صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

Theodore of Mopfueftia fays, "that (x) for a good while the Apoftles « preached chiefly to Jews in Judea. Afterwards Providence made way "for conducting them to remote countreys. Peter went to Rome, the "reft elsewhere; John, in particular, took up his abode at Ephefus.....

About this time the other Evangelifts, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, pub«lifhed their Gospels, which were foon fpread all over the world." This fuppofeth a late date of the Gofpels, as was argued vol. ix. p. 405, that is, after the beginning of Nero's reign, when Peter went to Rome, and not long before the war in Judea which broke out in 66. about which time John left that countrey, and fettled at Ephefus.

Says Jerome in the prologue to his Commentarie upon St. Matthew: "The (y) firft Evangelift is Matthew, the Publican, furnamed Levi, who "wrote his Gofpel in Judea in the Hebrew language, chiefly for the "fake of the Jews that believed in Jefus, and did not joyn the fhadow of "the law with the truth of the gofpel." To the like purpose in the article of St. Matthew, in his book of Ecclefiaftical Writers: "Matthew « (z) called alfo Levi, of a Publican made an Apostle, first of all wrote a "Gofpel in Judea in the Hebrew language, for the fake of those of the "circumcifion, who believed." Who afterwards translated it into Greek is uncertain.

Chryfoftom in the introduction to his homilies upon the Gofpel: "Mat"thew (a) is faid to have writ his Gospel at the request of the Jewish be"lievers, who defired him to put down in writing what he had taught "them by word of mouth. And he is faid to have writ in Hebrew." He fpeaks with hefitation, and is not pofitive about the occafion of writing this Gofpel, or the language, in which it was writ. Afterwards he fays: "In (b) what place each one of the Evangelifts wrote, cannot be faid with "certainty."

Cofmas of Alexandria, about the year 535, fays: "Matthew (c) is the "firft Evangelift, that wrote a Gofpel. There being a perfecution, "when Stephen was ftoned, and he alfo being about to go from that place, "the believers entreated him to leave with them a written inftruction, "with which request he complied." And what follows.

Per

The Author of the Imperfect Work upon St. Matthew, in the fixth centurie, about the year 560, obferves to this purpose: "The (d) occa"fion of Matthew's writing is faid to be this. There being a great "fecution in Palestine, fo that there was danger, least all the faithful "fhould be difperfed: that they might not be without teaching, though "they fhould have no teachers, they requested Matthew to write for them a hiftorie of all Chrift's words and works, that wherever they should be, they might have with them the ground of their faith." This writer does not fay, that this was the perfecution, that arofe about the time of the death of Stephen. He feems to speak of a later, and more general perfecution and difperfion, fuch as may be well fuppofed to have been in Judea, near the war in 66. When moft, or all the Apostles, and many of the Jewish believers, removed, and were dispersed into other countreys.

[ocr errors]

(x) P. 403. (z) P. 89.

(b) P. 316.

(d) P. 327.328.

(y) Vol. x. p. 83.

(a) P. 315.
(c) Vol. xi. p. 266.

[ocr errors]

In the Pafchal Chronicle, a work compofed in the feventh centurie, as formerly cited, it is intimated, that (e) St. Matthew publifhed his Gospel in Palestine, about fifteen Years after our Lord's afcenfion, and foon after the council of Jerufalem, of which an account is given Acts xv.

And, to draw to a conclufion of this lift of writers, Theophylact, in the eleventh centurie, fays: "Matthew then (f) first wrote a Gofpei in the "Hebrew language, for the fake of the Hebrew believers, eight years after "our Saviour's afcenfion."

Euthymius in the beginning of the twelfth centurie: "That (g) Mat"thew's Gofpel was the firft, and writ in Judea, in Hebrew, for the Jewish "believers, eight years after our Lord's afcenfion."

Nicephorus Callifti, in the fourteenth centurie, fays: "Matthew (b) "having preached the faving word to the Jews, when he was about to go "abroad to the Gentils, thought it beft to write in his native language an "account of his preaching, to fupply the want of his prefence. Which "he did at about fifteen years after our Saviour's afcenfion."

III. Who now of all these writers deferves the greatest re- Remarks. gard? Irenaeus, I think, as being the most ancient. And with him agree Epiphanius, Theodore of Mopfuefiia, and the Author of the Imperfect Work, as it feems. Nor is he contradicted by Eufebius of Cefarea, fo far as I can (i) perceive. He fays, "that when Matthew was about "to go to other people, he delivered his Gospel to the Hebrews in their "own language." But he does not fay in his Ecclefiaftical Hiftorie, nor any where else, when this Apostle left Judea. Some (k) may have underftood him to mean about eight years after our Saviour's afcenfion, and others about fifteen years after it, as Nicephorus, and perhaps the Paschal Chronicle. But himself has not exprefsly mentioned the time. may have been undetermined in his mind about the time, when Matthew left Judea. Moreover, he has inferted () in his Ecclefiaftical Hiftorie the paffage of Irenaeus above quoted, upon which we infift. And a late date of the Gofpels is agreeable to his own, and others obfervations, before taken notice of, that the Apoftles of Chrift did not write many books, and were not very forward to write, but as they were compelled by a kind of neceffity.

There are divers learned moderns of good judgment in these matters, who pay a great regard to this teftimonie of Irenaeus, particularly, (m) Fabricius, (n) Mill, (0) S. Bafnage, and before them (p) Martin Chem

nitius.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

(i) See Vol. viii. p. 177. (k) See Vol. viii. p. 176. &c. (m) De tempore, quando fcripferit, Irenaeo, temporibus illis proximo, qui πετρα καὶ τὸ πάυλο ἐν ξώμῃ ευαγγελιζομένων 1. 4. c. 5. T. 3. p. 126.

(n) Prolegom. num. 61.

P) Examen Concil. Trid. p. 16.

(f) Vol. xi. p. 419. 420.
(b) P. 442.

Mill

(1) L. 5. cap. 8. p. 172. C. cui potius fidem habeamus, quam 3. tradit eum edidiffe Evangelium, καὶ θεμελιώντων τὴν ἐκκλησίαν. Bil. Gr,

(0) A. 64. n. xiiq

Mill fuppofed it to be highly probable, that (q) Irenaeus had this account from Pabias. Le Clerc (r) likewife feems to have thought, that Irenaeus found this in the five books of Papias. But that is only conjecture. Eufebe quoting Papias obferves, that he faid, Matthew wrote in Hebrew. But he does not fay, that Papias mentioned the time of writing his Gofpel. However, it was the opinion of Irenaeus. And it may be reckoned not improbable, that he had a tradition to that purpofe, which he relied upon as right. For he foeaks of it without hefitation. It might be derived from feveral, one of whom was Papias.

Irenaeus fays, that "Matthew publifhed his Gofpel, when Peter and "Paul were preaching at Rome:" that is, fays (5) Mill, in the year 61. "For, adds he, I understand him of the firft time, that Paul was at Rome." But if Irenaeus fays right, it must have been at the fecond time that Paul was at Rome. For we have no reason to believe, that Peter was at all in that city, when Paul was fent thither by Feftus. But, very probably, Peter and Paul were there together afterwards, and fuffered martyrdom there, about the fame time. That is the feafon, to which we should be led for fixing the writing of St. Matthew's Gospel, if Irenaeus may be rel lied upon. Accordingly Bafnage (t) in his Annals fpeaks of St. Matthew's Gofpel at the year 64. And though, as he fays, he does not know the year, nor the place, where St. Matthew's Gospel was published, yet he expreffeth himfelf, as if he was inclined to think, it was not writ, till Nero's reign was fomewhat advanced, in the year 64. or 65. the time of that Emperour's perfecution of the Chriftians.

Other learned men are for an earlier date. Whofe opinions alfo, undoubtedly, ought to be taken notice of, and confidered by us. Cave thought, that (u) St. Matthew's Gofpel was writ about the fif

teenth

[ocr errors]

(4) Tamen Irenaeus 1. 3. c. i, expreffe dicit, ex auctoritate Papiae, nullus dubito, qui agad hanc a Joanne Prefbytero, Apoftolorum familiari, acce perat, Mattheum Evangelium fuum edidiffe, cum Petrus et Paulus evangeliza rent Romae, et fundarent ecclefiam. Prolog. num. 61.

(r) Vid. Diff. de iv. Evan. fub init.

(5) Atque hoc ipfo quidem anno LXI. prodiiffe videtur Evangelium Matthaei... Ego quidem de priori adventu intelligendum Irenaeum omnino ar bitror. Ib. num. 61.62.

() Quo tempore Petrus Paulufque Romae operam dabant evangelio, Matthaeus, fi creditur Irenaco, Evangelium exaravit fuum... Annum tamen perinde atque locum, ubi a Matthaeo conditum eft, in incerto effe, facile patimur... Nos nonnifi Nerone rerum domino editum fuiffe, perfuafum habemus, etfi de anno locove divinare non poffumus. Nulla tamen fe magis veri fpecie commendat chronologia, quam illa Irenaei: quod nempe Paulo et Petro Romanos inftituentibus, fcribendo Matthaeus operam dederit: ut Ecclefiae aliquid monumenti effet, quo ob ortum ex perfecutione Neronis dolorem leniret, fanétorumque Apof. lorum eo fluctu opprefforum faciem in Evangelio videre fibi videtur Ecclefia. Bafn. Ann. 64. n. xii.

() Scripfifle Evangelium fuum viii. a Chrifti refurrectione anno vulgo dicitur. Quod tamen ad annum a Chrifti affumtione 15. referunt auctor Chr. A. et Nicephorus. Et fane eum ante annum a paffione Chrifti 12. Apoftolis Judaeae finibus egredi non licuit, vix ante ann. 15. Chr. 48. finita fynodo Hierofolymitana, ad fuam quifque fortem abierunt, adeo ut paullo ante Matthacus Evangelium fuum condidiffe videtur. H. L. in Matthuro, p. 13.

teenth year after our Saviour's afcenfion, in the year 48. a fhort time before the council of Jerufalem, or foon after it.

Baronius was of opinion, that (x) this Gospel was published in the year 41. foon after that Peter had begun to preach to Gentils at the houfe of Cornelius in Cefarea.

Grotius (y) and G. I. Voffius (z) were likewife of opinion, that St. Matthew's Gofpel was writ about eight years after Chrift's afcenfion.

ཀ་

Tillemont argues, "That (a) St. Matthew wrote his Gospel about three years after the crucifixion of Chrift. For it must have been writ before the Apoftles left Judea. The time of their going abroad, as he owns, is uncertain. But it must have been about the year 36. forafmuch as it appears, that in the year 37. when Paul came to Jerufalem, there were no other Apoftles there, befide Peter, and James the Lefs." But that argument is of no value. For the Apoftles might be all at Jerufalem, or in it's neighbourhood; though Paul faw none, befide the two juft

mentioned.

Mr. Jones earneftly contends, that (b) this Gospel was writ about eight years after our Lord's afcenfion, in the year 41. But I do not think it needful to take any farther notice of his arguments, than has been done (c) already.

Mr. Wetstein has lately declared in favour of the fame opinion. « And "(d) hence, fays he, we difcern the reafon, why this Evangelift has inferted fo many difcourfes about the Jewish fuperftitions: which could "be of little or no ufe to other people, and among other nations, when "the temple was once deftroyed, or was near being destroyed." But I am not able to difcern any force in that way of reafoning, because I perceive not any fuperfluities in this, or any of the Evangelifts. Our Lord's reproofs of Jewifh fuperftitions, his declarations of the fuperiority of moral virtue, or righteoufneffe and true holineffe, above the righteoufneffe of the Scribes and Pharifees, his cenfures of the pride and covetoufnefle, falfe maxims, and hypocritical, con

(x) Baron. Ann. 41. num. ix. xvi.

(y) Grot. Pr. ad Matth.

duct

(z) Si quidem Matthæus in Paleftina fcribebat, idque intra proximum a paffione Chrifti octennium. Voff. de Gen. F. C. cap. 4. §. ii.

(a) I femble mefme neceffaire de dire, que S. Matthieu a écrit trois ans feulement après la mort de J. C. . . Le temps de cette divifion des Apotres elt incertain. Il femble neanmoins, que ç'a été vers l'an 36. puifqu'il paroift, qu'il n'y avoit aucun Apoftre à Jerufalem, lorfque S. Paul vint en 37. hors S. Pierre, & S. Jacque le mineur. S. Matthieu. Mem. T. i.

[ocr errors]

(b) New and full Method. &c. Vol. iii. ch. v. p. 59. 64. (c) See Vol. viii. p. 176.

[ocr errors]

179.

(d) Magno confenfu perhibent Patres, Matthæum in gratiam credentium ex Judæis in Palaeftina Evangelium fuum exfcripfiffe, et quidem, ut multi addunt, Hierofolymis, octavo poft afcenfionem Chrifti anno, qui Claudii Imperatoris primus fuit. Cur illorum teftimonium in dubium vocetur, caufam non video: quin ifta hypothefi admiffa, plurima non infeliciter exiftimo explicari poffe, quorum aliter ratio vix invenitur. Hinc enim intelligimus, cur Matthæus primum in ordine Evangeliftarum occupet locum, quia nimirum primus omnium fcripfit: cur item tam multas de Judæorum fuperftitio. hibus referat difputationes, quibus apud alias nationes, vel templo jam everfo, vel paulo poft evertendo, locus vix fuiflet. Wetft. N. T. Tom. i. p. 223.

duct of the fame men, will be useful to all people, fo long as the world ftands. As our Lord was a Jew, and his miniftrie was employed among those people in Judea; it is no wonder, that in his discourses, recorded by St. Matthew, whenever he wrote, there fhould be frequent allufions to their laws, customs, and worship. The like (e) are in the other two firft Evangelifts. And in St. John's Gofpel, the laft of the four, are as long difcourfes with the cavilling Jews, as in any of the reft.

I therefore readily affent to thofe, who think, that this Gospel was writ in the time of the Emperour Nero, not till about thirty years after our Saviour's afcenfion. I am not able to affign the year, in which it was writ. But I am fomewhat inclined to the year 63. 64. or 65. of the vulgar epoch. This is agreeable not only to the teftimonie of Irenaeus, and fome other ancients, but to the circumftances of things. At the year 64. or thereabout, the gofpel had been propagated in many Gentil countreys, the times were troublefome in Judea, and the war was coming on: feveral of the Apoftles were dead, others of them, who furvived, were gone, or going abroad, and many of the Jewish believers were about to feek fhelter elsewhere. Now was a proper time, to write a hiftorie of Chrift and his miracles. Moreover in this Gofpel are recorded divers plain predictions of the miferies and defolations of Jerufalem, and the overthrow of the temple, and the Jewish state, befide many other figurative intimations of the fame things in many of our Lord's difcourfes and parables. Which could not be well publifhed to all the world in writing, till about this time. The fuitableneffe of St. Matthew's Gofpel to the ftate of the Chriftian Religion, and of the Jewish people, about the year 64. or 65. leads to that time. And however unwillingly, from private apprehenfions and prejudices, we may admit the thought of protracting fo long the writing the hiftorie of our Lord's miniftrie; the circumstances of things will conftrain us to acquiefce in this feafon, as the most likely.

IV. This leads me now to obferve fome characters of time Marks of in the Gospel itself.

Time in

this Gospel. It is well known, and allowed by all, that (ƒ) for a while our Lord's difciples labored under Jewish prejudices: and that they did not fully understand all his difcourfes, at the time when they were spoken. They did not, they could not, clearly difcern the comprehenfive defign of the evangelical difpenfation, till after Peter had been at the houfe of Cornelius, and there received into the church Gentil converts, without circumcifion: nor till after the Gofpel had been preached abroad in foreign countreys by Paul, and other Apoftles, and minifters, Let

[ocr errors]

us

(e) When Mr. Wetflein fpeaks of the many difcourfes about Jewish fuperftitions, which are in St. Matthew's Gofpel: I imagine, he may particularly refer to Matt. xxiii. I. . . 30. Nevertheless divers of thofe things occur alfo in the Gofpels of St. Mark and St. Luke. See Mark xii. 38. 40. Luke xi."42. . . 52. and xx. 46. 47. And both Mark viii. 14. . 21. and Luke xii. 1. 2. have recorded our Lord's injunctions, to beware of the leaven of the Pharifets, and Sadducees, or Herodians, as well as Matthew xvi. 6. . . 12. Not now to mention any other like things.

[ocr errors]

(f) There are many proofs of this in the Gofpels. See particularly John XVI. 7. 14. and likewife the hiftorie in the Acts. ch. x.

« السابقةمتابعة »