A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 2 · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII. Paul at Malta and Rome.
THIS Chapter Reſolves it ſelf into two general Heads, firſt Paul's abode at Malta. And ſecondly his paſſing on to Rome. In the firſt is Repreſented the Tranſactions of Paul in the Iſland Malta, which are three-fold, 1. His Entertainment there, both by the Inhabitants in general (both at his coming among them, verſe 2. and at his departing from them, verſe 10.) who ſhewed him, and his ſhip-wrack'd Companions, no ſmall kindneſs: And by Publius in ſpecial, the Governour of the Iſland, verſe 7. 2. His Eminent Danger of being ſtung to death by a Viper out of the Sticks laid on the fire to warm and dry them, verſe 3. Which venemous beaſt he ſhook from off his hand, without harm, into the fire, verſe 5. as the Danger made the people defective in their undervaluing the Apoſtle, verſe 4. So his deliverance from the danger tranſported them to become as much exceſſive in their over-valuing, Paul, verſe 6. Then, 3. The miraculous Cures Paul wrought there, both upon the Governour's Father, verſe 8. and upon many of the ſick people, v. 9, &c.
The 2d. general Head contains in it, (1ſt.) The Terminus a quo, or place from whence Paul went with the means of his departure, verſe 11. (2dly.) The places by which he went, namely, Syracuſe, verſe 12. and Puteolum, verſe 13. (3dly.) The Terminus ad quem, or place whither he went, namely, to Rome, verſe 14. N.B. Where we have recorded;
1ſt. His Entertainment there, which was courteous both from the Roman Brethren, who kindly met him upon the Road to Rome, verſe 15. and from the Roman Captain to whom he was committed, in whoſe eyes Paul found favour, ſo that he was a priſoner, and no priſoner, having much liberty, verſe 16. Tho' he was a priſoner long, verſe 30.
Then, 2dly. His Action there, 1. In Special, with the Jews, to the chief of whom, He Apologetically Declares his caſe, verſe 17, 18, 19, 20. They reſent his Apology, well, yet requeſt his larger Relation concerning that reproached Chriſtianity, ver. 21 22. This was done at the time and place appointed by the Chief of them to a greater Auditory of Jews, verſe 23. but with various effects, verſe 24, 29. ſome believing and others not. This gave occaſion to the Apoſtle to rebuke them ſharply for their affected ignorance, and to threaten them with utter rejection, verſe 25, 26, 27, 28. into whoſe ſtead (ſaith he) God would call in the Gentiles. Then, 2. In general, preaching to all Comers in his own hired houſe without diſturbance for two whole years even in Rome-Heathen, verſe 30.31.
Now follow the Remarks from theſe afore-ſaid, in order;
The first Remark is; What God doth truly fore-tell, ſhall Aſſuredly be fulfilled: God had foretold by Paul, that they ſhould, after ſhipwrack, be caſt upon a certain Iſland, Acts 27. v. 22.26. which was now fulfilled, Acts 28.1. being before by Paul given as a ſign unto the Ship men to evidence the truth of all he had told them, that when it came to paſs, they might be the more induced to believe the reſt of his Religious diſcourſe to them. N.B. And this effect it probably had upon them, that finding Paul's fore-tellings fulfilled (when caſt upon the Iſland) they ſaved him (who foretold of that truth from being killed by the Soldiers, Acts 27, 42. and the fulfilling hereof was a wonderful work of God, for it was the Seamens choice to fall in here, ſeeing, 1. The Ships eye (in that hideous ſtorm) could not face the wind (as foreign ſignifies) but they were forced to let her drive, and run a drift to the leeward whether the wind would drive her, Acts 27.15. And 2. 'Tis ſaid expreſly that when they were driven on ground, the Seamen knew not what land it was, verſe 39. nor where they were (probably wanting thoſe Sea charts, common now in Navigation) but God knew it and thus ordered it (for both winds and Seas obey him) to fulſil what Paul had fore-told.
The ſecond Remark is; The humanity of thoſe Heathens to thoſe who had ſuffered Shipwrack may riſe up in Judgment and condemn the inhumanity of many called Chriſtians toward ſuch under the ſame ſad circumſtances of loſing both Ship and Goods at Sea. How kind and courteous were thoſe Barbarous people (whom both the Graecians and the Romans ſcorned for their Rudeneſs and Barbarity) unto Paul and his Shipwrack'd company, here, verſe 2. In their Philanthropy (the word here uſed) or compaſſion unto Mankind in miſery, affording them all friendly Accommodations.
N.B. How far ſhort of this is the cuſtom even of Chriſtian Countries, where a Royalty is granted for Seiſure of all Shipwrack'd Goods that come to ſhore, and ſcarcely is a fire found to dry the cloths and warm the Bodies of the Seamen ſuſtaining all this loſs, yet ſaving their lives bp ſwiming to ſhore. This is not a remembring to entertain ſtrangers, &c. and to have a fellow-felling with thoſe in adverſity (putting their Souls in our Souls ſtead) Heb. 13.2, 3. James 2.16, &c. But 'tis rather an additional affliction to affliction. &c. Chriſtians ſhould be more aſhamed to come ſhort of thoſe Barbarians herein, than to imitate their merciful humanity: The Barbarous are Humane here, but the humane be now Barbarous.
The third Remark is; No ſooner hath one affliction paſſed over and is gone from God's Servants, but preſently another comes upon them with a freſh Aſſault, &c. Velut unda ſupervenit undae, as one wave of the ſea doth Immediately ſucceed another that is broken and ſpent. Thus was it here with this poor priſoner Paul, as if it had not been enough that he was carryed captive in chains (which could not but be very obnoxious to him in his ſhipwrack, having his right hand chained to the left hand of the ſoldier who was his Keeper) Acts 28.16, 20. but he muſt alſo ſwim to ſave his life upon ſome board of the broken Ship; And when he had eſcaped this Eminent danger, getting ſafe to ſhore, and kindling a fire to dry his Cloths and warm his Body, but immediately a Viper bolts out of the ſticks (which he laid upon the fire) and faſtened upon his hands, verſe 3. as that venemous Beaſt uſeth to do when it biteth: And 'tis a Creature ſo full of poiſon, that not only its biting, but alſo (ſome ſay) its very breath is mortal and deadly. N.B. As there was a natural cauſe of this Venemous Beaſt's bouncing out of the fire; For 'tis the Nature of thoſe cold Creatures, when being benummed with cold they lye without Motion, but this beaſt being now refreſhed with the warmth of the fire, began firſt to ſtir it ſelf, and then leaped forth, &c. So there might be alſo a preter-natural cauſe of the Viper's faſtening upon Paul's hands more than of any other of his companions, for no doubt but that old Serpent the Devil (whoſe deſign was to deſtroy Paul, who had already deſtroyed much of his Kingdom) muſt have an hand in this intended and expected miſchief. Thus, many are the troubles of the Righteous (which come like Job's Meſſengers, treading upon the heels one of another) yet this is their Comfort, The Lord delivers them from all, Pſal. 34.19.
The fourth Remark is; Great and Grievous dangers befall gracious Souls: So was this to Paul (as well as his Shipwrack;) If the nature of the Viper be conſidered, which ſome derive from Vivi pera becauſe contrary to the Nature of other Serpents (which all do only lay Eggs, as the Cockatrice, Iſa. 59.5, &c.) The Viper brings forth living Young ones: Others ſay this Serpent is call'd Vipera, quia Vi pariat, ſhe brings forth her young by force, for her young ones gnaw their paſſage through the Dam's ſides, ſo come forth with the Dam's deſtruction. And Galen telleth, that the Viper's Conception is conveyed by the mouth, at which Copulation the Female biteth off the head of the Male, and when her young come forth, they eat through her entrailes; and ſo ſhe periſheth alſo. N.B. Thus the young ones ſeem to revenge the death of their Sire (the Male) upon their Dam (the Female) As ſhe deſtroys him in Coitu or Copulation for their Conception, ſo they (too prepoſterous to ſtay their full time in the womb) deſtroy her in partu, or in the Birth, by breaking down the walls of their Mothers houſe to be gone before the due time for doing miſchief, which they begin at home againſt their own Mother, but do carry it on againſt all mankind they can come at in their way.
N.B. Heredotus excellently obſerveth, that the Vipers, thus deſtroying one another, was purpoſely ordered by the great God, leaſt thoſe Venemous Animals ſhould too much Multiply to the prejudice and damage of Mankind: Therefore we ſee, that all Beaſts and Birds of prey are comparatively Barren (bringing forth very few young ones) whereas thoſe that are prey'd upon are exceeding fruitful, leaſt the latter ſhould be deſtroyed by the former. Father Ambroſe, in his Hexameron, calls the Viper Nequiſſimum genus Beſtiae; A moſt poiſonful Deſtructive Creature. Therefore both John Baptist and our Dear Jeſus calls the curſed Phariſees [a generation of Vipers.] Matthew 3.7. and 12.34. and 23.33. As if worſe than the worſt ſort of Serpents, ſeeing they pretended to be better. Vipers Teeth are buried in their Gums, ſo that one would think they could not bite (thus it is with Hypocrites, &c.) Yet Pliny affirms [Viperarum Morſus ſunt Inſanabiles] their bitings are incurable. Lib. 11. Cap. 37. N.B. Mathiolus tells of a Country-man, whom he ſaw, who, in his mowing of a Meadow, happened to cut a Viper in two with his Sithe, and thinking ſhe had been quite dead, he takes up with his hand that part which had her head. But the inraged Beaſt ſhakes her head, and miſerably bites the Mower upon his hand, and then leaps up to his Mouth (as they commonly do) into which ſhe ſpewed out her poiſon, whereof the man immediately dyed.
N.B. And Hiſtorians Relate, in latter times, How the Tartors dip their Arrows in the Venom of Vipers mingled with Man's blood, whereby they became notoriouſly obnoxious and Mortal to the Chriſtians againſt whom they warred.
All this doth plainly demonſtrate how great was Paul's danger, when ſuch a miſchievous Beaſt faſten'd upon his hand: Yea thoſe very Barbarians, when they ſaw the Venemous Viper hang upon his hand, they were ſo apprehenſive of his danger, that they looked upon him little better than already a dead man (as thoſe Iſraelites ſtung with the Fiery SERPENTS in the Wilderneſs without the appointed Remedy preſently dyed) whom vengeance would not ſuffer to live any longer, verſe 4.
The fifth Remark is; As gracious Souls may meet with very great dangers, ſo the moſt great God doth moſt graciouſly grant them very great deliverances, as he did here to his gracious Apoſtle, not only from being drowned by the late Shipwrack, but alſo from being deſtroyed by this preſent Viper. N.B. The very light of Nature led thoſe Barbarians to ſome Right Sentiments concerning Divine Vengeance, eſpecially of God's Revenging the Sin of Murder, hence the Heathens call'd one of their Furies, Tiſiphon, which ſignifies, a Revenger of Murder: And they took Vengeance (call'd here foreign) the ſame with Nemeſis, to be a Goddeſs, the daughter of Jove (as Heſiod ſaid) that is, of Jehovah, and ſat upon his Throne, the ſeat of Juſtice, &c. Thoſe rude notions were found even in the fall…n Nature without the light of the holy Scripture, that notorious Miſcreants and Murderers (tho' they eſcape for a time) yet are liable to the heavy ſtroke of Divine vengeance, as thoſe Barbarians look'd upon Paul, as ſome Murderer (becauſe they ſaw him in chains) and now the Viper muſt diſpatch him in a way of Juſtice: N.B. All this ſhews that even blind Nature her ſelf will not be blinded nor blind-folded ſo far, as to a total expunging of that mighty Maxim out of man's mind, namely, that though wicked men may be as wicked as they will, and harden their own hearts for a time againſt all fear of puniſhment from a Sin-revenging God, yet vengeance will overtake them at laſt, therefore did thoſe Barbarians look when Paul ſhould have ſwollen with the Viper's venom, & fallen down dead among them, verſe 6. This their Expectation made the miracle of Paul's preſervation the more manifeſt: Tho' this people had ſome right (but ſtill rude) notions of Divine vengeance, yet were they under a three fold Miſtake, (1.) In confining the puniſhments of wicked men wholly to this Life. (2.) In judging of Mens ſtates by outward Events. And (3.) In being too haſly in cenſuring before they ſaw the final iſſue: Hereupon aroſe their raſh Judgment upon Paul, according to the common cuſtom of the world, which judge all that they ſee afflicted to be notoriouſly wicked.
N.B. But oh! How the God of Nature had chained up Nature, and muzzl'd up the mouth of this Venemous Beaſt from biting Paul, as God had done the Lions from devouring Daniel in the Den of Lions. Paul ſhakes the Viper off into the fire, from whence it came, without any harm, & was then burnt in it: When the Barbarians ſaw this Miraculous deliverance, then deem'd they him a God, whom they had deem'd a Devil.
The ſixth Remark is; The moſt wiſe God would never permit any evil to be, unleſs he knew how to produce ſome great good out of every evil. As here, this Viper came not by chance upon Paul's hand, but it was directed thither by a ſecret Divine Providence for making Paul (the poor contemptible Priſoner) ſtill more famous as a Prophet of God upon the Land, as before he had been upon the Sea, in foretelling what would befal them by that direful Storm. N.B. When all the ſpectators behold Paul ſhake the venemous Beaſt from off his hand into the fire, and that with ſo much confidence, and without the leaſt detriment, they muſt rationally be very much moved with Admiraration, obſerving how the natural property of that venemous Viper was ſo marvelouſly reſtrained, by an inviſible over-ruling power of God for Paul's preſervation. Hereby God magnified his Miniſter of the Goſpel, performing the promiſes (recorded Mark 16.18. and Luke 10.19. and Pſal. 91.13.) even according to the literal ſenſe of them. No Serpent could hurt him, becauſe (ſaith Oecumenius) ſin had not ſoftened his fleſh to make it penetrable to the Viper's teeth; or rather, becauſe Natural Agents cannot act or exert their Natural Powers without the concourſe and concurrence of ſupernatural Providence. And this new Miracle (in ſuſpending the Divine Concourſe) God was pleaſed to work both for the confirmation of Paul's Authority of a Prophet among his own ſhipwrack'd Companions, and alſo for the better preparation of thoſe poor Barbarians to receive the Goſpel by Paul's Preaching to them. N.B. Thus, as the skilful Apothecary doth make out of the Fleſh of this very venemous Beaſt (the Viper) that moſt wholſom Theriacle (which we for ſhortneſs call Treacle) ſo named from this very name [Therion] here, Acts 28.4. Even ſo, and much more than ſo doth the Lord here make this Soveraign Treacle aforeſaid, out of this very Viper which faſtened upon Paul's hands. If ſorry Man can extract an excellent Antidote out of the rankeſt Poiſon, how much more can the moſt wiſe God draw forth the greateſt good out of the greateſt evil? as he did out of the Fall of the firſt Adam, and out of the Death of the ſecond Adam, &c. If Man had not ſinned, God had not died, &c. N.B. And would to God we could learn to ſhake off Satan's Temptations from off our hearts (as Paul did this Viper from off his hands) never to return more; as is the common Opinion, that after this Miracle, this Malta was ever freed from all poyſonous Creatures, as is our Ireland, &c. No venemous Animal can live upon Iriſh Earth, or in Iriſh Air, &c. However, let us thus ſhake off all ſlanders caſt on us thus, or at leaſt make, Treacle, a good uſe of them.
The ſeventh Remark is; God will honour his Goſpel and the Miniſters of it in deſpite of evil men who deſpiſe both it and them. As God moved thoſe Barbarians to change their minds (when they ſaw Paul's firſt Miracle of ſhaking off the Viper without harm from her venom, which is alway deadly, eſpecially in thoſe Hot Countreys) and to repute him ſuch a God as Hercules was, who killed a Serpent in his Cradle, and whom the Inhabitants of this Malta worſhipp'd. N.B. Thus Paul had been Deified before for his Miracle of healing a Cripple, Acts 14.11. tho' there they ſoon changed their minds (quite contrary to thoſe here) in ſtoning him after for a Devil in the ſhape of a Man. Thoſe Iſlanders were of a better Behaviour (tho' Barbarians) toward him, which they largely teſtified at his farewel from them, verſe 10. as well as while he abode amongſt them for the three Winter Months in Malta, in which time and place he wrought more Miracles, and was honoured with more Honours, beſide, that Honour of the People, Publius (the publick Magiſtrate of Malta, ſet over the Iſland by the Romans) muſt honour Paul with Entertainment, and for his ſake all his ſhipwrack'd Companions; he thought it not below him, but rather an honour to himſelf, to treat a Reputed God, from whom he might expect (probably) ſome favour for his Aged Father, who was then grievouſly tormented with the Gripes, the Tormina, or Torture whereof had forced the Old Man into a Fever; therefore doth Publius not only prepare Room enough in his Pallace for harbouring Paul, and two hundred ſeventy ſix perſons with him (who all, even the Captain whoſe Priſoner he was, fared better for him) but he alſo brings Paul to pray for his ſick Father, who was (through God's hearing his prayer) perfectly cured thereby, verſe 7, 8. Nor was this all the Honour which God graced his Servant Paul with in, this ſecond Miracle alſo, but he muſt work more Miracles for the People, as well as for their Prince, in his Old Father, verſe 9.
The eighth Remark is; God's care and providence over his pious and painful Servants (in all places where they are ſcattered) is much to be admired. As here for Paul; God took care of him for his preſervation both by Sea and Land: He improved it accordingly, not in Idleneſs, but like a true Labourer in the Lord's Vineyard: He honours God, and God honours him, according to what God ſaid to Eli, 1 Sam. 2.30. N.B. No doubt but the Apoſtle was more grieved when thoſe Barbarians thought him a God, than when they thought him a Murderer (tho' their ignorant minds, through the corruption of Nature, hurried them from one Extreme into another in both thoſe Miſtakes) becauſe hereby God was Robbed of his Honour, while it was aſcribed to a Mortal Man, (which yet the Papiſts do practiſe) therefore when Paul viſits Publius's Father, he ſhews how he could do nothing of himſelf, but begs of God (who kills and makes alive, 1 Sam. 2.6.) for his Father's Recovery, which God graciouſly granted at Paul's prayer, &c. N.B. That Publius might be well Repaid for his Labour of love to Paul and his Companions, in not ſuffering them to lye in private Inns (where all Accommodations are coſtly, eſpecially to ſo vaſt a Company, who had all loſt their All, &c.) but making Proviſion for them all upon free coſt in his own publick Palace. N.B. Such and ſo eminent Hoſpitality in this Heathen to the Diſtreſſed, is rarely to be found among Chriſtians, tho' as great as he, yet ſcarce ſo good as he; therefore, God granted Paul's prayer for his Father, who was ſick of a Fever. Paul lays his hands upon the ſick and heals him. God rarely refuſeth to Reward thoſe that Relieve men (eſpecially his Saints) in …iſery, even in this World, beſides that Reverſion of Reward which he reſerveth for them in the World to come. Moreover, God by this means recommended the Miniſtry of Paul both to the very Souldiers (who would have kill'd him in the Shipwrack) and to Publius himſelf the Publick Governour of the Iſland, yea and to Publius's People alſo.
The ninth Remark is; Where God giveth his Goſpel to any Place or People, he commonly magnifieth it for its better acceptance, where it is given in mercy. 'Tis a wonder how both Prince and People here were prepared to receive the Goſpel from Paul's mouth. If the two former Miracles be not enough for that end, becauſe they were more private, yet out of the ſuperabundant Grace of God, they ſhall have more publick Miracles upon Publius's People, as well as upon his Old Father: The miraculous cure of whom (ſo ſuddenly, ſo ſafely, ſo ſweetly, [citò, tutò & jucundè] yet ſo perfectly, only with Prayer and Impoſition of hands) Fame ſoon ſpread it abroad far and near, eſpecially it being wrought upon their Governour's Father. Whereupon the Impotent Folk of the Iſland (all men naturally being careful for ſaving the Body, tho' careleſs for ſaving the Soul) reſort by ſholes to this wonderful Healer, and were healed, verſe 9. even at their Governour's houſe: By this time we may eaſily gueſs what a fair opportunity this Apostle had (whom Chriſt had made a Fiſher of Men) to ſpread the Net of the Goſpel over ſuch a multitude of Fiſhes (great and ſmall) who all offer'd themſelves freely to co… into it. N.B. As I cannot but imagine how the poor Sea-men and Souldiers did ſo…e themſelves in the midſt of their warm Proviſions through Publius's Hoſpitality, ſaying one to another, ['Tis good being here] far better we are now in the Governour's houſe, than when we lay floating and were forced by Shipwrack to ſwim for ſaving our lives in the Tempeſtuous Sea, &c. So likewiſe how thoſe perſons who had Diſeaſes and were healed here, did bleſs the Lord for their very Diſeaſes which had been made ſuch bleſſed occaſions of bringing them to the ſaying knowledge of God in Chriſt, whom Paul Preached to them, that their Souls might be healed as well as their B…: How did they cry out with God-bleſſing hearts one to another, Oh what aſtoniſhing mercy hath our former miſery handed in to us! Alas, had we not periſhed, or been nigh periſhing in our Bodies temporally, for any thing we know, we might all have periſhed both in our Souls and Bodies eternally. Thus the moſt wiſe God made all things work together for good, Rom. 8.28. That Paul ſhould ſuffer Shipwrack, that he ſhould be caſt upon this Iſland (where God had a great work for him to do, or he had never come thither) That a venemous Viper ſhould faſten upon Paul's hand; That the Governour's Father ſhould be ſick, and ſo many of the Inhabitants &c. All theſe had an happy concurrence to open an Effectual Doer for the Converſion of many; for they could not but be convinced univerſally that Paul muſt be a Miniſter of God, becauſe none could do ſuch Miracles as he did, unleſs God were with him; and indeed God ſo far magnified Paul's Miniſtry with his preſence in it while he laid himſelf forth labouring in the Lord's Vineyard during only thoſe three Winter Months of his ſtaying there, that he planted a Church of Chriſt in that Iſland, which became famous for its ſtedfaſtneſs in the Truth. The ſoundneſs of the foundation-ſtones of that Church appeared, inſomuch as thoſe new Converts loaded Paul's Ship with neceſſaries for their Voyage at their parting, which was a real fruit of their effectual Faith, verſe 10. tho' they ſaw not Paul ſhake off his own Chain (as he had done the Viper, by his gift of Miracles) for Paul was not the Author, but only the Miniſter of thoſe Miracles, acting where, when, how, and on whom the Spirit of God would have it done; and Miracles were not wrought ſo much for the eaſe of the Miniſters themſelves, as for the confirming their Miniſtry to others. Sometimes God ſaved them miraculouſly, as Acts 5.19. and 12.7. and ſometimes God left them in Bonds, when it would moſt advance the Goſpel, Phil. 1.12.
The tenth Remark is; A clear Call from God doth carry up God's Servants cleverly and chearfully through all Dangers and Difficulties; as it did Paul here, who had an extraordinary Revelation of his Witneſs-bearing at Rome, Acts 23.11. And tho' (as he ſaith) He was in perils often, in his Voyage and Journey thither, Paul muſt put forth to Sea again (as if he had not got enough of it in his late Shipwrack) and that in an Alexandrian Bottom (which had wintered in that Iſle according to the Cuſtom of laying up their Ships at the depth of Winter, Acts 27.12. which was now going to make a Trading Voyage, and (for better ſucceſs) whoſe ſign was Caſtor and Pollux, verſe 11, 12. N.B. Such was the Superſtition of thoſe ignorant Painims, that they conceited theſe Twins to be Sons of Jove, born of Leda, and that theſe two Deities had the command of Tempeſts, and the care of Mariners, and therefore they putting themſelves under their Patronage, could not but expect an happy Voyage. Yea Sea-men ſtill ſay, that if theſe two Stars (called Caſtor and Pollux, or Gemini) do not ariſe together in the Horizon, It preſages an approaching Storm; Sure I am our diviſions have done no leſs: But Paul knew of a better Pilot and Patron than the picture of thoſe two young men riding upon white horſes, having either of them a Javelin in his hand, and by him half an Egg and a Star, &c. He knew ſuch Heatheniſh folly would be ſo far from procuring favour (for better ſailing under this Pagan badge and patronage that they met with before they were caſt up at Malta) that it might provoke the great God of Heaven, Earth, and Sea to far worſe disfavour, yet his Divine warrant for his appearring at Rome bears him up above all diſcouragement.
N.B. The Ship ſails ſafely from Malta to Syracuſe (in Sicily) once famous for Archimedes's Engines for its defence againſt Marcellus the Roman Generals beſieging it: Where the Ship abode three days, to ſell ſome of her wares in her Trading Voyage: From thence ſhe paſſed to Rhegium in Italy (derived from foreign Rumpo becauſe Tradition telleth, that there the Sea in a ſtrong Tempeſt broke off Sicily from Italy, both which were before but one continent (as the like is related concerning France and England at Dover broke off from Calais in France) and from thence they paſſed to Puteoli (a Sea-Town not far from Naples) where they found ſome Chriſtians and abode with them ſeven days, verſe 12, 13, 14. Which ſhews, Chriſt confines not his Church to any one place, but had Chriſtians Scattered up and down both here (who requeſted Paul to ſpend one Chriſtian-Sabbath with them, that day being one of the ſeven) as well as at Rome, &c.
The eleventh Remark is; Oh! how powerful is God's providence in over-powering all paſſages concerning Paul here, that he paſſeth to Rome not like a Priſoner (as indeed he was, and in chains too,) but much more like a Triumpher, verſe 15. We read how the Roman Conquerers, when they returned to Rome (after their Conqueſts in Europe, Aſia & Africa, as the two Scipio's, Africanus & Aſiaticus, &c.) were alway met upon the Road thither by eminent Perſons to congratulate their great Victories &c. Accordingly was Paul met in his Road to Rome by Perſons more excellent than their Neighbours, Pr. 12.26. Even by Chriſtians whom they then called one another Brethren, an amicable & amiable title for the Brotherhood of Chriſt, who is call'd their elder brother. 'Tis a wonder how any Chriſtians could be found in Puteoli & in Rome it ſelf in Nero's Reign; but the wonder ceaſeth, if it be well conſidered, how it is expreſly mentioned that there were ſtrangers from Rome at Jeruſalem upon the day of Pentecoſt, when thoſe mighty miracles were wrought there, & then Acts 2.10 &c. And we may well ſuppoſe theſe ſame perſons became true converts at that time, who propogated the Goſpel in their Sphere, and whoſe hearts God now moved ſo, as not to be aſhamed of Paul's bonds, but to come forth from their homes to meet him, and to ſhew their reſpect to him as a priſoner of Jeſus Chriſt ſome of them coming as far as to Appij forum▪ about one and fifty miles, and others to the three Taberns upon the Road, about three and thirty miles from Rome, ſo that God ſtirred up friends to come (ſome one day's journey and ſome two) and to congratulate Paul's coming up to Rome, all whom, when Paul ſaw, he thanked God and took courage: as owning it an incouragement ſent from Heaven, and a token of good from God, for hereby they enjoyed the ſweet ſociety one of another for ſome ſpace together as they travelled along their way, which could not be but a rich refreſhment to Paul, who had deſired ſo much and ſo long to fee them, yea ſome friends he found even in Nero's Family, Phil. 1.13. and 4.22. So that Paul entred Rome more like a long look'd for Triumpher than a poor Priſoner.
The twelfth Remark is; The great, yet gracious, God deſpiſeth not his Priſoners, Pſ. 69.33. but looſeth them, Pſal. 146.7. Even thoſe that are Priſoners for Righteouſneſs ſake, 1. Pet. 4.14, 15, 16. As God was with Joſeph while a priſoner, and gave him favour in the eyes of Potiphar, Gen. 39.21. So he was no leſs with Paul a priſoner of Chriſt, giving him favour firſt in the eyes of Julius the Centurion, who brought him and the reſt of the priſoners from Judea, and who had been his faſt friend from their firſt ſeting forth, Acts 27.3. And ſo continued, even to the time of Paul's ſetling in Rome: and 'tis probable it was through the means of his Mediation, that the chief commander over the Judgment Hall (to whom priſoners of State were committed) did not commit Paul to the common Goal (where his righteous ſoul would have been continually vexed with the blaſphemy's of the Goal-birds, as Lot's had been with the Sodomites in Sodom, 2. Pet. 2.8.) but he obtained that favour, of Liberty to take private Lodgings by himſelf having only his keeper with him after the Roman manner, v. 16. N.B. and there was he kept under a reſtraintleſs reſtraint which favour God gave Paul for his comfort, and for the advancement of the Goſpel, for by this means he had an opportunity of going abroad at his pleaſure, &c. (tho' chained as v. 20.) & he might preach the Goſpel (which was not bound 2 Tim. 2.9.) in any place where a door was opened. As his chain was a long light, and therefore a more eaſy chain to bear, ſo his keeper (who bare one half of the burden of the chain) could not but become by this time very tractable and complying to Paul's counſel not only as one under irreſiſtable convictions of his priſoners Innocency, but alſo in the many Donatives and kind Treats he met with among well-wiſhers which might eaſily melt down and ſweeten all kind of Rigour, to his priſoner Paul.
The thirteenth Remark is; Goſpel-Miniſters ought as ſpeedily and as effectually, as they can to obviate thoſe objections, and to remove thoſe obſtructions, that may render their Miniſtry unacceptable and uſeleſs: Thus did bleſſed Paul here [after three days he ſends for the chief of the Jews &c.] ver. 17. He ſtates his caſe to them, that he might free himſelf from all ſiniſter ſuſpicion in them of him, as if he came thither to accuſe his country men (whereof, had he a mind, he wanted not matter.) no, his work was to vindicate the cauſe of Chriſt and his own Innocency with as little reflection upon the Jews as might be, tho' they had uſed all their Oratory and Intereſt againſt him both before Faelix and Feſtus, the former of which would have ſacrificed Paul to the malice of the Jews for regaining their favour whom he had notoriouſly incenſed againſt him, and the latter, Feſtus, with King Agrippa (both unbelievers, had Juſtified Paul, Acts 25, 26. yet becauſe Faelix had forced him (by his fawning upon the Jews for recovering their forfeited favour, &c.) to appeal unto Caeſar, they could not releaſe him concluding that what all Iſrael hoped for was the cauſe of his chain, v. 18, 19, 20. Thus he preſents the truth to them, well knowing, if they had a prejudice againſt his perſon they could never reliſh his Doctrine, no more will men, our Miniſtry, &c.
N.B. This fair, and full Apology of Paul not only ſtop'd the Mouths of thoſe chief Jews from cenſuring him, but alſo opened their mouths both to let him know that the High-Prieſt did not proſecute his perſecution at Rome (out of his Reach, and deſponding to prevail where a fair Tryal was like to be had) and likewiſe the Jews do requeſt him that a day might be appointed wherein not only themſelves, but alſo all the other Jews (of the inferior Rank) might hear him preach both for their own and all the others ſatisfaction, ſeeing Chriſtianity (which he profeſſed) was every where ſpoke againſt, verſe 21, 22. and Acts 24.5.14.
The fourteenth Remark is; The Goſpel, like the Seed in the Parable, Mat. 13.19, 20, &c. meeteth with various ſoils, ſo it did here, verſe 23, 24. The Meeting-place, wherein Paul preached, was his own private houſe, verſe 16, 30. and his publick exerciſe laſted from morning to evening, wherein he expounded the Scriptures, and undeniably proved out of Moſes and the Prophets, that Chriſt (whom the Jews had Crucified) was the true Meſſiah, and that they were not to look for another, but that the Kingdom of the Meſſiah (which God had promiſed, and all the prophets had predicted) was now come and already begun, all theſe his aſſertions he demonſtrated by ſuch Irrefragable and Cogent, yea by ſuch unanſwerable and pregnant, arguments, ſo that he prevailed, and perſuaded ſeveral of them to Believe, tho' others Believed not. N.B. Thus the word of God ſoftens ſome, and hardens others, it is therein like Moſes, who ſlew the Aegyptian, but ſaved the Iſraelite alive, as it is the ſavour of Death to ſome and the ſavour of Life to others. The ſame Ark of God, which bleſſed Obed Edom, became a Curſe to the Uncircumciſed Philistines. The ſame Sun which ſoftens Wax, doth harden Clay. And thus Paul (who laboured more abundantly than any Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.10.) found that true by ſmarting experience, which he Recordeth [All men have not Faith] 2 Theſſ. 3.2. and that [the word preached doth not profit, unleſs it be mixed with faith in them that hear it.] Heb. 4.2. Paul had frequent Tryal of this great truth, Acts 14.4. and 17.34 and 19.9. &c. Thoſe contrary effects of God's word upon Paul's Auditory made his Auditors [foreign] to ſound diſcords, verſe 25. A Metaphor from muſical Inſtruments, that hold no harmony by being out of tune, ſo theſe hearers jarred, the believers gain-ſayed the unbelievers, verſe 29. Defending Paul and his Goſpel. But the unbelievers were hardened in their obſtinacy, and the rather became Paul's Adverſaries.
The 15 Remark is; Obſtinate Auditors ought to be rebuked ſharply, which is Paul's own phraſe, Tit. 1.13. [foreign] Cuttingly, a Metaphor from Chirurgeons, who muſt not be Milch-hearted, but with a Lion's heart (yet with a Ladie's hand and an Eagle's eye) muſt pare away the dead fleſh, né pars Sincera trahatur: leaſt the ſound part be corrupted by it. Thus Paul doth here, like the good Samaritan. Pours in Wine to ſearch the wound as well as oil to ſupple it. When he ſaw here how the Jews Jarred, He ſpake one word more, in this his Farewel Sermon, verſe 25. but it was a terrible ſtinging word, ſuch as would ſtick in their Conſciences as the Invenom'd Arrows of the Almighty to all eternity. This Cutting and Killing word he quotes from, Iſa. 6.9. which the Authority of the Holy Ghoſt declared to be moſt certain, in its accompliſhed Judgment, 2 Pet. 1.21. Saying, verſe 26, 27. here, Go to this people, &c. Importing, that as their Fathers did hear and ſee the many prophecies concerning the Meſſiah and concerning their miſeries for rejecting him, but would not underſtand, nor believe them: So theſe their Childern inherited their Fathers ſins, and ſo ſhould alſo be heirs of their puniſhments. N.B. It was but the righteous Judgment of God to give them up to an heavy ear, to a blind eye and to a hoofy hardneſs of heart, becauſe they were wilfully ignorant, 2 Pet. 3.5. wittingly and willingly winking with their eyes (as the word [foreign] here ſignifies) ſhutting (as it were) their windows, leaſt the light ſhould come in to diſturb them in their Liberty of Sinning: Therefore God gave them up to ſtrong deluſions, and to believe lyes for their own deſtruction, 2 Theſſ. 2. v. 11, 12. And becauſe they had (in effect) ſaid unto God [depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledge of thy ways.] Job 21.14. Deus non deſerit, niſi Deſerentem, ſaith Auſtin, The Jews had forſaken God firſt, and then God did forſake them in withdrawing his gratuitous aſſiſtance from them: Therefore, ſaith Paul, verſe 28. God hath taken the word of Salvation from you, and hath ſent it to the Gentiles, who will imbraceingly receive what the Jews have ſo refractorily rejected. Thus the word that is intended to rouze up the Conſcience to a due conſideration of the error or evil reproved, ought to be duly warmed, and muſt tend to make the Phyſick work kindly towards their being truly and througly reclaimed: but thoſe ſtuborn Jews had ſore backs and therefore kicked at this warm word, as if it had been ſcalding hot, and being impatient of this wholeſome Reproof, and offended at the light of truth with their ſore eyes, They departed, v. 29. and turned to be Paul's Enemies, as Gal. 4 16.
The laſt Remark upon the laſt Chapter of the Acts is; That Rome-Heathen was leſs cruel, and more Courteous to the preachers of the Goſpel, than Rome-Antichriſtian hath been. This appeareth from the two laſt verſes, Acts 28.30, 31. Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired houſe, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the Kingdom of God, &c. with all confidence, no man forbidding him: From whence we may Note,
That,
Firſt, The things concerning the Kingdom of God, and Jeſus Chriſt, may lawfully be preached in private houſes. This was the practice of the Apoſtles in thoſe pure primitive times, as the Divine Record frequently relateth.
Secondly, Paul did not confine himſelf to preach to ſuch a certain Select number only, but ſet the doors of his hired houſe open to entertain all that would come, wherein he imitated the holy example of his Lord and Maſter, who profeſſeth this to be his practice [him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out.] John 6.37. Paul here ſtood not upon Number, no, nor upon Nation or Quality, he was God-like herein being no reſpecter of perſons, but whoever had hearts to hear, he preached Salvation to them, upon the Goſpel-condition of Faith and Holineſs, &c.
Thirdly, Nor would he be either Hector'd by threatnings, or allured by Flatteries, to lay down his miniſtry, and deſiſt from his preaching-work: No doubt, but his ſilence would have been his ſecurity, both againſt the malice of the adverſe Jews, and againſt the power of the Idolatrous Pagans; But a Neceſſity was laid upon him, and a wo unto him if he preached not the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 9.16. which himſelf denounced.
Fourthly, This he did alſo with all confidence, and with an undaunted Courage, for his love to Chriſt was ſomewhat like Chriſt's love to him, stronger than death, Cant. 8.6. As Chriſt had dyed for him, ſo was he ready to dye for Chriſt, Acts 21.13. and he was the more confident, becauſe none were found ſo fool-hardy to attempt the making him timerous and diffident, as followeth.
Fifthly, [no man forbidding him] not becauſe the Jews wanted malice or the Pagans power; but becauſe God, who ſetteth bounds to the raging Sea, Job 38.11. who ſuffered not a Dog to bark at Iſrael's coming ſo calmly out of inraged Aegypt, Exod. 11. v. 7. and who ſhut the Mouths of the hungry Lions that they hurt not Daniel▪ Dan. 6. v. 22. did deliver Paul both from Nero and from the Jews: So that it was then (even in Rome-Heathen) as impoſſible to hinder the progreſs of the Goſpel, as to ſtop the Sun from ſhining; or the Wind from blowing. Yet ſuch attempts are in Rome-Anti-chriſtian at this day. Wherein the contrary to all the afore-ſaid may eaſily be exemplified. Joſeph did indeed provide a Granary, or ſtore-houſe of Corn in every City and Village againſt the famine that lay on the Land of Aegypt. But popiſh Countries want ſuch a Joſeph: Publick Statutes are made to forbid Chriſtians of the Reformed Religion from having either publick or private places of meeting into worſhip God, and no man incouraging, contrary to this here; where there's no man forbiding