JESUS CHRIST, The Sinners Only Hope of Eternal SALVATION

"They shall put you out of the synagogues." —John 16:2  [KJV]

So it must be in all ages. The scriptures cannot be broken. But what are the crimes of the ministers of Jesus, to deserve such usage? Is it for a life of intemperance and lewdness, of sin and folly, in frequenting play-houses, card-tables, routs, assemblies, horse-racing? etc. No; friends of the Lamb have done with all such vain paltry matter. Their hearts feed upon infinitely higher delights, and their time is too precious to be devoted to sacrifice upon the altars of heathenish vanities. 

For these things they might gain no censure, but keep their places in the synagogues, and their characters in the world as good, honest, orthodox preachers, and stand free from the charge of mopish, dreaming enthusiasts; chief priests themselves being judges. But they stand arraigned of crimes of the highest nature, even of inverting the very order of things; "turning the world upside down;" "preaching one Jesus who was hanged upon a tree,"—Acts 10:39—as the sinner's only hope and salvation. 

That hence glory is given to God in the highest; peace on earth, and good-will to men is proclaimed:—that the whole of salvation is of God's free grace and unmerited love. From this charge faithful ministers of Christ will not desire to be acquitted. Love to their precious Master, to His blessed truth, to His dear people, inspires them with boldness. It is the highest honor, the greatest glory Jesus puts upon them, when they are called to suffer for this. "Yea," saith our Lord, "the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think he doth God service." 

Zeal for God is a pretence for persecution. But what is our Lord's reason? "These things will they do unto you, because they have not KNOWN THE FATHER NOR ME." But He observed that on hearing these things, sorrow filled His disciples' hearts. Sympathizing Lord! He instantly gives them a promise—of what? Power to call fire from heaven to destroy their adversaries? No; quite the reverse; of a blessed, inward comforter, THE DOVE. He was to teach them to act with meekness, and in patience to possess their souls. See the Spirit's influence in the conduct of Peter and John, and their courage and constancy in the cause of their dear Master,— Acts ch. 4. 

Their very enemies, who commanded them not to preach in the name of Jesus, saw their boldness with wonder, and were silenced with their reasoning. Admire and imitate, O ye suffering servants of a once suffering Lord. "How forcible are right words!" Job 6:25. How prevailing is a meek spirit! Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye!" "And the apostles departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."—Acts 5:41.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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