Page images
PDF
EPUB

This passage enables us to understand the manner in which the minds of the people were to be awakened to the message of the gospel. The apostles were to visit whatever place might seem fittest for the purpose, and inquire, who in it was worthy: who, among the inhabitants, by his general character and attention to religion, was likely to receive one who came "in the name of the Lord." Here they were to preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. "He that should come" is come. God "has remembered his mercy and truth towards the house of Israel." If a proper opportunity offered, they were to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers showing in this way, that they were no false pretenders to a divine commission, but that God was with them of a truth. In every

thing, they were to depend on him whose coming they proclaimed: not to provide for their own support, but to trust in the protection of God, whose message they carried. He who moves the hearts of men as the streams of water, could secure them all they needed in the same manner as he "feeds the fowls of the air" by the arrangements of his providence, or as he still maintains his general promise, that they who "seek first" his heavenly kingdom, shall want nothing which is expedient for them.

We learn from St. Luke, that "the workman" was deemed "worthy of his meat:" that when these apostles were sent forth "without purse and scrip and shoes," they were not suffered to "lack any thing." (Luke xxii. 35.) Whoever is found in the clear road of duty, may feel a firm confi

dence that his steps are marked and secured by the providence of God.

It might prove, that they should be kindly received in the house which they entered; or it might prove that they should not be welcomed, nor their message heard. Doubtless their message was attentively heard by many, who did not yet openly join themselves to our Lord; but who were thus prepared for the more plenteous harvest that should be gathered in, when the doctrine of Christ crucified, and Christ raised from the dead, could be more evidently set forth amongst them. Who can always distinguish the period, when the first seed of truth is dropped into the heart, or fixed there by the grace of the Holy Spirit? A long and dreary season sometimes passes, till at last the seed springs and grows up, we "know not how :" "first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear.'

99 1

Christ foresaw, however, that there would be many who "received the grace of God in vain." When they departed from these, they were to shake off the dust of their feet. This was a figurative action, of a nature common amongst the Jews, by which they enforced their words and illustrated them. As when "a certain prophet named Agabus (see Acts xxi. 10) took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost; so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

An

'Mark iv. 28.

example is also found in the history of Nehemiah, (v. 12.) who writes: "Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house and from his labour, that performeth not their promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied." The apostles were to act in the same manner. As we shake the dust from our feet, so shall God shake off from his inheritance every man and every city, that receiveth not his message. How they did so, we read, Acts xiii. 51. "The Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium." Again, (Acts xviii. 6,) "When the Jews opposed themselves, and blasphemed, Paul shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."

It is an awful thought, that there may be such conduct on the part of men, such "hardness of heart and contempt of his word," as may force God to shake them off, and regard them as his no more: leaving their case worse than that of Sodom or Gomorrha, because they have refused brighter light and clearer warning. Those cities repented not at the preaching of Lot. One greater than Lot is here. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ?"

LECTURE XXVI.

COMMISSION OF THE APOSTLES.

16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

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. "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin but now they have no cloke for their sin." (John xv. 22.)

xiii. 11.

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

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

This assurance and assistance was needful to the first preachers of the gospel, who were "unlearned and ignorant men," and would otherwise have

xii. 11.

been dismayed, when brought before governors and kings. We have an example, (Acts. iv. 18,) of the accomplishment both of the prophecy and the promise. "The rulers, elders, and scribes," called Peter and John before them, and "commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, 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."

Christians now, when placed in trying circumstances, ought certainly to prepare themselves, and provide beforehand what they should speak, in a way which was not necessary for the apostles. But they may throw off anxiety' in this as well as other things, and "cast their care upon God," and rely on the aid of his Holy Spirit, that with all "boldness" they shall be enabled to "speak the word," that utterance shall be given them, and the grace of him whom they serve prove "sufficient for the occasion." This reliance will do more for them than much solicitude.

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.

The early history of Christianity shows how all that is here predicted was literally accomplished. And it has left a perpetual lesson of warning to

'Mn μepiμvýσnre: Be not over anxious: as Matt. vi. 25.

« PreviousContinue »