occasion, and to enable the two bodies of people to coalesce into one church, they are now directed to abstain from it.

The reason assigned for these prohibitory recommendations is that Moses has those who preach him. in every city; that is, there are Jews in every place, to whom such things would be highly offensive. This shows that what the apostle recommended was adapted to the times, and only regarded as temporary.

22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas, surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren;

The latter became the intimate friend and companion of Paul, as we find from this history. Some, indeed, have supposed that he is the author of the history*.

23. And wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting, "wish health," unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, "with

• Evanson's Dissonance, p. 106, &c. first edition.

doctrines," subverting your souls, rather, "unsettling your minds," saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment:

It seems hence as if they had pretended to speak in the name of the church at Jesusalem.

25. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, i. e. for the sake of his religion.

27. We have sent you, therefore, Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same thing by mouth.

28. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, our own natural reason and the miraculous powers communicated to us convince us that it is proper, to lay upon you no greater burthen than these necessary things; not necessary to salvation, but to the peace of the church;

29. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication;

from which if ye keep yourselves ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30. So when they were dismissed, rather, "when they departed," they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle,

31. Which when they had read they rejoiced for the consolation, "for this encouragement."

32. And Judas and Silas, being. prophets, "teachers," also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

The word prophets in this passage evidently means no more than teachers, and not persons who predicted future events as the term is generally understood; for all that they did was exhorting and confirming the brethren, which was a work of instruction and not of prophecy.

33.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go, "they departed," in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

They were received at first with joy, and now departed from them on the best terms: so far were they from taking offence at what had been done.

34. Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still.

This he did from attachment to Paul, as it afterwards appeared; for he accompanied him in his

travels.

35. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many

others.

REFLECTIONS.

1. Christians may learn instruction from the cau tion with which the Jews avoided every action which might be construed into an approbation of idolatry. They would not partake of those things which were offered to idols, although sent to their own houses, because they were regarded by the heathen as connected with religion; much less would they appear to countenance the worship of the temples, by honouring them with their attendance. Similar conduct becomes Christians of the present day, in respect to that fundamental article of religion, the worship of one God; every deviation from which, in modern as well as in ancient times, has been followed by many debasing superstitions, and a great corruption of morals: we cannot, therefore, be too careful in guarding against a practice which has always been followed by such nicious consequences. The first and great commandment is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love him with all thy heart; there is one God and none other but he:" when false objects of worship are joined with the true, the affections must necessarily be divided and the heart estranged.

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2. Christians would do well to learn an example of moderation from the conduct of the apostles and early Christians. Although they observed the law themselves, because accustomed to it from their earliest infancy, they did not require the observance of it from others, who had not been bred in the same habits, and to whom it would have proved painful and burthensome. Of some degree of conformity to the law, indeed, they approved; such as might be complied with without trouble, and would tend to soften the prejudices of the zealous Jews: but this conformity they do not authoritatively enjoin, but only recommend. Those who comply do well, but those who refuse are not condemned. "This gentle manner of concluding their letter," says Dr. Doddridge, "was worthy of the apostolic wisdom and goodness. Too soon did succeeding councils, of inferior authority, change it for the stile of anathemas; forms which have, I doubt not, proved an occasion of consecrating some of the worst passions of the human mind under sacred names, and which, like some ill adjusted weapons of war, are most likely to hurt the hand from which they are thrown."

Christians may also learn hence that to comply with the prejudices of mankind, where it can be done without injuring their own consciences, or misleading the judgments of others, is not only innocent but laudable, as it tends to soften animosities and to produce peace.

3. Let us ever keep in mind the important truth which the apostle James has suggested, when he says that known unto God are all his works; for hence it will follow that under his government no event can happen which has not been foreseen or intended; that there is nothing accidental or fortuitous; that there is nothing which can oppose or counteract his designs; but that every thing is contrived, even to the minutest circumstance, so as to favour the accomplishment of his purposes. Let this idea be continually present to our minds, and it will promote peace