An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

That this Doctrine may be the better conceived, let us take notice, What was the cause that brought this trouble upon Paul at Ephesus; and we shall there see, how the same causes do still make men mad, and bitter enemies against the ways of God. The History we have related, Acts 19. from vers. 23. to the end of the Chapter: it is there declared, That no small stir did arise about that way, that is, the Evangelical way, the Gospel way preached by Paul. The occasion whereof was by one Demetrius a silver-smith, which made-silver shrines for Diana, that is, little Images, made for the worship of Diana, which was a trade of very great profit and advantage to him and others of the like craft; therefore he consults with them, and useth two arguments to enrage them.

That this Doctrine may be the better conceived, let us take notice, What was the cause that brought this trouble upon Paul at Ephesus; and we shall there see, how the same causes do still make men mad, and bitter enemies against the wayes of God. The History we have related, Acts 19. from vers. 23. to the end of the Chapter: it is there declared, That no small stirre did arise about that way, that is, the Evangelical way, the Gospel way preached by Paul. The occasion whereof was by one Demetrius a silver-smith, which made-silver shrines for Diana, that is, little Images, made for the worship of Diana, which was a trade of very great profit and advantage to him and others of the like craft; therefore he consults with them, and useth two arguments to enrage them.

First, That their craft would be in danger. The trade they lived upon would fall to the ground. And this certainly was that which did most prevail with him; and by this we see, how hard a matter it is to part with a profession or way of life, though never so sinful, if it be a profitable way. The matter of profit will be like dust in our eyes to hinder our sight; it is ready to put out all spiritual discerning in the conscience between good and evil, just and unjust. So that we are greatly to suspect our hearts in those things, that are matter of profit to us, lest they deceive us therein.