The Epistle to the Hebrews has sometimes had its genuineness doubted, though its antiquity has never been questioned, there being undoubted references to it in the most ancient Christian Fathers. Clement of Alexandria, towards the end of the second century, is the first who quotes it as the work of St. Paul; and he is followed by Origen, Dionysius, Jerome, &c. &c. all of whom ascribe it to St. Paul. And even those who have denied the genuineness of it have always admitted that it was either written or translated by some fellow-labourer of the Apostle, and that it had his sanction. It is probable that it was written to the Christians of Judæa, who had been converted from Judaism, and were therefore called Hebrews, to distinguish them from Greeks and Jews of other countries. Its object is to show the connexion between the Jewish and Christian dispensation; the dignity of the Messiah, and His superiority to Moses; His superiority as our High Priest, and the infinite value of His atonement above that of the legal sacrifices; and the nature, merits, and effect of faith. The objections to the Gospel are answered with great force; and the arguments being addressed to Jews, are principally taken from the ancient Scriptures. The style is elegant, and often sublime.

The seven Catholic or General Epistles,

(Anciently so called because addressed not to particular persons, or to the Churches of single cities or countries, but to believers in general) were written one by St. James, two by St. Peter, three by St. John, and one by St. Jude. The genuineness of five of these was at first doubted *, but they were all afterwards universally admitted into the canon.

The Epistle of St. James was written about A.D. 61, by James, the son of Alphæus, or Cleophas, who is called in the Gospels James the Less †, to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. He is supposed to have been the cousin-german of Christ, his mother being the sister of the Virgin Mary. There is no account of his call to the apostleship, but in the Acts and Paul's Epistles, he is often mentioned with great distinction ‡. He seems to have been early appointed by the other Apostles to remain and superintend the Church at Jerusalem, whilst they travelled into other countries. Hence he is sometimes called Bishop of Jerusalem. He presided at the councils of the Apostles; and in

See Part I. p. 62.

+ Mark xv. 40.

Acts xv. 13; Gal. i. 19; and ii. 9.

consequence of his integrity and holy zeal was surnamed James the Just. He was put to death in a tumult of unbelieving Jews, A.D. 62. The object of the Epistle was to animate the Jewish Christians to support patiently their sufferings for the Gospel, and to correct a mis-interpretation of St. Paul's doctrine of justification without the works of the ceremonial law, which some had perverted to mean without the works of the moral law, and thus opened a door to all sorts of profligacy. Hence the Apostle shews the true nature of a living active faith, which "without works is dead."

The First Epistle of St. Peter was probably written at Rome, A.D. 64. Simon Peter was the son of Jonas, and brother of the Apostle Andrew. He was married, and lived at Capernaum, as a fisherman. The surname Peter seems to have been given him by Christ, to designate his bold firmness of character*. Christ called him and his brother to be "fishers of men †.” Christ seems to have had no fixed residence after he began his public ministry save with Peter, at Capernaum. From various circumstances recorded in the Gospel, of Peter's being ́selected to be present on extraordinary occasions in Christ's life; of his often being particularly address

* John i. 42.

+ Matt. iv. 19.

ed by Christ; and generally acting as spokesman of the Apostles; he is looked upon as the chief of the twelve, or rather as the leading character; there being no actual superiority of any of the Apostles. It is supposed he suffered martyrdom by crucifixion, in the Christian persecution by Nero, A.D. 65. The Epistle is addressed generally to the Churches in Asia Minor, and its object is to enforce the Christian virtues of humility, patience under persecutions, civil obedience, and vigilance against temptation. It is admired as a composition of great dignity and majesty.

The Second Epistle of St. Peter was probably written A.D. 65, from Rome, a little before the Apostle's death, to the same persons as the first. Its object is to attest, with the Apostle's dying breath, as it were, the divine origin of the Christian faith; to foretel the rise of heresies, and false doctrines; to denounce judgment against the deserters of the Christian faith; and to exhort the brethren to continue stedfast in faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The First Epistle of St. John was written probably about A.D. 69, by the Evangelist, to Christians generally. Its object was to confirm them in the true faith in opposition to certain heretical tenets that had sprung up, denying the necessity for an

atonement, and the pre-existence and incarnation of Christ.

The Second Epistle of St. John was written about the same time as the first, to an eminent female convert, chiefly to confirm her in the true faith, in opposition to the heresies he had mentioned in the first.

The Third Epistle of St. John was supposed to be written from Ephesus, about the same time as the two former, to a private Christian called Gaius, chiefly to commend his kindness and hospitality to the Christians where he resided.

These two last Epistles are improperly termed Catholic, being addressed to private persons.

The Epistle of St. Jude was probably written A.D. 70, by Jude, the brother of James the Less, and therefore cousin-german of Christ. His call is not recorded, and he is only once mentioned in the Gospels*. He is supposed to have died a natural death. It is addressed to all Christians generally, and its object is to confirm them in the true faith; to warn them against the perverting and seducing doctrines of false teachers; to denounce woe against all impious and profligate characters; and to exhort the brethren to keep in the love of God, and obedience to their Saviour.