Being therefore in his presence, they asked him, saying, Lord, is this the time when you will restore again the kingdom to Israel?

After this discourse, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

"ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? this same Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall descend in the same manner as ye have seen him ascend thither."

he was of our number, and shared in the functions of this ministry.

that he may be admitted to this apostolick ministry which Judas abandoned, to go to his own place."

and upon the rumour of this event, the multitude came together, and were confounded, every man hearing the disciples speak in his own language.

and they were all amazed, and perplex'd, saying one to another, what can the meaning of this be?

But Peter standing up with the eleven, and raising his voice, said to them, ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and observe what I say.

but this is the accomplishment of what was said by the prophet Joel,

men and brethren, let me with assurance tell you of the patriarch David, who died and was buried here, his sepulchre being with us to this day:

that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him, to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this,

'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses.

Now when they heard this, their hearts were struck with remorse, and they said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do?

which Peter observing, thus addressed them, ye men of Israel, why are ye so surprized at this event? or why do you look so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or piety, we had caus'd this man to walk?

it is the faith which we have in him, that has procured strength to this man whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

and having caused Peter and John to appear, they asked, by what influence, or by what authority have you done this?

since we are this day to be examined about the cure of a cripple, and by what means he was recovered; be it known to you all,

and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd.

this is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but is become the chief of the angle.

for it was truly against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, that Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, united themselves in this city,

was not the estate your own estate? and was not the price for which it was sold, all in your own hands? how came such a design as this in your heart? thou hast not lyed unto men, but unto God.

but the officers who went there not finding them in the prison, returned, and made this report,

Upon hearing this, the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests wonder'd bow this could be.

saying, did not we strictly command you, not to teach in this name? and yet you have spread your doctrine through Jerusalem, and you endeavour to make us responsible for this man's blood.

after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed.

wherefore, brethren, chuse out of your number seven persons of good reputation, full of the holy spirit and wisdom, who may have the management of this affair:

this proposition pleased the whole assembly: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.

where they produc'd false witnesses, who said, this man is continually inveighing against the holy place, and against the law.

for we have heard him say, that Jesus the Nazarene shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us.

thereupon he went out of Chaldea, and dwelt in Charran: from thence, after his father's death, he removed him to this very country where you now dwell.

and the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place."

after this, Joseph sent to invite his father Jacob to come with all his kindred, being threescore and fifteen persons.

this prince employ'd all his arts against our nation, and persecuted our fathers, by obliging them to expose their young children, in order to extirpate the race.

for he supposed his brethren would have perceiv'd by this, that God design'd to make him the instrument of their deliverance; but they did not perceive it.

Moses was astonished at this vision: and as he drew near to observe it, he heard the voice of the Lord, which said to him,

this Moses whom they refused, saying, who made thee a ruler and a judge? the very same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the angel that appeared to him in the bush.

this is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."

"make us gods, said they to Aaron, to be our guides: for as for this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him."

and on his knees he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." and having said this, he expired.

that they all followed him, both old and young. this man, said they, is the plenipotentiary of God.

give me too this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the holy spirit.

thou hast no manner of share in this gift: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray to God, to forgive, if it be possible, this suggestion you have entertain'd.

after this the apostles having certified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel by the way in many villages of the Samaritans.

the passage of the scripture which he read, was this, "he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before his shearer, was dumb, so opened he not his mouth:

and the eunuch answered Philip, and said, pray, of whom does the prophet say this? of himself, or of some other?

went to the high priest, and demanded letters for the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any of this sect, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many that this man has done a world of mischief to thy saints at Jerusalem: he is now here,

the audience were all amazed, and said, is not this he that persecuted the professors of this doctrine at Jerusalem, and came here on purpose to carry them prisoners to the chief priests?

At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, that is in Greek, Dorcas: this woman was very active in all the offices of benevolence and charity.

this was soon spread thro' all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

this was done thrice: and then the sheet was taken up into heaven.

While Peter was perplexed about the signification of this vision, the messengers from Cornelius having enquir'd out Simon's house, arriv'd at the gate,

this was what he communicated to the children of Israel, proclaiming salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all mankind.

he is the person to whom all the prophets give this attestation, that all who believe in him, shall receive remission of sins, by his authority.

this was done three times, and then the whole scene was mounted to heaven.

Having heard this, they were appeas'd, and glorified God, saying, God has then granted salvation likewise to the gentiles, on the terms of their repentance.

Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch;

and perceiving that the Jews were pleas'd with this, he proceeded to secure Peter during the feast of unleavened bread:

but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place.

and after the lesson out of the law and the prophets was finish'd, the heads of the synagogue sent this message to them; Men and brethren, if you have any instruction to offer to the people, deliver it.

God removed Saul, and rais'd up David to be their king, to whom he gave this testimonial, " I have found David the son of Jesse: he is a man most acceptable to me, and he will execute all my orders."

It is to you, my brethren, who are the children of Abraham, and to all who fear God among you, that this salutary news is sent.

agreeable to what is written in the first psalm, "thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee."

when the Gentiles heard this, they received the word with joy, glorifying the Lord: and as many as were dispos'd to eternal life, believed.

upon this the Gentiles and the Jews, supported by their magistrates, made an insurrection in order to use violence against them, and even to stone them:

upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question.

The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair.

and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written,

"after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down:

whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting.

we therefore send Judas and Silas to inform you in person of this affair.

immediately after he had had this vision, we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, concluding from thence, that the Lord had called us to publish the gospel there. we embark'd therefore at Troas,

so that having been baptized with her family, she made us this request, if you think me sincere in my profession, pray come and lodge at my house; and she prevail'd upon us.

this she did for several days, till Paul tir'd with it turn'd about, and said to the spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ I command you to quit her; and instantly he came out.

upon this the populace rose upon them, and the Officers order'd them to be stript and scourg'd.

in consequence of this order he thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

the people, and the magistrates upon hearing this were alarm'd:

Upon this the brethren immediately sent Paul away to the sea-coast, but Silas and Timothy staid there.

there certain Epicurean and Stoick philosophers encountred him: "what does this mountebank mean?" said some: "he seems to proclaim some strange deitys," said others: because he talk'd to them of Jesus and the resurrection.

One day they conducted him to the Areopagus, and said to him, may we know what this new doctrine is, which you publish?

for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you.

God has been pleas'd to over-look this state of ignorance: but now he enjoins all men every where to repent:

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some made it a matter of ridicule: others said, we will hear you again upon this subject;

After this Paul left Athens and arriv'd at Corinth:

(since I am with thee, and no man shall lift up his hand so as to hurt thee:) for my people in this city are numerous."

this fellow, said they, would persuade us to set up a way of worship inconsistent with our law.

upon which Paul said, John indeed administer'd the baptism of repentance, but with this admonition, that they should believe in him, who was to come after, that is, in Jesus the Messias.

when they heard this, they were initiated by baptism into the christian profession.

this he continued for two years; so that the Jews and proselytes of that part of Asia heard the doctrine of the Lord Jesus.

Upon this, certain vagabond Jews, who were exorcists, pretended to cure demoniacs by pronouncing the name of the Lord Jesus: their form being this, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

this was known to all the Jews and Greeks, that liv'd at Ephesus, who were all seiz'd with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted.

after this, Paul had a design to pass thro' Macedonia and Achaia in his way to Jerusalem: purposing when he had been there to make a visit to Rome.

summon'd the company, and thus address'd them, "tho' you know, sirs, it is by this craft that we are in such plight,

yet your own eyes and ears have inform'd you, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul by his persuasions has turn'd the heads of a world of people, asserting, that these are Gods of our own making, and not really such.

upon this Paul was bent upon going. to the populace,

since this is incontestible, it behoves you to be easy, and free from any rash conduct:

for we run the risk of being answerable for this day's sedition: there being no justifiable occasion for such a commotion."

This disturbance being over, Paul sent for the disciples, took his leave and departed for Macedonia.

I therefore declare to you at this present time, that I am not responsible for the ruin of any: