That is, St. Stephen's, mentioned in the close of the last chapter; how far he consented to his death, the text tells us, HE KEPT THE GARMENTS OF THEM THAT STONED HIM, THEY LAID DOWN THEIR CLOTHES AT HIS FEET. Acts 7:58. His hand did not throw one stone at the holy martyr's head, but his will concur... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Though St. Stephen was stoned to death by his bloody persecutors, yet are they not so inhuman as to deny him burial; it is. mercy to have. grave, and. decent burial is. blessing: The body is the garment of the soul; we lay up this garment in the wardrobe of the grave, with assurance... [ Continue Reading ]
"Bloody Saul! was it not enough for thee to see. single saint destroyed, but wilt thou seek to destroy the whole fraternity and communion of saints?" Behold the fiery zeal of this furious persecutor: he spares neither age nor sex, neither men nor women, neither young nor old, but without respect he... [ Continue Reading ]
The severe persecution at Jerusalem, dispersed the whole body of the church, and scattered both members and teachers thereof, except the apostles. Some went to Damascus, some to Samaria, some to Phoenice, Cyprus and Antioch. But God over-ruled this scattering for his church's increasing: he brought... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Amongst the dispersed, who went to Samaria, Philip was one: not Philip the apostle, (for all of them remained at Jerusalem,) but Philip the deacon, who was the second in order after Stephen, among the seven deacons: He comes to Samaria, and preaches there. Observe, 2. The doctrines... [ Continue Reading ]
An account is here given of one of Philip's auditors at Samaria, Simon Magus by name, or Simon the sorcerer,. vile man, the blackest Ethiopian that ever baptismal water wet or washed. Notorious for sorcery, for hypocrisy, for final apostacy, and avowed impiety. Ecclesiastical history informs us of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How long. time this vile sorcerer, by God's permission, and Stan's power, wrought these lying wonders among the pepole: HE HAD OF. LONG TIME BEWITCHED THEM WITH SORCERIES, Acts 8:11. Deceivers are not always suddenly detected, and drossy hypocrites are not presently discovered; but... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the apostles at Jerusalem, hearing the glad tidings of Samaria's conversion by Philip's ministry, thought fit to send down two of the twelve to confirm the new converts in their faith, and to constitute. church there by their apostolical authority. Observe, 2. The persons whom... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. How infinitely mistaken this wretch was in thinking that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost could be purchased with money. 2. In supposing that the apostles had. power to dispense these gifts, when and where, and to whom they pleased. 3. And that they could enable others to im... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The odious character wherewith sin in general, hypocrisy in particular, is branded, it is bitterness and bondage; it is the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity. Learn thence, 1. That sin is an exceeding bitter thing: It is bitter to God, it provokes him to bitter anger; it... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have recorded the remarkable conversion of the eunuch by the preaching of Philip; concerning which several circumstances are to be observed; 1. The author or instrument converting, Philip, who was commanded by the angel in. vision to go to Gaza: but not the common way, or ordinary road, but... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The particular text of holy scripture which God directed the eunuch to read in order to his conversion; It was. prophecy of Christ the promised Messias, recorded in Isaiah 53: HE WAS LED AS. SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER, AND AS. LAMB DUMB BEFORE THE SHEARER: Pointing out the innocency, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The eunuch is instructed before baptized, and he desireth baptism of Philip; it was not forced upon him by Philip against his will, THE EUNUCH SAID, WHAT HINDERS ME TO BE BAPTIZED? To drive men to baptism, as they drive beasts to watering, and force Christianity upon them against th... [ Continue Reading ]