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

and said, men and brethren, the prediction which the holy ghost made, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was guide to those that seiz'd Jesus, must have been accomplished.

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

accordingly they presented two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was sirnamed Justus, and Matthias. and they prayed,

and having drawn lots; the lot fell upon Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles.

When the day of pentecost was come, they all met together with one accord.

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

ye men of Israel attend to what I say; Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God distinguished among you, by miracles, by prodigies, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you your selves also know:

having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it.

therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope.

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,

he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, when he said, "that his soul was not lest in the grave, neither did his body undergo corruption."'

One day as Peter and John were going together to the temple, at the ninth hour, which was the hour of prayer,

and knowing it was he who us'd to sit begging at the Beauty-gate of the temple, they were filled with wonder and amazement at such an event.

As the lame man who was cured, held Peter and John, the people all in surprize ran to Solomon's porch, where they were.

the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and renounced in opposition to Pilate, who was determined to let him go.

but ye renounced him that was holy and just; you interceeded for the life of a murderer,

and now, brethren, I know it was through ignorance, that both you and your rulers, have acted thus.

and they laid hands on them, and put them in prison, till the next day: for it was now evening.

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,

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

yet seeing the man who was cured standing with them, they could not tell what to reply.

so when they had further threatned them, they let them go, not finding it practicable to punish them, because of the people, who all glorified God for that which was done.

for the man who was so miraculously cured, was above forty years old.

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,

Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common.

Great was the power by which the apostles attested the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and they were all greatly favoured by the people.

for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value,

among the rest one Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (that is to say, the son of consolation) a Levite, and a native of Cyprus,

Now there was a certain man named Ananias who with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

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.

when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time.

for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing.

At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily.

thus the word of God was spread; and the number of disciples encreased very much at Jerusalem; and a numerous body of priests embrac'd the faith.

Stephen answer'd, my brethren, and you my fathers, lend your attention. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

at length he gave him the covenant of circumcision: accordingly Abraham circumcised his son Isaac eight days after he was born, Isaac was father of Jacob, who was father of the twelve patriarchs.

the patriarchs being jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt: but God was with him,

but when Jacob heard there was corn in Egypt, he sent our fathers there.

now while the time was approaching to accomplish what God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew numerous in Egypt,

in which time Moses was born, who was exceeding fair, and nourished in his father's house three months:

and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter caused him to be taken up, and maintain'd for her adopted son.

at length Moses was instructed in all the sciences of the Egyptians, and had great influence by his counsels and actions.

when he was full forty years old, he took the resolution to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

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,

he it was, who delivered them by doing prodigies and miracles in the land of Egypt, in the red sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.

'twas he that was in the assembly with our fathers in the wilderness, and with the angel that spoke to him on mount Sina: and delivered the oracles to him by word of mouth for our use.

which our fathers and Joshua having receiv'd, they carry'd it into the territory of those nations whom God drove out upon their arrival: where it staid to the time of David, who was favoured by God,

it was Solomon however that built him a temple.

was there ever any prophet whom your fathers did not persecute? have they not slain those who predicted the coming of that just person whom you have so lately betrayed and murder'd?

then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,

One Simon was then resident in that place, who pretended to be something extra-ordinary, and by his magical practices had so enchanted the people of Samaria,

nay, Simon himself became a proselyte: and after he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was transported at the sight of the miracles and prodigies which he perform'd.

when Simon saw that the holy spirit was given by imposition of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money, saying,

accordingly he departed: and met a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, and was her high-treasurer: he had been at Jerusalem, to perform the duties of a proselyte,

but was now upon his return, and sat in his chariot, reading the prophet Esaias.

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:

in his humiliation he was judged, he was taken off: and who shall describe the men of his time? for the land has taken away his life."

then Philip enter'd upon the subject, and show'd how the whole passage was applicable to Jesus.

but Philip was found at Azotus: and passing on, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him,

where he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias! and he said, Lord, here I am.

immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he recover'd his sight; upon which he instantly arose, and was baptized.

and when he had taken some food, he was refresh'd. after which Saul staid some time with the disciples at Damascus.

Immediately he maintained in the synagogues, that Jesus was the son of God.

however Saul still gain'd ground, and confounded the Jews of Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Messias.

but Saul was appriz'd of their plot. and as they were night and day upon the watch at the gates, in order to kill him,

when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he try'd to associate himself with the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and could not be persuaded that he was a disciple.

now as Peter was making a general visitation, he went to Lydda to see the converts in that city,

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.

as Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples having heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him to desire he would come to them without delay.

Peter immediately went with them, and when he was come, they conducted him to the upper chamber: and all the widows advanc'd to him weeping, and shew'd the robes and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

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

In Cesarea there was a centurion of a cohort in the Italic legion, whose name was Cornelius, a religious man,

and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God.

and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God.

As soon as the angel that spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his domesticks, and a devout soldier, one of those that were in waiting:

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,

As Peter was still pondering upon the vision, the spirit said to him, there are people below, who enquire for you.

they answered, Cornelius the centurion, a man of probity and piety, one that has an universal good character among the Jews, was divinely admonish'd by an holy angel to send for you to his house, to hear what you had to say to him.

as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and prostrated himself at his feet,

then Cornelius said, it is now four days ago that I was fasting, and while I was at prayers in my house, about the ninth hour, a man in bright attire presented himself before me,

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

how Jesus of Nazareth divinely inspired by the holy spirit, and with miraculous power, went about doing good, and healing all that were under the oppression of the devil: because God was with him.

and he commanded us to publish, and to testify to the people, that he was the person whom God had constituted to be the judge of the living, and of the dead.

Peter was yet speaking, when the holy spirit descended on all that heard him.

all the Jewish converts, who came with Paul, were astonished to see that the gift of the holy spirit was diffused likewise among the Gentiles.

and when Peter was return'd to Jerusalem, the Jewish converts objected to his conduct,

saying, as I was at prayers in Joppa, I saw something like a great sheet, tied at the four corners, which descended from heaven, and came just to me.

as I was considering it very attentively, I saw several quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds.

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

at that very instant three men, dispatch'd from Cesarea to me, were just arrived at the house, where I was.

and while I was speaking to them, the holy spirit descended upon them, as it did on us, at the beginning.

who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession:

for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church.