from the unbelieving Jews, at its first planting; and the Apostle's concern at being detained beyond his expectation from paying it the visit he promised, gave the Apostle occasion to discourse with them at this time in a second Epistle, concerning the end and vengeance that would light on their persecutors, in order that they might be resolved to bear with patience all whatsoever they might suffer from that people and generation. He also earnestly entreats them not to suppose, as upon any authority from him, or on any other ground, that the last day was at hand. He assures them, that before that awful period, a great apostacy will take place; and reminds them of some information he had given them on that subject when he was at Thessalonica 9.

SECT. CCXX.-Paul at Ephesus.—Acts xviii. 19—21. PAUL, being desirous to visit Jerusalem at one of the great yearly festivals, "took his leave of the brethren," and, taking with him Aquila and Priscilla, went to Cenchrea. This was a noted port of Corinth, on the eastern shore of the Isthmus on which the city stood, and he proceeded hither to take a passage in some ship bound for the coast of Syria'. Here it appears "he had a vow, and had his head shorn" in consequence of it. This was either a vow of Bishop Tomline.

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Pictorial Bible.

Nazaritism, which St. Paul had made to accommodate himself to the Jews; or some other vow, which he had made to express his gratitude for the Divine goodness'; or it may be understood of Aquila, and not of St. Paul. Such vows were not uncommon, on account of some deliverance granted, or benefit received'. Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him ;—“ and he came to Ephesus." This was a famous city, the metropolis of Proconsular Asia, situated on a river, not far from the sea. It was particularly celebrated by heathen writers for its Temple of Diana, which was esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world'. This was burnt to the ground by one, who sought by this vile act to immortalize his name; but it was afterwards rebuilt with still greater splendour, at the expense of all the Grecian states. peculiar treasure was an image of its goddess, which was said to have descended from Jupiter. The "silver shrines, made for Diana," appear to have been small representations in that metal of the Temple, in each of which perhaps a little image of her was placed. These were brought by strangers as matters of curiosity, as well as of devotion; for it was the custom to place these little chapels, representing the form of a Temple, upon an altar, or other solemn place,

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Archbishop Sumner.
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and then the doors being opened, the image was represented to the spectators, standing or sitting in state. At the time of the Apostle's

visit, the city of Ephesus abounded with orators and philosophers; and its inhabitants, in their Gentile state, were celebrated for their idolatry and skill in magic, as well as for their riches, luxury, and profligacy'. Here, again, it is said, "he entered into a synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews, who desired him to tarry longer with them, but he consented not :" " and he sailed from Ephesus."

SECT. CCXXI.-Paul goes up to Jerusalem.-Acts xviii. 22, 23.

PAUL, as he went along, preached the word with his accustomed zeal, and landing at Cesarea, pressed on to Jerusalem, where "he saluted the Church."

This was his fourth visit to this city, since his conversion, already twenty-one years past. He was now present there at the feast of the Passover; but he made but a short stay there at this time, and "went down to Antioch" and, after some residence there, he visited the Churches he had settled in Asia Minor, and came down again to Ephesus. SECT. CCXXII.-Apollos comes to Ephesus, and preaches in Achaia.-Acts xviii. 24-28.

THERE arrived at Ephesus, during the interval of these two visits of St. Paul to that city, and

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whilst Aquila and Priscilla remained there, a certain Jew, named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures." "This man was instructed in the way of the Lord;" but only knew that men were to receive "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins," and were to believe on Jesus, that was to come after '. This is called knowing only the baptism of John." Aquila and Priscilla hearing him in the synagogue, perceived what he had learnt, and what he had yet to learn; so they "took him unto them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly." Apollos was not idle, nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, which he thus acquired. He learnt these things, that he might expound them more perfectly to others;—" for he mightily convinced the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ ":" and, being recommended by the brethren at Ephesus to the Church of Corinth, he established himself there, and soon obtained an authority therein, second only to that of St. Paul himself'. Of the Gentile Christians there, we read from St. Paul's first Epistle to them, that some indeed regarded him as their spiritual father; but others preferred Apollos, as mighty in the Scriptures." Meanwhile the Jewish Christians every where pre

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ferred St. Peter, as the chief Apostle of the circumcision, out of the territories of Judæa2.

SECT. CCXXIII.-Paul returns to Ephesus. The Holy Ghost is given.-Acts xix. 1-7.

Soon after the departure of Apollos to Corinth, Paul returned to Ephesus, where he remained for three years. On his arrival there, he found a small congregation of disciples, who, like Apollos, had been baptized only with the baptism of John, and appear to have been ignorant of the leading truths of the Gospel of Christ 3. "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost, since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." This expression signifies, not that they had never heard of the Spirit of God, but only that they had not heard of the giving of it*. The more exact rendering of this passage would be, We have not even heard whether there is an effusion of the Holy Ghost. St. Paul naturally inquires how they could have been ignorant of this fact, when the Apostles were commanded to baptize "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." But they reply to him, That they were baptized "unto John's baptism:" on which the Apostle explains to them that St. John's baptism was but a promise or declara