weakness, incident to the best of men! that Peter, who had first laid aside his prejudices, who had visited the Gentiles by divine direc tion, had seen the happy effects of his compliance, and vindicated his own conduct so unanswerably upon a late occasion, should now shrink and trifle, expose himself, and grieve his brethren, through fear of those who came from Jerusalem! To be deliver

deed! It was happy for Peter that he had, in his brother Paul, a faithful friend, who, by a few well-timed words, broke the chain, and set him at liberty. It is surprising that any who have read this passage should dream of fixing on Peter, above any other of the apostles, to be the supreme and infallible head of the christian church.

Justus and Silas, two of the brethren, were sent with Barnabas and Paul to accompany the letter, and to declare the purport of it more at large. They were gladly received at Antioch, and not only confirmed the peace of the church, but were further helpful to their faith, by the singular gifts with which the Lord had honoured them. In a little time Justus returned to Jerusalem, but Silas chose to continue longer, and was afterwards the constant companion of St. Paul in his travels.

and a letter to the same effect was written to the believers at Antioch, confirming them in their christian liberty. In this they thought it a sufficient condemnation of the opposite opinion to say, They had given no such commandment: a protestation the apostles might have often repeated had they lived to this day but since their genuine writings still subsist, we may, by parity of reason, still infer, that we need not be afraided from the fear of man is a deliverance inof rejecting any thing that is enjoined as binding upon the conscience, if we can be sure that the apostles, who were divinely inspired to explain the christian faith and practice, have given us no precept in its favour. They likewise took care to assert their firm persuasion, that their decision was agreeable to the dictates of the Holy Spirit. This convocation has generally been styled the first christian council; but indeed, when we compare it with those which bore the same name afterwards, and were professedly formed upon this precedent, we shall be almost tempted to say, that it was not only the first, but the last. Here were no intrigues practised, no temporal interests consulted, no fierce and bloody anathemas issued, to give a sanction to persecution, no uncertainty or animosity in the issue; but the affair was conducted with freedom and moderation, and the conclusion made by general consent, and to the satisfaction of both parties. How different in these respects from the spirit of after times! But though this answered the end in the present case, the judgment of the apostles was not entirely obeyed, even while they lived. This debate was revived in other places, and proved a frequent impediment to the peace of the church, so long at least as the temple and worship of Jerusalem continued, and gave St. Paul occasion to write his epistle to the Galatians expressly on this subject; nay, it seems the mistake still subsisted in Judea, though none publicly ventured to contradict the decree when it was made; for when, some time after, Peter went to Antioch, and conversed (Gal. ii. 11,) freely with the Gen-sides his tenderness to his fault, he seems to tile converts, living after their manner for a have been moved by considerations which season, yet, when some brethren came down ought to have no place where the service of from Jerusalem, he was so fearful to offend God is concerned. John was his sister's son; them in this matter, that he separated him- and this led him to consider his conduct in self again, and, by his influence, prevailed the most favourable light. Thus they were on Barnabas likewise to dissemble in favour both a little partial in the cause; but much of those of the circumcision. For this weak more wrong in the issue; for the contention compliance, whereby he seemed to over- became so sharp between them, that it broke throw what he had before established, St. their harmony. They determined to part. Paul withstood him to his face: he did not Accordingly, Barnabas took Mark, whose detract from his character by insinuations to company he had dearly purchased by the loss his prejudice behind his back, nor did he of Paul's, and sailed to Cyprus, his native content himself with reproving him in se-place; and Paul, choosing Silas in his room, cret; but as the offence was public, tending to confirm the Jews in their bigotry, and to offend the weak on both sides, he boldly and publicly rebuked him before them all. Strange

A. D. 50.] This obstacle being removed, the gospel flourished greatly at Antioch. But, amidst all their services and success there, Paul and Barnabas could not forget the converts they had left in Cyprus and Asia Minor. They proposed therefore to make them a second visit, to comfort them, and to see how the work had prospered in their absence: but a difficulty was started concerning John, surnamed Mark, who had formerly left them at Perga; and having probably repented of his irresolution, was now desirous to proceed with them again. Paul warmly opposed this, thinking him highly culpable for his inconstancy, and perhaps too much influenced against him by a spirit of resentment_not wholly excusable. On the other hand, Barnabas undertook his apology; in which, be

went through Syria and Cilicia, being recommended to the Lord by the prayers of the brethren. So that their former work was now divided between them.

1

I must venture to digress here a little for | bable had been converted by his ministry, the sake of two remarks, of which the course and a witness to his sufferings for the gospel of our history may often remind the reader. when he was there before. Timothy was of 1. How small an occasion will discover hu- Jewish extract by the mother's side, and man infirmity even in the brightest charac- carefully educated from his infancy in the ters! Not all the graces of Paul and Barna- knowledge of the scriptures; but his father bas, nor the remembrance of the services and was a Greek. This circumstance being genedifficulties they had jointly experienced, nor rally known to the Jews, and likely to renthe importance of the common cause in which der him less acceptable among them, Paul, they were engaged, nor the fear of giving to obviate their prejudices, directed him to offence to the world and to the church, could be circumcised; thus showing his readiness restrain these dear friends, fellow-labourers, to become all things to all men, so far as was and fellow-sufferers, from contending and consistent with a good conscience, and conseparating about a trifle. 2. How wise is the ducive to edification: for though, when the over-ruling providence of God, permitting observance of the Mosaic law was insisted on such things for the trial of some, the instruc- as necessary to salvation, he steadily opposed tion of others, and the better carrying on his it, and would not admit the least addition to own designs! In succeeding revivals of re- the doctrine of free justification by the blood ligion, the like differences have sometimes of Christ, he was willing to permit it to the taken place among the main instruments, and Jewish converts in their present situation, from as trivial causes; and though they have and to accommodate himself to their weaknot obtained without fault in some, and in-ness, for their advantage. He had before convenience to many; yet the event has withstood the circumcision of Titus, who was proved them no hinderance upon the whole. a Gentile, when it was urged as a necessary The work has become more diffusive, and point; but now that debate was settled in more incontestible, when persons of different favour of gospel-liberty: he proposed the cirtempers, sentiments, and talents, who seemed cumcision of Timothy himself. The seeming to superficial observers as the heads of dif- inconsistence of his conduct vanishes, if the ferent parties, have laboured with equal zeal difference of the two cases is rightly underand success in advancing the one great de- stood; but those who act from the most ensign of the gospel. As a skilful gardener larged principles, who know when and in raises many plants in a little spot of ground, what points resolution is necessary, and when and removes them afterwards to places where and how far it is expedient to yield to others, they will have more room to grow and will always be thought inconstant and inconflourish; so they who are designed for ex-sistent by the zealots of parties. In the tensive usefulness, are often first reared within a little compass, within the sight and knowledge of each other, where they are sheltered and strengthened, while tender, by their mutual advices, prayers, and examples, and seem to have only one heart and one mind. But were they always to continue thus closely connected, no one would have room to expand according to the measure of gifts and services which the Lord has appointed them; therefore they are thinned and transplanted: either persecutions from without, or weaknesses, mistakes, or jealousies among themselves, scatter them afar, to places and undertakings they had no thoughts of, and which would not have been otherwise attempted.

The apostle Paul, with his companion Silas (Acts xvi,) proceeded, as has been mentioned, through Syria and Cilicia, to the parts he had formerly visited. When he came to Lystra, he chose Timothy for his associate and companion in his journey, who it is pro

*To mention only one by anticipation,-the unhappy dispute between Luther and Zuinglius, and their respective followers, concerning the words, "This is my body." The difference between them was little more than imaginary; but the inischiefs it occasioned were real, important, and numerous, and would probably

have stifled the Reformation in its birth. if it had not been so remarkably under an almighty protection.

course of his progress, he delivered in every city, the decree lately determined at Jerusalem, which, though primarily directed to Antioch, was of equal force, as a rule and bond of peace, in all places where there were both Jewish and Gentile converts. Thus, having watered his former planting, he proceeded to preach in Phrygia and Galatia. The route of the gospel was directed by the Spirit of God, who restrained the apostle from entering the province which is called, by way of distinction, the Proconsular Asia. of which Ephesus was the capital: not that this country was to be excluded from the knowledge of Christ; for St. Paul preached in many parts of it afterwards with great success (Acts xix. 10;) but the proper season was not yet come, the Lord having an inportant service for them first in another place. For the same reason, and by the same influence, they were prevented going into Bithynia, which they had some thoughts of attempting. Thus, in a manner undetermined where they were to labour, they came to Troas, a sea-port in the Archipelago; and when their journey was now bounded by the sea, they received a further intimation of the Lord's will, and found that he had been leading them in the right way; for they were brought to a port proper for embarking to the

place where the Lord had designed to send as the chief instruments of their loss, and them.

A. D. 51.] Here St. Paul had a vision by night, of a man standing by him, whose garb and expression intimated his country, and entreating him, saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us." This vision was attended with such circumstances as left no room to doubt either its origin or meaning; so that, when he had communicated it to his companions, they assuredly collected, that the Lord called them into Macedonia. Accordingly they took shipping, and having a favourable wind, they soon arrived at Neapolis; from whence they proceeded by land to Philippi, a place of note, and a Roman colony. Their preaching and continuance in this city, which, in time, became the seat of a flourishing church, was productive of certain interesting and important events.

On the Sabbath-day they went out of the city to a place by the river side (a usual resort of the Jews for the exercise of public prayer,) where, meeting with some women, as it should seem, before the rest were assembled, they spake freely of the great subject which was always uppermost in their hearts and mouths. One of them, named Lydia, a native of Thyatira, and then resident at Philippi, gave a peculiar attention to St. Paul's discourse: the reason is assigned, the Lord opened her heart. The rest heard the same words; but the hearts of all are dull, contracted, and averse to spiritual truths, so that, without a divine interposition, the most powerful speakers speak in vain. Lydia heard to good purpose: she believed, and was immediately baptized, with her family, and gladly received the messengers of gospelgrace into her house.

brought them before the magistrates with the heavy charge (which is usually revived when the preaching of the gospel interferes with the views of interest,) that they exceedingly disturbed the peace of the city, by attempting innovations contrary to the established religion: they styled them Jews to the Romans, on account of their open abhorrence of idol-worship, which was carefully sup ported by the Roman laws and customs. The unthinking multitude soon joined in the alarm, and the magistrates, easily prejudiced by the terms of the accusation, instead of acting as impartial judges, declared themselves parties in the affair. Without examining into particulars, they violently tore off the clothes of Paul and Silas; and, having caused them to be beat with many stripes, they cast them into prison, giving the jailor a particular charge to keep them safely. This command was executed with severity. He thrust them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. But no walls or dungeons can exclude those comforts of God's Spirit which are promised to those who suffer for righteousness sake, and which are able to overpower the sense of every inconvenience. Paul and Silas were so little discomposed by this cruel treatment, that they joyfully sung hymns of praise to God, and were heard by the other prisoners, who probably were surprised at the cheerfulness they expressed in such circumstances. But they were surprised much more at the testimony the Lord immediately gave in behalf of his servants; for, while they were thus engaged, on a sudden the earth trembled; the very foundations of the prison were shaken, so that all the doors flew open, and Continuing to preach in this place so long every one's fetters and bonds were instantly as they remained at Philippi, they were often loosed. The noise awakened the jailor, who, met by a young woman under the influence supposing the prisoners were all escaped, of an evil spirit, who, as they passed by, cried and dreading the consequences, in the first after them, These men are the servants of transports of his terror, drew his sword to the Most High God, who declare unto us the slay himself; for so the false wisdom of the way of salvation, in like manner as the de- Heathens, ignorant of the awful realities bemoniacs had sometimes confessed our Sa-yond the grave, taught men to avoid the viour's authority and mission. It may seem strange that an evil spirit should testify in favour of the preachers of the gospel; but perhaps it was either to make them suspected of a confederacy, or to draw them into a snare. However, when this had been often repeated, St. Paul, who could not bear to be spoken well of by a spirit which was not of God, commanded him, in the name of Jesus, to quit his possession. The spirit, compelled to obey, left the woman instantly. But this opened a way to give them disturbance in another manner. Her masters, to whom she had formerly brought great profit by her divining talent, finding she was no longer willing or able to procure them advantage by that means, apprehended Paul and Silas, VOL. II. H

pressure of present troubles by desperately plunging themselves into an unknown eternity. But St. Paul, though in another part of the prison, and in the dark, was made acquainted with his purpose, and called out to him with a loud voice, "Do thyself no harm; we are all here." It increased his surprise to find that his design was made known to them, and that those whom he had treated so hardly should forget all their wrongs and interest themselves in his preservation. Such an instance of forgiveness and tenderness to an enemy, deeply affected him, and convinced him of the wrong he had done them, more forcibly than the sharpest expostulations could have done. This is indeed the peculiar triumph of a christian, to overcome evil with

to prevent farther inconveniencies, they would withdraw from the city; which they did, after they had taken leave of Lydia and the other disciples.

A. D. 52.] From hence, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, the residence of the Roman governor. Here Paul, according to his usual

good. He immediately called for a light, and, | magistrates willing to submit to his terms; in an agony of guilt and terror, sprung in, they came themselves, and honourably disand cast himself at the feet of those over missed their prisoners, entreating them, that, whom he had so lately tyrannized. After this expression of his respect, and compunction for the injury he had done them, he brought them out, and addressed them with that question, of the last importance to every awakened soul, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved!" Paul and Silas, who had but one answer to this question, suited to every rank of life, and to sinners of every degree, direct-custom, applying himself first to the Jews, ed him to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only and infallible means of salvation. This faith the Lord was pleased to give; so that, when he had brought them to his house, and heard them explain the doctrine more at large, he believed, and was baptized with all his family. Upon this his sorrow was turned into permanent joy, and now it appeared why the Lord had permitted his servants to be thus rudely handled. Amongst other reasons, it was on the account of this jailor, who would otherwise have remained a stranger to the gospel, if the Lord, in the unsearchable riches of his mercy, had not thus sent it to him, and, by the concurrent dispensations of his providence, disposed him to receive it with thankfulness, as life from the dead. It likewise proved the vanity of all attempts to suppress the truth. The magistrates and people abused the preachers, and put them in prison; but the effect was quite contrary to their intentions, for by this means the jailor, the instrument of their cruelty, with his household, were converted, and thus the apostle's enemies, through the over-ruling hand of God, became subservient to his design, and helped him to some of the first members of this new church.

The jailor, thus made partaker of the faith, expressed his gratitude to his prisoners: he washed their stripes, and set meat before them, and was soon freed from any suspense on their account; for, in the morning, the magistrates sent him orders to dismiss them from confinement. But St. Paul was willing to let them know that they had failed in their duty, and acted against those very laws and customs, of which, as Romans, they professed to be so tenacious. A citizen of Rome was not liable to bonds or scourging, and a subject of Rome, though not a citizen, could not be legally punished till he had been permitted to answer his accusers face to face, Acts xxv. 16. The apostle was injured in both these respects; they had punished him without trial, and they had bound and beat him, though he was a Roman: he therefore asserted his privilege. He might have insisted on satisfaction; but he was a christian, a willing disciple of a suffering Saviour: he had been once a persecutor himself, and had obtained forgiveness: therefore he found it easy to forgive. His remonstrance made the

discoursed and reasoned with them in their synagogues three successive Sabbaths, out of their own scriptures, opening the true sense of the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and then showing their accomplishment in the person of Jesus. His labour was not wholly in vain; some of them believed, and became disciples; but the rest, and the greater part, discovered the indignation and enmity of their hearts against the truth. Under such leaders, the unthinking rabble are easily instigated to do mischief; so that they found no difficulty to raise a tumultuous mob, who assaulted the house of Jason, where Paul and Silas resided; but not finding them there, they forced away Jason, and some of the new believers, before the magistrates. The accusation was, that the preachers of the gospel, who, from the effect of their dectrine in disturbing the false peacet of sin, began to be sufficiently described, when spoken of as men who turned the world upside down, and threw all into confusion wherever they appeared, were come thither also; that Jason had received and countenanced them; and that their fundamental tenets were inconsistent with obedience to government, since they professed and inculcated subjection to one Jesus, whom they styled their King. By such misrepresentations, the enemies of the gospel-doctrine have often aimed to render it obnoxious to the civil powers. The rulers were alarmed at this accusation; but being unwilling to proceed to extremities, though obliged to

*Acts xvii. 3. Opening and alleging; first explaining the true sense of the passage, and then laying down plain and undeniable deductions from it, applicable to the case in hand. Thus much is implied in the Greek preachers and writers in divinity. How many controwords divov 221 #nextidiusvos. A proper model for versies would cease, how much time would be redeemed, how many offences would be avoided, if it was universally followed, if the scriptures were explained in their true sense and connection, and nothing advanced

but what could be fairly deduced from such an explana

tion

It is still thought a sufficient and unanswerable ob

jection against the preaching of the gospel, to say, These opinions cause divisions and separations, and break the peace of families and communities. We may bring the point to a short issue: Did our Lord foretell this as one sure and perpetual consequence that would did not, what is the meaning of Matth. xii. 34-36? If attend the prevalence of his gospel, or did he not? If he he did, then by what name are we to call that manner of preaching, which has either no tendency, or no power, to disturb the false and dangerous peace of a

wicked world?

take some notice of what seemed to affect | respectable advocates for those principles of the interest of Cæsar, they took sufficient pleasure and pride, to one or the other of security of Jason and the rest for their good which all men are enslaved till the gospel behaviour, and dismissed them without far-sets them free. Here, in some measure acther trouble. In the mean time, Paul and commodating himself to the prevailing taste, Silas, against whom the violence had been he reasoned with the reasoners, and silenced chiefly intended, were sent safely away by the wise men of the world, in their own way, the brethren to Berea, where, regardless of by dint of argument; but the contest was untheir past dangers and sufferings, they pur-equal; their syllogisms soon failed them; and sued their endeavours to recommend the they were forced to retreat to their last regospel to the Jews; and, in this place, they fuge, an affected wit and raillery. Unable to met with a friendly reception. It is said the answer the force of his discourses, they Bereans were more noble than those of Thes- triumphed without a victory, and expressed salonica; for to be open to conviction and their contempt of him and his doctrine by a information is the mark of a noble mind: they word of the lowest and most despicable sigwere of a more free and ingenuous temper, nification, which our version not improperly not slaves to the fear of man, or the power renders a babbler; but perhaps no term in our of prejudice: they heard with candour, and language can sufficiently express the poignexamined the scriptures themselves to find ancy of the original. Others so entirely misthe truth. The gospel of Christ is suited to took the state of the question, that they give the fullest satisfaction to inquirers of thought he was a publisher or setter forth of this spirit. Accordingly, many of them be- strange gods; they thought that Jesus and lieved. But when the Jews of Thessalonica the Resurrection were deities they had not were informed of this, they followed Paul before heard of; and his discourse always thither, with a view to repeat the part they turning upon these topics, they concluded, had acted in their own city; but they came indeed with reason, that his only business too late: Paul had already planted the gos- and desire was to proclaim to all the divinity pel; and, leaving Silas and Timothy, who whom he worshipped. And it is no wonder were less obnoxious, to remain a little longer that, from a half-attention to his words, they with the brethren, he was conducted first to- should be induced to personify the Resurwards the sea, to elude the attempts of his rection as a deity, since the Heathens had enemies, and afterwards to Athens, a city altars erected, not only to Honour, Virtue, which, for its eminence in literature and all and Liberty, but to the vices and disorders the polite arts, was styled, by general con- of human nature, such as Fear, Shame, Fasent, the seat of the Muses. mine, and Fevers.

While the apostle waited at Athens for the This weak mistake gave occasion to sumarrival of Silas and Timothy, his spirit was mon him before the council, who bore the inflamed with a lively concern for the honour name of Areopagus, or the Hill of Mars, of God, and the welfare of souls: it grieved from the place where they met, an assembly him to see a city, so famed for refinement in high estimation for authority and wisdom, and philosophy, wholly given to idolatry, and whose particular office it was to superand, with respect to the most important con- intend the public religion, and preserve it cerns of life, quite upon a level with the most from innovation. It does not appear, howignorant barbarians. St. Paul is generally ever, that he underwent a formal trial before allowed, by those who will allow him little them. His opponents seemed rather disposed else, to have been a man of taste and letters. to gratify their curiosity than their malice: He was now at Athens, the school of philoso- their politeness, perhaps, made them somephy, and centre of the fine arts: painting, thing averse to the severer forms of prosestatuary, architecture, and elegance appeared cution, and content with the less invidious, in every quarter: but the affecting observa- though to many not less formidable methods, tion he had made of the state of the inhabit- of scorn and ridicule. Their prevailing pasants, so filled his mind, that he could take sion was the love of novelty; they spent little notice of any thing else. To those who their time in telling or hearing some new, understand the nearness and importance of or, as the Greek expresses it, some newer an eternal state, the highest improvements thing. The expected news lost its relish of unsanctified reason afford little more en- the moment it was known: and they were tertainment than the trivial sports of children, always in search for something newer still; or the more wretched amusements of lunatics. therefore the gospel, though the strongest, He was so struck with the ignorance, super- as well as the most important news they had stition, and wickedness of the people, that ever met with, could not engage such volahe could relish none of the beauties of the tile minds: while it was the newer thing, place; but, full of a different emotion, com- the freshest news, they were content to passionately laboured to inspire them with listen: but as soon as they were satisfied true wisdom. He was soon encountered by what it was, they wanted to hear something the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, the else. The apostle no where met with so