A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 15
VERSE 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.
WEE are now come to the third and last part of this Chapter,Per antithesin hortatur ut in iis quae ab ipso didicit perseveret. q. d. utcunque grassetur impietas & ulterius perrumpat, tu tamen perge. Calvin. in which the Apostle exhorts Timothy to constancy and perseverance in the truth which he had taught him. q. d. 'Tis true, in these last dayes seducers shall arise, who shall have successe (for a time) in their seducing, drawing many into errors with them; yet let not these things affright thee, do not thou maligne malignants, nor envy the successe of the erronious, chuse none of their wayes: but since thou hast a better Master, and hast been taught better doctrine, and that from a child, be not despondent my son, but constantly and couragiously keep the truth committed to thy charge (as becomes a faithfull Pastor,) against all opposers and Impostors whatsoever. Now since man is a Rational creature, and so is better led by Reasons,Facilius ducimur quàm trahimur. then forced by Rigour; therefore the Apostle presseth his Exhortation to perseverance upon Timothy, by Arguments drawn, 1. From his Master and Teacher. 2. From Timothy who was the Schollar. 3. From the matter which he had been taught. The first Argument is drawn from the Authority of the person from whom he had received the doctrine. viz. from Paul who was an Apostle of Christ guided and inspired by his Spirit, and had taught him nothing but what he had received from Christ, and therefore his message was to be regarded, as if Christ himself had spoken to him. Gal. 4.14. Knowing of whom thou hast learnt them. See how modestly and sparingly the Apostle speaks of himself, and how unlike the language of the Sectaries of our times, is Pauls language here.
2. From the fidelity which is required in those to whom the truth of God is committed. Since this heavenly doctrine was committed to him to be kept as a sacred Treasury and choyce depositum, therefore he ought with all care and courage to preserve it. For what things we are intrusted withall, those things we must faithfully keep (this even nature teacheth us) But the Truths of God are committed to thee O Timohy to be faithfully kept, and as occasion requires to be publisht to the world. 1 Tim. 1.11. and 6.20. and 2.1.14. The words are diversly rendred, our Translators render it.foreign, quae tibi concredita sunt. Beza, Estius, Syriac, Arabic. And hast been assured of. But Tindal, Calvin, Beza, Aretius, Espencaeus, and the Vulgar Latin with others render it; And have been committed to thee, or with which thou hast been entrusted. And the Originall seems to favour this last Translation, for the words are not foreign, quae credidisti, which thou hast believed or been assured of, but foreign quae tibi credita & commissa sunt conservanda & promulganda. foreign, mihi concreditur. So the word is used, Rom 3.2. the Oracles of God were committed to the Jewes as a depositum, which they were to keep with all faithfulness for posterity.Keep the things which have been committed and commended to thy charge with all care and diligence, that thou mayest be able to give a good account to him whose these truths are, and who hath committed them to thy charge.
3. From his long acquaintance with the Scripture, by reason of his good education. viz. from his childhood; what we learn when young takes a deep Impression, so that we cannot easily unlearn it, but thou O Timothy hast learned the Scriptures from thy infancy,Permane in i…s quae quasi cum lacte suxisti. à Lapide. and therefore it were a shame for thee, who hast been taught so early the way of the Lord, now to turn from it and forsake it. Continue therefore foreign, in the things which thou hast learned, I exhort thee to no new or hard thing, all that I beg of thee is, that thou wouldest keep the truth which hath already been taught theee; for it would argue want of judgement and folly in thee now to forsake it.
4. His last argument is drawne from the Excellency of the Scriptures, V. 15, 16, 17.
But continue thou.
foreign, But do thou abide, keep thy station and maintain the doctrine which I have taught thee, against all opposition whatsoever, thou must certainly look to be put to it be therefore resolute, and constant. The Apostle lays a But in Timothies way to keep him from wandring. q. d. what ever others do, though they fall away more and more, and grow worse and worse, yet do thou continue stedfast in the truth thou hast received. Hence Observe, V. D. Sibs Concio ad Clerum. in 2 Tim. 1.14.Whatever others do, yet Gods faithful Ministers and servants must not depart from the truth. Though Israel play the harlot, yet Iudah must not sin. Hos. 4.15. will ye also go away? saith Christ. Iohn 6.67. though Temporaries may fall away, yet it becomes not you, who are my disciples indeed so to do. Let others serve Idols if they please, yet we must resolve that we and ours will serve the Lord. Iosh. 14.15. So did Noah, Tanta est b…no…rum raritas ut penè unus esse videatur. Salvian.Lot, Ioseph, Elijah, Obadiah, Nehemiah, and the Church of Pergamus, which held fast the truth, even where Satan had his Throne. Rev. 2.13. and the Saints in Nero's Court. Phil. 4.22. We must not follow a multitude to do evill, Exod. 23.2. nor erre with others, though they be never so good. Ne cum Platone errandum est. We must get an Holy, not a fantastick singularity; we are the Salt of the Earth, and the Light of the World, and must therefore do more then others. Matth. 5.47. Christ expects more from us, then he doth from Formalists, Moralists, and Hypocrites. The righteous excells his wicked neighbour. Prov. 12.26. We must not be like children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but like the righteous, we must be an everlasting foundation. Prov. 10.25. We must be *See Mr. Gurnall on Ephes. 6.10 p 7. Mr. Rob. Bolton's Saints Guide. p. 128.singularly Pure, Holy, Humble, Self-denying. &c. Men love to be singular in every thing, save Piety: they would be singularly Wise, singularly Rich, singular fine; but oh that men would turn their singularity the right way, and become singularly Holy, Exact, Obedient, &c.
But continue thou.
Note, Gods servants must continue constant in the Truth received. They must not play fast and loose, be off and on; but they must be still the same, like well-tuned Bells, which have the same Note in foul weather, as they have in fair. Ioh. 1.21. we must hold fast the Truth. 1 Thes. 5.21. abide in it, and walk in it. Rev. 3.3. 1 Iohn 2.19.24. and 2.6, 7, 9. we must part with our lives rather then part with the Truth of God. Revel. 6.9. no frownes or flatteries must drive or draw us from it, we must lose all, rather then lose it. Prov. 23.23. buy it at any rate, sell it at no rate. To this end consider.
1. This Constancy is a note of Sincerity, then are we Christs disciples indeed,Perseverantia ista non ad tempus neque ad longum tempus, sed ad finem usque efficit discipulum Christi. Rolloc. when we abide in the Truth. Iohn 8.32. Iob 2.3. when no Storms nor Tempests can remove us from it, but we stand like Mount Sion which never moves, and like seasoned Timber, never warps nor yields. As that Divine Poet sweetly sings.Herberts Poems. p. 80.
OnelyOnly a sweet and Vertuous soule,
Like seasoned Timber never gives,
But though the whole world turne to coale,
Then chiefly lives.
2. All the promises of Heaven and Happinesse, run only to such as are faithfull to the death. Rev. 2.10. endure to the end. Mat. 24.13. and continue in the faith. Rom. 2.7. Matth. 10.22. Colos. 1.22, 23. Heb. 3.6.14. See what a cluster of precious promises are made not to such as only begin well,Non incipienti, non fugienti, sed vincenti dabitur. but to such as presevere and overcome their spiritual enemies, faithfully fighting the battles of the Lord against sin and Satan. Revel. 2.7.10, 11.17.26, 27, 28. and 3.5.12. and 22.7. He that is foreign still fighting by the power of Christ against the enemies of his salvation, though he cannot overcome them so perfectly as Christ did by way of Equality, yet if by way of conformity we resemble him, we shall raign with him. We must win the garland before we can wear it, we must conquer before we can Triumph,Deus nummum nec fractum, nec falsum recipiet. Bern. and strive before we can get the Crown. 2 Tim. 2.5. we must run sincerely, chearfully, and constantly, if ever we would obtain. 1 Cor. 9.24.
3. A damn…. 1. Such loose all their labour, let a man watch, fast, pray, hear, read, run, yet if he fall away, all's lost. Ezek. 18.24. Gal. 3.3, 4. 2 Iohn 8. Frustra agitur quod non peragitur, as good never awhit, as never the better, 'tis the end that crowns the work. A man may go far, yet for want of perseverance lose all. Moses came to the fortieth year, yet mist of going into Canaan. A man may dig within a yard of a golden mine, and yet for want of a little more pains misse of it. 'Tis said of King Henry the Eighth, that if he had gone on as he began, and as he had crakt the Popes crown, so he had clean dispossest him of all; as he had got the victory, so if he had pursued it (as 'twas preacht before him,) and as he had unhorst the Pope, and put him out of the Saddle, so if he had also taken away the Trappings and Stirrups,Fox Martyrol. pag. 675. whereby the Prelates went to set him on horse-back againe, he had cured all.
2. Such bring an evill report and scandal on Religion, they disparage the Lords Pastures, as if there were no vertue, sweetnesse, excellency and life in them, and therefore they forsake them.
3. Satan will deal worse with such then with others, he'l lay more irons on you, as the Jaylor doth on a fugitive prisoner. He will seek to recover the time that he hath lost, by making thee run more furiously in the wayes of sinne, so that thy latter end will be worse then thy beginning. 2 Pet. 2.22.
4. God abhors thee. Heb. 10.38. his soul will take no pleasure in thee (i. e.) he exceedingly hates thee.foreign, prae metu & socordia se subducet. See Mr. Strong's 31. Serm. on 2 Chron. 15.2. p. 231. 'Tis a Meiosis, if any man draw back, flye from his colours, and forsake God, God will forsake him, as he did backsliding Saul, the Israelites, Iudges 2.12, 13. Ieremy 5.19. Zeph. 1.26. Spira, and Lucian a Professor, who after became a scoffer and persecutor, and was tore in pieces by Dogs. How sad then is the condition of those Seekers,Hi in veteri novam quaerunt semitam. Shakers, Quakers, that are altogether unsetled, and have no foundation, that are still seeking for New-Apostles, and New-Light; (i. e.) for false Apostles and old Errors. These Sceptical *Sceptica …heologia exit in Atheismum, qui enim de omnibus dabitat, nihil tandem credere incipit. Altingius See Irreligion of the Northern Quake…s. p. 25, 26.Atheists have a New Religion every week, yea almost every day in the week. 'Tis said of the Northern Quakers (I suppose the Southern are of the same temper) that in a Moneths time they so changed their Principles, that a man could not know them to be the same men, but onelyonly by their faces. Lately they were for Episcopacy, then for Presbytery, now for Independency, anon for Anabaptisme. and then for any thing. If this unconstancy and mutability in Religion had been a vertue, then must we condemne the generation of Martyrs in all ages, who chuse rather to sacrifice all they had, then to part with any part of parcel of Gods truth. As 'tis said of Athanasius, maluit mutare sedem quàm Syllabam. He had rather lose his Episcopal Seat, then part with a Syllable of Truth.See Gelaspy Miscol. l. 2. c. 11. and Strong Ser. 31. on Heb. 12.14. p. 52. To what end are all those Precepts (if this ficklenesse were lawful) to stand fast in the faith, to contend for it, Coles. 1.2.23. Philip. 1.27. Iude 3. to beware of false Prophets. Matth. 7.15. Gal. 1.6.8. not to be carried away with strange doctrines. 1 Cor. 16.13. 1 Tim. 6.13, 14. As for those that have put their hands to Gods plough, they must in no wise look back, but break through all difficulties and discouragements. Constans contraria spernit. True grace breaks through all, Iacob will have the blessing, though he halt for it; David will yet be more vile; The woman of Canaan, though Christ call her a dog, yet can pick somewhat from that debasing term. Let the wicked deride Gods people, yea and kill them, yet will they forget their God, nor deal falsely in his Covenant. Psal. 44.16. and 119.51.See more Examp…es of Constancy. Mr. Clerks Mirrour. c. 30. p. 104. It was Iohn Baptists high Commendations, that he was a rock, not a reed shaken to and fro with the wind of every tentation; (Matth. 11.7.) no fear nor favour could make him conceale the truth, but with the hazard of his life he reproves Herod, and Zachary, and Elizabeth; how constant were they not in talking, but in walking the wayes of Gods commands. Luke 1.5, 6, 7. They did not take a turn or two for pleasure, but they walked on.
2. They walked not in one or two, but in all the Commandements of God.
3. Though they were not without sin, yet were they without blame, no man could justly charge them.
4. They did not onelyonly beginne well, but they persevered even to old age. v. 7. when they were stricken in yeares.
5. 'Twas in a dangerous time when they did thus walk with God. V. 5. 'twas in the dayes of Herod, a bloody Tyrant. It's a comely sight to see Old M…ason's, old Cedars in the house of God, old disciples, whom no storms nor tempests can drive from the truth. Acts 21.16. like the Church of Thyatira, to have our works more at last then at the first. Revel. 2.19. like spiritual Sampson, we must break the cords of difficulties, forgetting what is past,Quid est Papa? quid mundus… quid princeps mundi ut propter cum veritatem Evangelii pro qua Christus est mortuus negem? Valeat qui valet, pereat qui perit, ego sic sentiam Deo propitio semper. Luther in Psal. 16. and pressing towards the work. Like Heroick Luther whom men nor devils could draw or drive from the truth. And like another Caesar, not cease from doing, till all be done.
Nil actum credens, cum quid superesset agendum,
Instat atrux. Lucan Pharsal. l. 2.
To this end we must first labour to know the truth, for how can a man walk in a way which he doth not know?
2. When we have found the way, we must walk in it with full purpose and *See the necessity of Resolution. Robinson on Ephes. 6.15. Lect. 16. and Gournall on Ephes. 6.10. p. 4. &c. Sim…nds his Serm. on 1 Chron. 28.10, Preacht. 1641.resolution. Ier. 6.16. Acts 11.23. let the understanding be never so clearly convinct, yet if the will resolve not to obey, there is no good to be done.
3. Lay a good foundation, dig deep, he that will build high, must lay low. Deny your own strength and wisdom, for in his own strength shall no man be strong. 1 Sam. 2.2, 9. but we must be strong in the Lord, and the Power of his might, if ever we look to overcome. Ephes. 6.10. if ever we would be able to do or suffer, we must get vertue and strength from Christ. Philip. 4.13. We are never stronger,Frustrà nititur qui non innititur, in te stas & non stas. Aug. then when we are most apprehensive of our own weaknesse. 1 Cor. 12.10. nor ever weaker then when we trust most to our selves: as we see in Peter, and in the book of Martyrs; the timerous trembling souls who suspected their own strength, were faithful to the death, when the proud and Self-confident basely turned with the times.
V. Robinson on Ephes. 6.13. Lect. 5. and 7.4. Put on the whole armour of God, and gird it close to you. An ignorant, unbelieving, unarmed man hath no heart to fight, 'tis the man that hath the shield of Faith, the helmet of Hope, the breast-plate of Righteousnesse, the girdle of Truth, &c. that like the valiant horse, rejoyceth to meet the armed man. Iob 39.19, 20. the Apostles were armed with these graces, and see how boldly they go on in despight of all opposition. 2 Cor. 6.4. to 8.
[He that would see more of Constancy and perseverance, let him peruse Dike on Conscience. cap. 9. p. 130. &c. Barkers Serm. before the Parliament 1648. on 1 Cor. 15. ult. Gatakers Serm. on Revel. 2.10. fol. p. 317. Downams Guide to Godlinesse. l. 3. c. 1. and l. 4. c. 8, 9, 10 Hildersham on Psal. 51.7. Lect. 144. to 150. all those six last Lectures are very useful for our times. M. Vennings Serm. on Rev. 2.5.]
In the things which thou hast learned.
Observe, That even the best are learners here. Whilest wee live in this world (though we should live Methuselahs dayes) yet we may learn something still. We know but in part, and the most perfect are imperfect here.
Object. We have the Spirit to teach us.
Answ. So had David, who yet desires to be taught still. Psal. 119. So had Paul, who yet prest forward toward the mark still. Philip. 3.12, 13, 14. he disclaimes perfection, and desires to know Christ more clearly. Our learning doth not hinder but further the work of the Spirit in our souls. Timothy that had a plentiful measure of the spirit (for he was an Evangelist) yet must give himself to reading and meditation still. 1 Tim. 4.13. Such is the profoundnesse of the Scripture, that he who knoweth most, may still learn more, and the more we know, the more we shall acknowledge our ignorance.
And hast been assured of, or as others read it, which hath been committed to thee. The truth was not barely delivered to Timothy, Creditum fuisse doctrinam Timotheo ad foreign valet; plus enim quiddam est commi…ti instar depositi, quàm simplicier tradi. Calvin.but it was committed to him to be kept as a sacred Treasury with the greatest care, Observe, That the Truth of God revealed in the Scripture, is a sacred depositum, a choyce Treasure, a precious Jewel which must be carefully kept by all Christians, and especially, by the Ministers of Christ.Depositum v…cat sacram doct…inam Evangelii; quia & res est alterius (i. e.) Christi, & pastoribus fida ejus cust…dia incumbit. G…otius. The Oracles of God, and the doctrine of the Gospel is more specially committed to our care and fidelity, that we may publish it to others. 'Tis true, every private Christian in his Sphere and Calling, ought to preserve the truth, and contend for the faith. Iude 3. we cannot keep the truth without strong contention,foreign, super certare, notat ingens, a…e & continuum certandi & resistendi hostilus studium. á Lapide in loc…m ubi plu…a the word signifies to strive with all our might; or (say some) it's to strive one after another in our places and successive generations. Insuper certare, or certamen repetere, it's not enough to strive once and to assert the truth, but we must doe it again and again, after one another, as oft as the Truth is opposed. But the Gospel is committed primarily to the care of Christs Ministers, they are his Heralds to proclaim and publish it to the world, as appeares. 1 Tim. 1.11. and 6.20. and 2.1, 14. 1 Thes. 2.4. Titus 1.3. 1 Cor. 9.17. Gal. 2.7. of all men Ministers must hold fast the faithful word. Titus 1.9. we must *foreign, tenacem & mordicus retinentem. à Lapide.hold it against all opposition, and hold it with both hands, hold it with all our strength, hold it in our Judgements, in our Affections, in our Practice, part with it at no rate to Schismaticks, Hereticks, false Prophets, &c. As Moses was faithfull, and would not part with a hoof to Pharaoh, so we must not part with a tittle of Gods truth to his enemies: for all Truths even the least are precious; truth is like gold, which is glorious in the Ray and Spangle, as well as in the wedge. As 'tis in Practicals, he that makes no conscience of little sins, will quickly be drawn to greater; so 'tis true, and holds in Doctrinalls, he that admits of a little error, will soon be drawne to a greater. Though every truth be not fundamental, yet every truth is a guard to the foundation, the outer skin of an Apple lyes remote from the heart, yet if you pluck that off, the heart will soon be rotten. The finger is not a vital part, but a Gangrene in the finger will (in a short time) reach to the very vitals, and corrupt the blood with the spirits. Not onelyonly the garment of Truth, but the fringes thereof are useful, and must be preserved. Numb. 15.38, 39, 40. We experimentally see that those who forsake Truth, in Discipline, quickly fall to errors in Doctrine. We shall hardly find a man that erres in the one, to be sound in the other. As therefore we must count no sin small, so we must esteem no error small, for the least truth of Gods Kingdome, doth in its place uphold the whole Kingdome of his truth. Take away the least Vericulum out of the world, and it unworlds all Potentially, and may unravell the whole Texture Actually, if it be not conserved by an extraordinary power.
2. Consider that truth is the choycest gift which God ever gave to the sonnes of men, it is better then any created Ens or Bonum, which are but Truths twinnes. Civil Truth is good, but the least Evangelical Truth is of more worth then all the Civil Truths in the world, that are meerly so.
3. Naturally wee desire Liberty, now Truth is the Parent of all true Liberty, whether it bee Political or Personal; so much Untruth, so much Thraldome, so much Truth, so much Liberty▪ Iohn 8.32.
4. If you preserve the Truth it will preserve you in the hour of Temptation, as Solomon sayes of wisdom. Prov. 4.8. exalt her, and she shall exalt you. So keep the truth, and it will keep you from falling, as it did the Church of Philadelphia. Rev. 3.10. so thou shalt stand as an impregnable rock, when others fly as the Chaffe before the wind. The Truth of God in judgement is one of the Eyes of the soul, he that wants it is blind and cannot see afar off. Now as a clear eye is a very great help for the discerning of a danger before it comes, so a clear distinct knowledg of the truth, is a very great help to us to discern a Temptation before it be upon us, and to discover the Methods and Depths of Satan, that he may not surprize us unawares.
5. 'Tis a great honour to a person or Nation to be the Conservators and Preservers of the Truths of God. 'Tis not only our Duty, but our Glory. This honour formerly belonged to the Jewes, to them were committed the Oracles of God. Rom. 3.2. and 9.4. God hath now entrusted us with this choyce Treasure, the Lord help us to keep it pure both in Judgement and Practice, lest it be taken from us. Let us all in our places preserve it from violence with all our might. There are many spiritual Cheaters abroad,See ten Reasons why we should defend the Truth, in Mr. Ant. …urgess on Iohn 17.12. Lect. 58. the greater will our honour be in maintaining Gods Truth against them all. 'Twas Shammahs honour (one of Davids Worthies) that he kept his ground, and got a great victory, when others …led. 2 Sam. 23.12. Say not I am but one, and a weak one too, but remember what great things the Lord did by Athanasius and Luther, when they had all the world against them. One man holding forth truth, shall be too strong for all the world; for truth unites us to God, and God to us, it ingageth God in our quarrel, and so makes us invincible; for if God be with us, who can be against us, so as to hurt us and destroy us? Rom. 8.31. Bradford writing to his friends, tells them, never shall the enemy be able to burn the truth, or prison and keep it in bonds, us they may prison, bind, and burn, but our Cause, Religion, and Doctrine, they shall never be able to burn.Raffin. Histor. l. 2. c. 3. The story of the man in the Councill of Nice is well known, where a Christian of no great Learning, converted a Learned man whom all the Bishops with their skill and eloquence could not perswade; so long as the matter went by words, he opposed words with words, but when instead of words, power came out of the mouth of the speaker; words could not withstand truth, nor man stand out against God. Many wonder why Ministers are so earnest and zealous in defending the truth; why 'tis a dep…situm which God hath entrusted us withall, and 'tis well observed,Nulla fides sanctior fide depositi, ideoque insames sunt apud omnes gentes qut dep…situm abnegant. Grotius. that it's a greater sin to imbezill or alter that, then any thing we have borrowed, because this is committed to our justice, but a depositum to our faithfullnesse, the deposition doth rest upon us as trusty men. Let Gods truth then be dearer to us then our dearest lives; our lives will not be worth the enjoying, if God take his truth from us; let us beseech him rather to take our lives away, rather then take the light of the Gospel away.
And hast been assured of. If you read the words so, The Observation will be this. That Ministers should be assured of those things which they teach to others. They should not only have a Head knowledge, or an aery, empty, notionall, speculative knowledge; but an experimentall practical knowledge.Certitudo fidei est maxima certitudo. Scotus. They must believe before they speak. Psalme 116.10. that so they may speak from the heart to the heart; and may bring their meat in their breasts; and not as birds do in their Beaks.
Knowing of whom thou hast learned them.
1. Observe, That gracious men are modest men. The Apostle doth not boast of himself to Timothy. nor proclaim his Learning, gifts, &c. He onelyonly tells him in brief, Thou knowest of whom thou hast learnt them.
2. Observe, The excellency of the Teacher makes the Doctrine the more taking. This we see even in Humane and Moral Learning, the Platonick Doctrine grew famous because it was profest by Socrates, and the Peripatetick by Aristotle. The Schollars of Pythagoras did so confide in the Dictates of their Master, that when any one askt them a Reason of what they held, they would give no other answer, but foreign. Ipse dixit, our Master said so, yet these were Heathens; but when we have an aged, holy, Paul for our Master, who was an Apostle of Christ, the Penman of the Holy Ghost, and guided more immediately by the Spirit of God; then we must with constancy adhere to what they teach us, and attend to their doctrine as if Christ himself taught us, Gal. 4.14. for his Ambassadours they are, and he that heareth them, heareth him, Young Timothies especially should hearken to the instructions of aged Pauls, who have born the heat of the day, and by experience can teach us the ways of God. Years should be heard speak, Iob 32.7. Young Ministers should suspect their own judgements when they vary from an Holy, aged Calvin Beza, and all the Churches of God. As young Lawyers and Physitians observe the Principles and Practices of the serious and grave Professours of their way, especially, when grounded on Maxims and Rules of Art. So should young Divines. It ill becomes a young raw Physitian to contradict a whole Colledge of Physitians; or a Puny Lawyer a Bench of Judges; or a young Divine, a whole Assembly of Divines. 'Tis the looseness of the times that makes young men so bold. When Government is settled, they will either change their note, or be made ashamed of it.