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. VIII.

PAul now leaving Athens comes to Co∣rinth(a) 1.1, where he found Aquila a Jew of the Province of Pontus in Asia and Priscilla his wife, who were come lately from Italy, because Claudius(b) 1.2 had by his decree banished all Jews from Rome. He being there in a strange place, and out of moneys, be∣takes himself to work with his own hands for his subsistence. It seems he had learn'd the trade of tent-making before he set him∣self to his studies, it being the Custom of the Jews to learn some trade(c) 1.3, yea, though they were to be Students. He had indeed power and warrant to challenge maintenance for his preaching, as he intimates many times in his Epistles. But there was not yet any Church at Corinth to maintain him; and be∣sides the Corinthians being ordinarily very covetous(d) 1.4, and greedy of gain, he would not take any thing of them, lest it should have hindred the success of his ministry. He therefore being of the same trade with Aqui∣la and Priscilla, he took up his lodging with them, and wrought at their trade. On the Sabbath-days he went into the Synagogue of the Jews, and reasoned and discoursed with them concerning the Messias promised to the Fathers, and endeavoured to perswade both

Jews and Proselytes to embrace his Doctrine. But when Silas and Timothy were come to him, and had brought him tydings of the great proficiency and growth of the Macedonian Churches, he was then pressed in Spirit, and grew more earnest, to bring on the Jews of Corinth to embrace the Gospel, and accordingly te∣stified to them that Jesus was the Christ, the true Messias whom they had so long expected. But they vehemently opposed him and railed at him and his Doctrine most contumeliously. Where∣upon he shook his Garments, and told them plainly, Their blood was upon their own heads (See 2 Sam. 1.16.) and that they were guilty of their own destruction [See Act. 13.46, 51.]. And seeing they were so obstinate, he would now leave them, and with Silas and Timothy go preach to the Gentiles. And so go∣ing out of the Synagogue, he went into the house of one Ju∣sius, (by birth a Gentile, but a Jewish Proselyte) whose house, it's probable, he chose as a fit place to preach the Gospel in, to such as would be willing to heat him And his endeavours here were not without success. For Crispus the chief Ruler(e) 1.5 of the Synagogue, and his houshold were brought to believe, with several others, among whom were Gaius, and the houshold of Stephanas, whom He baptized, 1 Cor. 1.14, 16. But notwithstanding this good success, the Apostle (as it it seems) was now through human frailty possessed with some fear and apprehension of danger to his person from the Jews, and therefore had thoughts of going thence, and leaving the City. But whilst he was agitating these things in his mind, it pleased God to speak to him in a Vision by night, that he should fear nothing, for He would be present with him to secure him from all harm, and bad him go on confidently to preach the Gospel there, for he had much people in that City, whom he in∣tended effectually to call by his ministry. Hereupon he conti∣nued there a year and half, preaching the Gospel; and as we may gather from 2 Cor. 12.12. he wrought many miracles for Confirmation of his Doctrine, and converted many.

Act. 18. v. 1. After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth,

v. 2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and came unto them.

v. 3. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers).

v. 4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and perswaded the Jews and the Greeks.

v. 5. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified to the Jews, that Jesus was Christ.

v. 6. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads, I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

v. 7. And he departed thence, and entred into a certain mans house, na∣med Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joyned hard to the synagogue,

v. 8. And Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house: and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized.

v. 9. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

v. 10. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee, to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

v. 11. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

* 1.6 * 1.7 * 1.8 * 1.9

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Hujus urbis subactio sub obedi∣entiam Evangelii ab ipso Paulo, habe∣tur pro nobilissima parte sui Apostola∣tûs, super qua maxime triumphat vo∣cans illam Ecclesiam Sigillum sui A∣postolatus, 1 Cor. 9.1, 2.

  Luxus & libidines Corinthiorum in proverbium abierunt. Unde, Paulus nullibi quam in Epistolis ad Corinthi∣os contra scortationem magis invehi∣tur, 1 Cor. 5. & 6. 2 Cor. 12.21.
• (b) 1.2

  Quae Claudio causa fuerit hujus exilii, non certò constat. Aliqui pu∣tant quod propter fervidas disputat••o∣nes de Messiâ sen Christo quae erant inter Judaeos Christianos, & non-Christianos, fuerint ejecti à Claudio, aliquid mali à Christi regno sibi me∣tuente.
• (c) 1.3

  The Jews have a saying among them, What is commanded a Father toward his Son? To circumcise him, to redeem him, [Num. 18.15.] to teach him the Law, to teach him a Trade, and to take him a Wife. R Judah saith, He that teacheth not his Son a Trade, does as if he taught him to be a Thief.
• (d) 1.4

  Avaritia apud ipsos max••me graslata est, quae unica videtur fuisse causa ob quam Paulus necessar••um putavit Corinthiis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 1 Cor. 9.13. 2 Cor. 11.7, 8, &c. & 12.13.14.

  Venerant etiam ad hanc Eccl••si••m Pseudo Apostoli illi, qui in Synodo Hierosolymitanâ condemnati, per in∣vidiam ubique obsisteb ut Paulicon••∣tibus, & hoc sine se passim ••ssereb••nt ad gratis docendum.
• (e) 1.5

  The Rulers of the Synagogue were as Ecclesiastical Counsellers set o∣ver the Synagogues to keep and go∣vern them in good order. See Act. 13.15. See Sect. 2. of ch 3. Note (b).
• * 1.6

  v. 2. Eo quod edixisset Claudius 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut excederent omnes Judaei Roma]. Memi∣nit hujus edicti Suetonius in Claudio. Exierunt igitur Româ cum Judaeis ipsi Christi∣ani, quia illi ad seculi morem generali Judaorum nomine erant contenti.
• * 1.7

  v. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] tenebatur animo testificari Judaeis Jesum esse ipsum Christum, Had an earnest mind, or was earnestly minded. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Participium pro infinitivo ponitur verbis animi affectionem sig∣nificantibus. Knatchhull.

  Testificabatur Paulus Judaeis Jesum esse Christum sed absque successu. Atque ideo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, h. e. in dolore crat summo, & intimis angebatur sensibus, quod opera sua nusquam inutilius poneretur quam apud fratres suos, & cognatos se∣cundum carnem. Boisius.
• * 1.8

  v. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ves;timemta, h. e. vestem exteriorem nimirura togam oblongam. Pluralis pro singulari.

  Sanguis vester super caput vestrum]. q. d. Si quid vobis mali evenerit, scitote id vestrâ culpâ evenisse.

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Steti in specula & clamavi, vid. Ezek. 33.4.
• * 1.9

  v. 13. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Nempe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Populus multus] Populus hic dicuntur ii qui facilè Christi populus fieri poterant ut oves, Joh. 10.16.