Acts 20

Christ must needs be God, not only that the divine nature might support the human from sinking under God's wrath, but also to give value and weight to his sufferings. Christ being God, his death and passion is meritorious; Christ's blood is called Sanguis Dei, the blood of God (…

He had not quite lost the Spirit. As Eutiches when he fell from a window (Acts 20) and all thought he was dead — No, says Paul, there is life in him — so David fell foully, but there was the life of grace in him. Though the saints may come to that pass they have but little faith…

Whatever worldly comforts we have, are but [in non-Latin alphabet], for a season (Hebrews 11:25). We must part with all, as Paul's friends did accompany him to the ship and there left him (Acts 20:28). So all our earthly comforts will but go with us to the grave and there leave…

To them who seek for glory and honor — eternal life. The people of God here are in a suffering condition (Acts 20:23). Bonds and afflictions abide me.

He says as David when Michal reproached him for dancing before the Ark (2 Samuel 6:22), if this be to be vile, I will yet be more vile. Let others persecute him for his holiness, he says as Paul (Acts 20:24), none of these things move me. He prefers sanctity before safety, and h…

Christ arose on the first day of the week out of the grave, and appeared twice on this day to his disciples (John 20:19, 26), which was to intimate to the disciples (says Austin and Athanasius) that he transferred the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day. 2. The keeping of the first…

It was an excellent appeal that Samuel made to the people (1 Samuel 12:3): Witness against me before the Lord, whose ox have I taken, or whose ass, or whom have I defrauded. And it was a brave speech of Saint Paul (Acts 20:33): I have coveted no man's gold, or silver, or apparel…

Therefore it is called repentance, [in non-Latin alphabet]. Toward God (Acts 20:20). The heart points toward God as the needle to the North Pole.

And hereupon the flesh of Christ though it profit nothing of itself, yet by the virtue which it receives from that person to which it is joined, it is quickening flesh and the bread of life. Again from this union of two natures into one person, arises a kind of speech or phrase…

Perseverance carries away the garland; a true Christian does not only set out in the race, but hold out; The righteous also shall hold on his way (Job 15:9): be the way what it will, though strewed with thorns, though there be a lion in the way, he is resolved to hold on his way…

This vow is against the will of God. Acts 20:35: It is a more blessed thing to give than to receive. Proverbs 30:8: Give me neither riches nor poverty.

Paul in like manner, did not of his own head goe to Ierusalem, but upon the motion of the Spirit. Act. 20. 22. In the light of these examples men are taught, not to cast themselues, into any places of apparent danger: much lesse to frequent those, which God has deliuered vp, int…

Whose voice, or rather the voice of Christ by him, was, I know very sweet to many there now asleep, and to some of you yet alive; who, I dare not doubt, never allow yourselves, to expect with confidence and comfort to look the Lord Jesus in the face, but as seriously and sincere…

Answ. We hold that the suffering for the time, was so extreme, that he and he only could [reconstructed: endure] the [reconstructed: infinite] wrath of God; but whether all the infiniteness of pain flows from this, that the person was infinite, or that the pain was intrinsically…

And all that Christ Jesus heard of his Father, he made known to his Apostles (John 15:15). And of these one Apostle Paul, who also received the Gospel not from flesh and blood, but by revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Acts 9:1-2, etc.) did declare to…

Answer: The thing in question is not concluded; we say not we are to pray for the salvation of none but believers only, and that Christ died for none but those that already believed: we are to pray for all ranks, believers or unbelievers, as Christ died for thousands of both, bu…

'You believe in God' (says Christ to his disciples, whose faith and opinion of the Messiah was till Christ's resurrection of the same elevation with that of the Old Testament believers) 'believe also in me: make me the object of your trust for salvation as well as the Father.' A…

And (as the Antithesis carries it) look how the blood of Abel cryed for the ruine and condemnation of his brother Cain, so does Christ's blood on the contrary for our pardon and non-condemnation; and so much the lowder, by how much his blood was of more worth then Abel's was. Th…

If Ahithophel could not endure the rejection of his counsel, and Haman could not endure to be slighted by Mordecai, and many cannot endure the loss of a beloved child; how will you endure the loss of eternal happiness! The disciples wept bitterly when Paul said, you shall see my…

Observe hence our weakness during the time we are environed with mortality, that we cannot bear up long under spiritual duties, either our hearts are soon overcharged with wonder and astonishment, or else we yield to natural infirmities; however let it be a warning to us against…

And the reason of this sin, is: because God has given this commandment, We may not depart from his word, to the right hand or to the left; neither may we add thereto, or take from it (Joshua 1:7-8; Deuteronomy 4; 12). Before I gather any doctrine hence, this ground is to be laid…

Cor 5:18. and that God sheddehis blood. Act 20:28. namely, in that nature which the sonne of God assumed. Hence ariss the value, price, and dignitie of the obedience of Christ.

And it is also very probable, that the Sabbath of the new testament is limited and determined by our Savior Christ to the Lord's day. For Paul and the rest of the Apostles observed the first day of the week for a Sabbath day (Acts 20:7), and he says, Whatever you have heard, and…

Paul inioynes the Pastours of the Church of Ephesus, that they should take heede to themselues, and to the flocks whereof the holy Ghost had made themouerseers. Act 20:28. and he commands Timothie that he should be instant in season and out of season; that he should improoue, re…

These things therefore must be referred to the spiritual estate of the Church, namely, that by means hereof, God may be purely worshipped in her, that the ministry of the word may flourish and be advanced there, and that she may thereby retain some discipline which may serve as…

We read in the Gospel that Christ kissed his disciples, which was a custom then in those countries. Of this kiss Saint Paul also makes frequent mention (Acts 20; 1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 13; Romans 16). Peace be with you all, which are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Of such kind of admonitions, that we should take heed of false doctrines, we have in many places of the Scriptures great store. Saint Paul in the last sermon that he made to the Ephesians, when he took his leave of them, and was now ready to depart toward Jerusalem, forewarned t…

Sect. 13 Our Argument then from hence, is not meerly from his being joyned with the Father and the Son; for so as to some Ends and Purposes any Creatures may be joyned with them. This our Adversaries prove from Acts 20. 32. Ephes. 6. 10.

Acts 26. 17, 18. Acts 20. 20, 21, 26, 27. By the Preaching of the Law and the G[•]spel, Men are instructed in the whole Counsel of God, and what he requires of them.

And it is not used as the Means to beget Faith and Holiness in us: This is the Effect of the Gospel only. Hence it is said to be the Power of God to Salvation; Rom. 1. 16. or that whereby God puts forth the Greatness of his Power to that Purpose; the Word of his Grace, which is…

The Apostle in Acts 19:4 seems to have reference to these words of John the Baptist, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe, etc., where the latter words, as we have already observed, are to explain how he preached repentance…

They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not your precepts. Paul by the direction of the Spirit was engaged to go to Jerusalem, Acts 20:22 After a clear revelation of the mind of God to him in that matter, how many difficult and discouraging Providences beell him in…

You know what a close tryal that Providence was to Abraham, that called him from his native Countrey and Fathers house, to go he knew not whither; and yet it's said in Isaiah 41:2 he came to Gods foot, as readily obeying his call, as a servant when his Master knocks for him with…

Your argument from Paul's calling the Elders of Ephesus to Miletus, however you lean upon it, it will prove but a reed. You yourselves confess (I know not upon what certain ground) that Timothy was at the meeting (Acts 20) with St. Paul. Had he been Bishop there, the Apostle (yo…

The presbyters then chose their Bishops: who doubts it? But upon whose order, and institution save that which Saint Paul to the superintendents met at Miletus, Acts 20, Spiritus sanctus vos constituit Episcopos? I marvel, brethren, with what face you can make Jerome say, that th…

And the Presbyters are joined together with the Apostles in verse 22, and are distinguished from the whole Church, as also in verse 23 and chapter 16:4. Again in Acts 20, the Elders of Ephesus (verse 17) are said to be made Bishops to feed the flock of Christ (verse 18), and in…

First, in the Apostles' Epistles the name of bishop did never signify anything different from the office of a presbyter. For a bishop, presbyter, and an apostle, were common names, as you may see (Acts 20), (Philippians 1:1), (Titus 1), (1 Peter 5:12), (Acts 1:20). Next.

Life is a precious thing, a thing of great value, but when the Gospel comes in competition, then life is a poor commodity; and our breath but a perishing vapor. Such was the judgment of that great apostle (Acts 20:24), when the Holy Ghost had witnessed in every city, that bonds…

God would have it so; The testimony of Jesus Christ is thus to be accomplished. This counsel of God we must declare that we may be free from the blood of all men, Acts 20:26, 27. And that not once or twice, but in preaching the word, we must be instant in season, out of season,…

Thirdly, fighting and strikingby priuate persons, or by others in their priuate causes: for they wound or weaken the bodie of their neighbours, which is more then to grieue him by reuiling speeches. Fourthly, the detaining the foode of the soule, by those that cannot, or will no…

III. duty. In the case of confession and profession of true religion, when we be called thereto, we must be content to forsake goods, friends, yea and life it self, rather then by inioying them suffer our selues to be driuen out of this straite way to life: my life (saith Paul)…

Now they get this name for their resembling foxes, in three things, 1. In their abominable nature, for which they are called foxes, wolves, dogs, etc., and such like, which are abhorred and hated of all men, and so are these most hateful to God, and so ought they to be with all…

First, We have express places of the Scripture thus far, that the first day of the week is mentioned as the stated time for Christians to meet together, to preach, to hear, and to break bread in the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and to perform other duties of religion. So…

2. The next thing in order of time seems to be the appointment of the Christian Sabbath. For though this was gradually established in the Christian church, yet those things by which the revelation of God's mind and will was made, began on the day of Christ's resurrection, by his…

And when Nazianzen was taking his leave of Constantinople, as he was preaching his farewell sermon, the people were exceedingly affected with his loss; and among the rest, an old man in the congregation fell into a bitter passion, and cried out, Aude pater, & tecum trinitate…

The Husbandman purchases his fields, and gives a valuable consideration for them (Jeremiah 32:9-10). So has God purchased his church with a full valuable price, even the precious blood of his own Son (Acts 20:28): "Feed the church of God, which he has purchased, or acquired with…

So there is self-seeking — men care not what they do so they may accommodate their own ends. They speak perverse things to draw disciples after them (Acts 20:30). Some men love to be in the head of a train, and therefore if God's truths will not serve their ends, they can easily…

FIrst, make account of them, do not say, I shall never be removed; although you know not what particular afflictions shall befal you, yet make an account, that an afflicted condition will be your portion: according to that of the Apostle, Acts 20. 22, 23. And now I go bound in t…

As to the proof hereof, I have spoken of it elsewhere at large; I now propose it only in general, to show the amiableness of Christ on this account; here lies, hence arises, the grace, peace, life, and security of the church, of all believers: as by some few considerations may b…

The necessary consequences of which are: 1. The subsistence of the human nature in the person of the Son of God, having no subsistence of its own (Luke 1:35; 1 Timothy 3:16). 2. [illegible], that communication of attributes in the person, whereby the properties of either nature…