1. Let us consider the Author instrumental (for the Spirit of God is the principal) described by his name Paul; and in that briefly consider his Name, and his Person 1what he was. His name is Paul, so constantly in his Epistles, but in the History of his life in the Acts of the Apostles, he was constantly called Saul, till Chap. 13. In the Greek [Greek or Hebrew] and sometimes [Greek or Hebrew]. Now concerning his name, the conjectures of learned men are divers. Beza thinketh Saul and Paul to be the same name with a different dialect. Others say, he had two names, and they are different. Chrysostom thinketh Christ did in an immediate manner give him this name, thereby making Paul his servant in a peculiar manner; Imposition of names being a demonstration of dominion. Thus he altered Abraham's and Jacobs names. Others they say, it was in an humane way he was named Paul, either because of the conversion of Sergius Paulus, mentioned Acts 13. the Proconsul, who out of endeared affection to Paul, would have him called by his name; or as Austin thinketh, Paul assumed it himself, as signifying one that is little, to show his modesty, he calling himself the least of all the Apostles. But Sc•ligers conjecture seemeth most probable, That when the Jews were brought in subjection to the Romans, they had commonly two names, one of their own Nation, and another Roman, to ingratiate themselves, and also for more familiar converse; and therefore Saul is not called Paul, till upon the setting him apart to preach unto the Gentiles. But this is not so great a matter, as the consideration of his person, and his life what he was, and by the history of his life, which he himself also makes often mention of; he was a cruel and bloody persecutor of the Church 2of Christ, being mad against the Saints, and haling them before the high Priest, never satisfying his wolvish disposition against the sheep of Christ: At last he is converted in a miraculous and wonderful way, and of a persecutor made an eminent Apostle of Jesus Christ. So that we may with greater wonder say, Is Paul amongst the Apostles? then they did once, Is Saul amongst the Prophets? Here is a wolf made a lamb, a vulture become a dove, a Bramble made a Myrtle-tree.
1. Let us consider the Author instrumental (for the Spirit of God is the principal) described by his name Paul; and in that briefly consider his Name, and his Person 1what he was. His name is Paul, so constantly in his Epistles, but in the History of his life in the Acts of the Apostles, he was constantly called Saul, till Chap. 13. In the Greek 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and sometimes 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Now concerning his name, the conjectures of learned men are divers. Beza thinketh Saul and Paul to be the same name with a different dialect. Others say, he had two names, and they are different. Chrysostom thinketh Christ did in an immediate manner give him this name, thereby making Paul his servant in a peculiar manner; Imposition of names being a demonstration of dominion. Thus he altered Abrahams and Jacobs names. Others they say, it was in an humane way he was named Paul, either because of the conversion of Sergius Paulus, mentioned Acts 13. the Proconsul, who out of indeared affection to Paul, would have him called by his name; or as Austin thinketh, Paul assumed it himself, as signifying one that is little, to shew his modesty, he calling himself the least of all the Apostles. But Sc•ligers conjecture seemeth most probable, That when the Jews were brought in subjection to the Romans, they had commonly two names, one of their own Nation, and another Roman, to ingratiate themselves, and also for more familiar converse; and therefore Saul is not called Paul, till upon the setting him apart to preach unto the Gentiles. But this is not so great a matter, as the consideration of his person, and his life what he was, and by the history of his life, which he himself also makes often mention of; he was a cruel and bloudy persecutor of the Church 2of Christ, being mad against the Saints, and haling them before the high Priest, never satisfying his wolvish disposition against the sheep of Christ: At last he is converted in a miraculous and wonderfull way, and of a persecutor made an eminent Apostle of Jesus Christ. So that we may with greater wonder say, Is Paul amongst the Apostles? then they did once, Is Saul amongst the Prophets? Here is a wolf made a lamb, a vulture become a dove, a Bramble made a Mirtle-tree.
- 1Why this Apostle called Paul, who sometimes was called Saul.
- 2Pauls persecution of the Church of Christ. His conversion to it.
