A. D. 50, 51. 22. Then pleafed it the apoftles and elders, with the whole church, to fend cho fen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barna bas: namely, Judas, 23. And wrote let- 22. All the principal Members, and the whole Bulk of this Affembly, agreed to this Propofal; and accordingly it was refolved to fend two principal Perfons of the Council along with Paul and Bartion to the Gentile Converts of nabas, to carry their DeterminaAntioch, and the Parts thereabouts, viz. Judas or Jofes (the Apostle in Judas's Room, Acts i.) and Silas. 23. Which Determination they expreffed in a Letter to them, 6 thus The Apoftles, Elders, and People of the Church of Jerufalem, wifh all Health and Happiness to their Chriftian Brethren of the Gentile Part at Antioch, and the Provinces thereabout, who have been formerly profelyted to the fewif Religion, and Worship; tho' not fully made Fews, by Circumcifion.' [See Note on Chap. x. 2.] [And fee Mr. Benfon's Hift. of the firft Plant. Chrift. Relig. Vol. II. Chap. iii. Sect. 5 & 6.] 24. Forafmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, fubverting your fouls, faying, Ye must be circumcifed, and keep the law; to whom we gave no fuch commandment: 25. It feemed good unto us, being affembled with one accord, to fend chofen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas, and Paul: 26. Men 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 29. Whereas we understand, That 6 you have been troubled and perplexed about the Neceffity of Circumcifion, by fome Jewifh Chriftians that came from this Place, for that Purpose, (but without the leaft of our Knowledge or Confent.) We have therefore confidered your • Cafe in full Council; and have with the Direction and Affif'tance of the Holy Ghoft, fent 26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift. 27. We have sent therefore Judas, and Silas, who fhall also tell you the fame things by mouth. 28. For it feemed 51. 'esteemed and eminent Sufferers A. D. 50, good to the holy 30. So when they were difmiffed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epiftle. 6 30 & 31. As foon as the Letter arrived and was read at Antioch in a full Affembly, the Gentile Converts were made very eafy, and much rejoiced at fo folemn a Determination in their Favour. 31. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the confolation. 32. And Judas and Silas being prophets alfo themfelves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 32. And befides what Satisfaction they received from the Council's Letter, Judas and Silas being two Perfons of moft extraordinary Abilities in understanding the Scriptures, gave them many additional Reasons that tended to confirm them in the Excellency and Sufficiency of the Gospel Profeffion. 33. And after they 33 & 34. After they had thus had tarried there a fuccefsfully done their Meffage, Judas returned to the Apostles at fpace, they were let go Feru A. D. 52. go in peace from the 35. Paul alfo and others alfo. 36. And fome days after, Paul faid unto Jerufalem, but Silas had a Mind to stay at Antioch, perhaps to prevent any fresh Occafions of reviving the Dispute in the Absence of Paul and Barnabas. 35 & 36. Who though they continued fome Time after this with the Antiochian Clergy, had yet determined foon to travel over thofe Churches in Cyprus, Pifidia, where they had formerly been, and Pamphylia in the lesser Afia, (Chap. xiii.) to see what State and Condition they were in. ty where we have preached the word of the Lord, and fee how they do. 37. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whofe firname was Mark. 38. ButPaul thought not good to take him with them, who de 37 & 38. In this Voyage Barnabas would have taken Mark with them (as they did before, Chap. xiii.) but Paul would by no Means confent to take a Perfon that had deferted them in their former Travels. (Chap. xiii. 13.) parted from them from 39. And the con- they departed afunder and fo Barnabas took 40. And Paul chose 41. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. 39. In which they fo far difagreed, as to refolve to part and go into different Places, Barnabas and Mark into Cyprus, and Paul and Silas into Syria and Cilicia. Cyprus: 40 & 41. And having the folemn Prayers of the Antiochian Church for their good Succefs, they went through the several Countries forementioned (Ver. 36.) confirming the Chriftians in their Profeffion, С НАР, 3 CHAP. XVI. The CONTENTS. Paul and Silas at Derbe and Lyftra. Paul circumcifeth Timothy; and why. They deliver to all the Converts the Decree about Circumcifion. They go to Philippi in Macedonia. Lydia converted. A Damfel cured of an evil Spirit. A Clamour raised upon it. The two Apoftles fcourged, and imprisoned by the Roman Officers. An Earthquake frees them from their Chains. The Jaylor and his Family converted. The two Apoftles are difmiffed, and leave the Town. 1.THE HEN he came Lyftra: and behold, was a Jewels, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2. Which was well I & 2. * F ROM Cilicia, Paul A. D. 53. Derbe and Lyftra; in the latter reported of by the brethren that were at Lyftra and Iconium. 3. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcifed him, because of the Jews which were in those quarters for they knew all that his fa 3. Paul knowing the excellent Temper and Accomplishments of this Perfon, intended to ordain him into the Miniftry, and take him along with him in his Travels. But because he knew the Jews (to whom he was to preach) would never endure a Perfon (that was reckoned a few by being born of a Jewish Woman) to be a Teacher while he was uncircumcifed; in Compliance therefore with their Prejudice, he caufed Timothy to be circumcifed, and then ordained him. ther was a Greek. See Ch. xiv. 6. A. D. 53. 4. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apo fles and elders which 4. As they went through the feveral Towns of those, and the neighbouring Provinces, they gave every Church a Copy of the Apoftles Decree, concerning the little Obligation the Gentile Converts were under to the Jewish Law; (Chap. xv. 28, 29.) and for afferting their Chriftian Liberty. 5. And fo were the churches established in the faith, and increafed in number daily. 5. And by this fecond Vifit of Paul, thefe Churches were much confirmed in their Profeffion, and increased in the Number of their Members; especially the Gentile Part received great Comfort and Satisfaction, by finding themselves freed from the main Burden of the Jewish Law. 6. Now when they 7. After they were to Troas. 9. And a vifion ap- man of Macedonia, us. 10. And after he had feen the vifion, immediately we endeavoured 6 & 7. Having thus vifited all the feveral Parts in which Paul had formerly been, their Design was to proceed to the other Provinces of the leffer Afia, viz. Phrygia, and Galatia, Myfia, and Bithynia; but they were directed by the Suggeftion of the Holy Ghoft, not to attempt the preaching of the Gofpel for the prefent in thofe Places. 8 & 9. So that they only paffed through them, and arrived at Troas, where Paul had a Vifion, in which a Man of Macedonia came to him, and in a Posture of great Earneftnefs and Concern, begg'd of him to come over thi ther, and affift the People of that great Province in the Way of Salvation, by preaching the Gospel to them. 10. The Particulars of this Vifion were fo clear, and the Impreffions fo ftrong, that he had no |