56 HOR^ PAULINA. 



that we have pointed out a distinction in the two epistles, 

 suited to tlie relation in whi:;li the author stood to his differ- 

 ent correspondents. 



Another adaptation, and somewhat of the same kind, is 

 the following : 



2. The Jews, we know, were very numerous at Rome, 

 and probahly formed a principal part among the new con- 

 \'-erts ; so much so, that the Christians seem to have been 

 known at Eome rather as a denomination of Jews than as 

 any thing else. In an epistle consequently to the E-oman 

 believers, the point to be endeavored after by St. Paul, was 

 to reconcile the Jeivish converts to the opinion that the Gen- 

 tiles were admitted by God to a parity of religious situation 

 with themselves, and that without their being bound by the 

 law of Moses. The Gentile converts would probably accede 

 to this opinion very readily. In this epistle, therefore, though 

 directed to the Roman church in general, it is in truth a 

 Jew writing to Jews. Accordingly you will take notice, that' 

 as often as his argument leads him to say any thing deroga- 

 tory from the Jewish institution, he constantly follows it by 

 a softening clause. Having, chap. 2 : 28, 29, pronounced, 

 not much perhaps to the satisfaction of the native Jews, 

 that "he is not a Jew which is one outwardly ; neither is 

 that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh ;" he adds 

 immediately, *' What advantage then hath the Jew, or what 

 profit is there of circumcision ? Much every icayT Hav- 

 ing in the third chapter, ver. 28, brought his argument to 

 this formal conclusion, " that a man is justified by faith with- 

 out the deeds of the law," he presently subjoins, verse 31, 

 •* D:- we then make void the law through faith? God for- 

 bid. Yea, we establish the laivT In the seventh chapter, 

 when in the sixth verse he had advanced the bold assertion, 

 that "now we are delivered from the law, that being dead 

 wherein we were held ;" in the very next verse he comes 

 in with this healing question, " What shall we say then ? 

 [a the law sin? C 3d forbid. Nav, I had net known sin. 



