Footnotes

1. Acts 6:1 When Satan has assailed the Church without, and that to small purpose and in vain, he assaileth it within, with civil dissension and strife betwixt themselves: but the Apostles take occasion thereby to set order in the Church.
2. Acts 6:1 Of their parts which of Grecians became religious Jews.
3. Acts 6:1 In the bestowing of alms according to their necessity.
4. Acts 6:2 The office of preaching the word and dispensing the goods of the Church, are different one from another, and not rashly to be joined together, as the Apostles do here institute: And the Apostles do not choose so much as the Deacons without the consent of the Church.
5. Acts 6:2 It is such a matter, as we may in no wise accept of it.
6. Acts 6:2 Banquets though by the name of tables, other offices are also meant, which are annexed to it, such as pertain to the care of the poor.
7. Acts 6:3 In choosing of Deacons (and much more of Ministers) there must be examination both of their learning and manners of life.
8. Acts 6:6 The ancient Church did with laying on of hands, as it were consecrate to the Lord, such as were lawfully elected.
9. Acts 6:6 This ceremony of laying on of hands came from the Jews, who used this order both in public affairs, and offering of sacrifices, and also in private prayers and blessings, as appeareth Gen. 28, and the Church observed this ceremony, 1 Tim. 5:22; Acts 8:17, but here is no mention made either of cream, or shaving, or raising, or crossing, etc.
10. Acts 6:7 An happy end of temptation.
11. Acts 6:7 This is the figure Metonymy, meaning by faith, the doctrine of the Gospel which engendereth faith.
12. Acts 6:8 God exerciseth his Church first with evil words and slanders, then with imprisonments, afterward with scourgings, and by these means prepareth it in such sort, that at length he causeth it to encounter with Satan and the world, even to bloodshed and death, and that with good success.
13. Acts 6:8 Excellent and singular gifts.
14. Acts 6:9 Schools and Universities were of old time addicted to false pastors, and were the instruments of Satan to blow abroad and defend false doctrines.
15. Acts 6:9 Of the company and College as it were.
16. Acts 6:10 False teachers, because they will not be overcome, flee from disputations to manifest and open slandering and false accusations.
17. Acts 6:12 The first bloody persecution of the Church of Christ began and sprang from a Council of Priests by the suggestion of the University doctors.
18. Acts 6:13 An example of cavillers or false accusers, which gather false conclusions of things that are well uttered and spoken.
19. Acts 6:15 Hereby it appeareth that Stephen had an excellent and goodly countenance, having a quiet and settled mind, a good conscience, and sure persuasion that his cause was just: for seeing he was to speak before the people, God beautified his countenance, to the end that with the very beholding of him, the Jews’ minds might be pierced and amazed.