There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian _band_, Ver. 1. _A centurion of the band_] He might well have been a commander in the thundering legion, _qui plus precando quam praeliando potuerunt, _ κεραυνοβολος. _Preces sunt bombardae et instrumen... [ Continue Reading ]
_A_ devout _man_, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Ver. 2. _A devout man, &c._] ευσεβης. Not of the king's religion, whatever it be, as those Melchites it, Nicephorus. And as Tertullian tells us in his Apology, that the people... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 3. _About the ninth hour_] Which was the time of the evening sacrifice, when the joint prayers of the Church were ascending as incense.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 4. _Thy prayers and thine alms_] Dr Powel relateth this saying of Leotinus, Prince of Wales, that when he was moved by some to make war... [ Continue Reading ]
And now send men to Joppa, and call for _one_ Simon, whose surname is Peter: Ver. 5. _Call for one Simon_] Though an angel certifies Cornelius's prayers were accepted, yet he reads not to him the doctrine of redemption, but refers him to Peter. The office of preaching the gospel is taken from the a... [ Continue Reading ]
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Ver. 6. _With one Simon a tanner_] God knoweth all his by name, and condition of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; Ver. 7. _A devout soldier_] Cornelius had either found him, or made him so. Nero complained that he could never find a faithful servant;... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had declared all _these_ things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. Ver. 8. _And when he had declared_] He knew well the worth of a faithful messenger, Proverbs 25:13. Howbeit the more to affect their hearts, and the better to effect his design, he sets God before them, and shows them the... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 9. _Upon the housetop to pray_] He got upon the leads, as well to avoid distraction as to excite devotion by a full view of heaven above.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, Ver. 10. _He fell into a trance_] His soul was sundered, as it were, for a season, from his body, while he talked with God. So our Saviour was transfigured as he was praying. John was in the spirit on... [ Continue Reading ]
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Ver. 11. _And saw heaven opened_] _sc._ The visible heaven, the air; for, as for the third heaven, it openeth not without a miracle, as some think.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. Ver. 12. _Were all manner of fourfooted_] Gr. παντα. All, that is, some of all sorts; so, _omne animal, _ every living creature, is said to be in Noah's ark; and in the like sense,... [ Continue Reading ]
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. Ver. 13. _Kill and eat_] Peter was hereby taught not to kill and slay in battle, as many of his warlike pretended successors have done, but to kill that corruption that he found in the Gentiles, by the sword of the Spirit, &c. Julius II can... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. Ver. 14. _Common or unclean_] By commonness there is contracted an uncleanness. It is hard to deal in the world, and not be defiled with the corruption that is in the world through lust.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the voice _spake_ unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, _that_ call not thou common. Ver. 15. _That call not thou common_] Or profane thou not, συ μη κοινου. _See Trapp on "_ Act 10:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Ver. 16. _Received up again into heaven_] The Church's original is from heaven,Revelation 21:10, and thither she shall be taken up again. As in the mean space, our commoration is on earth, our conversation in heaven, Philippian... [ Continue Reading ]
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, Ver. 17. _Stood before the gate_] They pressed not in till licensed; they knew that Jews would not easily... [ Continue Reading ]
And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. Ver. 18. _And called and asked_] Whether death will use so much manners as these did, viz. to call and ask for us, or ever he seizeth us, it is uncertain. _Senibus mors in ianuis, adolescentibus in insidiis, _ saith B... [ Continue Reading ]
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Ver. 19. _While Peter thought on_] διενθυμουμενου, Gr. thought in his mind; _cogitabat quasi coagitabat._ He was busily plodding, and the Spirit came in to help him. Divine meditation is a studious act of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Ver. 20. _Doubting nothing_] Or, not arguing the case, μηδεν διακρινομενος, but readily yielding the obedience of faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 21. _Peter went down_] He sent not for them up, much less made he them to wait three days at the gate (as that pope did Henry the emperor)... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 22. _That feareth God_] Not with a base fear, as those mongrels, 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Then called he them in, and lodged _them_. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Ver. 23. _Certain brethren from Joppa_] Who were well paid for their courteous pains, when (for confirmation of their faith) they beheld the kingdom of Christ pro... [ Continue Reading ]
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. Ver. 24, _Cornelius waited for them_] So the people waited for Zacharias, Luke 1:21. It is fit the people should wait for the minister, not the minister for the peop... [ Continue Reading ]
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped _him_. Ver. 25. _Worshipped him_] Not as God, with divine worship; yet with too much humility, which Peter correcteth. The word must be glorified, the ministers not overly admired.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. Ver. 26. _But Peter took him up_] _Longe aliter papa, _ the pope (Diocletian-like) holds forth his toe to be kissed, and suffers his parasites to deify him. " _Tu vere in terris diceris esse Deus._ " "You truly on earth are said to... [ Continue Reading ]
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. Ver. 27. _He found many that were come together_] With good and honest hearts, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, resolved to be ruled by God, and to pass into the likeness of the heavenly pattern. Lord, saith... [ Continue Reading ]
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 should not call any man common or unclean. Ver. 28. _Not call any man unclean_] _Scilicet, quoad communem vitae usum; Nam alioqu... [ Continue Reading ]
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? Ver. 29. _Without gainsaying, as soon as sent for_] _Hoc est sanctum fide; silentium, _ saith Calvin, this was the holy silence of faith; this was to preach Christ the Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 30. _I was fasting until, &c._] Fulness breeds forgetfulness; but fasting maketh a man capable of heavenly visions of divine glory... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Ver. 31. _Cornelius, thy prayer is heard_] This was a singular happiness, and a sure seal of his good estate to Godward, Psa 66:18-19 John 9:31. Every access to God with success, every gracious retu... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 32. _He is lodged, &c._] God takes notice of every circumstance of his people's affairs; their very walls are e... [ Continue Reading ]
Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Ver. 33. _Now therefore we are all, &c._] All of a mind to serve the Lord with one shoulder, Zephaniah 3:9; as Hezek... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Peter opened _his_ mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Ver. 34. _No respecter of persons_] That is, of their outward state and condition, as country, sex, wealth, wisdom, &c. Outward things neither help nor hurt, please nor displease God, but as they are... [ Continue Reading ]
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Ver. 35. _He that feareth him and worketh righteousness_] This is the whole duty of man, asEcclesiastes 12:13. _His duobus membris comprehenditur totius vitae integritas._ (Calvin.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The word which _God_ sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Ver. 36. _Preaching peace_] For God speaks peace to his people; he creates the fruit of the lips to be peace; he, by his promises powerfully applied, lodgeth a blessed calm in the conscience... [ Continue Reading ]
That word, _I say_, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Ver. 37. _After the baptism_] See how orderly Peter preacheth (like as Luke writeth, καθεξης, _sigillatim_), giving his hearers a distinct and punctual narrative of... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 38. _Oppressed of the devil_] The devil complained in the days of Diocletian that he could not give right oracles, because o... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 39. _And we are witnesses_] Eye-witnesses (which are far better than ear-witnesses) and ancient witnesses, such as of whom Aristotle saith, πιστοτατοι οι παλαιοι... [ Continue Reading ]
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Ver. 40. _Him God raised_] Christ's death he despatcheth in a word, as a thing well known. His resurrection (because more questioned, and of greater moment to beget faith) he more largely discourseth.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 41. _Eat and drink with him_] _In nihilam abiit cibus post resurrectionem sumptus._... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 42. _Ordained of God_] Gr. ωρισμενος, determined, and by definitive sentence concluded.... [ Continue Reading ]
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Ver. 43. _Shall receive remission of sins_] Together with all the purchase of his passion. But this is instanced as a principal piece thereof, and worthily. David had a crown of p... [ Continue Reading ]
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Ver. 44. _While Peter spake; &c._] As manna descended in the dew, so doth the Holy Ghost in and by the preaching of the word, Galatians 3:2; Isaiah 30:20,21 .... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 45. _See Trapp on "_ Act 10:23 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Ver. 46. _Spake with tongues_] This diversity of tongues, laid at first on mankind as a curse, Genesis 11:1,9, God turned into a blessing to his Church, which yet some of the Christian Corinthians abused to pomp and osten... [ Continue Reading ]
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Ver. 47. _Can forbid water_] Plain water, without oil, salt, spittle, cream, or other popish additaments.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Ver. 48. _To be baptized_] The use of the sacraments is to seal up adoption in infants, and faith in those of riper years. _ And he commanded them to be baptized_] And so to be incorporated in... [ Continue Reading ]