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. XIII.

THE Apostle having continued a year and half at Corinth, and fairly planted a Church there (though it were mise∣rably degenerated soon after) he now determines to sail to Ephesus; Aquila and Priscilla resolving to accompany him: And having taken his leave of the Brethren there; at Cenchrea a Haven on the East side of that City, he sha∣ved his head(a) 1.1. The reason of which, pro∣bably was this: He had (it seems) before ta∣ken upon him, for some time, the Vow of the Nazarites, whereby he was obliged to ab∣stain from wine, and shearing his head, and tou∣ching of the dead. But having now accomplish'd his Vow, he shore his head, and returned to the common way of living, according as was prescribed, Numb. 6.18, 19, 20. The reason of this Vow we may gather from 1 Cor. 9.20. namely, in things indifferent he was willing to comply with the weak Jews; to shew, that he was no con∣temner of the Law: And for the same reason he caused Timothy to be circumcised; and for the same reason, purified himself in the Temple at Jerusalem, Act. 21.23, 24.

The Apostle being now come to Ephesus, he taught in the Synagogue of the Jews; but thought not fit (though desired) to stay long there then, being prompted (as it seems) by some secret instinct of the Spirit, now to go up to the approaching Feast at Jerusalem; not that he now took himself obliged to observe the Feasts, or antiquated Ceremonies of the Law, (see Gal. 4.10. Col. 2.16. Rom. 14.5.) but he was willing to go to this Feast, that he might in that great solemnity and con∣course of people, have more advantage to spread the Gospel among the Jews. Leaving therefore Aquila and Priscilla at E∣phesus, he sailed thence to Caesarea, and thence went up to Je∣rusalem; where it seems he stayed not long, finding possibly not such success of his endeavours as he expected and hoped for. Whereupon he hastened from thence and went down to Anti∣och in Syria, where he stayed for some time.

Act. 18. v. 18. And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

v. 19. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself en∣tred into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

v. 20. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consen∣ted not:

v. 21. But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh, in J••rusalem; but I will return again unto you, if God will: and he sailed from Ephesus.

v. 22. And when he had landed at Cesarea, and gone up, and saluted the Church, he went down to Antioch.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Quod Cenchreis dicitur aut Aquila aut Paulus crinem totondisse quia votum habebat, de sacro voto id non potest intelligi, quia deponendus erat capillus votivus Hierosolymis & supponendus ollis pacisicorum. Ci∣vile istud votum fuisse videtur quod sumpserat vel Paulus vel Aquila qua∣lia multa, faciebant ••udaei Non ante capillum tondebo quam ad illum locum pervenero. Quae vota erant peregrinan∣tium. Ita Paulus votum fecit tonden∣di Capilli ubi Cenchreas pervenisset. Salmas.