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But ye shall receive Power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be wit∣nesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, &c. unto the uttermost part of the Earth. ••et these Witnesses be strictly examined, let their Patience be tryed with all kinds of severe punishments
and it will then appear whether it be possible ever to force them to recant their Opinion.
And the Lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbred with the eleven Apostles. In this election there appears neither Bribe, Preeminence or arbitrary Partiality; so different was that Society from these now established in the World.
Others mocking, said these Men are full of new Wine. These sort of Circumstances are of excellent use to shew the Exactness and Sincerity of the Historian.
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by Miracles, and Wonders, and Signs, as ye your selves also know. How came they to know it had Christ wrought no Miracles among them? And what a strange piece of Confidence must it have been in the Apostles to speak thus?
And the same Day were added unto them about three thousand Souls. What but the wonderful Power of the Holy Ghost given to the Apostles, could make so many Proselytes?
And all that believed were together, and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all Men as every Man had need. A holy Society indeed consisting of none but such as had given up all their Interest in this World, and glorified God by offering up themselves, and what was dearest to them, as a sacrifice to him. What could they hope for, who absolutely renounced every thing for the sake of Christ? Let a Man reason never so much upon the manner of uniting Men in a Body together, 'tis certain there was never a more effectual method to form a Society than Charity. For it makes those things equal which humane Passions had before distinguished; it subverts all competition, destroys all interest, banishes the designs of Pride and Ambition, and all the little distinctions Vanity
creates. In a word, it unites Men in a State where∣in they all equally enjoy the same Revelation, the same spiritual Worship, and the same Faith, Hope, and Charity. All which represents as it were on Earth the Joys we may partake hereafter, and gives us a lively Image and Idea of Heaven. And what greater Miracle than this can be brought to prove the Divinity of a Religion?
And they continuing daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking Bread from House to House, did eat their Meat with gladness and singleness of Heart. What Perseverance, what Joy, nay what Simplicity of Heart did the Apostles here shew, supposing them to have been Deceivers? For we must either acknow∣ledge them to be such, or else allow the Gospel they preached, to be most certainly true and Divine.
And he entred with them into the Temple, walking and leaping, and praising God. And all the People saw him walking and praising God. Is it an easy matter to make other men believe such mat∣ters of fact as these, supposing they were altogether false?
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the People Ye Men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own Power, or Holiness we had made this Man to walk? Had Simon Magus performed such a Miracle, he would cer∣tainly have took all the Honour of it to himself, and now more confidently than ever affirm, that he was the great Power of God. Observe I pray here a Cha∣racter of Ingenuity, Humility and Sincerity, which can't be sufficiently expressed.
And his name through faith in his name, hath made this Man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. This multiplying expressions of the same thing may not so well please
some Men, and seems to be an empty flourish of words, or a putting some good words finely toge∣ther to signifie little; a thing not agreeable to the true Eloquence Men ought to use. But here it is not really so. The Apostles here regarded not Politness in the least, but rather were afraid they could not use expressions strong enough, to let them know that it was not in their own Names, but in the name of Jesus Christ, that all these things were done. Tis no matter then whether the Ear was offended at it or not, provided the Ʋnderstanding humbled itself in the presence of God, and ascribed that extraordina∣ry Miracle to none but Christ himself.
But ye denied the holy one and the just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. Observe how little he knew what it was to flatter those Men he spoke to!
Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, believed, and the number of the Men were about Five thousand. How could S. Luke, who wrote in a time when the Church of Jerusalem consisting of so many Proselytes flourished, I say how could he have made so many believe such miraculous matters of fact, as had they been real they must have seen them with their own Eyes?
Insomuch that they brought forth the Sick into the Streets, and laid them on Beds and Couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by, might over∣shadow some of them. Behold the completion of that Prophesy of Christ, who foretold that his Disciples should do far greater works than himself.
And we are his witnesses of those things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey. Christ daily convinced the Unbelievers by the Testimony of his Works; and his Disciples convinced them by the Gifts of the Holy Ghost im∣parted to them. Is there then, any Dream or Eu∣thusiasm,
any Illusion, or Distraction of mind, any mutual erroneous Compact in all this? or rather do we not here visibly perceive the Wisdom, Truth, and Power of God in this occasion?
Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your Fathers did so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your Fathers persecuted? All Deceivers and Impostors use quite another method, to flatter those they design to draw over to their side.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus receive my Spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Stephen died praying to God for his Enemies, in imitation of Christ. But he was not seiz'd with Sorrow, Anguish, or Fear; he cried not out, My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Could not he that represented the Servant so Couragious, have given us an excellent Description of the constancy of the Master, but that he had pro∣posed to himself to write nothing but the Truth.
They sent unto them Peter and John, who when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus) By these words it is plain, that every body might indifferently receive the Holy Ghost; but the Apostles alone could impart it to others. A distinction that is very remarkable. But it appears yet farther, that the Gifts of the Holy Ghost were so notable and visible, that whosoever had received them, could not but presently be sensible of it: And tho this Discourse of St. Luke might be whol∣ly invented, yet it may well be supposed, that it was invented upon some probable Grounds and Reasons, and there can be no other for it but this, that in this time the miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost were im∣parted
to the faithful; for otherwise, to talk thus, would be very impertinent and extravagant.
But Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with Money. How comes Peter to deal so nicely and delicately were he an Impostor in∣deed as well as Simon Magus?
Repent therefore of this thy Wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. How different are these expressions from those of a Man whose Con∣science accuses him of Imposture and Infidelity.
And the Men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no Man. But they led him by the hand, and brought him unto Damascus. And he was there three days without sight, and neither Eat nor Drank. Had St. Luke design∣ed to impose upon our belief in this rehearsal, he would have managed it with more Judgment. For what necessity was there of his relating how that St. Paul had Company with him, when the Light of God shone round about him? What made him quote the place, the occasion, and the Witnesses, of whom the Synagogue might have easily known the whole Truth? How could he make them believe, that the Men which accompanied Saul, led him by the hand to Da∣mascus, and that he continued there three days and three nights deprived of his sight?
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake, &c. The whole Life of S. Paul was an exact accomplishment of this Prophecy.
Then had the Churches rest throughout all Ju∣dea 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. How strange and sur∣prising was the progress of the Gospel, which
founded so many Churches almost every where in so small a time!
And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ make thee whole; arise, &c. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Doubt∣less those Men here mentioned knew well enough whether there was any such Miracle performed; And those Churches which consisted altogether of Proselytes, who must necessarily have been Specta∣tors of that Miracle, could not be imposed upon in this respect.
And he gave her his hand, and lift her up; and when he had called the Saints and Widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Jop∣pa; and many believed in the Lord. This was a Mi∣racle notorious enough, and there were Witnesses suf∣ficient to contradict and convince the Author of this Book, supposing this Miracle had been only a fra∣med Story and a Sham upon Men's belief.
And they of the Circumcision which believed, were astonished as many as came with Pe∣ter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the Gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with Tongues, and magnifie God. Then answered Peter, can any one forbid Water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, as well as we? What was the meaning of that astonishment in those of the Circumcision? Twas because they had not seen till then that the Holy Ghost was im∣parted to the Gentiles. The very mixture of such Circumstances as these, is often of it self sufficient to convince us of the Truth of any narration.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto Life, This indeed was the Language of the Holy Ghost; the perfect stile of God; And the very expression of the heavenly Jerusalem!
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the Soldiers, what was be∣come of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and command∣ed that they should be put to Death. A circumstance that can't be forged, and which excellently confirms the relation of Peter's miraculous Deliverance.
And when they had fasted, and pray∣ed, they laid hands on them. This Historian, who re∣presents the Disciples continually fasting and pray∣ing, could not devise that matter of fact, supposing it to be false. He would be very extravagant that should believe, that the Apostles led an ill course of Life, and plunged themselves in all sorts of lewd Debaucheries. Their Words, their Actions convince us of the contrary. Yet it may be said that they were Villains indeed, if what they preached was false: But if they were downright plain honest Men, as their speech necessarily evinces to us, then was their preaching also necessarily true.
Then the Deputy when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the Doctrine of the Lord. 'Twould argue but little Judgment in any one that designs to impose a Fiction upon Men's be∣lief, to pitch upon Circumstances, as are contrary to publick knowledge. The Conversion of a Deputy, was certainly an Event very remarkable.
And the contention was so sharp be∣tween them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. This Historian is very exact in relating the least oc∣currences. He is sincere too, since he scruples not to relate the Contentions which arose among the Apostles themselves.
And they brought the young Man alive, and were not a little comforted. Can any thing be more surprising or convincing, than the Resurrecti∣on of the Dead?
And as he reasoned of Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Great indeed was the Divine efficacy of his words, which made a Judge tremble, sitting on his Tribunal of Justice, and before the Chains of his Prisoner.
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired House, and received all that came unto him, preaching the Kingdom of God, &c. Here endeth the History of the Acts of the holy Apostles written by St. Luke. 'Tis manifest he compiled it before the Destruction of Jerusalem, because he men∣tions nothing of that Event. Neither do the Gos∣pels or Epistles of the Apostles speak of it: But they often speak of the sudden coming of the Lord, or of the Judgments he had resolved to execute upon the Jewish Nation.