And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad... [ Continue Reading ]
And devout men carried Stephen _to his burial_, and made great lamentation over him. Ver. 2. _Carried Stephen_] συνεκομισαν, On their shoulders, lamenting, with knocking their breasts, &c., as the word κοπετον imports: no whit afraid of those mad murderers. So the primitive Christians would not be... [ Continue Reading ]
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed _them_ to prison. Ver. 3. _Made havoc of the church_] Being (as some think) that ravening wolf of the tribe of Benjamin, prophesied of by Jacob, Genesis 49:27 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Ver. 4. _See Trapp on "_ Act 8:1 _"_ _Trucidabantur et multiplicabantur, _ saith Austin. They were never the fewer for being slain. _Plures efficimur quoties metimur, _ saith Tertullian. _Ecclesia totum mundum sanguine e... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Ver. 5. _Then Philip_] Not Philip the apostle (for they all abode at Jerusalem, Act 8:1), but Philip the deacon. He that is faithful in a little shall be made master of more.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Ver. 6. _And the people, &c._] A corrupt place, and bewitched by the sorceries of Simon Magus; yet even there God had a people. Justin Martyr was of this city.... [ Continue Reading ]
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed _with them_ : and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Ver. 7. _Crying with a loud voice_] To show that they went out perforce, and with a very ill will.... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was great joy in that city. Ver. 8. _And there was great joy_] So there was at Berne; for when the reformation was first received they pardoned (for joy) two condemned persons and called home all their banished. So there was at Geneva; the inhabitants whereof, upon the like occasion, stam... [ Continue Reading ]
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Ver. 9. _Which beforetime, &c._] Or, which was master of the magicians, προυπηρχεν. _Sed quae traduntur de modo disceptationis... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. Ver. 10. _This man is the great power of God_] Epiphanius saith that this varlot (knave) called himself God the Father and the Son, and his harlot Helena (a horrible thing to be spoken) the Holy... [ Continue Reading ]
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Ver. 11. _He had bewitched them with sorcery_] It happened in the year of grace 434, that a certain seducer, who called himself Moses, persuaded the Jews in Crete that he was sent from heaven with commission... [ Continue Reading ]
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Ver. 12. _They were baptized both men and women_] Who were admitted to baptism on this condition, that their infants also and their whole families... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Ver. 13. _Simon himself believed_] As the devils also believe, with a historical faith, a mere flash, which therefore soon came to nothing. _ And wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Ver. 14. _They sent Peter and John_] Those pillars, Galatians 2:9, to confirm Philip's doctrine, and found a church by their apostolic authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: Ver. 15. _The Holy Ghost_] That is, those extraordinary gifts of tongues, healing, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Ver. 16. _For as yet he was fallen upon none of them_] _sc._ In those extraordinary gifts of tongues and miracles.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then laid they _their_ hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Ver. 17. _Then laid they their hands on them_] After the manner of the priests, who laid their hands on the beast that was to be sacrificed, and so consecrated them to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Ver. 18. _He offered them money_] As Simoniacs still do their corrupt patrons, so crucifying Christ afresh between two thieves. Benefices are now bestowed, saith one, _non ubi optime, s... [ Continue Reading ]
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Ver. 19. _Give me also this power_] Base spirits have low conceits of the high things of God. The stream riseth not above the spring. _Omnia Romae venalia; _ all things at Rome are soluble and saleable.... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Ver. 20. _But Peter said unto him_] Philip took him for a right honest man, and baptized him; but Peter soon smelt a fox, and drew him out of his den into the open light.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Ver. 21. _Thou hast neither part nor lot_] _Neque pars, neque sors, _ no manner of interest in this faith, much less in this sacred office of preaching, and laying hands upon others. (_Dictio proverbialis... [ Continue Reading ]
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Ver. 22. _Repent therefore_] Repentance is _post naufragium tabula, _ it is the fair daughter of a foul mother, _i.e._ sin, which (if not repented of) will soon work our ruth)distress)... [ Continue Reading ]
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and _in_ the bond of iniquity. Ver. 23. _Thou art in the gall, &c._] The apostle alludeth to Deuteronomy 29:18. Sin is a bitter potion, a deadly poison, which therefore we must quickly cast up again by confession, ere it get to the vitals. Sim... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. Ver. 24. _Pray for me_] Some from these words conclude his effectual conversion. He trembleth at God's justice, and imploreth his mercy. _Haec certe non minima sunt poenitentiae s... [ Continue Reading ]
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Ver. 25. _When they had testified_] That is, with great gravity and liberty declared. (διαμαρτυρομενοι .) _ In many villages of the Samaritans_] A... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. Ver. 26. _Which is desert_] Which way is desert, that is, less frequented, because uphill and downhill. So is the way to heaven, and therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Ver. 27. _Candace_] This, saith Pliny, was a common name to the Ethiopian queens, as Caesar wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Ver. 28. _Sitting in his chariot, read_] Time is to be redeemed for holy uses. Pliny seeing his nephew walking for his pleasure, called to him, and said, _Poteras hasce horas non perdidisse; _ You might have better bestowed your tim... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Ver. 29. _Then the Spirit said_] _sc._ By revelation, or secret inspiration.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Philip ran thither to _him_, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? Ver. 30. _And heard him read_] He read as he rode. Pliny was always reading or writing, or doing something, _quo ad vitam communem aliquem fructum ferre posset, _ whereby he might... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. Ver. 31. _How can I, except some man_] The mathematics are so called, because they cannot be learned without a teacher. No man is αυτοδιδακτος in heavenly literature. He that here... [ Continue Reading ]
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: Ver. 32. _The place of the Scripture_] The parcel, saith the Syriac, פמוקא; the partition or section, say the Hebrews, הפטרה. Among us, Ste... [ Continue Reading ]
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. Ver. 33. _His judgment was taken away_] That is, he was set safe from his enemies, that judged and executed him. He rose, and reigneth in despite of them. _ And who shall dec... [ Continue Reading ]
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Ver. 34. _I pray thee of whom_] Incredible gain is to be gotten by conference in all arts; so here. All Christ's scholars are ζητητικοι, questionists, though, not question sic... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Ver. 35. _And preached unto him_] Of preaching we may say in comparison of other ordinances, for the getting of knowledge, as David did of Goliath's sword, there is none to that.... [ Continue Reading ]
And as they went on _their_ way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, _here is_ water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Ver. 36. _What doth hinder_] He stood not upon the reproach of Christian religion, what the courtiers at home would censure of him. He would hardly suffer... [ Continue Reading ]
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Ver. 37. _Is the Son of God_] Both by eternal generation, Proverbs 8:22,30, and by hypostatical union, Matthew 3:17 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Ver. 38. _And he baptized him_] Set Christ's mark upon him, that seal of the new covenant. The Jacobites (a kind of mongrel Christians in Asia) sign their children,... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Ver. 39. _Went on his way rejoicing_] Bernard, for a certain time after his conversion, remained, as it were, deprived of his senses, by the exc... [ Continue Reading ]
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Ver. 40. _At Azotus_] A city of Palestine, called anciently Ashdod, whence the Anakims could not be driven out, Joshua 11:22 .... [ Continue Reading ]