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. XVIII.

FRom Troas Paul went on foot to Assos, a Sea-port-Town in Asia, sending his companions by ship thither before him, who when he came thither took him in. Thence they all sail∣ed together to Mitylene, and the next day arrived at Samos, and having tarried a little at Trogyllium, the day following they came to Miletus, passing by, and not touching at Ephesus. For the Apostle being desirous to be at Jerusalem, at the Feast of Pentecost, (that he might in that concourse have a larger oppor∣tunity of spreading the Gospel), would not now call at Ephe∣••us, lest he should be detained too long by the Brethren there. Wherefore he sent for the Elders of that Church to come to him to Miletus. They being come, He in a very grave and serious discourse sets before them, in the first place, The up∣rightness of his Conversation, and the faithfulness of his Mini∣stry among them, and how he had behaved himself with all hu∣mility of mind, and had express'd much tenderness of affection to them, and that amidst many hazzards and dangers from the

Jews, who conspired against his life; that he kept nothing back from them, that he thought useful for them to know; but had both publickly and privately preached, both to Jews and Gentiles the necessity of Repentance, and Conversion to God, and of Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He tells them, he was now going to Jerusalem, not undertaking that Journey rashly or inconside∣rately, but being incited to it by the strong impulse of the Spirit of God(a) 1.1. Neither knew he what particu∣lar sufferings the Lord would there call him to undergo, or what would be the issue of them, whether life or death. Only this he found, that in every City (through which he passed), those that had the gift of Prophesie, (as many in the Churches had at that time), foretold him, that bonds and afflictions did wait for him, and attend him. But none of these things moved him, no not loss of life it self, if he might serve Christ faithfully in the office which he had intrusted him with, and publish his Gospel, wherein the free grace of God is so eminent∣ly manifested. And as for them, his dear friends, (among whom he had so long convers'd, and to whom he had preached the Gospel, by which the Kingdom of God is set up in the hearts of men), he tells them, they were never like to see his face again. And seeing he had faithfully shewed to them the way to salvation, the fault was not in him if any of them perished, see Act. 18.6. Ezek. 3.18. He then exhorts them, to have a great regard to their Pastoral charge, and to take heed to themselves, (that their life and conversation be holy and un∣blameable), and to the whole flock over which the Holy Ghost(b) 1.2, (from whom all faith∣ful Ministers have principally their call and authority* 1.3), had made them Overseers, that they feed the Church of God with sound Doctrine, and give them a good example. Which exhortation he inforceth by two ar∣guments. 1. Because of the inestimable price with which this flock was bought; Christ, God-man having purchased it with his own blood. 2. Because of the danger that the flock was like to be in, after his departure, partly from Wolves (that is, false Teachers, or professed persecuting enemies), part∣ly from subtil crafty Hereticks, who should arise from among themselves. He exhorts them therefore, to be careful, remem∣bring, how for the space of three years he had taken much pains in preaching the Gospel among them, and had with tears, night and day, (as occasion offered it self* 1.4), warned them to take heed of such seducers, and to cleave to the truth. Lastly, He takes his solemn leave of them, commending them to the pro∣tection and guidance of God, and to the directions delivered in his Gospel, which if they adhered to, he tells them, will be able to instruct and build them up, and bring them to that

glorious inheritance which God hath provided for all his Saints; the promises whereof may abundantly encourage them in their work In conclusion, he professeth his innocency from that sordid sin of Covetousness, and appeals to them, whether by his own manual labour he had not maintained himself, and those that were with him, (see Act. 18.3.). And thereby he had taught them, that by so labouring as he did, (when the case required it), they should be so far from being chargeable or burdensom to others, that they should support, and relieve the poor and weak in estate; and this much rather, than by exact∣ing wages drive any, that were tenacious, from embracing the Gospel. For according to that saying of our Saviour, (not recorded in the Gospels, though possibly it may be gathered from Luk. 6.38. & 16.9.), It is more blessed to give than to receive. When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them, and when he had so done, they with great expressions of sor∣row accompanied him to the ship, being more especially grie∣ved at those words of his, That they should see his face no more. From Ver. 13, to the end.

Act. 20. v. 13. And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

v. 14. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

v. 15. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium: and the next day we came to Miletus.

v. 16. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

v. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.

v. 18. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons.

v. 19. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

v. 20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publikely, and from house to house.

v. 21. Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance to∣wards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

v. 22. And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

v. 23. Save that the holy Ghost witnesseth in every City, saying, That bonds and afflictions abide me.

v. 24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto my self, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the mi∣nistry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God.

v. 25. And now behold, I know that ye all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

v. 26. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

v. 27. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

v. 28. Take heed therefore unto your selves, and to all the flock, over the which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

v. 29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves en∣ter in among you, not sparing the flock.

v. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

v. 31. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

v. 32. And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

v. 33. I have covered no man silver, or gold, or apparel.

v. 34. Yea, you your selves know, that these hands have ministred unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

v. 35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring, ye ought to sup∣port the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

v. 36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

v. 37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls neck, and kissed him,

v. 38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

* 1.5 * 1.6 * 1.7 * 1.8 * 1.9 * 1.10 * 1.11

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Vinctus Spiritu] i. e. Ductu, & impulsu Spiritûs Sancti ad hoc iter tam efficaciter impulsus, ac si vincu∣lis istuc traheretur. Vid. Act. 16.6, 7, &c. 19.21, &c. 13.4. Mat. 4.1.
• (b) 1.2

  Spiritus Sanctus est vicarius Christi in terris, qui Christi nomine Ecclesiam docet, & regit, Joh. 16.13, 14. Et ex hac potestate vicaria∣tûs Ecclesiae ministros vocat, dotat, mittit, praeficit. Ergo Christus est Rex Ecclesiae, Spiritus Sanctus vica∣rius hujus Regis, Pastores, servi, vi∣sibilia ac audibilia instrumenta hujus vicarii. Est argumentum quo & per∣sonalitas, & divinitas Spiritus Sancti lucidè demonstratur. Streso.
• * 1.3

  See Act. 13.2, 3.
• * 1.4

  See 2 Tim. 1.3. 1 Thess. 1.9. 2 Thess. 3.9.
• * 1.5

  v. 14. Assos Urbs Troadis. Mitylene, Lesbi insulae urbs praecipua.
• * 1.6

  v 15. Chios insula inter Lesbum & Samum. Samus, insulae Joniae. Trogyllium est Joniae promontorium non longe à Samo. Miletus, Joniae urbs.
• * 1.7

  21. Graecorum nomine Scriptores Novi Testamenti intelligunt quasvis Ethnicorum nationes, quomodo Onkelos, & Syrus interpres, omnes Gentiles vocant Aramaeos aut Syras.
• * 1.8

  v. 30. Ex vobis ipsis exsurgent viri loquentes perversa] h. e. Nicolaitae, Apoc 2.6. docentes ea quae à recto deflectunt. Nam docebant, Matrimonium institutum esse mere humanum, & tale quod conscientias non obligaret, Immolatitiis sine distincti∣one licere vesci. Vide Irenaeum. 1.27.
• * 1.9

  Ideò docent carni placentia, ut eos quos Ecclesiae disciplina offendit, ab Ecclesia abductos sibi faciant sectatores. Grot.
• * 1.10

  v. 33. Praeclarior de se praedicatio quam illa Samuelis, 1 Sam. 12.5. Samuel te∣stificabatur nihil se judicandi causa accepisse. Paulus nec laboris in docendo assidu•• repensationem ullam accipere voluerat. Gracchus apud Gellium Provinciâ disces∣surus, Ita versatus sum in Provinciû ut nemo posset verè dicere, assem, aut eo plus in mu∣neribus me accepisse. Pricaeus.
• * 1.11

  v. 35. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Descriptio comparativi per particu∣lam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hoc est inter illa quae Paulus didicerat non ex sc••ipto sed relatu eo∣rum, qui Dominum noverant.