among that noble company who “by faith have obtained a good report.” (Heb.  Xv. 2.) The “doctrine of Balaam” and that of the Nicolaitans led to gross immoralities in apostolic times as of old in the days of Moses. (Num. xxxi. 16.) And thus it appears, that old heresies, which have been condemned, are afterwards revived under new names, and patronized by new leaders.  In such a case, we have the authority of Christ for calling them by the same names of those whose principles they adopt, and whose example they emulate.  It was no breach of charity, therefore, by our forefathers to designate those who “delated” them to the cruel persecutors in Scotland by the name of “Ziphites,” or to call the archtraitor Sharp,—­“a Judas.”  The Lord Jesus “hates the doctrine” as well as “deeds of Nicolaitans,” which are subversive of truth and godliness.  Those who oppose the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans in any age when these are popular, must expect persecution.  But when “troubles abound for Christ’s sake, consolations much more abound by Christ.”  This is to “eat of the hidden manna.”  Also, the “white stone” or pebble,—­the token of justification,—­will be given to the conqueror in the Christian conflict.  The allusion here is to the mode of procedure in courts of judgment among the ancient Greeks.  White stones were cast for acquittal; black for condemnation.  The manna is hidden, and so is the white stone, both signifying the sustaining and consoling evidence of the Comforter,—­the Holy “Spirit witnessing with the spirit” of the persecuted believer, that he is a “child of God.”  It is the same thing as the “hundred-fold in this life,” promised by Christ. (Matt. xix. 29.)

It is worthy of notice, in the condition of this church, that while among a minority may be found an “Antipas,—­faithful martyr” for the cause of Christ, against those who hold the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans:  the majority are called upon to “repent,”—­evidently for conniving at the destructive errors and immoralities of those seducers.  And unless the discipline of the church was employed to “purge out these rebels;” the Master would take the work into his own hand, and “fight against them with the sword of his mouth:”  and then such as screened or spared these sinners might expect to partake of their just punishment.  Rulers in the church “must give account for those over whom they watch.”

18.  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.