Gal. ii. 10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was fonoard to do.
THE circumstances to which my text refers, were very peculiar. St. Paul, in conformity with the com- mission given him by the Lord, had preached his Gospel to the Gentiles, whilst the other Apostles con- fined chiefly their ministrations to the Jews : and, knowing that the ceremonial law had never been given to the Gentiles, he neither required of them the observance of it, nor observed it himself. But now, after fourteen years, he went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas his fellow-labourer ; and, being aware that his having neglected and dispensed with the ceremonial law was likely to excite prejudice against him amongst the Jews, he sought a private interview with the chief Apostles first, in order that he might explain to them the reasons of his conduct, and through them remove all objections from the minds of others. Having succeeded in this, he desired to know whether they, with all their superior advan- tages, could give him any additional instruction : but they frankly acknowledged, that they could add no- thing to him; and all that they had to request of him was, that " he would remember the poor ; which he of himself was most forward to do."
Now, from hence I will take occasion to shew you,
I. In what respects difformity is admissible —
The difference between St. Paul's ministrations, and those of the other Apostles, was exceeding great —
[St. Paul, as we have said, dispensed with the Jewish laws altogether ; whilst the other Apostles observed them. Now this difference, if Paul had not acted with consummate pru- dence, would have made an irreconcileable breach between them. Nor do we blame the other Apostles for the jealousy they exercised on this occasion. They had received the law from God; and were told, in that very law, that " every one who should presumptuously neglect it in any respect, should