resurrection is past. 3. He predicts dangerous times in the latter days and commends the holy Scriptures. 4. In a most solemn manner, he charges Timothy to be faithful and diligent — certifies him of the nearness of his own death his strong confidence of being forever happy and concludes. Timothy signifies, honor of God. TITUS. DISTINGUISHED as TITUS was, it is certainly very remarkable that his name should not be once found in all the Acts of the Apostles. But that he was a Greek and brought up in Heathenism, we learn from Gal ii. 3; or he would have been circumcised. He was converted to Christianity by the ministry of Paul, (chap. i. 4) who tenderly loved him; 2 Cor. ii. 12; and frequently mentions him in the most endearing language: See 2 Cor. vii. 6, 7, 13, 15, and viii. 16, 23. -- In chapter 1. He informs Titus why he left him in Crete (and though no memtion is any where made of Paul's ever being at Crete it is plain he was there) of the qualifications requisite for those who bear rule in the church of Christ the character of the Cretians - of pure and impure professors. 2. Directions are given to the aged — the young to Titus to servants and what the gospel teaches. 3. He shows the necessity of obedience the wretched condition of men without Christ the great change which the grace of God makes in all who possess it- the indispensible duty of believers to live holy lives how to deal with hereticsrequests Titus to meet him at Nicopolis—and gives some concluding directions and salutations. Titus signifies, honorable. -- PHILEMON. PHILEMON, who was a resident, if not a native of Colosse, appears to have become a convert to Christianity by Paul's ministry. The design of this epistle, was, to reconcile Philemon to his slave Onesimus ; who, having run from him, had fled to Rome, where he became converted to Christianity by means of Paul's preaching. In verses 1 to 3. He salutes Philemon and the church who met in his house. 4 to 7. He extols his love-faith- and Christian charity. 8 to 14. He pleads forgiveness for Onesimus his offending servant in a very affecting and earnest manner. 15 to 17. Engages himself to repair any wrong that his servant might have done him. 20, 21. He expresses the strongest confidence that his Master will forgive him. 22. He directs Philemon to prepare a lodging for him, as he expected shortly to be with him. 23 to 25. With salutations and benedictions concludes. What a pattern doth this epistle exhibit to both masters and servants. Philemon signifies, that kisses; and Onesimus, profitable. HEBREWS. It is not certain, neither are we concerned to know, who was the writer of this epistle, though it is generally assigned to the apostle Paul. Whoever the writer may be, it is very clear the scope and design of it was to inform the minds, and confirm the judgments of the Hebrews, in the excellency of the Gospel above the law, to which they were so strongly attached; and to persuade them to strictly adhere to, and persevere in, the Christian faith. It contains all the doctrines of the Gospel; its beauties are many, its excellencies great, and its matter instructive. and In chapter 1. He speaks of the different discoveries that God had made to the fathers by the prophets - the coming of Christ-and his being preferred above the angels. 2. He describes the nature of Christ the end for which he assumed that nuture. 3. He shows that Jesus Christ is more worthy than Moses and cautions them against unbelief. 4. He shows that the rest of Christians can be attained only by faith that Jesus Christ is our high-priest-through whom we have access to God. 5. The nature of the high-priesthood his qualifications order and preeminence. 6. He exhorts to diligence and patience. 7. He speaks of the greatness of Melchisedec, after whose order Christ is a High-Priest forever. 8. He shows how superior the new Covenant is to that of the old — and that by the former the latter is abolished. 9. The inferiority of the sacrifices of the law to the dignity and perfection of the sacrifice of Christ. 10. He shows the weakness of the law-sacrifices — sacrifice of Christ's body once offered hath forever taken away sin. 11. He gives divers admonitions to charity to honest life to avoid covetousness to submit to, and regard God's preachers to guard against strange doctrines — to confess Christ — give alms — prays for them — and concludes. This certainly looks like Paul's writing. Paul signifies, a worker; and Saul, his former name, a destroyer. JAMES. THIS apostle is called JAMES the LESS, Mark xv. 40, to distinguish him from the other James who was killed : Acts xii. 2. He is called the Lord's brother; Gal. i. 19; but why, the learned are not agreed. It is certain that he was an apostle, and that he was the son of Alpheus: Matt. x. 3. Abraham was uncle to Lot; and he calls him his brother: Gen. xii. 5: xiii. 8. He was surnamed the Just, on account of the adınirable holiness of his life; but whether he, or some one else, wrote this epistle, we are but little concerned to know, since there can be no doubt of its being divinely inspired, and written for our instruction. It is called General, or Catholic, on account of its being written to no particular nation, city, or church; but to Christians every where. It begins without any apostolical salutation; the name of our blessed Lord is mentioned but twice in it; and it ends without any apostolical benediction. In chapter 1. The apostle addresses the twelve tribes which were scattered abroad - shows that they should rejoice under, and receive comfort from the cross exhorts them to ask wisdom of God without a doubting mind and that, to hear the word of God without doing of it, will be of no avail. 2. He shows that partiality is inconsistent with Christianity that God has chosen the poor that we should be loving and merciful — and never boast of faith without good works. 3. He cautions all against a haughty conduct and an unbridled tongue and contrasts the nature and effects of earthly and heavenly wisdom. 4. He shows the origin of wars and contentions that the friendship of the world is -- enmity with God that God resists the proud - that men should submit and pray to him- humble themselves and not speak evil one of another the sin of knowing the will of God and not doing it. 5. That wicked rich men are in danger of the judgements of God the followers of God should be patient under oppression and afflictions, and take encouragement from the example of the prophets and Job-strongly forbids SWEARING encourages all to pray for each other—and to restore a straying brother. James signifies, the heel. 1 PETER. THIS apostle was a native of Bethsaida, was the son of Jonas, and brother of Andrew, the apostle. His original name was Simon, but the Saviour called him Cephas, or, as it is interpreted, PETER: both words signifying a stone, or rock. There is no Scriptural evidence of his ever being at Rome; neither is there any to the contrary. He wrote to all Christians, whether converted Jews or Gentiles, who lived in those countries named; and on which account his epistles are called General, Catholic, or Universal. - In chapter 1. He thanks God for the grace by which they had been preserved faithful in their trials and exhorts them to holiness and brotherly love as the children of God. 2. He dissuades them from the breach of charity -declares the character of believers, as the children of God - beseeches all such to glorify Godto practice the various duties of life and be patient under persecution, after the example of Christ. 3. He teaches the duties of wives and husbands to each other how to see good days and many of them — and always to give a reason of the hope that is in us. 4. He exhorts to conformity to Christ - to be sober charitable -and watchful. 5. He exhorts the elders to feed their flocks the younger to be obedient — and all to be sober watchful — and diligent in the taith. Salutations are given from the church; and the benediction. 2 PETER. THIS second epistle of PETER is supposed to have been written about a year after the former one: it is directed to the same persons, and, it is supposed, from Rome; which he calls Babylon: See 1 Pet. v. 13. In chapter 1. He exhorts them, by faith and good works, to make their calling and election sure - gives intimations of his speedy dissolution and the desire he has that those churches might be established in the true faith of the gospel. 2. He foretells the coming of false teachers the judgments that await those false teachers and gives their character. 3. He warns believers against scoffers and impostors and concludes by warning them against seducers and exhorting them to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. - 1 JOHN. ALTHOUGH this epistle has not the name of JOHN either prefixed or subscribed to it, it has, from the earliest ages of Christianity, been attributed to him. In chapter 1. He describes the person of Christ — and the end for which he bears this testimony shows that those who have fellowship with God walk in the light and are cleansed from unrighteousness. 2. He warns believers against all sin and shows that a knowledge of, and union with Christ, must be shown by our obedience to him and cautions them against the love of the world and seducers. 3. He expresses his great admiration of the love of God in the adoption of sinners shows how the children of God are distinguished from the children of the Devil. 4. He warns against false seducing teachers tells how to distinguish between the true and false prophets and exhorts to brotherly-love. 5. He shows that they who love God love his children also the willingness of God to hear and answer prayer and concludes by strongly marking the the difference between those who are born of God and the world that lieth in wickedness and ex horting us to keep from idolatry. 2 JOHN. THAT the apostle JOHN, who wrote the former epistle, is the writer of this also, all are agreed; but as it regards the person to whom it was sent, there exists a difference of opinion. Some think it was a church to |