for knowing the Truth. 2,59 qualification he gives us of thofe who fhould SERM,. rightly underftand and fincerely embrace it, X. may be univerfally applied to the hearers, `-'-(%-' fence the reafon of it is univerfal; and in fad we find that among the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, corrupt men under the power of vicious affections and devoted to their felfifh interefts, could not difcern the evidences of chriftianity when it was publifhed to them, but rejected it with abhorrence. As at Ephefùs, Demetrius, and the craftfmen, ap- prehending the lofs of their gainful trade, in making flyer fhrines for Diana, if the gof- pel were entertained, gave it violent oppofi- tion, and raifed a tumultuous perfecution againft the apofties. On the other hand, men of probity gave it a fair hearing, and perceiving the convincing proofs of its truth, they received it with candor, of which Cor- nelius is an illuftrious example. And as the apoftle Peter excellently obferves on that occafion, that God is no refpeter of perfons ; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteoujhefs, is accepted with him* ; fo from the fame inftance it is apparent, that in every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteoufnefs; in other words, he *Aetsx.34,3.. S 2 that
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