Acts 13:4

Observe here, 1. The apostles Barnabas and Saul having received their commission, set forth for their work to which they were designed; and their first journey was from Antioch to Cyprus, an island of the Gentiles, lewd and wicked; where Venus was worshipped: And much filthiness was committed by them in that abominable Pagan worship. Yet the free grace fo God cast. look of pity and love upon sinful Cyprus: The Holy Ghost directs these apostles thither, to reclaim them from sin, and reduce them to the obedience of the gospel.

Observe, 2. That though Saul and Barnabas were sent forth to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, yet they made the first tender of it to the Jews wherever they came; accordingly here in Cyprus, there being. great number of Jews, the apostles went into the Synagogues, and preached to them.

Christ was the minister of circumcision, who was himself "sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;" and accordingly sent his apostles out first, to feed and gather those poor scattered sheep; these were accounted the children of the house, and the Gentiles reckoned as dogs; but when those wanton and full-fed children began to waste their meat, and cast it under their table, then did the Gentile dogs gather up their leavings; Acts 13:46. "It was necessary," both by virtue of Christ's command and example also, "that the word of God should be first spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."

Observe, 3. What an early opposition the devil made against the apostles in their preaching the gospel to the Gentiles; he feared the battering down the walls of his kingdom, and therefore stirs up his instrument Elymas the sorcerer to withstand them, and particularly to endeavour to divert Sergius Paulus, who governed that island, from the faith.

Where note, The character given of this vile man by the apostle, "Oh full of all subtilty and mischief:. child of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness:"

Intimating, 1. That to be subtle to do mischief, is the genius or disposition of the devil's children.

2. That to be an opposer of good is to be conformable to the devil: It is the height of wickedness, not only to do evil, but to oppose good; to be an enemy to, and opposer of goodness, is the very character of Satan and his children. So much as any man opposes goodness, so much he has of the devil's disposition in him: "thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness."

Observe, 4. The judgment inflicted by God on this wicked instrument of the devil, and the suitableness of the judgment inflictd on the sin committed; he wickedly shut the eyes of his understanding against the light of the gospel, and God deprives him of his bodily sight.

Thus the wisdom of God doth oft-times so suit his judgment to the sins committed, that. person may even read his sin in his punishment: Yet how did God temper mercy with the judgment, inflicting blindness upon this vile wretch only for. season? Even the very judgments of God are medicinal and in mercy: When God punishes, it is with. design not to ruin, but reform.

Observe lastly, What success St. Paul's ministry together with the sight of this miracle, had upon Sergius Paulus the governor; he was thereby converted to the fatih: "When he saw what was done, he believed; being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord." The word never works more kindly, than when it is received with admiration, where it does not produce faith: Many marvelled who never believed; but this governor was astonished, and believed also.