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On the other hand, we see them as sheep in the midst of wolves. These seize upon their prey, when it comes within their reach. And so, "as the apostles spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day." Thus early was proved the truth of their Lord's words: they were brought before governors and kings, and delivered up to councils who "when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,"-scourged them in their synagogues"commanded them that they should not speak in the name of Jesus." But Peter and John, wise as serpents though harmless as doves, answered in words to which no contradiction could be given: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." "

4

Thus they became a testimony against them. The word of truth was spoken to them: but they "put it from them, and judged themselves unworthy of eternal life."

It is grievous that the gospel, which is offered as a blessing to all, should become a testimony against many. The gospel is a testimony to all who live within its influence, of the goodness and mercy of God: if hearing, they will hear, and seeing, they will see. But this testimony to them, becomes a testimony against them, if they receive it not. As

3 Acts v. 40.

4 Acts iv. 19; v. 29.

our Lord said to the unbelieving Jews: If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin but now they have no cloke for their sin."

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The rulers and elders, "when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, marvelled." But Jesus, when he gave them their commission, gave them also his promise; and this promise was fulfilled; so that unlearned and ignorant men assigned "a reason of the hope that was in them" before princes and governors, the Spirit of the Father speaking in them.

19. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake : but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Till the Son of man "be come with power," leading the Roman eagles, the instruments of justice, against Jerusalem. This proof of his Messiahship, this consummation of his prophecy should

5 John xv. 22.

6 Acts v. 13.

• Take no thought: Mŋ μepiμvýσnte: Be not over anxious; as Matt. vi. 25.

arrive, before they had gone through all the cities of Israel. The persecution by which they would be opposed, the enmity by which they would be assailed, would hinder their "free course," and leave part of Judea in darkness, even after the door of Samaria had been opened, and the way of the Gentiles had been traversed by the messengers of the Gospel.

8

The Lord prepares them for this enmity and persecution. Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. Such would be the effect of the new doctrine which they were commissioned to proclaim: that "righteousness did not come by the law" of Moses: that all were "concluded under sin :" and that there was "no other name under heaven given amongst men, whereby they might be saved," except the name of him whom the Jews" with wicked hands had crucified and slain." The brother would deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child, who had received this doctrine, and "worshipped God after the way which they called heresy ;"9 who assented to what they treated as "blasphemous words against Moses, and the law." In defending this law, and in opposing the persons who no longer considered it as conveying salvation, or as essential to salvation, they thought that "they were doing God service."2 St. Paul confesses that this was the state of his own mind; and that he "vainly thought within himself that he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth:" which thing he did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints he shut up in prison, having received authority from

8 Gal. ii. 21. Acts iv. 12.

1 Acts vi. 11—14.

1

9 Acts xxiv. 14.

2 John xvi. 2.

3

the chief priests: and when they were put to death, he gave his voice against them."

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For all this the Lord prepares his apostles. Knowing that they went forth with the feelings of love and message of mercy, they might expect to be kindly received and gladly welcomed. He warns them of the contrary: for "he knew what was in man." But he gives them an encouragement, which if they could receive it, would outweigh every affliction. He that endureth to the end, shall be saved. He whose faith enables him to "finish his course,' not reckoning his life dear unto himself, but looking for the appearance of his Lord in glory-the same shall be saved; saved from that wrath of God which impends over "every soul of man that doeth evil;” and recompensed for his faithfulness and zeal, by all that is comprised in the phrase, ETERNAL LIFE: "fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore." So that," Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."

3 Acts xxvi. 9-11.

4 Ch. v. 11,

12.

LECTURE XLVI.

THE APOSTLES INSTRUCTED.

MATT. X. 24-33.

24. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26. Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known.

In this manner the Lord proceeds to encourage his apostles, and fore-arm them against future trials. One trial would be, "when men should revile them and say all manner of evil against them falsely for Christ's sake." As the Jews concerning St. Paul: "We have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And again, at Rome, "As for this sect, we know that it is every where spoken against." "Marvel not" at this, says the Lord. "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.' " If the world revile you, "remember the 3 John XV. 16-20.

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1 Acts xxiii. 5. 2 Ib. xxviii. 22.

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