I. The prayer they offered —
The particular point of view in which I wish this to be noticed is, as illustrating the holy superiority to all personal considerations, which the first Christians manifested in the midst of their deepest trials : they disdained to think of their own ease or interests, in comparison of God's honour, and the welfare of man- kind. Yet so far were they from ostentation, that it is from what is omitted, rather than from any thing expressed, that we collect this exalted sentiment. In their prayer,
1. They view the hand of God himself in their trials —
[They address Jehovah as the Creator, and consequently the Governor, of all things both in heaven and earth. They bring to mind a prophecy of David, wherein it was foretold, that all the powers of the world would combine against the Lord and his Christ. They acknowledge that this prediction had been verified in the opposition which had been made to their Divine Master, by all, whether Jews or Gentiles. But in all this they see and confess the hand of God, ordering and directing all things in such a way that his own decrees and purposes should be all fulfilled b.
Now all this may at first sight appear to have been irrele- vant to their case : for, what reference had it at all to their sufferings? The connexion between the two must, as I have said, be found in that which is implied, rather than in that which is expressed. It is as though they had said, ' Thou, Lord, hast foretold that thy Church and people shall be per- secuted : thou hast shewn us, in the person of thy dear Son, what we are to expect at the hands of ungodly men : but, as in his case, so in ours, nothing can be done but what thou thyself hast ordained ; nor can the bitterest foe upon earth exceed the commission which thou, for wise and gracious ends, hast given him. We therefore bow not our knees to depre- cate any trials, which thou mayest see fit to send, but only to ask of thee such a measure of grace, as shall enable us to sustain them, and such manifestations of thy power as shall carry conviction to the minds of our most obdurate enemies.' Thus,]
2. They desire only that God may be glorified in them —
b ver 24—28,