ing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good

works".

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God°.

Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep, by the Holy Ghost Which dwelleth in us P.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute

"2 Tim. iii. 14-17.

0

2 Tim. i. 8. P Ibid. ver. 13, 14.

of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself".

Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding prophane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called '.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine".

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity; Sound speech that cannot be condemned: that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine ".

Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee*.

3. to give diligent heed to instruct the people committed to their charge, in the principles and duties of Christ's holy religion.

Let a man so account of us as of the minis

9 1 Tim. vi. 3-5..

Ibid. ver. 20.

• Tit. ii. 1.

* Ibid. ver. 15, 16.

Ibid. ver. 7, 8. " 1 Tim. iv. 13.

ters of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful ".

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ".

For unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ :

And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ":

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Having then gifts differing according to the

y 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2.

a Eph. iv. 7.

71 Pet. iv. 10, 11.

c Col. i. 28.

b Ibid. ver. 11-13.

grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering or he that teacheth on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence ".

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers*.

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith".

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine ".

These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee'.

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions; be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak My

words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious'.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus *.

Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ'.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth".

4. to live suitably to the sacredness of their character, that they may be wholesome patterns to the flock of Christ.

Be thou an example of the believers, in