Annotations on Chap. II.
[ a] * 1.1 V. 1. Fourteen years after] What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here signifies, is by learned men made a matter of some question. The time to wch S. Paul refers, must be that of his going (with Barnabas here mentioned) from Antioch to Jerusalem, on the question here discoursed of, about the necessity of the Gentile Christians being circumcised; that so first it may connect with the spaces mention'd c. 1. 18, 21. (so as the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 again seems to import) to denote the next time of his going to Jerusalem after that mentioned v. 18. and 2dly, so as to denote a time wherein Peter may be supposed still to reside at Jerusalem, and wherein Titus may be suppo∣sed to be with S. Paul as a neophytus, and a companion, (and so in danger of being pressed to be circumcised) not yet employ'd, or sent out by him on any service in the Churches. Now this is thought so unlikely to be fourteen years after the space last mention'd c. 1. 21. (his going to Syria and Cilicia Act. 9. 30.) that it hath been thought probable, that (as in numeral letters it oft happens) fourteen should be here set in stead of four. For which emendation seeing there appears not any ground in the Antient Manuscripts, it will surely be more reason able to observe,* 1.2 1. that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth not dis∣tinctly signifie after (as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 c. 1. 18. had done) but by, or about, that is, neer that space, though not precisely fourteen years: 2dly, that the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Afterward, or then, referres not to that which was mention'd immedi∣ately before, his passing through Syria and Cilieia, so as to affirm this to have been fourteen years after that; no, nor to the former Epocha's, either his going up to Jerusalem, v. 18. or departing into Arabia, v. 17. but to that great Epocha, so considerable to him, the time of his conversion, which immediately succeeding the death of S. Steven may reasonably be placed (in the first year after Christs assumption,) An. Ch. 34. From whence to the time of that Councel, which is ordina∣rily placed An. Ch. 47. it was about thirteen or four∣teen years. And then there will be no more need of an emendation, then there is authority for the imagining any.
[ b] * 1.3 V. 2. To them which were of reputation] For the no∣tion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, v. 6. it must be observed, that it signifies not the mens own opinion of themselves, or their assuming any great authority over others (as of Simon Magus it is said, Act. 8. 9. that he did 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, say, or take upon him, that he was some great ont) but that they were so in the reputation and esteem of others, and that the great opinion that at that time all Christians had of them, above the rest of the Apostles, was it that moved Paul to go up, and address himself particularly to them. This is fitly express'd by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as from that Verb the Noun 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, reputation or glory, comes, those that are in esteem in an eminent manner, and more so by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.4 those that are esteemed to be something, that is, something above other their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or fellow-Apostles; not seemed, so as that is equi∣vocal either to seeming falsely, bare seeming, or seem∣ing in their own eyes, but seeming so in truth, and to the generality of the best and wisest Christians. In proportion to this,* 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it maketh no mat∣ter to me, ver. 6. is far from any thing of scorne or de∣spising in S. Paul, that speaks it: it is a solemne forme onely of insisting on his own commission from Christ, which could no way be prejudiced by the reall ex∣cellency of their persons, how great soever they were. God, who accepts no persons, and attends not to per∣sonal excellencies, may give his Commission to an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the meanest and unworthiest as well as to those which are really of the greatest eminence. All this passage therefore is rather an expression of great reverence to Peter, &c. than of scorne. One∣ly for his mission and revelations, Paul hath them from Christ, not from any man, cap. 1. 16. and 2. 6.
[ c] * 1.6 V. 3. Compelled] What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was not con∣strained, signifies here, is a matter of some difficulty, which being explained will make the next verse perspi∣cuous, which otherwise seems not intelligible. That some pretended Christians looked very jealously on S. Paul, as one averse from the Mosaical Law, is suffici∣ently known. These, when Paul came to Jerusalem, laid it to his charge that he preached to the Gentiles that were not circumcised conversed freely with them, and Titus (being a Graecian, and at that time with him) they specified to be one of them, and him they would have constrained to be circumcised. But, saith S. Paul, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, though he were such as was pretended, and though this were thus pressed by them, and though I was by this means likely to aliene the Jewes minds from the Gospel, as it was preach'd by me, (this being an act of confession that I was guilty of what was laid