Calvino Comentario a Hechos

8/12/2019 Calvino Comentario a Hechos

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P'#li!her code o" electronic edition% a! a!!igned #) the CC,L

*'thor +( a! a!!igned #) p'#li!her -oo$ +( a! a!!igned #) p'#li!her ,dition or ver!ion o" electronic editionComment! a#o't editorial practice!4 hether !pellinga! normali5ed% hat a! done ith end o" lineh)phen!% correction! made% tagging practice!% etc.* li!t o" p'#li!hed edition! and change!C'rrent editorial p'#lication !tat'! o" te t7ther comment!

COMMENTARYUPON

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

BY JOHN CALVIN

EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION OFCHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE, STUDENT IN DIVINITY,

BY HENRY BEVERIDGE, ESQ

VOLUME FIRST

CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARYGRAND RAPIDS, MI

http4 .ccel.org
http://www.ccel.org/http://www.ccel.org/


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,(+T78S P8,9*C,

TH, pre!ent C7MM,:T*8;% nece!!aril) parta$ing o" the character o" the -oo$ hich it i!de!igned to ill'!trate% i! more hi!torical than doctrinal< and hence doe! not contain !o m'ch

pro"o'nd theological di!c'!!ion a! !ome o" Calvin=! other Commentarie!. The leading topic i!the progre!! o" the >o!pel 'nder the in!pired teacher! to hom it! "ir!t propagation a!entr'!ted% and% in immediate connection ith thi!% the Con!tit'tion o" the *po!tolic Ch'rch% andthe privilege! en?o)ed #) it! mem#er!. To thi! latter point the attention o" the religio'! orld i!no more e!peciall) directed< and hatever #e the vie ! entertained ith regard to it #) an)reader into ho!e hand! thi! Commentar) ma) "all% i" he "eel! aright% he ill not thin$ that hi!!t'd) o" the controver!) i! complete 'ntil he ha! made him!el" ac@'ainted ith hat ha! #een!aid 'pon it #) !'ch a man a! Calvin.

* or$ o" talent need not #e either the le!! intere!ting or the le!! in!tr'ctive that it advocate!vie ! at variance ith o'r o n. +" o'r opinion! have #een deli#eratel) and candidl) "ormed% it i!a !ati!"actor) te!t o" their !o'ndne!! hen the) contin'e 'n!ha$en #) all that the a#le!t opponent

can 'rge again!t them.The Tran!lation appear! to #e ell e ec'ted. +t i!% perhap!% not !o !trictl) literal a! that o" theCommentar) on the 8oman!% hich the C*LA+: S7C+,T; ha! alread) p'#li!hed< #'t an)di""erence% in thi! re!pect% i! more than compen!ated #) the general !'periorit) o" it! !t)le. Thereare occa!ional o#!c'ritie! or mi!tran!lation! hich the ,ditor ha! endeavored% a! in theCommentar) on the 8oman!% to remove #) "oot note!< #'t% on the hole% it i! #elieved that the

pre!ent Tran!lation ill not !'""er #) compari!on ith that o" an) Theological Tran!lation o" the!ame period.

H. -.

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TH, C7MM,:T*8+,S79 M. B7H: C*LA+:

P7: TH, *CT,S 79 TH, *P7STL,S

FAITHFULLY TRANSLATED OUT OF LATIN INTO ENGLISH FOR THE GREATPROFIT OF OUR COUNTRYMEN, BY CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE STUDENT IN DIVINITY.

L7:(7:%

+mpen!i! >. -i!hop.

1DED.

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T7 TH, 8+>HT H7:78*-L, TH, L78(H,:8;%

,*8L 79 H :T+:>T7:%L78( H*ST+:>S% ,TC.%

Knight Of The Most Honorable Order Of The Garter, And Lord President Of The Queens MajestysCounsel stablished !n The "orth Parts,

CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE WISHETH INCREASE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS,LONG LIFE, AND HAPPY DAYS.

+" that F8ight Honora#leG + !ho'ld pre"i an) long and tedio'! pre"ace #e"ore thi! or$ incommendation o" )o'r honor% + !ho'ld o" !ome #e !'!pected o" "latter)< i" in prai!e o" the!elearned Commentarie!% it !ho'ld !eem a thing !'per"l'o'!% !eeing the) !'""icientl) commendthem!elve!< i" in e c'!e o" tho!e "a'lt! hich are #) me in tran!lating hereo" committed% !ome cen!'ring Cato o'ld condemn me% #eca'!e + o'ld ta$e in hand a or$ !o eight)% #eingnot a#le to #e itho't "a'lt% and #) craving pardon "or "a'lt! la)ing open m) "oll). 7mitting%there"ore% tho!e thing! hich might carr) ith them !'ch inconvenience!% + ha!ten 'nto thathereo" + am chie"l) to !pea$< namel)% to la) open the ca'!e! moving me to dedicate thi! m)!imple tran!lation 'nto )o'r honor.

;o'r de!ert! o" >od=! ch'rch% )o'r !ing'lar 5eal% )o'r 'n"eigned "aith% )o'r !incere pro"e!!ion%)o'r e!pecial care to advance >od=! glor)% and to root o't Papi!tr)% )o'r "aith"'lne!! to ard!)o'r prince% have #een !'ch% that thi! realm generall)% #'t m) co'ntr)men in the north part!% m)

native !oil% !peciall)% have% and !hall have% great ca'!e to prai!e >od "or )o' in the da) o" theirvi!itation% even hen it !hall plea!e >od o" hi! great merc) to #ehold them ith "avor a#leco'ntenance% and to ta$e "rom them in greater mea!'re that #lindne!! and !'per!tition% hereinthe) had #een long time no'!led% and #eing "a!t #red #) the #one% i! not )et Fthro'gh ant o"mean!G gotten o't o" the "le!h. Seeing all the!e virt'e! are in )o' to #e "o'nd< !eeing #oth thi!ch'rch and co'ntr) have "o'nd )o' !o #ene"icial% hom o'ght not the!e thing! to provo$e to!ho all than$"'lne!! to ard! )o'r honorI

*gain% hen thi! hi!tor) o" the *ct! o" the *po!tle! a! "ir!t penned in >ree$ #) L'$e% it a!dedicated to no#le Theophil'!. Jhen M. Calvin did the !econd time p'#li!h hi! Commentarie!there'pon in Latin% he pre!ented them 'nto one ho a! in mind a no#le Theophil'!. Le!t%there"ore% thi! or$% no p'#li!hed in ,ngli!h% !ho'ld #) dedication #e an) hit de#a!ed% + havemade choice o" )o'r honor% #eing no le!! a no#le Theophil'! than tho!e #e"ore mentioned.

*nother thing% hich i! not !o m'ch a ca'!e a! an enco'ragement% i! that co'rte!) hich )o'rhonor !ho eth to tho!e hich pre!ent 'nto )o' an) e erci!e! o" learning% ho !imple !oeverthe) #e% hereo" + have had "'ll good e perience even in m) tender )ear!< namel)% at !'ch timea! + a! trained 'p in the cit) o" Carli!le% 'nder that man% in hi! calling pain"'l% and to thecommon ealth pro"ita#le% M. Ha)e!% hom "or that d't) hich to him + o e + name. *t hichtime% tho'gh tho!e e erci!e! hich 'nto )o'r honor e then pre!ented ere !imple% )et ere


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the) !o co'rteo'!l) o" )o' received% that the remem#rance thereo" doth even no enco'rage meto pre!'me to o""er 'nto )o' !ome eightier matter.

The la!t% #'t not the lea!t% i!% the con!ideration o" that great and 'nde!erved $indne!!% hich allm) "riend! in general% #'t e!peciall) m) #rother% )o'r honor=! !ervant% have "o'nd at )o'r hand!%hich% to rip 'p at large% o'ld #e too tedio'!. +n their #ehal"% there"ore% 8ight Honora#le% a!al!o in mine o n% a! a !mall te!timon) o" a than$"'l heart% + pre!ent 'nto )o'r honor thi! or$

9rom Maigh"ield in S'!!e % thi! 1/th o" 7cto#er% 1DED.

;o'r Honor=! mo!t h'm#le and o#edient%and in Chri!t at commandment%

CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE.

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TH, ,P+STL, T7 TH, 8,*(,8.

TH7 ha!t at length% FChri!tian reader%G thro'gh the #le!!ing o" >od% here ith he hath #le!!edm) la#or!% tho!e learned Commentarie! o" M. Calvin 'pon the *ct! o" the *po!tle!% tho'gh!impl)% )et "aith"'ll)% t'rned into ,ngli!h< and tho'gh o" man) + a! the 'nmeete!t to attemptthi! travail% )et !'ch a! the earne!t re@'e!t o" m) godl) "riend!% that 'nle!! + !ho'ld have ta$enit in hand% + !ho'ld have !eemed void o" co'rte!)% and al!o o" care to pro"it >od=! Ch'rch. + illnot !tand to rip 'p tho!e commoditie! hich tho' #) reading the!e Commentarie! ma)e!t reap%

#'t + leave them to thine o n e perience. Jhat m) travail hath #een in thi! or$% tho!e hohave end'red li$e toll can #e!t ?'dge. *nd "ora!m'ch a! + $no ell% that a"ter great pain!ta$ing!ome thing! have e!caped me% + #e!eech thee% Fgentle reader%G condemn me not ra!hl)% #'t ratheramend them "riendl). +" tho' !halt gro "or ard in #no$ledge #) reading thi! or$% then prai!e>od% ho hath #) thi! mean! made thee pro"it. >od give thee good !'cce!! in reading% thatthere#) tho' ma)e!t #oth #e #etter learned% and al!o #etter lived.

Thine in the Lord,

CHRISTOPHER FETHERSTONE.

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T7 TH, M7ST 8,:7J:,( P8+:C,% TH,L78( :+C7L*S 8*(K+J+LL% ( , +:

7L+ *%COUNTY PALATINE OF VILNA, CHIEF MARSHAL, AND HEAD CHANCELLOR OF

THE GREAT DUKEDOM OF LITHUANIA, ETC.,

H+S L78( H+>HL; T7 -, 8,A,8,:C,(%B7H: C*LA+:.

JH,8,*S + have made mention o" the name! o" tho!e $ing! 'nto hom + had dedicated the!em) Commentarie!% le!t the change inc'r the crime o" lightne!! among certain 'n!$ill"'l men% +m'!t #rie"l) render !ome rea!on thereo". 9or altho'gh #oth the remem#rance o" the "ather% hoi! dead% doth retain that reverence ith me hich it de!erveth% and + do al!o% a! #ecometh me%reverence the !on< )et the import'nitie! o" certain did en"orce me to p't o't 91 their name! in thi!!econd edition% ho% #eing incen!ed again!t me ith a "'rio'! hatred and "ear% le!t the ma?e!t) o"$ing! do p'rcha!e !ome "avor to m) riting!% do #oa!t a#road that the) did conceive !oredi!plea!'re% that their name a! mi ed ith the doctrine o" the !acrament! hich the)them!elve! di!allo . + leave it indi""erent hether that #e tr'e or no% neither do + pa!!< 9/ "ora!m'ch a! + did neither h'nt a"ter an) private gain% nor )et !ee$ to in "avor. -'t #eca'!e it!eemed to me an indecent and "ilth) thing to en"orce tho!e #oo$! 'pon men hich are 'n illingto entertain them% hich do "ind illing reader! eno'gh% it a! orth the declaring no % that +never did thin$ an) thing le!!< #'t that + did hope "or more co'rte!) than + "o'nd. +n that tr'l)there can #e no o""en!e% i" ithdra ing m)!el" "rom the contempt o" tho!e ho loathe m)d'ti"'llne!!% + !'""er them to en?o) tho!e delight! o" their! hich the) de!ire% and herein the)delight.

7" )o'% mo!t "amo'! prince% have + made choice% not itho't good ca'!e% hom + might p't inthe place o" t o< #oth #eca'!e + thin$ )o' mo!t orth) to have )o'r name appear in the !pirit'al

#'ilding o" Chri!t=! temple< neither do + "ear #'t that m) #oo$ !hall "ind the !ame "riend!hip at)o'r hand!% hich )o' did vo'ch!a"e to declare to ard! me in )o'r mo!t gentle letter!. -'t%omitting at thi! time the re!pect o" private good ill% + ill !ta) in another thing. Moreover% +ma) "'ll ell appl) 'nto )o' that !peech hich + had #e"ore ith another. :either am +determined in thi! place to commend tho!e mo!t e cellent virt'e! here ith )o' have p'rcha!edgreat a'thorit) and !ing'lar "avor ith the ing 93 o" Polonia< + am rather #ent 'nto an

e hortation% the !'m hereo" !hall #e thi!% that ith the li$e readine!! and ?o)"'lne!! here ith)o' have at the #eginning received the p're doctrine o" the >o!pel% that ith the li$e !to'tne!! o"co'rage here ith )o' have hitherto endeavored to maintain the tr'e or!hip o" >od% )o' doith the !ame con!tanc) pro!ec'te thi! co'r!e 'nto the end.

+t a! !'rel) a point o" rare virt'e% that herea! )o' did $no that man) did hate nothing morethan the "ran$ pro"e!!ion and "ree !t'd) o" godline!!% )et% !o !oon a! the tr'th o" the >o!pel o"Chri!t did once !hine and appear 'nto )o'% )o' did not "ear #) giving )o'r name to provo$e theirhatred again!t )o'. :either do tho!e o""ice! and good t'rn! de!erve !mall prai!e% hich )o' did


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not cea!e to #e!to 'pon the cheri!hing and increa!ing o" the "ir!t #eginning! o" the Ch'rchho!t% hich doth not onl) tame mo!t cr'el

#ea!t!% #'t ma$eth al!o lam#! o" olve!% lion!% and #ear!< hich t'rneth !pear! into hoo$!% and! ord! into plo'gh!hare!I

E


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There"ore% !eeing that% mo!t no#le prince% + o""er 'nto )o' !'ch $ind o" temperat're a! thenece!!it) o" time! re@'ireth% + hope that thi! d't) o" mine !hall not #e 'n elcome to )o'rhighne!!< !o that% indeed% )o' !hall perceive thi! $ind o" con"irmation to #e ver) pro"ita#le and"it to loo$ into the #eginning o" the Ch'rch% a! it i! de!cri#ed o" L'$e% herein appeareth #othonder"'l po er o" >od 'nder the reproach o" the cro!!% and al!o mo!t valiant patience o" the

!ervant! o" >od% 'nder the h'ge #'rden o" tro'#le!% and the !'cce!! it!el" incredi#le to the ?'dgment o" the orld% #ringeth "orth mo!t plenti"'l "r'it o" #oth. -'t that + ma) omit otherthing! hich )o' had #etter !et [!ee$] o't #) reading o" L'$e him!el"% + ill to'ch one thinghich i! proper to earthl) prince!% and the chie" governor! o" $ingdom! and co'ntrie!< to it%that !eeing that Fthe po er o" the hole orld gain!a)ing% and all men hich ere then ina'thorit) #eing armed to oppre!! the go!pelG a "e men% o#!c're% 'narmed% and contempti#le%tr'!ting onl) to the aid o" the tr'th and the Spirit% did la#or !o !to'tl) in !preading a#road the"aith o" Chri!t% did re"'!e no pain! nor danger% did !tand !to'tl) again!t all a!!a'lt!% 'ntil atlength the) got the victor)< there remaineth no e c'!e "or Chri!tian no#le!% ho are o" an)dignit)% !eeing >od hath "'rni!hed them ith the ! ord to de"end the $ingdom o" hi! Son% 'nle!!the) #e at lea!t a! con!tant and #old to ta$e 'pon them !'ch an honora#le o""ice.

9'rthermore% it i! not m) part to declare ho "aith"'ll) and 'prightl) + have #ehaved m)!el" ininterpreting thi! hi!tor). + hope% !'rel)% m) la#or !hall #e "r'it"'l to all men. *nd a! "or )o'% mo!torth) prince% + m'!t again re@'e!t and #e!eech )o'% that )o' do #oth privatel) addict )o'r!el"holl) 'nto Chri!t hi! government% a! )o' have o" late happil) #eg'n< and that )o' o'ld al!o

#ecome not onl) a "aith"'l helper% #'t al!o a mo!t !to't and valiant !tandard #earer in "'rtheringthe $ingdom o" Chri!t 'nto !o man) no#le men% hom not onl) the reno n o" their !toc$ andlineage% #'t al!o the e cellenc) o" their virt'e!% doth commend. >od hath vo'ch!a"ed to #e!to'pon the realm o" Polonia a !ing'lar privilege o" honor% that the #etter part o" the no#ilit)%

#idding adie' to ic$ed !'per!tition!% hich are a! man) corr'ption! and poll'tion! o" theor!hip o" >od% !ho'ld de!ire ith one con!ent a tr'e "orm o" godline!!% and a ell "ramed andre"ormed order o" the Ch'rch. +t i! ell $no n that the!e men ere not a little aided #) )o'ra'thorit). -'t there remain more com#at! #oth "or )o' and al!o "or them% than that% li$eover orn 96 !oldier!% )o' !ho'ld give )o'r!elve! to idlene!! and re!t.

9ir!t% altho'gh no "oreign enem) tro'#le )o'% )o' !hall have #'!ine!! eno'gh to ith!tand tho!eevil! hich are at home ith )o'. ;o' have !'""icientl) tried ith ho man) !leight! Satan i!"'rni!hed% that he ma) or$ !ome polic) to overthro that hol) concord among!t #rethren%herein con!i!teth the !a"et) o" the Ch'rch< that #e"alleth )o' hich i! common ever) here% "ortro'#le!ome men to thr'!t in them!elve! hen thing! are o't o" order< ho% hil!t the) !ee a"e % and tho!e ea$ling! tro'#led #) a great m'ltit'de% and that the) do ith m'ch ado de"endthe tr'th% hich i! covered ith the thic$ clo'd! o" "al!e acc'!ation!% the) do more ea!il) come'pon them 'na are! 9 *nd #) thi! !'#tlet) doth that chie" or$er o" all deceit and g'ile !ee$ the

r'in o" the Ch'rch% not onl) #) c'tting% mangling% and p'lling in piece! the 'nit) o" the "aith% #'t #) #'rdening the name o" Chri!t ith "al!e env)< #eca'!e the companie! o" the godl)% among!thom the!e ic$ed $nave! mi them!elve!% !eem to #e certain receptacle! and !in$! o" all"ilthine!!.

So% hil!t that Stancar'!% a man o" a tro'#le!ome nat're% doth% thro'gh that am#ition here ithhe i! holl) !et on "ire% !pread a#road among!t )o' hi! doting!% here'pon #ra$e o't thatcontention hich threateneth !ome !cattering a#road< and )o' ere laid open 'nto the !lander!o" man)% #eca'!e it a! tho'ght that hi! !ect did !pread it!el" "arther. -ehold% on the other !ide% a


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certain ph)!ician% called >eorge -landrata% or!e than Stancar'!% #eca'!e hi! error i! moredete!ta#le% and #eca'!e he hath in hi! mind more !ecret poi!on. 9or hich ca'!e the!e al!o arethe more orth) to #e reproved% at ho!e hand! the 'ngodline!! o" Servet'! hath "o'nd !'ch"avor o" !'ch a !'dden. 9or altho'gh + am per!'aded that the) are "ar "rom tho!e perver!e and!acrilegio'! opinion!% )et the) !ho'ld have ta$en #etter heed% and not have !'""ered thi! "o

cra"til) to creep into their compan). -eca'!e !'ch plag'e! ill never #e anting% neither illSatan ever cea!e to #ring a#road into the "ore"ront !'ch champion! a! have given overthem!elve! to !erve him% that he ma) tro'#le the #eginning! o" the go!pel% it i! "or )o' to #econtin'all) in a readine!!< and to the end )o' ma) prevent greater evil!% )o' m'!t !et do n rightand godl) manner o" government% hich i! the "aith"'l $eeping o" hol) peace. 9or a! it i!mani"e!t that p'rit) o" doctrine i! the !o'l o" the Ch'rch% !o e ma) "'ll ell compare di!cipline'nto the !ine !% here ith the #od) #eing #o'nd and $nit together% doth maintain hi! [it!]!trength.

:o % on the other !ide% the 'ngodline!! o" other enemie! o'ght to !harpen )o'r !t'd) Fandearne!tne!!%G + mean the preacher! o" *ntichri!t o" 8ome% ho% to the end the) ma) deceive theignorant% do contin'all)% ith !hrill voice% !o'nd o't the name o" the Ch'rch. There i! nocontrover!) among!t '! a#o't the Ch'rch% #'t all grant that the a'thorit) thereo" o'ght to #ereverenced o" all the children o" >od< !ave onl) that the)% 'nder "al!e color o" honor% do ma$e the!hado i!h name o" the Ch'rch !'#?ect to their l'!t!< e do !o reverence the Ch'rch "rom o'rheart% that e acco'nt it great ic$edne!! to pro"ane the !acred name thereo". That + ma) omitother godl) mini!ter! o" p're and !o'nd doctrine% + m)!el" have again and again hereto"ore inman) place! handled thi! @'e!tion. Jhen mention i! made o" the Ch'rch% ho!e head i! the Sono" >od% and hich he% ho i! the "o'ntain o" li"e eternal% doth al a)! @'ic$en #) hi! Spirit% horidic'lo'! a thing it i! to #ring "orth a #od) itho't a head% and% !econdl)% a dead carca!!.

The hireling "latterer! o" the Pope do cr) o't that the) have the Ch'rch< #'t e can $no #) nomean! #etter% hether thi! #e tr'e or no% than hen e loo$ 'nto the head. *! "or that% it i!

mani"e!t that it i! c't o"" #) their !acrilegio'! violence. 9or ho !hall Chri!t retain the place o"the head% #eing de!poiled o" all hi! po er% thro n do n "rom hi! government% deprived o" hi!dignit)I pon thi! condition hath the heavenl) 9ather made him the head o" the Ch'rch% that hema) govern all men "rom the greate!t to the lea!t% #) the doctrine o" hi! go!pel< that he ma) #ethe onl) prie!t to reconcile the 9ather contin'all)% a! he hath once appea!ed hi! rath #) the!acri"ice o" hi! death< that hi! death ma) contin'all) p'rge o'r !in!< that hi! #lood ma) #e theonl) a!hing< that hi! o#edience ma) #e a per"ect !ati!"action< that he ma) #e a Fcontin'al andG!ole interce!!or% thro'gh ho!e mean! o'r pra)er! ma) #e heard< that he ma) #e a "aith"'lde"ender and t'tor% that he ma)% #) hi! aid% de"end '!< that Fthe vice! o" o'r "le!h #eing tamedG hema) re"orm '! 'nto righteo'!ne!! and holine!!< that he alone ma) #egin and "ini!h in '! a

#le!!ed li"e. +" the Papi!t! have le"t him an) o" the!e thing!% let them have the Ch'rch on their

!ide. -'t i" the Pope% oppre!!ing men=! con!cience! ith hi! "ierce and more cr'el t)rann)% havedi!ann'lled and ta$en a a) Chri!t hi! government< i" he have #ro'ght in a "orm o" governmentaltogether contrar) to the go!pel< i" he have invented a ne and !trange prie!thood% that he ma)thr'!t in him!el"% #eing #'t a mortal man% to #e the mediator #et een >od and the orld< i" hehave "orged dail) !acri"ice!% that he ma) trot them in Chri!t=! place< i" he have invented atho'!and !ati!"action! "or !in!< i" he have #ro'ght reigned a!hing! "rom the la$e o" hell% toma$e dr) the #lood o" the Son o" >od< i" he have p't in hi! place in"inite patron!< i" he have tornin a tho'!and piece! that righteo'!ne!! hich m'!t #e !et [!o'ght] holl) "rom him< i"% in!tead

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o" the Hol) >ho!t% he have erected man=! "ree ill< it i!% itho't all @'e!tion% that the tr'e Chri!ti! #ani!hed "ar "rom Papi!tr). 9or thi! ca'!e have + !aid that the Papi!t! ma$e #oa!t o" a deadcarca!! in!tead o" the livel) #od) o" Chri!t% #eca'!e% tho'gh the) have e ting'i!hed the doctrineo" the go!pel% F hich i! the tr'e !o'l o" the Ch'rch% and hich d'l) doth @'ic$en the !ame%G )etthe) do greatl) #oa!t o" a !hado i!h and tri"ling $ind o" Ch'rch.

Je ma$e it "'ll ell $no n ho corr'pt the p'rit) o" doctrine i! among!t them% )ea% ith hatmon!tro'! error! it i! poll'ted. The) do not onl) cover all their corr'ption! 'nder the !hado o"the Ch'rch% #'t al!o complain that e do great in?'r) to the Ch'rch% #eca'!e e !a) that the!ame doth err. -'t the) !ho'ld "ir!t have e amined the doctrine% that the Ch'rch might there#)

#e $no n. The!e ?'!t and hone!t ?'dge! ill have the reigned title o" doctrine to have !'""icient"orce o" pre?'dice to cover and !'ppre!! the di""erence% and that not to deceive men. 9or ithhat !leight! and legerdemain o'ld the) a!!a) to #lear even da55ling e)e! in !o great lightI -'t

#eca'!e the) acco'nt thi! li#ert) o" l)ing a part o" their t)rann)% the) thin$ the) reign not a! the)o'ld% 'nle!! the) reproach"'ll) moc$ mi!era#le !o'l!.

That e ma) !et an e ample no "arther% e have !een in o'r time!% !ometime! the Tridentine

9ather!% !ometime! the 9ather! o" -ononia% ho% altho'gh the) ere even at dagger! dra ingamong them!elve!% )et did the) "oam o't their vain canon! on #oth !ide!. *nd !'rel) i" mena!!ent to their principle!% the tri'mph !hall #e prepared on #oth !ide!. There !it there + cannot tellho man) #i!hop! and a##ot!% peradvent're an h'ndred horned #ea!t!. +" the mo!t "ine "lo er o"all the nation !ho'ld !hine there% )et !ho'ld it #e nothing el!e #'t a ic$ed con!pirac) again!t>od. *nd no a"ter that the Pope hath gathered together the #ran and chip! o" hi! 'nclean and"ilth) rotten "loc$% !hall the repre!entative Ch'rch !'ddenl) appear thereI *nd are the) not )eta!hamed to call that an hol)% general% and la "'l Co'ncil% hich doth not de!erve !o m'ch a! to

#e called a vain and comical vi!or o" a Co'ncilI -'t a! "or '!% to hom the promi!e i! made% that*ntichri!t% ho !itteth in the temple o" >od% !hall #e de!tro)ed ith the #reath o" the Lord=!mo'th< let not '! F+ !a)G cea!e to re"'te thi! "ilth) and hori!h imp'denc)% ith that mo!t !acred

ord hich the) !o #oldl) moc$% that all men ma) !ee hat di""erence there i! #et een thecha!te !po'!e o" Chri!t and the !tin$ing hore o" -elial< #et een the !anct'ar) o" >od and the #rothel ho'!e o" Satan< #et een the !pirit'al ho'!e o" the godl) and the !t)e o" hog!< and%"inall)% #et een the tr'e Ch'rch and the co'rt o" 8ome. There can no more certain or plaindemon!tration #e #ro'ght concerning thi! matter either #) ,'clid% either )et #) *rchimede!% thani" the Ch'rch% a! L'$e de!cri#eth it% #e compared ith the Popi!h !)nagog'e. :either am + !o!trait that + o'ld have that con"'!ed l'mp% #eing altogether rep'gnant 'nto the order o" nat'reand manner o" h'manit)% to #e agreea#le in all point! to the r'le o" the *po!tle!% hich i!angelical and heavenl). +" the) can !ho an) thing herein the) are li$e 'nto them% 9E the) ma)tri'mph "or me< #'t "ora!m'ch a! all thing! are contrar)% and altho'gh the more part o" men

#ecome #lind illingl)% at lea!t i!e% [!till] !eeing the hole heaven! do allo 9 '!% e ma) not

onl) contemn their #rain !ic$ pride itho't an) "ear% #'t al!o "reel) !pea$ evil o" the !ame.+n the mean !ea!on% e have no !mall con!olation to !'pport '!% that ho !oever the Papi!t! do!et again!t '! ith !tern co'ntenance 910 the name and title o" the Ch'rch% )et e $no that e"ight onl) again!t the pro"e!!ed enemie! o" Chri!t. Je o'ght a#ove all thing! to de!ire% that themo!t reno ned $ing% ho% according to hi! i!dom% hath long ago !pied o't the !'#tle !leight!o" the 8omi!h co'rt% commanding tho!e vain #'ll! to avoid% 911 herein the co'ncil #oa!teth a"aro""% ma) at length more "reel) appl) hi! mind 'nto the earne!t and per"ect re!toring o" theCh'rch< )et o'ght no lingering to $eep )o' #ac$% #'t ever) one o" )o' m'!t% ith might and

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main% endeavor to enlarge and !pread a#road tho!e #eginning! hich are #eg'n to ari!e !ohappil).

9are ell% mo!t e cellent lord and right reno ned prince. The Lord al a)! govern )o' ith hi!Spirit% ampli") #) all mean! )o'r dignit)% and #le!! )o'r godl) enterpri!e! even 'nto the end.

At Gene&a, the )st of August, 1D60.

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TH, *8> M,:TUPON

TH, *CTS 79 TH, *P7STL,S.To the intent that all godl) men ma)% ith more diligence% read thi! hi!tor)% and al!o #e morede!iro'! thereo"% it !hall not #e itho't pro"it #rie"l) to note hat commodit) the) !hall reapthere#).

Thi! i! the chie"e!t prai!e that a pro"ane hi!tor) hath% namel)% that it i! the mi!tre!! o" li"e. +" thatnarration o" "amo'! deed!% hich onl) teacheth men hat the) o'ght to "ollo % or hat the)o'ght to e!che % in their common action!% de!erve !'ch a title% o" ho great prai!e are the divinehi!torie! orth)% hich do not onl) "rame the o't ard li"e o" man that he ma) in prai!e #)virt'e% #'t al!o F hich i! moreG hich declare 'nto '! that >od% "rom the #eginning% hath had a

!pecial regard al a)! o" hi! Ch'rch% Fand "aith"'l congregation%G that he hath #een al a)! a mo!t ?'!t revenger o" all rong! done 'nto tho!e that have #eta$en them!elve! 'nto hi! t'ition% andhave committed them!elve! 'nto hi! c'!tod)< that he hath !ho ed him!el" "avora#le andmerci"'l 'nto mo!t mi!era#le and retched !inner!< and% la!tl)% #) teaching '! "aith% rai!ed '!high a#ove the heaven!. + !a) nothing o" thi!% that the) do ever) here !et "orth the providence o">od% that the) di!ting'i!h the tr'e or!hip o" >od "rom the "al!e% and never err in the di""erenceo" vice and virt'e< altho'gh + omit no al!o tho!e orth) prai!e! hich '!ed mo!t commonl) to

#e attri#'ted 'nto the !acred hi!torie!% intending onl) !hortl) to to'ch tho!e hich are proper tothi! #oo$ hich e have ta$en in hand.

Tho!e thing! hich L'$e !etteth #e"ore '! in thi! place to #e learned are not onl) great% #'t al!oo" rare pro"it< "or% "ir!t% in that he !ho eth that the Spirit o" >od a! !ent 'nto the apo!tle!% hedoth not onl) prove that Chri!t a! "aith"'l Fand tr'eG in $eeping hi! promi!e made 'nto hi!apo!tle!< #'t al!o he certi"ieth '!% that he i! al a)! mind"'l o" hi!% and a perpet'al governor o"hi! Ch'rch% #eca'!e the Hol) Spirit did de!cend "rom heaven to thi! end< here#) e learn thatthe di!tance o" place doth no hit hinder Chri!t "rom #eing pre!ent ith tho!e that #e hi! at alltime!. :o % here i! mo!t livel) painted o't the #eginning o" Chri!t=! $ingdom% and a! it ere therene ing o" the orld< "or altho'gh the Son o" >od had gathered together% #) hi! preaching% acertain Ch'rch% #e"ore !'ch time a! he departed o't o" the orld% )et% neverthele!!% that a! the

#e!t "orm o" the Ch'rch hich #egan then% hen a! the apo!tle!% having ne po er given them"rom a#ove% #egan to preach that that onl) Shepherd did #oth die and al!o ri!e again% thatthro'gh hi! cond'ct all tho!e hich ere di!per!ed% "ar and ide% F'pon the "ace o" the holeearth%G might #e gathered 'nto one !heep"old. Here i!% there"ore% !et do n #oth the #eginning and

al!o the increa!ing o" the Ch'rch o" Chri!t a"ter hi! a!cen!ion% here#) he a! declared to #eing #oth o" heaven and earth.

9'rthermore% therein appeareth% a! ell the marvelo'! po er o" Chri!t% a! the great "orce ande""icac) o" the go!pel it!el"< "or in that Chri!t% #) a !ort o" !imple !o'l!% Fand o" no rep'tationamong!t men%G #eing ind'ed al!o ith no elo@'ence at all% hath !'#d'ed the hole orld !oea!il)% #) the onl) voice o" the go!pel% herea!% not ith!tanding Satan did re!i!t him ith !oman) let!% he hath !ho ed a mo!t mani"e!t to$en o" hi! divine po er and might therein. *nd

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al!o% e !ee in the !ame the incredi#le "orce o" the go!pel% that it did not onl) come "orth and!ho it!el"% altho'gh the hole orld did !a) na)% #'t al!o ith great glor) and ma?e!t)% ma$eall that hich did !eem !t'##orn to #e o#edient 'nto Chri!t. There"ore% the!e "e and !implecreat're! did more prevail again!t the tro'#le!ome t'm'lt! o" the orld% ith the #a!e and !imple!o'nd o" their mo'th% than i" >od !ho'ld openl) have thro n do n lightning! 91/ "rom heaven.

*nd% on the other !ide% the Spirit o" >od teacheth '!% that the $ingdom o" Chri!t #eginneth never!ooner to "lo'ri!h% #'t #) and #) Satan oppo!eth him!el" mo!t "'rio'!l) again!t the !ame% and'!eth all hi! engine! either 'tterl) to overthro or !ore to !ha$e the sa%e( :either are e onl)ta'ght% that Satan doth re!i!t Chri!t a! an enem)% #'t al!o that the hole orld doth "'rio'!l)rage together again!t him% that he ma) not reign over them. ;ea% "'rthermore% that i! to #e !etdo n a! a thing mo!t certain% that ic$ed men% hil!t the) do !o rage again!t the go!pel% do #oth"ight 'nder Satan=! #anner% and are pric$ed "or ard #) him into !o #lind "'r). Here'pon do ari!e!o man) 'proar!% !o man) plag') con!piracie!% !o man) devili!h endeavor! o" the repro#ate tooverthro the go!pel% Fand to hinder the "ree pa!!age o" the !ame%G hich L'$e !etteth do nalmo!t in ever) place.

La!tl)% li$e a! the apo!tle! have indeed tried% 913 that the doctrine o" the go!pel i! a "ire and a! ord% !o ma) e learn #) their e perience that it ill al a)! come to pa!!% not onl) #) theo#!tinate malice o" Satan% #'t al!o #) the "atal !t'##ornne!! o" men% that the go!pel !hall !'""erman) con"lict!% and that there#) man) t'm'lt! !hall #e rai!ed. -'t% on the other !ide% he declareththat the apo!tle!% F ith a !to't !tomach%G ith a livel) co'rage and invinci#le violentne!! ["orce]o" mind% did% not ith!tanding% e ec'te the o""ice hich the) $ne a! en?oined them #) >odod hath marvelo'!l) delivered hi! Ch'rch in time! pa!t% #eing a""lictedand oppre!!ed !o man) a)!% !o he ill at thi! da) #e pre!ent ith '! al!o. 9or% !'rel)% !eeingthat in thi! #oo$ i! declared ho that >od% #) hi! might) hand and o't!tretched arm alone% dothcontin'all) de"end hi! Ch'rch% #eing amid!t contin'al death!4 >od him!el"% #) thi! mean!%!etteth #e"ore o'r e)e! hi! contin'al providence in proc'ring the !a"et) thereo".

9'rthermore% here are !et do n certain !ermon! o" the apo!tle! hich intreat in !'ch !ort o" thegreat mercie! o" >od% o" the grace o" Chri!t% o" the hope o" #le!!ed immortalit)% o" the calling'pon >od% o" repentance and the "ear o" >od% and al!o o" other principal point! o" Chri!tiandoctrine% that e need not !ee$ the hole !'m o" godline!! an) here el!e.4 -'t that + ma) no

omit the declaration o" !o'nd and p're doctrine% i" that #e a thing mo!t need"'l to #e $no n%namel)% to 'nder!tand ho the Ch'rch o" Chri!t "ir!t #egan< ho the apo!tle! #egan to preach thego!pel< hat !'cce!! the) had in the !ame< hat cr'el com#at! the) !'""ered< ho man"'ll) the)

pa!!ed thro'gh !o man) let! and impediment!< ho co'rageo'!l) the) tri'mphed over all the pride o" the orld 'nder the reproach o" the cro!!< ho onder"'ll) >od a! pre!ent ith them4then m'!t e highl) e!teem o" thi! #oo$% hich% 'nle!! it ere e tant% the $no ledge o" !o greatthing! !ho'ld either #e @'ite #'ried% or greatl) o#!c'red% or rapped in diver! do'#t!. 9or e !eethat Satan '!ed all hi! engine!% that he might !o #ring to pa!!% that never an) o" the act! o" the

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apo!tle! might come to light% #'t !'ch onl) a! ere mi ed ith lie!< to the end he might #ringinto !'!picion hat thing !oever a! !po$en o" them% and !o #) that mean! might pl'c$ o't o"the mind! o" the godl) all the remem#rance o" that age. 9or he al a)! rai!ed 'p% either doting"ool! or cra"t) "lo'ter!% 91 that the) might !pread a#road a !ort o" "ilth) "a#le! 'nder the name! o"other men< the #loc$i!hne!! hereo" did m'ch di!credit even the tr'e hi!torie!.

So in tho!e #oo$! o" Peter and Pa'l% hich are reigned to #e o" Lin'! hi! doing% are contained!'ch a !ort o" !tin$ing tri"le!% that the) ca'!e the ic$ed to la'gh at them% and the godl) to loathethem. So that reigned di!p'tation o" Peter ith Simon Mag'! i! !o ridic'lo'!% that it dothdi!credit the name o" a Chri!tian. The !ame opinion m'!t e have o" all that mingle mangle% 91D hich i! !et #e"ore the 8ecognition! and Co'ncil! o" Clement% and recited o" >ratian'! in hi!9ragment!. The) #eg'ile the 'n!$ill"'l 'nder color o" ancient name!< the ic$ed #oa!t o" tho!ea! o" oracle!% no le!! #oldl) than imp'dentl)% hen a!% indeed% the) are "ilth) to)!. Satan did '!e!'ch li#ert) to lie% that e might have no certain thing le"t '! a"ter Chri!t=! a!cen!ion. So that'nle!! thi! or$ 916 o" L'$e ere e tant% it might !eem that Chri!t #eing ta$en 'p into heaven%le"t no "r'it o" hi! death or re!'rrection 'pon earth. 9or all !ho'ld have vani!hed a a) ith hi!

#od). Je !ho'ld not $no that Chri!t a! !o received into hi! cele!tial glor)% that% neverthele!!%he #eareth r'le in all the orld< e !ho'ld not $no that the go!pel a! p'#li!hed #) theapo!tle!% and !o came "rom them 'nto '!% tho'gh #) the mean! o" other!< 91 e !ho'ld not $nothat the) ere in!pired #) the Hol) >ho!t% le!t the) !ho'ld teach an)thing #'t that hich a!divine% to the end o'r "aith might #e gro'nded onl) 'pon the in"alli#le verit) o" >od. La!t o" all%e !ho'ld not $no that that prophec) o" ,!aia! a! "'l"illed% herein he "oretold that the la!ho'ld come o't o" Sion% and the Jord o" the Lord o't o" Ber'!alem.

Seeing thi! #oo$ proceeding% no do'#t% "rom the Spirit o" >od% ta$eth "rom '! all do'#ting o"the!e thing!% e m'!t co'nt the !ame a! a great trea!'re% a! + have !aid #e"ore not itho't ca'!e%and no again con"irm the !ame.

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C7MM,:T*8;

UPON

TH, *CTS 79 TH, *P7STL,S.CH*PT,8 1

ACTS 1:1-21. The "ormer !peech tr'l) have e had% 7 Theophil'!% o" all thing! hichBe!'! #egan to do and teach% 2. ,ven 'ntil that da)% herein% a"ter he had givencommandment #) the Hol) >ho!t to the apo!tle!% hich he had cho!en% hea! ta$en 'p.

TH*T he ma) pa!! over 'nto tho!e thing! hich "ollo ed the a!cen!ion o" Chri!t% he #rie"l)gathereth the !'m o" all tho!e hich #e"ore he had handled in the "ormer #oo$% that he ma)anne thi! there'nto. *nd he #rie"l) !etteth do n thi! de!cription o" the hi!tor) o" the go!pel%that it i! a narration o" tho!e thing! hich Chri!t did and !aid !o long a! he a! conver!ant 'ponearth. 9'rthermore% herea! the) interpret thi! commonl)% that there a! "ir!t in Chri!t p'rit) o"li"e% #e"ore !'ch time a! he #egan to preach% it ma$eth nothing 'nto L'$e=! mind. Tr'th it i!% thatthe manner! o" a good and godl) teacher o'ght !o to #e "ramed% that he !pea$ "ir!t ith hi! li"e%then ith hi! tong'e% other i!e he !ho'ld di""er nothing "rom a !tage pla)er. -'t L'$e hathre!pect rather 'nto that hich he had !aid a#o't the end o" hi! go!pel% F N // 1 O L'$e / 41 %Gnamel)% that Chri!t a! a prophet might) in deed and ord% that i!% !'ch a one a! did e cel no

le!! in deed! than in ord!< altho'gh there #e #'t !mall di""erence #et i t the!e t o place!. 9orthe mightine!! o" or$! hich i! commended there doth #elong 'nto hi! miracle!% #'t thi!% todo, doth reach "'rther in m) opinion% namel)% that 'nder the !ame are comprehended all the"amo'! act! hich ere proper 'nto hi! mini!tr)% herein hi! death and re!'rrection are thechie"e!t. 9or the o""ice o" the Me!!ia! did not onl) con!i!t in doctrine% #'t it a! al!o #ehove"'lthat he !ho'ld ma$e peace #et een >od and man% that he !ho'ld #e a 8edeemer o" the people% are!torer o" the $ingdom% and an a'thor o" everla!ting "elicit). *ll the!e thing!% + !a)% a! the) ere

promi!ed o" the Me!!ia!% !o ere the) loo$ed "or at hi! hand!.

:o e !ee that the !'m o" the go!pel con!i!teth o" the!e t o part!% namel)% o" the doctrine o"Chri!t% and o" hi! act!< "ora!m'ch a! he did not onl) #ring 'nto men that em#a!!age hich a!given him in charge o" hi! 9ather% #'t al!o per"ormed all thing! that co'ld #e re@'ired o" theMe!!ia!. He #egan hi! $ingdom% he paci"ied >od ith hi! !acri"ice% he p'rged man=! !in! ithhi! o n precio'! #lood% he !'#d'ed death and the devil% he re!tored '! 'nto tr'e li#ert)% he

p'rcha!ed righteo'!ne!! and li"e "or '!. *nd to the end that hat!oever he either did or !aidmight #e certain% he proved him!el" #) miracle! to #e the Son o" >od. So that thi! ord% to do, i!e tended 'nto hi! miracle! al!o< #'t it m'!t not #e re!trained onl) 'nto the !ame. Here m'!t enote% that tho!e hich have onl) the #are $no ledge o" the hi!tor) have not the go!pel< 'nle!!the $no ledge o" the doctrine hich ma$eth mani"e!t the "r'it! o" the act! o" Chri!t #e ad?oinedthere'nto. 9or thi! i! a hol) $not hich no man ma) di!!olve. There"ore% hen!oever mention i!

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made o" the doctrine o" Chri!t% let '! learn to ad?oin there'nto hi! or$!% a! !eal! here#) thetr'th thereo" i! e!ta#li!hed and con"irmed% and the e""ect declared. 9'rthermore% that e ma)reap commodit) #) hi! death and re!'rrection% and al!o that miracle! ma) have their '!e% em'!t al a)! have re!pect 'nto him that !pea$eth. 9or thi! i! the tr'e r'le o" Chri!tianit).

1. Of all things $hi'h he began ( + do not greatl) mi!li$e the interpretation hich !ome give o"thi! place that L'$e !aid rather o" all than all* #eca'!e it i! po!!i#le in !ome mea!'re to intreat o"the or$! and doctrine o" Chri!t% #'t to !et do n the hole co'r!e% that the narration ma) #e

per"ect% ere a matter o" great 91E eight. Li$e a! Bohn doth declare that the orld co'ld notcontain the #oo$!% FN 3/1/DO Bohn /14/D.G That i! al!o to #e noted that L'$e !aith% that he #egan hi!hi!tor) at the #eginning o" the or$! o" Chri!t. -'t !o !oon a! he hath declared the nativit) o"Chri!t% he pa!!eth over 'nto the t el"th )ear o" hi! age F N /0/ /O L'$e /4 /


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commendation o" that doctrine hich the apo!tle! ta'ght. The hich that it ma) appear moremani"e!tl)% ever) thing i! to #e mar$ed in order a! it lieth. 9ir!t o" all% he !aith the) ere electand cho!en o" Chri!t% that e ma) #e certain o" their calling 'nto that "'nction. :either doth hein thi! place !et >od=! election again!t man=! merit!% #'t onl) a""irmeth that the) ere rai!ed 'p

#) >od% and that the) did not ra!hl) ta$e 'pon them thi! "'nction. That i! tr'e% indeed% that the)

ere "reel) cho!en< #'t no have e to in@'ire hat i! L'$e=! dri"t in thi! place. + !a) that hehath re!pect 'nto nothing el!e% #'t that e ma) #e certain o" the calling o" the apo!tle!% that ema) learn not to have re!pect 'nto men% #'t 'nto the Son o" >od% the a'thor thereo"% #eca'!e thi!m'!t al a)! #e a ma im in the Ch'rch% that no man '!'rp an) honor. Secondl)% he !aith% thatthe) ere in!tr'cted o" Chri!t hat the) !ho'ld do. *! i" he !ho'ld !a)% that the) 'ttered not theiro n invention!% #'t the) delivered that !incerel) and "aith"'ll) hich a! en?oined them #) theirheavenl) Ma!ter. *nd to the end that that hich Chri!t ta'ght them might #e the morereverenced% he addeth thi!% that thi! a! done #) the direction o" the Hol) >ho!t. :ot #eca'!e theSon o" >od had an) need to #e g'ided #) an) other% ho i! eternal i!dom% #'t #eca'!e he a!al!o man% le!t an) man !ho'ld thin$ that he did deliver tho!e thing! 'nto hi! di!ciple! hich hedelivered #) man=! it and rea!on% he calleth '! #ac$ e pre!!l) 'nto the divine a'thorit). Li$e a!

the Lord him!el" doth !o o"ten a""irm% that he ta'ght nothing #'t that hich he had received o"hi! 9ather< and there"ore he !aith% that hi! doctrine a! not hi! o n. There"ore% he !igni"ieth thatin the preaching o" the go!pel there i! nothing hich i!!'eth "rom man=! #rain% #'t that it i! thedivine ordinance o" the Spirit% here'nto the hole orld m'!t #e !'#?ect.

ACTS 1: -!. To hom al!o he !ho ed him!el" alive% a"ter that he had !'""ered% in man)

proo"!% hile that he i! !een o" them #) the !pace o " "ort) da)!% and he intreateth o"the $ingdom o" >od. ". *nd hen he had gathered them together% he commandedthem that the) !ho'ld not depart "rom Ber'!alem% #'t that the) !ho'ld ait "or the

promi!e o" the 9ather< hereo"% !aith he% )e have heard o" me4 !. -eca'!e Bohntr'l) #apti5ed ith ater< #'t )o' !hall #e #apti5ed ith the Hol) >ho!t% a"ter a

"e da)!.

. nto $ho%, et' ( He addeth thi!% that he might ma$e the re!'rrection to #e #elieved% a! a thingmo!t nece!!ar) to #e $no n% and itho't the hich the hole go!pel "alleth "iat to the gro'nd%neither remaineth there an) more "aith. *nd that + ma) omit to !pea$ o" other di!commoditie!that come #) #eing ignorant o" the re!'rrection o" Chri!t% the go!pel lo!eth hi! hole a'thorit)%'nle!! e $no and #e al!o "'ll) per!'aded that Chri!t #eing alive% !pea$eth 'nto '! "rom theheaven!. Jhere'nto L'$e hath chie"e!t re!pect in thi! place. There"ore% that the tr'th hereo"might not #e called in @'e!tion% he !aith that it a! proved #) man) !ign! and to$en!. Tho!ehich ,ra!m'!% "ollo ing an old interpreter% doth call arg'ment!% + have tran!lated proo"!. 9or

*ri!totle doth call that tekmhrion % in the "ir!t #oo$ o" hi! -hetori's, hich i! nece!!ar) in !ign!.Thi! i!% there"ore% that hich + !aid #e"ore% that Chri!t did ma$e mani"e!t hi! re!'rrection 'nto hi!apo!tle! #) evident to$en!% hich did !erve in!tead o" nece!!ar) proo"!% le!t the) !ho'ld do'#t o"the !ame. 9'rthermore% he doth not rec$on 'p tho!e to$en! and !ign!% !aving onl) that he !aith%that Chri!t did appear 'nto them a#o't the !pace o" a month and one hal" o"tentime!. +" he had

#'t once appeared 'nto them% it might have #een !ome hat !'!picio'!% #'t in !ho ing him!el"!o o"ten 'nto them% he di!!olveth all do'#t! hich might ari!e in their mind!% and #) thi! mean!%

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al!o% he p'tteth a a) the reproach o" the ignorance hich he !aid a! in the apo!tle!% le!t itdi!credit their preaching.

He intreateth of the #ingdo% of God ( He telleth '! again that the apo!tle! them!elve! ere ellta'ght 91 #e"ore !'ch time a! the) too$ 'pon them to teach other!< there"ore% hat!oever thing!the) 'ttered and #ro'ght to light% either #) ord or #) riting% to'ching the $ingdom o" >od%the) are tho!e !peeche! hich Chri!t him!el" 'ttered. *nd here#) doth he #rie"l) !et do n theend o" the doctrine o" the go!pel< namel)% that >od ma) reign in '!. 8egeneration i! the

#eginning o" thi! $ingdom% and the end thereo" i! #le!!ed immortalit)< the middle proceeding!are in a more ample going "or ard and increa!e o" regeneration. -'t that thi! thing ma) appearmore evidentl)% e m'!t "ir!t note% that e are #orn% and that e live alien! and !tranger! "romthe $ingdom o" >od% 'ntil !'ch time a! >od doth "a!hion '! again 'nto a ne li"e. There"ore% ema) properl) !et the orld% the "le!h% and hat!oever i! in man=! nat're again!t the $ingdom o">od% a! contrar) to it. 9or the nat'ral man i! holl) occ'pied a#o't the thing! o" thi! orld% andhe !ee$eth "elicit) here< 9/0 in the mean !ea!on% e are a! it ere #ani!hed "rom >od% and heli$e i!e "rom '!< #'t Chri!t% #) the preaching o" the go!pel% doth li"t '! 'p 'nto the meditation o"the li"e to come. *nd to the end he ma) the #etter #ring thi! to pa!!% he re"ormeth all o'r earthl)a""ection!% and !o having !triped '! o't o" the vice! o" o'r "le!h% he !eparateth '! "rom the orld.*nd% li$e a! eternal death i! prepared "or all tho!e hich live a"ter the "le!h% !o in a! m'ch a! thein ard man i! rene ed in '!% that e ma) go "or ard in the !pirit'al li"e% e dra nearer 'ntothe per"ection o" the $ingdom o" >od< hich i! the !ociet) o" the glor) o" >od. There"ore% >odill reign in and among!t '! no % that he ma) at length ma$e '! parta$er! o" hi! $ingdom.Here#) e gather that Chri!t did principall) intreat o" the corr'ption o" man$ind< o" the t)rann)o" !in% ho!e #ond !lave! e are< o" the c'r!e and g'iltine!! o" eternal death% here'nto e allare !'#?ect% and al!o o" the mean! to o#tain !alvation< o" the remi!!ion o" !in!< o" the den)ing o"the "le!h< o" !pirit'al righteo'!ne!!< o" hope o" eternal li"e% and o" li$e !'ch thing!. *nd i" e ill

#e rightl) in!tr'cted in Chri!tianit)% e m'!t appl) o'r !t'die! to the!e thing!.

". Gathering the% together, he 'o%%anded, et' ( The) had #e"ore done the d't) o" *po!tle!< #'tthat la!ted #'t a hile< and% !econdl)% !o "ar "orth that the) might ith their preaching a a$e theBe ! to hear their Ma!ter. *nd !o that commandment to teach% hich Chri!t had given them%FN 0100 O Matthe 104 %G hil!t he lived ith them 'pon earth% a!% a! it ere% a certain entranceinto their apo!tle!hip hich a! to come% "or hich the) ere not )et ripe. There"ore% theirordinar) "'nction a! not laid 'pon them% 'ntil !'ch time a! Chri!t a! ri!en again< #'t the)!tirred 'p their nation Fa! + have !aidG li$e crier!% that the) might give ear to Chri!t. *nd then atlength% a"ter the re!'rrection% the) ere made *po!tle!% to p'#li!h a#road thro'gho't the holeorld that doctrine hich a! committed to them. *nd herea! a"ter the) ere made *po!tle!%Chri!t commandeth them a! )et to a#!tain "rom their o""ice% that i! done not itho't ?'!t ca'!eod i! !ent to #apti5e ith the Hol)>ho!t< it remained% there"ore% that he do hi! d't). :either can it #e other i!e #'t he m'!t do thathich hi! 9ather hath commanded him to do% and "or hich al!o he came do n into the earth.-'t it !eemeth a ver) a#!'rd thing to re!train that 'nto the vi!i#le !ending o" the Hol) >ho!t%hich a! !po$en 'niver!all) o" regeneration. 9/1 + an! er% that Chri!t did not then onl) #apti5e

ith the Hol) >ho!t% hen a! he !ent him 'nder the "orm o" "ier) tong'e!< "or he had #apti5edhi! apo!tle! #e"ore thi!< and he #apti5eth all the elect th'! dail). -'t #eca'!e the !ending o" theHol) >ho!t a"ter !o glorio'! a !ort a! a to$en o" the hidden grace here ith he doth dail)in!pire hi! elect% he doth "itl) appl) there'nto the te!timon) o" Bohn. *nd tr'l) thi! a! a! tho'ghit had #een the common #apti!m o" the Ch'rch. 9or #e!ide! that the apo!tle! did not receive theSpirit "or them!elve! onl)% #'t "or the '!e o" all the "aith"'l% there a! al!o declared the 'niver!al"avor o" Chri!t to ard! hi! Ch'rch% hile that he po'red o't there'pon the gi"t! o" hi! Spirit ingreat a#'ndance.

*ltho'gh% there"ore% he doth dail) #apti5e the elect o" hi! 9ather% )et a! thi! no let h) hemight not !ho "orth thi! to$en to #e remem#ered a#ove all other!% that the apo!tle! might $nothat the) ere onl) entered #) Bohn< and that not in vain% !eeing their per"ection a! hard athand. *nd that i! "rivolo'! hich !ome gather o't o" thi! place mo!t commonl)% 9// namel)% thatthe #apti!m o" Bohn and the #apti!m o" Chri!t ere diver!e. 9or here doth not he di!p'te in thi!

place o" #apti!m% #'t ma$eth onl) a compari!on #et i t the per!on o" Bohn and the per!on o"Chri!t. Jhen a! Bohn did !a) that he did #apti5e ith ater onl)% he did not rea!on o" hat !orthi! #apti!m a!< #'t hat he him!el" a!< le!t he !ho'ld arrogate that 'nto him!el" hich a!

proper to Chri!t. *! al!o% the mini!ter! in the!e da)! o'ght not to !pea$ other i!e o" them!elve!< #'t the) m'!t ac$no ledge Chri!t to #e the a'thor o" all tho!e thing! hich the) do pre"ig're inthe o't ard #apti!m% and leave nothing to them!elve! !ave onl) the o't ard admini!tration. 9orhen a! the!e title! are attri#'ted 'nto #apti!m% namel)% that it i! the laver o" regeneration%FND6030DOTit'! 34D%G a a!hing a a) o" !in!% the "ello !hip o" death% and #'r)ing ith Chri!t%FN D060 O 8oman! 64 %G and a gra"ting into the #od) o" Chri!t% it i! not declared hat man% #eing themini!ter o" the o't ard !ign% doth< #'t rather hat Chri!t doth% ho onl) giveth "orce ande""icac) 'nto the !ign!. Je m'!t al a)! hold "a!t thi! di!tinction% le!t% hil!t e dec$ man toom'ch% e ta$e "rom Chri!t. 9/3

-'t here ma) a @'e!tion #e moved% h) he doth rather name Bohn here than an) other< "ir!t% +t i!mani"e!t eno'gh that Bohn did pro"e!! him!el" to #e the mini!ter o" the o't ard !ign% namel)% o"ater% and that Chri!t a! the a'thor o" the !pirit'al #apti!m< !econdl)% -eca'!e it a! meet thatBohn !ho'ld decrea!e and Chri!t increa!e< and% thirdl)% -eca'!e the apo!tle! did !o m'ch e!teem

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o" Bohn% FN 30330O Bohn 3430%G it might have #een that there#) the glor) o" Chri!t might have #eeno#!c'red. There"ore% Chri!t% to the end he might reclaim them to him!el"% telleth them that Bohndid onl) mini!ter 'nto them the e ternal #apti!m< not ith!tanding% he con"irmeth them al!o% le!tthe) !ho'ld do'#t o" the promi!e< "or the) did attri#'te ver) m'ch 'nto Bohn% and there"ore erethe) per!'aded that the #apti!m hich the) had received #) him a! not in vain. :o % i" that the

verit) and "orce thereo" m'!t #e loo$ed "or at Chri!t=! hand!% then o'ght the apo!tle! to hope thatthat !hall !'rel) #e "'l"illed hich Bohn pre"ig'red.

So m'!t e% in li$e manner% thin$ that e are not in vain #apti5ed ith ater #) men% #eca'!eChri!t% ho commanded the !ame to #e done% ill "'l"ill hi! o""ice% and #apti5e '! ith theSpirit. So "aith dra eth a con!e@'ent "rom the o't ard !ign 'nto the in ard e""ect< )et doth itnot attri#'te an) more than i! meet% either to the !ign or to the mini!ter thereo"% #eca'!e in the!ign it onl) loo$eth 'nto the promi!e% hich i! Chri!t=!% and doth ac$no ledge him to #e the onl)a'thor o" grace. Let '!% there"ore% '!e !'ch a mean that e do in no part dimini!h Chri!t=! honorod% e thin$ it an heino'! crimeto in@'ire an) "'rther. Thi! i! the tr'e mean #et een the t o e treme!. The Papi!t!% that the)ma) have !ome hat here ith to cloa$ their gro!! ignorance% !a) "or them!elve!% that the) omitthe hidden m)!terie! o" >od% a! tho'gh o'r hole "aith and religion did con!i!t 'pon an) thingel!e than 'pon the hidden m)!terie! o" >od< then ma) e ta$e o'r leave o" Chri!t and hi! go!pel%i" e m'!t a#!tain 'tterl) "rom the hidden m)!terie! o" >od. -'t e m'!t $eep% a! + !aid #e"ore amean herein< "or e m'!t #e de!iro'! to learn !o "ar a! o'r heavenl) Ma!ter doth teach '!< #'t a!"or !'ch thing! a! he ill have '! ignorant o"% let mine #e !o #old a! to in@'ire a"ter them that ema) #e i!e ith !o#riet). There"ore% !o o"ten a! e are ve ed ith thi! "ooli!h de!ire o"$no ing more than e o'ght% let '! call to mind thi! !a)ing o" Chri!t% +t i! not "or )o' to$no .Q 9or 'nle!! e ill #'r!t in again!t hi! ill and commandment% thi! !hall have "orce and!trength eno'gh to re!train the o'trageo'!ne!! o" o'r it!.

:o % a! to'ching the "ore$no ledge o" time!% Chri!t condemneth onl) the !earching o't thereo"hich reacheth #e)ond the mea!'re o" >od=! revelation< and that i! to #e noted o't o" the !econdmem#er% a! #e"ore + have !aid% hich the 9ather hath placed in hi! o n po er.Q Tr'th it i!% that>od hath in hi! o n po er inter and !'mmer% and the re!t o" the !ea!on! o" the )ear% cold andheat% "air eather and "o'l. -'t #eca'!e he hath te!ti"ied that the co'r!e o" the )ear! !hall #e

perpet'al% FN01010 O >ene!i! 14 1%G he i! !aid not to have placed that in hi! o n po er hich hehath revealed 'nto men. Jhat thing !oever the philo!opher! or h'!#andmen do comprehend or

'nder!tand #) art% #) learning% #) ?'dgment% or e perience% all that doth >od not retain 'ntohim!el"% #eca'!e he hath a"ter a certain !ort revealed it 'nto them% F N010E//O >ene!i! E4//.G The!ame opinion m'!t e have o" the prophet!< "or it a! their o""ice to $no tho!e thing! hich>od did reveal. -'t e m'!t #e ignorant o" the !ecret event! o" thing!% a! to'ching the time tocome< "or there i! nothing hich ma) ma$e '! more !lac$ in doing o'r d'tie!% than too care"'l anin@'i!ition herein% "or e ill al a)! ta$e co'n!el according to the "'t're event o" thing!< #'t theLord% #) hiding the !ame "rom '!% doth pre!cri#e 'nto '! hat e o'ght to do. Here ari!eth acon"lict% #eca'!e e ill not illingl) !'""er >od to have that hich i! hi! o n% namel)% the !ole

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government and direction o" thing! hich are to come< #'t e ca!t o'r!elve! into a !trange andinordinate care"'lne!!. To concl'de% Chri!t "or#iddeth '! to appl) tho!e thing! 'nto o'r!elve!%hich >od doth challenge a! proper to him!el" alone. 7" thi! !ort i! the "ore$no ledge o" tho!ething! hich >od hath ta$en to him!el" to govern and direct% according to hi! o n plea!'re% "arcontrar) to o'r opinion% and other i!e than e co'ld invent. 9/6

$. 0ou shall re'ei&e +o$er( 7'r Savior Chri!t doth here call them #ac$ a! ell 'nto the promi!eo" >od a! al!o 'nto hi! commandment% hich a! the readie!t a) to #ridle their c'rio!it).C'rio!it) doth ri!e almo!t al a)! either o" idlene!! or el!e o" di!tr'!t< di!tr'!t i! c'red #)meditating 'pon the promi!e! o" >od. *nd hi! commandment! do tell '! ho e o'ght toocc'p) o'r!elve! and emplo) o'r !t'die!. There"ore% he commandeth hi! di!ciple! to ait "or the

promi!e o" >od% and to #e diligent in e ec'ting their o""ice here'nto >od had called them. *ndin the mean !ea!on he noteth 9/ their great ha!tine!!% in that the) did prepo!tero'!l) catch attho!e gi"t! hich ere proper 'nto the Hol) Spirit% hen a! the) ere not a! )et end'ed ith the!ame. :either did the) ta$e the right a) herein% in that #eing called to go on ar"are% the)de!ire Fomitting their la#orG to la$e their ea!e in their inn. 9/E There"ore% hen he !aith% you shallre'ei&e +o$er , he admoni!heth them o" their im#ecilit)% le!t the) "ollo #e"ore the time tho!ething! here'nto the) cannot attain. +t ma) #e read ver) ell either a)% ;o' !hall receive the

po er o" the Spirit< or% The Spirit coming 'pon )o'< )et the latter a) !eemeth to #e the #etter% #eca'!e it doth more "'ll) declare their de"ect trod ant% 'ntil !'ch time a! the Spirit !ho'ldcome 'pon them.

0ou shall be %y $itnesses ( He correcteth t o error! o" their! in thi! one !entence. 9or% "ir!t% he!ho eth that the) m'!t "ight #e"ore the) can tri'mph< and% !econdl)% that the nat're o" Chri!t=!$ingdom a! o" another !ort than the) ?'dged it to have #een. There"ore% !aith he% 0ou shall be%y $itnesses* that i!% the h'!#andman m'!t "ir!t or$ #e"ore he can reap hi! "r'it!. Hence% na)e learn that e m'!t "ir!t !t'd) ho e ma) come 'nto the $ingdom o" >od% #e"ore e #eginto di!p'te 9/ a#o't the !tate o" the li"e to come. Man) there #e hich do c'rio'!l) in@'ire hat

manner [o"] #le!!edne!! that !hall #e hich the) !hall en?o) a"ter the) !hall #e received into theeverla!ting $ingdom o" heaven% not having an) care ho the) ma) come to en?o) the !ame. 930 The) rea!on concerning the @'alit) o" the li"e to come% hich the) !hall have ith Chri!t< #'tthe) never thin$ that the) m'!t #e parta$er! o" hi! death% that the) ma) live together ith him%FNDD0/11O/ Timoth) /411.G Let ever) man% there"ore% appl) him!el" in hi! or$ hich he hath inhand< let '! "ight !to'tl) 'nder Chri!t=! #anner< let '! go "or ard man"'ll) and co'rageo'!l) 931 in o'r vocation% and >od ill give "r'it in d'e time Fand tide.G There "ollo eth anothercorrection% hen he !aith% that the) m'!t #e hi! $itnesses( 9or here#) he meant to drive o't o" hi!di!ciple!= mind! that "ond and "al!e imagination hich the) had conceived o" the terre!trial$ingdom% #eca'!e he !ho eth 'nto them #rie"l)% that hi! $ingdom con!i!teth in the preaching o"the go!pel. There a! no ca'!e% there"ore% h) the) !ho'ld dream o" riche!% 93/ o" e ternal

principalit)% or an) other earthl) thing% hil!t the) heard that Chri!t did then reign hen a! he!'#d'eth 'nto him!el" Fall the holeG orld #) the preaching o" the go!pel. Jhere'pon it"ollo eth that he doth reign !pirit'all)% and not a"ter an) orldl) manner. *nd that hich theapo!tle! had conceived o" the carnal $ingdom proceeded "rom the common error o" their nationod=! p'rpo!e to li"t 'p their mind! higher. *! "or '!% let '! learn toappl) o'r mind! to hear the go!pel preached% le!t e #e entangled in li$e error!% hich prepareth

a place in o'r heart! "or the $ingdom o" Chri!t.93D

!n all /udea ( Here he !ho eth% "ir!t% that the) m'!t not or$ "or the !pace o" one da) onl)% hilethat he a!!igneth the hole orld 'nto them% in hich the) m'!t p'#li!h the doctrine o" thego!pel. 9'rthermore% he re"'teth 936 the opinion hich the) had conceived o" +!rael. The)!'ppo!ed tho!e to #e +!raelite! onl) hich ere o" the !eed o" *#raham according to the "le!h.Chri!t te!ti"ieth that the) m'!t gather there'nto all Samaria< hich% altho'gh the) ere nigh in!it'ation% )et ere the) "ar di!tant in mind and heart. He !ho eth that all other region! "ardi!tant% and al!o pro"ane% m'!t #e 'nited 'nto the hol) people% that the) ma) #e all parta$er! o"one and the !ame grace. +t i! evident F N 30 0 O Bohn 4 G ho greatl) the Be ! did dete!t theSamaritan!. Chri!t commanded that Fthe all o" !eparation #eing #ro$en do nG the) #e #othmade one #od)% FN 0/1 O ,phe!ian! /41 %G that hi! $ingdom ma) #e erected ever) here. -)naming B'dea and Ber'!alem% hich the apo!tle! had tried 93 to #e "'ll o" mo!t deadl) enemie!%he "oretelleth them o" the great #'!ine!! and tro'#le hich a! prepared "or them% that he ma)ca'!e them to cea!e to thin$ 'pon thi! tri'mph hich the) hoped to have #een !o nigh at hand.93E :either co'ld the) #e a little a"raid to come #e"ore !o cr'el enemie!% more to in"lame theirrage and "'r). *nd here e !ee ho he giveth the "ormer place 'nto the Be !% #eca'!e the) are%a! it ere% the "ir!t #egotten% F N0/0 //O , od'! 4//.G :ot ith!tanding% he calleth tho!e >entile! oneith another% hich ere #e"ore !tranger! "rom the hope o" !alvation% F N 0/11O ,phe!ian! /411.GHere#) e learn% that the go!pel a! preached ever) here #) the mani"e!t commandment o"Chri!t% that it might al!o come 'nto '!.

ACTS 1:&-11&. *nd hen he had !po$en the!e thing!% hile the) #eheld% he a! ta$en 'pon high% and a clo'd received him o't o" their !ight. 1'. *nd hile the) loo$ed'p !tead"a!tl) into heaven% a! he ent% #ehold% t o men !tood #) them inhite apparel% 11. Jhich al!o !aid% ;e men o" >alilee% h) !tand )e ga5ing 'pinto heavenI Thi! !ame Be!'!% hich i! ta$en 'p "rom )o' into heaven% !hall !ocome a! )o' have !een him go into heaven.

&. The reader! ma) learn o't o" o'r +n!tit'tion! hat pro"it e reap #) the a!cen!ion o" Chri!t. :ot ith!tanding% #eca'!e it i! one o" the chie"e!t point! o" o'r "aith% there"ore doth L'$eendeavor more diligentl) to prove the !ame< )ea% rather% the Lord him!el" meant to p't the !ameo't o" all do'#t% hen a! he hath a!cended !o mani"e!tl)% and hath con"irmed the certaint) o" the!ame #) other circ'm!tance!. 9or% i" !o #e it he had vani!hed a a) !ecretl)% then might thedi!ciple! have do'#ted hat a! #ecome o" him< 93 #'t no % !ith that the)% #eing in !o plain a

place% 9 0 !a him ta$en 'p ith hom the) had #een conver!ant% hom al!o the) heard !pea$even no % hom the) #eheld ith their e)e!% hom al!o the) !ee ta$en o't o" their !ight #) aclo'd% there i! no ca'!e h) the) !ho'ld do'#t hither he a! gone. 9'rthermore% the angel! arethere al!o to #ear itne!! o" the !ame. *nd it a! need"'l that the hi!tor) !ho'ld have #een !etdo n !o diligentl) "or o'r ca'!e% that e ma) $no a!!'redl)% that altho'gh the Son o" >od

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appear no here 'pon earth% )et doth he live in the heaven!. *nd thi! !eemeth to #e the rea!onh) the clo'd did over!hado him% #e"ore !'ch time a! he did enter into hi! cele!tial glor)< thathi! di!ciple! #eing content ith their mea!'re 9 1 might cea!e to in@'ire an) "'rther. *nd e areta'ght #) them that o'r mind i! not a#le to a!cend !o high a! to ta$e a "'ll vie o" the glor) o"Chri!t< there"ore% let thi! clo'd #e a mean to re!train o'r #oldne!!% a! a! the !mo$e hich a!

contin'all) #e"ore the door o" the ta#ernacle in the time o" the la .1'. T$o %en ( He calleth them !o #) rea!on o" their "orm. 9or altho'gh it might #e that the) hadthe #odie! o" men in deed% concerning hich thing + ill not greatl) !tand in de"en!e o" either

part% )et certain it i! the) ere not men< #'t #eca'!e thi! %etony%ia i! commonl) '!ed in theScript're!% e!peciall) in the 9ir!t -oo$ o" Mo!e!% + ill not greatl) !tand there'pon. Their $hite

gar%ents ere a to$en o" rare and e cellent dignit). 9or >od meant #) thi!% a! #) an evidentto$en to di!ting'i!h them "rom the common !ort o" people% that the di!ciple! might give #etterear 'nto them< 9 / and that at thi! da) e al!o ma) $no that thi! vi!ion a! !ho ed them o">od.

11. 0e %en of Galilee, et'( + am not o" their opinion ho thin$ that thi! name a! given the

apo!tle! a"ter an oppro#rio'! !ort% a! i" the angel! meant to reprehend the !lo ne!! and d'llne!!o" the apo!tle!. +n m) opinion% it a! rather to ma$e them more attentive% in that men% homthe) did never !ee #e"ore% did name them a! tho'gh the) had per"ectl) $no n them. -'t the)!eem to reprehend itho't ca'!e% "or loo$ing 'p into heaven. 9or here !ho'ld the) rather !ee$"or Chri!t than in heavenI (oth not the Script're! al!o o"tentime! e hort '! there'ntoI + an! er%that the) ere not reprehended #eca'!e the) loo$ed 'p to ard! heaven< #'t #eca'!e the)coveted to !ee Chri!t% hen a! the clo'd hich a! p't #et een them and him did $eep them"rom !eeing him ith their #odil) !en!e!4 Secondl)% #eca'!e the) hoped that he o'ld ret'rnagain !traight a)% that the) might en?o) the !ight o" him again% hen a! lie did a!cend to !ta) inthe heaven! 'ntil !'ch time a! he !ho'ld come 9 3 to ?'dge the orld. Jhere"ore% let '! "ir!t learno't o" thi! place that e m'!t not !ee$ Chri!t either in heaven% either 'pon earth% other i!e than

#) "aith< and al!o% that e m'!t not de!ire to have him pre!ent ith '! #odil) in the orld< "or hethat doth 9 either o" tho!e t o !hall o"tentime! go "arther "rom him. So thi! their admiration i!reprehended% not !impl)% #'t ina!m'ch a! the) ere a!tonied #) the !trangene!! o" thi! matterod< )et%not ith!tanding% the angel! do "or#id to de!ire him a"ter ard a"ter that !ort% and the) !a) that he!hall not come 'nto men in that !ort F#e"ore the latter da).G There"ore% according to theircommandment% let '! not go a#o't to p'll him o't o" the heaven! ith o'r o n invention!ho!t% hich a!even then at hand% hat rea!on a! there h) the) !ho'ld deprive their ive! o" !o greatgoodne!!I Peter=! i"e a! a#o't to #e a helper 'nto him !hortl) a"ter% hich e m'!t al!o thin$o" the re!t o" the ive!. The!e omen had need o" heroical "ortit'de and con!tanc)% le!t the)!ho'ld "aint. Jho o'ld% there"ore% thin$ that the) ere e cl'ded "rom their h'!#and! hil!tthe) loo$ "or the coming o" the SpiritI -'t i" the) ill !tic$ to the general ord% it !tandeth ithrea!on that there ere married omen in the compan). Ho !oever it #e% it i! L'$e=! mind to tell'! #) the a) ho greatl) the) had changed their mind!. 9D1 9or herea! #e"ore the men% #einga"raid% had "led a a)% the omen are gathered together ith them no % neither do the) "ear an)danger. He doth rec$on 'p the mother o" Be!'! ith the other omen% hom% not ith!tanding%Bohn i! !aid to have $ept at hi! o n ho'!e. -'t% a! + have !aid #e"ore% the) met altogether noonl) "or a !hort !ea!on< "or it i! not to #e do'#ted #'t that the) departed one "rom anothera"ter ard!. +t i! ell $no n that among!t the He#re ! all $in!"ol$ are comprehended 'nder thi!ord brethren(

All these did 'ontinue( Here he !ho eth that the) did diligentl) loo$ "or the coming o" the Hol)Spirit.< 9or thi! a! the ca'!e o" their pra)er% that Chri!t o'ld !end hi! Spirit% a! he had

promi!ed. Jhere'pon e ma) gather that thi! i! the tr'e "aith hich !tirreth '! 'p to call 'pon

>od. 9or the !ec'rit) o" "aith doth m'ch di""er "rom !l'ggi!hne!!. :either doth >od% there"ore%a!!'re '! o" thi! grace% that o'r mind! ma) !traight a) #ecome carele!!% #'t that he ma) rather!harpen o'r de!ire to pra). :either i! pra)er an) !ign o" do'#ting% #'t rather a te!timon) o" o'rF!'re hope andG con"idence% #eca'!e e a!$ tho!e thing! at the Lord=! hand! hich e $no hehath promi!ed. So it #ecometh '! al!o Fa"ter their e ampleG to #e in!tant in pra)er% 9D/ and to #egat >od=! hand! that he ill increa!e in '! hi! Hol) Spirit4 9D3 increa!e% F+ !a)%G #eca'!e #e"ore ecan conceive an) pra)er e m'!t need! have the "ir!t "r'it! o" the Spirit. 9or a! m'ch a! he i! the

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le!! credit at thi! da)% i" the #eginning thereo" had #een imper"ect. 9D6 *ltho'gh% there"ore% B'da!o'ld Fa! m'ch a! in him la)G have di!appointed the p'rpo!e o" Chri!t% )et. neverthele!! it !tood"irm and !ta#le. He peri!hed a! he a! orth)% )et did the order o" the apo!tle! remain hole and!o'nd.

The 'o%+any of na%es ( +t i! 'ncertain hether he meaneth the men ho onl) have the name properl)% !eeing the omen are comprehended 'nder the name o" the men< or hether he ta$ethname! !impl) "or all the head!% a! the He#re ! call them !o'l!. Thi! ma) al!o #e called in@'e!tion% hether the) ere ont dail) to "re@'ent that parlor in hich the apo!tle! did d ell% orthe) did contin'all) d ell there ith them. 9or the place a! !carce a#le to contain !o great am'ltit'de% to !erve them "or all nece!!ar) '!e!. S'rel) it !eemeth to me a thing more li$e to #etr'e% that L'$e doth in thi! place e pre!! the n'm#er o" them% that e ma) $no that the) ereall gathered together hen Peter made thi! !ermon. Jhere#) e ma) g'e!! that the) ere notal a)! pre!ent there. *ltho'gh + dare not a""irm an) certain thing concerning thi! matter% )et

#eing moved ith a pro#a#le con?ect're% + do rather lean 'nto thi! part% that the ch'rch a!gathered together them #eca'!e the) had to intreat o" a !erio'! matter% and to thi! end al!otendeth thi! ord rising % [!tanding 'p.]

1# . !t $as %eet that the 3'ri+ture should be fulfilled( -eca'!e Peter doth !pea$ in thi! theira!!em#l)% there"ore the Papi!t! ill have him to #e the head o" the ch'rch. 9D *! tho'gh no manmight !pea$ in an) a!!em#l) o" the godl) #'t he !ho'ld !traight a) #e Pope. Je do grant% thata! in ever) a!!em#l) there m'!t #e !ome hich m'!t #e chie"% !o in thi! a!!em#l) the apo!tle!did a!cri#e thi! honor 'nto Peter. -'t hat ma$eth thi! 'nto Fthe proving o"G their Papac)IJhere"ore% #idding them adie'% 9DE let '! con!ider hat the Spirit doth !pea$ #) the month o"Peter. He !aith That the Script're m'!t need! have #een "'l"illed% le!t an) man=! mind !ho'ld #etro'#led ith that horri#le "all o" B'da!. 9or it !eemed a !trange thing that he hich a! cho!en

#) Chri!t 'nto !o e cellent a "'nction% !ho'ld !o "ilthil) "all in the #eginning o" hi! co'r!e. Peterremoveth thi! !tone o" !t'm#ling% hen he !aith that it a! "oretold #) the Script're. Jhence e

ma) gather an admonition ver) nece!!ar) "or dail) practice< namel)% that e o'ght to attri#'tethi! honor 'nto the prophecie! o" the Script're!% that the) are a#le to appea!e all !'ch "ear a! econceive o" the !'dden event o" thing!. 9or there i! nothing hich doth more tro'#le '! thanhen e !ta) !till in o'r o n !en!e and 'nder!tanding% and proc're 'nto o'r!elve! let! anddo'#t!% 9D hich the Lord o'ld #e read) to c're% i" !o #e that e o'ld hold "a!t thi! one thing%that nothing i! a#!'rd hich he hath "ore!een% appointed% and "oretold% that he might ma$e '!more !trong. :either a! B'da! there"ore e c'!a#le% #eca'!e that hich #e"ell him a! "oretold%!eeing that he "ell a a)% not #eing compelled #) the prophec)% #'t onl) #) the malice o" hi! o nheart. The oration o" Peter hath t o part!. 9or% in the "ir!t place% he p'tteth a a) the o""en!ehich godl) mind! might have conceived #) rea!on o" the "all o" B'da!< hence al!o hegathereth an e hortation that the re!t ma) learn to "ear >od. Secondl)% he telleth them that it

remaineth that the) choo!e another into hi! place% #oth hich he proveth #) te!timon) o"Script're.

2hi'h the Holy Ghost foretold ( S'ch manner o" !peeche! #ring greater reverence to theScript're!% hil!t e are ta'ght #) them that (avid and all the re!t o" the prophet! did !pea$onl) a! the) ere directed #) the Hol) >ho!t< !o that the) them!elve! ere not the a'thor! o"their prophecie!% #'t the Spirit hich '!ed their tong'e! a! an in!tr'ment. Jhere"ore% !eeing thato'r d'llne!! i! !o great% that e a!cri#e le!! a'thorit) 'nto the Script're! than e o'ght% e m'!t

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diligentl) note !'ch manner o" !peeche!% and ac@'aint o'r!elve! ith them% that e ma)o"tentime! remem#er the a'thorit) o" >od to con"irm o'r "aith ithal.

1%. Ado+ted( +t i! ord "or ord re'#oned( *nd he !aith that he a! one o" the n'm#er% that hemight !igni") 'nto them that it a! need"'l that the empt) place !ho'ld #e "illed% to the end thatthe n'm#er might contin'e hole. *nd to thi! propo!e !erveth that hich "ollo eth% that he hado#tained a part in the mini!tr). 9or there'pon it doth "ollo that the #od) !ho'ld #e% a! it ere%lame% i" that part !ho'ld #e anting. S'rel) it a! a thing hich might ma$e them greatl)ama5ed% that he hom Chri!t had e tolled 'nto !o high dignit) !ho'ld "all headlong into !'chde!tr'ction. Jhich circ'm!tance doth increa!e the cr'elt) o" the "act% 960 and teacheth the re!t tota$e heed 'nto them!elve!. 961 :either i! it to #e do'#ted #'t that the di!ciple! did remem#erB'da! ith great grie" and !orro . -'t Peter doth here e pre!! #) name the e cellenc) o" hi!"'nction% that he might ma$e them more attentive and more care"'l to provide a remed).

1$. And he truly ( +t !eemeth 'nto me a thing li$e to #e tr'e% that thi! narration o" the death o"B'da! a! p't in #) L'$e< there"ore% it !eemeth good to me to incl'de it ithin a parenthe!i!% thatit ma) #e !eparated "rom Peter=! !ermon. 9or to hat end !ho'ld Peter here rec$on 'p 'nto the

di!ciple! tho!e thing! hich the) alread) $ne ell eno'ghISecondl)% it !ho'ld have #een an a#!'rd thing to have !po$en a"ter thi! among them% that the"ield hich a! #o'ght ith the mone) that a! given to #etra) Chri!t a! called o" theHe#re !% in their o n mother tong'e% A'elda%a( -'t herea! !ome do an! er% that Peter !po$ethi! 'nto the >alilean!% ho!e !peech did di!agree ith the Be i!h tong'e% it i! #'t vain and"rivolo'!. +n ver) deed the) did !ome hat di!agree in pron'nciation< )et not !o m'ch #'t thatthe) did ell 'nder!tand one another< li$e a! do the!e o" Pari! and the men o" 8o'en.

9'rthermore% ho co'ld thi! #e a "it ord "or Ber'!alem% here Peter made hi! !ermonI To hatend !ho'ld he interpret in >ree$ among the He#re ! their o n mother tong'eI There"ore dothL'$e o" him!el" p't in thi! !entence concerning the death o" B'da!% le!t Peter=! ord! might !eem

!trange96/

thro'gh ignorance o" that hi!tor). He +ossessed a field ( Thi! ord hath a do'#le !igni"ication% hich% in m) opinion% doth rather!igni") in thi! place to po!!e!! than to get< )et #eca'!e it !$illeth little hether a) e read it% +leave it indi""erent. *nd he !pea$eth a"ter thi! !ort% not #eca'!e B'da! had the '!e o" the "ield% orthat he him!el" did #') it% !eeing it a! #o'ght a"ter hi! death. -'t L'$e=! meaning a!% that hi!

#'rial a! the perpet'al note o" ignomin)< a! the re ard hich he had "or hi! "al!ehood andic$ed act. :either did he !o m'ch !ell Chri!t "or thirt) piece! a! hi! apo!tle!hip. He en?o)ed notthe mone)< 963 he onl) po!!e!!ed the "ield. 9'rthermore% it came to pa!! thro'gh the marvelo'!

providence o" >od% that the ver) common name o" the "ield !ho'ld #e a note o" in"am) "or the prie!t!% hich had #o'ght FtheG innocent #lood o" ["rom] the traitor. He !aith that the He#re !did call it #) that name in their tong'e% #eca'!e he him!el" a! a >recian #orn< and he calleththat the He#re tong'e hich the Be ! did '!e a"ter the captivit) o" -a#)lon% namel)% !'ch a!a! mi ed o" the *!!)rian tong'e and o" the Chaldean tong'e.

!t is $ritten in the boo# of Psal%s ( He ta$eth a a)% #) a'thorit) o" Script're!% all o""en!e hichmight have happened #) rea!on o" the "alling a a) o" B'da!. ;et might thi! place !eem to #egreatl) re!ted4 9ir!t% in that (avid did not i!h that the!e thing! might #e"all an) partic'lar

per!on% #'t Fin the pl'ral n'm#erG he i!heth them 'nto hi! enemie!. Secondl)% it !eemeth thatPeter doth appl) the!e thing! ami!! 'nto B'da!% hich ere !po$en o" the enemie! o" (avid. +

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an! er% that (avid doth there !pea$ a"ter thi! [a"ter ard!] o" him!el"% that he ma) de!cri#e thecondition and !tate o" Chri!t=! $ingdom.

+n that P!alm F+ !a)G i! contained the common image o" the hole Ch'rch% hich i! the #od) o"the Son o" >od. There"ore% the thing! hich are there !et do n m'!t need! have #een "'l"illed inthe head% hich are indeed "'l"illed% a! the evangeli!t! do te!ti")% $no % i" an) man o#?ect thattho!e thing! hich there ere !po$en again!t the enemie! o" (avid do not "itl) agree 'nto B'da!%e ma) ea!il) gather that the) do !o m'ch the rather agree ith him% #eca'!e (avid doth notre!pect him!el" a! #eing !eparated "rom the #od) o" the Ch'rch< #'t rather a! he a! one o" themem#er! o" Chri!t% and !o ta$ing 'pon him hi! image% he !teppeth "orth in hi! name.

Jho!oever !hall mar$ that thi! !ing'lar per!on a! attri#'ted to (avid% that he !ho'ld #e a"ig're o" Chri!t% ill not marvel i" all the!e thing! #e applied 'nto him hich ere pre"ig'red in(avid. *ltho'gh% there"ore% he doth comprehend the hole Ch'rch% )et he #eginneth at the headthereo"% and doth e!peciall) de!cri#e hat thing! Chri!t !ho'ld !'""er #) the hand! o" the ic$ed.9or e learn o't o" Pa'l=! doctrine% that hat!oever a""liction! the godl) !'""er% the) are part o"the a""liction! o" Chri!t% and !erve to the "'l"illing o" the !ame% F ND1011 O Colo!!ian! 141 .G Thi!

order and connection did (avid o#!erve% or rather the Spirit o" >od% ho meant #) the mo'th o"(avid to in!tr'ct the hole Ch'rch. -'t a! to'ching the per!ec'tor! o" Chri!t% all that hich i!commonl) !po$en o" them i! #) good right re"erred 'nto their !tandard #earer< ho!e impiet)and ic$edne!!% a! it i! mo!t "amo'!% !o hi! p'ni!hment o'ght to #e made $no n 'nto all men.+" an) man do o#?ect again% that that hich i! recited in the P!alm i! onl) certain c'r!ing!% andnot prophecie!< and that% there"ore% Peter doth gather improperl) that it a! o" nece!!it) that it!ho'ld #e "'l"illed% it i! !oon an! ered. 9or (avid a! not moved ith an) perver!e or corr'pta""ection o" the "le!h to crave vengeance< #'t he had the Hol) Spirit to #e hi! g'ide and director.There"ore% hat thing! !oever he pra)ed "or there% #eing in!pired ith the Hol) >ho!t% the) havethe !ame !trength hich prophecie! have% #eca'!e the Spirit doth re@'ire no other thing than thathich >od

hath determined ith him!el" to per"orm% and ill al!o promi!e 'nto '!. -'t herea! Peter dothcite o't o" the Script're! t o diver!e te!timonie!< #) the "ir!t i! meant% that B'da!% together ithhi! name and "amil)% !ho'ld @'ite #e e ting'i!hed% that hi! place might #e empt)< the other%hich he "etcheth o't o" the 10 th P!alm% tendeth to thi! end% that there !ho'ld #e another cho!ento !'ppl) hi! place. The!e !eem at "ir!t to #e contrar)< namel)% a a!te ha#itation and !'cce!!ion.;et% #eca'!e the Spirit !aith onl)% in the "ormer place% that the adver!arie! o" the Ch'rch !ho'ld

#e ta$en a a)% that their place might #e empt)% and itho't one to d ell therein% in re!pect o"them!elve!% thi! i! no let h) another ma) not a"ter ard !'ppl) their empt) place. ;ea% thi! dothal!o a'gment their p'ni!hment% in that the honor% a"ter it a! ta$en "rom him that a! 'n orth)thereo"% i! given to another.

And his bisho+ri' ( The He#re ord co'ld not #e tran!lated more "itl). 9or hdwkp 1+e'udah4doth !igni") a ?'ri!diction or government% !o called o" the over!eeing and #eholding o" thing!.9or a! "or tho!e hich interpret it $ife, the te t 96 re"'teth them< "or it "ollo eth in the ne t ver!e%o" hi! i"e% that !he ma) #e made a ido . There"ore% a"ter that he had i!hed that the ic$edma) #e deprived o" hi! li"e% he addeth% moreover% that he ma) #e !poiled o" hi! honor< neitherdoth he !ta) here% #'t al!o he de!ireth that another ma) !'cceed him% here#)% a! + have !aid

#e"ore% hi! p'ni!hment i! do'#led. +n the mean hile% he noteth #) the a)% 96D that thi! "al!e%treachero'!% and ic$ed per!on% hereo" he !pea$eth% !ho'ld not #e !ome one o" the common

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!ort% #'t !'ch an one a! !ho'ld #e ind'ed ith honor and dignit)< "rom hich% neverthele!!% he!hall "all. *nd o't o" thi! place m'!t e learn% that the ic$ed !hall not e!cape !cott "ree% hichhave per!ec'ted the Ch'rch o" >od< "or thi! mi!era#le and retched end i! prepared "or them all.

21. 2e %ust therefore( Thi! hich he #ringeth in might !eem% at the "ir!t !ight% to #e "ar !et["etched.] 9or i" !o #e it (avid did !pea$ o" tran!po!ing 966 B'da!=! #i!hopric% it did not there'pon!traight a) "ollo that the di!ciple! !ho'ld choo!e another to #e hi! !'cce!!or< )et% #eca'!e the)$ne that the) had thi! charge given them to order the Ch'rch% !o !oon a! Peter had told themthat it did plea!e the Lord that it !ho'ld #e !o% he gathereth there'pon that the) o'ght to do it. 9orhen!oever >od ill '!e a! mean!% 96 to maintain the government o" hi! Ch'rch% !o !oon a! e$no hat hi! ill i!% e m'!t not linger% #'t !to'tl) per"orm hat!oever i! re@'ired in o'rmini!tr) Fand "'nction.G That a!% itho't all controver!)% hat a! the d't) o" the Ch'rch< li$ea!% at thi! da)% hen e hear that tho!e m'!t #e p't "rom their o""ice hich #ehave them!elve!'ngodl) and ic$edl)% and that other! m'!t #e cho!en in their room!% the Ch'rch m'!t ta$e thi!charge in hand. Jhere"ore% it a! !'per"l'o'! to move an) @'e!tion a#o't a thing that a! not to

#e do'#ted o". There"ore% let '! al a)! remem#er to con!ider hat e have to do% that e ma) #e read) to o#e) the Lord. 9'rthermore% hen a! he intreateth o" the ma$ing o" an apo!tle% he!aith% He m'!t #e a itne!! o" the re!'rrection< hich !igni"ieth that the apo!tle!hip i! notitho't the preaching o" the go!pel. Jhence it ma) appear ho vain and "rivolo'! the Popi!h

#i!hop! are% hich having on onl) d'm# vi!or!% #rag that the) are the !'cce!!or! o" the apo!tle!< #'t herein are the) li$e 'nto themI + grant that Peter doth here re@'ire !'ch a itne!! a! !athe Lord a"ter hi! re!'rrection% o" hich !ort Bohn pro"e!!eth him!el" to #e one% hen he !aith%He hich !a it #eareth itne!!%Q F N 31 3DO Bohn 1 43D.G 9or thi! did !erve "or the con"irmation o""aith< )et% neverthele!!% Peter ma$eth it a thing nece!!ar) in him and the re!t o" hi! "ello ! ino""ice% that the) !ho'ld teach% hil!t he ma$eth them and him!el" preacher! or itne!!e! o" there!'rrection.

He nameth the re!'rrection% not #eca'!e the) m'!t #ear itne!! thereo" alone< #'t #eca'!e% "ir!t%

'nder thi! i! comprehended the preaching o" the death o" Chri!t< !econdl)% #eca'!e e have theend o" o'r redemption therein% and the accompli!hment thereo"% and al!o it #ringeth ith it thecele!tial government o" Chri!t% and the po er o" the Spirit in de"ending hi!% in e!ta#li!hing

?'!tice and e@'it)% in re!toring order% in a#oli!hing the t)rann) o" !in% and in p'tting to "light allthe enemie! o" the Ch'rch. Let '! $no % there"ore% that tho!e thing! are not e cl'ded #) thi!ord hich are nece!!aril) $nit together. %:everthele!!% let '! note that the re!'rrection i! herenamed #e"ore other thing!% a! #eing the chie" point o" the go!pel% a! al!o Pa'l teacheth% F N 61D1 O 1Corinthian! 1D41 .G

-'t ere the apo!tle! alone itne!!e! o" the re!'rrectionI Ja! not thi! al!o common to the re!to" the di!ciple!I 9or Peter !eemeth to challenge thi! a! proper onl) to the apo!tle!. + an! er% thatthi! title i! there"ore attri#'ted 'nto them% #eca'!e the) ere cho!en pec'liarl) 'nto that"'nction% and #eca'!e the) had the chie" room among!t tho!e hich did #ring thi! em#a!!ageod. +n hich re!pect Pa'l% in the pre"ace o"hi! ,pi!tle to the >alatian!% F N E010/O >alatian! 14/%G doth pro"e!! him!el" to #e an apo!tle% neithero" men% neither made #) man.Q There"ore% li$e a! the dignit) o" thi! "'nction a! e cellent% !oa! it meet that in the choo!ing o" Matthia!% the chie" ?'dgment !ho'ld #e le"t 'nto >od%ho !oever men did their d't). Chri!t #) hi! o n mo'th did appoint the re!t< there"ore% i"Matthia! had #een cho!en onl) #) man to #e one o" them% he !ho'ld have had le!! a'thorit) thanthe). Thi! a! ver) orderl) done% 9 1 that the di!ciple! !ho'ld pre!ent 'nto >od tho!e hom the)tho'ght to #e the #e!t< and he !ho'ld choo!e to him!el" hom he $ne to #e mo!t "it% !o that>od% #) the "all o" the lot% doth prono'nce that he did allo o" the apo!tle!hip o" Matthia!. -'tthe apo!tle! might !eem to have dealt ver) ra!hl) and di!orderl)% hich laid !o great and eight)

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ere given% that #eing p't into a pot% or one o" their lap!% the) might a"ter ard! #e dra n o't.*nd here e m'!t al!o note that thi! ord lot is diver!el) ta$en in thi! place< "or hen he !aid

#e"ore that B'da! had o#tained a lot o" the mini!tr)% hi! meaning a!% Faccording to the commonc'!tom o" the Script're%G that he had a portion given him o" the Lord. He !pea$eth a"ter ard!

properl)% and itho't an) "ig're o" a lot% )et i! it li$el)% "ora!m'ch a! the ord larg %1goral4 i!

commonl) '!ed #) the He#re ! "or #oth thing!% that Peter meant to all'de 'nto that hich the)ere a#o't to do% and that L'$e had re!pect 'nto the !el" !ame thing.

The lot fell u+on Matthias( +t came to pa!! a! no man o'ld have loo$ed "or< "or e ma) gather #) that hich goeth #e"ore% that there a! not !o great acco'nt made o" Matthia! a! o" the otherod% !o the Spirit% ho!e o""ice it i! to rite the !ame in o'r heart!% did"'l"ill that hich a! "ig'red in the giving o" the la a! man) da)! a"ter the re!'rrection o"Chri!t% ho i! the tr'e Pa!!over. :ot ith!tanding% herea! he 'rgeth thi! hi! !'#tle interpretationa! nece!!ar)% in hi! #oo$ o" R'e!tion! 'pon , od'!% and in hi! Second ,pi!tle 'nto Ban'ari'!% +o'ld i!h him to #e more !o#er and mode!t therein. :ot ith!tanding% let him $eep hi! o ninterpretation to him!el". +n the mean !ea!on% + ill em#race that hich i! more !o'nd.

pon the "ea!t da)% herein a great m'ltit'de a! ont to re!ort to Ber'!alem% a! thi! miraclero'ght% that it might #e more "amo'!. *nd tr'l) #) mean! hereo" a! it !pread a#road% even'nto the 'ttermo!t part! and #order! o" the earth. 9 9or the !ame p'rpo!e did Chri!t o"tentime!

go 'p to Ber'!alem 'pon the hol) da)!%9 E

FBohn /% D% % 10% 1/%G to the end tho!e miracle! hichhe ro'ght might #e $no n to man)% and that in the greater a!!em#l) o" people there might #ethe greater "r'it o" hi! doctrine. 9or !o ill L'$e a"ter ard declare% that Pa'l made ha!te that hemight come to Ber'!alem #e"ore the da) o" Penteco!t% not "or an) religion=! !a$e% #'t #eca'!e o"the greater a!!em#l)% that he might pro"it the more% F N /016O *ct! /0416.G There"ore% in ma$ingchoice o" the da)% the pro"it o" the miracle a! re!pected4 9ir!t% that it might #e the more e tolledat Ber'!alem% #eca'!e the Be ! ere then more #ent to con!ider the or$! o" >od< and% !econdl)%that it might #e #r'ited a#road% even in "ar co'ntrie!. The) called it the "i"tieth da)% #eginning torec$on at the "ir!t "r'it!.

2. And there $as %ade ( +t a! re@'i!ite that the gi"t !ho'ld #e vi!i#le% that the #odil) !en!e mightthe more !tir 'p the di!ciple!. 9or !'ch i! o'r !loth"'lne!! to con!ider the gi"t! o" >od% that 'nle!!he a a$e all o'r !en!e!% hi! po er !hall pa!! a a) 'n$no n. Thi! a!% there"ore% a preparationthat the) might the #etter $no that the Spirit a! no come hich Chri!t had promi!ed.*ltho'gh it a! not !o m'ch "or their !a$e a! "or o'r!% even a! in that the cloven and "ier)tong'e! appeared% there a! rather re!pect had o" '!% and o" all the hole Ch'rch in that% than o"them. 9or >od a! a#le to have "'rni!hed them ith nece!!ar) a#ilit) to preach the go!pel%altho'gh he !ho'ld '!e no !ign. The) them!elve! might have $no n that it came to pa!! neither

#) chance% neither )et thro'gh their o n ind'!tr)% that the) ere !o !'ddenl) changed< #'t tho!e!ign! hich are here !et do n ere a#o't to #e pro"ita#le "or all age!< a! e perceive at thi! da)

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that the) pro"it '!. *nd e m'!t #rie"l) note the proportion o" the !ign!. The violence o" theind did !erve to ma$e them a"raid< "or e are never rightl) prepared to receive the grace o">od% 'nle!! the con"idence Fand #oldne!!G o" the "le!h #e tamed. 9or a! e have acce!! 'nto him

#) "aith% !o h'milit) and "ear !etteth open the gate% that he ma) come in 'nto '!. He hath nothingto do ith pro'd and carele!! men. +t i! a common thing "or the Spirit to #e !igni"ied #) ind% For

a #la!t%G FN 3/0//O

Bohn /04//.G 9or #oth Chri!t him!el"% hen he a! a#o't to give the Spirit to hi!apo!tle!% did #reathe 'pon them< and in ,5e$iel=! vi!ion there a! a hirl ind and ind%FN/6010 O ,5e$iel 14 .G ;ea% the ord Spirit it!el" i! a tran!lated ord< "or% #eca'!e that hy+ostasis,or per!on o" the (ivine e!!ence% hich i! called the Spirit% i! o" it!el" incomprehen!i#le% theScript're doth #orro the ord o" the ind or #la!t% #eca'!e it i! the po er o" >od hich >oddoth po'r into all creat're! a! it ere #) #reathing. The !hape o" tong'e! i! re!trained 'nto the

pre!ent circ'm!tance. 9or a! the "ig're and !hape o" a dove hich came do n 'pon Chri!t%FN 3013/O Bohn 143/%G had a !igni"ication agreea#le to the o""ice and nat're o" Chri!t% !o >od didno ma$e choice o" a !ign hich might #e agreea#le to the thing !igni"ied% namel)% that it might!ho !'ch e""ect and or$ing o" the Hol) >ho!t in the apo!tle! a! "ollo ed a"ter ard.

The diver!it) o" tong'e! did hinder the go!pel "rom #eing !pread a#road an) "arther< !o that% i"the preacher! o" the go!pel had !po$en one lang'age onl)% all men o'ld have tho'ght thatChri!t had #een !h't 'p in the !mall corner o" Be r). -'t >od invented a a) here#) it might

#rea$ o't% hen he divided and clove the tong'e! o" the apo!tle!% that the) might !pread thata#road among!t all people hich a! delivered to them. Jherein appeareth the mani"oldgoodne!! o" >od% #eca'!e a plag'e and p'ni!hment o" man=! pride a! t'rned into matter o"

#le!!ing. 9or hence came the diver!it) o" tong'e!% !ave onl) that the ic$ed and 'ngodl)co'n!el! o" men might #e #ro'ght to na'ghtI F N01110 O >ene!i! 114 .G -'t >od doth "'rni!h theapo!tle! ith the diver!it) o" tong'e! no % that he ma) #ring and call home% into a #le!!ed 'nit)%men hich ander here and there. The!e cloven tong'e! made all men to !pea$ the lang'age o"Canaan% a! +!aiah "oretold% FN/31 1EO +!aiah 1 41E.G 9or hat lang'age !oever the) !pea$% )et dothe) call 'pon one 9ather% hich i! in heaven% ith one mo'th and one !pirit% F N D1D06O8oman!1D46.G + !aid that that a! done "or o'r !a$e% not onl) #eca'!e the "r'it came 'nto '!% #'t #eca'!ee $no that the go!pel came 'nto '! not #) chance% #'t #) the appointment o" >od% ho to thi!end gave the apo!tle! cloven tong'e!% le!t an) nation !ho'ld ant that doctrine hich a!committed 'nto them< here#) i! proved the calling o" the >entile!< and% !econdl)% here#) theirdoctrine doth p'rcha!e credit% hich e $no a! not "orged #) man% !eeing that e hear thatthe Spirit did d ell in their tong'e!.

:o % it remaineth that e declare hat the fire meaneth. Jitho't all do'#t% it a! a to$en o" theF"orce andG e""icac) hich !ho'ld #e e erci!ed in the voice o" the apo!tle!. 7ther i!e% altho'ghtheir !o'nd had gone o't into the 'ttermo!t part! o" the orld% the) !ho'ld onl) have #eat the air%itho't doing an) good at all. There"ore% the Lord doth !ho that their voice !hall #e "ier)% that it

ma) in"lame the heart! o" men< that the vanit) o" the orld #eing #'rnt and con!'med% it ma) p'rge and rene all thing!. 7ther i!e the) d'r!t never have ta$en 'pon them !o hard a "'nction%'nle!

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