Commentary on Acts, Part 2 · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
1 ANd after that it was decreed that we ſhould ſaile into Italie, they deliuered both Paul and alſo certaine other priſoners to a Centurion named Iulius, of the bande of Augustus.
2 And we entred into a ſhip of Adramythium, purpoſing to ſaile by the coaſtes of Aſia, and we launched forth, hauing Aristarchus of Macedonia, a Theſſalonian with vsus.
3 And the next day we arriued at Sidon, & Iulius did courteouſly intreat Paul, and ſuffered him to go to his friends, that they might refreſh him.
4 And when we were gon thence, we ſailed hard by Cyprus, becauſe the windes were contrarie.
5 And when we had ſailed on the ſea which is ouer againſt Cilicia and Pamphilia, we came to Myra a Citie of Lycia:
6 And when the Centurion had found there a ſhip of Alexandria ſailing into Italie, he put vsus in it.
7 And when we had ſailed ſlowly manie dayes, and were ſcarce come ouer againſt Cnidus, becauſe the wind did let vsus, we ſailed hard by Creta beſide Salmone:
8 And with much adoe we ſailed beyond it, and came to a certaine place, which is called the faire Hauens, neere vntounto which was the Citie of Laſea.
1 Luke ſetteth downe Pauls voyage by ſea moſt of all to this ende, that wee may knowe that hee was brought to Rome wonderfully by the hand of God: and that the glory of God did manie waies appe…re excellent in his doings and ſayings euen in the very iourney: which did more eſtabliſh his Apoſtleſhip. He is deliuered to be carried with other priſoners: but the Lorde doth afterward put great difference betweene him and the euill doers, who were in bonds as well as he. Yea moreouer we ſhall ſee how the captaine doth loſe him and let him be at libertie when the reſt lie bound. I know not what bande that was which Luke calleth the band of Auguſtus, vnleſſe peraduenture it be that which was commonly called the Pretors bande, before the monarchie of the Ceſars. And Luke ſetteth downe in plaine words that they were put in a ſhip of Adramittium: becauſe they ſhoulde ſaile by the coaſt of Aſia. For Adramittium is a Cittie of Eolia. I cannot tell out of what hauen they launched: becauſe they could not ſaile with a ſtraight courſe to Sidon, vnleſſe the Mappes doe greatly deceiue mee. Wee may well geſſe that they were brought thither, either becauſe they coulde finde a ſhippe no where elſe, or elſe becauſe they were to take the other priſoners of whom mention is made, out of that region.
And there continued with vsus. Luke ſeemeth ſo to commende one mans conſtancie, that he nippeth the reſt. For there were moe which did accompanie him to Ieruſalem: whereof we ſee two onelyonly which remained with him. But becauſe it may be that the reſt were letted with ſome iuſt cauſes, or that Paule refuſed to hauehave them to miniſter vntounto him, I will ſay nothing either way. Neither is it an vnmeete thing to ſay that Luke had ſome eſpeciall reaſon for which he doth commend this man aboue the reſt, albeit he was but one of many. Surely it is likely that hee was a rich man, ſeing he was able to beare the charges whereat he was by the ſpace of three yeares, hauing left his houſe.Sup. 17.1… Sup. 20.4. For wee heard before that many of the chiefe families in Theſſalonica did receiue Chriſt, & Luke ſaith for honours ſake that Ariſtarchus and Secundus came with Paule into Aſia. Therefore let it ſuffice vsus to hold that which is certaine and good to be knowne, that there is ſet before vsus an example of holy patience, becauſe Ariſtarchus is not wearied with any trouble, but doth willingly take part with Paul in his trouble, and after that he had beene in priſon with him two yeares, hee doth now croſſe the ſeas, that hee may likewiſe miniſter to him at Rome, not without the reprochings of many, beſides the loſſe of his goods at home, and ſo great charges.
3 He ſuffered him to goe to. Paule might hauehave hid himſelfe in a large Citie, which ioyned to the ſea: but he was bound with the Oracle, that he could not withdraw himſelfe from the calling of God. Again bicauſe the Centurion had ſo courteouſly intertained him, that he ſuffered him to go to his friends that they might dreſſe & refreſh him, whō he might hauehave left in the ſtincking ſhippe, hee ought not ne could he prouide for his owne life with the other mans daunger without filthy trechery. Neither muſt we in any caſe ſuffer thoſe who hauehave courteouſly intreated vsus to be deceiued by their courteſie through our fault. Let the readers fet the voyage whereof Luke ſpeaketh out of thoſe which deſcribe places and countries▪ onelyonly I ſay thus much, that all that which is ſaid tendeth to this end, that we may know that their ſayling was dangerous & tempeſtuous, after that they were once gone out of the hauen of Sidon, vntil they came neere to Melita: & that afterward the mariners did ſtriue long time with contrarie windes, vntill a cruell ſtorme aroſe, whoſe end was ſhipwracke as we ſhall ſee.
9 And when much time was ſpent, and when ſailing was now iepardous, becauſe alſo the time of fasting was now paſſed: Paul admoniſhed them,
10 Saying to them, Syrs, I ſee that this voyage will be with hurt and great loſſe not onelyonly of the burthen and of the ſhip, but alſo of our ſoules.
11 But the Centurion beleeued rather the Gouernor and the maſter of the ſhip, then thoſe things which were ſpoken of Paul.
12 And becauſe the hauen was vnfit to winter in, many tooke counſell to depart thence, if by any meanes they might come to Phenice, and there winter. That is a hauen of Candie, and lieth toward the Southwest and by weſt, and Northwest and by west.
13 And when the South wind blewe ſoftly, ſuppoſing to obtaine their purpoſe, when they had looſed neerer, they ſailed beyond Candie.
14 But not long after there aroſe ouer against it a ſtormie wind, which is called Euroclydon.
15 And when the ſhip was caught, and could not reſist the wind, we let her goe and were carried away.
16 And when we were carried into a certaine Ile called Candie, we could ſcarce get the boat:
17 Which they tooke vp, and vſed helpes, vndergyrding the ſhippe, and fearing leaſt they ſhoulde fall into Syries, they ſtrake ſaile and ſo were carried.
18 And when wee were toſſed with an exceeding tempeſt, on the morrowe they lightned the ſhip:
19 And the thirde day wee caſt out with our owne handes the tackling of the ſhippe.
20 Furthermore when neither ſunne nor ſtarres appeared now many dayes, and no ſmall tempeſt lay vponupon vsus, all hope that wee ſhould be ſaued, was then taken away.
9 When ſailing was nowe ieoperdous. He doth not onelyonly meane that the windes were contrary then, but alſo that the time of the yeare was not then commodious, which hee expreſſeth more plainely afterwarde, when he ſaith that the faſt was paſſed: for I thinke that this worde was added by way of expoſition, to note the end of harueſt. Neither doe I paſſe for that, that that ſolemne time of faſting whereof Luke ſpeaketh, was ſtraunge to the Centurion and the reſt of the mariners: for hee noteth out the times of the yeare according to the cuſtome of the Iewes. Furthermore wee neede not doubt but that it was the harueſt faſt. Though I am not of their minde, who thinke that it was one of the fower faſtes which the Iewes did appoint after the carrying away into Babylon. For Luke woulde not hauehave put downe ſimplie without adding any diſtinction, the thirde faſt which was in the ſeuenth monethmonth, ſeeing it was not more famous than the reſt, being commaunded to bee kept becauſe of the death of Godolia, and becauſe of the deſtruction of the reſt of the people. Againe, I cannot tell whether that cuſtome were retained by the people after their returne it is more likely that he meaneth the feaſt of the attonement, wherein the Lord commanded them to humble their ſoules ſeuen dayes. And they beganne the tenth day of the ſeuenth monethmonth:Leu. 16.25. whereto partly September and partly October doth now agree. Therefore ſeing they were nowe entered into October, it is ſaide not without cauſe, that ſailing was ieoperdous at that time. But and if you referre it vntounto hunger (as ſome doe) I doe not ſee what ſenſe can bee gathered thence: for they had as yet ſtore of wheat in the ſhippe, ſo that they needed not to bee hunger ſterued. And why ſhoulde hee ſay that the time of the voluntarie faſt was paſſed? Moreouer it ſhall hereafter appeare by the text, that they were therefore exhorted by Paul to ſtay, becauſe winter was at hand, whoſe ſharpenes vſeth to ſhut vp the ſeas. For though he were aſſured that God woulde gouern the ſhip, yet he would not tempt him raſhly by making too great haſte.
11 But the Centurion. The Centurion is not reproued becauſe hee harkned rather to the maſter and gouernour of the ſhippe than to Paul. For what ſhould he hauehave done? For though hee did well like Paule his counſell in other matters, yet hee knew that hee was vnskilfull in ſayling. Therefore he ſuffered himſelfe to be gouerned by thoſe which were expert, which was a point of a wiſe and modeſt man. Yea verie neceſſitie did almoſt compel him to doe this: for the hauen was not commodious to Winter in. Neither did the Gouernour giuegive counſell to commit the ſhippe to the maine ſea; but to thruſt in into the next hauen, which was almoſt in view. So that with taking a little paines they might commodiouſly paſſe the winter. Luke reciteth this not in vaine: but that we may know that Paul was from the beginning furniſhed with the ſenſe of the Spirit, ſo that he did better ſee what things were profitable than did the maſters. We know not whether he were taught by Oracles, or whether he gaue this counſell through ſecreat inſpiration. This is certaine, that it ſerued afterward to his commendation. Furthermore in that he ſaith that they ſailed beyond the coaſt of Candie, vntil they were caught and carried away, our friend Beza doth iuſtly reproue the errour of interpreters in this worde aſſon, who make of an aduerbe the name of a Citie.
15 When the ſhippe was caught. Luke ſaieth that that fell out heere, which vſeth to fall out in extreame danger: namely, they ſuffered themſelues to be carried of the winds. Seing they were firſt gone ſome ſpace, and the marriners thought that all things fel out as they would hauehave it, vndoubtedly they did deride Paul his admonition: as raſh men vſe cō monly to wax proud, if fortune fauour them. Being now caught, they are grieuouſly puniſhed for their boldneſſe: yea when they drewe neere to an hauen, they were no leſſe affraid leaſt they ſhould breake the ſhippe, then they were before of ouerturning the ſame. Luke doeth diligentlie note all theſe things, out of which we may gather, that the ſtorme was ſo vehement and fierce, and that it continued ſtill at one ſtay, that they were ſtill in daunger of death. Alſo he declareth that they did couragiouſly vſe all remedies, which might ſaue them from ſuffering ſhipwrack, and that they ſpared not the marchandize and tackling: whence we gather that they were enforced with a liuely feeling of danger, to do what they were able. And Luke addeth that when they had aſſaied all things, they deſpaired of their ſafetie. And ſurely the very darkneſſe of heauen was as it were a graue. Neither need we doubt but that the Lord meant by this meanes to commend and make more notable the grace of their deliuerance which inſued ſhortly after. Neuertheleſſe hee ſuffered his ſeruant to labour with the reſt, vntill he thought he ſhould die. For hee did not appeare vntounto him by his Angell, before it might ſeeme that hee was paſt hope of recouery. Wherefore his bodie was not onelyonly toſt amidſt many ſtormes: but his ſoule was alſo ſhaken with violent tentations. Notwithſtanding the end doth ſhew that he ſtood vpright by faith, ſo that he did not faint. Luk ſpeaketh nothing of his praiers: but bicauſe he himſelfe ſaith afterward that the Angel of God, whom he ſerued, appeared to him, it is likely that when others did curſſe both heauen and earth, he made his praiers to God, and ſo was quiet, and did patientlie tarrie the Lords leiſure. And whereas he ſaith that al hope of ſafety was taken away: it muſt not bee referred vntounto his ſenſe, but onelyonly vntounto the meanes which men coulde vſe: as if hee ſhoulde ſay, that thinges were ſo farre out of order, that there was no ſafetie to be looked for at mens hands.
21 But after long abstinence Paul ſtood in the midst and ſaid, Syrs yee ſhoulde hauehave harkened to me, and not hauehave looſed from Candie, neither hauehave brought vponupon vsus this iniurie and loſſe.
22 And now I exhort you that yee bee of good courage. For there ſhalbe no loſſe of any mans life: but onelyonly of the ſhip.
23 For there ſtoode by me this night the Angel of God, whoſe I am, and whom I worſhip.
24 And he ſaid to me, Feare not Paul, Thou muſt be brought before Ceſar. And behold God hath giuen thee all thoſe which ſaile with thee.
25 Wherefore be of good courage Syrs. For I beleeue God that it ſhalbe ſo, as it hath bin told me.
26 But we muſt fall into a certaine Iland.
27 And when the fourteenth night was come, as wee ſailed in the Adriaticall ſea, about midnight the mariners ſuppoſed that ſome countrie appeared to them.
28 And when they had ſounded, they found it twentie fadomes, and when they were gone a little farther they ſounded againe, and they founde it fifteene fadomes.
29 And fearing leaſt they ſhould hauehave fallen into ſome rough places, hauing caſt foure ancres out of the ſterne, they wiſhed for day.
30 And when the mariners ſought to flie out of the ſhip, when they had let down the boat into the ſea, vnderunder a colour as if they would hauehave caſt ancres out of the fore ſhip,
31 Paul ſaid to the Centurion and the ſoldiars, vnleſſe theſe abide in the ſhip, you cannot be ſaued.
32 Then the ſoldiars cut off the ropes of the boate, and they ſuffered it to fall away.
21 After long abſtinence. Though Luke doeth not plainely expreſſe how the mariners and ſoldiars behaued themſelues, yet he doth plainely diſtinguiſh Paul from them, declaring that hee ſtoode in the midſt of them, that he might comfort their faint hearts: for no man is fit to exhort but hee who is himſelfe an example of conſtancie and fortitude. Furthermore Paul deferred this exhortation, vntill they were all euen at the laſt caſt. Wee may eaſily gather out of the common cuſtome of the infidels, that they raged and made much adoe at the firſt. A moderate and ſoft voice coulde neuer hauehave beene heard amongſt thoſe cries and tumults. Nowe after they bee wearie with working and howling, they ſit ſtil al in a dampe, and Paul beginneth to ſpeake to them. Therefore it was meete that they ſhould languiſh like men halfe deade, vntill they were ſomewhat quiet, and coulde heare a man which woulde giuegive them good counſell. Notwithſtanding Paul ſeemeth to deale vnſeaſonablie when as he obiecteth to them fooliſhneſſe, becauſe they woulde not doe after his counſell, when all was well, ſeing that they knew that hee was vnexpert in ſailing, as hee himſelfe alſo knewe howe vnskilfull and ignorant he was.
But if we conſider what an hard matter it is to bring men vntounto ſoundneſſe of minde, this reprehenſion was verie profitable. Pauls authoritie ſhoulde hauehave beene nothing worth, neither ſhoulde it hauehave moued them any whit, vnleſſe they ſhoulde knowe this, that it had not gone well with them becauſe they had deſpiſed him before. Chiding is in deede cruell and bringeth no comfort: but if it be tempered with ſome remedie, it is nowe a part of the medicine. So, after that Paule had made the marriners attentiue, and had taught by the verie euent th… they ought to beleeue him, hee exhorteth them to bee of good courage, and promiſeth them ſafetie. And this is a token of no ſmal boldneſſe, when hee ſaieth that they ought to hauehave obeyed him. Therefore hee teſtifieth by theſe wordes, that hee ſpake nothing vnaduiſedly: but did commaunde them to doe that which God had preſcribed. For though wee doe not reede that hee had ſome eſpeciall reuelation then giuen him: yet hee himſelfe knewe that the ſpirite did ſecreatly gouerne him: ſo that hee might without feare take vppon him to giuegive counſell, ſeeing hee had the Spirite of God to be his guide. Whereby that doeth better appeare which I touched of late, that Paul in ſpeaking thus doeth awake the marriners, that they may more attentiuelie heare what hee will ſay. Otherwiſe it had beene a ridiculous thing for a man which was in daunger of drowning, to promiſe ſafetie to thoſe who were partakers with him in like calamitie.
23 For there ſtoode by mee. Leaſt hee might bee accuſed of raſhneſſe, for promiſing ſo fully that they ſhoulde bee all ſafe, hee bringeth in God for his authour and witneſſe. Neither is it to be doubted but that hee was fullie perſwaded that it was a true viſion, ſo that hee did not feare Sathans iuglings. For becauſe that father of lies doeth oftentimes deceiue men vnderunder a colour of reuelations, God did neuer appeare to his ſeruauntes, either by himſelfe or by his Angels, but hee put them out of doubt by ſhewing them ſome plaine and euident tokens: and ſecondly did furniſh them with the Spirit of deſcretion that they might not bee deceiued. But Paule doeth extoll the name of his God in plaine wordes among prophane men: not onelyonly that they may learne that the true God is worſhipped in Iudea, but alſo that Paul himſelfe doth worſhip him. They all knew why hee was put in priſon. Now ſeing Angels come downe vntounto him from heauen, they may eaſily gather, that his cauſe is approued of God. Therefore there is in theſe wordes a ſecreat commendation of the Goſpell. Neuertheleſſe wee ſee how Paul triumpheth in his bonds, when hee is the miniſter of ſafetie to ſo manie men, and the interpreter of God.
24 Feare not Paule. Hee is verie deſirous to bring to paſſe that they may giuegive God alone the praiſe for their deliuerance: leaſt theſe ſuperſtitious men doe falſely tranſlate it vntounto their idols: and by this meanes hee inuiteth them vntounto the true faith. But by this it appeareth howe great the mens wickedneſſe is, in that they ſhut their eares againſt ſounde and wholſome counſell, and doe forthwith forgette the grace of God though it were familiarly knowne to them. Yea (that which worſe is) they doe not ſee nor perceiue it when it is preſent before their eies. But howſoeuer the more parte was vnthankefull: yet this Oracle was not reuealed without fruite: yea this was good, that thoſe might bee made without excuſe, who did flatter themſelues too much in their deceipte. And ſeeing it was ſaide that hee muſt bee preſented before Ceſar, it tended to this ende, that his confeſſion might the more ſtrengthen the godlie, when as they ſhoulde knowe that hee came foorth from God as a witneſſe to confirme and auouche the doctrine of the Goſpel, and that hee was appointed and ſaued to that end.
Hath giuen thee all the ſoules. Luke ſeemeth to giuegive vsus to vnderſtande by theſe wordes, that Paule prayed not onelie for himſelfe, but alſo for the reſt, that God woulde ſaue them all from drowning. And ſurelie it is likelie that ſeeing hee ſawe the daunger common to them all, hee was not ſo carefull for his owne life, that hee cared not for the reſt, whom hee ſawe in like daunger. Notwithſtanding it may bee that the Lorde did of his owne accorde preuent his prayers. Neither is it any newe thing, that his bleſſing ſhoulde reach euen vntounto the vnworthie, who are ioyned to the faithfull with any ſocietie. So hee woulde hauehave ſaued Sodome if there had beene tenne good men founde there. Heere ariſeth a queſtion, howe farre the integritie of the ſaints doth profite the wicked.
Firſt wee muſt remoue the ſuperſtition of the Papiſtes, who when they heare that God is good to the badde for the goods ſake, dreame that they bee mediatours, who obtaine ſaluation for the worlde through their merites. And they bee twiſe fooles in that, that they applie theſe titles of the lyuing vntounto the deade: and thinke that God will bee fauourable to them for no other cauſe, ſaue onelie becauſe he beholdeth them, and therefore they make them their patrons. I omit that, that by extolling mens merites they darken the free goodneſſe of God. Nowe that wee may aunſwere the queſtion propounded, wee muſt briefely note this: that for as much as the good are mixed with the badde, as well proſperitie as aduerſitie doeth happen as well to the one as to the other: and yet it falleth out ſometimes that when the Lorde doeth ſpare his, he beareth alſo with the wicked for a time togither with them. Againe that there bee manie cauſes, for which God doeth good to the wicked and reprobate for the faithfuls ſake. Hee bleſſed the houſe of Putiphar for Ioſephs ſake, that hee might mooue him to handle this holy man gentlie.Gen. 39.5. Hee declared his good will towarde Paule in ſauing manie men, that he might beare witneſſe of his godlineſſe, that the maieſtie of the Goſpell might thereby appeare more plainely. But we muſt note this, that whatſoeuer benefits God beſtoweth vppon the wicked, they turne at length to their deſtruction: as on the other ſide puniſhmentes are profitable for the godlie, which they ſuffer togither with the reprobate.
In the meane ſeaſon this is a ſingular pledge of Gods louelove toward vsus, in that he maketh certaine droppes of his goodneſſe diſtil from vsus vntounto others.
25 For I beleeue God. Paul telleth them againe, whence hee had ſuch boldnes, that he affirmeth that though they be amidſt infinite gulfes of the ſea, yet ſhall they all come ſafe to the hauen: namely, becauſe God had promiſed it ſhuld be ſo: in which words the nature of faith is expreſſed, when there is a mutuall relation made betweene it and the worde of God, that it may ſtrengthen mens minds againſt the aſſalts of temptations. And he doth not only exhort the mariners by his own example to beleue: but doth as it were take vponupon him the office of a promiſer, that he may winne credite to the Oracle. That which followeth immediatly touching the Ile, is a latter ſigne: whereby it may more plainly appeare after the ende of the matter, that this their ſailing was not vncertaine: otherwiſe it had bin to no end for the mariners to know how they ſhould eſcape. Therefore we ſee how God doth giuegive that ſafetie which he promiſed, a marke, that it may not ſeeme to come by chance. Notwithſtanding wee muſt note that God kept them ſtill in ſome doubt: partly that he may exerciſe the faith of his ſeruant, partly that they may all knowe that Paul learned that of the holy Ghoſt, which hee could not as yet comprehend by mans reaſon. Notwithſtanding Luke teacheth in the text it ſelfe, that he was not beleeued for al this. For ſeing the mariners thought that there began ſome countrie to appeare vntounto them, it did not agree with the promiſe made touching their arriuing in an Ile. Therefore wee ſee howe that they were ſcarce enforced euen by experience, to thinke that he ſpake the truth.
30 And as the mariners ſought. The grace of the holie ſpirit appeareth in Paul euen in this point alſo, in that he did wiſely admoniſh that the mariners ſhoulde not bee ſuffered to flie. For why doeth not rather the Centurion or ſome other of the companie ſmell out their fraude, ſaue onelyonly that Paul may be the miniſter of their deliuerance euen vntounto the end? But it is a maruel that he ſaith that the reſt could not be ſaued vnleſſe the mariners ſhoulde remaine in the ſhippe. As if it were in their power to make the promiſe of God of none effect. I aunſwere that Paul doeth not diſpute in this place preciſely of the power of God, that hee may ſeperate the ſame from his will and from meanes: and ſurely God doth not therefore commend his power to the faithfull, that they may giuegive themſelues to ſluggiſhneſſe and careleſneſſe, contemning meanes, or raſhly caſt away themſelues when there is ſome certaine way to eſcape. God did promiſe Ezechias that the citie ſhoulde be deliuered. If he had ſet open the gates to the enimie: would not Ieſaias ſtraightway hauehave cried,Iſai. 37.6. & 35. thou deſtroyeſt both thy ſelfe and the Cittie? And yet for all this it doeth not followe, that the hande of God is tied to meanes or helpes: but when God appointeth this or that meanes to bring anie thing to paſſe, hee holdeth all mans ſenſes, that they may not paſſe the bounds which he hath appointed.
33 And when the day began to appeare, Paul exhorted them all to take meate, ſaying, this is the fourteenth day, that yee hauehave tarried and continued fasting, receiuing nothing at all.
34 Wherefore I exhort you to take meat: for this no doubt is for your health: becauſe there ſhall not one haire fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when hee had thus ſpoken, hee tooke breade and gaue thankes to God in the ſight of them all: and when hee had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all refreſhed in their mindes, and they alſo tooke meat.
37 And al the ſoules which were in the ſhippe were two hundred threeſcore and ſixteene.
38 And when they had eaten inough, they did lighten the ſhip, casting out the wheat into the ſea.
39 And when it was day, they knewe not the lande: but they ſpied a certaine hauen hauing a banke, into the which they minded to thruſt the ſhippe.
40 And when they had taken vp the ankars, they committed themſelues to the ſea: alſo hauing looſed the rudder bands, and hoyſed vp the maine ſaile to the wind, they drew toward the ſhoare.
41 But when they were fallen into a place where two ſeas met, they thrust in the ſhip, and the fore part did ſticke fast, and moued not: but the hinder part brake through the violence of the waues.
42 Furthermore the ſoldiars counſell was to kill the priſoners, least any after he had ſwomme out, ſhould eſcape.
43 But the Cēturion being deſirous to ſaue Paul, kept them from their purpoſe, and commaunded that thoſe which could ſwimme, ſhould cast themſelues first into the ſea and ſhould eſcape to land.
44 And the other ſome on bords, and ſome on broken peeces of the ſhip, and ſo it came to paſſe that they all eſcaped ſafe to land.
33 And when the day began. Whatſoeuer the marriners thinke, Paule his faith doth not quaile: but he leaneth ſtedfaſtly to the promiſe which was made to him. For he doth not onelyonly exhort them to take meate, as did he who in extreme diſpaire vttered theſe words, Dine ſoldiars wee ſhall ſuppe in Hell: but continuing ſtedfaſt in his prophecie, he willeth them to be of good courage. The force of faith doth therein ſhew it ſelf, when as it armeth vsus vntounto patience, and doeth valiantly beare off and beate backe thoſe aſſaultes wherewith Sathan goeth about to ſhake it. But whereas he ſaith that they continued faſting for the ſpace of fourteene dayes, it may ſeeme abſurde and falſe. There may ſome one man bee founde, which can abide to faſt long: but it is ſcarſe credible of ſo great a multitude. We may eaſily anſwere, that Their vnwonted abſtinence from meate is vnproperly called faſting: becauſe they had neuer filled their bellie during all that time: becauſe thoſe who are in ſorrowe and heauineſſe doe almoſt loath meate. And becauſe diſpaire was the cauſe of this their loathing of meate, he affirmeth againe that they ſhal liue, ſo they bee of good courage. For a faithfull miniſter of the worde muſt not onelyonly bring abroade the promiſes: but alſo counſell men to followe God whither ſoeuer hee calleth them: and that they bee not ſlothfull and ſluggiſh. Furthermore the meaning of the wordes is this, God hath determined to ſaue you, this confidence ought to animate you, and to make you merie, that you bee not negligent in your owne buſineſſe.
35 He tooke bread. That hee may the better encourage them by his owne example, hee taketh breade and eateth. Luke ſaith that hee gaue thankes, not onelyonly according to his daily cuſtome, but becauſe that ſerued greatly to teſtifie his boldneſſe and good confidence. It is not to be doubted but that Paul himſelfe did that when he tooke meate, which he commaundeth other men: but nowe hee doeth not onelyonly teſtifie his thankfulneſſe, neither doth he onelyonly deſire of God that he will ſanctifie the meate which he is about to eat: but he calleth vppon God without feare who is the authour of his life, that thoſe poore wretches which were drenched in ſorrow might conceiue ſome good hope. And he preuailed thus farre at leaſt, that they gathered ſo much courage to them as to take meate: who had through feare forgotten to care for their life.
37 All the ſoules. The number of the men is recited firſt; that it may more plainely appeare that none of the multitude did periſh. For Luke doth not ſhew how many men did ſwimme to the ſhoare, but how many were then in the ſhippe. Secondly that the miracle may bee made more euident and alſo famous: for in mans iudgement it is a thing vnpoſſible that two hundred threeſcore and ſixteene men ſhould ſcape to land hauing ſuffered ſhipwracke, without loſſe of any mans life. For it is likelie that fewe had any skill in ſwimming, except the mariners. And though they were ſomewhat refreſhed with the meat which they had eaten: yet they were brought ſo lowē with ſorrowe and weariſomneſſe, that it is a maruel that they were ſo nimble as that they coulde moue their armes. And nowe wee muſt conſider what a ſturre they kept: whereas it is ſeldome ſeene that twentie or thirty men do ſo ſwimme in danger, but one of them doeth hinder or drowne another. Therefore God did plainelie ſtretch forth his hand out of heauen, ſeing all thoſe came to ſhoare ſafe and ſound, which had caſt themſelues into the ſea.
38 And when they had eaten inough. This circumſtance doth ſhew that they were at length moued with Pauls words. It was not yet light, that they coulde knowe whether there were any hauen neere. And yet they caſt out into the ſea the wheat which remained, that they might lighten the ſhippe. They would not hauehave done this vnleſſe Paul his authoritie had preuailed more with them nowe than before. But as all vnbeleeuers are vnſtable, that perſwaſion did quickly vaniſh out of their minds.
41 They thrust in the ſhippe. And then it might ſeeme that both God had mocked Paul, and that he with trifling had brought his partners in a vaine hope, but God did forthwith put away that errour by giuing them proſperous ſucceſſe? It was meet that when the ſhip was broken, they ſhould be ſo diſcouraged, and that their ſoules ſhould ſo melt, that deſpaire might increaſe the glorie of the miracle. For God vſeth to moderate and gouerne his works ſo, that he maketh ſome ſhew of difficultie, by reaſon of many lets which fall out. By this meanes he ſharpneth our ſenſes vntounto greater attentiueneſſe, that we may at length learn that though all the worlde ſtriue againſt him, yet will hee hauehave the victorie. This is the reaſon why he had leiffer draw Paul and his companions to the ſhore after that the ſhippe was loſt, than bring the ſhippe whole to land.
42 The counſell of the ſoldiars. This was too horrible vnthankfulneſſe. Though the ſoldiars might thanke Paule twiſe or thriſe for their liues, yet are they minded to kill him, for whoſe ſake they ought to hauehave ſpared the reſt. Hee had ſaued them euen as an Angel of God: hee had giuen them wholſome counſell: hee had refreſhed them in the ſame day when they were paſt hope: and nowe they ſticke not to ſeeke to deſtroy him, by whom they were ſo often and ſo many wayes deliuered. Wherefore if it ſo fall out that we bee ill rewarded for our good deeds, there is no cauſe why the vnthankfulneſſe of men ſhoulde trouble vsus, which is a diſeaſe too common. But they are not onelyonly vnthankfull to Paule who was the miniſter of their life, but alſo their filthie misbeliefe and forgetfulneſſe of the goodneſſe of God doth bewray it ſelfe. They had of late receiued that oracle, that their ſoules were giuen to Paul: and now ſeeing they will be ſaued after he is dead, what other thing goe they about but to reſiſt God, that they may ſaue themſelues from death contrarie to his will? Therefore they hauehave nowe forgotten that grace whereof they taſted againſt their will in extreme diſpaire: neither doth it taſt any longer, after that they ſee the hauen nigh at hand. But it behooueth vsus to conſider the wonderfull counſell of God as well in ſauing Paul as in fulfilling his promiſe: when as he bringeth thoſe men to land, who did what they could to make his promiſe of none effect. Thus doth his goodneſſe oftentimes ſtriue with the wickedneſſe of men. Yet hee doeth ſo pittie the wicked, that deferring their puniſhment vntill ſo fit opportunitie, he doth not quite diſcharge them: yea the longer he tarrieth the more grieuouſly he puniſheth, & ſo by that meanes he maketh amends for his long tarrying.