PERSECUTION.]

PERSECUTION,

SYNOPSIS.

Springing from hatred of the righteous, but foretold and expected, often keen and reversing natural affection, son against father Christ and his Apostles warning the churches of coming tribulation.

VARIOUS FORMS OF IT,

[PRAISE AND PRAYER

VARIOUS PLEAS FOR PERSECUTION,

Defaming the apostles as disaffected-Elijah accused also of disaffection - persecutors imagining that they are doing God service. Apostles represented as troublesome-their

enemies-often referred to.

PERSECUTION DEFEATING ITS OWN END, The apostles and early church waxing bolder, Ridicule, gazing-stock-hatred-outrage-con- and when scattered abroad diffusing the gospel; spiracies took counsel to kill-stimulating persecution forbidden by God, and punished others to violence--as against Jeremiah and by Him-blood required they shed blood, against Paul-judicial process-preaching si- and they must drink blood; sufferers supported lenced as in case of Jeremiah and Apostles- by God blessed, inspirited, and clothed at fines-imprisonment-scourging-excommu- length in white robes-suffer with him, reign nication, exile-death by sword-James killed with him-to be avoided however-persecuted by Herod-by stoning, and in various other in one city-flee ye into another-remarkable ways-sawn asunder. deliverances celebrated in Scripture.

On temporal things-on the events of wardanger of omitting this often seen in Jewish history-enquiries unanswered.

PRAYERS FOR GRACE,

[PROVIDENCE

God against them-how are they increased that trouble me, for their overthrow-for punishment to them-prayer for them, lay not this sin to their charge.

BENEDICTION,

Form in Old Testament-Ebai and Gerizim -form under the New Testament-in the various epistles, grace and peace.

BLASPHEMY.

Severely reprobated, instances in Shelomoth's nials of Providence-stout words, of divine jusson,-Rabshakeh;-various forms of it--deticc-the way of the Lord not equal-of divine power, can God furnish a table? - of divine truth and goodness-penalty of blasphemy

For deliverance from enemies, complaint to stoning to death without mercy.

PROPHECY

THE COMMISSION,
Necessary-given to Moses, Samuel, Nathan,
Jehu, Gad, Shemaiah, David, Solomon, Flijah,
Isaiah, and the other prophets.

THE QUALIFICATION,

PROPHECY--THE MEANS OF INSTRUCTION,

When no vision people perish-schools of the prophets-prophetesses, Miriam, Deborah, Huldah-Anna, daughters of Agabus-Prophets in the New Testament-Judas and Silasspecial gifts of edification-prophets some

Possession of God's Spirit-sons of the pro- times respected, but sometimes persecuted as phets,

THE COMMUNICATION.

Made in various forms to the prophets-word as a burning fire shut in my bones-Jeremiah.

FIDELITY.

Even in Balaam-certainty of fulfilment-lo it will come seen in rebuilding Jericho-prophecy to Eli-doings of Josiah, Zimri-death of Ahab-Spoiling of the Syrians-death of Joram-prosperity of Israel under Jeroboam the second-lessons of confidence and warning so taught to all pious minds.

SPECIAL PROPHETIC PERIODS.

Time, time ana dividing of time, 1360 days-and 1335 day-numbers of Beast, 666.

Micaiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Amos-example of suffering affliction, as proposed by the Apostle James

DUTY OF PEOPLE,

To listen and obey-sin and penalty of unbelief.

FALSE PROPHETS,

Warning against them often given by Jeremiah-abounding in his time-Wolves in sheep's clothing—try the spirus, their character, mercenary, false, full of flattery, crying, Peace, peace, especially in time of war; the criterion, fulfil ment of the prediction; enaity-death-re. proot often administered to them and their dupes, especially by Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

PROVIDENCE.

EXERCISED IN THINGS TEMPORAL,

chosen me-calling according to his own purpose In individuals-the hairs of your head are num-and grace-divine rejection-vessels of wrath. bered-in public affairs as shown in the history illustrations Jacob and Esau, Pharaoh and of Israel and its numerous changes,-incul- symbol of potter's work. cating lessons of submission, obedience, and confidence.

EXERCISED IN THINGS SPIRITUAL

MEANS APPOINTED,

The divine decrees and choice-ye have not Except those abide in the ship-lessons inculcated

lv

of duty, praise, and humility-who maketh thee Egypt, Adonibezek, Abimelech, Hamanto differ? Caleb contrast often seen in this life-often described in the Book of Proverbs-and also for

RESPONSIBILITY.

Independent of the divine foreknowledge-ever-everlasting punishment, life eternal.
man's destiny determined by his choice-ye
will not come to me.

DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY,

In providence-always found, but sometimes apparently indiscriminate all things happen alike to all, therefore mysterious-as in the command to Abraham to offer Isaac-in the complaint of Asaph, etc.

EXALTATION,

LOT.

In early times an appeal to God-land of
Canaan divided by it-Achan apprehended by
and Jonah-lot cast into lap.
it-Saul elected by it-Jonathan taken by it,

ASPECTS OF PROVIDENCE,

Towards righteous in temporal blessings under old In providence often wonderful as in Saul and support and deliverance-light in the darkness; economy - and giving them David-depression also-yet always just-it in spiritual blessings-imparting favour and shall be well with them that fear God-God being strength and final peace; towards the wicked governor-mysteries in providence-teaching-bringing shame and penalty-no peace to the us patience and holy resignation.

MARKED DISCRIMINATION,

wicked-especially when their sins are aggra vated-satutes of Omri-national disaster-the result in the case of Israel-death here and

Wicked often signally punished, Israel and hereafter, the deluge, plague, etc.

REDEMPTION.

REDEMPTION, Consisting in deliverance from the curse and power of sin, througn faith in the divine Redeemer who gave himself for us (His DivinityHumanity, Messiahship, and Character, see under JESUS CHRIST), Christ the dispenser of grace out of his fulness-Mediator and Intercessor--one God and one Mediator-the Advocate-maintains communion with believers union symbolised in vine and its branches, body and its members.

PRICE OF REDEMPTION,

The blood of Christ-as of a lamb without blemish-his death predetermined before the foundation of the world, and often predicted by the prophets and by Christ himself, (Narrative of sufferings, see under JESUS CHRIST).

CHRISTS' PRIESTHOOD, Implying humanity, sympathy, sinlessness and the possession of somewhat to offer-priest after the order of Melchizedec-and now over the house of God and in the Holy of Holies within the vail.

HIS DEATH SACRIFICIAL

Blood poured out freely in room of the guilty by him who became sin-and the sacrifice not to be repeated it being once for all-propitiation effected enemies reconciled, middle wall broken down-Jew and Gentile in one body.

FAITH,

The great and necessary principle, often enjoined and exemplified-to be professed but sincerely-awful penalty of unbelief-seen in the early Jews who could not enter because of unThe pardon of sin-no condemnation-not of beef. Faith in connection with salvation

JUSTIFICATION.

REDEMPTION.]

SYNOPSIS.

[SABBATH AND HOLY DAYS.

counted for righteousness-saved through faith. | selfrighteousness-whichis often threatened-at Justification not by works-all men guilty-ease in Zion-genuine confidence-communion being of the law-under the curse, but by right-with God, rejoicing, hoping and glorying in eousness of Christ, yet the law not made void-Him-perseverance promised and secured on second Adam gaining for us what the first God's part, and on man's part enforced as a Adam lost. Faith of Miracles-seen in Abra- duty-its nobleness and benefit-kept by the ham and in many in our Lord's day. Justifi- power of God. cation leading to good works-yet no merit in man, at best but unprofitable servants.

PERFECTION,

Confessions of sin still, on the part of so many yet perfection secured to believers-duty to reach it--be ye perfect-instances of compara tive perfection in Noah, Israel, Asa, Job, Zechariah and Elisabeth, Nathanael.

DUTIES RESULTING,

A divine institute-composed of various congregations-its members believers and saints-To love God-first and great command-to fear organized for mutual edification-heresy there-him, to worship him, to meditate upon him, fore be avoided, and for mutual love-the new to beware of sin, temptation to sin common, commandment-power of the Church-in expelling but to be guarded against-safeguards-watch the inconsistent-its unity-sin and danger and pray-gratitude to God-cautions against of divisions-unity of the Spirit-Jewish sects, ingratitude-nonconformity to the worldPharisees, Sadducees, Herodians-believers friendship of world enmity with God-obedience called Christians at Antioch-Preaching (see the test of faith and love-a frequent theme under MINISTER. Baptism-Lord's Supper see of admonition-to be sincere, or out of a good under ORDINANCES). Church designed to pro-heart- often involving self-denial-plucking mote progress-backsliding often witnessed-out the right eve-demanding zeal, as seen in but not always fatal as is seen in the divine Phinehas, John,-universal love. invitations to backsliders, but to be avoided -its evils manifold and warnings against it numerous. Seed on stony ground-Apostacya terrible evil-crucifying the Son of God afresh.

OTHER GRACES AND BLESSINGS,

CONSCIENCE,

Its universal power-accusing or else excusing -an evil conscience its horrors-in fear where no fear was-seared-a good conscience-void of

Knowledge, grace, assurance-in contrast with offence, and purged from dead works.

SABBATH AND HOLY DAYS.

PATRIACHAL SABBATH,

orating his resurrection,-Jewish Sabbath not

Institute in Eden,-the seventh day one of binding on Christians rest, blessed and sanctified by God.

JEWISH SABBATH.

SABBATICAL YEAR.

Every seventh year, the land to rest and lie still, and vineyards not to be dressed.

JUBILEE.

Day of rest,-sign between the people and God,-previous day called the preparation,began at sunset, -kept in wilderness,-its historical connection with the manna, no The fiftieth year, or after seven Sabbaths of secular work done in it, no burden carried or years,-trumpet to sound on tenth day of seventh fire kindled,-day to be spent in meditation month, the epoch of universal liberty and and reading and worship in synagogue-restoration. in latter times; exception in cases of necessity and mercy,--sheep in pit,-disciples plucking ears of corn, some of Christs miracles done on Sabbath,-a Sabbath day's journey.

PROFANATION.

A heinous sin, and incurring awful penalties, --man stoned in wilderness,-high blessings attached to Sabbath keeping.

CHRISTIAN SABBATH.

The first day of week,-Lord's day, as commem- Feast of first fruits,

feast of ingathering,-feast of tabernacles, | Solomon,-feast of Purim in commemoration people dwelling in booths, beginning on fif- of national deliverance through Esther,teenth day of seventh month,and lasting seven these feasts not binding upon Christians, but days; feast of dedication, instituted by are beggarly elements,—shadow of things to come.

SACRIFICES.

SACRIFICES, PATRIARCHAL,

the rest,-sin-offering and trespass-offerings Often offered in patriarchal times, instances particularized,-instances of great sacrifices in Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Balaam, at Gilgal, at carrying up the ark, in time of Solomon, Hezekiah and Ezra.

etc.

UNDER THE MOSAIC DISPENSATION.

PERIODS AND OCCASIONS OF SACRIFICE.

Offered on an altar, and by Aaron and his Daily at morning or evening, double sacrifice sons, very rarely in other places as at Sinai, on Sabbath,-at new moon,-at the passover, Gilgal, the token of devotion, acceptable to on the first, tenth and fifteenth of seventh God,-sacrifice of a broken spirit, of believers, month,-ceremony of scape-goat bearing inia living sacrifice,-also of praise,-sacritice quities into a land not inhabited,-sacrifices at never a substitute for obedience; instanced child-birth,-for sins of ignorance on part of in Saul and the Hebrew nation, as described people and rulers,--for priests, and at cleansby the psalmist, the prophets Isaiah, Jere-ing of lepers,―at dedication of sanctuary, with miah and Hosea,-a right spirit essential to the consecrating of its altar and priesthood. acceptance, sacrifice of wicked an abomination; the discontinuance of sacrifice threatened as a great calamity to the Jewish people.

DIFFERENT MATERIALS OF SACRIFICE.

Quadrupeds from flock and herd, and birds their qualifications, that they were without blemish, and of a certain age.

MEAT-OFFERING.

For priests and people,-prepared in different ways-frankincense, drink offering of wine, -salt necessary to every meat-offering, but neither leaven nor honey to be employed.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF SACRIFICE.

Burnt-offering wholly consumed by fire, peace-offering in which only certain parts were consumed, the priest and worshippers eating

THE RUBRIC.

Victim to be taken and slain, its blood poured out, its carcase flayed, and fat, kidneys, etc. removed, its inwards and legs to be washed in water,-hands laid on it, and confession made over it,-its breast and right shoulder waived toward the four quarters of heaven,carcase of beasts whose blood is carried with the vail, to be burnt without the camp,-no stranger to eat of holy things, but these to be eaten by Aaron and his sous in the holy place.

PURPOSE OF SACRIFICES.

To secure pardon,-the priest shall make an atonement; seasons of sacrifice, therefore joy,without power in themselves,-but simply types,-not possible that blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.