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THE

LIVES, ACTS, AND MARTYRDOMS

OF THE

HOLY APOSTLES

OF OUR

SAVIOUR.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

LIVES OF THE TWO EVANGELISTS,

ST. MARK AND ST. LUKE.

AS ALSO, A BRIEF ENUMERATION AND ACCOUNT OF THE APOSTLES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS FOR THE FIRST THREE HUNDRED YEARS,

IN THE FIVE GREAT APOSTOLICAL CHURCHES.

BY WILLIAM CAVE, D, D.

WITH

AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY,

BY THE

REV. HENRY STEBBING, M. A.

NEW-YORK:

THOMAS GEORGE, JR., SPRUCE STREET.

L

INTRODUCTORY ESSAY

THERE are certain eras in the history of mankind which require to be contemplated by many and various lights. This is especially the case with those which have derived their importance from giving birth to new moral systems, or from bringing into more conspicuous action the spiritual energies of our race. Political revolutions naturally form remarkable points in the annals of nations, because attended with events to which the tenacity of human sympathy would of itself give a durable importance: but in those changes which have reached the souls of men, a power is found to be at work, the dimmest discovery of which never fails to act with an elevating force on the mind of the discoverer. It is a noble property of the human conscience to be able to recognize the Almighty in creation; but this is so generally the endowment of man, that he is expected, even in his lowest condition, to act according to the light he may thence derive; whereas, to behold God in the secret workings of his providence, in the preparations and dispensings of his Spirit, is in the power only of those whom he has singularly favored with wisdom and the love of meditation. But in many of those events which compose the bulk of history, he effects his designs by the operation of agents which seem to partake almost as little of his living spirit as the matter which composes the machinery of the universe: and thus, in the study of history, a large portion of it may be read without demanding or eliciting any extraordinary proof of mental vigor; while, on the other hand, every passage which describes the new position into which mankind is put, by an enlargement of light and knowledge, demands, and when fairly contemplated, produces another and a higher state of mind. While however this is the fruit of that nobler class of historical truths, they also require a more copious illustration than others, to be brought within the scope and operation of our understanding. The higher we ascend in the regions of speculation, the firmer should be our supports; a rule the neglect of which has exemplified almost more than any thing else, the pride and folly of human reason; for, however otherwise it may appear to superficial minds, it is mainly owing to our negligence or indifference that there is not found in the very loftiest ranges of human thought, in those which it is supposed by the world exist only for wild hypothesis, firm footing for reason, and bright and visible temples of truth,-islands and continents lying beyond the vast ocean of uncertainty, which are not the less real because but rarely visited, nor the less beautiful because their starry galaxies have not yet been submitted to our calculations. The same remark holds good also in respect to the less speculative part of such inquiries. There is both a greater degree of evidence required, and a greater degree given, for unfolding

the moral truths of history; and where this is properly taken advantage of when the mind, intent on the object of inquiry, gathers around it whatever can emit even the smallest ray of light, and history is examined as a body instinct with spirits which have their immortality within it, and will come forth and manifest themselves at the call of thought rightly spending its preparatory vigils; then the most important eras of our existence, those in which we have been perceptibly carried towards the great beacon-light of humanity, will enable us to observe those changes in their origin which have had the most beneficial influence on our state and nature, and to converse with the just men who, now made perfect, had then to struggle with temptations and difficulties like our own.

But glancing over the wide circle of human history, with the distinct purpose of discovering the periods at which mankind were most forcibly appealed to, and influenced, in their spiritual capacity, it is impossible for us not to find our attention at once arrested by the singular splendor which marks the birth and growth of Christianity. If we may find a type in creation, of that second great demonstration of divine love, we see the light which at first existed only in its own limitless fountains, and but a few scintillations of which before shone upon the world, then poured into a glorious orb to shed constant beauty and fertility over the universe; for the slightest examination of history shows, that what was before but uncertainly known in morals, thenceforward became fixed in principles; and that the truths which had been made palatable by their mixture with error, then became sufficiently attractive of themselves to secure the attention of the world. In the subsequent conflicts between truth and error, a change is perceptible both in the modes of attack and defence, and in the instruments employed for carrying on the struggle. Error dared not deny the unity of God-truth feared not to assert it as the foundation of all holiness: instead of marshalling the shadowy ranks of mythological powers, and looking for the soul of a deity under each broad shield of the abstract virtues, error itself acknowledged the pure and mighty attributes of Jehovah, only venturing to speak of the variety of his decrees; and truth, instead of appealing to tradition, or the innate notions of the soul, referred at once to rules which had received the sanction of Eternity. True it is, that the soil was not uniformly impregnated with the divine fire which glowed in Christianity; but the external change was sufficiently great and general to show that the world confessed the action of a new element; and from the commencement of its operation to the present hour, the ef. fects have been evidently on the increase.

The examination of an era like this is equally interesting and important. It is one of the plain

est duties of the intellectual and spiritual to do traiture can be drawn of those we are most anxiwhatever lies in their power to bring it as distinct-ous to contemplate than would otherwise be ly as may be within the general range of men's imagined. Christ himself stands revealed in all understandings and sympathies. This has been the fulness of celestial purity and goodness to the allowed in every age of the Christian church; and eye of patient meditation: but it is not by his its greatest ornaments have gladly employed their words taken singly, nor by the separate consideralearning and their power of logical inquiry in this tion of particular miracles; it is by bringing them sacred labor. They have considered that while together; by passing with him from the crowded the Scriptures are the sole original of doctrine; shores of Jordan to the solitary wilderness; and while they alone are to be appealed to when we from the wilderness to the populous towns and vilwould correct error, heal schism, rebuke self-will, lages of Galilee; by accompanying him in spirit or do aught which belongs to the establishing of through his trials and his triumphs; bringing them, the faith, there are many sources, both of informa- as near as may be, within the focus of a single tion and instruction, which, properly opened, may glance of faith, that the character of Christ, that be made to pour copious streams of knowledge Christ himself, is known in the manner described into the bosom of the Christian community. And by the evangelist John; that is, so as to be seen to this conclusion they have been guided by the and handled as the word of life. The same, in diversified character of Scripture itself; which, a lower sense, is true of his chief apostles. St. while it contains the fulness of doctrine contains Peter, for example, had a character distinctly the elements of much beside, which is to be marked by several peculiarities of mind and temwrought out by the industry of the human mind; per; but it is only on one or two main facts of or which, being sufficient for the immediate pur- his history that the ordinary reader of the gospose in view, is to content the uninquisitive, but pel fixes his attention; and the other circumform to others the foundation of farther and more stances respecting him being neglected, his general inquiry. This is the case with many of zeal and his fall, the two extreme points, are so those points which it was not consistent with the brought together as to destroy the possibility of intentions of Christ to direct his messengers to presenting him to the mind in the proper proporteach as main parts of their doctrine; but which, tions of human character. On taking, however, nevertheless, as being in themselves true, could into consideration the ordinary account given of not fail to be involved in the rest, and are to be his countrymen, the Galileans, described as natraced out by the laborious and spiritual watchful-turally fierce, bold, and impatient of contradicness of true biblical students. An example of this is afforded us in the little stated, in direct terms, respecting the future condition of the redeemed, and the still less of the separate state of the soul: but by a diligent comparison of the passages which bear remotely on these subjects, by a careful treasuring up of all the overflowings of light from the main vessels of doctrine, the mind is rewarded with a far nearer approach to the knowledge of these hidden things than the cursory reader can suspect.

tion; adding to this, a due weighing of the circumstances attending the life of a fisherman, exposed to many perils, often called to reflection by the startling phenomena of the deep: then passing to the view of the incidents which occurred after his call; his apparent attachment to home; his eagerness to avail himself of his privileges as a disciple of Christ; the ready surrender which he made of his mind to the doctrines of his master; his astonishment on Tabor; his weariness in Gethsemane; his terror in the judgment-hall, will And while this is the case with respect to doc- be seen in their natural bearings and relations. trine, it is also especially so in regard to the his- To these particulars may be added, the incidents torical development of the gospel birth-time. The recorded of him after the gift of the Holy Spirit, circumstances recorded are separated widely from of which sufficient are related to place him diseach other by matter of deeper importance, in the tinctly before us, and to show that the groundmain, than the facts themselves. Thus attention work of his personal character still retained its is perpetually drawn from the incidents of the his-strong, original peculiarities. Then, leaving the tory to the doctrines of the system, and this more narrative, we may turn to his epistles, which cethan is the case with any other narrative in ex- ment and admirably illustrate whatever is found istence; if we except, perhaps, some few passages written of him in the Scripture history. Glowing of national history, which describe the rise or es- with all the fervor natural to his soul, deeply imtablishment of fundamental laws. Hence arises bued with the associations of his venerable faith the necessity for especial care in the study of in the prophets, and elevated by intimate acevangelical history, which has, indeed, an import-quaintance with the sublimest mysteries of spiritance in relation to doctrine itself not always duly estimated; for, not to mention that which is obvious to all, its support of the doctrine, or its illustration of doctrine, it is the soil out of which the seed of eternal truth and life first sprung, embodied in visible forms: the gospel being the incarnation of truth, and the history which it delivers, the development of that new Being thus, as it were, born into the world.

On examining the several books of the New Testament, with a view to the discovery of the characters of the several actors in the events it describes, it is found that a far more distinct por

ual religion, we hear him speaking the language which might be looked for from one who had not only been on the mount of transfiguration, but had proclaimed the divinity of Christ, and had received gifts of knowledge proportionable to his faith. But there is a striking feature in these epistles biographically considered; they abound in maxims remarkable for sedateness and cautiousness of spirit: they exhort to duties which only the most self-subdued heart can understand; and the quick, impetuous Peter is heard admonishing with a mildness and serenity of argument which might only have been looked for from the

most gentle of human spirits. Light is thus thrown upon the disposition of Peter, and upon the state of his mind when he had passed the greatest portion of his career as a preacher of the gospel; and we are hereby enabled to contemplate his completed character. In doing this, we find it retaining all the elements which gave it a degree of rude grandeur even at the commencement of his course; which made us feel, when he first pronounced his most sublime confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of God!" and when he dared to attempt a pathway over an angry sea, because it led to his Lord, that a man had risen before us destined for great purposes: we find him neither less ardent or less courageous; neither less affectionate nor less susceptible; but these, his original characteristics, are all nobly blended with the loftier attributes of an apostle confirmed in the faith, filled with the wisdom of experience, and grown familiar with the great Spirit of Truth, by long and intimate communion with him in every scene and circumstance of life.

On looking again at the account given of St. Paul, though we find the circumstances related of his ministry more numerous, and set forth in a more distinct order, they plainly require to be brought together by great care, and with all the succinctness which the energy of inquiry can give them, before the apostles of the Gentiles will be seen in the true light which history, properly employed, may render. In this case, the great effort required is to bring the brief but important narrative of his labors into immediate connection with his own compositions; a point which may be reached with little or no difficulty so far as the mechanical or formal arrangement is concerned; but to effect which, so as to make them mutually illustrate each other, is a work of skill, and the reward of thoughtfulness. The history given by St. Luke is close and rapid; but we learn from it sufficient to understand the early zealotry, the deep enthusiasm, the strength of Paul's character, which confirmed him in his early principles against every appeal short of the strongest demonstrations of the will of God. Striking, however, as might be the portrait drawn of this wonderful man, had we only his history as recorded in the Acts, that which is most admirable in his character would be but weakly exhibited through this unassisted medium. It is in his epistles, and that in many passages which an inattentive reader would pass over, without discovering either their historical or spiritual force, that the peculiarities, the bright and glorious individuality of St. Paul is to be found displayed. Whatever is said by critics of those marvellous idioms of true poetry which penetrate the mysteries of our nature, and are so precious as indications of large classes of truths, may be said of numerous incidental expressions and allusions in the writings of this apostle; and by observing these, we arrive at a knowledge not only of his labors, of his energy and perseverance, but of his intellectual being, as wrought upon, and possessed by the Spirit of holiness whom he, on the other hand, (and in this consisted the great mystery of his renewed nature,) sought to possess. "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am ap

prehended." A sentiment embodying the highest doctrine of evangelical righteousness, and made palpable to the understanding of every man by this deeply pathetic confession of the apostle.

Scripture history, when thus studied, affords more distinct portraits of the characters it mentions than many of the most celebrated of secular narratives; but it is to be regretted, that in the general reading of the divine records, that which is historical is not less neglected than what is purely doctrinal or monitory; and thus the conception of those characters which the Scriptures set forth in the two-fold light of chosen agents in the great works of Providence, and examples to the universal race of man, is too indefinite either to move the heart, or to fill up the space they are intended to occupy in the argument of faith. It was the consideration of these circumstances which first led to the composition of lives of the Saviour and his immediate followers, founded on the relations of Scripture, but intended to present the principal facts and minute particulars, which lie widely dispersed through the books of Revelation, in a condensed and consecutive order. In undertaking this task, however, even the most careful of writers would naturally inquire, whether there were not other sources of information which might be safely employed to furnish the means of minuter description than those which ought to be looked for in a record of revelations and doctrines, rather than of events. Clear and impressive as were the forms which rose before the contemplative eye of the spiritualized student, it could not be denied that the bolder the hand seemed by which the outline was drawn, the deeper the tints which filled it up, the more attractive and satisfactory would the whole be likely to prove to the ordinary reader. Hence sprang the mingled necessity and temptation which gave such value to the traditions which arose, like a thick mist, sometimes from the natural heat of the current of events, at others from its impurity and stagnation. In both cases the use made of them necessarily depended on the honesty and the skill of those who employed them in illustration or continuation of the Scripture narrative. But unfortunately, the credulity of some, and the artifice of others, speedily brought the use of traditionary remains into disrepute; and it soon became a question with those whose stern worship of truth prevented their discriminating between them, whether the traditionary was not the same as the fabulous.

This is a question of immense importance in the history of our religion; and it need scarcely be mentioned, that some of the bitterest controversies in which different divisions of Christians have been engaged, derived much of their rancor from the doubts attending this subject. But so far as the biography of the eminent founders of our religion is concerned, the question admits of limitations which bring it within the possibility of solution.It is not to establish disputed points of doctrine that we desire to see these chosen and, without a metaphor, heaven-born men as they lived and acted; but to be soothed, elevated, and encouraged in our struggles by their example. The appeal to tradition, therefore, for biographical purposes, has none of the suspicion which attends it when employed to serve any partial design; and

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