that_o his_o very_a bone_n may_v be_v tell_v and_o lot_n shall_v be_v cast_v for_o his_o garment_n be_v not_o this_o jesus_n who_o doctrine_n i_o preach_v unto_o you_o this_o be_v the_o master_n who_o david_n invite_v we_o to_o hear_v speak_v in_o the_o person_n of_o god_n to_o day_n if_o you_o hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n as_o your_o forefather_n have_v do_v in_o the_o desert_n where_o i_o be_v make_v angry_a against_o those_o who_o dare_v distrust_v my_o power_n and_o censure_v all_o my_o work_n for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o year_n their_o infidelity_n shall_v not_o go_v unpunished_a i_o will_v make_v they_o know_v that_o i_o can_v revenge_v myself_o &_o in_o my_o wrath_n i_o swear_v they_o shall_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o place_n of_o rest_n which_o i_o have_v prepare_v for_o they_o behold_v dreadful_a word_n and_o you_o will_v do_v well_o to_o be_v warn_v by_o their_o loss_n lest_o you_o be_v exclude_v also_o from_o that_o place_n of_o repose_n which_o 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he_o have_v always_o power_n to_o guide_v those_o to_o eternal_a salvation_n who_o believe_v in_o he_o he_o be_v always_o in_o the_o function_n of_o his_o priesthood_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o continual_a oblation_n of_o himself_o to_o god_n and_o in_o prayer_n without_o intermission_n for_o he_o that_o say_v eternal_a priest_n say_v also_o eternal_a oblation_n the_o levitical_a priest_n stand_v during_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o function_n jesus_n christ_n have_v once_o offer_v the_o host_n of_o his_o body_n be_v seat_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o psalmist_n the_o lord_n say_v to_o my_o lord_n take_v thy_o place_n till_o i_o have_v put_v thy_o enemy_n under_o my_o foot_n be_v not_o you_o of_o that_o number_n my_o dear_a brethren_n you_o that_o be_v descend_v from_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a you_o who_o ancestor_n have_v be_v so_o holy_a you_o to_o who_o those_o promise_n be_v make_v and_o for_o who_o jesus_n christ_n principal_o come_v do_v not_o permit_v stranger_n to_o carry_v away_o the_o benediction_n due_a to_o lawful_a child_n and_o have_v hitherto_o bear_v the_o heavy_a yoke_n of_o moses_n do_v not_o fear_v now_o to_o submit_v your_o selus_fw-la to_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v so_o light_a and_o please_a and_o in_o this_o you_o will_v even_o obey_v moses_n by_o who_o as_o you_o know_v god_n promise_v that_o after_o many_o age_n he_o will_v raise_v a_o prophet_n of_o your_o nation_n to_o who_o he_o will_v have_v you_o attend_v as_o to_o himself_o the_o apostle_n speak_v much_o after_o this_o manner_n &_o his_o discourse_n raise_v great_a dispute_n among_o his_o auditor_n some_o blame_v what_o other_o approve_v some_o believe_v other_o continue_v obstinate_a s._n paul_n find_v he_o can_v gain_v little_a upon_o they_o he_o tell_v they_o free_o i_o know_v well_o that_o you_o will_v fulfil_v the_o pprophecy_n of_o isaiah_n to_o who_o god_n speak_v in_o these_o term_n go_v to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o tell_v they_o you_o shall_v hear_v with_o your_o ear_n but_o shall_v not_o understand_v with_o your_o mind_n you_o shall_v see_v with_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o body_n but_o not_o with_o those_o of_o the_o soul_n for_o the_o heart_n of_o this_o people_n be_v suffocate_v with_o fat_a they_o have_v hear_v with_o their_o ear_n against_o their_o will_n be_v incense_v &_o have_v shut_v their_o eye_n for_o fear_v they_o shall_v see_v by_o their_o eye_n take_v in_o by_o their_o ear_n consent_n by_o their_o heart_n and_o will_n and_o so_o work_v their_o conversion_n and_o their_o cure_n the_o incredulous_a jew_n be_v extreme_o offend_v at_o these_o word_n and_o more_o which_o he_o add_v viz._n that_o the_o news_n of_o salvation_n shall_v be_v carry_v to_o the_o gentile_n who_o will_v embrace_v it_o this_o discourse_n give_v occasion_n of_o much_o dispute_n to_o the_o audience_n who_o not_o be_v able_a to_o come_v to_o a_o agreement_n every_o one_o return_v home_n possess_v with_o different_a thought_n and_o opinion_n hitherto_o we_o have_v proceed_v secure_o follow_v the_o step_n of_o saint_n luke_n who_o end_v here_o his_o story_n and_o leave_v the_o apostle_n in_o the_o confusion_n of_o rome_n where_o he_o say_v he_o remain_v two_o year_n and_o during_o that_o time_n preach_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n without_o any_o let_v receive_v with_o freedom_n all_o those_o who_o come_v to_o see_v he_o hence_o what_o concern_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o life_n we_o know_v little_a yet_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o ground_n what_o i_o shall_v add_v more_o of_o this_o subject_a either_o upon_o certain_a tradition_n or_o from_o his_o own_o epistle_n in_o the_o second_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o tymothy_n his_o dear_a
say_v that_o god_n have_v establish_v first_o the_o apostle_n second_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o three_o place_n the_o doctor_n and_o true_o before_o this_o time_n saint_n luke_n relate_v no_o other_o function_n of_o his_o then_o those_o of_o a_o doctor_n and_o preacher_n but_o to_o this_o may_v be_v object_v that_o s._n paul_n say_v clear_o he_o be_v no_o apostle_n of_o man_n nor_o by_o man_n but_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n &_o by_o jesus_n christ_n how_o then_o can_v his_o apostleship_n be_v immediate_o from_o our_o lord_n if_o the_o prophet_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n ordain_v he_o apostle_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o advantage_n over_o the_o other_o apostle_n by_o his_o vocation_n that_o it_o be_v much_o inferior_a to_o they_o they_o have_v be_v send_v immediate_o by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o have_v receive_v his_o mission_n it_o be_v true_a of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o by_o way_n of_o inspiration_n and_o by_o the_o ministry_n 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to_o man_n in_o this_o life_n i_o know_v interpreter_n agree_v not_o in_o this_o but_o since_o it_o be_v a_o difficulty_n only_o in_o chronology_n and_o not_o of_o much_o importance_n i_o embrace_v that_o opinion_n as_o most_o conformable_a to_o truth_n which_o correspond_v with_o the_o date_n assign_v by_o the_o apostle_n himself_o in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n where_o he_o say_v he_o know_v a_o man_n that_o be_v rapt_v into_o the_o three_o heaven_n fourteen_o year_n since_o beside_o i_o have_v author_n very_o famous_a and_o very_o considerable_a for_o my_o opinion_n and_o certain_o if_o in_o these_o question_n of_o fact_n reason_n may_v be_v admit_v this_o revelation_n can_v not_o be_v give_v to_o he_o in_o a_o more_o necessary_a time_n then_o that_o which_o we_o design_v for_o than_o he_o be_v to_o make_v war_n with_o all_o his_o force_n against_o idolatry_n it_o be_v then_o that_o jesus_n christ_n embark_v he_o upon_o that_o great_a sea_n of_o nation_n to_o blazon_v among_o they_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o work_v wonder_n by_o mean_n of_o his_o singular_a apostleship_n confer_v upon_o he_o now_o to_o announce_v those_o sublime_a verity_n it_o be_v necessary_a he_o shall_v first_o taste_v they_o at_o the_o springhead_n and_o be_v himself_o replenish_v ere_o he_o communicate_v they_o to_o other_o but_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o notable_a dispute_n betwixt_o both_o modern_a and_o ancient_a interpreter_n about_o this_o rapture_n and_o this_o vision_n some_o will_v have_v it_o that_o he_o see_v in_o this_o ecstasy_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n whereof_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n nor_o find_v we_o any_o other_o canonical_a writer_n to_o distinguish_v they_o as_o he_o have_v do_v other_o say_v that_o he_o do_v there_o know_v particular_o the_o profund_a mystery_n of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o the_o vocation_n of_o gentile_n to_o faith_n for_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o say_v that_o to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o least_o among_o the_o faithful_a charge_n be_v give_v to_o make_v know_v to_o the_o gentile_n the_o inestimable_a riches_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o illuminate_v all_o man_n teach_v they_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o mystery_n hide_v in_o god_n from_o all_o age_n to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o principality_n and_o celestial_a power_n shall_v learn_v of_o the_o church_n the_o different_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o effect_v the_o proper_a ministry_n of_o saint_n paul_n be_v this_o vocation_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o their_o incorporation_n with_o jesus_n christ_n that_o be_v his_o charge_n in_o this_o he_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n all_o his_o epistle_n ample_o treat_v of_o this_o vocation_n which_o surprise_v and_o offend_v the_o jew_n this_o make_v saint_n chrysostom_n say_v that_o the_o apostle_n illuminate_v the_o arch-angel_n the_o principality_n the_o power_n and_o the_o angel_n but_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o this_o sole_a mystery_n be_v the_o bound_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o saint_n paul_n unless_o it_o may_v be_v say_v it_o comprehend_v in_o it_o all_o the_o other_o mystery_n of_o christian_a religion_n some_o doctor_n among_o who_o st._n thomas_n have_v hold_v that_o he_o see_v the_o divine_a essence_n with_o a_o momentary_a glance_n and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o pass_v and_o do_v they_o think_v to_o evade_v that_o maxim_n of_o scripture_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v see_v god_n and_o live_v however_o i_o can_v be_v of_o that_o opinion_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o not_o to_o be_v maintain_v i_o will_v give_v place_n to_o none_o in_o my_o respect_n and_o affection_n towards_o he_o who_o life_n i_o write_v but_o yet_o i_o think_v respect_n and_o affection_n to_o saint_n ought_v to_o be_v square_v by_o the_o verity_n which_o be_v manifest_v to_o we_o and_o not_o by_o the_o subtlety_n of_o our_o conceit_n or_o by_o certain_a congruity_n more_o ingenious_a than_o solid_a the_o apostle_n will_v not_o unfold_v to_o we_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ecstasy_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o body_n or_o a_o suspension_n of_o the_o vital_a function_n of_o the_o soul_n within_o the_o body_n during_o which_o he_o see_v those_o divine_a verity_n whether_o this_o sight_n be_v imaginary_a or_o intellectual_a and_o how_o long_o it_o last_v it_o suffice_v he_o to_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o hear_v secret_a word_n which_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o man_n to_o repeat_v that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o see_v ineffable_a mystery_n which_o can_v be_v explicate_v by_o humane_a word_n nor_o be_v it_o to_o purpose_n to_o make_v they_o know_v since_o man_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o they_o beside_o it_o will_v not_o at_o all_o conduce_v to_o the_o salvation_n of_o those_o unto_o who_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v this_o reservedness_n of_o st._n paul_n show_v his_o humility_n and_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o his_o ecstasy_n unless_o in_o a_o manner_n compel_v which_o we_o shall_v explicate_v in_o another_o place_n of_o this_o history_n it_o may_v also_o repress_v the_o curiosity_n of_o reader_n and_o of_o those_o who_o bear_v most_o honour_n and_o affection_n to_o he_o and_o hinder_v they_o from_o penetrate_v into_o that_o abyss_n which_o his_o modesty_n will_v hide_v it_o be_v now_o time_n to_o return_v to_o the_o course_n of_o our_o narration_n paul_n and_o barnabas_n depart_v from_o antioch_n of_o syria_n immediate_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v that_o imposition_n of_o hand_n which_o have_v occasion_v this_o digression_n the_o first_o place_n they_o come_v unto_o be_v seleucia_n which_o be_v not_o above_o fourteen_o mile_n distant_a from_o thence_o they_o go_v into_o the_o isle_n of_o cyprus_n famous_a among_o the_o pagan_n for_o the_o birth_n of_o venus_n who_o be_v the_o goddess_n of_o pleasure_n and_o the_o
disciple_n he_o say_v that_o god_n will_v deliver_v he_o from_o the_o jaw_n of_o the_o lion_n by_o which_o probable_o he_o mean_v nero_n to_o who_o he_o be_v present_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o his_o appeal_n this_o prince_n begin_v then_o the_o three_o year_n of_o his_o empire_n and_o whether_o his_o wicked_a inclination_n be_v yet_o asleep_a or_o whether_o the_o continual_a exhortation_n of_o seneca_n his_o tutor_n withhold_v he_o or_o that_o he_o dissemble_v till_o his_o authority_n be_v better_o settle_v he_o give_v the_o people_n of_o rome_n some_o hope_n that_o under_o his_o reign_n they_o shall_v see_v a_o resemblance_n of_o their_o ancient_a liberty_n burrus_n captain_n of_o his_o guard_n present_v a_o sentence_n of_o death_n to_o be_v fign_v by_o he_o he_o cry_v out_o i_o wish_v it_o please_v the_o god_n i_o can_v not_o write_v this_o speech_n beget_v a_o belief_n in_o man_n that_o he_o be_v merciful_a but_o it_o be_v not_o long_o ere_o he_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o that_o opinion_n the_o jew_n to_o embitter_v his_o spirit_n against_o saint_n paul_n and_o to_o make_v the_o worst_a impression_n they_o can_v in_o order_n to_o his_o ruin_n under_o colour_n of_o justice_n and_o piety_n make_v use_v of_o one_o alliturus_fw-la of_o their_o nation_n who_o have_v gain_v great_a credit_n with_o the_o emperor_n by_o his_o comedian_n art_n but_o the_o divine_a providence_n frustrate_v their_o wicked_a design_n and_o make_v the_o apostle_n obtain_v there_o a_o glorious_a pardon_n where_o in_o humane_a probability_n he_o may_v have_v expect_v his_o condemnation_n to_o a_o opprobrious_a death_n the_o fear_n of_o this_o his_o danger_n be_v so_o great_a as_o most_o of_o those_o who_o before_o be_v his_o follower_n especial_o those_o of_o asia_n abandon_v he_o among_o these_o cowardly_a and_o traitorous_a disciple_n he_o name_v particular_o phigellus_n and_o hermogenes_n the_o last_o of_o these_o tertullian_n reckon_v among_o the_o jewish_a heretic_n who_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n god_n send_v he_o onosiphorus_n a_o ephesian_a who_o assist_v he_o with_o so_o much_o charity_n as_o he_o leave_v the_o memory_n of_o it_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o his_o forementioned_a epistle_n the_o greek_a menologue_n say_v he_o be_v bishop_n of_o colophones_n and_o the_o roman_n celebrate_v the_o memory_n of_o he_o on_o the_o six_o day_n of_o september_n beside_o this_o faithful_a companion_n he_o have_v also_o titus_n and_o tichius_n but_o those_o he_o speedy_o dispatch_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o divers_a place_n so_o that_o his_o care_n as_o well_o as_o authority_n be_v extend_v to_o all_o the_o province_n of_o the_o world_n he_o prefer_v the_o interest_n of_o soul_n before_o the_o comfort_n which_o he_o may_v receive_v by_o the_o company_n of_o his_o disciple_n nor_o do_v jesus_n christ_n leave_v this_o uninteress_v zeal_n without_o recompense_n for_o at_o that_o same_o time_n when_o every_o one_o have_v abandon_v he_o he_o dain_v to_o appear_v unto_o he_o that_o he_o may_v fortify_v his_o courage_n and_o resolution_n he_o acquire_v much_o of_o glory_n by_o his_o persecution_n &_o the_o fury_n of_o his_o enemy_n which_o appear_v at_o all_o the_o tribunal_n of_o rome_n make_v way_n to_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o those_o place_n where_o perhaps_o no_o occasion_n of_o lay_v it_o open_v have_v ever_o be_v give_v many_o even_o of_o nero_n household_n be_v convert_v and_o the_o apostle_n salute_v the_o philippian_n from_o they_o among_o who_o the_o martirologue_n mention_n one_o torpetes_n who_o die_v courageous_o at_o pisa_n in_o tuscany_n in_o defence_n of_o that_o faith_n tacitus_n speak_v of_o one_o pomponia_n graecina_n who_o be_v accuse_v for_o have_v embrace_v a_o foreign_a superstition_n and_o be_v turn_v over_o to_o her_o husband_n he_o take_v cognizance_n of_o the_o crime_n according_a to_o ancient_a custom_n declare_v her_o innocent_a now_o that_o which_o this_o author_n call_v foreign_a superstition_n be_v very_o likely_a to_o be_v christianity_n i_o find_v also_o great_a probability_n that_o seneca_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v acquaint_v although_o the_o letter_n which_o be_v set_v forth_o under_o their_o name_n be_v counterfeit_a and_o very_o unworthy_a of_o either_o of_o they_o this_o great_a philosopher_n have_v too_o never_o a_o relation_n to_o nero_n to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o audience_n he_o have_v give_v to_o a_o criminal_a who_o cause_n the_o jew_n by_o their_o extraordinary_a solicitation_n have_v make_v famous_a and_o if_o he_o be_v present_a when_o he_o plead_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o the_o force_n of_o his_o discourse_n and_o his_o subline_n argument_n may_v make_v he_o desirous_a of_o a_o particular_a acquaintance_n with_o one_o that_o preach_v so_o new_a a_o doctrine_n some_o author_n have_v say_v it_o be_v by_o his_o mean_n that_o nero_n condemn_v he_o not_o to_o death_n but_o that_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o any_o solid_a proof_n nor_o ought_v we_o to_o attribute_v this_o marvellous_a deliveance_n but_o to_o the_o secret_a power_n of_o god_n over_o the_o heart_n of_o prince_n to_o incline_v they_o as_o he_o please_v while_o saint_n paul_n labour_v to_o found_v the_o church_n at_o rome_n he_o understand_v that_o the_o ephesian_a church_n be_v pester_v with_o many_o false_a doctor_n who_o corrupt_v that_o pure_a doctrine_n which_o he_o have_v there_o preach_v hence_o he_o write_v unto_o they_o a_o excellent_a epistle_n in_o the_o which_o he_o principal_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o predestination_n and_o vocation_n of_o man_n to_o faith_n and_o union_n with_o jesus_n christ_n so_o to_o form_v a_o admirable_a body_n of_o which_o he_o be_v the_o head_n and_o then_o he_o treat_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o faithful_a man_n according_a to_o his_o condition_n a_o little_a after_o some_o author_n say_v before_o or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o instruct_v the_o flock_n himself_o but_o will_v also_o give_v unto_o tymothy_n their_o pastor_n wholesome_a rule_n whereby_o to_o acquit_v himself_o worthy_o of_o his_o charge_n i_o know_v many_o will_v have_v this_o epistle_n to_o be_v almost_o the_o last_o that_o be_v write_v but_o in_o my_o opinion_n their_o objection_n be_v not_o considerable_a &_o that_o the_o date_n we_o assign_v be_v more_o certain_a this_o difficulty_n appertain_v not_o to_o the_o subject_n we_o have_v in_o hand_n beside_o we_o have_v already_o explicate_v it_o in_o the_o paraphrase_n we_o make_v of_o it_o towards_o the_o end_n he_o desire_v he_o to_o come_v unto_o he_o which_o he_o perform_v leave_v tichius_n in_o his_o place_n the_o philppian_o hear_v of_o the_o apostle_n necessity_n depute_a epaphroditus_n with_o considerable_a alm_n for_o his_o assistance_n the_o change_n of_o air_n with_o the_o toil_n of_o his_o journey_n make_v he_o fall_v sick_a at_o rome_n but_o s._n paul_n by_o his_o prayer_n obtain_v his_o recovery_n &_o send_v he_o back_o to_o his_o church_n with_o a_o epistle_n full_a of_o wholesome_a instruction_n against_o the_o error_n of_o cerinthus_n simon_n the_o magician_n and_o of_o other_o impostor_n who_o he_o call_v enemy_n of_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n because_o they_o teach_v that_o our_o lord_n be_v not_o real_o crucify_v but_o some_o fantome_n in_o his_o place_n s._n ignatius_n martyr_n forty_o year_n after_o write_v unto_o they_o upon_o the_o same_o subject_n and_o so_o do_v likewise_o s._n polycarpus_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v doubt_v make_v whether_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o former_a be_v real_o he_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o preach_v in_o the_o city_n of_o colossus_n which_o be_v in_o the_o province_n of_o phrygia_n yet_o know_v the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n assemble_v by_o epaphras_n he_o write_v unto_o they_o that_o they_o shall_v beware_v of_o the_o jew_n of_o the_o heretic_n and_o of_o the_o gentile_n which_o sow_v erroneous_a doctrine_n among_o they_o touch_v legal_a observation_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n or_o genienses_fw-la philemon_n after_o his_o conversion_n very_o much_o assist_v the_o faithful_a make_v his_o house_n the_o place_n of_o their_o assembly_n &_o give_v great_a alm_n to_o the_o poor_a one_o of_o his_o slave_n call_v onesimus_n run_v away_o from_o his_o house_n in_o quality_n of_o a_o thief_n this_o slave_n come_v to_o rome_n fall_v lucky_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v he_o which_o oblige_v he_o particular_o to_o write_v in_o his_o behalf_n to_o his_o master_n for_o his_o pardon_n &_o that_o he_o will_v receive_v he_o again_o not_o as_o a_o fugitive_n but_o as_o a_o dear_a child_n which_o he_o have_v beget_v in_o his_o chain_n theodoret_n say_v that_o philemon_n send_v he_o back_o to_o serve_v and_o assist_v s._n paul_n and_o s._n hierome_n report_v that_o he_o be_v first_o make_v