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man, that he had assumed the human form, and that although he had apparently suffered death'in Judea, he had not in reality. He taught farther, that all human actions are in themselves indifferent, and allowed his followers to indulge themselves in the greatest licentiousness. He ascribed to his mistress Helena the production of angels, and to these angels the creation of the world; and composed books for the use of his followers, which he ascribed to Christ and his Apostles.

See Lardner's Hist. Euseb. b. ii. c. 13. and Dict. des Hérésies.

ACTS X. 3.

"Angel of God."

(UNITARIANISM.)

"If this were not altogether a visionary scene, the angel who appeared to Cornelius, and who is described by him, ver. 30, as a man in bright clothing, was probably one of those who conversed with our Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration, Luke ix. 30, and who afterwards were seen by the women at the sepulchre, Luke xxiv. 4, and by the Apostles, at the Mount of Olives, after the ascension of Christ. Acts i. 10."

Note to the Unitarian Version.

(See Note on Matt. xvii. 3.)

ACTS x. 34.

"God is no respecter of persons."

(ORIGEN.)

Origen denied any other ranks of souls above human, supposing all the difference that is now be

tween the highest angels and men, to have proceeded only from their merits and different uses of their free-will; his reason was, that otherwise God would be an "accepter of persons." This reasoning was extended by him to the soul of Christ, as not partially chosen to that dignity, but for its faithful adherence to the divine word in a pre-existent state. "Hear," saith he, the prophet thus declaring to him, * thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore hath God, even thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness, above thy fellows.” The soul of Christ therefore was anointed with the oil of gladness, or made one with the Word of God; for the merits of love and faithful adherence to God, and no otherwise. For to be "anointed with the oil of gladness," here properly signifies nothing else but to be replenished with the Holy Ghost.

Cudworth, p. 567.

ACTS x. 47.

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized," &c. (QUAKERS.)

Mr. Tuke, in his Exposition of the Principles of the Quakers, observes, "It is very probable, from this query, that it was a matter of doubt among the Christians of that time, whether water-baptism was necessary to be continued; and that Peter, on this, as well as on some other occasions, inclined to the continuance of a ceremony, at least partly Jewish." See Tuke's Principles of Religion, &c.

Mr. Gurney observes on this subject, that "Maimonides, who was a man of extraordinary

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sense and learning, and deeply versed in the laws and customs of the ancient Jews, has stated a variety of particulars respecting the baptism of Proselytės. It appears, that about three days after circumcision, the convert to Judaism was conducted during the day-time to a confluence of waters, whether natural or artificial, sufficiently deep to admit of entire immersion. Having been placed in the water, he was instructed in various particulars of the Jewish laws, by three seribes of learning and authority, who presided over the whole ceremony; and when these doctors had received his promises of a faithful adherence to the Jewish institutions, and had fully satisfied themselves respecting his motives and condition of mind, he completed the immersion of his whole person by dipping his head. He then ascended from the water, offered his sacrifice to the Lord, and was thenceforward considered as a complete Jew, and as a new or regenerate man; Issure Biah. cap. xiii. xiv. Wall on Infant Baptism, Selden de Synedriis, lib. i. cap. 3."

See Gurney on the Religious Peculiarities of the Society of Friends.

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ACTS xiii. 39.

"By him, all that believe are justified from all things."

(ANTINOMIANS.)

"God sees no sin in believers; and they are not bound to confess sin, mourn for it, or pray that it may be forgiven. They need not fear either their own sins, or the sins of others, since neither can do them any injury."

Doctrine of the Antinomians.

10

ACTS xiv. 23.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting," &c.

This verse, and 1 Tim. iv. 14, were quoted by Axton, to shew that the Bishop, then examining him, was not lawfully called, according to the Word of God.

Axton, minister of Morton Corbet, in Leicestershire, was cited into the Bishop's Court three several times in the year 1570, and examined upon the reasons of his refusing the apparel, the cross in baptism, and kneeling at the sacrament.

Neal's History of the Puritans.

ACTS xv. 1.

"Except ye be circumcised."

(COPTS.)

The Copts still observe the custom of circumcision, probably by way of conciliating the Maho

metans.

Nouveaux Mémoires des Missions de la Compagnie de Jésus dans le Levant.

No. 1.

ACTS xv. 20.

"From things strangled," &c.

(ANABAPTISTS OR MENNONITES.)

The more rigid Anabaptists or Mennonites reckon the law of Abstinence from things strangled, and blood, still binding upon them.

See Mosheim.

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The Copts abstain from things strangled, and from blood.

Nouveaux Mémoires des Missions, de la Compagnie de Jésus dans le Levant.

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The followers of Glass and Sandeman also observe this practice.

See Adam's Religious World.

No. 1.

ACTS xviii. 4.

"Sabbath."

3

In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the Parliament passed a Bill for the better and more reverent observation of the Sabbath; it being profaned in England at that time by the acting of plays, &c. as it is in many countries at the present period.

See Neal.

The House of Commons thought fit in the time of the Commonwealth to enforce former ordinances respecting the Sabbath. It was ordained, (April 19, 1650.) "That all goods cried or put to sale on the Lord's Day, or other days of humiliation and thanksgiving, appointed by authority, shall be seized. No waggon or drover shall travel on the Lord's Day, on penalty of ten shillings for every offence. No person shall travel in boats, in coaches, or on horses, except to church, on penalty of ten shillings. The like penalty for being in a tavern. And where dis

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