the Prophets after the Section of the Law The Rulers of the Synagogues sent unto them That is They who did Administer and oversee the Affairs of the Synagogue Grotius upon Matth. 9.18 It is to be observed saith he that men of known goodness were set over the Jewish Synagogue who were called in the Chaldaick language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Pastors which word is also frequently read in Benjamins Itinerary Or also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Masters as the Syrian put it in Mark or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies Gatherers or Arbitrators which is read in the Syrian in the Acts. The Hellenists called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rulers of the Synagogue as we are taught from Acts 13.15 where mention is made of many Rulers of the Synagogue in one and the same Society But there was one eminent among them preferred to the rest for learning whose proper office it was to expound the Law and to recite the words of the publick Prayers as Justin against Trypho teacheth us Him the Hebrews call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Chief or also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Syriack 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Prince of the Synagogue and by excellency Archisynagogus Luke 13.14 Philo calls him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Praeses sometimes also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Eldest to whom he attributes the Office of explaining the things that were obscure in their Books and of debating the matters and of reciting before the People the words of the Hymn they were to sing Ye men and brethren Hence it appears that such as seemed able to Preach were extraordinarily invited to it at least that it was usual to suffer others to do it beside the ordinary Rabbins is plain by Christs example Luke 4.15 17. 16. Then Paul stood up That he might be the better heard by the Congregation And beckning with his hand See what we have said above ch 12.17 Men of Israel That is Ye Posterity of Abraham Isaac and Jacob or Israel who by your birth are reckoned the Lords People And ye that fear God As much as to say And ye who of the Gentiles have embraced the Worship of the living God Give ear Devoutly and Religiously 17. The God of this people of Israel Of the People descended of Jacob who was called Israel whence also all his Posterity are called Israel Chose our Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob peculiarly to be his Servants and Friends And exalted the people That is He blessed the people which came of them with great increa◠Exod. 1.7 a Metaphor taken from Buildings which are finished to the top When they dwelt as strangers in the land of Aegypt As much as to say Where the people were oppressed by the Aegyptians in whose Land they dwelt And with an high arm That is With his great power signally exerted It is a metaphor taken from men who when they are to do any thing with force especially to smite one they use to lift their Arm high Brought he them Lying under a bitter slavery Out of it To wit Aegypt when they could hardly bear longer their most heavy bondage in it 18. And about the time of fourty years It is said about because there seems one year to be wanting of the compleat forty years Suffered he their manners c. That is He destroyed not that perverse and obstinate people while they were in the Wilderness betwixt Aegypt and Canaan which was promised to their Fathers 19 And. when they had destroyed seven Nations in the land of Canaan God Gen. 15.19 20 21. promised unto Abraham ten Nations the Kenites the Kenizites the Cadmonites the Hittites the Peresites and the Rephaims the Amorites the Canaanites the Girgasites and the Jebusites But Paul numbers seven Nations only here which the Israelites by Divine assistance overthrew nor is there any mention of the Kinites or the Kenites nor of the Kinizites or Kenezites nor of the Cedmonites or Cadmonites in the distribution of the Land and the preceeding War See Deut. 7.1 Josh 3.10 24.11 sometimes six only are mentioned as Exod. 3.8 17. Judg. 3.5 Neh. 9.8 where beside the Kenites the Kenezites and the Cadmonites in the two first places the Girgasites and in the third place Rephaim or the Hivites are passed over in silence Rabbi Salomon Jarchi upon the fore-cited place in Genesis saith There are ten Nations mentioned here but he gave them but seven And the other three to wit the Edomites the Moabites and the Ammonites who are the Kenites Kenizites and the Cadmonites shall at last fall into the inheritance of the people because it is said Isaiah 11.14 They shall lay their hands upon Edom and Moab and the Children of Ammon shall obey them This is the common Opinion of the Jews Others understand by them the Arabians Salmaeans Nuthaeans others Damascus Asia and Spain some also Asia Turky and Carthage But all the Jews with one consent maintain that these three Peoples are yet to be subjugated by the Messiah They also argue that seeing they are not already overcome the Messiah is not yet come But passing by Jewish Fables who loving an Earthly Kingdom do fancy dreams to themselves it is very probable that the Kenites and Kenizites in that interval of time betwixt Abraham and Moses were either quite extinguished or lost their name or were little famous and so counted among other Nations for Joshua mentions them no where either in the division of the Land nor in the account of the Nations which he overcame Eustathius Bishop of Antioch in Hexaemero writes indeed that the Kenites did inhabit the Mounts Libanon and Amanus but whence he drew this is uncertain After the time of Joshua mention is made of the Kenites 1 Sam. 27.10 30.29 But that they are the same with these whom God speaking to Abraham in the fore-cited place Gen. 15. mentions is not certain As to the Cadmonites they were the same with the Hivites They are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 East Countrymen because they dwelt upon Mount Hermon verging towards the East parts of the Land of Canaan They seem after Abrahams time to have been reckoned with them whom God speaking to Abraham himself called Rephaims as may be gathered from Josh 12.4 5. It is credible saith Masius upon Josh 3.10 that in a most populous Country many different Kindreds dwelt and that the same Kindreds were not always called by the same names is certain for they who in the Covenant with Abraham are called Rephaims seem now by Joshua to be called Hivites In the land of Canaan This most famous Country in Asia the greater was inhabited by Chanaan the Son of Cham and divided among his eleven Sons and their Posterity most of them retained their names in Moses times 'T is commonly called by Christians The Holy Land namely because they Reverence with Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great the ground whereon of old the footsteps
Byzantium the Inhabitants of Mesopotamia are called Mesopotamites by Vopiscus in the Life of Aurelius Mesopotamians See our Notes upon Hosea 12.12 Judaea Strictly so taken from whose Dialect that of the Galilaeans was much different as appears by Peter's being betrayed by his Tongue See our Literal Explication upon Matth. 3.5 Cappadocia This to the West is bounded by Galatia to the South by Cilicia to the East by Armenia to the North by part of the Euxine Sea l. 5. c. 6. according to Ptolomy The Cappadocians inhabitants of this Country were formerly called Leucosyrians as Pliny testifies lib. 6. c. 3. and Syrians as Herod witnesses l. 1. c. 72. Before the Enlargement of the Roman Emp. they were first under the Persians afterwards governed by themselves in the Reign of Ariaratha after whom Reigned Archelaus whose Daughter Glaphyra married to Alexander the Son of Herod the Great l. 1. Them 2. l. 12. by the relation of Constantine Porphyrogennet The Geographer relates this Story somewhat otherwise That when the Royal Line failed the Romans in regard of the common League of Friendship between both Nations permitted them to live under their own Laws but that the Cappadocians sending their Embassadors refused their Liberty and desired to have a King imposed upon them The Romans therefore admiring the Humour of the People that were out of love with Liberty sent them a free permission to chuse a King among themselves who thereupon chose Arivbarzanes whom Forphyrogenneta calls Ariaratha whose Line failing also after the third Descent Archelaus was imposed upon them by Antonius no way related to Ariobarzanes Formerly the Nation of the Cappadocians was infamous for wickedness and fraudulency as also the Cilicians and Cretes which gave rise to the Proverb Three Kappas or K's the worst which was afterwards apply'd to the three Cornelius's Sylla Cinna and Lentulus whose proper names were Cornelius Nevertheless there is no Country so bad which does not produce some excellent persons Thus Cappadocia gave to the World three most renowned Bishops Gregory Sirnam'd the Wonderworker of Neocesarea Basil the Great of Caesarea and Gregory Nazianzene Formerly it produc'd Pausanias who from the place of his Nativity is call'd Caesariensis from his Country Cappadocian and Syrian in regard that some comprehend Cappadocia under Syria The often prais'd Geographer Strabo was also born in a Town of Cappadocia called Amasia Pontus The Country of Asia the less famous for the Renowned Mithridates and Aquila that exquisite Inpreter of the Old Testament This Region is bounded to the West by the River Halys to the East by the Country of Colchis to the South by the lesser Armenia and to the North by the Euxin Sea according to Strabo Ptosomy varying in his limits Pontus lib. 5. saith he is bounded to the West by the mouth of the Propontis and the Thracian Bosphorus to the South by that Country which is properly call'd Asia and to the North by part of the Euxin Sea Asia Meaning the Proconsular Asia which was under the Proconsul and chief of the seven Provinces which constituted the Asian Diocess The Romans Strab. l. 13. saith Frederick Spanheim the Son call'd that particularly Asia which comprehended the Country belonging to the Pergamen Kings which lies between the Hellespont Lydia and Caria and comprehends a part of Mysia with the Country named Aeolis extending itself on the one side to the Adramytick Gulf on the other side to the Fountains of the River Meander Of this Province which wasmore strictly call'd Asia the Metropolis was Ephesus the Seat of the Proconsuls of Asia The next to Ephesus in the time of the Apostles was Smyrna the same City being also a Metropolis after that Pergamus the Seat of the famous King Attalus as the most learned Spanheim relates in his Introduction to Geography Phrygia In the Asian Diocess which was subject to the Asiatick Vicar there was a two-fold Phrygia of which the one was call'd the greater and Pacatian the other the lesser and the healthful The first was bounded to the North by Bithynia and Galalia to the East by the healthful Phrygia and Pisidia to the South by Lydia Caria and Lycia to the West by the Proconsular Asia The Metropolis of this Country was Laodicea upon the River Lycus Phrygia the wholesome was conterminous Northward to the greater toward Galatia and Bithynia The Metropolis of which was Synnada in the ancient Jonia a Colony of the Dorians originally descended from the Macedonians as appears by the ancient Coins according to the relation of the fore-cited Spanhemius Pamphylia This Province was the utmost limit of the Asian Diocess to the South toward the Sea-shore from thence called the Pamphilian Sea It is bounded to the East by Cilicia and part of Cappadocia to the West by Lycia to the North by Galatia Formerly saith Spanheim comprehending Pisidia and Isauria it was under one and the same Governor with Lycia in the Reign of Constantine the Great but at length made Consular under Theodosius the Younger and divided into two parts the first part whose Metropolis was Sida and the second whose chief City was Perga Moreover although that in Pamphilia and the rest of the Provinces already mentioned the Greek Language was frequently us'd yet there was another Dialect proper to every Country and dinering from that of the adjoyning Provinces Therefore Strabo affirms that the Cibyrates made use of four Dialects the Pisidic Graecian Lydean and Solyman The Syrians also spake two Languages at that time as also the Jews for they us'd both the Greek and Syriac Nay they might be said to make use of three Languages in regard the Latin was also spoken among them as the learned Salmasius observes Aegypt Of Aegypt thus the learned Michael Baudrand Aegypt is a most famous Country of Africa not of Asia under the Dominion of the Turks ever since the year 1517. It extends in length from the Mediterranean Sea to Syene The River Nile runs through the middle of it whose inundations make it fertile To its East lies the deserts of Arabia to the West Lybia to the South Aethiopia and to the North the Mediterranean Sea And the parts of Lybia round about Cyrene The upper Lybia was call'd Pentapolitan from the number of her Cities of which the names were Berenice Arsinoe Ptolemais Apollonia and the most famous of all Cyrene from which all the upper Lybia is sometimes call'd Cyrenaic The bounds of this Cyrenaic Lybia saith Spanheim were the greater Syrtis to the West the Country of the Psylli and the desert Lybia to the South and Marmarick Lybia to the East See our Annotations upon Amos 9.7 Mat. 27.33 And Strangers of Rome Jews and Proselytes That is such of the Romans as sojourned in Judaea as well Jews by birth as Proselytes At Rome saith Grotius there were many Jews as Cicero and Horace tell us Also many Women and Freed Men joined themselves to them as Tibullus Ovid and Philo witness
eternal life finally and most conveniently if it be taken in a military sense and not of destination or appointment As many as were ordained to eternal life 49. The word of the Lord. That is The Gospel of Christ preached by Paul and Barnabas at Antioch the Metropolis of Pisidia Throughout all the Region To wit of Pisidia So was spread the Doctrine of Jesus Christ opposed in vain by his Enemies he ruling in the midst of them Psal 110.2 50. But the Jews Obstinately resisting the Truth Stirred up the devout That is Certain Women of the Gentiles who had submitted to the Law of Moses And honourable Women Not of the common sort but Nobles And the chief men of the City As much as to say These malicious Jews having abused the blind zeal and imprudent simplicity of these Matrons by their means instigated the Nobility or chief Men of Antioch against Paul and Barnabas And raised c. As much as to say And they brought the matter so far that Paul and Barnabas themselves were with a strong hand born down and afflicted and at length expelled from the Borders of Antioch in Pisidia 51. But they Paul to wit and Barnabas Shook off the dust off their feet By this Rite according to Christs Precept Mat. 10.14 Luke 9.5 10.11 They testified that they having discharged their duty were free from the punishment that was abiding the Inhabitants of Antioch in Pisidia for rejecting the Doctrine of the Gospel which was Preached to them Against them That is For a Testimony against them as it is Luke 9.5 And came unto Iconium The Metropolitan City of Lycaonia situated at Mount Taurus whereof among others the famous Amphilochius was Bishop who under Theodosius the great was most vehement against Heresies and of an eminent Authority as it doth appear even by the third Law De fide Catholica Lycaonia of old a part of Pisidia hath Pisidia upon the West Isauria upon the South Cappadocia the second upon the East and upon the North Galatia Secunda called also The Healthy 52. And the Disciples c. As much as to say But such as at Antioch in Pisidia did believe in Christ by the Preaching of Paul and Barnabas were filled with joy for the entrance which was opened for them to eternal life and with the gifts of the Holy Ghost for the sealing of their Faith CHAP. XIV 1. AND it came to pass in Iconium Viz. The Metropolis of Lycaonia That they went both together Paul and Barnabas Spake That is Preached the Gospel A great multitude both of the Jews and also of Greeks Whosoever professed not the Jewish Religion were by the Jews called Greeks since they lived under the Greek or Macedonian Empire dividing all the men of the World into Jews and Greeks in respect of Religion not of Country 2. Stirred up Or incensed made them evil affected The Gentiles That is Men professing another Religion than the Jewish whom Luke in the preceding verse calls Greeks and likewise did oppose the Jews to them Their minds That is Their wills as Psal 41.3 in the Hebrew Text. Against the Brethren So are all Believers in Christ called because they have one Father in Heaven which is God whose Children they are after the Spirit to whom they have got access through Christ and they themselves have one for another a reciprocal brotherly love though they be gathered out of divers Nations 3. Abode they At Iconium Speaking boldly c. As much as to say Being incouraged by the Lord boldly to Preach the Gospel whereby the great Grace of God concerning the Remission of sins and the gift of eternal life to such as believe in Christ and repent is declared for the Lord himself approved the Gospel Preached by them and did by Signs and Miracles wrought by their Ministry vindicate it from reproach 4. With the Apostles To wit Paul and Barnabas 5. With their Rulers That is With their Nobles To stone them To wit The Apostles Paul Barnabas 6. They were aware of it That is Paul and Barnabas were aware of this conspiration against them And fled According to Christs Precept Mat. 10.33 lest they might rashly run themselves upon death Vnto Lystra and Derbe Cities of Lycaonia This place may be two ways interpreted one way is that he might tell that Lystra and Derbe are Cities of Lycaonia the other that he might tell that they fled to the Cities of Lycaonia and to Lystra and to Derbe Which Exposition saith Drusius seems more true For Lystra and Derbe are Cities of Isauria which although it be near Lycaonia yet is it distinguished from it Chrysostom writes hom 8. in 2 Tim. 3.11 that Timothy Pauls Disciple was of Lystra But Geisner is an Authorless Author that he was of Derbe Round about To wit Lystra and Derbe 7. And there they preached the Gospel That is They left not off their Office of Preaching the Gospel which God had imposed upon them 9. The same heard Paul speak That is Preaching the Gospel Who. Paul And perceiving that he had faith to be healed That is Seeing the lame man stirred up by his Preaching and Signs hope that his inbred lameness should be healed 10. Said with a loud voice That he might be heard of all that were present 11. The Gods c. As much as to say The Gods are come to us in human shape This the Ethnickâ— believed sometimes to have fallen out as may frequently be seen in their Poets 12. And they called Barnabas Jupiter For Jupiter in Ovid Met. 1. compasseth the earth in human shape And Paul Mercurius Whom Jupiter used to lead with him as may be seen in Plautus's Amphitruo Because he was the chief speaker As much as to say Because it was his charge to speak For Mercurius was esteemed as the God of Eloquence and the Messenger of the Gods whence Claudian saith of him That he is a God common to the Gods of Heaven and Hell Carm. 33. de raptu Proserpinae v. 89 90 91. who alone hath a right and power to enter both in Heaven and in Hell and maintains the communication between the Princes of both Kingdoms Heaven and Hell Then the Priest of Jupiter which was before their City It seems that the Temple consecrated to Jupiter stood near the Gates of this City in which Temple the Image of Jupiter was also seen seeing Jupiter was accounted the Governor and Defender of this City For the Idolatrous Nations used to dedicate almost every City to the peculiar care chief Tutelage of particular Gods Oxen and Garlands Oxen and Garlands are Oxen Crowned with Garlands Minutius in his Oâ—â—avius The Beasts for Sacrifices are fattened to be slain the Hosts are Crowned to be tormented Vnto the Gates That is When he brought the Oxen Crowned with Garlands to the 〈◊〉 of the City where Paul Preached and the lame Man whom he restored did sit or to the door of the house where Paul and Barnabas lodged
matter 41. And he went thorough Syria The Chief City whereof was Antioch from whence he set forth And Cilicia In which Paul himself was born Confirming the Churches In the Christian Faith and Godliness Commanding them to keep the Precepts of the Apostles and Elders Viz. expressed in the Apostolical Decree before V. 29. But note these Words are not in our English Translation as being not in the Greek Text nor in the Syriack Version yet as to the thing it self that the same was done by Paul there is no doubt to be made since that Epistle from Jerusalem was directed to the Brethren of Syria and Cilicia who walking in Peace and Tranquility had been troubled and perplexed with Scruples by those that urged the necessity of Circumcision and other Legal Ceremonies See before V. 23 24. and afterwards Ch. 16. V. 4. CHAP. XVI 1. THen came he to Derbe and Lystra Cities of Isauria of which see above Chap. 14.6 And behold a certain Disciple That is a Christian Was there Either at Derbe or at Lystra The Son of a certain Woman which was a Jewess and believed That is whose Mother Eunice as also his Grandmother Lois 2 Tim. 1.5 being of the Jewish Nation and Religion believed in Jesus Christ But his Father was a Greek And as it is apparent uncircumcised not suffering Timothy to be circumcised while he was a Child though begotten by a Jewish Mother 2. Which To wit Timothy Brethren That is Christian 3. Acts 19.22 Rom. 16.21 1 Thess 3.2 Him would Paul have to go forth with him That he might be his Companion in his Travels and his Helper and his Work-fellow in the Gospel And took and circumcised him because of the Jews c. Paul did not therefore circumcise Timothy because he laid any weight upon Circumcision or thought it necessary to Salvation seeing Paul himself teacheth expresly Gal. 5.6 the Jews who have imbraced Christ to be no further bound to the Ceremony of Circumcision But because he hoped by his pains many of the Jews not yet converted might be converted to Christ who would avoid Timothy being Son of a Jewish Mother as an imitatour of his prophane Father if he had neglected Circumcision by which the Israelites were distinguished from the rest of the People of the Earth for they knew he was begotten by a Father who was a Gentile 4. And as they went through c. As much as to say as they went through the Cities wherein the Christian Churches were they delivered them those things which the Synod at Jerusalem had decreed as necessary to be observed by those of the Gentiles who were become Christians Above Ch. 15.21 29. 5. And the Churches c. As much as to say And so the Churches advanced in the received Faith of Christ and were augmented the multitude of young Converts dayly increasing 6. When they had gone throughout c. As much as to say Having travelled through Phrygia and Galatia Provinces of the lesser Asia they were forbidden by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost to preach the Gospel in Asia the Proconsular or Asia properly so called a Region of the same lesser Asia which borders upon the Aegean Sea and hath upon the North Bythinia upon the East Phrygia and upon the South Caria see what we have said of Phrygia and Asia the Proconsular above Ch. 2.9 10. Galatia otherwise called Gallograecia is a Region of the lesser Asia bordering upon Phrygia so called from the Galls who having lost their Country burnt Rome and laid waste Italy fixed their Residence here where of old the Phrygians did inhabit It was a Proconsular Province saith Spanhemius in his Introduction to his Sacred Geography divided into the first and the second under Theodosius the first Galatia had upon the East Helenopontus upon the South Galatia Salutaris or the healthy upon the West Phyrgia of which as Strabo witnesseth of old it was a part and upon the North Paphlagonia It s Metropolis was Ancyra distinct from that Ancyra of Phrygia wherein of old was held the Ancyran Synod Galatia the second called also Galatia the healthy was governed by the Emperour's Lieutenant and as it hath been said already laid more to the South and East than the first Galatia It had Paphlagonia and Honorias upon the North upon the South Pisidia and Lycaonia its Metropolis was Pessinus called also Pesinus Now the reasons why God would not that the Gospel should at that time be preached by Paul and Timothy in the Proconsular Asia whose Metropolis was Ephesus are hid from us He might have had many either that he would make use of their Ministry some where else or that he had appointed some other to that work What ever it is certainly the reason is not to be brought from God's absolute Decree of Reprobation as Calvin upon this place doth for it is certain that the Gospel was at least soon after preached in this place and that by Paul himself so that Demetrius the Silver-Smith did greatly lament the admirable Progress of the Gospel in Asia by Paul's Ministry saying Ch. 19.26 Ye see and hear that not alone at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia this Paul hath perswaded and turned away much People saying that they be no Gods which are made with hands 7. After they were come to Mysia Mysia is a Region of Asia the lesser upon the Hellespont bordering upon Troas whose Inhabitants were called Mysi and Mysii and in the Aeolick Dialect Mysadii saith Stephanus These Mysians were men of a base Temper so that they made the place become a Proverb for when they spoke of a man of no worth they called him last of the Mysians and because he who once comes to be contemned is exposed to the Rapine and Injury of others therefore from that Nation flowed another Proverb The Prey of the Mysians This second Aristotle made use of Rhetorick lib. 1. as Cicere did of the first Proverb in his Oration for Lucius Flaccus For saith he as I suppose your Asia consists of Phrygia Mysia Caria Lybia whether then is this Proverb ours or yours A Phrygian is made better by stripes for is not this your common saying of all Cariâ— if ye were to do anything with hazard That it should chiefly be done in Caria For what is more common and famous among the Greeks then if a man be brought to despight to say He is the last of the Mysians Strabo placeth also a People called the Mysians in Europe at the Confines of Panonia upon the River Danubius and thinketh that the Mysians in Asia took both their Name and Original from them but these in Europe are by Plinius called Moesi Mysia is divided into the lesser or Helespontick lying towards the Helespont and hath Troas upon the South and the greater which is called ad Olympum or Olympenica where live the People called Olympeni It is bordered upon the West with Mysia the lesser and Troas upon
a secret which my Father thinks not proper as yet to reveal to you in regard that without that Knowledge you may perform the work committed to your charge Some are of opinion that the Kingdom of Israel was then restor'd by Christ when the Church of Christ which is the Spiritual Israel began to be govern'd by Christian Kings and Princes such as were three hundred years after the Birth of Christ Constantine the Great and several other Emperours but the first Interpretation seems to me the best For tho under those Princes the Church rested from Persecution yet Ambition Covetousness and many other evils got footing in it so that the Kingdom could not be then truly said restor'd to Israel It is not your buâ—â—â—ss to know â—â—â—s c. As if he had said it is not proper nor expedient for you accâ—â—â—ing to the common English Version It is not for you 〈…〉 thing permitted for you to know to what poin◠〈◊〉 Time the stestoration of the Kingdom of Israel is 〈…〉 in record this is one of those Mysteries which the Hâ—â—â—â—ly Father will have lye hid and to be at his diposal to act as he pleases otherwise than men look for and beyond the reach of Humane Capacity Mat. 20. v. 23. Mark 13.32 It is the custom of Christ saith Grotius to refer secret Dispensations to the Father See our Literal Expositions upon those places 8. But ye shall receive c. As if he had said But I will supply that power which I know you want at present from Heaven and will fill your Breasts with the Celestial Spirit that you may learn with patience to expect the promis'd Restoration of Israels Kingdom not the Earthly as you vainly now dream but the Spiritual Dominion of the Jews and in the mean time be zealous to publish to all the world the Doctrine of the Gospel and by your Testimony to confirm my Resurrection which not being believ'd the whole Gospel falls And ye shall be witnesses unto me Epist 199. N. 49. novae edit Parisiensis c. St. Austin saith it was not so said to the Apostles ye shall be witnesses unto me c. as if they alone to whom the words were spoken were to fulfil so great a trust but as he seems to have spoken to them alone that other saying of his Behold I am with you to the end of the World c. Which nevertheless who does not understand to have been promis'd to the whole Church which while some die others are born shall remain to the end of Time As he speaks again to them what does not at all concern them and yet is so spoken to them as if it concern'd no body else When ye behold all these things know ye that it is at the Doors For whom does this concern unless our selves who shall be then in the Flesh when all those things come to be fulfill'd How much more that in doing of which they were to bear a great share tho the same Act was also to be continued by their Successors In Jerusalem It behov'd the Apostles to begin the preaching of the Gospel in Jerusalem that the Prophesies might be fulfill'd Es 2.2 3. Mich. 4.1 2. See what we have said upon the Word Jerusalem Mat. 2.3 And in all Judaea The word Judaea is here us'd in the Dilated Sense which when Christ was upon the Earth was divided into six parts to wit into Galilee Samaria and Judaea strictly taken which lay on this side Jordan and reach'd to the Mediterranean Sea into Trachonitis Ituraea or Peraea and Idumaea that lye beyond Jordan and are seated in the Midland Country Christ therefore would have the Jews enjoy their Priviledges till they themselves through their Impiety and Perverseness forfeited and lost them For he does not indulge the preaching of the Gospel either to the Samaritans or Gentiles before it was offer'd to the Nation of the Jews for that he was sent by the Father Minister of the Circumcision to perform those promises which were formerly made to the Patriarchs of the Jews Rom. 15.8 See our Literal Explication upon Mat. 10.5 And Samaria As if he had said Out of all Judaea taken in the dilated signification I do not except Samaria Mat. 10.5 as formerly But in express words I enjoyn you to preach the Gospel as well in Samaria as in the other Provinces of Judaea Philip the Deacon in obedience to this command was the first who Preach'd up Jesus in Samaria which was approv'd by the Apostles sending to the Samaritans Peter and John who by imposition of Hands communicated the Holy Ghost to the believing Samaritans Infrà c. 8. v. 17. Now Samaria is a Province of â—alestine lying between Judaea strictly taken to the South and Galilee to the North comprehending the Tribes of Ephraim and Manassâ—h on this side Jordan so called from the Metropolitan City of the whole Country deriving its name from a Mountain as the Mountain took its name from one Somer or Shemer 1 Kin. 16.24 who was Lord of it In this City of Samaria built by Amri or Omni King of Israel the Kings who ruled the ten Tribes that were rent from the House of David kept their seat till Shalmaneser King of Assyria carried away Captive their last King Hoshea and with him having taken the City of Samaria it self after three years Siege all the ten Tribes and then dispers'd them over Media to prevent their revolting Some years after that Asarhaddon the Nephew of Shalmaneser who is also call'd Asnappar the great noble by Ezra as also Asbazareth Ezra 4.10 3 Ez. 15.69 by Ptolomy Assaradin and by Josephus Asseradoch the youngest Son of Sennacherib who succeeded his Father slain by his elder Sons gather'd a confus'd multitude of Inhabitants together out of the Provinces of the Cuthaeans Babylonians Chamathaeans Sepharvaimites and Chavaeans and sent them to re-people the Country which his Grandfather had empty'd of the Israelites to possess henceforth Samaria as their own Inheritance and dwell in the Cities thereof 2 Kings 17.24 Ezra 4.2 10. 3 Ez. 5.69 These new Inhabitants were by the Greeks call'd Samarites not because the Assyrians in their Language call Keepers or Guardians Samarites as affirms Sulpitius Severus but because they inhabited Samaria and Cuthaeans by the Hebrews because the chiefest part of them came out of Cuth a Province of Persia An. l. 9. c. 14. so call'd from the River Cuthah upon which it borders as Josephus testifies These Cuthaeans when they first inhabited Samaria did not worship the God of Israel but each of them adored the Idol of his own Country but many of them having been therefore destroyed by Lions Asarhaddon took care to send to the remnant one of the Priests which his Grandfather Shalmaneser had carry'd away captive This Priest residing at Bethel taught the Inhabitants the Worship of God after the manner of Jeroboam Of the Samaritans thus adoring their
11. Cretes Saith the abovementioned Spanheim Crete seated between the Lybic and Egean Sea to the South of the Peloponnesus and to the East of the Island Carpathus was one of the first that were illuminated with the light of the Gospel by the Preaching of St. Peter Act. 2. and the great pains of Paul and Titus In disquis Chorograph set before his Notes upon St. Johns Gospel But the most learned Lightfoot believes that by Cretes are understood here the inhabitants of that Region of Palestine which we have already observ'd to be call'd Creth by the Syrians in our Notes upon Sophonia 2.5 because the Cretes are here joyned with the Arabians who are contiguous to the land of Palestine Arabians Arabia is a Country of Asia Neighbouring upon Africa Bounded to the North by Syria and the River Euphrates to the East by the Persian Golph to the West by the Arabian Golph and to the South by the Arabian Sea or part of the Indian Ocean It is three-fold the Desert Arabia where the Israelites abode forty years the Happy or Spice-bearing and the Stony famous for the City of Krac or Harach which in Scripture is call'd Petra of the Wilderness and for Mount Sinai where God promulgated the Law by Moses which Mountain by Ethnic Writers is called Casius Wherefore Solinus calls the Arabians c. 46. a People famous for the Mountain Casius where was the Temple of Jupiter who from thence was entitled Casius There also lay Interr'd the Body of Pompey the Great whose Monument was sumptuously built by Adrian as Aelius Spartianus records in the life of Adrian mov'd thereto perhaps by that famous distich for Adrian was a learned Person Licinius Tomb is large but Cato's small Pompey has none believe me Gods at all There was also another Mount Casius in Syria which is the reason of some confusion among Writers They who desire more of Arabia may read Strabo Ptolomy and Pliny We have heard In the Greek we do hear as in the English version that is to say with our own ears Speaking in our Tongues Not that when one voice was utter'd many other as it were Eccho's dispers'd themselves but that the Disciples of Christ spake in the proper languages of them that heard The wonderful works of God Which God had prepared before the foundations of the world to be given to the faithful by Christ Those wonderful works are call'd Glorious Things Psal 87.3 12. What meaneth this That is to what intent is all this 13. Others mocking In the Greek Cavilling Learn from these Cavillers that there is no miracle so great but scurrilous and impious loquacity will find a quarrel to reproach it They are full of Must These things being done upon the day of Pentecost at what time there is no new Wine or Must properly so call'd Must seems here to be taken for any sweet Wine or Wine boyl'd out of the Must 14. But Peter standing up with the Eleven Arm'd with Boldness and trusting in the assistance of the newly receiv'd Holy Ghost Lift up his voice That he might be heard by all in such a numerous Assembly of Auditors Ye men of Judaea Peter being about to preach forth Christ to the mutinous multitude does not presently begin from the Prophecy of Joel but first removes the false report spread by some that they who spake in various languages were in the extravagancies of their Wine And presently by the pleasing Address of Ye men of Judaea courts the good will of the Auditory For it was an appellation plausible to those who professed the Jewish Religion Ye men of Judaea in regard that they excell'd all other Nations for many reasons to wit in regard of the Law given from Heaven the Honour of the Prophets and the Worship of the true God And all you that live in Jerusalem He addresses himself to these dwellers in Jerusalem particularly because they were both in greater number and of greater quality then the rest Be this known unto you As if he had said Attend with heed to what I am about to say 15. Seeing it is but the third Hour of the day Tho such be the shame of Drunkenness that it abhors the Light and that they who are drunk are drunk in the night 1 Thes 5.7 yet there are not a few who like Swine as soon as they rise do make haste from their Beds to their Cups Against whom the Prophet darts his Woe be to you Isa 5.11 Woe be to you that rise betimes in the morning to follow strong drink In vit sua And though Josephus relates that the Jews upon Festival days were never wont to dine till the sixth hour that is noon yet that Custom was not observ'd by all there being many breakers of the Commandments of God and violaters of human Customs such as liv'd in Isaiah's time Chiefly upon Festival days upon which the Jews were commanded to rejoice before the Lord. Levit. 23.40 The words of Peter are therefore to be understood as if he had said that they were more pious and devout then to be drunk by nine a clock in the morning at what time there is no man but moderately temperate who is not fasting The Chaldee Paraphrase upon Ecclesiastes 10.16 After they have offer'd the usual Sacrifice let them eat bread at the fourth hour which with us is at ten in the morning In gloss ad fol. 83. tract Talmud Baba Metsia Rabbi Salomon Jarchi at the fourth hour saith he which is the hour of eating at what time all people retire to take their meals 16. But this c. As if he had said But it happens to these persons what Joel had foretold by the Spirit of Prophecy In the same manner the Jews refer it to the times of the Messiah as R. Saadia testifies lib. Emounoth cap. 8. Then shall remain a gift of Prophecy among our people so that our Sons and our Servants shall Prophecy according to that of Joel And afterwards I will pour forth my Spirit c. 17. In the last days That is in the times of the Messiah which were the last days of Jerusalem and the Jewish Government Luke follows in the Citation of this place and some others the Hellenist Interpreters though not exactly the words being sometimes chang'd and transpos'd Which Moses does also reciting the Decalogue in Deuteronomy Moreover by this Prophecy of Joel and by others of the same nature God promis'd that he would endue those that believed in him with a larger proportion of Divine Knowledge under the New Testament then he had done under the Old But he did not signify that he would do it alone and without any other means and that there would be no farther use of the Holy Scripture But that on the contrary that extraordinary help the infusion of the Holy Spirit Dreams and Visions should chiefly all tend to that that the mind of God speaking in the Scripture might
the strength and grace of the Spirit doth notably discover and shew forth itself 9. There arose By rising Luke means those of which he speaks to have opposed the Doctrine of the Gospel not to have dragged Stephen presently to Judgment but to have first debated with him concerning the Religion he taught These opposers of Stephen were either Hellenists or Strangers who lived in Jerusalem either about their Affairs or for Studying The Jews tell us there were four hundred and eighty Synagogues in Jerusalem Of the Libertines Suidas Libertines the name of a Nation Moreover in the first Collation of Carthage * Mem. 201. is mentioned one Victor Bishop of the Church of Libertina in Africk or Numidia Learned Junius suspects some Corruption to have been made in the Letters of the Word Libertines for he notes that they were those Strangers who as Epiphanius witnesseth called Holy Houses Lebrathas and the Parishes belonging to it with the whole Convent Labras for saith he all these belonging to one Synagogue were called Lebrathenun and from thence corruptly the Synagogue was called the Synagogue of the Libertines And Cyrenians What Cyrene was whence they were called Cyrenians see our Literal Explication on Matt. 27.33 and Amos 9.7 Antiq. 16.10 Josephus testifies that there were many Jews in Cyrenia And Alexandrians Alexandria the Metropolis of Egypt whence these Alexandrians came was built by Alexander from whom it took its Name Ftolomeus Philadelphus adorned it with a Library of seventy thousand Volumes but famous men for Learning and Wisdom who were its Inhabitants were a greater Ornament to it Among which were Renowned Philo the Jew of whom was that Proverb Either Philo Platonizeth or Plato â— bilonizeth Appion the Grammarian whom Tyberius Caesar called The Cymbal of the World and Plinius the Trumpet of publick Fame Didymus the Grammarian Claudius Prolemeus though some say that Pelusium was his Country Appianus the Historian therefore called the Alexandrian Clemens Presbyter surnamed Alexandrinus Origen of whom it is said Where well none better where ill none worse Athanasius Cyril Dydimus surnamed the Blind and others whose names I do not now remember Alexandria is now by the Turks under whose Yoak it groans called Scanderia by corrupting the name of Alexander whose Corps Quintus Curtius * Lib. 10. ch 10. saith was transported thither from Memphis Ptolomies famous Library as Ammianus Marccllinus saith * Lib. 22. ch 41. was burnt when the City was destroy'd under Julius Caesar The Jews had equal priviledges in Alexandria with the Macedonians See Grotius upon 3 Macchab. And of them of Cilicia Cilicia now Carmania was one in Constantines time then it was divided into two parts the first of which was called Cilicia the first and Champaign ground and Consular saith Spanhem Introd ad Geog. Sac. It had upon the West Isauria upon the East the second Cilicia upon the South the Sea of Cyprus the Metropolis of it is Tarsus the Head of the Nation a Colony of the Romans a free City having the priviledge of a Roman City We contradict this moved by the Reasons of Grotius upon that place whence that of Paul of Tarsus below ch 22.28 The second Cilicia called also Trachea having upon the North Mount Taurus upon the East Comagene upon the South the Issick Gulf which had its Name from the Town Issus between Syria and Cilicia famous for the Victory obtain'd there by Alexander against Darius where also Cicero as he reports of himself was called Emperor and 2. Ep. 10.5 Attic. 20. boasteth that he had the same Tents which of old Alexander had This was a Province ruled by the Emperours Lieutenant sent thither with a Garrison but its Metropolis was Anazarba or Anazarbus otherwise called Diocaesarea There is mention made of this second Cilicia in the Acts of the Councel of Chalcedon And Asia See what we have said above chap. 2.9 10. And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit That is The Wisdom suggested to him by the Holy Ghost The Particle and is put in the beginning of the Verse instead of but which is frequently done in other places of Scripture By which he spake As much as to say by which Stephens Tongue and his Mind while he was speaking were directed according to Christs Promise Matt. 10 20. Luke 21. v. 15. Beza witnesseth that in a most ancient Greek Copy of his is added here Because they were reproved by him with all boldness that is with all freedom 11. Then To wit when they could not resist the Truth They suborned The old Latin Interpreter expresseth it by the word submiserunt in which sense the best Latin Authors use the Verb immittere See Gellius 4. Noct. Attic. 18. Salust Catil Plin. Lib. 6 Epist 13. 12. The Elders That is the Senators of the Sanhedrin To the Councel The Greek hath it Sanhedrin 13. And set up false witnesses They are also said to be false Witnesses who give a false construction to what hath been truly spoken and turn it to a crime as they here turn that to wickedness and blasphemy which according to truth was foretold of the destruction of the Temple and the ceasing for the most part of the Rites depending thereon * See Luke 19.43 44. David inveighs against such Witnesses in the Person of Doeg Psal 52.2 3 4 5. compared with 1 Sam. 22.9 10 11 12 13. Blasphemous words That is Base and reproachful Against this holy place That is Against the Temple of God * Acts 25.8 Mat. 26.61 14. And shall change the customs That is The legal Ceremonies which typified Christ to come and the Gospel Law 15. Saw his Face as it had been the Face of an Angel That is they beheld his Face full of Reverent and Serene Gravity CHAP. VII 1. THe High Priest That is the chief of the Sanhedrin Are these things so As if he had said Are these things true which they say and witness against thee 2. And he said Seeing Stephen was accused because that he moved by Divine Instinct and Inspiration had foretold the destruction of the Temple and the abolishing of the Legal Ceremonies that he might demonstrate and evince that there was no evil in that he briefly running over all ancient History even to their times covertly intimateth that the favour of God was restricted to no place even not to the Temple or Tabernacle and also that the Jews if they did sufficiently lay to Heart their own doings and those of their Nation had no reason to be offended at this Praediction Men Brethren and Fathers If we may give credit to the famous Salmasius Stephen Who was a Proselyte calls the Jews Brethren as being partaker of the same Promises with them an observer of the same Law a Worshipper of the same God He calls them also Fathers because Proselytes being their Disciples from whom they had the Law were accounted as it were their Children and they as
Canaan to the hundredth year of his age in the which he begot Isaac Gen. 21. v. 5. are 25 years From Isaac's Nativity to that of Jacob Gen. 25.26 60 years From Jacobs Nativity to his going down with his whole Family into Egypt Gen. 47.9 130 years All which years added together make up the Sum of 215 years As to the other 215 years past in Egypt till their going out thereof Bp. Vsher describes them thus from Jacobs going down into Egypt until the death of Joseph are 71 years Thence till the Birth of Moses 64. Thence to the Israelites going forth out of Egypt 80 Exod. 7. v. 7. All which years joyned together make up the 215 years of the sojourning of the Israelites in Egypt Shall bring them into Bondage Aug. 16. Civ Dci 24. As it is written of Thara Abrahams Father And his days at Charan were 205 years not that they wree all passed there but because they were there sinished so likewise it is therefore here added And shall bring them into Bondage and will afflict them 400 years because in that same affliction the number is compleated not because it was all performed there The same Augustin Q. 47. in Exod. saith What God said to Abraham Know of a surety that they Seed shall be a Stranger in a Land that is not theirs and they will bring them into Bondage and oppress them 400 years is not to be understood so as if the people of God were to continue in that most grievous Bondage for the space of 400 years but because it is written In Isaac shall thy Seed be called the 405 years are computed from the year of Isaac's Nativity until the year of the outgoing out of Egypt If therefore ye substract from the 430 years the five and twenty which intervened betwixt the Promise and the Birth of Isaac it is no matter of admiration if the Scripture would express the 405 years by the even sum of 400 seeing it uses so to denominate time that that which a little exceeds or comes short of the sum of the more perfect number be not computed What therefore he says They will bring them into Bondage and oppress them is not to be referred to the 400 years as if they should keep them in Bondage so many years but the 400 years are to be referred to this Thy Seed shall be a Stranger in a Land that is not theirs for that Seed was a Stranger whether in the Land of Canaan or that of Egypt until they received for their Inheritance the Land according to Gods promise which was accomplished after that they were delivered out of Egypt So that a Hyperbaton is here understod and the order of the Words should be thus Know of a surety that thy Seed shall be a Stranger in a Land that is not theirs 400 years but that this is supposed to be interposed and they will bring them into Bondage and oppress them so that this Interposition doth not belong to the 400 years For it was in the latter part of the years of this sum that is after the death of Joseph that the people of God laboured under that grievous Bondage 7. And the Nation to whom they shall be in Bondage will I judge That is I will punish To judge is frequently used for to punish 2 Chron 20.12 Our God wilt thou not therefore judge them Psal 9. v. 19. Let the Nations be judged in thy sight And hence Judgment is put for Punishment Prov. 19.29 Judgments are prepared for Scorners that is Punishments So Exod. 12.12 Against all the Gods of Egypt I will execute Judgment that is I will inflict punishment upon all the Gods of Egypt 8. And he gave him a Testament Gr. A Covenant As if he had said After he had made those excellent Promises he commanded Abraham and his Posterity to be Circumcised that the same Circumcision might be as it were a Seal of the Covenant entred into with Abraham and his Natural Seed This saith Grotius makes for Stephens purpose that the observance of Circumcision might not be believed to be the cause of the Promises And so To wit After he was Circumcised He begot Isaac Not by the power of Nature but by vertue of Gods promise made to him that Isaac given on account of the Promise might be an Earnest and Shadow of the Grace that was to be given by the Gospel The Patriarchs That is The Fathers of the twelve Tribes of Israel See above c. 2. v. 27. 9. And the Patriarchs moved with Envy Here Stephen briefly hints at the Emulation of the Patriarchs from whom the Jews boasted of their Original to wit that they Gen. 37.28 out of a detestable hatred and envy sold him to the Midianite Merchants who was by God ordained a Saviour for them that they might carry him into Egypt This is saith Casaubon that selling of Slaves which the Ancients called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when the Slaves were sold on that condition that they should be transported into remote Countreys Moreover Stephen covertly insinuates that after the same manner Jesus was delivered by the envious Multitude of the Jews to the Romans that he might be Crucified And God was with him As if he had said But God turned the Evil wherewith Joseph's Brethren oppressed him to his good Gen. 50.20 As it also fell out in your Envy against Jesus who was Crucified above c. 3 v. 8. 10. Gave him Favour and Wisdom A figure of speech called Hendyadâ—â— that is He made him gracious for his Wisdom Gen. 41. v. 39. In the sight of Pharaoh That is With Pharoah King of Egypt whom the Egyptian Priest Manetho calleth Mephramuthosis Justin also out of Trogus l. 36. c. 2. declareth that Joseph was entirely beloved by Pharoah For saith he being most quick-sighted he was the first that invented the knowledge of Dreams and nothing either of Divine or Humane Affairs escaped his knowledge so that he foresaw the Barrenness of their Lands many years before it came to pass and all Egypt had perished with the Famine if the King had not at his Admotion commanded by an Edict that the Corn should be laid up in store for several years and his proofs were such that they seem'd not to proceed from Men but to be Oracles given from God He made him Governour over Egypt That is He advanced him to the chief place of Authority in the Kingdom Gen. 48.43 And over all his House That is according as Grotius interprets it He made him also Master of his Court such as the High Stewards were to the French of old and to the Greeks of Constantinople the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called because the care of the Palace was committed to them So God hath set Jesus Christ over his Heavenly Court and hath given him supream power next to himself Now there came a Dearth c. That is When sufficient provision was made in Egypt for a Famine a grievous scarcity of Corn
by their Enemies that they were to be delivered afterwards by God from the Tyranny of the Egyptians by his means which yet they did not understand By this Testimony of Stephen Moses seems to have killed the Egyptian on this account as being acquainted with his call to deliver the Israelites from the grievous Bondage of the Egyptians Which the Scripture is silent in Exod. 2.12 This Augustin observed in his second Question on Exodus 26. And the next day That is The next day after that Moses killed the Egyptian and covered him with Sand after he had killed him He shewed himself to them as they strove That is He saw two Israelites quarrelling as the Vulgar Latin Interpreter renders it Exod. 2.13 Jonathan and Rabbi Solomon say that these two Hebrews that contended were Dathan and Abiram And he would have set them at one again Gr. And he forced them to Peace That is he used all means to reconcile them The name of the Effect saith Grotius is given to the Endeavour and the word signifying as it were Violence denoteth the earnestness of the agent as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to constrain Luke 14.23 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to use forceable means Luke 24.29 See the like expressions Gen. 19.3.33.11 in the vulgar Latin 12. Matt. 14.22 Mark 6.45 Gal. 2.14 Saying c. He does not cite the very words which Moses Exod. 2.13 is said to have spoke to him that did the wrong to his Neighbour but he expresses the sense very well For saith Grotius there he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neighbour who is here called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Brother Countryman descended of the same Ancestors 27. But he that did his Neighbour wrong He in the Original Hebrew is called wicked who has an evil Heart and malitious Mind Equity commandeth saith Aristotle in his Book of the Art of Oratory that we make a difference betwixt Injuries and Faults as also betwixt Faults and Misfortunes Misfortunes are which can neither be provided against nor are committed with a malicious Mind Faults which might have been prevented yet are not done out of malice but Injuries are done both designedly and maliciously Who made thee c. Chrysostom on 2 Cor. 7.13 saith of Moses Even before he had brought out the People with his hand he led them by his Actions Wherefore that Hebrew was very foolish in that he said to him Who made thee a Ruler and a Judge over us What sayst thou Thou seest the deeds and doest thou make controversie of the name Just as if one that saw a Physician cut exactly according to Art and so help a distempered member of the Body and then should say unto him Who made thee a Physician Who gave thee a power to cut My Art good man and thy Disease So also his skilfulness made Moses a Judge For to govern is not only a Dignity but also an Art and that indeed the sublimest of Arts. The same Master of the Church handling this Subject on Eph. 3. in the end saith Thy Injustice thy Cruelty hath made me a Ruler and a Judge 29. Then fled Moses at this saying As much as to say Moses understanding by this upbraiding Language that it was publickly known that he killed tho justly the Egyptian that wronged the Hebrew and fearing what might befal him by reason thereof he fled The Egyptians as Grotius observeth esteemed the Hebrews as Slaves yea as Beasts whom they would have every one perswaded to be incapable of Injury And was a Stranger in the Land of Madian Tâ—â—â— is And he was an Exile in the Land of 〈◊〉 Eusebius maketh mention of two Cities of that name 〈…〉 The first is beyond Arabia towards the South in the Desert of the Saracens to the East of the Red Sea whence they are called Madianaei and the Country of Madianaea The other is near Arnon and Areopolis whose Ruins are only to be shewen now A Learned Author under the name of Jerom writes * In Loc. Heb. Act. Apost that Moses was an Exile in the latter Where he begat two Sons As if he had said Where after having taken to Wife Sephora or Zippora Daughter to Hobab or Jethro Niece to Raguel he begat two Sons of her Gersom and Eliezer as Sulpitius Severus expresseth it Book 1. Hist. Sac. 30. And when forty years were expired To wit During his Exile at Madian There appeared to him To wit To Moses while he kept the Flock of Jethro his Father-in-law In the Wilderness of Mount Sina Where there were excellent Pastures To the South of Judaea are Sinim Isa 49.12 Sinaeans as the Vulgar Interpreter has translated Sini Gen. 10.17 whence the Barren Countrey of Sin and in it Mount Sinai has its name Exod. 16.1 Moreover it is certain that the same Mountain is called both Horeb and Sin or Sinai yet so that towards the East 't is properly called Sinat or Sina but that part that looks to the West Horeb. An Angel Heb. Exod. 3.2 An Angel of Jehovah that is an Angel acting in the name of the most high God In a flame of Fire in a Bush Gr. In a flame of Fire of the Bush That is the species of the flaming Fire did shew that God came in his Embassador to revenge the Injuries the Egyptians had done to his People but the Bush not consumed was a Type of that same People that should be preserved alive amidst all these Calamities caused by the wicked 31. When Moses saw it To wit The burning Bush pot consumed He wondered at the sight Astonisht at the strangeness of this Miracle And as he drew near To the Bush To behold it That is That he might look more nearly into it The voice of the Lord came unto him As if he had said The Angel the Messenger of the Lord spake to him to this purpose In diverse and sundry manners God spake to the Fathers but at length in the last days he began to speak to us by his Son Heb. 1.1 32. I am the God c. Orat. 6. Athanasius says But that Angel was not the God of Abraham but God spake in the Angel and it was the Angel that was seen but God spake in him The Author of the Answers to the Orthodox in Justin Martyr Quest 112. The Angels who in Gods stead appeared and spoke to Men were called by the name of God himself as that which spoke to Jacob and to Moses Yea Men also are called Gods It is given to both by virtue of the Office injoyned them both to be in the stead and bear the name of God But when the Office is fulfilled they are no more called Gods who only obtained that name on the account of some work they were to do The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. When God is said to be the God of any it is to be understood a special Favourer and Bountiful Patron of him as sufficiently
to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life As if he should say Even God by his Spirit has Circumcised the hearts of those Uncircumcised Gentiles who believe in Christ without Carnal Circumcision as saith Moses Deut. 30.6 and of Hearts of Stone has made them Hearts of Flesh as Ezekiel chap. 11.9 saith that so being reformed and regenerated they might obtain eternal life 19. And they which were c. Now Luke returns to the Context of the former History He had hinted before ch 8. v. 1. 4. that after Stephens death when the rage of the Wicked increased all of them being terrified fled hither and thither inso much that only the Apostles staid at Jerusalem When by this means the Body of the Church was rent it happen'd that by the dispersion of those that fled the Gospel was spread amongst far distant Countries which before was inclosed as it were in a Barn within the Walls of one City And so it came to pass that the name of Christ passing over Seas and Mountains became known to the remotest parts of the World And thus according to the Prophesy of Isaiah ch 10.22 The Consumption hath overflown in Righteousness See our Notes ch 8. v. 1. From the tribulation That is From the Persecution Vnder Stephen Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon Stephen That is as Erasmus and Beza rightly translate it for Stephen In which sense we say in Latine super hac re doleo That is for this thing So saith Ludovicus de Dieu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a Dative Case properly signifies upon as also for Luc. 1.29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 she was troubled upon that is for or at his saying Hence we learn that if the constancy of one man stir up Cruelty in the minds of wicked men the blame of the whole misfortune is unjustly laid on him Neither does Luke mark it as any disgrace to Stephen when he relates that on his account the Church was more than usually persecuted but rather a great Commendation that as a valiant Leader he had by his own example animated the rest to fight Couragiously As far as Phenice Phenicia joins with Syria and is Neighbour to Galilee and its chief Cities were Tyre Sidon and Beryth The Palm-Trees of this Country were most commendable which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phoenix from whence 't is probable the Country deriv'd its Name Here the Verses of Sidonius Apollinaris to Caes Jul. Val. Majorianus deserve to be inserted Each Country doth its proper wares supply Chaldaea Spikenard th' Indies Ivory Assyria Gems th' Arabia 's Frankincense Sera of Wools has store and sends from thence Atthis has Honey and Phenicia Palms c. And Cyprus See what we have spoke of this Country chap. 4.36 And Antiochia The most famous City of Syria standing in that part which borders on Cilicia Preaching the Word of God to none but to the Jews only Being afraid lest if they should preach the Gospel to Strangers they should cast Childrens bread to Dogs 20. Men of Cyprus and Cyrene That is Inhabitants there but of Jewish Extraction and Educated in the Jewish Religion See our Notes chap. 2.5 10. Spake unto the Grecians By a singular impulse of God These Grecians saith Calvin are not called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore many think they were of Jewish Extraction though Natives of Greece which thought I do not approve of For those Jews of whom he spoke a little before since they were partly Cyprians must needs be reckoned amongst them because the Jews make Cyprus a part of Greece And Luke distinguishes them from those whom he afterwards calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moreover having said that the Word was Preached to none but to the Jews and noted those who being banished their Country lived in Cyprus and Phenicia as it were correcting this exception he says that the Grecians were taught by some of these Certainly that Antithesis makes us expound it as meant of the Gentiles For Luke shews that some few did more freely disperse the Gospel because they were not ignorant of the calling of the Gentiles since that Christ had commanded Mark 16.15 that from the time of his Resurrection the Gospel should be promiscuously Preached to the whole world And the most learned Grotius says that we should not in this place read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in the vulgar Greek Copies but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in the Alexandrine Copy in England and as the Syriack Latin and Arabick read it Besides saith he from the time of the Grecian that is the Macedonian Empire the Jews from the prevailing part called all the Vncircumcised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So is that word used 2 Mac. 4.36 And hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Mac. 4.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Mac. 4.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Mac. 6.9 11.24 strange Customs or the Customs of the Gentiles And in Paul often Preaching the Lord Jesus The whole sum of the Gospel is comprehended in Christ who reconciles us to the Father and begets us again by his Spirit that Satan being overthrown the Kingdom of God may be raised up in us See our Notes ch 8.12 21. And the hand c. That is And God was present with the Men of Cyprus and Cyrene Preaching the Gospel to the Greeks or Gentiles and helped them so that many of the Grecians were stirred up and persuaded to believe in Christ 22. Tidings came c. That is As soon as the fame of the Conversion of these Grecians or Gentiles came to the Ears of the Church at Jerusalem which had learnt from Peter that God by evident signs had testified that together with the Jews the Gentiles should by their guidance be called to partake of Christs Grace the Members of that Church sent Barnabas a Cyprian that he might make a further improvement of the rudiments of Faith at Antioch and give form to the Building begun that the Church might be rightly established there 23. Had seen the Grace of God That is That the Gentiles by the free breathing of the Divine Spirit were sincerely converted to Christ With purpose of heart That is With firm love To abide in the Lord. That is To cleave to Christ and be ty'd to his Justice 24. Full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith That is Most plentifully furnished and adorn'd with the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost and above all with a lively Faith And much people was added c. Now when the number of the believing Gentiles was greater Luke says they increased by Barnabas's persuasion Thus saith Calvin doth the Building of the Church go forward when with mutual Consent they-help one another and what is begun by one is candidly approv'd of by the others 25. Departed c. Barnabas was not afraid so that Christ should be promoted by the prosperous success of the Gospel though Pauls coming
of hands saith famous Heidegger upon Paul and Barnabas by the rest of the Teachers of the Church of Antioch does not properly belong to their Ordination For Paul was not called of men neither by men Gal. 1.1 2. It was therefore a token not of their deputation to the Ministry but meerly of the Churches great desire that Paul and Barnabas should succeed in their Ministry They sent them away That is They bad them farewel See Matth. 14.15 22 23.15.23 4. So they To wit Saul and Barnabas Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost That is Having taken Journey by the command of the Holy Ghost Departed into Seleucia A Neighbouring City to Antioch built and so called by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria And from thence they sailed to Cyprus An Island in the Mediterranean Sea adjoyning to Syria the Country of Barnabas See above ch 4.36 5. And when they were at Salamis The Metropolis of Cyprus built by Teucris the Son of Telamon and by him so called from the name of his Country This City was afterward called Constantia or Constantina then Nova Justinopolis or Justinianopolis and this day it is called Famaugusta They Preached the Word of God To wit That great Gospel of Jesus Christ In the Synagogues of the Jews Which were many in Cyprus The Author of the Hebrew places of the Acts under the name of Jerome Salamis a City in the Isle of Cyprus now called Constantia which the Jews in the time of Trajan defaced having killed all the Inhabitants The same saith Jerom in Eusebius's Chronicle about Trajans time They had c. As much as to say And John sirnamed Mark of whom above ch 12.12 was their helper in Preaching the Gospel 6. And when they had gone thorough the Isle To wit Cyprus whose Metropolis Salamis toward the East was famous among the Nations for the Temples of Jupiter Vnto Paphos A City of the same Isle of Cyprus toward the West Hist lib. 2. ch 2. famous for the Temple of Venus to see which Vespasian longed Tacitus saith A false Prophet That is Falsly boasting himself to be a Prophet Whose name was Barjesus Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seeing this wicked man is said to have been a Jew the Etymology of this word must be taken from the Hebrew Tongue It is therefore the conjecture of the most famous Ludovicus de Dieu that this Impostors name was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and with a very small alteration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Arabian hath literally expressed out of the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Son of Health because he professeth the art of procuring health and soundness So in the Syriack he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Son of Vlcers that is a Physician that professed to cure Ulcers for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies only such a tumor as is incident to Ulcers and old sores 7. Which was with the Deputy The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifieth a Proconsul or the Vicar of the Roman Consul who governed the Province as a Deputy But seeing that he who governed Cyprus was not Proconsul but Vice-Praetor here is a Catachresis or abuse of the word But saith Grotius it is no wonder that the Greeks being great flatterers gave the most honourable Title to the Governors of their Provinces The name of President is general which may be here used in the Latin 8. Elymas There are many derivations and significations of this name To us it seems saith Ludovicus de Dieu that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Hebrew or Chaldaick Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a healer or a curer from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cure in which sense it is taken not only among the Hebrews but also frequently among the Syrians nor doth it differ from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Son of Health and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Son of Boils of which above v. 6. Neither is it unusual to render the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a most hard aspiration by E. such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. nor to change the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in as such as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sorcerer Or Magician The Persian Name Magie and Magician for Sorcery and Sorcerers not evil in themselves are applyed by an abuse to marvellous but wicked Arts wrought by the help of Devils and to those that are given to such Arts. See our literal explication on Matth. 2.1 For so is his name by interpretation Which in v. 6. is Barjesus therefore Elymas is not the Arabick name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred Sorcerer and which agrees to all such as are given to Magick seeing the Syriack Arabick and Aethiopick Translation do not begin the word Elymas with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ain but with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aleph but it is an interpretation of this Sorcerer Barjesus his name as the Text faith and the Syrian Interpreter confirms See what we have just now cited of Ludovicus de Dieu Seeking c. That is With great study and indeavour he turned aside Sergius Paulus the Vice-Praetor from receiving the faith of Christ 9. Then Saul who also is called Paul He hath a two-fold name for his two-fold relation his Hebrew name Saul because he was an Hebrew by birth his Roman name Paul because he had the freedom of a Româ—n Vnder the same notion saith famous Lightfoot Sâ—las is also called Silvanus for he also was a Roman as may be gathered from Acts 16.37 The same upon 1 Cor. 1.1 It was common saith he for them in the Jewish Nation to be called among the Jews by a Jewish name but by another name among the Ethnicks or by the same name tranflated into the Ethnick language as Thomas among the Jews was Dydimus among the Greeks and perhaps Silas among the Jews was Tertius among the Romans Rom. 16.21 that is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Jason Secundus Compare Rom. 16.21 with Acts 19.4 or by some other different name as he whom Luke calls Herod Acts 12.1 is by Josephus called Agrippa and John is also called Mark Acts 12.12 Hence that gloss upon Maimonides in Gerushin c. 3. Perhaps he hath two names to wit a Jewish name and that by which they who are not Jews called him And that of the Jerosolymitan Talmud in the Treatise called Gittin fol. 43.2 the Israelites without the Land of Israel have the same names with the Gentiles Yea hear what they say in the same Treatise fol. 45.3 of the Jews also living in the Land of Israel Perhaps one of them hath two Wives one living in Judaea the other in Galilee And perhaps also he hath two names one in Judea another in Galilee if he subscribe his name by which he is called in Judea to send her who is in Galilee away or subscribe his name by which he is called in Galilee to put her away that is in Judea it is no Divorce It
that they might procure hatred to these Innovents The Macedonians had no such respect for Religion much less for the Jewish that for its cause they should forthwith drag Persons unknown to the slaughter the Jews then catch at the pretence of Treason to oppress these Innocents with the Odiousness of that Crime alone Neither doth Satan cease to this day to spread such mists before mens dazled eyes The Papists know very well and are sufficiently convinced before God that it is more than false which they lay to our charge That we overthrow all Civil Government that Laws and Judgments are taken away that the Power of Kings is subverted by us And yet they are not ashamed to the end they may make the whole World to hate us falsly to report us to be Enemies to publick Order For we must note that the Jews not only alledge that Caesar's Commands were violated because Paul and Silas durst presume to innovate somewhat in Religion but because they said there was another King This crime was altogether forged Moreover if at any time Religion force us to resist tyrannical Edicts which forbid us to give due honour to Christ and due worship to God we may then justly say for our selves that we do not violate the Power of Kings For they are not so exalted that they may endeavour like Gyants to pull God out of his Throne That excuse of Daniels was true that he had not offended the King while yet he obeyed not his wicked Commandment neither had injured mortal Man because he had preferred God to him So let us faithfully pay to Princes their Tributes let us be ready to any Civil Obedience but if not content with that degree they would pluck out of our hands the Fear and Worship of God there is no reason why any should say we despise them because we make more account of the Power and Majesty of God King To wit of all humane kind For saith Grotius the Christians called Jesus Lord which frequently occurrs in this Book most frequently in Pauls Epistles But this word in the Greek is the same with that that is rendred King Rev. 1.8.15.3.17.14 Another King To wit â—â—n Caesar Who saith the same Grotius called himself Lord of the World 8. And they troubled As much as to say By these false accusations against Paul and Silas they both raised a suspicion in the People who were gathered together in the Court and in the Magistrates before whom they were accused 9. And. This Particule which otherwise is a Copulative is here taken for the Adversative Particule but as it is often elsewhere When they had taken Security That Paul and Silas should appear in Judgement when ever it should be needful Of Jason Paul and Silas's Host And of the others Christians to wit who v. 6. together with Jason were drawn before the Magistrates of Thessalonica They let them go That is suffered them to go free 10. But the Brethren That is the Christians who lived in Thessalonica Immediately Lest the incensed People stirred up by the perverse Jews should use Violence and Force upon Paul and Silas Sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beraea That is in a Clandestine way having taken the advantage of the darkness they led and accompanied them out of the City that they might pass to another City of Macedonia called Beraea The Macedonick Beraea lyeth betwixt Thessalonica and the Candavian Hills which divide Illyria from Macedonia near the River Lydia in the Region of Emathia This City is now commonly called Veria for so do the present Greeks pronounce it The Turks call it Boor 4 Nat. hist 10. as Leunclavius saith Plinius among the Cities of Macedonia reckons Pella in the first place the Country of Philip and Alexander the Great Kings of the Macedonians secondly Beraea Who. Paul and Silas Coming thither To Beraea Went into the Synagogue of the Jews To try if they could convert any of the Beraean Jews to Christ 11. These The Jews dwelling in Beraea Were more noble then those in Thessalonica That is they surpassed the Thessalonians in excellency of Disposition and Nobleness of Mind In that they The Jews of Beraea Received the word of God with all readiness That is with bended ears and ready minds they attended the Gospel Preached by Paul And searched the Scriptures daily That is searching out most diligently the meaning of those things which were foretold of Christ in the Law and in the Prophets Whether these things were so That is that they might see through it whether what was Preached by Paul concerning Jesus did agree with the written Oracles of Moses and the Prophets concerning the Messias Yea as Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem saith excellently Catech. 4. nothing of the Divine and holy Mysteries of Faith ought to be delivered by Guess without Scripture Authority nor be spoken upon meer probability and dress of Words Hence it is clear against the Papists that there is no blind obedience owing to the Pastors of the Church but that they indeed are to be esteemed noble among Christians who diligently examin by the Testimony of the Holy Scripture what ever is Preached by their Pastors We pretend to no blind obedience due to Church-mens directions and account them nohle Christians who search and try all they say by that test of the Scriptures saith that Man of a most solid Judgment and in defending the Principles of the Orthodox Faith against Popery and Irreligion short of none the most Religious and most Learned Gilbert Burnet Doctor of Divinity In his excellent Book entitled the Mystery of iniquity unvailed to whose large Charity to the Poor and Strangers I profess myself greatly indebted 12. Therefore many of them Believed As much as to say But when the Jews of Beraea had by this Scrutiny of the Scriptures discovered the most marvellous Harmony and Agreement of Paul's Doctrine with the Prophesies of Moses and the Prophets a great many more of them believed the Gospel Preached by Paul and acknowledged Jesus to be the Messias promised in the Law and in the Prophets than of the Thessalonians born Jews And also of honourable Women c. As much as to say Yea and very many honest and respected Ethnicks of both Sexes at Beraea believed in Jesus Christ 13. The Jews Obstinately resisting the Word of God or the Gospel Preached by Paul And stirred up the People Against Paul at Beraea 14. And then immediately c. As much as to say But the Christians at Beraea that Paul might be delivered from the snares of the unbelieving Thessalonian Jews took care to convey him to the Sea Coast entring into a Ship as if he were to sail from these Regions while Timothy and Silas abode at Beraea that they confirm in the Faith these who were newly converted But what Luke did or where he was at that time since he himself is silent is rash to conjecture To go as it were to the Sea The Syrian
as to say Whatever be said of Images made with hands cannot prejudice the Image of Diana of the Ephesians since it is manifest that it was made by the hands of no Artist but fallen from Jupiter You ought to be quiet That is to quiet the Multitude And to do nothing rashly Without full discerning and clear knowledge of the cause 37. For ye have brought hither these Men. To wit Gaius or Caius and Aristarchus of which see above v. 29. Neither robbers of Churches To wit of Diana's Temple seeing they were never within it Nor yet Blasphemers of your Goddess To whose Image since it was sent from Heaven its Worship is beyond debate although it were granted they are no Gods nor to be Worshipped for Gods which are made with hands as has been said v. 26. 38. Wherefore if Demetrius c. Most like to which is that of Horace If any make lew'd verses against any there is Law and Judgment The Law is open That is there are times and places appointed in which Justice is done and Controversies decided And there are Deputies There used to be one Deputy in each Province but here are more mentioned either because at divers times one succeeded another or because that with the Proconsul his Vicar or Lieutenant judged Let them implead one another To wit Demetrius those Men which ye brought hither or they him Quintilian Declam 13. We have received Magistrates and Laws from our Predecessors for this end that every Man may not be judge of his own wrong and the daily complaints of mischief should refute themselves if revenge resemble the Crime 39. But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters That is If beside your private quarrel ought else come in controversie It shall be determined That is The controversie shall be ended In a Lawful Assembly That is Not in a tumultuary concourse but in an assembly of the People lawfully called 40. For we are in danger c. As much as to say For it is to be feared lest we be accused of Sedition for this days tumultuary concourse being there is no cause for it which can in reason justify it He dismissed the Assembly So by Gods providence this tumultuary convention of the People is dissolved and the tumult stirred up by Demetrius against Paul and his Companions vanished without effect CHAP. XX. 1. AND after the uproar was ceased Which Demetrius stirred up in Ephesus against Paul and his Companions Paul called unto him the Disciples That is Paul called the Christians who were at Ephesus unto him And imbraced them Having by that sign of Brotherly love wished them health and biding them farewel and also as is probable as was the custom of those Nations kissed them Hence the Syrian instead of imbracing them translates here kissed them Neither is it to be doubted but Paul being to depart from the Ephesian Christians did when he wished them health exhort them to the duties of Piety and to constancy in the Faith of Christ which they had received And departed From Ephesus For to go into Macedonia In which at Philippi Beraea and Thessalonica he had converted some to Christ 2. And when he had gone over those Parts To wit the Cities of Macedonia And had given them much exhortation To wit To the Christians who lived in Macedonia that they should retain the Faith and persevere in Godliness He came unto Greece That is To that part of Greece where Athens and Corinth were Greece saith Augustine Lubine Geographer to the French King in his Geographical Index to Vshers Annals The most famous Country in Europe which of old was by its Inhabitants called Hellas containing Macedonia Epyrus Thessalie Achaia which is properly called Greece Peloponnesus and neighbouring Islands about it is for its bounds inclosed upon the East by the Aegean Sea upon the South by the Sea of Crete upon the West by the Ionian Sea upon the North it is parted from Illyria and Maesia by the Scardonian Mountains and from the Thracians by the River Strymon it is now commonly called Romeli by the Turks to whom it is Subject 3. And there abode three Moneths That is And spent three Moneths there And when the Jews laid wait for him The unbelieving Jews being incensed against him for that he led away many from the Law of Moses to the Faith of Christ As he was about to Sail unto Syria Toward Judea He purposed c. As much as to say To the end he might shun the snares laid for him he takes a very wife resolution not to Sail directly from Achaia or Greece properly so called unto Syria but to take his way back again through Macedonia from whence he came to Achaia three Moneths ago 4. And there accompanied him into Asia Strictly so called whose chief Metropolis is Ephesus Sopater This Sosipater and by Syncope Sopater is reckoned among Paul's kindred Rom. 16.21 The Son of Pyrrhus This is wanting in the vulgar Greek Copies Of Beraea Of the number of those noble men spoken of above Ch. 17.10 11 12. And of the Thessalonians That is those of Thessalonica a City of Macedonia Aristarchus and Secundus The Syrian thinks that there were only these two Thessalonians Aristarchus also accompanied Paul not only to Asia but even to Syria also yea and to Rome below Ch. See also Col. 4.10 27.2 And Gaius of Derbe Of this Gaius or Caius see what we have said above Ch. 19.29 And Timotheus Born if we believe Gesnere in the same City of Derbe The Syrian and Arabian interpreters add Who was of Lystra This excellent youth Timotheus See above Ch. 14.6 of whom above Ch. 16. v. 1 2. Ch. 17.14 15. Ch. 18.5 Ch. 19.22 Paul afterward left at Ephesus that there he might oversee the Church in teaching and governing it And of Asia Strictly so called and also its chief City Ephesus for a most ancient Copy which most famous Beza used hath for Asians Ephesians And Tychicus This Man is commended by Paul Ephes 6.12 Col. 4.7 is sent to Ephesus 2 Tim. 4.12 to the Isle of Crete Tit. 3.12 The Supposititious Dorotheus in his Synopsis of the Lives of the Prophets and Disciples of Christ writes that this Tychicus was at last created Bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia And Trophimus Of whom below Ch. 21.29 2 Tim. 4.20 5. These going before Whither Paul was a going Tarryed for us at Troas That is waited for Paul and me Luke the writer of this History This Luke who spake otherwise in the foregoing Chapters because that perhaps he was sent by Paul somewhere else shews that he was then returned again to Paul to accompany him in his Journey as also afterward in the following From Troas Troas in this place is not taken for that Country which was called Teucris and Dardania and Xanthe but for a City of the same Country which was also called Troas See what we have said above Ch. 16. 6. And we That
is I Luke and Paul From Philippi A City of Macedonia of which we have spoken above Ch. 16.12 After the days of unleavened Bread That is after the Jews feast of the Passover which as yet Paul with the other Jews who were Christians seems to observe that he might Lawfully accommodate himself to the Jews and doubtless he neglected not the occasion of Preaching Christ to the Jews at that Feast Vnto them Our fellow Travellers who went before us To Troas A City of the Country of the same name In five days That is Within five days Where we abode seven days That is we passed seven days in the City called Troas 7. And upon the first day of the Week That is That day as Sozomen saith which is called the Lords day 1 Hist Eccl. Ch. 8. which the Hebrews called the first day of the Week but the Greeks dedicated it to the Sun See what I have noted upon Mat. 28. v. 1. The Table of the Canons lately published by the famous John Baptist Cotelerius Ch. 4.16 It was not before Christs Resurrection called the Lords day but the first day but after the Resurrection it was called the Lords day the Lady of all days and Festivities We have the name of the Lords day in Rev. 1.10 In Ignatius his Epistle to the Trallians and Magnesians and sometimes in Clement's Institutions also in that place of Ireneus which the writer of the answers to the Orthodox in Justin Martyr hath preserved to us The edict of Theophilus Patriarch of Alexandria Both custom and honesty requires of us that we should honour the Lords day and celebrate it because Christ our Lord upon that day executed the eminent Office of his Resurrection Lib. 5. Paschal operis Cap. 20. Sedulius In the mean time after that sad Sabbath the happy day began to dawn which being most welcome to the triumphing Lord did take its name from his Majesty called for this honour the Lords day being a day that attained to the Dignity to be the first that beheld the Original of the rising World and the vertue of Christ rising again St. Epist 119. Cap. 13. Augustine The Lords day has been by Christs Resurrection declared not to the Jews but to the Christians Serm. 15. de verb. Apost and from him it began to have its Festivity And this day is called the Lords day because upon this day the Lord rose again or to teach by the very name of it that it ought to be wholly consecrated to the Lord. St. Maximus Taurinensis Hom. 3. in Pentecost The Lords day is therefore venerable and solemn to us because upon it our Saviour as the rising Sun having driven away the infernal darkness shined with the light of his Resurrection and therefore by the common Speech of the World it is called Sunday because Christ the Sun of righteousness being risen did inlighten it The Roman order and Isidor Lib. 2. de Eccl. Offic. Cap. 24. The Apostles therefore did with Religious Solemnity ratifie the Lords day because upon that day our Lord and Redeemer rose again from the dead and which also is called the Lords day that in it abstaining from earthly works or Worldly inticements we should give our selves only to divine Worship giving to wit honour and reverence to this day for the hope of our Resurrection which we have in him Gregorius Turonensis This is the day of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ Lib. 1. Hist Cap. 22. which we properly call the Lords day for his holy Resurrection When the Disciples came together From this place and that which is written 1 Corinth 16.2 is gathered that the Christians did then use upon the first day of the week to keep solemn Meetings Justin Vpon the day called Sunday Apolog. 2. all that live in Cities or Country meet in one place To break Bread To wit that was consecrated to be a Symbole of the Body of Christ offered for us upon the cross Hence the Syrian rendred it That we might break the Eucharist The Arabick That we might destribute the Body of Christ The Ethiopick To bless the Table All understood it of this holy Rite by which the Lord Jesus would have the Memory of his bitter Death to be celebrated by his Disciples See what we have said above Ch. 2. Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.24 26. v. 42. 46. Paul Preached unto them The word of God to wit before they celebrated the Eucharist which is denominated from the breaking of Bread Ready to depart From the City Troas On the Morrow That is The day immediately following 8. And there were many lights To wit to dispel the Darkness of the night or as Jerome saith against Vigilantius for their comfort in the darkness of the Night In the upper Chamber Which as Juvenal speaks the roof only covers In this as in the least esteemed part of the house Men of mean fortunes used to live also in the time of the Apostles the Church assembled there and in it performed their Worship not in Magnificently built Temples Where they were To wit The Christians of Text. 〈◊〉 â—â—ll down from the third loft That is he fell from the third frame or third floor Servius The houses of old were made de tabulis 〈◊〉 Eneid of Boards whence at this day we say in houses that are â—uildedhigh the first and second tabulatum story but the highest that which supports the roof whence what Juvenal calls tabulata tertia Sat. 3. the third story or loft is expounded by the Scholiast upper rooms And was taken up Dead As much as to say And when some of them who saw Eutychus fall had run from that upper room of the house to take him up they found him already destitute of all strength and without Life 10. And Paul went down His holy discourse being interrupted that he might restore Eutychus to Life who was by an unexpected fall killed And sell on him As Elias 1 Kings 17.21 and Elisha 2 Kings 4.34 fell upon them whom they were about to restore to Life And imbracing him Eutychus by the middle Said To them who Lamented Eutychus being dead His Life is in him That is now his Body begins to grow warm and revive 11. When he therefore was come up again c. As much as to say When therefore Paul was again gone up to that Loft where he had Preached and had there celebrated the Rite of the Eucharist and taken Meat he with unwearied Zeal spent the rest of the night until-day light in Preaching So. That is the Night being spent After the same manner the Particle So is used as a note of what was done above Ch. 7.8 Ch. 17.33 below Ch. 28.14 Joh. 8.59 He departed From the City Troas and that on Foot the rest being to go in a Ship as is told below v. 13. 12. And they brought They to wit who came down to take up Eutychus who had
fallen from a window of the highest Frame of the House brought him alive to the rest of the Disciples who were assembled in the upper room whence he fell to hear Paul Preach and to celebrate the rite of the Eucharist Alive That is Marvellously restored by Paul unto Life And were not a little comforted As much as to say The sight of so great a Miracle brought great comfort to all 13. But we That is I Luke with others of Paul's fellow-Travellers Went before to a Ship To go before Paul And Sailed unto Assus A fit Port for Ships To this Sea-Town of the Country of Troas the way was but short from the City Troas either by Sea or Land Strabo saith Lib. 13. that this was a Famous City and upon the side that looketh to the Sea Lib. 5. Ch. 30. exceeding strong both by Nature and Art Plinius mentioneth the same City was otherwise called Apollonia There intending to take in Paul To wit into the Ship Minding himself to go a Foot From Troas to Assos a Neighbouring City of the same Country 14. And when he met with us at Assos To wit Paul We took him in Into the Ship And came to Mytilene The chief City of the Island Lesbos which Vitruvius saith was magnificently and stately built Lib. 1. but not wisely situated in which when the South Wind blows Men are Sick when the North West they cough when the North they are restored to Health This City was Famous for Pittacus one of the seven Famous Wisemen of Greece Alcaeus a Noble Lyrick Poet the Famous Poetess Sapphus and that excellent Rhetorician Diophanes who was Master to Gracchus and to that Theophanes who wrote the exploits of Pompey the Great and was very familiar with him and received of him the Freedom of the City in an assembly of Soldiers as Cicero saith in his Oration for Archias a Poet of Antioch 15. Over against Chios Which is an Island in the Aegean Sea about Nine Hundred furlongs in compass bordering upon Ionia between the Islands Samos and Lesbos This Island was Famous for Wine Figs and Marble Lib. 13. It s Wine was the best of all the Greek Wines as Strabo and Horace do witness Epod. 9. The Chian Fig is commended by Martial who for its excellency calls it Chia 7 Epig. 24. Plinius commends the Chian Marble Lib. 5. Ch. 31. Also the Chian Earth is by him said to have the same effect in Medicine as the Samian Earth It had Famous Men Jon Orchomenis's Son a Tragical and Lyrick Poet and a Philosopher Theopompus the Son of Damasistratus both an Orator and a Historian Theocritus of the same age as Theopompus and emulating him in governing the Common-wealth The Chians also challenged Homer as theirs by an argument from the Family of the Homerides Famous among the Chians who boasted they were of Homers Lineage and also Prodicus the Philosopher who said that such things as were profitable for Mans Life have been esteemed to be among the number of the Gods Lib. 1. de nat deor of which Strabo in the forecited Book and Cicero are evident Witnesses We came to Samos That is we arrived at the Famous Samos over against the Island Caria Samos saith Thomas de Pinedo Same and Samothrace or Samothracia were different Islands although of old Samothracia was also called Samos for Samothracia was in the Aegean Sea Same in the Ionian near Zacynthus but Samos of which we now speak lays in the Icarian Sea And as Lemnus Worshipped Vulcan Delus Appollo so Samos peculiarly Worshipped Juno as the Learnedest of Poets doth witness Aeneid Lib. 1. v. 20. And therefore the Samians imprinted a Peacok a Bird sacred to Juno upon their Coin Lib. 14. of which matter Atheneus is a clear witness Bochart does most ingeniosly deduce its Original from the Phoenician Language but since the ancient Greeks did call high Places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as appears out of Strabo Lib. 10. and Constantine Porphyrogeneta 1 Them 16. there is no need to derive its Original from the Phoenician Language In Atheneus Lib. 7. Archestratus the Poet praiseth the Tunies which were taken about this Island Lib. 35. Ch. 12. Pliny commendeth the Samian Tile wherewith the Priests of the Mother of Gods which Priests were Surnamed Galli from a River of that Name cut off their Genitals neither could they do it otherwise without hurt as the same Author reports out of M. Coelius Which I easily believe for their knives made of stone were fitter for Circumcision then Iron ones because of the swelling which sometime happen when the Wound is made with Iron knives Therefore in Joshua 5.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be rendred knives of Stone which some wrongfully render sharp knives for which you may consult De Prado Pentecontarcho suo Cap. 4. D. Laur. Ramirez The Samian earthen Vessels are also Famous and the Physicians say that the Samian Earth is fit for Medicine In this Island reigned Polycrates that Tyrant so happy that when he threw the Ring that he admired in the Sea he afterward found it in the Midriff of a Fish But none can be called happy before his Death forasmuch as this same Polycrates was by Orontes Darius his General hanged De finibus Lib. 5. as Cicero saith But Pythagoras made Samos much more renowned who therefore was called the old Samian And tarryed at Trogyllium Lib. 14. Strabo mentions Trogilios the Promontory of Mycale And the very Promontory Trogilios says he is indeed the foot of Mycale stretched forth But Mycale Lib. 1. Ch. 148. saith Herodotus is a Promontory of the Continent towards the West Wind belonging to Samos at which Promontory the Ionians gathering together out of all their Cities Solemnized their Feast which they called Panionia And the next Day That is the day after we loosed from Samos We came to Miletus A most Famous City in Caria of the Ionians the first of all Ionia in the Arts both of War and Peace the Metropolis of eighty and more Cities and deservedly renowned for the excellent disposition of its Citizens To this purpose Apuleius saith Floridirum Lib. 2. Samos is a small Island in the Icarian Sea situated just against Miletus upon the West side of it neither is it divided by much of the Sea from it Two days gentle sailing will bring one to either of the Ports Among the Illustrious Men who were born in this City Miletus the most Famous were that Cadmus Who as Pliny saith was the first that began to compose Speeches in Prose Thales the Son of Examius the most Famous of the seven Famous wise men of Greece Lib. 5. Nat. Hist Cap. 29. who was the first among the Greeks that discoursed about Nature He was the first who searched into the Secrets of Astrology The first as Laertius reports in his Life who said that the Souls of mortal Men were
the Oracle L. 1. C. 15. witness Mela. Hence possibly the Spaniards call Fictions Pataratas for the Oracles of the Greeks were meer delusions 2. And finding a Ship sailing over That is Having got the opportunity of a Ship that was about to cross Vnto Phoenice Or Phoenicia a most noted Country of Asia not far distant from Rhodes by the Ethnick Historians comprehended under Syria but by the Writers of the New-Testament under the Land of Canaan Hence Stephen affirmeth that it was anciently called Chna which is nothing else but the word Canaan cut short This is also confirmed by St. Augustine in his exposition of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans Whence our Countrymen being ask't what Countrymen they are while they answer in the Carthaginian Tongue Canani with the Corruption only of one letter which in such cases usually happens what else do they say but Chanannites The Learned are also agreed that the Poeni that is the Africans or Carthaginians were at first Inhabitants of Phoenicia though they differ much in their Etymology Lib. de Mirabil Aristotle deriveth it from Phoenixai which in the Lingua of the Perrhaebi signifies to kill because that when they first crost the Seas at whatsoever place they arrived they put all to the Sword But I saith the most Learned Thomas de Pinedo cannot assent to it tho the Opinion of so great a Man while reason so loudly speaks against it For if they were desirous of Commerce after they had spread their Colonies it is not likely they would kill the Inhabitants of the Countreys they came to And although for some time they were Pirats as Thucyd. affirms Lib. 1. yet it is not probable that they had that name from the Perrhaebi Others among whom Callisthenes whose Opinion I willingly embrace deduce it from Phoenix which signifies a Palm-Tree which Aristotle opposes tho against reason in which particular Fuller and Scaliger tho otherwise very learned Men shew themselves very ridiculous while he derives that name of Phoenicia from Phinesias and the other from Pinnek Stephanus deduces it from Phoenix the Son of Agenor or Neptune by Libye Dionys Periegeta asserts that the Phoenicians owe their Original to a People that dwelt by the Red Sea that they first invented the Arts of Navigation and Astronomy and did Traffique says he in that never to be enough praised Treatise of his intituled Periegesis In steering their course they observed Cynosura that is the lesser Bear whereas the Grecians took their directions from Helice that is the greater Bear as Ovid has accurately expressed both of them Fast l. 3. v. 107. The Phoenicians were the first Inveners of Letters For Cadmus is reported to have been the first that transported them from Phoenicia into Greece witness Diodor. Sicul. Of our Writers Pliny speaketh thus of Phoenicia and the Inventions of the Phoenicians Those who divide critically will have Phoenicia to be incompassed by Syria that it is the Maritim border of Syria a part of which is Idumea and Judea then Phoenicia finally Syria All the Sea that lies before it has the Name of the Phoenician Sea The people of Phoenicia were of great account of old for that they invented Letters knowledge of the Stars Lib. 3. and Naval and Military Arts. Hence Lucan Phoenicians first adventured if we may credit Fame To eternize the Voice to grav't on an unpolish't Frame I am fully perswaded that those Phoenician Letters were the same which of old the Canaanites and ancient Hebrews and the Samaritans at this day use whatever the Followers of the Jews Rabbies say to the contrary Thus far Thomas de Pinedo See what we have said above C. 11. V. 19. We went aboard and set forth That is Having got aboard that Ship we were carried forth 3. Now when we had discovered Cyprus That is to say When the Island Cyprus appeared to us or was within the reach of our sight Of this Island which was inferiour to none in fertility of Wine and Oyl and affluence of all necessaries see above Having left it on the left hand C. 4. V. 36. That is Having left this Famous Island of Cyprus on our left hand We sailed into Syria Which the Ancients divided into Phoenicia Palestina and Caele as a certain Anonymus Author published by Gothofred affirms Chap. 17. And landed at Tyre The Metropolis of Phoenicia See what we have said of Tyre and Sidon For there the Ship was to unlade her burden Mat. 11. v. 20. That is the Ship was to be emptied of her Goods wherewith it was laden that they might be exposed to sale in this flourishing Merchant Town 4. And finding Disciples That is some Christians that dwelt at Tyre see above Beza conjectures that the word Disciples C. 11. v. 19. 26. denoted those that followed Christ when they were dispersed and had not yet Churches appointed But that the word Brethren signified those that had setled Churches But that this distinction is without any solid foundation is apparent from Chap. 9. v. 26. and Chap. 11. v. 29. of the Christians of Jerusalem of those of Antioch C. 14. v. 28. c. 15. v. 1-10-36 Of those of Philippi C. 16. v. 40. We tarried there seven days Being not a little solaced with that intimate fellowship we had with the Christians at Tyre Who said to Paul through the Spirit As if he had said When by the Revelation of the Holy Spirit they were informed what great hazards Paul would undergo if he went up to Jerusalem being at the same time ignorant that Paul was constrained thereto by an impulse of the same Spirit they disswaded him from going thither not by the Indictment of the Holy Spirit but only from a Principle of Love to Paul And when he had accomplished those days The seven above mentioned at Tyre We departed From Tyre And went our way That is to say Proceeded on our Journey to Jerusalem And they all brought us on our way The Christians at Tyre who had an entire affection to Paul And we kneeled down Seeing this done within that interval of time which is betwixt Easter and Whitsuntide it plainly appears that it was after the times of the Apostles that the Primitive Church did introduce the custom of not worshipping on their knees as Tertullian and Hierom express it all Quinquagesima over or the fifty days which interveen betwixt the Paschal Feast and Pentecost as the most Learned Christoph Justellus Father to the very Learned Henry Ad Can. 20. Concil Nicaen hath observed And prayed on the shore On the Sea sand in a solitary place apart from the City Occasioned indeed by reason of Paul's Journey but also agreeable to the custom of the Jews who were wont on their Fasts to pray on the Shore De Jejun l. 1. adv Nation as may be seen in Tertullian 6. And when we had taken our leave one of another Embracing one
it is the Gr. Text above c. 22. v. 6. In the way To wit When I was not far from Damascus See above c. 9. v. 3. 22.6 I saw c. See above c. 9. v. 3. 22. v. 6. 14. I heard c. See above c. 9. v. 4. 22. v. 7. 15. I c. See above c. 9. v. 5. 22. v. 8. 16. But rise and stand upon thy Feet Because both he and all those who were present with him Companions in his Journey being dazled with the Brightness of the Light which exceeded that of the Sun were fallen down upon the Earth See above v. 14. For I have appeared unto thee for this Purpose That is For this end have I who am taken up into Heaven and there sit at the Right-hand of God whom the Heavens must contain until the times of the Restitution of all things and who must at the last day come down from Heaven I I say Jesus of Nazareth whose Countenance while I was on Earth shone as the Sun Mat. 17. v. 2. now reigning in Heaven have shewn my self to thee in the brightness of Light more resplendent than that of the Sun To make thee Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that I may take thee in my hands See what we have noted on this Greek word above c. 22.14 A Minister and a Witness c. As if he had said As him whom I will employ for a Preacher and Witness both of those things which thou hast now seen and also of those things which shall afterwards be shewed thee by me Paul 's many Visions saith Grotius are had respect unto above c. 18.9.23.11 2 Cor. 2.2 See what we said above c. 22.15 17. Delivering thee from the People and the Gentiles That is Promising my Protection whereby thou shalt be delivered from those Dangers which shall attend thee from the Jewish People and strange Nations for the discharge of that Ministry Vnto whom now I send thee First indeed to the Jewish Nation but especially afterwards to the Gentiles of which I peculiarly make thee an Apostle See above c. 22.21 18. To open That is That by the Preaching of the Gospel thou mayest open Their Eyes Not of the Body but of the Mind a Metaphor taken from the Body as Isa 42.7 Eph. 1.18 To turn them from darkness To wit Of Ignorance and Wickedness See Col. 1.13 To light That is To the perfect Knowledg of Gospel Truth and Godliness flowing thence In the Gr. in is again put for ad as in the Verse immediately preceding And from the Power of Satan Which wicked and envious Spirit while he maliciously fights against God and Men by his Errors that he sows and Vices that result from them he keeps Men that are ignorant of the Truth Revealed by God in his own Power and Dominion as under Tyranny in miserable Slavery drawing them into utter Destruction To God That is To the true and sound way of worshipping God That they may receive c. As if he had said That Believing in me they may receive a free Pardon of their Sins and be Partakers of the everlasting Inheritance which God hath appointed to those who are separated from the Multitude of the Profane Lot That is As it is in the English Inheritance because Inheritances used to be distributed by Lot By that Lot or Inheritance is understood everlasting Communion in that Heavenly Beatitude which God himself enjoys Among the Holy Gr. In the Sanctified That is as it is in the English Among them that are Sanctified or among them who by the Efficacy of the Holy Spirit are separated to God from the Ungodliness and Ignorance of worldly Men. By Faith Excellently saith Calvin Some read wrong in one Context Among those that are Sanctified by Faith because this Particle is extended to the whole Complex therefore the meaning is That by Faith we come to the Possession of all the good things that are offered in the Gospel That is in me Faith in Jesus Christ or Confidence reposed in him as a Saviour and in his Promises and that lively and working by Charity and Obedience to his Commands joyned with a sincere Repentance of their by-past Life of which below v. 20. and above c. 20. v. 21. This Faith I say is the Means by which through the Grace of God are obtained those excellent Benefits above mentioned viz. Remission of Sins deliverance from the Punishments deserved by them especially from the second or everlasting Death the Gift of the Heavenly Inheritance and everlasting Life See Gal. 5.6 Jam. 2.17 22 26. Joh. 3.23 But that Faith in Christ and Hope joyned therewith through Christ goeth to the same God whom the Jews profess themselves to be Worshippers of See Joh. 12.44 1 Pet. 1.21 19. Whereupon That is Wherefore as Heb. 3.1.7.25 Incredulous In the Greek as also the English it is Disobedient to wit By Stubbornness and Inflexible Obstinacy As powerful as that Call was says Grotius yet it did not take away the Power of Resisting God will have voluntary Obedience not forced See Isa 50.5 Psal 95.7 Heb. 3.7 8 15. 4.7 Vnto the Heavenly Vision That is The divine Will which I learned from Christ shewing himself to me above v. 16. 20. But. Obedient to the Heavenly Revelation in all things First unto them of Damascus See above c. 9.19 20 22. And at Jerusalem Ibid. v. 28. And throughout all the Country of Judea That is Through other Cities of Judea besides the Metropolis yea also without Judea among the Jews that inhabited other Countries See above c. 13.5 14 16.14.1.17 2 10.18.4 19.19.8 And the Gentiles Strangers to the Jewish People See above c. 13.42 48.14.1 15 21 25 26.15.35.16.13 32.17.17 c. 18.4.19.10 Declared The Evangelical Doctrine of Christ That they should Repent That is That they might be sorry that they have offended God And be turned To wit From the Wickedness of their Ways To God To wit The true God who is to be worshipped devoutly and piously Works meet for Repentance That is Works agreeable to Virtue and becoming a Person who repents sincerely of a Vicious and Flagitious Life See what I have said on Mat. 3.2 8. 21. For this cause That is Because I Preached these things among the Jews and other Nations The Jews caught me while I was in the Temple See above c. 21. v. 27 30. Went about to kill me Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they attempted to kill me with their hands That is by Force and violence to kill me uncondemned 22. But having obtained help Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore as also the English instead of the adversative Particle but as Mat. 12.12 Of God Who verily according to Christs promise above v. 17. having a design to deliver me from the snares that were laid for me out of his Mercy provided those means for me to escape out of the hands of my Enemies of which see above c. 21. v. 31 32 33.22 23
now Phrygia the greater was conterminous to Aeolis which in ancient times was also called Mysia Adramyttium was a very noted City a Colony of the Athenians it had a Harbour and Road for Ships as Strabo has committed to Memory l. 13. where he says the Famous Orator Xenocles had his Birth Meaning to Sail by the Coasts of Asia As if he had said Which Ship was bound for the Maritim Towns of Asia the lesser of which Mysia is a part The Gr. Vulgar Codex's have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beginning to Sail or as Beza renders it about to Sail. We lanched Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we were carried away as above c. 16.11.18.21.20.3 13. and below v. 4. One Aristarchus being with us This Man had accompanied Paul from Macedonia even to Judaea above c. 19.29 c. 20.4 The same Man would freely accompany Paul now in Custody out of love to him and to the Truth he Preached and was the first that assisted him at Rome Philem. 24. and became his fellow Prisoner Col. 4.10 3. And the next day we touched Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we were carried Sidon That Famous City of Phoenicia of whose largeness and Antiquity the sacred Scriptures will have us in nowise doubt for Jos 19.18 it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sidon the large See what we have said of Sidon and Tyre in our Literal Explanation on Joel 3. v. 4. and Mat. 11.21 Gave him Liberty c. At Paul's entreaty he gave him liberty to go to visit his Christian Friends in that part of Phoenicia at his pleasure that they might take care and provide what was necessary for him 4. And when we had lanched thence That is Parted from Sidon We Sailed unto Cyprus If the Wind had favoured they would have steered their Course straight from Sidon to Myra above the Island Cyprus leaving it on the Right Hand But now they must fetch a compass and turn under the Island leaving it on the left hand and so in a manner compass the Island Hence the Syriack and Arabick render it we compassed near Cyprus Which the Syriack renders more plainly below v. 7. where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Syriack has and because the Wind suffered us not to go the nearest way we tacked about near Crete That is when we could not by reason of the Wind go a straight course from the Island Cnidus into the Adriatick Sea above Crete and leaving it on the left hand we turned below it and so having it on the right hand we encompassed it These Phrases saith Lewis de Dieu are still in use with Mariners that as they Sail by any place that is in their view they are said to Sail above it when they are carried a straight course under it when they are forced to decline and tackle The former is signified in Gr. by the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the other by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore we applaud the most renowned Beza who below v. 16. renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and carried under a certain little Island See what we have said above of the Island of Cyprus c. 4. v. 36. Because the Winds were contrary That is Because we could not keep a streight course by the Island of Cyprus for the Wind. The Sea of Cilicia and Pamphilia Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and having Sailed over the Sea that is by Cilicia and Pamphylia See what we had said of Cilicia above c. 6. v. 9. and of Pamphylia c. 2. v. 10. We came to Lystra which is of Lycia Lystra is not a City of Lycia but of Lycaonia situate in the continent far from the Sea and therefore the Vulgar Latin Edition should be amended and should be read we came to Lymira or Limyra or Lamira or Myra Pomponius Mela maketh mention of a River called Lymira L. 1. c. 15. and a Town of the same name in Lycia near the Sea and Pliny 5 Nat. Hist 27. Lymira a City of Lycia having its name from the River Lymirus which it is siâ—uate by is mentioned by Strabo l. 14. by Ptolemy l. 5. c. 1. by Scylax in Lycia and by Stephanus Byzantius who also writeth of Lamyra a City of Lycia in its own place but seeing this Author uses of one and the same City to make several I easily believe that it is the same Town Finally the Metropolitan City of Lycia situate near the River Lymira and a Town of the same name on a Hillock distant twenty Miles from the Sea-Shore commonly called Strumita by Ptolemy l. 5. c. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Pliny and others 't is called Myra in the Neutr-Plural Myroi in the Rationary and by Stephanus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lycia was a part of the Asian Province First it was governed by the Emperors Lieutenants then under Justinian it was reckoned among the Consular Provinces being divided into the Inner and Outer or Maritim it had on the West Caria on the North a part of Lydia and of Pacatiana the Southerly on the East Pamphylia on the South the Rhodian Sea saith Frid. Spanhem in his Introduction to sacred Geography Besides Stepan Mela testifies that this Province had its name from King Lycus Son to Pandion L. 5. c. 15. The Monster Chimaera was feigned to be on Cragus the most famous Mountain of this Country which frequently casts up Fire as Aetna of Sicily does which the Father of Poets graphically describes Il. 6. v. 181. which description Lucrece has thus imitated lib. 8. A Lyons Head a Dragons Tail its middle the Chimaera it self Where Lucrece has imitated and rendred more to the Life Homer's description than Ovid Metam 6. On whose tops Chimera fed her parts who takes Middle of Buck upper from Lyon tail of Snakes That Mountain gave occasion to the Poets of feighning this Monster in whose top Lyons abode in its middle Goats at bottom of it Serpents whose Fable they applyed to Love which invadeth one as a Lyon nor doth it leave one till Lust be satisfied which the Goat being a libidinous Animal representeth but in the end it leaveth the bitter Sting of Remorse which is like to the biting of a Serpent They fable that this Monster was killed by Bellerophon whose Description see in Strabo l. 14. Ptolemy l. 5. c. 3. Stephanus makes mention of an other Lycia by Cilicia in which saith he Sarpedon Reigned But Strah l. 12. Where he mentions two sort of Lycians he placeth neither of them near Cilicia For he calls the one of them Troicks and the other Inhabitants of a Country near Caria Moreover the two sorts of People called by the Name of Lycians give grounds to suspect that the same Nation either of the Troicks or of those that dwelt upon the Borders of Caria sent Colonies into the other so called ad Per. v. 857. Eustathius declareth the same It is probable that Virgil speaks of Troick Lycia Aen. 4. v. 143. when he
City Atria as Pliny reports l. 3. c. 16 in these words The Tuscans began to make first out of Sagis all these Rivers and Ditches diverting the Impetus of the River into the Adrian Marshes which are called the seven Seas and made a famous Haven of Atria a Town of the Tuscans from whence that was before called the Atriatick which now is called the Adriatick Sea Pliny speaketh of the River Po which the Greeks call Eridanus which emptied twenty Rivers with it self into the Sea But whether Adria and Atria were the same City we leave to the Learned to judge Stephan Byzantius thinketh that they were different Cities for he mentions each of them in their peculiar place but it is usual with him to make two of one and the same City as Thomas de Pinedo hath observed But this is certain from Strabo Ovid Statius and Ptolemy that not only that Gulph which-lies betwixt Venice and Corcyra is called Adria or Adrian and most usually Adriatick but that that name is extended even to the Ionian Sea Therefore saith Grotius Procopius calls the Sea reaching from Methon to Sicily and elsewhere from Cephalenia to Calabria by the name of Adria and in another place he makes a part of it the Gulf of Adria and expresly in his first of the Vandals he placeth as well Gaulon as Melite in Adria That some Country appeared to them In the Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that some Country drew near them A kind of Speech peculiar to Mariners because to their sight when Sailing the Land seems to come near or depart from them when they in their Voyages draw near to Land or make from it Such is that of Virgil Aen. 3. v. 72. We lanch and fill the Strands And Sail from Cities and retreating Lands 28. Who also leting down their line Bolis is the Seamans Plumb-line or Lead fastened to the end of a Rope by throwing of it into the Sea which by reason of its weight moves quickly downward the Mariners search out the depth thereof and they besmear it with Fat when they have a mind to try whether the Ground is Rocky or Sandy Found it twenty Paces Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fathoms A Fathom is a measure very well known to Mariners when they search out the Shallows containing so much bounds as when both Arms are stretched out aside may be comprehended between the tip of one middle Finger to that of the other Hand This Interstice saith Beza consisting of five Roman Foot among the Greeks consisteth of six of their own Foot that is 6¼ Roman Passus Paces therefore used twice in this Verse for the Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for the interval of the Arms when stretched out but not for the interval of the Feet when stretched out in walking 29. Should have fallen on Rocks Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we should have fallen off or they should That is lest the Ship should dash upon rugged or Rocky places Out of the Stern That is The hinder part of the Ship Casting four Anchors To wit that the Ship being kept stedfast at the four Corners by the four Anchors might not be driven by the Waves They wished for the Day The Light is most desirable to any that are afflicted with any evil Suetonius saith Caligula sometimes sitting upon his Bed sometimes wandring through very long Galleries he used frequently to Invocate and desirously wait for the Light Curt. l. 5. The much desired Day diminished the frightfulness of all things which the Night rendred more Terrible But the Words of Germanicus in Arataeus are very pertinent to this Purpose And when black Night the Seaman's Fears encreast He in vain beheld the much desired East 30. And as the Mariners were about to flee out of the Ship That they might escape the impending Danger of Shipwrack Cic. l. 2. de Invent. Afterwards also the Storm began to toss them more vehemently so that the Master of the Ship who was also the Director of its Course fled into the Ship-Boat When they let down the Boat into the Sea Which they had taken up out of the Sea into the Ship above v. 16. 17. Vnder Colour c. As if he had said They pretended that they had let down the Boat that they might go into it and cast Anchors also out of the Fore-castle or Forepart of the Ship for they had need of many Anchors when the Sea was Boysterous 31. Paul said Being sensible of the rash Resolution of the Seamen and the Promise of God made to him Conditionally above v. 22. To the Centurion Julius of whom above v. 1. And to the Souldiers Who knew no more of the intended Flight of the Mariners than the Centurion did Except these Men abide in the Ship That is Unless ye prevent the Flight of the Mariners out of the Ship Ye cannot be saved Paul indeed and those who were in the Ship with him were not saved by the Mariners Industry which could not preserve them from Shipwrack yet it was not without its own Advantage because they brought the Ship so far that it was very near Land so that after the hipwrack they might all get safe to it Which could not have been had the Mariners fled in the Boat when they designed it and were yet a great way from Land Hence it appears that altho we must not lay too much stress on second â—auses nor give our selves over to Desperation it by the Providence of God we are deprived of them yet that they ought not be neglected for our Preservation when they may be had 32. Then To wit When the Centurion and Souldiers understood by Paul's Words how disadvantageous the Flight of the Mariners might prove to them The Souldiers cut off the Ropes of the Boat By which it was as yet made fast to the Ship that they might go out into it And let her fall off That is Drive far into the Sea lest the Mariners should make that bad Use of it as to get away 33. And while the Day was coming That is In the Morning Twilight To take Meat To recover the Strength of their Bodies This is the fourteenth Day that ye have tarried and continued Fasting That is This is the fourteenth Day since you tossed with the Storm have continued without taking that Sustenance that is requisite for upholding your Bodies Having taken nothing To wit That was sufficient for repairing your Strength This is a Hyperbolick Speech for without the use of all Food in a Body otherwise Sound a Man cannot according to the ordinary course of Nature protract his Life above seven Days By the like Hyperbole John who abstained from ordinary Meat and Drink is said Matt. 11.18 Neither Eating nor Drinking See what we have said in our literal Explication on that place 34. Wherefore c. Here Paul's Exhortation is expressed from whence we may again observe that his Judgment was that Means were
of the Particle Yet rendring yet not that and he hath taken notice of the like Ellipsis of the same Particle Mat. 2.6 20. For this cause therefore As if he had said Lest ye should think I am disaffected towards my own Nation Have I entreated to see you and speak with you That is I have humbly prayed that ye would visit me that I might have occasion to discourse with you For the hope of Israel That is For the Messiah who is hoped for and desired by the Israelites As if he had said Because I teach and bear Witness that he who is hoped for by the People of Israel hath been already exhibited when Jesus of Nazareth was exhibited whom with all asseveration I affirm to be that Messiah who is promised in the Law and the Prophets and who is desirously looked for by the Israelites I am bound and fastened with this Chain which ye see as if I had been a Wicked and flagitious Fellow Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 1.1 is called our Hope because we hope through his Merits to obtain the free gift of Eternal Life See also Col. 1.27 See above c. 26. v. 6 7. Paul saith Wolzogenius taught and confirmed that this Hope or thing hoped for is now compleated after so many Ages while the Messiah is really exhibited who is that Jesus of Nazareth By this hope may also be understood the Resurrection of the Dead which Paul confessed above with the Pharisees against the Sadduces See above c. 23. v 6. c. 24. v. 15 21. But this was also to be accomplished by the Messiah That the former of them is chiefly here hinted at seems to appear both from that place c. 26. now cited and by the Words of the Jews below v. 22. With this Chain Wherewith I am tyed to this Soldier See above v. 16. I am bound As if I were guilty of some notorious Crime 21. But they To wit The Jews at Rome Said to him To wit to Paul the Prisoner We c. As if they had said There is nothing written against thee to us by those Jews who dwell at Jerusalem nor hath any of them who are come hither to Rome accused thee to us 22. But we desire Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we vouchsafe That is We do not refuse when we shall have leasure To hear of thee what thou thinkest That is What thou canst bring in defence of thy Opinion about Jesus of Nazareth For as concerning this Sect. To wit That professeth that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised in the Law and the Prophets We know that every where it is spoken against To wit Because of the Crimes that are laid to the charge of the same Heresie or Sect of the Nazarens as they call it by Letters sent from the Sanhedrin to the Synagogues of the Jews that are dispersed through the several Countries of the World a little after Christs departure from Earth The Jews say saith Grotius that a Copy of those Letters is kept in an ancient Synagogue at Barbetomagum of the Vangiones or as it is called at this day Wormes Justin against Trypho reporteth that there were Messengers sent from the Jews of Palestine to the Synagogues after the Death of Christ publishing that a certain Wicked Sect and contradicting the Law was raised up by a certain Impostor Jesus of Galilee Thus the event has fully proved the veracity of Simeon's Prophesy of Jesus Christ That he should be for a sign that should be spoken against Luke 2.34 23. And when they had appointed him a day Whereon they should come to him and hear his discourse There came to him On the day appointed Into his lodging That is The House where he tarried Very many Besides those who had seen him before To whom he expounded and testified That is He declared with great Asseveration as a certain Evidence See above c. 18. v. 5. and Luke 16.28 The Kingdom of God That is That the Kingdom that was to be erected to God by the Messiah did not consist in ease delight or abundance of other transitory goods as most of the Jews dreamed but in the chief Beatitude whose beginning is holiness or newness of Life upon Earth and its consummation blessed Immortality in Heaven See Luke 17.20 Perswading them That is And proved it to them by perswasive Arguments Concerning â—esus both out of the Law and Prophets That is All things that were foretold or praefigured in the Law or the Prophets of the Messiah the Saviour and Deliverer of the World are fulfilled and accomplished in Jesus See above c. 3. v. 18 24. c. 13. v. 27. c. 15. v. 15. c. 16.22 and Luke 24.27 From Morning till Evening That is For a whole day without intermission 24. And some As if he had said But as it usually falls out some of those Jews who then heard Paul Preaching Christ were perswaded with Paul's invincible Arguments that Jesus of Nazareth was the same Messiah that was foretold and prefigured in the Law and the Prophets but others rejected these Arguments of Paul's with an obstinate and bitter Spirit In like manner the different effects of the Preaching of the same Paul are mentioned above c. 14. v. 4. c. 17. v. 4 5 v. 32 34. of the same Chap. c. 19. v 9. So the same seed of the Word of God when it is sown in different Minds or falls on different parts of the Earth to some it is the favour of Death unto Death to others the savour of Life unto Life as the same Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 2.16 See also Luke 7.11 c. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves That is The Believing and Unbelieving Jews disagreed and discorded among themselves Excellently saith Calvin The Malice and Wickedness of Unbelievers is the cause that Christ who is our Peace and the only Bond of Holy Unity becomes the occasion of dissension and setteth them by the ears who before kept up a mutual Friendship For loe when the Jews came together to hear Paul they were all of one mind and one Mouth they all profest that they embrace the Law of Moses But when they had heard the Doctrine of Reconciliation a dissension arises among them so that they are divided into several parties Yet we must not think that that Dissension arises from the Preaching of the Gospel but that private Enmity which before lay hid in wicked hearts then began to discover it self as the brightness of the Son does not create new Colours but shew the difference which in the darkness was none at all Therefore the Gospel which enjoyns the most perfect Love amongst all Men does turn the hearts of Believers to Peace and Concord but the Incredulity of them who follow the dictates of the Flesh and have no relish of true Godliness and of the Vertues which the Gospel requireth rebelleth against God and is the Mother of Dissension See our Literal Explanation on Mat. 10.35 They departed G. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
given to the Procurators of lesser Provinces tho their proper Office was to receive and lay out the Emperors Money as Dio expresseth it Such Procurators are said to supply the place and discharge the Office of a Governour Greeting In the Greek chairein Rejoyce C. 15. v. 23. See what we have said above Horace saluteth Celsus Albinovanus in this form of salutation that was usual with the Greeks L. 1. Epist 8. 27. This Man To wit Paul whom I send to thee Taken of the Jews Tumultuosly And like to have been killed by them That is Designed by them to a present Death Having understood that he was a Roman But he did not therefore deliver Paul from the Jews that were attempting his Death seeing he did not know that he was a Roman Citizen till after that he had commanded him to be bound and racked as you may see above C. 22. v. 25 27. The Chief Captain therefore conceals that for which he might deservedly have been reprehended and turning aside from the Truth he seeketh his own praise Except saith Beza after him joyning a point to it you read But having known that he was a Roman desirous to be informed c. But continues Beza I neither dare nor would I make any alteration by a meer conjecture 28. The cause wherefore they accused him That is C. 22. v. 30. The crime wherewith they charged him See above 29. Whom c. As if he had said And so I found no such crime charged on Paul by his Adversaries as deserved to be chastised by Bonds or punished by Death but only a false Interpretation of the Jewish Law in points controverted and debate full among the Jews themselves 30. When it was told me how the Jews laid wait for him That is had designed against Paul For their Conspiracy was discovered to the Chief Captain when it was only agreed upon being not yet brought to pass for it was not to have been accomplished till the day after I sent him to thee In the Greek is added from that same to wit hour that is immediately without delay I commanded Paul to be carried from Jerusalem to Caesarea to thee who dischargest the Office of Governour Giving also commandment to his accusers To wit Paul's To say To wit What they have against him Before thee A Higher Judge than a Chief Captain is Farewel The Chief Captain wisheth Felix the Governour Health and Happiness in that accustomed conclusion of Letters C. 15. v. 29. See above 31. Brought him by Night To wit the same Night in the which they who were to carry Paul to Felix the Procurator or Vice-Governour of Judea Samaria and Galilee set on their Journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea at the third Hour To Antipatris The Apostle was ordered to be carried to Caesarea by the Command of the Chief Captain as above v. 23. But because that Caesarea which is situate by the Sea and is commonly called Caesarea of Palestina and lies within the Limits of the half Tribe of Manasseh is distant from Jerusalem 30 Leagues which could not be travelled over in one Night they rested first at Antipatris 13. Ant. 23. which was anciently called Capharsaba as Josephus testifieth 1 Mac. 7.31 Jos 12. Ant. 17. and as some will have it it is the same City with that called Capharsalama The same Josephus telleth us that the distance betwixt Joppa and Antipatris 13. Ant. 23. is 150 Furlongs 16. Ant. 9. that is 17 Miles He also saith that this beautiful and pleasant City was built by Herod the great in a large Field called Capharsaba in a watry ground and excellent Soil encompassed with Trees and a River and called Antipatris after the name of his Father And Book 1. Chap. 16. of the Wars of the Jews speaking of the Cities and Edifices repaired and built by Herod the great he saith as Ruffinus Aquileiensis interprets him He built a City in the best Field of the Kingdom in Memory of his Father very rich in Rivers and Trees and called it Antipatris Antipatris which lyes West from the River Jordan is mentioned by Ptolemy the Geographer Lib. 5. c. 16. among the Cities of Judea I cannot therefore conceive on what ground and by what Authority they commonly ascribe it to the half Tribe of Manasseh which is on this side of Jordan and will have it situate almost in the middle of Samaria 32. On the Morrow To wit Of that Night in the which Paul defended with a Guard of Soldiers was brought to Antipatris when now they were got a great way from Jerusalem where they were who had entred into a Conspiracy to kill Paul They left the Horsemen to go with him To Caesarea A Guard of Horse was sufficient to defend him from the ordinary hazards that were incident in Journeys And they returned The 200 Footmen that were heavily armed and the same Number of Spear-men To the Castle That is To the Tower which was at first built by the Maccabees in the North-West Corner contiguous to Mount Moria or the Mount whereon the Temple of Jerusalem was built it was called Antonia by Herod the great in Honour of Marcus Antonius the Triumvir whereas at first it was called Baris See Josephus 15. Ant. 14. 33. Who. To wit the Horsemen that were left to carry Paul to Caesarea When they came to Caesarea That Maritim City in which Felix resided as Vice-Governour And delivered the Epistle Written by Claudius Lysias To the Governour That is to Felix discharging the Office of Governour Presented Paul also before him That is to say They also brought Paul before Felix who was delivered from the Conspiracy of the Factious Jews by benefit of the Publick Protection The Fathers in the African Council c. 83. Against whose fury we may obtain defence which is neither unusual nor repugnant to the Holy Scriptures even as the Apostle Paul as it is to be known in the Faithful Acts of the Apostles avoided the Conspiracy of his Factious Enemies even by Military Succour 34. And when he had read Felix had read the Epistle directed to him from Lysias the Chief Captain And asked of what Province he was To wit Paul And when he understood that he was of Cilicia That is And when he was informed that Paul was of Cilicia Ch. 6. v. 9. of which we have spoke above 35. I will hear thee said he when thine Accusers are also come That having attentively heard both the Accusation and Defence I may give Judgment In Herods Judgment Hall That is Which Herod the Great who repaired Caesarea caused to be built The Latin word Praetorium saith the Learned Grotius has its name from the Roman Praetor that is Emperour but as it usually happens the use of this Word was extended more largely to signifie all the Houses of Famous Men. Praetorium is by Quimilian otherwise called Augustale With the Writers of Husbandry it is that part of the Farme where
the Lord uses to reside when he is in the Country Him to be kept To wit by some Soldiers or other Keepers that he might not make his escape Paul as it seems was kept at Caesarea in an honourable place not in a Prison CHAP. XXIV 1. ND after five Days Accomplished viz. From the time that Paul was brought into Caesarea Descended From Jerusalem to Caesarea Ananias the High Priest C. 23. v. 2. Of whom see above With some of the Elders That is with the Elders of the Great Sanhedrin And Tertullus a certain Orator That is A most excellent Pleader of Causes Who informed the Governour against Paul That is to say they signified to Felix that they would prove Paul Guilty 2. And when Paul was called To Judgment by a Herauld or Apparitor Tertullus began to accuse him That is to say Tertullus accused Paul most grievously In Holy Writ often he is said to begin to do a thing who already does it 3. Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness As if he had said With a full acknowledgement of thy worthy deeds to us-ward at every time and in every place we profess that by your unparallel'd Vigilance and Wisdom the Robberies that used to be committed in Judea are quelled the Murders are repressed in many places and Peace is setled through all the Province which you are set over Felix indeed did overthrow Eleazar that Famous Robber and that Aegyptian Impostor mentioned above C. 21. v. 8. together with their Forces to the unspeakable advantage of the Jews as Josephus declares But otherwise he Governed Judaea with Covetousness and Cruelty he caused the High Priest Jonathan Son to Annas to be Murdered by Assassines because he used frankly to reprove him when he did amiss he also suffered them to commit several Insolencies upon the Jews without punishment as the same Josephus testifies in the place but now cited And so the Mercenary Tertullus seeks to get the favour of Felix by an intolerable Flattering Many things are amended In the Greek is added as also in the English Translation unto this Nation As if he had said The Outragious Wickednsses and Corruptions which had crept into this Nation are by thee amended and rectified with great vigour and happiness We accept That is We acknowledge Most excellent Felix He flattereth Felix with that Title that was usually given to Magistrates and those that were placed in Dignity Hence they are also called Optimates 4. Notwithstanding that I be not farther tedious unto thee As if he had said That I may not hinder thee more than is needful with far-fetcht Speeches That I detain thee not with troublesome discourse nor Circumlocutions and tedious Exordiums Lest I should trespass against the publick good if I should take up thy time with a prolix Harangue I Pray Thee encumbred with Multitude of businesses Briefly That is to say We being resolved to dispatch the heads of our Accusation laid against Paul in a few Words That thou wouldest hear us With a favourable Ear. The First thing requested by an Orator is that he may have audience in a bad cause saith Donatus on Terence Of thy Clemency That is With thy wonted Courtesie and Humanity Readiness to hear does exceedingly commend a Judge Cicero to Q. his Brother Proconsul of Bithynia saith Ye must moreover conjoyn readiness to hear with lenity in passing Judgment 5. We have found And deprehended This Man a pestilent Fellow Orators frequently call that Man a Pest who acts perniciously to the Common-Wealth But this foul-mouthed slanderer was not ashamed to asperse Paul with this Odious name when notwithstanding he exhorted all to forsake wicked Courses and embrace earnestly the Vertues that lead to Salvation So at this day very many are called Plagues and Pestiferous who are falsely branded with the reproach of perverse Heresie because they reject the Doctrines and Commandments of Men in matters of Faith and Divine Worship that they may stand fast to that alone most wholesome Doctrine delivered in the Holy Scriptures And a mover of Sedition among all the Jews throughout the World They falsely accuse Paul of stirring up Sedition in all the Countries through which the Jews were dispersed But so it uses to be that Truth thwarting the received Opinions and Customs of Men when it is not received by Men who account nothing unlawful provided they can varnish it over with a counterfeit pretence of Zeal but is stifly opposed seems to stir up riotous Tumults and pernicious Seditions But those very Jews that falsely accused Paul before Felix did frequently stir up Seditions against Paul as you may see above Chap. 9. v. 23.13.50.14.5.17.5 13.18.12.21.30 31. Here we may appositely use that of Juvenal Sat. 20. v. 24. Who the Seditious Gracchi can sustain Of others for Sedition to complain And a Mover of Sedition That is a Leader and Standard-Bearer of the rest that profess the Religion of Jesus of Nazareth So St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage and a Champion for the name of Christ in the Africk Church in those days in the Proconsular Decree made against him is called the Author and Ringleader of that execrable Name Of the Sect of the Nazarens In the Greek Heresie of the Nazarens That is to say Those who follow the Sect of the Christians or embrace their Heresie Heresies are as Tertullian defines them the Doctrines of Men and Devils springing from itching Ears Heresie for the most part is said to be that Judgment and opinion which is chosen by any whether it be invented by us or received from another Yet use has prevailed now especially among Christians that this word that before was used either in a good or a bad sense is for the most part now used in a bad to wit for the choosing of a false and perverse opinion plainly and altogether repugnant to the Word of God See above c. 5. v. 17. Gal. 5. v. 20. and 2 Pet. 2. v. 10. The Jews therefore abhorred the Doctrine of the Christians tho it was agreeable to the Law and the Prophets as Heretical and perverse because it dissented from the common Faith of the Publick Church which at that time was accounted the Church of God So also at this very day they who follow the Appointments of Christ are called Hereticks if they vilifie and reject the errors of formal Christians that are crept into the Church by custom Moreover as the Learned Lud. de Dieu very pertinently observes That Christ was called Nazaraeos or Nazarenos and his followers Nazaraioi did not proceed from a mistake of the Common People as supposing him born at Nazareth nor from the mockery of the Wicked as accounting it a reproach to him but from God's own purpose and Will and the use of the Godly themselves The purpose of God is manifest Mat. 2.23 Where Joseph returning from Aegypt with the Child Jesus is commanded to fix the seat of his habitation at Nazareth that according to the