Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 2 Some general intimations we have in the Epistle it self leading us towards this discovery, and somewhat may be gathered from some other places of Scripture: for Antiquity will afford us little or no help herein. After Pauls being brought a Prisoner to Rome, Acts 28. two full years, he continued in that condition, v. 30. at least so long he continued under restraint, though in his own hired House. This time was expired before the writing of this Epistle. For he was not only absent from ••me in some other part of Italy when he wrote it, Chap. 13.24. but also so far at liberty and sui juris, as that he had entertained a Resolution of going into the East so soon as Timothy should come unto him, Chap. 13.23. And it seems likewise to be written before the Martyrdom of James at Jerusalem, in that he affirms that the Church of the Hebrews had not yet resisted unto Blood, Chap. 12.4. it being very probable, that together with him many others were slain. Many great difficulties they had been exercised withal, but as yet the Matter was not come to blood, which shortly after it arrived unto. That is certain also, that it was not only written, but communicated unto, and well known by all the believing Jews, before the writing of the Second Epistle of Peter, who therein makes mention of it, as we have declared. Much light I confess to the precise time of its writing, is not hence to be obtained, because of the uncertainty of the time wherein Peter wrote that Epistle. Only it appears from what he affirms concerning the approaching of the time of his suffering, Chap. 1.13. that it was not long before his death. This as is generally agreed, happened in the thirteenth year of Nero, when a great progress was made in that War, which ended in the fatal and final destruction of the City and Temple.

§ 2 Some general intimations we have in the Epistle it self leading us towards this discovery, and somewhat may be gathered from some other places of Scripture: for Antiquity will afford us little or no help herein. After Pauls being brought a Prisoner to Rome, Acts 28. two full years, he continued in that condition, v. 30. at least so long he continued under restraint, though in his own hired H•use. This time was expired before the writing of this Epistle. For he was not only absent from ••me in some other part of Italy when he wrote it, Chap. 13.24. but also so far at liberty and sui juris, as that he had entertained a Resolution of going into the East so soon as Timothy should come unto him, Chap. 13.23. And it seems likewise to be written before the Martyrdom of James at Jerusalem, in that he affirms that the Church of the Hebrews had not yet resisted unto Blood, Chap. 12.4. it being very probable, that together with him many others were slain. Many great difficulties they had been exercised withal, but as yet the Matter was not come to blood, which shortly after it arrived unto. That is certain also, that it was not only written, but communicated unto, and well known by all the believing Jews, before the writing of the Second Epistle of Peter, who therein makes mention of it, as we have declared. Much light I confess to the precise time of its writing, is not hence to be obtained, because of the uncertainty of the time wherein Peter wrote that Epistle. Only it appears from what he affirms concerning the approaching of the time of his suffering, Chap. 1.13. that it was not long before his death. This as is generally agreed, happened in the thirteenth year of Nero, when a great progress was made in that War, which ended in the fatall and finall destruction of the City and Temple.