two years; and during all that time, employed himself in studying the Jewish scriptures more carefully than ever, by the help of the new lights which had been bestowed on him, and in searching into the true nature of the law of Moses, and in attending to such revelations as Christ was pleased to make to him. And, having by these revelations, acquired a complete knowledge of all Christ's doctrines, sayings, miracles, sufferings, resurrection, and ascension*, and of the design both of the law and of the gospel, and of the confirmation which the gospel derives from the writings of Moses and the prophets, he returned to Damascus, a well instructed apostle of Christ, and there entered on the stated execution of his apostolical office, (No. XI.)-Acts ix. 22. But Saul increased the more in strength. His natural abilities and his gifts as an apostle, increased after his return from Arabia, not only by the revelations which had been there made to him, but now by continual exercise; so that through his knowledge of the scriptures, and by the assistance of the Spirit, and by the power of his eloquence, 22. He confounded the Jews which drvelt in Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ, or the great Personage foretold in the second Psalm.-23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him. And in prosecution of their malicious design, they applied to the governor of Damascus, under Aretas the king: And he, in compliance with their request, guarded the city so strictly, that the disciples were obliged to let their new preacher down by the wall, through a window in a basket. 2 Cor. xi. 32. See also Acts ix. 25.

Saul having thus escaped with his life, set out for Jerusalem to see the apostle Peter (Gal. i. 18.) of whom no doubt he had heard a great deal since his conversion. And in the different

* In affirming that Saul had the whole history of our Lord, and of his ministry communicated to him by revelation, I am supported by Saul himself, who tells us 1 Cor. xi. 23. That he received the institution of the Lord's supper, and the words of institution from Christ: and 1 Cor. xv. 3. that he received from the Lord, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he arose from the dead on the third day, according to the scripture.-How fully Saul was instructed in the things which concern the Lord Jesus, may be known from this, that he has mentioned a saying of Christ (Acts xx. 35 ) which none of the evangelists have recorded, and an appearance of Christ after his resurrection to James alone, not mentioned by them. Besides in Paul's epistles, there are many allusions to things done and said by Christ, which he could know only by particular revelation.

towns through which he passed, he preached Jesus that he is the Christ, as he had done at Damascus. And being come to Jerusalem, Acts ix. 26. He essayed to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas, who may be supposed to have learned Paul's conversion from Ananias and the brethren of Damascus, brought him to the apostles, Acts ix. 27, that is to Peter and James, for other of the apostles saw he none, (Gal. i. 19.) And declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus. After this, the disciples willingly received him. But he abode in Jerusalem only fifteen days, during which he lodged with Peter. And then went forth to Tarsus, as we shall see immediately. So that he was personally unknown to the churches of Judea (Gal. i. 22.) for some time.

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On one or other of the fifteen days which Saul now spent in Jerusalem, happening to pray in the Temple, he fell into a trance or ecstacy, in which the whole senses of his body being suspended, the impressions which his soul then received, were made by the immediate operation of God. In this trance, Saul had a vision of the Lord, who ordered him to leave Jerusalem quickly Acts xxii. 18. For they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. But Saul unwilling to depart, replied, 19. Lord they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. 20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. It seems Saul thought his change of sentiment and conduct, now well known to the Jews at Jerusalem, would certainly induce them to receive his testimony concerning Christ's having appeared to him by the way; because no other rational account could be given of his espousing that cause, which formerly he had persecuted with such fury. But Jesus having called him to a different work, answered, 21. Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.-Besides, there was a particular reason for Saul's leaving Jerusalem quickly at this time. Acts ix. 29. Having spoken boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against (Evisas) the Hellenists, the very persons with whom formerly he had joined in persecuting Stephen, they went about to slay him. 30. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Casarea,* and sent him forth to Tarsus,

The Cæsarea to which the brethren now conducted Saul, was not the sea-port of that name (described Chap. vi. initio,) but Cæsarea Philippi. $7

VOL. VI.

thinking that in his native city, he might preach the gospel to the Jews, with more success and less hazard than in Judea. After Saul's departure for Tarsus, 3. The churches throughout all Judea, and Samaria, and Galliler, had rest and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Thus was Saul in his turn, driven out of Judea by the rage of the Hellenists, or unbelieving Jews, who had come to Jerusalem from the provinces, and who were called Hellenists, probably because they used the Greek translation of the scriptures in their synagogues. These men, whose zeal for the institutions o Moses had brought them up to Jerusalem, were so offended at Paul for preaching Jesus, that they resolved to kill him; being set on by the rulers also, who could not bear that one whom they themselves had employed to persecute the saints, should go over to the persecuted party, and become a zealous preacher of the faith which they had commissioned him to destroy. But the persecution which now befel Saul, instead of hurting the cause in which he was engaged, greatly advanced it, by giving him an opportunity of preaching the Lord Jesus in foreign parts.

That Saul actually preached to the Jews and Proselytes in Syria and Cilicia at this time, may be gathered from his epistle to the Galatians Where, after relating his going from Jerusalem into the region of Syria and Cilicia, he adds, i. 22. And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ; 23. (Movov de axbortes) Only they heard, That he which persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed; That is, during Saul's abode in Cilicia, the churches of Judea heard, that he was preaching the faith of Christ. Where fore, in Cilicia particularly, Saul now founded those churches, to which after. wards the council of Jerusalem addressed their decree, and which are said to have been confirmed by Paul and Silas, in the Journey which they made through Syria and Cilicia after the council, Acts xv. 41.

While Saui was now in Cilicia, he had those visions and revetions of the Lord, (No. VII.) of which he speaks, 2 Cor. xii. 1. being caught up into the third heaven, even into paradise,

For he himself tells us, that after his leaving Jerusalem on this occasion, be came into the region of Syria and Cilicia. Gal. i. 21. which I think implies tha he did not go to Cilicia by sea, but travelled thither through the region of Syria.

where he heard and saw things which it was not possible for him to utter; but which were made known to him in this miraculous manner, to encourage him in the dangerous work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, whereunto Christ had called him. Nevertheless on that occasion, lest he should have been exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Savan to buffet him. This in all probability is what he calls, Gal. iv. 13. His infirmity of the flesh; and 14. His temptation which was in his flesh; through which he preached to the Galatians at the first. If so, Saul must have converted the Galatians, soon after his rapture, having gone from Cilicia into Galatia through Lycaonia. This thorn in the flesh, or infirmity of the flesh, or temptation which was in his flesh, under which the apostle at the first preached to the Galatians, may have been some bodily distemper of the paralytic kind, which by affecting his countenance and speech, made him, as he thought, unfit for public speaking; and therefore, fearing it might render his preaching unsuccessfui, he prayed thrice in the most earnest manner to be delivered from it. But Jesus told him, 2 Cor. xii. 9. My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. By this answer, Saul was perfectly reconciled to his condition. Nay he gloried in his infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.

Here, while we leave Saul in Cilicia, it will be proper to relate, that certain of the brethren who fled from Jerusalem after the death of Stephen, Acts xi. 19. Travelied as far as Phonice, and Cyprus and Antioch, (No. VIII.) preaching the word to none but unto Jews only. 20. Also certain men of Cyprus and Cyrene, coming to Antioch, spake to the Hellenists, that is, (if the present reading be genuine) to the Jews born in foreign countries who used the Greek language; preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them; they wrought miracles in proof of their doctrine concerning the Lord Jesus. And a great number believed, and turned to the Lord. The church of Christ at Antioch which was originally gathered from among the natives of Judea, being greatly increased by the conversion of the Hellenist Jews. 22. When the tidings thereof came to the ears of the church which was at Jerusalem, they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. This was Joses the Levite of Cyprus, to whom the name of Barnabas, that is, the Son of consolation, was given, on account of the

relief which he afforded to the brethren, by selling his land and dividing the price of it among them; and who by the gifts of the Spirit which he possessed, was one of the superior prophets. 23. Who when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith; and much people was added unto the LordThe increase of the church of Antioch last mentioned, was owing, I suppose, to the conversion of the devout proselytes. For as Barnabas came to Antioch after Peter had preached to Cornelius, it is reasonable to think, that if the gospel was not formerly preached to the proselytes of Antioch, Barnabas would without scruple preach to them now. Wherefore finding the work too heavy for him singly, and wishing to have the assistance of an able fellow-labourer, he went into Cilicia in quest of Saul; and having found him, brought him to Antioch, A. D. 44. after he had been about five years in Cilicia, (No. IX.)

Barnabas and Saul being come to Antioch, Acts xi. 26. Assembled themselves with the church a whole year, aud taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians, (No. X.) first in Antioch, perhaps about the time Barnabas and Saul came thither from Cilicia.-Ver. 27. And in those days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world, that is, throughout all the land of Judea; for the original word often denotes a particular land or country; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. This famine began in the fourth year of Claudius's reign, answering to A. D. 44. But it raged chiefly in the 5th and 6th year of that emperor.-Acts xi. 29. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwell in Judea. This determination was extremely proper: For the churches of Judea, being more exposed than other churches, to persecution and to the rapacity of the Roman officers, and to those outrages which the populace, under weak and corrupt go vernments, commit upon the objects of their hatred, the brethren in Judea could not have supported this dearth, if they had not been assisted from abroad. The church of Antioch therefore,

Before the clause above mentioned, the Cambridge MS. hath the following words: And while we were gathered together, one of them named Agabus, &c. which reading if genuine, implies that Luke the writer of the history was then present.