Storm, shame, and blood
Thus it was that the heavens grew black with clouds, and the storm gathered with full force. For the more Christianity spread, the more hurt was done, in the account of those who did not receive it. And the number increased of those who were more and more enraged at these men who thus turned the world upside down, so much so that more and more cried out: Away with such fellows from the earth. It is not fit that they should live. Yes, and they sincerely believed that whoever should kill them would do God service.
Meanwhile they did not fail to cast out their name as evil, so that this sect was everywhere spoken against. Men said all manner of evil of them, even as had been done of the prophets who were before them. And whatever any would affirm, others would believe.
So that offenses grew as the stars of heaven for multitude. And hence arose, at the time foreordained by the Father, persecution in all its forms. Some, for a season, suffered only shame and reproach. Some suffered the spoiling of their goods. Some had trial of mocking and scourging, some of bonds and imprisonment, and others resisted even to blood.
1771 text
6. Thus it was that the heavens grew black with clouds, and the storm gathered amain. For the more Christianity spread, the more hurt was done, in the account of those who received it not, and the number increased of those who were more and more enraged at these men who thus turned the world upside down; insomuch that more and more cried out, Away with such fellows from the earth; it is not fit that they should live, yea, and sincerely believed, that whosoever should kill them, would do God service.
7. Meanwhile they did not fail to cast out their name as evil: so that this sect was every where spoken against. Men said all manner of evil of them, even as had been done of the prophets that were before them. And whatsoever any would affirm, others would believe. So that offences grew as the stars of heaven for multitude. And hence arose, at the time foreordain’d of the Father, persecution in all its forms. Some, for a season, suffered only shame and reproach; some, the spoiling of their goods; some had trial of mocking and scourging; some of bonds and imprisonment; and others resisted unto blood.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 4 in the 1771 Works. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 24 August 1744. Acts 4:31.
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