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. V.

FRom Philippi (where they had been thus ill used, See 1 Thes. 2.2.), they came to Thessalonica the chief City in Mace∣donia; and here being a Synagogue of the Jews, (Paul as his manner was) went unto them, and first preached the Gospel to them, and for three Sabbath days together, plainly shewed them, that it was foretold in the Scriptures, that the Messias promised to the Jews, must suffer death and rise again, and that this Jesus whom he preached, is, that long expected Messias. Some of the Jews hereupon were perswaded to believe and embrace the Faith, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas, and so likewise did many of the Greeks that were Proselytes, and ma∣ny women also of the better quality. Here Paul instructed them, not only concerning faith in Christ, but also concerning Antichrist, and when he should be revealed (as appears from 2 Thes. 2.2, 3, 4, 5.). And here also he received relief from the believing Philippians, once and again for the supply of his necessities, as he testifies, Phil. 4.16. But several of the Jews in this city, continuing in their unbelief, and being enraged at the Apostles, took to them certain lewd people of the Town, and assaulted the house of Jason, where they lodged, intending to drag them out to the people, and possibly to stone them. But finding them not there, they haled Jason, and some other

believers, who, as it seems, had newly receiv'd the Gospel, before the Magistrates vehemently accusing the Apostles and their followers, as disturbers(a) 1.1 of the peace, and enemies to Caesar; whereas they only endea∣voured to advance the spiritual kingdom of Christ, without doing any injury to the Ro∣man Empire. However these (though false) suggestions and criminations much troubled the people and the Magistrates. But when they had received satisfaction and security from Jason, and the rest that they would appear when called for, they dis∣missed them. However the Brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night(b) 1.2 unto Beraea; whi∣ther being come they found there, persons be••ter bred, and of a more ingenuous tem∣per than those they had met with in Thessa∣lonica, and who examined whether the Doctrines taught by Paul were agreeable to what the Scriptures foretold of the Messias, ••or no: and here thier endeavours were bless••d with the Conversion of many of the Jews, and likewise of the Gentiles, and several of them were persons of the bet••••r sort. But the unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica hear∣ing of this, follow the Apostles hither also, with their persecu∣tion. Hereupon the Christians of this place (to cause these Persecutors to give over their pursuit), sent Paul towards the Sea-side, as if he meant to take ship, and to go quite away out of those parts: In the mean time some of them conducted him to Athens. But Silas and Timothy not being so much known or malic'd, as Paul was, stayed a little while longer, further to edifie the believers here.

Act. 17. v. 1. Now when they had passed thorow Amphipolis, and A∣pollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.

v. 2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.

v. 3. Opening and alledging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and ri∣s••n again from the dead: and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

v. 4. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

v 5. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lew•• fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

v. 6: And when they sound them not, they drew Jason, and certain bre∣thren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down, are come hither also.

v. 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying, T••••t th••re is another King, one Jesus.

v. 8. And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the City, when they heard these things.

v. 9. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

v. 10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews,

v. 11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they re∣ceived the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

v. 12. Therefore many of them believed: also of honourable women, which were Greeks, and of men not a few.

v. 13. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledg that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

v. 14. And then imm••diately the brethren sent away Paul, to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

v. 15. And they that conducted Paul, brought him unto Athens, and recei∣ving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus, for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

* 1.3 * 1.4 * 1.5 * 1.6 * 1.7 * 1.8 * 1.9 * 1.10 * 1.11 * 1.12

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Non alio modo turbant orbem quam Medicus suis Pharmacis turbat aegrotum.
• (b) 1.2

  Disce hinc, Fugâ evadere peri∣culum persecutionis, licitum esse. Mat. 10.23.
• * 1.3

  v. 1. Amphipolis urbs vicina Philippis. Apollonia mari adsita Corinthiorum & Cor∣cyraeorum celonia. Thessalonica urbs praeclara Macedoniae ad sinum Thermaicum, condita à Philippo Amyntae filio, post victoriam de Thessalis, unde urbi nomen.
• * 1.4

  v. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] intellige 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ponens ob oculos Christum debuisse pati.
• * 1.5

  v. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] significat plane illos addictos fuisse Paulo & Silae, sicut & res haereditariae apud Hebraeos. Graeci religiosi erant qui legem quidem Mosis non sus∣ceperant, sed idolatriâ, & pravis moribus relictis, unum colebant Deum.
• * 1.6

  v. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sunt circumforanei, qui otiosi & ignavi forum frequentabant. Tacitus vocat sordidam plebem Circo & theatris assuetam.
• * 1.7

  v. 6. Qui orbis terrarum statum subverterunt: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, h. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hoc est, qui caelum terrae miscuerunt & novis inauditisque dogmatis omnia repleverunt. Politici qui saepe dogmata vera à falsis, salubria à noxiis non norunt distinguere, omnia nova suspecta habent.
• * 1.8

  v. 7. Regem alium dicentes nempe Jesum] Nec populus Romanus olim, nec posteà Caesares permisère in regionibus devictis quenquam regem dici nisi suo permissu. Nec Pilatus nec Macedones hi intelligebant regnum Christi ejus esse ingenii, ut Regibus mundi hujus non obstaret, imo & illorum firmaret imperia multis modis.
• * 1.9

  v. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Satis accipit cui cavetur, quantum legi aut Judici, aut vi∣ro bono satis est. Grot.
• * 1.10

  v. 10. Beraea urbs Macedonia non Procul à Pella.
• * 1.11

  v. 11. h. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 magis ingenui, generosiores: Audiebant patien∣ter, cogitabant de re, inquirebant; non generis nobilitatem, sed mansuetudinem ani∣mi designat hoc loco 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Boisius.
• * 1.12

  v. 15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] qui Paulum constituebant, h. e. qui conabantur Paulum constituere scil. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in tu••o. Verbum actionis pro conatu. Qui deducebant, i. e. illi qui pro satellitibus & stipatoribus erant in perieuloso iti∣nere.