10. Such was _Christianity_ in its rise. Such was a Christian in ancient days. Such was every one of those, who _when they heard_ the threatnings of _the chief priests and elders, lift up their voice to God with one accord, and were all filled with the Holy Ghost. The multitude of them that believed, were of one heart and of one soul._ (So did the love of him in whom they had believed, constrain them to love one another.) _Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common._ So fully were they crucified to the world, and the world crucified to them. _And they continued stedfastly with one accord in the apostles doctrine, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayer. And great grace was upon them all; neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet; and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need._ II. 1. Let us take a view, in the second place, of this _Christianity_, as spreading from one to another, and so gradually making its way into the world. For such was the will of God concerning it, who _did not light a candle to put it under a bushel, but that it might give light to all that were in the house_. And this our Lord had declared to his first disciples, _Ye are the salt of the earth, the light of the world_: at the same time that he gave that general command, _Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven_. 2. And, indeed, supposing a few of these lovers of mankind, to see _the whole world lying in wickedness_, can we believe they would be unconcerned at the sight, at the misery of those for whom their Lord died? Would not their bowels yearn over them, and their hearts _melt away for very trouble_? Could they then stand idle all the day long, even were there no command from him whom they loved? Rather would they not labour, by all possible means, to _pluck_ some of _these brands out of the burning_? Undoubtedly they would: they would spare no pains to bring back whomsoever they could of those poor _sheep that had gone astray, to the great Shepherd and Bishop of their souls_. 3. So the Christians of old did. They laboured, having opportunity, _to do good unto all men_, warning them to _flee from the wrath to come_, now, now, to escape _the damnation of hell_. They declared, _The times of ignorance God winked at; but now he calleth all men every where to repent_. They cried aloud, _Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; so iniquity shall not be your ruin_. They _reasoned_ with them _of temperance and righteousness_, or justice, of the virtues opposite to their reigning sins, and _of judgment to come_, of the wrath of God which would surely be executed on evil doers in that day when he should judge the world.