Vers. 1. The former Treatise have I made, &c.
THE Syrian and Arabick render it, The former * 1.1 book have I written: and so is the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 used in Heathen Authors, not only for an oration by word of mouth, but also for a Treatise or Discourse that is done in writing; as might be proved by many examples. I shall only give one as parallel to the phrase that we have in hand; as the Author himself is unparallel to our Evangelists in matter of truth; and that is, Lucian in his title of the first book of true History, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Now the Evangelist at his entry into this History, mentioneth the former Treatise of his Gospel, because this Treatise of The Acts of the Apostles taketh at that; and as that contained the Life and Doctrine of our Saviour himself, so doth this the like of his Apostles. And therefore the words immediately following, Of all that Jesus began to do, may not unfitly be interpreted to such a meaning, that Jesus began, and his Apostles finish∣ed: though it is true indeed, that in Scripture phrase to begin to do, and to do, do sound to one and the same sense, as Matth. 12. 1. compared with Luke 6. 1. Mark 6. 2. compared with Matth. 13. 54. &c.
Now the method that the Evangelist prescribes unto himself, and followeth in this Book is plainly this. From the beginning of the Book to the end of the twelfth Chap∣ter, he discourseth the state of the Church and Gospel among the Jews; and from thence forward to the end of the Book he doth the like, of the same among the Gentiles: and therfore accordingly, although the title of the Book be The Acts of the Apostles, as of the Apostles in general; yet doth he more singularly set himself to follow the story of the two Apostles Peter and Paul: Peters to the 13 Chapter, and Pauls after; because that these two were more peculiarly the fixed Ministers of the circumcision, and of the uncircumcision, Gal. 2. 8. and so doth Moses intitle a reckoning of the heads of the Fa∣thers houses of all the Tribes of Israel in general, Exod. 6. ••4. and yet he fixeth at the Tribe of Levi, and goeth no further; because the subject of his Story lay especially in that Tribe, in Moses and Aaron.
Not that Luke wrote all things that Jesus did, nor indeed could they be written, John 21. 25. but that, 1. He wrote all those things that were necessary, and not to be omit∣ted. Theophylact and Calvin. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be taken for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, all for many; as it is fre∣quently done in Scripture. 3. And chiefly, that he wrote something of all the heads of Christs actions and doctrine; for he saith not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Camerarius. Or, 4. As the woman of Samaria saith, that Christ had told her all things that ever she did, Joh. 4. 29. whereas he told her but some few particulars; but they were such, as whereby she was convinced he could tell her all: So though Luke did not specifie all and every action and doctrine of Christ that ever he did and taught; yet did he write of such, as whereby it was most clear that Christ was the Messias.