he cannot deny himself. iii. Timothy is exhorted to be faithful and prudent in his work. 19 him: if we deny him, before men, he will also, as he hath expressly SECT. he will also deny us : threatened, deny us in the great day, before his 13 If we believe not, Father and his holy angels. If we are unfaith- 2 Tim. yet he abideth faithful: fuld, and false to our engagements, he abideth II. 13. faithful, and will steadily adhere to those rules of judgment and distribution which he hath so solemnly laid down in his word (compare Mat. x. 33): for we may be sure he cannot deny himself, by frustrating his own public declaration. It becomes us therefore to weigh the tenor of them with all seriousness, and humbly to acquiesce in his terms, since it is impossible he should be brought to change them in favour of ours. 14 Of these things put them in remem brance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words, to no profit, but to the subverting of the bearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto Remind [them] of these things, as thou art en- 14 Diligently endeavour, whenever thoa comest 15 word of truth. d If we are unfaithful.] So I think I should be rendered, as it stands opposed to wir, and so the words will farther imply, that whatever we lose by our unfaithfulness, in whatever degree it appears, it is no argument of any unfaithfulness in him; as his promises are made to faithful servants, and fair warning is given to persons of a different character. e Testify as before the Lord, and as in his presence.] There is a most awful solemnity in this charge which plainly shews the great folly and mischief of striving about little controversies; and I pray God to affect the heart of his ministers with a deepersense of this, before the interests of vital religion among us be utterly undone by our severe contentions; or, as the excellent Archbishop Leighton expresses VOL. X. it in his lively manner, "What we profess C g Asserting 20 16 But shun profane and vain bablings, for they will increase unt● more ungodliness. Reflections on the importance of remembering Christ. SECT. tributing with prudence, as well as fidelity, to each his proper share. But avoid, and stand 2 Tim. at a distance from, those profane and empty de11. 16. clamations, with which some who affect to be thought of importance in the Christian church are ready to amuse themselves: for though the evil of some of them may not immediately appear, and they may seem trifling rather than mischievous, they will at length advance unto more impiety; and when Satan has prevailed upon men once to quit the right way, he will be continually gaining greater advantages over 17 them. 17 And their word 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. And their discourse will eat like a gan will cat as doth a cangrene, spreading itself farther and farther, till ker: of whom is Hymethe whole body is infected, and even destroyed neus and Philetus: by it. Such teachers there are now in the church; of which [number] in particular are 18 Hymeneus and Philetus, Who have erred with respect to the truth, so as to be wide of the mark. For they have, by their allegorical interpretations, explained away one of the most fundamental doctrines of our religion, asserting that the resurrection, of which it so largely speaks, consists only in a conversion from vice to virtue, and consequently is already past, with regard to all true Christians; and so they subvert the faith of some, who are less established in the doctrines of the gospel, and endanger their salvation. It will therefore become thee, amidst all the candour which I have so often inculcated, to guard against such tenets, and the authors of them. IMPROVEMENT. THERE is not perhaps a single precept in the whole sacred volume, which would be more extensively useful to ministers, Ver. or to private Christians, than this of the apostle, taken in all its 8 extent. Remember Jesus Christ. Many a sweet memorial hath he left us of himself. Often, very often, have we been called so g Asserting that the resurrection is past.] Vice, as my learned friend Mr. Warburton with great propriety observes, in reference to the text, was in the philosophical schools called death. And, upon the same principle, a recovery to a virtuous course and temper might be called a kind of resurrection from the dead. But nothing can lemnly be more evident than that this was by no means the resurrection which Christianity taught. Yet, as there is nothing too absurd for some who pride themselves in their philosophy to believe, this foolish refinement found its followers among some pretended Christians of this stamp. Warb, Div. Leg. Vol. I. p. 435. Reflections on the importance of remembering Christ. iii. 21 lemnly to survey them, and yet how ready are we to forget him, scT.; and by a natural consequence to forget ourselves, our duty and interest on the one hand, and our danger on the other! "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 near thy people, to protect, to comfort, and to bless them. If, for Ver: thy cause, we should be called to suffer evil, as evil doers, whether 9 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 indeed oppose it, they may bind its most faithful preachers, but their opposition, their persecution, is vain." The word 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 may obtain salvation by Jesus Christ, and may not only escape the 10 condemnation and ruin of the impenitent world, but may finally be crowned with eternal glory. May we ever be mindful of this faithful word, that if we suffer 11, 12 with Christ we 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 our reign will be eternal. 13 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 15 the church from those seducing teachers, whose doctrine, like a secret gangrene, might spread itself to the destruction of the body, 17, 18 so that the faith of many might be overthrown. 22 Christians are obliged to depart from iniquity. SECT. iv. 2 Tim. SECT. IV. The Apostle urges the necessity of holiness in all Christians, but especially in ministers; and of meekness in their endeavours to recover sinners from the miserable condition into which they were fallen. 2 Tim. II. 19, to the end. 2 TIMOTHY II. 19. 2 TIM. II. 19. foundation of God IN N order to excite thee, O Timothy, to con- NEVERTHELESS, the tend carnestly for the great doctrines of the standeth sure, having II. 19. gospel, I have taken notice of the manner in this seal, The Lord which some have revolted from them. And it knoweth them that are his. And, Let every is matter of mournful reflection, that there one that rameth the should be such instances of apostacy in this early name of Christ depart age of the church. Nevertheless, we recollect from iniquity. with pleasure that, whatever defections there may be in particular persons, the great founda. tion Stone, which the mercy and faithfulness of God has laid for the support and comfort of his people, standeth firm and stedfast, having, as it were, this double seal or inscription: on the one hand, The Lord knoweth them that are his own, and as he surely distinguishes them in every circumstance, so he bears a steady and constant favour to them, nor can any alienate them from his gracious regards; and, on the other side, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, every one that professes his religion, and pretends the least regard to him, depart from iniquity; let him stand off, and keep at the greatest distance from every kind and degree of immorality, from every appearance and occasion of 20 sin. But, though our obligations to such a conduct be so many and so great, we cannot flatter ourselves that all professing Christians will be sensible of them. For in a great house there are vessels, not only of gold and silver, but also of a Inscription.] Many critics have justly observed, that the word ofgayis often signifies an inscription, or the mark made by a seal, as well as the seal itself. See Rev. ix. 4. And the expression is here used with peculiar propriety, in allusion to the custom of engraving upon some stones laid in the foundation of buildings the name of the persons by whom, and the purposes for which, the structure is raised. And nothing can have a greater tendency to en wood 20 But in a great house there are not ony vessels of gold, and of silver, but also of wood courage the hope, and at the same time to engage the obedience of Christians, than this double inscription. Dr. Whitby supposes that clause, the Lord knoweth them that are his own, has a peculiar reference to the apostles, in opposition to heretical teachers, and that it alludes to Numb. xvi. 5, Septuag. That to know often signifies to regard with favour, as well as to distinguish, hath been shewn elsewhere. Rom. viii. 27. b Rashness and some to dishonour. these, he shall be a Timothy is warned to flee youthful lusts. iv. 23 wood, and of earth: wood and clay, the former being intended for SECT. and some to honour, honourable, the other for meaner and dishonoura ble uses and accordingly there will be, in the 2 Tim. church of God, persons of different characters, II. 20. who will meet with very different treatment. 91 If a man there- If therefore any one cleanse himself from these, if 21 fore purge himself from he be careful to avoid the society of persons vessel unto honour, who have revolted from true religion, and made sanctified and meet for themselves instruments of impurity and iniquity, the master's use, and he shall be a vessel of honour, sanctified and useful prepared unto every good work. 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 22 Flee also youth of our real goodness. But flee from all occa-22 ful lusts: but follow sions of exciting or gratifying the passions of charity, peace, with youth; whether, on the one hand, the love of them that call on the sensual pleasure, or, on the other, rashness, conLord out of a pure tention, pride, and vain-glory, to which righteousness, faith, heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions they do gender strifes. avoid, knowing that 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto young persons are peculiarly obnoxious: for But 23 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 eagerly about such things as they will; but the servant of the Lord, the Christian, and especially the minister, must not strive in an angry and hostile manner, but be mild and gentle towards all, ready b Rashness, contention, &c.] These are youthful passions, of the danger of which some heady young men, who may value themselves for their freedom from other scandals, seem to think but little; yet it is plain, from the opposition between c That |