PAUL says, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ.” Again, he says, “I determined to make known nothing among you, but Christ and him crucified.” I come not to you with excellency of speech, and the wisdom of men’s words, but with the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and of power. He further asserts that the gospel which he preached, he did not receive from man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Many such expressions are found in the writings of the holy apostles going to show the precaution constantly used by them, lest the glory of Christ should be attributed to them. The very first sentence that escaped the lips of Peter in Solomon’s portico, was to the same effect. “Why look ye so steadfastly upon us, as if by our own power or holiness, this man had been made whole?” He proceeds: “The name of Jesus Christ, through faith in his name, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all?”
The good Cornelius tried Peter, at the same point, on his first approach into his presence. He fell down before the apostle and was about to worship him. Peter told him to stand up—that he himself was also a man, and demanded of him why he had sent for him. After hearing the account given by Cornelius, of his prayer, his having seen an angel, and what the angel said to him, the apostle began upon the great burthen that he carried upon his soul. In a few words he declared that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power. This was the great subject the apostles carried upon their hearts. Respecting themselves, they knew not what would befall them, save the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that bonds and imprisonment awaited them; nor did they count their lives dear unto themselves, but they counted all things but loss, if they could but win Christ.