Acts 17

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVII.—How justly the Holy Ghost had witnessed that bonds and afflictions awaited the apostle in every city! And it is delightful to see ministers preaching the gospel, regardless of all fatigue, contempt, and persecution, counting nothing too dear for Christ and his cause. It is comely when all the sermon is plainly derived from the oracles of God, and when hearers attentively receive the truth, and examine all they hear by the scripture. Important is the matter of gospel preaching, even Jesus’ person, sufferings, and glory;—his dying for our sins, and calling us back from our graves to his last judgment. Powerful is its efficacy in the conversion of multitudes, and even of persons of rank, in places the most wicked. Real converts take delight in owning, holding fellowship with, and caring for the safety and comfort of, faithful ministers; while the off-courings of mankind, and the high pretenders to wisdom, readily unite together against Jesus Christ and his gospel. Unhappy is the place where the mob are both judges and executioners. Very false, but common, is the pretence that Jesus’ sole Headship over his church interferes with lawful civil authority; and yet many magistrates dread danger chiefly from noted believers.—If ministers be persecuted in one city, they may flee to another. But they will every where meet with as abounding wickedness, and, in consequence thereof, much contempt and hatred. Yet, the nearer Christ’s word lies to their own hearts, they will the more eagerly seize all opportunities of publishing it. Great prudence is necessary in dealing with self-conceited pretenders to wisdom. No where has the gospel less success than among such. They are often ignorant of the plainest doctrines of nature, of the divine perfections, and of our relation to God as our Maker, Preserver, and Disposer. None are more madly set upon the most senseless idolatry, or more given to waste precious moments in mere trifles. Righteous is the sovereignty of God in permitting them to be so blinded by the god of this world; and great his mercy, in calling men to repent, in view of, the future judgment, whether they will hear or forbear