The National Preacher, Vol. 2. No. 6., Nov. 1827 | Page 3

the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city,
which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you. But I say unto you, it
shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom and Gomorrah, than for
that city." Wherefore should so much stress be laid upon cities, unless it
was peculiarly important that they should be converted? And wherefore
so heavy a curse, unless the power of their example was great?
But still more particular and urgent are his instructions--The disciples,
when sent forth, were admonished that they would be "as sheep in the
midst of wolves;"--that they would be exposed to many and severe

trials. And surely, under such circumstances, human nature would
plead, that, when persecuted in the city, they might turn to the less
prejudiced inhabitants of the country. But no: the command is, "When
they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another; for, verily, I say
unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of
Man be come."
It is true, that in the last great commission, in which the world was
spread before them as the field, every limitation was taken off, save
that they should begin at Jerusalem. Still the example of the apostles is
worthy of notice. For whilst several of them continued for years in
Jerusalem,--notwithstanding the persecutions which they
experienced--others went forth, and immediately preached the gospel of
their ascended Saviour in other great cities of the world.
Paul and Barnabas are found at Antioch, the capital of Pisidia. From
Antioch they went to Iconium, the metropolis of Lyconia. Thence to
Derbe, another city of Lyconia. In that embassy, they also preached at
Lystra, and Perga, and many other cities. Soon after this, Paul said unto
Barnabas, "Let us go again, and visit our brethren in every city where
we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do." Paul
expressed an ardent desire to be at Jerusalem on the feast-days:--"For
he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem, the day of
Pentecost;" for then thousands of strangers would be there
assembled--"Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers of
Mesopotamia," and of many other places. In Rome, too, that imperial
city, did this apostle continue for two years, preaching the gospel of
Christ. There he established a Christian church, to which he addressed
the noblest epistle ever written. Of Philip it is recorded, that "passing
through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea." The
apostles and disciples, then directed their attention very particularly to
cities.
III. _Cities were the theatres of the Holy Spirit's first and most
illustrious achievements._
Open the book of the Acts, and mark how and where the Spirit of God
accompanied the labours of the apostles. It was at Jerusalem, the city

whose million voices had just before demanded the death of their Lord,
and imprecated his blood upon their own heads, that the first and
greatest effusion of the Holy Spirit took place. There was spiritual
wickedness in high places. There iniquity was strongly intrenched. The
strong arm of the civil as well as ecclesiastical power was its defence;
and human calculation could look for no visits of mercy. Still the
Savior's command, to begin at Jerusalem, was obeyed. Nor was it long
before that city was filled with the presence of the Most High--before
the Spirit came down in power, and thousands were converted to
Christ.
But this is not a solitary case. At Antioch, also, the Spirit was poured
out. Indeed, there are two places of this name mentioned in the Acts of
the Apostles;--both visited in saving mercy. One, the capital of Syria, a
city of great note. It was about ten miles in circumference; and, in
population, wealth, and splendour, esteemed the third city of the age.
Here Paul and Barnabas preached. Here the disciples were first called
Christians. Here the Church continued long to flourish. Here the
eloquent Chrysostom, at the close of the fourth century, preached with
great power and success: and here the Holy Spirit descended. "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 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. And the hand of the
Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned unto the
Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the Church
which was in Jerusalem; and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should
go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came