Chapter XXVIII: Section 7: Topics Under Visit Iv.--Invasion Visit

Of the occasion of the fourth and last of these four visits--call it _Paul's Invasion Visit_--we have, though but from one immediate source, what may, to some purposes, be called two distinct and different accounts, included one within another: to wit, that which the historian gives as from himself, and that which he puts into the mouth of his hero, whose adventures he is relating. On this subject, from the mouth of the hero, the historian has not given us, and probably could not give us, anything but mystery. From the circumstances, it will be seen, whether the appellation _Invasion Visit_, by which this last of his recorded visits to Jerusalem is here distinguished, is not fully justified.

Neither, of the occurrences which took place during the course of it, nor of the mode in which it terminated, have we any more than one account; viz. the account which, speaking in his own person, is given of it by the author of the Acts.[23]

But, upon one part of this account--and that a part in itself in no small degree obscure--light, and that such as, it is believed, will be found to dispel the darkness, will be seen thrown, by an article of the Mosaic law: upon which article, light will be seen reciprocally reflected, by the application here recorded as having been made of it. This regards the _Temple scene_:--an expensive ceremony spun out for days together only to produce the effect of an _Oath_.

On the occasion of this visit, in spite of a universal opposition on the part of all concerned--his own adherents and dependents, as well as his adversaries of all classes included,--Paul, for reasons by himself studiously concealed,--and, if brought to light at all, brought to light no otherways than by inference,--will be seen making his entry into Jerusalem, as it were by force. In the hope of freeing themselves, as it should seem, of this annoyance, it is,--that the rulers of the Christian church, insist upon his clearing himself from certain suspicions, in the harbouring of which the whole church had concurred.[24]