evangelists that wrote before him, in relation to some particulars concerning our Saviour's birth, preaching, and miracles. He mainly insists upon what belongs to Christ's priestly office; upon which account the ancients, in accommodating the four symbolical representments in the prophet's vision to the four evangelists, assigned the ox or calf to St. Luke.h

Q. When was his history of the Acts of the Apostles written?

A. It is generally agreed, that it was written at Rome, at the end of St. Paul's two years' imprisonment, which makes the conclusion of it. In this history he relates not only the actions, but the sufferings of some of the chief Apostles, especially of St. Paul, of whose carriage and most intimate transactions, St. Luke was best able to give a true account, having been his constant attendant. Q. What is observed of St. Luke's style and manner of writing?

A. That it was clear, perspicuous, and accurate; which shews how great a share he had in the native genius of Antioch, the place of his birth.

Q. What may we learn from the observation of this Festival?

A. To rejoice in those glad tidings, which this evangelist published to the world; and not only attentively and reverently to read his gospel, but to practise, as he did, that doctrine which he taught. To be careful to avoid all flattery in our addresses to great men, which is contrary to that truth and sincerity that is so essential to the character of a good Christian. To be exact and faithful in all our relations of matters of fact, without favouring parties and factions. To stick close to the

h Ezek. i. 10.

professors of religion, when they are encompassed with variety of persecutions; which is an effect of true charity, since friendship only to persons in power and plenty, may be suspected of self-interest.

Q. What duties do Christians owe to their fellowmembers, when they are persecuted for righteousness sake?

A. To visit them in their afflictions; and by seasonable advice to encourage them to persevere in the faith. To pray to God for them, that he would be pleased to support them under all their trials, with the assistance. and comfort of his Holy Spirit. To vindicate them from the false aspersions of wicked and malicious men. According to our abilities to administer to their necessities; and by our interest with others, to procure them that relief which our own narrow circumstances cannot supply them with.

Q. Whence arises our obligation to these duties?

A. From that love and zeal we ought to have for religion; whose destruction is sought for by those who oppress the professors of it. From that spiritual union there is among Christians under their head Christ Jesus; So that if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. From the example of our Saviour, who, out of his great grace and kindness, being rich, for our sakes became poor; emptied himself of his glory, that we, through his poverty, might be made partakers of spiritual and durable riches. From that charity we owe to all that are in want, especially to those that are of the household of faith. And from the sense of being liable ourselves to the same distress; and therefore remembering them that suffer adversity, as being ourselves also of the body.

1 Cor. xii. 26.

k

2 Cor. viii. 9.

Heb. xiii. 3.

THE PRAYERS.

FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR MINDS.

ALMIGHTY God, who calledst Luke the physician, whose praise is in the gospel, to be an evangelist and physician of souls: may it please thee, that by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of my soul may be healed, through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; grant that I may love the things which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of this world, my heart may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GOSPEL.

I YIELD thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, for those glad tidings of salvation thy evangelist St. Luke hath published to the world; for all the manifestations of thy holy will, and of that inestimable redemption thou hast graciously condescended to work out for us; and for that thou hast been pleased to regenerate us by thy Holy Spirit, to receive us for thy own children by adoption, and to incorporate us into thy holy church; and I humbly beseech thee to grant, that I, being dead unto sin, and living unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may crucify the old man, and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that as I am made partaker of the death of thy Son, I may also be partaker of his

resurrection so that, finally, with the residue of thy holy church, I may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHAP. XXXIII.

ST. SIMON AND ST. JUDE.

OCTOBER 28.

Q. What Festival does the church celebrate this day? A. That of St. Simon and St. Jude the Apostles. Q. Why was St. Simon called the Canaanite? A. This surname has given occasion to several conjectures. Some say he was so called from Cana, a town in Galilee, and that he was born there, but St. Luke calling him Simon Zelotes, or the Zealot, plainly shews, that the word Canaanite descends from the Hebrew, which signifies to be zealous, and denotes his hot and sprightly temper.*

Q. Upon what other account is he thought to have been called the zealot?

A. Either because before his conversion he was one of the sect of the zealots; or, as some who keep still to the same sense of his name, because after his conversion. he shewed great zeal for the Christian faith, and a pious indignation towards those who professed religion with their mouths, but dishonoured it by their vicious lives. Q. What account is there of St. Simon after our Lord's passion?

A. He continued with the other Apostles and disciples of Christ at Jerusalem, joining in worship and communion with them; and did not leave that city till after the feast of Pentecost, when they were all furnished with the necessary gifts of the Holy Ghost, in order to the exercise of their ministry in all parts of the world.

Q. Where is it thought St. Simon planted Christianity and suffered martyrdom?

A. Some say he went into Egypt, Cyrene, and Africa, and there preached the gospel; and after some time from thence into Lybia and Mauritania, for the same purpose. He is said also to have passed into Britain, where, after having converted many to the faith, and suffered many persecutions, he was crucified by the infidels, and there buried.

Q. What account have we of St. Jude?

b

A. That as to his descent and parentage, he was of our Lord's kindred, being brother to James the Less, and styled himself brother of Jesus Christ. It is not certain when he was called to be an Apostle, nothing appearing of him till we find him in that catalogue. But from that time he became a constant attendant upon Christ's person and ministry, which was a probable evidence, that he was eminent for his zeal in the Christian faith.

Q. In what sense was he brother of our Lord? A. Some of the ancients would have it understood to be a cousin-german, though the greatest part of them make him, and them that were styled brethren of our Lord, children of Joseph by a former wife.

Q. By what name is St. Jude described?

A. By two besides Jude, Thaddæus, and Lebbæus ; it being usual for the same person in holy writ to have more proper names than one. These names were given him partly to distinguish him from Judas the traitor, and partly as a commendation of his wisdom and zeal. Lebbæus, according to St. Jerome, denoting prudence and understanding; and Thaddeus signifying a person zealous in praising God.

b Mat. xiii. 55.