An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Paul's Epistles were never doubted of, except that to the Hebrews, (which is attributed to him) as the Epistle of James, the 2d of Peter, the two last Epistles of John, and the Revelation have been, but were always received into the Canon. Indeed there were the Elioniti, (called so, say some, from the Hebrew word, because they were poor, and simple in understanding) These with such succeeding them in many opinions did reject all Paul's Epistles, not but that they thought they were made by him, only they rejected his Doctrine, because they thought he was an adversary to the Law, and contrary to Moses.

Paul's Epistles were never doubted of, except that to the Hebrews, (which is attributed to him) as the Epistle of James, the 2d of Peter, the two last Epistles of John, and the Revelation have been, but were alwayes received into the Canon. Indeed there were the Elioniti, (called so, say some, from the Hebrew word, because they were poor, and simple in understanding) These with such succeeding them in many opinions did reject all Paul's Epistles, not but that they thought they were made by him, only they rejected his Doctrine, because they thought he was an adversary to the Law, and contrary to Moses.

This truth about the Canonical Authority of this Book, and the rest in the Bible, is of very great concernment, not only because of the weighty controversies and disputes both of old, and alate herein; but also because of a practical consideration. For though men do generally profess themselves to be Christians, and say, They acknowledge the holy Bible, as of Divine Authority, yet where is the man almost, that liveth, as if he did believe it to be a true Book? For doth any wicked man, that goeth on in his impenitent ways, believe the Word of God to be true, that condemneth him, that forbids and threatens his ways, that tells him assuredly, that if it be true, and the Word of God, without reformation, he will be as assuredly damned, as if he were in Hell already? Can a man then believe this to be Gods Word, and yet be so desperately mad, as to live in a full contrariety to it? If therefore this very Epistle be received as the Word of God, that it's no Apocryphal or humane Invention, but Paul wrote it, as inspired and directed by the Holy Ghost. How can ye, how dare ye reject the counsel and admonitions contained therein, both as you are a Church, and as you are particular persons?