A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
JEſus went unto the mount of Olives. 2. And early in the morning he came again into the Temple, and all the people came unto him, and he ſate down, and taught them.
1. N. 1. He left the City at Night leſt they ſhould ſurprize him. 2. He choſe the Temple as a place of Gods Conſecration and of beſt opportunity for auditors. 3. The Jews uſed to let them teach, who profeſſed themſelves to be teachers. 4. His ſitting in teaching is not an obligatory example to us, but an indifferent circumſtance.
3. And the Scribes and Phariſees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery, and when they had ſet her in the midſt. 4. They ſay unto him, Maſter, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5. Now Moſes in the law commanded us, that ſuch ſhould be ſtoned: but what ſayeſt thou?
3. N. That the laſt Verſe of the foregoing Chapter, and the eleven firſt Verſes of this Chapter, were not in divers of the old Books in the Greek; and divers of the moſt credible Fathers have them not, or take them for Apocryphal; and ſo do many Proteſtants beſides Beza: So that it is uncertain to us, whether it be any part of Gods word: But we have enough beſides of which we may be certain.
Suppoſe the Text current, it ſeems they would have drawn Chriſt into a ſnare, by getting him either to ſpeak againſt the Law, or againſt Caeſar who had taken from them the power of putting offenders to death which the Law gave them.
6. This they ſaid, tempting him, that they might have to accuſe him. But Jeſus ſtooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
6. Beza taketh this Writing on the ground to be improbable and part of the Apocryphal ſtory: If it was otherwiſe, it ſignified but a diſcerning of their ſnare, and a putting off the anſwer by a ſeeming neglect or diſregard.
7. So when they continued asking him, he lift up himſelf, and ſaid unto them, he that is without ſin among you, let him firſt caſt a ſtone at her.
7. N. Thus he evadeth the ſnare of their queſtion, as not belonging to him to judg.
8. And again he ſtooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conſcience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldeſt, even to the laſt? and Jeſus was left alone, and the woman ſtanding in the midſt.
8.9. N. It is ſo improbable that Chriſt ſhould be left alone in the Temple that this increaſeth Beza's ſuſpition that it is Apocryphal: But if it be true, it meaneth that thoſe went away who came to accuſe the woman and left him with his auditors and the woman.
10. When Jeſus had lift up himſelf and ſaw none but the woman, he ſaid to her where are thoſe thine accuſers? Hath no man condemned thee. 11. She ſaid, No man, Lord: And Jeſus ſaid to her, neither do I condemn thee: go and ſin no more.
10.11. N. Thoſe that hence take encouragement to connive at adultery muſt note 1. That the text it ſelf is of uncertain authority. 2. If it were certain it ſignifieth not that Chriſt would have adultery unp… pniſhed: but that he diſclaimed the office of a Judg in matters of corporal puniſhment, as being no Magiſtrate.
12. Then ſpake Jeſus again to them, ſaying, I am the light of the World: he that followeth me ſhall not walk in darkneſs but ſhall have the light of life.
12. N. Here begins the certain Text: q. d. I am that Teacher ſent from God who ſhew all my followers that light that quickneth and leadeth to everlaſting life, and others live and walk in darkneſs.
13. The Phariſees therefore ſaid to him? Thou beareſt record of thy ſelf; thy record is not true. 14. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid to them, though I bear record of my ſelf, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go, but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
13.14. Thy own teſtimony of thy ſelf is not credible. Jeſus ſaid, Even my teſtimony of my ſelf is true and credible, becauſe I know what I ſay, and whence I come, &c. But your denial of it is not credible, becauſe you know not whence I come, &c. but ſpeak againſt what you know not.
15. Ye judg after the fleſh; I judg no man. 16. And if I judg my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I and the Father that ſent me.
15.16. You ſee no further than my fleſhly part and originals; I do not ſo raſhly judg of any: But yet my judgment is true and credible for you have not my bare word, but therewith the works of the power of my Father that ſent me, and his atteſtation.
17. It is alſo written in your Law, that the teſtimony of two men is true. 18. I am one that bear witneſs of my ſelf, and the Father that ſent me beareth witneſs of me.
17.18. Your Law alloweth two Witneſſes to be credible, I am one, who may be allowed to witneſs about other mens intereſt, that I am ſent by the Father to ſave loſt ſinners; and the Father is the other, whoſe Voice and Works bear witneſs of me.
19. Then ſaid they to him, Where is thy Father? Jeſus anſwered, ye neither know me nor my father: If you had known me, ye would have known my father alſo.
19. Where is thy Father: Is not Joſeph thy father? He ſaid, you know neither Me nor my Father: Had you by my Doctrine and Works known Me and my Office, I ſhould have taught you to know my Father.
20. Theſe words ſpake Jeſus in the treaſury, as he taught in the Temple: and no man laid hands on him, for his hour was not yet come.
20. N. Till Gods appointed time of trial and ſuffering, among the fierceſt enemies there is ſafety.
21. Then ſaid Jeſus again unto them, I go my way, and ye ſhall ſeek me, and ſhall die in your ſins: Whither I go, ye cannot come.
21. I came to you as a Saviour, and ye reject me, and I will accordingly depart from you and your ſin ſhall bring deſtruction on you and I will ſend the Goſpel to the Gentiles▪ and will aſcend to Heaven, whence your ſin will exclude you.
22. Then ſaid the Jews, Will he kill himſelf? becauſe he ſaith, Wither I go, ye cannot come. 23. And he ſaid unto them, ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world. 24. I ſaid therefore unto you, that ye ſhall die in your ſins: For if ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall die in your ſins.
22. Ye are of this lower World: I am of above and thither I go. And if you believe not that I am the Chriſt, your Nation ſhall be deſtroyed for rejecting me, and you ſhall die unpardoned in your ſin.
25. Then ſaid they unto him, Who art thou? And Jeſus ſaith unto them; even the ſame that I laid unto you from the beginning. 26. I have many things to ſay, and to judge of you: but he that ſent me is true: and I ſpeak to the world thoſe things, which I have heard of him.
25. Even the Meſſiah as I have always told you. I have much to ſay againſt your Infidelity, but I will now only appeal to my Fathers teſtimony, whoſe words I ſpeak.
27. They underſtood not that he ſpake to them of the Father.
27. N. Groſs ignorance is the parent and nurſe of unbelief.
28. Then ſaid Jeſus unto them, when ye have lift up the ſon of man, then ſhall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of my ſelf: but as my Father hath taught me, I ſpeak theſe things.
28. When ye have crucified me, then I ſhall convince many of you by fuller evidence that I am the Chriſt, and the reſt ſhall feel it to their deſtruction; and theſe my words ſhall be confirmed.
29. And he that ſent me, is with me: the Father hath not left me alone: for I do always thoſe things which pleaſe him.
29. My Father that ſent me never deſerteth me, for I do but fulfil his will, and do what he appointed me.
30. And as he ſpake theſe words, many believed on him. 31. Then ſaid Jeſus to thoſe Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are you my Diſciples indeed. 32. And ye ſhall know the truth, and the truth ſhall make you free.
30.31. I cannot take you for my diſciples, unleſs your Faith be rooted ſo as to perſevere and proceed to learn what yet you have not learned. And if ye do this you ſhall know more of that truth that will ſave you, and deliver you from the greateſt of your bondage.
33. They anſwered him, We be Abrahams ſeed, and were never in bondage to any man: how ſayeſt thou? Ye ſhall be made free?
33. Some preſent anſwered him, we be Abrahams ſeed, and though the Romans maſter us, we are no mens ſlaves: What then is the freedom which thou doſt promiſe us.
34. Jeſus anſwered them, Verily, verily, I ſay unto you; whoſoever committeth ſin, is the ſervant of ſin. 35. And the ſervant abideth not in the houſe for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36. If the Son therefore ſhall make you free, ye ſhall be free indeed.
34, 35.36. Can you boaſt of your freedom who by your ſinful practice ſhew that you are the ſervants of ſin, and by it are liable to the judgment of God, as ſlaves are to ſtripes: And if you have thus enſlaved your ſelves to ſin and to Gods judgments, he may turn you out of his houſe you know not how ſoon: But the Son and Heir is not turned away: Therefore if you will be free indeed from the guilt of ſin, and the wrath of God, and the malice of Satan, come in by the Son and ſo you may be free.
37. I know you are Abrahams ſeed, but ye ſeek to kill me, becauſe my word hath no place in you. 38. I ſpeak that which I have ſeen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have ſeen with your father.
37.38. I know that ye are the ſeed of Abraham by the fleſh. But were you ſeed as he is the Father of the faithful, you would not ſeek to kill me, and reject my word. Even that word of truth which I have received of my Father, which you reject, and obey the will of your father.
39. They anſwered and ſaid unto him, Abraham is our father, Jeſus ſaith unto them, If you were Abrahams Children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40. But now ye ſeek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
39.40. If ye were Abrahams Children you would be like him, and do as he did. But to ſeek to murder me for telling you the truth which I have heard from God, is not like Abrahams works of Faith.
41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then ſaid they to him, We be not born of fornication, we have one Father, even God. 42. Jeſus ſaid unto them, If God were your father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth, and came from God, neither came I of my ſelf, but he ſent me.
4…. Ye ſhew by your deeds whoſe nature you have, and ſo who is your father: 42. If God were your Father you would be like him, and then you would love me, who came from him, as ſent by him.
43. Why do ye not underſtand my ſpeech? even becauſe ye cannot hear my word. 44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the luſts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, becauſe there is no truth in him. When he ſpeaketh a lye; he ſpeaketh of his own: for he is a lyar, and the father of it.
43.44. Why is my doctrine rejected by you, but becauſe your corrupt natures, and ſin are contrary to it; To ſpeak plainly to you, as the Childs nature is like the Fathers from whom it is received, ſo yours is ſo like the Devils nature, that I may ſay you received it from him and he is the father of it, and ſo far of you. For you love to do that which he loveth and deſireth: Theſe are his great Characters. 1. He was from the beginning A MALICIOUS MURDERER. 2. He is A LIAR; a deſerter of the Truth, and an enemy to it: His buſineſs in the World is to Deceive by Lying; and when he thus lieth and deceiveth he doth according to his corrupt nature: for he is a Liar and the Father of Lies.
N, 1. By theſe three Characters of LYING, MALIGNITY and MURDER or hurtfulneſs, the deviliſh nature and ſeed is known: And no boaſting of Abraham or Chriſtianity, is any diſproof of it. 2. Deviliſms is the univerſal pravity of the malignant World: And it is no wrong or railing ſo to ſay: that the Devil is their Father.
45. And becauſe I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
45. Though nature love the Truth as Truth, yet becauſe the Truth that I tell you is croſs to your prejudice and carnal minds and luſts, ye reject it as if it were error.
46. Which of you convinceth me of ſin? And if I ſay the truth, why do ye not believe me.
46. If you know any falſhood or ſin by me, prove it if you can: but if it be Truth that I ſay, why doth prejudice and malice hinder you from believing it.
47. He that is of God, heareth Gods words: ye therefore hear them nor, becauſe ye are not of God.
47. The Children of God have a mind and nature like him: And therefore they ſavour and love his word: Therefore your rejecting Gods word, doth prove that ye are not the Children of God.
48. Then anſwered the Jews, and ſaid unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and haſt a devil?
48. They ſaid, do we not call thee as thou art, in ſaying, thou art a diſtracte… Samaritan heretick.
49. Jeſus anſwered, I have not a devil, but I honour my Father, and you do diſhonour me. 50. And I ſeek not my own glory, there is one that ſeeketh and judgeth.
49. I am not a diſtracted Demoniak, (but you calumniators): My Doctrine and Works honour my Father, and as for your diſhonouring of me, though I can bear it who ſeek not my own Glory, my Father will ſecure my honour and judg you for your reproach.
51. Verily, verily I ſay unto you, if a man keep my ſaying, he ſhall never ſee death.
51. I tell you that reject my word, that to believe and keep it is the way to everlaſting life, and to be ſaved from death ſpiritual, temporal (by reſurrection) and eternal.
52. Then ſaid the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou haſt a devil. Abraham is dead, and the Prophets: and thou ſayeſt, If a man keep my ſaying, he ſhall never taſte of death. 53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham which is dead? And the Prophets are dead: whom makeſt thou thy ſelf?
52, 53. Now we know that thou art a diſtracted demoniack: When thou talkeſt of mens not dying, when Abraham and the Prophets are dead: Art thou ſo much greater than all they.
54. Jeſus anſwered, If I honour my ſelf, my honour is nothing: It is my Father that honoureth me, of whom ye ſay, that he is your God: 55. Yet ye have not known him, but I know him: and if I ſhould ſay, I know him not, I ſhall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and keep his ſaying.
54. It is not my own teſtimony that I plead with you, it is my Father that honoureth me, whom you ſhould believe becauſe you call him your God. But indeed you know him not, and therefore underſtand not his teſtimony: But I know him, and ſhould I deny his witneſs, and ſay I know him not, I ſhould be a Liar like you: But I know him and his word, and keep it.
56. Your father Abraham rejoyced to ſee my day: and he ſaw it, and was glad.
56. Your Father Abraham joyfully believed the promiſe of the Meſſiah, and ſo by Faith foreſaw my coming and was glad.
57. Then ſaid the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and haſt thou ſeen Abraham.
57. They underſtanding all carnally, thought Chriſt ſpake like a diſtracted Fanatick.
58. Jeſus ſaid unto them, Verily, verily I ſay unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
58. I tell you that before Abrahams days, (as I was from Eternity ſo) in time I was the promiſed Meſſiah in whom Abraham in his days believed: I am not ſo young as you imagine.
59. Then took they up ſtones to caſt at him: But Jeſus hid himſelf, and went out of the Temple, going thorow the midſt of them and ſo paſſed by.
59. At theſe words they took him for a Blaſphemer, and attempted to ſtone him to death: But he ſome way hid himſelf, and went out from among them.
N. That the laſt part of this Verſe, is of uncertain authority, being not in ſome ancient Copies.