his glory Certain it is that hee was not so quickly framed by Ananias his industrie but that so soone as hee had learned the first priciples by mans mouth he was extolled by God vnto higher things afterward He comprehendeth the summe of his preaching briefly when hee saieth That Christ was the sonne of God In the same sense he saith shortly after That he was Christ And vnderstand thus much that when Paul intreated out of the Law and the Prophets of the true office of the Messias he taught also that al whatsoeuer was promised of and was to be hoped for at the handes of the Messias was reuealed and giuen in Christ For the words signifie thus much when he saith that he preached that Christ is the sonne of God That was vndoubtedly a principle amongst the Iewes that there shoulde a redeemer come from God who shoulde restore all things to an happie estate Paul teacheth that Iesus of Nazareth is hee which he cannot do vnlesse he shake off those grosse errours which he had conceiued of the earthly kingdome of the Messias Certaine it is that Paule declared how Christ was promised in the Lawe and to what end but because all tended to this end that hee might prooue that the sonne of Mary was he of whom the Law and the Prophets bare witnes therefore Luke is content with this one word onely 21 They were all amased This is added that wee may knowe that the power of God was acknowledged For seeing that the zeale of Paul against the Gospel was openly knowne they saw no other cause of such a sodaine chaunge but the hand of God And therefore this is also one fruite of the myracle that they all wonder at him being made a newe man so sodainly so that his doctrine doth the more moue their minds Whereas they say that hee raged horriblie with great crueltie and that he came of late to Damascus that he might proceed in his purpose these circumstances serue to augment the myracle Wee must also note the phrase those which call vpon this name which witnesseth that the godly did so professe the name of Christ that they placed all their hope of saluation in him according to that These men put their trust in chariots and others in horses but we will call vpon the name of the Lord. Finally whatsoeuer the scripture commaundeth concerning calling vpon the name of God it agreeth to the person of Christ 22 And Saul waxed stronger Luke doeth not onely in this place commend the bold zeale of Paule in confessing the faith of Christ but also he telleth vs that he vsed strong reasons to conuince the Iewes He waxed strong saith he that is he gat the victorie in disputation his confession did carrie with it great force and efficacie because being furnished with testimonies of Scripture and such other helpes of the holy Ghost he did as it were tread all his aduersaries vnder his feete For the word confounded which Luke vseth doth signifie That for as much as Paul did vrge them out of measure they were so striken that they coulde not tell where they were The manner of the confounding is expressed because Paul proued that Iesus was Christ For the sense is this that euen when the Iewes were most desirous to resist they were ouercome confounded So that Paul tried by experience that that was most true which he himselfe affirmeth that the Scripture is profitable to conuince Also he performed that which he required elsewhere of a Bishop and teacher for hee was armed with the word of God to maintaine the trueth And Luke setteth down two things that Paul so gate the victory in disputing 2. Tim. 3.16 Titus 1.7 that he ouerthrew the Iewes and yet their stubbernesse was not broken and tamed that they yeelded to the trueth because their consciences rage neuerthelesse inwardly and being throwne downe from their false opinion they doe not submit themselues to Christ Whence had Paule this victorie saue onely because the Scripture was his sworde Therefore so often as Heretikes stande vp to resist the true faith so often as wicked men endeuour to ouerthrowe all godlinesse so often as the vngodly doe obstinately resist let vs remember that wee must fet armour hence Because the papists finde no weapons in Scripture yea because they see that it maketh quite against them they flie vnto this miserable fortresse That they must not dispute with heretikes And that there can no certaine thing be set downe out of Scripture But if Satan himselfe be vanquished with the sword of the worde why shall it not bee able to put heretikes to flight not that they will submit themselues or make an ende of murmuring but because they shall lie ouercome in themselues And if so be it wee couet to escape this trouble let vs raise no tumults against God but let vs with a quiet and meeke spirit receiue that peace which the Scripture offereth vs. 23 When many dayes were fulfilled He saith that many dayes were expired that we may know that Paul had some space of time granted him wherein he might doe good For although the Iewes did resist him euen from the first day yet the Lord did not suffer the course which hee had begunne well to be broken off so soone so he doth with his wonderfull counsell hinder the purposes of the enimies stay their indeuours restraine their malice and madnesse whiles that he furthereth the Gospel and also we see what the hatred of the truth doth For when the wicked see that they are vnable to resist they are carried headlong vnto bloodie furie They would gladly contemne the word of God if they coulde but because they are enforced whether they will or no to feele the force thereof they runne headlong like furious beasts with blinde violence The vnaduised and rash heate of zeale will alwayes almost breake out into such crueltie vnlesse men suffer themselues to bee ruled by the worde of God This is assuredly horrible blindnesse For why are they so madde saue onely because their wounded conscience doth vexe them But God doth by this meanes punish their hypocrisie who doe therefore hate sounde religion because being friends of darknesse they flie the light Furthermore wee see howe sweetly these preposterous zealous fellowes graunt themselues libertie to doe whatsoeuer them lusteth when Satan hath once pricked them forward to persecute the trueth For they feare not to take counsell vnder colour of zeale to put a man to death which they knowe is meere wickednesse as at this day the Papists thinke that they may do whatsoeuer they will so they can quench the doctrine of the Gospel they rage not only with sworde but they goe about by laying in waite by trecherie and by most execrable meanes to destroy vs. We must first beware that that do not befall vs that wee intangle not our selues in the defense of euill causes secondly that we handle those causes wel which we know are good But
they were desirous to learne that they might be better instructed at home thereby doth also appear the liuely heat of faith and that doth alwaies continue vnmoueable that No man doth truly beleeue in Christ saue only he which doth giue ouer himselfe to him and doth freely and willingly fight vnder his banner Of religious Grecians a multitude Because these had learned the first principles of Godlinesse they were neerer to the kingdome of GOD than others who had alwayes layd in the filth of superstition Notwithstanding the question is howe the Grecians came by religion who beeing bewitched with wicked errours and dotings were without God Ephes 2.12 as Paul teacheth But wee must knowe that whither soeuer the Iewes were exiled there went with them some seede of godlinesse and there was some smell of pure doctrine spread abrode For their miserable scattering abroade was so turned vnto a contrarie ende by the wonderfull counsell of God that it did gather those vnto the true faith who did wander in errour And though religion were also corrupt among them with manie wicked inuentions yet because most of the Gentiles were wearie of their madnesse they were by this short summe inticed vnto Iudaisme that Nothing is more safe than the worshippe of one and the true God Therefore by religious Grecians vnderstande those who had some tast of the true and lawfull worship of God so that they were not any longer giuen to grosse Idolatrie Though as I haue said it is to be thought that it was onely a light and obscure tast which was farre from true instruction Wherefore Luke doth vnproperly giue them such an honorable title But as the Spirite of God doeth sometimes vouchsafe some rude beginning and first exercise of faith or the onely preparation the name of faith so they are called in this place Religious who hauing taken their leaue of Idols had begun to acknowledge one God And though that confused or obscure perswasion doth not deserue of it selfe to bee counted religion yet because it is a steppe whereby wee come neerer vnto God it taketh the name of the consequent as they cal it or of that which followeth Yea the blinde and superstitious feare of God is somtimes called religion not because it is so in deed but vnproperly to note the difference betweene a meane worship of God and grosse and Epicurish contempt Neuerthelesse let vs knowe that the trueth and the sounde doctrine of the worde of God is the rule of godlinesse so that there can be no religion without the true light of vnderstanding 5 And the vnbeleeuing Iewes being moued with enuie and taking to them certaine vacabonds froward fellowes and hauing assembled the multitude they made a tumult in the citie and besetting the house of Iason they sought to bring them out vnto the people 6 And when they had not found them the drew Iason and certain brethren vnto the gouernours of the citie crying Those who haue troubled the whole world are come hither also 7 Whom Iason hath receiued privily and all these doe contrary to the decrees of Caesar saying that there is another king one Iesus 8 And they troubled the multitude and the magistrates of the Citie when they heard these things 9 And when they had receiued sufficient assurance of Iason and the rest they let them goe 10 And forthwith the brethren sent forth Paul Silas by night vnto Berrheâ— who when they were come they went into the Synagogue of the Iewes 5 And beeyng mooued with enuie Wee see howe Paule coulde no where erect the kingdome of Chtiste without some conflicte For so soone as anye fruite of doctrine appeared there arose persecution therewithall But because hee knewe that hee was to warre agaynst Sathan and the wickednesse of the worlde hee was not onelye hardened against all assaultes but hee was more incouraged more couragiously to proceede Therefore all the seruauntes of Christe must bee content with this one example of him if they see that their labour doeth yeelde some fruite they must recompence all manner persecutions with this rewarde And this place teacheth that the zeale wherewith the vnbeleeuers are carried headlong and set on fire is nothing else but furious force because it is not gouerned by the prudence of the spirite neyther yet with righteousnesse or equitie And though they doe alwayes pretende the name of GOD for an excuse of their disordered zeale yet this historie doth plainly declare that meere hypocrisie doth reigne inwardly and that all corners of their hearts are stuffed with poisoned malice These enimies of Paul did boast that they were defenders of the Lawe of God and that they did hate Paule and contend with him onely in defence thereof Why doe they then arme the wicked and conspire togither with them to raise tumult Why then do they also before a prophane Magistrate bring the Gospel in that contempt which might haue redounded to the contempt of the Lawe Such sedition doeth plainely declare that they were mooued with nothing lesse than with desire to please God to bee thus hoat against Paul For to what ende doe they beset Iasons house and striue disorderlie to plucke out Paule thence saue onelie that they may set him before the people to bee stoned Therefore let vs knowe that wicked zeale which is hoat in superstitious men is alwayes infected with hypocrisie and malice And this is the cause that it breaketh out into crueltie without keeping anie measure Taking to them certaine vacabounds The Greeke word which Luke vseth doth signifie sluggards and men whereof there ought no account to be made who hauing nothing wherwith they could keep themselues occupied at home did run vp and downe idle or bold fellowes and hungrie who are ready to forswere themselues to raise tumults and to be at one end of euery wicked fact Whereby it doeth likewise appeare that their owne consciences tolde them that they did amisse seing they gat wicked men to take their part and to giue them their consent For seing the magistrate did fauour them what did moue them to raise that tempest saue onely because they had no hope to haue any successe vnlesse matters should be out of order and all should be in an vprore And Luke describeth how such fannes did raise sedition to wit they gathered the people togither in troupes and spred abroad their poison here there vntill they were strong ynough to make an assault which pollicie is too common among seditious fellowes as those cities which are subiect to this mischiefe doe fulwel know 6 Those men who haue troubled the whole worlde This is the state of the Gospel to haue those vprores which Satan raiseth imputed to it This is also the maliciousnes of the enimies of Christ to lay the blame of tumults vpon holy and modest teachers which they themselues procure Assuredly the Gospel is not preached to this end that it may set men togither by the cares but rather that it may keepe
returne to you againe Godwilling And he loosed from Ephesus 22 And when he was come downe to Cesaria and was gone vp and had saluted the Church he came downe to Antioch 23 And when he had tarried there some time he departed walking through the countrie of Galacia and Phrygia in order strengthning all the disciples 18 And when he had tarried there many daies Paul his constancie appeareth in this in that he is not driuen away with fear least he shoulde trouble the disciples who were as yet ignorant weak with his sodaine and vntimely departure We read in many other places that when persecution was raised against him elswhere he fled forthwith What is the cause then that he staieth at Corinthus to wit when he saw that the enemies wer prouoked with his presence to rage against the whol church he did not doubt but that the faithfull should haue peace and rest by his departure but now when he seeth their malice brideled so that they can not hurt the flock of God he had rather sting and nettle them then by departing to minister vnto them any new occasiō of rage Furthermore this was the third iourney which Paul took to Ierusalem For going frō Damascus he went once vp that he might be made knowen to the Apostles And he was sent the second time with Barnabas that he might handle and end the controuersie about ceremonies But Luke doth not set downe for what cause hee now tooke such a long and laborous iourney determining with all speed to returne When he had shorne his head It is vncertaine whether that be spoken of Aquila or of Paul neither skilleth it much Though I interprete it willingly of Paul because it semeth to me a likely thing that he did this for because of the Iewes vnto whom he was about to com Assuredly I think this to be a thing which all men graunt that hee made not any ceremoniall vow for his own cause only that he might do some worship to god He knew that that was to continue only for a time which God commāded vnder the law to the old people and we know how diligently he teacheth that the kingdome of God consisteth not in these externall elements and how straightly he vrgeth the abrogating thereof It had byn an absurd thing for him to bind his owne conscience with that religion from which he had loosed al other men Therefore he did sheare his head for no other cause saue onely that he might apply himselfe to the Iewes who were as yet ignorant not throughly taught as he doth testifie that he tooke vpon him the voluntary obseruing of the law from which he was freed that hee might gain those who wer vnder the law If any mā obiect that it was not lawfull for him to make semblance of a vow which he had not made from his hart we may easily answere 1. Cor. 9.20 that as touching the substaunce of purifiyng hee did not dissemble and that he vsed the ceremonie which was as yet free not as if God did require such worship but that he might somwhat bear with the ignorant Therfore the Papists are ridiculous when they set frō hence an example of making vowes Paul was moued with no religiō to make his vow but these men place a feigned worship of God in vowes Respect of time inforced Paul to keepe the rites of the lawe these men doe nothing els but intangle in superstition the church of Christ which was set free long agoe For it is one thing to bring in vse again old ceremonies vsed long ago and another to tollerate the same beeing as yet vsed vntill such time as they may by little and little grow out of vse I omit that the Papists in vaine and foolishly compare the shauing of their Priestes with the signe of purifying whiche God had allowed in the Lawe But because we need not stande any longer to refute them let this one thing suffice vs that Paul bound himselfe with a vowe that he might bryng those which were weake to Christe at least that he might not offend them which vowe hee knewe was of no importaunce before God 19 Entring into the Synagogue In that hee shooke his garment at Corinthus it was done for that cause as this place teacheth that hee might cast off the whole nation but only such as hee had alreadie tryed to be of desperate obstinacie Now he commeth afresh vnto the Ephesians that he might trie whether he could find any more obediēce amōg them Furthermore it is a wonder that seeing it appeareth by Luke his report that he was heard more patiently in this Synagogue then in any other place also that he was requested to tarry he did not grant their request Hēce we may easily gather that which I said before that he had some great cause to go vp to Ierusalem in hast Also he himself sheweth that he must make hast saying I must keepe the feast which is at hande at Ierusalem Neither is it to be doubted but that after he had set things in good order there he departed with their good leaue and we may gather out of Luke his wordes that they did admit his excuse least the repulse should offend them And this is worth the noting that when better hope to doe good is offered vs then wee were wont to haue wee are drawen vnto diuers affaires as it were by the hand of God that we may learne to giue ouer our selues to be gouerned at his pleasure The feast That which I said of late touching the vow doth also appertaine vnto the feast day For Paul meant not to do thereby any dutie of godlinesse to God but to be at the assembly wherein he might do more good then at any other time of the yere For the Epistle to the Galathians doth sufficiently testifie what accoūt he made of difference of daies And we must note that he maketh no promise touching his return Gal. 4.10 with out vsing this exception if it please the Lord. We do all confesse that we be not able to stirre one finger without his direction but because there reigneth in men so great arrogancie euery where that they dare determine any thing passing ouer God not onely for the time to come but also for many yeres wee must oftentimes thinke vpon this reuerence and sobrietie that wee may learne to make our counsels subiect to the will and prouidence of God least if we delyberate and take counsell as those vse to doe who thinke that they haue fortune at their commaundement we be iustly punished for our rashnesse And though ther be not so great religion in wordes but that we may at our pleasure say that we wil do this or that yet is it good to accustome our selues to vse certain formes in our speeches that they may put vs in mind that God doth direct all our doings 22 When he came down to Caesarea Though Luke sath in a word that Paul saluted
the hatred of the Trueth doeth procure 9. 23 How great the force of the Trueth is 9. 22. 15. 12. and 19. 9. The Tumults raised by Satan are maliciously imputed to the Gospell 17. 6. The Turkes because of their manifold victories deride the gospel of Christ 25. 19. The schoole of Tirannus at Ephesus 19. 9. Tirants are afraid of innouations 12. 1. How arrogant spiritual Tyrantes are 5. 28. Sidon and Tyrus were proude c … 12. 20. V We must leaue Vengeance tâ— God 7. 7. 16. 37. 23. 3. Vertues signes and woonâ—ers put for miracles 2 22. 4. 30. VVhy Paul speaketh of hiâ— vertues 20. 18. Virgils place 6. 35. 17. 28. Paul saw a Vision 1â— 9. 16. 9. and 22. 18. and 27. 2â— Peter saw a Vision 10. 3. 12. The vse of Vision 9. 10. Difference between Visions dreams 18. 9. The punishment of vnbeleefe 8. 11. All Vnbeleeuers are polluted 10. 28. The vnderstanding of spiritual things is a peculiar gift of God 16. 14. Vnthankfulnes must bee auoyded 10. 41. VnthaÌ„kfulnes of the Israelites 7. 36. 40 The pride of the Italians 10. 1. Vse is the father of wisedome 6. 2. VV VVhy they did Wash the bodies of the dead in times past 9. 37. VVhy it is forbiddeÌ„ to scale the walles 9. 25 The auncient rite of Washing corpses 9. 37. VVay put for sect 19. 25. The waies of the Lord. 13. 10. The wayes of men 14. 16. The malice of the VVicked is likned to fransines 13. 27. The feare of the wicked 16. 38. The manner of the wicked 9. 23. The hatred of the wicked against the trueth Ibidem The obstinacie of the wicked 5. 21. How God vseth the industrye of the wicked 4. 28 The rage of the wicked is set on fire so soone as the light of the Gospell â—â—mmeth neere it 13. 45. The diligence of the VVicked in opprâ—ssing the trueth 4. 1. The godly must despise tread vnderfoot the pride of the wicked 13. 48. 52. The fearâ—â—lnes of the wicked 23. 12. The zeale â—f the wicked 17. 5 How we ought to handle the wicked 4. 11. â— 33. 7. 54. 8. 20. 23. and 13. 1â— 40. 18. 6. 19. 9. and 23. 3. and 2â— 26. and 28. 25. The wicked ioyne hand to hand to oppresse the Gospel 23. 6. The wicked though against their wils confirme the Gâ—spel 4. 21. The wicked doe alwaies inuent some causes to sinne 16. 19. The wicked doe not what hurte they would 2. 43. and 3. â—8 4. 1. 4. 21. 28. 22. 2. 18. 1â— and 25. 1. How the wicked doe obey God 2. 23. The Wicked returne alwayes vnto their nature 24. 27. The wicked are easily seduced by SataÌ„ 2. 22. The wicked doe euen establish the prouidence of God 17. 26. All the wicked are subiect to the prouidence of God 13. 27. The wicked doe sometimes feare men 5. 21. The afflictions of the wicked are the very entry of hell 14. 22. The blindnes of the wicked 5. â—7 and 9. 23. The euil conscience of the wicked 5. 13. 17. The vaine counsels of the wicked 4. 5. 25. 27. and 9. 23. 23. 16. The end of the wicked 1. 20. 8. 20. The fraile vaine felicity of the wicked 12. 20. The destruction of the wicked 9. 5. 12. 20. The iudgement of the Wicked ought worthely to be despysed 16. 1. The lust of the wicked must be bridled 16. 37. The wicked are the children of the diuel 13. 10. The wicked are the bondeslaues of Satan 13. 51. The wicked are the ministers of Satan 21. 11. Howe abhominable the wicked are in the sight of God 13. 9. The wicked must sometimes be set by the eares together 23. 6. The wicked do alwaies waxe worse woorse 8. 1 9. 6. 12. 19. 13. 45. 19. 9. 26. 24 and 28. 29. The wicked must not bee preferred to gouerne the Church 4. 17. The wicked are without excuse 2. 23. 18. 6. and 24. 25. and 28. 27. The liberty of whoring did reigne euery where 15. 19. Whoredome is accursed before God Ibid. Women must not bee kept from the word 18. 26 Word put for thing 5. 32. and 10. 36. VVhence the maiestye of the worde doth come 10. 33. Looke the word of God VVhether good workes be the cause of saluation 10. 35. VVhether good workes doe purchase Gods fauour 10. 35. Good works are commended 23. 8. 9. 36. The reward of works 10. 4. All the worlde must bee subiect to the preaching of the Gospel 1. 2. Contempt of the world 13. 1. How we ought to consider the creation of the world 4. 24. The nature of the world is addicted to external visures 6. 14. The vnthankfulnes of the world 26. 17. The wickednesse of the worlde howe great 14. 19. The difference betweene God and the world 5. 41. How the creation of the worlde is to be considered 4. 24. The world was created by God 14. 15. 17. VVhy God created the worlde in sixe dayes 12. 10. How greatly the world is set vpon superstition 28. 6. The world is gouerned by the counsel of God 17. 26. 28 How farre forth it was lawfull for the faithfull to worshippe in the temple 24. 11. Ciuil woorship must bee distinguished from that which is done for religions sake 10. 25. 54. VVhy bastardly and corrupt worshippings are distinguished froÌ„ the good and sincere 7. 44. 4. VVhat worship is acceptable to God 7. 42. VVidowes chosen to the Deaconship 6. 1. VVe must haue regard of widowes 9. 39. True wisedome 10. 21. Z The Zeale of the Sadduces 5. 17. The bloudie Zeale of Hypocrites 17. 5. VVhat account we ought to make of rash Zeale 5. 17. The madde Zeale of the Iewes 3. 17. and 23. 6. The blynde and furious Zeale of the Papists 5. 17. and 6. 11. 9. 23. ¶ IMPRINTED AT LONdon by Thomas Dawson for George Bishop 1585.