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which is given by Eusebius in a letter from the church of Smyrna. When Polycarp was apprehended by his persecutors, they set him on an ass, and brought him to the place of judgment. He was met by some of the magistrates, who took him into their carriage, and tried to persuade him to deny Christ and save his life, but which he resisted. On his approaching the place of execution the Proconsul, ashamed of putting so aged and venerable a man to death, urged him to blaspheme Christ. It was then that he answered, "Eighty-six years have I served him, during all which time be never did me injury; how then can I blaspheme my king and my Saviour?" When further urged, his answer was, "I am a Christian." When threatened with wild beasts, he said, "Bring them forth." When with fire, he reminded them of the eternal His last address to God had more

fire that awaited the ungodly. of praise in it than of prayer..

It is a high honour to this persecuted people that nothing is said to them in a way of reproof. To be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in an evil generation," is great, even in respect of our fellow-creatures; but to be without rebuke from Christ himself is much greater.

To this suffering church Christ saith, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Let every one that hath an ear hear this language, and be armed by it against the fear of

man.

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among yon, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with

V

the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Pergamos was a city of Mysia, not far from Troas. We find the apostle Paul at this latter city more than once, and that "a door was here opened to him of the Lord, to preach Christ's gospel."* Here it was that he afterwards commemorated, the Lord's death with the disciples; and as he had to wait seven days for their coming together, it would seem as if they had to come from some great distance. The church at Pergamos might therefore be planted about the same time.

The character under which our Lord addresses them is taken from Chap. i. 16. "He that hath the sharp sword with two edges;" and wears a terrible aspect towards a corrupt party amongst them, against whom he threatens to wage war.

Kind and encouraging things, however, are addressed to the body of them. Christ knew their "works," and their firm adherence to him under great trials and persecutions, in which one of their number in particular, and probably their pastor, had suffered martyrdom. Pergamos was a city said to be "sacred to the gods :" here therefore we might expect to find the head-quarters of idolatry and persecutions; and their standing firm in such a place, and at such times, was much to their honour.

But there were "a few things" amongst them which displeased Christ. Some of the members tampered with idolatry and its ordinary attendant, fornication; and the rest connived at it. This is called "the doctrine of Balaam," because it was in this way that the wicked prophet drew Israel into sin. They had also some of the "Nicolaitanes" amongst them, whose principles and practices the Lord abhorred.

They are called upon to repent, on pain of Christ's displeasure, who threatens, except they repent, to come unto them quickly,

* 2 Cor. ii. 12.

and to execute the judgments of his word against them, even against the transgressors themselves, and all who favoured them.

These warnings and threatenings require our attention, and that of all who are guilty in a greater or less degree of the same evils ; nor do the encouragements to them that overcome require it less. The "hidden manna," the "white stone," and the " new name," being promised as the reward of them that overcome, seems to refer to the blessedness and honour of a future state, rather than of the present; though Christians doubtless have a foretaste of them even in this life. The "hidden manna" refers to those who should deny themselves of "eating things sacrificed to idols," and ✅ other carnal enjoyments, for Christ's sake; and denotes that there is a feast in reserve for them, which shall infinitely exceed the pleasures of flesh and sense. The Romans in judgment are said to have given their suffrage for condemnation by casting black stones into an urn, and for absolution white stones. White stones are also said to have been given by the Greeks to the conquerors in the Olympic games, with their names upon them, and the value of the prize they won. The application of this is easy.

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VOL. VI.

DISCOURSE III.

THE EPISTLES TO THE churches, CONTINUED.

not.

Chap. ii. 18-29. Chap. iii.

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 ́And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he whieh searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye kave already, hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:) even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an car to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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