Atos 13:51

E veio a Icônio. - Este é no momento Coghi. Antigamente, era a capital da Licaônia e ficava, não no meio, como costuma ser localizada, mas nas fronteiras ocidentais dela; nos confins da Pisídia, Galácia e Frígia, a esta última parece ter pertencido.

Inferências.- Nós, que já fomos pecadores dos gentios, e agora, pela bondade divina, somos levados, pelo menos em especulação, ao conhecimento do evangelho, temos muitos motivos para ser gratos, porque mensageiros inspirados foram enviados para ensinar sendo separado para esse propósito pela designação direta do Espírito Santo. Que aqueles que saem para esta obra sagrada, em todas as nações e em todos os tempos, mantenham uma consideração apropriada por suas influências; e que ele faça seu caminho próspero!

Aonde quer que os mensageiros do evangelho vão, eles não devem se surpreender se Satanás levantar seus instrumentos e filhos para se opor a eles; especialmente onde eles se esforçariam para introduzir a religião nos corações dos príncipes, ou outros grandes homens. Bem sabe o príncipe das potestades do ar o quão perigoso é cada golpe para o seu reino. Nem pode nenhum dos reis ou nobres da terra mostrar uma prudência mais sólida e importante ,do que indagar imparcialmente sobre as evidências do evangelho, e se entregar como seres racionais e responsáveis, para serem governados por ele: uma resolução feliz! que muito provavelmente estarão dispostos a formar, na proporção do grau em que observem sua natureza e tendência; pois certamente toda pessoa inteligente que faz isso deve, como Sérgio Paulo, ser atingida pela doutrina do Senhor, bem como pelos milagres que foram realizados para confirmá-la.

Com justiça, São Paulo pode pronunciar aquele homem que se esforçou para obstruir o progresso da verdade divina no mundo, um filho de Satanás e um inimigo de toda a justiça. Com justiça poderia Deus, que conhecia toda a sua maldade secreta e perversidade de alma, feri- lo com uma cegueira, que, embora o tornasse incapaz de ver a luz do sol meridiano , parecia apenas um emblema doloroso daquela escuridão mais fatal, que, pela corrupção de seu coração, espalhou-se sobre sua mente e impediu que a luz do evangelho de Cristo, que é a imagem de Deus, brilhasse sobre ele. Veja 2 Coríntios 4:4 .

And have not we reason to fear, that God may, in his righteous judgment, punish that iniquity of spirit with which many now rise up against the right ways of the Lord,—not ceasing to pervert and disguise them, that so they may more plausibly and effectually oppose them? And what punishment so likely or so suitable as an internal blindness, a darkness of soul, in which they may wander on through life to their destruction?—And if others stupidly, but wilfully, permit themselves to be guided by them, what can be expected, but that the blind leading the blind, both leaders and followers should fall into the pit?

That the scriptures have been publicly read in Jewish and Christian assemblies from the primitive times, is a noble evidence of their genuine authority, which it will be our undoubted wisdom to transmit to those who may arise after us. From them succeeding generations will be fully informed of that edifying history which the apostle here briefly recounts;—of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and their settlement in the land of Canaan, according to the promise of God made to their fathers; and they will also learn the ungrateful returns which they made to the divine goodness, when they rejected the Lord from being king over them.

Were we the greatest princes upon earth, we, like David, must see corruption in the grave, whither we are going. But let us rejoice to think that Jesus, whom God raised up according to his promise, saw no corruption; and that if we will indeed be his faithful people, he will ransom and redeem us from it. See Oséias 13:14.

Nor let us ever forget that this same Jesus, though so outrageously and infamously treated by the Jews, was nevertheless in the most powerful and convincing manner declared to be the Son of God, his only-begotten Son. Such a resurrection as his, proclaimed him to be so: and in consequence of it, the sure mercies of David are now given by him to all the faithful saints of God; and the plenary remission of all the most aggravated transgressions is through him proclaimed. For ever adored be his glorious name; most thankfully accepted be his overflowing grace! which frees genuine believers from the guilt of those offences which the law of Moses condemned without mercy, and takes out the dye of scarlet and crimson sins!

Let us take heed, lest, if we despise so great a salvation, we meet with an astonishing vengeance; the justice of which will be attested and applauded by all the messengers of God. All the prophets, and John the Baptist, superior to them all, who bore witness to Christ, and all the apostles, have concurred to admonish us of our danger; and they will another day rise up together in judgment against us, if all these admonitions are given in vain.

It is a great comfort for the ministers of the gospel, that, amidst the incredulity which too generally prevails, many are found who will credit the gospel—many to whom the arm of the Lord is revealed in conquering their prejudices against it. With these and an increasing number will God support his faithful servants: and may the instances of that consolation be more numerous and more remarkable continually in our days!

It is matter of some encouragement, when numbers crowd to attend upon the preaching of the gospel, for faith cometh by hearing. They who reject the counsel of God against themselves, will no doubt be provoked at such a circumstance; and the malignity and envy of their hearts will stir up opposition and contention. But God knows how to bring good out of evil; nor should his ministers be discouraged by the contradiction of sinners, but rather turn themselves to those who may be more willing to hear.

In the mean time, let those that thrust from them the word of God, know, that, in the language of scripture, they adjudge themselves unworthy of everlasting life; and since they will not accept of it on these terms, the great Author thereof will not condescend to give it on any other: and the day is coming, when we shall see, and the whole world shall see, how much reason they have to glory in that height of spirit which they now shew.

Let it be the daily joy of our souls, that the Lord Jesus Christ was given for a light of the Gentiles, and for God's salvation to the ends of the earth. Through the tender mercy of our God, the day-spring from on high hath visited us, Lucas 1:78. Let us pray that it may arise, and shine upon the remotest nations, and that the whole earth may be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea! And indeed, if we are entirely unconcerned about its propagation in the world, we have great reason to fear, that we ourselves have no part in the saving benefits which it confers.

May the silver trumpet every where sound to awaken the nations to lift themselves in the holy war under Christ, against all the enemies of salvation; and may many champions appear determined for eternal life, and, like these converts at Antioch, courageously set themselves in battle array against every thing which would oppose their progress towards it!

Vain then will all the rage of persecution be, by whomsoever it is excited or maintained, though by persons of the highest rank, or the most honoured characters. If the messengers of Christ be cast out of one place, they will appear with renewed zeal in another; and they who are truly converted to Christianity, though in never so great a fight of afflictions, will have the Spirit of God and glory resting upon them; and be enabled to rejoice, not only in the midst of their trials, but even on account of them. In the mean while, the dust shaken from the shoes of the rejected ambassadors of the Prince of peace; will be recorded as a witness against those who have despised the message, and will expose their souls to a final condemnation in the day of judgment—a condemnation more intolerable than that which was once executed on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, or which their wretched inhabitants are then to expect. See Marcos 6:11.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, Though the gospel had now begun to make its entrance into the Gentile world, none had yet been publicly ordained and appointed to that service, till Paul and Barnabas, by the immediate order of the Holy Ghost, were set apart thereunto.

1. The church at Antioch flourished greatly. There were certain prophets, who ranked next to the apostles in the church; and teachers, eminent for their gifts and graces; as Barnabas and Simeon, who, probably from his dark complexion, was called Niger; and Lucius of Cyrene, an African by birth; and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, his friend and companion; but now had quitted the honours of a court for the reproach of the gospel; and Saul, so famous in the records of Christianity. These ministered to the Lord, and fasted, diligently employed in the service of immortal souls; and at seasons, in more solemn acts of prayer and fasting, waited upon God for his blessing and direction in their labours.

2. While they were, on a certain day, thus engaged, the Holy Ghost, by his immediate suggestion, and by his own divine authority, said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to be chiefly employed in their service. Learn hence, (1.) The personality of the Holy Ghost, and his co-equal glory with the Father and Son. (2.) The true call to the ministry must come from above.

3. Pursuant to this order, Paul and Barnabas were solemnly set apart, with fasting and prayer and imposition of hands, for the peculiar service to which the Holy Ghost had appointed them: and the brethren sent them away, wishing them all success in their arduous undertaking. And henceforward we find them the two great apostles of the Gentiles, spreading the glorious gospel to distant lands, whither the glad tidings had never reached before.

2nd, Being in this solemn manner sent forth, Paul and Barnabas immediately applied themselves to their work.
1. They directed their course to Cyprus the native land of Barnabas, going to Seleucia; and thence sailed for Salamis, the chief town of the eastern part of the island. And first, as was their custom, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, giving them the preference; and, if they rejected the gospel, leaving them thereby inexcusable: and they had also John to their minister, to assist them in their work, provide necessaries for them, and execute any service which might be appointed him.

2. They travelled through the greatest part of the island, preaching the gospel, till they came to Paphos, the chief city on the western coast. There they met with one Bar-jesus, which signifies the son of Joshua, a Jew by birth, addicted to magic, who set up for a prophet, and had insinuated himself into the favour of Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor of the island, who was a prudent, considerate, thinking man, and who, hearing of the fame of Barnabas and Saul, desired to learn from themselves that new doctrine which they taught as a revelation from God.

But the sorcerer, knowing that, if the deputy received the gospel, his influence with him would be at an end, set himself to oppose these ministers of Christ, and to turn away the deputy from the faith. Note; (1.) It is prudence to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. (2.) Wherever the gospel comes with power, Satan will find some tool to employ, in order to cast stumbling-blocks in the way of those who desire to hear.

3. Saul, who henceforward is always called by his Roman name Paul, as more agreeable to the Gentiles, among whom for the future he chiefly conversed, filled with the Holy Ghost, fired with zeal for the gospel, and under a divine afflatus, set his eyes on him, with indignation and abhorrence of his wickedness, and said, O full of all subtilty, expert in every art of deceit, taught by the great deceiver, and, like him, set on all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, the implacable foe to truth and godliness, and to that gospel which is designed to promote them, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? to misrepresent them, and by every artful and malicious suggestion to prejudice men against the Lord Jesus, and those ways of his grace, which alone can lead to eternal life and glory? And now behold, as an evident token of God's displeasure, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, in righteous judgment; and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season—the emblem and punishment of the wilful blindness of thy heart.

Note; (1.) Subtilty, and delight in mischief, united, form the strongest image of the devil. (2.) They who are enemies to the gospel, must be enemies to all righteousness, since this alone can effectually produce true holiness in the heart. (3.) The Lord's ways are all right, and lead direct to happiness and heaven: they who pervert or misrepresent them, as unreasonable, unpleasant, or unprofitable, shall bear their burden.

4. His doom is no sooner pronounced than executed. Immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness, and, his sight being entirely lost, he went about groping his way, and seeking some to lead him by the hand. Struck with the evidence of the miracle, perceiving the sorcerer confounded by the arguments, and unable to stand before the power with which Paul was evidently invested, the deputy believed in Jesus, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord, which came with such convincing power and energy to his heart, and contained such amazing discoveries of God and his great salvation, with which he had been before utterly unacquainted.

5. Having shortly after set sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions directed their course to Perga, a city of Pamphylia. There John, their minister, quitted them, and returned to Jerusalem. A worldly or timid spirit prevailed against him: he wanted perhaps to see his mother; or he was weary of the fatigues of the Gentile mission; or some temporal affair drew off his attention from the ministry of the word: which Paul much resented, and which laid a ground of future contention between him and Barnabas. See the Annotations.
3rdly, How long they stayed, and what success the apostles had at Perga, is not recorded; but more is preserved of their labours at Antioch, the capital of Pisidia, which was their next remove.

1. On the sabbath-day, according to their custom, they went into the synagogue, and sat down, waiting a proper opportunity to deliver the message which they brought.
2. After the reading of the law and the prophets as usual, the rulers of the synagogue, being acquainted perhaps with their public characters, and willing to hear what they had to say, sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Note; The preaching of the word, and expounding it with application to the hearts of the hearers, is one most essential end and use of our assembling on the Lord's day.

3. St. Paul declined not the invitation, but gracefully rising, and waving his hand that silence might be kept, he very affectionately and seriously addresses his brethren, entreating a patient and attentive audience.
[1.] He opens with reminding them of the peculiar favour which God had shewn to their fathers. God had chosen the Jewish people in a covenant of peculiarity, and, according to the promise made to their fathers, had wonderfully multiplied and exalted them in Egypt, where they sojourned; and at last, when they were oppressed by Pharaoh, had brought them thence with a high hand. In the wilderness, amidst all their provocations, his patience bore with them, and his bounteous hand fed them forty years.

After destroying the accursed nations of Canaan, he gave them the country, by lot, for their inheritance; and for about the space of four hundred and fifty years from their deliverance from Egypt, continued, in their emergencies, to raise them up divinely appointed officers, called judges, to save them from the hands of their enemies, until the times of Samuel the prophet. Afterwards, indulging them in their desire, he appointed Saul the Son of Kis, a Benjamite, their king, whose reign, with Samuel's government, filled the space of forty years. (See the Annotations.) And when he was rejected, then was David anointed to sit on Israel's throne, and raised from his low estate to that high dignity—a man, to whom God bore the most honourable testimony, as one after mine own heart, approved and known to be faithful, which shall fulfil all my will, and answer all my purposes and designs.

Herein the apostle seems to desire to conciliate the Jews to him, and engage their regard to his discourse; when it appears, that far from having any prejudice against the Jewish nation as was suggested by many, or despising their peculiar honours, he dwells upon them with pleasure, in order to introduce the discourse of the Messiah, the son of David; which was the great object that he had in view.
[2.] As God had made to David a promise, that of his seed the Messiah should spring, the glorious hope of Israel—that promise he had now fulfilled in Jesus, the Saviour of all that perseveringly believe in him, from sin, misery, death, and hell; to introduce whose appearing, John had preached the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, inviting them to turn to that Messiah, whose forerunner he was; that by faith in him they might obtain remission of sins, (Marcos 1:4.Lucas 3:3.) disclaiming that title himself, when the people were in doubt whether he were the Christ or not, but directing them to one presently to appear after him, so far transcending him in dignity, that he should count it an honour of which he was unworthy to perform the meanest offices to him.

This being then the main point in view, to bring them acquainted with him, to whom John bore record, he pathetically urges them to consider the matter. Men and brethren, possessed of rational and immortal souls, children of the stock of Abraham, and of the promise made unto our fathers, and whoever among you feareth God, whether Jews or Proselytes, to you is the word of this salvation sent, and you are first called to partake of the inestimable blessings of the redemption which this Jesus hath obtained. Note; (1.) It is among the most invaluable mercies, to have the word of salvation sent to us. (2.) No condemnation will be so great and aggravated as theirs who reject the gospel-word.

[3.] He plainly tells them of the great guilt and wickedness of the Jewish rulers, in rejecting, persecuting, and murdering the Lord's Christ. They knew him not, so fatally and wilfully blinded were their minds by the prejudices which they had entertained, and the expectations they had formed of a temporal Messiah; nor yet the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day, in which the sufferings and death of the Messiah were at large foretold: but God so over ruled their wickedness, that undesignedly they have fulfilled these scriptures in condemning him: and though, even by the confession of his judge, his innocence was acknowledged, and they found no cause of death in him; yet, so malicious and enraged were they against him, they desired Pilate that he should be slain.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, concerning his sufferings and death, even in the most minute particulars, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre; brought to the grave, the lowest step of his humiliation. Note; (1.) Ignorance of the scriptures is often found, where the sound of them in the ears is heard every sabbath-day. (2.) It will not excuse the sins of persecutors, that they committed them ignorantly in unbelief, when they rejected the means of better information.

[4.] He insists at large on the glorious resurrection of Christ, as the grand point, on which all the sure hope of salvation through Jesus depended. His enemies thought they had effectually defeated all his pretensions when they laid him in the grave; but God raised him from the dead, to their confusion, and, as a token of the fullest approbation of his character and undertaking,—a fact attested by a great cloud of witnesses, who had been most intimately acquainted with him before his death, and, during forty days, had many conferences with him, and ate and drank with him after his resurrection; the truth of which some of them had already sealed with their blood, and others in the face of death and danger still continue to declare.

And to this resurrection of Jesus we, now present, bear testimony, proclaiming it as the most joyful tidings, that the promise made unto the fathers, of that Messiah in whom all nations of the world should be blessed, God hath now fulfilled unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; whereby it appears that he was the glorious Personage of whom David speaks; as it is written also in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; from eternity the relation subsisted; and as God bore testimony to the dignity and divine character of his Son in his baptism and transfiguration, so most eminently was Jesus declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead (Romanos 1:4.).

And that God raised him from the dead, no more to see corruption, is evident from Isaías 55:3 where he says, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Having there appointed his Son to be the leader and commander of the people, and by an oath confirmed his promise, it became necessary, that he who by his sufferings and death was to ratify the covenant, and obtain these mercies for his faithful saints, should rise again to be eternally the Head of his glorified church. In farther proof of which, he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption, (Salmos 16:10.) which words can only be applicable to the Messiah; for as to David himself, it is evident, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, discharging his high office with great fidelity for his people's good, he fell asleep in the arms of death, resting from all his labours, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption, his corpse, like others, returning unto dust: but he whom God raised, even Jesus, the Messiah, of whom David spake in this psalm, exactly fulfilled it, and, rising on the third day, saw no corruption, nor ever shall, God having exalted him to his own right hand in glory everlasting, to bestow these mercies on all his faithful people, until time shall be no more.

Note; (1.) We must learn not to live for ourselves, but for God's glory, and the good of mankind. (2.) To a faithful saint death is but the sleep of the body, while the soul rests from its labours, and is in joy and felicity. (3.) The more we examine the scriptures, the more confirmed shall we be, that Jesus is the Christ, in whom we shall see all the prophesies so eminently and exactly fulfilled.

[5.] He applies what he said to their hearts, as a matter in which they were most nearly concerned. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; by his sufferings unto death it is obtained, in his name it is declared, and by his authority bestowed: and by him, through the merit of his obedience unto death, all that believe are justified from all things; discharged from the condemnation of the law, and the guilt of all their transgressions, be they never so many, great, or aggravated; from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses, legal or ceremonial, none being able to fulfil the moral law in immaculate perfection, and the ceremonial prescribed no sacrifice for wilful transgression: and therefore all who looked for justification by the deeds of the law, were necessarily left under wrath and condemnation. Note; One of the chief gospel promises and privileges is the forgiveness of sins. In Christ Jesus there is a free and full pardon offered to the miserable and the desperate.

Lastly, He solemnly warns them of the danger of rejecting this salvation. Beware therefore, lest, through your obstinate infidelity, that fearful and alarming threatening come upon you which is spoken of in one of the prophets, (Habacuque 1:5.) concerning the men of that generation in which he lived; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder at your own obstinacy and stupidity, and my vengeance ready to light upon you; and perish, be covered with shame, and hide yourselves in terrors at the approaching judgments; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you; such as the destruction of their temple and nation by the Romans, a judgment more terrible than ever before fell upon them by the hand of the Chaldeans. It may also refer to the glorious work of redemption and mercy which should be extended to the Gentiles, while the Jews would be rejected for their wilful unbelief and impenitence; neither of which would they believe, though told them by persons of the most undoubted credit and authority.

4thly, Nothing could be more kindly spoken than this discourse of the apostle, or more respectful to the Jewish people. But we are told,
1. The ill reception that many of the Jews gave to his sermon. They went out of the synagogue, in open contempt of the apostle and of the doctrine of Christ which he preached; intimating thereby an avowed resolution never to hear him again, or regard aught that he could say. And justly are they abandoned to their infidelity, who obstinately reject the counsel of the Lord against their own souls, and will not even give the gospel a candid hearing.

2. The Gentiles hereupon, the proselytes of righteousness, who attended the Jewish worship, besought, that if the Jews refused to receive the gracious message, these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. They longed for that salvation which the others slighted.

3. Though the generality of the Jews turned their backs on the apostles and their preaching, many were affected by what they heard, both of the native Jews, and religious proselytes, and they followed Paul and Barnabas, that they might in private have some farther conference with them on a matter so important: and the apostles, glad to see them thus impressed, conversed freely with them on the subject, to carry on the good work begun on their hearts, warmly exhorting and persuading them by every powerful argument to continue in the grace of God, faithfully embracing, and boldly professing the gospel doctrines, depending on the Spirit's influence, and waiting in the use of all appointed means upon the Lord. Note; They who truly receive the word of Christ, will follow his ministers, and long for farther instruction in righteousness.

4. The next sabbath, the auditory was immense. Probably on the week days, the apostles had improved every opportunity to spread the truths of God; and as the Gentiles were graciously received by them, they flocked together on the sabbath, and not only the religious proselytes, but many of those who were before idolatrous, invited by curiosity, or from better motives, assembled to hear the word of God.

5. When the Jews, who were enemies to the gospel, saw the multitudes, and among them many of the idolatrous Gentiles whom they abhorred, they were filled with envy, that to them the word of God should be spoken, and that these new preachers should grow so popular; and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming; with the utmost rage and passion they disputed against the doctrines of the gospel, abused and vilified the preacher, and blasphemed the holy name of Jesus, who was the great subject of the apostle's discourse. Note; It is no new thing to hear the glorious truths of Christ and his salvation treated with virulence and blasphemy by men of corrupt minds.

6. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold; far from being intimidated by such opposition, they appeared inspired with greater zeal, and shewed more undaunted courage in delivering their message, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you; in respect to the privileges of your birth, and the command of our Master, who sent us forth to publish his gospel, beginning at Jerusalem, and giving the first calls to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: but seeing ye put it from you, and wilfully reject and vilify this great salvation of the Messiah, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, which can only be obtained by that faith in him and his gospel which you despise, and are unworthy to hear any more, lo, we turn to the Gentiles, leaving you Jews of this place to your obstinate impenitence and infidelity, and henceforth proclaiming the salvation which is in Jesus Christ to the heathen: and herein we act by divine warrant, and in exact correspondence with the scriptures.

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth, Isaías 49:6. Note; (1.) The more obstinately sinners oppose the word of God, the more bold and zealous should his ministers be in maintaining the truths of his gospel. (2.) They who reject God's ministers, and their message, pronounce sentence on themselves, as unworthy of everlasting life. (3.) Christ is the sun of righteousness arisen on this benighted world; in him we see the way to present and eternal salvation opened; and all, to the ends of the earth, are invited to look to him, and be saved.

7. When the Gentiles heard this, that the salvation which the apostles preached, extended to them, according to God's express word and warrant, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord, praising him for sending the light of his truth among them; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. See my annotations on this passage. And the word of the Lord, which was with such gracious effect preached in the capital, was published throughout all the region, both by the apostolic labourers, and the Gentile converts, who longed to engage their brethren to share with them in this common salvation.

Note; (1.) The gospel is glad news to the sinner who sees and feels the need of that pardon and grace therein promised. (2.) They who have tasted the preciousness of God's word, cannot but glorify him for his unspeakable gift. (3.) If we have ourselves received the knowledge of Jesus, and his rich grace, we shall delight to spread abroad the favour of his name.

8. The unbelieving Jews, filled with malice and enmity against the apostles, stirred up the devout and honourable women who were proselytes, and most zealous for Judaism, and the chief men of the city, probably by their means, representing the apostles as dangerous men; and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Note; (1.) Wherever the gospel is preached with success, there the ministers of it may expect the devil's rage.

(2.) None persecute so bitterly as bigots, who are apparently devout, and make profession of religion. (3.) The best of men have been expelled with ignominy from places where their successful labours provoked the enmity of those who should have protected and honoured them; but such reproach is their highest honour, such suffering their truest preferment.

Lastly, Being thus violently driven out of the city, they shook off the dust of their feet against them, in detestation of their wickedness, and as a testimony against their persecutors in the judgment-day, according to their Master's order, Lucas 9:5 and they came to Iconium, the chief city of Lycaonia, a neighbouring province. And the disciples, whom they left behind, though deprived of these faithful teachers, and beholding these persecutions, far from being disheartened, were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost, blest with the most abundant consolations in their souls, mightily enriched with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and making a bold and noble profession of their faith amidst all opposition. Note; (1.) Woe to the place against which the rejected ministers of Jesus shake off the dust of their feet; Sodom's vengeance shall be lighter than the doom of that city. (2.) As our tribulations for Christ abound, he can, and usually does, cause our consolations to abound also.