rst sermon preached in the house of Justus, it is
said, "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the
Lord, and all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed
and were baptized," Acts xviii. 1, 7, 8. Here is Crispus and all his
house, (which probably was very great, he being the chief ruler of the
synagogue,) and _many of the Corinthians, believing_; an excellent
first-fruits; for who can justly say but Paul at his first sermon
converted so many as might be sufficient to make up one single
congregation? 2. Immediately after this (Paul having shook his raiment
against the Jews, who, contrary to his doctrine, opposed themselves and
blasphemed; and having said unto them, "Your blood be upon your own
heads, I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles," Acts
xviii. 6) the Lord comforts Paul against the obstinacy of the Jews by
the success his ministry should have among the Gentiles in the city of
Corinth: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not
afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no
man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this
city," Acts xviii. 9, 10. _Much people_ belonging to God, according to
his secret predestination, over and besides those that already were
actually his by effectual vocation. And _much people_, in respect of the
Jews that opposed and blasphemed, (who were exceeding many,) otherwise
it would have been but small comfort to Paul if by _much people_ should
be meant no more than could meet at once in one small single
congregation. 3. Paul himself continued at Corinth "a year and six
months teaching the word of God among them," Acts xviii. 11. To what end
should Paul the apostle of the Gentiles stay so long in one place, if he
had not seen the Lord's blessing upon his ministry, to bring into the
faith many more souls than would make up one congregation, having so
much work to do far and near? 4. "They that believed at Corinth were
baptized," Acts xviii. 8. (Baptism admitted them into that one body of
the Church, 1 Cor. xii. 13.) Some were baptized by Paul, (though but few
in comparison of the number of believers among them: compare Acts xviii.
8, with 1 Cor. 14-17,) the generality consequently were baptized by
other ministers there, and that in other congregations wherein Paul
preached not, as well as in such wherein Paul preached; it being
unreasonable to deny the being of divers congregation