4. This community of goods the ancient philosophers and law-givers often endeavoured, but could never effect: having only punishments to constrain, or reasonings to persuade men to it. And both these were too weak to prevail. Only the grace of Christ could effect it. When this was shed abroad in their hearts, they all looked on each other as brethren, all united in one family, and fed alike by the common care of their Father. The law of love, so often repeated by their Lord, was continually before their eyes, and _by this did all men know they were his disciples, by their love to one another_. 5. It is said, that _they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine_; and they are often called, the _disciples_ or _learners_. They diligently applied themselves to learn all the truths of God, whether by hearing the apostles both in public and private, or by reading and comparing together the holy scriptures, and meditating upon them. It is likewise said, that they continued in prayer, and went daily for that purpose to the temple: probably at the solemn hours of prayer, the _third_, _sixth_ and _ninth_, which the Christian church observed for many ages. 6. The other part of their daily service mentioned here, is _the breaking of bread_, or the _Lord’s supper_, as the phrase signifies, not in this place alone, but in many others of the New Testament. It was followed by a repast, the use of which continued long in the ♦church, under the name of _Agapæ_, or _feasts of love_. And these it is said, _They eat with gladness and singleness of heart_. In a word, all the Christians were as little children, in humility, disinterestedness and purity. By renouncing worldly good and hopes, they had cut off the occasions of passions and of the uneasinesses of life: so that their minds were wholly taken up with heaven, and their _hope full of immortality_. Thus the church of _Jerusalem_ subsisted near forty years, under the conduct of the apostles and St. _James_ (the bishop of it) in particular: till the Christians seeing the ruin of that unhappy city to approach, according to the prediction of their Master, retired out of it to the little town of _Pella_, where they continued in peace and safety. ♦ “chuch” replaced with “church” CHAPTER III. _The state of the Heathens before their conversion._