CHAP. I. Paul preach­ing at Athens.

WHilst Paul was at Athens, he saw [Page 18]

[Page 19]the city wholly given to idolatry: for which rea­son he not only preached in the synagogue to the Jews and proselytes; but in other places of con­course he took occasion to make known the Christian doctrine to all the heathens he met.

Some learned men of Athens seeing Paul so rea­dy to engage in dispute with every one, undertook [Page 20]him: but not understand­ing him, some cried, he was a prating, babbling fellow; others, that he came to discover some strange God to them, be­cause he frequently men­tioned Jesus and the resur­rection.

After this they brought him before the magistrates, to be examined what new religion it was he taught: for all that they had hi­therto [Page 21]heard was new and strange, and therefore they desired to have a full ac­count of all. Paul being at full liberty to speak, said, — 'I perceive, O Athenians, that ye have a great number of idols; for as I passed by and saw your superstitious devo­tions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. This GOD therefore, [Page 22]whom you acknowledge not to know, yet profess to worship, is he whom I preach, the invisible God of heaven and earth, who cannot be contained in temples of man's making; nor can any image made by man be a proper object of his worship; he being so far from wanting our help, that it is he that gives to all their life and all that they have: And from one [Page 23]man he hath made a whole world of men, appointing times and places in great order. And the end of all this is, that they should seek after their Creator and worship him, who is in­deed near every one of us, even as the Soul that ani­mates us.

For our life, motion, and subsistance are wholly thro' him, according to that which one of your own poets hath said.

[Page 24]God therefore being our Creator, we cannot in rea­son suppose him to be the work of our hands, such as a piece of gold, silver, or a stone graved. This time of ignorance hath lasted long; but now God calls you are to repentance, hav­ing determined the way by which all the world shall be judged; that is, by receiving or refusing the faith of Christ; who [Page 25]being rais'd from the dead, is offered to all men to be­lieve in.'

When they heard him mention the resurrection, the Epicureans especially, who denied a future state, fell a laughing at him; others said, we will hear thee about this another time: and so Paul left them.

This is the representa­tion of the fifth piece of painting in the cupola.

[Page 26]

CHAP. II. The conjuring books burnt.

SOme of the vagabond Jewish exorcists see­ing the many extraordina­ry miracles which were wrought by the hand of Paul, insomuch that he did not only cure them who came to him, but by his touching linen clothes, and sending them to such [Page 28]as were sick, or possessed with devils, they were immediately healed: The exorcists, I say, seeing this, they also attempted to cast out devils by using the name of JESUS; among whom were the seven sons of one Scaeva a Jew, one of the chief of the families of the priests, who adjur­ing the evil spirit in the name of Jesus, were thus answered by the possessed, [Page 29]' Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but you come not with any authority from Jesus, who hath given it to Paul.'

And the man who was possessed fell furiously up­on them, and was too hard for them; tearing off their clothes, and wounding them, so that they were glad to sly from him.

This being soon rumour­ed among the Jews and [Page 30]natives of Ephesus, pre­vailed so with them, that they were convinced, and converted to the faith.

And they that were so happy came to Paul and his company, confessing their former course of life, to know what they should do: And many that had studied and practised ma­gick, brought their books out, and burnt them pub­lickly, tho' they were of [Page 31]a very high price. Of so great authority was the word of God, as it was preached by Paul among the Ephesians and those of Asia.

This latter part, of the burning of the books, is the subject of the sixth piece of painting.

[Page 32]

CHAP. III. King Agrippa almost per­suaded to be a Christian.

PAUL having been brought before king Agrippa to answer to di­vers complaints made a­gainst him by the Jews in general, as a most notori­ous malefactor; and after Festus, a noble orator, had open'd his case in an ele­gant [Page 34]speech before the court; Agrippa told Paul he had liberty to speak: who desiring silence of the audience, began with this apology for himself:

'I cannot but think my self happy, O king Agrip­pa, in that I am permitted to make my defence a­gainst the accusation laid by the Jews before your Majesty, whom I know to be a perfect master of the [Page 35]Jewish laws and customs: for which reason I beg your patience.

He then acquaints the king with the manner of his life from his youth; of his being bred a Pharisee, of his being accused for asserting the resurrection of the dead; appeals to him why it should be thought a thing incredi­ble, that God, who is omnipotent, should raise [Page 36]the dead. Confesses his own former unbelief; the havock that he made amongst the church; his extraordinary conversion; and many other things, re­lating both to himself and to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And at last asked king Agrippa this ques­tion; ' Believest thou the prophets, O king? I am satisfied thou dost; and knowest their predictions to be fulfilled.

[Page 37]This was so home a challenge to Agrippa, that in the publick presence he declared, that Paul had al­most persuaded him to be a Christian.

Upon this the assembly broke up: And when Agrippa and Feslus had consulted together about Paul's case, they freely owned that the accusation laid against him was not punishable by death or im­prisonment.

[Page 38]This history is the sub­ject of the seventh piece of painting.

CHAP. IV. Paul's voyage, and ship­wreck on the island of Milita, or Malta.

PAUL having appealed unto Caesar, and an opportunity offering, Fes­tus sends him to Rome, [Page 39]

[Page 40]under a guard commanded by one Julius, in a ship belonging to a sea port of Mysia; in which they set sail, and coasted along Asia till they arrived at Sidon; where Julius, who treated Paul very respectfully, gave him leave to go ashore and resresh himself.

Sailing from thence, they came in fight of the sland of Cyprus, where they were to lie by a [Page 41]while; but the winds pre­senting, they passed the seas of Cilicia and Pam­phylia, and came to Mira, a maritime city of Lycia. Here Julius finding a large ship bound for Italy, took his prisoners on board her, and with much ado made Salome, a city of Crete: from whence, after they had been long beating at sea with contrary winds, and very stormy weather, [Page 42]they arrived at Fair-ha­vens, near Lasca; where Paul would have persuad­ed captain Julius to wait for more seasonable wea­ther: but he preferring the master of the ship's judgment, they put to sea, intending to reach Phoe­nice, a harbour of Creto, where there was safe rid­ing, and there to winter; and they having a light gale of south, they ques­tioned [Page 43]not in the least of gaining their point.

But they soon found themselves mistaken; for the wind suddenly tacking about, blew so very hard at north east; that they were forced to hand all their sails, and let her drive before the wind. And coming under a little island called Clauda, they had like to have lost their boat; but with much ado [Page 44]recovering it, they hoisted it into the ship.

The next day, the storm continuing, they were forced to cut away their masts, and throw all their tackle overboard, and ligh­ten their ship. The storm still increasing, and neither sun nor stars for many days appearing, they gave them­selves over for lost.

Which Paul perceiving, he told them that he had [Page 45]seen a vision, which assur­ed him that not a soul of them should be lost, tho' the ship should.

The ship thus driving for fourteen days at the mercy of the winds and waves, about midnight the sailors fansied they were near land; and throwing the lead, they sounded, and found it twenty fa­thoms, then fifteen, and it still shaling, and being [Page 46]night, they apprehended they might strike upon some shelves in the dark, so they let go four anchors astern, and waited for day.

And now the seamen resolving to shift for them­selves, had hoisted the boat overboard, under pretence of mooring the ship ahead as they had done astern: but Paul perceiving their design, told captain Julius, that if the sailors were suf­fered [Page 47]to quit the ship, they should be in danger of be­ing all lost. Upon this the soldiers, to prevent their design, cut the ropes, and let the boat go adrift.

Now Paul persuades them on board to take some refreshment. The number of all that were in the ship was two hundred seventy six, including sol­diers and passengers.

In the space between [Page 48]that and day-break, they all eat and drank, and were refreshed; having had no leisure or thought of eat­ing for a considerable time before. After this refresh­ment they sell chearfully to work, unloading the ship not only of goods but of the provisions, and throwing them into the sea.

When it was day, they discovered a creak and a [Page 49]haven, into which they endeavoured to put; and when they had weighed the anchors, they made to the shore, and run the ship aground, where she soon bulg'd. The captain then ordered the prisoners that could swim to throw themselves into the sea first; and the rest on bro­ken pieces got safe to land: where when they were all arrived, they knew the [Page 50]place to be the island Me­lita, or. Malta.

The islanders seeing them in distress, treated them with great humani­ty; making fires to warm their wet and weary limbs. But whilst they were dry­ing and warming them­selves, a viper, driven from her hole by the heat of the fire, leaped out and fasten­ed upon Paul's hand: which when the natives, [Page 51]saw, they concluded him guilty of murder, and that divine vengeance had pur­sued him to that place, to die by the bite of this ve­nomous creature: but he shook it off into the fire, and felt no harm. On seeing this, they present­ly alter'd their opinion, and concluded him a God.

The latter part of this history, is the subject of the eighth and last piece of painting.

CHAP. V. Of the Library, the Model of St. Peter's at Rome, the great Bell, and geo­metrical Staircase.

HAving quitted the whispering gallery, you are next invited to see the above curiosities; for which favour each persen pays Two-pence.

The Library room is [Page 53]large and beautiful; the wainscoting, carvings, shelves, & c. are of nice workmanship; but not­withstanding there is a large collection of books in it the shelves appear ve­ry thin, and those lock'd up in a profound silence; some lolling fast asleep one way, and some another.

These books were de­signed for the use of the clergy belonging to the [Page 54]cathedral: but what from the height of its situation, which is half way up the cupola; and the dulness of its company, consisting mosily of a parcel of anti­quated, must, crabbed old authors; makes it very seldom visited by them. Their chief use now is to be made a publick shew of (like so many monsters) to strangers, country peo­ple, and little masters and [Page 55]misses; who, whenever they come to see this fine Library, must always take care to go into the room on tiptoe, for fear of dis­turbing any of these drou­sy old gentlemen.

The floor of this room is very curious, being im­laid, without peg or nail, with so much art and in­genuity, that it really looks very beautiful.

There is also a fine pic­ture [Page 56]in it, of the right re­verend Henry Compton, late lord bishop of London.

The Model of St. Peter's at Rome.

This was taken by Sir Christopher Wren from the church of St. Peter at Rome, whilst he resided there; and from this, with some alterations, our cathe­dral of St. Paul was built: [Page 57]he having took care to correct in the latter, what he saw a blemish in the former. This model stands in a large room, where those who are curious may examine it. 'Tis a fine piece, though now fallen somewhat to decay.

As to the great Bell and Clock, I have. spoke of them before in the first Volume, pag. 77. to which [Page 58]I must refer my young readers; and shall only add, that the way to them is both dark and somewhat difficult to ascend, and therefore not advisable for my young readers to ven­ture up, without a proper guide. Besides, should the clock happen to strike whilst they are in the bell lost, the sound is so sur­prisingly loud and shock­ing to those who are un­accustomed [Page 59]to it, that they would imagine it would rend the very tower all to pieces.

There is one thing more which is observable, that this clock is wound up once a day, which gene­rally takes up an hour's time: and as 'tis then set, it is looked upon to be ve­ry exact.

Lastly, You are shewn the grand Geometrical [Page 60]Staircase; which is a cu­rious and wonderful piece of workmanship, and so artfully contrived, that the support of the whole prin­cipally depends on the foot-stone only. This, and the stone staircase at Hampton. court, are the only two of the kind that are to be met with in any of our publick buildings.

To give a more parti­cular account of its beau­ties, [Page 61]would require the judgment of one who is conversant in the science, to which I must ingenu­ously acknowledge my self a stranger.

Next we shall proceed to the inside of the church.

CHAP. I. Of the inside of St. Paul's.

THE pillars of the church that support the roof, are two ranges, with their entablature and beautiful arches, whereby the body of the church and choir are divided into [Page 63]three isles. The roof of each is adorn'd with arch­es, and spacious periphe­ries of enrichments; as shields, leaves, chaplets, &c. admirably carved in stone.

At the west end of the church there are three doors which lead to the above isles; from each of which you have a beauti­ful prospect the whole length of the church, [Page 64]without any interception from the pillars, &c.

Just within the door of the north isle, on the left hand, is the morning pray­er chapel, where divine service is performed every day in the week, excepting Sundays: from Lady-day to Michaelmas, at six in the morning; and from Michaelmas to Lay-day, at seven. In the north tower is the bell for calling people to prayers.

[Page 65]The front of this cha­pel has a very beautiful skreen of curious wainscot, and adorn'd with twelve columns; their entabla­tures, arched pediments, and the royal arms, en­riched with cherubims, and each pediment be­tween four vases, all cu­riously carved; and the skreen is senced with iron­work.

Next to the morning [Page 66]prayer chapel is the Lord Mayor's vestry; to which he generally repairs with his attendants, before he takes his seat in the choir: and then divine service immediately begins.

At the entrance of the south isle, on the right hand, is the door that leads to the geometrical staircase: Next to that is the bishop of London's spiritual court; which has [Page 67]a beautiful skreen of curi­ous wainscot; with co­lumns, carvings, and other enrichments, like those of the morning prayer cha­pel. A little beyond this court, on the left hand, is a beautiful marble font; which for largeness, the fineness of its marble, and curious workmanship, ex­cels all others; for which reason, I thought the pic­ture of it would not be [Page 68]

[Page 69]unacceptable to my young readers. You go up two circular sleps to it.

Farther on the right hand is the door which leads up to the cupola.

CHAP. III. Of the fine organ-case, &c.

THE organ-case is mag­nificent, finely orna­mented, and enrich'd with the carved figures of seve­ral cupids, and eight fames with their trumpets stand­ing on the top of the case, four looking eastward and four westward; each ap­pearing near six feet high.

[Page 71]It is also enriched with cherubims, fruit, leaves, &c. represented in a very lively manner. The or­gan pipes are very spaci­ous, gilt with gold, and preserved from dust with fine sashes: all which are raised on cight beautiful flured columns of the Co­rinthian order, of polished marble, white vein'd with blue.

CHAP. III. of the altar-piece, &c.

THE altar-piece is a­dorned with four no­ble fluted pilasters, finely painted, and veined with gold, in imitation of lapis lazuli, with their entable­ture; where the enrich­ments, and also the capitals of the pilasters are double gilt with gold; the inter­columns [Page 73]columns are twenty one pannels of figured crimson velvet: above all is a glo­ry finely done.

The openings north and south into the choir are ascending up three steps of black marble, by two iron folding doors, liek those under the organ gallery, and facing the choir; ex­quisitely wrought into di­vers figures, spiral branch­es, and other flourishes: [Page 74]and there are two others of these fine iron doors, the one opening into the south isle, the other into the north: they were all done by that celebrated artist in his way, Monsieur Tijan.

CHAP. IV. Of the choir, the officers of the church, their seats, &c.

THis cathedral hath a Bishop, a Dean, a Precentor, Chancellor, Treasurer, and five Arch­deacons; to wit, London, Middlesex, Essex, col­chester, and St. Albans. It hath thirty Prebenda­ries, [Page 76]twelve Canons, and six Vicars choral.

The north and south sides of the choir have each thity stalls, besides the Bishop's throne and seat on the south side, and the Lord Mayor's on the north: all which compose one vast body of curious carved work of the finest wainscot, done by that ex­cellent artist the late Mr. Gribeline Gibbon; as was [Page 77]likewise all the other car­ved work, both of the ehoir and church.

On the south side of the entrance into the choir is the dean's vestry; and near that the singing boys ves­try; and on the noth side the residentiarys and sing­ing mens vestry, where they all robe and unrobe.

There are four Vergers belonging to this church; so called from virga, a rod, [Page 78]which each bears in his hand. The dean's has the cross daggers at top; the others have no ensign at all.

The floor of the choir and church is pav'd with marble; but within the rail of the altar with fine porphyry, polish'd, and laid in sveral geometrical figures: the arabathrum whereon the communion table is placed, is sive steps [Page 79]higher than that of the choirs isles.

We shall next descend into the vaults under St. Paul's.

CHAP. V. Of the vaults, tombs, and St. Faith's church under St. Paul's.

THE passage down to these vaults, is by a door in the body of the church.

[Page 80]These vaults are indeed very spacious, but at the same time dark and gloo­my, and strike a kind of horror in those who de­scend, in order to survey the numerous and massy pillars and arches which support this prodigious pile of buildings; of which they may be able to form some idea, from the glim­mering light that is intro­duced into it from the [Page 81]small windows that open into the church-yard.

However, this place is too solemn, melancholy and unpleasant, for our young readers to roam about in; neither indeed are they invited to see it, as they are the other curi­osities belonging to the church: and therefore would advise them to be contented with this ac­count of it, rather than [Page 82]

[Page 83]to gratify their curiosity by taking so gloomy a pro­spect.

Under the choir there was formerly the parish church of St. Faith, com­monly called, St. Faith's under St. Paul's; of which there is now no remains. There is indeed a spot of ground railed in, and set apart for the burial of the dead of that parish, which is still subsisting, and united [Page 84]to that of St. Austin's.So that the notion which is entertain'd by several per­sons, and by others confi­dently asserted, that there is a parish church now be­neath the choir; and that there are prayers and preaching still performed therein on some particular days, is vulgar error, and altogether groundless.

There are under the choir, in this dark reposi­tory, [Page 85]the monuments of several eminent persons; but as it would be too te­dious to give a description of them all, and no ways entertaining to the young reader, we shall pass them over in silence, and take notice only of that of the Architect of this grand building, who lies interr'd in a little corner close to the foundation wall, on the south-east side, next Wat­ling-street. [Page 86]There is a plain stone fix'd against the wall at his head, with the following inscription in capitals: ‘SUBTUS CONDITOR HUIUS ECCLESIAE ET VRBIS CONDITOR CRISTOPHORUS WREN QUI VINIT ANNOS ULTRA N [...]NAGINTA NON S [...] SED BONO PUBLICO [Page 87]LECTOR SI MONUMEN­TUM REQUIRIS CIRCUMSPICE OBIIT XXV FEB. ANNO MDCCXXIII ET. XCI.’

The purpot of which is this: Here lies the body of Christopher Wren, the Architect of this cathedral church, &c. who lived a­bove ninety years, and stu­died the good of the pub­lick, and not his own pri­vate [Page 88]interest and advantage. Reader, If thou art curious to know where his monu­ment is, cast thy eyes all around thee. He died 25 Feb. 1723. aged 91.

This inscription is much admired for the justness and simplicity of the thought.

Over his body is a plain stone, with the following inscription: ‘ [Page 89]HERE LIETH CHRIS­TOPHER WREN KNIGHT THE BUILDER OF THIS CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL &c. WHO DIED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD MDCCXXIII AND OF HIS AGE XCI.’