A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, To the reader 1 – Dedication
An Epistle to the READER.
AMongst all the Tractates in Divinity written by English men in English (which are very many, and many of them very excellent, and highly esteemed even by learned men of other Nations) there are none more useful (in some respects) or more serviceable to the Church of Christ, then such of them which are Commentaries and Expositions upon the holy Scriptures. Witness Ainsworth upon the Pentateuch. Willet upon Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Daniel, Romans and Iude. Perkins upon the Galatians. Bifield upon the Colossians. Taylor upon Titus, & many others. Insomuch that if we had such like English Commentaries upon every Book in the Bible, I doubt not but it would very much tend to the right understanding of the Scripture, & thereby to the further propagation of Truth & Godliness throughout the whole Nation.
The Reverend, Learned and Religious Author of this ensuing Treatise hath undertaken to give us a Practical and Polemical Exposition upon the third and fourth Chapters of the latter Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy; of which it may truly be said, That it is both elaborate and judicious. And that he doth not serve the Lord with that which cost him nothing. There is in this excellent Commentary the sum of nigh 30 years studies, and the Epitome of all those choice things which this worthy Minister of Christ hath ever either heard or read. And therefore I doubt not but it will fully answer expectation, and be gladly entertained by the godly learned Readers.
Especially if they consider, That the Author of this Book is the same Person who hath by former Books guarded the Pulpit from unordained Preachers, The Font from Antipaedobaptists, The Schools by the defence of human learning; And the Ministery and their maintenance in a Latine Treatise called Sal Terrae. His abilities are already sufficiently known to the world by these, and many other of his works, and therefore there is no need to add any thing more in way of commendation, Vinum vendibile non opus habet hederâ suspensâ.
My prayer to God is, That this large and yet pithy and learned Exposition may obtain the end for which it was written, That it may do good to future Generations and speak to the world, when the Author is gone out of it to enjoy the Kingdom provided for him from all Eternity▪
Thy servant in the work of the Ministery, EDM. CALAMY.
A Practical and Polemical COMMENTARY Or, EXPOSITION UPON The Third and Fourth Chapters of the latter Epistle of Saint Paul to TIMOTHY.
WHEREIN The Text is explained, Some Controversies discussed, Sundry Cases of Conscience are cleared, Many Common Places are Succinctly handled, and Divers Usefull, and Seasonable Observations raised,
By THOMAS HALL, B. D. and Minister of Kings-Norton in Worcester-shire.
Versatur ob oculos nostros profanus ille Christianismus Aevi extremi, quem praesaga Pauli mens ante tot Secula penicillo Spiritús Sancti depinxit, Scult. in 2 Tim. 3.1.
Psal. 119.72.
The Law of thy mouth is better to me then thousands of gold and silver.
Rev. 12.12.
Wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth and of the Sea, for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Imprimatur EDMUND CALAMY.
LONDON, Printed by E. Tyler, for Iohn Starkey, at the Miter at the North door of the middle Exchange in Saint Pauls Church-yard, 1658.
Academiae Cantabrigiensis Liber.
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL Richard Hemming Mayor, Richard Vernon Sheriffe, with the Aldermen, the Reverend Ministers, the Common-Council, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the City of WORCESTER; T. H. Dedicateth this Practical and Polemical COMMENTARY, as a Testimony of his unfained Love and best Respects to that his Native CITY.
Dearly beloved in the Lord,
MY hearts desire and Prayer for you is that you may be saved, And since God saveth none ordinarily but by means, I here present you with a Practical Book, which by the blessing of God may be a means to lead you safely through this Wilderness to the heavenly Canaan. Here you will finde Directions for all sorts, for Magistrates and Ministers, for Superiours and Inferiours. Here you have Antidotes against those nineteen sinnes (of these last and worst times) which are so rife both in City and Countrey; for, where can a man goe but he shal finde such as are Self-Lovers, Covetous, Boasters, Proud, Blasphemers, False-accusers, Covenant-breakers, Vnholy, &c. So that the Treatise is very seasonable, the good Lord make it profitable.
To this end, First, You that are *Magistrates may see their duty in the Treatise it self, on 2 Timothy 3.2. p. 26.27.Rulers must Rule for God, you must not bear the sword in vain; but you must be a Terror to Drunkards, Swearers, Sabbath-profaners, Whore-masters, Seducers, Blasphemers and all the rabble of Hell. 'Tis an old complaint that England hath golden Lawes, but Leaden Executioners ▪ Be *The excellency of a zealous Magistrate: you may see on 2 Tim. 2.4.Zealous therefore for God, we never lose by venturing for him. Remember that at the last day you must give an account of your Steward ships, of those Offices, Talents and Opportunities which you have received, and what good ye have done in your yeare, what Vices have been punished, what Goodnesse hath been promoted, and what disorders rectified.
A Zealous Magistrate is the best Common-wealths-man, such a Nehemiah is a means to keep off wrath from the City and Place of his abode. When Men punish, God spareth; but when men spare then God ariseth to execute judgement on the wicked. Mistake me not, I plead not for Cruelty, or rigour, but for Iustice; as Magistrates must be Clement and Mercifull (as occasion requireth) distinguishing of sinners, observing who offend through weakenesse, and who of wilfulnesse; So he must be just and sharp against incorrigible and incureable Offenders, least they infect others. Be Men of publicke Spirits, cast off all self-seeking and private-spiritednesse; I could wish that every Magistrate had Master Iacombs Sermon, on Acts 13.36. it is an excellent piece, and will teach you how to serve God in your Generations.
2. You that are Under-Officers must (in your spheere) be also active for God, little Birds we see sometimes set the greater on singing: your zeale may quicken others. Doe, but doe not over-doe your duties, least you bring an Odium upon Religion by your Pharisaical rigour and austerity, but doe all in a Spirit of Wisedome, Love and Meeknesse, else you may sinne in over-doing, as well as in Under-doing.
3. You whom the Lord hath set as Spiritual Watchmen in the City, it concerneth you to promote his work with one shoulder and one consent. Unanimity is the glory of Societies, and maketh them *Si eritis inseparabiles, eritis insuperabiles.invincible. The Primitive Christians were of one heart and one soul, they had a holy conspiracy in the wayes of God,Erat fidelium cor unum, & anima una, non Physicè, sed Moralitèr, q. d. Ita animis & sensibus erant concordes, ac si omnes unum idemque hab…issent cor. à Lapide, in locum, Ubi plura. Acts 4.32. When the shepherds are divided, the flock must needs be scattered, and Gods work hindred: If there be four Oxen in a Team, and these four draw foure several wayes, the worke must needs go backward;See Motives to Unitie, Burroughs Irenicum, Chapter 31. &c. Gournall on Ephes. 6.15. c. 13. p. 422. but when all draw jointly together, how comely, pleasant and easie is the work? The Application is easie. Take heed of that Rock of offence, and Roote of division,Fenner on Rev. 3.1. p. 10. to 21. folio. The gathering of Churches out of Churches, which is indeed the destruction of Churches. 'Tis an uncharitable, and an unscriptural Practice,V. Mr. Blake on the Covenant, Chap. 31. p. 240. There is no Precept nor President for it in all the Book of God.V. The Answer of the Assembly to the dissenting Brethren. In fine, p. 60.61. The Dissenting Brethren were not able to produce one example out of Gods Word for the gathering of Churches out of Churches, though they were pressed to it by the Reverend Assembly of Divines.
We read in Scripture of Gathering Churches from amongst Heathens, but never of gathering Churches out of constituted Churches. Were England a land of Heathens, and no Church planted amongst us, it might be proper enough to gather Churches here, but to put a planted, constituted, setled Church into the condition of Heathens,See Master Gage his Defence of Parish Churches. See Master Cawdry, Independency a great Schism, savours strongly of Pride and Censoriousness. Parochial Assemblies (if the Parishes were but regulated and made more uniform and compact) are the best both for Pastor and People; when this gathering of Churches breedeth as many Divisions in Families, almost as there are persons; e▪ g. The husband is a Presbyterian, and goeth to his Church, the Wife an Independent, and goeth to her meetings; the Sonne an Anabaptist, and goeth to his meetings, the Daughter a Quaker, and she hath her meetings, &c. What Rents this kind of gathering maketh, let the Reader judge: Besides the great inconvenience of having Church-members at such a distance; one at London, another at Dover, a third at West-Chester, a fourth at Yorke. I know some that dwell nigh an hundred miles off him whom they call their Pastor,To cull out ten or twenty and make them the Church, excluding two hundred or two thousand (in some places) as dogs and swine, doth exceedingly puffe up the one (so that Ministers can scarce tell how to please them, but in a short time they picke quarrels and fall all to pieces) and discourageth the other, and so prejudiceth them against their Ministery that it loseth the operation it should have upon their hearts. such sheep are like to be well fed and looked to that are at such a distance from the Shepherd. Moreover, it is a kinde of Sacriledge to rob godly Ministeres of the first-born of their Prayers and pains, of the creame of their flockes, and the Crowne of their Ministery. If they will gather Churches out of the world (as they call it) let them first plow the world, and sow it, and then let them reap with Gods blessing, else he is but a hard man that reaps where he hath not sowen. There is superstition on the right hand as well as on the left, and the Devil cares not on which hand we miscarry so he can but get us out of the right way.
Be not over-righteous in making the Gate of the Church narrower then God hath made it, shut not out those whom God admitteth. Better be too Charitable, then too censorious. Pitty the many hundreds of poore, ignorant, profane, uncatechized souls that are in your City, the great (I had almost said the greatest) part of a Ministers worke lieth out of the Pulpit.
I have experimentally found more good by week-dayes Catechising, then by many yeares Preaching, condescend to the Capacities of the weakest, by workes of mercy, and by all good means labour to win them to Christ: Be not high nor supercilious, be not harsh and censorious in casting off the greatest part of your flocke as dogs and swine; if they be ignorant, you should instruct them; if scandalous, by all wise means you should labour to reclaim them. This rigorous casting off them and their Infants doth but harden them, and make them out of love with Religion; when a tender and compassionate carriage towards them, might have brought them into better order.
4. You that are Tradesmen be just in all your dealings▪ Plain honesty is the best Policie, though it gain but little, yet it keepeth the credit and the custome, when he that overreacheth and cozens me once, shall never cozen me a second time.
Much of religion is seen in our dealings with men (Psalm 15.2, 3, 4) Let a man professe like an Angel, yet if he be faulty here, all his religion is vain. Piety towards God, and Righteousnesse towards man are the best Walls and Bulwarks of a City.
It is true, your walls are razed, but it is not the want of walls; but the *See 20. considerations to quicken you in 2 Tim. 3.15.wickednesse of the Citizens that ruines a City. If Piety be within, God himselfe will be a wall of fire round about you to defend you,Civitatis eversio, morum non murorum casus. Aug. and offend your Enemies, and your glory in the middest of you▪ Zacharie 2.5. Isay, Boni cives civitatis maenia. Spartanis multis seculis Civium virtus Vrbis murus fuit. Pezel. Mellif. Histor. P. 1. p. 234. edit ult.26.1. Good Citizens are the best fortifications. God hath blest you with the Nether-springs and given you a South-land, you have a rich and fruitful Soile, a River that bringeth you Treasure from farre, doe you as Achsah the Daughter of Caleb did, begg for a better blessing, even the Upper-springs also, for Grace and Glory, which will refresh you to Eternity, Ioshua 15.19.
The Riches of your City lieth much in cloathing, Oh get your Soules cloathed with the robes of Christ his Righteousnesse for your justification, and the White Robes of Innocency, Integrity and Sanctification; these are the onelyonly true riches of a Christian, which can never be taken from him.
5. You that are young lay your foundations low if ever you would build high; with *See 20. considerations to quicken you in 2 Tim. 3.15.Timothy, give up your selves to God betimes, fly the lusts of youth, mortifie the flesh with its affection and lusts, Redeem the seasons of Grace, know the day of your Visitation and improve it, remember your Creator betimes, the sooner the better, since the seasoning of our youth hath a great influence upon the remaining part of our dayes God hath blest you with many able & laborious Ministers, who are ready on all occasions, in season and out of season to dispense the Mysteries of salvation to you, (so that you cannot sin at so cheap a rate as formerly) happy are you, if you have hearts to improve the mercy, storing up in these dayes of Spiritual plenty, Truths against times of Errour, Light against times of darkness, and comforts against times of discomfort. If Philip King of Macedon rejoyced that his son Alexander was born in that time when Aristotle lived, that so he might be instructed by him▪ how should we then rejoyce who are born in such a time when the Gospel is so fully and freely publisht to the world, which is able to make us wise unto salvation.
Lastly, you that are Governours of Families, set up Religion in the Power of it there, let them be Bethels, Houses of God; and not Beth-avens houses of Vanity & iniquity, lest God make them Beth-anys houses of sorrow and affliction. Lay injunctions on your Children and Servants, that they keep the way of the Lord, So did Abraham (Genesis 18.19.) as you would partake with him in blessednesse,To incourage you to the Dutie; See an excellent little Tract of Master Cawdry, called Family-Reformation, and of Mr. Philip Goodwins Treatise on the same subject. so follow him in Obedience. Let not the greatnesse of your Families make you neglect the Dutie, Abraham had a great Family, above three hundred that could bear Arms, yet he Catechized them, and instructed them in the wayes of God, Genesis 13.14. The houses of the Primtive Christians were as so many little Churches, Romans 16.5. 1 Corinthian, 16.19. C…los. 4.15. Philem. 2. Solomon (in all probability) had thousands in his Court, for he had seven hundred Wives which were Princesses and their retinue must needs be great, he had fourtie thousand stalls of Horses, and these required many servants, besides the dayly provision for his house, sheweth the greatness of his houshold, 1 Kings 4.22, 23. yet it was so well ordered, that the Queen of Sheba was amazed to see it, 1 Kings 10 5, 8, 9. yea his servants were so seasoned with Religion, that about five hundred yeares after their Children are recorded by the Spirit of God to be the most eminent of their times for Religion, Ezra 2.58. Nehemiah 7 60. How will this shame us that have so few to looke to, and yet neglect them!
I am now come to my last Stage, I have no better Legacy to bequeath to you, Gold I have none, and silver I have but little, but such as I have I give unto you. Now the good Lord blesse you and keep you, he purge out of your City every thing that offendeth, that the name of your City from henceforth may be, Iehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel ult …lt.) The Lord (in his special love and presence) is there. This is and shall be the Prayer of
Your Servant in the Lord THO. HALL▪ Kings-Norton in Worcester-shire, Jan. 1. 1657./58.