Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound connection between God and His people, illustrating that those who harm God's followers are, in essence, striking at God Himself. He draws from Zechariah 2:8 to highlight the sacredness of God's people, likening them to the apple of His eye, which is fiercely protected. Brooks warns persecutors that their actions against believers will not go unpunished, as God is deeply aware of their suffering and will respond with justice. He reminds us that Christ, in His glorified state, continues to bear the griefs of His saints, reinforcing the intimate bond between Him and His followers. The sermon serves as a stern warning to those who afflict God's people, urging them to reconsider their actions.

"Whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8 The apple (or pupil) of the eye is the tenderest piece of the tenderest part. The eye is kept most diligently, and strongly guarded by nature. A man can better bear a thump on the back, the biting of his finger, the cutting of his hand, the pricking of his leg, or a blow upon his arm—than a touch on the eye. Oh, that persecutors would be quiet, and let God's people alone, and take heed how they meddle with God's eyes! There is no touching of them, to wrong or injure them, but you wrong and injure the Holy One of Israel, who will certainly revenge Himself upon you. Those who strike at God's eyes, do through them strike at God Himself, which He will never put up with. It is a dangerous thing to molest and trouble, to afflict or annoy the people of God; for God Himself is very sensible of it, and accordingly He will certainly requite it. Acts 9:4, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" Those who persecute the servants of Christ—they persecute Christ Himself, who lives in them, and is mystically united to them. Look! as there is by virtue of the natural union a mutual sympathy between the head and the members, the husband and the wife—so it is here between Christ and His saints, for He is a most sympathizing, compassionate, tender-hearted Savior. Those who shoot at the saints, hit Christ; their sufferings and their reproaches are counted His. He who bore the saints' griefs when He was on earth, really and properly, He bears them still now He is in heaven, in a way of sympathy. Christ in His glorified state, has a very tender sense of all the evil that is done to His children, His members, His spouse—and looks upon it as done to Himself! I say to the persecutors of Christians, "Let the people of God alone, for if you do but make their finger ache, God will make your heads and hearts ache for it before He has done with you!"