A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Now about that time Herod the King ſtretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church. 2. And he killed James the brother of John with the ſword. 3. And becauſe he ſaw it pleaſed the Jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter alſo. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
1. Note, 1. Kings bear the Image of Gods Dominion, and have their power from him, and not againſt him, and above all men are bound to ſerve him to the utmoſt. Therefore ſuch Perſecutors as Herod being the greateſt Traytors againſt God, no doubt have anſwerable puniſhment in Hell.
2. James that was one who ſought to be Chief, was the Chief or firſt of all the Apoſtles in Martyrdom, and drank of Chriſts Cup and was Baptized with his Baptiſm. 3. To pleaſe wicked men this King murdered Saints and diſpleaſed God.
4. The Holy days of unleavened bread or Eaſter are celebrated with the Murder of Chrſt firſt, and of James after. This the Hypocrites holyneſs.
4. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in priſon, and delivered him to four quaternions of ſouldiers to keep him, intending after Eaſter to bring him forth to the people.
4, He ſet ſixteen Soldiers to keep him, that after the Paſſover he might Sacrifice him to the People.
5. Peter therefore was kept in priſon; but prayer was made without ceaſing of the Church unto God for him.
5. The Church for ſo great a Miniſter in ſo great danger, betook themſelves to their great remedy, even conſtant importunate Prayer to God.
6. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the ſame night Peter was ſleeping between two ſouldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the priſon.
6. Juſt when the Tyrant intended hi Execution, &c.
Note, Chains and Keepers are nothing to God.
7. And behold, the Angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light ſhined in the priſon: and he ſmote Peter on the ſide, and raiſed him up, ſaying, Ariſe up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
7. Note, O how Powerful are Gods inviſible Agents in Compariſon of Mortal worms. 2. It was a gentle harmleſs ſtroak that the Angel gave him; and ſuch are Gods awakning ſtroaks.
8. And the Angel ſaid unto him, Gird thy ſelf, and bind on thy ſandals: And ſo he did. And he ſaith unto him, Caſt thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9. And he went out and followed him, and wiſt not that it was true which was done by the Angel: but thought he ſaw a viſion.
8. Note. Implicite obedience by following Gods call even when we know not whither, is acceptable and ſafe.
10. When they were paſt the firſt and the ſecond ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and paſſed on through one ſtreet, and forthwith the Angel departed from him.
10. Note, 1. Nothing can hold thoſe that God will deliver. 2. Angels are miniſtring Spirits for our good.
11. And when Peter was come to himſelf, he ſaid, Now I know of a ſurety, that the Lord hath ſent his Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
11. Note, We ſeldom underſtand what God is doing for us in the beginning of our deliverances, as we do at laſt.
12. And when he had conſidered the thing, he came to the houſe of Mary the Mother of John, whoſe ſurname was Mark, where many were gathered together, praying.
12. When he conſidered what God had done for him, he went to the houſe of Marks Mother, and there in the Night was a godly Conventicle of many Chriſtians met to pray (no doubt in a ſpecial manner for his deliverance.) God ſent him to them as anſwer to their Prayers.
13. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damſel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14. And when ſhe knew Peters voice, ſhe opened not the gate for gladneſs, but ran in, and told how Peter ſtood before the gate.
13. This poor Maid that ſhewed ſo much love to Peter by her joy, hath her name recorded in the Scripture.
15. And they ſaid unto her, Thou art mad. But ſhe conſtantly affirmed that it was even ſo. Then ſaid they, It is his Angel.
15. Note, The word [Mad] doth but expreſs that they thought her groſly miſtaken as Mad folk uſe to be; only ſpeaking it in ſuch courſe phraſe as men uſe to ſpeak to Servants. 2. Whether by his Angel they meant an Angel of God repreſenting him, or only a humane Meſſenger ſent by him is uncertain.
16. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and ſaw him, they were aſtoniſhed. 17. But he beckening unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the priſon. And he ſaid, Go ſhew theſe things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
16, God having firſt ſent him to them that were Praying for him in Anſwer to their Prayers, he firſt tells them to Gods Glory how he was delivered, and then ſends the notice of it to James (Chriſts kinſman) and to the brethren for their encouragement. Our mercies are not given us only for our ſelves.
18. Now as ſoon as it was day, there was no ſmall ſtir among the ſouldiers, what was become of Peter. 19. And when Herod had ſought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they ſhould be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Ceſarea, and there abode.
18. N. Whether it was Death or Impriſonment that the Soldiers were put to, is doubtful in the Greek Text: But it tells us that the Innocent may be a prey to Tyrants cruelty and injuſtice.
20. And Herod was highly diſpleaſed with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having made Blaſtus the Kings Chamberlain their friend, deſired peace; becauſe their countrey was nouriſhed by the Kings Countrey.
21. And upon a ſet day, Herod arayed in royal apparel, ſat upon his Throne, and made an oration unto them. 22. And the people gave a ſhout, ſaying, It is the voice of a God, and not of a man. 23. And immediately the Angel of the Lord ſmote him, becauſe he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the Ghoſt.
20, 21. Note, A lively inſtance of the caſe of worldly Tyrants. To day Countrys are crowching to them, and Flatterers applauding them, and the perſecuted fearing them, and to morrow they are the ſtinking food of worms: As Gods to day, and as dung to morrow.
24. But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jeruſalem, when they had fulfilled their miniſtery, and took with them John whoſe ſurname was Mark.
24. Note. Both the deliverance of Peter, and the death of Herod furthered the ſucceſs of the Goſpel