CHAPTER II.

_Of the church at_ Jerusalem.

1. AFTER the apostles had received the Holy Ghost, they were living images of Jesus Christ. And by them all the following servants of Christ were to form their hearts and lives. So St. _Paul_ to the _Corinthians_, _Be ye followers of me, as I am of_ Christ: and to the _♦Philippians_, _Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an example_.

♦ “Phillippians” replaced with “Philippians”

2. Thus they taught by their lives as well as their words. But they chose out some of the believers, whom they taught in a more particular manner, as Jesus Christ had instructed them. These were with them continually wherever they went: these followed them in all their journies, and were appointed by them to reside in, and to govern the churches as they were formed. So with St. _Peter_ was _Mark_, whom he calls his son (_1 Peter v. 13._) and St. _Clement_, well known in all the churches. With St. _Paul_, were _Timothy_, _Titus_, St. _Luke_, and sometimes the same St. _Clement_. Thus _Polycarp_ accompanied St. _John_. These holy men applied themselves with all care to learn the doctrine, and to imitate the lives of the apostles. And hereby they were themselves examples to other believers, both by word and conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. They likewise themselves formed disciples, capable of instructing and forming others. And this St. _Paul_ directs _Timothy_ to do (_2 Timothy ii. 2._) _The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also._ Thus was the faith once delivered to the saints: thus was the church, the whole body of Christians from the beginning, the ground and pillar of truth, of all the truths contained in the oracles of God. In the writings therefore of these, not of modern reasoners and disputers, are we to search for that sense of scriptures hard to be understood, which they received from the apostles, and the apostles from Christ.

3. The church at _Jerusalem_, the pattern and mother of all churches, was taught and governed by the apostles themselves. And all the members thereof _continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayer. All who believed were together and had all things common._ They _sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, as every man had need. They continued daily with one accord in the temple, and in breaking bread_ in the house or chamber appointed for it: and _eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people_. Again we read, _The multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one soul, neither said any, that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. And great grace was upon them all, neither was there any among them, that wanted: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet. And distribution was made to every man, according as he had need._

4. This community of goods the ancient philosophers and law-givers often endeavoured, but could never effect: having only punishments to constrain, or reasonings to persuade men to it. And both these were too weak to prevail. Only the grace of Christ could effect it. When this was shed abroad in their hearts, they all looked on each other as brethren, all united in one family, and fed alike by the common care of their Father. The law of love, so often repeated by their Lord, was continually before their eyes, and _by this did all men know they were his disciples, by their love to one another_.

5. It is said, that _they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine_; and they are often called, the _disciples_ or _learners_. They diligently applied themselves to learn all the truths of God, whether by hearing the apostles both in public and private, or by reading and comparing together the holy scriptures, and meditating upon them. It is likewise said, that they continued in prayer, and went daily for that purpose to the temple: probably at the solemn hours of prayer, the _third_, _sixth_ and _ninth_, which the Christian church observed for many ages.

6. The other part of their daily service mentioned here, is _the breaking of bread_, or the _Lord’s supper_, as the phrase signifies, not in this place alone, but in many others of the New Testament. It was followed by a repast, the use of which continued long in the ♦church, under the name of _Agapæ_, or _feasts of love_. And these it is said, _They eat with gladness and singleness of heart_. In a word, all the Christians were as little children, in humility, disinterestedness and purity. By renouncing worldly good and hopes, they had cut off the occasions of passions and of the uneasinesses of life: so that their minds were wholly taken up with heaven, and their _hope full of immortality_. Thus the church of _Jerusalem_ subsisted near forty years, under the conduct of the apostles and St. _James_ (the bishop of it) in particular: till the Christians seeing the ruin of that unhappy city to approach, according to the prediction of their Master, retired out of it to the little town of _Pella_, where they continued in peace and safety.

♦ “chuch” replaced with “church”