chicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis. For I have determined there to winter. Thereby Theodoret understood 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 those 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 Apostle 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 Ephesus. From Macedonia he came into Greece.

W

thians.

HILST the Apostle 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 epiftle itfelf. From which it plainly appears, that the Apostle was then in Mace donia, 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 I 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) fhould 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 ain 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 Apostle, plainly, was foon to go to Corinth where he might arrive, as I apprehend, in November.

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

Timothie

(ε) Ἡ δὲ οικόπολις της θράκης ἐςὶ. Chryf. in Tit. hom. 6. ib. p. 266. Β. () Scribit igitur Apoitolus, 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. 427•.

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 lvii. 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 Ephefus to the Apostle in Macedonia, either upon occafion of fome affairs of that church, or at the defire of the Apoftle, who needed his affiftance. Ast before faid.

SECT. VIII.

The Epifle to the Romans.

A. D. 58. THE epifle to the Romans is dated by the year 57. by (c) Mill in the year 58.

(b) Pearfon in 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 fet 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 Ephefus] for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And there abode three months. In the space of thefe three months was writ the epiftle to the Romans.

According to Theodoret the epiftle to the Romans (d) is the feventh in order of time, having been writ by the Apostle after the two epiftles to the Theffalonians, and to the Corinthians, the firft to Timothie, and the epiftle to Titus. He adds: "That () the epistle to the Romans was writ from Corinth, is manifeft from the conclufion. For there the Apoftle "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 koft, 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 epiftle to the Corinthians. For thus "he writes to them: I thank God, that I baptized none of you, "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 fhewn. The reft were fent "from Rome." So Theodoret. Who might have added, as a proof, that

but

this

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

(b Annal. Paulin p. 15.
(1) Εβδόμην τὴν πρὸ ῥυμάνος ἐπίσειλε

αυτό, γερα, έναι διδάσκει,
() Ibid. p. 5.

X. A. Theou.

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 afliftants, I cannot fay certainly.

The time of writing this epistle is farther manifeft 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. 25. 26. 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 Jerufalem, 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 epistle to the Romans might be fent thence in the month of Februarie, in the year 58.

CONC

ONCERNING St. Paul's Epiftles, writ during his imprifonment 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 ftay in Judea, we know not of his correfponding with any churches, or particular perfons, by writing. Cut at Rome, though a prifoner, he wrote divers letters. Grotius fays, that (f) though all St. Paul's epiftles are excellent, he moft admires those writ by him, when a prifoner at Rome. And of the epiftle to the Ephefians he fays, 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) fpoken of these four epiftles, as writ at Rome. Therdoret having spoken

of

(f) Omnes epiftolæ Pauli egregiæ funt : fed omnium in primis, quæ Româ ex vinculis miffe 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.

Quod Romæ in vincula conjectus, hanc epolam miferit eo tempore, quo ad Philemonem, et ad Coloffenfes, et ad Philippenfes, in alio loco fcriptas effe monttravimus. Hieron. in Eph. cap. iii. T. 4. p. 347.

Scribet

of the epiftle to the Romans, as the feventh in order, and the laft of those that were fent from Afia, Macedonia, and Achaia, fays: "The (i) reft were sent "from Rome: the first of which I take to be that, writ to the Galatians." Lightfoot (k) likewife fuppofed the epiftle to the Galatians to have been writ at Rome, and the first 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 epiftle to the Hebrews likewise, if it be Paul's, was, probably, writ about this time, either during the Apoftle's imprifonment, or foon after it, before he left Rome, and Italie.

St. Paul's imprisonment, from the time of his being apprehended at Jerufalem, 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 Ferufalem. 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 ftrictneffe of his.cuftodie, and that his acquaintance fhould be permitted to come to him, and minifter to him. ch. xxiv. 23. I fuppofe, he was still 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: "Thofe 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 fpace of the Apoftle'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 houfe. Acts xxviii. 16. 30. where he was two years. Having fuch liberty, he wifely improved it, not only by difcourfing with all thofe 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 Ephe A. D. 61. fans. I think, it was drawn up by the Apoftle, 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

Jus,

Scribet igitur ad Philemonem Romæ vinctus in carcere, quo tempore mihi videntur ad Philippenfes, Coloflenfes, et Ephefios epiftolæ effe dictata. In Philem. ib. p. 445. .

(1) Τὰς γαρ δὴ ἄλλας ἀπὸ τῆς ξώμης ἐπέσειλε. καὶ πρώτην μὲν ἠχῶμαι τὴν πρὸς γαλάτα, 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 epiftle in this manner : "Paul, called to be an Apoftle, fendeth this epiftle 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 firft epistle to the Corinthians, writ at Ephefuss the churches of Afia falute you. I Cor. ch. xv. 19. And that epiftle to the Corinthians is addreffed to the church of God, which is at Corinth, to them that are fanctified 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 epistle to the Corinthians is addrefled to the church of God, which is at Corinth, with all the faints, which are in all Achaia.

After the falutation of these Chriftians, at the beginning of the epistle, he praiseth God for the gospel 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 spiritual 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 gospel, and the circum ftances of it. In whom ye also trufted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your falvation: in whom alfo, after that ye believed, ye were fealed with that holy Spirit of promife. Which is the earnest of our inheritonce.... ver. 13. 14. After which he lets them know, that in his confinement, 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 fpirit 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 Chriftians 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-interested Chriftians.

At the end, he tells them, that he had fent Tychicus, who would give them information concerning his affairs, and comfort them. ch. vi. 21. 22. And then adds: Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from

(m) Ephefum fuiffe primam Metropolim Lydiæ, 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 Afiz. Hammond. Praf. in ep, ad Eph.

VOL. II,

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Ged