maintains his dignity as an apostle; reproves them for corruptions which they had permitted to glide into their doctrine and practice; he answers questions and solves doubts, which had been proposed to him; and when he had been informed of the good effect which his admonitions had produced, he comforts and encourages them. The principal object of his epistle to the Galatians, is to prove, that Christians are not bound to observe the ceremonial law of Moses. His epistle to the Ephesians, confirms them in their faith, and exhorts them to vindicate their spiritual liberty. It concludes with giving them most admirable practical precepts and instructions. In his epistle to the Christians at Philippi, the Apostle Paul thanks them for supplies which they had sent him; comforts them under the concern they felt for his imprisonment; endeavours to check a party spirit which had crept in among them, and to promote harmony and mutual affection; and, above all, labours to inspire them with zealous concern to adorn their holy vocation, by Christian virtues and attainments. Of similar import are his epistles to the Colossians, and the Thessalonians. His epistles to Timothy, a young man of excellent qualities, and remarkable for his close acquaintance with the Scriptures, whom he had converted, and who had been his almost constant companion, contain instruction, encouragement, and wise directions for the conduct of a minister of Christ. To Titus, who was in a situation of peculiar temptation and danger in the island of Crete, the holy Apostle Paul ad dressed, in an affectionate epistle, exhortations to zeal, activity, and fearlessness of suffering in the cause of truth. The epistle to Philemon contains an entreaty in behalf of a slave who had run away from him, and whom Paul had converted to faith in Christ. Concerning the epistle to the Hebrews, doubts are entertained whether it were written by Paul. The prevailing opinion seems to be, that the sentiments are his, dictated to and expressed by Luke. The design of this epistle is to display the superiority of the Christian covenant over the Mosaic. The first epistle of John is addressed to all Christians, teaching first, how necessary it is to walk in the light of the Gospel, and to preserve themselves from degrading propensities, in order to secure future happiness. Secondly, what strong obligations they are under to keep the commandment of loving one another. Thirdly, how certain is the fact, that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Christ. His second and third epistles are addressed to particular persons, and contain much good advice. The book of Revelations contains a series of prophetic visions presented to the mind of John, while he was an exile in the isle of Patmos. QUESTIONS. What treatment did St. Paul meet with at Rome, and what was his death? What events befel the Apostles James, Peter, and Jude? ings of Peter manifest? writings? What is the What dispositions do the writWhat is the nature of St. Paul's purport of his epistles to the Romans? to the Corinthians? to the Galatians? to the Ephesians? to the Colossians? to the Thessalonians? to Timothy and Titus? to Philemon? Who is supposed to have been the author of the epistle to the Hebrews, and what is the purport of that epistle? What do the epistles of Peter, James, Jude, and John contain? What is the book of Revelations ? CHAP. XVII. A Chronological Table of the Sacred Books of the New Testament, according to Dr. Lardner, shewing the place where, and the time when. they were written. Acts Greece.......... ............... 63 or 64 58 56 2 Corinthians Macedonia............ 57 Romans...................... Corinth............................. 1 Corinthians....... Ephesus..... Galatians........... Corinth or Ephesus 52 or 53 Ephesians...... 5......... Rome Colossians...... Philippians......... Rome...... Rome.... 1 Thessalonians.... Corinth.................................... 2 Thessalonians.... Corinth.............. 1 Timothy.... 2 Timothy Titus.... Macedonia............ 61 62 62 52 52 56 Rome............ 61 ............... A Chronological Table of the Evangelists, according to Dr. Henry Owen. Gospel of Matthew... Jerusalem.... Luke....... Corinth........ Year of Christ. 38 53 A Table of St. Paul's Apostolic Journies. 888 60 The first journey of the Apostle Paul, was begun in the year of Christ, 44, and ended in 48. During which, he visited Antioch, in Syria; Seleucia, Salamis, Paphos, Perga in Pisidia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Pisidia, Perga, Attalia, Phoenicia, Samaria, Jerusalem. The Apostle's second journey began, A. D. 50, and was completed, A. D. 54. This comprehended Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Phrygia, Galatia, Troas, Samothracia, Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Cenchrea, Ephesus, Cesarea, Jerusalem, Antioch, in Syria. St. Paul's third journey began, A. D. 54. and ended in the year 58. In this journey, the zealous servant of Christ visited Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Troas, Macedonia, Greece, Corinth, Philippi, Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, Miletus in Asia, Coos, Rhodes, Patara in Lycia, Tyre, Ptolemais, Cesarea, Jerusalem. |