Acts 28

Yet these were in the house of bondage: we are apt to judge and censure them who are in an afflicted state. When the Barbarians saw the viper on Paul's hand, they said, No doubt this man is a murderer (Acts 28:4). So when we see the viper of affliction fasten upon the godly, we…

If you will be religious, you must hang your harps upon the willows, and bid adieu to all joy. (Acts 28:22) This sect is every where spoken against: Oh, be wise as serpents! Stop your ears to such as would discourage you from holy walking; they are the devil's charmers.

Envy drinks its own venom. The viper which leaped on Paul's hand, thought to have hurt Paul, but fell herself into the fire (Acts 28:3). So while the envious man thinks to hurt another, he destroys himself.

3. Branch. See hence, that religion is no ignominious disgraceful thing. Satan labors to cast all the odium and reproach upon it that he can; that it is a devout frenzy, folly in grain (Acts 28:22). As for this sect, we know that it is everywhere spoken against; but wise men mea…

There is a strange attractive power in ill company to corrupt and poison the best dispositions; they damp good affections: throw a fireball into the snow and it is soon quenched. Among the wicked you lose your heat of zealous affections; by holding familiar correspondence with t…

But the more full and distinct explanation of Satan's work herein requires a further search and inquiry, and larger demonstration of how Satan comes and how far to know matter by us thus to accuse us of. For if he does accuse, he must (as was said, Acts 28) 'have ought against u…

For, if it were the invention of man, it would so fit their humor, and accord with their nature, that generally it would be loved and embraced, and not one of an hundred would mislike it. But, we see it is generally detested; This Sect is every where spoken against, Acts 28:22:…

And Ezekiel must go and speak, and yet is told beforehand, they will not hear him, nor repent, Ezekiel 3:4,7. And when Saint Paul himself preached unto the Jews at Rome, some believed not, Acts 28:24. There is nothing will more discourage a man, and cast down his heart, than to…

Murmur not at these things, none can come to me, except the Father draw him; none can believe, except the powerful grace of God work faith in him, there must be a higher hand than anything you see or hear, a more powerful work than any external preaching of mine as prophet of my…

And Paul, that chosen vessel — how often was he persecuted? And he has the same complaint, in the same words that Isaiah has here, of his hearers, especially the Jews (Acts 13:46 and Acts 28:28), and was constrained to tell them, that he and his fellow preachers were obliged to…

Some blow out the candle of nature, and God blows out the sun of the Gospel, that it is to them like sackcloth of hair, and a moon like blood. 3. Resisting of the call of God, brings on the plague of hardness of heart; (Proverbs 1:24, 25, 26, 27; Acts 28:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; John…

Answ. The argument is strong for us; the Apostle speaks of the Gospel-truth; but he will not have the Gospel preached to Samaritans (Matthew 10), to Bithinians, and thousands others. 2. He will not open the hearts of thousands that hear the Gospel, because he will (Matthew 11:28…

It further teaches us, that if the minister being carried with discreet zeal for the good of the Church, go further either in word, or writing, than he intended, or is thought fit by some: (as it seems Paul did in this place, for what needs this large letter (may some say,) a sh…

For having showed that men's consciences always waver, till the Lord have secured them; it teaches us to hold this principle, that it is God, who speaks by his Prophets: for otherwise our consciences would remain in doubtings and perplexities still. There is also great weight in…

For the reason of God his eternal counsel belongs not to us; but we must look to the cause which is before our eyes, to wit, their rebellion, by which they made themselves unworthy of so many and great benefits. Saint Paul also shows from this place not once but often, that all…

This passage of the Prophet is quoted, in a variety of ways, in the New Testament. Paul quotes it (Acts 28:26) to charge the Jews with obstinate malice, and says that they were blinded by the light of the Gospel, because they were bitter and rebellious against God. There he poin…

Joh. 12. 40. Acts 28. 26. Sect. 11 There are indeed some Actions on Men and in the World, that are wrought by God's permission and in his righteous Judgment, by Evil Spirits; whose Persons and actings are placed in Opposition to the Spirit of God.

The Egyptian Midwives ressed to obey Pharaoh's inhumane command, and saved the Male Children of Israel: for this the Lord dealt well with them, and built them houses, Exodus 1:21 The Shunamite was hospitable, and careful for Elisha, and God recompenced it with the desirable enjo…

Sometimes by the hands of Enemies, as well as Strangers, Revelation 12:16 The Earth helped the Woman. God has bowed the hearts of many wicked men, to shew great kindness to his people, Acts 28:2 Sometimes God makes use of Instruments for good to his people, who designed nothing…

And men can hardly judge well of those, who fall by such judgments. Suspicion will arise, if censure pass not, from better men than Barbarians, if they see a viper on the hand of a Paul (Acts 28). It is more than probable from our Savior's question, that those eighteen upon whom…

Quo fugis Encelade, quascunque accesseris oras Sub Jove semper eris. They knew that (the Vengeance of God) would not spare sinners; nor could be avoided, Acts 28:4. From Gods Gracious Presence, which he never enjoyed, he could not depart.

Christ denounced such a woe upon them in the days of his flesh; as Matthew 13:14, 15. This curse was also denounced on them by the Apostle Paul, Acts 28:25, 26, 27; and under this curse, under this judicial blindness and hardness, they remain to this very day, having been subjec…

Acts 28:22 — For as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. Would you think that such a spiteful scornful word as this should ever be said of the Christian religion?

Let us turn aside now, and see this great sight (Exodus 3:3-4), a bush burning and yet not consumed, and say, the Lord is in it of a truth: come and see the Captain of our salvation riding forth in the chariot of the everlasting gospel, with his crown upon his head, and his bow…

A Sermon on Acts 28:22. Showing, that the Christian religion is not a sect, and yet that it is everywhere spoken against.

There is a grammatical knowledge, and a spiritual knowledge; a man may know things grammatically and literally, that is ignorant of them spiritually. As a child may read the letters and words, that does not conceive of the sense; so a man may know what is said concerning God and…

1 What is meant by the wisdom of the flesh, or to be carnally minded: The original word [illegible], is of large compass, and in truth comprehends in this place the frame of the reasonable faculties, the understanding and will in the extent of their full work, what he understand…

First, what a sin it is to defame any man (Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:1): Laying aside all envies and evil speakings — envy and evil speaking are put together. This word means 'putting away,' as a man would put away a thing from him with indignation, as Paul shook off the viper (Acts…

2. What that suffering persecution is which will make us blessed, and shall wear the crown of martyrdom. Answ. 1. When we suffer in a good cause; so it is in the text, blessed are they which suffer for righteousness' sake; it is the cause that makes a martyr: when we suffer for…

And other significations of it will be in vain sought for in the old testament. In the new testament, he that is guilty, is said to be , Romans 3:19. that is, obnoxious to judgment or vengeance for sin; one that , as they speak, Acts 28:4. whom vengeance will not suffer to go un…

'Tis called a putting sin far away, Job 11. 14. As Paul put away the Viper, and shook it into the fire, (Acts 28:5). Dying to sin is the life of Repentance.

O this adherency of sin! Paul shook the Viper which was on his hand into the fire, (Acts 28:5). But we cannot shake off original corruption in this life.

They sent for their friends; they conferred with them; they had some time set apart to commit each other to the protection of their Prince. There were again that brought them of such things as they had, that were fit for the weak and the strong, for the women and the men, and so…

For clearing this you are to understand, there is a double kind of ignorance, and a double kind of scorning; some distinguish only between simple, and affected ignorance; but I conceive it is not all affected ignorance that God protests against, for (Proverbs 1:22) they loved si…