XX.

THE FAMILY OF CORNELIUS.

ONE of the most attractive and interesting pictures in the New Testament is that of the centurion Cornelius and his household. A Gentile by birth and education, he had probably enjoyed the advantages of instruction in the principles of revealed religion, as taught among the Jews. A soldier, having a military force under his command, and occupied during a great part of his time by active duties, it is likely the influences which surrounded him were no more favourable to spiritual piety than such have been in later ages. Yet on him the spirit of prayer was largely poured out; and it is evident he had such a conception of the nature of God and religious services, as showed he had not been left to the vague apprehensions of mere human reason. Though not a proselyte, we may conclude that the spiritual notions of the Deity peculiar to the Jewish creed had been recognized by him as truth. In an age of superstition and idolatry he worshipped one Eternal Father of the universe, acknowledging his spiritual and illimitable nature. He knew nothing, however, of the typical meaning of the stated sacrifices, nor of the way of salvation opened through the blood shed on the cross for the remission of sins, nor of the Light which was to enlighten the Gentiles, and be the glory of Israel. The good report which he enjoyed among all the nation of the Jews bespeaks some acquaintance on his part with their tenets and their law, while the truth they had refused to receive had never yet been proclaimed in his hearing.

The testimony recorded of him, that he was

"a devout man, and

one that feared God with all his house," is evidence that he fulfilled in their highest sense the duties belonging to the head of a family. It implies the subjection to his authority of each member of the circle, according to the provisions of the original institution, with a judicious government on his part, mild yet absolute, so far as their spiritual well-being was concerned. It was his province, as a father and ruler, to direct and purify their worship, to be their leader in sacred services, and to watch that the daily practice of all under his responsible control was conformable to the principles by which they professed to be guided. He "prayed to God always," and thus was enabled to discharge this trust. His benevolence overflowed not merely upon those nearest him, but upon all the people to whom he " gave much alms." He was universally esteemed a just man, not only enjoying the respect of all his acquaintance, but being an object of grateful veneration to the poor who shared his bounty

"Distress but glean'd from others' store,

From his she reap'd a plenteous dole ;"

while the spring of his charity lay not in selfish ostentation, but in pure love to his fellow-beings, born of love to the Creator. What character more amiable or more admirable among men could be portrayed! What nobler example could be presented to those of his own station and circumstances! Yet for this man, whose heart has been prepared by the secret influence of Him who changes the unclean into clean, that the good seed might be sown therein, and ripen, and bring forth fruit in abundance-a revelation of the way of salvation was necessary before he could stand accepted before the face of his Maker. His prayers and his alms went up for a memorial, not to plead his cause or obtain favour for him at the throne of mercy, but to show that he was fitted, by the mysterious operation of the Spirit, to receive the grace which alone could make alive through Christ Jesus; to be made a child of God through the righteousness which is by faith.

The word had never yet reached him. Commanded to begin their teachings at Jerusalem, the apostles had not yet so far shaken off the yoke of the ceremonial law as to contemplate the full extent of their Divine mission. The sound of the words heard from the mount that might be touched, lingered in their ears, and they knew not that they were already come to the typical Mount Sion, the city of the living God. The exclusive character of the Jewish ordinances forbade the sharing of their privileges with those who had not received the seal of initiation; the same spirit of limitation in their apprehension pervaded Christianity. The fountain of blessing, issuing from the gates of Jerusalem, was to flow only in the ancient channels; the people who had of old been chosen for the preservation of the Divine oracles, were still to be the sole depositaries of the truth, and to dispense it to the world. The idea that God would pour out upon the uncircumcised heathen the gift of the Holy Ghost-that the blessings of the religion they were appointed to disseminate were to be free to all mankind, as the bestowment of air and light-that whosoever would might drink of the water of life freely-that the Almighty was no respecter of persons—had not entered into their conception. The knowledge of this great feature in the new dispensation was first given to the apostles and brethren in the impressive instance of the family of Cornelius.

This new revelation of the Divine will, destined to be so mighty and pervading in its effects, was made known by two visions. One was sent to the Roman centurion as he fasted and prayed-the other to the apostle as he prayed upon the housetop; and how marvellous is the connection between them! The military chief and the zealous disciple were strangers to each other; in the ordinary course of human affairs they might never have met. They were brought together by a miraculous interposition of Providence -with a design not only gracious to them as individuals, but involving consequences of infinite importance to the whole human

race. The piety and good works of Cornelius were had in remembrance in the sight of God, because He was mindful, in his allembracing mercy, of the helpless condition of the nation who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. The exclusiveness of Peter was to be rebuked, because the end of all things was come, as regarded the former dispensation; the first being taken away, that the glorious second might be established. It is in this light that we must look upon the vision in which Cornelius saw the man in bright clothing-the angel of God standing before him, and calling him familiarly by name. It was indeed a worthy mission for one of the most exalted of the hierarchy of heaven, to be charged with such a task-to remove the partition-wall built for ages-to take away the veil which had hitherto forbidden access to the most holy place.

Although the supernatural visitant called him by name, the soldier was afraid when he looked on him. The Being whom he worshipped so devoutly, appeared not yet to him in the light of a Father, whose messages he could hear without trembling, for he had not yet beheld the Invisible in the face of Him who is the express image of his person. But with submissive reverence he asked, "What is it, Lord ?" The reply was most encouraging, and assured him of acceptance, the way to which was now to be shown him: "Send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do."

The angel departed, and Cornelius immediately summoned two of the servants of his household, and a soldier of the guard he kept about his person, one who like him was deeply imbued with the reverence due to the things of religion, and who worshipped in sincerity, according to the light given him. To these the chief related what had passed, and sent them to Joppa in search of the man indicated in the vision.

It was necessary that the mind of Peter should be prepared

before he could be satisfied to do what implied the abrogation of the ritual law established so many ages before by Divine authority, and to dismiss at once his Jewish prejudices. A mysterious vision while he was at prayer on the housetop, in which animals declared unclean by the law, were pronounced clean and fit for use, threw him into musing, till the arrival of the men sent to seek him, and the command of the Spirit that he should go with them, explained the meaning of the injunction thrice solemnly repeated-"What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." The men were foreigners and Gentiles, such as a Jew could not associate with, or come unto, without violating the law; but he was commanded in a manner he dared not gainsay, to go down and receive them as guests; to depart with them, without hesitation, he knew not whither, nor for what purpose, doubting nothing, for that they had been sent by the Holy Spirit. There could have been no greater trial of his faith, for it brought into conflict duties he had held consistent with one another; and as yet he knew not to what tended the strange requisition. But he could not be disobedient to the positive command laid on him. Inquiring of the messengers their business, and hearing their report of the character of Cornelius, and the cause of his sending for him, he invited the men to remain with him till the following day. Doubtless it was a great surprise to the brethren at Joppa, to see the great apostle of the circumcision thus offering hospitable entertainment to persons whom the religious customs of his country forbade him to harbour. They were probably liberal both of question and remonstrance, and some of them accompanied Peter on his journey, desiring to understand further the import of what had occurred; or perhaps going at his request, that they might witness all that should pass, and bear testimony to other believers.

On their arrival at Cesarea, they found preparations made for their reception. The centurion had assembled his kinsmen and