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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Acts XXVII].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVII.</FONT>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This whole chapter is taken up with an account of Paul's voyage towards
Rome, when he was sent thither a prisoner by Festus the governor, upon
his appeal to C&aelig;sar.
I. The beginning of the voyage was well enough, it was calm and
prosperous,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
II. Paul gave them notice of a storm coming, but could not prevail with
them to lie by,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>.
III. As they pursued their voyage, they met with a great deal of
tempestuous weather, which reduced them to such extremity that they
counted upon nothing but being cast away,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:12-20">ver. 12-20</A>.
IV. Paul assured them that though they would not be advised by him to
prevent their coming into this danger, yet, by the good providence of
God, they should be brought safely through it, and none of them should
be lost,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:21-26">ver. 21-26</A>.
V. At length they were at midnight thrown upon an island, which proved
to be Malta, and then they were in the utmost danger imaginable, but
were assisted by Paul's counsel to keep the mariners in the ship, and
encouraged by his comforts to eat their meat, and have a good heart on
it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:27-36">ver. 27-36</A>.
VI. Their narrow escape with their lives, when they came to shore, when
the ship was wrecked, but all the persons wonderfully preserved,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:37-44">ver. 37-44</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Voyage towards Rome.</I></FONT></TD>
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy,
they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto <I>one</I> named
Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
&nbsp; 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning
to sail by the coasts of Asia; <I>one</I> Aristarchus, a Macedonian of
Thessalonica, being with us.
&nbsp; 3 And the next <I>day</I> we touched at Sidon. And Julius
courteously entreated Paul, and gave <I>him</I> liberty to go unto his
friends to refresh himself.
&nbsp; 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus,
because the winds were contrary.
&nbsp; 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia,
we came to Myra, <I>a city</I> of Lycia.
&nbsp; 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing
into Italy; and he put us therein.
&nbsp; 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come
over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under
Crete, over against Salmone;
&nbsp; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The
fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city <I>of</I> Lasea.
&nbsp; 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now
dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished
<I>them,</I>
&nbsp; 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will
be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship,
but also of our lives.
&nbsp; 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner
of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
It does not appear how long it was after Paul's conference with Agrippa
that he was sent away for Rome, pursuant to his appeal to C&aelig;sar; but
it is likely they took the first convenience they could hear of to do
it; in the mean time Paul is in the midst of his friends at
C&aelig;sarea--they comforts to him, and he a blessing to them. But here we
are told,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. How Paul was shipped off for Italy: a long voyage, but there is no
remedy. He has appealed to C&aelig;sar, and to C&aelig;sar he must go: <I>It was
determined that we should sail into Italy,</I> for to Rome they must go
by sea; it would have been a vast way about to go by land. Hence, when
the Roman conquest of the Jewish nation is foretold, it is said
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+24:24">Num. xxiv. 24</A>),
<I>Ships shall come from Chittim,</I> that is, <I>Italy, and shall
afflict Eber,</I> that is, the Hebrews. It was determined by the
counsel of God, before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that
Paul should go to Rome; for, whatever man intended, God had work for
him to do there. Now here we are told,
1. Whose custody he was committed to--to <I>one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus's band,</I> as Cornelius was of the Italian band,
or legion,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:1"><I>ch.</I> x. 1</A>.
He had soldiers under him, who were a guard upon Paul, that he might
not make his escape, and likewise to protect him, that he might have no
mischief done him.
2. What bottom he embarked in: they went on board a ship of Adramyttium
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
a sea-port of Africa, whence this ship brought African goods, and, as
it should seem, made a coasting voyage for Syria, where those goods
came to a good market.
3. What company he had in this voyage, there were some prisoners who
were committed to the custody of the same centurion, and who probably
had appealed to C&aelig;sar too, or were upon some other account
removed to Rome, to be tried there, or to be examined as witnesses
against some prisoners there; perhaps some notorious offenders, like
Barabbas, who were therefore ordered to be brought before the emperor
himself. Paul was linked with these, as Christ with the thieves that
were crucified with him, and was obliged to take his lot with them in
this voyage; and we find in this chapter
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>)
that for their sakes he had like to have been killed, but for his sake
they were preserved. Note, It is no new thing for the innocent to be
numbered among the transgressors. But he had also some of his friends
with him, Luke particularly, the penman of this book, for he puts
himself in all along, <I>We</I> sailed into Italy, and, <I>We</I>
launched,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
Aristarchus a Thessalonian is particularly named, as being now in his
company. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that Trophimus the Ephesian went off with
him, but that he left him sick at Miletum
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:20">2 Tim. iv. 20</A>),
when he passed by those coasts of Asia mentioned here
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
and that there likewise he left Timothy. It was a comfort to Paul to
have the society of some of his friends in this tedious voyage, with
whom he might converse freely, though he had so much loose profane
company about him. Those that go long voyages at sea are commonly
necessitated to sojourn, as it were, in Mesech and Kedar, and have need
of wisdom, that they may do good to the bad company they are in, may
make them better, or at lest be made never the worse by them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. What course they steered, and what places they touched at, which
are particularly recorded for the confirming of the truth of the
history to those who lived at that time, and could by their own
knowledge tell of their being at such and such a place.
1. They touched at Sidon, not far off from where they went on board;
thither they came <I>the next day.</I> And that which is observable
here is, that <I>Julius the centurion</I> was extraordinarily civil to
Paul. It is probable that he knew his case, and was one of the <I>chief
captains, or principal men,</I> that heard him plead his own cause
before Agrippa
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+25:23"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 23</A>),
and was convinced of his innocency, and the injury done him; and
therefore, though Paul was committed to him as a prisoner, he treated
him as a friend, as a scholar, as a gentleman, and as a man that had an
interest in heaven: He <I>gave him liberty,</I> while the business of
the ship detained it at Sidon, <I>to go among his friends</I> there, to
<I>refresh himself;</I> and it would be a great refreshment to him.
Julius herein gives an example to those in power to be respectful to
those whom they find worthy of their respect, and in using their power
to make a difference. A Joseph, a Paul, are not to be used as common
prisoners. God herein encourages those that suffer for him to trust in
him; for he can put it into the hearts of those to befriend them from
whom they least expect it--can cause them to be pitied, nay, can cause
them to be prized and valued, even in the eyes of those that carry them
captive,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:46">Ps. cvi. 46</A>.
And it is likewise an instance of Paul's fidelity. He did not go about
to make his escape, which he might have easily done; but, being out
upon his parole of honour, he faithfully returns to his imprisonment.
If the centurion is so civil as to take his word, he is so just and
honest as to keep his word.
2. They thence <I>sailed under Cyprus,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
If the wind had been fair, they had gone forward by direct sailing, and
had left Cyprus on the right hand; but, the wind not favouring them,
they were driven to oblique sailing with a side wind, and so compassed
the island, in a manner, and left it on the left hand. Sailors must do
as they can, when they cannot do as they would, and make the best of
their wind, whatever point it is in; so must we all in our passage over
the ocean of this world. When the winds are contrary yet we must be
getting forward as well as we can.
3. At a port called Myra they changed their ship; that which they were
in, it is probable, having business no further, they went on board a
vessel of Alexandria bound for Italy,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
Alexandria was now the chief city of Egypt, and great trading there was
between that city and Italy; from Alexandria they carried corn to Rome,
and the East-India goods and Persian which they imported at the Red Sea
they exported again to all parts of the Mediterranean, and especially
to Italy. And it was a particular favour shown to the Alexandrian ships
in the ports of Italy that they were not obliged to strike sail, as
other ships were, when they came into port.
4. With much ado they made <I>The Fair Havens,</I> a port of the island
of Crete,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
They <I>sailed slowly many days,</I> being becalmed, or having the wind
against them. It was a great while before they made the point of
Cnidus, a port of Caria, and were forced to sail under Crete, as before
under Cyprus; much difficulty they met with in passing by Salmone, a
promontory on the eastern shore of the island of Crete. Though the
voyage hitherto was not tempestuous, yet it was very tedious. They many
that are not driven backward in their affairs by cross providences, yet
sail slowly, and do not get forward by favourable providences. And many
good Christians make this complaint in the concerns of their souls,
that they do not rid ground in their way of heaven, but have much ado
to keep their ground; they move with many stops and pauses, and lie a
great while wind-bound. Observe, The place they came to was called
<I>The Fair Havens.</I> Travellers say that it is known to this day by
the same name, and that it answers the name from the pleasantness of
its situation and prospect. And yet,
(1.) It was not the harbour they were bound for; it was a fair haven,
but it was not their haven. Whatever agreeable circumstances we may be
in in this world, we must remember we are not at home, and therefore we
must arise and depart; for, though it be a fair haven, it is not the
desired haven,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:30">Ps. cvii. 30</A>.
(2.) It was not a <I>commodious haven to winter in,</I> so it is said,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
It had a fine prospect, but it lay exposed to the weather. Note, Every
fair haven is not a safe haven; nay, there may be most danger where
there is most pleasure.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. What advice Paul gave them with reference to that part of their
voyage they had before them--it was to be content to winter where they
were, and not to think of stirring till a better season of the year.
1. It was now a bad time for sailing; they had lost a deal of time
while they were struggling with contrary winds. Sailing was now
dangerous, because <I>the fast was already past,</I> that is, the
famous yearly fast of the Jews, the day of atonement, which was on the
tenth day of the seventh month, <I>a day to afflict the soul</I> with
fasting; it was about the 20th of our September. That yearly fast was
very religiously observed; but (which is strange) we never have any
mention made in all the scripture history of the observance of it,
unless it be meant here, where it serves only to describe the season of
the year. Michaelmas is reckoned by mariners as a bad time of the year
to be at sea as any other; they complain of their Michaelmas-blasts; it
was that time now with these distressed voyagers. <I>The harvest was
past, the summer was ended;</I> they had not only lost time, but lost
the opportunity.
2. Paul put them in mind of it, and gave them notice of their danger
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
"<I>I perceive</I>" (either by notice from God, or by observing their
wilful resolution to prosecute the voyage notwithstanding the peril of
the season) "that <I>this voyage will be with hurt and damage;</I> you
that have effects on board are likely to lose them, and it will be a
miracle of mercy if our lives be given us for a prey." There were some
good men in the ship, and many more bad men: but in things of this
nature <I>all things come alike to all,</I> and <I>there is one event
to the righteous and to the wicked.</I> If both be in the same ship,
they both are in the same danger.
3. They would not be advised by Paul in this matter,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
They thought him impertinent in interposing in an affair of this
nature, who did not understand navigation; and the centurion to whom it
was referred to determine it, though himself a passenger, yet, being a
man in authority, takes upon him to overrule, though he had not been
oftener at sea perhaps than Paul, nor was better acquainted with these
seas, for Paul had planted the gospel in Crete
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+1:5">Tit. i. 5</A>),
and knew the several parts of the island well enough. But the centurion
gave more regard to the opinion of the master and owner of the ship
than to Paul's; for every man is to be credited in his own profession
ordinarily: but such a man as Paul, who was so intimate with Heaven,
was rather to be regarded in seafaring matters than the most celebrated
sailors. Note, Those know not what dangers they run themselves into who
will be governed more by human prudence than by divine revelation. The
centurion was very civil to Paul
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
and yet would not be governed by his advice. Note, Many will show
respect to good ministers that will not take their advice,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+33:31">Ezek. xxxiii. 31</A>.</P>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Voyage towards Rome.</I></FONT></TD>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>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, <I>and there</I> to winter; <I>which is</I> an
haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
&nbsp; 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had
obtained <I>their</I> purpose, loosing <I>thence,</I> they sailed close by
Crete.
&nbsp; 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous
wind, called Euroclydon.
&nbsp; 15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the
wind, we let <I>her</I> drive.
&nbsp; 16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda,
we had much work to come by the boat:
&nbsp; 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding
the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands,
strake sail, and so were driven.
&nbsp; 18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next
<I>day</I> they lightened the ship;
&nbsp; 19 And the third <I>day</I> we cast out with our own hands the
tackling of the ship.
&nbsp; 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no
small tempest lay on <I>us,</I> all hope that we should be saved was
then taken away.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In these verses we have,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The ship putting to sea again, and pursuing her voyage at first with
a promising gale. Observe,
1. What induced them to leave the fair havens: it was because they
thought the harbour not <I>commodious to winter in;</I> it was pleasant
enough in summer but in the winter they lay bleak. Or perhaps it was
upon some other account incommodious; provisions perhaps were scarce
and dear there; and they ran upon a mischief to avoid an inconvenience,
as we often do. Some of the ship's crew, or of the council that was
called to advise in this matter, were for staying there, rather than
venturing to sea now that the weather was so uncertain: it is better to
be safe in an incommodious harbour than to be lost in a tempestuous
sea. But they were outvoted when it was put to the question, and the
<I>greater part advised to depart thence also;</I> yet they aimed not
to go far, but only to another port of the same island, here called
<I>Phenice,</I> and some think it was so called because the Phenicians
frequented it much, the merchants of Tyre and Sidon. It is here
described to lie towards the south-west and north-west. Probably the
haven was between the two promontories or juttings-out of land into the
sea, one of which pointed to the north-west and the other to the
south-west, by which it was guarded against the east winds. Thus hath
the wisdom of the Creator provided for the relief and safety of those
who <I>go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great
waters.</I> In vain had nature provided for us the waters to sail on,
if it had not likewise provided for us natural harbours to take shelter
in.
2. What encouragement they had at first to pursue their voyage. They
set out with a fair wind
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
the <I>south wind blew softly,</I> upon which they should gain their
point, and so they sailed close by the coast of Crete and were not
afraid of running upon the rocks or quicksands, because the wind blew
so gently. Those who put to sea with ever so fair a gale know not what
storms they may yet meet with, and therefore must not be secure, nor
take it for granted that they have obtained their purpose, when so many
accidents may happen to cross their purpose. <I>Let not him that
girdeth on the harness boast as though he had put it off.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The ship in a storm presently, a dreadful storm. They looked at
second causes, and took their measures from the favourable hints they
gave, and imagined that because the south wind now blew softly it would
always blow so; in confidence of this, they ventured to sea, but were
soon made sensible of their folly in giving more credit to a smiling
wind than to the word of God in Paul's mouth, by which they had fair
warning given them of a storm. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. What their danger and distress was,
(1.) There <I>arose against them a tempestuous wind,</I> which was not
only contrary to them, and directly in their teeth, so that they could
not get forward, but a violent wind, which raised the waves, like that
which was sent forth in pursuit of Jonah, though Paul was following
God, and going on in his duty, and not as Jonah running away from God
and his duty. This wind the sailors called <I>Euroclydon,</I> a
north-east wind, which upon those seas perhaps was observed to be in a
particular manner troublesome and dangerous. It was a sort of
whirlwind, for the ship is said to be caught by it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
It was God that commanded this wind to rise, designing to bring glory
to himself, and reputation to Paul, out of it; stormy winds being
brought <I>out of his treasuries</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+135:7">Ps. cxxxv. 7</A>),
they <I>fulfil his word,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+148:8">Ps. cxlviii. 8</A>.
(2.) The ship was <I>exceedingly tossed</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>);
it was kicked like a football from wave to wave; its passengers (as it
is elegantly described,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:26,27">Ps. cvii. 26, 27</A>)
<I>mount up to the heavens, go down again to the depths, reel to and
fro, stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.</I> The
ship could not possibly <I>bear up into the wind,</I> could not make
her way in opposition to the wind; and therefore they folded up their
sails, which in such a storm would endanger them rather than to them
any service, and so <I>let the ship drive, Not whither it would, but
whither it was impelled by the impetuous waves--Non quo voluit, sed quo
rapit impetus und&aelig;.</I> Ovid. Trist. It is probable that they
were very near the heaven of Phenice when this tempest arose, and
thought they should presently be in a quiet haven, and were pleasing
themselves with the thought of it, and wintering there, and lo, of a
sudden, they are in this distress. Let us therefore always rejoice
with trembling, and never expect a perfect security, nor a perpetual
security, till we come to heaven.
(3.) They saw neither sun nor stars for many days. This made the
tempest the more terrible, that they were all in the dark; and the use
of the loadstone for the direction of sailors not being then found out
(so that they had no guide at all, when they could see neither sun nor
stars) made the case the more hazardous. Thus melancholy sometimes is
the condition of the people of God upon a spiritual account. They
<I>walk in darkness and have no light.</I> Neither sun nor stars
appear; they cannot dwell, nay, they cannot fasten, upon any thing
comfortable or encouraging; thus it may be with them, and yet light is
sown for them.
(4.) They had abundance of winter-weather: <I>No small
tempest</I>--<B><I>cheimon ouk oligos,</I></B> cold rain, and snow, and
all the rigours of that season of the year, so that they were ready to
perish for cold; and all this continued many days. See what hardships
those often undergo who are much at sea, besides the hazards of life
they run; and yet to get gain there are still those who make nothing of
all this; and it is an instance of divine Providence that it disposes
some to this employment, notwithstanding the difficulties that attend
it, for the keeping up of commerce among the nations, and the isles of
the Gentiles particularly; and Zebulun can as heartily rejoice in his
going out as Issachar in his tents. Perhaps Christ therefore chose
ministers from among seafaring men, because they had been used to
endure hardness.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. What means they used for their own relief: they betook themselves to
all the poor shifts (for I can call them no better) that sailors in
distress have recourse to.
(1.) When they could not make head against the wind, they let the ship
run adrift, finding it was to no purpose to ply either the oar or the
sail. When it is fruitless to struggle, it is wisdom to yield.
(2.) They nevertheless did what they could to avoid the present danger;
there was a little island called Clauda, and when they were near that,
though they could not pursue their voyage, they took care to prevent
their shipwreck, and therefore so ordered their matters that they did
not run against the island, but quietly ran under it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
(3.) When they were afraid they should scarcely save the ship, they
were busy to save the boat, which they did with much ado. They had
<I>much work to come by the boat</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
but at last they took it up,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
This might be of use in any exigence, and therefore they made hard
shift to get it into the ship to them.
(4.) They used means which were proper enough in those times, when the
art of navigation was far short of the perfection it is now come to;
they <I>undergirded the ship,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
They bound the ship under the bottom of it with strong cables, to keep
it from bulging in the extremity of the tempest.
(5.) For fear of falling <I>into the quicksands</I> they <I>struck
sail,</I> and then let the ship go as it would. It is strange how a
ship will live at sea (so they express it), even in very stormy
weather, if it have but sea-room; and, when the sailors cannot make the
shore, it is their interest to keep as far off it as they can.
(6.) The next day they lightened the ship of its cargo, threw the goods
and the merchandises overboard (as Jonah's mariners did,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:5"><I>ch.</I> i. 5</A>),
being willing rather to be poor without them than to perish with them.
<I>Skin for skin, and all that a man has, will he give for his
life.</I> See what the wealth of this world is; how much soever it is
courted as a blessing, the time may come when it will be a burden, not
only too heavy to be carried safe of itself, but heavy enough to sink
him that has it. Riches are often <I>kept by the owners thereof to
their hurt</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:13">Eccl. v. 13</A>);
and parted with to their good. But see the folly of the children of
this world, they can be thus prodigal of their goods when it is for the
saving of their lives, and yet how sparing of them in works of piety
and charity, and in suffering for Christ, though they are told by
eternal Truth itself that those shall be recompensed more than a
thousand fold <I>in the resurrection of the just.</I> Those went upon a
principle of faith who <I>took joyfully the spoiling of their goods,
knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and a more
enduring substance,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:34">Heb. x. 34</A>.
Any man will rather make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but
many will rather make <I>shipwreck of faith and a good conscience</I>
than of their goods.
(7.) The third day they <I>cast out the tacklings of the ship</I>--the
utensils of it, <I>Armamenta</I> (so some render it), as if it were a
ship of force. With us it is common to heave the guns over-board in
the extremity of a storm; but what heavy artillery they had then which
it was necessary to lighten the ship of I do not know; and I question
whether it was not then a vulgar error among seamen thus to throw every
thing into the sea, even that which would be of great use in a storm,
and no great weight.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. The despair which at last they were brought to
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
<I>All hope that we should be saved was then taken away.</I> The storm
continued, and they saw no symptoms of its abatement; we have known
very blustering weather to continue for some weeks. The means they had
used were ineffectual, so that they were at their wits' end; and such
was the consternation that this melancholy prospect put them into that
they had no heart either to eat or drink. They had provision enough on
board
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
but such bondage were they under, through fear of death, that they
could not admit the supports of life. Why did not Paul, by the power of
Christ, and in his name, lay this storm? Why did he not say to the
winds and waves, <I>Peace, be still,</I> as his Master had done?
Surely it was because the apostles wrought miracles for the
confirmation of their doctrine, not for the serving of a turn for
themselves or their friends.</P>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Voyage towards Rome.</I></FONT></TD>
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>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.
&nbsp; 22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be
no loss of <I>any man's</I> life among you, but of the ship.
&nbsp; 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I
am, and whom I serve,
&nbsp; 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before C&aelig;sar:
and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
&nbsp; 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that
it shall be even as it was told me.
&nbsp; 26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
&nbsp; 27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up
and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they
drew near to some country;
&nbsp; 28 And sounded, and found <I>it</I> twenty fathoms: and when they
had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found <I>it</I>
fifteen fathoms.
&nbsp; 29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they
cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
&nbsp; 30 And as the shipmen 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,
&nbsp; 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these
abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
&nbsp; 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her
fall off.
&nbsp; 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought <I>them</I> all to
take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have
tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
&nbsp; 34 Wherefore I pray you to take <I>some</I> meat: for this is for
your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of
any of you.
&nbsp; 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 <I>it,</I> he
began to eat.
&nbsp; 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took <I>some</I>
meat.
&nbsp; 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and
sixteen souls.
&nbsp; 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and
cast out the wheat into the sea.
&nbsp; 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.
&nbsp; 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed
<I>themselves</I> unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and
hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
&nbsp; 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the
ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained
unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of
the waves.
&nbsp; 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest
any of them should swim out, and escape.
&nbsp; 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from
<I>their</I> purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should
cast <I>themselves</I> first <I>into the sea,</I> and get to land:
&nbsp; 44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on <I>broken pieces</I> of
the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to
land.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We have here the issue of the distress of Paul and his
fellow-travellers; they escaped with their lives and that was all, and
that was for Paul's sake. We are here told
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>)
what number there were on board--mariners, merchants, soldiers,
prisoners, and other passengers, in all two hundred and seventy-six
souls; this is taken notice of to make us the more concerned for them
in reading the story, that they were such a considerable number, whose
lives were now in the utmost jeopardy, and one Paul among them worth
more than all the rest. We left them in despair, giving up themselves
for gone. Whether they <I>called every man on his God,</I> as Jonah's
mariners did, we are not told; it is well if this laudable practice in
a storm was not gone out of fashion and made a jest of. However, Paul
among these seamen was not, like Jonah among his, the cause of the
storm, but the comforter in the storm, and as much a credit to the
profession of an apostle as Jonah was a blemish to the character of a
prophet. Now here we have,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The encouragement Paul gave them, by assuring them, in the name of
God, that their lives should all be saved, even when, in human
appearance, all hope that they should be saved was taken away. Paul
rescued them from their despair first, that they might not die of that,
and starve themselves in that, and then they were in a fair way to be
rescued from their distress. <I>After long abstinence,</I> as if they
were resolved not to eat till they knew whether they should live or
die, <I>Paul stood forth in the midst of them.</I> During the distress
hitherto Paul hid himself among them, was one of the crowd, helped with
the rest to <I>throw out the tackling</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
but now he distinguished himself, and, though a prisoner, undertook to
be their counsellor and comforter.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. He reproves them for not taking his advice, which was to stay where
they were, in the road of Lasea
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
"<I>You should have hearkened to me and not have loosed from Crete,</I>
where we might have made a shift to winter well enough, and then we
should not have <I>gained this harm and loss,</I> that is, we should
have escaped them." Harm and loss in the world, if sanctified to us,
may be truly said to be gain; for if they wean us from present things,
and awaken us to think of a future state, we are truly gainers by them.
Observe, They did not hearken to Paul when he warned them of their
danger, and yet if they will but acknowledge their folly, and repent of
it, he will speak comfort and relief to them now that they are in
danger, so compassionate is God to those that are in misery, though
they bring themselves into it by their own incogitancy, nay, by their
own wilfulness, and contempt of admonition. Paul, before administering
comfort, will first make them sensible of their sin in not hearkening
to him, by upbraiding them with their rashness, and probably, when he
tells them of their gaining harm and loss, he reflects upon what they
promised themselves by proceeding on their voyage, that they should
gain so much time, gain this and the other point: "But," says he, "you
have gained nothing but harm and loss; how will you answer it?" That
which they are blamed for is their loosing from Crete, where they were
safe. Note, Most people bring themselves into inconvenience, because
they do not know when they are well off, but gain harm and loss by
aiming against advice to better themselves.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. He assures them that though they should lose the ship yet they
should none of them lose their lives: "You see your folly in not being
ruled by me:" he does not say, "Now therefore expect to fare
accordingly, you may thank yourselves if you be all lost, those that
will not be counselled cannot be helped." No, "Yet now there is hope in
Israel concerning this thing; your case is sad, but it is not
desperate, now, <I>I exhort you to be of good cheer.</I>" Thus we say
to sinners that are convinced of their sin and folly, and begin to see
and bewail their error, "<I>You should have hearkened unto us,</I> and
should have had nothing to do with sin; yet now we <I>exhort you to be
of good cheer:</I> though you would not take our advice when we said,
<I>Do not presume,</I> yet take it now when we say, <I>Do not
despair.</I>" They had given up the cause, and would use no further
means, because <I>all hope that they should be saved was taken
away.</I> Now Paul quickens them to bestir themselves yet in working
for their own safety, by telling them that it they would resume their
vigour they should secure their lives. He gives them this assurance
when they were brought to the last extremity, for now it would be
doubly welcome to them to be told that not a life should be lost when
they were ready to conclude they must inevitably be all lost. He tells
them,
(1.) That they must count upon the loss of the ship. Those who were
interested in that and the goods were probably those greater part that
were for pushing forward the voyage and running the venture,
notwithstanding Paul's admonition, and they are made to pay for their
rashness. Their ship shall be wrecked. Many a stately, strong, rich,
gallant ship is lost in the mighty waters in a little time; <I>for
vanity of vanities, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.</I> But,
(2.) <I>Not a life shall be lost.</I> This would be good news to those
that were ready to die for fear of dying, and whose guilty consciences
made death look very terrible to them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. He tells them what ground he had for this assurance, that it is not
a banter upon them, to put them into humour, nor a human conjecture, he
has a divine revelation for it, and is as confident of it as that God
is true, being fully satisfied that he has his word for it. An angel of
the Lord appeared to him in the night, and told him that for his sake
they should all be preserved
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:23-25"><I>v.</I> 23-25</A>),
which would double the mercy of their preservation, that they should
have it not only by providence, but by promise, and as a particular
favour to Paul. Now observe here,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) The solemn profession Paul makes of relation to God, the God from
whom he had this favourable intelligence: It is he <I>whose I am, and
whom I serve.</I> He looks upon God,
[1.] As his rightful owner, who has a sovereign incontestable title to
him, and dominion over him: <I>Who I am.</I> Because God made us and
not we ourselves, therefore we are not our own but his. His we are by
creation, for he made us; by preservation, for he maintains us; by
redemption, for he bought us. We are more his than our own.
[2.] As his sovereign ruler and master, who, having given him being,
has right to give him law: <I>Whom I serve.</I> Because his we are,
therefore we are bound to serve him, to devote ourselves to his honour
and employ ourselves in his work. It is Christ that Paul here has an
eye to; he is God, and the angels are his and go on his errands. Paul
often calls himself a <I>servant of Jesus Christ;</I> he is his, and
him he serves, both as a Christian and as an apostle; he does not say,
"Whose <I>we</I> are, and whom we serve," for most that were present
were strangers to him, but, "Whose <I>I am,</I> and whom <I>I
serve,</I> whatever others do; nay, whom I am now in the actual service
of, going to Rome, not as you are, upon worldly business, but to appear
as a witness for Christ." Now this he tells the company, that, seeing
their relief coming from his God whose he was and whom he served, they
might thereby be drawn in to take him for their God, and to serve him
likewise; for the same reason Jonah said to his mariners, <I>I fear the
Lord, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jon+1:9">Jonah i. 9</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) The account he gives of the vision he had: <I>There stood by me
this night an angel of God,</I> a divine messenger who used formerly to
bring him messages from heaven; he <I>stood by him,</I> visibly
appeared to him, probably when he was awake upon his bed. Though he was
<I>afar off upon the sea</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:5">Ps. lxvi. 5</A>),
<I>on the uttermost parts of the sea</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+139:9">Ps. cxxxix. 9</A>),
yet this could not intercept his communion with God, nor deprive him of
the benefit of divine visits. Thence he can direct a prayer to God, and
thither God can direct an angel to him. He knows not where he is
himself, yet God's angel knows where to find him out. The <I>ship is
tossed</I> with winds and waves, hurried to and fro with the utmost
violence, and yet the angel finds a way into it. No storms nor tempests
can hinder the communications of God's favour to his people, for he is
a very present help, a help at hand, even when the <I>sea roars and is
troubled,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+46:1,3">Ps. xlvi. 1, 3</A>.
We may suppose that Paul, being a prisoner, had not a cabin of his own
in the ship, much less a bed in the captain's cabin, but was put down
into the hold (any dark or dirty place was thought good enough for him
in common with the rest of the prisoners), and yet there the angel of
God stood by him. Meanness and poverty set none at a distance from God
and his favour. Jacob, when he has no pillow but a stone, no curtains
but the clouds, yet has a vision of angels. Paul had this vision but
<I>this last night.</I> He had himself been assured by a former vision
that he should go to Rome
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+23:11"><I>ch.</I> xxiii. 11</A>),
from which he might infer that he himself should be safe; but he has
this fresh vision to assure him of the safety of those with him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(3.) The encouragements that were given him in the vision,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
[1.] He is forbidden to fear. Though all about him are at their wits'
end, and lost in despair, yet, <I>Fear not, Paul;</I> fear not <I>their
fear, nor be afraid,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:12">Isa. viii. 12</A>.
Let the <I>sinners in Zion be afraid,</I> but let not the saints be
afraid, no, not at sea, in a storm; for <I>the Lord of hosts is with
them,</I> and their <I>place of defence shall be the munitions of
rocks,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:14-16">Isa. xxxiii. 14-16</A>.
[2.] He is assured that for his part he shall come safely to Rome:
<I>Thou must be brought before C&aelig;sar.</I> As the rage of the most
potent enemies, so the rage of the most stormy sea, cannot prevail
against God's witnesses till they have finished their testimony. Paul
must be preserved in this danger, for he is reserved for further
service. This is comfortable for the faithful servants of God in
straits and difficulties, that as long as God has any work for them to
do their lives shall be prolonged.
[3.] That for his sake all that were in the ship with him should be
delivered too from perishing in this storm: <I>God hath given thee all
those that sail with thee.</I> The angel that was ordered to bring him
this message could have singled him out from this wretched crew, and
those that were his friends too, and have carried them safely to shore,
and have left the rest to perish, because they would not take Paul's
counsel. But God chooses rather, by preserving them all for his sake,
to show what great blessings good men are to the world, than by
delivering him only to show how good men are distinguished from the
world. <I>God has given thee all those that sail with thee,</I> that
is, spares them in answer to thy prayers, or for thy sake. Sometimes
good men deliver <I>neither sons nor daughters, but their own souls
only,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+14:18">Ezek. xiv. 18</A>.
But Paul here delivers a whole ship's crew, almost three hundred souls.
Note, God often spares wicked people for the sake of the godly; as Zoar
for Lot's sake, and as Sodom might have been, if there had been ten
righteous persons in it. The good people are hated and persecuted in
the world as if they were not worthy to live in it, yet really it is
for their sakes that the world stands. If Paul had thrust himself
needlessly into bad company, he might justly have been cast away with
them, but, God calling him into it, they are preserved with him. And it
is intimated that it was a great favour to Paul, and he looked upon it
to be so, that others were saved for his sake: <I>They are given
thee.</I> There is no greater satisfaction to a good man than to know
that he is a public blessing.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
4. He comforts them with the same comforts wherewith he himself was
comforted
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
"<I>Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer,</I> you shall see even this will
end well; <I>for I believe God,</I> and depend upon his word, <I>that
it shall be even as it was told me.</I>" He would not require them to
give credit to that to which he did not himself give credit; and
therefore solemnly professes that he believes it himself, and the
belief of it makes him easy: "I doubt not but it shall be as it was
told me." Thus he <I>staggers not at the promise of God through
unbelief. Hath God spoken, and shall he not make it good?</I> No doubt
he can, no doubt he will; for <I>he is not a man that he should
lie.</I> And shall it be as God hath said? Then be of good cheer, be of
good courage. God is ever faithful, and therefore let all that have an
interest in his promise be ever cheerful. If with God saying and doing
are not two things, then with us believing and enjoying should not.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
5. He gives them a sign, telling them particularly what this
tempestuous voyage would issue in
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
"<I>We must be cast upon a certain island,</I> and that will both break
the ship and save the passengers; and so the prediction in both
respects will be fulfilled." The pilot had quitted his post, the ship
was left to run at random, they knew not what latitude they were in,
much less how to steer their course; and yet Providence undertakes to
bring them to an island that shall be a refuge for them. When the
church of God, like this ship, is <I>tossed with tempests, and not
comforted,</I> when <I>there is none to guide her of all her sons,</I>
yet God can bring her safely to shore, and will do it.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Their coming at length to an anchor upon an unknown shore,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:27-29"><I>v.</I> 27-29</A>.
1. They had been a full fortnight in the storm, continually expecting
death: <I>The fourteenth night,</I> and not sooner, <I>they came near
land;</I> they were <I>that night driven up and down in Adria,</I> not
in the Adriatic Gulf on which Venice stands, but in the Adriatic Sea, a
part of the Mediterranean, containing both the Sicilian and Ionian
seas, and extending to the African shore; in this sea they were tossed,
and knew not whereabouts they were.
2. <I>About midnight the mariners apprehended that they drew near to
some shore,</I> which confirmed what Paul had told them, that they must
be driven upon some island. To try whether it was so or no, <I>they
sounded,</I> in order to their finding the depth of the water, for the
water would be shallower as they drew nearer to shore; by the first
experiment <I>they found they drew twenty fathoms deep of water,</I>
and by <I>the next fifteen fathoms,</I> which was a demonstration that
they were near some shore; God has wisely ordered such a natural notice
to sailors in the dark, that they may be cautious.
3. They took the hint, and, fearing rocks near the shore, <I>they cast
anchor, and wished for the day;</I> they durst not go forward for fear
of rocks, and yet would not go back in hope of shelter, but they would
wait for the morning, and heartily wished for it; who can blame them
when the affair came to a crisis? When they had light, there was no
land to be seen; now that there was land near them, they had no light
to see it by; no marvel then they wished for day. When those that fear
God <I>walk in darkness, and have no light,</I> yet let them not say,
<I>The Lord has forsaken us,</I> or, <I>Our God has forgotten us;</I>
but let them do as these mariners did, cast anchor, and wish for the
day, and be assured that the day will dawn. <I>Hope is an anchor of
the soul, sure and stedfast, entering into that within the veil.</I>
Hold fast by that, think not of putting to sea again, but abide by
Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee away.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. The defeating of the sailors' attempt to quit the ship; here was a
new danger added to their distress, which they narrowly escaped.
Observe,
1. The treacherous design of the seamen, and that was to leave the
sinking ship, which, though a piece of wisdom in others, yet in those
that were entrusted with the care of it was the basest fraud that could
be
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
<I>They were about to flee out of the ship,</I> concluding no other
than that when it ran ashore it must be broken all to pieces; having
the command of the boat, the project was to get all of them into that,
and so save themselves, and leave all the rest to perish. To cover this
vile design, they pretended they would <I>cast anchors out of the
fore-ship,</I> or carry them further off, and in order to this <I>they
let down the boat,</I> which they had taken in
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>),
and were <I>going into it,</I> having agreed among themselves, when
they were in to make straight for the shore. The treacherous seamen are
like the treacherous shepherd, who flees when he sees the danger
coming, and there is most need of his help,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:12">John x. 12</A>.
Thus true is that of Solomon, <I>Confidence in an unfaithful man in
time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.</I> Let
us therefore cease from man. Paul had, in God's name, assured them
that they should come safely to land, but they will rather trust their
own refuge of lies than God's word and truth.
2. Paul's discovery of it, and protestation against it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
They all saw them preparing to go into the boat, but were deceived by
the pretence they made; only Paul saw through it, and gave notice to
the centurion and the soldiers concerning it, and told them plainly,
<I>Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.</I> The skill
of a mariner is seen in a storm, and, in the distress of the ship, then
is the proper time for him to exert himself. Now the greatest
difficulty of all was before them, and therefore the seamen were now
more necessary than ever yet; it was indeed not by any skill of theirs
<I>that they were brought to land,</I> for it was quite beyond their
skill, but, now that they are near land, they must use their art to
bring the ship to it. When God has done that for us which we could not,
we must then in his strength help ourselves. Paul speaks humanly, when
he says, <I>You cannot be saved except these abide in the ship;</I> and
he does not at all weaken the assurances he had divinely given that
they should infallibly be saved. God, who appointed the end, <I>that
they should be saved,</I> appointed the means, that they should be
saved by the help of these seamen; though, if they had gone off, no
doubt God would have made his word good some other way. Paul speaks as
a prudent man, not as a prophet, when he says, These are necessary to
your preservation. Duty is ours, events are God's; and we do not trust
God, but tempt him, when we say, "We put ourselves under his
protection," and do not use proper means, such as are within our power,
for our own preservation.
3. The effectual defeat of it by the soldiers,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
It was not time to stand arguing the case with the seamen, and
therefore they made no more ado, <I>but cut the ropes of the boat,</I>
and though it might otherwise have done them service in their present
distress, they chose rather <I>to let it fall off,</I> and lose it,
than suffer it to do them this disservice. And now the seamen, being
forced to stay in the ship whether they would or no, are forced
likewise to work for the safety of the ship as hard as they could,
because if the rest perish they must perish with them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. The new life which Paul put into the company, by cheerfully
inviting them to take some refreshment, and by the repeated assurances
he gave them that they should all of them have their lives given them
for a prey. Happy they who had such a one as Paul in their company, who
not only had correspondence with Heaven, but was of a hearty lively
spirit with those about him, that sharpened the countenance of his
friend, as iron sharpens iron. Such a friend in distress, when
<I>without are fightings and within are fears,</I> is a friend indeed.
<I>Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a
man's friend by hearty counsel,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:9">Prov. xxvii. 9</A>.
Such was Paul's here to his companions in tribulation. The day was
coming on: those that wish for the day, let them wait awhile, and they
shall have what they wish for. The dawning of the day revived them a
little, and then Paul got them together.
1. He chid them for their neglect of themselves, that they had so far
given way to fear and despair as to forget or not to mind their food:
<I>This is the fourteenth day that you have tarried, and continued
fasting, having taken nothing;</I> and that is not well,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
Not that they had all, or any of them, continued fourteen days without
any food, but they had not had any set meal, as they used to have, all
that time; they ate very little, next to nothing. Or, "<I>You have
continued fasting,</I> that is, you have lost your stomach; you have
had no appetite at all to your food, nor any relish of it, through
prevailing fear and despair." A very disconsolate state is thus
expressed
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+102:4">Ps. cii. 4</A>),
<I>I forget to eat my bread.</I> It is a sin to starve the body, and to
deny it its necessary supports; he is an unnatural man indeed <I>that
hateth his own flesh, and does not nourish and cherish it;</I> and it
is a sore evil under the sun to have a sufficiency of the good things
of this life, and not to have power to use them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+6:2">Eccl. vi. 2</A>.
If this arise from the sorrow of the world, and from any inordinate
fear or trouble, it is so far from excusing it that it is another sin,
it is discontent, it is distrust of God, it is all wrong. What folly is
it to die for fear of dying! But thus <I>the sorrow of the world works
death,</I> while joy in God is life and peace in the greatest
distresses and dangers.
2. He courts them to their food
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>):
"<I>Wherefore I pray you to take some meat.</I> We have a hard struggle
before us, must get to shore as well as we can; if our bodies be weak
through fasting, we shall not be able to help ourselves." The angel
bade Elijah, <I>Arise and eat,</I> for otherwise he would find <I>the
journey too great for him,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:7">1 Kings xix. 7</A>.
So Paul will have these people eat, or otherwise the waves will be too
hard for them: <I>I pray you,</I> <B><I>parakalo,</I></B> "<I>I exhort
you,</I> if you will be ruled by me, take some nourishment; though you
have no appetite to it, though you have fasted away your stomach, yet
let reason bring you to it, <I>for this is for your health,</I> or
rather <I>your preservation, or safety, at this time;</I> it is for
your salvation, you cannot without nourishment have strength to shift
for your lives." As <I>he that will not labour, let him not eat;</I> so
he that means to labour must eat. Weak and trembling Christians, that
give way to doubts and fears about their spiritual state, continue
fasting from the Lord's supper, and fasting from divine consolations,
and then complain they cannot go on in their spiritual work and
warfare; and it is owing to themselves. If they would feed and feast as
they ought, upon the provision Christ has made for them, they would be
strengthened, and it would be for their souls' health and salvation.
3. He assures them of their preservation: <I>There shall not a hair
fall from the head of any of you.</I> It is a proverbial expression,
denoting a complete indemnity. It is used
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:51,Lu+21:18">1 Kings i. 51; Luke xxi. 18</A>.
"You cannot eat for fear of dying; I tell you, you are sure of living,
and therefore eat. You will come to shore wet and cold, but sound wind
and limb; your hair wet, but not a hair lost."
4. He himself spread their table for them; for none of them had any
heart to do it, they were all so dispirited: <I>When he had thus
spoken, he took bread,</I> fetched it from the ship's stores, to which
every one might safely have access when none of them had an appetite.
They were not reduced to short allowance, as sailors sometimes are when
they are kept longer at sea than they expected by distress of weather;
they had plenty, but what good did that do them, when they had no
stomach? We have reason to be thankful to God that we have not only
food to our appetite, but appetite to our food; that our soul abhors
not even dainty meat
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:20">Job xxxiii. 20</A>),
through sickness or sorrow.
5. He was chaplain to the ship, and they had reason to be proud of
their chaplain. <I>He gave thanks to God in presence of them all.</I>
We have reason to think he had often prayed with Luke and Aristarchus,
and what others there were among them that were Christians, that they
prayed daily together; but whether he had before this prayed with the
whole company promiscuously is not certain. Now <I>he gave thanks to
God, in presence of them all,</I> that they were alive, and had been
preserved hitherto, and that they had a promise that their lives should
be preserved in the imminent peril now before them; he gave thanks for
the provision they had, and begged a blessing upon it. We must <I>in
every thing give thanks;</I> and must particularly have an eye to God
in receiving our food, for <I>it is sanctified to us by the word of God
and prayer,</I> and is <I>to be received with thanksgiving.</I> Thus
the curse is taken off from it, and we obtain a covenant-right to it
and a covenant-blessing upon it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+4:3-5">1 Tim. iv. 3-5</A>.
And <I>it is not by bread alone that man lives, but by the word of
God,</I> which must be met with prayer. <I>He gave thanks in presence
of them all,</I> not only to show that he served a Master he was not
ashamed of, but to invite them into his service too. If we crave a
blessing upon our meat, and give thanks for it in a right manner, we
shall not only keep up a comfortable communion with God ourselves, but
credit our profession, and recommend it to the good opinion of others.
6. He set them a good example: <I>When he had given thanks, he broke
the bread</I> (it was sea-biscuit) and <I>he began to eat.</I> Whether
they would be encouraged or no, he would; if they would be sullen, and,
like froward children, refuse their victuals because they had not every
thing to their mind, he would eat his meat, and be thankful. Those that
teach others are inexcusable if they do not themselves do as they
teach, and the most effectual way of preaching is by example.
7. It had a happy influence upon them all
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>):
<I>Then were they all of good cheer.</I> They then ventured to believe
the message God sent them by Paul when they plainly perceived that Paul
believed it himself, who was in the same common danger with them. Thus
God sends good tidings to the perishing world of mankind by those who
are of themselves, and in the same common danger with themselves, who
are sinners too, and must be saved, if ever they be saved, in the same
way in which they persuade others to venture; for it is a common
salvation which they bring the tidings of; and it is an encouragement
to people to commit themselves to Christ as their Saviour when those
who invite them to do so make it to appear that they do so themselves.
It is here upon this occasion that the number of the persons is set
down, which we took notice of before: <I>they were in all two hundred
threescore and sixteen souls.</I> See how many may be influenced by the
good example of one. <I>They did all eat,</I> nay, <I>they did all eat
enough</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
they were satiated with food, or filled with it; <I>they made a hearty
meal.</I> This explains the meaning of <I>their fasting before for
fourteen days;</I> not that they did not eat during all that time, but
they never had enough all that time, as they had now.
8. They once more lightened the ship, that it might escape the better
in the shock it was now to have. They had before thrown <I>the wares
and the tackle overboard,</I> and now <I>the wheat,</I> the victuals
and provisions they had; better they should sink the food than that it
should sink them. See what good reason our Saviour had to call our
bodily food meat that perishes. We may ourselves be under a necessity
of throwing that away to save our lives which we had gathered and laid
up for the support of our lives. It is probable that the ship was
overloaded with the multitude of the passengers (for this comes in just
after the account of the number of them) and that this obliged them so
often to lighten the ship.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. Their putting to shore, and the staving of the ship in the
adventure. It was about break of day when they ate their meat, and when
it was quite day they began to look about them; and here we are told,
1. <I>That they knew not where they were;</I> they could not tell what
country it was they were now upon the coast of, whether it was Europe,
Asia, or Africa, for each had shores washed by the Adriatic Sea. It is
probable that these seamen had often sailed this way, and thought they
knew every country they came near perfectly well, and yet here they
were at a loss. <I>Let not the wise man then glory in his wisdom,</I>
since it may perhaps fail him thus egregiously even in his own
profession.
2. <I>They observed a creek with a level shore, into which they hoped
to thrust the ship,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
Though they knew not what country it was, nor whether the inhabitants
were friends or foes, civil or barbarous, they determined to cast
themselves upon their mercy; it was dry land, which would be very
welcome to those that had been so long at sea. It was a pity but they
had had some help from the shore, a pilot sent them, that knew the
coast, who might steer their ship in, or another second ship, to take
some of the men on board. Those who live on the sea-coast have often
opportunity of succouring those who are in distress at sea, and of
saving precious lives, and they ought to do their utmost in order to
it, with all readiness and cheerfulness; for it is a great sin, and
very provoking to God, <I>to forbear to deliver those that are driven
unto death, and are ready to be slain;</I> and it will not serve for an
excuse to say, <I>Behold, we knew it not,</I> when either we did, or
might, and should, have <I>known</I> it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+24:11,12">Prov. xxiv. 11, 12</A>.
I have been told there are some, and in our own nation too, who when
from the sea-coast they see a ship in distress and at a loss will, by
misguiding fires or otherwise, purposely lead them into danger, that
the lives may be lost, and they may have the plunder of the ship. One
can scarcely believe that any of the human species can possibly be so
wicked, so barbarously inhuman, and can have so much of the devil in
them; if there be, <I>let them know of a truth that they shall have
judgment without mercy who have shown no mercy.</I>
3. They made straight to the shore with wind and tide
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>):
<I>They took up the anchors, the four anchors which they cast out of
the stern,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
Some think that they took pains to weigh them up, hoping they should
have use for them again at the shore; others that they did it with such
precipitation that they were forced to cut the cables and leave them;
the original will admit either. <I>They then committed themselves to
the sea,</I> the wind standing fair to carry them into the port, and
<I>they loosed the rudder-bands,</I> which were fastened during the
storm for the greater steadiness of the ship, but, now that they were
<I>putting into the port, were loosed,</I> that the pilot might steer
with the greater freedom; <I>they then hoisted up the main-sail to the
wind, and made towards shore.</I> The original words here used for the
<I>rudder-bands</I> and the <I>main-sail</I> find the critics a great
deal of work to accommodate them to the modern terms; but they need not
give us any difficulty who are content to know that when they saw the
shore they hastened to it as fast as they could, and perhaps made more
haste than good speed. And should not a poor soul that has long been
struggling with winds and tempests in this world long to put into the
safe and quiet haven of everlasting rest? Should it not get clear from
all that which fastens it to this earth, and straitens the out-goings
of its pious and devout affections heavenward? And should it not hoist
up the main-sail of faith to the wind of the Spirit, and so with
longing desires make to shore?
4. They made a shift among them <I>to run the ship aground,</I> in a
shelf or bed of sand, as it should seem, or an isthmus, or neck of
land, washed with the sea on both sides, and therefore two seas are
said to meet upon it, and <I>there the forepart stuck fast;</I> and
then, when it had no liberty to play, as a ship has when it rides at
anchor, but remained immovable, <I>the hinder part</I> would soon be
broken of course <I>by the violence of the waves.</I> Whether the
seamen did not do their part, being angry that they were disappointed
in their design to escape, and therefore wilfully ran the ship aground,
or whether we may suppose that they did their utmost to save it, but
God in his providence overruled, for the fulfilling of Paul's word,
<I>that the ship must be lost</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
I cannot say; but this we are sure of <I>that God will confirm the word
of his servants, and perform the counsel of his messengers,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:26">Isa. xliv. 26</A>.
The ship, that had strangely weathered the storm in the vast ocean,
where it had room to roll, is dashed to pieces when it sticks fast.
Thus if the heart fixes in the world, in love and affection, and
adherence to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat against it, and
it is gone; but, as long as it keeps above the world, though it be
tossed with its cares and tumults, there is hope of it. They had the
shore in view, and yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour, to teach us
never to be secure.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VI. A particular danger that Paul and the rest of the prisoners were
in, besides their share in the common calamity, and their deliverance
from it.
1. In this critical moment, when every man hung in doubt of his life,
<I>the soldiers advised the killing of the prisoners</I> that were
committed to their custody, and whom they were to give an account of,
<I>lest any of them should swim out and escape,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
There was no great danger of that, for they could not escape far, weak
and weary as they were; and, under the eye of so many soldiers that had
the charge of them, it was not likely they should attempt it; and if it
should so happen, though they might be obnoxious to the law for a
permissive escape, yet in such a case as this equity would certainly
relieve them. But it was a brutish barbarous motion, and so much the
worse that they were thus prodigal of other people's lives when without
a miracle of mercy they must lose their own.
2. The centurion, for Paul's sake, quashed this motion presently.
Paul, who was his prisoner, had found favour with him, as Joseph with
the captain of the guard. Julius, though he despised Paul's advice
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+27:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
yet afterwards saw a great deal of cause to respect him, and therefore,
being <I>willing to save Paul,</I> he prevented the execution of that
bloody project, and <I>in favorem vit&aelig;--from a regard to his
life,</I> he kept them from their purpose. It does not appear that they
were any of them malefactors convicted, but only suspected, and waiting
their trial, and in such a case as this better ten guilty ones should
escape than one that was innocent be slain. As God had saved all in the
ship for Paul's sake, so here the centurion saves all the prisoners for
his sake; such a diffusive good is a good man.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VII. The saving of the lives of all the persons in the ship, by the
wonderful providence of God. When the ship broke under them, surely
<I>there was but a step between them and death;</I> and yet infinite
mercy interposed, and that step was not stepped.
1. Some were saved by swimming: <I>The centurion commanded his
soldiers</I> in the first place, <I>as many of them as could swim, to
get to land</I> first, and to be ready to receive the prisoners, and
prevent their escape. The Romans trained up their youth, among other
exercises, to that of swimming, and it was often of service to them in
their wars: Julius Caesar was a famous swimmer. It may be very useful
to these who deal much at sea, but otherwise perhaps more lives have
been lost by swimming in sport, and learning to swim, than have been
saved by swimming for need.
2. The rest with much ado scrambled to the shore, some on boards that
they had loose with them in the ship, and others on the <I>broken
pieces of the ship,</I> every one making the best shift he could for
himself and his friends, and the more busy because they were assured
their labour should not be in vain; but so <I>it came to pass</I> that
through the good providence of God none of them miscarried, none of
them were by accident turned off, but they <I>escaped all safely to
land.</I> See here an instance of the special providence of God in the
preservation of people's lives, and particularly in the deliverance of
many from perils by water, ready to sink, and yet kept from sinking,
<I>the deep from swallowing them up and the water-floods from
overflowing them,</I> the storm turned into a calm. They were rescued
from the dreaded sea, and brought to the desired haven. O that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness!
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:30,31">Ps. cviii. 30, 31</A>.
Here was an instance of the performance of a particular word of promise
which God gave, that all the persons in this ship should be saved for
Paul's sake. Though there be great difficulty in the way of the
promised salvation, yet it shall without fail be accomplished; and even
the wreck of the ship may furnish out means for the saving of the
lives, and, when all seems to be gone, all proves to be safe, though it
be <I>on boards, and broken pieces of the ship.</I></P>
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