Treatise of Divinity, Book 1 · Chapter 3
CHAP. IV.
THe new Canon is that which the Christian Church hath had written in Greek, from the time of Christ and his Apostles, and it summarily containes the word published by Christ, and his righteous acts.
The History of which is in the foure Bookes of the Evangelists, the examples in the Acts of the Apostles, the exposition in the 21. Epistles, and lastly the prophesie in the Revelation.
All the Bookes of the new Testament, were written in GreekeaLingua Graeca tunc temporis in orbe tertarum maxime erat communis, quam tamen ob Ebraismorum mixturam eruditi Hellenisticam, quod ea Judaei Hellenistae uterentur vocare amant Amama Antibarb. Bib. l. 1 C. 1.Qui dubitat slylum novi Testamenti esse Hellenisticum, is Scepticum mihi videtur agere in Philologia sacra, ….e. dubitare de ea re quae notissima omnibus, qui stylum Lxx. Interpretum & Evangelistarum ac Apostolorum vel per transennam aspexerunt, ac cum stylo purè Graeco co…ulerunt Mayerus. vide Salmasium de Hellenistica. for divers reasons.
First, because that tongue in the time of Chist and his Apostles was the most excellent of all, among the Languages of the Gentiles.
Secondly, because it was then most Common, as Latine is now. Tullie shewes orat *Walterus in officina Biblica. Graeca leguntur in ominibus ferè gentibus, Latina suis finibus exiguis sauè continentur.pro Archia poeta, how farre the Greeke Tongue spread.
Thirdly, because in this tongue all the Philosophie, and Sciences of the Gentiles were written. The Greeke tongue by the writing of Philosophers, Orators, Historians and Poets, was fraught with the best learning, which Heathenisme afforded.
It came to passe by the singular providence of God, that this Testament was written in one tongue onelyonly; for what Nation else would have yeelded to another, that the Scriptures in their tongue were authentique, and so the seeds of debate might have beene sowne amonst them. All almost agree in this,Rivet Isagog. ad Scrip. Sac. C. 8. that all the Bookes of the new Testament were written in the Greeke tongue; it is onelyonly doubted concerning three of them, the Gospell of Matthew, Marke, and the Epistle to the Hebrewes, many affirm that the Gospell of Matthew, was written by Matthew in Hebrew or rather in Syriacke, the Language used by Hebrewes in the time of Christ and his Apostles; that the Epi…le to the Hebrews was written in Hebrew, & Mark in Latin.
It is certaine, that the Primitive Church from the first times, used the Gospell of Matthew written in Greeke*Memorabilis est de lingua, qua evangelium Matthaei ab ipso conscriptum est, controversia. quidam enim Hebraeam, alii Gr…cam esse contendunt. Ac prior quidem sementia, si plurium auctorum c…nsensum specten…, r…mas obtinet, sin verò rei veritatem, …osterior ampl…ctenda, u… examen de, monstrabi…. Gomarus de Evangelio Matthaei. Casetanus initio suorum commentariorum … Evangelium Matibaei non fuisse scriptum Hebraicè argumento non impto ab interpretatione vocu… Hebraicarum, ut capite primo Emanuel, quod est si interpreteris, nobiscum Deus Matth. C. 27. 46. non poterat. N. Hebraica iditio …ic interpretari. and counted it authenticall. If any one say that the Latine Edition of Marke, in the vulgar is not a version, but the first Copie, he may easily be refuted from the uniforme stile in it with other Latine Gospels, and it will appeare to any Reader, that the Gospell of Marke, which the Roman Church useth, is later then the Greeke, and that the Latine was made from it. For the Epistle to the Hebrewes, though many among the Antient, thought it was written in Hebrew, yet all agree that the Greek Edition was in use thence from the first times of the Church. Glassias saith Matthew wrote his Gospell first in Greek, for his stile agrees with Marke. Writers acknowledge that there is an Ancient Hebrew Copie of Matthew, but upon good ground deny that it is the originall truth, for besides that by; received Tradition, it is held otherwise, Matth. 1. 23. and other such like places doe evince it; for why should he writing in Hebrew, interpret Hebrew words, to them which understand that Language? Hieron. in quatuor Evangelia, and Salmasius, hold that Matthew was written in Hebrew, Evangelium Matthaei Hebraicè ab auctore scriptum esse, nemo non veterum tradidit. Hebraeum illud Syriacum esse, quod in usu tunc temporis in Judaea fuit, Hieronymus docet, qui Evangelium Matthaei scriptum fuisse testatur Chaldaic… Syroque Sermone. Salmas. de Hellenistica. Erasmus, Cajetane, Calvin, Junius, Whitaker, Gomarus, Causabone, Gerhard, deny that Matthew was written in Hebrew. Chamier de Canone l. 12. c. 1. saith we have the new Testament in Greek; for although some contend that the Gospell of Matthew and the Epistle to the Hebrewes was written in Hebrew; yet (saith he) it is very uncertaine, and so propius falso. I thinke (saith Rivet aIn Exod. 24. v. 8.) that the Epistle to the Hebrewes was written in Greeke, a tongue then most common, and which was used by many Hebrewes, which were called Hellenists.
That Marke *Sixtus Senensis saith Expr…sly that Marke wrote in Greeke Bibl. Sanct. l. 1.should be written in Latine originally is improbable; many of the reasons alleaged to prove that Matthew was not written in Hebrew are of force here also; the Jewes at that time of the writing of the new Testament did speake SyriackedLingua Syriaca Servatori nostro, & Apostolis vernacula suit. de dieuv…de Whitakeri controversiam primam de Scriptur…s quaestionis secundae Capite quinto. Cum legimus in Actibus Apostolorum P…ulum allocu…um esse Judaeos cap. …1. 40. lingua Hebraea, intelligendum est de Hebraica lingua, quae tunc inusu erat apud Judaeos, id est Syriaca. Nam & Dominus noster ea usus est, ut apparet ex omibus locis Evangeliorum, in quibus aliquid prolocutus est lingua vernacula, Salmasi… de Hellenistica ad quartam quaestionem. and not Hebrew, which language is mixt consisting of Hebrew, and Chaldee; therefore (saith Whitaker) it is more probable that Matthew, and he which wrote the Epistle to the Hebrewes wrote in Greek, because the Greeke tongue was not unknowne to the Jewes, which were Hellenists Act. 6. 1. and other Apostles wrote in Greeke which wrote peculiarly to the Jewes, as JAmes and Peter. Matthaeum Hebraicè scripsisse convenit inter antiquos. Citat Irenaeum, Origenem, Athanasium, Epiphanium, Chrysostomum, Hieronymum, Vossius de genere Christi dissertat. Scripsit Haebraea lingua quiae praecipuè Judoeorum, quos viva voce hactenus docuisset, haberet rationem. Id. ibid. vide Grotium in libros Evangel. It was needfull that the Gospell should be written by many. First, for the certainty. Secondly, for the perfection of it.
Amongst all the Evangelists, there is a Generall agreement, and a speciall difference; they all agree in the maine scope and Subject, Christ; they differ in the speciall argument and order. All describe the life of Christ, some more largely, some more briefely, some more loftily, some more plainely, yet because all were inspired by the same Spirit, they all have equall authority. The difference of Evangelists in some smaller matters proveth their consent in the greater to be the voyce of truth; for had they conspired all together to have deceived the world, they would in all things have more fully agreed.
The doctrine of the Covenant of grace is more plainly expounded; the will of God, and way to salvation more plentifully set down in the new Testament, then ever it was in the daies of Moses or the Prophets; and in these bookes of the new Testament all things are so established as to continue to the end, so that we must not looke for any new revelation.
All these Bookes we receive as Canonicall, because they are divine for matter and forme, divinely inspired by God, sanctified and given to the Church for their direction, written by the Apostles or Apostolicall men, sweetly consenting with other parts of holy Scripture, and with themselves; received alwaies by the greatest part of the Church of God. They were written after the death of Christ, by the direction of the holy Ghost; the Apostles by lively voyce first preached, because it was needfull that the doctrine of the Gospell should by their preaching, as also by signes and wonders be confirmed against the contradictions and cavils of the Jewes and Gentiles, and allowed by the assent of believers generally before it was committed to writing, that we might be assured of the certainty of those things which were written.
These bookes are acknowledged Canonicall both by us and the Papists; so that touching this matter there is no controversie between us and them.
The Epistles*Sunt sane in eo, quo nunc utimur, volumine libri aliquor non ab initio pariter recepti, ut Petri altera, ea quae Jacobi est, & Judae, duae sub nomine Johannis presbyteri, Apocalypsts & ad Hebraeos epistola: sed ita tam…n ut à multis Ecclesiis s…tagniti. Grotius, lib. 3. de verit. Relig. Christ. p. 143. vide plura ibid. The Book of Esther and Canticles were doubted of by some▪ Vide Bellarminum de verbo Dei. l. 1. c. 17, 18, 19. doubted of by some for a while, were first, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Epistle of JAmes, the second Epistle of Peter, the second and third Epistles of John, the Epistle of Jude, and the Revelation; of which I shall treate more when I come to handle the bookes of the new Testament particularly.
The story of the woman taken in adultery hath met with very much opposition.John 8. See Gregories preface to his notes upon some passages of Scripture. Crojus defends*Vide Calvinum in loc. & Chamieri tomum primum, l. 12. c. 7. the truth of it, Observat. in nov. Testam. c. 17. Vide Seldeni uxorem Ebraicam, c. 11.
The inscriptions and titles prefixed before the Epistles are no part of holy Scripture written by the Apostles, but added to the Epistles by some others.
The Subscriptions and Postscrips also of divers bookes are false,Saepe falsissimae sunt Epistolarum Paul…arum subscriptiones. Capellus. counterfeit, and erroneous; not written by the Apostles, but added afterward by the Scribes which copied out the Epistles.
The subscriptionsaVide Scultetum & Bezam. of the latter Epistle to Timothy, and also to Titus are supposititious; they are neither found in the Syriacke nor in all Greeke copies,*Timothy is expresly by the Apostle called an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4. 5. therefore Titus having the same charge in …rete as he had in Ephesus, they were both Evangelists. Cartw. on the Title of the Epistle to the Romans. See him also on the Title of the first Epistle to Timothy. nor yet in the vulgar Latin translation; these additions were made some 100 yeeres after the Apostles.
The Canonicall Bookes of the new Testament are either Historicall, Doctrinall, or Propheticall.
1. Historicall,*We call them Historicall in which is contained an Historicall natration of things done: for although in them there be many things pertaining to doctrine, yet the chiefest thred and scope of the speech containeth a narration of an History done, hence they are called Historicall. containing matters of fact, the history of
1. Christ exhibited in the foure Evangelists or Gospels, as they are stiled by God himselfe, Marke 1. 1. Matthew, Marke, Luke, and John, so called because they containe a message of joy and gladnesse. They all treate of one subject, Christ Jesus incarnate; most true Historians, Luke 1. 2. John 21. 24.
2. His Apostles, in the Acts written by Luke, thirty yeeres after Christs ascention, so termed of the principall subject of the History, though the acts of others not Apostles, are there recorded.
Dogmaticall or Doctrinall, such as were written by the Apostles for the instruction of the Church of God in faith and manners, commonly called Epistles, and that by warrant of the Scriptures, 1 Thess. 5. 27. 2 Pet. 3. 1. 16. because they were sent to them who had already received and professed the Gospell of God. These are 21. written.
1. By Paul
1. To whole Churches,
To the
Romans,
Corinthians,
Galathians,
Ephesians,
Philippians,
Colossians,
Thessalonians.
1. Gentiles,
2. Jewes. To the Hebrews.
2. To particular persons,
1. Timothy.
2. Titus.
3. Philemon.
2. JAmes, one.
3. Peter, two.
4. John, three.
5. Jude, one.
3. Propheticall, wherein under certaine resemblances, the state of the Church of Christ till the end of the wolrd, from the time of John the Evangelist, is most truely and wonderfully described, and receiveth its name Apoealyps of the Argument.
Beza, Ex Lutheran… satis commendari nequit Harmonia à Chemnitio ad stuporem usque dexterrimè caepta, à Lysero fideliter continuata, & à Gerhardo dexteritate & fideluate pari consummata; ex Po…ificiis, Jansenius; ex Calvinianis Calvinus, Waltheri officina Biblic.Piscator, Calvin, Erasmus, have do…e well on all the new Testament. Of the Papists Jansenius hath done well on the harmony; of the Lutherans, Chemnitus and Gerhard; of the Protestants, Calvin. Maldonate & de Dieu, Cameron Scultetus and Grotius have done well likewise on the Evangelists.
Matthew and John were Apostle of the twelve; Marke and Luke Evangelists. Apostles is a name of office or dignity. It notes one sent from another with command; in speciall certain famous Ambassadours of Christ. The Evangelists accompanied the Apostles in preaching the Gospell.
Matthew) There was never any in the Church which doubted of its authority. Some say he wrote in Hebrew, but that is uncertaine, (as hath been already declared.) He interprets the Hebrew name Emanuel, Chap. 1. 23. and those words Chap. 27. v. 46. therefore it is likely he wrote not in Hebrew; for why should one that writeth in Hebrew interpret Hebrew words to such as understand Hebrew? and how came this authenticall Copy and Prototype to be lost? for it is not now extant. How ever, the Greeke edition is Authenticall, because it came forth when the Apostles were living, and was approved by them, which the Ancients confirme. Of the time when Matthew wrote, Authours agree not; Eusebius *In Chronica: vide Seldenum de jure naturali, l. 7. c. 12. Lib. 2: c. 24.saith, that he wrote in the third yeere of Cajus Caesar; others say he wrote after Claudius. He wrote his Gospell in the fifteenth yeere after Christs ascention, saith Nicephorus; the 21, saithaLib. 3. c. 1. Irenaeus; in the eighth yeere, saith Theophylact.
ItbTertullian cals Matthew, fidelissimum Evangelii commentatorem. De serie annorum, quibus scripti sunt libri novi Testamenti, satis est curiosum, animosè contendere. Tamen video apud veteres non esse unam candemque sententiaus. Chamierus. consists of 28 Chapters, in which the person of Christ, and his three Offices of Prophet, Priest and King, are described.
The best Expositors on it are Hilary, Musculus, Paraeus, Calvin.
Marke) He was the Disciple of Peter, and wrote his Gospell from him, in the fourth yeere of Claudius Caesar, say some. He wrote not in Latine (as Bellarmine saith) but in Greeke. Concerning the Archetypall Language in which the Gospels of Marke and Luke were written, see Mr Selden in Eutichii. orig.
It consists of 16 Chapters, in which Christs threefold Office is also explained.
The best Expositors on it are Calvin, Beza, Piscator, Maldonate, Jansenius.
Luke) He was for Countrey, of Antioch; for profession, a Physitian; there is mention made of him, Col. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 4. 11. Philem. 24. He was companion to Paul the Apostle in his travels, and in prison. He onelyonly makes a Preface before his Gospell, that he may briefly shew the cause which induced him to write.
The best Expositors on it are Calvin, Beza, Piscator, Maldonate, Jansenius.
John) In Hebrew signifieth the grace of God;Vide Sixti Senensis Bibliothecam sanctam. Waltherns in …ffic in a Biblica. he soareth higher then the other Evangelists to our Saviours Divinity; & therefore (as Nazianzen among the Fathers) he is called the Divine, by an Excellency, because he hath so graphically & gravely described the divinity of the Sonne, and hath written also of things most divine and Theologicall.John in his Epistles was an Apostle, in his Apocalypse a Prophet, in his Gospell an Evangelist. He hath the Eagle for his Ensigne assigned him by the Ancients. He was called Presbyter, by reason of his age, being the longest liver of all the Apostles. He wrote the last of all when he returned from the Isle Patmos; therefore there is something more in every Chapter of John then any other of the Evangelists. He alone describeth the admirable Sermon which our Saviour made at his last Supper,In his Gospell he writes more expresly then the rest, of the Deity of Christ, and in the Revelation of the coming of Antichrist. and his Prayer.
It consists of 21 Chapters, in which the person of Christ, consisting of the Divine and humane nature, is described.
In his Gospell is described: first, Christs person; in the first Chapter. 2. His Office; in the second Chapter, to the twelfth. 3. His death, from the twelfth to the end.
The best Expositors on him are Calvin, Beza, Piscator, Rollock, Tarnovius, Musculus.
Acts *Acta Apostostolorum sunt Chronica quaedam primae Ecclesiae in novo Testamento. Sic dicuntur, quia res primis Ecclesi… Christianae temporibus maximè ab Apostolis gestas deseribunt. Martinius in memoriali Biblico.) Luke in the proem of it makes mention of the Gospell written by him, that he might professe himselfe to be the Author of both. It consists of 28 Chapters. Luke calleth his History, the Acts of the Apostles, though it be specially of their sufferings; because even their passions were actions, they enlarged the Kingdome of Christ by their sufferings.
The best Expositors on it are Brentius, de Deiu, Calvin.
The 13 Epistles of Paul: one to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, one to the Galathians, one to the Ephesians, one to the Philippians, one to the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, two to Timothy, one to Titus, and one to Philemon, the Primitive Church unanimously received into the Canon, and never doubted being of their Apostolicall. They have their name Epistles, à fornia Epistolari qua conscriptae sunt.
A Lapide, Estius, Grotius and Vorstius, have done well on all the Epistles, In St. Pauls Epistles this order is kept: those Epistles are set first, which were written to whole Churches, and then those which were written to particular pe…sons. In both these sorts the comp…ler of them seemeth manifestly to have had respect of setting the Epistles in order, according to their length.Imprimis Estius ex Pontificiis, saith V…etius.
The Epistles are for the most part written in this order: they have
1. An Inscription: wherein is the name of the writer, and of them to whom he writes, and his wish.
2. The matters of the Epistle, which are sometimes meerly religious, concerning certaine Articles of faith, or piety of life, or about the use of things indifferent; or else familiar things, witnessing their mutuall good will.
3. The conclusion: in which are exhortations, salutations, wishes, or other familiar matters.
There are 21 Epistles; 14 written by Paul, and seven more written by Peter, John, JAmes, and Jude.
Concerning the time and place in which the severall Epistles were written, it is not easie to determine. I will premise something about the order of the Epistles, before I speake of them particularly.
Some of Pauls Epistles were written before his imprisonment; some in his bonds, both former and latter. Before his imprisonment,Cartw. the first of all that was written, were both the Epistles to Thessalonians; Ordo Epistolarum Paulinarum respectu scriptio … alius est, q…am respectu position…s in Bibliis: Waltherus in officina Biblic….they were written from Corinth the 8th or 9th yeere of Claudius.
Titus was written by Paul in those two yeeres that he staied at Ephesus.
Galatians) At the end of the two yeeres that Paul was at Ephesus, the Epistle to the Galathians seemes to be written, 1 Cor. 16. 2. by which words the Apostle seems to intimate,Lud…vicus Capellus historia Apostolica illustrata. that this Epistle to the Galathians was written before that to the Corinthians.
Corinthians) Paul living two yeeres at Ephesus, in the 11th and 12th yeere of Claudius, the Corinthians wrote to him, 1 Cor 7. 1, and that by Stephanus, and Fortunatus, which they sent to him (Ch. 16, 17.) by whom Paul seemeth to have written backe the first Epistle to the Corinthians, Chap. 16. v. 15, & 18.for in that he exceedingly commends them of Corinth. It was not written from Philippi, (as the Greeke superscription hath it) but from Ephesus, as the Arabicke interpreter hath it; as is manifest, Chap. 16. v. 8.
The second Epi…ile to the Corinthians, and the first of Tim… thy strive for priority, & sub judice lis est. Both of them were written a little after Paul departed from Ephesus, and while he travelled to Macedonia, but it is not manifest which was the first.
First Epistle to Timothy) Some thinke that this Epistle was written by Paul in his bonds,Capellus ibid. but not rightly; for he makes no mention of his bonds in it. It is probable that it was written from Athens, as it is in the Arabicke subscription, when he came from Macedonia to Greece; and so it was written after the first Epistle to the Corinthians.
Romans) The Epistle to the Romans was written at Corinth, when Paul having spent three moneths in Greece,Acts 20, 2. sailed to Jerusalem, that there he might gather the collections of the Churches of Achaia, Asia, and Macedonia. This is manifest from Rom. 15. 2, 4.
These are the Epistles which seem to be written by Paul out of imprisonment;Capellus ubi. supra. the other were written in his bonds. Pauls bonds were twofold; former, and latter. One onelyonly, viz. the latter to Timothy seems to be written in the latter bonds of Paul, a little before his Martyrdome; the others were written in his former bonds.
Epistle to the Philippians.) This seems to be the first of them all, which Paul wrote in his bonds. When Paul was captive at Rome, the Philippians being carefull for him, sent Epaphroditus thither, who visited Paul in his bonds, and ministred to him necessary helpes for the preserving of his life, as appeares by the 2d chapter and 25 verse of that Epistle, and the 4th chapter, 10. and 18. verses. Paul sent him backe againe to the Philippians, and commends him to them, Chap. 11. 28. That the Epistle was written in his bonds, is manifest from the first Chap. v. 7, 13, 14. and from Rome, not Jerusalem, Chap. 4. vers. 22.
The Epistles to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon, were at the same time written from Rome, and sent by the same, viz. Tychicus and Onesimus. First, that the Epistle to the Colossians was written by Paul in his bonds, it is manifest from Chap. 4. v. 3, & 18. but it was sent by Tychicus and Onesimus, Chap. 4. v. 7, 8, 9.
That to Philemon was written at the same time with that to the Colossians, Capelli historia Apostolica illustrata.since he salutes Philemon in their name in whose he saluted the Colossians, viz. in the name of Epaphras, Aristarchus, Marke, Luke, Demas, as is manifest by comparihg the fourth Chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, v. 10, 12, 14. with the 22 & 24. of the Epistle to Philemon. For this and other reasons Capellus supposeth they were both written at the same time.
That the Epistle to the Ephesians was written also at the same time, it may be thus confirmed: 1. Because it was written by Paul in his bonds, viz. from Rome, as is manifest Chap. 3. vers. 1. & 4. 1. 2. It was sent by Tychicus, Chap. 6. 21, 22. by which also that to the Colossians was sent. That these three Epistles were written also by Paul in his former not latter bonds, it is hence manifest, because Phil. 1. 25. & 26. & 2. 24. also in the 22 verse of Philemon, Paul sheweth that he had a most certaine hope, that he should be freed shortly.
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written by Paul from Rome, toward the end of his former bonds. He expresly mentions his bonds, Chap. 10. 34. and sheweth that he hopes shortly to be set free, Chap. 13. v. 19.
The latter Epistle to Timothy was the last of all Pauls Epistles, written by him in his latter bonds, of which he writes Chap. 1. 8. & 2. 9. and from Rome, Chap. 1. v. 17. a little before his martyrdome, which he seems to intimate Chap. 4. v. 6, 7, 8.
Thus having by the …helpe of Capellus something cleared the order of Pauls Epistles for the time of their writing, I shall speake of them now according to the method wherein they are commonly disposed in our Bibles.
Romans) That Epistle is the first, not in time of writing, but in dignity, because of the majesty of the things it handleth, Justification and Predestination. It is rightly called Clavis Theologiae, or the epitome of Christian religion. It consists of 16 Chapters.
The best Expositors of it are Dr Selater on the first three chapters, and Pareus with Peter Martyr and P…r on the whole Voetius saith, Willetus est instar omnium.
First to the Corinthians.) *The City of Corinth was a famous Metropolis in Achaia, notable for wisdome; one of the seven wise men is celebrated for a Corinthian. Tully calleth it Lumen Graeciae.How much authority the Epistle to the Romans hath in establishing controversies of faith. So much the first to the Corinths hath in establishing Ecclesiasticall Discipline; therefore Antiquity hath placed it next the other. It consists likewise of 16 Chapters.
The best Expositors of it are Pareus, Peter Martyr, Morton, Dr Sclater.
The second to the Corinthians aIt was famous also for riches and merchandise; and for pride, luxury, lust: whence the Proverbe, Non cuivis homini conting it …dire Corinthum. L…is there asking a great sum of money of Demosthenes for a nights lodging with her, he answered, … tanti …oenitere.) consists of 13 Chapters.
The best Expositors of it are Museulus and Dr S…later.
Galathians) St Jerome taketh the argument of the Epistle to the Galathians, to be the same with the argument of the Epistle to the Romans; wherein the Apostle proveth, that by the workes of the Law, whether ceremoniall or morall, no flesh can be justified before God; using the same words in both, Rom. 3. 20, 28. and Galat. 2. 16. It consists of six Chapters.
The best Expositors of it are Mr Perkins and Par…s.
Ephesians) Ephesus was a Mother-city in the lesser Asia, famous for idolatry, and the Temple of Diana, as theaActs 1…. & 20. 16, 17. Acts of the Apostles testifie, so given to all ryot that it banished Hermodore because he was an honest sober man; yet here Godb… 5. Ephes. 1…. had his Church. It consists of six Chapters.
The best Expositor of it is Zanchi…, Mr Baines hath done well on the first Chapter, and Dr Gouge on some part of it.
Philippians) The Apostle had planted a Church at Philippi, which was the Metropolis of M…cedonia, Acts 16. 12. In this Epistle he commends their godly study. It consists of foure Chapters.
Zanchy, and Dr Airie have done well on this booke.
Coloss…ans) Colosse was the chiefe City of Phrygia in lesser Asia; the Apostle directs this Epistle to the inhabitants of that City. It consists of foure Chapters.
Bishop Davenant, Bifield, and Elton, have done best on this Booke.
Thessalonians 2.) These were written to those which dwelt at Thessalonica;See Phil. 4. 16. it is a chiefe city in Macedonia, whither; how the Apostle came, we may see, Acts 17. The first Epistle consists of five Chapters, the second of three.
Zanchius and Dr S…later have done well on both these Epistles; Jackson and Bradshaw also on the second.
Timothy 2.*A foreign honoro & foreign Deus, q. d. cultor Dei vel honorans Deum. Sic foreign verbo foreign magni aestimo, in pretio habeo, honor…. Pasor.) signifieth the honour of God, or precious to God. He honoured God, and was precious to him. The first Epistle consists of six Chapters.
Barlow hath done well on three of them, and Scultetus on the whole.
The second to Timothy) this consists of foure Chapters.
Scultetus hath done well on it, and Espensaeus on both those Epistles.
Titus) Titus, to whom this Epistle was written, was a faithfull Minister, and beloved friend of the Apostle, 2 Cor. 2. 13. & 7. 6. and 8. 23. Paul sent his Epistle to him out of Macedonia, which is of the same Subject with the first to Timothy. It consists of three Chapters.
Scultetus, Espencaeus and Dr Tailor have done best on this booke.
Philemon aPlena roboris & lacertorum est tota epistola, & singulis ejus verbis …irifiea qu…dam argumentandi vis latet recondita. Scultetus.) he was the minister of the Church at Colosse V. 17. it is but one Chapter.
Scultetus and Dike have well interpreted it.
Hebrews) The Epistle to the Hebrews was rejected by some Heretickes, as Marcion aud Arius; it is now received as Canonicall, because it was inspired of God, doth in all things fully agree with all other parts of Propheticall and Apostolicall writings, and was received of the greatest part of the ancient Church, though upon weake and slender grounds the Latine church for a time did not receive the same.
Hierom in Catalogo scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum, after he hath recited all the Epistles of Paul, at length he commeth to this Epistle;*Duplex dubitatio de hac Epistola suit, un… de auctere, altera de authoritate ejus. Bellarm. l. 1. de verbo Deit c. 17. but the Epistle to the Hebrews (saith he) is not thought to be his, for the difference of the stile and speech, but either written by Barnabas, as Tertullian holds, or Luke the Evangelist, or Clement. Some ascribe it to Tertullian, saith Sixtus Senensis.
The diversity of the stile and inscription of this epistle, and manner of reasoning makes some doubt of the writer thereof; and also something in the epistle shewes that it was written not by Paul, Vide Drusium al titulum ad Hebraeos.as in the beginning of the second chapter, vers. 3. The doctrine of salvation is confirmed to us by them which heard it,De fide est, Epistolam ad Hobraeos esse Scripturam Canonicam. Cornel. a Lap. which seemeth to agree with the profession of Luke in the beginning of his Gospell; whereas St Paul denieth Gal. 1. 12. that he received it of man. An ancient Greeke copy (whereof … speakes) leaves out the name of Paul in the Title,Dr. Fulke against Martin. Multo facilius dicere, quis isti…s Epistolae non sit author, quam quis sit author. Cameron, tomo tertio praelect, in Epist. ad Heb. ubi multis rationibus probare conatur Paulum non suisse illius autorem. and also divers printed Bookes. Augustine speakes often of this epistle, as if it were of doubtfull authority, as you may see in his Euchirid. lib. 1. c. 8. and l. 10. de civitate Dei, cap. 5. Beza, Hemingius, Aretius, leave it in medio. Calvin and Marlorat deny that it was Pauls.
The reasons (saith Cartwright in his confutation of the Rhemists) moving us to esteeme it none of Pauls, are first, that his name is not prefixed, as in all the epistles undoubtedly knowne to be his. Another reason is, that this writer confesseth that he received the doctrine of the Gospell, not of Christ himselfe, but of those which heard it of Christ, Heb. 2. 3. whereas Paul received his doctrine immediately from Christ, and heard it himselfe of Christ, and not of them that heard it from him.
To the first objection by Fulke it is easily answered, the diversity of stile doth not prove that Paul was not the authour of this epistle; for as men have written divers things in divers stiles in respect of matter and persons to whom they wrote; as Tully his offices, orations, and epistles; so the Spirit of God could and might inspire one and the same man to pen in a different manner. 2. The other argument also against it being Pauls, because his name is not prefixed, hath but little force in it. 1. If it be not Pauls because his name is not prefixed, then it is nones because no mans name is prefixed; so Jerome, and from him Beza and Bellarmine both thus answer. 2. The Authour of this epistle did con…eale his name, that thereby he might not offend the weake Jewes to whom he wrote, with whom he knew his name was hatefull. 3. Beza saith, he found Pauls name*… suum invisum Hebraeit esse, … ad fidem jam conversis, … quod ipse prae … legem …terem esse … cujus legis illi … Dei. c. 17. Vide Bezam in … illum, Epistol… … Apostoli ad Hebre…. added to this epistle in all ancient Greeke copies, one excepted. Other bookes have no name prefixed, as the first epistle of John hath not his name prefixed, and yet certainly believed to be his.
For the last Objection, Beza answers that he reckons himselfe among the hearers of the Apostles, to avoyd the envy of Apostleship, see 1 Pet. 4. 3.
All the Grecians, and many of the more famous of the Ancient Latines, as Austin, Ambrose, Gregory, and many moderne writers of note, as Beza, Bellarmine, Gerhard, Cap…llus, Martinius, Walter, Cornelius a Lapide hold it was written by Paul, and for divers reasons. 1. The Authour of this Epistle commends a certaine famous Disciple Timothy, Chap. 13. v. 23. but none had such a one but Paul. 2. He remembers his bonds, Chap. 10. v. 34. which is a usuall thing with Paul, Phil. 1. 7. Col. 4. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 9. Philem. v. 9. & 10. 3. He hath many of the same axomes with Paul; compare Heb. 1. …. & 3. with Col. 1. 14, 15, 16, 17. Heb. 5. 12, & 13. with 1 Cor. 3. 1, & 2. and divers other places. Paul saith, by that signe his Epistles may be known and distinguished from others, viz. that subscription, the grace of our Lord, 2 Thes. 3. 18. which clause is found in the end of this Epistle,…. sunt in h…c epistola quae alibi apud Paulum to…idem penè verbis scribuntur. Beza. Chap. 13. 4. Pauls zeale for the salvation of the Hebrews, Rom. 9. 3. makes it propable that he would write unto them. Some thinke it may be gathered from that place, 2 Pet. 3. 15. Beza having alledged foure reasons urged by some why this Epistle … not be written by Paul▪ saith,Other bookes have no name praefixed, and yet they are certainly believed to be Canonicall, as Job, Judges, Ruth, Chronicles. Opponitur his omnibus que scribuntur, 2 Pet. 3. 15. quae certe videntur hanc Epistolam velut intento digito m…nstrare.
Beza concludes the matter very modestly: let the judgements of men, saith he, be free; so we all agree in that, that this Epistle was truely dictated by the holy Ghost, and preserved as a most precious treasure in the Church. Vide W…ltberi officinam Biblicam, & Whitakeri controvers. 1. quest. jam de Script. cap. 16.
Some thinke (as I have touched it before) that this Epistle was originally written in*Epistola Pauli ad Hebraeos Hebraico, id est, s…rmone tunc in Syria usitato scripta suit, & ab alio versa, quem quidam Clementem fuisse volunt, alii al… um. Salm…sius de Helenistica. Hebrew, but the stile and phrase of this Epistle doe Graecam redolere eloquentiam, non Hebrae…m. 2. If it was written in Hebrew, the Hebraismes would appeare in the Greeke version, which yet are rarer here then in other Epistles. 3. The Scriptures of the old Testament are cited in it, not according to the Hebrew fountains, but according to the version of the Seventy. 4. The Apostle Ch. 7.*Waltherus in officina Biblica & Bellarminus ubi supra. interprets the Hebrew name Melchisedech, King of righteousnesse; and Salem, peace; which he would not have done if he had written in Hebrew. Junius aJun. Paralel. l. 3. c. 9. p. 466. Vile Waltheri officinam Biblicam.in his paralels▪ holds it to be Pauls, and written in Greeke.
Ribera and Ludovieus a Te…a, two Papists, have written on this Epistle. Pareus and Dixon have done best on the whole Booke, and Mr Dearing on six Chapters. V…etius much commends G…marus. There is a good English Expositor on this Epistle lately put forth, called, the Expiation of a Sinner.
Those seven Epistles written by JAmes, Peter, John and Jude, have unfit Titles prefixed before them, in that they are called sometime Canonicall, specially of the Latine Church; and sometime Catholicke *Epistolae a…orum Apostolorum Catholic… dicumtur, quia generatim ad omnes fideles & in omnes quasi mundi partes missae sunt, & ista inscriptione … … Rivetus in Catholic… Orthodo…., chiefly of the Greeke Church: neither of which were given them by any Apostle, or Apostolicke writer. Yet though this title Catholicke cannot be defended, it may be excused and tolerated as a Title of distinction, to distinguish them from the other Epistles. Also they may have this Title Canonicall set before them, (as some bookes of the old Testament were termed Hagiographa by the Jewes) not because they were of greater authority then other holy writings, but to shew that they ought to be esteemed of, and imbraced as Divine, howsoever in former times they were unjustly suspected. Vide Bezam.
The second inscription of Catholique is as unsit as the former; therefore the Rhemists unjustly blame us for leaving out that Title in our English Bibles; for it is well knowne that that Title is not given by the Holy Ghost, but by the Scholiast who tooke it from Eusebius, Generall is a meere English term, & of no doubtfull signi…ication; Catholicke is both Greeke, and (by their saying) of double, and therefore doubtfull signification.
The Syriack interpter hath this inscription of these Epistles, (as Tremellius sheweth) Tres Epistolae trium Apostolorum, ante quorum oculos Dominus noster se transformavit, id est, Jacobi, Petri, & Johannis. For the Syrians doe not esteem the second of Peter, nor the second and third of John nor the Epistle of Jude Canonicall.
The Apostles JAmes, Peter, Hieron. Epist. Fam.John and Jude have publisht seven Epistles as mysticall as succinct; both short and long; short in words, long in sence and meaning.
JAmes) For the difference which seemes to be between Jam. 2. 21 22. and Rom. 4. 2. & 3. 28. most likely this booke was doubted of in ancient times, as Eusebius and Jerome witnesse. But yet then also publiquely allowed in many Churches, and ever since received in all,M. Pemble on Justification, Sect 6. c. 1. out of which for the same cause Luther and other of his followers since him, would againe reject it. Erasmus assents to Luther, and Mus…ulus agrees with them both in his Comment upon the fourth of the Romans; both they of the Romish, and we of the Reformed Church *This may be see… in the harmony of confessions.with one consent admit this Epistle for Canonicall. Vide Polani Syntagma.
I light upon an old Dutch Testament of Luthers Translation (saith W…itaker against Raynolds) with his preface, wherein he writeth that JAmes his Epistle is not so worthy as are the Epistles of St Peter and Paul, but in respect of them a strawen Epistle; his censure I mislike, and himselfe (I thinke) afterwards, seeing these words in a latter edition are left out.
It is nowhere found in Luthers workes, that he called the Epistle of JAmes, inanem & stramineam. Edmund Campian was convicted of falshood about that in England, where when he had objected that, he could finde no such thing at any time in the Bookes he*Riveti Jesuit a vapulans, c. 9. produced. Some in the preface of the German edition say that Luther wrote, that it cannot contend in dignity with the Epistles of Paul and Peter, but is strawie, if it be compared with them. Which judgement of Luther we approve not of, and it is hence manifest that it was disliked by him, because these words are found in no other edition from the yeere 1526. Luthers disciples now hold that it is Canonicall and Apostolicall;Waltherus in Officina Biblica. and they answer the arguments of those that are opposite thereto, as we may see in the exposition of that Article concerning the Scripture, by that most learned and diligent man John Gerard. Sect. 281. Waltherus also in o…ficina Biblica holds it Canonicall.Gravitatem ac zelum Apostolicum per omnia prae se fert. saith Walther.
We may reply against the Papists, who often object this opinion of Luthers, that Cajetan their Cardinall*Rainoldus de lib. Apoc. tomo primo praelect. quarta. denieth the Epistle to the Hebrews to be Canonicall; yea (which is far worse) he affirmeth that the Authour thereof hath erred, not onelyonly in words, but in the sence and meaning of the Scriptures. Vide etivm praelectionem tertiam.Nay, Cajetan (saith Whitaker) rejected JAmes, second of Peter, and second and third of John, and Jude.
It consists of five Chapters. Pareus and Laurentius have done best on it.
First of Peter) This Epistle is called in the Title Catholicall, because it is not written to any one person, as that of Paul to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon; nor to any one particular Church, as those of Paul to the Romans, Corint…s: but to the converted of the Jewes dispersed here and there, as appeares by the inscription. It consists of five Chapters.
Gerhard, Laurentius, Gomarus, and Dr Ames have expounded both these Epistles. Bifield hath interpreted part of the first Epistle.
Second of Peter) Some in the Primitive Church doubted of its*As Eusebius and Jerome witnesse. authority, and the Syriack hath it not; but the Church generally allowed it, and many reasons may perswade that it is Apostolicall, and was written by Peter. 1. Because the Authour of It expresly calleth himselfe Simon Peter, the Apostle of Jesus Christ.Ch. 1. v. 1…, 13. He wrote it in his old age to confirme them in the doctrine which before he had taught them. 2. Its inscription is to the same Jewes (that the former) viz. dispersed by the Romane Empire, and converted to Christ, whose Apostle Peter was. 3. It shewes an Apostolicall spirit. 4. Its stile and composition is agreeable to the former Epistle. 5. The Authour of this Epistle witnesseth, that he was a Spectator of the transfiguration in the mount; Chap. 1. v. 16. now Peter together with JAmes and John were present with Christ. 6. He makes mention of the Former Epistle, Chap. 3. v. 1. 7. He cals Paul his deare brother, Chap. 3. v. 15. It consists of three Chapters.
First of John consists of five Chapters.
Second and third of John.) They were also in times past doubted of by some,Eusebius l. 2, 24. & 3. 21. as Erasmus, Cajetan: but there are good reasons to prove them Canonicall. 1. Their Authour cals himselfe an Elder; so doth Peter, 1 Pet. 5. 1. by which name an Ecclesiasticall office is often signified,Zanchy hath done well on the first Epistle, Calvin on all three. but here age rather; now it is manifest that John came to a greater age then the rest of the Apostles. 2. The salutation is plainly Apostolicall, Grace mercy and peace. 3. In sentences and words they agree with the first Epistle. 4. The Fathers alledge them for Johns, and reckon them among the Canonicall bookes.Irenaeus, Tertullian, Athanasius.
Each of these Epistles is but a Chapter.
Jude) This Epistle also in times past was questioned by some;Vide Euseb. l. 2. c. 23. l. 3. c. 22. Erasm. in Anno…. but that it is Apostolicall, first the inscription shews; the Author expresly cals him a servant of Christ, and brother of JAmes. 2. The matter, it agreeth both for words and sentences with the second of Peter; of which it containes as it were a briefe sum and recapitulation.It is reckoned among the Canonicall bookes, and cited by Athanasius, Tertullian, Cyprian, Origen, Jerome, under Judes name. John neither in his Epistles nor Revelation cals himselfe an Apostle. That the writer of the Epistle doth not call himselfe an Apostle is of no moment to infringe the authority thereof, for the judgement of the writer is free in that case; that Title was specially used by Paul and Peter; JAmes and John quit the same Title, yea Paul in his Epstles to the Philippians, Thessalonians and Philemon, doth not call himselfe an Apostle, and yet those Epistles were never doubted of. It is but one Chapter. Willet and Mr Perkins have done well upon it.
Revelation *Vocatur iste liber Apocalypsis seu Revelationis, quia in eo continentur ea quae Deus revelavit Joanni & Joannes Ecclesiae. Ludov. de Tena.) It is called according to the Greeke Apocalyps, and according to the Latine Revelation; that is a discovery or manifestation of things which before were hidden and secret, for the common good of the Church.
Eusebius l. 3. c. 17. saith Domitian cast John the Evangelist into a fornace of scalding Oyle, but when he saw he came forth unhurt, he banished him into the Isle Pathmos, where he writ this Revelation.
This booke describeth the state of the Church from the time of John the last of the Apostles,Sextus Senensis idem ferè habet Bibliothecae Sanctae l. 7. Apocalypsis Johannis tot habet sacramenta quot verba. untill Christs comming againe; and especially the proceedings, pride, and fall of Babylon, the great whore with all the Kingdomes of Antichrist. The holy Ghost therefore foreseeing what labour Satan and his instruments would take to weaken and impaire the credit and authority of this above all other Bookes (wherein he prevailed so far,Hieron. 2. epist. Fam. lib. 2. epist. 1. as some true Churches called the truth and authority of it into question) hath backed it with a number of confirmations more then are in any other Booke of Scripture.
First,Nomen foreign teste … Hieronymo soli Scripturae est proprium & apud Ethuicos non usitatum, sonat revelationem earum rerum, quae prius, non quidem Deo, nobis autem occultae & minus manifestae fuerunt. the Authour of it, is set in the forefront or face of it, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chap. 1. vers. 1. who professeth himselfe to be the first and the last, vers. 11. so in the severall Epistles to the Churchs in severall stiles he challengeth them to be his. Thus saith he 1. that holdeth the seven starres in his right hand. 2. He which is first and last, which was dead, and is alive. 3. Which hath the sharpe two edged Sword. 4. Which hath eyes like a flame of fire, and his feete like brasse. 5. Which hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven starres. 6. He who is holy and true, who hath the key of David. 7. He who is Amen, the faithfull and true witnesse, the beginning of the creatures of God.
Secondly,Peculiare est Johanni prae reliquis librorum N. T. Scriptoribus Filium Dei vocare foreign. conser. Joh. 1. 1. & 14. jam verò eandem appellationem tribuit Filio Dei in hoc libro Apoc. 19. v. 13. Gerhardus Waltherus. the instrument or pen-man, his servant John the Evangelist, the Apostle, the Divine, who for the farther and more full authority of it, repeateth his name at least, thrice, saying, I John, Chap. 1. 9. & 21. 1, 2. & 22. 8. whereas in the Gospell he never maketh mention of his name; there he writes the history of Christ, here he writes of himself, and the Revelations declared to him.
Thirdly, in the last Chapter are five testimonies heaped together, v. 5, 6, 7, 8. 1. Of the Angels. 2. Of God himselfe, the Lord of the holy Prophets. 3. Of Jesus Christ, behold I come shortly. 4. Of John, I John heard and saw all these things. 5. The protestation of Jesus Christ, vers. 18.
Fourthly, the matter of the Booke doth convince the authority thereof, seeing everywhere the Divinity of a Propheticall spirit doth appeare; the words and sentences of other Prophets are there set downe;Vide Bezae Prolegomena in Apocalypsin. part of the Prophesies there delivered are in the sight of the world accomplished, by which the truth and authority of the whole is undoubtedly proved; there are extant many excellent testimonies of Christ and his Divinity, and our redemption by Christ.
Fifthly, The most ancient Fathers, Greeke and Latine ascribe this Booke to John the Apostle. Theophylact, Origen, Chys…stome, Tertullian, Hilary, Austin, Ambrose, Irenaeus.
To deny then the truth of this booke is contra solem obloqui, to gainsay the shining of the Sunne it selfe.
The Chyliasts abuse many testimonies out of this Booke,Non illud receptum est quod ex verbis Apocal. c. 20. colligerunt Chiliastae. qui ab Ecclesi… expl…si sunt ut Haeretici, Sanctos nempe in terris cum Christo regnaturos anni… mille, R…inold. de lib. Apoc. tomo 2. but those places have been cleared long agoe by the learned, as bearing another sence. See Dr Raynolds conf. with Hart, Chap. 8. p. 406.
Calvin being demanded his opinion, what he thought of the Revelation, answered ingenuously,*Mr. Selden of tithes, c. 1. & Bodin. Meth Hist. See Brought…n on Apoc. p. 244. Apocalypsin Johannis Commentationibus in…actam se relinquere sate… Lutherus, quod dubi… sit interpretationis & arcani sensus; in qua e…si periculum sui multi hactenus feceri…s, nihil corti tamen in …edium. protulisse. Zepherus. he knew not at all what so obscure a writer meant. Se penitus ignorare quid velit tam obscurus scriptor.
Cajetan at the end of his Exposition of Jude confesseth that he understands not the literall sence of the Revelation, and therefore exponat (saith he) cui Deus concesserit.
It consists of 22 Chapters;Mr Perkins on the first three Chapters. the best Expositors on it are Ribera, Brightman, Pareus, Cartwright, Dent, Forbes, Mode, Simonds.
1. The Scriptures written by Moses and the Prophe…s sufficiently prove that Christ is the Messiah that was to come;Consectaries from the Books of Scripture. the old Testament may convince the Jewes (which deny the new Testament) of this truth, John 5. 39. They, that is, those parts of Scripture written by Moses and the Prophets;See Luke 1. 69, 70. Acts …. 1…. & 10. 43. there were no other Scriptures then written. The 53 Chapter of Esay is a large history of his sufferings. We have also another Booke (or Testament) more clearely witnessing of Christ; the Gospel is the unsearchable riches of Christ, Ephes. 3. 8.
So much may suffice to have spoken concerning the Divine Canon; the Ecclesiasticall and false Canon follow.