Chapter 28 of 28
After their shipwracke hauing wintered in the Iland (now named Malta) where many miracles were wrought by Paul, they take ship againe, and so by Sicile they come to Puteoli in Italie, the Christian Romans comming a great way to meete him, to his great ioy. 16 Finally being come to Rome, in his lodging he declareth to the Iewes his cause, 23 and on a day appointed preacheth IESVS vnto them. 25 And seeing their incredulitie, he sheweth how it was foretold by Esay: 28 but that the Gentils wil not be incredulous. 30 To whom he there preacheth two whole yeres without prohibition.
And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbari: savage, brutal; foreigners not of Greek or Roman speech showed us no small courtesy.AND when we had escaped, then we knew that the iland was called Mityléne. But the Barbarous shewed vs no smal courtesie.Et cum evasissemus, tunc cognovimus quia Melita insula vocabatur. Barbari vero præstabant non modicam humanitatem nobis.
2For, kindling a fire they refreshed us all, because of the imminent rain and the cold.For, kindling a fire they refreshed vs al, because of the imminent raine and the colde.Accensa enim pyra, reficiebant nos omnes propter imbrem qui imminebat, et frigus.
3And when Paul had gathered together some number of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper issuing out of the heat, invasit: fell upon, fastened on his hand.And when Paul had gathered together some number of stickes, and had laide them on the fire, a viper issuing out of the heate, inuaded his hand.Cum congregasset autem Paulus sarmentorum aliquantam multitudinem, et imposuisset super ignem, vipera a calore cum processisset, invasit manum ejus.
4But as the Barbarous saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another, Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who being escaped out of the sea, Vengeance doth not sinit: permit, allow him to live.But as the Barbarous saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to an other, Vndoubtedly this man is a murderer, who being escaped out of the sea, Vengeance doth not suffer him to liue.Ut vero viderunt barbari pendentem bestiam de manu ejus, ad invicem dicebant : Utique homicida est homo hic, qui cum evaserit de mari, ultio non sinit eum vivere.
5And he in deed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.And he in deede shaking of the beast into the fire, suffred no harme.¶Et ille quidem excutiens bestiam in ignem, nihil mali passus est.
6But they supposed that he should be turned into a swelling, and that he would suddenly fall and die. But exspectantibus: awaiting, waiting a long while long and seeing that there was no harm done on him, being changed they said, that he was a God.But they supposed that he should be turned into a swelling, and that he would sodenly fall and die. But expecting long and seeing that there was no harme done on him, being changed they said, that he was a God.At illi existimabant eum in tumorem convertendum, et subito casurum et mori. Diu autem illis exspectantibus, et videntibus nihil mali in eo fieri, convertentes se, dicebant eum esse deum.
7And in those places were lands of the prince of the isle, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entreated us courteously.And in those places were lands of the prince of the ile, named Publius, who receiuing vs, for three daies intreated vs courteously.In locis autem illis erant prædia principis insulæ, nomine Publii, qui nos suscipiens, triduo benigne exhibuit.
8And it chanced that the father of Publius lay vexatum: afflicted, tormented with fevers and the bloody dysenteria: dysentery. Unto whom Paul entered: and when he had prayed, and imposed hands on him, he healed him.And it chaunced that the father of Publius lay vexed with feuers and the bloudy flixe. Vnto whom Paul entred: and when he had praied, and imposed hands on him, he healed him.Contigit autem patrem Publii febribus et dysenteria vexatum jacere. Ad quem Paulus intravit : et cum orasset, et imposuisset ei manus, salvavit eum.
9Which being done, all in the isle also that had infirmities, came, and were cured:Which being done, al in the ile also that had infirmities, came, and were cured:Quo facto, omnes qui in insula habebant infirmitates, accedebant, et curabantur :
10who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were sailing away, laded us with necessaries.who also honoured vs with many honours, and when we were sailing away, laded vs with necessaries.qui etiam multis honoribus nos honoraverunt, et navigantibus imposuerunt quæ necessaria erant.
11And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castorum: Castor and Pollux, the twin gods carved as the ship's badge.And after three moneths, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the iland, whose signe was the Castors.Post menses autem tres navigavimus in navi Alexandrina, quæ in insula hiemaverat, cui erat insigne Castorum.
12And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.And when we were come to Syracúsa, we taried there three daies.Et cum venissemus Syracusam, mansimus ibi triduo.
13Thence compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli,Thence compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day the South winde blowing, we came the second day to Putéoli,Inde circumlegentes devenimus Rhegium : et post unum diem, flante austro, secunda die venimus Puteolos :
14where finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.where finding brethren, we were desired to tarie with them seuen daies: and so we came to Rome.ubi inventis fratribus rogati sumus manere apud eos dies septem : et sic venimus Romam.
15And from thence, when the brethren had heard, they came to meet us unto Appii-forum, and the Three-taverns. Whom when Paul had seen, giving thanks to God, he took courage.And from thence, when the brethren had heard, they came to meete vs vnto *Apij-forum*, and the Three-tauerns. Whom when Paul had seen, giuing thanks to God, he tooke courage.Et inde cum audissent fratres, occurrerunt nobis usque ad Appii forum, ac tres Tabernas. Quos cum vidisset Paulus, gratias agens Deo, accepit fiduciam.
16And when we were come to Rome, Paul was permitted to remain to himself with a soldier that kept him.And when we were come to Rome, Paul was permitted to remaine to him self with a souldiar that kept him.Cum autem venissemus Romam, permissum est Paulo manere sibimet cum custodiente se milite.
17And after the third day he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them, Men brethren, I doing nothing against the people, or the custom of the fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,And after the third day he called together the cheefe of the Iewes. And when they were assembled, he said to them, Men brethren, I doing nothing against the people, or the custome of the fathers, was deliuered prisoner from Hierusalem into the hands of the Romanes,Post tertium autem diem convocavit primos Judæorum. Cumque convenissent, dicebat eis : Ego, viri fratres, nihil adversus plebem faciens, aut morem paternum, vinctus ab Jerosolymis traditus sum in manus Romanorum,
18who when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me.who when they had examined me, would haue released me, for that there was no cause of death in me.qui cum interrogationem de me habuissent, voluerunt me dimittere, eo quod nulla esset causa mortis in me.
19But the Jews contradicting it, I was compelled to appeal unto Caesar, not as having any thing to accuse my nation.But the Iewes contradicting it, I was compelled to appeale vnto Cæsar, not as hauing any thing to accuse my nation.Contradicentibus autem Judæis, coactus sum appellare Cæsarem, non quasi gentem meam habens aliquid accusare.
20For this cause therefore I desired to see you and to speak to you for, because of the hope of Israel, am I compassed with this chain.For this cause therefore I desired to see you and to speake to you for, because of the hope of Israël, am I compassed with this chaine.¶Propter hanc igitur causam rogavi vos videre, et alloqui. Propter spem enim Israël catena hac circumdatus sum.
21But they said to him, We neither received letters concerning thee from Jewry, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, report or speak any evil of thee.But they said to him, We neither receiued letters concerning thee from Iewrie, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, report or speake any euil of thee.At illi dixerunt ad eum : Nos neque litteras accepimus de te a Judæa, neque adveniens aliquis fratrum nuntiavit, aut locutus est quid de te malum.
22But we desire of thee to hear what thou thinkest: for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is contradicitur: contradicted, spoken against every where.But we desire of thee to heare what thou thinkest: for concerning this secte, it is knowne to vs that it is gaine said euery where.¶Rogamus autem a te audire quæ sentis : nam de secta hac notum est nobis quia ubique ei contradicitur.
23And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning JESUS out of the law of Moyses and the Prophets, from morning until evening.And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him into his lodging, to whom he expounded testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning IESVS out of the law of Moyses and the Prophets, from morning vntil euening.Cum constituissent autem illi diem, venerunt ad eum in hospitium plurimi, quibus exponebat testificans regnum Dei, suadensque eis de Jesu ex lege Moysi et prophetis a mane usque ad vesperam.
24And certain believed those things that were said: but certain believed not.And certaine beleeued those things that were said: but certaine beleeued not.Et quidam credebant his quæ dicebantur : quidam vero non credebant.
25And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed, Paul saying one word: That well did the holy Ghost speak by Isaias the prophet to our fathers,And when they did not agree among them selues, they departed, Paul saying one word: That wel did the holy Ghost speake by Esaie the prophete to our fathers,Cumque invicem non essent consentientes, discedebant, dicente Paulo unum verbum : Quia bene Spiritus Sanctus locutus est per Isaiam prophetam ad patres nostros,
26saying, Go to this people, and say to them, With the ears you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.saying, Goe to this people, and say to them, With the eares you shal heare, and shal not vnderstand: and seeing you shal see, and shal not perceiue.dicens : Vade ad populum istum, et dic ad eos : Aure audietis, et non intelligetis, et videntes videbitis, et non perspicietis.
27For the heart of this people is waxen gross, and with their ears have they heavily heard, and their eyes they have shut: lest perhaps they may see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I heal them.For the hart of this people is waxen grosse, and with their eares haue they heauily heard, and their eies they haue shut: lest perhaps they may see with their eies, and heare with their eares, and vnderstand with their hart, and be conuerted, and I heale them.Incrassatum est enim cor populi hujus, et auribus graviter audierunt, et oculos suos compresserunt : ne forte videant oculis, et auribus audiant, et corde intelligant, et convertantur, et sanem eos.
28Be it known therefore to you, that this Salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear.Be it knowen therefore to you, that this Saluation of God is sent to the Gentils, and they wil heare.Notum ergo sit vobis, quoniam gentibus missum est hoc salutare Dei, et ipsi audient.
29And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much questioning among themselves.And when he had said these things, the Iewes went out from him, hauing much questioning among them selues.Et cum hæc dixisset, exierunt ab eo Judæi, multam habentes inter se quæstionem.
30And he tarried full two years in his hired lodging: and received all that came in to him,And he taried ful two yeres in his hired lodging: and receiued al that came into him,Mansit autem biennio toto in suo conducto : et suscipiebat omnes qui ingrediebantur ad eum,
31preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things that concern our Lord JESUS CHRIST with all confidence, without prohibition.preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things that concerne our Lord IESVS CHRIST with al confidence, without prohibition.prædicans regnum Dei, et docens quæ sunt de Domino Jesu Christo cum omni fiducia, sine prohibitione.
Annotations
5Shaking of the beast. The promise of Christ (Marc. 16) that venomous serpents should not hurt them that believe in him, is fulfilled not in all believers, but in such as had the gift of miracles, as S. Paul had. Whom here a viper by nature so venomous that the people thought he should have died out of hand, did no whit annoy: he extinguishing by the power of Christ all the poison of the beast. Yea and (as the Christian people there till this day believe) by S. Paul's prayers the island was delivered for ever from all such venomous serpents, in so much that children there play with scorpions ever since that time, and Pilgrims daily carry with them pieces of stones out of the row place where S. Paul abode, by which they affirm that they heal them which in other countries adjoining are bitten of scorpions, the medicine therefore being called, S. Paul's grace. The Heretics that know not the power of God, nor the miracles, marvel and blaspheme, when they hear such things as be proper to certain countries, attributed sometimes to God's miracles done by his Saints: as though that were not possible, or were not as much to God's honour, and more, than things proceeding only of natural causes. Such profane men would not have attributed the wholesomeness of the waters of Jericho to Eliseus his virtue and miracles, amending them by casting salt into them, if the Scripture had not expressly testified the same. It is the part of all faithful men to refer such things to God, when any just occasion is given thereunto, rather than to nature: though the incredulous do always contrary, for fear of superstition & dishonouring God. As though this escape of drowning might better and more to God's glory be referred to chance and the mariners' industry, than to S. Paul's prayers and extraordinary working.
20Chain. I would wish now (saith S. Chrysostome) to be for a time in the place where these chains remain, and to see the fetters which Devils fear, and Angels reverence. homil. 5 ad populum Antiochenum. See also S. Gregory lib. 5 epist. 30. of the miracles done by S. Paul's chains, and that he sendeth to the Empress Constantia some dust thereof filed off, for a great Relic and holy gift.
22Concerning this sect. The Heretics of all sorts comfort themselves much, when they find here or else where the Christian faith called of the Jews or incredulous persons, a Sect or an Heresy, & sometimes in contempt of Christ's person the Master of the same, the Sect of the Nazarens: as though the Church of God might as well err in naming their doctrine Heresy, as the Jews and Pagans might and did miss in condemning Christian religion for an Heresy: or as the Sect is well given to all Heresies, though the Protestants' doctrine were as well proved and tried to be no Heresy, by the Prophets, the Jews and other Scriptures, miracles, and consent of all Nations and ages, as Christ's blessed doctrine is. Whereas in deed the Protestants' doctrine is evidently convinced to be heretical, by the same argument that Christ's religion is proved to be the only true doctrine of salvation, and not an heresy. And whosoever can deduce the Christian faith from Adam to this day, through out all the Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Priests, Apostles, and Bishops, by descent and succession of all laws and state of true worshippers and believers (which is the only or special way to prove that the Christian faith is no heresy) he shall by the same means at once prove the Protestants' doctrine to be an heresy and a false sect. That the Jews therefore and ill men in all places contradicted the Christian religion, calling it an Heresy or a Sect, as though it had a beginning of some certain Sect-Master over than God himself, they were deceived: and the Church of God nevertheless calling the Protestants' doctrine Heresy in the worst part that can be, and in the worst sort that ever was, doth right and most justly.