A Complete and Compendious Church History, Chapter 25

A Complete and Compendious Church History · Chapter 25

p. 372The Twenty-Fifth Plot in the New-Teſtament, againſt the Church, in Apoſtles, Defeated by God.

CHAP. XXV.

AFter a few Days that Chriſt was Riſen out of his Grave, he Rode up to Heaven as a Conquerour (in his Triumphant Chariot) over Sin, Death, Hell, and Devil, p. 373leading Captivity Captive, that is, Captivating all thoſe Four who had held us in Captivity, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Juſt as in the Roman-Triumphs, the Great Conquerour Rode up to the Capitol in a Chariot of State, and all their Priſoners following behind with their Hands bound behind them; He Throwing certain pieces of Coin abroad (all along as he Aſcended) to be pick'd up by the People. Even ſo our Lord Chriſt (that Mighty Conquerour) in the Day of his Solemn Coronation, or Inauguration into his Heavenly Kingdom, Triumphed over all thoſe Spiritual Adverſaries of his Church, making a ſhew of them openly, Col. 2. 15. as Tamberlain did (the Great Turk) Bajazet, whom he carried about all Aſia, ſhut up in an Iron-Cage, to be ſeen of all Spectators on every ſide for Scorn and Deriſion: And Chriſt likewiſe (that the Grandeur of his Glorious Conqueſt might be more magnificently Celebrated) gave great Gifts to Men: 'Tis ſaid he Received thoſe Gifts before in the Old Teſtament, Pſal. 68. 18. and he Gave them now in the New, Epheſ. 4. 8. He Received them, that he might Give them, he therefore Receives them with one Hand, and Gives them with the other, Accounting it more Honourable to give than to receive, Act. 20. 35. Now the Gifts Chriſt gave to his Church were both Ordinary and Extraordinary, to wit, Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtours, Teachers, All Gifted p. 374by God, for the Perfecting of the Saints, for the Work of the Miniſtry and for the Edifying of the Body of Chriſt, Epheſ. 4. 8, 11, 12. foreign, that is, for the right Joynting of what ever the Devil may Disjoynt, even to the End of the World, v. 13. before which, a compleat comming up into an Ʋnity of the Faith, and unto that full Meaſure of the Stature of Chriſt (even a Perfection of Grace) cannot be expected: Hence Chriſt Inſiſts upon this point, that his going from his Diſciples was as Expedient as his comming to them, Joh. 16. 7. He came to them, that he might Converſe with them in the Fleſh, but he muſt Depart from them, that he might Conferr upon them his Spirit. Chriſt had often promis'd (to ſend the Spirit (or Comforter) to them) in his Life time, John 14. 16, 26. and 15. 26. and 16. 7. that they might once obſerve it as an unparallel Priviledge to have the Spirit (which is the beſt of all things) powred down upon all Fleſh, (the worſt of all things, Hoſ. 8. 13.) Joel 2. 28. Chriſt tells them that this Spirit (whom he calls, Another Comforter, whereof they would ſtand in need, (during his Departure) in an Evil World) ſhould be as his Vicar-General, with whom he would leave them in a dark forlorn World, and by whom he would be with them, (and with their Succeſſors) even to the End of the World, Mat. 28. 20. Now after his Reſurrection, He Breath'd on p. 375them, ſaying, Receive ye the Holy Ghoſt, Joh. 20. 22. as Adam received Life by Gods Breathing upon him, ſo the Diſciples received a power of Life and Death, of Remiſſion of Sin and Execution of Judgment, (as Act. 5. 5. 10.) by Chriſts Breathing upon them, or, at leaſt, this Breathing was a prefiguring-preparation for their further and fuller Reception of the Spirit upon the Day of Pentecoſt, which Chriſt had Promiſed, Luk. 24. 49. and did perform over and over again, Act. 2. 2, 3, 4. and 4. 31, 33. whereby they were Enabled (as Chriſt had told them) to do greater Works than he did, Joh. 14. 12. not for the Manner, they doing all in Chriſts Name, not in their own, nor as Equal with God, but for matter greater, as (1) Converting Three Thouſand Souls at one Sermon, (alas! now not one Soul ſcarce is Converted by Three Thouſand Sermons) Act. 2. 41. (2) Curcing the Diſeaſed, not onelyonly by a Word ſpeaking, or an Hand touching, but alſo by the ſhaddow of Peter paſſing by, Act. 5. 15, 16. or by an Handkerchief, (onelyonly touching Paul, though at a Diſtance,) Act. 19. 12. both theſe had a Soveraign Miraculous (yet neither of them any Inhaerent) power to Cure Diſeaſes, and to Caſt out Devils. (3) Converſing with all Nations in all their ſeveral Languages, Act. 2. 4, 8, to 11. which they never Studied to learn them at Home, nor ever Travel'd Abroad to gain them. (4) Conferring p. 376Corporal Plagues, Act. 13. 11. and Spiritual, 1 Cor. 5. 5. Yea, Death it ſelf, Act. 5. 5, 9, 10. upon Oppoſers and Diſgracers of the Goſpel.

Chriſt never Hurt any by his Miracles, but Healed all. (5) Conquering a great part of the World, Reduceing it to the Obedience of Chriſt, they being the White Horſes on which the Goſpel Rode abroad and about the World, Conquering and to Conquer, Revel. 6. 2. (6) Contracting no Harm by Drinking Deadly Poyſon, Mark 16. 17, 18. as John the Apoſtle, Barſabas, and others did, according to Euſebius and other Eccleſiaſtick-Hiſtories: Yea, and Sacred Scripture doth better Confirm, that the Viper about Pauls Hand did not Hurt him, Act. 28. 3, 4, 5. no Doubt but the Devils deſign here was to have Deſtroyed him by that Viper, but he was (as in all his other Plots) deceived and Defeated by Vertue of that Promiſe of Chriſt, Mark 16. 18. Iſa. 11. 8. The ſame God that ſhut the Mouths of the Lyons for Daniels ſafety, Dan. 6. 22. did alſo ſhut the mouth of th…s Venomous Beaſt for Pauls Preſervation, and ſo ſhut it, as the Devil could not remove the Muzzle for his Deſtruction, ſee Pſa. 91. 13. and Luk. 10. 19. Now the Devil beholding the Goſpel carry'd throughout the World upon thoſe Stupendious Miracles, as upon ſo many Eagles (or rather Angels) Wings; the Apoſtles Working greater Works by the power of Chriſts Spirit (Poured out upon them, Joh. p. 3777. 39.) now in his ſtate of Exaltation; than ever Chriſt perſonally wrought in his ſtate of Humiliation. This made the Devil and with malice, to ſee the Goſpel Dart it ſelf (as Euſebius ſaith) like a Sun-Beam through the World, rejoycing like a Gyant to run its Race, Pſal. 19. 5. and to feel himſelf fall like lightening from Heaven down to Hell thereby, Luk. 10. 18. Upon this High Provocation, Satan begins to beſtir himſelf, and to make many Aſſaults upon the New Teſt. Church in the Apoſtles, &c. both while they kept together, and when they parted aſunder; the Iſſue of all was this, That Satan (the Strong Man) was baſely Baffl'd by Chriſt (the Stronger Man) at every Turn, Luk. 11. 21, 22. and was conſtrained to caſt down his Arms. The Devils 1ſt. Aſſault and Oppoſition againſt the Goſpel, was, when Peter and John had Cured a Cripple at the Temple-Gate, and thereby their 3000 Converted by the firſt Sermon, were by a ſecond made 5000, Act. 2. 4. and 4. 4. Satan Incenſes the Sadducees, (who Deny'd the Reſurrection, Luk. 20. 27. Matth. 22. 23. Act. 23. 8.) that Two Unknown and Illiterate Men, haveing no Call from the Conſiſtory of the Prieſts, ſhould preach in the Temple the Reſurrection of Jeſus to the ſeduceing of ſo many Thouſand Souls; this was Inſufferable, eſpecially to thoſe Sadducees, for then their Cauſe and Controverſie with the Phariſees about the Reſurrection, p. 378would quite be loſt: Hereupon they Incenſe the Prieſts, who were all alſo grieved, (or Sick of the Devils Diſeaſe) that the Innocent Blood of Chriſt ſhould be layd at their Doors; they complain to the Captain of the Temple-Garriſon, (part whereof was the Watch at Chriſts Sepulchre, Matth. 27. 65.) They all conſpire to lay thoſe very Hands (which had been lately Gored with the Blood of Chriſt) upon his Two Apoſtles, and put them in Hold, Act. 4. 1, 2, 3. * Here mark how marvelouſly the (now Exalted) Meſſiah Maſter'd the Malice of the Devil, and the Malignity of his Inſtruments; This was the firſt Croſs Chriſts Followers took up, (as Chriſt had told them, Luk. 9. 23.) and he orders it to be but a light one, they were put [foreign, in Cuſtodiam,] into the Serjeants Ward, not [foreign, in Carcer…m.] into the Goal, or Dungeon; Chriſt will not have thoſe [Tyrones, or Freſh-Men] young Pupils Tempted above what they are able, … Cor. 10. 13. but Inures them Gradually to the bearing of the Croſs, Crux eſt Evangelij Genius, the Croſs is the Ghoſt that continually Haunts the Goſpel, Act. 14. 22. and 2 Tim. 3. 12. the firſt Ghoſt muſt not therefore be over Affrightful. The reſtleſs malice of the Adverſary calls a Council (which had the preſcription of 1500 Y. Authority, as Aarons Succeſſors. and which was countenanc'd by all their Kindred, the more to confirm their Conſpiracy p. 379againſt the Goſpel) together with Annas, the ſame Old-Man, no Changeling from his Condemning Chriſt: This Convention ſummons the Two Apoſtles to appear before them, in the next Morning (they laying but one Night in their Sergeants-Houſe) calls them to Confeſs whether by God's, or the Devil's Power, whether in Chriſts Name, or by the Black-Art, they had Healed the Cripple that was Born Lame, Act. 4. 3, to 7. The Apoſtles Apology (by the Help of the Holy-Ghoſt) was ſo Convinceing, v. 8, &c. that the Council had nothing to ſay in Contradiction, v. 14. This Conviction brought them to a Conference, v. 15. and that to a Confeſſion, [that all the Countrey Rang of that notable Miracle, v. 16. Now they have no power to Puniſh them, yet to maintain their own Credit againſt the light of their own Conſciences, they Conſult to keep the People in Ignorance, command the Apoſtles to Preach no more of Chriſt, they could not find a face to do any thing, (though their Fingers Itch'd to do ſomething) againſt them, for Fear of the People, ſave onelyonly to Diſmiſs them with a few formal Threatnings, which the Apoſtles (returning to their own Company) ſpread before the Lord, that Great Maſter Controuler, whom they praiſed for Diſappointing the Devil and his Agents in their Plotting and Plowing Miſchief to the Church, (Job 4. 8.) and for Advancing the Goſpel by this p. 380Oppoſition, Augmenting the number of Believers, v. 4. and Dropping down great Grace upon them all, as it were out of Heaven, v. 33. and the ſhakeing v. 31. ſhewed, they were Chriſts young Trees, whom he had (as the Planter doth) ſhaken them a little, to ſettle them the more. The 2d. Aſſault Satan made, was after he had filled the Hearts of Ananias and Sapphirah, (Two forward Profeſſours, having an Holy motion at firſt to ſell their poſſeſſion for Relief of the Needy Brethren, but Beelzebub ſoon Fly-blow'd it,) in makeing them Vilifie and Belye the Holy-Ghoſt, (which the Apoſtles had receiv'd) by purloyning part of the Price, as if Gods Spirit in the Apoſtles, could not have diſcern'd the Affront, Act. 5. 1, 2, 3. ☞ The Devils Deſign herein was to Blaſt the Credit of this new Profeſſion by the Lyes of thoſe Two Rotten Profeſſours, but was Defeated herein by the dreadful and ſudden Death of thoſe Two Hypocrites, v. 5, 10. and the Church Increaſed by that Defection of the Two Botches from the Body, and …y many mighty Miracles of Mercy (as well as this of Judgement) wrought even by the ſhaddow of Peter, Act. 5. 6, 11, to 16. Hereupon Satan fills the Sadducees, &c. again with Indignation, v. 17. the Council now caſts the Apopoſtles into the common Priſon, (among the worſt of their Malefactors) v. 18. but in the Night an Angel of the Lord opens the Priſon Doors, p. 381and releas'd thoſe (whom their Adverſaries of themſelves had releaſed before) with a Command to go Preach boldly in the Temple, though the Sanedrim ſat there; upon which Affront they were Convented again before the Council, but by the Grave Counſel of Gamaliel, (Pauls Tutor, who Diſwades them by Hiſtorical Inſtances from Fighting againſt God) they were Diſmiſſed again with their Lives, yet not without Blows; then they went away rejoycing, that they were ſo Highly Graced, by being thus Diſgraced for Chriſt, v. 19, 20, 21, 23, 28, 34, 35, 38, to 4…. The Wonderful releaſe of the Apoſtles (not by Magick Art, or by Bribeing the Keeper, or by breaking the Priſon, but) by the Power of an Angel, (ſent as an Officer from God to let them out of Priſon without the Keepers conſent) Startl'd thoſe proud Prieſts, v. 23. but Converts them not: Yet afterwards ſo much Conviction ſhone upon them, ſeeing no Counſel, nor might and malice of Man can prevail againſt God and his Truth, Prov. 21. 30. Iſa. 46. 10. all the Rage of both Rulers and Ruled (though never ſo Ʋnruly) were but Vain, fruitleſs, and fruſtrate, Pſal. 2. 1, 4. and as Gamaliel told them, Ye cannot overthrow the Counſel of God, neither you, nor Kings and Tyrants to help you, ſo one Antient Greek-Coppy readeth, Act. 5. 39. The Goſpel gaining ground (notwithſtanding all the gain-ſaying of Governours) amongſt p. 382Grecians as well as Hebrews, Act. 6. 1. 'tis ſaid expreſly, [A great Company of the Prieſts were Obedient to the Faith,] v. 7. We read in Ezra 2. 36, to 40. that 4289 Prieſts, &c. Return'd from Babylon, and that number might well be Increaſed in Judea now: therefore [foreign] a great Company may well enough be fixed on them, and on no other; and 'twas a mighty Teſtimony from Heaven, that ſo many (of thoſe ever moſt Implacable Enemies. and moſt Active Adverſaries of the Goſpel) ſhould be Converted to the Faith and Truth of the Goſpel. ☞ I would to God he may give us this Divine Teſtimony in our day, We ſhould not Diſpair of the Worſt, God hath his time to call even a Perſecuting Saul, and to change him into a Praying and a Preaching Paul: This Increaſe of the Word, and of the Number of Diſciples, v. 7. Enrages the Devil to make the 3d. Aſſault, (beholding alſo Steven, ſo full of Faith and Power, whereby he wrought many mighty Wonders among the People, v. 8.) Hereupon Satan Incenſes the Libertines, which, in the common Notion of the Word, are always moſt Deſperate Deſpiſers and Deſtroyers of Truth, as it Condemns Licentiouſneſs) to Oppoſe Steven, v. 9. and when they found themſelves over-powr'd by Argument, they Convent him before the Sanedrim, and Suborn'd Witneſſes againſt him, (a Leſſon they had Learnt from their Maſter the Devil, p. 383Joh. 8. 44.) who (as they had Inſtructed them) accus'd him for Viliſying Moſes, the Law, the Holy City and Temple, v. 10, 11, 13. ☞ Where 'tis enough to Accuſe, even the H…ly Child Jeſus Eſcapes not as Innocent: notwithſtanding their matchleſs malice againſt Steven, yet (1) before his Apology, he is miraculouſly Vindicated from Heaven, by that Angelical Splendour and Majeſty (as that of Moſes, Exod. 34. 30.) Seated in his Countenance, v. 15. which was a moſt Convinceing Evidence, 1. of the Goodneſs of His Cauſe, 2. of the Greatneſs of his Courage, 3. of the Clearneſs of his Conſcience: (2) After his Apology, (which was full of Wiſdom, and of the Holy Ghoſt) in every Diſtinct Anſwer, and wherein he cuts them to the Heart by telling them, their Killing Chriſt made them Worſe than their fore-Fathers, who onelyonly had Killed his Prophets, and that they were Subſtantial about Circumſtantials given only by Moſes, but Circumſtantial about thoſe Subſtantials given of God (himſelf) by the Diſpoſition of Angels; Hereupon they in a furious Out-rage Stone Steven, who then had his 2d Vindication, to wit, (1) a clear Viſion of Heaven through a great Showr of Stones, and (2) of his Dear Redeemer in a Standing Poſture, as if Rouzed up from his Sitting on the Throne at the Right Hand of His Father, and juſt ready to Revenge the Injury done to his Servant; yea, p. 384and (3) Steven Dyes Dignifi'd with a Double Honour, (1) in his place, as Proto-Martyr, ſtanding firſt in the Catalogue of all thoſe that wore the Crown of Martyrdom, He was the Prince and Bel-weather of the Flock that went to Heaven by that Bloody way in Goſpel-times: (2) In his Prayer, the prevalency whereof might Contribute much to Pauls Converſion, in as much as Sauls Sin (in Conſenting to Stevens Death) was not laid to his Charge for his Utter Confuſion; However this was Honourable at his Death, He ſtood, while he pray'd for himſelf, this ſhew'd the Greatneſs of his Piety; but he Kneel'd down when he Pray'd for his Enemies, no leſs will ſerve for the greatneſs of their Impiety; he is more concern'd for their Riot than for his own Ruine. The Devils 4th. Aſſault was in the great Perſecution that followed Stevens Death, which the people quietly ſuffered: and as ſoon as Satan and his Savage Inſtruments ſaw the Silence and Tameneſs of the Multitude, which had Hitherto Awed them from executing all Extremities: The Fear of the People (ſo oft expreſſed) being now evidently Allay'd, they fall foul (not upon the Apoſtles onelyonly, as before, but) upon the whole Church, Act. 8. 1. ſo that they were all Scatter'd abroad; and Satan had Saul, a fit Tool to effect this by, who (1) was Conſenting to Stevens Death; ☞ 'tis all one to hold the Sack, and to fill it; to do evil, or p. 385to conſent to it: a mind to do evil is ſin in the Seed, which time and warm Temptation may bring forth to Fruit, Jam. 1. 14, 15. there is Heart-Adultery, Matth. 5. 28. and Heart-Murder, Matth. 5. 22. Joh. 8. 44. Thus the Curſed Jews became Guilty of all the Bloodſhed from Abel to Chriſt▪ by their Allowance and Conſent, Matth. 23. 35. So Saul (Allowing of Stevens Death) made himſelf guilty of it by his Allowance: and that which is more, (according to the Syriack reading) he was both Deſirous of it before, and Delighted in it after: (2) This ſame Saul was Schollar to Gamaliel, Act. 22. 3. Preſident of the Sanhedrim) and likely the more Active in Dancing after the Devils Pipe upon that account; for his Maſter Gamaliel (notwithſtanding his plauſible Speech by which he diſmiſſed both the Aſſembly (the Accuſers) and the Apoſtles (the Accuſed) Act. 5. 34, to 41.) Lived and Dyed a downright Phariſee, and publiſhed that peſtilent Prayer, (call'd, the Prayer againſt Chriſtians) which he commanded to be conſtantly ſaid in their Synagogues, wherein they Curſe the Goſpel and the Profeſſors of it: No doubt but the Tutors Prayer prick'd on the Pupils Principles to Perſecution: Yea, and (3) This Pupil became a notable Proficient in this proud Phariſees School, as we have an Account both from Gods Mouth and his own; (1. From Gods Mouth, Act. 8. 3. Saul made p. 386Havock of the Church, being (as ſome think) that Ravening Wolf of the Tribe of Benjamin, Prophecyed of by the Patriarch Jacob, Gen. 49. 27. never any Benjamite Ravened more in Wolfiſh Worrying. Cruelty than this Saul (of the Tribe of Benjamin, Phil. 3. 5.) did, who brake into Chriſtians Houſes, Dragg'd out Men and Women (ſparing no Sex) to Priſon, (2.) out of his own Mouth, Act. 22. 3, 4, 19, 20. I was (ſaith he of himſelf) Metubak or Diſciple to Gamaliel, and aptly learnt from his form of Prayer, [Maledic Domine Nazaraeis] to Curſe Chriſtians [Nazarites, Hereticks, Baſtard-Gentiles,] in my Dayly Devotion, and I was Zealous to practice (as well as to Pray) againſt them, yea, my blind Zeal (which was no better than Mettal in a Blind Horſe, than Fire on the Chimney-top, than the Devil in the Demoniack, that threw him ſometimes into the Fire, and ſometimes into the Water) ſo Tranſported me into Malice and Madneſs, that I was as Violent againſt Chriſtians as the worſt of you are and Act. 2…. 9, 11. I being (ſaith he) exceedingly mad, perſecuted them to Death, and (which was worſe) I compelled them (by Cruelties) to Blaſpheme. Thus Saul was fit enough to be Satans prime and principal Agent in his Perſecuting-Work; and thus far the Devil had a fair Game before him, when the Church (the firſt Gospel-Church) was Diſperſed by his Deviliſh Inſtruments; yet behold, the Lord p. 387looks on, and laughs, yea, laughs all to nothing: God overſhoots the Devil in his own Bow here alſo, and makes Satan (himſelf) break his own Deſign. * God would never ſuffer Evil to be, or the Devil to do evil, unleſs he knew how to extract Good out of that Evil: * Mark the marvellous Miracle of Gods mercy to Conſound the Devils Device in thoſe particulars. (1.) Satan (with all his Savage Sanhedrims) could not yet Scratch Chriſts Apoſtles out of their Manſions; 'tis ſaid expreſly, the Twelve ſtayed by it at Jeruſalem, as in the Furnace, to Cheriſh and Comfort the Church there in ſo ſad a time, while Saul was makeing ſuch Havock of it. Act. 8. 1, 3. Chriſt had commanded them firſt to Preach the Goſpel at Jeruſalem, Luk. 24. 47. there the Church muſt ſucceed the Synagogue, as the Goſpel follow'd the Law, and there God marvelouſly maintain'd the Twelve Apoſtles in Safety, even among the midſt of their moſt peſtilential Enemies. (2.) The 120 Miniſters mention'd, Act. 1. 15. (more noble than thoſe 120 Princes ſet over 120 Provinces, Dan. 6. 1. being of a more Noble Extract, as Heaven-Born, and of a more Noble Employ, as all Deſigned to the Miniſtry, and ſo became Princes of the Provinces of that Univerſal Kingdom of the Goſpel) were indeed all Diſperſed, ſaving their Lives (which Steven had loſt) by Flight, yet they Preach all along in all places where they p. 388were ſcattered, the Disperſed Disperſeth the Light of the Goſpel every where; and whereas before they were like Candles tyed up in a Pound, and gave no light, now they are ſcatter'd one from another, and one is lighted up in one place, and another in another, ſo gave they ſaving Light to a Dark World in Deſpight, yea, and by the Spight of the Prince of Darkneſs, for that Scattering Perſecution, which the Devil contriv'd on purpoſe to ſmother the Goſpel, God over-rules, and makes Uſe of that very Means to ſpread it the more. (3.) Hereby alſo the partition-Wall was broken down betwixt Jew and Gentile, Eph. 2. 14. Chriſt had forbid them (before) of going into the way of the Gentiles, Matth. 10. 5, 6. and he bid them flee to other Cities when Perſecuted, v. 23. This they do now, Act. 8. 4. being driven from Jeruſalem, they carry the Goſpel to the Gentiles, which redounded to the Churches great Advantage. Eccleſia Augetur, quant… Magis Premitur. The Church like Iſrael in Egypt, the more they were Moleſted, the more they Multiplyed, Exod. 1. 12. The Church is like the Sea, what Ground it loſeth in one place, it getteth and gaineth in another: and thus hath oft God order'd it, Ʋnius Eccleſia Deſtructio, ceu potiùs, Disperſio, Multarum fuit Aedificatio, The Deſtruction or rather Diſperſion of one Church, hath been the Aedification of many, as this at Jeruſalem was. (4.) Hereby likewiſe p. 389Satan maketh the Jews to convey the Goſpel among the Samaritans, who (of all People under Heaven) were moſt Odious to them, Ioh. 4. 9. and 8. 48. The Iews Hated them, becauſe Sanballat (ſaith Ioſephus) had open'd a Sanctuary in Samaria for all Renegado-Jews, &c. Hence they call'd Chriſt (the worſt word in their minds and mouths) a Samaritan; yet could they not have ſent to this People (whom they ſo much Abhorred) a better Bleſſing than the Goſpel, thither they Drove Phillip the Deacon, (and one of the 120) who Induſtriouſly Preach'd Chriſt unto them, Act. 8. 5. This Corrupt City, and long bewitched by the Sorceries of Simon Magus, (yet having never blown upon the Gospel, as the Iews had done) Unanimouſly Attend and readily Receive it: And there was great Joy in that City Samaria, v. 8. while nothing but Rage againſt the Goſpel was found among the High-Prieſts and great Councils at Ieruſalem: Herein the Deſpiſed Samaria exceeded and excell'd that (once Holy) City Ieruſalem. (5.) By this means laſtly Satans chief Engineer (Simon Magus) was quite Caſhier'd; for though this Conjurer had a long time bewitched the People, carrying them out of themſelves, (as foreign ſigniſies) making them Adore him as a God, Act. 8. 9, 10, 11. Yet ſuch was the power of God in Phillips Miniſtry, that it breaks through all thoſe Difficulties, and both the Seduced and the Seducer p. 390are gained over to it, v. 12, 14. yea, and this Magus or Maſter of the Magicians, Simon ſo far ſubmitted unto Peters reproof, that he begs Peters Prayers for the pardon of his Sin, leaſt he ſhould be ſmitten with Death (as Ananias was) by him. The Devils (5th.) Aſſault againſt the Church was in this Ravening Wolf, (Saul aforeſaid, not below his Name-ſake King-Saul in Rage and Malice, though he was in Honour) who like a tyred Wolf well-weary'd with Worrying Chriſts Flock in their Golden-Fleeces, lies down panting for Breath, Saul yet Breathing, Act. 9. 1. but in as much as he Breathed out Threatnings and Slaughter, &c. it ſhews the Vehemently Flameing Heat of his Helliſhly Enraged Heart, who like a Bruitiſh Blood-Hound, being Blooded in the Butcher'd Body of Steven, &c. he purſueth after others with utmoſt Out-rage, and when he cannot Glut himſelf with Blood enough at Ieruſalem, He gets Letters-Patents from the High-Prieſt to range abroad and to worry Chriſts Lambs at Damaſcus, v. 2. The going out of the Goſpel from Ieruſalem to the Gentiles, makes Satan Mad, Satan makes Saul Mad; Hereupon he Rides or Runs Poſt after it, to reclaim and Suppreſs it: thus far the Devils Bowl runs well, but now it meets with a Rubb that caſts it quite out of the way, and that which was moſt Vexatious, this Rubb falls out, when the Bowl was well nigh got home to the Jack, even p. 391when Saul was come neer to Damaſcus, Act. 9. 3. Damaſcus (the chief City of Syria) or Dameſec, (ſignifying, a Bagg of Blood, ſo called, becauſe there ('tis ſuppoſed) Cain Murdered Abel) was Diſtant from Ieruſalem 160 miles, or Six Days Journey, Saul was ſuffer'd by his Saviour to become an Apparitor or Inquiſitor againſt private Meetings of Hereticks, (Chriſtians ſo called) this was more than a bare Baſe Informer; he muſt get a full Commiſſion for doing much Miſchief by Authority, he muſt Travel without Diſturbance Five Days Journey, and be alſo towards the end of his 6th. even neer Damaſcus, and not one Rub or Remora (we read of) doth he meet with in all this Wicked Work and Wretched Way; and it may be eaſily Imagined, what Bloody Thoughts this Blood-Hound (Saul) had Suggeſted into his Miſchievous mind by Satan all the way as he went: Oh how did he Hope to Pepper the poor Chriſtians with a full Execution of his Barbarous Deſigns? Oh how was he Delighted to eſpy on the Road his Dear Damaſcus, (where his Deſign lay) when he came neer to it, and ſo neer as to behold it? no doubt, but he meant to fill that Bag of Blood (as Damaſcus ſignifies) with a great deal more of the Blood of many Righteous Abels, and he Reſolv'd to do ſomething in order hereunto before he ſlept that 6th. Night; but Behold! in the midſt of all thoſe his Murdering p. 392Imaginations and Helliſh Machinations, Chriſt meets him, and Ʋnhorſt him or Knock'd him down with a Thunder-Bolt, or Flaſh of Lightning, when almoſt at his Journeys end, there he ſtumbl'd upon that ſtumbling-Stone, (the Rock of Ages, as well as of Offence) and falls to the Earth, Act. 9. 3, 4. and 'tis a Wonder he brake not all his Bones, and that his Breath was not beaten out of his Body, yea, that his Carcaſs was not hung up in Gibbets, (as a publick Warning to all Bloody Perſecutors) that the Churches of Chriſt might have the more Reſt and Respite thereby: No, Chriſts thoughts are not as ours; 'tis True, Chriſts Throws and Blows with his Heavy Hand are Deadly to effect the aforeſaid, and his Anger is Deſtructive to ſuch as will not Kiſs him with a Kiſs of Subjection, he ſaith, a little of his Wrath will make them Periſh in the midſt of their way, of their Plots, and of their Lives, Pſa. 2. 12. yet lo, together with the Beams of his Glory, Chriſt here ſhews the Bowels of his pitty: though now he be in Heaven in a Glorified Eſtate, yet hath he ſtill his Heart as kindly affected to Sinners as when he was upon Earth; though he hath chang'd his Honour, yet not his Nature, he is as kind and loving as ever, yea more, for it is Glorifi'd Love that is now in Chriſt, though he now be free from Paſſion, (as foreign, or uncapable of Suffering) yet not at all from Compaſſion: ſtill hath He a kind of p. 393Feeling, as well as Fellow-Feeling, in thoſe Words, Saul, Saul, why Perſecuteſt thou me? Act. 9. 4. the Head of the Church (Chriſt) feels himſelf Wounded in his Members (the Saints) Chriſt liveth in them, Gal. 2. 20. their Reproaches are his, Hebr. 13. 13. and their ſufferings are his, Col. 1. 24. Saul Hearing from this Compaſſionate Chriſt, that he was but kicking againſt the Pricks, v. 5. that is, In his mad marching to Damaſcus, he was but Hurting himſelf, in Hurting the Saints, he Truckles and becomes (of a mad Bull of Baſhan) Tractable to Chriſts Yoke: * Oh matchleſs Mercy in Chriſt, thus to make of a Worrying Wolf, ſuch a Bleſſed Shepheard of his Flock of Sheep, Then had the Churches Reſt, &c. v. 31. when the Wolf was chang'd into a Lamb, yea, into a Paſtor or Feeder and Defender of the Lambs of Chriſt. ☞ God hath ſtill this way open whereby to give Reſt to his Afflicted Chruches, He can Convert as well as Confound the worſt of their Perſecutors: 'Tis plain here, Satan loſt and Chriſt gain'd the Game. Satans (6th) Aſſault was upon Saul (himſelf) when converted into Paul, [ſo call'd foreign a Ceſſando] becauſe Chriſt cauſed the Flame of Hell-Fire to Ceaſe in him; no ſooner was the Fire of Hell cauſed to ceaſe in Saul, and he become Paul, but preſently the Fire of Hell from Satan began to flame out againſt him, Tempora Mutantur, etiam & perſona, &c. p. 394Now Satans principal Aſſaulter of the Church, is become the principal Aſſaulted by Satan in the Church: now Satans prime Apoſtle, or (as the Word ſignifies) Meſſenger, (with his Credentials and Plenipotentiary Letters-Pattents from the Soveraign Sanhredrim) for perſecuting the Church, becomes a prime Apoſtle of Chriſt (with all Apoſtolical Qualifications thereunto) for the preſerving and protecting of the Church; this makes the Devil mad againſt him, and not onelyonly to hinder him at every turn in his Work, (as himſelf ſayeth) 1 Theſſ. 2. 18. but alſo doth his Utmoſt not onelyonly to Hurt him, yea, and to Hand him out of the way by ſome of thoſe often Perils he brought him into, 2 Cor. 11. 14, 24, to 30. Paul Deſcribes his Perils and Paſſions both by Sea and Land, by Forraigners and Domeſticks (all Satans Inſtruments) in a Golden Flood of Eloquence; to which Demoſthenes is but Dull: yet here again the Devil was Defeated in this Deſign alſo by a marvelous Hand of God: for (1.) Paul (after he had been ſtruck Blind with the Lightning, and was led Blind into Damaſcus, (which he would ſo gladly have ſeen and been at for perſecuting the Chriſtians) to ſhew him he was but Blind in that Rage againſt them, and after he had Afflicted his Soul in Faſting Three Days, and receiving his Sight both of Soul and Body by his Rapture into Heaven, as ſome ſay, 2 Cor. 12. 2.) becometh p. 395Inſatiabilis Chriſti Concionator, an Unwearyed Preacher of Chriſt, Act. 9. 20, 22. both there and in Arabia, Gal. 1. 17, 18. God Chain'd up Satan for Three Y. ſo that he could not Act any Violence againſt Paul all that time, God gave him [foreign] ſufficient (or ſo many) Days, Act. 9. 23. or Three Y. ſo long a time to Settle, e're he call'd him to Suffer; the good Husbandman turns not the cruſhing Wheel upon his (tender) Cummin, nor his (hard) Flail upon his (ſoft) Fitches, Iſa. 28. 26. when Paul was well confirmed in the Faith, then the Devil hath leave to ſtirr up Layers in Wait againſt him, but God both Diſcover'd it, and (by an Honeſt ſhift) Diſappointed it, Act. 9. 23, 24, and 2 Cor. 11. 32. (2) God delivers him his Danger from the Graecians or Heleniſts, (Stephens great Adverſaries, Act. 6. 1, 9. with whom then Saul was a Collegiate and Companion) who, now looking upon Paul as an Apoſtate, by turning Chriſtian, ſought his Death, as he (with them) had ſought Stevens, and the more Zealous he was now againſt them, the more Enraged they are againſt him, (more than againſt Peter, James, &c. in Jeruſalem) and is forced by them to flye to Tarſus for his Life, Act. 9. 29, 30. (3) From thoſe of Iconium, where the Malignant Jews Incenſed the Ignorant Gentiles to Stone him for cutting the City into Contrary Factions, Act. 14. 1, 6. (4) From thoſe at Lyſtra, whether he ſled, and p. 396where he Heal'd the born Cripple, for which they firſt Deifi'd him, (a wile of the Devil, tempting him to accept of Divine Honour) which Device being diſowned, then Satan ſtirrs them up to Stone him, ſo that he was Stoned unto Death, as to appearance; yet by a Divine Miracle he Revived for further Work, Act. 14. 8, 10, 12, 14, 20. (5) God Delivers him alſo from the Danger he was in by thoſe at Philippi, (for caſting out a Divining Spirit out of a Gainful Damoſel, for which he was both Whipp'd and Impriſon'd) both by an Earthquake, and by the Converſion of his Goaler, Act. 16. 12, 18, 20, 23, 26, 30. 34. (6) So likewiſe he was ſaved from the Uproar at Theſſalonica, Act. 17. 1, 5. made by the Raſcality of the City, which purſued him to Berea, (where he found Nobler Auditors, v. 11.) and Drove him thence. (7) He was alſo Deliver'd from Demetrius and his Silver-Smiths (that made Shrines for Diana) at Epheſus, by the Wiſdom of the Town-Clark, Act. 19. 23, 28, 35, 39. (8) From thoſe Beaſts he found and Fought with, (as at Epheſus, 1 Cor. 15. 32. ſo) at Jeruſalem, where Beaſtly Men laid hold of him, and would have Kill'd him, but the Chief Captain Reſcued him from them, Act. 21▪ 27, 31. Thoſe Aſian-Jews were Satans Blood-Hounds, Chaſing Paul from Aſia Hither. (9) From thoſe Forty Bloody Butchers that would have pull'd Paul in pieces, binding themſelves p. 397under a Curſe, that they would neither Eat nor Drink till they had Kill'd him. God Defeats the Plot (1. by caſting a Bone of Diſſention 'twixt the Phariſees and Sadducees, Act. 23. 7, 8. (2. by the Captains Reſcuing him again, v. 9, 10. (3. by ſending a Guard with him to Ceſarea; as the firſt was a Godly Policy in Paul to Divide his Enemies, ſo the Two laſt were Effects of Gods great Power and Providence in making Heathen-Captains to become Pauls Patrons, v. 13, 15, 23, 33. (10) God ſaves him (1) from their Wiles, Act. 25. 3, 4. (2) from Shipwrack, Act. 27. 44. (3) from the Viper, Act. 28. 5. (4) from Nero the Lyon, 2 Tim. 4. 17. at Rome he Preached Two Y. and Converted ſome of Nero's Houſe, and from thence Wrote Epiſtles to Confirm the Churches to the End of the World.

Satans (7th.) Aſſault was againſt Peter, the firſt of the Apoſtles, againſt one of the Prime Pillars of the Church, which the Devil had oft been ſhaking to throw it down, ſeeing the Goſpel of the Circumciſion was committed to him, as that of the Uncircumciſion was to Paul, Gal. 2. 7, 9. both being Equal in Office and Dignity; God giving them alike Succeſs both to Jews and Gentiles, v. 8. 1 Cor. 9. 1, 23. and 2 Cor. 13. 4, 5. This the Romaniſts do Deny, though more Failings be Recorded in Scripture of Peter, than of any other Apoſtle whatſoever, Matth. 16. 23. Gal. 2. 14. Matth. 26. 70, 72, 74. p. 398and Joh. 21. 17, &c. Yet this Peter, or Cephas, was a great Eye-ſore to Satan, being always a ſtout Stickler, and a Couragious Champion for Chriſt, therefore doth he Deſire leave to put Peter into his Sieve of Temptation, and therein by toſſing him too and fro to make Chaffe of him, Luk. 22. 31. but the Devil was Deceived and Diſappointed in all his Toſſings and Temptings of Peter, by the Prayer of Chriſt, v. 32 and by the Power of God: as (1) no ſooner had Chriſt given Peter the Keys of the Church, (as he did alſo to all the other Apoſtles, Matth. 10. 2. and 20. 24. and 18. 18. and Joh. 20. 23. making them All the Stewards of His Houſe, 1 Cor. 4. 1. Iſa. 22. 22.) Matth. 16. 19. but immediately Satan tempts Peter to become as Satan himſelf, to wit, an Hinderer of Redemption-Work, v. 22, 23. no doubt but Peter had a good meaning in his taking Chriſt by the Hand and leading him aſide, (as we do an Intimate Friend for imparting ſome Secret to him) and in his ſaying to him, [Maſter, ſpare thy ſelf, &c.] Rebuking him for his careleſneſs of himſelf, (being ſtill ſtrongly prepoſſeſſed with a fond Conceit of an Earthly Kingdom) yet (to Humble him under that Honour put upon Peter, v. 17, 18, 19.) he is call'd a Devil for his Raſh Incogitancy and Arrogancy, as well as Judas is for his Malicious Obſtinacy, Joh. 6. 70. He was the Devils Inſtrument in Diſwading Chriſt from Dying p. 399for his Church, and ſo became an Offence to him: Notwithſtanding all this, Chriſt graciouſly brings Peter off out of Satans Sieve, Teaching him his proper place of following his Lord as a Diſciple, and not to Run before him as a Teacher, all along, v. 23, to 26. and alſo taking him to his Tranſfiguration, Mat. 17. 1. as one of his beſt Beloved, and 26. 37. (2) When this brave Champion (who out of a prepoſterous Zeal could cut off Malchus's Ear with his Sword, that he might ſtand to his Maſter according to his Word) and ſtout Stickler, ſtood at the Door and by the Fire, yet was Daunted by a ſilly Damoſel, Joh. 18. 16, 18, 25. Matth. 26. 69, 70. to Deny his Lord Three times, and that with Swearing and Curſing himſelf, v. 72. 74. notwithſtanding all, Chriſt had a Look of Love to melt Peters Hardened-Heart, Luk. 22. 61. he had a Plaiſter Prepared before the Wound was Received, v. 32. and he had an Hand to ſave ſinking Peter, Mat. 14. 30. Now when he was like to Shipwrack Faith and a good Conſcience, and when Satan had like to have made Chaffe of him (indeed) in his Sieve of Temptation; through Gods Helping-Hand he comes out good Corn; and when Converted, he Strengthens his Brethren by his Two notable Epiſtles. (3.) When Satan ſought to Kill him (after he had been a Marvelous Inſtrument in long promoting the Goſpel) by his Vaſſal Herod, (as Bloody as the 1ſt, Herod, p. 400that would have been a Chriſt-Killer, and as the 2d. that was John Baptiſts-Killer) this Herod-Agrippa was a James-Killer, Act. 12. 2. and according to the Old Trick of all Tyrants, willing to Curry Favour with the Wicked, by Shedding the Blood of the Godly, he Attempts to be a Peter-Killer alſo, v. 3. but Deferrs his Execution (God over-ruling his Bloody Intention by his own fond Superſtition) out of Reverence to the Paſſeover, while he had none at all to Gods Sixth Command, [Thou ſhalt do no Murder,] In the mean time, the Church was hard at Work in Earneſt and Ʋnceſſant Prayer, v. 5. This ſet the Prayer-Hearing God at Work, (yet not till Peter was at the Pits-brink, v. 6.) He ſends his Angel, Awakes Peter, (who had caſt himſelf into Gods Arms in his Sleep) ſtrikes off his Chains, opens the Iron-Gates, conveys him out in Deſpight of his Guards, Peter lives to do the Church much Service, and ſoon after the Tyrant Dyes of a Lowzy Diſeaſe by the Churches-Prayer, ver. 7, 8, 10, 21, 23. to which Peters Releaſe, (who was Return'd to them in their very Work) and Herods Dreadful Deſtruction, (in the midſt of his Glittering Glory) was a Signal Anſwer.