1 And Paul, full of the
blessings of Christ and abounding in the spirit, departed out of Rome,
determining to go into Spain, for he had a long time purposed to journey
thitherward, and was minded also to go from thence into Britain. 2
For he had heard in Phoenicia that certain of the children of Israel, about the
time of the Assyrian captivity, had escaped by sea to “the isles afar off,” as
spoken by the prophets, and called by the Romans, Britain. 3 And the
Lord commanded the gospel to be preached far hence to the Gentiles, and to the
lost sheep of the House of Israel. 4 And no man hindered Paul; for
he testified boldly of Jesus before the tribunes and among the people; and he
took with him certain of the brethren which abode with him at Rome, and they
took shipping to Ostium, and having the winds fair, were brought safely into an
haven of Spain. 5 And much people were gathered together from the
towns and villages and the hill country; for they had heard of the conversion
of the apostle and the many miracles which he had wrought. 6 And
Paul preached mightily in Spain, and great multitudes believed and were
converted, for they perceived he was an apostle sent from God. 7 And
they departed out of Spain, and Paul and his company finding a ship in Armorica
sailing unto Britain, they went therein, and passing along the south coast,
they reached a port called Raphinus. 8 Now when it was noised abroad
that the apostle had landed on their coast, great multitudes of the inhabitants
met him, and they treated Paul courteously; and he entered in at the east gate
of their city and lodged in the house of an Hebrew and one of his own nation. 9
And on the morrow he came and stood upon Mount Lud [now Ludgate Hill and
Broadway, where St. Paul's Cathedral is built in London]; and the people
thronged at the gate and assembled in the Broadway; and he preached Christ unto
them, and many believed the word and the testimony of Jesus. 10 And
at even the Holy Ghost fell upon Paul, and he prophesied, saying, “Behold, in
the last days the God of Peace shall dwell in the cities, and the inhabitants
thereof shall be numbered; and in the seventh numbering of the people, their
eyes shall be opened and the glory of their inheritance shine forth before
them. And nations shall come up to worship on the Mount that testifieth of the
patience and long suffering of a servant of the Lord. 11 And in the
latter days new tidings of the Gospel shall issue forth out of Jerusalem, and
the hearts of the people shall rejoice, and behold, fountains shall be opened,
and there shall be no more plague. 12 In those days there shall be
wars and rumors of wars; and a King shall rise up, and His sword shall be for
the healing of the nations, and His peacemaking shall abide, and the glory of
His Kingdom a wonder among princes.” 13 And it came to pass that
certain of the Druids came unto Paul privately and showed by their rites and
ceremonies they were descended from the Judahites which escaped from the
bondage in the land of Egypt; and the apostle believed these things, and he
gave them the kiss of peace. 14 And Paul abode in his lodgings three
months, confirming in the faith and preaching Christ continually. 15
And after these things, Paul and his brethren departed from Raphinus, and sailed
unto Atium in Gaul. 16 And Paul preached in the Roman garrisons and
among the people, exhorting all men to repent and confess their sins. 17
And there came to him certain of the Belgae to enquire of him of the new
doctrine and of the man Jesus; and Paul opened his heart unto them and told
them all things that had befallen Him, how be it that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners; and they departed, pondering among themselves upon
the things which they had heard. 18 And after much preaching and toil,
Paul and his fellow laborers passed into Helvetia [now Switzerland]
and came unto Mount Pontius Pilate, where he who condemned the Lord Jesus
dashed himself down headlong and so miserably perished. 19 And
immediately a torrent gushed out of the mountain and washed his body, broken in
pieces, into a lake. 20 And Paul stretched forth his hands upon the
water and prayed unto the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, give a sign unto all
nations that here Pontius Pilate, which condemned thine only begotten Son, plunged
headlong into the pit.” 21 And while Paul was yet speaking, behold,
there came a great earthquake, and the face of the waters was changed, and the
form of the lake like unto the Son of Man hanging in an agony upon the cross. 22
And a voice came out of heaven, saying, “Even Pilate hath escaped the wrath to
come, for he washed his hands before the multitude at the blood shedding of the
Lord Jesus.”