dow a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a 13 How active was this Apostle! 19 him, he said unto them, Ye I came into Asia, after what Have 19 It was doubly painful to St. example. move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the 25 And now, grace of God. behold, I know that ye all. among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you 25 It is wise to live with all men, as we would wish to die towards them in perfect love and charity. 26 The ministers of the Gospel boldly declare the whole counsel of God. They dare not be faithlessthey dare not risk the awful “ requisition of blood," threatened by God against watchmen who warn not. (Ezek. iii. 18, xxxiii. 6.) 28 The apostles, and those who were set as heads over the Church, were significantly termed-overseers of the Church-to take heed that other ministers continued faithful and diligent. They are succeeded by the bishops of the Church. overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased 29 False teachers did indeed "not with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my spare" the Church. departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them, Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And, now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive*. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all 35 The Apostle admonishes each individual to be industrious in his call ing. It is a base feeling which induces us, under the pretence of religion, to be idle, and dependent upon others' labours. 38 Blessed habit! In our going out and coming in, let us also commend Art thou rich remember this truth. Art thou poor? forget it not. The cup of cold water-the slightest act of kindness, offered in a christian spirit, bringeth blessing to the giver. This is one of the numerous sayings of our blessed Lord, remembered and handed down by the Apostles, but not recorded in writing. (See John xxi. 25.) AND it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: and finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist *, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came phet, named Agabus. "And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought Joel had foretold that the early days of the Messiah's kingdom should be marked by this very miracle. "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." (Joelˇii. 28.) down from Judæa a certain pro 11 The prophets frequently thus represented future events; by ac tions expressive of them. (Is. xx. 2. Jer. xiii. 1, xxvii. 2.) * Philip was called an Erangelist, not from his writings, but from preaching the Gospel-or the Ecangel, as it was called-to the Samsritans. He was appointed a Deacon. (See ch. vi. 5.) 13 How noble and elevated was the courage of St. Paul. For himself he recks not. All his care and sor row are for others *. him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the 15 And after 15 They got all things ready for their journey +. Lord be done. 18 St. James was the first bishop of Jerusalem; having under him presbyters or priests, and deacons. Exactly so is framed our own Apostolic church; Jesus Christ being the head of all. those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry, and when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; "them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest 21 This false aspersion, St. Paul, as we find, afterwards removed: stating exactly what had been his course of life and principle of action. 24 The Jews considered it an acceptable work of piety, to bear the charges of those who were under a Nazarite vow. Thus are we taught that the Gospel requires no extinction of our affections.-It but gives them a right direction. This was St. Paul's fifth and last journey to Jerusalem; twentyfive years after his conversion. The word elder, in the Latin tongue is, Presbyter: and from that is derived-Priest. orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am à Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. 25 So wisely careful was the Apostle, not only to seek peace in the spirit of love, but to ensue it in the spirit of self-denial. 39 How gladly should we avow our better citizenship-as fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: blest too with the freedom, wherewith Christ maketh free. |