Acts 8

Woe to him that gives his neighbor drink, that puts your bottle to him. 4. By consenting to another's sin: Saul did not cast one stone at Stephen, yet the Scripture says, Saul was consenting to his death (Acts 8:1). Thus he had a hand in it; if several did combine to murder a ma…

4, Pray that the same Spirit that wrote the Word may assist you in the reading of it; that God's Spirit would show you the wonderful things of his law. Go near, says God to Philip, join yourself to this chariot (Acts 8:29). So when God's Spirit joins himself with this chariot of…

But who will not say he is a believer? Simon Magus believed (Acts 8:13), yet was in the gall of bitterness. The hypocrite can put on faith's mantle, as the devil did Samuel's.

It is not our prayers or tears or good deeds, can purchase pardon. When Simon Magus would have bought the gift of the Holy Ghost with money; Your money (says Peter) perish with you (Acts 8:20). So they, who think they can buy pardon of sin with their duties and alms, their money…

The proper inward effect that accompanies that ordinance (which casts men out of the church) being inward affliction and distress of conscience by Satan (which of all afflictions is the greatest punishment, as the apostle calls it, 2 Corinthians 2:6) — thereby to bring a man to…

And in Moses' days Jethro Moses' father in Law, a Priest of Midian, obtained this at Gods hands, to be joined unto Gods Church: and so was Ruth the Moabite, Ruth 1.16: and Naaman the Assyrian, 2 Kings 5.17: and as some think Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4.3, but that is not so certain…

Question. David uses imprecations against his enemies, in which he prays for their utter confusion, as Psalm 59 and Psalm 109, etc. The like is done by Paul (Galatians 5:12; 2 Timothy 4:14) and Peter (Acts 8:20), though afterwards he mitigates his execration. But how could they…

Philip said, If you do believe with all your heart, you may. Then he answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God (Acts 8:38). By this it appears, that although all men, for the most part, among us can say this Creed, yet not one of a thousand can tell the ancient and…

To conclude, such is the vileness of mere heart-sins that the Scriptures sometimes intimate the difficulty of pardon for them. So in the case of Simon Magus (Acts 8:21): his heart was not right; he had vile thoughts of God and the things of God; the apostle bids him repent and p…

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We hope it shall not be needful to insist in opening the scope of this chapter, or in clearing to you of whom the prophet means, and is speaking: It was once questioned by the Eunuch, Acts 8:32…

I know that place of (Matthew 8:17) has its own difficulty, and therefore I shall speak a word for clearing of it; he has spoken in verse 16 of Christ's healing all that were sick, and then subjoins in verse 17: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,…

This is the heart-warming commendation of his sufferings, that with delight and pleasure he underwent them, as if he had been purchasing a kingdom to himself. Now, to come to the Use of all these doctrines; when they with the things contained in them are laid together, we profes…

Isaiah 53:8 — Verse 8. He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people was he stricken. We need not tell you of whom the Prophet is speaking here, every verse a…

We show you that we conceive these words to be these that express the Prophet's turning of himself from Christ's humiliation to his exaltation; He has insisted long in setting out his wonderful abasement, exinanition, and humiliation, which these words import, He was brought fro…

3. The Lord, in the Word of the Gospel has revealed this; and has comprehended the way of a sinner's justification in the gospel covenant, and promises, and makes offer of it to all that hear of it, saying, "He that believes in the Son shall not perish, but have eternal life, an…

Manasseh, as if he had intended to make sure work of Hell, runs on to pawn soul and salvation, and gives himself to witchcraft; observing of times; to cause the streets of Jerusalem to run with blood, to all abominable idolatry: mercy in the Lord went as near hell to save him. P…

Thirdly, it is a means to put people in remembrance of what they know, though it be not to salvation. And lastly, it kindles in them some desires to know these things, that they might understand them; though that be rare, I dare not reckon the Eunuch among the ignorant and unbel…

So that the word opened by way of conference made their hearts to burn within them, they do not call it preaching, but rather a private conference, an applying the Scripture to this point they stood in need to be instructed in, and they go away with full resolution, the Lord is…

Labor not for any loaves, whatever you might find in your pursuit after Christ. It was this by which Peter did discover the hypocrisy of Simon Magus: he desired the gift of the Holy Ghost, but for Christ himself, his heart was not set upon him, but he only desired that in which…

Peter seeing the disciple which Jesus loved, said Lord, and what shall this man do? As willing to know the future state of his friend, so (Acts 8:14). Peter and John go to Samaria to confirm the disciples, see (John 18:15).

And I say to you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 2. It is the question put to those that would enter upon Christianity (Acts 8:37): If you believe with all your heart you may; and he answered and…

And this malediction proceeds from the Holy Ghost. As Peter also in Acts 8 curses Simon the Sorcerer: Your money and you perish together. And the holy Scripture often uses cursing, against such troublers of men's consciences, and chiefly in the Psalms: as Psalm 55: Let death com…

The second is, by the message of a creature. Thus Aaron and the tribe of Leui was called by Moses: Elizeus, by Elias: Philip was called by an angel to baptize the Eunuch, Act 8:26. The third is, by instinct.

The first is, that we must have and carrie in vs a right heart. For the want of this was Simon Magus condemned, Act 8:21. A right heart is an humble and an honest heart.

Jonah preaches, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed: but withal he adds, It may be the Lord will repent, and turn from his fierce wrath (Jonah 3:9). Peter says to Simon Magus, You are in the gall of bitterness: but withal he adds, Pray God that the thought of your hear…

Read (Acts 20:31). 4. He had a prerogative, (as the rest of the Apostles had) after he had made disciples by imposition of hands to give to them the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:17). And these are the means whereby this special love was procured.

Simon Magus though a wicked wretch, a limme of the Deuill, a sorcerer, &c. yet had this conceit of himselfe, and gaue it out also, that he was some great man. Act 8:9. to wit, the great power of God. v. 10. The Church of Laodicea, thought shee was rich, and increased with goods,…

And in other places we may observe, that God's servants have spoken on this manner, though the matter were out of doubt. For when Saint Peter exhorted Simon the Magician to repentance, he adds; If perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you: but he therein counsels him…

—Now they have known that all Things, whatsoever thou hast given me, are of thee: For I have given unto them, the Words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. Acts 8:37.…

And the Spirit of God has no other aim in granting these his enlightning Gifts, wherein he manifests his care of the Church, and declares the things of the Gospel to any Man, but that they should be used to the Profit, Advantage, and Edification of others. They are not bestowed…

But this we know to be otherwise. For instance; Simon the Megician was rightly and duly Baptized, for he was so by Philip the Evangelist; which he could not be without a Profession of Faith and Repentance; accordingly it is said that he believed, Acts 8. 13. that is, made a prof…

Though it is a thing attended with so much difficulty, yet it is not a thing impossible. Acts 8:22: 'If perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.' 2 Timothy 2:25: 'If perhaps God will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.'

The wonderful strangeness and unaccountableness of this work of Providence, in casting us into the way, and ordering the occasions, yea, the minuest Circumstances about this work. Thus you find in Acts 8. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, &c. the Eunuch at that very instant when he was readin…

Againe, others have their calling from God, by the speciall message of some Angel, or some men. Thus was Aaron called by Moses; Elisha by Elias; and Philip by an Angel to preach to the Eunuch, Act. 8. 26. Thirdly, others be called by the instinct and motion of Gods spirit: so, A…

Christ there does not approve of their separation from the Jews; but tells the woman of Samaria, that they worshipped they knew not what, and that salvation is of the Jews. But now salvation is brought from the Jews to them by the preaching of Philip, (excepting that before Chri…

Does the Spirit of the Lord produce that glorious and supernatural work of faith, in convinced and humbled souls? In this also the hypocrite apes and imitates the believer (Acts 8:13): Then Simon himself believed also. (Luke 8:13) These are they which for a while believe, and in…

It comforts their very hearts. What joy was there in Samaria, when the Gospel came to that place? (Acts 8:8). It revives the soul, its mel in ore, melos in aure, jubilum in corde, honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and a very Jubilee in the heart.

Surely some do behold their late ascension and glory with envy and indignation, others possibly may be led by a desire of being somebody in the world. Simon Magus would be [in non-Latin alphabet], (Acts 8:9); there is a natural itch and desire after mastery in Israel. James chec…

For, First, sometimes by this means, he scatters his people abroad in the world to disperse his truth, to spread his Gospel further then otherwise it would be; as Acts 8. 3, 4. it is said, Saul made havock of the Church, haling men and women, committing them to prison, therefore…

The Church of God is like that Plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of, which lives by dying, and grows by cutting. Persecution propagates the Church: the scattering of the Apostles up and down, was like scattering of seed, it did tend much to the spreading of the Gospel, Acts 8:1.4.…

A Godly man is assured that a full Purse is but a poor recompence for a wounded Conscience. If any shall go to choak him with Steeples, he says as Peter, Acts 8:20. Your mony perish with you.

If there be anything sought from God more than God, or not for God, we do not seek him with the whole heart, but only for other uses. 2. It notes integrity of parts: we read in Scripture of loving God not only with the heart, but with the whole heart; and of believing not only w…

1. In reading the word. The eunuch returning from public worship, was reading a portion of Scripture (Acts 8:28). It is good to see with our own eyes, and to drink of the fountain ourselves; if it seem dark without the explication of men, God that sent Philip to the eunuch, will…

The object must be not only revealed, but we must have an answerable light; so that when you have done all, you must say, How can I understand without an interpreter? Acts 8:31. And this interpreter must be the Spirit of God; Ejus est interpretari cujus est condere.

3. Natural men are bound to pray and perform duties, therefore renewed men. That natural men are bound, see Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Some seek God with a piece of their hearts — to explain it, either in the work of faith, or love. In the work of faith, as Acts 8:37: If you believe with all your heart. There is a believing with a piece, and a believing with all the heart.

Ananias joined himself to the people of God, but Satan filled his heart (Acts 5:3). Simon Magus was baptized, but his heart was not right with God (Acts 8:22). Here is the great defect.

Doct. 3. At such a time God must be dealt with about it, upon two grounds. 1. Because God has a great hand in the judgment, in the outward case, want of liberty, nothing falls out without his providence, he sees fit sometimes to exercise his people with unreasonable men, for all…

Look into the lives and examples of the saints: who have more true joy than they? The disciples esteem the grace of the gospel such a great treasure that though they suffer persecution for it they are filled with joy (Acts 8:8): "And there was great joy in that city." (1 Thessal…

There cannot be a greater punishment than that they should have what they choose, that they should be written in the earth (Jeremiah 17), they shall have this and no more. That God should say to them, silver and gold you shall have, but in this matter no lot nor portion (Acts 8)…