12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

It would be readily believed. The chief priests and Pharisees had thought the attempt so probable, that they guarded against it, " making the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone" which closed it," and setting a watch." The story therefore would easily gain ground, and satisfy persons who were not anxious to inquire, and who would be slow to believe what the disciples themselves could hardly be brought to comprehend, the resurrection of Jesus in the body which had died.

But we believe that, Jesus both died, and rose again: " died for our sins, and rose again for our justification." 6 WE also believe that as he died and rose again, so also they that believe in him, though dust returns to dust, yet shall live; nay, that whosoever liveth, and "believeth in him, shall never die." "For this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality: and then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

"Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." "

5 Chap. xxvii. 62-66.

7 John xi. 25.

6 Rom. iv. 25.

81 Cor. xvi. 34–56.

LECTURE CXV.

THE APOSTLES COMMISSIONED.

MATT. xxviii. 16-20.

16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them!

17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

3

The apostles, who at first doubted, had been now convinced. Even Thomas acknowledged the truth which he was slow to receive, and "because he had seen, he believed." 2 Those therefore who now doubted, were probably some of the five hundred brethren to whom, as St. Paul relates, Jesus appeared before his ascension, on some occasion not mentioned by any of the Evangelists. Their doubts, are our certainty. We have the satisfaction of knowing that they were not so transported with joy at the glorious event which they had not dared to expect, as to believe because they wished to believe. And though many things happened after the resurrection which have not been related, many things which we should gladly know if it had seemed good to the Holy Spirit to preserve them to us; this has been recorded,

1

Between the ninth and the fourteenth day after the resurrection. Newcome.

2 John xx. 24-29.

31 Cor. xv.

6.

that some doubted, and could hardly be persuaded that Jesus himself stood before them.

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

All things had been accomplished, which were to prepare for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ his ministry, his death, his resurrection. Now the fruits were to appear; and he commissions his apostles that they go out and gather them. He had laboured, and he sends them to enter into his labours. All power, he says, is given unto me in heaven and in earth: power to send the Holy Spirit ; power to convert the hearts of those who hear the word; power to assign to every man his place throughout eternity; power to bestow "the crown of righteousness," on those who "by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality." Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations; make disciples of them: baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Instruct them, that there is one God and Father of all; and that "he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Instruct them, that there is "one Mediator between God and man:" He is "the way, the truth, and the life;" "no man cometh unto the

4 Ma@nrevoare is the word rendered by teach.

Father but by him." Instruct them, that the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, will purify the hearts of all who come to God through Christ Jesus, and will enable them to "live righteously, soberly, and godly," as becometh those who are looking for a heavenly kingdom. In the name of this TRIUNE GOD baptize them: that they may be born again of water and of the Holy Ghost, and being cleansed from their sins, may be renewed in the spirit of their minds. Baptism is the appointed entrance into the covenant which God is pleased to make with man through Jesus Christ, that as many as believe in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

A gracious encouragement attends this command. Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. In dependence upon my power, bring men from the darkness in which they have hitherto lain, to the light of my gospel; bring them from the power of Satan by which they have been hitherto kept down, to the knowledge and service of God. And lo, I am with you alway, to observe, and assist, and reward your efforts, even unto the end of the world.

Trusting to this promise, the apostles went forth to contend against prejudice, and malice, and authority, and power. Trusting to this promise, a few weeks after it had been made, Peter and John stood up in an assembly of their countrymen, and accused them of their sin in crucifying and slaying him whom God had sent to be a prince and a Saviour." It

5 Acts ii. 22-41.

was seen by the conversion of three thousand souls, that Jesus was with them. Trusting to this promise, the apostles replied to the council when forbidden to" speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus," "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." 6 It appeared from their boldness, and by the discomfiture of their enemies, that Jesus was with them. Trusting to this promise, Stephen rebuked the high priests and elders in the public council, because they, like their fathers, were resisting the Holy Ghost. The promise was visibly fulfilled for when assailed by their violence and hurried to death, "he looked stedfastly up to heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."7 And so Paul at Rome, when brought before the emperor, at a crisis so fearful that "all men forsook him," none of his friends dared to support him: nevertheless, he affirms, "The Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." 8

The visible presence and the miraculous support which the apostles received and the early church required, was gradually withdrawn. But the promise extends to the end of the world. And in full confidence that it will never fail, the ministers of Christ are daily going forth to oppose the power of this present world over the heart of man, strengthened as it is by the power of Satan: and success is granted them, according to the good pleasure of him "whose they are, and whom they serve." The word does not return unto him void; but accomplishes that for 7 Acts vii. 51-55.

Acts iv. 13-20.

8 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17,