feelingly, so spiritually and affectionately, so fervently and perseveringly before, as he did after his conversion. His prayer before was the cry of the old, now of the new creature; before, he prayed with coldness and indifferency, now, he prays with warmth and fervency, as a person in earnest for his soul's happiness and salvation; therefore, Christ brings it in with a note of attention and observation: Now, Behold, he prayeth! 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem : 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Observe here, 1. Ananias' reluctancy and fear to go to Saul, because of his former violent persecution, and present commission; Lord, I have heard of this man, &c. Learn, That such as are very ready and forward for Christ's service, may, upon appearing difficulties, hang back, till they be helped over those difficulties by the help. ing hand of Christ. Thus it was with Ananias, Behold, says he, here am I, Lord, ver. 10. to show his readiness to run on any errand that Christ would send him: but when he came to understand his message, he was affrighted, and began to draw back; therefore the Lord graciously condescends to remove the stumbling-block that lay in the way of his servant's obedience. Fear not; as if Christ had said, "Go thy way he is not what he was, he is another man; yea, he is a new man." Observe, 2. The honourable title which Christ puts upon Saul, He is a chosen vessel; that is, a person chosen of God to convey the divine treasure of the gospel, not only to Jews, but Gentiles also, even to the greatest and highest amongst them: He is a chosen vessel, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings. Where note, 1. The term of usefulness; he is a vessel. Now a vessel is not a natural, but an artificial instrument. No man is born, but made, a minister of the gospel. Vessels are not of equal capacity, some are greater, others less: 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Observe here, 1. Ananias, though no apostle, no deacon, nor minister, that we read of, but an ordinary and private christian only, yet he has power to heal Saul of his blindness, and to confer the Holy Ghost, Receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. If so, undoubtedly he had an extraordinary warrant, for this extraordinary work; for none but the apostles had power to confer the Holy Ghost. No ordinary person ought to undertake any part of the ministerial function, without an extraordinary call and commission. Observe, 2. The title given by Ananias to Saul: brother Saul. They were now brethren by faith and profession, owning the same God, united to the same Saviour, animated by the same Spirit, encouraged by the same promises, partakers of the same hope, and heirs of the same glory. As the scripture speaks of brotherhood betwixt Christ and believers, He is not ashamed to call them brethren: so it speaks of a brotherhood betwixt believers themselves, Love the brotherhood; that is, the whole fraternity and society of christians, who are Sanguine Christi conglutinati, cemented by the blood of Christ, and united by the bond of love. Observe, 3. How this converted person, Saul, takes upon him the badge of christianity by baptism: He arose, and was baptized. Listing him thereby a soldier under Christ's exalted banner, and entering himself a member of that church which heretofore he had made havock of. Observe, 4. The prudent care which Saul takes of his health by giving nature its necessary refreshment: He received meat and was strengthened. Doubtless his body was much weakened and enfeebled, by his long journey partly, but by his consternation, fear, and grief, especially; as also by his humiliation, watchings, fasting, and prayer; it was therefore his duty to refresh nature, and strengthen himself for the service of his great Master wherever he should please to send him. Whilst we are in the body, there is a debt of care which we owe to the body: meat and drink are the supports of life, under the influence of the divine blessing; and all superstitious abstinence from food is no better than will-worship. Observe, lastly, Saul is no sooner changed himself, but he changeth his company and acquaintance. He no longer associates with the chief priests and rulers of the synagogues, but with the followers of Jesus, ver. 19. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Men, who cunningly conceal their inclinations, may yet be known by their constant companions. Saul was now a companion of them that feared God, and kept his commandments. The disciples at Damascus, whom he came to destroy, are now become his delight: He continued certain days with the disciples. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him. 24 But their laying await was known of Saul, and they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, in a basket. 25 Here we have an account of St. Paul's entrance upon his ministerial office in preaching the gospel: Straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues. Where note, 1. The time of his preaching, straightway; he fell presently to his Master's work, not consulting flesh and blood about the difficulties and dangers that might attend it; but performs his duty with such zeal and immediate application, as became a person of his holy character and profession. Note, 2. The place which he preached in the Jewish synagogues. He was afterwards indeed the apostle of the Gentiles, but, according to Christ's command, he first preached the word of life to the Jews, to convert some, and to leave others without excuse; after which he turned from them unto the Gentiles, according to Acts xiii. 46. It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you but because you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Note, 3. The doctrine he preached: That Jesus was the Son of God, the true, promised, and expected Messias; and that all the prophecies and predictions of the prophets concerning the Messias, were exactly fulfilled in his person. Note, 4. The effect of his preaching: 1. Some of his auditors were amazed, admiring that so pestilent a persecutor was become a powerful preacher: These glorified God in him. 2. Others were confuted, yea, confounded, being unable to withstand the force and dint of his argument, by which he proved, that this is the very Christ. Note, 5. The hazard which the apostle ran in preaching the gospel at Damascus: his enemies, who were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake, took counsel to kill him, and in order to it, watch ed the gates of the city day and night, there being in their apprehensions no possibility of his escaping. Note, 6. The manner and means of his deliverance: some christians who dwelt at Damascus let him down in a basket by the wall, and so he escaped the hands of his bloody enemies. The wisdom of God is never at a loss to find out ways and means, either ordinary or extraordinary, for the deliverances of his servants, when their deliverance makes most for his own glory, and the gospel's advantage. God had much work for Paul to do; and till he had finished his work, his encmies could not take him off with all their combined power and malice. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them, how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, coming in and going out, at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Here we have an account of the second place which Paul exercised his ministry in, namely, Jerusalem. Having escaped with life at Damascus, he comes to Jerusalem, and attempts to join himself to the disciples there, who were all afraid of him, knowing how bloody a persecutor he had been. The conversion of a persecutor is so rare and seldom heard of, that it puts the largest charity hard to it, to believe the verity and reality of such a person's conversion unto God. The disciples, who had formerly felt the effects of Saul's persecuting rage and fury, might justly be afraid of taking him into intimate fellowship and communion with the church. Observe next, How Barnabas was stirred up by the Spirit of God to present Saul to the church, and free their minds of all fears and jealousies which they had entertained concerning him; and this he doth by a threefold argument: 1. Because he had seen Jesus Čhrist in the way, as he went to persecute the saints at Damascus. 2. Because the Lord had spoken to him with a strong hand, and wrought a mighty change in him, and upon him; the persecutor being now become a great professor. 3. Because he was not only become a professor, but a preacher of that gospel he had persecuted, and this boldly and publicly, both at Damascus and in Arabia : proving undeniably that Jesus was the Christ. and the true Messiah. This testimony of Barnabas was full and satisfactory, both to the church at Jerusalem, and also to Peter, James, and John, who gave Paul the right hand of fellowship, and he went with them to the work. Observe, lastly, How the life here at Jerusalem, as they did before enemies of the gospel conspire against Paul's at Damascus, for preaching Christ, and disputing with the Grecians in defence of the gospel of Christ: they lay siege for his life. Learn thence, That always opposition, and often persecution, is the evil ghost that haunts the preachers and preaching of the gospel wherever it goes. To preach the word convincingly, brings the ill will of an evil world infallibly upon the head of the preacher. But why did these men rather seek to kill Paul than Peter, James, or Barnabas ? Answer, Because he was formerly one of their own, of their own company, of their own college; a persecutor like themThis enraged them; they looked not selves, and a persecutor with themselves. upon him as an apostle, but as an apostate one that had revolted from them, a renegado, and as such they meditate his destruction night and day: insomuch, that it is probable that never were so many sufferings heaped upon the head of any minister of the gospel throughout the world as upon St. Paul, (see them reckoned up, 2 Cor. xi. 23, &c.) partly through the ha tred of the Jews, and partly through the fury of the blind Gentiles; yet the Lord delivered him out of all. Till his work was done, and his race run, and he had finished the course of his ministry, neither the malice of men, nor the rage of devils, could take him off. Blessed be God, our times are in his hands, not in our enemies', not yet in our own. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. That is, "After Saul's miraculous conversion, and after he was sent away, and departed from those parts, where the Jews, his old companions in persecution, could not endure his presence, he having been just before as zealous a persecutor as themselves. Then the churches planted by Philip and others throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, had much rest and peace, and were greatly edified in knowledge and faith, in holiness and love; and the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit daily increasing in them, the number of believers daily multiplied." Learn thence, That after the persecution and wearisome troubles of the church, God has his times for their peace and rest. God sends his church sun-shine after showers, a calm after a storm, health after an hectic, and a Canaan's rest after a wilderness' journey. Learn, 2. That it is the church's duty to improve her peace and rest for her spiritual edifying; that is, for her settlement and growth, for her establishment and increase, in all the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit. Learn, 3. That it is a very great blessing to have the churches of God multiplied, and their multiplication is the happy fruit and consequent of their having peace: Then had the churches rest, were edified and multiplied. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. of St. Paul's life and actions for the present, The Holy Ghost now leaves the relation and returns to give a farther account of St. Peter, what he said, what he did, and what he suffered, particularly at Lydda, at Joppa, and Cesarea. At Lydda, he healed Eneas, at Joppa he raised Dorcas, and at Cesarea he preached the gospel to the Gentiles. Observe, 1. What this great apostle St. Peter did at Lydda: he there in the name, that is, by the power of Christ, healed Eneas, who lay sick of the palsy, and had kept his bed eight years. Where note, The difficulty of the cure, the manner of the cure, and the effects of the cure. Note, 1. The difficulty of the cure: the disease was a dead palsy, which had taken away the use of his limbs, and made him bed-rid for eight years. All this is recorded, to show the difficulty of the cure, and the greatness of the miracle: Omnipotenti Medico nullus insanabilis occurrit morbus ; "To such an almighty physician as the great God is, no disease is found incurable." Note, 2. The manner of the cure: St. Peter acts in Christ's name, not his own; and lets the lame man know whom he should own for his benefactor, Christ himself. The apostle was but the instrument in Christ's hand: and that the cure was perfectly miraculous, appears by this; the cripple was cured immediately, and cured perfectly; it was a present cure, ver. 34. And he arose immediately. The instantaneous manner of the cure shows it to be miraculous, and by a divine power; for nature and art act in time and by degrees, bringing nothing to perfection on a sudden; whereas this cure was wrought in a moment, his strength is restored in an instant. It was also a perfect cure, and as an evidence of it he takes up his bed this was to show that he was this cure: it had such an influence upon fully recovered. Note, 3. The effects of the spectators of this miracle: that all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, when they saw it, turned to the Lord, ver. 35. That is, they embraced the faith, seeing the cripple so strangely, so suddenly, and so perfectly cured. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weep ing, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made whilst she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed, and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. This chapter concludes with a relation of the second miracle wrought by St. Peter at Joppa, in raising dead Dorcas to life. Where note, 1. The person upon whom this miracle was wrought: Dorcas, a woman rich in good works, full of alms-deeds; yet neither her piety towards God, nor her liberality to the poor, could preserve her either from death or from diseases. A dear disciple may be discased, and die: Behold he, whom thou lovest, is sick, John xi. 3. yea, and dead too. Strength of grace, and dearness of respect, even from Christ himself, cannot prevail against diseases. Good Dorcas here lies dead, with her body washed, not only to fit her for burial, but especially to show their hope of the resurrection. Note, 2. The doleful lamenta tion made by the widows for the loss of this good woman, who used to clothe the naked with the labour of her hands. She did not spend her time in making rich ap- which Dorcas had made; the undoubted CHAP. X. This chapter acquaints us with the first overtures which the apostles made to preach the gospel to the Gentiles: according to Christ's command, they began at Jerusalem, and preached to the Jews throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee; but now the time was come for beating down and laying flat the partition-wall betwixt Jew and Gentile, which accordingly is done in this chapter, by St. Peter's preaching to Cornelius, who was the first-fruits of the Gentiles' conversion to christianity. THERE was a certain man in Ce sarea, called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Observe here, 1. The person described to whom St. Peter is sent to preach the gospel: by his name, Cornelius; by his oc |