The first tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente

The .viii. Chapter.

[ The texte.] Saule consented vnto his death. And at that tyme, there was a great persecuciō against the congregacion, whiche was at Ierusalem. And they wer all scattered abrode throw∣out the regions of Iewry and Samaria. But deuout persons dressed Steuen and made greate lamentacion ouer hym. As for Saul, he made hauocke of the congregacion & en∣tred into euery house, & drewe out both men and women, & thrust theim into prison. Ther∣fore, they that were scattered abrode, went euerye where, preachyng the woorde of God.

SOme there were emong that multitude, whiche were not than perswaded that Iesus was the sonne of God: and so by meane of suche ignoraunce, their offence was the lesse, thoughe it ex∣cused them not of murther, forasmuche as they, beyng so blin∣ded of their owne inordinate desyres, had leauer auenge, then learne the trueth. Yet of all other, none were lesse to be hol∣den excused, than the byshoppes, scribes and phariseis. Sum agayne there were whiche of very ignoraunce, not of any malice, beleued that it was a plea∣sant sacrifice to god, to dispatche the worlde of them, whiche went aboute to subuert the lawe that god had left to man. Albeit charitie of the gospell excu∣seth, yea those thinges, whiche cannot be with man excused. Amongest those that of plaine ignoraunce did amysse, and of no maliciouse mynde, Saule was accompted one: who was borne in the Isle Tarsus, a young man, fauo∣ryng Moyses lawe excedyngly, whiche afterwarde became of a rauenynge woulfe, a meke lambe, of a cruel persecutor of Christes gospell, and egre de∣fender of the lybertye therof. But stones verely cast he none that tyme at Steuen,* 1.1 but was assentyng to them, that had condemned and stoned hym, and for this purpose kepte he their garmentes, that he myghte be accoun∣ted one amongest the rest of them that stoned him. And yet were not the maly∣ciouse Iewes quieted in their mindes, with the murther of this one person but a wonderful great persecution begūne sone after to ryse against y^e church of Christ, whiche than was at Hierusalem, in somuche as all they were scate∣red into sondry coastes of Iudea, and Samaria, sauyng the twelue apostles whiche were more constante in mynde, and stedfast, than other were: neyther coulde the maliciouse Iewes ought do agaynst them, no more coulde they a∣gaynst the other, but vpon Iesus the lordes sufferaunce. The lorde had per∣mytted them in tyme of persecucion, to flye from citie to citie. And this theyr fliyng proceded not so muche of anye feare the disciples were in, as it came of the wil and ordinaunce of god, that of their teachinges, as it were of seedes cast in many places abrode, a plentifull haruest myght the soner cum forth, in Christes religion. The twelue apostles and no moo, like faithfull shepherdes, shranke not awaye for all the great storme, but abode styll by it at Hierusalē. But sum well dysposed persones, because they perceiued Steuen vnworthely oppressed by subornate witnesse, caused the dead body to be buried. Of suche a godly loue or affecciō was Ioseph moued, and Nycodemus, to prouide dy∣ligently for the lorde Iesus funeralles: but Steuens death was celebrate af∣ter the Iewishe facion or maner, with weapynge and wailynge of good men.

For Christen people taketh the death of suche that dye for Christes glory, to their great Ioye and comforte,* 1.2 and as it were for the victorie of goddes ene∣myes: and yf there be any teares shedde, it is not for his sake that is dead, but eyther for suche manquellers that purchaseth them selues helle, either els for Christes flocke beyng destitute of a necessary shepherd. In these daies Saul, whiche had before declared at the stoning of Steuē sum tryal of his zeale, be∣gan of a great displeasure y^t he had conceyued against the Christiās, lyke an hungry woulfe, that teareth in peces, & scattereth abrode a flocke of shepe, euē so to wast goddes congregacion, pursuynge them that fledde, searching them oute that lay hid, walkynge about to euery house, and wher he thought any to be of Christes professiō, furiously there russhed he in haling men and lyke∣wyse women into prison, more cruell (the trueth to say) then were the priestes & Scribes, of the which none at al put womē to any trouble or busines. This did that yong man of a good zeale, but of a noughty iudgemēt. And therfore kepte the lord his cruelle and rageyng minde within such limites, that it was not polluted w^t any murther. Whiles this persecucion was a doinge at Hie∣rusalē, suche as were disparsed, though that feare draue them far of, from one place to another, yet ceassed not to blase abrode Iesus of Nazareth: & in theyr walking al aboute Iudea, sowed here & there, as thei went, the seade of y^e gos∣pell, for y^• which selfe same purpose, y^e lorde had suffered thē so to be scattered.

[ The texte.] ¶Than came Philip into a citie of Samaria, and preached Christe vnto them. And the people gaue hede vnto those thinges which Philip spake, with one accorde, hearing and seyng the miracles, whiche he did. For vncleane spirites criyng with a loude voice, came out of many that wer possessed of them. And many taken with palsyes, and many that halted, wer healed. And there was great ioye in the citie.

Emong whome was also Philip, one of the seuen deacons, in ordre nexte vnto Steuen. This Philip being far driuen from Hierusalē, went down into a citie of Samaria, which self same citie is called Sebast. And thither like∣wyse had cum before, a certaine fame of Iesus name of Nazareth, of whome Philip preached dyuers other thinges that were not there spoken of before, as how he was crucyfied, and had rysen the thyrde day after, to lyfe agayne: and furthermore whan he had been couersaūt the space of four••y dayes with his disciples, ascended into heauen, and howe he had from thence sente downe to his disciples the holy ghost, and that all that woulde from thenceforth be∣leue in his name, should haue prouided for them euen at hande, their salua∣ciō. The vulgar people among the Samarites (for of al other those did moste alwaies profit by hearyng the gospell) gaue good hede all with one accorde, to Philippes wordes. For that tale, that promysed all men saluacion, was wel worthy to be fauoured, and more then that, the miracles which were not a∣few in number, wrought by Philip, affirmed his woordes to be trew. For de∣uilles out of many, whiche wer possessed of vncleane spirites, euen at hys in∣uocacion of Iesus name, went forthe with a loude crye, declaryng that they went not forth willyngly, but that they wer enforced by vertue of that health∣ful name. Yea and that was more to meruaile at, many that wer taken with the palsye, and diuers other that were lame, recouered health. For these causes the whole citye in eache degre and state, was wonderfully glad. The farther that they went from Hierusalem, and the nearer as their accesse was vnto the

heathen, the more encrease came of the gospell that they had sowen. Beholde howe much profited the Iewes cruelty, Philip of a deacō, became an apostle, and for a fewe Hierosolomytes, whiche refused theyr teachinges, whole cities gladly receyued the doctrine of the gospell. But the churche feleth greatter dāmage at their handes, whiche beynge in themselues corrupted, taketh part with the churche, then she doeth by them, that openly persecuteth her. And of this, example is here declared vs, that we shoulde take the better hede therby, of suche wolfes, that are wrapped in shepe skynnes.

[ The texte.] But there was a certaine man called Symon, whiche before tyme in thesame citie vsed witchecrafte, and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he was a man y^t coulde do great thinges. Whom they regarded, f••om ••he least to y^e greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, whiche is called great. And him they set muche by, because y^• of long ••yme he had bewitched thē with sorceries. But as sone as they gaue credēce to Philip∣pes preaching, of the kingdome of God, and of y^• name of Iesu Christ, they were bapti∣sed, both m•••• & womē. Than Simon himselfe beleued also. And whā he was baptised, he cōtinued with Philip, & wondred, beholdyng the miracles & signes, which wer shewed.

A man there was amonge the Samarites, called Symon, a deceyuer of the people, and a practiser of delusions and inchauntemētes, who, before that Philip came thither, practised in that citie, magikes arte, & by his counterfeyt miracles, & monstreouse thinges against nature, had he made the Samarites fonde on hym and folyshe, who were besydes of their owne selues, supersti∣ciouse, & much enclined to deuilysh enchauntemētes. By meanes of such false∣hode and deceyte, auaunted he him selfe before the simple and plaine people▪ whiche were lyghtly perswaded to supersticion, bostynge that he was an ex∣cellent Prophete, vnto whom al the Samarites frō the highest to the lowest, gaue good hede. But nothing had he done in Iesus name, and therfore they, as people astonyed at suche monstruouse sightes,* 1.3 whiche he eyther fayned by crafte of iuglyng, eyther els broughte to passe by helpe of deuylles, sayd: this felowe is goddes owne right hande whiche is called mighty. Many a day had he bene with them, and long had he made them with his sorcery to dote vpon him, and therfore whan he had once gottē hymselfe a name with thē of great estimacion, many one beleued him in all that he taught. But after he percei∣ued Philip able to worke miracles in dede, & that more spedely then he coulde dooe, and also more surely at thinuocacion of Iesus name, and the Samari∣tes quite fallen frō him to Philippes beliefe, who brought thē a gladsom mes∣s••ge of y^e kingdō of god, & of Iesus Christes name, not bragging of himselfe, as Simon dyd, but settyng forth Christes glory w^t miracles right famously, and promysyng eternall saluacion to all, that after baptisme once receyued, woulde professe that name, and sawe many one as well men as women receiue baptisme: at the last Symon also himselfe receiued Christes faith, and whan he was baptised,* 1.4 begon to be of Philippes parte, more for ambiciō and desyre of worldly prayse and vaine glory, then for any loue he bare to Iesus. For as he was perfytlye sene in all artes magicall, so sawe he nothyng done by Phi∣lip, thorough suche maner falsehede and deceyte, wherefore whan he behelde sum miracles set furth by him, whiche were of no small weight and valoure, (as be al welnyghe that enchaunters worke, as to make a dragon flyghe, or a strawe crepe,) but deuils to be caste out of a man with a worde, and men that were taken with a palsey to be deliuered therof at a word, he maruayled much

therat, as a man greatly astonied by what feate subtilitie, or by what power might suche thinges be brought to passe.

[ The texte.] ¶Whan the Apostles whiche were at Ierusalem, heard saye that Samary had receiued the worde of God, they sent vnto thē Peter and Iohn. Which whā they wer cum, praied for them, that thei might receiue the holy gost. For as yet he was cum on none of t••ē, but they were baptised onely in the name of Christ Iesu. Thā ••ayed they their hādes on the, and they receyued the holy goost.

But whan thapostles whiche than were at Ierusalem, had hearde tidinges how the Samarites, a sorte of carnall people, and thesame not clene voy•• of idolatrie, had louingly receyued at Philippes preaching the worde of god, they wer right glad, and sent to them Peter and Iohn, the chiefe of all thapo∣stles, to ratifye that, and set it well finished, whiche Philip had begon. These two being sent to ratifye that was begon, whan they had learned at their cū∣ming thyther, howe Philip had christened many one, gaue thankes to God. Philip, and those that were with him, made peticion to the apostles in theyr behalfe whiche were christened, that they might receiue the holy ghost, & that suche that were clensed than by baptisme of all their sinnes might receyue the gifte of god also more largely, lyke as they had doen, whiche being altogether in a highe parlour, first before all other, receyued y^e holy ghost. For as yet was not the holy ghost cum vpon any of them, sauyng that they wer onely christe∣ned in Iesus the lordes name. This authoritie to baptise, had the deacons ge∣uen them, but to laye hande vpon the baptised, wherby was geuen the holye ghost, was reserued vnto thapostles alone, and their successours. Thapostles than, as sone as they were desyred, layde theyr handes vpon them, and they forthwith in a visible token, receyued the holy ghost which endowed their spi∣rites with liuely strength like vnto the fyre, and enriched their tounges with an heauenly eloquence.

[ The texte.] Whan Symon sawe that thorough laying on of the apostles handes, the holy ghost was geuen, he offered them money, saying▪ geue me also this power, y^t on whome soeuer I put the handes, he may receiue the holy ghost. But Peter sayde vnto him: thy money perishe with the because, y^• hast thought, y^t the gift of God may be obteined with money. Thou haste neither parte nor felowship in this busines. For thy herte is not right in the sight of God. Repent therfore of this thy wickednes, & pray God, y^t the thought of thine herte may be forgeuē the. For I perceiue y^t y^e art ful of bitter galle, & wrapped in iniquitie

Whan Symon the very same that was be••um of a wicked enchaunter, no better a christen man then he was an enchaunter▪ perceyued that thapostles by laying their handes vpon them that wer baptised, gaue an heauenly gyfte, bicause he would wante nothing that might a••aunce himselfe, and his owne commodities, profered them money, saying: geue me this power also and au∣thoritie, that whomsoeuer I lay my handes vpon, maye receyue y^e holy ghost. This deuilish inchaunter thought that money might with all sortes of men, bring euery thing to passe, beyng not to learne that who looketh for gaynes, must be at sum expenses: his mynde was to bye and sell for gaynes.

And here eftsones was an other springe of no litle myschefe in the churche. Ananias and Saphira were punished for their dissimulacion. And so was this an example to be repelled forthwith very sharply, whiche, yf it had ben receyued, shoulde haue vtterly subuerted all synceritie of Christes religion. Peter therefore declaryng to all other, what bysshoppes ought to do against

Symons disciples and folowers, made aunswere in this maner: It were better that this thy money that thou goest aboute to corrupte other with, were at the deuyll, and thou together with all, whiche art now becum of thine owne sekyng for, y^e most wretched vnthryfte of all other lyuing, for as muche as thou thinkest that the gyft of god (which like as he of his bountiful good∣nes geueth to vs freely,* 1.5 so woulde he that we shoulde freely departe with the same to other) maye be bought for money. Thou canste be here no partener of any benefyte, nor haue any thing to do with vs in this oure office of prea∣ching, or geuing the holy ghost, whiche we of a playne and a sincere minde to godward, haue taken in hand. For though thy bodye be dipped in water, yet art thou for all that, vncleane herein before god. But yf thou continue styl in this thy noughtye and deceitfull mynde,* 1.6 nothyng shall thy baptisme auayle the. Wherfore than be sorye for this thy noughty purpose, & aske god forgeue∣nes, if thou maye in any wyse cum by forgeuenes of so outragious a crime, whiche thoughe it was not already in acte perfourmed, yet so haddest thou purposed it in mynde, that the leauing of it vndone, was not longe of the, and an yll example, of all other most daungerous brought in therby amonge the faythful of Christes congregaciō. God putteth suche in commission to dispēce the giftes of his most gentle spirite, whiche be of a pure and sincere herte. I see plainly that thou art of no cleane conscience, but infected with poisonful couetice and ambicion, and tyed by meanes therof, with the bondes of sin. For the releasement wherof, pray thou must vnto god with weaping teares, that the great vengeaunce of his wrath, whiche thou hast through so haynous an acte prouoked, may not light vpon the.

[ The texte.] ¶Than aunswered Symon, and sayde: praye ye to the lorde for me, that none of these thinges whiche ye haue spoken, fall on me. And they, whan thei had testified, & preached the worde of God, returned toward Ierusalem, and preached the ghospel in many cities of the Samaritanes.

Than Symon beyng more afrayed of goddes punishment, then he was for his euyll doyng penitent,* 1.7 saide to Peter: dooe ye rather pray to the lord for me, that none suche mischiefe as ye haue rehearsed, betyde me. Here thou seest, Theophilus, twoo Simons compared together: in thone is declared, what we ought to flye fro: in thother, what is for vs to folow. After that Peter than & Iohn had well approued by their authoritie, and made vp all perfyte Phi∣lippes preaching at Samaria, and had taught many thynges whiche they themselues had learned of their mayster Iesus, they came backe againe vnto Ierusalem, and by the way, preached the ghospell to many vilages and small townes of the Samarites, alwayes in hāde with that, that their maister com∣maunded them to dooe.

[ The texte.] ¶The angell of the lorde spake vnto Philip, saying: aryse, and go toward the south vnto the waye that goeth doune from Ierusalem vnto the citie of Gaza, whiche is in the desert. And he arose and went on. And beholde, a man of Ethiopia, a Chamberlaine, & of great authoritie with Landace quene of y^e Ethiopians, and had the rule of all her ••••••a∣soure, came to Ierusalem to worship. And as he was in his repayre home again, syttyng in his chariot, he read Esai the Prophete.

Philip who was muche desirous that the ghospell might cum forwarde, mette with an other praye. For good men be seldome withoute occasion to do

good. For an angell of the lorde priuely warned hym, and sayde: aryse & take thy Iorney sowthward, and kepe the high waye that leadeth from Ierusalem vnto Gaza, I meane olde Gaza, where no man nowe dwelleth, nigh vnto the sea. Philip was ready at thangelles commaundement, and set forthe on hys way, as a man might perceyue in him a chearefull courage, mete for a byshop to haue, as ofte as nede shall require to allure any to the gospell. But like as the setter furth of enterludes appointeth time for his players to come and goe, euen so doeth here the angell moderate the settyng out of these two persons and their meting. For at y^e same tyme, as god would haue it, a certaine gelded man, being a Chamberlayne, toke his iourney: a person halfe maymed, in that he lacked his stones, by reason wherof he was not a perfecte man of body, but right wyse for all that, and of a man••y stomacke: an Ethiopian borne, blacke skynned,* 1.8 but one that shoulde sone after be clothed with a garment of a lābes flece, immaculate, as white as snowe, and chaunge his naturall complexion in the fonte of baptisme, a head officer to Candace quene of Ethiope, whom she had made her high treasurer. Here speake we of a sorte of people delicatly brought vp by reason of theyr excesse and superfluitie, which are well worthy to be in subiection to a woman. Riches is the norisher of all superfluitie. This man of a deuout mynde, had taken his iourney towardes Ierusalem. For the temple there was of so great renowme, that diuers nacions, yea oute of far countreyes, came, and brought with them sundry gyftes. In consideracion whereof, the priestes had muche dysdaine and hatred at them, that sayd this temple should be once distroyed. This chamberlayne meaned well and godly, but fowle was he deceyued to seke in the Iewes temple for religion, whence it was euen than all ready to depart vnto the heathen. And as he was in his repayre homewarde, sitting in his chariot, he mispent not the tyme in fables, or elles in slepe, but for the loue that he had to religion, was in readyng Esaye the prophete, declaring to vs where we ought to seke for Christe. For in tem∣ples is not he hydden, but in bokes of holy scripture.

[ The texte.] ¶Then the spirite sayde vnto Philip: go neare, and ioyne thy selfe to yonder charet. And Philip came to hym, & heard hym read the prophe•• Esaye, and sayde: vnderstandest thou what thou readest? And he sayde: how can I, excepte I had a guyde? And he desired Philip, that he would come vp, & sytte by him. The ••enour of the scripture that he read, was this: He was led as a shepe to be slayne: & like a lambe dumme before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth. Because of his humblenes, he was not estemed. But who shal declare his generacion? for his lyfe is taken from y^e yearth. The Chāberlaine aunswered and said: I praye the of whō speaketh y^e prophet this? of himselfe, or of some other man?

Whan Philip had here in his waye, mette with him, the angell warned hym againe priuely, and sayde: go to, and approche thou neare vnto this cha∣ret. Whan Philip had made good spede thyther, he heard the Chamberlaine readyng Esay the prophete, and streyght therupon perceyuyng his good zele, and endeauour vnto religion, sayde to him: vnderstandest thou what thou rea∣dest? Than answered he: howe should I vnderstand, a man as I am geuen wholy vnto temporall busines, excepte I had one to expounde to me the secret sence and meaning of the prophete? And with that desired Philip, y^e he would step into the chariote, and sit by hym, that they might the more commodiously talke togyther. Up went Philip and sat by the Chamberlayne. Marke me how well doth Philip here resemble a trewe preacher of the gospell, and howe

plainly in this chamberlayne, is suche Heathen people described, as couet to knowe Christe. There must nedes be wonderfull great encrease of all godly∣nes, where the one hasteth in muche desyre to teache, the other hartely biddeth hym to his compaynie, desirous to learne. Here was nothing done by chaūce, god did set al in rule and ordre. For this chāberlaine happened for his parte, vnawares, vpon that place of the prophete, whiche described Iesus Christ.

This was the place of Esay: he was led as a shepe to be slayne, and as a lambe helde he his peace before the person that clyppe•• hym, and not once o∣pened his lyppes. Because of his humblenes he was not estemed. Who shall declare his generation? For his lyfe is taken away from the earth. This texte of Esaye, whan Philip had repeated to hym, the chamberlayne was more en∣flamed with ardēt affeccion to knowe whome the prophete spake of, and sayd: of whō I praye the, speaketh the prophete these wordes, of himselfe, or of sum other? See how apte this chamberlaine was to learne. He had heard that E∣saye himselfe was cut in pieces at commaundement of kyng Manasses, with a wodden sawe, and ignoraunt was he not, that prophecies laye sumtymes after suche sorte of doubtefull, that what seamed to be spoken of this person or that, after the historical sence, oftentymes myght after a more priuey or mi∣sticall sence, pertayne to another. But easye is it to teache that person, whiche in suche wyse demaundeth.

[ The texte.] ¶Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached vnto him Iesus. And as they went on their waye, they came vnto a certain water, and the Chāber∣laine said: see, here is water, what doth let me to be baptised? Philip said vnto him: yf y^e beleue with all thyne her••e, thou mayest. And he aunswered, and sayd: I beleue y^• Iesus Christe is the sonne of God. And he commaunded the charet to stand styll. And thei went downe bothe into the water, both Philip & also the Chamberlaine, and he baptised him: And as sone as they were come ou•• of the water, y^e spirit of y^e lorde caught away Philip, and the chamberlayne saw him no more. And he wente on his way reioisyng: but Philip was found at Azorus. And he walked thorow oute the coūtrey preaching in al the cities, tyll he came to Lesa••ea.

Than Philip, as one that was ready with ryght good wil to teache, ope∣ned his lyppes, and begynnyng at this place of the prophete, expounded to hym briefly the principall poyntes of the gospell, that is to saye, that this per∣son, whom the prophete spake of, was the sonne of god▪ throughe whome god had decreed, and by his prophetes promysed, frely to saue all that woulde put theyr truste in him, and that he woulde for this cause haue hym to be borne a∣gaine very man of the virgin Mary. And where the one natiuitie and eke the other can not be in worde expressed, whether it be his eternall generaciō of his father, whiche from euer was withoute circumscripcion of tyme, or that he once had of the virgin, by the holy ghostes handyworke without mānes help, takyng so vpō hym mannes nature, that he departed neuer from his godhed, the prophete Esay seing this in spirite, and muche astoyned therat, sayde: who shall be able to declare at lengthe his generacion? Furthermore that he was the trewe paschall lambe, for whose deathes sake, his father had appoynted to delyuer, not onely the Israelytes, but al other nacions also, from bondage of synne, and from death euerlastyng.

And therfore delyuered he hym into the handes of the priestes, scribes, pha∣riseis, and head men amōg the people, who brought him afterward vnto Pi∣late, beyng than iudge and liutenaunt of the prouince, to thentent he mighte

be crucified. And for as muche as his wyll was to dye for oure sakes, no aun∣swer made he before him for his releasement, but as he had bene a shepe, suf∣fred paciētly al their mockes, and al their punishementes. But there hid he the puissaunce of his diuine power, and submitted himselfe for mans sake, to the lowest degree of humilitie. The Iewes supposyng verely that he was none other thing at all than he seemed to be, condemned hym, and putte hym to death. This is it vndoubtedly that the prophete speaketh of: In his humble∣nes is his iudgement exalted. An innocent is to death condemned, whiche shall cum once agayne on hyghe, and surmountyng all other, and shall iudge the quicke and the dead. But god the father hath called his sonne backe to lyfe againe the thirde daye. After what tyme of his resurreccion, was he the space of fowertie dayes conuersaunt on yearth, bothe seen often, and felte of his disciples corporally, and than finally in syght of them all, lyfte vp he was into heauen. And the tenth daye after his ascencion, sent he downe from hea∣uen the holy ghoste, who in suche wyse enspired the apostles hertes and their toungues also, that they myghte without all feare, publyshe vnto all people through out the world, Iesus of Nazareth, for the chiefe authour and foun∣••ayne of lyfe, and health euerlastyng, not by any helpe of Moses lawe, but by faythe and baptisme. Of all these poyntes rehearsed, none there is, that Mo∣ses law hath not in figures sygnified,* 1.9 that the prophetes haue not before spo∣ken of, yea that Iesus hymselfe hath not taught and promised. The chamber∣layne, whiles that Philip was declaryng to hym these poyntes of the gospel, with other many mo, was ware by chaunce, of a litle spring of water, fast by the waye, and sayde vnto Philip, why prolong we so great and weyghtye a matter? See where water is at hande. Thou hast nowe enformed me, and I am all ready. What shall let, but that I maye forthwith be christened? Than aunswered Philip: there is no let at all, yf thou stedfastly beleue, and kepe w^t all thy herte, those thinges whiche I haue taught the. This promyse alone is made at baptisme. Than aunswered the chamberlaine right gladly: I be∣leue that Iesus is the very same Christ, whō the prophetes hath promysed, & I beleue that he is the sonne of god, for whose sake, al men haue profered thē, health euerlastyng. Philip caused the chariot furthwith to stand styll. It was a noble carriage, richely garnished, & semely for hym that was an head officer to a barbarous quene. But downe alowe muste he come, that shall be founde mete for baptysme, and strip himselfe naked of all garmentes. Bothe wente down into the water, and there Philip christened the chamberlayne, a poore man, the riche, a simple and an abiect, the puyssaūt and mightie, a man in him∣selfe right perfect of all his lymmes, the vnperfect that lacked parte of his mē∣bres, a Iewe, the Ethiopian. So litle regarde here was had to mannes per∣sonage. There is no disagreaunce where is faith in Iesus Christe, and con∣sent of mynde together in one accorde.* 1.10 After baptisme, there was neyther chā∣berlayne, nor Ethiopian, but a newe creature. And as for Philip, as soone as he was come out of the water, an aungel of the lord toke him away, and more of him saw not this chamberlaine, neyther after desyred he to haue his tea∣ching, being once inspired with the holy ghost in baptisme: but as one righte glad at the hert, that he had learned Christes fayth, made an ende of his iour∣ney, that he might at home likewyse publishe the name of Christe among his countrey men of Ethiop. Fynally the aungell set Philip downe in the nexte

citie called Azotus, whence he came: and takyng thence his iourney, in euery place, where village or towne did lye in his waye, he preached the gospell, vn∣tyll, he came vnto Cesarea, a citie in Palestine, where his dwellynge was.

Notes

• * 1.1

  And at that time there was a great persecucion against the cōgregacion whiche was at Ierusalē.
• * 1.2

  As for Saul he made ha∣uocke of the congregacy∣on. &c.
• * 1.3

  But as sone as they gaue credit to Philip∣pes. &c.
• * 1.4

  They were baptised bothe men & women. &c.
• * 1.5

  The herte •• is not right in the sight of god.
• * 1.6

  Repēt ther∣fore of this thy wicked∣nes. &c.
• * 1.7

  Praye ye to the lorde for me, y^t none of these thī∣ges. &c.
• * 1.8

  And behold a man of E∣thiopia.
• * 1.9

  And as they went on their waye.
• * 1.10

  And assone as they w•••• cum oute of the water.