Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/112

106 which now that he had received, he was at their service; "Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; ready to preach the same gospel to you that I have preached to the Jews." The disciples of Christ could not but have some notion of the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, but they imagined it must be only to those Gentiles that were first proselyted to the Jewish religion; which mistake Peter acknowledges was now rectified.

(2.) He inquires wherein he might be serviceable to them; "I ask therefore, for what intent ye have sent for me? What do ye expect from me, or what business have ye with me?" Note, Those that desire the help of God's ministers, ought to look well to it that they propose right ends to themselves in it, and do it with a good intent.

2. Cornelius declares the directions God gave to him to send for Peter, and that it was purely in obedience to those directions that he had sent for him. Then we are right in our aims in sending for, and attending on a gospel-ministry, when we do it with a regard to the divine appointment instituting that ordinance, and requiring us to make use of it. Now,

(1.) Cornelius gives an account of the angel's appearing to him, and ordering him to send for Peter; not as glorying in it, but as that which warranted his expectation of a message from heaven by Peter.

[1.] He tells how this vision found him employed; (v. 30.) Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, this hour of the day that it is now when Peter came, about the middle of the afternoon. By this it appears that religious fasting, in order to the greater seriousness and solemnity of praying, was used by devout people that were not Jews; the king of Nineveh proclaimed a fast, Jonah 3. 5. Some give these words another sense. From four days ago I have been fasting until this hour; as if he had eaten no meat, or at least no meal, from that time to this. But it comes in as an introduction to the story of the vision; and therefore the former must be the meaning. He was at the ninth hour praying in his house, not in the synagogue, but at home. I will that men pray, wherever they dwell. His praying in his house intimates that it was not a secret prayer in his closet, but in a more public room of his house, with his family about him; and perhaps after prayer he retired, and had this vision. Observe, At the ninth hour of the day, three of the clock in the afternoon, most people were travelling or trading, working in the fields, visiting their friends, taking their pleasure, or taking a nap after dinner; yet then Cornelius was at his devotions; which shews how much he made religion his business; and then it was that he had this message from heaven. Those that would hear comfortably from God, must be much in speaking to him.

[2.] He describes the messenger that brought him this message from heaven; There stood a man before me in bright clothing; such as Christ's was when he was transfigured, and that of the two angels who appeared at Christ's resurrection, (Luke 24. 4.) and at his ascension, (ch. 1. 10.) shewing their relation to the world of light.

[3.] He repeats the message that was sent him, (v. 31, 32.) just as we had it, v. 4—6. Only here it is said, Thy prayer is heard. We are not told what his prayer was; but if this message was an answer to it, and it should seem it was, we may suppose that finding the deficiency of natural light, and, that it left him at a loss how to obtain the pardon of his sin, and the favour of God, he prayed that God would make some further discoveries of himself to him, and of the way of salvation. "Well," saith the angel, "send for Peter, and he shall give thee such a discovery.

(2.) He declares his own and his friends' readiness to receive the message he had to deliver; (v. 33.) Immediately therefore I sent to thee, as I was directed, and thou hast well done that thou hast come to us, though we are Gentiles. Note, Faithful ministers do well to come to people that are willing and desirous to receive instruction from them; to come when they are sent for; it is as good a deed as they can do.

Well, Peter is come to do his part; but will they do their's? Yes. Thou art here prepared to speak, and we are here prepared to hear, 1 Sam. 3. 9, 10. Observe,

[1.] Their religious attendance upon the word; "We are all here present before God; we are here in a religious manner, are here as worshippers;" (they thus compose themselves into a serious, awful frame of spirit;) "therefore, because thou art come to us by such a warrant, on such an errand, because we have such a price in our hand as we never had before, and perhaps may never have again, we are ready now at this time of worship, here in this place of worship;" (though it was in a private house;) "we are present, —we are at the business, and are ready to come at a call." If we would have God's special presence at an ordinance, we must be there with a special presence, an ordinance presence; Here I am. "We are all present, all that were invited; we, and all that belong to us; we, and all that is within us." The whole of the man must be present; not the body here, and the heart, with the fool's eyes, in the ends of the earth. But that which makes it indeed a religious attendance, is, We are present before God. In holy ordinances we present ourselves unto the Lord, and we must be as before him, as those that see his eye upon us.

[2.] The intention of this attendance; "We are present to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, and given thee in charge to be delivered to us." Observe, First, Peter was there to preach all things that were commanded him of God; for as he had an ample commission to preach the gospel, so he had full instructions what to preach. Secondly, They were ready to hear, not whatever he pleased to say, but what he was commanded of God to say. The truths of Christ were not communicated to the apostles to be published or stifled as they thought fit, but intrusted with them to be published to the world. "We are ready to hear all, to come at the beginning of the service, and stay to the end, and be attentive all the while, else how can we hear all? We are desirous to hear all that thou art commissioned to preach, though it be ever so displeasing to flesh and blood, and ever so contrary to our former notions or present secular interests. We are ready to hear all, and therefore let nothing be kept back, that is profitable for us."

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. 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