concerning it, and to fix them. Nay, the design of this decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and the carnal ordinances of that, they were by it established in the christian faith in general, and were the more firmly assured that it was of God, because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as more suited to the nature both of God and man; and besides, that spirit of tenderness and condescension which appeared in these letters, plainly shewed, that the apostles and elders were herein under the guidance of Him who is Love itself.
(2.) They increased in number daily; the imposing of the yoke of the ceremonial law upon their converts, was enough to frighten people from them. It they had been disposed to turn Jews, they could have done that long since, before the apostles came among them; but if they cannot be interested in the Christian privileges without submitting to the Jews' yoke, they will be as they are. But if they find there is no danger of their being so enslaved, they are ready to embrace Christianity, and join themselves to the church. And thus the church increased in numbers daily: not a day passed but some or other gave up their names to Christ. And it is a joy to those who heartily wish well to the honour of Christ and the welfare of the church, and the souls of men, to see such an increase.
6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrvgia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12. And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river-side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
In these verses, we have,
I. Paul's motions up and down to do good.
1. He and Silas his colleague went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where, it should seem, the gospel was already planted, but whether by Paul's hand or no, is not mentioned; it is likely it was, for in his epistle to the Galatians, he speaks of his preaching the gospel to them at the first, and how very acceptable he was among them, Gal. 4. 13—15. And it appears by that epistle, that the judaizing teachers had then done a great deal of mischief to these churches of Galatia, and had prejudiced them against Paul, and drawn them from the gospel of Christ, for which he there severely reproves them. But, probably, that was a great while after this.
2. They were forbidden at this time to preach the gospel in Asia, (that country properly so called,) either because it did not need, for other hands were at work there; or because they were not yet prepared to receive it, as they were afterwards, (ch. 19. 10.) when all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord; or, as Dr. Lightfoot suggests, because at this time Christ would employ Paul in a piece of new work, which was to preach the gospel to a Roman colony at Philippi, for hitherto the Gentiles he had preached to were Greeks. The Romans were more particularly hated by the Jews than other Gentiles, their armies were the abomination of desolation; and therefore there is this among other things extraordinary in his call thither, that he is forbidden to preach the gospel in Asia, and other places, in order to his preaching it there; which is an intimation, that the light of the gospel would in aftertimes be directed more westward than eastward. It was the Holy Ghost that forbade them, either by secret whispers in the minds of both of them, which, when they came to compare notes, they found to be the same, and to come from the same Spirit; or by some prophets who spake to them from the Spirit. The removes of ministers, and the dispensing of the means of grace by them, are in a particular manner under a divine conduct and direction. We find an Old Testament minister forbidden to preach at all; (Ezek. 3. 26.) Thou shalt be dumb. But these New Testament ministers are only forbidden to preach in one place, while they are directed to another where there is more need.
3. They would have gone into Bithynia, but were not permitted; the Spirit suffered them not, v. 7. They came to Mysia, and, as it should seem, preached the gospel there; for though it was a very mean contemptible country, even to a proverb, Mysorum ultimus, in Cicero, is a most despicable man; yet the apostles disdained not to visit it, owning themselves debtors both to the wise and to the unwise, Rom. 1. 14. In Bithynia was the city of Nice, where the first general council was held against the Arians; into these countries Peter sent his epistle, 1 Pet. 1. 1. And there were flourishing churches here; for though they had not the gospel sent them now, they had it in their turn, not long after. Observe, Though their judgment and inclination were to go into Bithynia, yet, having then extraordinary ways of knowing the mind of God, they were overruled by them, contrary to their own mind. We must now follow providence, and submit to the guidance of that pillar of cloud and fire; and what we assay to do, if that suffer us not, we ought to acquiesce, and believe it for the best. The Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; so many ancient copies read it. The servants of the Lord Jesus ought to be always under the check and conduct of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, by whom he governs men's minds.
4. They passed by Mysia, or passed through it, so some; sowing good seed, we may suppose, as they went along; and they came down to Troas; the city of Troy, so much talked of, or the country thereabout, that took its denomination from it. Here a church was planted; for here we find one in being,
Vol. vi—X
