Acts 10

THere was a cert in man in In Cesarea Palestine, as it was call'd in contra-distinction to Cesarea-Philippi. Cesarea, called A Roman by his name; which name was ordinarily to be found amongst the families of the Scipio's, and Sylla's. Cornelius, a centurion of the band A Band, answers either to a Regiment amongst us, or to a Legion amongst the Romans; (this latter was far greater than the former) It was called the Italian Band, as being composed of Italian Soldiers, and might be used as a guard of the Proconsul, who dwelt at Cesarea; who was that Felix we read of, Chap. 23.24. called the Italian band

A This Cornelius was a Proselite of the gate, or such as observed the seven precepts of Noah and lived without giving any offence to the Iews. devout man, and one that feared God It was a very good sign that he feared God, in that he ingaged all his house to do the like, at least outwardly, which was as much as he could do; this was spoken by God in Abrahams commendation, Gen. 18.19. with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God He did not neglect the seasons of prayer, especially the time of offering the morning and evening Sacrifice; which by prayer they desired to partake the benefit of, by which Christ our Sacrifice, and his merits were figured unto them; Cornelius indeed prayed always, or at all times, taking time in a moral sense, for the seasons and opportunities for such a duty; (as we are commanded to give always thanks, Eph. 5.20) but he could not pray always, or at all times, taking time in a natural sense; for then he must have neglected all other duties; howsoever, his indeavour was to keep his heart always in a praying disposition. alway.

He saw in a Not in a dream or rapture, but sensibly and plainly. vision evidently, about Their ninth hour, was with us about three a clock in the afternoon, being the ordinary time for the evening Sacrifice; and by consequence their time of prayer, Chap. 3.1. And this devout man does not seek Gods face in vain; Cornelius had been faithful in a little, and God would give him much, rather than he should want further instruction, who had improved what he had already; God here sends an Angel, and soon after an Apostle unto him. the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was The Angel appeared in so great splendor; all admiration has some fear with it. afraid, and said This is equivolent to What wilt thou have me to do? And shows that Cornelius was prepared to hear the message., What is it Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers Prayer and alms are joyned together in our Saviours discourse concerning them, Matth. 6.1, &c. in the Apostles order about them, 1 Cor. 16.1. Alms are our Sacrifices now under the Gospel, Phil. 4.18. Hebr. 13.16. and thine alms are come up for a An allusion to the offering up of incense under the Law; the smoak of the incense did ascend, and so David desires that his prayers might ascend to Godward, Psal. 141.2. thus under the Gospel, prayers are resembled to incense, Rev. 8.3. That prayers are said to come up for a memorial, is but the pursuance of the same Metaphor; for Lev. 2.2. the frankincense, &c. was the memorial there commanded to be burned; and all this only to represent unto us, how well-pleasing the prayers of his people are unto God through Christ, and that God keeps in remembrance all those things they thus desire of him, and in his time and measure (which are the best circumstances, bestowes all upon them; but let not prayers and alms, which God here has put together, be put asunder, and in due time we shall reap. memorial before God.

And now send men to A Town that was memorable for Ionahs taking shipping there, when he would flee from God, and decline his message, Ionah 1.3. Joppa, and call for one The Angel could have declared the Gospel, and instructed Cornelius; but he sends him to Peter, God being willing for to honour the means of his own institution. Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one These particulars, when found true by Cornelius, did very much advantage him towards his believing what Peter in the name of the Lord did tell him. Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his These Servants doubtless Cornelius had instructed, as appears ver. 2. and God blesses him with faithful and successful service from them. houshold-servants, and a No condition, or temptation, too hard for the grace of God to overcome; both Centurion and Soldier, are willing to hazard all they had, rather than not to obey God, and come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. devout souldier of them that This Soldier for his Religion's sake, and his holy life, was taken into nearer attendance on Cornelius; 'tis no small matter to have one near us, that has power with God. waited on him continually.

And Thus on Cornelius's side, all things are disposed towards his receiving of the Gospel; and the same providence at the same time, disposes all things on Peters part towards his coming to publish it: for when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

¶ On the morrow as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up These houses were flat on the tops, and therefore they were commanded to make battlements for them, Deut. 22.8. Peter went on the house-top to pray, that he might from thence view the Temple, which was a type of Christ, through whom only, we and our prayers can be acceptable unto God; hence 1 Kings 8.30, &c. there is so often mention made of praying towards the City, and towards the place which God should choose; this Daniel practised, tho upon the hazard of his life, when both City and Temple were ruined, Dan. 6.10. upon the house-top to pray, about the The sixth hour with them is high-noon, or mid-day, and is accounted one of the three times of prayer, (see Chap. 3.1.) and was as the Iews say, recommended to them by Isaac; howsoever it was the time when they might begin to prepare the evening-Sacrifice; none of these causes need to be assigned, for doubtless this blessed Apostle did watch unto prayer, 1 Pet. 4.7. and desirously laid hold upon all opportunities to pour out his Soul unto God. sixth hour.

And he became He might be more than ordinarily an hungred; to fit or suit the vision, which is hereafter mentioned. very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he The most excellent way of Gods manifesting himself unto man, is by a trance: (and they reckon seven ways, in which God makes himself known unto man) but what this trance was, is diversly expressed: 'tis certain, that in it the Soul was as it were absent from the Body, drawn off from the perception of earthly and sensible things, and enabled unto the perception of Heavenly Mysteries; in such an extasie was St. Paul, 2 Cor. 12.2. and St, Iohn, Rev. 1.10. who is therefore said to be in the spirit. fell into a trance,

Either visibly to his corporal eyes, as to St. Stephens; or rather mentally, more suitably to the rapture mentioned in the former verse. And saw heaven Which might signifie, that Heaven that was shut to the children of men by the first Adam, was now by Christ the second Adam, opened to all believers. opened, and a certain This word is taken for any utensil, commonly used about the house; and with the sheet here spoken of, bears an Analogy to a Table, and Table-cloath amongst us: vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet So gathered up or knit, that the Vyands, verse 12. might not fall down. And this Cornelius saw to come from Heaven, to show the liberty of taking him, and other Gentiles into the Churrh, id come from thence only., knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and As well unclean beasts, such as were forbidden by the Law; as clean, such as by the Law might be eaten. wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; Of that thou seest, without any exception, whether they be clean, or (formerly) unclean creatures: The moral of which command is, that he might now converse with Iews and Gentiles indifferently, and Preach unto these also the word of Life. kill, and eat.

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is These words may signifie one and the same thing, and the latter explain the former; showing that those things are said to be common, which the Law by forbidding them, had made unclean: Others make some difference; and by things common, understand all sorts of creatures, which were forbidden to the Iews, but were commonly fed upon by all Nations round about them: and by things unclean, they understand such as by accident became so, as when any of the creatures permitted for use, was strangl d. common or unclean.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that Do not make in thy esteem, or practice, as common: call not thou that is, polluted: The Iews did imagine, that by unclean creatures, were meant the Gentiles, (as by clean creatures they would have themselves to be understood) howsoever they opposed Common unto Holy; indeed a holy man is (as they called him) a singular man: 'twas God that cleansed Cornelius, turning him from Idolatry, to the worship of the true God, from darkness unto light. common.

This was done Whereby this great mystery of the conversion of the Gentiles, and taking them into the Church might be the more confirmed, and fixed in St. Peters mind. thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now while Peter Recollecting himself; for the vision had so affected him, that it had put him into a kind of extasy, out of which when he came unto himself, doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen, should mean; behold the two servants and the Soldier which Cornelius had sent,, the men which were sent from Cornelius, had made enquiry for Simons house, and stood before the gate,

And Being strangers, they address themselves to such of the house as came to the door. called, and asked whether Simon which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

¶ While Peter Set himself to meditate upon that he had seen, and heard. thought on the vision, the The holy Spirit informs him further. Thus whosoever meditates carefully upon what he hears from Gods word, God will never leave him without sufficient instruction. spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Immediately put thy self upon th journey. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them Spend no time in disputing within thy self, because that they, unto whom thou art sent for, are not Iews., doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am whom ye seek: Peter being in no small consternation, and not perfectly knowing whither all this tended, makes the more exact enquiry. what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion That they might speed in their message, they labour to prevent all prejudice Peter might have against Cornelius, who was a Gentile by title; telling him, 1. That he was a just man, (as is said of Ioseph, Matth. 1.19.) 2. That he, a just man, and one that worshipped the true God, the same with the Iews, and not the false gods of the Gentiles. 3. That he was reputed a pious and good man, and so it would be no disparagement to the Apostles to go unto him. feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was This argument St. Peter could not deny, When Gods command is evident his people are determined, and resolved. warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And He delays not to obey the Heavenly vision; but as Abraham took his journey the very next morning after that he had received the command, Gen. 22.3. so did Peter here, and bis dat, qui cito dat, he doubles his obedience, that obeys speedily and chearfully. on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain These Brethren were six in number, as Chap. 11.12. who might undertake this journey, 1. Out of respect to Peter, to accompany him. 2. Being moved at the extraordinary visions that were spoken of; but especially, 3. disposed by the Providence of God to accompany St. Peter, that they might testifie the grace of God that was come unto the Gentiles, when it might be afterwards questioned. brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And Ioppa was about fifteen Leagues from Cesarea, so that the next day after they set out, they might easily come from Ioppa thither. the morrow after they entred into Cesarea: And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his His Relations. kinsmen and And such as he had the greatest love and kindness for, he thought that he could not express it better, than by giving them an oppportunity to hear the word of Life, and to gain instruction for their Souls; and probably, those here spoken of, were reckoned as friends, and near friends by Cornelius; because they were such as with him had forsaken all Pagan-Idolatry, and were worshippers of the true and Living God. near friends.

And as Peter Into Cornelius his house, for he hastned to meet with him. was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and Cornelius worshipped with the most humble, civil worship; but he could not think him to be God, and therefore he did give him no Divine worship, he having forsaken the Idolatry of the Gentiles; but might perhaps think him to have been an Angel, and intended to worship him accordingly, for which he is blamed in the following verse. worshipped him.

But Peter took him up, saying It is certain that Peter did think this worship Cornelius gave him, to have exceeded; and here he blames him for it; telling him, he, Stand up; I my self also was but a man like unto him, and he needed not give any further reason of his reproof, for man must adore, but by no means may be adored; no, nor take too much honour unto hims f. am a man.

And as he They went talking together into the house; probably, of the goodness of God that they should be directed so happily unto one another; for they could not but see, and acknowledge God in it. talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew God himself did erect a partition-wall betwixt his people, and other Nations, Iews and Gentiles; hence by Gods own command, the Iews might not have any familiar converse with the Gentiles, especially, they might not marry with them: The Iews themselves had made this partition-wall much larger, and they held it unlawful to eat with any of the Gentiles, or to go so much as into their houses; hence that objection made upon this occasion against St. Peter, Chap. 11.3., to keep company with, or come unto one of another nation: but God has showed me, that I should not call any man common or No man is now unclean by any ceremonial uncleanness, because he is not circumcised, or because he is not sprinkled with the blood of bulls, Hebr. 9.13. yet sin has defiled the whole mass of man kind, and they are equally by nature morally unclean. unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without Or delay. gain-saying, assoon as I was sent for Peter did in a great measure know the business he came about, partly by the vision, and its interpretation; partly, by what he might have heard from them, that Cornelius sent for him, unto whom Cornelius had declared the whole matter, as we find verse 8. yet Peters question is but necessary, for to give Cornelius an opportunity to acquaint his friends, who were met there, with all that had passed.: I ask therefore, for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said Cornelius does not intend to declare by this, how long he had fasted; but he tells him, when he being fasting saw the vision, which was four days before; at the same time of the day., Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at The ninth hour, which was a time of prayer, it being the time of offering the evening-Sacrifice, see Chap. 3.1. the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a A man in appear ce, but an Angel indeed, as in the 3. verse. man stood before me in Why Ang appeared in bright or white raiment. See Chap. 1.10. bright clothing.

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine Of which, see the 4. verse. alms are had in remembrance Unto which, not only the outward gift, but the inward affection is visible; and this is peculiarly in the sight of God, the other may be seen also by men. in the sight of God

The substance of this verse, is in the fift and sixth verses before-going; Cornelius might say this to excuse his sending for Peter, being a stranger to him; as also to encourage Peter to speak in such a matter, as God had appeared in. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon whose surname is Peter; He is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side; Who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee,

As an hungry Soul delays not to send for food, assoon as he knows where to have it. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast Which does not only approve of St. Peters coming; but thank him for it. well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present We will set our selves to attend to thy words, as if we saw God looking upon us; whom we call to witness that we are ready to do whatsoever he shall require of us: Thus it becomes every one that would profit by the word of God, to attend upon it; men do not behave themselves as before God, and therefore they injoy nothing less than God in an Ordinance, and are as if God had taken no notice of them. before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

¶ Then Peter An expression used (as formerly) in matters of great moment, as Matth. 5.2. opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no God does not accept of one because he is a Iew, and respect another because he is a Gentile; tho St. Paul being prejudiced by his Education, had been carryed along with that error of the Iews; against which notwithstanding, God had declared himself even unto them, Deut. 10.17. which is also confirmed unto us in the New Testament, Rom. 2.11. 1 Pet. 1.17. so that our being of any Nation, or any condition, rich or poor, honoured or despised; as the one side recommends us not unto God; and on the other side, it will not hinder us from being accepted with the Lord. respecter of persons:

But in Even tho Romans or Italians of which Nation Cornelius was, and might probably be worse thought of by the Iews, because they supposed themselves to have been hardly used by them. every nation he that These two particulars include the observation of both Tables of the Law: The fearing of God comprehends piety, that is, the true worship of the true God; and working righteousness, includes all the duties to our neighbour; and both describe a truely good, and holy man, such as Cornelius was; unto whose case this is to be applied. feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word of reconciliation betwixt God and man, not only betwixt God and the Iews, but betwixt him and the Gentiles also; he had sent unto Israel by his Prophets formerly, Isaiah 57.19. God is said to create peace to him that is afar off; the Gentile, as well as to him that is near, the Iew, Psal. 72.7, 8. Isaiah 49.6. and that Salvation was not limited to the Iews only, might be known unto them by the e mples of Melchisedech, Iob, and Naaman, who did no ways belong unto them; but this was now more manifest: God Preaching this peace betwixt himself, and all Nations indifferently by Christ, 1. In his own person Preaching this, Matth. 8.11, 12. and telling them that by his death he would draw all men unto him, Iohn 12.32. 2dly. This peace is Preached to be had by Christ, or only through Christ; by the Angels themselves, Luke 2.14. And 3dly, by all the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel, Eph. 2.13, 14. speaking to the Gentiles, St. Paul says, Ye who were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ; and it was their constant Doctrine, that there was no name under Heaven by which men could be saved, but the name of Christ, Chap 4.12. and that it was all one whether they were Greeks or Iews, &c. but Christ is all, and in all, Colos. 3.11. so that in this Doctrine, there is an exact harmony betwixt the Old and Ne Testament, the Prophets, and the Apostles. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace Christ is Lord, not of the Iews or one people only; but of the Gentiles, all Nations also, as Mat. 28.19, 20. Rom. 3.29. by Jesus Christ He is Lord of all.

They had heard of the Doctrine of the Gospel by common fame and report, (which could not but spread abroad) all might know that Christ and his Apostles did Preach, tho these might be ignorant of the particular Doctrines which they taught, and which Peter was now sent to instruct them in; or by the word, (in an usual hebraism) the matter of the Gospel may be meaned, as the Life, Death, and Resurrection of our blessed Saviour, which they could not but have heard several reports of: The word I say you know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee Who, as the Elijah which was promised, Malachi 4.5. was the forerunner of the Lord., after the baptism which John preached.

How God It was usual to anoint their Kings, Priests, and Prophets, unto all which Offices Christ was anointed by his Father; hence called Christ, as in the Old Testament the Messiah. anointed Jesus The Apostle is not ashamed of this name, tho given to our Saviour by way of contempt; he gloried in the cross of Christ. of Nazareth with Christ was indued with the Almighty Spirit of God, and with the power of it. the holy Ghost, and with power, who went about All the miracles our blessed Saviour wrought, were works of mercy, for the benefit and relief of those upon whom he wrought them; he could have wrought miracles to destroy and ruine such as would not believe in him, which he was often provoked unto; (nay, his Apostles would have had him but to permit them by fire from Heaven to destroy the Samaritans, Luke 9.54. and he would no.) doing good, and healing all The deliverances our Saviour so often wrought upon such as were possessed of Devils, was to show unto them that he was come to destroy the works of the Devil, and to cast him out of the Souls of men, who were Spiritually possessed by him, which also our Saviour did, so that it was a happy calamity for them, which brought them to Christ. that were oppressed of the devil: God was with our Saviour, 1. By his might and Power doing such miracles. 2. In his extraordinary love to him, Matth. 3.17. and always hearing of him, Iohn 11.42. and also, 3. God was with Christ,, in the fulness of the Godhead, Colos. 2.11. for God was with him.

And we are The Apostles, whom Christ had chosen to go in and out with him, and to be eye and ear-witnesses of all that was done by him, or against him. witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; Their killing of our Saviour, is the rather here spoken of, to show how rightfully the Iews were now to be forsaken, and that they had no cause to complain of the calling in of the Gentiles, being themselves had in such a manner rejected Christ; but especially, that they who were here met, and we, all might consider, how much it cost our blessed Saviour to deliver us from sin, and hell, Gal. 3.13. He was mad for us, as Deut. 21.23. that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us, Gal. 3.14. whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him Lest these Gentiles be deterred from believing in Christ, and take offence at his Cross: St. Peter Preached unto them the Resurrection, which suddenly and powerfully followed. God raised up the third day, and And this he tells them was unquestionable, as appeared by all the ways that any thing can be proved by; Christ was seen, and heard, and felt after his Resurrection, as the beloved Disciple tells us, 1 Iohn 1.1. and manifested his victory over death for us. showed him openly.

Christ after his Resurrection appeared not to the wicked Iews; for being to suffer no more, his enemies were not vouchsafed a sight of him; and thus he did not manifest himself unto the world, Iohn 14.22. Not to all the people, but unto These witnesses were the Apostles, who were chosen by God himself immediately; and the vacancy supplied by lot, which was at Gods direction, Chap. 1.24, 26. The metaphor here used is taken from the ordinary way then in use of choosing men into offices, which is here alluded to. witnesses, chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat Tho in the Gospel-History, we do not read that our Saviour drank after he rose again; yet it is sufficiently implied, being he did eat, and make a meal with his Disciples, Luke 24 30, 42, 43. Iohn 21.12. and eating is put in Scripture for the whole refection, Mat. 15.2. compared with Luke 7.36. and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he Our Saviour gave this charge to his Apostles before his Ascension, Matth. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Luke 24.27. and foretold that they should execute this his charge, Chap. 1.8. commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be That God has ordained to judge the world by Jesus Christ, Scripture abundantly testifies, Iohn 5.26, 27. 2 Tim. 4.1. 1 Peter 4.5. And this is here spoken of the Apostle, and was given in charge by our Saviour to be principally Preached of by them all, because the Resurrection of Christ, and the glory of his Kingdom in this world, is clouded by the blindness and hardness of men: as also, because it is of the greatest concernment unto all, that at any time hear the word of God, to be persuaded of this, that Christ, whose Gospel and word they hear, will judge them according unto it. the judge of Such as shall be alive at the coming of our Lord to Judgment, 1 Thes. 4.15. quick and dead.

To him This our Saviour had told his Apostles, which St. Peter here Preaches to his Auditors: It was included in the very first promise recorded by Moses, Gen. 3.15. The seed of the woman shall break the serpents head; and so continued through all ages of the Church, to be manifest in such degrees as it pleased the wisdm of God to make it known; 'tis certain that all the ceremonial Law concerning Sacrifices, did testifie this very thing; for by it, it did appear, that without shedding of blood there was no remission of sin, as Heb. 9.22. and 'tis manifest by the light of nature, that the blood of bulls and goats, could not take away sins, as Heb. 10.4. give all the Prophets witness, that through b his name whosoever believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins. But through Christs name, for his sake, and by virtue of his merit, who died for our sins, and rose again for our Iustification, Rom. 4.25. We shall receive remission of sins, Heb. 9.13, 14.

While That God might mirac lously show his approbation of what Peter had said, and to assure Peter of the real Conversion of these Gentiles, which all the Iews did make such a difficulty to believe. Peter yet spake these words Such fiery tongues in a visible shape, as had appeared unto the Apostles, Chap. 2.3. whereby the inward powerful effects of the Spirit upon their hearts, was signified what wonderful effects had this shortSermon? And doubtless, were practisers but as sincere, and hearers as intent, now a days, as then, we should find that the hand of the Lord is not shortned., the holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And Such as were not only themselves circumcised, but born of circumcised parents, who are thus called, Gal. 2.12. they of the circumcision which believed, were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because These not minding or understanding the many predictions of the calling of the Gentiles, thought that Christ was only promised unto the Iews; and were amazed to see now such an Argument as might convince them to the contrary. that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost. Pouring out, speaks the abundant measure in which the Holy Ghost was given unto them.

For they heard them speak with With variety of Languages, or strange Tongues, as in the day of Pentecost, Chap. 2.6. tongues, and magnifie God. Then An ordinary Hebraism for speaking, tho the first part of any Discourse. And Peter knowing that this miraculous Fiery Tongues did show, that these Men did partake of the same Spirit from whom the Apostles had received them, he makes an inference from thence. answered Peter,

This question, as Chap. 8.36. is without question, and denies that any can forbid Water, that is in order to Baptize such as these. As if the Apostle had argued thus They that have the Grace signified or promised, have a right unto the Seal of the promise: But these Gentiles have the Grace ignified or promised in Baptism; they had the inward part, and therefore the outward part could not be denied unto them. He that has the Inheritance, may claim the Writings, Wax, and Parchmtnt that belong unto it. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed That is, in the Name of our Saviour. But this does not imply, but that they were Baptized according to our Saviours prescription, Matth. 28.19. but the Iews by their Baptism, they were become the Lords, (and had given up their names to Iesus Christ) under which Title the Lord, not only our Saviour, but the Father who Anointed him, and the Spirit by whom he was Anointed, is to be understood. Cornelius and the rest of his Friends, which he caused to be present. At their entreaty Peter and others that came with him (as Acts 11.3.) tarried there, that they might further instruct, confirm, and comfort them: (as the best have ever need to learn, and to grow in Grace and Knowledge) and by this Peter showed that he looked upon himself and others as not bound to observe those Precepts (of the Wise Men, as they called them) forbidding them all familiarity with the Uncircumcised. they him to tarry n certain days.