Commentary on Acts, Part 2 · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
1 AND when it came to paſſe that wee had looſed beeing pulled away from them, wee came with a ſtreight courſe to Choos, and the next day to the Rhodes, and thence to Patara.
2 And when we had gotten a ſhip, which ſailed ouer to Phenice, when wee were entred into it we lanched.
3 And when Cyprus began to appeare to vsus, leauing it on the left hand, we ſayled into Syria, and came to Tyrus: for heere the ſhippe did vnloade her burthen.
4 And when we had found diſciples, we ſtaid there ſeuen daies: who ſaid to Paul by the Spirite that he ſhould not go vp to Ieruſalem.
5 And when the dayes were ended, wee departed and went our way, and they all with their wiues and children accompanied vsus, vntill wee were out of the citie: and when we had kneeled downe vponupon the ſhoare, wee prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leaue one of another, we went vp into the ſhip: & they returned home.
1 Luke reckoneth vp briefly the courſe of his ſayling: and that not only to winne credite to the hiſtorie, that we may know what was done in eueryevery place, but that the Readers may weigh with themſelues the inuincible and heroicall fortitude which was in Paul, who had rather bee toſſed and troubled with ſuch long, vnleauell, and troubleſom iourneies, that he might ſerue Chriſt, then prouide for his owne quietneſſe. Wheras he ſaith that they were drawen and pulled away, it is not ſimply referred vntounto the diſtance of places: but becauſe the brethren ſtood on the ſhoare, ſo long as they could ſee the ſhip wherin Paul and his companions were carried. He nameth the hauens where the ſhip arriued for this cauſe, that we may know that they ſailed quietly without trouble of tempeſt. Let vsus ſearch the deſcribers of countries touching the ſituation of the cities wherof he maketh mention, it is ſufficiēt for me to ſhew Luke his purpoſe.
4 And when they had found diſciples. Though the number of the faithfull was but ſmall, yet there came ſome ſeed of the goſpel thither, according to the propheſies of the prophetes, leaſt Tyrus ſhuld be altogether void of the bleſſing of God. And here as in other places going before,Eſai. 23.18. Luke calleth chriſtians diſciples, that wee may knowe that thoſe alone are numbred in the flocke of Chriſt, who hauehave imbraced his doctrine by faith. For that is a vain & falſe profeſſion for a man to giuegive his name to Chriſt, & not to vnderſtand what he teacheth or ſpeaketh. And let the Readers mark, that Paul ſtaied ſeuen dayes at Tyrus for no other cauſe, ſauing that he might ſtrengthen them. So that we ſee, that whither ſoeuer he came, he foreſlowed no occaſion to doe good.
They ſaid by the ſpirit. Namely with the approbation of ſpeeche, that Paul might know that they ſpake by the Spirite of propheſie. Surely this was no ſmal temptation, to cauſe him not to finiſh the iourney which he had taken in hand, ſeeing the holy ghoſt diſt diſuade him frō the ſame. And this was a very faire colour to flie from the croſſe, if hee had cared for his own ſafetie, to be drawen backe as it were with the hand of God. Notwithſtanding he ceaſeth not to hold on thither whither he knew he was called by the Lord. Notwithſtanding heere ariſeth a queſtion, howe the brethren can diſuade him by the Spirit from doing that, which Paul did teſtifie he doth by the ſecret motion of the ſame ſpirit? Is the Spirit contrary to himſelfe, that he doth now looſe Paul whom he held bound inwardly? I anſwere that there be diuers giftes of the Spirite: ſo that it is no maruell if thoſe who excell in the gift of propheſie bee ſome times deſtitute of iudgement or ſtrength. The Lord ſhewed to theſe brethren of whom Luke maketh mention, what ſhould come to paſſe: yet neuertheleſſe they know not what is expedient and what Paul his calling doth require, becauſe the meaſure of their gift doth not reach ſo farre. And the Lorde woulde hauehave his ſeruaunt admoniſhed of purpoſe, partly that through long meditation he might be better furniſhed and prepared to ſuffer whatſoeuer ſhoulde come, partly that his conſtancie might more plainely appeare, when as being certified by propheſies of the dolefull euent, he doth notwithſtāding wittingly and willlingly make haſt to endure whatſoeuer things ſhall befall him.
5 With their wiues and children. This was no ſmall teſtimonie of louelove, in that they accompanied Paul out of the citie with their wiues & children: which thing Luke doth report, partly that he might cōmend their godlineſſe according as it deſerued: partly that hee might declare that Paul had that honour giuen him which was due to him. Whence we do alſo gather, that hee meant nothing leſſe, then to prouide for his owne commoditie, ſeeing that he was not kept backe with ſo great good will, which was a pleaſant bait to entice him to ſtay. And wee muſt alſo note the ſolemne cuſtome of praying in weightier affayres, & that being certified by God of the danger, they are more ſtirred vp to pray.
7 And when wee had finiſhed our courſe, from Tyrus wee came downe to Ptolomais: and after that wee had ſaluted the brethren, wee aboade with them one day.
8 And on the morrow we which were with Paul, departed and came to Ceſarea. And entring into the houſe of Philip the Euangeliſt, which was one of the ſeuē we abode with him.
9 And this man had foure daughters virgines which did propheſie.
10 And when we abode many dayes, there came a certain prophet from Iury named Agabus.
11 When hee was come to vsus, hee tooke Paul his girdle, and binding his owne feete and handes, hee ſaid: Thus ſaith the holy ghoſt, The man which oweth this girdle, ſhall the Iewes thus binde at Ieruſalem, and ſhall deliuer him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we had heard theſe things, both we and alſo the reſt which were of that place requeſted him, that he would not go vp to Ieruſalem.
13 Then Paul aunſwered and ſaid, What doe you weeping and afflicting my heart? I truly am readie not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Ieruſalem for the name of the Lord Ieſus.
14 And when he would not be perſwaded, we were quiet, ſaying, The will of the Lord be done.
7 Luke doth briefly declare that Paul was alſo receiued at Ptolomais by the brethren. This is a citie of Phenicia, ſtanding vppon the ſea coaſt, not farre from the borders of Iudea, from which Paul and his companions had no long iourney to Ceſarea. But if the readers bee diſpoſed to knowe farther touching the ſcituation of regions, let them reſort vntounto the deſcribers of places and countries. Furthermore he ſaith, that when he came to Ceſarea, they lodged with Philip, whom he calleth an Euangeliſt. Though he were one of the ſeuen deacons,Ch. 6.5. as we may ſee in the ſixte chapter. By this wee may eaſily gather, that that Deaconſhippe was an office which continued but for a time; becauſe it had not otherwiſe beene lawfull for Philip to forſake Ieruſalem, and to goe to Ceſarea. And in this place he is ſet before vsus not as a voluntary forſaker of his office, but as one to whom a greater and more excellent charge was committed. The Euangeliſts in my iudgement were in the midſt betweene Apoſtles and docters. For it was a function next to the Apoſtles, to preach the Goſpel in all places, and not to hauehave any certain place of abode: onelyonly the degree of honour was inferiour. For when Paul deſcribeth the order of the Church, he doth ſo put them after the Apoſtles that hee ſheweth that they hauehave more roomth giuen them where they may teach, than the Paſtours,Epheſ. 4.11. who are tyed to certaine places. Therefore Philip did for a time exerciſe the office of a Deacon at Ieruſalem: whom the Church thought afterward to be a meete man, to whom the treaſure of the Goſpel ſhould be commited.
9 Fower daughters. This is added for the commendation of Philip: not onelyonly that we might know that his houſe was well ordered, but alſo that it was famous and excellent through the bleſſing of God. For aſſuredly it was no ſmall gift to hauehave fower daughters, all endewed with the ſpirit of prophecie.
By this meanes the Lorde meant to bewtifie the firſt beginnings of the Goſpel, when hee raiſed vp men and women, to foretell thinges to com. Propheſies had now almoſt ceaſed many yeres among the Iewes to the end they might bee more attentiue & deſirous to heare the newe voice of the Goſpell. Therefore ſeeing that propheſiyng which was in a manner quite ceaſed, doth nowe after long time returne againe, it was a token of a more perfect ſtate. Notwithſtanding it ſeemeth that the ſame was the reaſon why it ceaſed ſhortly after: for God did ſupport the old people with diuers foretellings, vntill Chriſt ſhoulde make an ende of all propheſies. Therefore it was meete that the newe kingdome of Chriſte ſhoulde bee thus furniſhed and beautified with this furniture that all men myght knowe that that promiſed viſitation of the Lorde was preſent: and it was alſo expedient that it ſhoulde laſt but for a ſhort time leaſt the faithfull ſhoulde alwayes waite for ſome farther thinge, or leaſte that curious wittes myght hauehave occaſion giuen to ſeek or inuent ſome new thing euer now and then. For we know that when that abilitie and skil was taken away, there were notwithſtanding many brainſicke fellowes, who did boaſt that they were prophets, & alſo it may be that the frowardnes of men did depriue the Church of this gift. But that one cauſe ought to be ſufficient, in that God by taking away prophecies, did teſtifie that the end and perfection was preſent in Chriſt: & it is vncertaine how theſe maids did execute the office of prophecying: ſauing that the ſpirit of God did ſo guide and gouerne them, that he did not ouerthrow the order which he himſelfe ſet down. And for as much as he doth not ſuffer women to beare any publike office in the church, it is to be thought that they did prophecie at home, or in ſome priuate place without the common aſſembly.
10 A certaine Prophet. Though Luke doth not plainlie expreſſe the ſame, yet do I coniect that this Agabus was the ſame of whom mention is made in the xi. chapter, who foretold that there ſhould be famin vnderunder the reigne of Claudius Caeſar.Sap. 11.28. And whenas Luke calleth him a prophet as of late he called the four daughters of Philip, he ſignifieth that it was not a common but a peculiar gift. Now we muſt ſee to what ende the perſecutiō which was at hand was now again ſhewed by Agabus. As concerning Paul he was ſufficiently told alreadie. Therefore I doe not doubt but that this confirmation was added for other mens ſake: bicauſe the Lord meant eueryevery where to make knowen the bonds of his ſeruant partly that they might know that he entred the combat willingly partly that they might perceiue that he was appointed of god to be a chāpion to fight for the goſpell. It was ſurely a profitable example of inuincible conſtancie, ſeeing that he offered himſelf willingly and wittingly to the violence of the aduerſaries: and no leſſe profitable is it for vsus at this day, that his apoſtleſhip ſhould be confirmed with this voluntarie & no leſſe conſtant giuing ouer of his life.
The man who oweth this girdle. It was an vſuall thing among the prophets to repreſen… thoſe thinges which they ſpake by ſignes:Ieſ. 20.2. neither did they confirme their propheſies by vſing ſignes, through their owne motion, but at the commandement of the ſpirit:Ier. 27.2. & 32.7. Ez. 12.5. as when Iſaias is commaunded to goe barefoot. Ieremie to put a yoke vponupon his necke, to ſel the poſſeſſion and to buy it: & Ezechiel to digge through the wall of his houſe priuily, and in the ſame night to carry foorth burthens. Theſe and ſuch like might ſeeme to the common ſort to be toies: but the ſame ſpirite who did apply ſignes to his woordes, did inwardly touch the hearts of the godly, as if they had bin brought to the very thing it ſelfe. So this ſpectacle mentioned by Luke, did no leſſe mooue Paul his companions, then if they had ſeene him bound in deed. The falſe prophets did afterward aſſay to delude the ſimple by this pollicie, as Satan is in a manner Gods ape: and his miniſters do enuie the ſeruauntes of God. Zedechias made himſelfe hornes, wherewith he promiſed Syria ſhould be puſhed. Ananias by breaking Ieremies yoke, put the people in a vaine hope of deliueraunce, GOD hath ſuffered the reprobate to bee deluded with ſuch deluſions, that he might puniſh their vnbeleefe.
But foraſmuch as there was in them no force of the Spirite, their vanitie did no whit hurt the faithfull. This is alſo worthie to be noted, that Agabus doth not ſet before their eies a dumb ſpectacle, but he coupleth therewith the worde, whereby he may ſhew to the faithfull the vſe and end of the ceremonie.
12 Both we. Bicauſe they had not al one reuelatiō, it is no maruel if their iudgements were diuers. For ſeeing theſe holy men knew, that ther conſiſted much in the life or death of one man, they would not hauehave him to come in danger raſhly. And their deſire is worthie praiſe, in that they deſired to prouide for the common ſafetie of the church, by keeping back Paul. But on the otherſide Paul his conſtancie deſerueth ſo much the more praiſe, when as he continueth ſo ſtedfaſt in the calling of god. For he was not ignorant what great trouble he ſhuld ſuffer, by reaſon of his bands. But becauſe he knoweth the will of God, which was his only rule in taking counſell, he maketh no account of all other thinges, that hee may follow it. And aſſuredly we muſt bee ſo ſubiect to the will and pleaſure of God, that no profit, no kind of reaſon may remoue vsus from obeying him. When Paul doth reprehend the brethren, becauſe they afflict his hart with weeping, he doth ſufficiently declare that he was not hardened, but that hee was brought vntounto ſome feeling and ſuffering together with them. Therefore the teares of the godly did wounde his heart: but that ſoftneſſe did not turne him out of the way, but that hee proceeded to follow God with a ſtreight courſe. Therfore we muſt vſe ſuch curteſie toward our brethren, that the beck or will of God hauehave alwayes the vpper hand. Now Paul doth againe declare by his anſwere, that the ſeruants of Chriſte cannot be prepared to doe their dutie, vnleſſe they deſpice death: and that none can euer bee well incouraged to liue to the Lord, but thoſe who will willingly lay downe their liues for the teſtimonie of the truth.
14 We ceaſed ſaying. If they had thought that he runne raſhly vntounto death, they would not hauehave ceaſed ſo. Therfore they yeeld leaſt they reſiſt the holy Spirit, whereby they vnderſtand that Paul is gouerned: for that which they had hearde before by the mouth of Paul, that hee was drawen as it were by the bands of the Spirit, was quite out of their heads by reaſon of the ſorow which they had cōceiued: but whē they be taught againe that it was the will of God that it ſhould be ſo, they thinke it vnlawfull for them to reſiſt any longer: and with this bridle muſt al our affections be kept in, that nothing bee ſo bitter, or dolefull, or harde which the wyll of God may not mittigate and mollifie. For ſo often as anye thing which is harde or ſharpe doeth fall out, we giuegive God ſmall honor, vnleſſe this cogitation preuaile with vsus, that we muſt obey him.
15 And after theſe daies, hauing taken vp our burthens we went vp to Ieruſalem.
16 And there came togeather with vsus certaine of the Diſciples from Ceſarea, bringing with them one Mnaſon of Cyprus, an old diſciple, with whom we ſhould lodge,
17 And when wee were come vntounto Ieruſalem, the brethren receiued vsus gladlie.
18 And on the morrowe Paul went in with vsus vntounto Iames and all the Elders were preſent.
19 Whom after we had ſaluted, he told by order all things which God had done among the Gentiles by his miniſterie.
20 But when they had heard, they glorified the Lord: and ſaid to him, Thou ſeeſt brother how many thouſand Iewes there be which beleeue, and they all are earneſt followers of the law.
21 And it hath beene tolde them concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Iewes which are amonge the Gentiles to forſake Moſes, ſaying, that they muſte not circumciſe their children, nor liue accordinge to the cuſtomes,
22 What is it then? The multitude muſt needes come together: for they ſhall heare that thou art come.
23 Therefore do this which we ſay to thee: we hauehave foure men which hauehave a vow vponupon them.
24 Them take and purifie thy ſelfe with them, and doe coſt on them that they may ſhaue their heads, and that all men may knowe that thoſe thinges which they hauehave heard concerning thee are nothing: but that thou thy ſelf alſo walkeſt an keepeſt the law.
25 And as concerning thoſe which among the Gentiles hauehave beleeued, we hauehave written, decreeing, that they obſerue no ſuch thing, but that they keepe themſelues from things offered to Idols, and from blood, and from that which is ſtrangled, and from fornication.
15 When we had taken vp our burdens. Paul his companions declare, that when they went about to call backe Paul from danger, they did rather care for the common ſafetie of the church, then eueryevery man for his owne life. For after they had taken the repulſe they doe not refuſe to take part with him in the ſame daunger: and yet this was a plauſible excuſe that they were boūd by no law to be halled to ſuffer death, through one mans ſtubbornnes. And this is truely to bring our affections in ſubiection to God, when we are terrified with no feare, but eueryevery one of vsus indeuoureth ſo much as he is able, to further that which we know doth pleaſe him. Alſo it appeareth more plainly, what great feruētnes of godlines was in the reſt, who of their owne accord accompanie him, & bring him an hoſt: whereas notwithſtanding they might well hauehave feared manie diſcommodities.
17 They receiued vsus gladly. Luke reciteth this therefore that hee may ſet foorth the equity of the brethren, who did not credit rumors & falſe reportes. Though many enuious and wicked men did daily one after another endeuour to bring Paul in contempt: yet becauſe Iames and hys fellowes in office were well perſwaded of his vprightneſſe, they were not eſtranged from him. Therefore they receiue him now curteouſly & brotherly as a ſeruaunt of Chriſte, and declare that hee is welcome. This moderation muſt wee obſerue diligently, that we bee not too haſtye to beleeue wicked reports: efpecially when thoſe who hauehave giuen ſome teſtimony of their honeſty, & whō we hauehave tried to ſerue God faithfully, are burdened with crimes vnknown to vsus or els doubtful: becauſe Satan knoweth that nothing is more fit to lay waſte the kingdō of Chriſt, then diſcord & diſagreemēt amōg the faithful: he ceaſſeth not to ſpread abrode falſe ſpeeches, which may cauſe one to ſuſpect another. Therefore we muſt ſhut our eares againſt falſe reportes, that wee may beleeue nothing concerning the faithfull miniſters of the word, but that which we know to be true.
18 All the Elders were preſent. We may gather that out of this place, which we had already in the fifteenth chapter. So often as any weighty buſines was to be handeled, the Elders were wont to come togither, to the end the cōſultatiō might be more quiet without the multitude. We ſhal ſee anon, that the people were likewiſe admitted in their order: yet after that the elders had had their ſecret cōſultation among thēſelues.
19 And now Paul ſheweth his modeſty when he doth not make him ſelf the Author of thoſe things which he had done: but giuing the praiſe to God, doth cal himſelf onlie the miniſter, whoſe induſtry God had vſed. As we muſt graunt, that whatſoeuer thing is excellent and woorthy praiſe, it is not done by our owne power, but for as much as GOD doth woorke in vsus: & eſpecially touching the edifying of the church. Again, it appeareth how farre off the elders were from enuy, when they glorifie God for the ioyful ſucceſſe. But becauſe mention is made of no other Apoſtle beſides Iames, we may coniect that they were gone into diuers places to ſpread abroade and preach the Goſpel, as their calling did require. For the Lord had not appointed them to ſtay ſtil at Ieruſalem: but after they had made a beginning there, he commandeth them to goe into Iudea and other partes of the world. Moreouer, the errour of thoſe men, who thinke that Iames was one of the diſciples whō Paul numbreth among the three pillers of the church, is refuted before in the fifteenth chapter. And thogh the ſame commandement was giuen to him which was giuen to the reſt of his fellowes in office: yet I do not doubt but that they did ſo diuide them ſelues, that Iames ſtood ſtil at Ieruſalem, whither many ſtrangers were woont daily to reſort. For that was all one as if he had preached the Goſpel farre and wide in ſtrange places.
Thou ſeeſt brother how many thouſands. This Oration or ſpeeche hath two members. For firſt the Elders ſay, that ſo many of the Iewes as were conuerted, ſeing they be earneſt folowers of the law, are euil affected towarde Paul, becauſe they thinke that hee indeuoureth wyth might and mayne to aboliſhe the lawe. Secondly, they exhort hym that making a ſolemne vowe he purge himſelfe, that he may not be had in ſuſpition anie longer. They obiect to Paul the multitude of beleeuers, that he may the more willingly yeeld to them. For if they had byn a few ſtubborne fellowes, he would not hauehave bin ſo muche moued. But now he may not neglect both much people, and the whole bodie of the Church.
Vndoubtedly that zeale of the law which was in them was corrupt: and aſſuredly euē the very elders declare ſufficiētly that they like it not. For thogh they do not condemn it openly, neither ſharply complaine of the ſame, yet bicauſe they ſeparat thēſelues from their affectiō, they ſecretly confeſſe that they erre. If it had been a zeale according to knowledge it ought to hauehave begun at them: but they contend not for the law it ſelf, neither do they pretend the due reuerence therof, neither do they ſubſcribe to thoſe who are earneſt followers of it. Therefore they both ſignifie that they are of another mind, and alſo that they doe not allow the ſuperſtition of the people. Notwithſtanding, it is obiected, that they ſaie that Paul was burdened with a falſe report or ſlaunder. Againe, when they require at his hands ſatisfaction, they ſeem to nouriſh that zeale. I anſwere, that though that were a true report in ſome reſpect wherewith the Iewes were offended, yet was it mixed with a ſlaunder. Paul did ſo teach the abrogating of the law, that notwithſtanding by this meanes the authority therof did not only continue ſound and perfect, but it was more holie. For as we ſaid in the 7. chapter, the ceremonies ſhould be vayne, vnleſſe the effect thereof had beene ſhewed in Chriſt. Therefore thoſe who ſay that they were aboliſhed by the cōming of Chriſt, are ſo farre from being blaſphemous againſt the lawe, that they rather confirme the trueth thereof. We muſt conſider two thinges in ceremonies: the trueth, whereto is annexed the efficacie: ſecondly, the externall vſe. Furthermore, the abrogating of the external vſe, which Chriſt brought dependeth herevpon, in that he is the ſound body, & that nothing was ſhadowed in times paſt, which is not fulfilled in him. This diffreth much from the falling away from the law, to ſhew the true ende thereof, that the figures may hauehave an end, and that the ſpirituall trueth thereof may alwaies be in force. Wherefore we ſee that they were malitious and vniuſt interpreters, who laid Apoſtacie to Paul his charge, though he dyd call awaie the faithfull from the externall woorſhippe of the Lawe. And whereas they command Paul to make a vowe to that ende, that he may proue himſelfe to be a keeper of the lawe, it tendeth to no other ende, ſauing that he may teſtifie that he doth not deteſt the Lawe like a wicked Apoſtata, who did himſelfe ſhake off the Lordes yoke, and moue others vntounto the like rebellion.
That they ought not to circumciſe. It was ſo indeede. For Paul taught that both Iewes and Gentiles were ſet at libertie. For theſe ſentences are generall with him.…. Cor. 7.19. Circumciſion is nothing. Againe, we be circumciſed by Baptiſme in Chriſt,Col. 2.11.16 not with circumciſion made with handes. Againe, let no man iudge you in meate or drinke, or in choice of feaſts, which are ſhadowes of thinges to come:…. Cor. 10.25. but the body is in Chriſt. Again, whatſoeuer commeth into the ſhambles, and whatſoeuer is ſet before you, that eate, asking no queſtion for conſcience ſake. Againe, Be not inwrapped againe in the yoke of bondage. Seeing that he ſpake thus eueryevery where without exception,Gal. 5.1. he freed the Iewes from the neceſſity… of keeping the Law.
And leaſt I ſtand too long vppon this, one place ſhall be ſufficien… where he compareth the law to a Tutor, vnderunder which the olde churche was, as in the childhood thereof. But now knowing the grace of Chriſte it is growen vp, that it may be fre from ceremonies, in that place he ſpeketh vndoutedlie both of the Iewes & Gentiles. Alſo when he ſaith,Gal. 2.14. that the handwriting of the law, which did conſiſt in decrees, is blotted out and nayled to the croſſe by Chriſte, he ſetteth free the Iewes as well as the Gentiles from the ceremonies, which he calleth in that place decrees. But ſeeing that hee did not preciſely reiecte ceremonies, in teaching that the comming of Chriſt did make an end of the obſeruing thereof: that was no reuolting, as the enuious Iewes thought it to be. Neither were the Elders ignorant of Paul his libertie. Therefore ſeeing they vnderſtand the matter very well, their meaning is to hauehave this alone made known to the rude and vnskilfull, that Paul meant nothing leſſe, then to perſuade the Iews to contemne the law. Therfore they behold not the bare matter, but knowing what the common ſort thought of Paul by reaſon of the reports, which went about cōcerning him, they ſeek to cure the ſame. Thogh I wote not whether this were more importunate then equal, which they required at Paul his hands. And by this it appeareth how prepoſterous the crueltie of men is in receiuing falſe reports and how faſt a falſe opinion once raſhly receiued, doth ſtick. It is certain that Iames and his fellowes in office did indeuour to maintaine & defend Paul his good report, & to put away thoſe lies which did hurt his eſtimation: yet let them doe what they can, they will ſpeake euill of Paul. Vnleſſe peraduenture they were too ſlacke in the beginning, that they might gratifie their countrie men: ſo that they were not their own men afterward.
22 The multitude muſt needes come together. The verb is a verb neuter, as if they ſhould ſay, the multitude muſt of neceſſitie com together. For it had been an abſurd thing that an apoſtle of ſuch rare report ſhoulde not come before the whole multitude of the faithfull. For if hee had eſchewed the light and ſight of people, the ſiniſter ſuſpition might hauehave byn increaſed. Neuertheleſſe we ſee how modeſtly the Elders behaued themſelues in nouriſhing concord, when as they preuent the offence of the people in time, ſauing that they beare too much peraduenture with their infirmitie, in requiring a vow of Paul. But this moderation muſt be kept in the church, that the paſtours bee in great authoritie, & yet that they rule not proudly as Lords, neither deſpice the reſt of the body. For the diſtinction of orders, which is the bond of peace, ought not to bee any cauſe of diſcention.
23 Doe that which we ſay to thee. The Elders ſeeme (as I ſaid euen now) to be faln vntounto a fooliſh pāpering through too much louelove of their natiō. But the manifeſt iudgement of that thing dependeth vponupon the circumſtances, which are hid frō vsus at this day: yet they knew thē wel. The whol body almoſt did conſiſt vppon Iewes, ſo that they needed not to feare the offending of the Gentiles. For in other regions this was the cauſe of departure, becauſe eueryevery man was wedded to his own cuſtome, & would preſcribe a law to others. Furthermore they had at Ieruſalē many things which might prouoke them to keepe the ceremonies of the law, ſo that they had a greater excuſe, if they did more ſlowly forſake them. And thogh their zeale wer not void of fault, yet as it was an hard matter to reform it, ſo it could not be don at a ſodain. We ſee how this ſuperſtitiō was ſcarce in long time pulled from the apoſtles: & bicauſe new diſciples came daily vntounto the faith, the infirmitie was nouriſhed in all together. And yet notwithſtanding we muſt not deny but that ignorance was coupled with obſtinacie, which the Elders did neuertheleſſe tollerate, leaſt they ſhuld do more hurt by vſing violent remedies. I leaue it indifferent whether they did paſſe meaſure or no.
Hauing a vow vponupon them. Though theſe foure be reckoned among the faithful, yet their vow was ſuperſtitious. Wherby it appeareth that the apoſtles had much trouble in that natiō, which was not only hardned in the worſhip of the law through long vſe: but was alſo naturally malipart, & almoſt intractable. Though it may be that theſe men were as yet but nouices: & therefore their faith was yet but ſlender & ſcarce well framed, wherefore the doctors did ſuffer them to performe the vow which they had vnaduiſedly made. As touching Paul, bicauſe he made this vow not moued thereunto by his owne conſcience, but for their ſakes, with whoſe error he did bear, the caſe ſtood otherwiſe with him. Notwithſtā ding we muſt ſee,Sap. 18.18. whether this were one of the indifferent ceremonies, which the faithful might omit or keep at their pleſure. It ſemeth indeed to hauehave in it certain thinges, which did not agree with the profeſſion of faith. But bicauſe the end therof was thankſgiuing (as we ſaid before in the 18. cha.) & there was nothing in the rite it ſelf repugnāt to the faith of Chriſt:1. Cor. 9.20. Paul did not dout to deſcend thus far, to make his religiō knowen. Therefore Paul did that which he ſaith of himſelf elswher: becauſe he made himſelf a cōpaniō of thoſe which followed the law, as if he him ſelf were in ſubiection to the law. Finally hee was made all things to all mē, that he might win all: to wit, euen vntounto the altars, ſo that he might pollute himſelfe with no ſacrilege vnderunder a colour of louelove. It had not bin ſo lawfull for him to go vntounto the ſolemne ſacrifice of ſatisfaction. But as for this part of the worſhip of God, which conſiſted in a vow, hee might do it indifferently: ſo it were not done for religions ſake, but only to ſupport the weeke. But it was neither his intent to worſhip God with this rite, neither was his conſcience tied, but he did freley ſubmit himſelf to his weak brethren.
24 Which they hauehave heard of thee are nothing. They ſeem to perſuade Paul to diſſemble. For the rumor roſe not vponupon nothing, that he did call away the Iewes from the ceremonies, and that he did not walk in obſeruing the law. But we muſt remember that which I ſaid euen now, that it was ſufficient for Paul and the Elders, if they could remoue the ſlaunder which was vniuſtly raiſed, to wit, that he was a reuolt from the lawe: and there might a better opportunitie be offred ſhortly, that in purging himſelfe hee might call them backe by little and little from their error. Neither was it good or profitable that Paull ſhoulde be counted an obſeruer of the lawe any long time, as the diſciples were then commonlie: for by this meanes a thick veile ſhould hauehave been put before their eyes, to darken the light of Chriſt.
Wherfore let vsus know that Paul did not diſſemble, but ſincerely profeſſe, that he did not hate the law: but that he did rather thinke reuerently of it. They will him to beſtow coſt together with them, becauſe they were wont to put their money together, that they might offer ſacrifice together.
25 And as concerning thoſe which hauehave beleeued. They adde this, leaſt they be thought to go about to take away or cal back that liberty which they had graunted to the gentiles, ſo that they may bee burdened with ſome preiudice. But in the meane ſeaſon they ſeem to keep the Iewes in bondage, from which they ſet free the gētiles alone in plain words. I anſwere, foraſmuch as the eſtate of al was like, like libertie was granted to both. But there is mention made of the Iewes, who were ſo addicted to their obſeruations and ceremonies, that they woulde not take to themſelues, that liberty which they might wel chalenge. But the Apoſtles did by name prouide for the gentils, leſt the Iews after their wōted cuſtome, ſhould reiect them as profane & vncleane, becauſe they were neither circumciſed, neither nouſled vp in the worſhip of the lawe. Moreouer, leaſt I lade the paper with a ſuperfluous repetition, let the readers repaire vntounto the 15. chapt.Ch. 15.22. where they ſhall find thoſe things which appertaine vntounto the expoſition of this decree.
26 Then when Paul had taken the men, on the morrow being purified with thē, he entred into the temple, declaring the fulfilling of the daies of purification vntil an offering might be offered for eueryevery one of them.
27 And when the ſeuen dayes were nowe almoſt ended, certayne Iewes of Aſia, when they ſawe him in the Temple, mooued the people, and layde handes on him.
28 Crying, Men of Iſrael helpe: this is that man, which teacheth al men eueryevery where againſt the people, & the lawe, and this place. Moreouer, hee hath alſo brought Grecians into the Temple, and hath defiled this holy place.
29 For they had ſeene Trophimus an Epheſian in the citie with him, whom they thought Paul had brought into the Temple.
30 And all the whole citie was moued, and the people ranne together, and when they had caught Paul, they drew him out of the temple: & by and by the doores were ſhut.
26 Whereas ſome accuſe Paule of ſubtletie, as if hee did playe the Hypocrite, I hauehave before refuted this. Yet I doe not denie but that he graunted to do thus much at the requeſt of the brethren, being thervnto in a manner enforced. Therfore it hath more colour, and is (as they ſay) more diſputable, that he was too eaſily intreated; and too ready to obey: and yet I doe not admit that which ſome men ſay, that it went not wel with Paul, becauſe taking vponupon him a new and vnwonted perſon, he did not ſo conſtantly as he was woont mainteine the liberty purchaſed by Chriſte. I confeſſe indeede that God doth oftentimes puniſh fooliſh purpoſes with vnhappy ſucceſſe: but I ſee not why this ſhould be applied to Paul, who through volūtary ſubiection ſought to win the fauor of the rude & ſuch as were not throughly inſtructed, that he might doe them good: being about to doe that, not willingly, but becauſe he had rather yeeld to the brethren, thē ſtick to his own iudgemēt Furthermore, when he was once admitted, he might fitly hauehave paſſed ouer to moderate that zeale. His curteſie doth rather deſerue great praiſe, in that he doth not only gently abaſe himſelf for the vnskilful peoples ſake: but doth alſo obey their fooliſhnes, who did vnworthely, & againſt reaſon ſuſpect him. He might wel hauehave reproued thē, becauſe they had bin ſo ready to beleue reports contrarie to his eſtimation. In that he abſtaineth, he ſheweth great patience: in that he winneth their fauour ſo carefully, it is ſinguler modeſty. Moreouer, he might hauehave been more rough and rounde with Iames & his fellowes in office, becauſe they had not bin more diligent to root out errors from among the people. For though it be certain that they taught faithfully: yet it may be that the ſight of the temple, & the verie feare of the lawe did hinder them in defending the vſe of libertie. But Paul whether he went from his right of his own accord, or whether he thinke that they ſee better what is expedient, then he, doth follow their counſel. And wheras falſe Nicodemites following this exā ple of Paul, goe about to colour their trecherous diſſimulation, whiles they pollute themſelues with al filthines of popery, it needeth no long refutation. They boaſt that they do this to win the weake brethren, or that they follow their veine thus farre, as if Paul did yeeld to them in all things without choiſe. If being Iewes they ſhould take vppon them according to the preſcript of the law, to fulfil among the Iewes a vowe infect with no idolatrie, then might they proue thēſelues to be like Paul. Now for as much as they inwrappe themſelues in groſſe and altogether wicked ſuperſtitions, and that becauſe they wil eſcape the croſſe, what likelihood is that which they imagine?
27 The Iewes which came from Aſia. It is certaine that theſe men were enimies to the name of Chriſt and of Chriſtians, ſo that whiles Paul is bent to pacifie the faithful, he incurreth the rage of the enimies. Thoſe of Aſia are in deed the raiſers of the tumult▪ but the minds of al the peopeople were ſo corrupt with the hatred of him, that they al became partners in the furie. But this place teacheth, that we muſt not take it impaciently, if at any time our hope be fruſtrate, and our counſels which we hauehave taken with a right and holy affection fall not out well, that our actions may hauehave an happie end. We muſt attempt nothing, but with a good conſcience and according to the Spirite of God. But and if things come not to paſſe as wee would euen then, let that inward feeling vphold vsus, that we know that God alloweth our deſire, though it be laide open to the reproches and mockes of men: neither let it repent vsus of our gentlenes, if at any time the wicked reward vsus otherwiſe than wee deſerue.
28 Men of Iſrael, Helpe. They crie out as if they were in extreame danger, and they call vponupon all men to helpe them, as if all religion were in hazard. Whereby we ſee with what furious hatred they were inflamed againſt Paul, onelyonly becauſe in ſhewing that the full and perfite truth is found in Chriſt, he taught that the figures of the Law had an end. Now whereas they conceiue a falſe opinion hauing ſeene Trophymus, they do more bewray by this headlong lightnes how venemous they be. They accuſe Paul of ſacrilege. Why? becauſe he brought into the Temple a man which was vncircumciſed. But they laid a moſt cruell crime to the charge of an innocent through a falſe opinion. Thus the boldneſſe of thoſe men vſeth commonly to bee prepoſterous, who are carried away with an opinion conceiued before. But let vsus learne by ſuch examples to beware of the diſtemperature of affections, and not to let light preiudices hauehave the raine, leaſt we runne headlong vponupon the innocent, being carried with blind force.
30 And the Citie was moued. Wee ſee in this place the vanitie of the common people, which count Paul a condemned man before euer they heare him. Whereas the citie is moued about godlines, it is no maruell: but this is a point of peruerſe zeale and mad raſhnes, in that they ſet themſelues againſt Paule before they knowe his matter. For in this corruption of nature, frowardnes is ioined with fooliſhnes: ſo that thoſe will readily of their owne accord make haſte to maintaine an euil cauſe, who can hardly be moued with many exhortations to do well. This is a hard caſe, that the whole world ſhould be armed againſt vsus at a ſodaine through the perſwaſion of a fewe: but ſeeing it pleaſeth the Lorde it ſhould bee ſo, let eueryevery one of vsus prepare himſelfe by this and ſuch like examples to ſuffer all manner aſſaults and to beare and abide albrunts.
31 And as they ſought to kill him, it was told the captaine of the band, that all Ieruſalem was on an vprore.
32 Who tooke with him ſtreightway ſoldiars and vnderunder captaines, and ranne downe vntounto them. But they when they ſaw the chiefe captaine and the ſoldiars, left ſmiting of Paul.
33 Then the chiefe captaine drew neere, and tooke him, and commanded him to be bounde with two chaines, and hee asked what he was, and what hee had done.
34 And ſome cried one thing and ſome another, among the people. And when he could not know the truth by reaſon of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the campe.
35 And when he came to the ſtaires, it happened that he was carried of the ſoldiars, becauſe of the violence of the multitude.
36 For the multitude of people followed crying, Away with him.
37 And when Paul began to be carried into the campe, he ſaith to the captaine, May I ſpeake to thee? who ſaid canst thou ſpeake Greeke?
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before theſe dayes madeſt an vprore, and leddeſt into the wildernes fower thouſand men, which were murderers?
39 And Paul ſaide, I verely am a man which am a Iewe, borne in Tharſus, a citizen of no vile Citie of Cilicia. But I beſeech thee ſuffer me to ſpeake to the people.
40 And when he had giuen him leaue, Paul ſtanding vponupon the ſtaires, beckoned with the hand vntounto the people, and when there was made great ſilence, he ſpake in the Hebrew tongue, ſaying.
31 As they ſought to kill him. Aſſuredly the force of ſatan appeareth therein, in that he driueth the people headlong into ſuch rage, that whē they hauehave ſhut the doares of the Temple, being not content with meane puniſhment, they conſpire to put Paul to death. Wee muſt thus thinke with our ſelues, that Sathan doth pricke forward the enimies of godlineſſe, leaſt their rage how cruell and troubleſome ſo euer it be, trouble vsus. On the otherſide appeareth the wonderfull goodnes of God, when as he raiſeth vp the chiefe captaine at a ſodaine, that hee may deliuer Paul from death. He himſelfe thought vponupon no ſuch thing, but he came to appeaſe the tumult which was raiſed among the people: but the Lord ſheweth a more euident token of his prouidence, becauſe Paul his life was deliuered from ſuch preſent danger without mans counſell. Thus doth he ſuffer the faithful not only to labor, but to be almoſt oppreſſed, that hee may deliuer them from death more wonderfully. Luke calleth him the chiefe captaine of the band improperly, ſeing eueryevery chiefe captain was ſet ouer a thouſand: which doth alſo appeare by the text, where he ſaith that the chiefe captaine tooke with him vndercaptaines.
32 And when they ſaw the chiefe captaine. Thoſe whoſe furie neither the maieſtie of God, ne yet the reuerence of the temple could once ſtay, begin to relent when they ſee a prophane man. Wherby it appeareth that theye were ſet on fire rather with barbarous crueltie than zeale. Nowe whereas the chiefe captaine bindeth Paul with chaines, hee declareth thereby ſufficiently that he came not to eaſe him. The vnbeleeuers wold attribute this to fortune: but the Spirit hath depainted out vntounto vsus the prouidence of God as in a table reigning amidſt the confuſed vprores of men. And though this be very hard that this holy miniſter of God is ſo ſhamefully handled: yet the equitie of the chiefe captaine is to be commended, if hee bee compared with the Iewes. Hee bindeth him with chaines, as if he were ſome euill doer or ſome wicked perſon: yet doth he vouchſafe to heare him when he is bounde, whom they did beat vnmercifully: neither doeth hee determin to handle him hardly before he knew his cauſe. Yea this was the beſt way to mitigate their cruelty, becauſe they thought that Paul ſhould be puniſhed immediatly.
34 Some cried one thing and ſome another. The madneſſe of the raging people, doth bewray it ſelfe on eueryevery ſide. They make horrible outcries, whereof one is contrary to another. Neuertheleſſe they deſire with one conſent to hauehave him put to death, who was conuict of no offence. In the meane ſeaſon we need not doubt but that they were blinded with a color of holy zeale: but the truth of the cauſe wel known, maketh mē truly zealous, as it maketh them true martyrs of God: but rage bewraieth diuelliſh madnes. Whereas mention is made in this place of the campe or fortreſſe, we muſt know that the ſoldiars which were placed to gard the City, had a place which was trenched & fortified on euerie ſide, which they might defend as if it were a caſtle, & from which they might beat backe all aſſaultes if any ſedition were raiſed. For it had not been good for them to hauehave been diſpearſed here and there in diuers Innes, ſeeing the people were treacherous, and the Citie troubleſome. And wee gather by this that the place was high, becauſe Luke ſaith, that when they came to the ſteps, Paul was carried of the ſoldiers. And whether the ſoldiers did lift vp Paul on high that they might bring him ſafe to the ſtation or campe, or he was thus toſt with the violence of the crowde, this was no dutie of fauour. But the greater the crueltie of thoſe which followed him was, God did more plainly declare that he was fauourable to his ſeruant in ſparing his life, leaſt if hee ſhould hauehave been murdered in the tumult, his death ſhould hauehave wanted due frute.
37 May I ſpeake vntounto thee. Paul offered himſelfe to defend his cauſe which all the ſeruaunts of God muſt do. For wee muſt doe our indeuour to make our integritie knowen to all men leaſt through our infamie the name of God bee blaſphemed. But when the chief captain demandeth whether Paul be not that Egyptiā which was a murtherer, which a litle before had ledde away a companie of men, let vsus learne that how modeſtly and quietly ſoeuer the miniſters of Chriſt, behaue themſelues, and howeſoeuer they bee voide of all fault, yet cannot they eſcape the reproches and ſlaunders of the worlde. Whiche thing wee muſt note for this cauſe, that wee maye acquaint our ſelues with rebukes: and that in well dooyng wee may bee prepared too bee euill ſpoken of. When hee asketh him concerning the Egyptian, he meaneth not Theudas the ſorcerer, as ſome men falſly ſuppoſe: of whom Gamaliel made mention before in the fift Chapter,Ch. 5.37. and of whom Ioſephus ſpeaketh more in his twentieth of antiquities. For beſides that wee reade there that Theudas carried awaie onelie foure hundred menne, and the chiefe Captaine reckoneth vp in this place foure thouſande, and ſaith that they were all murtherers: that is more, in that Theudas raiſed that faction during the reigne of Tiberius or Auguſtus Caeſar, whereof remained onlie an obſcure report: becauſe ſo ſoone as a troupe of horſemen was ſent after them, they were forthwith deſtroied. Notwithſtanding it ſeemeth to me that Ioſephus is deceiued in that where he ſaith firſt that Cuſpius Fadus was ſent by Claudius, and then hee addeth that Theudas was of him ouercome: ſeing I hauehave before ſhewed that that former inſurrection was made at ſuch time as Claudius was but a priuate man.
Though he diſagree much with Lukes narration euen in the number, ſeing he ſaieth that there were about thirtie thouſand made partners in the ſedition: vnleſſe happily we expound it thus, that after hee was put to flight by Felix, he fled into the wilderneſſe with fower thouſand. And it had bin an abſurd thing that the number ſhould be made ten times greater, as alſo that a troupe hauing no skill in warre or being altogither without courage ſhoulde hauehave bene defamed with the name of murderers. For as Ioſephus doeth witneſſe, that ſeducer had deceiued the ſimple and credulous common people with falſe promiſes, boaſting that he was a prophet of God which would lead the people dry foote through the midſt of Iordane. But the ſame Ioſephus putteth the matter out of doubt, when hee ſaith that an Egiptian a prophet did gather together a band of men, vnderunder Foelix the preſident and did carry them into mount Oliuet: whereof foure hundred were ſlaine, two hundred taken, and the reſidue diſpearſed. The hiſtorie was freſh in memorie. Againe, foraſmuch as the authour of the ſedition was eſcaped: & the region filled with murtherers, it is not without cauſe that the chiefe captaine demaundeth of Paul, when he ſeeth all men ſo hate him, whether he were that Egiptian. Luke recordeth no longer conference had betweene the chiefe captain and Paul: yet it is likely, foraſmuch as both of them vnderſtood the Greeke tong, that they had farther talk Wherby it came to paſſe, that ſo ſoone as Paul had wel purged himſelf, he had licence graunted him to ſpeake to the people. For the chiefe captaine would neuer hauehave ſuffered a wicked man to make any publik ſpeech in a citie, which was ſo ſore ſuſpected.