ficent retinue, where the prisoner was brought forth before him. Festus having acquainted the king and the assembly, how much he had been solicited by the Jews, both at Cæsarea and Jerusalem, concerning the prisoner at the bar, that as a notorious malefactor he might be put to death; but that having found him guilty of no capital crime, and the prisoner himself having appealed to Cæsar, he was resolved to send him to Rome; but yet was willing to have his case again discussed before Agrippa, that so he might be furnished with some material instructions to send along with him, since it was very absurd to send a prisoner, without signifying what crimes were charged upon him. Hereat Agrippa replied, that he had almost persuaded him to embrace the Christian faith; to which the apostle returned, that he heartily prayed that not only he but the whole auditory were, not only in some measure, but altogether, though not prisoners, yet as much Christians as he himself was. This done, the king, and the governor, and the rest of the council withdrew awhile, to confer privately about this matter; and finding, by the accusations brought against him, that he was not guilty by the Roman laws of any capital offence, no, nor of any that deserved so much as imprisonment, Agrippa told Festus that he might have been released if he had not appealed unto Cæsar; for the appeal being once made, the judge had then no power either to absolve or condemn, the cause being entirely reserved to the cognizance of that superior to whom the criminal had appealed. 6. Hereupon Agrippa told the apostie, he had liberty to make his own defence:* to whom, after silence made, he particularly addressed his speech. He tells him, in the first place, what a happiness he had, that he was to plead before one so exactly 7. It was now finally resolved that St. Paul versed in all the rites and customs, the questions should be sent to Rome;* in order whereunto he and the controversies of the Jewish law; that the was, with some other prisoners of note, commitJews themselves knew what had been the course ted to the charge of Julius, commander of a comand manner of his life, how he had been educated pany belonging to the legion of Augustus. Acunder the institutions of the Pharisees, the strict-companied by St. Luke, Aristarchus, Trophimus, est sect of the whole Jewish religion, and had been and some others, in September, ann. Chr. 56, or particularly disquieted and arraigned for what had as others, 57, he went on board a ship of Adrabeen the constant belief of all their fathers, what myttium, and sailed to Sidon, where the captain was sufficiently credible in itself, and plainly civilly gave the apostle leave to go ashore, to visit enough revealed in the Scripture, the resurrection his friends and refresh himself: thence to Cyprus, of the dead. He next gave him an account with till they came to the Fair-Havens, a place near what a bitter and implacable zeal he had formerly Myra, a city of Lycia. Here, winter growing on persecuted Christianity; told him the whole story and St. Paul foreseeing it would be a dangerous and method of his conversion, and that, in com- voyage, persuaded them to put in and winter. pliance with a particular vision from heaven, he But the captain preferring the judgment of the had preached repentance and reformation of life master of the ship, and especially because of the first to the Jews, and then after to the Gentiles; incommodiousness of the harbor, resolved, if posthat it was for no other things than these that the sible, to reach Phoenice, a part of Crete, and to Jews apprehended him in the temple, and design- winter there. But it was not long before they ed to murder him; but being rescued and upheld found themselves disappointed of their hopes; for by a divine power, he continued in this testimony the calm southerly gale that blew before, suddenly to this day, asserting nothing but what was per- changed into a stormy and blustering north-east fectly agreeable to Moses and the prophets, who wind, which so bore down all before it, that they had plainly foretold that the Messiah should be were forced to let the ship drive at the pleasure of put to death and rise again, and by his doctrine the wind; but as much as might be, to prevent enlighten both the Jewish and the Gentile world. splitting or running aground, they threw out a While he was thus discoursing, Festus openly great part of their lading and the tackle of the cried out, that he talked like a madman,t that his ship. Fourteen days they remained in this despeovermuch study had put him beside himself. The rate and uncomfortable condition, neither sun nor apostle calmly replied, that he was far from being stars appearing for a great part of the time: the transported with idle and distracted humors, that apostle putting them in mind how ill advised they he spake nothing but what was most true and real were in not taking his counsel; howbeit they should in itself, and what very well became that grave, be of good cheer, for that that God whom he servsober auditory. And then, again addressing him- ed and worshipped, had the last night purposely self to Agrippa, told him, that these things having sent an angel from heaven, to let him know, that been open and public, he could not but be acquaint- notwithstanding the present danger they were in, ed with them; that he was confident that he be- yet that he should be brought safe before Nero; lieved the prophets, and must needs therefore that they should be shipwrecked indeed, and cast know that those prophecies were fulfilled in Christ. upon an island; but that for his sake God had spared all in the ship, not one whereof should perish; and that he did not doubt but that it would accordingly come to pass. On the fourteenth night, upon sounding, they found themselves nigh some coast; and therefore, to avoid rocks, thought good to come to an anchor, till the morning might give them better information. In the mean time the seamen (who best understood Acts xxvi. 1. + The exclamation of Festus afforded a singular testimony to the merits and ability of the apostle. It was evidently forced from him by impatience and astonishment; but it served to cut the knot which his doubts and the difficulty of the case had suddenly created. Paul's politic conduct in appealing to Cæsar, was a sufficient proof of his coolness and prudence, as well as sanity.-ED. Acts xxvii. 1. the danger) were preparing to get into the skiff succeeded St. Denis, the Areopagite, in the see to save themselves; which St. Paul espying, told of Athens, and was afterwards crowned with the captain, that unless they all staid in the ship martyrdom. none could be safe; whereupon the soldiers cut 9. After three months stay in this island, they the ropes, and let the skiff fall off into the sea. went on board the Castor and Pollux, a ship of Between this and day-break, the apostle advised Alexandria, bound for Italy. At Syracuse they them to eat and refresh themselves, having all this put in, and stayed three days; thence sailed to time kept no ordinary and regular meals, assuring Rhegium, and so to Puteoli; where they landed them they should all escape; himself first taking and finding some Christians there, staid a week bread, and having blessed God for it before them with them, and then set forward in their journey to all, the rest followed his example, and cheerfully Rome. The Christians at Rome having heard of fell to their meat; which done, they lightened the their arrival, several of them came part of the way ship of what remained, and endeavored to put to meet them, some as far as the Three Taverns, into a creck, which they discovered not far off; a place thirty-three miles from Rome, others as but falling into a place where two seas met, the far as Appii Forum, fifty-one miles distant thence. forepart of the ship ran aground, while the hinder- Great was their mutual salutation, and the enpart was beaten in pieces with the violence of the couragement which the apostle received by it; waves. Awakened with the danger they were glad, no doubt, to see that Christians found so in, the soldiers cried out to kill the prisoners to much liberty at Rome. By them he was conprevent their escape; which the captain, desirous ducted in a kind of triumph into the city; where, to save St. Paul, and probably in confidence of when they were arrived, the rest of the prisoners what he had told them, refused to do; command- were delivered over to the captain of the guard, ing, that every one should shift for himself; the and by him disposed in the common jail, while issue was, that part by swimming, part on planks, St. Paul (probably at Julia's request and recompart on pieces of the broken ship, they all, to mendation) was permitted to stay in a private the number of two hundred threescore and six-house, only with a soldier to secure and guard teen, (the whole number in the ship,) got safe to him. shore. 8. The island upon which they were cast was Melita,* (now Malta,) situate in the Libyan sea, between Syracuse and Africa. Here they found civility among barbarians, and the plain acknow SECTION VII. martyrdom. ledgments of a divine justice written among the St. Paul's acts, from his coming to Rome till his naked and untutored notions of men's minds. The people treated them with great humanity, entertaining them with all necessary accommodations; but while St. Paul was throwing sticks upon the fire, a viper dislodged by the heat, came out of the wood, and fastened on his hand. This the people no sooner espied, but presently concluded, that surely he was some notorious murderer, whom though the divine vengeance had suffered to escape the hue-and-cry of the sea, yet had only reserved him for a more public and solemn execution. But when they saw him shake it off into the fire, and not presently swell, and drop down, they changed their opinions, and concluded him to be some god. So easily are light and credulous minds transported from one extreme to another. Not far off lived Publius, a man of great estate and authority, and (as we may probably guess from an inscription found there, and set down by Grotius, wherein the ПIP TO MEAITAION is reckoned amongst the Roman officers) governor of the island: by him they were courteously entertained three days at his own charge; and his father lying at that time sic of a fever and a dysentery, St. Paul went in, and having prayed, and laid his hands upon him, healed him; as he did also many of the inhabitants, who by this miracle were encouraged to bring their diseased to him; whereby great honors were heaped upon him, and both he and his company furnished with provisions necessary for the rest of their voyage. Nay, Publius himself is said, by some, to have been hereby converted to the faith, and by St. Paul to have been constituted bishop of the island; and that this was he that * Acts xxviii. 1. THE first thing St. Paul did after he came to Rome, was to summon the heads of the Jewish consistory there, whom he acquainted with the cause and manner of his coming; that though he had been guilty of no violation of the law of their religion, yet had he been delivered by the Jews into the hands of the Roman governors; who would have acquitted him once and again, as innocent of any capital offence, but by the perverseness of the Jews he was forced, not with an intention to charge his own nation, (already sufficiently odious to the Romans,) but only to vindicate and clear himself, to make his appeal to Cæsar; that being come, he had sent for them, to let them know that it was for his constant asserting the resurrection, the hope of all true Israelites, that he was bound with that chain which they saw upon him. The Jews replied, that they had received no advice concerning him, nor had any of the nation that came from Judæa, brought any charge against him: only for the religion which he had espoused, they desired to be a little better informed about it, it being every where decried, both by Jew and Gentile. Accordingly, upon a day appointed, he discoursed to them from morning to night, concerning the religion and doctrine of the holy Jesus, proving from the promises and predictions of the Old Testament, that he was the true Messiah. His discourse succeeded not with all alike, some being convinced, others persisted in their infidelity; and as they were departing in some discontent at each other, the apostle told them, it was now too plain, God had accomplished upon them the prophetical curse, of being left to their own wilful hardness and impenitency, to be blind at noon-day, and to run themseves against all means and methods into irrecoverable ruin; that since the case was thus with them, they must expect, that henceforth he should turn his preaching to the Gentiles, who would be most ready to entertain what they had so scornfully rejected, the glad tidings of the gospel.* case of servants: what admirable rules, what severe laws does it lay upon them for the discharge of their duties! It commands them to honor their masters as their superiors, and to take heed of making their authority light and cheap, by familiar and contemptible thoughts and carriages, to obey them in all honest and lawful things, and that "not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but 2. It was not, probably, long after this, that he in singleness of heart, as unto God:" that they was brought to his first hearing before the em- be faithful to the trust committed to them, and peror, where those friends whom he most expect-manage their master's interest with as much care ed should stand by him, plainly deserted him and conscience as if it were their own; that they afraid it seems of appearing in so ticklish a cause entertain their reproofs, counsels, corrections with before so unreasonable a judge, who governed all silence and sobriety, not returning any rude, himself by no other measures than the brutish surly answers; and this carriage to be observed, and extravagant pleasure of his lust or humor. not only to masters of a mild and gentle, but of a But God stood by him, and encouraged him; cross and peevish disposition; that "whatever as indeed divine consolations are many times they do, they do it heartily, not as to men only, then nearest to us, when human assistances are but to the Lord; knowing that of the Lord they furthest from us. This cowardice of theirs the shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for apostle had a charity large enough to cover, that they serve the Lord Christ." Imbued with heartily praying, that it might not be brought these excellent principles, Onesimus is again reagainst them in the accounts of the great day.† turned unto his master; for Christian religion, Two years he dwelt at Rome in a house which he though it improves men's tempers, does not cancel hired for his own use, wherein he constantly em- their relations; it teaches them to abide in their ployed himself in preaching and writing for the callings, and "not to despise their masters, begood of the church. He preached daily, without cause they are brethren, but rather do them serinterruption, to all that came to him, and with vice because they are faithful." And being thus good success; yea, even upon some of the better improved, St. Paul the more confidently begged rank and quality, and those belonging to the court his pardon. And, indeed, had not Philemon been itself. Among which, the Roman martyrology a Christian, and by the principles of his religion, reckons Torpes, an officer of prime note in Nero's palace, and afterwards a martyr for the faith; and Chrysostom (if Baronius cites him right) tells us of Nero's cup-bearer, and one of his concubines, supposed by some to have been Poppea Sabina, of whom Tacitus gives this character, that she wanted nothing to render her one of the most accomplished ladies in the world, but a chaste and a virtuous mind; and I know not how far it may seem to countenance her conversion, at least inclination to a better religion than that of paganism, that Josephus styles her a pious woman, and tells us that she effectually solicited the cause of the Jews with her husband, Nero; and what favors Josephus himself received from her at Rome, he relates in his own life. 3. Amongst other of our apostle's converts at Rome was Onesimus, who had formerly being servant to Philemon, a person of eminency in Colosse; but had run away from his master, and taken things of some value with him. Having rambled as far as Rome, he was now converted by St. Paul, and by him returned with recommendatory letters to Philemon, his master, to beg his pardon, and that he might be received into favor, being now of a much better temper, more faithful and diligent, and useful to his master than he had been before; as indeed Christianity, where it is heartily entertained, makes men good in all relations; no laws being so wisely contrived for the peace and happiness of the world, as the laws of the gospel, as may appear by this particular both disposed and obliged to mildness and mercy, there had been great reason why St. Paul should be thus importunate with him for Onesimus's pardon; the case of servants in those days being very hard, for all masters were looked upon as having an unlimited power over their servants, and that not only by the Roman, but by the laws of all nations; whereby, without asking the magistrate's leave, or any public and formal trial, they might adjudge and condemn them to what work or punishment they pleased, even to the taking away of life itself. But the severity and exorbitancy of this power was afterwards somewhat curbed by the laws of succeeding emperors, espe cially after the empire submitted itself to Christianity, which makes better provision for persons in that capacity and relation; and in case of unjust and over-rigorous usage, enables them to appeal to a more righteous and impartial tribunal, where master and servant shall both stand upon even ground; "where he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons." 4. The Christians at Philippi having heard of St. Paul's imprisonment at Rome, and not knowing what straits he might be reduced to, raised a contribution for him, and sent it by Epaphroditus, their bishop, who was now come to Rome, where he shortly after fell dangerously sick but being recovered, and upon the point to return, by him St. Paul sent his epistle to the Philippians, wherein he gives them some account of the state of affairs at Rome, gratefully acknowledges their kindness to him, and warns them of those dangerour opinions which the Judaizing teachers began to vent among them. The apostle had heretofore, for some years, lived at Ephesus, and perfectly understood the state and condition of that place; and therefore now, by Tychicus, writes his epistle to the Ephesians, endeavoring to countermine the principles and practices both of Jews and Gentiles, to confirm them in the belief and obedience of the Christian doctrine, to represent the infinite riches of the divine goodness in admitting the Gentile world to the unsearchable treasures of Christianity, especially pressing them to express the life and spirit of it in the general duties of religion, and in the duties of their particular relations. Much about the same time, or a little after, he wrote his epistle to the Colossians, among whom he had never been, and sent it by Epaphras who for some time had been his fellow-prisoner at Rome. The design of it is, for the greatest part, the same with that to the Ephesians, to settle and confirm them in the faith of the gospel, against the errors both of Judaism, and the superstitious observances of the heathen world, some whereof had taken root amongst them. and phrase of it to be more fine and elegant, and to contain in it a rich vein of purer Greek than is usually found in St. Paul's epistles; as every one that is able to judge of a style, must needs confess; that the sentences indeed are grave and weighty, and such as breathe the spirit and majesty of an apostle; that therefore it was his judgment that the matter contained in it had been dictated by some apostle; but that it had been put into phrase, form, and order by some other person that did attend upon him; that if any church owned it for St. Paul's, they were not to be condemned, it not being without reason by the ancients ascribed to him; though God only knew who was the true author of it. He further tells us, that report had handed it down to his time, that it had been composed partly by Clemens of Rome, partly by Luke the evangelist. Tertullian adds, that it was writ by Barnabas. What seems most likely in such variety of opinions 5. It is not improbable but that about this, or is, that St. Paul originally wrote it in Hebrew; rather some considerable time before, St. Paul it being to be sent to the Jews, his countrymen, wrote his second epistle to Timothy. I know and by some other person, probably St. Luke, Eusebius, and the ancients, and most moderns or Clemens Romanus, translated into Greek; after them, will have it written a little before his especially since both Eusebius and St. Jerome martyrdom; induced thereunto by that passage in observed of old such a great affinity both in style it, that he was then "ready to be offered, and and sense between this and Clemen's epistle to that the time of his departure was at hand." the Corinthians, as thence positively to conclude But surely it is most reasonable to think, that it him to be the translator of it. It was written, as was written at his first being at Rome, and that we may conjecture, a little after he was restored at his first coming thither, presently after his trial to his liberty, and probably while he was yet in before Nero. Accordingly, the passage before some parts of Italy, whence he dates his salutamentioned may import no more, than that he was tions.* The main design of it is to magnify in imminent danger of his life, and had received Christ and the religion of the gospel, above Moses the sentence of death in himself, not hoping to and the Jewish economy and ministration; that escape out of the paws of Nero; but that "God by this means he might the better establish and had him delivered out of the mouth of the lion," i. e. confirm the convert Jews in the firm belief and the great danger he was in at his coming thither: profession of Christianity, notwithstanding those which exactly agrees to his case at his first being sufferings and persecutions that came upon them; at Rome, but cannot be reconciled with his last endeavoring throughout to arm and fortify them coming thither; together with many more cir- against apostacy from that noble and excellent recumstances in this epistle, which render it next ligion wherein they had so happily engaged themdoor to certain. In it he appoints Timothy shortly selves. And great need there was for the apostle to come to him, who accordingly came, and whose severely to urge them to it; heavy persecutions, name is joined together with his in the front of both from Jews and Gentiles, pressing in upon several epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, and them on every side, besides those trains of speto Philemon. The only thing that can be levelled cious and plausible insinuations that were laid to against this is, that in his epistle to Timothy, he reduce them to their ancient institutions. Hence, tells him, that he had sent Tychicus to Ephesus, the apostle calls apostacy "the sin which did so by whom it is plain that the epistles to the Ephe- easily beset them," to which there were such fresians and Philippians were despatched; and that quent temptations, and into which they were so therefore this to Timothy must be written after prone to be betrayed in those suffering times. them. But I see no inconvenience to affirm, that And the more to deter them from it, he once and Tychicus might come to Rome presently after St. again sets before them the dreadful state and conPaul's arrival there; might be by him immediately dition of apostates; those who have been "once sent back to Ephesus upon some emergent affair enlightened," and baptized into the Christian of that church; and after his return to Rome be faith, "tasted" the promises of the gospel, and sent with those two epistles. The design of the been "made partakers" of the miraculous gifts of epistle was to excite the holy man to a mighty the "Holy Ghost," those "powers" which in the zeal and diligence, care and fidelity in his office, and to antidote the people against those poisonous principles that in those parts especially began to debauch the minds of men. "world to come," or this new state of things, were to be conferred upon the church; if after all this, "these men fall away," and renounce Christianity, it is very hard, and even 66 impossible to 6. As for the epistle to the Hebrews, it is very renew them again unto repentance." For by this uncertain when, or whence, and (for some ages means " they trod under foot," and "crucified the doubted) by whom it was written. Eusebius Son of God afresh," and "put him to an open tells us it was not received by many, because re-shame," profaned "the blood of the covenant," jected by the church of Rome, as none of St. Paul's genuine epistles. Origen affirms the style * Heb. xiii. 24. Chap. xii. 1. Chap. vi. 4, 5, 6. and "did despite to the spirit of grace." So, | both in the eastern and western parts, which is that "to sin" thus "wilfully after they had re- not inconsistent with the time he had after his deceived the knowledge of the truth, there" could parture from Rome. But of the latter we have "remain" for them "no more sacrifice for sins;" better evidence. Sure I am, an author beyond nothing "but a certain fearful looking for of judg- all exception, St. Paul's contemporary and fellowment and fiery indignation which should devour" laborer, I mean Clemens, in his famous epistle to these "adversaries." And "a fearful thing it the Corinthians, expressly tells us, that being a was," in such circumstances, "to fall into the preacher both in the east and west, he taught hands of the living God ;"* who had particularly righteousness to the whole world, and went to the said of this sort of sinners, that "if any man utmost bounds of the west: which makes me the drew back, his soul should have no pleasure in more wonder at the confidence of one (otherwise a him." Hence it is, that every where in this epis- man of great parts and learning) who so peremptle he mixes exhortations to this purpose, that torily denies that ever our apostle preached in the "they would give earnest heed to the things which west, merely because there are no monuments left they had heard, lest at any time they should let in primitive antiquity of any particular churches them slip;" that "they would hold fast the con- there founded by him; as if all the particular pasfidence, and the rejoicing of the hope, firm unto sages of his life, done at so vast a distance, must the end," and "beware, lest by an evil heart of needs have been recorded, or those records have unbelief they departed from the living God;" come down to us, when it is so notoriously known, that they would "labor to enter into his rest, lest that almost all the writings and monuments of any man fall after the example of unbelief; that those first ages of Christianity are long since leaving the" first "principles of the doctrine of perished; or as if we were not sufficiently asChrist, they would go on to perfection, showing sured of the thing in general, though not of what diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the particulars he did there. Probable it is, that he end; not being slothful, but followers of them, went into Spain, a thing which himself tells us he who through faith and patience inherit the pro- had formerly once and again resolved on. Cermises;" that they would "hold fast the profession tain it is, that the ancients do generally assert it, of the faith without wavering, not forsaking the without seeming in the least to doubt of it. Theassembling of themselves together, (as the man-odoret and others tell us, that he preached not ner of some was,") nor "cast away their confidence, which had great recompence of reward;" that "they had need of patience, that after they had done the will of God, they might receive the promise;" that they "would not be of them who drew back unto perdition, but of them that believed to the saving of the soul;" that "being encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses," who with the most unconquerable constancy and resolution had all holden on in the way 8. To what other parts of the world St. Paul to heaven, "they would lay aside every weight, preached the gospel, we find no certain footsteps and the sin which did so easily beset them, and in antiquity, nor any further mention of him till run with patience the race that was set before his return to Rome, which probably was about the them;" especially looking unto Jesus, the au-eighth or ninth year of Nero's reign. Here he thor and finisher of their faith, who endured the met with Peter, and was, together with him, cross, and despised the shame;" that therefore thrown into prison; no doubt in the general per"they should consider him that endured such con- secution raised against the Christians, under the tradiction of sinners against himself, lest they pretence that they had fired the city. Besides should be wearied and faint in their minds;" for the general, we may reasonably suppose there that "they had not yet resisted unto blood, striving were particular causes of his imprisonment. Some against sin; looking diligently, lest any man should of the ancients make him engaged with Peter in fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitter- procuring the fall of Simon Magus, and that that ness springing up should trouble them, and there-derived the emperor's fury and rage upon him. by many be defiled." By all which, and much more that might be observed to this purpose, it is evident what our apostle's great design was in this excellent epistle. 66 7. Our apostle being now, after two years' custody, perfectly restored to liberty, remembered that he was the apostle of the Gentiles, and had therefore a larger diocess than Rome, and accordingly prepared himself for a greater circuit, though which way he directed his course is not absolutely certain. By some he is said to have returned back into Greece, and the parts of Asia, upon no other ground that I know of, than a few intimations in some of his epistles that he intended to do so. By others he is thought to have preached * Heb. x. 26-31. only in Spain, but that he went to other nations, and brought the gospel into the isles of the sea, by which he undoubtedly means Britain; and therefore elsewhere reckons the Gauls and Britons among the nations which the apostles, and particularly the tent-maker, persuaded to embrace the law of Christ. Nor is he the only man that has said it, others having given in their testimony and suffrage in this case.* St. Chrysostom give us this account; that having converted one of Nero's concubines, a woman of whom he was infinitely fond, and reduced her to a life of great strictness and chastity, so that now she wholly refused to comply with his wanton and impure embraces; the emperor stormed thereat, calling the apostle a villain and imposter, a wretched perverter and debaucher of others, giving order that he should be cast into prison; and when he still persisted in persuading the lady * It is on an expression in the epistle of Clemens Romanus to the Corinthians, that the opinion reClemens says, that "he came to the borders of the specting Paul's journey into Spain chiefly rests; west;" but it is argued on the other side, that Rome or Italy only was intended by this expression.-ED. |