Acts 9

Acts 9:2

TO the Synagogues,] the Romans having taken Iudea suffered the Iewes to live according to their Law and Religion. Whereupon the High Priest as head of the great Councell might imprison and judge of the quality of a Iewes crime) but had reserved unto themselves the pronunciation of the judiciall sentence, and the publike capitall execution Of this way,] the Italian Of this Sect,] or profession of Religion.

Acts 9:5

Whom thou,] in my members, from which I have nothing separate, and in my doctrine service and glory It is hard,] a terme taken from restie Cattell, which the more obstinate they are, the worse they cause themselves to bee used, and yet at the last are forced to obey. To signifie unto Saul, that for all his fiercenesse, he could not withstand Gods motion and calling; and that therefore hee ought to yeeld unto it quietly: otherwise he should draw great plagues upon him. See 1 Corinthians 9:16.

Acts 9:7

Hearing,] See Daniel 10:7. Now Acts 11:9. it is said that they saw the light but did not hear the voyce. Wherefore we must say that they heard Sauls voyce, but not Christs. Or some confused sound. Or the sound of the Hebrew words which the Lord used, Acts 26:14. but not the meaning as Matth. 27. 47:

Acts 9:8

Hee saw no man,] his eyes being dazeled with that heavenly light: which by miracle, or by condensation of the naturall humour of the eyes produced those scales which are afterwards spoken of, to shew that he was altogether blinde in spiritual things and that he must renounce all presumption of of wisdome, and become a child, and a foole before God, for to be made wise by him. See upon Iohn 9. 6. 1 Corinthians 3:18.

Acts 9:9

Three dayes,] during which time it is likely hee had his raptures, and revelations mentioned 2 Cor. 12 2.

Acts 9:11

For behold,] by verse 17. it appeares that God revealed unto Ananias the subject of Sauls prayer: namely to be enlightened in body and in spirit, to performe Gods will, and that he was sent thither for to fulfill it.

Acts 9:12

And hath seen] God by another vision prepared Saul for the comming ofAnanias and for the worke which by his meanes he would do upon him.

Acts 9:15

To beare] to give knowledge of me to preach the doctrine of my person and truth.

Acts 9:16

For I will] We may suppose, Which hee shall freely doe, notwithstanding all persecutions, for I will instruct him, and frame him to a most invincible patience.

Acts 9:22

Proving,] the Greeke word signifieth to confirme a thing by comparing of reasons, and authority and it is like that here is ment the comparing and conferring of prophisits. See Acts 17:11; Acts 28:23.

Acts 9:23

Manie,] namely three yeares Galatians 1:18.

Acts 9:25

The disciples,] the beleeuers which were afterwards called Christians.

Acts 9:27

Declared,] some referre this to Saul himselfe, others to Barnabas, who might live at Damascus where this act was well knowne, or might elsewhere certainely have heard of it.

Acts 9:28

With them,] Namely, with Peter and Iames. Gal. 1. 18. 19. For the other Apostles were then absent.

Acts 9:29

The Gracians,] See upon Acts 6:1.

Acts 9:31

Edefied,] Going forward in their spirituall estate, with delight, and content, by interchangable instructions, and holy examples, which is the frequent sence of this word opposite to scandals, and in the,] or they were filled with comfort, &c.

Acts 9:32

The Saints,] A common name to all beleevers sanctified by their calling, by Faith, and by the Spirit of regeneration, Lydda,] a city or great Castle in the tribe of Ephraim called also Diospolis.

Acts 9:35

Saron,] another city in the same tribe, neere to Lydda.

Acts 9:36

Joppa,] a Sea Towne neere to those othertownes, in these dayes called Japha.

Acts 9:37

Washed,] According to the customes of those dayes to wash and annoynt dead bodies, leaving them afterwards for some time in the house, in all mens sight, that they might come and performe their last duties to them, untill they were carried to burying.

Acts 9:39

The Coals,] Which shee gave for almes, which is noted as her praise for a double vertue of industry and charity.