ought to believe, and take notice, that this very Jesus, whom they had crucified, was the person whom God had appointed to be the Messiah and the Saviour of his church. most stupid of the whole Jewish nation: their eduaction had been no higher than to catch fish, and to mend nets; nor had they been used to plead causes, or to deliver themselves before great assemblies; but spoke on a sudden, not premedi- 4. This discourse, in every part of it, like so tated discourses, not idle stories, or wild roving many daggers, pierced them to the heart; who fancies, but the great and admirable works of thereupon cried out to Peter and his brethren to God, and the mysteries of the gospel, beyond hu- know what they should do. Peter told them, that man apprehensions to find out; and this delivered there was no other way, than by a hearty and in almost all the languages of the then known sincere repentance, and a being baptized into the world. Men were severally affected with it, ac- religion of this crucified Saviour, to expiate their cording to their different tempers and apprehen-guilt, to obtain pardon of sin, and the gifts and sions. Some admiring, and not knowing what to benefits of the Holy Ghost. That upon these think of it; others deriding it, said that it was terms the promises of the new covenant, which nothing else but the wild raving effect of drunk-was ratified by the death of Christ, did belong to enness and intemperance. At so wild a rate are men of profane minds wont to talk, when they take upon them to pass their censure in the things of God. day added to the church," no less than "three thousand souls." A quick and plentiful harvest; the late sufferings of our Saviour, as yet fresh bleeding in their memories, the present miraculous powers of the Holy Ghost, that appeared upon them, the zeal of his auditors, though heretofore misplaced and misguided; and above all, the efficacy of divine grace, contributing to this numerous conversion. ** them and their children, and to all that should effectually believe and embrace the gospel: farther pressing and persuading them, by doing thus, to save themselves from that unavoidable ruin and 3. Hereupon the apostles rose up, and Peter, in destruction, which this wicked and untoward gethe name of the rest, took this occasion of dis- neration of obstinate, unbelieving Jews were coursing to them. He told them that this scan-shortly to be exposed to. The effects of his dalous slander proceeded from the spirit of malice preaching were strange and wonderful: "as many and falsehood; that their censure was as unchari- as believed were baptized;" there being "that table as it was unreasonable; that "they that are drunken are drunk in the night;" that it was against nature and custom for men to be in drink so soon, too early for such a suspicion to take place, it being now but about nine of the clock, the hour for morning prayer, till when men even of ordinary sobriety and devotion, on festival days were wont to fast. That these extraordinary and miraculous passages were but the accomplishment of an ancient prophecy, the fulfilling of what God had expressly foretold should come to pass in the times of the Messiah; that Jesus of Nazareth had evidently approved himself to be the Messiah sent from God by many unquestionable miracles, of which they themselves had been eye-witnesses; and though, by God's permission, who had determined by this means to bring about the salvation of mankind, they had wickedly crucified and slain him, yet that God had raised him from the dead: that it was not possible he should be holden always under the dominion of the grave; nor was it consistent with the justice and goodness of God, and especially with those divine predictions which had expressly foretold he should rise again from the dead; David having more particularly foretold that his "flesh should rest in hope" that "God would not leave his soul in hell, neither suffer his Holy One to see corruption;" but "would make known to him the ways of life;" that this prophecy could not be meant concerning David himself, by whom it was spoken, he having many ages since been turned to ashes, his body resolved into rottenness and putrefaction, his tomb yet visible among them, from whence he never did return; that therefore it must needs have been prophetically spoken concerning Christ, having never been truly fulfilled in any but him, who both died, and was risen again, whereof they were witnesses. Yea, that he was not only risen from the dead, but had ascended into heaven, and, according to David's prediction, "sat down on God's right hand, until he made his enemies his footstool:" which could not be primarily meant of David, he never having yet bodily ascended into heaven; that therefore the whole house of Israel 5. Though the converting so vast a multitude might justly challenge a place amongst the greatest miracles, yet the apostles began now more particularly to exercise their miraculous power. Peter and John, going up to the temple, about three o'clock in the afternoon, towards the conclusion of one of the solemn hours of prayer, (for the Jews divided their day into four greater hours, each quarter containing three lesser under it, three of which were public and stated times of prayer, instituted (say they) by the three great patriarchs of their nation; the first, from six o'clock in the morning till nine, called hence "the third hour of the day," instituted by Abraham; this was called morning prayer: the second from nine till twelve, called "the sixth hour," and this hour of prayer ordained by Isaac; this was called "mid-day prayer:" the third, from twelve to three in the afternoon, called "the ninth hour," appointed by Jacob, called "evening prayer;") and at this hour it was, that these two apostles went up to the temple, where they found a poor impotent cripple, who, though above forty years old, had been lame from his birth, lying "at the beautiful gate of the temple," and asking an alms of them. Peter, earnestly looking on him, told him he had no money to give him; but that he would give him that which was a great deal better, restore him to his health; and lifting him up by the hand, commanded him "in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, to rise up and walk." The word was no sooner said, than the thing was done: immediately the nerves and sinews were enlarged, and the joints returned to their proper use. * Acts iii. 1. The man, standing up, went into the temple, walking, leap- and being asked by what power and authority ing, and praising God. The beholding so sudden they had done this, Peter resolutely answered, and extraordinary a cure, begot great admiration that as to the cure done to this impotent person, in the minds of the people, whose curiosity drew it should be known to them and all the Jews, that them to the apostles to see those who had been it was perfectly wrought in the name of that Jethe authors of it. Which Peter taking notice of, sus of Nazareth whom they themselves had crubegan to discourse to them to this effect: That cified, and God had raised from the dead; and there was no reason they should wonder at them, whom, though they had thrown him by as waste as if by their own skill and art they had wrought and rubbish, yet God had made "head of the this cure, it being entirely done in the name of corner;" and that there was no other way wheretheir crucified master, by the power of that very in they, or others, could expect salvation, but by Christ, that holy and just person, whom they this crucified Saviour. Great was the boldness themselves had denied, and delivered up to Pilate, of the apostles, admired by the Sanhedrim itself, and preferred a rebel and a murderer before him, in this matter; especially if we consider that this when his judge was resolved to acquit him: and probably was the very court that had so lately that though they had put him to death, yet that sentenced and condemned their master; and they were witnesses, that God had raised him being fleshed in such sanguinary proceedings, had up again, and that he was gone to heaven, where no other way but to go on and to justify one cruelty he must remain till the times of the general resti- by another: that the apostles did not say these tution. That he presumed that this in them, as things in corners and behind the curtain, but to also in their rulers, was, in a great measure, the their very faces, and that in the open court of jueffect of ignorance, and the not being thoroughly dicature, and before all the people. That the convinced of the greatness and divinity of his apostles had not been used to plead in such pubperson; which yet God made use of for the bring-lic places, nor had been polished with the arts of ing about his wise and righteous designs, the ac- education, but were ignorant, unlearned men, complishing of what he had foretold concerning known not to be versed in the study of the Jewish Christ's person and sufferings, by Moses and Samuel, and all "the holy prophets which had been since the world began." 7. The council (which all this while had beThat therefore it held them with a kind of wonder, and now rewas now high time for them to repent and turn to membered that they had been the companions and God, that their great wickedness might be expi- attendants of the late crucified Jesus) commanded ated, and that when Christ should shortly come them to withdraw; and debated amongst themin judgment upon the Jewish nation, that might selves what they should do with them. The mibe a time of comfort and refreshing to them, which racle they could not deny, the fact being so plain woud be one of vengeance and destruction to and evident: and therefore resolved strictly to other men that they were the peculiar persons charge them that they should preach no more in to whom the blessings of the promises did pri- the name of Jesus. Being called in again, they marily appertain, and unto whom God, in the first acquainted them with the resolution of the counplace, sent his Son, that he might derive his bless-cil; to which Peter and John replied, that they ing upon them, by "turning them away from their iniquities." While Peter was thus discoursing to the people in one place, we may suppose that John was preaching to them in another; and the success was answerable: the apostles cast out the seed, and God immediately "gave the increase." There being, by this means, no fewer than five thousand brought over to the faith :* though it is possible the whole body of believers might be comprehended in that number. 6. While the apostles were thus preaching, the priests and Sadduceest (who particularly appeared in this business, as being enemies to all tumults, or whatever might disturb their present ease and quiet, the only portion of happiness they expected; besides that they hated Christianity, because so expressly asserting the resurrection,) being vexed to hear this doctrine vented amongst the people, intimated to the magistrate, that this concourse might probably tend to an uproar and insurrection; whereupon they came with the captain of the temple, (commander of the tower of Antonia, which stood close by, on the north side of the temple; wherein was a Roman garrison to prevent or suppress, especially at festival times, popular tumults and uproars,) who seized on the apostles, and put them into prison. The next day they were convented before the Jewish Sanhedrim; law. could by no means yield obedience to it; appealing to themselves, whether it was not more fit that they should "obey God rather than" them: and that they could not but "testify what they had seen and heard." Nor did they in this answer make any undue reflection upon the power of the magistrates, and the obedience due to them; it being a ruled case, by the first dictates of reason, and the common vote and suffrage of mankind, that parents and governors are not to be obeyed when their commands interfere with the obligations under which we stand to a superior power. All authority is originally derived from God, and our duty to him may not be superseded by the laws of any authority deriving from him. And even Socrates himself, in a parallel instance, when persuaded to leave off his excellent way of institution and instructing youth, and to comply with the humor of his Athenian judges to save his life, returned this answer: "That indeed he loved and honored the Athenians, but yet resolved to obey God rather than them." An answer almost the same, both in substance and words, with that which was here given by our apostles. In all other cases, where the laws of the magistrate did not interfere with the commands of Christ, none more loyal, none more compliant than they. As, indeed, no religion in the world ever secured the interests of civil authority like the religion of the gospel. It posi him lay, lied to, and cheated the Holy Ghost; who, he knew, was privy to the most secret thoughts and purposes of his heart. This was no sooner said, but suddenly, to the great terror and amazement of all that were present, Ananias was arrested with a stroke from heaven, and fell down dead to the ground. Not long after, his wife came reproofs wherewith he had addressed her husband; adding, that the like sad fate and doom should immediately seize upon her; who thereupon dropped down dead; thus, as she had been co-partner with him in the sin, becoming sharer with him in the punishment. An instance of great severity, filling all that heard of it with fear and terror, and acting as a seasonable prevention of that hypocrisy and dissimulation wherewith many might possibly think to have imposed upon the church. tively charges "every soul," of what rank or con- the Holy Ghost?" That before it was sold it was dition soever, "to be subject to the higher powers," wholly at his own disposure; and after, it was peras a divine ordinance and institution; and that fectly in his own power fully to have performed "not for wrath only, but for conscience' sake:" his vow: so that it was capable of no other interit "puts men in mind to be subject to principali-pretation, than that herein he had not only abused ties and powers, and obey magistrates: to submit and injured men, but mocked God, and, what in to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, both to the king as supreme, and unto governors as unto them that are sent by him; for so is the will of God." So far is it from allowing us to violate their persons, that it suffers us not boldly to censure their actions, "to revile the gods, despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities;" or to vilify and injure them so much as by a disho-in, whom Peter entertained with the same severe norable thought; commanding us, when we cannot obey, to suffer the most rigorous penalties imposed upon us with calmness, and " to possess our souls with patience." Thus when these two apostles were shortly after again summoned before the council, commanded no more to preach the Christian doctrine, and to be scourged for what they had done already, though they could not obey the one, they cheerfully submitted to the other, without any peevish or tart reflections, but went away rejoicing. But what the carriage of Christians was in this matter, in the first and best ages of the gospel, we have in another place* sufficiently discovered to the world. We may not withhold our obedience, till the magistrate invades God's throne, and countermands his authority; and may then appeal to the sense of mankind, whether it be not most reasonable that God's authority should first take place, as the apostles here appealed to their very judges themselves. Nor do we find that the Sanhedrim did except against the plea. At least, whatever they thought, yet not daring to punish them for fear of the peo-meanness being no bar to true worth and greatple, they only threatened them, and let them go: who thereupon presently returned to the rest of the apostles and believers. : 8. The church exceedingly multiplied by these means and that so great a company, most whereof were poor, might be maintained, they generally sold their estates, and brought the money to the apostles, to be by them deposited in one common treasury, and thence distributed according to the several exigencies of the church; which gave occasion to this dreadful instance: Ananias and his wife Sapphira, having taken upon them the profession of the gospel, according to the free and generous spirit of those times, had consecrated and devoted their estate to the honor of God; and the necessities of the church; and accordingly sold their possessions, and turned them into money. But as they were willing to gain the reputation of charitable persons, so were they loath wholly to cast themselves upon the Divine Providence, by letting go all at once; and therefore privately withheld part of what they had devoted, and bringing the rest, laid it at the apostles' feet; hoping herein they might deceive the apostles, though immediately guided by the Spirit of God. But Peter, at his first coming in, treated Ananias with these sharp inquiries: why he would suffer Satan to fill his heart with so big a wickedness, as by keeping back of his estate, "to think to deceive * Primitive Christianity, part iii. chap. 4. +Acts v. 1. 9. This severe case being extraordinary, the apostles usually exerted their power in such miracles as were more useful and beneficial to the world; curing all manner of diseases, and dispossessing devils; insomuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them upon beds and couches, that at least Peter's shadow, as he passed by, might come upon them.* These astonishing miracles could not but mightily contribute to the propagation of the gospel, and convince the world that the apostles were more considerable persons than they took them for; poverty and ness. And, methinks, Erasmus's reflection is here not unseasonable: that no honor or sovereignty, no power or dignity was comparable to this glory of the apostle; that the things of Christ, though in another way, were more noble and excellent than any thing that this world could afford. And therefore he tells us, that when he beheld the state and magnificence wherewith pope Julius II. appeared, first at Bononia and then at Rome, equalling the triumphs of a Pompey or a Cæsar, he could not but think how much all this was below the greatness and majesty of St. Peter; who converted the world, not by power or armies, not by engines or artifices of pomp and grandeur, but by faith in the power of Christ, and drew it to the admiration of himself: and the same state (says he) would no doubt attend the apostles' successors, were they men of the same temper and holiness of life. The Jewish rulers, alarmed with this news, and awakened with the growing numbers of the church, send to apprehend the apostles, and cast them into prison. But God, who is never wanting to his own cause, despatched that night an angel from heaven to open the prison doors, commanding them to repair to the temple, and to the exercise of their ministry; which they did early in the morning, and there taught the people. How unsuccessful are the projects of the wisest statesmen, when God frowns upon them! how little do any counsels against * Acts v. 15. heaven prosper! In vain is it to shut the doors only to Jerusalem. Hitherto the church had been where God is resolved to open them: the firmest crowded up within the city walls, and the religion bars, the strongest chains cannot hold, when once had crept up and down in private corners; but the God has designed and decreed our liberty. The professors of it, being now dispersed abroad by officers returning the next morning, found the pri- the malice and cruelty of their enemies, carried son shut and guarded, but the prisoners gone: Christianity along with them, and propagated it into wherewith they acquainted the council, who much the neighboring countries; accomplishing here wondered at it; but being told where the apostles by an ancient prophecy, that "out of Sion should were, they sent to bring them, without any noise go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from or violence, before the Sanhedrim; where the Jerusalem."* Thus God overrules the malice of high-priest asked them how they durst go on to men, and makes intended poison to become food propagate that doctrine, which they had so strict- or physic. That Divine Providence that governs ly commanded them not to preach? Peter, in the the world, more particularly superintends the af name of the rest, told them that they must in this fairs and interests of his church, so that no wea case "obey God rather than men:" that though pon formed against Israel shall prosper; curses they had so barbarously and contumeliously treat- shall be turned into blessings, and that become an ed the Lord Jesus, yet that God had raised him eminent means to enlarge and propagate the gos up, and exalted him to be "a Prince and a Sa- pel, which they designed as the only way to sup viour," to give both "repentance and remission of press and stifle it. Amongst those that were sins" that they were witnesses of these things, scattered, Philip the deacon was driven down unto and so were those miraculous powers which the Samaria, where he preached the gospel, and conHoly Ghost conferred upon all true Christians. firmed his preaching by many miraculous cures, Vexed was the council with this answer, and be- and dispossessing devils. In this city there was gan to consider how to cut them off. But Ga- one Simon, who by magic arts and diabolical sormaliel, a grave and learned senator, having com- ceries sought to advance himself into a great fame manded the apostles to withdraw, bade the coun- and reputation with the people, insomuch that cil take heed what they did to them; putting them they generally beheld him as the great power of in mind, that several persons had heretofore raised God; for so the ancients tell us he used to style parties and factions, and drawn vast numbers himself; giving out himself to be the first and after them, but that they had miscarried, and they chiefest Deity, the Father who is God over all: and their designs come to nought: that therefore that is, that he was that which in every nation they should do well to let these men alone: that was accounted the supreme Deity. This man, if their doctrines and designs were merely human, hearing the sermons, and beholding the miracles they would, in time, of themselves fall to the that were done by Philip, presented himself ground; but if they were of God, it was not all amongst the numbers of believers, and was baptheir power and policies would be able to defeat tized with them. The apostles, who yet remainand overturn them; and that they themselves ed at Jerusalem, having heard of the great suc would herein appear to oppose the councils and cess of Philip's ministry at Samaria, thought good designs of heaven: with this prudent and rational to send some of their number to his assistance; advice they were satisfied; and having command- and accordingly deputed Peter and John, who ed the apostles to be scourged, and charged them came thither: where having prayed for, and laid no more to preach this doctrine, restored them to their hands upon these new converts, they pretheir liberty who, notwithstanding this charge sently received the Holy Ghost. Simon the maand threatening, returned home in a kind of tri- gician observing, that by laying on of the apostle's umph, that they were accounted worthy to suffer hands, miraculous gifts were conferred upon men, in so good a cause, and to undergo shame and re-offered them a considerable sum of money to inproach for the sake of so good a master. Nor could all the hard usage they met with from men discourage them in their duty to God, or make them less zealous and diligent both publicly and privately to preach Christ in every place. SECTION VIII. Of St. Peter's Acts, from the dispersion of the THE church had been hitherto tossed with gentle storms; but now a more violent tempest overtook it, which began in the proto-martyr Stephen,* and was more vigorously carried on afterwards; by Occasion whereof the disciples were dispersed. And God, who always brings good out of evil, hereby provided that the gospel should not be confined * Acts viii. 1. vest him with this power, that on whom he laid his hands they might receive the Holy Ghost. Peter, perceiving his rotten and insincere intentions, rejected his impious motion with scorn and detestation: "Thy money perish with thee." He told him that his heart was naught and hypocritical; that he could have no share nor portion in so great a privilege; that it more concerned him to repent of so great a wickedness, and sincerely seek to God, that so the thought of his heart might be forgiven him; for that he perceived that he had a very vicious and corrupt temper and constitution of mind, and was as yet bound up under a very wretched and miserable state, displeasing to God, and dangerous to himself. The conscience of the man was a little startled with this, and he prayed the apostles to intercede with heaven, that God would pardon his sin, and that none of these things might fall upon him. But how little cure this wrought upon him we shall find elsewhere, when we shall again meet with him * Isaiah ii. 3. afterwards. The apostles having thus confirmed the church at Samaria, and preached up and down in the villages thereabouts, returned back to Jerusalem, to join their counsel and assistance to the rest of the apostles. 2. The storm, though violent, being at length blown over, the church enjoyed a time of great calmness and serenity; during which Peter went out to visit the churches lately planted in those parts, by those disciples who had been dispersed by the persecution at Jerusalem. Coming down to Lydda, the first thing he did was to work a cure upon one Eneas, who being crippled with the palsy, had lain bedrid for eight years together. Peter coming to him, bade him in the name of Christ to arise; and the man was immediately restored to perfect health. A miracle that was not confined only to his person, but being known abroad, generally brought over the inhabitants of that place. The fame of this miracle having flown to Joppa, a seaport town some six miles thence, the Christians there presently sent for Peter on this occasion. Tabitha, whose Greek name was Dorcas, a woman venerable for her piety and diffusive charity, was newly dead, to the great lamentation of all good men, and much more to the loss of the poor that had been relieved by her. Peter, coming to the house, found her dressed up for her funeral solemnity, and compassed about with the sorrowful widows, who showed the coats and garments wherewith she had clothed them, the badges of her charitable liberality. Peter, shutting all out, kneeled down and prayed; and then turning him to the body, commanded her to arise; and lifting her up by the hand, presented her in perfect health to her friends and those that were about her; by which he confirmed many, and converted more to the faith. After which he staid some considerable time at Joppa, lodging in the house of Simon a tanner. sengers knocked at the door, inquiring for him; from whom he received this account: that Cornelius, a Roman, captain of a band of Italian soldiers at Cæsarea, a person of great piety and religion, (being of the proselytes at the gate, who though not observing an exact conformity to the rites of the Mosaic law, did yet maintain some general correspondence with it, and lived under the obligation of the seven precepts of the sons of Noah,) had by an immediate command from God, sent for him. The next day Peter, accompanied with some of the brethren, went along with them; and the day after they came to Cæsarea against whose arrival, Cornelius had summoned his friends and kindred to his house. Peter arriving, Cornelius (who was affected with a mighty reverence for so great a person) fell at his feet and worshipped him; a way of address frequent in those eastern countries towards princes and great men, but by the Greeks and Romans appropriated as a peculiar honor to the gods. Peter, rejecting the honor, as due only to God, entered into the house, where he first made his apology to the company, that though they could not but know, that it was not lawful for a Jew to converse in the duties of religion with those of another nation, yet that now God had taught him another lesson. And then proceeded particularly to inquire the reason of Cornelius's sending for him. Whereupon Cornelius told him, that four days since, being conversant in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel had appeared to him, and told him, that his prayers and alms were come up for a memorial before God; that he should send to Joppa for one Simon Peter, who lodged in a tanner's house by the seaside, who should further make known his mind to him; that accordingly he sent, and being now come, they were there met to hear what he had to say to them. Where we see, that though God sent an angel to Cornelius to acquaint him with his will, yet the angel was only to direct him to the apostle for instruction in the faith; which no doubt was done, partly that God might put the greater honor upon an institution that was likely to meet with contempt and scorn enough from the world; partly to let us see that we are not to expect extraordinary and miraculous ways of teaching and information, where God affords ordinary means. 3. While he abode in this city, retiring one morning to the house-top to pray,t (as the Jews frequently did, having thence a free and open prespect towards Jerusalem and the temple,) it being now near noon, which was the conclusion of one of their stated times of prayer, he found himself hungry, and called for meat; but while it was preparing, he himself fell into a trance, wherein was represented to him a large sheet let down from heaven, containing all sorts of crea- 4. Hereupon Peter began this discourse; that tures, clean and unclean; a voice at the same by comparing things it was now plain and evident, time calling to him, that he should rise, kill freely, that the partition wall was broken down; that God and indifferently feed upon them. Peter, tena-had no longer a particular kindness for nations and cious as yet of the rites and institutions of the persons; that it was not the nation, but the reliMosaic law, rejoined, that he could not do it, hav-gion; not the outward quality of the man, but the ing never eaten any thing that was common or inward temper of the mind, that recommends men unclean. To which the voice replied, that what to God; that the devout and the pious, the righteGod had cleansed he should not account or call common. Which being done thrice, the vessel was again taken up into heaven, and the vision presently disappeared. By this symbolic representment, though Peter at present knew not what to make of it, God was teaching him a new lesson, and preparing him to go upon an errand and embassy, which the Spirit at the same time expressly commanded him to undertake. While he was in this doubtful posture of mind, three mes-divine powers and graces, in the exercise whereof ous and the good man, wherever he be, is equally dear to heaven; that God has as much respect for a just and virtuous person in the wilds of Scythia, as upon Mount Sion: that the reconciling and making peace between God and man by Jesus Christ, was the doctrine published by the prophets of old; and of late, since the times of John, preached through Galilee and Judea: viz., that God had anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with he constantly went about to do good to men: that they had seen all he had done amongst the Jews; |