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III. PROPHETIC.

REVELATION (Apocalypse) of John the Divine. This is the only prophetic book of the New Testament, and much of it remains still unfulfilled. It closes the Canon of Scripture, and the revelation of God to man. There is satisfactory evidence of its genuineness. Justin Martyr, living sixty years after its supposed date, ascribes it to John; Papias acknowledges its inspiration; Irenseus (disciple of Polycarp, who was John's own disciple) testifies to his authorship, and that he had himself received the explanation of one passage in it from those who had conversed with the apostle about it. To these may be added Clement of Alexandria, Theophilus, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Jerome, Athanasius, &c.

John was banished by Domitian to Patmos, after a vain attempt to martry him; but on the Emperor's death (A.D. 96) he returned, under a general amnesty, to Ephesus, and resumed the supervision of that Church. While in exile he saw and recorded these visions, in the introductory chapters of which incidental evidence is furnished that a considerable interval must have elapsed between the foundation of the Asiatic Churches and the composition of this book: e.g. they are reproached for faults and corruptions that do not speedily arise; the Nicolaitans had separated themselves into a sect; there had been open persecutions, and Antipas had been martyred at Pergamos (ii. 13).

Summary. I. Prefatory: The Divine authority of the record. The narrative of the first vision, respecting the Churches of proconsular Asia (i.).

II. The Messages to the seven Churches (ii., iii.), viz. (1) Ephesus: reproof for forsaking its first love and first works. (2) Smyrna: commendation of works, poverty, endurance of persecution. (3) Pergamos: reproof for false doctrine, immoral conduct, idolatrous pollution. (4) Thyatira: reproof to one party for similar corruptions; commendation to the other for their fidelity. (5) Sardis: reproof for spiritual deadness with mere nominal life. (6) Philadelphia: approval of its steadfastness and patience. (7) Laodicea: rebuke for lukewarmness. These predictions have long been fulfilled, but the remainder of the book is still a mystery, though generally regarded as prophetic of the history of the Church from the close of the first century to the end of time. By some the major part is considered to have had its fulfilment in the early ages of the Church; by others to have been gradually realized by successive religious revivals and persecutions; by others it is regarded as a picture of the historical epochs of the world and the Church. Its outline is as follows:--

III. The Prophetic Visions: viz.--

1. The Divine glory, sealed book, and the Lamb (iv., v.).

2. The vision of the opening of six seals; the sealing of 144,000 Israelites; the worship by innumerable multitudes of saints; and the opening of the seventh seal (vi., vii.).

3. The vision of an angel offering incense on the golden altar, followed by the sounding of six trumpets (viii., ix.).

4. The vision of an angel with an open scroll; seven thunders, and the angel's proclamation (x.); measuring the temple and altar; the two witnesses; sounding of the seventh trumpet (x., xi.).

5. The vision of the woman and the dragon; the conflict between Michael and the dragon; rescue of the woman; the rising of a beast from the sea, and of another from the earth (xii., xiii).

6. The vision of the Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Sion; the proclamations of the three angels; the harvest and vintage (xiv.)

7. The pouring out of seven vials of wrath (xv., xvi.); the woman sitting upon the beast (xvii.); the angel's proclamation of the fall of Babylon, followed by songs of praise and triumph (xviii., xix. 1-10).

8. The vision of the "Word of God," attended by the faithful, who destroy the three great enemies, viz. the beast, false prophet, and confederate kings (xix. 11-21); the binding of the dragon for 1,000 years; the reign of righteousness, and final conflict (xix. 11-xx. 10).

9. Visions of the final judgment, me new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem (xx 10-xxii. 5), with closing addresses from the angel, Christ, and John, enjoining the universal proclamation of these visions, and attesting the certainty of the predictions (xxii. 6-21).

63

Harmony of the Gospels

B.C.

3

A.D.

7 7-26

26

27

27

27

28

Events.

The Divinity of Christ........

Preface..............

Annunciation of the birth of John the

Baptist............i

Espousal of Virgin Mary.......

The Annunciation of the birth of Jesus . . The visitation of Mary to Elisabeth . . .

Her return to Nazareth........

J oseph's vision...........

Birth and infancy of John Baptist ....

Birth of Jesus............

Adoration by shepherds........

Circumcision............

Presentation and purification......

Genealogies.............

Adoration by the wise men.......

Flight into Egypt..........

Massacre of the Innocents.......

Return to Nazareth.........

Childhood of Jesus..........

With the doctors in the temple.....

Youth of Jesus...........

Mission of John the Baptist.

Ministry of John the Baptist . . . . Baptisms by „         â€ž         . . . .

Witness to Christ by „         . . . .

Baptism of Jesus „ „          . . . .

Temptation of Jesus .......

John Baptist's second testimony Call of first disciples (five) . . .

(Cfjrtst's JTtrst

First miracle, at Cana........

Visit to Capernaum........

First Passover: first cleansing of temple

Discourse with Nicodemus......

The Baptist's last testimony.....

Christ's visit to Samaria.......

„ return to Cana.......

„ healing of nobleman's son . . .

First Public Preaching. Imprisonment of John the Baptist.... Christ's preaching in Galilee:—

„            „ at Nazareth.....

,, „ at Capernaum .... Call pf Andrew. Peter, James, and John . Miracles:—Casting out a devil.....

„'■ Healing Peter's mother-in-law.

,,               â€ž many sick and diseased

First General Circuit.

Preparatory Prayer.........

Circuit through Galilee........

Sermoi on the Mount

Sermoii in the boat; miraculous draught offth.............

Healingiof a leper..........

Retirement for prayer......'. . .

Healingpf palsied man........

Call of UMatthew (Levi), supper, and dis-couite

gear's

Second Aassover

Miracle at Bethesda, and discourse on it .

The Sab oath; plucking corn......

The mirasle of the withered hand ....

Opposition of Herodians........

Retirement for prayer.........

Ordinatic i of Twelve Apostles.....

Sermon i the Plain (of Gennesaret) . . . Healing c nturion's servant......

,, s ii of widow of Nain......

Message I'om John Baptist; Christ's tes-

timoi t.............

Locality.

Jerusalem

Nazareth .

Hebron, or Juttah . .

Nazareth . Hebron . Bethlehem

Jerusalem

Bethlehem Egypt . . Bethlehem Nazareth .

Jerusalem Nazareth .

Bethabara

Wilderness of

Judaea . Bethabara

Cana . . . Capernaum . Jerusalem .

iEnon ,

Sychar

Cana

Machaeriis

Nazareth . Capernaum

Hill above Gennesaret.

Gennesaret .

Capernaum

Jerusalem

Galilee. . Capernaum

near „

Nain . . Capernaum

63

Matt.

i. 18

i. 20—25

i. 25

1.17 ii. 1—12 ii. 13—15 ii. 16—18 ii. 19—23

iii. 1—4 iii. 5 iii. 11,12 iii. 15—17

iv. 1-11

iv. 12

iv. 13 iy. 18—22

iv. 23-25 v.—vii. 27

Tiii. 2-4

ix. 2 ix.9

xii. 1 xii. 10 xii. 14

x!

viii. 5—13*

xi. 2—7

Mark.

i.1-8 i. 5

i. 7, 8 i.9-11

i. 12,13

i. 14 vi. 1

• •

i. 16 i. 23 i. 29 i. 32

5.35 i. 39

i. 40 i. 45 ii. 1

ii. 13-18

ii. 23 iii. 1 iii. 6 iii. 13 iii. 14

Luke.

11—4

i. 5—25

i. 27 i. 26—38

i. 89—55 i. 56

i. 57—80 ii. 1—7 ii. 8—16 ii. 21 ii. 22-29 iii. 23

ii. 39 ii. 40 ii. 46—50 ii. 51

iii. 1—6

iii. 7

iii. 15—18

iii. 21, 22

iv. 1-13

iv. 15-30 iv. 31

iv. 33 iv. 38 iv. 40

iv. 42 iv. 44

v.l

v. 12 v. 16 V. 17

v. 27-33

vi.l vi. 6 vi. 11 vi. 12 vi. 13 vi. 17-49 vii. 1 vii. 11

vii. 17—24

John.

i. 1—5

i. 6—15

i. 19-35 i. 37—51

ii. 1-11 ii. 12 ii. 13—23

iii. 1—21 iii. 25—36 iv. 1—42 iv. 43—46 iv. 46—54

v.l

v. 2-47

64

Harmony of the Gospels-(continued).

A.D.

28

28

28

Warning to Chorazjn, &c. Mary Magdalene . . . .

Events.

Second General Circuit.

Through Galilee........

Healing of a demoniac.....

Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.

The unclean spirit.......

The interruption of His relatives . ^arables.—The Sower ,#....

Tares. .   . Mustard seed

Leaven .   .

Candle .   .

Treasure    .

Pearl . .   .

Net. . .   .

Christ calms the storm .   .

Locality.

Capernaum . Capernaum (?)

xi. 20—28

Galilee. . Capernaum

Plain of Gen nesaret.

„ suffers devils to enter the swine Parables:—Bridegroom......

New cloth and new wine . Miracles:—Issue of blood.....

Jairus' daughter ....

Two blind men.....

Dumb spirit......

Third General Circuit.

Mission of the Twelve Apostles.....

Death of John the Baptist.......

Feeding five thousand.........

Walking on the water.........

Discourse on the plain and in the synagogue

Discourse on pollution........

Syrophoenician woman........

Miracles:—Healing of the deaf and dumb

man........

„ of many sick......

Feeding four thousand ....

Parable of leaven..........

Healing blind man..........

Peter's confession of Christ's Divinity . . Transfiguration..........

Healing demoniac child.....,

Predictions of His Passion . . . . , The stater in the fish's mouth . . .

Lesson on docility........

,, forgiveness.......

,, self-denial.....„ .

Parable of the unmerciful servant . , The Feast of Tabernacles . . . ,

Discourses ........

Officers sent to arrest Him .

The adulteress.....

Discourses.......

Threatened with stoning Healing of blind man, and discourses

Christ the Door........

Good Shepherd ....

Feast of Dedication......

Christ's oneness with the Father . „ retreat across the Jordan . „ raising of Lazarus .... „ retreat to Ephraim . . .

•      „ repulse by the Samaritans

• Mission of the Seventy .....

• Parable of the Good Samaritan .

•  Visit to Martha and Mary . . .

• The Lord's. Prayer......

Sea ol Genne

saret, . Gadara Capernaum

Gennesaret Capernaum

Mach33rus Bethsaida Lake . . Capernaum

Phoenicia. . Decapolis. . Gennesaret . Bethsaida

Mount Tabor, or Hermon

»» • Galilee. . . Capernaum .

Jerusalem

Parable of the importunity of a friend

The dumb spirit.........

The rich fool..........

God's providence to birds and flowers

The barren fig tree ........

The woman with an infirmity . . .

• The mustard seed......,

• Healing the man with dropsy . . .

• Lesson on humility.......

Persea . .

Bethany .   .

Ephraim .   .

Samaria .    .

Galilee . .   .

Jerusalem    .

Bethany .   . Mount of 0-

lives . .   .

Jerusalem

Matt.

xii. 22 xii. 24

ii. 43

ii. 46

xiii.,1-9,18 —23

iii. 24 riii. 31

iii. 33

• • • •

:iii. 44 xiii. 45 xiii. 47

viii. 24 viii. 28 ix. 15 ix. 16,17

Mark.

ix. 27 ix. 32

x.l

xiv. 1 xiv. 13 xiv. 25 xiv. 34

xv. 1—20 xv. 21

xv. 29 xv. 32 xvi. 5

xvi.13*

xvii. 1 xvii. 14 xvii. 22 xvii. 27 xviii. 1 xviii. 15 xviii. 18 xviii. 23

iii. 19 iii. 22

iii. 31 iv.1,14-20

iv.30 iv. 21

iv.37 v.l

v. 22

vi. 6—11 vi. 14 vi. 30

vi. 48

Luke.

vii. 1—23 vii. 24

vii. 32

viii. 1 viii. 14 viii. 22 viii. 27

ix. 2 ix. 14 ix. 30

ix. 33 ix. 43

vii. 36

viii. 1—3

viii. 4, ll-

viii. 16

viii. 23 viii. 27

viii. 41

ix. 1-3 ix. 7 ix. 12

John.

vi. 1 vi. 19 vi. 22—70

ix. 18

ix. 28 ix. 37 ix. 43

ix. 46

vi.9-13

ix. 53 : x. 1-17 ! x. 30 x. 38

xi. 2—4 ! xi. 5 xi. 14 xii. 16 xii. 22-)30 xiii. 6 xiii. 11 xiii. 18 xiv. 1-xiv. 7

vii. 2,10 vii. 30-46 vii. 30,46 viii. 3 viii. 12 viii. 59 ix. 1 x.l x. 11 x. 22 x. 30 x. 40 xi. 1 xi. 54

As an interval of nearly three months occurred between the Feasts of Tabernacles and Dtiication, some place the events marked* in that interval, and vary their order, putting the "healing of t^e ten lepers" immediately after the "repulse by the Samaritans."

_

65

Harmony of the Gospels-(continued).

A.D.

28

29

29

Events.

Parables:—The Great supper......

„ Lost sheep and piece of

silver.......

„ Frqdigal son......

„ Unjust steward.....

„ Dives and Lazarus....

• The ten lepers...........

Parables:—Importunate widow.....

Pharisee and publican ....

Rich young man......

Labourers in the vineyard . . Ten pounds........

• Healing blind Bartimaeus......,

The Last Passover.

The supper in Simon's house......

Mary anoints Jesus..........

Triumphal entry into the temple ....

Retirement to Bethany........

Cursing the fig tree..........

Cleansing the temple.........

Retirement to Bethany........

The withered fig tree and its lesson . . .

Discourses in the temple:—

The father and two sons . . . The wicked husbandmen . . . The wedding garment ....

Tribute money.......

The Sadducees and resurrection „ Great commandment . . .

„ Widow's mite......

„ Eight woes.......

Destruction of Jerusalem and of the world ......

Parables:—Ten virgins........

Talents..........

Sheep and goats......

Warning of the betrayal........

The counsel of the Sanhedrin......

Judas' betrayal...........

Preparation of the Passover......

Washing the apostles' feet.......

The breaking of bread........

"One of you shall betray me" . . . . .

"Is it IV".............

The giving of the sop. " That thou doest, do quickly" . . . .            .....

Departure of Judas..........

Peter warned........... .

The blessing the cup.........

The discourses after supper.......

Christ's prayer for His apostles.....

The hymn.............

The agony.............

His prayer (repeated thrice)......

His sweat, and the angel's comfort ....

The sleep of the apostles........

Betrayal by Judas..........

Peter smites Malchus.........

Christ heals the ear of Malchus.....

„ forsaken by His disciples.....

„ led to Annas..........

„ tried by Caiaphas......, .

Peter follows Christ.........

The high priest's adjuration......

Christ condemned, buffeted, mocked . . .

Peter's denial of Christ........

Christ before Pilate..........

Repentance of Judas.........

Pilate comes out to the people *.....

„ speaks to Jesus privately.....

„ orders Him to be scourged . . . . Jesus crowned with thorns.......

„ exhibited by Pilate: " Ecce Homo!"

„ accused formally........

„ sent by Pilate to Herod, mocked, arrayed in purple........

"Behold your King!" ........

Pilate desires to release Him......

„ receives a message from his wife . .

„ washes his hands........

„ releases Barabbas........

„ delivers Jesus to be crucified. . . . Simon of Cyrene carries the cross . . . .

They give Him vinegar and gall.....

Nail Him to the cross.........

The superscription ..........

Locality.

Matt.

Mabk.

Luke.

John.

Jerusalem.

 

 

xiv. 12

 

99

 

 

 

XV. 1 XV 11

 

 

 

 

 

A V » -Li.

xvi. 1

 

"

 

 

 

xvi. 19

 

Samaria

 

 

 

xvii. 11

 

Jerusalem

 

 

 

xviii. 1

 

,y

 

 

 

xviii. 9

 

tt

 

xix. 16

x. 17

xviii. 18

 

 

 

XX. 1

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

xix. 12

 

Jericho .

 

xx. 29

x. 46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bethany .

xxvi. 6-13

xiv. 3—9

• • . •

xii.l

>> •

xxvi. 7

xiv. 3

 

xii. 3

Jerusalem.

xxi. 1—17

xi. 1—11

xix. 29—41

xii. 12—20

Bethany .

xxi. 17

xi. 11

 

 

Mount of

 

 

 

 

Olives .

xxi. 18

xi.12

 

 

Jerusalem.

xxi. 12

xi. 15

xix. 45

 

Bethany .

• • • •

xi. 19

 

 

Mount of

 

 

 

 

Olives .

• • • •

xi. 20

 

 

Jerusalem.

xxi. 28

 

 

 

f f •

xxi. 33

xii. 1

xx. 9

 

 

 

xxii. 1

 

 

 

 

 

xxii. 15

xii. 13

xx. 20

 

 

> •

xxii. 23

xii. 18

xx. 27

 

 

9 •

xxii. 34

xii. 28

 

 

 

9 •

• • • •

xii. 41

xxi. 1

 

 

» •

xxiii.

 

 

 

«• *

xxiv. 1

xiii. 1

xxi. 5

 

Mount of

 

 

 

 

Olives .

xxv. 1

 

 

 

»• •

xxv. 14

 

 

 

*» •

xxv. 31

 

 

 

Bethany .

xxvi. 1

 

 

 

Jerusalem.

xxvi. 3

xiv.l

xxii. 1

 

j» •

xxvi. 14

xiv. 10

xxji. 3

 

#» •

xxvi. 17

xiv. 12

xxii. 7

 

 

 

 

 

xiii. 1—17

t> •

xxvi. 26

xiv. 22

xxii.* 19*

 

 

 

 

xxii. 21

xiii. 18

»» •

xxvi. 22—25

xiv. 19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xiii. 26, 27

* • *

 

 

 

xiii. 30

t > • >» •

xxvi. 34

xiv. 30

xxii! 34

xiii. 36

t> •

xxvi. 28

xiv. 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

xiv.-—xvi.

n *

 

 

♦ • • •

xvii.

9* *

9* *

xxvi. 30

xiv. 26

• • • •

 

Gethsemane

xxvi. 37

xiv. 33

xxii. 39

xviii. 1

>» •

xxvi. 39-44

xiv. 36t39

xxii. 42

 

 

 

 

xxii 43 44

 

 

ft «

xxvi. 40-45

xiv. 37-41

 

 

 

»» •

xxvi. 47—50

xiv.43,44

xxii. 47

xviii.2—i

 

Jt •

xxvi. 51

xiv. 47

xxii. 50

xviii. 10

 

 

 

 

xxii. 51

 

 

,, .

xxvi. 58

xiv. 50

 

 

Jerusalem.

 

 

 

xviii. 12

!> '

xxvi. 57

xiv. 53

xxii." 54

xviii. 15

If •

xxvi. 58

xiv. 54

xxii. 55

xviii. 15

99 '

xxvi. 63

xiv. 61

 

 

• 1 •

xxvi. 66,67

xiv. 64.65

xxii. 63—05

xviii .17—27

»» •

xxvi. 69

xiv. 66

xxij. 55—59

xviii. 28

11 •

xxvii. 1

XV. 1

xxiii. 1

 

• » •

xxvii. 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xviii 28

Jl •

 

 

 

â– ". T 111* XAJ

»» •

xxvii. 26

xv. 15

• • • •

xix. 1

»• •

xxvii. 29

xv. 17

• • • •

xix. 2

 

 

 

 

xix, 5

» •

xxvii. 11

xv. 2

xxiii. 2*

 

»» «

 

 

xxiii. 6—11

 

• » •

t» *

xxvii. 15

xv. 6

xxiii. 17 '

xix. 14

»l •

xxvii. 19

 

 

 

M •

xxvii. 24

 

 

 

»• •

xxvii. 26

 

 

 

>t •

....

xv. 15

xxiii. 25

xix. 16

ft •

xxvii. 32

xv. 21

xxiii. 26

 

Golgotha .

xxvii. 34

xv. 23

xxiii. 36

 

if •

xxvii. 35

• • •

xxiii. 33

xix. 18]

 

• *

•

xxvii. 37

xv. 26

xxiii. 38

xix. 19

65

66

Harmony of the Gospels-(continued).

A.D.

29

Events.

The Seven Woed3.

1. Father, forgive them........

His garments parted, and vesture allotted Passers-by rail, the two thieves revile . . The penitent thief.........

2. To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise ..............

3. Woman, behold thy Son, &c.......

The darkness...........

4. My God, my God, why hast thou for-

saken met...........

5.  I thirst ............

The vinegar...........

6. It is finished...........

7.  Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit..............

Rending of the veil.........,

Opening of graves, and resurrection of

saints.............

Testimony of centurion........

Watching of the women........

Piercing His side...........

Taking down from the cross, and burial by

Joseph of Arimathfea and Nicodemus . A guard placed at the door, which was

sealed.............

The Great Forty Days.

Women carry spices to the tomb .... An angel had rolled away the stone . . . Women announce the resurrection. . . . Peter and John run to the tomb ....

The women return to the tomb.....

The guards report it to the chief priests . .

Appearances op Christ after His Resurrection.

1. To Mary Magdalene........

"All hail! Fear not. Touch me not." . .

2. To the women returning home .... " Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee; there shall they see me."

3. To two disciples going to Emmaus . . (Exposition of prophecies on the Passion).

4. To Peter.......(1 Cor. xv. 5)

5. To ten apostles in the upper room . . "Peace be unto you. As my Father hath

sent me, even so send I you." "Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit," &c.

6.   To the eleven apostles in the upper room..............

" Peace be unto you." To Thomas.

" Beach hither thy finger," &c. "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

7. To seven apostles at the Sea of Tiberias To Peter.

" Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs."

8.  To eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee.......(1 Cor. xv. 5)

"All power is given unto me in heaven and,

in earth." " Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing

them," &c. " Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the

end of the world. Amen."

9. To five hundred brethren at once . .

(1 Cor. xv. 6)

10. To James.......(1 Cor. xv. 1)

11. Ascension........ „

12. To Paul........(1 Cor. xv. 8)

Locality.

Golgotha .

Jerusalem.

Golgo'tha !

The Garden

Jerusalem Tile Garden

Jerusalem

The Garden

Emmaus . Jerusalem.

Tiberias .

Galilee . .

Galilee, or Bethany

Bethany . Damascus(?)

Matt.

xxvii. 35 xxvii. 39-44

xxvii. 45 xxvii. 46 xxvii. 48

xxvii. 51

xxvii. 52 xxvii. 54 xxvii. 55

xxvii. 57-60 xxvii. 65,66

xxviii. 1 xxviii. 2 xxviii. 8

xxviii.U-15

xxviii. 9 xxviii. 9

xxviii. 16

Mark.

xv. 24 xv. 29—32

xv. 33 xv. 34

xv. 36

xv. 38

xv. 39

xv. 40

xv. 46

xvi.2

xvi. 9,10

xvi. 12

xvi. 14

xvi. 19

Luke.

xxiii. 34 xxiii.23--34 xxiii. 35 xxiii. 40

xxiii. 43 xxiii. 44 '

xxiii. 46 xxiii. 45

xxiii. 47 xxiii. 49

xxiii. 53

xxiv. 12 xxiv. 1

xxiv. 13

xxiv. 34 xxiv. 36

xxiv. 50, 51

John.

xix.23

xix.26,27

xix. 28 xix. 29 xix. 30

xix. 31 xix. 38 xix.39-42

xx. 1, 2 xx. '6

xx. 14 xx. 17

xx. 19

xx. 26

xxi.1-24

67

PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS.

I. With Barnabas and John Mark

(Acts xiii., xiv.).

Antioch (in Syria), the centre of Gentile evangelization. Barnabas and Saul, specially called by the Holy Ghost to mission work, and taking with them John Mark, go to

Seleucia (port of Antioch), whence they sail to the island of

Cyprus (the native place of Barnabas), landing at the eastern extremity,

Salamis, a populous mercantile port. The apostles preached in the synagogues there; then traversed the isle (100 miles) to

Paphos, its western extremity, the capital city. Here Elymas was struck blind, and the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, converted. They crossed to the southern shore of Asia Minor, landing at

Perga, the ancient port of Pamphylia, whence goods from the interior were exported. Here John Mark returned home. The apostles went up into the mountains, on which journey they are supposed to have suffered the trials enumerated in 2 Cor. xi. 26, 27, till they reached

Antioch (in Pisidia), a central resting place, just over "the pass," where the great road from Ephesus into Asia intersected the southern road. It was a Roman colony. They preached in the synagogue, one sabbath to Jews (Paul's first recorded sermon), and the next to Greeks. Ejected by the rulers, they followed the great road to

Iconium (capital of Lycaonia, a dreary plateau). They stayed "a long time," making many converts, till, a factious mob trying to stone them, they fled to

Lystra, a small rural town of simple heathens. Paul healing a cripple, they were treated as gods (Jupiter and Mercury), till Jews from Iconium followed, declaring them to be impostors, and had them stoned. They fled to

Derbe, a small town away from the high-road, where they rested awhile, returning by the same route through Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, to

Perga, where they taught with no great success; so sailed back to

Antioch, where they reported their work to a full assembly of the congregation, and abode there a long time (probably six or seven years).

II. With Silas (Acts xv. 36—xviii. 22).

Antioch (in Syria), the starting point, whence they went by land through

Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches, and delivering the decrees of the Council of Jerusalem. Thence across the mountains to

Derbe and Lystra, where Paul circumcised Timothy, and took him with him through

Phrygia and Galatia, where Paul fell sick (Gal. iv. 13), and, being forbidden by the Spirit to go into the province of Asia, went into

Mysia: but, again being forbidden to pursue his intended journey to Bithynia, he was divinely guided to

Troas, where he met with Luke; had a vision of a Macedonian inviting him to Greece; embarked, touched at Samothracia, and landed at

Neapolis (Kavala), the seaport; whence he went up by land, across the Pharsalian plain, to

Philippi (in Macedonia), a Roman "colony," i.e. having the same laws and rights as Rome itself. Lydia was converted; the sorceress exorcised, and her masters charged the apostles before the magistrates, who scourged and imprisoned them. They were miraculously released by night; converted and baptised the jailer and his household. Paul left here Luke and Timothy, passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to

Thessalonica (metropolis of Macedonia), where he stayed three sabbaths. Assailed by a Jewish mob, Jason, his host, being bound over to keep the peace, Paul escaped to

Berœa, where he was well received till persecutors followed him; then he was sent to

Athens, probably by sea, leaving Silas, for whom he waited; conversing with the philosophers, till forced to address them on Mars' hill, but with little success; so he retired to

Corinth, a great mercantile centre, which for one and a half years he made the head-quarters of evangelizing efforts on Achaia. Here he was joined by Silas and Timothy, and wrote the two Epistles to the Thessalonians. He was driven from the synagogue, and brought before Gallio; was received by Aquila and Priscilla, whom he converted, and with whom he sailed from

Cenchrea, the eastern port of Corinth, to

Ephesus; where he left Aquila and Priscilla, going on himself to

Cæsarea; whence it is supposed he went by land to Jerusalem, to keep the Feast of Pentecost (xviii. 21), and then returned to

Antioch, where he remained "some time" (probably less than a year).

III. With Timothy ( Acts xviii. 23—xxi. 33).

Antioch (Syria), starting point; thence through

Galatia and Phrygian of which no incidents are recorded, to

Ephesus, where Apollos had baptised converts only to repentance, and with an imperfect form, whom Paul re-baptised; staying there three years, refuting false philosophy and imposture of sorcerers, who publicly burnt their books, confessing their fraud. He retired from the synagogue; taught in the school of Tyrannus; wrote one Epistle to Corinthians, and to Galatians; remained over the great annual Pan-Ionic festival of Diana, when Demetrius roused the craftsmen, and Paul was sent away by his friends to

Macedonia, where he visited and encouraged his converts in the various places visited in the former journey; passing on into

Greece, where he stayed three months, probably visiting the Churches established at Corinth and in Achaia. He intended to sail from Cenchrea to Syria, but was waylaid by the Jews, so he sent the main body of his companions on in advance to Troas, viz. Sopater (of Berœa), Aristarchus and Secundus (of Thessalonica), Gaius (of Derbe), Timotheus (of Iconium), Tychicus and Trophimus (of the province of Asia).

Philippi was reached by some secret and unrecorded route by Paul, who was there joined by Luke. They sailed thence together, and in five days reached

Troas, where they remained seven days. Paul preached in an upper room; Eutychus fell from the window, but was healed by Paul, who "broke bread" in the congregation, and departed by land to meet his companions at Assos, who had gone round the coast on board the ship. At

Assos Paul embarked, and they touched at

Mitylene; the next day anchoring off Chios, and the day following put in at

Trogyllium, a promontory on the coast opposite the island of Samos. The next day they touched at

Miletus, where they probably remained two days, as Paul sent a messenger by land to the presbyters of Ephesus to come to him, when he took a solemn farewell of them. Launching thence, they sailed with a fair wind past Coos and Rhodes to

Patara, where they changed vessels, embarking on one sailing direct to Syria; sighting Cyprus,

68

but leaving it to the left (i.e. sailing south of it), landed at

Tyre, where the vessel discharged her cargo, remaining seven days, and where the disciples warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. The Christians accompanied him to the ship, knelt on the shore, and prayed; thence to

Ptolemais (Acre), remaining one day; from whence they went to

Cæsarea, staying many days with Philip, the deacon, where Agabus bound his own hands and feet with Paul's girdle, signifying his approaching imprisonment. From thence Paul's party, accompanied by Mnason (of Cyprus), went up by land to

Jerusalem, where they were received by a full assembly of the apostles and elders, who advised Paul to purify himself from his contact with Gentiles by joining four men in the completion of a vow, defraying their expenses. While engaged in these religious exercises he was seized by a tumultuous mob, from whom the Roman chief captain extricated him, put him in prison, and sent him to Cæsarea, to the governor Felix.


PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.

With Aristarchus and certain Prisoners under charge of Julius, a Centurion of the Augustan Cohort.

Cæsarea. Paul sailed thence on a vessel bound for Adramyttium, touching at

Sidon, where he visited his friends. Thence to leeward of

Cyprus (i.e. on the N. side), under the shores of Cilicia and Pamphylia, to

Myra (a city of Lycia), where they were transhipped to an Alexandrian corn vessel bound for Italy, which coasted along the southern shore of Asia Minor (130 miles in "many days") to

Cnidus, the extreme S.W. promontory; where the wind and current from the Archipelago caught and drove the ship southward to

Crete, where they rounded Cape Salmone, and got under the shelter of its southern coast, and sailed along it to

Fair Havens, near which, inland, was Lasea, and where Paul advised them to winter; the harbour, however, being incommodious they tried to reach

Phenice, which had a harbour, sheltered towards the N.W. and S.W.; but theywere caught by the wind Euroclydon from the N. W.; and under shelter of

Clauda (an island to S. of Crete) they prepared for a tempest by striking sail, undergirding the ship, turning her head to wind, and lying to, so as to avoid being driven on the "Syrtes" to the N. of Libya. So they drifted slowly W. by N., at the rate of 36 miles in 24 hours, till the fourteenth day, i.e. thirteen and a half days, till midnight = 486 miles; and St. Paul's Bay is 480 miles from Clauda in an exact line W. by N. Second day, "they lightened the ship;" third day, they "cast out the tackling;" fourteenth night, they drew near to land in the neighbourhood of rocks; fourteenth day, they ran the ship aground in a creek of

Melita (Malta), where they landed by swimming, or on portions of wreck. Here the viper fastened on Paul's hand; and he healed Publius (the chief man of the island) of fever and dysentery. After three months, they sailed in an Alexandrian corn ship by

Syracuse (Sicily), where they stayed three days; and, making a circuit, they came to

Rhegium (Italy), and after one day they reached

Puteoli (Pozzuoli), in the Bay of Naples, where they rested seven days; thence they went by the Appian Way to

Appii Forum, where brethren from Rome met him, with whom they came to

Rome, and Paul remained in custody of a soldier for two full years in his own hired house.



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