what they say of their divine Master, how they exhibit him to the world. But as this same historian has recorded several appearances of Christ after his resurrection, I should be obliged to you first to acquaint me if any thing presented itself at such times, whence it might be concluded that Christ was the most high God?

Artemon. There is certainly nothing like this, in the account which St. Luke gives of what passed at our Saviour's taking his final leave of his disciples; but it must have had quite the contrary effect upon every one present, and upon all that now pay any attention to it. For, in what their divine Master says to them at that time, he very naturally informs them, that his power and knowledge were limited, and that the direction and government of the world was not his province, but belonged to the heavenly Father alone. "When they (his disciples) were come together, they asked of him saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts i. 7.

Eusebes. Much has been said and written concerning the heavenly vision which Stephen was favoured with a little before his death, and the request which he at that time preferred to Christ; but I beg to know if we can thereby learn what were the sentiments of that holy man,

and first martyr for the gospel, concerning our Lord.

Artemon. Whatever be determined concerning the address, which he on that occasion offered to Christ, we may be assured that Stephen did not believe him to be above the condition of a creature; for he speaks of him as being the Son of Man, in that state of exaltation and honour in which he beheld him: "Lo, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Acts vii. 56.

Eusebes. What information did Christ give to Paul concerning his own true character, when he first made himself known to him from heaven, with a view to make him his apostle, and the chief teacher of the heathen world? Does he acquaint him, that he himself was God, and to be acknowledged as such?

Artemon. No, very far from it. In that heavenly state of glory, the Lord Jesus owns himself to be the man that once had, for so long time, his abode in the mean town of Nazareth in Galilee, For thus does our apostle himself relate what then passed: "I fell upon the ground, and heard a voice, saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." Acts xii, 7, 8.

Eusebes. In what manner did the apostles of

Christ speak of him, in their first preaching of the gospel to the world, after his resurrection?

Artemon. The words of the apostle Peter, in his first sermon to his countrymen, are very remarkable, and deserve the attention of all Christians. They are these, Acts ii. 22: "Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man,* authorized among you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you; as ye yourselves also know. Him ye have taken, being delivered up (to you) by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain : whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.

Eusebes. What appear hence to be the apostle Peter's sentiments concerning his divine Master, and which he was desirous the audience should carry away with them from his discourse?

Artemon. Jesus of Nazareth being here evidently contradistinguished from the God and governor of the world, as one of the human race most highly favoured of God, this must have been Peter's persuasion concerning him, and what he was studious to inculcate upon his hearers. For he evidently speaks of him as a human being, avbpwnov, a man, who died as all others do, though

*

Awodedelyμevov, not approved, but authorized, demonstrated to be the Christ, by miracles, &c.

by a violent and unjust death; but God, he says, (ver. 24 to 33,) vindicated his innocence, and divine mission, by restoring him soon to life, according to the predictions that had been given before concerning him. And he farther informs

them, that the great miracles they had seen wrought by Jesus among them, were not done by any powers of his own, but by a power from God, who thus gave testimony to him. After which he concludes, with observing to them, that the dignified titles of the Christ, and the Lord, i. e. of the great prophet, teacher, and lawgiver of his church and people, of all that he did or should believe in him; that these honours were bestowed upon him by Almighty God: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know, assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts ii. 36.

The very same conclusions concerning our Saviour, who, and what he was, are to be drawn from the manner in which Peter afterwards, by divine appointment, taught the knowledge of Christ and of his gospel to Cornelius, a Roman military officer, stationed in Judea, a person of eminent piety and virtue. The account of it is contained in Acts x. 34-44; and you will do do well to consult it. For it is no less remarkable than the extract which I just now gave you from that apostle's first sermon; and both of

them, without all doubt, hold forth that specific character of the blessed Jesus, by which the apostle was desirous to have him known and distinguished all over the world.

Not unlike also is St. Paul's first sermon at Antioch, Acts xiii. 16-40, to a mixed audience of Jews and pious Heathens: only there is one particular circumstance therein to be remarked, viz. that he begins with informing the Heathens among them, (ver. 17,) that it was the God of the people of Israel, (the only true God and creator of all things) who had raised up unto Israel, of the family of David their former king, that Saviour Jesus, in whose name he spake to them.

Eusebes. You have given several instances what it was that the Jews and pious Heathens, who already believed in God, were taught concerning Jesus Christ, by those who first preached the gospel by authority from God to them; I should be glad to be informed in what manner they address themselves to teach and convert the idolatrous Heathens?

Artemon. We have a remarkable example of this in St. Paul's celebrated speech at Athens, when summoned to declare his doctrine before the judges of the court of Areopagus.

Eusebes. What is the method there taken by the apostle to bring them to the knowledge of the gospel?

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