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SAINT JOHN

THE APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST.

CHAP. VI.

John, his parentage and occupation-called by Chriftappointed an Apoftle-faw the transfiguration-forbad one cafting out devils-propofed to confume the Samaritans-petitioned for the highest place-attended his Lord at the last passover, in Gethsemane, and by the cross-the first who believed the refurrection-laboured with Peter at Jerufalem, and in Samaria-banished to Patmos-preached and died at Ephefus-bis Gospel, Epiftles, and Revelations.

ALL the Apostles of Jefus, excepting the traitor,

poffeffed a real excellence of character; yet in fome of them we may trace a difference: a difference, probably, diftinct from the influence of divine grace, arifing from their natural tempers and conftitutions. They were all, but not equally, dear to their Master: fome obtained marks of his peculiar efteem. We prefume not to cenfure his conduct, or to demand the reafons on which he acts. He is the fovereign Lord, and has a right to bestow his favours, when and as he pleases. Three, out of the twelve, were honoured above the reft by his attention: and, of these three, one was admitted to a nearer intimacy, and a larger hare of his regard. This was he, whofe hiftory is now introduced to our notice, and who is fo frequently defcribed by that expreffion," the disciple, whom Jefus loved.". St. John, it is allowed, poffeffed an uncommon sweetness of temper; and, perhaps, that strong affection, and clofe union which fub

fifted

fifted between him and his Lord, may be afcribed to the fimilarity of their difpofitions. Certain it is, that in proportion as we cultivate the fpirit of love, we shall enjoy a familiarity of intercourse with Chrift. An imitation of this favoured Apoftle will, likewise, bring credit to our profeffion of the Gospel, and add much to the peace and happiness of our own fouls.

The followers of Jefus were chiefly such as obtained not any high diftinction among men. He makes no account of the embellishments, which catch the notice and admiration of the world: he paffes by many of the most elevated rank, and " exalteth them of low degree." The parentage of John was mean; his fituation in life, obfcure. His brother James and he were fons of Zebedee, a fisherman at Bethfaida in Galilee, and brought up to the fame occupation. These two were partners with Peter and Andrew in the concerns of their trade, and commenced their attendance upon the Saviour at the fame time *. Being ftruck with amazement at the miraculous draught of fifhes, which had been taken under the direction of Jefus, they were inftantly difpofed to ob y his call. At his word they forfook their father, their veffels, and employment: thence becoming his ftated followers, they were prepared for the Apostleship, to which they were soon afterwards appointed. The fummons, pronounced by Christ, being accompanied to their hearts by the influence of his Spirit, prevented or removed every objection. Thus alfo, in general, the people, who enter upon his fervice, are willing in the day of his power +" to undergo every difficulty for his fake. Let us pray with our Church, that, after this example, we may forfake all worldly and carnal affections, and be evermore ready to follow God's holy commandments through Jefus Chrift our Lord ‡.

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The two brothers, probably, refembled each other in difpofition, and are fo frequently mentioned toge

Matt, iv. 21, 22. Luke v. 10, 11. + Pfal. cx. 3.

Collect for St. James the Apoftle.

ther,

ther, that we shall find many of the fame things related of them both. When ordained to the Apoftlehip, they were called by one name, "Boanerges," or "fons of thunder *." The appellation, we prefame, does not imply that the manner of their address was terrific, which would be inconfiftent with the gentle and loving spirit of St. John, but it denotes, rather, the fervour of their zeal, and the efficacy of their preaching, which, like thunder, fhook many hearts, and overcame the ftrongeft oppofition. O for men of this defcription, to stand forth as advocates for Chrift in the prefent age!

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John is fuppofed to have been the youngest of the Apoftles, and appointed to the facred function, when he was not more than twenty-fix years old. It is truly defirable, to give up the heart to God, and be gin his work, in early life; that our beft days and the vigour both of body and mind may be devoted to his fervice. How much mifchief might thus be prevented, what extenfive usefulness promoted!

St. John was one of the three honoured companions of Chrift, who were admitted to behold him in his glory on the mount of transfiguration + Probably, from that heavenly vifion he was led with greater earneftness to contemplate and admire his divine Master, of whose dignity he had received fuch a tranfcendent proof. He recommended him, therefore, to the regard of others, from a clear knowledge of his perfon, and an attentive confideration of his excellency. Thus he writes, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life, declare we unto you, that ye alfo may have fellowship with us."

*Mar. iii. 17. + Matt. xvii. I. ‡ 1 John i. 1-3

-Yet

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Yet even in John, though favoured with the moft intimate communications of the Saviour, we perceive the depravity of human nature. He felt the conflict, arifing from the flesh lufting against the Spirit,” and discovered fome failings that we should not have expected in an Apostle, and especially in one fo much diftinguished for his meeknefs and love. What other conclufion can we draw, than this, "Let no man glory in men*?"

On a certain occafion, whilft Jefus inculcated humility, John feemed to be convinced of acting unfuitably to this temper; at least, he defired to know, whether his conduct had been confiftent. He obferved, that he and fome other of the difciples had feen a person cafting out devils in the name of Christ, and forbidden him to profecute that fervice, merely because he belonged not to their company †. This, evidently, betrayed a narrowness and bigotry of mind, which, therefore, met with a reproof. The admonition, then delivered, teaches us, that thofe, who profess a real regard to, and dependence on, the Saviour, and who promote his caufe, ought not to be rafhly cenfured or difcouraged, though they affociate not with us, and though in fome respects they differ from our fentiments. Alas! there are few, who poffefs that extensive liberality, which our religion calls for. Are we not all prone to condemn fuch, as accord not exactly with our fyftem, and comply not with our forms, even where we are forced to acknowledge, that they obey the fame Mafter, and exert themselves for the fubverfion of Satan's kingdom?

Upon our Lord's journey to Jerufalem, certain Samaritans refused to entertain him, through their hatred of the Jewish nation ‡. John and his brother confidered this infolent treatment as deserving of the fe

# 1 Cor. iii. 21. Mar. ix. 38-40. Luke ix. 49, 50% ‡ Luke ix. 51–56.

vereft punishment, and propofed to call down upon the offenders fire from heaven, as Elijah had once done on a different occafion. Doubtless, they acted under the habitual influence of love to Chrift and zeal for his name, yet at that time they were inftigated by refentment and a warmth of paffion, which cannot be juftified. Jefus, therefore, very fharply rebuked their rashness and impetuofity, as inconfiftent with the nature of his religion and the benevolent object of his miffion. "The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to fave them." And fhall his followers be furious and vindictive, or purfue their adverfaries with bitter execrations? Will any infults or inju ries vindicate fuch a temper? Will you plead, under a vehemence of this fort, that you are actuated by a pure regard to God and his truth? Alas! you deceive yourfelves: " ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Far different are the weapons, which you should use in contending against infidels and heretics. "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." O ftudy the genius of the Gospel, and the tendency of its principles! Is not its main defign to promote peace and falvation? And has not the great Founder of your faith exhibited an aftonishing example of forgivenefs and kindness to enemies? How, then, does it appear, that you have learned Chrift, while you burn with refentment and indignation?

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The warmth of our Apoftle upon this occafion must be afcribed, in part at leaft, to his prejudice against the Samaritans, whom he had been taught to hate from his youth. He had often feen his Mafter infulted, and treated with greater contumely by the Scribes and Pharifees; and yet he had never expreffed a wish to call down fire upon them. So great is the force of education! Still, it must be allowed, the fu

* James i. 20.

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