The Horæ Paulinæ of William Paley, D.D., carried out and illustrated in a continuous history of the apostolic labours and writings of St. Paul, on the basis of the Acts, with intercalary matter of sacred narrative supplied from the Epistles, and elucidated in occasional dissertations

Introduction

TO THE

CONTINUOUS HISTORY OF ST. PAUL,

When Dr. Paley remarked, in his Exposition of the Argument of the Horae Paulinae (p. 9. as here reprinted), that his own subject, in that work of unrivalled merit and originality, had never been proposed or considered in the same view before ; it is much to be lamented, that he did not advance one step farther in his reflections. It might have occurred to his mind, that neither Ludovicus Cappellus nor Bishop Pearson nor Dr. George Benson nor Dr. Lardner, in the continued history of St. Paul's life which each of them had written, made up from the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles joined together, could have given the whole of that history under its only true and natural aspect. They were not qualified to give it so ; inasmuch as not one of those authors, however successful as to some of the Epistles, had been fortunate enough to take the whole of them in that just succession, which Dr. P.'s own labours in the Horse Paulinas have so admirably contributed to point out and establish.

If happily for the cause of sacred learning Dr\ Paley had thus reflected, he must have felt that a great desideratum, therefore, remained : and if he had then bent the powers of his mind to the task, such a complete narrative, on a correct and clear arrangement of all the

a 3

VI INTRODUCTION.

materials for it, might have been the result, as would have left nothing to regret in that great line of apostolic literature.

But what is the consequence now ? Numerous and important as the points are, bearing on the apostle's personal history, which have their incidental illustration in the Horse Paulinae ; yet for want of some collective retrospect to exhibit the points so gained in a distinct line of view, that value of his admirable work is even yet perhaps imperfectly estimated, while the farther task, to carry out those great beginnings of the Horag Paulinas into something like a regular narration, after the lapse of fifty years, is left for other hands, however inferior, to execute.

In the pursuit and execution of a design arduous enough, as a Christian and a Scholar, I have, with God's blessing, honestly done my best. The faithful labour now of some years has been assiduously devoted to the employment ; and it would be an affectation of humility to dissemble the hope, that those efforts will be found not to have been bestowed in vain.

It must be immediately seen, that in tracing my course through the Pauline epistles, Dr. Paley's chart has been steadily kept in view ; but it will be evident also, that I have not failed to take accurate observations of my own. On this point, indeed, every attentive reader is enabled to judge for himself. The passages in the H. P. are referred to more frequently, perhaps, than the occasion may always demand; and the texts from the New Testament are produced or quoted with similar exactness.

The object of the work, in whatever degree it is satisfactorily effected, will be to exhibit in a clearer light than before the series and succession of the labours and writings of St. Paul in every stage of his apostolic

INTRODUCTION. Vll

course, and to develope the circumstances of every person and place, at all important, with which the Acts or the Epistles represent him connected.

In speaking thus largely, however, of the design on which these pages are occupied, as a solemn protest against misrepresentation let me now declare : that I do not believe one fact in the least affecting the historical evidence of Christianity, much less one word of truth necessary to the salvation of its followers, remains in these days, or can remain, for human ingenuity to discover and demonstrate. And yet so long as ever the Christian student shall take an interest in contemplating the truths and evidences of our common faith, no sincere attempts like the present to improve the clearness and consistency with which it may be historically viewed, will ever be unnecessary or ever be unwelcome.

My plan of proceeding in this work is easily seen on the inspection of its contents. The Acts of course constitute the basis of the sacred narrative ; while such facts and circumstances, omitted in the direct history or slightly touched only, as can be supplied from the Epistles, in the place which invites their insertion, are duly incorporated with the Acts. But this is generally done in a manner so plain and favourable for consulting and verifying, that the reader can instantly refer to the particulars concerned, and judge on inspection for himself. The use which is here made of " undesigned coincidences " to complete or qualify passages in the apostolic history, forms a very essential part of the work, as the references to the H. P. will sufficiently show. Something also will be found to be done, where the coincidences, when seen, are direct and obvious enough ; and that, in some cases, where without close and patient investigation, the light thrown from one passage on another could not have been elicited. Additions of

a 4

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

this latter kind, when they occur, it must be left to the reader to appreciate.

In order to preserve as much as might be the line of personal narrative without interruption, whatever in the way of argument became necessary for elucidating either facts or reasonings, has been generally set aside for separate perusal, in an Appendix of Dissertations ; for all of which the best attention that can be given, may be reasonably claimed. The most important subject of the whole, perhaps, from its involving so deeply and extensively the just succession of apostolic events, is that in Appendix D, p. 152., on the " developement of Corinthian transactions," &c, and especially at p. 160. s. 6., the " Original argument against the early date of the Epistle 1 Timothy."

By no single cause of error, perhaps, have learned men been more speciously misled than by their confounding the apostle's departure from Ephesus after the riot, in Acts xx. 1., with that mentioned to Timothy, in 1 Tim. i. 3. And no pains therefore can be considered superfluous which may serve to exhibit the misdating of that one event in its true light, as disturbing the harmony of all others any way connected with it.

The posteriority indeed of that epistle (and of the Epistle to Titus along with it) to St. Paul's first imprisonment at Rome constitutes the very column ; on which the calculation here adopted and maintained for what is called the Last apostolic progress, has entirely to rest for its support. And I feel no hesitation in declaring myself, to the full extent of moral proof, convinced ; that such in the main, as here elicited from the two Epistles, must those facts have been which fill up the interval, otherwise quite blank, betwixt the first and second times of imprisonment at Rome.

On the subject of Chronology^ some farther account

INTRODUCTION. IX

of what has been done, may naturally be expected. And here let me say very candidly, that the task of chronological research, strictly so called, I have regarded not as lying out of my way, but as a very fit subject for separate inquiry. I have set myself, therefore, to investigate and determine the series and succession of the principal events in the line of apostolical history, without making any attempt to calculate exactly the period of time betwixt every one great point in that line and every other. It may not be always true, but in this department of sacred narrative it can hardly, I think, be denied, that the succession of events, if once ascertained, may throw light on the calculation of intervals ; while no intervals, that I can see, are yet by general agreement so certainly defined, as to afford a safe clue for adjusting the succession where that is otherwise matter of dispute.

For the present I have adopted, if not as absolutely correct, yet as not very far from the truth, the dates of Bishop Tomline given in his Introduction to the Study of the Bible, partii. ch. 7-> Of St Paul. At all events, in general agreement with Dr. Paley, his calculations are formed on that relative order of the epistles, which it is one purpose of this work more clearly to establish : and from the adoption of those dates, with that understanding, no important error is ever likely to ensue.

For geographical assistance in reading the Continuous History, something in the way of an appropriate sketch has been attempted. In my judgment, for practically illustrating the travels of St. Paul, the simplest plan will be the best also. Suppose the leading aspect of different countries from good maps to be already known, which for the most part may safely enough be assumed ; and then let the map here given for that especial purpose, exhibit all the places on record

X INTRODUCTION.

as actually traversed, so much and no more. The student will have the lands and seas in outline before him ; and as he reads of each separate journey or voyage, he can surely trace for himself the course of the narrative, just as the apostle passes along from one distinct scene of action or suffering to another. A plan like this, if fairly pursued, will hardly fail to answer its end.

To the Notes critical and grammatical a few words may next be allotted. In some passages, more or less important, where our Version was not constructed on the true text, as being at that era not known or not duly appreciated, I have readily availed myself, but only where the subject demanded it, of the Lectio indubie genuina of the text of Griesbach, to secure the just and satisfactory interpretation. And if on some other texts with less urgent reason for it I have once or twice delivered a remark of illustration, the lovers of correct learning will hardly condemn a liberty taken within such modest bounds.

On all occasions, whether adverted to in the Notes or not, wherever I have in any way freely deviated from our Version, the better to bring out the meaning of the original, to qualify or develope it ; the attentive reader with his New Testament open for reference will be at no loss to discern what is so intended, and to accept it accordingly.

The Index of places and persons, &c. will be found particularly useful as presenting in the order of time a brief sketch of each subject, according to the relation which it bore to the principal agent. That Index will be not less efficient also, to show how the subordinate parts harmonize with the whole and with each other ; as well as to demonstrate that collective consequence both of persons and places, which might be undervalued,

INTRODUCTION. XI

if not lost, when occurring in points of distant detail. Troas alone may well suffice to exemplify the latter remark.

The CONTINUOUS HISTORY is here divided into Parts. Some account may be expected of that division. My first idea was that now exhibited in the body of the work,

in Part I. to place whatever is known of St. Paul

prior to his first apostolic progress, to p. 10. ; in Part II. the three apostolic progresses from Antioch, including the private journey and the public mission to Jerusalem between the first and second of those progresses, and the third progress terminating, at p. 81., in the great Jewish Persecution which closes with his deliverance from the first imprisonment at Rome, p. 117. ; in Part III. the fourth and last apostolic progress,

from Rome, p. 124. ; in Part IV. his return to Rome, and his martyrdom

there, p. 132.

In point of facility, however, for comprehension and memory, I have since thought that method of classifying the principal events, given in the five Chronological Tables here subjoined, to have the decisive advantage ; especially as the three early progresses, those from Antioch, are concluded each in its own Table, i. ii. hi., while Table iv., devoted to the long persecution which began at Jerusalem, preludes to Table v. of the last Progress, that from Rome to Rome again, which leads at once to the Apostle's martyrdom.

Very fortunately by either method the large groupings of historic matter are presented according to their real importance ; so that no inconvenience is likely to arise, whichever of the two divisions be at the time preferred and followed. But for permanent use that

Xll INTRODUCTION.

of the Tables will justly have the preference : it is recommended for adoption accordingly.

And here, before concluding, the pleasing office remains, to acknowledge some particular obligations contracted in the course of this work, which has in fact been long and laborious.

Dr, Hastings Robinson, well known as a scholar and a divine, deserves my best thanks for the benefit derived from the use of his library, and the reference, at times, to his judgment, during my residence in that part of Essex \ where the convenience of immediate neighbourhood favoured the enjoyment of friendship with such persons as Dr. H. R., the Rector of Great Warley, and our common friend, Mr. Yorke, the Rector of Shenfield.

To my son, Mr. Thomas Tate, now in the cure of Edmonton, as heretofore in that of Hutton, my valuable coadjutor, I testify, with much pleasure, that I have been greatly indebted : very much so for his aid at a critical period of my labours, in the happy extrication out of certam difficulties, occasioned by that brevity, bordering on the obscure, with which the movements of the Apostle are sometimes narrated in the Acts.

Eor frequent readiness to assist me by his accurate and extensive acquaintance with ecclesiastical antiquity, let my estimable young friend, Mr. R. C. Jenkins, of Trinity College, Cambridge, be thus duly thanked. His Short Defence of the Eucharistical Doctrine of the Church of England has been already well received ; and may justify the expectation in time of maturer fruits from learning and talent like his so united.

Amen Corner, St. Paul's, Oct. 21. 1840.

SIX CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES

OF THE

PRINCIPAL EVENTS, &c.

A. D,

34. 35.

TABLE I. Pa s e

SAUL before his conversion .... - - 1

. . . the conversion of Saul. - - - 3 Saul afterwards at Damascus: his journey into

Arabia, and return. - 5

Escapes from Damascus. Saul at Jerusalem,

thence to Tarsus ... - - - - 6, 7

The Gospel preached out of Palestine - - 8

first to Jews, then to Gentile Proselytes - - 9

Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch for his coadjutor ... - - - - — CHRISTIANS first so named in that city. - — The dearth in Judea : relief carried by B. and S. from Antioch. - - - - 10

From Antioch, the first Apostolic Progress, of Barnabas and Saul, solemnly commissioned: - - - 11, 12

To the isle of Cyprus, where Sergius Paulus, the first idolatrous Gentile, is converted : - 13

to Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul (now so called) preaches, - - - - 15

and there the first great conversion of idolatrous Gentiles. - - - 18

From Antioch they flee to Iconium ; thence, to Lystra: - - - - 19

the miraculous cure of the cripple there, and its consequences : - - - - 20

thence to Derbe, and there without any hindrance 21

Through Pisidia to Pamphylia . . . and by Attalia back to Antioch in Syria, - - 22

now the metropolis of Gentile Christianity.

Xlv CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

TABLE II.

A. D,

51,

A t ■ Fage

As preliminary to the second Apostolic Progress, two important events may be considered and placed here : —

the private journey of Paul and Barnabas with Titus - - - _ - 23

to Jerusalem, followed by the rebuke of Peter at Antioch ;

the public mission of Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, - - - - - 26

the council held there, and the decree.

From Antioch, the second Apostolic Progress. 32 Paul, not now with Barnabas, but accompanied

by Silas, - - - 34

sets out, through Syria and Cilicia, to visit the

Churches : at Lystra joined by Timothy, through Phrygia

and (the^r^ time) Galatia, - - 35, 36

onward to Troas, the first time ; there joined by

Luke, they pass into Macedonia. - - 37

At Philippi, the first time, cruelly treated ; - 38

but the foundation of a pure church miraculously laid there : to Thessalonica and Berea ; from Berea, Paul

escapes by sea, - - - - 41.. 43

passes to Athens, his discourse there on Mars'

Hill: 44

to Corinth the first time, meets with Aquila and

Priscilla ----- 47 writes the EPISTLE to the GALATIANS; - 48 overtaken there by Silas and Timothy, from Berea

and Thessalonica ; writes the 1 and 2 EPISTLES to the THES-

SALONIANS... - - 50

is carried by the Jews before Gallio, who drives

them away. - - - - 51

From Corinth, to Ephesus the first time, a short

stay there . . - - - - 53

and visits Jerusalem in his way, before he returns - - - - - — from the second progress, to Antioch.

A. D.

OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. XV

TABLE III.

Page

From Antioch, the third Progress.

Paul, now attended by Timothy, Erastus, and revisits the churches, of Galatia the second time,

and of Phrygia . . - - - - 57

then goes down to Ephesus, the second time, - 58

where he exercises the dispensation of miraculous

Writes the First EPISTLE to the CORIN- THIANS: the occasion of it. - - 61 After the riot raised by Demetrius, he leaves

Ephesus abruptly, - - - - 63

by Troas, second time, hastens to Philippi, the

second time, - - - - - 66

where he overtakes Timothy, and meets Titus — (whom he had sent, by different ways, to Corinth,

pp. 154, 5.) Writes the Second EPISTLE to the CO- RINTHIANS. - - - 66 From Philippi he goes over those parts as far

as Illyricum, - - - - - 67

and thence once more, now the second time, to

Corinth : - - - - - —

from that city writes the EPISTLE to the

ROMANS. —

On his return, he chuses to take the route through

Macedonia, . . - - - - 71

— at Philippi, the third time, and so by Troas

the third time . . - - - 73

At Miletus, has the Elders from Ephesus to meet thence to Cesarea, and though solemnly warned

of his da. ger, - - - - 78

he goes up to Jerusalem, where his third Progress

is abruptly terminated - - "70

by Persecution of the Jews.

XVI CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE

TABLE IV.

A. D.

Page

The great Jewish Persecution (to the end of the Acts) - - - -82

begins at Jerusalem, where Paul is violently apprehended in the Temple . . . Proceedings there before the chief captain Lysias : before the Chief Priests : - - - - 83

he is carried away to Cesarea for safety ; -88

on his trial there before Felix, accused by the Jews: - - - - 89

Felix (with Drusilla) hears him concerning the faith in Christ. - - - - 91

Festus after two years succeeds to Felix. - - 92 (During that period, how Luke had been occupied, p. 162.)

Paul, to protect himself from treachery, appeals to Caesar : - - - 95

and before Agrippa (and Bernice) delivers that wonderful speech. - - - - 97

He is sent off to Rome, with Luke and Aristarchus as his companions; ■ - - - 100

the voyage till they reach the isle of Crete . . . the danger - 101

then foreseen and foretold — and the shipwreck at Malta . . - - - - 104

Paul and the viper . . he miraculously also heals the father of Publius. - - - 105

After three months, they set sail, and touch at Syracuse , .

at Puteoli, where they land, brethren are found . . afterwards is met by brethren from Rome ; and on arriving there, declares to the Jews the cause of his coming. - 107

During the two years in that city, visited or attended by various friends,

he writes Epistles to EPHESIANS, COLOS- S1ANS, PHILEMON. - - 108 . . 112

Luke probably left him (how to be occupied and where, p. 116.) before he wrote the EPISTLE to the PHILIPPIANS. - - - —

Soon after that came his expected liberation from the first imprisonment at Rome.

N.B. His Epistle to the Hebrews probably written soon after this time.

A. D.

OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. XVII

TABLE V.

Last Progress from Rome to Rome again, ending in the second imprisonment and martyrdom there.

Page

63. Paul, intending to visit Asia first, and afterwards

Macedonia, - - - - 118

takes with him Titus and Timothy . . - - 1 1 9

the one he stations in Crete ; the other he leaves at Ephesus, - - - - 120

now visited by him for the third time :

he himself, via Troas, visits PHILIPP1, both for the fourth time .. . - 121

from Philippi, he writes to TIMOTHY the FIRST EPISTLE, and -

before setting out to the N. W. parts, he writes the EPISTLE to TITUS, and summons him to Nicopolis, as the place where he means to winter. - - - - 123

After accomplishing these plans, Paul on his return takes Corinth, now visited for the third time ; passes over to Ephesus, the fourth time visited ; leaves Trophimus sick at Miletus ; and soon after arrives in Rome. - - - 124

There he is again apprehended ; during his imprisonment writes the sacred legacy of his last farewell, the SECOND EPISTLE to TIMOTHY, 125

(now at Philippi, pp. 123, 4., whither he had been some time ago removed from Ephesus ;)

65 and at Rome Paul suffers Martyrdom - 132

[or

XV111 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES.

TABLE VI.

Of the xiii Epistles which bear the Name of Paul, in their just order of tlme and place.

A. D.

Six, before the Jewish persecution which carried him from Jerusalem to Rome : —

Page

GALATIANS.. - _ J written from Co- 1 48

1&2THESSALONIANSJ ™^£^£J 50

1 CORINTHIANS, from!

Ephesus - - - 61

2 CORINTHIANS, from Lin his third Pro- Philippi - - gress - 66

ROMANS, from Corinth - - 67

Four, from Rome, while imprisoned there : —

EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILE- MON, - - - 108.. 112 PHILIPPIANS, shortly before his liberation —

Two, after he left Rome, on his fourth Progress : —

1 TIMOTHY, and TITUS, both from Philippi - - - - 121 .. 123

One, in his final imprisonment : —

2 TIMOTHY, from Rome - - 125

TABLE OF REMAINING CONTENTS. XIX

TABLE VII.

Of the remaining Contents.

Page

NOTES Grammatical and Critical - - 133

Articles of APPENDIX.

A. On the posteriority of the Council of Jerusalem, &c. 141

B. On the early Date of the Epistle to the Galatians - 146

C. On the Vision and the Thorn in the Flesh - - 150

D. On the Corinthian Transactions, as Timothy and

Titus are concerned, &c. - - - 152

E. On Luke, his Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles 162

F. On the question of Paul's Visit to Spain - - 171

G. On the Epistle to the Hebrews - - - 184

INDEX of Persons and Places.

Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla, Erastus, Gaius of Derbe 189 Illyricum, Jerusalem, Luke, Malta - - - 193

Peter, James, and John; James the Less; Silas - 196

Timothy, Titus, Troas, Tychichus - - - 199 mat ©if irisis 2'mfioats dt 8? mkil.o

MAIH

Part I

THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL PRIOR TO HIS FIRST APOSTOLIC PROGRESS.

SAUL BEFORE HIS CONVERSION.

Rom. xi. 1. An Israelite, of the seed of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin.

Philip, iii. 5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law a Pharisee ;

6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church ; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Acts xxii. 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus —

(xxi. 39. a city in Cilicia ; a citizen of no mean city) — yet brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel (for whose reputation and wisdom, see Acts, ch. v. 34... 39«), and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

A. vii. 55. Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

B

L Z . THE CONVERSION OF SAUL,

Acts vi. 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him : and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge ! And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

A. xxii. 20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

A. viii. 1. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2. And certain good and pious men (see Note) carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house ; and haling men and women, committed them to prison.

4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went every where preaching the word.

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL,

Acts ix. 1. And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL. 6

Acts ix. 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, (that is, several, for Damascus abounded in a Jewish population,) that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus ; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven :

4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ?

5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest : it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no man.

8. And Saul arose from the earth ; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man : but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10. And there was a certain disciple (a Christian convert) at Damascus, named Ananias : and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus : for, behold, he prayeth,

12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might recover his sight.

b 2

4< THE CONVERSION OF SAUL.

Acts ix. 13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem :

14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way : for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear mv name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel :

16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house (v. 11.), and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales ; and he recovered sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.