§. 6. Of Apostolicall Epistles.
THe Means whereby the Apostle declared his minde to these Hebrewes, was an Epistle.
An Epistle is a writing sent to absent friends, wherein is declared that which con∣cerns* 1.1 them to know.
q 1.2 The derivation of the Greek word, shews it to be somewhat sent. The common use of the word, shews it to be a writing or a Letter sent: and sent to such as are ab∣sent; because we cannot by word of mouth express our minde to them.
This is the benefit of an Epistle, that thereby we may make known our mindes* 1.3 one to another in absence as if we were present. All sorts of things use to be made known to absent friends by Epistles. They are ordinarily written in testimony of friends mutuall remembrance one of another; and of that love and good respect which they continue to bear one to another. Thus much did St Paul testifie in his Epistle to Timothy, chap. 1. V. 3. Epistles are oft sent to commend one to another: (Hereunto the Apostle alludeth (2 Cor. 3. 1,) in this phrase, Need we Epistles of com∣mendation?) and to intercede for others, as Paul for Onesimus, in his Epistle to Philemon.
Epistles use to be more vulgar and loose then Orations or pleadings at a barr of* 1.4 Justice: and among us, they use to be less accurate then Sermons. Yet the Apostles Epistles were no whit inferior to their Sermons: but in the matter contained in them, and in the manner of penning them, they were as full, ponderous and accurate as any other parts of sacred Scripture. All the mysteries of godliness, are in them distinctly, plainly and fully laid down. It is observed, that the very Inscriptions which the Apostles premise before their Epistles, do with such an admirable and unimi∣table succinctness, comprise the summe of the whole evangelicall mystery, as they being kept safe, the Church hath enough to oppose against all hereticks: What do then the whole bodies of those divine Epistles?
The Mysteries of the Gospel are revealed by Epistles, because that is the most fa∣miliar and friendly manner of making known a matter. Epistles use to be written to choice friends, as testimonies of singular affection to them.