The Ethiopian Eunuchs Conversion, Commentary on Acts 8 · Verse 26
VERSE 26. And the Angell of the Lord ſpake vntounto Philip, ſaying, Ariſe, and goe toward the South, &c,
THe circumſtance of time is firſt to be conſidered, when the Angell giues this charge to Philip.
It was in the time of the Churches great perſecution and trouble, as it appeareth in the firſt verſe of this Chapter.Verſe 1. And at that time there was great perſecution againſt the Church which was at Ieruſalem, &c.
And verſe the third, Saul made hauocke of the Church.Verſe 3.
Caiphas the high Prieſt, and the Phariſies, bending all their power to ſuppreſſe the truth, who at this time ſtoned Stephen, when they could not reſiſt the Spirit by the which he ſpake.
So as now Philip might bee in great danger and hazard to preach the Goſpell; hee ſaw before his eyes, Stephen ſtoned, and Sauls rage great againſt the truth: yet now will the Angell of the Lord hauehave Philip to goe and preach the word to this man.
And thus in all ages, and from time to time, hath the Lord employed his ſeruants in moſt dangerous times.Ex. 3.9. Moſes muſt to Pharaoh, Elias to Ahab, and denounce Gods iudgement againſt him,1 Reg. 18.14. euen at that time when Ahab ſought his life. And thus the Lord ſent Eſay the Prophet to the Iewes, when their Princes were as the Sodomites for wickedneſſe.Eſay. 1.10. And thus is Ezekiel ſent vntounto a ſtif-necked people: and Amos at that time, when the people preſſed the Lord with their ſinnes,Amos 2.14 as a Cart that is preſſed with ſheaues.
And thus hee ſent forth his Diſciples,Mat. 10.16 Behold, I ſend you forth as Lambs amongſt Wolues, to be a gazing-ſtocke to the world, to Angels and to men, 1 Cor. 4.5…as it is at this day.
We are taught then, that the Miniſters of Chriſt muſt diſcharge their duties, Doct. 1 Miniſters muſt diſcharge their duty notwi…hſtanding all appearance of danger.notwithſtanding all appearance of danger. Though in the conſcionable performance of the ſame, they are to meete with troubles and dangers, yet they are carefully to diſcharge the duties of their ſacred calling. Amos doth his duty, though complaint be made to the Prince,Amos 7.10. that the land is not able to beare his words. Zedechiah ſtriketh Ieremy, Paſſur cauſeth him to be put into priſon. What of all this? Ieremy muſt doe his duty, as the Lord had commanded. Feare not their faces, Ier. 1.17.but ſpeake all that I command thee, leſt I deſtroy thee. So Paul, 1 Cor. 9.16.neceſſity is laid vponupon mee, and woe to me if I preach not the Goſpell. Again, when the ſame Apoſtle was foretold by Agabus, of the great troubles he ſhould meet withall at Ieruſalē, which when the Church heard of, they beſought him not to goe vp thither; Behold we his godly reſolution. Then Paul anſwered, Act. 21.13what meane ye to weepe and to breake my heart? for I am ready not to bee bound onelyonly, but alſo to dye at Ieruſalem for the name of the Lord Ieſus.
And there is reaſon for it. Firſt, Reaſ. 1 they are the Ambaſſadors of Chriſt, and therefore muſt deliuer their meſſage truely and faithfully.Ier. 33.7. They are the Lords Watchmen, and therefore muſt acquaint the people with the danger comming.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, the Lord hath promiſed to recompence the labours of his ſeruants; and this was it that comforted Eſay ouer all his ſorrowes.Eſay. My reward is with the Lord, and my recompence with my God.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, the good of Gods Church requireth it, for if it hauehave vnfaithful & vnconſcionable Teachers, ſit ouer it, that feede not the flocke, it cannot be, but many of the ſheepe muſt periſh. When I ſay to a wicked man, thou ſhalt ſurely dye, Ezech. 33.8.if thou doe not ſpeake to warne that wicked man, he ſhall dye in his iniquitie, &c.
Seeing then that the Miniſters of GOD muſt conſcionably diſcharge their duties, Vſe 1 whatſoeuer trouble or danger they meet withall. This may ſerue to reproue diuers in the miniſtery, as vnfaithfull in Gods houſe.
1 Ignorant Teachers that are not able to acquaint the people with the counſell of God, ſuch hauehave no calling from God, and were neuer ſent by him; for whom God ſendeth and imployeth in this honourable ſeruice, he furniſheth with gifts, in ſome meaſure, for the diſcharge of the ſame.
2 Falſe Teachers, and ſuch as by falſe and erronious Doctrine, ſeeke to poyſon mens ſoules; and theſe are no leſſe dangerous, then the former; for whereas the one deſtroyes mens ſoules for want of food, the other poyſons them with corrupt food.
3 Idle teachers, which feede of the flock, but feed not the flocke: fearefull is the account that ſuch men one day are to giuegive vntounto God.
4 Flattering Teachers, theſe are alſo vnfaithfull in Gods houſe; theſe are they of whom the Prophet ſpeaketh of, that ſow cuſhions vnderunder mens elbowes, & dare not, or will not, with Nathan, ſay, thou art the man.
Ʋſe 2 Secondly, if troubles and apparant dangers are not to hinder the Miniſters of GOD from doing their duty: How farre then are ſuch from approuing themſelues faithfull in their calling; who, when there is no danger in the way, no Caiphas to call them to account, nor Saul to trouble or moleſt, or to make hauocke of the Church, as at this time; Neither their liues ſought for, as Elias was, yet are negligent and ſloathfull in feeding the flock of Chriſt.
Then the A…gell ſaid to Philip.
This being at that time when there was ſuch great perſecution at Ieruſalem, when Saul made hauocke of the Church, and when Stephen is pu… to death. We may further obſerue,
Doct. 2 Faithfull Miniſters moſt ſubiect to perſecutions.That it is the lot and portion of Gods Miniſters, aboue all others, to meete with perſecutions. When troubles ariſe in the Church, they are the firſt, ordinarily, that come into danger. This was the condition of the Prophets themſelues, as our Sauiour teſtifieth vntounto the Iewes,Mat. 23. Which of the Prophets hauehave not your fathers perſecuted?
Moſes was often reſiſted by Iannes and Iambres.2 Tim. 3.8.
There were ſeuen thouſand men in Iſrael that neuer bowed their knee to Baal. 1 Reg. 19.10.But yet the Prophets were ſlaine, and put to the ſword. And Elias being left, his life was ſought for aboue all others. At the time of Chriſts paſſion, there were many faithfull Chriſtians in all places, yet Chriſt and his Apoſtles were the obiect of the Iewes malice, and they were ſingled out by the Scribes and Phariſies, as men vnworthy to liue. So that Gods faithfull Miniſters may ſay with Ieremy, This is my portion, and I will beare it. Ier. 13.Now the reaſons are,
Firſt, Reaſ. 1 that contrarietie that is betwixt a godly and a wicked man. There is nothing in the world wherein there is the like contrarietie: this was prophecied of, of old, I will put enmity,Gen. 3. &c. This enmity is maintained in the world at this day.
Theſe are the Spirits of deuils, that goe about in the world, that prouoke men to warre againſt Chriſt and his Church.Reu 16.14. And this battell betwixt Michael and his Angell, and the Dragon and his Angels, ſhall not ceaſe till time be no more.Reu. 12.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, the nature of their Miniſtery cannot but produce this effect in wicked and vngodly men that liue vnderunder the ſame; for their doctrine is like vntounto good ſalt, which doth cauſe ſmart and paine when it is applyed vntounto a ſore, ſo doth their doctrine, when it is applied to a feſtered conſcience.
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, in them many times the Lord doth puniſh the people. I will ſtrike the Shepheard, Zach. 13.7.and the ſheepe ſhall be ſcattered. If the Paſtor be good, it is many times the ſins of the people, that hee is impeded of his Miniſtery; if he be euill, they are his owne ſinnes that draw his miſeries vponupon him.
Reaſ. 4 Fourthly, thorough the Miniſters ſide, Sathan many times doth wound the truth, and by bringing diſgrace vponupon the perſon of ſuch a one, aliens the hearts of his people from that due reſpect vntounto his doctrine. For Sathan knowes that the credit and honour of the perſon of ſuch a one, giues no ſmall aduantage to his miniſtery, and therefore by his Miniſters is hee ſtill raiſing vp of perſecutions & reproches againſt ſuch.
This teacheth Gods Miniſters to reſolue to fight that good fight, and to ſuffer affliction, as the good ſouldiers of Ieſus Chriſt.2 Tim. 2.4. They are the Lords Captaines, to leade vsus his people in the face of the enemy. Their liues muſt not be deare vntounto them, ſo that they may fulfill their miniſtery with ioy.Acts 21. Nothing can more beautifie the calling of a Miniſter, then a godly reſolution to ſuffer for Chriſt.
Secondly, let neither Miniſter nor people then thinke it ſtrange, if this betide vsus of the Miniſtery at this day. If this were the condition of Gods ſeruants in ſome one age, and not in another, it were to be wondred at. But there is no age of the Church, wherein they hauehave not met with perſecutions; yea, the more zealous the doctrine of Gods Miniſters is, and the more it ſtrikes at Sathans kingdome, the more reſiſtance and oppoſition will it merit withall from wicked men, and ſuch as are enemies to godlineſſe.
Thirdly, this ſhould moue pitty in our people, and thoſe that are our hearers. If any one Souldier in a field were hardly beſet, and ouer matched by many, eueryevery one would pitty ſuch a one, and ſtep in to his ſuccour: but if a Captaine in a field were ſingled out from the reſt, and in danger, what Souldier would nor aduenture his life for him, and haſten to his ſuccour?
Miniſters, they are the Lords Captaines, and many times are hard put to, is it meete then that you ſtand ſtill, and looke on? EueryEvery good hearer then muſt ſet to his hand to helpe his Teacher; I doe not meane ſo much by any outward ſtrength or power, as by earneſt and hearty prayer. So Paul, Brethren pray for vsus, 2 Theſ. 3 1.that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, and that we may bee deliuered from vnreaſonable and wicked men. Thus did the Church for Peter, Acts 12.5.and thus ought wee to doe for all the faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt.
And the Angell of the Lord ſpake vntounto Philip.
The word Angell in the Originall, ſignifieth a Meſſenger, or an Ambaſſadour. And ſo indeede they are the Lord of Hoaſts, according to that,Heb. 1.7. Hee maketh his Angels ſpirits, and his Miniſters a flame of fire: and againe,Heb. 1.14. They are miniſtring ſpirits ſent forth for the weale of thoſe that be heyres of ſaluation.
Whence wee are taught, that he good Angels by Gods ordinance, ſerue for the good of Gods people.
When Iacob was in feare of his brother Eſau, Doct. 2 Good Angels ſerue for the good of Gods people Gen. 32.5. Gen. 18.3.the Angell of the Lord met him to comfort him, and to defend him. The Angels appeared to Abraham, to acquaint him with the deſtruction of Sodome. And when deſtruction was nigh, the Angels came to Lot to fore warne him,Gen. 19.16. and to haſten him out. When Eliah fled from Ieſabell for his life, the An gell came to him when he was aſleepe, and ſaid,1 Reg. 15.5. ariſe, and eate, The Angel diſcomfited the Hoaſt of Senacherib that came vp againſt Iſraell. The Angell of the Lord kept Daniel from the Lyon,Dan. 3. and thoſe three worthies in the fiery furnace, that they periſhed not. the Angell ſhewed Daniel theDan. 10. viſion, and Philip here, what hee was to doe. So true is that of the Prophet Dauid, The Angels of the Lord pitch their tents round about the godly.
And this thing comes to paſſe in regard of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt our head, to whom all the Angels are ſubiect, as to their ſoueraigne Lord. It is true, ſuch is our vildeneſſe and wretchedneſſe, by reaſon of ſinne, that the Angels, thoſe glorious creatures, are not able to abide our preſence; but now, in regard of our head Chriſt, and that we are members of his body, they reioyce to doe vsus ſeruice.
Secondly, the Angels in ſeruing vsus, they ſerue the Lord Chriſt,Pſal. 91.11. and doe his will; now the Angels obey Chriſt readily and chearefully.
Thirdly, all Gods people are a Royall Prieſthood; now Princes hauehave their guard, and the Chriſtians guard is a company of glorious Angels that watch ouer them day and night.
This ſhewes then the happy priuiledge of Gods Saints and ſeruants,… …. that wee that are but duſt and aſhes, ſhould hauehave ſuch glorious Angels to be our attendants.
Was it not a wonderfull honour to hauehave Mordacai, Heſt 6.10.11.a deſpiſed Iew, to hauehave ſo great a Peere as Haman was, to hold his ſtirrop, and to ride by his ſide. O ther what an honour may this bee thought to be, to hauehave a guard of heauenly Angels to be our attendants, and to doe vsus that honour? Let any of Gods ſeruants be compaſſed about with many enemies, as Eliſha was; let his life be ſought for, as Elias was; let him be in the fiery furnace, as the three Children were; let him be caſt into the Lyons denne, as Daniel was; let him be bound in priſon, as Peter was; yet ſtill God hath his Angels to doe them ſeruice, and to deliuer them.
Great is the ſecuritie of the world, that notwithſtanding theſe excellent priuiledges and prerogatiues that belong vntounto the faithfull, yet are no way affected therewith.
But as theſe good Angels are meſſengers and Miniſters for the good of Gods children; ſo are they ready preſt at all times, to execute Gods iudgements vponupon the wicked: as they ſaued Lot, Gen. 19…they deſtroyed the Sodomites: as they defended Eliſha, 1 Reg. ….ſo they ſtrooke with blindeneſſe, the meſſengers of the King of Aram. As the Angell was for the good of Hezechtah, Act. 12.ſo likewiſe for the deſtruction of Senacherib: as the Angell preſerhaue duplicate page duplicate page Peter, ſo he ſtrooke Herod. Let wicked men then take heed, how they flatter themſelues in ſinne; for the Angels are Gods Miniſters for the execution of his wrath vponupon the wicked, as they are his meſſengers for the good of his people.
Secondly, ſeeing we hauehave thus the miniſtery of Angels, which ſerue for the weale of the godly, who pitch their Tents continually about them. The conſideration hereof ſhould teach vsus, that at no time we carry our ſelues vnreuerently in word or deed, in their preſence. It is the exhortation of the Apoſtle touching women; that they ſhould not be vncouered in the congregation,1 Cor. 15.10. becauſe of the Angell, which ſome hauehave vnderſtood to be the Miniſter. How much more carefull ought wee to bee in reſpect of the preſence of theſe holy Angels.
Then the Angel ſpake vntounto Philip,
But why did the Lord ſend Philip to this Noble man? hee might hauehave ſent this Angell vntounto him, and a man would hauehave thought, that hee would hauehave heard him ſooner, and that his miniſtery would hauehave been much more effectuall, and that he muſt needs hauehave taken it as a ſingular fauour of God, thus to hauehave inſtructed him by the miniſtery of an Angell. But the Lord would not; but Philip muſt be ſent vntounto him.
Surely, this commendeth the great mercy of God, that will be pleaſed to teach vsus by ſuch as wee our ſelues are; for we are not able to heare the voyce of God, nor to indure the preſence of an Angell.
When the Lord had ſpoken vntounto the people vponupon the Mount, how fearefull were they? and how inſtant with Moſes, ſaying, Talke thou with vsus, E… 3.19.but let not God talke with vsus, leſt we dye. They were not able to abide his preſence, nor to heare his glorious voyce.
And ſo when Manoah had ſeen the Angell, hee ſaid to his wife, wee ſhall ſurely dye, becauſe wee hauehave ſeene the Lord. Iudg. 13.12.Now the Lord knowing our weakeneſſe, and tendering our infirmities, is pleaſed to ſend vsus men like vntounto our ſe…ues, to teach and inſtruct vsus, that are cloathed with the ſame infirmities that we our ſelues are; and herein will teach vsus, and all men vntounto the end of the world.
What is the ordinary meanes whereby hee will teach men, Doct. 3 God will teach men by the miniſtery of men.and bring them to life and ſaluation, euen by the miniſtery of men, and not by the miniſtery of Angels.
When the Lord ſent the Angel here vntounto Philip, hee could, if it had ſo pleaſed him, hauehave ſent the ſame vntounto the Eunuch, but the Lord will hauehave his word rather diſpenced by earthly and ſinfull men, then by celeſtiall and heauenly Angels.
When Saul had heard the ſound from heauen, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? Act. 9.10.he is ſent for direction, not to an Angell, but to Ananias. Act. 10.So muſt Cornelius ſend for Peter. When the rich man in the Parable deſired Abraham to ſend to his Brethren, the anſwer was,Luke 16. they hauehave Moſes and the Prophets, let them heare them. Whoſoeuer heareth you, Luk. 10.10(ſaith Chriſt) heareth mee. To this, agreeth that of the Apoſtle, where he teacheth,1 Cor. 4.9. that we are appointed vntounto this worke, as men condemned vntounto death, that wee might bee a gazing ſtocke to the world, to Angels and to men. And thus in all ages of the Church, the Lord hath euer ſtirred vp ſuch inſtruments for the inlarging of his kingdome; who, as Saint Iames ſpeaketh of Elias, are ſubiect vntounto the ſame infirmities that other men are: and there is reaſon for it.
For firſt, Reaſ. 1 was not our redemption wrought in the nature of man, and not of Angels? why then ſhould not this worke of redemption bee publiſhed rather by men, then by Angels? It is the Apoſtles reaſon, All things are of God, 2 Cor. 5.18.who hath reconciled vsus vntounto himſelfe by Ieſus Chriſt, and hath committed vntounto vsus the word of reconciliation, where theſe two are ioyned together.
Secondly, God choſeth many times the baſe things, to bring great things to paſſe;1 Cor. 3. and this treaſure hath hee put in earthen veſſels, that the excellency of the power might be of God, and not of man. Thus was Dauid choſen from the ſheep-fold, and many of the Prophets from their Heards. Matthew from amongſt the Publicans, and Saul from the ſtate of a Phariſie and a Supplanter, to bee a maſter builder in his Church.
And this reaſon why the Lord hath committed the diſpenſation of his word, to men rather then to Angels, is, becauſe none can be ſo neerely touched with the infirmities of man, as man, themſelues hauing experience of the infirmities of their brethren; the deceitfulneſſe of the heart, the buffettings of Sathan, and deceitfulneſſe of ſinne; and this the Author of the Epiſtle vntounto the Hebrewes ſets downe to be the maine reaſon why Chriſt tooke our nature vponupon him,Heb 5.2. and ſo our infirmities, that be might be a mercifull high Prieſt vntounto God his Father.Heb. 2.16.17.
Seeing then that God hath choſe ſuch inſtruments for his ſeruice, Vſe 1 we are taught then not to deſpiſe thoſe whom God hath thus honoured. This the Apoſtle Saint Iames inforceth, when hee ſaith, Hearken, my brethren, hath not God choſen the poore of the world to bee rich in faith, Iam. 2.5.6and heyres of his kingdome, &c? But ye hauehave deſpiſed the poore. This is indeed to croſſe the proceedings of God, and to let our ſelues againſt him, in deſpiſing thoſe whom he hath honoured, & abaſing thoſe whom he hath exalted.
Secondly, we are taught hence how to eſteeme and to carry our ſelues towards the Miniſters of Chriſt, euen as if they were more honourable creatures. Thus Paul exhorteth the Philippians to receiue ſuch with all gladneſſe, and to hold them in reputation for their worke ſake.Phil. 2.29. How ioyfully did the Shunamite entertaine Eliſha, and Paul giues this commendations of the Galathians, that they receiued him as an Angell from heauen; nay, more, I beare you record, (ſaith he) that if it had beene poſsible, Gal. 4.14.ye would hauehave plucked out your owne eyes, and hauehave giuen them to me.
But alas, i… our dayes, the Miniſters of the Word hauehave the like enter t…inement, that Chriſt their Maſter had amongſt the Samaritans, they came and beſought him to depart out of their Coaſts.Mat. 8.34. So are many faithfull Miniſters accounted a burthen to ſuch places where they liue, and the greateſt croſſe that poſſible could come vntounto them.
And laſt of all, ſeeing that God out of the very mouthes of ſuch Babes and Sucklings, hath ordained ſuch ſtrength to enlarge his own kingdome,Pſal. 8.2. and to ouerthrow Sathan. Wee are taught to praiſe God for his owne gratious power in his ſeruants. This is thankefulneſſe wee owe vntounto God for ſo great a mercy: by this meanes the Lord will be moued to bleſſe the Miniſtery of his ſeruants vntounto vsus. and make the ſame effectual, without whoſe gratious bleſſing, the moſt powerfull meanes that are, can doe vsus no good at all.