THIS book, in which St. Luke records the actions of the apostles, particularly of St. Peter and St. Paul, (whose companion in travel he was,) is as it were the centre between the Gospel and the Epistles. It contains, after a very brief re - capitulation of the evangelical history, a continuation of the history of Christ, the event of his predictions, and a kind of supplement to what he had before spoken to his disciples, by the Holy Ghost now given unto them. It contains also the seeds, and first stamina of all those things, which are enlarged upon in the epistles.
The Gospels treat of Christ the head. The Acts show that the same things befell his body; which is animated by his Spirit, persecuted by the world, defended and exalted by God.
In this book is shown the Christian doctrine, and the method of applying it to Jews, heathens, and believers; that is, to those who are to be converted, and those who are converted: the hinderances of it in particular men, in several kinds of men, in different ranks and nations: the propagation of the Gospel, and that grand revolution among both Jews and heathens: the victory thereof, in Spite of all opposition, from all the power, malice, and wisdom of the whole world, spreading from one chamber into temples, houses, streets, markets, fields, inns, prisons, camps, courts, chariots, ships, villages, cities, islands: to Jews, heathens, magistrates, generals, soldiers, eunuchs, captives, slaves, women, children, sailors: to Athens, and at length to Rome.
THE PARTS OF IT ARE SEVEN
1. Pentecost, with its antecedents........................... Chap. i-ii 2. Transactions with the Jews, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria........................................... iii-ix 3. Transactions at Cesarea, and the reception of the Gentiles...... x-xi 4. The first course of Barnabas and Paul among the Gentiles..... xii-xiv 5. The embassy to, and council at Jerusalem, concerning the liberty of the Gentiles...................................... xv 6. The second course of St. Paul................................ xvi-xix 7. His third, as far as Rome................................. xix-xxviii
