CHAP. XXVII.

ANd when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners, to one nam∣ed Julius, a Centurion of Augustus band. 2. And entering into a ship of Adramytrium, we lanched, meaning to fail by the coast of Asia, one Aristarhcus a Macedonian, of Thessa∣lonica, being with us. 3. And the next day we touched at Sidon and Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

3. Heathen Soldiers are lesse cruel than Jewish superstitious Priests and Hypocrites.

4. And when we had lanched from thence we sailed under Cyprus, because the windes were contrary. 5. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia & Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a citie of Lysia. 6. And there the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing Page  [unnumbered] into Italy, and he put us therein. 7. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cuidus, the wind, not suffering us, we sailed under Creet, over against Salmone. 8. And hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the fair havens, nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Note, God caused these difficulties to manifest his merciful Providence.

9. Now when much time was spent: and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. 10. And said unto them, Sirs, I per∣ceive that this voyage, will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

9. At the time of the Jews yearly Fast of Expiation which was in part of our October, sailing used to be very dangerous on those Seas.

11. Nevertheless, the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more then those things which were spoken by Paul 12. And because the Haven was not commo∣dious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter, which is an Haven of Creet, and lieth toward the South-west, and North-west.

12. Note, Phaenice a Haven-Town is described to distinguish it from the Country called Phaenice.

13. And when the South-wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose loosing thence they sailed close by Creet. 14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestu∣ous wind, called Euroclydon. 15. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up in∣to the wind, we let her drive. 16. And runing under a certain Island which is called Clauda we had much work to come by the boat? 17. Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under girding the ship, and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18. And being exceed∣ingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship 19. And the third day we cast out with our own hands the takling of the ship.

Note. They cast away all to save themselves: All that a man hath will he give for his life. And yet the ungodly sell their souls for nothing.

20. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then ta∣ken away.

20. All hope that could be grounded on visible pro∣bability.

21. But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkned unto me, and not have loosed from Creet, and to have gained this harm and losse.

21. To have escaped this loss.

22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no losse of any mans life among you, but of the ship. 23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve 24. Saying, Fear not Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

23. Note, 1. God useth his Angel for the safety and comfort of his Servants. 2. Paul mentioneth God in his Relations to us. 1. He is our Owner, whose we are: 2. Our Ruler [whom we serve] and its implyed, Our Father, and Protector, In whom we trust.

3. Many bad Men fare the better, for one good Man that is among them.

25. Wherefore Sirs, be of good chear: for I beleeve God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain Island.

25. I trust my God and would have you trust him.

27. But when the fourteenth Night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria about midnight, the shipmen deemed that they drew neer to some country. 28. And sounded, and found it twentie fathoms, and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29. Then fearing least we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four ancres out of the stern, and wished for the day.

29. They stopt the Ship and durst go on further.

30. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea: under colour as though they would cast Anchors out of the foreship. 31. Paul said to the Centurion and to the soul∣diers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

30. Note, God that decreed that they should not Page  [unnumbered] perish, decreed also that the skilful Seamen should abide in the Ship▪ Means and End are in the same decree.

32. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off; 33. And while the day was coming on Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the four∣teenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34. wherefore I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

33. Note, Not that they had eat nothing in four∣teen days: But say some Expositors, no set meal, or so little as was next to nothing; But others more pro∣bably say [you have eaten nothing all this (one) day, expecting the fourteenth day as Critical.

35. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

35. Note, If those in England that scorn at open Thansgiving to God even at Noble Tables and great Feasts, (and think it deserveth a Prison for more than four to be present at such a Religious Exercise) had been in this Ship, or in Jonas's fear might have taught them better.

36. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37. And we were in all in the ship, two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

37. Note, And though Paul Preacht to them, the honest Heathens accused him not for a Conventicle; what shall we think the Priests would have done had they been now among them.

38. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

38. Note, Even future provision is cast away to save life at present. That is a duty in such a case of neces∣sity; which in other cases would have been a great sin.

39. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a cer∣tain Creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40. And when they had taken up the ancres, they committed themselves unto the Sea, and loosed the Rudder bands, and and hoysed up the main sail to the wind, and made toward the shore. 41. And saling into a place where two Seas meet, they ran the ship a ground, and the fore-part stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

39. This was a shallow near a neck of Land called an Istmus where the Sea is on both sides it. The Mal∣thasses call it to this day St. Paul's Landing place.

42. And the Souldiers Council was to kill the Prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

42. Note, Lest they should have been punished for letting them escape, they would have killed them.

43. But the Centurion willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and command∣ed that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the Sea, and get to land. 44. And the rest, some on boards and some on broken pieces of the ship, and so it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land.

4. Note, God gave them their lives for a prey.