Answ. The Subscriptions of Pauls Epistles, both those and the rest, are no part of Canonical Scripture, but Apocrypha, not written by the Apostles themselves, but by some Scribes that copied them out in after ages, as is observed by many learned both Protestants and Papists: In particular this Subscription in the Epistle to Titus containeth an apparent mistake; for the Subscription saith, the Epistle was written from Nicopolis to Macedonia; as if Paul had been at Nicopolis when he wrote this Epistle: which conceit in the Scribe sprang from a mistake of Pauls words, Tit. 3.12. where Paul bids Titus be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter; but Paul doth not say, I have determined here to winter, (as if he were there already in Nicopolis) but I have determined there to winter, to wit, as intending to go thither for to winter. The Subscription of the Epistle to Timothy, stilling him the first ordained Bishop of the Ephesians, will not stand with the Apostles charge to him in the same Epistle, (2 Tim. 4.5.) do the work of an Evangelist. For a Bishop was to attend with personal residence upon his charge, Act. 20.28. But an Evangelist was to travel up and down with the Apostles, or after them; to come and go at their appointment: As Paul there doth command Timothy to be diligent to come to him, 2 Tim. 4.9.21. Again when Paul addresseth himself to go to Rome (from whence this Subscription telleth us this Epistle was written) he intending to pass by Macedonia to Rome, (Act. 19.21.) besought Timothy to abide still at Ephesus, 1 Tim. 1.3. But if Timothy had been the Bishop, ordained of the Ephesians, his duty would have bound him to abide there, and should not have needed Pauls entreaty so to do.
Answ. The Subscriptions of Pauls Epistles, both those and the rest, are no part of Canonicall Scripture, but Apocrypha, not written by the Apostles themselves, but by some Scribes that copied them out in after ages, as is observed by many learned both Protestants and Papists: In particular this Subscription in the Epistle to Titus containeth an apparent mistake; for the Subscription saith, the Epistle was written from Nicopolis to Macedonia; as if Paul had been at Nicopolis when he wrote this Epistle: which conceit in the Scribe sprang from a mistake of Pauls words, Tit. 3.12. where Paul bids Titus be diligent to come to mee to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter; but Paul doth not say, I have determined here to winter, (as if he were there already in Nicopolis) but I have determined there to winter, to wit, as intending to goe thither for to winter. The Subscription of the Epistle to Timothy, stiling him the first ordained Bishop of the Ephesians, will not stand with the Apostles charge to him in the same Epistle, (2 Tim. 4.5.) doe the work of an Evangelist. For a Bishop was to attend with personall residence upon his charge, Act. 20.28. But an Evangelist was to travell up and downe with the Apostles, or after them; to come and goe at their appointment: As Paul there doth command Timothy to be diligent to come to him, 2 Tim. 4.9.21. Againe when Paul addresseth himselfe to goe to Rome (from whence this Subscription telleth us this Epistle was written) he intending to passe by Macedonia to Rome, (Act. 19.21.) besought Timothy to abide still at Ephesus, 1 Tim. 1.3. But if Timothy had been the Bishop, ordained of the Ephesians, his dutie would have bound him to abide there, and should not have needed Pauls intreaty so to doe.
