PERSECUTIONS IN GENERAL.

Gal. iv, 29. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecutSpirit, even so it is now. ed him that was born after the

Ps. xclv, 5. They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 1 Thess. ii, 14, 15. For ye, breththe Ps. cxix, 86. All thy command-ren, became followers of ments are faithful: they persecute are in Christ Jesus: for ye also: churches of God which in Judea me wrongfully; help thou me. have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews; Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.

Lam. iii, 45. Thou hast made us as the off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

Matth. x. 21. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Mark xiii, 12. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Luke xxi, 16. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

1 Cor. iv, 9. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to

angels, and to men.

2 Cor. 1, 8. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.

Rev. vi, 9, 11. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And white robes Were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

FORETOLD AND EXPECTED. Dan. xl, 33. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Matth. x, 18. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Matth. xxiii, 34. Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, 2 Cor. vii, 5. For when we were and wise men, and scribes; and come into Macedonia, our flesh some of them ye shall kill and had no rest, but we were troubled crucify; and some of them shall on every side; without were fight-ye scourge in your synagogues, ings, within were fears. and persecute them from city to city.

2 Cor. xi, 26, 27. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and

nakedness.

Gal. i, 13. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.

Luke x, 3. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Luke xi, 49. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.

Luke xxi, 12, 13. But before all

John IV, 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Acts xiv, 22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts xx, 22, 23. And now, behold, Jerusalem, not knowing the things I go bound in the spirit unto that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

2 Tim. iii, 12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

1 Thess. iii, 3, 4. That no man should be moved by these afflic tions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

Heb. xi, 36. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment.

HATRED AND ANIMOSITY. Gen. xlix, 23. The archers have him and hated him.

530.

Matth. x, 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matth. xxiv, 9, 10. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Luke xxi, 17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

Acts iv, 1, 2. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts v, 17. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation.

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

Acts xxii, 22--24. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not filt that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be exam

ined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

occasion against Daniel concern- f shalt surely die. Why hast thou ing the king lom; but they could prophesied in the name of the find none occasion nor fault; for- LORD, saying. This house shall be asmuch as he was faithful, neither like Shilob, and this city shall was there any error or fault found be desolate without an inhabitant? in him. Ther said these men, And all the people were gathered We shall not find any occasion against Jeremiah in the house of against this Daniel, except we the LORD. find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Acts v, 33. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Acts ix, 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.

STIMULATING OTHERS TO PER

SECUTE.

Jer. xxvl, 11. Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes, and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.

Acts xvii, 5-8, 13. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and

gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason, and certain brethren, unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had

Acts iv, 18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus."

Acts v, 27, 28. 40. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled and intend to bring this man's Jerusalem with your doctrine, agreed: and when they had called blood upon us. And to him they commanded that they should not the apostles and beaten them, they speak in the name of Jesus, and

let them go.

Acts iv, 3. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now even-tide.

Acts v, 18. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in

them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and,beingexceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

CONSPIRACIES.

Ps. lxxi, 10, 11. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

Jer. xviii, 18. Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet: come,

they came thither also, and stirwas preached of Paul at Berea, red up the people.

JUDICIAL PROCESS.

Acts viii, 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison.

Acts iv, 5-7. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, Acts xii, 4. And when he had and elders, and scribes, And apprehended him, he put him in Annas the high priest, and Caia-prison, and delivered him to four plas, and John, and Alexander, quaternions of soldiers to keep and as many as were of the kin- him; intending after Easter to dred of the high priest, were bring him forth to the people. gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

CORPOREAL PUNISHMENTS. Mark xiii, 9. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Acts xvi, 22, 23. And the multi tude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they

had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 2 Cor xi, 23, 25. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more: in labours more abundant, In stripes above measure, in priBons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.

EXCOMMUNICATION.

John ix, 34. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

BANISHMENT.

this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Acts xxvi, 10. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Rom. vill. 36. As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter,

Rev. 1, 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos,

for the word of God, and for the

testimony of Jesus Christ.

Ρυτ TO THE SWORD.

1 Kings xix, 10. And he [Elijah] said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the

children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am lett; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Acts xii, 1, 2. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the

sword.

STONED TO DEATH.

2 Chron. xxiv. 19-21. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the com mandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? Because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king, in the court of the house of the LORD.

SLAIN IN VARIOUS WAYS. Acts xxii, 4, 5. And I persecuted

Rev. xiil, 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Rev. xvii, 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

DISSECTED ALIVE. Heb. xi, 37. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder.

PERSECUTORS AND THEIR

PLEAS.

Esther ill, 8. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.

Ps. xiv, 4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Jer. xxvi, 19-24. Did Hezekiah king of Judal and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city, and against this land, according to all the words of Jeremiah: And

when Jeholakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the kug sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he ws afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt namely,

Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt: And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king, who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the the hand of Abikam the son of common people. Nevertheless they should not give him into the Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that hand of the people to put him to

death.

will they do unto you for my John xv, 21. But all these things name's sake, because they know

not him that sent me.

John xvi, 2, 3. They shall put you out of the synazogues; yea, Killeth you will think that he the time cometh, that whoscever doeth God service. And the things will they do unto you, be

cause they have not known tho Father, nor me.

it

pleased the Jews, Le proceeded Acts xii, 3. And because he saw further to take Peter also, (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Acts xvi, 19-21. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market place unto the rulers, Aud brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city. And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans,

Acts xxvi, 9. I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

PERSECUTION DEFEATS

ITSELF.

Acts v, 24, 25, 41, 42. Now, when the high priest, and the captain of the temple and the chief priests, heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shaine for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts viii, 4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts xi, 19, 20. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord

Jesus.

Acts xiv, 4-7. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers, to use them despitefully, an to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region

And

that lieth round about: there they preached the gospel.

Gal. 1, 23, 24. But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past, now pre cheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.

Phil. 1, 12-14. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest In all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethreu in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

2 Tim. ii, 9. Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bonud.

FORBIDDEN BY GOD. Prov. xxiv, 15. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting-place.

Matth. xxiii, 30-32. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

Acts xxii, 7, 8. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thon me? And I auswered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

PUNISHED BY GOD. Deut. xxx, 7. Aud the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. Nel. ix, 26-28. Nevertheless they

were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets, which testifled against them to turn them to thee; and they wrought great provocations.

Therefore thou deliveredst them

into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them; and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and, according to thy manifold mercies, thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies. But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore lettest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them, according to thy mercies.

Luke xi, 50, 51. That the blood shed from the foundation of the of all the prophets, which was world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Matth. xxiii, 35, 36. That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily shall come upon this generation. I say unto you, All these things

Rev. xvi, 5-7. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus: For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

SUFFERERS Supported by HIM.

Matth. v, 10, 11. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matth. x 38, 39. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Mark vill, 35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for

my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mark x, 29, 30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wile, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an Lundred-told now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come

eternal life.

Luke vi, 22, 23. Blessed are ye when men shll hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Luke ix, 24. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but who

soever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luke xii, 11. And when they bring you unto the synagogues and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say.

Luke xxi, 14, 15. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

John xvi, 1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should

not be offended.

Acts xx, 24. But none of these things move me: neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts xxi, 12, 13. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Rom. v, 3, 4. And not only 80, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.

Rom. viii, 18 For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Cor. 1, 3-7. Blessed be God,