streets and lanes of the city, before they went out "into the highways and hedges," and compelled the strangers and wanderers to come in.

The time was now arrived when he who had appeared, that he might be "the glory of his people Israel," should be "a light to lighten the Gentiles," also. But to explain this, and to convince the apostles that such was the design of God, an express command was needed: a fresh revelation. There were prophecies direct and clear; but this plain meaning was hidden from the minds of those who read them. Such strong hold do the opinions of our country, the prejudices of our neighbourhood, the traditions of our fathers, possess over us. These are believed and followed, even in contradiction to what we ought first to be ruled by. The Jews boasted of Moses; yet could not see that he bore witness that Jesus was the Christ. They thought that in the scriptures they had eternal life; yet could not perceive that these "testified of Jesus." And so, now, a special revelation was needed to prove that the people which "walked in darkness," were to see great light:" that "the Gentiles should come to the light" of the Sun of righteousness, and "kings to the brightness of his rising."5

4

This revelation was made in the first place to Cornelius, himself a Gentile, an officer in the Roman army.

Supposing that any earthly sovereign had among his subjects a tribe that was held in light esteem, and that he desired to raise that tribe in the opinion of his people: he might promote his purpose by calling one of them into his service; distinguishing him by some particular token of favour, some unusual notice. Such was the method which God was pleased to follow in this case. He sent his angel, not to Peter, not to Barnabas, not to any one of the apostles, nor even of the Jews; but to a Gentile, a Roman soldier, a centurion of the band called the Italian band.

Still we must observe, that though a Gentile, he was not a man whom the grace of God visited now for the first time. In the divine providence, he had been sent into a land where the Jewish scriptures were known; where many of the inhabitants, being Jews, were worshippers of the true God, and separated from the idolatrous practices which prevailed around them. Cornelius had not despised this foreign tribe, this superstitious brotherhood, as their heathen neighbours termed the Jews: he had opened his eyes to the truths declared by Moses and the prophets; had become a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

6 He is an example of that class of proselytes who are called proselytes of the gate; who adopted the Hebrew belief, without conforming to the Mosaic law. Therefore, though a worshipper of the true God, he was a Gentile in the eye of the Jews. He was "of the uncircumcision." See on this point Mede, Disc. iii.

Such was the man whom God selected as an instrument to make his will known: to show to Peter, by an evident example, that the veil was now to be removed which had hitherto excluded Gentiles from the knowledge of God and his righteousness. God had accepted his prayers and his alms he was "not far from the kingdom of God;" and now that kingdom should be opened to him in all its glory.

In obedience to the heavenly vision, Cornelius sends his men to Joppa. Meanwhile, at Joppa, God was preparing that they should be received.

9. 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.

10. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11. 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:

12. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou

common.

16. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

It was part of the law of Moses to distinguish certain animals which might be used for food from others which were forbidden. In the eleventh chapter of Leviticus these are enumerated at length. Moses there says, "These are the beasts which thou shalt eat. Others shall be an abomination unto you; their carcases shall ye not touch; they are unclean unto you."

Such differences as to food lawful and unlawful make a practical separation between people and nation. This, doubtless, was one chief intention of that law, which laid down distinctions between the clean and the unclean animal. It restrained the intercourse of the Israelites with other nations.

Now, however, this separation was to be at an end. "All flesh should see the salvation of God." There was to be " neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ all, and in all."7 And this was signified to Peter in the vision which he saw. God had now cleansed the Gentiles. No man should be reckoned so common or unclean but he might arise, and wash away his sins, being baptized in the name of the Lord." The parable was to be accomplished; and the messengers of the Lord were to go out not only into "the streets and

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7 Col. iii. 11.

lanes of the city," but into the "highways and hedges," that the Lord's house might be filled.

Here also is an emblem of the grace which Christ bestows. It leaves nothing common or unclean. They who would have seemed farthest removed from the divine favour, in nature, in habit, in character, being "renewed in the spirit of their mind," become "new creatures," are received at the king's table, and enabled to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God."

LECTURE XXIX.

PETER ACCOMPANIES THE MESSENGERS OF CORNELIUS, AND FINDS HIM WITH HIS FRIENDS, EXPECTING HIS ARRIVAL. -A. D. 41.

ACTS x. 17-33.

17. 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 inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.