The Early Church

And the voyce spake vnto him againe the second time, The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not.

This was so done thrise: and the vessell was drawen vp againe into heauen.

Nowe while Peter douted in himselfe what this vision which he had seene, meant, beholde, the men which were sent from Cornelius, had inquired for Simons house, and stoode at the gate,

And called, and asked, whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit sayde vnto him, Beholde, three men seeke thee.

Arise therefore, and get thee downe, and goe with them, and doute nothing: For I haue sent them.

Then Peter went downe to the men, which were sent vnto him from Cornelius, and sayd, Beholde, I am he whome ye seeke: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they sayd, Cornelius the captaine, a iust man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Iewes, was warned from heauen by an holy Angel, to send for thee into his house, and to heare thy wordes.

Then called he them in, and lodged them, and the next day, Peter went foorth with them, and certaine brethren from Ioppa accompanied him.

And the day after, they entred into Cesarea. Nowe Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsemen, and special friends.

And it came to passe as Peter came in, that Cornelius met him, and fell downe at his feete, and worshipped him.

But Peter tooke him vp, saying, Stand vp: for euen I my selfe am a man.

And as he talked with him, he came in, and found many that were come together.

And he sayd vnto them, Ye know that it is an vnlawfull thing for a man that is a Iewe, to company, or come vnto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me, that I should not call any man polluted, or vncleane.

Therefore came I vnto you without saying nay, when I was sent for. I aske therefore, for what intent haue ye sent for me?

Then Cornelius sayd, Foure dayes agoe, about this houre, I fasted, and at the ninth houre I prayed in mine house, and beholde, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And sayd, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine almes are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Ioppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter (he is lodged in the house of Simon a Tanner by the sea side) who when he commeth, shall speake vnto thee.

Then sent I for thee immediately, and thou hast well done to come. Nowe therefore are we all here present before God, to heare all things that are commanded thee of God.

Then Peter opened his mouth, and sayd, Of a trueth I perceiue, that God is no accepter of persons.

But in euery nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousnesse, is accepted with him.

Ye know the worde which God hath sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Iesus Christ, which is Lord of all:

Euen the worde which came through all Iudea, beginning in Galile, after the baptisme which Iohn preached.

To wit, howe God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost, and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the deuill: for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Iewes, and in Hierusalem, whom they slewe, hanging him on a tree.