The apostolical history containing the acts, labours, travels, sermons, discourses, miracles, successes, and sufferings of the Holy Apostles from Christ's ascention to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus : a brief description whereof is here inserted : also, a narration of the particular times and occasions upon which the apostolical epistles were written, together with a brief analytical paraphrase of them : to which is added (for the better understanding of this history) a map of the Apostle Paul's travels ... / by Samuel Cradock.

SECT. II.* 1.1

THe Lord now reveales to Saul what he would have him do; and among other things, he was taught that he should not confer with flesh and blood, nor debate the matter, either with himself or others, (who might cause him to question the reality of his Call, or discourage him from yielding obedience to it, by representing dangers to him); nor go to Jerusalem to those that were Apostles before him (to consult with them and be in∣structed by them, or to obtain a permission or commission from them to discharge his Office, he being so extraordinarily, and im∣mediately called, and instructed by Christ himself) but that he should go for some time into Arabia, and the places near Da∣mascus. Being now therefore well instructed in the Doctrine of the Gospel, he begins straitway to preach Christ in the Sy∣nagogues of the Jews(b) 1.2 in that City, and to declare to them, and convince them by plain demonstrations, that he is the true Messias, and the Son of God; the praedi∣ctions of the Prophets, concerning the Messias being exactly fulfilled in his person. They that heard him were amazed at this thing, knowing what he had done at Jerusalem, and with what intent he came up to Damascus. When he had for some time preached Christ here, he went into Arabia, where for the space of about three years he preached the Gospel, and then return∣ing to Damascus again, and strenuously preaching the Doctrine of Christ in that City, the Jews being enraged at him consul∣ted to kill him, and being encouraged by the Governours un∣der Aretas King of Arabia, (who kept the City with a Garri∣son) they watched the gates day and night, that they might take him, and put him to death; but he being let down by the Disciples in a Basket* 1.3 over the Wall in the night, escaped their hands.

Gal. 1. v. 11. But I certifie you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, is not after man.

v. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

v. 13. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews re∣ligion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

v. 14. And profited in the Jews religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

v. 15. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers womb, and called me by his grace,

* 1.4v. 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the hea∣then, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.

v. 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem, to them which were Apostles be∣fore me, but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Act. 9. v. 20. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

v. 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 hi∣ther for that intent that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

* 1.5v. 22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

v. 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.

v. 24. But their laying await was known of Saul, and they watched the gat••s day and night to kill him.

v. 25. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a bask••••.

Act. 26. v. 19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.

v. 20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and Jerusalem, and tho∣rowout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2 Cor. 11. v. 32. In Damascus the governour under Aretas the king, kept the city with a garison, desirous to apprehend me:

* 1.6v. 33. And thorow a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. Christi 36, 37. Tiberii 21, 22.
• (b) 1.2

  Semper enim Apostoli primùm Judaeos affati sunt, ut aut eos converte∣rent, aut omnem eis excusationem adi∣merent.
• * 1.3

  See 1 Sam. 19.12.
• * 1.4

  v. 16. Hoc v••lt Aposto∣lus, Se non homines con∣suluisse ••uid sibi esset faciendum, sed solo Spiritûs divini motu & instinctu actum, & ab ipso Christo in raptu triduano post conversionem suam edoctum, statim praedicasse Christum. Neque hoc est ali∣cuju•• arrogantiae, sed justae defensionis contra criminationes aliorum, quasi non esset plenus Apo∣stolus, utpote qui ipsum Christum, ut reliqui, non habuisset magistrum, Freidl.
• * 1.5

  v. 22. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Verbum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sig∣nificat, efficere condescensionem ut sic dicam, i. e. argumentis propositis efficere ut aliquis tecum in eandem sententiam descendat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 scilicet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. assentiri eos cogens quòd hic Jesus sit Christus, Pisc.
• * 1.6

  An. Christi 38. Tiberii 23. In which year he dyes, and Caius Caligula succeeds.