Because the Jews so much abhorred the Gentiles, for the better warrant of their Christening, an Angel appeareth to Cornelius the devout Italian, 9 and a vision is shewed to Peter himself (the chief and Pastor of all) 19 and the Spirit speaketh to him, 30 yea and as he is Catechizing them about JESUS, 44 the holy Ghost cometh visibly upon them: and therefore not fearing any longer the offense of the Jews, he commandeth to baptize them.Because the Ievves so much abhorred the Gentils, for the better vvarrant of their Christening, an Angel appeareth to Cornelius the deuout Italian, 9 and a vision is shevved to Peter him self ( the cheefe and Pastor of al) 19 and the Spirit speaketh to him, 30 yea and as he is Catechizing them about IESVS, 44 the holy Ghost commeth visibly vpon them: and therfore not fearing any longer the offense of the Ievves, he commaundeth to baptize them.
Acts 10 prints *48 verses*, matching the Clementine Vulgate exactly — noThe 4 part. The propagation of the Church to the Gentils also.
And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, Centurion of that which is called the Italian band,AND there vvas a certaine man in Cæsaria, named Cornelius, Centurion of that vvhich is called the Italian band,Vir autem quidam erat in Cæsarea, nomine Cornelius, centurio cohortis quæ dicitur Italica,
2religious, and fearing God with all his house, doing many alms-deeds to the people. And always praying to God,religious, and fearing God vvith al his house, doing many almes-deedes to the people. And alvvaies praying to God,¶religiosus, ac timens Deum cum omni domo sua, faciens eleemosynas multas plebi, et deprecans Deum semper.
3he saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an Angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.he savv in a vision manifestly, about the ninth houre of the day, an Angel of God comming in vnto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.Is vidit in visu manifeste, quasi hora diei nona, angelum Dei introëuntem ad se, et dicentem sibi : Corneli.
4But he beholding him, taken with fear, said, Who art thou Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thy alms-deeds are ascended into remembrance in the sight of God.But he beholding him, taken vvith feare, said, Vvho art thou Lord? And he said to him, Thy praiers and thy almes-deedes are ascended into remembrance in the sight of God.At ille intuens eum, timore correptus, dixit : Quid est, domine ? Dixit autem illi : Orationes tuæ et eleemosynæ tuæ ascenderunt in memoriam in conspectu Dei.
5And now send men unto Joppe, and call hither one Simon that is surnamed Peter.And novv send men vnto Ioppe, and call hither one Simon that is surnamed Peter.Et nunc mitte viros in Joppen, et accersi Simonem quemdam, qui cognominatur Petrus :
6he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. he will tell thee what thou must do.he lodgeth vvith one Simon a tanner, vvhose house is by the sea side. he vvil tel thee vvhat thou must doe.hic hospitatur apud Simonem quemdam coriarium, cujus est domus juxta mare : hic dicet tibi quid te oporteat facere.
7And when the Angel was departed that spake to him, he called two of his household, and a soldier that feared our Lord, of them that were under him.And vvhen the Angel vvas departed that spake to him, he called tvvo of his houshold, and a souldiar that feared our Lord, of them that vvere vnder him.Et cum discessisset angelus qui loquebatur illi, vocavit duos domesticos suos, et militem metuentem Dominum ex his qui illi parebant.
8To whom when he had told all, he sent them unto Joppe.To vvhom vvhen he had told al, he sent them vnto Ioppe.Quibus cum narrasset omnia, misit illos in Joppen.
9And the next day whiles they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up into the higher parts, to pray about the sixth hour.And the next day vvhiles they vvere going on their iourney, and dravving nigh to the citie, Peter vvent vp into the higher partes, to pray about the sixt houre.¶Postera autem die, iter illis facientibus, et appropinquantibus civitati, ascendit Petrus in superiora ut oraret circa horam sextam.
10And being so hungry, he was desirous to take somewhat. And as they were preparing, there fell upon him an excess of mentis excessus: a fit of madness; a trance, a rapture:And being so hungrie, he vvas desirous to take somevvhat. And as they vvere preparing, there fel vpon him an excesse of minde:Et cum esuriret, voluit gustare. Parantibus autem illis, cecidit super eum mentis excessus :
11and he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet with four corners let down from heaven to the earth,and he savv the heauen opened, and a certaine vessel descending, as it vvere a great linnen sheete vvith foure corners let dovvne from heauen to the earth,et vidit cælum apertum, et descendens vas quoddam, velut linteum magnum, quatuor initiis submitti de cælo in terram,
12wherein were all four-footed beasts, and that creep on the earth, and fowls of the air.vvherein vvere al foure-footed beastes, and that creepe on the earth, and foules of the aire.in quo erant omnia quadrupedia, et serpentia terræ, et volatilia cæli.
13And there came a voice to him, Arise Peter: kill, and eat.And there came a voice to him, Arise Peter: kil, and eate.Et facta est vox ad eum : Surge, Petre : occide, et manduca.
14But Peter said, God forbid, Lord: for I did never eat any commune: ordinary, shared; profane, ritually unclean and unclean thing.But Peter said, God forbid, Lord: for I did neuer eate any common and vncleane thing.Ait autem Petrus : Absit Domine, quia numquam manducavi omne commune et immundum.
15And a voice came to him again the second time, That which God hath purified, do not thou call common.And a voice came to him again the second time, That vvhich God hath purified, doe not thou cal common.Et vox iterum secundo ad eum : Quod Deus purificavit, tu commune ne dixeris.
16And this was done thrice, and forthwith the vessel was taken up again into heaven.And this vvas done thrise, and forthvvith the vessel vvas taken vp againe into heauen.Hoc autem factum est per ter : et statim receptum est vas in cælum.
17And whiles Peter doubted within himself, what the vision should be that he had seen, behold the men that were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate.And vvhiles Peter doubted vvithin him self, vvhat the vision should be that he had seen, behold the men that vvere sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simons house, stood at the gate.Et dum intra se hæsitaret Petrus quidnam esset visio quam vidisset, ecce viri qui missi erant a Cornelio, inquirentes domum Simonis astiterunt ad januam.
18And when they had called, they asked, if Simon that is surnamed Peter, were lodged there.And vvhen they had called, they asked, if Simon that is surnamed Peter, vvere lodged there.Et cum vocassent, interrogabant, si Simon qui cognominatur Petrus illic haberet hospitium.
19And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold three men do seek thee.And as Peter vvas thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold three men doe seeke thee.Petro autem cogitante de visione, dixit Spiritus ei : Ecce viri tres quærunt te.
20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.Arise therfore, and get thee dovvne, and goe vvith them, doubting nothing: for I haue sent them.Surge itaque, descende, et vade cum eis nihil dubitans : quia ego misi illos.
21And Peter going down to the men, said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the cause, for the which you are come?And Peter going dovvne to the men, said, Behold, I am he vvhom you seeke: vvhat is the cause, for the vvhich you are come?Descendens autem Petrus ad viros, dixit : Ecce ego sum, quem quæritis : quæ causa est, propter quam venistis ?
22Who said, Cornelius the Centurion, a just man that feareth God, and having testimony of all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy Angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.Vvho said, Cornelius the Centurion, a iust man that feareth God, and hauing testimonie of al the nation of the Ievves, receiued an ansvver of an holy Angel to send for thee into his house, and to heare vvordes of thee.Qui dixerunt : Cornelius centurio, vir justus et timens Deum, et testimonium habens ab universa gente Judæorum, responsum accepit ab angelo sancto accersire te in domum suam, et audire verba abs te.
23Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following he arose, and went with them: and certain of the brethren of Joppe accompanied him.Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day folovving he arose, and vvent vvith them: and certaine of the brethren of Ioppe accompanied him.Introducens ergo eos, recepit hospitio. Sequenti autem die, surgens profectus est cum illis, et quidam ex fratribus ab Joppe comitati sunt eum.
24And on the morrow he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius expected them, having called together his kin, and special friends.And on the morovv he entred into Cæsaria. And Cornelius expected them, hauing called together his kinne, and special frendes.Altera autem die introivit Cæsaream. Cornelius vero exspectabat illos, convocatis cognatis suis et necessariis amicis.
25And it came to pass, when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet adored.And it came to passe, Vvhen Peter vvas come in, Cornelius came to meete him, and falling at his feete adored.¶Et factum est cum introisset Petrus, obvius venit ei Cornelius, et procidens ad pedes ejus adoravit.
26But Peter lifted him up saying, Arise, myself also am a man.But Peter lifted him vp saying, Arise, my self also am a man.Petrus vero elevavit eum, dicens : Surge : et ego ipse homo sum.
27And talking with him, he went in, and findeth many that were assembled,And talking vvith him, he vvent in, and findeth many that vvere assembled,Et loquens cum illo intravit, et invenit multos qui convenerant :
28and he said to them, You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to join, or to approach unto a stranger: but God hath showed to me, to call no man common or unclean.and he said to them, You knovv hovv abominable it is for a man that is a Ievve, to ioyne, or to approche vnto a stranger: but God hath shevved to me, to cal no man cõmon or vncleane.dixitque ad illos : Vos scitis quomodo abominatum sit viro Judæo conjungi aut accedere ad alienigenam : sed mihi ostendit Deus neminem communem aut immundum dicere hominem.
29For the which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I demand therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?For the vvhich cause, making no doubt, I came vvhen I vvas sent for. I demaund therfore, for vvhat cause you haue sent for me?Propter quod sine dubitatione veni accersitus. Interrogo ergo, quam ob causam accersistis me ?
30And Cornelius said, Four days since, until this hour, I was praying the ninth hour in my house, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel,And Cornelius said, Foure daies since, vntil this houre, I vvas *praying the ninthe houre in my house, and behold a man stoode before me in vvhite apparel,Et Cornelius ait : A nudiusquarta die usque ad hanc horam, orans eram hora nona in domo mea, et ecce vir stetit ante me in veste candida, et ait :
31and said: Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms-deeds are in memory in the sight of God.and said: Cornelius, thy praier is heard, and thy almes-deedes are in memorie in the sight of God.Corneli, exaudita est oratio tua, et eleemosynæ tuæ commemoratæ sunt in conspectu Dei.
32Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon that is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner by the sea side.Send therfore to Ioppe, and cal hither Simon that is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner by the sea side.Mitte ergo in Joppen, et accersi Simonem qui cognominatur Petrus : hic hospitatur in domo Simonis coriarii juxta mare.
33Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee of the Lord.Immediatly therfore I sent to thee: and thou hast done vvel in comming. Novv therfore al vve are present in thy sight, to heare al things vvhatsoeuer are commaunded thee of the Lord.Confestim ergo misi ad te : et tu benefecisti veniendo. Nunc ergo omnes nos in conspectu tuo adsumus audire omnia quæcumque tibi præcepta sunt a Domino.
34And Peter opening his mouth, said, In very deed I perceive that God is not an accepter of persons.And Peter opening his mouth, said, In very deede I perceiue that God is not an accepter of persons.Aperiens autem Petrus os suum, dixit : In veritate comperi quia non est personarum acceptor Deus ;
35but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him.but in euery nation, he that feareth him, and vvorketh iustice, is acceptable to him.sed in omni gente qui timet eum, et operatur justitiam, acceptus est illi.
36The word did God send to the children of Israel, preaching peace by JESUS CHRIST (this is Lord of all.)The vvord did God send to the children of Israel, preaching peace by IESVS CHRIST (this is Lord of al.)Verbum misit Deus filiis Israël, annuntians pacem per Jesum Christum (hic est omnium Dominus).
37You know the word that hath been made through all Jewry, for beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.You knovv the vvord that hath been made through al Ievvrie, for *beginning frõ Galilee, after the baptisme vvhich Iohn preached.Vos scitis quod factum est verbum per universam Judæam : incipiens enim a Galilæa post baptismum quod prædicavit Joannes,
38Jesus of Nazareth how God anointed him with the holy Ghost and with power, who went throughout doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil, because God was with him.IESVS of Nazareth hovv God anointed him vvith the holy Ghost and vvith povver, vvho vvent through out doing good and healing al that vvere oppressed of the Deuil, because God vvas vvith him.Jesum a Nazareth : quomodo unxit eum Deus Spiritu Sancto, et virtute, qui pertransiit benefaciendo, et sanando omnes oppressos a diabolo, quoniam Deus erat cum illo.
39And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed hanging him upon a tree.And vve are vvitnesses of al things that he did in the countrie of the Ievves and in Hierusalem, vvhom they killed hanging him vpon a tree.Et nos testes sumus omnium quæ fecit in regione Judæorum, et Jerusalem, quem occiderunt suspendentes in ligno.
40Him God raised up the third day and gave him to be made manifest,Him God raised vp the third day and gaue him to be made manifest,¶Hunc Deus suscitavit tertia die, et dedit eum manifestum fieri,
41not to all the people, but to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose again from the dead.not to al the people, but to vs, vvho did eate and drinke vvith him after he rose againe from the dead.non omni populo, sed testibus præordinatis a Deo : nobis, qui manducavimus et bibimus cum illo postquam resurrexit a mortuis.
42And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he that of God was appointed judge of the living and of the dead.And he commaunded vs to preach to the people, and to testifie that it is he that of God vvas appointed iudge of the liuing and of the dead.Et præcepit nobis prædicare populo, et testificari, quia ipse est qui constitutus est a Deo judex vivorum et mortuorum.
43To him all the prophets give testimony, that all receive remission of sins by his name, which believe in him.To him al the prophets giue testimonie, that al receiue remission of sinnes by his name, vvhich beleeue in him. ⊢Huic omnes prophetæ testimonium perhibent remissionem peccatorum accipere per nomen ejus omnes qui credunt in eum.
44As Peter was yet speaking these words, the holy Ghost fell upon all that heard the word.As Peter vvas yet speaking these vvordes, the holy Ghost fel vpon al that heard the vvord.Adhuc loquente Petro verba hæc, cecidit Spiritus Sanctus super omnes qui audiebant verbum.
45And the faithful of the Circumcision that came with Peter, were astonied, for that the grace of the holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.And the faithful of the Circumcision that came vvith Peter, vvere astonied, for that the grace of the holy Ghost vvas poured out vpon the Gentiles also.Et obstupuerunt ex circumcisione fideles qui venerant cum Petro, quia et in nationes gratia Spiritus Sancti effusa est.
46For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,For they heard them speaking vvith tonges, and magnifying God. Then Peter ansvvered,Audiebant enim illos loquentes linguis, et magnificantes Deum.
47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the holy Ghost as well as we?Can any man forbid vvater, that these should not be baptized vvhich haue receiued the holy Ghost as vvel as vve?¶Tunc respondit Petrus : Numquid aquam quis prohibere potest ut non baptizentur hi qui Spiritum Sanctum acceperunt sicut et nos ?
48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Then they desired him that he would tarry with them certain days.And he commaũded them to be baptized in the name of our Lord IESVS CHRIST. ⊢ Then they desired him that he vvould tarie vvith them certaine daies.Et jussit eos baptizari in nomine Domini Jesu Christi. Tunc rogaverunt eum ut maneret apud eos aliquot diebus.
Annotations
2Doing many alms-deeds. He knew God creator of all, but that his omnipotent Son was incarnate, he knew not: and in that faith he made prayers and gave alms which pleased God. and by well doing he deserved to know God perfectly, to believe the mystery of the Incarnation, and to come to the Sacrament of Baptism. So saith Venerable Bede out of St. Gregory. And St. Augustine thus, li. 1 de Bapt. c. 8. Because whatsoever goodness he had in prayers and alms, the same could not profit him unless he were by the band of Christian Society and peace, incorporated to the Church, he is bidden to send unto Peter, that by him he may learn Christ, by him he may be baptized, etc. Whereby it appeareth that such works as are done before justification, though they suffice not to salvation, yet be acceptable preparatives to the grace of justification, and such as move God to mercy, as it might appear also by God's like provident mercifulness to the Eunuch. though all such works preparative come of grace also: otherwise they could never deserve at God's hand of congruity or any otherwise toward justification.
9To pray about the sixth hour. The hour is specified, for that there were certain appointed times of prayers used in the Law, which devout persons, according to the public service in the Temple, observed also privately: and which the Apostles and holy Church afterward both kept and increased. Whereof thus writeth St. Cyprian very notably, De Orat. In celebrating their prayers, we find that the three children with Daniel observed the third sixth, and ninth hour, as in Sacrament (or mystery) of the holy Trinity. etc. And a little after, Which spaces of hours the worshippers of God spiritually (or mystically) determining long since, observed set times to pray: and afterward the thing became manifest, that it was for Sacrament (or mystery) that the just so prayed. For at the third hour the holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles, fulfilling the grace of our Lord's promise, and at the sixth hour Peter going up to the higher room of the house, was both by voice and sign from God instructed, that all Nations should be admitted to the grace of salvation, whereas of cleansing the Gentiles he doubted before, and our Lord being crucified at the sixth hour, at ninth washed away our sins with his blood. But to us (dearly beloved) beside the seasons observed of old, both the times and sacraments of praying be increased. for we must pray in the morning early, that the Resurrection of our Lord may be celebrated by morning prayer: as of old the holy Ghost designed in the Psalm, saying, In the morning early will I stand up to thee, early in the morning wilt thou hear my voice. Toward the evening also when the sun departeth, and the day endeth, we must of necessity pray again. St. Hierom also writing of Daniel's praying three times in a day, saith: There are three times, wherein we must bow our knees to God. The third, the sixth, and the ninth hour the Ecclesiastical tradition doth well understand. Moreover at the third hour the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles. at the sixth, Peter went up into a higher chamber to pray. at the ninth, Peter and John went to the Temple. Again writing to Eustochium a virgin and Nun, ep. 22. c. 16. Though the Apostle bid us pray always, and to holy persons their very sleep is prayer: yet we must have distinct hours of prayer, that if perhaps we be otherwise occupied, the very time may admonish us of our office or duty. The third, sixth, ninth hour, morning early, and the evening, no man can be ignorant of. And to Demetrias ep. 8. c. 8. that in the Psalms and prayer she must keep always the third, sixth, ninth hour, evening, midnight, and morning. He hath the like ep. 7 c. 5. And (ep. 27 c. 10.) he telleth how Paula the holy Abbess with her religious Nuns sang the Psalter in order, in the morning, at the third, sixth, ninth hour, evening, midnight. by midnight meaning the time of Mattins (therefore called Nocturnes agreeably to St. Cyprian de Orat. Do. num. 15) and by the morning, the first hour called Prime: all correspondent to the times and hours of Christ's Passion, as in St. Matthew is noted c. 26. 27. By all which we see how agreeable the use of the Church's service is even at this time to the Scriptures and primitive Church: and how wicked the Puritan Calvinists be, that count all such order and set seasons of prayer, superstition: and lastly, how insufficient and unlike the new pretended Church-service of England is to the primitive use, which hath no such hours of night or day, saving a little imitation of the old Mattins and Evensong, and that in Schism and Heresy, and therefore not only unprofitable, but also damnable.
25Adored. St. Chrysostom ho. 21 in Act. thinketh Peter refused this adoration of humility only, because every falling down to the ground for worship sake, is not Divine worship or due only to God, the word of adoration and prostration being commonly used in the Scriptures toward men. But St. Hierom adv. Vigil. c. 2 to. 2. rather thinketh that Cornelius by error of Gentility, and of Peter's person, did go about to adore him with Divine honour, and therefore was lifted up by the Apostle, adding that he was but a man.
40Gave him. Christ did not utter his Resurrection and other mysteries to all at once, and immediately to the vulgar: but to a few chosen men that should be the governors of the rest. instructing us thereby to take our faith and all necessary things of salvation, at the hands of our Superiors.
47Baptized, which have received. They that are justified before, must not omit the Sacraments. Such may be the grace of God sometimes toward men, and their charity and contrition so great, that they may have remission, justification, and sanctification before the external Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, or Penance be received. as we see in this example, where at Peter's preaching they all receive the Holy Ghost before any Sacrament. but in the same we learn one necessary lesson, that such notwithstanding must needs receive the Sacraments appointed by Christ, which whosoever contemneth, can never be justified. Aug. super Levit. q. 84 to. 4.