Chryfoftom in a homilie upon Acts xi. 19. and what follows, fpeaks to this purpose. "They heard, that Samaria had received the word, and "they fent Peter and John. They heard what had happened at Anti"och, and they fent Barnabas. For (f) that was a great diftance. And "it was not fit, that the Apoftles fhould go fo far as yet, left they "should have been esteemed deferters, and thought to have fled from "their own people. But it then became neceffarie for them to se"parate, [or go from thence] when the Jews fhewed themfelves to "be incurable."

In the Pafchal Chronicle are the expreffions, speaking of Paul. "Af"terwards (g) he coming to Jerufalem with Barnabas, and finding there "Peter, and the rest of the Apostles, with James the Lord's brother, the "Apoftles fend an epiftle to Antioch in Syria, establishing their church. "And Paul and Barnabas carry the epiftle to Antioch, as, the Acts fhew. "By this it appears, that the Ápoftles then wrote their catholic epiftles, "before their difperfion."

Such are the paffages of ancient writers, which must be reckoned to be of fome weight.

Let us now observe the hiftorie in the Acts. And it feems to me, there is reafon to conclude, that the Apoftles ftaid in Judea, till after the Council at Jerufalem, of which an account is given in the xv. chapter of that book. For St. Luke does continually speak of the Apostles, as being at Jerufalem, or near it. Acts viii. 1. And at that time, there was a great perfecution against the church, which was at ferufalem. And they were all fcattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. One of thofe perfons, who then left Jerufalem, was Philip, the Deacon and Evangelift: who went to Samaria, and preached Chrift unto them, and with good effect. Whereupon at ver. 14. Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerufalem, heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they fent unto them Peter and John. This needs no Comment. Here is proof, that when the reft of the difciples were scattered abroad, Peter and John, and the other Apoftles, were ftill at Jerufalem.

In Acts ix. 26... 30. is St. Luke's account of Paul's coming to Jerufalem, after his converfion. Where he fays, that the difciples were afraid of him..... But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apofles. St. Paul fpeaking of the fame journey, Gal. i. 18. 19. fays: Then after three years I went up to Jerufalem, to fee Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the Apostles faw I none, fave James the Lord's brother. Here we find, that at this time, three years after his conver

fion,

(7) Πολύ γὰρ τὸ διάσημα, καὶ ἐκ ἔδει τῆς ἀποςόλες τέως χωρισθῆναι ἐκεῖθεν, ἵνα μὴ νομισθώσιν εἶναι φυγάδες, καὶ τὰς αὐτῶν πεφευγέναι· τότε αναγκαίως χωρίς ζονται, ὅτε λοιπὸν ἀνίατα ἔχειν ἐδόκει τὰ κατ' αυτές. In Ad. hom. 25. Tom. 9. p. 202. 203.

(β) Μετέπειτα ἐλθὼν ἐἰς ἱεροσόλυμα μετὰ βαρνάβα, καὶ ἐυρὼν πέτρον καὶ τὰς λοιπές αποτύλες ἅμα ιακωβῳ τῷ ἀδελφῳ τῷ κύρια, γράφουσιν ἐπιτολὴν ὁι αποςόλοι εἰς ἀντιόχειαν τῆς σερίας, θεμελιῶντες τὴν αυτῶν ἐκκλησίαν, καὶ διακονᾶσι τὴν ἐπιτολὴν εἰς ἀντιόχειαν αυτός πᾶυλος καὶ Βαρνάβας, ὡς δηλῦσιν οι πράξεις. Εκ τότε δείχνονται, ὅτι καὶ τὰς καθολικὰς αὐτῶν δι ἀποφόλοι τότε γράφεσιν πρὸ τῆς διαστ Togas duτür. Chr. Pafch. p. 233. B. C.

e

fion, Paul faw two Apoftles only, Peter and James. But St. Luke's words, as feems to me, imply, that all the Apostles were then at Jerufalem, though Paul faw two only, the reft for some reasons declining to fhew themselves in person to him. Dr. Doddridge has this note upon ch. ix. 27. "Paul himself tells us, that upon his going up to Jerufalem, "he faw no other Apoftles, but Peter and James. Gal. i. 19. Beza "well obferves, we are quite uncertain, on what occafion, the rest were "then abfent from Jerufalem. Had they been there, though Paul staid "but about a fortnight, he would no doubt have seen them. Neverthelefs the folution of this difficulty appears to me very eafie. The Apoftles were now all at Jerufalem, or near it. But they lived privately, because it was a time of perfecution. The great perfecution against the church, which began with the death of Stephen, was not yet over. Apostles therefore could not appear abroad without danger. And it was fufficient, that they fpoke to Paul, and received him, by Peter and James. Which I take to be the true import of St. Luke's expreffion. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles.

The

After Peter had been at the houfe of Cornelius, it is faid, Acts. xi. 1. And the Apostles and brethren that were in Judea, heard, that the Gentils alfo had received the word. Another proof, that all the Apostles, or moft of them, were still at Jerufalem. But I do not fuppofe, that the Apoftles, like many other of the Jewish believers, were offended at what Peter had done. Or, if they were at first somewhat offended, they were foon, and easily fatisfied, and were very willing to teftify their approba tion of Peter's conduct.

From the 12. chapter of the Acts we know, that James fon of Zebedee, and brother of John, and Peter, were at Jerufalem, in the year 44. or thereabout, near the end of the reign of Herod Agrippa: the former of whom was beheaded, and the other imprifoned. And at ver. 17. is mention made of another James, fuppofed to be the Lord's brother, and always refident, at Jerusalem.

From the account of the Council of Jerufalem, and of the occafion of it, all the Apostles appear to have been then in Judea, and at Jerufalem, or in its neighborhood. Acts xv. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no fmall diffenfion and difputation with them, they determined, that Paul, and Barnabas, and certain other of them, fhould go up to Jerufalem, unto the Apoftles and Elders about this question. ver. 4. And when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and or even the Apostles and Elders. . . . ver. 6. And the Apostles and Elders came together, that is, met in Council, for to confider of this matter... ver. 22. Then pleafed it the Apoftles, and Elders, with the whole church, to fend chofen men of their own companie, to Antioch... ver. 23. And they wrote letters by them after this manner: The Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren fend greeting.. 33. And after they had tarried there a space, that is, at Antioch, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the Apostles..

ver.

In all these places the Apostles muft intend all the Apoftles, or the Apostles in general. For how can the expreffion be understood otherwife?

If it should be faid, that the Apostles might be at the Council at ferufalem, though feveral of them had been before in other countreys: I

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think.

think, that would be faid without ground and reafon. It does not appear, that the Apoftles were fent to, invited, or called in from abroad, to attend this Council. But the Chriftians at Antioch fuppofed, or rather knew, that the Apoftles were at Jerufalem, and therefore directly fent

thither to them.

Indeed none of the Apoftles are exprefsly named as speakers in the debates of the Council, befide Peter and James. But all the reft may have been there. So upon divers other occafions in the Gospels, and at the beginning of the Acts, Peter only spake, though all the reft were prefent. In Gal. ii. 8. 9. 10. St. Paul giving an account of a journey to Jerufalem, fuppofed to be the fame with this to the Council, fpeaks of conferences, which he had with three, namely James, Cephas, and John, who feemed to be pillars. Here is one more mentioned as prefent at Jerufalem, befide the two before taken notice of.

*

And there must have been

others befide thefe three, who feemed to be pillars, or were the most emi

nent.

The first time, that we meet with the mention of any one of the twelve, as being out of Judea, is that in Gal. ii. 11. after this Council, as is generally allowed, when Peter was at Antioch. It is very obfervable, Acts xi. 19... 22. when tidings came to the ears of the church at Jerufalem, that many Gentils had been converted at Antioch by fome of those who were scattered abroad by the perfecution, they fent forth Barnabas, that he fhould go as far as Antioch. None of the Apoftles went, not fo much as one, to accompany him. And afterwards ch. xiii. 1.. 3. in the account of the extraordinarie miffion of Paul and Barnabas from Antioch to Cyprus,' and other parts, there is no mention made of any Apoftle, as prefent at Antioch. And it is plain, there was not one there.

All these confiderations induce me to think, that none of the twelve Apoftles left Judea to teach either Jews or Gentils in other Countreys, untill after this Council.

Having now, as I apprehend, fhewn this to be very probable, I fhall mention fome remarks. Whereby there may be an opportunity for anfwering objections, though feveral have been already obviated.

I. There was a fitnefle in it. It was very proper, and even expedient, that the Apostles fhould stay a good while in Judea, to affert and confirm the truth of Chrift's refurrection by teaching, and by miraculous works, and do their utmoft to bring the Jewish People to faith in Jefus as the Chrift.

2. As this was fit, it is likely, that they had received fome command from Chrift himfelf, or fome direction froin the Holy Ghoft, to ftay thus long in Judea.

3. There were confiderations, that would incline them to it, and induce them to do what was fit to be done, and was agreeable to the mind of Chrift. One was the difficulty of preaching the gofpel in foreign countreys. This would induce them to stay in Judea, till the circumftances of things facilitated their farther progrefle, or called them to it. Another

Theodoret has a like argument: Εξ ὧν βάδιον καταδεῖν, ὡς ἐδέπω καταλέλο THI TÂY ledaiar ô Đɛños dæoséλos iwávvns. Theod. Pr. in ep, ad Eph. Tom. 3. p. 290.

Another thing was their affection for the Jewish People, their countrymen, especially thofe of Judea, with whom they had been brought up, and among whom they dwelt, together with a perfuafion of the great value of the bleffing of the gofpel. This laft confideration, I apprehend, would induce them to labor in Judea, with earnest defires, and fome hopes, of bringing all, or however, many, to faith in Jefus. This influenced Paul allo to a great degree, and for a good while. Nor was he without hopes of perfuading his brethren and countrey-men to what appeared to himself very certain and evident. So he fays in his fpeech to the people at Jerufalem. Acts xxii. 17... 20. He affures them, that whilft he was worshipping at Jerufalem, in the temple, he had a tranfe or extafie: that he there faw Chrift, who faid to him: Make hafte, and get thee quickly out of ferufalem. For they will not receive thy teftimonie concerning. Paul pleaded, that they muft needs pay a regard to his teftimonie, who was well known to have been for fome while very zealous in oppofing his followers, and was now convinced and perfuaded. But the Lord faid unto him: Depart. For I will fend thee far hence unto the Gentils. This tranfe, or vifion, feems to have happened in the year 44. after that Paul had preached at Antioch with great fucceffe among Gentils. Nevertheless he had an earnest defire to make one attempt more among the Jews of Judea, where was the body of that people. And if they could have been perfuaded, many abroad would follow their example. And it required an exprefs and repeated order from Jefus Chrift, in vifion, to induce him to lay aside that defign, and to proceed to preach to Gentils in remote parts.

me.

It is a most affectionate concern, which he expreffes for the Jewish people in divers places of the epistle to the Romans, writ fo late as the year 58. ch. ix. 1... 5. x. 1. 2. xi. 4. if by any means, fays he, I may provoke them to emulation which are my flesh, and might fave fome of them. Nor can it be queftioned, that the like fentiments prevailed in the other Apoftles. If it needs any proof, let St. Peter's discourses at the beginning of the book of the Acts be confulted, particularly ch. ii. 38. . 40. iii. 22. . . 26, not to refer to any other.

4. There were many advantages attending the stay of the Apostles in Judea. Many more Jews were by this means converted, than otherwife there would have been. St. Luke fays, Acts iv. 4. that the number of the men was five thousand. But when Paul came to Jerufalem fome years afterwards, James lays to him, Thou feeft, brother, how many thouJands of Jews there are which believe. xxi. 20. And it is very likely, that the Jewish believers had better, and freer principles, than otherwife they would have had. They were, it is true, for obferving the law themselves: ver. 20. but they agreed, that the Gentils were under no fuch obligations. ver. 25. Farther, by this means every step taken in planting the Chriftian Religion, and fpreading the gospel in the world, had the fanction of all the Apostles, and of the whole church of Jerufalem.

Upon occafion of the perfecution at Jerufalem, many were scattered abroad, who went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Chrift unto them. Acts viii. 45. Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerufalem, heard, that Samaria had re

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ceived

ceived the word of God, they fent unto them Peter and John. This was the first step taken in carrying the gospel to any, befide native Jews, and profelytes to their religion. And what had been done by Philip at Samaria, was approved and ratified by all the Apoftles.

The next step was preaching to Gentils, which work was folemnly allotted to Peter. And the Apostles and Elders that were in Judea, heard that the Gentils had also received the word of God, ch. xi. 1. Upon Peter's rehearsing to them the whole affair, and what had happened at the houfe of Cornelius at Cefarea, all were fatisfied. They glorified God, faying: Then hath God also to the Gentils granted repentance unto life.

ver. 18.

Soon after this, fome of those who were scattered abroad upon the perfecution, went to Antioch, and there fpake to the Greeks or Gentils, preaching the Lord Jefus. And a great number believed, and turned to the Lord, Then tidings of thefe things came unto the ears of the church, which was at Jerufalem. And they fent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch, ver. 19... 22, This ftep therefore was alfo approved and ratified by the whole church of Jerufalem, including the Apostles.

And henceforward no objections could be made by wife men against preaching to Gentils, and receiving them, but what arofe from the difficulty of the work. Nevertheless fome good while after this, there was a difpute raised at Antioch by fome bigotted Jews, who afferted it to be neceffarie, that the Gentil believers fhould be circumcifed after the manner of Mofes. This occafioned the Council of Jerufalem. Where the controverfie was fully determined by the Apoftles and Elders. Which was a great advantage. By this means the manner of receiving Gentils was fixed, and fettled beyond difpute, and beyond oppofition. Or, if any fhould be made afterwards, it could not be fuccefsful, nor very troublefome. And we may be affured, that all the Apoftles, and their difciples, would be harmonious, and preach the fame doctrine to Jews and Gentils, wherefoever they went.

5. There was a neceffity of the Apoftles ftaying in Judea, till about this time. Otherwife, they could not have fufficiently teftified the doctrine concerning Jefus in Judea, nor have fully taught the Jewish people, fo as to render them inexcufable, if they did not believe, and repent.

If we confider the state of things in Judea, we may difcern, that in the year 44. the Apostles had not had an opportunity to fulfill their ministrie in that countrey. It must be evident to all from the hiftorie in the Acts, that for fome while, foon after our Lord's afcenfion, the Apoftles were grievously harraffed, and hardly ufed by the Jewish Council or Rulers. Which was the more fo, because of the weakneffe of Pilate's government, for fome time before he was difmiffed from the province. And afterwards, about the time of his removal, Stephen was ftoned, and a great perfecution began. Which, as I apprehend, continued from the begining of the year 36. to the begining of the year 40. When the churches had reft, Of which reft undoubtedly the Apoftles made good ufe. St. Luke's words are: Then had the churches reft throughout Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoft, were multiplied, ch. xi. 31.

After