therefore they had not the gifts peculiar to the apostles. The order therefore of this scriptural history is this: that when Saul was making havoc of the church, they were scattered abroad, and Philip went to Samaria and preached Christ to them, he did miracles, casting out devils or unclean spirits, healing the palsied and lame, and when the people saw these things they believed Philip, who preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. This was the extent of Philip's mission as a deacon, and therefore it is added, "When the APOSTLES which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost; (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus) then LAID THEY HANDS on them, and they received the Holy Ghost," Acts viii. 14. While this plainly shews us, that with the office of a deacon was connected the gift of miracles, yet this office in the constitution of the spiritual BODY, was inferior to that of an APOSTLE, and while the apostles were empowered by the laying on their hands to communicate the superior gift of the Holy Ghost, it was not entrusted or delegated, committed or communicated to others, even to those who possessed miraculous powers, such as Philip or Stephen.

It was no doubt in this manner Paul is said to have passed through Syria and Cilecia, confirming the churches (Acts xv. 41). So that while Philip, Stephen, and others, went forth teaching and preaching

the gospel, and baptizing, the apostles not being present, were required for the discharge of their particular office; and as to baptizing, Paul does say, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel," 1 Cor. i. 17; because Paul was a minister to the gentiles.

I am, &c.

AMEN.

LETTER VII.

MR. EDITOR,

A few passages only remain to be examined respecting the act of laying on of hands. The Lord said to his apostles, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father," John xiv. 13. Our enquiry here is, did the Lord exercise this act of laying on of hands? and for what purpose? for if he did, this would be among the works that his disciples were to do. It appears (Mark v. 22.) that one of the rulers of the synagogue came to Jesus, and besought him greatly, saying," my little daughter lieth at the point of death, I pray thee come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed, and she shall live." The se quel of this story shows, that although the little girl had died before Jesus reached the ruler's house (which event was told the ruler before their arrival), yet the

Lord entered into the room "where the damsel was lying, "and he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi, which is being interpreted Damsel (I say unto thee) arise; and straightway the damsel arose and walked." Again (Luke iv. 40), after the Lord had cured Simon's wife's mother of a fever, it is stated, "all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them unto him: and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, thou art Christ the Son of God." A woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, the Lord "laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and glorified God," Luke xiii. 13. When therefore the disciples saw these wonders, and heard the Lord say, "the works that I do shall ye do also," and when he sent them into the world to preach the gospel, amongst other things he said of them," they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover;" we ought not to feel surprise at the direction of James-" is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church," &c. v. 14. Indeed when Paul on his way to Rome was cast away on the Island of Melita, the promise of Christ (Mark xvi. 18) was fulfilled to the very letter" they shall take up serpents" without hurt, "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." For when "Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand, and he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm," Acts xxviii. 3. It is further stated (verse 8), "And it came to pass that the father of Publicus lay sick of

a fever and of a bloody flux;

to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him."

This is a clear and satisfactory evidence, that the promise of the Lord was fulfilled in his servants and ministers; and that this laying on of hands as regards healing the sick, was attended with power, and was one part of the commission given by the Lord when he sent them forth to minister, and exhibits to us a DIVINELY-INSPIRED, MIRACLE-ENDOWED MINISTRY. Those men to whom the power of forgiving sins was entrusted, and of imparting and giving the Holy Ghost, were the men who could heal the sick, and restore the dead to life again. And it is therefore written in the BIBLE, that " GOD wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul; so that from his body were brought unto the sick, handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts xix. 11. But let it be observed in what follows in this chapter, “ when certain Jews took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of Sceva a Jew, chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leapt on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." And this was known to all, Jews and Greeks; and the consequence was, that "the

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