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Three thousand souls are added to the church.

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sand souls. Nor was this only a transport of SECT. sudden passion, with which they were affected only for the present, with an impression that Acts quickly wore off: but on the contrary, it pro- II.41. 42 And they con- duced the most solid and lasting effects. And 42 tinued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and notwithstanding all the apparent danger to fellowship, and in which they were exposed, they continued stedbreaking of bread, and fast in their attendance on the word which the in prayers.

apostles preached, and resolutely adhered to their doctrine: And though many of them that believed were such as had come thither out of foreign countries, who would otherwise have returned home immediately after the feast, they staid a considerable time longer at Jerusalem, to be more thoroughly instructed in the Christian faith; and they all lived in the most endearing fellowship and intimate friendship with each other, and particularly expressed their mutual affection in breaking of bread together, and joining in the exercise of social prayer. And 43 many others who were not converted, when signs were done by the they took notice of this wonderful effect of the apostles. apostles preaching, were mightily struck and impressed with the thought of it; so that a reverential fear and inward dread fell upon every soul, and spread itself over the whole city and neighbourhood, at the sight of so unexampled an event,

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and

eThere were added that very day about three thousand souls.] It is commonly said, that all these were converted by one sermon. But it is probable, that, while Peter was preaching in the Syriac language, the other apostles were preaching at some small distance, much to the same purpose, in other languages; and it is not surely to be imagined, that none of them but Peter should be blessed as the means of converting any soul; not to insist upon it, that he himself might deliver several discourses this day to different auditories, when the concourse of people was so great, and their languages so various.-—It will not be improper to add, that goes emphatically signifies to pass over to a body of men, as Bos, Raphelius, and Elsner have shewn; and that Elsner has shewn at large, in a very curious note on this clause, not only, (as Gataker, Raphelius, and many others have,) that souls often signifies persons in the Greek and Latin classics; but also, that Jamblicus in his Life of Pythagoras has exactly imitated this passage, in the account he gives of that philosopher's success in Italy, as proselyting two thousand by one discourse, engaging them to continue with him, frequently worshipping in the VOL. VII.

temples, and sharing their goods in common,
as these primitive Christians did: Facts, of
which we have no manner of convincing
evidence, and which were probably in-
tended to slur Christianity by an invidious
comparison. (Elsn. Observ. Vol. I. p.
375, 376.) Compare Vol. II. Sect. 90.
note c. p. 471.

They continued stedfast in the apostles
doctrine.] This may intimatate, on the one
hand, that many efforts were made to shake
their resolution; and on the other, that upon
fuller inquiry they found all things, as the
apostles had represented.

g In breaking of bread.] Though we have great reason to believe, that the eucharist was often celebrated among these primitive converts, perhaps much oftener than every Lord's day, yet I cannot see reason to conclude with Suicer, (Thesaur. Eccles. Vol. II. p. 105.) Lightfoot, Pearson, and many others, that this phrase must here refer to it, since it may undoubtedly sigmify common meals, as Casaubon, Grotius, Wolfius, and several others have shewn; and in this sense the phrase is used, Luke xxiv. 35, where it is plain the eucharist could not be intended.

3 Մ

b In

524

V.

Acts

They sell their possessions, and have all things in common. SECT. event, which they apprehended might be the fore-runner of some public calamity, on those who had slain that Jesus, of whom it was de11. 43. clared by his disciples, that it was all effected by his power: And the consternation was farther encreased, as many miracles and signs, which plainly shewed an extraordinary divine interposition, were wrought by the apostles in his

44

name.

44 And all that be

and had all things

common.

45 And sold their

possessions and goods,

and parted them to all men, as every man

need.

And all that believed were together meeting as frequently as possible in the same place; and lieved were together, such were their mutual affection and love to each other, that they had all things in common1. 45 And this generous principle went so far, that they who had estates, or any other valuable substance, sold their possessions and effects, and readily divided the price of them to all their brethren, as every one had particular necessity. 46 (Compare chap. iv. 34, 35.) And they continued resolutely and unanimously in the temple, at the appointed hours of public worship every and breaking bread day: And at other times they associated, as from house to house, frequently as they could, breaking bread from did cat their meat with house to house, each family making entertain- of heart; ments for their brethren, especially for those who were sojourners in Jerusalem: And they partook of their common refreshment, with the

h In the same place.] Dr. Whitby pleads that, as they were at least three thousand one hundred and twenty, they could not be in the same place, and therefore would understand it of communion in the same action. He would rather render it, (as our translation does,) they were together; and produces several places from the Septuagint to this purpose, as Ezra iv. 3; Psal. xlix. 2; Isa. lxvi. 17; Jer. vi. 12, &c. But, as it generally signifies an assembly in the same place, and many larger assemblies than of three or four thousand people are held, it seemed best to render it thus, only qualifying it as in the paraphrase, especially as En To aulo has plainly this sense, ver. 1.

i Had all things in common.] Peculiar reasons made this community of goods eligible at that time, not only as so many sojourners, who had come from other parts, would justly be desirous to continue at Jerusalem, much longer than they intended when they came up to the feast, that they might get a thorough knowledge of the gospel, but as the prospect likewise of the Roman conquests, which according to Christ's known prediction were soon to

greatest

46 And they, con

tinuing daily with one

accord in the temple,

gladness and singleness

swallow up all Jewish properly, would of course dispose many more readily to sell their lands. But the New Testament abounds with passages, which plainly shew, this was never intended for a general practice.None can reasonably imagine, that the number of Christian converts, even then at Jerusalem, is to be accounted for by a desire to share in these divided goods: For it is evident, that as the portion each could have would be very small, so the hardships to be endured for a Christian profession would soon counterbalance such advantages: and accordingly we find, the converts at Jerusalem were soon reduced to such necessitous circumstances, as to need relief by the contributions of their Gentile brethren. Candour would rather lead men to argue the incontestable evidence of the gospel, from its prevailing on the professors of it to part with their estates, to releve persons, who, excepting the community of their faith, had no particular claim to their regards. If such instances were numerous, this argument is strengthened in proportion; and, if they be supposed few, the objection is proportionably weakened.

Reflections on the great success of the apostles preaching.

and having favour with

V.

525

greatest joy on the side of those that made the SECT.
entertainments; and with disinterested simpli-
city of heart in those who received them and

Acts

on all sides with the sincerest sentiments of de- II. 46. 47 Praising God, votion and friendship. Such was the effect the 47 all the people. And gospel had upon them, and in this manner they the Lord added to the went on, praising God for the riches of his grace church daily such as to them, and having in the general that favour

should be saved.

and respect among all the people, which so ami-
able and benevolent a conduct would naturally
secure, And the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
they had given up their names, added daily to
the church considerable numbers of those happy
souls who by this means were saved from the ge-
neral destruction which was approaching, and
from the future punishment to which they would
otherwise have been transmitted by it.

IMPROVEMENT.

FAITHFUL are the wounds of a friend; and far more beautiful than a jewel of gold, or an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover on an obedient ear (Prov. xxvii. 6; xxv. 12.) Happy are they Ver. who feel such an holy compunction of soul as these penitents did! 37 Salvation is come to their house, and though they sow in tears they shall reap in joy. (Psal. cxxvi. 5.) What reason have we for thankfulness, that when we are crying out, What shall we do? the. gospel gives us so ready an answer, and directs us to faith and repentance, as the sure way by which we may obtain the remission 33 of our sins, and at length rise to an inheritance among them that are sanctified. Let us rejoice, that the promise is to us, and to our 39 seed; and that the important blessings of it will run down from generation to generation. And let all the ardour of our souls be awakened to secure these blessings, and to be saved from that ruin 40 in which we shall otherwise be involved with the crooked and perverse generation among which we live.

Glorious effect of this convincing and excellent discourse, when 41 three thousand were in one day added to the church! three thousand who not only expressed some present good impressions and resolutions, but continued stedfast in the religion they had embraced, and sacrificed all their worldly interests to it. How glorious an earnest of the future success of the gospel! How great an encou- 42 ragement to the apostles, in all the difficulties they were to encounter; and how convincing a proof to all ages of its truth! since all these proselytes were made vpon the spot, where if it had been false, it is impossible it should have been believed by any one rational

3 U 2

526

Peter and John go up to the temple

SECT. rational inquirer, how mean soever his capacity, or how low soever his rank in life had been.

V.

Let us reflect with pleasure on the happy change produced in the character and state of these converts: Bitter as the first pangs of their convictions were, anguish soon yielded to delight: Pardon 46 of sin, and the hope of glory added a relish before unknown to the supports of nature, the accommodations of life, and the endearments of friendship. Whilst their hearts were opened in senti47 ments of gratitude to God, who had provided a laver for their crimson sins, which rendered them like wool and like snow; and to that Redeemer, who had saved them by that blood which they had 44 cruelly and impiously shed; they were also dilated in liberality and bounty; and they undoubtedly found a rich equivalent for all the 45 worldly possessions which they resigned, in that holy joy which sprang up in their souls, when the treasures of the gospel were open to them, and dealt out with so generous a hand.

47 So may the kingdom of Christ spread and flourish in the souls of men! So may that blessed time come, when through the operation of the same Spirit, (for that Spirit is for ever the same.) nations shall be born in a day. Let us not despair; the morning was glorious, and in the even tide it shall be light. (Zech. xiv. 7.) In the mean time, let us thankfully own whatever progress Christianity may be making amongst us, or others, though by slow degrees; and acknowledge, that it is the great Lord of the church who, by his secret but powerful influence adds unto its respective societies such as shall be saved. May the additions every where be numerous, and may the great author of all good be more thankfully owned in

them all,

SECT.

vi.

SECT. VI.

Peter and John, quickly after the feast of Pentecost, cure a man who had been lame from his birth, at the temple-gate, which occasions a great concourse of admiring spectators. Acts III.

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ACTS III. 1.

NOW while the church was in the flourishing state described above, an extraordinary cirActs cumstance happened, which tended still more to III. 1. increase its numbers and reputation: For on a certain day, about that time, Peter and John

a About that time.] Thus I would choose, with Grotius, to render the words

went

ACTS III. 1.

went up together NOW Peter and John into the temple, at the

hour

TO

alo at the beginning of this chapter, as it does not scem to suit so well with the original

the ninth hour.

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vi.

Acts

hour of prayer, being went up to the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] SECT. the ninth hour, that is, about three o'clock in the afternoon; which was the usual time of day when great numbers attended the evening III. 1. sacrifice, and joined their prayers with those of the priest, who was burning incense before the Lord. (Compare Luke i. 10.)

2 And a certain man

Beautiful, to ask alms

into the temple:

And a certain man, well known among them 2 lame from his mother's that frequented the place, who had been lame womb was carried, whom they laid daily from his mother's womb, by a weakness in his at the gate of the tem- ancles, which rendered him incapable of walkple which is called ing, was carried thither by the help of others; of them that entered whom they daily brought and laid down at the eastern gate of the temple, which is called the Beautiful gate, being made of Corinthian brass, and richly adorned with the most curious workmanship; and here he lay, to ask alms of those that entered into the temple to pay their devotion there, as such charitable actions seem peculiarly suitable, when men are going to make their supplications to the God of mercy; and the relief that he obtained here was the only means he had for his subsistence. Such was the ease 3 and John about to go of this poor cripple, who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, applied himself to them among the rest, and begged to receive an alms of them. But Peter, being then (as was ob- 4 served before) with John the beloved disciple, felt at that time a strong emotion of soul, which intimated to him, that the divine energy was

3 Who seeing Peter

into the temple, asked an alms.

4 And Peter fastening his eyes upon him,

with

ginal, to take them to imply no more, than that Peter and John went up together to the temple. I see no reason to suppose with Dr. Lightfoot, that this happened the same day, on which the Spirit was miraculously poured out, or to conclude with others, that it was not till the next year, or at least several months after. The time is no where deterinined; but it appears most probable, that it was soon after the feast of Pentecost. Compare note c on Acts iv. 4. § 8. bAt the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.] It may suffice once for all to observe, that the Jews divided the time, from the rising to the setting of the sun, into twelve hours, which were consequently, at different times of the year, of unequal length, as the days were longer or shorter. When we say therefore, (as we often do in this work,) that the third hour was about nine in the morning, the ninth about three in the afternoon, &c. we are not to be understood to speak with the utmost exactness. The third hour was the middle space

then

between sun-rising and noon, which, if the
sun rose at five, was half an hour after eight,
if at seven, was half an hour after nine,
&c.-The chief hours of prayer were the
third and the ninth; at which seasons the
morning and evening sacrifices were offered,
and incense, as a kind of embiem repre-
senting prayer, burnt on the golden altar.
See Joseph. Antiq. Jud. lib. xiv. cap. 4,
[al. 8,] § 3.

e Called the Beautiful gate.] This gate,
which was added by Herod to the court of
the Gentiles, was thirty cubits high and
fifteen broad, and made of Corinthian
brass, more pompous in its workmanship
and splendour than those that were cover
ed with silver and gold. (Joseph. Bell.
Jul. lib. v. cap. 5, [al. vi. 6,] § 3.) Jo-
sephus, as our present copies stand, says
it was the outer gate; but Lud. Cappellus
thinks, this reading is wrong, and that it
was the inner gate; between the court of the
Gentiles and that of Israel: and Grotius
allows of his reasoning. See Grot. in loc.

d Silver

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