though he is about our paths, and spieth out all our ways; yet are we more especially and more solemnly present before him, when assembled in the place where he is worshipped, the place set apart for the preaching of the word. We acknowledge this. Every one will allow, that he is only in the church at all because he believes that God has appointed the ministry, and approves the ministration; designs the ordinances as the chief means by which the gospel should be preached, and those who receive it be instructed, guided, edified, and strengthened. Let us attend, then, in a corresponding spirit: in a spirit of earnest expectation, like that of the company at Joppa, that "God will come unto us, and bless us," that Christ will realize his gracious promise, and “be in the midst of those" who are met together in his name.5 Under the influence of such expectation and attention, we may justly exclaim with the Psalmist; "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! Blessed are they that dwell in thy house! For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand." "6 5 See Exodus xx. 24. Matthew xviii. 20. LECTURE XXX. PETER PREACHES THE GOSPEL TO CORNELIUS AND HIS FRIENDS.-A. D. 41. ACTS x. 34-48. 34. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Very different was the opinion of the Jewish people; and of Peter himself, before the vision had enlightened him. St. Paul represents their opinion, (Rom. ii. 17,)" Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things which are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind: a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law." Such was the general sentiment; still more broadly expressed in another passage: "We who are Jews by nature; not sinners of the Gentiles." Peter is alluding to this national feeling, when 1 Gal. ii. 15. he declares the impression produced upon his mind by the vision which he had seen and the events connected with it. Now I perceive—what I had never understood before-that God is no respecter of persons, "puts no difference" 2 between us Jews and others but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. : We find no difficulty in subscribing to this sentiment. It needs no vision to convince us of its truth. But, alas! where, but among them to whom he has revealed his name and his will,-where shall we find those, who do fear God and work righte ousness? This, however, we know; and in this we are content to rest. "When the Gentiles, (Rom. ii. 14,) which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves;" "For there is no respect of persons with God." Nay, more also is revealed to us. "That servant (Luke xii. 47) which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." 2 Ch. XV. 9. All the rest we leave to Him who shall "judge the world in righteousness." "Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judg ments." 3 The apostle now proceeds to the purpose of this divine interposition, which had brought together so unexpectedly the assembly in which he found himself. 36. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all :) 37. That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached: 38. 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. 39. 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: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41. 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. 3 Rev. xv. 3; xvi. 7. 4 The different witnesses are recounted by St. Paul, 1 Cor. xv. 4-8. 42. 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. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant." 5 Cornelius and his household did fear God. We were told this, when he first was mentioned. And now his covenant is revealed to them. God makes this household the first fruits of the Gentiles, and sends his apostle, who shall bring them to the knowledge of Christ: shall" preach unto them Jesus, delivered for our offences, and risen again for our justification." But mark, further, what it is no less important to observe. These truths are revealed to Cornelius. He is not passed by, as though he needed them not. It is not said concerning him, Here is a man who fears God with all his house, who gives much alms to the poor, who prays to God alway. Such an one needs no repentance, no remission of sin. On the contrary, to this devout and just man is the apostle sent, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: sent expressly" to tell him words, whereby he and all his house shall be saved."6 The salvation of Cornelius must still be due to that name, which is "the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we may 6 See the following chapter, v. 14. 5 Ps. xv. 14. |