Page:Life and voyages of the Apostle Paul.pdf/16

Rh a proper defence of his doctrine. “I endeavour,” said he, “only to explain that altar to you, and manifest the nature of that God whom you ignorantly worship. The true God is he that made the world, and all things therein; and who being Lord of all, dwells not in temples made with hands, nor is to be worshipped in lifeless idols. As he is the creator of all things, he cannot be confined to the workmanship of man, whether temples or statues; nor stand in need of sacrifices, since he is the fountain of life to all things. He made from one eommoncommon [sic] original the whole race of mankind, and hath wisely determined their dependence on him, that they might be obliged to seek after him and serve him. A truth perceivable in the darkest state of ignorance, and acknowledged by one of your own poets. If this be the nature of God, it is surely the highest absurdity to represent him by an image of similitude. The divine patience hath been too much exercised already with such gross abuses in religion, but now expects a thorough reformation, having sent his Son Jesus Christ to make him known to the world, and at the same time to inform them that he hath appointed a day of general judgment, when the religion of mankind shall be tried by the test of the gospel, before his only-begotten Son, who is appointed sole judge of the quick and dead, and whose commission to that high office hath been ratified by the Almighty, in raising him from the dead.”

On his mentioning the resurrection, some philosophers mocked audand [sic] derided him; others, more modest, but not satisfied with the proofs he had given, gravely answered, “We would hear thee again of this matter.” After which Paul departed from the court; but not without some success, for a few of his auditors believed and attended his instructions.

During St. Paul’s stay at Athens, Timothy came to him out of Macedonia; and brought an account that the Christians at Thessalonica were under persecution from their fellow citizens ever since his departure: at which St. Paul was greatly concerned, and at first inclined to visit them in person, to confirm them in the faith; but being hindered by the enemies of the gospel, he sent Timothy to comfort them.

On Timothy’s departure, St. Paul left Athens, and travelled to Corinth, a very populous place, and famous for its trade. Here he found Aquila and Priscilla his wife, lately come from Italy, having been banished from Rome, by the decree of Claudius. And they being of the same trade he himself had learned in his youth, he wrought with them, that he might not be burdensome to the new converts.

Here the apostle was joined by Silas and Timothy, who