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. I.

FEstus and his Council determining now to send Paul to Rome, and therein (though acting unjustly, considering the inno∣cence of the Prisoner, who ought to have been acquitted) fulfilling Gods Counsel, [see Act. 23.11.]. He is delivered to Julius a Centurion, (of the Imperial Band), with some other Prisoners, (who possibly were great Malefactors), to be con∣veyed thither. Julius having received this charge; put him, and the other Prisoners into a ship of Adramyttium, (a Port-Town of Mysia), which (being as 'tis probable a trading ship) was to sail along by the Coasts of Asia. Aristarchus a Macedo∣nian, as also Luke and Timothy freely accompanied the Apostle in this Voyage. As they sailed along, they touched at Sidon, where Julius was very civil to Paul, and permitted him to go on shore, and visit his friends there, and refresh himself. Loosing from thence, they were forced to sail under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary; and when they had coasted by Cilicia, and Pamphylia, they came to Myra, a City of Lysia, where this Ship finished its Voyage. Thence in a Ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, they passed between those Promontories of Gnidus, and Salmone, and came at last, with some difficulty, to a part of Crete, call'd the Fair Havens. This Port being some∣thing incommodious to winter in, most of the passengers ad∣vise to put out from thence, and to endeavour to gain Phoe∣nice, another Haven of Crete; but they having been thus long at Sea, (the Summer being now gone, yea the great Fast of expiation, which was on the tenth day of the seventh Month, being past, after which the Sea was not sailed in by the An∣cients

until the beginning of March, because of the shortness of the d••ys, and the tempests which often arise between those two times), Paul not only contemplating the danger of the season, but being inspir'd by the Spirit of God, admonished them of the danger of the Voyage, if they should now put out to Sea again; shewing them, it would be hazzardous, not only to the Ship, and the goods in it, but even to the lives of the men also. Therefore he advised them, to stay and winter where they now were. But his words prevailed nothing, because the Master of the ship (who was thought better skill'd in his own Art) advised otherwise. The Southwind therefore blow∣ing at first, softly, and seeming to favour their design, they loosed from thence, and sailed along by Crete; but a little af∣ter, there arose a tempestuous wind, call'd Euroclydon(a) 1.1, by which they were carried to a little Island call'd Clauda, and then be∣ing caught and tossed by that great tempest they had much ado to save the Boat, and draw it into the Ship. Which done, they undergirt the Ship, and (fearing lest they should fall into the Quicksands), they struck sail, and so were driven. Then they ligh••¦ned the Ship, by casting some of the goods overbord; and on the third day they were forced to cast into the Sea the furniture of the Ship: And neither Sun nor Stars for many days appearing, and the weather being so exceeding tempestuous, they utterly despair'd of escaping. Now they having been for fourteen days together thus tossed with tempests, and under such fear of death, that they had not observed ordinary meals, Paul at last spake unto them, telling them, they should have harkened unto him, and so they might have prevented, and avoided this hazzard. However he bids them be of good chear; for no man among them should perish, only the Ship would be lost. For God (whose Servant he is, and who is pleased to own him, and protect him) had sent him a message by a holy An∣gel, that he must be brought before Nero the Roman Emperor, and that he would, for his sake(b) 1.2, pre∣serve the lives of all those that were with him in the Ship. The Apostle further de∣clares, how confident he was, that this that was revealed to him from the Lord, should be made good. Yet he telleth them, that for all this, they must expect to be cast upon an Island.

They having therefore for fourteen days together been thus toss'd in the Adriatick Sea, (not strictly so call'd, but in a large sense), at last the Mariners thought they drew near some Coun∣try, and by letting down their plummet, and sounding, they found it at first twenty fathoms, and trying again, they found it fifteen fathoms, which was an argument to them they were near a shore. But it being night, and they apprehending dan∣ger,

lest they should fall upon shelves for want of light to guide them, they durst go no further, but cast four anchors out of the Stern of the Ship, and so earnestly expected the day. But in the mean time, the Mariners let down the Boat into the Sea, (which before they had haled up into the Ship), under colour, as if they would have brought Anchors out of the Prow, or foremost part of the Ship, but intended therein to make their escape, fearing a Ship-wrack, and to leave all the rest to shift for themselves. Paul perceiving this, he told the Centurion and the Souldiers, that though God had promised to preserve them, yet they must not expect it, without using due means for their own preservation, which was to stay the Mariners in the Ship, whose help and diligence was especially needful to them on such an occasion. Hereupon the Souldiers, to pre∣vent the Mariners design, cut the Ropes of the Boat, and let it fall into the Sea. Then Paul while the day was com∣ing on, considering that the company in the Ship having been in so perpetual danger, and fear of being cast away, for so many days together, had eat no set meals, or so lit∣tle, that it was in a manner a continual fasting, he exhorted them now to refresh themselves by taking some food, which would the better enable them to bear the difficulties they were to grapple with, and (through the help of God) there should not one hair(c) 1.3 fall from the head of any of them. Having thus spoken, he took bread, and praising God for it, and desiring his blessing upon it, in the presence of them all, he began to eat, and refresh himself; and the rest (being encouraged by his words and example) did the like; so great a comfort and blessing was this poor despised Prisoner to the whole company. Then taking an account of their number thy found they were two hundred seventy six souls in all, in the Ship. Which possibly was done upon the motion of Paul, that so after their deliverance, it might appear, how exactly his prediction [men••ioned v. 22. & 34] was verified and fulfilled. And when they had eaten what was sufficient for them, they cast out the lading of the Ship which yet remained, (see v. 18.19.), yea and the wheat it self, which hitherto they had spared, being so needful for their sustentation. In the morning they discovered Land, but knew not where they were. However they discovered a cer∣tain Creek, into which they resolved, if it were possible, to run the Ship. Therefore taking up the Anchors, and loosing the Bands wherewith before they had made fast the Rudder, they committed themselves to Sea, and made towards shore. But falling into a place where two Seas met, they ran the Ship a-ground, so that the fore part sticking fast, the hinder-part was broken with the violence of the waves; nothing now remain∣ing, but that every one should shift for his life, and swim to shore, if he could, the Soldiers (shewing a cruel ingratitude to

Paul, who had been so great a comfort to them, and for whose sake their lifes were spared) advize, that the Prisoners should be put to death, lest any of them should by swimming out make his escape from them. But the Centurion being willing to save Paul, (for whose sake he himself was preserved), diverted them from that barbarous purpose, and commanded that those that could swim should first cast themselves into the Sea, and get to land, that they might be the more helpful to others; and those that could not swim, should make use of bords or planks, or other broken pieces of the Ship. Which they accordingly do∣ing, it pleased God that they came all safe to land. And when they were come thither, they found the Island upon which they were cast was Malta.

Act. 27. v. 1. And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul, and certain other prisoners, unto one named Ju∣lius, a centurion of Augustus band.

v. 2. And entring into a ship of Adramyttium, we lanched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessaloni∣ca, being with us.

v. 3. And the next day we touched at Sidon: And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

v. 4. And when we had lanched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

v. 5. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra a City of Lysia.

v. 6. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria, sailing into Ita∣ly, and he put us therein.

v. 7. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Gnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Creet, over against Salmone,

v. 8. And hardly passing it, came unto a place, which is called the Fair∣havens, nigh whereunto was the city of Lacea.

v. 9. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dan∣gerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them.

v. 10. And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

v. 11. N••vertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

v. 12. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter, which is an haven of Creet, and lieth towand the south-west, and north-west.

v. 13. And when the south-wind blew softly, supposing that they had ob∣tained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Creet.

v. 14. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, cal∣l••d Euroclydon.

v. 15. A••d when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we l••t her drive.

v. 16. And running under a certain Island, which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

v. 17. Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under-girding the ship: and fearing lest they should fall into the quick-sands, strake sail, and so were driven.

v. 18. And being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they light∣ed the ship:

v. 19. And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship:

v. 20. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved, was then ta∣ken away.

v. 21. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loo∣sed from Creet, and to have gained this harm and loss.

v. 22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any mans life among you, but of the ship.

v. 23. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve.

v. 24. Saying, Fear not Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

v. 25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

v. 26. Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island.

v. 27. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria about midnight, the ship-men deemed that they drew neer to some Countrey:

v. 28. And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

v. 29. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four ancres out of the stern, and wished for the day.

v. 30 And as the ship-men were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast ancres out of the fore-ship.

v. 31. Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

v. 32. Then the souldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

v. 33. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

v. 34. Wherefore, I pray you to take some meat, for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

v. 35. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

v. 36. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

v. 37. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

v. 38. And when they had eaten enough, they lighted the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

v. 39. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discover∣ed a certain creek, with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

v. 40. And when they had taken up the ancres, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the main sail to the wind, and made toward shore.

v. 41. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship a-ground, and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

v. 42. And the souldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

v. 43. But the Centurion willing to save Paul, kept them from their pur∣pose, and commanded that they which could swim, should cast them∣selves first into the sea, and get to land:

v. 44. And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship, and so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Act. 28. v. 1. And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

* 1.4 * 1.5 * 1.6 * 1.7 * 1.8 * 1.9 * 1.10

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Fuit hic ventus conjunctus (ut etiam v. 20.) cum densissimis tenebris adeo ut nec sol interdiu, nec noctu ullum sidus, appareret; id quod tanto gravi∣us fuit navigantibus illo tempore, quo artificium pixidis nauticae nondum erat inventum, sed navis ex solo syderum conspectu erat dirigenda. Accessit hye∣malis pluvia cum nive & grandine, ut solet in hyeme: duravit denique haec tempestas complures dies, perpetuóque sine interruptione incubuit usque in noctem decimam-quartam.
• (b) 1.2

  Hoc Deo solenne ut propter paucos pios pareat impiis in tempora∣libus judiciis, Gen. 18.32. 2 Reg. 7.14. Jer 5.1. Imo propter paucos pios Deus saepe procrastinat judicia publica vel etiam au••ert.
• (c) 1.3

  Modus est loquendi petitus ex V.T. 1 Sam. 14.45. 2 Sam. 14.11. 1 Reg. 1.52. Per quem in N. Testamento Scriptura solet exprimere arctam Dei vigilanti∣am & custodiam circa pios. Mat. 10.28, 29, 30. Luc. 12.7. & 21.17, 18.
• * 1.4

  v. 1. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] suum erat cuique cohorti Romanae nomen, quo ab aliis dis∣cerneretur. Haec dicta fuit Augusta, forte quod primaria esset, quae ante Caesari∣am Monarchiam praetoria dicebatur.
• * 1.5

  v. 2. Adramyttium est urbs Troadis maritima ad montis Idae radices. Ferra∣rius.
• * 1.6

  2. Aristarchus] Hic Aristarchus Christianus factus, Paulum ex Macedoniâ in Ju∣daeam usque comitatus fuerat. Act. 19.29. Idem Paulum jam custodiae datum ex amore in ipsum, & veritatem comitari sponte voluit, Romaeque primum adjutor e∣jus, deinde vinculorum particeps fuit, Col. 4.10.
• * 1.7

  v. 9 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Tempus designat Lucas ex more Judaici populi. De festo expiationis videntur haec intelligi debere, cujus fit mentio, Lev. 23.27▪
• * 1.8

  v. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est quaevis violentior procella.
• * 1.9

  v. 25. Credo enim Deo] Fidem Deus· ad consequenda hujus vitae beneficia saepe requirit, ut ostendat eam multo magis ad consequendam aeternam esse necessariam.
• * 1.10

  v. 33. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] Non quasi toto illo tempore omni cibo abstinuerint, sed quod ju∣stis, & ordinariis conviviis non vacarent; ut sic jejunii nomen improprie accipia∣tur de insolita cibi abstinentiâ. Non quod tam diu prorsus impasti manserint, sed quod per curas, & negotia non licuerit illis toto illo tempore justum prandium aut justam caenam sumere, aut tantum cibi comedere, quantum naturae necessitas pos∣ceret. Nihil cibi sumentes] scil. quod satiaret aut naturae satisfaceret.