It is in the highest d^pree prohahle that the second advent of Jesus Christ will he preceded by similar signs and unusual appearances in the framework of nature.
12. — [Lay hands,.. persecute.. .dc] This verse appears to have a special reference to the persecutions undergone hj the early Christians, between the time of Christ's ascension and the des- truction of Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles describe tbe fulfilment of the verse.
13.— r[/t shall turn.. .for a testimony.! The meaning of this verse seems to be, that the '* sufferings ot the Christians shall prove an evidence of the truth of Christianity."
It may be well to remark here, that if the first professors of Christianity had always received riches, and honour, and tempo- ral rewards, as soon as they became Christians, the heathen world might fairly have doubted their sincerity, and the tnith of their cause. But when the world saw thousands of them patiently enduring tremendous sufferings rather than give up their religion, the sight must have supplied a very strong proof that it was a religion which was true. A man here and there might be found who, in a fit of enthusiasm or fanaticism, might endure suffering and death ibr a false religion, which he foolishly believed to be true, or for a religion which he knew to be false. But when myriads suffered and died for Christianity, in the early days of the Church of Christ, an argument was supplied for the truth of Christianity, which infidels have never been able to overthrow.
14. — [Settle it. ..not to meditate.] Here, as in other places, the right application of this precept must not be overlooked. It was not intended to encourage ministers in neglecting prepa- ration for the pulpit. It does not apply to their case at all. It was spoken n>r the comfort of persecuted Christians. The promises connected with it were marvellously fulfilled in the case of the Apostles in the Acts, as well as in the trials of many martyrs in modern times.
15. — [/ wiU give you a mouth and wisdom.] Scott remarks on this promise that it is an incidental proof of the divinity of Christ. None but One who was very God could have made such a promise as this.
16. — [Ye shall be betrayed.] We have no particular instances of such betrayal given to us in the Acts. But that they were far from uncommon in the persecutions of the early Church, is well known to all readers of ecclesiastical history.
17. — [Ye shall be hated of all men.] These words should be care- fully noticed. They show that universal popularity is not a thing that Christians should covet, nor yet value much if it