A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Acts · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII.
ANd when they were eſcaped, then they knew that the Iſland was calld Melita 2. And the barbarous people ſhewed us no little kindneſs: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, becauſe of the preſent rain, and becauſe of the cold.
1. Note, There are two Iſlands of this Name: And it is a Controverſie which is meant: But Beza and others ſhew great probability that it is that called Maltha, now poſſeſſed by Chriſtians, as a Fort againſt the Turks.
3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of ſticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat and faſtned on his hand.
3. Note, Not that Paul carried the Adder or Viper amon the ſticks into a Chimney; but they made the fire in ſome open place where the Adder lay, and was forced out by the heat.
4. And when the barbarians ſaw the venomous beaſt hang on his hand they ſaid among themſelves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he hath eſcaped the ſea, yet vengeance ſuffereth not to live.
4. Note, Even theſe Barbarians believed God to be the Revenger of Murder: And yet the Prieſts took the Murder of Chriſt and his Diſciples for a Meritorious work, and zealouſly purſued it.
5. And he ſhook off the beaſt into the fire, and felt no harm. 6. Howbeit they looked when he ſhould have ſwollen, or fallen down dead ſuddenly: but after they had looked a duplicate page duplicate page great while, and ſaw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and ſaid that he was a God.
5. Note, So mutable is vulgar Judgment.
7. In the ſame quarters were poſſeſſions of the chief man of the Iſland, whoſe name was Publius, who received us and lodged us three days courteouſly. 8. And it came to paſs that the father of Publius lay ſick of a fever, and of a bloudy flux: to whom Paul entred in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9. So when this was done, others alſo which had diſeaſes in the Iſland came, and were healed: 10. Who alſo honoured us with many honours, and when we departed, they laded us with ſuch things as were neceſſary
7. Note, If we could pray as Paul did and heal all the Sick by it; Queſt. Whether men would impriſon us for it? Anſw. The ſick or the healed would not, but its not unlike that Jewiſh Prieſts would do it; for ſo they did.
11. And after three moneths we departed in a ſhip of Alexandria, which had wintered in the iſle, whoſe ſign was Caſtor and Pollux. 12. And landing at Syracuſe, we tarried there three days. 13. And from thence we fetcht a compaſs, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the ſouth-wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14. Where we found brethren, and were deſired to tarry with them ſeven days: and ſo we went toward Rome.
14. Note, It appeareth by this that the Goſpel had been received before Paul's coming thither, in the Italian Country about Rome? Whether theſe Brethren entertained all the Soldiers and Priſoners ſeven days, or Paul and his Company only as truſted by the Centurian to come after him, is uncertain.
15. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii-forum, and the Three Taverns: whom vvhen Paul ſavv, he thanked God, and took courage.
15. Note, By this it appeareth alſo that Paul found a Church in Rome. No doubt theſe Brethren lived not without Aſſembling to worſhip God, being then not forbidden. But who firſt brought Chriſtianity thither, or Planted a Church, or was thair firſt Paſtor, no Hiſtory tell us; but its moſt probable that it was neither Peter nor Paul. Circumſtances have perſwaded me, that Chriſtianity came firſt into England by Chriſtian Soldiers that were in the Roman Army, (ſuch as built the Church called St. Martins near Canturbury, which Beda mentioneth.) And it is more probable that ſuch as Cornelius being Converted in Judea, and having their dependance on Rome, and buſineſs there, were like to be the firſt introducers of of Chriſtianity there (As ſuch were in Helvetia.)
16. And vvhen vve came to Rome, the centurion delivered the priſoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was ſuffered to dwell by himſelf, with a ſouldier that kept him.
16. One Soldier was his Guard.
17. And it came to paſs, that after three days, Paul called the chief of the Jevvs toge…her. And vvhen they vvere come together, he ſaid unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing againſt the people or cuſtoms of our fathers, yet vvas I delivered priſoner from Jeruſalem into the hands of the Romans. 18. Who vvhen they had examined me, vvould have let me go, becauſe there was no cauſe of death In me. 19. But vvhen the Jevvs ſpake againſt it, I was conſtrained to appeal unto Ceſat; not that I have ought to accuſe my nation of.
17. Note, Though Paul Preached againſt the Gentiles ſubjection to Moſes Law, yet to the Jews he only ſpake againſt the impoſing it as neceſſary on others, and againſt its juſtifying Power without Chriſt. 19. I appealed in my own neceſſary Defence, and not as an Accuſer of the Jews.
20. For this cauſe therefore have I called for you, to ſee you, and to ſpeak vvith you: becauſe that for the hope of Iſrael I am bound vvith this chain.
20. It is for Preaching that Meſſiah who hath long been, expected and prayed for, as the Hope of Iſrael that I am come hither a Priſoner in this Chain.
21. And they ſaid unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came, ſhevved or ſpake any harm of thee. 22. But vve deſire to hear of thee vvhat thou thinkeſt: for as concerning this ſect, vve knovv that every vvhere it is ſpoken againſt.
21. We have had no Accuſation of thee: but that we may be able to judge of thee, we would hear thee our ſelves, what it is that thou holdeſt and teacheſt. For Chriſtians are every where ſpoken aganiſt as an evil Sect.
Note, He that would know how far to regard common fame againſt any man or party, muſt know what ſort of people they be that report it, whether Men of truth, ſobriety and conſcience, or debaucht, ungodly, malignant ſ…oundrils; And by what motives they are ſet on work, whether by Gods word and will, or by Carnal intereſts, and flattery of Great and ungodly Worldlings, or enmity to Holy Doctrine and Practice: And what Eviedence they give to prove their Accuſations.
23. And vvhen they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and teſtified the kingdom of God, perſwading them concerning Jeſus, both out of the law of Moſes, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
23. He proved to them out of the Law and Prophets, that Chriſt was the Meſſiah, whoſe Kingdom is ſpiritual, and is now begun as foretold, upon his Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, and gathering an Univerſal Church by the Miracles, Gifts and Grace of the Holy Ghoſt.
24. And ſome believed the things vvhichwhich vvere ſpoken, and ſome believed not. 25. And vvhen they agreed not among themſelves, they departed, after that Paul had ſpoken one word Well ſpake the Holy Ghoſt by Eſaias the prophet, unto our fathers, 26. Saying, Go unto this people, and ſay, Hearing ye ſhall hear, and ſhall not underſtand; and ſeeing ye ſhall ſee, and not perceive. 27. For the heart of this people is vvaxed groſs, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they cloſed; leſt they ſhould ſee vvith their eyes, and hear with their ears, and underſtand vvith their heart, and ſhould be converted, and I ſhould heal them.
26. You verifie the words of the Prophets, being like your fore fathers, of whom Iſaiah ſaith, that though they have their Natural faculties of ſeeing, hearing and underſtanding, yet they have willfully ſo indiſpoſed and corrupted them, that as to the knowledge and obedience of God, they are as if they had neither Eyes, Ears▪ or Underſtanding, from whence it is that my reſiſted and rejected Grace doth not Convert and heal them.
28. Be it knovvn therefore unto you, that the ſalvation of God is ſent unto the Gentiles, and that they vvill hear it.
28. Be it known to you that the Chriſt whom you reject ſhall be Preached to the Gentiles, and they will believe in him and receive him for their Saviour; And Chriſt will ſet up among them the Catholick Church, and Kingdom of God, which you reject and ſhall therefore be none of yours, that boaſted in your expectations of it.
29. And vvhen he had ſaid theſe vvords, the Jevvs departed, and had great reaſonings among themſelves▪
29. Note, But ſo many of them believed both at Rome, Jeruſalem and many Countrys as were a conſiderable part of the Chriſtian Church at that time: And within four hundred years, Chriſtianity was the profeſſed National Religion in Judea.
30. And Paul dvvelt tvvo vvhole years in his own hired houſe, and received all that came in unto him, 31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching thoſe things which concern the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, with all confidence no man forbidding him.
30. And Paul was ſo free a Priſoner, that he was allowed to live in his own hired houſe, and there for two years received all, how many ſoever great or ſmall, who came to him, Preaching even in Imperious Rome the Kingdom of God, as Ruling Souls to Salvation by the Redeemer, Teaching all the Doctrines and Practices of Chriſtianity, (the Hiſtory of Chriſt his Perſon, Office, Acts, Grace and Glory;) and this with all boldneſs and freedom, NO MAN FORBIDDING HIM, ſilencing him, or condemning them for Conventicles, or any way hindring him, even in Proud, Powerful, Heathen Rome: When the Religious Jewiſh Prieſts and Rulers, hunted Chriſts Miniſters as Blood-hounds, forbidding them to Preach to the Gentiles that they might be ſaved, and ſo wrath is come upon them to the uttermoſt, as it will in due time on all that imitate them.
Note, 1. What Paul Preached: not vain jangling, or envious railing, but the Kingdom of God, and the things concerning Jeſus Chriſt and Salvation.
2. Where: In Rome, and in his own hired houſe.
3. To whom: To all that come to him.
4. How long: Two years, at that time.
5. How: with all confidence, openneſs and boldneſs.
6. How tolerated: No man, Emperour or Senate or inferior Officer▪ Soldiers or Magiſtrates, Prieſts or People hindering or forbidding him, in the Capital Heathen City of the World, which yet was devoted to Idolatry, and capvated the Church of God both Jews and Gentiles. But had Paul Preached immorality, Rebellion, abuſive injury to others▪ no doubt they would have puniſhed him: And verily many Preachers whoſe Doctrine is tolerable, are ſo abuſive in falſe reviling Application, that we may ſay, ſome Orthodox Churches have need of Church Juſtices to keep the peace.