of the Church in the earliest times to celebrate the Holy Communion every Lord's day. Aecordingly, Pliny, a celebrated Latin writer, in his letter to the Emperor Trajan, mentions the meeting together of the Christians on a set day before it was light, and binding themselves by a Sacrament to do no evil, as the distinguishing custom of the sect. And Justin Martyr, one of the fathers of the Church, mentions, that on the Sunday, as the day of our 'Lord's resurrection, the Christians met together to read publicly the writings of the Apostles and prophets, which were expounded to them, and they were exhorted to imitate and practise the things enjoined, and that after joining in prayer they used to celebrate the Sacrament and to give alms". The Christians at Troas met "in an upper chamber, and there were many lights," so that their religious assemblies were not held in the dark, as some had maliciously insinuated. On the occasion now to be related, "Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow"." His anxiety to declare to his

hearers the whole counsel of God extended his midnight preaching to such a length that one of his audience, overcome by sleep, "sunk down from a window, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead"." Modern teachers show how, from the style of building

• Dr. Whitby.

7 Dr. Robinson.

8 Dean Howard.

and manner of collecting companies in that country, such an accident was not unlikely to take place. St. Paul restored him to life by a miracle, yet humbly declined attributing this great power to himself'. The Apostle then resumed his discourse, "and talked a long while, even to break of day; so he departed, minding himself to go afoot." He either desired to evince humility, or wished him to secure for himself a space for reflection and retirement; but at Assos he joined his companions, with whom he took ship, and having touched at different towns on the sea-coast, came to Miletus 2.

SECT. CCXXXII.-Paul meets the Elders of the Church at Miletus.-Acts xx. 13-38.

"AND from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church." Who these elders were cannot accurately be known; whether they were the bishops of Asia Minor in general, or only the chiefs of the Church at Ephesus, of which Timothy, at this time travelling with St. Paul, was bishop'. That Timothy was a bishop, and bishop of Ephesus, the metropolis, or chief city of Asia, is fully attested by all antiquity; there are besides very plain evidence of the episcopal power and authority wherewith he was invested in the two Epistles addressed to him by St. Paul in later years'.

Paul now addressed himself to these elders, who attended at his summons, and, whoever they might be, they evidenced themselves to be under him in the Lord. In this his last visitation he takes leave of them in a most cordial and affectionate manner. Conscious of his own integrity, he appeals to them as witnesses of his behaviour from his first coming into Asia: how he had "served the Lord with all humility," and through many trials and temptations; how he had preached the Word among them with the utmost sincerity; had concealed no profitable truth; but had freely and openly communicated every thing of moment, preaching equally "both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ "." He concludes his charge by saying, that among other necessary Christian duties he had taught, by his own example, to be industrious in their callings in life, that, working as he had done, they might be able not only to supply their own wants, but also to support those who cannot work to support themselves"; "remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." This saying of our Lord is not recorded in any of the Gospels; but had descended by tradition, and therefore was at that time well known and familiar among Christians. The Evangelists have them

selves assured us that they neither intended to relate, nor had related, all that our blessed Lord had said'. Upon his bended knees he then offered up his fervent supplications for them, whilst they, with many tears, wept over him and embraced him, “and they accompanied him unto the ship."

SECT. CCXXXIII.-Paul and Philip the Evangelist,— Acts xxi. 1-14.

THEY then set sail from Miletus, and having passed by by several places landed at Tyre, "and, finding disciples, they tarried there seven days." It had been revealed to them by the Spirit, that St. Paul "should not go up to Jerusalem" without exposing himself to danger; and, in consequence, from charitable notions, they tried to dissuade him from going'. These disciples foresaw the danger which threatened Paul at Jerusalem, through the spirit of prophecy, such, as he says himself, "that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions abide me." Had they spoken under the immediate direction of the Spirit, Paul would have listened to them. But he was himself fully assured, doubtless, of the will of God in this journey". He therefore took a solemn leave of his friends at Tyre, and having kneeled down with them on the sea

7

Bishops Newton and Rider.

• Mant and D'Oyly.

8 Dr. Robinson.

10 Archbishop Sumner.

shore, he departed, and "came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day." This was a celebrated sea-port in Syria, enlarged and beautified by the first of the Egyptian Ptolemies, whence it received that name; but its ancient name is found again in the modern one celebrated in modern history under the name of Acre. They, then, which were of Paul's company, travelled by land, from Ptolemais to Cesarea; "and entered into the house of Philip the Evangelist."

So styled, not from his writing, but from his preaching the Gospel. By an Evangelist is meant a person, who, being attached to no particular church, was sent by the Apostles, as was necessary, either for the purpose of founding new churches, or of confirming those which were already established'. "And the same man had four daughters," so that he was a married man; and consequently, if Christ did not require celibacy in the first preachers of the Gospel, there is no reason to think that it was necessary in their successors'. Paul "tarried at Cesarea many days," during which time "a certain prophet named Agabus, (probably the same who foretold the dearth which happened in the days of Claudius,) according to a custom, not unfrequent in the prophets, of representing