able to think, that Paul would speak of fuch an apologie in an epistle writ foon after it was made, than in an epiftle writ five or fix years afterwards. That Paul speaks of an apologie made at the time fuppofed by us, is very probable. And this text was fo understood by feveral ancient writers, Eufebius, Jerome, Chryfoftom, and Theodoret. The words of (y) Eufebius I transcribe below in his own language. Jerome's words were transcribed by us (z) formerly, and are fit to be repeated here. They reprefent the fame fentiment with that in Eufebius: from whom, probably, and from fome other ancients, he learned it. "It (a) fhould be obferved, fays he, "that at the time of his firft apologie, Nero's government not being yet quite degenerated, nor difgraced with the horrible wickedneffe, which "hiftorians speak of, Paul was fet at liberty, that he might preach the "gofpel in the western parts of the world: as himfelf writes in the fecond epiltle to Timothie, dictated by him in his bonds, at the time he suffered." And what follows.

ས

And Chryfoftom in a homilie upon the fourth chapter of this epiftle: "How, fays (b) he, fhall we understand this first apologie? He was at "first brought before the Emperour, and efcaped. But when he had "converted his cup-bearer, then he was beheaded."

Theodoret is very exprefs in his comment.

"When (c) upon his appeal, he was fent to Rome by Feftus, having apologized for himself, he was difmiffed as innocent, and went into Spain, and other nations. "By the first apologie therefore he meaneth that which was then made. "And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. So he calls Nero, as being Emperour, and a cruel man."

Indeed this defenfe, or apologie, cannot relate to any other time. For he fays: But the Lord ftood with me, and strengthened me: that by me the preaching might be fully known, and all the Gentils might hear. This could not be faid at any fuppofed fecond imprisonment, when the Apoftle was near his end. But muft relate to the profpect of fucceffe, which he had

foon

(γ) ... τότε μὲν οὖν ἀπολογησάμενον, αὖθις ἐπὶ τὴν τὸ κηρύγματος διακονία, λόγος έχει δείλασθαι τὸν ἀπότολον δεύτερον δὲ ἐπιβάντα τῇ αὐτῇ πόλει τῷ κατ' αὐτὸν τελειωθῆναι μαρτυρίῳ: ἐν ᾧ δεσμοῖς ἐλόμενος τὴν πρὸς τιμόθεον δευτέραν ἐπιτολὴν συντάττει, ὁμε σημαίνων την τε προτέραν αυτῷ γενομένην ἀπολογίαν, καὶ τὴν παραπόδας τελείωσιν. . . . Εικός γέτοι κατά μεν ἀρχὰς ἐπιώτερον το νέρωνος διαχει μένα, ξᾶον τὴν ὑπὲρ τῶ δόγματος το πουλε καταδεχθῆναι ἀπολογίαν προελθόντος δὲ εἰς αθεμίτες τόλμας, μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων, καὶ τὰ κατὰ τῶν αποτόλων εγχεις ἐσθῆναι, H. E. l. i. cap. 22. p. 62. A. et D. '

(z) See ch. 114. Vol. x. p. 110. III.

(a) Sciendum autem, in prima fatisfactione, necdum Neronis imperio roborato, nec in tanta erumpente fcelera, quanta de eo narrant hiftoriæ, Paulum a Nerone dimiffum, ut evangelium Chrifti in Occidentis quoque partibus prædicaret. Sicut ipfe in fecunda epiftola ad Timotheum, eo tempore quo et paffus eft, de vinculis dictans epiftolam. &c. De V. I. cap. V.

(5) Πόιαν δὲ πρώτην ἀπολογίαν λέγει; Παρίση ήδη τῷ νέρωνι, καὶ διέφυγεν. Επειδὴ δὲ τὸν οινοχόον αυτε κατήχησε, τότε αὐτὸν απέτεμεν. In 2 cf. ad Tim. cap. iv. hom. 10. T. xi. p. 722. B.

(ε) Ηνίκα τῆ ἐφέσει χρησάμενος εἰς τὴν ἑώμην ὑπὸ τὸ φης, παρεπέμφθη, ἀπολο γησάμενος ὡς ἀθῶος ἐφείθη. . . . Πρώτην τόνον ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐν ἐκείην τῇ ἐκδημία γεγενημένην ἐκάλεσε τον λα In 2 ep. Tim. iv. 26. Tom. 3. p. 506.

VOL. II.

S

foon after he was brought from Judea to Rome. At that time these expreffions were exceedingly proper, and his expectations were fully anfwered. As may be collected from Philip. ii. 12.... 20. and iv. 22. Witfius has fome obfervations upon this place, which (d) deferve to be tranícribed. So do likewife the obfervations of another learned writer, (e) they being well fuited to illuftrate this text.

For farther clearing up this point, I must stay fomewhat longer here: I cannot but think it very evident, that Paul was now brought before the Emperour, and that he here refers to it. Lightfoot fuppofeth, that (f) in thofe words, at my first answer, Paul does not fo much refer to what, or how many anfwers, he was called to: but intimates, that even at the first pinch and appearance of danger, all that should have been his affiftants started from him." And that may be the meaning. Nevertheless it is not impoffible, that Paul might make two apologies, one foon after the other, at the firft of which all forfook him: whereas, at the fecond, there were fome, who appeared with him, and spoke in his behalf. But however that may be, I am of opinion, that Paul was brought before Nero himself, and that he here fpeaks of it. Several (g) moderns

have

(d) Puto hæc ad ea quæ Romæ tunc gefta funt referenda effe. Ibi enim conftitutus tunc fuit Paulus, ut in fummo totius mundi loco, unde evangelii ab ipfo prædicati fonus, non tanquam buccinæ, fed tanquam tonitru, quaquaverfum audiretur. . . . Porro ea, quæ Romæ, quæ in Prætorio, quæ ad tribunal Cæfaris dicebantur, vel agebantur, in tanta confluentium multitudine, celeri fama, per omnes totius propemodum orbis gentes vulgata fuere. Quibus non parum ponderis ex eo acceffit, quod captivus ifte, tam mirabilium rerum anunciator, a popularibus quidem fuis accufatus, fed a Cæfare abfolutus, vel certe non damnatus effet. Witf. de Vit. Paul. §. 12. num.

xxxii.

...

(e) Idem jam a Paulo indicatum. 2 Tim. iv. 16. 17. In prima meo defen fione nemo mihi adfuit, fed omnes, nimirum Chriftiani, Romæ tum Pauli aggre gati, me deferuerunt. ... Dominus autem mihi adfuit, et confortavit me, ut per me promulgatio evangelii compleretur, et omnes gentes illud audirent: Etenim liberatus fui ex ore leonis, quocum jamjam mihi erat depugnandum. . . . Paulus docet, fefe, adjuvante Deo, ab intentata fibi cum leone depugnatione fuiffe ereptum : fefe cauffam fuam ita dixiffe, ut liber et inviolatus fuerit dimiflus e Prætorio: Deum hoc pacto promulgationem evangelii promoviffe, et in celebritatem deduxiffe, ac ad fecuritatem. Securitas adnuntiationis fita eft in voce wangoPogias, quæ a nave, plenis velis ac liberrime invehente, eft defumta. Eum igitur finem liberationis fuæ Numen Supremum voluerat effe proprium, ut Paulus in pofterum eo liberius doctrinam evangelii eyulgaret. Roma erat locus celeberrimus. Quidquid ibi gerebatur, id putabatur agi in luce orbis terrarum. Cauffa itaque Pauli inde innotuit ac increbuit paffim, ac quicunque de ca aliquid audiebant, avidi fuerunt redditi doctrinæ quoque ipfius, quam docebat, audiendæ et cognofcendæ. J. Ch. Harenberg. Otia Gandershem. Obferv. 8. §. iii.

(f) As before, p. 322.

(g) I fhall cite an author or two here, though they may not agree with me about the time of Paul's appearance before the Emperour.

"Acts xxvii. 24. Thou must be brought before Cefar. By this, and by what Paul fays, 2 Tim. iv. 17. it feems, that he had a perfonal hearing be fore Nero himself." Wall's Crit. Notes upon the N. T. p. 271.

7

Nous

have perceived this. But though this opinion had never had the Patronage of any great names, I apprehend, it might be deduced with certainty from St. Luke's historie in the Acts. He is very concife in what he says of Paul after his arrival at Rome. Nor has he said, that Paul was brought before Nero. But it may be argued, and concluded from what he has faid.

And

When Paul was firft brought before Feftus at Cefarea, after he had been left bound by Felix, at the end of two years imprisonment, and Feftus propofed, that he should go up to Jerufalem, and be there judged before him, Paul faid: I ftand at Cæfar's judgement feat, where I ought to be judged. Acts xxv. 9. 10. Then Feftus, when he had conferred with his council, anfwered: Haft thou appealed unto Cajar? Unto Cæfar fhalt thou go. ver. 12. Therefore that was now determined. When Feftus first Ipoke to King Agrippa about Paul's affair, he faid to him: But when Paul had appealed to be referved to the hearing, or judgment, of Auguftus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might fend him to Cafar. ver. 21. when Feftus actually brought Paul before Agrippa, and the reft, he faid: He himself having appealed unto Auguftus, I have determined to fend him. ver. 25. After Paul had pleaded before Feftus, and Agrippa, and that great companie at Cefarea, it is faid, ch. xxvi. 31. 32. And the King rofe up, and Bernice, and they that fat with them. And when they had gone afide, they talked between themjelves, faying: This man doth nothing worthie of death, or of bonds. Then faid Agrippa unto Feftus: This man might have been fet at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæfar. After his appeal therefore the fending Paul to Rome was unavoidable. If Agrippa and the reft of that great companie did not dare to difmifs him, though they thought him innocent, but judged it needful, that he should go to Rome, may be reckoned probable, that he was actually brought before the Emperour. And Feftus wrote a letter concerning Paul to the Emperour himself, as may be concluded from ch. xxv. 26. 27. And while Paul was in the voyage to Rome, he had a vifion. An angel ftood by him, faying: Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cæfar. ch. xxvii. 23. 24. Certainly, therefore, he was brought before him. And that is what he intends, when he speaks of his apologie. Which is also confirmed by what follows: And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. Whereby

it

must be meant Nero himself.

And now we may be able to understand thofe expreffions: No man food with me, but all men forfook me. St. Luke's hiftorie of Paul's arrival at Rome will give great light to thofe words. Acts xxviii. 13... 15. And we came the next day to Putcoli. Where we found brethren, and were defired to tarry with them feven days. And fo we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us, as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns. Whom when Paul faw, he thanked God, and took courage. The affectionate and refpectful vifit of fo many Chriftians from Rome was very refreshing and comfortable to him, after all the fatigues

Nous ne faurions douter au moins que S. Paul n'ait comparu devant Neron peu de temps avant fa mort, comme on le voit par fa feconde epiftre à Timothée. Tillem. S. Paul. note 40. Mem. T. i. p. 531. Paris.

fatigues of his voyage, and in the difgraceful circumstances of his appearance. But when he was prefented to the Emperour, no man stood by ! him. But all men forfook him. And these are the men, whom he intends: these, and other Chriftians then at Rome. None of them had courage to appear in his favour, and plead in his behalf, as they might have done. But all drew back, and left him alone. Notwithstanding the Lord flood with me, and ftrengthened me.

Let me now reprefent the progreffe of this affair, as it appears to me, after having confulted (b) Lightfoot, and others.

When the prifoners from Judea were brought to Rome, they were all delivered to the Captain of the Guard, or Prefect of the Prætorium. At the fame time Julius the Centurion, to whofe charge they had been committed, and who had all along courteously entreated Paul [ Acts xxvii. 3.] fpoke honorably of him to the Prefect, or delivered in a written memorial of his voyage, and the feveral prifoners, whom he had brought with him, inferting, particularly, fome things in favour of this prifoner, and alfo put into his hands the Governour's letter to the Emperour concerning Paul. The tenour of which, as may be concluded from the letter of Lyfias to Felix, ch. xxiii. 25... 30. and from other things afterwards recorded in the Acts, omitting the ufual forms, not needful to be mentioned here, was to this purpose: "My Lord, when I came into this "province, committed to my charge by thy favour, I found a prifoner, "named Paul, left bound by my predeceffor Felix, after he had been two years in cuftodie. In a fhort time grievous complaints were made "against him by the chief men of the nation, defiring me to pafs fen"tence of condemnation upon him. Whereupon I appointed them

a hearing. And being fat on the judgment-feat, I commanded the "man to be brought forth. But when the accufers ftood up, they al"leged no proofs of any thing that could render him criminal in the eye "of our laws. They had only certain queftions against him of their "own religion, and concerning one Jefus, who had died, and whom "Paul affirmed to be alive. At this time the man expreffed a defire to "be heard at thy tribunal. And having conferred with my Council, and "confidering, that he is a citizen of Rome, his appeal was allowed to "be valid. Whereupon I refolved to fend him unto thee, as foon as "I could.

(b) Fulius, the Centurion, that had brought Paul, and the rest of the prifoners from Judea, had been his friend and favourer from his first fetting out, and fo continued, till his fettling at Rome. ... His accufers, that were come from Judea, to lay in the charge against him, [for we can hardly fuppofe, but that fome were come:] would be urgent to get their bufineffe ditpatched, that they might be returning to their own homes again. And for would bring him to his trial, as foon as they could. And that his trial was early this year, appears by his own words in the fecond epiftle to Timothie, where he fpeaketh of his anfwer, that he had been at, and requireth Timothie to come to him before winter. 2 Tim. iv. 16. 21.

As he appealed to Nero himself, fo Nero himfeif heard his caufe. Philip. i. 13. 2 Tim. iv. 16, And here it was poffible for Paul and Seneca to fee each other. At which time all that had owned him before, withdrew themselves for fear, and dared not fland by him, or appear with him in his danger.', Lightfoot, as before, p. 322.

"I could. In the mean time King Agrippa and Bernice came to the "place of my refidence. Who being Jews by nation and religion, and, willing to hear the man, I fet him before them, that I might be the "better informed concerning him myfelf. In their prefence, and be"fore Me, and many others, Roman Officers, and principal men of "this city, he without referve declared his doctrine, and his concern to "promote it, and indeed his whole life from the begining. After "which, when the affemblie, (as honorable as can be expected to be "feen in any of the provinces:) were gone afide, they talked between "themfelves. And they were all agreed, faying: This man doth nothing worthie of death, or of bonds: and he might have been fet at "liberty, if he had not appealed to Auguftus. To thee therefore I now "fend him. And to thy cognizance his caufe is referred."

66

When Burrhus, the Prefect of the Prætorium, brought Paul before the Emperour, and delivered the Governour's letter; it is not improbable, that he might add fome hints in favour of the prifoner, from the character given of him by Julius, either by word, or in his memorial. At this audience must have been prefent, befide ++ Burrhus, divers other courtiers, of the greatest eminence and diftinction, and perhaps Seneca. It may be likewife fuppofed, that fome Jews delegated by the Council at Jerufalem, appeared, to plead againft Paul. If there were none, it must have been understood to be a difrefpect to the Emperour, and a great prejudice to the caufe of the accufers. If there were any fuch here, it would fhew the reasonableneffe of Paul's expectation, that fome of the Chriftians at Rome fhould have attended likewife.

At this time, (unless there was another audience foon after,) the Emperour pronounced fentence upon Paul, and figned the order of his confinement: fuch as is related by St. Luke. Acts xxviii. 16. 30. 31. And though Paul was not acquitted, nor fet at liberty, it may be efteemed a favourable decifion..

It was after this audience of the Emperour, and this fentence, that Paul fent for the Jews at Rome, to come to him. But when he laid before them his cafe, and spoke of the proceedings against him in Judea, and of his appeal to Cæfar; they were very humble, and even low-fpirited, and did not choose to enter into difcourfe upon the matter.

Paul fays: Acts xxviii. 19. But when the Jews fpake against it, I was conftrained to appeal to Cæfar: not that I had ought to accufe my nation of. Thefe laft words may be understood by fome, as if he had faid: "Not that I have any caufe of complaint against my nation." Which would be great complaifance indeed, after he had received fo much hard ufage from the Jews. But the words may be thus rendered: "Not that I have a defign to accufe my nation of any thing." And in that manner they are rendered by (i) Le Clerc, and (k) Lenfant, in their French translations.

Burrhus is computed to have died in the year of Chrift 62. and Seneca

in the year 65. Vid. Bafn. Ann. 62. num. i. et Ann. 65. num. iv.

(i) Mais les Juifs s'y oppofant, j'ai été contraint d' en appeller à Cefar: fans que j'aye neanmoins deffein d'accufer ma nation, en quoi que ce foit. Cl. (k)... fans que j'aye deffein neanmoins d'accufer ma ̄nation, en quoi que ee foit. Lenf.