The persons chosen of God and sent forth to propagate the religion of Christ, were such as human wisdom would have judged very unsuitable.  Twelve poor, despised, illiterate men, were called to be apostles; —­most of them were fishermen.  One was a publican; a collector of the Roman tribute, which had been imposed on the Jews as a conquered people.  An employment so odious, that vile persons, regardless of character, would only accept it.  Such men we should judge exceedingly unfit for ministers of religion, and not likely to succeed in making converts to it.  Yet such were those who were appointed of God, to be prime ministers in the Christian church!  Such the men who were sent forth to change the form and administration of Judaism, and overthrew the systems of Paganism, rendered venerable by a general establishment, and the religious reverence of ages.  The Jews’ religion was from God, who had given abundant evidence of its divine origin.  This Christ came not to destroy.  But its external administration was to be changed; and in apprehension of most of those who professed it, it was less opposed to the gospel scheme, than Paganism.  No others had greater enmity to Christianity than the Jews, or entered into the opposition position with warmer zeal.  They commonly stood foremost, and stirred up the Gentiles against it, and often with success.

In treating of the means used to propagate the gospel.  We may observe the powers imparted to those who were employed in the work.  These Were not such as human wisdom would have chosen.  “Their weapons were not carnal, though mighty through God.”  They had none at their command, prepared to punish those who would not receive them, or the doctrines which they inculcated—­none to retaliate injuries done them.  To abuse they had nothing to oppose, except a patient exhibition of his temper, who “when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered threatened not, committing himself to him who judgeth righteously,” and praying for his murderers on the cross.

False religions have often been propagated with the sword —­particularly that of Mahomet, and the Romish corruptions of Christianity.  These, especially the latter, were urged with every species of cruelty—­a mode of attempting to proselyte, evincive of human folly.  Arguments totally diverse are requisite to enlighten the mind and produce conviction of a divine mission.  With these came the apostles of the Lamb.  They were “endowed with power from on high;” and forbidden of their Lord to enter on their ministry until it was conferred upon them.  This was accomplished on the day of Pentecost.