cal inquiry is made into the diligence-the acquirements, and the conduct of each student. No. II. SPECIMENS OF MR. SPENCER'S EARLY EXERCISES IN PREACHING. From the following outlines of some of his first sermons may be gathered what was his general style of preaching at the period of their composition. ON PUBLIC WORSHIP. Dated March 6, 1807. MATTHEW XVIII. 20.-" For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." We shall make a few general observations on the text in the following order: What a great distinction among mankind will there be at the judgment. Of what importance is it for us to know whether I. THAT IT IS THE DUTY AND INTEREST OF CHRIS- we are thus looking for him. TIANS TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSES OF This duty was 1. Practised by ancient believers. Zion was the well known place to which the tribes went upChrist frequented the synagogue. The apostles met together, &c. 2. It is enjoined in the sacred Scriptures. See Ps. c. 4. Heb. x. 25. 3. Frought with the richest blessings. II. THAT IT MUST BE DONE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. 1. In obedience to his command. 2. In the use of his appointed means. 3. In dependance on his assistance. 4. With a view to his glory. III. THAT ALTHOUGH BUT FEW PERSONS THUS ASSEMBLE, YET THAT IS NO OBJECTION TO THEIR OBTAINING THE DIVINE FAVOR AND BLESSING. "Wherever two or three," &c. We remark in the first place, pers, not their number. 1. That God regards the sincerity of the worship2. The happy experience of worshippers in all ages of the world. As a confirmation of the senti In what high estimation should we hold that Saviour who is the first and the last in a sinner's salvation. THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. JOHN IV. 28, 29. "The woman then left her waterpol and went her way, into the city, and saith to the men, Come see a man which told me all things, whatever I did; is not this the Christ?" From the text and its connection we shall draw the three following plain observations: I. THAT JESUS CHRIST IS POSSESSED OF THE GREAT EST EXCELLENCIES. We shall confine ourselves to those illustrated in his conversation with the woman of Samaria. 1. Profound humility, Though he was rich in the glories of his divine nature, he humbled himselt and became a man, and so as not to be above holding conversation with a poor woman at a well. Let proud mortals contemplate this and be ashamed. 2. Consummate wisdom. He proceeds upon the plan established by the order of the everlasting covenant, and will not fail of converting all his chosen people. He knew where to find this woman-he all her circumstances and what kind of conversation to hold with her. 3. Ardent benevolence. It was for the instruction and conversion of this poor woman, that he exerted himself. II. THAT THOSE WHO ARE ENABLED TO DISCOVER HIS EXCELLENCIES FEEL AN ATTACHMENT TO HIM. The affection of that soul which has by faith contemplated and discovered the excellencies of Christ, is, 1. Reasonable. (Rational.) 2. Fervent. The connection of this text shows us, that after the death and resurrection of the great Messiah, two of the disconsolate disciples, who knew not that he was raised from the dead, went to a village called Emmaus; that on their way thither they conversed, as was likely they would do, upon the wonderful events that had lately transpired in Jerusalem, and spake of him they loved. His personhis actions-his sermons-his prophecies-and, (I.) The conversation of our Lord with his disciples. And here the passage presents us with the kind familiarity which he displayed, and the lustre that he cast on the divine word--the first remarkable thing in our Lord's conversation with the travellers to Emmaus, is (1) The kind familiarity which he displayedtheir own expression is, "He talked with us by the way." It is condescension in the Son of God, to notice the concerns and accept the worship of his holy angels; how much more must it be so to sojourn with mankind-to go where they go-and freely to tell them the secrets of his heart. The Saviour was now, you remember, even on earth, a most dignified character-he was now no longer finished the work his Father had given him to do above all, his most extraordinary exit occupied to suffer and be cruelly entreated-he had now their solemn attention, and afforded a subject for the most interesting discourse. Whilst they were-and had shortly after to ascend to claim his high thus engaged in conversing about him, with whom they had before been familiar, and from whom they had learned most excellent lessons, a third came up and joined them; this indeed was Jesus of Nazareth, who had been raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. But he chose, for wise ends, to conceal himself from them, and to cause that their eyes should be holden, that they should not know him, appearing to them as a stranger desirous of knowing the subject of their conversation, and the cause of their grief, and to sympathize with them under their sorrow-weeping with them that wept. They intimated to him their wonder that he, even supposing that he were but a stranger in Jerusalem, should be unacquainted with the things which were come to pass there in those days; then proceeding to tell him how Jesus, a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and the people, was condemned to death and crucified; giving him to understand at the same time, that the hopes they had entertained of him were most sanguine, for they trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel; and, finally, they informed him seat in glory. He now showed himself to be the Christ, the Son of God, and confirmed the reality of his appointment and mission, by his bursting the bars of the tomb. He would not now be viewed by any as a common character, but as the most wonderful being that had ever appeared in the worldas such even his enemies must consider him. Yet all this did not make him forget his friends, or cause him to lose any thing of that social and condescending disposition he had ever before manifested: but almost as soon as he was risen, he goes to meet some of the members of his little family, and confirm them further in himself. "He talked with them by the way." Oh! what a heaven does Christ here by his example stamp upon Christian intercourse and sacred friendship. Behold he talks with his disciples, proving to them that as ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man's friend, by hearty counsel." And to this day we are permitted to converse with our God-"he talks with us by the way"-tells us our true character, and reveals his own excellence--he appears as our wonderful counsellor! and to whatever place of some peculiar phenomena that had been wit-we journey, we should be concerned to have him rected to seek for him in the field of divine truth as | should glow with gratitude, and burn with love. nessed by certain women of their acquaintance at his sepulchre, where his body could not be seen, though they saw a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. The courteous and mild fellow traveller then began to speak and detain them with delightful converse; for he showed them "that Christ ought to suffer these things, and then to enter into his glory." He spread before them the mysteries of the inspired page, and showed how they were illustrated in the life and death of their best friend. Sooner than they thought they arrived at their journey's end, where he made as though he would have gone further; but they prevailed on him, by their great importunity, to go in and tarry with them-with them he took bread, blessed it, break it, and gave unto them--then first their eyes were opened to behold him as the same Jesus who was crucified, and to discover in him the lovely features of their Lord who had done all things well -when, lo! he vanished out of their sight, and was seen no more. After which, we may reasonably suppose to have taken place-a solemn silence; and then they used to each other the admirable expression we have selected as a text-" Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" Having, then, taken a slight glance at the whole account of this wonderful circumstance, in confining our attention more particularly to the words of the text, we shall view them as leading us to reflect on the conversation of our Lord with his disciples and the effects it produced upon their minds "their hearts burned within them, while he talked with them by the way." Behold talking with us by the way. The next remarkable circumstance in this conversation of our Lord, mentioned in the text, is (2) The lustre that he cast upon the divine word.-" He talked with us by the way, and opened to us the Scriptures." And well he might, for he told us before that "the Lord had given him the tongue of the learned; that he should know how to speak a word in season, to him that is weary." "He began," says the evangelist, "at Moses and all the prophets, and expounded to them in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself"-blessed interpreter-divine teacher. We have no reason to suppose that he forgot the first promise that was made of him; even in the garden of Eden, that he should bruise the head of the serpent: no doubt but the intended sacrifice of Isaac, the patriarch's sonthe erection of the brazen serpent on the pole-and the various sacrifices under the law, were all delightfully commented on by Jesus the Saviour. He did justice to all the passages-he showed their full import-he gave them an insight into the meaning of all the prophecies respecting his death and gloryhe took up every part of Scripture in its bearing upon himself, he showed [that he] was "all in all"-even in the Old Testament; and thus by his teachings they discovered far more of the beauty, harmony, and fulfilment of the word of God, than they ever did before, or ever would have done without his instruction. And does he not now give his people to understand the doctrines of his word-does he not now daily open to us the Scriptures-has he not given to us his Holy Spirit in order to make us more wise in the mysteries of his kingdom-and are we not di for hid treasure. Oh! how much is there respecting Christ in this holy book, and who is so able to make us know it as himself" he opens our understanding that we may understand the Scriptures"--he ever teaches his ministers to open and allege "that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead, and that this Jesus whom we preach unto you is Christ," -as he taught his apostles to "testify the kingdom of God, persuading men concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." Having then admired the conversation of our Lord with his disciples on the way to Emmaus, we notice II. The effects it produced in their minds. It was not at all probable that this discourse should be without effect, or fail deeply to interest their minds, since it was the very theme on which they chose to dwell; and it was conducted in so wise and endearing a manner-it was such that, according to their own confession, it made their hearts to burn within them while he talked with them by the way--and surely I need not say this was not the glow of shame, lest they should be found in his company-No, brethren, they would not have cared who of all the great men of the land had met them in company with this most intelligent stranger --they felt themselves highly honored by his company, even before they knew his name. Nor was this the heat of anger, or of any bad passion excited by any thing that he delivered; his communications were sweet, and soothing. Had they been so disposed, they could find nothing in them that was improper, untrue, or provoking; he talked with them as a man talks with his friend; the communion was sweet, and the intercourse highly gratifying; hence, though their hearts burned within them, it was neither with shame, nor anger. But this, brethren, permit me to say, was the glow of fixed surprise; of grateful feeling, of humble love, and of holy animation of soul. Observe it was the glow (1) of fixed surprise. They wondered much that he who appeared a stranger, not only to them, but also to the place where they were, should know so much about them, Jerusalem and Jesus; they were astonished at his wisdom, at his eloquence. I almost fancy that they exclaimed, "Never man spake like this man." With emotions of amazement, they perceived that his "word was quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and that it is a discoverer of the thoughts and intents of the heart." With what prying eyes must they have looked upon him; and yet not so as to behold him who he was, because himself had prevented it; yet their hearts burned within them; sentiments of unutterable admiration were hid in their breasts whilst he opened to them the Scriptures. Again it was the glow (2) of grateful feeling. They must have discovered that they were greatly indebted to this benevolent stranger, who had so effectually enlightened their judgments, and alleviated their sorrows. Their hearts burned within them with the sensation of thankfulness; they saw that he was a praiseworthy character, and, methinks, were devising some acknowledgments for his attention to them, little thinking that it was the Lord. Did your hearts ever glow in this way with a sense of utter incapability of making any suitable returns to him that loved you, and revealed to you his will? For your fellowship with him, have you ever said, what shall I render to the Lord? Did you ever feel the high honor of being with Jesus; admitted into his presence, and being made partakers of his grace? All your hearts Christians, Hence, we remark again, their hearts burned within them with the sensation (3) of humble love. Finding as they did, that his words "were found of them, and they did eat them," and they were to them the joy and the rejoicing of their hearts, they manifested a strong attachment to him whom they supposed to be a new friend. He engaged their affections, hence they desired more of his company, and said, when their fears were excited lest he should depart from them; "Abide with us, for it is toward evening." So do the hearts of the people of God burn within them to the present day, with like sensations, under similar enjoyments; the flame of divine love is kindled in their souls; the words of his mouth appear to them sweeter than the honey of the honeycomb, his doctrine drops like the rain, and distils like the dew, and sensible that none teacheth like him, they admire and love him before all others. Oh! how excellent a thing it is thus to love the Saviour. Let it be our happiness to sit at his feet, and with meekness receive the ingrafted word of truth, which is able to save the soul, so shall its admirable Author rise daily more and more in our estimation. Finally it was the glow (4) of holy animation of soul. Divine light broke in upon their minds, and dispersed their remaining unbelief; they were elevated above the world to the contemplation of their adorable Redeemer. He touched their finest feelings; he filled their souls with the sublime joys of his salvation; he inspired them with pure devotion, and fixedness of heart, and while he led them to the consideration of Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, he prevented them from being weary and fainting in their minds. And oh! Christians, what sweet moments; rich in blessing, have you enjoyed, when in converse with Immanuel. "Whether in the body, or out of the body," you have hardly been able to tell; drops of heaven have been bestowed upon you here below, the light of the Divine countenance has caused you to take your harp from the willows, and make every string speak to the praise of love divine. Did not your hearts burn within you? Were you not like Peter on the mount, who, in an ecstasy of joy said, "Lord, it is good to be here?" You anticipated the joys of the blessed, you drank of the brook by the way, and seemed ready to depart and to be with Christ, to drink wine new with him, in the kingdom of his Father. This holy delight in God is real, and not enthusiastic; it is bestowed only on the new born heirs of grace, and it is given them as a pledge of joys to come; their hearts burn within them while he talks with them by the way. In reflecting on this subject we are struck with the idea that we often have to blame ourselves for not sufficiently estimating our mercies during the time of their continuance. These disciples, notwithstanding the pleasure they had found in his society, did not, till just as he left them, discover him to be their Lord; to the present day Joseph often knows his brethren, whilst they know him not. And then afterwards they say, did not our hearts burn within us? True, they did. But why did not we value the blessing while we enjoyed it? Why did we not say, as the word of wisdom dropped from his mouth, it is the Lord? Again, a review of past favors greatly supports the mind under present bereavements. When we seem forsaken; when our affections towards Christ appear but cold, oh! what a privilege it is to be enabled to revert to a period when our hearts did burn within us, while he talked with us by the way. This thought cheers the drooping spirits, and raises the fainting head; it excites our hope too, that he will be with us again, and hold converse with us, even till the hour of death; yea, it makes us argue, that if the Lord had intended to destroy us, he would not have made our hearts burn within us by his divine communications. It is the duty and interest of us all earnestly to pray for the society and conversation of Christ. The blessing itself is so desirable, for it is to have the honor of dwelling and walking with Christ, and the sensations which he, by his discourse, excites in the mind, are so pleasing, and delightful, that we ought earnestly to beseech him to tarry with us; if he is an instructer and companion, how short will the distance to heaven appear, and how light and momentary the trials of the way-Lastly, If those who travel with the Saviour, are thus blessed, how miserable are they who are altogether alienated from him. Sinners, you never yet enjoyed the society of Christ, nor do you wish it. You are loading him with reproaches, and will have none of his counsel, and he will never say of you, "they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy;" the fever of lust, and the torment of envy shall be your curse, while you live in the pains of hell, your portion after death, when you will burn in "the fire that never can be quenched, and the smoke of your torments shall ascend up for ever and ever." Oh! may we instead of this awful doom, be honored and glorified with his constant presence in a better world; so shall the chosen of Nazareth be praised and adored by us for ever and ever. No. IV. FAREWELL SERMON AT HOΧΤΟΝ. Acts xx. 24. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." THIS is not the language of stoical apathy; the man who uttered these words, my hearers, was a man possessed of the keenest sensibility; a man of real, honest, and exquisite feeling; in his heart, cold indifference, and unfeeling stubbornness, had no place; nor do the words express philosophical heroism; a foolish bravado; for our apostle derives: his support from sources far different from these; he was animated by principles; he was delighted with prospects which the natural man never possesses; the power of which principles, and the view of which prospects, produce an effect which is mighty beyond all conception. The passage I have read you, introduces to our view Paul the preacher, at the time of his departure from his friends, when his mind was led to expect, and prepared to meet bonds and afflictions in every place; and the words of the text do most strikingly show us the way in which the principles of the gospel go discover themselves, and prove their power to strengthen and support. Viewing this passage as not unsuitable to the present opportunity, I shall exhibit it to your view, as showing us that the principles of the gospel of Christ display their power and virtue. I. In rendering us insensible to the power of affliction; "none of these things move me." II. In raising us superior to the love of life; "neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus." Let us behold here the glorious gospel of the blessed God. How the religion of Christ displays its potent influence; its mighty efficacy. I. In rendering us insensible to the power of affliction. Its supports enabled the holy, zealous apostle to say of painful separation of the labors of the ministry, and of the large measure of persecution which in that age of the church every where attended the preachers of the gospel, "none of these things move me." Paul had, however, without doubt, the feelings of humanity; and as I have already intimated, these things would affect his soul as a man, and occasionally overwhelm his spirits; but when he felt the happy influence of the gospel in all its power, he triumphed over these difficulties; he heroically conquered himself; subdued his own feelings, and appeared a ready, a joyful martyr for Christ. Thus did Paul, yet did not he, but the grace of God which was in him. These trials, then, these difficulties, which to many would be insurmountable, did not "move" him; that is, the anticipation of them, the endurance of them, did not so move him as to damp his ardor; as to discourage his soul, or as to make him wish to exchange with the world. Observe, they did not so move him As to damp his ardor. These trials and apparent obstacles to the success of his work, and to his own happiness in it, did not make him less anxiously desirous of doing good in the world, did not at all diminish the fervent wishes of his soul to be the means of conducting many sons unto glory. Notwithstanding these difficulties, he was still "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as he knew that his labor was not in vain in the Lord." And as he had this ministry, as he had received mercy, so he fainted not; hence he could say to others; no man should be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we were appointed thereunto. He remembered the long cloud of witnesses, who through much tribulation had entered the kingdom, and he determined to imitate their example; he did more, he considered Jesus, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself; and this prevented him from being weary, or from fainting in his mind: he looked unto Jesus the author and finisher of his faith, and by that means obtained encouragement to proceed, and grace sufficient for him. Oh! never let the servants of the most high God relax in their endeavors to do good, or grow cold in their desires after the immortal welfare of mankind because some difficulties await them: of these difficulties they ought to say "none of these things move me." Nor did these trials so affect the apostle As to discourage his soul; that is, to make him shrink at the thought of enduring them; to make him afraid to meet them; no, for, supported by the consolations of the gospel, he could welcome reproaches, pain and death; yea, rejoice and be exceeding glad that he was counted worthy to suf fer for the sake of the Lord Jesus. "What mean ye," says he elsewhere, "what mean ye to weep and to break mine heart, for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Divine grace so supported him, that though he was troubled on every side, he was not distressed; though perplexed, he was not in despair; though persecuted, he was not forsaken; though cast down, he was not destroyed. I suffer, says he, these things, nevertheless I am not ashamed, "for 1 know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him, until that day." Thus he could endure, and the Saviour enabled him to suffer as well as to preach for him, and none of these things moved him. Finally, they did not so move him as to make him wish to exchange with the world. Because he thus reckoned, that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that should be revealed in us. He saw that" our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." He looked not at the things which are seen, which are temporal, but at the things which are not seen, which are eternal. There was a pleasure even connected with the sufferings which far excelled the joy of worldlings: hence he says "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations." For the Lord stood by himand strengthened him; yea, the Lord delivered him from every evil work, and preserved him to his heavenly kingdom. The apostle, taught by the Spirit of God, loved even the difficulties of his Master's service far better than the ease and the pleasures of the world. Oh! that like him, we may wisely count the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of this world; prefer even the worst, the most painful circumstances in the cause of the Saviour, to the most fascinating pleasures of the world; to the enjoyments which the men who know not God, reckon most valuable and most dear; thus shall we show that we are willing to be any thing that the Saviour chooses, so that he may be glorified: thus shall we show that we speak the feelings of our hearts, when we say of the difficulties of our work, none of these things move me." Thus was the apostle enabled to enjoy strong consolations in the midst of trials. Thus did Immanuel's grace quicken him to diligence and fortify his mind against the numerous ills that flesh is heir to. Oh! that the Spirit of glory and of God would rest on us also; that all our duties may be so discharged, and all our trials so endured, as that the power of the gospel may be evinced, and the supporting grace of the great Head of the Church abundantly magnified. And what can so teach us to endure trials as the religion of Christ? What supports have infidels, mere moralists, and speculative philosophers, like those which may be derived from the fulness of our Lord Jesus Christ? Theirs are refuges of lies, ours a never failing foundation. "Their rock is not as our rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." The gospel of Christ presents the only sovereign balm for human wo; it supplies us with real, and with sure support; it emboldens us to say, in the face of difficulties, dangers, and death, "None of these things move me." The gospel, however, does not merely display its power in rendering us insensible to the power of affliction, but II. In raising us superior to the love of life. For, adds the apostle, "neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy." "Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath, will he give for his life." The preservation of life is the first law of nature. That man is unworthy the character of a rational being, who intentionally shortens, or daringly terminates his own life. And yet here a man comes forward and says, "neither count I my life dear unto myself"-and he is taught to form this estimation of life too, by the gospel of Jesus! How is this? The apostle did not choose strangling rather than life; but the case may be stated thus. The gospel taught him the right use of life, and made him earnestly to desire to fulfil it; the gospe gospel taught him as a minister, that life was only valuable to hím so far as he accomplished its purposes the joyful completion of his Christian race, the honorable close of his ministerial exertions. Further than this, life was not dear to him, or highly prized by him, for he was willing to be "absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." His earnest expectation and his hope was, that in nothing he should be ashamed, but that "with all boldness, as always, so now, Christ should be magnified in his body, whether it were by life or by death." "Yea," says he, "and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all." Oh! what a noble principle is this that renders a man willing to suffer and to die for Christ, "for herein perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ough. also to lay down our lives for the brethren.", And now it is said of the apostle, and all who like him triumphed over Satan, "they were faithful unto death." They overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, for they loved not their lives unto death. But I digress from the subject. Observe, then, that the gospel raised the mind of Paul superior to the love of life, as it showed him that it was only useful for two purposes: (1.) That he might joyfully complete his Christian race. So he says, "that I may finish my course, with joy." The course to which he alludes is the Christian race, which he had some time before undertaken in divine strength. God had called him so to run, that he might obtain, and hence he "laid aside every weight, and the sin which so easily beset him, and ran with patience the race set before him, looking unto Jesus." He set out with a full determination never to grow weary, or to decline his eager pursuit after glory, honor and immortality. Hitherto he had pursued it with alacrity; he did not count himself to have apprehended; but this one thing he did, forgetting those things which were behind, and reaching forth unto those things which were before, he pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Personal religion had flourished in his soul, and he had not left the path marked out for him, by the great forerunner, to be led aside either to the right hand or to the left, and now he wished to finish it with joy; and that man finishes his course with joy when he expresses gratitude for any ardor he has discovered in it, and when he has a full view of the crown of glory, and prospect of eternal rest. To finish our course with joy, we must express our gratitude for the assistance grace has offered us in it. [When a Christian can say, through the good hand of my God upon me, the care of his love, and the animation of his grace, " I have finished my course."] Oh! what pleasure it must afford a believer who completes his race on earth, to look back upon the path he has trod, and to remember even the trials he endured, and to bless God that he was enabled to persevere to the end. The Christian race cannot be joyfully completed without a bright prospect of eternal glory and a splendid crown. The man finished this race with joy who could say, "henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me in that day." Let others run to obtain a curruptible crown, we do it for an incorruptible. And oh! that when we finish our course it may be with this firm persuasion, that we shall enter into the joy of our Lord, where toil and fatigue will be known no more. For this purpose life is of use, as it conducts us to the end of the Christian race. But the apostle views himself not only as a Christian but as a minister of the New Testament, and therefore he views life as desirable. (2.) That he might honorably close his ministerial exertions. That I may finish, says he, my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. Here you behold the author of the gifts and the graces of ministers, "the Lord Jesus." The Lord had said of Paul, "he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name unto the Gentiles." And he had received his ministry of the Lord Jesus. The subjects of his ministry came from him, or he taught him to preach human depravity-the atonement of Christ, and the influence of the Spirit, and to be witness unto all, for Jesus, of what he had seen and heard. His call to the ministry was from the Lord Jesus. He told him to publish the gospel, and immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood. He was an apostle not of man, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the |