A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

CHAP. IX.

1. ANd Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus, to the* 1.1 synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.]

[Paraphrase] 1, 2. But the death of Stephen did not satiate the bloody mind that was in Saul, or al∣lay his zeal against Christi∣ans, but being very intent upon it, he came to the San∣hedrim at Jerusalem, and desired the high priest to give him letters of commission to the Consistories of other cities of Syria (as being under Jerusalem, the grand Metropolis of Syria, as well as Judaea) and his Commission was to impower him v. 14. to ••eize upon any Christians whatever, and secure them, and bring them up to Jerusalem to be judged by the Sanhe∣drim there.

3. And as he journeyed he came neer Damascus, and suddenly [there shined round about him a light from heaven.]

[Paraphrase] 3. a bright shining cloud (such as Mat. 17. 5.) en∣compassed him.

4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,] Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

[Paraphrase] 4. And it struck him with great terror, as at the presence of God, which he knew was wont thus to exhibit himself. This made him fall prostrate on his face, and as he did so, there came to his eares a clap of thunder, and out of that this speech directed to him,

5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [It is hard for thee [note a] to kick against the* 1.2 pricks.]

[Paraphrase] 5. It is thy best way to be obedient to the commands that shall now be given thee, and not to be refractary.

6. And he trembling and astonished, said, [Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe?] And the Lord said unto him, Arise and goe into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must doe.

[Paraphrase] 6. I am most ready to doe whatever thou commandest me, if thou wilt please to give me knowledge of thy will.

7. And the men which journeyed with him [stood speechlesse, [note b] † 1.3 hearing a voice, but seeing no man.]

[Paraphrase] 7. were so frighted with the thunderclap which they heard, (though they neither saw any man, nor heard what was said unto him) that they were not able to speak.

8. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he [saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.]

[Paraphrase] 8. was not able to see, ver. 9. but was saine to be led to Damascus.

9. And he was three daies without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.]

[Paraphrase] 9. And he was not in three daies recovered out of that fit, but continued blind, and able to eat nothing, in a kind of trance or extasie, ver. 12.

10. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord.

11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and goe into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; [for be∣hold, he prayeth,

12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.]

[Paraphrase] 11, 12. who having ear∣nestly pray'd that he may recover his sight, in his prayer hath been in an ex∣tasie, and therein had it re∣vealed to him, that one Ana∣nias should come in, and by bare laying hands on him, recover his sight.

13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.

14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that cal on thy name.]

[Paraphrase] 14. And now he is come with Commission from the Sanhedrim (see v. 2.) to secure all that publickly avow the worship of Christ, Act. 22. 16.

15. But the Lord said unto him, Goe thy way; for he is [a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before* 1.4 the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.]

[Paraphrase] 15. a prime speciall per∣son, whom as a most honou∣rable instrument, or piece of houshold-stuffe in my family, (the Church, which I am now to erect) I have set apart for my peculiar service, (see ch. 26. 17▪) viz. to preach the Gospel not onely to the Jewes, but the Gentiles also, the greatest and supreme among them.

16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my names sake.]

[Paraphrase] 16. And as fierce as he now appears against the Christian saith, he shall suffer very heavy pressures, run many hazards suddenly v. 23, and 29. and labour most abundantly, and at last suffer death it self in propugning of it, and this shall now be foretold him by thee.

17. And Ananias went his way, and entred into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul the Lord (even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way, as thou camest) hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Ghost.]

[Paraphrase] 17. And Ananias went to him, and laying his hands on him, told him that Jesus (that appeared to him as he came to Damascus) had sent him to him, not only to restore his sight to him, but to endow him with many extraordinary gifts and graces, thereby to fit him for Gods service in the Church, to which he had designed him, and to which he is consecrated, ch. 13. 2.

18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been skales, [and he re∣ceived sight forthwith, and arose and was baptized.]

[Paraphrase] 18. And he recovered his sight immediately, and was baptized.

19. And when he had received some meat, he was strengthned. Then was Saul certain daies with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.]

[Paraphrase] 19, 20. And taking food after his long fasting he soon recovered strength perfectly. Soon after this he went from Damascus into Arabia, Gal. 1. 17. (of which journey Luke, being not with him, makes no mention) and from thence returned again to Damascus, and having spent some time with those Jewish Christians which were driven from Jerusalem ch. 8. 1. to Damascus, by virtue of his call from heaven, and of Christs message by Ananias to him, ver. 15, 16 and being filled with the holy Ghost, ver. 17. he set presently about the preaching of the Gospel, and that publickly in the Jewish synagogues, and proclaimed that Christ was indeed the Messias, the eternall Son of God.

21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent,] that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

[Paraphrase] 21. And all that heard it were amazed at this sudden change, remembring that he had so lately been a speciall person in the stoning of Stephen, and very vehement against all Christians, and was come to Dama∣scus with commission for this very purpose.

22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jewes which dwelt at Damascus,† 1.5 [note c] proving that this is very Christ.]

[Paraphrase] 22. But Saul grew every day in spirituall strength, and was soon able to repell all the Jewes arguments to the contrary, and pressed them with such evidence that they were not able to avoid, collecting from the charac•••••• and prophecies of the Messias (and thereby demonstrating) that this Jesus is the Messias.

23. And after that many daies were fulfilled, the Jewes [took counsell to kill him.]

[Paraphrase] 23. had a designe, and en∣tred into a conspiracy, and laid wait to assault and kill him.

24. But their laying wait was known of Saul: and they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25. Then [the disciples] took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

[Paraphrase] 25. the Christians, see note on Mat. 5. a.

26. And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to joyne himself to the [disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.]

[Paraphrase] 26. Christians there, but they durst not venture to as∣sociate with him, not belie∣ving that he was a Christian.

27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had [preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.]

[Paraphrase] 27. openly, or in the as∣sembly v. 20. preached to the people (see note on Joh. 7. a.) the Gospel of Christ.

28. And he was with them [coming in and going out] at Jerusalem.

[Paraphrase] 28. employed in the works of this sacred calling of his.

29. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and* 1.6 disputed against † 1.7 the Grecians,] but they went about to slay him.

[Paraphrase] 29. And he proclaimed the faith of Christ publick∣ly, and argued, and discoursed with the Jewes that understood Greek (ch. 6. a.)

30. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to [Tarsus.]

[Paraphrase] 30. the city where he was born.

31. Then had the Churches rest thoroughout all Judaea, and Samaria, and Gali∣lee, and were [note d] edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and* 1.8 in the comfort of the holy Ghost, were multiplied.]

[Paraphrase] 31. Now all the Chri∣stian assemblies through Ju∣daea, Galilee, and Samaria, were permitted a quiet use of their religion, and daily more and more confirmed and improved, superstructing all Christian doctrine, and pure pious practice on that foundation already laid, and more were daily converted to them by the Apostles discharging that office and duty, to which they were designed by the coming of the holy Ghost the Paraclete upon them, (see note on Joh. 14. b.)

32. And it came to passe, as Peter passed thoroughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.]

[Paraphrase] 32. And as Peter went his perambulation thorough all those Churches, he came to the Jewish Christians that dwelt at Lydda.

33. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which [† 1.9 had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsie.]

[Paraphrase] 33. being sick of the palsie was not able to move from his bed for the space of eight yeares.

34. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: Arise, and [* 1.10 make thy bed.] And he arose immediately.

[Paraphrase] 34. make ready, prepare for thy self, either to eat, or to take rest.

35. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.]

[Paraphrase] 35. And hereupon the in∣habitants of Lydda and Saron generally received the faith, seeing this man on whom this miracle was wrought.

36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple, named Tabitha, which by in∣terpretation is called† 1.11 Dorcas: This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she 〈◊〉〈◊〉.]

[Paraphrase] 36. And at Joppa there was a woman that had recei∣ved the faith, her name was Tabitha, which signifies a Roe, she was a very laborious woman, one that wrought much, (see note on Lu. 1. k. and Tit. 3. a.) and by that means was very liberall and charitable.

37. And it came to passe in those daies, that she was sick and died; [whom when they had washed,] they laid her in an upper chamber.

[Paraphrase] 37. and having, by way of preparation for her in∣terring, washed her, according to their custome of burying,

38. And for as much as Lydda was nigh to Jopp••, and [the disciples] had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not * 1.12 delay to come to them.

[Paraphrase] 38. the Christians of Joppa,

39. Then Peter arose, and went with them: when he was come, they brought him into an upper chamber: and all the [widows stood by him weeping, and shew∣ing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.]

[Paraphrase] 39. poor widowes, which had been cloathed by her li∣berality, came weeping to him, and shewed him the evidences and monuments of her charity, the inner and upper garments, (see Mat. 5. note r.) which either she made, or caused to be made them, while she lived, v. 36.

40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed, and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41. And he gave her his hand, and lift her up; and when he had called [the saints and widowes] presented her alive.

[Paraphrase] 41. the Christian profes∣sors, and the women that so¦lamented their losse, v. 39.

42. And it was known thoroughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

43. And [it came to passe that he tarried] many daies in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

[Paraphrase] 43. he abode

Annotations on Chap. IX.

[ a] * 1.13 V. 5. To kick against the pricks] It was a pro∣verbial speech to kick against the goad, signifying to be refractary to punishment and discipline, when it comes to teach us our duty; for then the refractari∣nesse doth but involve us in more guilt and punishment. So in Aeschylus Prometh.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉— and in his Alex. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

If thou wilt take my counsel, thou shalt never kick against the goad, for thou wilt bring more sufferings upon thy self by that means. Parallel to this is' 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, striking the Adamant, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, treading on the fire, in* 1.14 Chrysostome; So* 1.15 again, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, He that strikes the Adamant is himself stricken, and he that kicks the goads is him∣self goaded: stimulos pugnis caedere, in Plautus, to beat the goades with his fists, Truc. 4. 2. For this of goades was used not to beasts only, but servants, which he calls stimuleum supplicium, Mil. 2. 6. And the servant thus handled severely is by him call'd Car∣nificinum cribrum, his back was a kind of sieve full of holes.

[ b] * 1.16 V. 7. Hearing a voice] What is here said of those that were with Paul, that they heard the voice, seems directly contrary to what is affirmed, ch. 22. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they heard not the voice. As for the way of reconciling it, by saying that the former belongs to Pauls voice, the latter to the voice of him that spake to him, there is little ground in the text for that nice∣ty; but on the contrary the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, seeing no man, which follows in this place, belongs surely not to their not seeing of Paul, but of him that spake to him. The onely way of reconciling the difficulty is by observing the notion of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Hebrew, which signifies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.17 a voice, and thunder, and those promiscuously taken the one for the other. So Heb. 12. 26. whose voice shook the earth, that is, whose thunder and lightnings and voice of a trumpet excee∣ding loud, Exod. 19. 16. and so Lu. 9. 35. the voice of a cloud, saying, was the thunder with a voice in it, a revelation from heaven given in thunder. So Mat. 3. 17. a voice from heaven saying, that is, a thunder from heaven sending forth this voice, which therefore was wont to be called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the daughter of voice, or a voice coming out of it, or as the voice from heaven, Joh. 12. 28. is express'd by the by-standers, by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that it thundred, and an Angel spake to him, which is explained distinctly by S. John Rev. 4. 5. where 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 both are named, and ch. 10. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the seven thunders delivered their voices. By this the difficulty will be cleared: For here c. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the voice ought to be rendred (according to the notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) thun∣der, which was here joyned with lightning, which shone or flash'd about him v. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. As for the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the voice of him that spake to me, c. 22. 9. that was the voice of the Angel speaking out of heaven, or out of the cloud. Both which put together signifie no more then this, that S. Pauls com∣panions at that time saw the light or the lightning, and heard the noise of the thunder (which is the importance of the place here) but heard not the articulate voice that came out of the thunder, that is, the Saul, Saul, &c. the voice of the Angel speaking to him.

[ c] * 1.18 V. 22. Proving] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Hesychius. It signifies perswasion, doctrine, faith; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, all to the same purpose, that the word signifies to teach, or perswade. And so it is used in the Septuagint Exod. 4. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I will open thy mouth and teach thee; and so Jud. 13. 8. and Ps. 31. 8. and Isai. 40. 13.

[ d] * 1.19 V. 31. Edified] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies properly to build, or superstruct, upon a foundation, and adde all the perfection of the building designed or belonging to it. And so, being accommodated to spirituall matters, it signifies to teach the whole Christian doctrine of strict and pious life, of which Christs being the Messias sent from God, is the foundation or corner-stone, and the receiving and practising all that he commands, is that which is naturally and necessarily built upon it: and therefore to their being edified here, is added in the next words, walking in the fear of the Lord. The word is elsewhere very often used in these books, especially in S. Pauls Epistles; and therefore it will here, be fit to premise that which may give light to it in all those places. 'Tis generally used in this Metaphorical sense, with application to the Church of God, and the spiri∣tual building thereof, partly in respect of knowledge, but principally in respect of Christian practice. The Church is the house of God, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 1 Pet. 2. 5. a spiritual house, and every Christian one of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 living stones, which 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are edified or built, and of which this house is made up. And the building it self, that is, edification, is the com∣pacting, or orderly joyning together of these living stones, in belief of the truth, and charitable living to∣gether, from both which proceeds the strength and comelinesse of the structure, and the fitnesse for the use and honour of him whose it is, that is, Christ. So that whatsoever tends in any eminent manner ei∣ther to the converting of Infidels, bringing them in∣to the Church, to the advancing of Christian know∣ledge, or especially of piety, in any one or more par∣ticular men, or to the planting of unity, peace, and charity, in any particular National, or in the Uni∣versal Church of God, that is said to edifie, or build up: and which of these senses peculiarly be∣longs to the word in any place, must be judged by the Context, and circumstances of the place where it is found, and may not be here set down more par∣ticularly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Confisto∣••es, see note 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mat. 6. d.
• * 1.2

  goades, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.3

  hearing indeed the voice or thunder.
• * 1.4

  nations, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.5

  teaching
• * 1.6

  spake, and disputed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.7

  the Helle∣nists, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.8

  by the ad∣monition or exhorting, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.9

  was laid on a bed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.10

  spread for thy self, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.11

  a Roe, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.12

  think much to passe as far as them, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.14

  Hom. 42. in Matt. p. 278. l. 2.
• * 1.15

  Hom. 24. in Matt. p. 174.
• * 1.16

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.18

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉