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SAINT PAUL,

SECT. 4.

Paul came to Ephefus-driven away by a tumult of the people vifited Greece-returned to Troas-raifed Eutychus to life-paffed on to Miletus-there fent for the elders at Ephefus, and took his leave—at Tyræ and Cefarea diffuaded from going to Jerufalem, but proceeded thither-complied with Jewish prejudicesaffaulted by a mob-taken into cuftody of the Romans -addressed the people, but furiously opposed—arraigned before the Sanhedrim.

THE page of history has celebrated the characters of many, who fhewed uncommon ardour in fpreading devaftation and mifery, whilft they paffed from kingdom to kingdom. Such were Alexander and Cefar; who, however illuftrious their names have appeared, were no other than the oppreffors and murderers of mankind. How different the Apoftle of Chrift! His wifdom, zeal, and courage, were fuperior to thofe of the most admired heroes; and the motives of his conduct were noble and excellent, but their's fordid and base. We obferve him continually planning fresh schemes, and burning with eager defire, to carry the Gofpel from nation to nation, in defiance of all difficulties and dangers: and it is obvious, that he was actuated, not by the profpect of temporal emolument, dominion, or any carnal gratification, but by the pureft affection, of which the mind is fufceptible, love to God and to the whole human

race.

From what we have already feen of the extreme violence of perfecution, which St. Paul incurred in Q4

the

the cause of Chrift, it might be thought that he would foon be difcouraged, and decline all further exertions. Doubtless, this would have been the cafe, had he noť been upheld by a divine fupport, and animated by a full conviction of the truth and excellence of thofe doctrines, which he preached. But we fhall ftill behold him preffing on to new fervices; like an undaunted conqueror, diffatisfied with former victories, and eager to fubdue many more and far diftant cities and kingdoms, whatever dangers or deaths might feem to obftruct his way.

We left him, after his journey to Jerufalem," A. D. confirming the churches of Afia. That object 57. being accomplished, he returned to Ephefus, a place of confiderable note, but extremely addicted to idolatry and fenfual exceffes. Here he took up his abode for fome time, and by his labours a large fociety of Chriftians was formed, to whom he afterwards addreffed a valuable Epiftle, which is ftill ex

tant.

Here he found certain difciples, inftructed in the doctrine and baptifm of John, yet not acquainted with that abundant effufion of the Holy Spirit, which had been granted as the bleffed fruit and evidence of our Lord's afcenfion*. But, by the impofition of the Apostle's hands, the fame miraculous influences. were conferred on them, which other churches had received. Thus a glorious atteftation was given to the Gospel at Ephefus; and, probably, others were thereby induced to become obedient to the faith. There may be many fincere believers, in a great measure ignorant of the extent of thofe privileges, to which they are admitted in Chrift Jefus. We enquire of them, as Paul of the Ephefians," Unto what were ye baptized?" and we exhort them to pray earnestly, that they may be favoured with large communications

* Acts xix. 1, &C.

of

of that light, and strength, and comfort, which God hath promised, and is willing to bestow upon his people.

The Apostle opened his commiffion in the fynagogue of the Jews, and there endeavoured for three months together, by argument and perfuafion, to bring them into subjection to the kingdom of God. But fuch was the perverfenefs of that people, that at length he declined all connection with them, and chofe another place, a certain fchool in the city, where he continued daily, for the space of two years, to profecute the great object of his miniftry. During that period opportunity was given to the inha bitants of the neighbourhood, as well as to the Ephefians, to hear his teftimony; fo that he diffufed the knowledge of falvation in an extensive manner. pleafed God to confirm his doctrine by many furprifing miracles: difeafes were inftantly removed, and • evil fpirits difpoffeffed.

It

. Certain wandering Jews, pretending to the power of expelling demons, were defirous to imitate St.Paul, and accordingly, in their adjurations, made use of the name of Jefus, whom they knew not. A remarkable inftance of this kind occurred in the feven: fons of a Jewish prieft: they confpired together for the purpose, but were baffled in their fcheme, and nearly deftroyed by the man, whom they prefumptuoufly attempted to cure. The Lord Chrift is not to be trifled with. He will not give his fanction to the devices of hypocrites, and fooner or later will: detect their perhdy. It is vain, it is dangerous, for thofe, who are ftrangers to his character and live in difobedience to his authority, to profefs an attachment to his perfon. Though they may feem to takehis part, in oppofition to Satan, and to plead his cause, by writing or preaching in defence of the Gospel, they are not likely to fucceed better than "the feven fons of Sceva." Their efforts, probably, will not

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avail for the deliverance of others, and will certainly turn to their own confufion.

The defeat of thefe arrogant pretenders to a connection with the Saviour engaged the public notice at Ephefus, and ftamped greater credit upon the Gofpel and the miniftry of the Apoftle. Men were ftruck with an awful regard for the Lord Jefus, and afraid of provoking him by diffimulation. Convinced of the finfulness of their magical arts, they burned thofe very books, from which they had derived their former gains, and which they might then have fold for an immenfe fum. This was done in the open view of the town; and it is remarked as an evidence of the glorious efficacy and triumphant fuccefs of the Gofpel. It is, indeed, "mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." Where its power is felt, every profane practice will be renounced, and even the love of money overcome. Have we given fuch a proof of our fubmiffion to Chrift? Are we wilJing to forfake those occupations and habits, though moft profitable, which cannot be retained with a good confcience? Ah! how many reject the word of God and perish eternally, because they are determined to hold faft their unjuft gains! "Fifty thoufand pieces of filver," and the accustomed means of subfiftence, were facrificed by thefe Ephefians: let thofe, who are attached to the world, fay, if that principle be not moft potent, which can produce fuch uncommon effects.

During St. Paul's abode at Ephefus, he was not unmindful of his friends and brethren at a distance. He meditated fresh fervices in other places, and burned with an eager defire, not only to vifit the churches, which were far feparated from each other, but to carry the glad tidings of falvation even to Rome, the metropolis of the world. For the prefent, as he pro

* 2 Cor. x. 4.

longed

longed his ftay, he fent Timothy and Eraftus, two beloved companions, as his fubftitutes, into Macedonia. About this time, probably, he wrote his firft Epiftle to the Corinthians, in which he mentions his fituation at Ephefus, as affording him opportunitiesof extensive usefulness, though attended with violent oppofition: "A great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adverfaries *."

Satan may be expected to use his strongest efforts,. by ftirring up his zealous agents to refift the Gofpel, which threatens deftruction to his kingdom. In most places there are fome perfons, who, from their peculiar employments or connections in life, fuppofe their intereft will be injured by the progrefs of true religion.. Their chief emoluments, and even their fubfiftence, may feem to depend upon the folly and wickedness: of others and therefore, when the word of God comes with power, and turns men from their evil ways, thefe people, perceiving their "craft is in danger to be fet at nought," will raife a grievous." outcry.

This was the cafe at Ephefus. Demetrius, who derived large profits from the idolatrous worship of Diana, ftirred up a furious mob against Paul and his companions. The Apoftle would have ventured into the midft, to addrefs them on the fubject; but he was prevailed on by his friends to confult his fafety : and his example teaches us, that a prudent regard to our own prefervation is confiftent with the warmcft zeal.

At length, the town-clerk or recorder of the city appeafed the violence of the multitude, which threatened very ferious confequences. He argued not on principles of religion, but as a man of difcretion, and perfuaded them through motives of intereft to defift from their outrageous proceedings. We perceive the

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