and this was done with the fury of madmen, and the rage of devils. We shall consider two things: first, the cruel death of Stephen; and, secondly, his conduct and behaviour in that awful scene.

I. THE CRUEL DEATH OF STEPHEN.

Lapidation, or stoning, was a common punishment among the Jews. It was a painful death, and in the case of Stephen was extremely cruel. The usual method of stoning was the following: first, the unhappy criminal was led out of the camp or city, and an officer went before him, who cried aloud, "Such an one is going to be stoned for such a crime, and at the accusation of such a witness; if any can show that he is innocent, let him come." Secondly, when the criminal was come within ten cubits of the place of execution, he was exhorted to confess his crime, and when he came a little nearer, he was stripped of his clothes. Thirdly, then they usually gave him some wine mixed with incense to stupify and intoxicate him. Fourthly, sometimes they placed him on an elevation ten or twelve feet high, from whence one of the witnesses threw him down, and the other rolled a stone upon him to crush him to death; but this was not much practised. Lastly, in the usual method, the witnesses having thrown the first stone, the people pelted the poor wretch to death with savage brutality. Such a death, when the criminal was guilty, was terrible; but Stephen, whom they stoned, was an innocent man.

The martyrdom of Stephen was a most horrid transaction in every point of view. First, he was accused by false witnesses. Secondly, he was examined by unjust judges. Thirdly, he was insulted by an infuriated mob, who gnashed on him with their teeth, as if they would devour him. Fourthly, all his persecutors were under the influence of the worst of human passions, such as fury, rage, and madness. And, lastly, he was hurried to the place of execution without a moment's respite. But all those vile proceedings arose from a deeply-rooted hatred of Christ, whom they had crucified with similar feelings; for, though they gnashed on Stephen with their teeth, they did not hurry him away until he said, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." That honourable testimony to the Son of God was more than they could bear; and being under the influence of the devil, they hastened to perform this deed of dark

ness.

When Stephen was stoned, the moral character of the Jews was awfully debased; and their conduct was exceedingly vile both in the sight of God and man. They were proud and haughty; but mean and contemptible. They were filled with envy, like that of the patriarchs who sold Joseph into Egypt. They hated Christ, and persecuted his followers unto death. They hated the light of the Gospel, which shone around them with great splendour, because their deeds were evil. The reasoning of Stephen was cogent; but they were unreasonable men. His piety was evident, and truly admirable; but they loved sin and hated righteousness. He was a wise man, eminently holy, and extensively useful. He deserved the esteem of his countrymen; and if justice had been done to his character, he would have been honoured before all the

people. But justice had fled from that abandoned race; and their hands were polluted with blood.

There have been many Christian martyrs, of whom the world was not worthy, since the martyrdom of Stephen. Their conduct in every department of life was most exemplary; but the hands of persecutors were imbued in their blood, and their sufferings were a source of brutal pleasure to their vile and infamous enemies. But the persecuted were persons of heroical piety. They braved the rage and hellish fury of their adversaries, and received the crown of martyrdom in the courts above. It is painful to be hurried away by violence. Human nature shudders at the idea of dark dungeons, heavy chains, racks and tortures; but those persons who have been called to suffer in this way for their heavenly Master, have been supported by the mighty arm of God; and their blessedness in extreme sufferings has far exceeded that of other men. This will appear when we consider three things: first, they enjoyed the high pleasure of the most exalted piety; secondly, they were encouraged and supported by the presence of their Lord, and by the precious promises of his holy Word; and, thirdly, their momentary tortures opened a way for them into the peaceful regions of a blessed immortality.

When Stephen suffered death, he had no human friend who could render him any assistance; but God was with him, and that was enough. Other holy men who die a natural death, have weeping friends around their dying beds. This affords some relief in that dread hour; but Stephen had no sympathizing saint to cheer his last moments. The beloved disciple stood by the cross when Jesus died; but we know not that one Christian friend stood by Stephen when they stoned him. When the apostle Paul appeared the first time before Nero, no man stood with him, but all men forsook him; "notwithstanding," says he, "the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me." 2 Tim. iv, 17. And we are quite sure that the first martyr was strengthened, by his God and Saviour, in the hour of death.

II. THE CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOUR OF STEPHEN IN THE HOUR OF

DEATH.

Stephen died in a devout temper. That temper greatly predominates in all good men while they live; and it continues in full vigour in the hour of death. He called upon his Saviour. The word God is not in the original. The passage literally reads, "calling upon, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit ;" but if he had not believed in the Divinity of Christ, he would not have prayed to him in his last

moments.

It

Prayer is always in season; but especially in a dying hour. Then it is sincere and ardent; and, to a pious man, sweet and pleasant. goes from the heart, and reaches the mercy-seat of God. But this duty ends in death. When the spirit is released from the body it enters into glory, and sings eternal praises to God and the Lamb. We may venture to affirm, that Stephen prayed for grace to help in time of need; and for a safe deliverance out of this present evil world. But that part of his orayer which is recorded, in which he committed his spirit to Jesus,

particularly deserves our serious attention. On this we offer the following remarks:

First, this prayer was addressed to Jesus, whom he had seen in heaven when he stood before the council. He was well acquainted with the character of Jesus. He knew him as God; he knew him as man; and he knew him as God and man. Without this knowledge we cannot suppose that he would have ventured to commit his spirit to him. He saw him, in that prayer, by the eye of faith; and prayed with faith that he would receive his spirit. Thus Jesus committed his spirit into the hands of his God and Father, when he hung upon the cross; and all Christians should commit their spirits into the hands of their Redeemer, when they depart hence by death.

Secondly, this prayer is a proof that there is an immortal spirit in man which outlives the body; for, otherwise, the prayer of Stephen was founded in ignorance. The apostle Paul speaks of being absent from the body and present with the Lord; but this would be utterly impossible if there be not a spirit in man which lives when the body dies. It is pleasing to all Christian believers to be with the Lord of life and glory; but those who have despised and hated him would be glad to perish like the brutes in the hour of death.

He

Thirdly, it is certain that the spirit of man is the property of Jesus; and it should be committed to him, that he may receive his own. has redeemed it with his precious blood. The Christian commits his soul to Christ in life; and Christ receives it to himself at death. It is on this plan that "none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore or die we are the Lord's." Rom. xiv, 7, 8.

Fourthly, when Jesus receives his followers, they rest from their labours, and he gives them the crown of life. They are taken out of the reach of all their enemies; and will never suffer any more trials or temptations. Happy saints! Who would not wish to partake of their joys! Then let us "be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb. vi, 12.

Fifthly, when Jesus descends from heaven, he will bring the spirits of departed saints with him; their bodies will then be raised from the dead; and the soul will be united to a glorified body for ever. Then their enemies will be put to shame, and sink into everlasting contempt. With these views let us take courage, and follow on to know the Lord, that we may live and reign with him for ever!

But Stephen died in charity with his bitter enemies. His prayer resembled that of Jesus on the cross, when he said, "Father, forgive them;" for Stephen said, when his enemies murdered him, "Lay not this sin to their charge." Thus the servant was like his Lord; and the generous principles of Christianity appeared in both when nature sunk and died. What a fine example did this holy martyr leave to the church in after-ages! Let us endeavour, by Divine grace, to copy after his example. While we do so, we shall carefully attend to all our Christian duties, and leave future events to Him that ruleth over all.

When Stephen had kneeled down, and prayed for his enemies with a loud voice, he fell asleep. His prayer, that Jesus would receive his spirit, was heard and answered; and he slept in the Lord. Death is called sleep in many passages of Scripture; and it is probable that we shall sink into the state of the dead as a man sinks into sleep. This may be preceded by violent struggles for life; but those struggles end in a moment; and as we know not how we fall asleep, so we shall not know how we die, until we awake in eternity.

Thank God, open and violent persecution has ceased; but let us be afraid of lukewarmness. We should be as vigilant and ardent in all our Christian duties as the first martyrs were; and then we shall follow them to a world of glory! Amen.

SERMON CXXXIV.

THE SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY OF THE APOSTLES.

But the Word of God grew and was multiplied. Acts xii, 24.

THE primitive Christians were violently persecuted both by Jews and Gentiles; but they stood fast in the Lord. Herod, the king, persecuted the church with great severity, because it pleased the Jews. He was proud and vain; but he came to an untimely end. The circumstances of his death are recorded as an awful warning to vain and cruel persecutors. Upon a set day he sat upon his throne, arrayed in royal apparel, and made an oration to the people. To flatter his vanity, they gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. This fulsome adulation he received as a tribute of praise which was due to himself; and did not give the glory to God. For this the angel of the Lord smote him, so that he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the Word of God, delivered by the ministry of the Apostles, grew and was multiplied. Let us make a few observations on the Word of God; and then consider how it grew and was multiplied.

I. OBSERVATIONS ON THE WORD OF GOD.

This

The Word of God that the Apostles preached, both to Jews and Gentiles, was the Gospel of God our Saviour. Their commission was, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." Gospel was preached, in the first place, to the Jews. To this the apostle Paul refers in the following passage, which was addressed to the Jews in their synagogue at Antioch, "Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the Word of this salvation sent." Acts xiii, 26. The Gospel is hely called a word of salvation, first, because it points out the cause of salvation; secondly, because it explains the necessary terms of salvation; and, thirdly, because it offers salvation to all who comply with its terms.

All men, in a state of nature, are ignorant of divine things; but the Word of God, which the Apostles preached, enlightened the understanding. It pointed out, with great clearness, the degraded state of man, both by nature and practice; explained the all-sufficient remedy, provided by the love of God, for apostate man; opened the duties of the Christian life, and enforced them by strong and convincing arguments; and it brought life and immortality to light, with all the happiness of heaven, and all the misery of hell.

The Word of God, preached by the Apostles, was encouraging to men. They were invited to be partakers of Christ in all his saving benefits; the promises of the Gospel were held out to them in all their riches and fulness; liberty was proclaimed to all the captives of sin and Satan ; and an assurance of future happiness was given to all who received Christ Jesus the Lord, and endured to the end. But this Word held out frightful terrors to hardened sinners. They were threatened with the wrath of God, and the damnation of hell; for the Apostles ceased not to give this awful warning, "He that believeth not shall be damned." The Word of God was opposed by Jewish prejudices, heathen superstitions, human learning, and the sword.

The Jews were fond of pomp and parade in Divine worship; but the worship recommended by the Gospel was pure and spiritual. They expected a temporal prince in the Messiah, who would reign in great power and glory; but the Gospel pointed out the spiritual kingdom of Christ, and his government in righteousness and true holiness. No wonder that they were prejudiced against the Word, and that they opposed it, while they were under the influence of such erroneous opinions!

But the superstitions of the heathens were opposed to the Word of God. They had their gods, their altars, their temples, and their priests; but the Gospel took away their gods, threw down their altars and temples, and exposed the craft of their priests. That craft was in danger; for the Gospel "turned the world upside down." Acts xvii, 6. And can we wonder that, under those circumstances, they rose up in arms against the Gospel?

Many of the Greeks and Romans were learned men; but human learning was opposed to the Word of God. The learned heathens were fond of metaphysical reasoning, and of fine displays of oratory; but the Gospel was plain and simple, and wisely adapted to instruct the most illiterate. Learning produced pride, self-confidence, and boasting. The philosophers of that day imagined that they knew more than either the Jewish Prophets or Christ and his Apostles; and under the influence of learned pride they opposed the Word of God; but the Word of God which the Apostles preached was opposed by the sword. Herod "killed James, the brother of John, with the sword." Acts xii, 2. Others endured bonds and imprisonment, hunger and nakedness, hardships and deaths; and nearly all the holy Apostles suffered martyrdom, for bearing testimony to the Word of God. But they gloried in persecutions, and were "not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, which was the power of God unto salvation to every one that" believed, "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. i, 16.