306 EARLY CORRUPTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. [LECT.

Church to bear a more signal testimony to the cause of His truth.

During the first century, if we were to continue the history of the Church, we should find it a still more melancholy task. The heresies of the Gnostics, Ebionites, Cerinthians, and others, soon sprung up'. Against whom St. John was left to raise the last inspired voice: in the next persecution, which was begun against the Christians under Domitian, he was banished to the island of Patmos, where he penned the book of the Apocalypse [A. D. 96]: after his release, he returned to Ephesus, and there died.

My brethren, the task which I imposed upon myself at the beginning of this holy season, is now but imperfectly accomplished. I have, however, had the satisfaction to comprise, in these few lectures, most of the events related in the sacred narrative and if even I could have carried you beyond them, I doubt much whether it would not have been rather for your information, than your edification for as soon as man begins to intermeddle with the simplicity of the

1

See Fleury Histoire Ecclesiast. liv. ii. chap. 42. with the proper references to Epiphanius and Irenæus, and compare Euseb. Hist. Ecclesiast. lib. iii. cap. 27-30.

2 Consult Horne's Introduction to the Scriptures, &c. Vol. IV. p. 296-304.

3 Ibid. Vol. IV. p. 490.

vi.]

SCRIPTURE ALONE INFALLIBLE.

307

Christian faith, you would have found how dreadfully it becomes disfigured and if for a moment ye were to dwell upon the character of the primitive faith and worship, and then carry forward your thoughts over a few generations, you would scarcely know where to look for that "faith which was once delivered to the saints," or for the descendants of those Romans, whose obedience and faith had pervaded the whole world. It is clear, then, we must cleave to the doctrines of Christ and His apostles, and never seek to know the truth of our holy religion from any other source than that of the Bible; and though even a Paul should plant, and an Apollos water, let it always be remembered, that God alone can give the increase. And if, my brethren, you have derived any heartfelt interest and spiritual improvement from the subjects to which I have hereby invited your attention, recollect, I pray you, that they are ever before you in the sacred volume, and that I have scarcely ventured to draw out from any other source. All other subjects wax old, and become wearisome by repetition; but the truths of the Gospel, and their effects upon the human heart, never fail to excite interest. Do ye, therefore, meditate upon the labours of the great apostle, and take his doctrines as your infallible guide, for he spake by the Spirit of God. Let

308

CONCLUSION.

[LECT. VI.

all your inquiries in history, and all your studies, be brought to bear upon these things. Never omit in your daily exercises to search that precious Word, which doth so effectually light up the path to eternity. See how the influence of the Spirit operated on the hearts and understandings of the first believers, "convincing them of sin," conducting them to Christ the only sacrifice for sin, and sanctifying and purifying their souls; and pray ye fervently that the same Spirit may direct and guide your hearts into the patient waiting for the Lord, and finally consider what the end of the Christian course is, when the good fight has been fought: and let the crown of immortality be ever kept in view, "that when Christ who is your life shall appear, ye also may appear with him in glory."

THE END.

LONDON:

GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,

ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.