And the glory which thou gavest me, &c.— "Moreover, the glory of inspiration, of a divine mission, and of the power of miracles to confirm that mission, which thou gavest unto me, I have bestowed on my apostles; and on those who should be converted by them, and employed to preach the gospel to the world; in order that, being commissioned by the same authority, and illuminated with one Spirit, they may fully agree in their doctrine, and their labours may lead to one end: so may they become worthy messengers of thee and thy only-begotten Son, and cause the world fully to know both that thou hast sent me their Master, and that thou approvest of them and their undertaking, even as thou hast approved of me." How fully this prayer for the unity of the first preachers was answered, we learn from the history of the Acts; and their unity must appear very remarkable, when it is considered what vastnumberswereemployedin preaching the gospel throughout the various countries of the world. Nevertheless, our wonder will cease, when we call to mind that all who possessed the power of miracles, and preached with any authority, were inspired by the Spirit of God; so could not but all agree in the same glorious and divine scheme of religion. We may just observe here the sum of our Lord's whole prayer, first,
"Receive me into thy own, and my glory: secondly, let my apostles share therein: thirdly, and all other believers; and, fourthly, let all the world believe."