Commentary on Acts, Part 1 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
1 ABout that time, Herod the king, ſtretched out his hande to afflict certaine of the Church.
2 And he killed Iames the brother of Iohn with the ſworde:
3 And when he ſaw that this pleaſed the Iewes, he proceeded to take Peter alſo, Then were the daies of ſweete bread.
4 Whē he had taken him alſo, he put him in priſon, deliuering him to four quaternions of ſouldiars to be kept, intending after Eaſter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Therefore Peter was kept in priſon. But continuall prayer was made for him of of the chu…ch of God.
1 Here foloweth new perſecution raiſed by Herod. We ſee that the church had ſom ſhort truce, that it might as it were by a ſhort breathing recouer ſome courage againſt the time to come, and that it might then fight afreſh. So at this day there is no cauſe why the faithful hauing borne the bruntes of one or two conflicts ſhould promiſe thēſelues reſt, or ſhould deſire ſuch a calling as old ouerworn ſouldiars vſe to hauehave: let this ſuffice them if the Lord graunt thē ſome time wherin they may recouer their ſtrength. This Herod was Agrippa the greater, the ſonne of Ariſtobulus, whom his father ſlue. Ioſephus doth no where call him Herod, it may be, becauſe he had a brother who was king of Chalcis, whoſe name was Herod. This man was incenſed to afflict the churche not ſo much for any louelove he had to religion, as that by this meanes hee might flatter the common people, which did otherwiſe not greatly fauour him, or rather he was moued hereunto with tyrannicall crueltie, becauſe hee was afraid of innouation, which tyraunts doe alwaies feare, leaſt it trouble the quiet eſtate of their dominion. Yet it is likely that he did ſhed innocent blood, that according to the common craft of kinges he might gratifie a furious people; becauſe Saint Luke will ſhortly after declare, that Peter the Apoſtle was put into priſon that he might be a pleaſaunt ſpectacle.
Hee killed Iames. Vndoubtedly the crueltie of this mad man was reſtrained and brideled by the ſecret power of God. For aſſuredly he wold neuer hauehave been content with one or two murthers, and ſo hauehave abſtained from perſecuting the reſt, but hee woulde rather hauehave pyled vp martyres vponupon heapes, vnleſſe God had ſet his hand againſt him, and defended his flocke. So when we ſee that the enemies of godlineſſe being full of furie, doe not commit horrible ſlaughters, that they may mixe and imbrue all things with blood, let vsus knowe that we neede not thank their moderation and clemencie for this, but becauſe when the Lorde doth ſpare his ſheep, he doth not ſuffer them to do ſo much hurt as they woulde. This Herod was not ſo courteous, that he would ſticke to winne peace or the peoples fauour with the puniſhent of an hundred men or moe.
Wherefore we muſt thinke with our ſelues that hee was tyed by one that had the rule ouer him, that hee might not more vehementlye oppreſſe the Churche. Hee ſlue Iames, as, when any ſedition is raiſed, the heads and captaines goe firſt to the pot, that the common riffe raffe may by their puniſhment be terrified. Neuertheleſſe the Lord ſuffered him whom he had furniſhed with conſtancie to bee put to death, that by death he might get the victorie as a ſtrong and inuincible chā pion. So that the attempts of Tyrants notwithſtanding, God maketh choyce of ſweete ſmelling ſacrifices to eſtabliſh the faith of his goſpell. Luke calleth this Iames which was ſlaine the brother of Iohn, that hee may diſtinguiſh him from the ſonne of Alpheus. For wheras ſome make him a thirde coſin of Chriſtes, who was only ſome one of the diſciples, I doe not like of that: becauſe I am by ſtrong reaſons perſwaded to think that there were no more. Let him that will, repayre to the ſecond to the Galathians. Therefore I thinke that the Apoſtle and the ſonne of Alphe were al one, whom the Iewes threw down headlong from the top of the temple, whoſe death was ſo highly commended for his ſingular prayſe of holineſſe.
3 Seeing that it pleaſed the Iewes. It appeareth more plainely by this that Herod was not moued either with any zeale that he had to Moſes lawe, or with any hatred of the Goſpell, thus to perſecute the Churche, but that he might prouide for his owne priuate affayres. For hee proceedeth in his crueltie, that hee may winne the peoples fauour. Therfore wee muſte knowe that there bee diuers cauſes, for whiche the Churche is aſſaulted on eueryevery ſide. Oftentimes peruers zeale driueth the wicked headlong, to fight for their ſuperſtitions, and that they may ſacrifice an offering to their idols by ſheeding innocent blood: but the more parte is moued with priuate commodities onelyonly. So in times paſt, at ſuch time as Nero knewe after the burning of the citie, that hee was lothed and hated of the people, hee ſought by this ſubtill meanes to get into fauour againe, or at leaſt he went about to ſtay their ſlaunders and complaintes, by putting certaine thouſandes of the godly to death.
In like ſort, that Herod may winne the peoples fauour, who did louelove him but a litte, hee putteth the Chriſtians to death as a price wherewith hee might redeeme their fauour: and ſuch is our eſtate at this day: for though all men runne by troupes vppon the members of Chriſte, yet fewe are pooked forwarde with ſuperſtition: but ſome ſell them ſelues to Antichriſte like profitable bond ſlaues: otherſome beare with, and commende the outragious outcries of Monkes and the common people: but wee in the meane ſeaſon, beeyng abiectes muſt bee glad to beare their mockes: yet there is one comfort which doeth excellently keepe vsus on foote, in that wee knowe that our blood is precious in the ſight of Almightie GOD, which the worlde doth ſhamefullye abuſe: yea the more ſhamefullie and reprochefullie the wicked doe handle vsus, ſo muche the leſſe ſhall Gods goodneſſe forſake vsus.
4 Adding foure quaternions of ſouldiars. Luke doth in this place declare by circumſtances, that Peter was as it were ſhut vp in his graue, ſo that it might ſeem that hee was quite paſt hope. For as they diuided the day and night into foure partes by three houres: ſo Herod diuided the watches, that foure ſouldiars might alwayes keepe watche, and that one quaternion might ſucceede another eueryevery third houre. He ſheweth the cauſe why hee was not foorthwith put to death, becauſe it had been an haynous offence to put him to death in the Eaſter holidayes. Therefore Herod doeth not delay the time as doubtfull what to doe: but doth only waite for opportunitie. Yea hee maketh choice of a time, when as his gifte may bee more plauſible, becauſe there came a great multitude together from all partes vntounto the holy day.
5 But prayers were made. Luke teacheth here that the faithfull did not in the meane ſeaſon foreſlowe their dutie, Peter ſtoode in the foreward alone, but all the reſt fought with their prayers together with him, and they ayded him ſo much as they were able. Heereby we doe alſo gather that they were not diſcouraged: for by praier they teſtifie that they perſiſt ſo much as they are able in defence of the cauſe, for which Peter is in danger of life. This place teacheth, firſt, how we ought to be affected when we ſee our brethren perſecuted by the wicked, for the teſtimonie of the goſpell. For if wee bee ſlothfull, and if we be not inwardly touched with their daungers, we doe not only defraude them of the due dutie of louelove, but alſo treacherouſly forſake the confeſſion of our faith: and aſſuredly, if the cauſe be common, yea if they fight for our ſaftie and ſaluation, we do not only forſake them, but euen Chriſt and our ſelues: and the preſent neceſſitie requireth, that they be farre more feruent in praier, then commonly they are, whoſoeuer will bee counted chriſtians. We ſee ſome of our brethren (being brought to extreeme pouertie) liue in exile, others we ſee impriſoned, many caſt into ſtinking dungeons, manie conſumed with fire, yea we ſee newe torments oftentimes inuented, whereby being long tormented, they may feele death. Vnleſſe theſe prouocations ſharpen our deſire to pray, we be more then blockiſh. Therefore ſo ſone as any perſecution ariſeth let vsus by and by get our ſelues to prayer.
Alſo it is a likely thing that the church tooke greater thought for Peters life, becauſe they ſhoulde hauehave ſuffered great loſſe if hee had gone. Neither doth Luke ſay barely, that prayer was made: but he addeth alſo, that it was earneſt and continual. Whereby he giueth vsus to vnderſtand that the faithfull prayed not coldly or ouer fields, but ſo long as Peter was in the conflict, the faithfull did what they coulde to helpe him, and that without weariſomneſſe. We muſt alwayes vnderſtande the name of God, which is here expreſſed, whenſoeuer mention is made of prayer in the ſcripture. For this is one of the chiefeſt and firſt principles of faith, that we ought to direct our prayers vntounto God alone: as he challengeth to himſelfe this peculiar worſhip,Pſal. 50.15. Call vppon mee in the day of tribulation.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him foorth, the ſame night ſlept Peter betweene two ſouldiars bound with two chaines. And the keepers kept the priſon before the dore.
7 And behold the Angel of the Lord ſtood, and a light ſhined in the habitation. And he ſmoote Peters ſide, ſaying: Ariſe ſtreightway: and his chaines fel from his hands.
8 And the Angell ſaide to him: Gyrde thy ſelfe, and binde on thy ſandales. And hee did ſo. Then he ſaith to him: Put thy garment about thee, and follow mee.
9 And going out, he folowed him, neither vnderſtood he that that was true which was done by the angell, but he thought that he ſaw a viſion.
10 And when they were paſt the firſt watche, and the ſeconde, they came to the yron gate, which leadeth into the Citie, which opened to them of it owne accord. And when they were come out, they paſſed through one ſtreete, and by and by the Angel departed from him.
11 Then Peter returning to himſelfe, ſaide: Nowe of a truth I knowe, that the Lord hath ſent his Angel, and hath deliuered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting of the people of the Iewes.
6 When he was about to bring him forth. It ſeemeth at the firſt bluſh that the Church praieth to ſmall purpoſe: for the day was now appointed wherein Peter ſhould be put to death, and he is within one night of death, and yet the faithfull ceaſe not to pray, becauſe they knowe that when the Lord doeth purpoſe to deliuer his, hee taketh his time oftentimes in the laſt and fartheſt point of neceſſitie, and that he hath in his hande diuerſe wayes to deliuer. Secondly we may thinke that they did not ſo much pray for Peters life, as that the Lord would arme him with inuincible fortitude, for the glory of the Goſpel: and that God would ſet the goſpel of his ſon, open to the reproches and ſlanders of the wicked.
That night he ſlept. Al theſe circumſtances do more ſet forth the wonderfull power of God, for who would not hauehave thought that Peter was alreadie ſwallowed vp of death? for though he drew breath as yet, yet had he no chinch to creepe out at, for as much as he was beſet with many deathes. Therefore whereas he eſcapeth from amidſt deaths, whereas hee goeth ſafely among the handes of his hangmen, whereas the chaines are molten and are looſed, whereas the yron gate openeth it ſelfe to him: hereby it appeareth that it was a meere diuine kinde of deliuerance, and it was profitable for Peter to bee thus taught by theſe ſignes, that he might with more aſſurance forthwith declare vntounto men the grace of God thus knowne. Againe it appeareth by this ſtraite keeping, that Herod meant nothing leſſe than to let Peter goe away aliue.
7 A light ſhined. It is to be thought that Peter alone ſawe this light: and that the ſoldiars did either ſleepe ſo ſoundly, or elſe were ſo amaſed, that they neither felt nor perceiued any thing. And there might be two cauſes why god would hauehave the light to ſhine: either that Peter might hauehave the vſe thereof, and that the darkeneſſe might be no hindrance to him: or that it might be to him a ſigne and token of the heauenly glorie. For we reade oftentimes, that the Angels appeared with gliſtering brightneſſe, euen when the Sun did ſhine. Aſſuredly Peter might hauehave gathered by the ſtrange light that God was preſent: and alſo hee ought to hauehave made his profite thereof. When as the Angell ſmiteth Peters ſide, it appeereth hereby what a care God hath for his, who watcheth ouer them when they ſleepe, and raiſeth them when they are drouſie. And ſurely there were nothing more miſerable than wee, if the continuance of our prayers alone, did keepe God in his watching ouer vsus. For ſuch is the infirmitie of our fleſh that wee faint & quaile, & we ſtand moſt of all in neede of his helpe, when our mindes being drawne away, do not ſeeke him. Sleepe is a certaine image of death, and doth chocke and drowne all the ſenſes, what ſhould become of vsus, if God ſhould then ceaſe to hauehave reſpect to vsus? But foraſmuch as when the faithfull goe to ſleepe, they commit their ſafetie to God, it commeth to paſſe by this meanes, that euen their ſleepe doth call vponupon God. Whereas he ſaieth that immediatly after the Angel had ſaid the word, the chaines were loſed: we gather by this, that there is power ynough in the commandement of God alone to remoue al maner lets, when all waies ſeeme to be ſtopt on al ſids: ſo that if he intend to appeaſe the motions and tumults of war, although the whole world were appointed in armor, their ſpears and ſwords ſhall forthwith fal out of their hands: on the other ſide, if he be determined to puniſh vsus and our ſinnes with war, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, their minds which were before giuen to peace, ſhal wax hot, and they ſhall lay hand on their ſwords. Whereas Luke ſetteth downe ſeuerally, both the words of the Angel, and alſo the courſe of the matter, it ſerueth for the more certaintie of the hiſtorie, that it may in eueryevery reſpect appeare that Peter was deliuered by God.
9 He knew not that it was true. He did not think that it was a vaine or falſe viſure, as Satan doth oftentimes dilude men with iuglings: but true is taken in this place for that which is done naturally and after the manner of men. For we muſt note the contrarietie that is betweene the thing it ſelfe and the viſion. Furthermore though he thinke that it is a viſion, yet doth he willingly obey: whereby his obedience is prooued: whiles that being content with the commandement of the angel alone, he doth not inquire nor reaſon what he muſt do, but doth that which he is commanded to do.
10 When they were past. God was able to hauehave carried Peter away in the turning of an hand: but he ouercommeth diuerſe ſtraits one after another, that the glory of the miracle might be the greater. So be created the world in ſixe dayes,Geneſ. 1. not becauſe he had any need of ſpace of time, but that he might the better ſtay vsus in the meditating vppon his works: for he applieth the manner of doing vntounto our capacity, and vntounto the encreaſe of faith. If Peter had at a ſodain ben carried vntounto the houſe where the brethren were aſſembled,Exod. 20.11 then ſhould one onelyonly deliuerance hauehave ben acknowledged, but now we ſee as it were with our eyes that he was deliuered more than ten times.
11 Then Peter returning to himſelfe. It is word for word, Being made in himſelfe, becauſe being before aſtonied with a ſtrange and vncredible thing, he was as it were without himſelfe. But now at length as it were after a trance, he knoweth that he is deliuered from death. His words ſet downe by Luke containe a thankſgiuing. For he extolleth with himſelfe the benefit of God which he had tried, and whereof he had taſted, and he doth highly commend it with himſelfe, vntil he find ſome other witneſſes. He ſaith that the Angel was ſent of God, according to the common meaning of the godly, who hold that the Angels are appointed to be miniſters, to be careful for, and to take charge of their ſafetie. For vnleſſe he had bin thus perſwaded, he would not hauehave ſpoken of the Angel. And yet he doth not commend the Angel as the autor of the grace… but he aſcribeth al the whole praiſe of the worke to God alone Neither do the angels help vsus to this end, that they may deriue vntounto themſelues euen the leaſt iot of gods glory. Whereas he ſaith that he was deliuered out of the hand of Herod, he amplifieth the goodnes and benefit of god, by the power of his enimy. To the ſame end tendeth that which he addeth of the Iewes. For the greater the number of the enimies was, the more excellent was the grace of God toward his ſeruant: for it is a great matter that God alone being fauorable, the deadly hatred of al the whol world ſhould come to nought.
12 And conſidering he came into the houſe of Mary the mother of Iohn, whoſe ſyrname was Marke, where many were gathered and praying.
13 And when Peter had knocked at the entry doore, a maid came out to harken, named Rhode.
14 And when ſhe knew Peters voice, ſhe opened not the doore for ioy: but running in, ſhe told that Peter ſtood without.
15 But they ſaid to her, Thou art mad. But ſhe affirmed more vehemently that is was ſo. But they ſaid it is his Angel.
16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened they ſaw him, and they were astonied.
17 But after that he had beckned to them with the hand, that they ſhould hold their peace, he told them how God had brought him out of priſon. And he ſaid: Tel Iames and the brethren theſe things. And he departed thence, and went into an other place.
18 After that it was day, there was no ſmal adoe amongst the ſoldiars, what was become of Peter,
19 And when Herod had ſought him, and could not finde him, ſo ſoone as he knew the matter, he commanded the keepers to be carried away.
12 Into the houſe of Mary. It appeareth that ſhee was a matron of rare godlineſſe, whoſe houſe was as it were a certaine temple of God, where the brethren did vſe to meet togither. And Luke ſaith, that there were Many aſſembled there, becauſe ſeing they could not all meet togither in one place without feare of ſome tumult, they came togither in diuerſe places of the citie in companies, as they could conueniently. For doubtleſſe there were other companies gathered togither elſewhere: becauſe it is not to be thought that (at ſuch time as many of the faithful did giuegive themſelues to praier) the Apoſtles were not in like ſort occupied, & one houſe could not hold ſo many. And we muſt alwayes marke the circumſtance of time, becauſe euē in the heat of the enimies cruelty, the godly were notwithſtāding aſſembled togither. For if at any time this exerciſe be profitable, then is it moſt neceſſary, when hard conflicts approch.
15 When he did knocke at the gate. Whereas they thinke that the maide is madde, which telleth them that Peter was come: we gather by this, that they did not hope or looke for Peters deliuerance, and yet wee will not ſay that they prayed without faith: becauſe they looked for ſome other ſucceſſe, to witte, that Peter being armed with power from heauen, ſhoulde bee readie whether it were by life or death to glorifie God, that the flocke being terrified with the violent inuaſion of woolues might not be ſcattered abroad, that thoſe that were weake might not faint, that the Lord would put away that whirle winde of perſecution. But in that the Lorde graunteth them more than they hoped for, he ſurpaſſeth their deſires with his infinit goodnes. And now that which was done ſeemeth to them incredible, that they may bee the more prouoked to praiſe his power.
Matth. 18.10.It is his Angell. They call him his Angel, who was by God appointed to bee his keeper and the miniſter of his ſafetie. In which ſenſe Chriſt ſaith that the Angels of little ones do alwayes ſee the face of his father. And what do they gather hence commonly? That eueryevery particular man hath a particular Angel, which taketh charge of him: but it is too weak. For the ſcripture doeth ſometimes teſtifie that there is one Angel giuen to a great people,Exod. 14.10. 2. Kings. 6.17. Dan. 10.5.12. Pſalm. 91.11. Pſalm. 34.8. and to one man onelyonly a great hoaſt. For Elizeus his ſeruant had his eies opened ſo that hee ſawe in the aire charriots of fire, which were appointed to defend the prophet. And in Daniel there is but one Angel of the Perſians, and one of the Grecians named. Neither doeth the Scripture promiſe to eueryevery man a certaine and peculiar Angel, but rather that the Lorde hath charged his Angels to keepe all the faithfull: alſo that they pitch their tents about the godly. Therefore that vaine ſurmiſe which is common touching the two Angels of euerie man, is prophane. Let this bee ſufficient for vsus, that the whole hoaſt of heauen doth watch for the ſafetie of the Church: and that as neceſſity of time requireth, ſometimes one Angel, ſometimes moe doe defende vsus with their aide. Aſſuredly this is vneſtimable goodnes of God, in that he ſaieth that the Angels who are the beames of his brightneſſe, are our miniſters.
17 Tel Iames and the Brethren. By Brethren I vnderſtand not eueryevery one that was of the Church, but the Apoſtles and elders. For though it were requiſite that the myracle ſhould be made knowne to all, yet will Peter worthily for honors ſake hauehave his fellowes in office to be certified thereof. Eccleſiaſtical writers after Euſebius, report, that this Iames was one of the diſciples: but foraſmuch as Paul reckoneth him in the number of the three pillars of the Church, I doe not thinke that a diſciple was aduanced to that dignities, and the Apoſtles ſet aſide. Wherefore I doe rather coniecture that this was Iames the ſon of Alphee, whoſe holineſſe was ſuch that it cauſed the Iewes to wonder at it. And there be two reaſons for which Peter would hauehave this ioyfull meſſage brought vntounto the brethren: to wit, that he might ridde them of that care which did vexe them: ſecondly that they might be incouraged with ſuch an example of Gods goodneſſe to be the more bold. Whereas he paſſeth into another place, I thinke it was done for this cauſe, becauſe foraſmuch as the houſe was well knowne and famous, becauſe many of the brethren reſorted thither, hee might lye hidde elſewhere with leſſe daunger. Therefore hee ſought a place which was not ſo much ſuſpected of the enimie, and that, that hee might not onelyonly ſaue himſelfe, but alſo his hoſtis and others.
18 When it was day. Luke returneth nowe vntounto Herod and the ſoldiars: and he ſaith that there was no ſmall adoe amongſt them. For they could not ſuſpect that Peter was taken from them by violence, or that he was eſcaped by ſome ſubtill ſhift. Herod examineth the matter afterward as a iudge: but when as he perceiued that the ſoldiars were in no fault, he himſelf is alſo inforced to be a witneſſe of the deliuerance wrought by God. Whereas he commandeth them to be carried out of his ſight, or to be carried to priſon, we may thereby gather, that their faithfulneſſe and diligence were approued and ſeene: for if there had beene any ſuſpition of negligence, there was puniſhment prepared for them: but the cauſe why he doeth not let them go free, was partly rage mixed with tyrannous crueltie, and partly ſhamefaſtneſſe. Though ſome expound it otherwiſe, that he commanded that they ſhould be puniſhed forthwith. And whether being angrie he deliuered them to the hangman, or he was content to puniſh them with perpetuall impriſonment: it is aſſuredly an excellent example of blindnes, that whereas he ought to perceiue the power of God, yea though his eyes were ſhut, yet doth he not bend, neither doth he waxe more meeke, but proceedeth to reſiſt God of obſtinate malice: thus doth Satan depriue the wicked of vnderſtanding, that in ſeing they ſee not: and the Lord by ſmiting them with this horrible amaſedneſſe doeth iuſtly reuenge himſelfe and his Church.
And deſcending from Iudea to Caeſarea, he ſtaied there.
20 And Herod was offended with thoſe of Tyre and Sidon. But they came vntounto him with one conſent: and perſwading Blastus, the chamberlaine to the King, they required peace, becauſe their countrie was nouriſhed by the Kings countrie.
21 And vponupon a day appointed, Herod arayed himſelfe in royall apparel, and ſitting vponupon his throne, he made an oration vntounto them.
22 And the people cried, it is the voice of God and not of man.
23 And ſtreightway the Angel of the Lord ſmote him becauſe he gaue not the glorie to God: and being eaten of wormes, he died.
24 Furthermore the word of God did encreaſe and multiply.
25 And Barnabas and Paul returned from Ieruſalem to Antioch, hauing finiſhed their office, taking Iohn with them, which was called Marke.
20 A worthy hiſtorie which doth not onelyonly ſhew as it were in a glaſſe what end is prepared for the enimies of the Church, but alſo how greatly God hateth pride. The ſcripture ſaieth that God reſiſteth the proud. God himſelfe did ſhew a liuely image thereof in the perſon of Herod.1. Pet. 5.5. And aſſuredly men cannot extoll themſelues higher than becommeth them, but they ſhall make warre with God: who, to the end he may ſurpaſſe all, commaundeth all fleſh to keepe ſilence. And if God did ſo ſharply puniſh pride in a king, whom proſperitie did puffe vp, what ſhal become of thoſe of the commō ſort, who are ridiculouſly puffed vp without cauſe? Furthermore we muſt note the courſe of the hiſtorie, that all things go wel with Herod after that he had miſerably vexed the church, he enforced the nations round about him being tamed with hunger, to come to craue pardon vppon their knees: as if God had rewarded him well for his wicked furie. This was no ſmal trial for the godly, who might hauehave thought thus with themſelues, that God cared not for them: and they were afraid leaſt with Herods power his tyranny & crueltie ſhould encreaſe. But the Lord had another purpoſe, for he ſet the oppreſſor of his Church on high, that he might hauehave the greater fall. Therefore that ſhadowiſh felicitie, wherein he delighted too much, was vntounto him a certaine fatting againſt the day of ſlaughter. In like ſort when at this day we ſee the bloody enimies of the Church carried vp vponupon the wings of fortune into heauen,Pro. 16.18. & 12. there is no cauſe why we ſhould be diſcoraged, but let vsus rather cal to minde that ſaying of Salomon, Pride goeth before calamitie, and the heart is lifted vp before a fall.
Herod was diſpleaſed. Luke vſeth the compound participle Thumomachon, which ſignifieth priuie grudging or hatred. Therefore Herod did not make open war againſt thoſe cities, but ſuch was his diſpleaſure, that he aſſaied to ſubdue them by pollicie, as it were by vnderminding them by litle and litle. It is a rare matter ſaith Demoſthenes, for free cities to agree with Monarches. Moreouer Herod was naturally cruel, bold, of vnſatiable couetouſneſſe: and it is not to be doubted but that Tyrus and Sidon were as it were certaine barres or railes to ſtay his furie, as they were welthy cities & vnaccuſtomed to beare the yoke. Alſo the remembrance of their old glory might hauehave incouraged them: foraſmuch as pride commeth commonly of wealth: it is no maruell if theſe two cities were proud:Iſai. 23.8. Iob. 12. the one whereof Iſaias calleth Queene of the ſeas, whoſe marchants he ſaid were kings: and her chapmen Dukes. Alſo he ſaieth elſewhere that Sidon was become proud by reaſon of her wealth. And although they had ſundrie times bin brought almoſt to vtter ruine; yet the commodiouſnes of their ſituation, did ſhortly reſtore them to their wonted ſtate. Hereby it came to paſſe that they could more hardly digeſt Agrippa of late a baſe fellow, a man of no eſtimation, & one who had bin let out of priſon, eſpecially ſeing that he behaued himſelfe ſo cruelly toward his own ſubiects, & was trobleſome and iniurious to his neighbors.
Foraſmuch as their countrie was nouriſhed. It had not bin good for him to hauehave aſſailed the men of Tyre and Sidon with open warre, therefore he giueth commandement that there ſhould no corne nor victuall be caried out of his realme. By this meanes did he without any army beſiege them by little and little. For the borders of both cities were ſtrait, and their ground barren, whereas there was a great people to be fed. Therefore after that they were tamed with hunger, they humblie craue peace, and that not free, for aſſuredly they had ſome lawes giuen them: and it is to be thought that this Blaſtus mentioned by Luke, was not with bare words perſwaded but with rewards woone to intreat the peace. I know not why Eraſmus did thinke it good to tranſlate this place otherwiſe than the words import.
21 VponUpon an appointed day. Luke ſaith that the men of Tyrus and Sidon had peace granted them, becauſe this was the occaſion of the kings oration, without doubt, that he might make them his vnderlings hereafter. The ſame hiſtory is extant in Ioſephus in his nineteenth booke of Antiquities: ſaue only that he calleth him eueryevery where Agrippa, whom Luke calleth Herod. It is to be thought that Agrippa was his proper name, & that he was called by none other name ſo long as he was a priuate man: but after that he was aduanced to be a king, he tooke to himſelf princely dignitie according to the name of his grandfather. Ioſephus & Luke agree togither wonderfully in the thing it ſelf, and in all circumſtances. Firſt they agree concerning the place. Ioſephus ſaith that his garment was imbroidered with gold, on which when the ſunne beames light, it did gliſter again: & that this was the cauſe which moued the courteours to call him a God: that he was ſodainly wounded: alſo that there was ſeene an Owle, ſitting vppon a cord ouer his head, which cord did prognoſticate his ruine. And he is ſo far from doubting that his ſacrilegious pride was puniſhed with this kind of puniſhment, that he ſaith that he confeſſed the ſame openly amidſt his cruel torments, Behold me whom you call a God, I am enforced to finiſh my life moſt miſerablie. There is no mention made there of the peace made with thoſe of Tyrus & Sidon: but that he made and ſet forth plaies in honour of Ceſar. But it may be that the ſolemnitie of the plaies was appointed in reſpect of the peace concluded: which we know was a ſolemne thing.
23 Forthwith he ſmote him. As before the Angel was a miniſter of gods grace in the deliuery of Peter, ſo now he taketh vengeance vponupon Herod. And God doth ſometimes vſe the miniſtery of Angels in heauen in puniſhing: but ſomtimes he maketh the diuels as hangmen,1. Sam. 16.14. Iob. 1.11. & 2.7. Exo. 12.29 by whoſe hand he executeth his iudgements. And this doth he as wel toward his faithful ſeruants, as toward the reprobate. Saul was troubled and vexed by ſatan, but the ſame did alſo befal holy Iob. In the Pſalm the puniſhments wherewith God doth chaſten the wicked, are attributed to the euil Angels: yet we ſee how the Angel which had the gouernment of the ſafetie of the Church, ſmiteth the Egyptians in the firſt begotten: although the ſcripture calleth the wicked ſpirits Gods ſpirits, becauſe they are obedient to his commandemēt though ful ſore againſt their wil. But wher the epithite Euil, is not added as in this place, we muſt vnderſtand the angel which doth willingly obey God, and yet the ſhape of the Owle, whereof Ioſephus maketh mention, did rather ſerue to figure the diuel, than an heauenly Angel. Furthermore, I dare not affirme for a ſuretie what maner diſeaſe that was. The word which Luke vſeth doth ſignifie, that he was eaten vp of wormes. Many coniect that it was a louſie diſeaſe. This is certaine, that euen when he was yet aliue he was corrupt with ſtinke & rottennes, ſo that he was as it were a liuing carcaſe. So that he was not onelyonly vexed with cruel torments, but alſo made a laughing ſtocke to all men, & of al men reuiled. For God intended to make choiſe of a kind of puniſhment, wherwith he might oppres the cruelty of a proud man with extrem ignominy. If he had bin ouercom of ſom great & valiant army, & had bin brought to pouerty, the iudgment of god had not bin ſo marked: and this had bin an honeſt and princely chaſtiſement: but foraſmuch as he abhorreth lice and wormes, and this filthines commeth out of his body,Exo. 8.17.24. which doth kill him by eating him vp, he is handled according to his deſerts. In like ſort Pharao, foraſmuch as he did ſo oft exalt himſelf againſt God with vntamed pride, he was not orderly aſſailed by ſome prince that did border vponupon him, but Locuſts and caterpillars were gods warriars to make warre againſt him, for the more proudly a man exalteth himſelf: the more doth he deſerue to be caſt downe of God into the loweſt hell with ſhame and reproch. This is the reaſon why he ſet this feigned God Herod, to be eaten vp of wormes: which he was at length enforced to grant, when he ſaid, Behold me whom ye ſaluted as a God, I die myſerablie. Such a manifeſt example of horrible vengance in a kings perſon, ought to terrifie vsus not a little, from preſuming to take to our ſelues more than we ought: and that we doe not ſuffer our ſelues to be made drunke with the falſe commendation and flattery of men as with deadly poiſon.
Becauſe he gaue not the glorie to God. He is condemned of ſacrilege not only becauſe he ſuffered himſelf to be called god, but becauſe forgetting himſelfe, he tooke to himſelfe the honor due to God. We do not reade that the king of Babilon was thus extolled: and yet the Prophet vpbraideth to him that he went about to make himſelf equal with God. Therfore this ſacrilege is a common fault in all proud men,Iſai. 14 13.14. becauſe by taking to themſelues more than they ought, they darken the glory of God: and ſo like gyants, ſo much as euer they are able, they indeuor to pluck God out of his ſeat. Howſoeuer they do not vſurpe the title of God, neither openly boaſt with their mouth that they are gods, yet becauſe they take to themſelues that which is proper to God, they deſire to be and to be accounted gods, hauing brought him vnderunder. Furthermore the Prophet pointeth out the beginning of this euill in one word, when he bringeth in Nabucadonezer ſpeaking on this wiſe,Iſai. 14. I will go vp. Wherefore there is but one remedie, if eueryevery one keepe himſelfe in that degree wherein he is placed. Let thoſe who are baſe and caſtawayes not deſire to climbe higher: let kings and thoſe who are aboue others, remember that they are mortall, and let them modeſtly ſubmit their highnes to God. And we muſt note that it is not ynough if men giuegive to God onelyonly halfe the honor which is due to him, who chalengeth all that wholly which is his owne: if they ſubmit themſelues but in part, whom he will hauehave to be throughly humbled. Now foraſmuch as the Scripture diſpoileth vsus quite of all praiſe of wiſedome, vertue, and righteouſnes, there is no one of vsus that can take to himſelfe the leaſt iot of glory, without ſacrilegious robbing of God. And it is a wonder, that ſeing the Scripture pronounceth that all thoſe make as it were open war againſt God, which exalt themſelues, and we do all grant, that that cannot be done without our ouerthrow: the greateſt part of men runneth notwithſtanding headlong with furious boldneſſe vntounto their owne deſtruction. For there is ſcarce one of an hundred who being mindfull of his condition, doth leaue to God his glory vndiminiſhed.
24 And the word of God. When the tyrant was once taken out of the way, the Church was ſodainly deliuered as it were out of the iawes of the wolfe.Pſa. 44.23. Therefore though the faithfull be accounted as ſheepe appointed to be ſlaine, yet the Church doth alwayes ouerliue her enimies: and though the word of God ſeeme oftentimes to be oppreſſed with the wicked tyranny of men: yet it getteth vp the head againe by and by.Rom. 8.36. For Luke determined not only to report what hapned after that Herod was dead, but alſo by this example to encourage vsus, that we may be aſſured, that God will do that in all ages, which he then did, to the end the goſpel may at length breake through all impediments of the enimies, and that the more the church is miniſhed, it may the more encreaſe through the heauenly bleſſing.
25 And Barnabas and Paul. The miniſterie which Luke ſaith Barnabas and Paul did finiſh, muſt be referred vntounto the almes, whereof mention was made before. For after that Agabus the Prophet had foretold the famine and barrenneſſe, the brethren gathered money at Antioch, whereby they might relieue the neceſſitie of the Church which was at Ieruſalem, the carrying of this mony was committed to Barnabas and Paul. Now Luke ſaith that they returned to Antioch, that he may paſſe ouer vntounto a new hiſtorie. He addeth that they tooke with them Iohn whoſe ſyrname was Marke, whoſe mother was honorablie commended before, that he might keepe them company, who was afterward as we ſhal ſee, a cauſe of griuous and dangerous diſcord betweene them.