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:

After this discourse, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

when taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "thus saith the holy spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, that owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

upon hearing this, we and some of the city intreated him not to go to Jerusalem.

after this we prepar'd for our journey to Jerusalem.

upon hearing this, they gave glory to God: and thus address'd Paul, you see, brother, how many thousand believing Jews there are, all however zealous for the law.

these take, and perform the rites of purification with them, contributing to the expence of having their heads shav'd: this will convince them, what has been reported of you, is all groundless, and that you stick to the observances of the law.

as for the believing Gentiles, we have given them by letter this decision, "they need only take care to abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals strangled, and from fornication."

bawling out, "men of Israel, help: this is the man that every where inveighs upon all occasions against the people, against the law, and against this place, where they have brought Greeks too to profane this holy place."

then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.

for I persecuted this sect even to death, throwing them into chains and prisons both men and women:

this the high-priest and the senate know too well: from them I receiv'd my warrant directed to the Jews of Damascus, where I went, to bring the converts there in chains to Jerusalem, in order to be punished.

upon hearing that, the centurion went to acquaint the head officer, take care, said he, what you do; for this man is a Roman.

and the Scribes taking part with the Pharisees, grew warm in the debate, and said, "we find no harm in this man; perhaps a spirit or an angel has spoke to him."

who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him.

accordingly he went along with him, and having introduc'd him to the tribune, he said, Paul, who is in custody sent for me, and desired me to introduce this young man, who has something to tell you.