A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
THen came he to Derbe and Lyſtra: and behold, a certain Diſciple was there, named Timotheus, the ſon of a certain woman, which was a Jeweſs, and believed; but his Father was a Greek. 2. Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lyſtra and Iconium. 3. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumciſed him, becauſe of the Jews which were in thoſe quarters: for they knew all that his Father was a Greek.
1. Timothy's Mother being a Jew, he might be circumciſed, though his Father was a Greek: And becauſe uncircumciſed, he might not be admitted to converſe with the Jews, he circumciſed him, the Jews being yet permitted to uſe the Law of Moſes: which he would not have done, had both Parents been Gentiles.
4. And as they went through the Cities, they delievered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the Apoſtles and Elders which were at Jeruſalem. 5. And ſo were the Churches eſtabliſhed in the faith, and increaſed in number daily.
4, 5. They delivering them the Apoſtles Decrees; freed the Church from the doubts which the Judaizers had raiſed, and ſo they were quieted and ſetled in Judgment, Faith and Concord, and daily increaſed.
6. Now when they had gone through Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the holy Ghoſt to preach the word in Aſia,
6. Forbidden by ſome Revelation or Inſpiration.
7. After they were come to Myſia, they aſſayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit ſuffered them not. 8. And they paſſing by Myſia, came down to Troas.
7. The invitation or inſpiration of Gods Spirit diverted them.
9. And a viſion appeared to Paul in the night: There ſtood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, ſaying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
9. Note, Gods differencing grace plainly appeareth in ſending his Goſpel to ſome Countries, rather than to other.
10. And after he had ſeen the viſion, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, aſſuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the Goſpel unto them.
10. Note, It is the duty of Miniſters to follow Gods call; though all have not viſions, all have ſome notifications of Gods will, by Mens neceſſity, opportunity, invitation, &c.
11. Therefore looſing from Troas, we came with a ſtraight courſe to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12. And from thence to Philippi, which is the cheif city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
11. Note, The Apoſtles did chooſe Populous Cities to Preach in, becauſe there was moſt matter to work on: Its beſt fiſhing in the Sea. Beſides that, the Jews Synagogues were moſtly in ſuch places.
13. And on the ſabbath we went out of the city by a River-ſide, where prayer was wont to be made; and we ſat down, and ſpake unto the women which reſorted thither.
13. Note, Whether here was an Oratory or Chapple, or only the open Field, is uncertain: And whether the Aſſemblies were Proſelites of the Jews, or Jews with ſuch, or the better ſort of Gentiles, is not certain: But the firſt is likely, becauſe they kept the Sabbath.
14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a ſeller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worſhipped God, heard us: whoſe heart the Lord opened, that ſhe attended unto the things which were ſpoken of Paul.
14. 1. Note, Its like ſhe was a Proſelite. 2. They that worſhip God are beſt prepared for further Grace: 3. Gods opening the heart maketh the word effectual. 4. Diligent regardful attention to the word, is the beginning of Converſion, or a great preparation.
15. And when ſhe was baptized, and her houſhold, ſhe beſought us, ſaying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my houſe and abide there. And ſhe conſtrained us.
15. Note 1. It was the ordinary way of Apoſtles to Baptize Houſholds: Not that they could be ſure they were all true Believers, or that the Rulers could make them ſuch. But it was the Rulers duty to devote all in their Power to God; and therefore to do their beſt to perſwade them to a true conſent; and to rid their houſe of all unneceſſary Perſons that refuſed: And God uſed to bleſs their endeavours, and their intereſt and power might do much.
2. Converted Perſons have ſo much love to Chriſts Miniſters who converted them, that they greatly deſire their Company and further help.
16. And it came to paſs, as we went to prayer, a certain Damſel, poſſeſſed with a Spirit of divination, met us, which brought her Maſters much gain by ſooth ſaying:
16. One poſſeſſed with a deluding foretelling Devil, who thereby brought him gain for Divination.
17. The ſame followed Paul, and us, and cried, ſaying, Theſe men are the ſervants of the moſt high God, which ſhew unto us the way of ſalvation.
17. Note, God conſtrained the Devil to confeſs Chriſt againſt his will.
18. And this did ſhe many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and ſaid to the Spirit, I command thee in the name of Jeſus Chriſt to come out of her. And he came out the ſame hour.
18. Note, 1. Satan muſt be diſpoſſeſt of Body, Soul or Nation, whenever Chriſt commandeth it,
19. And when her Maſters ſaw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace, unto the Rulers.
19. Note, Its like her Maſters being more then one, were ſome Heathen Prieſts, however we ſee, the love of Money is the root of Perſecution and all evil.
20. And brought them to the magiſtrates, ſaying, Theſe men being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21. And teach cuſtoms which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to obſerve, being Romans.
20, 21. They brought them to the Roman Officers, under whoſe Government they were, and accuſed them as being Jews, of a contrary Religion, and by their unlawful Doctrines, cauſing Sedition and diſturbing the publick peace. Note, Covetous malignants uſe the accuſation of Sedition to hide their malice.
22. And the multitude roſe up together againſt them: and the magiſtrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23. And when they had laid many ſtripes upon them, they caſt them into priſon, charging the jayler to keep them ſafely. 24. Who having received ſuch a charge, thruſt them into the inner priſon, and made their feet faſt in the ſtocks.
22, &c. Note, Rulers and Rabble, nnd moſt were for the DevIl againſt Chriſt and their own Salvation: And the innocent Servants of Chriſt are impriſoned and uſed as Rogues, meerely for ſeeking Mens wellfare.
25. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ſang praiſes unto God: and the priſoners heard them.
25. Note, Perſecution doth not diſoblige us from joyful praiſe to God, nor deſtroy believers comforts.
26. And ſuddenly there was a great Earthquake, ſo that the foundations of the Priſon were ſhaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every ones band were looſed.
26. Note, Luke that wrote this was one of their Company in the City, when this was done: Gods Power is invincible.
27. And the keeper of the Priſon awaking out of his ſleep, and ſeeing the Priſon-doors open, he drew out his ſword, and would have killed himſelf, ſuppoſing that the Priſoners had been fled. 28. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ſaying, Do thy ſelf no harm; for we are all here.
27. He would have killed himſelf to prevent puniſhment, in the rage of his paſſion.
29. Then he called for a light, and ſprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas; 30. And brought them out, and ſaid, Sirs, what muſt I do to be ſaved?
29. Note, When Gods dreadful Judgments and his Grace joyn together, no heart can reſiſt them.
31. And they ſaid, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thy houſe.
31. Note, 1. He was reſolved to do whatever they required, knowing by this miracle, that they were ſent by God. 2. Believing in Chriſt, includeth all the eſſentials of Chriſtianity. 3. His houſe would not be ſaved for his Faith, without any of their own. But it is ſuppoſed, that God would bleſs his endeavours to convert them.
32. And they ſpake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his houſe.
32. They inſtructed him and his Houſhold, that they might indeed believe and be ſaved.
33. And he took them the ſame hour of the night; and waſhed their ſtripes; and was baptized, he and all his ſtraightway.
33. He preſently ſhewed his Repentance and Faith: For he that had ſcourged them, waſhed their ſores to heal them; and he and all his Houſhold were preſently Baptized, as having profeſſed their reſolved Faith in Chriſt.
Note, The Apoſtles delayed not Baptiſm, when ſerious profeſſion gave them right: but in doubtful caſes of ignorant or unreſolved Men, it ought to be longer delayed.
34. And when he had brought them into his houſe, he ſet meat before them, and rejoyced, believing in God with all his houſe.
34. Note, 1. True Converſion changeth Mens thoughts of Gods Servants, and cauſeth men to love and honour them. 2. Converſion puts Men into a joyful ſtate.
35. And when it was day, the magiſtrates ſent the Sergeants, ſaying Let thoſe men go. 36. And the keeper of the Priſon told this ſaying to Paul, The magiſtrates have ſent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37. But Paul ſaid unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have caſt us into Priſon; and now do they thruſt us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themſelves and fetch us out.
37. Note, It is lawful to plead our right by Law againſt unjuſt Magiſtrates, Paul was a Roman by enfrauchiſment (though a Jew)
38. And the ſergeants told theſe words unto the magiſtrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans.
38. Note, The Roman Laws forbad all ſuch baſe uſage of any that was of Roman freedom.
39. And they came and beſought them, and brought them out, and deſired them to depart out of the city. 40. And they went out of the Priſon, and entred into the houſe of Lydia: and when they had ſeen the brethren, they comfo…ed them, and departed.
39. They ſpake them fair, for fear, and intreated them to depart, 40. They viſited, comforted and confirmed their converts.