Review of Lectures on Primitive Christianity

From the Critical Review 1768

Lectures on primitive Christianity: in Doctrine, Experience, Worship, Discipline, and Manners, as it appeared in the Church at Jerusalem, in the Time of the Apostles. Also on the Epistle to the Church at Sardis. And on the Faithful in the Days of Malachi. Interspersed with Notes, Reflections, and Addresses. With a View to awaken a becoming Zeal far the Communion of Saints, in Order and Love. By Benjamin Wallin. 8vo. Pr. 6s. Robinson.

This work is divided into six books. The first contains reflections on the death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. This is a comment on St. Peter's discourse to the men of Judea, Acts ii.

The second contains some thoughts on the apostle's improvement and application of his address to the Jews.

In the third, the author considers the wonderful success of that discourse.

The fourth is a history of the church in her infant state. The plan of this book is taken from the last six verses of the second chapter of Acts.

Here then, says he, is a concise history of the primitive church in her pure infant-state, before her members were scattered by persecution, or those errors, divisions and apostasies took place, which have since disgraced and defiled her. Indeed she was not yet arrived to maturity, in respect of that order the infinite wisdom of her Lord soon after saw fit to establish for her edification. At present the apostles supplied the part of bishops and deacons, officers who are since become needful to a perfect church-state. We view her as a lovely child, in her first appearance in the world. There are also some circumstances peculiar to her then present condition, a pretended conformity to which would be ridiculous or worse, yet she is the original pattern of piety and love. These are the lively features of a neat gospel-church, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost; and however some may plead for another manner, the same spirit and behaviour will be found when and where genuine Christianity prevails, for religion is substantially the same in all ages and places to the end of the world.

The early declension of the church from her original simplicity, is the subject of the fifth book. This consists of reflections on the epistle to the church of Sardis, Rev. iii. 1-6.

The last is a dissertation on the conduct of the faithful in the days of Malachi, Chap. iii. 16. 17. This work abounds with pious reflections, but will appear tedious and unentertaining to the generality of readers.