Page images
PDF
EPUB

Ο

[ocr errors]

1

hall be faved. 15. And as I began to fpeak, the holy Shoft fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16. Then remembred I the word of the Lord, how that he faid, John indeed baptized with water; but ye fhall be baptized with the holy Ghoft. 17. Forafmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jefus Chrift, what was I that I could" withftand God? 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, faying, Then hath God alfo to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 19. Now they which were fcattered abroad upon the Perfecution that arofe about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus,and Antioch,preaching the word to none but unto the P Jews only. 20. And fome of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, fpake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jefus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22. Then tidings of thefe things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerufalem: and they fent forth" Barnabas, that he fhould go as far as Antioch. 23. Who. when he came, and had feen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpofe of heart they would cleave unto the

[blocks in formation]

Li

LI 4

r

P Acts 10. 28.

9 See on Acts 6. 1.

Acts 10. 42.

7

Year of our
Lord 42.

Lord.

st Acts 2. 47. Praifing God, 5 and having Favour with all the People. And the Lord added to the Church daily fuch as fhould be faved [Or, the faved].

Acts 9. 27. Barnabas took 10 him, and brought him to the Apofiles, and declared unto them how he [Saul] had seen the Lord

n Acts 5. 39. If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; left haply ye be found to fight against God. .. A&ts 10,47. 15

Acts 8. 1. At that Time there was a great Perfecution against the Church which was at Jerufa, lem; and they were all fcattered as broad throughout the Regions of Judea and Samaria, except the A poftles.

[ocr errors]

Acts 13.43. When the Congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious Profe lytes followed Paul and Barnabas ; who fpeaking to them, perfwaded them to continue in the Grace of God. † Acts 14. 22, Confirming the Souls of the Difciples, and exhorting them to continue in the Faith.

[blocks in formation]

Year of our Lord 43.

For he was a good man, and full of the holy Ghoft, and of faith and much people was added unto the Lord. 25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarfus, for to feek Saul.

b

26. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to país that a whole year they affembled themselves with the [Or, in the church, and taught much people; and the difciples were called Chriftians firft in Antioch. 27. And in thefe days came prophets from Jerufalem unto Antioch. 28. And there ftood up one of them named Agabus, and fignified by the fpirit, that there fhould be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pafs in the days of Claudius Cefar. 29. Then the Difciples (1) every man according to

a Acts 6. 5. They chofe Stephen, a Man full of Faith, and of the holy Ghof

ь t Acts 9. 30. Which when the Brethren knew, they brought him down to Cefarea, and fent hm forth to Tarfus.

Acts

Acts 2. 17. It shall come to pafs in the laft Days (faith God), I will pour out of my Spirit upon 10 all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters fhall Prophefie. Acts 13. I. Now there were in the Church which was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers; as Bar-, nata, and Simeon that was called Niger. Acts 15. 32. And Judas and Silas being Prophets alfo them felves, exhorted the Brethren with many Words, and confirmed them. 20 Acts 21. 9. The fame Man [Philip] had four Daughters, Virgins, which did Prophefie. 1 Cor. 12. 10, 28. To another, working of Miracles; to another, Prophecy God 25 hath fet fome in the Church, first Apoftles, fecondarily Prophets.

-

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"

his

1 Cor. 13. 2. Though I have the Gift of Prophecy, and underftand all Myfteries, and all Knowledge; and though I have all Faith, fo 5that I could remove Mountains, and have no Charity, I am nothing. Cor. 14. 1, 29, 31. Fol low after Charity, and defire fpiritual Gifts, but rather that ye may Prophefie. Let the Prophets fpeak two or three, and let the other judge. For ye may all Prophefie one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. Eph. 3. 5. Which in other Ages was not made known unto the Sons of Men, as it is now revealed unto his holy Apoftles and Prophets by the Spirit. Eph. 2. 20. Are built upon the Foundation of the Apoftles and Prophets. Eph.4. 11. He gave fome Apoftles and fome Prophets.

:

+ Acts 21. 1o. There came down from Judea a certain Prophet named Agabus.

(1) Relieving the Poor and Neceffitons, is a Duty which all, in fome Degree or other, are bound to practife, though the exact Proportion which every one must give is not any where fet down in the New-Teftament; the Reafon of which may probably be, that there might be room for Men to make a Free-will-Offering to God. The Rich fhould not exalt themselves on the Account of their Rishes, but look upon themselves

as

f

hise his ability, determined to fend relief unto the breth ren

e Ezra 2. 69. They gave after their Ability, unto the Treafure of the Work Neh. 5. 8. We after our Ability, have redeemed our Brethren the Jews, which were fold unto the Heathen. Ecclefiafticus 35.10. Give unto the moft High according as he hath enriched thee, and as thou haft gotten, give with a cheerful Eye. Tob. 4. 7, 8. Give Alms of thy Subftance. -If thou haft Abundance, give Alms accordingly if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little.

Upon the first Day of the Week, let every one of you lay by him in Store as God hath profpered him, that there be no gathering when I

come.

[ocr errors]

5

which

do it as of the Ability which God giveth

Ι

f

Acts 24. 17. After many years came to bring Alms to my Nation, and Offerings. Rom. 15. 25, 26, I go unto Jerufalem to minister unto the Saints. For it hath pleafed them of Macedonia,and Achaia, to make certain a Contribution forthe

I

10 poor Saints which are at Jerufalem. 1 Cor 16. 1. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints, as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even fo do ye. 1.Cor. 16.2.15°. 2 Cor. 9.1,2,12. As touching the Miniftring to the Saints, it is fuperfluous for me to write to you. For I know the forwardnefs of your Mind, for which I boat of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a Year ago; a. d your Zeal hath provoked very s ny. For the Administration of this Service, not only Supplieth the Want of the Saints, but is abundant allo by many Thanksgivings unto God. Gal. 2. 10. They would that we fhould remember the Poor; the fame which I alfo was forward to do: Thef. 1. 3: Remembring your Work

+ 2 Cor. 8. 3, 4, 12. For to 20 their Power (I bear record,) yea, and beyond their Power, they were willing of themselves. Praying us with much intreaty, that we would receive the Gift, and take upon us 25 the Fellowship of the Miniftring to the Saints. If there be firft a wil ling Mind, it is accepted according to that a Man hath, and not according to that he hath not. I Pet. 4.30 11. If any Man minifter, let him

as Stewards, and think that God will hereafter call them to give an Account of their Stewardship. Those therefore who have hearded up their Riches, and done little or no good with them, and those who have abused them by Riot and Excefs, can never hope to escape Punishment; because they have both been unfaithful in the Management of the Trust committed to them. The Circumftances of People are fo vaftly different, that no general Rule can be laid down, as to the Measure of every Man's Charity. For what may be called Bounty and Liberality in one, may be truly faid to be niggardly and ftingy in another. It is plain from the References, that we are required to give according to our Ability, according as God hath profpered us, that is, enriched us, and enabled us to give ; of this Ability we are made the Judges. I would not raife unreafonable Scruples in the Minds of fincere and honeft Chriftians; but if any shall deceive themselves, and knowingly and wilfully mistake their Condition and Ability, the Judgment they pais will not be approved of at the Tribunal of Jefus Christ. It is fafer to give too much, than too little; and when the Neceffities of our Chriftian Brethren are urgent, we fhould go even be yond our Ability. What is given, fhould be done with a ready and cheerful Mind.

which dwelt in Judea. 30. Which alfo they did, and * fent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

No

b

CHA P. XII...

Year of our Lord 44.

[ocr errors]

OW about that time Herod the king * ftretched forth his hands [Or, began] to vex certain of the church. 2. And he killed James the brother of John with the fword. 3. And because he faw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter alfo. Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prifon, and delivered him to four quaternions of foldiers to keep him, intending (1) after Eafter to bring him forth to the people. 5: 5. Peter therefore was kept in Prifon; but prayer was made with out ceafing [Or, inftant and earnest prayer was made] of the church unto God for him. 6. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the fame night Peter was fleeping between two foldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prifon. 7. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light fhined in the prifon and he fmote Peter on the fide, and raifed him up, faying, Arife up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8. And the angel faid unto him,

k

[blocks in formation]

Gird

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

(1) That is, after the Feast of the Paffoyer.

[ocr errors]

Gird thy felf, and bind on thy fandals: And fo he did. And he faith unto him, Caft thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9. And he went out and followed him, and wift not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he faw a vifion. 10. When they were paft the firft and the fecond ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of his own accord and they went out, and paffed on through one street, and forthwith the angel departed from him. II. And when Peter was come to himself, he faid, Now I know of a furety, that the Lord hath "fent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 1.2. And when he had confidered the thing, he came to the houfe of Mary the mother of John, whofe firname was Mark, where many were gathered together, praying. 13. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damfel came to hearken [Or, to ask who was there], named Rhoda. 14. And when the knew Peters voice, fhe opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter ftood before the gate. 15. And they faid unto her, Thou art mad. But fhe conftantly affirmed that it was even fo. Then faid they, It is his angel. 16. But Peter continued knocking and when they opened the door, and faw him, they were aftonifhed. 17. But he beckning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prifon. And he faid, Go, fhew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

Gen. 45. 26. -Jacobs Heart fainted, for he believed them not. † Pfal. 126. I. When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Sion, we were like them that dream. Luk. 24. 11. Their Words feemed to them as idle Tales, and they believed them not.

[ocr errors][merged small]

of A&ts 4. 23. Being let go, they went to their own Company, and reported all that the chief Priests and Elders had faid unto them.

Pt A&ts 15. 37. Barnabas determined to take with them John, whofe firname was Mark.

4 See on Mat. 18. 10.

* A&s 13. 16. Then Paul ftood

mt Acts 16. 26. Suddenly there was a great Earthquake, fo that the 10 up, and beckning with his Hand, Foundations of the Prison were fhaken: and immediately all the Doors were opened, and every ones Bands were loofed.

faid, Men of Ifrael, and ye that fear God, give Audience. † A&s 19. 33. And Alexander beckned with the Hand, and would have Defence unto the People. Acts 21. 40. -Paul ftood on the Stairs, and beckned with the Hand unto the People.

Dan. 6. 22. My God hath 15 made his
Sent his Angel, and hath fhut the
Lions Mouths that they have not

hurt me.

« PreviousContinue »