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I. THAT A LIVING AND SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANITY REPELS THE UNGODLY FROM THE COMMUNION OF THE CHURCH.

1. It does so by awakening a feeling of hatred —

(1)  Of God (Romans 1:30).

(2)  Of Christ (John 15:24).

(3)  Of Christ's disciples (John 17:14).

(4)  The Church is hated by the world in proportion to its purity (John 15:19).

(a)  The sinfulness of seeking to make religion pleasing to the world.

(b)  The condition of the Church, or believer, loved by the world.

2. It does so by producing feelings of fear and reverence.

(1)  When God comes forth in the more visible displays of His majesty in nature — in providence — in the judgment, the wicked tremble.

(2)  When the image of God is visibly on the character of man, reverence is thereby extorted from the wicked.

(3)  In like manner, when God is in the visible Church — when He makes it His pavilion, the world regards it with a constrained reverence (Psalm 14:5).

(4)  This feeling is not inconsistent with persecution.

(5)  Such a feeling will keep the world out of the Church.

3. It does so by acting upon the conscience.

(1)  Church membership, combined with practical irreligion, shows a conscience asleep.

(2)  This is encouraged by a low general standard among believers.

(3)  A living Christianity would be a check.

II. THAT A LIVING AND SPIRITUAL CHRISTIANITY IS NOT EASILY IMITATED.

1. It is by feigning Christianity that ungodly men enter the communion of the Church.

2. Human nature has a wonderful power in counterfeiting religion — assisted by the devil.

3. But the more spiritual that religion in, the less easily is it counterfeited — detection is more likely.

4. And the self-denial being generally greater, is not likely to be practised.

5. Hence, a spiritual Church will not be joined by worldly men.

III. THAT BEING IN A SPIRITUAL STATE, THE CHURCH POSSESSED MUCH OF THE SPIRIT OF JUDGMENT

1. The Spirit is promised to the Church as "a spirit of judgment" (Isaiah 28:6).

2. The statement of the text is connected with its exercise (vers. 1-11).

3. This spirit is still needed — should be asked.

4. The ground of admission into the Church is a credible, profession; when it is declared credible, there is a judgment.

5. When the Church is spiritual, the possession of this Spirit of judgment will be moreapparent.

(1)  The grounds of each judgment will be more ample (Matthew 18:15-18).

(2)  The rule of judgment will be more Scriptural.

(3)  The application more enlightened.

(4)  The decision given, more free from the influence of worldly consideration.

6. This matter rests with the members of the Church. A languid body will not cast off disease.

IV. THAT PERSECUTION WAS A TEST OF DISCIPLESHIP.

1. The world applies a test as well as the Church — sometimes a severer and more searching one.

2. But only when the Church is living. 3, The Church is not diminished (ver. 14).

(James Stewart.)

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KJV: And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

WEB: Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.