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 28 in the name of Jesus. And he was with them com29 ing in, and going out at Jerusalem (m). And he fpake

boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed

against the Grecians (n): but they went about to day 30 him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought

him down to Cefarea, and fent him forth to Tarfus. 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. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout

all quarters, he came down also to the faints which 33 dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man

named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was fick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him,

Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole : arife and 35 make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all

that dwelt at Lydda, and Saron, faw him, and turned to the Lord.

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--deeds37 which she did. And it came to pass in those days,

that she was sick, and died : whom when they had 38 washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And

forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the difciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent un

to him two men, desiring him that he would not de39 lay to come to them. Then Peter arose, and went

with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood

34

36

(m) Familiarly and consantly.

(n) The Grecians were Jews, who used a Greek translation of the criptures of tıc Old Testament. Chap. vi. 1. Note.

by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments 40 which Dorcas made while fhe was with them. But

Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed, and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, a

rise. And she opened her eyes : and when the faw 41 Peter, she fat up. And he gave her his hand, and

lift her up; and when he had called the faints and 42 widows, presented her alive. And it was known

throughout all Joppa ; and many believed in the 43 Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days

in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

THER
HERE was a certain man in Cefarea, cailed Cor-

nelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian 2 band. Adevout (a) man, and one thať feared God with

all his house, which gave much alms to the people, 3 and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evi

dently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of

God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Corne4 lius. 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 me5 morial before God. And now send men to Joppa, 6 and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter : Hé

lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by

the fea-fide: he fhall tell thee what thou oughteft to 7 do. And when the angel which spake unto Corne

lius, was departed, he called two of his houshold fer

vants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on 8 him continually: And when he had declared all these

things unto them, he fent them to Joppa.

(a) Devout is the word which throughout this book of the Afts is used for all uncircumcised Gentile converts, who had renounced idolatry, and worshipped the true God, without fubmitting to the whole ceremonial law.

9

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon 10 the house-top(b) to pray, about the sixth hour.(c). And

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

saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending

unto him, as it had been a great sheet, knit at the 12 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 13

the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Pe14 ter ; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not fo, Lord:

for I have never eaten any thing that is common or 15 unclean (d). And the voice spake unto him again the

fecond time, What God hath cleansed, that call not 16 thou common. This was done thrice: and the vef17 fel was received up again into heaven. Now while

Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he kad seen, fhould mean; behold, the men which were

sent from Cornelius, had made enquiry for Simon's 18 house, and stood before the gate, And called, and

asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter,

were lodged there. 19

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit faid 20 unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arile there

fore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubt21 ing nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter

went down to the men which were fent unto him
from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom
ye
feek: what is the cause wherefore

ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a juít man,

and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by

(6) See Mall. x. 27.
10) The sixth hour was twelve o'clock at noon..

(d) By common food the Jews meant such as was eaten by the Gentiles, but forbidden by the law. of Moses to the Jews,, to whom. it was therefore unclean..

an

an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to 23 hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away

with them, and certain brethren (e) from Joppa ac24 companied him.' And the morrow after they entered

into Cesarea : and Cornelius waited for them, and.'

had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, 26 and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But

Peter took him up, saying, Stand up (f); I myself. 27 also am a man. And as he talked with hiin, he went 28 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 company, or come unto one of another nation : but God hath

shewed me, that I fhould not call any man common. 29 or unclean (s). Therefore came I into you without

gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for : I ask therefore 30. for what intent

ye

have sent for me? And Cornelius faid!, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour (h),. and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and be

hold, a man stood before me in bright cloathing,, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine

alms are had in remembrance in the fight of God. 32 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 com33 eth, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I

sent to thee;, and thou hast well done that thou art.

(e) Certain brethren; that is, certain fellow-christians.

f) Obferve here that St. Peter refused to be worshipped; nor can he be supposed in his glorified ftate to desire, or accept, that worship which he intimates in this paffage ought to be paid to God: alone, and not to man or any creature.

(g) See John iv. 9. xviii. 28.

(h) That hour being the sixth or noon, the ninth was three o'clock after noon.

come.

Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of

God. 34

Then Peter opened his mouth, and faid, Of a truth I perceive that God is no refpecter of persons : 35 But in every nation, he that feareth him, and work36 eth righteousness, is accepted with him. The word

which God fent unto the children of Israel, preach

ing peace (i) by Jefus Christ, (he is Lord of all) 37 That word (Isay), you know (k), which was published:

throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after 38 the baptisın which John preached: How God a

nointed Jefus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing good, and heal

ing all that were oppreffed of the devil: for God was 39 with him. And we are witnesses of all things which

he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusa40 lem ; whom they new and hanged on a tree : Him

God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly, 41 Not to all the people, but unto witneffes, chofen be

fore of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with 42 him after he rose from the dead. And he command

ed us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it

is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of 43 quick and dead. To him give all the prophets wit

nefs, that through his name whofoever believeth in

him shall receive remission of sins. 44

While Peter yet spake these words, the holy Ghost 45 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 46 Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, 47 and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any

(i) Peace signifies forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. (*) They had at least heard of it, it being every where preached.

man