and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 1 Thess. ii, 16. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. THE CHURCH AMONG THE GENTILES. Acts xiii, 48. 49. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Acts xlv, 27, 28. And when they were come, and bad gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples. Acts xv. 3. 4. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of th church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared: all things that God had done with them. Acts xvii, 4, 12, 33, 34. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men not a few. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite,and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Acts xxi. 19. And when he had saluted them, he declared par feularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. Acts xxii, 21. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. Acts xxvi, 16-18. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Rom. 1, 5. 13-15. By whom we have received grace and apostleship. for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name; Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but have some fruit among you also, was let hitherto,) that I might I am debtor both to the Greeks even as among other Gentiles. and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is. I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. Rom. x, 18. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Rom. xv, 16-19. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 2 Cor. iii, 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Gal. ii, 7-9. But contrariwise. when they saw that the gospel of theuncircumcision was committed enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Eph. III, 1--4, 7.8. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is by revelation he made known given me to you-ward: How that afore in few words, Whereby, unto me the mystery; (as I wrote when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Col. i, 6, 25-27. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 2 Tim. 1, 11. Whereunto I I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Rev. xiv, 6. And I saw another having the everlasting gospel to angel fly in the midst of heaven, preach unto them that dwell on and kindred, and tongue, and the earth, and to every nation, people. REFLECTIONS. unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was Acts xv,19 20. Wherefore my senmighty in me toward the Gen-tence is, that we trouble not them tiles:) And when James, Cephas, which from among the Gentiles and John, who seemed to be are turned to God: But that we pillars, perceived the grace that write unto them, that they abstain was given unto me, they gave to from pollutions of idols, and from me and Barnabas the right hands fornication, and from things of fellowship, that we should go strangled, and from blood. unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Eph. ii, 13--15, 17. But 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 one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the Rom. xi, 17--21. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches; but if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lost he also spare not thee. effect. For they are not all Israel Gal. il, 14, 15. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly, Rom. x, 1-4. Brethren, my according to the truth of the heart's desire and prayer to God gospel, I said unto Peter before for Israel is that they might them all, If thou, being a Jew, be saved. For I bear them livest after the manner of Gen-record, that they have a zeal of tiles, and not as do the Jews, why God, but not according to knowcompellest thon the Gentiles to ledge. For they, being ignorant live as do the Jews? We who are of God's righteousness, and going Jews by nature, and not sinners about to establish their Own of the Gentiles. righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteous ness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness one that believeth. to every Eph. 11, 11, 12. Wherefore 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 by 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. Titus i, 13, 14. This witness is rebuke them true: wherefore sharply, that they may be sound Rom. xi, 1, 9, 11-15, 23--32. I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also ain an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benamin. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written. There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are touching the election, they are enemies for your sakes: but as beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as yo in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; Even so have these also now not believed, also may obtain mercy. For God that through your mercy they hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. that we have such hope, we 2 Cor. ill, 12-16. Seeing then And not as Moses, which put a use great plainness of speech; vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which rail is done away in in the faith: Not giving heed to rather through their fall salvation Christ. But even unto this day, Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 1 Peter i, 10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. FINAL INBRINGING OF THE JEWS AND ITS RESULTS. Rom. ix, 1-6, 8. 9. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises: Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none when Moses is read, the vail is when it shall turn to the Lord, upon their heart. Nevertheless, the vail shall be taken away. were is come unto the Gentiles, for to 1. MURDER. MURDER FORBIDDEN. Num. xxxv, 33, 34. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel. Deut. v, 17. Thou shalt not kill. Deut. xxvii,24.25. Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly: and all the people shall say, Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person: and all the people shall say, Amen. Amen. persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding, yet Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, was left; for he hid himself. 1 Sam. xix, 1. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. Matth. v, 21. Ye have heard that 2 Sam. ill, 26, 30. And when it was said by them of old time, Joab was come out from David, he Thou shalt not kill; and whoso-sent messengers after Abner,which ever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. 1 Peter iv, 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters. 1 John iii, 12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's right eous. INSTANCES OF MURDER IN PURPOSE OR FACT, Gen. iv, 8. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Exod. i, 15, 16, 22. And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives; (of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:) And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools, if it be a son, then ye shall kill him; but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. Judges, ix, 5. And he went into his father's house at Ophral, and brought him again from the well of Sirah; but David knew it not. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 2 Sam. iv, 7. For when he came into the house, he [ish-bosheth] lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night. 2 Sam. xl, 15, 17. And he [David] wrote in the letter, saying, Set ge Uriah in the forefront of the hottest batile, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David;and Uriah the Hittite died also. 2 Sam. xiii, 28. Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 1 Kings xxi, 13, 14. And there came intwo men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the preence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the 'king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. 2 Kings xxv, 25. But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah. And 2 Chron. xxxii, 21. when he [Sennacherib] came into the house of his God, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. Esther iii, 13, 14. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, (which is the month Adar,) and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing, for a com mandment to be given in every province, was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. Hosea vi, 8. Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. Exod. xxi, 12-15. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. And he that smiteth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death. Lev. xxiv, 17. And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. DIVINE PENALTY. Gen. iv, 9, 11-14, 23, 24. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Num. xxxv, 16-21, 31. And if he Abel thy brother? And he said, I smite him with an instrument of know not. Am I my brother's iron, so that he die, he is a mur-keeper? And now art thou cursed derer: the murderer shall surely from the earth, which hath opened be put to death. And if he smite her mouth to receive thy brother's him with throwing a stone, where- blood from thy hand. When thou with he may die, and he die, he is tillest the ground, it shall not a murderer: the murderer shall henceforth yield unto thee her surely be put to death. Or if he strength: a fugitive and a vaga smite him with an hand-weapon bond shalt thou be in the earth. of wood, wherewith he may die, And Cain said unto the LORD, My and he die, he is a murderer: the punishment is greater than I can murderer shall surely be put to bear. Behold, thon hast driven death. The revenger of blood me out this day from the face of himself shall slay the murderer: the earth; and from thy face shall when he meeteth him, he shall slay I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive him. But if he thrust him of and a vagabond in the earth: and hatred, or hurl at him by laying it shall come to pass, that every of wait, that he die; Or in enmity one that findeth me shall slay me. smite him with his hand, that he And Lamech said unto his wives, die: he that smote him shall Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; surely be put to death; for he is a ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto murderer: the revenger of blood my speech: for I have slain a man shall slay the murderer when he to my wounding, and a young meeteth him. Moreover, ye shall man to my hurt: If Cain shall be take no satisfaction for the life of avenged seven-fold, truly Lamech a murderer, which is guilty of seventy and seven-fold. death; but he shall surely be put to death. Deut. xix, 11-13. But if a man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities; Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. Thine eye shall not pity him: but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee. Prov. xxviii, 17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. INFLICTION OF PENALTY. 1 Kings ii, 31-33. And the king said unto him, Do as he hath said, and fall upon him, and bury him; that thou mayest take away the innocent blood which Joab shed from me, and from the house of my father. And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah. Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab, and upon the head of his seed for ever: but upon David, and upon his seed, and upon his house, and upon his throne shall there be peace for ever from the LORD. 1 Kings xxi, 18, 19. Arise, go in the vineyard of Naboth, whither 2 Kings xxiv, 3, 4. Surely at the Prov. i, 18, 19. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners there of. Ezek. vii, 23, 24. Make a chain; for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence. Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled. Ezek. xxiv, 7, 8. For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust: That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered. Joel iii, 19. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. Hab. il, 12, 17. Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity? For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. 1 John iii, 15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. MALICE THE CAUSE OF MURDER. Gen. xxvii, 41, 42. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. they saw him afar off, even before Gen. xxxvii, 18-20. And when he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will see what will become of his dreams. the son of Jesse liveth upon the 1 Sam. xx, 31-33. For as long as ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom: whereore now send and fetch him unto me; for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him, to smite him; whereby mined of his father to slay David. Jonathan knew that it was deter 1 Kings xviii, 9, 14. And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. 2 Kings vi, 31. Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day. Esther ill, 9. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. Job xxiv, 14. The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. P3. x, 8, 10. He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. Ps. xxxi, 13. For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me. they devised to take away my life. Jer. xxii, 17. But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy Covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. Jer. xl. 13-16. Moreover, Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish? But Gedallah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael. Hosea v, 2. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. John xii, 10. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death, MURDERS PREVENTED AND Gen. xxvii, 43-45. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother, to Haran; And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day? Exod. i, 17-21. But the midwives | not drawn in the yoke; And the feared God, and did not as the elders of that city shall bring king of Egypt commanded them, down the heifer unto a rough but saved the men-children alive. valley, which is neither eared nor And the king of Egypt called for sown, and shall strike off the the midwives, and said unto them, heifer's neck there in the valley: Why have ye done this thing, and And the priests the sons of Levi have saved the men-children shall come near; (for them the alive? And the midwives said LORD thy God hath chosen to unto Pharaoh, Because the minister unto him, and to bless Hebrew women are not as the in the name of the LORD;) and by Egyptian women; for they are their word shall every controversy lively, and are delivered ere the and every stroke be tried. And midwives come in unto them. all the elders of that city, that are Therefore God dealt well with next unto the slain man, shall the midwives: and the people wash their hands over the heifer multiplied, and waxed very that is beheaded in the valley: mighty. And it came to pass, And they shall answer and say, because the midwives feared God, Our hands have not shed this that he made them houses. blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy deemed, and lay not innocent people Israel, whom thou hast re blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD. than, Saul's son, delighted much 1 Sam. xxii. 20. And one of the 2 Kings vi, 32, 33. But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but, ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? Look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? And, while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down unto him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of the LORD; what should I wait for the LORD any longer. INQUEST. Deut. xxi, 1-9. If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him; Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath 2.-MANSLAUGHTER. Num. xxxv, 10, 11, 22-25. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan, Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait; Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon bim, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood, according to these judgments: And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. Deut. xix, 4-6. And this is the case of the slayer which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live: Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and over |