Acts 10:30

Observe here, 1. Cornelius relates the occasion of his sending for St. Peter, and the warrant he had for so doing: He declares that as he was fasting and praying in his family, he had. vision, in which an angel directed him to send for the apostle.

Where note, That Cornelius doth not talk of his fasting, praying, and alms giving, by the way of ostentation, to boast of himself, but only to give satisfaction to St. Peter, that he had certain advice from heaven for what he did in sending for him.

Observe, 2. The readiness of Cornelius's obedience in sending for St. Peter: Immediately therefore. sent to thee. Joppa from Cesarea is computed to be about forty miles; but no sooner did Cornelius receive the commandment, but without delay he put it in execution, and sent men to Joppa. When our call is clear, our obedience must be speedy.

Observe, 3. The kind reception which Cornelius gives St. Peter; Thou hast well done that thou art come; He doth not only approve of the apostle's coming, but thanks him for it.

Observe, 4. The preparation and readiness of Cornelius and his friends, to hear and receive the word of God from St. Peter's mouth: We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Where note, 1. He desires the same holy doctrine which the apostle came to preach, may be delivered to his family, his friends, and his kinsfolk, as well as himself.. good man would not go to heaven alone; but is desirous of the instruction, conversion, and salvation of others, as well as of himself: We are all here.

Note, 2. The place of God's pure worship is the place of his special presence; We are all here present before God.

Note 3. The end for which they were now come into the presence of God; it was to hear what God should speak, yea, to hear all things which God should command the apostle to speak:

Intimating to us, that as St. Peter himself was, so all the ministers of Christ are confined within their commission and must only speak what God commands; neither are hearers bound to receive anything else. Woe unto us, if when God sends us of his errand, we tell our own tale: The world is the counsel of God; now it is the cousel of God only, and the whole counsel of God also, that we are to declare, and our people are to hear; We are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded us before God.