things which Jefus did (n), the which if they should be written every one, I fuppofe that even the world itfelf could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

(n) It would be impoffible to record every particular incident of our Saviour's life, nor is it neceffary; thofe which are here recorded being fufficient for our inftruction, and being certainly and undoubtedly true, are moft worthy of our entire belief.

Amen is a reverential atteftation of the truth and importance of the contents of this book.

THE

I

TH

THE former treatife have I made, O Theophilus (a), of all that Jefus began both to do and 2 teach (b), Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the holy Ghost had given command

(a) The Acts of the Apoftles were written by St. Luke, and addreffed to the fame perfon to whom he had before addressed his Gofpel, called here the former treatife. The prefent work contains the hiftory of Chriftianity for the firft thirty years after our Lord's afcenfion. St. Luke's defign, however, was not to relate the acts of all the Apoftles, but principally thofe only of St. Peter and St. Paul. In the first eight chapters are delivered the origin and progrefs of the Chriftian church among the Jews. From the ninth to the fixteenth is defcribed the extenfion of it among the Gentiles. From the fixteenth chapter to the twentieth are contained the travels of St. Paul, including his laft journey to Jerufalem; and from thence to the end of the book is an account of his various diftreffes, and at laft his arrival and behaviour at Rome.

(6) Of all that Jefus did and taught from the beginning.

3 ments

3ments unto the apoftles whom he had chofen. To whom also he fhewed himself alive after his paffion, by many infallible proofs, being feen of them forty days, and fpeaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom 4 of God (c). And being affembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerufalem, but wait for the promife of the Far 5 ther, which, faith he, ye have heard of me (d). For John truly baptized with water, but ye fhall be bap. tized with the holy Ghoft, not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they afked of him, faying, Lord, wilt thou at this time re7 ftore again the kingdom to Ifrael (e)? And he faid unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the feasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye fhall receive power, after that the holy Ghoft is come upon you: and ye fhall be witneffes unto me, both in Jerufalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the utmost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him 10 out of their fight. And while they looked ftedfaftly

towards heaven, as he went up, behold, two men II ftood by them in white apparel; Which alfo faid, Ye men of Galilee, why ftand ye gazing up into heaven? this fame Jefus which is taken up from you into heaven, fhall fo come, in like manner as ye have 12 feen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerufalem, from the mount called Olivet, which is: 13 from Jerufalem a fabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper

(c) The doctrine of chriflianity.
(d) Ye have heard me discourse of.

Matt. iii. 2..

(e) Jefus having proved himself to be the Meffiah by his refurrection, they expected that his kingdom (which they considered as a temporal one) would immediately appear in all its grandeur; the confequence of which they thought must be the refloring the Jews to their former profperous and independent state.

Q4

room,›

room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the fon of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 Thefe all continued with one accord in prayer and fupplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus (ƒ), and with his brethren.

15

And in thofe days Peter ftood up in the midst of the difciples, and said, (the number of the names to16 gether were about an hundred and twenty). Men and brethren, This fcripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the holy Ghoft by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide 17 to them that took Jefus. For he was numbered with 18 us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity (g); and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, 19 and all his bowels gufhed out (b). And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerufalem; infomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that 20 is to fay, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of pfalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and, His bishoprick let ano21 ther take, Wherefore of these men which have

companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jefus 22 went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that fame day that he was taken up from us, muft one be ordained to be a witness with 23 us of his refurrection. And they appointed two, Jofeph called Barfabas, who was furnamed Juftus, and Matthias. And they prayed and faid, Thou, Lord, which knoweft the hearts of all men, fhew whether

24

(ƒ) After this time the bleffed Virgin is not mentioned in the New Teftament.

(g) Judas had probably agreed to buy the field for his own ufe, but having refunded the money, the chief priests applied it to the fame purpofe, and completed the purchase. Matt. xxvii. 7.

(h) See Matt. xxvii. 5. Note.

25 of these two thou haft chofen; That he may take part of this miniftry and apoftlefhip, from which Judas by tranfgreffion fell, that he might go to his 26 own place (i). And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles (k).

2

CHA P. II.

I AND when the day of Pentecoft was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place: And fuddenly there came a found from heaven, as of a rufhing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where 3 they were fitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it fat upon each 4 of them: And they were all filled with the holy Ghoft, and began to speak with other tongues as the 5 Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerufalem, Jews, devout men (a), out of every 6 nation under heaven. Now when this was noifed abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them fpeak 7 in his own language. And they were all amazed, and marvelled, faying one to another, Behold, are 8 not all these which speak, Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mefopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappa

9

(1) Judas fell by tranfgreffion, and fo went to the place appointed for him. Obferve how amiably St. Peter forbears to use an harfher

term.

(k) Completing the number twelve, as they were at first appointed by Chrift.

(a) This being the feaft of weeks, one of the three great feflivals, when the Jews were obliged to go to the temple of Jerufalem from all parts, the city could not but be exceedingly full of people. Luke ii. 44. Note.