St. Paul Martyred. Ancient WRITERS affirm, That he fuffered Martyrdom at Rome, under Nero, at the fame Time with St. Peter, and that the Blood which flowed from his Veins, was of a milky Colour, THE TRAVELS OF THE Holy Apostle St. Paul. AUL was born at Tarfis in Cilicia, about ten Years after the Birth of our Saviour, and was of the fame Age wi h St. John the Evangelift. In his Youth, he was fent by his Parents to Ferufalem, and brought up at the Fing 304 Miles, of Gamaliel, A&s xxii. and became the Disciple of James the Juft, Luke ii. As v. He was of the Tribe of Benjamin, and when he was young, kept the Garments of the Holy Martyr St. Stephen, who was ftoned to Death about the thirty fourth Year after the Incarnation. At which Time alfo St. John the Evangelift was twenty four Years of Age. At his Circumcifion he was calG led led Saul, that is, a Mortal Man; but when he was made the Apostle of the Gentiles, he was named Paul, of which Name there was a noble Family in Rome, fo called for the Smailnefs of their Stature. In the Thirty fifth Year after Chrift's Nativity, he was a private Inquifitor to discover Hereticks, and a cruel Perfecutor of the Chriftians: But going next Year from Je rufalem to Damafcus, 160 Miles, he, by the Way, was converted by a Voice from Heaven, and two Days after was baptized by Ananias, ftaying fome Time at Damafcus, and preaching the Gofpel of Chrift. Soon after the Jews confpiring to take away his Life, he journeyed to Arabia Petraa, 160 Miles, and diligently promoted the Chriftian Faith. But Aretas, King of Arabia, defigning to put him to Death, he was let down in a Basket over the Wall, and went from Damafcus to Jerufalem, 160 Miles, and brought by Barnabas to the Apoftles, affuring them of his Converfion, and remained with Peter fifteen Days, preaching the Doctrines of Jefus, where he met with James, the Brother of our Lord. But his Adverfaries thirsting for his Blood, he was brought by the Brethren to Cafarea Stratoris. After fome Time, he travelled to Tarfus, a City of Cilicia, 272 Miles, and continued there fome Years, teaching the Way to Salvation. About the feventh Year of his Ministry, he was accompanied from thence by Barnabas, to Antioch in Syria, 120 Miles, where all that believed in our Saviour were firft called Chriftians. In the Thirty fecond Year of his Age, and Forty fecond after the Nativity, he was rapt up into the third Heavens, fourteen Years before before he writ, his fecond Epiftle to the Corinthians. About this Time alfo St. Matthew writ his Gospel, and Agabus prophefied of the univerfal Dearth that should happen under Claudius Emperor of Rome, which being begun, he went with the Contribution of the Church from Antioch to Jerufalem, 230 Miles. The next Year St. Paul with Barnabas, and St. Peter, were delivered out of Prifon by the Angel of God. Having diftributed the Gifts fent by the Church, he returned with John and Mark from Jerufalem to Antioch, 230 Miles. The Whole of his Travels hitherto being 1928 Miles. The Cities, Towns, and Places, which he vifited in his Travels. of Cilicia, fituate upon the River Cydnus, first built by Perfeus, diftant 304 Miles from Ferufalem, N. a famous City in ancient Days, but by Wars and Time almost reduced to Ruins. It was repaired by Sardanapalus, that effeminate King of the Alyrians who spent his whole Time among his Women, in Spinning, and other Female Exercifes; which his Nobility not enduring, refolved to feize and depote him, to prevent which, he thawed one manly A&t; for having fecured the Gates of his Palace, he fet Fire thereto, and fo burnt himself, his Women, AVID G 2 and and all his Family and Riches in the Flames. His ufual Saying was, Eat, Drink, and Play while you have Breath, From this Time to Darius, the laft King of Perfia, it grew to be a famous City; and Alex ander coming thither with his Army, the Citizens dreading his coming, fled away with what Goods they could carry, and left the Town on Fire, but the King took Care to quench it, and faved the fame. Mean time Alexander being extream hot and thirsty, threw off his Royal Robes, and plunged himself into the River Cydnus, which inftantly fo benummed his Sinews, that he had died immediately, if the extraordinary Care of his Physician had not prevented it, fo that he recovered beyond Expectation. And afterwards with Thirty thoufand Men, vanquished an Army of Seventy thoufand Perfians, Darius their King being like wife flain by his own Soldiers. After this, the City recovered its former Glory, and had a renowned Academy, in which were many learned Philofophers. St. Paul was educated in the Knowledge of the Tongues, Philofophy, and other liberal Sciences in this Town, and read the Writings of Aratus, Epimenides, Menander, and other Heathen Poets, whofe Sayings he mentions in fome of his Epiftles. From thence he was fent to fe rufalem, and brought up at the Feet of Gamaliel, the Provost of the Academy, and afterward mi raculously converted to be an Apostle of Jefus Christ, Als xxii. This City is now under the |