The Apostolical History, Preface – Errata
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
Courteous Reader,
HAving lately publiſhed the intire Hiſtory of our Bleſſed Lord and Saviour, from his Birth to his glorious Aſcenſion to Heaven; it will not be, I hope, unacceptable to thee, if I here preſent thee with the Hiſtory of the Church immediately ſucceeding; and give thee a Narrative of the Acts, Labours, Travels, Sermons, Diſcourſes, Miracles, Succeſſes, and Sufferings of the Holy Apoſtles, as they are recorded by the Evangeliſt Luke in that Divine Book of his, call'd the Acts of the Apoſtles.
And that my Deſign in this undertaking may the more clearly be diſcerned, be pleaſed to underſtand, that I have digeſted the whole Work into Seven Chapters.
The FIRST CHAPTER contains the Acts of all the Apoſtles joyntly, from our Saviour's Aſcenſion to Saul's Converſion; and ſhews what was done by them before the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, at the Feaſt, and after it. (1.) Before the Feaſt; it ſhews how they continued in joynt-devotion for ten days together at Jeruſalem, in expectation of the great promiſed effuſion of the Spirit; and during that time, called Matthias by lot to the Apoſtleſhip in the room of Judas [Acts chap. I.] 2. At the Feaſt; it ſhews how they received a plentiful effuſion of the Spirit, and ſpake divers Tongues; at which ſome of the Jews mocking, Peter preached an excellent Sermon to them, which had ſuch wonderful ſucceſs, that by his own and the other Apoſtles endeavours, about Three thouſand were that day converted to Chriſt [Acts Chap. II.]. (3.) After the Feaſt; it relates how PETER going up to the Temple with John, he there miraculouſly cured a Cripple. The people being filled with amazement and aſtoniſhment at this miracle, Peter informs them, That it was not wrought by any power of his own, but by the power of Jeſus Chriſt. And from hence he takes occaſion to preach Chriſt to them (Chap. III.). The Rulers of the Jews being offended at his Sermon (though a great number of the people were converted thereby), apprehend him and John, and bring them before the Council, who after examination diſmiſs them, yet with a charge not to preach any more in the Name of Jeſus. The Church hereupon betake themſelves to prayer, and receive a preſent and gracious anſwer from the Lord. Next it ſhews, how holy and gracious the converſation of this Infant Church was, who convers'd together with great concord and charity, the rich ſelling their goods for the ſuſtentation of the poorer ſo… [Acts Chap. IV.] … …es the fraud and hypocriſie of Ananias and Sapph… … dreadful puniſhment; as alſo the many wond…s … wrought by the Apoſtles, to the terror of ſome, and …e converſion of others; and their couragious perſiſting to preach Chriſt, notwithſtanding they were perſecuted, impriſoned, and beaten for it [Acts Chap. V.].
In the next place it ſets forth how the Apoſtles appointed Seven Deacons to take care of the poor, whereof Stephen and Philip were the moſt eminent, whoſe particular acts are …iated; as namely, Stephen's diſputing with ſome of the S…nagogue of the Libertines, who (not being able to reſiſt the wiſdom and ſpirit by which he ſpake) drew him before the Council, and and there falſly accuſed him [Acts Chap. VI.]. Stephen in a long and grave Oration defends himſelf, and pleads his Cauſe; but they interrupt him, and fall upon him, and ſtone him [Acts Chap. VII.].
Immediately after Stephen's Martyrdom, a violent Perſecution aroſe, which ſcattered the Diſciples at Jeruſalem. Philip hereupon went and preached Chriſt at Samaria, and did many Miracles there, and baptized many; and among the reſt, Simon Magus. The Apoſtles that were left at Jeruſalem, hearing of Philip's good ſucceſs at Samaria, ſend Peter and John thither to confirm thoſe new Diſciples, and to enlarge the Church. Theſe two Apoſtles coming thither, they by prayer and impoſition of hands conferr the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghoſt on the true believers there; which Simon Magus ſeeing he offered the Apoſtles money to enable him to confer the like gifts on whomſoever he pleaſed: for which impiety Peter ſharply reproves him. Laſtly, It ſets forth how Philip was ſent to inſtruct and baptize the Eunuch [Acts Chap. VIII].
The SECOND CHAPTER contains more particularly the Hiſtory of thoſe two great Apoſtles Paul and Peter, though there is inſerted alſo ſomething concerning Barnabas's journey to Antioch, and the Martyrdom of James.
Now concerning PAƲL, theſe things are here related: (1.) His miraculous Converſion. (2.) His Vocation to the Apoſtleſhip. (3.) His Preaching Chriſt firſt in the Synagogues of Damaſcus, and then in Arabia for the ſpace of three years. (4.) His return to Damaſcus and eſcaping the hands of the Jews that there conſpired to kill him.
Concerning Peter, theſe things are recorded: (1.) The Miracles he wrought, namely, his healing Aeneas of the Palſie at Lydda, and raiſing Tabitha from the dead at Joppa [Acts Chap. IX.] (2.) The Doctrine he preached to Cornelius (a Gentile) and his company, upon a particular viſion and command from God; whereupon the Holy Ghoſt falleth on them, and they are baptized [Acts Chap. X.]. This converſe and communion of his with the Gentiles, he vindicates to the Jews, who were ſcandaliz'd at it, by a narrative of the whole matter. Here alſo is inſerted a narration, how the Goſpel being ſpread into Phoenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, by thoſe Diſciples who were diſperſed upon the fore-mentioned perſecution, Barnabas was ſent from Jeruſalem to confirm them. Barnabas being at Antioch, ſ…ds for Paul to come to him thither; where they both ſtrenuo…ſly preach Chriſt, and there the Diſciples were firſt called Ch… ſtians [Acts Chap. XI.]. About this time Herod perſecuted the Ch…tians at Jeruſalem, and killed James the brother of John. (3.) Here are related the ſufferings which Peter under-went under Herod, who impriſoned him with an intent to put him to death; but he was delivered by an Angel upon the prayers of the Church. Whereupon the anger of the King falls heavy upon his Keepers. Herod ſhortly after goes down to C…ſarea; and in his pride taking to himſelf the Honour due to God, he is ſtri…ken by an Angel, and dyeth miſerably. After which, the Goſpel proſpereth [Acts Chap. XII.]. This is the laſt we hear of this great Apoſtle (excepting his being preſent at the Council at Jeruſalem, Act. 15.) till we come to his Epiſtles. As for Paul, the remainder of his ſtory falls within the time and compaſs of his travels, and thoſe Five remarkable Journeys of his which are deſcribed in the Five enſuing Chapters.
The THIRD CHAPTER contains a Narration of Paul's Firſt Journey from Antioch with Barnabas, to preach the Goſpel to the Gentiles, John-Mark being their Miniſter: At which time they travelled to Cyprus, Pamphylia, Lycaonia, Piſidia, and other Provinces of Aſia the Leſs. And therefore this Journey we may call for diſtinction-ſake, Iter Aſiaticum; It is deſcribed Acts Chap. XIII, XIV.
The FOURTH CHAPTER contains Paul's Second Journey with Barnabas, and Titus, and others, from Antioch to that famous Council at Jeruſalem, which we may therefore call Iter Hieroſolomitanum. It is deſcribed Acts Chap. XV. from ver. 1. to 36.
The FIFTH CHAPTER contains Paul's Third Journey, being accompanied with Silas and Titus, to viſit and confirm the Diſciples in thoſe Cities where He and Barnabas had before preached the Goſpel; which done, they were called by a Viſion over into Macedonia, and ſo paſſed into Europe, and travelled to Philippi, Beroea, Theſſalonica, Athens, Corinth, and ſo by Epheſus returned into Syria and Judea, and then came back again to Antioch. This Journey we may call Iter Graecum ſive Macedonicum. It is deſcribed from ver. 36 of Chap. XV, to ver. 23 of Chap. XVIII.
The SIXTH CHAPTER contains Paul's Fourth Journey, which he began from Antioch in Syria, from whence he went to Epheſus, according to his promiſe, and ſtaying the greateſt part o… his time in that City, we may from thence call it Iter Epheſinum. From thence he went to viſit the Europaean Churches; and at laſt from Macedonia, through Aſia the Leſs, and Syria, he returned into Judea, where by the Jews he was accuſed, and by the Roman Officers taken into cuſtody. Which Journey is deſcribed from ver. 23 of Chap. XVIII, to Chap. XXVII
The SEVENTH CHAPTER contains Paul's Fifth and Laſt Journey from C…ſarea to Rome, which we may therefore call Iter Romanum, It is deſcribed Acts Chap. XXVII, and XXVIII.
In theſe Seven Chapters I have compriſed the Divine Hiſtory of the Acts of the Apoſtles. Poſſibly ſome may now ask How it can be properly ſo called, ſeeing it chiefly relates the ſtory of Peter and Paul; and of the former but ſparingly, and inſiſts principally upon the Acts of the later, mentioning but little what the other Apoſtles did, or what Churches they planted, or what death they died. For anſwer to which, this is all that can be ſaid, That it ſeemed good to the Spirit of God to have only ſo much written as he ſaw conducing to our edification; and in that we are to acquieſce. Beſides, Luke who wrote the Acts of the Apoſtles, was a diſciple and follower of Paul, and his Companion in moſt of his Travels; and therefore no wonder if he deſigned principally to write his Story. To all which we may add, That as Paul's Converſion was more miraculous than the converſion of any other of the Apoſtles, ſo the courſe of his Miniſtry was more illuſtrious. He laboured more abundantly than they all, 1 Cor. 15.10. Hierom *Catal. ſcript. Eccleſiaſtic. Tom. 1.thinks, Luke wrote this Hiſtory at Rome in the ſecond year of Paul's impriſonment there, and at the requeſt of the Brethren in that City, and by the direction of Paul himſelf; but principally, by the peculiar guidance of the Holy Ghoſt. He is thought to have written it in the 62 year of Chriſt, and the 6th of Nero. We have therefore in this Divine Book ſet before us, an Hiſtory of the riſe, growth, ſtate, and practice of the primitive Church, in the pureſt Apoſtolical times; and a declaration of the pure doctrine then delivered, and of the pure Worſhip and Church-Government and Diſcipline then practiſed. All which may be a pattern to ſucceeding Churches in all ages. And agreeably hereunto I find a learned man expreſſing himſelf; I have often thought with my ſelf *Saepe me ceperit ista cogitatio quod i…ud in monte Sinai Moſi exhibitum divinum ſchema, non magi… fuerit veteris tabernaculi aedificandi exemplar, quàm Actorum Apostolicorum volumen, Eccleſiae Novi Testamenti aedificandae & regendae, omnibus ad hoc vocatis, forma est & Typi…; in quo certè nec vola nec vestigium est illius Hierarchicae tyrannidis, quam Aula Romana nobis ferro & flammis ſatagit obtrudere, nec ulla m…ntio ſeſſionis Petri in Epiſcopatu Romano, quae Papisticae fidei unica baſis est, &c. Streſo in Praefat. ad Act. Apoſt.(ſays he) that the Divine Scheme given to Moſes in Mount Sinai, was not more a pattern to erect the ancient Tabernacle by, than the Hiſtory of the Acts of the Apoſtles is a form and type according to which all that are thereunto called, muſt build and govern the Church under the New Teſtament, in which certainly there is not the leaſt appearance of that Hierarchical Tyranny which the Court of Rome endeavours to force upon us by fire and ſword, nor any mention of Peter's being Biſhop of Rome, which is the only Foundation the Popiſh-Creed is built upon.
In this Divine Book alſo we may ſee how Chriſt ſubdued the World to the obedience of the Goſpel, by a few illiterate men again… all the malice of Satan labouring to ſuppreſs it, … raiſing ſlanders and perſecutions againſt it; and when … …d not prevail with violence, raiſing Hereticks to corrupt … …ere we have examples of the prudence, faithfulneſs, and dil…nce of the Holy Apoſtles: Here we may ſee how they lived, w…at they taught, how they dealt with the obſtinate, how with the …irm, and how they acted in the doubtful and controverſal Caſes of the Church.
A… we go …long in this Hiſtory, we come to the particular times wherein the Apoſtolical Epiſtles were written; and then we ſhew …e particular occaſions of writing of them, and by whom, and from what places they were ſent; giving a ſhort Analyſis and Pa…aphraſe of them, which I hope will give much light to them, and ſerve alſo to illuſtrate many paſſages in this Apoſtolical Hiſtory.
For the Chronotaxis, or diſpoſition of the things contained in this Hiſtory, into the proper times wherein they were acted, there being ſo great diverſity of opinions among Chronologers *Chronologi non magis congruunt quam Horologia. Strigel.and Learned men, I have followed what I thought beſt, leaving others the liberty of their own judgments.
As for the Apoſtolical Epiſtles (which are in number 21), according to the beſt conjectures we are able to make, they were written in this order of Time, according to this enſuing Table.
In the time of Paul's Third Journey
The 1 Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, from Corinth. See Chap. 5. Sect. 12.
2 Epiſtle to Theſſ. See Chap 5. Sect. 12.
In the time of Paul's Fourth Journey
Epiſtle to Galatians from Epheſus. See Chap. 6. Sect. 5.
1 Epiſtle to Corinthians. See Ch 6. Sect. 7.
Epiſtle to Titus. See Chap. 6. Sect. 8.
2 Epiſtle to Corinthians. See Ch. 6. Sect. 14.
1 Epiſt. to Timothy. See Chap. 6. Sect. 15.
1 Epiſt. to the Romans from Corinth. See Ch. 6. Sect. 18.
In the time of Paul's Impriſonment at Rome,
Epiſt. of James. See Chap. 7. Sect. 5.
To Philemon. See Chap. 7. Sect. 7.
To Philippians. See Chap. 7. Sect. 8.
To the Coloſſians. See Chap. 7. Sect. 9.
To the Epheſians. See Chap. 7. Sect. 10.
To the Hebrews. See Chap. 7. Sect. 11.
1 Epiſt. of Peter. See Chap. 7. Sect. 12.
2 Epiſt. of Peter. See Chap. 7. Sect. 13.
Epiſt. of Jude. See Chap 7. Sect 14.
2 Epiſt. to Timothy. See Chap. 7. Sect. 15.
After all theſe,
1 Epiſt. of John. See Chap. 7. Sect. 17.
2 Epiſt of John. See Chap. 7. Sect. 18.
3 Epiſt. of John. See Chap 7. Sect. 19.
Thus (Courteous Reader) I have given thee a brief view or proſpect of this whole Hiſtory; for a better underſtanding of which, I have added a Map of the Apoſtle Paul's Trayels. And laſtly▪ for a cloſe I have added a ſhort deſcription of the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, which may be as a Comment not only to … paſſages in this Hiſtory, and in the Apoſtolical Epiſtles, but in th Goſpels alſo.
About 23 years after this diſmal Deſtruction, in the 14 year of Domi…ian, John the Evangeliſt had the Revelation in the Iſle of Patmos. And this is all I thought fit to advertiſe thee of by way of Preface. Only I ſhall add, If thou deſireſt to reap any benefit by my Paraphraſe on the Epiſtles, I entreat thee to take thy Bible, and to read the Text along with the Paraphraſe. It is not unknown to any who have ever attentively read over the Apoſtolical Epiſtles, that there are abundance of dark and obſcure paſſages in them; abundance of foreign, things hard to be underſtood, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Pet. 3.16. I may truly ſay, I have not willingly or knowingly paſſed over any of them untouch'd, but ſaid ſomething (according to my poor Talent) either in the Paraphraſe, or in the Notes, tending to the clearing of them. And ſo heartily praying and deſiring that from the whole, God may receive glory, and the ingenuous Reader benefit, I bid thee farewell.
Thine in Chriſt Jeſus, SA: CRADOCK.
I Have ſeriouſly peruſed and read over the Apoſtolical Hiſtory, written by Mr. Samuel Cradock; and I do thankfully acknowledg, that I have received much comfort and benefit by it, and am fully perſwaded, That thoſe perſons, whether Miniſters or People to whom God ſhall give hearts to peruſe it as I have done, will be convinced that it will be very beneficial to the Church of God, eſpeci…lly to private Families, in helping them to underſtand the Holy Scriptures.
Sic teſtor, Sa: Fairclough, ſometimes Rector of Ketton in Suffolk. Kennet, Octob. 8. 1672.
Mr. Brewſter,
WE have peruſed, as our occaſions w…uld permit, the Book you brought us, call'd The Apoſtolical Hiſtory, containing an Analytical Paraphraſe on the whole Book of the Acts of the Apoſtles, and all the Apoſtolical Epiſtles, which are in number Twenty one. And ſeeing you deſire our opinion upon it, we declare, That we judg it a Work which (with the bleſſing of God) will be exceeding uſeful and beneficial to ſeveral ſorts of perſons: Particularly,
1. To ſuch Miniſters as are not furniſhed with good Libraries.
2. To young Scholars who ſhould be directed in Chronologie, and how to reduce the paſſages and tranſactions of the Apoſtolick Times, to their due and proper places, and ſhould be guided in a right way and method of ſtudying the holy Scriptures.
3. To Maſters of Families, that they may thereby be enabled to inſtruct their Families.
4. To private Chriſtians in the daily reading of the Scriptures, who have not time or leiſure to read larger Comments.
5 'Tis a Book ſit for Parents to give to their Children that are grown up, to bring them to a love and delight in the Scriptures, they being made plain, and facile, and intelligible in this Paraphraſe.
6. The Notes in the Margin are very uſeful for Scholars to give them an account of the particular interpretations that the Author giveth of ſundry difficult places; and yet they are ſo ordered, that they will not diſturb the unlearned in reading either the Apoſtolical Hiſtory, or the Paraphraſe on the Epiſtles.
7. The Map of Paul's Travels is uſeful and delightful, not only for the clearer underſtanding how that bleſſed Apoſtle planted the Goſpel up and down in the world; but it may be uſeful alſo for the underſtanding of ſeveral paſſages in the Hiſtory both of the Old and New Teſtament.
Laſtly, The Hiſtory of the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, may give much light to many paſſages not only in the Apoſtolical Epistles, but in the Goſpels alſo.
And therefore we commend this Reverend Author's deſign of helping us to know the Scriptures, to the bleſſing of Him who inſpired thoſe that wrote them. And this we do the more hopefully, becauſe it hath been the obſervation of the moſt piouſly conſiderate, That God hath in all Ages made thoſe Labours of his Servants moſt eminently acceptable, which have been employed in the profitable explication of any part of the Scripture; as if He, who hath imprinted ſuch a Majeſty upon the Text, delighted alſo to reflect an honour upon the Interpreters thereof; and to make mens Works illuſtrious, by their illuſtrating the Word of God, and directing others in the paths that lead to bleſſedneſs.
Your loving Friends,
WILLIAM JENKIN, ſometimes Paſtor of Chriſt's Church London.
RICHARD FAIRCLOƲGH, ſometimes Rector of Mells in Somerſet-ſhire.
The ſeveral Apoſtolical Epistles, as they are placed and paraphraſed in this Hiſtory, may be found according to this enſuing Direction.
THE Firſt Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, pag. 114
The Second Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, pag. 122
The Epiſtle to the Galatians, pag. 133
The Firſt Epiſtle to the Corinthians, pag. 152
The Epiſtle to Titus, pag. 186
The Second Epiſtle to the Corinthians, pag. 195
The Firſt Epistle to Timothy, pag. 214
The Epistle to the Romans, pag. 223
The Epiſtle of James, pag. 310
The Epiſtle to Philemon, pag. 322
The Epiſtle to the Philippians, pag. 324
The Epiſtle to the Coloſſians, pag. 333
The Epiſtle to the Epheſians, pag. 343
The Epiſtle to the Hebrews, pag. 361
The Firſt Epiſtle of Peter, pag. 402
The Second Epiſtle of Peter, pag. 413
The Epiſtle of Jude pag. 421
The Second Epiſtle to Timothy, pag. 426
The Firſt Epistle of John, pag. 435
The Second Epistle of John, pag. 448
The Third Epistle of John, pag. 450
ERRATA.
Page 4. l. 35 read two thouſand, p. 24 l. 15 dele est, p. 29 l. 22 r. twenty, p. 41 l. 39 r. them, p. 47 l. 23 r. he was led as a ſheep to the ſlaughter, and like a lamb dumb before the ſhearer, p. 48 for fourteen r many, p. 55 l. 25 r His, p. 59 l. 1 r Exteriùs, p. 73 l. 15 r thereof, p. 74 l. 23 dele and, p. 156 l. 4 r have made further, p. 187 l. 47 r that they may be ſound in the faith, and ſubmit themſelves to the doctrine of the Goſpel, p. 197 l. 26 r inflicting, p. 234 l. 51 r wages of ſin, p. 235 l. 4 r head, p. 244 l. 17 r are not the children God, p 249 l. 46 r as well as to the Jews, p. 268 l. 21 r a young man, p. 288 l. 3 r thoſe rites, p. 299 in the margin r Anno Christo 61, Neronis 5: p. 309 r Anno Christi 62, p. 325 in note * r. non aliud, p. 335 l. 53 r extended to them, p. 351 l. 16 r ſinleſs, p. 355 l. 22 r awake thou, p. 373 n. f r peccatum in Spiritum Sanctum, p. 394 n. b r toga, p. 396 n. h l. 18 r videri, p. … r multa, p. 433 l. 41 r his, p. 449 l. 17 for competent r compleat, l. 25 for … …th.