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fpirit (e) unto Jerufalem, not knowing the things 23 that fhall befal me there; Save that the holy Ghoft witneffeth in every city, faying, that bonds and af24 flictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, fo that I might finifh my courfe with joy, and the miniftry, which I have received of the Lord Jefus, to teftify 25 the gospel of the grace of God. And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching (f) the kingdom of God, fhall fee my face no 26 more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, 27 that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not fhunned to declare unto you all the counfel of God (g).

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Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the holy Ghoft hath made you overfeers, to feed the church of God (b), which 29 he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know

this, that after my departing fhall grievous wolves 30 enter in among you, not fparing the flock. Alfo of

your own felves fhall men arife, speaking perverse 31 things, to draw away difciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years, I ceafed not to warn every one night and day 32 with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace (i), which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance 33 among all them which are fanctified. I have coveted 34 no man's filver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, you your

(e) Firmly refolved in my mind, and under the direction of the holy Spirit.

(f) The Gofpel. See Matt. iii. 2.

(g) The counfel of God is his will, with the conditions which he requires to be performed, in order to falvation.

(h) The church of God is the body of Chriftian people (Matt. xviii. 17.), the flock, over which the clergy are fhepherds and overfeers.

(i) The word of his grace is his gracious word, the doctrine of Christianity.

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felves know, that these hands have ministered unto my 35 neceffities, and to them that were with me. I have fhewed you all things (k), how that fo labouring ye ought to fupport the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jefus, how he faid, It is more bleffed to give than to receive.

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And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down 37 and prayed with them all. And they all wept fore, 38 and fell on Paul's neck, and kiffed him, Sorrowing moft of all for the words which he spake, that they fhould fee his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the fhip.

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ND it came to pafs, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a ftraight courfe unto Coos, and the day following unto 2. Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara. And finding

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a fhip failing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, 3 and fet forth. Now when we had di covered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and failed into Syria, andlanded at Tyre, for there the fhip was to unlade her burden. And finding difciples, we tarried there feven days who faid to Faul through the Spirit, that he fhould not go up to Jerufalem. And when we had accomplished thofe days, we departed, and went our way, and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we 6 knceled down on the fhore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptole

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(4) And amongst other neceffary Chriftian duties, I have taught you, even by my own example, to be induftrious in your refpective callings; that working, as I have done, ye may be able, not only to fupply your own wants, but also to fupport thofe who camot work to fupport themselves.

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mais, and faluted the brethren, and abode with them. 8 one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cefarea; and we entered into the houfe of Philip the evangeliit, (which was one of the feven (a), and abode with him. 9 And the fame man had four daughters, virgins, 10 which did prophefy (). And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain11 prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and faid, Thus faith the holy Ghoft, So fhall the Jews at Jerufalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and fhall deliver him into the 12 hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these

things, both we and they of that place, befought him. 13 not to go up unto Jerufalem. Then Paul anfwered, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but alfo to die 14 at Jerufalem for the name of the Lord Jefus. And

when he would not be perfuaded, we ceafed, faying, 15 The will of the Lord be done. And after thofe days

we took up our carriages (c), and went up to Jeru16 falem. There went with us alfo certain of the dif

ciples of Cefarea, and brought with them one Mnafon of Cyprus, an old difciple, with whom we should 17 lodge. And when we were come to Jerufalem (d), 18 the brethren received us gladly. And the day fol

lowing Paul went in with us unto James (e); and all 19 the elders were prefent. And when he had faluted

(a) One of the feven perfons chofen to adminifter the general charity. See Chap. vi. 5.

(6) Being endued with the holy Ghost, did teach and instruct. See Chap. xv. 32.

(c) We packed up our baggage, and made ready for the journey. (d) This was St. Paul's fifth and laft journey to Jerufalem, about twenty-five years from his conversion.

(e) St. James, diftinguished from James the fon of Zebedee, by the name of James the Lefs, was bishop of Jerufalem, where he refided with his elders, or prefbyters, about him.

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them, he declared particularly what things God had 20 wrought among the Gentiles by his miniftry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and faid unto him, Thou feeft, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe, and they are all 21 zealous of the law. And they are informed of thee that thou teacheft all the Jews which are among the Gentiles, to forfake Mofes, faying, That they ought not to circumcife their children, neither to 22 walk after the customs. What is it therefore (ƒ)? the multitude muft needs come together: for they 23 will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that

we fay to thee: we have four men which have a 24 vow on them: Them take, and purify thyfelf with them (g), and be at charges with them, that they may have their heads: and all may know that thofe things whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing, but that thou thyfelf also walkeft order25 ly, and keepeft the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded, that they obferve no fuch thing, fave only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from ftrangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to fignify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering fhould be offered for every 27 one of them. And when the feven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Afia, when they faw him in the temple, ftirred up all the people, and laid 28 hands on him, Crying out, Men of Ifrael, help:

(f) What then do you purpose to do?

(g) The method of purification is defcribed, Num. vi. 2, &c. The charges here mentioned were the price of the offerings, which by the law of Mofes perfons purified were required to make. We fee by this inftance, that for peace fake, and to avoid giving offence, it is expedient and lawful to conform to eftablifhed cuftoms and ceremonies, if innocent, though not effential to religion.

this is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and farther, brought Greeks (b) also into the temple, and 29 hath polluted this holy place. (For they had feenbefore with him in the city Trophimus an Ephefian, whom they fuppofed that Paul had brought into 30 the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple; and forthwith the doors 31 were fhut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that 32 all Jerufalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took foldiers, and centurions, and ran down unto them and when they faw the chief captain and the 33 foldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains (i); and demand34 ed who he was, and what he had done. And fome cried one thing, fome another, among the multitude : and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the 35 caftle. And when he came upon the ftairs, fo it was

that he was borne of the foldiers (k), for the violence 36 of the people. For the multitude of the people fol37 lowed after, crying, Away with him. And as Paul

was to be led into the caftle, he faid unto the chief captain, May I fpeak unto thee? Who faid, Canft 38 thou fpeak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days, madeft an uproar, and leddeft out into the wilderness four thousand men that 39 were murderers? But Paul faid, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarfus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, fuffer me to speak

(h) By Greeks were meant Gentiles or Heathens.

(i) Between two foldiers. Chap. xii. 6.

(k) Supported by the foldiers, not being able to ftand for the violence of the crowd.

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