Acts 21

What a glorious army of saints and martyrs have gone before us? How constant to the death was Saint Paul (Acts 21:13)? How persevering in the faith were [reconstructed: Ignatius], [reconstructed: Polycarp], Athanasius?

1. When he commands to mortify sin; that sin which has been dear to you: Pluck out this right eye, that you may see the better to go to heaven. 2. When he commands you to suffer for him, be ready to obey (Acts 21:13). Every good Christian has a spirit of martyrdom in him, and is…

Quest. 4. What this patient submission to God's will is? Answ. It is a gracious frame of soul, whereby a Christian is content to be at God's dispose, and does acquiesce in his wisdom (1 Samuel 3:18): It is the Lord, let him do what seems him good (Acts 21:14): The will of the Lo…

Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary officers or rulers or ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only? An. (1) The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, with (2) the Evangelists and Prophets endowed with extraordinary gifts of the Holy G…

Thus the Brethren at Jerusalem joined in the consideration of the observation of Mosaic ceremonies with the Apostles and Elders (Acts 15:23), and the multitude of them to whom letters were sent about it, likewise did the same (Acts 15:30, 31, 32). And this they thought it their…

I only mention this, because some places quoted usually in this matter, do relate directly to the unbelieving Jews, which went up and down to oppose the preaching of Christ and the Gospel in rage and fury, stirring up persecution everywhere against them that were employed in it.…

And this it does absolutely where we attain that frame, that while the work of faith and obedience thrives in our hearts and lives, we are not much moved with whatever else befalls us in this world. This was the frame of our Apostle (Acts 21:13; Philippians 3:7, 8). But because…

2. There were others of them who, although they received the Gospel and believed in Christ, yet were persuaded that the Law was still in force, and the worship prescribed in it still to be observed. And of these there were very great multitudes as the Apostle declares (Acts 21:2…

For they fell on Stephen under pretence he had said that Jesus of Nazareth should destroy the customs which Moses delivered (Acts 6:14). And this also provoked their rage against our Apostle (Acts 21:28). Yes, the most of them who were converted to the faith of the Gospel, yet c…

Surely he will have an hard talk, who shall undertake out of Scripture, or orthodox Divines, to shew, that adult persons understanding and believing the doctrine of faith, and publickly professing the same, not scandalous in life, and solemnly taking hold of the Covenant, wherei…

The Popish and Prelatical Deacons have no such office, but an office which the Apostles never appointed to them; for they had no preaching nor baptizing Deacons. Philip preached and baptized, not as a Deacon, but as an Evangelist (Acts 21:8). Besides at the time of his preaching…

He also affirms that there was yet a little while remaining before those Mosaic rudiments, shaken by the death of Christ, would be removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken in Christ's kingdom might be established. Nor does it stand in the way that the apostles and elder…

The Gentiles were indeed declared free from the yoke of the Mosaic ceremonies (Acts 15). But that faithful Jews observed the entire solemn Mosaic worship religiously for a long time afterward, we have shown above from Acts 21:20–22, 26. Some ancient manuscripts also read: "in th…

As a Christian must pray all manner of prayer, so in all places (1 Timothy 2:8). I will that men pray every where: And if every where, then in their closets: This divine incense should perfume every room, and should ascend to Heaven from chambers as well as churches: Any place n…

(Matthew 13:21): As soon as tribulation or persecution comes, by and by they are offended. Whereas we ought to have the same mind that Paul had, who knowing that bonds and imprisonment abode him, yet did not count them, neither was his life dear to him (Acts 20:23); and was not…

After she was restored, she yet converted not to the Lord, but went on in her subtle dealings: for which she deserved utterly to perish. And indeed she was miserably punished when Alexander took her by force: yet notwithstanding the kingdom of Jesus Christ was set up there, as S…

Now none but the Jews had any place there: for they would have thought the Temple profaned, if any Gentiles had come within it. And this, as you know, was the cause that so great a multitude arose against Saint Paul, who had brought some uncircumcised ones into it (Acts 21:28).…

The defense which Christ makes, to free his doctrine from slanders, ought to encourage us, if we are now exposed to the same calumnies. That crime was charged against Paul, that he was an apostate from the law of God, (Acts 21:21) and we need not, therefore, wonder, if the Papis…

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 his way? The Disciples at Tyre said to him by the Spirit (though in that…

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…

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…

What should I speak of James, not the Apostle but the Brother of our Savior, the son-in-law of the Mother of our Lord: who by the Apostles, was ordained Bishop of Jerusalem, as Eusebius, in his 2nd book of Ecclesiastical History, and 1st chapter, out of the 6th of the Hypotypose…

This is insisted on by Clemens in Eusebius, He did wisely, says he, conceal his name, because of the prejudicate opinion that they had against him: and this is at large insisted on by Chrysostom, who is followed therein by Theophilact, Oecumenius and others without number. The p…

The Synod indeed at Jerusalem had determined that the yoke of the Law, should not be put upon the necks of the Gentile Converts (Acts 15). But eight or nine years after that, when Paul came up to Jerusalem again (Acts 21:20–22), James informs him, that the many thousands of the…

2. Some with their Profession of Faith in Christ as the Messiah promised, retained an opinion of the necessary observation of Mosaical Rites; and these also were of two sorts. (1.) Such as from a pure reverence of their Original Institutions, either being not fully instructed in…

The like has beene the malice of wicked men in all ages, against the deerest servants of God; Act. 6. 14. Stephen is accused to speake blasphemous words against the Law: Act. 21. 28. Paul is charged with the same crime.

Let every man abide in the same vocation wherein he is called; and therein walke with God, v. 24. The fi[]t part of Gods will, is to subiect our selues unto the hand of God in all crosses and afflictions whatsoever: when the brethren at Cesarea saw Pauls resolution to goe to Jer…

To determine this question, the Apostles and Elders meet together in a council at Jerusalem; where after some debate, the whole result seems in brief to have been this: that the believing Jews might still, without offense, observe the rites and ceremonies of the Law; for though…

When he is under sharp trials, and others condole him, he may say, as Christ to the daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves. And of himself, he can say as Paul, I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesu…

3. This prepared the way for Christ's coming, as it made the salvation of those Jews that were saved by Christ, to be more sensible and visible. Though the greater part of the nation of the Jews was rejected, and the Gentiles called in their room; yet there were a great many tho…

So that the whole church of God is still God's Jerusalem: they are his spiritual Jerusalem, and are as it were only added to the church, which was begun in the literal Jerusalem. After this, we read of many thousands of Jews that believed in Jerusalem, Acts 21:20. And so we read…

Micah sets himself against such, chapter 3:8, But truly (says he) I am full of power, by the spirit of the Lord, and of might, and of judgement to declare to Jacob his transgressions and to Israel his sin. There is little of self in children; the children of God ([in non-Latin a…

We principally pray for the latter here, that we may fulfill his Will revealed in the Word; and yet the other cannot be excluded. Take but this reason, because the saints in Scripture express their subjection to God's providence in words very agreeable to this request, to the fo…

We must never forget the honor put upon them by God; they bear his image, and in all lawful cases we acknowledge God's authority in them; they are those by whom God will govern us: but if anything be decreed against God, we only urge our obedience to the Lord Paramount. (Acts 21…

Take heed of Solomon's old age sin, a kind of dotage which suffered him to apostatize (1 Kings 11:3), be sound in the faith, as in (Titus 2:2), take heed of the peevishness of old age, be patient (says the text), take heed of the covetousness of old age, be charitable, says the…

Though the mouth of a fiery furnace (heated sevenfold) were open to devour the three children (as we use to call them) yet they would not sin (Daniel 3:18), and Daniel would rather venture into the lions' den than neglect a duty to his God (Daniel 6:10). Though bonds waited on S…

And if singing be prophesying in any sense, and any way tending to the comfort or edification of the Church, why should we suffer profane persons to sing with us? That the godly Jews did reject the Samaritans from building with them, it was not out of moral consideration, as if…

And surely those children of Tyre had some seeds of good worked in them, showing their love to Paul as they accompanied him to the seashore. Acts 21:5: They all brought us on our way, with wives and children. Paul had a convoy of young saints to bring him to his ship.

He knows that though he may be a loser for Christ, he cannot be a loser by Christ; for Christ is all and in all. No wonder Paul was willing to be bound and die for Christ (Acts 21:13) when he knew that Christ loved him and had given himself for him (Galatians 2:20). But how shal…

Faith must lead the van, and perseverance must bring up the rear; there is something still remaining for a Christian to do, and he must not leave work till the night of death comes on. Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple (Acts 21:16) — what an honor it is for one to be gray-headed…

Now however the Apostles and prophets in those primitive times were infallible and immediately inspired (of whose immediate infallibility how far, and in what way, whether only in penning the holy Scriptures, or how else, whether ex habituali assistentia Spiritus or only de part…

Paul himself could not get off this snare without heart-breaking: What mean ye to weep, and to break my heart? Acts 21:13.

That I may excite Christians to persevere in the profession of godliness, I shall propose these four considerations. 1 It is the glory and Crown of a Christian, to be gray-headed in godliness, Acts 21. 16. Mnason of Cyprus, an old Disciple: What an honour is it to see a Christia…

Zeal does not say there is a Lion in the way; zeal will charge through an Army of dangers, it will march in the face of death. Let news be brought to Paul, that he was waylaid, in every City bonds and imprisonment did abide him, this sets a keener edge upon his zeal, Acts 21:13:…

2. It is not patience upon force; to bear a thing because we cannot help it; which (as Erasmus says) is rather necessity than patience. But, patience is a cheerful submission of our will to God, Acts 21. 4. The will of the Lord be done. A godly man does acquiesce in what God doe…

At last Mr. Great-Heart said, I have, as you may understand, often been a conductor of pilgrims through this town. Now, I am acquainted with one Mr. Mnason (Acts 21:16), a Cyprusian by nation, an old disciple, at whose house we may lodge. If you think good, we will turn in there.

This is that holy oil which makes the wheels of the soul run nimbly even in difficult paths of obedience. Let but a man be once brought to that — 'The will of the Lord be done' (Acts 21:14) — to see the highest reason of cheerful obedience in the holy, just, and good will of God…

Christ knew before, he should suffer, and when they would apprehend him, yet he went to the garden to spend a piece of the night in prayer. It was told Paul by Agabus, if he went to Jerusalem the Jews should bind him, and deliver him to the Gentiles; it was his duty to go, there…

And it's faith's word of answer (Ecclesiastes 11:9), But know you, that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. 3. Faith puts the soul in that condition, that self may be plucked from self, without great violence, as an apple full of the tree, and of harvest-sap, is…

The fourth objection. Paul together with four men, that had made a vow, yielded to purify himself, according to the law of Moses, because he would not offend the weak Jews (Acts 21:24). And yet that law concerning purification, as also the whole body of ceremonies, was abrogated…