Acts 21

Acts 21:4

WHo said,] Namely, some whith were Prophets among them, Th ough the,]by divine inspiration, they represented unto him the dangers which did hang over his head, and through humane affection and wisedome they disswaded him from going thither, which the same spirit had revealed to Paul that he should doe, notwithstanding all dangers, Acts 20:22

Acts 21:8

The Evangelist,] the name of an ecclesiasticall office, appointed onely for a time, next under that of Apostles, who were the instruments of calling the Evangelists to God, and of their being endowed with singular gifts, and with annfallible conduct of the holy Ghost. But in such sort, that their doctrine was to have a relation to the Apostles doctrine, and ee examined thereby; and this ministery to be governed by their authority: to second them in their voyages, in writing and ordaining Churches in particular provinces, whereas the office of an Apostle was higher and more generall. See Ephes. 4. 11. 2. Tim. 4. 5. Ti. 1. 5 Of the seven.]namely of the first deacon appointed at erusalem. Acts 6:5.

Acts 21:9

Did prophece,] namely, had the gift of foretelling future things by divine inspration.

Acts 21:13

What meane ye?] you cannot disswade mee from following Gods calling, and the motion of his spirit, I am wholly resolved to doe it, and you by the tendernesse of your affections, doe but onely a〈…〉 me in vaine.

Acts 21:16

Lodge,] namely, in Ierusalem.

Acts 21:18

The Elders,] namely, the company, or colledge of governours of the Church.

Acts 21:20

Are all,] namely, the greatest part, Zealo,] they doe yet firmely hold the use of Mosaicall ceremonies, by a zeale not sufficiently enlightened in the knowledge of the disanulling of them in Christ, who by his death and resurrection hath accomplished the.

Acts 21:21

To orsk,] an odious and false speech fo Paul onely taught to make use of the liberty which Christ had gained, and to passe from the shadows and figures of the law to the truth and substance of the Gospel. Galatians 5:1. and to repose all trust and confidence in Christs perfect satisfaction, and all hol〈…〉 in the law of the spirit of life, and in new obedience And as for the rest, either observing, or freely leaving the said ceremonies, as things indifferent in wisedom and charity. Acts 16:3; Acts 16:18; Acts 16:1, Galatians 2:3.

Acts 21:22

What is it?] The Church of Ierusalem forealled by these sinister relations, will surely gather together knowing of thy comming, and therefore that there may no scandall arise, take away the prejudicae opinion which they have of thee.

Acts 21:23

We hae,] namely there be amongst the beleevers of this Church, Which have,] See Acts 18:18. of such kinds of vowes. It is likely that they had n this also some religious intention. But Paul desired nothing by his free and harmelesse condescending to these things, but onely to gaine the weak, and advance the gospell.

Acts 21:24

Them take.] the meaning is, thou hadst made the same vow at Cenchrea. Acts 18 18. Now thou art in Ierusalem seeme to performe it in the Temple by the offering of sacrifices, before which prepare thy selfe by external purifications, as by abstaining from wine, shaving thy beard, which things were used in such cases by tradition, for some resemblance to the Nazaite-ship, Num. 6. 13. 14 Be at charges,]in the publike buying of oblations and other offerings, With them,] others have it for them, as if they being peradventure poope people, could not be at the chage of accomplishing their vow, And all may,] that by this act it might publikely appeare that thou art no deadly enemy nor ctemner of Mosaick ceremonies, as the lewes lay to thy charge.

Acts 21:26

To signifie,] making it openly knowne in the Temple that such a day hee would offer his sacrifice, that this cry might free him from the common scandall.

Acts 21:27

The seaven,] appointed by tradition without any law, but yet to the resemblance of Nazarie-ship. Numb. 6. 9.

Acts 21:28

Into the,] namely, beyond the court of the Gentiles, which was not lawfull.

Acts 21:31

The chiefe Captaine,] called by the Romanes as Tribune, who was as a Collonell with many Cenrions under him, Of the and,] of the Romane gan, in the rocke called Anonia, neere the Temple.