cupied in preaching the Gospel to those who came to hear. He staid two years at Rome, and converted some Jews and many Gentiles, particularly several of the Emperor's household.

Here the Scripture history ends, A.D. 63. There are no particulars of the remainder of St. Paul's life. It is probable that he afterwards travelled into Asia Minor and Greece, confirming his converts, and regulating the Churches. It is the general opinion that he suffered martyrdom in Nero's persecution of the Christians, A.D. 65.

St. Paul was a man of great abilities, warm feel ings, firm resolution, and irreproachable life. He displayed undaunted courage and perseverance in preaching the Gospel; and was the principal instrument in the hands of Providence, of spreading the knowledge of it amongst the Gentiles. He not only laboured in preaching, but he wrote also the fourteen Epistles to Churches and individuals, which form part of our canon. These are written in a concise and often highly figurative style, and with a striking peculiarity and energy of language. In consequence of this, and of their being in the epistolary form, they contain some obscurities, and "things hard to be understood;" but they are a storehouse of invaluable information on the sublime doctrines of our holy religion.

The Epistles of St. Paul are fourteen in number. Their genuineness is established by their being quoted and named by all the primitive Fathers, and being regularly inserted in the early catalogues of canonical Scriptures.

The Epistle to the Romans was written from Corinth, A.D. 58, and is addressed to the Church at Rome, which consisted both of Jewish and Gentile converts. Its object was to confirm them in the faith; and to guard them against the errors of Judaizing Christians, by shewing that the whole human race were admissible into the Christian covenant, and were freed from all obligation to Mosaic ceremonies. It is very valuable on account of its arguments as to the necessity, excellence, and universality of the Gospel Dispensation.

The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Ephesus, A.D. 56, to the Church at Corinth, a city of Greece, situate on the isthmus of that name. Its object is to notice and reprove various abuses and disorders which had crept into the Church; and to exhort them to union, simplicity, and purity of life. It contains directions about the marriage state; cautions against irregularities in the administration of the Lord's Supper; a powerful defence of the doctrine of the resurrection; and various other matters of importance.

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Macedonia, about A.D. 57. The first one having had the good effect of producing regret and reformation amongst those whom it rebuked, this was written to confirm them in their good resolutions, and to give them advice on various points in their situation and circumstances.

The First Epistle to the Galatians is supposed to have been written about A.D. 51, to the Christian converts in that part of Asia Minor, called Galatia. Its object was to counteract the impression which some false teachers had made, who endeavoured to persuade them of the necessity of being circumcised, and of observing the Mosaic law; and had also hinted that Paul had only an inferior commission. He proves the independency and divine original of his mission, shewing that 'he was not a whit behind the chiefest Apostle;' then he declares the abolition of the ritual part of the Mosaic law, and the moral and spiritual nature of the Gospel; and concludes with a variety of exhortations to a holy life.

nor.

The Epistle to the Ephesians was written about A.D. 61, to the Christians at Ephesus, in Asia MiSome have thought it was written to the Laodiceans; but the former is more probable. It is of a general nature, and intended to confirm them in the faith and practice of the Gospel.

The Epistle to the Philippians was probably written about A.D. 62, to the Christians at Philippi, in Macedonia, in answer to a letter they had sent him, whilst he was a prisoner at Rome, to assure him of their regard, and to offer him a supply of money. It is written in an affectionate style, and contains earnest exhortations to Christian holiness, charity, and humility; and cautions against Judaizers.

The Epistle to the Colossians was probably written A.D. 62, to the Christians at Colosse, in Asia Minor, in return to an inquiry which they had sent after his welfare whilst at Rome. Its contents are of a general nature, exhorting to Christian faith and practice.

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians was probably written A.D. 52, to the converts at Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia; and is supposed to have been the first written of all the Epistles. Its contents are of a general nature; but towards the end he dissuades against excessive grief for the loss of deceased friends, and recommends preparation for death and judgment.

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written in the same year as the former, principally to correct some wrong notions which its perusal had excited with respect to the near approach of the day of judgment; it informs them that many things would occur before that awful period should arrive.

The First Epistle to Timothy was probably written A.D. 63. Timothy was a native of Lystra, in Lycaonia; his father was a Gentile, his mother a Jewess. Paul converted him, and therefore sometimes calls him his son. He accompanied Paul in his second apostolical journey. He is supposed to have been bishop of Ephesus; and the object of this Epistle is to give him directions concerning the general management of the Church there, both as to doctrine and practice.

The Second Epistle to Timothy was probably written A.D. 65, from Rome, not long before Paul's death. It is of a general nature, exhorting to stedfastness of faith, and diligent discharge of ministerial duties.

The Epistle to Titus was written about A.D. 64. Little is known of Titus: he probably was a companion of Paul in his journeys, and is by some called Bishop of Crete. Its object is to give general directions concerning the management of the Cretan Churches.

The Epistle to Philemon was written about A.D. 62. He was an inhabitant of Colosse, and Paul wrote to intercede with him on account of a slave named Onesimus, who had run away from him, to Rome, and had there been converted to Christianity.

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