Study Desk

the people attended with great unanimity, hearing his discourses, and observing the miracles he wrought.

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,

no wonder they were so attach'd to one, who had for a long time infatuated them with his arts.

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

then the spirit said unto Philip, go near, and advance to his chariot.

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."

when they were come out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he pursued his way with joy.

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

at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus,

(at that very instant Saul saw in a vision the said Ananias come in, and put his hand on him, to restore his sight.)

Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit.

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

thereupon Barnabas took him with him to the apostles, and related to them how the Lord had appear'd to him on his journey, and had spoken to him, and how publickly Saul had preach'd at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

and he openly preach'd in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Hellenists, who therefore plotted against his life:

where finding a man named Eneas, a paralytic, who had kept his bed eight years,

Peter lent her his hand, and lift her up; and having called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

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

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.