Acts iv. 31, 32. And when they had prayed, the place was .shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of
God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul : neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own ; but they had all things common.
WHETHER, as has been said by many, the blood of the Martyrs has been the seed of the Church, we will not undertake to determine : but we have no doubt but that persecution has greatly tended to be- nefit the Church in all ages : it has produced a greater degree of separation between the Church and the world, and has thereby contributed very essentially to keep the saints from much contamination, which from a closer union with the world they would of necessity have contracted. It has also driven them to prayer, and brought them help from above : and further, it has united them more with each other, and stirred them up to a greater measure of zeal in strengthening and encouraging one another to fight the good fight of faith. The very unreasonableness of the persecu- tors has in many instances confirmed the saints in their determination to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering3. Certainly if ever per- secution was unreasonable, it was so in the instance before us. A most benevolent miracle had been wrought by the Apostles, who took occasion to pro- claim the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name they had wrought it, as the only Saviour of the world. To prevent the extension of their influence, the rulers and elders laid hands upon them and impri- soned them, and with many threats commanded them to speak no more in the name of Jesus. But, behold the effect that was produced, both on the Apostles, and on the whole infant Church ! the Apostles were no sooner liberated, than they " went to their own company and reported all that had been said unto them :" and the consequence was, that they all betook themselves to prayer, and obtained help from God to prosecute their work with augmented energy and effect.
The points to which we would call your attention are,
a Phil. i. 14.