ful intervals, that so sacred a fellowship was formed and matured between Paul and these christian yoke-fellows.

From Corinth they accompanied the apostle to Ephesus, where their friendly support and vigorous co-operation, in seasons of peculiar difficulty and danger, afforded him no small degree of encouragement and comfort.

Some years after this, Aquila and Priscilla sojourned a second time at Rome, as we find by an affectionate salutation of Paul, conveyed to them in his epistle to the church established in that city-Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church that is in their house. From this passage we learn, that the apostle's affection to these tried disciples continued, without abatement, through every period of his life-and from the same passage we discover, that, wherever they sojourned, these devoted servants of God had a church in their house. Their habitation, whether stated or occasional, was regularly consecrated to God,

not only by erecting in it an altar for domestic worship, but also by appropriating it to religious services of a more public nature. Such were Priscilla and Aquila, of whom we may justly observe, in the language of St. Luke, that they were both eminently righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances blameless.

These zealous Christians, after a humble attendance on Apollos' ministry, invited him to their lodging in the city of Ephesus, that they might expound to him the way of God more perfectly. It is natural to suppose, that they had repeated interviews on this interesting occasion; in all of which we have reason to believe, that they opened their hearts to each other in a free and affectionate manner. Aquila and Priscilla reported to him the extraordinary history of Jesus, the promised Saviour of mankind-his miraculous birth, with all its wonderful accompaniments; and his unspotted life so infinitely superior to all the sons of men-his powerful ministry, in which he spake as never man was heard to speak before; and the stupendous works with which that ministry was everywhere attended-his aton

ing death; and his triumphant resurrection -together with that pentecostal blaze of glory which so shortly followed, when the ascending Saviour, by a wonderful out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on his waiting followers, fulfilled his latest promise, and astonished all observers. To these unparalleled circumstances they went on to add the illustrious commencement of the apostle's ministrations, with the almost incredible success that instantly followed it-their continued and increasing exertions in the cause of their glorified Master the persecutions they endured from their outrageous opposers, and the consolations they enjoyed in the discharge of their high commission—not even counting their lives dear unto themselves, so that they might finish their course with joy, and the ministry which they had received of the Lord Jesus Christ.

These statements were followed by an account of their own conversion, with all the interesting circumstances attending it—such as the powerful convictions they felt; their deep self-abasement before God; their kindled relentings; their alternate hopes and fears; the secret teachings of grace; and

the powerful manifestations of divine love : till, at length, being justified by faith, they had peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. To all of which they subjoined, in the last place, their humble assurance of acceptance with God; together with their solemn determination to spend and be spent in the service of that adorable Saviour, in whom they had found redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Apollos listened to all this, with growing wonder and delight. Certain defamatory reports concerning the christian sect had indeed already reached his ears, though without making any distinct impression upon his mind. But the simple yet glowing statements of these unassuming disciples, awakened in his soul a correspondent feeling which was not to be resisted, dispersing his doubts like morning mists, and powerfully constraining him to give glory to God. Like the merchantman in the gospel, who, having found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had in order to make that single pearl his own; even so it was with this unprejudiced stranger. Convinced that all his former notions and all his past experience

were nothing better than low and beggarly attainments, he resolved at once to lay them down at His feet, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, that out of his fulness every spiritual want might receive an appropriate supply. Apollos had waited long and travelled far to hear those glad reports, to which Aquila and Priscilla now invited his attention; and while he hung upon their lips, he welcomed to his heart the joyful tidings they communicated. The glory of the christian dispensation became gradually more apparent to his ravished eyes, successively discovering to him a striking fulfilment of the ancient prophecies, an abundant provision for all his spiritual wants, and the full accomplishment of all his highest expectations. He believed that the predicted Messiah was assuredly come, and that his kingdom was spreading on every side. He looked upon Aquila and Priscilla as persons appointed to instruct him in the way of righteousness, and detained at Ephesus, through the providential care of God, for that very purpose. These convictions very powerfully excited both his wonder and his gratitude. And under these views he expressed