Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 27

ANd when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion o[illegible: 1 letter] Augustus [illegible: 1 letter]and.

Upon the solemn hearing of Paul's Case, it was resolved by Festus and Agrippa, with the rest▪ that were taken by Festus to advise concerning it.

Thought to have been a freed man of the Family of Iulius, who thence took his name,

as Cornelius was a Centurion of the Italian band, see Chap. 10.1. This Band or Regiment, was called Augustus (of the Emperor's) because (as some will) it was part of his Guard.

Marginal references: Chap. 25.12.

2 And entring into a ship of Adramy t[illegible: 1 letter]ium, we lanched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia, one Aristarchus a Macedonian, of Thess[illegible: 1 letter]lonica, being with us.

A City in Mys[illegible: 1 letter]a, a Province in the lesser Asia, almost over-against Mitylene, of a pestilent Air.

The Ship did belong to Adramyttium, and designed a Trading Voyage along the Coasts of Asia.

This Aristarchus seems to have been a man of some note, who accompanied St. Paul (together with Luke the holy Penman of this Book, and of the Gospel so called) thorowout his Journey, and none else that we read of. This Aristarchus was one of them that was laid hold on in the uproar at Ephesus, Ch. 19.29. and having partook of Paul's afflictions in all his travels, was at last his fellow-prisoner at Rome, Col. 4 10.

Of this City mention is made, Chap. 17.1.

3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

A City in Phaenicia bordering upon Palestine, mentioned Matth. 11.21. and Chap. 12.20.

As Felix had commanded that Centurion to whom he committed him, Chap. 24.23.

Tho Paul went with a Soldier to guard him (as their manner was) yet it was a great favour that he might converse with his Friends, and receive from them such refreshments towards his Journey as he stood in need of. Now Paul indeed experienced the truth of God's Word, Chap. 18.10. That he was with him; and 'tis wonderful to consider the presence of God with Paul all along; which things are our examples, that we may put also our trust in God, who hath said he will not leave us nor forsake us, Heb. 13.5, 6.

Marginal references: Chap. 28.16.

4 And when we had lanched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

Or put to Sea.

A noted Island in the Mediterranean-Sea, of which we read, Chap. 11.19. and 13.4. Their nearest way from Sidon to Myra, had been to have left Cyprus on the right hand; but by reason of the Winds, they were forced to go almost round about the Island, leaving it on the left hand.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia , and Pamphylia, we came to Myra a city of Lycia.

That part of the Mediterranean that borders on those Provinces.

Of which, see Chap. 6.9. and 15.23.41.

Mention is made of this Province, Chap. 2.10. and 13.13.

Another Province in the lesser Asia bordering on Pamphylia.

6 And there the centurion sound a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy, and he put us therein.

A famous Port-Town in Egypt formerly called No, of which we read, Ier. 46.25. unto this place the Ship did belong, which was now in the Road or Haven of Myra, intending for Italy, whither they carried Corn, and Persian and Indian Commodities from thence.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over-against Cnicus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under , Crete, over-against Salmone.

The Wind being contrary, or at least very bare, and it may be their Ship much laden.

A City or Promontory over-against

A Sea-Town in Candy, or the easterly Promontory there, so called.

Marginal references: Or, Gandia. , Crete, which is now called Candia, a known Island in the Mediterranean.; Or, Gandia.; Or, Candy.

8 And hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens, nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

Or the fair or good shore, that being accounted the best, which is safest for Ships to ride in, or enter into. A place of this name remains to this day (as some tell us) in the Island of Candy,

called Lasos, and more in the Land; yet some think that this Town is not certainly known, not having been mentioned by any Ancient Geographer.

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

This Fast was not any necessitated Abstinence, but a Religious Fast; as the word here used does most commonly signifie; and the Article being put to it, it may well denote some eminent and known Fast. We read, that amongst the Iews several Fasts were observed; as the Fast of the Fourth Month, of the Fifth Month, of the Seventh and of the Tenth Month, Zech. 8.19▪ But that of the Seventh Month did far exceed them all, it being the day in which the Priest was to make an Attonement for the people; and they were strictly commanded to afflict their Souls in it, Levit. 16.29. and 23.27. (Thus when we look up to him whom by our sins we have pierced, we must mourn, Zech. 12.10.) Now this Fast was to be observed on the Tenth day of Tisri, or their Seventh Month (which is made up of part of September, and part of October); and then this day, which might well be called The Fast, fell about the beginning of October; after which time, until March, they did not usually venture on the Seas, especially their ships not being so able to bear a storm as ours are; and the Art of Navigation being not yet in any reasonable degree found out amongst them.

10 And [illegible: 1 letter]aid unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not onely of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

Paul did not say this so much by reason of the time of the year, and the Tempests which do usually attend it, as b[illegible: 1 letter] a prophetical spirit: God intending to provide for Paul in this tedious and difficult Journey, endues him with the Gift of Prophecy; which (when especially they saw it verified) could not but beget a great Respect toward him, and might be a means of salvation to many that were with him▪

So it had been, their Lives had been lost as well as the Ship and Goods, had not God given the Lives of all in the Ship unto Paul, and saved them for his sake; as [illegible: 1 letter]er. 24.

Marginal references: Or, injury.

11 Nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more then those things which were spoken by Paul.

The Centurion believed those whom he thought best skilled of those things (as every one in his own Art): And if he had not heard of Paul s Condition and extraordinary Qualification, he was doubtless the more to be excused.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south-west, and north-west.

This Phenice was a Port-Town in Candia, and not the Countrey in Syria.

Being on the South part of that Island, having a Bay or Road like unto an Half Moon or Crescent; one Horn or part of it (admitting entrance into it) toward the South-West, and the other toward the North-W[illegible: 1 letter]st.

13 And when the south-wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence they sailed close by Crete.

The South-wind being ordinarily most mild, and at that time not high, they sailed along the shore of Candia, not being afraid to be driven upon it.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind , called Euroclydon.

Crete or Candia: so that they were in the greater danger, having a Sea-shore.

This some will have to have been a Whirlwind; but the word signifies onely, The tempestuous East, or the North-East, which is a contrary Wind unto any that would go from Crete to Italy.

Marginal references: Or, beat.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Being forced from Crete, and the ship no longer at the command of the Mariners, but in the sole power of the Winds.

The ship could not keep her course, the Winds being contrary; so that her Prow or Head (part whereof was called, The Eye of the ship, and on which its Name was formerly, as now at the Stern, inscribed) could not bear up according as their course did require; whence that Expression, [non-Latin text not transcribed], which is here used. Sic quo non volitit, sed quo rapit impetus undae.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat.

Called also Claudos, and by some Gaudos, and now Gozo, an Island near unto Crete.

In this stress of weather they would take up the boat, lest it should have been staved or beat in pieces against the ship.

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps , undergirding the ship; and fearing left they should fall into the quicksands , strake saily and so were driven.

Not only using all Instruments fit for their purpose, but all hands were imployed too.

With Cabels to keep the sides of the ship the closer and faster together.

There were Two Quicksands especially famous in Africa, the one the greater, the other the lesser, called Sy[illegible: 1 letter]tes, [illegible: 1 letter]ec[illegible: 1 letter]use these Mountains of Sand▪ under water, did seem, as it were to draw and suck up ships, they were so s[illegible: 1 letter]on swallowed up by them.

By the word here used, Sails and their Tackle, or the Top-Mast, may be [illegible: 1 letter]nderstood Decks.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the s[illegible: 1 letter]ip;

Casting out the Merchandize or Lading which was in it, that the ship being so much lighter, might not so readily strike upon a Rock, or be swallowed up of the Quicksands, it drawing so much the less water.

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

All the ships Furniture which it had either for Ornament or De[illegible: 1 letter]ence, and not their Ballast or Lumber only: So willingly do men part with all things for their Lives; which yet are but short, and, at best, mixed with care and sorrow, Iob 14.1.2.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no smast tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved , was then taken away.

Which shews the greatness of their misery, which had not the Ordinary Refreshments from the sight of the Sun to relieve it. For that the Sun does cheer, is one Reason why our Saviour is called the sun of righteousness, Malachi 4.2.

There remained no hope in the Eye of Reason, or reckoning upon Second Causes, or Natural Events.

21 But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

These did not abstain from their Meals for any want: for they had sufficient provision; as appears, ver. 38 nor because the Storm or Tempest tossing the ship, and them in it, took away their stomach: for the Sea-men, at least, were not so long troubled with that Sea-sickness: But, 1. Their continually being employed, working for their Lives. Or, 2dly, Their fear of perishing, and sense of a future state, might take up their thoughts so effectually, that they minded nothing else. Hence it hath been said, That whosoever cannot pray should go to Sea, and there he would learn it: For in their afflictiin they will seek me early, saith the Lord, Hosea 5.15.

Being Paul had foretold this that now befell them; as ver. 10. they were bound to have believed him; which they not doing, are now deservedly punished.

Harm and loss, misety and calamity is all that disobedience unto God gets at last, whatsoever it may promise us, to tempt us with.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any mans life among you, but of the ship.

Provided they would do as he required of them: See ver. 31. In God's Promises there is a tacit condition, which from the Nature of the thing is to be understood; as in that which was made to Eli, mentioned 1 Sam. 2.30. Paul did foretel this so particularly, that when it was come to pass, he might gain the more reputation to the truth of the Gospel which he preached, and more glory to that God whom he worshipped.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God , whose I am, and whom I serve.

A good Introduction to recommend the true God, and the Gospel of his Son.

Paul, who knew the certainty of what he had predicted, owns himself to be now in the service of God, that not unto him, but unto God may be given the glory.

24 Saying Fear not Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

The Message which God's Angels bring from God unto his people▪ is▪ Fear not. Thus unto Daniel, Dan. 10. 12, 19. And thus unto the holy women that attended at our Lords Sepulchre, Matth. 28.5. They are all Ministring Spiri[illegible: 2 letters] Heb▪ 1. ult

'Tis a forensick word, shewing that Paul must be heard and tried by Cesar.

Graciously bestowed all thy Fellow-Travellers upon thee at thy Request: For it is implied, that Paul had prayed for them, and begged their Lives of God; as Esther had the Lives of her people at the hands of King Ahasuerus, Esther 7.3. There is a remarkable difference between Paul and Ionah in a storm, tho Ionah professes as much as Paul does in the preceding Verse. But Ionah 1.9. it was little more than a Profession in Ionah, but Paul was actually in the Fear and Service of God, and doubtless there was a great a difference in their breasts during the Storm. The true Fear and Service of God brings with it great Peace and inward Satisfaction, which, when any leave, they must at least so long be Stranger unto, for there is no peace to the wicked, Isa. 48.22.

25 Wherefore sins, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Paul having had Experience of the Power and Faithfulness of God, and had known his name, professeth to trust in him; and recommends Gods Veracity unto them, as worthy to be relied upon. What a great deal of good does one holy Man do in a place? These hundreds of Men fare the better both in Soul and Body for Holy Paul.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

This was given by Paul as a sign unto them of the truth of what he had said, which when it came to pass might induce them to believe the rest; which probably it did, and saved Paul from being killed by the Soldiers, v. 42. Thus God preserves his people, and delivers Paul, and brings all his safely off at the last, but it is by Tempests and Storms. It may be they must suffer shipwrack of all they have in this World first. Augusta per angusta. Through many Tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God, as St. Paul had taught others, Acts. 14.22. He experienced to be true himself. There was no truth more experimented than this.

Marginal references: Chap. 28.1.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria about midnight, the ship-men deemed that they drew near to some countrey:

Not in the Adriatick Bay or Gulf of Venice, which divides Italy and Dalmatia, though that be also so called; but this name is sometimes extended to those parts of the Mediterranean Sea which borders on Sicily and Ionia in Greece, and must be passed over by such as go from Crete, or Candia, to Melita, or Malta.

Marginal references: —Improba [illegible: 1 span]. Hor.

28 And founded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they [illegible: 1 letter]ounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

A Fathom is the distance betwixt the end of the middle finger in the one hand, from the end of the middle finger on the other hand, when the Arms are stretched out; which is ordinarily accounted about six feet in measure.

Coming into more shallow places they might reasonably conclude that they were near unto the Land.

29 Then [illegible: 1 letter]earing left they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four a[illegible: 1 letter]chors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

Of which there are very many in these Seas; especially about the Islands.

Which shew how great the Tempest was, that they needed so many Anchors.

Marginal references: That they might the better discover whereabouts they were

30 And as the ship-men were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

That they might betake themselves into it, after they had left the ship: For, ver. 17. they had taken up the boat, and secured that against this or the like occasion.

Dissembling the true Reason of their going into the boat to make their escape.

31 Paul said to the centurion, and to the souldiers , Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

Notwithstanding the promise mentioned, ver. 24. that they should all be saved, they must use means, so far as means can be used, altho the efficaciousness and truth of the promise do no ways depend upon the Vertue of the means; but the means are made effectual by Vertue of the promise. Yet whosoever neglect[illegible: 1 letter] means upon any pretext of a promise, he does tempt God, but doth not rightly believe in him.

As it were pointing unto the Mariners, and such as were useful in such a case.

32 Then the souldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

The Centurion and Soldiers agreeing to what Paul had said, did this to take away all thoughts of escaping, from the Mariners, and leaving all upon what Paul had promised to them in the Name of his God.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried, and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

All the Night after the Mariners were disappointed in their project to escape. So hard a matter it was to abate their fear of being presently destroyed; and so great influence hath the apprehension of present Death, and Judgment which follows it, upon the minds of men.

Not as if they had wholly eaten nothing all that while (for 'tis commonly held, that none can fast above half so long without danger o[illegible: 1 letter] Death), but because in all that space they had held no set meal, as they were wont to do; and what they did eat was very little, and onely in extream necessity, without any desire or taste; so great was their anguish.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take som[illegible: 1 letter] meat; for this is for your health : for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

That they might be stronger to endure that pain, and perform that labour which was necessary towards their escape: For God would have them to use all means for their deliverance.

A proverbial speech used by the Iews; as 1 Kings 1.52. signifying, that they should not suffer the least detriment in their bodies, much less the loss of their lives. Thus God numbreth our hairs, and his providence extendeth over every one of them, as Matth. 10.30. Luke 21.18.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

Paul thanks God for their preservation thitherto. And there is no such encouragement to hope for future deliverances, as when God doth give us hearts to thank him for deliverances already enjoyed. But he thanked God also for giving them in their necessity such food to nourish and strengthen them, Matth. 14.19. and 15.36. Mark 8.6, 19. and one season more to enjoy it. The acknowledging of God in all things we enjoy, doth sanctifie them to us: otherwise they do defile us: for we usurp them; we holding them by no other tenor but in Franc-Almoine, from God. Neither can they be serviceable unto us, if God withholds his blessing. Hence the Iews would not eat until Samuel had thus blessed their food, 1 Sam. 9.13. And our Saviour himself, to give us an Example, gives thanks before he would have the miraculous loaves and fishes distributed, Iohn 6.11.

Marginal references: 1 Tim. 4.3.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

Believing Paul's words, promising in the Name of that God whom he served, that they should all be preserved; believing they did rejoice. Now Paul, a Prisoner, a neglected and contemned person, comes to be valued and credited. Whilst they sailed with a prosperous Gale, neither God or his poor Prisoner and chained Apostle are thought upon; but in a Storm or Tempest they are glad to believe and follow his direction. Gods stars shine in the night, and are seen in Affliction.

37 And we were all in the ship, two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

That is, so many persons; as Chap. 2.41. and 7.14. Rom. 13.1. the Soul being the noblest part, and the body following its condition, whatsoever it be: If the soul be holy, the body shall be glorious. But 'tis not so on the other side: The soul is not hereafter as the body is here: For Dives's body fared well, was fed and arraied sumptuously, and yet his soul miserably tormented, Luke 16.19, 24.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

The provision they had for their sustenance. This is the third time that they lightened the ship, being willing that all their Goods should perish for them, rather than with them Or these Heathens were so far perswaded by St. Paul, that they ventured their lives upon the credit of what he had foretold them; and parted with their food, and all they had to live upon, only upon his word, that they should want them in the ship no more.

39 And when it was day , they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

In so long and violent a Tempest, thinking every moment to be swallowed up, they could keep no reckoning of the ships running or way; neither were Charts or Maps so usual (if they had any at all) in those times.

A Bay, or bosom of the Sea, having Land on each side; where they judged it most likely for them to get on shore; using still all means for their safety.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea▪ and loosed the rudder-bands, and hoised up the main sail `to the wind, and made towards shore.

Rudders is in the Plural Number put for the Singular: Or rather, in those times they having Two Rudders (as by several passages amongst the Ancients do appear), they were both loosed, that now they might use them to direct the ship to the best advantage in making the shore, they having been tied whilst they were a-drift, or at Anchor.

Which they had let down, or struck, ver. 17. and now that they might make some use of the winds, to get nigher to the shore, they hoised up. As God doth instruct the Plowman, Isa. 28 26. so he teacheth the Mariner, and every one in their Calling.

Marginal references: Or, cut the anchors, they left them in the Sea, &c.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met , they ran the ship a-ground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable , but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

A Shoal, Sand, or Isthmus, where the Sea was on both sides of it.

They were now in the greatest extremity; and God suffers them to fall into it before that he sends them deliverance, that he might have the more Glory by it.

Marginal references: 2 Cor▪ 11.25.

42 And the souldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape.

This speaks their great ingratitude, that they would take away Pavl's Life, who had preserved theirs. But Christ's Apostles and Ministers must not look for their Reward in this Life: Tho men cannot, or do not recompence them, they shall be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just, Luke 14.14.

43 But the centurion willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

Because Paul was a Roman Citizen, whose Death he durst not be accessary unto. It may be also, that this Centurion (if there were no more), as the Samaritan that was cleansed, did this in thankfulness unto Paul.

That they might be helpful to others in getting on shore.

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship: And so it came to pass that they escaped n all safe to land.

Still using means, tho it was of God only that they had them, [illegible: 1 letter]nd that they were effectual to them. In this History is lively verified that of the Psalmist, Psal. 107.18, 19, 20. Their soul abhorred all manner of meat, and they drew near unto the gates of death. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, he saved them out of their distresses. He sent his word and healed them, he delivered them from their destructions. And what follows, but, ver. 21. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men. God hath a Tribute of Praise which is due unto him from the Readers of this Story, that they would acknowledg that there is none else who can deliver after this manner, Dan. 3.29. and then to be sure they will desire that this God might be their God for ever and ever, Psal. 48.14.