4 He disputed in the synagogue. It is a wonder how that crop in which is in the Latin books, that Paul put in the name of Christ: unless it were because some reader would supply the want of the general sentence. For Luke setteth down two things in this place: to wit, that Paul disputed among the Jews: secondly that he began more plainly to profess Christ after that Silas and Timotheus were come. And though it be likely that he began to speak of Christ even at the first entrance, because he could not omit the principal point of the heavenly doctrine: yet that doeth not hinder but that he might use some other manner of disputation. Therefore I take pithein, that is to persuade, for to induce by little and little. For in my judgement Luke doth signify, that forasmuch as the Jews did handle the Law coldly and foolishly, Paul spake of the corrupt & wicked nature of man, of the necessity of grace, of the redeemer which was promised, of the means to obtain salvation, that he might awake them: for this is a fit and brief preparation unto Christ. Again when he saith that he was forced in spirit to teach that Jesus was Christ, his meaning is, that he was enforced with greater vehemency, to entreat & speak of Christ freely & openly. So that we see that Paul did not utter all things at one time: but he tempered his doctrine, as occasion did serve. ⟨p. 441⟩And because like moderation is profitable at this day, it is convenient for faithful teachers wisely to consider where to begin, least a preposterous and confused order do hinder the proceeding of doctrine. Furthermore though there were ferventness enough in Paul, yet is it no inconvenient thing that he was made more courageous by some new help: not that he was encouraged by shame or the hope which he reposed in his fellows, but because he considered that this help was sent him, as it were from heaven. But this forcing in the Spirit is not taken for a violent or external impulsion (as they say) as those which were called Phaebades and frantic men were wont to be carried away with devilish madness: but there was more ferventness added unto the wonted inspiration of the Spirit, which was in Paul, so that he was moved with new power of God, and yet did he of his own accord follow the Spirit as his guide. Whereas Paul did testify that Jesus is Christ, I expound it thus:
4 He disputed in the synagogue. It is a wonder how that crope in which is in the Latine bookes, that Paul put in the name of Christ: vnlesse it were because some reader woulde supply the want of the generall sentence. For Luke setteth downe two things in this place: to wit, that Paul disputed among the Iewes: secondly that he began more plainly to professe Christ after that Silas and Timotheus were come. And though it be likely that he began to speake of Christ euen at the first entrance, because he could not omit the principall point of the heauenly doctrine: yet that doeth not hinder but that he might vse some other manner of disputation. Therefore I take pithein, that is to perswade, for to induce by litle and litle. For in my iudgement Luke doth signifie, that forasmuch as the Iewes did handle the Law coldly and foolishly, Paul spake of the corrupt & wicked nature of man, of the necessitie of grace, of the redeemer which was promised, of the means to obtain saluatiō, that he might awake them: for this is a fit and briefe preparation vnto Christ. Againe whē he saith that he was forced in spirit to teach that Iesus was Christ, his meaning is, that he was inforced with greater vehemēcy, to intreat & speak of Christ freely & openly. So that we see that Paul did not vtter al things at one time: but he tempered his doctrin, as occasion did serue. ⟨p. 441⟩And because like moderation is profitable at this day, it is conuenient for faithful teachers wisely to consider where to begin, least a preposterous and confused order do hinder the proceeding of doctrin. Furthermore though there wer feruentnesse enough in Paul, yet is it no inconuenient thing that he was made more couragious by som new help: not that hee was incouraged by shame or the hope which he reposed in his felowes, but because hee considered that this helpe was sent him, as it were from heauen. But this forcing in the Spirite is not taken for a violent or externall impulsion (as they say) as those which were called Phaebades and frantike men were wont to be carried away with diuelish madnesse: but there was more feruentnesse added vnto the wonted inspiration of the Spirit, which was in Paul, so that hee was moued with new power of God, and yet did he of his owne accord follow the Spirite as his guide. Whereas Paul did testifie that Iesus is Christe, I expounde it thus:
