selves Jews, and the land on which they trode as polluted ground.

Meanwhile the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost. How different a state of mind from that of their adversaries. These were full of envy, of hatred, of violence. The others were rejoicing that the word of the Lord was published everywhere, and though rejected by many, was embraced by many. And the comfort which they possessed within had more power to cheer than outward hindrances to disturb. Like the Thessalonians afterwards, they had " received the word in much affliction." 7 But this affliction was accompanied "with joy of the Holy Ghost." And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is a balm for all wounds. There is that peace which worldly circumstances may increase, but cannot give: may assail, but cannot take

away.

7 1 Thess i. 6.

LECTURE XLIII.

PAUL AND BARNABAS AT ICONIA.

A. D. 46.

ACTS xiv. 1-7.

1. And it came to pass at Iconium,1 that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude, both of the Jews and also of the Greeks, believed.

Here we find classed together, and assembled together, and addressed together, and converted together, both Jews and Gentiles.

It is difficult to bring ourselves to understand how new and strange this was. St. Paul often alludes to it in his epistles. As writing to the Ephesians, (ii. 11-17,) "Remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made with hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Such, for the most part, we must believe, was the character of

'Iconium was a city of Lycaonia, which was a province Asia Minor.

these Greeks at Iconium. And to them, as to the Ephesians, it might be said, "Now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jews and Gentiles) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us and came and preached peace to you which were far off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

:

Such was the tenor of the message brought by the apostles. It approved itself to the conscience of these Gentiles. The claim of God to their allegiance; that they could not deny the Creator has a right over his creatures. The excellence of his law; this their reason must acknowledge to be "holy, just, and good." The mercy of that message by which he now appealed to them; as a Father who would be reconciled to his children, whether "nigh" by profession, or "far off" in total ignorance of his name; and, above all, "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ," who, while they were yet sinners, gave himself for them, that he might bring them to God;-these were such words as Barnabas and Paul so spake that a multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. "The Lord opened their hearts, " and "his word did not return unto him void."

VOL. 1.

M

Meanwhile the adversary was not idle. If God had a people in Iconium, so also had Satan. And these must be roused to oppose the progress of the gospel.

2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

So just was the Lord's condemnation of the spirit too common amongst the Jews. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Far from delighting at the prospect, that now both Jews and Gentiles "had access by one Spirit unto the Father;" they raised suspicion and jealousies, and endeavoured to turn aside the people from the faith. And there is much, too much, in the natural man which would favour their bad object. They would represent the piety and holiness required by the gospel, as a yoke heavier than could be borne. As the apostles would urge, "We seek not yours, but you;" 3 the enemy would insinuate that they had private ends to serve, and sought not their souls but their possessions; They would allege the example of Jerusalem, in rejecting, nay, crucifying him, whom the apostles now proclaimed as "a Prince and a Saviour:"

2 Matt. xxiii. 13.

32 Cor. xii. 14.

and would ask, "Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees, believed on him ?" 4"

Thus it was too easy to stir up adverse feelings among the Gentiles, and nake their minds evil affected against the brethren. This, however, did not discourage the apostles. They still saw enough of God's support and favour to detain them. There were many to whom their doctrine came "not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost."

3. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5. And when there was an assault made, both of the Gentiles and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

6. They were aware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7. And there they preached the gospel.

With the power of working miracles, was also given the wisdom of knowing the time to work them. Elymas was struck with blindness at Paphos, because he sought to "pervert the right

4 John vii. 48.