Acts 14

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIV.—God plainly testifies his own being, life, patience, goodness, power, and wisdom, to the heathen world, in the works of creation and providence. And even while, by their perverse manners, they abuse the light of their consciences, he graciously gives them the necessaries and delights of outward life. Surely even these his common favours should attract their love to him. And, alas, great is their sin and misery, who, being left to their own lusts and imaginations, put vanity and devils as objects of worship in his place. Infinite is the mercy that now the door of faith is opened to the Gentiles; the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ is preached to them. But, alas, while some believe it, others rage against and oppose it. Yea, while heathens believe and are healed, Jews oppose and are hardened to their eternal ruin. And great is the unanimity of wicked men against Jesus Christ and his faithful ministers.—Inconstant and worthless is the applause of the multitude. To-day they admire preachers as gods; to-morrow they persecute and murder them as miscreants. But God’s testimony to his word, in external and internal operations, is sufficient to overcome all opposition. With wisdom, care, and love, he forms his people into a church; and, by their own choice, provides them pastors and teachers after his own heart, for their further edification and establishment, and in compassion to the snares and troubles through which they must pass into the heavenly state. In the most solemn manner, by prayer and fasting, ought ministers to be set apart to their work. And with pleasure and hope, labour and diligence, should they spend and be spent in the conversion of sinners and edification of saints. And, though they ought to avoid suffering as far as can be done without sin, yet none must ever deter them from the faithful execution of their office. Till their testimony be finished God will preserve them in life; nor will upright disciples ever disown them on account of reproach or danger. 4