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.

* 1.1SECT. IV.

NOw after Sauls miraculous Conversion, the Churches which were planted by Philip, and others (who fled from Jeru∣salem upon the persecution raised by him, Act. 8.1.) through all Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, had much rest and peace, and were greatly edifyed, and built up in Knowledg, Faith and Love, the Graces and Comforts of the Spirit daily increasing in them, and the number of believers was daily augmented. In this time Peter went forth to visit the Churches newly plan∣ted in those parts, and to confirm them in the Faith. Who com∣ing at last, to the Saints which dwelt at Lydda, he there in the Name, and by the Power of Christ heals Aeneas, who lay sick of the Palsey, and had kept his bed Eight years. Upon this Miracle the inhabitants of Lydda and Saron generally received the Faith, seeing this man to be so strangely, suddenly, and per∣fectly cured. From thence he goes to Joppa, where he finds a very good woman full of good works (whose name in Syriac was Tabitha, but in Greek Dorcas, signifying a Roe) newly dead(a) 1.2 whom they had washed(b) 1.3, and laid out according to the mannner of the Ancients, who as some think did thereby intend to signifie their hope of a Resurrection. Peter being brought up into the Chamber where

she lay, the poor Widdows, which had been cloathed by her liberality came weeping to him, and shewed him the evidence(c) 1.4 of her Charity, the Coats and Garments which she made, or caused to be made for them. Upon this Peter putting them all forth knee∣led down, and prayed, and then raised her to life(d) 1.5 again* 1.6. And by these miracles very many in those Quarters were brought to believe in Jesus.

Act. 9. v. 31. Then had the churches rest thorowout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the holy Ghost, were multiplied.

v. 32. And it came to pass, as Peter passed thorowout all quarters, he came down also to the Saints which dwelt at Lydda.

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

v. 34. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

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

v. 36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: This woman was full of good works, and alms-deeds which she did.

v. 37. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper Chamber.

v. 38. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

v. 39. Then Peter arose and went with them: when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

v. 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.

v. 41. And he gave her his hand, and lift her up: and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

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

v. 43. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa, with one Simon a tanner.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An. Christi 39. Caii Cali∣gula 1.
• (a) 1.2

  Non mortua est Dorcas, ut mi∣seriam fuam finiret, & in gloriae posses∣sionem transferretur, sed ut esset obje∣ctum in quo Christus suam gloriam ma∣nifestaret, & suorum Apostolorum au∣ctoritatem ac vocationem confirmaret, planè ut Joh. 11.4.
• (b) 1.3

  Mos lavandi, & pollinciendi ca∣davera mortuorum non est ceremonia Judaica divinitus instituta, sed est con∣suetudo tum Judaeorum tum Gentilium sapientiorum, orta ex naturali instinctu & spe futurae resurrectionis. Sic Enmus Tarquin••i corpus bona faemina lavit & unxit. Huc accommod••ndum illud Pau∣li, 1 Cor 15.29. q. d. si non est animis nostris naturaliter inscriptum, futurum aliquam resurrectionem mortuorum, quid est quod plerique homines tantum curae, & lotionis adhibent super cadave∣ribus mortuorum? Stres.
• (c) 1.4

  Textilia manuum ejus monumenta. Videmus hinc quae sint optimae Sanctorum reliquiae, quibus post mortem possunt manere in memoriâ hominum, scil. benefacta in pauperes.
• (d) 1.5

  Habemus in Scriptura octo ad minimum exempla eorum qui verè mortui in vitam redierunt, viz. filium viduae Sareptanae, 1 Reg. 17.19 filium sunamitidis, 2 Reg. 4.32. Virum in Sepul∣chro Elizae vivificatum, 2 Reg. 13.21. Filiolam Jairi, Mar. 5.22. Filium viduae Naimiticae, Luc. 7.11. Lazarum, fratrem Mariae & Marthae, Joh. 11.33. Ipsum Dominum Jesum Christum, Mat. 28. Ta∣bitham hauc, Act. 9. Praeter illam innumeratam turbam sanctorum quae cum Christo resurrexit, & in urbe sanctâ visa est, Mat. 27.52.53. Haec exempla probant resurrectionem mortuorum, quam speramus, & quae toties in Scripturâ promissa est, non esse impossibilem sed certò futuram.
• * 1.6

  See Mat. 9.25. Mar. 5.41.