AMongst the Jewish N●tion , a certain Benjamite inhabited in the City of Tarsus , from whence descended that blessed Apostle St. Paul , who was by his father called Saul , in evedence that he was an Hebrew of the Hebrews .

He was sent from Tarsus unto Jerusalem to be instructed in sacred knowledge , and at the feet of Gamaliel a Doctor of the Law , he was set to study the Holy Scriptures , in which he profited beyond all his Fel●ow-studients .

Here eager of his Learning and Religion , he drew in the Doctrine of the Pharisees .

About which time the promised Mesiah appeared , Saul at Jerusalem , was so intent that this news of the Mesiah found no entertainment from him .

Christ being crucified at the great Pascha Feast , and at Pentecost ; the Holy Ghost coming upon the Apostles , enabling them to speak Languages , and work Miracles , many became their converts , so that by the feast of Tabernacles , there was a necessity to ordain Deacons , and of these seven were appointed , whereof Stephen was one ; they were not more zealous in spreading the Gospel , than the Jews were enviously opposite ; amongst which Saul of Tarsus was not the least . The first q●arrel was the Synagogue of the Libertines against Stephen , supposed to have been at the next Feast , following the Feast of Tabernacles , at which time Stephen received Ordination ; at which time Stephen was apprehended by those Libertines , and before the Councel tumultuously condemned and stoned to death . But devout men exposed themse●ves to the Jews displeasure by sollemn lamentation and convenient burial .

These persecutors much enraged made great havock ; and under this Councel that condemned Stephen , Sau● was then an ement Officer and gave his vote to his death , and was in special imploy to see the Execution done , and was zealously mad and furious to destroy and imprison all that fell in his way , and to accomplish his design , he got Letters from the High-Priest , directed to the Synagogues in Damascus , to bind and bring away all that should own the name of Christ .

But in this his hast going to Damascus , a bright light appeared round him , and he was cast upon the ground , greatly astonished , and a voice speaking unto him saying , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me ?

This miraculous voice and stroke cooled Paul's courage , and he lay ●●mbling , his heart turned , and his note was changed , he immediately became obedient to the Heavenly voice .

B●ing led into ●he City , for he was st●uck blind with the light ; three days after Ananias by Divine appointment baptized him , and constit●ted him a Gospel preacher , and Saul immediately began to preach up that Doctrine in the Jewish Synagogues , and confounded his Jewish adversaries by Scripture arguments out of the Law and Prophets , proving that that Jesus that they had so lately crucified was the very Christ .

For which the Jews instead of being convinced , go about to kill him , but few days after he left Damascus , and went into Arabia , and there he continued the space of three years .

Saul returning back to Damascus about the 23 of Tiberius , but here again he finds the same malicious spirit remaining in the Jews , and to escape wi●h his life , was fain to be let down in a Basket over the Town Wall , and f●om thence he went to Jerusalem abou● the Feast of Tabernacles .

All this time had he seen none of the Apostles , but now coming to Jerusa●em he met with St. Peter , who at first with others shunned Paul But Barnabas wrought his Introduction am●ng them . Paul after fifteen days labour and pains bestowed to little purpose , left ●erusalem , and went down to Cesaria , and from thence through Phoenicia , Syria , and Cylicia , and so to Tarsus . Saul goes with Barnabas to Antioch , where he continued one whole year , and after a la●g● collect●on , made for the poor Saints at Jerusalem , it was carried by the hands of Barnabas and Paul , where they both continued .

Paul being in an extasie as he was praying in the Temple , was caught up into the third Heaven , where he heard words unspeakable , and was commanded quickly to be gone out of Jerusalem , and to go to the Genti●es .

Saul returns back to Antioch , where the Holy Ghost spake openly by vision , saying , Seperate me Barnabas and Paul , for the work of the Ministry : and from henceforward he was called Paul .

Paul and Barnabas leave Antioch , and at first come to Selucia neer the Sea , and from thence sailed unto Salamis in the Isle of Cyprus , and after some stay journeyed over the Island unto Paphos , where Sergius Paulus the Governour held his seat , and was by them converted to the faith by miracle , having first smote Barjesus a Sorcerer with blindness , who opposed them .

In the Spring they crost the Sea to Perga in Pamphilia , from hence John Mark returns to Jerusalem , and Paul goes as far as Antioch in Psidia , where Preaching in vain to the Jews , he returns to the Gentiles , where crowds of converts come in .

From hence they travail to Iconia , the principal City of Lycaonia .

This year happened the Famine spoken of by Agabus .

Paul and Barnabas continue Preaching at Iconia , but were quickly driven away by the Tumultuous Envious Iews , and went on Preaching at Lystra , where they cure a lame man miracu●ously , but they were pursued with Malice , and here they stoned Paul , who was by Miracle restored to l●fe again , and went with Barnabas for Derbe , where having setled the Church , they return to Lystra .

Where having Ordained Elders , they return to Iconium , and from thence they came to ●ntioch in Psidia , from thence they came back to Perga , and from thence to Attalia , thence they return th ough Cilicia , and Syria , unto Antioch in Syria , and whilst they continued at Antioch , certain Iews disturb the Church , whence arose great disputes , Barnabas and Paul thereupon are sent to Ierusalem , to determine those controversies , where it was ordain●d and decreed , and they both return to Antioch , to the full satisfaction of the Churches .

Paul after some fa●ling out , parts with Barnabas , and Iohn , Mark , and Paul , and Silas , depart into Asia . Paul travails through Syria , and Cilicia , unto Derbe , unto Lyconia , and so through Phrygia and Galatia , and ●ithinia , and so to Troas , in Myssia : from hence shipt to the Isle of Samothraet , and thence to Neopolis , and so to Philippine in Macedonia , Lydia converted , and others , also the Jaylor , on the morrow being dismist they went to Amphipolis , and so to Appolonia , and thence towards Thessalonica , but being persecuted at Persia , Paul sailed away by Sea to Athens , where Paul had many disputations , and converted Dionysius , and one Damaris , and others ; from hence Paul wrote the First and Second Epistle to the Thessalonians , and from Athens he went to Corinth , at Corinth Paul had a Vision , to encourage his Preaching . Here he made Tents with Aquilla and Priscilla preaching in the house of Justus . Paul leaves Silas to govern the Church of Corinth , and sails to Ephesus , in Asia , leaving Timothy to govern , he sailed to the Isle of Creta , where having setled a Church he left the care to Titus , and so sailed to Cesaria in Canaan , and so went up to Jerusa em , and thence to Antioch , and so began a third voyage , through Ga●atia , & Phrygia , and so to Ephesus , where he preached two whole years in the School of Tyrannus , where he did many miracles , and foiled seven sons of Sc●va , a Jew attempting to cast out Devils . St. Phillip being dead , St. Pau was called to be an ●postle , and was reckoned amongst the Twelve , and ever after writ himself an ●postle , many burnt their books , but Demetrius the Silversmith raiseth a tumult . Hence Paul wrote the first Epistle to the Corinthians , and sent it by Timothy , Paul left Timothy at Ephesus , and went into Macedonia , passing by Troas , whence he wrote the second Epistle to the Corinthians , thence he wrote to Titus in Crete , from Nicapolis , Paul come to Corinth , whence he wrote the Epistle to the Romans . Hence he went to Philipi , from whence he went by Sea 〈◇〉 T●oas in Asia , where he restored Eutechus to life , thence went he to Affos , and so to Mytelene , to the isle of Chios , to Samos , to Trogilium , to Micales , to Miletus . Hence sailed he away to Chaos , and so to Rhoodes , hence to Cyprus , unto Tire .

Hence sai●ed he again to Ptolamais ; and thence to Cesaria , here he was told of the ill usage he should meet with at Jerusalem , yet went he on thither , and being found in the Temple , he was apprehended and buffeted , but was rescued by Lysias the chief Captain , and found to be a Roman , and was sent to Cesaria before Felix , who condiscended to hear Paul preach , and after two years left Paul in prison , Festus prefect of Judea , Paul is accused a fresh , but appeals to Cesar , King Agripa hears Paul , Paul is shipt for Rome , sails by Zidon , to Cyprus , Mira , in Pamphilia , where he is shipt of Alexandria , and came to Guida , thence by Salmona , and so West-wards to the Haven in Creta , called fair-Heavens , neer the City of Lasea , not wintering here , they sailed on to Winter in Phenix , where for fourteen days they had a so●itary journey , all hope of life was passed , and the Ship perished , but all the persons escaped safe , and landed at the Island of Melita , where the Governour Publius was converted , thence they sailed to Syracuse , thence to Rhegium , thence to Pu●edi ; thence travelled to Apiforum , thence to the three Taverns , and so to Rome , here Paul first preached to the Jews , but they being hardned , he preached two full years to the Gentiles , in his own hired house , the souldiers being his guard , he continues prisoner at Rome , whence he wrote the Epistle to the Galatians , and likewise that to the Ephesians .

Epaphroditius brings him relief from the Philipians , being prisoner , by whom he returned his Epistle to them : Timothy also delivers him ●he alms of Ephesus , and after came Onesimus from his Master , by whom St. Paul returns his Epistle to Philemon . Then came Epaphras also to Rome , and after two years imprisonment , he was heard before Nero . Being set at liberty , he goes into Spain , Paul in Gallia ordained Cresceus , from whence he sailed into Greece .

St. Paul visits the Churcheism Macedonia , and lands at Troas , in Asia , where Carpus was Bishop , where he left his cloak and parchments , and went up into Phrygia , unto Laodecea , and from thence wrote his Epistle to Timothy at Ephesus , and from thence went to Miletum ; hence sailed to Corinth , and hence he sailed to Rome , hence he wrote his second Epistle to Timothy . Paul is imprisoned , being betrayed by Alexander the Copper-smith of Ephesus : Paul was beheaded at Rome , and with him suffered his companions , Ariffarchus , Trophimus , and ●udeus .

He spent 32 years in preaching the Gospel before he suffered Martyrdom for the Testimony of Jesus .