Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

enlarged, and the several parts of the diseased members performed their natural transactions: upon which the man accompanied them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God for his cure.

An event so strange and extraordinary, filled the minds of the people with admiration, and their curiosity drew them round the apostles to view the men who had performed it. Peter, seeing the multitude gathering round them took the opportunity of speaking to them in the following manner: "Men and brethren, this remarkable cure should not excite your admiration of us, as if we had performed it by our own power; it was wrought in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, our crucified Master, by the power of that very CHRIST, that holy and just Person, whom you yourselves denied, and delivered to Pilate, nay, and preferred a murderer before him, when the governor was desirous of letting him go: but though you have put him to death, yet we are witnesses that he hath raised him again from the dead, and that he is ascended into heaven, where he will remain till the great and tremendous day of general restitution."

While Peter was speaking to the people in one part of the temple, John was, in all probability, doing the same in the other: and the success plainly indicated how powerfully the preaching of the apostles was; five thou sand persons embracing the doctrine of the gospel, and acknowledging the crucified Jesus for their Lord and Redeemer.

The attention and envy of the rulers of Israel could not fail of being excited at such amazing success from the preaching of the apostles; accordingly, the priests and Sadducees repaired to the Roman magistrate, and intimated to him, that, in all probability, this concourse of people would prove the cause of a tumult and insurrection. Upon this information, the captain seized on the apostles, and cast them into prison. The next day they were carried before the Jewish Sanhedrim: and being asked by what power and authority they had done this, Peter, boldly answered, Be it known unto you and to all the descendants of Jacob, that this miracle was wrought wholly in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye yourselves have crucified and slain, and whom the Almighty hath raised again from the dead. This is the stone which you builders refused, and which is become the head of the corner: nor is there any other way by which you, or any of the sons of men can be saved, but by this crucified Saviour, the Lord JESUS CHRIST."

After beholding the apostles with a kind of astonishment, the court remembered that they had seen them with JESUS of Nazareth, and therefore ordered them to withdraw, whilst they debated amongst themselves what was proper to be done: it was impossible to deny the miracle, for it was performed before all the people, and the person on whom it was wrought, was no stranger in Jerusalem. They therefore resolved to sharge them strickly not to preach any more in the name of Jesus: accordingly, they were again called in and acquainted with the resolution of the council: to which the apostles answered, "That they had received a commission from heaven, to declare to all nations what they had seen and heard, it was certainly their duty to obey God rather than man.”

Although this was a fair appeal to the consciences of their very judges ; yet these rulers of Israel, instead of being satisfied with it, would in all probability have proceeded to a greater violence, had not the people's vener ration for the apostles checked their malice; so that all they dared to do, was to enforce their menaces, and suffer them to depart.

* This intrepidity of the apostles had the desired effect; the church »ins creased exceedingly; and that so great a company, especially the poor and needy, might be maintained, the professors of the religion of the holy JE sus sold their estates, and brought the money to the apostles, that they might deposit it in one common treasury, and from thence supply the seys eral exigencies of their poor brethren.

...

[ocr errors]
[graphic][subsumed]

are witnesses, together with the miraculous powers which the Holy Ghost hath conferred on all Christians."

As the Apostles delivered this answer with remarkable boldness, it exasperated the council, and they began to consult how they might destroy them: bat Gamaliel, a grave and learned counsellor, after commanding the apostles to withdraw, desired them to proceed with caution in an af fair of this nature; reminding them, that several persons had already raised parties, and drawn great numbers of persons after them; but that every one of them had miscarried, and all their designs were rendered abortive without the interposition of that court. That they would therefore do well to let the apostles alone; for if their doctrines and designs were of human invention they would come to nothing; but if they were of God, all their powers and policy would be of no effect.

The council were satisfied with this prudent and rational advice, and af ter commanding the apostles to be scourged, they strictly charged them to preach no more in the name of JESUS, and set them at liberty: but this charge had little effect on the disciples of the blessed Jesus; they returned home in triumph, rejoicing that they were thought worthy to suffer in so righteous a cause, and to undergo shame and reproach for so kind and so powerful a Master.

Hitherto the church at Jerusalem had been tossed with gentle storms, but now it was overtaken by a violent tempest, which commenced with the death of the proto-martyr Stephen, and was now carried on with greater violence; nor did it end bat with the dispersion of the disciples, by which means the glad-tidings of the gospel, which had till then been confined to Judea, and the professors of it hid in secret places, was now preached to the Gentile world and an ancient prophecy fulfilled which says, "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Thus does the Almighty bring good out of evil, and cause the malicious intentions of the wicked to redound to his praise, in the further spreading of the truth.

The followers of the blessed Jesus being thus dispersed, Philip the deacon retired to Samaria, where he preached the gospel, and confirmed his doctrine by many miraculous cures, and casting out devils. In this city was one Simon, who, by magic arts and diabolical sorceries, was beheld with admiration by the people; and some considered him as the great pow er of God, a name he blasphemously gave himself, pretending to be the first and chief deity, or what every nation considered as the supreme God. This wicked mortal, hearing the sermons of Philip, and beholding the miracles wrought by him, became a convert to the religion of Jesus, and was baptized with the others who had embraced Christianity.

Several of the Apostles who continued at Jerusalem, were soon informed of the remarkable success of Philip's ministry at Samaria, and thought it necessary to send him assistance. Accordingly, Peter and John were deputed to this infant church, who having prayed and laid their hands on the new converts, they received the Holy Ghost. Such miraculous gifts astonished the magician, and desirous of obtaining the same privilege, he offered the disciples money to invest him with this power, that on whomsoever he laid his hands they might receive the Holy Ghost; but Peter, who perceived the insincerity of his heart, rejected his offer with scorn and detestation. "Thy money, said that great apostle, perish with thee. And as thy heart is full of hypocrisy and deceit, thou canst have no share nor portion in so great a privilege. Thou wouldest do well to repent for so monstrous a crime, and sincerely apply thyself to seek the Almighty, that the thoughts of thy heart may be forgiven thee; for I perceive that thy temper and disposition of mind is still vicious and corrupt, and that thou art yet bound by the chains of iniquity, and in a state displeasing to the Almighty, and dangerous to the welfare of thy own soul." Ww

This speech of St. Peter terrified Simon, his conscience flew in his face, and he prayed the apostles to make intercession for him to the throne of grace, that the Almighty might pardon his sin, and not inflict on him those heavy judgments they had denounced.

After this violent storm, the church enjoyed a time of calmness and serenity; during which St. Peter went to visit the churches lately planted in those parts, by the disciples whom the persecution had dispersed: and at his arrival at Lydda, he miraculously healed Eneas, who had been affliét ed with the palsy, and confined to his bed eight years; but on Peter's bidding him arise in the name of Jesus, he was immediately restored to perfect health. Nor was the success of this miracle confined to Eneas and his family, the fame of it being blazed through all the neighbouring country, and many believed in the doctrine of the Son of God. It was even known at Joppa, a sea port town about six miles from Lydda; and the brethren immediately sent for Peter, on the following melancholy occasion: Tibatha, whose Greek name was Dorcas, a woman venerable for her piety and extensive charity, was newly dead, to the great loss of all mankind who loved the paths of virtue, especially the poor and afflicted, who were supported by her benevolence.

When St. Peter arrived, he found her dressed for her funeral solemnity, and surrounded by mournful widows, who shewed the coats and garments wherewith she had clothed them, the monuments of her liberality: but Peter put them all out, and kneeling down, prayed with the utmost fervency; then turning to the body, he commanded her to arise, and taking her by the hand, presented her in perfect health to her friends and others, who were assembled to pay their last duties to so good a woman. This miracle confirmed those who had newly embraced the gospel of JESUS, and converted many more to the faith. After which he stayed a considerable time here, and lodged in the house of one Simon a Tanner, at Joppa.

While he abode in this city, one day when he was offering up his prayers to the Almighty, he found himself hungry, and called for meat; but while it was dressing for him, he fell into a trance, wherein was presented to him a large sheet let down from heaven, containing all sorts of creatures, clean and unclean; and at the same time a voice said to him, "Arise Peter, kill and eat!" but the apostle, as yet tenacious of the rites and institutions of the Mosaic law, answered, that his conscience refused to comply, having never eaten any thing that was common of unclean. To which the voice replied, "That it was unjust to consider that as common which God had cleansed." This was done thrice, after which the vessel was again drawn up to heaven, and the vision disappeared. By this symbolical representation St. Peter was given to understand, that the Almighty was now going to send him on a new embassy, which the Spirit at the same time commanded him to undertake. While he was still wondering with himself what the event would prove, three messengers knocked at the gate, enquiring for him; and from them he received the following account: That Cornelius a Roman captain of a band of Italian soldiers at Cesarea, a person of great piety and religion, one who had been long a proselyte of the gate, had sent for him, by an immediate command from God. Peter, accompanied with some of the brethren, went the next day with the messengers, and soon after arrived at Cesarea.

Cornelius having information of his coming, had summoned his friends and kindred to Cesarea; and at the apostle's entering his house, fell at his feet, a method of address frequent in the eastern countries; but Peter, who considered that honour as due only to the Almighty, lifted him up, and declared to the company the reason of his coming, saying he had lately learned, that with God there was no respect of persons.

As soon as the apostle had ended his speech, Cornelius, at his request. related the particular reason of his sending for him, "Four days ago, said

this Roman officer, being conversant in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel from the courts of heaven appeared to me, declaring that my pray ers and alms were come up as a memorial before the throne of the Most High; and, at the same time, ordered me to send to Joppa to one Simon Peter, who lodged at the house of a Tanner near the sea side who would give me further information in the duties of religion. Accordingly, I made no hesitation to obey the heavenly messenger, but: sent immediately for thee."

The apostle was at first astonished at this relation of the centurion; but he was soon convinced that God had broken down the partition wall, and no longer maintained a peculiar kindness for the sons of Jacob, that it was. not the nation, but the religion; not the external quality of the man, but the internal temper of the mind, that recommended the human race to the favour of Omnipotence; that the devout and pious, the righteous and the good man, whatever part of the earth he may inhabit, is the favorite of heaven; that God as highly respects a just and virtuous man in the barren wastes of Schythia, as on the mountain of Sion; that the reconciling and making peace between God and man by JESUS CHRIST, was the doctrine published by the prophets of old; and that God had now anointed and consecrated JESUS of Nazareth with divine power, in the exercise where. of he went about doing good to the children of men.

At the time that Peter was thus preaching to them, the Holy Ghost fell upon the greatest part of his hearers, enabling them to speak several languages, and in them to magnify the great Creator of the sons of men. At this the Jews, who accompanied Peter, marvelled exceedingly, to see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost were poured upon the Gentiles; and Pe ter seeing this, told the company, that he knew no reason why these persons should not be baptized, as they had received the Holy Ghost as well as them; and, accordingly, he gave orders that they should be baptized; and, to confirm them in the holy faith they had embraced, he tarried some time with them.

Having thus finished his visitation to the new planted churches, Peter re turned to Jerusalem, and was indefatigable in instructing the converts in the religion of Jesus, and preaching the glad tidings of salvation to the descendants of Jacob: but he did not long continue in this pleasing course; Herod Agrippa, in order to ingratiate himself into the favour of the Jews, put St. James to death, and finding the action was highly acceptable to that stiff-necked people, he resolved to extend his cruelty to Peter, and accordingly cast him into prison: but the churches were incessant in their prayers to God for his safety; and what have mortals to fear, when guarded by the hand of Omnipotence! Herod was persuaded he should soon accomplish his intentions, and sacrifice Peter to the insatiable cruelty of the Jews.

The night before the intended execution, a messenger from the courts of heaven visited the gloomy horrors of the dungeon, where he found Peter asleep between his keepers. The angel raised him up, took off his chains, ordered him to gird on his garments, and follow him: Peter obeyed, and having passed through the first and second watch, they came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord: the angel also accompanied him through one of the streets, and then departed from him; on which Peter came to himself, and perceived that it was no vision, but that his great and beloved Master had really sent a messenger from above, and released him from prison. He therefore repaired to the bouse of Mury, where the church was assembled, and offering up their prayers to the throne of grace for his safety. On knocking at the door, a maid who came to let him in, knowing his voice, ran back to tell them that Peter was at the door, which they a first considered as the effect of fancy: but the damsel continuing to afhem that it was really true, they

« VorigeDoorgaan »