Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/103

Rh He was, like his Master, always upon the remove, and went about doing good; but still his head-quarters were at Jerusalem, for there we shall find him imprisoned, ch. 12.

2. He came to the saints at Lydda; this seems to be the same with Lod, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned 1 Chron. 8. 12. Ezra 2. 33. The christians are called saints, not only some particular eminent ones, as saint Peter, and saint Paul, but every sincere professor of the faith of Christ. These are the saints on the earth, Ps. 16. 3.

II. The cure Peter wrought on Eneas, a man that had been bedrid eight years, v. 33.

1. His case was very deplorable; he was sick of the palsy, a dumb palsy, perhaps a dead palsy; the disease was extreme, for he kept his bed; it was inveterate, for he kept his bed eight years; and we may suppose that both he himself and all about him despaired of relief for him, and concluded upon no other than that he must still keep his bed till he re moved to his grave. Christ chose such patients as those, whose diseases were incurable in a course of nature, to shew how desperate the case of fallen mankind was when he undertook their cure. When we were without strength, as this poor man, he sent his word to heal us.

2. His cure was very admirable, v. 34. (1.) Peter interested Christ in his case, and engaged him for his relief; Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Peter does not pretend to do it himself by any power of his own, but declares it to be Christ's act and deed, and directs him to look up to Christ for help, and assures him of an immediate cure; not, "He will make thee," but, "He does make thee, whole:" he assures him also of a perfect cure; not, "He makes thee easy," but, "He makes thee whole." He does not express himself by way of prayer to Christ that he would make him whole, but as one having authority from Christ, and that knew his mind, he declares him made whole. (2.) He ordered him to bestir himself, to exert himself, "Arise and make thy bed, that all may see thou art thoroughly cured." Let none say, that because it is Christ that by the power of his grace works all our works in us, therefore we have no work, no duty, to do; for though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise, and make use of the power he gives thee. Arise, and make thy bed, for another use than it has been, to be a bed of rest to thee, no longer a bed of sickness. (3.) Power went along with this word: he arose immediately, and, no doubt, very willingly made his own bed.

III. The good influence this had upon many; (v. 35.) All that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. We can scarcely think that every individual person in those countries took cognizance of the miracle, and was wrought upon by it, but many, the generality of the people in the town of Lydda and in the country of Saron, or Sharon, a fruitful plain or valley, of which it was foretold, Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, Isa. 65. 10.

1. They all made inquiry into the truth of the miracle, did not overlook it, but saw him that was healed, and saw that it was a miraculous cure that was wrought upon him by the power of Christ, in his name, and with a design to confirm and ratify that doctrine of Christ which was now preached to the world.

2. They all submitted to the convincing proof and evidence there was in this of the divine original of the christian doctrine, and turned to the Lord, to the Lord Jesus; they turned from Judaism to Christianity; they embraced the doctrine of Christ, and submitted to his ordinances; and turned themselves over to him to be ruled and taught and saved by him.

36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. 37. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 33. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39. Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Here we have a greater miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of the gospel, and which exceeded the former—the raising of Tabitha to life when she had been for some time dead. Here is,

I. The life and death and character of Tabitha, on whom this miracle was wrought, v. 36, 37.

1. She lived at Joppa, a sea-port town in the tribe of Dan, where Jonah took shipping to go to Tarshish, now called Japho.

2. Her name was Tabitha, a Hebrew name, the Greek for which is Dorcas, both signifying a doe, or hind, or deer, a pleasant creature. Naphtali is compared to a hind let loose, giving goodly words; and the wife to the kind and tender husband, is as the loving hind, and as the pleasant roe, Prov. 5. 19.

3. She was a disciple, one that had embraced the faith of Christ and was baptized; and not only so, but was eminent above many for works of charity; she shewed her faith by her works, her good works, which she was full of, that is, which she abounded in; her head was full of cares and contrivances which way she could do good. She devised liberal things, Isa. 32. 8. Her hands were full of good employment, she made a business of doing good, was never idle, having learned to maintain good works, (Tit 3. 8.) to keep up a constant course and method of them. She was full of good works, as a tree that is full of fruit. Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker; Non magna loquimur, sed vivimus—We do not talk great things, we live them. Among other good works, she was remarkable for her alms-deeds which she did, not only her works of piety, which are good works and the fruits of faith, but works of charity and beneficence, flowing from love to our neighbour and a holy contempt of this world. Observe, She is praised not only for the alms which she gave, but for the alms-deeds which she did. Those that have not estates wherewith to give in charity, may yet be