service of the gospel he had been Paul's companion before. A. xiii. 4.

The name of Barnabas no where occurs again in the Acts in the Epistles he is repeatedly mentioned, always honourably and with respect. GAL. ii. 1. 9. 13. 1 Cor. ix. 6.

From the latter passage we gather, that Barnabas, then engaged like Paul in the great Gentile mission, like him worked with his own hands for his maintenance; though he and Paul, while so employed, might well have claimed exemption from any such necessity.

The name of Mark-John appears afterwards, in the Christian service of Paul, CoLoss. iv. 10., PHILEMON, ver. 24., and more remarkably so, 2 TIM. iv. 11.

ACTS xv. 40. Paul, on the other hand, chose Silas for his associate; and departed from Antioch, being recommended by the brethren unto the gracious favour of God.

41. And he went first of all through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Those in Cilicia should seem to have been planted by Paul, ix. 30., on his return from Jerusalem to Tar

sus.

xvi. 1. Then in pursuance of the intention to revisit the churches, announced, A. xv. 36. — he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple (already here mentioned, ch. xiii. between vv. 7 and 8.) named Timothy, was there in the latter city, eminent for his early piety, whom Paul himself had converted 1 TIM. i. 2.), the son of a certain woman Eunice, which was a Jewess and believed, along with her

mother Lois. The unfeigned faith of both of them is recorded by Paul, in that affectionate address, 2 TIM.i.5.

But his father was a Greek by birth, not improbably, however, first a proselyte, and now a believer with the rest of his family.

ACTS xvi. 2. Which Timothy, then a mere youth, perhaps in his eighteenth year, was well reported of by the Christian brethren, not only at Lystra, but at Iconium also.

3. From seeing this young man therefore qualified and disposed, as a son with the father, to serve with him ministerially in the gospel (PHILIP. ii. 22.) him would Paul have to go forth with him: but duely aware that, as a Gentile, Timothy would not be allowed for that purpose to bear him company into the synagogues, while from his mother being a Jewess, he might properly be circumcised, Paul took and circumcised him, as well on that account and with that view, as especially because of the Jews which were in those quarters ; for they knew all that his father was a Greek, and might else have reported Timothy as an uncircumcised Gentile.

4. But as the Mosaic law with its ceremonial obligations is here naturally called to mind, it should be told also, that as Paul and Silas went through the cities of Syria and Cilicia (xv. 41.) they did not fail to deliver to them the decrees for to keep which were ordained expressly on their account (xv. 23.) by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, H. P. 104.

5. And so, being relieved from that troublesome question, those churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6. Now, therefore, when in their farther progress

far beyond the first purpose, xv. 36. — Paul (attended by Timothy) and Silas had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia,

-

GALATIA now visited for the first time

and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost as yet to preach the word in Asia (i. e. Lydian Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital, H. P. 37.)

ACTS xvi. 7. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. (The cultivation of that vineyard was reserved for others, 1 PETER i. 1.)

8. And they passing by the northern borders of Mysia came down to Troas.

A place, be it remarked, much more connected with the propagation of the Christian faith than might at first be supposed. Besides the beginning now made there, Paul visited Troas at three several times afterwards, 2 COR. ii. 12., Acтs xx. 5, 6., 2 TIм. iv. 13. Vide TROAS in the Index.

Here let the reader pause; and with solemn gratitude contemplate the apostolic transmission of the gospel now for the first time from the east to the west; into the regions of Europe "to Tubal and Javan and the isles afar off," as prophesied by ISAIAH lxvi. 19. — and across that boundary which, according to the father of history, formed the grand division between Europe and the Grecian name on the one hand and all the Asiatic nations on the other. Herodotus, Clio, s. 4.

In this place also, be it remarked, the historian of the Acts comes forward in his own person. Luke, probably, from all accounts, was a native of Antioch and if so, since he appears to have been a convert when Paul now

found him sojourning at Troas, we may suppose him to have been previously converted at Antioch by Barnabas or Paul on some of those occasions, A. xi. 22...30., xii. 25., xiii. 1...3., xiv. 26...28., which he himself has so particularly related.

And may not the we (which follows here in v. 10.) coming in so naturally, be taken for an oblique intimation that Paul and Luke had been acquainted with one another some time before; and if so, much more likely at Antioch than at any other place?

Acts xvi. 9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us, -on whom your labour in the Lord will not be lost.

On the subject of divine visions, vide H. P. 217, 8. and consult the following passages, A. xviii. 9, 10., xxii. 17., xxiii. 11., xxvii. 23. For the early promise of future revelation also to be in that way conveyed, vide xxvi. 16. At xviii. 9, 10. occasion will arise for some particular remarks in the Appendix C.

10. And after Paul had seen the vision, immediately WE endeavoured (for Luke joined his company at Troas) to go into Macedonia forthwith, assuredly gathering, that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them in that country.

Yes: Luke also was now called to preach that gospel, of which he was afterwards by Divine Providence ordained to become the historian.

ACTS xvi. 11. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12. And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding a few days.

13. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side where prayer was wont to be made, (there being no synagogue in that city;) and we sat down and spake unto the devout women which resorted thither.

14. And one of them in particular, a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which (as a proselyte) worshipped the true God, listened to us; whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul.

15. And after she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us to do so.

16. And it came to pass, as we went to the place of prayer, a certain damsel possessed with the spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most High God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18. And this she did many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, as the leaders of our party, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,