently appealing from the injustice of his judges, he saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing in glory at the right hand of God, as attending to all that passed, and ready to receive him to himself. Transported with this divine assurance, he was not at leisure to drop a single word to soften his incensed enemies: he endeavoured to communicate the glorious idea with which his soul was filled, and without regarding the sure consequences of such a declaration, he told them plainly

what he saw.

This determined their resolves. Hitherto they had been willing to preserve the form, at least, of a judicial process; but now, renouncing every restraint, and unmindful of their late acknowledgment to Pilate, that it was not lawful for them to put any man to death, they stopped their ears, to shut out any remonstrance that might be offered, dragged him violently out of the city, and stoned him to death. His dying deportment, which showed how eminently he was filled with the spirit of Jesus, whom he saw, is recorded as a fit pattern for the imitation of all who should be called to suffer for the truth in succeeding times; he kneeled down with the sweetest composure, and having committed his departing soul into his Redeemer's hands, his only remaining concern was for his murderers, and his last breath was a prayer, that this sin might not be laid to their charge. Such resolution in the defence of truth, such calmness under sufferings, such tenderness and compassion towards those who oppose, are the surest marks of a high attainment in Christianity.

The death of Stephen, far from satiating the rage of the rulers, rather animated and excited them to new mischief; they observed no farther measures, but gave full vent to their cruelty, and raised a general persecution against the church. A young man, named Saul, whom the Lord, from before his birth, had designed for a nobler service, was at this time one of their most zealous and active instruments; he had been a consenting spectator of Stephen's death, and kept the raiment of those that slew him. Encouraged by their example, he soon entered upon action himself, and made havock of the church; forcibly Acts, viii.

1

entering into their houses, and dragging many to prison, both men and women. The disciples, therefore, according to their Lord's direction,m gave way to the storm, and dispersed themselves throughout Judea and Samaria, spreading the knowledge of the Gospel wherever they went. Thus the methods taken to suppress the truth, proved (as they often have since) the means of promoting its progress: yet the Lord, who appoints limits, beyond which the fiercest attempts of men cannot pass, preserved the apostles in safety at Jerusalem, where he had farther occasion for their service. Amongst the many who left the city was Philip, another of the deacons : he preached Christ and his Gospel in Samaria, performed many cures and miracles among the people, and a great number received faith and were baptized. Here the Gospel triumphed over the illusions of Simon, surnamed Magus, or the Sorcerer, who, by his vain arts and arrogant pretensions, had long held the people in subjection and astonishment; but the superior power of truth dispelled the charm, his votaries forsook him, and even the impostor himself was so far convinced that Philip acted by that divine power and authority to which he had only pretended, that he professed himself a believer likewise, and behaved so fairly, that Philip admitted him to baptism, without suspicion; but when, soon after, Peter" and John came to Samaria, to communi

m Matt. x. 23.

Acts, viii. 14. They sent Peter and John. We find nothing in this book to countenance the pre-eminence which the Papists ascribe to Peter; he and John were deputed by all the apostles, and went upon equal terms; Peter did not send John, nor go himself, without the advice and direction of the rest. John had once desired to call for fire from heaven upon the Samaritans, but he was now better in