The Acts of the Apostles

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100 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
can only be applied to the Apostle's original purpose
to preach either in the cities on the west coast of
Asia or in those of Bithynia or Mysia. The prohi-
bition, however, when given certainly had for its
positive side the thought of passing on to Macedonia,
and perhaps even of passing on to Rome, for we cannot
understand why Macedonia and Achaia should have
been preferred before Asia. The eye fixed on Rome
would explain the decision ; it therefore needed a new
and special revelation to summon the Apostle to the
mission in Macedonia and to hold him there. In any
case the unique character of the narrative in xvi. 6—9
prepares any one with literary perception for the
entrance of the « we " at this point. It is in form
only that the entrance is abrupt ; in reality the in-
tended contrast and at the same time the close
connection with the context are as clear as possible.
Only compare:
They were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach
the Word in Asia.
They assayed to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit
of Jesus suffered them not.
They passed by Mysia [so willed the Spirit] and
came to Troas.
[The vision in Troas : the man of Macedonia.]
Straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia,
concluding that God had called its to preach
the Gospel to them.
Under the assumption of a we- source it would be
necessary to make such a source begin as far back as
xvi. 6
; but it is not in this style that a man writes
who is simply passing on to a new source ;
rather the