•h'^A
298
SECT.
ix.
Reflcclions on the regard due to St. Peter's testimony.
in every good disposition; in wliatever im- provements you are enabled to make, tnay he
n To him he glory and doniinioii forever and ever. Amen.
\'2 By Silvanus, a
exhorting and testify- ing, that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
1 Peter Confirm, strengthen, and establish \_you\ upon a V. 10. fii-m and unshaken foundation. I'o him, there- ■* * fore, who of all beings is infinitely most worthy
of it, \bt] glory and dominion ?iScr\heiifor ivfir \2 and ever. Amen. I have -writ ten brieflij unto you fa'*hfuJ brother unto
^.y the bearer Silvanus, in whom I place great jr^^^^^ii^^rKiy!
confidence, as I suppose and conclude him to be
a sincere Christian tiwA faithful brother^ ; one
\vho hath tiie interest of Christ at iieart, and on
whose fidelity we may rely; and I send it, ex- horting a)id tcstijuing \\\\\\i\\e greater solemnity
that this is the true grace of God wherein ye
have hitherto stood; and urging it therefore
upon yon, that you steadily adhere to it in the
midst of all your difticuities and persecutions.
13 The {church, which is] here in Babylon i chosen wilh \yoa] to partake of the iirivileses of the "atBaUyion, elected
i I J Jr J r I .iV 1*- toKCflitr With yuu, SA-
gospt!, salutetn you; and {so doth] Marcus, i,neUi>uu; andsodc»/4 whom I may call niy son ", as being my convert Marcus my son. and behaving to me with all fihal tcu)derness and
14 respect. Salute one another with a kiss of pure and unfeigned love in your Christian assemblies ; and may grace and peace, and the truest hap- piness, ever {be^^ with you all who are in Christ Jeius, who is the corner-stone which God hath laid in Sion, and the great foundation of all our eternal hopes. Amen..
13 The church /hot
14 Greet ye one anoilier with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Auien.
IMPROVEMENT.
*Ver. 1 TiiTS apostolic charge should be received with the profoundest regard and submission, by all those who profess to reverence the authority of Christ, who thus, by the mouth of his servants,
be-
instructive pieces of that excellent and amiable author from the ol^Iivion in whicii they had so long been buried.
k Silvanus, as I svppnse, a fnilhful bro- ther.'] Wtiether this was the Silas, or Silvanus, mentioned several times in the AcU as the 'ompanicn of St. Paul, and by St. Paul himself, '2 Cor i 19; I TliesS. J. I ; 2 'J'iiess. i. 1, we cannot certainly s;iy. The phrase, ai I sMpfose, does not p<-em to imply any douht. Compare Rom. iii. '..'S ; and vjii. le, in the nripinal.
I At BahyUm J Hence Bisliop Cumber- land and Mr, Cradock arguf , that proba- bly St. Peter xrote from the n-ii^hhour- hood of Ijibylon, and found many Jcas remaining there (-ver since the Babylonish taptivitj , arnon.^^ whom he iiad preached the gospel wilh cousidt rablc success.
"> Marcus viy son."] That is, my con- vert, or at least my ai^istanl. iu the minis- terial work. I have observed, Vol. VIII. sect, xxviii. note ^, that .lohn Mark, wha was the companion of Barnabas and Paul, was a dift'erewt person from H']u)k Ike evannelisl, who was the intimate compa- nion of the apostle Peter. And as ho was so, it is likely that the evangelist is the Mark of which the apo«tle here speaks- tlnder St. Peter's instructions he is said to have written his gospel, probably receiv- ing at diiferent times Historical facts irom him, whirl) he records without very exao^ order, and which St. Luke afterwards priatly illustrau-d, without changing rlie order by adtiinj many - more impoTlant circumslauces.
SECT.
ix.
Heficctions on the regard due to St. Peter'' s test imovT/, 259
bespeaks their attention ; and it should both regulate their con- duct, and animate and exalt their hopes. Let us therefore at-
tend to this venerable elder, this witness of the sufferings of Christ, Ver. who on the mount of transfiguration iiad been favoured with an 1 illustrious representation of that glory ^ \v herein our Lord shall be hereafter revealed, and with which he will then invest all those, who, in his cause, liave approved themselves /<///// /?//?/«;// death.. Let ministers, especially, ever maintain a most affectionate and respectful regard for the flock of God, and take the oversight thereof with a ready and generous mind, and be examples to it, in the mild'' and condescending temper of their common Master, as well as in-? all other graces and virtues. It is indeed possible, they may pur- sue such a conduct as this, and meet with very little esteem or re- compence, yea, with injurious and unworthy treatment, from ; their fellow-men But a crown of glory ^ a royal diadem, incor- 4 ruptible and immortal, will be hereafter conferred on them by their exalted Saviour, in the day of his triumphant appearance; and this crown, in itself so illustrious, will be a^ mark of still 7Wor^ distinguished honour, as it will be placed on their victorious heads in a season of such solemnity, in the view of the whole as- sembled world, and of the innumerable compant/ of angels — But in the mean time, wnile we are continued in so lowly a condition ^ in the present world, let us all cultivate humility of mind, being cloathed with that amiable virtue, which is certainly the most graceful ornament of our nature; an ornament of singular value in the eye of that God, whose approbation is the surest mark and criterion of excellence and honour. And that we may accord- ingly entertain the more humble and lowly conceptions of our- selves, and the more grand and venerable ideas of the almighty Creator, Preserver, and Disposer of all things, let us often and seriously reflect upon hismighfy hand ; how' gloriously it hath been displayed in the infinite variety of the works of nature, in the coniiniial agency and operation of Providenee, and in the wonder- ful scheme of re</e;;?/)/i07i and salvation; how powerful and resist- less it is in the execution of all its works; and yet how graciously its awful power is tempered and moderated, and to what kind and merciful purposes it hath been already exerted, and still is, in behalf of such degenerate and unworthy creatures as ourselves. By these consideration!^, let us be disposed to bow to every Divine dis- pensation with all resignation and submission ; fixing our depend- ence upon a power so wisely and graciously exerted ; rejoicing that we are permitted to cast our cares on God, and abhorrmg both the ingratitude and folly of fainting and sinking under our burdens, 7 when we are favoured with the permission of relying on him; indeed, with a paternal commandf as well as permission ; which
accordingly
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Shelf.
Dhition r-r<.. rrr. . Srrrr
Section ?^^. Li. .jfT. . .__
Xumber "^.K.ld^..
'?*.
>''-
WORKS
y OP
REV. P.'DODDIIIDGE, D.D,
VOLUME X.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR:
CONTAINING
A PARAPHRASE ON THE SECOND EPISTLE
OF
ST. PAUL TO TIMOTHY,
TITUS,
PHILEMON,
HEBREWS,
The EPISTLE of JAMES,
J. PETER,
II. PETER,
I. JOHN,
II. JOHN, III.JOHN, JUDE, REVELATION.
VflTH A COPIOUS INDEX j ALSO, AN IJ^DEX TO THE GREEK WORDS.
SiMPLic. in EpicrEf. Proem.
LEEDS :
PRINTED BY EDWARD BAINES,
rOR THE EDITORS; CONDER, BUCKLERSBURY ; BUTTON, PATERNOSTER-ROW
WILLIAMS, STATION ERS'-COURT; BAYNES, PATEBNOSTER-RUW ; OGLE,
CREAT-TURN STV'LE ; NUNN, «t)EEN STREET; AND JONES, PATER-
^OSTER•ROW, LONDON; AND FOR BAINES, AMDHEATON,
LEEDS; WIISON AND SPENCE, YORK; CUTHRIU & TAIT,
EDINBURGH; M. CCLE, GLASGOW; CROoKES, RO-
THERHAM; ABEL, NORTHAMPrON.
AND MR FARRAND, ItiS, MAKKET PLACE, PHILADELPHIA.
1810.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR:
OK, A ON
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TIMOTHY.
•WITH
CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMt>ROVEMENT OF EACH
SECTION.
Vol.. r.
puurxr. I r Of
'J ' . I 11 ..LI I II 111^ ■
THSOLOGIC&L ^'
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
TO THE
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
I^ECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TIMOTHY,
%
^T is uncertain where Timothy was when he received this epis-.
He. Some have supposed he must have been at Ephesus ; but their arguments in support of that opinion seem inconch^sive (as Mr. Bovle has well observed.) And indeed it does not seem very eas}' to reconcile ibis supposition with the apostle's charge, chap. iv. 13,) to bring with him the books and parchments he had left at Troas ; that city lying so far out of liis way from Ephesus to Rome, especially as he had expressed a desire of seeing him as soon as possible. And if it should be pleaded, that the things he sent for might not then be at Troas, but at some other place that might lie in liis way, it is sufficient to answer, that it would in that case, have been more to Paul's purpose, to have directed Timothy where to have found them, than to inform him where they were first left. To which mav be added, that if Timothy had been at Ephesus, when this epistle was written, the apostle would hardly have said, " Tvchicus have I sent to Ephesus," (chap. iv. 12,) but rather, " Tychicus have I sent to you.'*
That this epistle was written while Paul was under confinement at Rome, is universally agreed ; but whether it was during his Jirst or second imprisonment, has been matter of debate. Seve- ral learned writers, among whom are Hammond, Lightfoot, and Cave, have maintained \he former opinion; while others have aioued in favour of the latter^Uom chap. i. IS, where Paul speak- ing of Oiiesiphorus, says, he sought him diligently at Eomc ; which they apprehend imjities, that the apostle was kept under so close a confinement at this time, that few knew where he was to he found : whereas in that imprisonment, of which Luke gives an account in the conclusion of his history, we are told, lie dwelt in a hired house, receiving all that came to him, (Acts xxviii. .*iO.)
A 2 But
.Y General Introduction
Bi(t the strongest ar(;ument in support of lliis opiiiiun i« drawn fnim chap. ir. (, ; / am now rrady to be oj/'ricd, and the time of my departure is at hand. From whence u has been rclcrreil. ihui Pail), nhcn he wrote tl»i«, na« in imniciiiute expectation of death, in consequence of Nero\ mtTMces, or of some express revrlation from Christ; (which some have ilioujjht iVtrr ulso h:ul almle InMorc his niartyrtlom, 2 Tet. i. \\.) Vet the directio is he al'u-rwarJs gives plainly slu-w he had bonu; expetlation of li» iiij^ a «» hile ltiii^;er. V.Uv It IS diflricult to ^av wliv he should ho much urj^e I iniut»<y to give dilifituie to come to liim^ ver. 21, or pre;»s his i are of ihf cIoak\ books, and parchviinl<^ menrionrd ver. 13. Thoupli, nfter all, these words must, I thmk, express an apprehension that liislile itnd ministry were drattini; totvards a close; nhichisyei lartlur conlirnicii by obs<rviiijj, ihai \< lierr<i<> in lii<i form r imprisntinieni the apostle had often cxprcsMil Ins per»Uitsi«>n of bcinj» released and wein^ Ins ( hristian frienilsaj;aiii, he jjives no him in \\\u epnlle of any sucli exp< cialuui, but seems to iniimaie the contrary, ver. 18. by expressinj; his tonfidence, not tlui he »lionlil be ag<«in rescued from ins enemy as he had been njMjn makinjj his first apo- '"gYf bni that God would delncr him from eirry cxil worHif and presene him to his heavenly iin/jdom. — Upon the whole, therefore, 1 conclude that ihik epistle was written some time to«.nr(i» the il(»»e of l*aur» second imprisomncn^ and ronsetjuenllv about the v« ar of otir Lord C(y or 67 ; and in the I >th of tin- empi-ror Nero. (.*src J-'iiyuti^ p'rpoutor. Vol. VIII sect i'n,nole'^ p. 3()S )
I he apostle seems to have intended in tliit epistle to prepare. Timothy tor those »ufrerm{»% to which lie foresaw he would be ex- posed ; to forewarn hiin of the f.ital apmtacy and declension that wa« befrinning to appear in the churcti ; and at tl>e same lime lo anin>a(e him, froni Ins o»tn exatuple and the grt*ai motive* of Christian>tv, to the mos» vigorous and resolute discharge of every part e»f the miiiisN-rial ofli< e.
Ill piirMjancc of this general dekign, the apostle, after hi» usiul salutation, begins with assuring 'I'imuihy of hit uionI atrrctioiiNtu rcmembrancr, and Ins earnest demrc to see hnn, expressing his iwi- tisfaction in those marks of tincerr faith which appeared in him ■» well at in his pious ancestor*. He then takes ncccasion, from his own sufTcring, tocxcite him to a becoming fortitude and lesolutinn 111 the Christian cause: and iepre>ents in a strong li^ht the excel- lence of that gospel which he wa<> appointed to preach, and on which he placed an enure dependitKe, clinp. i. I — I J. The </pn5- tU\ being firmly persuaded of the truth and importance of thoM; doctrines ulnih he had to often inculcatc<l upon his beloved pupil, exnortt him strenuously to retain them in the nndst of all disrou. ragements and opposition, and to go through the duties of his ministerial work with the utmost diligence and conitantv, in de- pendence on the grace of God : mentioning at the same time the treachery o| scvtral Asiatics, and acknowledging with the warme.t gratitude the exiraonlinary fidelity and zeal ..f Onesiphoi us, ver. i5, 16. Clwp. ii. I — 7. And in order }et more eflcctually to fortify
'J imoihy
To the Second Epistle to Timothy.
Timothy afjainst the difficulties he might be called to encounter, he lays open the motives and hojjes by which he himself was support- ed under the siifterings he bore in dtfence of the gospel; assuring him, that those who suffered with Christ should also be glorified with him. To this he adds some directions in relation to his mi- nistry ; advising him in particular to avoid and discourage all those empty harangues and idle controversies which only served to con- found the mind, and by which some had been seduced from the purity of the Christian faith, ver. 8 — 18. T\\q apostle then takes occasion, from a general view of the great design and tendency of the gospel, to tirge the necessity of holiness in all Christians, and especially in ministers; and recommends to the latter the utmost gentleness and meekness in their attempts to recover sinners from the miserable condition into which they were fallen, rer. 19, to the end. — And, to make him more sensible of the importance of exert- ing himself in order to maintiiin tiie purity and honour of religion, he assures him that a great declension and apostacy was to prevail in the Christian world ; and that false teachers were rising up in it, by whose wicked artifices many weak persons were deceived and led astray; reminding him at the same time of that patience and fortitude which he had seen him discover amidst the severest persecutions; chap. iii. 1— !3. To guard Timothy against these seducers, and to preserve tiie clinrch from their fatal influence, Paul recommends to him the study of the scriptures as of the ut- most importance to all the purposes of Christian edification; and charges him in a solemn manner to use the utmost diligence in all the parts of his ministerial work ; declaring at the same time, for his encouragement, the satisfaction with which he reflected on his own fidelity in the nearest views of martyrdom for the truth, ver. 14, Chap. iv. 1 — S. The apostle concludes this epistle with re- questing Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, in order to assist and comfort him under the unworthy treatment he had met with from some of his Christian brethren; giving him an account of the manner in which he had, in his late appearance before the heathen magistrate at Rome, been deserted by men, but supported by Christ; and, having expressed his cheerful confidence that he should be safely conducted to the presence of his Lord, he adds some particular salutations, and closes with his usual benediction, ver. 9, to the end of the epistle.
Whoevt-r reads over this epistle with that attention it deserves, and considers the circumstances in which it was written, will be sensible that it affords a very strong argument in favour of Chris- tianity.— The apostle had been for some time under close confine- ment at Rome, at the mercy of a cruel and capricious tyrant. He had seen himself deserted by his friends in his greatest extremity ; and had nothing before him but the certain prospect of being cal- led to suffer death in the same cause to which he had devoted his life. — In this situation how does he behave ? Does he seem to look back with concern on his past conduct, or to regret the sacrifice he had made of all his worldly interests ? Can we discover ai>y thing
that A3
A General Introductien^ !Ce.
that betrays a secret conTioutness of Ruilt, or even • tiitpicion of the :< (ral/;«.v of h s c.iiiM- ? Nay, dors he drop a single cxiirrs«iun tWal can be iiiicrprrti-d as a mark of fear, or discomposurr •»! miiul, in the appicheiisiot) of ih(>»e gloomy scenes ibai lav b<|. re him ' — Surtly li lie had been an iiiipt sK»r, or hud cnirriaifiril the Irail doubt of ihc docirinc* he taught, sometbing of ibis k'lij iiiii«i iiave ocaprd bun when uiiti-ig o so mlruatr a frie-'J, wn i whom lie could intrust all the *ocreis of his breast. — On the ci mrary, upon the most calm and deliberate survey, he r\prc»Mr» a enirc satis- fat tion in nflecfinff on the part be had a< te i , an.i rarnctily re- comin»*n(U it ti his b«-io»cd pupil to follo«v Ins t*«ttmpie in inai'iuin- ini; the glurionx cause, evci at the haz «id <.f lii> life. He appears tbrnugh >ut 'his epislte to have felt a sironk» inw.trd e Huiciiunot llio truth of tho»e j)rinciple« he haJ rmbracrd, and clor;r* m t!ie *uf- feringt he endured in »Uf)port of tiictn ; triuinphi<«^ tn the full as- surance of being approred by bt« great Master, and ol reeeivingai bis hands a crown of ditiingui»ncd lustre. A beh4\iour like ttini, in one who had so considers de a share in establishing the ('.'instiaii relijjion, and expected in a short tin»c to seal his lesiiinony to it Willi his blooil, most be allo^red « strung conlirmaiion of the truth of tlio*e faction which our faith depends. It is at least a convinc- ing proof ibac the apoitle was hiroseif Ji»ur;r in what he prolc^^ed to believe: and when the several circumstances ot his history ure considered and impartially weighed, il will ap|>ear as evident that he could not pos»ibtv be dtcen<d, and coiisc<]ucntly that bis testi- mony is to be admitted in lU full force-
A P.UU-
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TIMOTHY,
SECTION L
The Apostle begins his epistle, after proper salutations, with expreS" sions of his affection to Timothy, and general acknowledgments of his joy in, and dependence upon, the grace of that gospel which he was employed to preach, 2 Tim. L I — 12.
2 Tim. I. 1,
2 Timothy I, i.
^'jesus'^Cbmt by^rte J ^^^ ^{L, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will will of God, accord- ■*■ of God (vvliose eternal eounsels, with refer-
iiig: to the promise of life, which is in Christ Jesus<
ence to me, were manifested in that wonderful manner in which I was set apart for the service of the gospel, agreeably to the promise of etemdX life, \\\\\ch. is given ITS 272 Christ Jesus, Txndihj which I am animated in all my labours and suf- 2 To Timothy my ferings), senil this second epistle to limotliv^a
d'jarly beloved son : „,,,, i^ i i i i i i i /< • . ^' , .7 ' Ji
grace, mercy, and ^^fj/ ^^.'^o^wi -^'^^ ; whose humhle and faithful ser-
peace viccs ill the gospel I have so long proved, and
V horn I love with the aflection of a father. Nor
•:an I express this affection better than by v/ish-
ing.
2 Tim, 1. 1.
10 Paul thanks God/or thf faith of Timothy and his ancestors.
•»"• infj, as I most sincerely do, that gt'ocf^ viercy^
'" ain\ ptacr, may attend U\ce, fiflin (rod, the" gra-
i! Tun. cious and uierciful Father of all true bclierers,
• and from Christ Jesus, liiit .Sun and our Lord,
who U also our Peace.
3 I giv<: thanks unto ihis hievicd (rOil, 'whom I scrxty after the example ol' [f/»v piour. ;>/r>:,'r;ii. tors, viith a pure conscience, tSut through his goodnek!>, laying the ca^ie upon my heart, / am incessantly mindful of thte in »iy prayers night atuiday, so that I scarce ever ri%e up in the morn- ing, or he down in the evening, witiiout allow- ing ihee a slunre in my devout remembrance ;
4 Desiring earnestly to see thee, as I am mindful rf thy (ears, which tloweil v4) pit ntifully at our last separation, that J might he fiJUd u'lfhjoy, in an inteniew Hitli so dear and amiable a friend.
5And indeed thou lia>t, as it were, an heredi- tary title to my regani, as / also keep in remrm- brancc t'. \ i* in thee,
and vh., . ..'nutther Imis,
and thy moSher Kunut, mIio l)rlie\ed in Chnst before thee, and have hern happily inktrunirn- tal in communicating to thy heart tlnisc good iin
pc«c« from God tli« Faiiirr, aiiU Cbiitl Jc- •u» our LwrU.
"S I tlianV r.ud •tioia I »rf»c frum ■»» f>ir«- falhrr* aith purs <'on> •cirn.r, lh4t •ithiiiil cratiiii; I bavr rratriii- i»«4ar« ol tb«<' III mj pi «ycr» M^U auil d«r j
4 Or«atljr <)e<ir<uc to sec thcr, hrinj oiinilf.ll of thy »rit», thai I uiajr be (ilM «llti J<i)r •
5 Whru I call to rrmrmbfaocr llir un> frifncd failh lluil i< m lhr», m\. !u.l
in 0>T . r
l>>i*, ai.i; ... , ... ,,„ r
t.uiiirc ; and I am \trt' tuadcd ll<«t 10 UtM
|)rcft»ions which they felt on their own ; and I am persuaded that |i/ ijj in thee too, and thai tliou still retaint*st in the midst of all «p|>> i
Ction: For uhich cause I am the more en . raged to remind thee of stirring • God', whuh IS in thee hy the imj> /
hands * . whrrebv ih«rte miraculou%communica- tionsof the .Spint were im|)arted to thee, which it will be thy duty to cherish, by frequeiuly en- ^i^ng in thmc devotional exerri»c«. and a.' .s<.>rvues for which they arc iiitended to qi
7 thee. Kxert il , • , rtnj,
ness and bo!<l»i,- ix.fci-
tloM i t*>d naiii net i^neu u\ the
fp" nl iiir, hut of courage, and
o^ ioie, and of urudom ; and if we conduct our- selves
^' Wbcrp/ore f put l..<r in rrmrinltraoto, that Ihuii iiir tip iK« irili of nod, vhicli Is in Ihr^, by U«r puUiof ou uf oty baodt.
" r rG'%d halhfMt iriTco 11. tur tpint of frar ; l>»jt ol p<.««r, and of lotc, and of « Kiuud IOtbd«
TiK
ilin
and (otnc titat part •Ulrti III I pie, and >
hat-v imacincd it niifrtkl rn>r to »f I'x- pri-i<'» nfftrf «hlCh COB-
«bc Urn- • a order
,. t.4\.-
: I. ami..
m » ' >rrn<l»d Arit ii. S.
>cc iK'te (liaic Coin-
p«i'- ... i. . . . - <■, /aav.
b Im^uan tf mjf AsWi.J Sec tbe noU on t Tim. i«. U.
c GufHalk nu gnm ui, &<*■] Pcrtiapt Paul added Ihit under an appr«hi ntion, that Ibc tenJtt tpiiit of Tiniolby niKht ha«<- Urn at/metliiog lcifiiii.d Uy tbe pro-
A (.xxe%
Aiid recommends to him courage in defence of the gospel.
selves prudentl}^ under the influences of a spi- rit of universal love, we may hope that his Spi-
11
SECT.
i.
SBenottliou there- fore asliiim«d of the testimony of our Lord, norof ino his prisoner: but be thou partaker ofthe afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God j
9 Who hath saved ws and called ui with an lioly calling,uot ac- cording to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
10 But is now made manifest by the ap- pearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who halh abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light, through the sjospel :
rit will work mij^htily in us, to Ht us for those 2 Tim. services which his Providence may point out. I- '?• Be not therefore ashtnned of that sacred truth, ^ which is the testimony of our Lordy taught by his mouth, confirmed by his death and resurrection, and the descent of his Spirit; nor ofme^ who aoi now his prisoner ; but resolutely own thy re- gard to me, and take thy share in the ajfiictions which may lie in the way, while bearing a cou- rageous testimony to the truth of the gospel, ac- cording to the evidence derived to it from the miraculous power of God; Who hath saved^ us from that ruin into which the world hath fallen by its fatal apostacy, and hath called [us'\ out from the rest of mankind by an holy calling, not according to any distinguished merit of our own works, but according to his own purpose, rt/u/ those rich overflowings of grace given to us in Christ Jesus from eternal ages'^, as he was appointed, in the everlasting and immutable counsels of God, to be a Redeemer and a Savi- our unto us. But this long concealed grace jq is now wade manifest by the illustrious appear- ance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who by what he has done and suffered in human flesh for the salvation of his faithful servants, hath in eff'ect abolished death, has deposed it from its tyranni- cal empire, and thrown a light oi the important ^ doctrine of life and immortality by the gospel^;
which
d Given to us iti Christ Jesus from eternal agfs.] I see no reason for rendering it, as Dr. Whiiby would do, accordi/i^ to his purpose before all a^es, and the grace given us in Christ Jesus. The grace n)ii;ht be said to be given us in Christ, as the Father stipulated with him, through his hand, as well as for his sake, to give us that grace which we do actually receive.
e Thrnxn a light upon life and immortul- ity.'\ Life and immortality is put bj' a usual Hebraism for immortal life, as Arch- bishop Tillotson well observes. Vol. HI. p. 112.) in his discourse on these words ; in which he has shewn, how uncertain the heathens were as to the doetrines of a future state of retribution, and the com- parative obscurity of that lii^ht in which it was placed under the Old Testament. The former article is much illustrated by Dr. Whitby's learned and excellent note. But what Mr. Warburton has written up-
on this subject, in his Divine Legationf Vol. 1. and what is said upon it, in the last edition of the critical enquiry into the opi- nions of the ancient phihsophers, has done abundantly more than any thing else to vindicate the propriety of this expression ; and I must refer to these learned and in- genious writers for the most satisfactory commentary on tliese words of tlie apos- tle.— But the learned and pious Dr. Hodges (who, so lar as I can judge, has given us a greater variety of new and plausible in- terpretations of scripture than any other divine in the Hutchinsnnian scheme) con- tends, that the_ word a^Qarxriav ought to be rendered incorruption, and that Christ him- self is to be understood both by life and in- corruption; so that the text must refer to his throwing light on Ps. xvi. 10, 11, and on other scriptures, where it was foretold that the Messiah should be the light of the world, and bestow incorruptible life upon
others
fi Pfjtfctions on the disconcvjj
«fCT. which gives us u more rxprcss assiinuicc and more Hvelv \ie\v ui it ihan any former tlispcn-
Liin
cTSin. saiioii h:i(l ever tlone, or coulil |>o!.>,il»lv tlo. '• •' This is that important message of Goil lo'men, \\ wvrtnni.. I •«* lor the proelamatioii and cunlTrn;atiun oj whuh •pv^mtrii a |.n ui.rr, y 'uus appoin/ed an haaUi and upoitUy and par- ""*' " '•'"•'''^« •"•» • iirularly had it in my charge, while others were uJo. more immediately sent to Uu* circumcision, lo 12'«e iiuself a (/[ichcr of the CmfiU-i : /V»r i; ^ • •,
U'/iiih cdiisf /,ili > iuf/lr these hard thirties, vtUuU *" " ' ' "*
^ nie in this stale of Confu.Miient ; but, i i\, I
Ji myconduiun ma> kecm iiit'ajii(>u>, /</f/j I w.. ^.:
iwt tishtinitd of these ho'iitiii, or any of the rr- *»*•'"•";. •u.i«u»|Kr. proachcs and insuh* with which they are at- \T\ '"*' " " "'^ tended : Jar I know to •uhom 1 have tnisfed ail »»» my most important concern^, (i/r</<f)/} UiWy prr- suaded that he is well ah!e to li.-p that pr»< lou* imm rt.d s<>r)\ which I ho" ' d -uiffi hitti,
even unto that -^real and , .t dot/ when
the promised 5alvatiun blull be completed ^
, I.MinoVLVIENT.
Vcr. ^^'II*^! »hal alteiilncly coniider* the ho!y ealliu;: with whicli
^^ tf-uc are called, accordiiifj to the grace C'.cn us in Christ Jrtui,
can endure ihe Uiuught of \>*:ini; ashamtd of Christ'% gotpr/, nr
nnijoj hts seri',infs, to»%h.iie\er diHiculiie% they may he ex|)«secl,
with whatever infamy il. ry may he l...ide<l' I- or ever adored he'
jolhat iVinceof hfr, wIki luith deposed death, from hm throne ; who
liath enlii^htened, by rays reflected from Iii<i own luantiful and re-
splendeni countenance, the region* ^ the tuxt.ihU uor/d, over
,>which Ml diirk a %cd had U.-fore been spread? Let oiir rv'r» be
fixed more and more o:« il.,s ili,.,iu<.iis C)l.i.-ct, and confiding in
the «»«h»n. br nitinf himwlf (nmfhe rrir« f 71*/ »*V» F »«■* if-^mitnl mitt Vm \
tl ■
f^»i>n><l» It ii.i« i)i> rr ;■«•«»,
Hill '*i>»l«i«!rf ■! ^* i«|,<vl.^ .1
Il .
t») llr. W
• • >• •«/d, II Iri 6f icliiriipci iu(« U»r ♦ rj.nl, «n<| <-<.tnmitit-<J iij liii c«ri.
•*ll U», ITl.i) Ix ;To|»<<rtli.|i li.Ut«
olAMtn Uk •.i.irrtmn •iiii-ti an«*Y Iron mtint4in III Ikll lr«l 9«4>fttl *^r»n*\ !•»■• r'f'-r- -., fidrlilv. 71
«if wulimnit aitii ttf»,4 (M till gQ»i». .. I'aiil niiirlit have um-<| Uit» expti
" -. ,.,...•. , , r-., ;,„■.. I, aiihoiit bofruvinr IIm- liiot fiwui ^iny
in «hKlt llxy te.-rt- i.iwr licf.irc tho. .-hi Jt»i»li •iiUf •ImIcvc/. of. See Dr. i/W.,'f / ',1^ ,. .1
.See IH. /u«4c'i L.'iU, |.. .jl, :
SECT. i.
Of inimortaliti/ bi/ the gospel. i3
the poreer and grace of Christy let us all immediate!}' and daily commit to him that invaluable jewel of an immortal soul, which ,, God hath given us. We may surely survey it with a mixture of ' delight and terror, till we have thus provided for its safely; and then may tliat terror be allowed to disappear, and give place to a rational delight, and we ma}- justly congratulate ourselves while we ado7'e our Saviour.
Let the proclamation of this gospel be most welcome to us, and let us call up all the strength and vigour of our souls to assert and advance it; for God hath given its the Spirit, not of fear, '^ but of courage, sobriety, and charity. Whatever gifts we have received, let us stir them up to their proper use, and let one generation of Christians deliver down to another, a sense 6 of the excellency of their holy religion. Pious women may take encoiiracfement from the success of Lois and Eunice on Timothy, who proved so excellent and useful a minister ; as per- ^ haps some of the worthiest and most valuable ministers the church of Christ has ever been able to boast of, have had reason to bless God for those early impressions which were made upon their mind by the religious instructions of persons in the same re- lations.
' To conclude, let us learn, by the repeated example of the apostle, to be earnest in prayer for our Christian friends ; and 3 if we find our hearts excited to remember them in our prayers day and night, let us with him, return our thanks to God, that he puts such benevolent affections into our hearts ; for every ojood disposition that springs up there is implanted and dierished by him.
SECT. IL
The Apostle exhorts Timothy strenuously to retain the gospel in the midst of all discouragements and oppositions, and go through the duties of his ministerial office, in depende?ice upon the grace of God ; inentioning the treachery of several Asiatics, and. the extraordinary fdelity and zeal of Onesiphorus. 2 Tim. I. 13 — Chap. II. 7.
^ Tim. 1.13. 2 TiMOTHY I. 1 3.
HTso^nr.td" pNCOURAGED by that confidence which I ..er. which thou hast heard have been expressing in the power and fide- ii-
of lity of my Lord, to whom I have entrusted the "
care of my immortal interests and concerns, be "t^','^ thou, O Timothy, engaged resolutely to retain, 2 ■ ■ . and
M
Pdui i'oinpiains that ai: I'le .-i^iatui nadlftl hint.
»«"• »nd exactly to adhere to thrjorm of sound xiords *
"" that systfin of (h\ ine and everlasting truths
V Tim. "uhich thou hasl tuurd o/ine , keep it, not luere-
^ •■» ly »'i thy iiu'iuorv, hut in tliinc h«*art, wiih cor-
*.\ia\ fttU/i, and that sinctrt-, ftr\cnt /mr, tt*A/iA
!.<■ the preat hndge of our b«rin^ in Christ Jesus^
and wliich will finally secure uur bcin^ owned
by him as hi» true disciples. And i\s thou
'♦deiTfsi to have the name theerfid ctnifidente, let it be ihv care to keep that f^txHt thin^ uhich isdepositidwilh //irr^,e\en the gospel of ('hri>t lodged in thine hands : aM»ert its honours, hy lilt aidoftht* Jfi'/i/ Spii iff which d'u'elleth in »», and which wdl, 1 trust, enable thee to act uitli that integrity and /eal which »o arduou:i auil initKirtnnt a service recpiires
1 ^ rhou kntrxest ihn, that all thoit ofjsia' ,vi\ni are at Itonir, aiid were known to nie by a pm- f« ..on of CliT ''d/ioin i/i*-, and
li.tw proved : ■ iii, after all their
f>>rt%4rd prett . 'nch number are P'li/jjet'
ins and llert ^ '. wliom it i> with great
ioneern tliat 1 am obliged particularly to point
ICout on such an occasion. Ittit it is with pio- |K)rtionahle pleasure that I mention another n> [••TNun, ofavcrv i' ' acter, «h(»s«- af-
t' 'I'd and zeal v\. -x thnr («asriie%»
(>f iitr.in fiitli 4IMI I .*r Mluolt It in Ciuui J*.
auiiilisingeiniitv. .\Iuy (lu / '>i/ir»e-y
to his family ! I mean to :.'. .7 Dm -
siphorus , for he hath otten rejreskea nie, Uithby Itiri Ti»it« and liberahtu», and hath not hrcn ashamed of my chatn^\:.\i\\.\\ 'JO; but has rather esteemed It hi!» honour to own me, ««hilc 1 wa» u uler disgrace and per>ecuti"n in *o good a cause. 17 Ifal th ivti here tn /iome,hc .una: hi nir nut sti iiiuc h the more diligently on tliat \cry accinint, and
when
1* Th«l KObd ItiiDIt
• Inch ma -•., J
unio II. y
IIk- I(oI> ' ,,
<i«cllctti lu ui.
13 Tint thou koo«- r«t,lh4l allutr) •hi. I| arc in Amb b« tuiwetl
• ••y (rum mc ; of
• h..in aie l'h> grllu* •imI llrtia«>(*nu.
ol I ... Iir oft ■tiH • I
ol Ml) I
n Rut »1m>u lir »s> lit Huinr, Ik' •wt<icl<i
UK-
Ti.Vo/m>« i>«pla nil till*, of tliv
of fail h «hi>h »a> oudc by • . .t
thru >>4piisin, II (»L \ <•!. II. |>. ^f au«1
the author of .yi.ut'.lannt Smcra o(M«rvc«,
that it It not *«id t ■ "^ , '
iliif fttftn l>v iinin'
i>< 4rii it uf i''ul, B> a _. .. ,
wmd nf tntdom, waa girrn uoly tv Um mpottlrt. C'liap. it. 1; lii. 14; I Tiia. in. I>.
t» ?*•/ tmd ikimg whtk m d^otUiJ.} Sec t:. r. IV.
.•(jM, &.<• ) Th« Atiatirt "' u uo (or tb<,>ir co««nliceaiMl rf-
firtuiiwcy. i*aul probably aliudo to ibcir
b«'i>anour ■( ttott"- vhicb I iinotUjr III
hv trj< rll. , . '
!■ ■
11. a
>. Iw
titciru, I |itcl<-r Km: Uufwr lOtcrptCtatiwU aj evidently ui<>r<* naiural.
d t'kfftHyi umi HnmtuufKt.] Prultjbly h« incoltoiu tb«»c t»u |M-r>on* a> kaooii l<j Tiinoiliy, of j« h . ' ■ .'
thcinxlvi* by their pi there Ho* particular rr . ., . ^
djflcrcat conduct liuoi tbcn.
e (ooiaiif
Heaniiuaies Timothy to courage and resolution.
tne out very Hiljgently and found me.
18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in tliat day. And in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephfesus, thou kiiow- est very well.
IL 1. Thou there- fore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Clirist Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many wit- nesses, the same com- mit tiiou to faithful men, wiio shall be able to teacb others also.
GThou therefore en- dure hardness, as a •ood soldier of Jesus Christ,
4 No man that war- reth entangleth him- self with the aflairs of this life ; that he may please hiin who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
when he h^A found \im^ took every opportunity of expresshig his unfeigned love and veneration for a servant apd apostle of Christ in such a circumstance. The Lord grant unto him tliat, after having enjoyed all the blessings of a long and useful life, he may findmercy of the Lordiu that great day^ to which our eyes and hopes, as Christians, are continually directed. And on how many occasions he ministered [to 7ne] in Ephesus, thou very well knoxvest, as thou wert an eye-witness to it, while we were together there.
Thou therefore, my dearly beloved i-o;? Timo- thy, animated by such an example of fidelity and courage, be strong, in humble and continual de- pendence upon the grace which is in Christ Je- sus, and resolve never to be ashamed of any of his faithful servants under disgrace and difficul- ties, while adhering to his cause. Jnd the 2 things which thou hast heard from me,s.iid which I have solemnly testified again and again, before many witnesses, in one place and another, these commit thou with all diligence and care to faith- ful men % who may be able also to teach others ; that so there may be, throughout all ages, a suc- cession of such, who shall deliver tliem down from one to another, even till the end of time, according to God's gracious purposes in reveal- ing them to us. And especially do thou see 3 to it thyself, that thine own temper and conduct be such as may engage them to fidelity in bear- ing their testimony. Therefore, as thy lot is cast in a time when we are called to suffer so many severe things for the truth, prepare thyself stea- dily and resolutely to endureaj/iictiotis and hard- ships as it becomes a good soldier of Jesus Christy and one whom he hath honoured with a distin- guished rank in his army, that thou may est mar- shal and lead on others. And, to pursue the 4 metaphor, remember, that 7io one who goes out to war entangles himself with secular a fairs, bnt relinquishes every other calling and employ- ment, that he may please him under xvhom he is inlisted, and be ready to receive and execute his commands. Accordingly keep thyself as much
as
2 Tim. I. 18.
II. 1
e Commit to faithful men.lThis is quoted by many, as an argument that the people were not left to ohuFC their own ministers. But if rliey did chuse them, or propose
them to Timotiiy, it mi^ht ypt be his ap- propriate office to admit tiiem to the minis- try, and solemnly to cummit the. gospel to them. Compare the note on Tit, i. 5,
f Muit-
Iw
lijhctions on the duty of ministers to maintain the gospel.
' ^- as nossihlf disengat^fd from worMlv hiiNincvs, ^~ — *"*i 'roin every tliin;; wliicli might ti'tul Ht lake !• Ti.n. o't I. V ihuiights fiiui) ilty ^rrat work, and rcn- ^'- •'• dfr thcc If-is active tn tliy sat rtd warfaro, Jud i AnJ if* nun aUo tuiii also kiiukVist, tli:it // any one utrstles, or •'""■ ^"' u»*»i«iir«, cr^ntcnds in any oilu-r of .lu»>c ^ame^ for wluch fvclVl',;";;.?;:.!' Grocrc is so ccUhrutcd, it lie do gain an ad\ an- fully. Ui'^c. over Ins antii^^nnist, he is not nou uai, un- >' ■ '' • ' . or pwrforui any oiljir Jildtiic I'x-
* 'Mft' '«* '^<^ '«•■'•'■ «f the rt'spoctive
< ttiuioii, .So lei us uke care to learn the I iis wl.irh Christ has laid down to direct us in our aitempis, and act according to them. 6And honnin.pimeni, thouiih theespectedand ' m^..
promised reward %h«»uld he l>">ni,' delaved ; for '*"' ■""•*
tliou %vell kn.m.st tl. n wust ["i fjuiu." '"'
fint labour, uiid wait u ,» irrow-
' ' "-^ ami moiillii,
'. . , produced by hi*
Utus ■'.
7 CoHsiJer the tiingsvhfch lfay%»mtittcTsi.,i •? w.i....u, ,i , . high iin|>ortJnce, in which tlwu art intiniaielv **^ ' *"** *** ' " C«mreriU d :!»«(/»;;■ • ' - ^/i «••• tU« ..i.^r, ..,,.,
uminslaudm^ in . .to
act Ml a luaiMur suitable lo iliC uuuutuojisihou lu:»t received.
IMPBOVtMLNT.
^u/r. ^-^ ^ "' •■•" '"■' '•^•"^rted to he itroufj m th^jzracf that is in Christ Jisus, and in humhie dependence upon it, K i u» j;o fonh cheerfully to our work and warfare iu Christians. This is a strcn^'th so great, and communicated with so rich a freedom, that ihc ChriMian vtintster, under lii> peculiar difti. ulties, will* lind it adtiftufr to them all. Let such particularly apply to thcm- mIvc* the ex!Hjrtaiion.> and consolations which are here given or 13 >uj,'ge.sled. I.el them strenuously retain the form of sound uoyds, vshich the inspired apostles |»ve ." I nith fatfh Q>,d W
•- /i/» /i IS in Christ Jcsiu. To thi> r , ofpiinupU; which a
due regard to tlus great and only sundani will teach them, let lithein aihl orthodocy of temper. And, as they d^•^ire that Christ tnai/ keep what thei/ profess to hai-e li. posited i. ///« A/m, Ut thnn laiiiifully ketp x.tiat he has lodged in their hands. And mav the
y/o/y
f tl._
■ tlLrlikt
.... ., . ' .■ •• i"icc». Urt
J""'" •'" *• f *»* «•« Meb. VIII. 4.:utl«r»f. ,im/.
> nwv tar «/.'<■•. fn.'#r
Timothy is exhorted to rcjnemhcr Christ. n
Holy Spirit dztell in them, to make them faithful in all, and di- s':?^ recttheni in their efforts to defend the gospel, to spread its in-- "' , fluence on the hearts of men, and transmit it from one genera- ^:!"!:. tion to another ; lodging it with faithful vien, ivho may tcacli "" ^* ' others, when their teachers and fathers in Christ rest from their labours. Such a succession may God continue in his churches ; and may he prosper the work of those who are em- ployed in humble and faithful attempts to promote so good a cause, by forming for this important charge those who, like Timothy, have early known the scripture, and felt its power on their hearts.
Let such as are setting out in this holy -warfare remember the caution whicli the apostle gives. INlay they not unnecessarily en- cumber theyn selves with secular cares, which would render them^ less fit to please the great General under whose banner they are inlisted. Let them strive lawfully, if they hope for the crown, and cultivating the ground with diligence, let them wait with pa- tience, if they desire at length to reap that blessed harvest. Nor let that general fl/jo^if^c^/ from the power of religion, which is the shame of the present da}', deter them; but rather let it whet their pious zeal to own, with more strenuous attachment, the cause of Christ and of his faithful servants. And when they have done all may they ever retain an humble sense of their dependence on the Divine mercy : and the Lord grant to us all, ministers and people that we may find it in that great day !
SECT. IIL
Paul further animates Timothy to fidelity, by laying open the mo- tives and hopes which supported him under tlie difficulties he bore in the defence of the gospel ; interspersing several addresses relating to tli at purity, prudence, and meekness, with which he should endeavour to conduct himself in the ministry. 2 Tim II. 8— 18.
2 Tim. II. 8. O TlMOTRV Tf 9
J^EMEMBER that ll.MUrn\ JI. b.
Jesus Chris' the seed of Davi
, . ^ - llMUIHYJl. S.
list, of 'Y^ animate thee, O Timothy, to all the la- sfct.- lid, was "■- hours and all the sufferings of the Christian} "'• -• saised from ^h^e^jiead and ministerial Mq, remember Jrms Christ, the 7^ promised Messiah o/'^/?t'.^c'er/(i/"/Jrtr'/G', the great mi Apostle and High-Priest of our profession, who, after having spent and laid down his life in the prosecution of his great work, was raised from the dead', and at length exalted to the "right
haud
■ARememher Christ uho ti-as raised frsm mmhcr that he aai raked-, as if he had ttie dtaa.} Our .tranJators reader it, lie- said, Adhere to this as the great founda.
tioa
18
Those xiho suft r -with Christ shall reign -wi/h him.
",7' ''^'*'' "^ ^"^"'' ^''<*''^ ^" roccivr tlio reward t)f nil
" '•"* lal)()iirs and MitVrrirjgs, iitionlin;; folUv it-nor ?Tim. of Viy ffflsprly whjch, as tliou well knowtst, I IL y. fvery where preach and attest. Jn the ser- vice ofvhich^ I suffer rt//, -{rvrw] to bonds . the chief mapstrates of my country Remenriiif* me to eonlinement, after the many uisidn whirli have heen offered me by ihedrej;s of the people, </*if I were a maUj actor worthy of some hea< y ptmishmeni : but my ^;reai comfort i», iliai the Zi'ortl of (iod u not bound. I rejoice, that n«any of my brethren arc ut hlieriy to preach it pub- licly, and am tlianlful for every opportunity of bearinjj my testimony loM>}»oo<l'a caune, in such « |)rivnte manner a* my present circumstancc^ri Jiiay admit; well knowing;, lli.it God ean bitsi even the!»e limited attempts to what de^^ree he !.hall in bisi infinite wisdom ^ec fiL (( omparc
lol'lul. i. r_».) On this aco'Unt, /cbeirfuJly rw- dure alt lUoAc things^ and wrlwU'ter cUe TroTi- dencemay VL[t\^\u\Jor t he sake of' the elnt; that the pmcioiis pur|MiNe»of G.kI for their h.ippiiu»s may be etfecied, and /^/-y may obtain that eom- pleic sahitfton trfinh is in ^Christ Jnus, and which shall be attended 'u ifh eternal, as well a» illustrious aiul exalted, ftory.
11 [///«] ajaithful u.»d which I have often insisted up.n, and it nhall undoubtedly be veri- fied; that If ue have the rewdiition to die uith him, even with that blessed Sax tour, accord iii.^r tothe . ' ' . „f „ur 1. x„«, -u; Jui?t
*''*•' /'• '. '» «ba! uijj liappituss
JSwhirjjhc italh prepared lur ail liis pronlr. // ue iwtienilv endure our part in his atlliciions, ve shall also share his triumph, and reign vilh him in his celestial kingdom. But on the other band, if ve are iniimi<lated with these transitorv evils, so as to dcM-rt hu cause, and deny [hiin\
be lore
acrunlini to mj |o»-
9 Wherein I •uffrr Iruubic n\ an r\ il A,^f, r\rn untn bund> ; but
10 Tlier^ffr* ? m
dorr all liiiii|i> for lltt elr.t", »..kr, 11.41 Oiry
Inty a|*o itOiAin titr kjttaliuu •lilt b •• IB (lirut .tr»u»,«ittj tUr- bal aiorjr.
II /. M a 1t<\fi:% wxinjt. Fur II »f lif (Irad Biih 4<Mi,*r thai! alMilive villi ktmi
1." If mr ^nffrr, «• thall uliu r« i;u •>iS
tioo of the jw|H-|. not tho.irb lhi« b« uoJoubieHIr true, n*e 0f^,tir', iWacht •Clin* raUtrr inurchtrlv ; rriiM-mHer Unm • ho man tliu* raiv d fn.m «Si Uead, mo4 that vill be in%trad vf a thai;»jiHl arju. mtiit, to l>c«r 11M.C tb»ou,h jU thv diffi. cultjca.
b /■ the Mnrice of ttiuA.] Dr. Ulutby has abcvn, in hi« ficfe on tbu riawe, that i> * •ometitnet »ii;uifi(» ta uJutk tamic, or
/(■^r Ac ,J,t of tcHirk.
c ti ,1 a faitkful won/.] Sime rt-fer tbu U tbc concluUiDg (hutt of ibe fonner
*rr»« ; but ittrrm^mucli ni«tre r*^ , r.j , r to coonect it aitli •hat JolLiw.. j., . . • . . rally aprakiit;;. tin. f,Htatf i» ,ntu.i„i -y U« lb€ aci;:!!!) •eiitiucc it \% intended to ronnrni. >-o 1 lim. i. )i: ir. 9, «. Tboujh Til. III. S. M.emi an csctrpuon. Dr. Iiitt^vm ihiakt thu mu% • trUhaltti Mfi^C among C'lirittiani, •Kiel. «a« eitbt-r denied by tradition from ( hritt or •'imc of the afxutlri, and it bid »« puvrrful a Irndencj- to kc»|i ibetn tirady to their re* lifion, that It 1% DO aondi-r it aa* in fr«- qttCatoae. JUU.Vvi II. p. rj, nC
iff
TimotJiij is exhorted to be faiUiful a7ut prihknt in his work.. 19
h'm: if «'fe dciiv l,im, he *ill als() deny us :
If. Itvve Ixliovc iiot> yet Ik- ;)l>i(!«lli faUlit'iil : \u'. iMiiiiot deny !iiih- scif.
put ih(jm in remi'tn- braiice, clnr^mtc them »)el()C(' tiii; Lord that they strive not ahoiit winds, to no profit, ,6//< to the siil)\erliiiy; of
13 Study to slieW thyself jipproved iitito God; a wofktHail that iicedeth iicjt to bo ashamed, rightly di- viding: the woid of trutli.
before men, he xcill also, as lie liflth eNprossly scct. threatened, dcmj us in tlie great day, 1:)efore Ins
Fatiicr arid his lioly angels. If lee are unjaith- •> 'rim. JiU^^y and t"a!se to our engnglunents, he abideth n. 1j. jYiithful, and will steadily adhere to tliose inilcs of judgment and dlsiributiDn whieli lie hath so soleniulv laid down in his word (compare Mat. 1i. 2.'i): for we may be sure he ca/inot dent/ him- self, by frustraling his own public declaration. It becomes us therefore to weigh the tenor of them with all seriousness, and humbly to acqui- esce in his terms, since it is impossible \\c should be brou2:ht to chano^ them in favour of ours.
Remind [^thcm'\ qt these things, as thou art en- 14- gaged to sacrihce eterv other view to the great prospect of approving tliy fidelity to such a i\Ias- ter. And for this purjiose, testijy, as before the Lord, and as in his presence % to those over tvhom thoii art called to preside, that men do ?iot contend nud qmvve\ about words, an evil to [a"/t/t7/] they ai'e so obnoxious : for such a con- tention [is] a/together unprof table [and even, tends]to the subversion of the heai'ers, taking off their attention frorh true religion, and filling their minds witli pride and passion, and num- berless other disorder^ and vices.
Diligently endeavour, whenever thou comestlS to pirsent thyself befo)-e God, in any of the duties of ihine office, that, whatever men may judge of thee and thy services, thou mayest be approv- ed hy him as a workman who hatli no cause to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth ^, dis-
tfibtrtinir
tl If ae arc vnfa':tUfuJ.'\ So { think ji «7r,;«|U!v slioiild be, rendered, as it stands Oj^po^ed to ^.;^, and so the nunh will farther imply, that whatever we Jose by our unf'aithfutrtess, in wliaiever degree it aippears,' it is" iioafgunient of any uiifa'ith- fulness hi him; as bis promises afc made to faithful sefvahts', arid tliir wai'ninn is given to persons of a diller^nt chafacter.
e Testify as bifore tlie Lord, and as in hs presertce.] 'i'nere is a most avtful so- lemnity in this charge which plainly shews ihe gfep.t folly and mischief of striving febout little cunliuiirsies ; and I pray God to affect the heart of his mlnislfis with A defcpef sense of Uiis, before the interests <)f vital relia;ion among iis be utterly un- done by our severe eontentions ; or, as the excellent Arehbishcp Leighton expresses
Vol. v. B
it ini his livety manner, " What we profess to hold so snried, he itself torn in nieces, while we are strnggling' about its/;7«^'<?5," f Righllij dividing tlie iivid of truth.) ()a9'j}ojjiu\lu. tol "Koyri T)i; reX*i9:iref. .Some think here is an allusion to what the JetO' ish priest or I.evile did in diysccting the victim,' and separating the parts in a pro- per mannei''; as some were to be laid ou God's aliar^ and others to be given to those who wei^e to share in the sacrifice. Others think it refers to guiding a /j/owg/t aright, irt order to divide the clods in the most proptr and cfi'ectual manner, and make straight furrows. But, perhaps, the metaphor may be taken from the distribu- tion liiiide by a stezcard, in delivering out to eaeh person under his care such things as his office and their necessities required. g .■hserltny.
20
litjlections on the importanci of ronnnlxrin^ Christ.
•■rr. iii.
'2 Tini 11. 16
tributinp with prudrnre, as « ell as fidelity, to each his propor sharr. fin/ avoidy and stand at u distance from, those prot\jne aud empty dr- clainadons, with whi< h some who atVect to he thouj^ht i)f importance in the Christian chnreh are reaily to amu>e themselves : for thoni;h the evil ol soujc of tiu'in mav not immedi.iirlv ap- pear, and they mav sii-m tnlhng rather than mischievuiis, tUcy vilf at len^;th odvatue unto viore iinpu'ty , and when Satan lias prevailed upon men once to quit the ^i^hl way, he will be continually ^ainini; greater ad\un:age:( over
7 tluin. ^hid llitir diMom >t u ill nit like a gnu- gi'ine, spreading itself farther and farther, till the whole hody is iufcctcd, aiul e\en destroyed by it. Sui h teachers there are now in the cliuith ; n/ u/i/e/j [nutiilHr] in particular are
8 Ilymtiuus and PhtUlUi^ Who haxe cried villi rtsptct to thr ti nth, so ai i«i be wide of the mark. For they luve, by their ulle^onca! in- terpretation^, explained awav one of the most fiindaiuenial lUx-trmet of «»ur rv i^ii»n, asfcrtiug that the re<Hrrtttivu, of which it no largely speako, consi%is only in a convepiion from vice to virtue, and eoiiKC(|nenily is already postt, with rej,nird to all true Chrisliaiift ; and so lliey iulnxrt the t'ailh of some, who are Icwk establish- ed in the doctrines of tli< 'and endanger their salvation. Itwdl- ■ become thee, amidst all the cand.uir ui,u U I luve m> often in- culcated, to guard against such tenets, and the authors of them.
16 But »hun profane ■ntl \ain litfMiiigt, l<>r tlicy Aili iiurrata uuio Worv un^utiliuoM.
IT .^nd thoir vAfl «.ll <4t di. d.>lb« rui|. krr : i>f kli.im i> || y.
ll.'' iiuih h«»c riiril, *x\ IKK Ui«l x\w rrtur- II •-lion It piki nl- l> Illy , aii<l CM • rtli|u«
IMPROVIMFNT.
T/iERK is not perhaps a single precept in the whole saerrtl volume, which would be more extensively useful to ministern, or to private Christians, tl.an this of the apostle, uken in all its extent. Hevieuilur Jesus C/iruf. Many a sweet nu niorial hath he left us of himself. Often, verv often, have we been tailed so-
lemnlv
V.
to Uu- trxl, wa* in tn«- /ti, ••jo\*
called »/roM. And ii|H,ii i>rin-
iiplc, a rfi.m-ry lo a rirtuou* ».ui,j»f and tctnp<r iiii-ht t)* called a kind of rrtur- TKlKti fruEU ihc dtad. But Doltuos can Dit. Lc^. Vol. 1. p. -iX).
bf nu>rr t»n)' nt th.-«n Ihjt t';in • i» Uy iio inrani UiC murtfrltul *\ili\i < liri>'.i.iolty (aught. Yet, at (licrv i« tioMnn-K' too ab- surd fur tunic wbo pndc tlicnivlret in Ihrir philo*upliy to briicvr, tliii fu<>luii re6iirin<-iit found il*fullu«rri anion(M>ni«: prrtrnded Chri«liant of tbix »taai|>. M arh.
Reflect ityns on the importance of remembering Christ. 21
lemnly to survey them, and yet how ready are we to forget him, sect.
and by a natural consequence to forget ourselves, our duty and —
interest on the one hand, and our danger on the otlier! "Blessed Jesus ! may we daily and hourly remember thee ! that thou hast died, that thou art raised from the dead, and that thou art ever iiearthv people, to protect, to comfort, and to bless them. If, for thy cause, we should he called to suffer evil, as evil doers, whether in our persons, or reputations, may we not be discouraged, but rather rejoice in the honour thou doest us in appointing for us such a conformity to thyself! The enemies of thy gospel may in- deed oppose it, they may bind its most faithful preachers, but their opposition, their persecution, is vain.'''' The zvord of God is not bound ; and Divine grace, operating by it, will sooner or later give it the intended, the promised triumph ; that his elect mai/ obtain salvation bj/ Jesus Christ, and may n^t onl}- escape the condemnation and ruin oT the impenitent world, but may finally be crowned with eternal glori/.
May we ever be mindful of tins faithful word, that if we suffer ^^t 1^> with Christ zve shall reign with him too ; and may we endure the greatest hardships to which we can be called out, as considering that our sufferings are momentary, but o\xx reign will ha eternal. \Z '^ Never may we, for any allurement or terror, deny him, as we would not finally be denied by him ; when no other honour will remain but that which he confers, no other happiness but that which he bestows.
In the mean time, as we desire the prosperity of his kingdom, 14, let us earnestly pray that he will raise up to his church a multitude of faithful ministers, who may govern themselves by these truly apostolical canons ; ministers who may not contend about words in a manner unprofitable and vain, who may not amuse their hearers with empty harangues about insignificant curiosities or perplexing subtilties ; but may, in the integrity of their hearts, endeavour to approve themselves to God, as workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. And may divine grace preserve , t the church from those seducing teachers, whose doctrine, like a se- cxet gangrene, mightspread itself to the destruction of the body, 17 is, so that the faith of many might be overthrown.
B 2 SECT.
22
Christians are Misled to depart from ini^uifj/*
SKCT \V.
The Jposlh urs^rs the ncccssi'}/ of holiness in all Christians, hit especially/ in ministers; and ot nitekytes^ in their tndtoxours to recover sin)irrs from thr niiscrahfr condition into uhich ihij/ were fallen. 2 Tim. II. 19, to the end.
2 Timothy II. I"*.
^\v y^ onlcr to cxrilo thof, O Timothy, to con-
^ tend eariicslly for the prcat dnctrlnrs ot' ihe
2 Tim. j^ spi'l, 1 have takfn Ji'iiKC tif il>e manner in
"• '^* \»hich !«»mo iiave rrrt)hi'(l iVtun thi-in. And it is MiatUT of inoiinirnl rrlh< ii«in, that thrrc shoiiM hf such insiaiiit s of aixiNtaty in lhi^ tarly age of the church. StxirlhcUss, we recollect with |*leasiire that, whali'ver defections there may he in pariicnlar |»eiN<»ns, the crcat founda- tion Stone, which tlie nicrcv and laitlifnlnrss «/' i/ou has laiil for the ^n|i|}ort and coinfi)rt of hi« people, staiidcth turn i\\m\ stcdfasl, Arf:/»ir,aH it uj-ri', this douhfe seal or i»5«///>/*<»;i *; on the one hand, J'lic I.ord knvjcth ihrtn that arc hii f*u'n, and ius he .surely di.siinguinheti them in e\ cry circumstance, !io he bears u su-ady and constant fa\our to them, nor can any alienate ihcm from liis pracitius rejninU ; ami, on ihc oilnr side, Jjctcxcry one tliat nanirth the name of Christ, tverv one tl»at profe-^ni-s his religion, and pre- tends the least rc'^ard to him, dt part from ini- quity, let him stand oil, and keep at the grc'.ilest distance from every knxl and degree ol immo^ ' "fhhty, from every appearance and occasiun of •Qsin. But, thou;^li our ohligutions lo xucli a con- duct be so many and so i^reat, we cannot flat- ter ourailves that aJl pr 'fcssioL; Christians wdl be sensible of then). /«■/• in a ^ rent hnuie thrrc arc iCisclSf not only q/'gvld and silver^ but also of
wood
OTiM. II. 10. >^ f>«»tMii rM, th«
fuiintlali' n of OimI iiaiiOrili turf, having Out kr jl, rU* t. •t4. kiiuviiti (lirni that %r* hit. .\ii>l, l.< t «»riT oil* Uint iiainrth the itjinr of ( lui«t ilr|tarl from iiii(|uit)-.
W T'>ut in n freat liutm- tlicir arr imt «>ii* ly M %*r\% itf giild , aii<l of tiKtr, bul «l>o uf
* Iiitcripiiiiii.'] Many criticahaTe jiulljr obst-rvrcl, th.ii the word <r^;<iyi.- oftrn %ig. nifictau iniertpuon, or tho tnark inadr A» « tral, »« "fll .-It the tral il*< If. Ac H-r. ix. -V. .\ii(l the cipresiioii \s heir UM->t with pociiliar propnety, in ailutiuo to Ihr Custom of rnjr.rnfjr upon tome ttuif* l.iid in Ihr fouD'tatiuu of buildin;;s the n^nin uf the prrti nt hy whom, and the fiuipmet for which, tl'« structure i< rats'!*]. And no- thing can have a gicaitr lcoJc«<'y lo cu-
couraTC tlie hope, and at th« ttmr time to cnnaKe tbc ub<*«li<-itce ol ('ltn>t iii>, than thi» Jfu^e in«rripti<in. IH. \^'*<iXby
•«!•, ■■ • ' . . ■' I ^ ' ■'. t\r0i
Ih'.' • nee
to 1 1 , , , , ' ■ . . ifut
U-arhTt, ami Uiatit jllu<t<-, to .Smnb. xvi. 5, Sfpiuiqi. Tnat to kiuu •tiun tignifir* to T't;nid tcilh /avtmi, ut veil at to ditlm* CM th, hath been thcfD clt«*bcie. Kom.
b {^aabo«H,
wood, and of earth , and some to honour: and some lo dishonour.
Timothi/ is warned to fiee youthful lusts. 23
xeood and claij, the former being intendedyor s^^t. honourable^ the other for meaner and dishonoura-
21 If a man there- fore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto ho- nour, sanctifu:d and meet for the mister's use, and prepared unto every gogd work.
02 Flee also youth- ful lusts : but follow fighteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord cjut of a pure ]9carU
^ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing- that they do gender strifes.
fi4 And the servant
of the Lord must not
Strive ; but be gentle
unto
ble uses : and accordingly there will be, in the 2 Tim. church of God, persons of different characters, !!• '-^P. who will meet with very different treatment. If therefore any one cleanse himself from these, if 21 he be careful to avoid the society of persons who have revolted from true religion, and made themselves instruments of impurity and iniquity, heshallhe a vessel of honour, sanctified and usejul to the immediate and personal service of his great Lord and Master ; and such an one will be constantly ready, as the nobler vessels of a house, to every good work, which will be the surest test of our real goodness. But flee from all occa-22' sions of exciting or gratifying the passions of youth , whether, on the one hand, the love of sensual pleasure, or, on the other, rashness, con- tention, pride, and vain-glory '', to which young persons are peculiarly obnoxious : for these will render thee unfit for the honour of bein"- used by the Lord for the purposes of his glory and the edification of his church, ^-Ind therefore, instead of making provision for these, pursue, with the greatest ardour and intenseness of mind, righteousness and fidelity, love and peace ; cultivate an upright, benevolent, can- did temper toumrds all, and especially towards those that invoice the name of the Lord Jesus Christ out of a pure Iieart, so far as the con- duct can discover the inward temper. But 2% avoid foolish and imlearned questions, knowing that, how curious soever they appear, they only tend to beget strifes and contentions in the church, and I reckon it a most important part of the learning of a Christian minister to guard against such occasions of offence and mischief.
Let the bigotted Jews, and the vain-glorious 24 heathens, on each side, split into ever so many different sects and parties, and dispute as eager- ly about such things as they will ; but the servant of t lie Ltord, the Christian, and especially the minister, must not strive in an angry and hostile manner, but be iifiild and gentle towards all„
readyr
b Rashness, contention, &c.] These aire youthful passions, of the danger of which some heady young men, who may value themselves for their freedom fiom other scandals, seem to tliinJi l^ut little;
B3
yet it is plain, from the opposilionhetvieexi this and the latter part of the verse, they were particularly ia Paul's uiiad when he gave this cautiop.
24'
5ECT. IV.
■J Tun. II. .'.,.
Bf/lectioni on the captiti/y of the sinner.
J'cac^y to teach the ignorant, and instead of hurt- _in<; [dud] injiirinp anv, be willing; to endure nil from those who, instead ot" receiving his doctrine, repay his kindnes with ouirajje. Jn vicekness instructing opposers, if hi/ any means God may perhaps, in his own due lime, c«»nq»icr theirsavaj^e |)re|iidices,andi^iir /A<rr/i nptntance to the ackno-jflrd/jcvtent of the truth ; of which, through the riches of Divine grace, we sec son<e instances, c\ en w here there had been a U>ng and *Jirneterale struggle against it. .ind :»Miclyit will be worth while to try every method on su' h unhappy souls, (hat they may awaken and recover themselves out of the snare of the dtxii^ who have lain sleeping, and as it were intoxicat* ed ill it, having b^'eti taken by that tubtile fow. ler, and like a living prev, detained capiixe hy him at his cruel pUiisure^ while perha|)s they have been dreaming of hberiv and happiness, in the midst of the most shameful bondage and the cxiremest danger \
unto all men, a^Jt ta tc^ch, (Kitiint ;
?3 In mr^knrM in«
itriicliitj; thu>e tiiat opjxiir (Itrnitiltri ; if OimJ |Nrr<%>ltvntiirr «ill gitc llM-in rr|>riit«itre to the arknualcdifiug uf U»c truth.
'76 And that thry in»y TTfo*ar tht-m- M-Uct uut of the kDare of tiM- df-vil, «ho ar« l4keD raplivc by bim •I bit •llL
IMPROVF.MEKT.
^ er. How affecting a representation is here made of the wretched 2*5 slate of sinners! they are dekcribed as sUeptn^ in Satan's snare^ like birds in a net, taken a ive, ami at the fowler's mercy; while they imagine they can spring up whenever they plea*e, and range at full liberty. .Mas ! they will soon perceive their fatal captivity : but they will perceive it loo late, if Divmc grace do not tjuickly avaketi them. Who would not wi»h to do something fur their 2"> recovcPk' ' Let the ministers of the gospel pity them. Let i\* **pray that (jod, whose work it is, would giie them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth. Lei us try every gmtle method which the sincerest compassion can dictate toward effecting w> happy a design, and not suffer ourselves to be transported to un- due severities of language, or of sentiments, even though we should
receive
c 77i4/ Ihry mafreOKfr, &<•/] Ic ordtr to unrfcrilJiiid thit kmuii^nl tmaf, it it proper to obMrrr, that iho vord «mu%4«' oit prnprrly fi.:nilic>, to avoir Jrom « Jfrp ilerp, or from a fit ol im'onfalkim (see I-'ljt. Otti. Saf. in 'O: j, and icl'rra to an artilic-f ui fmet'-'t to »<.attrr »«»d» im- pre^iiatt'd with vjoie dru;:t ini<-iid>-d to l*v hird'. a-lei-p,t|j«i they mifsht draw ii»e iM-t over them •lUiilie grisatrr »*-curity. The in'crpretatiou ahit-h a lalt vrnirr has Qiveu wt ihrac «urd», who would
rendrrth^T, •"■ 'itrw tl'.x* Ay him,
that li, t^i• .unutar, /ur the pur-
putc» o( I ' ■ '," It »o unnatural,
that merrly iucuiii^«rr it with the former i* to confute It. ('I'afLit on Ong.Siii. p. \bi.) Nor ran any thinf he mnre cr»d»-nl- ly •runj.'ih.iii to loainlain that ^«y>i» nc« ce»»«rilv (.p-.i- - , !>Mrpo>r of prrtrrximp, whcrCAt r rt» tnkiHf « fnplitr,
• lUiout •' . whether it Ke for
aerritude or oe^tii. Compare 'i. Cbron. xxr. \1, Sc-ptuag.
In the last cIotjs perilous times shall come : 25
receive the greatest injuries where we intend the most important ^^."* kindness. .
Let those that have tlie honour to bear the most holi/ character, Ver. which any office can devolve on mortal man, avoid with the greatest care, every thing tliat would bring a staiii, or even a suspicion, 22 upon it. Let them revere the voice of the great apostle, while it animates him to pursue righteousness Siud/aith, love and peaccy zcith all their fellow-Christians of every denomination, with all that invoke Christ and that trust in him. So shall \\\cy he vessels 2\ of honour, so may they humbly hope that their Lord will conde- scend to make some special use of them, for the purposes of his own •'•lory, and salvation of their fellow-creatures.
To conclude, let ministers and people be daily reading, with all I9 possible c^re, this double inscription on t\\e foundation of God ; and while vye re'ioice in the one, let us be admonished by the other. For wha.t is it to us, that the Lord kno-cs, distinguishes, and favours his own, that his almighty power protects them, and that his infinite mercy will for ever save them, if we are ourselves found among the wicked, with whom he is angry eveiy day, among the workers of iniquity, whom he will publicly disown, and to whom he will say, I know not whence you are. To name the name of Christ with dispositions like these will be to injure and profane it; and our profession itself will be interpreted as an act of hostility against him, whom we have presumed so vainly to call the foundation of our hopes, and the Sovereign of om" souls.
SECT. V.
Paul cautions Timothy against that great declension and apostacy which -was to prevail in the Christian world, and against those false teachers who were rising tip in it; reminding him of the example he had seen in him, in the midst of such persecutions as were still to be expected. 2 Tim. IIL 1 — 13,
_ 2T.M. IIL 1 2 Timothy III. i.
nPHIS know also, — rp • .1 ,
* that in the last T ^ ^^ '"® '^0*'^ necessary thus to urge tjiee to ^^^r days perilous times every precaution, and every effort, which v.'
shall come. niay preserve the purity and honour of the Chris- '—
tian church, as, after all we can do for this pur- "lu'T pose, such sad scenes are to open in it. We are indeed acquainted with our duty, and we shall find ourown highest account in attending to it. But this know, O Timothy, that in the last days, under the evangelical dispensation, which is to wind up the economy of Providence, and is to remain in full force even to the end of the world,
difficult
111.
'2 I'nr iiirn tlutl hf luvcr« <•! tlirir «<»i^
('r», prund, liU>|ilic- ni< r*t (li*'>l>-'<ti< lit iq pin'iii-, i.iitnaiiklul^
' U'lU'u mat sltallsink into the utmost iliiicuer.tnj;
'1^- (Itjjicult times ami circiiinstanccs shall ariscy in __^\vl)icli it will 1)1- haul toili.Mliaigi-oiirronscnt'Ui-fs, oiiiii. and at tlir suiiu* tirm- iiiuintaiii onr safely. For men shall bd lovrrs of' t/u nuclirs % in llic moj»t ahsnrdanci cxct'ssive di-grec ; lovers of w nun/, so as to be impelled lotlic hasosi nraciiciN h\ lU^' ho|ns«>f ohtainiiij; it ; biuistcisiA what tlu-v iia\ «.-, anil proud prctendfi* to wiiat tlu-v liavf n«>i ; hlaspluuurs ot Ciod, and revdcrs ot tiii-ii ti-ijow- creatun s ; disobt-ilient f,i po rents, niii\Mili>iand- inj5 all the obligations they are under to tin ir care and tenderness; unthankjiil, and uiigratel'td Jo other benefattors; unholi/, ibon'rli the\ \nn- fess theni>el\isde\otrilu) (n)tl,anil « on^ ir-iit'tl 3 to his Ncrvice by the uio«.i .x)|enui rites: They will bv.ihsfi'ule ofnalnrul iijKclion,c\cn to their own chililrcn, as well a- ol' piety towarvl their parentN ; /»;;»/(/(V//j/f where enmities liiive been cuiumenred, an«l ireuhrrons in tli^Mf iniiltial u»u»ciii4i 4i< joixi. eiijraiiemenLs, when there has Iktuh a nrtteiict; of iuakin<4 iheai up;./i//jt" tieeusrrs^ \\\ whuli they will imitate that (iialtolieaj mah^niiy \vhieb renders the great enemy of mankind v» justly odu)Us ; i/itcinjKnite iii'their pleasures, Jtrrec in their resentments, cruel iti their rtv >C!l;;e; lUslltttlei'f oil I'lr fo^ooJnrxs, tl:.Mi-U it s«» naturally extorts a inbnieof vetieratioii .mj atlection from every human heart wineli i« imt sunk into the last ilej^eneniry. Tlioy will be tnii ^ tors to those that piare ilu '••rraieU conhdeiiec in them, sueli ba>c ttuiUn^ as i \eM to give up
llicir
:> WiiMOMt i>4tN- rjl kIT>-« iiiiii, iriict!. lircikiii, liilko a(- I iiv< t%, iiHuiiliiiriil,
4 Tr«itOr», l.Mi'I« ,
*^t<i .«, Xt ]
Dr. Whr.i . j . lo ibt-w
iblt lbe»f (4<.'<K.m rnvn- a|ipiir«blt- I** Ihi- Jiw« in Om- l«>t .! i\ . of ««-■ ;r - rriuw.
lo ru-
• ■■•■■- 4l«
coDit'iciice M It. .\:. „t,
here drawn, wen no . j ,„
Uirunl>cticrio? J>-«, , Oui, c»ii.fi«(iv con- ritkrinp, vcr. i— T, I rAtlxTrlm-' •« inUr- prtt tbc wordt a " ^,^^
only fxQlexi.d I . .J
to Icaift it. Am ; . (r,
my rvaijrn to (liat very i ,„.
ftfnious disscrUiioii of / , ,v.
StfC. lib. V. cap. •:). Ill wbi.u be altvmpU lo prove that Uirre wa. a gnat din ration in llie fact- of till- (tiri.tian rlnifcli U^. lir.rn «lir fill, of N. ro and Trajio, «ilbin winch period he apjin l.cii.J» »r.;:,i nuin'jtri of pr< fc!.4.irk »o have departed fr.nii tli.: aMiclmM of Clirisiiau morals, as wdl as
Ibr puniy (.r Uir. r* Uk 1 caauol he t«li^«
i;.-<j II. .1 I .1 . , ,,^|,
ri 111 I
froii. ,• ,|,
Icr, *H' r.> •uii«iiiviu{ ai Ik; liiiuk> tbriii,
»»r. |.a. «i. 1; ,ii. 10— I J: xlui. 1— i, \\*\- U; I. 10; M^ vii. 10; V^\.% 1; tl. I"', U; Ivii. ... K\ii. 4. Ili> arttti-
iiinii. I.. ... .(... \rw Tc.laiiii lit have laiu-h
P'' ■ ' •</. MaL «. 21, .'•.'; Xi^t.
^~ ' kx. -•f; I I till. iv. |_3j
I V*>. •>• iU, Ifi; «ith tilt rpivtir lo the Hebrew*, l\te Kcoiid of F'.ttr, and Ibat of Jiid.-: and I wondf r ht haili not add. U Ul" r'nurk^hU /. w lo tbt- < ..lalocuc
b Fmplotahlf and ticacb<-ruii«. ] Ilic wnni «ffsi.»>4 Cf-rtjiulv ialk^» in U-ii, i.ba», and tnay be appli.d to int-n, »li<> hIkii ..mc offriiHi-d, will rointr ini.i no tiai^ <>f rvcon- cili.itii.n, andalMi to <ii« ba» will uoi tbink tbtui»»|.f>« /m/*// by %u< b ti. -ttit •, wbrii th»'y III ly aii»wc-r any porp-ivo of tlicir o«ii \j\ Uic viulalion of tliciu.
c liuimtiQt*
Being corrupted in ihcir inirids, and resisting the truth : 27
jjiah-minded, lovers of their brethren into the hands of persecutors ; sect. '''*" heady and rash in enterprising tilings, which
fiicasiues more uvcis of (jocJ ;
can only issue in the disturbance of society, or -2 T\^\, the ruin of those that undertake them. In the *^l- ^ mean time, they will be puffed up nith such in- solence and self-sufficiency, as to despise any re- monstrance which can be made to bring thera to a wiser und more decent conduct; and, upon tlie whole, will prove lovers of' pleasure rafher than lovers of God ; who will therefore sacrifice all considerations of religion to the gratihcation, .s Having a form of of their appetites. And yet, in tlie midst ot 5 go<ii.>us.s, but dc-iiyinij .^\\ these cuormitics, thev will still profess them-
tlic [lower tliereotjtrom , /-u •,• 7 ■ " . y x- it
such tuni away. sclves Christians, having a J or ni of godliness,
iind observing with exactness the rituals and ex- ternals of religion, l)i'J at the same time denij' ing and opposing ^//t' pozi'ey of it in their lives, and demonstrating that it has no real inlUience upon them. From such therefore, even froui all in whom thou discernest a temper like tluit uliich I have here discribed, turn away ; avoid all intimacy with them, lest they should avail themselves of the friendship to which thou mightest admit them, as an advantage for doing further mischief; let it therefore evidently ap- pear, that thou givest them no countenance. 6 For of this, sort are ^I'liis temper, as 1 have intimated before, hasG
tiiey which creep into bcguu to appear in many of our contemporaries,
hoiiiies, uiid lead cap. 1:^ 1 ■ 1 r 1 aI ^l ^ \ • 1
^ivc silly wqmau lad'q <?/ ^^^\'^>^''''' L'^"'"''^''" «''^' tiiose artful dcceivers, -xlia . with sins, led way insiniM fc tlionsclves" uito houscSy u ud nve cspe- with divers lusts ; ciallv successful in their attempt to captivate in-
con.stderahle women, of low rank, aud mean un- derstandings, jet easily iutUuned with passionate zeal; being indeed, whatever pretences they may make to sanctit}-, laden, 'with sins, and led aside bj/ various lusts, which these seducers know how to flatter in such a manner as to make 'r F;verlearr.in.z-,nnd them their own property. These foolish crea- 7 never able to. conie to turcs are ul'ways learning, they pretend to hear jhe kuonledge of th? ^yj([j (r,-cat ea<ierncss, and are charmed with truth. -^ » /• 1 I , • / :
every appearance or novelty and rervour; nut
they are tossed about with every gale of doctrine and never able to cotneto the aclr)iow/edgnie}if of the truth^ or to attain any tixed and, steady prin- ciples
c Iiisinuale themxehes, &c.] This cl-a- carried it with an \i\'i\\ hand, and \vnul(^ ractfr, as «■<• hmti-d ;.b6"'e, seems rather scorn to think of iruiiching to tlic lenders to suit tliiafTected and seducing Christian of so contemptible a sect as they called teachers than niUdel Jews, who no doubt that t/f the N'azai-eiies.
4 Jannat
and Jjriilire* »itli«l<it><l Mi>tv», ••■ ilu tlirte 111- ko rr*i«l llir triilli i nii-n uf corrupt iniiiit*, rt-|irt>bmtr cuiufiiuug Utc fjiUi.
23 ^.'^/ Timothy knrx PauVs d^trinr, contlucf, ami sufTcnngs.
mtcr. ciples. j4n(l these desig^ning u retclies, of wIkhh
]' 1 have been speaking, seize on such as their pro-
«Thc«s. per prey, ami just as Jtinnfs (itid Javil'irs'', the Jll. 8. Kiryptiiin magicians, withstood Mrses when he came to Pharoah with a n>e>sa<^e fn>m (»od, so do these men also withstuud the trufh ot the g«»s- pel. I speak v( persiVts rchosr minds arc utterly cnrruptedy-j.'ho'.iith rcsput to the faith art dix- appmrdf^ud worthy of heing rejected as ene- mies to it, and nnworthy to know it, thonj^h ^ they pretend so much zeal in its defeme. /tut 1 foresee, that thcij stialt not procttd much fur- ther' ii\ these artiticcK, for their folli/ shall f'r inanifrsted to all, as theirs alsowiis, wh«'Ti (iod sent upon the Kgyptians pUiguts, which far from heint» ahle to remove, or mitiijate, thi'V couKl not, as in former in>tances, so much as imitate.
But thou hast eractly tract d, and heen aeni- ^^rately accjnainted with t;jr/rft»r//v/jr*, and my con- x'crsa f ion ytUc steadiness of niv ain», purpo.\e,nvi\ resolution in the cause »'f (rod ; that linn and miifiirm fidrljff/ \\\\\c\\ I h:ni-al«avs stri-nunnsly maintained, without yiehljng up atty the lca«.t article of it ; my tong-sufferinc, « hen I Iwd been treated \n the most injurious manner ; my /"xy to all, however difl"«Tent in opinion, not except- ing even mine enemies and perM-eutors ; and *' my patience nntler such pres>ini; truils. Parti- cularly under the persecutions [and] suffer in i;s •which betel vte in the Pisidian .Jntiinh, Acts xiii. 45. in /eonium (xiv. 2) in Lystra (\\\\ |y) where thou ha.st not oidy lieani, iiut ^cvu^what persecutions I endured : but the /jord JesuH. I'Jwhom I serve, wa.s stdl nith me. und riscued me out of them all. J'ea, and all u ho are resolutelv drterwiatd upon it, that flieif will live ffodh/ in Christ Jeius'y that ihev will coiidut i theuiselves
«>nut«b<y <*i.illp-<f rrcil n.> liirthrr ; for tlii-ir fully »Uallb«ui4- nift*l itiilo all mrm, 4< Uicir* altu wa».
lOTlMtllioiiliatI fill* l> kuoon my <luclnii>*, iiiaiiiirr uf life, ptir- \p>'*4 , lailh, long-tul- (i:riii<, rLafil), |>«- licuor,
II rrr»e<'UlioDi, af- fltrtiuf* abicli i-atnn u«i'i> uic ••( AnUw\Jj, at IcoiiKiiii ai I.) tt(a ,
• hat |trrMKuUuna 1 rndiirril ; hiii uiii >•( Un III all (lie Ia>iiJ J< Ii- «i.ri d mr.
11 V<*9, and .ill lluC
• ill lite gu.ll) in
d Jonnnft nn<f J<.mbrri ] II i« retniirk- «!>lr- ili.1t ihc furmfr of thr«c i* ^l^nliotl- cii to-.:i thrr • iili M..m «, |i\ /'/ray, ami l>ot'i €»f lb«-m by Niint<*iiiii» the piiilutupber, ^tiott-d in F.m$rbiut, as nlcbratcd in4|CI- Clan*. Ste Hm. Sat. Hi,l. lib. 30, c.-»p. i. .iiul /'.utrb. \tb 9, cap S. It i» uf n-i iui- |»»riaii(-r to t'Dqiiirr, by •hnt Iradiliuo iIm ir iiauH-» caiiiK du«u tu Mt duiaut an •ge
c SJioH n-tt hrocftil miKh farlhft.] TraO't- latiDjc II tliii«, will ♦•.«»ilv rr«-oncile tlii« • lib nb.it i> ]tl(c-r«.-»rd> said uf tbcir^rMc-
w; »nrt^ mmd
ex,.
•rr. 19. aitd of ibeir
: • u.d
p«i5 .. , '..-. , -.; . ..: ~.;i.jily
■ ppejrrd ; Dial, <>| oiIht* ahii •air ama to ante. Rut tli<.ri< %erini li<it Ux- lra«l need of liaiinR rrr-iiurxr to aucb a »<>liilion.
i t.Kr i,mllii im CJhiU Jtbvm, &(.-.) Thia, a» I>r. I.».in» i ' MiuiL-thiii:: /./ .
e>erci»< d by Ci.) . ,
to thr r«-%f-laluin uf ( hri>t, atiimatrd by
bis eiamplc, dcpvudcul vu bi« .Spirit for
Mfiitaoce
Reflections on the degeneracy of the last days. 29
Christ Jesus shall suf- by the Strict mles of piety, whicli he has pre- sect. fer persecution. scribed, not turning aside to the right hand or ^'
the left, shall suffer persecution^ or opposition of 2 Tim.
one kind or another; for Christ has decreed to HI 12.
lead all his people to glory, through a variety of isButeviimcnand difficulties and hardships. But wicked inen^"^ seducers shall wax Qyid i)upostors, bv whatever artifices they may worse and worse, ce- ^Qf.\\x\e persecution, are in a yet more wretched
reiving, and being de- <■ "^ i i /-. i •'^ • i
ceived. State ; tor they provoke Ood to give them up to
the lusts of their own heart, and so xvill grow continually wor^^aw^ aor^^, more obstinate in their opposition to the gospel and its faithful ministers ; deceiving others indeed by false and treacherous pretences, but being themselves much more fatally deceived by their own cor- ruptions, which delude them with the visionary hope of some temporal advantage, while they are plunging into irrecoverable and everlasting ruin.
Improvement.
Must we not, on the survey of this scripture, in comparison Ver. 1. with what we every day behold in life, cry out, " Verily these are the last days ?" They are assuredly times of difficulty a?id2, 3 periL Self-love, pride, ingratitude, treachery, intemperance, inso- lence, and contempt of all authority, human and divine, each, all 4 of these characters may too plainly declare it. But none with more striking evidence than the excessive love of pleasure, on which so many are doting to destruction, while every considera- tion, both of religion and of prudence, falls at the shrine of this favourite idol. Men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, more than lovers of their fumilies, yea, though self-interest be in many instances so scandalously pursued, yet more than lovers of themselves ; and when they have sacrificed every thing else to their gaiii, they sacrifice even that gain to luxury. And would to God there was none such, even among those that re- _ tain the form of Godliness, which so many indeed have scornfully cast off ! But O ! how vain the form, where the power of it is thus denied! And how peculiarly scandalous are these charac- ters in those who call themselves teachers of religion ! Yet to such they are here originally applied ; and their race is not yel extinct* Blessed
assistance, and his atonement for accept- liness, ought to dwell much upon. See ance with God. Important topics, which Evans''s Christian Tcvi^cr, Vol. I. p, 192. all who desire to obtain and promote gorf- a From
3^ Titn.<thf^/rom a child hftd knoztu the seripfures.
•• ' BU'SM?tl be God, there are those yet remaining uho arc iho
. hapj>y reverse of these; ministers, who can a|»pi*al to the con:ici-
Vcr. enc'cs of men, a-s to their t/oi/riwr, their convrrstition, their rr5o-
*o/h//(»/j, their /ft/«///y, their ^<vir/^/it'jrj, ihcir fA</r/>v, and their pa^
^^ (uncc. Huppy are they, how ill soever they may be treated m the world. Happy would they he, lhi)n;^h exposed to 4II the terrors of pcrsccuiii'H which the tiposlUs and their hr!»l follov,i»rs endureii ! But we are all warne i to prcpjrt Jor some drgree of it ; aiid in-
i.>d«9ed who can wonder, if amidht so nianv evils, they who will not g'> on with the multitnde should sometimes he rudely pres- sed I >v thiMn ; and it may he in some in;»tancrs, cast down and trantpU'd under foot. But be it so ; //to/i^A cast liit'wn, they shall
l^no/he cUitroyed. (2 Cor. iv. 9.) A little time wdl balance all. An Ikiar of eternity will more than balance it. Let us pnard a^ninst the dcciiti by which m many .suiVer. Let us guanl, alx>vc Jill, agauist those deceit* which men practise upon (/u-nis elves, and whereby they hurt iliemseUes inhniicly more than all their fraud or violence can hurl any, who are not accessary to their own ua- dutng. '
SECT. VL
To ffUiird Timslhj/ a:^ai»st those educing teaehers, and to present tht e/iui'ch/rom tluir e^il injiuence^ Paul rccommemh fii Mm the sfnili/ of (hf sctuptures, and f^ nut diligence in all t/ie purls of his ViiHiiteiiul work i rcjLclin^ with pleasure on his oxvn jidehtij in, the Htarest virus «y' uutrtj/rdoiu /or the truth. '2 Tun. III. 14, to the etui, IV. I — 8,
illlU
I
2 TiMOTiiv in. 1 \. «Tiv rrr 14.
II \\V. menuoned the ca^e of these wretch- BV;.;;:''::;. J,!';;
cd men, who ^rnw worse and w«>r>e, decnv - ii„,u i.ait i..ini..i,4nd
ii'i""! in" others, and themselves moM of all. lint *>'•• '•««" ■••■"•i «',
that th->u, O 'I-imoiliy, mayest ertVctiially avoid t;;;'::;.!^^'^:;'-'"'* them, eontinue thotiy siedfast in the things which thou hast learnt from me, and hail lulu-ved u|K>n tlie authority of Goil speaLin^ in and by me ; k'urj; ins front wh>ni thou liu.it tonut [thcui] and \khul convincin;^ proofs I have ;;ivcn thee, both of luy general integruy, and of that exiraor-
^^dinary inspimiion by wliich I teach. ./nd >^ .^ni •^'it fr^-m
Lnowmr a!v;, ///</Mbe oracles of the Old Tes- • ^'"'•* •*'<»« ^-^
tamont tontKin the system of doctrines which I ,„r^.,^ ,.,,„j, „« a^io
liavi- taught; of vvlueli thou must be v«"rv sensi- to make ihc«- •<»« ■».
hichcLixixne/rom thine injancu' Ihouhast known '^ **i*auou, thT»ogh
the ^^
ft F'om thine infannf.'l Fleocc it ap- u««fiilW»on» from I'T^j^/i/rr. mj that thry
fisn iii»\. UuU eUildfcm nay le«ra tome ougbi u> be e«rly luttiAtvd uito Uic »tu<iir
Paul charges Timothy to preich the xtoY^,
rx
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profita- ble for doctrine, for reproofjfor correction, for instruction in righ- teousness !
1 7 That the man of God may be perfect, thorouj;hly furnished unto all sood work*
IV. 1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the I,i>r<l Jesiis (."lirist, who shall jiidye tiie quick and the dead at
*ECT.
vi.
the sacred scripfurcsj in which the grand leafh- ing of our Jewish nation consists^ and xohich are _ indeed most worthy of being studied by fill, as 2 Tin*, they are able to ma fee thee, and all that faithful- ^^^ *^* ly admit and follow their guidance, wise itnto eternal salvation ; a science infinitely nobler and more important than human literature in its greatest refinements can pretend to teach, arid which is to be learned only through that faith Zi-hieh is in Christ Jesus. For the whok- scrip- iq twe, received by the Jewish church, [is] di- vinely inspired **, and therefore, as may well be imagined, is profitable to the highest purposes- It is fittedybr doctrine, as it lays down the most fundamental principles of religion, in the view it gives us of the Divine nature and perfectinns, andybr conviction of those opposite errors, whicli the licentious and perverse wit r.f man has in- vented in so great abundance, and set off witli so many plausible arguments. It is also useful for the reproof of irregularities in practice, which how speciously soever they may be defended bv the sophistry of these that think it their interest to plead for them, quickly fall before the au- thority of the Divine word. And when men have submitted to it, they will also find it ef- fectuaiybr instruction in righteousness, and will be led on from one degree of virtue and piety to another, with a progress which will continually advance, in proportion to the regard they pay to that Divine book. To this therefore, f 17 hope thou, O Timothy, and every minister of the gospel, will diligently apply, that the fur- niture of the ?/;an 0/ God may be complete, and that he may be thoroughly fitted for every good worlc which his holy calling may require. /IV 1. charge [thee] therefore, considering what I have urged in the former part of this epistle^ in the mnst awful manner, before tX^e great and blessed God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, his only begot- ten Son, who shall judge the living and the d^ad, and pronounce on them all their final and ever- lastujg doom, at his last public glorious appear-^
ance
of the sScred letters; directly contrary to what the i hurch of Rome teaches.
b 'ihe -xfiii/e iciiptrire [m] divmeht in- ipir>d.'\ G rutins translates lliv words, ihe tiihule divinely ihpi red scripture is fmijilab/r, &.C. which Ujcy "«;ill undoubtedly bear j
and as we may be sure that, by tcriptarCf the apostle means the books which the Jews received as canonical, that version* gives a true sense ; but I t'^ke this^ uhicU in our own, ti^ be nfiur« iiteral.
cTht$
at hit apprmring, hik kiutduut :
1 Prrath the won! % hr ii)«lxiiit in »ra»on, out uf »ra»uii ; r*- |>rutr, rrbukr, r&liorl «itli all loiiKiufl^ruis •udduclriof.
32 7o wafch in all things^ and make full proof of' his tninisfry.
»■'"'• ancc, when the extent and mnjestv o( /tis king-
. 1_ dom shull appear in full displuv: 1 chari^e thee
2 Tun. to exctiiie ilu' important tru^t cominitU'd to ihee
*^--- with tin- struttsi luiclity. For tiiis jjurpose, preach the -word of Gu(i with all pos.sihle sirious- ncss and carnostncsi. ; V in: taut m the prosecu- tion of that f;o(ni work, in the stated season of religious a.s.scniblies, [and] out of that season, when occasional providences may give thee an opportunity ; yea, carr) it into thy private con- vtrsalion, in the interval of thy pnl)hf lahoun*. KiKJcavour to convincr the consnonces of men, and to reclaim them from their trnnuous prin- cipli-s; ;rA//ltihcni for ihcir irrc^ulariiies and \ices, «iih(uil fearing the face of anv ; and fv- hvvt them to diligence and zeal in the perform- ance of their duty, uw//i (////<»/»y^ii<//<T/«4f, though thou niayest not immediately see the desired succe.vs; «/»</ enforce these exhortations with all those wril-knowu and important motives winch 3 the </»'«■/ ;//jr ot the ^^ospcl mav suggest. Seize the present opportunitv «ith all eagerness, /«>;• I see that the lime wilt i\\\HW\ eomr, when thiy will not endure gix>d ami XihuUstnnr diKtrine, buf^ thinking themselves above the plainness of mo- ral and practical instructi'>n<i, shall wantonly heap up to ihetnsehes seiliu ing feaehrrs , wIhihc liarangnes shall be jusr anording /othe preju- dues of thi ir own lusts, having nothing elsi- to recommend them, unlos it he pcriiaps a glare of false and aflri teil eloquence, winch may gratify the vain curiosity and itching rti/i of their hear- 4ers. ^//((/ so unhappily will their minds be dis- posed, that thei/ shall turn away ( their attention] Jrom simple truth, of the greatest certainty, on which nothing less than tlu-ir salvation <le- pends, and shall be :urnt d aside iu uWc tables, which they eagerly drink in, umlera fond sem- blance of mysttrv and obscure science, which they pretend to Ge veiled in these abstruse and enigmaiicul forms.
But
J For ilw limr «il|
Ciillic alien lliry •|||
noi cihIiiic toiii.d due- iriiir ; (till aftir lluir (1*1) |(i«(f •lull ihry hrap to thrm»rUrt Uaclirrt, lia«ing itcb- lu^ cari^
4 And Ihpv thall turn atiay Ikrir rat* from the iriitli, aii<l •liall be turned ubtw fablca.
c Tkry tkall hntp up to Ikrmnkn Uach- eri ] Mr. Slater, in hit Or/^'Mo/ Draugkl, &' . p. I'Jo, uj^vi this tckt, u an argu- ment against allowing to Ibc pnflt Uic choice of ik^ir oKrn ministi-r* ; but that rirht i» by no meant in quntion hrrc. The dai>;;('r there ws* of men** hcarkcn- iHg to erroneous and tcducing teaclicn, would upon ctcry luugiDablc kyjxAhtiUt
b« a »ol;d argument for Timolhy'i evert- ing hiin»<-lf to the utmost, \n prrtuktifXhc • ord, and rndeavourin;; t<» p;iiard the chiirchr* againit error* •Inch might othrr- wi»«: toon ha»c become fatally prcvalrnt. I mutt add, that the exprrttmn, kfifung up to tkrmsritri, implici, that they ihould be driirum of tuch, and that they thould meet with miny tucb a character.
d Accomfluk
St. PauVs joyful prospects at death. 3S
'. But watrh thou in j^m /,(. fhou, O Timoth}', diligent and watch^ '^^^r-
ail tl.H.gs,^ endure af- ^^^^ ^-^^ ^^^ ^j^^^^^^ ^j^.^^ j^^.^^. ^^^^J ^.^ ^.j^^ security ""•
flioiioiit
icuons, ao liie worn v' , ^ . -' 1^1/
..fan evaa.-elisf,m;ike ot thy cliargc; and prepare tliyselr resolutely to 2 Tim. full proof of thy iniais- endu/'e cuhefsitij, aui\ to peifoi^m i/ieiuli zn^ork IV. 5. *''v* , ^ of (HI evangelist, a.ud t'uWyio accomplish a\\ the
b for I ain now rea- -^ » J . . J 41, 1
dy to bo oifereci, and branches ot t/uj ministry^. And the ratiier, g the time of liiy depar- considering how soon the world will lose wliat- tujc isathaiid. ^^,^^, ^^jyantage it may now receive from my
personal labours ■,Jor I may well conclude, from my age and circumstances, that I am non', as it were, just ready to he offered, to be poured out as a libation ujjon God's altar, a7id the time ot, my departure is near at hand ; the time when I shall be dismissed from this state of confinement, when I shall weigh anchor from these mortal shores, and lauiicli into the ocean of eternit3\
good'fi'dr m'Ivc i^- ^^"''' "^^'''^ ^ ^^^"'^ °" ^^'^ borders of that auful 7 Tiishtid uiy course, 1 State, it is with Unspeakable pleasure I reflect, have kept the faith. that I have v}aintai)ied the good covibut against the sharpest opposition, that I have finished [/»J/| race, though it lias been so arduous, that / have kept the \\o\y faith committed to m}^ trust, and, ' with the strictest fidelity, endeavoured to pre- serve it free from human additions and corrup-
8 Henceforth there ^. 7-, • ii r^i s~i ^r • .1 T
h laid up for me a tions. It remauitth [tliat] a crown oj rig lite- g crown of righteousness ousncss and glory IS laid up in sure Yeser\efor y>r\nch the Lord th« ^j^^ which the Lord, the righteous Judge, who
righteous Judge shall -j • ^i • \. ■ L 11 -..i ]•
give me at that day : presides in this great exercise, shall, with uis- and not to me only, tinguished houour, before the assembled world, bat unto all them also render and award to me, in that illustrious rfayS
th;it love his appt.ar- 1 • 1 1 j 1 <_ ^ j
j„„ ^*^ upon which our hopes and hearts are set : and
it is the joy of my soul to think, that he shall not assign it to me alone, but to all them also who love the thoughts of his final appearance to the universal judgment, and are, or shall be, making a wise and pious preparation for it.
IMPROVE-
d Arcnmplish Uui mlnisiry.'] It must surely he found in the reflection on his own fide- have been owing to a strong prepossession lit-}'? would be very conclusive, in favour of Diocesan Episcopacy, that the e In that day.~\ This text will certainly- worthy person I mentioned above could prove, that the great and most glorious imagine these words contained an argu- reward of faithful Christians, is referred ment for it. He explains the words srXjjao- to the day of general judgment. But it 9ofl»is-ov T>iv »i«x:viay en, as an exhortation would be very precarious to argue from to tnhe upon him the complete office of a bishop, hence, that there shall be no prelibatiun. because Paul himself was ready to quit and auticipatioJi of this happiness in a se- itj not considering how ill this interpre- parate state. And when ihe many tcxte, tation agrees with his own supposition, of which have been so often urged in proof Timothy's being ?w </a' e/)«crwpu/ office when of that intermaliute happinta-, are couti- Paul wrote his f^rst e;jistle io him. What- dered, it is surprising that any stress can ever Timothy's office were, the argument be laid on the ol>jection whicn has bei^ which Paul suggests, of the .satisfaction drawn from such ^uwagei as this.
5* Utfiutions on St. PauVs hcftcviouv on thr ru\'s of death.
iMrno\ r.MF.NT.
■acr.
Tl.
IT. 0.
BriioLp iliis l)lfs>ed man, t fi is prisofirr, i\\\<i viartijv of Chri*i appi'uring in his chains, and in ihc near \ir«.s of a \iolt*iit Chap. Jemi,^ nicrc truly niajesiic and happy, than Ciutr on his imfx-riat throne! lilrssid man in<lccd ; who rouhl 1im>Iv upon th«* p(»urin<.t forth of his hlood, as the lihalion of a siicrificr t)f thanksjri\n»'4, on wliich he coidd call for the cons^ratuliUions of his friondN, ratlM.r
Vthan ihif'n ronthUnce ; who could loosen frunuhc-ic mortal xhorcs^ and set sail for eternity with a shout ! Omay ue all he excited by his example to (ii^ht thr j^ood ti^lit, xn finish our cuursty to Hirp
^thefailh, in the view of that croutl oj'i i^httotunesSy which is not rcser\ed only for Pauf^ or for ministers and ChriHtiniis of tUe first nmk, who have been eminent for the must distinguished servic<"Sj hut for ail \ho loic Christ^ s appearance^ and whose hearts ar<i tlwrougly reconciled to Iiis government !
t M;tv we therefore be watchful in all thint^t. May we cr.dure every oJjUction which God shall lay in our wny, and fdl up with proper services every station in which we arc fixetl. let the )///-
I nistrrs of Christ attend to this solemn charter, before (iodand the LndJestts Christy ^ho shall judge both the quick and the dead^ at his app'^irance and in his f,iri:doin. Tliev are as nmch coficerniul in this judgment as Tiiuothy ox Paul ; their own eternal htute i«i in question, and none can ha\e greater reason than themselves td
£ be impressed with it. I.ei ftn many therefore as are calle<l in it by Divnie Providence and grace, preach the word wiili real and fer\'ency, as well as fidelitv; let them be instant in season, and out of seasony with a resolution tempered with gentleneiw, and
3 supported by finn faith in l\im, who entrusts them with the tries- sage. And let the pctiflency of men, wliich indisposes them lo endure sound doctrine, vet niakes them need it so much the njore, be considered by then) as an engagement to greater zeal, rather than an excuse for remissness. » ..np. That tliev may be animated to if, imd ftimislied for it, thomunh' *^'-^">^'- iyfurnishrd Jor ciery ffoud work incumbent upon them, as inen of God, a becoming reverence is to be mainiamed for the divintli/ inspired snipturesy apparently profitable for doctrine and re- proqfy for corrrctiony and instruction in rie^hteousntss. Let u* 15 all esteem it our great happiness, \( from childri n we hair been acquainted with them; let us study them diligently, and take faithful care to deliver them down to those that arise after us, as the oracles of that eternal wisdom by wliicli we and ihey may b« made wise to saUation,
Paul urges Timothy to come to him^ and bring Mark with him. 35
SECT. VII.
The Apostle concludes with requesting Timothy to come to him, giving him an account of the manner in which he had^ in his late appearance before the heathen rnagistrate at Borne, been deserted by men, but supported by Christ ; and adding some particular j>alutations and directions. 2 Tim. IV. 9, to the end.
2 Tim. IV. 9. ^ TtMOTHY IV 9
DO thy diligence to TMTrMT^ -. 1 IMOTHY 1 V . y. _ _ ,,„.
come shortly unto I ^»ii^H 1 add much more on this occasion, vn.
»"e. -*- but the hope I have of seeinar thee ere lonir,
makes me the easier in omitting it. I cannot iv. 9.' but be very desirous of such an interview. En- deavour therefore by all means to come to me here at Rome as quickly as possible. For I forsaklr Serhaval" T^\ "^^ assistance and company of such a faith- 10 loved this present '"1 triend, as 1 have met with very unworthy world, and is departed treatment from some who ought to have acted CreLns^t^'cIaSatiV ^" ^ ""^'1 ^^'^^rent manner. And I must parti- Tiius unto Daimatia!' » culaHy inform thee that Demas hathjorsaken me a, having loved the present world, and fol- lowed another way, as his secular views invited him. In pursuit of these, he is gone to Thessa- lonica, as Crescens is to Galatia, and Titus, for whom thou knowest I have a very high regard, n Onlv Luke is is gone to Dalmatia. Luke alone, whose fsLith- II
with me. Take Mark, f 1 f • 1 1 • t I 1 • > • .1,
and bring him with *"! r^endship I have long experienced, is still
thee ; for he is protita- With me. I desire tliou wouldst fake the first op-
bic tu Qje for the min- portunity of engaging the company of Mark,
'*"^' [and] bring him along with thee, for he is useful
to the advancement o^ my ministry among the
Gentiles, having often attended both Barnabas
,_ , , _ . and me in our progress amongst them. Thou 12
12 Ai)d Tych ciis -i. • u 1 ^ t 1 ^1 .
have I ,ent to Ephe- ^"^ perceive, by what I have just been saying, •vui. what reason I have to wish for the society of an
approved Christian friend and brother, at a time when I am left thus destitute: yet preferring the edification of the church of Christ to any per- sonal consideration of ray own, / have sent Ty- c/iicus to Ephcsus, where I some years ago left
thee,
a Benuis hnth fonahen ■me.'] I think we from Christianity, and much less that he
can iieilhtr be certain, that Demas was never returned to a sense of it more,
eter a good man, from Paul's speaking of ' John Mark had once acted a part very like
him, as one whom in the judgment of this, yet was evidently restored to the
chanty he hoped to he so, nor can we cer- esteem of our apostle. Compare Ai ts xv.
tainly inferfrom hisdishonoiirablecondiict 33; \>ith the utxi verse of this chapter.
on this occasion, that he tutailij apo: tatized
Vol. v.
b firing
Paul was deserted hy all in hisjirst apology
! e caro of llic flourishing clinrrh .lUccI thcii', iind with somo of whose dave had so loiij; and iiiiinialc an ac- ir/it II thoa coinesf hither, as I !i (quickly vvih, I desire ihoii wouldst iiiber to hrimr [with thee] that cUiak\> ' ''ft at the house of OUT (r'lcnii Cat pus, in hen I passed through it the last lime. 1 o the hoks which I have loll ihere, . i he parchments^. J > \N ,, I -sjjcak of ihe-ie parts, I cannot for- bear i ilinjr thee, that .-l/craJKt.r the Inuzirr* has brought mau if evils and mischiefs upi'U vie- And I doubt not but the /^n/, who exercises a guardian care over mc a» his faithful servant, will sooner or later reward him aeeordius to his n'oris. May it be an instructive and merciful discipline, to reform rather tlian tode.str«)v him. \5 .-liiainst 'uhoiiiy in the mean tune. /h thi>ualso particularly upon thy i^uard, or thou mavest re- ceive much detriment from him ; for he hath not ordy done nic a ^reat deal <if personal in- jury, hut hath greatly xtuthstofd ntir word*, and taken every measure in his power to pr«'vent the proi^ress and advancetuent of the m»*pel, wli:ci» is indeed woutuhng nie in ihe mohi ten- der ami s< '.irt. Ifi //J mv ,?»/ before the prefect of the city, ;/" vtan ot all the C'hrisiians here at Home, appeared with nie, for my countenance and sup- port, but allf either throuf^h treachery or cow- ardice, ./brjooX' vie'. May it not be charged
^ to
n TlirfloVe that I Irftat Treat with Cai- pi«», «hri) till' <**l, biinR a. (A the bouk», ^<< • , aUy Uie fardiiniuu.
14 Ali'v^tiulir the cn|>|M-r •mill) did mc miirh Pvil ; tlir I.urd rrward liim ucxordiiif !•> hi> «ork».
] 5 Of wliuin )>• Ihnu ware alao ; for hr tiaih irrallv witiialood u«r
KM my fii.t y\ »«rr liu III.III >(ijii<l with in<i i iMilall tiirii furMx'k m< ; I P">lf
b BnHg tM/A thf* tial e'pfnk,] If^iX**^
tar lor iiich a (raroicnt, wbich p: «as not quite a uc« one. Bui i«u dcrstand by it, cither a pardunrrH-i^-^, ui sumelhing like Mborbmanitau, the contrnta of which might be mure important thau the thing lUclf.
C Al Troai.] See the InttodafluiH to this rpullf, p. 3.
d The part hmenU.'] Bi»bop Bull think* these parchnients might be a kind uf (•m- rnon plnrc book, in which the apatite inacrt- ed litnU and extracts of what »i< iiird must remarkable in the author* he rc.id.
c AUgnndfT the brazier. \ The name of Alexander was ao common, that we can* not certainly say, whether thii were the person menuoned, Actsxix, 33, or 1 Tim.
1. 30) hilt what is Ih-t* said of IhU br i
<> well mitli this last |> .
\'. probable it reftrs '
What we knot! of \ -... ,
..iract'-r mutt leaf! us to cuucludr, (h.a t br meant not the fulluwuiK word* a« a vu-rr pirditliom, he did not howc\er u. ' evil to hiin,aj evil, but only that he m\%. ' I ' 'II .Diverted upon, as to prevent I II of hi« bad t-xampic fiorn
i, ...> .u tlir ihiirch, and bnn^" Kun
to repentance and rrfomiation, tin' might be preserved from final u< lion.
i All mtn fortook n^.1 %fanv circuni stance* mak<; it i " hhiuild li.i\ c bet II
tia US at koine, ill i...
hr wrote his epistle to the church thtr- , which must have been ten yean l)efor' this, be speaks of their Jailh, a> ceiebr.ii
But Christ streiis-thencd mid delivered him.
37
ot the liou.
Gmf that it may notbe to thciv account, as an instance of unfLiithfulness sect.
laid to their charge. ^^ o^. common Master! Yet I was not left ""•
the Lord stood with entirely destitute, d'M^ Can Say It witli great plea- '2Tim.
me, anil strL-nyihciied sure, that the Lord J esus Christ stood by me, and IV. n.
me; that by me the strcns'theiu'd wc with tliat inward fortitude of
prt-.aching mi.uht be i i • i i ^ i i i
fully known, and M.?/ soul wnicli 110 human Support could liave in- aii the Gentiles niii^ht spired ; that bij mc the preaching [of his gospel^ hear: and I was deli- ,„,v/^/ (,(> carried oHzvith Confidence^, and \that\ vtred out 01 the mouth ,r. .- ■ i^ i r t i i
alL the nations might hear ; tor 1 made my de- fence in a manner that will, I doubt not, be taken notice of, and reported abroad, much to the advantage of tliat sacred cause, whicii is dearer to me than my life, ^nd though this plain and faithful testimony did indeed expose nie to great danger, yet / was for the present rescued, like Daniel, out of the mouth of the lion; so that fierce as he was, God did not suffer him to devour me, when he seemed to have me at his mercy. And I am confident, tiiat the Lord, whose power and failhfuUiess are always ^ 8 the same, icill rescue me from what 1 fear much will preserve me unto morc than any tiling this body can suffer, even bis heavenly kingdom; froui cveru evUzcorl' ; will stren<2;then me a";ainst the most pressing and violent temptations, so that I shall do nothing unbecoming my Chris- tian
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every <"vil work, and
ed through the zsiorld; (Rom. i. S.) He salutes a vast number of illustrious per- sons by name, and mentions many of them as liis particular/r;f«rfo), (xvi.3 — 15); and ve may assure ourselves, that, during; the ttvo yean he spent there in his hirrd house ; when access was j^ranted to all that desired it, the number, and probably the zeal of Ciiristinn converts would be greatly in- creased; as indeed he expressly assures the Philippiaus that it wa?, and that some of CcESar's palace was added to them. (Phil. I. 12 — 14 ; iv. 2 2.) We are ready to say, How then was it possible he should be thus forsaken ? But tliere is a material circimi- stance, seldom taken notice of in this con- nectiou, wliich accounts in a great mea- sure for what might otherwise appear so strange. Clement, the Companion of Paul, informs us, that he suft'ered mar- tyrdom under the go-jernors, (as Bishop Pearson and L'Enfant explain i/.!iJl'jzy\cra.i firi Txv vyHy-fiuii; that is, as they under- stand it, when Nero was gone into Greece, and had left the government of the city to Tigellinus and Sabinus, prefects of the prcctoriart guard, and that monster Helius. /f this be allowed, it fixes the death of Paul to A. D. 66, to 67. But the cruel persr-cutioa, which Nero had raised against
the Christians at Rome, in which they were worried in the skins of wild beasts, and burnt alive for a kind of public illu- mination,) was, according to Tacitus, at least tziO years before this. It is possible, therefore, that many of the excellent per- sons mentioned above might have suffered death for their religion, or according to our Loid's advice, (Mat. x. 23,) have re- tired to a distance from Rome. The Asia- tic Christians, who came with Paul, as it seems, to rallj' the broken remains of this once celebrated church, acted a mean part in deserting Paul, as the other Chris- tians of the place did. But it is less sur- prising upon the supposition above, than it would otherwise would have appeared ; and it might be among the first-fruits of that Sad fi/joi/acy which Vitringa (as was else- where observed,) supposes to have begun in the time of Nero, and continued to that of Trajan. See note", on 2 Tim. iii. 1. S Carried on mth corifidtnre.] So the original i^rr\-^otifrfin, here signifies. Cal- vin truly observes, that it wasffa glori- ous testimony to tlie hoiiour.,of Christia- nit}', that tiie oposi'e could thus cfvra 'e- ously maintain it when all his friends for- sook him, and his enemies were so fiercely raging against him,
^ Priscilla C2
5 Ue desires Timothy to salute his J'ncnds,
*\"' tian faith, or ministerial office, fl»i/tluis unit prc- ^serve and conduct [tiu] to his heavenly kiut^dovi
tci «... It. <w plory f. f itrrjudcvcr. Amca.
•2 Tim. with peace and tiiumpli; to him tlicrelorc [be] IV. 18. tr/oiy/or ever and ever. .hncn.
19 I must conclude with desiring thee to solute ,o«uiu,erH^. .nd
J nxciltii auU Jijuila^, th(isc dear friends, with A.iuiU..ud tLehoiiM-
whoni I have had so agreeahle an acqiiainiaiice 'wid of Ouoipboiu*.
and intercourse these many years ; a/id also the
tdmilij ^/good Onesiphoni's. ' In niv last journey
through Asia and Greece I had the alHuiion to
part with some of our conunon friends, who»e
conversation and conipanv would have been very ^Odesirahle, had J'rovidcMKe permitted it. /><!»- jo F.r«ttu» aluxle at
tus in |)articular abode at Corinth ' and Trophi- * "••«»'''; i"'i 'r-.j)!!!-
mus J left suk at MiUtus : ^ nor did the lord, \Z^Z^ '"'*' *'"* lo huti) made me an instrument of nuratulous 21 healing to so many strangers permit me at that
time lo he so to him Kndeavour ihereforf
us I am drprivedof these agreeahle fiiemlt, and
surrounded with so many tlangers and enemies
which threaten mv life, to come to me bttore
icintir . Sevenif ("hrisiians here at Home
desire I would seiul their rommendations to
thee : and in particular Kutmlu^ salutes thee,
and Pudens,and Linus, and Claudia, and indeed 22</// the brelhnn in <;etural. Mv luari is .ls at
all tunes full of the tendercsi alVection for ihee;
uhich
1\ Do IhT diligrnre I't riifiir l>< furr • iiilfr, K«ilitil<i»i:r«r«rllill.i^, Olid f'iid< ii», and I i- liii>, •»<! i lai.dia, abJ ttJi ih« brcUtit^o.
•"? Thr \jnr\ Jrtui Cbixt U aiUi Uiy kpi-
h Priicitim and .f^i/a.] Tlii» b«i often been urjfd, a» a cunclMttve arjumroi, lo pri.vc (iiat T.niuUiy »a« njw ji Kpbeant, brrau*<; i( «•» tbcrc thai Apollo* uwl wilh them, (Act» x%iii. '26;) but iLejr might have rmioTcd from thence, a> Uiry did frutn Coriiiili, to »hKb plarc tlicy came when 6rit bam.hrd from U-jmr. /A. vcr. '2.
i E/<titut ahod* mi G/niUA, kc] It ia probable tlu* aat hi* nalnr <•»<», or at Ua»t a place ■here he had a kUted charf c. S<;f Rom. xvi. 13. It te«m» b> thu rIauM thjt he m\s ill Paul's com|>anv •hrn he })arted with Timothy, at it i> IA« ly Tio- phimus ai«o wa«. And, a^ none can »ii|i- pose Paul would have miniioord tbo>« thingii to Timothy iu tbi> connection, if Ihtv had happened many vt-ar» bt-fore, (Acts \\x. 22.) I look upon itn* »» a very liiaterial arfciiment lo prov.; il.at he re- turned into thciM» coMtrm puit*, bctmr. n Lis (ir«l and »rcond unprisoiuiicot at Ru'iu- j though probably, if be ever »aw Kpbcsus again, most of tlie luiuistera of that and tlie oeighbouiinj; placet, with whom be had the ie!cbrated inierviem at Milrtus, nirntiont-d Acta xx, «ere etUier dead or removed. Sec ver. 15. noUt, and ver.
... . .\oI. Ill p roo,,„d?ta Cm. pare Ihc IniiodiH ii<,n !•■ the- flr»t <;^u(^ lo Timothy, Vol. |\ . p. .'166.
k /<// iuk.\ It haf b<en very juttir argued from tbi* ttxt, iltat a power of wofkiof niira< lr» did not al*<»ft rraide in \\\« epotllrt; and indeed, if il Lad, one can baldly toiasincthat any good and use- ful man would bate been (Kk, and died under ibcir notice, wl.it'h •uuld ha«rl>rt'n <|uiie iorou»i*t< nt «it]i the M-lu'mi- of Pro- Tideure. Timothy '1 frrquent innrmities afford it faither arguV'-nl to the tame purpose. Compare A« l» ^lll■ '- • . '"'•/r *, \ ol. VIII. p. '22. But »uii. .••od into »« these did not i.r< J the imtu- .I'.n* cure of ilu-ir o«ii diiteuipcr*, lo cont.im tbrir failli iu llir govpel.
I Come to nt kfare temlrr.'^ ftl>hop /.'.■y(/ in hi* /". ' "" . • » ,p
II lUim, p It, ■ tt
Ilib. kill. '2.5, .. , i lid
come, and wa» seized at Home, and con- fined longer than Paul him*elf; but it keeai* much more prohublr that the rf-utt« lo l/if Ilfltrrxi, *at »ilt*.cn diuiiix /'.Jii^f ^ist impritonmcnt, and couktijucntly sc- lera! ri;af» before t!ii«..
Hejlections on PauVs being deserted m his apology ; 39
fit. Grace he with which I cannot express better than by praying, ^^'^J-
jou. Amen. ^^ j ^^^^ sincerely do, that the Lord Jesus ^'"'
Christ, himself may [be~\ ever present with thy q Tim. spirit, and shed abroad those sanctifying, quick- iv. *i2. ening, and comforting influences of Divine grace, wliich may fit thee for all thou hast to do and bear under thy Christian and ministerial character. And wherever this finds thee, I desire thou wouldst assure my fellow-Christians that I wish them well. May grace [be] with you all, as your circumstances require, to render you more eminently useful in the present state, and prepare you for complete and everlasting happiness in the next. Amen,
IMPROVEMENT.
Be this our prayer for onrselves and our friends, that the^r<7C^ ofVer. our Lord Jesus Christ may he with their spirits and ouiii; that 22 though we have not seen him here, neither can see him, we may ever feel his vital presence, and may live and act as ever near him, i^ and as conscious that he is ever with us. Then may we promise ourselves that while he stands by us, we shall be strengthened, how weak soever we are in ourselves ; that we shall be comforted, who- ever may desert us ; that we shall be rescued from the extremest dangers, delivered out of the mouth of the infernsil lion, and safely ^^ preserved to his heavenly kingdom.
That such a confessor as the holy apostle St. P^/i// should have been deserted, at the time of his apology, when there must have been so large a number of Christians at Borne, Aiay justly appear jg one of the most surprising circumstances recorded in the sacred history. It teaches us to cease from man, and to repose ourselves with some caution upon the friendship of the very best. It teaches us to watch over ourselves, lest the fear of man should bring a snare upon us, (Prov. xxix, 25,) and lead us to be ashamed of Christ in his members. It concurs vv'ith th<? apostacy of Bemas, to warn us that we beware of loving this present world, and keep 10 our eyes more steadily fixed on a better, in which our highest in- terest lies, and by regarding which, our souls will acquire a cer- tain uniform tenor, that will prove their honour and their safety.
The readiness of Paul, amidst such a dearth of true and faith- ,q -;o ful friends, to part with those that yet remained, when he thought the service of Christianity required it, is an amiable and instructive part of his character. They know not the heart of a many and the duty of a Christian aright, who know not that even the tender
and C3
40 Re flections on PauVs beiug deserted in his apology, Kc.
»|^CT. zu^ friendly passions arc to be guarded against, and admitted no \ — farihor than reason and religion will warrant; and thai snch so- ciety as is far dearer to us than any animal deliglit, or -•.ecnlar ar- conimoilaiion, is often to be given up, that our lidelity to God may ' ^''- he approved. i3 Once more, it is obvious to remark, that Paul, though favotired with such extraordinary degrees of Divine inspiialhin, sets a pro- per value upon books, and expresses a great concern about their being safely conveyed to him. Let us therefore pity the ignorance, rather than imiiate the ent/iusiasni and madness, of those that set learning at dchance, especially in the ministers of the gospe'. Let us thankfully acknowleilgc ilic Divine goodness, in having furnish- ed us with SI) many excellent uruiuf^s of wise and pious men iii all ages; and let us endeavour, by frequent converse with them, to improve our furniture, tliat our pr<]fiting mat/ appear unto all vten. Vet let us ;i'l remeiuhcr, thai how large and wcll-ch(»seu soever our libraiy may be, the saered volume is of inHniicly greater importance than all that (ireece, or Home, or Britain hos pro- duced, or the united labours of all the best of men who have written since it was lonchided. And let lite ('/irisfian minister remember, that the /uo epistles, through which we have now pas- sed, and that which we are next to survey, are to be esteemed hv him amongst the most edifving and important parts e\in oftlial incomparable and Divine book.
THE END OF JUL fAWILY EXPOSITOR ON THE SECOND KFISTLF
ro TIMOTHY.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR:
OR, A ON
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO
TITUS.
■WITH
CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH
SECTION.
• ii'.m i[ i\.',f.
■ if.rK'' '^^T^^^^~^^
A GENERAL INTRODUCTION
To THE
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
ON THB
EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO TITUS.
Jl, ITUS, to whom this epistle is addressed, was a Greelc, (Ga?. ii. 3;) and was probably converted to Christianity by St. Paul, as we may conclude from the title he gives him of //w own son after the common faith, (Tit. i. 4.) though the particular time of his conversion cannot be ascertained. — The earliest account of him we meet with (for Luke does not once mention his name in the Acts) is in Gal. ii. 1, where the apostle says, he took him with him from Antioch to Jerusalem, fourteen years after his conversion, to attend the grand council that was held there* in the year 49 ; and, as Titus was of Gentile parents, and consequently uncircumcised, St. Paul would not suffer him to submit to that rite, that he might not seem to abridge the liberty of the Christian Gentiles, (ver. 3.) Some years after this, we find the apostle had sent him to Co- rinth, (2 Cor. xii. 18,) to inquire into the state of things in that church, and particularly to learn what effect his former letter had produced. The intelligence Titus brought St, Paul at his return, gave him the highest satisfaction, as it far exceeded all his expec- tations, (chap. vii. 6 — 13;) and, as Titus had expressed a parti- cular regard for the Corinthians, he thought proper to send him back again, with some others to hasten the collection for the poor Christians in Judea ; (chap. viii. 6.) After this, we hear no more mention of him, till he is spoken of in this epistle, as having been with St. Paul in Crete.— It appears, that the apostle had a very great regard for him, not only from his appointing him to take care of the church he had planted in Crete, but from the manner in which he speaks of his dischargmg the commission he gave him to the Corinthians, and the honourable terms in which he recom- mends him to the.m as his partner and fellow-helper ; (chap. viii. 23.)
This
^i General Introduction
This epistle wns vnosi prohab/i/ wriricn in some part of St. Paul'-* )a«;t projirt'ss tliroucli the Asiatic cljurclics, hitwceii Ins llrst .ifid secoiiLl iinprisoiiiuent at Home; arid coiiMviuruily ilu> idst ot nis epistlrs, except the srcond to Timotliy : but nutliinjj cm Ue irr- tainly deterniined, either as to iu Jj/f, or the place frnii which it ^as sent ; for though the spurious posdcript supposes it to liuvc bcfo written from NicopoHs, yet tlie contrary sccnis to he plain- ly intimarfd, I hap. iii. 1 2 ; as the apostle says not, I propose to ■»vinter /itrc, (which would have hcfii most natural, if he had rr- sided tliiTt" when he v as writing) hut there; whicn shews he was at that tunc- in some rther place — Ilo«t\er, it is plain Titus was at Crete when he rcreivcil it, where St. l*dul had leli him, to settle the church he had established there, and carry on the work he h.id begun. Anordiiif^lv the pre.itest part of the epistle is taken up in givinc; him dircctiuns for the more successful discharge of hi<i minis- try amongst thctn ; and piriicnlarly fur his bi luviour towards those corrupt .1 idaizio'^ teachers who c nd'«vi)urrd to pervert the failU and disturb the pctrc of the Christian chure'i.
The apo^t/c, after a short introduction, in which (apreea'dv to the design of the epistlej he intimates that he wa* commissioned by Christ to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, remindii Titus of the Kpecial reasons for which he left him at Crete, and directs him on what principles he was to act m the ordination of those Christian njinisfcrs who were to takiMhc oversight of p^rticuLir ehurclirs ; reprrsentin^ them asper-onsnol only of a blameles*, but exempla- ry t Iwiracter, who should be emi'ient for tlietr pictv, and lor everv social and personal virtue, as well a» thoroughly e»Uih|i»hed in the Christian faith ; chap. i. I — 9. And to make Tiiun more senmhle of ibe necessity of luing this prccAUiion, he puis him in mind of iho:>e seducing JudHizintj teachers with « hi« h that church w«» in- fesicJ ; who, u:> icr the mask of greater /eal and knowkMlg** than others, ^foncealcd the gros**?,! corruption f>f morals, and whose mischievous attempts were the more likelv to succeed, cnn- sideruig the general ciiaratliT of the Cr«"ans. '<ucli therefore he directs him to reprove, n ith great (.evrrity, and, in opposition to iheir false and dangerous tenet*, advises him to accommodate his tfxlioriaiions to the dilVercnt sorts <if pcrxons with whom he con- versed, according to their resp<'ctive sexe«<, ages, and circum- 8tance>. Ar»d tc» give th • greater weight to hs insirurtions, he admon'."Jies him to he lumself an example of what he tdush', and hv the purity ol his d icirine, as well as the inno( <-nee of his con- duct, to silence his opponent*, ver. 10, to the end. Chap. ii. I — 8, St P. ml ihen proceeds to urge on Tii us a care to instnict servants in the duties of their station, that thev might, according to their sphere, do an honour to the religion they professed ; and re- presents iho obligation thev were under to such a conduct, from the great des'qn of the gospel-institution, and our Saviour's siifl'er- ings and death, w huh was to deliver mankind from sui, and form them to nnivers.ll holiness in heart and life, ver 9, to the tud. — Agreeably to iIiin view of religion the apostle cjchorls 'Jiiu^ to en- force
To the Epistle to Titus. *5
force subjection to the civil niajristrate, and a readiness to all good works; to caution ag;<inst eensoriousncss and contention, and re- commend a uiet-k, peaceable, and forgivini? tempt^r ; which he in- timates might the more reasonably be expected Irom Christian Gentiles, as before their conversion their character bad been so cor- rupt. T\\\s leads him to acknowledge the grace of God in Christ, to which all Christians were indebted for the cliange produced in them, and for the hopes of salvation they were taught to entertain: from whence he takes occasion to remind Titus of the importance of insisting upon the great doctrines oi practical religion, in oppo- sition to those empty speculations and useless controversies to which some were attached. In the close of the epistle he directs him how to proceed with respect to heretical teachers ; and having expres- sed his desire to see him at Nicopoiis, where he proposed to win- ter, he concludes with a general salutation ; chap. in. 1, to the end of the epistle.
Upon a review of this, and the two epistles to Timothy, it is natural to reflect how much they tend to illusirate and confirm the internal evidence of Christianity. — It has been often observed, and very justly, that nothing sets the characters of great men in so true z. Wght a^ X.he\r letters to their i^articular friends: while they are attracting in the eye of the world they frequently appear in dis' guise, and the real motives of their conduct lie out of sight ; but in ihe,\v familiar correspondence ihey open their minds with free- dom, and throw off all reserve. If therefore any should object to the argument drawn from St. Paul's epistles to tne churches, that, as they were designed for the public view, he would be upon his guard, not to let any expression escape him that might give the world an unfavourable idea of himself or the cause in which he was engaged ; yet certainly, when he is writing, as in this and the two former epistles, to his most intimate friends, who were em- barked w ith him in the same design, and with whom therefore he could use the utmosf confidence, we may reasonably expect to find him disclosing his r^a/ sentiments, stiipped of all artifice and disguise. — And now, upon the most accurate and impartial ex- amination of these epistles, what do we discover ? Can we trace any marks of insincerity and impostnre? Doe-iihc apostle wear any other character than that in which he had appeared to the whole world ? Does he drop the least hint that can lead one so much a^ to suspect that lie had been only acting apart, and imposing upon mankind } Can we perceive the least shado^v of inconsistency be- tween the views he gives of relisjion in these and his other writings? Is there any thing like that double doctrine which some have charg- ed upon the ancient philosophers? — On the contrary, is it not most evident, that he founded his own hopes, and formed his own conduct, upon the very same principles which lie recommended to others ; that he had no views of secular interest or ambitioji to gratify, and was influenced by no other motives than those which lie openly avowed in the face of the world : in a word, that his character, as well as his doctrine, was consistent and uniform, and
his
A General Introduction, S'c.
his tnuard seniiwents the same »«iih liis outward prr/rssion ? Tha iiiitiuctions he gives his friends for che cxcmse ot their ( llice had notiiiiig of art or buh'.ihy, hue ivcre all plain and biinple, and centred in ihut grand desi'^n of advancing the interrsts of rfligiori and the hapjiiiiess of manknid, which ever l.iy near his heart : and so far IS he Iroiii tljitiTing thcin with the prospect of any reorid/y advan{;<ge, that he rxhorts tht in to ho r.-ady after his example, to ^aerlh^e evorv temporal iniercst, and even ///if ilself, ui ilie cause limy iiad undertaken tosi;pport.
Now if this be allowed a just reprpscntaiion of the cane, it will rcrlHinly follow, that lUv a post fc was A<V;i<f// thoroughly persuaded nt the truth and importance ot tliosc doctrines he had taught: and .•"iiice It may be easdy proved, and the tvidciwe ou whicii he built Irs faith was of such a nature, as to exelude all possibility of vnslake, we may safely conclude, upon the credit of hn: testimony fl/o/jr (had we t)o other arguments toproiiucc), that the Christian reiiiiKin is not a cunningly dnised Jahle, formed to answer the ambitious or interested views of its authors, but that it i^ iudee4 the pover of God, and the wisdom oj God.
A PAKA-
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
TITUS.
SECTION L
Paul^after a proper introduction, r^eminds Titus of the special rea- sons for which he left him at Crete ; and directs him on what principles he should act in the ordination of those Christian mi- nisters who were to take the oversight of particular churches. Tit. I. 1—9.
Titus I. 1. ■pAUL, a servant of God, and an apos- tle of Jesus Christ, ac- cording to the faith of God's elect, and tlie acknowledging of tlie truth which is after godliness :
2 In hope of eternal
life, which God, that
cannot lie, promi>ed
before
TiTUS I. 1.
THIS epistle is written by Paul, a servant of the one living and true God, and an apostle oj liis only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the advancement oithefaitlv' of God^s chosen people a7id to promote the acknowltdginent of the truth of the gospel ; that Divine Aoctx'ine which [is] according to godliness, and has the greatest ten- dency to promote the interest of the true reli- gion in all its branches ; Whilst it exhibits, " in so clear a manner, the hope of eternal life, 7i)hich God, who cannot he, nor deceive any of his creatures, hath not onlj^, as under the for- mer dispensation, intimated to us, but expressly promisedto allbelievers,iu consequence of those
great
i- }.
a For the failh, &c.] This is the pro- per signification of xalawiriv, in this con- nection, which expresses the end to which
his labours tended. Compare 1 Tim. vi.
3, See Rafi/i. ex. Xen, in he.
b Before
48
Paul declares his commission to preach the gospil.
•«<^- great enfragements into which he entered with I'is •'^^on, inulcr the charaiter of our Surety and
before (h« «rorl<) be>
^^ Dtit hatli in due tiiiX't iiianilcttrtl l>i» wuid tlir<iu;;li prcaciv* iiiir, «tiK-li i» I'oiniiiit- t4 li iiiiii> till-, ntcoiil- lo till- roiniDiiiid-
4 To Tilui wiirtr o«n toil .ifirr ilu- (omiiion f«i(ii : Cf.irr, inrri-y, ii'<d pracc from (iud Faltirr, and tlio
Tii.is Uedeemer, btjore ihe w.^rld btsinn^, or tiini I- was divided into these revolving periods whi«h
measure out its snccecdinj; JiR^*--*- Mip plan ♦^ was distinctly drawn in his all-conipri hi ii.sno
mind; hut \\e hath now vinniftsttd it, ;;/ his
crun due and well-chosen time, hy his word. ..., .„ .... _
whieh administers to us that glorious hope, bi/ ••'«•«• *>i Ood our sa*
///r puhlic />;r<7r///V;^ and deelaniiionot u, a-iVVi *'""'i
uhieh I "Was intrusted* aee\}rding to the eatn-
tnandmcnt and sovereipjn pleasure of God our ^Saviour. And 1 address this epistle to litu^^
[my] fftnuine son, according to the tenor of the
common faith, eviii that Christian faith to v-^hich
1 had the happiness of eonvertin^r thee : to wli..in i, ,j j,..^,, fi„,»i our
with an alleciioji hecoinm^ a lather in CliiiNt, 1 Sanour.
uiifeij^nedly wish every desirahic hleshinj;, even
grace, mcrei/, and peace, from God the Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour ; by
whom we «ibiain an interest in hiui, and hope
tor that eternal sahatiun from him, wjih which
no inheritance on earth is by any lueuns worthy
to he compared.
5 /•„/• this cause / Irft thre in Crete, thnuRli I , ^i ^"^ '*•?'•"•'.':'?
Ill , ■, ., 11.,*' ' '""' "I Lrric, that
could liave been so heanily glad ot tliy com- iho.. »i,,„i.j.-.t .et m pany in my travels, that thou mightest set in o"^" •'"• »'""«» ••'"i ordlr the things 'which uere deficirnt there, at I '.': •>ni"'K.«"'lo"l-'n
*.„..l-l ..^. .1 I I.- I dd»-i« lu cvcrv rilv,
could not slay lon^ enough mysell to reduce them into so regular a state vls I could have wished; and particularly, tliat thou mightcst ordain ciders in ricri/ ci/i/ , in whith Christian chnrchesare plantetl, to whom the suited over- sight of them may be commilted in tlie Lord, as I gave thee in charge when I parted with tliec.
6 The ortice is so very important, that I hope „ „ .„y ,^ thou will he pn>iMjrtionahly « areful as lo the blaiTnririi.,u.« buiijand charactcrof the persons who are to be invested f "'"' '"^'•' having
. faithful children, not
Willi accu.cd
hut it i« veil known, that rvr ry con.idc- rable town mat calUd a ri/y by the an- rieatj. Ii is mo»l likely that aoroe con- Kr«f ation* were Mtticd under proper mi- nuter* while Paul wat amonf; thrm ; but llicre Tire ollMjrt not »o provided, and the inle rpukitu>nof»o»i»f and (rood a man ai Titm, probably honourcil » ith »uch ex- traorilioary g>(x», would no doubt, bavc frtii wcigbl uo »ucb an occuioo.
d Bfluving
a* I bad appuiMtcd tbce.
6 If tnjr hr
b Dtjore the world btgcm.] It irrmn more natural to refer tbii lo the promuc made by the F.^ther to Chriti, in tlie cnve- nant qf tntemptton, tlun, with Mr. liymer, to rsplain it of the fimmue made, quickly after the nration, tu our fallen parrnls : CcD. iii. 15. See Hynur ^ Hex. Kel. p. 49.
c Orditn rldt-rt tn every fi/y.] There wei^ an hundred citie$ in the iilaod of Crete Utougb itb dimcosioDs were not very lar^t ;
A bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God, Ssc.
accused of riot, or un- ruly.
", For a bisliop must be blameless, as tlie steward of God ; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hos- pitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
with it ; and //" any one is thought of in that *"'^' view, let it be one who is known to be blame-
less in his conduct, the husband of o\\\y one wife, Titus to whom he entirely conf^ne^> himself, neither ^•*'" allowing of polygamy, or divorce, or an irre- gular commerce witii any other women ; and let him be one who hath believing childrew^, if he have any that are grown up, not accused of any kind oi debauchery, or ungovernable in their temper and disposition, which would render them a reproach rather than an honour to the Christian name. I must insist on a care in 7 this respect, for it is evident, that the disorders of children often reflect a dishonour on their parents, and indeed arise from something amiss in them : but a bishop, or overseer of a Cliristiati congregation, which the elder we speak of, by virtue of his office, is, must necessarily be blame- less % as he is, in that society over which he presides, the steward of God, who is appointed in his name, to take care of his family. He must wo/' therefore be fierce and self-willed, ob- stinate, morose, and arrogant f, not soon pro- voked to be angry, not on^ who sits long over his cups, and loves to drink large quantities of •wine, not a striker of others, by which, what- soever, his provocation may be, he always de- grades himself in the eyes of those that are wit- nesses of the quarrel, nor greed ly of sordid and infamous gain : But he ought to maintain a character directly the opposite of all these, and to be hospitable, benign, sober, and grave in
his
d BeFiemng children.'] This is mention- ed with gn-.sit propriety i for, if a man were not careful to instruct his children in the principles of Christianity, there would be great reason to doubt, whether he were hearty in the belief of it himself, and under a governing sense of its truth and impor- tance; and, if a man had only unbclitving children in his house, that is, such as were so obstinate that they could not be brought to embrace Christianity, by any of the arguments which could be laid be- fore them in that age oi miracles, it would be a great discouragement, and in some circumstances, a great hindrance to him, from pursuing the duties of a Christian elder, or bishop. And those evils, into which some obstinate infidel children might fall, would very probably, bring a re- proach upon the famiiij, which iriiijlit, ia
a degree, hurt the character of him who presided in it.
e For a bishop must be blameless.} It has been often observed, that, if the bishop, of whom Paul speaks, had been invested with an office distinct from, and supcriut to the elder mentioned above, the^e could have been no room to conclude, that au elder must be blameless, because a bishop must be so, though the argument would have held strongly in an inverted order. By what degrees, and on what reasons, the distinction was afterwards introduced (as a dibiinction to be surtJ there early was) it is not my business here to inquire.
f Self -Killed, obstinate, morose, and ar- rogant.] Rnphelius has taken a great deal of pains to shew that this is the proper signification of avJaJ,,, the word here used. Sec Raph. ex Ilcrod. in lu.
^0 Ht'ficctions on the character of a Christian bishop*
Ms deportment, righteous^ ^''('/» devout, and tttnpcrate in all tljini;s : Iloldinf; fasty in the !» HoMinp f«»t ihtf mo.t resolute n^anner, the faithful u^ord -which lirtV,.?.:!;'.,".,.!;; ne hath been taught by those who were com- ii.- may i.c able by missioned to publish it to the »vorld, that so he- ^'J""'* ti<j*^^««"'>c b.^ way be able both to instruct other, in sound ':,::^Z ;X^:^: doctrinr, and to convince and silence llwsc t/uit contradict it.
I.MI'ROVFMENT.
Ver. Never let it be forgotten by any that call tiiemselves Chris- ^ tians, that the /a:th of GoVs elect is the acknowledgment oj the truth which is according to godliness. Never let the ^reat di sign of Christuinitj/ be lost in an cafrcr contention for any of its appen- dages, or any of its parts. Yet alas, Ikjw often has it, in particu- lar instances, been wounded almost to death, in a furious attempt to rescue it, and that sometimes perhaps, from only an imaginary dan;^er.
2 That wc may be more sensible of its vital influence, let us ever retain the hope of that eternal life which it proposes, as the great end of all our pursuits; even of that life which C,od that cannot lie hath promised. Let us rejoice to think that so immense a superstructure has so firm, so divine a foundation, and let ua never give it up for any thin^ that a flattering world, always ready to engage, and slow to perform, can promisf.
3 Let us ever be very thankful for the provision God hath made /or the manifestation of his word^ through preaching^ and for his
goodness in raising up faithful /Mj/f^rj to his church, overseers \i\ 7, 8 every age, who have been blumeless, sober Just, holy, and tempe- rate. Such may all be that appear under l!ut sacred character; able-, Ay their doctrine to instruct, by their reasoning' to convince, by their practice to edify ; ever solicitous, that thev may not neg-
^Mect their pastoral ser\iccs, that they may not 'lord'ii proudTy overtlieir A/-cr/A;r;/, that they may not' be tVansj>ortrd by funuu's passions, or misguided by rash conclusions, or perverted by low
7 interests, and the greediness of fit hi; lucre; but that they may ap- prove iliem?elves the faitliful stewards of God, and prLmoie the good or.ler of his house; and so far as their influence can reach, the happiness of every member of his family.
6 In order to this, let them look well to their own houses, tliat nothing may be wanting on their part to make their children tnic- table, fait hUil ar>d sober. And let the children of ministers consider tlie obligniions they are under to cultivate a teachable spirit, and to maintain the strictest decency in their whole depoitment, as re- uicmberhig the superior advantages they may be supposed to enjoy for religious improvement, and how much r minister's reputation and U3cfulnc:.s dei)cnd upon the regularity of his fauiilv.
SLCT.
Paul cautions Titus against Judaizing teachers ;
51
SECT. II.
\Paul cautions Titus against seducing teachers, and the native vices of the Cretans ; and advises him to accomjnodate his exhortations to the different sorts of persons with whom he conversed, accord- ing to their respective sexes, ages, and circumstances. Titus I. 10, to the Old. Cliap. II. 1 — 8.
Titus. 1, 10. JTOR there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision ;
1 1 Whose mouths nuist be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching thinjjs which they ought not, for fil- thv lucre's sake.
12 One of them- selves, even a prophet oi' their own, said, 'J'l)e Cretans are always li- ars
TlTUS I. !0.
I HAVE particularly insisted upon it, that a bishop should be able to convince gainsayers, as well as to instruct candid and obedient hear- ers. And indeed the precaution is very neces- sary at present, and particularly in the place where you now preside ; for tliere are many disorder Ij/ [persons] and vain talkers, zi^ho are deceived in their own minds, in consequence of which it is no wonder if they are active in de- ceiving others. And this is especially the case with those of the circumcision, who are so eao-er to impose on their Gentile brethren the cere- monies of the Mosaic law, as if Christianity it- self were insufficient to save us without them : Whose mouth must therefore be stopped by solid u arguments, and their unreasonable clamours si- lenced by the strenuous exercise of discipline : for they are persons who are so active in spread- ing these mischievous notions, that they over~ turn whole families, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of infamous gain ; hopino- by their doctrines to secure the favour of some rich men, who never think they can do enouo-h for those preachers that support their own fa'c- tions and dividing notions.
I know that there are many such at present in 1 2 your island; and I remember that Epimenides, &itt oj their {countrymen], and a poet in such high renown, that 'l may call him a kind of prophet oJ their own\ has said, the Cretans are always liars, pernicious savage beasts, and yet
slozt}
Titus 1. 10.
a A prophet.'] Epimenides, whose words Paul here quotes, is said, by Dioiienes I.aerrius, to have been a great favourite of the uods ; but Aristotle says he never foretold any future event; which, as Dr. 'Vco// justly observes (Scvti'^ fhn.tian hf:,
Vol. v.
Vol. III. p. 650) is a plain argument that the word prophet is sometimes used in a large sense, for one who is supposed, by the person applying the title to him, to be an inslniclor of rrfn in Divine things, from whom the will of the Beily may be learnt.
b Cretans
D
TlliiH
1- U.
13
14
13
Uc rcmimh him of tlu national characUr of the Cretans.
slow lul/i,-s^y a wri'tcliod componn«l of luxiirv "'^■'' •"''' ''•"W .and idleness, ficiToness and laUtl.o.ul, wl.icli ''""'"• makes it excecdinoly dil]iiuli lo refonn iluMn, or even to live safely and (I'licily aujongtheni. Jhisxcifness conceniini; tliem is,'\u the jr^neral, true, thoujiJj some pariicnlar jxrsons may be found of a dilletent cliaracier. For xihich cause rtbuke them si-vm/t/ -, when tluy hejjin to shew a disposition to Ci)nnpt Clirisiianitv; that fh<y Vhii/ lit- sound ill the faith, and that the simpler nan of them may he preserved front tlie dis- honest ariilices and attempts of others. And particniarlv, that they may not tall into the tolly ot A'.i/V heed to Jewish fables, and to the commandments and traditions V men, -u ho per. vert the truth of ihr gospel with those human mixtures hy which they have in a great mea.surc spoiled and enervated the law of .Moses, for which they prcttnd so great a zeal.
1 know ihcy value themselves highly u|)on the distinetu»ns of food, which they inculcate as of 8o great importance to purity. But they are much mistaken. To the pure indeed all I'hin^rs [are] pure. A nun that habitually exercises a
IT" od
1 . Tliii witnns it tree: wherefore re- btiLi* thcni >liarply, Ihdt they may be kouud lu the fdiiUi :
14 Not pivinj herd to Jew nil f.-ililc* and cointiiaiidiiit'iilt ui nioii, that luru fiutu Uic truth.
1 • Into thr pure all ttilli|C» aif pnr«- : Lul uulw Utcin ihmt air de- filed,
hCreiaKi art alan^t tian, Kr.'\ Vcr. bip. It luighl have been in -.oine v.r«» inor.- pr"|.. r lo h'^xr irin«Stc>l t; i« <;,.ri *■'■ have
' i< I*
'i * rem.irk-
WJ* ol (n,itHf.$ auU .f.j , ,f,<..
Un of the Crrun*. s ••.. re
frncrallv attivc ana „i,ii.,l , t,».i /* «<- mfi, .hi!.- IIm y had the fw, of lion* and tiffer*, iDdulu'id I' - • ' the moot »<irdid i : •n-e, tliat ihejr gr. •.
and like a breed of m«i> common lu imi eafC'H i-nuninet, w«t<» r^ffri »o burdea< d 7'»\^^'- move. At
["'"'"•" . III. -rll
kno»-D f ..: . , . , _ ,
%M ■ proverb li.r ly, DC (a»«
livehkf n r^,i,.,tiu,t,, wai for .
and dcbaiirhed life). Sec Lrnsm, hrv.
p. bVl, 6\j\ and it it rrmarkable tlial
^^ ^> «^»«*r meoiion* thia nation
^\ «-'vererfaju/f. See liap/uL
C Jxro-ise th.^ tevrrrh.l Arrfjp.-. «itb Weuxnmi trvfruu. From •l.en.-c .Mr. liUick. •t.V ii.ler,. that it ii n vam pretence that only i^fff-^ and toft »xprc*»ion« are lo be applied lo pcojjle ih^l rcOounce good prio-
•••pi*! -H.i cn,f.r|. r'nrl.
I't'i'l. Vi>|. I. I |l„i |».,„| .|„ .,i^»
««f reproving , -f.r; nnd i» any
t <inM-qiirn<*e i* lo be drawn from one to the otiior, tbe retnark »■» to bcadmidtd
*»' . .!■; to Mhat a
«'• ■ II traiiiporl
III. ...... I. , •'.■■'
f^-fitl cuiitrtM ■ 1
pint I.I 1 , . ' I -
ti ■ u-%\ lo rrbukt uuh aii <'i>nf-
•'■ < MO. IV. '.'^, and tome arcount
. < different /rm^rr/
'.ig thai of 'I'imo*
;.. ,..,.,. ... ...■•,. i..jn iliat of 'I'liiii. ;
other*, by Ibe dilVrciil iharatttr «if tbr pcr»oii« to be reprovid j a« the l^pbeiiaii* teem lo have bun more fcwnlle, obliging, and compUiiint, the Cretans more obiii- nalr,r«.. . <l»tron)t. liutihebeit
rfply '• ■ lis thai there i> a dc-
grrr of .^ .,-..•. ■ . < and g(.ntlenc»», very contiitent «ilh all that tnenl^ wbicii faithfiiliie<« require* ; whii h II not that of boitl'TOUi pa>i>ion, ill-nature, and »cur- rilitr, but of merk, Iboiifcli trtolule zeal for Hod, and frien<Ubip to the offender ; »birh yet »ill not be silmccd by trit'.iin; exciirt». Dor fail Mrriuuiily to repr<»ent the fat.«l <onkcqueDces that may atlcud Uic evil reproved.
To the pure, all things are pure. ^"^
fiipil.anri iinhelicvinp, oood cQiiscicnce towards Gnci, according to the ^^■^'^^ is nothin^^ pMie ; i.t't \^^^^ ^^j- j^j^ knovvlcdt-c, is accepted of him, whe- ''i_^
i-VL-ii tlu'ir iDiiiil and , , i i • r- i • '
coascieuce 14 dctiled; tlicr lio do, or do iiot, abstain rrom such parti- Tit.'s. cuhir kinds of food as they scruple; n-hercas, '• ^^• to the polluted and unbelicviug, which, alas, is too generally their character, nothing [«] purCy Imt their very viind and conscience is dcJiUd, and they poHute, as it were, every thing- they touch; they sin in all their actions, and even in those very meals in uhich they are most careful to ab- stain from what they have been taught to esteem Ui f iiey iifoTefs iiiat common and unclean. I speak not now of all 16
{hey know cjikI ; but y^\^,^ practise Jewish ceremonies: but of those
beins abon.inable.nna D^'^^. ^'^'j^'^] ^'^^-'i) PVofeSS tO kuoW God, and glo-
disobedient, -.uni unto ly iu their relation to him, as his peculiar peo- everv aooti work re- p\Q^ jfi -^i^orks deny [him], ?.nd act as if they dis- believed his very existence ; being abominable to all that can judge of true worth, r/?i^ disobe- dient to the plainest dictates of duty, and with respect to every goodivor I: reprobate, disapproved and condemned, when brought to the standard of God's word, though they are among the first to judge and condemn others. CrtAp. ir. 1. But .'Such is the temper and character of many ! '^-''•■'P' speak thou the thin-s But do thou, O Titus, uot Only guard against " * jhicb become sound ^^xQ infection thysclf, but endeavour to fortify Others against it, and speak the things which be- vome wholesome doctrine, doctrinie which may tend to promote the health and happiness of 2 That the aged men those minds by which it is imbibed. And en- 2 be sober, ffrnve, tern- deavour to suit thy iustructiohs to the different pera.o s<.und in faith, characters of pei-sons whom thou addressest,
HI thcSiity, in patience. -iin ^ . ' , , , . , °
When, tor mstance, tho'i art applying thyself to aged men [admonisli] them to be watchful against temptations, which might dishonour their advanced years, by drawing them into any unseemly behaviour : to he grave in their whole deportment, avoiding such levities as are, even in youth itself, rather pardonable than com- mendable, but in those who are quittirig the stage of life highly indecent. Press it upon them, that they be sober and temperate in thei tise of animal pleasures, as their highest rehsh for them ir.ay well be supposed, bv this time, to be abated. In a word, that they be sound, healthful, and vigorous in the several graces of the Christian temper, and particularly in Jaithi in love, and in patience ; that the principles of Christianity may be retained, and have a suita- ble eifect upon their hearts, and produce uri-
bounded D 2
54
.'i^cd women tnust be atrcjul to tidmouii/i t/tfj/oitn^o:
*^'^^- boimdi'il iluirily, ami a ralni r(>in|)()siirf utidtT
. till* culamitifs ilu'v m.iv MiilVr from tlu* hand «'f
I'ltiis. God, or tlie perstciiiioMs tliry iiuy incft witli in "• -• tlie (.ause of trie j^ospi'l.
^ J '/if a/ffd wo nit II y in like viannei'y [erhorl] to the steadiness 'which becoineth saints, and suits the holy |irofes>ion thry niakc: that tht'v hv not Jiilsc an UNCI'S of otht'fN, a characu-r ratht-r lo be expeetcd fnun the i^reat enemy of manknul, who ha> his name from ihencc, than Irom llie di>- t iplesoflhe henevolent Jesus. L rgr them aU<» tliat thev be not i^ inn to tniich niiity (or ^nmcitt' the Cretan women, as well as men, are infected with that luxurious evil. And, an it inuy be reasiinahlv expected, that persons **> advanced in 1 fe shouhl ha\e laid up a treasure of prudence and reli^uui> wisilt)m in their nnnds, press them, in such a maniter ;ls becomes their private sia- tit)n, to be ttachers of that uhivh is f^ood :
* .Vnd particularly, that thry wisclij admonish the younger 'Women ; for whom tlicy ou^bi to main- tain a maternal atfectiun, and form them, on (hscreet maxims, to a pruilent care in future life; teaching them to love and bono r their hu ihtinds , to love thrir childrm with such a true u.'Vcclion as shall enj;a;;e them to usj- the iwtst pious and tender care in forming their uunds, i)V all the offices of a good education, so many of which will naturally depend 0[Hiu the mother.
^ Let them inculcate it upon these young unstress- es of rising families, [th,it thci/ Or] dncrccf atn\ chaste^ attentive to dome>tic atfairs, and in tliai view irrpiiiif at hovie'y to l(H)k alter them with prudence and care ; that they be goody kind, un<! benevolent in their behaviour to all, and, particularly, r>^t(//V/j/ to their own husbands, that so the word of (rod, which they profess to have received into their hearts, and to reverence as their oracles, viaj/ not be blasphmud by their foolish or perverse, rebellious or licentious con- duct.
f, In tike manner also, exhort the young ?;;r;j, the hope of rising families, upon whom so much of the credit and sup|)ort of the gospel will de- pend, that tliey accustom themselves betimes to be sober and steady in their beliaviour, superior
to
3 Tlir a|rf«l womi ■ llkrwikr, tlidt r/ic» .' Ill l>i ha« luur •!» btrooi- rUi bitliiiok, uoi lul»8 ai-<°ii»i'r>, iiol i;ivi II t" rpucli « liir, l< .icut I
\ Tl>4t tliey mty Irach II.C Vuui'ii *■'- niiu tu b«> Mtl>vr, t • luve tlirir litubaiiii . luluw iltcir cltildiiii
5 To h* ditciret, cba<tr, kccp«r« at
tlulllP, |(OU«l, uUflll'Mlt
to llirir u*u hu*iiaii<U, UiJt «hc •ofcl of «..,.! be iiul (>la>|iUc'Uii'<l.
6 Young men likf *i»eckhurt tti be »< bcr- minded.
d Ke^imz al homf, to loik atiet, &.<'.'] F.Uii^r V<a<i »he»ii, ill a Icariird trate on thi« placr, Uiai Uic wurd mu^^ is used
by kcvcral of the bcit aulLork to cxprcs botb Xhcvc id«u.
Rcjlections on the character of the Cretans. 55
to sensual temptations, and constant in the ex- ^^■^'^• ercise of every part of self-government. '
T In all tilings shew- And, that this address to them and others Titus
ins thyself a pattern ]^^ ^^^.^ g„ccessfiil iu all things, he still ^^■''''
oi good works : in i •' ■ , i ;/• , . r j / i i • i
doctrine s/ieajin<r iin- s fie-vuig t fnjselj o pcitt em oj goodworh's , by wiwch corruptness, gravity, Others may model their conduct with advan- sincenty. tage : while employed in /^ar/j/^o, he constantly
[exercising^^ uncorruptness, that nothing may be spoken hut the genuine truth ; and let it be at- tended with a gravity m declaring it, proporti- onable to its importance, and proceed from sin- 8 Sound speech that ceritu of heart ; Still uttering wholesome speech 8
cannot be conrlcmned: .; ^ . / r j i ^i Pi i • jL
that he that is of the ^'^^^ Cannot be confufed, that he who is on the contrary part may i)e confraiy sidr, and will obstinatcl}' persist in his ashamed, having no infidelity, viai/ be ashamed of iiis opposition,
evil thing to say of / • ■/ , ,- ^i ' ' -^.^ i
yoy_ •' havnig no evil to say of you, or those cotDmitted
to your care ; but may be obliged, with all his prejudices, to acknowledge that jou are a worthy president over a worthy and valuable society of men.
IMPROVEMENT.
While we are reading the word of God, let us attentively ob-y serve what characters are adorned with honour, and what are branded with infamy. It is melancholy to think that any nation, though ever so small, ever so remote, ever so destitute of culti- vation and instruction, should deserve the cbaracters which Epimenides gave of the Cretans, and which Paul found reason to \2 confirm: that luxury ajid fraud, idleness and fury, dissonant as they may seem, should be their governing incHnations. Sad dis- tempers in the minds of men ! But how peculiarly lamentable, when they prevail dimong professing Christians! for among those that are Christians indeed they cannot possibly prevail. Yet surely there are not a few, even in Britain, with all its advantages, who, \v\\\\e professing to knoxv Gw/, and Christ Jesus his Son, in \q works deny them. Such are abominable, in proportion to the de- gree in which they are disobedient ; and, as they are reprobate to every good work now, must expect to be rejected with abhorrence at last by that God whose name they have blasphemed, and whos«? Son they have dishonoured.
To remedy, and if it be possible, to prevent such evils, let the 77Jmw/n\9o/CVim/ be still applying themselves, with suitable ex- hortations and charges, to all with whom they are concerned. Let Chap, ii, them apply to the aged and the young ; and let the aged of both "' ''' sexes use that authority which their more advanced progress in life may give, to enforce upon the rising gcueration lessons of
D 3 wisdom
5o The gospel teaches men to he sober, rii^htcous and pi\'us :
sicT. wisJom and piety, acoonlinp to tlicir rospeclivc sexes and rircuin-
stances in life : tluit pniiUtuf and chastity , rconouiy mid >;.« </;/<.<*
\ cr. of temper, ^ subjection to thetr husbands, formed on love unil on ^> ^ reliijion, may be ilie character v( j/oung wives-, anil iliat iluy *^ niav join to it that viry injportant duty, of a pious care in the education of those children which Ciod n»av givr iht-nJ. And may the sobriety of young men encourage a ln>pe, thai thty will preside over their famihes in the fear of God, and repay the {goodness of such ainial)le consorts ! And may the teachers, whether in pui)Uc or private hfe, he themselves rr«/»r;>/r.w)f the XMiucNlhey iiieuU cate ; tliat they wl>o study to asperse Christ ianify, may fuul them- selves silenced, till their i/r<imtr turns into a worthier alVection ; tdl their siieuce hreaks out into praise, and they, ind)ibing the liku prua iples, feel them productive of the like virtues 1
SF.CT. in.
Paul urges on Titus a caie to instruct sei^nints in the duties of their station , and represents their great obligations to discharge thcm,/ro}it a general i'ie:o of the design of' the gospel, and the love ot' our IiLdcemer in it. Tit. ii. J», to the ind.
."•:. Tm'3 II. ". Tn,. II. o.
\\7]ni,STlhou art, aeeordinp to the direr- K'}",^"^' ,•"*.""*• 1 iiufc ii>Jn I liave ^iven thee alu »c, instructing; lu jhur o«n iiu«iii>,
tl-y. the superior ranWs of mankind, I would not "W to »•;.«•€ /Arm wrii liave thee ne-lect the lowest , but | c.ihort] their "' "" """*=•• ""* '"• slaves and other senutits, who are honoured *
with a call into the Christian church, to be sub- ject to their own masters, with reverence and obedience ; pleasing [them] in all things, so f.ir as they lawfully may, and nut answering again, in a pert and insolent manner, if they are rc- lOnroved by them, even though it should be un-
jusilv, or Willi an excess of seventy. \at lo Not purloiDiuir, pmatrhf dnrauding them * of anv tiling that U bui.i.e»in« all g«.wU committed to their trust, but shewing all good ItTl^'^lL 'i^/- fidelity upon every occasion ; thatho, instead ot uiueoi (;o4l .mr ^•♦^- brin;^ingany reproach upon religion, they may our in-llUuni*. adorn the doctrine oj (JodourSuiiour inail things
and
a Privatrftf defrand-ng-'] Tbe word ployed by their roaitfrt to vrnd cnmmr.
»tfff.^i.« piopt-rly mciiiGls III 4<-»/i iufX ^r/ liiiirt ; dtid olhfr fra«iiliil'-nl prjciirt»,
ill tki •- ■ lud i» iiM d in the ai. .< of llnir t .ink, »<'i<mj cirii-
VAsc i>f :i par:, tt.irrc the ir amc wi^rd in the l^itm lan-
t»-4!*/r »j> ,.. - • . . Ijc r< t«irin-d i Act* f...^,.. j u used fur a i(r><i'i', and a
V. •!, 3. Tlii« trrvau'j, at lL'.i>t jinung the l/wj.
l>catbcu>, Uii^bl probably da ^tivn etu<
b The
Christ gave himself to redeem us from iniquity. 57
and recommend it to the esteem of their masters *!R^' and others, when they shall observe its influence .
on all its professors, to make them careful in Tit the discharge of every social and relative duty. ^'•
1 1 For the grace of /'y,. i|^^. s]ivifi<r grace of Goil, in the gospel-dis- ?atn'ltraSeared pensation, /mth appcuml unto all vun, to men to all men; ol all nations, and ol all ranks and orders of life,
for this great purpose, that it may train them up for eternal salvation, by a holy temper, and a
12 Teaching us, that useful exemplary behaviour This it efl'ectsI2 denying ungodliness miJei- Divine influence, by instructing us ally
ana worloly lusts, we , . ; 7 • i i- •
should live soberly, wlierevcr it comes,^/^^// «e?7ij/iW^" the solicitations rigiiieousiy, andgodiy oi uui^oclUncss and xvorMljj lusts, to which men ia this pres^iiit world; ^f this world SO naturally abandon themselves, we should live soberly in the government of our appetites <r72rf passions; righteously in our con- duct towards our fellow creatures; and piously in our behaviour towards God, and converse with him, while we are by his providence con- tinued i}i this present vain and transitory zeorld; through which we trust he is leading us to a
13 Looking for that blissful immortality. And this is the great ob- 13 blessed hope, and the ' ^^ ^^,}jjp}^ {^^ requires us still to keep in view;
glorious appearing or ^ , , i i^i n • i-,-r • •
the great God, and our and that we should all, in our dinerent situations, faviour Jesus Christ ; be Waiting, with ardent expectation and desires, for the blessed hope which he hath set before us, and for the full consummation of it, in the glo- rious appearance of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ^ ; who shall be manifested with divine pomp and majesty, in the Ir.st day, to redeem all his servants from the power of the grave and to conduct them in their complete persons, to the full and everlasting enjoyment of his heavenly kingdom. U Who gave him- Such are our sublime hopes from this glorious 14- m.lht rede"em uTfrom Lord, to whom wc have all vowed subjection, all inicjuity,and purify whether we be boud or free ; even to him rc'/io unto gave himself up to ignominy, torment and death for us, that he juight thereby redeem us, not only from flnal vengeance and destruction, but fromthe power oi all iniquity ,- «»^might purify to himself a peculiar people, wlio should thank- fully own themselves his property, and express
their
b The great God and our Saviour.'] The opposition between Him and the Father.
■words T» fj-iyaKs &in xnj o-u;t>j--o; Jifxuv, -Compare 1 Cor, XV. '27. Mr. Fiemin^, in
miglit wivh propriety be rendered, our support of this interpretation, observes
greut God and iiuviour, though they are fFlem. Chrisloi. Vol. I. p. '203), that we
also susceptible of the other version. But never read in scripture of the father's ap^
it is certain, that if Christ be here called pearance. vur great God, it is not in any view of
leir gratitude of such incstin)able favours, by «"ii..himvplfaprr,iii« Mng not ot.lv cari'ful to avoid tlu> practice of »''"pl'-.'c*l«"»of«o«<l
58 Jiejicctions on the Jpo^tU's summary of the gospel.
theii
bei Titus evil, l)ut ztalous of good uorks, active in all tlic '• '*• duties of life, and in every office of ri^rlut-ous-
nessr.nd jroodness to cacli otber. Tbe lu<,'best
of niaiikiiid are not above ovvninrjihe obli^'ation,
and it is bis will tbat tbe lowest sbould remem- ber it. These things tberefore sfxi/i boldly, ^'> T».r«*. ii,inKa
flwrf earnestly exhort all tbine bearers to attend *^*^ »"•' '*hori. and
to tbem. J>ul, .f tbey fail of re^Mrd.ni: tben, in [L':':. "r^ lli' ^.^
in a proper manner, rthui-f tbem :ii/h nil an- df5,)i.e ihcc.
thority, as one tbat knows tbat be bas a Divine
commission to support bim: and, upon tbe
*vbole, let no man despise thee; but endeavour
to pive tliese exbortations witb tbat solemnity
and dijinity, and to enforce tbem by tbat wisdou'i
and sanctity of bebaviour, wbicbinay set tbce
above all danger of contempt.
IMPROVE.MEKT.
Ver.
Hardly dors tbe word of God aFord a more instniclivc and
comprebensivc summary of tbe gospel, tban tbat wbicb is berc before us It gives us a view of tbe nature of tbe dispensa- tion, as a diKtrine o/ grace . and. at tbe same time, a doctrine ac- cording godliness. It batb appeared to all men, and it bringeth them to salvation^ by inculcating tbe most salutary lewons tbat man can receive. It teacbes U!» to deny ungodliness and uorldly lusfs^ J)Ow pressing soever tbeir solicitations may be. It instructs us in all tbe brandies of our duty to (iod, to ourselves, and to our /el.
l'2l(ru' Christians. It guides us to uniform and complete goodness ; not e,xtolling any one part, to tbe neglect or injury of tbe rest, but tending to produce tbis beatitiful birtli, entire in all its mem- bers, and tlun to nourisb it to its full maturity. As we are slow of beart to attend to such instructions, it enforces tbem witb mo. fives tbe most generous and tbe most animating. It represent.s to us, as it were in prophetic vision, that blessed hope, nen the
Inglorious appearance i/ the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ ; wben be sball come witb everlasting blessings in bis bands, to re- ward all bis faitbful people; and witb tbe terrors of Divine ven- geance, to be |K)ured forib upon all tbat bave rejected tbe autbo- rity of bis gospel. And tbat tbe most powerful considerations of ^ra/iVut/^, may jbin witb tbose of tbe bigbest interest, it directs our eyes to tbis Divine triumpbant .Saviour, as baving once given himselj 10 torture and dcmUjor us, that he mt^ht redeem us
Jrom
Titus is to enforce obedience to magistrates. 59
from all iniquity, and purify us to himself a peculiar people, de- sect. "voted to God, and zealous of good works. And surely if this ' .^ view cannot prevail upon us to consecrate ourselves to God, and to eufjage with vigour in his service, we must be utterly insensi- ble, and worthy of the severest punishment.
Let these lessons, therefore, every wiiere be taught with all au-Y^x. thoriiy. Let them be addressed at once to the meanest and the 15 greatest of mankind ; that they may join in a pious care, to adorn the doctrine of such a Saviour, and to secure their share in such a 10 salvation.
SECT. IV.
The Apostle concludes his epistle with exhorting Titus to recom- mend obedience to magistrates, and readiness to all good works ; to caution against censoriousness and contention : acknowledging the grace of God, as that to which all Christians owe their hopes of salvation, and strongly pressing him to insist upon the great doctrines of practical religion, in opposition to those idle con- troversies to which many were attached. He also instructs him how to proceed with respect to heretical teachers ; and closes with giving him some directions about meeting him at Nicopolis, and a general salutation to all his friends. Tit. IIL 1, to the ejid.
r'^iheminm- dt TlTUS IIL I . sect.
P bVsubTec" tTprin". A MONG Other useful lessons, which it will_J^ cipaiities and powers, be thy duty to give the Cretans, while thou Titus,
to obey maiiistrates, cox\t\w\\eiiX.\v\\h them, remind them of being siib- III. 1.' good^woric,^ ^° '''^^'^^ ./^^^ ^^ *^'^°^^ principalities and powers which God hath set in supreme authority over them, by no means excepting those who stand at the greatest distance from Christianity: exhort them also to obey subordinate governors ; and upon the whole, to be ready to every good work, in every 2 To speak evil of relation which they sustain in life. Charge 2 l^JxeTs] hut lUl ^^^em to calumniate no mayi\ not to be conten- shewing all meekness tious, \but] gentle in their whole demeanor, unto all mcH, shewing all meekness to all men, even those
from whom they may receive the greatest pro- vocation
a Calumniate nn mnn.'] Not even your enormous in their lives, or cruel in their Pagan, or Jewish neighbour, says ^ood behaviour to you. Dr. Barrow, (vol. I. p. 16'2,) however b WV
3 For wc mirMrlrn
<itO«'l\rii, >i-milK til %iis hikl» uiid |>li .1 ktirm, li\ in;; in tiiuli- ' •ml riivy, hmcful. o'^ U«tiu((, uiifl auotlivr.
f>f> Christians are saved lu/ the u^ashing of regeneration, tsc,
►eo-r. vocation. Let us not licar oun»t'lvf5 too liij^li- '*' Iv, on the supenoriiy ot our own characters, he irtus x\\cy now ever so blamcUss, or ever so exeu»- lil. J. plury ; for uu- ourscivis'y also were Jormcrly Joolish, as well as others, diiobijient to Uio l)i- \iiie authority, anil |)»riiaps to those whom God hail in\e>teil with power over ns; wdiiilcrni:^ from the paths both of truth and virtue, and c//- s/iiTi-d to itin'ous iu.t/s, and j /,(isu)\s , in the pursuit and pratificaiion ot which we degradeil the nobler powers of our souls. We were living in malice and enxy, hateful ourselves while under the tyranny of such fierce and de- testahli- passions, [a)ui] haling one another, im atcoinit of little cla.shinL;s and oppositions in our temporal interests, while we forgot the ^reat ties and bonds which ought to have endeared us to each other. * But Ufhcn the admirable kindness and love of God our Saviour' touards wan, so signally dis. played in the gospel, appeared to us, we were deh\tred frim ibis miserable condition ; the re- niemhrance therefore of this deliverance ought to make us compassionate, rather than severe, towards others in the same unhappy cirmm- stance in which we once were; especially when we consider the manner in whit h it was aecoin- Splished. For it wa> ;/"/ f>y any works of righ- teousness u/iiih we ourselves had done , for any acts of obedience, whether to ceremonial or moral precepts, by which we had made ourselv«s worthy of his favourable regard; liut an. n ding to his own tiuny, thai he saved us from comlem- nation and ruin, hi/ the washing cj regeneration^,
and
4 But after (hat the kin(lar»* and lutr of (iod our Saviuiir to- ward maD appeared.
S Sot by work* ' right^'i'itocM •111' . »c Imri done, btit ■' ritrdin;; lo hi* nii-i' v he- •avcd ui tiy Hi- waihiu^
k ire ourtfhfi] Dr. \V! this canuut liv appiica ilc tn I' and ar^uc* from Art* x\;:: ', rhil. III. 6. Ilul I ail. when the cpotlU wrote ■ sublime views of iht: f'U my it <>o<l's law, and thf wnptrfrcli-jn "f hi>i own l»r»i oh«.. dicace, how i!apa'.'I Cud to mei, (bat :
Bays in the text <|..-i. ., nv . j ..■• .■i-,"» wh.it h« here wrutr to much of kit I'Ut cliarictcr while an cntmy of Cbrittianity. Compare note c below.
c ti'tl our SavrtUT.'\ It if obwrrable, that Cotl thf f'alhti IS here called uur Suvi- pur, to iiitiir.ate, that it was bit paternal &,Tr to us that to£3gid him tu appoint hit
II uf, and to priform nil thoie iii'«.» for ii», li> which he ac-
Mr. Ju»e|ih .MtUe iD'Uti upon ii, that it nlliidri lo cicausinf tb« iiewr.bora infant fruui the fxtlluitont which ne«v»«aTilr ai- trnd it. (Kiitk xvi. 4 — 6.) Hut I C4ii. not think tlii'. iiiit-rprria': -• •> < ■ able to the doctrine of tion I sine*. It i« not by • that the birlh n piofiutcH; and I'lcrcfuii . it can (urrly ni^nifv no more, thao td.i' they who ni< / bm' U« b' l .
uathfd. I I. . I cl>«wh»-i' .
>m\'.>, the woi u ii- !■- u;t.J, ij by no ni. ai -v
culircly
They that have believe din God should maintaifi good worsts. 61
and (he reneunng of the Holy Spirit : which by ^^^'^'
its purifying influence operates at first to turn l^ ,
us to God, and bring us into the number of his Titus children, and afterwards advances the happy l^'* -5. work, by improving us more and more in the Divine hfe and image : Even by that Spirit^ which he poured out xipon us richly, and abun- dantly, in his various gifts and graces, by Jesus Christ our Saviour, in virtue of whose interces- sion it has been imparted to the cluldrcn of men ; That being justified by his grace, "wc ^ might become heirs of the most valuable bles- sings, according to the hope of eternal life, which as the <iift of that q-race he hath exhibited to our believing views, as the great and noble ob- ject of our ])ursuit, [This,] which I have here been attesting, [w] a faithful saying, most cre- dible in itself, as well as of great weight and importance ; and concerning these things, thess distinguishing principles of the gospel, / will and charge thai tliou steadily affirm and con- stantly mculcate them ; that so thty who have believed in God, and b}^ baptism professed to embrace this gospel, may not imagine, that by the dispensation of grace they are excused from the observation of duty; but, on the contrary, that being thus engaged, and encouraged by such grace and hope, they may be so much the more careful, thoughtful and diligent to sig- nalize themselves as examples of the greatest 2:eal in good works. Tliese things are good and profitable to men : there is a beauty and advan- tage in them which nothing can equal. Let these therefore be the darling topics of thy preaching, as thou desirest the ediiication and salvation of thy hearers.
But avoidy and endeavour to guard others 9 against /'(?o/w/i questions, which the Judaizing teachei's are ready to start, that tend only to
amuse
washing of regenera- tion, aiul reiunving uf tUc iiuly Gliost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly, tlirtuigh Jesus Christ luui- Saviour:
1 That beingrjustifl- ed by his grace, we should !)e made lieirs according.- to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful sayinjr, and these things I will that thou afl'uiM constantly, that they which have be- lieved in Uod, might be careful to njaintaiii {iood works ; these thin.^s arc good and protitabic unto men.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genea- logies,
entirely synonymous toxu'tija laver. The sense here given of this mucii controverted passage is what I verily believe to be the justest and safest; though I ?m well a- ware, that the Christian church soon began to lay a disproportionahle stress on forms, and to ascube too great cfncacy to the ri- tual of hfipliim. (See the preface and postscript to my Str7nuns on llegeneration, second edtliun.)
6 Which he poured out vpori us nchhj.'\
These words have been explained as re- ferrin',' to Paul alone, and the efl'usion of the Spirit upon him, to qualify him for his extraordinary office. But, to say nothing of the harshness of this inlerprclaiion, and the violence it must do to ss\eTa\ phrases here used, it is evident that it would mike the text quite Jorciijn to the pur- pose for which it is introduced, viz. of dissuading from severe and uncharitable censures.
f Perplexed
62
j1 heretic is to be rcji ctcd, being self-condemned.
ttcT. amuse an idle curiositv ; aud those |)crpU'xetl W*f*, «nd contmii.
alioiil lilt' \»y\ : lor lliry arc uiijirufiUblr
— > , ^ I— -I -"
.gcnLalofries\a\io\iX.\\\\\c\\ they so eagerly clcWaie 1 uus ajid other strifes and contenlinus ub(*ut f/ir hrw "'•"• of Moses ;yt>r tlity arc unprofjtahU n)id vain, not only consuniinp to no j)nr|)osf tluit th: «• which is capahle of nnirh Ik iti-r iniproveni but als«) temiuij; to ilisconip»^se tin- nnini, \o alienate the allt-ctions of Christians IVdmi raclj other, and to render them imlitVereni to the pro- 10 per duties of life. And a man that, <»n this occasion, or any other, is a factious and ohsti- nate Arrc/Zt*, that introduces such controver- sies as these into the church, and pi-rxerselv maintains and propa^rates them, in a maniu r injurious to the peace of societv, oUfr the Just and second adwott It ion from thee and the church, given with proper solemmtv, rcjtct, ami de- clare him unlit to he any longer looked upon a.s 1 1 a memher of iL Knowing that such a one, who is so fond of his own darlint^ niitions, that lu? will njin the peace of the chiirih f«»r them, ami will not suhmit to thy remonstrances, and those of the wiser and better part «)f the society, is ^fJT^r/ff/ l)y some \er\ ill principli s, uhaiexer zeal he ni^y pretend for what he maintains as truth; and that he not only err^, but sins too, in such obstinate elVorts to ditfuse his errors, br- ing indeed seit-condrtnnrd, and |n»lj;<*d out of bis own mouth, as his own uord> furnish sulb- cient matter of coin iciion : aiul, while he makes such a hrcach in the church, he in ifVect passes on himself that sentence of separation fnun it,
which
in A m-«n that in .-in lirrt tic, afior «bf fir»l iiikI i>«^^-un<i adoiouiU- uu rtji-cl ;
1 1 Kno«in; that Itr thai I* Kiirh, •< tub* tcrtad, ami »iiin> th. l>«-in;t <-»udcuMK-«i uf hiltltrlf.
f Pcrplcitcd frnfologitt.] It ii well kiKiwn Ihii thr J r»« curried tlicir fmid- iK'Sk for the»« to a gn-.-il rvc««» ; and Jr- rome tell* tit, thry »rre a* veil arquaitit- rd vith tho»r from Adam to ZerubbaOt I, AS thrir o^n mamri.
(t Ilfr^hf.] Aflrrall th* trdioii* eonl'nvrr- fin winch liavr ariM'n ahfitit thr iirn»r of thii Irrl, I haTc l>^<n <>l»li^c«l lo arqiin-»ce in that pivrn in the paiaoknur, hrinj •< II a>'Xiirpd, that a prrton may be luiiil to be 3rt/-cf>nii -mnfii if he furniih matirt of rr.»t. r«rri>"i a^ain>t himself. Cofnp.trc Meb xi. ", \ Mat. xii. 41, 4.' ; A'tik Mil .;<'. : Job XT. 6 ; Luke xix.C2. .And indctrd, if Dr. Whitby's intfrpretaiion, br.rro»*<l and d«»fcndpd hy Dr. Fo«ter, i» to be adiniitril, Tiz. that hf iii a htr«-*ic who ti-ache* di- rectly ron/rdry tn what he inwardly Htlirxrt, the truth or fnLe^id of hit notinn* «ill be a matt«T quite iniiiffrrmi a< to fixinf; tbit censure upon bim ; aud a man, wbu wat
n'ally an attiriit, mi;:)it be •ubirrt to intdrmmatmn, a« a licrrlir, fcjr li-arbliir the mod iwlttoilax »)r»tLin of ( hniiianiiy Ib4t can be (onreivin), if h>« xrcrM an»ei*ni >l»i<ild by any m<*aa« be Att. ciivernl. And *o the word hrrrty will be made to <ignify a kind of ,•
wliirli i« turli an a*>ii«e <.t |
MippoteffW will bri-apiblr ,j;.
I »liall only add, that, a* i>r. ho>ier is oMifTcd to allow tlirre »t* funtlimrnlal error»,for whirh, liuw iitlcrrf'f tortt-r re. rt'iM-d mill mainlainrd, a man onchl to he ««-p3rat<-il from a (Jiiruii.ii: • . 'hv
dispute b<:t«<-i-n thl» Irariint ,1
hi« on/a on/If, wa« I'roiiglil to i h,
what St. Paul call* hertm f ami itir htnK laid down above convince mr, thai aliat I)r. \\'hiiby ha» ».iid on tbi» brad cannot be d(-f<-ud«:d, etcu by tbi* ingi-uiuu* mi- ter of It.
h Th,ft
Paul desires Titus to come to him at Nicopolis.
63
12 AVhen I shall send Artemas unto tliee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Kicopolis; for I have determined there to winter.
15 Bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on tUeir journey dili- gently,that nothin- be wanting laUo them.
14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
SECT,
15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
which he well deserves to lie under till he re- turns to a better temper. ^ '
]Vlien I shall send to thee Artemas, or Tychi- Titus cus, to supply thy place in Crete, as I hope m. 12. quickly to do, endeavour to come to 7ne at Ni- copolis ; for there I have determined to pass the winter^, if Providence gives me an opportunity.
As Zenas, the worthy lawyer, who thoughts well versed in those studies, on which some of the Jewish brethren value themselves so highly, is now a sincere and active Christian, and my eloquent and pious friend Apollos, will be with thee when this comes to thy hand, or quickly afterwards, I desire thou wouldest bring them forward on their journey to me, with readiness and diligence ; and take all the care thou canst, that nothing convenient ?;2«// be wanting to them which thou canst supply them with. I hope 14 these good men will meet with that hospitable treatment, among the Christians in your parts, which their character deserves ; and let all those that belong to us, and call themselves Christian brethren, whether they were before Jews or Gentiles, learn to distinguish themselves in good works, for necessary purposes of aid and service to others ; that they may not be unfruitful, and act as if they had learned nothing but barren speculations from that religion which is so well calculated to inspire and animate every senti- ment of benevolence and generosity.
All the Christians that are here with me sa- 15 lute thee, in an affectionate and respectful man- ner. Salute them who love us in the bonds of our common faith ; and assure my Christian friends that I feel an equal affection for them. Grace and peace, and every other blessing, from our Father and Saviour [pel with you all. Amen.
IMPROVE-
h There I hate delermined to pass (he winter.'l Several cities of this name are mentioned in antiquity ; one, not far from Philippi, in Macedonia ; another in Kpirus, which took its rise and name from the victory of Augustus over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. Mr. L' Enfant is of opinion this last is referred to here, sup- posing that Paul intended a visit to those
in or near lilyricum, among whom he had preached the gospel; Rom. xv. 19. But Mr. Cradcck, and many others, think it was the /miner. After all, it seems to me something uncertain ; as well as the particular time when this ejtialle was writ- ten, and the place from whence it was seat. (See Introd, to this epislle, p. 44.)
6* Rt'Jlcctions on the grace and mercy of {Jod in the ^ospel^
lMrit<)\ I Ml NT.
BtcT. Let tho rememliraiice nf tlic inrsu!i:n.':.s wiili wl.jcli we
'*• ourselves were once chargeable, of tliat siiirul and mist ralilr
Vt-r. condition in whicli we once were, make «s candid toothers, and
2 silence our too severe iv;rw//f.f aj^ainst tliem. And let us ralhi r,
with the apostle, huiul)ly adore that grace whit h lias now u«atle
3 a dilTerence between us and those that at-e still fooUili and disohe- dienf, xcaiuUrinff in the paths of vice, antl enslaved to dkcrs lusf<
4 and passions. Let the kindness, the philanthropy o/dudy be daily 6 celebrated and adored by us; of (iod, -a. ho hath saved us, not hy
the righteousness of our uorks, but l)y his own rith and overllow-
^ ing viercy ; hath Jus fijied ushy his free grace, in Christy and there- by made us heirs, according to the hope of eternal li/c. Nor let us ever forget how much we are indebted to the regenerating
<6and renewing influcnees of the Holy (ihost^ shid abroad upon us
riehhj by Jc^us Christ our Saviour. May it wash and purify our
souls more and more from every stain of sin, and nmy it inspire
1|U8 with a pious arilour to honour our |)rofe.ssion, \i\ distingnisfiing
oursehrs in all gjod rt'trds for necessary u,us, and accortling to
a the ealU which i'rovidence gives us in life. Having professeil our bclitf in God, let us cart-fully practise nil the virtues t)f tlit! Christian cliaracrer; for these things are indeed giod and profita- hlc to men. But let us guartl against those airy curiosities and
<> abstruse speculations, which on the contrary, are unprofitable and vain.
M»V all the churches of Christ be dtlivered from such factious member* and teachers ai would depart froni the infallible rule of truth which is laid tlonn in the word of God, and would subvert the faith once drlivered to the saints; introducing;, instead bf it, the doctrinrs of' mrn, and teaching things which tt nd to alienate the minds of Christians from the gospel, anil from each other, that ihcy may ^et up their own authoritv, and promote their own secular interest. We ought iindoubledly to be cautious libw we pass such a censure on particular persons, without clear and evident proofrj ; but when such proofs arise, and the persons 10 in (jucstion appi^ar to be the. turbulent and pernicious heretics l\\At St. Paul describes, it were to be wished they might always meet with the treatment which he recommends. They tnit^ht first to be plainly and seriously admonished; and, if repeated wdmonitions are rt i»ttcd, it is the duty of the wir.er and sounder parts of Christian societies to e.ipcl them ; thai they may be less capable
6f
jlnd on PauPs direclion to expel heretics. 05
of doing mischief, and that the gangrene of such pernicious prin- sect.
ciples and dispositions may not spread, to the disgrace and ruin — }m
of the churches to which they belong. But let it ever be remem- bered, that this is all the remedy which scripture furnishes us with; and the}', who to the solemn censure of disturbed and injur- ed churches, add any coj-pora/ severities, ov civil penalties whatso- ever, are taking up weapons which Christ has never put into their hands, and may very probably do more mischief in the church and the world than the most erroneous of those against whom they ivould arm their terrors.
TJIF. END OF THE FAMILY EXPOSITOR ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL
TO TITtJS.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR J
OR, A ON
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLJ^
TO
PHILEMON.
CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTFCAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH
SECTION.
Vol. v.
E
V.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
TO THE
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
ON THE
EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO PHILEMOX,
JI7 HILEMON was an inhabitant of Colosse, as we may conclude ifom St. Paul's mentioning Onesimus, in his epistle to the Colos- sians, as one of them (chap. iv. 9) ; as well as from his salutino- Archippus in this epistle (ver. 2), who appears, from Col. iv. 17^ to have been a pastor of that church. The title of fellow-labourer, given Philemon (ver. l), makes it probable, that he was his colleague mthe ministry : and, though we cannot certow^ deter- mine when he first embraced Christianity, it is evident, from the oblique insinuation in the ly*** verse, that he was one of the apostle's converts ; and it is not at all unlikely (as some have conjectured) that he might have had an opportunity of attending upon him during his long residence at Ephesus, where we are told St. Paul preac:hed with so much success, that all they they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus Christ: (Acts xix. 10 )-— He seems, from several hints given in the epistle, to have been a per- son of distinction ; particularly, from the mention made of the church in his house (ver. 2), and his liberal contribution to the re- lief of the saints (ver. 5, 1)-, and the general strain of the letter shews that the apostle held him in very high esteem, and looked upon him as one of the great supports of religion in that society.
It appears from the first verse of this epistle, that St. Paul was. under confinement when he wrote it ; and, as he expresses (ver. 22) his expectation of being shortly released, it is probable that it was written towards the close of his frst iiuDrisonment at Rome,, and sent, together with the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians, by Tychicusand Onesimus, about the year of our Lord 63, or the 9th I of the emperor Nero. (Compare Introduction to Jjlphea, Vol IV p. 315, and Vol. ill. § 60, note^.J
E2 ^"^
70 J General Introduction
The occasion of the letter was i'-Jn: — OllC^innl«, PhiK mon's »-lavf, had robbed bis mas'cr, and lied lo Koine; wbi-rc, happdy for him, he met with the apostle^ who was at tliat lime a prisoner at large, and by his instructions and admniiitiuns was converted to Christianit\ , and reclaimed to a sense uf his dutv. St. PmuI serms to have kept him for some considerable time under his eye, that he mij:;ijt be >atistu'il of ihe reality of the cii.m^e; ami, when he had made a sufReieiit trial of him, and found that his behaviour was entirely ajjr^eable to his j)rottssion, he wouM not detain him aiiv longer for his own private convenience, though in atiitiiation that rendered such an as.sisfant peculiarly desirable (couipare ver. IJ, 14), but sent him back to his master; and, as a mark of his esteem, entrusted him, together with Tychicus, with the charge of delivering his epistle to the church at I'oltuse, and giving theiii a |)articular account of the slate of th.n^s at Htjiiie, nconuDendmg bin) to them, at the same time, as a fnnliful atid beloved Inotlicr ; (Col. iv. 1».) — And, ns IMiilemuii iirglil well be; supposed to bo htrongly prejudiced against one who h.»d left his service in so infa- irous a manner, he sends him thts Ictfcrt in which he employs hII his intlucnee to remove his suspicions, and reeoiici e hiin tu the thoughts of taking Onesinnis into his family again. Aiiil wix-rcas St. Paul might have exerted that authoiity whi< h hi& character as an apcsde, and the relation in which he stooil to Philemon as .i spiritutit /other, wouM naturally give hmi, he ihoosisto cnlrcat bim as n tncud, and with the ^oftc!>t and most iiiMiiuaiiog address urges hi> suit, conjuring him, by all the lies of(liri»iian frieiuU ship, that he would not denr him his rnjue«t. And, the more ef- fectually to prevail upon him, he rcpresems hit own jn-ace and happiness as deeply interested in the event: and speaks of Onesi- luus in such terms as were best adapted to softeti his prejudues, and dispose him to receive one who was so dear to htnucl/, not merely as a snvanf, but a^ a fellow Christian and a fritud.
But thoug'i ihcapofflc'ssuli/ecl did not lea 1 him to treat sndiieclli/ of the ilocirines or precepts of (hristianiiv in Mm as in liis other epistles, yci a person, wliose mmd, like /*/v, was so deeply and habitually impressed with a sense of Dimie truths, could not fail, even when writing iijmn the mos! covnnon andfamiliar occurrences, to introducr some hints that might tend to cherish pious and vir- tuous sentiments in the bre.ist of his friend; end accordin;;ly, in this short epistle, wc meet with several alinsjons to ddl'ercnt part* of the Christian plan, interxoztn, m so ea^y ar.rl va!ural a mannir wifli the reist of the letter, as must convince us how near iboso subjects lav to his heart.
It 19 wrpoesible to read over this adnural)le epistle, without be- ing iou< bed witli the delicacy of sentiment, aiid the v:ajtcrlt/ ad- dress that .iftpear in every part of it. We fee here, in a most striking light, how perfectly consistent tri'e politeness is, iiot only with all the warmth ind sincerity of th*" jritnd, but evtn willi ifte dignjiy ot tlie Christian and the apjatlc. And if thi;>lcl'cr uere
10
To the Epistle to Philemon, 71
to be considered in no other view than as a mere human composi- tion, it must be allowed a master-piece in its kind. As an illu>*tra- tion of this remark, it may not be improper to compare it with an epistie of Pliny, that seems to have been written upon a similar occasion, (lib. ix. let. 21 ;) which, though penned by one that «'as reckoned to excel in the epistolary style, and though it has un- doubtedly many beauties, vet must be acknowiedged, by every impartial reader, vastly inferior to this animated composition of the apostle.
One cannot but be solicitous to know what effect such an epistle produced. One would willingly hope it was attended uith all the success which St. Paul seemed to expect, when he tells Philemon, that he wrote to hin) in full confidence of his obedience knowing that he would do even more than he said. And though nothing indeed is expressly aNserted in relation to it, yet there is great reason to be- lieve, from the nature of the thing, that Onesimus had already waited upon his master, and being received into favour, when he discharged the commission, v/ith which (as we have observed) he was honoured, to the Colossians. For it is hardly to be imagined, that the apostle would direct him to join with Tychicus, in deliver- ing such a message to a church, that was in part under the care of Philemon, before he had made his submission to him, and ob- tained his pardon. (Compare the Introduction to the Ephesiansy p. 315.)
E 5
i
PARAPHRASE AND NOTES
l^HE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE
PHILEMON.
SECTION L
Paul intending to intercede with Philemon, in favcfurofhit fugitive servant Onesimus, introduces his design with a most affectionate and proper salutation. Philein. ver. 1 — 7.
PtIILEMON 1.
T>AUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, irnto Philemon oiir dearly belov<ed',' and fellow-labourer.
2 And to our belov- ed Apphia,and Archip- pus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house j
3 Grace to you, and p«ace
Philemon 1. T^AUL a well-known prisoner in the cause sect. * oj Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, not '• unknown, join their salutations to Philemon our pj^^j^ j^ beloved friend, and piows fellow -labourer in the work and gospel of our blessed Redeemer, and one of the pastors of the Colossian church : And we also address them to the beloved Ap- 2 phia % his pious consort, and to his associate in the ministry, Archippus, (Col. iv^ 17,) ourfel^ low- soldier in that holy warfare in which we are engaged ; ayid fo the little church of Christians [that w] in thine house, as we know thou art so happy as to have several of thy numerous family united to thee and to us, in the bonds of the Lord. May grace and peace, that abundance 3 of spiritual blessings, and that happiness result- ing
a To the beloved Apphia.'] It has l)een •l)served, that this ladij and Archippus are probably named in a view of eni^aging tUcir good offices with Philemon, in favour
of Onesimus ; and no doubt Paul would ■wish they might be engaged : but, sepa- rate from that view, it would have been natural and decent to meution them both.
u
Paul introduces his design with a proper salutation.
inp from tlicm, \\U\c\\ \vc so often wish to our Christian friends, when we are addressing thcni
pracc from OoJ our Fmtlirr, and the Loid JctujiCltruU
4 I thank my God, makiii): iiicotion of Ihri- always lu uiy pr«ycr. ;
5 nearinc of thy
Phil, by letter, [/;«•] unto you Jvom C»'o</ om/- gracious I- 3' and bountiful Father^ and from the Lord Jesus
Christ, to whose intercession we owe our inter- est in the Divine favour. 4 You may be sure, my dear Philemon, that
though absent from you, and surrounded with
many cares and sorrows, yet far from iieini; un-
inindful of you in my addresses to the throne of
grace, I uluays thank nij/ Gud on your account
when I am making mtntion of thrc in my pray- Strs; UtarinCy with greater pleasure than I
can express, of the steadv taith -which th.nt hast, '"*" ""* ^*'"'' '"'"•'•
and alwavs maintainest, iouards th^ Lord Jesus ^ '"LTVud *^"
Christ, as the great objc'. t to which our faith as
Christians is directed, and of thy ardent lirue to
all the saints", who arc the excellent of the
earth, and the most de&ening our esteem and 6 affection. It is therefore matter of my most
ler\ent prayer that the^e promising openings
may be abundantly answered; and that thy
communion with u> in the faith of our blessed
Redeemer, the advantages of which thou doest
row so haj)pily share, viay be more and more
apnarently fjficacious in extorting from all that
behold It /^t-due acknouUU^miut of every irood
and valuable thins uhich w in you all towards
Christ Jisus, and all those whom he is pUa?.cd 7 to own and favour. l\rmit iir- to say this, in
my own name, and that of my companion Ti- mothy i/oru^e are ouTse\vc%greatly rejotcedand
coni/orted ky thy A;;;*:, which thou art in so many
generous ways cxpres.>ing to our fellow Clnis-
lians ; and particularly, that the bowtb of ihr
ytoQX saints are r^frrsh.d hi/ thee our dear bro- ther, while thou fee. ; lelievest the \Muir,
and makcsi those p., ,, vvhjch Providence
hath given thee, a general gmnJ. None of ilie
hungry tliat are fed at thy tabh* can find a sup- ply of their necessities more sensible and de- lightful than tl»c joy we feel, from the report of
»o benehcent a conduct in one whom we m
tenderly regard.
I.MPaoVE-
«afd all taints ;
0 That the rommu-
,.,.,...., ..t 11 .. (jiKh !■ • ' '■■.^Ui
ol ctcry |(t<w<] lliing, «hich is in yuu in Ctirtst Jcius,
T For w« \t*vt prral joy and comolatiiin in liiy lu%r, bo>-«uM> llt<> bowel* of llio sainU •le rvfrckttcd by Ui<-«, lirutJH-r.
hO/ lie fdtk »*:m r*^ *<u/ tow^, fks feid Jfiui, an.: , „// ,^^ ,^„, i
Ti.e w<.,u» I.I t ,i,nd „ ,»,,'
«rr pl.it'cH mo . , ,^\_
e«» ol jgch a If , ^,y
li.. \VUU.y, ,a jj^,j
place; but Mr. Blarkwill ohirrrr*. ih.it our taii^'uof'- iiott not adTiit of Ihr like, ■lid ib'.Tfforc propo^r-i the rendering "C hare fullowed. BlackwalPi Hac. Cau. Vol. l.p. S7.
'jReflcctions en PauVs inircdncticn to the epistle.
IMPROVEMENT.
If any could be so weak as to think the character of the Chrts^ iian and the minister^ at all inconsistent with that of the well-bred tnauy they must see a remarkable demonstration to the contrary m this familiar epistle of St. Paul to his friend P/nVc^won ; which is conducted with the happiest address, aud which, in true polite- ness, may vie with that of the greatest masters of the epistolary style in antiquity. The Introduction (the length of which obliges us to separate it from the remainder to which it is so happily con- nected) leads us naturally to a variety of useful remarks, and con- veys important instruction in the vehicle of well-deserved praise.Yer. 5 How elevated soever the station of Philemon might be, and how plentiful soever his circumstances, it was his chief glory and felicity to be so distinguished iox faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and love to all the saints. And indeed it is most unworthy the profession we make oi faith in Christ, as the great Head of the church, not to love all his members : unworthy our character o/" saints, not to feel a sympathetic affection for all that are sanctified. If others are deficient here, as alas ! many are too sadly deficient, let us exert ourselves so much the more, and labour to give the most 6 substantial demonstrations of our love. It will be an honour to us, and to the Christiaji name, that our communion in this precious faith should extort an acknoxtdedgment of good things in us, from all who are intimately acquainted and conversant with us. Thus shall we diffuse happiness in a wide circle ; for it is a sincere joy to all ^ good men, to behold the graces and the usefulness of others. Especially are the hearts of faithful and zealous ministers comforted, when the bowels of poor saints are refreshed, by the liberalit}' of the rich. They share alternately the pleasure which is felt on the side of the pious benefactors and their grateful beneficiaries ; and were they with Paul, in the conliuement and necessities of a priso?i, the report, would delight and enlarge their souls.
SECT. ir.
The apostle proceeds to the main business of this short epistle ; and labours, by the happiest address that can be imagined, to engage Philemon kindly to receive and forgive Onesimus, his fugitive slave, who after having greatly injured his master, ajid happily been converted by St. Paul at Rome. He concludes with some particular salutations and messages. Philem. ver. 8, to the end.
PiiTTEM. 3. Philemon 8.
YVHEREFORE; y HAVE been expressing, my dear Phile-
though I might | ^ i t i • ''^ n .
be X i^^o"; the confidence 1 have in your excellent
character,
SECT.
Phil. 8.
76
Paul chooses to hfieech, rather thtn enjoin. Philt'^noH.
•"~r- rliaracter, and ilie great pleasure with wbicii, ^ hotli 1 and Timothy my hrothor have ht'ard
be miicli bold in Thrift tu i-njoin Uirc that wbicb ucon>Lut(;ui|
*> Vi I for Tove'i
»k*, I r* hir Ue»eech
fArf, hriuir »uch ait
inc «« I'm iI thf a|F<1|
Phil. 8. of your manv penerous an*! bcnefitt iti actions i ami titcrrl ><•, i.i f^f'Trnrr to the p... ticular oc- cu;ion c.f thjs litter, whic. to ^o gj)ud a lieart cannot Lc disai;reeahle, thcugh J mii^h' ikc gnat free dun, r;ieof my rrli*'. •■ ; ' »/•,
and the aatltoniy . ' ' pi .;the,
and^;;;,7m that u'. ta reason -
3 a\)\eJor t'ire ta do, / ?,../;) (.-,.»>. r>e Ay /<*vf to eii.'irat [/ :<t'^, heiug such an one as Paul the ai[ed'; whoso superior standing; in hfe and in religion I know Uutu wonldst revire, though and now ai»u a |>ri>on ill a private station. <!«;/ espeeially as I am now er of Je»ui Chmu also ih: prism.,' of Jesus ('hri>t, whom thou wouUlst, I am sure, honour, as A confessor in his rau>e, if I were not disiingnlshed hy so im- mediate a commission Irom him, or so long a lOiram of service* in hii chi;rch. / nxtreat '^ ' hrtrrrh is** thee, I sav, comrrning a ceruin son of mine, for m> .o.. oncmu.,
, , , L .. r^i 'l J K »hoin I have brgoUin
•u hoyn / have fKi^ottrn to Christ in »/;j/ ttonds*'; inmyhvittitx
and whom I hope thou wilt upon thm ac( onnt
be incJined to favour, knowing how dear he must
be to mc, considered as a soul which God liatli
'given me at such a season as this. And it is no
other than ihv servant Onesimiu , Who in- 'i wn'irh in time
deed, if 1 may "so allude to his name, did not *"*' V.' •".*'''* ""■
f , • r I .:. ±1 profiUble, bul now
formerly answer it, tor he uas once UHjtrofitati/e profitable to m« aud tothct, negligent of thy hnsiness, and mj eon- to«e: ' '• scions of hiiMtig deserved thy displeasun*, that he lied from it. ISut he nax is, and I trust will bej proJitabU both to thee and to fnc % so as
daily
a PaJ the o^rtZ-l II i* p'ncrally afreet), thai ihia tbt<lU aat «rittcu about thr yrar ^f' f'/krwi oj i aud, it «c tiipt<u>e I'aul to have l>««n .'4 v^«r< old «hcn Mrpuen vat
•lontvl • ■ ...
callt.l y#«ir J. •
ftoliilcl) to deteriiiinc tbc rjurt lime;, he Would now be 5j ; and contidrnnjr fH>w itiuch hi« i.'on«tituti(jii would [- impaired, b}' Ut*/jl:u-' * aud . foro th.it dm ', be might |>ri>p< hi ■ iiiukii call birnM-lf, •.- i:?\,'i;, amf adttmcf! in at^r, thuii^li not an old oun. Dr. Whitiiy in- dct-H vjvi, ««! arc ybuif till 4<i, and not pr"p<:rlv affi till ufter tj^'), aad coorludi-t hr luuhl be ahoMt .V», at ibe death of Stephen, and r>^^ jt the daJe of thit eftiilie. If the rtailtr be not «ati»lied witli cUhrr of tiiCic I-.. njci'tur< i, he may take any medium (j«:t;»i.— n thciu that >ball .i{i{>ca( lu kioi iDurc ;>|ji;kibl«.
b A ion of ftkinr, uhom T haxt 't^gilUi >r. tr.n fKtiidi, — Onriimtti.] Thu« I'lC wnrilt Htand in th« i^rii;it:a/ ; niiil I lltnuplit it iil- < uinbriit U|Mj|i liir to prr»rr«r that aritrt, bvcauic It krcpii thf liiiiid III an .-iRrf rnblc tutfjfncr, and h.i» a finr i tft ri, uliichf rrty reader of UUt*. will i|ii|i kty |Kri'ri\c.
c M'ci unpiff.lahle, bul nou: ii f-njitabtr.]
ft l-n^ \jrrn jit'tly ijb»4'rvcd, that it wa«
~, «ho bad bfi n «'>
. familv of Pliilcmon,
.11111.. k .m i.ii !■ i- ;r)ll» flDp' ■■ - •■: ^m
I lijoyid tlit-re, hlxmid iiictt v« ■ •:
in liik raiuMck at tloiiic lii-' «.
often happcntd somenlKtt of a tiiailiar na- ture ; but ii !• very unjiiinjiootr, and mar pru'i.tSly be fatal, for any to ptnvmt on ti • lii.c cxtrucrxliiiary iiii< ipotitiook i>f
prov .lictireaiid (crt •\ •■■■ f ivour.— Tl.e
wiirti Orifiimut i> , inlly known
to •l^iilfj prr/;f, ni, ' ' ' l> niU< h of
tb«. tauic liuport. iue) wciv uaiuej Mtilvh
lie would not detain Onesimus from his master ;