The National Preacher, Vol. 2. No. 6., Nov. 1827: Or Original Monthly Sermons from Living MinistersPatton, William
Religion
The National Preacher, Vol. 2. No. 6., Nov. 1827: Or Original Monthly Sermons from Living Ministers
Patton, William
Sermons -- Periodicals
Ephesus, too, was visited by the Holy Spirit. This was one of the most
famous cities of Asia Minor. By historians, it has been called the
ornament of Asia--the greatest and most frequented emporium of the
continent. Here stood one of the seven wonders of the world--the
idolatrous temple of Diana. Paul paid two visits to this city: the
first, a very short one. After some months, he returned, and continued
for three years, and had great success. Many things opposed the
influence of truth. Iniquity was deeply rooted: their established
religion was a source of revenue; and countenanced them in unhallowed
courses. But the Spirit of grace prevailed. The result was, "that many
that believed, came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of
them, also, which used curious arts, brought their books together, and
burned them before all men. And they counted the price of them, and
found it fifty thousand pieces of silver;" or, according to our
currency, nearly twenty-eight thousand dollars. Thus multitudes made a
public renunciation of idolatry, and a public profession of their faith
in Christ. "So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed."
The last city that we shall mention, as blessed with a revival, is
Corinth, the capital of Achaia. Here stood the temple of Venus; for the
support of whose costly and debasing services, a thousand human victims
were continually kept!--The multitude in this city were given to a
species of crime, most deadening to the conscience, and damning to the
soul. Yet all this did not discourage the intrepid apostle. For, about
the year of our Lord fifty-two, he came to Corinth, and "reasoned in the
synagogue every Sabbath day, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." The
persecuting spirit of the Jews was marshalled against him. Yet he was
successful, for _God was with him_. "Crispus, the chief ruler of the
synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the
Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to
Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not
thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt
thee; for I have much people in this city." And so great was the work,
and so important the station, that "he continued there a year and six
months, teaching the word of God among them." Here a large church was
gathered, to which he addressed two epistles.
We could mention other ancient cities as blessed with revivals. We could
tell you of Athens, the eye and glory of Greece; of Philippi, the chief
city of Macedonia; of Iconium, "where a great multitude, both of the
Jews and also of the Greeks, believed;" of Rome too, and many others;
but we forbear, since enough is already before you to illustrate the
position, that cities were the theatres of the Holy Spirit's first and
most illustrious achievements. Indeed, what is the book of the Acts, but
one continued history of revivals in cities and populous places?
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