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. X.

IN the mean time Demetrius a Silversmith (who made silver Shrines for Diana, or little Models of the famous Temple there, with the Image of Diana(a) 1.1 in them, (which strangers which came thither, used to buy, and to imploy to a superstitious use) fearing that if Pauls Doctrine prevailed, he should lose his profit; he called together the workmen of the same craft, (whereof it seems, he had many that wrought under him), and shewing them the danger they were in, lest their trade should come into contempt; he greatly exasperated them against Paul, as one that taught the people, that those were not gods which were made with hands, and one that cried down the worship of Diana, whom all Asia, and other parts of the world(b) 1.2 had in so high veneration: A great hubbub was hereupon raised, and the enraged multitude cried down the Doctrine of Paul, and cried up the Goddess of the Ephesians; And in this hubbub they seized upon two of Pauls com∣panions, Gaius and Aristarchus [See Rom. 16.23. Col. 4.10.], and drew them into the Thea∣ter. Paul seeing nothing likely to ensue from this popular tumult, but the present destru∣ction of himself and his fellow Christians (See 2 Cor. 1.8.), if the providence of God did not wonderfully prevent it, thought he must attempt something (though with evident pe∣ril to himself), for the rescue of his Friends out of that danger (see 1 Joh. 3.16.). And therefore he was about to have adventur'd himself into the Theatre(c) 1.3, there to have made an Apology for himself and the Christian Religion to the people; but the Disciples ear∣nestly disswade him from it. And some of

the Asiarchae(d) 1.4 sent to him, and gave him the same advice, who it seems privately fa∣voured his Doctrine, and were secretly his friends. The hubbub therefore continuing and the rude people being enraged (as it seems) against the Jews (as enemies to their heathenish worship), as well as against the Christians, the Jews caused one Alexander a Jew to come forth, and to speak to the peo∣ple in justification of their Nation and Religi∣on, and as 'tis probable, to cast the occasion of all this discontent on the Christians. But when the people understood he was a Jew, they would not hear him, but with a wild confused noise cried up their goddess Diana for two hours together. At length the Town-Clerk coming forth to the people, by his wisdom appeased the tumult, representing to them, that their Religion and the worship of Diana was so publickly known, and so generally approv'd in the world, that there needed no tumult or uproar to vindicate the same, as Demetrius suggested. And as for these men they were now so enraged against, he tells them, they had offered no violence to the Temple to demolish it, nor had defaced any of the Images in it(e) 1.5, nor had spoken evil of the Goddess Diana, that he knew of. How∣ever, if Demetrius and the Artificers that de∣pend on him have any matter of accusation against any of them, he tells them, the Court-days are come, and the Proconsuls Officers or Deputies are ready to assemble, from whom they may seek for justice. And therefore they had best be quiet, and do nothing rashly; for they were in danger already to be call'd in question and fined by the Romans, for that days riot. And having thus appeased them, he perswaded them peaceably to return to their own homes.

Act. 19. v. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

v. 24. For a certain man, named Demetrius, a Silver-smith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen:

v. 25. Whom he called together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

v. 26. Moreover, ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost thorowout all Asia, this Paul hath perswaded and turned away much people, saying, That they be no gods which are made with hands.

v. 27. So that not only our craft is in danger to be set at nought: but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

v. 28. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

v. 29. And the whole city was filled with confusion, and having caught

Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

v. 30. And when Paul would have entred in unto the people, the disci∣ples suffered him not.

v. 31. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent un∣to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater.

v. 32. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

v. 33. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

v. 34. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours, cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

v. 35. And when the town-clerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of Ephesus is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter?

v. 36. Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

v. 37. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of Churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

v. 38. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies; let them implead one another.

v. 39. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

v. 40. For we are in danger to be called in question for this days uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this con∣course.

v. 41. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the Assembly.

* 1.6 * 1.7 * 1.8 * 1.9 * 1.10 * 1.11 * 1.12 * 1.13 * 1.14

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Diana suit una ex sex Dea∣bus majoribus quas Ethnici colebant. Invocabatur à viatoribus & itineran∣tibus tanquam dux viarum; item à venatoribus tanquam tutrix sylva∣rum, item à praegnantibus & parturi∣entibus tanquam mater viventium & nascentium animalium, unde pinge∣bat••r 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seu multimammia.

  Huic Dianae in urbe Ephesina ex∣tructum erat Templum tam magnifi∣cum ut ex omnibus partibus orbis ad hoc templum spectandum homines confinerent: & numerabatur inter septem mundi miracula; & bello Per∣sico propter pulchritudinem ejus, Barbari huic pepercerunt, cum om∣nia alia templa comburerent. Tota Asia in aedificando hoc templo suit occupata, idque per annos plus quam ducentos. Longitudo dicitur ••uisse pe ••um 425, latitudo 220: Columnas habuit 127 à totidem Regibus aedi∣sicatas, quarum singulae habuerunt al∣titudinem sexaginta pedum. Aedifi∣catum erat in loco palustri; & pro fun∣damento habuit carbones & vellera lanae. In hoc templo erat simulacrum Dianae, quod credebant coelo delap∣sum, & adorabant. Denique de hoc Templo illud memorabile, quod qui∣dam Herostratus illud accendit & com∣bussit, eo solum sine ut aeternum sibi nomen compararet in historiis; quasi inter felicitatem esset numerandum, Per maleficia inclarescere & in histo∣rias inse••i, sicut Pilatus in symbolum fidei, & Judas in historiam passionis. Succensum est ab Herostrato eodem die quo natus est Alexander Mag∣nus, sed postea restitutum, do∣nec novissimo fato periret ex incen∣dio Gothorum, quod refert Capitoli∣nus in Gallieno.
• (b) 1.2

  Non inde sequetur cultum Di∣anae esse veram religionem. Non est Catholica religio, quam totus orbis amplectitur. Nam major orbis pars semper adhaesit erroribus; sed est vera religio quam tota vera Ecclesia omnium temporum & locorum am∣plexa est. Hoc de nostra religione asserimus, de Pontificia negamus. Stres.
• (c) 1.3

  Theatrum est locus publicus & amplu••, ludis spectandis idoneus, ubi sine dubio etiam curia suit, & ubi pub∣lica civium negotia tractari solebant.
• (d) 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Syr. Primores Asiae; licet aliqui existimant quod sic vocat, non qui Asiae praeerant ut principes▪ sed praecipuos sacerdotes, quorum munus erat, ludos theatrales in Deorum honorem edere.

  Some hereby understand certain pub∣lick persons, which were sent from the Greek Cities of the lesser Asia, as Pro∣curators in publick businesses to Ephe∣sus, which was the chief of them.
• (e) 1.5

  Sciebant Apostoli, hoc non suum sed magistratûs esse officium: Concionando ejiciebant imagines ex cordibus hominum, sed non per vio. lentiam ex templis.
• * 1.6

  v. 22. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quae mutatio frequens Hellenistis.
• * 1.7

  v. 24. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Exiguas aediculas argenteas & in iis simulacrum Dianae ad essigiem veri templi & simulacri, quae vulgo ab iis emebantur qui Dianam Ephesiam visebant. Tales aediculas Veneris Cnidiae meminit Plinius, 36.5.
• * 1.8

  v. 27. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Illud quod nobis est peculiare. Beza. Id quod nos tan∣git (i. e. ars nostra). Grot.

  Euturumque ut etiam destruatur majestas Dianae] q. d. Parum est de nostro quaestu: tota Religio hic perielitatur: sub obtentu Dianae numinis velificasur lucro. ••uam orbis terrarum colit] Apuleius lib. 2. de eadem. Cujus numen unicum multiformi specie, ritu vario, nomine multijugo, totus veneratur orbis.
• * 1.9

  v. 30. Non siverunt eum] i. e. precibus eum dimovebant.
• * 1.10

  v. 33. Alexandrum] Aliqui Judaeorum (ut videtur) promoverunt eum extra turbam in eum locum unde ab omnibus exaudiri posset, & eum proponebant tanquam idoneum Pauli accusatorem, ut qui ipsius dogmata nosset omnia, & ab iis descivisset. Videtur enim hic esse Alexander faber aerarius de quo queritur, 1 Tim. 1.26. 2 Tim 4.14. Hoc autem modo Judaei volebant odium omne hoc à se amovere, cum scirent se quoque invisos esse tanquam inimicos Deorum. Grot.
• * 1.11

  v. 35. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Nempe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Erat id ex vite factum ut Muciano au∣ctore tradidit Plinius. Sed quia fabricatio ejus omnem memoriam excedebat, ideo facile facerdotes plebi persuasêre, esse de coelo delapsum, ut Suidas notat in voce 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The like fictions had the Heathens concerning the Palladium of Troy, and the Ancile of Rome.
• * 1.12

  v. 37. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.] Quia ne intraverant quidem templum, nec Dianam Ephesiam speciatim nominaverant.
• * 1.13

  v. 38. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Recte notat Suidas 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dici diem, quo lites discep∣tantur. Ita omnino scribendum in Actis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & subaudiendum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dies quibus lege agitur, quos fastos Romani vocant. vid. Causab. in Theophrasti Charact.
• * 1.14

  v. 39. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Legitimus coetus est qui à Magistratu civitatis convoca∣tur & regitur.