chicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis. For I have determined there to winter. Thereby Theodoret underftood Nicopolis in Thrace, as feen above. So likewife (t) Chryfoftom. But Jerome (u) fuppofed the Apoftle to mean Nicopolis in Epirus. Neither of thefe interpretations is any prejudice to our argument. In which foever of thofe countreys Nicopolis was fituated, the Apostle was as likely to be there at the time fuppofed by us, as at any other.

At Nicopolis the Apoftle wintered, in the year 56. according to my computation. Confequently, this letter was writ fome time before, in the fame year 56. When the winter was over, Paul came into Macedonia, where he had been before, fince he came from Ephefus. From Macedonia he came into Greece.

W

thians.

The fecond Epistle to the Corinthians.

HILST the Apoftle was in Macedonia, at this
time, he wrote the fecond epiftle to the Corin-

A. D. 57.

Concerning this there can be no doubt, if we attend to the epistle itfelf. From which it plainly appears, that the Apostle was then in Macedonia, and was going to Greece, particularly, to Corinth. So 2 Cor. ix. 1... 5. For as touching the miniftring to the faints, it is fuperfluous for me to write unto You. For 1 know the forwardneffe of your mind. For which I boaft of you to them at Macedonia: that Achaia was ready a year ago. Yet have I fent the brethren... left haply, if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we fay not you) should be ashamed in this fame confident boafting. Therefore I thought it neceffary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty. ... See alfo ch. viii. And ch. xiii. 1. This is the third time, I am coming to you.

According to Pearfon (x) this epiftle was writ in Macedonia, in the year 57. according to (y) Mill, near the end of that year. I likewife think, that it was writ in the year 57. probably, in September, or October. For the Apoftle, plainly, was foon to go to Corinth: where he might arrive, as I apprehend, in November.

I suppose, it was now above a year, fince writing the firft epiftle to the Corinthians. The reafons of that fuppofition were mentioned (z) formerly. And need not to be repeated here.

Timothie

(1) Ἡ δὲ νικόπολις τῆς θράκης ἐςὶ. Chryf. in Tit. hom. 6. ib. p. 766. Β. (*) Scribit igitur Apoftolus, ô Paula et Euftochium, de Nicopoli, quæ in Actiaco littore fita, nunc poffeffionis veftræ pars vel maxima eft. &c. Hieron. Pr. in ep. ad Tit. T. 4. P. i. p. 407•

Nicopolis ipfa eft, quæ ob victoriam Augufti, quod ibi Antonium et Cleopatram fuperârit, nomen accepit. Id. in Tit. cap. iii. ib. p. 439.

(x) Annal. Paulin. p. 15. A. D. lvii.

(y)... fub finem, ut videtur, anni æræ vulgaris Ivii. Proleg. num. 21. (z) See before, p. 219.

Timothie was with Paul at writing this epiftle. For his name is in the infcription. It is likely, that (a) he had come from Ephesus to the Apostle in Macedonia, either upon occafion of fome affairs of that church, or at the defire of the Apostle, who needed his affiftance. As before faid.

SECT. VIII.

The Epistle to the Romans.

A. D. 58. THE epiftle to the Romans is dated by (b) Pearson in the year 57. by (c) Mill in the year 58. According to our computation of Paul's journeys there can be no reafon to hefitate about either the time, or the place of this epiftle. It was writ at Corinth in the begining of the year 58. before Paul set out on his journey to Jerufalem.

As St. Luke's words in Acts xx. 1. 2. 3. afford great light, and are a fure guide, I recite them here. And after the uproar was ceafed, Paul called unto him the difciples, and embraced them, and departed [from Ephesus] for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over thofe parts, and given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And there abode three months. In the space of these three months was writ the epiftle to the Romans.

According to Theodoret the epiftle to the Romans (d) is the seventh in order of time, having been writ by the Apoftle after the two epiftles to the Theffalonians, and to the Corinthians, the first to Timothie, and the epiftle to Titus. He adds: "That (e) the epiftle to the Romans was writ "from Corinth, is manifest from the conclufion. For there the Apostle "recommends Phoebe, calling her Deaconeffe of the church in Cenchrea, "which was a borough of the Corinthians. Rom. xvi. 1. Befides, he fays: "Caius, my hoft, and of the whole church, faluteth you. ver. 23. By hoft he means the perfon, who entertained him. And that Caius was a "Corinthian, we learn from the first epistle to the Corinthians. For thus "he writes to them: I thank God, that I baptized none of you, but "Crifpus, and Caius. 1 Cor. i. 14. The epiftle to the Romans therefore "is the last of the epiftles writ from Afia, and Macedonia, and Achaia: "and is the feventh in order, as has been shewn. The reft were fent "from Rome." So Theodoret. Who might have added, as a proof, that

this

(a) Fateor, cum Paulus effet in Macedonia, una cum illo fuiffe Timotheum. 2 Cor. i. 1. et poftquain hyemem tranfegiffet in Epiro. Tit. iii. 12. ac per tres menfes commoratus in Græcia. Act. xx. 2. 3. reverfufque effet in Macedoniam, illi adfuiffe Timotheum. Act. xx. 4. ac recta cum illo iviffe Troadem. Quæ omnia contingere potuerunt, poftquam Paulus reliquiffet Timotheum Ephefi: ex qua urbe tamen iverit ad Paulum, five propter negotia Ephefinæ ecclefiæ, de quibus Paulum confuli ab eo oporteret, vel ut pareret Paulo, quem, ut videmus, et poftea invifit, longiore itinere, Romam ufque. 2 Tim. iv. 9. Hammond. Præf. in 1 ep. Timoth. ex verfione Clerici.

(b) Annal, Paulin. p. 15. (α) Εβδόμην τὴν πρὸς ρωμαίες επέσειλε αυτός γεγραφέναι διδάσκει,

(e) Ibid. p. 5.

Theod.

(c) Proleg. num. 26. μετὰ γὰρ δὴ τάντας απάσας ταύτην T. 3. p. 4. C.

this epiftle was writ at Corinth, what follows in ver. 23. Eraftus, the chamberlain of the city, faluteth you. For by the city I fuppofe to be meant Corinth. But whether this Eraftus be the fame, who is mentioned by St. Luke Acts xix. 22. as one of St. Paul's affiftants, I cannot fay certainly.

The time of writing this epiftle is farther manifest hence. It was writ after that Paul had compleated his collections in Macedonia, and Achaia, and when he was fetting out for Jerufalem. For fo he writes, ch. xv. 2526. But now I go unto Jerufalem, to minifter unto the faints. For it has pleafed them of Macedonia, and Achaia, to make a certain contribution for the poor faints, which are at Jerufalem... ver. 30. 31. Now I beseech you, brethren,... that ye ftrive together with me, in prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea, and that my fervice, which I have for Ferufalem, may be accepted of the faints.

Confequently, it is probable, that it was now near the end of the three months, that the Apostle ftaid in Greece. Whence he returned to Macedonia, and after the days of unleavened bread, failed from Philippi, to Troas, upon the continent of Afia, Acts xx, 3... 6. And then went to Jerufalem, where he arrived about the time of Pentecoft in the year 58.

If St. Paul came to Corinth in November 57. the epiftle to the Romans might be fent thence in the month of Februarie, in the year 58.

CONG

ONCERNING St. Paul's Epiftles, writ during his imprisonment at Rome, particularly the Epistle to the Ephefians.

Soon after writing the epiftle to the Romans, as was before hinted, Paul fet out from Corinth, on his journey to Jerufalem. In a fhort time after his arrival there, he was apprehended. And he was kept a prifoner in that country, till he was fent to Rome.

During his stay in Judea, we know not of his corresponding with any churches, or particular perfons, by writing. But at Rome, though a prifoner, he wrote divers letters. Grotius fays, that (f) though all St. Paul's epiftles are excellent, he moft admires thofe writ by him, when a prifoner at Rome. And of the epiítle to the Ephefians he says, it (g) furpaffeth all human eloquence.

It is generally fuppofed, that St. Paul wrote there four epiftles: to the Ephefians, the Philippians, the Coloffians, and Philemon. Jerome has twice (b) spoken of these four epiftles, as writ at Rome. Theodoret having spoken

of

(f) Omnes epiftolæ Pauli egregiæ funt : fed omnium in primis, quæ Româ ex vinculis miffæ funt. Gr. Pr. in ep. ad Col.

(g)... rerum fublimitatem adæquans verbis fublimioribus, quam ulla unquam habuit lingua humana. Grot. Pr. in ep. ad Eph.

(b) Quod Roma in vincula conjectus, hanc epiftolam miferit eo tempore, quo ad Philemonem, et ad Coloffenfes, et ad Philippenfes, in alio loco fcriptas effe monftravimus. Hieron. in Eph, cap, iii. T. 4. p. 347 •

Scribet

of the epistle to the Romans, as the feventh in order, and the last of those that were fent from Afia, Macedonia, and Achaia, fays: "The (i) rest were fent "from Rome: the first of which I take to be that, writ to the Galatians." Lightfoot (k) likewise fuppofed the epiftle to the Galatians to have been writ at Rome, and the firft of those that were writ there. That is a wrong computation, as muft appear from what has been already faid. But befide the four above mentioned, the fecond epiftle to Timothie might be writ at this season. The epistle to the Hebrews likewife, if it be Paul's, was, probably, writ about this time, either during the Apostle's imprisonment, or foon after it, before he left Rome, and Italie.

St. Paul's imprisonment, from the time of his being apprehended at Ferufalem, to his coming to Rome, was the space of almoft, or quite three years. For a fhort time he was confined in the caftle of Antonia at Jerufalem. Thence he was fent to Ceferea by the fea-fide, the feat of the Roman Governour, who at that time was Felix. Where he was kept in Herod's judgment hall. Acts xxiii. 15. And though afterwards there was an order for enlarging the first strictneffe of his cuftodie, and that his acquaintance should be permitted to come to him, and minifter to him. ch. xxiv. 23. I fuppofe, he was ftill confined in the above mentioned prifon. And, perhaps, this new order imported little more, than leave for his friends to bring him needful refreshments, and take care of his health. It does not appear, that during the space of two years, and several months, whilft he was in Judea, he wrote any letters, or received any, as before intimated. Says (1) Wall: "Those two years of imprisonment under Felix feem to have been the most unactive part of St. Paul's life. There is no account of any preachings, or difputations, or of any epiftles writ in this fpace." Indeed, confidering the violent oppofition made by the Jews throughout the whole space of the Apostle's being in that countrey: I apprehend, there was no attempt made by Paul, or his friends, to procure him intelligence from the Chriftian churches abroad: and that the Roman Governour could not allow of any fuch thing. He would rather have fet Paul at liberty, and let him go quite away. But when Paul was brought to Rome, though he was under a guard, he was fuffered to dwell by himself, in his own hired house. Acts xxviii. 16. 30. where he was two years. Having fuch liberty, he wifely improved it, not only by difcourfing with all those who came to him, but alfo by writing feveral epiftles.

Of all these epiftles the firft writ seems to me to be that to the EpheA. D. 61. fians. I think, it was drawn up by the Apostle, as foon as conveniently could be, after his friends at Rome had taken a lodging for him, and he was fettled in it.

The epiftle is infcribed to the faints which are at Ephefus, and to the faithfull in Chrift Jefus. But I apprehend, that the Apoftle thought of the Chriftians throughout Afia, properly fo called, whether living at Ephe

fus,

Scribet igitur ad Philemonem Roma vinctus in carcere, quo tempore mihi videntur ad Philippenfes, Coloffenfes, et Ephefios epiftolæ effe dictatæ. In Philem. ib. p. 445. in.

(1) Τὰς γαρ δὴ ἄλλας ἀπὸ τῆς ῥώμης ἐπέσειλε. καὶ πρώτην μὲν ἠχῶμαι τὴν πρὸς γαλάτας γραφήναι. Τ. 3. 1. 5.

(k) Lightf. Vol. I. p. 323.

(1) Notes upon the N. T. p. 267. 268.

fus, the chief city of the countrey, or not. To the like purpose (m) Hammond: and alfo Mr. Pyle, who paraphrafeth the firft verfe of the epistle in this manner: "Paul, called to be an Apostle, fendeth this epistle to the church of Ephefus, and to all the Chriftians of the leffer Afia, thofe faithfull Chriftians that firmly rely upon the Chriftian Religion for falvation, without the obfervation of the Mofaical ceremonies." We are led to this fuppofition by what St. Paul fays near the conclufion of his first epistle to the Corinthians, writ at Ephefus: the churches of Afia falute you. 1 Cor. ch. xv. 19. And that epiftle to the Corinthians is addrefled to the church of God, which is at Corinth, to them that are fanétified in Chrift Jefus, called to be faints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jefus Chrift, our Lord, both theirs and ours. And the fecond epiftle to the Corinthians is addreffed to the church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the faints, which are in all Achaia.

After the falutation of thefe Chriftians, at the beginning of the epiftle, he praifeth God for the gofpel difpenfation, now made known to all men, agreeably to the gracious purpofe, long fince formed in the divine counfels. Bleed be the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who has blessed us with all fpiritual bleffings in heavenly places in Chrift: according as he hath chofen us in him, before the foundation of the world. ver. 3. 4. to the 12. He then reminds them of their first faith in the gofpel, and the circum, ftances of it. In whom ye aljo trufted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your falvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were fealed with that holy Spirit of promife. Which is the earnest of our inheritance.... ver. 13. 14. After which he lets then know, that in his con finement, fince he came to Rome, he had heard of the continuance of their faith, and of their love for all Chriftians in general. Which had filled him with transports of joy and fatisfaction. Wherefore I also having heard of your faith in the Lord Jefus, and love unto all the faints, ceafe not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Father of glorie, may give unto you the spirit of wif dom: or that they might be more and more illuminated, and established in the principles of true religion. ver. 15. 16. and to ver. 23.

The account, that had been brought him of the Christians at Ephefus, by Tychicus, as may be fuppofed, having been very agreeable, the Apostle does not cenfure them for any great irregularities in conduct, as he does the Corinthians, nor for any remarkable deviations from the fimplicity of the gofpel, or inftability therein, as he does the Galatians. But he treats them with great mildneffe. However, he fends them a pathetic exhortation to perfevere in a converfation, becoming their profeffion, and their privileges, and to guard against the temptations, which they might meet with either from Heathen idolaters, or corrupt and felf-interefted Christians.

At the end, he tells them, that he had fent Tychicus, who would give them information concerning his affairs, and comfort them. ch. vi. 24. 22. And then adds: Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from

(m) Ephefum fuiffe primam Metropolim Lydie, vel proconfularis Afiæ, oftendimus in notis ad Coloff. iv. 16. Itaque epiftola hæc, Ephefiis infcripta, non eft putanda ad eos folos pertinere, verum etiam ad alias urbes provinciæ, imo et totius Afiæ. Hammond. Pref. in ep. ad Eph.

VOL. II.

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