But it is of peculiar importance that we should observe, II. In what frame of mind they were prepared to
receive it — We see in that assembly of heathens,
1. A reverential sense of the Divine presence —
[" Now," said Cornelius, " are we all here present before God." And should it not be so with us, whenever we come up to the house of God? As for that irreverent spirit which many betray in the house of God, yes, and which many manifest also when crowding to hear some popular preacher, we cannot but greatly disapprove of it, and bear our decided testimony against it. We should rather resemble the Israelites, when convened to hear Jehovah himself addressing them from Mount Sinai. Surely " God is greatly to be feared, and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about him." And then only are we likely to profit from what we hear, when we conceive of God himself as speaking to us ; and can adopt the words of Samuel, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth."]
2. A readiness to receive the word without gain- saying—
[We cannot conceive of one single person in that assembly as disposed to sit in judgment upon Peter's word. They would all receive it with the utmost readiness of mind. And it is in that way that the Gospel should be heard by all. We should " receive it with meekness, as an engrafted wordV We see how submissive, so to speak, the tree is to him that engrafts upon it a scion of any kind: so, with entire submis- sion, should we suffer the word of truth to be engrafted on our hearts, in order to its most perfect union with us, and its future production of the desired fruit. St. Paul's representa- tion of this matter is peculiai'ly instructive. He represents the Gospel as a mould into which we are to be poured, in order that we may receive its entire character upon our souls1. That shews the tenderness of spirit with which we should hear the word, and the completeness of our subjection to it when so received.]
3. A determination of heart to obey it without reserve —
[That happy company embraced the word, just as the Berseans after them embraced itm. They disputed not about the way of salvation as incredible or insufficient, but believed
k Jam. i. 21. ' Rom. vi. 17. m Acts xvii. 11, 12.