St. Paul did not continue long at Theffalonica; but the fruits of his labours were glorious and lafting. His two Epiftles to the church in that place, evidently fhew that the Gospel prevailed and triumphed in the midft of oppofition. He fpeaks of the Chriftians there in higher terms, than of any other fociety. He thus writes; "Our Gofpel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much affurance: having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost, ye were enfamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia *." How are the hands of ministers ftrengthened, and their hearts comforted, when they can give fuch an account of the people under their charge! His letters, likewife, prove, how great was his tenderness among the Theffalonians, how ftrong his affection for them, how irreproachable his conduct. It fhould feem, that with difficulty he procured common provifions; or that he refufed the offers of fupport from his friends, for the fake of recommending the Gofpel by his difinterested spirit, and exhibiting a pattern of diligence. He "did not eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travel NIGHT AND DAY, that he might not be chargeable to any of them +." Sometimes he received relief from the Philippians: but this he neither fought nor defired. What an example of generofity, patience, and felf-denial, fpringing from the most exalted motives! Such were the leffons, which our Apostle had learnt at the feet of Jefus §. Are we thus inftructed? What have we been enabled to do, to give up, or endure, in the fervice of Chrift? Juftly may we be afhamed to mention our own difficulties, when we read of those in St. Paul's hiftory, * I Theff. i. 5-7. +2 Theff. iii. 8. § Phil. iv. 13, 12. Phil. iv. 16, 17. After After his departure from Theffalonica, he fled to the neighbouring city of Berea, and there, alfo, opened his commillion in the fynagogue of the Jews. The appearances were promifing: the people difcovered a much nobler difpofition than the Theffalonians. They were willing to hear, and with great diligence and feriousness compared the Apoftle's doctrines with the fcriptures; in confequence of which many embraced the Chriftian faith. Thofe, who reject it, are generally too indolent or too bigotted, to give it a fair examination: and yet, with much arrogance, they call themfelves free-thinkers. But the labours of St. Paul were foon closed at Berea. He was followed by the ftorm, which had been raised at Theffalonica. The Jews purfued him with indignation, and stirred up a violent commotion. It, therefore, became neceflary for him once more to confult his fafety by flight; though Silas and Timothy,, as being lefs obnoxious, ventured to continue there for a time, that they might carry on the work of God. Thus the oppofition, as before, contributed to a more extenfive propagation of the Gofpel, and Satan defeated his own purpofe. The unbelief and refiftance of fome were the means of fending falvation to many others. Paul was conducted to Athens, a city the most celebrated for the study of philofophy and all polite literature. But, even here, profound ignorance of God and ftupid idolatries prevailed, which evidently proved the Apoftle's affertion, that "the world by wifdom knew not God *." His mind was deeply affected by viewing the grofs fuperftitions of men, who boafted of their fuperior difcernment. Though he poffeffed a fine taite and improved understanding, he attended not to the learned curiofities and difputations of the place, which as a fcholar he might have relished. But he 1 Cor. i. 21. felt a ftrong defire to correct the fatal errors univerfally received, and to diffufe the knowledge of his God and Saviour. To this end he bore his teftimony in various parts of that renowned city. His fentiments, however, fuited not the notions of proud philofophers. They defpifed him as a trifling, contemptible fellow, a mere babbler, who had nothing to offer, deferving of their notice. Others represented him as an advocate for certain foreign deities, when he preached Jefus and the refurrection. He was, therefore, fummoned to anfwer for himself, and give an account of his doctrine before the high court, which affembled on the famous hill of Areopagus. In fuch a formidable fituation our Apoftle ftood forth to declare the grand principles of true religion. His address upon that occasion was masterly, and admirably adapted to the circumftances and character of the audience. He began with obferving their uncommon attention to the worship of invifible beings, and, from a view of their devotional rites, particularly remarked an altar, inscribed To THE UNKNOWN GOD. While they, therefore, evidently confeffed their igno◄ rance, he avowed himself ready to give them inftructions, in this important fubject. He then infifted on fome of the perfections of that God, whom they knew not, the God of creation and the God of providence ; and proved, by an appeal to his works and to the confeffions of their own poets, that He is the maker, fupporter, and governor of the world. From thefe principles he argued with great strength against their idolatrous notions and practices. He affirmed, that this God had long borne with the folly of men, and fuffered them to follow their own devices; but that repentance was now univerfally and indifpenfably required by the authority of Heaven. He further enforced the duty by the awful confideration of a day of future retribution and general judgment, of which, he he declared, the Lord God had given an affurance by the refurrection of the Saviour from the dead. There was a peculiar wifdom and dignity in the Apotle's addrefs: but it fhould feem, that his audience interrupted him, juft as he was entering on the most important topics. Conceited of their own erudition, they refufed him a ferious and patient hearing; and, as it frequently happens, they rejected with a contemptuous fneer what they could not confute. Amongst many, however, who made light of his doctrine, there were fome, who believed and fhewed a ftrong attachment to him; and, of thefe, one or two of confiderable rank. It is fuppofed, that there was fcarcely any place, in which St. Paul met with fo little fuccefs, as in this celebrated city, among thefe accomplished scholars and acute philofophers. Juftly may we cry out, "Where is the wife? where is the fcribe? where is the difputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" In other ages and countries, many perfons, admired for their fagacity and fuperior attainments in learning, have been among the bittereft oppofers of the Gofpel. And no wonder, fince this fyftem ftrikes at the root of cur pride, and can find admiffion with those only, who are willing to become fools, that they may be wife +. It is no argument against Chriftianity, that it was rejected by thefe vain pretenders to fcience at Athens, which may be readily accounted for. But it is a frong evidence in its favour, that Paul was not afraid to propofe and maintain it in fuch a philofophic city, and that fome were brought over to his fide. Let us enquire, Who among ourselves have cordially fubmitted to the faith of Chrift? It is worthy the acceptation of the highest ranks: but if you, who fill an exalted place in fociety, are disposed to embrace * I Cor. i. 20. tiii. 18. the the Gospel, like Dionyfius and Damaris at Athens, how great are your obligations to that God, who has removed your prejudice and fubdued your pride! Are there not fome, who, with a fhew of wisdom, are obliged to confefs, that they worship an unknown God! We entreat you to lien to thofe, who would declare him unto you. Your past times have been "times of ignorance," notwithstanding a fuperstitious performance of the formalities of devotion: O praise the Lord, who has been patient and longfuffering; and now hear his voice, for he calleth you to repentance! We remind you of the final advent of the Saviour, and the folemnities of the univerfal judgment. These things are too important to be difmiffed with a freer. O confider them with fixed attention: believe, and be faved! From Athens our Apoftle proceeded to Corinth*. This large and flourithing city, which abounded in wealth and magnificence, was infamous, even to a proverb, for its general fpirit of diffipation. It might feem, therefore, an unlikely place for the reception of the Gospel: but the minifters of Chrift must " preach to every creature," depending upon God to make his own word effectual. When He is pleased to fend it forth as "the Rod of his ftrength t," it accomplishes great events. It is "mighty through God to the pulling down of ftrong holds t." At Corinth a numerous fociety of Chriftians was gathered, as we may learn from the two Epiftles addreffed to that church; and some of thefe had once been of an abandoned character. Here he met with two pious perfons, Aquila and his wife Prifcilla, who had lately been banished from Rome for their religion. With them he took up his abode, and laboured for his fupport, as a tent-maker; for they had all been instructed in the fame occupation. + 2 Cor. x. 4. A&ts xviii. 1, &c. † Pfal. ex. 2. VOL. IV. At 1 |