15 Jan y 1816

Not Paul

Ch. 4. Paul’s Motives

§. 4. Simon Magus

That by officiating in the character of an Apostle in such sort as to admitt men /proselytes/ into the fellowship of the religion of Jesus profit, pecuniary profit was at that very time to be had seems certain: that that profit was considerable seems highly probable.

When by the prosecution of which Paul under the original name of Saul, Paul was so active an instrument, the flock of Jesus had been scattered (Acts viii 4. 8.) Philip one of the Apostles ‘went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.’ But baptizing /being baptized/ was one thing: receiving the Holy Ghost was another thing. By Philip ‘they were baptized both men and women. But it was not until Peter and John came, sent to them by the rest of the Apostles who notwithstanding the dispersal[?] but just spoken of were still at Jerusalem that they who were baptized received the Holy Ghost.

Here then in the new fraternity, as in the modern fraternity of the Free Masons were degrees more than one. Between these two gradations what was the difference does not appear /is not stated/ any more than /nor yet/ by what causes and considerations this sort of technicality /technical distinction/ so little of a piece with the precepts of Jesus was /had been/ produced.

As to Simon, that he was baptized is stated in express terms. That he moreover received the Holy Ghost is if not directly expressed rendered by implication altogether probable. For by those who had been baptized it is stated in general terms that they /by them/ i.e. by all of them the Holy Ghost was received: therefore in the instance of Simon Magus no exception being mentioned, by him was the Holy Ghost received along with the rest.