Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

great delight and satisfaction, to be the happy instru ment in restoring the good Eneas. When he arrived at Joppa, he beheld an affecting sight indeed; the body of the pious Dorcas surrounded by indigent widows drowned in tears, deploring the loss of their benefactress, by whose bounty and industry they had been clothed. What then must have been his sensations when, in answer to his prayers, her soul was restored to re-animate the body, and while he witnessed the rapturous delight of the widows when they beheld her alive! This miracle was publicly known throughout Joppa, and greatly promoted the propagation of the Gospel.

poor

There is one particular in Dorcas's character, which has a peculiar claim to the attention of the female sex, as it points out a mode of charity which they alone can practise; I mean, that of making coats and gar. ments for the poor. Many an industrious poor woman, for want of having been taught to use her needle, is utterly incapable, through ignorance, of clothing herself and family, even when furnished with the ma terials for doing it. Therefore a benefit may often be doubled, by exerting industry as well as bounty for their relief.

[ocr errors]

Peter, willing to improve so favourable an opportunity, staid for some days at Joppa, at the house of one Simon a tanner, from whence he was sent for to Cesarea on a very extraordinary occasion...

SECTION LXVII.

CORNELIUS THE CENTURION, AND HIS FRIENDS, CONA VERTED AND BAPTIZED BY PETER.

From Acts, Chap. x.

THERE was a certain man in Ceasarea called Corne lius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

6

A de.

A devout man, and one that feared GoD with all his house, which gave mnch alms to the people, and prayed to Gou alway:

He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of GoD, coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius ;

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, LORD? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before GOD.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Šimon, whose surname is Peter.

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his houshold-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually : and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

Aud he became very hungry, and would have eaten : but while they made ready, he fell into a trance.

And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descend. ing unto him, as it had been a great sheet, knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, LORD; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time,

What

What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice; and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, and called and asked whether Simon who was surnamed Peter, lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are

come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth GOD, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them.. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him..

And the morrow after they entered into Cesarea: and Cornelius waited for them,, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him..

But Peter, took him up, saying, Stand up.: I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep com.

pany

pany with, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me, that I should not call any man common or unclean.'

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side; who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast done well that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before GoD, to hear all things that are commanded thee of GoD. I

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons;

But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which GoD sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by JESUS CHRIST: (he is LORD of all :),

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached :

How GoD anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for GOD was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did, both

in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree.

Him God raised up the third day and shewed him openly. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify GOD. Then answered Peter,

Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we ?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

The subject of this section requires very particular consideration, as an argument has been drawn from the beginning of Peter's discourse to Cornelius, that there is no necessity for becoming disciples of CHRIST; but that it is sufficient if we live according to the principles and light of nature, since every one that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. This text,

taken

« AnteriorContinuar »