Acts 4:1

Observe here, 1. How the apostles preaching to, and instructing the people, stirs up the devil's rage, and brings upon themselves. severe persecution: Well might Luther say, Quid est evangelium pradicare, nisi in nos furorem diaboli derivare? "At the preaching of the gospel gates of Satan's prison fly open, and the walls of his kingdom are shaken; he finds himself in danger of losing his principality." No wonder then that he raises all the powers of hell, and stirs up all his instruments on earth to stop the mouths of the preachers of the gospel.

Observe, 2. The persons by whom, and the cause for which this persecution was now stirred up against the apostles; namely, the Jewish priests, the Gentile captain, and the sottish Sadducees: As they spake, the captain of the temple, the priest and Saducees came upon them. These were distinct persons, and they were differently distasted; the captain, who was placed with the band of soldiers near the temple to guard it, was offended for fear of. tumult from such. vast appearance of people as came to see the recovered cripple. The priests were offended, because the apostle, being private men, went about publicly to teach and instruct the people, not considering the extraordinary call which the apostles had. The Sadducees were displeased, because they preached the resurrection from the dead; that is, through the power and efficacy of Jesus: Asserting Christ to be doth the efficient and also the exemplary cause of the resurrection; and inferring from Christ's resurrection, that all his followers should arise with him, and like unto him.

Observe, 3. How far God suffered these persecutors and this persecution to proceed: They laid hands upon them, and put them in hold. How easily might this band of soldiers have taken away the lives, as well as imprisoned the bodies of the apostles! But God restrained them, and led on the apostles to their suffering gradually; they were yet but young pupils in Christ's school; therefore they shall not have trials beyond their strength. God will not call his servants to. martyr's fire, till he has first endued them with. martyr's faith; for this reason God sufered not the storm of persecution to break forth with over much violence upon this new planted church at first.

Observe, 4. What was the event of that violence which was now offered to the apostles; God over-ruled it for his church's advantage, and. wonderful increase, by. new addition of five thousand souls more added to it.

O wonderful draught of fish at the second casting out of the gospel net! These fishermen, Peter and John, now became, by the help of the Holy Spirit, fishers of men, according to their Master's prediction, Follow me, and. will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

Many which heard the word believed, and the number of them was about five thousand Acts 4:4, This infant-church flourished the more by the frownings of men upon her. Plures efficimur, quoties metimur ab illis, Tertull. "Like. green meadow, which the oftener it is mowed, springs the faster, and becomes thicker."

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