Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Commentary 11
A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION VponUpon the ſecond Epiſtle of S. Paul to TIMOTHY.
CHAP. I. Verſe 1. Paul an Apoſtle, &c]
THe Preface of this Epiſtle ſeems to be an abbridgement of that of the Epiſtle to the Romans. See the Notes there.
Which is in Chriſt Jeſus] All out of Chriſt are living carcaſes, walking ſepulchres of themſelves.
Verſe 2. Grace, mercy, and peace] See the Note on 1 Tim. 1.2.
Verſe 3. Whom I ſerve from my fore-fathers-] Thoſe twelve Tribes, that ſerved God inſtantly day and night. Act. 26.7. That was a deſperate reſolution of the Heathen Oratour,T…l. de nat. deo. l. 3. Me ex ea opinione, quam à majoribus accepi de cultu Deorum immortalium nullius unquam oratio, aut docti, aut indocti movebit. I will never ſtir an inch from the religion of my fore-fathers, for any mans perſwaſion. Paul forſook his Phariſaiſme to ſerve God, as Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob had done with a pure conſcience.
Verſe 4. Being mindeſull of thy tears] Timothy was a man of many tears,Act and Mon. ſol 1457. ſo was David, Paul, Luther, Bradford, of whom it is ſaid, that he did ſeldome eat, but he bedewed his trencher with tears, and that few daies paſſed him without plenty of tears ſhed, before he went to bed: —foreignIbid.
Verſe 5. In thy Grandmother Lois, and mother] A ſweet happine…e to any childe to have a good mother and grandmother. For theſe have great opportunity of dropping good things into their little Lemuels, as being much about them. The mothers of the Kings of Judah are conſtantly mentioned: and as they were good or evil, ſo were their children Partus ſequitur ventrem. The birth follows the belly.
Verſe 6. Stirre up the gift] Blow up thy ſmaller ſpark into a flame. Grace in us is like a dull ſea-cole fire (ſaith one) which if not now and then blown and ſtirred up, though there be no want of fuell,foreign. yet will of it ſelf at length die and go out. The word here uſed by the Apoſtle is Plato's word. The Apoſtle ſeems to have bin well read in Plato's writings.
Verſe 7. The ſpirit of fear] foreign, called elſwhere the ſpirit of bondage, foreign, Rom. 8.15. The law will convince the judg…ment: but 'tis the Goſpel that convinceth the luſt and he affection.
Of power, and of a ſound minde] Theſe two fitly ſtand together. Sin unrepented of, lies rotting at the heart, and by rotting weakneth it: as a rotten rag hath no ſtrength.
Verſe 8. Afflictions of the Goſpel] Affliction is Evangelij genius, ſaith Calvin. Hence it is called the word of Christs patience, Revel. 2.
According to the power of God] For unleſſe he ſupport us by his power, we ſhall never bear up in affliction.
Verſe 9. With an holy calling] All that follows (to thoſe words in the end of verſ. 10. Through the Gospel) comes in by a Parentheſis, and is ſo to be read.
Verſe 10. By the appearing] By his coming in the fleſh: of which alſo the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, Pſ. 96.13.
Brought life and immortality to light] As he drew light out of darkneſſe at the creation. And as he then made light on the firſt day of the week, ſo on the ſame day he aboliſhed death, &c. by his reſurrection from the dead.
Ver. 11. A teacher of the Gentiles] His writings therefore ſhould be the more highly prized and ſtudied by us Gentiles, as being properly ours: like as Pſ. 127. was a Song made (ſpecially) for Solomon.
Verſe 12. I know whom I have …rusted] Here was not a faint hope, or a conjecturall confidence, but a plerophory of ſaith.Bernard. The reaſon where of is thus rendered by a Father, Quia in charitate nimia adoptavit me, quia verax in promiſſione, & potons in exhibitione, becauſe God who of his free grace hath adopted me, is both able and faithfull to fulfill his promiſes.Luth. apud Jo. Manliam. That was a notable ſpeech of Luther, Ipſe viderit ubi anima mea man ſura fit, qui pro caſic ſollicitus …it, ut vitam pro ea poſuerit. Let him that died for my ſoul, ſee to the ſalvation of it.
That which I have committed] A childe that hath any precious thing given him, cannot better ſecure it, then by putting it into his fathers hands to keep: ſo neither can we better provide for our ſouls ſafety, then by committing them to God.Aug de bo…o perſ…u …hap 6. Tutiores aurem vivimus, ſi totum D…o damus, non autem nos illi …x parte & nobis ex parte committimus. We ſhall be ſure to be ſafeſt, if we commit our ſelves wholly to God: and ſeek not to part ſtakes with him therein. The ſhip that is part in the water, and part an the mud, is ſoon beaten in pieces.
Verſe 13. Hold faſt the ſorm] The catechiſticall principles, that method, ſyſtem, ſhort ſumms of Divinity that St Paul had compiled for Timothies uſe; called here not only a form, as Rom. foreign.6.17. but a ſhort form, or brief method; ſuch as hath both perſpicuity and brevity.
Verſe 14. That good thing that was &c.] Thy crown of recompence, Revel. 3.11. Or thy Converts, thy crown of rejoycing,Theophyl. I Theſſ. 2.19. Or the purity of thy doctrine, 1 Tim. 6.20.
Verſe 15. All they which are in Aſia] All the Miniſters there.Revel 6.13. … 16.….…6. Theſe ſtats fell from heaven, as faſt as me fig-tree makes abort, with any never ſo light and gentle a winde.
Phygellus and Hermogenes] Famous only for their recidivation and apoſtaſie. Hermogenes took after Hormogene… the retrograde Rhetorician; who at 22 years of age was an excellent Oratour, but by 24. Mente …apſus eſt, forgat all his skil, …nd became a very dunce,G. Rhodigin l. 11. c. 40. Null à evidente causâ, ſaith mine authour.
Verſe 16. He oft reſreſh…d me] Gr.foreign. Poured cold water upon me, as that Angel did upon the wracked limbs of Theodorus the Martyr, mentioned by Socrates and Ruſſinus in the daies of Julian the Apoſtate.
Verſe 17. He ſought me out very diligently] Whit vehement deſire and intention of affection: not as a coward ſeeks after his enemy,foreign. whom he hopes he ſhall never finde; but as Saul ſought David, or as the wiſe men the babe of Bethlehem, &c.
Verſe 18. The lord] That is, God the Father grant he may finde mercy of the Lord, that is, of God the Son, as Jehovah from Jehovah, Gen. 19.24.
That he may ſinde] For his care in finding out me, v. 17.
CHAP. II. Verſe 1. Be ſtrong]
TOgether with the word, there goes forth a power, as Luk 5 17.
Verſe 2.foreign. Commit them to faith full men] No talent is given us for private and proper uſe, but that we be trading and tranſmitting it alſo to others. Syn…ſius ſpeaks of ſome, who having a treaſure of abilities in them, yet would aſſoon part with their …earts as with their meditations, &c. the canker of whoſe great skill ſhall be a witneſſe againſt them.
Verſe 3. Endure hardſhip] Never dream of a delicacy: think not to finde God in the gardens of Aegypt, whom Moſes found not but in the burning-buſh. Many love Canaan, but loath the wilderneſſe, commend the countrey, but look upon the conqueſt as impoſſible; would ſit in the ſeat of honour with Zebedee's children, but not drink the cup of afflict…on. Theſe deceive themſelves.
As a good ſouldier, &c.] Chriſt ſaith to us (as the black Prince his father ſent to him,Hiſt. …f France, p. 1, 6. ſighting as it were in bloud to the knees, and in a great diſtreſſe) Either vanquiſh or die.
Verſe 4. With the affairs] Or, Gainfull negotiations: with marriage-matters, ſay the Pap…ſts here, but without all ſhew of ſenſe. The Councel of Chalcedon ſtrictly forbiddeth Miniſters to m…ddle in worldly matters.Ca… 3.
Verſe 5. Except he ſtrive lawfully] Tam circaciborum quàm contiacati…ac h…n…statis rationem, ſo…ch Caſſianus,
Verſe 6. The huſh and man labouring ſi…ſt] Sp…s alit agricolas, Noilli falſi ſunt (ſaith Saluſt) qui diverſiſſimas res expe…a it, … vol…ptatem & prami… virtutis. foreign.They are utterly out, that think to have the pleaſure of ſloth, and the guerdon of goodneſſe.
Verſe 7. Conſider what I ſay] Apply to thy ſelf theſe forementioned ſimilies, and ſo buckle cloſe to thy buſineſſe.
And the Lord give thee] Unleſſe God open Hagars eyes ſhe cannot ſee the fountain that is hard by. Rebecca cooks the Veniſon, but Iſaac only bleſſeth.
Verſe 8. Remember that Jeſus] Remember it for thine encouragement; that Chriſt, for a reward of his ſufferings, was both raiſed and exalted, Phil. 2 9.
Verſe 9. But the word of God is not bound] It runs and is glotified, 2 Theſſ. 3.1. being free and not fettered. I preach, though a priſoner, ſaith Paul: ſo did Bradford and other Martyrs.Act and Mon. fol. 1457. Within a few daies of Qu. Maries raign almoſt all the priſons in England were become right Chriſtian ſchools and Churches (ſaith Mr Fox:) ſo that there was no greater comfort for Chriſtian hearts, then to come to the priſons to behold their vertuous converſation, and to hear their praiers, preachings,Ibid 1.8 2. &c.
Verſe 10. That they may alſo obtain] viz. By my pains in preaching, though bound, and by example of my patience in ſuffering bonds, &c.
Verſe 11. It is a faithfull ſaying] A found and a ſure aſſertion, Rom. 8 17. Afflictions are the praeludia triumphi.
If we be dead] As Chriſt, ver. 8.
Verſe 12. If we ſuffer] No wearing the crown, but by bearing the croſſe firſt.Epiſt ad Mel…m…th. Ne Jeſum quidem audias glorioſum, niſi videru priùs cruciſixum, ſaith Luther. Chriſt himſelf was not glorified, till firſt crucified. Q. Elizabeth is ſaid to have ſwam to her crown thorow a ſea of ſorrows: ſo muſt we.
If we deny him] See the Note on Mat. 10 33. God uſually retaliates, paies men home in their own com, proportions jealouſie to jealouſie, provocation to provocation, Deut. 32.21. Iſa. 66.3, 4.
Verſe 13. If we believe not] See the Note on Rom. 3.3. Some ſenſe it thus: Though we prove perfidious, yet hē is no loſer by us, as having all within himſelf. Howbeit hereby we ſhew that we have no intereſt in Chriſt; for he cannot deny himſelf, though we can deny him.
Verſe 14. Strive not about words] Either out of novelty, or nicen…ſſe. As Longolius who would not uſe the word Eccleſia, but in ſtead thereof Reſpublica Chriſtiana. Another Italian Biſhop for Epiſcopus took up the Heatheniſh word Flamen: So Caſtalio for Angelus hath Genius, J…h M…nl… loc. con. Lu…Vives.&c. And Pomponius Laetus was full of ſuch like fooleries, aiery conteſtations, and empty ſtrifes.
Verſe 15. Study to ſhew thy ſelf] There are crept into Gods Sanctuary ſuch Levites to divide the word, that are not worthy the place of Gib…onites to cleave wood: like thoſe unlearned Logicia us in Plato, Lacerant doct…inas, ſicut caniculi panniculos, ſaith he: They tear up a text, and torment it, they wreſt the Scriptures and wrong them, ſet them upon the wrack, and make them ſpeak what they never meant. Theſe ſhould be driven from the work, as thoſe baſtard Levites were by the Tirſhata, Ezra 2.63.
Rightly dividing the word of God]foreign. The Syriack renders it, Rightly preaching the word. Aeſchines ſaith, An Oratours oration, and the law (ſo a Preachers Sermon and the Word) muſt be uniſons. And it Galen could ſay, That in anatomizing mans brain,Gol. de uſu par. lib 7. P…yſicians muſt carry themſelves as men doe in the Temple: How much more muſt Divines do ſo, in dividing Gods holy Word?
Verſe 16.foreign. But ſhun] Gr. Go round about them, viz. to ſuppr…ſſe them on every ſide. St Peter cals them bubbles of words, full of winde, 2 Pet. 2.18.
Verſe 17. Eat as doth a gangrene] Which preſently overruns the parts, and rakes the brain, pierceth into the very bones, and if not ſuddenly cured by cutting oft the part infected, kils the patient. Loe ſuch is hereſie and errour: which made Placilla the Empreſſe earneſtly beſeech her husband Theodoſius Senior not to confer with Eunomius the heretike,Sozom. l 7. c. 7 leſt he ſhould be perverted by his ſpeeches.Jac Revius de vit. Pont. Anaſtaſius ſecond Biſhop of Rome, anno 497. while he ſought to win Acacius the heretike, was ſeduced by him.
Verſe 18.foreign. Have erred] Gr. Have miſſed the mark, as unskil…ull Archers: or as inconſiderate Mariners, by miſreckoning of a point, they have miſled the haven, and run upon the rocks.
That the reſurrection is past]Epiphan baereſ. 41. Theſe were (likely) the progenitours of Marcion, who taught that there was no reſurrection of the body to be believed, but of the ſoul only.
Verſe 19. Nevertheleſſe the foundation] viz. Of Gods election, which is here compared to a ſealed book: on the one ſide of the ſeal is written, The Lord knoweth them that are his. On the other ſide, And let every one that nameth, &c. This the Apoſtle ſetteth forth, for the better ſetling of ſuch as were ſhaken by the fall of Hymenaeus and Philetus, two ſuch forward profeſſ…urs.
The Lord knoweth them, &c.] In reſpect of the freeneſſe of his election, and immobility of his affection. Howbeit this knowledge that God hath of his, is carried ſecret, as a river under ground, till he cals and ſeparates us from the reſt.
That nameth the name of Chriſt] He may have an infallible ſeal of ſalvation that but nameth Chriſts name in praier, that can ſay no more then, Ah Father, deſiring and reſolving to depart from iniquity.
Verſe 20. There are not only, &c.] Wonder not therefore, murmure not that there are a mixture of good and bad in Gods houſe. He knows how to ſerve himſelf of both, Rom. 9.20, 21, 22. Neither be offended, that ſome of great note fall away, as did Hymen…s and Philetus: God hath his veſſels of all ſorts.
Verſe 21. Purge himſelf from theſe] From theſe ſeducers, or arch-heretikes, thoſe veſſels of diſhonour, whoſe doctrine defileth worſe then any kitchin ſtuff, or leproſie.
He ſhall be a veſſel, &c.] You know (ſaid John Careleſſe, Act. and Mon…ol. 1743.the Martyr in a letter to Mr Philpot) that the veſſel before it be made bright, is ſoiled with oil, and many other things, that in may ſcour the better. O happy be you that you be now in this ſcouring houſe: for ſhortly you ſhall be ſet upon the celeſtiall ſhelf, as bright as Angels, &c.
Verſe 22. Fly alſo youthfull luſts]foreign. Fly them he muſt with poſt-haſte, though ſuch a chaſte and chaſtened piece, as he was. Youth is a ſlippery age, ſlippery as glaſſe, eaſily contracting duſt and filth, as the word uſed by David importeth, Pſal. 119.9. and ſhould therefore cleanſe its waies, by cleaving to the Word.foreign erveo. Youth is a hot age, as the Greek word ſignifies; a black dark age, as the Hebrew word noteth, Eccleſ. 11.10. Therefore put away evil from thy fleſh, ſaith the wife man there out of his own experience. St Paul repeats and inculcates this precept upon his ſon Timothy, as men do not only anoint their fleſh, but rub in the ointment. He knew that all was but enough. Summopere cavendum divino praeconine dista factis d… ficientibus crubeſcant. Nihil turpius peripatetico claudo. ſaith one.
Verſe 23. But fooliſh and unlearned, &c.] Vitiligatorum naenias devita. foreign.Shift them off, ſet them by as ſeeds of ſedition. Shake off vain queſtioniſts, as great triflers: Such were the Schoolmen, in det…ſtation of whole vain jangling, and doting about queſtions Luther ſaith,Luth tom 1. oper. l…t. cp…. 7. Propè …ſt, ut jurem nullum eſſe Theol…gum Scholasticum qui unum cap…t Evangelij intelligat. I could almoſt ſwear that there is not a Schoolman that underſtands one Chapter of the new Teſtam…nt. One of their Doctours ſaid, That he had publikely expounded the book of Job. But by that time he came to the tenth and eleventh Chapters,Joh, M…l. loc. …on pag 473. he did ver…y believe that Job was torne and tortured by his interpretations, then ever he had been by his botches and ulcers.
Verſe 24. Muſt not ſtrive]foreign. Scold, wrangle, Nerixandramit tatur veritas, ut ferè ſit, leſt by ſtriving about the truth we utterly loſe it. Facta est files Evangeliorum, files temporum: & cum fides una eſſe d…beat, …ò poe…è ventum eſt ut nulla ſit. A ſad complaint of Hilary. Eraſmus obſerveth, That in the primitive t…nes there were ſo many ſects and hereſies, and ſo much pretending to the truth by them all, that it was a witty thing to be a right believer.
Patient]foreign Su, tine, a…ſtine. Or, Tolerant of evil both perſons and occurre…ces: he ſhall have his back burden of both, and muſt bo…h bear and forbear.
Verſe 25. Thoſe that oppoſe themſelves] Though they ſhould deal as abſurdly with us, as thoſe that deny the ſnow to be white, &c.Ariſt Topi… 1. foreign Arguite di…utatos. Sic Lorin… ver…it. Ariſto…le forbids to diſpute with ſuch. But Chriſt commands not only by force of argument to convince them, Jude 22. but alſo to hand…e them gently, and in meekneſſe to inſtruct them.
If God xill give them, &c.] Repentance is Gods gift: neither is it in the power of any to repent at pleaſure. Some vainly conceit, that theſe five words, Lord have mercy upon me, are as efficacious to ſend them to heaven, as the Papiſts that their five words of conſecration are to tranſubſtantiate the bread. But as many are undone (ſaith a Divine) by buying a counterfeit jew…l: ſo many are in hell by miſtake of their repentance.
Verſe 26.foreign. Recover themſelves] Put away their ſpirituall drunkenneſſe, 1 Samuel 1.14. and go forth and ſhake themſelves, as Sampſon out of ſins lethargy.
Taken alive] But to be deſtroied, 2 Pet, 2.12.foreign Taken alive, and in hunting without repentance unto life, Act. 11.18.
CHAP. III. Verſe 1. Perillous times]
GR. Hard times. Hard hearts make hard times.foreign. Ejuſixodi tempora d…ſcripſit (ſaith Caſaubon of Tacitus, and the ſame may we ſay of St Paul) quibus nulla unquam aut vir…tum ſteriliora, aut virtutibus inimiciora: He deſcribeth theſe last and looſest times of the world, barren of vertues, but abounding with vices. There was never any but Noah, that with two faces, ſaw both before and behinde. But that ancient of daies, to whom all things are preſent, hath here told us, that the laſt ſhall be the worſt.
Verſe 2. Lovers of their own ſelves] This ſinfull ſelf-love is the root of all the reſt, that follow in this black bed-…oll.
Boaſters] Or, Arrogant, as that Pyrgopolynices, Iſa. 10.8,9, 10, 11.Vide Jun in loc. Thraſ…nicall Lamech, Gen. 4 23. where he brags and goes on to out-dare God himſelf. Spaniards are ſaid to be impudent braggers, and extremely proud in the loweſt …bbe of fortune.
Verſe 3. Without naturall affection, &c.] True Chriſtians live ſoberly, as touching themſelves, righteouſly toward men,Tit 2 12. and godly towards their God. But theſe Antipodes are as touching themſelves, ſelf-lovers, ſilver-lovers, pleaſure-mongers, incontinent, boaſters, proud, heady, high-minded. As for their carriage towards others, they are blaſphemers, diſobedient to parents,foreign. without naturall affection, truce-breakers, or irreconcileable, falſe accuſers, or devils, fierce or ſavage, deſpiſers of thoſe that are good, traitours, &c. And as to God, they are not lovers of God, but unthankfull, unholy. And ſuch duſt-heaps as theſe, a man may finde in every corner of the Chu…ch.
Verſe 4. Heady] Head long and head-ſtrong,foreign. raſh and inconſiderate, Qui non vident foreign, that look not well about them, but make deſperate adventures.
Lovers of pleaſure] Not conſidering that the pleaſure paſſeth,foreign Chryſoſt. but the pain that attends it is perpetuall. Momentaneum est quod d…lectat, aternum quod cruciat. Let not men take pleaſure in pleaſure. It was not ſimply a ſin in Eſau to go a hunting … But yet the more he uſed it, the more profane he waxed, and came at length to contemn his birth-right. Who are void of the ſpirit, but ſenſuall ones, Jude 18, 19? Who ſay to God, Depart from us, but thoſe that dance? Job 21.10, 11. Better be preſerved in brine, then rot in honey. Theſe pleaſure-mongers are ſet laſt, as the worſt of all.
Verſe 5. Having a form of godlineſſe] Hollow profeſſours are as hollow trees in an old wood; tall, but pithleſſe, ſapleſſe, unſound. Their formality is fitly compared to a bulruſh, whereof the colour is freſh,… 58.3. the skin ſmooth, he is very exact that can finde a knot in a bulruſh: But pill it, and what ſhall you finde within but a kinde of ſpongeous unſubſtantiall ſubſtance, &c. Theſe as if religion were a Comedy, do in voice and geſture act divine duties, in heart renounce them.
Verſe 6. Creep into houſes]foreign … foreign. Gr. Shoot themſelves into the inner rooms of houſes, Quiſeſe immergunt. by their p…thanology and counterfeit humility, as the Jeſuites and many of our modern Sectaries.
Lead captive ſilly women] Gr. Take them priſoners, and then make prize of them, 2 Pet. 2.3. Egregiam verò landem, & spolia amplareſertis, &c. But omnes ha…eſes ex Gynae…ijs. It is the guiſe of heretikes to abuſe the help of women, to ſpread their poiſonfull opinions. They get an Eudoxia, Juſtina, Conſtantia on their ſide: and ſo work upon Adam by Eve. Of women they have ever made their profit, that have attempted any innovation in religion.
Verſe 7. Ever learning, and never able] Becauſe reſolved not to loſe their luſts. Intùs existens prohibebat alienum: There was that within that kept out holy learning. It was therefore an excellent praier of holy Zuinglius before his publ…ke Lectures, Father of lights,Scu'tet. A…a. illighten our mindes, and open our hearts, ſo as that we may both underſtand thine oracles, and be transformed into them, &c.
Verſe 8. Now as Iannes and Iambres] Numenius the Pythagorean calleth him Mambres. Theſe were thoſe Aegyptian ſorcerers: their names S. Paul had either by tradition, or out of ſome Jewiſh records.Tract Menachoth, cap 9. Apuleius in his ſecond Apology, mentioneth one Ioa…nes among the chief Magicians. The Babylonian Thalmud alſo maketh mention of theſe two by name, as chief of the Sorcerers of Aegypt.
Verſe 9. As theirs alſo was] Exod. 8.19. When they were ſet, and could not with all their skill make a louſe: but by further reſiſtance manif…ſted their folly unto all men. So did that jugler of Antwerp, all whoſe enchantments were made void by Mr Tindall the Martyr preſent at that ſupper, where and when he ſhould,Act and Mon. fol. 985. but could not play his feats, and ſhew his cunning.
Verſe 10. But thou haſt fully known] Or,foreign. Thou haſt exactly trod in my track, followed my foot-ſteps: as Irenaeus did Polycarps, as Pareus did Ʋ …ſins: whence that Poet,
—ſacra docente Parco
Vividus Ʋrſini spiritus or a movet.Paulus Meliſſus
Verſe 11. What perſecutions I endured] Gr.foreign. What manner of perſecutions. A Chriſtian may without ſin be ſenſible of injuries and indignities. Only it muſt be the mourning of Doves, and not the roaring of Bears. A ſheep may be as ſenſible of the biting of a dog, as a ſwine is, though he raiſe not ſuch a duſt, make not ſuch a dinne.
Verſe 12. Yea, and all that will live] Carry they the matter never ſo diſcreetly, they muſt ſuffer. Many dream of a delicacy, they conceit a godly life without perſecution. Theſe would pull a roſe without pricks. Armat spinaroſas, mella tegunt apes. Thucydides complains of his countrey-men,Boetius. that none of them would foreign, ſuffer ought for goodnes ſake. Too few there are, that now-adaies will do ſo.
Verſe 13. Shall wax worſe and worſe] In deteriùs proficient, a ſorry kinde of profiting, Quandò And batarum more res procedat. Thus the Illuminates (as they called themſelves) a peſtilent ſect in Arragon, profeſſing and affecting in themſelves a kinde of Angelicall purity,Spec. Europ. fell ſuddenly to the very counterpoint of juſtifying beſtiality. And though theſe men and their light are quenched ſome while ſince, yet under pretence of new lights have not our C…urch-forſakers wheeled, and wheeled about ſo long to th…ng…t-h…nd, that they are perfectly come round to the left?
Verſe 14. But continue thou, &c.] Gr.foreign. Abide, Keep thy ſtation: Thou ſhalt ſurely be put to't, as that propheticall man in the eccleſiaſticall hiſtory went to the pillars a little afore an earthquake, and bad them ſtand faſt, for they ſhould ſhortly be ſhaken.
Verſe 15. And that from a childe] Gr. From a ſuckling. as all children,foreign. ſo thoſe eſpecially that are dedicated to the work of the Miniſtery, ſhould be betimes inured to Scripture-learning.
To make thee wiſe]foreign. Gr. To wiſe thee, that thou maiſt wiſe others, as Dan. 12.3. The ſame Hebrew word ſignifies, 1. To underſtand.foreign. 2. To inſtruct others. 3. To proſper.
To ſalvation] He is the wiſe man that provides for eternity. And when all the worlds wiſards ſhall very wiſely cry out in hell, Nos inſenſati, Sapientes ſapien…èr deſcendunt in infernil. foreignWe ſools counted their lives madneſſe, &c. They ſhall ſhine as the brightnes of the fi…mament, Dan. 12.3.
Verſe 16. All Scripture is given] Gr. Breathed by God, both for matter and words. What frontleſſe heretikes then are our upſtart Anti-ſcripturists, M Edwards his Gangrene, p. 18, 19.that dare affirm, That the Scriptures are not divine, but humane invention: and that the pen-men wrote as themſelves conceived; they were the actions of their own ſpirit, &c? Alſo that the Scriptures are unſufficient and uncertain, &c.
And is profitable for inſtruction] See my True Treaſure, pag 40 And hereunto adde for Conſolation according to Rom. 15.4. though this alſo is here comprehended in Doctrine and Inſtruction for righteouſneſſe.foreign. The ſame Greek word ſignifieth to exhort and to comfort.
Verſe 17. That the man of God] The Miniſter, and ſo conſequently the people too,foreign omnibus …umeris abſolutus. for whoſe uſe the Miniſter hath all.
May be perfect] With a perfection of parts, able and apt to make uſe of the holy Scriptures to all the former purpoſes, for the behoof or benefit of his hearers. The authority of the Fathers (ſaith a grave and learned Div…ne)M. Bol…on … is four laſt things pag. 147. I never urge for neceſſity of proof (the Scripture is thereto all-ſufficient and ſuperabundant) but only either in ſome ſingular poin…s to ſhew conſent: Or, 2. In our controverſies againſt Antichriſtians, Antinomiſts, Neopelagians, &c. Or, 3. When ſome honeſt paſſage of ſanct…fication or ſeaſonable oppoſition to the corruption of the times, is falſly charged with novelty, ſingularity, and too much preciſenes.
CHAP. IIII. Verſe 1. I charge thee therefore]
MAtters of greateſt importance muſt be preſſed with greateſt vehemence. As God putteth not forth great power, but for great purpoſe, Epheſ. 1.18, 19 ſo neither muſt we uſe great earneſtneſſe, but in affairs of great moment. It is a weakneſſe to be hot in a cold matter, but worſe to be cold in a hot matter. Farellus perſwading Calvin (then a young ſtudent, and bound for Italy) to ſtay and help in the Lords work at Geneva, pronounced Gods curſe upon his ſtudies (which Calvin pretended) in caſe he ſtaid not. Whereupon,M…lch. Adami in vita Calv. pag. 114. Non auſas fuit Calvinus ad Farelli tonitrua plus quam Periclea (ſaith mine authour) jugum vocationis, quod ſibi à Domino imponi videbat, detractare. Calvin durſt not ſtir after ſuch a charge, but ſtaid it out there to his dying day.
Verſe 2. Be inſtant] Gr. Stand over it. Stand cloſe to it.foreign. Chryſostome at Antioch having preached many Sermons againſt ſwearing, was at length asked, when he would preach upon another ſubject? He anſwered, When you leave ſwearing, I'le leave preaching againſt ſwearing.
In ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon] On the Lords-day, on the week day, Volentibus nolentibus dic importunum, Tu vis errare, tu vis perire, ego nolo, ſaith Augustine. Let men know whether they will or no, that for lack of preaching they ſhall not periſh. The ſhew-bread ſtood all the week before the Lord; to ſhew, that preaching is not ou… of ſeaſon on any day. The Friers of Baſil held that it was Lutheranum diebus profanis praedicare, Mel…h. Adam. Act. and Mon fol. 11 11. Ibid. 86 …Hereticall to preach on working-daies. But Anthony Perſon, Martyr, told his perſecutours, That they were bite ſheeps and not Biſhops for neglecting to preach: It being as great a wonder at Rome to hear a Biſhop preach, as to ſee an Aſſe ſlie, ſaid Dr Baſſinet. Ibid 1559. Ibid. 1380.But Biſhop Ridley preached uſually every Sabbath-day and holy-day: ſo did B. Iewel, Dr Tailor Martyr, Mr Bradford, even during his impriſonment: Preaching, reading and praying was all his whole life.Ibid. 1457. He did ſharply reprove ſin, pithily improve errours, ſweetly preach Chriſt crucified, earneſtly perſwade to a godly life, &c.
With all long-ſuffering, &c.] Sidecimus quiſ que , ſi unus perſuaſus fuerit, ad conſolationem abundè ſufficit, ſaith Chryſoſtome. If you gain but the tithe of your hearers, or leſſe, it is well.
Verſe 3. Sound doctrine]Alex Aphrod. problem. Which as honey, Vulnera purgat, ulcera mordet, purgeth green wounds, but cauſeth pain to exulcerate parts. Children, though they love and lick in honey, yet will not endure to have it come near their lips, when they have ſore mouths.
Having itching cars]Horat. Which muſt have clawing preachers; ſuch as will never auriculas mordaci rader… v…ro, deal plainly and faithfully with their ſouls.
Verſe 4. Turn their cars from the truth] Ariſtotle writeth, That Vultures are killed with oil of roles.De mirahil. …uſcult. Sweet ſmels enrage Tigers. Swine cannot live in ſome parts of Arabia, ſaith Pliny, by reaſon of the pleaſant ſent of aromaticall trees, there growing in every wood.
Verſe 5. Endure afflictions, do the work] Honor ministerij eſt in onere, dignit as in diligentia, corona in contemptu.
Make full proof]foreign. Or, Accompliſh thy Miniſtery: So executing every part of it, as to make it thy whole buſines. Verbi miniſter es, hoc age, was Mr Perkins his Motto. Thou art a Miniſter, look to it.
Verſe 6. Ready to be offered]foreign He ſpeaks of it as done already. To be poured out as a drink-offering upon Gods altar. Thus the Apoſtle expreſſeth himſelf emphatically, pathetically, elegantly, ſetting forth by what death he ſhould glorifie God, viz. by being beheaded. Whether my death be a burnt-offering, a drink-offering (by fire or ſword) or a peace-offering (that I die in my bed) I deſire it may be a freewill offering, a ſweet ſacrifice to the Lord.
The time of my departure] He makes nothing of death. It was no more betwixt God and Moſes, but Go up and die. So betwixt Chriſt and Paul, but launch out, and land immediately at the fair haven of heaven.
Verſe 7. I have fought a good fight] The nearer any thing is to the center, the more ſtrongly and ſwiftly it moveth. The wine of the ſpirit is ſtrongeſt in the Saints, when they are drawing to an end. His motions are quickeſt, when naturall motions are ſloweſt, moſt ſenſible when the body begins to be ſenſleſſe, moſt lively when the Saints are a dying.
Verſe 8. There is laid up a crown] Beyond a crown, the wiſhes of mortall men extend not. Alexander inviting many to ſupper, provided a crown of 180 pound to be given to thoſe that drank moſt. One and fourty killed themſelves, with drinking, to get that crown. Shall theſe do more for a trifle, then we will do for heaven?
A crown of righteouſnes] So ſalvation is called: not for that it is of right due to us, but becauſe it is purchaſed for us by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and ſhall be freely given to thoſe that are juſtified by faith.
Verſe 9. Doe thy diligence, &c.] We want much of our comfort in the want of a friend, Eccleſ. 4.9. Optimum ſolatium ſodalitium. How doth David bemoan the leſſe of Ionathan? How did D. Tailour prize the company of his fellow-priſoner, that Angel of God, as he called him, Iohn Bradford? What a mercy did S. Paul count it, that ſick Epaphroditus recovered, Phil. 2.27?
Verſe 10. Demas hath for ſaken me] Blazing comets, as long as they keep aloft, ſhine bright: but when they begin to decline from their pitch, they fall to the earth. Ionathan followed the chaſe well, and with gre…dy purſuit, till he met with the honey: ſo doth many a Demas.
And is d… parted unto Theſſalonica] Where he became an Idol Prieſt, as ſaith Dorotheus.
Verſe 11. For he is profitable] Once unprofitable (Act. 15.38. See the Note there) but now profitable, Philom. 11.
Verſe 12. Tychicus have I ſent] For what end, ſee Eph. 6.22. with the Note there.
Verſe 13. The cloak that I left] O ſup…llectilem Apoſtolicam! O what a ſmall deal of houſholdſtuff had this great Apoſtle,Er…ſ in Ioe. ſaith Eraſmus …a cloak to keep off the rain, and a few books and writings. Tota …ti…m ſup…ll…x mea eſt char tacea, ſaith he in another place.Er…ſ in farrag. epiſtol. All my ſtock is in books. And of judicious Calvin it is reported, that all the goods that he left behind… him, his library being ſold very dear, come ſcarce to 300 florens, that is about go pounds of our money. Seekeſt thou great things for thy ſelf? Ier. 45.5.
Verſe 14. Alexander the copper-ſmith] Who was once Martyrio propinquus, ſaith Calvin, near unto Martyrdome in Pauls cauſe, Act. 19.33. A glorious profeſſour may become a furious perſecutour. Let him that ſtands, take he…d leſt he fall.
The Lord reward him] This is neither a curſe,Author queſt. apud Juſt. Mar. nor a railing ſpeech (ſaith an Ancient) but a prediction well beſeeming an Apoſtle, that avenged not himſelf, but rather gave place to wrath, Rom. 12, 19.
Verſe 15. He hath greatly reſiſted our words] Or, our pr…echings, not our perſons only. This was a foul fault. See I Theſſ. 4. 8. Exod. 16.8.
Verſe 16. No man ſtood with me] So that Paul might have ſaid as Socrates did,foreign. Plato. foreign, My friends, I have never a friend. And as Plato, A friend is a very mutable creature.
Verſe 17. The Lord ſtood] God is never ſo ſweet and ſo ſeaſonable to his Saints, as in the day of their deepeſt diſtreſſe. He loves to help thoſe that are forſaken of their hopes.
The preaching might be fully known] Or, Soundly proved to be a divine ordinance, by my conſtancy and contempt of death.
Out of the mouth of the lion] Nero, who firſt orientem fidem, Romae cruentavit, as Tertullian ſpeaketh, put Chriſtians to death, and made a bloudy decree, That whoſoever confeſſed himſelf a Chriſtian, ſhould,Dedicator dam nationi… chri, li. anorum. Teit. without any more ado, be put to death as a convicted enemy of mankinde. Tertullian calleth him, The Dedicatour of the condemnation of Chriſtians.
Verſe 18. And the Lord ſhall deliver] Experience breeds confidence.
Ʋnto his heavenly kingdom] So David argues from temporals to eternals, Pſal. 23.5, 6.
Verſe 19. Salute Priſca &c.] See the Note on Rom. 16.3.
Verſe 20. At Miletum ſick] See the Note on Phil. 2.27.
Verſe 21. Do thy diligence, &c.] The Apoſtle quickneth Timothy as Tully did his friend. Quamobrem ſi me amas, &c. ſi dormis expergiſcere, ſi ſtas ingredere, ſi ingrederis curre, ſi curris advola. Credibile non est quantum ego in amore & fide tua ponam. Make all poſſible haſte hither, for I rely much upon thy love and loialty.
Verſe 22. Grace be with you] Gods bleſſing be with you alwaies, Amen. Act. and Mon. 1365. Laur. Saunders.Even now to ward the offering of a burnt ſacrifice, &c. ſaid that Martyr in a letter to certain friends.