exasperated and stirred up the multitude, so that those very persons who could hardly be restrained from offering sacrifice to them, now used them like slaves, stoning them in so cruel a manner that Paul was thought to be dead, and as such they dragged him out of the city; but while the christians of Lystra were attending on his body, probably in order to carry him to the grave, he arose, and returned with them into the city; and the next day departed with Barnabas to Derbe, where they preached the gospel and converted many-no danger being able to terrify them from the work of the ministry.

Having visited several places, and finished the circuit of their ministry, they returned back to Antioch in Syria, from whence they at first departed. Here they summoned the church, and gave them an account of their ministry, the success it had met with in these different parts, and how great a door had thus been opened for the conversion of the Gentile world.

While Paul continued at Antioch, that famous controversy, with regard to the observation of the Jewish ceremonies under the Christian dispensation, was set on foot by certain Jewish converts, to the great disturbance of the whole church. And it was determined to send Paul and Barnabas to consult with the apostles and church at Jerusalem, that this affair might be settled on the most solid foundation. On their arrival, they first addressed themselves to Peter, James and John, the pillars of that church, by whom they were kindly entertained, and admitted to the right hand of fellowship. Perceiving by the account given them by Paul, that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to him, as that of the circumcision was to Peter, they agreed that Peter should preach to the Jews, and Paul to the Gentiles.

This being determined, a council was summoned, wherein Peter declared his opinion, and Paul and Barnabas acquainted them with the great things God, by their ministry, had done among the Gentiles-a plain evidence that they were accepted by the Almighty, though uncircumcised, as well as the Jews, with all their legal rights and privileges.

CHAPTER XXVII.

PREACHING AT ATHENS; SUCCESS OF MINISTRY AT CORINTH AND EPHESUS; DEPARTURE FROM EPHESUS AFTER THREE YEARS' RESIDENCE; ARRAIGNED BEFORE FELIX; CONFINED IN THE

JUDGMENT HALL.

HE controversy concerning the observation of Jewish ceremonies in the christian church being decided in favor of Paul, he and his companions returned back to Antioch; and soon after, Peter himself came down.

On reading the decretal epistle in the church, the converts conversed freely and inoffensively with the Gentiles, till some of the Jews coming thither from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew his conversation, as if it had been a thing unwarrantable and unlawful. By such a strange method of proceeding, the minds of many were dissatisfied, and their consciences very uneasy. Paul with the greatest concern observed it, and publicly rebuked Peter, with that sharpness and severity his unwarrantable practice deserved.

Soon after this dispute, Paul and Barnabas resolved to visit the churches they had planted among the Gentiles, and Barnabas was desirous of taking with them his cousin Mark; but this Paul strenuously opposed, as he had left them in their former journey. This trifling dispute arose to such a height, that these two great apostles and fellow-laborers in the gospel parted.

Barnabas, taking Mark with him, repaired to Cyprus, his native country: and Paul, having made choice of Silas, and recommended the success of his undertaking to the care of Divine Providence, set forward on his intended journey.

They first visited the churches of Syria and Cilicia, confirming them in the faith by their instructions and exhortations. Hence they sailed to Crete, where Paul preached the gospel, and constituted Titus as the first bishop and pastor of the island, leaving him to settle those affairs of the church

which time would not permit the apostle to settle himself From this place they returned back into Cilicia, and came to Lystra, where they found Timothy, whose father was a Greek, but his mother a Jewish convert, and by her he had been brought up under all the advantages of a pious and religious education, especially with regard to the holy Scriptures, which he had studied with the greatest assiduity and success.

This person Paul designed for the companion of his trav els, and a special instrument in the ministry of the gospel. But knowing that his being uncircumcised would prove a stumbling block to the Jews, he caused him to be circumcised; being willing, in lawful and indifferent matters, to conform himself to the tempers and apprehensions of men, in order to save their souls.

In this instance the apostle evinced much prudence, well knowing that inveterate prejudices in religious matters are not easily overcome; for which reason he is said to become all things to all men.

Every thing being ready for their journey, Paul and his companions departed from Lystra, passing through Phrygia, and the country of Galatia, where the apostle was entertained. with the greatest kindness and veneration, the people looking upon him as an angel sent immediately from heaven; and being by revelation forbidden to go into Asia, he was commanded by a second vision to repair to Macedonia to preach the gospel. Accordingly, our apostle prepared to pass 'from Asia into Europe. Here Luke joined them, and became ever after the inseparable companion of Paul, who, being desirous of finding the speediest passage into Macedonia, took ship with his companions-Silas, Luke, and Timothy-and came to Samothracia, an island in the Egean sea, not far from Thrace; and the next day he went to Neapolis, a port of Macedonia. Leaving this place, he repaired to Philippi, the metropolis of that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony, where they staid some days.

In this city, Paul, according to his constant practice, preached in a proseucha, or oratory of the Jews, which stood by the river's side, at some distance from the city, and was

much frequented by the devout women of their religion, who met there to pray and hear the law.

To these Paul preached the glad tidings of the gospel; and by the influence of the Holy Spirit converted many, especially a certain woman, named Lydia, a Jewish proselyte, a seller of purple, but a native of Thyatira.

This woman, being baptized, with her whole family, was so importunate with Paul and his companions to abide at her house, that they were constrained to accept of her invitation. During the time of the apostles' residing in this city, they continued their daily course of worshiping at the same oratory; and after several days, as they were repairing to the same place of devotion, there met them a damsel who was possessed of a spirit of divination, by whom her masters acquired very much advantage.

This woman followed Paul and his companions, crying out, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation."

Paul at first took no notice of her, not being willing to multiply miracles without necessity. But when he saw her following them several days together, he began to be troubled, and, in imitation of his great Master, who would not suffer the devil to acknowledge him, lest his false and lying tongue should prejudice the truth in the minds of men, commanded the spirit, in the name of Jesus, to come out of her. The evil spirit with reluctance obeyed, and left the damsel that very instant. This miraculous cure proving a great loss to her masters, who acquired large gains from her soothsaying, they were filled with envy and malice against the apostles, and by their instigation the multitude arose, and, seizing upon Paul and his companion, hurried them before the magistrates and governors of the colony, accusing them of intro ducing many innovations which were prejudicial to the state, and unlawful for them to comply with, as being Romans.

The magistrates, being concerned for the tranquillity of the state, and jealous of all disturbances, were very forward to punish the offenders, against whom great numbers of the multitude testified, and therefore commanded the officers to

strip them, and scourge them severely as seditious persons. This was accordingly executed; after which, the apostles were committed to close custody, the jailer receiving more than ordinary charge to keep them safely; and he accordingly thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

But the most obscure dungeon, or the pitchy mantle of the night, can not intercept the beams of divine joy and comfort from the souls of pious men.

Their minds were all serenity; and at midnight they prayed and sung praises so loud, that they were heard in every part of the prison.

Nor were their prayers offered to the throne of grace in vain; an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opened the doors, loosed the chains, and set the prisoners at liberty.

This convulsion of nature roused the jailer from sleep; who, concluding from what he saw that all his prisoners were escaped, was going to put a period to his life; but Paul observing him, hastily cried out, "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here."

The keeper was now as greatly surprised at the goodness of the apostles, as he was before terrified at the thought of their escape; and, calling for a light, he came immediately into the presence of the apostles, fell down at their feet, took them from the dungeon, brought them to his own house, washed their stripes, and begged them to instruct him in the knowledge of that God who was so mighty to save.

Paul readily granted his request, and replied that, if he believed in Jesus Christ, he might be saved, with his whole house. Accordingly, the jailer, with all his family, were, after competent instruction, baptized, and received as members of the church of Christ.

As soon as it was day, the magistrates, either hearing what had happened, or reflecting on what they had done as too harsh and unjustifiable, sent their serjeant to the jailer, with orders to discharge the apostles.

The jailer joyfully delivered his message, and bade them