A Midday Vision.
Just about the hour that these messengers entered the city, Peter, as was his custom, went upon the housetop to pray. While there, waiting for the preparation of his noonday meal, he "fell into a trance," in which he saw coming down from heaven a vessel resembling "a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to earth, wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air."
While Peter beheld these animals, thinking they were unfit to eat, a voice said: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
"Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean."
"What God hath cleansed," continued the voice, "that call not thou common."
This was repeated three times, and then the sheet was taken up again to heaven.
Peter Perplexed.
Peter was perplexed, and sat wondering what the vision might mean. However, he was not left long in doubt; for while he was thinking on the vision, "the Spirit said unto him, Behold three men seek thee. Arise, therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them."
Now it happened that just while Peter was given his vision the three messengers from Cornelius knocked at Simon's door, and were admitted into his house. As Peter entered, and saw them, he said,
"Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye have come?"