A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
ANd it came to paſs, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having paſſed through the upper coaſts, came to Epheſus: and finding certain Diſciples. 2. He ſaid unthem, Have ye received the holy Ghoſt ſince ye believed? And they ſaid unto him, We have not ſo much as heard whether there be any holy Ghoſt. 3. And he ſaid unto them, Unto what then were ye Baptized? And they ſaid, Unto Johns Baptiſm.
1. He found ſome that owned the Chriſtian Profeſſion. 2. Note, Johns Preaching was, that the Meſſiah is now come, and thoſe that Repented and Believed this he Baptized, though they knew not that Jeſus was he: But to many he alſo pointed to Jeſus and ſaid, This is he. And theſe Diſciples its like were ſuch: and had learned no more.
4. Then ſaid Paul, John verily Baptiſed with the Baptiſm of repentance, ſaying unto the People, That they ſhould believe on him which ſhould come after him, that is, on Chriſt Jeſus. 5. When they heard this, they were Baptiſed in the name of the Lord Jeſus.
4. Paul ſaid John Baptized thoſe who profeſſed Repentance and Faith in the Meſſiah as juſt now at hand who indeed was Jeſus Chriſt. When theſe Diſciples heard that, they were expreſly Baptized (again) into the name of the Lord Jeſus.
6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy Ghoſt came on them and they ſpake with tongues, and propheſied. 7. And all the men were about twelve.
6, 7. And▪ the miraculous ſignal gift came on theſe men, when Paul had laid his hands on them.
Note, The opinion of Matnixius and Beza that verſ. 5. was the ſpeech of Paul concerning Johns Converts, that they were Baptized in the name of the Lord Jeſus. 1. Is forced and therefore to be ſuſpected: 2. It is contrary to the Context: For [They in verſ. 3. and and They in verſ. 5. and Them in verſ. 6. all plainly ſpeak of the ſame perſons. 3. It is contrary to the Hiſtory of Johns Baptiſm, who Baptized multitudes of the common People, Soldiers, Publicans and Phariſees upon a meer profeſſion of Repentance and belief of the Meſſiah at hand, and is never ſaid to have Baptized any into the Name of the Lord Jeſus. 4. Their reaſon for it is contrary to the Doctrine of Chriſtianity, as if Johns Baptiſm were ſo much the ſame with Chriſts that it is not to be perfected by the later. If any one then or now were Baptized only by Johns Baptiſm, he ought to be Baptized again. It is eſſential to Chriſtian Baptiſm, to be Baptized into the Name of the Father and of the Son (as buried and riſen with him) and of the Holy Ghoſt. But Johns Baptiſm had not all this; Therefore it is not the (now) Chriſtian Baptiſm.
8. And he went into the Synagogue, and ſpake boldly for the ſpace of three months, diſputing and perſwading the things concerning the Kingdom of God.
8. Note, The Goſpel is the Doctrine of Gods Reign by the Meſſiah.
9. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but ſpake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and ſeparated the Diſciples, diſputing daily in the School of one Tyrannus.
9. The Ears of Chriſtians being unfit to bear their reproaching and blaſpheming of Chriſt, he ſeparated the Diſciples from the publick Synagogue of the Jews to a private School.
10. And this continued by the ſpace of two years; ſo that all they which dwelt in Aſia, heard the word of the Lord Jeſus, both Jews and Greeks.
10. By two years Teaching and Diſputing the Goſpel was ſpread through all Aſia proconſular.
11. And God wrought ſpecial miracles by the hands of Paul: 12. So that from his body were brought unto the ſick, handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diſeaſes departed from them, and the evil Spirits went out of them.
11, 12. So Many and great were the Miracles and Cures done by Pauls means, that his corporal preſence could not ſerve all, but by Cloaths ſent from his Body they at a diſtance were cured.
13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorciſts, took upon them to call over them which had evil Spirits, the name of the Lord Jeſus, ſaying, We adjure you by Jeſus whom Paul Preacheth. 14. And there were ſeven ſons of one Sceva a Jew, and cheif of the Prieſts, which did ſo.
13. Seven Sons of one of the Jews Chief Prieſts, being Vagabonds Exorciſts that pretended to Conjure out Devils, ſeeing Pauls Miracles had (like Simon Magus) a deſire to do the like, and thought that ſaying the ſame words would ſerve without the ſame Faith and Grace (as Hypocrites do in the matters of Salvation.
15. And the evil Spirit anſwered and ſaid, Jeſus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16. And the man in whom the evil Spirit was, leapt on them, and overcame them, and prevailed againſt them, ſo that they fled out of that houſe naked and wounded.
15. Words without Faith would not work to caſt out Devils, and Chriſt would not give power to his Name uſed as a Charm: but Satan ſtrengthened the Man to wound and ſhame them.
17. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks alſo dwelling at Epheſus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jeſus was magnified.
17. This being commonly known, the name of Chriſt was more reverenced and honoured.
18. And many that believed came and confeſſed, and ſhewed their deeds.
18. Many Converts openly confeſſed their former evil deeds
19. Many alſo of them which uſed curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thouſand pieces of ſilver. 20. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.
19. To ſhew the truth of their Repentance by the Renunciation of their former deluſions, and that no men elſe might be hurt by their ill Books or make an ill uſe of them, they would not ſell but burn their Books of Magick and Charms and Idolatrous Rites and Divinations: though the price amounted to a very great ſum (not pretending as Judas that this Money might have been given to the poor.) This ſhewed the power of Gods Word and Grace, which ſo prevailed againſt Deluſions and the love of Money.
21. After theſe things were ended, Paul purpoſed in the Spirit, when he had paſſed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jeruſalem, ſaying, After I have been there, I muſt alſo ſee. Rome. 22. So he ſent into Macedonia two of them that miniſtred unto him, Timotheus and Eraſtus; but he himſelf ſtayed in Aſia for a ſeaſon.
21. Intending to go to Jeruſalem he ſent two that were as Servants to him in attending and helping him in his Miniſtry.
23. And the ſame time there aroſe no ſmall ſtir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a ſilver-ſmith, which made ſilver ſhrines for Diana, brought no ſmall gain unto the craftſmen. 25. Whom he called together with the Workmen of like occupation, and ſaid,
23, 24. One whoſe Trade was to make either Medals that had the Image of the Temple of Diana, to ſell▪ or elſe little Boxes in which the Image of Diana in her Temple was carryed about in Proceſſion by them.
Note, It is wordly intereſt and commodity, and love of Money that cauſeth Enmity and Perſecution againſt the Servants of Chriſt, who muſt Preach the Goſpel contrary to this intereſt.
25. Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26. Moreover, ye ſee and hear, that not alone at Epheſus, but almoſt throughout all Aſia, this Paul hath perſwaded and turned away much People, ſaying, that they be no Gods which are made with hands: 27. So that not only this our craft is in danger to be ſet at nought; but that alſo the Temple of the great goddeſs Diana ſhould be diſpiſed, and her magnificence ſhould be deſtroyed, whom all Aſia, and the world worſhippeth 28. And when they heard theſe ſayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, ſaying, Great is Diana of the Epheſians.
25, 26, 27. Note, Arguments from Wealth and Intereſt are unanſwerable with blinded Worldlings; and raiſe the rage of the Rabble againſt Reformation. Here we may ſee what reſiſteth Reformation in the Church of Rome? Can it be hoped that any Truth or Reaſon ſhould perſwade the Pope and Cardinals, and all their worldly Prelates to give up their Wealth, Grandure, Power and Dominion, and all their Lay Chancellors to ſurrender with repentance their gainful Uſurpation of the Power of the Keys? And all their Courts (called) Eccleſiaſtick, Officials, Commiſſarie…, Surrogates, Archdeacons, and all the multitude of their ſub-Officers, to become poor by giving over their Trade of Money-catching? and all their Inquiſitors to vomit up ther blood and gain? And all the Crowds of Jeſuits and Fryers to loſe their Revenues and Life of Eaſe, and their worldly Clergy who live in lazy Ignorance, and fleſhly eaſe and pleaſure, and railing at truth and ſerious Godlineſs, to become poor and baſe by renouncing their Uſurpation, and their maintenances and domination, which they get by pretending to watch and rule for the ſaving of the Peoples Souls. What power but Gods can overcome all this.
29. And the whole city was filled with confuſion: and having caught Gaius, and Ariſtarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel, they ruſhed with one accord into the Theatre. 30. And when Paul would have entred in unto the People, the Diſciples ſuffered him not.
29. Intereſt cauſed rage and confuſ…on.
31. And certain of the cheif of Aſia, which were his friends, ſent unto him, deſiring him that he would not adventure himſelf into the Theatre.
31. The Theatre was the place where they met to judge Offenders and caſt them to Wild Beaſts: And ſome of the Prieſts or Heathen Maſters of thoſe Executions favoured Paul and diſſwaded him from coming.
32. Some therefore cried onething, and ſome another: for the aſſembly was confufed, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
32. Note, What Reaſon or Juſtice is to be Executed where the ignorant Rabble are up and rage.
33. And they drew Alexander out of the mu…titude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the ſpace of two hours cried out Great is Diana of the Epheſians.
33. Note, Its like but not certain that this Alexander was he that Paul tells Timothy did him much evil: Whether he were a Jew or a Chriſtian by Religion is uncertain.
35. And when the town-clerk had appeaſed the people, he ſaid, Ye men of Epheſus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Epheſians is a worſhipper of the great goddeſs Diana, and of the Image which fell down from Jupiter? 36. Seeing then that theſe things cannot be ſpoken againſt, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing raſhly. 37. For ye have brought hither theſe men, which are neither Robbers of Churches, nor yet Blaſphemers of your goddeſs.
35. Note, It is the Office of Rulers to appeaſe the Rabbles rage by reaſon and Authority. 2. It ſeems the Chriſtians in wiſdom had aſſerted Chriſtianity without ſaying much againſt Diana, which would have en…aged the People againſt them.
38. Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftſmen which are with him, have a matter againſt any man, the law is open, and there are deputies; let them implead one another.
38. If they have any Action let it be tryed fairly at the Judicatures by Law, and not thus by Tumult.
39. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it ſhall be determined in a lawful aſſembly.
39. If beſide matters of wrong you have any Accuſation of more publick concern, it muſt be tryed in a greater Aſſembly and higher Judicature. Note, The higher Judicatures conſiſted of fuller Aſſemblys than the lower.
40. For we are in danger to be called in queſtion for this days uprore, there being no cauſe whereby we may give an account of this concourſe. 41. And when he had thus ſpoken, he diſmiſed the Aſſembly.
40. Our Superiours are juſtly jealous of Tumults, and we are in danger to be queſtioned for this, and can give no juſt reaſon to excuſe it.