CHAPTER IV. ROMANS-CORINTHIANS-GALATIANS SIANS. EPHE 1. THE Epistles of Paul. The exertions of St. Paul in the cause of Christianity were not confined to personal instruction. He watched with paternal care over the churches which he had founded, and was always ready to strengthen the faith and regulate the conduct of his converts, by such directions and counsels as their circumstances might require: for this purpose he wrote fourteen epistles to churches or individuals, which are still extant, and form an important part of our canon. 2. The Epistle to the Romans. This epistle, the fifth in the order of time, is placed first of all the apostolical letters, as being the longest and most comprehensive of all the epistles, or out of respect to the city of Rome, at that time the mistress of the world. 3. Much unsatisfactory discussion has taken place in reference to the first establishment of the church in this city: some pretending, without the least probable reason, that St. Peter was the founder; others, that it was formed under the joint labors of Peter and Paul. If either of these had been particularly interested in the first preaching of the gospel in Rome, it would, without doubt, have been alluded to, in this epistle, but there is no such intimation to be found in it. 4. The most reasonable, and probably the true, opinion is, that the church was founded by some of the "strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes," who heard Peter preach at Jerusa lem on the day of Pentecost, and on their return home preached the gospel of the kingdom to others, and thus originated the first Christian church in Rome. 5. The epistle was written from Corinth, whither Aquila and Priscilla had come from Rome, on account, very probably, of the decree of banishment issued by the emperor Claudius against the Jews. Acts xviii, 2. Interested in the church by their statements, his soul burns within him to visit them, but this being at that time impossible, he sends this most instructive letter by Phebe, a pious Christian woman, then about to return to Rome. 6. As the church of Rome was composed partly of heathens who had embraced the gospel, and partly of Jews, who, with many remaining prejudices, believed on Jesus as the Messiah; and as discussions had arisen be tween them, on questions of priority and superior privilege, he wrote this letter to allay these con tentions and to strengthen the faith of the Roman Christians against the insinuations of false teachers, being apprehensive lest his involuntary absence from Rome should be turned by the latter to the prejudice of the gospel. 7. It was probably written A. D. 57 or 58, Macknight characterizes this epistle as "a writing, which for sublimity and truth of sentiment, for brevity and strength of expression, for regularity in its structure, but, above all, for the unspeakable importance of the discoveries which it contains, stands unrivaled by any mere human composition.” 8. The Epistle to the Corinthians. The church in Corinth was founded by St. Paul, who resided here a year and six months, between the years 51 and 53. Soon after Paul left Corinth the peace of this church was disturbed by the entering in of false teachers, and by unhappy dissensions among the converts, some boasting that they were the followers of Paul, others that they were the followers of Apollos; and, also, by the improper and even criminal courses of some who had professed Christianity, but still held to many of their former heathen notions. 9. While Paul was laboring in Ephesus he received information, from some of the members of the household of Chloe, concerning these disorders-that there were schisms and divisions, notorious scandals; as the prevalence of impurity, incests, covetousness, lawsuits, &c.; idolatrous communion, want of decorum in the house of God, profanation of the Lord's supper and doubts concerning the resurrection. The church also sent a letter to Paul, seeking ad vice in reference to marriage, things offered to idols, spiritual gifts, prophesying, and charitable collections. 10. Clearly and satisfactorily does the apos tle treat all these topics in the first epistle, ex hibiting the utmost patience and tenderness, and yet speaking with the decision of inspiration. 11. It was written about A. D. 57. 12. From Ephesus Paul went to Troas, situated on the shore of the Egean Sea, expecting to meet Titus, and learn the success of his late visit to Corinth, in allaying dissension, and removing sinful practices. Not meeting with him here, Paul proceeded to Macedonia, where he found Titus, and received the desired intelligence. Probably from Philippi, in this country, the apostle wrote his second letter, which was sent on the return of Titus. This was probably a year after the first was written. 13. That letter had been productive of happy effects on the part of some, but others had ridiculed and opposed it; accusing him of levity of character, in promising to come to them at an early period, and not fulfilling his word; with pride and tyranny, in the power he exercised over the churches; with arrogance and vain-glory, and with being contemptible in his personal appearance. 14. These opinions the apostle meets by giving the reason for his delaying his visit to Corinth, showing that his sentence against the incestuous person was not severe and tyrannical, but necessary and pious-showing ne great success of his ministry, and the extraordinary and divine manifestations that had been made to him, and the sacrifices he had cheerfully made through his love for Jesus, and for souls; apologizing for his personal inferiority, but magnifying his office, and stirring them up to lead a holy life, avoiding communion with idolaters. 66 15. The most remarkable characteristic in the epistle is, the confidence of this apostle in the goodness of his cause, and in the power of God to bear him out in it. Opposed as he then was by a powerful and sagacious party, whose authority, reputation, and interest were deeply concerned, and who were ready to seize on everything that could discredit him, it is wonderful to hear him insist so firmly upon his apostolical authority, and so unreservedly appeal to the miraculous powers which he had exercised and conferred at Corinth. 16. "So far from shrinking from the contest, as afraid of some discovery being made unfavorable to himself, or to the common cause, he, with great modesty and meekness, indeed, but with equal boldness and decision, expressly declares that his opposers and despisers were the ministers of Satan, and menaces them with miraculous judgments, when as many of their deluded hearers had been brought to repentance, and re-established in the faith, as proper means could in a reasonable time effect. It is inconceivable that a stronger internal testimony, not only of integrity, but of divine inspiration, can exist. Had there been anything of imposture among the Christians, it was next to impossi |