"pafs through Macedonia into Greece. Now Berea, the laft city, in "which St. Paul is faid to have preached in Macedonia, could not be far "from Deffaretia, which was part of the ancient Illyricum. At the fame "time I must own, it does not feem at all improbable to me, that St. "Paul might in one of his journeys through Macedonia, (for St. Luke "relates his paffing through Macedonia three times) make an excurfion "into fome of the nearer parts of Illyricum, and plant the gofpel among "them, though not taken notice of in the hiftorie of the (s) Acts. It is "certain however, that during St. Paul's life the gospel was preached even in the remoter parts of Illyricum, and not improbably by the Apof"tle himself, after his release from his firft imprisonment at Rome. For "in his fecond epistle to Timothie, written when he was a fecond time prifoner in that great city, he informs him, that he had sent Titus "into Dalmatia."

If I were to alter the later part of that paragraph, agreeably to my apprehenfions, it would ftand thus: "It is certain, that during St. Paul's "life the gofpel was preached even in the remoter parts of Illyricum, and "more than probable by the Apostle himself, and that before his impri"fonment at Rome, when he was fent thither from Judea by Feftus. For "in his fecond epistle to Timothie, writ during that his imprisonment 66 at Rome, he informs him, that he had fent Titus into Dalmatia."

The fecond epistle to Timothie having been writ at that time, if any argument can be fetched from it, it must prove, that Paul had been in Illyricum, before he went to Jerufalem, and, probably, at the time, which we are now speaking of.

It appears to me very probable, that at this time Paul was in Illyricum, and Crete. But I cannot digeft the order of his journeys, fince St. Luke has not related them. St. Luke fays nothing of Paul's going to Treas. He only fays, that Paul went from Ephefus to Macedonia, and then came into Greece. Though Paul was preparing for his journey to Jerufalem, with contributions of Gentil/churches, he was not in a hurrie. Nor were those collections his only concern. Notwithstanding the tumult at Ephefus, he took leave of his friends there with a good deal of deliberation. St. Luke's words are, Acts xx. 1. And after the uproar was ceafed, Paul called unto him the difciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. Nor does St. Luke reprefent the Apoftle in great haste in that countrey. For he fays, ver. 2. And when he had gone over thofe parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.

It is now a common opinion, that (t) St. Paul did not go directly to Macedonia

(s)" All that St. Luke fays of his fecond journey is this: And when he e had gone over thofe parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came "into Greece. Act. xx. 2. All that is faid of the third journey is, that "whereas he intended to have failed from Greece into Syria, knowing that the Jews laid wait for him, he changed his mind, and paffed through Macedo «nia. ver. 3.... 6. At either of these times he might make an excurfion "into Illyricum, but most probably in his fecond journey." That is a note of Mr. Bifcoe at p. 425.

(t)" He did not go directly from Ephefus to Macedonia, that is, he did not take shipping at Ephefus: (that was not fafe:) but efcaped by land to Troas,

Macedonia from Ephefus, but went by land to Troas, and there croffed over to Macedonia. It is evident, that before he wrote his fecond epistle to the Corinthians, from Macedonia, he had been at Treas. For 2 Cor. ii. 12. he fays, he came to Troas, to preach Chrifl's gospel, and that a door was opened to him of the Lord. There is no abfurdity in fuppofing, that St. Luke, who fays nothing of Paul's having been then at Troas, and omitted the Apostle's journey into Arabia, and indeed many other things, has omitted an account of his going to Crete and Illyricum. Wall, and others, who compute no more than nine months between Paul's leaving Ephefus, and coming to Troas, in the way to Jerufalem, may find a difficulty in admitting what we contend for. But I think, I have fhewn it to be a fpace of almost two years, or about a year and three quarters. This alone will render it probable, that fomewhat was done by Paul, befide what is mentioned by St. Luke in Acts xx. 1.-6.

St. Paul's words in the epiftle to the Romans, writ at Corinth, in this period, are very remarkable: So that from Jerufalem, and round about, unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Chrift.-For which caufe alfo I have been much hindered from coming unto you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great defire these many years to come unto you. ch. xv. 19. 22. 23. He feems now, as it were, at eafe, knowing what he had done, and confidering, that there was nothing more left to be done by him in thofe parts. And why fhould not Illyricum be understood in the fame manner, as Jerufalem? He had been at Jerufalem : and confequently, I think, in Illyricum likewife. And I fhould apprehend, that now was the time, when Paul could first say so much, as he here does.

Jerome had no doubt, but that Paul was in Illyricum. "Chrift, fays (1) he, was with Peter at Rome, with Paul in Illyricum, with Titus in Crete." That opinion, it is likely, was built upon this text in the epiftle to the Romans. Confequently, it is to be fuppofed, that Paul had been in Illyricum, before writing that epiftle. Nor can any feafon be thought of more likely, than this period, between his leaving Ephefus, and coming to Troas, in the way to Jerufalem.

I fuppofe Theodoret to be of the fame mind with us, and to. confirmi what we are now faying, in his comment upon Rom. xv. 19. "He (x) "thews, to how many people he had preached: fo that from Jerufalem, "and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Chrift. "As if he had faid: I have not cultivated the nations in a strait line "only but going round about I have planted the doctrine of the σε gofpel in the Eaftern countreys, and also in Pontus, and like"wife

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as he fays 2 Cor. ii. 12. and from thence took fhip to Macedonia." Wall's critical notes upon the N. T. p. 205.

() Erat igitur uno eodemque tempore et cum Apoftolis quadraginta diebus .cum Thoma in India, cum Paulo in Illyrico, cum Tito in Creta, cum Andrea in Achaia. Ad Marcell. T. 4. P. i. p. 167. Bened.

(*) Διδάσκει δὲ καὶ πόσοις ἐκήρυξεν ἔθνεσιν . . . ἐν γὰρ τὰ κατὰ τὴν ἐυθείαν ὁδὸν παρακείμενα ἔθνη ἐγεώργησα μόνα, ἀλλὰ καὶ κύκλῳ περιιών, τάτε ένα, κα τα ποντικά μέρη, καὶ πρὸς τάτοις τα καταὶ ἀσίαν, καὶ τὴν θράκην, τῆς διδασκα λίας ἐπλήρωσα. Τέτο γαρ δηλοι τὸ κίκλῳ, Theod. in loc. Τ. 3. 1. 111. 112.

"wife in Afia, and Thrace. That is what he intends by round "about."

And Euthalius, in his prologue to St. Paul's fourteen epiftles, reckons ++ Illyricum among the countreys, where Paul had preached, and fays, that he converted a large part of it to the faith of Christ.

It may be not improper for us to give here fome attention to the hiftorie of Aquila and Prifcilla. They were with Paul at Ephefus, when he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians, in the fpring of the year 56. For he fends their falutations in thefe words: The churches of Afia falute you. Aquila and Prifcilla falute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their houfe. 1 Cor. xvi. 19. The Jews having been banished from Rome by an edict of Claudius, they came to Corinth, a fhort time before Paul. Acts xviii. I.... 3. When Paul went from Corinth to Ephefus, and Jerufalem, they went with him as far as Epbefus, and tarried there. 18. 19. When Paul wrote the epiftle to the Romans, at the end of his fe cond peregrination in Macedonia and Achaia, in the spring of the year 58. (as we suppose) they were at Rome. For Paul fends his falutations to them. Rom. xvi. 3. Afterwards they returned to Ephefus. For Paul fends his falutations to them in his fecond epiftle to Timothie, then at Ephefus. 2 Tim. iv. 19. which epiftle I think to have been writ in the fummer of the year 61. foon after Paul's coming a prifoner to Rome. And it has been fuppofed, that they continued at Ephefus the remainder of their life. Which to me feems not improbable. It is likely, that foon after Paul went from Ephefus to Macedonia, which he did in April· or May 56. they also went from Ephefus to Rome. They might return thither, with a view to fettle fome fecular affairs, they having before left Rome in a hurrie, in compliance with the edict of Claudius. Or they returned to Rome with a defign to continue there. For they feem to have had their familie with them. Says St. Paul, in the place before referred to, Rom. xvi. 3.... 5. Salute Prifcilla and Aquila... and the church in their house. Mr. Bifcoe (y) explaining these words, the church in their house, fays, "they had, it is probable, a confiderable number of "fervants to carry on their trade. Thefe, doubtlefs, were taught by "them the Chriftian faith by which means they had a church in their "house, wherever they fettled." And fpeaking of their being at Corinth he fays: "they (z) came from Rome, and fettled at Corinth: in whose " house at Corinth St. Paul took up his lodging, and wrought with them "at their trade of tent making.'

What I would obferve is this: that there is nothing in the hiftorie of these two excellent Chriftians, Paul's helpers, inconfiftent with the ac count, which we have juft given of this peregrination of Paul. Which is to this purpose. Paul removed from Ephesus in the spring of the year 56. and went into Macedonia. But which way he went, I cannot tell, whether by the way of Troas, or fome other courfe. He also was in Crete, and Illyricum about this time. Having spent the winter of 56. at Nicopolis,

†... πολλὰς μὲν πόλεις, πολλὰς δὲ χώρας περιενόσησεν, μικρῷ δὲ τὸ ἴλο λυρικὸν ἅπαν τῶν τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν εὐσεβείας δογμάτων ενέπλησε. Euthal. ap. Lace p. 520. (x) The fame p. 432.

(y) Upon the A&s. p. 433. Vol. II.

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Nicopolis, either in Thrace or Epirus, he came into Macedonia. Where he ftaid fome while. And near the end of the year 57. in November, or December, he came into Achaia, and particularly to Corinth, where he ftaid three months. Hence Paul intended to have failed to Syria. But understanding that the Jews laid wait for him, he returned again to Macedonia. And failed away from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to his friends at Troas in five days. Acts xx. 3... 6. That Paffover, which Paul kept at Philippi, we fuppofe to have been in the year 58. At Troas Paul ftaid feven days.

It is not needful for us to purfue diftinctly Paul's journey thence to Jerufalem, it being very clearly laid down by St. Luke, in the remaining part of ch. xx. and the begining of xxi. I obferve a few things only. xx. 13. And we went before by ship to Affos, [from Troas,] there intending to take in Paul. For fo he had appointed, minding himself to go afoot. By which, I apprehend, we need not fuppofe, that Paul walked all that way: the original word, as feems to me, importing no more, than that Paul chose to go so far by land: whilft the rest of the companie went by

water.++

Ch. xx. 16. For Paul had determined to fail by Ephefur, because he would not spend the time in Afia. For he hafted, if it were poffible for him, to be at Ferufalem the day of Pentecoft. As I fuppofe he was, though it is not particularly mentioned by St. Luke. So fays (a) Lightfoot: "St. Paul "cometh to Jerufalem at the feaft of Pentecoft, when the city was now "full of a confluence to that feftival." Whereby we may be able to apprehend the greatneffe of the multitude of the people, as intimated by St. Luke xxi. 27... 36. and the extremity of the Apoftle's danger, and the terrifying circumftances of it.

We have now gone through a period of about eight years, from Paul's leaving Antioch, not far from the begining of the year so. to his coming to Jerufalem at the Pentecoft in 58.

XI. I fhall next obferve the Apostle's hiftorie .. to the end of his Im- from this time to his deliverance from his imprifonment at Rome, prifonment at Rome.

Paul was above two years in Judea. He came to Jerufalem, as just faid, at the feaft of Pentecost in the year 58. And he was fent away to Rome near the end of the year 60. St. Luke's account of what happened to Paul in that space of time is in ch. xxi. 17... xxvi. 1... 32. For when he had been a few days at ferufalem, he was feized by a rude and enraged multitude, who would have killed him, if he had not been rescued out of their hands by Lyfias, a Tribune, and the chief officer at Jerufalem, under the Roman Governour: who fecured him in the caftle of Antonia, binding him with two chains to two foldiers. But before Paul was carried into the caftle, he made a fpeech to the people, as he ftood upon the ftairs going up into it. But the people not being at all mollified, and fill fhewing great rage, the Chief Captain ordered, that Paul fhould be brought

†+ Μεταμεληθῆναι δ ̓ αὐτὸς ἐν παντὶ τῷ βίῳ τρεῖς μεταμελείας μίαν μέσα ἐπὶ τῇ γυναικὶ προσεῦσαι λόγον ἀπόβλητον· ἑτέραν δὲ, πλεῦσας, ὅπως δυνατὸν ν πεξεῦσαι τὴν δὲ τρίτην, ὅτι μίαν ἡμέραν αδιάθετος ἔμεινεν. Plutarch. Vit. M. Caton. Maj.

(a) As before. Fol. i. p. 319.

brought into the caftle. The next day he loofed Paul from his bonds, and brought him before the Jewish Council. But a great diffenfion arifing in the Council between the members of it, the Captain was obliged to take him by force from them, and bring him into the castle. The day after the Captain being informed of a confpiracie to affaffinate Paul, prudently sent him from Ferufalem, under a ftrong guard, to Cefarea by the fea-fide, where the Governour Felix refided. After two years imprisonment Porcius Feftus came in the room of Felix, who, to gratify the Jews, left Paul bound. In a fhort time Feftus brought this prifoner's caufe to a hearing at Cefarea. And the Jews ftill profecuting him with great earneftneffe, Paul appealed to Cefar. Then Feftus, when he had conferred with his council, answered: Haft thou appealed to Cefar? Unto Cefar thou shalt go. A while after which Paul, and other prifoners in that countrey, were delivered to Julius, a Centurion, to be conducted by fea to Italie.

Whilft Paul was in Judea, he made a fpeech to the people at Jerufalem, already taken notice of, when he freely declared his principles and conduct. He was alfo brought by Lyfias before the whole Sanhedrim, or Jewish council. He pleaded before Felix in anfwer to the accufations of Tertullus, and the Jews, who employed him. He preached before Felix and his wife Drufilla, and was feveral times in the prefence of Felix. And before he was fent away to Rome, Feftus gave him an opportunity to appear, and plead before himself, and King Agrippa, and Bernice, and the Tribunes, and principal men of Gefarea: when Paul gave that auguft affemblie an account of his doctrine, and of himself from his converfion to that time. And it is manifeft, that Paul's discourse was well received. And both he and his doctrine were acquitted from all the charges and accufations of the Jews. For when the companie had withdrawn, they faid among themselves, where certainly they could fpeak with freedom: This man does nothing worthie of death, or of bonds.

Indeed, it must be owned, that Paul was civilly treated by all the Roman Officers, in Judea, Lyfias, Felix, Feftus, Julius. They all behaved, as Magiftrates ought to do. They gave their prifoner and his accufers a fair hearing, that they might know the truth of the cafe. Felix was a bad man. Nevertheless, he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minifter, or to come to him. ch. xxiv. 23. And he left Paul bound, when he should have released him. But it was only out of complaifance to the Jews, of whom he was afraid. And if there was any other defect of juftice toward Paul, in the behaviour, of the Roman officers; it may be fitly imputed to the powerful influence of the Jews, the people of the countrey: to whom Governours, fent in from abroad, would be obliged to fhew a great regard from political confiderations.

In ch. xxvii. and xxviii. 1. . . . 16. is an account of Paul's voyage to Rome, which St. Luke has related very diftinctly. As it was near winter, when they fet out; they met with bad weather, and were wrecked on the ifland Melita, now called Malta, lying fouth of Sicilie. There they ftaid three months. xxviii. 11. and then failed for Italie in a fhip of Alexandria. They landed at Puteoli, and fo went for Rome. Paul, and the other prifoners were delivered by the Centurion to the Captain of the

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