DISSERTATION III.

ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

I NOW

Now proceed to examine the Introduction of THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, in which is cited that notable attestation to the divinity of CHRIST: "Thy Throne, O God,” &c. Ps. xlv. 6, which properly terminates (according to Bowyer's judicious division, in his edition of the Greek Testament) chap, ii. 4,

The ablest critics, ancient and modern, Clemens Alexandrinus, Eusebius, Origen, &c. Michaelis, Wetstein, Lardner, &c. support the decision of our Church, that this epistle (which has won the admiration of the profoundest scholars and soundest divines, and even extorted the commendation of the most learned Jewish Rabbins) was the composition of St. PAUL;-addressed, in the first instance, to the native Jewish converts in Jerusalem and Palestine, who are called HE

BREWS,

BREWS, Acts vi. 1, to keep them stedfast in the faith of CHRIST. Compare Heb. ii.

1-4, and iii. 1, and vi. 1-9, and x. 23-27, and xiii. 17-24,-written from Rome, or some part of Italy, about, or shortly after the close of his two years' confinement, ending A. D. 63. Compare Acts xxviii. 30, and Heb. xiii. 23, 24, with 2 Tim. iv. 9, 2 Cor. i. 1, Coloss. i. 1, Philem. i.—and, like all his other epistles, in Greek, the universal language of that age. And it is strange, how such respectable scholars as Grotius and Michaelis, with several in their train, Hallet, Wakefield, Newcome, Paley, &c. could adopt a notion of some of the earlier Fathers, Clemens Alexandrinus, Origen, &c. that because the epistle was addressed to the Hebrews, it must have been originally written in Hebrew; and was afterwards translated by Luke, the Evangelist, Clemens Romanus, or some other, into Greek! A fancy so unfounded, and so disgraceful to this mighty master of Grecian as well as Jewish literature, under whose auspices his assistant Luke, the faithful companion of his latter travels, and· of his residence at Rome, 2 Tim. iv. 11, might

D 4

might much rather be supposed to have dẹ, rived his own proficiency in the Greek language. Sce Owen, Whitby, Wetstein, and Lardner, who have ably vindicated the originality of the present Greek epistle. And, indeed, the remarkable coincidence in expression and phraseology, as well as in sentiment and doctrine, between this and the latest and noblest of Paul's epistles, furnishes internal evidence the most decisive and satisfactory thereof; such as "THE "GOD OF PEACE," Heb. xiii. found also, Rom. xv, 33, and xvi. 20; 2 Cor. xiii. 11, Phil. iv. 9, 1 Thess. v, 23. JESUS, THE

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MEDIATOR," Heb. viii. 6, and ix. 15, and xii. 24; found also, Galat. iii, 19, 20, 1 Tim. ii. 5, and no where else in the NEW TESTAMENT.

Why this epistle is anonymous in respect of its author; why PAUL did not style himself" an Apostle," as in his other epistles addressed to the Gentile converts (though he evidently did not wish to conceal himself, from his styling Timothy & adeλ405, "the bro"ther," as in his acknowledged epistles, and also from his concluding with the usual salu

tation,

tation, Grace be with you all, Amen," as elsewhere, 2 Thess. iii. 17, 18), is best explained, perhaps, by Clemens Alexandrinus. "Because OUR LORD was pre-eminently THE APOSTLE OF THE HEBREWS, sent ઠંડ by THE ALMIGHTY to them, in the first "instance; therefore PAUL declined, through

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modesty or humility, to assume the title." -See Lardner, vol. ii. p. 211, and vi. p. 411, last edit. And this perfectly accords with that apostle's doctrine, styling JESUS CHRIST "Minister of the Circumcision," Rom. xv. S. And in this very epistle," The Apostle and High Priest of our profession," Heb. iii. 1, according to the tenor of the Old Testament, in which He was styled SHILOH, or "the Apostle," Gen, xlix. 10, alluded to, Exod. iv. 13, Isa. viii. 6, and xlviii. 16, John ix: 7; and "FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST," 1 Sam. ii. 35, whose functions are so finely explained, Ps. cx. 4, Zech, vi, 13; and still more minutely and circumstantially in this epistle also, Heb. v. 10, 11; and in chapters vii. and viii. throughout, stating the infinite superiority of the Evangelical above all former dispensations, in the transcendant exalt

ation of "the author and finisher of our "faith," JESUS CHRIST, not only above Moses, Heb. iii. 3-6, but even above the angels themselves, as shewn in the Introduction.

I shall first propose an emendation of our public translation of the Introduction, and then endeavour to illustrate and support it.

INTRODUCTION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

CHAP. I. 1. GOD, having in divers degrees and sundry ways [of Revelation] spoken, of old, unto the patriarchs in the Prophets, did, in these last days, speak 2. unto Us, in A SON; whom He appointed Heir of all, through whom also He made the worlds: 3. Who, (being an effulgence of His glory, and an impress of His subsistence, and upholding the universe by the oracle of His power), when he had, through himself, made puritication of our sins, sat down at the