started concerning John, surnamed Mark, who had formerly left them at Perga, and, having probably repented of his irresolution, was now desirous to proceed with them again. Paul warmly opposed this, thinking him highly culpable for his inconstancy, and, perhaps too much influenced against him by a spirit of resentment not wholly excusable. On the other hand, Barnabas undertook his apology; in which, besides his tenderness to his fault, he seems to have been moved by considerations which ought to have no place where the service of God is concerned. John was his sister's son, and this led him to consider his conduct in the most favourable light. Thus they were both a little partial in the cause, but much more wrong in the issue; for the contention became so sharp between them, that it broke their harmony. They determined to part: accordingly Barnabas took Mark (whose company he had dearly purchased by the loss of Paul's), and sailed to Cyprus, his native place; and Paul, choosing Silas in his room, went through Syria and Cilicia, being recommended to the Lord by the prayers of the brethren. So that their former work was now divided between them.

I must venture to digress here a little, for the sake of two remarks, of which the course of our history may often remind the reader. 1. How small an occasion will discover human infirmity, even in the brightest characters! Not all the graces of Paul and Barnabas, nor the remembrance of the services and difficulties they had jointly experienced, nor the importance of the common cause in which they were engaged, nor the fear of giving offence to the world and to the church, could restrain these dear friends, fellow-labourers, and fellow-sufferers, from contending and separating about a trifle. 2. How wise is the over-ruling providence of God, per

H

mitting such things for the trial of some, the instruction of others, and the better carrying on his own designs! In succeeding revivals of religion, the like differences have sometimes taken place among the main instruments, and from as trivial causes; and though they have not obtained without fault in some, and inconvenience to many, yet the event has proved them no hinderance upon the whole. The work has become more diffusive and more incontestable, when persons of different tempers, sentiments, and talents, who seemed, to superficial observers, as the heads of different parties, have laboured with equal zeal and success in advancing the one great design of the Gospel. As a skilful gardener raises many plants in a little spot of ground, and removes them afterwards to places where they will have more room to grow and flourish; so they, who are designed for extensive usefulness, are often first reared within a little compass, within the sight and knowledge of each other, where they are sheltered and strengthened, while tender, by their mutual advices, prayers, and examples, and seem to have only one heart and one mind; but were they always to continue thus closely connected, no one would have room to expand according to the measure of gifts and services which the Lord has appointed them; therefore they are thinned and transplanted: either persecutions from without, or weaknesses, mistakes, or jealousies among themselves, scatter them afar, to places and undertakings they had

P To mention only one by anticipation-the unhappy dispute between Luther and Zuinglius, and their respective followers, concerning the words "This is my body." The difference between them was little more than imaginary: but the mischiefs it occasioned were real, important, and numerous, and would, probably, have stifled the Reformation in its birth, if it had not been so remarkably under an Almighty protection.

no thoughts of, and which would not have been otherwise attempted.

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The apostle Paul, with his companion Silas, proceeded (as has been mentioned) through Syria and Cilicia, to the parts he had formerly visited. When he came to Lystra, he chose Timothy for his associate and companion in his journey, who, it is probable, had been converted by his ministry, and a witness to his sufferings for the Gospel, when he was there before. Timothy was of Jewish extract by the mother's side, and carefully educated, from his infancy, in the knowledge of the Scriptures; but his father was a Greek. This circumstance being generally known to the Jews, and likely to render him less acceptable among them, Paul, to obviate their prejudices, directed him to be circumcised; thus shewing his readiness to become all things to all men, so far as was consistent with a good conscience, and conducive to edification; for though, when the observance of the Mosaic law was insisted on as necessary to salvation, he steadily opposed it, and would not admit the least addition to the doctrine of free justification by the blood of Christ, he was willing to permit it to the Jewish converts in their present situation, and to accommodate himself to their weakness, for their advantage. He had before withstood the circumcision of Titus (who was a Gentile) when it was urged, as a necessary point; but now that debate was settled in favour of Gospel liberty, he proposed the circumcision of Timothy himself. The seeming inconsistence of his conduct vanishes, if the difference of the two cases is rightly understood: but those who act from the most enlarged principles, who know when and 4 Acts, xvi.

in what points resolution is necessary, and when and how far it is expedient to yield to others, will always be thought inconstant and inconsistent by the zealots of parties. In the course of his progress, he delivered in every city the decree lately determined in Jerusalem, which, though primarily directed to Antioch, was of equal force, as a rule and bond of peace, in all places where there were both Jewish and Gentile converts. Thus having watered his former planting, he proceeded to preach in Phrygia and Galatia. The route of the Gospel was directed by the Spirit of God, who restrained the apostle from entering the province which is called, by way of distinction, the Proconsular Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital; not that this country was to be excluded from the knowledge of Christ, for St. Paul preached in many parts of it afterwards with great success; but the proper season was not yet come, the Lord having an important service for them first in another place. For the same reason, and by the same influence, they were prevented going into Bithynia, which they had some thoughts of attempting. Thus, in a manner undetermined where they were to labour, they came to Troas, a sea-port in the Archipelago; and when their journey was now bounded by the sea, they received a farther intimation-of the Lord's will, and found that he had been leading thenr in the right way, for they were brought to a port proper for embarking to the place where the Lord had designed to send them.

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A. D. 51.] Here St. Paul had a vision by night, of a man standing by him, whose garb and expression intimated his country, and entreating him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and See Acts, xix. 10.

help us. This vision was attended with such circumstances, as left no room to doubt either its origin or meaning; so that, when he had communicated it to his companions, they assuredly collected that the Lord called them into Macedonia. Accordingly they took shipping, and having a favourable wind, they soon arrived at Neapolis; from whence they proceeded by land to Philippi, a place of note, and a Roman colony. Their preaching and continuance in this city, which, in time, became the seat of a flourishing church, was productive of several interesting and important events.

On the sabbath day, they went out of the city, to a place by the river side (a usual resort of the Jews for the exercise of public prayer ;) where, meeting with some women (as it should seem) before the rest were assembled, they spake freely of the great subject which was always uppermost in their hearts and mouths. One of them, named Lydia, a native of Thyatira, and then resident at Philippi, gave a peculiar attention to St. Paul's discourse: the reason is assigned; the Lord opened her heart. The rest heard the same words; but the hearts of all are dull, contracted, and averse to spiritual truths; so that, without a divine interposition, the most powerful speaker speaks in vain. Lydia heard to good purpose; she believed, and was immediately baptized, with her family, and gladly received the messengers of Gospel grace into her house.

Continuing to preach in this place so long as they remained at Philippi, they were often met by a young woman under the influence of an evil spirit, who, as they passed by, cried after them, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who declare unto us the way of