Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 6.djvu/35

Rh with supplies, daily supplies there. Note, Our prayers and our alms should go together; Cornelius's did, ch. 10. 4. Objects of charity should be in a particular manner welcome to us when we go up to the temple to pray; it is pity that common beggars at church-doors should any of them be of such a character as to discourage charity; but they ought not always to be over-looked; some there are surely that merit regard, and better feed ten drones, yea and some wasps, than let one bee starve. The gate of the temple at which he was laid, is here named, it was called Beautiful, for the extraordinary splendour and magnificence of it. Dr. Lightfoot observes, that this was the gate that led out of the court of the Gentiles into that of the Jews, and supposes that the cripple would beg only of the Jews, as disdaining to ask any thing of the Gentiles. But Dr. Whitby takes it to be at the first entrance into the temple, and beautified sumptuously, as became the frontispiece of that place where the Divine Majesty vouchsafed to dwell; and it was no diminution to the beauty of this gate, that a poor man lay there begging.

3. He begged of Peter and John, (v. 3.) begged an alms, that was the utmost he expected from them who had the reputation of being charitable men, and who, though they had not much, yet did good with what they had. It was not many weeks ago that the blind and the lame came to Christ in the temple, and were healed there, Matt. 21. 14. And why might not he have asked more than an alms, if he knew that Peter and John were Christ's messengers, and preached and wrought miracles in his name? But he had that done for him, which he looked not for; asked an alms, and had a cure.

IV. We have here the method of the cure:

1. His expectations were raised. Peter, instead of turning his eyes from him, as many do from objects of charity, turned his eyes to him, nay he fastened his eyes upon him, that his eye might affect his heart with compassion toward him, v. 4. John did so too, for they were both guided by one and the same Spirit, and concurred in this miracle; they said, Look on us. Our eye must be ever toward the Lord, (the eye of our mind,) and, in token of that, the eye of the body may properly be fixed on those whom he employs as the ministers of his grace. This man needed not be bidden twice to look on the apostles; for he justly thought this gave him cause to expect that he should receive something from them, and therefore he gave heed to them, v. 5. Note, We must come to God both to attend on his word, and to apply ourselves to him in prayer, with hearts fixed and expectations raised. We must look up to heaven, and expect to receive benefit by that which God speaks from thence, and an answer of peace to the prayers sent up thither. I will direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

2. His expectations of an alms were disappointed; Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, and therefore none to give thee; yet he intimates that if he had had any he would give, him an alms, not brass, but silver or gold. Note, (1.) It is not often that Christ's friends and favourites, have abundance of the wealth of this world. The apostles were very poor, had but just enough for themselves, and no overplus. Peter and John had abundance of money laid at their feet, but that was appropriated to the maintenance of the poor of the church, and they would not convert any of it to their own use, nor dispose of it otherwise than according to the intention of the donors. Public trusts ought to be strictly and faithfully observed. (2.) Many, who are well inclined to works of charity, are yet not in a capacity of doing any thing considerable, while others, who have wherewithal to do much, have not a heart to do andany [sic] thing.

3. His expectations, notwithstanding, were quite outdone; Peter had no money to give him; but, (1.) He had that which was better, such an interest in heaven, such a power from heaven, as to be able to cure his disease. Note, Those who are poor in the world, may yet be rich, very rich, in spiritual gifts, graces, and comforts; certainly there is that which we are capable of receiving, which is infinitely better than silver and gold; the merchandise and gain of it better, Job 28. 12, &c. Prov. 3. 14, &c. (2.) He gave him that which was better—the cure of his disease, which he would gladly have given a great deal of silver and gold for, if he had had it, and it could have been so obtained. This would have enabled him to work for his living, so that he should not need to beg any more; nay, he would have to give to them that needed, and it is more blessed to give than to receive. A miraculous cure would be a greater instance of God's favour, and would put a greater honour upon him, than thousands of gold and silver could. Observe, When Peter had no silver and gold to give, yet (says he) such as I have I give thee. Note, Those may be, and ought to be, otherwise charitable and helpful to the poor, who have not wherewithal to give in charity; they who have not silver and gold, have their limbs and senses, and with these may be serviceable to the blind, and lame, and sick; which if they be not, as there is occasion, neither would they give to them if they had silver and gold. As every one has received the gift, so let him minister it.

Let us now see how the cure was wrought:

[1.] Christ sent his word, and healed him; (Ps. 107. 20.) for healing grace is given by the word of Christ; that is the vehicle of the healing virtue derived from Christ, Christ spake cures by himself, the apostles spake them in his name. Peter bids a lame man rise up and walk; which would have been a banter upon him, if he had not premised in the name of Jesus of Nazareth; "I say it by warrant from him, and it shall be done by power from him, and all the glory and praise of it shall be ascribed to him." He calls Christ Jesus of Nazareth, which was a name of reproach, to intimate, that the indignities done him on earth served but as a foil to his glories now that he was in heaven. "Give him what name you will, call him if you will in scorn Jesus of Nazareth, in that name you shall see wonders done; for because he humbled himself, thus highly was he exalted." He bids the cripple rise up and walk; which does not prove that he had power in himself to do it, but proves (if he attempt to rise and walk, and, in a sense of his own impotency, depend upon a divine power to enable him to do it) that he shall be enabled; and by rising and walking he must evidence that that power has wrought upon him; and then let him take the comfort, and let God have the praise. Thus it is in the healing of our souls, that are spiritually impotent.

[2.] Peter lent his hand, and helped him; (v. 7.) He took him by the right hand in the same name in which he had spoken to him to arise and walk, and lifted him up. Not that this could contribute any thing to his cure; it was but a sign, plainly intimating the help he should receive from God, if he exerted himself as he was bidden. When God by his word commands us to rise, and walk in the way of his commandments, if we mix faith with that word, and lay our souls under the power of it, he will give his Spirit to take us by the hand, and lift us up. If we set ourselves to do what we can, God has promised his grace to enable us to do what we cannot; and by that promise we partake of a new nature; and that grace shall not be in vain; it was not here; his feet and ankle-bones received strength; which they had not done, if he had not attempted to rise, and been helped up; he does his part, and Peter