churches, along the coast, and numbers of christians who had been settled there from the early ages of christianity. But when these bigoted people (the Portuguese) became acquainted with the purity and simplicity of their worship, they were offended; these churches, said they, belong to the pope. Who is the pope?' said the natives, ‹ we never heard of him, (neither did ANY one hear of him, till the sixth century after Christ) and we,' said they, are of the true faith, whatever you, from the west, may be, for we come from the place (Antioch) where the followers of Christ were first called christians' the Portuguese priests were yet more alarmed when they found that these christians, for 1300 years before that period had enjoyed a succession of bishops, appointed by the patriarch of Antioch. But, "grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity," the language of Zion is, the Lord prosper thee whosoever thou art, that doest good, and at the last day it will not be asked of what congregation were you a member, but have you been a sincere follower of the Lamb of God; have you, "denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, lived soberly, righteously and godly in this present evil world." Here is the test, and it is all comprehended in one word--CONSISTENCY. THE END. |