INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS ON EACH BOOK

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN.

INTRODUCTION.

gen, and others, who have related the sufferings of the apostles, it seems to deserve but little credit. The general current of ancient writers declares, that the apostle wrote his Gospel at an advanced period of life, with which the internal evidence perfectly agrees; and we may safely refer it, with Chrysostom, Epiphanius, Mill, Le Clerc, and others, to the year 97. "The Gospel of John (says Dr. Pye Smith) is distinguished by very observable charactere. from the composition of the other Evangelists. It has much less of narrative. and is more largely occupied with the doctrines and discourses of the Lord Jesus. The topics also of the discourses possess a marked character, indicating that they have been selected with an especial view to the presenting of what, during his earthly ministry, Jesus himself had taught concerning his own person, and the spiritual and never-dying blessings which he confers upon those who believe on his name. The design of St. John in writing his Gospel is said by

JOHN, who, according to the unanimous testimony of the ancient fathers, and ecclesiastical writers, was the author of this Gospel, was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman of Bethsaida, by Salome his wife, (compare Mat. x. 4, with Mat. xxvii. 55, 56, and Ma. xv. 40,) and brother of James the elder, whom "Herod killed with the sword." (Ac. xii. 2.) Theophylact says, that Salome was the daughter of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by a former wife; and that consequently she was our Lord's sister, and John was his nephew. He followed the occupation of his father till his call to the apostleship, (Mat. iv. 21, 22. Ma. i. 19, 20. Lu. v. 1-10.) which is supposed to have been when he was about 25 years of age; after which he was a constant eye-witness of our Lord's labours, journeyings, discourses, miracles, passion, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. After the ascension of our Lord, he returned with the other apos tles to Jerusalem, and with the rest partook of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, by which he was eminently qualified for the office of an Evangelist and Apostle. After the death of Mary the mother of Christ, which is supposed to have taken place about fifteen years after the crucifixion, and probably after the council held in Jerusalem about A. D. 49 or 50, (Ac. xv.) at which he was present, he is said by ecclesiastical writers, to have proceeded to Asia Minor, where he formed and presided over seven churches in as many cities, but chiefly resided at Ephesus. Thence he was banished by the Emperor Domitian, in the 15th year of his reign, A. D. 95, to the isle of Patmos in the Ægean sea, where he wrote the Apocalypse. (Re. i. 9.) On the accession of Nerva the following year, he was recalled from exile, and retürned to Ephesus, where he wrote his Gospel and Epistles, and died in the 100th year of his age, about A. D. 100, and in the third year of the Emperor Trajan. It is generally believed that St. John was the youngest of the twelve apostles, and that he survived all the rest. Jerome, in his comment on Gal. vi. says, that he continued preaching when so enfeebled with age, as to be obliged to be car ried into the assembly; and that, not being able to deliver any long discourse, his custom was, to say in every meeting, My dear children, love one another! An opinion has prevailed, that he was, previous to his banishment to Patmos, thrown into a caldron of boiling oil, by order of Domitian, before the gate called Porta Latina at Rome, and that he came out unhurt; but on examining into the foundation of this account, we find that it rests almost entirely on the authority of Tertullian; and since it is not mentioned by Irenæus, Ort-fully.

some to have been to supply those important events which the other Evangelists had omitted, and to refute the notions of the Cerinthians and Nicolaitans, or, according to others, to confute the heresy of the Gnostics and Sabians. But, though many parts of his Gospel may be successfully quoted against the strange doctrines held by those sects, yet the Apostle had evidently a more general end in view than the confutation of their heresies. His own words sufficiently inform us of his motive and design in writing this Gospel-"These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name." Learned men are not wholly agreed concerning the language in which this Gospel was originally written. Salmasius, Grotius, and other writers, have imagined, that St. John wrote it in his own native tongue, the Aramean or Syriac, and that it was afterwards translated into Greek. This opinion is not supported by any strong arguments; and is contradicted by the unanimous voice of antiquity, which affirms that he wrote it in Greek, which is the general and most probable opinion. Michaelis prefers his style, in respect of purity, to the other Evangelists, which he attributes to his long residence at Ephesus. Whether the Evangelist had herein any allusion to Cerinthus, or other ancient heretics, is much disputed among the learned. That he might have some reference to then, is, we think, hardly to be doubted; but the Scripture method of confuting error, was by stating the opposite truths, which John does very

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

ST. JOHN is generally considered, with respect to language, as the lenst correct writer in the New Testament. His style indicates a great want of those advantages which result from a learned education; but this defect is amply compensated by the unexampled simplicity with which he expresses the sublimest truths. Though simplicity of manner, says Campbell, is common to all our Lord's historians, there are evidently differences in the simplicity of been overlooked by the rest, and expatiates on the sublime doctrines of the

one compared with that of another. One thing very remarkable in John's style, is an attempt to impress important truths more strongly on the minds of

his readers, by employing in the expression of them, both an affirmative proposition and a negative. It is manifestly not without design that he commonly passes over those passages of our Lord's history and teaching, which had been treated at large by the other Evangelists, or, if he touches them at all, he touches them but slightly, whilst he records many miracles which had pre-existence, the divinity, and the incarnation of the Word, the great ends of his mission, and the blessings of his purchase.

Fact No. 1. Ver. 1. In the Fact No. I. Ver. 1. When Fact No. I. Ver. 1. Very

just as the sun was rising, and and

JOHN XX.

Fact No. I. Ver. 1. The first

end of the sabbath, as the first the sabbath was past, Mary early the first day of the week day of the week Mary Mag-
day of the week began to Magdalene, and other women, Mary Magdalene and other dalene came to the sepulchre
dawn, came Mary Magda- brought spices to the sepulchre, women came to the sepulchre, while it was yet (somewhat)
lene, and the other Mary, to
dark, and she seeth the stone
the sepulchre, and found the
stone roiled from the mouth
of the sepulchre.

II. (Ormitted.)

Ver. 4. Found the stone Ver. 2. Found the stone rolled away from its mouth.
rolled from the mouth of the rolled away from its mouth.
sepulchre.

II. (Omitted.)

II. (Omitted.)

see

II. Ver. 2-10. She runs immediately to the apostles Peter and John, both of whom run to the sepulchre: John gets there first, and looks in Poter comes up and goes first in, and then John follows; fol both nothing but the tomb and grave clothes, and both return home. III. Ver.H-13. Mary Magdalene having this while stood weeping without, now looksin, and sees two angels, who endeavour to comfort her; but

OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

INTRODUCTION.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS.

INTRODUCTION.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS ON EACH BOOK

He takes great care to is upon, and to the current scriptural sense of the words he uses. For he keeps very strictly to the standard of Scripture phraseology. guard and explain every part of his subject. And I may venture to say he has or unguarded. Never was an author more exact a sentence, left no part of it unex unexplained and cautious in this than he. Sometimes he writes notes upon liable to exception and wanting explanation, as ch. ii. 12-16. Here the 13th and 15th verses are a comment upon the former part of it. Sometimes he comments upon a single word; as ch. x. 11-13. The 12th and 13th verses are a comment upon pas, every one, in the 11th. He was studious of a perspicuous brevity, as ch. v. 13, 14. For until the law sin was in the world, &c.Surely never was there a greater variety of useful sentiments crowded into a smaller compass; and yet so skilfully, that one part very clearly explains another.... It is by this unparalleled art, that the Apostle has brought such a variety of arguments, instructions, and sentiments, all stated, proved, and suf

is

and

ten

Jews, great caution ws, with
to an ungrateful subject are very dex-
one thing, gives us an opportunity of

has made it a magazine of the most real, extensive, useful, and profitable
ficiently guarded, explained, and defended, within the limits of a letter; which
knowledge. He treats his countrymen, the
derness.... His transitions and advances
terous and apposite as ch. ii. 1--17. viii. 17. He often carries on a complica-
ted design, and while he teaching
and at the same time instructs magistrates in their duty, and shows the
learning one or two more. So ch. xiii. 1-8, he teaches the duty of subjects,
colour that may
never loses sight of his subject,
grounds of their authority. He is a nervous reasoner, and a close writer, who
liven it. He writes under a deep and lively sense of the truth and import-
ance of the Gospel, as a man who clearly understood it, and in whose heart
and affections it reigned far superior to all temporal considerations."

and who throws in every

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS..

INTRODUCTION.

THAT the first Epistle to the Corinthians is the genuine production of St. Paul, has been universally admitted by the Christian church in all ages; nor indeed can it be doubted, as it is supported by the strongest internal evidence. It purports to have been written by him after he had already been at Corinth, (ch. ii. 1,) when upon the eve of another visit to that church, (ch. iv. 19; xvi. 5;) and, while he abode at Ephesus, (ch. xvi. 8, 19. Ac. xviii. 18, 26.) Now, as St. Paul departed from Ephesus, where he had resided three years, in order

to proceed to Corinth, about A. D. 57, (Ac. xx. 1,) it follows, that this Epistle, was written about that time. The subscription to this Epistle, which states that it was written at Philippi, cannot be correct, as it is contradicted by the declaration of St. Paul himself. It appears that it was written by the Apostle in answer to certain inquiries of the Corinthians by letter, (ch. vii. 1; xvi. 12, 71) and also to correct certain schisms and disorders which prevailed among them, and of which he had been informed by " them which were of the house of Chloe.

The Corinthians abounded in tentive reader need not be informed; while his candour, love, faithfulness, knowledge, science, eloquence, and various extraordinary gifts and endowments, and for these the Apostle gives them full credit; but, in many cases, distinctly enough marked in this Epistle, they were grossly ignorant of the genius and design of the gospel. Many, since their time, have put words and observances in place of the weightier matters of the law, and the spirit of the

CORINTH, favoured by its situation between two seas, rose to the summit of
dignity and splendour. From its extensive commerce, , it it abounded with riches, and holy zeal, are apparent in every page.
and was furnished with all the accommodations, elegances, and superfluities
of life; and far exceeded all the cities in the world in the magnificence of its
public buildings, such as temples, palaces, theatres, porticoes, cenotaphs, baths,
and other edifices. But wealth produced luxury, and luxury a total corruption
proverb, lascivious

of manners; so that the inhabitants became infamous to a
ness in particular being not only tolerated, but forming a considerable portion
of their religion. Notwithstanding this, the arts, sciences, and literature, still
continued to flourish, every part of the Grecian learning being highly cultiva-
ted; so that before its destruction by the Romans, Cicero (pro lege Manl. c.
5.) scrupled not to call it, "The light of all Greece." It possessed numerous
schools, in which philosophy and rhetoric were taught by able masters; and
strangers resorted thither from all quarters to be instructed in the sciences.
Attention to these circumstances will account for several things mentioned by
the Apostle in his letters to this city; which things, without this knowledge
of their previous Gentile state and customs, we could not comprehend. It is
indubitably certain, as the Apostle states, that they carried these things to an
extent that was never practised in any other Gentile country; and yet, even
in Corinth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, effecting what learning and philosophy
were utterly unable to accomplish, prevailed over universal corruption and de-
pravity, so much so that it became the seat of a flourishing Christian church!
We have already seen, that the peace of this church had been disturbed by
false teachers, who made great pretensions to

the church, as a

gospel. The Apostle has taken great pains to correct these abuses among
the Corinthians; and to insist on that great unchangeable and eternal truth,
the affections, and producing universal benevolence and beneficence, is the
that love to God and man, filling the heart, hallowing the passions, regulating
fulfilling of the whole law; and that all professions, knowledge, and gifts,
without this, are absolutely useless. Did this Epistle contain no more than
what is found in the thirteenth chapter, it would be an unparalleled monument
sum and substance of the gospel, left by God's mercy to
of the Apostle's deep acquaintance with God; and an invaluable record of the
to the end of time. Though this Epistle contains more local matter, and more
touchstone for the trial of creeds, confessions of faith, and ritual observances,
matter of private application, than any other in the New Testament; and
Writings, yet it is both highly interesting and useful; gives an in-
though, perhaps, it may possess less matter for general use than other parts of
the Sacred
sight into several customs, and not a few forms of speech, and circumstances
with
be cons
relative to the discipline of the primitive church, which we can find no where
consistent
else; shows us how many improper things may, in a state of ignorance, or
sincere belief of the gospel, and a
Christian infancy,
warm and zealous attachment to it reads a very awful lesson to those who
confirms, illustrates, and defends, many of the most important parts of Christ-
disturb the peace of society, and make schisms in the church of Christ; and

ledge of the Christian liberty; and that it was to compose these differences,
to correct certain abuses, and to answer various questions relative to which
they had written to the Apostle, that he composed this Epistle to the Church
of Corinth. With what consummate skill and soundness of argument he es-
tablishes doctrines, meets objections, and refutes erroneous opinions, the atian doctrine and practice.

1

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

THAT St. Paul was the author of this Epistle has never been doubted, and
is amply confirmed by internal evidence; from which it appears, that it was
written by the Apostle in Macedonia, and probably at Philippi, as the sub-
scription affirms, after the uproar at Ephesus, about a year after the preced-
ing, and in consequence of the accounts which he had received of the favour-
able reception of the first; and afterwards sent to the Corinthians by Titus
and his associates. Accordingly the Apostle justifies himself from the charge
of levity, or worldly policy, in delaying his journey to Corinth, assigning those
reasons for this part of his conduct which could not have been disclosed with
propriety till the effect of his former epistle had appeared; declares the justice
CONCLUDING

The most remarkable circumstance, observes Mr. Scott, in this Epistle is,
the confidence of the Apostle in the goodness of his cause, and in the power
of God to bear him out in it. Opposed, as he then was, by a powerful and sa-
gacious party, whose authority, reputation, and interest, were deeply con-
cerned, and who were ready to seize on every thing that could discredit him,
it is wonderful to hear him so firmly insist upon his apostolical authority, and
powers which he had exercised and

so unreservedly appeal to the miraculous
conferred at Corinth. So far from shrinking from the contest, as afraid of
some discovery being made, unfavourable to him and the common cause, he,
with great modesty and meekness indeed, but with equal boldness and deci
Bion, expressly declares, that his opposers and despisers were the ministers of
Satan, and menaces them with miraculous judgments, when as many of their
deluded hearers had been brought to repentance and re-established in the
faith, as proper means could in a reasonable time effect. It is inconceivable
that a stronger internal testimony, not only of integrity, but of divine inspira
tion, can exist. Had there been any thing of imposture among the Christians,
was next to impossible but such a conduct must have occasioned a disclo-

of his sentence against the incestuous person, and gives suitable directions respecting his restoration; expatiates on his own conduct in the Christian ministry, intermixing many exhortations with the avowal of his motives and fervent ness, to complete their contributions for their poor brethren in Judea, showing affections in the sacred work; excites them, with great address and earnestthe manifold advantages of such services; contrasts more directly, yet evidently with great reluctance, his own gifts, labours, sufferings, and conduct, with the pretences of their false teachers, showing himself to be "not a whit" inferior to any of the apostles; and concludes with various admonitions, and affectionate good wishes and prayers.

REMARKS.

sure of it. Of the effects produced by this latter epistle we have no circumwritten it, is mentioned by St. Luke only in few words, (Ac. xx. 2, 3.) We stantial account; for the journey which St. Paul took to Corinth, after he had know, however, that St. Paul was there after he had written this Epistle; from different parts to that city, (Ro. xv. 26;) and that, after remaining there that the contributions for the poor brethren at Jerusalem were brought to him several months, he sent salutations from some of the principal members of that church, by whom he must have been greatly respected, to the church of Rome, (Ro. xvi. 22, 23.) From this time we hear no more of the false teacher and his party; and when Clement of Rome wrote his epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul was considered by them as a divine apostle, to whose authority he might appeal without fear of contradiction. The false teacher, therefore, must either have been silenced by St. Paul, by virtue of his apostolical powers, and by an act of severity, which he had threatened, (2 Co. xiii. 2, 3;) or this adversary of the apostle had at that time voluntarily quitted the place. Whichever was the cause, the effect produced must operate as a confirmation of our faith, and as a proof of St. Paul's divine mission.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Galatians, or Gallogræcians, were the descendants of Gauls, who mi-language, even so late as the fifth century. Christianity appears to have been

grated from their own country, and after a series of disasters, got possession
of a large district in Asia Minor, from them called Galatia. (Pausanias, Attic.
c. iv.) They are mentioned by historians as a tall and valiant people, who
went nearly naked, and used for arms only a buckler and sword; and the im-
they are are said to
petuosity of their attack is said to have been irresistible. Their religion, be
fore their conversion, was extremely corrupt and superstitious;
have worshipped the mother of the gods, under the name of Adgistis; and to
bave offered human sacrifices of the prisoners they took in war. Though they
poke the Greek language, in common with almost all the inhabitants of Asia
Minor, yet it appears from Jerome that they retained their original Gaulish

34

the churches at least twice in that country, (Acts xvi. 6; xviii. 23.) It is evi-
first planted in these regions hy St. Paul himself, (ch. i. 6; iv. 13;) who visited
he complains of their speedy apostacy from his doctrine, (ch. i 6.;) and as
dent that this Epistle was written soon after their reception of the Gospel, as
first, and con-
there is no notice of his second journey into that country, it has been sup-
posed, with much probability, that it was written soon after his
sequently about A. D. 52 or 53. It appears, that soon after the Apostle had
left them, some Judaizing teachers intruded themselves into the churches;
drawing them off from the true Gospel, to depend on ceremonial observances,
and to the vain endeavour of "establishing their own righteousness."

OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

GALATIA was situated between Phrygia on the south, Pamphylia and Bithy-in the days of his flesh, and been immediately deputed by Him. In this episma on the north, and Pontus on the east.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Church at Philippt in Macedonia was planted by the Apostle Paul | his imprisonment. The more immediate occasion of the Epistle was the re

A D. 53, (Acts XVI. 9-40;) and it appears he visited them again, A. D. Mesazh no particulars are recorded concerning that visit, (Acts xx. 6.) The Perorans were greatly attached to St. Paul, and testified their affection by pirz him supplies, even when labouring for other churches and when they ind that he was inder confinement at Rome, they sent Epaphroditus, one of tis ir pastors, to him with a present, lest he should want necessaries during

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

Letosse was a large and populous city of Phrygia Pacatiana, in Asia Mi-1 of the river which is supposed to be the Lycus, and about twenty miles N. W.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

The Epistle to the Colossians, and the two precoding Epistles, which were | Epistle to the Ephesians, without being impressed and roused by it, as by the

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

THB Gospel was first preached at Thessalonica by St. Paul, accompanied he sent Silas and Timothy to Thessalonica in his stead, (ch. iii. 6;) who by silas and Timothy, with such success, that it excited the envy and indigna having, on their return to him at Corinth, given such a favourable account of hon of the unbelieving Jews, who having stirred up a violent persecution their state as filled him with joy and gratitude, (Ac. xvii. 14, 15; xvin. 5.) he wrote acanst them, they were forced to flee to Berea, and thence to Athens, (Ac. this Epistle to them from that city, (and not from Athens, as stated in the spuxvii. 2-15.) from which city he proceeded to Corinth. Having thus been pre-rious postscript.) A. D. 52, to confirm them in their faith, and to excite them to vented trom again visiting the Thessalonians as he had intended, (ch. ii. 17, 18,) a holy conversation becoming the dignity of their high and holy calling.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

THE first Epistle to the Thessalonians, it is generally agreed, was the ear-cedonia.-"I charge you by the Lord, that this Epistle be read unto all the fiest written of all St. Paul's epistles; whence we see the reason and pro- holy brethren." (Ch. v. 27.) "The existence of this clause," observes Paleu priety of his anxiety that it should be read in all the Christian churches of Mais an evidence of its authenticity because, to produce a letter, purporting INTRODUCTORY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS ON EACH BOOK

to have been publicly read in the church at Thessalonica, when no such let ter had been read or heard of in that church, would be to produce an imposture destructive of itself... Either the Epistle was publicly read in the church of Thessalonica, during St. Paul's lifetime, or it was not. If it was, no publication could be more authentic, no species of notoriety more unquestionable, no method of preserving the integrity of the copy more secure... If it was not, the clause would remain a standing condemnation of the forgery, and one would suppose, an invincible impediment to its success." Its genuineness, however, has never been disputed; and it has been universally received in the Christian church, as the inspired production of St. Paul, from the earliest period to the present day. The circumstance of this injunction being given, in the first epistle which the Apostle wrote, also implies a strong and avowed claim to the character of an inspired writer; as in fact it placed his writings on the same ground with those of Moses and the ancient prophets. It was evidently the chief design of the apostle, in writing to the Thessalonians, to confirm them in the faith, to animate them to a courageous profession of the gospel, and to the practice of all the duties of Christianity; but to suppose, with Macknight, that he intended to prove the divine authority of Christianity by a chain of regular arguments, in which he answered the several objections which the heathen philosophers are supposed to have advanced, seems quite foreign to the nature of the epistle, and to be grounded on a mistaken notion, that the philosophers deigned at so early a period to enter on a regular disputation with the Christians, when in fact they derided them as enthusiasts, and branded their doctrines as "foolishness." In pursuance of his grand object, " it is remarkable," says Doddridge," with how much address he improves all the influence, which his zeal and fidelity in their service must natu

rally give him, to inculcate upon them the precepts of the gospel, and per suade them to act agreeably to their sacred character. This was the grand point he always kept in view, and to which every thing else was made subscr vient. Nothing appears, in any part of his writings, like a design to establish his own reputation, or to make use of his ascendancy over his Christian friends to answer any secular purposes of his own. On the contrary, in this and in his other epistles, he discovers a most generous, disinterested regard for their welfare, expressly disclaiming any authority over their consciences, and appealing to them, that he had chosen to maintain himself by the labour of his own hands, rather than prove burdensome to the churches, or give the least colour of suspicion, that, under zeal for the gospel, and concern for their improvement, he was carrying on any private sinister view. The discovery of so excellent a temper must be allowed to carry with it a strong presumptive argument in favour of the doctrines he taught And, indeed, whoever reads St. Paul's epistles with attention, and enters into the spirit with which they were written, will discern such intrinsic characters of their genuineness, and the divine authority of the doctrines they contain, as will, perhaps, produce in him a stronger conviction, than all the external evidence with which they are attended." The These remarks are exceedingly well grounded and highly important; and to no other Epistle can they apply with greater force than the present most excellent production of the inspired Apostle. The last two

chapters, in particular, as Dr. A. Clarke justly observes, are certainly among the most important, and the most sublime in the New Testament. The general judginent, the resurrection of the body, and the states of the quick and the dead, the unrighteous and the just, are described, concisely indeed, but they are exhibited in the most striking and aflecting points of view."

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

INTRODUCTION.

THE second Epistle to the Thessalonians appears, from Silvanus and Timothy being still with St. Paul, (ch. i. 1,) to have been written soon after the first, A. D. 52, and from the same place, Corinth, and not from Athens, according to the spurious subscription. It seems that the person who conveyed the first Epistle to the Thessalonians speedily returned to Corinth, and gave the Apostle a particular account of the state of the Church; and, among other things, informed hum that many were in expectation of the near approach of the advent of Christ, and of the day of judgment, which induced them to neglect their secular affairs, as inconsistent with a due preparation

for that important and awful event. This erroneous expectation they grounded partly on a misconstruction of some expressions in his former Epistle, and of what he had spoken when with them; but it was supported also by some person, or persons, making a claim to inspiration, and claiming to have a revelation upon the subject, and, as some suppose, also by a forged Epistle. As soon as this state of the Thessalonians was made known to St. Paul, he wrote this second Epistle to correct such a misapprehension, and rescue them from an error, which, if appearing to rest on the authority of an Apostle, must have a very injurious tendency, and be ultimately ruinous to the cause of Christianity.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

BESIDES those marks of genuineness and authority which this Epistle" making even the word of God of none effect by his traditions;" forbidding

possesses in common with the others, it bears the highest evidence of its di vine inspiration, in the representation which it contains of the papal power, under the characters of the "Man of sin," and the Mystery of iniquity. The true Christian worship is, the worship of the one only God, through the one only Mediator, the man Christ Jesus; and from this worship the church of Rome has most notoriously departed, by substituting other mediators, invocating and adoring saints and angels, worshipping images, adoring the host, &c. It follows, therefore, that" the man of sin" is the Pope; not only on account of the disgraceful lives of many of them, but by means of their scanda lons doctrines and principles; dispensing with the most necessary duties, sellling pardons and indulgences for the most abominable crimes, and perverting the worship of God to the grossest superstition and idolatry. He also, like the false apostle Judas, is "the son of perdition;" whether actively, as being the cause of destruction to others, or passively, as being devoted to destruction himself. "He opposeth:" he is the great adversary of God and man; perse- erse

cuting and destroying, by crusades, inquisitions, and massacres, those Chris tians who prefer the word of God to the authority of men. "He exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped;" not only above inferior magistrates, but also above bishops and primates, kings and emperors; nav, not only above kings and emperors, but also above Christ, and God himself;

God,

what God has commanded, as marriage, the use of the Scriptures, &c.; and
commanding, or allowing, what God has forbidden, as idolatry, persecution,
&c. "So that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that
he is God." His" sitting in the temple of God," implies plainly his having a
seat in the Christian church and he sitteth there as
d." especially at his
inauguration, when he sits upon the high altar in St. Peter's church, and
makes the table of the Lord his footstool, and in that position receives ado-
ration. At all times he exercises divine authority in the church:"showing
himself that he is God" affecting divine titles, and asserting that his decrees
are of the same, or greater authority, than the word of God. The foundation
of popery was laid in the Apostles' days; but several ages passed before the
building was completed, and "the man of sin revealed," in full perfection;
when that "which hindered," the Roman empire, was dissolved.
coming is after the energy of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying won-
ders," &c.; and does it require any particular proof, that the pretensions of the
Pope, and the corruptions of the church of Rome, are all supported and authori-
zed by feigned visious and miracles, by pious frauds, and impositions of every
kind? But, how much soever the man of sin may be exalted, and how long
soever he may reign, yet, at last," the Lord shall consume him with the Spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming."

His

tures.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY.

to

INTRODUCTION.

TIMOTHY, to whom this Epistle is addressed, was a native of Lystra, a city of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor. His father was a Gentile, but his mother Eu nice, and his grandmother Lois, were Jewesses, by whom he was brought up in the fear of God, and early instructed in the knowledge of the Holy Scrip(Acts xvi. 1. 2 Tim. iii. 15.) It is probable that he was converted to the Christian faith during the first visit made by Paul and Barnabas to Lystra, (Acts xiv.;) and when the Apostle came from Antioch in Syria Lystra the second time, he found him a member of the church, and so highly respected aud warmly recommended by the church in that place, that he chose him be the companion of his travels, having previously circumcised him, (Acts xvi. 1-3,) and solemnly ordained him by imposition of hands, (1 Ti. iv. 14. 2 Ti. i. 6) though at that time he was probably not more than twenty years of age, (1 Ti. iv. 12.) Being thus prepared to be the Apostle's fellow-labourer in the

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gospel, he accompanied him and Silas in their various journeys, assisting him in preaching the gospel, and in conveying instructions to the churches. (Acts xvi. 10, 11, &c.; xvii. 13, 14; xviii. 5; xix. 22; xx. 4.) An ecclesiastical tradition states that he suffered martyrdom at Ephesus, being slain with stones and clubs, A. D. 97, while preaching against idolatry in the vicinity of the temple of Diana; and his supposed relics were transported to Constantinople with great pomp. A. D. 356, in the reign of Constantius.

It is evident that this Epistle was written by the Apostle when on a journey from Ephesus to Macedonia, having left Timothy at Ephesus, in care of the church, (ch. i. 3.) This is supposed by many, both ancients and moderns, to have been when St. Paul quitted Ephesus on account of the disturbance raised by Demetrius, and went into Macedonia, (Acts xx. 1,) about A. D. 56, 57, or 58.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

THIS Epistle bears the impress of its genuineness and authenticity, which are corroborated by the most decisive external evidence; and its divine inspi ration is attested by the exact accomplishment of the prediction which it contains respecting the apostacy in the latter days. This prophecy is similar in

the general subject to that in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians, though it differs in the particular circumstances; and exactly corresponds with that of the prophet Daniel on the same subject: Da. xi. 38.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY.

while he

INTRODUCTION.

THAT this Epistle was written by St. Paul when a prisoner is sufficiently | evident from chap. i. 8, 12, 16; ii. 9; and that it was was imprisoned at Rome, is universally admitted. That it was not written during his first confinement, recorded in Acts xxviii., as Hammond, Lightfoot, and Lardner suppose, but during a second imprisonment there, and not long before he suffered martyrdom, as Benson, Macknight, Paley, and Clarke, Bishop Tom line, Michaelis, Rosenmuller, and Horne, contend, is amply proved by the following considerations: in his first imprisonment "he dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him, preaching the king. dom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus, with all confidence, no man forbidding him;" but at the time he wrote this Epistle, he was closely imprisoned as one guilty of a canital crime, so that Onesiphorus, on his arrival at Rome, had considerable difficulty in finding him out, and his situation at this time was extremely dangerous. At his first confinement at Rome, Timothy was with St. Paul, and is joined with him in writing to the Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon; but the present Epistle implies that he was absent. At the former period, Demas was with him; but now he had

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us

St.

forsaken him, having loved this present world, and gone to Thessalonica. Mark was also then with him; ; but in the present Epistle Timothy is ordered to bring him with him. In the former Epistles, the Apostle confidently looked forward his liberation, and speedy departure from Rome, (Philip. 11. 24. Philem. 22;) but in the Epistle before he holds extremely different language, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." From these observations, to which others might, and have been added, we may conclude, that this Epistle was written while St. Paul was in imprisonment the second time at Rome, and but a short time before his martyrdom; and, as it is generally agreed that this took place on the 29th of June, A. D. 66, and as the Apostle requests Timothy to come to him before winter, it is probable that it was written in the summer of A. D. 65. It is generally supposed, that Timothy resided at Ephesus when St. Paul wrote this Epistle to him; which appears very probable, though not certain.