xxil, 22-24. And they gave audience unto this word, and ited up their voices, and Away with such a fellow the earth; for it is not fit he should live. And as they 1 out, and cast off their es, and threw dust into the The chief captain commanded to be brought into the castle, bade that he should be examby scourging, that he might wherefore they cried so hst him. occasion against Daniel concern- Acts v, 33. When they heard Acts ix, 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him. STIMULATING OTHERS TO PER SECUTE. Jer. xxvi, 11. Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes, and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. Acts iv, 18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. Acts v, 27, 28, 40. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's agreed: and when they had called blood upon us. And to him they commanded that they should not the apostles and beaten them, they speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. FINES LEVIED. sion of me in my bonds, and took Heb. x, 34. For ye had compas have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. IMPRISONMENTS. Acts xvii, 5-8, 13. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and as-joyfully the spoiling of your goods, saulted the house of Jason, and knowing in yourselves that ye sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason, and certain brethren, unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is anAnd they other king, one Jesus. troubled the people, and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had 2 Chron, xvi, 10. Then Asa was Wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house: for he was in a rage with him because of this thing.. Acts iv, 3. And they laid hands. on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now even-tide. Acts v, 18. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in xxvi, 11. And I punished Knowledge that the word of God the common prison. a oft in every synagogue, and pelled them to blaspheme; beingexceedingly mad against , I persecuted them even strange cities. CONSPIRACIES. Ixxl, 10, 11. For mine enespeak against me; and they lay wait for my soul take sel together, Saying, God hforsaken him: persecute and #bim, for there is none to dehim. Jer. xviii, 18. Then said they, , and let us devise devices at Jeremiah; for the law ill not perish from the priest, counsel from the wise, nor word from the prophet: come, 4 let us smite him with the ague, and let us not give heed any of his words. Dan. vi, 4, 5. Then the presidand princes sought to find was preached of Paul at Berea, JUDICIAL PROCESS. PREACHING SILENCED. Acts viii, 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison. Acts xii, 4. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. CORPOREAL PUNISHMENTS. Mark xiii, 9. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. Acts xvi, 22, 23. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, I this way unto the death, binding they cast them into prison, charg- and delivering into prisons both ing the jailer to keep them safely. men and women. As also the 2 Cor. xl, 23, 25. Are they minis- high priest doth bear me witness, ter sot Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I and all the estate of the elders: am more: in labours more abundant, from whom also I received letters in stripes above measure, in priunto the brethren, and went to sons more frequent, in deaths oft. Damascus, to bring them which Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. EXCOMMUNICATION. John ix, 34. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out, BANISHMENT. were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. Acts xxvi, 10. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. Rom. viii, 36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 2 Cor. iv, 11, 12. For we which Acts xiii, 50. But the Jews stir-live are alway delivered unto red up the devout and honourable death for Jesus' sake...... So women, and the chief men of the then death worketh in us, but life city, and raised persecution in you. against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Rev. 1, 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. PUT TO THE SWORD. 1 Kings xix, 10. And be [Elijah] said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. Acts xil, 1, 2. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. STONED TO DEATH. 2 Chron. xxiv, 19-21. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? Because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they cou spired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king, in the court of the house of the LORD. SLAIN IN VARIOUS WAYS. Acts xxii, 4, 5. And I persecuted Rev. xili, 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Rev. xvii, 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. DISSECTED ALIVE. Heb. xi, 37. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder. PERSECUTORS AND THEIR PLEAS. Esther ili, 8. And Haman sald unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. Ps. xiv, 4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. Jer. xxvi, 19-24. Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city, and against this land, according to all the words of Jeremiah: And when Jehofakim the king, wi all his mighty men, and all t princes, heard his words, the ki sought to put him to death: b when Urijah heard it, he w afraid, and fled, and went in Egypt; And Jehoiakim the ki sent men into Egypt, name Elnathan the son of Achbor, s certain men with him, into Egy And they fetched forth Urijah of Egypt, and brought him Jehoiakim the king, who g him with the sword, and cast i dead body into the graves of i the hand of Ahikam the sun Neverthel common people. they should not give him into Shaphan was with Jeremiah, ti hand of the people to put him death. will they do unto you for John xv, 21. But all these thi name's sake, because they k not him that sent me. John xvi, 2, 3. They shall you out of the synagogues! killeth you will think that the time cometh, that whosoe doeth God service. And th things will they do unto you, canse they have not knOWD Father, nor me. it Acts xii, 3. And because be pleased the Jews, he proces further to take Peter also. (T were the days of unleave! bread.) Acts xvi, 19-21. And when masters saw that the hope of t gains was gone, they caught F and Silas, and drew them into market place unto the rulers, brought them to the magistra saying, These men, being J do exceedingly trouble our And teach customs which are lawful for us to receive, neithe observe, being Romans, Acts xxvi, 9. I verily thon with myself, that I ought to many things contrary to the ti of Jesus of Nazareth. PERSECUTION DEFEAT ITSELF. Acts v, 24, 25, 41, 42. N when the high priest, and captain of the temple,and the c priests, heard these things, t doubted of them whereunto would grow. Then came one told them, saying, Behold, men whom ye put in prison standing in the temple, teaching the people. And t departed from the presence of council, rejoicing that they counted worthy to suffer sla for his name. And daily in temple, and in every house, i ceased not to teach and pre Jesus Christ. Acts vill, 4. Therefore they were scattered abroad went ev where preaching the word. Acts xl, 19, 20. Now they which xiv, 4-7. But the multitude me. LI, 12-14. But I would ye understand, brethren, that ings which happened unto We fallen out rather unto the rance of the gospel; So that ads in Christ are manifest the palace, and in all other And many of the breth(the Lord, waxing confident fbonds, are much more bold ak the word without fear. ü, 9. Wherein I suffer e, as an evil-doer, even unto but the word of God is not ORBIDDEN BY GOD. xxiii, 30-32. And say, If id been in the days of our , we would not have been ters with them in the blood prophets. Wherefore ye eses unto yourselves, that the children of them which the prophets. Fill ye up he measure of your fathers. xxfi, 7, 8. And I fell unto und, and heard a voice unto me, Saul, Saul, why Catest thou me? And I anWho art thou, Lord? And d unto me, I am Jesus of reth, whom thou persecutest. PUNISHED BY GOD. XX, 7. And the LORD thy * put all these curses upon enemies, and on them that thee, which persecuted thee. 4. ix, 26-28. Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets, which testified against them to turn them to thee; and they wrought great provocations. Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and, according to thy manifold mercies, thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies. But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them, according to thy mercies. Luke xi, 50, 51. That the blood Matth. xxill, 35, 36. That upon Rev. xvi, 5-7. And I heard the SUFFERERS SUPPORTED BY HIM. Matth. v, 10, 11. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matth. x, 38, 39. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Mark viii, 35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark x, 29, 30. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto left house, or brethren, or sisters, you, There is no man that hath children, or lands, for my sake, or father, or mother, or wite, or and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Luke vi, 22, 23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Luke ix, 24. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke xii, 11. And when they hring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what yo shall say. Luke xxi, 14, 15. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. John xvi, 1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. Acts xx, 24. But none of these things move me: neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I bave received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts xxi, 12, 13. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Rom. v, 3, 4. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. Rom. viii, 18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Cor. 1, 3 7. Blessed be God, even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 2 Cor. iv, 8, 9. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Phil. 1, 7, 28-30. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. Phil. ii, 17, 18. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and reJoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 2 Thess. i, 4, 5. So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure; Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. 2 Tim. ii, 10-13. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deuy him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Heb. xi, 25, 26. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 1 Peter 1, 6, 7. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. suffer for righteousness sake, 1 Peter ill, 14-17. But and if ye happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely Christ. accuse your good conversation in For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. 1 Peter iv, 12-14, 16-19. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth spoken of, but on your part he is upon you: on their part he is evil glorified. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in welldoing, as unto a faithful Creator. Rev. vil, 14. These are they which came out of great tribulation. PERSECUTION TO BE AVOIDED. 1 Kings xix, 3. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. Matth. x, 16, 17, 23. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and barmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues: But when they per secute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man! be come. Acts xili, 51, 52. But they shook off the dust of their feet agai them, and came unto Icoul And the disciples were filled wi joy, and with the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xi, 32. In Damascus e governor under Aretas the g with a garrison, desirous to kept the city of the Damasce prehend me; And through a dow in a basket was I let down the wall, and escaped his hands, DELIVERANCES. Ps. Ixxii, 14. He shall rede their soul fromdeceitand violet and precious shall their blood in his sight. Jer. xxvi, 16-19, 24. Then the princes and all the people unto the priests, and to the die: for he hath spoken to phets, This man is not worthy the name of the LORD our Then rose up certain of elders of the land, and spatel the assembly of the people. ing, Micah the Morasthite phesied in the days of Her king of Judah, and spake L the people of Judah, saying, saith the LORD of hosts, Zion! be plowed like a field, and Je salem shall become heaps the mountain of the house as Hezekiah king of Judah and high places of a forest Judah put him at all to dest he not fear the LORD,and bes the LORD, and the LORD him of the evil which he had nounced against them? might we against our souls. Never procure great the hand of Ahikam the ! Shaphan was with Jeremiah the they should not give him fe hand of the people to put hind death. 2 Cor. i, 9, 10. But we had sentence of death in ourselve that we should not trust in c solves, but in God which ta the dead; Who delivered val so great a death, and doth dex in whom we trust that he wil deliver us. 2 Tim. iii, 10 11. But the AS fully known my doctrine, of life, purpose, faith, lon ing, charity, patience, P tlous, afflictions, which ca me at Antioch, at Icon Lystra; what persecutions dured: but out of them al Lord delivered me. I. PRAISE AND PRAYER. OD ALONE TO BE PRAISED. 1 Chron. xvi, 7-9, 23, 24, 28, 29. en on that day David delivered this psalm, to thank the ED, into the hand of Asaph and brethren. Give thanks unto LORD, call upon his name, e known his deeds among the ple. Sing unto him, sing Ins unto him, talk ye of all his drous works. Sing unto the , all the earth, shew forth day to day his salvation. are his glory among the then; his marvellous works eng all nations. Give unto LORD, ye kindreds of the peogive unto the LORD glory and ngth, Give unto the LORD glory due unto his name: g an offering, and come before worship the LORD in the aty of holiness. Chron. xxix, 10, 13. WhereDavid blessed the LORD beall the congregation: and tid said, Blessed be thou, LORD of Israel our father, for ever ever. Now therefore, our we thank thee, and praise glorious name. Ps. xlviii, 1. Great is the LORD, | and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Ps. lvii, 5, 11. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. Ps. lxvi, 1, 2. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. Sing forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious. P3. lxviii, 32. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD. Selah. Ps. lxxii, 19. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen. Ps. lxxxix, 52. Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen. Ps. xcvi, 7. Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give the LORD glory and unto strength. Ps. ci, 1. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. ix, 5. Then the Levites, hua, and Kadmiel, Bani, HashPs. ciii, 1, 22. Bless the LORD, O ah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, She-my soul; and all that is within me, ah, and Pethahiah, said, bless his holy name. Bless the ad up and bless the LORD LORD, all his works, in all places if God for ever and ever; and of his dominion: bless the LORD, O ed be thy glorious name, my soul. ich is exalted above all blessand praise. Ps. cv, 1. O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Ps. cviii, 5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the earth. Eph. v, 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. GOD PRAISED BY ANGELS. Fs. cili, 20, 21. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. Ps. cxlviii, 1, 2. Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all Lis hosts. Ezek. ii, 12. Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place. Luke ii, 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying. BY SAINTS. Ps. xxli, 23. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. Ps. xxx, 4. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Ps. cxiii, 1. Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Ps. cxviii, 2-4. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Bless the Ps. CXXXV, 19--21. LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. Ps. cxl, 13. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence. Ps. cxlvii, 12. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. BY ALL. Ps. vii, 17. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. Ps. ix, 1, 2. I will praise, thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Ps. xxxiv, 2. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Ps. li, 15. O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Ps. Ivi, 10. In God will I praise his word; in the LORD will I praise his word. |