In regard to the interpretation to be put upon this treaty,--suppose any doubt to have place,--in the word _Gentile_, would obviously the seat and source of it to be to be found. Suppose, on the one hand _persons_ to be the objects, of which it was meant to be designative,--then, let there be but so much as one single uncircumcised man in Jerusalem, or elsewhere,--to whom, in the view of gaining him over to their communion, the Apostles, or, with their cognizance, any of their disciples, addressed themselves,--here would, on _their_ part, be a breach of the treaty. Suppose, on the other hand, _places_ to be the objects, of which it was meant to be designative,--on that supposition, within that tract of country, within which alone, the necessary means, of communicating with the bulk of the population, were in their possession,--they might apply themselves, to all persons without restriction: and this, still without any real breach of the agreement--of the spirit and real import of the agreement. In respect either of _persons or places_, by the agreement, according to this--the obvious sense of it--what was it that Paul gave up? In truth, just nothing. Had his mind been in a sober state,--strange indeed, if the field thus afforded by the whole heathen world, was not wide enough for his labour: in all parts of it he could not be at once; and the most promising parts were open to his choice. Cessation of Paul's hostilities excepted, what was it that the Apostles gained? Not much more. As already observed--what was not gained by it, is what is above: what was really gained by it, is what follows. What Paul gained was--exemption from the annoyance, which otherwise he would everywhere have been exposed to have received, by being designated as the quondam notorious persecutor, and still unreconciled enemy, of the Apostles and their disciples:--in a word, of all others who preached in the name of Jesus. That which the Apostles actually gained, was--that confirmation and extension of their influence, which followed of course, upon every extension, received by that field, within which the influence of the name of Jesus was extended. That which, besides what is above, they _ought to_ have gained, but did not gain, is--exemption from all such annoyance, as could not but be inflicted on them, in proportion as Paul, preaching to persons, to whom _they_ had access, a Gospel which was his, and not theirs,--should, while in pretence and name an associate, be, in truth and effect, an adversary and opponent.