Acts 8

ANd Saul was Well-pleased with it, (as the word implies) and did approve it in thought, word, and deed, Acts 22.4, 20. which is here noted in the beginning of the narrative concerning this Great Apostle, that we might consider, what a great change the grace of God did make; which was by him, and is by us the more to be acknowledged and magnified. consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a Not as heretofore against the Apostles only; but now it was against the whole Church. great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were The multitude of believers, at least as many as could flee; which was allowed, or rather commanded, Mat. 10.23. when they were persecuted in one City, to flee unto another, especially such as were teachers amongst them, (besides the Apostles) were forced to remove from Ierusalem; and by this means, did publish the Gospel in all places whither they came; so that what was intended for the hinderance, God did over-rule towards the furtherance of the Gospel: as he did afterwards, Phil. 1.12. and still does, and ever will do. all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria Who were commanded to stay at Ierusalem, Chap. 1.8. there they were to make their beginning, Luke 24.47. and from thence to proceed unto other parts, Isaiah 2.3. and whilest God had any work for them to do at Ierusalem, they knew that God could and would defend and maintain them in the midst of their enemies: as he had done the bush in the fire, Exod. 3.3., except the apostles.

And It was an argument that they were devout (Religious) indeed, that they durst amongst such a multitude of persecutors, and furious Zealots, own their esteem for St. Stephen; It was piacular amongst the Iews, to touch the dead Corps of such an one as was put to Death for blasphemy; and these perform such Funeral rites for him, as were used for such only as were of note and Eminency. As the Iews were wont to do at the Funeral, especially of Eminent persons; thus it was done at Iacobs Interment, Gen. 50. ult. and thus had been done more lately at Lazarus's Funeral, Iohn 11. even by our Saviour himself, ver. 3. Which lamentation was the greater, because of the Churches loss at such a time. devout men carried Stephen to hss burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul Saul was a degree beyond the ordinary sort of persecutors, and was, as he does acknowledge of himself, eminently injurious, 1 Tim. 1.13., he made havock of the church, entring House after house, sparing none. into every house, and As by the hair of their heads. haling men and women This to be sure, the Iews had yet retained power from the Romans to do: All this is but as a foil, to illustrate more the riches of Gods mercy towards Saul., committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went Now the partition-wall was about to be broken down, and the Gentiles to be taken into the pale of the Church; God provides this strange means towards it. The Disciples are forced to s y for their lives out of Ierasalem, and have an opportunity to Preach Christ and the Gospel, wheresoever they came: thus God can make light to come out of darkness, and makes Iapheth to dwell in the Tents of S m, Gen. 9 27. every where preaching the word.

Then Nor the Apostle, but the Deacon of that name; for the Apostles remained at Ierusalem, as ver. 1. Philip went down to the Samaria is a name both of a City, and a countrey, so called from the chief City, 1 Kings 16.24. here 'tis taken for that City, or at least a City in that Countrey. city of Samaria, and preached The Doctrine of Christ, his miraculous Birth, holy Life and Death, and glorious Resurrection and Ascension, together with Remission of sins, only by faith in his name, &c. Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord A good preparation towards their Conversion; seeing faith cometh by hearing, Rom. 10.17. gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing These Miracles were as so many evidences of the truth he spake; by which he showed Gods Authority for what he said. and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits This is frequently mentioned, as Matthew 8.29. Mark 1 26. and 3.11. and 5.8. Luke 4.41. to show how loath these evil Spirits are to be forbid, and kept from tormenting and destroying of us; and they are called unclean Spirits, because they delight in sin, and instigate men unto it, which is Spiritual uncleanness, and de ile the Soul;, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken And other diseases and infirmities; this was promised, Mark 16.16, 17. that they which believe should cure in Christs name, or by his power. with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was Not only for the cures wrought upon their bodies; but much more for the word of reconciliaton, and Salvation Preached unto their Souls; joy in the Holy Ghost, is one of the effects of the Kingdom of God, Rom. 14.17. great joy in The despised Samaria rejoyce, and the formerly beloved City of Ierusalem, repine at the Gospel; such strange alterations does the free grace of God make. that city.

But there was a Magical inchantments, as a wizard: certain man called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and caused them as men in an extasie to be amazed at, and afraid of him. bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was As if he had been God, or at least had some great favour with him, and had received some extraordinary power from him: Ecclesiastical Histories speak much of him, and tell us that he had a Statue set up in Rome for him, inscrib'd To Simon the holy God. some great one.

To whom they all gave heed Showing how general their mis-persuasion was, and no condition is exempt from the grossest mistakes, if not prevented by the grace of God. from the least to the greatest, saying, This 'Tis said of this Simon, that he gave out himself to be that God, which any Nation held to be the chiefest; and that he was the Messias of the Iews, and the God of the Gentiles. man is the great power of God.

And to him They acquiesced in what he said, and yielded obedience unto it; not attending only to his words with their ears, but with their hearts; so true is that w ch our Saviour says; Iohn 5.43. If any man come in his own name, him will ye receive. These Samaritans rise up in judgment against most men, who do not thus regard what was said by Christ, and such as he has sent. they had regard, because that of long time he had Made them as out of their wits, they were not themselves, and could not act their reason. bewitched them Such wonders as by the permission of God, and Satans power he did. with sorceries.

But Before they were baptized, being adult and strangers from the Covenant, they must first evidence their right unto it, and profess their Faith in Christ, and testifie their Conversion. when they believed Philip, preaching the things The Kingdom of Grace, and the Kingdom of his Glory, which is one and the same, being begun here; but consummated in Heaven hereafter. concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and Women under the Gospel are as capable of this seal of the Covenant as men. women.

Then Simon himself Simon believed with an Historical faith, that it was indeed true, that our Saviour had done Miracles, and did rise from the dead, but his faith to be sure was dead all the while; neither did he believe with his heart, or purpose to live according to the Law of Christ, which is the life of Faith. believed also: and when he was baptized, he Kept him constantly company, and was amongst the forwardest of the Professors of Christs faith. continued with Philip, and wondred, beholding the Thus the Magicians of Egypt were brougth to acknowledge the finger of God, Exod. 8.19. altho their hearts were hardned. miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them These were sent that they might further confirm the Doctrine which Philip had Preached amongst the Samaritans; and by Apostolical authority, constitute a Church in Samaria. Peter and John.

Who when Peter and Iohn: they were come down, prayed In this particular they did not pray for all that believed, amongst whom there were several women, ver. 12. Those extraordinary gifts of Tongues, of Prophesying, of working Miracles, &c. See Chap. 10.45. for them that they might o receive the holy Ghost.

For By which it is plain that the Holy Ghost, as the Author of saving grace, is not here meant, for so he was fallen upon all them that did believe, for faith is the gift of God; but he was not yet bestowed upon them, as the author of those extraordinary gifts mentioned, Chap. 2.38. as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized 1. They were baptized by his authority and commission, Matth. 28.19. 2dly. By baptism they now belong unto, and are united with him, Rom. 6.3. They are baptized into Iesus Christ, &c. in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then That this laying on of the hands of the Apostles was not intended here, as any rite whereby the Apostles did confirm some, or ordain others, seems evident from the context. laid they their hands on them and they The power of speaking with tongues, and working of Miracles; which throughout this Book is so often spoken of in this acception. received the holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands, the Those extraordinary gifts before mentioned; for this appeared visibly and audibly; and by this indeed was signified the great change Gods-Spirit makes where he comes. holy Ghost was given, he This notorious Hypocrite values these outward gifts; how much more valuable are the inward and Spiritual gifts of God? offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive Such an extraordinary power of working Miracles, he did not desire, that he might glorifie God, or confirm the truths of the Gospel, (now professed by him) but out of an insatiable desire of gain, and ambition, to keep up his reputation; seeing how the Apostles had done beyond what he was able to do. the holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him A formal execration of curse, not only on his money, but also upon Simon himself; but always to be conditional, viz. unless he repented., Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast Our hearts are to be watched over; our thoughts may be exceeding sinful, as here, which made his words or desires to be so ill taken. thought that the of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither No Inheritance or share in such a thing as this, to wit, either in the receiving, or conferring the Holy Ghost; or in that eternal Life which we Preach, thou hast no part in it, neither art thou fit to be a Minister of it. part nor lot in this matter: for The Apostle had the gift of discerning of Spirits, which is mentioned, 1 Cor. 12.10. which might cause the execration in the foregoing verse, and in divers other places of Scripture, 2 Tim. 4.14. thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

The only remedy and help in his (otherwise) desperate case: This is not spoken as if it were doubtful, whether true repentance should obtain pardon; but whether Simon Magu's repentance were true Repentance is a condition, under which God proposeth our pardon, and forgiveness; but it is far from being the cause of it. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art in the The same with gall and wormwood, Deut. 29.18. or gall and bitterness; signifying a very bad constitution, and disposition of Soul or mind such as may be compared unto that meat, which the gall of any Creature has corrupted. And for Simon Magus to be in the gall of bitterness, is yet worse than to have the gall of bitterness in him; as to be born in sin, which the Pharises upbraided the blind man with, Iohn 9.34. denotes more intended thereby, than that he had sin from his birth in him; thus David bewails, That he was shapen in iniquity, Psal. 51.5. and thus may those expressions of St. Paul be understood, of being in the flesh, and being in the spirit, Rom. 8.9. This also shows, (if any sensible or outward thing could show it) what a bitter and poisonous thing sin is, no gall so bitter, no poison so deadly. Either the judgment St. Peter had threatned to deter him from sin, was this bond, or his sin it self might be rather so called; thus we read of the bonds of iniquity, Isaiah 58.6. One sin is twisted with another; hard to be severed or broken, and draws on judgment powerfully. gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Then Simon Magus was convinced, that he was indeed such as the Apostles had spake him to be; and knowing them to be powerful with God, he desires this of them. answered Simon, and said He feigns himself to be a true penitent, being terrified with the threatning of St. Peter, ver. 20. and probably, fearing the punishment of Ananias and Sapphira might befall him; which 'tis likely he had heard of., Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

And they when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many Not only in the chief City, but in the smallest Villages, these great Apostles spend their pains; for so it was promised unto them that they should receive power to do, Chap. 1.8. villages of the Samaritans.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza Some speak of two Gaza's, one distinguished from the other, by this epithete of desert; but rather there were two ways unto one and the same Gaza, and that it was not the City, but the way unto it, which is called desert; by which difference here mentioned, the Angel admonishes Philip, not to go the ordinary road; but the more unusual road over the Mountains, which was rarely travelled over; but was now necessary to be gone in to meet with the Eunuch: God telleth our wandrings, and ordereth our steps., which is desert.

And he arose and went: and behold a The Ethiopians were the most despicable unto the Iews; and Homer calls them,; but God would now show, that there is no difference of Nations with him; but in every Nation, he that worketh righteousness, shall be accepted, Chap 10.35 man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under A name common to the Queens of that Countrey; as all the Kings of Egypt were called Pharaoh's, and the Emperors of Germany are called C sars. Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem Being a Proselite, he had been to worship God in that solemn Festival of the Passover. for to worship, In great esteem in Courts, especially to attend on Queens, to avoid all suspicion; here that prophesie was fulfilled, Isaiah 56.4, 5. Tho both in the Hebrew, and (anciently) in the Greek tongue, an Eunuch signified more largely, viz. any attendant in the Chamber.

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, He had some knowledge of the true God, whom he came to worship, and he endeavours after more; and to him that thus has, shall be given: and they that thus seek, shall find; God will rather work a Miracle, than that any that sincerely desire, and faithfully endeavour to know him, or his will, should be disappointed. read Esaias the prophet.

The Spirit, either by the Ministry of an Angel, as ver. 26. or by inspiration immediately by himself. Then the spirit said unto Philip, So near that you may speak with him that fits in it. Go near, and Stick close unto it, and leave it not. joyn thy self to this chariot.

And Philip Hastning to obey the Divine command, and cove ing to gain a Soul: ran thither to him, and heard him with a loud voice; 'tis like, to instruct some of his attendants. read the Prophet Esaias, and said Without understanding, our reading is but as the tinkling of a cymbal., Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said A wonderful modesty and humility in so great a man: he takes well Philip's interposing, and questioning with him; he acknowledges his ignorance, and desires farther instruction, and condescends to be taught by one so much his inferior., How can I, except some man should guide me? and he desired Philip that he would come up, and sit with him.

The Gods Providence is remarkable, that the Eunuch should be reading this very Scripture, which contains so fundamental truths, and which he had most need for to be informed of: The words referred into, are in Isaiah 53.7. whether read in the Hebrew tongue, which the Eunuch might have learned of many Iews living in Ethiopia; or whether they were read out of the Translation of the Seventy, which was then in common use, is not so necessary an inquiry; both being to the same intent and purpose. place of the scripture which was read, was this, He was led as a Christ was indeed as a sheep for his patience: sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb Not opening his mouth to defend his own case; but especially he was as a sheep, in being a Sacrifice for us; the true Paschal Lamb that causeth the destroyer to pass from us; and yet he is our Shepherd too, to supply and preserve us, Psal. 23.1. dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth:

In his When our blessed Saviour was in his lowest condition, and the utmost degree of his exinanition; his soul being made a Sacrifice for us, and suffering that desertion for a time, we had merited for ever; and his body laid in the grave as in a prison; Then humiliat on his his judgment, the punishment which was inflicted upon him in our stead, was taken away; for he brak the bonds of death, and opened the prison-door: this was foretold, altho in somewhat differing expressions, by the Prophet Isaiah, 53.7, 8. judgement was taken away, and who shall declare Those that shall be brought forth by this travail of his Soul, are innumerable, or his own Eternal generation; (who could do such great things, as overcame death it self for us) is inexpressible; but by generation, others (more to the scope of this place) understand Christs duration, or abiding, notwithstanding that he died;, does often signifie duration; and thus 'tis an ordinary expression with the Prophet, Isa ah 34.10, 17. from generation to generation: now none can comprehend that eternal duration of Christ who dyes no more, Rom. 6.9. and of whose Kingdom there is no end, Luke 1.33. his generation? Christ acquired his glory by his suffering; his very exceeding great weight of glory, was indeed wrought for him by his afflictions, (as for us, 2 Cor. 4.17.) his becoming obedient unto the death, was the cause why he was so highly exalted, Phil. 2.8, 9. for his li e is taken from the earth,

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee The modestly inquisitive man, does get understanding; this question, (God so ordering it) brings in the discourse concerning our Saviour. of whom speaketh the Prophet this? This the Eunuch might well make a question, because Isaiah himself suffered much under Manasses. of himself, or some other man?

Then Philip So they were said to do, when they began to speak of some weighty matter. opened his mouth, and began at the Showing that the Prophet in that most signal Prophecy, Isaiah 53. could not mean such things of himself, nor of Ieremy, or of any other. same scripture, and preached unto him Things in that Prophecy are applicable unto our blessed Saviour; but to none else. Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a This water is supposed to be a Fountain in a Town called Bethsora, or a River called Eleutherus, which in that road must needs be passed over; it being otherwise very dry and water very scarce there. certain water: And the eunuch said, See, here is water, what does hinder me Altho it was not expresly mentioned, Philip had informed this Eunuch concerning baptism, its nature, and use, which made him express such desire after it; which else he had not done. to be baptized?

And Philip said, Is thou believest A verbal profession is not a sufficient believing, Rom. 10.10. tho we can discern no other, yet God can, and will not be mocked; Philip in Gods name requires a faith with all the heart, and not such as Simon Magus had, who is said to believe, and be baptized, ver. 13. with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said. I This was the only thing necessary, either then or now, if rightly understood: The Eunuch was instructed concerning God out of the Law, and was one of them that waited for his Salvation; which here he acknowledgeth to be only found in Christ, whom he owns to be the Messiah, who made his Soul an offering for sin, Isaiah 53.10. and did bear our griefs; and carried our sorrows, ver. 4. and was wounded for our transgressions, Isaiah 53. for all these things Philip had told him, were meant of our Saviour, which he did believe were so to be understood. believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both In hot Countries this was usual, to baptize by dipping the body in the water; and to this the Apostle alludes, when he tells the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 6.11. that they are washed, but God will have mercy, and not sacrifice; sprinkling being as effectual as washing, and as significative also, representing the sprinkling of the blood of the Paschal Lamb, of which we read, Exod. 12.3. which pre-signified the sprinkling the blood of Jesus, that Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world; and our hearts must by it be sprinkled from an evil conscience, Hebr. 10.22. It is not the more or the less of the outward Element, which makes the Sacraments effectual; but they are effectual only as they are Gods appointmenst, and attended upon according to his will. into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Philip was suddenly, and extraordinarily taken away from the Eunuchs sight and company, that thereby the Eunuch might be the more assured of the truth of those things which had been taught by him. Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way The rejoycing was the effect of his faith; being now justified, he had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5.1. rejoycing.

But Philip was Philip was set down by the Spirit at Ashdod of the Philistines, which is called by the Septuagint Azotus; names of persons and places, do in tract of time vary. This place had been famous for the Idol Dagon, 1 Sam. 5.3 and for being a chief place of the Philistines, those enemies to Gods Church; but Christ when he comes, can cast Satan out of his strongest holds: This Azotus is accounted thirty four miles from Gaza. found at Azotus: and passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.