manner as Philippi did and yet in the Subscription of the Epistle to Titus we read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Nicopolis of Macedonia This may serve to give account of the varieties which seem to be among writers about this city And as in Civil so in Ecclesiastical divisions such variety is observable Those cities were chief and Metropoles where the Gospel was first planted and thence communicated to the neighbouring regions And such was Philippi as 't is clear by the story of S. Pauls preaching the Gospel in Macedonia Act. 16. 9 10 c. and 1. Thess 2. 2. first at Philippi then after at Thessalonica In which respect of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 priority of conversion to the Faith and being S. Pauls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first-fruits in that region some privilege belongs to Philippi even before Thessalonica that chief Metropolis of Macedonia viz. that Philippi was the elder sister in the Faith and so in that respect though not in others the prime Metropolis of Macedonia Hence it is that the liberality of the brethren of Macedonia in common 2 Cor. 11. 9. is imputed to the Philippians peculiarly Phil. 4. 16. by which it appears that all the Christians of that region or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Macedonia are contained under that title And so though there be but one Epistle written by S. Paul to these Philippians yet S. Polycarpe mentions Pauls Epistles in the Plural to them by which learned men understand those other inscribed to the Thessalonians that other chiefe city of Macedonia which might therefore belong to Philippi also And to that the severe adjuration of the Apostle 1 Thess 5. 27. seems to belong where he adjures them by the living God that that Epistle be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to all the holy brethren indefinitely that is I conceive to all the Christian in each Church of Macedonia And so it is evident that the Epistle inscribed to the Corinthians belonged to all the Churches of Achaia 2 Cor. 1. 1. and so that inscribed to the Colossians was also to be read Col. 4. 6. by the Church of Laodicea the chief Metropolis of Phrygia to which Colosse is adjoyn'd as a secundary Col. 2. 2. By all this appears how in Philippi there may be more Bishops then one indeed as many as were in all Macedonia at least as in the cities under that Metropolis Ib. Bishops What the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes in the Old and New Testament hath been said already Note on Act. 1. b. viz. praefecture or ruling power in the Church But whether this belonged to singular persons one in each city and region adjoyning or to a number of such ruling together as collegues hath been of late controverted by some and this place which mentions in Philippi Bishops in the Plural hath been a principal testimony to conclude that in one Church there were many Bishops This if it were granted and consequently that Bishops here denote no other then those whom we now call Presbyters would be of no force to inferre this conclusion That Churches in the Apostles times were ruled not by single Bishops but many Presbyters because 1. it were possible that the Apostle himself might at this time retain that supreme Episcopal power in own hands and though absent in body yet by letters being present in spirit exercise that power over them Or 2 dly if the Apostle had constituted a Bishop over them yet 't is possible that at the writing this Epistle the Chair might be vacant or that the Bishop might be absent And indeed Epaphroditus who is by Theodoret and others affirmed to be Bishop of Philippi by Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctor which that it is the title of Bishop we have formerly shewed Note on 1 Cor. 12 d. appears c. 4. 18. to have been with Paul at this time when he wrote the Epistle so saith Theophylact that the Clergy are mentioned in this and in no other Epistle because they had sent Epaphroditus with necessaries for the Apostles use and to have carried the Epistle to them which one thing might make it inconvenient to inscribe the Epistle to him And yet in the body of the Epistle c. 4. 3. there is an Apostrophe which in all probability belongs to him under the name of his yoke-fellow that is to look to the relief of the widowes supposing him present at the opening of the letter But there is no need of such answers as these to avoid the force of this argument That which hath been said Note a. will give a clear account of it that Philippi being a Metropolis under which were many other Churches which had each of them a Bishop all those Bishops are here meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Plural as this Epistle was written to all those cities or Churches and not onely to that of Philippi Of this it is clear in Ecclesiastical writings that there was a Bishop constituted by the Apostles For so Tertullian distinctly mentions it for one of those Churches which derived the pedegree of Bishops from the Apostles as founders And Ignatius S. Pauls successor at Antioch in his Epistle to them names Vitalis as their Bishop and the Latine old copie of Polycarps Epistle to them mentions Vitus which is surely the same And though that Epistle mentions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders and Deacons onely yet considering the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 set down Note on Act. 11. b. there will be little doubt but that Elders there and Bishops here are all one viz. all the Bishops of the cities under that Metropolis which may well be contained under the title there prefixed to it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Church of God adjoyning or belonging to Philippi And indeed as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders is a note of Prefecture and so may fitly belong to the Bishop in each city see Note on Act. 11. b. in all the places of the New Testament so there is little reason to doubt of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bishops The first mention of it is Act. 20. 28. where those that had been called Elders of the Church v. 17. are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops of the flock set over it by the Holy Ghost where if the flâ—ck were the Christians of any one city there might be some pretence that the Elders or Bishops in the Plural might be those which are now called Presbyters But it is apparent that the flock is the Christians of all Asia of which it is said c. 19. 10. that all that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord and almost all Asia were converted saith Demetrius v. 26. which Paul câ—lls the opening of a great doore to him in those parts 1 Cor. 16. 9. And consequently the Elders or Bishops there are the Bishops of all Asia at least those that belonged to Ephesus as
running water is called and so that Ezech. 47. 5. And this river 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pure because Baptisme is a federal sacramental undertaking of all purity of living forsaking all sin and engaging of the soul to purity and in the same respect it is also said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clear as Crystal being an obligation to all purity in the baptized Now that this pure river is said to proceed not as Ezech. 47. 1. from under the threshold of the house but out of the throne of God and the Lamb hath some more difficulty in it which I conceive may thus be resolved The throne is a notation of power and judicature as when God is introduced in the Vision c. 4. 1. sitting on a throne and so the throne of the Lamb is that power which is by Christ enstated on the Governours of the Church of which the power of baptizing being one special part this river by which Baptisme is express'd is fiâ—ly said to proceed out of the throne To which purpose it must be observed that the power of baptizing though communicated to inferiour Priests and Deacons was at first in the Apostles and from them descended to the Bishops and never permitted to any but by appointment from the Bishop So saith Ignatius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. in Ep. ad Smyrn 'T is not lawful to baptize without the Bishop and Tertullian de Bapt. Dandi baptismum jus habet summus Sacerdos qui est Episcopus dein Presbyteri Diaconi non tamen sine Episcopi authoritate The chief Priest who is called the Bishop hath the power of giving baptisme after him the Presbyters and Deacons but not without the authority of the Bishop And S. Cyprian makes two parts of the power of the keys that ruling power as of the aeconomus intrusted to the Governours of the Church the successors of the Apostles the one to admit as by the key in Baptisme the other by Absolution And that most probably is the meaning of this place where the baptisiual water is in the Vision said to proceed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. V. 2. Street What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the street denotes in this Vision may be easily resolved by observing that the streets or broad places of a city are places of concourse and resort and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 assemblies and streets are used together in the same sense Mat. 6. 5. Accordingly the street or broad place here will be fit to denote the place of assembly in the Church or City of God where the prayers are offered up and the sacrifice of the Church in the Eucharist and where instruction is reach'd out to them Ib. On either side of the river That the tree of life here mentioned in stead of the very many trees in Ezechiel ch 47. 7 looks back to Paradise where that tree was set Gen. 2. 9. doth seem most probable and well accords also with the river here joyn'd with it as there V. 10. a river went out of Eden to water the garden And therefore what is here meant by it in the prophetick notion may be best learn'd from the allegorical interpretations which the antient writers affix to it in the Old Testament for those will be most agreeable to the prophetick style which we know is made up of figures Now of the tree of life saith Philo it signified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 piety or worship of God And so Clemens Alexandrinus that the tree of knowledge was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if we transgresse that is it signified â—inne of which whosoever tasted should die but the tree of life denoted piety of which he that eat should live eternally Other descants there are on it here that it should signifie the crosse of Christ or the enlivening grace of God but this is the most agreeable to the Context and the other circumstances thereof But it must here be enquired what is the meaning of the phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we render in the midst of the street of it and on either side the River but the words bear not that and a great inconvenience there must be in so rendring them for the tree of life which appears to be in Paradise and here but one and not many as in Ezechiel nor set on the bank of the river as there must yet be supposed to be on both sides of the river which is impossible The best and most literal rendring will be this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the midst of the street and the river 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as the Kings MS. reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on this side and on that side that is not as in Ezechiel the many trees on the one side and on the other side of the river but so as may be applicable to the one tree and to the street and river here named one of them on one side t'other on the other side of the tree That this is the meaning of the phrase may appear not only by the commodiousnesse of this sense and the absurdities consequent to the other rendring but also by comparing it with another passage in this writer Joh. 19. 18. where it is said they crucified Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and with him two others on this side and on that side and Jesus in the midst A phrase very near to this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here being all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there There Jesus is in the midst of the two theeves that is between them and that express'd by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as here That must signifie there one of them on this side of him and the other on that and therefore it must in all reason be so here also the street on one side and the river on the other side and the tree of life in the midst or betwixt them This being thus far clear for the literal understanding of it and so the representation not absolutely the same with that in Ezechiel but lightly varied from it in some few circumstances the mystical or prophetical meaning of it will be clear also that betwixt the place of assembling on one side and the Font or Baptistery on the other side stood Piety in the midst Baptisme being on purpose designed to initiate and engage us to piety and by God's grace to enable us to perform it and the service of God in the assembly the prayers and the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and Christian instruction designed so too for the confirming our vows of new life and to instruct us farther in our duty and to bring down more grace for the performance of it What is added of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not twelve manner of fruits but twelve fruits is taken from Ezechiel also ch 47. 12. and is not to be applied to any set number of several vertues as some
sense ch 5. 14. From this there is also a third sense of the word but lighthly changed from the second to signifie perspicuity of speech as that is opposite to darknesse or parabolicall expressions when the matter is free and not involved or obscured by words So Joh. 10. 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tell us plainly as that is opposed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hold them in suspence So Joh. 11. 14. having said Lazarus sleepeth which was a figurative and withall equivocall speech he then speaks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in plain words Lazarus is dead So again c. 16. 25. and 29. in both places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plainly in opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in parables So 2 Cor. 3. 12. we use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great plainness that is perspicuity of speech in opposition to the veile over Moses's face the obscurity of the Old Testament v. 13. Fourthly it signifies speaking in any assembly in a Declamatory way of oration speaking to the people Thus doth Phavorinus define 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a going into the midst of the assemby to speak unto the people on any occasion And this saith he according to the making of the word from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used Act. 9. 27 28. and 14. 3. and 18. 26. and 19. 8. will be paraphrased literally saith he from that of Euripides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to come and stand or speak in the midst of an assembly Thus is it Mar. 8. 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he spake it in the hearing of the people Thus in the 13. v. of this chapter no man spake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 publickly by way of harangue to the people No man so interposed either for or against him and v. 26. behold he speakes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 publickly and so c. 18. 20. I speak to the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in publick assemblies Lastly it signifies authority so saith Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also power authority Thus I conceive it signifies in these books whensoever the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with or in is joyned with it Thus Act. 4. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to speak the word with authority and v. 31. they spake it with authority being back'd with the power of miracles v. 30. So Eph. 6. 19. that speech may be given me to open my mouth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with authority as when 't is said of Christ that he taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 7. 29. as one that had authority so Col. 2. 15. where speaking of Christ as a Conquerour he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he made open shew of them that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with authority as one that triumphed over them And so sure 't is here when his kindred not believing in him v. 5. first finde fault with him for doing his miracles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a more private place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith S. Chrysostome accusing his timidity and also suspecting the things that he had done as not truly done doubting whether they were true miracles or no and thereupon advise him to goe up to Jerusalem to the feast and doe them there then adde as looking on the authority which they thought he sought for among the people or wishing that he would look after it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where none of the four former notions will be agreeable to it and therefore must be rendred in the fifth No man doth any thing in secret and desires to be in authority Of this S. Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the adding that phrase signifies love of glory either that they thought he desired to be followed and magnified among men to be a great Rabbi among the people or else that they desired it for him Thus also in the Accusative case with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it seems to signifie Heb. 10. 19. where the Christian is said to have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is liberty authority 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to enter into the Holies as the Priest had typically under the Law so Eph. 3. 12. In whom we have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is liberty and accesse or liberty to come freely not confidence for that is after express'd by the addition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with confidence so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tim. 3. 13. when the Deacon ascends to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good that is higher degree of Bishop he is said to acquire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great power in the faith authority in the preaching of the Gospel or in the Church of God so Theophylact expounds it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to become more honourable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shine in the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the dignity or degree of Presbyter or Bishop V. 20. Thou hast a devill All sorts of diseases were in those days brought on men sometimes by the devil and so generally they that are brought to Christ for cure are said to be possess'd see Note on Mat. 17. c. but especially those who were more strangely affected without any visible cause of it were generally thought to suffer this from the devils getting power to possesse them and of this sort especially mad men such the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 8. 28. appear to be by their raving temper there who being not discernibly sick or ill affected did yet behave themselves as if they were in some strong distemper which is oft an effect of disease or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and therefore were by them thought to be possess'd by some evill spirit So in Just Mart. Apll. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they that are possess'd are by all men called mad So c. 10. 20. 't is plainly said He hath a devill and is mad and Mat. 11. 18. V. 22. Therefore 'T is to be observed that as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in other Gospels so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this is a particle of transition otherwise unsignificant serving only for passage not to import any causality And the same is here to be said of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the beginning of this verse which is only a form of proceeding in the present discourse and might be rendred To this purpose you may observe that which followes being an account of the lawfulnesse of working cures on the Sabbath day and not the concluding this from the former as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for this cause or therefore literally would import But 't is possible that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here might be the conluding of the former verse and the reading thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye wonder or are angry with me for this so Theophylact reads it But this is a conjecture V. 35. Dispersed among the
also Luc. 3. 16. mentioning both the holy Ghost and the fire too though Mark 1. 8. and John 1. 33. mention not the fire but only the holy Ghost Besides these two speciall uses of the holy Ghosts descending on them one common constant use there was also which belonged to all Christians not only Apostles as appears by Joh. 7. 39. where Christ mentions the Spirit which not only the Apostles but believers in common i. e. all Christians should receive after his Ascension the giving them strength to perform what God now required of them and therefore all that came into the Christian Church as proselytes of Christ not only those that were set apart for the ministery are said to be born a new i. e. received as Christian proselytes and baptized with water and the holy Ghost Joh. 3. 5. not only made partakers of the ceremony of Johns Baptisme water which signifies purging from sinne but over and above that made parrakers of the holy Ghost being received into the Christian Church by those on whom the holy Ghost came down Act. 2. and that not onely for themselves to confirm the truth of Christs preaching and to give them their commission but also to rest upon them as the founders of the Christian Church so that they might communicate the benefit and influences of it to others to the end of the world so farre as was usefull to the condition of every one And that is to fit every one and enable him to discharge that calling whereunto he is admitted As if he be admitted barely into the Church to be a Christian then beside water wherein he is baptized after the manner of all other Proselytes he hath also from God by the Apostles blessing of him the holy Ghost bestowed on him i. e. those benefits of it which belong and are necessary for every Christian viz pardon of sinne and grace to lead a new life and this styled being born a new of water and of the holy Ghost Joh. 3. 5. and is intâ—â—ted to be an effect or consequent of Christs Ascenâ—â— v. 13 14. after which it was that the holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles here and to be a superior thing and that which more effectually tended to the salvation of believers that is Christians Joh. 3. 15. then either the Jewish or Johns Baptisme which being the Baptisme of water alone was not able to bestow this and therefore it is that they that had been baptized onely with Johns Baptisme Act. 19. were by the Apostles when they knew it baptized farther in the name of the Lord Jesus see c. 2. Note d. In like manner they that were admitted into the Church to any speciall function as to that of Bishops which consisted in the exercise of Censures and in the power of ordaining others or c. 6. to that of Deacons and of Presbyters afterwards who had some parts of sacred functions communicated to them that of preaching the Gospel Act. 8. 12. and of baptizing were thus admitted also by the Apostles and after them by the Bishops their successors by laying their hands on them and blessing or consecrating them that is giving them the holy Ghost also that is that externall commission which here they had by the holy Ghosts descent upon them and also for some time extraordinary gifts of tongues and miracles and prophecying usefull for the discharge of those functions V. 7. The seasons The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which sometimes signifies an opportunity or seasonable time sometimes also signifies a moment or least particle of time Thus 't is wont to be defined 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is that wherein there is no time And so it seems to signifie here where Gods reserving the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 times and moments in his own hands so that they shall not be known by them seems parallel to the day and hour knoweth no man the day and the times noting a larger proportion of time and the hour and the moment a lesser and accordingly the Vulgar reads vel momenta or moments V. 9. A cloud The appearance of Angels is ordinarily described by a cloud as hath been formerly said and so here the clouds receiving him signifies the Angels receiving him Thus when Exod. 25. 22. it is said of the covering of the arke There will I meet thee and commune with thee from betwixt the two Cherubims c. It is Lev. 16. 2. I will appear in the cloud upon that propitiatory or covering of the ark V. 13. An upper roome It is said by the writer of this book Lu. 24. 53. that the Apostles after Christs Assumption returned to Jerusalem and were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continually in the temple praising and blessing God which clearly signifies that the Temple at Jerusalem was the place not of their continuall abode but of their constant daily performance of their devotions see Lu. 2. 37. and so he concludes that Gospel And here where he begins another book and in that the story after the Ascension of Christ and so repeats that again v. 9. c. he adds v. 12. as he had said in the Gospel that they returned to Jerusalem and when they came thither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they went up into an upper room and there that is in that upper room saith he the same S. Luke that before had said they were continually or at the times of devotion constantly in the Temple all the eleven disciples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continued unanimously in prayer and supplication that is did there daily perform their devotions and religious offices manifestly referring to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or upper room where they daily did so And so ch 2. 1. where they are said to be all unanimously 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 together a phrase to denote their sacred assemblies or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this sure denotes the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the upper room as the constant place of their daily devotions From the comparing of these two places and the phrases used in the severall places 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were continually and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were continuing being perfectly equivalent some difficulty would arise how the Temple should by the same historian be set down as the daily constant place of their devotions in one place and the upper room in the same manner and phrase to be it in the other were not this way of reconciling that difficulty neer at hand taken notice of by some late Criticks but not favoured by others viz that the Temple had many chambers and upper rooms in its circuit which served not only for the uses of the Priests and for the keeping of the holy things but stood open some of them for religious meetings also So 1. Chron. 28. 1. in the pattern that David gave to Solomon we have expresse mention of the Porch and the houses thereof and of the treasuries thereof and of the upper chambers thereof
were the Elders of Israel Exod. 3. 16 18. and 4. 29. the heads or rulers of the families or kindreds ch 6. 14. Rulers of the Congregation ch 16. 22. who are again called the Elders of Israel ch 17. 5 6. and 18. 12. and Elders of the Tribes Deut. 31. 28. And when Moses appointed Judges for lighter causes Exod. 18. 22. who should have power over thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens that is first over so many families after over greater or lesser cities for so the thousand signifies a city Judg. 6. 15. Mic. 5. 2. and the Ruler thereof is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 2. 6. these were by them called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rulers and Judges and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rulers of the synagogues and the like And thereupon in the Theodosian Codex where the second law de Judaeis uses the word Presbyteros Elders another Law hath Synagogarum patres fathers or Rulers of the Consistories And so when the seventy Elders were taken in to assist Moses Num. 11. 16. to whom the Great Sanhedrim at Jerusalem succeeded it is evident that these were so called because they were Princes or Praefects or Rulers of the people before they were thus chosen by Moses Gather unto me saith God seventy men of the Elders of Israel whom thou knowest to be the Elders of the people and officers over them and bring them to the tabernacle of the Congregation that they may stand there with thee And so the word Elder was not a denotation of one of the Sanhedrim any otherwise then as some of those that were in the Sanhedrim had formerly been Elders or Rulers of the people and accordingly of three sorts of men of which the Sanhedrim consisted but one is called Elders the other Scribes and chief Priests see Mat. 16. 20. and Note on Mar. 5. c. By all which it appears how fitly this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders being made use of by the Apostles and writers of the New Testament is affix'd to the Governours of the Christian Church the severall Bishops of severall cities answerable to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rulers of thousands or Patriarchs which being first used among the Jewes are in the Christian Church the ordinary title of Bishops And although this title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders have been also extended to a second order in the Church and is now onely in use for them under the name of Presbyters yet in the Scripture-times it belonged principally if not alone to Bishops there being no evidence that any of that second order were then instituted though soon after before the writing of Ignatius Epistles there were such instituted in all Churches Of those first Apostolicall times the testimony of Clemens Romanus in Epist 1. ad Cor. is observable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ was sent from God and the Apostles from Christ and they went out preaching the Gospel And then They therefore preaching through Regions and Cities Constituted or Ordained their first-fruits first-converts into Bishops and Deacons of those that should afterward believe Where it appears that when the Gospel was first preached by the Apostles and but few converted they ordained in every City and Region no more but a Bishop and one or more Deacons to attend him there being at the present so small store out of which to take more and so small need of ordaining more that this Bishop is constituted more for the sake of those which should after believe then of those which did already Agreeable is that of Epiphanius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he fetch'd out of the profoundest or antientest histories l. 3. c. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. At the beginning of the Apostles preaching when there was none fit or worthy to be Bishop the place remained void without any but where need required and there were those that were fit for it Bishops were constituted but while there was no multitude of Christians there were found none among them to be constituted Presbyters in our modern use of that word and they contented themselves with a Bishop alone in every place But without a Deacon 't was impossible for a Bishop to be and therefore the Apostle took care that the Bishop should have his Deacons to minister to him And accordingly when S. Paul gives directions to Bishop Timothy for the ordaining of Officers in the Church he names Bishops and Deacons but no second order between them 1 Tim. 3. 2 8. and so to Titus Tit. 1. 7. c. 2. 1. see Note on Phil. 1. c. And so in the Church of Jerusalem it is clear by story that James the brother of the Lord being soon after Christs Ascension constituted their Bishop see Note on Gal. 2. d. the Deacons are the first that are added to him Act. 6. and no mention as yet of any middle order From whence it will be sufficiently cleared who are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders here viz. the Bishops of the severall cities or of the brethren that dwelt in Judaea v. 29. to whom this almes was designed for the famine being in all Judaea and not onely at Jerusalem and there being brethren that is Christians in habiting through severall parts of Judaea there can be no reason to imagin that Jerusalem only should have the benefit of this collection or consequently that the Elders to whom it was delivered should belong only to that city And thus it is known in the Primitive Church that almes and collections called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whether in the same Church brought by the communicants in the offertory or by officers sent from one Church to another were solemnly intrusted to the Bishop as the steward of the house of God as the oblations were brought to the high Priest under the Law and the liberality of the faithfull to the Apostles feet Act. 4. 34. So in the 41th Canon Apostolical it is appointed Praecipimus ut in potestate sua Episcopus Ecclesiae res habeat Si enim animae hominum pretiosae illi sunt concreditae multò magìs oportet cum curam pecuniarum gerere ita ut potestate ejus indigentibus omnia dispensentur per Presbyteros Diaconos We command that the Bishop shall have the goods of the Church in his own power For if the soules of men so much more pretious are entrusted to him he ought much more to have the care of the monies so as by his power all be dispensed to them that want by the Presbyters and Deacons And so saith Justin Martyr of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 President or Bishop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he is the Guardian of all that are in want From this explication of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here must be taken the notion of it Act. 15. 2. where the Elders at Jerusalem with the Apostles are not the Elders
of Jerusalem that one city but the Bishops of all Judaea now met in Councell at Jerusalem v. 4 6 22 23. which joyned in making that deâ—ree ch 16. 4. and so ch 21. 18. when Paul again went up to Jerusalem and address'd himself to James the Bishop there it is added as in Councell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and all the Elders were there An image or representation of which Councel we have Rev. 4. 4. 11. 16. One sitting upon the throne The Bishop of Jerusalem as Metropolitan sitting in the midst and four and twenty Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 round about in fashion of a crown or semicircle sitting on thrones on each side of him in white garments and golden crownes or mitres the characters of Episcopal Dignity and seven lamps of fire the Emblems of seven Deacons ver 5. waiting on them And as the Bishops of Judaea being at Jerusalem are thus fitly styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders not of the Church of Jerusalem but either simply Elders or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at or in Jerusalem noting only the place where they met in Councel not of which they were Elders or Governours So Act. 14. 23. it is said of Paul and Barnabas passing through Lystra Iconium and Antioch that having confirmed the Churches they ordained them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders Church by Church that is a Bishop in every Church one Governour in Lystra another in Iconium another in Antioch And so c. 20. 17. the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders of the Church of Asia are the same that are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops of the flock v. 28. set over them by the holy Ghost to wit the Bishops of all Asia who saith Irenaeus were called together ab Epheso reliquis proximis civitatibus from Ephesus and the rest of the cities neer l. 3. c 14. To all which places in that book of the Acts belongs that saying of Oecumenius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the book of the Acts uses to call Bishops Elders So Tit. 1. 5. when Titus is said to be left in Crete to ordain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders city by city there is little doubt but as Titus was Metropolitan of that Iland in which there were said to be an hundred cities and Gortyna the Metropolis so the Elders in those severall cities were a Bishop in each and so they are distinctly called ver 7. and the same directions given for the ordaining of them and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that to Timothy are given for the Bishops and Deacons 1 Tim. 3. And the Greek Scholiasts say distinctly on that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he calls the Bishops Elders and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Apostle left Titus to constitute Bishops having first made him Bishop and Theodoret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He had Commission to ordain Bishops under him and Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He was intrusted with the judging and ordaining of so many that is an hundred Bishops So 1 Tim. 4. 14. the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Eldership that laid hands on Timothy and made him Bishop may well be resolved to be the Bishops or Apostolical men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those that were vouchsafed the favour to be Apostles saith Theodoret who with S. Paul 2 Tim. 1. 6. consâ—crated him Thus S t Peter calls himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peter the Elder 1 Pet. 5. 1. and S t John 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Elder John 2 Joh. 1. and 3 Joh. 1. And accordingly saith St Chrysostome on that place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By Eldership he means not those that were in his daies called Presbyters but Bishops for Presbyters did not ordain Bishops and so Theophylact and Oecumenius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Presbytery that is Bishops and so Ignatius calls the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Presbytery of the Church And Theodoret renders the reason of the appellation for so saith he the holy scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 call'd the chief men of Israel the Senate or Eldership So 1 Pet. 5. 1. and 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Elders among you are no doubt the Bishops in all the dispersions of the Converted Jewes of whom it is there said that they should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v 2. doe the part of the Pastor and Bishop Some other places there are where the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may possibly signifie a lower order if any such there were in those times but yet it is not certain that they doe so Such is that 1 Tim. 5. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rebuke not an Elder and ver 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Receive not an accusation against an Elder where 't is the opinion of Epiphanius that Bishop Timothy's power over the Presbyters is spoken of But when it is remembred that Timothy was not only a Bishop but of a Metropoliticall See the chief of all Asia and so a Metropolitan and he appointed by Paul to ordain Bishops there whose qualifications are therefore set down and those of Deacons but no mention of a middle order there is no doubt but those Bishops of inferior Sees ordained by him were also accusable and rebukable before him in the same manner as Theophylact said of Titus that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 judgment as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ordination of so many Bishops was committed to him And therefore though S t Chrysostome explaining those places interpret them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of all old men and some circumstances in the Context incline to that sense yet having made this question what should be done in case the faults were confess'd but had no witnesses but only an evil suspicion he answers and so also Theophylact and Oecumenius in the same words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Apostle had answered above He ought to have a good testimony from them that are without which plainly referring to the qualifications of Bishops 1 Tim. 3. 7. must suppose the Elders to denote Bishops in that place also and so again saith Chrysostome on that other place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is manifest that he was intrusted with Churches or indeed with a whole nation that of Asia wherefore S. Paul discourses to him of Elders Where the mention of Churches in the plural and of all Asia over which Timothy was placed must interpret Elders of Bishops there A third place there is in that Epistle 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the Elders that have ruled well be thought worthy of double honour which may also very commodiously be interpreted of the Bishops the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Prefects of Churches so styled by Justin Martyr and others and those discharging their office duely and besides the farther instructing or teaching their Churches already constituted labouring and travailing in the preaching the Gospel to them that
more men or by the whole Church So Chrysostome speaking of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he presently constitutes them And Socrates of Constantine in the twentieth year of his reign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in the thirtieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where it is all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both noting the constituting or creating of Caesar a work of the Emperour onely So Theodoret 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the person of Joseph 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my Master hath constituted me over all his house So Zacharias Bishop of Mitylene speaking of Gods creating of man as a King and guest for whom a palace and a feast were before prepared he expresseth it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was chosen sure not by the suffrages of many but by God the one Creator and set forth to be both the King and the guest of the good things which the Great Master of the feast had set before him Of this accepâ—ion of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a controversie there is between the two great Scholiasts on the Canons Zonaras and Balsamon Zonaras on the first Apostolical Canon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let a Bishop be ordained by two or three Bishops makes this Scholion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now adaies the office of praiers and invocation of the holy spirit at the consecration of any is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the Bishops stretching out his hand and blessing the person ordained 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but anciently the election it self was so called for when the multitudes of the cities had power to choose their Bishops they assembled and some chose one some another and that the greater part of suffrages might carry it it is said that they that made the choice stretcht out their hands and so the suffrages were numbred and he that was chosen by most was advanced to the dignity and thence the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was taken And accordingly saith he the Fathers of the Councils are found to use the word calling election 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus the Council of Laodicea Can. 5. saith that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must not be in the presence of the Catechumeni meaning elections by that word How unfitly this Scholion is applied to the first Apostolical Canon will be easily judged when it is remembred that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in that Canon and sure that was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 antiently and long enough before Zonaras's writing is certainly used for Ordination or Consecration 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the initiation to the Episcopal office by imposition of hands and not any popular or whatever kind of election And therefore Balsamon coming to give account of this Canon and seeing this Scholion of Zonaras before him gives it without naming him the due refutation thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Apostolical Canon speaks of that Ordination which is done by the Bishops in the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not of the election as some said following some unwritten reports in respect of the stretching out the hands used in the elections of Bishops by the multitude of the cities for though in the 10. it should be the 5th Canon of Laodicea the Fathers command that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should not be in the presence of the Catechumeni and from thence some supposed that this Canon speaks of election yet I believe they say not well because the ordination which is performed in the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the praiers belonging to initiation is done though there be never so many there which concludes that this Apostolick Canon belongs to Consecration though the Laodicean do not And again the 4th Canon of the first Nicene Council resolving that the election of a Bishop shall be performed by all the Bishops of the Province 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at least by three the rest signifying their consents by writing I cannot think how some could understand this Canon of the election of a Bishop which appoints that it shall be done by two or three and so possibly by two not necessarily by three Bishops By this it is evident that Zonaras if as his premisses prepared for it so he concluded according to them that in the Apostolical Canon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was to be understood of election and not of ordination was foully mistaken But the truth is the conclusion of his Scholion seems to look another way citing that Canon of Nice which being of Elections appoints them to be by three at least whereas this of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contents it self with two or three and in his Scholion on that Nicene Canon 4. his conclusion is express that the Apostolical Canon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calls consecration and imposition of hands by that title and so not election So Harmenopulus on his Epitome Can. The Apostolical Canon is of consecration and imposition of hands the Nicene of election And so all his premisses of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 election are utterly aliene from the Canon which he had before him and his observation as far from truth that it was in latter times onely that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came to signifie Ordination His own words conclude rather the direct contrary that at the time of the writing the first Apostolical Canon which by all is acknowledged genuine and so written not long after the Apostles daies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was taken in the sense of Ordination and that long after that in the Council of Laodicea 't was used for election And it may be worth observing that he that had taken such unseasonable pains to prove it was taken for election had no proof for it in all antiquity but onely that one Canon of Laodicea where indeed it is evidently used in that sense but whether of any other election save by the Bishops to whom it evidently belongs in the 4th Nicene Canon in the presence of the people excluding the audientes from them to receive testimonie of the lives of those who were to be chosen appears not by that Canon In the Nicene Canon 4. the difference is clear between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constituting by way of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 election in the beginning of the Canon and then after that regularly performed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ordination in the end of it And by that we may understand Theodorets meaning Eccl. Hist l. 5. c. 23. when he saith the Canons forbid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That a Bishop have ordination without three Bishops not that there must needs be three Bishops to impose hands for that is contrary to the Apostolical Canon which is content with two and yet is by Zonaras himself reconciled with the Nicene that requires three at least but that there must be three at least personally present at his election and that with the concurrence
also of all the Province that are absent before he can be ordained lawfully and when he is so elected then he may be ordained by two So when Synesius Ep. 67. saith of Siderius Bishop of Palebisca that he was ordained 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 irregularly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if he was not constituted at Alexandria or not by three Bishops there meaning the whole affaire as it was made up of Election and Ordination too to the former of which the presence of three Bishops was necessary though not to the latter And so Theodoret again l. 5. c. 9. affirming from the Nicene Canon that the custome was for the Bishops in every Province and the neighbouring Bishops if they pleased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make the ordinations to the best advantage must be thus understood not that all should joyne in the Ordination or imposition of hands but all of the whole Province either personally or by their letters joyning in the election two or three should impose hands on him But this ex abundanti more than was necessary for the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when 't was used of the Apostles Now for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is best rendred Church by Church that is in every Church one Elder or Bishop and so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to ordaine Elders in every Church is all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to constitute Elders in every city Tit. 1. 5. every city having a Bishop in it and so called a Church to which the believers in all the parts about it belonged and that Bishop having power to make as many inferiour officers in that Church as he thought good Of the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Note on ch 11. b. CHAP. XV. 1. AND certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren and said Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved Paraphrase 1. And some converted or Christian Jewes which though they believed in Christ yet thought themselves still bound to the observation of the whole Mosaicall Law told those of the Gentile Proselytes v. 19. that were converted to the faith of Christ also of whom some that is the Proselytes of the gates were not wont to be circumcised but only subscribed to the seven precepts of the sons of Noah that they must be complete Proselytes of the Jewes submit to their whole Law and so be circumcised c. or else they could not be saved 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should goe up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question Paraphrase 2. And Paul and Barnabas opposed these and the matter being turned into a question that undecidable among themselves neither yielding to the other it was necessary to appeal to Jerusalem under which as the prime Metropolis the Jewes of all Syria and so Antioch were and accordingly the Church-Governours of Antioch determined to send up Paul and Barnabas and some others with them to the Bishop of Jerusalem and the Apostles that were there and the other Bishops of Judaea see note on ch 11. b. belonging to that Metropolis to advise whether the Gentiles that received the faith and lived among the Jewish believers should be bound to be circumcised or no. 3. And being brought on their way by the Church they passed through Phoenice and Samaria declaring the conversion of the Gentiles and they caused great joy unto all the brethren Paraphrase 3. And the Church bore the charges of their journey see note on 1 Cor. 16. a. and as they went through Phoenice and Samaria they told them the great newes that occasioned this their journey the coming in of the Gentiles to the Faith and all the Christians were very much joyed at it 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church and of the Apostles and Elders and they declared all things that God had done with them 5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed saying that it was needfull to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses Paraphrase 4 5. And when they came to Jerusalem they were kindly received by the Christians there and particularly by James the brother of the Lord then Bishop of Jerusalem and thence called an Apostle see note on the title of the Epistle of James b. and note on 1 Cor. 15. a. by Peter v. 7. and by John Gal. 2. 9. remaining there at that time and by all the Bishops of Judaea see ch 11. note b. and began their message by telling them also what successe God had given to their preaching among the Gentiles and how that when the Gentiles Proselytes or others uncircumcised came in to the Faith some Judaizing Christians of the sect of the Pharisees said that such of the Gentiles as came in to the faith of Christ were to be obliged to receive circumcision and to observe not only the seven precepts of the sons of Noah but also all the ceremonies of the whole Judaical Law 6. And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter Paraphrase 6. Hereupon James the Bishop of Jerusalem and Peter and John the Apostles see note on 1 Cor. 15. a. Rev. 4. g. Gal. 2. e. and the Bishops of Judaea met in councel to deliberate and debate about this difficulty 7. And when there had been much disputing Peter rose up and said unto them Men and brethren ye know how that a good while agoe God made choise among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel and believe Paraphrase 7. some uncircumcised Proselytes Cornelius and his family Act. 10. should have the Gospel preached to them and accordingly had and received the faith and never were circumcised 8. And God which knoweth the hearts bare them witnesse giving them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us Paraphrase 8. And God that knew the sincerity of their hearts testified that they were believers such as were acceptable to him though they were not circumcised and fit to be baptized giving them that great witnesse from heaven sending down the holy Ghost upon them in like manner as he was before sent down upon the Apostles Act. 10. 44. 9. And put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by faith Paraphrase 9. And dealt with them just as with us making no difference between us and them but by the Christian doctrine by them received and entertained did the same thing on them farre more effectually for which all the Jewish rites particularly circumcision were first ordained that is took them off from all their heathen sinnes 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the Disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear Paraphrase 10. This
Apostle addes now in another style 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after powers then gifts of healings Of which two it must first be observed that they doe not denote severall persons distinct from the former for 't is evident the Apostles had both the powers and the gifts but onely several 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or extraordinary gifts with which the Apostles and Prophets and Teachers were all endowed And consequently these cannot be imagined to constitute new orders in the Church nor those that follow in this place helps c. Secondly for the meaning of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 powers it is most probable that by it is denoted the same thing that by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 10. operations of powers which are there also joyned with gifts of healing and those may denote those operations or exercises of powers which we find exemplified in S. Peter on Ananias and Sapphira in Paul on Barjesus either inflicting immediate death or diseases upon them or pronouncing that they should come and accordingly it followed and in those first times in the Governours of the Church by their censures delivering men up to Satan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the destruction of the flesh to inflict diseases on them And this may very probably be the meaning of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 powers here also and so 't is acknowledged by Theophylact And these seem to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prodigies wrought by the Apostles Act. 2. 43. upon which 't is said that fear was on every soule in like manner as it was said upon the death of Ananias ch 5. 10. in respect of these powers of the Apostles Ib. Helps That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to sucoour or relieve any in distresse hath been said Note on Lu. 10. b. and there is no doubt but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here is to be taken in that sense relieving and providing for the poor out of the stock of the Church and this here set down as a special part as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is another of the office of those men which were set down in the beginning of the verse the powers and the gifts of healing referring to the virtues and assistances by which they were back'd in the discharge of their office and so in an inferiour degree the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sorts of tongues in the close of the verse skill in some languages which was usefull to their preaching to the nations but these two helps and governments denoting two special parts of their office under which all was indeed contained which had not been before intimated in their names For as to the former of these the relieving of the poor that alwaies belonged to the Apostles and Bishops and though the Deacons were employed in one inferiour part of it the serving tables Act. 6. the distributing of the several portions daily to the poor widowes c. as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 servants under the steward yet the supreme trust and charge was reserved to the Apostles and Bishops of the Church So Act. 20. 35. S. Paul appoints the Bishops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to relieve or succour those that were weak or sick which by the Context the mention of Christs words It is better to give than to receive is applyed to acts of charity supply of corporal wants And so in the 41. Can. of the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. A Bishop must have the care of the monies so that by his power all be dispensed to the poor by the Presbyters and Deacons and we command that he have in his power the goods of the Church So Just in Martyr Apol. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which is gathered is deposited with the Praefect or Bishop and he helps relieves the orphans and widowes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and becomes the curator or guardian to all absolutely that are in want So Ignatius in his Epistle to Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After the Lord thou shalt be the curator of the widowes And accordingly Polycarp himself speaking of the Elders or Bishops among the parts of their office reckons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they visit and take care of all that are sick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not neglecting the widow or orphane or the poor and therefore saith he must be farre from the love of money as S. Paul appoints in the qualification of the Bishop And therefore as the bounty of the first believers Act. 2. was brought to the Apostles feet and they by that means were made the dispensers of it so the contribution that Paul and Barnabas brought in time of famine to the poor brethren in Judaea was by them delivered into the hands of the Elders or Bishops of the Churches of Judaea Act. 11. 30. as to the stewards which had the supreme power on earth of ordering this family of Christ And so Epaphroditus that was sent with the liberality of the Church to Paul Phil. 4. 18. and is therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that ministred to his wants Phil. 2. 25. is by Theodoret and others affirmed to be the Bishop of the Philippians at that time By all which the account and reason appears why the ancients doe explain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 helps here by praefectures this office of providing for and looking to the poor being a special part of the Bishops power which he had over the goods of the Church in the forecited Canon Apostolical Ib. Governments The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is all one with the Latine gubernationes and so denotes the power and office of ruling and governing particular Churches already planted by the Apostles and by them committed to the care of the Bishops set down here under the style of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teachers who as they farther instructed the congregations which had received the faith so did they rule and order and administer them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Hesychius Hence I suppose it is that as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pastor and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to discharge the office of a pastor denotes this power of ruling and is the description of an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a ruler Mat. 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who shall rule the people and is applied first to Christ Mat. 26. 31. Joh. 10. 11 14. Heb. 13. 20. 1 Pet. 5. 4. and joyn'd with Bishop 1 Pet. 2. 25. then to S. Peter Joh. 21. 16. then to the Bishops of Asia Act. 20. 28. then to the Bishops of the Jewes in their several dispersions 1 Pet. 5. 1. so 't is joyned with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teacher Ephes 4. 11. and not as a several office from that as Apostles Prophets and Evangelists had been but as two parts of the same
with the robe of Shebna which was over the houshold v. 15. and strengthen him with his girdle and commit his government into his hand and lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder and he shall open and none shall shut and shut and none shall open By which is noted the bestowing on him the power of administring and ruling the whole family or house of the King so as to entertain and admit into it and in like manner to exclude out of it whom he would And accordingly this being by Christ accommodated to the Church notes the power of Governing in it This primarily and independently belongs to Christ the holy and true which hath the key of David Apoc. 3. 7. where a difference must be observed betwixt the Key of David and the Keyes of the house of David Keyes are an ensigne of power but that power is not all of one kind it is greater or lesse principal and independent or inferior and derivative and the several Keyes are emblemes of these severals David we know was a King and independent from any on earth and consequently the Key of David notes an independent supreme power and that applied to the Church belongs onely to Christ in that prophetick expression Apoc. 3. 7. But the Keyes of the house of David notes an inferior power that of a steward in Davids familie which being perfectly subordinate to him hath yet the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the administration of the affaires of his familie intrusted to him Now Christ is the Original and prime fountain of all power over the whole Church that spiritual kingdom of David as to whom was given by the Father all power in heaven and earth particularly that of loosing or remitting sin on earth Mat. 9. 6. And this is by Christ here communicated to his Apostles and their Successors the Bishops in the Church as so many several Stewards Hence is that of S. Chrysoft 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 3. That the Bishops are those faithfull servants in the parable whom the Lord sets over his houshold that is literally Stewards And so this agrees perfectly with the promise of Christ c. 19. of the Apostles sitting on twelve thrones where the power of judging and governing in the Church set answerable to that of the Phylarchae or chief of the tribes which was among the Jewes next unto the Regall is directly that of the oeconomus or ruler of the Kings houshold which is here as in Isaiah noted by the keyes And this power being here promised by Christ to be conferr'd on Peter a single person so that whatever he bound or loosed was bound and loosed by Christs affirmation is by force of the words c. 18. 18. before the keyes were given whatsoever ye shall bind and ye shall loose and by the form of conferring it actually Joh. 20. 23. he breathed on them and saith unto them Receive the holy Ghost whosesoever sins ye remit they are remitted c. actually and equally instated on every of the Apostles and accordingly the fiery tongues descended and sat upon every one of them And so when Cephas in respect of this authority is styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a stone on which as on a foundation-stone built on Christ the head of the corner this holy city that comes down from heaven the new Jerusalem the Church of Christ is built 't is also apparent that all and every the Apostles have the same title bestow'd upon them Revel 21. 14. where the wall of the city hath twelve foundations and upon them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of which every one in respect of this power and dignity in the Church is particularly compared to a pretious stone v. 18. And when the wall of that city the Church exactly meted is found to be 144 cubits that is twelve times twelve 't is cleer that an equall portion or province is assigned to each of them To which purpose is that of Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though it were said to Peter alone I will give unto thee the keyes yet they were given to all the Apostles And Cyprian Ep. 27. Dominus noster Episcopi honorem Ecclesiae suae rationem disponens in Evangelio loquitur dicit Petro Ego tibi dico quia tu es Petrus tibi dabo claves quae ligaveris c Inde per temporum successionum vices Episcoporum ordinatio Ecclesiae ratio decurrit ut Ecclesia super Episcopos constituatur omnis actus Ecclesiae per eosdem gubernetur Our Lord Christ providing for the honour of the Bishop and the disposition of his Church speaks in the Gospel and saith to Peter I say unto thee that thou art Peter and I will give thee the keyes and what thou shalt bind c. From thence by vicissitudes of times and successions the ordination of Bishops and the disposition of the Church doth flow so that the Church is built on Bishops and every act of the Church is govern'd by them And before him Irenaeus l. 5. c. 20. the Apostles delivered the Churches to the Bishops And many the like testimonies So Tertullian de Praescr c. 32. Sicut Smyrnaeorum Ecclesia Polycarpum à Johanne collocatum refert utique caeterae exhibent quos ab Apostolis in Episcopatū constitutos Apostolici seminis traduces habent As the Church of Smyrna had Polycarp placed Bishop there by John so the other Churches are able to shew those whom they have constituted Bishops by the Apostles the children as it were of the Apostles who are propagated by them So S. Athanasius of the office of Bishop that it is one of the things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Christ hath formed by the Apostles in his Ep. to Dracontius And S. Basil the Great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopacy is the Apostolicall precedence or authority over others And S. Ambrose Claves regni coelorum in Beato Petro cuncti suscepimus sacerdotes All Bishops that is the notation of Sacerdotes there such as he then was received in S. Peter the keyes of the kingdome of heaven de dign sacerd c. 6. And Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They that according or answerably to Peter are vouchsafed the honour or grace of Episcopacy have power to bind and loose And generally all the ancient Writers to this purpose even S. Jerome himself in Psal 45. Quia Apostoli à mundo recesserunt habes pro illis Episcopos filios because the Apostles have departed from the world ye have their sons the Bishops instead of them V. 22. Be it far This form of speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is borrowed from the Hebrewes who use it to expresse the Latine absit that is amoliri malum aliquod to signifie our desire that such a thing may not come to passe So in the Hierusalem-Targum on Gen. 49. 22. Parce tibi Josephe ut nè conjicias oculos that is God forbid thou shouldest cast thine eyes and on Num.
conscience especially upon guilt of blood are weary of their lives and have this ready way to deliver themselves from that burthen 'T were impertinent to multiply testimonies to that purpose The authors of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mention it of other creatures that on occasion of great sadnesse have done the like But whether this were the manner of his death or no the Context gives us no means to define Ib. Burst asunder The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Greek by which the old Glossary renders dissiluit not as that signifies to leap down but to break asunder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 added to it signifies no more then in Latine medius discerpitur or disrumpitur or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lu. 23. 45. that is that he was broken in pieces a naturall consequent of which it is which here follows that his bowels gushed out at the wound or rupture V. 20. Bishopricke The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is frequently used in the Old and New Testament In the Old Testament there be two Hebrew words rendred by the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as it is oft rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God Lord Angel so once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So among profane authors 't is all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ruler as in Aristides where after the mention of Kings are added 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they that come annually as Episcopi overseers of which he had said before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there come rulers by law every year by which it appears that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rulers and Bishops are all one and so Justinian calls those which Aristides speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the rulers of provinces and Metropoles and accordingly Hesychius explains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 king or governour The 2 d Hebrew word which is rendred by it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and other the Derivatives of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 visitavit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all which note a prefect or governour or any impowr'd by commission to exercise any authority entrusted to him And as 't is sometimes rendred so elsewhere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all words of government or prefecture and once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dore-keeper to whom the keyes of the house of the Lord were committed Ezech. 44. 2. when 't is rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 't is taken in five senses 1. in an army 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Num. 31. 14. Judg. 9. 28. 2 Kin. 11. 15. the captain of the host 2dly among workmen the principal that were set over all others in the building of the Temple 2 Chron. 34. 12 17. 3dly in the city the ruler or prince Neh. 11. 9 14. and especially of the Priests v. 10. and of the Levites v. 15 4thly in the ministery of the Temple Eleazar the son of Aharon who Num. 3. 32. is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ruler of the rulers of the Levites Num. 4. 16. is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bishop Eleazar 5thly in the house of the Lord over which he that was set is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Kin. 11. 18. the bishop over the house of the Lord. By all which it appears that agreeable to the notion of the word in the Old Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 elswhere in the New denotes prefecture or ruling power in the Church viz that Apostolick power which at the coming of the Holy Ghost was to be instated upon him that should now be chosen into Judas's place to be an Apostle See Note on Phil. 1. b. V. 25. His own place What is here meant by may be best collected from the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lot or portion of ministery and Apostleship that is of Apostolical ministery in the beginning of the verse the taking of which is preparative here to his going to this That certainly signifies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Phavorinus a part or portion that falls to any particularly a province that belongs to any Governor and if that be a Bishop or Governor of the Church then such a Province styled v. 20. out of the Psalmist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishoprick which he that succeeds in is said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take there as here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take the portion of ministerie c. And then that which is thus become any mans assigned Province cannot more fitly be express'd than by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the place or Province proper to that man assigned to him This therefore regularly belonging to Judas if he had not by his treason against his Master forfeited it which is here said as in a parenthesis being inclosed with two comma's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matthias now succeds him in it takes his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lot or portion and so is now to go to this as his own place or Province which had else belonged to another Many prejudices there are against understanding this phrase of Hell as some have understood it as the place whither Judas was to go For 1. That was not his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the proper place or assignation of Judas but common to all other damned spirits 2. 'T was not S. Luke's office to pass sentence on Judas any farther then by setting down the hainousness of his crime which he had done v. 16 17 18 19. and was not to proceed to judge or affirme ought of Gods secrets such is his going into hell And 't is S. Chrysostomes observation on v. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 behold the wisdome of S. Luke how he doth not reproach or insult on Judas but simply sets down the matter of fact without any descant on it and what he addes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he discourses of the present vengeance belongs evidently to what befell him in this present world and so excludes all inlarging to his future damnation 3. There is no propriety in saying of the one that he sinned to go to hell but of the other 't is most proper so say that he was elected to such a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or portion to go or that he might go to it To this accords Theophylact 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He calls that his own place which Matthias should obtain So Oâ—cumenius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It may be interpreted of Matthias that Judas being fallen he should have his place for his own receiving his Bishoprick making place and Bishoprick synonyma So Didymus the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among many things signifies saith he an order as the place of a Bishop or an Elder So the Ordinary Gloss ut abiret in locum suum that is sortem Apostolicam his own place that is the Apostolical lot making 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
newes the Gospel of Jesus Christ and upon the successe of this through Gods prospering hand and many receiving the faith it followes that when the Church of Jerusalem heard of it they sent Barnabas to visit and confirm them Thus of the believers in common chap. 4. 31. it is said indefinitely that they spake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word of God with boldnesse according as they had prayed they might v. 29. noting thereby a valiant profession and publishing of the Gospel notwithstanding the terrors of men And though it be there said of them that they were all filled with the holy Ghost and so that may be taken for a commission and authority given to all them and so these here being contained in that number the same will be competible to these yet 1. it cannot be imagined that all simply that is every believer there women as well as men had any such authority then given them but that there are other meanings of the phrase filled with the holy Ghost besides that one of being sent into the ministery and the very courage of professing and publishing the Gospel was one such gift or effect of the holy Ghost And 2dly it is clear in the processe of this story that some others which were not so qualified as these that is that had not received the holy Ghost or ascended any farther then the Baptisme of John did thus publish the Gospel as these here are said to doe Thus Apollos chap. 18. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spake and taught exactly the things concerning the Lord knowing onely the baptisme of John and Aquila and Priscilla expounded to him more exactly the way of God and so I suppose did the Ephesian disciples ch 19. who had not received the holy Ghost ver 2. nor gone any farther then Johns Baptisme at the time of Pauls coming to them V. 17. Layd they their hands on The severall uses of imposition of hands are at large set down Note on 1 Tim. 4. f. Three in the Old Testament 1. as a ceremony in prayer 2. in paternal benediction 3. in creating officers And proportionably to these many more in the New 1. For Curing diseases 2. for Absolution of penitents 3. for Blessing of infants or those that are to be baptized to prepare them to it 4. in Confirmation 5. in Ordination of Officers for the Church Of the three former of these there is none which can pretend to be here meant and so all the difficulty is whether of the two latter it was That it was Confirmation may appear probable because it so soon attended their Conversion and Baptisme when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent unto them Peter and John v. 14. which agrees well with that of Confirmation which is an act reserved to the Rulers of the Church and not communicated or allow'd to inferior officers such as Philip the Deacon here And accordingly the Bishops are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doctors as that signifies the farther instructing them to whom the Gospel hath formerly been preach'd and as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 differs from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preaching from teaching And in Confirmation it was that in those first times the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost used to be conferr'd on them see Note on c. 2. d. Act. 19. 6. But it is probable also that the faith being here planted by Philip and the Apostles coming down to confirm them and those not staying there but returning to Jerusalem v. 25. they did at their being there ordain Elders or Bishops in the several cities as we know Paul and Barnabas did c. 14. 23. and Titus in Crete Tit. 1. 5. This saith Clemens Romanus the Apostles did in their journeyings when they went out preaching the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preaching through regions and cities they constituted their first-fruits those that first believed Bishops and Deacons of those which should afterwards believe And thus before this time they had at Jerusalem constituted James the brother of the Lord Bishop there in the first year after Christs Ascension and seven Deacons to attend him ch 6. And therefore it is not reasonable to believe that the Apostles Peter and John should thus come down to Samaria where the Gospel had been so universally received v. 6. and having taken care to confirm them should not also ordain some Governours over them before they returned again That therefore which is most reasonable is so to interpret this laying on of hands and their receiving the holy Ghost here as to comprehend Confirmation and Ordination both the holy Ghost by their ministry coming on all the sincere believers and endowing them with inward and some of them with extraordinary external gifts of healing prophecie c. see Note on ch 2. d. and the Apostles by laying on their hands on some speciall persons among them ordaining them Bishops and Deacons in several cities A power which belonged onely to the Apostles to exercise and so was not competible to Philip who yet had power to preach and to baptize V. 33. Gall of bitternesse What is the importance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the antient Gr. and Lat. MS. read it will be best discerned see Note on Mat. 27. f. by Deut. 29. 18. where apostasie or falling from God is described to be a root bearing gall and bitternesse say the Vulgar gall and wormwood say our English and the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 springing up in gall and bitternesse but the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we render gall signifies also a poysonous herb and so must signifie there where 't is joyned with a root bearing or bringing forth and so the wormwood following will best agree with it and both together will expresse that sinne to be a root whose effects are poysonous and bitter very hurtfull and infectious to men and most displeasing to God Answerable and equivalent to this is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here which therefore signifies this apostaticall condition of Simon so lately baptized to be dangerous to him and odious in Gods sight he being that first-born of Satan as he is styled and an Apostate from the Christian faith And accordingly his followers the Gnosticks and the poyson of their heresie together with him the root from whence all those pests of the primitive Apostolick Church did spring are express'd Heb. 12. 15. by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lest saith the Apostle there be any root of bitternesse springing up not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we read it but as by the Greek now cited from Deut. 29. 18. and by the agreeing of the participle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precedent seems the most probable reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in poyson a root of wormwood bringing forth or fructifying in poyson
commission immediately from him such were the Twelve and extraordinarily called S. Paul also The Evangelists were those which were sent by the Apostles whither they could not goe themselves and the Dioecese that belonged to these was the whole world or those speciall parts of it which the Apostles had allotted to one another Beside these the Prophets were those that in particular Churches rueld and taught as Bishops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Note on 1 Cor. 12. d. and over and above had that speciall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of expounding Moses and the Prophets and demonstrating out of them the truth of Christian religion This was the exhorting and confirming that here is spoken of and which is attributed to them as Prophets not excluding but containing the gift of foretelling things to come also as of Agabus we read c. 11. 28. Agreeably these that are here called prophets are also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ver 22. governours of Churches see Note on Heb. 13. b. and are accordingly to be resolved persons intrusted with the power of Bishops in particular Churches of Judaea and so members of the Councel at Jerusalem And so when 't is said that there were at Jerusalem Apostles and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies not the Presbyters of Jerusalem but Bishops of Judaea and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of them are these two which are here Judas and Silas and that Elder or Bishop of the Church of Jerusalem mentioned Rev. 7. 14. who is said to interpret the vision to John there CHAP. XVI 1. THen came he to Derbe and Lystra and behold a certain disciple was there named Timotheus the son of a certain woman which was a Jewess and believed but his father was a Greek Paraphrase 1. His father was a Greek but his mother an Hebrew named Eunice and a Christian 2 Tim. 1. 5. He therefore a Gentile as appears both by his name which is Greek and by his not being circumcised the eighth day 2. Which was well reported of by the brethren which were at Lystra and Iconium Paraphrase 2. Who was a Christian approved of all in 3. Him would Paul have to goe forth with him and took and circumcised him because of the Jewes which were in those quarters for they knew all that his father was a Greek Paraphrase 3. Him Paul chose to goe and accompany and assist him in preaching which because the Jewish Christians would not let him doe the Proselytes of the gates or uncircumcised being not permitted to come into the same court of the Temple with the Jewes at least they would never hearken to or benefit by his preaching having a special aversion to such he therefore circumcised him his father being a Greek and consequently his not being circumcised in his childhood being known to all 4. And as they went through the cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem Paraphrase 4. which had assembled at Jerusalem in Councel ch 15. 5. And so were the Churches established in the faith and increased in number daily Paraphrase 5. And thus they confirmed the Churches and every day converted many to the faith of Christ 6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia and were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia Paraphrase 6. by a revelation such as was mention'd ver 9. see ch 18. 5. to preach 7. After they were come to Mysia they assayed to goe into Bithynia but the Spirit suffered them not Paraphrase 7. over against Mysia they purposed to passe by Bithynia but they received a revelation which forbad them 8. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas Paraphrase 8. And therefore not coming to v. 7. but passing by Mysia they 9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying Come over into Macedonia and help us 10. And after he had seen the vision we endevoured to goe into Macedonia assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them Paraphrase 10. upon discourse resolving from the vision 11. Therefore loosing from Troas we came with a streight course to Samothracia and the next day to Neapolis Paraphrase 11. had a very fair gale that brought us directly 12. And from thence to Philippi which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia and a colonie and we were in that city abiding certain daies Paraphrase 12. a metropolis of one part of Macedonia and this city a colony of the Romans v. 21. 13. And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side note a where prayer was wont to be made and we sate down and spake to the women which resorted thither Paraphrase 13. where by a river side there stood an oratory and thither we went and going in found many women together and to them Paul preached the Gospel 14. And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira which worshipped God heard us whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul Paraphrase 14. a Proselyte of the Jewes was an auditor and by the grace of God she received the faith 15. And when she was baptized and her houshold she besought us saying If ye have judged me to be faithfull to the Lord come into my house and abide there And she constrained us Paraphrase 15. If ye believe my conversion to be sincere doe me the favour to 16. And it came to passe as we went to prayer a certain damosell possessed with a note b spirit of divination met us which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying Paraphrase 16. to the oratory see note a that a young maid that had a prophetick spirit by being possest by some devil Lev. 19. 31. which spake from within or out of the belly of her which had gained her masters a great deal by telling of strange things whether future or otherwise met us 17. The same followed Paul and us and cried saying These men are the servants of the most high God which shew unto us the way of salvation 18. And this did she many daies but Paul being grieved turned and said to the spirit I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her And he came out the same houre Paraphrase 18. that evil spirit that possest her 19. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gaines was gone they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers Paraphrase 19. the place of judicature 20. And brought them to the magistrates saying These men being Jewes doe exceedingly trouble our city 21. And teach customes which are not lawfull for us to receive neither to observe being Romans Paraphrase 20 21.
hath strange formidable powers of inflicting diseases nay death it self on malefactors see note d. Another the faculty of interpreting scripture Another of knowing men's hearts whether they be sincere or no in order to Ecclesiastical discipline in censures and diseases Another to speak some languages which he was never taught see note g. which served both as a miraculous act to confirm the Gospel and as a help to reveal it to men of all countries Another the power of interpreting strange languages to such in the congregation who had not understood the language in which the Apostles had spoken ver 30. 11. But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will 12. For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ Paraphrase 12. so in like manner is Christ and his Church many members in one body see Gal. 3. note d. 13. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body whether we be Jewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit Paraphrase 13. For in baptisme being made partakers of the same Spirit we are entred into one body to be fellow-members with all Christians of what quality or sort soever we are And the cup of charity or thanksgiving appointed by Christ in his last supper to be used in his Church is a token and band of the same unity among Christians and signifies the animating of all by the same Spirit 14. For the body is not one member but many 15. If the foot shall say Because I am not the hand I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body 16. And if the eare shall say Because I am not the eye I am not of the body is it therefore not of the body 17. If the whole body were an eye where were the hearing If the whole were hearing where were the smelling Paraphrase 14 15 16 17. For as the body is made up of severall members for severall uses so is the Church of Christ each of them profitable for some end and therefore though one be inferiour to some others yet hath that no reason to envy them 18. But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him Paraphrase 18. It hath therefore seemed best to God to give severall men severall offices in the Church which they are to be content with not repining that they are not more honourably employed 19. And if they were all one member where were the body Paraphrase 19. For if every member were equall to all others there could not be a subordination and assignation to severall offices as in a body there must be 20. But now are they many members yet but one body Paraphrase 20. And therefore God hath so ordered it that each should have his peculiar office and all together be united into one body 21. And the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee nor again the head to the feet I have no need of you 22. Nay much more those members of the body which seem to be feeble are necessary Paraphrase 21 22. Every one having need and use of every other and generally those which we more despise and are ashamed of being most necessary 23. And those members of the body which we think to be lesse honourable upon these we bestow more abundant honour and our uncomely parts have more abundant comelinesse Paraphrase 23. we cloth and cover most diligently 24. For our comely parts have no need but God hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked Paraphrase 24. but God hath so disposed of the severall parts of the body that some shall have a naturall beauty others that want that shall be supplied by clothes which are an artificiall beauty 25. That there should be no schisme in the body but that the members should have the same care one for another Paraphrase 25. That there may be no separation of interests or desires in the body and so likewise in the Church but that the several members may be as solicitous every one for another member as for its self 26. And whether one member suffer all the members suffer with it or one member be honoured all the members rejoice with it Paraphrase 26. From whence it followes that as in the body every member hath a fellow-feeling with each other so all true members of the Church have the same common interests and concernments whether of suffering or of rejoicing 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular Paraphrase 27. And this must be by you applied to your selves who are being considered all together the Church though not the Church Universal yet a special part thereof the Church of Corinth see Chrysostome and so the mystical body of Christ and the severall persons of you members of that body that particular church 28. And God hath set some in the Church first note b Apostles secondarily note c prophets thirdly note d teachers after that note e miracles then gifts of healings note f helps note g governments note h diversities of tongues Paraphrase 28. And the chief officers constituted by God in the Church are 1. Apostles sent to plant the faith and having done so either to govern being present or superintend being absent in all Churches 2. Prophets who having many spiritual gifts teach where the Apostles have planted and confirm believers and impose hands see note on Act. 15. c. 3. Doctors or teachers of Churches already constituted and so all one with Bishops differing from prophets onely in this that they taught out of the instructions which they had themselves received without any special revelation Then as endowments of these and parts of their function were these five things 1. Powers of inflicting diseases and death it self upon the disobedient 2. Gifts of healing them that received the faith 3. The care of the poor 4. The power of governing the Churches where they were planted And lastly some sorts of languages necessary to their preaching to the Gentiles though not the gift of all tongues which came down on the Apostles 29. Are all Apostles are all prophets are all â—achers are all workers of miracles 30. Have all the gifts of healing doe all speak with tongues doe all interpret Paraphrase 29 30. Thus do the severall offices and gifts in the Church belong to several persons and not all to one and each is to be content with his lot and use it to the benefit of the Church 31. But covet earnestly the best gifts And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way Paraphrase 31. I conceive then that you doe well every one to seek and contend in prayer earnestly for those gifts which are most usefull and profitable to the
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I come to you this third time yet that referres evidently to this his third resolution personally to appear among them c. 12. v. 14. having resolved it twice already and before that time comes this second Epistle is to supply the place of a second admonition as his first had been a first And so the words will be rendred thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have foretold or admonished you once in my first Epistle and doe now so again the second time and both those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as present these Epistolarie warnings being to have the same force with them as if he were present among them And if this method answerable to the first and second admonition instituted by Christ doe not prevail with you then that which remains is that he proceed to censures and that he is resolved to doe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will not spare Where the Apostolical power which he had over them maketh it improper for him to proceed to any third admonition that of telling it to the Church in S. Matthew So Bishop Titus is appointed to deal with an heretick After the first and second admonition reject him Tit. 3. 10. without any third degree intervening immediately to proceed to censures V. 5. Jesus Christ is in you That Christs being among them signifies the presence and power of the Gospel among the Corinthians or in their Church through S. Pauls Apostleship may appear not only by the Context which wholly looks that way but by that place Exod. 17. 7. to which these words seem to referre where the tempting contumacious Israelites after all the signes and miracles shewed among them doe still remain infidel and ask in these very words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Lord among us or no So that the meaning of the Apostles question here is Many miracles of Christ and his Spirit have been wrought among you by me so that if you doe not yet believe that I am an Apostle of Christ and so that Christ is among you you are sure of the number of those Israelites who after so many miracles still required more signes or of the Pharisees who did the same Mar. 8. 11. which being put in form of a question Discern you not that Christ Jesus is among you the answer is in the next words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which cannot be more distinctly and literally rendred then thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 referring to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 precedent if ye doe not that is if ye doe not discern it in some degree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doubtlesse ye are reprobates senslesse obdurate persons most impious and uncapable of faith or any thing that is good What the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is hath been formerly mentioned See Note on Rom. 1. g. V. 11. Be perfect The proper original notion of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to compact or knit together either members in a body or parts in a building Thus it is applied to a building Exod. 15. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the place which thou hast made for thee to dwell in and to walls Ezra 4. 13 16. to a body Psal 40. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a body thou hast framed or compacted for me From hence it doth more largely signifie to prepare or make ready in the same kind as builders doe fit one part to another and make it ready for use and so again to corroborate and strengthen as that which is well compacted and knit together is made strong by that means and lastly to perfect as the building of an house is the perfecting of it especially in the passive voice because that which is compacted and built is perfected and completed by that means Answerable to these severall notions is the Glossarie of Hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not as it is corruptly read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifies to prepare to perfect to strengthen or corroborate In the New Testament the word is variously used but so as will by the circumstances of the Context be appliable to one or more of these three notions Mat. 4. 21. and Mar. 1. 19. it is applied to the mending of the fishers nets knitting them together and so either strengthning or preparing them for use Mat. 21. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in reference to the childrens Hosannahs or testimonies of Christ Thou hast out of their mouths compacted or made up or made ready a song of praise or confession or testimony Lu. 6. 40. Every servant shall be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made up perfected fitted for his crown after the same manner as his master Christ is So 1 Thess 3. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make up or perfect or repair defects and Heb. 13. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfect you build you up and so perhaps v. 9. of this chap. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I pray for your being perfect in all goodnesse as v. 7. I beseech God that you doe no evill So Rom. 9. 22. vessels of wrath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it signifies formed or framed or made fit So Heb. 10. 5. out of the Septuagint of the Psalme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a body thou hast framed me and Heb. 11. 3. by faith we conceive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the ages of the world were framed that is the world created But besides all these places one sort more there is wherein by reason of the affinity between the Church of Christ and a building or body the word hath a peculiar signification to compact Christian people the stones in the building or the members in the body of the Church together into a society where they may live and publickly serve God together and that either 1. by first forming those societies uniting men in the profession of the same truths and performance of the same services or 2dly by recovering or restoring any that hath been broken off from the Church by any fault or criminous commission especially if he have been for that cause cut off by the Governours of the Church that is cast out by Ecclesiastical Censures or 3dly by reducing him that hath voluntarily broken himself off by schisme c. or 4thly by Gods restoring peace and tranquillity to the Church that they may thus freely meet together In the first sense we have it Ephes 4. 12. where he speaks of the severall offices ordained in the Church and the first end which he assignes of so doing is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the compacting of the saints that is for the holding the body of the Church together to frequent puâ—lick assemblies c. In the second sense 't is clearly used Gal. 6. 1. where the spiritual or Governours of the Church are advised to indulgence and tendernesse not too much sharpnesse or severity toward offenders or lapsed persons and accordingly are appointed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Christian much lesse when it is to the injuring of our fellow-Christians 26. Be angry and sin not note h let not the sun go down upon your wrath Paraphrase 26. Another sin to be guarded by you is wrathâ—â— and if you be surprized suddainly with any commotion of mind for any thing done injuriously to you or others yet let it not break out into bitter or contumelious behaviour or if it doe make all hast to subdue that rage and to reconcile thy self to him that hath been thus injured by thee 27. Neither give place to the devil Paraphrase 27. And to this end take care that you give not ear to calumniators or doe not suffer the devil to gain in upon you and bring you to those black detestable sinnes of malice mischievous machinations c. by your continuing indulgently in this sinne of wrath v. 26. 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour note i working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Paraphrase 28. A third sinne is stealing and despoiling of others which some under pretence of Christianity and their right to the creature have freely ventured upon They that have been thus guilty let them reform and resolve that by their own labour and earnings they ought to get that which may suffice for their own necessities and enable them to supply the wants of others 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers Paraphrase 29. A fourth sinne is that of filthiness from which ye ought to be so farre removed that not so much as your tongue should admit any impure word and therefore be sure that no unclean discourse so farre from usefull that 't is poysonous and infectious as putrid rotten meats be indulged to among you but in stead of it that which is wholesome profitable instructive in those things that are necessary for a Christian to know that it may bring advantage to them that hear you and increase of piety see note on chap. 5. c. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby ye are note k sealed unto the day of redemption Paraphrase 30. And repell not by your noisome conversation the holy Spirit of God by which you are marked and sealed and set by as wares that are by Christ purchased to be used in his service a Church of pure Christians see note on ch 1. d. 31. Let all bitternesse and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice 32. And be ye kind one to another tender-hearted forgiving one another ever as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Annotations on Chap. IV. V. 8. Gave gifts It hath been the manner of many nations in their triumphs after victories to go up to the city in pomp and splendor to bring in captives bound all people coming forth to the spectacle and then to give solemn gifts or largesses to their friends and countrey-men or kindred as â—art of the sâ—lemnity So M. Aurelius gave eight pound a peeece to the poor people in the time of triumph And this is here accommodated to Christ in his victory and triumph over hell accomplished by his death and resurrection For to increase the solemnity of that he went up to the heavenly Jerusalem his own city from which he came forth carried the Devil and sin and death captives shew'd them openly shackled and unarmed the Devil gagg'd and silenc'd in his oracles death's sting pulled out and sin left unable to hurt any that had truly repented of it and for a complement of all he sent his largesses to his Disciples and clients the gifts of the Holy Ghost That which is here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave is in the Greek of the Psalme 78. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 received probably from the nature of the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as it signifies to give so 't is to receive also as in English to take sometimes signifies to give and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are all one V. 11. Evangelists The rest of these offices of the Church have been explained in the Notes on 1 Cor. 12. a. b. c. And this of Evangelist by the way Note on Mat. 9. l. and Joh. 20. a. To which somewhat may here be added for the giving the full notion of it As first that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 good news or message being common to that which is written and which is delivered by word of mouth two notions there are of Evangelist one for the writer another for the preacher of the Gospel In the first notion we have the four Evangelists of which two were Apostles of the twelve Matthew and John and yet those as ordinarily called Evangelists as the other two But this is not the notion which belongs to this place where Evangelist is a distinct office from Apostle but the second which denotes an office then known in the Church when any that was taken notice of for some eminent degree of proficiency in the Gospel and special abilities of utterance and diligence c. was upon recommendation of the Church as it is said of Timotheus Act. 16. 2. chosen by any of the Apostles to assist them in their work and sent out with power of preaching the Gospel and of doing miracles and with gifts of healing to that purpose and of baptizing those that should receive the Gospel and with other powers also of ordaining Bishops when the Apostle thought fit to allow it him For as the office of Evangelist being to preach to unbelievers requires not the donation of all the Episcopal power viz. of ruling nor the power of Ordination necessarily because when the Evangelist hath planted the faith the Apostle himself may come and confirm and ordain Bishops as we see in Samaria Act. 8. 17. and therefore the Author of the Commentaries on the Epistles under S. Ambrose's name saith on this place Quamvìs non sint sacerdotes Evangelizare tamen possunt sine cathedra quemadmodum Stephanus Philippus Though they be not Priests that is Bishops yet they may Evangelize without a chair so the donation of that superior power doth not yet make them cease to be Evangelists And accordingly as Philip which was but a Deacon and therefore only preached and baptized the Samaritanes Act. 8. 12. Peter and John the Apostles being sent to lay hands on them v. 17. was yet an Evangelist and is so styled Act. 21. 8 so others that were Evangelists had also power given them by the Apostles that sent them out to constitute Churches and so to ordain rulers over them as of Mark it is said that being sent into Aegypt by S. Peter he constituted Anianus Bishop of Alexandria and so when Timothy was constituted Bishop of Ephesus 1
Tim. 1. 3. he is yet commanded by S. Paul to doe the work of an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4. 5. that is as he was Bishop of those that believed under that Metropolis and of those also that should come in to the faith in all Asia so he had also authority to make known the Gospel to them that knew it not to call them to the faith which is the peculiar notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Evangelize and to preach and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28. 29. to gather disciples as those words are opposed to teaching Act. 15. 35. and c. 5. 44. and as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word differs from doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. Now as he that from a Deacon is made a Bishop hath all the powers that belonged to a Deacon still continued to him and the addition of so much more so he that is an Evangelist if he be farther invested with power of Ordination may still remain an Evangelist the power of constituting Bishops over them that believe and are baptized being reconcileable with the power of preaching to them that believed not Only the word Evangelist denoting no more then that of being sent by an Apostle to preach is indifferently used whether he have the power of Deacon onely as Philip or more as of Timothy and Mark hath been affirmed and so is here set after the Apostles and Prophets and distinguish'd from Pastors and Doctors that come after by which the ruling Elder or Bishop is understood V. 14. Sleight The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a dye might possibly signifie inconstancy and mutability because nothing is more variable then that And so in Antoninus l. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set to signifie the firmest constancy of mind In this sense it might well enough agree with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here being carried about with the wind c. and so Xylander upon that place hath taken confidence to interpret it that S. Paul advises us to avoid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is saith he nè omni vento doctrinae circumagi nos in errores abripi patiamur that we doe not permit our selves to be driven about and snatch'd into errors by every wind of doctrine But the Glosse of Phavorinus is more to be heeded who renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 craft subtilty dexterity to deceive and agreeably the very word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here set with it in the sense wherein we proverbially say of a cunning cheat that he sets the dice upon us And so Eusebius out of Irenaeus speaking of Marcus saith he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying deceitfull artifice such as Conjurers use Eccles Hist l. 4. c. 11. See Theophylact who comparing the false teachers to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dicers saith of them that they do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 remove the simple as they please as at dice they can cast what throw they have a mind to and this saith he is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here spoken of and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whatsoever their deceitfull artifices have a mind to Ib. Ly in wait to deceive What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies in this place may thus be collected Hesychius seems to render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 arts for so I suppose the words in his Glossarie must be mended in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that followes after and is rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Suidas is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to use any artifice and to deceive The word saith S. Chrysostome is used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in speeches in work◠in wrestlings In speech it is set down by the Rhetoricians for one of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Hermogenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 217. and because these are all designed to the working on and perswading the auditors therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is thus to contrive the speech that it may probably be most perswasive see Chrysost Tom. 4. p. 416. l. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he otherwise dressed up the same thing and proposed it more softly or calmly and cunningly So Tom. 3. p. 495. l. 20. and p. 880. l. 1. he proposes not sins plainly calling it idolatry c. but after another manner contrives and formes his speech so as it may best perswade by concealing what is likely to avert So in Marcus Eremita in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 941. D. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you desired some method and exhortatory discourses that is some colours of perswasion And the like arts of dissimulation and disguise as these in all sorts of actions and particularly in combates are in like manner express'd by this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 6. 11. the crafts and ambushes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the treacheries deceits and cunning contrivances of the devil Accordingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one that is not apt to be deceived by any subtilties contrivances concealments as in Hermes Trism l. 13. p. 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a most wise Judg that cannot be imposed upon by any artifices of the advocates or pleaders And thus in this place the craftiness of men is designed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the managing and contriving of their false doctrine so as they may be most likely to perswade and gain upon seducible auditors V. 16. From whom the whole body This verse hath much of difficulty in it and the first part of that is whether Christ being called in the former verse the head of the Church the influences that here are said to come from him and are set down by Analogie with the natural body are those that come from the head and not rather from the heart To this the solution may be easie first that it is very probable that in a mans body the growth is from the head For the animal spirits are by the nerves conveyed to the nourishing and encreasing the several parts through the whole body and those nerves descend from the brain by the spina dorsi and are from the vertebrae there branch'd out over the whole body from whence it comes to passe in crooked persons where the vertebrae are displaced that the growth is thereby hindered And then the Analogie will hold exactly to the Church the body of Christ that it receives its supply for encrease or growth from Christ the head Secondly that if this be not so but that the heart should be found to be the fountain both of life and growth yet the Analogie here will still hold it being reasonable to affirm that Christ supplies the place of both these parts in the Church is the head to rule and direct and the heart also to supplie it
him to eternal blisse shall never part from Christ again but enjoy his presence for ever 18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words Paraphrase 18. This consideration is certainly sufficient to yield you matter of comfort and support in the death of any that is nearest to you and to assure you that Christ's promise of delivering the persecuted is no whit lesse performed to them that die under the persecutions then to them that live to see their persecutors destroyed which shall now ere long come to passe See ch 2. 16. Annotations on Chap. IV. V. 4. His vessel It is the conceit of a learned man that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his own vessel here signifies his lawful or proper wife But there is no example nor analogie for this interpretation unlesse that the wife is elswhere called the weaker vessel 1 Pet. 3. 7. But that supposes the man to be a vessel too and concludes no peculiarity of that title to the woman but onely that she is the weaker The wives are indeed by some called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your fields in Demetrius Cydonius by others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your dwelling in Euthymius Zygabenus but no where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vessel And indeed the Context doth otherwise incline it to denote the mans own body For that which is opposed v. 5. to this possessing his own vessel with chastity and honour is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the passion of lust that is inordinate lust as the Gentiles c. Now those Gentile impious unnatural practices were not peculiarly opposed to conjugal chastity but simply to chastity or purity whether in marriage or out of marriage And to that best agrees the notion of his own vessel as it signifies his own flesh his own body Now the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying simply an utensil or instrument of use see Mat. 21. Note b. the body being the great utensil or instrument of the mind is fitly so called Thus Barnabas in his Epistle calls the body of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vessel or utensil of the Spirit and so the Jewes call the body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an instrument and the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is very near that onely the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abundant This possâ—ssing or as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies sometimes in the idiome of these Writers preserving or keeping Luk. 21. 19. the body in purity and honour is the perfect chastity either in coelibacy or the conjugal state in opposition to all those unnatural lusts which are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1. 26. dishonourable affections the basest vilest submissions imaginable and the same is here called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which makes it not improbable that that should be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also but however it signifies the same thing inordinate desires or lusts And to this also agrees that which follows v. 6. See Note b. V 6. Goe beyond 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a general word to signifie transgressing of the due limits in any thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to goe beyond the bounds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 transgressing of oaths and obligations saith Hesychius and when the close of Hesiods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is saith Proclus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— to avoid all deviations from the right and good mark and so in Phocylides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mischievous transgressing This being applied to matters of uncleanness as appears v. 7. and by the modest civil expression of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a matter and by the addition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which hath formerly been explained to belong to inordinacy or unnatural lusts will be concluded most probably to signifie those filthinesses which exceed the bounds and law of nature Hence perhaps it is that Hesychius hath rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 contumely in that notion of the word wherein Clemens in his Paedagogus l. 2. cites it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. that dishonourable villanous practice here mentioned v. 5. And thus we find 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used by Epiphanius of the Gnosticks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. And to this purpose it may perhaps be farther observable that the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence is the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the old word from whence the rest of the tenses of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 come doth in the Old Testament signifie the husbands companying with the wife and is rendred going in unto her and accordingly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are by humane Authors used in that sense applied to other creatures Aristot Hist Animal l. 5. cap. 14. speaking of an Elephant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Homer Odyss 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist Histor Animal l. 6. c. 12. And to the same sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Cicero the Latine batuere Another ordinary notion there is wherein these two words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are here used together doe agree viz. to denote superiority or being in a more eminent degree So saith Chrysostome of the Bishops superiority above Presbyters in the point of Ordination 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this they exceed or haâ—â— more power But this notion being by the Context rendred unappliable to this place will onely signifie that these two words being of the same importance in other things may probably be so in this matter also wherein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is so visibly used in these Sacred writings for unnatural unclean excesses See Ephes 5. 5. Theophylact though he acknowledge the phrase to belong to matters of uncleanness and so interprets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet thinks it belongs peculiarly to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adultery which saith he is here fitly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I suppose it should be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it may be answerable to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because God saith he hath allowed every man his wife 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and defined bounds to nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he should content himself with that one woman and he that doth not he may properly be said to exceed and to desire inordinately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and this peculiarly against or to the wronging of his brother But the sin here mentioned being a specification of what was meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and an instance of the practice of the heathens that knew not God v. 5. and presently attended with Gods being an avenger of all such things v. 6. it will not so reasonably be restrained to adultery but be taken for those foul sins for which the Gentiles mysteries were so
city of Derbe Act. 20. 4. and so distinct from him of Corinth also and probably from him that is mentioned here who could not have been so fit for the employment v. 5. of entertaining the brethren and strangers if he were employed in preaching the Gospel as a fellow-travailer of S. Paul It remains therefore that this Gaius here be some third person of a Roman name Gaius and Caius being all one and a very common and vulgar name of which therefore it is not strange that there should be three distinct persons mentioned in the New Testament and so some Gentile Christian an eminent member of that Church v. 9. to which S. John seems to have written his second Epistle see Note on 2 Joh. a. no where else but in this place mentioned in the New Testament V. 7. Went forth The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 went out is capable of two notions First it may signifie a voluntary going out and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the name of Christ must signifie their preaching and propagating the Gospel for which they took their travail from their own countrey But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may signifie also a violent ejection So Mat. 17. 21. speaking of the ejection or casting out of a devil the like phrase is used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this kind goeth not out by going out meaning ejection Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies in Syriack to go out and to be cast out also and accordingly Mat. 8. 12. the Syriack hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exibunt they shall go out but the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall be cast out According to which it is that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cast out and sent out are used promiscuously the one for the other see Note on Mat. 9. i. And then going out for Christ's name is being banished or cast out of their countrey for the profession of the faith of Christ which we know the Jewish Christians were Act. 8. 1. and 11. 19. V. 9. Diotrephes This Diotrephes was a Christian that from Gentilisme received the faith in that Church to which Gaius belonged and to which the Apostle seems to have written the former Epistle commendatory of the brethren ver 9. From hence appears that which was intimated Rom. 14. 1. that the Gentile Christians were in part guilty of the breach betwixt the Jewish Christians and them and not onely the Jewes There it seems as the Jewish judged and condemned the Gentile Christians for using their Christian liberty so the Gentile Christians despised and set a◠nought the Jewish Here it seems the matter was driven higher that is they did not so freely relieve the Jewish Christians that were driven out of their countrey for the faith as they ought in Christian liberality to have done That seems to be the meaning of ver 7. that the Jewish Christians that were driven out of Judaea for the profession of the faith see Note b. were not now in this Church of Asia so liberally and hospitably treated as the laws of Christian charity obliged and as belonged to them as strangers v. 5. to furnish them for their journey ver 6. Secondly they were some of them so farre guilty in this matter that when S. John wrote his letters of commendation for them these were not effectual Diotrephes rejected or gave no reception or heed to his letters and by this means the rest of the Church also being otherwise willing to have entertained them were detained from doing it ver 10. Thirdly he not only denied them that hospitable reception and relief but utterly rejected them from their communion cast them out of the Church ver 10 Whether this Diotrephes were a Bishop in this Church it may de doubted or whether onely one that immoderately affected that dignity or assumed it not belonging to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may signifie one that loves useth immoderately this dignity when he hath it and one that seeks it inordinately or assumeth it It is possible that he was a Bishop and being so did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cast out the Jewish Christians out of the Church and that in spight of S. John's commendatory letters who had an Apostolical power over him and all other Bishops of Asia But it may also be very probable that as the Hereticks of those times did contemn and affront the Bishops and Apostles themselves so this Diotrephes might doe without having any real authority in the Church but onely assuming it as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a presumptuous confident bold person THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF note a JUDE IT is but agreeable to the former conjectures in the posthumous Annotations of the most learned H. Grotius to determine here also as in the second of Peter and second and third of John that the writer was not Jude one of the twelve Apostles and accordingly to affix it to Jude a Bishop of Jerusalem But of this there is no proof offered save only first That he calls himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a servant not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apostle of Jesus Christ Secondly That it was not translated into all languages and received into all Churches Thirdly That in the Catalogue of the Bishops of Jerusalem the fifteenth that is named is called Judas To the first of these it may be sufficient to answer that as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Apostle of Jesus signifies one sent upon the services of Christ with commission from him so it is in effect all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a servant of Jesus and so the latter as proper a style of any Apostle of Christ as the former But then secondly in the title of the Epistle which is the sense of the antient Church in this matter it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Jude the Apostle and in the Text it self there is a mark as characteristical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the brother of James which can belong to none but to Jude the Apostle To the second I answer as before to that of the second of Peter that this Epistle was not so universally known and undoubtedly received at first as other parts of the New Testament which notwithstanding it was yet soon after universally known and translated and received into the antient Canon and the Apostolicalnesse of the writing never so questioned by any as to assigne it any other Author or to doubt of the truth of any thing contained in it As for Jude the fifteenth Bishop of Jerusalem that opinion of his being the Author of it affixeth it to the time of Adrian whereas this Epistle by the subject of it common to it with the second of Peter and by the many passages of agreement appears to have been written on the same occasion and about the same time that the second of Peter was which hath already appeared see Note on
person moreover supposed to arrogate to her self that which Jezabel did not the honour and title of a Prophetesse that is pretending to divinity and revelation from God a deep mysterious understanding of Scripture and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 depths of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. beyond all others and from thence grounding the particular matters of this heresie though they were indeed but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 depths of Satan v. 24. and calling it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 knowledge as pretending all the followers of this heresie to be prime special Christians of great perfection for to such onely is that title applied by Clemens Alexand. 'T is true indeed that Epiphanius and out of him others referres this title of Jezabel to those women-hereticks which followed Montanus and took upon them to be Prophetesses about Commodus's reign Priscilla Maximilla and Quintilla under the pretence of Revelations spreading many monstrous heresies of Montanius's being the Paraclete which saith he were in this Church of Thyatira not long after S. John's time But because the Text referres to the known doctrine and particularly the uncleannesse of the Gnosticks and because the heresie of the Montanists was not a licentious heresie but rather of too much strictnesse and thereby seduced Tertullian to it and lastly because Helena that went along with Simon Magus was a woman more capable of this title therefore I cannot adhere to that interpretation But without defining that which is somewhat obscure what City this of Thyatira was one of that name being placed by Strabo in Mysia another by Stephanus in Lydia another by Pliny in Ionia who also mentions a whole Island of that name I shall rather interpret the heresie which is here said to be permitted in that Church of that known unclean sink of men the Gnosticks described v. 14. in the same manner as here that so over-run Asia then leave it to any more uncertain subject to be applied to V. 26. Unto the end What is here meant by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the end may appear not onely by what hath been oft said of it that it notes the end of the Jewes Commonwealth see Mat. 24. Note c. d. but by the parallel phrase that here goes before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 until the time wherein I shall come For that the coming of Christ notes that notable destruction of his enemies the Jewish crucifiers of Christ and persecuters of Christians hath been often shew'd see Mat. 24. b. By comparing of these two phrases together the sense of this whole passage will be discoverable To those in this Church of Thyatira and the other cities under this Metropolis which had not fallen off to the Gnostick-heresie he gives no other counsel for the present till this time come of destroying the Jewish persecuters and Judaizing Gnosticks but that they continue as they are do as they do hold fast what they have already ver 25. And he that shall do so that is continue thus constant against all temptations of either sort the offer of immunity from persecutions on one side and the carnalities on the other and so overcome and keep Christ's works keep fast to the Faith till that long expected period here is an honourable promise made to him as the reward of this his constancy and perseverance When that end comes and Gnosticks and Jews be destroyed and so peace and purity restored to the Church then these constant Christians shall be employed by Christ to propagate the Gospel to those who have not yet received it and this is express'd by Christ's giving him power over the Nations even as he received of or from his Father For first it must be observed that those words in the former part of ver 27. taken out of the second Psalm must be read in a parenthesis and so the end of v. 26. and the latter part of v. 27. will connect together thus To him will I give power over the Nations even as I received that is as I received from my Father What this signifies is apparent from John 20. 21. As my Father sent me so send I you The same commission that Christ had from his Father he gives to his twelve Apostles that is authority to govern the Church after him This authority is here the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 power And as the Apostles had this power for their time and some others derivatively from them and those that so derived it may yet be said truly though not immediately to have received it from Christ so here they that are made Bishops in the Church after the Apostles receive this power from Christ and he is truly and properly said to give it them And as the Apostles power and commission was first to plant then to govern Churches so here the power that is promised these persevering Christians of this Church is to preach the Gospel and propagate it farther then it was yet received and having converted then to govern Churches and these being now made up not as before of Jewes dispersed and their Proselytes but of Gentile-Idolaters that should now flock in to the Faith of Christ the converting them and having planted Churches ruling as Bishops among them is that which is here styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 power over the Gentiles And then to these are accommodated those words out of the second Psalm And he shall feed them so the Septuagint reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feed from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pavit as a pastor feeds his flock though now the Hebrew copies have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall break from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fregit with a rod of iron as the Potters vessels are broken that is shall begin with the exercise of Regal in stead of Pastoral power bring some to repentance and then destroy the rest and by conjoyning of these two means both the instruments of his power the one of his spiritual power in subduing souls to the faith the other of his secular power in acting vengeance on the rebellious and obdurate expulse heathenisme and plant Christianity in the place For it must be remembred first what is the ground of this figurative expression feed with a rod of iron viz. an elegant variation from the custome of Pastors they feed their sheep and need no more then a rod or staffe to manage their whole flock but the pastor that comes to feed any heathen nation with the spiritual food of the pure word of God must come with aids of power strike their hearts and powerfully convince them of sin bring them to contrition and really destroy those that will not by the preaching of the Gospel be thus convinced This is to feed them with a Scepter an iron rod an exercise of Regal rather then pastoral power a powerful work first of grace and then of vengeance both necessary to reduce an heathen nation to Christianity And secondly that
those words were first to be verified of Christ himself in subduing the Gentiles to the Faith and then as his power given him by his Father is by him communicated to others so this prophecie is appliable to others also Thus is the phrase used c. 12. 5. of the Church established at Rome of which it is there foretold that it shall be very powerful and efficacious in converting many to the Faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it shall feed all the Nations in a larger manner then here is said of Thyatira where the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all is omitted that is propagate the Faith very far And because this conversion of them to the faith consists in their repentance and forsaking of their Gentiles-sins and rendring future obedience to the faith of Christ and because repentance is in Scripture express'd figuratively by breaking and shivering of the heart Psal 51. 17. which we ordinarily style contrition and because that contrition if it be sincere excludes all turning again to the forsaken sins and that cannot better be express'd then by the breaking of a pot or earthen vessel which when 't is broken can by no art be made whole again as pots of silver or other metal may by being melted again therefore this coming in of Converts to the Faith is rhetorically described both in the Psalm and here by breaking men as a Potters vessels are broken Thus saith Chrysostome T. 6. p. 855. l. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the words of the Psalme must be understood 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he speaks of the faithfull c. All which being thus far cleared to be the meaning of these two verses 26 and 27. that they that were then at the writing of this Epistle but members of the Church of Thyatira should after prove eminent propagators of the Gospel and Bishops of their Gentile-converts there will be little doubt but the 28. verse And I will give to him the morning star that is to him that hath the power given him v. 27. is thus to be interpreted also The morning star 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Greek for the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the star of the morning and it is sometimes called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the star that brings light ushers in the Sun 2 Pet. 1. 19. sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 22. 16. the bright and morning star and sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the East or day-spring Luk. 1. 78. And though every of these in all those places signifie Christ in respect of his light and lustre yet it is certain that in other respects other things may be represented by it so in Isaiah the King of Babylon is called Lucifer Son of the morning in respect of his power or spendor above other Kings and so 't is possible it may here note some eminent Prince or Nation that the Church of Thyatira that is the constant Orthodox pure Christians in that Church should propagate the faith to when the heretical Gnostick professors there were finally destroyed That that is the meaning of Christs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will give unto him may appear by what hath been said of the phrase of Gods giving unto Christ Joh. 6. Note d. giving unto him for an inheritance or possession from Psal 2. 8. which being applied and communicated here by Christ to men as it is there by God to Christ will denote the conversion of them to the Faith by the preaching of those men commission'd by Christ Thus the phrase I will give is used c. 3. 9. I will give them of the Synagogue that is as followeth I will make them that they shall come and worship before thy feet that is they shall be subdued unto thee And seeing this phrase is here also taken out of that second Psalm as the former of ruling them with the rod of iron c. it is not improbable that from thence it may be explained There it is said to Christ I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession the former part whereof is here v. 26. giving him power over the Nations and then why may not this be parallel to the latter part The utmost parts of earth are the extreme points East and West and the morning star may properly signifie one of these the East in respect of the point wherein it is wont to arise and usher in the Sun and so is styled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 1. the East or day-spring And then their converting the Gentiles of the Eastern Nations to Christianity propagating the Faith over the East much farther after those times of persecution were over may very probably be the meaning of this verse CHAP. III. 1. ANd unto the Angel of the Church in note a Sardis write These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead Paraphrase 1. Thus saith Christ who hath at his command those seven Angels of God mentioned c. 1. 4. and hath authority over all the Bishops or Governours of the Churches and the congregations under them to punish or reward them I know your actions and judge by them and not by your pretensions and therefore do passe this sentence upon you that although you professe to be Christians yet you renounce the faith when any persecution approacheth 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God Paraphrase 2. And some that have not as yet faln are yet ready to do so if they be not speedily fortified wherefore a great care must be taken of those that they be upheld For though there be faith in this Church yet there wants that love which must consummate this faith and this that perfect love that casts out fear that will make men confesse Christ in time of greatest hazard this I say is wanting among you 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee Paraphrase 3. Remember therefore the pure Christian doctrine which requires confession with the mouth as well as faith and be strong and constant and make amends for your former failings And if by continued negligence you thus fall again expect that my judgments on you shall be sudden and unpreventable 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Paraphrase 4. Some few names that is persons Act. 1. 15. there are in this Church which have not failed in this kind have held out constant against all terrors and confessed and suffered for my name and these shall not fail of the
ensignes of the standards of Israel meaning thereby four Apostles that were present at the Council at Jerusalem Act. 15. and that had most especially reference to the Jewes which were the people on whom this judicature was to passe and those had many eyes before and behind see Note l. that is the gifts of prophecie and also of interpreting the scriptures of the Old Testament the first looking forward the other backward 7. And the note h first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle Paraphrase 7. And the four ensignes were as they were in Ezechiel c. 1. the images of a lion and an oxe and a man and an eagle which may by way of hieroglyphick fit enough for a vision all of them put together set out that title of God of slow to anger and swift to mercy and so represent him as he is in his dealing with these Jewes whom he was now about to judge having warned them by the Prophets by Christ by the Apostles and the converted Jewes in Asia by the Epistle to the Churches ch 1. 2 3. before he proceeds to judgment against them and when he doth so wonderfully delivering the penitent believers out of that destruction 8. And the four beasts had each of them note i six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God almighty which was and is and is to come Paraphrase 8. And the bearers of these four standards had each of them six wings like Seraphims Isa 6. 2. with two of them covering the face with two the feet or secret parts and with two flying noting the humility chastity love or zeal in Gods service that was remarkable in these in opposition to the contrary in those which should now be judged especially the Gnostick Judaizers and were full of eyes as before v. 6. behind and before in respect of their understanding of the prophecies and types of the Old Testament and their gifts of prophecie given them by God and they labour incessantly for the advancement of God's glory and the kingdome of Christ and evidencing to unbelievers their approaching ruine and to believers God's fidelity in making good his promise to them in delivering them and destroying their enemies 9. And when those beasts gave glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10. The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Paraphrase 9 10 11. And while they did so the Bishops of the Christian Church in Judaea did adoration to God acknowledging his fidelity and infinite power from whom they have receiv'd all and therefore are in all reason to employ all to his service and to depend and trust on him in the midst of all dangers as on a faithfull creatour 1 Pet. 4. 19. see Act. 4. 24 30. Annotations on the Revelation Chap. IV. V. 1. I looked The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here is not to be taken in the ordinary notion of seeing looking or beholding but in that so solemn among the Prophets of the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence their prophecies are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vision and each prophet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Seer and so 't is generally taken in this book and is best explained by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I was in the Spirit ch 1. 10. This joined here with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes either a distant matter or a distant Vision from the former and having no Accusative case after to restrain it it is a general title belonging to the whole passage after it as farre as that Vision goes For it hath formerly been said that these Visions were delivered at several times see the Praemonition At what distance or space one from another or in what order distinctly they were received it is uncertain save only that they were not before Claudius nor after Domitian But for the completion there is no necessity that that should begin at the end of the completion of the former that is that the destruction of the Jews here represented in this Vision should not commence till after the judgement threatned ch 2. 3. to the Churches as it might be conceived to doe if the whole book were but one continued Vision it being very possible that that which should first come to passe might by God be chosen to be matter of a second Vision nay that the same thing might be severally represented by God and so made the matter of several Visions V. 2. One sat on the throne Who this person is which is here in Vision brought in sitting upon the throne will be best understood by those that sit upon the four and twenty thrones round about him ver 4. That God the Father coming to judgment and his saints as assessors about him are meant by the representation there is no doubt The whole question is who they are which are here used to represent and signifie these And it might be thought to be the head of the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem or some other Consistory which thus sat in council the head in the midst in a chair or throne and the members chief Priests Elders and Doctors of the Law on each side of him in so many chairs also But the number of the assessors here will not then agree to it there being then 70 persons in the Sanhedrim and 23 in the lesser Consistories And though perhaps the Elders in the Sanhedrim made up that number of 24 yet there were chief Priests and Doctors of the Law which sat in the Sanhedrim as well as they But if we applie it to the Christian Church which hath much of likenesse with and seems to have been copied out from that pattern of the Jewish Sanhedrim but differs from it in some lesse weighty inconsiderable circumstances such is the number of assessors then it will accord very well And the first constitution of this Church being at Jerusalem and that place being nearly concerned in the judicature which is here represented and James the first Bishop there being by them put to death and that a special ingredient in their destruction saith Josephus and Eusebius that place will in all probability be the scene of this representation and the Christian Bishop thereof will be he that here sitteth upon the throne or Bishop's chair this Bishop sitting in council as Act. 15. we know he was and with him the Apostles those that were at Jerusalem and the Bishops of all Judaea the Bishop of
concerned and grieved at this and so to make my complaint thereof 5. And one of the Elders saith unto me Weep not behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof Paraphrase 5. And one of the Elders ch 4. 4. that was in one of the thrones one of them that sate with God in judgement comforted me and told me that Christ known by those two titles of the Lion of the tribe of Judah Gen. 49. 9. and the root of Jesse Isa 11. 1. having by his voluntary suffering of death received this reward from his Father to have all power given to him at his resurrection and so from a slaughtered Lamb being turned into a roaring devouring Lion had this privilege among others bestowed on him by his Father to reveal yea and to execute the decrees contained in these volumes 6. And I beheld and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth Paraphrase 6. This was farther exemplified to me for I looked and saw what I had not seen before a Lamb bloody with wounds visible in him as one that had been butchered Christ crucified and risen from the dead and so indued both with power to subdue his enemies fitly express'd by this style of horns see Luk. 1. n. and so used here ch 17. 3. and with all knowledge and wisdome to order it fitly having instruments to execute his will present and ready prest at his service and also officers Angels ch 4. 5. and Zach. 4. 10. to visit and give him account of all that was done in Judaea and elsewhere the persecutions which the Jewes brought upon the Christians 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne Paraphrase 7. And this Lamb Christ came and took the book out of God's hand that is received power from God as the reward of his sufferings to reveal and make known and then to execute on that people those heavy judgments contained in those rolls 8. And when he had taken the book the four beasts and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odours which are the note c pravers of saints Paraphrase 8. And when this power was given to him this being the instating him in that royal authority next to God himself that is setting him on the throne of judgment called sitting at God's right hand or reigning till he brought all his enemies under his feet the four living creatures by which the four Apostles were represented ch 4. 6. and the Elders that ch 4. 4. sat on the four and twenty thrones about the Judge gave all acknowledgments of supreme power to Christ and every one praised and magnified God in these approaching judgments of his and presented to him beside their own lauds the thanksgivings of all the believers then living who had been persecuted and denied the liberty of their Christian profession and assemblies 2 Thess 2. 1. by the malice of the Jewes but now by their approaching destruction were likely to be rescued from their pressures to a flourishing condition of quiet for some space 9. And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation Paraphrase 9. And in their names and their own they sang praises to him acknowledging this dignity and regal power to be most worthily instated on him as a reward of his sufferings by which he overcame Satan and redeemed all faithfull believers not onely out of the power of sin and hell but also of their persecutors on earth bringing them to quiet halcyonian daies giving them tranquillity and liberty to assemble freely to his service as a choice peculiar people of his see note on ch 1. d. and accordingly concluding that this royal benefit they should now enjoy through this act of vengeance on Christ's and the Christians enemies the obdurate Jewes which was here undertaken by him ver 6. 10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth Paraphrase 10. And in their names and their own they sang praises to him acknowledging this dignity and regal power to be most worthily instated on him as a reward of his sufferings by which he overcame Satan and redeemed all faithfull believers not onely out of the power of sin and hell but also of their persecutors on earth bringing them to quiet halcyonian daies giving them tranquillity and liberty to assemble freely to his service as a choice peculiar people of his see note on ch 1. d. and accordingly concluding that this royal benefit they should now enjoy through this act of vengeance on Christ's and the Christians enemies the obdurate Jewes which was here undertaken by him ver 6. 11. And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the throne and the beasts and the Elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands Paraphrase 11. And I looked and behold all the Angels of heaven in infinite multitudes attending on God joyned with the Apostles and Bishops in giving praises unto him 12. Saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and blessing Paraphrase 12. And all said with a loud voice All power c. are most worthily attributed to Christ as a reward of his crucifixion All this dignity to himself and advantages to believers are a just reward of his sufferings by which he hath dearly bought them 13. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever Paraphrase 13. And all other creatures in the world made the same acknowledgment noting these judgments that should now fall on the Jewes as they were most just so also to be most seasonable and infinitely advantageous to his people who should be rescued by that means 14. And the four beasts said Amen And the four and twenty Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever Paraphrase 14. And a general adoration was paid unto Christ as unto God himself noting this punishment of the Jewes to be a just act of divine revenge on their crucifying of Christ who being by his divine power raised from the dead by the same destroyeth
passages of entrance thereinto that is universal admission afforded to all that would forsake idolatry and come in and the Bishops of the Church with power to admit and shut out and the names of the twelve tribes written on them noting them to be as the governours of the tribes Mat. 19. 28. that is rulers of his Church this new Jerusalem 13. On the east three gates on the north three gates on the south three gates and on the west three gates Paraphrase 13. And these entrances three toward every quarter noting the coming in of men from all quarters of the world now to the faith of Christ or doctrine of the Gospel and their baptisme the sacrament of admission of all performed by a three-fold immersion and profession of faith in the three persons Father Son and holy Ghost 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. Paraphrase 14. And the wall which encompass'd the city as that Ezec. 40. 5. round about the house that is the Christian faith or doctrine was built or founded upon the preachings of the twelve Apostles of Christ 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city and the gates thereof and the wall thereof Paraphrase 15. And that angel with me had a reed in his hand c. 11. 1. to measure all these and give the dimensions of each as things that were like to continue for long use whereas that which was likely to be soon taken away was not to be measured c. 11. 2. 16. And the city lieth four-square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal Paraphrase 16. And the city or church being in the figure of a cube an equable stable figure having every way the same dimensions was both in length and breadth twelve thousand furlongs by the length noting the duration of it by the breadth the extent of its circuit and the height was equal to the length and breadth of it noting the flourishing condition of it equal to the extent and duration 17. And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and fourty and four cubits according to the note f measure of a man that is of the Angel Paraphrase 17. And the wall that is the Christian faith or doctrin which surrounded and inclosed the city was an hundred fourty four cubits in compasse that is twelve times twelve cubits allowing an equal proportion to every of the twelve Apostles the foundations of this wall v. 14. in the planting that faith building that wall And the rod v. 14. by which he meted all this was a pole of six foot long equal to the stature of the Angel that appeared to me that is of a man Ezek. 40. 3. 18. And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper and the city was pure gold like unto clear glasse Paraphrase 18. And the matter of which this wall was made was Jasper a very precious and durable stone see c. 4. 3. noting the several ingredients in the Christian faith to be such precious precepts a gracious yoke promises of great fidelity sure to be performed and such as all eternity is concerned in and the Church it self a society of holy men observable for sincere conspicuous purity such as God who sees to the bottome of the heart acknowledges and approves and such as men may behold and glorifie God for them in both respects express'd here by gold and glasse gold in respect of the purity and value in the sight of God and glasse in respect of the transparency of it discernible both to God and man see Tobit 13. 16. 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was Jasper the second Sapphire the third a Chalcedonie the fourth an Emerald Paraphrase 19. And the Apostles which planted this faith were represented in a most glorious manner by all the most precious things imaginable see Tobit 13. 17. and Ezech. 28. 13. the several intimations of each of which might have somewhat of propriety to each of the Apostles but will hardly be appliable with any certainty but all together certainly note that which is most precious and signifie their memory as themselves in their life-time to be such in the Church of God and any thing was taught by them to be accepted with veneration 20. The fifth Sardonyx the sixth Sardius the seventh Chrysolite the either Beryl the ninth Topaz the tenth Chrysoprasus the eleventh a Jacinth the twelfth an Amethyst 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls every several gate was of one pearl and the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glasse Paraphrase 21. And the governours of the Church which had the power of admitting into the Church or casting out of it v. 12. were each of them represented as very estimable precious persons and the streets of the city that is the assemblies or congregations of Christians in the Church were like gold and glasse as before v. 18. for purity of life and conspicuousnesse of it and even to God that look'd through the bottome of it approvable 22. And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it Paraphrase 22. And there was liberty to serve God in every city and place and not as it was wont among the Jewes only at Jerusalem but wheresoever Christians met together or in every mans own recesse they offered up prayers to God and God in Christ was in the midst of them especially in the Christian Churches set apart for God's peculiar service in every city and town and not only in some one place for all to resort to 23. And the city had no need of the sun neither of the moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof Paraphrase 23. And there was no need of sun and moon new waies of revelations for the enlightning this Church for God by coming down and pitching his tent being in our humane nature present here upon the earth hath planted the faith entirely and so his doctrine is the full light of his Church the rule of all our faith and so there is no need of any additions or new revelations 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it and the kings of the earth doe bring their glory and honour into it Paraphrase 24. And all the people of the world that come to any sense of their Idolatries and sins by all God's judgments fallen upon them shall be content to live strictly according to this rule Isa 60. 3. and the Kings of the earth see Isa 49. 23. the highest in all sorts of power and learning c. will
would have it but to the constant continual production of them not at a few but at all seasons for so the year being the measure of all time bearing fruit as oft as there be moneths in the year must needs signifie the continual constant fruitfulness of it And this was much for the honour of the tree few trees bearing above once a year few in the winter but this every moneth in the year and so the fitter to denote Christian piety to which our Baptisme engageth us and our living in the Church confirms that engagement on us and both to continue to serve God in holinesse and righteousnesse all the days of our lives Ib. The leaves of the tree The leaves of a tree that beareth fruit are of use to guard and preserve the fruit and besides they are many of them medicinal and so both in Ezechiel and here they are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for healing or medicine That which is most probably here meant by these leaves of this tree of life is the outward visiblenesse and exemplarinesse of piety which accompanies the fruits of it This in single persons is only the shining of their light before men which is of great use to attract others even the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if that signifie the Gentiles unbelievers here to Christianity who see their good works whereas the scandalous sins of Christians are apt to aliene and deter others from that profession But in a Church these leaves may signifie more also the publick and frequent assembling for the service and worship of God and the Canons and exercise of strict discipline c. And that these latter of the discipline and censures of the Church are meant by these leaves may be collected not only by the usefulnesse of them to the preserving works of piety in a Church as leaves are for preserving the fruit and secondly by the propriety of them in order to cuting of the diseases of mens souls the reforming of lapsed sinners which may here be express'd by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for healing but also by that which follows presently upon it v. 3. which most signally belongs to this matter of Censures see Note e. V. 3. Shall be no more curse That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a curse or execration is ordinarily taken for the person to whom that Censure or second sort of Excommunication belongs appears by the use of it in other places of the New Testament Thus Rom. 9. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I could wish to be a curse that is accursed from Christ separate or excommunicate from the body of Christ the Church So 1 Cor. 16. 22. If any man love not let him be anathema and Gal. 1. 8. If I or an angel shall teach any other doctrine let him be anathema In all these places the word Curse is clearly put for an excommunicate or accursed person put under the censures or execration of the Church and accordingly here in any reason 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 every curse must signifie every wicked person fit for the Censures of the Church And then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be no longer must signifie the exercise of such discipline in the Church in excluding all such wicked persons out of it and so to the mention of Baptisme by the river v. 1 2. and of the Christian assemblies by the streets v. 2. adds the use of excommunication in the Christian Church for which we know Ecclesiastical Judicatories were erected in Constantine's time and so continued under the favour of Christian Emperors and Princes By which appears also what is meant by the throne of God and the Lamb in this verse viz. Christian Judicatories for the excommunicating of scandalous offenders where in the power exercised by the Bishops is acknowledged to be the Power of God or Christ and this throne here the same with that v. 1. the power of Baptizing and of excommunicating of admitting and excluding from the Church being branches of the same authority by Christ communicated to the Apostles V. 18. If any man shall add This form of speech here used to conclude this Book is First a Symbolical and prophetical form of expressing the certainty and immutability of this Prophecie and Secondly an expression of the absolutenesse and perfection of it in order to publick use that it should be the one prophecie given to the Christian Church which should bring divine authority along with it sent with a commission from heaven and not only proceeding from a publick spirit but sent out with a publick charge that as Josephus saith contr Appion l. 1. that after the time of Artaxerxes though many excellent things were written yet they brought not divine authority with them nor consequently were so received or believed because there was not then a certain succession of Prophets and no body durst adde or detract or change any thing in the Old Canon after so long a time so though there might be some Prophets after S. John as Justin Martyr tells us that the gift of Prophecie remained in the Church till his time yet this book should be the last and so the close and seal of all publick Prophecie and that therefore no new doctrine was now farther to be expected by the Christian Church and whosoever taught any as a rule of faith and life and pretended Revelation for it should fall under the censure denounced against false Prophets Deut. 13. and under Saint Paul's anathema Gal. 1. 8 9. That this should be only an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or adjuration of the Scribe as in the end of Irenaeus in some Copies there is an adjuration not to add or diminish and as 't is said in Aristeas that after the translation of the Septuagint Demetrius perswaded the Jews to adde an imprecation on any that should change or add or transpose or take away any word from it was the conjecture of a learned man Mr. Lively and as it may very well be received so need it not prejudge those other importances of it before mentioned THE END Addenda Delenda Mutanda Corrigenda PAg. III. lin 31. for they had r. they that had p. V. l. 7. for of fit r. to fit p. 5. l. penult r. unto thee Mary p. 8. col 2. l. 23. r. providing p. 15. col 1. marg l. 4. r. Dei l. 18. c. 23. l. 7. r. par 3. p. 17. col 1. l. 43. r. Optatus l. 1. p. 18. col 2. l. 7. r. it were of fire p. 19. col 2. l. 43. r. i. e. my self p. 24. v. 32. r. causeth p. 26. col 1. l. 43. r. this p. 29. col 1. l. 45. r. secundum ea col 2. l. 31. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 30. col 1. l. 62. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 32. col 2. l. 24. r. mine is thine p. 38. col r. l. 35. r. cubit chap. 7. v. 6. l. 6. r. return thee p. 45. col 2. l.