3. The confirmation of it by an actual vision of Christ himself—

[They were sufficiently irritated by this reproof; "they were cut to the heart," even as if they had been sawn asunder; and "they gnashed upon him with their teeth." But the preacher," being filled with the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly to heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God:" and, being favoured with this vision, he declared to his persecutors what he saw. One might have hoped that this at least would have made them pause; but it inflamed even unto madness: "They cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him."

Here we see how inveterate is that prejudice which instigates men to oppose religion: nothing can satisfy them; nothing can convince them: and the stronger the evidence adduced for their conviction, the fiercer will be their rage against their monitors and reprovers.

We have here also a striking instance of that hypocrisy which usually characterizes the persecutors of religion. They would not stone him in the city, because God had ordered that blasphemers should be put out of the camp before they were stoned: and they took care that the hands of the witnesses should be first upon him: but they had not hesitated to suborn false witnesses against him; nor did they scruple to put to death a man whom they could not convict of any crime. Thus the murderers of our Lord would not venture to put into the treasury the money which Judas had returned, though they had been forward enough to give it him as the price for his Master's blood: thus also it is in every age; the haters of God will stop at nothing to accomplish their wicked purposes; but they will "strain out a gnat at the very time that they are swallowing a camel."

Here also we see how God supports his faithful servants. If he leave them in the hands of their enemies as it respects the body, he will supply them with consolations to support the soul. Stephen knew before that Jesus was at the right hand of God: but when he saw him there, and saw him "standing" there, ready to succour his oppressed servant, and to avenge his cause, his mind was fortified, and death was divested of all its terrors.]

Such was the occasion of Stephen's death. We now proceed to notice,

å Lev. xxiv. 14—16, 23. See also 1 Kings xxi. 13. e Deut. xvii. 6, 7.

II. The manner of it

Violent as were the proceedings of his enemies, he was all composure. Behold,

1. His faith

[He knew in whom he had believed," and that " HE was able to save him to the uttermost." He knew that the soul, when liberated from the body, would continue to exist; and that its felicity consisted in communion with Christ. To Christ therefore the blessed martyr now addressed himself in prayer, and committed his soul into the Saviour's hands. This was as solemn an act of worship as he could offer; for it was precisely the same as that which Christ himself had offered to his Father with his dying breath, when he said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Yet this act of worship was paid by Stephen to Christ, at the very time when he beheld the Father's glory, and at the very time that he was full of the Holy Ghost. How evident is it from hence that Christ is God equal with the Father! and how evident that a prospect of dwelling for ever in his presence will disarm death of its sting, and support the soul under the most cruel sufferings !

This is the faith which we should cultivate: this view of Jesus as an almighty and all-sufficient Saviour will quicken us to every duty, and strengthen us for every trial, and make us victorious over every enemy. Though appointed as "sheep for the slaughter, we shall be more than conquerors through Him that loved us."]

2. His love—

[In exact conformity to his Saviour's example, he died praying for his murderers; "Lord lay not this sin to their charge!" This shews how far he was from feeling any thing of resentment in the rebuke which he had before given them: and it shews that the utmost fidelity to the souls of men will consist with the most fervent love towards them. Well had this holy man learned the precepts of his Lord. O that we also might obtain the same grace to "bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us!" This is the test of real love. To love them that love us, is nothing: the vilest publicans will do that: but to love our enemies, to feel for them rather than for ourselves, to be tenderly concerned for them at the very moment that they are venting their utmost rage against us, and to be more anxious for the welfare of their souls than for the preservation of our own lives, this is Christian love; this is that love which is the fruit of the Spirit, the image of God, and the earnest of heaven in the soul. Possessed of such a spirit, we need not fear what man can do unto us; for even the most violent

death will be to us only as reclining on a bed to sleep. Stephen, with this grace in his heart, and this prayer upon his lips, "fell asleep."]

Here then let the world JUDGE;

1. Whether there be not an excellency in true religion?

[We acknowledge that many heathens have shewn a wonderful composure in death, yea, and a joyous exultation in it also but then they have been borne up by pride and vanity, and the hope of man's applause: no instance ever occurred of such an end as Stephen's, except among the worshippers of Jehovah. Nothing but divine grace can give such meekness and fortitude, such faith and love, such tranquillity and joy, as Stephen manifested in that trying hour. On the other hand, divine grace will produce these things wherever it reigns in the soul: in proportion to the measure of any man's grace will be his proficiency in these virtues. Compare then the spiritual man with one who is yet under the influence of his corrupt nature; compare, for instance, the mind of Paul after his conversion to the faith of Christ, with its state whilst he was keeping the raiment of Stephen's murderers. Such a comparison would in one instant convince us, that there is a wonderful efficacy in the Gospel of Christ, and that a person under its full influence is as superior to others as the solar light is to the twinkling of the obscurest star.]

2. Whether the true Christian be not the happiest man?

[On the one side are proud and persecuting zealots; on the other are the meek followers of a crucified Saviour. Look at the frame of their minds; the one all rage and violence; the other all sweetness and composure. Let any man, with the Bible in his hand, survey that scene which we have just contemplated; and say, Whether he would not infinitely prefer the state of Stephen with all his sufferings, to that of his persecutors satiated with his blood? A man through cowardice may draw back from sufferings; but no man can doubt which of these parties was in the more enviable state: and how much less could he doubt it if he were to survey them in their present state; the one exulting in his Saviour's bosom, and the other receiving the just recompence of their sins? O let all, whether oppressors or oppressed, contemplate this, and then make their election, "Whose they will be, and whom they will serve."]

MDCCLVIII.

PHILIP PREACHES CHRIST IN SAMARIA.

Acts viii. 5-8. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. NO sooner was the Gospel preached with success, than Satan stirred up persecution against it; determined, if possible, to crush and annihilate the infant Church. But what he designed for the destruction of Christianity, God overruled for its speedier propagation, and its firmer establishment. The persecution which commenced with the death of Stephen was so bitter, that the new converts were constrained to flee from Jerusalem, in order to escape its violence; the Apostles alone daring to brave the storm. But the Christians who fled to all the surrounding country, carried the Gospel along with them, and published it in every place: and the very circumstance of their being persecuted on account of it, rendered them more earnest in spreading the knowledge of it, and gave it a deeper interest among the people to whom they spake. Philip, who, like Stephen, was one of the seven deacons, fled with the rest, and went down. to Samaria and there was made a happy instrument of diffusing widely the knowledge of his Lord and Saviour.

From the account given of him in our text, we are led to notice,

I. The subject of his discourses

"

The preaching of Christ" is a term commonly used in Scripture for the publishing of the Gospel in all its parts: it is said of the Apostles, that "daily, in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach, and preach Jesus Christ." Respecting Philip's discourses we are more fully informed; for "he

preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ". He shewed them,

1. Concerning the kingdom of God

[This kingdom had been distinctly spoken of by the prophets, as to be established in due time: and the Gentiles, as well as Jews, expected the erection of it about that time. The person to whom the throne of David belonged was now come; and, though rejected and crucified by his own subjects, he had set up a kingdom which should never be moved. His empire indeed was not like those of the world, but was altogether spiritual; it was established in the hearts of men, and was founded in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Into this kingdom all are called; and all who would be saved must become the subjects of it, giving up themselves to Christ, as their only Governor and Redeemer.

This is the instruction which ministers in every age must give to those whom they address in the name of Christ. None can properly be called the natural subjects of this kingdom: for all by nature are subjects of Satan's kingdom, and must be conquered by divine grace, before they will submit to the government of Christ: as the Apostle expresses it, they are "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son." This then is the message, which, as God's ambassadors, we declare to you in his name: you must all throw down the weapons of your rebellion, and submit yourselves to Christ, to be saved wholly by his grace, and to be governed wholly by his laws -]

2. Concerning the name of Jesus Christ

[To the Apostles this name was more precious than words can possibly express: it was the foundation of all their hopes, and the source of all their joys. They had seen the efficacy of this name to produce the most astonishing effects; and they knew that "there was no other name given under heaven whereby men could be saved." Hence they strove to commend the Lord Jesus to the whole world, proclaiming him in all his offices, and magnifying him as the Saviour of a ruined world

--And what other theme is there so delightful to his ministers in all ages? To honour him, and exalt him, and commend him to the world, is the great office of a minister; and then is his ministry most successful, when he can be instrumental to the making HIM known and loved and honoured by the world at large – —]

3. That Christ had now established his kingdom upon earth

a ver. 12.