f Luke iv. 18—22. r Luke iv. 25—29.
the mere populace who thus persecuted him : they were only instruments in the hands of their sujjeriors : it was the act of the Scribes and Pharisees, and of all who presided in their nation, whether in the Ecclesiastical or Civil department : and this shewed how, by his ministry, their hypocrisy was detected: and that, in the midst of all their pretended piety, they were decided enemies to God in their hearts.]
2. In the whole of the apostolic age —
[The preaching of his name was productive of the very same effect as his personal ministry had produced. It was universally " to the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness11." If we except the instance of the Sa- viour himself, there never existed, from the foundation of the world, such a contest as that which was maintained by the Apostle Paul ; he doing every thing that man could do, and suffering every thing that man could suffer, for the salvation of a perishing world ; and they, whether Jews or Gentiles, uniformly and universally seeking his destruction. The same treatment was shewn to all the Apostles, and to all the fol- lowers of Christ, in proportion as they, by their activity and zeal, drew the attention of those to whom they ministered ; insomuch that, with the exception of John, not one of the Apostles was suffered to die a natural death.
On the other hand, there were many to whom the mystery of the Gospel was " the wisdom of God and the power of God1." In all its provisions they beheld an excellency and glory : and they found, by experience, that it was " the power of God to the salvation of their souls k." And who were they that thus displayed its energy? Were they the great, the wise, the moral? No : " ye see your calling," says St. Paul, " how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called : but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty ; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are ; that no flesh should glory in his presence1:" so fully did the Gospel answer the end predicted by the prophet ; " Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not ; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes ; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed™."]
» 1 Cor. i. 23. » 1 Cor. i. 24. k Rom. i. 16.
1 1 Cor. i. 26 — 29. m Isai. vi. 9, 10.