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Marillier
THE CRIC IGUXION.
TONDON CED; VDE 0, IVY CAN

JCArmyteka
WH Bardett

MARY MAGDALEN.
Là mở 1 ( VILLA 30 Tư Lệ


J. Rogo
W H Bartlett
90449
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
The churches of Galatia, which was a province of
the Lesser Asia, were first converted to the Christian
faith by the apostle Paul, about the latter end of
the year 50, when passing through the region of
Galatia, he was received with great affection, and
made the instrument of planting several churches
there; which, when he visited those parts again in
his next progress in the year 54, he had an oppor-
tunity of confirming in the doctrine that he before
had taught them -Compare Acts xvi. 6, xviii. 23,
and Gal. iv. 13-15.
From the contents of this epistle it appears, that
after he had preached the gospel to the Galatians,
some Judaizing zealots had endeavoured to degrade
the character of St. Paul among them, as one not
immediately commissioned by Christ, as the other
apostles were, and to subvert his doctrine in the
grand article of justification, by insisting on the
observation of the Jewish ceremonies, and so at-
tempting to incorporate the law with Christianity.
And as St. Paul expresses here to the Galatians his
concern and wonder, that they were so soon per-
verted from the doctrine he had preached (chap. i.
6), he therefore must have written this epistle not
long after he had been among them; and as no
hint is given through the whole of it, that he had
VOL. I.
B
2
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
been with them more than once, it is most rcason-
able to conclude, that it was written before his
second journey to Galatia, and consequently not
later than the year of our Lord 53, which was the
13th of the emperor Claudian.-See note on Acts
xviii. 11.
And though by the subscription, which is com-
monly placed at the end of it, this epistle is said to
be written from Rome , yet if the latest date which
some have given it should be allowed, which fixes
it to the year 58, this could not be the place from
whence it was written, as St. Paul then had never
been at Rome, and none suppose him to have come
there till after the year 60; which manifestly shows
that the subscription ought to be rejected as a
spurious addition, though it has been the means of
leading many into a palpable mistake. See Acts
xix. 21. But dating it as above, in the year 53,
it appears to be written from Corinth, where the
apostle had sufficient time to write it (as he did)
with his own hand, as he continued in that city near
two years.---Compare Acts xviii. 3, 11.
The principal design of the apostle Paul in this
epistle, was “to assert and vindicate his apostolical
authority and doctrine, and to establish and con-
firm the churches of Galatia in the faith of Christ,
especially with respect to the important point of
justification ; to expose the errors that were intro-
duced among them; and to revive those principles
of Christianity that lie had taught them, when he
first preached the gospel among them.” And to
this purpose,
First, He begins with an address adapted to his
main design, in which he asserts his own apostle-
ship, and hints at the provision made for our justifi-
cation by Christ, expressing at the same time his
most affectionate regard for the Galatian churches.
Secondly, He enters upon what he principally
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
3
Hand in view,--to vindicate the authority of liis doc-
trine and mission,—to prove that justification only
can be had by fuith in Christ, without the works of
thie law,-and to expostulate with the Galatians on
their weakness and folly, in hearkening to false
teachers, and being persuaded by them to become
subject to the law. Wliere,
1. In vindication of the authority of his doctrine
and mission, after declaring liis astonishment that
the Galatians had so soon been led aside, under the
influence of seducing teachers, from the simplicity
of that gospel he had preached among them with
the greatest faithfulness (ver. 6-10), he shows
them,
1. That he received his mission and his doctrine
not from men, but by immediate revelation from
Christ himself, who, when he was a persecuting
cealot for the law, had called him by his grace to
preach the gospel ; in which he had immediately
engaged, without consulting any man, or niaking
any application to the other apostles for instruction
in his work, or for authority to perform it.-Ter.
11, to the end.
2. That in this interview with the apostles at
Jerusalem, fourteen years after his conversion, he
had maintained the liberty of Christians from the
yoke of the law; and having communicated to the
chief of them an account of his ministry, they were
so far from disapproving either his doctrine or his
practice, that they acknowledged the authority of
his mission ; and cordially embracing him as a
brother-apostle, encouraged him to prosecute the
work he was engaged in, and to continue preach-
ing to the Gentiles.-Chap. ii. 1-10. To which lie
adds,
3. That however some had represented him as
inferior to the other apostles, and as a favourer of
the ceremonial law, he had given sufficient proof of
4
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
the contrary; in that when Peter came to Antioch,
the character of that apostle did not prevent his
openly reproving him, for withdrawing from the con-
versation of the Gentile converts for fear of displeas-
ing the Jews, and undermining by this means the
liberty of the Christian church from Jcwish impo-
sitions; expostulating with him, how very incon-
sistent and absurd it was, that when they who were
Jews had thought it necessary, from a full con-
viction of the insufficiency of the law to justify
thiem, to embrace the gospel, and to believe in
Christ for justification, they should endeavour after
this to bring the Gentiles into subjection to the law,
as if the dispensation introduced by Christ would
leave thein under sin without it. He was deter-
mined, for his own part, that no such inconsistency
should be found either in his doctrine or his prac-
tice; and, having renounced all expectations from
the law, his whole dependence was upon Christ
alone for righteousness and lifc.-Ver. 11, to the
end. Having thus entered on the main point le
liad in view, the apostle proceeds,
II. To prove that justification only can be had by
faith in Christ, without the works of the law. And
this he introduces with reproving the Galatians for
their instability with regard to this important doc-
trine; which having been established by the death
of Christ, and confirmed by the miraculous gifts of
the Spirit, nothing could be more senseless than to
turn from attestations that were given to the truth
of it.-Chap. iii. 1–5. And then in confirmation
of the doctrine he had reproved them for rejecting,
le offers several arguments, and shows,
1. That as it was by faith Abraham was justified,
so it is by faith that we become his children, and are
partakers of the blessing with him.—Ver. 649.
2. That the law pronounces a curse on every one
who is in any instance guilty of transgressing it;
!
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
5
and therefore that it is not by the law we can be
justified, but by faith.— Ver. 10-12.
3. That Christ hath set us free from the con-
demning sentence of the law; and as it is by him
that we escape the curse, so we obtain the blessing
only through faith in him.-Ver. 13, 14.
4. That the stability of the covenant of promise
to Abraham and his seed is such, that it could not
be vacated by the law, which was given long after
the promise was made, under the mediation of
Moses, and between different parties; and there-
fore that it is not by the observance of the law, but
only by faith in the promise, the benefit of justifica-
tion and a title to eternal life can be obtained.-
Ver. 15–18.
5. That the design of God in giving the law, was,
not to justify, but to convince of sin, as well as to
restrain from the commission of it; and being in-
tended only for a temporary institution, instead of
vacating the promise, it was designed to be subservient
to it, by showing the necessity of a better righteous-
ness than that of the law, and so to lead the awakened
soul to Christ, that being justified by faith in him,
we might obtain the benefit of the promise. —
Ver. 19-24. And therefore,
6. That such is the advantage of the gospel-dis-
pensation, that Christians are no longer under the
discipline of the law; but being united unto Christ
hy faith, and so become the sons of God, both Jews
and Gentiles are all one in him; and the distinc-
tions which the law had made being done away,
all
true believers are the seed of Abraham, and heirs of
the blessing with him, by virtue of the promise, and
not by any title which the law could give.—Ver.
25, to the end. But as the heir to an estate is in
subjection, like a serrant, under the government of
guardians, during his minority; so were the Jews
before the gospel was r evealed, like children under
C
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
aye, kept in subjection to the law; till at the time
appointed for their entering on possession of the
promised inheritance, as sons that were come to
maturity, Christ was sent forth to answer all that
the law demanded, and to redeem his people from
their bondage to it; that being received by faith in
him into the number of the sons of God, both Jews
and Gentiles might be brought into a glorious liberty,
and being enabled by the Spirit to approach to God
as their Father, they might enjoy the privilege and
freedom of heirs of God through Christ, and be
no more as servants under subjection to the law.-
Chap. iv. 1-7. And hence the apostle takes
occasion,
III. To expostulate with the Galatians on their
weakness and folly, in being so deluded by false
teachers, as to give up the liberty of the gospel, and
be persuaded to become subject to the law. And
to convince them how unreasonable and absurd
their conduct was,
1. He observes, that they were formerly, as
Gentiles, in bondage to the superstitions of the
heathen worship, and now that they were brouglıt
into a state of liberty, it was a strange infatuation,
they should be willing to submit again to another
servitude, and to come under bondage to the un-
profitable rites and ceremonies of the law; which
gave him ground for fear, his labour would be
found in a great measure to have been lost
upon
them.-Ver. 8-11.
2. He reminds them of the great affection and
regard they had expressed for him and liis ministry,
when he first preached the gospel to them; and
argues with them, what occasion he had given for
the alteration of their disposition towards him, or
how they could account for it, unless he was become
their enerny, by telling them the truth.-Ver. 12—16.
3. He cautions them against the base design of
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
7
their fulse tcachers, who could alienate their hearts
from him, to engross them to themselves; and
intimates, how fit it was, they should retain the
same regard to him and to the truth, now he was
absent, as they had shown when he was present;
assuring them, that he had still the same affection-
ate concern for them, and would be glad of coming
to them, and finding matters better with them than
he feared...Ver. 17-20.
4. He illustrates the advantage of believers under
the gospel, as to their privilege and freedom, above
that of those under the law, by an allegory taken
from the two sons of Abraham ly Hagar and Sarah,
as typical of the difference between the two dispen-
sations of the law and gospel; of which the former
was a state of bondage, and all that seek for justifi-
cation by it, are excluded like Ishmael from inherit-
ing the promise ; whereas the latter is a state of
freedom, and those who come into this new and
better dispensation, like Isaac, are the children of
the promise, and are by faith entitled to the bles-
sings of it.- Ver. 21, to the end. This was the
freedom they were brought into by Christ; and he
exhorts them to be steadfast in it, and to beware of
coming under a servile yoke by a subjection to the
law.—Chap. v. 1. And to prevent their having
any further thought of it,
5. He assures them, that by submitting to be
circumcised, they became subject to the whole burden
of the law, and could receive no benefit by Christ,
but were cut off from all advantage they might have
by the grace of the gospel, by seeking to be justified
by their obedience to the law; while he and all
true Christians looked for justification only by the
righteousness of Christ, with reference to which it
made no difference whether they were circumcised
or not, if they had such a faith as operates by love.
-Ver. 2–9. And therefore,
8
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
6. He calls them to consider, whence it was,
that after they had set out well, they were drawn off
from that regard which they once had for the truth
and liberty of the gospel; and shows them, it was
owing to the ill impressions made upon them by
their false teachers, by wliom he was unjustly charged
with preaching up circumcision, of which his suffer-
ings for the doctrine of the cross were a plain con-
futation; expressing at the same time his hope
concerning them, that they would come to be of the
same mind with him, and wishing those who had
endeavoured to corrupt them were cast out of the
church, that they miglit do no further mischief.
-Ver. 7-12. And now, as he was drawing to a
close of his epistle, according to his usual method,
Thirdly, He offers several practical directions to
them, and exhorts them to a behaviour answerable
to their Christian calling, and to the institution of
the gospel, as a doctrine according to godlincss.
Where,
1. He takes occasion from his mentioning their
Christian liberty, to caution them against abusing it
to an indulgence of the flesh, and to the breach of
Christian charity; and urges them to mutual love, as
what they were obliged to both by the law and
gospel, and which if they neglected, and gave way
to animosities and contentions, they would be ex-
posed to ruin and destruction.-Ver. 13--15.
2. He exhorts them to a conversation suitable to
the dispensation of grace they had received, by a
compliance with the influences of the Spirit, in
opposition to the workings of the flesh; and giving
a description of the different fruits of each, shows,
that as Christians they were obliged to crucify the
flesh with its corrupt affections, and to obey the
dictates of the Spirit
, in a continual exercise of all
the graces of it; and warns them in particular,
against pride and vain-glory.–Ver. 16, to the end.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION. .
9
3. He recommends it to tliem, to deal tenderly
with those who are overtaken in a fault, endeavour-
ing to restore them, with a compassionate regard
to their infirmities, by a meek and gentle treatment,
as those who would fulfil the law of Christ; and
cautions them, instead of entertaining a conceited
notion of their own sufficiency, as if they were not
liable to fall as well as others, or being pleased with
the high sentiments that others have of them, to
cxamine their own work, whether it be such as may
afford them ground of rejoicing, since every one
must be accountable for his own behaviour, and shall
at last be dealt with, not according to the rain
imagination he has of himself, or the good opinion
of others concerning him, but according to what
he really is, and the true character that he is found
to bear.—Chap. vi. 1-5.
4. He presses it upon them as their duty, to be
free and liberal in contributing to the support and
maintenance of their ministers, assuring them, that
plausible crcuses in a point of duty rould fatally
deceive those that made use of them, and every one
should reap, according as he sowed; and therefore
urges them, not to be weary in well-doing, but to
lay hold of every opportunity for doing good to all,
especially to their fellow-Christians.-Ter. 6-10.
And now, the apostle having written this epistle
with his own hand, and given this testimony of his
affectionate regard to the Galatians, sums up the
main design of it as the close of all (ver. 11, to the
end), and shows,--that as to their false teachers, it
was for selfish ends, and not from any veneration
for the law, they pressed them to be circumcised,
that by this means they might keep up their repu-
tation with the Jews, and might not only save them-
selves from persecution, but glory also in the number
of their prosclytes; while for his own part, he had
no worldly views, and would not glory but in the
VOL. V.
C
10
DANGER OF DEPARTING FROM
cross of Christ, by whom alone it is that justification
can be had. This was the doctrine that he preached,
nor should the fear of persecution make him to dis-
guise it
, for it was only in this way that any could
be justified and saved ; and whether they were cir-
cumcised or not, if they were made new creatures,
and acted by this principle, mercy and peace should
be upon them, as the true Israel of God. No one
should therefore trouble him any more, with urging
the necessity of circumcision, or with suggesting he
himself was for it, when he had shown his zeal for
the pure doctrine of the gospel by his sufferings for
it; the marks of which were a plain evidence of his
regard to Christ, and such a proof of his sincerity,
as might well serve to vindicate his character, and
to confirm the truth of what he had taught them.
And having thus reminded them of the main view
he had in writing this epistle, he concludes it with a
solemn apostolical benediction.
SECTION 1.
The upustle Paul, after a general and proper salutation, espresses his surprise and
concern, that the Galatian Christians had so soon suffered themselves to be led
aside from the simplicity of thal gospel, which he had first planted among them.
Gal. i. 1-10.
GAL. I. 1. PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man,
but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised
2. him from the dead ;)--And all the brethren which
3. are with me, unto the churches of Galatia :-Grace
be to you and peace from God the Father, and from
4. our Lord Jesus Christ,—Who gave himself for our
sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil
world, according to the will of God and our Father :
5. –To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
You receive this epistle from 'Paul, who hath
the honour to stand in the character of an apostle of
the Christian church; an important office, which
he did not presumptuously arrogate to himself, nor
receive from the appointment or authority of men,
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL.
11
as the original, nor by the choice or intervention of
any man upon earth, as the instrument of his mis-
sion; whatever the factious teachers, who are en-
deavouring to disturb you, may have represented :
but I am capable of giving you the most con-
vincing evidence, that I had an immediate call to
this lionourable charge by Jesus Christ the great
head of the church, who did himself in
person
appear to me again and again (Acts ix. 4; xxii.
18), and sent me forth to be his witness unto all
men, according to the sovereign choice of God the
Father, Acts xxii. 14, 15), who hath raised him from
among the dead, and therein laid the great founda-
tion of our faith in him for righteousness and life,
and our reliance on him as the Son of God and the
only Saviour of men. ? And while I am thus ad-
dressing myself to you, all the Christian brethren,
especially the ministers, who are with me here at
Corinth, join with me in the sentiments I am going
to propose, and in the most friendly aud affectionate
salutations unto the churches of Galatia, whom they
cordially love, notwithstanding any difference in
form and opinion which at present may subsist
It is our most unfeigned ardent
prayer, that the richest communications of divine
grace and favour may [be] imparted to you, with all
the blessings of prosperity and peace of every kind,
from God the Father, the great original and fountain
of all good, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ, the
purchaser and dispenser of it ; *who graciously and
compassionately gave himself up to the severest
sufferings as an atoping sacrifice for our sin, that
he might thus deliver us by the efficacy of his death
from the destructive snares and condemnation that
attend this present evil world, from the predominant
vices of the age, and from the ruin they will bring
on all who shall continue in the practice of them,
whether Jews or Gentiles, which glorions design he
among them.
12
DANGER OF DEPARTING FROM
"
generously undertook according to the merciful and
saving will of God, even our Father, who chose this
wisest and happiest method of recovering us to
himself: 5to whom therefore, for this adorable and
matchless grace to sinful creatures, [be] glory and
praise for ever and ever. Amen.
Gal. 1. 6. -I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him
that called you unto the grace of Christ unto ano-
7. ther gospel :- Which is not another; But there be
some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel
8. of Christ.—But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Since this then is the only way of being justified
and saved, it gives me great concern, and 'I am
quite astonished, my beloved brethren, that after ye
have been instructed in it, and seemed to have re-
ceived the truth in the love of it, yc are so soon
removed from a due regard to him that called you into
this method of salvation by and through the grace
of Christ, and who continues still in the same sen-
timents as when he was at first the happy instru-
ment of bringing you to an acquaintance with it;
that ye are so soon removed, I say, unto what may
almost be called another gospel, as being so entirely
inconsistent with the very fundamentals of that
which you were originally taught concerning our
free justification by divine grace on our believing,
witliout the works of the Mosaic law. But indeed,
to speak more exactly, that system of doctrines
*which you have so rashly and unhappily received,
is not in strict propriety another gospel, nor worthy
the name of gospel at all : but this in short is the
case, that there are some seducing and Pharisaical
teachers, who, for their own unworthy ends, have
gone about to trouble you with false insinuations,
and arc desirous to do their utmost to subvert and
overthrow the gospel of Christ, which liath been
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL.
13
preached to you in so pure and powerful a manner.
You know the doctrine that was first delivered to
you under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and
whatsoever may have been suggested, as if Peter
and the other apostles, and even I myself do some-
times preach up the works of the law, as necessary
to be joined with faith in Christ for justification,
let no such principles be admitted by you : but
though we, or any other apostle, not excepting the
most honourable and illustrious names, or even an
angel from heaven, if that were possible, should
preach any other gospel among you, than that which
we have already preached unto you, and confirmed
by such apparent and uncontrolled miracles, let
him not only be rejected, but pronounced an ana-
thema, and be devoted to a perpetual and most
dreadful curse.
Gal. 1. 9.-As we said before, so say I now again, If any
man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye
have received, let him be accursed.
Nor is it by any sudden flight of zeal that I ex-
press myself thus; but as we have said but just
before, so say I now again, and solemnly repeat it as
my deliberate judgment, if any one whatever, whe-
ther man or angel, preach any other gospel to you
than that which ye have received already from our
lips, and which indeed ye have been taught by ns
from Christ himself, let him be anathema, and look
upon him with as much detestation as you would
on the most execrable creature in the universe.
Gal. l. 10.—For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I
seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I
should not be the servant of Christ.
I speak with all this freedom from the sure con-
sciousness of my own integrity: 'Ofor after all that
I have done and suffered for the truth, do I now
solicit the favour of men, or of God? Do I endea-
14.
DANGER OF PERVERTING THE GOSPEL.
vour in my ministry, to ingratiate myself with
mien, or to approve myself to God? Or do I, in the
general course of my conduct, seek to please men by
a compliance with their prejudices or designs? I
have no party-views, as I had formerly before I
was converted (Acts ix. 1, 2), nor any intention to
pursue the schemes and serve the purposes of men ;
for if indeed I yet pleased men, by southing their hu-
mour and flattering their vanity, I should not be the
servant of Christ; I should not deserve the name
of a Christian, and much less that of a minister and
an apostle, and must indeed change the whole sys-
tem of my doctrine, if I would render it agreeable
to human prejudices.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us adore the name of that blessed Redeemer,
who gave himself a sacrifice for our sins: and inay
the consideration of his gracious purpose in doing
it, have its efficacy, to deliver us from this present
evil world, 4 and to raise our hearts to that, to which
the Father hath exalted him, by whom he was
raised from the dead : to whom, for all the purposes
of his grace in the whole scheme of our redemption,
be glory for ever and ever.5
Let the remembrance of this compassionate Sa-
viour, who is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever,
engage us to be steadfast in the profession of his
religion, and to be upon our guard against all who
would pervert the gospel. May his ministers espe-
cially be exceeding cautious, how they do any
thing that looks like corrupting it; since such a
dreadful anathema is pronounced against an apostle,
or an angel, 9 who should attempt it.
Who can be superior to every alarm on this head,
that considers the case of the Galatians, who though
they received the gospel from the lips of such an
apostle as Paul, could be so soon removed, and drawn
DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL.
15
aside to a quite different system? But God made a
gracious provision for their being recovered, and
confirmed in the primitive faith, by this epistle ;
which was intended also to be a security to us, that
we might learn from hence the purity and sim-
plicity of the Christian doctrine, and be established
in the truth as it is in Jesus.
Let the ministers of Christ faithfully preach it,
not as seeking to please men, but that God who trieth
the hearts; and who can only be pleased by an en-
tire surrender of the soul to that system of truth
and duty which he hath condescended to teach,
and by a faithful care to spread its genuine and
salutary maxims as widely as they can, without
any addition or diminution. To solicit the favour of
men, and to endeavour to oblige them, by sacrificing
such sacred considerations to any of their preju-
dices and follies, is to act in a manner utterly
unbecoming a servant of Christ ; and so unworthy
a conduct in such as bear the character of ministers,
may justly provoke the indignation of their divine
Master, to make them as contemptible as they suffer
themselves to become unfaithful.
SECTION II.
To vindicate his doctrine to the Galatians, and to remove the prejudices that were
ruised against it, Paul shows them, it was not receired from men ; and as a proto
of the divine authority of his missim, gives some account of facts, which immerti-
ately succeeded his conversion from a persecuting ceal against Christianity to the
profession of it. Gal. i. 11, to the end.
GAL. 1. 11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which
12. was preached of me is not after man.- For I neither
received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by
the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Some have indeed attempted to reflect upon my
doctrine, and to depreciate the authority of my
commission as an apostle: "but I ccrtify you, bre-
thren, and declare in the most determinate language I
16
DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL.
am capable of using, that, whatever my enemies, who
herein are yours likewise, may insinuate to the con-
trary, the gospel which has every where been preached
by me, is not according to the tradition or invention
of man, nor in any way adulterated and debased to
suit the relish, or to favour the prejudices of those
to whom it was to be delivered. For I neither
receired my commission to preach it from the au-
thority or interposition of any man whatever, nor
was I taught [it] by any written memoirs, or any
other human method of instruction ; but in a most
extraordinary and miraculous way I was enlightened
in it, and authorised to preach it, by the imme-
diate revelation of Jesus Christ himself, who com-
municated to me by inspiration the knowledge of
salvation by faith in him, and sent me forth to
publish the glad tidings of the gospel.
Gal. 1. 13. -For ye have heard of my conversation in time past
in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I per.
14. secuted the church of God, and wasted it :-And
profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals
in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous
15. of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased
God, who separated me from my mother's womb,
10. and called me by his grace,-To reveal his Son in
me, that I might preach him among the heathen:
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood :
17.- Veither went I up to Jerusalem to them which
were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia,
and returned again into Damascus.
This you already know, though I touch upon it
again as a truth of so great importance: 3for you un-
doubtedly have heard of my conversation and character
in time past, particularly in my youthful days, and
to the happy time when I became acquainted with
the gospel; that I was such a violent bigot in the
profession of Judaism, and so implacable an enemy
to the followers of Christ, that I'immeasurably per-
secuted with the most insatiable rage the church of
DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL.
17
14
God, which I now esteem it my greatest honour to
edify and serve, though I was then intent upon its
ruin, and ravaged it with all the fury of a beast of
prey And such was my regard for all the Jewish
rites and customs, that I made proficiency in the
knowledge and practice of Judaism, beyond many of
myown nation, [who were]my equals in age, and of the
same standing with myself in the study of the law;
being more abundantly and passionately zealous for
the hereditary maxims and traditions of my fathers,
on which the Pharisaic sect lays so much stress.
1 But when at length it pleased God, who in the secret
purposes of his mercy had set apart and separated
me to this office from my mother's womb (as he did
Jeremiah to that of a prophet, Jer. i. 5), having
determined to employ me as a minister of his
gospel; and who afterwards called [me] by such an
astonishing display and energy of his grace, while I
was actually engaged in opposition to his cause and
interest ; when it pleased him, I say, 16to rereal by
vision and inspiration his Son Christ Jesus in me,
and thus to give me a discovery of the glories of
his person, and of his righteousness and grace, that
I might not only know him for my own salvation,
but also in due time, when Providence should open
a convenient way, might preach him among the Gen-
tiles, as well as among the Jews, to whom my ad-
dresses were at first confined; immediately my heart
was overpowered, and all my prejudices so entirely
removed, that I conferred not with flesh and blood,
and stood not to consider what would be most sub-
servient to my worldly interest, or to consult with
any mortal man about engaging in the work to
which I had so clear a call. Nor did I at that
time go up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles
before me, to be instructed more particularly in the
doctrines I should preach, that there might be no
inconsistencies between us, or to apply to them for
VOL. 1.
D
18
DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL.
a commission to perform my office : but having en-
tered on my ministry, and preached the word at
Damascus (Acts ix. 20), I went for a while into
Arabia, where I could have no opportunity of being
taught by any man, as none of the apostles had
been there before me ; and from thence I returnen
again to Damascus, where I boldly declared the
necessity of believing in Christ for salvation, even
in the presence of those Jews, whom I knew to be
most strongly prejudiced against that important
doctrine.
Gal. 1. 18. -Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to
19. see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But
other of the apostles saw I none, save James the
Lord's brother.
18 Then at length, after three years from the time
of my conversion, I went up to Jerusalem, to visit and
converse with Peter, by whom, when he had heard
from Barnabas an account of my conversion and
my preaching at Damascus, I was cordially received
as one whom the Lord had called; and I abode there
with him at his house but fifteen days, to have the
pleasure of discoursing with him on the mutual
success of our ministry, and not with the least view
of receiving any further authority from him. But
I saw no one of the apostles then besides, except it were
James, the brother or near kinsmen of the Lord
Jesus; for all the rest of that sacred society were
absent at that time on their respective missions.
Gal. 1. 20. --Now the things which I write unto you, behold,
before God, I lie not.
20Now with respect to all these circumstances,
[as to] the things which I write unto you, you may
give the most entire credit to them, how little soever
they may consist with some reports, that have been
artfully spread abroad concerning me; for behold, I
solemnly profess to you before God, that I do not lie
DIVINE AUTHORITY OF TIIE GOSPEL.
19
or falsify in the least degree, but with all possible
frankness and sincerity speak what I assuredly
know to be the most certain truth.
Gal. 1. 21. --Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and
22. Cilicia ;- And was unknown by face unto the
23. churches of Judea which were in Christ :-But they
had heard only, That he which persecuted us in
times past now preacheth the faith which once he
24. destroyed.–And they glorified God in me.
21 Afterwards departing from Jerusalem, I came
into the regions of Syria ; and from thence I passed
into my native country of Cilicia, to exercise my
ministry there, and to bring, if possible, those
among whom I was born, to the knowledge of
Christ and of the doctrine of salvation by him.
>> And during all this time, as I had only just passed
through their country in my way, I was unknown by
face to the several churches of Christ which were in
Judea, as well as to the greater part of my brethren
the apostles, so that I could learn nothing of the
contents of the gospel from any of them: but only
they had heard this wonderful account in general,
which might well spread through all the land, that
ho who so cruelly persecuted us in times past to im-
prisonment and death, was become a convert to the
victorious truth and grace of the gospel, so that he
now preacheth the same divinefaith which he formerly
ravaged and laid waste to the utmost of his power,
and would if possible have totally destroyed and
extirpated: and they glorified God on my account,
as well they might, beholding in me so illustrious an
instance of the power and sovereignty of his grace.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us also, at this distance of time and country,
join with them in glorifying God in the apostle ;**
in adoring the grace, that engaged him to preach
the faith he would once hare destroyed, and at length
20
DIVIND AUTHORITY OF THE GOSPEL.
to add his own blood to that of the martyrs of Christ
which he had shed. Still hath the great head of
the church the same omnipotent efficacy, the same
ability to influence the heart, to overcome the
strongest prejudices, and to turn bigots into true
believers; and, rather than his church shall want
its servants and its ornaments, he will find them
among its most cruel enemies.
Had the gospel been taught St. Paul by Ananias
or Peter, or any of the apostles, 17 18 19 his readiness
to receive it from such teachers, and to preach it at
the certain expense of his reputation, his interest, and
his life, would no doubt have ranked him among
the most illustrious witnesses to the truth of Chris.
tianity. But this additional fact of an original
revelation of the whole system of it to him, inde-
pendent of human teaching, 12 deserves our admira-
tion, and demands our praise.
God herein wrought according to the secret
counsel of his divine will, and that purpose, by
which he had separated Paul from the womb. In
vain was it opposed by the prevailing prejudices of
liis education, or by the violence of his zeal for
Judaism, and that proficiency in it, by which he had
eclipsed so many of his contemporaries, and those of
his own nation. All his zeal for the traditions of his
fathers13 14 gave way to a yet greater zeal for a
nobler object; a zeal, which carried him through
Arabia and Syria, through Judea and Cilicia.21 % and
prevented him in one sense as well as another, from
consulting with
flesh and blood, l®from being influenced
by any selfish worldly views, or giving heed to any
man's opinion.
Adored be the grace, that animated and sup-
ported him in overcoming every difficulty; and
having so miraculously furnished him for the great
work that he was called to, made him so gloriously
successful in it. So may we be enabled to surmount
PAUL'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM.
21
every obstacle! and so may we be tauglit, as to
those things which we have most highly esteemed, to
count them all but loss for the excellency of the know-
ledge of Christ, and to grudge no labour, self-denial,
or suffering, by which the gospel may be any way
promoted or adorned, and a testimony given of our
faithful subjection to it!
SECTIOX III.
The apostle, in prosecution of that design on which he entered in the preceding
section, infirrins the Galatians of his journey from Antioch to Jerusalem,
and of his interview with the apostles there, fourteen years after his con-
lersion. Gal. ii. 1-10.
Gal. 2. 1. They fourteen years after I went up again to
Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me
2. also.—And I went up by revelation, and commu-
nicated unto them that gospel which I preach among
the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of
reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had
run, in vain.
I HAVE just been telling you, that quickly after
my journey from Damascus to Jerusalem, I traversed
the regions of Syria and Silicia, being 'then in a
great measure unknown to the churches in Judea,
otherwise than by my general character, and what
they had heard of the surprising change wrought in
me: I am now to add, that about fourteen years
after my conversion, when I had preached the word
some time at Antioch, I went up again to Jerusalem
with Barnabas, to consult with the church there
upon the grand question of the freedom of the Gen-
tiles from the Mosaic law (Acts xv. 2); and I took
Titus also with me, though he was uncircumcised,
that I might therein show my Christian liberty, and
assert that of my Gentile brethren, against those
who were so zealous in their attempts to invade it.
? But I then went up, not to receive instructions in
my work from any of the apostles there, or to be
22
PAUL'S JOURNEY FROM
confirmed in my office by them, but by the appoint-
ment of a special revelation, and to subserve a very
different and important purpose, in which the peace
and liberty of the church were much concerned.
And when I was arrived there, and had the pleasure
of meeting my brethren, I explained at large and
freely laid before them the contents of that gospel,
which I preach among the Gentiles, not only so far as
it relates to the exemption of the Gentile converts
from any obligation to observe the Mosaic law, but
likewise with respect to the deliverance of the Jews
themselves from the bondage of it, which gave
them an opportunity of seeing how fully I was
instructed in the mind of Christ, and how little I
needed any further teachings from them. But this
account however I gave, not in a public assembly,
but privately, to those who were of greatest note and
reputation in the church ; lest some should have
been found, who would have cavilled at it, and by
abusing some of the particulars, would have repre-
sented us as differing from each other; in con-
sequence of which it might be feared, I should here-
after run, or hitherto had run in vain, as the good
effects of my future or past labours would have been
lessened or obstructed by the increase of their pre-
judices; and in particular, the intent of my journey
to Jerusalem might have been hindered, had I then
opened my thoughts too fully in the presence of a
large and promiscuous assembly.
Gal. 2. 3. —But neither Titus, who was with me, being a
4. Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
-And that
because of false brethren unawares brought in, who
came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have
in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bond-
5. age :--To whom we gave place by subjection, no,
not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might
continue with you.
3
But though I did not think myself obliged in
ANTIOCH TO JERUSALEM.
23
4
sincerity to make a public declaration of all that
was in my breast on that subject, yet I did not take
any step that looked like giving up the liberty of
my Gentile brethren: for neither Titus, who was then
with me, being a Greek, and still continuing in a
state of uncircumcision, was compelled to submit to
that rite, though so many maintained, that it was
absolutely necessary to be circumcised in order to
salvation.-Acts xv. 1, 5. And I was more averse
to (that,) and rather favoured the disinclination of
Titus to it, because of the false brethren (that were]
artfully introduced, not only into the church, but the
ministry, upon a general apprehension of their
piety, without being sufficiently informed of their
principles and tempers ; who had before slipped in
among us at Antioch, to spy out and make their ill-
natured remarks upon our liberty, which we have in
Christ Jesus with regard to these things, that by
imposing on the church there, which consisted
chiefly of Gentile converts, they might find means
to bring us into a servile bondage to the law of Moses,
by urging the necessity of submitting to the grievous
and painful yoke of its ceremonies : Sto whom, what-
ever court some thought proper to make to them,
or whatever personal condescensions even I myself
might sometimes yield to (1 Cor. ix, 19, 20), we did
not either at Antioch, or at Jerusalem, give place by
any compliance or subjection to their insolent de
mands for so much as an hour; but always entered
our open protest against their principles, that the
truth of the gospel might continue with you, and you
might rest assured by all the proofs we could give,
that the Christian religion was sufficient for justifi-
cation and salvation, without the superaddition of
the Jewish rituals.
Gl. 2. 6. -But of those who seemed to be somewhat, what-
soever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God
accepteth no man's person : for they who seemed to
24
PAUL'S JOURNEY FROM
Gal. 2. 6. be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:-
7. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of
the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the
8. gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter ;-(For
he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostle-
ship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me
9. toward the Gentiles :)-And when James, Cephas,
and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the
grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and
Barnabas the right hands of fellowship: that we
should go unto the heathen, and they unto the cir-
10. cumcision.-Only they would that we should re-
member the poor; the same which I also was for-
ward to do.
This was my conduct at Jerusalem on this grand
occasion, nor was it upon the whole disapproved by
those of my brethren for whom I had the greatest
regard. "But even of those, who indeed appeared to
be the most considerable and of the greatest note and
eminence, however some would set them up above
me, as having conversed with Christ here on earth
and been apostles long before me, I must needs say,
that whatsoever advantage they had, or how great
soever they formerly were as to any personal pri-
vileges, it makes no difference as to me, nor does at
all affect my character, or set me upon this account
beneath them as to my knowledge in the gospel;
(since God, who called me as well as them to the
apostleship, accepteth no nan's person, so as out of
partial favour to constitute him supreme in his
church, and Lord of his brethren, but employs
whom he will to be apostles, and qualifies them for
it in what way he pleases; as it is manifest he
hath done with reference to me,) for they who were
of greatest note and reputation, when I enaged in
conference with them, added nothing further to me,
nor were capable of informing me of any thing
which I had not before fully learned by immediate
revelation from Christ. But on the contrary, far
from pretending to give me any new instructions, oi
ANTIOCH TO JERCSALEJ.
25
to invest me with any new powers, they recognized
my full title to the apostleship in all its extent; and
plainly seeing, that I was entrusted with the chief
management and direction of the gospel of the uncir-
cumcision, or of the mission to the Gentiles, as Peter
was (with that] which was especially directed to
those of the circumcision (for indeed it was very
apparent, that he who wrought so effectually in Peter,
to qualify him for the apostleship of the circumcision,
wrought effectually also by the same miraculous
powers and endowments in me, to fit me for my
mission to the Gentiles): my worthy associates in
this high office seeing this, and knowing the grace
that was given to me, and how remarkably I was
furnished for the great work in which I was engaged
by the extraordinary favour I had received from
Christ, James, and Cephas, and John, who appeared
to be, and were indeed, the pillars of the church, on
which that at Jerusalem especially rested, as the
great ornament and support of it under Christ, and
on whose pious labours and wise conduct so much
of the interest of the gospel in general depended,
willingly gave to me and Barnabas my companion
the right hands, in token of receiving us into full
fellowship and apostleship with them; that we [might
go] and preach, as we had done before, to the Gen-
tiles, wherever it should please the great Head of
the church to direct us, and that they for the present
would continue their endeavours to promote Chris-
tianity among those of the circumcision, till the whole
harvest of the Jews in those parts should be gathered
in: only [they proposed] that we should be mindful of
the
poor Christians in Judea, so as to make collec-
tions in their favour, as we proceeded in our pro-
gress through the Gentile churches; which icry
thing I also of my own accord was forward to do
witii all the diligence I could, from the sincere
affectiou I had for them, and the concern I had for
VOL.. V.
E
26
PAUL'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM.
their encouragement and support under the frequent
sufferings they endured from their oppressive and
rapacious enemies.
IMPROVEMENT.
Warm and eager as the temper of St. Paul
naturally was, it must certainly give us great plea-
sure to observe, in how prudent and steady a man-
ner he conducted himself, when once engaged in
the sacred work of the Christian ministry and apostle-
ship. With what integrity and resolution did he
behave on the one hand, that he would not give
place for an hour to the false brethren, who had
slipped in among his converts, to spy out and subvert
their liberty !3-5 And on the other, with what
caution, that he might not frustrate the purposes of
his own ministry," by carrying that which was in
general the cause of truth, of liberty and justice, to
an excess ! Thus also let us act, holding the truth in
love and in prudence, and labouring to do all the
good we can with as little offence as possible.
While we are contending for the liberty of Chris-
tians, against the imposition of things which at best
are indifferent, we may possibly be obliged to dispute
the point with some who are persons of worth and
eminence; but God accepteth no man's person. We
may give them all the honour that is due to their
wisdom, their piety, and their station, without
yielding up what ought to be dearer to us than any
Inuman approbation or friendship, the dictates of our
conscience as in the sight of God.
Persons of true steadiness and candour, such as
deserve to be esteemed pillars of the church, will not
suffer themselves to be so borne down by popular
prejudices, as to disown their brethren, whom God
hath honoured with the ministry as well as them-
selves, because they exercise it in some diversity of
6
PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOIIC.
27
forms; but will be willing (so far as they can) to
give them the right hand of fellowship, and will
perhaps wish to be able to do it more entirely
and openly, than some human constitutions will
admit.-
In this however may we all agree, after the
example of this blessed apostle
, ever to do what we
can to promote mutual charity among different
denominations of Christians ; to be expressed by a
readiness to bear one another's burdens, and to afford
liberal relief as Providence gires opportunity..
And we shall find, that as a disunion of hearts adds
weight to the least cause of division; so ferrent
and unfeigned love will by mutual condescension
and indulgence heal the breach, or happily prevent
its most fatal consequences.
SECTION IV.
The apostle gives an account of his oppuising Peter publicly at Antioch, and stand-
ing up in defence of the liberty of the church from Jewish in positions. Gal. ii. 11,
& the end.
GAL. 2. 11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood
12. him to the face, because he was to be blamed.- For
before that certain came from James, he did eat with
the Gentiles : but when they were come, he with-
drew and separated himself, fearing them which were
of the circumcision.
I HAVE been telling you, how entirely I agreed
with the chief apostles of the circumcision, in the
interview which I had with them at Jerusalem,
when that decree was made in favour of the con-
verted Gentiles, by which they were declared free
from any obligation to observe the rituals of the
Mosaic law. But when Peter was come to Antioch,
after Barnabas and I were returned thither (Acts
XV. 30), I opposed him to the face, because indeed
he was so far left to his own spirit, as to behave in
28
PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH.
such a manner, that he very much deserved to be
blamed. For before some Jewish zealots, who were
strict in the observation of those rituals, came from
the apostle James, who was then at Jerusalem, he
did upon all occasions cat and converse freely with
the Gentiles there, who had embraced the gospel
and had not submitted to circumcision; but when
ihey were come, he withdrew from that freedom of
converse, and separated himself from them, as if he
had thought them unclean, though the Lord had
so expressly taught him the contrary (see Acts x.
28); and this he did, not from any change in his
sentiments and apprehension of things, but purely
as fearing them of the circumcision and being un-
willing to displease them, thinking their censures
of much greater importance than they really were.
.
Gal. 2. 13. --And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him ;
insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with
11. their dissimulation.--But when I saw that they
walked not uprightly according to the truth of the
gospel, I said unto Peter before them all.
13 And I thought it the more necessary to take
public notice of it, as the other converted Jews, who
had before used the like freedoin, dissembled their
true sentiments also, by a weak conformity with
him in this scrupulous avoiding their brethren; so
that cven Barnabas too, though so honest and worthy
a man, and one of the messengers who had passed
with me between Antioch and Jerusalem, and been
acknowledged there as an apostle of the Gentiles,
was himself in some measure carried away with their
dissimulation ; which could not but give great grief
and offence to the Gentile Christians, who had been
so particularly committed to his care as well as
mine. But when I saw that they did not in this
affair walk uprightly, according to the truth and de-
sign of the gospel, which indeed taught the contrary,
PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH. 29
I said to Peter in the presence of (them) all, when a
numerous assembly was met together,
Gal. 2. 14. If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gen-
tiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the
15. Gentiles to live as do the Jews?-le who are Jews
16. by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,-know-
ing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified
by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
17. justified.-But if, while we seek to be justified by
Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is there-
fore Christ the minister of sin ? God forbid.
I must speak to thee, Peter, with the freedom
of a Christian brother and fellow-apostle, on a
particular of thy conduct which hath given public
offence: let me then ask thee, If thou being a Jer,
and having been brought by circumcision under
the strongest engagements to fulfil the whole law,
livest frequently (as we have many of us seen), after
the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews,
making no scruple to converse freely with the
Gentiles without conforming to the ceremonial
customs of the Jews; why dost thou now, by a
change in thy conduct, as it were compel the Gen-
tiles to live as do the Jews? Is it not at least as
lawful for them to neglect the Jewish observances,
as it was for thee to do it but a few days ago ?
15 We [who are] by nature, that is, by birth and
education, Jews, and so entitled to many peculiar
privileges, and who are not unclean, profligate,
and abandoned sinners of the Gentiles that walk in
idolatry and all kinds of wickedness : we, I say,
1 knowing in our own hearts, and having been
effectually convinced, that a man is not justificd
by the works of the Mosaic law, but only by the
faith of Jesus Christ, and cannot be accepted in
the sight of God but by cordially and truly believ-
30 PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH.
ing in lim; even we ourselves have taken refuge
here, and giving up all confidence in the law for
justification, have believed in Jesus Christ to this
great purpose, that we might thus be justified, as I
said before, by the faith of Christ, and not by the
works of the law; this is the method we that are
Jews have taken, as being thoroughly made sensible
that it was absolutely necessary we should do so;
wherefore it must be evident, that no flesh living,
whether he be Jew or Gentile, shall or can be justi-
fied by the works of law, since none is capable of
fully answering its demands, or can pretend to have
paid a universal and unerring obedience to it.
Judge then how absurd it would be, to urge those
who never were, like us, under such obligations to
the law, to come under them, when we ourselves
have been obliged to give up our expectations from
hence, and to have recourse to something so much
higher and nobler. "But after all, if seeking to be
justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,
if we are still in an unpardoned state, under the
guilt and power of sin, and notwithstanding all that
Christ has done, his gospel and grace be not suffi-
cient to justify us, unless there be something super-
added to it by the law of Moses, what [is] Christ
then the minister of sin, and not of justification ?
Must it not follow that he is so, if he hath intro-
duced an imperfect dispensation, which will not
sufficiently ensure the happiness of those that follow
it? Yea, doth he not indeed teach sin, if justifica-
tion cannot be obtained without the law, in teach-
ing men to renounce all dependence upon it, as it
is certain by his gospel he doth ?
But God forbid,
that any thing should ever be insinuated, so much
to the dishonour of God and of our glorious Re-
deemer.
Gal. 2. 18. -For if I build again the things which I destroyed,
19. I make myself a transgressor.-For I through the
PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH. 31
Gal. 2. 19. law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20.--I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of
the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for me.
ans.
Thus I addressed myself to Peter on this public
occasion, and showed that the observance of the
ceremonial law was not to be imposed on Christi-
18 Now if I build again the things which I then
destroyed, and insist (as some would charge me),
on the necessity of the works of the law for justifi-
cation, I in effect condemn what I then did, and
setting up the very principles which I opposed, I
acknowledge myself to have been a transgressor in
attempting to pull them down: but I am so far
from acting such an inconsistent part, that I de-
clare myself entirely in the same sentiments which
I then publicly professed. For though I was once
so zealous a bigot for the rights of the law, yet now
upon the whole I through the law am dead to the law;
the more I consider its nature and tenour, the more
I am convinced that it is absolutely impossible,
that I or any man living should be justified by it,
and therefore I give up all such expectations : and
vet the effect of it is, not my being a lawless, licen-
tious creature, but quite the contrary; it is, that
I might live to God in a state of favour and accept-
ance with him, animated by nobler views and hopes
than the law could give, and therefore engaged to
a more generous, sublime, and extensive obedience
than it was capable of producing.
For 201 am
crucified with Christ, and have such a sense of
liis dying love upon my heart, and of the excel-
lency of that method of justification and salvation
which he hath accomplished on the cross, that I
am in consequence of it dead to all the allurements
of the world, and to all views of obtaining righteous-
ness and life by the law : nevertheless I live a new
32 PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH.
and spiritual life, in a conformity to the will of
Gon, and feel the comforts of it in my heart; yet
tu speak properly, it is not I that live, not I my
former or my present self
, by any strength or
power of my own, but it is Christ that by the energy
of his word and Spirit liveth in me, and continually
influences and quickens my soul to every good
action and affection: and the life which I now live
in the flesh, while surrounded with the snares and
sorrows of mortality, I live in the continual exercise
of that faith which [is] established in and centered
upon the perfect righteousness of the Son of God;
on whom alone it is that I depend for justification,
and am daily deriving new influences from him, by
realizing and affectionate views of that gracious
and condescending Saviour, who loved me, and that
to such an astonishing degree, that he delivered
himself up to torments and death for me, that he
might procure my redemption and salvation.
Gal. 2. 21.-I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if
righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead
in vain.
So that you see upon the whole, when you con-
sider all the tenour of my conduct, as well as my
conference with Peter at Antioch, that "I do not,
like many others, frustrate the grace of God in
Christ, and render void that method of salvation,
which the gospel hath revealed, which a behaviour
like that which I reproved, if pursued into all its
consequences, must appear to do: for if righteous-
ness (come) by the law, and that made a sufficient
provision for our being justified and accepted in the
sight of God, then there was no necessity of the
grace of God in giving his Son for us, and Christ is
dead in vain, since he died to redeem us from the
curse of the law, as being utterly hopeless and
irrecoverable by that dispensation alone.
PAUL'S OPPOSITION TO PETER AT ANTIOCH. 33
IMPROVEMENT.
It is a most generous and worthy spirit, that was
shown by the apostle Paul on this occasion; in his
being so ready to stand up for Christian liberty, and
to reprove even Peter himself, though so honoured
and beloved a brother, when he acted a cowardly
and inconsistent part. He did not meanly censure
him to others, and endeavour by private insinua-
tions to lessen his character; but by his openly
rebuking him,'* he showed himself a sincere friend,
and took the most effectual method to prevent the
ill consequences of his dissimulation, and at the
same time to recover his brother to a more worthy
and consistent conduct.
How little there is in all this passage, that looks
like any peculiar authority assumed on the part of
St. Peter or acknowledged by St. Paul, every un-
prejudiced reader will easily observe ;12 and perhaps
God might suffer this great apostle of the circum-
cision thus to fall, and to be thus corrected by the
apostle of the Gentiles, the more effectually to dis-
countenance those arrogant and groundless claims
of the pretended successors of St. Peter to supre-
macy and infallibility, which have introduced so
much confusion and infamy into the church.
We may well rejoice in the review of a passage,
which so strongly asserts Christian liberty on the
one hand, and exemplifies the very life of Christian
grace on the other. Let it ever be retained in our
memories, that we are justified by the faith of Christ,
and not by the works of the laze ;18 and may our con-
duct be agreeable to the doctrine we profess, giving
up all expectations inconsistent with this decision,
yet ever remembering that Christ is not the minister
of sin." Let faith in him engage us, whilst dead to
the laws as a covenant of works, to be observant
of it as a rule of life, and so to live to GOD, as those
VOL. 1.
F
34 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROTED.
who are still under a law to Christ (1 Cor. ix. 21),
and animated by the influences of his grace, may
our souls feel more and more of the efficacy of his
death, who loved us, and gare himself for us.
Strongly indeed will the affecting consideration
of the death of Christ impress our hearts, when we
are conscious of our interest and concern in it.
May the impression last through life; and may we
remember, that we are not merely to make one
solemn address to our adorable Redeemer, commit-
ting by an act of faith our souls into his hands; but
that our faith is daily to be renewing its views of
him, that so the life which we now live in the flesh, in
the midst of so many vanities and dangers, may be
conducted by the continual influence of this prin-
ciple. May we therefore daily regard him, as our
instructor and governor, our atonement and inter:
cessor, our example and strength, our guardian and
fore-runner : and in proportion to the degree in
which such rieu's as these prevail
, the grace of God,
instead of being frustrated, will be the more admired
and esteemed ; ” and as it was impossible, that
righteousness should be attainable by the law, it will
appear, Christ hath not died in rain, but that his
death was necessary to procure our justification, and
is the only sure foundation of our faith and hope.
SATIE 1,
Tlc apusdie reporines the Galatiaus tir their instaluiity trinh sigurd w the important
wiriniek justification by faitb; schichtther confirms trum the insiunea
Abrudani, icha anthus justifiezi, wind in echire Nescing love share, through the ria
sortie CHRIST ...s bringhi nui lor tis. Gal. ill. 1--14,
Galo 3. 1. O FOOLISH Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that
ve should not obey the truth, before whose cre's
Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified
2. among you?—This only would I learn of rou,
Received re the Spirit by the works of the law, or
by the hearing of faith?
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 35
These are the real sentiments of my heart, which
I have now laid before you; and you were formerly
taught them at large. But 'O ye thoughtless Gala-
tians, after all the instructions I have given you,
how little do they prevail in your breasts! May í
not even ask you, Who hath by some fallacious fatal
charm enchanted you, and as it were dazzled the eyes
of your mind with the rain glitterings of sophistry
and delusive arts of evasion, that you should not go
on to obey the truth so solemnly inculcated upon
you; even you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ cruci-
fied hath been so evidently set forth and strongly de-
lineated among you, in the most affectionate repre-
sentations of his word and ordinances? One would
have imagined, these livelr views should for erer
have secured your fidelity to him, and hare fortified
your hearts against every insinuation injurious to
the honour of his cross. But methinks eren now
the matter might be brought to a short issue: and
to this purpose, there is "this only I would learn of
ye receire the Spirit in its extraordinary
operations in and upon vou, by a regard to the
works of the Mosaic law, or any other law on which
you might depend for justification as a matter of
legal claim ? or were you made partakers of it by
the hearing of the gospel, proposing the method of
justification by faith in the righteousness and grace
of the Redeemer? If any of the new teachers that
are come among you, can work such miracles in
proof of their tenets, and confer such gifts on their
followers, you will be more excusable in hearkening
to them, than in present circumstances you can
you, Did
possibly be.
Gal. 3. 3.-are se so foolish ? haring begun in the Spirit,
4. are re now made perfect by the flesh ?-Hare se
suffered so many things in rain? if it be get in vain.
But 'are you indeed so inconsiderate, as to need
36 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
+
being reminded in this manner ? Where is the
benefit you can propose by turning to the law ?
Having begun in the Spirit, having known the spi-
rituality, power, and energy of the glorious gospel,
are ye now seeking to be made perfect by the flesh?
or have you any expectation of attaining to a supe-
rior degree of perfection and excellency, by a sub-
mission to those carnal ordinances of the law, which
at first view appear to be so much beneath it, and
to be altogether insufficient for it? If you are
tempted to so great a fall as this, let me remind you
of the difficulties you have already borne for Chris-
tianity; many of which have been brought upon
you by the instigation of the Jews, whose hatred is
so violent against it. Say then, my brethren, have
ye suffered so many things in vain! Will you give
up the benefit of all these sufferings, and lose, in a
great measure at least, the reward of them, by
relinquishing what is so material in that scheme of
doctrine you have been suffering for? Shall all
that
you
have endured be thus in vain? if indeed
[it be] yet in vain ; which I am willing to hope, it is
not entirely, and that however your principles may
have been shaken, yet God will not permit them to
be quite overthrown.
Gal. 3. 5. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit,
and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the
works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
I know, that your favourite teachers have many
arts of address, with which they endeavour to soothe
you, and to conciliate your regards to themselves,
while they would alienate them from me: but when
you come to the most solid and authentic proofs of
a divine mission, have you not seen them wrought
among you, in confirmation of the doctrine I de-
livered to you? 'He therefore that ministereth to
you an extraordinary supply of the Spirit by the lay-
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 37
ing on of his hands, and that worketh other evident
and uncontrolled miracles among you, [doth he it] by
the works of the law, and in virtue of any commis-
sion he had received from God to inculcate the ob-
servation of the Mosaic precepts? or is it by the
hearing of faith that he doth it? Is it not evidently
by that gospel, which you have heard me preach,
and which exhorts you to seek justification and sal-
vation by faith? And will you then forsake a doc-
trine which has been so signally attested, and
exchange it for one, the teachers of which have no
such attestations to produce ?
Gal. 3. 6. —Even as Abraham believed God, and it was ac-
7. counted to him for righteousness.-Know.ye there-
fore that they which are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham.
And this method which the gospel proposeth, is
agreeable to the example which you have in the
great father of the faithful: for Seven as you read of
Abraham (Gen. xv. 6), long before he was circum-
cised, “ that he believed God, relying on the promise
that He made him, and it was imputed to him for
righteousness ," it was set down to his account, as an
evidence of his being a righteous person: 'know ye
therefore, and infer from hence, that as faith was the
brightest part of the character of this illustrious
patriarch, so all they who Care] of faith, all that have
the same principle working in their hearts, and
engaging them to receive the gospel dispensation,
the same are, and show themselves by a like dispo-
sition to be, the children of Abraham, and may expect
to inherit the same blessings with him, as by em-
bracing the gospel they manifest the same principle
and temper.
Gal. 3. 8. --And the scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached before
the gospel unto Abraham, saying. In thee shall all
38 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
Gal. 3. 9. nations be blessed.--So then they which be of faith
are blessed with faithful Abraham.
8
And again, the Holy Spirit, by whose inspiration
the scripture was written, foreseeing that God would
justify the Gentiles when he should call them by his
grace, in the same manner as he justified Abraham,
only through faith, did in effect before the revelation
of it to the world preach the glad tidings of the
gospel unto Abraham himself, [saying] once and
again (Gen. xii. 3, xviii. 18, xxii. 18), “In thee
shall all nations of the earth be blessed;" that is to
say, by their faith in that glorious person who is to
descend from thee, all persons whatsoever shall be
blessed, of whatever nation they be, who learn to
resemble thee in their readiness to receive every
message from God with an entire submission and
obedience. So then it appears, that they who are
really partakers of the grace of faith, and seek to
be justified by it; they who have an unfeigned
principle of faith in their hearts, and show it by
giving due credit to this great and indubitable testi-
mony
which God hath borne to his Son; they are
blessed with believing Abraham, and shall inherit the
promises made to him, though they are, as he was
when he first received these promises, in a state of
uncircumcision.
Gal. 3. 10. -For as many as are of the works of the law are
under the curse : for it is written, Cursed is every
one that continueth not in all things which are
written in the book of the law to do them.
Now it is evident, that this blessing must be
received by the gospel; for as many as are of that
covenant, which relates only to the works of the law,
and have no higher views and expectations than a
legal dispensation could give, are indeed under a
curse, and by every breach of that law become ob-
woxious too it. And of this, with respect to the
.
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 39
Mosaic law, we have as express a proof, as can be
imagined; for it is written, with regard to all that
are under it (Deut. xxvii. 26), “ Cursed [is] every
one, who confirmeth not all the words of this law,
that is, who continueth not in all things which are
written in the book of the law, to do them.” It is
therefore a perfect, personal, and perpetual obe-
dience to every one of its injunctions, which the law
requires : and as every man's conscience must tell
him, that he hath not performed this, he must see
the dreadful denunciation levelled at himself, and
dooming him to death and misery.
Gal. 3. 11.-But that no man is justified by the law in the sight
of God it is evident : for, The just shall live by
12. faith.--And the law is not of faith : but, The man
that doeth them shall live in them.
And that no man is justified in the sight of God
by the performance of the law, or by his own obe-
dience to it, [is] further evident from God's appoint-
ment of another way of justification ; for (as the
prophet saith, Habak. ii. 4), “ The just or righteous
ian, that is, he who shall finally be treated by God
as such, shall live by faith : he shall be justified and
saved by trusting in the mercy of an Almighty God
througli Christ, and resting on the promise he hath
graciously made of pardon and salvation even to
sinful creatures, who shall by faith apply to him for
righteousness and life. "? Now it is manifest, that
the law is not of faith, nor doth it allow of such a
way of justification ; but puts it on another and
most rigorous footing, insisting on exact obedience
to all its commands, and declaring (Lev. xviii. 5),
“ that the man that doeth them, shall live in or by
them ;" he who perfectly conforms himself to these
precepts, shall have a right to happiness in con-
sequence of them ; but he that breaks them, must
bear the penalty without any further assistance from
40 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
a law, which, being in one instance violated, must
for ever condemn the transgressor.
Gal. 3. 13. -Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
14. Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree :-That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gen-
tiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive
the promise of the Spirit through faith.
But ever adored be the riches of divine grace,
13 Christ hath redeemed us who believe in his name,
from the terrible curse of the law, and bought us off
from that servitude and misery to which it in-
exorably doomed us, by being himself made a curse
for us, and enduring the penalty which our sins had
deserved : for such was the death which he bore in
our stead; not only when considered as a capital
punishment, which universally implies something of
this, but as thus stigmatized by the express decla-
ration of the law against every one in such a parti-
cular circumstance; for it is written (Deut. xxi. 23),
“ Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree;" now
Christ, as you well know, was hung upon a tree; lie
expired on the cross, and his dead body hung for
some time upon it. And this, in his adorable con-
descension, he submitted to for us and our salva-
tion; "that the curse having been borne by him in
our room, the blessing of Abraham in all its extent of
spiritual benefits, and that adoption which was
given in liim, might come, not only on believing
Jews, but on the Gentiles also, through Christ Jesus
the great anointed Saviour; and particularly, that
we, even the whole church of Christian converts,
might, through the exercise of a living and sincere
faith in him, receive the promise of the Spirit as the
seal of our adoption, both in the effusion of its
miraculous gifts, so far as they may conduce to the
edification of the church, and in the rich abundance
of its saving graces.
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 41
IMPROVEMENT.
Through the amazing goodness of God to us, we
share with the Galatians in this great privilege, that
Jesus Christ crucified is evidently set forth among us.'
Let us make the object familiar to our view, to our
hearts: and 0 that we may all feel its powerful in-
fluence, to engage us to obey the truth, and to comply
with the practical design of the gospel ! o that
none of the enchantments of this vain world may be
able to draw us aside from a becoming regard to it!
May those especially, who have begun in the Spirit,
and perhaps have suffered many difficulties already
in the cause of religion, be concerned that they may
not suffer so many things in vain,34 and after all their
pretensions and hopes make an end in the flesh, by
forsaking that excellent cause !
That we may be deemed the children of Abraham,67
let us have the same faith with him ; that believing
in God as he did, and trusting in the promised
Messiah, we may attain that righteousness, which it
is impossible to obtain by the deeds of the law, which
insists upon perfect obedience, and passes sentence
upon every one that has transgressed it. Nothing
can be more important, than to endeavour to impress
our souls with this great and fundamental truth,
that if we are of the works of the law, and trust in
these for justification, we are under a curse. 10 Othat
God may graciously thunder that curse in the ears
of sleeping sinners, and make them sensible of their
guilt and danger; that as prisoners of justice, yet in
some measure prisoners of hope (Zech. ix. 12), they
may flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before
them in the gospel.--Heb. vi. 18.
We need not go far for help. No sooner are we
wounded (as it were) in one verse, than we find pro-
vision for our healing in another. For Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law ; 13 and this in
VOL. 1.
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42
STABILITY OF THE COVENANT
a method never sufficiently to be admired, even by
making himself a ransom, yea and becoming a curse
for us; submitting not only to great infamy and
wretchedness in his life, but to an ignominious and
accursed death, being slain and hung upon a tree.--
Acts v. 30, x. 39.
To him let us apply, that the curse may be
removed; and with humble confidence in him, let
us lift up our eyes in cheerful expectation, that
though by birth we are Gentiles, the blessing of
Abraham will come upon us, and that through faith
we shall receive the promise of the Spirit.' And
what promise can be more valuable than this ? what
blessing more desirable, than to be enlightened, to
be quickened, to be sanctified, to be comforted by
the Spirit? As the just, may we live by faith ;" and
make it our daily request at the throne of grace, that
God will implant and increase that divine principle
in our hearts, even such a faith as shall work by
love, and prove a genuine principle of sincere and
universal obedience.
SECTION VI.
The apostle further illustrates the stability and importance of the covenant
made with Abrabam as the father of believers, which the Diosaic covenant
could not infringe, and to an application to which its greutest sererities
were intended to lead. Gal. ii. 15, to the end.
Gal. 3. 15. BRETHREN, I speak after the manner of men; Though
it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed,
no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
I have been speaking, ''brethren, of the blessings
of the Abrahamic covenant, and have shown, that
according to the original tenour of it, all his believ-
ing seed, whether they be or be not circumcised,
must be entitled to many very valuable privileges.
And herein I speak after the manner of men, and
reason on the principles of common equity, accord-
MADE WITH ABRAHAM.
43
made.
ing to what is the allowed rule of all human com-
pacts: for though it be but the covenant of a man with
his fellow-creature, yet if it be once legally confirmed
by mutual promise and seal, no honest man con-
cerned afterwards cancelleth what was agreed to by
it, or addeth any thing to it which should alter the
terms of it, without the consent of the other stipu-
lating party
Gal. 3. 16. -Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
He saith not, and to seeds, as of many;
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Nou, to apply this to the case before us, the
promises relating to the justification of believers
were spoken by God at first to Abraham, and to his
seed, who are expressly mentioned as making a
party with him in the covenant. And here by the
way you will observe, that he saith not, “ And to
seeds,” in the plural number, as speaking of many;
but in the singular number, as of one, " And to thy
secd;" not extending it to a variety of seeds, which
might descend from him, but limiting what he
says to one, which is all to centre in Christ; out of
regard to whom, that branch of Abraham's family
from which he was to spring, was in so remarkable
a manner separated from the rest.
Gal. 3. 17.-ind this I say, that the covenant, that was con-
firmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was
four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul,
18. that it should make the promise of none effect.–For
if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of
promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
"And this I say further, on the principles laid
down above ; [that] the covenant which was long be-
fore confirmed by the promise of God with respect to
Christ, as the illustrious seed referred to, and the
great universal blessing exhibited in the promise,
the law which was given at Mount Sinai four hundred
and thirty years after the date of it cannot disannul,
41
STABILITY OF THE COVENANT
[so] that it should make the promise void and ineffec-
tual; which it must have done, if the observation
of that law had been for the future the necessary
means of justification and happiness. For if the
inheritance of Abraham's blessing [be] suspended on
such a condition, as not to be obtained but by the
observation of the law, it must then follow, that [it
is] no more the effect of the promise, which is indeed
quite abrogated by such a clog: but it is evident,
that God freely gave [it] to Abraham by promise; and
therefore it must be left in such a state, as that the
honour of the promise may be secure, which other-
wise would be abolished and disgraced.---Rom. iv.
13, 14.
Gal. 3. 19. --Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added
because of transgressions, till the seed should come
to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained
20 by angels in the hand of a mediator.--Now a medi-
ator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
But it may be objected, If justification and
eternal life cannot be obtained by this means, "to
what purpose (then) serveth the law, or what signifi-
cancy hath it? I answer, that it was added after the
promise was made, because of transgressions; that
the Jews might either be preserved from idolatry
and other crimes, or that they might be convicted
of their guilt in committing them, and so be taught
to seek after a more effectual method of obtaining
pardon, with an earnestness proportionable to the
discovery it made of the malignity of their guilt:
and with this view it was to continue, till the illus-
trious seed should come, even the Messiah, to whom
the promise was made ; into whom both Jews and
Gentiles being ingrafted by faith, when the gospel-
dispensation took place, should become without
distinction the spiritual seed of Abraham, and be
entitled to the blessings of the promise. Accordingly
the law was given in a way agreeable to this design
MADE WITH ABRAHAM.
45
of it; (and it was] ordained and promulgated by the
ministration of angels at Mount Sinai, and put in
the hand of Moses, who was then appointed by
God to act the part of a mediator between him and
the people of Israel, and was authorised to attest
(as it were) their mutual reciprocal obligations to
each other; whereas the promise needed no media-
tor, but was immediately deposited by God in the
hand of Abraham, to whom it was made. 20 Now
we know, that a mediator is not merely (the media-
tor] of one party, but at least of two, between which
he must pass, and by the nature of his office is to
transact for both: but God is only one party in that
covenant made with Abraham of which we have been
speaking, and Abraham and his seed, including all
that believe, both Jews and Gentiles, are the other.
As Moses therefore, when the law was given, stood
at that time between the Lord and Israel (Deut. v.
5), and did not pass between the whole collective
body of Abrahain's seed, and the blessed GOD; so
nothing was transacted by him with relation to
those for whom he did not appear; and conse-
quently nothing in that covenant wherein he did
mediate, could disannul the promise, or affect the
right accruing to any from a prior engagement, in
which the Gentiles were concerned as well as the
Israelites : for no covenant can be altered, but liy
the mutual consent of both parties; and in what
was done at Mount Sinai by the inediation of Moses,
there was none to appear for the Gentiles; so that
this transaction between God and the Israelites
could have no force to abrogate the promise which
extended likewise to the Gentiles, or to vacate a
covenant that was made between parties, of which
one only was there.
God. 3. 21. -Is the law then against the proniiscs of God?
God forbid : for if there had been a law given which
could have given life, verily righteousness should
46
STABILITY OF THE COVENANT
Gal. 3. 22. have been by the law. But the scripture hath con-
clued all under sin, that the promise by faith
of Jesus Christ might be given to them that be-
lieve.
And shall it now be said, 21[IS] the law then
against the promises of God? And so far as the law
takes place with regard to those who are under it,
doth it not seem at least to implead in some mea-
sure, and infringe upon that better state in which
they who are brought into subjection to it, would
otherwise have been? God forbid, that we should
insinuate any thing of that kind ! On the contrary,
it was intended to be subservient to the promise,
and the design of it in its remoter consequences,
if rightly attended to and applied, was to lead the
thoughts and hearts of those who are under it, to
a higher and better dispensation. For if indeed
there had been a law given, which could have given
life, if any law, considered in itself alone, could
have been to sinful creatures a sufficient means of
justification and eternal happiness, then assuredly
righteousness should have been by the Mosaic law,
than which there is not any law more holy, excel-
lent, and good. 22 But so far is the law from intro-
ducing any justifying righteousness, that the scrip-
ture in revealing it hath plainly shut up all both Jews
and Gentiles under sin, as so many condemned
malefactors; for it hath stated the rule of duty in
such a manner, that every man's conscience must
on considering and understanding that rule, cer-
tainly charge himself with sin. And it is wisely
ordered in this manner, that they who are so con-
vinced of guilt and misery, might look beyond it to
be delivered from their lost condition, and that the
promise of righteousness and life by faith in Jesus
Christ, as the only means of justification, might be
given and appropriated to then that truly believe in
him for pardon and salvation; and thus the seem.
MADE WITH ABRAHAM.
47
ing severity of the sentence was intended, so much
the more to illustrate the grace of the promise.
Gal. 3. 23. —But before faith came, we were kept under the
law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards
24. be revealed.-Wherefore the law was our school-
master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith.
The law then, which condemns every transgres-
sion, was designed to be preparatory for the dis-
covery which the gospel makes of the way of being
justified by faith : 3but before this faith came to be
exhibited, as the method of acceptance with God,
we that were under the law stood on the foot of our
own obedience before him; and having become
obnoxious to divine justice, and liable to death, the
punishment of sin, were kept under the bond of the law,
as condemned malefactors are guarded in close cus-
tody, shut up as prisoners under sentence, unto the
faith which in due time should afterwardsbe revealed;
there being no possibility of escape, till the Messiah
came, and brought the happy tidings of a way to
be justified and accepted, though we were before
most justly condemned. 21 So that the law, while
it continued its authority over us, and held us
under the rigour of its discipline, was as it were our
schoolmaster, or the instructor of our childhood, to
teach us our own sinfulness and the necessity of a
better righteousness than our own; and so (to lead
us] unto Christ, and to engage us, as condemned
by the law, to have recourse to him who is the end
of the law for righteousness (Rom. .1. 4); that ue
might thus be justified by faith in him, and so ob-
tain the benefit of the promise.
Gal. 3. 25.—But after that faith is come, we are no longer
26. under a schoolmaster.-For ye are all the children
27.of God by faith in Jesus Christ.–For as many of
you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
28. Christ.-There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor fe-
48
STABILITY OF THE COVENANT
25
6
Gal. 3. 29. male: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.—And if
ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the promise.
* But when this faith once came to be fully re-
vealed by the gospel-dispensation, we then passed
over to a more liberal and happy state; and being
instructed in the knowledge of Christ, we are no
longer under the discipline of a schoolmaster as
children in a state of minority, and liave no such
need of the law, as we had formerly, to direct us
to him. For having believed in Christ, as he is
discovered in the gospel, ye are all without dis-
tinction, Gentiles as well as Jews, the sons of God
by faith in Christ Jesus, and are now as it were
brought into an adult state, in which you have a
claim to higher privileges, and to greater frecdom,
than you had before . For as many of you as hure
been baptized into Christ, and so have taken upon
you the solemn profession of his religion, may thus
be said to have put on Christ, and to be clothed with
his character and covered with his righteousness;
and by the interest you have in him by faith, are
so united to him as to appear one with him in liis
state of liberty and felicity. So that now the dis-
tinctions, which were before so much regarded, are
in a manner done away, and have an end put to
them, by this happy union: and 28there is neither
Jew nor Greek, but the latter has the same privi-
leges with the former, and the former may without
offending God use the same freedom in approach-
ing to him with the latter : there is neither bond nor
free, but slaves are now the Lord's freemen, and
freemen the Lord's servants; and this consideration
makes the free humble, and the slave cheerful, and
swallows up in a great measure the sense of his
servitude: there is neither male nor female, but all
are now admitted to that initiatory ordinance of
baptism, which comes in the place of circumcision
MADE WITH ABRAHAM.
49
that was appropriated to the males; and this happy
state of equality, into which, with respect to
spiritual privileges, both sexes are brought, may
justly prevent that tyranny over the weaker, which
in some places hath so shamefully prevailed: for
ye are all one in Christ Jesus, and are all equally
accepted in him; and being made one body in liim,
believers, of whatever nation, or sex, or condition
they be, are all cemented in the bonds of holy
friendship, and animated with the views of the
same happiness. "And if ye [be] Christ's, and are
by faith united to him, who is the promised seed,
in whom all nations shall be blessed, then are ye
the true seed of Abraham, and equally are so,
whether ve are circumcised or not; and in conse-
quence of this, ye are heirs in virtue of the promise,
and may look upon the best blessings promised to
that holy patriarch, as your own, though you have
no inheritance in the land of Canaan, and pretend
to claim nothing by virtue of a natural descent,
IMPROVEMENT
Let us rejoice in those spiritual privileges, to
which all true Christians are now equally entitled;"
and charge our souls with those obligations, which
necessarily attend them.
Let us look upon our-
selves, as the children of Abraham," as entitled to
the noblest of those promises which God made to
that excellent saint; even to that great and com-
prehensive promise (which is all the salvation, and
all the desire, of every true child of Abraham)
namely, that God will be a God to us.--Gen. xvii.
7, 8. . Let us approve ourselves his genuine off-
spring, by imitating hisfaith; and always remember,
that having been baptised into Christ, we have so
put on Christ," as to be obliged to resemble him in
his temper and character.
VOL. l.
11
50 STABILITY OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT.
If we desire to share the blessings and glories of
that one body,28 of which Christ is the great and
glorious Head, let us not lay a disproportionate
stress upon any thing, by which one Christian mav
be distinguished from another; but endeavour, as
one in Christ Jesus, to be one in affection and friend-
ship to each other: and let those who seem to have
the greatest advantages, condescend to them that
seem most their inferiors.
Giving up all expectations of life from any law, 21
since that of Moses could not give it, let us look for
glory, honour, and immortality by the gospel; and be
very thankful for the knowledge we have of the
Mediator of a better covenant,20 than that in which
Moses was appointed to mediate. And as the lau
was given, not to disannul the covenant of promise, "
but with a view to be subservient to it, and to point
out Christ, let us apply to him for righteousness and
life; and in him, as that one seed of Abraham,'" in
whom all the families, all the nations of believers
were to be blessed, let ils centre our hopes, and be
very solicitous that we by faith may be united to
him, and so may have a claim to all the privileges
of the promise under him.
Thus let us continue to make use of the law, not
as the foundation of our hope towarıls Gon, but :-
our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ by the dis-
covery it has given of our need of him: and being
sensible, that it hath shut up all under sin, from
which we cannot be delivered but by the faith the
gospel hath revealed, may we be led to seek the
benefit of the promise, that being the sons of God hy
faith in Christ Jesus, we mar le heirs of eternal lite
and blessedness."
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 51
SECTION VII.
The apostle illustrates the superior excellency and freedom of the state into uhich
trlierers as the sons of God are brought by the gospel, above the stata which theu
were in before under the low, when they were only as minors under a rigorous
tutor : and at the same time he reprores the Galatians thut they were no more re.
sulule in adhering to that better dispensation, the first tidings of which they had re-
cuired from him with so much affection. Gal. iv, 1–20.
Gal. 1. 1. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child,
differeth 110thing from a servant, though he be lord
2. of all ;-But is under tutors and governors until the
3. time appointed of the father.—Even so we, when we
were children, were in bondage under the elements
4. of the world :-But when the fulness of the time
was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman,
ū, made under the law,—To redeem them that were
under the law, that we might receive the adoption
6. of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent
forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba, Father.
I OBSERVED to you, my friends, a little before,
that while we were under the law, we were as in a
state of minority (chap. iii. 24, 25): 'now for the
further illustration of that thought, by what is
known to be the usual method of dealing with
children, I say,[that] so long as the heir of the most
plentiful estate is a child in his non-age, he, with
l'espect to the possession and free use of it, and to
the right of managing it in his oirn person, differeth
nothing from a servant or bond-man, though he be in
title and by right of inheritance lord of all: ?but
during his minority he is under the authority and
restraint of gorernors and guardians, to whose tutor-
age and management he is committed, till the time
appointed by the father when he shall be deemed of
age, and be at liberty to manage his affairs himself.
So likewise we, who having been Jews before have
now embraced the faith of the gospel, when we were
but as children in minority, though we had the pro-
mise and hope of the Messiah, were held in bondage
3
52 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVEr.
under the discipline of the law; in which we were
employed, in a way suited to the imperfect circum-
stances of an infant state, about worldly elements, or
about those inferior things which are but like the
letters of the alphabet, when compared with that
sublime sense which they may be the means of
teaching, when their power is duly understood, and
the use of them become familiar to the mind : *but
when the fulness of the time, which had been marked
out by the prophets for the accomplishment of this
great event, was come, and we were arrived at the
age appointed by our father for entering upon our
adult state, God sent forth his own Son, to give us
the inheritance of the promise he had made of par-
don and salvation, and bring us to a state of liberty
and happiness. For to this end it was, that the
Messiah came; and that he might effect this grand
design, he was pleased indeed to appear in a most
humble form, taking upon him mortal fleshi, made of
the substance of a woman, according to the great
original promise (Gen. iii. 15), and was thus made
under the discipline of the Mosaic law in all its
rigour; that so by his submitting, not only to the
precepts of the law, but likewise to the penalty and
curse of it, he might redeem them who were under the
yoke and curse of the lar', and bring us into a
happy liberty, both from the sentence of it, and
from any future obligation to obey the ceremonial
part of it; that instead of that servile spirit which
the law breathed, we might all, as believers in Christ,
receive the adoption of sons, and see and know the
happy privilege to which we are advanced in con-
sequence of it. For unto all who are partakers of
it, it is attended with the most joyful and bencficial
effects; and because ye are thus admitted by the
gospel to the full character and dignity of his sons,
(ion hath graciously sent forth an abundant effusion
of the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, 0 ye be-
INSTABILITY OF TIIE GALATIANS REPROVED. 53
lieving Galatians, as well as into the hearts of the
Jewishi converts, crying, Abba, Father; giving us all,
both Jews and Gentiles, in our different languages,
an equal freedom in addressing ourselves to him
with the overflowings of filial confidence and love.
Gal. 4. 7. Therefore thou art no more a servant, but a son;
and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
So that now, O Christian, whatever be thy rank
or station, or whether thou be Jew or Gentile, thou
art no longer to look upon thyself as a servant or
bond-man, or as standing on a level with such a
one in point of present enjoyment; but on the con-
trary, as admitted to the liberty and freedom of a
son at age: and if thou art indeed a son in such
circumstances, then it follows by a happy con-
sequence, that thou art an heir of all the promises
of God through Christ, and hast a claim to God him-
self, as to thy Father and thy portion.
Gal. 1. 8. -Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did
service unto them which by nature are no gods.-
9. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather
are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak
and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to
10). be in bondage?-Ye observe days, and months, and
11. times, and years.-I ain afraid of you, lest I have
bestowed upon you labour in vain.
But if this was the case with the Jewish con-
verts, that they were in a state of servitude while
they continued under the law, the bondage of the
Gentiles in their unregenerate state must have been
greatly worse; and it is still more absurd and un-
reasonable as to you Gentile couverts, that when
you have been called into a glorious liberty by the
gospel, you should not entertain such liberal senti-
ments as are suited to it, but should be willing to
submit to another servitude: for then indeed, when
ye knew not the only truc God and the way of being
accepted with him, yc were in bondage to those
57 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
stupid idols which by nature are
no gods; and
greatly were your rational natures debased by so
ignoble and absurd a service. But now, after that
ye hare known the mind and will of God, or rather
are so happy as to be known of God, and he has
shown his favour to you and brought you to the
knowledge of himself by the instruction of his word
and by the influence of his Spirit, how turn ye again
into another kind of servitude to the weak and
poor
clements of the Mosaic ceremonies, which are so far
beneath that glorious and happy state into which
ye are called ? Elements, to which ye unaccount-
ably desire again to be in bondage ancw, changing
indeed the form and object of your ceremonies, but
retaining many of the same low, perplexing, and un-
profitable observances. For as under licathenism
you had your frequent feasts in lionour of imaginary
dcities, so now ye observe the Jewish solennities
with as scrupulous an exactness : even your sal-
bath days, and the beginning of your months or new
moons, and your times of grand festivals, and your
salbatical years, and those of jubilee. Indeed, my
brethren, when I think of these things, "I am afraid
of you, lest it should be found that I have bestowed
upon you so much affectionate labour in vain, while
after all the pains that I have taken to instruct you
in the faith and liberty of the gospel, you appear to
act as if you had forgotten what I taught you, and
would be secking justification from the law.
Gal. 1. 12. — Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am ; for I am as
ye are ; ye have not injured me at all.
Give me leave, brethren, while I am thus expos-
tulating with you and reproving you, most earnestly
to beseech you with all tenderness, that ye be as I
[am]; that ye maintain the same affectionate regard
for me, as I bear towards you ; and that ye candidly
receive those sentiments, which I, to whose au-
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 55
thority in the church ye can be no strangers, have
been inculcating upon you. And this I
And this I may the
rather expect from what I have experienced in my-
self; for it is well known there was a time, when I
[was) as ye [are), as much bigutted to the Mosaic
rituals and Pharisaic traditions as any of you all can
be: but God hath now taught me better; and that
your hearts may also feel the power of his grace,
and every prejudice may be subdued and rooted out.
I am solicitous, that the purity of that truth which
I have learnt in so extraordinary a manner, and
which I have faithfully preached among you, may
continue with you. Remember too, that I am Paul
your apostle and your friend, for whom you lave
formerly expressed the highest affection; and as,
whatever instability you may have shown as to
some important doctrines which I taught you, ye
have not personally injured me at all, I can have no
ill-will to you, nor any inclination to find fault with
you on my own account.
Gal. 4, 13. —Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I
14. preached the gospel unto you at the first.- Ind my
temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not,
nor rejected ; but received me as an angel of God,
15.cren as Christ Jesus.-- There is then the blessedness
ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, it it live licen
possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes,
16.and have given them to me-- ilm I therefore become
your eneniy, because I tell you the truth?
1But whatever change may be in you, I still
retain the same affectionate regard I manifested for
you at my first coming to you, when I was treated
by you with the greatest respect, and you esteemeel
yourselves happy under my ministry, notwithstand-
ing all the disadvantages that attended it: for ye
well know that I preached the gospelamong you at first,
when ye were entire strangers to the happy contents
of it, in the infirmity of the flesh, and indeed with a
great mixture of weakness in my manner of express-
56 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
in
ing niyself; which was the consequence of that dis-
order in the whole system of niy nerves, that was
occasioned by the revelations I had the honour to
receive some time before I came among you: and
pet with respect to this my temptation that was seated
my flesh (for a temptation indeed it was, and
sometimes threw me into greater anxiety than it
ought to have occasioned), I had however the con-
solation to see, that you did not despise it, or reject
me] with scorn on account of it; but on the con-
trary, struck with the importance of my message
and those evident proofs of a divine co-operation
that attended it, ye receired me, as if I had been an
angel of God come down from leaven to you, [yea],
with us much affection and submission, as it can be
supposed you would have shown to our divine
master Christ Jesus liimself, if instead of sending
me as his messenger and ambassador, he had visited
you in person. That was then your felicity? and
how great was the sense you had of your happiness,
upon your first receiving the glad tidings of the
gospel from me, ulien such a change was made in
your state, and your hearts were under the impulse
of such holy affections, as that you could not but
congratulate yourselves, and me, upon it? You
cannot surely have forgot it; for I bear yoll
uitness,
that it [it had been] possible you could have done it,
and I could have received any benefit by it, you
would even have plucked out your own eyes, and have
given them to me, as a convincing proof of your
affection for me. And why should there now be
such a change in your disposition towards me?
Am I therefore become your enemyj, or have you any
reason to account me such, unless it be, because I
tell you the truth, and bear a faithful testimony to
the incorrupted gospel, which I desire to maintain
among you in all the purity in which I planted
it!
16
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. :;7
They
Gal. 1. 17. —They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they
18. would exclude you, that ye might ailect them.-But
it is good to be zealously affected always in a good
thing, and not only when I am present with you.
I do not indeed impute this alienation of affection
wholly to yourselves; for I know, that a great many
dishonest artifices have been used to prejudice your
minds against me, and there are those among you
who would endeavour to persuade you, that 17
zealously affect you and have an extraordinary con-
cern for your welfare, [but] are not upright and sin-
cere, and what they aim at is not well, as they are
seeking to subvert the truth, and to seduce and
draw you off to their own sentiments ; yea, they
would quite exclude and shut us out from any share
in your regards, that ye may zealously affect and be
attached to them, and having engrossed you to
themselves, they may thus have an opportunity of
promoting their own secular views at your expense.
is But it is fit you should remember, that [it is]
good for you to be sealously affected always in that
which is good : for as the beauty and the excellence
of the zeal is to be estimated, not by the degree of
it considered in itself
, but by the object to which it
is directed; so too the warmth of your affection
towards an object truly worthy of it, should be at all
times equally maintained ; and the same ferrent
zeal, which you have formerly expressed, ought to
be manifested by you, not only when I am present
with you, but in my absence too, if you really think
me to deserve your regards, and have indeed
received the truth in the love of it.
Gal. 4. 19. - Jy little childiren, of whom I travail in birth again
20. until Christ be formed in you,-1 desire to be
pre-
sent with sou now, and to change my voice: for I
stand in doubt of you.
What shall I say to you, my dear little children,
of whom I hoped, I had begotten you in Christ Jesus
VOL. 1.
I
59 INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED.
through the gospel ?-1 Cor. iv. 15. I am in great
anxiety of heart concerning you, and am so ear-
nestly solicitous you may be found to have received
the grace of God in truth, that I declare with all
the undissembled tenderness of a most affectionate
parent, I travail as it were in birth again, and am in
pangs about you, till Christ be fully formed in you,
and I have the happiness to see clear evidences of
the prevalence of true Christianity in all its branches
in you, by which it may appear you are renewed
after the image of Christ, and are really brought to
a life of faith in him. But since I find, you have
lost so much by my absence, and have unhappily
been set upon by those who have took the oppor-
tunity of it to practise upon you, 20 I could heartily
wish to be present with you even now, and to see cause
to change my voice towards you, so as to speak to
you in terms of greater confidence, assurance, and
complacency, than I now can: for indeed I am in
great doubt and in much perplexity about you, and
though I do not absolutely despair of your recovery
and establishment, yet I am not without very dis-
couraging apprehensions, lest after all the pains
that I have taken with you, the good effects of my
labours among you should in a great measure be
lost.
IMPROVEMENT.
As the church in general was in its minority, 2 till
the full revelation of the gospel came; so is every
true member of it a minor, while he continues in
this world, and is in many instances inferior to some
who have no part in the inheritance : but the time
will come, when as an heir who is deemed of age,
he shall be admitted into full possession ; and it will
amply and immediately repay all the abasements
and mortificatio s of that state, in which the wisdom
INSTABILITY OF THE GALATIANS REPROVED. 59
and love of our heavenly Father liath at present
placed us.
The grand foundation of this hope is that infinite
love, which we can never sufficiently acknowledge
and admire ; even the love of God our Father, in
sending forth his Son at the appointed time, made of
a woman, and made under the law, subject at once
both to its precepts and its penalty, to redeem us
when we were under its condemning sentence, and
to introduce us to all the privileges of that divine
adoption, which we receive from him.: 5 May each of
us, in consequence of it, receive more and more of
that spirit of adoption, whereby we may be enabled
to raise our souls to God, with all the holy over-
flowings of genuine filiai affection, while we daily
cry, Abba, Father. “Send forth, O God, this spirit
of thy son in our hearts, whatever worldly benefits
and delights thou mayest deny us; that we may
thus rejoice in the assurance that we are heirs of
God through Christ, and may be able to glory in
this, that the Lord is our inheritance !"
If we thus know God, being delivered from the
bondage of corruption, and from those idolatrous
regards to the creature, to which our hearts are
naturally so inclined ; let us acknowledge, that it
is, because we rather have been known of Him,
and being apprehended by his grace, He hath re-
ceived us into the number of his sons, and given us
the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Let us
act suitably to such a character, and be solicitous to
maintain the purity of that religion, by which we are
brought to such exalted dignities and hopes. And
let our hearts be always open to receive the truth in
the love of it: not despising the infirmities of those,
that preach the gospel to us in faithfulness ;' nor
allowing ourselves at any time to look upon them as
our enemies, for the plainness with which they may
tell us the truth ;16 which is sometimes the case with
9
GO
AN ALLEGORY CONCERNING
16
regard to those, wno might once have been ready
in the forwardness of their zeal and affection, al-
most to have plucked out their own eyes for ministers,
whom they afterwards slight and forsake.
Let us labour after a steadiness in our temper and
conduct, and take heed that our zeal be so guided,
as that it may centre upon objects truly good,' and
may contime to act in proportion to their excel-
lency; always suspecting those principles, and
those persons, who would alienate our hearts from
any of the faithful servants of Christ, because they
do not agree with our sentiments about the circun-
stantials of religion."
Such as the apostle Paul expresses here with so
nich tenderness, will be the desires of every faith-
ful minister for the spiritual children which God
hath given liim :1920 and where he sees reason to
stand in doubt of any, of whom he had once good
hopes through grace, lest perhaps he should bare
bestowed upon them labour in vain," it will give liim
a deep and a tender distress, and he will, as it
were, trarail in birth again, till Christ be formerl in
them. His very heart will be in pain for this: and
what can be a greater or more worthy object of
(lesire ? O that it might appear, that Christ is
formed in the very souls of all that are called by his
name! So would minister's have a firm foundation
of joy in them, and they of hope towards Gon for
that eternal happiness, which can only be built
upon Christ; upon Christ formed in them, as the
only well-grounded hope of ylory.—Col. i. 27.
SOTON VIII.
The apostle illustrates the subject of his foregoing discourse, bu an allegory bor-
rowed from what is urillen of Sarah and Hagar, and their respective sced. Gal.
iv, 21, to the end, v, 1.
GAL. 4. 21. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye
22. not hear the law ?--For it is written, that Abraham
THE TWO SONS OF ABRAHAM.
61
Gal. 1. 22. had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by
23. a freewoman.-But he nho veas of the bondwomai
was born after the flesh: but he of the freewoman
wºuis by promise.
I HAVE been saying a great deal to take you off
from any further thoughts of becoming subject to
the Mosaic law : but if you still have any inclina-
tion to it, 'tell me now, ye who are desirous of being
under the law, do ye not hear and call to mind what
is said in the book of the law itself, which is so
often read in your assemblies? There is a passage
even in the first book of that sacred volume, which
is very capable of being improved to your instruc-
tion, if you rightly enter into it. For it is written
there (Gen. xvi. 15, and xxi. 2, 3), that Abraham
the great patriarch, in a descent from wh m so
many are ready to glory, had two sons, who though
equally related to him, were by no means equal
with regard to the blessings which they were to
inherit: the one of these he had by Hagar a bond-
woman, and the other by Sarah a free-woman, whose
name signifies a lady or princess, and so may be
understood as importing not only liberty, but au-
thority. But there was a great difference between
them; for he [who was born] of Hagar the bond-
woman, that is, Ishmael, was born only according
to the flesh, and produced in the common order of
nature, without any particular promise of God, or
any unusual interposition of his power or provi-
dence; whereas he [who was born] of Sarah the free-
woman, that is, Isaac, [was born] by virtue of the
promise, when his parents were in the course of
nature absolutely incapable of producing a child;
and upon him the peculiar blessings of the divine
promise were entailed.
Gal. 1. 24. – Which things are an allegory: for these are the
two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which
25. gendereth to bondage which is Agar.--For this
62
AN ALLEGORY CONCERNING
Gal. 4. 25. Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to
Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her
26.children.-But Jerusalem which is above is free,
which is the mother of us all.
Now I would lead you to an evangelical improve-
ment of this remarkable and mystical fact; 2T which
contains many concurrent circumstances, so nearly
resembling what we now observe with regard to the
Jewish and Christian religion, and the professors
of both, that I cannot but propose them to you as
things that may be profitably allegorized. For these
two persons (Hagar and Sarah) are, that is, may
well be considered as representing, the two cele-
brated covenants, or the two dispensations of the
law and gospel, the tenour of which is so different:
the one that was delivered from Mount Sinai, is that
which bringeth forth her children to bondage, which is
Hagar, whose servile disposition and state may be
considered as an emblem of that less ingenuous
dispensation. 25 This Hagar, I say, whose name
signifies a rock, is a representation of those who are
under the law given from Mount Sinai in Arabia, in
the deserts of which the Hagarenes who descended
from Ishmael were settled ; and it answers in the
allegory to the present state of the earthly Jerusalem,
which with her children is in a state of bondage, as
being in subjection to so many ritual observances,
and under a sentence of wrath on the commission
of the least wilful offence, which hath the greatest
tendency to produce a mean and disingenuous fear.
26 But the Jerusalem above, or that celestial society
to which all that believe, both Jews and Gentiles,
are come, and are united, under the new and better
dispensation of the gospel-covenant, is the free-
woman, answering to Sarah in the superior charac-
ter and state to which it introduces us, and is indeed
the mother of us all; to whom we as Christians do
all belong, and by virtue of our relation to whom,
THE TWO SONS OF ABRAHAM.
63
we not only are at present in a more liberal and
happy condition, but become heirs, as Isaac was,
of the promises which God was pleased to make
to our father Abrahain.
Gal. 4. 27. -For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that
bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest
not; for the desolate hath many more children than
she which hath an husband.
And there is a passage in the prophecy of Isaiah,
which may naturally suggest such a thought: " for
it is written there, with reference to the greater
freedom and enlargement of the church in the times
of the Messiah (Isai. liv. 1), “ Rejoice and be ex-
ceeding glad, thou barren, who for a long time didst
not bear ; break forth into singing, and cry aloud for
joy, thou who didst not travail in birth : for such is
110w thy happy state, that many more are the chil-
dren of the desolate, than of her who had a husband:"
the children of the Christian church, the spiritual
seed of the true Sarah, shall (as the prophet there
suggests), be abundantly more numerous, than
those of the Jewish ever were; and what we see at
present of its enlargement and prosperity, may
encourage our faith in the promises relating to its
vet more universal spread and brighter glory in the
lätter day.
Gal. 1. 28. —Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children
29. of promise.—But as then he that was born after the
flesh persecuted him that nas born after the Spirit,
30. even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the
scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son :
for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with
the son of the frecwoman.
Now to apply what I have been saying to our-
selves, we, brethren, like Isaac, are the children of
Abraham, not according to the flesh, but as born
of the Spirit in virtue of the promise; and so are
heirs of the blessings of the covenant, whether we
28
04
AN ALLEGORY CONCERNING
Le Jews or Gentiles, in consequence of our believ-
ing in Christ, and being united to him as the seed,
in which it was declared that all the families of the
earth should be blessed. But indeed the parallel
holds further still, in this respect; that as then he
who was born after the flesh, that is, Ishmael, in
whose production there was nothing beyond the
common course of nature, mocked and derided,
and so persecuted him who was born] after the
Spirit, that is, Isaac, who was produced as the
spiritual seed by the special energy of God's mi-
raculous power; even so [it is] now; the carnal
Jews, who are the seed of Abraham after the flesh,
abuse and persecute us Christians, who are Abra-
ham's seed after the Spirit. 30 But what saith the
scripture in regard to this? The oracle is corres-
pondent to the case before us, for it there follows
( Gen. xxi. 10), “ Cast out the bond-woman and her
insolent son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not
inherit with Isaac, the son of the free-woman :" which
howsoever grievous it might seem to Abraliam,
when it was said by Sarah, yet God himself con-
firmed the sentence, and directed that it should be
done: and in like manner also shall the rebellious
Jews be treated, who notwithstanding their boasted
descent from Abraham, shall be cast out of the
church and family of Gon, and shall be visibly
expelled, and (as it were) turned out of doors by
him, as the mocking Ishmael was, for insulting
those whom God hath chosen for his covenant-
children, and shall not be permitted to be heirs of
the promise with them.
Gal. 4. 31. --So then, brethren, we are not cbildren of the bond-
5. 1. woman, but of the free.-Stand fast therefore in the
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be
not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
31 So then, upon the whole, my brethren, we that
THE TWO SONS OF ABRAHAM.
fi
law;
believe in Christ, are not children of the bond-woman,
under subjection to the servile dispensation of the
but we are children of the free-woman, and
have the privilege of being called into a state of
liberty under the spiritual covenant of the gospel.
See to it 'therefore, that you strenuously maintain
the privileges and freedom you are called to, and
without yielding in the least to those who are en-
deavouring to seduce you to a subjection to the law,
let me exhort you to stand fast in the liberty where-
with Christ hath made us free : contend earnestly for
the purity and honour of that religion which he
bath established, and be not persuaded to be en-
tangled again with the yoke of bondage; of which you
appear to be in danger, from what I hear of your
circumstances, and am informed of the temper of
some among you.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us not allow ourselves to cavil at a passage
like this that we have now been reading, but sub-
mit to the authority of this divinely-inspired inter-
preter, who we are sure was enabled to explain and
improve scripture, in such a manner as he, by
whose Spirit it was dictated, knew to be most
agreeable to its spiritual design.
Let us bless God, that we are children of the
free-woman ;31 that we are so happy, as to be called
to so liberal and ingenuous a dispensation, and are
not fettered with that yoke of bondage, or doomed
to those servile terrors, which would have been so
grievous, had we been left to them unsupported by
the grace of the Gospel, and which would so much
have abated our comforts, had they been incor-
porated with the Christian dispensation.
Well may we rejoice, to hear in prophecy of the
glorious increase here promised to the church: let
VOL. V.
K
60
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
us be thankful, that it hath in part been accom-
plished; and let it invigorate our prayers for the
hastening that happy time, when the desolate shall
enlarge the place of her tents, and stretch forth the
curtains of her habitations, when she shall lengthen
her cords, and strengthen her stakes; and though
long afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
she shall see her pavement of fair colours, and her
foundations of sapphires; her windows shall be made
of agates, and her gates of carbuncles.- Isai. liv. 1,
2, 11, 12
In the mean time, let us guard against the disin-
genuous temper of the son of the bond-woman, against
every thing that may look like persecuting our bre-
thren.22 It is much better, if such be the will of
God, that we should suffer ill usage from them;
staying our souls upon the promises of God, which
shall all be assuredly accomplished in their scason.
Yet may all this meekness and gentleness be exer-
cised, in full consistency with that generous care to
stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath mulle
us free, which we owe to ourselves, our brethren,
and our children; and indeed owe to the honour of
our common Christianity, and to the regard we
should express to him who hath broken the yoke
from our shoulders; who cannot be pleased to see
us voluntarily entangling ourselves with it anew, or
meanly lying down under the oppressive hands of
those, who in the abuse of his sacred name would
presume again to bind it upon us.
Section IX.
The apostle urges them more resolutely to retain the doctrine of justification
by divine grace; and reneu's his caution against the efforts of those se-
ducing teachers, who had done so much to alienate their minds from it.
Gal. v. 2-15.
GAL. 5. 2. BEHOLD, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be cir-
cumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
07
upon it.
I HAVE exhorted you, as children of the promise,
and born, not of the bond-woman but the free, to
maintain your Christian liberty, and guard against
the encroachments of those who would break in
And I now plainly tell you, that I par-
ticularly mean those Judaizing teachers, with whom
the church is at present so much infested: in refer-
ence to whose tenets, behold, I Paul, whatever
may have falsely been suggested of my favouring
their sentiments and sometimes preaching circum-
cision, expressly say unto you, that if ye who are by
birth and education Gentiles, submit to be circum-
cised, with a dependence on the observation of those
Jewish rites to which ye are thereby obliged, for
your justification before God, Christ sħall profit you
nothing, and all that he hath done and suffered will
be of no advantage to you : for if the whole con-
fidence of the soul do not rest upon him for salva-
tion, he will reject those divided regards which are
offered to him, and interpret them as an affront
rather than an acceptable homage.
Gal. 5. 3. — For I testify again to every man that is circum-
cised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.-
4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever
of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
5. grace.-For we through the Spirit wait for the hope
6. of righteousness by faith.-For in Jesus Christ
nether circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir-
cumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
And I repeat it as a point of the highest import-
ance, which is agreeable to what I have always
preached, and do now testify again to every par-
ticular man among you who is circumcised, in the
view I have just been mentioning, with a depend-
ence on that rite for justification, that he is thereby
become a debtor to do the whole law: for as circum-
cision binds a man fully to observe all the other
rituals of the Mosaic dispensation, so will the tenet
which I now oppose, leave you under the rigour of
68
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
that covenant, which required perfect and sinless
obedience, and left every wilful transgressor under
a curse, from which by the law he could never be
delivered. It is therefore evident, that Christ is
become of none effect to such of you, but must have
appeared and died in vain as to any benefit you
would have by him, whosoever of you are seeking to
be justified by the works of the law; yea, by this
means, whatever your profession may have been of
a regard to Christ, ye are indeed fallen from the
grace of the gospel, and have in effect renounced
your expectations from it. "For we who are true
Christians, and have been savingly enlightened in
the knowledge of the truth, do through the influences
of the Spirit, whose gifts and graces are so glorious
a seal of the gospel, wait for the hope of righteous-
ness and life, not on account of any claim or title
we have to it by our obedience to the law, but by
a sincere and operative faith, casting our souls on
Christ as condemned creatures who have no hope
in themselves, and trusting in the grace of God for
justification through the redemption he has wrought.
And herein we act according to the true tenour of
the gospel; $for in the dispensation of grace by
Christ Jesus, to those who would obtain salvation
by him, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
Uncircumcision, and no man will either be saved or
condemned, for being or not being circumcised ;
but our interest in the blessings of the gospel de-
pends upon a sincere faith in Christ, which operates
by an unfeigned love to God and man, and so en-
gages us from a principle of holy gratitude, to yield
a sincere obedience to all the known will of God,
renouncing any dependence on that obedience, how
complete soever it may seem, as the meritorious
cause of our acceptance with him.
Gal. 5. 7. -Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye
S. should not obey the truth ?- This persuasion comeil
ON JUSTIFICATIUN BY GRACE.
09
Gal. 5. 9. not of him that calleth you.-A little leaven leaveneth
10. the whole lump.--I have confidence in you through
the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded :
but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment,
whosoever he be.
This is true genuine Christianity; and you once
received it as such, and appeared to be under the
influence of it: in regard to which I may say, "Ye
did once run well at your first setting out in the
Christian race, and seemed to exert yourselves in
a very happy manner; who then of late has hindered
you from obeying the truth, with that readiness and
perseverance which miglit reasonably have been
expected from so hopeful a beginning, and has
turned you out of the way in which you were
making so fair a progress?
Of Sthis I am sure,
that the persuasion you now seem to have enter-
tained, of the necessity of mixing Judaism with
Christianity, and seeking justification, in part at
least, by Mosaical observances, [comes] not from
him that called you into the profession of the gospel :
nor did I teach you any such lesson, when I was
made the happy instrument of bringing you to the
Christian faith, but have largely and earnestly in-
culcated the contrary. There were indeed some
secret workings of this pernicious principle which
I now oppose, that early became visible among
and I find they have spread in such a manner,
as to show that a little learen, if it be suffered to
continue, operates unseen, till it diffuses itself on
every side, and leaveneth the whole mass. But has-
ing laid the matter thus before you, and warned
you of the danger of this leaven, with that fidelity
and zeal which love to your souls and a regard to
the honour of Christ requires, "I have this confi-
dence in you through the grace of the Lord Jesus, on
whom I humbly depend for the influences of his
Spirit, and to whose blessing I commit all my en-
you;
70
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
deavours, that ye will be no otherwise minded, and
entertain no other sentiments as to what is neces-
sary to your justification, than ye have been taught
by me; but he that troubleth you, and would pervert
your minds from the purity of the faith, shall cer-
tainly bear [his] judgment of deserved censure here,
and if he persist in his evil, of weighty condemna-
tion hereafter, whosoever he be: God will judge him
at last for a conduct like this, and in the mean
time he has reason to apprehend my animadverting
upon him with that apostolical authority, which
some of my adversaries have found to their cost
they were unable to resist.--Compare Acts xiii.
10, 11, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, 2 Cor. x. 7, 8, xiii. 10,
and 1 Tim. i. 20.
Gal. 5. 11. —And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why
do I yet suffer persecution ? then is the offence of
12. the cross ceased.-I would they were even cut off
which trouble you.
I know, there are some whe have insinuatea, as
if I myself favoured the very principles elsewhere,
which I so much oppose among you: "but I leave
it to you, my brethren, when you consider the treat-
ment I have met with from these zealots, to judge
if the contrary do not evidently appear. For if I
yet preach the necessity of circumcision, and insist
upon submitting to it in order to salvation, why do
I still suffer such grievous persecution, as it is evi-
dent to the whole world I endure, by the malice of
the Jews, who are every where endeavouring to
raise, not only prejudices, but tumults against me ?
Then surely, if it be true that I agree with them on
this head, the offence taken at the doctrine of salva-
tion by the cross of Christ is ceased ; and in effect I
give up that, which I have been so long contend-
ing for, and they have as eagerly been struggling
against. But I am so far from agreeing with them,
that "2] could wish, they were even cut off entirely
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
21
from the communion of the Christian church, and
cast out of it as unworthy members, who thus un-
settle your minds, and disturb you by so many false
suggestions and irregular methods, as do indeed
well deserve such a censure.
Gal. 5. 13.--For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but
14. by love serve one another.- For all the law is ful-
filled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
15. neighbour as thyself.—But if ye bite and devour one
another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of
another.
This might be a means of restoring to tne church
that peace, which is so agreeable to the principles of
our common religion and calling : "3for it is mani-
fest, my brethren, ye have been called by the gospel
to liberty and freedorn from the bondage of the
Mosaic ceremonies : only see to it, that ye [abuse]
not this liberty for an occasion of unwarrantable in-
dulgence to any irregular appetites of the flesh, as
if we were set free from the observance of the moral
precepts of the law; and remember, that it is not
only consistent with that liberty, but greatly sub-
servient to it, that ye should look upon yourselves
as bound, by the exercise of the most cordial mutual
love to serve one another. For all the law, with
which we Christians have any concern, so far as
it relates to our fellow-creatures, is fulfilled in the
observation of one word or precept, [even] in this,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, and treat
him, as in a change of circumstances thou wouldst
reasonably expect and desire to be treated by him.
15 But if instead of cultivating these Christian and
humane sentiments, ye indulge a fierce and savage
disposition, so as to bite and devour one another, it
will be necessary to take heed, that ye be not de-
stroyed by one another, as wild beasts sometimes
worry one another till both are slain : at least it is
72
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE.
certain, that by these mutual contentions you take
the readiest way to disgrace, and so far as in you
lies to overthrow, the religion to which you pro-
fess a regard.
IMPROVEMENT.
How awful is the supposition, which the apostle
makes, even with regard to those, who had dis-
tinguished themselves by so zealous a profession;
to those, before whose eyes Christ had been evidently
set forth as crucified (chap. iii. 1), and who would
once have been ready to have plucked out their own
eyes for the minister that preached him to them
(chap. iv. 15); that he should speak of it with
regard to such as a possible case, that on the whole
Christ might profit them nothing !? Let .our souls
dread the thought, of being in the number of those,
to whom he shall be thus unprofitable.
How heavy will our account be, and low dearly
shall we pay for the amusements of the sublimest
knowledge, or the most sanguine hopes we enter-
tain, if this be the end of all! That we may none
of us be so unhappy, let us be very careful, that
we do not think of seeking justification by the law,
in such a manner as to fall from grace: but as no
right or title to it can be obtained but by an interest
in Christ, let us through the Spirit wait for the hope
of righteousness and life, by faith in him. May the
blessed Spirit of God form and support in our
minds such a hope ; which if it be thus formed,
will never make us ashamed.--Rom. v. 5. Let us
be therefore animated by it; and if at first we have
run well, let us always consider the despatch we
may have made already in our Christian race, as an
excitement to further vigour, rather than an en-
couragement to indolence and sloth.
Let the Spirit which these and so many other
ON JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE,
73
parts of the New Testament breathe, teach us to
inoderate our zeal about circumcision and uncircum-
cision, about the rituals and externals of religion,
and to cultivate more and more that faith, which
operates by love, and therefore will express itself
by kceping the commandments of God. This will
engage us by the best and most generous principles,
to serve one another in our truest interests, and to
fulfil that royal law which is comprehended in this
one important word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself.14 Surely we have not as yet attained to
perfection in this excellent grace; sure there is
room for new attainments, even in the best. But
O, how lamentably deficient are the generality of
Christians; yea rather, how scandalously and how
fatally hath the opposite principle prevailed! so
that instead of that mutual love, of which our
gracious Redeemer was the great teacher and ex-
ample, the contrary principle of hatred and malig-
nity hath triumphed to such a degree, as to turn
the church into a camp of warriors, or rather (as it
may be called) into a theatre of wild beasts, where
they have been worrying one another almost to
death, yea in many instances biting and devouring
one another, till they have actually been destroyed
one by another. 15 Let us take heed, after all the
Christian and the Protestant interest hath suffered
by these fatal divisions, that we do not catch the
contagion, and bear our part in so common, yet so
jernicious a mischief. It is a spreading evil, and
a little of this leaven often diffuses itself over the
whole mass; but nothing is more manifest, than
that it is a persuasion, which is so far from coming
of him that called us, that it is indeed the most
direct violation of his distinguishing precept.
Let us remember, that the time will come, when
he that troubleth the church, either in one way, by
unscriptural impositions, to which the apostle here
VOL. V.
L
74
EXHORTATIONS TO
refers, or in another, by an unreasonable stiffness
about things indifferent, will certainly bear his judg-
ment, whosoerer he be. Let us therefore rather
choose to suffer persecution, than to share in such
guilt; and be continually praying for that divine
wisdom, which may teach us, so to bear afflictions
as not to increase the offence of the cross," and so to
stand fast in our liberty as not to abuse it for an oc-
casion to gratify those irregular passions, which, to
whatever high original they may pretend, are indeed
to be traced no higher than a carnal principle, and
to be numbered among the works of the flesh.
13
SECTION X.
He cshorts ihe Galatians to a conversation suitable to the dispensation of grace which
they had received, and warning th m against the several rices of the finalı, recim-
mends to them the habitual practice of the graces of the Spirit, and presses then in
particular to purity, spirituality, and mutual love. Gal. r. 10, W the count.
Gal. 5. 16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and re shall
not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
I HAVE been cautioning you against that con-
tentious temper, which is so great a reproach to the
professors of Christianity, and tends so much to the
detriment of our common faith. But, that I may
effectually guard you against this and every other
evil, I have a charge to give you, and in one word
I say, Walk in the Spirit, and at all times endeavour
to conduct yourselves, as under the influences of
that blessed agent, and in a way agreeable to the
new nature he hath given you, and then ye will not
fulfil the lust of the flesh; but notwithstanding the
remainders of corruption in you, yet by his powerful
suggestions, and by the gracious aids that you
receive from him, you will be happily preserved
from the predominancy of carnal and irregular ap-
petites, so that the work of mortification, and all
the exercises of true godliness, will daily become
more and more easy and familiar to you.
PURITY AND SPIRITUALITY.
75
Gal. 5. 17.--For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the
one to the other : so that ye cannot do the things
18. that ye would.--But if ye be led of the Spirit, se
are not under the law.
And this precaution is absolutely necessary in
present circumstances, by reason of the continual
contest that there is between the flesh and spirit in
the renewed soul : "for while you are here in the
body, the flesh is lusting on the one hand, and hath
desires contrary to the motions and dictates of the
spirit, or of that gracious principle which is commu-
nicated by the Holy Spirit in his regenerating ope-
rations on the heart; and on the other hand, the
spirit [hath desires] contrary to the appetites and in-
clinations of the flesh, or of that principle of corrup-
tion which is introduced by sin, and the remains of
which are ready to exert their influence in the rege-
nerate: and these two principles are directly opposite
to each other, both in their nature and their tendency:
so that upon the whole, ye do not the things that ye
would, and are indeed incapable of doing them
without your overbearing, either the desires of ani-
mal nature, or the nobler dictates of an enlightened
and sanctified spirit. Now surely you may easily
judge, since one of these must be opposed, and one
only can be pleased and pursued, to which of them
the preference is to be given. But for your en-
couragement to a vise and happy choice, you will I
hope always remember, that if ye be led by the Spirit
of God in the paths of evangelical holiness and
obedience, and act according to that new and spi-
ritual nature he has formed in you, in the prevailing
bent and tenour of your lives, ye are not then under
the condemning sentence of the law, but are in con-
sequence of this entitled to every benefit and pri-
vilege of the gospel.
Gal. 5. 19. -Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are these ; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasci.
76
EXHORTATIONS TO
Gal. 5. 20. viousness,-Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
21. emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envg-
ings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such
like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also
told you in time past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
And a further argument will arise from consider-
ing the different tendency of these principles, and
the effects or fruits of which they are productive, on
the one hand and the other. 19 Now as to the former
part of the view, the works of the flesh are very
obvious and manifest, which are such as [these] :
adultery, a crime to be considered as in the first
rank of enormities, as tending so directly to embitter
conjugal life, and to introduce confusion and ruin
into families; fornication, which, how light soever
heathens may make of it, is in the sight of God a
very grievous offence; as all uncleanness and im-
modesty of behaviour, and all lasciviousness in every
kind and act of it, must also be, though fools who
make a mock at sin, inention these things in sport,
rather than with detestation. 2ºIdolatry likewise
proceeds from this corrupt principle, as it inclines
men to choose some sensible object for their devo-
tions, and often such a one as may patronize their
most irregular passions : from hence is also witch-
craft, whereby desperate wretches are led to attempt
an express association with infernal spirits, in order
to gratify that malignant disposition of mind, which
excites and arms them against those who are re-
garded by them with an evil eye: and to the same
original are owing implacable and bitter enmities,
outrageous strifes and quarrels, inordinate transports
of ill-placed and ill-proportioned zeal, deep resent-
ments treasured up in the mind, clamorous conten-
tions vented with eagerness and obstinately carried
on, together with the keen divisions of a party-spirit,
among those who ought to be united in one interest
PURITY AND SPIRITUALITY.
77
and affection : yea, sometimes these ill principles
proceed so far, as to produce seditions in the state,
and heresies also in religious communities, by which
professing Christians are induced to separate from
each other, and to form sects, who instead of main-
taining true candour and benevolence, renounce and
condemn each other. To this corrupt source we
are also to trace the many 2lenvyings, which are so
commonly to be seen, against the prosperity and
success of others; and sometimes murders too,
contrived and perpetrated by those, whose passions
and interest clash to such a degree, that nothing
less than the destruction of the antagonist can ap-
pease the rage: and to complete the catalogue, all
kinds of irregular self indulgence, and particularly
drunkenness, that sinks a man into a beast, and
those disorderly and gluttonous revellings, by which
the rational powers are in a great measure extin-
guished, or at least rendered incapable of perform-
ing their offices in a proper manner. These, and
such like, are the works of the flesh; concerning
which I now solemnly forewarn you, as I have also
formerly declared for your security when I was pre-
sent with you, that they who practise such things,
whatever zeal they may pretend for the externals of
religion in any of the forms of it, shall not inherit
the kingdom of God, or be admitted to the posses-
sion of it; and are indeed so far from having any
title to be numbered among Christians, that they
shall soon be disowned, and turned out of that
place which they have no right to hold in the
church, with just infamy and detestation.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-
23. suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,-Meekness,
temperance : against such there is no law.
Such, I say, are the fruits and tendencies of the
flesh; but the blessed fruit of the Spirit in those
who are governed by that gracious principle which
Gal. 5. 22.
78
EXITORTATIONS TO
is derived from him, is something quite of a dif-
ferent nature; for this, wherever it hath impreg-
nated the mind, produces the amiable dispositions
of undissembled love and holy joy, of universal be-
nevolence of heart, and of that cheerful temper
which is naturally connected with it: it engages us
to cultivate peace with all men ; and where we
meet with injuries and provocations from any, to
bear them with much long-suffering, before we enter
into any contentions about them : it forms us to
gentleness in the whole of our conduct, and inspires
a tender care that we may not, by any thing rough
and overbearing, gricve and injure before we are
aware: it excites us to such acts of generous good-
ness, as our own circumstances may afford, and
those of our neighbour require: it is also the spirit
of truth as well as of love, and leads us most strictly
to observe fidelity, or good faith and uprightness in
all our dealings, neither in any instance imposing
upon others, nor failing in any of those engage-
ments which it is in our power to fulfil: it teaches us
23meekness, even when we are obliged to reprove
others, or otherwise to animadvert upon them for
their faults; and with regard to the government of
our corporeal appetites, it dictates the strictest
temperance, that we may neither exceed in the
quantity, nor the kind of our food, or in any other
indulgence of animal nature. These, as you plainly
see, are most excellent dispositions, and against
such [things] as these there is no law; they have so
manifest and evident a goodness in them, that they
never were forbidden by any human institutions;
and those who in the general course of their lives
practise them, under the influence of this Spirit,
shall by the grace of the gospel be delivered from
the condemning sentence of the divine law.
Gal. 5. 24.-And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh
with thc affcctions and lusts.
PURITY AND SPIRITUALITY.
79
2.1
'And this is now, upon the whole, the character
of all true Christians : for they who indeed are
Christ's, they who have received his Spirit and
whom he will finally own as belonging to him, have
crucified the flesh with all [its] irregular passions and
desires, and doomed it to a slow and painful, but to
a certain death; as if like one that is crucified, the
body of sin were fastened to the cross, and left to
expire upon it: and this they do, out of love to the
memory of their crucified Lord, by a continual re-
gard to whom they are animated strenuously to
persevere in so self-denying a resolution.
Gal. 5. 25. -If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
26. Spirit.-Let us not be desirous of vain glory, pro-
voking one another, envying one another.
2If therefore we profess to live in the Spirit, if we
profess to be members of the Christian church, and
to have that inward principle of divine life which is
produced by the Spirit, and continually subsists on
communications from him, let us also make it our
constant care, in consistency with such a profes-
sion, to walk in the Spirit, in a regular and orderly
manner, taking every step according to rule, and
under his influence. And after all our care, as it
is only by his grace that we are what we are, 26 let
us not be vain-glorious, or conceited of our own en-
dowments or performances ; provoking one another
to mutual ill-usage by a contemptuous carriage to-
wards any whom we consider as beneath us, or
secretly envying one another for any imagined or
real advantage, which our brother may possess, and
we desire: but rather with an unaffected humility
and true benevolence of heart, let us rejoice in the
happiness of others, and endeavour to promote it to
the utmost of our power.
80 EXHORTATIONS TO PURITY AND SPIRITUALITY.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us learn to consider this our mortal life as a
state of warfare, in which we are to be always strug-
gling with enemies, with whom we are never to make
either peace or truce; and since while we dwell in
the body, we shall still find the flesh lusting against
the Spirit, let it be our constant concern, that the
desires of the flesh may be opposed" and mortified,
and that the interests of the Spirit may be more and
more advanced," And though the contrariety is
such between them, that we cannot completely and
continually do the things which we would, let us in
the main be led by the Spirit,'s and give up our
rational and governing powers more and more to its
holy dictates, that we may not fulfil the lusts of the
flesh ;16 and though it still continues to solicit and
disturb us, sin shall be kept from reigning in us.
We see, what the works of the flesh are; which, if
we really belong to Christ, we shall resolutely bind
and crucify, with its affections and lusts. 29
endeavour more and more to subdue them, and
learn (as it were) to use the instruments of his death,
most effectually to accomplish the death of sin;
bringing the old man to be crucified with him (Rom.
vi. 6), and nailing it to that cross, to which he hath
nailed that decree of death, which in consequence of
sin lay against us.—Col. ii 14.
In opposition to that cursed train of irregular
and malignant affections, which are here described
as the works of the flesh (the continued indulgence
of which is absolutely inconsistent with our hope of
inheriting the kingdom of GoD),19–21 let us cultivate
those amiable dispositions of mind, against which
there is no law : and may the spirit of love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, the spirit
of faith, meekness, and temperance,
22 23 work them
more and more in our souls !
Let us
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
81
How vain are the cares of the generality of men,
to adorn their bodies, to improve their estates
, to
advance their rank, while their minds remain neg-
lected! Yea, how vain are all cares, to cultivate
the mind with science, when compared with the
infinitely more important care of improving it in
such habits of goodness, whereby we shall be brought
to resemble God, and be fitted for ever to enjoy
him ! Let this be all our emulation, and in this let
us place our glory; nor let us go about to provoke
one another to any thing but this.
We profess to live in the Spirit of God, whose
gracious influences are indeed the very life of our
souls : let us make it our care also, to walk in the
Spirit,25 to regulate every action of our lives, every
sentiment of our hearts, by a becoming regard to
him; guarding solicitously against any thing that
would grieve him, and encouraging those friendly
offices of his, whereby we may be trained up in a
growing meetness for the society of the blessed
spirits above; and for that world, where the flesh
shall be laid aside, till all the seeds of corruption
are worn out of its composition, and it be raised
as pure, as it shall be glorious in the image of that
Saviour, whose discipline has tauglit us to seek the
victory over it, and whose grace enables us to ob-
tain it.
SECTION SI.
The apostle pursues liis practical ea hortations, especially enforcing mutuallore, and
a care of cach other, with a seal in doing good; and cautions the Galatians
against thinking too furourably of their own spiritual state. Gal. iv, 1-10.
GAL. 6. 1. BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
2. tempted.-Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ.
I HAVE cautioned you against envy, and mutual
VOL. V.
MI
82
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
provocation; but my 'brethren, rest not merely in
a freedom from such unkind affections towards each
other, but labour to be mutually useful, and that
in your best interests; and if a man be overtaken in
any fault through his own frailty, or the surprise
of a temptation, do ye who are spiritual, and, hav-
ing received the Spirit of God yourselves, are best
fitted for such an office, endeavour to restore such
a one, and to reduce (as it were) that disjointed
member, not with a rigorous severity, but in the
spirit of meekness, gentleness and love; considering
thyself, whosoever thou art, lest thou also being
still in the body, and liable to the like assaults,
shouldst be tempted, and fall as thy brother hath
done, so as on this account to stand in need of the
same kind office from him, which thou art now
called to render to him. Be ready then in this and
all other respects to ?bear one another's burdens;
and let it be your care with mutual tenderness to
comfort and support the weak (compare Rom. xv.
1, and i Thess. v. 14), accommodating yourselves
to each other in the most engaging and obliging
manner, that you may thus make all about you as
easy and happy as you can; and so, instead of
seeking to impose the heavy burden of the Mosaic
law on others, you will fulfil that which is especially
the law of Christ, even that law of love which was
enjoined by him as his command, and will esteem
it as your highest honour to wear that badge of
mutual love, by which he requires his disciples to
be known.-John xiii. 34, 35, xv. 12. And
surely we may willingly receive that law from one,
who was himself such an inequalled example of
love; and who with so gracious a sympathy bore
our burdens of sorrow, and carried away the load
of our guilt.
Gal. 6. 3. —For if a man think himself to be something, when
4. he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
83
Gal. 6. 4. man prove his own work, and then shall he have
5. rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For
every man shall bear his own burden.
Remember too the caution I have given you
against vain-glory (chap v. 26), and take heed of
an over-ireening opinion of yourselves : 3for if any
one think himself to be something considerable, when
indeed he is nothing like what he apprehends; and
in particular, if he be so conceited of his own
sufficiency, as to imagine he is wise and good
enough to resist any temptation that may arise,
and please himself that he may glory in the ap-
plause of others as secure from danger; he deceireth
himself; and the worse part of the fraud falls on his
own head ; so that instead of gaining from others,
or securing to himself, that honour which he ex-
pects and aims at, he only makes himself so much
the more contemptible, and his danger is propor-
tionable to the high conceit which he hath of him-
self. But to prevent so great an evil, let every one
try and examine his own work by the word of God,
the great rule to which all our actions and thoughts
should be adjusted, and take care that it be such as
God and his own conscience may approve; and
then he shall have matter of rejoicing in what he finds
in himself alone, and not in the applause he receives
from another: he shall then have a solid foundation
of delight, in reflecting upon the state of his own
soul, and what the grace of God has wrought in
him and by him, instead of subsisting precariously
and meaniy on the good opinion or applause of
others, who so frequently know not what it is that
they commend, and are imposed upon by false
appearances, so that their testimony can give but
very little solid satisfaction to a mind that thinks
justly and seriously. For every one shall finally
bear his own burden, and shall be accountable to
God, in the great day when he appears before him,
8-1
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
for his own behaviour; so that there is but little
room to be solicitous about the sentiments of others,
in comparison of that care which we ought to take
of our own temper and conduct.
Gal. 6. 6. -Let him that is taught in the word communicate
unto him that teacheth in all good things.
A further advice which I would give you is, élet
him that is taught and instructed in the word and
doctrine of Christianity, liberally communicate in all
good things, according to the ability that God hath
given him, to the support and maintenance of him
that teacheth him ; that so the mind of the teacher
may not be kept in an anxious state about his own
subsistence, but may with greater composure and
cheerfulness attend to the cares of his sacred office.
Gal. 6. 7. -Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for what-
8. soever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.-For
he that soweth to liis flesh shall of tlic flesh reap
corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
It is indeed an easy thing for interested men to
find excuses for the neglect of this and other liber-
alities, which are required by the gospel of Christ ;
but 'be not deceived, in this or any other respect,
by the treachery of your own hearts, which may
more fatally impose upon yourselves than upon any
others; for though men know not what to answer
to some artful pleas which may be invented as an
excuse from duty, the blessed God who penetrates
all hearts, as well as sees all external circumstances,
is not to be mocked by those vain pretences : for
whatsoever a man soweth, whether it be good or bad,
whether he be liberal or sparing in it, that shall be
also reap, and the return shall be answerable to it,
both with respect to the kind and degree of it. So
that, on the one hand, he that soweth to his flesh,
he that employs his substance, time, and thoughts,
MUTL'AL LOVE ENFORCED.
85
merely or chiefly in gratifying and indulging the
flesh, or for the satisfaction of his own bodily
necessities, conveniences, or pleasures, shall of the
flesh reap nothing better than corruption ; and as the
flesh itself shall soon corrupt in the grave, so will
he utterly lose all the fruits of liis labour and ex-
pense in its service : but on the other hand, he that
soweth to the Spirit; he that under the influences
of the Spirit of God employs his capacities, abilities,
and possessions, to promote the interests of religion
in his own mind and in the world about him, shall,
as the fruit of what is thus sown by the continued
assistance and grace of the Spirit, reap life everlast-
ing; when he shall leave the world, his immortal
spirit shall inherit eternal glory, and whatsoever
be his portion now, he shall be fully recompensed
at the resurrection of the just (Luke xiv. 11), when
all the hope of the sinner is perished.
Gal. 6. 9. —And let us not be weary in well doing: for in
10. due season we shall reap, if we faint not. -As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household
of faith.
And having such a prospect then before us, let
us not be weary or discouraged, in all the labour and
fatigue, in all the expense and difficulty of well-
doing ; for in due season, or in that proper time
which the wisdom and goodness of God hath ap-
pointed (even when the harvest is come, for which
it is best that we should now wait), we shall reap
an abundant and ample reward, if we do not faint,
and suffer our hands to hang down, either through
sloth or fear. As long ''therefore as we have oppor-
tunity, as long as life continues, and Providence
puts power in our hands, let us endeavour to do
good to all men, to strangers and enemies, as well
as brethren and friends, but especially to them who
are of the household of faith, to them who are united
86
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
to us in the bonds of Christian faith and love, and
who on that account, as belonging to one family
and heirs of the same hope, have a peculiar claim
to our regard.
IMPROVEMENT.
2
These exhortations of the apostle cannot be ex-
pressed in more lively terms, and it is scarce pos-
sible to represent them in clearer and plainer
language. The great difficulty here, and in other
such instances, is to bring our hearts to submit to
what our understanding must so readily apprehend
and approve. Let us earnestly pray, that God
would diffuse more of his Spirit on all professing
Christians, that beholding each other with undis-
sembled and fervent love, every one may affection-
ately endeavour to advance the happiness of all;
and instead of severely censuring one another, let
us endeavour mutual reformation, by such exhorta-
tions and advices as different circumstances may
require; doing all in the spirit of Christian meckness,
and in a humble sense of our own infirmities Let
us pray, that the law of Christ, the new command-
ment he has given us to love one another, may in
all its extent be ever sacred to us; and that in
consequence of the regard we owe to so benevolent
a master, there may be a constant readiness in us,
to assist each other under every burden, to relieve
according to our ability every want, and to do good
to all as we have opportunity, but especially to those
of the household of faith, who as belonging to that
household, whatever their station or circumstance
in life may be, ought to be dear to every member
of the family.
Let us remember, that there is as certain a con-
nection between our conduct here and our state
hereafter, as there is between the kind of grain
sown, and the harvest to be reaped from it. The
MUTUAL LOVE ENFORCED.
87
generality, also, are sowing to the flesh, and the
harvest to such will be shame and corruption : but
for our parts, let us sow to the Spirit liberally and
largely, and have our fruit unto holiness, that we
may thus inherit everlasting life.—Rom. vi. 22.
And when we are ready to faint, let us encourage
ourselves and each other with the prospect of that
blessed day, when, though the seed-time may be
attended with tears, we shall come again rejoicing,
bringing our sheaves of honour and joy with us.
Psa. cxxvi. 5, 6. It is in due season, it is at the
time God has wisely appointed, that we shall re-
ceive this reward of grace ;' let us wait for it, as
we well may, with patience and humility.
The day is coming, when every one shall bear his
own burden, and each of us shall answer for him-
self; that awful day, when every one shall reap the
fruit of his own way, and shall receire according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.--2 Cor.
Let us see to it therefore, not to deceive
ourselves with a vain imagination that we are some-
thing, when we are nothing ;3 and not be satisfied to
rest in the good opinion which others have of us, so
as to have our rejoicing in them. And whatsoever
duty be required of us, let us not amuse ourselves
with trifling excuses, which never can deceive that
God who is not to be mocked ; but let us set our-
selves in earnest, ever to cultivate true inward re-
ligion, even that of the heart, in the sight of him
who searcheth it: then will the testimony of our
conscience be a source of joy; and we shall find that
joy solid and permanent.
And if God bless the ministers of his gospel, as
the instruments of bringing this joy to the soul, it
will be attended with that readiness which the
apostle requires, to communicate to them in all good
things ; while if they understand their character and
office, there will be in them that moderation of desire
V. 10.
88
CAUTIONS AGAINST THE
on the one hand, and that zeal and love for souls
on the other, which will make it a thousand times
more pleasant to communicate spirituals, than to
receive temporals, even from those who give with
the most willing mind, and so double the gift, whether
it be greater or less.
SECTION XII.
The apostle concludes his epistle, with cautioning them against the attacks of Juda-
izing teachers, declaring the indifference of circumcision or uncircumcision, and
pressing them strictly to adhere to that gospel for which he had himself suffered so
much. Gal. vi. 11, to the end.
GAL. 6. 11. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you
with my own hand.
"You see, my brethren, with what large letters I
have written this epistle to you with my own hand,
not being willing to omit this opportunity of testify-
ing the affection and concern which I have for you,
not choosing, as I mostly do on such occasions, to
employ the pen of another, who might be more
used to the Greek character than myself
.
Gal. 6. 12. -As many as desire to make a fair show in the
flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised: only
lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of
13. Christ.–For neither they themselves who are cir-
cumcised keep the law; but desire to have you cir-
cumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
The sum of all is this; that as many as desire
to make a fair appearance in the flesh, and to set
themselves off by standing up for the observance of
the Jewish rites and ceremonies, these would con-
strain you Gentile converts to be circumcised, and
to be subject with them to the carnal ordinances of
the law, only lest they should suffer persecution, which
the profession of the Christian faith would other-
wise bring upon them, for owning their dependence
for salvation, not on the law, but on the cross of
JUDAIZING TEACHERS.
89
Christ; as it is plainly a regard to this, which so
much incenses the unbelieving Jews, and engages
them to raise so many tumults against us, where-
ever they have an opportunity of doing it; and
these half-Christians aim at appeasing them by a
zeal to spread the Mosaic institutions among the
Gentiles. This is the point they have in view, and
whatsoever they pretend, it is not any real venera-
tion for the law that prompts them to be zealous
for it : "3 for neither they themselves who are circum-
cised, and so are solemnly obliged to observe the
whole of it, show a concern to keep the luw, or
manifest a true esteem for it as a spiritual and
divine institution ; nor is it from any truly religious
principle that they labour to proselyte you to it:
but they desire to have you circumcised, to make their
boast of you among the Jews ; that they may glory
in this mark fixed in your flesh, and may avail them-
selves of the many converts to Judaism which they
have the interest and address to make.
Gal. 6. 14. —But God forbid that I should glory, sare in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world
15. is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in
Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing,
16. nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.—And as
many as walk according to this rule, peace be on
them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
4
* But for my part, I have no such selfish worldly
views, and God forbid that I should glory, either in
my descent or circumcision, in my abilities or
interest in making converts, or indeed in any thing
else, unless it be in the regard I have been brought
to pay to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
reliance which I have for justification on his death
and sufferings; by the believing views of which I
am made indifferent to all things here, and the
world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world: so
that 1 view the world, as little impressed by all its
VOL. V.
N
90
CAUTIONS AGAINST THE
charms, as a spectator would be by any thing which
had been graceful in the countenance of a crucified
person, when he beholds it blackened in the agonies
of death ; and am no more affected by the objects
around me, than one that is expiring would be
struck with any of those prospects, which his dying
eyes might view from the cross on which he was
suspended. And well indeed it may be expected,
that it should be so ; 15 for as to those who have
truly believed in Christ Jesus, all things are counted
loss and dung for him, the whole dependence of the
soul for righteousness and life is built on him, and
the whole heart centres in him: and where this is
the case, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, neither can the one profit, nor the
other hurt, but there is] actually a new creation;
old things are passed away, and new views and
dispositions are introduced under the regenerating
influences of the Spirit of God, in consequence of
which believers are (as it were) brought into a new
world, and being created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, are formed to a life of boliness, and quick-
ened to the exercise of that faith which operates by
love.-Compare 1 Cor. vii. 19, 2 Cor. v. 17, Gal.
v. 6, Eph. ii. 10, and Phil. iii. 8.
as shall walk according to this rule, and govern
themselves by such maxims, [may] peace and mercy
[be] upon them! May that peace which arises from
à sense of the pardoning mercy and free grace of
God, ever rest upon them, even upon the whole
Israel of God every where ; for persons of such a
character, and not the natural descendants of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are the true Israelites.
16 And as many
Gal. 6. 17. -From henceforth let no man trouble me: for !
bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Now therefore 17 for the future, let no man trouble
me with reflections on my character, or with dis-
JUDAIZING TEACHERS.
91
putes concerning the necessity of circumcision, and
grieve my heart with additional sorrows, for I bear
in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus; marks of
far more importance than circumcision, and on
which, whatever your Judaizing teachers may think,
I value myself much more; even the scars, which
I have received by stripes and chains and other
means in the service of Christ, amidst the various
hardships which I have borne for him, and which
ought to render me venerable in the eyes of all who
have a due regard to him.
Gal. 6. 18. -Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit. Amen.
And thus, isbrethren, I conclude with my sincere
and earnest prayer for you, that the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ in all its sanctifying and comfort-
ing influences, may [be] with your spirit, to direct
you into the ways of truth and peace, of holiness
and comfort. Amen,
IMPROVEMENT.
What ineanness is tliere in those views and
objects, in which the generality of mankind are so
apt to glory! How liitie satisfaction can there be,
in making proselytes to a party, and spreading forms
and notions, when comparso with the joy of pro-
moting true religion in the hearts of men, and
thereby advancing the glory of God, and the salva-
tion of immortal souls! And of what service will
it be, to make a fair appearance, and to be zealous
for the externals of religion, so as to gain the ap-
plause of men, and to have many followers ; if at
the same time we have so little veneration for the
cross of Christ, as to be afraid or ashamed of own-
ing the necessity of relying on his righteousness alone
for justification, lest we should suffer persecution
92
CAUTIONS AGAINST THE
upon that account, or be exposed to the reproaches
of the world about us !12 13
May divine grace teach us to esteem the cross of
Christ more highly, and to glory in nothing but our
knowledge of it, and our hopes and expectations
from it! May we all feel its vital efficacy, to crucify
us to the world, and the world to us; 14 that we may
look upon the world but as a dead and worthless
thing, which neither can afford us any advantage,
nor yield us any pleasure, to engage our hearts to
choose it for our portion : and being crucified, and
dead to all things in it, may we be so entirely
weaned from all affection to it, as not to make it
any more our principal design and study to pursue
it; but being indifferent both to its smiles and frowns,
as to the influence which once they had upon us,
may we be neither moved by any prospect of self-
interest on the one hand, nor terrified by the fear
of persecution on the other!
Let us not lay the stress of our religion on the
name we bear, or ground the hope of our accept-
ance on being of this or that denomination of Chris-
tians: but let it be our chief concern, to have ex-
perience of a thorough change of heart and life, and
to obtain that renovation of soul, that new creation,
without which neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
can avail any thing,15 and with which the one, as
well as the other, will be accepted of God.
It is the written word of God, that is the rule we
are to go by, both in the doctrines and the pre-
cepts of it; let us be careful, that we walk accord-
ing to it, and regulate our principles and conduct
by it: then will God own us, as his true Israel ;
and then shall peace and mercy be upon us. 16 And
surely, how diligently soever we observe this rule,
how exactly soever we conform to it, and how much
soever we may suffer for our adherence to it,'? we
depend upon mercy for the communication of peace,
JUDAIZING TEACHERS.
93
and must ascribe all our hopes of happiness to
pardoning clemency and free grace. May that
grace ever be with our spirit, 18 to sanctify, to
quicken, and to cheer us; and may we always be
ready to maintain the honour of that, which is in-
deed our 'tery life! Amen.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.
The apostle Paul is universally allowed to be the
author of this excellent epistle; but Dr. Mill and
others have contended, that it was written, not to
the church of Ephesus, but to that of Laodicea.
This they would argue from some passages of this
epistle (chap. i. 15, iii. 2, and iv. 21), which seem
more suitable to persons whom he had never seen,
which was the case of them at Laodicea (Col. ii. 1),
than to the Ephesians, with whom he had been con-
versant about three years.--See note on Acts xx. 31.
But what is principally urged for this opinion, is
the direction given by the apostle at the close of his
epistle to the Colossians (Col. iv. 16), “that they
should cause the epistle which he wrote to them to
be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and
they should likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
From whence it is inferred, that the epistle now be-
fore us must be that which is intended there, and
was originally written to the Laodiceans.
These several objections will be obviated in the
notes upon those places on which they are grounded,
and can be no sufficient warrant, in opposition to
the first verse of this epistle, in which it is addressed
expressly to the saints at Ephesus, to introduce an
alteration in the text, which hath not the authority
of any single manuscript in being, or any ancient
version to support it
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
95
We are told indeed, it was affirmed by Marcion,
an early heretic of the second century, that what is
called the epistle to the Ephesians was inscribed to
the Laodiceans; but he is censured upon this ac-
count by Tertullian (who wrote against him in the
beginning of the third century), as setting up an in-
terpolation of his own, in opposition to the true
testimony of the church. And though Basil, and
Jerome, in the latter part of the fourth century, speak
of some copies, in which the words εv Epsow were
omitted ; yet they allow at the same time, that this
epistle was written to the saints at Ephesus; whom
by a strange interpretation, in allusion to the name
by which the Lord revealed himself (Exod. iii. 14),
some would suppose, “the apostle calls in a pecu-
liar sense the saints who are, as being united unto
him who is.” But this omission evidently makes
but a very odd reading, unless we admit of the con-
jecture of Archbishop Usher, that a void space was
left after the saints who are—-, and this might be
intended for a circular epistle to any of the churches
of the Lesser Asia, whose name might be occa-
sionally inserted to fill up the blank.
There is however no sufficient reason for depart-
ing from the common and established reading,
which inscribes this epistle to the saints at Ephesus;
especially when we find in the most early times,
that Ignatius, one of the apostolic fathers (who
lived at the time when this epistle was written), in
the smaller copy of his own epistle to the Ephesians,
§ 12, speaks to them of St. Paul, “ as making men-
tion of them in a whole epistle," which Cotelerius
says, it is in vain to understand of any other epistle
than this, and Dr. Lardner observes, must plainly
mean the epistle of Paul to the Ephesians. And in
the larger copy of the same epistle, s 6, he declares
to the Ephesians, “Ye are, as Paul wrote to you,
bil body and one spirit," where it is manifest there
96
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
traordinary miracles amona?
is a reference to the very words of St. Paul in this
epistle, chap. iv. 4. So that the testimony of Igna-
tius is express in both the copies, whichever be
received as genuine, to which indeed the smaller has
apparently the better title. The same is also still
more clear with respect to Irenæus, and Clement of
Alexandria, who were both fathers of the second
century, and have both quoted this epistle in express
terms under the title of the epistle to the Ephesians.
No further testimony therefore can be needful to
make it manifest, that this epistle was received in
the first ages of the church, as written by St. Paul
to the Ephesians.
It is well known, that Ephesus was the chief city
of the Proconsular Asia, which was a part of what
was called the Lesser Asia. It was particularly
famous for the temple of Diani, a most magnificent
and stately structure, which was reputed one of the
seven wonders of the world ; and its inhabitants
were noted in their Gentile state for their idolatry
and skill in magic, and for their luxury and las-
civiousness. The apostle Paul, at his first coming
to them in the year of our Lord 5+, according to his
usual custom preached to the Jews there in their
synagogue, many of whom were settled in that city
and the neighbouring parts : but as he then was
hastening to the passover at Jerusalem, he only
spent one sabbath there, and left them with a pro-
mise to return to them again.--Acts xviii. 19-21.
Accordingly he came again to Ephesus the follow-
ing year (Acts xix. 1, et seq.), and preached the
word with such success, and wrought such ex-
church was formed there, chiefly made up of Gentile
converts, whose piety and zeal were so remarkable,
that many of them, in abhorrence of the curious
arts which they had used, burnt their magical books
to a great value (Acts xix. 19): and such was the
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
97
concern of the apostle for their spiritual advantage,
that he did not leave them till the year 57, when he
had been about three years among them.--- Acts xx.
31. After this he spent some time in Macedonia and
Achaia, and in his return to Jerusulem in the year
58, he sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus to
Miletus, and most affectionately took his leave of
them, as one that should see them no more ; appeal-
ing to them with what faithfulness he had discharged
his ministry among them, and solemnly exhorting
them to look well to the flock committed to their care,
lest they should be corrupted by seducing teachers,
who would arise among themselves, and artfully
endeavour to pervert them.-Acts xx. 17, to the end.
Ánd we see afterwards from the coolness and declen-
sion they are charged with, in the epistle to the angel
of the church of Ephesus (Rev. ii. 4, 5), how just and
seasonable was this caution that he gave them at
his parting from them.
From what the apostle says of himself in this
epistle it appears, that it was written by him while he
was a prisoner (chap. iii. 1, iv. 1, vi. 20); as he was
likewise, when he wrote to the Colossians (Col.
iv. 18;: and there is such a manifest correspond-
ence between these two epistles, both in their sub-
ject matter, and in the very form of the expressions,
that it may justly be concluded, they were written
at the same time, and sent together by Tychicus; who
was entrusted with the care of both (Eph. vi. 21, 22,
and Col. iv. 7, 8), but was attended by Onesimus
when he delivered that to the Colossians. -Col. iv. 9.
Now as it is not to be thought, the apostle Paul
would have employed Onesimus in such a service,
till after he had been with his master Philemon, it
appears highly probable from hence, that the apostle
sent him first with his epistle to Philemon, by whom
he was received (agreeably to his request) not as a
servant, but as a brother (Philem. ver. 16), and had
VOL. 1.
O
98
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
his freedom given him; and from the confidence the
apostle had in the obedience of Philemon, and in his
readiness to do even more than he said (ver. 21), he
might well take this opportunity of his going with
Tychicus, to recommend Onesimus to the Colossians,
by joining him in his message to that church. Since
then the apostle was in expectation of being soon
released from his confinement, when he wrote to
Philemon, and trusting he should shortly visit him,
desires him to prepare a lodging for him (ver. 22),
this may induce us to conclude, that he wrote that
epistle towards the close of his first imprisonment at
Rome : and as the epistles to the Ephesians and Colos-
sians appear to have been sent at the same time
with that to Philemon, it may be inferred, that he
wrote these not long before, and sent them all to-
gether in the year of our Lord 63, which was the
9th of the emperor Nero.—See Note on Acts
xxviii. 31.
The design of the apostle Paul in this epistle (the
former part of which is doctrinal, and the latter
practical), was “to establish the Ephesians in the
faith ; and to this end, to give them more exalted
views of the eternal love of God, and of the glorious
excellence and dignity of Christ; to show them,
they were saved by grace, and howsoever wretched
they were once, the Gentiles now have equal privi-
leges with the Jews ; to encourage them, by de-
claring with what steadfastness he suffered for the
truth, and with what earnestness he prayed for their
establishment and perseverance in it; and finally,
in consequence of their profession, to engage them
to the practice of those duties, that became their
character as Christians."
The doctrinal part of this epistle is contained in
the three first chapters : in which the apostle intro-
duces several important truths, for the instruction
of the Ephesians in the great doctrines of the gospel,
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
99
that they might be well grounded in the faith; and
for the encouragement of the Gentile converts, ac-
quaints them with the Christian privileges to which
they were entitled. And here,
I. After saluting the Ephesians with an acknow-
ledgment of their faith (chap. i. 1, 2), the apostle
testities his thankfulness to God for his distinguish-
ing love and favour to them, in calling them to be
partakers of the blessings of the gospel, in conse-
quence of his eternal purpose to glorify his grace in
their sanctification and salvation, through the blood
of his Son and the communion of his Spirit.-Ver.
3--14.
II. He assures them of the fervency of his prayers
for them, that they might have a clearer knowledge
of the great objects of their hope and expectation;
and from an experimental sense of the exceeding
greatness of the power of God, might have a fixed
regard to the supreme authority and dignity of
Christ, who by that power is raised from the dead,
and exalted to be head over all things to the church.
-Ver. 15, to the end.
III. To magnify the riches of divine grace, and to
affect them with a more grateful sense of their
obligations to it, the apostle leads them to reflect
upon that wretched state of moral death in which the
gospel found them; and shows them, it was owing
to the rich mercy and the great love of God, that they
were raised in Christ from death to life, and in the
whole of their salvation it was evident, that they
were saved by grace, and not by works, or any
righteousness of their own.-Chap. ii. 1-10.
IV. He represents the happy change that was thus
made in their condition; that they who once were
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and afar off
from God, were now received into his church, and
had an equal right to all the privileges of it with the
Jewish converts; the middle wall of partition having
100
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
been broken down by Christ in favour of the believ.
ing Gentiles, who being reconciled to God were no
more strangers, as they had been formerly, but
were united in one body under Christ the common
head of all believers, and being animated by one
Spirit, and built upon the same foundation, were
made an holy temple in the Lord.-Ver. 11, to the
end.
V. To encourage and confirm the Gentile con-
verts in their adherence to the gospel, and recom-
mend it more to their regard, the apostle in the
strongest terms expresses the sense he had of the
divine goodness in appointing him to be the apostle of
the Gentiles, and authorising him to preach among
them the unsearchable riches of Christ; and declares
how great an honour he esteemed it, to be employed
in making known the calling of the Gentiles to be
joint-heirs with the Jews in all the blessings of the
Messiah's kingdom, though he had suffered greatly
for it, and was now in bonds on this account.--
Chap. iii. 1-12. And then,
VI. He entreats them not to be discouraged at
the sufferings he underwent for his regard to the
Gentiles, but rather to consider it as an honour to
them, that in the steadfastness with which he suf-
fered, they had such a confirmation of the truth of
his doctrine, and of the sincerity of his concern for
their spiritual advantage ; in proof of which he
closes this part of his epistle, with a most affection-
ate and earnest prayer for their establishment in
the Christian fuith, and their advancement in the
knowledge and experience of the love of Christ, of
which he speaks in the most lofty and exalted
terms as far surpassing all conception, concluding
in the warmth of his devotion with a grand and
suitable doxology.--Ver. 13, to the end. And now,
The other part of this epistle, which is practical,
contained in the thi cc remuining chapters: in which
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
101
the apostle gives them several weighty exhortations
and advices, for the direction of their lives and
manners, that they might be regular in their prac-
tice; and tells them of the Christian duties that were
required of them, to which the consideration of
their privileges should engage them, pointing out to
them the means and motives that were proper to
promote the observance of them, and urging the
great care and caution they should use, to behave
suitably to the profession which they made, and to
the character they bore. And here,
I. The apostle, from the consideration of his
own sufferings, as well as of the many important
respects in which all true Christians are united,
after a general exhortation to them to walk worthy
of the excellency of their calling, particularly urges
them to mutual forbearance and unity of spirit, as
being joined together in one church, and called to
partake of the same privileges in Christ, without
distinction either of Jew or Gentile: and as a power-
ful inducement to their cultivating such a disposi-
tion, he represents the glorious foundation which
Christ as the great head of the church has laid for it,
in the variety of gifts and graces he has bestowed,
and in the sacred offices he has appointed ; which
being all derived from the same Spirit, and designed
for the same end, were all to be employed for the
advancement of his interest and kingdom, and for
the better edification of the whole church, till in the
unity of the faith they should grow up into one per-
fect body under Christ their head; and so must have
a tendency to promote their present union, and to
inspire them with the most endearing affection to
each other.-Chap. iv. 1-16.
II. He presses them, as having learned Christ,
and been enlightened by the gospel, to show the
difference there was between them and the uncon-
verted Gentiles, by an unspotted purity and holiness
102
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
of behaviour, and not to walk like those from whom
they were so happily distinguished by knowledge
and grace; and cautions them in particular against
lying, excess of anger, and stealing, and that cor-
rupt communication, to which the heathens were no-
toriously addicted, but which were inconsistent
with the character of Christians, and grievous to
the Holy Spirit.--Ver. 17-30.
III. He further cautions them against all malice,
and urges them to mutual love and readiness to for-
give, in consideration of the divine compassions
manifested in the gospel : and then pursues his
exhortations, to abstain from all inordinate desires,
and from all manner of uncleanness and immodesty,
as well in words as actions; in which, however they
had shamefully indulged themselves in the darkness
of heathenism, the light of Christianity displayed
them in such odious colours, as plainly showed
them to be unbecoming their profession, and no
way reconcilable with the obligation they were
under to walk as children of the light. -Ver. 31, to
the end; and chap. v. 1-14.
IV. He recommends it to them, in consideration
of their character and circumstances, to be prudent
and circumspect in their whole conversation, as those
who were instructed in the will of God; and not to
seek for pleasure in a dissolute excess, but, guarding
against all intemperance, to make it the delightful
business of their lives, to express their gratitude to
God, under the influences of his Spirit, by praising
him for all his mercies in pious and devout thanks-
givings: and while they were thus careful of their
duty to God, he also urges them not to be negligent
of the duties which they owed to one another as
members of society, but to behave with due sub-
mission to each other in their several stations.Ver.
15_21. And then,
V. Having hinted at the relative duties of society
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
103
in general, he descends to particulars, and be-
ginning with the duties of husbands and wives, he
recommends it to husbands to love their wives, in
imitation of the love which Christ bears to the
church, and presses upon wives the correspondent
duty of conjugal subjection, in imitation of the sub-
jection which the church pays to Christ the head of
it (ver. 22, to the end): from whence he passes on
to the mutual duties of children and parents, and of
servants and masters, giving suitable admonitions to
each, and adding proper arguments to enforce them.
-Chap. vi. 1-9. And after this, for a conclusion
of the whole,
VI. He gives a general exhortation to them all,
of whatever condition or relation in life, to prepare
for a strenuous combat with their spiritual enemies,
by putting on the whole armour of God, and living
in the exercise of those Christian graces that were
necessary for their defence and safety: and having
among other things exhorted them to fervency in
prayer, he particularly recommends himself to their
remembrance at the throne of grace, that he might
carry on the important work in which he was
engaged with freedom and fidelity, whatever he
might suffer for it; and leaving it to Tychicus (by
whom he sent this epistle), more fully to inform
them of every circumstance relating to him, he
closes his epistle with an apostolical benediction, not
only to themselves, but to all that love the Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity.-Ver. 10, to the end.
.
SECTION I.
The apostle Paul begins the epistle with testifying in the strongest terms his
joy, that the believing Ephesians were called to the participation of Chris-
tian privileges, in consequence of God's eternal purpose of glorifying his
grace in their sanctification and salvation, through the blood of his Son,
and the communication of his Spirit. Eph. i. 1-11.
Epu. l. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faith-
1044
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CHRISTIAN
Eph. 1. 2. ful in Christ Jesus :-Grace be to you, and peace,
from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
i Paul who hath the honour to be an apostle of
the Lord Jesus Christ, sent forth with a special
commission from him to publish his gospel and
attest his resurrection to the world, and set apart
to this important office by the sovereign and gracious
will of God, who hath interposed in so extraordi-
nary a manner to form him for it and to employ
him in it, addresseth this epistle to the saints who
are at Ephesus, even to the faithful in Christ Jesus,
who believe in him as the only Saviour, and in
consequence of their persuasion of the truth of his
gospel are solemnly and truly devoted to the service
of God. This is the character in which he looks
upon you, and with the most affectionate concern
and value for you, it is his ardent wish and most
sincere and hearty prayer, that the richest abund-
ance of divine - grace and favour may [be] com-
municated to you, with all the happiness and peace
attending it, from God our Father, who is the great
original of all desirable blessings, and ( from] the
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom they flow down
to us sinful creatures.
Eph. 1. 3. -Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual bles-
sings in heavenly places in Christ.
At the first turning of my thoughts towards you
as converts to the gospel, when I set myself to
think of the happy state into which you are brought,
as true believers in the Son of God, by this glorious
dispensation of divine grace, with whatever per-
sonal sorrows and afflictions I may be pressed, I
cannot forbear bursting out into songs of praise.
Join with me therefore, my dear Christian brethren,
and let us all say from our hearts, 3blessed [be] the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
PRIVILEGES OF THE EPHESIANS.
105
now through him become our God and Father, and
hath blessed us, even all that are partakers of his
grace, whether Jews or Gentiles, with every spiritual
blessing in heavenly [things) in Christ, having gra-
ciously bestowed upon us, in him, and for his
sake, by the operation of his Holy Spirit, what-
ever may conduce to the happiness of our souls
now, whatever may prepare them for eternal glory,
and may seal to us the joyful hope and expectation
of it.
Eph. 1. 4. --According as he hath chosen us in him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
5. without blame before him in love :-Having pre-
destinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of
his will
Now this is all to be considered, not as what we
can pretend to have deserved, but as the result of
his free grace, and the accomplishment of his
eternal purpose of love concerning us, *according
as he hath chosen us in him, even in his well-beloved
Son, before the foundation of the world was laid ;
always intending, that we should be in all respects
holy and unblamable before him, and especially that
we should walk in love, that by the exercise of this
sacred affection to God and each other, we might
be preserved from the evils which abound in the
world, and animated to the most worthy, honour-
able, and useful behaviour. To this we know God
hath appointed us: let us therefore, in proportion
to the degree in which we find this temper prevail-
ing in us, look back with delight to those gracious
purposes which the blessed God formed in his own
all-comprehending mind concerning us long before
we had a being; and let us contemplate and rejoice
in him, as Shaving predestinated us to the adoption
of children, and fore-ordained us to be received into
his family by Jesus Christ, in whom he has chosen
VOL. V.
P
106
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CHRISTIAN
us for a peculiar people. unto himself, and thereby
entitled us, not only to the most valuable privileges
by which his church on earth is distinguished, but
to an inheritance of eternal glory. And surely
when we compare so happy a state and hope with
our own temper, character, and deserts, we must
acknowledge our appointment to it to have been
according to the good pleasure of his will, and ascribe
it entirely to the overflowings of his mercy.
Eph. 1. 6. —To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein
7. he hath made us accepted in the beloved.-In whom
we have redemption through his blood, the forgive-
ness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom
and prudence.
May we therefore ever acknowledge it to the
praise of his glorious grace, which we can never
sufficiently admire, and which the whole world
should concur to magnify and adore ; even that
grace, wherein he hath made us accepted, and hath
regarded us as the object of his favour and com-
placency, in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his first and
best beloved Son; through whom, though in our-
selves we are so unworthy of it, we have received
the adoption; and ?in whom we have redemption
from the power of sin, the tyranny of Satan, and
the final wrath and displeasure of God, through the
pouring forth of his blood upon the cross, when he
undertook the great and awful work of making an
atonement for us by the sacrifice of himself: for by
this precious stream it is, as flowing from his
wounded side, the full and free remission of all our
most numerous and aggravated sins is happily con-
veyed unto us on our believing in him, according
to the inexhaustible riches of his grace, which
reaches even beyond the extent of all our most
heinous transgressions, and where our guilt had
risen to the most fearful height, bath its superior
PRIVILEGES OF THE EPIIESIANS.
107
triumphs. In the display of which grace, we must
also acknowledge, that he hath abounded towards us
in all wisdom and prudence; having with infinite
wisdom contrived a way to glorify all his attributes
in the salvation of men, even those which seemed
to have the most different claims, dispensing mercy
in a way of judgment, and awakening a humble
awe and reverence in the soul, by the very method
which is used for granting pardon and peace.
Enh. 1. 9. --Having made known unto us the mystery of his
will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
10. purposed in himself :—That in the dispensation of
the fulness of times he might gather together in one
all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
11. which are on earth; even in him :-In whom also
we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all
12. things after the counsel of his own will :—That we
should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted
in Christ.
All these admirable and gracious purposes hath
God been pleased to unite, and to discover in the
way of our salvation ; having made known unto us
by the revelation of that gospel, of which I have
the honour and happiness of being an apostle, the
long-concealed mystery of his will, according to his
own sovereign good pleasure and free grace, which
he had before purposed in himself, even the important
design of gathering to himself, out of all nations,
Jews and Gentiles, one holy and glorious church.
This was his grand design, which all his other dis-
pensations of providence and grace in former ages
were intended more properly to introduce; 10 that
in the economy of the fulness of the times, or when
that time was fully come, which he in his wise ap-
pointment and distribution of things, had judged
most suitable and eligible, he might re-unite under
one head all things in Christ, whom he hath consti-
tuted sovereign of angels and men, and of all his
103
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CHRISTIAN
dominions and subjects, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth, that for his glory, and the
good of the whole society, he should with supreme
authority preside over all. And thus in Christ
hath he united all things, [even] in him, who is
the head of all : in whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, and the hope of complete and everlast-
ing felicity; having been graciously predestinated to
it according to the purpose of him, who by an effica-
cious, though gentle and often imperceptible in-
fluence, worketh all things agreeably to the counsel of
his own will; and having formed all his schemes
with infinite wisdom, takes the most sure and suit-
able means to execute them, and to subdue in the
minds of men, as he has subdued in mine, the
strongest prejudices against them. And not I alone,
but all who of Jews are become believers in Christ,
must acknowledge this to have been the case, and
must consider it as laying us under the highest
obligations, that we should be entirely devoted to
the praise of his glory, and to the purposes of his
service for ever ; even we, who first trusted in the
power and promise of Christ for salvation, and
many of us ventured our souls upon him, when his
name was unknown to the Gentile nations, and to
most of our own countrymen was the object of con-
tempt and abhorrence.
Eph. 1. 13. -In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation : in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that
14, holy Spirit of promise.- Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The powerful efficacy of the same grace hath
likewise been displayed in you, and hath given you
a title to the same inheritance in Christ; 13 in whom
ye also, who were once sinners of the Gentiles, e
ye Ephesians, who were particularly devoted to
PRIVILEGES OF THE EPHESIA.SS.
109
idolatry and superstition (compare Acts xix. 19, 35),
to a degree which distinguished you from many of
your heathen neighbours, (trusted] and believed as
we had done, when ye heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation, which brings the good
tidings of salvation to you as well as others, and
gives the most convincing demonstration of your
being called to share in all the blessings that are
bestowed in Christ : in whom also, having believed
and made profession of your faith, ye were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise, descending upon
you, not only in miraculous gifts, but in its sanc-
tifying graces, to attest that you belong to the
family of God, and are heirs of the promises made
to Abraham and his seed. I speak of that blessed
and gracious Spirit, 1+who is the earnest of our in-
heritance, in whom you have a certain pledge and
token of your being by special adoption entitled to
it, to encourage and animate you under all the
difficulties of your way, while you continue waiting
till you receive the complete redemption of the
people he hath so dearly purchased for his possession:
to them he hath promised everlasting life and hap-
piness, and he will certainly bestow it upon them
in the day of his final appearance, which will at
length open with a lustre that shall fully repay so
long an expectation, and will abundantly conduce
to the praise of his glory, or to the illustration of
that wisdom and love, which hath wrought in every
previous dispensation, to lead on by the properest
degrees towards that most illustrious one which
was to close the whole.
IMPROVEMENT,
Are we not by divine grace and mercy partakers
of those blessings, which Paul here celebrates with
80 much delight and in the review of which, fa-
|
110
PRIVILEGES OF THE EPHESIANS.
miliar as they were to his thoughts and discourses,
he breaks forth as it were into a rapturous anthern
in the very beginning of this epistle, as he likewise
does in so many others ? Ought not our hearts to
be as warm in such devout acknowledgments ?
Are spiritual blessings in heavenly things or places in
Christ Jesus less valuable now, than they were
seventeen hundred years ago ?3 Are not the necessi-
ties of our souls the same? Is not their immortality
the same? Let us then join with the most grateful
sentiments in the acclamation; and in proportion
to the degree in which we feel the importance of
what God hath already done, and is doing for our
souls, let us go back with unutterable pleasure to
the gracious purpose which he was pleased to form
in his own compassionate breast, when he chose us
in Christ before the foundation of the world, when
he predestinated us through him to the adoption of
children. Let us acknowledge the freedom of his
grace in it, that we are thus predestinated according
to the purpose of him, who with proper regard to the
nature of his intelligent and free creatures, worketh
all things agreeably to the good pleasure of his will, "1
and maketh us accepted in the beloved, that we may
be to the praise of the glory of his grace.
Let these united displays of wisdom and love affect
our hearts; for he hath indeed abounded towards us
in all wisdom and prudence. 8 And let that holiness,
which mingles its glories in the whole scheme, be
also remembered. Let it never be forgotten, that
we are predestinated to be holy, and without blame
before him in love, that we might attain to that
blameless temper which love alone can inspire and
support.
For this purpose the mystery of his will is made
known to us, and that grand illustrious plan is dis-
played, which is so well worthy of all the perfec-
tions of a God; even his design to gather together
PAUL'S PRAYER POR THE EPHESIANS. 111
in one all things in Christ, to unite all good and
happy spirits under him as the common head, and
to make him the bond of their eternal union to God,
and to each other.10 What are we sinful creatures,
that we should be received into such an association ?
Let us never forget it on earth, as we shall for ever
commemorate it in heaven, that it is through his
Blood that we have redemption;' eternal redemption,
which he who has begun the happy work, will
certainly complete, in favour of those whom he
hath purchased to be an everlasting possession unto
himself.14
In the mean time, may his Spirit be given us,
as the seal of the promises, and the earnest of our
inheritance ! 15 And by more abundant communica-
tions of his sanctifying influences, may he raise our
souls to a blessed anticipation of those enjoyments,
which will endure for ever, and will be for ever
new and delightful.
SECTION 11.
The apostle assures the Ephesians of the ferrency with which he was offering
his prayers 10 GOD on their cccount, that they might have still higher and
worlhier conceptions of the gospel, and of its glorious cuthor, as ruised
from the dead, and eralted to supreme dominion in the heavenly world.
Eph. i. 15, to the end.
Eph. 1. 15. WHEREFORE I also, after I heard of your faith in the
16. Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,--Cease not
to give thanks for you, making mention of you in
my prayers.
I HAVE mentioned the invaluable blessings, of
which as Christians we have the privilege to be
partakers, whether Jews or Gentiles; and 15 for this
cause, knowing the extensive views on which the
Christian church is formed, in the affectionate re-
membrance which I have of all the faithful I also
bear you on my heart, both in the praises and the
prayers which I offer up to God; having in this may
112
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS.
confinement heard of your steadfastness in the faith
you have in the Lord Jesus, whom we adore as our
common Saviour, and of the love you bear] to all
the saints, whether circumcised or uncircumcised :
On which account I cease not daily to give thanks
for you, that you are brought by divine grace into
this happy state, and am making mention of you
always in my prayers, which I am continually pre-
senting to heaven for my brethren in every place.
Eph. 1. 17. —That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
18. revelation in the knowledge of him :-The eyes of
your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of
his mighty power,
And it is my constant request for you,
17 that the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
also the Father of glory, of which he is eternally
and immutably possessed, from whom all glory
proceeds, and to whom it returns, would give you
more abundant supplies of the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation, to fill you with a more enlarged know-
ledge of his will, and animate you to the further
exercise of every grace in the acknowledgment of him.
And in particular, that by his influence and teach-
ing he 18 [would give you] to have the eyes of your
understanding enlightened still more and more; that
being thus illuminated, ye may know in a more
comprehensive manner than you now do, what is
the great and important hope of his calling, what
are the high conceptions you should have of that
excellent object which the gospel proposes to your
pursuit, and with that certainty and delight you
should look forward to it; and may discern more
fully, what are the inexpressible advantages, and
what the glorious riches and inestimable treasures of
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS.
13
his inheritance in the saints, which he distributes
with so liberal a hand among them in the blessings
of his grace at present, in consequence of having
adopted them to himself, and which hereafter they
shall possess in perfect happiness and glory, and
shall for ever enjoy with him and with each other;
19 and that you may be thus more thoroughly sen-
sible, what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power,
which he hath manifested in the operations of his
grace towards us who cordially believe his gospel,
according to the energy of the power of his might,
influencing our hearts in such a manner, as effec-
tually to conquer all our prejudices against Chris-
tianity, and against true religion in every form.
Eph. 1. 20. – Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in
21. the heavenly places,-Far above all principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name
that is named, not only in this world, but also in
22. that which is to come :-And hath put all things
under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
23. things to the church, -Which is his body, the ful-
ness of him that Gilleth all in all.
This is indeed a power, like that which is the
confirmation of our faith, as being the authentic
seal of the gospel, set to it by that energy,
he exerted in his Son Jesus Christ, when he lay a
cold and mangled corpse in the sepulchre, in raising
him from the dead, and thus declaring him to be
the Son of God with power (Rom. i. 4); and by
which too he seated [him] at his own right hand in
heavenly (places], in the possession of the highest
dignity and glory; having exalted him a far above
all the ranks in the angelic world, even above
every principality, and power, and might, and do-
minion, however they are distinguished in the
celestial hierarchy, and above every name, how
honourable soever, that is named, or had in any
account, not only in this world, but also in that which
20 which
VOL. V.
114
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS.
is to come; so that there never has been, and never
shall be, among all the inhabitants of heaven or
earth, any one so dear and excellent, so high and
honourable in the sight of God as he is. And it
is delightful to pursue the meditation ; reflecting
further, that the divine power hath not only in-
vested our ascended Saviour with supreme dignity,
but likewise with universal authority;
22 and hath
subjected all things whatsoever under his feet, that
he may over-rule and manage them as he will, and
given [him] to be supreme head over all things to the
church, for its protection, benefit and advantage :
even that church, 23 which is his body, and which as
such is ever dear and precious to him, and being
made complete in him, is regarded as the fulness of
him, who filleth all persons in all places with all
kind of good things which they possess, and yet
delights in this as his chosen dwelling, even as a
holy temple which he hath consecrated to himself.
IMPROVEMENT.
Faith in Christ, and love to all the saints,' are
here with great propriety put by the apostle for the
whole of a Christian temper. May they be more
apparent and operative, in all who call themselves
by the Christian name! Even a firm and active
faith, a warm and unbounded love, which shall
forget every thing that would alienate our hearts
from our brethren; and only remember, that they
are saints, consecrated to God, and sanctified by
him ; that they are believers in Christ Jesus, and
therefore one with him, who is our head, 22 and our
all; whose love hath given to us, and to them, what-
ever is lovely in either; who will save the whole
body, and make it so happy together, that the very
thought of that happiness should cause our hearts
to overflow with every benevolent affection, as well
PAUL'S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS.
115
as with perpetual gratitude to our divine deliverer,
who is the source of it.
Let us learn by this excellent and pathetic prayer
of the apostle, what are the most important petitions
we can offer for ourselves and our Christian friends.
Surely this must be numbered among them, that
the eyes of our understandings may be enlightened more
and more, that so we may more clearly and affec-
tionately know, what is the great and glorious hope
which our Christian calling sets before us. Alas,
as yet we knou, but little of it! but little of that
great and glorious inheritance which God will divide
among his saints, 18
his saints, 18 and in the enjoyment of which
he will for ever uniie them all. But adored be his
grace, if we so know it, as deliberately to make
choice of it; as to give up every interest and hope
inconsistent with it, and determinately to say, This
is our rest, we have desired it.-Psa. cxxxii. 14.
He who hath wrought us to the self-same thing, is
God.—2 Cor. v. 5. It is indeed an exertion of a
divine power, that quickened these dead souls of ours;
the same, that quickened the dead body of our Re-
deemer, quickened, exalted, and glorified him. 19 20
Let our souls, like that of the apostle, presently take
the hint, and soar upward, as with an eagle's, or
rather an angel's wing ; soar to those glorious
abodes, where he sits at the right hand of God, far
above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named.21 There
he reigns, not only as the Sovereign guardian of
the universe, but in the more endearing character
of the head of the church; bearing the same tender
affection to it, exerting the same care over it, as
the head over the members ; calling the church, nar-
row as its boundaries seem, his fulness, though he
fills all in all. 22 23
Blessed Lord! Fill our souls more and more
with all the graces of thy Spirit, and extend the
116
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
i
boundaries of the church all abroad! Unite us in
these dearest bonds; and give us always to act
worthy of that honour, which thou conferrest upon
us, when thou callest us thy body, thy flesh, and
thy bones!”-Eph. v. 30.
SECTION III.
Further to excite the gratitude of the Ephesians, the apostle leads them back
to that stale of morul death in which the gospel found them, and reminds
them how entirely they were saved by divine grace. Eph. ii. 1-10.
Ern. 2. 1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in
2. trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye
walked according to the course of this world, ac-
cording to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobe-
dience.
UNSPEAKABLE, my brethren, is the happiness
of the body of Christ, which I have just been
mentioning, the happiness of all who are related to
him as their glorious head : "and through divine
grace, this happiness is yours; for you, though
once sinners of the Gentiles, [hath he] who raised
up Christ from the dead (quickened] and raised to
life, by the effectual working of that mighty power
which I have shown you to have been wrought in
Christ; even you, who will (as I persuade myself)
most readily acknowledge, that you long were dead in
trespasses and sins, incapable of any sensations and
actions arising from that spiritual and divine life to
which his grace has now awakened you, and liable,
as the just desert and consequence of your sins, to
a sentence of eternal death. Such, it is manifest,
was your wretched state, while you continued in
the paths of vanity and guilt, zin which ye formerly
walked with pleasure, according to the course and
manners of this present world, in a conformity to
the common usage of the age in which you live,
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
117
and to the fashionable enormities of your heathen
neighbours; a course so detestably evil, that I may
properly say of it, that it was just according to the
desire, instigation, and will of the prince of the
power of the air, that wicked spirit who commands
the legions of fallen angels, that by divine permis-
sion range in the air, and fly from place to place in
pursuit of their pernicious purpose of corrupting
and destroying mankind. I say it again, your
course was formerly according to the dictates and
suggestions of that cursed and malignant Spirit,
who hy his influence on the hearts of men has in
effect the management, however unseen and un-
apprehended, of the Spirit that now operates power-
fully in the children of disobedience, and prejudices
their darkened minds against admitting the evidence
and authority of the gospel.
.
Eph. 2. 3. ---Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the de-
sires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Amongst whom also we all had formerly, at least in
some degree, our course of life and conversation,
whatever our education or religious profession
might have been ; walking in many instances in the
unbridled lusts of our flesh, to the base appetites of
which we were enslaved, so as to forget the true
dignity and happiness of a rational and immortal
spirit. Thus we went on, fulfilling the dictates of
the flesh, and of the inordinate passions of the car-
nal mind, as if we had been altogether destitute of
any superior power to control them; and howso-
ever we might pride ourselves in any distinction of
birth, or separation by peculiar privileges from the
rest of the world, we were indeed by nature, and
according to the bias we were naturally under, the
children of wrath, and heirs of the curse denounced
on sin, even as others round us are: we too, as well
3
118
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
as they, were born in sin, and in consequence of
that innate corruption were early plunged in actual
transgressions, and so brought under a sentence of
death and destruction, by that law which every
soul of us had in various instances violated.
Eph. 2. 4. —But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love
5. wherewith he loved us,-Even when we were dead
in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
6. grace ye are saved ;)—And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus.
This was the common calamity, in which we
were all involved : 4 but the blessed God being rich
in mercy, and finding the motives of it in himself,
when there was nothing in us but misery to move
him to it, according to his great and free love where-
with he hath loved us, hath been pleased to look
upon us with pity, and to contrive a most astonish-
ing and effectual way for our recovery from this
deplorable state: and in prosecution of it, 5even
when we were, as I had before observed, dead in
trespasses and sins, he hath quickened and enlivened
us together with Christ, having constituted by his
grace
such a near relation between us, that his re-
newed life should be the source of ours : for it is
by that grace, which is bestowed in him, that ye
are saved, and made partakers of these invaluable
privileges. And in consequence of this I may
further say, that he hath raised [us] up together in
him, as our head and representative; and by ad.
mitting him into heaven as a forerunner, to take
possession of those glorious mansions for us, he
hath made [us] sit together in those heavenly (places]
to which he is exalted, and into which we also may
be said to be admitted in Christ Jesus: for by means
of that relation between him and us which divine
grace hath established, we may look upon his re-
surrection and exaltation to the right hand of GOD,
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
119
..
as the certain pledge and security of ours; and re-
garding him under the character of a public person,
who is thus raised and exalted in our name, we
may be said to share in those felicities and dignities
which are conferred on him.
Eph. 2. 7. --That in the ages to come he might shew the ex-
ceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us
8. through Christ Jesus.-For by grace are ye saved
through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the
gift of God.
And this God hath done, that he might show in
the ages to come under the dispensation of the
gospel, and might display to all succeeding gene-
rations, the exceeding riches of his free and un-
merited
grace, as manifested both to Jews and
Gentiles in Chis] kindness towards us in Christ Jesus;
for we have received it all by him, and are partakers
of it as connected with him, whom God hath ap-
pointed a head and Saviour to us, and taught us to
regard him as our great representative. I repeat it
again and again, that I may properly inculcate a
doctrine of so great importance ; $for I would never
have any of you forget, that it is by this free grace,
which I have so frequently celebrated, and would
for ever celebrate, that ye are brought into the
happy number of the saved ones, and are delivered
from that ruin into which sin had plunged you,
and raised to these glorious hopes of eternal felicity;
which inestimable privileges we receive through such
a cordial faith in Christ, as is productive of un-
feigned love and obedience: and the grace of God
appears, not only in constituting this method of
salvation through faith, but also in producing this
great and divine principle in our souls ; for this
very faith is not of yourselves, it is not of your own
production, there being such a natural averseness
to it in the heart, as that we neither can be said
to have wrought it, nor is any praise resulting from
120
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
it, or any excellence in it, to be ultimately ascribed
to us ; but [it is] really the gift of God, who by the
gracious influence of his Spirit fixes our attention
to the great objects of it, subdues our prejudices
against it, awakens holy affections in our souls, and
on the whole, enables us to believe, and to perse-
vere in believing, till we receive the great end of
our faith in the complete salvation of our souls.
Eph. 2. 9. —Not of works, lest any man should boast.-
10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.
And God hath appointed, that salvation should
be thus obtained, by that faith which he produces
in the heart, and 'not by works of the Mosaic law,
or any other obedience of our own, lest any one
should boast, as if he had by his own righteousness
obtained salvation, and so should ascribe the glory
of it to himself, rather than to God. But it cannot
be so now ; for as all acts of acceptable obedience
proceed from faith, and this faith is wrought in our
hearts by the gracious influence of the divine Spirit,
it is most evident, that we are to acknowledge our-
selves to be his workmanship, so far as there is any
thing in us agreeable to the nature and will of God;
being created in Christ Jesus unto good works, and
made able, not only to perform them, but to delight
in them; even those works of evangelical obedi-
ence, to the performance of which (though we ob-
tain the forgiveness of our sins previous to our
performing them, on our accepting Christ and be-
lieving the grace of the gospel), God hath before
prepared [us] by the influences of his Spirit; hav-
ing fore-ordained and appointed in his eternal
counsels, and in the declarations of his word, that
we should diligently and constantly walk in them, as
ever we would approve ourselves his people, and
stand entitled to the promised blessings of the
SALVATION WHOLLY OF GRACE.
121
IMPROVEMENT.
the character of the ,
future state, which indeed we can no otherwise in
the nature of things be prepared to receive.
Let us behold with a becoming attention, and
with all those emotions of heart which an attentive
review of it is capable of exciting, the amazing
diversity of these states as represented by the apostle;
and remember that they are states, in the one or
the other of which we all are. We see, what
nature and the first Adam have made us; and we
see, what grace and an interest in the second would
make us.
Daily observation, and in too many instances, our
own experience may have convinced us, that it is
in trespasses and sins. It shows us, that to walk
according to the general course of this apostate world,
is to walk according to the prince of the power of the
air ;? who, when he is most set on our ruin, is most
importunate in persuading us to fulfil the desires of
the flesh and of the mind.
Still
, alas ! till the gospel reaches and renews
the heart, doth the same evil spirit, by means of
the corrupt and vicious spirit dwelling in them,
work in the children of disobedience and wrath, in
which number we must acknowledge ourselves by
nature to have been. But, blessed be God, that
grace has its superior triumph over depraved nature;
and where sin hath abounded, grace doth much more
abound.-Rom. v. 20.
The mercy of God is rich, and his love is great;*
and his powerful grace, to which we must ascribe
all our hope of salvation, hath quickened us when
we were dead in sins, and hath enlivened us with
Christ, to whom by faith we are united, and so in-
corporated with him, that in consequence of it we
VOL. V.
R
122
HAPPY CONDITION OF
may not only consider his resurrection and ascension
to glory as an emblem, but in some degree as an
anticipation of our own, and may think and speak
of ourselves, as raised, and exalted, and glorified
with him.5 6
O how blessed and joyful a view is this ! and
how powerfully ought it to operate upon us, to
elevate our minds above this low world, and to
animate us to every great and generous sentiment
and pursuit! Surely this most illustrate, if any
thing can do it, the riches and freedom of that grace,
by which we are saved, and must engage the genera-
tions to come to celebrate his exceeding kindness
towards us. Let all boasting in ourselves therefore
be entirely given up: let salvation by faith be ac-
knowledged to be of grace; and that faith itself be
acknowledged as the gift of God,8 9 whose workman-
ship we are, and by whom we are created to that
noble and only acceptable principle of good works.10
Let not this grace be received in vain; but let us
answer the purposes of this new nature and new life
which God hath graciously given us, and show forth
the praises of him from whom it it is derived, and
in whom, in a spiritual as well as a natural sense,
we live, and move, and exist.
7
SECTION IV.
The apostle further pursues the argument begun in the last section, repre.
senting the happy state into which they were now brought, as united 10
the church of God, and partakers of all its privileges; the middle wall of
partition being now removed, in favour of believing Gentiles. Eph. ii. 11,
to the end.
Eph. 2. 11. WHEREFORE remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision
by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh
12. made by hands ;-—That at that time ye were without
Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world.
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
123
You have heard of the glorious privileges to
which as Christians you are exalted, out of that
wretched state of moral death in which the gospel
found you: " wherefore let me seriously urge it
upon you, that you would always remember and
bear it in mind, how happy a change God hath
been pleased by his sovereign grace to make in
your state, and would consider what you now are
in comparison with what you formerly were. O let
it never be forgotten, that ye (were] formerly ignor-
ant, vicious, and idolatrous Gentiles, and in a state
wherein the flesh was continually leading you cap-
tive, and drawing you to gratify and fulfil its lusts;
who being thus abandoned to your own ways, with-
out any sign or token of an interest in GOD, [were]
called by way of contempt the uncircumcision, un-
circumcised abominable sinners, by that body of
men which is called the circumcision, on account of
their having received that rite, which is performed
with hands and imprints a mark in the flesh, of which
as you were destitute, they who had received and
glorified in it, avoided you as unclean. But I am
sensible, your chief misery did not consist in the
want of that ceremony, which can by no means
avail to the salvation of the soul, or render it, while
the heart continues uncircumcised, in any degree
acceptable to God: your wretchedness was (and
see that you remember it with the greatest humility,
and with the most affecting sense of the acknow-
ledgments you owe to that free grace which has
delivered you from that deplorable condition), that
you were at that time, while you were unregenerate
Gentiles, without any knowledge of Christ, or any
interest in him, and thus were destitute of all those
blessings which he brings to his believing and
obedient people ; and indeed were without any
expectations of the Messiah, and had not those
advantages for enquiring after him and embracing
124
HAPPY CONDITION OF
him, which the Jews had by virtue of their pro-
phecies, and of the various means ordained to point
him out: ye were then aliens from the commonwealth
of Israel, and had no part in any of the favours
granted to them, no claim to their peculiar privi-
leges, nor any right of citizenship with them; not
so much as knowing that polity which God had
established among his own chosen people, in order
to direct their views to the gospel, and to prepare
them for the reception of it: and having no com-
munion with the church, ye were then unacquainted
with the divine engagements to it, and strangers to
the covenants of promise, not having any knowledg
of the covenant made with Israel by Moses, or of
those better promises, on which the covenant with
Abraham was established, and assurance given of
the Messiah's coming, and of eternal life through
him: so that in consequence of this, ye were then
wholly taken up in the pursuit of earthly things,
without any prospect of good things to come, hav-
ing no well-grounded hope with regard to a future
state, no hope of spiritual and eternal blessings,
about which, immersed as you were in the cares
and pleasures of this lower world, you had indeed
but very little thought: and though you had such
an infamous herd of imaginary deities, and were
so eager in the worship of them, and particularly
of your great goddess Diana, and of Jupiter, whose
daughter she was supposed to be (Acts xix. 35),
yet in reality ye were atheists in the world, for ye
lived and conversed in the world, ignorant of the
one living and true God, its great original and
support ; and worshipping only such as by nature
are no gods (Gal. iv. 8), ye had no conception of
any being that was truly worthy to be spoken of by
any divine title.
Eph. 2. 13. -But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were
14. far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
125
:
Eph. 2. 11. he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15. —Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the
law of commandments contained in ordinances; for
to make in himself of twain one new man, so mak-
16. ing peace ;-And that he might reconcile both unto
God in one body by the cross, having slain the
17. enmity thereby :-And came and preached peace to
you which were afar off, and to them that were
18. nigh.--For through him we both have access by one
Spirit unto the Father.
.
13 But let your hearts reflect with joy and thank-
fulness on that blessed change, which the divine
goodness hath now made in your condition, by
bringing you to faith in Christ Jesus; for having
cordially embraced him as exhibited in the gospel,
ye who were formerly afar off from God, and from
all the hopes and privileges of his people, are now
brought near to God and to each other, by the
atoning blood of Christ, whereby he hath expiated
your guilt, and made a free and honourable way
for your approach to God, and partaking in all the
benefits of his church. 1* For he is the procurer of
our peace, who hath reconciled us, whether Jews or
Gentiles, to God and to each other, and hath so
incorporated us into one church, that it may
properly be said, he hath made both one, as to an
interest in the favour of God. and in the privileges
of his people ; and that no difference might remain
between us, he hath thrown down the middle wall of
separation, which divided us from each other, as
the wall which runs between the court of the Gen-
tiles and that of Israel in the temple at Jerusalem,
divided the Gentile worshippers from the Jewish.
This happy union between us, the Lord Jesus
Christ hath accomplished, 15 having abolished by
those sufferings which he endured in his flesh, what
was the grand occasion of the enmity and mutual
alienation which had so long prevailed; [even] the
126
HAPPY CONDITION OF
law of positive commandments and ceremonies, con-
taineul] in the Mosaic ordinances, to which the Jews
were so much attached, and to the bondage of
which the Gentiles were so irreconcilably averse :
but this Christ hath now abrogated and taken out
of the way, that so he might form the two opposite
parties, by virtue of their union with each other in
himself, into one new man, uniting them together as
new creatures in one church, under a dispensation
very different from the former, in which they both
should equally partake of the same privileges ; [sO]
making an entire peace between them, and laying a
foundation, not only for peace, but for mutual
love, by removing the ground of those prejudices
they had entertained against each other, and join-
ing them in bonds of such tenderness as became
the members of one living body. 6 And that he
might complete this blessed work of making peace,
and reconcile them both, as thus united in one body,
and animated by one spirit, not merely unto one
another, but unto God, he hath took away the guilt
of sin, and made atonement for it by the blood of
his cross, removing by this means what was the
cause of enmity between God and them, as they
were all transgressors of his holy law; so that he
may be properly considered, on account of what he
suffered on the cross, as having slain the enmity by
it, as he hath thus made up the breach which sin
had made between God and his offending creatures,
by means of the atoning sacrifice of himself.-Com-
pare Col. i. 20.
17 And having procured this re-
conciliation by his death, he came to both, after his
resurrection and ascension, in the person of his
authorized ambassadors, to whom he hath com-
mitted the important trust of speaking in his name
and stead (2 Cor. v. 19, 20), and preached the glad
tidings of peace and reconciliation, to you that (were]
as Gentiles afar off from God, and to them also of
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
127
the Jewish nation that [were] of old regarded as a
people near unto him ; declaring the foundation he
has laid, not only for a sincere reciprocal affection,
but for all other most important benefits and bles-
sings. 18 For as the happy fruit and consequence
of the peace procured by him, as well for the be-
lieving Gentiles as the Jews, we both are introduced
into the divine presence, and have an equal title to
the liberty of a free access to GOD, as the common
Father of the whole family; and may draw near to
him with acceptance in the aids of one Spirit, under
whose gracious influences we are fitted for the sacred
pleasure of conversing with God, and filled with
all filial confidence towards him, and brotherly
affection to each other.-Rom. vii. 15.
Eph. 2. 19. – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and
20. of the household of God ;--And are built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
21. Christ himself being the chief corner stone ;-10
whom all the building fitly framed together groweth
22. unto an holy temple in the Lord :-In whom ye also
are builded together for an habitation of God through
the Spirit.
19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and
foreigners, like those who came from distant nations
to make a short abode among the Jews without a
share in any of their privileges, but fellow-citizens
with the saints, entitled to all their glorious immuni-
ties, and even the domestics of God, admitted to
dwell in his house, and to partake of the honours
and blessings of his family; 20 being built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, who in their
respective places, by their miraculous works and
predictions, as well as by their several ministrations,
have testified the kind regard of God to his people,
and made provision for the establishment of the
church : Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-
who holds the several parts together, and
128
HAPPY CONDITION OF
supports the whole stress of the edifice : 21 in whom
the whole building harmoniously cemented, in such a
manner as to add beauty, strength, and unity to
the whole, groweth by the continual accession of
new converts, and the advancing graces of those
already converted, into an holy temple in the Lord,
fitly consecrated to him, as being raised and sup-
ported by him. 22 In whom you also, my dear bre-
thren, believing in him as the great Lord of the
church, are built up together with all true believers,
for a habitation of God, who by the Spirit of his
grace takes up his residence among you, and pub-
licly owns his relation to you in consequence of
your union with his beloved Son.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let the apostle's remonstrance to these Ephesians
remind us of our obligations to the divine good-
ness, that we are not left in the sad state of our
heathen ancestors; that we are not without the know-
ledge of Christ, in all the darkness of the Gentile
world ; that we are not aliens from the commonwealth
of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise ;
that we are not destitute of any well-grounded
foundation of future hope, and without God in the
world. But how unhappy is the case of many,
who, though they are called Christians, yet have
no saving interest in that Redeemer whose name
they bear, in consequence of their being strangers
to the obedience of faith, and a vital subjection of
heart to his gospel! Let all that name the name of
Christ, all that profess to know him, acknowledge
with a view to his atoning sacrifice, that if they are
brought near to God, it is by his blood. To this we
owe the external privilege of a people nigh unto
God;13 and to the effectual application of it, we
TIIE CHURCH OF GOD.
129
14-16
owe the blessings of that nearness, which the heart
feels as the earnest of its eternal happiness.
If Christ, according to the principles of the
apostle's reasoning, hath made peace by the blood of
his cross, between Jews and Gentiles, whose manner
of living was so widely different from each other;
if he hath broken down the middle wall of partition
between them, and of two made one new man
how much more apparently reasonable is it, that
smaller differences should give way to the engage-
ments of so endearing a band! Have we not all one
Father? And have we not all access to him through
one Saviour, by one Spirit ?18 Let us then consider
ourselves, as fellow-citizens with the saints ; 19 and
maintain that most cordial affection to all of this
household, which becomes those that are of one
family, and are named from one Lord.
And as a great security of this union, let us be
concerned to maintain a due regard to the apostles
and prophets on whom we are built, whose writings,
if perused with diligence and attention, subserve so
much to the purposes of Christian edification. But
above all, let us fix our regards upon Christ, as the
chief corner-stone ; 20 by a union with whom, we are
united to each other, and the whole stress of our
eternal hopes is supported. In him the whole building
is fitly framed together; and it is by his operative
influence that it groweth up to a holy temple in the
Lord,21 Let us consider ourselves as designed for
this use, to be an habitation of God, through the
Spirit; 22 and be concerned to cultivate that purity
and sanctity, which suits so excellent a relation,
and so high a dignity. Let us lift up the everlasting
gates of our souls to admit that blessed inhabitant,
that he may come and dwell in us, and consecrate
us niore and more unto himself.
Vol. V.
S
130
PAUL ADMIRES THE GRACE OF GOD
SECTION V.
Furthes to recommend the gospel to the regard of these Gentile concerts, the
apostle strongly erpresses the sense he had of the divine goodness in som-
mitting it to his trust, though he was called to sacrifice his liberty in its
defonce. Eph. iii. 1-12.
Ery. 3. 1. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ
2. for you Gentiles,-(If ye have heard of the dis-
pensation of the grace of God which is given me to
3. you-ward.—How that by revelation he made known
unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ).
For this cause, and for my faithful testimony to
this glorious gospel, the plan of which is so ex-
tensive, so wise, and so benevolent, how little
soever it may suit the narrow minds of my bigoted
countrymen, I Paul [am] the prisoner of Jesus
Christ; being brought under this calamity, the loss
of my liberty, for the sake of you Gentiles, and in
consequence of that firm attachment which I am
known to have to your cause and interest. For
this I am persuaded you will consider as the occa-
sion of my bonds, 'since I well know you have heard
and are acquainted with the dispensation of the
adorable grace of God, which by his special favour
to myself, and those to whom I am the herald of
it, hath been given to me on your behalf; my zeal for
which has been the means of stirring up the malice
of the Jews against me: and I am confident you
cannot forget what you have often heard, 3 that to
prepare and furnish me for this important work to
which the Lord hath called me, he made known to
me by immediate revelation, and not by the instru-
mentality of any human testimony, the great mystery
which had so long been concealed ; as I have briefly
wrote before, and hinted more than once in this
epistle (chap. i. 9, 10, ü. 11, et seq.), in passages,
which, though they contain not a full illustration
of the matter, yet suggest some material hints with
IN CALLING HIM TO THE MINISTRY.
131
regard to it ; * by which when you read what I have
laid before you, and attentively consider and review
[it] you may observe and form some notion of my
understanding in the mystery of Christ, which so
many still remain ignorant of, and so many others
are unwilling to acknowledge and admit.
Eph. 3. 5. - Which ir other ages was not made known unto
the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto the holy
6. apostles and prophets by the Spirit ;-—That the
Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
hody, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the
gospel
This I with great propriety call a mystery, it
being a most astonishing and glorious system of
divine truth, 5 which in other preceding generations
was not made known to the sons of men; having
neither been discovered to the Gentiles, who were
wholly strangers to it, nor manifested under any
former dispensation to those whom God had taken
for his people, with any such perspicuity, as that
with which it is now revealed by the Spirit to his holy
apostles and prophets of the New Testament dis-
pensation, who have the word of wisdom and of
knowledge given to them.--1 Cor. xii. 8. And what
I chiefly have in view, as one very material part of
it, is this, that the Gentiles should be joint-heirs with
the Jews in spiritual privileges, and should be
members of the same body with them, and partakers
together of his promise in Christ; particularly of the
communication of the Holy Spirit, in token of their
sharing in all the other blessings of the Messiah's
kingdom, which the Jews have fondly imagined to
be peculiar to themselves, but which are now freely
proposed to the Gentile nations by the gospel, which
we are commissioned every where to preach.
Eph. 3. 7. —Wherefore I was made a minister, according to
the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the
8. effectual working of his power. -Unto me, who am
132
PAUL ADMIRES THE GRACE OF GOD
Epł. 3. 8. less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,
that I should preach among the Gentiles the un-
9. searchable riches of Christ ;—And to make all men
sce what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
10. God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To
the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the
ll. church the manifold wisdom of God,—According to
the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
12. Jesus our Lord :-In whom we have boldness and
access with confidence by the faith of him.
This is the gospel, ?of which I was made a minister,
not of my own motion or seeking, nor at all on ac-
count of any worthiness in me, but according to the
free gift of the grace of God, which in so extraordi-
nary and remarkable a manner was given to me,
calling me forth to the apostleship by the energy of
his power, which wrought so great a change in me
as to prepare and qualify me for that high and holy
office; to the purposes of which no man living can
be more averse, than I once was. And when I
think of this, I am covered with confusion, and
know not how to speak of myself in any terms of
sufficient abasement: for such was the astonish-
ing condescension of the great God, and such his
favour to a worthless creature, that sunto me, who
am so unworthy of the honour of being called an
apostle, that I am less than the least of all saints,
and look upon myself, on account of what I for-
merly was, as below the very meanest among them,
this grace was given, that I should be employed to
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ; which while I am endeavouring to trace
out in their particular contents, I am quite lost in
rapturous amazement, and all my most elevated
conceptions are swallowed up in that unfathomable
fulness which can never be exhausted. Yet to this
honourable and important office am I graciously
appointed, to enlighten and instruct as well the
IN CALLING HIM TO THE MINISTRY.
133
Gentiles as the Jews (Acts xxvi, 18), and to make
all men see, in some affecting measure and degree,
what [is] the happiness arising from the communica-
tion of the mystery of the calling of the Gentiles to
be joint-heirs with the Jews, which from eternal
ages was hid, being concealed in the secret counsels
of the ever-blessed and incomprehensible God, who
as he at first created all things by Jesus Christ, his
divine Son (John i. 3), hath new-created also all that
are in him by a lively faith, and by him raised them
to the prospect of complete holiness and happiness.
And this is now revealed and set in a new light,
after the more imperfect intimations of it that were
given before, that the manifold wisdom of God,
discovering itself in such a beautiful and well-
ordered variety of dispensations, inight now more
fully be made known, and be displayed in all its
brightness to the principalities and powers in heavenly
[places], even to all the various orders of angelic
beings, by means of what is done for the church,
which is the happy object of a love, that hath pro-
duced effects beyond what the spirits of heaven
could otherwise have conceived or apprehended ;
and in the contemplation of it they are furnished
with new motives, to adore that grace, which by
the manifestations of it to the church, displays new
glories, unparalleled in all the history of heaven,
in the surprising methods taken to complete the
number of its blessed inhabitants: all which
gracious operations proceed in perfect harmony
with the original plan, adjusted in the divine mind;
Maccording to the eternal purpose which he formed
before all ages in Christ Jesus our Lord, both to be
executed by him, and to terminate in him : which
as his well-beloved Son he was appointed to effect,
and all the benefits of which he has secured to be
communicated to the church; even that blessed
Mediator, 12 through whom we have freedom of speech
134
PAUL ADMIRES THE GRACE OF GOD
!
in our approaches to the throne of grace, and have
access with confidence of being heard, as being as-
sured of audience and acceptance by the faith of
him; in a reliance upon whom we may address our-
selves to God with the humble cheerful liberty of
children, whom he hath adopted into his family,
and united to himself in the dearest and most indis-
soluble bonds.
IMPROVEMENT.
4
6
St. Paul's understanding in the mystery of Christ,
is just matter of perpetual joy to the whole Christian
world, and especially to the Gentile churches, which
have derived from thence so much of their know-
ledge and of their hope. Let us congratulate our-
selves and each other, on the propagation of so
glorious a system of divine truth, which had so long
been concealed from ages and generations. The
apostles and prophets were raised up by God, to
receive and reveal it; and we are entered on the
blessed fruit of their labours.-- John iv. 38. Let us
learn from them, to set a due value on our partici-
pation in that inheritance, on our union to that body,
to which by the gospel we are called.
May it particularly teach us that humility, which
was so conspicuous, so amiable, so admirable
in St. Paul. This excellent man, this distin .
guished favourite of heaven, who stood in the fore-
most rank of Christians, of ministers, of apostles, yet
labours for words to express the sense he had of
his own meanness and unworthiness, and commits
a kind of solecism in language, that he might lay
himself as low as possible ; using the most diminu-
tive term that could be, to describe himself, as one
who in his own esteem was less than the least of all
saints !8 And shall we then exalt ourselves, and be
proud of the trifling distinctions, that raise our
obscure heads a little above some of our brethren?
IN CALLING HIM TO THE MINISTRY.
135
Let those in particular, who have the honour of
being called to the sacred office of the ministry,
consider how reasonable it is, that instead of being
puffed up with it, they should rather be humbled,
when they reflect how unworthy the best of men are
of it, and in how defective a manner the most faith-
ful discharge it; while yet the grace is given them,
to preach the riches of Christ, his unsearchable
riches. Let these be made the frequent subject of
their preaching; and let all the course of it be
directed, in a proper manner, to the illustration of
that subject. Let the well-chosen phrase which the
apostle uses here, teach them and all Christians, to
search more and more into this unfathomable
abyss; as still sure to discover new wonders in the
variety and fulness of its inexhaustible contents,
beyond what they have known before, and to
find new pleasures in tracing again those already
known.
This glorious theme is worthy of the contempla-
tion of angels; and we are elsewhere told, that
these celestial spirits desire to look into it (1 Peter i.
12), and to learn new displays of the divine attri-
butes from the church. Let us then hear and wor-
ship, as under their inspection;łº and let not our
hearts be cold to these sacred truths which are our
own salvation, while they rejoice in them only on
the general principles of piety and benevolence.
All that is done in the prosecution of the glorious
design of our redemption now, is the result of those
counsels of peace which God from eternal ages formed
in his own compassionate mind." To that source,
after the example of the apostle, let us frequently
trace all with the most exalted gratitude, recollect-
ing that we receive this adoption in Christ, who is
the great Mediator of our access unto God.12 Let
us therefore, on the one hand, take all our en-
couragements in prayer from views to him ; and on
136
EARNEST PRAYER FOR THE
the other, having such a foundation for it, let us
come with a holy boldness to the divine throne, that
so we may obtain the mercy and grace which we
daily and hourly need.
SECTION VI.
The apostle represents the earnestness with which he prayed for their establish-
ment in Christianily, as the best wish the most fervent affection could dic-
tale for them. Eph. iii. 13, 10 the end.
Eph. 3. 13. WHEREFORE I desire that ye faint not at my tribula-
tions for you, which is your glory.
Such and so great are the privileges, to which the
gospel raises us; 13 wherefore, as I have been the
happy instrument of bringing it among you, though
(as I said before, ver. 1) I am now a prisoner for
you Gentiles, yet I desire, my dear brethren, that
ye faint not, or be in any degree discouraged, at my
affliction for you, which when it is thoroughly con-
sidered upon what account I endure these sufferings,
must he acknowledged to be so far from any reason
to dishearten you, that it may rather serve for the
encouragement and confirmation of your faith, and
is indeed your glory : for it is really an honour that
God does you, in employing his faithful servant to
lay out his time and strength, and even to sacrifice
his liberty in your cause; and that courage and
cheerfulness in which God is pleased to support me
in the midst of all these hardships, shows his further
regard for you, and may justly be esteemed as in-
tended by him, not for my comfort only, but for an
additional honour to you.
Eph. 3. 14. -For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father
15. of our Lord Jesus Christ, --Of whom the whole
16. family in heaven and earth is named, - That he
would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit
17. in the inner man ;—That Christ may dwell in your
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EPHESIANS.
137
Epli. 3. 17. hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded
18. in love,--May be able to comprehend with all saints
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and
height.
14
* For this cause, that the great work in which I
am engaged may more successfully be carried on,
and that the purposes of these my sufferings may
be answered in your consolation and the divine
glory, while I am here in the retirements of my
prison, I am daily pouring out my soul to God on
your account, and with the most affectionate con-
cern for your establishment, I bend my knees to the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even of that great
and glorious Redeemer, 15 of whom the whole family,
both in heaven and on earth, is named, by whom
angels and men are incorporated into one society,
and as well those who are gone before to the pos-
session of the heavenly inheritance, as those who
are here on earth, receive a more excellent name
than that of children of Abraham, and are united
in one happy family, of which he is the head. And
the great petition I am addressing to his father and
ours, is this: 16that he would grant you according to
the riches of his glory, out of those redundant stores
of goodness in his gracious heart which can never
be exhausted, to be mightily strengthened by the
effectual operation of his Spirit, invigorating and
increasing every grace, and carrying on his work
with abundant success, in the inner man, that is, in
all the various powers of your souls ; so as thereby
to fortify you under every trial, and animate you
more and more to every good work : and as it is
from Christ as our common head, that all these
blessings of the Holy Spirit are imparted, I am
daily importunate with God, that Christ may dwell
in your hearts, that he may take up his stated resi-
dence in your souls, by the continual exercise of a
lively faith, by means of which a constant inter-
VOL. v.
T
138
EARNEST PRAYER FOR THE
course with him will be maintained, and an as-
surance given you of your interest in him : being
also rooted and grounded in love, steadfastly fixed and
settled, not only in the knowledge of his love to
you, but in the exercise of a fervent love to him and
to each other, which will so greatly tend both to
nourish and establish the soul; that under the
influence of these united principles of faith and
love, ye 18 may be enabled with all saints in every place,
to whom, whether known or unknown, I wish this
as the most invaluable blessing, to apprehend with
greater clearness what [is] the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height of the great mystery of
redeeming love, and to survey with a becoming
astonishment, and with some suitable conceptions,
the vast dimensions of that glorious plan; that in
some measure you may see, how wide it extends,
even to all nations and ages; how far it reaches,
even from everlasting to everlasting; from what an
abyss of misery it delivers us, and to what a sum-
mit of felicity and glory it exalts us.
Eph. 3. 19. —And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the ful-
ness of God.
This is my earnest and importunate prayer for
you, and for all the rest of my Christian brethren ;
that ye may thus be enabled with greater admira-
tion to contemplate, 19 and more abundantly to know
the love of Christ, which, after all we can say or
think of it, surpasses by infinite degrees the most
advanced knowledge, even of the angels themselves,
and how much more of mortal men in this imper-
fect state! but I wish you more enlarged apprehen-
sions of it, that so ye may be filled with all the fulness
of God; that your expanded hearts, being dilated
more and more, may be rendered capable of ad-
mitting larger degrees than ever of divine love, and
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EPHESIANS.
139
more ample in-dwellings of divine consolation ; till
at length ye arrive at that happy state, in which ye
shall attain to a full perfection in the knowledge
and enjoyment of God, where that which is perfect
shall come, and ye shall know even as also ye are
known.
Eph. 3. 20. — Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
21. to the power that worketh in us,-Unto him be
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen.
With these prayers am I softening the sorrows of
my own imprisonment, and endeavouring to do
what I can towards supplying to you, and other
Christians, the deficiency of those public services
which my present confinement forhids: and I doubt
not, but these humble petitions will come up in
remembrance before GOD. Methinks I see them
even 20 now descending in blessings on my head,
and on yours, from the adorable source of all good;
and therefore I cannot forbear adding, to him that
is able to do all things for us, not only to the
utmost extent of our petitions, but abundantly ex-
ceeding all that we (can) ask or conceive, according
to the power which is already so illustriously dis-
played, and worketh so efficaciously in us;
21 to him
[be] glory, in the whole church both of Jews and
Gentiles, the happy society which he hath so won-
derfully redeemed, and so bountifully enriched, by
Christ Jesus, its glorious head, through whom all
his blessings descend to us, and our praises ascend
to him: and may they ascend throughout all the
most distant ages and periods, while earth with its
successive generations continues ; and may they
resound from all his redeemed in the mansions of
glory, far beyond the limits of time, even for ever
and ever, Amen. Let your hearts with mine con-
sent to it, and in that consent anticipate some-
140
EARNEST PRAYER FOR THE
thing of that pleasure, with which we hope for
ever to render these praises.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let our eyes be frequently directed to the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our knees
be frequently bowed before him, 4 invoking him
under this amiable and delightful character, as the
great Father of that one family, which he hath been
pleased in infinite mercy to form to himself; a
family consisting, not only of those, who were
originally the inhabitants of heaven, who were born
in his house, and have never offended him, but of
many who have been, and many who are, the
inhabitants of earth,15 once the children of the
curse, and the heirs of death and destruction.
Let us all remember, it is now the family of
Christ,15 our great elder brother, who, though the
Lord of heaven, disdains not to own that humble
relation, while the angels are adoring him as stand-
ing at the head of the society, and esteem it their
honour to be related to him. Let us be more
affected with the grace extended to us, and consider
our relation to him as a bond of union among our-
selves. While we are of this family, let not the
different garbs we wear, or the different apartments
in which we are lodged, alienate our affections from
each other; but let us often be thinking of that
blessed day, when the whole family shall meet
above, and let us in the mean time endeavour to
behave as worthy members of it, and have its com-
mon interests at heart.
And from that eminently faithful and honourable
branch of the family, the blessed apostle, whose
words we have been reading, let us learn what to
wish for ourselves and our brethren: even that God,
according to the riches of his grace, would strengthen
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EPHESIANS.
141
16 that
us with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
we may attain great degrees of vigour and con-
firmation in religion, by the vital and powerful
operations of the Holy Spirit of God upon our
hearts; that we may be strong to discharge every
duty, to resist temptation, to conquer our enemies,
to assist our brethren, and to glorify our Father
and our Saviour. Let us earnestly desire, that
Christ may not only now and then visit our hearts,
but by the habitual and lively exercises of faith,
may even dwell in them; that we may thus be con-
tinually conversant with him, as our most honoured
and beloved quest; and that love may take deep root
in our hearts, and be solidly grounded there. 17 Let
us earnestly pray, that, under divine illuminations,
we may be enabled to form more exalted and suit-
able conceptions than we have ever yet attained, of
the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, of
this unfathomable, this inconceivable love of Christ,
which surpasses the perfect knowledge even of saints
in glory. And O that by these contemplations we
nay find ourselves daily filled with all the fulness of
GOD,19 so that our hearts may even overflow with
the abundant communication of his gifts and graces !
What shall we say in return, for the knowledge he
hath already given us, for the love which he hath
already wrought in our hearts, if we are so happy
as to know the grace of God in truth? What! but
that believing his power to out-do all it hath already
wrought for us, yea to do for us exceeding abundantly
above all we can ask or think, 20 we will still confide
in him, and call upon him ; and will humbly en-
deavour to bear our part with the whole church, in
ascribing to our Redeemer, our Sanctifier, and our
Father, glory throughout all ages, and even world
without end. Amen 21
18
142
EXHORTATION TO MUTUAL LOVE
SECTION VII.
From the consideration of his own sufferings, as well as of the many
important respects in which all true Christians are uniled, the apostle
palhetically erhorls them to mutual love, and to steadiness in religion, by
representing !o them the glorious foundation which CIIRIST, as the great
head of the church, hath laid for it. Eph. iv. 1-16.
Eph. 4. 1. I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord,) beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vccation wherewith
2. ye are called, -With all lowliness and meekness, with
3. longsuffering, forbearing one another in love ;-En-
deavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
I have mentioned my bonds but a little while ago,
and I shall mention them now again : for nothing
can tend so much to soften them, as to find them
the occasion of honour to Christ, and good to his
church; and nothing surely can more powerfully
move you, to regard the exhortations I would offer
to you: 'I therefore call upon you to consider me
while you read this, as in confinement, not for any
crime that hath deserved such treatment, but as
the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ, in bonds for
my fidelity to that gospel he hath committed to my
charge. And I beseech you by the memory of my
chains, that ye make it your great care and daily
labour, to walk worthy of the high and holy calling
wherewith ye are called: let there be nothing in your
temper and corduct beneath the dignity to which
you are raised, and the illustrious hopes which are
set before you ; but show, that the crown of glory
is ever in your eye, and that your hearts are duly
impressed with it: and particularly, as you have
received the pardon of your sins, and are adopted
into the family of God, let the remembrance of it
engage you, to behave with all humility and low-
liness of heart, under a sense of your former guilt
and misery, and your unworthiness of that mercy
which God hath magnified towards you; and thus
to carry it with meekness towards those who may
AVD STEADINESS IN RELIGION.
143
have troubled you by their frowardness, tenderly
passing over their infirmities and indiscretions, as
sensible what great offences have been forgiven to
yourselves. And should you meet with injuries
from any of your brethren, as it is to be feared that
even among professing Christians this will some-
times happen, do not think much to bear with
them ; but let me entreat you, that ye endure them
with long-suffering and patience, without seeking
revenge, and forbear one another in such circum-
stances, in the unfeigned exercise of mutual love:
and not on this occasion only, but with respect to
your whole carriage to each other, how different
soever your sentiments and practices may be in
matters of an indifferent nature, be still 3 endeavour-
ing, so far as in you lies, to keep the unity of the
spirit, that unity of heart and affection, which be-
comes those who are regenerated by one Spirit,
acting on them all, and forming them into one
body; joining them thus together in the bond of
peace, and sweetly engaging them, not only to the
most pacific, but to the most affectionate conduct
to each other.
Eph. 4. 4. — There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are
5. called in one hope of your calling ;-One Lord, one
6. faith, one baptism,-One God and Father of all,
who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
For this is indeed the case with regard to all that
have truly and cordially embraced the gospel, and
nothing can be stronger than the motives to this
union, when it is considered, that with respect to
the whole church, * [there is only one body, of
which ye all are members, and should as such have
the same care for one another (1 Cor. xii. 25); and
in this body there is one Spirit, that enlivens, actu-
ates, and fills it, under whose influence it should
be your concern to act, in such a way as to re-
semble him who is the Spirit of love and peace :
144
EXHORTATION TO MUTUAL LOVE
and there is one inheritance that ye are waiting for,
as ye are also called in one blessed hope of your
calling, and should live therefore as inspired with
the same joyful expectation of being all brought to
the same blessed end, to one glorious abode in the
heavenly world: there is also one Lord and head
of all, even Jesus Christ, who hath come down
from heaven, and died for our salvation ; that he
might incorporate us all into one society, that he
might instruct us all in one faith and might unite
us all in one baptism, in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost: and thus he in-
troduces us all into the knowledge and favour of
the one God and Father of all true believers, who
in the infinite perfections of his essence [is] above
all, governing all without exception as the su-
preme ruler of universal nature, who animates and
operates through all, by the diffusive influence of
his vital presence; and who is particularly in you
all, by that special residence which he holds in
those that are the temples of his grace.
Eph. 4. 7. --But unto every one
But unto every one of us is given grace according
8. to the measure of the gift of Christ. - Wherefore he
saith, When he ascended up on high, he led cap-
9. tivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.- -(Now that
he ascended, what is it but that he also descended
10. first into the lower parts of the earth ?-He that
descended is the same also that ascended up far above
all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Such are the great engagements we are under, to
the strictest and most affectionate union; and how-
soever we may be distinguished from each other,
by the variety of our gifts, or by the difference of
our stations, these several distinctions ought to be
regarded by us, not as matter of emulation and
contention, 7but rather as an additional obligation
to love, when we consider the great source and
design of all : for grace is given and dispensed in
different degrees to every one of us in particular,
AND STEADINESS IN RELIGION.
1:15
not for the merit of one above another, but accord-
ing to the measure of the free gift of Christ, in such
a measure as seems best to him, the great sovereign
of the church, to bestow it; whose distributions
we always know to be guided by consummate wis-
dom and goodness, so that we all have the highest
reason entirely to acquiesce in them. For we re-
ceive whatever gifts we have from Christ, and they
are all bestowed by him : 8 wherefore the words of
David may be considered as applicable to this,
where he says (Psa. lxviii. 18), “When he ascended
on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men:” for naturally may our devout meditations
rise from that glorious pomp, with which God went
up from mount Sinai, when he had triumphed over
the Egyptians, and poured down blessings on his
people, to that illustrious ascension of our blessed
Redeemer, when he had vanquished our enemies
on the cross, and returning to his Father, poured
down his royal donatives like a triumphant con-
queror upon his faithful subjects, yea gifts, in
which those, who had long been rebellious and had
but lately laid down their weapons, were to share.
9 Now this [expressionſ that he ascended, what is it,
or what does it imply, but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth; having come
down from heaven, and dwelt in this earth of ours,
yea and submitted even to lie in the caverns of it
for a while under the power of death? For to this
low humiliation our thoughts may naturally be con-
ducted, the subject being so familiar to our mind,
and the phrase so capable of suggesting these ideas
to lis.
And, on the other hand, it leads us to re-
flect, that he who descended to such forms of
humble abasement, is also the very same glorious
and triumphant person, who ascended far above all
heavens, beyond the regions of the air, into the
heaven of heavens ; going up, as the Psalmist else-
VOL. V.
U
116
EXHORTATION TO MUTUAL LOVE
where speaks, with a shout, and with the sound of
a trumpet (Psa. xlvii. 5), received with the accla-
mations of all the hierarchy of heaven, and seated
on a throne of glory, that he might fill all things
with his influence, and direct and over-rule all by
his wisdom and power.
Eph. 4. 11. —And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets ;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
12. teachers ;-For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
13. 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.
Accordingly he hath shed down a rich variety of
gifts and graces from bis triumphal seat at the right
hand of the Father, to qualify and endow his
servants for those various offices in the church,
which he hath wisely and graciously instituted for
the advancement of his interest and kingdom :
"and thus among the gifts which he bestowed to be
employed for the advantage of his people in their
respective situations, he gave some to be apostles,
whose office should be personal, but should extend
in its effects to the remotest generations, sending
them forth to preach the gospel unto every creature
as his special witnesses, and forming them, under
the plenary and most abundant influences of his
Spirit, to the fullest knowledge of that scheme they
were to publish to the world (compare Mark xvi. 15,
and 1 Cor. xii. 28): and some he gave to be pro-
phets, who were to explain the mysteries of faith,
and to foretel future events, by virtue of the ex-
traordinary revelations made to them ; and some to
be evangelists, who were to travel from place to
place, and to fulfil such particular commissions as
the apostles should give, in settling and establish-
ing the churches they had planted (Acts xix. 22),
AND STEADINESS IN RELIGION.
147
being furnished with such miraculous powers as
were necessary for that purpose : and besides these
extraordinary officers, he also gave some to be
settled pastors and teachers, who were to be of
standing use, to preside in the several congregations
of the saints, taking the stated oversight of them
in the Lord, and to instruct them both in public
and private, as their respective circumstances should
require ; nor were these left destitute of proper
assistances, though not distinguished by such
eminent endowments as the former. Now the in-
tent of all these institutions, offices, and gifts, was
12 for the perfecting of saints, or finishing the charac-
ter of holy men, who should be destined to the work
of the ministry, in subordination to the great view that
is still to be maintained, of building up and edifying
of the church, which is the body of Christ, that its
numbers may be increased, and each member ad-
vanced in knowledge and in grace; 3 till we all
arrive at the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
or acknowledgment of the Son of God, in such en-
tire harmony and agreement as will cement us to-
gether in still dearer bonds; and getting above that
infant state in which so many of us now are, we
shall grow up to the maturity of a perfect man, even
to the full measure of the spiritual stature, so as to
reach what may be called the standard of the ful-
ness of Christ, attaining to those eminent degrees
of grace and goodness, which will fit us to become
his stated everlasting residence, and to be filled
with the most glorious tokens of his presence and
favour.
Eph. 4. 14. ——That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of doc-
trine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
15. whereby they lie in wait to deceive ;-But speaking
the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
16. which is the head, even Christ :-From whom the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
148
EXHORTATION TO MUTUAL LOVE
Eph. 4. 16. that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the cdifying of
itself in love.
In the mean time, it is the design of God by
these means to give us greater firmness and esta-
blishment in religion, "4 that we may be no longer like
little children, tossed to and fro as waves of the sea,
and borne about as a vapour in the air, with every
wind of doctrine, and every vain puff of breath,
uttered with violence and eagerness, and as it were
mechanically managed by the cheating sleight of de-
signing and interested men, [and] by their various
subtilty in every method of deceit, which some in-
sinuating teachers will not fail to exercise upon
you, though I hope you will be able to discern and
defeat it: 15 but maintaining the truth in love, or
steadfastly adhering to the doctrines of the gospel
with that candid and charitable temper which it
inculcates, and without which our clearest and
most extensive knowledge will do us but little
good, may we grow up in all things, from an infant
to an adult state, into him who is the head, [even]
the Lord Jesus Christ, the great centre of union,
as well as the original source of life and motion
and by the constant exercise of mutal affection
may we be more and more united to him, 16 from
whom, as from the head, conveying influence and
nourishment to every member, the whole body of
Christians being harmoniously joined, and strongly
cemented together in the closest union, by the supply
of every joint through proper channels of communi-
cation (as by the veins and arteries, the nerves
and sinews, in the natural body), according to the
energy which is proportionable to the necessity of
every part, and properly adapted to its respective
place and function, makes a uniform and happy
increase of the whole body, by the regular growth
AND STEADINESS IN RELIGION.
119
and nourishment of each member, to the edifying of
itself in love: or, in plainer terms, the whole church
by the exercise of faith in Christ as its glorious
head, is edified and supported, and each part of it
grows in mutual love, in proportion to the degree
of its regard to him.
IMPROVEMENT.
1
If divine grace have taught us to know the hope
of our calling, it will surely add great weight to
these pathetic exhortations of this faithful servant
and prisoner of Jesus Christ, to walk worthy of it;
to walk, as it becomes those to do, who have been
favoured with a call from God, who have received
the honour of a call, to the blessings of his gospel,
to the privileges and hopes of his children. It will
teach us that humility, meekness, and long-suffering,
of which our divine Saviour was so glorious an ex-
ample, which will engage us to the exercise of
mutuul forbearance, and which so well suits those
whom he hath brought into so happy a state.
May we all experimentally know the sweetness,
which attends a constant care to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace;' that we may labour
earnestly to maintain it, and with the utmost dili-
gence may guard against those things which might
lead us in any degree to violate it!
To engage us to this, let those arguments which
the apostle suggests, be familiar to our mind. Do
we not all indeed belong to one body, however
called by different denominations? Have we not
all, so far as we are truly Christians, received one
Spirit ? Is there not one hope of our common calling,
even that of dwelling together in one and the same
blissful world, with God, and with each other?
Have we not one Lord, even Jesus Christ, to whom
we all equally profess subjection ? who hath taught
150
EXHORTATION TO MUTUAL LOVE.
us one faith, who hath instituted one baptism, and
who hath introduced and consecrated us to one
GoD and Father of all ? And what are the con-
siderations which should prevail so far as to divide
us, when compared with such bonds of union as
these?
Let us all therefore, in the name of this God,
who is over all, who operates through all, and in us
all, in the name of this one Saviour, and one Spirit
(awful and endearing names, into which we were
all baptized), charge it upon our own souls, that
we not only do nothing by a factious and uncharit-
able temper to divide his church, but that we study
what we can do to heal its breaches, and to promote
its growth and edification.16 And let us pray, that
God would guide and succeed our endeavours for
that purpose, and preserve our hearts in such a
situation and temper, that we may stand continu-
ally willing to give up every temporal interest that
may interfere with such a design ; yea, and even
to make our own blood, if such were the will of God,
the cement of those wounds, at which a body so
intimately united to Christ has so long been bleeding
almost to death.
Were we actually to give such a proof of our re-
gard to it, we could but very imperfectly repay the
condescension and love of that Saviour, who for us
descended to these low regions of the earth, and
dwelt for a while among the dead; and then tri-
umphantly rising, and ascending on high, led those
enemies that had before held us in captivity them-
selves captive, as at his chariot-wheels; and having
received gifts for men, scattered them down with
such royal munificence, that he might fill all things,
and fit his ministers for the offices to which he had
destined them.
These his ministers we are taught by this passage
to regard, as the special gift of his love to the
10
VERACITY AND MEEKNESS INCULCATED.
151
church, and as such let it adore him for them; not
only for apostles, prophets, and evangelists, but also
for pastors and teachers. 11
And let us earnestly
pray, that through the continued influences of that
Spirit, which he hath sent down from on high, holy
men may in every succeeding age be so perfectly
and completely fitted for the work of the ministry,
that the body of Christ may be edified ; 12 that by
this means we may all come to that union, to that
strength, to that full maturity,13 to wbich, by calling
us into the fellowship of the gospel, he intended to
raise us.
In the mean time, while we are advancing towards
it, may we rise above that childish weakness, which
would make us the sport of every wind of doctrine,
and a prey to every artifice of designing men."
Let
us ever maintain a due regard to the united inter-
ests of truth and love, that our union with Christ may
be secured, and our growth in him more happily and
abundantly advanced. 15
14
SECTION VIII.
Thın apostle urges the converted Ephesians to distinguish themselves from the
Gentiles by the holiness of their behaviour, as they were so much distin-
guished from them liy knowledge and grace; and particularly presses
upim then the duties of reracily, meekness, and purity. Eph. iv. 17-30.
Epi. 4. 17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye
henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the
18. vanity of their mind.—Having the understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance, that is in them, because of
19. the blindness of their heart :- Who being past
feeling have given themselves over unto lascivious-
ness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
17 This I say therefore, for your further instruction
how to walk worthy of your calling, and most
earnestly and affectionately testify it to you in the
name of the Lord, that now we are so happily
152
VERACITY, MEEKNESS, AND
brought into the Christian church, and made par-
takers of such privileges and advantages, ye no
longer walk, as alas, ye have so long done, and as
the rest of the Gentiles who remain unconverted,
still continue to walk, in such a course as plainly
shows the vanity of their mind, amused with the
poor empty trifles of this world, and enslaved to
low and mean pursuits, utterly unworthy of their
rational nature : 18 having the understanding darkened
with respect to spiritual things, by the influence
of the prince of darkness upon them, and being
alienated in affection, as well as in their practice,
from the life of God, from that noble principle of
true religion, which is indeed the divine life in the
soul, forming it to the service and imitation of him
by whom it is implanted; to which they are wholly
strangers, and have indeed an utter aversion to it,
by reason of the ignorance of truth and goodness
that is in them; yea, because of the absolute blindness
and obstinacy of their heart, the evil passions of
which turn it into a kind of chaos, which will not
admit the rays of divine truth shining around them
in the works of creation and providence, by the
observation of which they would be formed to much
better notions, even on natural principles, if they
would but do justice to themselves. But alas,
what can be expected from wretches, who have de-
bauched their consciences with such a course of
profligate immoralities, as to have lost all sense of
shame? 19 who being grown quite callous (as it were)
and insensible to all goodness, have abandoned them-
selves to every kind of enormity, and especially to
the grossest lewdness, so as to work all uncleanness
with insatiable greediness; transgressing the bounds,
not only of virtue and decency, but even of natural
appetite, and shamefully soliciting their own lusts,
under a sad incapacity of nobler and more rational
enjoyments.
PURITY ENFORCED.
153
Eph. 4. 20. 21. -But ye have not so learned Christ ;--If so be
that ye have heard him, and have been taught by
him, as the truth is in Jesus.
Into such profligate and brutal sensualities as
these, the heathen world are sunk; 20 but ye have not
so learned Christ, as if his religion were a mere sys-
tem of speculation, that might leave you practically
attached to such abominable vices. Its precepts
inculcate upon you lessons of the strictest purity,
and I am persuaded that you feel the genuine
tendency and design of it in your hearts, powerfully
inclining you to act upon them ; 21 seeing ye have in
effect heard him, even the Lord Jesus Christ him.
self, speaking to you in his word by us his au-
thorized ambassadors, and have been instructed in
him and his religion, as the uncorrupted truth is in
Jesus, and not in that imperfect and adulterated
form, in which some presume to deliver what they
call his gospel.
Eph. 4. 22. -That ye put off concerning the former conversa-
tion the old man, which is corrupt according to the
23. deceitful lusts;— And be renewed in the spirit of
24. your mind ;-And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.
Give me leave therefore to urge and entreat you,
according to the many good instructions you have
already received, 22 to put off, and entirely lay aside,
with respect to the former conversation, or to those
sinful habits and practices, which were the scandal
and dishonour of your Gentile days, the old man,
which is depraved and corrupt in every part of it,
and whose actions are directed, not by the rules of
reason and a regard to the will of God, but accord-
ing to those deceitful lusts, which generally prevail
in the world, and once prevailed in you likewise,
and sunk you into so degenerate a state ; lusts,
which could lead you to no rational and solid hap-
x
VOL. V.
154
VERACITY, MEEKNESS, AND
piness, but deluded you by vain appearances and
fallacious hopes, which always ended in your dis-
appointment and shame : 23 and labour more and
more, by cultivating every motion of the good
Spirit of God upon your hearts, to be renewed in the
spirit of your mind, that your rational powers, being
duly directed by his illumination, may maintain a
proper command over all the inferior faculties of
your nature, and unite them in the prosecution of
that great end, which you ought continually to be
proposing to yourselves. 24 And thus, let it be your
care to put on the new man, to clothe yourselves with
every habit of virtue and goodness, with every
pious principle and disposition, belonging to the
character of such as are renewed ; even that new
man, which is created by divine grace, according to
the image of] God, the great standard of perfection,
and is so formed as to resemble him in universal
righteousness and true evangelical holiness, which so
far as it prevails in the human soul, is indeed the
likeness of God, drawn upon it in the most amiable
lineaments.-Compare Col. iii. 10.
Eph. 4. 25. – Wherefore putting away lying, spcak every man
truth with his neighbour; for we are members one
of another.
25 Wherefore, on these great principles, beware of
every vice to which you have been formerly ad-
dicted ; and in particular, putting away every lie,
whatever any of the heathens may have taught or
practised, speak every one of you with the greatest
simplicity and strictness, the exact truth to his
neighbour ; for we are all (as I observed above), by
virtue of our union to Christ our common head,
members one of another, and therefore it would be
very indecent and improper, for the sake of any
little separate advantage of our own, to injure or
deceive a fellow member, which indeed the common
bond of humanity might lead us to detest, if the
PURITY ENFORCED.
155
If any occasion arises which obliges you to 26 be
peculiar engagements of our holy profession were
not considered.
Eph. 4. 26. —Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go
27. down upon your wrath :-Neither give place to the
devil.
angry, which indeed may, and often will be the
case, let not your anger discompose your spirits,
and sin not in the excessive indulgence of that
turbulent and dangerous passion; but see that
there be a justifiable cause for the resentment you
express, and that your anger do not then rise
beyond its proper degree, nor err in its con-
tinuance: and in this view, let not the sun how-
ever go down upon your wrath, lest it grow into
inveterate malice and habitual spleen : 27 neither in
this respect give place to the devil, who labours as
much as possible to possess and inflame the spirits
of men with mutual enmity, and to induce them to
give ear to slanderous reports and accusations, that
he may make their characters deformed, and their
state miserable like his own.
Eph. 4. 28. -Let him that stole steal no more : but rather let
him labour, working with his hands the thing which
is good, that he may have to give to him that
needeth.
28 Let him that, while he was in his heathen condi-
tion of ignorance and vice, stole from others what was
their just property, or in any other method de-
frauded his neighbour, steal and defraud no more,
knowing that God is the avenger of all such in-
juries (compare 1 Thess. iv. 6): but rather let him
labour diligently, working with [his] hands in some
honest employment that which is good and credita-
ble; that he may not only support himself, without
trespassing upon society, or being in any respect a
burden to it, but that he may have something] to
156
VERACITY, MEEKNESS, AND
impart to the necessitous, and may be capable of
sparing somewhat, out of what he gains by industry
in his calling, for the relief of such as stand in
need of it.
Eph. 4. 29. --Let no corrupt communication proceed out of
your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
.
29 Let me exhort you also to take heed, that no
corrupt discourse, no putrid, filthy, and offensive
speech, proceed out of your mouth, to debauch the
minds of those that are about you, and to irritate
those irregular dispositions of the heart, which it
may, in many instances, even without such incen-
tives, be so difficult to restrain : but embrace every
opportunity that may conveniently be taken, of
introducing any thing that is good, and which may
tend to useful edification, that you may thus by your
discourse promote the spiritual benefit of those that
you converse with, and it may rather serve to minis-
ter grace to the hearers, than to check any good, or
encourage any evil and irregular thoughts.
Eph. 4. 30. -- And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby
ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
30 And on the whole, be very careful that you do
not, by any such immoralities as I have cautioned
you against, grieve that Holy Spirit of God, and
provoke him to withdraw his gracious and com-
fortable influences from your minds ; seeing it is
this Spirit, by whom ye are scaled unto the day of
redemption. His operations are the mark of God
set upon you, by which you may be known to be
his property, and may be assured that he will
remember you as such, in that great day when he
makes up his jewels ; even then, when he com-
pletely redeems and delivers all his people : till
which blessed time, you are preserved in your
adherence to religion by this Spirit, in the midst of
PURITY ENFORCED.
157
all the dangers and difficulties which surround you;
and consequently are obliged always to conduct
yourselves toward him, with the greatest respect
and veneration.
IMPROVEMENT.
That we are all naturally so much alienated fro
the life of God, through the ignorance that is in us,
that our minds are naturally so dark, and our hearts
so hard,18 is indeed matter of the justest lamenta-
tion. But since we have learned Christ, 20 since
the light of his blessed gospel hath been imparted
to us, and we are no longer numbered among the
heathen nations, let us not abandon ourselves to
those irregularities of temper and life, for which
even their ignorance will not be a sufficient excuse;
since even natural light might teach them to con-
demn, and to abhor such courses.
There are deceitful lusts, 22 according to which the
old man is corrupt: let us be always on our guard
against them, and labour after such a renovation as
becomes our profession; and in order to its being
effectual, let us be earnestly solicitous to obtain it
in the spirit of our mind ; 23 that we may show its
influence upon us, not merely by ceasing to do evil,
but by learning to the utmost of our power to do
good. Thus let it be our care to put on the new man,
to be partakers of a new and holy nature, and to be
brought to the whole of that temper in all its
branches, by which we shall resemble the blessed
God, the bright original of universal righteousness
and holiness, 24 and the great model of perfection.
In consequence of this, remembering our relation
to each other, let us speak the truth from our
hearts; 25 and upon all occasions let us treat others
with the same candour and integrity, with which
we would ourselves desire to be treated.
If anger
158
PURITY ENFORCED.
rise, let it be on just occasions, and in due propor-
tioni; and let us take care, that it rest not in our
bosoms, 26 lest by indulging it we give place to the
devil,27 and become like that malignant spirit.-Let
us be upright in our dealings, and conscientiously
avoiding the iniquitous practice of defrauding others,
let generous and charitable sentiments always possess
us ; 28 nor let those whose circumstances in life may
constrain them to maintain themselves by their own
labour, think they may violate the strictest rules of
honesty, or are dispensed with from all obligations
to relieve others, more necessitous than themselves.
-In short, whenever we engage in conversation, let
us avoid every thing that may have the remotest
tendency to corrupt discourse; and let us study what
may improve and edify the minds of our hearers;
embracing every opportunity of suggesting any
thing that is good, and that may tend to minister
grace, 29 or to promote the more abundant exercise
of it in the minds of those in whom it is already
implanted.
Thus will the Spirit of God, that sacred agent,
by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption, be
delighted, instead of being grieved ;30 as he so fre-
quently is by the vain and foolish discourses of
those who would be thought his temples, of those
who indeed are so. For his influences let us look,
to dispose us to every good word and work, and
seasonably to remind us of these plain but weighty
admonitions, which alas ! are so little remembered
by the generality of Christians, that one would ima-
gine they had scarce ever read them.
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
159
SECTION IX.
I'he apostle pursues the praclical exhortations given in the two former sec-
lions, and especially insists on those to mutual love, which he enforces by
the consideration of the divine compassions as displuyed in the gospel, and
strongly cautions them against the gross impurities of the heathen Eph.
iv. 31, 10 the end, dv. 1-14.
EPH. 4. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you,
32. with all malice :-And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
As I have been exhorting you to take heed, that
you do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, I cannot
but particularly caution you against those malig-
nant passions, which do most directly oppose his
benign influences. And therefore 31 let all bitterness,
and indignation, and wrath, and clamour, and evil-
speaking, and all contentious and ungovernable
passions, be put away from you, and removed to the
greatest distance, together with all malice: do not
passionately resent every trifle, nor bitterly inveigh
with all the licentiousness and keenness of satire
against those who have greatly injured you ; nor
let your anger be noisy in its language, venting it-
self in clamorous reproaches and abusive railings,
or be deeply treasured up in the mind to wait for
opportunities of revenge ; for all these things are
most contrary to the nature of God, the genius of
Christianity, and the character of its great founder.
32 But on the contrary, be courteous and obliging to
each other in your daily deportment, and tenderly
compassionate towards those that are in any affic-
tion and distress; freely forgiving one another what-
ever imagined or real injury may be in question,
even as God in Christ, and for his sake, hath freely
forgiven you such inexcusable and heinous injuries
and affronts, as are infinitely greater than any which
it is possible for you to receive from your fellow-
creatures.
160
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
Eph. 5. 1. -Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children ;
2. —And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Be ye therefore, in the exercise of kindness and
forgiveness towards one another, imitators of that
God, to whom ye are under such unspeakable obli-
gations, as his beloved children, whom he hath not
only forgiven after so many and great offences, but
adopted into his family, and raised to such glorious
privileges : and as a demonstration of your readi-
ness to please and honour so gracious a Father, see
that
ye
walk in love, and steadily pursue the paths
of benevolence and goodness : which ye are under
additional engagements to do, as Christ also hath
loved us in so wonderful a degree, and hath mani-
fested his love to us at so expensive a rate, that he
hath even given himself up for us, voluntarily sur-
rendering himself to those cruel enemies whom he
could with infinite ease have destroyed (compare
John xviii. 6); and having submitted to become
their captive, he yielded up his life upon the cross,
and was there made an offering and sacrifice to GOD;
for it is evident, that in this view his death was
intended by himself, and was regarded also by the
Father, who was well-pleased, not only with the
variety of virtues and graces which he exercised in
it, but with the atonement that was made by it,
and gratefully accepted it for a sweet-smelling savour,
or as a fragrant odour that was far more delightful
than any of the victims, or any of the perfumes,
which had been offered of old, whether on the
brazen or the golden altar: and through him also
will your acts of liberality, beneficence, and good-
ness come up before God as a grateful memorial, and
draw down upon you the most valuable blessings.
Eph. 5. 3. —But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetous-
ness, let it not be once zamed among you, as be-
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
161
Eph. 5. 4. cometh saints ;-Neither filthiness, nor foolish talk,
ing, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but
rather giving of thanks.
3 But as you expect this, you must make it your
care to maintain a due consistency of character,
avoiding not only all malignant passions, but every
kind and degree of impurity and licentiousness :
and therefore let not fornication, nor any kind of un-
cleanness, or insatiable desire of sensual gratifications
or of the means of procuring them, be so much as
named, or heard of among you ; but abstain from
these evils, and whatever might lead to them, as it
becometh saints, who are conscious of the sanctity
of their name and profession, and dread the
thoughts of debasing it. And in this view let
there be * neither filthiness, nor any shameful inde-
cency in conversation, found among you, nor
foolishness of speech, nor those lewd turns and am-
biguities of expression, which though they are
practised by the heatheňs, and may not seem so
evidently criminal, yet are by no means convenient
for Christian converts : but rather abound in the
language of thanksgiving and devotion, to which we
have so many obligations in every circumstance,
and which would give a pleasure so much more
sublime than any animal indulgences and delights.
Eph. 5. 5. —For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor un-
clean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater,
hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and
6. of God.--Let no man deceive you with vain words:
for because of these things cometh the wrath of God
7. upon the children of disobedience.-Be not ye there.
fore partakers with them.
See then that you be cautiously and resolutely
on your guard against all such enormities; 5for ye
well know, and have been taught this, as ye have
learned Christ, that no fornicator, nor unclean person,
who habitually gives himself up to any kind of
VOL. V.
Y
162
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
pollution, nor any covetous man, who is greedy of
those things which minister to his sensual appetite,
and who is therefore an idolater of the worst kind,
deifying as it were the vilest idols, hath or can have
any inheritance in the holy and happy kingdom of
Christ and of God. Let no one then, in this re-
spect, amuse and deceive you with vain words and
sophistical arguments, by which it is well known
that many, and especially some that call themselves
philosophers, attempt to vindicate some of these
things, or at least to extenuate the evil of them;
for I am divinely commissioned to assure you, that
on account of these things, and such as these, the
wrath of God cometh even on the Gentiles, the
children of disobedience and infidelity : now if hea-
thens are punished for them, much less can we
suppose, that professing Christians, who have so
much greater advantages for purity and virtue in
all its branches, and are under such peculiar en-
gagements to cultivate it, shall escape with im-
punity in these shameful practices. Be ye not
therefore partakers with them in these abominations
now, if ye would not finally partake in that dread-
ful condemnation and misery which they are bring-
ing on themselves by them.
Eph. 5. 8. -For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye
9. light in the Lord : walk as children of light:-(For
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteous-
10. ness and truth ;)-Proving what is acceptable unto
the Lord.
For ye were once indeed in a state of gross and
heathenish darkness, in which it is no wonder you
were abandoned to such practices, as you had no
just discernment of the sinfulness and danger of
them ; but now [ye are] light in the Lord, and are
brought into a clear evangelical day, as being in-
structed by the word of God, and savingly illumi-
nated by his Spirit : see therefore that you walk in
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
163
such a manner, as becomes those who are children
of light, and desire to do an honour to that light of
which they are born, and to that celestial family
to which they now belong. For ye cannot pre-
tend to be ignorant of the duties becoming such a
birth and relation, as the fruit of the Holy Spirit,
by which you are regenerated, [is] most evidently
manifested in the practice of all goodness, and
righteousness, and truth; the operations of it on the
soul being attended with such light and influence,
as to teach men of all ranks, orders, and conditions
in life, invariably to observe the strictest rules of
benevolence in their tempers, integrity in their
dealings, and sincerity and veracity in their words.
Be careful therefore to cultivate these dispositions,
proving thereby what is well-pleasing to the Lord,
and making the experiment how happy they are,
who in all things govern themselves according to
his injunctions.
Eph. 5. 11. -And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
12. of darkness, but rather reprove them.-For it is a
shame even to speak of those things which are done
of them in secret.
Walk then, as I have said, in such a manner as
becomes children of light, and be not joint-par-
takers with any about you in the unfruitful works of
darkness; works, which far from being in any re-
spect profitable or advantageous, are in their con-
sequences most pernicious, tending to involve the
soul in the gloom of guilt, and to lead it down to
everlasting darkness : and therefore how excusable
soever these things might be accounted in your
heathen state, they are apparently most unbecom-
ing in the midst of Christian knowledge and privi-
leges : and as you would not practise them your-
selves, see to it that you do not countenance or
encourage others in them, or by any means make
yourselves accessory to the evil they occasion, but
164
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
rather reprove them with plainness, though at the
same time with all meekness and humility, and
more especially express your detestation of them
by your good conversation in Christ. There is
indeed a great deal you will meet with to reprove,
and in some instances the reproof is better given
by actions than by words ; 12 for it is really a shame
even to speak particularly of those things which are
done by them in secret, and sometimes in what they
call their religious mysteries too, many of them
being of such a nature, that the very mention of
them has a tendency to taint the mind, as well as
to shock all chaste and modest ears.
Eph. 5. 13. “But all things that are reproved are made manifest
by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is
14. light.-Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleep-
est, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light.
13 But to you that are light in the Lord, the vile-
ness of these works of darkness is abundantly dis-
covered, as all things which are such as ought to be
reproved, have their iniquity laid open, and are
made manifest by the light; since where the light of
the gospel comes, even though they are not par-
ticularly mentioned and described, yet they are
exposed and condemned, and the soul which re-
ceives it is inspired with an abhorrence for what
might any way lead to them: for whatsoever doth
make objects manifest in their proper forms and
colours, is light; and therefore the gospel well de-
serves that name, as teaching those who are in-
structed in it, to judge rightly concerning the moral
nature of actions, and inculcating such general
principles as will be of use to them in every par-
ticular case that can possibly arise.
when God is speaking in the prophecies of the Old
Testament of the calling of the Gentiles, and of
the light which they should have by Christ, he says
14 Wherefore
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
165
in effect to those who are yet in darkness, though
not exactly in these words, Awake thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light: and this particularly is the most natural im-
port of those well-known words in Isaiah (chap. Ix.
1), Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee;" that is to
say, The Messiah, represented by the glory of the
Lord, shines in his church, shines upon the souls
of particular persons; and then they arise as from
the dead, and shake off their deep sleep ; they re-
joice in the light, they walk in it, and reflect it all
around them, so that many others are awakened
and transformed by it.
IMPROVEMENT.
The obligations, which as Christians we lie under
to cultivate benevolence and purity, are common to
all countries, and to all ages. Let us therefore
frequently read over these plain exhortations, and
solemnly charge our souls with their divine autho-
rity and importance.
Let it not be enough to us, that we carefully
avoid all bitterness and wrath, clamour and evil-
speaking ; 31 but let us cherish all the kind affections
of mutual love and tenderness, and practise even the
most difficult duties of charity, freely forgiving those
that have injured us, as sensible how much greater
offences God has forgiven us ;32 always remembering
whose children we are, and what engagements we
are under to imitate our heavenly Father;' and
always setting before our eyes the love of Christ,
who gave himself up for us, and thereby offered a
most pleasing sacrifice to God. Through him shall
our sacrifices proceeding from the same principle be
acceptable also to him, even the sacrifices of alms,
of prayer, and of praise.
166
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
5
Let us not only abstain from the grossest sensual
indulgences, but from every thing indecent in our
words and actions : 34 and that we may do so, let
us make a covenant, not only with our eyes (Job
xxxi. 1), but with our hearts ; remembering, that
it is idolatry in the sight of God, to set our hearts
upon the gross delights of animal nature, to the
neglect and forgetfulness of his blessed Majesty ;
remembering also, that the kingdom of Christ and
of God is intended only for those, who by purity of
heart are qualified to see and enjoy him.
Many false and sophistical reasons men have in-
vented, to palliate and excuse their vices : 6 but if
the wrath of God fall upon the heathen for these
things, let us not imagine that we can practise them
with impunity; and upon no account let us pre-
sume to be partakers with them in their sins,? That
so we may not share with them in their punish-
ment.
We are called from darkness into light, from the
darkness of sin into the light of grace ;8 let us re-
member then the happy state into which we are
brought, and walk as children of light, having our
conversation such as may be suitable to the charac-
ter we bear, and to the obligations we are under
by the advantages we enjoy: and searching dili-
gently what is acceptable to the Lord, 10 let us dis-
cover and make known to all, that we approve it
upon trial, by our conforming to it, and bringing
forth the fruits of goodness, righteousness, and truth,
under the light and influence of the Holy Spirit, as
those who have been savingly enlightened by him.
Let us avoid the works of darkness, not as unfruit-
ful only, but as mischievous and destructive; and
be careful that we do in no degree partake of them,
not even so much as by a sinful silence, when Pro-
vidence calls us to reprove them:" but let us ear-
nestly pray for wisdom and grace, to order these
EXHORTATIONS TO A USEFUL LIFE.
167
reproofs in the wisest and happiest manner; that
so we may, like that light of which we are the child-
ren, not only continue ourselves unsullied in the
inidst of pollution, but make things manifest in their
proper colours,"3 and discountenance those inde-
cencies, the shame of which will make the very mention
of them odious to the renewed soul, while those
that practise them are so far conscious of their
vileness, as to endeavour to conceal them from the
light, and draw a veil of darkness over them.12
And that the almighty voice of God may
rouse up and awaken sinners from their sleep, and
engage them to arise from the dead, that Christ may
give them light.'+ He is the great and only source
of light to sinful creatures, by whom it is sprung
up on those, who deserved to be consigned over to
chains of everlasting darkness. Let us hail the rays
of this Sun of Righteousness: let us reflect them to
his glory: and let it be our concern, that being
raised by him from the sleep of sin, we may spring
up to his service with vigour, and prosecute it
through all the remainder of our days with becom-
ing gratitude and zeal.
SECTION X.
The apostle further pursues his exhortations to a life . f circumspection and
usefulners, and to the constant exercise of temperance and devotion. Eph.
v. 15-21.
Eru. 5. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools,
16. but as wise,--Redeeming the time, because the days
17. are evil.- Wherefore be ye not unwise, but under-
standing what the will of the Lord is.
I have been urging you to consider yourselves
as children of light, and upon this account to have
your conversation such as becomes those who have
been happily awakened from the sleep of sin by
Christ: and to pursue the exhortation, As
ye thus
168
EXHORTATIONS TO A HOLY
are brought from darkness into light, 15 see to it
therefore, that ye walk as accurately and circum-
spectly as possible, taking the most attentive heed
to every step, and conducting yourselves, not as
fools, who consider not what they are doing, but as
wise men, who know that they have pressing dangers
to avoid, and most important ends to secure. And
in particular, let your wisdom be discovered in
løredeeming the time, endeavouring to recover and
buy back as far as possible what has been lost, by
diligently making use of what remains, and study-
ing to improve it to the best and most valuable pur-
poses; for which you should be careful to embrace
the present opportunity, because the days we live in
are cvil, in which we are on every side surrounded
with persecutions and perils, and God only knows
how soon our liberty or our life may be taken away.
17 Wherefore while these precarious blessings are
continued, employ them for the honour of God,
and the good of mankind; and be not inconsiderate
and thoughtless as you formerly were, but be con-
cerned to have a right discernment of your duty,
and to be understanding what [is] the will of the
great Lord to whom you are devoted : endeavour
to know your duty in all its extent, and knowing
it to act agreeably to the obligations of it; declin-
ing those unnecessary dangers, to which it is not
his will that you should expose yourselves (Matt. x.
22), and diligently laying hold on every opportunity
of service.
Eph. 5. 18. —And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess
but be filled with the Spirit.
18 And that you may neither be insensible of the
calls of duty, nor negligent of a due compliance
with them, be continually careful that ye be not,
even before you are aware, drunk with wine, in
which there is so much danger of a dissolute excess,
AND USEFUL LIFE.
169
considering how grossly many abuse it, and abuse
themselves by it, so as to run into all manner of
extravagance and outrage, and into all that wild
disorder and debauchery, for which the heathens
are notorious at their idolatrous festivals : but be ye
hlled, as becomes your character, with the Spirit of
God, and make it your concern to invite the quick-
ening and the cheering influences of his grace,
which are of so great moment in your Christian
course; but which you will, by an excess of liquor,
or any other gross sensualities, drive away from
you, as he may be justly displeased with what is
so directly opposite to his own pure and holy
nature.
Eph. 5. 19. --Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord.
Let it be your endeavour therefore to engage the
gracious visits of the Holy Spirit by the exercise of
social devotion, in which he will delight to find
you employed ; and for which he will render you
more and more fit, while in your cheerful moments
you are 19 speaking to yourselves and to each other,
in the psalms with which David and other inspired
writers have furnished us, and in those new-com-
posed hymns of praise, and other spiritual songs,
that is, songs on spiritual subjects, which the
Spirit of God dictates and animates, with a variety
adapted to the several occasions of the Christian
life : and let it be your great care, that while you
are thus tuning your voices, you be also singing
and chanting in your hearts to the Lord, without
which no external melody, be it ever so exact and
harmonious, can be pleasing to his ear.
Eph. 5. 20. –Giving thanks always for all things unto God and
the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yea, let there be a constant disposition for this
VOL. 1.
2
170
EXHORTATIONS TO A IIOLY
duty, not only when you engage in social worship,
but through the whole course of your lives; and let
the mental songs, if I may so express it, that issue
from the grateful sentiments of your hearts, be per-
petual and uninterrupted : maintain a most affect-
ing sense of the abundant matter which you have
for praise, that as new mercies are every hour de-
scending upon you, ye may be 20 always giving
thanks for all things, for all the favours of God im-
parted to yourselves and others; and make it your
employment at all times, not excepting your most
afflicted moments, but filling even these with praise,
and taking occasion from the tribulations and dis-
tresses with which a wise and gracious Providence
may exercise you, to acknowledge the divine good-
ness which directs all these painful dispensations by
views to your truest advantage: and on the whole,
let all your praises, in order to their being accept-
able, be offered in the prevailing name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to God even the Father; who hath
appointed him to sustain the character of the great
Mediator, and is ready to receive the services we
perform only in and through him.
Eph. 5. 21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear
of God.
And while you are thus careful in the duties of
devotion to God, be not negligent in those which
you owe to your fellow-creatures; but in all the
various relations in which you stand, and the re-
spective stations in which you are placed, 21 be sub-
nect to each other in the fear of God: let every one
of you, whether he be a superior or an inferior,
endeavour to accommodate himself to the infirmities
of those that are about him in a kind and a respect-
ful manner, so that if he be a superior, he may not
oppress, or if an inferior, he may not rebel. This
I shall further illustratr by descending more par-
AND USEFUL LIFE.
171
ticularly to the duties of husbands and wives, of
parents and children, of masters and servants;
upon a regular attention to which so much of the
order and comfort of society, and so much of the
credit of Christianity with respect to its professors,
apparently depends.
IMPROVEMENT.
Who can read the exhortation, which we first
meet with in this short but important section, without
seeing cause for the deepest humiliation on account
of his own careless and inconsiderate behaviour ?
Alas, the wisest have their intervals of folly;15 and
they who walk the most accurately, are not without
their heedless steps. In how many instances are
our thoughts dissipated, and how frequently are
we quite forgetful of ourselves, and our God,
neither watching for opportunities of doing good,
nor guarding against temptations to sin; but suffer-
ing the one to pass by us unimproved, and the other
to seize us unprovided for resistance !
That precious time, on the right management of
which eternity depends, and in the improvement of
every day and hour of which, it is manifest, that
at least the degree of our everlasting happiness is
interested; that time, which thousands on a dying
bed, or in the invisible state, would gladly redeem
at the price of the whole world ; how little do we
think of the value of it, and to what trifles are we
daily sacrificing it! Yea, to what trifles do we not
sacrifice it ! In the several divisions of it, wben we
come seriously to reflect on the morning,—the fore-
noon,—the afternoon,--and the evening,--how re-
miss are we in the proper business of each! So that
if the great business for which we were sent into the
world, to understand what is the will of the Lord, 17
and to act according to it, be not, as there is reason
172
EXHORTATIONS TO A USEFUL LIFE.
to conclude in many instances it is, entirely neg-
lected, it is performed in a manner shamefully re-
miss and indifferent.
If we are not drunk with wine, in which there is
an excess18 (from which, to the shame of Christianity,
the followers of Mahomet totally abstain with reso-
lute self-denial, far more easily than Christians keep
themselves within the limits of sober temperance),
yet how frequently are we quite intoricated with
pleasure, in which we forget the dignity of our
nature, and the rules of our profession! And how
seldom are we breathing after that quickening Spirit,
which alone can effectually remedy these disorders ?
If our voices are employed in singing the praises
of God in our public assemblies!' (where nevertheless
so many are constantly silent), or if we practise it
in our families, how little are our hearts engaged !
-How seldom doth God receive any cheerful sacri-
fice of praise from us, even in our most prosperous
circumstances! And how much less in every thing !20
- Where is the person that can say, “ In the night
is my song unto thee? amidst the darkness and dis-
tress of affliction I still praise thee, though thou
correctest me, yea because thou correctest me with
such paternal wisdom and love ?"
And to conclude these melancholy reflections, how
little subjection is there to each other in the various
relations of human life! and where there is any of
it, how much more frequently doth it proceed from
other considerations, than from the fear of God, 21
and a religious regard to his injunctions ! Yet these
that have been mentioned are commands established
by a divine authority; and there is not a Christian
in any age, country, or station, who is not by his
profession solemnly obliged to observe them.
What shall we say then on the whole, but this?
We lie down in our shame, and confusion covers us, be-
cause we have sinned against the Lord our God.
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
173
Jer. iii. 25. And what counsel can be given to
remedy these things, but this? If any man lack
wisdom, of which these are some of the most im-
portant precepts, let him ask it of God, who giveth to
all liberally, and upbraideth none with those instances
of former folly, which they sincerely lament, and
which they labour to amend.—James i. 5.
Secilox XI.
The apostle recommends it to husbands to love their wires in imitation of
CHRIST's love to the church, and presses upon wives the correspondent duty
of conjugal subjection. Eph. v. 22, to the end.
Eph. 5. 22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
23. as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of
the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church :
24. and he is the saviour of the body.-Therefore as the
church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in every thing.
I HAVE been recommending to you a mutual sub-
jection to each other in the several relations of life,
as a general precept of that holy religion in which
you are instructed by the gospel; and I shall now
proceed to illustrate it by descending to some par-
ticulars. And to begin with the relation between
husbands and wives, I would first exhort you that
are wives, that ye be subject with all humility and
gentleness of submission unto your own husbands,
not only from a principle of love and respect to
them, but as a proof of your fidelity and regard
unto the Lord, who has seen fit to place you in a
state of subordination, and commanded you to be
under obedience (1 Cor. xiv. 31): 23 for the hus-
band is by divine constitution the head of the wife,
and so is invested with the superior character, even
as the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church,
which is committed to his care and government :
and standing in this near relation to it, he has
174
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
shown the greatest concern and affection for it, and
is become the saviour of the body, employing his
authority for the most important and benevolent
purposes, not only to deliver us from evil, but to
supply us with all good, in such a manner as to
make it manifest, that our salvation and happiness
depend upon our union with him and subjection to
him. And this may hint at the kind purposes to
which the superiority of the husband over the wife
should be improved, in manifesting a concern for
the defence and safety, and for the benefit and
comfort of the wife : but I now mention it in the
former view, and 24 therefore as the church is subject
unto Christ, and with a cheerful willingness submits
to his authority, so also [let] wives [be] subject to
their own husbands in every thing, in which their
commands are not inconsistent with those of Christ,
who is the head of both.
Eph. 5. 25. —Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
26. loved the church, and gave himself for it;—That he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
27. water by the word,—That he might present it to
himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish.
Yet far it be it from me to insinuate any thing,
that should encourage tyranny and usurpation in
the husband : that equitably kind and generous
Lord, who ought to be considered as a perfect
model, hath by his own example taught a very
different lesson. And therefore on the other hand,
I would exhort you that are 25 husbands, that ye be
sure to love your wives with constant tenderness and
fidelity, even as Christ also hath loved the church :
and 0 how astonishing is that love, and how
delightful is it to reflect upon it! For such is the
affectionate regard that he hath manifested to the
church, that he hath been pleased, when it was in
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
175
a state of slavery and misery, to purchase it to
himself at the most expensive price, and hath even
given himself as a ransom for it ; 26 that having paid
the price of its redemption by his blood, he might
sanctify it by his Spirit, and cleanse it with the wash-
ing of water in baptism, and so having purged it
from the guilt and pollution of sin, might form it
for himself, and train it up in the exercise of every
grace, by the discipline of his word : 27 that being
thus purified, educated, and adorned, as a bride
prepared and adorned for her husband (Rev. xxi. 2),
he might in due time receive it up to glory, and
place it in his own immediate presence, a glorious
church, arrayed in perfect righteousness, and free
from all remains of sin, not having spot or wrinkle,
or any thing of that nature which could be called a
blemish; but that in every part and member of it it
should be holy and without blame, and he might thus
survey it completely pure, beautiful, and resplend-
ent, in that great day, when the whole number of
his elect shall be gathered together, and the mar-
riage of the Lamb shall be celebrated, amidst the
acclamations of the heavenly legions, to whose
blissful world his bride shall be conducted in
triumph.
Eph. 5. 28. —So ought men to love their wives as their own
bodies. He that loreth his wife loreth himself.
29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but
nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the
30. church :-For we are members of his body, of his
31. flesh, and of his bones.—For this cause shall a man
leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto
his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
But to return to the subject from which this
pleasing digression hath led me: such is the near-
ness of the relation I am speaking of, that 28 hus-
bands ought so to love their wires, as they love their
own bodies : and when we consider that the bond of
176
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
30
marriage makes them both one, and remember what
an inseparable community of interests it establisnes,
we may truly say that he that loveth his wife, loveth
himself, and he that permits his affections to be
alienated from her, knows little of his own true
happiness. And this must surely have its weight
with every considerate person ; 29 for no man in his
senses ever yet hated his own flesh, whatever its
infirmities or imperfections were, but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, providing not only for the sustenance
of it, but for its comfortable accommodation ; even
as the Lord nourisheth and cherisheth the church,
supplying it with all things that may conduce to its
welfare and happiness, with a tender concern for
its infirmities, looking upon it as one with himself:
for it is a most certain, as well as delightful truth,
that he regards it in this view, and that we are
esteemed by him as members of his body, united to
him by one Spirit, and therefore considered like
Eve, when just taken out of Adam's side (Gen.
ii. 23), as making a part of his flesh, and of his
bones; whom therefore he would no more permit
to be separated from him, than a man would be
willing to lose a vital part of himself. Now
31 answerably to this it is undoubtedly fit, that (as
Adam was divinely inspired to declare on the first
view of that delightful relation of which I now
speak) all other ties should yield to this : so that,
according as it follows there (Gen. ii. 24), “ a man
shall leave his father and mother, and be inseparably
joined to his wife, and they, though originally and
naturally two persons, shall for the future be one
flesh; shall be considered as one person, and, as
it were, one soul in two bodies.'
Eph. 5. 32. This is a great mystery : but I speak concerning
33. Christ and the church.-Nevertheless let every one
of you in particular so love his wife even as himsel? ;
and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
177
32 This is indeed a great mystery, which was long
unknown, and now it is in some measure dis-
covered, is a matter of much admiration; but you
will easily perceive that in saying this, I speak not
of the union between a man and his wife, but of
that between Christ and the church: for that the
Son of God should unite himself to a society of
mortal men, and regard them as making a part of
himself, on account of the intimacy with which
they are joined to him in a community of spirit and
of interest, can indeed never be sufficiently admired.
33 Nevertheless you will not, I hope, forget the occa-
sion which led me to touch upon this pleasing subject:
I therefore renew the exhortation and say, Let every
one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself,
with such a cordial and sincere affection as he bears
to himself; and let the wife (see] that she reverence
[her] husband, and be subject to him, not only as a
necessary duty, but as led to it by affectionate
choice, regarding him with inward respect and
esteem, as well as paying him the honour of ex-
ternal obedience.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let the love of our blessed Redeemer to his church
be daily celebrated with the most cordial gratitude,
and that infinite condescension adored, by which he
hath been pleased to unite us to himself in such dear
and inseparable bonds. He is the Saviour of the
body; 23 and 0, in how wonderful a manner is he
become so ! He hath given himself for us,25 hath
bought us from servitude and misery at the ex-
pense of his own life, and hath washed us from our
sins in his own blood, as well as cleansed us in the
laver of baptismal water; and intending us for the
eternal displays of his love, as well as for the par-
ticipation of his glory, he hath sanctified us by his
VOL.V.
179
CONJUGAL DUTIES ENFORCED.
Spirit, and formed us for it by his word ; 24 and thus
is preparing us for that blessed day, when the whole
body of his elect shall be brought forth, as the bride,
the lamb's wife, to those public espousals, which
shall have their consummation in complete and
everlasting happiness. O what a noble and illus-
trious day! when the eye of Christ shall survey all
the millions of his people, and placing them in his
presence as one with himself, shall look with full
complacency and delight on all the various mem-
bers of that glorious church, and behold neither spot
nor wrinkle, nor any such thing, 27 but all comely, fair,
and lovely, all answering that perfect idea which he
had formed, and that scheme which he had laid for
raising them by perfect holiness to perfect felicity.
In the mean time, let us think with delight on the
proofs that he gives of his constant love. He
nourishes and cherishes his church ; 29 and with the
most affectionate regard is tender of it, as we are
of the members of our own body, of our flesh, and of
our bones.30 Othat we may have a more sensible
communion with him as our great head, and may
derive more continual influences from him !
For his sake, let us love one another : and let
those who are joined in the conjugal relation, often
consider it in the view in which it is here repre-
sented. Let husbands see to it, that their love to
their wives bear some resemblance to that which
Christ avows to the church:
reverence to their husbands, 33 like that which the
church is to pay to Christ :33 and let both take care
to maintain that wisdom and sanctity in the whole
of their behaviour, which may suit the relation
which they bear to each other in their common
head, as well as render their intimate alliance happy,
which it can never be but by a union of hearts, as
well as of hands. Vain will it be to think of dividing
their interests, when their persons are thus joined
25
let wives pay a
RELATIVE DUTIES,
113
28
in such a manner as to become one flesh.31 And
can there be a stronger argument to the most ten-
der love? He that loveth his wife, loveth himself :
she that loveth her husband, and from love obeys
him, loveth herself too : and every instance of un-
kindness on the one hand, or the other, is but arm-
ing the members with weapons against the head, or
employing the head in contrivances against the
members.
SECTION XII.
The apostle urges the mutual duties of children and parents, and of
servants and masters, enforcing each of them with proper arguments.
Eph. vi. 1-9.
Eph. 6. 1. CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord : for this
2. is right.-llonour thy father and mother; which is
3 the first commandment with promise ;—That it may
be well with thee, and thou mayst live long on the
earth.
Having spoken of the relative duties of hus-
bands and wives, I now proceed to mention other
relations arising from them, and particularly that
between parents and children. And here I would
exhort you that are children, that with becoming
duty and respect ye obey your parents, attending to
the instructions of your father, and not forsaking
the law of your mother (Prov. i. 8), out of regard
to the subjection that you owe them in the Lord,
and in compliance with the authority of Christ :
for this is right and reasonable in itself, as a just
debt to those who are the instruments of
your
being, and to whose care and kindness you are so
much obliged ; and will be also beneficial in its
consequences, as it is certain that parents in general
are more capable of directing their children, than
they are of governing themselves. And as it is
proper and expedient in itself, so it was also ex-
180
DUTIES OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS,
..
pressly commanded by God in that short summary
of moral precepts, which he uttered on mount
Sinai, and engraved with his own finger on the
tables of stone; where you know it was said,
a honour thy father and [thy] mother, enjoining you to
regard them as your superiors with all duty and
obedience, and cheerfully to afford them relief and
maintenance if they should stand in need of it;
which by the way you may observe, is the first com-
mandment that is attended with a special promise :
for it is added there, 3 that it may be well with
thee, and thou mayst be long-lived upon the earth;
which words express the peculiar care of the divine
Providence for the continuance and comfort of the
lives of those who should observe this precept, the
benefit of which those children might generally ex-
pect who were dutiful to their parents: and though
under the gospel the promise of temporal blessings
be not so express and peremptory, yet even now it
may be cheerfully expected, that God will bless such
children in a very visible manner; and he assuredly
will do it, so far as temporal prosperity may on the
whole be subservient to their truest and highest in-
terest.
Eph. 6. 4. —And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admo-
nition of the Lord.
4 And on the other hand, ye parents, and more
especially, ye fathers, let me beseech you, that ye
provoke not your children by a rigorous severity, and
be particularly careful not to exasperate their angry
passions by an over-bearing and tyrannical belia-
viour, lest by this means you should excite them to
such a secret indignation, as may make it difficult
for them to restrain those expressions of wrath,
which in such a relation would be very indecent;
and among other ill-consequences of such a con-
SERVANTS AND MASTERS.
181
duct, there is great reason also to conclude, that it
would naturally prejudice them against Christianity,
and thus would bring upon yourselves a share in the
guilt of their disobedience and ruin : but on the
contrary, let me exhort you to educate them in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord, under such dis-
cipline and instruction as may lead them to the
knowledge of the religion of Christ, and most
effectually dispose them to profess and practise it ;
which it is certainly of great importance that you
should attend to in their earliest years, and before
ill habits render them stubborn and intractable.
Eph. 6. 5. –Servants, be obedient to them that are your mas-
ters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,
6. in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;-Not
with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants
of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and
8. not to men :-Knowing that whatsoever good thing
any man doeth, the same shall be receive of the
Lord, whether he be bond or free.
There is yet another relation between masters and
servants, concerning which I shall proceed to advise
you: and as I would not neglect those of the
lowest character in life, on whose conduct much of
the credit of religion may depend ; I would exhort
you therefore who are servants, whether of the
meanest rank, such as bondmen and slaves, or in
the station only of hired servants, that ye be subject
and obedient to those who are [your] masters and
proprietors, though they be only so according to the
flesh; while there is still a superior Lord of your
spirits, whose authority is to set bounds to theirs,
and never must in any case be violated to please
them, or even to preserve your own lives, when
most in their power : but in all lawful things what-
ever, see that you maintain a becoming subjection
to them, performing what they order you with fear
.
182
DUTIES OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS,
and trembling, as those who would be cautious of
giving offence, or of bringing a reproach on your
profession, by any unfaithfulness or negligence in
their affairs ; discharging your duty to them in the
simplicity and uprightness of your heart, as unto
Christ, with that sincerity and uniformity of con-
duct which a regard to Christ will require and pro-
duce: acting in all things, not with eye-service only,
without attending to their business any further than
while their eye is upon you, as if it were your only
aim to be men-pleasers, and to secure the favour of
your masters; but as those who are the servants of
Christ by your Christian profession, and required
by him to serve your masters with fidelity, doing the
will of God from the soul, with a sincere desire above
all things of approving yourselves to his all-seeing
eye. And thus let it appear that you make con-
science of your duty, and apply to it with a willing
mind; performing all the business of your station
7 with a cheerful readiness and good will, and doing
service with a benevolent alacrity, in such a manner
as to show that you respect and love your masters,
and have their interest at heart, as being ultimately
influenced by a view to the approbation and honour
of the Lord, and not by a regard to those tokens of
favour you may receive from men : 8knowing as-
suredly, and making it the governing maxim of
your lives, that whatsoever good any man doth, in
one station of life or another, he shall receive a pro-
portionable, though infinitely gracious reward for
the same, from the hand of the Lord as his final
judge ; and this, whether ſhe be] a slave, or a free-
man, whether he be the meanest servant, or the
greatest prince : for he is the universal guardian
and protector of his people, and esteems men, not
according to their stations in the world, but accord-
ing to their behaviour in those stations, whether
high or low.
SERVANTS AND MASTERS.
183
Eph. 6. 9. -And, ye masters, do the same things unto them,
forbearing threatening : knowing that your master
also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons
with him.
9 And on the other liand, ye that are lords and
masters, let me exhort you, that ye do the same to
them, and always act on the same equitable princi-
ples, not only with respect to those who are your
hired servants, but even to them that are your
slaves, and belong to you as your absolute property,
so that according to human laws you may dispose of
their persons and their lives as you please: but how-
soever mean and low their station be, remember the
common bond of humanity, by which you are united
to them; remember the peculiar obligations of
Christians to distinguished benevolence and good-
ness, to all with whom you have to do; and there-
fore govern them with moderation and gentleness of
temper, forbearing, not only cruel and dangerous
blows, but all severe and rigorous threatening, and
every thing of an over-hasty and tyrannical conduct;
and treat them in the same generous and upright
manner as you would have them act towards you,
as knowing that ye yourselves also have a superior
Lord and Master in the heavens, whose authority
over you is much greater and more absolute, than
yours over any of your fellow-creatures: and what-
soever difference there may be in your stations,
there is no respect of persons with him; but he will
administer the most strict and impartial justice, and
show that he remembers the cry of the oppressed,
though men may consider them, on account of the
inferiority of their circumstances, as below their
regards.
IMPROVEMENT.
It is matter of thankful acknowledgment, that
Gop condescends in his word to give us particular
18+
DUTIES OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS.
instructions, suited to the circumstances in which
we are respectively placed. Children and servants
are not forgotten. Let them attend to those gra-
cious lessons which are here given by the supreme
Parent and Master', who while he teaches them,
pleads their cause, and interposes his high authority
to vindicate them from oppression and abuse.
Much of the happiness of society evidently de-
pends on the temper and conduct of those who are
placed in these lower relations. Let children there-
fore learn to be subject to their parents with all duti-
ful and humble respect, from a sense of the reason-
ableness of the command, and of the goodness which
has annexed such a promise to it :12 a promise,
which shall still be efficacious, so far as long life 3
would be indeed a blessing to a pious child.
Let servants, with all godly simplicity and upright-
ness of heart, revere the authority of Christ in them
that are their masters according to the flesh;5 and
exercise a good conscience towards them upon all
occasions, not only when under their eye, but in
their absence ; 6 well knowing, that God is always
present, and always attentive to the conduct of every
rational creature in whatsoever rank. Let them
cherish that inward good-will and benevolence of
heart, which renders every act of service uniform
and steady, and makes it in a degree obliging, even
when performed by those from whom authority
might have extorted it. And let the certain and
important reward that will assuredly follow every
good action, whether great or small, and whether
performed by persons in more elevated or inferior
stations of life, animate us all to a zealous diligence
in well-doing, whatever discouragernent may at
present attend us.
And as to those who bear the superior relations
in life, let them remember, that the command of a
much higher Parent and Lord requires also of them
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
185
Let parents
a tender regard to their inferiors.
therefore govern their own passions, that they may
not terrify and oppress the tender spirits of their
children; or if they are otherwise than tender, may
not teach them an evil lesson against themselves, and
by their own example strengthen them in those
excesses, which may be a disgrace and detriment to
the family, and may, when age has broken all the
vigour of the parents, bring down their gray hairs
with sorrow to the grave.
A conscientious care to
educate and train them up in the nurture and admo-
nition of the Lord, if duly attended to, will teach a
better conduct, and the meekness and gentleness of
Christ will have a happy influence on both.
And finally, let the thoughts of that great impar-
tial Master in heaven awe masters on earth; and the
expectation, the certain expectation of giving an
account to him, engage them to make the yoke of
servitude, which God has been pleased to lay on
those who are nevertheless their brethren, as light
and easy as they can; choosing, even when they
might command with authority, rather with love to
entreat; not doing or saying anything unnecessarily
rigorous or severe, not threatening, reviling, or re-
proaching, but treating their servants as those whom
they consider as partakers with them in the same
hope, or whom they earnestly desire by all prudent
condescension and tenderness to lead into the way
of salvation.
SECTION XIII.
The apostle concludes the epistle, with urging them to prepare for a strenuous com-
bat with their spiritual enemies, by putting on the whole armour of God; and
earnestly exhorting them to fervency in prayer, he recommends himself to their re's
membrance at the throne of grace. Eph. vi. 10, to the end.
Eph. 6. 10. FINALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and
11. in the dower of his might.--Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
VOL. V.
2 B
196
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
I HAVE been exlorting you to a faithful perform-
ance of relative duties, and "as to what remains, my
brethren, since every relation in life brings along
with it correspondent duties, and will require vigour
and resolution in the discharge of them, whatever
therefore be the circumstance or situation you are
in, let me beseech you, not to rely on your own
strength, but be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of his might; confide in his omnipotent protection,
and fix your dependence on the grace he is so ready
to communicate to us, to support us in every service
and struggle, to which we are called. And since it
is a strenuous warfare in which you are engaged,
"put on the complete armour of God, that glorious
dress so necessary for you, and so conducive to your
ornament and safety; that ye may, in consequence
of it, be able to stand against all the subtile methods
and artifices of the devil, against all the ambushes he
may lay for you, and all the rage and fury with which
he may attack you.
Eph. 6. 12. -For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
13. wickedness in high places.- Wherefore take unto
you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
12 For in the warfare we are carrying on, our
struggle and contention is not with flesh and blood
alone; not merely with human adversaries, how-
ever powerful, subtile and cruel: not only with the
remaining corruptions of animal nature, which often
give us such painful exercise : but we are called to
wrestle and contend with sagacious and mighty
spirits, once ranked among celestial principalities,
though now degraded by their apostacy to be chiefs
in hell; and with powers, that employ their utmost
strength to ruin us, and that still keep their regular
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE,
197
subordination, that their efforts of mischief may be
more effectual : we contend with those who are the
rulers of the darkness of this ageand world, who have
long usurped a dominion over it, and who in the
present age hold men in the chains of hereditary
superstition and destructive errors, which have been
delivered down to them through many succeeding
generations; and with spirits, who became authors
and abettors of wickedness even while they abode in
heavenly [places], where they rebelled against the
God of leaven, and drew in multitudes who were
before holy and happy spirits, to take part with
them in their ungrateful and impious revolt. With
these are we struggling for that great celestial prize,
which they have for ever lost; and their nature,
experience, and situation, give them most formida-
ble advantages against the weak children of men,
surrounded with so many examples of evil, and with
such powerful temptations to it. 13 On this account
then let me pursue my exhortation, that ye would
take unto you the complete armour of God, that so ye
may be able to withstand all these strong and mali-
cious enemies in the evil day of extremest danger;
and having done all, having exerted yourselves to the
utmost, which indeed it will be absolutely necessary
for you to do, ye may be found at last, when your
warfare is accomplished, to stand victorious and
triumphant.
Eph. 6. 14. --Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
truth, and having on the breastplate of righteous-
15. ness:
-And your feet shod with the preparation of
16. the gospel of peace ;--Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
17. fiery darts of the wicked.–And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God,
"Stand therefore in a constant readiness for the
encounter, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, having
188
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
your loins girded about with the strictest truth, up-
rightness, and sincerity of heart, which will give a
steadiness and uniformity to your conduct, and
serve, as a girdle does, to brace on the other parts
of your armour, and keep them all in their
proper
places : and putting on the breast-plate of universal
righteousness, or a constant regard to the practice
of holiness in the sight of God, and of justice and
integrity in the whole of your dealings with your
fellow-creatures, which like a breast-plate will de-
fend your vitals against many a dangerous thrust of
the enemy: 5and having your feet shod with the pre-
paration of the gospel of peace, with that peaceful and
benevolent temper, which is so much recommended
by the gospel as an essential part of the Christian
character, and which, like the boots worn by
soldiers, will bear you unhurt through the many
difficulties and trials, which like sharp-pointed
thorns may lie in your way, and dangerously ob-
struct your progress : and Pupon all [these] taking
to yourselves the impenetrable shield of a steady
faith in the great promises and principles of the
gospel, whereby if it be kept in lively exercise, ye
shall be able effectually to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked one, those furious suggestions which he
may sometimes discharge into the mind, like so
many envenomed arrows or darts, which kindle by
the swiftness of their passage : land take also the
helmet of salvation, that cheerful liope of complete
deliverance and eternal happiness, which will cover
your head in the day of battle, and give you a well-
grounded boldness and confidence, which will
greatly conduce to your success : and brandish in
your hands the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God, those declarations of his word and
gospel which his Spirit has inspired, and by a firm
confidence in which you will be able, not only to
defend yourselves, but to repel your adversaries.
TIIE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
189
Eph. 6. 18.–Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perse-
verance and supplication for all saints.
And finally, to add efficacy to all these, be 1®con-
tinually praying; make it a constant part of your
daily work, and be frequently amidst all your labours
and cares lifting up your hearts to God in holy
ejaculations, joined with all kind of prayer and sup-
plication in the fervency of your own spirits, under
the influence of that divine Spirit, which resides in
you to quicken your hearts, and which will engage
you never to rest contented in outward forms of
unmeaning and hypocritical devotion: and as you
desire it may be effectual, be still watching thereunto
with all perseverance and importunate ardour of
mind, joining to these petitions such earnest inter-
cession and affectionate supplication for all the saints,
as the principles of our religion dictate, and as may
suit the relations in which we respectively stand.
Eph. 6. 19. --And for me, that utterance may be given unto me,
that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known
20. the mystery of the gospel,--For which I am an am-
bassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
And "particularly let me entreat your prayers for
me, your faithful minister and apostle, that being
loosed from my bonds, a door of utterance may be
opened, and free liberty of expression given to me,
that I may open my mouth with all confidence and
boldness in that important cause wherein I am en-
gaged, so as to make known in the most effectual
manner the mystery of the gospel, by going on to
preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and stead-
fastly maintaining what I before have taught, of the
Gentiles being called to all the privileges of the
gospel covenant; 20for which, through the resent-
ment of the Jewish zealots, I am now a prisoner at
Rome, where I discharge my embassy in a chain; that
190
TIIE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
1
21
ye also
howsoever I may seem to be entirely in the power
of my enemies, and have already suffered so much
for my zeal for the truth, I may have fourther oppor-
tunity to speak bolily therein, as I ought to speak, in
order to approve my fidelity to God, and my sin-
cere affection to the souls of men.-Compare Col.
iv. 3, 1.
Eph. 6. ?1.–But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I
do, Tvchicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister
in the Lord, shall make known to you all things :-
2.2. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose,
that ye might know our affairs, and that he might
comfort your hearts.
"But I will not insist largely on my own personal
concerns; for that
also may know the things that
relate to me, Canil] what I am doing here at Rome,
Tychicus, iz beloved brother, and faithful minister and
fellow-sertant in the work of the Lord, shall by my
direction fully inform you: Prchom indeed I have sent
with this epistle to you for this very purpose,
that
ye
mught more particularly know from him what relates
to us, and that by the report which through the
divine goodness he will be able to make, he may
comfort your hearts, as to the grief and trouble you
are under for me, and may encourage you to stead-
fästness in the gospel.
0. 23. Peace li to the brethren, and love with faith, from
1. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.-Grace
? with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen.
I conclude with my most affectionate and ardent
pravers, that "peace and all prosperity in soul and
Dodi, may ibe with all the brethren, that are with
Tour and that the love of God in Christ, attended
with a fervent love to one another, mar be shed
abroad in your hearts, together with a plentiful in-
crease and confirmation of faith and every other
grace. from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
191
Christ. And may this 'grace, with all the blessed
fruits of it, not only [be] with you, but may it richly
abound to all in every place, that love our Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity and incorruption of heart, that
are inspired with a true affection to him, and from
that love desire faithfully to serve him. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let the heart of every Christian soldier be at once
awakened, and animated, by the important charge,
which the apostle here is (as it were still sounding
in our ears. He knew the Teakness of the Christian,
and the dangers of his war; low insufficient for
the spiritual warfare we are in ourselves, and that
our only strength is in the Lord, and in the power of
his might, aby whom alone we can be kept in safety,
and may be made even more than conquerors in all
things: and therefore pointing us to this, at the
same time that he sets forth the difficult of the com-
bat and sounds a ckarge to the battle, he shows us
the provision made for our defence, and calls us to
put on the complete armour of God; an armour, that
will serve for every part, that will supply us both with
offensive and defensive weapons, and help us to
withstand," 13 and even to surmount, the greatest
opposition. Let us see to it then, that we put on,
and that we use it all.
And have we not enough to engage us to it, when
we consider, that our enemies are great and many,
that ther are restless and unwearied in their malice,
and thai their subtilty is inconceivable? Flesh and
bloou have too frequently worsted us: how then
shall we stand against principalities and powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and
against spirits of wickedness, Tho make it still their
im-iness to draw others into that spiritual wickedness
which they were first so daring as to show in hea.
192
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.
17
venly places? It will be impossible, we should at
any time be safe from danger, if every direction here
given be not diligently attended to; and having
such a numerous and mighty host of enemies com-
bined against us, we never shall be able to withstand
and overcome them, if the girdle of truth' be
loosened, if the breast-plate of righteousness be not
put on, if the preparation of the gospel of peace do
not secure our steps, if the helmet of salvation do not
guard our head, if the shield of faith be not our
shelter, and the sword of the Spirit our weapon.'
And vainly shall we labour to obtain this armour by
any other method, if fervent prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, under the aids and influences of his
grace, be not addressed to the God of heaven, whose
work and whose gift this celestial armour is: so that
if ever we would have it, and would use it aright, let
us persist in seeking it with holy importunity and
perseverance, and the desired answer shall not al-
ways be denied.
To conclude, let us often think of the apostle
Paul, as discharging his embassy in a chain,20 that we
may learn to submit to whatever affronts and injuries,
whatever hardships and sufferings we may be called
to endure on the account of religion; concerned
about nothing so much, as that we may approve our
fidclity in the sight of God, and loving the Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity,23 24 may be partakers of the
blessings of his grace, with all that have a true
affection to him. All that appear to be of such a
churacter, let us ever most affectionately love, what-
(ver their particular sentiments or forms of worship
may be; and a share of this mercy and favour, with
all the blessed fruits of peace and prosperity, of love
and faith, shall be infallibly our own, and be com-
municated in a rich abundance to us from God the
Futher, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
The Christian religion was first planted at Philippi
by the apostle Paul, about the year of our Lord 51:
who, having (as the history of the Acts informs us,
chap. xvi.) made a progress through Galatia and
Phrygia, and intending to pursue his tour througlı
Bithynia, was admonished in a vision to go over to
Macedonia. And being arrived at Philippi, which
was a city in the first part of that province, and a
Roman colony (see notes on Acts xvi. 12), he,
with his companions, Timothy, Luke, and Silas,
spent some days there in preaching the gospel.
During his stay here, he converted Lydia, and cast
out a spirit of divination from a damsel ; which so
enraged her masters, who made a considerable
advantage of it, that they stirred up the inhabitants,
and threw Paul and Silas into prison; from whence
however they were miraculously delivered, and the
jailor with all his house converted to the Christian
faith. Though the apostle soon after left the city,
Luke and Timothy continued there some time longer,
to carry on the work he had so successfully begun:
and this no doubt was one reason, that induced
him to fix upon the latter, as the most proper
person to visit the Philippians in his absence, of
whose affection for them, and concern for their
interests, be takes particular notice (chap. ii.
19-22).
20
VOL. 1.
1.94
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
That the apostle himself made these Christians a
second visit, is plain from Acts xx. 6, though we
are not informed of any particulars relating to it;
and it is at least highly probable (for reasons to be
given below), that he saw them again after this
epistle was sent: indeed the peculiar affection and
respect, they seem to have discovered for the apostle,
as well as the sufferings, to which they liad been
exposed, by their faithful adherence to the gospel
(chap. i. 28–30), entitled them to some distin-
guished regard; for besides the present, he ac-
knowledges to have received from them by the
hands of Epaphroditus (chap. iv. 18), they had more
than once before generously contributed to his sup-
port, even during his residence amongst larger and
richer societies.-Chap. v. 15, 16. And from some
hints that are dropt in this epistle, we may gather,
that they had taken an opportunity of expressing,
in the strongest and most affectionate terms, their
sympathy with the apostle under his confinement,
and their concern, lest it should affect the interest
of religion, and prevent the spread of the gospel.
It is no wonder if such proofs of the sincerest
friendship, and the discovery of so excellent a
temper, should deeply affect so pious and benevo-
lent a heart as St. Paul's; and accordingly his
epistle breathes throughout, the warmest gratitude
and most disinterested affection.
As to the date of this epistle, it appears from the
apostle's own words (chap. i. 7, 13, iv. 22), that it
was wrote while he was a prisoner at Rome; and
from the expectation he discovers (chap. ii. 24), of
being shortly released, and restored to them again,
compared with Philem. ver. 22, and Heb. xiii. 23,
where he expresses a like expectation in yet stronger
terms; it is extremely probable, that this epistle
was wrote towards the close of his first imprison-
ment, and sent about the same time with the epistles
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
195
to the Colossians, the Ephesians, and Philemon,
which (as has been already shown in the introduc-
tion to the Ephesians), was in the year of our Lord,
3, and the 9th of the emperor Nero.-See also
note on Acts xxviii. 31.
The apostle's design in this epistle (which is quite
of the practical kind), seems to be, “to comfort
the Philippians, under the concern they had ex-
pressed, at the news of his imprisonment; to check
a party-spirit, that appears to have broken out
among them, and to promote on the contrary an
entire union and harmony of affection: to guard
them against being seduced from the purity of the
Christian faith, by Judaizing teachers; to support
them under the trials with which they struggled;
and above all to inspire them with a concern to
adorn their profession, by the most eminent attain.
iments in the divine life.'
The apostle, after his usual salutation in which
he joins Timothy's name with his own), begins with
assuring the Philippians, in the most expressive
language, of his affectionate regard for them, and
solicitous concern for their religious interests ; ac-
knowledging, with the utmost gratitude, the good-
ness of God in calling them to partake with him in
the blessings of the gospel, and praying for their
further improvement in knowledge and holiness.-
Chap. i. 1-11. And to remove the apprehensions
they were under, from the news of his imprison-
ment at Rome, which seemed to wear so fatal an
aspect on the interest of religion, he informs them,
that even this event had, under the direction of
Providence, been over-ruled for the service of the
gospel : while the honest zeal of some, and the
envious, contentious spirit of others, both con-
curred in advancing the same cause: and, notwith-
standing all the opposition that was made to him,
he declares his cheerful hope and confidence, that
196
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
in
every situation of life, and even in death itself,
he should still be honoured as the instrument of
promoting this great object of his wishes.—Ver.
12–20. In this connection, it was natural for
him to express the strong desire he felt, of being
with Christ in that better world, where he should
receive the blessed fruits of his labours : and after
describing the struggle he found within himself,
between his earnest longing after that felicity, and
his solicitude for their further establishment in re-
ligion, he declares his readiness to continue here
for the service of his Master, and their spiritual
advantage; and entreats them, that, while he did
so, he might have the joy to hear, that, though he
was absent, they maintained the honour of their
Christian character, both for piety and courage.
Ver. 21-30.
The apostle, having given the Philippians these
general admonitions, to maintain a conduct worthy
of the gospel, proceeds to exhort them, in the
most solemn and pathetic manner, to the particular
exercises of unanimity and candour, and a tender
care for the interests of each other; which he en-
forces by the generous and condescending love of
our blessed Redeemer; on whose humiliation and
exalted state he expatiates with great warmth and
energy, urging them to a due improvement of these
sublime discoveries, by a holy caution and circum-
spection in their whole deportment, and a life of
the most exemplary virtue ; which as it would most
evidently conduce to their own happiness, and the
honour of their religion, would also make a glorious ,
addition to his joy and triumph at the great day,
by affording so convincing a proof of the success of
his labours.-- Chap. ii. 1-16. And as a further
instance of the strength of his affection, and con-
cern for their happiness, he assures them, that he
should even rejoice in thic view of sacrificing his life
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
197
for their advantage: and since, for the present, his
circumstances would not allow him to gratify the
carnest desire he felt, of administering personal con-
solation and instruction to them, he promises to
send Timothy very soon to supply his place; who,
on account of the particular affection he had dis-
covered for that church, and the assiduity with which
he assisted the apostle, in his first preaching the
gospel there, was of all others the most proper to
be employed in such an office. Yet he intimates a
strong persuasion, that he should himself be soon.
released from his imprisonment, and have the plea-
sure of seeing them once again : however, as they
stood in need of present support, and Timothy could
not immediately undertake the journey, he tells
them, he had commissioned Epaphroditus, by whom
he sent this letter, to assure them of his kind re-
membrance; and to induce them to pay the greater
regard to his messenger, he gives an affecting ac-
count of his late sickness, and ardent love to the
brethren.-Ver. 17, to the end.
Having thus sufficiently testified the sincerity of
his regards for them, the apostle goes on to guard
chem against the influence of some factious, turbu-
lent persons, who had disturbed the peace of the
church, by their furious zeal for the observance of
the Jewish ritual; and exhorts them in opposition
to all such pretences, to fix their whole dependence
on Christ and his gospel ; which he assures them
he himself had done, though he had more to glory
in with respect to Jewish privileges and advantages,
than most of those, who valued themselves so
highly upon them; animating them, from his own
example, continually to aspire after higher attain-
ments in piety and virtue, as the only means of
securing that complete felicity, which the gospel
promises to all its sincere votaries.-Chap. iii.
1-14. And as they had not yet attained to the
198
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
perfection of the Christian character, he urges upon
them, from the glorious hope of the resurrection,
a lioly and blameable temper, and heavenly con-
versation; cautioning them against the bad ex-
àmple even of some professing Christians, who
brought destruction on themselves and reproach on
religion, by the unsuitable manner in which they
acted. Ver. 15, to the end, & iv. 1.
The apostle, having in the former part of the
epistle recommended mutual forbearance, peace,
and concord, now descends to some particular
charges relating to the same subject ; and then
proceeds to give more general exhortations to
Christian cheerfulness, moderation, prayer, a be-
haviour universally amiable and praiseworthy, and
an imitation of the good example he had endea-
voured to set before them.-Ver. 2_9.
Towards the close of the epistle, he makes his
acknowledgments to the Philippians for the season-
able and liberal supply they had sent him ; which
he declares he rejoiced in principally on their ac-
count, as it was so convincing a proof of their
affection for him, and their concern for the support
of the gospel, which he preferred far above any
private, secular interest of his own ; expressly dis-
claiming all selfish, mercenary views, and assuring
them with a noble simplicity, that he was able upon
all occasions to accommodate his temper to his
circumstances, and had learnt, under the teaching
of divine grace, in whatever station Providence
might see fit to place him, therewith to be content.
After which, the apostle, having encouraged them
to expect a rich supply of all their wants from their
God and Father, to whom he devoutly ascribes the
honour of all, concludes with salutations from him.
self and his friends at Rome to the whole church,
and a solemn benediction.-Ver. 10, to the end.
PAUL'S CONCERY FOR THE CHURCH.
199
SECTION I.
The introduction, with the general salutation, suited 10 the views with which
the apostle urole. Phil. i. 1-11
Pul. 1. 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,
2. with the bishops and deacons :-Grace be unto you,
and peace, from God our Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ.
· Paul and Timothy, being now providentially
together at Rome, both through divine grace the
faithful servants of Jesus Christ, and desirous to
promote his interest by their writings, where their
other labours cannot reach, do hereby send their
most affectionate Christian salutations to all the
saints, their holy brethren, in Christ Jesus, which
are at Philippi, whom God hath united to them in
the bonds of one common faith. And they greet
with particular respect the bishops and deacons of the
society, to whom the oversight of it in the Lord is
so peculiarly committed ; wishing abundant success
to their labours in their respective and important
offices: and wishing to every private Christian
under their care, whether personally known or un-
known, 'grace, even to you all, and perpetual peace,
with every attendant blessing, from God, who is
now become our covenant God and reconciled
Futher, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, through
whose blood, righteousness, and intercession, we
are brought into so happy a relation to him.
Phil. 1. 3. -I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4. —Always in every prayer of mine for you all making
request with joy.
When I Paul am addressing a church dear to me
by so many bonds, and to whom I am under so
many distinguished obligations, it is fit I should
assure you, that 'I give thanks unto my God, for
such he is, and I recollect it with unspeakable
200
PAUL'S AFFECTIONATE CONCERN FOR
delight, in every mention of you; whether before the
throne of grace, or when conversing with my fellow
Christians. And the former occasion of mention-
ing you often occurs : for I am 4always in every
prayer of mine making humble supplication for you
all, and mingling those intercessions with joy and
praise, when I reflect on that honourable profession
which you make, and that steady and exemplary
conduct, by which you s'ipport and adorn it.
Phil. 1. 5. -For your fellows up in the gospel from the first
6. day until now ;--Being confident of this very thing,
that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Yes, my brethren, though several years are since
passed, I think myself obliged to bless God, with
all the united powers of my soul, for your partici-
pation in the blessings of the gospel, from the first
day of my preaching it among you, though soon
attended with menaces and insults, scourging and
imprisonment; and to praise him for that establish-
ment and increase, which he hath been pleased to
give to the seed that was sown, and which his
grace maintains even until now. And he will still
maintain it, for ® [I am] confident of this very hing',
that he who hath begun a good work in and upon you,
and which I have now the pleasure of seeing so far
advanced, will not finally forsake the production of
his own grace, but will finish [it] in your souls, until
he raise it to full perfection, in the day of Jesus Christ,
when he shall appear in all his glory.
Pbil. l. 7. --Even as it is mcet for me to think this of you all,
because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both
in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation
8. of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.-For
God is my record, how greatly I long after you all
9. in the bowels of Jesus Christ.–And this I pray, that
your love may abound yet more and more in know-
10. ledge and in all judgment;-That ye may approve
things that are excellent;—that ye may be sincere
THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI.
201
Phil. 2. 11, and without offence till the day of Christ;-Being
filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Such are the sentiments of
my
heart with respect
to you, and such the concern I have upon your
account; 'as it is indeed just in me to be thus affected
towards you all, because I know you have me in your
hearts both in these my bonds for the sake of Christ,
and in my defence and confirmation of the gospel, while
I am pleading its cause in the midst of so much
opposition and danger: as you are all partakers with
me in the grace of that gospel, which establishes a
community of interests between us; and as you so
tenderly and faithfully show your sense of it, I can-
not but return it. Thus I say it ought to be, and
thus it is, sfor God, who discerns all the secret
recesses of my heart, is my witness, how earnestly I
tong for you all, in the bowels of Jesus Christ. He
kuow's that I long to see you, with that peculiar
tenderness of affection, which nothing but these
bonds of mutual faith and love, centering in him,
can be capable of producing, and which greatly
resembles the compassion, which Christ himself
feels for those, whom his grace has made the
members of his body. And in the mean time, this
I continue to pray for, in your behalf, as the best
blessing I can ask of God för
you,
that
your love to
one another, and to all the saints, may abound yet
more and more; and that it may be a rational and
truly Christian affection, founded in a thorough
knowledge of the principles, which tend so much to
endear us to each other, and in all that inward feel-
ing and perception of these sacred ties, which nothing
but true experimental religion can give. So as to
prove by experience things which differ, and know
by trial, how incomparably excellent the Christian
character is beyond any other; that ye may be found
not only sincere and cordial, but altogether inoffen-
VOL. V.
2 D
202
PAUL'S AFFECTIONATE CONCERN FOR
sive through the whole of your Christion course,
even until the great day of Christ: 1 being filled with
all the genuine fruits and effects of righteousness,
which are produced by virtue of a vital faith in Jesus
Christ, and by strength and influence derived from
him, to the glory and praise of God; for that great
end of the gospel revelation is never more effectually
answered, than when the temper and conduct of those
who profess it, is agreeable to its sacred dictates.
IMPROVEMENT.
Amidst the numberless mercies, with which,
through the indulgence of our heavenly Father, we
are daily surrounded, what can demand our humble
and grateful acknowledgments more than our par.
ticipation in the gospel ? To whatever afflictions it
may expose us, or whatever we may be called to
sacrifice to its interests, every day, in which we
share its comforts and supports, calls aloud for our
praiser, 3 both in the enjoyment and in the recollec-
tion. And whilst we look back with these senti-
ments of gratitude, let us look forwards with cheer-
ful confidence. It is to God's having begun a good
work in us, that we are to ascribe it, that the
glorious gospel of his Son is our joy and our wonder,
rather than our aversion and our scorn.
therefore be humbly confident, that he will not for-
sake the work of his own hands, but will finish it, so
that it shall appear worthy of himself in the great
day of the Lord.
No wonder that, where this blessed work is
begun, there is a great affection between those, who
were the instruments of producing it, and those in
whom it is produced. No wonder if Paul made
mention of these his Christian converts at Philippi,
in every prayer of his offering up requests for them,
and praying for the increase of their hope and love."
We may
49
THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI.
203
No wonder on the other side, if their hearts were
tenderly set upon him, and that, distant as he was,
he seemed to lodge there, and their tender care fol-
lowed him through every circumstances of his
bonds and apology;? so that his sufferings and
dangers were even more painful to them than their
own: while he on his part longed for them all in the
bowels of the Lord,8 and could conceive of no greater
charm in liberty itself, than that it might give him
an opportunity of cultivating so endearing a friend-
ship by personal converse.
The increase of love founded on knowledge, and
attended with other sentiments of erperimental re-
ligion, is to be numbered among the best of apostolic
blessings. Every experience of these things will
confirm our resolution of maintaining that godly
sincerity, which will render our conversation un-
blamable, and our account in the day of the Lord
comfortable. 9 10 To glorify God by the fruits of
righteousness, 'i is the great end for which these
rational natures were given us; and it is by the
exercise of lively faith in Christ, that these dispo-
sitions are cultivated, and these fruits rendered
most abundant.
SECTION II.
The apostle informs the Philippians, how his imprisonment at Rome had been
providentially over-ruled, for the service of the gospel ; and strongly de-
clares his cheerful hope and confidence, that this great object of his wishes
should still be promoled, whatever events might be allowed to him. Phil.
i. 12-20.
Phil. 1. 12. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that
the things Ichich happened unto me have fallen out
13. rather unto the furtherance of the gospel ;--so that
my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace,
14. and in all other places :---Avd many of the brethren
in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are
much more bold to speak the word without fear.
My dear friends, I am fully convinced of the
204
PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN AN
tenderness of your affection for me; and, as I have
declared above, I do you the justice to believe, that
you have me in your heart, while I continue under
this confinement for the testimony of Jesus. 2 But
I would have you to know, my much beloved brethren,
that the things relating to me, some of which have
given you so much concern, on the most friendly
and generous principles, have been so over-ruled
by the divine wisdom and goodness, that indeed
they have fallen out rather to the advancement, than
hindrance of the gospel, which ye were ready to fear.
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifested, and
taken notice of in all the palace of Cæsar, and all
other [places] in and about the city, and have
scemed so remarkable, that many have been ex-
cited to enquire, much to their own satisfaction
and advantage, what there was in this new and
unknown religion, that could animate me so cheer-
fully to endure so much hardship and persecution
in its defence; for they soon traced up my suffer-
ings to this as their only cause.
14 And this had so
happy an effect, that many of the brethren in the
Lord, instead of being discouraged, were cmboldened
by my bonds, when they saw my firmness and con-
stancy under them, so as to venture with much more
undaunted courage to preach the word of the gospel,
which our enemies thought, by their persecution
of me to have discountenanced and silenced.
Phil. 1. 15. -Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;
16. and some also of good will :-- The one preach Christ
of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add afflic-
17. tion to my bonds :—But the other of love, knowing
18. that I am set for the defence of the gospel.--What
then ? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pre-
tence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein
19. do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.-For I know that
this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer,
20. and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.-Ac-
cording to my carnest expectation and my hope, that
in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
OVERRULING PROVIDENCE.
205
Phil. 1. 20. boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by
death.
15 Indeed I cannot say, that all who have engaged
in this work have acted upon the noblest principles;
for some preach Christ even from envy and contention,
desirous to maintain in the church a party that shall
oppose me, and willing to add as many abettors to
it as they possibly can; while others do it out of
(sincere] affection, faithfully intending the honour
of GOD, the interest of the Redeemer, and the
advancement of human happiness, which is so in-
separably connected with the success of Christianity
in the world. The first indeed preach Christ out of
strife, and not with purity and simplicity of intention,
but on the contrary, from the unkindest and un-
worthiest motive, as desirous to add yet more afflic-
tion to my bonds, by strengthening the cause of those,
who, while they call themselves Christians, seem
to place a point of honour and conscience in hurt-
ing my reputation, and abetting unreasonable pre-
judices, which have been so eagerly raised and
propagated, to the disadvantage of my character.
17 JV hercas others [proach] him out of cordial love,
and amidst the many other noble and benevolent
views on which they act, hare some regarıl to that
comfort, which they are sure it will administer to
me, as they know thut I am raised up, and set in the
place in which I appear, for the defence of the
gospel; and that nothing can make my sorrows and
distresses sit so light upon me, as to see that this
blessed cause is in some measure promoted by them.
18 That then is the result of these attempts, pro-
ceeding from such different principles? It is, that
I am, in one view or another, pleased with them
both: for though I could indeed wish that all, en-
gaged in so honourable a work, were pursuing it
from the most worthy and generous motives, yet
206
PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN AN
cvery way, whether it be only in pretence of pious
zeal, or in the truth of it, Christ is however preached,
and the great doctrine of salvation by him has
something of a wider spread. And in this I heartily
rejoice, yea and I will continue to rejoice: for I had
much rather that some, who are converted to Chris-
tianity by my enemies, should think as ill of me as
they themselves do, than that they should remain
ignorant of those fundamental truths, on the know-
ledge of which their eternal happiness depends.
Nor do I much regard the opposition, which may
arise against me, from the ill-designing teachers,
or their misguided followers ; 19 for I well know that
disagreeable as its present effects are, even this shall
issue in promoting my salvation, by your continued
prayer to God for me, and the supply of the Spirit of
Jesus Christ, which shall be liberally dealt out in
answer to it: 20 according to my earnest erpectation,
and cheerful hope, that I shall in nothing be ashamed,
whatever injurious reflections may be made upon
my conduct; but [that], by all the freedom of speech
which I am still determined to use, as it hath
always been hitherto, [sO] now also Christ shall be
magnified in my body, whether by its liberty or con-
finement, whether in life or in death. When I con-
sider all possible contingencies that can arise, in
this view, I find my heart most cheerfully recon-
ciled to them all, and instead of trembling at the
thought of martyrdom itself, I rather rejoice in it.
IMPROVEMENT.
.
How admirable is the conduct of divine Provi-
dence! and in how beautiful a manner does it often
work the purposes it wisely and graciously deter-
mines, by events which seem to have the most con-
trary tendency! Who could have imagined, that
the imprisonment of St. Paul, should have been
OVERRULING PROVIDENCE.
207
14
effectual to the advancement of Christianity ?12
Thus can God animate and encourage his servants,
by the extremity which their brethren suffer in his
cause ; so that they shall wax confident by their bonds,
and their martyrdom.
Let this then reconcile us
to all the allotments of Providence, and establish
us in an earnest expectation and hope, that Christ will
be glorified in all things by us, whether by our life or
death: and who, that knows the grace of God in
truth, would not rejoice even in death itself, if the
gracious Redeemer, who gave his own life for us,
may thereby be magnified ?
How execrable the temper of those, who preached
Christ out of envy and contention, and managed a
ministry, which should have breathed nothing but
love, in a view of adding affliction to those bonds
that oppressed this best of men ! But how generous
and amiable the disposition, which the apostle ex-
presses, when he rejoices in this, that Christ was
preached, though the purposes with regard to him,
were so unkind! These are the wonders, which the
love of Jesus produces in the soul : thus doth it
empty us of every malignant passion, and reconcile
us to the most disugreeable events, that may advance
his interests. 18 Where such principles inspire the
breast, the faithful servants of Jesus will find their
own account, while they are wholly intent on his
honour. All these events shall turn to their salva-
tion; but let it be remembered, that it is through
the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 19 which
sanctifies to us every circumstance through which
we pass. That these supplies may be imparted, let
us unite our prayers in favour of all who love our
common Lord in sincerity.—Eph. vi. 24.
208
ON STEADFASTNESS AND CONSTANCY.
SECTION III.
Paul freely lays open to the Pbilippians the sentiments of his heart as to life
and death, declaring his desire to be with Christ in a better world, but his
readiness to continue here for his Lord's service; and entreats them, that, while
he diá so, he might have the joy to hear, that though he were absent, they main-
tained the honour of their Christian character, both for piety and courage. Phil. i.
21—30.
Phil. 1. 21.--FOR to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.--
22. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
23. labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.--For I
am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart,
241. and to be with Christ; which is far better :-Never-
theless to abide in the flesh is morc needful for you.-
25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall
abide and continue with you all for your furtherance
26. and joy of faith ;---That your rejoicing may be more
abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to
you again.
I HAVE expressed my expectation and my hope,
that Christ will be glorified in me, whether by life
or by death, and it is a hope which I am encouraged
to form, by a consciousness of the temper I feel in
my heart. 2 For to me to live [is] Christ; he is the
supreme end of my life, and I value it only, as it is
capable of being referred to the purposes of his
honour. And in consequence of this, to die [is]
gain; for as this temper argues my interest in the
friendship of that Redeemer, who is the Lord of the
invisible, as well as the visible world, I am well
satisfied that he will make ample provision for my
happiness, when I quit this transitory life, and sur-
round me with far more important blessings, than
any which I must then resign. 22 And if he deter-
mines that I live longer in the infirmities and sorrows
of mortal flesh, I desire to acquiesce; for this [is],
what I esteem, the great fruit of my life and labour,
and an ample equivalent for all its fatigues, that I
may be capable in some measure of promoting the
great end, which engaged him for a while to make
his abode here, in this humble form of human
ON STEADFASTNESS AND CONSTANCY. 209
nature. And thus, on the whole, which I should
choose, if it were entirely referred to myself, I know
not: 23 for I am, as it were, borne two different ways;
having, on the one hand, a more earnest desire, out
of regard to my own immediate happiness, to be un-
bound ; to weigh anchor, as it were, and quitting
these mortal shores, set sail for that happy world.
where I shall be immediately with Christ, which zu
better beyond all comparison and expression, than a
longer abode here would be, were I to regard only
my own immediate comfort and happiness: 24 but to
abide in the flesh, [is] I know more expedient and
necessary for you and my fellow-Christians, who
need my further assistance. 25 And, having this con-
fidence, I know that I shall abide, and I am heartily
willing, though my own personal glory be delayed.
to continue with you all, in order to the advancement
of your faith, and of that joy which is supported by
it : 26 that your boasting and rejoicing in me, may in
and through Christ Jesus, be more abundant, and
your Christian consolation greatly increased, by my
coming among you again, to make you another visit
when I am enlarged from my present confinement,
as, when it has answered the schemes of Providence
with respect to it, I hope I shall be.
Phil. 1. 27. -Only let your conversation be as it becometh the
gospel of Christ : that whether I come and see you,
or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye
stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
28. together for the faith of the gospel ;-And in
nothing terrified by your adversaries : which is to
them an evident token of perdition, but to you of
29. salvation, and that of God. --For unto you it is given
in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him
30. but also to suffer for his sake ;-Having the same
conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be
in me.
22 Only, let me always urge this upon you, that
your conversation may be such as becomes the gospel
VOL, V.
2 E
210
ON STEADFASINESS AND CONSTANCY.
of Christ, and may do an honour to your profession
of his religion ; that so whether I come to visit you,
or be long absent from you, I may see and hear con-
cerning you, that ye stand fast in one spirit, striving
together as with one soul, and in the most vigorous
united efforts, for the faith of the gospel; which it
will be your interest to contend for, how violently
soever your mightiest adversaries may attempt to
wrest it out of your hands. 28 And indeed I hope it
will appear, that you are not in any degree terrified by
all the rage and fury of your enemies, which, when
duly considered, is to them, an evident token of surely
and quickly approaching destruction; as nothing can
be a more certain sign that they are ripe for it, than
the prevalency of such a persecuting spirit among
them: but to you, it is a sure evidence of complete
salvation, quickly to be revealed, and that from God
himself, who will reward your pious fortitude with
blessings proportionably distinguished. And in this
view I would have you to look upon these trials, and,
instead of dreading them, to be thankful for them.
29 For it is granted to you, as a favour on the part of
Christ, our great Lord, not only to believe in him, but
also, that you should have the distinguished honour
to suffer for his sake ; in consequence of which, you
will be entitled to the peculiar rewards of those, who
have been martyrs and confessors in the cause of
his truth.—Compare Acts v. 41. 30 Having in a
great measure the same struggle with the adversaries
of the gospel, who labour to overbear it by brutal
violence, as ye saw to be in me, when I was among
you at Philippi, and was stripped and scourged, and
laid in the dungeon and in the stocks, and which
you now hear [to be] in me at Rome ; whither you
know I was sent in bonds, as an evil doer, having
been obliged to appeal to Cæsar, for the preserva-
tion of my life, when attempted by enemies, who
would be contented with nothing less than my
ON STEADFASTNESS AND CONSTANCY. 211
blood, which they had solemnly bound themselves
to shed.
IMPROVEMENT,
acquiesce. 24 25
How happy must that man be, who can truly say,
that to him to live is Christ, and to die gain!21 What
a blessed alternative is before him, and how cheer-
fully may he leave it to Providence to decide, which
of the two shall be appointed for him! And yet
how vain must lite be, and how miserable death, to
that man, who cannot say it! He that gathereth not
with Christ, scattereth abroad (Matt. xii. 30) i and
when death comes to such a one, it is the loss of all,
attended with the final, and alas! the eternal loss of
himself. While the good man pronounces it better,
beyond all comparison, to depart, that he may be with
Christ, 23 and submits only to continue in life, as the
part in which self-denying duty requires him to
But O! how unworthy the Christian
character to be averse to so advantageous a remove!
To be unwilling, and that even on such terms, to
depart, and to be with Christ! As if any converse,
any friendship, any enjoyment, any hope here, were
comparable, yea, as if it were preferable, to serving
him in his immediate presence, under the everlast-
ing tokens of his acceptance and delight.
But if that Master, whom we have the honour to
serve, determine to us an abode here, for months and
years to come, and his church may receive advan-
tage by it, ill shall we requite his love who quitted
heaven for this sinful and wretched earth of ours, if
we are unwilling for a while to wait, till he shall call
us up to himself.25 Very deficient shall we be in
that gratitude and zeal which we owe him if we find
not something of a heaven begun even below, in
doing what may be pleasing to him, in managing
his interest, with such degrees of ability, as he shall
212
ON INANIMITY AND CANDUUR
be pleased to honour us with, and so training up
others to a meetness for those enjoyments, which
he hath taught us by his grace to expect and
pursue.
Whatever our stations may be, whether in public
or private life, let it be our care, in every circum-
stance and relation, that our conversation may be as
becometh the gospel ; 27 that we may adorn so holy a
profession, and answer so glorious a hope. If
opposition arise, let it not terrify us. It will, if
well supported, be a token of salvation, and that of
God.28 "Let us account it an honour, and the gift
of the divine favour to us, to be called and strength
ened to suffer for his sake.29 So were the prophets,
so were the apostles dignified. We have heard oi
their noble contentions, that we might emulate
them ;30 and well may we do it, since we have the
same author, finisher, and support of our faith, and
hope to partake of the same exceeding and eterna
weight of glory.—2 Cor. iv. 17.
SITIOX IV.
The apostle exhorts the Philippians 10 unanımily and candour, and a lender
care for the interest of each other ; which he enforces by the gencrous and
condescending love of our blessed Redeemer: of whose humiliation and
exalted estate he discourses in a very affectionate manner; pressing them
10 in due improvement of it, as what would most highly conduce to their
own happiness and his comfort. Phil. ii. 1-16.
Phil. 2. 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if
any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit,
2. if any bowels and mercies,---Fulfil ye my joy, that
ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind.
I have been expressing my concern, that your
conversation might be worthy of the gospel ; and
as nothing can conduce more to it, than tne exer-
cise of mutual love, permit me, my dear brethren, to
enforce it further upon you, by every pathetic con-
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOU,
213
sideration, which our common faith, and most holy
religion can suggest: and particularly by the affec-
tionate remembrance of my sufferings and your own.
Compare chap. i. 30. 'If therefore [there be] any
consolation in Christ himself, the great source of all
our enjoyments and hopes, for whose sake we have
endured so many extremities; if there be any com-
fort and delight in the exercise of the most tender
and endeared love; if there be any communion of
hearts, founded upon the communication of one and
the same Spirit, working in all our souls'; if there
be on the whole any bowels in human nature, and
any compassions, either manifested by God to us,
or wrought into the constitution of our being by
the great author of it: in a word, if there be any
affectionate bond, by which you are united to me,
who have been by divine grace made your spiritual
Father, and by whose ministry you have been made
acquainted with these engaging views; 'complete ye
my joy, and endeavour to fill my heart with the
most exalted pleasure, while I lie in these bonds,
for my fidelity to God and to you. Now in this
view I am desirous beyond expression, that ye may
all be unanimous, maintaining the same love, however
your sentiments, and in some instances your prac-
tice may be divided; still having your souls joined
together, and all their ardour combined in attending
to the one great thing, which ought to be the leading
concern of every Christian, the advancement of
ital, practical holiness: by attending diligently to
which, you will be diverted from those undue at-
tachments to smaller matters, which so often divide
the affection of Christians, and take them off from
the pursuit of the noblest objects.
Phil. 2. 3. —Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better
4. than then selves.-Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others.
214
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOUR.
And in this view especially guard against pride,
and 3 [let] nothing (be done] or said, out of a spirit of
contradiction and contention, or from vain-glory, to
draw the eyes of others upon you, and make your-
selves the subjects of discourse and admiration ; but
in unaffected simplicity and lowliness of mind, esteem-
ing others as more ercellent than yourselves; which on
une account or another you may know almost every
one to be.
+ Do not every one aim at his own separate
interests, profits and conveniences, but aim each of
you also at promoting the interests of others: be
always ready to deny yourselves for the general
good, and to condescend to one another, as the
happiness of every particular brother and friend
may require.
Phil. 2. 5. -Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
6. Jesus:--Who, being in the form of God, thought it
7. not robbery to be equal with God :-But made him-
self of no reputation, and took upon him the form
of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men;
S. —And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.
In this respect and in every other slet the same
mind be in every one of you, which was also in so
eminent and amiable a degree in Christ Jesus, whom
we call our Master and our Lord; even in that
illustrious and adorable person, who, being long
before his appearance in human flesh, in the form
of God, and having been from eternal ages possessed
of divine perfections and glories, when manifesting
himself to the patriarchs and prophets of old, thought
it not robbery and usurpation to be and appear as
God, assuming the highest divine names, titles and
attributes, by which the supreme Being has made
himself known, and receiving from his servants
divine honours and adorations: 'nevertheless, in
his infinite condescension and compassion to us
ON UNANIMITY AND CAVDOUR.
215
miserable sinners, emptied himself of all his glory,
taking (upon him), instead of the splendours, which
he had been used to wear, as the sovereign of
angels, the humble form, not only of a common
man, but even of a servant, when made in the iikeness
of men, which itself had been a most astonishing
stoop, even though he had appeared in the pomp
of the greatest monarch. 8 And yet even this con-
descension to the rank of low life among sinful
mortals, wonderful as it was, did not content him:
for being found in fashion and appearance as a man,
and having put on all the innocent infirmities of our
nature, he humbled himself still further, becoming
obedient even unto death ; and indeed to no coumon
and gentle form of dissolution, but to the ignomini-
ous, as well as painful death of the cross, on which
he expired, as you well know, like one of the vilest
and most accursed of mankind.
Phil. 2. 9. - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above erery name :
10. —That at the name of Jesus every knee should boir,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
11. under the earth ;— And that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
9
Therefore God his Father, to whom such a
course of filial obedience, proceeding from such
noble principles of piety and charity, could not but
be most acceptable, hath eralted him to the most
eminent dignity, and granted him a name, the honours
of which are superior to those of every other name,
that can come in comparison with it; 10 so that in
the name of Jesus, in humble subjection to his au-
thority and command, every knce should bou', and
every spirit submit, of celestial [beings], in their
various orders of dignity and glory, as well as of
those upon and under the earth: angels and men,
the living and the dead, vea, devils themselves shall
216
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOUR. .
rin him homage ; and he be ever adored, as the
Seviour of his redeemed people, as the head of all
hcly and happy spirits, and the sovereign and un-
controllable Lord of all those, whose rebellion
against him and his heavenly Father, hath made
them the worthy objects of perpetual displeasure
and punishment. il And thus hath GOD taken
effectual measures, that every tongue may confess,
that Jesus Christ, his anointed Son, [is] indeed
Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father, in whose
name he administers his mediatorial kingdom, and
to whose honour he professedly refers it.
Pbil. 2. 12. – Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in
my absence, work out your own salvation with fear
13. and trembling.--For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
12 Therefore, my beloved Christian brethren, as
God hath, in the person of his Son, so gloriously
rewarded that bright assemblage of virtue, for
which he was so incomparably illustrious, and par-
ticularly, that condescension, humility and benevo-
lence, which I have so earnestly been recommend.
ing to you, let it be considered by you, as an
engagement to tread in his steps, with diligence
and resolution, so far as the feeble powers of
human nature may admit. And as justice requires
me to acknowledge, that ye have always been obedient
to my instructions and exhortations, while I have
had the pleasure of being with you, be solicitous,
that, not only in my presence, but now much more in
my absence (which though it deprives you of some
advantages, yet, as it is owing to my bonds in your
cause, ought to increase the tenderness of your
concern for my comfort), you may work out your
own salvation with great earnestness and assiduity,
yea, considering its infinite importance, with holy
fear and trembling. I say your own salvation, for
!
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOUR.
217
that will be most effectually secured and promoted,
by the temper I have now been recommending.
Seize that happy opportunity of doing it, which
divine grace affords ; 13 for God is he, who worketh
in you, both to will and to perform of [his own] good
pleasure. You ought therefore to consider every
good affection and purpose, which arises in your
heart, as suggested by his grace, which waits upon
you, to enable you to bring it into perfection. And
remember, that he operates with such sovereign
freedom, that if these condescending favours be
slighted, they may in righteous displeasure be with-
drawn; and I leave you, my dear brethren, to re-
flect, how fatal the consequence would then be.
Phil. 2. 14. -Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
Go on therefore resolutely in your whole Christian
course, and it let all things be done, without those
murmurings and disputings, which so ill becomes the
relation in which you stand to each other, and that
community of interest, in which, as the servants
of this compassionate Saviour, you are united.
Phil. 2. 15. – That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons
of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights
16. in the world ;— Holding forth the word of life ; that
I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not
run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
On the whole, let me, by every most affecting
consideration, urge it upon you again and again,
15that ye may be blameless and inoffensive, and act up
to the dignity of your relation, as the children of
God, maintaining an unexceptionable character, in
the midst of all the malignity, which you must ex-
pect to encounter from a perverse and crooked general-
tion, with which you are surrounded : amongst
uhom, be concerned that ye may shine as elevated
lights in the dark world about you, that you may
direct those that sail on this dangerous sca, and
VOL. I.
2 F
218
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOUR.
secure them from suffering shipwreck on those fatal
rocks, which every where lie in their way. Thus
must you, as you tender the lives and the souls of
your fellow-creatures, be continually 16 holding out
to them, for their guidance and instruction, the word
of life, by which you have been directed to steer
safely, for the blessed haven of glory and immor-
tality, and whereby they may receive the same
benefit. A variety of important considerations
concur to inspire you with so happy a resolution,
and I doubt not, but you will allow some weight to
this amongst the rest, that it will greatly tend to
promote my rejoicing in the day of Christ, that it
may appear, I have not run through the course of
my apostolic office in vain, nor laboured in the
duties of it in vain; but that the great end of it
has been at least in part answered, in the glory
of God, by your salvation and usefulness.
IMPROVEMENT.
We know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Few
Christians are unacquainted with the remarkable
phrases in which it is here expressed. But how
few seriously pause upon it, and labour to affect
their hearts with its inportant meaning! Who can
conceive the dignity and glory of Christ, when in
the form of God, and accounting it 10 robbery or
usurpation to be as God? Who can conceive of
that mysterious act; of that (if we may be allowed
to say it) more than mysterious love, by which lie
emptied himself of this glory, that he might assume
the humble form of a servant, being found in fashion
like a man, and then might stoop yet lower, so as
to become obedient to death, even the death of the
cross? Often let us contemplate this amazing
object: often let us represent to our admiring, to
our dissolving hearts, the man Christ Jesus, ex-
ON UNANIMITY AND CANDOUR.
219
9
10
tended there, and pouring forth his soul in agony
and blood. As often let us remember his high
original, his divine glories, the bosom of the Father,
the throne of God. With pleasure let us reflect,
that he is returned to it, and that, having ennobled
this low nature of ours, by so intimate a union
with the divine, God his Father hath in that nature
exalted him, and given him a name above every name,
human or angelic, in the visible, or in all the
distant and different regions of the invisible world.
Let our knees gladly bow to so amiable a sovereign,
and let us with pleasure view the approaching day,
when every knee shall submissively own his au-
thority, and every tongue confess him Lord, to the
glory of God the Father. 11
In the mean time, let us never forget the pur-
poses, for which the apostle hath here called our
meditations to these wonderful and instructive
truths. It is to inculcate upon us (O may we
ever inculcate it upon ourselves!) that the same
mind may always be in us, that was also in him.5
That, if there be any consolation in such a Saviour,
any comfort in such love, as he teaches, any bowels
of tenderness in human nature, any endearing fel-
lowship in the one Spirit,' ? which we derive from
him, we may with united hearts and hands be
carrying on the one great business of his servants,
working out our salvation with fear and trembling;
avoiding every thing that may grieve and injure
others, every thing that may discredit our holy
profession. And being now made by him the
children of God, may we shine with a bright, steady
flame, as lights in the world,'' and hold out, for the
benefit of all around us, the word of life, 16 as the
gospel, which redeems us from the second death,
and raises us to eternal life, may properly be called.
May we spread its lustre through as wide a circle
as possible, and with it that happiness, which
12
220
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE.
nothing but a cordial belief of it and subjection to
it, can bring to the human heart.
To conclude, let us learn, from these wise and
pious exhortations of the apostle, at once our duty
and our dependence : our duty, to work out our own
salvation; our dependence on the grace of him, who
worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his own good
pleasure. 13 And therefore let us so seek divine
grace, and rest upon it, as to exert with vigour and
resolution the faculties, which are to co-operate
with it; and let us so endeavour to exert the facul-
ties, which God hath given us, as to confide in
divine grace, and rest continually upon it;12. with-
out which we shall neither will nor do any thing
pleasing to God, or available to our own salvation:
for in this sense, salvation is of the Lord, and through
his blessing, which is upon his people.—Psa. iii. 8.
SECTION V.
The apostle assures the Philippians of his readiness even to die for their
advantage, but expresses his hope of being set at liberty, and restured to
them in person : in the mean time he promises them very soon a visit from
Timothy, and sends Epaphroditus for their immediale satisfaction; of
whose lale sickness, and ardent love for them, he speaks in very affectionate
terms.-Pljil. ii. 17, to the end.
Pul. 2. 17. Yra, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18.
- For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice
witli me.
I HAVE been expressing my hope, that your tem-
per and behaviour will be such, as would prove my
labours among you not to have been in vain, and
afford me matter of rejoicing in the day of the
Lord. But it is impossible for me fully to express
the earnestness, with which I desire that it be
so. "For if I should even be, if I may use such lan-
guage, poured forth, and my blood be shed as a kind
of libation, or drink offering, on the sacrifice and
may
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE
221
ministration of your faith, while you are presented
by my means as an acceptable offering to God, far
from lamenting that I should meet with death in
such a cause, I rather rejoice, and congratulate you
all on that happy circumstance, into which you are
brought by that gospel, which I have at so great an
expense delivered to you. 18 And on this account, do
you also rejoice and congratulate with me; for while
suffering the last extremities in a cause like this, I
am happy, and ought to be regarded as an object of
congratulation, rather than of condolence.
Phil. 2. 19. ---But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus
shortly unto you, that I also may be of good com-
20. fort, when I know your state.-For I have no man
likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
It will indeed be no surprise to me, if my work
and testimony as an apostle should end in martyr-
dom, ''but as I intimated above (chap. i. 25), I do
not immediately expect it; and in the mean time
would omit nothing, which may show my endeared
affection to my Christian brethren, and particularly
to you. In pursuance of which, I hope in the Lord
Jesus, to whose direction and control I desire to
submit all my schemes, and in whose hand the life
and the ways of his servants are, that I shall quickly
be able to send Timothy to you; that by him, not only
you, but I also may be refreshed, knowing from him
(the state of] your affairs, more particularly than I
can otherwise hope to do. Mfy respect for you
inclines me to make choice of him on this occasion,
though I can ill spare him ; 20 for I have none herë
with me in all respects of a like disposition, who will
so naturally, with such a genuine tenderness and
concern, take the care of your affairs.
Phil. 2. 21. -For all seek their own, not the things which are
22. Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that,
as a son with the father, he hath served with me in
23. the gospel.-Him therefore I hope to send presently,
222
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE.
Phil. 2. 21. so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.-- But
I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come
25. shortly.--Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour,
and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that
26. ministered to my wants. --For he longed after you
all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had
27. heard that he had been sick.—For indeed he was
sick, nigh unto death : but God had mercy on him ;
and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should
28. have sorrow upon sorrow.-1 sent him therefore the
more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may
rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.-
29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness;
30. and hold such in reputation :-Because for the work
of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his
life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Indeed a temper like this is too uncommon; 21 for,
great as our engagements and obligations to a con-
trary disposition are, I may say it, with very few
exceptions, that almost all seek their own things,
none the things of Christ Jesus. It is hard to find,
even among those that call themselves his disciples,
any who have their master's interest so affectionately
at heart, as not to neglect it, in some degree at
least, out of regard to their own secular interest
and pleasure, ease and safety. 22 But you know the
experience of him, who was with me as well as Silas,
in that memorable visit, which I first made you
(Acts xvi. 1-12); and you had an opportunity of
seeing, that as a son with a father, he served with me
in the work of the gospel, and neglected no occasion
of doing, in the most affectionate manner, whatever
might lighten either my labours or my sufferings.
23 I hope therefore to send him very quickly to you, as
soon as I see how my affairs will be determined. And
though he be so useful to me, I shall be willing to
spare him upon your account. Till they come to a
more certain crisis, I conclude it will be most
agreeable to you, that he should defer his journey.
2* But I trust in the providence and care of the Lord
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE.
223
Jesus Christ, to whose guardianship I commit the
life I have devoted to his service, that I shall soon
be set at liberty, and come to you myself. 25Yet in
the mean time, or at least till Timothy can be more
conveniently spared, I thought it necessary and expe-
dient, to send to you Epaphroditus, my dear brother,
and diligent fellow-labourer in the work, and fellow-
soldier in the arduous combat and painful sufferings
of Christ: but who was your most welcome messenger
to me, and the ready minister to the relief of my ne-
cessities, by whose faithful hand I received that
liberal supply, which your pious friendship so cheer-
fully advanced. Had I only consulted my own con-
venience and pleasure, I should have been glad to
have detained him longer; but I now give him his
despatches, 26 because he was exceedingly desirous of
returning to you all, for whom he has a most en-
deared affection, and was much dejected and troubled,
because he knew you had heard that he was sick, and
he feared, lest the tidings should grieve you too
much, as he could not but know how affectionately
you love him.
27 And indeed it is very true, that he
was sick, and in all human appearance near to death,
but God had mercy upon him, and recovered him,
and I must say, in this instance, he had not com-
passion upon him alone, but also on me, that I might
not have sorrow upon sorrow; as I certainly should
have had, if the loss of such a beloved friend, and
of so useful a person, had been added to all the
other afflictions, I sustain in this imprisonment, and
amidst so much perverse and ungrateful opposition.
I have therefore sent him away to you, with the
greater diligence, that seeing him again in that com-
fortable state of health and spirit, to which, by the
divine goodness, he is now restored, ye might rejoice;
and that I might be the less sorrowful, while I in
spirit, partake with you in the satisfaction, which 1
know this interview will give on both sides.
28
29 Re-
224
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE.
crive him therefore as in the Lord Jesus Christ, as
mindful of your mutual relation to him, with all joy,
in the bowels of Christian love, as well as the de-
monstrations of natural friendship: and hold per-
sons of such a character, wliatever their station of
life may be, in high estimation. 30 For it was, in a
great measure, on account of that zeal and fervour,
which he exercised, in carrying on the work of the
Lord Jesus Christ, both in preaching the gospel,
and attending my necessities, that he was nigh unto
death, having disregarded even [his own] life, that he
might fill up the deficiency of your service to me, and
might, if it were possible, perform to me in his own
person all the kind offices, which your whole society
could have rendered me, had you been with me as
he was.
IMPROVEMENT.
it! 17 18
To what sublime heights of piety and virtue, does
the immortal hope of the gospel elevate the mind of
mortal man ! Behold this holy apostle, not only
presenting himself, as a resolute victim at the altar
of God, but speaking of that stroke, by which his
blood was to be poured out, as an occasion of joy, and
calling for the congratulation of his friends upon
Behold him with pleasure resigning the
society of those, who were dearest and most useful
to him, at a time, when he seemed most of all to
need their assistance; even of that friend, who
would most naturally care for their estate, when he
knew none that were likeminded ! 20 And O that this
might be the character of all the ministers of Christ,
naturally, and with genuine affection, to care for the
state of those committed to them, taking thought for
them and the oversight of them, not by constraint, but
from a principle of love, which shall make all ne-
c'essary labours natural and easy! But alas, how
APOSTOLIC SOLICITUDE.
225
rare a character is it, and how much reason is there,
to lament the prevalency of a contrary disposition,
among all ranks of men, the sacred order itself not
excepted; while all seek their own things none the
things of Jesus Christ
What ingratitude does this argue! Yea, what
stupid insensibility, that any thing, that every thing,
should be dearer to us, than the interest of that
Saviour, who purchased us to himself with his blood!
Happy they, who are distinguished by their fidelity
and their zeal, in a time of prevailing apostacy!
which we are not to wonder, if we discover in these
latter ages, when the apostles found cause to speak
thus in their own. How beautiful a description
does he here give of the piety and humility of young
Timothy, while serving with him as a son with a father
in the gospel !22 Thus let young and aged ministers
behave to each other, as fathers and sons: the young
paying the elder such reverend regards, the aged
affording to the younger such kind and tender
patronage, and showing a solicitous concern, to
prepare them for filling up their place in the church
with increasing advantage.
Some obvious instruction arises from what is here
said of good Epaphroditus, whose affection to his
Christian friends was so ardent, and whose zeal for
the work of Christ had even endangered his life.30
Great reason is there to hold such, wherever they
are found, in high esteem, 29 tenderly to sympathise
with them, earnestly to entreat God for them, if at
any time diseases threaten their useful lives; and to
own the mercy of God, not to them only, but to us,
when he is pleased to raise them up, and restore them
to a capacity of ministering in his church. Let us
go back in our memories, to the days and weeks of
dangerous sickness, which any of us have known,
and humble ourselves before God, that we have no
better improved for his glory, and for the good of
2 G
27
VOL. v.
226 UN RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST.
liis church, his mercy to us, in bringing us up from
the gates of the grave.
SECTION VI.
Paul exhorts the Philippians to fix their whole dependence on Christ ana his
gospel, as he assures them he himself did, though he had more to glory in
with respect to Jewish privileges and advantages, than most whº valued
themselves so highly upon them. Phil. iii. l-14.
Pml. 3. 1. FINALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To
write the same things to you, to me indeed is not
grievous, but for you it is safe.
As for what remains, my dear brethren, that I may
proceed to what I further design in this epistle, let
me exhort you, whatever may become of me, or of
yourselves, so far as any worldly interest and pros-
pect is concerned, that ye rejoice in the protection
and care of the Lord Jesus Christ, our blessed
Redeemer, and in the promises and hopes given us
by him. I have already insisted upon them with
pleasure (chap. i. 5, 6, 10, 11, 20, &c. Chap. ii.
5, 11), and to write the same things to you on such
a topic, [is] not grievous to me, and (it is) not only
safe, but necessary for you; as nothing can tend
more to fortify you against the many temptations
and enemies, with which you are surrounded.
Phil. 3. 2. -Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware
3. of the concision.--For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.--
4. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh.
If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he
5. might trust in the flesh, I more:-Circumcised the
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching
6. the law, a Pharisee ;-Concerning zeal, persecut-
ing the church ; touching the righteousness which
7. is in the law, blameless.—But what things were
8. gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.-Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST. 227
Phil. 3. 8. excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9. —And be found in him not having mine own
righteousness, which is of the law, but that which
is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
10. which is of God by faith:—That I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his
11. death;- If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead.
And in further prosecution of my great design
for your spiritual security and edification, let me
urge you to 2 beware of those invidious, malignant,
contentious persons, whom I cannot forbear calling
dogs, so much have they of a brutal and canine
disposition, snarling and malicious, greedy and
fierce. Beware of evil workers, who, while they
cry up the law, act in direct contradiction to its
most important precepts and grand design. Be-
ware of the concision, for such I must call that body
of men which proudly usurps the name of the cir-
cumcision, whereas the external rite, they so much
contend for, is but an unprofitable cutting and
mangling the flesh, when performed from such
principles, and imposed with such a temper; so
that the bloody work of it may seem an emblem of
the cruel manner, in which they cut and mangle
the church. Be on your guard against them, I say
it again and again, for how unwilling soever they
may be to allow it, we Christians are indeed the
circumcision, who worship God, not with the ritual
observance of the Mosaic law, but in Spirit and in
truth; who boast not in Jewish privileges, but it
Christ Jesus, through whom we obtain divine favour
and acceptance, and have no confidence in the flesh,
though we do in fact wear the mark of circumcision
in it, or however else we may be distinguished by
birth, education, or any external forms. 4drid
228 ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST.
indeed I say this, not as if I were deficient in any
thing, wherein another can boast, for it is evident,
I have also what might be [an occasion of] confidence
in the flesh, for if any other thinks he hath whereof to
trust in the flesh, I fear not to say, I [have) proba-
bly more than he. I was not only 5 circumcised, but
that, according to the exactest institution of Moses,
on the eighth day after I was born; of the stock of
Israel, God's chosen people, not as some circum-
cised families are descended from Ishmael, or
Edom ; and of the tribe of Benjamin, whose lot lay
so near the temple of God, and which joined not
with the ten tribes in their general revolt, but still
adhered to Judah, and to the true worship of GOD
at Jerusalem. Not only by my father's, but my
mother's side, have I been from generation to
generation an Hebrew, descended from a long line
of Hebrews, so that I reckon no proselyte of foreign
nations in my genealogy; with respect to the law I
was a Pharisee, of a sect, which most strictly and
vigorously adheres to it, and has adopted that
guard, which tradition has set around it, to secure
it from the least degree of violation. With respect
to zeal for these rituals, which they so eagerly en-
join, I myself was once employed with the greatest
fury in persecuting the church of Christ, and endea-
vouring, if possible, to root it up from the face of
the earth : as to that righteousness, which is placed
in an exact observation of the law in its external
precepts, I have been quite blameless and unexcep-
tionable, so that those who knew me most inti-
mately, could not have accused me of any wilful
transgression, or of neglecting any expiatory rites
and sacrifices appointed in case of involuntary
This was my character and state, and there
was a time, when I was proud of being able to say
all this, and thought myself exceedingly happy.
? But now my views of things are altered, and a
errors.
ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST. 229
very different scene hath opened itself upon me, so
that the things which were once gain to me, and which
I most valued myself upon I have now accounted
but as loss for Christ. I look
I look upon them as things
most despicable when compared with him, yea as
things which would be extremely mischievous to
me, if they should in any degree prevent my appli-
cation to him, or my sharing the benefits of those
that believe in him. Yea doubtless, and I count all
things, how valuable soever, to be but loss and
damage, with respect to the most excellent knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord, which so much exceeds
every other knowledge, or interest, that can come
in competition with it; for the sake of which I have
suffered the loss of all things, having been expelled
with infamy from among the Jews, and deprived of
all the towering hopes, to which my ambition might
once have aspired. And far from repining at it, I
account them not worth mentioning, for they seem
to be but vile refuse and dung, that I may gain that
inestimable prize and treasure, Christ Jesus, in
whom alone I shall be safe, and rich, and happy
for ever. Though not only reputation ®and power,
ease and plenty, but even life itself should be sacri-
ficed to this view, I am happy enough, if I may
but be found in him, vitally united to him by a true
faith and love, and so taken under his protection
and favour; not having mine own righteousness, which
[is] of the law; such a righteousness as only con-
sists in observing the precepts, or expiations of the
Jewish religion, which I was once so solicitous to
establish; nor any confidence in any legal righteous-
ness whatever, as my plea before God, but that I
may be interested in that which [is] by the faith of
Christ, the righteousness which [is] of God through
faith; that which he has appointed we should
obtain and secure, by believing in his Son, and
making our application to him as creatures con-
230 ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST.
demned and undone, whose only refuge is in his
righteousness and grace.-Compare Rom. i. 16,
ii. 22, x. 3. This is my great concern, experi-
mentally 10to know him, and feel the efficacions
power of his resurrection, continually working upon
my mind, and bearing me forward with the most
cheerful resolution, to share in the fellowship of his
sufferings too, being made conformable to his death,
in all the tortures of crucifixion itself, should his
providence call me to it. "If having done and
suffered any thing, which God lays in my way,
I
may but by any possible means, at length attain to
the resurrection from the dead, and that consummate
holiness and blessedness, which he will then bestow
upon all his people, when the dead in Christ shall
rise first, and be distinguished with glories propor-
tionable to the vigour, with which they have
exerted themselves in his service.
Phil. 3. 12. —Not as thoug! I had already attained, cither were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of
Christ Jesus.
This I say, 2not as if I had already attained to
all that I wish to be, or were already perfect; for I
am truly sensible, how far I am from that perfec-
tion of character, as well as of state, which the
gospel teaches me to aspire after ; but I pursue it, if
by any means I may but reach and apprehend that
height of excellence, for which also I am apprehended
by Christ Jesus, whose condescending hand. gra-
ciously laid hold on me in my mad career, in so
extraordinary a manner, as you have often heard,
and has introduced me into that blessed race in
wbich I am now engaged.
Phil. 3. 13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended :
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which
are behin, and reaching forth unto those things
14. which are before,-l press toward the mark for the
price of the ligli calling of God in Christ Jesus.
ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST. 231
13 Brethren, I repeat it again, with all unfeigned
humility of heart, that I count not myself to have
attained already, I have much nobler heights of
holiness in view, and am sensible how far I fall
short of them. But one thing [I can say], that
herein I imitate the conduct of the racers in your
celebrated Grecian games; my thoughts and cares
are all fixed upon this great object, and forgetting
the things which are behind, not looking back with
immoderate self-complacency on the steps already
taken, and the way already despatched, I am con-
cerned, intensely, with all the vigour and agility I
can possibly exert, to stretch forward toward those
things which are before; and so '* I pursue the goal,
for the glorious prise which strikes my sight there ;
even that which is the ultimate end of the high
calling of God, with which he hath honoured me,
by the dispensation of his grace in Christ Jesus;
and surely no calling can be more noble, or better
deserve the most constant attention, and most
ardent pursuit.
IMPROVEMENT.
As it was not grievous to the apostle, to repeat
the same useful exhortations, when he judged it
conducive to the safety and happiness of those to
whom he wrote, so neither should it be grevious to
us to hear or to speak truths, with which in the
general we may be well acquainted, but which we
may be too ready to forget, in pursuit of things,
more amusing indeed, but less advantageous. Such
are the truths here inculcated; familiarly known,
but not therefore to be disregarded. Let us avoid
all approaches to these detestable characters, here
branded with so just an infamy; and consider what
1 is that will constitute us the circumcision, the
people whom God will avow for his own; and
232 ON RENOUNCING ALL THINGS FOR CHRIST.
3
4
He ac-
7
charge it upon our souls, that we worship God in
the Spirit, that we rejoice in Christ Jesus, and repose
not in any sense confidence in the flesh.
We see an example of this excellent temper in
the apostle here, who makes his boast in Christ, and
for him renounces those advantages, on which he
was once ready to set the highest value.
counted those things but loss and damage, which
once he esteemed his gain and his treasure, es-
pecially that eager but blind zeal, with which he
had once persecuted the church. May it be deeply
and constantly impressed upon our minds, that the
knowledge of Christ is of all things the most excellent,
as the object of it is most sublime and interesting,
and the fruits of it most happy and important !
This therefore let iis pursue, and be truly solicitous
that we may gain Christ, as our own unalienable
property, and that we may be found in him, inter-
ested in a better righteousness than we can claim,
by virtue of our own personal obedience to any law;
even that which is by the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God, prepared, exhibited
and appointed by him, and which is received by
faith in his Son.'
Who would not wish to know him in the power
of his resurrection, to feel the views of that great
event powerfully operating on his mind, yea in this
connection, to know the fellowship of his sufferings
too? Who would not be willing to be made, in the
most painful sense, conformable to his death, lo to
feel the scourges, the insults, the nails, the cross,
and what was more dreadful than all, even the
desertion of the Father himself, might he thereby
attain to a resemblance to Christ in a glorious resur-
rection from the dead ? It shall be the portion of all
who die to sin, and live to God, and persist in a
resolution of sacrificing all to that Redeemer, who
for us died and rose again.
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
233
In the mean time, while we are surrounded with
the infirmities of mortality, may we ever keep up an
humble sense of the imperfection of our present at-
tainments in religion. 12 13 May we with holy Paul,
so incomparably our superior, forget the progress
already made, and strain every nerve, in reaching on
to what vet remains before us. How far are we from
apprehending that, for which we were apprehended by
Jesus Christ ! How far from answering the plan our
Lord has drawn, and being completely what he in-
tended his servants should be!" Enkindle in our
breasts, O thou great author and finisher of our faith!
a more ardent desire of answering, it; and for that
purpose, may it please thee, so to display before our
believing eyes the glorious prise of the high calling,
with which God has honoured us through thee, that
we may feel all the ardour of our souls awakened to
obtain it, and never slacken our pace, till we win
that immortal crown, but daily increase our speed
as we approach it.'
SECTION VII.
The apostle urges upon the Philippians er holy and blameless temper and a
lavenly conversation, cinntioning them against the bad example eren uit
some professing Christians, who brought great detriment on themselves and
reproach upon religion, by the unsuilable manner in which they acted.
Phil. iii. 15, to the end, &ir.l.
Pail. 3. 15. LET us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,
16. God shall reveal even this unto you.—Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Such is the situation of my own mind, and the
ardour of desire, with which I am pressing after
further attainments in the divine life. 18 Let as many
of us therefore as are perfect in any degree, that is,
all who are sincere Christians, and initiated, if I
may
VOL. V.
? JI
234
EXHORTATIONS TO A HOLY TEMPER.
so express it, into the holy mysteries of our religion,
attend to this as our great business and aim; and if
any of you are otherwise affected, if any be unhappily
fallen into a remiss and indolent frame, GOD Shail
reveal even this unto you. I hope thiat lie will, and I
pray that he may, give you such views of the crown
of glory, the prize of our high calling, as may ani-
mate your most vigorous pursuit of it.
16 Neverthe-
less (whereunto [I hope) we have at least attained), let
us act as those, who are habitually persuaded of the
divine authority of the gospel, and accordingly all
walk agreeably to what we profess to revere, as the
same great authentic rule of our conduct; and let us
especially be taught by it, to attend to the same thing,
to be one in our affections to each other, concerning
which our duty is so plainly declared, that the
weakest honest enquirer cannot be mistaken.
Phil, 3. 17. — Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark
them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and
now tell you even weeping, that they are the ene-
19. mies of the cross of Christ :-Whose end is destruc-
tion, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in
20. their shame, who mind earthly things). -For our
conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
21. for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ :- Who shall
change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like
unto his glorious body, according to the working
whereby he is able even to subdue all things uto
4. 1. himself.—Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and
longed for, my joy and crown, so stand first in the
Lord, my dearly beloved.
This I exhort you, and I hope I may appeal to
all that know me, that my behaviour speaks the
same language. So that I may confidently say,
17 Be ye, my brethren, imitators of me, and observe,
and endeavour to follow those, that walk as ye have
us for an example; join this company, and learn to
speak and act like them.
18 For there are many,
who call themselves Christians, and yet walk [in a
AND A HEAVENLY CONVERSATION.
235
very different manner), of whom I have often told you,
and now tell you even weeping; for well indeed may
I weep on so sad an occasion, as it is certain [that],
whatever they may profess, they are] enemies of
the cross of Christ ; and as they are unwilling to
suffer any thing for it, so its cause and honour suf-
fers much by them, for they continually act contrary
to the very end and design of their Master's death.
Such a set of men there is, 19 whose behaviour is
scandalous, and their end [is] utter destruction.
Whatever they may talk of knowing and serving
the true God, they are persons, whose chief god [is
their] own belly (compare Rom. xvi. 18), which they
continually seek to honour, with the most luxurious
sacrifices; persons whose taste is so mean and pre-
posterous, that they glory in those things which are
indeed their shame, having outgrown all the re-
mainders of common modesty, and all sense of
decency. In a word they are persons, who mind
only earthly things, all their thoughts and pursuits
are taken up with visible and corporeal objects, the
concerns of time and this transitory world.
we converse as citisens of heaven, considering our-
selves as denize:s of the new Jerusalem, and only
strangers and pilgrims upon earth. We therefore
endeavour to promote the interests of that glorious
society, to learn its manners, and to behave worthy
of our relation to it: from whence also we expect the
blessed appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ as a
Saviour; who shall transform our vile body, that it
may be made conformable to his glorious body; that
all the abasement and dishonour of the grave may
be shaken off for ever, and we having borne his
image in holiness on earth, may bear it in beauty,
glory, and immortality in heaven. It is indeed a
vastly surprising, and to sense an incredible change;
but we ought to remember, that nothing is too hard
for omnipotence: he will therefore effect it, accord-
20 But
236
EXHORTATIONS TO A HOLY TEMPER
1
ing to the energy, whereby he is able to subject even all
things unto himself, and which will render him com-
pletely victorious over all his enemies, even over
death and the grave, the last of them. Therefore
let me entreat and charge you all, my beloved and
most amiable brethren, my joy now, and my crown of
rejoicing in that expected day of the Lord, that, as
ve have so great and important a hope, ye improve
it, to animate you in a vigorous adherence to that
religion which inspires it, and so stand fast in the
Lord, as becomes those, who are so dear to him, as
well as so tenderly beloved by me, and who expect
by his grace so glorious a change.
IMPROVEMENT.
And do not we also look for Christ as a Suriour ?
Do we not hope that this vile body shall by his all-
victorious power, be transformed into the likeness of
his own glorious body ?? Is it not with this hope,
that we commit the dust of our friends to the grave?
And is it not in this confidence, that we think of our
own death with hope, and with cheerfulness? Why
then is not our conversation niore in heaven ? 20 Why
have we not more frequent, solemn and affectionate
views of that better world, to which we profess to
be tending? Alas ! have we not reason too often,
to weep for ourselves as well as others, that we mind
earthly things so much and beavenly 110 inore? But
wretched indeed are ve, if we fully answer the sad
character, which, in professing Christians, wherever
it is sion, and much more wherever it is experienced,
is so justly deplorable? May divine grace ever
preserve those, on whom the name of Christ is
named, those by whom it is known, from making
their belly the God (how infamous a deity!) and
from that wretched degeneracy of taste, and per-
AND A HEAVENLY CONVERSATION.
237
verseness of mind, which would lead them to glory
in their shame.19 Surely the cross of Christ was in:-
tended to teach us lessons so contrary to this, that
there can be no greater enmity to it, than to indulge
such a temper, especially while we proſess to plead
for that cross, and to glory in it. 18 May we not only
abhor such a temper, but bewail it. Yea may rivers
of tears run down our eyes, when we see God's law
viclated and his gospel profaned.
Blessed be God, for other and better examples in
the apostolic age, and that some are likewise to be
traced in our own, corrupt as it is; though they are
in number less frequent, and in lustre less radiant
than of old ! Let us however mark those that walk,
as we have Paul for an example.17 How different
soever our apprehensions in some things may be,
may we all unite in a care of practical religion, and
whereunto we have already attained, walk by the same
rule, and mind the same thing. And O that our
rule may be more and more attended to, in every
step of our way! and that if in any instance we
mistake it, or if we fail in those notions, we ought
to have, of any principles of Christianity, which are
to add a sanction to it, God may reveal even this
unto us, and teach us to act in a more suitable man-
ner! In every sense, what we see not, may he teach
us, and wherein we hare done iniquity, may we do no
more (Job xxxiv. 3:2), but stand fast in the Lord,
and press forward with greater ardour towards every
religious improvement, towards every thing, which
may increase the beauty of our character, and reflect
a brighter honour upon our profession.
238
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
SectioY VIII
After some particular charges relating to a pacific temper, the apostle giro
more general exhortations to Christian cheerfulness, moderation, pruyor, a
behaviour universally amiable, and an imitation of the good crumple he
had endearoured to give them. Phil. iv. 249.
PIL. 4. 2. I BESEEcu Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they
3. be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat
thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which
laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also,
and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are
in the book of life.
I HAVE been exhorting you all to stand fast in the
Lord, being supported by those glorious hopes, he
has given you. And ? I must now particularly be-
seech Euodia, and beseech Syntyche, that whatever
cause of difference may have arisen between them,
they would sacrifice all to the common engagements
of their Christian profession, and would attend to the
same thing in the Lord : that they would turn all
their thoughts into that one channel, and only con-
sider how they may most effectually promote the
great purposes of their common calling. 3 And I
also beseech thee (my] genuine associate, whose inti-
mate friendship supersedes the necessity of naming
thee particularly, that thou wouldst assist those pious
women, who laboured with me in the gospel, in such
services as suited their sex and station, and assisted
with Clemens also, and my other fellow-labourers,
whose names, as I have reason in charity to hope,
Care] in the book of life, and will there appear to
their everlasting honour and joy, though I do not
stay to enumerate them here.
Phil. 4. 1. - Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Re-
joice.
I am now drawing towards a close, and let this
be my farewell. Whatever difficulties and perse-
cutions may attend you, *rejoice always in the Lord;
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
239
endeavour to maintain an habitual joy in Christ, and
in the hopes and privileges you derive from him.
And again I say, Rejoice. I renew the exhortation,
es the honour of our divine Master, and your own
comfort, so much depends on attending to it.
Phil. 4. 5. — Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
6. Lord is at hand.-Be careful for nothing; but in
every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks.
giving let your requests be made known unto Goi.
* Let your moderation and gentleness, both in the
pursuits of the various enjoyments of life, and in
supporting the injuries and indignities you may
meet with, be known unto all men, as visible in the
whole of your behaviour; for the Lord [is] at hand.
He will quickly come to close the scene, and to put
an end to all your temporal enjoyments, and all
you can suffer from your enemies. In the mean
time, whatever necessities, or whatever oppressions
may arise, be anxious about nothing, so as to dis-
quiet or distress your minds, but in every thing that
occurs, in every condition, and on every occasion,
let your petitions be made known, and breathed out
before God, in hunible prayer, and fervent supplica-
tion, to be still mingled with thanksgiving, as there is
always room for praise, and always occasion for it,
even in circumstances of the greatest affliction and
distress.
Phil. 4. 7. —And the peace of God, which passeth all under-
standing, shall keep your hearts and minds through
8. Christ Jesus.—Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoerer
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatso-
erer things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
9. praise, think on these things.—Those things, which
ye
e hare both learned, and received, and heard, and
seen in me, do : and the God of peace shall be with
you.
? And if you exercise such a temper, the peace
240
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
which the blessed Spirit of God diffuses over the
souls of his people, that peace, which far surpasses
all understanding, which none can conceive but he
who feels it, and which none can feel but by divine
communication, shall guard and defend your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus, so that nothing shall
be able to break in upon that sweet and sacred
tranquillity. 8 As for what remains, my brethren, let
me despatch it in a few words. Be always intent on
raising your characters, to the greatest height you
possibly can : whatever things are true and sincere,
whatever things [are] grave and venerable, whatever
things (are] righteous and equitable, whatever things
[are) chaste and pure, whatever things [are] friendly
and kind, whatever things [are] reputable and truly
ornamental, if [there be] any real virtue in them,
and if [there be] any just praise resulting from them,
think frequently of these Things, consider what they
are, how highly you are obliged to regard them, and
endeavour more and more to abound in the practice
of them. 9 And for a further illustration and con-
firmation of this advice, I will add, whatever things
ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in
me, whatever good lessons I have given you, what-
ever worthy of imitation you may have observed in
my conduct, while I abode among you, or may since
have been credibly informed of, these things be ye
ever careful to practise ; and the God of peace shall
always be with you: for I have the testimony of my
conscience, that my conduct has always been pleas-
ing in his sight, and that your imitation of it will be
the way to engage the divine presence and blessing,
which I most heartily wish you.
IMPROVEMENT.
How condescending is this great apostle in the
kind notice he takes, not only of his fellow-labourers
GENFRAL EXHORTATIONS.
2-11
Let none
in the work of the Christian ministry, but even of
the women, who, according to the opportunity which
God gave them, lent their assistance for the serrice
of the gospel, whatever that assistance were ; whe-
ther by their prayers, or their familiar addresses to
their friends, or their kind offices to the bodies of
those in distress, or that uniform example, by which
the several virtues of Christianity were recommended,
and the Christian profession adorned !
then object the privacy of their stations, as if that
must necessarily cut them off from usefulness, but
let them endeavour diligently and humbly to do
their utmost, and pray for increasing wisdom and
grace, to guide them in their deliberations and
resolves.
It will be very subservient to this happy design,
that Christians, in whaterer stations they are, should
be of one mind in the Lord that they should en-
deavour to lay aside mutual prejudices, and unite
in love if they cannot perfectly agree in all their sen-
timents. Then may they rejoice in the Lord; and it
is to be urged upon them again and again, that they
do so." It is to be urged, not only as a privilege,
but a duty. And surely, if we consider what a
Saviour he is, and how perfectly accommodated to
what our necessities require, and what our hearts
could wish, we shall easily enter into the reasona-
bleness of the exhortation.
Let us often represent it to ourselves, as a truth
equally important and certain, that the Lord is at
hand. By his spiritual presence he is ever near us,
and the day of his final and visible appearance is
continually approaching. Let our hearts be duly
influenced by it, and particularly be taught, that
holy moderation, which becomes those, who see the
season so nearly advancing, when all these things
shall be dissolved. And let this abate our anxiety
VOL. V.
21
242
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
1
about them. Why should we be so solicitous
about things, which shall so soon be as if they had
never been? Let us seek the repose of our minds
in prayer.
In every thing, by humble supplication
let us make known our requests unto God. And
let us mingle thankful acknowledgments for past
favours, with our addresses to the throne of grace
for what we further need. This will establish the
serenity of our souls, so that the peace of God,
more sweet and delightful, than any, who have not
experienced it, can conceive, will keep our hearts
and minds in Christ Jesus," and make our state
secure as well as pleasant
Let us study the beautiful and the venerable, as
well as what is true and just in actions, and pur-
sue every thing which shall, as such, approve itself
to our consciences, every thing in which there shall
be virtue and praise.: Let us always in this view,
endeavour to keep the moral sense uncorrupted, and
pray that God would, if I may be allowed the ex-
pression, preserve the delicacy of our mind in this
respect, that a holy sensibility of soul may warn
and alarm us, to guard against every distant ap-
pearance of evil. That so, cautious of venturing
to the utmost boundaries of what may be innocent,
we may be more secure, than we could other-
wise be, from the danger of passing over to the
confines of guilt, and of wandering from one degree
of it to another. And while we exhort others to
such a care, let us ourselves endeavour to be,
like this holy apostle, among the brighter examples
of it.'
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS. 243
Section IX.
The apostle concludes with his acknoucledgments to the Philippians, for the liberal
supply they had sent him; at the same time speaking of the independency of tem-
per, to which dirine grace had brought him ; and transmits Christian salutations
from himself and his friends at Rome. Phil. iv. 10, to the end.
Phil. 4.10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the
last your care of me had flourished again : wherein
ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.--
11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therenith to be
12. content.—I know both how to be abased, and I
know how to abound : every where and in all things
I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry,
13. both to abound and to suffer need.---I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
10 But to return to my own affairs, and your con-
duct to me. I have rejoiced greatly in the Lord
Jesus Christ, to whose providence and grace
I
ultimately ascribe it, that your affectionate care of
me has now sprung up again and flourished, like
vegetables, which after having seemed during the
winter to be dead in the earth, sprout up at the
returning spring with new beauty and pleasure.
With respect to which, you were indeed careful before,
as I assuredly believe, but ye wanted that convenient
opportunity, which the coming of Epaphroditus gave
you, of transmitting to me the fruit of your liberality
and bounty. But I would not have you think,
that I speak with respect to want, as if I was impa-
tient of that, or meant to extort any thing from
you, if future necessities should arise, as by dint
of importunity. For I bless God, I have no need
of betaking myself to such low expedients, as I
have learned in whatever circumstances I am, to be
contented. 12 I know both [how] to be abased, when it
pleases God to humble me, and I know [how? to
abound, when his providence appears for my supply.
In every [place) and in all [conditions] I am instructed,
244 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS.
I kn w
and find myself, as it were, initiated into this great
mystery, so needful to the Christian, and especially
the apostolic life, both to be fed plentifully without
transgressing the rules of temperance, and to suffer
hunger without murmuring or discontent.
how both to abound, without too fond an attach-
ment to the world, when my circumstances in it
are most easy, and to fall short of the agreeable
accommodations of life, yea and to be in necessity,
without being greatly disturbed at such a change,
or feeling any painful anxiety on account of it. In
one word, whatever is to be done, whatever is to
be borne, 3 I am sufficient for all things; have vigour
enough for the one, have patience and fortitude
enough for the other : but then, I would not be
understood to arrogate any thing of this to myself,
but would most humbly and affectionately acknow-
ledge, that it is all through Christ who enables me,
and furnishes my spirit with a strength, of which
it is naturally destitute.
Phil. 1. 14. --Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
15. communicate with my affliction.--Now, ye Philip-
pians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel,
when I departed from Macedonia, no church com-
municated with me as concerning giving and receiv-
16. ing, but ye only.- For even in Thessalonica yc sent
once and again unto my necessity.
You see by this, that the happiness of my life
doth not depend upon any external circumstance,
nor any supply I can receive from my most generous
friends. 14 Nevertheless ye did well in communi-
catiny so liberally to my relief, in that affliction under
which I am now suffering; as it is certain the
seryants of Christ are not less worthy of being
regarded and assisted by you, for those attainments
which by his grace they have been enabled to
make, in the temper which their profession de-
maids. And in this respect, I am under peculiar
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS. 245
obligations to you, my dear brethren, is for ye, O
Philippians, well know, that in the beginning of our
mission, when we came and preached the gospel
among you, as I was departing from Macedonia,
(which is now about twelve years ago), no church
communicated with me in the affair of giving and re-
ceiving, that is, no Christian society, as such, made
any collection for my personal support and assist-
ance, but you only: for not contented with mini-
stering to my necessities, while I was with you;
even when I resided in Thessalonica, though it was
so considerable a city, and the metropolis of your
country, and though the gospel was so affectionately
received by some there, yet you sent thither once
and again to the relief of my necessity.
Phil. 4. 17.-Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that
18. may abound to your account.-But I have all, and
abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus
the things which were sent from you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to
10. God.-But my God shall supply all your need ac-
cording to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I mention this in so particular a manner, not
because I desire a gift, or would extort any future
favour from you, by the recollection of the past,
but this I desire, that in such ways, as may be
most for the honour of God, and the credit of
profession, fruit may abound, to your comfortable
account in the day of the Lord.
At present you
need not be solicitous about me, 18for I have all I
can wish, to make my bonds sit easy upon me, and
do indeed abound more than usual in the convenient
accommodations of life: I am full
, having received
by Epaphroditus your present, which I cannot but
esteem as a fragrant odour, an acceptable sacrifice,
well-pleasing to God, to whose glory it is, I know,
ultimately devoted, while for his sake you are so
ready to relieve his ministers. And I have the
your
1
240
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS.
pleasure to think, you will not on the whole be
losers by such liberalities, "but that my God,
graciously smiling upon your tribute of grateful
love, will supply all your wants, according to his in-
exhaustible riches, which he cannot but possess,
who is seated in supreme glory and majesty above,
and scatters down not merely the blessings of pro-
vidence, but of grace, by Jesus Christ, which I
hope he will largely impart to you.
Phil. 4. 20. -Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever
and ever.
Amen.
20 Now to our God and Father, to him whom we
are encouraged to regard under that endearing
character, and in whom, through the great Redeemer,
we are daily rejoicing, [be] glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Phil. 4. 21. – Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren
22. which are with me greet you.-- All the saints
salute you, chiefly they that are of Cæsar's house-
hold.
my heart.
I will not swell my postscript by a long catalogue
of names, but desire you to 21 salute every saint in
Christ Jesus; and to assure them all, known or un-
known, that they are dear to me, and that in general
or particular petitions, I bear them always upon
The brethren who are with me, my dear
fellow-labourers, with whom I most frequently
converse, salute you, sincerely wishing your pros-
perity and peace. And not only these brethren,
who sojourn with me, and bear a part in the mini-
sterial work, but 22 all the other saints here at Rome
salute you, but especially they of Cæsar's household,
who sensible of the goodness of God to them, in
causing his grace to visit them, and dwell with
them in such a situation, have a particular regard
for their brethren every where, and desire to be
particularly remembered to you.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS.
247
pil. 4. 23. — The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
To conclude all with the best wishes my most
endeared love can form for you, 23 may the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the sanctifying and comfort-
able influences of his Spirit, [be] with you all, now
and at all times, to support you under all your
trials, and to animate you to persevere even unto
the end. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
What a noble spirit of generosity and gratitude
appears in the apostle ! 10-14 How handsomely does
he acknowledge the favour of his friends, still
maintaining the dignity of his character, 15–16 rejoic-
ing in the tokens of their affection to him, chiefly
as fruits abounding to their account, 17 and as it would
be a sweet savour acceptable to Gov. And surely
the incense which they were presenting at the divine
altar, would also by its fragrancy delight them,
surely they enjoyed what they had of their own,
whether it were more or less, with greater satisfac-
tion, when they were imparting something with
filial gratitude to their father in Christ, to make
his bonds and imprisonment the less grievous.
The apostle freely professes, that he received
these tokens of their affection with pleasure ; but
much happier was he, in that noble superiority of
mind to external circumstances, which he so ami-
ably describes. Truly rich, and truly great, in
knowing how to be content in every circumstance;
possessed of the noblest kind of learning, in having
learned how to be exalted, and to be abased, to
abound or to suffer need.11 13 This all-sufficiency,
of which he boasts, is it haughty arrogance? far
from it: he is never humbler, than when he speaks
of himself in this exalted language. It is in the
218
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND SALUTATIONS.
13
sireng; n of another that he glories. I am sufficient
for all things, through Christ who strengthens me.
And here the feeblest Christian may join issue with
him, and say,
“ If Christ will strengthen me, I
also am sufficient for all.” His grace therefore let
us constantly seek, and endeavour to maintain a
continual dependence upon it, praying for ourselves,
and for each other, that the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ may be with us.23 This grace produced and
maintained saints, where of all places upon earth
we should least have expected to find them, even in
the palace of Cæsar, of Nero.22 Let it encourage
us to look to God to supply our spiritual necessities,
out of the riches of his glory in Christ."
And in a
cheerful hope that he will do it, let us through him
ascribe glory to our God and Father for ever and
19
ever.
Amen, 20
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS.
Colosse was a large populous city of Phrygia, in
Asia Minor, and stood not far from Laodicea: but
though it appears from this epistle, that a Christian
church was established in it, we have no account,
by whom, or at what time it was founded. Some
have concluded from chap. ii. 1, that St. Paul had
never been there himself; but though perhaps
nothing can be certainly inferred from that passage
in relation to it, yet there is great reason to believe,
that if the upostle had been personally concerned in
the first preaching of the gospel there, so important
à fact would not have been entirely omitted in the
history of the Acts. It is not however at all im-
probable, but they might be converted while Paul
resided at Ephesus, especially considering that he
spent no less than three years in that city, and
preached with so much success, that St. Luke tells
us (Acts xix. 20), that all they who dwelt in Asia
heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
As to the date of this epistle, little need be added
here, after what has been already observed in the
introduction to the Ephesians. It appears highly
probable, for reasons there given, that it was wrote
at the same time with that to the Ephesians, and
they were both sent together by Tychicus and One-
simus, towards the close of Paul's first imprison-
VOL. 1.
2 K
250
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
ment at Rome, which was about the year of our Lord
63, or the ninth of the emperor Nero.-Compare
chap. iv. 3, 7, 9. See also note on Acts xxviii. 31.
The Colossians appear, from several passages in
this epistle, to have borne an honourable character
for their piety, and the zeal they discovered for the
gospel; but we find, from the cautions the apostle
gives them in the second chapter, that they were in
some danger of being drawn aside by the subtleties
of the heathen philosophers, and the insinuations
of some Jewish zealots, who insisted upon the ne-
cessity of conforming to the ceremonies of the
Mosaic law. Accordingly the grand design of this
epistle is to excite the Colossians by the most per-
suasive arguments to a temper and behaviour
worthy their sacred character, and to secure them
froin the influence of those pagan sophists, or Jeuish
bigots, who would seduce them from the purity of
the Christian faith.
In pursuance of this general plan, the apostle
having joined Timothy's name with his own in the
inscription of the epistle, begins with expressing
his thankfulness to God for calling them into his
church, and giving them a share in the important
blessings of the gospel ; at the same time declaring
the great satisfaction with which he heard of their
faith and love, and assuring them of his constant
prayers, that they might receive larger supplies of
divine wisdom and grace, to enable them to walk
worthy of their high character and hopes as
Christians.—Chap. i. 1-14. And to make them
more sensible of the excellence of this new dispensú-
tion, into which they were admitted, he represents
to them in very sublime terms the dignity of our
Saviour's person, as the image of God, the Creator
of all things, and the Head of the church ; whose
death God was pleased to appoint as the means of
abolishing the obligation of the Mosaic law, which
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
251
separated between the Jews and Gentiles, and of
reconciling sinners to himself.--Ver. 15—23. From
this view of the excellency of Christ's person, and
the riches of redeeming grace, the apostle takes oc-
casion to express the cheerfulness with which he
suffered in the cause of the gospel, and his earnest
solicitude to fulfil his ministry among them in the
most successful manner; assuring them that he felt
the most tender concern both for them, and the
other Christians in the neighbourhood, that they
might be established in their adherence to the
Christian faith.–Ver. 24, to the end. Chap. ii.
1--7.
Having given these general exhortations, the
apostle proceeds to caution the Colossians against
suffering their minds to be corrupted from the sim-
plicity of the gospel, either by pagan philosophy,
or Jewish tradition, reminding them of the obliga-
tion their baptism laid them under of submitting to
Christ, as the only lawgiver and head of his church;
who had totally abolished the ceremonial law, and
discharged them from any further regard to it.-
Ver. 8–19. And since upon embracing Christi-
anity, they were to consider themselves as dead
with respect to any other religious profession, he
shows the absurdity of being still subject to the ap-
pointments of the Mosaic law; and cautions them
against those corrupt additions to Christianity,
which some were attempting to introduce, especially
by rigours and superstitions of their own devising.
And as the most effectual means for their security,
he exhorts them, as they were risen with Christ, to
keep their thoughts fixed on him, as their Lord and
life, and on that better world whither he was as-
cended, and to which they had the prospect of
being admitted. Ver. 20, to the end. Chap. ini
1-4. From this glorious hope, the apostle presses
them to guard against every degree of uncleanness,
252
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
malice, covetousness, falsehood, and whatever was
inconsistent with the purity of that new dispensa-
tion into which they were entered ; and exhorts
them to abound in the practice of meekness, for-
bearance, humility and love, and to accustom
themselves to those devout exercises and evangeli-
cal views, which would have the most direct
tendency to improve the Christian temper.-Ver.
5--17.
After these general precepts, the apostle proceeds
to recommend to the Colossians, such a care in dis-
charging the duties correspondent to the several
relations of life, as would be most honourable to
their Christian profession, and particularly enumer-
ates those of husbands and wives, parents and
children, masters and servants. And to assist
them in the performance of those duties, he ex-
horts them to be constant in prayer, and for the
credit of their religion, advises them to maintain a
prudent obliging behaviour to their Gentile bre-
thren.-Ver. 18, to the end. Chap. iv. 146
The apostle closes his epistle with recommending
to them Tychicus and Onesimus, of whom he speaks
in very honourable terms, and to whom he refers
them for a more particular account of the state of
the church at Rome: and having inserted salutations
from Aristarchus, Epaphras, their minister (who was
then with Paul), and others, he gives directions
for reading his epistle at Laodicea, addresses a
solemn admonition to Archippus, and concludes
with his salutation, wrote with his own hand.--
Ver. 7, to the end.
>
>
PAUL'S CONCERN FOR THE COLOSSIANS.
253
SECTION I.
The apostle begins his epistle to the Colossians, with declaring his thankful.
ness to God for calling them into his church, and his desire in general,
that they might receive an abundance of divine grace, to enable them to
piebk worthy of so great a privilege. Col. i. 14-14.
Col. l. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
2, and Timotheus our brother, -To the saints and faith-
ful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse : grace
be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
3. the Lord Jesus Christ.--We give thanks to God and
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always
4. for you,Since we heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the
5. saints, --For the hope which is laid up for you in
heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the
6. truth of the gospel ;— Which is come unto you, as
it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it
doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and
7. knew the grace of God in truth:- As ye also learned
of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you
8. a faithful minister of Christ ;--Who also declared
9. unto us your love in the Spirit.- For this cause we
also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with
the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
10. understanding ;-—That ye might walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ;-
11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glo-
rious power, unto all patience and longsuffering
12. with joyfulness ;-Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet to be partakers of the
13. inheritance of the saints in light :- Who hath de.
livered us from the power of darkness, and hath
translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14. In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins.
I 'Paul, who have the honour to be an apostle of
Jesus Christ, not having intruded myself into the
office, but being called to it by the will of God, who
was pleased to display the sovereignty of his grace,
in choosing me, one of the greatest of sinners, to so
high and holy an office, do now join with Timothy,
254
THE APOSTLE EXPRESSES HIS
a faithful brother, and fellow-labourer in the gospel
ministry, in sending this epistle to the holy and
faithful brethren in Christ, who are resident at
Colosse and the adjacent places; heartily wishing
grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom he owns that
relation to us, and sends down upon us the blessings
of providence and grace.
I may say it in my own name, and that of my
dear brother Timothy, though not personally ac-
quainted with you, that sue do unfeignedly give
thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ upon your account, and that we are always
praying for you; very frequently making express
mention of you before the throne of divine grace,
and liabitually wishing your advancement in re-
ligion, and your eternal salvation. Having heard
with unspeakable pleasure, of your sincere faith in
Christ Jesus our Lord, and active, generous love
towards all the saints, who are partakers with you in
that holy calling, which God liath given us by him,
whether they be Jews or Gentiles. On this account
we offer our prayers to God, and we are blessing
him for the better hope, which is laid up for you in
the heavens, and which will in due time be accom-
plished, of which ye have heard before to such happy
purpose, in the true and infallible word of the gospel,
which was preached among you in all its genuine
purity and integrity: of that gospel, @which hath
now through the singular goodness of God to the
Gentiles, whom he seemed so long to have neg-
lected, appeared unto you, even as in all the world;
being intended for a universal religion. And ac-
cordingly it proceeds in its progress, and bringeth
forth substantial fruit elsewhere, as also [it hath
done] among you, from the day in which ye have heard
and known the grace of God, in that saving word of
solid truth and everlasting life, which hath been
CONCERN FOR THE COLOSSIANS.
255
8
sent unto you. As ye have also learnt it from
Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant in the work of
the Lord, who is the faithful minister of Christ for
your sakes, whom he has appointed to labour among
you, and to preside over you. Who hath also
manifested to us your Christian love in the bonds of
that one Spirit, who unites all our hearts. 9 There-
fore we also, from the day that we first heard [of it],
cease not to pray for you, and to offer up our most
earnest and affectionate requests, that ye may be
abundantly filled with the knowledge of his will, in
all wisdom and spiritual understanding, in the right
apprehension of spiritual objects, wrought and
increased in you by the influence of the divine
Spirit upon your minds. That so you may be
animated to walk in a manner worthy of that con-
nection, in which you stand with the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the obligations you are under to him,
conducting yourselves in all respects so as may be
well pleasing in his sight, fruitful and increasing still
more and more abundantly in every good work, to
the practical acknowledgment of God in all his at-
tributes and relations to you. "Being inwardly
strengthened with all might, according to his glorious
power, that you may be formed to all the most ex-
emplary degrees of patience, under the persecution
you meet with in the world, and long-suffering under
all provocations ; which I wish you may be enabled
to bear, not only with composure and dignity of
spirit, but with joy too, while you expect that
blessed and exalted hope, which the gospel sets
before you. Yes, my brethren, I desire, that, in-
stead of lamenting the calamities to which so holy
a profession exposes us, you may be continually
12 giving thanks to the Father of all grace and mercy,
who hath called us all, whether originally Jews or
Gentiles, into the communion of his church, and
who hath, by the renewing and sanctifying influ-
256
THE APOSTLE EXPRESSES HIS
ences of his Spirit upon our hearts, made us,
though naturally so much indisposed for it, now to
become fit for a part in the inheritance, which he
hath prepared and assigned as the final reward and
felicity of the saints; wlio, when they have passed
through the dark scenes which Providence has
allotted them here, shall remain in immortal light
and glory. Yea we reckon it our perpetual duty,
to render these acknowledgments to him, 13 who
hath, by the declarations of his gospel and the in-
fluences of his grace, rescued us from the power of
darkness, and transferred {us] from the territories of
Satan, the prince of it, into the glorious and happy
kingdom of his beloved Son: l'in whom we have ample
redemption, from the tyranny of all our enemies,
and from the destruction, with which the divine
justice threatened us, by the pouring forth of his
blood, [cven] the remission of sins, for which we were
ourselves incapable of making any satisfaction, and
which, if they had not been thus expiated, would
have sunk us down to final condemnation and
despair.
IMPROVEMENT.
We see in this epistle, as in all the rest, the most
genuine discoveries of the real temper of the apostle.
The same views which he had opened upon other
churches, the same kind sentiments which he had
expressed towards them, does he here discover and
express ; still glorifying in bis office as an apostle of
Christ; still wishing, to his Christian brethren,
grace and peace,!? as beyond all comparison the
best of blessings; still congratulating them on their
faith in Christ, and love to each other; still making
continual mention of them in his prayers,3 * and re-
commending them to the grace of God, in which
we, as they, continue to stand.
CONCERN FOR THE COLOSSIANS,
ور
For ever adored be the divine goodness, that the
word of God, which sets before us a hope laid up
in the heavens," hath been manifested unto us and to
all the world! Let us often exainine ourselves as
to the fruit it hath brought forth in our own hearts
and lives. Let us be solicitous for ourselves and
others, that we may in a more spiritual and intelli-
gent manner be filled with the knowledge of his will,
in all its compass and extent, so far as he has been
pleased to reveal it; and that this knowledge may
produce in ns the most substantial effects, so as to
engage us to walk worthy of the Lord, whose name
we bear, and in a manner which he may behold
with approbation and pleasure ; being fruitful and
increasing more and more in every good work, that
our barrenness may not reproach our profession,
and that the great vital truths of Christianity may
not seem to be dead or dormant in our hearts.
To give them their full energy on our souls, we
need the operation of God's glorious and mighty
power, by which they may not only be established
in all patient long-suffering, but inspired with holy
joy." Then shall we breathe forth lively acknow-
ledgments to the Father, who hath revealed unto
us that glorious inheritance, which he distributes
among the saints in light,"? even that kingdoni,
where they all reign in everlasting purity, friend-
ship, and joy. May he prepare us to receive our
lot and take up our abode there! For this end did
he rescue us from the power of darkness, and call us
to the external privileges of those who constitute
the kingdom of his dear Son :3 for this did he set
before is that redemption, which we have in his
blood, even the remission of our sins.' And O!
how inexcusable shall we be, if we make ourselves
the slaves of sin, while we have our abode in the
visible kingdom of Christ; and trampling upon his
blood, and the act of grace which is established in
VOL. V.
? 1
258 DIGNITY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST.
it, seal ourselves up under a guilt never to be re-
moved; a guilt heightened to infinite degrees of
provocation and malignity, by the very methods
which have been taken to expiate it!
Section II.
To promole their thankfulness for their part in the gospel, and engage their adher-
ence to it in its greatest purity, the apostle represents to them the dignity of our
blessed Redeemer's person, and the methods he hath taken to make reconciliatim
for sinners. Col. i. 15-23.
Col. I. 15. Who is the image of the invisible Gon, the firstborn
16. of every creature :— For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,
visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
17. were created by him, and for him :--And he is be-
fore all things, and by him all things consist.
I have just been speaking to you of that re-
demption which we have in the blood of Christ,
even the remission of our sins; and I must now
lead you more attentively to reflect, 15 who he is, to
whom we are under such immense obligations.
And you will find his dignity and glory to be such,
that you can never conceive of any thing adequate
to them. For he is indeed the brightest and most
express image of the invisible and eternal God, whom
no man hath seen at any time, nor can see ; [and]
the first-born of the whole creation, existing before
it, and begotten to inherit it as the great heir of all.
And his nature has a transcendent excellency,
infinitely superior to any thing that is made ; 16 for
by him were all things created, things in heaven and
things on earth. From bim were derived the visible
splendour of the celestial luminaries, the sun, the
moon and the stars, even all the hosts of these
lower heavens, and from him the yet. brighter
glories of invisible and angelic beings, who dwell
and reign above, by whatever names and honours
DIGNITY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST.
209
distinguished; whether (they be] thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers; all the various orders of
heavenly spirits, which may be designed by such
or the like titles, the import of which is not exactly
known to us mortals. Yet these, with all other
things in the celestial as well as terrestrial regions,
were created by him and for him; they are the pro-
ductions of his Almighty power, and were made
that he might be exalted and glorified in them.
And he is before all, both the duration and the
dignity of his nature, and in him all things, which
constitute this universal system, do continually
subsist in that harmonious order of being, which
renders it one beautiful whole ; whereas, unsup-
ported by him, it would immediately run into con
fusion, or fall back into its original nothing.
17
Col. 1. 18. -And he is the head of the body, the church : tres
is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead ; that
19. in all things he might have the preeminence.--For it
pleased the Father that in him should all fulness
20. dwell ; — And, having made peace through the blood
of luis cross, by him to reconcile all things unto hini-
self; by him, I say, whether they ti things in carti,
or things in heaven.
'$ And it is worthy of our particular considera-
iion, that he, who is thus the head and Lord of all,
is in a peculiar sense the head of the church, [which]
he [is] graciously pleased to own as the body, and
which he with amazing condescension has united
in the strictest bonds to himself, taking it under
liis peculiar guardianship, government and care:
[even he] who is, as we before declared, the beginning
of the creation of God, and having stooped to as-
sume our nature and to die in it, was also appointed
to be the first-born from the dead, the first who ever
rose to an endless life; that so in all things he might
have the pre-eminence, suitable to the infinitely su-
perior dignity of his nature above all created beings.
260 DIGNITY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST.
19 For in him his Father is ever well pleased, as he
declared by a voice from heaven: and it was his
sovereign pleasure, as dwelling in him to inhabit
the whole fulness of the church: and to qualify him
for the high office which he sustains, he hath ap-
pointed that all fulness of gifts and graces should
ever reside in him, even all the fulness of the God-
head bodily. 2° And it hath pleased the Father
likewise, by him to reconcile all things to himself,
that is, to the purposes of his own glory, having
made peace by the blood of his cross; by which the
design of the ceremonial law having been answered,
the obligations of it were abolished, and the wall of
partition between Jews and Gentiles broken down.
Yea by him [God hath reconciled all things] to eaclı
other; whether things on earth, that is, Jews or
Gentiles, or things in heaven, that is, celestial spirits,
who are now reconciled to fallen inen, and incor-
porated with them into one holy and happy society.
Ccl ). 21. “And you, that were sometime alicnated and
enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
27. hath he reconciled - In the body of his flesh through
death, to present you holy and unblameable and un-
23. reproveable in his sight :-If ye continue in the faith
grounded and settled, and be not moved away from
the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and
which was preached tw every creature which is under
heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
24ind the calling of the Gentile nations into the
church is one important part of this plan; so that
you, who were once alienated, and cnemies in (your)
mind to the blessed God by wicked works, he hath
Now reconciled to himself and to the society of his
people. And this he hath done in the body of his
flesh, which lie hath assumedl, and by that dicat),
which lie hath suflered therein, that so he might
present you holy and blameless, and free from all uc-
cusations in his sight. You will certainly be so
presented, if ye continue established and grounded
DIGNITY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST. 261
in the faith in which you have been instructed, and
be not by any floods of affliction, or teinpests of
temptation removed, and carried away from the im-
portant hope of a happy immortality, brought to us
by the glorious gospel ; which ye have heard, [and]
which hath not only been published among the Jews.
but, by a special commission from God, beer
preached to the whole creation under heaven, as a
message which extends to all the species of man-
kind; by which he commandeth all men every
where to repent, and promises salvation to all who
believe and ober. Of which gospel I Paul am op-
pointed a minister, and esteem it my peculiar honour
and happiness that I am so.
IMPROVE JENT,
Let us learn by this sublime discourse of our
holy apostle, how we are to conceive of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to whose glory he so wisely and
happily consecrated the labours of his pen and of
his life ; and while we commemorate that blood of
bis, in which we have redemption, even the remission
oj our sins,'t let us bow to him as the image of the
invisible God, and the first-born of the whole creation.!
And whatever discoveries we may at any time re-
ceive, as to the display of divine power, wisdom, and
goodness in the formation of the visible or invisible
world, let us remember that by Christ all things in
both were created, not excepting thrones and do-
minions, principalities and powers. The angels of
God worship him, as with and by the Father, their
great original and support, acknowledging with
Paul, and with the whole catholic church, as tauglit
by him, that in Christ all things subsist. Let us
then, with the whole host of heaven, borr down
before him, and worship him that sits upon the throne
Cu the Lamb. Let us with all humility adore
202 DIGNITY AND CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST.
his condescension, in uniting us to himself in
such dear and intimate bonds, and avoiving him-
self the head of the church, which he disdains not to
call his body, though he be the beginning of the creu-
tion of God, as well as the first-born from the dead,
and beyond comparison pre-eminent in all.18
Important indeed are the consequences of this
his condescension! It is by him that God is recon-
ciled to us, and dwells in us. It is the blood of his
cross that hath made peace between Jews and Gen-
tiles, between heaven and earth.20 Justly might
the angels have forsaken this earth of ours, and
have ascended to heaven, to enter their protest
against sinful man, yea to seek a commission for
executing vengeance upon the apostate creature.
But now, through Christ they are become our
friends and our brethren. At his command they
minister unto the heirs of salvation, and will continue
their kind offices, till heaven gives the interview
which earth denies, and lays a foundation for the
endearments of an everlasting friendship.
O that this reconciling gospel might be effec-
tually preached to every creature under heaven ! 23 But
to obtain its effect, it must subdue our hearts to
holiness. To be still under the power of sin, to go
on in a course of evil works, is to continue the
enmity with God, and all his holy and happy
creatures. Let us see to it, that we thankfully ac-
cept the reconciliation, which the gospel proposes.
Then shall we at length be presented blameless,
irreproachable and holy in his sight.º3
As we hope for this end, let nothing remove us
from our steadfastness,23 nor from that glorious hope
of the gospel, for which it is certain, nothing can
be an equivalent. May divine grace establish and
confirm us in it, and make us victorious over every
thing, that might attempt to supplant our feet, and
take away our' crown.
22
PIUL'S SIFFERINGS FOR THE CHURCH.
203
Sious III.
The apostle tules riccusion fran uhat he lud before said of the ercellency of Christ's
person, and the riches of his redeeming grace, to espress his cun solicitude to fula
til his ministry among them in the most successful mariner ; and lays open his
tender concern for the Colossians, and other Christians in their neighbourhoni,
Thut they might be estalilished in their wilherence to the gospel. Col. i. 24, W1166
koul, & chap. ii. 1-i.
Col. I. 21. 1110 now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill
up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in
my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
25. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the
dispensation of God which is given to me for you,
26. to fulfil the word of God;-Eren the mystery
which
hath been hid from ages and from generations, but
27. now is made manifest to his saints:--To whom God
would make known what is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ
in you, the hope of glory.
2.Now, my brethren, give me leave to tell you,
that I am so far from repenting of the ministry in
which I am engaged, on account of
any
difficulties
it brings along with it, that on the contrary, I re-
joice even in my sufferings for you, and with great
pleasure fill up whatever is wanting of the afflictions
of Christ in his members, by taking part of them
in my own flesh, for the sake of his body, which, as
I said before, is the church, so dear to him the
common head, and to every member vitally unite !
to him. 25 0f which church I was made a minister
to wait upon it, and serve it in every office
humble love, according to the dispensation of God
which was given me in respect of you, that I might
thoroughly and faithfully
preach the whole word of
God in the gospel. (Eren] that great mystery,
which was hid from so many preceding ages and
generations, but is now manifested to his saints of the
Gentile nations, as well as of Jewish extraction ;
27 to whom God was graciously determined to make
known what is the rich glory of this mystery; to dis-
cover it, I say, even among the Gentiles; which
264
PAUL REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS.
rich display of divine grace is all summed up in
[this] one word, [that] Christ [is] in you, the hope
of eternal glory; being formed by divine grace in
your hearts, he brings to you who were once
without hope, and without God in the world (Eph.
ii. 12), the bright beamings of this blessed pros-
pect, even a glorious and holy immortality.
Col. 1. 28. -Whom we preach, warning every man, and teach-
ing every man in all wisdom; that we may present
29. every man perfect in Christ Jesus :- Whereunto I
also labour, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily.
And this is the illustrious Saviour, 28 whom we,
in the midst of all opposition, still continue to
preach, admonishing every man, and instructing
every man, as the respective circumstances of par-
ticular persons require. And in the management
of this important ministry, we conduct ourselves
with all the wisdom and discretion we can obtain,
that no single soul may be lost by our means; but
that we may, if possible, present every man in due
time perfect in Christ Jesus, when he shall appear
to make up his final account.
29 To which important
[purpose,] I also labour in the sphere allotted me
with diligence and resolution, exerting myself to
the utmost, ani striving with an intenseness, like
that of one, who contends for a crown in your well-
known Grecian games. Yet I arrogate notbing to
iyself herein, for all is carried on according to his
energy, which operates with power in me, and sup-
ports me in the glorious contest, whereas other-
wise I should sink, and become the derision of mine
enemies.
Col. 2 1. --For I would that ye kneik what great conflict I haye
for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many
2. as have not seen my face in the flesh ;- That their
hcarts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of un-
derstanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery
FOR THE CHURCH.
265
Col. 2. 3. of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;-In whom
are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with
5. enticing words.-For though I be absent in the flesh,
yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and behold-
ing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith
6. in Christ. --As ye have therefore received Christ
7. Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him :-Rooted and
built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye
have been taught, abounding therein with thanks-
giving
1
Nor is it without attending carefully to their full
import, that I have made use of those strong terins,
which you have now been reading, to express the
manner in which I exert myself in the great trust
committed to me. 'For I earnestly wish you to
know, what a vigorous contention I hare with a
variety of antagonists, for you, and those of Laodicea,
and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.
For indeed my struggle for the gospel, while under
this painful confinement, is animated, not merely
by considerations of personal friendship, for those
whom I particularly know and love, but by a most
benevolent regard to the good of mankind in general,
known or unknown, that they may receive and re-
tain this glorious revelation, and have it delivered
to them with all possible advantage: ?that their
hearts may be comforted by the consolation of the
Holy Spirit, and animated to every good resolution,
being knit together and compacted in mutual Christian
love to the whole body, and to Christ the great
head of it: and that being thus cemented, they
may attain the richest and most assured understanding
of the gospel, and being enlightened in the clear
and heart-affecting knowledge of it, they may be
awakened to the most courageous and grateful
knowledgment of the sublime and adorable mystery
of God, even of the Father and of Christ. Most
heartily do I wish, that, however it may be de-
AC-
VOL. v.
2 M
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PAUL REJOICES IN HIS SUFFERINGS
spised as foolishmess by a vain world, they may
steadily profess it, and live upon the blessings de-
rived from it; even froin the gospel of the blessed
Jesus, in whom are hid all the noblest and most
desirable treasures of wisdom and knowledge, himself
being the incarnate wisdom of God. And this 1
SAY of the perfection of Christ and his gospel, that
no man may deceive you by the enticing discourses of
hunian philosophy, and draw you off from a be-
coming attachment to him. For though I be absent
from
your in the flesh, yet in spirit I am with you, and!
as my heart interests itself most tenderly in all
your concerns, God is pleased by the revelation of
his Spirit, to give me a very particular view of your
circumstances, so that the very sight of it could
liardly be more distinct and affecting. -- 1 Cor. v. 3.
And] indeed in your present situation, it gives me
a great deal of pleasure, and I am continually re-
joicing, while I thus behold your regular and beauti-
ful order, and the steadiness of your fuith in Christ,
which your enemies are in vain endeavouring to
shake. * Be concerned therefore, as you desire to
retain this faith, to act in a manner answerable to
it: and as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
to whom you have vowed a most faithful obedience,
an obedience indeed, to which he has the justest
claim, [so] let it be your care, to walk in ail holy
conformity and subjection to him : that it may ap-
pear you are deeply 'rooted and solidly edified in
him, building all your hopes of pardon and salva-
tion on him and his religion alone; and con-
firmed in the purity of his faith, as ye have been
taught it, abounding more and more in the lively
exercise of it, with the most cordial and cheerful
thanksgiving to God, who has been pleased to call
you to the participation of all the blessings, which
are inseparably connected with it.
FOR THE CHURCH.
267
IMPROVEMENT.
To bear sufferings with patience, has justly
been reckoned a high attainment; and it was the
boasted strength and glory of the pagan philosophy
to teach men to do it; a glory in which it was often
deficient, a strength which often failed them, who
had the fairest opportunities of being proficients in
their schools. But Paul liad learnt by the philo-
sophy of Jesus, to rejoice in them, when considered
as subservient to the honour of Christ, and to the
good of his church,24 even of those members of it,
whom he had never seen in the flesh ;' rejoicing
thereby to fulfil his embassy, and to confirm that
important word of God, which taught the mystery,
concealed from so many ages and generations.26 And
what was that mystery, but the same that is so
clearly revealed to us, even that Christ in us is the
hope of glory?"
To Gentile sinners that were without hope, is hope
now preached; the hope not only of félicity, but
ylory. And this by Christ, not only as proclaimed
amongst us, for to many that hear of his name,
and of the scheme of salvation by him, he is a stone
of stumbliny, and a rock of offence, but by Christ as
in us. Highly are they honoured, who have it in
charge to preach hin. May they learn from the
apostle, how it is to be done. It is to be attended
with practical instructions and admonitions, as to be
conducted witlı the greatest prudence and care, and
to be addressed to every man, according to his re-
spective character and circumstances in life; that
so, if it be loy any means possible to prevent it,
none of those that are committed to their care and
charge may be lost, but every man may at length
be presented perfect in Christ in that day, when,
among all that truly belong to him, there shall be
no remaining imperfections.
268
CAUTIONS AGAINST DEPARTING FROM
Surely this is a cause, in which it is worth their
while to strive. May the strength of God work
powerfully in thein for that purpose !29 "Then will all
our hearts be comforted, when we have attained to
the full assurance of the truth of our religion, when
we courageously acknowledge and maintain it, when
we improve it to the great end for which it was
preached to us, and having professed to receive
Christ Jesus as our Lord, make it our care in a
suitable manner to walk in him. For this purpose,
,
let us endeavour to be deeply rooted and grounded in
him, confirmed in the faith as the apostles taught it;
giving thanks to God for the instructions we receive
in it, and numbering it, as we have great reason to
do, among the choicest mercies we could receive,
even from an omnipotent hand, not only that we hear
the sound of the gospel, but that we have felt its
vital influence upon our hearts.
SectioX IV.
The apostle largely cautions the Colossians aguinst suffering their minds in
be corrupted from the simplicity of Christianity, either by pagan philosophy or
Jewish tradition, representing to them how complete they were in CHRIST, uithout
the addition of either. Col. Ü. 8–19.
Col. 2. 8. BEWARE lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
9. rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.--For
in him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead
10. bodily.--And ye are complete in him, which is the
head of all principality and power :
8 See to it therefore, my dear brethren, that, as you
are under such strong engagements to abound in all
the fruits of that gospel, which you have been taught
with so much advantage, no man make a prey of you,
by pretended philosophy and vain deceit, according to
the tradition of men, of which both Jews and Gen-
tiles are so fond; and according to the elements of that
literature, which is so much regarded in the world,
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL.
269
by persons of different religious persuasions in it,
but which are not by any means according to Christ,
nor agreeable to the genius and simplicity of his
gospel. 'For in him dwelleth all the fulness of god-
head bodily and substantially, so that his human
nature is the temple of the Deity. And ye are
complete in him; happy enough in such a Master,
and in such a Saviour, who is able to fill you with
all knowledge, grace and glory, without any such
additions to his religion, as human philosophy, or
superstition would make; even in him, who is the
head of all principality and power, from whom the
world, and creatures of the most exalted rank
and dignity in it, to whom some would direct your
devotions, derive their light and holiness, their
honour and felicity.
Col. 2. 11. – In whom als:) ye are circumcised with the circum-
cision made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of
12. Christ:-Buried with him in baptism, wherein also
ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the
dead.
Let me therefore exhort you, most steadily to
adhere to this glorious Redeemer, "in whom, I may
say, ye also are circumcised, with the circumcision not
performed with hands, according to Jewish rites, but
with another kind of circumcision, far more noble
and excellent, which that was intended symbolically
to express, even by the putting off the body of the sins
of the flesh, renouncing all the deeds of it. Your en-
gagements to this you have expressed by that ordi-
nance, which I may call the circumcision of Christ;
it being that by which he hath appointed that we
should be initiated into his church, as the members
of it formerly were by circumcision. And to this
new and more gentle rite you have conformed your-
selves, being buried with him in baptism, to express
270 CAUTIONS AGAINST DEPARTING FROM
13 And
your desire of dying to sin, as he died for it: in
which ordinance also ye were represented as raised
with him, and in consequence thereof animated to
all newness of life, by the belief you then professed
in [that] wonderful display of the energy of God who
raised him from the dead, and thereby confirmed his
doctrine in general, and in particular confirmed our
hopes of a glorious resurrection and immortality, if
we continue in a faithful adherence to him.
Col. 2. 13. -And you, being dead in your sins and the uncir-
cumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it
15. out of the way, nailing it to his cross ;- And having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of
them openly, triumphing over them in it.
you, Gentiles, who were once dead in a
course of notorious trespasses, and in the uncircumci-
sion of your flesh, abandoned to all its sensual and
irregular inclinations, hath he also quickened together
with him, making his death and resurrection the
means of spiritual life to you ; having freely forgiven
all your offences, and condescended graciously to
take you into covenant with himself: and this upon
a more easy and agreeable footing, than Israel be-
fore stood ; 'having blotted out, with respect to us,
the hand-writing of Jewish ordinances and institu-
tions, which was contrary to us (Acts xv. 10), and
had an evident efficacy, either to load us with a
heavy burden, or to alienate the hearts of our Jewish
brethren from us. And therefore he hath taken it
away from between us, as I may so express it, nail-
ing it to [his] cross, and thereby has cancelled it, as
bonds are cancelled, by being struck through with a
nail; while he has accomplished the purposes of the
ceremonial law, by that sacrifice of himself, and
thereby caused the obligation of it to cease. By
that important transaction he hath also made iis
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL.
271
victorious over all our spiritual enemies, and espe-
cially the formidable spirit of darkness; 15haring
spoiled these principalities and powers of the trophies,
which they had gained, by drawing us into the
grand original apostacy, and subjecting to them-
selves this part of God's rational creation ; he hath
made them an open spectacle to the whole world, tri-
umphing over them by it, even by that cross, whereby
they hoped to have triumphed over him. But God
turned their counsels against themselves, and ruined
their empire, by that death of his Son, which they
had been so eager to accomplish.
Col. 2. 16.-Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in
drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new
17. moon, or of the sabbath days:--Thich are a Shadow
of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Since 16therefore the ceremonial law is now
abolished, let not any, who is in a bigoted manner
attached to it, judge and condemn any of you, Gen-
tile Christians, in regard to the use of meat or drink
forbidden by it, or in respect to a feast which it ap-
pointed, or to a new-moon or sabbaths; ordained as
times of sacred rest and solemn worship, according
to that ritual, but not therefore by any consequence
holy to us. 17 Which things are indeed, in their
original design and constitution, only a shadow of
good things to come, intended to lead the mind to
spiritual and evangelical blessings : but the body and
substance of them [is] given us in the gospel of
Christ, in whom they all centre, and having the
latter, we need not be solicitous about the former.
Col. 2, 18.-Let no man beguile you of your reward in a
voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, in-
truding into those things which he hath not seen,
19. vainly paffed up by his fleshly mind.-And not hold-
ing the head, from which all the body by joints and
bands having nourishment ministered, and knit
together, increaseth with the increase of God.
18 Let no one therefore, who may ever so eagerly
972
CAUTIONS AGAINST DEPARTING FROM
from whom the whole body of the church being sup-
desire it, or ever so artfully attempt it, deprive you
of your great prize, for which as Christians you con-
tend, by [an affected] humility, and the worship of
(ingels (which some Jewish zealots, as well as hea-
then philosophers, so eagerly inculcate), intruding
officiously and presumptuously into that which he
hath not seen ; while they pretend to tell us won-
derful secrets, relating to their various ranks, sub-
ordinations and offices. This may render a mau
the admiration of the ignorant and inconsiderate,
but it is indeed the result of his being vainly puffed
up by his corrupt and fleshly mind, with the conceit
of things, which it is impossible lie should under-
stand, and a desire of introducing novelties into
religion. And so men wander themselves, and
mislead others, in consequence of their not holding
and properly adlıering to him, whom I mentionel
above, as the head, even the Lord Jesus Christ;
plied, and compacted by the union of varioits joinis
and bands, increases in grace and holiness contim-
ally, and at length attaineth to the increase of God;
to whom therefore I most earnestly exhort you, my
brethren, continually and steadfastly to adliere.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us contemplate, with daily pleasure, the glo-
rious effects of the death of our blessed Redeemer,
by which the Mosaic law was abolished, the hand-
writing of ordinances blotted out ;!4 that death, by
which so glorious a victory over our spiritual
enemies was obtained, by which the infernal prin-
cipalities and powers were stripped of their trophies,
and themselves exposed as an open spectacle... Let
us improve this victory to all the glorious purposes
for which it was intended. Let us above all, con-
sider it as an engagement to a life of exemplary
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL. 273
8
I
17
holiness, especially as we are ourselves circumcised
with the circumcision of Christ;" as by baptism we are
solemnly engaged to mortify all irregular affections,
and, being buried with Christ in that solemn rite, to
rise to all newness of life, having received the for-
giveness of our sins, 13 and being raised with Christ to
the hope of eternal glory.
Let us be solicitous, ever to maintain the strict-
est union with Christ as our head, remembering how
great an honour it is, to be thus related to him, in
whom dwelleth all the fulness of godhead bodily. Let
us be careful, in virtue of this union, to live in the
communion of Christian love, with all the members
of the body, and ourselves to grow with all the in-
crease of God.19
And let us guard against all those human tradi-
tions, or refinements of philosophical speculation,
which are disagreeable to these elements of Christ,
into which we have been initiated; and against
every thing, which could be an infringement of
that liberty, which Christ hath granted to his
church, and which it is our duty to endeavour to
maintain, against all encroachments; even though
they should be made by any in his name, and under
the pretence of authority from him. It may be
urged upon us as humility, to submit to such impo-
sitions, but it is the truest humility to maintain an
exact obedience to the authority of our divine
Master, and to limit even our submission to those of
our brethren, whom we may most honour and love,
by a regard to his command and institution.'s And
if a due care is not taken in this respect, we may be
deprived, at least in some degree, of our prize, by the
methods, whereby some may endeavour to persuade
us, that we shall most effectually secure it. May
divine wisdom preserve us from all those vain de-
ceits, whereby our faith might be corrupted, or our
conformity to the plan of Christian institutions be
VOL. 1.
2 N
274
CAUTIONS AGAINST CORRUPT
rendered, in any respect, less beautiful, pure and
complete.
SECTION V.
The apostle filrther cautions the Colossians against those corrupt adilitions to Chris-
tianity, which some were attempting to introduce, especially by rigours and super-
stilions of their vun devising; and exhorts thein, as the properest method for their
security, to lve endeavouring toruise their hearts more to Christ, us their ascended
Lord and life. Col. ii. 20, to the end. Chap. iii. 1-4.
COL. 2. 20. WHEREFORE if ye be dead with Christ from the rudi.
ments of the world, why, as though living in the
21. world, are ye subject to ordinances,
-Touch not;
22. taste not; handle not ;-Which all are to perish
with the using ;) after the commandments and doc-
23. trines of men ?- Which things have indeed a shew
of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neg-
lecting of the body; not in any honour to the satis-
fying of the flesh.
I HAVE mentioned the relation in which you stand
to Christ as your head, and I must from hence take
occasion further to plead the obligations you are
under, to labour after a growing conformity to him
in all things. 20If therefore ye are indeed (as by
baptism ye profess to be dead with Christ from the
elements and rudiments of the world, from those
things, which among the Gentiles or the Jews,
men are apt to build so much upon, why, as if ye
were still living as before in the world, and stood in
that respect on an equal footing with others, do ус
meddle with these appointments, subjecting yourselves
to them; yea, and are ready yourselves to insist on
the observation of them, and even to join in im-
posing them upon others? And particularly those
which the Mosaic law inculcates, such as, touch
not any thing ceremonially unclean, taste not any
food which that prohibits; handle not any thing
by which such pollution might be contracted. ? All
which ihings tend to the corruption of that excellent
religion, into which you have the honour to be
ADDITIONS TO CHRISTIANITY.
275
initiated; by the abuse of them, according to the
commandments and doctrines of mistaken and ill-
designing men, who insist so eagerly upon them,
as if they were essential to salvation; though, as I
observed before, they have answered their great
end, so far as they were of divine institution, and
are now laid aside by the same authority that in-
troduced them, so that all obligation upon the
conscience is ceased. Concerning 23 which things,
we may in the general observe, that they have indeed
a pretence of wisdom, and are in that view gravely
insisted upon, especially by the more rigorous
sects; but many of them are of such a nature,
that, even while that Jewish economy continued in
force, they made no genuine part of it, but rather
taught men to pervert religion, by making it to
consist in will-worship, which they themselves de-
vised, and in an affected humility of address, and
in a severity to the body; which, rigorous as it
seemed, was far from being true mortification, or
disposing the mind to it. On the contrary, while
it puffed men up with a vain conceit of their own
sanctity, it might be said rather to tend to the dis-
honourable satisfying of the flesh, while it seemed
most to afflict it: for that self-complacency, osten-
tation, and contempt of others, with which these
severities are often attended, is indeed a carnal
principle; nor could the grossest sensualities be
more contrary to the will of God, and the genius
of true religion.
Col. 3. 1. -If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
2. hand of God.-Set your affection on things above,
3. and not on things on the earth.–For ye are dead, and
1. your life is hid with Christ in God.-When Christ,
who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also ap-
pear with him in glory.
And let me fruther improve the great principle I
276 CAUTIONS AGAINST CORRUPT
have laid down, and urge, that 'since ye are risen
with Christ, ye should therefore seek things that are
above the sphere of this mortal and animal life ;
even there where Christ is sitting in dignity and
felicity at the right hand of God. Yes, my brethren,
charge it continually on your consciences, that ye
2mind, prefer, affect, and pursue the things that are
above, and not those (that are] here on this low earth.
And this attachment to the great and glorious views
of the invisible and eternal world will moderate your
regards to many other things, about which you are
ready to be so much engaged. And surely this
may reasonably be expected, for ye are by solemn
profession, as I pleaded before, dead with Christ,
and your new and better life flows from him, and is,
as it were, hidden with Christ in God. A regard to
an unseen Saviour, is the great principle that ani-
mates it, and it centres on that blessed world,
where he reigns, and where God displays the
brightest tokens of his majestic and gracious pre-
And you have this further transporting
assurance, that when Christ (who is the great
spring of our celestial life, and highest object of
our desire, shall appear in all the pomp and splen-
dour of his final triumph, then you shall also appear
with him in glory, making a part of that one bright
and illustrious assembly, which he shall then re-
deen from the power of the grave, and form to a
perfection of soul, and lustre of body, suitable to
the relation in which they all stand to him, as the
great conqueror of death and hell, and sovereign of
universal nature. Let us therefore contentedly
wait for our supreme felicity, till that glorious day
sence.
shall come.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us charge it on our hearts, by all our great
and solemn obligations to Jesus, our beloved Sa-
ADDITIONS TO CHRISTIANITY.
277
in a
viour and glorified head, that we study the nature
of true religion with greater care, and practise it
with greater constancy. Let us not place it in a
zeal for ceremonial observances, according to the
doctrines and commandments of men.20–2 Let us ever
remember that Christ alone is the lawgiver of his
church, and let us solicitously guard against the
abuses in religion, which would be the consequence
of introducing, and much more of imposing human
ordinances. Too sensibly has the church in all
ages seen and felt the unhappy effects of such a
temper. Its divisions, and its formality, may
great measure be traced up to this source. IVill-
worship and a voluntary humility have proved its
disgrace,23 and in some countries almost its ruin.
Let us labour after sublimer views, and considering
curselves as risen with Christ, let us seek the things
that are above. Let us cultivate greater spirituality
of mind, and endeavour to have our hearts there,
where our Lord is.
Surely the reflection upon that relation in which
we stand to him, in concurrence with that glory in
which he is now enthroned, the kind designs he
still bears to us, and the prospect we have of sitting
down with him ere long in that kingdom, may
well
raise our thoughts thither, and bear us above all
immoderate attachment to those low scenes of
mortal life.
Let us therefore study more and more the hidden
life of the Christian :: and considering Christ as our
life, be often anticipating in our thoughts the great
day of his appearance, and dwelling on the blessed
hope of appearing with him in glory. But, O! how
dark are our views of these things! How little do
we feel of the sanctifying and elevating influence
of this hope! Let us earnestly pray for a more
abundant con.munication of divine grace, that,
deriving more and more of this spiritual life from
278
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
Christ, we may have more suitable and affectionate
apprehensions of that angelic life, to which his love
has destined us, and to which such a temper tends
directly to lead us.
SECTION VI.
The apostlo presses the Colossians to guard against every degree of uncleanness,
malice, and falsehood, and to abound in the practice of the opposite virtues, and in
those devout exercises and evangelicul views, by which they might be animated 10
cultivate them. Col. ii. 5--17.
Col. 3. 5. MORTIFY therefore your members which are upon
the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affec-
tion, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
6. is idolatry :-For which things' sake the wrath on
7. God cometh on the children of disobedience :-In
the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived
8. in them. But now ye also put off all these ; anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out
9. of your mouth.—Lie not one to another, seeing that
10. ye have put off the old man with his deeds ;--And
have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him
11. —Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circum-
cision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,
bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
You have heard of the glorious hope, which we
entertain as Christians; let me Stherefore urge it
upon you, that you be influenced in a suitable
manner by it, and particularly that it engage you
to mortify those lusts, which are so apt to dwell in
your members that are on earth; such as fornication,
uncleanness, and every other kind and degree of
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and an insati-
able desire of any carnal gratification, an object
which is indeed nothing less than idolatry, or paying
that regard to the most unworthy things, which is
due to God alone. On account of which, the wrath
of God is coming, not only on those who profess
themselves his people, but even on the children of
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
279
disobedience, on heathens themselves, who bid the
most open defiance to what we well know to be the
first principle of true religion. Among whom ye
also
once walked, and had your conversation, partaking
with your neighbours in all their enormities, when
formerly ye lived among them, and made a part of
their number. But now being converted to the
pure, peaceful and devout religion of the Lord
Jesus Christ, see to it, that ye also put away all these
enormities, and particularly the transports
of
open
rage, the secret grudgings of concealed resentment,
the malignant working of malice, the injuries of
eril-speaking, the scandals of lewd conversation; and
let them all be resolutely banished out of your mouth,
and out of your heart : 'neither lie one to another,
cither in trade, or common conversation ; having
solemnly professed to put off the old man with his
iniquitous deeds, and entirely renounced all those
corrupt affections, which were naturally so prera-
lent in you; and having declared it as your design
and resolution, to put on the new [man), all the
branches of that contrary temper and dispositioli,
which constitute the Christian character, and which
is renewed in knowledge of our true duty and interest,
and a universal holiness, as the genuine fruit of it;
according to the image of him that created him, even
of God, who is himself the great standard of all
moral perfection. Thus you will indeed become
genuine members of that blessed society, "where
There is no distinction between men of different
nations, education, or ranks in life: wlicre ncither
is any man rejected for being a Greek, nor accepted
merely for being a Jew; a society, where he can
claim nothing by virtue of circumcision, nor lose
any thing by uncircumcision; where no barbarian,
or even Scythian is treated with contempt, for that
want of learning and politeness, which is to be
found in the most remote nation, or any slave
280
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
trampled upon as unworthy notice, since he shares
with others in the possession of that inestimable
treasure, an immortal soul, and may have a part
in the great Redeemer of souls : [nor] is a freeman
chiefly esteemed or regarded upon account of his
boasted liberty; but rather in proportion to his
subjection to our divine Master: for this is the
great bond of union among them all, the matter of
their boasting and their joy, that they are related
to Christ, who is acknowledged to be all that is
amiable and excellent, and who dwells in all true
believers, without any difference on any of these
accounts.
Col. 3. 12. -Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness
13. of mind, meekness, longsuffering ;-Forbearing one
another, and forgiving one another, if any man have
a quarrel against any : even as Christ forgave you,
14. so also do ye. And above all these things put on
15. charity, which is the bond of perfectness.-And let
the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which
also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16. --Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all
wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
17. grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever
ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by
him.
Consider this, my brethren, whatever your ex-
ternal circumstances may be, and put on therefore,
as the chosen people of God, holy to him, and beloved
by him, set apart to his service, and blessed with
thie' tokens of his peculiar favour, bowels of tender
mercy to all the afflicted and distressed, gentleness
to all men, lowliness of mind, engaging you to con-
descend even to those in the humblest stations,
meekness under whatever injuries and provocations
ye may receive, and long-suffering, when your trials
may be in their continuance tedious, as well as
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
281
violent in their degree. Forbearing to break out
into any revengeful actions, or reproachful speeches
against one another, and not only so, but cordially
forgiving one another, if any have a quarrel against
another; even as Christ hath freely forgiven you,
though you have in so many instances injured and
provoked him, so also do ye, in imitation of an ex-
ample so amiable and so divine. "And above all
these things, (put on) love, which is indeed the very
bond of all perfection, and which will keep your
minds steadfast, and establish that consistency of
sentiments and behaviour, which is so honourable in
the Christian character, and tends so much to its
security. "And let the peace of God always preside,
as the great umpire, in your hearts, even that placid
and benign temper, which so naturally results from
a sense of your reconciliation to God. This is the
blessed state and disposition, into which you also are
called by the gospel, being happily united in one
body : and be ye thankful for those privileges which
result from it, whatever affliction may for the
sent be allotted to you. And 16let the word of Christ,
the gospel which you liave received, dwell in you
richly in all wisdom; lay it up in your hearts, medi-
tate upon it continually, and endeavour wisely to
improve it to the best purpose. And in this view,
be often teaching one another the doctrines of
Christianity, and admonishing one anotherconcerning
the duties of it; and let these seasons, whether of
public worship, or private conference, be in a proper
manner diversified with the use of David's psalms,
and other evangelical hymns and spiritual songs,
which under the influences of the Spirit ye may be
enabled to compose. For it will be both pleasant
and profitable to be frequently employed in singing
such pieces of sacred poetry, and music, provided
it be not merely the language of the lip, or the
exercise of the voice, but be likewise attended with
for the pre-
.
20
282
GENERAL EXHORTATIONS.
the exercise of grace in your heart; which surely it
will be, if we rightly consider that they are ad-
dressed to the Lord, to whom cvery sentiment of
the heart is known, and to whom nothing can be
acceptable, which is not attended with cordial de-
votion. "And upon this great principle you may
take it as a general rule, that whatsoever ye do in
word, or in deed, in all your discourses and in all
your actions, you [do] all things in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ; all to the purposes of his glory,
and all in humble dependence upon him, both for
the communication of spiritual strength, and for
your acceptance with God. And while
you
have
so dear and acceptable a name to use, in your ap-
proaches to the divine Majesty, rejoice in this
inestimable privilege: perform the duties incumbent
upon you with pleasure, and be continually giving
thanks to God even the Father through him, who will
graciously recommend, by his prevailing interces-
sion, your prayers and praises, as well as your
other services, to the divine regard.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let Christians solemnly charge upon themselves
an abstinence from those vices, which bring the
wrath of God upon heathens; and though it should
be like wounding or cutting off our members, let us
put on a holy resolution to mortify them, * and not
content with refraining from all degrees of pollution,
falsehood, and malignity of heart, º let us be more
solicitous to put on the new man, which is the crea-
tion of God in the soul, and which bears his amiable
image. Whatever our nation or rank, our educa-
tion, or our circumstances in life may be, let this
be our concern, that we may be in Christ, and
Christ in us, for on that depends our everlasting
all. Happy the most untaught savage, and the
GENERAL ENTIURTATIONS.
283
ells, let 115 exercise
most oppressed sluce, wlio is thus related to the
incarnate wisdom of God, and the great Lord of all,
infinitely beyond the politest Greek, the most cere-
monious Jew, the freest subject, or the most de-
spotic prince, who is a stranger to such a blessing !!!
If we have any reason to hope, that we are the
elect of God, holy and beloved by him, let this charm
us to entertain the most beneficent sentiments and
views with regard to our fellow-creatures, and teach
us to put on bowels of mercy, gentleness, humility,
meekness and long-suffering." Let the grace of
Christ in freely forgiving us, teach us to rejoice in
opportunities of imitating it.'3 Do we desire to feel
charity, the bond of perfectness, and let us study to
be more and more thankful, in whatever station
we are placed ;14 15 observing attentively its advan-
tageous circumstances, reflecting especially how
much worse things might have been, and how un-
worthy we ourselves are of any distinction, which
God may be pleased to make in our favour.
We have especially great reason most thankfully
to acknowledge the divine goodness, in providing
us with so many religious advantages, and parti-
cularly with those that relate to the most decent
and edifying performance of the duty of psalmody.
To furnish us for a right discharge of it, let us care-
fully treasure up the word of Christ in our minds, and
let us be ever more solicitous to preserve the melody
of the heart, than that of the voice. In this and in
every other service, let all be done in the name of
Christ, and then we may humbly hope that ail
shall be accepted through him. And if that prevail-
ing name do not recommend us to acceptance, the
divine purity will find something in every one of
them, which will justify God, not only in rejecting
them, but in condemning us.
284
.
RELATIVE DUTIES INCULCATED.
SECTIOX TII.
1
The apostle recommends to the Colossians a care in performing the duties, that an-
swered to the several relations of life, in which they stood, whether they were wives
or husbands, children or parents, servants or masters. Col. iii. 18, to the end, and
iv. 1-6.
COL. 3. 18. Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
19. as it is fit in the Lord.—Husbands, love your wives,
and be not bitter against them.
Let me now remind you, as I frequently do my
other Christian friends, both in my sermons and
epistles, of how great importance it is, to endea-
vour after such a temper and behaviour, in respect
to the relative duties of life, as may adorn a
Christian profession. And be particularly exhorted,
ye wives, that ye be subject to your own husbands,
though they should be Jews or heathens, as it is
becoming in the Lord; for a modest, respectful,
obedient behaviour in this most endearing relation,
will make your characters appear beautiful, and so
far gain upon those of them who are strangers to
Christianity, as to give them a good opinion of it
upon that account. And on the other hand, ye
"husbands, be exhorted tenderly to love (your) wives,
and be not severe and bitter against them, as too
many in the world are, who become domestic
tyrants, and quarrel with their wives upon every
trifling occasion: thus overbearing those whom
they should rather guard and comfort
, breaking
their tender spirits, and perhaps shortening their
days.
Col. 3. 20. --Children, obey your parents in all things : for
21. this is wellpleasing unto the Lord. - Fathers, pro-
voke not your children to anger, lest they be dis-
couraged.
20 Children, see to it that ye be obedient to your
own] parents, in all lawful things: for this is well-
pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who,
when he condescended to dwell in human flesh,
RELATIVE DUTIES INCULCATED.
285
was a constant example of filial piety, not only to
his real mother, but to him who was only his sup-
posed father.-Luke xi. 51. And ye a fathers, see
to it, that you do not so abuse the superiority of the
relation, as by a perverse and excessively severe
conduct to provoke your children to wrath], lest they
be discouraged from attempting to please you, when
it shall seem to be an impossible task; and be
rendered unfit to pass through the world with ad-
vantage, when their spirits have been so unreason-
ably broken under an oppressive yoke, in the earliest
years of life.
Col. 3. 22. -Servants, obey in all things your masters ac-
cording to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-
pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.
241. and not unto men ;-Knowing that of the Lord ye
shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye
25. serve the Lord Christ.--But he that doeth wrong
shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and
there is no respect of persons.
Ye servants, be subject in all things, so far as
duty will permit, to [them that are], with respect to
the flesh, (your) masters, and whose property divine
Providence has suffered you to become: obey their
commands, and take care of their interest, not
merely with eye-service, as those who are solicitous
only to be men-pleasers, but as in the simplicity of
your heart fearing God, and therefore for his sake
attending to the offices of that humble station, he
been pleased to assign you; as those who re-
member, that his authority enforces that of your
earthly masters : and whatsoever work ye are em-
ployed in, pursue it heartily and diligentiy, as therein
paying a tribute of love and duty to the Lord Jesus
Christ himself, and not to men alone. 24Knowing
that in this case, your diligence in your secular
calling shall be accepted, with regard to the prin-
ciple from whence it proceeds, and that you shall
286
RELATIVE DUTIES INCULCATED.
receive from the Lord Jesus Christ the gracious re-
compence; not indeed an estate in this world, like
that which your masters may value themselves
upon, but what is infinitely more important, the
possession of an eternal inheritance above. For ye
herein serve the Lord Christ, whose rewards are
according to his own majesty, grace and power,
and not according to the meanness of our deserts.
25 And on the other hand, he that is injurious to any,
in one relation of life or another, shall receive ac-
cording to the injury that he hath done, and there is
no respect of persons with God. Nor shall a Christian
servant be" excused, because it is a heathen master
he hath injured.
Col. 4. 1.-Masters, give unto your servants that which is
just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master
2. in heaven. -Continue in prayer, and watch in the
same with thanksgiving ;-Withal praying also for
us, that God would open unto us a door of utter-
ance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I anı
4. also in bonds :—That I may make it manifest, as I
ought to speak.
On the same principles, ye 'masters are to be
exlorted and charged, that ye render unto (your]
servants justice and equity ; even to those who are
most entirely in your power, and who have no
human appeal left, whatever wrongs they may re-
ceive; knowing that ye also have a master in the hea-
vens, to whom you must give an account, whose
power is irresistible, and who seeing, as he does,
the whole of your conduct, will another day bring
you unto judgment for every relation you have
sustained, and will not forget your treatment of
your very slaves. And that on the whole, all these
different" duties may be well discharged, and all
these relations in life properly filled up, persevere in
fervent and earnest prayer to God, watching against
negligence and indolence in it, and endeavouring to
keep up your hearts and your lopes, with a mix-
RELATIVE DUTIES INCULCATED. 287
ture of thanksgiving for those mercies, which you
have already received in answer to former petitions,
or in which God has prevented you with the
blessings of his goodness. “And these are so various
and so important, that in whatever circumstances
you are, you will necessarily have cause for praise.
3 At the same time also, in a particular manner be
praying for us, that God may open to us a door of
utterance (compare 1 Cor. xvi. 9), that I may have
an opportunity to speak of the gospel in general,
and the right of the believing Gentiles to all its
privileges, even the mystery of Christ, for which also
I am in bonds; bonds, then most grievous to me,
when they prove an obstruction to that great busi-
ness and joy of my life, the propagation of that
sacred scheme and system of trutlis, in which the
glory of God and the happiness of men is so highly
concerned And pray, 'that when these restraints
shall be taken off, I may make it manifest, as I ought
to speak ; and may never be so terrified by the most
formidable enemies or dangers, as in any degree to
suppress it.
C'ol. 1. 4. - Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,
redeeming the time.
As for yourselves, walk in wisdom towards them
that are without the pale of the church, your hea-
then neighbours, and particularly your magistrates;
doing nothing to disgrace religion in their eyes, or
unnecessarily to exasperate them against you ; re-
deeming the time; endeavouring to employ it as
usefully as you can, and to protract your period of
service as long as may be, by prudently declining
any dangers, to which duty does not require you
to expose yourselves.
Col. 4. 5. --Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned
with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man.
288 RELATIVE DUTIES INCULCATED,
•Let your speech [be] always with grace, conducted
in the most mild and courteous, the most proper
and graceful manner; so that it may appear in-
fluenced by a governing principle of divine grace
and unfeigned piety in your hearts. Let it in this
respect be so seasoned with the salt of heavenly
wisdom, as may render it savoury and edifying
In this view, reflect upon things and circumstances
before you speak, that you may not utter any thing
which would be rash and foolish, but may know how
you ought to answer every one, who may question
you about your religion and your conduct, in a
manner that may most effectually tend to your own
security, and to the edification of others.-Com-
pare 1 Peter ii. 15.
IMPROVEMENT.
IS-24
How happy will particular persons, families, and
larger societies be, if these apostolic maxims be
carefully pursued! While wives are submissive to
their husbands, and husbands affectionate to their
wives; children obedient to their parents, and parents
tenderly careful of their children ; servants revering
the commands of their masters, and conscientiously
and constantly attending to their interests; and
masters concerned to maintain all equity in their
behaviour to those of their servants, who are most
entirely in their power;' remembering on all sides
the account to be given to the supreme master in
heaven, and humbly looking for the reward of the
inheritance.
To engage a steady and uniform care in all these
various duties, and to make us truly good in every
relation of life, let us be daily drawing down grace
from God, by continuing instant in prayer; and as
our spirits are so ready to grow cold and indifferent
in it, let us watch thereunto, lest by insensible
TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS COMMENDED. 289
degrees we grow remiss in the performance, and
from that remissness come entirely or frequently to
neglect it.
Let every mercy we receive from God awaken
our thankfulness, and animate our devotion; and
let us not forget in our prayers the ministers of
Christ; but ask for them those assistances from on
high, which may enable them to open their mouth
boldly,3 4 in declaring that mysterious and important
doctrine, with which they are charged, and on
which the salvation of immortal souls depends.
To enforce their labours as much as possible, let
us add the influence of a regular and ainiable be-
haviour, conducting ourselves with wisdom towards
all, and particularly those who are strangers to re-
ligion; and redeeming time, as those that know its
infinite importance, because they see eternity con-
nected with it. And that we may not, as is so
frequent, lose the time we spend in conversation, let
us seek more of the salt of divine grace in our
hearts, to correct their innate corruption, and
learn the happy art of improving discourse well,
and of answering others in such a manner, that,
without dictating to them, we may gently lead them
to the most useful reflections, and make our lips,
like those of the righteous, a fountain of life unto
them.-Prov. x. 11.
Section VIII
The apostle conclules his episóle to the Colossians, with recommending Tychicus
and Onesimus to them, and inserts various salutations, and a solemn admonition
to Archippus. Col. iv. 7, to the end.
Col. 4. 7. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who
is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fel-
8. lowservant in the Lord :-Whom I have sent unto
you for the same purpose, that he might know your
9. estate, and comfort your hearts ;--With Onesimus,
a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
VOL. V.
2 P
290
PAUL RECOMMENDS
Col. 4. 9. They shall make known unto you all things which
are done here.
It is now time that I should draw towards the
close of this epistle, which I will not enlarge by
insisting particularly on 'the things which relate to
myself: for Tychicus, abeloved brother, and a faithful
deacon of your church, and fellow-servant with me
in the delightful work of our common Lord, will
make them known to you by word of mouth, in a
more particular manner, than I can now conveni-
ently write of them. To him I entrust this epistle,
and to him I refer you for an account of my present
situation, 8whom I have now sent to you for this very
purpose, that he may know your affairs, and when he
returns to me again (as I hope he quickly will), I
may
know them also; and that he in the mean time
may comfort your hearts by his Christian counsels
and exhortations, as well as by the information he
may bring you of what has passed here, and of the
state of the churches around, so far as I have been
made acquainted with it. And 'with him comes
Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is (one)
of you, and has resided at Rome some time. They
will be able more particularly to inform you of the
state of things here.
Col. 4. 10. -Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and
Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas (touching whom ye
received commandments: if he come unto you, re-
11.ceive him;)—And Jesus, which is called Justus,
who are of the circumcision. These only are my
t'ellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have
been a comfort unto me,
10 Aristarchus, once my companion and fellow-
labourer at Ephesus (Acts xix. 29), and now my
fellow-captive for the sake of the gospel, salutes
you
in the Lord; and John Mark, who is sister's son to
that great and excellent apostle Barnabas, concerning
whom ye have formerly received instructions : he will
TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS.
2.91
quickly leave these parts; I desire therefore, that,
if he comes to you, ye would receive him with all
respect and affection, as he is one, who, whatever
misunderstanding there might once have been be-
tween us, is entitled to my sincerest esteem.--
Compare Acts xv. 38. "And I am also to send
you
the salutation of Jesus, who is called Justus, and well
deserves the name, on account of his strict and ap-
proved integrity. These whom I have named last,
are the only persons, who, being of the circumcision,
[have been] fellow-labourers with me in the service of
the kingdom of God, and who have been a comfort to
me under my sufferings in the defence of its inter-
ests, and been ready to concur with me in any en-
deavours for its advancement.
Col. 4. 12. -Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in
prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in
13. all the will of God. -For I bear him record that he
hath a great zeal for you, and then that are in
Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Epaphras, who is one of your own society, and
whom I judge to be a most faithful servant of Christ,
salutes
you, and is always striving and wrestling with
God for you in [his] prayers, that ye may attain to
the greatest improvements and establishment in
Christianity, and so stand, amidst all temptations
and dangers, perfect and complete in the whole will of
God, and may retain the purity of the gospel, un-
adulterated with those debasing mixtures, which
some are so eager to introduce. I am fully per-
suaded that he is thus mindful of you at the throne
of
grace; "for I can bear witness to him, that he has
great zeal for you, and for all those Christians, that
are in your parts, and particularly in the neighbour-
ing cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Col. 4. 11. --Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet
12
you.
292
PAUL RECOMMENDS
"Luke, the beloved physician, who is deservedly
dear to you and to me, and to all our fellow-
Christians, salutes you ; and Demas likewise, who
hitherto continues with me.
Col. 4. 15. -Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and
Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
\ Salute in my name the Christian brethren in
Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in his
house: for I know there are several Christians, who
either reside in it, or meet for social worship there.
Col. 4. 16. —And when this epistle is read among you, cause
that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;
and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
16 And as I am desirous that my writings during
my confinement, may be as useful as possible to
my Christian friends, I desire that when this
epistle is read publicly to you in your religious
assembly, as (having inscribed it to the whole
society), I am assured it will be, you cause it also to
be read to the church of the Laodiceans; and for that
purpose take proper methods for conveying it im-
mediately to them ; that so you may also the more
easily have an opportunity to read that, which I have
written to them, and which I doubt not but you
may procure from Laodicea ; as on your imparting
this to them, they will see it is my request that it
may be communicated to you.
Col. 4. 17. --And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry
which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou
fulfil it.
Before I conclude, I must add one word by way
of particular caution and exhortation to one person
among you, whose character is of great "and pub-
lic importance. Say therefore to Archippus, in my
name and in your own, Take heed to the ministry,
which thou hast received in the name and by the
authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, that thou fulfil
TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS.
293
it with diligence and care; for the consequence of
neglecting this high and holy office, after having so
solemnly undertaken it, will be infinitely dangerous
and fatal.
Col. 4. 18. — The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Re-
member my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. .
Thus far have I used the pen of a friend; but
now I add the salutation of [me] Paul, written with
mine own hand as a token of the genuineness of the
epistle. Remember my bonds, and bear me upon
your
heart with that affection, which you owe to an
apostle, and to one, who is now a confessor for the
truth lie hath preached. Grace [be] with you from
Christ, the fountain of it. Amen.
Amen. You have my
repeated and most affectionate prayers for it, and
may the God of grace and peace confirm it by his
most efficacious Amen!
IMPROVEMENT.
The friendly disposition of St. Paul, fails not to
show itself in the close, as well as entrance of every
epistle, and indeed runs through all the parts of
each. It cannot but give some pleasure to the pious
reader, to whom the memory of such a servant of
Christ will always be precious, to find, that there
were some even of the circumcision that were comforts
to him in his affliction ;" as well as that John Mark,
the nephew of Barnabas, was so thoroughly reconciled,
and made one of his most agreeable and useful
friends; though there was a time, when Paul thought
it inconsistent with prudence and duty to admit him
as a companion. He that reproveth a man, shall
afterwards find more favour, than he who flattereth
with the tongue.—Prov. xxviii. 23. And if the
faithfulness of plain rebukes, may be the means of
recovering our brethren to a sense of their duty,
294
PAUL RECOMMENDS
they will no doubt be sensible of the obligation, and
it will add firmness and endearment to future
friendship.
When Epaphras was at a distance from his
brethren at Colosse, lie was not only praying for
them, but, as the word signifies, wrestling with Gov
in his prayers on their account ;12 an important
evidence of his Christian affection for them. And
liow well were his petitions chosen ? That they
might not only be sincerely good, as they already
were, but perfect and complete in all the will of God;
that there might be in their hearts and actions a
more entire conformity to it. May that be our cha-
racter and happiness, to have respect to all God's
commandments, and to carry our regards to them
as far as we possibly can.
Commendable and perfectly consistent with the
strictest modesty, was the concern which the apostle
expresses, that his epistles might be diffused as far
as possible, and that Christians in different societies
might receive the benefit of them.16 And indeed
they turn so much upon matters of universal im-
portance, that they are admirably calculated for the
edification of those, who may live in the most
distant countries and ages. Surely there cannot
be a more sacrilegious attempt upon Christian liberty
and piety, than to take them away from the common
people, to whom Paul expressly ordered they should
be publicly read: nor can there be greater madness,
than to pretend to guard men from error and heresy,
by concealing from them writings which the Holy
Spirit hiinself suggested, to lead them to truth and
holiness.
We know not what there might be so particular
in the character or circumstances of Archippus, is
to require the solemn admonition, with which the
epistle closes. But whatever the occasion of it
were, it certainly suggests a most useful and im-
17
TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS.
295
portant thought to all the ministers of the gospel. It
is of the Lord Jesus Christ that they receive their
ministry, to him they are quickly to render a strict
account of it. May they all therefore take heed to
it! May they be sensible of the importance of the
trust, and have grace to be faithful in it; that they
may give up their account, with the joy of that stew
ard, who having approved his fidelity on earth, shall
receive his reward in heaven! Amen!
>
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALO-
NIANS.
This epistle is addressed to the inhabitants of Thes-
salonica, a large, populous city, the metropolis of
Macedoniú. It stood upon the Thermaian bay,
which was part of the Ægean Sea, and was so called
from Thermæ, the ancient name of the city.
It appears from the history of the Acts (chap.
xvii. 1), that the Christian religion was planted here
by Paul and Silas, soon after they left Philippi,
where they had met with such unworthy treatment.
Compare Acts xvi. 24 with 1 Thess. ii. 2. At
their first entrance they preached with so much
success, that great numbers of the Gentiles, and
some of the Jews, who were settled in that city,
embraced the gospel with the utmost readiness.
Compare 1 Thess. i. 5, 9.
But the unbelieving
Jews, animated by the same inveterate spirit with
their brethren in Judea, stirred up the idolatrous
inhabitants against the apostle and his Christian
friends, and in a riotous manner assaulted the house
where some of them were assembled; but not find-
ing Paul and Silas, as they expected, they carried
Jason and some others of the brethren before the
magistrate, who took security for their good beha-
viour, and then dismissed them. In the mean
while the apostle and his companion, having been
concealed by their friends, till the storm was a little
abated, were obliged to leave them abruptly, and go
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
297
in the night to Berea : where for some time they
met with a very favourable reception; but were
soon disturbed by the malice of these restless ene-
mies, who pursued them thither; and the apostle
had once more the mortification to leave a place
that seemed to promise so rich a harvest.-Acts xvii.
1-14.
But the opposition which these bigots made to the
gospel, and which they continued after the apostle's
departure (1 Thess. ii. 14), was not sufficient to
shake the faith of the new converts; who as appears
from this epistle (chap. i. 3—10, ii. 13, 14), distin-
guished themselves above all the other churches for
the zeal and constancy with which they adhered to
the Christian cause, and the honourable character
they maintained. No wonder therefore, the apostle
should express in such strong terms his esteem and
affection for them, and the satisfaction it gave him
to see such happy fruits of his labours.
It cannot be certainly determined from the his-
tory, what stay the apostle made at Thessalonica.
Some have imagined, from Acts xvii. 3, that he was
there only three weeks : but as it appears, that
during his abode in that city, he not only wrought
with his own hands to procure a subsistence (1 Thess.
ii. 9, 2 Thess. iii. 8), but also received supplies more
than once from Philippi (compare Phil. iv. 16), it is
much more probable, that after the Jewis had dis-
covered such an invincible prejudice against the
gospel, he desisted from disputing or teaching in
their synagogues after the third sabbath, and then
preached for some time among the Gentiles, before
he was driven out of the city. See note on Acts xvii. 2.
However, as it is certain his stay was not very
considerable, and as he had left his Christian friends
there, in so much distress on his, as well as their
own account, he sent Timothy to them from Athens
(from which place he had sailed immediately upon
VOL. V.
298
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
his leaving Berca), to confirin them in their attach-
ment to the gospel, and comfort them under their
concern for his sufferings.—Chap.iii. 145. Timothy,
at his return, found the apostle at Corinth (Acts
xviii. 5), where he continued near two years (Acts
xviii. 11); from whence it has generally been con-
cluded, and with great reason, that this epistle, in
which he takes such particular notice of the agree-
able account he had received of their character from
Timothy (chap. iii. 6), was wrote from thence, not
long after his arrival (compare chap. ii. 17), which
will fix the date of it about the year of our Lord 52,
or the 12th of the emperor Claudius. See note on
Acts xviii. 11, 12.
The apostle's design in this epistle, is in general,
to confirm the Thessalonians in their adherence to
the Christian faith, and to engage them from the
sufferings they had already endured in that cause,
and the extraordinary character they had hitherto
maintained, to make still greater advances in reli-
gion, and become yet more eminent in every branch
of the Christian temper.
In pursuance of this design, having, in the in-
scription of the epistle, joined Timothy and Sylva-
nus (or Silas) (who had assisted him in establishing
the church at Thessalonica) with himself, the apostle
expresses his great satisfaction in the sincerity withı
which the Thessalonians embraced the gospel, when
it was first preached to them, and in the exemplary
character they had since maintained ; to which he
assures them all the churches bore an honourable
testimony, and by which they had greatly advanced
the credit of their Christian profession.—Chap. i.
throughout
And in order to preserve his influence with them,
and consequently to add the greater weight to his
admonitions, he reminds them of the courage and
fidelity with which he had preached the gospel, at
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
299
his first entrance among them, in spite of all the
danger, to which his zeal exposed him; and appeals
to them for the unexceptionable and disinterested
manner, in which he had behaved towards them.
while he continued there, and the tender, affection-
ate concern he had always shown for their religious
interests.-Chap. ii. 1-12.
The reflection upon
the pains he had taken with them, naturally led
him to acknowledge, with the utmost thankfulness,
the happy success that had attended his labours, in
their conversion to the Christian faith, which they
openly and courageously professed, notwithstanding
all the difficulties and dangers they were obliged to
encounter. He observes to them, that he himself,
and his fellow-Christians in Judea, had met with
the same ill-treatment from the perverseness of
their own countrymen, who opposed his preaching
the gospel to the Gentiles; and assures them, that
though he had, by the malice of his enemies, been
unwillingly detained from them longer than he in-
tended, he felt the same warmth of affection for
them, and rejoiced in them as his glory and his
crown.-Ver. 13, to the end.
As a further proof of his regard, the apostle in-
forms them, that when he came to Athens, he was
so much concerned, lest, being discouraged by his
sufferings, they should be tempted to cast off their
profession, that he could not forbear sending
Timothy, to comfort and strengthen them; and
expresses in very strong terms the sensible plea-
sure he felt, in the midst of all his afflictions, from
the agreeable account he received of their faith and
love; to which he adds, that he was continually
praying for their further establishment in religion,
and for an opportunity of making them another
visit, in order to promote their edification, which
lay so near his heart.-Chap. iii. throughout.
The apostle having thus given the Thessalonians a
300
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
sufficient testimony of his sincere regard, proceeds
to renew the practical exhortations he had given
them in the name of Christ, while he continued
with them ; recommending in particular, chastity,
in opposition to all kinds of uncleanness, for which
the idolatrous Gentiles were so notorious; justice,
in opposition to all manner of fraud and dishonesty;
charity, in which he acknowledges they already ex-
celled; and a diligent application to their proper
business, joined with a prudent behaviour towards
their heathen neighbours.--Chap. iv. 1-12. In
order to comfort them under the loss of some of
their Christian friends, of whose death it is probable
the apostle might have heard by Timothy, he assures
them, that those who were fallen asleep in Jesus,
should be raised again at the last day, and together
with those that remained alive, should be caught up
to meet their Lord, and share his triumph.-Ver. 13,
to the end. And having thus laid a solid foundation
on which to build their hope, he takes occasion
to press upon them the necessity of preparing for
so awful an event, that it might not overtake them
unawares; and represents the peculiar obligations
they were under to sobriety and watchfulness, from
the superior light and knowledge they enjoyed, and
the hopes they were taught to entertain from the
death and resurrection of Christ.-Chap. v. 1411.
The apostle, in the conclusion of his epistle',
recommends to them a respectful behaviour to
their ministers, and lays down some directions for
their conduct towards persons of different tempers
and characters in the church, adding other practical
precepts of a more general nature; and having
offered up a solemn petition for their further ad-
vancement and steadfastness in religion, he closes
with his usual benediction.-Ver. 12, to the end of
the epistle
From this analysis of the epistle, the reader can-
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
301
not but have observed, what a paternal affection
and concern the apostle discovers for these new
converts : and it is remarkable, with how much
address he improves all that influence, which his
zeal and fidelity in their service must naturally give
him, to inculcate upon them the precepts of the
gospel, and persuade them to act agreeably to their
sacred character. This was the grand point he kept
always in view ; and to which every thing else was
made subservient. Nothing appears in any part of
his writings, like a design to establish his own re-
putation, or to make use of his ascendancy over his
Christian friends, to answer any secular purposes of
his own : on the contrary, in this and in his other
epistles, he discovers a most generous disinterested
regard for their welfare, expressly disclaiming all
authority over their consciences, and appealing to
them, that he had chosen to maintain himself by the
labour of his own hands, rather than prove bur-
densome to the churches, or give the least colour
for a suspicion, that under pretence of zeal for the
gospel, and concern for their improvement, he was
carrying on any private sinister views.
The discovery of so excellent a temper, as it
tends greatly to raise our idea of the apostle, so it
must be allowed to carry with it a strong pre-
sumptive argument in favour of the doctrines he
taught, and consequently of the truth of Christianity
itself: for he evidently appears to have been go-
verned by the very same principles he recommends
to others, and by their influence to have been
raised above all regard to his temporal interests,
and every motive that could come in competition
with the honour of God, and the advancement of
religion in the world. And indeed whoever reads
over St. Paul's epistles with attention, and enters
into the spirit with which they were wrote, will
discern such intrinsic characters of their genuine-
302
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CHARACTER
ness, and the divine authority of the doctrines they
contain, as will perhaps produce in him a stronger
conviction than all the external evidence with which
they are attended. To which we may add, that the
exact coincidence, observable between the many
allusions to particular facts, in this as well as in
other epistles, and the account of the facts them-
selves, as they are recorded in the history of the
Acts, is a remarkable confirmation of the truth of
each.—Compare note on Acts xvii. 2.
SECTION 1.
The apostle Paul, after the usual salutation, erpresses his joy in the character of
the Thessalonians to whom he wrote, and in the credit they did to their Christian
profession by a behaviour so worthy of it. 1 Thes. i. 1, throughout.
1 Thes. 1. 1.-Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians qvhich is in God the
Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ : grace be
unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul and Sylvanus, otherwise called Silas, and
Timothy, all well known as the servants and
ministers of Christ, join in this address to the be-
loved and happy church, which he by his grace hath
lately founded among you of the Thessalonians, who
have now the honour to stand in an intimate and dear
relation to God, the Father of all true believers, and
to the Lord Jesus Christ, our common and adorable
Saviour. And we all most sincerely wish grace and
peace unto you in the richest abundance, from God
our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thes. 1. 2.-We give thanks to God always for you all,
3. making mention of you in our prayers ;-Re-
membering without ceasing your work of faith,
and labour of love, and patience of hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our
Father.
OF THE THESSALONIANS.
303
2We think ourselves obliged to give thanks to
God always with one accord for you all, making
continual mention of you in our daily prayers.
31n-
cessantly remembering in every address to the divine
throne your work of faith, the readiness with which
you embraced the gospel of Christ, the vigour with
which
you declared your dependence upon it; and in
consequence of that dependence, your labour of love,
the charitable and affectionate zeal, with which you
embarked in the interests of his persecuted servants;
and your patience in result of that blessed hope,
which was brought unto you by the gospel and
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and solemnly pro-
fessed before God even our Father, who will not
suffer the graces, which he hath wrought in you by
his blessed Spirit, to fail of their proper rewards.
1 Thes. 1. 4. -Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of
5. God. For our gospel came not unto you in word
only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance; as ye know what manner
6. of men we were among you for your sake.-And
ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of
7. the Holy Ghost :-So that ye were ensamples to
8. all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.-For
from you sounded out the word of the Lord not
only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every
place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad;
9. so that we need not to speak any thing.-For they
themselves shew of us what manner of entering in
we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from
10. idols to serve the living and true God ;-And t)
wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised
from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us
from the wrath to come.
And this we write with all freedom and endear-
ment, 'knowing, beloved brethren, your participation
in the election of God, and fully persuaded that you
are in the number of those, whom he will finally
own as his chosen people, for whom before the
foundation of the world he had prepared a kingdom.
304
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CHARACTER
Of wlich, blessed be his name, we have the most
important and satisfactory evidence; 5because our
gospel
, that is, the gospel which we preach, and
which was solemnly committed to our charge, came
not to you in word only, so as to be a mere empty
sound, or to convey only amusing ideas to your
mind, but also in power, so as to make very deep
and powerful impressions on your hearts; and
indeed such impressions, as could only be the re-
sult of its coming to you in the power of the Holy
Ghost, whose miraculous and gracious influence
concurred to add force to it. And then it is no
wonder that it came in much assurance, so that you
could not possibly doubt of its truth, when you
thus saw its evidence and felt its efficacy. And its
success was further promoted by the good example,
which we who preached it were enabled to give; as
you
well know, and, I am confident, will never
forget, what manner of persons we were among you,
what vigour and zeal we exerted for your conver-
sion, and how we conducted ourselves in the whole
of our behaviour, with respect to you, and all
around us, as well as with what fortitude we faced
all the persecutions we were called to encounter for
your sakes. And the happy consequence of all
was, that you became imitators of us, and I bless
God I may add, therein of the Lord Jesus Christ
too, both in the holiness of your lives, and in the
courage and patience with which
you
endured those
sufferings, which lay in the way of your duty,
having received the word in much affliction, from the
rage and fury of your unreasonable enemies, and
yet with joy of the Holy Ghost; rejoicing under his
powerful influences, in the reception of that holy
religion, to which you were so early called to make
such great and important sacrifices. So that indeed
ye soon became eminent in the churches of Christ,
and examples to all the believers in Macedonia, and
OF THE THESSALONIANS.
305
the more distant province of Achaid, where the
Corinthian converts, famous as they soon were
(1 Cor. i. 7), heard of your religious character with
pleasure and emulation. For from you the word of
the Lord sounded forth, and you were eager, by
your messengers, to spread the joyful tidings of the
gospel, not only in your own borders of Macedonia,
and in Achaia, with which you had an easy cor-
respondence, but also wherever Providence gave
you any access; so that in every remoter place, the
fame and effect of your faith toward God and the
Lord Jesus Christ came in such a degree, as made it
almost unnecessary for us particularly to recount any
thing of your conversion, or progress in the truth.
For they themselves, among whom we came, declare
it to us concerning you, and make it the subject of
their pleasing conversation with us, and with one
another, what a wonderful kind of entrance ure had
among you, in our first visit, and what a reception
you gave us; that is, how ye turned to God from
those contemptible idols, in the worship of which
ye had been educated, with a firm resolution at all
events to serve the living and true God, with that
diligence and zeal, which his service so justly de-
mands. And you found yourselves disposed, by
your growing knowledge of him, to lay aside ail
immoderate attachments to the interests and con-
cerns of this present life, that with fixed faith and
cheerful expectation, ye might wait for the tri-
umphant coming of his Son from hearin; of that
illustrious Son, whom, as a proof of his divine
mission, and designation to the office of universal
Judge, he hath raised from the dead, and now ex-
alted to his own right hand; (cren] Jesus, the long
expected and ever to be adored Saviour, who rescues
from the urath, which is assuredly to come upon
all impenitent sinners, and makes us, in conse-
quence of our faith in him, not only safe from that
VOL. 1.
2 R
306 CONVERSION OF THE THESSALONIANS.
flaming ruin, but secure of possessing a happiness
complete and eternal.
IMPROVEMENT.
We see here a compendious view of the Christian
character. It is to turn from idols, from every thing
which we have loved and esteemed, from every
thing which we have pursued and trusted in an
irregular degree, to serve the living and true God;'
under a real sense of his infinite perfections and
glories. It is turning also to Jesus, his Son, as
saving us from the wrath to come :1" from a deep
conviction of our being justly exposed to wrath by
our transgressions against God, to seek rescue and
refuge in Christ, as delivering us from it, by his
atonement and grace, and completing that deliver-
ance by Almighty power, in the day of his final
triumph. It is to look and wait with inshaken
faith and with holy joy, for Jesus the Son of God
from heaven; keeping the eye
of our soul habitually
directed towards him, the loins of our mind con-
tinually girded up, and ourselves as servants who
look for their Lord's coming. In the mean time,
may we maintain the work of faith, and labour of
love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of Gov, even our Fathcr.3
If this be the effect of our receiving the gospel,
it will evidently prove that it is come to us, not only
in word but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and it
may give us abundant assurance of our interest in
God, and cause us by the happiest tokens to know
our election of him. Whatever afflictions may in
that case be allotted to us, while we hereby become
followers of the apostles and of Christ,' we may re-
joice in the Lord. The ministers of Christ will
rejoice in such an entrance among their people, as
shall produce these blessed consequences, and the
PAUL'S DISINTERESTED ZEAL.
307
word of God will be sounded forth with the greatest
advantage by those who are pleading for its truth,
efficacy, and importance, by this silent, but power-
ful eloquence. May this character be every where
more prevalent among those, that call themselves
Christians, and may grace and peace from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, be with all,
in whom it is found !
SECTION II.
The apostle louts the Thessalonians to reflect upon the manner, in which he, and
his brethren in the Christian ministry, behavell among them, when they visited
them at first, and luid the foundation of a church in their city. 1 ì'hes. ü.
1-12.
1 Thes. 2. 1. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in
2. unto you, that it was not in vain :- But even
after that we had suffered before, and were shame-
fully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were
bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of
3. God with much contention.-For our exhortation
was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in
4. guile;—But as we were allowed of God to be put
in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not
as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our
5. hearts.-For neither at any time used we flatter-
ing words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetous-
6. ness; God is witness :-Nor of men sought we
glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of
7. Christ.-But we were gentle among you, even as
8. a nurse cherisheth her children :-So being affec-
tionately desirous of you, we were willing to have
imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only,
but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto
us.
I Have been mentioning the encouragement our
ministry among you first met with, and the blessed
effects that attended it. But I need not insist more
largely upon them, for ye yourselves know, my
brethren, and I am persuaded you can never forget,
308
TIIE DISINTERESTED ZEAL DISPLAYED
the entrance that we had unto you; with what de-
monstration of divine agency in and by us it was
attended, and what a powerful effect it had upon
your minds, so that it was not in vain. It was not
å transient and trifling amusement, but solemn in
itself, and attended with important consequences
and effects, which will be everlasting. But the
recollection is so delightful to my mind, that you
must permit me, known as it is, to lead back my
own thoughts to the review, and to remind you,
how even when we had just before suffered the greatest
indignities, and had been so injuriously treated, as
ye know, at Philippi, where we were stripped and
scourged by the common beadle, and thrust into
prison, with our feet set fast in the stocks (Acts
xvi. 22—24), we no sooner arrived among you,
but we were bold, in our humble dependence on the
powerful support of our God, to speak unto you, in
the neighbouring city, the gospel of God, and this,
though we were forced to do it with so much conten-
tion, because of the opposition excited against us,
by the perverse and unbelieving Jews.-Acts xvii.
1-9. And we were supported in these courageous
efforts, from a secret consciousness of that integrity,
with which our ministry was conducted; for our
exhortation to persuade you to embrace the gospel,
[was] not calculated to corrupt your morals, as
being founded on any principles of deceit ors of
uncleanness; we had no mercenary or sensual pur-
poses to serve, as your idolatrous priests often have,
nor was there in our management, any thing of
guile and craftiness, which could fear the detection
of the strictest scrutiny. *But all was fair and
open, simple and artless, and as we have been ap-
proved by God, so far as to be entrusted with the
invaluable treasure of his gospel, so we did then
address you, and so we continue to speak, not as
pleasing men, and accommodating our doctrine to
TOWIRDS TIE THESSALONIANS.
309
their tastes and prejudices, but as endeavouring
always to secure the approbation of that God, who
trieth our hearts, with as great care and exactness,
as gold is proved in the furnace, that it may be
separated from dross, or the mixture of any baser
metals. "Neither did we at any time deal in flatter-
ing words, to insinuate ourselves into your affec-
tions, and soothe you in your sins, as ye well know;
nor had we recourse to a pretence of piety, to pro-
mote the schemes of covetousness, often artfully
conducted under the covert of religious zeal. GOD
[is] our witness, that we were far above erery thing
of this kind, and made all such views, our first
sacrifice to the glory of his name, and the propaga-
tion of his gospel. Nor did we seek glory and ap-
plause of men, neither of you, nor of any others,
among whom we laboured and conversed; nor did
we press you with regard to any maintenance,
though we might have been in some degree burden-
some, as the apostles of Christ, who had authorised
us to take a necessary subsistence from our hearers,
as we certainly brought you what was far more
valuable than any thing, which we could in return
have received from you. But we were still mild,
gentle and condescending in the midst of you, even as
a nurse, or mother cherishes her own children, while
hanging on her breast, and feels an inexpressible
pleasure, in imparting that nourishment to them,
with which God, in his gracious providence, has
been pleased to furnish her. So we, being most
tenderly affectionate towards you, took pleasure to
impart to you, not only the gospel of God, which was
lodged with 1s, for the food and life of our fellow-
creatures, but even our own souls too, because ye were
dear unto us; so dear, that our heart was in every
word, while we addressed you, and we could withi
pleasure even have laid down our lives among you,
if that might have promoted the success of our
310
THE DISINTERESTED ZEAL DISPLAYED
ministry, and have conduced to the increase and
edification of the church.
1 Thes. 2. I. -For ye remember, brethren, our labour and
travail : for labouring night and day, because we
would not be chargeable unto any of you, we
10. preached unto you the gospel of God.---Ye are
witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly
and unblameably we behaved ourselves among
11. you that believe :-As ye know how we exhorted
and comforted and charged every one of you, as
12. a father doth his children, -That ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory.
You had many instances of this, which I need
not largely rehearse, for ye remember, brethren,
both our labour in the ministerial work, and our
toil in our secular profession likewise; for night
and day working at it, taking often from the rest of
the night, the hours, which during the day, we had
spent in our ministry among you, that we might be
able to maintain ourselves, and might not be bur-
densome and expensive to any of you, we preached to
you the gospel of God. And there was a consistency
in the whole of our conduct, which abundantly
showed the purity of those motives, from which we
acted in this instance. . Su that "ºye [arc] witnesses,
and God (also), who sees our most secret actions,
and all the recesses of our heart, how holily, and
righteously, and how unblamably we behaved our-
selves, not only to the heathens around, but in our
most intimate converse with you who believe; still
preserving the same integrity, caution, and care to
avoid every occasion of offence, which we main-
tained among those, who were strangers, or enemies
to our religion, and so miglit have been most ready
to seek for pretences of objecting against it. "Ås
ye also know how, and with what repeated impor-
tunity, we were exhorting and comforting every one of
you in particular, as God gave us access to you;
TOWARDS THE THESSALONIANS.
311
just as a father encourages and instructs his children,
labouring by every kind and endearing art of ad-
dress, to form theni to a wise and worthy behaviour.
Thus were we animating you, and testifying in the
most solemn manner, that ye should walk worthy
of God, and of the relation, in which you have the
honour to stand to him, who hath called you by his
gospel into his kingdom, even to thie views and hopes
of that glory, which he hath promised to all the
faithful subjects of it.
IMPROVEMENT.
Surely it is not possible to conceive, from any
thing, but the example of the great Shepherd of the
sheep, a more amiable idea of the character of a
gospel minister, than that which is here exhibited.
With what a frankness and openness of soul, does
the apostle appeal to their consciences, as to the
integrity and benevolence of his behaviour among
them, whilst, unterrified by all the indignities and
inhumanities he had met with at Philippi, he im-
mediately renewed the same combat at Thessalonica,
and contended boldly with all the enemies of the
gospel, not esteeming his liberty or his life, on an
occasion of so great importance !
With such courage, let the ministers of Christ face
all danger, and oppositions: with such simplicity of
heart, let them deliver their important message;
not with deceit, uncleanness, or guile, but as those
who remember, that they have been put in trust
with the gospel by God himself, and therefore must
be solicitous not to please men, but God, who trieth the
heart." And may they ever be superior to those views
of avarice, ambition, or popular applause,5 6 which
should lead them to sacrifice truth to the affection
or favour of men, or even to the fear of being
thought to do it. And let them, with all this in-
*
312
PAUL'S DISINTERESTED ZEAL.
trepidity and firmness of soul, put on a gentleness
and sweetness of disposition; a gentleness, like that
with which a nurse cherishes her children. While
their people, like new-born babes, desire the sincere
milk of the word, that they may grow thereby:-
1 Peter ii. 2. Let ministers, with a natural tender-
ness, draw forth that precious nourishment to
them, as imparting even their own souls unto them,
and willing to wear out, or, if such should be the
will of God, to sacrifice their lives in such a service
Let them particularly endeavour by all prudent
care, suitable to the circumstances in which God
has fixed them, not to make themselves burdensome to
the people in temporal things, nor under the pre-
tence of a divine mission to tyrannise over their
consciences; but behave with such integrity and
such sanctity, that they may be able cheerfully to
appeal to God, as a witness of it, and may also have
a testimony in the breast of cach of their flock."
And O that the entrance of such ministers among
their people, and their labours with them, may not
be in vain ;' but that the blessed consequence of all
the charges, entreaties, and consolations they are
addressing to them may be this, that they may
walk worthy of God, worthy of that kingdom and
glory, to the views and blessings of which, he hath
condescended to call them !!2 Then will all the
fatigues of their office sit light upon them, while
they see the blessed purposes of it answered. Then
will they finish their course with joy, and bless God
with their dying breath, that he hath chosen them
to an office, the most laborious, and perhaps, in
secular views, the least advantageous of any, in
which persons of liberal education use to engage.
RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL.
313
SECTION III.
The apostle gnes mn to bless God for the readiness with which the Thessalonians
eceived the gospel, noluithstunding the persecution raised against them by their
Jun countrymen, as well as the perverse opposition of the Jewi, non assures them
rhis continued affection, though he luusid been kindered from visiting their so som
as he intendeil. 1 Thus, ii. 13, to the end.
I Tries. 2. 13. For this cause also thank te God without ceasing,
because, when ye received the word of God which
ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of
men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
1. efl'ectually worketh also in you that believe.-For
Ve, brethren, became followers of the churches of
God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: för ve
also have suffered like things of your own com-
15. trymen, even as they hare of the Jews :
-ho
both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own pro.
phets, and have persecuted us; and they please not
16. God, and are contrary to all men:-Forbidding
us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be
sared, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is
come upon them to the utterniost.
Thus we laboured, and thus we behaved our-
selves among you, and we are thankful that we
were enabled in so conscientious a manner to dis-
charge our duty. And for this cause also we gire
Thanks to God incessantly, that when ye received the
word of God, which ye heard from us, ye received [it]
not with indifference and neglect, not with doubt
and uncertainty, [as] if it had been merely the pre-
carious word of men, an artful invention, or uncer-
tain scheme of human philosophy, but (as it is in
truth), the very word of God himself, the veracity of
which is beyond all dispute or suspicion ; of which
there is this further proof, that it worketh so effica-
ciously in you who believe, and produces such a
happy change in your character, as may abundantly
attest its divine original. "For you, brethren, as
soon as ever you embraced it, immediately became
imitators of the heroic behaviour and conduct of the
churches of God, which are in Julea, in Christ Jesus,
VOL. 1.
2 s
314
READINESS OF THE THESSALONIANS
as being under the influences of the same Spirit
with them, though you had not been eye-witnesses
of their example. For you also, with the like in-
trepidity of resolution, suffered the same things from
those of your own tribe and country (Acts xvii. 5) as
they [did] of their countrymen the Jeus ; 15who
treated them so rigorously and cruelly, as the vilest
of apostates. They call themselves indeed the
peculiar people of God, but act in a manner most
unworthy that character, for they both killed the
Lord Jesus Christ, and their own prophets, who fore-
told his appearance, and whom God in many distant
ages of their commonwealth raised up unto them.
And on the same principles also they have persecuted
us, when we came among them as divine mes-
sengers; and, on the whole, please not God, though
they pretend to know him so well, and boast so
loudly of their interest in him ; but in consequence
of the wrong notions they form of liim, greatly
offend him, and are contrary to all men, full of con-
tempt and malignity against all other nations, and
behave towards them in the most perverse and un-
friendly manner. Of which morose and odious be-
haviour, this is a remarkable instance, that they
are continually forbidding us, the apostles and
messengers of God, to speak and preach the gospel
to the Gentiles, that they might be saved ; and by
thus setting themselves against the darling scheme
of divine Providence, and opposing the most im-
portant, even the eternal interests of mankind, they
seem to act as if they desired to fill up the measure
of their sins continually. But divine wrathis speedily
coming upon them, and will be carried to the great-
est extremity, not at Jerusalem only, but every
where else, in their various settlements in heathen
countries.
1 Thes. 2. 17.—But we, brethren, being taken from you for a
short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured
IN RECEIVING THE GOSPEL.
315
1 Thes. 2. 17. the more abundantly to see your face with great
18. desire.- Wherefore we would have come unto
you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan
19. hindered us.--For what is our hope, or joy, or
crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?
20. —For ye are our glory and joy.
'? But we, brethren, though necessarily separated
from you for a very little season, and as it were for a
few hours, in person, but not in heart, being exceed-
ingly desirous to see your face again, endeavoured it
to the utmost. 1$ Therefore we would have come unto
you, even I Paul, in particular, once and a second
time, but Satan, the great enemy of our usefulness
and comfort, hath hitherto hindered us, by the
many difficulties he laid in our way. But we will
be sure to take the first opportunity of doing it;
for what [is] our hope of appearing another day
with comfort before the tribunal of Christ, or what
our joy, or what the crown of rejoicing, which we
expect then to wear? ſare] not ye also, among
many others, whom divine grace has given iis as
the fruits of our ministry; whom we hope for the
honour of presenting before our Lord Jesus Christ,
at the day of his final appearance? *For ye are
Now one of the most considerable churches, whiclı
I have been the happy instrument of planting; and
I trust ye will then appear as our glory and our joy,
as the seals God hath been pleased to set to my
labours, and as amiable friends, in whose converse
and love I hope to be for ever happy.
19
IMPROVEMENT.
May divine grace teach our souls evertodistinguish
between the authority of the word of men, and the
word of God;' that we may always set them at a
due distance from each other, and may feel that
culiar encrm of the divine Word, with which it
pe-
316 OPPOSITION OF THE JEWS TO THE GOSPEL.
1
operates in all them that bclieve! May we experience
this, whatever be the consequences, yea though we
should be exposed to sufferings, severe as those,
which Jews or heathens at first inflicted on the pro-
fessors, or even on the preachers of the gospel!"
Adored be that power of divine grace, that went
along with it, so that when the envious disciples of
Moses, after having slain the Lord Jesus Christ, as
well as their own prophets, forbad his messengers
to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved,
these faithful ambassadors of health and life feared
none of their threatenings or cruelties, but coura-
geously declared the matter as it was, testifying both
to Jeus and Grechs, repentance towards God, anıl
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ !-Acts xx. 21.
The Jews in the mean time filled up the measure
of their sins, till wrath came upon them to the utter-
most.And so will all the opposition that is made:
to the gospel end, to those who are implacable and
obstinate in it. They who believe not that Christ is
he shall die in their sins.19 Whosoever shall fall on
this stone shall be broken, but on whomsucre it shall
fall, it shall grind him to powder. Jolin viii. 24,
Matt. xxi, 14.
Let the ministers of Christ, however Satan may
attempt to hinder them, go on faithfully and coura-
geonsly in their work, und watch over the souls
which they have gained.'s When absent from them
in body, let them not be absent in heart ;' but let
them be thinking of their state, and often caring
and praying for them: for what is their hope, and
joy, and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord,
but the souls wliich God shall graciously give them,
as spiritual children, or to whom he shall render
then useful, for training them up in those ways of
holiness, in whiclı, by the blessing of God upon the
labours of others, they might be so happy as to
find them? May Gon give many such to all who
PAUL'S SOLICITUDE FOR THE THESSALONIANS. 317
serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son;
and in the views of their increasing piety, may they
daily anticipate the glory and the joy, with which
they hope at last to deliver them to their divine
Master !
SECTION IV.
As a further illustration of his love, the apostle informs the Tbessalonians of his
care to send Timothy to them from Athens, and of the great pleasure, uith which
he receired the tidings, which that evangelist brought him; he also assures them
that he was continually praying for them, and for an opportunity of making them
another visit, in order to promote their edification, which lay so near his heurt.
1 Thes. üi. throughout.
1 THES. 3. 1. WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we
2. thought it good to be left at Athens alone ;-And
sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God,
and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to
establish you, and to comfort you concerning your
3. faith-That no man should be mored by these
afflictions : for yourselves know that we are ap-
4. pointed thereunto.-For verily, when we were
with you, we told you before that we should
suffer tribulation; eren as it came to pass, and ye
5. know,-For this cause, when I could no longer
forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some
means the tempter have tempted you, and our
6. labour be in vain.-But now when Timotheus
came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye
have good remembrance of us always, desiring
7. greatly to see us, as we also to see you :—There-
fore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all
8. our affliction and distress by your faith:--For now
9. we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.-For what
thanks can we render to God again for you, for
all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before
10. our God :-Night and day praying exceedingly
that we might see your face, and might perfect
11. that which is lacking in your faith? --Now God
himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
12. direct our way unto you. And the Lord make
you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men, even as we do
toward you.
Such is the affection we feel for you, and 'there-
these
31S PALL EXPRESSES HIS SOLICITUDE
fore as we were by persecution separated from you,
while as yet your church was in a very tender and
unsettled state (Acts xvii. 10), we could not but be
solicitous, to be more particularly informed how it
fared with you. And being able no longer to endure
the uncertainty, in which we were with relation to
you, we acquiesced in the uncomfortable circum-
stances of being left alone at Athens where we had
some peculiar need of the countenance and comfort
of an approved companion and friend; ?and sent
Timothy, our dear brother, and a faithful servant of
God, and whom we highly esteem, as our diligent
and affectionate fellow-labourer in the gospel of
Christ, whom you had formerly known under that
character; we parted with him, inconvenient as it
was, for your sakes, that, by making you a visit, at
a time when we concluded you so much needed it,
he miujht strengthen and comfort you, exhort and
advise you as occasion required, concerning the
evidences of your faith in general, and any particu-
lar branches of it, in which you might need further
instruction. That no man might be shaken and
discouraged from his adherence to the Christian
profession and hope, by the greatest severity of
ye yourselves know that we are appointed to these, and
that one part of the scheme of God in establishing
the Christian church, was to raise a society of men,
who should glorify his name, and illustrate the
force of true religion, by enduring the greatest
extremities in its defence with fortitude and cheer-
fulness. For cren when we were with you, we did
not flatter you with any vain hopes of an easy and
pleasurable life, but plainly and candidly told
you,
before you engaged with us, that we should certainly
be afflictul, as it came to pass in fact; au ye well
know from the very nature of things, and from com
paring the religion you have embraced, with the
FOR THE THESSALONIANS,
319
tempers, prejudices and interests of men, that there
was the greatest reason to expect it. For this
cause also, bcing (as I was just saying, no longer
able to endure the uncertainty I was in with regard
to persons, that in such circumstances lay so near
my heart, I sent to know the state of your faith
under such violent assaults, lest by any means the
tempter, taking the advantage of the weakness of
human nature, might have tempted you to suppress
the conviction of your minds, or at least the public
profession of your faith, so as to return to idolatry
again; and so our labour should with respect to you
have been in rain, as in such a case it certainly
would have been, whatever secret persuasion of the
truth of religion might have remained.
But now
Timothy haring returned to us from you, and having
brought to us the good tidings of your continued
faith, and ferrent, abounding love, and assured us
that
ye
hare always a good and affectionate romein-
brance of 18, as your spiritual father in Christ,
freutly desiring, if Proridence might permit it,
speedily to see us again, as we also assureilly do to
sce] you ; 'we were hereby comforted, brethren, con-
cerning you, and found the happy effects of these
heart-reviving consulations, in all our tribulation anul
necessity which grew more supportable to us than
it would otherwise have been, by means of this
happy assurance of your faith, which Gon hati
blessed us as the instrument of producing. For
now we do indeed live, we relish and enjoy life, if ye
stand fast in the gospel and grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, retaining strenuously that holy profession
and precious faith which ye have embraced ;
whereas, were ve to be drawn aside to renounce it,
our very heart would be wounded, and it would be
bitter as death unto us. For what sufficient thanks
can we ever render to God concerning your for all
the How of holy joy with which we rejoice on your
320
PAUL EXPRESSES HIS SOLICITUDE
account, for your conversion and progress in religion,
when we have been presenting ourselves before our
God, and breathing out our heart at his footstool
"night and day enlarging upon this, as a petition
which lay nearest to our very souls, and, if I may
be allowed such an expression, superabundantly
making it our request, to see your face, and to com-
plete the deficiences of your faith, by instructing you
in any article of religion, which, being so suddenly
torn away from you, by the storm that was raised,
we had not an opportunity of opening to you so
clearly, as your edification might have required.
And we still continue to urge the humble supplica-
tion : 'that God himself, even our Father, and our
Lord Jesus Christ, to whom the supreme govern-
ment of the kingdom of providence is committed,
may by a secret but powerful interposition, so dis-
pose and overrule all things, as to clear and smooth
our way to you, by removing those obstructions
which at present remain; and in the mean time,
yea above all, that the Lord Jesus Christ, by the
powerful operations of his Spirit on your hearts, may
cause you to be enlarged and to abound in love toward
each other, and to all Christians, yea towards the
whole human race, even as we do indeed abound in
affection towards you, and shall always rejoice in
any opportunity of manifesting it, by whatever we
may be able to do, or may be called to suffer for
your sakes.
1 Thes. 3. 13. --To the end he may stablish your hearts un-
blameable in holiness before God, even our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
with all his saints.
May you feel this noble principle of universal
goodness more and more active in your minds,
13that by the experience of its efficacy, your hearts
may be strengthened in every virtue, (and you] may
FOR THE THESSALONIANS.
321
at length [be] found blameless in holiness before God
even our Father, at the appearance of our Lord Jesus
Christ, with all his saints around him, in that illus-
trious day, when their sanctity and glory shall be
completed, and all their labours and sufferings in
his cause abundantly recompensed.
IMPROVEMENT.
Not further to insist on the tender affection of
Paul to the Thessalonians, which has already af-
forded matter for so many profitable remarks, let
us recollect that as Christians, we also are appointed
to afflictions, by the experience of which, our fit-
ness for heaven, and our relish for our everlasting
rest are to be improved. It was faithful and kind
in the apostles, after the example of their great
Master, to give us such admonitions;' but let us
not be moved by the apprehension of any sufferings
that may await us, for he who hath undertaken to
support and defend us can make us more than con- .
querors; he can, even while we continue in this
state of warfare, establish our hearts unblamable in
holiness; and how blessed a connection will that
have with our being presented faultless and blame-
less before the presence of his glory, when Christ
shall appear with all his saints,' and when the
sanctity of each shall be a glory to their common
Master, as well as an everlasting blessing to every
one of those spotless souls !
Let the ministers of the gospel nobly rise above
all attachment to secular views, and make it their
great business to advance in their hearers such a
temper. Let it be their life to see those Christian
friends, whom God hath committed to their care,
standing fast in the Lord. And if they have reason
to joy for their sakes before God, let them render
their thanks to God for it, and night and day be
VOL. V.
2 T
322
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
urgent in their prayers for them, that wliatever com-
fort they have, may be continued, and that whatever
is wanting in their faith and their love, may be
perfected, by the divine blessing on ministerial
labours.
19
SECn0x V.
The apostle addresses several practical erhortations to the Thessalonians suituble to
their circumstances, and particularly recommends chastity, justice, charity and
prudence.
1 Thes. iv. 1-13.
1 Tues. 4. 1. FURTHERMORE then we beseech you, brethren, and
exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
2. God, so ye would abound more and more.--For
ye know what commandments we gave you by the
3. Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, eren
your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
4. fornication ;—That every one of you should know
how to possess his vessel in sanctification and
5. honour ;-Not in the lust of concupiscence, even
as the Gentiles which know not God.
As for what remains, therefore, my brethren, in
subserviency to this important view, of being thus
presented with all the saints before the great tri-
bunal, in the perfection of holiness and happiness, we
now beseech you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that
as you have received repeated instructions from us,
while we were among you, how you ought to walk, if
you desire to adorn your profession, and to please
and honour God, who hath bestowed upon you the
favour of beiug called into it, so ye would abound
more and more, labouring continually to advance in
every amiable quality, and every Christian grace. I
will not largely insist on these things now, {for ye
know what commandments we gave you, in the name
and on the part of the Lord Jesus, whose servants we
all profess ourselves to be, and whose authority we
ought always to account sacred. Bear them con-
stantly in your unind, and often charge on your
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
323
souls the observance of them, for this is the will of
God concerning you, [even] your sanctification; that
as he hath chosen us from the rest of the world to
be a people separate to his honour and service, we
should not pollute ourselves with those abomina-
tions, which are so common among the heathen,
and particularly that ye should abstain from fornica-
tion, and all other kinds of lewdness, so commonly
practised among those who are ignorant of the true
religion: whereas it is now the declared pleasure of
the great former of our souls and bodies, *that every
one of you should know how to possess his vessel, this
animal frame, in which this immortal soul is lodged,
as a rich and invaluable jewel, in sanctification and
honour ; using his body as an instrument of service
to God, to whom it has been solemnly consecrated;
not as if it were intended as an organ to debase the
mind by sensuality, which would surely be the
most dishonourable view, in which it can be con-
sidered. Walk 'not therefore any longer in the lust
of concupiscence, contriving to indulge yourselves in
gross and lascivious gratifications, even as the hea-
thens do, who know not God, and are therefore ig-
norant of that pure and sublime happiness, which
arises from contemplating, adoring and imitating
him.
1 Thes. 4. 6.-That no man go beyond and defraud his
brother in any matter: because that the Lord is
the avenger of all such, as we also have fore.
7. warned you and testified.--For God hath not
called us upto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
We have also told you, and we now repeat it, as
an injunction of the greatest importance, that it is
the will of God, that no man should in these, or any
other matters, over-reach, or defraud his brother in
[any) affair. For though the fraud may be con-
ducted in so artful a manner, as to evade human
conviction and punislıment, yet it is most certain
3:24
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
that the Lord himself, the final and universal judge,
to whom we are all ere long to render up an account,
[is] the avenger of all such, as we also told you before,
and testified with all possible solemnity. For God
hath not called us, in so extraordinary a manner,
from the rest of the world, merely to a new name,
or some different rites of external worship, while we
are at liberty to indulge ourselves in uncleanness, as
if we were patronised in the practice of it, merely
by being numbered among Christians; but as he is
in himself perfectly holy, he hath called us to the
love and practice of universal holiness, and would
raise from among the degenerate children of men, a
society, who by the purity of their morals, should
do an honour to the true religion, and approve them-
selves to be indeed the offspring of the most high.
1. Thes. 4. 8.-He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man,
but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy
Spirit.
In all these things, we have faithfully delivered
unto you the charge and message, which we received
upon the highest authority : She therefore who de-
spiseth our testimony and admonitions, despiseth not
man alone, but God, who hath also given us his Holy
Spirit, and caused it to dwell within us, and to guide
us in our discourses and writings, into the certain
and infallible knowledge of his will.
1 Thes. 4. 9.–But as touching brotherly love ye need not that
I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught or
10. God to love one another.-And indeed ye do it
toward all the brethren which are in all Mace-
donia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye
11. increase more and more ;-And that ye study to
be quiet, and to do your own business, and to
work with your own hands, as we commanded
12. you ;-That ye may walk honestly toward them
that are without, and that ye may have lack of
nothing.
I have been large on some of the preceding
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
325
articles, knowing how much you were addicted, in
your heathen state, to some of the vices I have
exhorted you to avoid. 'But concerning brotherly
love, or that peculiar charity and affection, which
one Christian owes to another, ye need not that I
should largely write to you now, for ye yourselves are
divinely taught to love one another. God, dwelling
in our nature, hath given you the example and the
precept, with all possible advantage, and his Holy
Spirit, descending on your hearts, forms and fashions
them to this great law of love. "And indeed I must
do you the justice to say, by what I can learn of
you, that ye actually do it to all the Christian bre-
thren, which are in all Macedonia, whether at Phi-
lippi, Apollonia, Amphipolis, Beræa, or elsewhere.
But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound in this
benevolent and amiable disposition yet more and
more, not only to those that are your own country.
men, but to all the children of our heavenly Father,
however they may be dispersed in one part or
another. And while many indulge to an enter-
prising temper, and are always undertaking some
new design, to make themselves talked of, and to
draw the eyes and observation of the world upon
them, we advise you, that you make it your ambition
to live quietly, in the practice of those peaceful and
humble virtues, which suit the genius of Christianity,
and particularly that you do your proper business.
And as Providence hath placed most of you in such
low circumstances of life, that you are obliged to
maintain yourselves by your daily labour, we hope
you will go on diligently and cheerfully to work with
your own hands for that purpose, that you may not
as idle drones become the burden of society, but
rather may be able to do something for the support
of
your poorer brethren, as ye know we gave it you
in charge, during the little time we resided amongst
you. Attend to it therefore, 'that so ye may walk
326
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
decently towards those that are without the enclosure
of the church, and silence the clamours, which the
enemies of the gospel would be glad to raise against
it, as making men idle and irregular; and (that)
you may have need of nothing, but without being
under a necessity of asking relief from them or any
others, may be preserved from such degrees of ex-
treme poverty, as might expose you to their con-
tempt, and into which frugal and industrious
persons seldom fall, without some extraordinary
providence, which audibly and effectually bespeaks
the compassion of their neighbours.
IMPROVEMENT.
Who would not wish to be instructed in every
thing, which might conduce to our walking so as to
please God? who would not delight in frequent
exhortations, to abound in such a conduct more and
more,' that every day may improve upon the last,
till we perfect holiness in his fear? Blessed be God,
the rules are plain, and our conscience must bear
witness to the reasonableness and goodness of them.”
This is the will of God, even our sanctification ; that
we should be honoured with his amiable image, and
by sharing something of his moral character, may
share something of that happiness, which in the
perfection of holiness he enjoys. He hath indeed
given us a compounded nature, and hath appointed
us for a time to struggle with its animal powers, that
by a victory over them, we may approve our duty
and obedience, and be fitted for a purer happiness
above, than this low state of being will admit. Let
Christians therefore learn to possess their vessels in
sanctification and honour, and not be captives to the
mean lusts of concupiscence and uncleanness, as the
heathens, who, not having the knowledge of God,
were more excusable than we, in those indulgences,
5
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS.
+
327
for which the knowledge of themselves, and of their
own nature, would nevertheless, in some degree,
condemn them.
Let us, as we dread the displeasure and vengeance
of God, the supreme guardian of the rights of his
creatures, take heed that we do not allow ourselves,
when it is most in our power, to go beyond, or de-
fraud our brethren in any matter, but endeavour to
show, that we have indeed been taught of God, to
love one another, and that we have received into our
very hearts that maxim, which our gracious Redeemer
has given us, that we should do unto others, as we
would they should do unto us. On this principle
likewise, let us diligently employ ourselves in our
own proper affairs, that, instead of being the burdens
of society, we may in our respective spheres be its
supports; and quietly attending to what lies within
our own province," let us leave ambitious schemes
and projects to others, thinking ourselves happy
enough, if we may be approved by him, who hath
allotted to the inhabitants of earth their several
parts, and will another day accept and reward them,
not according to the distinction and elevation of their
stations, but according to the integrity, with which
they have behaved themselves in them. So shall
we secure a testimony even in the consciences of
those that are without,' who would perhaps un-
generously and unrighteously rejoice in an occasion
of charging upon the gospel of Christ, the follies and
irregularities of its professors.
They will never be able to charge any thing on
the gospel itself, if they take their ideas of it from
the writings of these its authentic teachers. And let
it be remembered, that they gave such abundant
evidence of the authority with which they taught,
that he who despiseth them despiseth not man but
Gon, from whom they derived the Spirit, by which
they preached and wrote His voice let us hear
328
ON THE RESURRECTION.
with reverence, his dictates let us humbly obey.
The hour is near, in which he will assert the honour
of his word, and demonstrate to all the world the
wisdom of submitting to its dictates.
SECTION IX.
The apostle particularly sets himself to comfort his Christian friends, with relation
to those that were fallen asleep in Jesus, by an animating view of that glory and
happiness on which, at the general resurrection, they should enter in their com-
plete persons. 1 Thes, iv. 13, to the end.
1 Thes. 4. 13. But I would not have you to be ignorant,
brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that
ye sorrow not, even as others which have no
14. hope.-For if we believe that Jesus died and rosu
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus
15. Will God bring with him.-For this we say unto
you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord,
16. shall not prevent them which are asleep.--For the
Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall
17. rise first:-Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall
18. we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.
I IIEAR it with concern, that since I have been
separated from you, it hatlı pleased God to remove
some dear and valuable members of your society,
and I wonder not that you are tenderly affected with
such a stroke. 13 But I would not have you ignorant,
my dear brethren, concerning the true state of them
that are thus fallen asleep in the faith of Jesus, that
ye may not lament with such unbounded transports
and excessive forms of mourning, as are practised
by others, even by your heathen neighbours, who are
ignorant of God, and have no well-grounded hope of
a happy immortality, like that which in the gospel
is imparted to you. "For surely, if we do indecu
ON THE RESURRECTION
329
believe those great and important doctrines, which
that divine dispensation teaches us, that Jesus, the
Son of God, died to expiate our sils, and that he
rose again from the dead, that he might secure our
final salvation, we may easily believe, that a scheme
tius undertaken and prosecuted, shall not fail of its
effect; but that in like manner also God shall, by the
exertion of that mighty power, with which he hath
clothed this triumphant Saviour, bring with him, in
the train of his magnificent retinue, at his final
appearance, all those of his faithful servants, who
sleep in Jesus. As they died under the direction of
his providence, and committing themselves to his
care, it shall in due time appear, that they are not
lost, tlıough they may have waited long for the con-
summation of their glory. For this we now say to
you, by the express word of the Lord, on the authority
of an immediate revelation from Christ himself, and
not merely on our own conjecture, or wish, that ul,
that is, those of us Christians, who remain alive at
the coming of the Lord to judgment, shall not so pre-
ront those who are asleep, as to be glorified before
them. "For the Lord himself, our great and blessed
Redeemer, arrayed in all his own glory, and that of
luis Father, shall in that great day, descend from
heaven with a triumphant shout, raised by millions of
happy attendant spirits. His appearance shall be
proclaimed with the voice of the great archangel, even
with the trumpet of God, which shall then sound
louder than it did on Mount Sinai, when the law
was given. And the dead in Christ shall all in a
moment be awakened by it, and shall rise out of
their graves in the first place, springing forth in
orms of glory, to the infinite astonislıment of the
surviving world. And afterwards ue, that is those
of us who are left alive, it the time when this most
awful and important day opens, shall together with
them, by a mighty and instantaneous operation of
VOL. V.
? U
330
ON TITE RESURRECTION.
the divine power, be snatched up into the clouds, in
order to our meeting the Lord in the region of the air,
where his throne shall then be erected; and we,
having been openly acknowledged and acquitted by
him, shall be assessors with him in that judgment,
to which wicked men and angels are there to be
brought forth; and when the final sentence is passed
upon them, shall return to heaven, with our re-as-
cending Saviour, and so shall we be with the Lord for
ever, and all share a blissful eternity in the sight and
participation of his glory. "Therefore when your
hearts are distressed with grief, for the loss of your
pious friends, or on any other occasion, which can
arise in this mortal life, comfort yourselves and one
another with these words; the tenour of which is so
important, and the truth contained in them so cer-
tain, as being taught by the infallible dictates of the
Spirit of God, and revealed to us by him, from
whose fidelity, power and grace we expect this com-
plete salvation.
IMPROVEMENT.
O! who can be sufficiently thankful for the strong
consolations,ls which these divine words administer!
How many drooping hearts have been cheered by
them in every age, while successively mourning
over the pious dead! How often have we ourselves
been driven to them, as to a sacred anchor, when
our hearts have been overwhelmed within us, and
if God continue us a few years longer, what re-
peated occasions may arise of flying to them again!
charge it upon our hearts, that we do
lionour to our holy profession in every circum-
stance, and particularly in our sorrows, as well as
our joys. When Providence is pleased to make
such breaches upon us, let us not sorrow as those
who have no hope for our deceased friends, or for
Let us
ON THE RESURRECTION.
331
ourselves. Surely we cannot doubt the very first
and most fundamental articles of our faith, the death
and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God: and if
we do indeed assuredly believe these, what a blessed
train of consequences will they draw after them!
and this consequence most apparently, that they
who sleep in Jesus, shall not finally perish, but shall
be brought with him to grace his triumph."
And O what a triumph shall that be! Let us now
anticipate the joy, with which, if true believers, we
shall then lift up our heads, and see our complete
salvation drawing nigh. What though we die and
moulder in the grave? the saints then alire shall not
prevent us:'5 though the last memorial of our names
may long have perished from the earth, it shall
appear that they are written in heaven. And when
the Lord himself descends from hearen with that
earth-rending shout, when the trump of God shall
sound, his dead shall live, 16 like his dead body shall
they revive; they that dwell in the dustshall arise and
sing, for his dew is as that falling upon herbs, and the
carth shall cast forth its dead.—Isai. xxvi. 19.
But who can now conceive the rapture, with
which so many millions shall start up at once from
their beds of dust, all arraved in robes of glory,
and, spurning the earth, in which they have been so
long entombed, and all that is mortal and corrupti-
ble, shall soar aloft, in one joyful company with
those who shall then be found alive, to meet the Lord
in the air," forming a mighty host, bright as the sun,
clear is the moon, and awful as an army with ban-
ners !-Cant. vi. 10. They shall soar to meet their
Lord, attracted by divine lore, and borne on in their
flight by an almighty power. We shall ascend to
him, we shall be owned by him, we shall be seated
near him; for Christ who is our life shall appear,
therefore shall we appear with him in glory-Col.
iii. 4.
332
ON WATCHFULNESS.
Nor shall it be merely the triumph of one day, or
of any limited period, how long soever. It is the
promise of his faithfulness and of his love, that so
we shall ever be with the Lord." It is a glory that
never shall decay, a meeting secure from all danger,
from all possibility of future separation. In what
circumstance of affliction shall not these consola-
tions be felt?l8 What torrent of tears shall they not
be able to stop?
What groans of distressed nature
shall they not be sufficient to turn into songs of
joy? Thanks, everlasting, ever new, ever growing
thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph
in Christ, in the views of such a felicity! And let
the whole choir of saints, the living and the dead,
unite in one joyful Amen.
Section III.
The apostle strenuously eshorts the Thessalonians, to a liligunt prepiinition for
thut important day of Christ's appearance, of which he hud treen discoursing advice.
1 Thes. v.1-11.
1 Tlies. 5. 1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye lave
2. no need that I write unto you.—For yourselves
know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
3. as a thief in the night. For when they shall say,
Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction cometh
upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;
1. and they shall not cscape.-But ye, brethren, are
not in darkness, that that day should overtake
5. you as a thief: Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the
6. night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not
sleep as do others; but let us watch and be
7. sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night :
and they that be drunken are drunken in the
8. night. ---But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and
for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
I have told you that the solemn day of univer-
sal judgment will certainly come, and have been
ON WATCHFULNESS,
333
3
endeavouring to lead your minds to those views of
it, which must be most reviving to every true be-
liever: 'but concerning the particular times and soul-
sons of this great event, with which the economy
of Providence in this world is to close, and some
very wonderful occurrences which are to precede it,
I am satisfied, my brethren, that ye have no need of
my writing to you accurately and largely.. ?For ye
yourselves do already assuredly know, as wherever
ve come we make it one of our first doctrines, that
the great day of the Lord, to which our eyes and
liearts are so much directed, comes just like a thief in
the night, and will surprise the inhabitants of the
world in general by a dreadful alarm, when they
are sleeping in the deepest security. For when
they shall be most ready to say, All things about us
are in perfect peace and safety, and no evil of any
kind threatens us, then sudden destruction shall
come upon them, and seize them as inevitably and
painfully, as travail comes upon a woman with child,
whose days are accomplished, and thcy shall not be
able by any means to escape it. “But I am per-
suaded that you, my brethren, are not slecping in
darkness; but that, as you have the light of the
gospel shining around you, it is your desire to act
so agrceably to its dictates, and to maintain such
a scuse of the great and important prospect it opens
upon you, as to have no reason to apprehend, but
that the day of which I speak, or the day of death,
which shall consign you to its unalterable doom,
should come upon you as a thief, or surprise you in
all imprepared state. For øye are all by profession
the children of the light, and the children of the day,
ils ye call yourselves Christians, and I trust are so,
not in name only, but in truth. Since we are not
of the night, nor of darkness, if we really answer our
profession, by which we are so indispensably obligel
10 endeavour to resemble the divine Being in holi-
334
ON WATCHFULNESS,
ness, and to maintain a temper and conduct, which
should not fear examination and discovery. Since
this therefore is the case, let us answer the engage-
ment, and not sleep as the rest of mankind [do];
but let us watch and be sober, that we may not be
obnoxious to any unreasonable and unwelcome
surprise. 'For they who sleep generally choose to
sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, if they
have not quite out-grown all common sense of de-
cency, are drunken in the night ; whicreas the day is
the season of wakefulness, sobriety and labour.
Let us not therefore, by our negligent and dissolute
behaviour, seem, as it were, to turn the day into
night. But let us Christians, who, as I said before,
are the children of the day, be sober, and keep on
our guard against our spiritual enemies, putting on
the breast-plate of faith and loce, which will defend
us against their mortal attacks; and (for) a helmet,
the lively hope of that eternal salvation which God
liath promised, and which, if rightly understood,
may be abundantly sufficient to bear us through all
the dangers which may lie in our way to it.
1 Thes. 5. I. -For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but
to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,-
10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or slcer,
11. we should live together with him.-Whörefore
comfort yourselves together, and edily one ano-
ther, even as also
And, blessed be God, there is room for arming
ourselves with such a liope, for God hath not, as
he justly might have done, destined us to bear for
ever the final consequence of his wrath, to which
our disobedience to him had rendered us obnoxious:
but he hath been pleased to appoint us to the obtain-
ing of that great salvation set before us in the gospel,
by our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath procured it for
all le believers, and will assuredly at length be-
stow it upon tliem. Be therefore continually mind-
ye
do.
ON WATCIIFULNESS.
335
ful of that compassionate Redeemer, ''uho not only
subjected liimself to the many burdens and incon-
veniencies of mortal life for our sakes, but even
died in all the ignominy and agony of the cross for
18, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live to-
gether with him: that while we live, or when we
die, the life and happiness of our immortal souls
should be secure, in a union to him, which death
itself shall never be able to dissolve. Therefore
comfort yourselves and one another with the thoughts
of this great salvation, and edify each other to those
continued improvements in the life of holiness, which
may correspond to so glorious a hope. This is
most apparently your duty, and as I know many
good and valuable things of you, I am also per-
suaded that you do indeed make conscience of it.
IJIPROTEJENT.
Since we continually see so many around us
suddenly surprised into the eternal world, and fixed
in that state in which judgment will find them, let
us be very careful, that the day of the Lord may not
overtake us as a thief,* but that we maintain a con-
tinual watch. How many are at this hour speaking
peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads
instantaneous destruction is hovering, such a destruc-
tion that they shall never be able to escape, never
able to recover from it!
Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each
other. Are we not indeed all children of the day?
Let us rouse ourselves, and use the light, that by
it we may despatch our labours, and favoured brit,
be guarded against the most sudden attacks of our
spiritual enemies. Let us be sober and vigilant, lest
our adversary the devil break in upon us by a sur-
prise, which the unexpected weapons by which he
attacks us may render yet more dangerous.
336 PRACTICAL EXIIORTATIONS AND ADVICES.
Our own armour is described and provided, if
we seek it from the magazine of God. Let faith
and love ever defend our breast
Let the hope of
salcation cover our head. Let us adore the divine
clemency and mercy, that we are not appointed unto
urath, but enjoy the views of such a salvation to be
obtained by Jesus Christ. As he hath done his part
to procure it for us, having died for this important
purpose,tº let us exert ourselves to the utmost in
our proper sphere for securing it, that wc may lay
hold on cternal life. Then may we be happily in-
different to life or death. While we continue in the
body; when that is sleeping in the grave, and our
souls remain in the invisible world ; and when our
sleeping dust shall be roused, and both soul and
body live in unremitting vigour and energy, beyond
the need of that repose which is now so necessary,
--still in each of these different states, we shall live
with him; and lie will make the progression of the
soul from one state of being to another, its pro-
gression to stages of increasing holiness and joy.
In the persuasion of this, let us comfort, exhort and
edify each other," and we shall feel the energy of
the exhortations we give, and the sweetness of the
consolations we administer.
SECTION VIII.
The apostle concludes his apistle with a variety of short practical cohortations and
Wulzices, 1 Thes. v, 12, to the end.
| Thes. 5. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them
which labour among you, and are over you in the
13. Lord, and admonish you ;---And to esteem them
very highly in love for their work's sake. And be
14. at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you,
brethren, war them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient to-
15. ward all men,--See that none render evil for evi
unto any man, but ever follow that which is good,
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS AND ADVICES. 337
1 Thes. 5. 16. both among yourselves, and to all men.-Rejoice
17. 18. evermore.-Pray without ceasing.-In every
thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you.
I HAVE exhorted you to endeavour to comfort
and edify one another, but I would not by this be
understood as intimating, either that the proper
work of your ministers is to be taken ont of their
lands, or that any slight is to be put upon them in
the execution of it. On the contrary, we beseech
you, brethren, to know, to reverence and respect
those that labour among you in that important office,
and preside over you in the name of the Lord; whose
business it is publicly to instruct you, and person-
ally to admonish you, as occasion shall require. It
is in love to his church that Christ hath appointed
such officers, and you will find the benefit of their
assistance in the whole of your Christian course.
I would therefore advise and charge you to esterin
them crocodingly in love, on the account of their work,
in which they are the representatives of him who is
the great Shepherd of the sheep. [-ind] for their
sakes as well as your own, let me further press you
to be at peace with one another, and to guard against
the first risings of any thing which might alienate
your affections; as it is impossible for you to con-
ceive, how much mischief might spring up in the
society, from causes of this kind, which may seem
in their beginnings too inconsiderable to be re-
garded. "And we also exhort you, brethren, that
you would all in a proper manner concur with your
pious ministers, overscers, and elders, in all proper
acts of Cluristian discipline; and likewise that ve
endearow by private addresses, as Providence gives
you an opportunity, to promote the interests of true
religion in the hearts of each other. And in this
vien, ailmonish them that are disorderly and unruly,
1. glecting and proudly refusing to keep the rank
ከ
VOL. 1.
ܠ ܂
3:38 PRACTICAL EXHIORTATIONS AND ADVICES,
which God hatli assigned them; comfort the feeble-
minded, whose courage and resolution is ready to
fail them, under the many difficulties with which
in present circumstances you are surrounded; suc-
cour the weak and infirm, whether in body or mind,
and be long-suffering toward all, not ready to drive
the justest censure to an excess, till every softer
and more gentle method has been tried And
whatever injury any of you may have received,
whether from professed friends, or from avowed
enemies, 'ssee that no one render to any evil for evil,
but always pursue that which is good; endeavouring
to the utmost to promote the happiness of all about
you. Maintain this temper, both towards each other,
that is, towards all your fellow-Christians, and
towards all men, not excepting your enemies and
persecutors; sure by this means cither to mollify
their hearts, or at least to approve your own con-
duct in the sight of God, and to make whatever
evil you suffer, the occasion of obtaining from him
blessings, which will infinitely counterbalance it.
And in expectation of this, '"be always rejoicing in
the midst of your trials and afflictions, knowing
that your complete redemption is approaching, and
that in the mean time you have always the presence
of your God and your Saviour, from which you
may derive unutterable satisfaction and delight,
sufficient to support you under all your sufferings.
And in order to maintain and improve this holy
joy, "pray incessantly. Be constant in your stated
devotions at their returning seasons, and endeavour
to keep your minds habitually prepared for those
pious ejaculations, which have so happy a tendency
to promote the Christian temper, or for any sudden
call you may have, to address yourselves more
solemnly to the divine Majesty. And whatever
your circumstances may be, remember not only
your dependence on God, but your obligation to
PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS AND ADVICES. 339
him, and Sin every thing give thanks ; since it is
certain, you can never be encompassed with such
afflictions, as not to have much greater cause of
thankfulness than complaint. And this cheerful,
grateful spirit you should be concerned to maintain,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, with regard
to you Christians; as by giving you his Son, and
with him all the invaluable blessings of his cove-
nant, he has laid a foundation for perpetual thank-
fulness, that may justly support the demand.
1 Thes. 5. 19, 20.---Quench not the Spirit.-Despise not pro-
21. phesyings.--Prove all things; hold fast that which
is good.
Moreover that this temper may be preserved in
your minds, take heed, that ye "quench not the
sacred flame of the Holy Spirit in any of his in-
fluences, as you know it is his great office, to
excite and maintain every pious and devout affec-
tion in the soul. Especially be careful, that ye du
not damp it, by indulging in any degree to a sen-
sual or malevolent
malevolent disposition, which must so
naturally provoke him to withdraw both his gifts
and his graces. And as a regular attendance on
divine ordinances will greatly tend to cherish his
influences, and a neglect of public worship propor-
tionably obstruct them, 2° despise not the holy exer-
cises of prophesyings, in which the ministers of
Christ interpret Scripture by a singular inspiration,
or speak to men by way of exhortation or comfort;
but listen to them with reverence, and own the
authority of God as speaking in his appointed
messengers. Yet be upon your guard that ye are
not imposed upon in an affair of so much import-
ance, and take not every forward assertion for an
oracle from God: but 'try all things with attention,
examine the validity of the pretensions which are
made to extraordinary inspiration, and when you
have discussed them with impartiality and diligence,
340 PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS AND ADVICES,
then resolutely hold fast that which is good, and be
not prevailed upon to deny, or reject it on any
consideration.
1 Thes. 5. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Remember also, that in order to preserve your
innocence, it will be necessary to guard against
circumstances of strong temptation, and things
concerning the lawfulness of which you may have
just suspicion, though you cannot absolutely pro-
nounce them to be criminal. I exhort you therefore,
as you value your safety, to 2:abstain from all that
has so much as the appearance of evil, and from
whatever may be likely to prove the occasion of sin.
1 Thes. 5. 23.-And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and
body be preserved blameless unto the coming of
21. our Lord Jesus Christ.-- Faithful is he that calleth
you, who also will do it.
23 And while I thus urge you to proper diligence
and caution on your part, I join to my counsels,
my most ardent and affectionate prayers for you.
May the God of peace himself, thať God, who hath
now reconciled us, and is become the source of
all prosperity and happiness, sanctify you entirely,
in all the parts of your nature; and (I pray God
that] your whole constitution, or frame, your rational
spirit, your animal soul, and your boily animated
by it, may be so kept blameless by divine grace now,
as to be presented with the greatest honour and
acceptance at the appearance of our Lord Jesus
Christ, whensoever it shall be. "This I desire, and
cheerfully hope it, for faithful [is] he who hath
called
you
to the Christian faith, who also will do
this; since [it] is what he has graciously promised
to all true believers, whom lie hath committed to
the care of Christ, as their Shepherd, who will
give them eternal lite, and will raise them up in
the last day
23
PRACTICAL EXIIORTATIONS AND ADVICES. 311
1 Thes. 5. 25. 26. -Brethren, pray for us.-Greet all the bre-
27. thren with an holy kiss.-I charge you by the
Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy
28. brethren.--The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ le
Amen.
with you.
This is the glorious gospel we preach, and that
we may be successful in preaching it, I entreat you,
253rethren, to pray for us; for we greatly need and
greatly value the prayers of our fellow-Christians.
And wlien ye assemble together, in token of your
mutual affection, and agreeably to the custom
which hath long prevailed, 24salute all the brethren
present with a holy kiss; and let the sisters in like
manner salute each other, taking care to conduct
this action with the strictest modesty and propriety:
As I write these things, not merely for the perusal
of this or that particular friend, into whose hands
they may first fall, but for general use, and as the
importance of them is very great, “I adjure you,
by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, com-
initted to me, that this epistle be read to all the holy
brethren of your church, at some time when you
are all gathered together for divine worship. And
that you may be sure it is genuine, I add irith my
own hand my general benediction. "2 May the
grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] always with you, to
support that principle of true Christianity, which
he hath implanted in your souls, till the purposes
of his love be completed in your everlasting salva-
tion. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
What a variety of excellent instructions does this
short section contain ! yea how much is expressed
in some of its shortest sentences ! But how hard is
it for our degenerate hearts to learn these lessons,
which so few words are sufficient to express! This
312 PRACTICAL EXHORTATIONS AND ADVICES.
habitual joy in God, this constant disposition to
prayer," this thankful temper,' that upon every
call may overflow in thanksgiving, this abstinence
from every appearance of evil.” Blessed Lord! we
need a better spirit than our own, to teach us these
things. May thy gruce be with us,2% and may none
of us quench the Spirit,tº nor despise those ordi-
nances, 20 which by his heavenly communications
he so often owns !" Let us endeavour, by the
daily importunity of prayer, to engage more of liis
efficacious and purifying influences, to sanctify the
whole frame of our nature, our spirits, our souls and
our bodies; that we may so understand and choose,
so love and delight in divine things, and maintain
so regular and constant a command over our appe-
tites of flesh and blood, and all the irregular pro-
pensities of animal nature, that we may be coul-
tinually fit for the appcarance of Christ, and be
more like what we hope we shall be, when presented
before the presence of his glory.
To promote this, let us watch over one another in
the Lord. Let Christian societies preserve a regular
discipline, with a due mixture of zeal and tender-
ness." Let the friendship of private persons be
rendered mutually subservient to religious improve-
ment, and let a due regard be ever paid to those,
who labour among them, and preside over them in the
Lord. They will not require a blind submission
to their dictates, if they rightly understand the
gospel they are to teach. They will allow, they
will encourage, they will urge their hearers to prove
all things, which even the apostles themselves, with
all their plenitude of inspiration did not think it be-
neath them to do. But they, who thus candidly
enquire, and are determined to hold fast what is
truly good, knowing how excellent an office the
ministry is, knowing how much the edification of
the church depends npon it, will csteem those that
IRACTICAL EXIIORTATIONS AND ADVICES. 3-13
bear it very highly in love, for their works' sake, an!
in whatever instances they may be constrained, by
what they judge to be the evidence of truth, to
differ from their brethren, or even from their teachers,
will be solicitous to maintain harmony and love in
thie societies to which they belong, as it becomes
them to do, who are the disciples of that wisdom
from above, which hath taught them inseparably to
connect their regards to purity and peace.
13
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSA-
LONIANS.
It has been already observed, that the first epistle
to the Thessalonians was written from Corinth, about
the year of our Lord 52: and as T'imothy and Silas
appear, from the inscription of this second cpistle,
to have been still with the apostle, it has generally
been concluded, that he wrote it, while lie cou-
tinued in the same city, and not long after the
former.- See note on Acts xviii. 11.
The general design of it is to confirm the Thesse-
lonians in their Christian profession, and to come
fort them under the sufferings, to which they were
exposed. Besides which, the apostle sets liimself
to rectify some mistaken apprehensions they seem
to have entertained about the coming of Christ;
and to direct them in the exercise of Christian dis-
cipline towards some irregular members of the
society.
This epistle (which, like the former, bears
St. Paul's name, with those of Timothy and Silas,
in the inscription), begins with a devout acknow-
ledgment to God, for the eminent attainments
which the Thessalonians had made in religion, and
particularly for the zcal and fidelity, with whick
they adhered to the Christian cause in the midst ot'
persecution. To support and animate them meer
their trials, the apostle reminds them of the di-
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
345
tinguished lionour, that would be conferred on all
the saints at the coming of Christ, and the ven-
geance that would at the same time overtake all the
enemies of the gospel, assuring them of his con-
stant prayers for their further improvement in the
Christian character, in order to their attaining the
felicity that was promised.--Chap. i. throughout.
But lest by mistaking the meaning of what he had
said, or wrote to them at any time upon that sub-
ject, or by any other means, they should be die-
ceived into an opinion, that the judgment-day was
near at hand, he informs them, that, before this
awful period, there would be a grand apostacy in
the church, and an antichristian power, which he
calls the man of sin, would arise, and greatly oly-
struct the progress of the gospel, arrogantly assum-
ing to itself the divine authority, and by pretendel
miracles leading multitudes into the grossest and
most fatal delusions. Some beginnings of this
spirit he observes were already discoverable, and
as soon as those restraints which then lay upon it,
were removed, it would break out in all its force,
and continue to spread its malignant influence, till
it should be finally destroyed by the coming of
Christ.-Chap. ii. 1-12. These viers lead him
to express his thankfulness to God, that the Thes-
salonians had escaped this corruption, which began
so early to prevail in the church, and had given
such proofs of their entering into the true spirit
and genius of Christianity, by the happy effect their
belief had produced upon their lives and characters.
But lest they should think themselves secure, he
exhorts them to steadfastness and constancy in their
profession of the truth, and adds his earnest sup-
plications for their increasing comfort and esta-
blishment. At the same time he desires their
prayers, that his labours might be attended with
the same sucess amongst others, as they had been
VOL. 1.
2 Y
346
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
amongst them; and that he might be delivered from
the opposition that was made to him by unreason-
able men, expressing withal his cheerful confidence
in their continued regards to the instructions he had
given them.-Ver, 13, chap. iii. 145.
The apostle, having borne so honourable a testi-
mony to the character of the Thessalonians in
general, proceeds to give them directions for their
conduct, towards some irregular members of the
society, and charges them to withdraw themselves
from those that behaved disorderly, and, neglect-
ing the proper business of their calling, busied
themselves impertinently in the concerns of others.
He exhorts such to attend to their own affairs, and
carefully to provide for their own subsistence, that
they might not be a burden to others. And to
add greater weight to his admonitions, he, reminds
them of the example he had set them while at Thes-
salonica, in maintaining himself by the labour of
his own hands, though considering his character as
an apostle, he had certainly a right to have been
supported at their expense. If any one notwith-
standing should refuse to comply with this ex-
hortation, or with those he had given them in his
former epistle, he directs his Christian friends to
exclude him from their familiarity and friendship,
that he might be made sensible of his fault; yet he
advises them to treat him not as an enemy, but to
admonish him as a brother. The apostle, having
thus sufficiently instructed the Thessalonians in their
duty on this important article, concludes with his
usual salutation, written with his own hand.- Ver.
6, to the end.
The attentive reader will easily perceive that
this, though the shortest of all St. Paul's epistles
to the churches, is not inferior to any of them, in
the sublimity of the sentiments, and in that ex-
cellent spirit by which all the writings of the apostle
PAUL REJOICES IN THE THESSALONIANS.
317
are distinguished. Besides those marks of its
genuineness and divine authority, which it bears in
common with the rest of these epistles, it has one
peculiar to itself, from the exact representation it
contains of the papal power, under the characters of
the man of sin and the mystery of iniquity. For
considering how directly opposite the principles
here described were to the genius of Christianity,
it must have appeared at the time when this epistle
was written, highly improbable to all human appre-
hension, that they should ever have prevailed in
the Christian church ; and consequently a predic-
tion like this, which answers so exactly in every
particular to the event, must be allowed to carry
its own evidence along with it, and to prove that
the author of it wrote under a divine influence. For
a further illustration of this argument, see Dr.
Benson's Dissertation on the Man of Sin.
SECTION 1.
The apostle erpresses his joy in the constancy with which the Thessalonians adhered
to the Christian cuuse, and animates them against the persecutions to which they
were still exposed, by the prospect of that glory, thut would be conferred upon them
al the coning of CHRIST. 2 Thes. i. throughout.
2 Tues. 1. 1. PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians in God our Father
2. and the Lord Jesus Christ :--Grace unto you,
and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ,
Paul and Silvanus, or Silas, and Timothy, being
still continued together, renew the address we
formerly made, to the church of the Thessalonians;
which is now by divine goodness in a state of union
and friendship with God, our great and ever blessed
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; having been so
happy as some time since to receive the gospel
, and
still to retain the profession of it. And we must
348
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CONSTANCY,
now, as before, express that sincere benevolence
which reigns in all our hearts towards you, by
wishing, as we then did, the communication of
*grace to you and abundance of peace, tranquillity
and happiness, from God our Father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thes. 1. 3. --We are bound to thank God always for you,
brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith
groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one
4. of you all toward each other aboundeth:--So that
we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God
for your patience and faith in all your persecu-
5. tions and tribulations that ye endure :- Which is
a manifest token of the righteous judgment of
God, that ye may be counted worthy of the king-
6. dom of God, for which ye also suffer :-Seeing
it is a righteous thing with God to recompence
7. tribulation to them that trouble you ;-And to
you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his
3. mighty angels, ---In flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey not
9. the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ :- Who shall
be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his
10. power ;-When he shall come to be glorified in
his saints, and to be admired in all them that
believe (because our testimony anong you was
11. believed) in that day.- Wherefore also we pray
always for you, that our God would count you
worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good
pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith
12. with power :- That the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
We sincerely sympathise with you in all your
trials, yet we are sensible, that 'we ought always to
give thanks to God on your account, brethren, as it is
fit and reasonable, because your faith, notwithstand-
ing all that is done to blast it and trample it down,
groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you
all towards one another aboundeth more and more;
OF THE THESSALONIANS.
3:19
your faith drawing new confirmation from your
sufferings, and your sense of them engaging you
tenderly to pity, and to do your utmost for the
relief of those who share in them, and at the same
time endearing to you that one body, which the
world so cruelly hates, and so maliciously endea-
vours to destroy. And these good dispositions are,
through the divine grace, *so remarkable in you,
that we do ourselves indeed boast of you in all the
churches of God to whom we come, on account of
your unwearied patience and lively unshaken faith
in the midst of all your persecutions, and the various
tribulations of one kind and another which you
endurc; "[which shall] on the whole appear, to [be]
so far from proving inconsistent with the honour
of the divine government, that on the contrary,
they shall terminate in a glorious and advancing
display of the righteous judgment of God, that ye
may be approved in some degree worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer ; that ye
may appear by these trials to be possessed of such
integrity and patience, of such meekness and supe-
riority to this transitory world, as to be fit for those
seats of superior dignity and blessedness, on which
you are to enter.
It shall also be the means of
displaying the divine justice, in the punishment to
be inflicted on your implacable enemies; for (it is]
a most righteous and honourable thing with God, to
repay tribulation to them who bring tribulation on you,
accounting with them in the great day for all the
evils they have inflicted on you unprovoked, and
while you are engaged in the most equitable and
benevolent cause. And on the other hand, it will
appear equally suitable to the honour of the divine
government, to repay unto you who suffer this tribu-
lation rest with us, if not in the present world,
where we do not ourselves expect it, yet at last in
the revclation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven,
3:50
PAUL REJOICES IN THE CONSTANCY
with his mighty angels, who shall be the ministers
of his power in the execution of his great and awful
judgment. And nothing can be more comfortable
to the persecuted saint, than to think of this illus-
trious appearance, when Jesus shall descend in his
Father's glory and his own, surrounded with flam-
ing fire, to execute vengeance on those who know not
God, but presumptuously neglect and despise the
intimations, yea and the express declarations of his
will, with which he has favoured them; and espe-
cially to inflict deserved punishment upon those who
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, though
they have received it in all its evidence. They
'who add the rejection of that to all their other
crimes, can expect neither remedy nor mercy, but
shall assuredly be punished [with] eternal destruction,
which shall, as it were, break forth like lightning
upon them, from the face of the Lord, and drive
them from his presence, as it will be utterly in-
possible for them to stand against his glorious power,
which will be armed for their ruin, and shine forth
with irresistible brightness and majesty, when he
shall come to be glorified in the full assembly of his
saints, and to be admired in the efforts of his al-
mighty power and love, for the complete salvation
of all them who believe. They shall be accomplished
in that glorious day, to which our faith and hope
have been so long directed, and in which the
promises of his covenant do so remarkably centre.
It is the hope and joy of all his people, and it is
yours in particular ; because our testimony among you
was credited, and you have given substantial evi-
dences, that your faith was cordial and sincere.
"In which regard, as we rejoice in what is already
done, and have the tenderest concern, that the
precious seed we have sown, may answer the liope
with which we see it springing up, and at length
advance to full maturity, we continue to pray always
OF THE THESSALONIANS.
351
for you, that our God would, by the working of his
grace, render you more and more worthy of [this]
high and holy calling, and would fulfil in you all
the good pleasure of [his] goodness, all that amiable
and happy temper, which his paternal regard to
our happiness engages him to recommend and re-
quire. And to speak all in one word, that he would
accomplish and perfect the work of faith with power,
that is, would powerfully impress upon your hearts
the great principle of that religion, which he hath
revealed to you, and which you have embraced ;
since nothing can tend more effectually to produce,
and nourish every good disposition in your mind.
l? That so the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
may
be glorified in you, while you act in a manner so
suitable to the relation you bear to him ; and that
you may also be glorified in him, may now have
the honour of approving yourselves his faithful
servants, the excellent of the earth, and may for
ever share in the glory he hath prepared for such ;
according to the grace of our merciful God, and of
the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom it is so plentifully
bestowed upon us.
IMPROVEMENT.
How wisely has the apostle chosen the repre-
sentation we have now been reading, to promote the
glory of our Saviour's name, by strengthening the
saints,12 who are already established, and awaken-
ing any, who might be careless and irregular, by
the very same considerations, which may so justly
awe and intimidate the enemies of the church! How
forcible in all those views is the description we here
read, of the glorious and triumphant appearance of
our Lord! Let it be ever placed before our eyes.
He shall surely come in flaming fire, to take vengeance
on all his enemies. The troublers and persecutors
3,7) PAUL REJOICES IN THE THESSALONIANS.
of his people shall have their peculiar share in it,
and it is most righteous with God that they should."
Yet it is not intended for them alone, but for all
who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of
Jesus Christ. How diligently should we examine
what our knowledge of God is, and what our oberli-
ence to his gospel! whether the one be merely
speculative, and the other verbal, or our know-
ledge practical, and our obedience sincere and
universal! Everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord, and the glory of his power,' is a veu-
geance dreadful enough, one would imagine, to
awaken, even by its distant sound, all who are not
sunk into the fast and lowest degree of insensi-
bility. Who can stand in his presence when once
he is angry? Who can resist liis power? But
there are a happy number, who shall be glorified
by him, and, which should give us peculiar joy, in
whom he also shall be admired and glorified, in that
day and for ever.'' The holy and blessed creation of
God shall see to all eternity, from what ruin Jesus
could raise, and to what felicity he could exait
those, who were once the captives of Satan, the
slaves of sin, and the heirs of death and hell.
May the expectation of it influence our hearts in
a suitable manner! May all the good pleasure of
God's goodness be fulfilled in us, and the work of
faith with power !"" Then while our faith groveih
c.xceedingly, our mutual love will abound, 3 our
patience will be adequate to every trial," and we
shall be approved, as in some measure, through
divine grace, worthy of that kingdom to which God
lath called us."
ANTICHRIST FORETOLD.
353
SECTION II.
Paul cautions the Thessalonians against especting the day of judgmentimmediately,
and forete is the appearance of Antichrist, that was first to come, ž Thes, ii. 1–12.
2. Thes. 2. 1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering
2. together unto him,-That ye be not soon shaken
in mird, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by
word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of
3. Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by
any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and that man of
4. sin be revealed, the son of perdition ;--Who
opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped; so that he
as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing
himself that he is God.
I spoke in my former letter of the coming of
Christ, and I liave just been mentioning it to you
again ; 'but I am afraid you should misunderstand
what I have written upon that subject, and therefore
I must beseech you, brethren, with respect to the in-
tended and much desired appearance of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and our gathering together unto him, of which
I then spoke, thatyebe not soon moved from(the steadi-
ness of your] mind, nor troubled, cither by the sugges-
tion of any pretended spirit of prophecy and reve-
lation in others, or by the report of any word which
we may be said to have dropped, or by the sense which
any may put upon what we have written in the former
epistle, which you have really received, or any other
which may be brought to you, as from us, as if the
great day of Christ were just at hand, and to be con-
tinually looked for. Let no man deceive you by any
means, which he may use so as to persuade you of
this, lest finding yourselves mistaken in that ex-
pectation, you should be brought to doubt of the
faith you have received, or in apprehension of so
speedly a dissolution of the world, you should be less
2 z
VOL. V.
354
ANTICHRIST FORETOLD.
attentive to some of its concerns than duty or pri-
dence will require. For you may be assured, with
respect to this great and important day, that [it shall
not come] till there come first an amazing and shame-
ful apostacy in the Christian church itself; and the
man of sin be revealed, that anti-christian power,
which is to raise itself by such enormous mischiefs;
yet it is so surely doomed to destruction, by the
just, though long-delayed vengeance of God, that I
cannot forbear calling him that assumes it, the son
of perdition, as our Lord himself called Judas the
traitor.—John xvii. 12. I now speak of one, 'who
opposes himself to the interest of true religion, by
arts and enterprises in former generations unknown,
and, as pride often goes before destruction, inso-
lently exalts himself above all that is called Gov, or
the object of religious worship, taking upon him to
control divine institutions, and to model every
thing according to his own arrogant pleasure. So
that he himself, as God, sets himself in the church,
which is the temple of God, showing himself with
such pompous parade, and such despotic authority
assumed over the consciences of men, that so far as
actions can speak, he in effect asserts that he is God,
nothing human and indeed nothing created, having
a right so to dictate.
2 Thes. 2. 5. —Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with
6. you, I told you these things ?-And now ye know
what withholdeth that he might be revealed in
7. his time.--For the mystery of iniquity doth
already work: only he who now letteth will let,
8. until he be taken out of the way.--And then
shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall
consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall de-
stroy with the brightness of his coming.
This is an event of so great importance, that I
have formerly mentioned it. "Remember ye not,
that being yet with you, though I spent so very little
time among you, I nevertheless told you these things,
ANTICHRIST FORETOLD,
355
and gave you such warnings concerning them, as I
imagined you could not so soon have forgot? And
now, though it is a tender subject, which it is not
convenient to speak of in too explicit a manner, 1
persuade myself, that ye know what restrains him
from being revealed in (what might otherwise seem)
his own time. For the mystery of iniquity, the
hidden design of corrupting and overthrowing
Christ's kingdom, which has so many artful ways
of insinuating itself into the minds of sinful men,
and of introducing its own tyrannical, avaricious
and ambitious schemes into the church, does already
in some measure work, amidst all the peculiar
engagements to the most hunible, disinterested and
upright conduct, which an age and ecclesiastical
state like ours, brings along with it. Only there
is one that hindereth, till he be taken out of the way.
Secular powers at present are a restraint, but when
that is taken away, and different scenes in pro-
vidence open, these iniquitous principles, that are
secretly fermenting, will break out in all their
force. And then the ungodly one shall be revealed,
and appear as it were unveiled in all his native de-
formity; even he who shall bring the greatest in-
famy and the greatest misery on the Christian
world. Nevertheless, though his reign may be of
some considerable duration, it shall not be
per-
petual : for the spirit teaches us to regard him as
sentenced to inevitable ruin, as one whom the Lord
will certainly at length destroy; and how firmly
soever he may seem established by human policy
and power, he shall find himself unable to withstand
the breath of his mouth, which shall kindle ail
around him a consuming flame, in which all his
pomp and pride shall vanish. And indeed he will
not only in some measure humble and abase, but
utterly eradicate and abolish him, by the resplendent
brigliness of his coming, when truth shall beam in
356
ANTICHRIST FORETOLI.
upon men's minds with all its energy, and its most
formidable enemies shall fall before it.
2 Thes. 2. 9. -Even him, whose coming is after the working of
Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders.
In the mean time the monster of iniquity shall
prevail, '[even he] whose coming is according to the
energy of Satan, whose interest he shall re-establish,
where it seems to be overthrown. That malignant
and deceitful spirit shall therefore endeavour to
promote this anti-christian kingdom to the utmost,
by all lying power, and signs and wonders, by a
variety of fictitious miracles, so artfully contrived
and so strongly supported by an abundance of false
testimonies, that many shall be entangled, deceived,
and undone by them.
2. Thes. 2. 10. -And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish; because they received not
the love of the truth, that they might be saved.--
II. And for this cause God shall send them strong
12. delusion, that they should believe a lie:- That
they all might be damned who believe not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
1° And in the conduct of this most iniquitous
design, recourse will be had to all manner of un-
righteous deceit, which shall be managed with the
utmost art and address, among those wretches, who
shall many of them finally perish ; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved by it, but preferred those secular views, wlich
such dishonest practices promoted, to the great
prospects of their everlasting happiness in an in-
visible world. "And for this cause, when they
have for a limited time been permitted to trifle with
the message of his mercy, and the strivings of his
Spirit, God will in righteous judgment give them up
to a reprobate and insensiblc mind, and will send
upon them the energy of deceit; he will suffer them
to deceive others, till they are deceived themselves
ANTICHRIST FORETOLD.
3:57
to; so that they shall believe the lie, which they
Trave so long taught : 12that they may all be cor-
demned at last, who believed not the truth, though
offered to them with sufficient evidence, but on the
contrary had pleasure in unrighteousness and impos-
ture, when it might serve their present interest, to
which all considerations of conscience and honour,
religion and future hope were sacrificed. And this
I leave upon record, that such as are not entirely
incorrigible, may be alarmed by this dreadful repre-
sentation, and that others may be warned to stand
at the remotest distance from the tents of these
wicked men, and though it should be at the greatest
hazard, to maintain the cause of God and of truth
against them.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us behold with humble reverence the depths
of the divine counsels, and judgments : God hatlı
been pleased to suffer the craft of Satan to display
itself in reducing from his allegiance a great part
of the Christian world, yet has he taken the wise in
his own craftiness, so far as to make that very
apostacy from Christianity, an additional proof of its
divine original. Who that had only examined the
genius of that holy religion, could have imagined
that such a mystery of iniquity should have arisen in
it, and that man of sin have been revealed ? Surely,
when the particulars of the description come to be
compared with the accomplishment, it may seem
owing to some judicial infatuation, that men of deep
policy and great penetration, with this very passage
of scripture in their hands, should have suffered the
marks of antichrist to be so very apparent, even in
many instances, beyond what might have seemed
absolutely necessary, for establishing that secular
kingdom which they sought; particularly, that the
358
ANTICHRIST FORETOLD.
4
pope on high days should set himself on a hiyh
throne, in the temple of God, to be there solemnly
adored, and should have permitted his parasites so
expressly to boast that he is God, and to give him,
in some of their licensed and authorised works,
divine titles.
The scandalous and extravagant pretences which
the followers of the papacy have made to miracles,
exceeding in number, and some of them in marvel-
lous circumstances, those of Christ and his apostles,
plainly display the energy of Satan, that father of
frauds, pious and impious." And the most incredi-
ble lies, which they have, by solemn and irrevocable
acts, made essential to their faith, show the strength
of delusion," beyond whatcould have been imagined,
had not fact led us into the theory. How dreadful
it is to think of some of the expressions which the
Spirit itself uses, when speaking of these artificers in
deceit !--that they should be abandoned by God to
believe a lie, that they may all be damned who have
pleasure in unrighteousness"2—that they might bring
upon themselves eternal aggravated damnation.
Who would not tremble, who would not grieve for
so many of our fellow-men, yea of those, who,
degenerate as their form of Christianity is, we
must yet call our fellow-Christians, who are thus
dishonoured, enslaved and endangered? The Lord
grant that they may not be utterly undone! Let
them despise us, let them, by most solemn execra-
tious annually repeated, devote us to destruction,
and prepare against us all the instruments of it in
their power, yet will we still pray for them. The
Lord grant that they may recover themselves out of
the snare of the devil, who are led captive by him at
his pleasure !—2 Tim. ii. 26. Let us recommend to
divine compassion the souls drawn after artful and
wicked leaders, in the simplicity of their hearts,
and take comfort in this thought, that tlie time will
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATED.
359
come, wlien the Lord shall destroy this son of perilin
tion with the breath of his mouth and the brightness
of his coming.: May the remnant of God's people
among them take the alarm, and come out from
them in time, and be separate, that they may not be
partakers with them in their plagues.- Rev. xviii. 4.
SECTION III.
13 But
Paul recurus thanks to God, for his mercy to the Thessalonians in supporting them
hitherto, and addresses such exhortations to them, and prayers for them, as might
most effectually conduce to their continued establishment, desiring also their prayers
for him umidst his various lubours and dangers. 2 Thes. ii. 13, to the end, 8
iii. 1-5.
2 Thes. 2. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God
for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salva-
tion through sanctification of the Spirit and belief
of the truth.
Srcii corruptions as these will at length arise in
the church, and we have hinted that something of
tliis spirit is already beginning to work.
blessed be God that so little of it appears among
you; on the contrary, we are sensible that we ought
always to give thanks to Gov, for you, brethren,
whom we liave great reason to address, as beloved
of the Lord, because that cordial zeal, with which
you have embraced the gospel, and that resolution,
with which you retain it in the midst of afflictions
and persecutions, give us ground cheerfully to con-
clude, that God hath, of his wise counsels and
abundant grace, from the beginning of his work and
plan for the redemption of men, chosen you to
eternal salvation ; for a participation of which, you
are prepared by that sanctification, which is the
work of the Holy Spirit on your hearts, and that
belief of the truth, which hath so effectual a ten-
dency to promote it
360
THANKSGIVING ON ACCOUNT
2 Thes. 2. 14. -Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the
obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.-
15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the tra-
ditions which ye have been taught, whether by
6. word, or our epistle.--Now our Lord Jesus Christ
himself, and God, even our Father, which hath
loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation
17. and good hope through grace, -Comfort your
hearts, and stablish you in every good word and
3. 1. work. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the
word of the Lord may have free course, and be
2. glorified, even as it is with you :-And that we
may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked
3. men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord
is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you
4. from evil. --And we have confidence in the Lord
touching you, that ye both do and will do the
5. things which we command you.—And the Lord
direct your hearts into the love of God, and into
the patient waiting for Christ.
This is God's appointed way of obtaining an
interest in this salvation, 'to which he hath callcı
you by our gospel, even to the obtaining the glory of
our Lord Jesus Christ; that glory which his mercy
hath prepared, and to which his faithful care shall
at length conduct all his obedient followers, in
which they shall fully enjoy the rich provisions of
his love, and be made like him in holiness and
happiness. Therefore, brethren, let me exhort
you to stand fast, and strongly to retain the instruc-
tions which you have learned of us, whether by word
or by our former letter, as you may be assured, you
have there a genuine representation of the contents
of those important doctrines, with which we are
entrusted. 16And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself,
and God even our Father, who hath loved us in so
surprising a manner, and given [us] by his gospel
such a fund of everlasting consolation, and such good
hope through his overflowing grace, when, without
it, we could not have had any glimmering of hope,
or prospect of comfort for ever,---may lie, I say,
OF THE THESSALONIANS.
361
hy the rich communication of liis love and mercy,
"comfort your hearts, and may he strengthen and
confirm you, making you ready for every good word
and work, that his name may be glorified,
be glorified, and your
present satisfaction and future reward may abound.
As for what remains, I shall not enlarge, but must
beseech you, brethren, that ye would pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may run a free and unob-
structed course every where, and be greatly glorified,
as through his grace [it is) among you ; ?and that we,
whom he hath honoured with the office of dispens-
ing it, may be delivered from unreasonable und wicked
who are endeavouring as much as possible to
prevent the propagation of the gospel, by destroying
or confining us. We cannot wonder at it, for all
men have not faith, and there are so many corrup-
tions opposing its progress, and they are so power-
fully abetted by the great enemy of souls, that we
have rather reason to admire the divine agency, in
making it so successful as it is. But whatever
difficulties we meet with, this is our comfort, that
the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we devote our
labours, and have committed our souls, is invari-
ably faithful; who will strengthen and keep both us
and you from the cvil one and all his works. He
will indeed preserve us from every thing, that
would on the whole be hurtful to us, and overrule
to our truest good, what has the appearance of
evil. *And we have a cheerful confidence in the
fidelity and grace of our blessed Lord, with respect
to you, that by his powerful influence you are and
will be established in every good resolution, so that
in every instance ye both do and will do the things,
which in his name we give you in charge. And may
we have the pleasure of seeing this our confidence
happily answered more and more! May the Lord
direct your hearts into the more vigorous and con-
stant exercise of the love of God, and into the exer-
VOL. V.
3 A
362
SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT.
cises of that patience under all your trials and afllic-
tions, which becomes the disciples of Christ, and
is agreeable to his example.
IMPROVEMENT.
How wisely and happily does the apostle unite
the views of the grace of God and the duties of
men, while he represents our choice to salvation in
a light, so worthy of God, since this salvation is
still to be obtained through sanctification of the spirit
and belief of the truth.'3 Our spirits must be sanc-
tified by the operation of the divine Spirit: the truth
must be not only speculatively, but powerfully and
practically believed, or all our hopes will be vain.
But surely, were it possible that salvation could
any other way be obtained, it would be much less
desirable, or rather, that which did not imply a
sanctified spirit, and a heart open to receive aud
obey the truth, would not deserve the name of sal-
vation Blessed be God, who in this view hath
called us to obtain salvation and glory by Jesus
Christ,14 even GOD our Father who hath loved us. i6
From him do these everlasting consolations flow. It
is by his blessed and gracious operation, we are
strengthened and established in every good word and
work. His fidelity stands engaged to do it, if we
humbly commit ourselves to him, and wait upon
him. The prayers of the apostles, dictated no doubt
from above, concur with the promises to encourage
our hopes, that he will direct our hearts into the love
of God and the patience of Jesus Christ. On the
exercise of that love and that patience, doth the
happiness of life chiefly depend. Too ready are
our weak hearts to wander from it, and to faint
under the difficulties that lie in our way.
Let
us call on him to preserve and maintain the
graces he hath implanted, that they may be exerted
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE.
363
with growing vigour and constancy even unto the
ud.
Unreasonable and wicked men will oppose the pro-
gress of the gospel, which has so powerful a ten-
dency to promote holiness and comfort; and as
there are those that have not faith, they will be
ready to labour for its destruction. But when the
prayers of Christians are frequently engaged, that
the word of God may run and be glorified, there
is great reason to hope, that much of their perverse
opposition may be overruled to most contrary pur-
poses, so that the wrath of man shall praise him, and
the remainder of that wrath be restrained.-Psa.
lxxvi. 10.
SECTION IV.
for the
The apostle concludes his epistle with giving some directions as to the strenuous ever.
cize of discipline, with respect to some disorderly persons, and with renewed pruyers
prosperity of the church at Thessalonica. 2 Thes. üj. 6, to the end.
2 Thes. 3. 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves
from every brother that walketh disorderly, and
not after the tradition which he received of us.
7. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us:
for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among
8. you ;-Neither did we eat any man's bread for
nought; but wrought with labour and trarail
night and day, that we might not be chargeable
I. to any of you :-Not because we have not power,
but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to
10. follow us. For even when we were with you,
this we commanded you, that if any would not
work, neither should he eat.
A ZEALOUS regard for the honour of our divine
Master, requires me to inculcate on the churches
under my inspection, a strict care in the exercise of
discipline; and I heartily wish there were nothing
in your circumstances, which particularly demanded
364
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE.
my further admonitions on that head.
But as
many good men are ready to be too remiss here,
from a fear of displeasing others, and making them-
selves enemies, we solemnly charge you, brethren, in
the awful and beloved name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the credit and progress of whose religion is so nearly
concerned in the matter, that ye withdraw yourselves
from any brother, whatever his rank, circumstances,
or profession may be, who in the conduct of his life
walks irregularly, and not agreeably to the instruction
which he hath received from us, with regard to the
grand rules of Christian morality. I speak freely
on this head, "for ye yourselves know, how it becomes
you in this respect, to imitate us ; for we were not in
any instance irregular among you, but endeavoured
to behave so, as to recommend and enforce our
doctrine by our example. Neither did we eat any
man's bread at free cost, when we had an opportunity
of subsisting gratis, at the expense of any particu-
lar persons or families, but with diligent labour, and
frequently with very tedious and wearisome toil, we
wrought with our own hands, in that profession which
we had learned, and this, night and day, that we
might not be burdensome to any of you, and give you
the least room to suspect that we had any secular
views, in the doctrine we brought you, or that
indolence led us to engage in preaching it. Not
that we are destitute of authority, from the reason of
things, and the express commission of Christ him-
self, to take a moderate subsistence from the per-
sons in whose instruction we cmploy our time and
strength : for the Lord himself hath ordained, that
they who preach the gospel should live of the
gospel : but we declined using that liberty, that we
might exhibit ourselves to you [as] an example, that ye
might imitate us in a frugal and industrious life.
ye know, that, even when we were yet with you,
we were so fearful of any irregularity in this respect,
19 And
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE,
363
that we expressly gave this in charge to you, that if
any one would not work, neither should he eat; that
no idle drones should consume the common stock,
and quarter himself freely on the diligent and labo-
rious, but rather be brought under a necessity of
working, to relieve his own want, if he would not
do it from a sense of social duty and good order.
2 Thes. 3. 11. -For we hear that there are some which walk
among you disorderly, working not at all, but are
12. busybodies.—Now them that are such we com-
mand and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that
with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
We now insist upon this the more largely, "for
we hear that there are some among you, who walk irre-
gularly, not prudently working at all for their own
honest subsistence, but impertinently busy in attend-
ing to the concerns of others. They who are of
such a character, therefore, we solemnly charge and
tenderly entreat, by the dear and venerable name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness,
and silently pursuing their proper business, they eat,
what may with justice be called, their own bread, not
supporting themselves with what has been purchased
by the labours of others, while they continue unpro-
fitable to society.
2 Thes. 3. 13. —But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.-
14. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle,
note that man, and have no company with him,
15. that he may be ashamed.—Yet count him not as
an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
13 And as for you, my brethren, the wiser and
sounder part of the church, I would fain animate
and exhort you, that ye faint not, nor be discouraged
[while] you are engaged in a course of well-doing;
prosecuting those actions, which are fair, beautiful
and honourable, however men may censure you, or
whatever difficulties may lie in your way, yea,
though some should ungratefully abuse your good-
366
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE.
ness.
Yet ac-
"But if any one is not obedient to our word,
whether spoken to you during our short abode, or
signified by this, or my former epistle, set a markupon
that man, whoever he be, and have no familiar con-
verse with him, that so, seeing himself shunned by
his brethren, whose esteem it is natural for every
one to wish, he may be ashamed, and by that shame
may be recovered from those irregularities, which
have engaged you to avoid his company, and made
his friendship for the present infamous.
count [him] not as an enemy, nor do any thing in the
least to hurt him in his secular affairs, or to ex-
asperate his irregular passions, but admonish [him]
as a brother, and, with faithful love to his soul, as
well as a tender concern for the edification of the
church, and credit of religion, labour for his re-
covery.
2 Thes. 3. 16. -Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace
always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
And 16now to conclude, may Jesus, the great
Lord of peace, who hath established concord he-
tween heaven and earth, and so effectually provided
for uniting the hearts of men in the most pacific
and friendly bonds, himself give you peace at all times
by every means. May all the dispensations of leis pro-
vidence, in every place and circumstance of life,
concur to advance the serenity and happiness of
your minds : and for this purpose, may the Lord
continually [be] with you all.
2 Thes. 3. 17. —The salutation of Paul with mine own hand,
which is the token in every epistle : so I write.-
18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
Thus far I have dictated to the person, whose as-
sistance I use in writing this; but now I will take
the pen myself, and add "the salutation by the hand
of me Paul, which is the token in every cpistle ; for so,
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE.
367
to prevent counterfeits, I write, that the several
churches may be secure that what is thus signed is
genuine. "May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
[be] with you all, and may you enjoy all the happy
consequences, that flow from the most plentiful
communication of it! To which I am sure you will
put your hearty Amen, as I do mine.
IMPROVEMENT.
|
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,' given in
a richer abundance to his churches, animate and en-
gage them to maintain that discipline, which is
necessary to his honour, and to their own comfort
and edification. Scarcely can we say, which is
more to be lamented, the neglect of the thing, or the
abuse of the name. It never could be the design
of the wise legislator of the church, that secular ter-
rors should be pressed into his service, that fines,
imprisonments, and civil incapacities should be the
result of censures passed in his peaceful and bene-
volent name. Irregularities, in those that call them-
selves his followers, are indeed to be observed, and
discountenanced. Offenders are to be admonished,
and, if lighter admonitions succeed not, they are to
be avoided: but still in a view of recovering them by
an ingenuous shamelt (if any remainder of it be left
in their hearts), from those practices, which, if con-
nived at, would soon become the shame of the society.
Thus far therefore let us resolutely carry our cen-
sures, separating scandalous persons from our sa-
cramental communion, and declining that familiar
converse with those who are so separated, which
might lead them to think we privately disregarded
these censures, which had in public so awful a form,
yet at the same time, let us not treat them as ene-
mies, or as those, of whose recovery we have ro
hope, but remember the tenderness of brotherly
368
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE.
own.
love,15 amidst all the severest acts of brotherly
reproof, and the common tie of humanity, to those
whom we are commanded to regard, only as hea-
thens, or publicans.
May there be, in the professed disciples of Jesus,
a care to avoid and discourage that sloth and petu-
lance, which would make men busy in other people's
matters," while they are quite negligent of their
Let us remember the example of the apostle,
and be solicitous to eat our own bread.8 9 So shall
we be most likely to enjoy inward peace and satis-
faction of mind, and find that relish in the posses-
sion of a little, which the largest supplies would
not give, to them who are conscious to themselves
of sloth or dishonesty.
Some worthless people there have always been in
every station of life, and under all religious profes-
sions, and some idle drones, who are ready to
abuse the bounty of others, better than themselves.
But let us not from hence seek a mean excuse, for
refusing to such, as really stand in need, acts of
liberality and charity. Let us not be weary in well-
doing ; ; the time of rest and reward will come.
While we are waiting for it, the presence of the Lord
of peace may be expected, if we take care to adorn
his religion by the usefulness, as well as the meek-
ness of our behaviour, in this world of misery and
provocation, through which he hath appointed us
to pass, and through which he has himself con-
descended to pass before us, to make our way safe
and our exit happy.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.
Timothy, to whom this epistle is addressed, was a
native of Lystra, a city of Lycaonia, in the Lesser
Asia. His father was a Greek, but his mother
(whose name was Eunice) a Jewess (Acts xvi. 1), and,
as well as his grandmother Lois, a person of an ex-
cellent character.—2 Tim. i. 5. The pious care
they took in his education soonsappeared to have its
desired success; since we are assured by the apostle,
that from a child he was well acquainted with the
holy Scriptures. It is not certain when he was
converted to the Christian faith ; though it is not
improbable, but it might be in the first visit that
Paul and Barnabas made to Lystra, mentioned
Acts xiv., when the apostle was stoned by the malice
of the Jews and left for dead, to which he refers.-
2 Tim. iii. 10, 11. However this be, when St. Paul
came into those parts again, he had the satisfaction
to find, not only that Timothy continued steadfast
in the profession of Christianity, but was in great
esteem with the churches at Lystra and Iconium for
liis distinguished piety and zeal. The discovery of
so cxcellent a temper promised fair for eminent use-
fulness, and could not fail of recommending him to
the peculiar regard of the apostle, who from that
time seems to have fixed upon him as his compa-
vion and assistant in his labours. But as he was a
3 B
V:) L. 1.
370
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
Jeu on the mother's side, he judged it prudent that
he should be circumcised, before he entered upon
his ministerial office : after which, he did not scruple
to ordain him in a solemn manner by the imposition
of hands (1 Tim. iv. 14, 2 Tim. i. 6), though he
was at that time probably not much more than
twenty years old.—Compare 1 Tim. iv. 12. From
this time we often hear of him as attending the
apostle in his travels, and assisting him in preach-
ing the gospel; and from Heb. xiii. 23, we may
gather, that he shared with him in his sufferings as
well as his labours; to which we may add, that
St. Paul has thought fit to join his name with his
own in the inscription to several of the epistles, viz.
2 Cor., Philip., Coloss., 1 and 2 Thes., and Philem.
He appears in every respect to have been eminently
qualified for the important office with which he was
invested ; and the honourable terms, in which the
apostle always mentions him to the churches, and
the confidence, which, notwithstanding his youth,
he reposed in him upon all occasions, are sufficient
to give us a very high idea of his character. And
perhaps there was no one of all his companions and
fellow-labourers, whose sentiments and views of
things so exactly corresponded with his own. He
appears from their first acquaintance with each
other to have been particularly concerned to form
him for usefulness; and no doubt his principal
view, in taking him at first as the companion of his
travels, was, that he might be more immediately
under his inspection, and enjoy the advantage of
his more free and familiar instructions. No wonder
then, if the apostle looked upon his pupil with pecu-
liar complacency and even parental affection, when
he saw him answer his fondest expectations, and
fill
up
with so much honour the station he had
assigned him. No wonder, ou the other hand,
that T'imothy should discover a filial reverence for
GENERAL INTRODUCTION,
371
a person of St. Paul's venerable character, with
whom he had been so intimately connected, and
from whom he had received so many and such im-
portant favours.
It is well known, that the date of this epistle
hath been greatly disputed: to enter largely into
the controversy, would far exceed the limits allotted
to these introductions. However, as in a work of
this kind, the reader may expect some notice should
be taken of a question, which is of some import-
ance; and as he may not be furnished with those
authors, who have treated it more fully, I shall here
give some account of the principal hypotheses
relating to it, and state the evidence with which
they are respectively attended.
The hypothesis, which seems to have prevailed
most generally, is, that it was written about the
year of our Lord 58, when Paul had lately quitted
Ephesus, on account of the tumult raised there by
Demetrius, and was gone into Macedonia.--Acts
xx. 1. And this is the opinion of many learned critics,
ancient and modern; particularly, of Athanasius,
Theodoret, Baronius, Ludovic Capellus, Blondel,
Hammond, Grotius, Salmasius, Lightfoot, and Ben-
son. On the other hand, bishop Pearson endeavours
to prove, that it could not be written till the
year
65, between the first and second imprisonment of
Paulat Rome; and L'Enfant without any hesitation
goes into this hypothesis.
It is universally allowed, that St. Paul must have
written this first epistle to T'imothy, at some journey
which he made from Ephesus to Macedonia, having
in the mean time, left Timothy behind him at Ephe-
sus; for he expressly saith to Timothy (1 Tim. i. 3),
I besought thee still to abide at Ephesus, when I went
into Macedonia. Bishop Pearson accordingly, in
order to prove that the date of this epistle was as
late as he supposes, having observed that we read
322
GENERAL INTRODUCTION,
only of three journeys of Paul through Macedonia
(viz. Acts xvi. 9, 10, Acts xx. 1, and ibid. ver. 3),
endeavours to show, that it could not be written in
any of these, and must consequently have been
written in some fourth journey, not mentioned in
the history, which he supposes was about the year
65, after Paul was released from his first imprison-
ment at Rome. That it was not written at the first
or third of these journeys is really allowed, and it
appears from the whole series of the context in both
places; but it is the second that is generally con-
tended for.
Now the bishop supposes, that the epistle was not
written at this second journey, because it appears
from Acts xix. 22, that Paul did not lcave Timothy
then at Ephesus, having sent him before into Mace-
donia, and appointed him to meet at Corinth. See
1 Cor. iv. 17, xvi. 10. To this it is answered, that
though Paul did indeed send Timothy from Ephesus,
yet, as we are told that Paul made some stay there
after that (Acts xix. 22), Timothy might be returned
before the tumult, and so the apostle might, notwith-
standing, leave him behind at Ephesus, when he
himself set out on his journey for Macedonia. (For
it should be observed, that he changed his scheme,
and, before he went to Corinth, where he had ap-
pointed Timothy to meet him, spent some time in
Macedonia; from whence he wrote his second epistle
to the Corinthians in company with T'imothy, who
came to him in his retuun from Corinth, and con-
tinued with him, while he remained in these parts.)
Now that Timothy returned to Ephesus before the
apostle departed, will indeed appear very probable,
if (as Mr. Boyse argues from Acts xx. 31, compared
with chap. xix. 8, 10), St. Paul spent three years at
Ephesus and in the neighbouring parts, and sent
Timothy away nine months before the tumult; which
would leave him time enough to perform his com-
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
373
mission, and return to Ephesus before the apostle
had left it. To which it may be added, that it ap-
pears from 1 Cor. xvi. 10, 11, which epistle was
written from Ephesus, that Paul expected Timothy,
after his journey to Macedonia and Corinth, would
return to him at that city.
The bishop further objects to the epistle's being
written at this second journey, mentioned Acts xx. 1,
that when the apostle set out he proposed to go into
Macedonia, and visit the churches there and in
Greece, which must necessarily take up a consider-
able time; whereas in his epistle to Timothy, he
speaks of his intention to return very soon.—1 Tim.
ii. 14, iv. 13. But it is natural to suppose, that
some unforeseen accident might detain him longer
than he designed; and being disappointed of some
assistance he expected from Macedonia, he might
afterwards send for Timothy to come to him, who,
as the passage by sea might be despatched in a few
days, might arrive at Macedon before the apostle
wrote his second epistle to the Corinthians.
Tlie bishop further argues, that it appears from
the cpistle to Titus, as well as from some passages
in his epistle to the Philippians, and to Philemon,
that Paul actually made another journey into those
parts after his first imprisonment at Rome, in which
journey he left Titus behind him at Crete, which lay
in liis way from Rome.—Tit. i. 5. Now it must be
allowed the bishop, that the supposition which Sal-
masius makes, is not at all likely, that Paul touchel
at Crete when he was going from Achaia to Macedo-
nia, for then he carried a collection with him (1 Cor.
xvi. 1-5, Acts xxiv. 17), and therefore it was not
probable he would go so much out of his way; and
when he was about to sail into Syria, and heard that
shares were laid for him (Acts xx. 3), it is not to be
supposed, that he would go into the mouth of them;
or that he would take up his time in preaching at
3741
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
Crete, when he was in haste to be at Jerusalem
(Acts xx. 16); or that he would winter at Nicapolis
(Tit. iii. 12), when winter was passed, and he de-
sired to be at Jerusalem before the passover. But
then it hath been observed, that perhaps the epistle
to Titus might be among the first Paul wrote, and
his voyage to Crete, one of the many events before
his going up to the council at Jerusalem, which in
the history of the Acts, Luke, not being in com-
pany with him when they occurred, hath entirely
passed over; and of which there are, notwithstand-
ing, some traces in St. Paul's epistles ; particularly,
2 Cor. xi. and Rom. xv. 19. Or if it be allowed,
that the epistle to Titus was written by Paul after
his first imprisonment, it will not follow from thence,
that the first epistle to Timothy must liave been
written at the same time. This is a brief account
of the arguments for bishop Pearson's lypothesis,
that this epistle was written about the year 65, with
their respective answers.
On the other hand, it is pleaded in favour of the
first-inentioned hypothesis, namely its being written
in the year 58,
1. That when Paul wrote his first cpistle to him,
Timothy was a young man (1 Čim. iv. 12, Let no
man despise thy youth); which is also referred to,
1 Cor. xvi. 10, il. Now supposing he were only
sixteen years old, when he was converted to Chris-
tianity, which was in the year 46, he would in the
year 58, be about twenty-eight years of age; but in
65, the time when bishop Pearson supposes the
cpistle was written, he would be thirty-five, and
past a youth, thirty being the age at which the
Levites were, according to the law, to enter upon
their office. And whereas it hath been objected to
this observation, that even in his second epistle,
which is supposed to be written some years after his
first, he is cautioned to flee youthful lusts; it may be
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
375
replicd, that though. lie were indeed at that time in
the meridian of lite, yct lie was not out of the reach
of such temptations, though the season of youth be
more peculiarly liable to them. Besides, the admo-
nition might be intended to suggest this thought,
that having outgrown youth, he ought to be so much
the more superior to them.
2. It is observed, that the state of things in the
church of Ephesus in 58, better suits the contents
of the first epistle, than it does in 65. For instance,
it appears from chap, i. 3, 4, 6, 7, and other pas-
sages, that those corruptions which the apostle
speaks of as greatly increased and risen to a con-
siderable height, when he met the elders of Ephesus
at Miletus, and when he wrote his second epistle,
were just beginning to creep into the church at
the time of his writing the first. To which it may
be added, that from the particular instructions
Paul, in his first epistle, gives Timothy about ordi-
nation, it seems as if the church of Ephesus, and
those in the neighbourhood, had few or no bishops
at the time it was written; from whence it appears
extremely probable, that the meeting between Paul
and the elders, or bishops of Ephesus, at Miletus,
must have been after the writing of this epistle.
Mr. Drury, on the other hand, hath pleaded, that
when Paul addressed the elders at Miletus, le
speaks of these things as future (Acts xx. 29), ,
which when he wrote his first epistle to Timothy,
were actually accomplished; such as the trouble
they met with from Judaizing teachers, &c., which
are the persons lie supposes we are to understand
by grievous or ravening wolves, in the forecited
passage of the Acts: and therefore the epistle must
be written after that interview. But to this it is
replied, that the ravening wolves, of which the apostle
there speaks, were heathen persecutors, and not
such seducers as should arise among themselves.
376
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
Some have further objected, that even in his epistle
to the Ephesians, the apostle does not speak of those
evils, as having risen to such a height in the
church, as he does in his first epistle to Timothy,
though the epistle to the Ephesians was undoubtedly
written after the interview at Miletus: therefore the
first epistle to Timothy must be written some length
of time after that interview. To this it may be
justly replied, that, without supposing the apostle
to intimate in his first epistle, that the evils referred
to had actually prevailed so far, it is certain, from
that part of Luke's history which precedes Acts xx.
that there was such a bigotted zeal for the Mosaic
law, among some professing Christians, as would
justify the cantion given to Timothy; especially,
considering, that a great many Jews were always
resident in Ephesus. And though, in the epistle to
the Ephesians, Puul says nothing of Judaizing
teachers (nor of the wolves and perverse men, who
should arise, against whom, it is certain, he had
before the date of it cautioned the elders at Miletus),
yet niany of the advices lie gives in that epistle, as
well as in this to Timothy, would be of great use in
preserving Christians from such dangers. But, ,
3. Tlie argument, on which the principal stress
hath been laid, in order to prove the date of this
epistle to be about the year 58, is taken from the
solemn prophetic declaration, which Paul made
when lie took his leave of the elders of Ephesus at
Miletus, that they would never see his face any more.
-Acts XX. 25. From whence it is inferred, that
he must have written his epistle to Timothy before
that interview; since in that, le not only expresses
a full expectation of returning, kit speaks of his
having just left Ephesus, when he set out upon liis
journey for Macedonia. The chief objection to this
seems to arise from 2 Tim iv. 20, where St. Paul
acquaints Timothy, that he had left Trophimus sick
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
377
at Miletum, plainly intimating that he liad lately
been visiting those parts; which, admitting that
epistle to have been written but a short time before
his death, will indeed prove, that he took another
journey into Asia after his first imprisonment: but
we cannot certainly infer from thence that he must
have been at Ephesus. Dr. Whitby and other
critics have observed, that the Miletum here men-
tioned was in Crete, and consequently not the same
with Miletus near Ephesus, where the apostle had
that interview with the elders so often referred to.
If it should appear to any most probable on the
whole, that St. Paul did take such a journey after
his first imprisonment, and make a visit to Ephesus;
in order to reconcile it with Acts xx. 25, he must
make this supposition, that most of the ministers or
elders of Ephesus and of the neighbouring parts,
were, by that time, either dead or removed. From
this detail of the arguments in favour of both these
lıypotheses, the reader may determine for himself,
wlich bids the fairest for truth.
Upon examining the contents of this epistle, it
appears, that it was principally intended, to direct
Timothy in managing the affairs of the church, while
he abode at Ephesus ; and particulary to instruct
him in choosing proper persons, to be set apart for
the ministry, and other offices in the church, as
well as in the exercise of a regular discipline.
Another part of the apostle's design, was to caution
this young evangelist against the influence of those
Judaising teachers, who, by their subtile distinctions
and endless controversies, had corrupted the purity
and simplicity of the gospel : to press upon him a
constant regard in all his preaching, to the interests
of practical religion, and to animate him to the
greatest diligence, fidelity and zeal in the discharge
of his office
In pursuance of this design, the apostle, after
VOL. 1.
30
378
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
having saluted his beloved pupil with his usual
affection, and reminded him of the reasons for
which he left him behind at Ephesus, takes occa-
sion, from the idle speculations and Jewish contro-
versies, that had been unhappily introduced into the
church, to assert the practical nature and tendency
of the Christian doctrine, and from thence to re-
monstrate against the absurdity of opposing the
gospel, out of a pretended zeal for the law: when in
reality, the great end of the law was much more
effectually answered by the gospel, as it not only
restrained men from the more open and notorious
acts of vice, against which the law was more imme-
diately levelled, but was calculated to raise its
votaries to the most sublime heights of virtue.--
Chap. i. 1-11. The apostle, having mentioned the
gospel, cannot forbear digressing, in the fulness of
his heart, to express the affectionate sense he had
of the divine goodness, in calling him, who had been
a persecutor, to the Christian faith and ministerial
office, and observes that this favour was extended
to him, though so unworthy, as an encouragement
to those that should believe in every future age.-
Ver. 12–17. He then goes on to recommend to
Timothy a conscientious care, in discharging the
duties of that sacred office he had committed to
him, and reminds him of the fatal miscarriage of
some, who had apostatized from the faith. In pur-
suance of this general exhortation, he directs that
prayer should be offered up for all men, and espe-
cially for princes and magistrates; as it was the
great design of Christianity, to promote the peace
and welfare of communities, and the happiness of
the whole human race. And as the prudent beha-
viour of all the members of the society, was of great
importance to the credit of religion, he advises the
women to maintain the strictest decency in their
dress, as well as modesty and reserve in their whole
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
379
deportment, walking as persons professing godli-
ness: and forbids their teaching in public as-
semblies, as inconsistent with that due subjection
to the other sex, which he enforces from the Scrip-
ture account of the fall.-Ver. 18 to the end, and
chap, ii. throughout. As one very important part of
Timothy's office was to ordain ministers and officers
in the church, the apostle proceeds to instruct him
in the qualifications necessary both for bishops and
deacons. A bishop or pastor he describes, as a
person of a blameless and exemplary character,
distinguished for his temperance, moderation and
clarity, the husband of one wife, prudent in the
management of his own family, not lately converted
to the Christian faith, but well-furnished with know-
ledge, and in good repute with his heathen neigh-
bours. His directions for the choice of deacons
are nearly the same, which he concludes with re-
presenting the advantages that would attend the
faithful discharge of that office.-Chap. iii. 1–13.
And that Timothy might be the more concerned to
follow his instructions, he speaks in very high
terms of the importance of the charge committed
to him, and the sublime and excellent nature of the
Christian dispensation. Yet he assures him the
Spirit had expressly foretold, that apostates should
arise in the church, who would corrupt the purity
and simplicity of the gospel, requiring abstinence
from marriage, and from various kinds of meats,
which God had left indifferent, and teaching othe
doctrines equally false and pernicious.--Ver. 14, to
the end, and chap. iv. 145. As many of the pre-
cepts he had given him were of universal concern,
he exhorts him to inculcate them upon the society
committed to his care, leaving those idle tales, of
which the Jewish rabbies were so fond, and confining
his discourses to the yreat truths of practical reli-
gion: these he observes were the foundation of all
380
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
their hopes as Christians, and the advancement of
these was the great end of all his labours and suf-
ferings. And to render his ministry among them
successful, he recommends it to him, to maintain
such a purity and sanctity of manners, as might
not only secure him from that contempt, to which
his youth would otherwise expose him, but lender
him a worthy example to the flock. With the same
view, he exhorts him to use the utmost diligence in
exercising and improving the gifts, with which Gon
had honoured him, for the edification of the church
and the salvation of souls.--Ver. 6, to the end. The
apostle then proceeds to lay down some directions,
for Timothy's conduct towards persons in different
circumstances of life, advising him to suit his man-
ner of address to their respective ages and standing
in the church. This leads him to give some rules
in relation to those widows, who were entrusted by
the society with some peculiar office, and main-
tained in the discharge of it out of the public stock.
None were to be admitted into this number, but
those who, being advanced in life, were destitute of
any other support, and had maintained an exem-
plary character for piety, charity, and every good
work: for he observes, the many irregularities into
which persons in younger life were often betrayed,
was a sufficient reason for excluding them from such
a trust.-Chap. v. 1--16. St. Paul further directs,
that a peculiar honour should be paid to faithful
ministers, and no accusation received against them,
but on the credit of two or three witnesses. And
as a due care in the exercise of Christian discipline,
was of so much importance to the credit of religion.
he gives him a most solemn charge to observe the
strictest impartiality in the execution of this diffi-
cult part of his office. On the same principles, he
admonishes him not to engage too hastily in setting
apart any to the ministry, lest he should make
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
381
cenary views.
liimself partaker of their guilt; and from the variety
of men's characters, intimates the necessity of pru-
dence and caution in his manner of treating them.
To all which he adds some advices, relating to the
behaviour of servants towards their masters, whether
they were heathens or Christians.Ver. 17, to the
end, and chap. vi. 1, 2. The apostle, having finished
his instructions to Timothy in relation to the pas-
toral office, exhorts him to avoid those false teach-
ers, who, instead of insisting upon the great truths
of practical religion, amused their hearers with
trifling controversies, which only served to raise a
spirit of envy and contention in the church, while
at the same time, under a pretended zeal for the
truth, they were really carrying on their own mer-
This leads him to caution Timothy
against all approaches towards a covetous temper,
which he represents as the root of all evil, and to
press upon him a constant and growing regard to
vital practical godliness, as of the utmost conse-
quence to his own and his people's happiness.-
Chap. vi. 3—12. To give yet greater force to his ad-
monitions, the apostle concludes with a most solemn
charge to Timothy, as in the presence of God and
Christ, to maintain the purity of the Christian faith,
as he had received it from him, that it might be
preserved uncorrupt till the glorious appearance of
Christ at the great day. After which, he inserts,
by way of postscript, an exhortation to the rich,
not to be puffed up with their wealth, but to employ
it in acts of charity and beneficence, that they might
secure to themselves eternal life: and closes all
with renewing his earnest request to Timothy, to
keep that gospel lie had entrusted him with, and
carefully to avoid those empty speculations and
vain sophistries, by which some had been ensnared.
Ver. 13, to the end of the epistle.
382
THE GOSPEL NOT OPPOSED TO) THE LAW.
SECTION 1.
The apostle Paul, after having saluted Timothy with much affection, and mentioned
the reasons of his leaving him at Ephesus, remonstrules aguinst the absurdity of
opposing the gospel, out of pretendeil seal for the law of God. 1 Tim. i. 1-11.
1 Tim. 1. 1. Paul, an aposile of Jesus Christ by the com-
mandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus
2. Christ, which is our hope ;-Unto Timothy, my
own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
I 'Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, ac-
cording to the gracious appointment and command
of God our Saviour, and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
[who is] the foundation of all our hope of true hap-
piness in this world and the next, send this epistle
ato Timothy, [my] genuine son in the faith, in whom
I see those unfeigned graces of true piety, which
God hath wrought in his heart by my means, and
which I have myself by his grace experienced in
mine own. May grace, mercy, [and] peace ever be
upon thee, from God, our Almighty and ever
gracious Fathcr, and from Christ Jesus our Lord,
through whom he communicates these blessings to
sinful men.
1 Tim. 1. 3. -As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus,
when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest
charge some that they teach no other doctrine,-
4. Neither give heed to fables and endless gene-
alogies, which minister questions, rather than godly
5. edifying which is in faith ; so do.—Now the end
of the commandment is charity out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith un-
6. feigned :-From which some having swerved have
7. turned aside unto vain jangling ;-Desiring to be
teachers of the law; understanding neither what
they say, nor whereof they affirm.
As I entreated thee to continue at Ephesus, when
I went into Macedonia (Acts xx. 1), that thou
mightest change some, who seemed inclinabie to
3
THE GOSPEL NOT OPPOSED TO THE LAW. 383
introduce their own corrupt notions into the church,
that they should not teach other doctrine, contrary to
the certain truth I had delivered to them, (so] I
hope thou wilt still be mindful of the exhortations
I gave thee, and [act] strenuously upon them. In
pursuance of these views, I depend upon it, that
thou wilt caution [and admonish them] not to regard
Jewish fables, and endless genealogies, which, in-
tricate as the investigation of them is, the Judaiz-
ing teachers are so fond to trace, as thinking so
many privileges to depend upon them, which indeed
afford matter of troublesome and angry debates
rather than godly edification in the faith of Christ,
or in any of the duties of a holy life. But let it
always be remembered and considered, that the
great end of the gospel declaration, is to promote in
the mind, a temper directly opposite to this, even
a principle of love, and all the genuine expressions
of it that can proceed from a pure heart and a good
conscience, supported and animated by an undis-
sembled faith in the great doctrines it reveals. But
these are noble and generous things, from which,
some having greatly wandered, have turned aside to
vain and empty discourse and harangue, which could
have no tendency to edification, but only express
their own pride and folly, and feed that of others.
Desiring to be teachers of the law, and assuming as
magisterial airs as any of its professed doctors can
do, and yet in the mean time, neither understanding
what they say, nor concerning what they so confi-
dently affirm, while they vent these precarious
fancies of their own, as if they were indubitable
and self-evident truths, the first principles of all
science, human or divine.
1 Tim. 1. 8. —But we know that the law is good, if a man
9. use it lawfully :--Knowing this, that the law is
not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless
and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners,
391
THE GOSPEL NOT OPPOSED TO THE LAW.
1. Tim. 1. I. for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers
10. and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,-For
whoremongers, for them that defile themselves
with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for per-
jured persons, and if there be any other thing
11. that is contrary to sound doctrine ;--According
to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which
was committed to my trust.
8 But while I say this, I am very far from having
the least design to reflect upon the law of Moses,
or upon the precepts of God's natural law: for we
well know, that the law [is] good and excellent,
reasonable in its constitution, and most profitable
in its tendency, if a man use it lawfully, and ac-
cording to its original intention. As 'knowing this,
that a law, established, as we know that in question
to be, with penal sanction, is not made in a direct
and immediate reference to a righteous man, who will
indeed be a law to himself, but in order to restrain
the irregularities and enormities of the lawless and
ungovernable, and to preserve society from their
assaults. Of these it speaks, to these it directs its
menacing voice, even to the impious and (profligate]
sinners, to the unholy and profane, who disregard the
rights both of God and man, to murderers of fathers
and of mothers, or other assassins, to 'fornicators
and Sodomites, to those who steal men, that they may
sell them for slaves. It addresses to liars and
perjured persons, and, in a word, is intended to
guard against whatever is contrary to wholesome
doctrine and good morality, that it may restrain
and control the authors of mischief, and mark
them out, as the objects of universal abhorrence
and just punishment. And these things are con-
demned by every divine revelation, and by that
which we teach in the strongest terms, "according
to the known tenour of the glorious gospel of the
blessed God, with which I was entrusted. This
guards against the smallest deviation from the
THE GOSPEL NOT OPPOSED TO THE LAW. 385
strictest rule of rectitude, and the secret abomina-
tions of the heart, as well as the grosser scandals
of the life : so that, for any, out of pretended zeal
for such a law, to oppose the gospel, “must certainly
argue the greatest ignorance, or the greatest malice
and hypocrisy that can be conceived.
IMPROVEMENT.
Christ is indeed our hope,' or we have nothing
which can deserve to be called hope. For in us he
is the hope of glory. On him therefore let us build,
to him let us with the most joyful consent commit
our souls, and dismissing all vain questionings and
endless unprofitable controversies, ever attend to
godly edifying,' 6 and bear in our memories and in
our hearts the great end of the commandment. And
may the great God of love work that love in our
hearts, which is so justly represented in that view;
love, proceeding from a good conscience and from
faith unfeigned.
We rejoice in the gospel, and let us reverence
the law, and endeavour to use it lawfully and
properly.S. Let it regulate our lives : let it awaken
our consciences, and lead us to look for a better
righteousness than this alone can afford. Blessed
be God, that it is providentially made the means of
restraining many, who act on motives merely legal,
from much wickedness, which they might other-
wise commit.9 10 But let the glorious gospel of the
blessed God, entrusted to the apostle, be the great
on which our souls build. It is glorious
indeed;" may the great author of it ever be blessed,
and the great end of it answered in our hearts, not
only in preserving us free from those gross enor-
mities, of which the apostle has given so black a
catalogue, and against which the law was more
immediately directed, but in forming is to a stricter
VOL. V.
3D
386 PAUL CELEBRATES THE DIVINE GOODNESS
obedience, a subliner purity, and more exalted
hope, than any other dispensation, which God him-
self has given, could inspire.
SECTION II.
The apostle makes a digression to express in lively terms, the affectimate sense he had
of the divine goodness, in calling him, though most undeserving chat favour, to the
Christiun faith and ministerial office. 1 Tim. i. 12-17,
1 Tim. 1. 12. AND I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath
enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, put-
13. ting me into the ministry ;-Who was before a
blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but
I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly
14. in unbelief.–And the grace of our Lord was ex-
ceeding abundant with faith and love which is in
Christ Jesus.
I have just been mentioning the glorious gospel
of the blessed God, as committed to my trust, "and
as I always recollect that favour with pleasure, so
I would now in a particular manner, return my
thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath strength-
ened me for the arduous duties of such a calling,
that he accounted me faithful, and reposed so great a
confidence in me, putting me into the sacred office of
the ministry ; 13who was before a most impious blas-
phemer of his holy name, and a cruel persecutor of
his people, and an injurious oppressor of them, in
contempt of all rights, human and divine. But I
obtained that mercy, which probably would never
otherwise have been extended to me, because,
though I acted in a very rash, savage, and criminal
manner, yet I did not therein contradict the senti-
ments of my conscience, but did [it] ignorantly in
unbelief; whereas if I had knowingly opposed what
I apprehended to be truth, out of regard to secular
interest, I should doubtless have been left to perish
under a judicial blindness of mind and hardness of
heart. iBut the grace of our blessed Lord super-
WN CALLING HIM TO THE MINISTRY.
387
abounded towards me, being attended with the exer-
cise of faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus, and
which, by the influence of his spirit and grace, was
implanted in my heart, thereby giving life and joy
to my profession.
1 Tim. 1. 15. —This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all ac-
ceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world
16. to save sinners; of whom I am chief.-Howbeit
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in die first
Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering,
for a pattern to them which should hereafter be-
17. lieve on him to life everlasting.--Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise
God be honour and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
I cannot therefore but mention 15this, as what
[is] a most faithful, infallible saying, and worthy of
all acceptance, of being universally received and
admitted by every one who hears it, and of being
welcomed to the heart, as well as gaining the assent
of the understanding, that Christ Jesus, the eternal
Son of God, though originally possessed of divine
glory with the Father, came with infinite conde-
scension into the world in which we dwell, that he
might save from final condemnation and ruin miser-
able sinners ; of whom, it becomes me ever with all
humility to confess, that I am chief. For surely
there never was, nor ever will be a display of richer
and more sovereign grace, than that which re-
covered and transformed me. 16 But it was in a
great measure for this cause, that I obtained the
mercy of which I was so unworthy, that in me as the
chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might display, and, as
it were, exhibit to the view of the whole world, an
example of all long-suffering, as a pattern for the
encouragement of those who should afterwards believe
on him, even to the remotest ages of time, in order
to the obtaining eternal life. And "now when I
consider it in this view, I cannot forbear bursting
388 PAUL CELEBRATES THE DIVINE GOODNESS
3
out into a song of praise, and saying, to the supreme
King of universal nature, who reigns through all the
unknown extent of boundless ages, and unmeasur-
able space, who is possessed of eternal glory and
immortal life, though invisible to mortal eyes; even
to the only wise, living and true Gov) [be] honour
and glory for cver and ever, for this and every other
display of a wisdom unsearchable, and a goodness
inexhaustible! Amen. .
IMPROVEMENT.
Who can wonder, that a person of Paul's ex-
perience and piety, should thus, on the mention of
the gospel, digress to indulge liis reflections on that
singular and astonishing interposition of divine
grace, by which he had been brought to embrace
it, and honoured with the charge of it! Who can
wonder, that such blasphemies, and such outrages as
he had uttered and committed, such a zeal for per-
secution as he had exerted,l: should leave a deep
impression on liis heart, and engage liim, notwith-
standing all his care in the externals of the law,
and blameless as he was touching all its righteousness,
to call himself the first, the chief of sinners, and to
celebrate that as superabundant grace, which had
been extended to him ?14
Well was he, who had received it, thereby fitted
to proclaim it to all the world. Let us gladly re-
ceive it, from the pen of this once malignant and
blasphemous persecutor, but now holy and happy
apostle, as a most certain truth, and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ Jesus, the Son of God), hath,
in unutterable and inconceivable compassion, come
into this world of ours to save sinners, even the chief
of them.“ Let us thankfully accept this abridg-
ment of the whole gospel, and apply to the Saviour
thus triumphant in mercy, with whatever aggra-
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER. 389
Let us
vated guilt our consciences may charge us.
also remember, that Paul obtained mercy not on his
own account alone, but that the compassions ex-
tended to him, might be considered, as an example,
of what this gracious Redeemer is ready to extend
to all them, who like him shall believe. 16
Let us
pause upon it, till our hearts glow within us in all
thankful acknowledgment of his mercy, and then
let our lips burst forth in praise to the King eternal,
immortal, and invisible, to the only wise GOD," who
hath found out such an admirable way, at once to
glorify his justice and his grace, in pardoning and
accepting the chief of sinners in his Son. May our
hearts be more and more disposed to celebrate his
power, wisdom, and goodness, and to begin those
songs of praise upon earth, which we hope will be
our everlasting employment in heaven.
SECTION III.
T'he apostle, after recommending to Timothy, a conscientious care in the whole of
his behaviour, gives and enforces several directions relating to prayer, and w the
conduct of women professing godliness. 1 Tim. i. 18, to the end, and chap. ii.
throughout.
1 Tim. 1. 18. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy,
according to the prophecies which went before on
thee, that thou by them mightest war a good war-
19. fare:-Holding faith, and a good conscience:
which some having put away concerning faith
20. have made shipwreck :-Of whom is Hymenæus
and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto
Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
19 This charge, which I am now going to give, I
solemnly commit unto thee my son Timothy, as a
matter of the highest importance to thy usefulness,
and success in the ministerial office. As indeed
there is nothing which I more earnestly desire, than
that thou mayest, according to former prophecies con-
390
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
cerning thee, with which holy men of God, who
knew thee in younger life, were inspired, (being
animated by a cheerful and believing remembrance
of them), maintain with a holy alacrity and resolu-
tion a good warfare, even that noble and glorious
struggle in which thou art engaged, under thy
Christian, and especially thy ministerial character,
against those enemies, that oppose the gospel and
the salvation of men. Go on therefore, resolutely
retaining the great principles of the Christian faitħ,
and with it the exercise of a good conscience : which
last some having thrust away, and obstinately op-
posed its just dictates and remonstrances, concern-
ing faith have made shipwreck upon the rocks of sur-
rounding temptations, and so have lost all that
precious treasure, by which it had been wisely
guarded and improved, they might have been for
ever rich and happy. 200f which (number) among
other, is Hymenæus and Alexander, with whom
thou, Timothy, art not unacquainted; and who
once professed a great regard to the gospel ; but
they are now turned apostates, and have behaved
in so outrageous a manner, that I have, according
to that extraordinary apostolic power, with which
God hath invested me for such purposes, solemnly
delivered them both over unto Satan, that they may
learn, by what they now suffer in their afflicted
and diseased bodies, not to blaspheme the truths of
Christ, or to revile his faithful servants, in such
profane and wicked language, as they have some-
times used, when speaking of them.
1 Tim. 2. 1. -I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplica.
tions, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,
2. be made for all men ;--- For kings, and for all that
are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
3. peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.--For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God
4. our Saviour ;---Who will have all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
391
| Tim. 1. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between
6. God and men, the man Christ Jesus;-Who gave
himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due
time.
But I will proceed in the charge which I pro-
posed to address to thee, that by a diligent and vigor-
ous performance of thy duty, thou mayest be secure
from falling into that miserable state, in which thou
scest others, who once seemed to set out well. I
exhort thee therefore first, as it is a duty of great
importance in itself
, and highly subservient to thy
success in every other branch of this office, that
earnest supplications, repeated prayers, affectionate
intercessions, [and] cheerful thanksgivings be made by
thee, and those whose devotions may in any degree
fall under thy direction, for all men, for the whole
human race, whether Jew or Gentile, Christian or
pagan, friends or enemies: and particularly {for
kings, and all who are in any exalted stations of life;
that their hearts may be so influenced, as at least to
tolerate the gospel, that we, who are by the principles
of our religion taught to abhor every thing which
would be injurious to them, may not be injured by
them, but may be permitted to pass a peaceful and
quiet life, while we are desirous to conduct our-
selves, not only without offence, but in a useful
and exemplary manner, in all piety and gravity, at-
tentive to the several duties which we owe both to
God and our fellow-creatures. For this [is] good
and acceptable in the sight of our Saviour God, who
is the great guardian of the rights of society, and
never meant to encourage his ministers, or people,
to violate or disturb it, out of any pretences of a
religious nature.
4 Who indeed wills that all men
should be saved, and come to the acknowledgment of the
truth of his gospel, which they will be most likely
to do, if they see the professors of it behaving in
the manner I now recommend, and avoiding all
392
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
occasions either of public or private offence.
Let
us therefore accustom ourselves to take
proper
views both of God and of mankind, for it is the
grand fundamental principle of our religion, that
(there is one God, the Creator of all, the gracious
Father of all his creatures, who is no respecter of
persons, and one Mediator between God and men,
even the man Christ Jesus, who hath not undertaken
to plead for this or that nation or party of men
alone, but whose kind offices in the court of heaven,
where he now dwells, extend in some degree to the
whole human race, and who refuses not the bles-
sings he has procured to any, that with sincerity
and humility cast themselves upon him. Let us
make his extensive grace familiar to our mind, and
live and act as those, who remember our relation
to that Saviour, "who gave himself a ransom for all,
so that no nation, no rank, no condition of men
are excluded from the benefit of his death; to be
attested in due time to the most distant regions of the
world, that they may be called to put in their
claim for that pardon and salvation, which he hath
purchased by his blood, for all those who should
believe in him.
1 Tim. 2. 7. - Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an
apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)
8. a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity:-I
will therefore that men pray every where, lifting
up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
This is the declaration of that glorious gospel,
"of which I was appointed an herald, to proclaim the
grace of it all abroad, and was sent forth as an
apostle, to attest that great and essential doctrine
of it, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (I
speak the truth in Christ, as thou, Timothy, well
knowest. I lie not in pretending to such an extra-
ordinary mission), and I was not only in general
ordained to this ministry, but by peculiar destina-
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
393
tion was appointed to be a teacher of the Gentiles in
this holy faith, and in the whole system of truth
which it comprehends. "I therefore give it in
charge to them, and to thee, with that authority,
which it becomes one who is so expressly called to
this high office; and I will in particular, that, as
prayer is so important a duty, men pray in every
place, that over all the world, and not only in the
temple, or synagogues of the Jews, it be performed;
in public assemblies, in families, and in secret re-
tirements. And let them not only be taught in
the general to perform it, but instructed as to the
particular manner of doing it, that they may still
be holding up holy hands, undefiled with any pollu-
tion of cruelty, sensuality, or unrighteous gain.
Let it also be performed without wrath, with the
most placid and composed mind, the most mild
and benevolent affection, and without doubting too,
with a lively faith in the power and wisdom, the
goodness and faithfulness of God, and a cheerful
dependence on all tlrose gracious promises, by
uliiclı he encourages our addresses.
| Tim. 2. 9.-In like manner also, that women adorn them-
selves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and
sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or
10. pearls, or costly array ;-But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works.
'In like manner [I would charge] the women also,
who are to be considered as comprehended in the
former precepts, that they be particularly careful,
to adorn themselves only with decent apparel, with
modesty and sobriety, neither exceeding in the article
of unnecessary and inconvenient expense, nor in
the least degree intrenching on the strictest de-
corum. I have many reasons, both relating to
themselves and others, to wish tliat they may not
place their ornament so much in plaiteil hair, or
gold, or pearls, or rich and costly garments ; 'but in
VOL. V.
3 E
39-1
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
what is itself infinitely more valuable, and much
better becomes women professing godliness, and the
gospel of Christ as the great rule of it, in good
works; which will render them amiable in the eyes
of God himself, and of all wise and virtuous per-
sons with whom they converse.
1 Tim. 2. 11.---Let the women learn in silence with all subjec-
12. tion.-But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13, 14. -For Adam was first formed, then Eve.-And
Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
5. deceived was in the transgression.-Notwith-
standing she shall be saved in childbearing, if
they continue in faith and charity and holiness
with sobriety.
They will no doubt be diligent in frequenting the
public worship of God in your assemblies. And
'let the women there learn in silence, with all be-
coming submission to those who associate, and with
the regard due to such a congregation. But I
permit not a woman to teach publicly, nor to usurp
authority over the man, which she might seem to do,
by officiating under the character of a preacher.
But on the contrary, I charge her to be in silence at
such a time. And indeed this is agreeable to what
was intimated at the beginning of the world, and
which passed in the earliest scenes of it. For
Adam was formed the first of the human species,
from the dust of the earth, being, under God, its
acknowledged lord and proprietor, and then, no
suitable companion being found for him, among all
the creatures which came to pay him their homage,
Eve was produced, from a rib taken out of his side,
and presented as one, whom God intended for a
partner and helper to him.-Gen. ii. 18—22.
14 And it is further to be recollected, that, at the
fatal entrance of sin into the world, Adam was not
immediately deceived by the fraud of the serpent,
but that artful seducer chose to begin his attack on
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
395
the woman, who being deceived by him, was first in
the transgression, and prevailed upon Adam by
her solicitations to offend. Now it should be an
humbling consideration to all her daughters, that
their sex was so greatly interested in the introduction
of guilt and misery, and make them less forward in
attempting to be guides to others, after such a mis-
carriage. 15 Yet let them not be despised or up-
braided on this account, considering on the other
side, that she was also happily instrumental in pro-
ducing the great promised seed (Gen. iii. 15), who
was derived from a woman, without any human
father; and so they shall be saved, as I may say,
by childbirth, if there be a suitable readiness, not
only to profess, but to obey the gospel ; and if they
continue constant in the exercise of faith, and lore,
and holiness, with that sobriety of temper and con-
duct, which I have now been recommending, and
which both religion and prudence concur to recom-
mend to all, and to that sex in particular.
IMPROVEMENT.
May every Christian learn by these apostolical
dictates, to retain faith and a good conscience, and
be very solicitous that no exactness in the former
be thought sufficient to compensate for a defect in
the latter. Soon will that faith itself suffer ship-
wreck, where a good conscience sits not at the helm ;
or rather soon will it serve only as a talent of gold,
to a man sinking in the sea, to plunge him so much
the deeper. It will be a part of the character of
one, who desires to preserve a good conscience, to
maintain a benevolence of heart towards the whole
human race, and to breathe out that benevolence
in prayer, which at the same time expresses and
increases it. And while all men have a share in it,
kings and princcs," in whose beliaviour and temper
396
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER.
the happiness of so many thousands are concerned,
have a peculiar claim to our devout remembrance.
Above all, let us pray for our own, that they may
continue, as blessed be God, his present majesty
[George the Second] hath long been, and we have
reason to hope liis successors will be the ministers
of God for good. May our life, under such a
government, be in one sense as well as another,
quiet and peaceable, and may it be conducted in all
godliness and honesty. Thus shall we do our part
to subserve that gracious will of God, to effect
which he hath done all that it was proper for him
to do, that all men may be saved, as our walking in
the truth may bring many to the knowledge of it.'
May that knowledge prevail more and more in the
world, that the one God may be universally adored,
through the one Mediator between Gov ani men, the
man Jesus Christ, in whom Deity dwells, and
whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, we
worship, as exalted above all adoration and praise.
This only begotten Son of God became a mani,
that he miglit give himself a ransom for us, a ransom
for all who should believe in him. Blessed be
Gon, that we liave received this important testi-
mony, received it from Paul the apostle, received
it from that faithful herald of such astonishing
grace, who was divinely appointed to be a teacher
of the Gentiles, and who to this day is teaching us
by his writings, and in every section of them giving
us lessons of infinite importance.
May we learn, from what he teaches here, not
only the object to whom our prayers are to be di-
rected, and the persons for whom they are to be
offered, but likewise the tempcr from which they
are to proceed. May our hands be holy, and our
liearts overflowivg with love, and firmly established
in faith feigniedl, resting on the promises we
plcal, ad rejoicing in an assured lope, that this
QUALIFICATIONS OF MINISTERS AND DEACONS. 397
15
eternal Jehoval, who so long since styled himself
the hearer of prayer (Psa. Ixv. 2), will not now say
to any humble and upright souls, Seeh ye me in vain.
In all our conduct, let us remember we are in his
presence, and let a concern to please liim, and to
adorn our profession, run through every action of
our lives.
Let it direct our expenses and our
dress. Let it engage us to maintain a constant
decorum in every circumstance, sacred or civil : to
be in due subjection to our superiors, and to con-
tinue in faith and love, in holiness and sobriety
Let the sex, to whom the concluding instructions
of this section are particularly addressed, while the
are humbled in the remembrance of that original
offence, in which Eve,12 our first mother, so un-
happily led the way, rejoice in the great victory of
the seed of the woman over the serpent. And let
the other sex, on which this was bestowed as a gift
of so great value, that God judged it necessary to
complete the felicity of Paradise in its untainted
bloom, never manifest the odious effects of the fall,
by ingenerously upbraiding the daughters for the
mother's fault, at the distance of so many genera-
tions; but rather rejoice, that, as by woman came
transgression, so by her came redemption too."
And let us all join in improving so invaluable at
favour, and endeavour to express our gratitude for
it, by acting aright, according to the several rela-
tions which we sustain in life.
SEC710x IV.
The apostle instructs Timothy in the qualifications to be attended tv, in those who
ure to lie setapurl to the office of a pastor, und deacon in the church. 1. Tim. u.
1-13
1 Tim. 3. 1. Trus is a true saying, If a man desire the office
2 of a bishop, he desireth a good work.- A bishop
then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
398 QUALIFICATIONS OF MINISTERS
1 Tim. 3. 2. vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hos-
3. pitality, apt to teach ;-Not given to wine, no
striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient,
4. not a brawler, not covetous ;-One that ruleth
well his own house, having his children in sub-
5. jection with all gravity :-(For if a man know not
how to rule his own house, how shall he take
6. care of the church of God ?)--Not a novice, lest
being lifted up with pride he fall into the con-
7. demnation of the devil. Moreover he must have
a good report of them which are without; lest he
fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
'[It is] a faithful saying, most certain in itself,
and worthy of being always acknowledged and at-
tended to, that, if any one earnestly desireth the
episcopal or pastoral office, he desireth a good work.
To feed the church of Christ, and to take the over-
sight of it, is indeed a very laborious employment;
but it is also very honourable, and greatly tends to
advance the glory of God, and to promote the good
of mankind, if it be discharged in a proper manner.
? A bishop therefore, or an overseer of the flock of
Christ, must be blameless in every respect, with
regard to his moral character, since any thing which
may be amiss in him will tend to bring a reproach
upon his office, and greatly to obstruct his useful-
It is particularly requisite, that if he be a
married man, he shall be the husband of only one
wife; for if he have more than one at a time, or
have divorced a former without sufficient excuse,
and taken another during her life, it is an irregu-
larity, by no means to be countenanced in a person,
from whom it is natural to expect such exemplary
purity of manners. It is also necessary that he be
watchful, and not one of a slothful and indolent
temper, who would sleep over so high and sacred
il charge; that he be prudent and steady in his be-
haviour, regular and lecent, guarding against those
little indecorums, which expose men to contempt,
even where there is nothing grossly vicious in their
2
ness.
AND OF DEACONS.
399
conduct. And it is particularly desirable, that lic
be given to hospitality ; as Christians, who travel
from one place to another, will naturally go to the
minister's house, if they are strangers in the place,
and expect, on account of their common profession,
to be received there. He must also be a person of
such natural abilities, and so instructed in the doc-
trines of Christianity, as that he should be fit to
teach publicly, as well as to preside in other re-
spects. Not one that sitteth long over wine, or any
other kind of strong liquor, or that has so little
government of himself, as to be ready to strike those
that displease him. He must not be attached to
any method of sordid and dishonourable gain, but
must be moderate in all his desires and passions,
not given to contention, not a lover of money, so as
to take a pleasure in hoarding it up, even if it be
justly and properly his own. It is also evidently
desirable, that he should be one, who presides well
over his own house, having his children, if he be a father,
in subjection with all gravity, that their follies may
not bring a reproach upon the family, and by con-
sequence in some measure upon himself; for if
any man cannot preside over his own house, in such
a manner as to preserve a due decorum in the
family, where he has such a natural authority, how
shall he be able to take care of the church of God,
where there will be such a diversity of persons and
tempers, over whicli it will be impossible for him
to maintain an equal inspection and influence ? A
bishop also should ønot be one newly converted to
Christianity, lest, not having had a sufficient ac-
quaintance with its principles, nor establishment in
the duties it teaches, he should be lifted up with
pride, in consequence of his distinguished character,
and arrogate to himself an authority and dominion,
which God never intended for him. [And] should
this be the case, he might easily fall into the con-
400
QUALIFICATIONS OF MINISTERS
dcmnation of the devil, who was intoxicated with
self-conceit, and so l'ose up into mad rebellion
against God, that he might obtain that greater ex-
altation, to which he imagined his own excellency
gave him a claim. 'It is necessary also, in order
to a pastor's filling up this important office, with a
becoming dignity, that he have a good report of those
that are without, lest he should otherwise fall into
reproach, and in consequence of that be taken in
the snare of the devil, who will easily know how to
graft temptations upon that circumstance, to draw
him aside, one way or another, from that strictness
and correctness of behaviour, which suits his distin-
guished station.
1 Tim. 3. 8.--Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of
9. filthy lucre ;-Holding the mystery of the faith in
10. a pure conscience.--And let these also first be
proved; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless.
This may suffice concerning the principal order
of ministers in the church of Christ, bishops,
pastors, or elders. In like manner, [let] me now
say something relating to the other order, I mean
that of deacons, who are more immediately ap-
pointed to serve tables, and especially to take care
of the poor.---Acts vi. 2.. Concerning these I
would observe, that it is of importance, that they
likewise [be] grave in their deportment, that they
may avoid that contempt, which the excesses of
levity are ready to produce. They should not by
any means be double-tongued, deceitful, or incon-
stant in their words, as they may chance to come
into different companies ; nor addicted to much wine,
which will render them utterly unfit for their office;
nor greedy of dishonourable gain, which may tempt
them to violate their engagements to the church,
and appropriate its stock lodged in their hands to
AND OF DEACONS.
401
private uses, rather than those charitable purposes
for which it was collected. In one word, let them
be persons
well instructed in the doctrines of
Christianity, and "retaining the sublime and long
concealed mystery of our holy faith, not merely as
a point of speculation but practice; and let it ever
be held in a pure and undefiled conscience, and those
only chosen into this office, who seem conscien-
tious men, in the judgment of charity. "And let
even these be first proved and tried for a while, and
then, if they be upon trial found to be blameless, let
them use the office of a deacon.
1 Tim. 3. 11. -Even so must their wives be grave, not slan-
derers, sober, faithful in all things.
"In like manner [let] the wives of the deacons,
and therefore much more of the bishops, [be] grave
and sober in their deportment, not according to
the example of the great enemy, that malignant
spirit, who has his very name from thence, falsc
accusers of the brethren and others. Let them also
be watchful for occasions of doing good, and guaril
against every temptation to evil, and let them be
faithful in all things which are committed to their
care, lest their imprudent and unfaithful conduct
should bring the character of their husbands under
suspicion.
1 Tim. 3. 12. _Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own houses well.
13. —For they that have used the office of a deacon
well purchase to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
12 Let the deacons, as well as the bishops, be the
husbands of only one wife, and let them be men of
prudence and resolution, governing their children
and other members of their own houses well; that
no irregularity at home may disgrace the society
they belong to. It is necessary to be thus cautious,
VOL. V.
3 F
402
QUALIFICATIONS OF MINISTERS
though their ministry be but of an inferior rank,
13 for they who have discharged the office of a deacon
well, procure to themselves, not only a fair report in
the general, but very often a good degree of further
advancement in a higher office; and they lay a
foundation for great boldness in professing the faith
which [is] in Christ Jesus. Their acquaintance with
the affairs of the church will render them more
capable of defending it, than many others can.
And the honourable testimony borne to their
character, by advancing them to this trust and
continuing them in it, will also embolden them to
plead more freely, and engage the more respectful
attention.
IMPROVEMENT
The teachers of others, and those who preside in
the highest offices which Christ has founded in his
church, may learn from this passage their duty as
well as their dignity and honour. Let them re-
member, the work they have desired and engaged
in is a good work. Let them think and speak, not
arrogantly and tyrannically, but respectfully and
solemnly of their office, and let them cultivate all
those excellent qualities, which may fit them to
discharge it ariglit; sobriety and vigilance, gravity
and hospitality, the strictest temperance, the most
diffusive benevolence.23 Let them rise far above
those low views, which are to worldly-minded
ministers the occasion of so many scandalous con-
tentions, which so often establish a separate interest,
and produce a secret and mutual aversion between
them and their people.
Let the churches of Christ attend to this charge,
to direct them in the choice of their pastors; aud
let ministers of standing and reputation, under
whose guidance the matter may in part fall, he
AND OF DEACONS.
103
very careful that they do not encourage any to
undertake the work, who are deficient in these
things: things of such importance, that it is certain
no genius and learning can make up for the want
of them. If deacons, in their inferior station, are
to be free from such stains, and to be remarkable
for such virtucs, 12 13 as are here described, how
much more should the pastors themselves be so, to
whom the inspection of the deacons is also com-
mitted ?
Let the ministers of Christ therefore study to
excel in them more and more.
And let such as
are but lately entered on their work, though not
novices in the language of the apostles, yet he on
their guard, lest they be lifted up with pride, and
so fall into the condemnation of the devil. But
from this lurking and insinuating evil who is se-
cure! Let all ministers learn to draw an occasion
of exercising humility, from what might in another
view seem a temptation to vanity, a survey of the
dignity and excellency of their office. For how
justly may this humble them, when they reflect on
the many imperfections which attend their dis-
charge of it!
To conclude, let all, who are in any degree dis-
tinguished in the church, be excited to a care of
presiding in a proper manner over their own fami-
lies :5 15 and since it is evident that the apostolic
rule allows of marriage, and supposes that, by
whatever doctrine of devils it might be forbidden, it
would generally be practised by the ministers of
Christ, let them however take care to make choice
companions in conjugal life, who may adorn and
bless the houses to which they belong, and lessen
rather than increase the difficulties inseparable from
their own station and office.
of
404
APOSTACY FORETOLD.
SECTION V.
Though he hoped quickly to have an interview with Timothy, the apostle recommends
the care of the church to him; in which view he raises his idea of the charge he
receired, and represents the difficullies attenuling the faithful erecution of it, in
consequence of those pernicious doctrines, which false teachers would endeavour lo
introduce. 1 Tim. iii, 141, to the end, and chap. iv. 1-5.
1 Tim. 3. 14. THESE things write I unto thee, hoping to come
15. unto thee shortly :-But if I tarry long, that thou
mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy-
self in the house of God, which is the church of
the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16. ~ And without controversy great is the mystery
of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached
unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, re-
ceived up into glory.
*These things, which thou hast now been read-
ing, concerning the character of persons, who are
to be entrusted with the office of bishops and dea-
cons, I write to thee, hoping to come to thec shortly.
"But if I delay, I give thee these instructions, that
thou mayest know how it becomes thee to converse in
the house of God, in which thou hast the honour to
bear so high an office; even in that house, which is
the church of the living God. But I will not incul-
cate the matter further, contenting myself with
reminding thee, that the very pillar and ground of
the whole system of gospel truth, upon which the
support of the entire edifice depends, and which
is confessedly great, beyond all controversy and con-
tradiction, is the mystery of godliness, that wonder-
ful and sublime doctrine, which it is our great
business to assert and enforce, and which has so
evident a tendency to promote true godliness in all
its branches: GOD was manifested in the flesh of our
blessed Redcemer, in whose human nature the in-
carnate Deity dwelt; and thus he was justified in
and by the Spirit, whose extraordinary communi-
cation, in the midst of all the meanness of human
APOSTACY FORETOLD.
405
nature in its suffering state, vindicated his high
claim, and marked him out, in the most illustrious
manner, for the divine person he professed himself
to be. He was seen of angels, and gazed at by
them in various circumstances of his life and death,
as a most astonishing and instructive spectacle.
He was preached among the Gentiles, who were
invited to embrace his religion, upon assurance of
being received to equal privileges with the Jews.
He was also believed on in the world, many of the
most distant nations already coming into the
Christian profession, and pressing for a share in
the benefit of it. And at length, when his ministry
on earth was completed, he was received up into
glory, and seated on a throne in the heavens, where
he presides over all things for the good of his
church, and answers nobler purposes with regard
to it, than his corporeal presence here could have
done.
1 Tim. 4. 1. -Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2. --Speaking lies in hypocrisy: having their con-
3. science seared with a hot iron: Forbidding to
marry, and communding to abstain from meats,
which God hath created to be received with
thanksgiving of them which believe and know the
4. truth. -l'or every creature of God is good, and
nothing to be refused, if it be received with
5. thanksgiving :-For it is sanctified by the word of
God and prayer.
These great doctrines of our holy faith are
wortlıy of being recollected by every Christian,
and of being insisted upon by every minister. 'But
the Spirit of divine inspiration, in the scriptures of
truth, and in evangelical prophets, particularly in
me, expressly saith and testifies, that in the last
times, in ages yet to come, some, who are under
the dispensation of the gospel, and make great
406
APOSTACY FORETOLD.
?
pretences of zcal in its interests, shall apostatize
from the purity of the original faith ; giving heed to
deceitful spirits, who shall endeavour to impose
upon them by false, though specious appearances,
and to various doctrines of dæmons, and particularly
such doctrines relating to the spirits of dead men,
as the devil, the great author and abettor of lies,
shall suggest to them for the most pernicious pur-
poses. For they will come to be worshippers of
dead idols, and departed spirits; as in Israel also
they worshipped them; "through the hypocrisy of
the most abandoned and shameless liars, spreading
their errors under pretence of sanctity; whose own
conscience is so scared and cauterized, that they feel
no manner of remorse for the grossest frauds, by
which they impose on the weak and credulous,
with impious pretences to a divine revelation.
They will indeed endeavour to gain the good
opinion of men, as persons of extraordinary sanctity
and mortification: in this view requiring, especially
from the ministers of Christ, abstinence from mar-
riage, as if it were an impure state, [and] less
pleasing to God than that of celibacy. They will
also urge men to refrain from various kinds of
meats, which God, the bountiful former of all things,
hath created for our nourishment and entertainment,
to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and
by those who know the truth, and so are instructed
to place religion not in such indifferent things as
these, but in things more truly excellent and worthy
of God. "For whatever these deceivers may sug'-
gest, and however they may misrepresent the
matter, every crcature of God [is] good, and nothing
[is] to be rejected under a colour of scrupling tlie
lawfulness of it, [provided it be] received with thanks-
giving; 5for it is in that case sanctified by the word
of God, which allows the use, and by prayer, which
draws down a blessing upon it. And when persons
APOSTACY FORETOLD.
407
attend to the instructions of God's word, and
maintain converse with him by prayer, seeking
thereby in particular his blessing upon their food,
they may indifferently use on any days all kinds of
wholesome nourislıment, not excepting those which
were most strickly forbidden by the Mosaic law,
for reasons peculiar to that dispensation, and there-
fure to expire, when the authority of that law was
to cease.
IMPROVEMENT.
What the Spirit of God expressly spake has been
so expressly accomplished, as plainly to prove the
divine original of this oracle, and of all that are
connected with it. The grand apostacy of the latter
days is made manifest, the seducing spirits have
effectually done their part, the world has given
heed to them and wandered after them: so that
doctrines of devils have almost cast out from his
own church, the doctrine of Christ.! No testimony
of hypocritical liars hath been wanting, to confirm
the fraud to the utmost of their power, and the
whole conduct of it seems to declare, to how dread-
ful a degree it is possible for conscience to be seared.?
Marriage has been forbidden, while the pardon of
fornication, adultery and incest have been rated at a
certain price, by that grand merchant of the souls
of men, who hath ventured to call himself the vicar
of Christ upon earth. By him men have been taught
to place the greater part of religion in abstaining
from meats, in attending unintelligible jargon, in-
stead of the service of God's sanctuary, and in
transforming the high solemnities of the simplest
and most rational worship that ever was instituted,
into a ceremonious farce. Adored be divine Provi-
dence and grace, that any parts of the once dark
domains o this man of sin have been awakened, to
408
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS.
assert the purity of the Christian faith and worship,
and to seek to purge away the reproach and infamy
which such adulterations had bronght upon the
name! Blessed be God, that our attention is
diverted from these trifles and monsters, these
mysteries of folly, and mysteries of iniquity, to the
great mystery of godliness! Let it be familiar to our
thoughts. The manifestation of God in the flesh!
A sight, which the angels beheld with wonder, while
the blessed Spirit sealed the authority of God's in-
carnate Son, and attested his gospel among the
Gentiles, till the world was brought to believe in hin);
so that lie looked down from the throne of glory, to
which he was received, and saw his own oracle ful-
filled, If I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.
- John xii. 32. May this mysterious, yet resplend-
ent truth be strenuously maintained, and practically
preached by all the ministers of the gospel; may
they show, in every other respect, that they know
how to behave themselves aright, in the house of the
living God:' and may many by these means be
brought to believe, and to know the truth in its vital
energy. Then will the common enjoynients of
life have an additional relish, being received with
thanksgiving, and sanctified by the word of God and
prayer,
3
5
SECTION VI.
Prul gives many good advices to Timothy, to attend to the great essentials of reli-
gione, puliently to endure all af lictions, to behare with the most eract decurum and
cremplary care, and study to improve the gifts with which God had honoured him,
for the edification of the church and the sallation of souls. 1 Tim. iv. 6, to the end.
1 Tim. 1. 6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus
Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of
good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.--
7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and
8. exercise thyself rather unto godliness.-For bodily
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS. 409
1 Tim. 4. 8. exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable
unto all things, having promise of the life that
9. now is, and of that which is to come. - This is a
faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.-
10. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God, who is the
saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11. -These things command and teach.
If thou shalt be careful frequently to suggest these
great and weighty things, of which I have now been
writing, to the brethren who are committed to thy
charge, and to remind them of their importance
with becoming zeal and affection, thou shalt be a
good minister of Jesus Christ, and shalt act as may
be expected from one, who has been nourished up
from his very childhood, in the words of faith and of
good doctrine, which thou hast accurately traced out,
and followed with suitable diligence. But these
profane and old wives' fables, of which many of the
Jewish allegorical and traditionary teachers are so
fond, do thou reject, as things altogether unworthy
of thy regard, and rather take care, strenuously to
cxercise thyself, in those doctrines and practices,
which have the most immediate tendency to pro-
mote real godliness. For that bodily exercise, about
which many are so solicitous, and in the pursuit of
which they go through so many fatigues, in pre-
paring for and attending the public games, is pro-
fitable to but very little, the best rewards of it being
of a very transient and fading nature; but true,
substantial, practical godliness is profitable to all
things, having the promise both of the present and
future life; naturally tending to promote our real
happiness in this world, and being surely and alone
eftectual to secure the blessedness of the next.
This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all accept-
ance ; receive it therefore, and retain it carefully,
and inculcate it upon those who are committed to
thy charge, or whom thou mayest be concerned in
VOL. V.
3 G
410
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS.
setting apart for the ministry. 'For the advance-
ment of this godliness, is the end of all the hard-
ships we encounter ; while we both pass through
the most fatiguing labour, and suffer the sharpest
reproach and the most violent outrage, because we
have hoped, and continue to hope in the protection
and favour of the living God, who is the Saviour and
preserver of all men by his gracious Providence,
and especially of the faithful souls, who cordially
believe, and sincerely obey the gospel ; for whom
he reserves the most invaluable blessings of a
future state, and whom he will guide safely to it,
through all the dangers of this. "These, my dear
Timothy, are things of the greatest importance, and
therefore give them solemnly in charge, and teach
them to all, as thou hast opportunity.
Tim. 4. 12. --Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an
example of the believers, in word, in conversation,
13. in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.-Till i
come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation.
14. to doctrine.—Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the lay-
15. ing on of the hands of the presbytery.--Meditate
upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;
16. that thy profiting may appear to all.-- Take heed
unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in
them : for in doing this thou shalt both save thy-
self, and them that hear thee.
And that thou mayest inculcate them with the
greater efficacy, let it be thy care to behave in
such a manner, that no man may be able to despise
thy youth; but on the contrary, let thy whole beha-
viour command a reverence to it, while others see
that, young as thou art in years, thou art old in
wisdom, piety, and universal goodness. Be thou
therefore an example to all the faithful in prudent
and useful speech, in a grave, steady and consistent
conversation, in unbounded love, and in a candid yet
zealous spirit, in uniform and incorruptible fidelity,
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS. 411
and in unspotted purity, by which all suspicion of
evil shall be avoided, and even all occasion of
apology superseded. And 13till I come back to
Ephesus, to take thee along with me, if Providence
favour my purpose of returning, or if not, till I may
have an interview with thee elsewhere, make the
best improvement of thy time, as considering the
greatness of thy work, and the various furviture
which it requires. In this view, attend to reading
the Scriptures and other useful writings, and to
the important care of exhortation, and to teaching
both in public and private. *Neglect not, by pro-
per and strenuous exercise, to rouse and cultivate
that gift of God's Holy Spirit, which is in thee, which
was given thee in a large and sensible effusion, on
that ever-memorable day, when thou wert set apart
to thy sacred office, by the ministration of those
who had the gift of prophecy, by which they were
enabled and excited to foretel something extraordi-
nary concerning thee. With such a token of his
special presence did God honour the imposition of
the hands of the whole presbytery, who concurred
with me in recommending thee to his blessing by
that solemn rite. 15 Meditate therefore on these
things, which I have now been writing thee by way
of «irection and charge; be always employed'in at-
tending to these things, that thy improvement, in ali
that can conduce to the honourable and faithful
discharge of thine office, may be made manifest to
all around thee. In a word, remember that thou
art surrounded with numberless temptations, and
that the trust committed to thee is a matter of infi-
nite importance. "Take heed therefore to thyself,
to thine own temper and conduct; and take heed to
[thy) doctrine, both with respect to the matter and
manner of thy teaching, and continue in them
making this the whole of tly business and care.
The fatigue indeed may be great, and many of the
412
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS.
restraints, to which thou mayest be subjected, for
the present, disagreeable, but the happy conse-
quence will counterbalance all; for in doing this,
thou shalt both save thyself, and thy hearers. It will
be the means, not only of delivering thine own
soul in the great day of account, but of improving
thy happiness to unknown degrees; and though it
is not in thy power to command success, yet thou
hast great encouragement to hope, that God will so
bless thy labours, as to make thee instrumental in
delivering many souls from death, and raising them
to complete and everlasting felicity.
IMPROVEMENT.
It is doubtless a very great advantage to Christians,
and especially to the ministers of Christ, to have
been nourished and educated in the words of faith
and of good doctrine;" and they who are honoured
with the great trust of training them up, should be
particularly careful on this head, remembering that
no other branches of learning are of comparable
importance to any Christian, and much less to
those whose business it must be, to maintain the
faith of Christ in the world, and to instruct others
in his doctrine, both publicly and privately.
But to do this with success, and to command
that reverence which it is desirable for the public
good they should command, whether they be
younger or elder, it is necessary, that they endea-
vour to be examples to other believers, in their whole
conversation and deportment, in word and in spirit,
patterns of charity, faith and purity. ? To qualify
them more abundantly for such a work, whatever
their gifts may be, whether of nature or of
will be necessary to stir them up by frequent exer-
cise, "and to cultivate them by reading and medita-
tion, as well as prayer; that their stock may be
grace, it
VARIOUS CAUTIONS AND ADMONITIONS. 413
increasing, that their profiting may appear unto all,";
and that they may lose no advantage they can
secure, of rendering their exhortations and instruc-
tions worthy the regard of the wisest and best, as
well as the least and weakest, of those committed
to their care.
But surely, whatever difficulties may lie in their
way, and whatever fatigues, or censures, or suffer-
ings they may encounter, while thus employed, the
prospect of success may sweeten all. If they may
save themselves and those that hear them,16 if they
may give up an account with joy, if they may see
souls recovered from the tyranny of sin and the
kingdom of Satan now, and at length, after having
anticipated the pleasures of heaven upon earth,
raised to the full enjoyment of those pleasures
above, they will bless the remembrance of their
labours. Yea, the very consciousness of spending
life in such pursuits must, to a generous and pious
mind, afford unspeakably more delight, than the
acquisition and enjoyment of any thing, which the
children of this world pursue, and perhaps some of
them with equal fatigue.
Let Christians in other stations also be quickened
to exert themselves in the same blessed cause, re-
membering that, while other things, for which men
labour as in the fire, can profit but little, godliness
is profitable to all. It hath so far the promise of this
life, that the godly man shall not want any thing,
that his Father and his God knows to be truly good
for him, and lie will probably be abundantly happier
in this world, amidst all the calamities to which he
may be exposed, than in like circumstances he
could possibly have been, without such a principle
of piety in his heart: and it has absolutely the pro-
mise of the life which is to come, and that such a
life, so glorious and so lasting, that the very
mention of it may well swallow up the thoughts of
414 VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES. ,
this life and its interests, any further than as they
are connected with that. Let us then receive the
word with all readiness, and pursue these glorious
objects, trusting in the living God, who, while he
scatters the bounties of his common providence on
all, is in a peculiar and most important sense, the
Saviour, the guardian, the Father of those who
believe.10
SECTION VII.
Directions for Timothy's conduct towards persons in different circumstances, and
particularly elders and widlows : which leads the apostle to gire some advices con-
cerning those mutrons, who were entrusted by the church with some peculiar office,
und supported out of the public stock in the discharge of it. 1 Tim. v. 1-16.
I Tim. 5. 1. REBUKE not an elder, but intreat him as a father;
2. and the younger men as brethren ;-The clder
women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with
3. all purity.--Honour widows that are widows
4. Indeed.-But if any widow have children or
ephews, let them learn first to show piety at
home, and to requite their parents; for that is
good and acceptable before God.
The office, O Timothy, will often oblige thee to
censure the conduct of others, and sometimes of
those who are more advanced in age than thyself.
But remember to do it with a becoming modesty
and tenderness. Rebuke not an aged man severely,
but rather exhort [him] as a father, to perform what-
ever duty he neglects, or to avoid those temptations
which may be dangerous to him : [and] as to the
younger, though thou mayest use more freedom
with them, yet remember still to treat them with
kindness and affection, as brethren, and not with a
lordly and supercilious contempt. Address thyself
to ?the aged women, as mothers, [and] to the younger,
as sisters, with all chastity, and the strictest decorum
in thy converse with them; remembering how many
VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES. 415
eyes are upon thee, and how fatal any thing, which
might in that respect bring the least blemish upon
thy character, would be to the honour and success
of thy ministry, and to the credit of the gospel and
its professors. Honour, and endeavour honourably
to support, those widows who are truly widows, and
whose destitute circumstances recommend them as
the certain objects of charity. But if any widow
hath children, or grand-children, who are capable of
supporting her, let them learn first to exercise grate-
ful piety at home, and to repay the benefits they
have received from their parents, or remoter pro-
genitors, in their necessities, before they talk of
extending their generosity to others; for this is
good and decent, fair and beautiful in the eyes of
men, and it is likewise acceptable before God, who
requires us, out of regard to his honour and favour,
to attend carefully to the duties of those relations
in which we stand to each other.
1 Tim. 5. 5. —Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate,
trusteth in God, and continueth in supplication,
6. and prayers night and day.—But she that liveth
7. in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these
things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
*Now that you may understand the character, to
which I advise you to confine your charitable exhi-
bitions, I must add, that she who is truly a widow,
and thus left alone, and destitute of the assistance
of human friends, is one that hopeth in the good
providence of God, reposing herself with humble
confidence on his faithful care, and continues con-
stantly day and night in supplications and prayers,
makes devotion her business, in the proper return
of its daily seasons, and endeavours to be as much
at leisure for it, as her circumstances in life will
permit. “But she that liveth luxuriously, as some
Christian widows, to the great shame and scandal
of their profession, do, is indeed dead while she liveth,
416
VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES.
as to the noblest ends and purposes of life. And as
this is a very important article, and these things, in
some degree, affect Christians of all circumstances
and relations in life, who are too ready to lose
themselves in the pursuit of sensual pleasure, I
desire thou wouldst give them in charge to all thy
hearers, that so they may in this respect be blame.
less; and that by maintaining a due government of
themselves, and strenuously attending to the duties
of life, they may answer the obligations under which
they lie.
1 Tim. 5. 8.-But if any provide not for his own, and specially
for those of his own house, he hath denied the
9. faith, and is worse than an infidel. Let not a
widow be taken into the number under threescore
years old, having been the wife of one man,-
10. Well reported of for good works; it she have
brought up children, if she have lodged strangers,
if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have re-
lieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed
11. every good work. But the younger widows re-
fuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton
12. against Christ, they will marry :-Having damna-
tion, because they have cast off their first faith.-
13. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about
from house to house; and not only idle, but tat-
tlers also and busybodies, speaking things which
they ought not.
8 But especially insist upon it, that a due care be
taken of the poor, by those of their relations, who
are capable of supporting them; for if any do not
provide for his own, and especially for those of his
own house, he hath, whatever he may pretend, in
effect and practically denied the faith, and on the
whole is worse than an infidel; bringing a greater
dishonour upon the gospel than one who openly
professes to reject it, while he is thus deficient in
those duties which common humanity teaches even
many of the heathens to practise themselves, and
to inculcate upon others. "Lct not a widow be taken
VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES. 417
гироп the list of those to be maintained by the church,
and to minister in the office of deaconnesses in it,
who is under sixty ycars old, and then, only such a
person who hath been the wife of one man, and
avoided all scandalous commerce with others. And
as some peculiar trust is reposed in such, let care
be taken, that she be ''Cone) who hath a reputation
for good works in general; and she will especially
be worthy of such an encouragement and honour,
if she have educated her own children with care, or
any other children who have been committed to her;
if in her more prosperous days she have expressed
an hospitable temper, and lodged strangers, wlio
have been at a loss for necessary accommodations
on their journeys; especially if she have washed the
saints' feet, and in other respects relieved in a proper
manner Christians in such circumstances; if she
have, in other instances, according to her abilities,
assisted the afflicted; and in short, if she have fol-
lowed every good work, and endeavoured to adorn her
profession by a benevolent and useful life.
il But
refuse to admit into such an office, the younger
widows; for when they grow wanton, as, (though such
a disposition be directly against the laws of Christ,)
many in such a circumstance of life do, they will
marry, and perhaps to husbands who are strangers
to Christianity: thereby exposing themselves to just
blame of men and condemnation from God, because
they have disannulled their first faith, and violated
their engagement to the church, when it assigned
them such an office, to which it would be very in-
convenient to admit persons, that have any views
of entering again into the conjugal state: not to
say, that some bave been enticed, by very improper
alliances, to throw off even the general profession
of Christianity. 13 And indeed, with relation to
several of such, (as I have observed in societies,
less careful in this respect than were to be wished,)
3
VOL. V.
418
VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES.
those women also, while they pretend to continue
in their office, being idle, and slothful in the pro-
vince they have undertaken, instead of staying at
home, and attending the proper duty of their
charge, learn [a habit of] gadding abroad, and
going from house to house; and (they are] not only
idle, but triflers also and busy bodies: there is a levity
and impertinence in their behaviour, which is the
natural result of neglecting to keep themselves well
employed; and they are often speaking things that
are very unbecoming, which do loudly proclaim the
irregularity of their disposition, and show how
much their minds are vitiated and disordered.
i Tin, 5. 14. - I will therefore that the younger women marry,
bear children, guide the house, give none occa-
sion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.-
15. For some are already turned aside after Satan.
14I would therefore have the younger [widows) in-
stead of thinking of a trust and situation, for which
they are generally so unfit, to marry again, if they
are so inclined, as it is generally best that they
should; and employ themselves in such cares as
suit the mistress of a family, that they may breed
children, [and] govern their domestic affairs, so as to
give no occasion to the adversary, who is glad to find
any excuse for it, to speak reproachfully of religion,
on account of the unsuitable behaviour of its pro-
fessors. And I give the caution with the greater
solicitude, because it is too evident, that as 15 for
some, from whom the churches expected bette
things, they have already turned aside after Satan,
so as to follow his leading and impulse, in direct
opposition to the law of Christ, and much to the
detriment of his interest.
1 Tim. 5. 16. -If any man or woman that believeth have
widows, let them relieve them, and let not the
church be charged; that it may relieve them that
are widows indeed.
VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES.
419
10 But if any belicver of either sex have near rela-
tions, who are widows, let them, as I advised before,
take care of them at home, that the church may not
be burdened with more charitable cases than it can
properly support, but may take care of [those, who
are], as I have said, truly widou's, and must other-
wise be left altogether desolate.
IMPROVEMENT.
Ministers are instructed by this apostolical advice,
in that difficult duty, of managing reproof aright.'
Churches may learn how their poor are to be treated,
and children may be reminded of that grateful
tribute, which they owe especially to their aged and
necessitous parents. '16 No recompense can be fully
adequate, but surely, to a generous temper nothing
can be inore delightful, than to soothe the declining
years of those, by whom our infant days were sus-
tained, our feeble childhood supported, and our
giddy youth moderated and directed.
Let St. Paul's sentiments of a luxurious life be
particularly attended to, in this age of ours, in
which so many are entirely devoted to these plea-
sures. They call it living, but the wiser apostle
pronounces it, a kind of moral death. And many
of the heathens themselves, have been instructed
by nature, to speak in a language like his. Nay
some of them acted on this principle, in a manner,
which might shame most that call themselves
Christians. Let us learn to form our taste to nobler
pleasures, than those, on which thoughtless multi-
tudes are so intent. Let us cultivate those that are
suited to our rational and immortal spirits, and that
will not only follow us into the invisible world, but
will there be exalted and improved.
But let us be particularly careful, that, while
religion raises us above a sensual life, we do not
420 VARIOUS DIRECTIONS AND ADVICES.
make use of it as a pretence, to excuse ourselves
from attending to social duty. To neglect a due
care of those whom Providence has committed to
us would, in the apostle's language, be a denial of the
faith, and would even argue us worse than infidels,
who deficient as they were in the knowledge of God,
or in such regards to him, as were even proportion-
able to what they knew, discoursed largely and
excellently on the obligations of justice and benevo-
lence to our fellow-creatures, and were themselves
examples of what they taught in relation to them.
Among other virtues here spoken of with due
honour, a proper care in the education of children is
none of the least.10 Let Christians of both sexes
be diligent in it, and let women to whom the chief
care of children is consigned in those tender years,
when the deepest and surest impressions are often
made, be sensible, how great advantage the public
may receive by their wise and pious conduct to-
wards them. While many are triflers and busy-
bodies, running from house to house, and speaking
things which they ought not,' let women professing
godliness remember they are to adorn it by the
exercise of domestic virtues, so as to cut off occasion
of speaking reproachfully, even from the ingenious
malice of adversaries :19 occasion, too often given
by those, who, while they follow the gay desires of
their hearts, and the fashions of this vain world,
seem to have forgotten what the apostle intended,
by the awful and lively phrase, of being turned
aside after Satan;15 and make themselves his more
secure and certain prey, by every step they take in
these flattering paths, through which he would lead
them to final destruction.
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
121
SECTION VIII.
corn.
The apostle adds directimis concerning the regard to be shown by the people to their
faithful ministers ; concerning the method of proceeding against those who were
accused of any fault ; and the most prudent and regular manner of treuling curi-
didutes for the ministry. The section concludes with some other necessary udrices
and particulars for the instruction of Christian slaves. 1 Tim. v. 17, to the end,
and chap. vi. 1. 2.
1. Tim. 5. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy
of double honour, especially they who labour in
18. the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith,
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
And, the labourer is worthy of his re-
19. ward. ---Against an elder receive not an accusa-
tion, but before two or three witnesses.
I HAVE already been giving you some directions,
with relation to those who are elders in age, and
now let me add a word or two, concerning those,
who are distinguished by the office they bear in the
Christian church, and have that title of respect and
reverence given them on that account. And here,
Mlet the elders which preside well be estecmed worthy
of double honour, and, as circumstances may re-
quire and admit, let them be respectfully maintained
by the society; especially those who, to all their
other kind cares of a more private nature, add an
exemplary attendance to that of public instruction,
and labour with diligence and zeal in administering
the word, and stating and vindicating the doctrine
of the gospel in your religious assemblies. For
you
well remember, I doubt not, that the scripture
has said, again and again, Thou shalt not muzzle the
or that treadeth out the corn, but shalt allow him,
while labouring upon it, to eat of it as his hunger
requires (Deut. xxv. 24, 1 Cor. ix. I, and note):
and the Old Testament, as well as the words of our
Lord and the reason of mankind, teaches us, that
the workman [is] worthy of his hire: on whiclı ac-
count the law requires, that, instead of being en-
tirely withheld from liim, it should not be delayed
422 DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
for a day.--Deut. xxiv. 14, Lev. xix. 13. Persons
therefore, who labour in so honourable and im-
portant a work, are by no means to be neglected,
nor suffered to want necessary support and en-
couragement. Great care should also be taken,
that their reputation, on which their usefulness will
so much depend, may not be lightly impeached.
Accordingly, "do not receive an accusation against
an elder, unless on the testimony of two or three
credible witnesses ; for the single report of any one
person, is not material enough to set against the word
of an elder, maintaining his own innocence.
1 Tim. 5. 20. —Them that sin rebuke before all, that others
21. also may fear.—I charge thee before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that
thou observe these things without preferring one
22. before another, doing nothing by partiality.-Lay
hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker ol
23. other men's sins: keep thyself pure. -Drink ro
longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's
sake and thine often infirmities.
You will, I doubt not, use your utmost endea-
vours to preserve the purity of the church; yet as
offences will certainly come, let me advise you to
keep up a due solemnity in church censures; and
as for those that sin in any scandalous and remark-
able manner, rebuke them before all, that even the
rest of the congregation may fear, and stand upou
their guard against those temptations, which have
brought upon others such public admonition and
reproof. I know how contrary these faithful pro-
ceedings may sometimes be to Hesli and blood, and
therefore solemnly charge [thee) before the blesscil
God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels,
(who, having kept their stations, when so many of
their fellows were seduced by Satan, are now con-
firmed in a state of immutable felicity, and shall
attend our common Lord to the awful judgment of
the great day), that thou keep these things without
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
423
any prejudice against any part of them; doing
nothing by partiality, in favour of one person more
than another, according to the inducement of private
friendship or affection. And as it is a matter of so
great importance to the Christian church, what
persons are admitted to minister in it, I must also
charge thee, that thou Play hands suddenly, and
rashly, on no man, to set him apart for that sacred
trust, before his character and qualifications have
been fully examined and thoroughly approved.
Neither make thyself partaker in the sins of others,
as thou wilt certainly do, if thou art the means of
bringing those, that thou mightest have discovered
to be unworthy men, into the ministry; who may
have much greater opportunities of doing mischief,
in consequence of their bearing such an office, and
may give great scandal, and lead many others
astray. Therefore keep thyself pure from such pol-
lutions, as well as all others, by guarding against
the first occasion of them. A recollection of the
difficulty of thy work, and what I know of the
tenderness of thy constitution, and thy great absti-
nence, engage me to caution thee, that thou 23 do
not confine thyself any longer to drink water alone,
but use a little wine mingled with it, for the sake of
thy stomach, which needs to be strengthened by
that more generous liquor in a moderate quantity;
and out of regard to thy frequent infirmities, which
otherwise may grow upon thee, so as to render thee
incapable of that public service, for which thou art
so well qualified.
1 Tim. 5. 24. -Some men s sins are open beforehand, going
before to judgment; and some men they follow
25. after. Likewise also the good works of some are
manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise
cannot be hid.
In judging of characters, and passing sentence,
according to the advice given above, you will find
424
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
it necessary in different cases to use different pre-
cautions. *** The sins of some men are manifest,
leading on to pass judgment on them without any
difficulty; whereas some follow after, and are so
artfully disguised, that it will require great dili-
gence and strict examination to detect them. 2550
also the good works [of some] are manifest to all, and
spread a kind of glory around those that perform
them, which renders them lovely and venerable in
all eyes : and those which arc otherwise, though for
a while conccaled under the thickest veils, that
humility can spread over them, cunnot loug be en-
tirely hid. They will appear on accurate observa-
tion; and as they will at the last day be laid open
to their public honour, they will in the mean time
recommend such silent and reserved Christians, to
the esteem and respect of those, who are intimately
conversant with them; and may even prove the
means of advancing them to some important trusts
which they are not the less fit for, because they
lave so low an opinion of their own merit.
I Tim. 6. 1.-Let as many servants as are under the yoke
count their own masters worthy of all honour, that
the name of God and his doctrine be not blas-
2. phemed.—And they that have believing masters
let them not despise them, because they are bre-
thren; but rather do them service, because they
are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.
I shall only here add a word or two concerning
servants, whom, inferior as their station in life is,
I would not have you overlook ; since their souls
are equally valuable before God with those of their
superiors, and much of the credit of Christianity is
concerned in their conduct and behaviour. Let
therefore as many servants as are under the yoke of
bondage, account their own masters worthy of alı
that civil honour and respect, which suits the station
in which they respectively are; not taking occasion,
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
425
from their own religious knowledge and privileges,
to despise and rebel against them; that the name
and doctrine of God, which they profess, may not
be blasphemed by their insolence and pride. ? And
as for those servants, who are so happy as to have
believing masters, let them not presume upon that
account to despise (them), because they are brethren,
and, with respect to sacred privileges, equal, in
Christ their common Lord; but let them rather serve
[them] with so much the greater care, tenderness
and respect, because they are faithful and beloved,
Çand] partakers with them of the great and glorious
benefit, which the gospel brings to all its faithful
professors, of whatsoever rank or profession in life.
And let the thought of the degree in which they
share the favour of God, the tender bond in which
as fellow-Christians they are joined, and the hope
of partaking with them in all the final blessings
of a happy immortality, while it engages their
servants to behave towards them in a becoming
manner, teach the masters duly to condescend to
them, and treat them, not only with justice, but
with kindness.
IMPROVEMENT.
The regards here required to the elders who pre-
side well, and who labour in the word and doctrine,
are in themselves so reasonable, that, where the
other duties of Christianity are attended to, and the
inestimable blessings of it duly apprehended and
esteemed, there will be no need of insisting largely
upon them." To be cautious how we lightly believe
any report to the injury of such, is what we owe to
ourselves as well as them,' since our own improve-
ment by their administration, will be greatly ob-
structed by any prejudices taken against their
persons.
3 1
VOL. y.
4:26
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING MINISTERS.
Let the ministers of the gospel remember, how
much it is their duty, to appear strenuously in de-
fence of their Master's precepts, and to reprove
bold and insolent offenders, 20 in whatsoever rank
they may stand. And lest riches, and power, and
greatness of station should obstruct their faithful
execution of this office, let them think of the solemn
charge they have received before God and the
Lord Jesus Christ and the clect angels, and of the
appearance which they and their people must make
before the awful tribunal of Christ, when he shall
come in his own glory and that of his Father, and
attended by all his holy angels. The frequent con-
sideration of that important day would have a
uniform influence on the wliole of their conduct;
it would particularly make them careful, that they
do not contract pollutions, and make themselves
partakers in other men's sins, by laying hands sud-
denly on any; but use a proper care in examin-
ing, that in the great business of ordination, they
may act on the conviction of their consciences in
the sight of God, and maintain an unbiasscd regard
to the honour of the great Redeemer and the salva-
tion of souls. Yet let them still be severer towards
themselves than others, and maintain that strict
temperance and self-government in every respect,
which may become the dignity of their characters,
and command the reverence of all about them.23
Let us all endeavour to be shining examples of
good works, and while so many declare their sins
openly, and send them as it were before them to judg-
ment,24 let us never be ashamed of religion. Yet
where a modest reserve may be conveniently main-
tained, let us study it, and always avoid an un-
necessary ostentation, as remembering the time
will come, when those good works, which have
been most solicitously concealed from the eyes of
men, will be publicly honoured and rewarded by
ON PRACTICAL GODLINESS.
427
2
Gop. In expectation of that day, let us all attend
to our proper offices, whether in superior or inferior
stations of life, studying so to behave, as that the
name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed
upon our account, 2 and always feeling the force of
that endearing engagement to all social duties,
which arises from our sharing with all true Christians
in the favour of God, and in the blessings and
hopes of his gospel.
SECTION IX.
The apostle presses Timothy to urge on his hearers the great things which relute 10
practical godliness, as what will be attended with the heppiest consequences; and
cautions against coretousness, as the root of all eril. 1 T. vi. 2–1).
1 Tim. 6. 2. 3. THESE things teach and exhort.-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 godli-
4. ness ;-He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting
about questions and strifes of words, whereot
cometh envy. strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,
and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is
6. godliness: from such withdraw thyself.- But
7. godliness with contentment is great gain.--For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is cer-
8. tain we can carry nothing out.-And having food
9. and raiment let us be therewith content. But
they that will be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition. -
10. For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrow's.
2 These things, which I have been mentioning,
take care, 0 Timothy, to teach, and exhort thine
hearers always to maintain a due regard to them.
ن : 1
ON PRACTICAL GODLINESS,
And if any one teach otherwise, if he attempt to
broach principles contrary to these great maxims,
and attend not to such sound and wholesome words,
[even) to those of our Lord Jesus Christ ; as these
may with strict propriety be called, and which
express the doctrine (that is] agreeable and subser-
vient to the great cause of practical godliness, whicle
it is the declared design of the gospel to promote in
the world; whatever fair shows of simplicity and
humility he may affect, he is certainly proud, and
whatever conceit he may have of his superior know-
ledge, he is one who knows nothing to any good pur-
pose; but, like a man raving and delirious in a
fever, he runs on, declaiming on idle questions, and
useless debates about words; from whence no good
can be expected to arise, but on the contrary, a
great variety of mischief, envying of those more re-
garded than themselves, contention with others, who
will not submissively yield to what such self-suffi-
cient teachers dictate, abusive language, which their
intemperate zeal deals round to all who offend them,
and evil suspicions and obnoxious representations of
the worthiest and most amiable characters; angry
Sdebates of men, whose minds are corrupted, and
averse from the truth, for which they pretend so
eagerly to plead ; while they seem to suppose, that
which promises the largest quantity of gain, to be
most worthy of their pursuit; and would, if pos-
sible, varnish it over with the venerable name of
godliness. Turn away therefore from such, and
have no intimacy with them. Whereas on the
contrary, if any man will but have the integrity
and resolution to follow true religion, wherever
it leads him, he will certainly find, that godliness,
which is so naturally accompanied with inward con-
tentment and peace of mind, in every circumstance
of life which Providence may appoint, is indeed
great gain ; and does much more to promote real
ON PRACTICAL GODLINESS.
429
happiness, than any accession of wealth could
possibly do. And it is the truest wisdom, to ac-
custom our minds to such reflections as these : for
we brought nothing into the world along with us, but
were thrown naked upon the indulgent provision,
which our gracious Creator has been pleased to
make for us; [and it is] evident, that, whatever
treasures the most insatiable avarice could amass,
we cannot carry anything out of it, but must in a
little time return to the dust, stripped of all.
* Having therefore, while we continue in this transi-
tory and uncertain life, food and raiment, and
having the other necessaries of it, let us be content
with these, and not seek, with restless earnestness
and solicitude, the great things of it, which are
often of so short a continuance, and of so preca-
rious, as well as so unsatisfying a nature. With
these sentiments, we may enjoy what happiness is
to be expected in a world like this, but they, who
are determined that, at all adventures, they will be
rich, fall headlong into many a dangerous temptation,
and many a fatal snare, and [into] many foolish and
mischievous desires; which not only sink men beneath
the dignity of their nature, but prove the occasion
of muchº further mischief; insumuch that they
frequently plunge men into an irrecoverable abyss of
ruin and destruction, in which they lose their worldly
possessions, and what is infinitely more valuable,
their souls too. 10 For the excessive love of money
is the root of all moral evil, which some having
greedily desired, have so debauched their minds
with corrupt prejudices, that they have wandered
from the faith, so as to abandon the very profession
of the gospel; and while they were dreaming only
of the pleasurable consequences, that would attend
their more exalted circumstances in human life,
have picrced themselves through with many sorrows,
and felt long and incurable pains, by the numerous
430
ON PRACTICAL GODLINESS.
wounds, they have given to their own consciences,
as it were on every side.
1 Tim. 6. 11.-But thou, O man of God, flee these things ;
and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith,
12. love, patience, meekness.-Fight the good fight
of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou
art also called, and hast professed a good profes-
sion before many witnesses.
"But thou, O man of God, whom he hath
honoured as he did the prophets of old, making
thee his messenger to thy fellow-creatures shun
these things; these insatiable desires of worldly
possessions and enjoyments, which will render thee
most unfit for so sacred an office; and pursue, as
the richest prize and the noblest gain, the practice
of universal righteousness towards men, and piety
towards God, fidelity in every branch of trust com-
mitted to thee, love to all mankind, patience under
every affliction, and meekness under every provoca-
tion. 2 Maintain in the most strenuous manner,
and with all the force thy soul can exert, the good
noble and glorious combat of faith; lay hold on the
prize of eternal life; and let none how violently
soever they may assault thee, wrest it out of thine
hands : even that life, to the hope of which thou
hast been solemnly called, and, in pursuance of it,
hast confessed a good, fair and worthy confession
before many witnesses, who were present on that
solemn day, when thou wert given up to the full
exercise of the ministry.
IMPROVEMENT.
If we do indeed believe the love of money to be
the root of all evil, let us set ourselves seriously
to extirpate it out of our bosoms, and to imbibe
this true philosophy of the apostle, to seek our gain
in that godliness on which contentment waits, and
ON PRACTICAL GODLINESS.
431
wlicie makes its disciples happy on the easiest
terms, by moderating their desires. Food and rai-
ments of one kind or another few want. But where
there is real necessity, and has been a care to
behave well, if a man's own stock be deficient, he
is generally supplied from the charity of others; and
truc piety and greatness of mind can enjoy the
gift of Providence on these terms without repining;
being truly sensible, how little, even tlie best,
amidst so many imperfections and miscarriages,
can deserve to receive anything from God, by the
instrumentality of any creature.
To this day we do see such facts, as taught the
apostle these useful remarks, independent on those
miraculous influences by which he was guided, in
things spiritual and evangelical. As we see the
new-born race of human creatures rising naked into
life, we see death stripping the rich, the noble and
the powerful, and returning them naked to the dust.
In the mean time, while we may observe many
in lower circumstances cheerful and thankful, we
see those, who are determined on being rich falling
into temptations and snares. We see them piercing
themsclves through with many sorrows and plunging
themselves into irrecoverable ruin and destruction,
while they pursue, to the utmost verge of the fatal
precipice, those shadowy phantoms, which ove all
their semblance of reality to the magic of those
passions, which riches, or the desires of them have
excited.
Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if
these importaut doctrines of practical religion were
more inculcated, and less of the zeal of its teachers
spent in discussing vain questions and intricate
strifes about words, which have been productive of
so much envy and contention, obloquy, and suspicion.'
Let the men of God therefore, inculcate righteous-
ness and faith, piety and charity, patience and meek-
10
432
PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.
31CSS,
and let them endeavour to render their
lessons successful, by a care themselves to pursue
these graces; to exercise themselves more strenuously
in that noble and generous conflict to which they are
called, so as to lay hold on the crown of eternal life,'a
and to retain it against the most powerful antagonist.
These are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, even these doctrines according to godliness;
and the minister, who will be wise enough to preach
and act upon these principles, will raise the most
lasting character and secure the most valuable
reward
.13
SLCTION X.
The apostle concludes with a solemn charge to fidelity in the ministry, and particu-
larly urges Timothy, to inculcate on those that were rich, such exhortations and
cautions as their peculiar circumstances required. 1 Tim. vi. 13, In the end.
I Tim. 6. 13. I GIVE thee charge in the sight of God, who
quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus,
who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good con-
14. fesssion;—That thou keep this commandment
without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of
15. our Lord Jesus Christ :-Which in his times he
shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate,
16. the King of kings, and Lord of lords ; —Who only
hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no
man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen,
nor can see: to whom be honour and power ever-
lasting. Amen.
And now to conclude, 13 I solemnly charge thee, as
in the presence of God, who, by his continual energy,
animates and quickens all things, in the whole com-
pass of the creation, and at his sovereign pleasure
revives the dead; and in the presence of Christ
Jesus, who when he was examined before Pontius
Pilate, witnessed, at the apparent hazard of his
life, a good confession, in declaring himself to be
indeed a kiny, though he knew, how liable that
PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.
declaration was to a most unjust and pernicious
interpretation; in this august presence do I charge
thee, 0 Timothy," to keep [this] commandment,
which I have now given thee in all its branches,
and to deliver it down to those who may succeed
thee, unspotted and blameless, that it may shine with
uncorrupted lustre through all future ayes, even
till the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'swhich,
in his own appointed times, he shall manifest, in the
most awful and conspicuous manner, [who is] the
blessed and indeed the only Potentate, before whom,
no other name, or power is worthy of being
mentioned. He may with the strictest propriety
be spoken of by that title, by which other princes
have vainly and blasphemously affected to be called,
the King of kings and Lord of lords, who hath the
fates and lives of all the monarchs on earth entirely
in his hands, and can dispose of them all according
to his sovereign pleasure: even he, who alone
hath immortality in himself; so that all kinds and
degrees of life in others are derived from him, and
continually dependent upon him, according to the
orders issued from that throne, on which he sits
supreme, inhabiting inaccessible light, whon no man
hath ever seen in the full display of his glory, nor
indeed can see, without being immediately over-
whelmed with the first glance of it: to whom [be]
honour and everlasting dominion ascribed by us, and
by all his creatures through eternal ages. Amen.
1 Tim. 6. 17.-Charge them that are rich in this world, tha
they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us
18. richly all things to enjoy ;--That they do good,
that they be rich in good works, ready to dis-
19. tribute, willing to communicate ;--Laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation against the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal
life.
One further instruction I have to give thee, which
VOL. V.
3 K
434 PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.
I shall here add by way of postscript. There are
indeed few of those who are rich in this present
world, that embrace the gospel, or will have any
regard for the instructions of its ministers. But as
it is probable, that some such may be found, in so
opulent a city as that of Ephesus, in which thou
now residest, and as my own labours there have
succeeded with some few in this rank of men, re-
member that their character and behaviour is of
peculiar moment. Do not therefore flatter them,
but faithfully charge them, to behave in a manner
suitable to their distinguished station, and to guard
against the snares to which it exposes them, par-
ticularly urge it upon them, that they be not high-
minded, so as to despise their inferiors, who often
are in the sight of God much wiser and better than
themselves : and, that they do not trust in uncertain
riches, of which a thousand accidents may imme-
diately deprive them, but in the living God, whose
favour will be a sure and eternal portion to all that
are possessed of it; even in that gracious being,
who imparts to us all things richly for our enjoyment,
and who has so liberally distinguished them by the
communications of his bounty. Charge it upon
them, 1sthat, in proportion to the abundance God
has given them, they do good, that they be rich in
good works, that they be ready to distribute what
Providence hath lodged in their hands, and willing
to communicate what they have so freely received;
thereby ''treasuring up to themselves a good founda-
tion against the future; that they may, through the
riches of divine grace, lay hold on eternal life,
when they relinquish all their possessions here,
and find every temporal enjoyment deserting them
for ever.
1 Tim. 6. 20.-0 Timothy, keep that which is committed to
thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings,
and oppositions of science falsely so called :-
PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.
435
1 Tim. 6. 21. Which some professing have erred concerning the
faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
To conclude all, 200 my beloved Timothy, as thon
valuest thine own soul, and desirest to give up
thine account with joy, keep that gospel which is
lodged with thee, as a sacred trust, and never suffer
it to be wrested out of thy hands. Let thy very
soul dwell upon it, avoiding profane [and] empty
babblings, and the opposition of that which is falsely
called knowledge, but is indeed ignorance, pride
and folly : ?which some having professed to pursue,
have fatally wandered from the Christian faith, some
entirely forsaking it, and others corrupting it with
such adulterations, that it is hardly to be known
for that religion, which came immediately out of
the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that
thou mayest ever oppose such false teachers, with
integrity, courage and success, may the grace of
Christ [be] ever with thee in all things, to guide thy
judgment and thy conduct. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
O that we might often be setting ourselves as in
the presence of God, the great and blessed Gov,
whose almighty power quickeneth all things, and is
the life of universal nature, and of the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead! Let
the thoughts of so august a presence, awaken our
souls to diligence in the discharge of our duty, and
let it animate us with courage to witness a good
confession, to whatever inconvenience and danger it
may expose us.
Never let us forget that appear-
ance which he shall manifest, to whom all these
sublime titles belong, even that blessed and only
Potentate, before whom all the lustre of all the
princes upon earth vanishes in a moment, like that
of the smallest stars before the rising sun: the King
13
436
PAUL'S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY.
of kings and Lord of lords,15 who alone hath immor-
tality, and dwelleth in unapproachable light.' How
astonishing his goodness in veiling his glory, so
that we may approach him, in bowing down his
ear to receive our requests, yea in coming to dwell
with that man, who is hunnble and of a contrite spirit,
and who trembleth at his word !- Isai. lxvi. 2. To
him be honour and power everlasting. And let his
infinite majesty be deeply and affectionately re-
membered, amidst all the condescensions of his
love.
Let the rich in this world, since the riches which
liere distinguish tliem cannot attend them into
another, be engaged to receive with all reverence
the charge of our holy apostlc."? Too many of them
walk in pride; but they see, by the sepulclires of
many, once as opulent and as haughty as them-
selves, and by a thousand other marks of the divine
power
and human weakness, how soon God is able
to abase them.- Dan. iv. 37. Forsaking therefore,
what they think, their strong tower, and the high
wall, whiclı, instead of sheltering, may soon crush
them into ruins, let them transfer their confidence
to the living God. Alarmed in a state which renders
their salvation almost as difficult, as it is for a camel,
to yo through a needle's cye, let them "learn from
hence how to improve what is another's, in such a
manner, that they may in due time receive, what
shall be for ever their own.—Luke xvi. 12. Let
them learn to be rich in good works, and by a readi-
ness to distribute and communicate, let them lay up
a celestial treasure ;18 and drop with joy every gilded
trifle, which would hinder their laying hold on
cternal life. Let the ministers of that great Lord,
who is so much higher than all the kings of the
carth, at least show their fidelity to him, in giving
such plain and faithful charges, even to those, who,
by their outward circumstances, are placed in the
PAUL'S CHARGE TIMOTHY.
437
highest ranks of life; being infinitely more solicitous
about securing their Master's approbation, than
gaining the favour of mortal worms who lift up
their
heads on high, because they have a few grains of
shining dust at their disposal. And may the men
of God manifest the like wise and pious magna-
nimity, in avoiding the vain glitter of a falsely pre-
tended service; when it would either lead them to
err from the faith, or to neglect those important
articles of it, which lie most plain and obvious in
the word of God; and for that very reason are too
often disregarded by those, wliom an empty ostenta-
tion of subtilty and learning has taught, to treat
the divine wisdom of God as foolishness.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.
It is uncertain where Timothy was when he received
this epistle. Some have supposed he must have
been at Ephesus ; but their arguments in support of
that opinion seem inconclusive (as Mr. Boyse, has
well observed). And indeed it does not seem very
easy to reconcile this supposition with the apostle's
charge (chap. iv. 13), to bring with him the books
and parchments he had left at Troas ; that city lying
so far out of his way from Ephesus to Rome, espe-
cially as he had expressed a desire of seeing him as
soon as possible. And if it should be pleaded, that
the things he sent for might not then be at Troas,
but at some other place, that might lie in his
Way
it is sufficient to answer, that it would, in that
case, have been more to Paul's purpose, to have
directed Timothy where to have found them, than
to inform him where they were first left. To which
may be added, that if Timothy had been at Ephesus,
when this epistle was written, the apostle would
hardly have said, “ Tychicus have I sent to Ephe-
sus” (chap. iv. 12), but rather, Tychicus have
I sent to you.
That this epistle was written while Paul was
under confinement at Rome, is universally agreed;
but whether it was during his first or second im-
prisonment, has been matter of debate. Several
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
439
learned writers, among whom are Hammond, Light-
foot and Cave, have maintained the former opinion;
while others have argued in favour of the latter,
from chap. i. 18, where Paul, speaking of Onesipho-
rus, says, he sought him diligently at Rome ; which
they apprehend implies, that the apostle was kept
under so close a confinement at this time, that few
knew where he was to be found; whereas in that
imprisonment, of which Luke gives an account in
the conclusion of his history, we are told, he dwelt
in a hired house, receiving all that came to him.-
Acts xxviii. 30. But the strongest argument in
support of this opinion, is drawn from chap. iv. 6,
I am now just ready to be offered, and the time of
my departure is at hand. From whence it has been
inferred, that Paul, when he wrote this, was in
immediate expectation of death, in consequence of
Nero's menaces, or of some express revelation from
Christ (which some have thought, Peter also had
a little before his martyrdom : 2 Peter i. 14): yet
the directions he afterwards gives plainly show, he
had some expectations of living a while longer.
Else it is difficult to say, why he should so much
urge Timothy to give diligence to come to him
(ver. 21), or press his care of the cloak, books, and
parchments, mentioned ver. 13. Though after all,
these words must, I think, express an apprehen-
sion, that his life and ministry were drawing to-
wards a close: which is yet further confirmed,
observing that, whereas in his former imprison-
ment, the apostle had often expressed his persua-
sion of being released, and seeing his Christian
friends again, he gives no hint in this epistle of any
such expectation, but seems to intimate the con-
trary, ver. 18, by expressing his confidence, not
that he should be again rescued from his enemy, as
he had been upon making his first apology, but
that God would deliver him from every evil work,
440
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
and preserve him to his heavenly kingdom: upon the
whole therefore, I conclude, that this epistle was
written some time towards the close of Paul's
second imprisonment, and consequently, about the
year of our Lord 66, or 67; and in the 13th of the
emperor Nero.
The apostle seems to have intended, in this
epistle, to prepare Timothy for those sufferings, to
which he foresaw he would be exposed; to fore-
warn him of the fatal apostacy and declension that
was beginning to appear in tlie church ; and at the
same time to animate him, from his own example
and the great motives of Christianity, to the most
vigorous and resolute discharge of every part of the
ministerial office.
In pursuance of this general design, the apostle,
after his usual salutation, begins with assuring
Timothy of his most affectionate remembrance, and
his earnest desire to see him, expressing his satis-
faction in those marks of sincere faith, which ap-
peared in him, as well as in his pious ancestors.
He then takes occasion, from his own suffering, to
excite him to a becoming fortitude and resolution
in the Christian cause ; and represents in a strong
light the excellence of that gospel, which he was
appointed to preach, and on which he placed an
entire dependence.-Chap. i. 1–12. The apostle,
being firmly persuaded of the truth and importance
of those doctrines, which he had so often inculcated
upon his beloved pupil, exhorts him strenuously to
retain them in the midst of all discouragements and
opposition, and to go through the duties of his
ministerial work with the utmost diligence and
constancy, in dependence on the grace of God;
mentioning at the same time the treachery of
several Asiatics, and acknowledging, with the
warmest gratitude, the extraordinary fidelity and
zeal of Onesiphorus.--Ver. 13. Chap. ii. 1-7.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION,
441
And in order yet more effectually to fortify Timothy
against the difficulties he miglit be called to en-
counter, he lays open the motives and hopes, by
which he himself was supported under the suffer-
ings he bore in defence of the gospel; assuring him,
that those who suffered with Christ, should also be
glorfiied with him. To this he adds some direc-
tions in relation to his ministry: advising him in
particular, to avoid and discourage all those empty
harangues and idle controversies, which only served
to confound the mind, and by which some had
been seduced from the purity of the Christian faith.
- Ver. 8–18. The apostle then takes occasion,
from a general view of the great design and tendency
of the gospel, to urge the necessity of holiness in all
Christians, and especially in ministers ; and recom-
mends to the latter the utmost gentleness and
meekness, in their attempts to recover sinners from
the miserable condition, into which they were
fullen.-Ver. 19, to the end. And to make him
more sensible of the importance of exerting himself,
in order to maintain the purity and honour of re-
ligion, he assures him, that a great declension and
apostacy was to prevail in the Christian world; and
that false teachers were rising up in it, by whose
wicked artifices many weak persons were deceived
and led astray; reminding him at the same time of
that patience and fortitude, which he had seen him
discover amidst the severest persecutions.-Chap.
iii. l-13. To guard Timothy against these se-
ducers, and to preserve the church from their fatal
influence, Paul recommends to him the study of
the scriptures, as of the utmost importance to all
the purposes of Christian edification ; and charges
him in a solemn manner, to use the utmost dili-
gence in all the parts of his ministerial work; de-
claring at the same time, for his encouragement,
the satisfaction, with which he reflected on his own
VOL. V.
3 L
4-12
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
fidelity, in the nearest vicwrs of martyrdom for the
trutlı.-Ver. 14. Chap. iv. 1---8. Tie apostle cou-
cludes this epistle, with requesting Timothy to come
to him as soon as possible, in order to assist and
comfort him, under the unworthy treatment lie bad
met with from some of his Christian brethren;
giving him an account of the manner in which lie
had, in his late appearance before the heathen
magistrates at Rome, been deserted by men, but
supported by Christ; and having expressed his
cheerful coufidence that he should be safely con-
ducted to the presence of his Lord, he adds some
particular salutations, and closes with his usual
benediction.-Ver. 9, to the end of the epistle.
Whoever reads over this epistle with that atten-
tion it deserves, and considers the circumstance in
which it was written, will be sensible that it affords
a very strong argument in favour of Christianity.
The apostle had been for some time under close
confinement at Rome, at the mercy of a cruel and
capricious tyrant. He had seen himself deserted
by his friends in his greatest extremity; and had
nothing before him, but the certain prospect of
being called to suffer death in the same cause, to
which he had devoted his life. In this situation,
how does he behave? Does lie seem to look back
with concern on his past conduct, or to regret the
sacrifice he had made of all his worldly interests ?
Can we discover any thing, that betrays a secret
consciousness of guilt, or even a suspicion of the
weakness of his cause? Nay does he drop a single
expression, that can be interpreted as a mark of
fear, or discomposure of mind, in the apprehension
of those gloomy scenes which lay before him?
Surely, if he had been an impostor, or had enter-
tained the least doubt of the doctrines he taught,
something of this kind must have escaped him,
when writing to so intimate a friend, with whom
GENERAL EXPRESSIONS OF AFFECTION.
443
he could entrust all the secrets of his breast. On
the contrary, upon the most calm and deliberate
survey, he expressed an entire satisfaction, in re-
flecting on the part he had acted ; and earnestly
recommends it to his beloved pupil, to follow liis
example, in maintaining the glorious cause, even
at the hazard of his life. He appears throughout
his epistle, to have felt a strong inward conviction
of the truth of those principles he had embraced,
and glories in the sufferings he endured in support
of them, triumphing in the full assurance of being
approved by his great Master, and of receiving at
his hands a crown of distinguished lustre. A be-
haviour like this, in one, who had so considerable
a share in establishing the Christian religion, and
expected in a short time to seal his testimony to it
with his blood, must be allowed a strong confirma-
tion of the truth of those facts, on which our faith
depends.
It is at least a convincing proof, that
the apostle was himself sincere in what he professed
to believe : and when the several circumstances of
his history are considered, and impartially weighed,
it will appear as evident, that he could not possibly
be deceived, and consequently that his testimony is
to be admitted in its full force.
SECTION I.
The apostle begins his cpistle, after proper salutations, with expressums of his
affection to Timothy, and general acknowledgments of his joy and dependence
upon the grace of that gospel, which he was employed to preach. Tiin, i.
1--12,
2 Tim. 1. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God, according to the promise of life which is in
2. Christ Jesus,-To Timothy, my dearly beloved
son : Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I 'Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of
444
GENERAL EXPRESSIONS OF
God (whose eternal counsels, with reference to
me, were manifested in that wonderful manner, in
which I was set apart for the service of the gospel,
agreeably to the promise of eternal life, which is
given us in Christ Jesus, and by which I am ani-
mated in all my labours and sufferings), send this
second epistle "to Timothy, my beloved son ; whose
humble and faithful services in the gospel I have
so long proved, and whom I love with the affection
of a father.
Nor can I express
this affection
better, than by wishing, as I most sincerely do,
that grace, mercy, and peace, may
attend thee, from
God, the gracious and merciful Father of all true
believers, and from Christ Jesus, his Son and our
Lord, who is also our peace.
2 Tim. 1. 3. -I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers
with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have
remembrance of thee in my prayer; night and
4. day ;-Greatly desiring to see thee, being mind-
ful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy ;
5. When I call to remembrance the unfeigneel faith
that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmo-
ther Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am
6. persuaded that in thee also.—Wherefore I put
thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of
God, which is in thee by the putting on of my
7. hands.-For God hath not given us the spirit of
fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
8. mind.—Be not thou therefore ashamed of the tes-
timony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner : but
be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel
9. according to the power of God ;-Who hath
saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
10. Jesus before the world began ;-But is now made
manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath
brought life and immortality to light through
11. the gospel :- Whereunto I am appointed a
preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the
12. Gentiles. For the which cause I also sullor
these things : nevertheless I am not ashamed: and
AFFECTION AND JOY.
445
2 Tim. 1. 13. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I have com-
mitted unto him against that day.
I give thanks unto this blessed God, whom I serce,
after the example of (my) pious progenitors, with a
pure conscience, that, through his goodness, laying
the case upon my heart, I am incessantly mindful of
thee in my prayers night and day, so that I scarce
ever rise up in the morning, or lie down in the
evening, without allowing thee a share in my de-
vout remembrance ; *desiring earnestly to see thee
(as I am mindful of thy tears, which flowed so plen-
tifully at our last separation), that I might be filled
with joy, in an interview with so dear and amiable
a friend. And indeed thou hast, as it were, an
hereditary title to my regard, "as I also keep in re-
membrance the undissembled faith which is in thee,
and which first dwelt in thy grandmother Lois, and
thy mother Eunice, who believed in Christ before
thee, and have been happily instrumental in com-
municating to thy heart those good impressions,
which they felt on their own; and I am persuaded
that [it is) in thee, too, and that thou still retainest
it, in the midst of all opposition: for which cause,
I am the more encouraged to remind thee of stirring
UP the gift of God, which is in thee by the imposition
of my hands; whereby those miraculous communi-
cations of the Spirit were imparted to thee, which
it will be thy duty to cherish, by frequently en-
gaging in those devotional exercises and active
services, for which they are intended to qualify
thee. Exert thyself therefore with cheerfulness and
boldness, without dreading any opposition that
may arise; for God hath not given us the spirit of
cowardice and fear, but of courage, and of love, and
of wisdom ; and if we conduct ourselves prudently,
wider the influences of a spirit of universal love,
we may liope that his Spirit will work mightily in
446
GENERAL EXPRESSIONS OF
us, to fit us for those services, which his providence
may point out. * Be not therefore ashamed of that
sacred truth, which is the testimony of our Lord,
taught by his month, confirmed by his death and
resurrection, and the descent of his Spirit; nor of
me, who am now his prisoner ; but resolutely own
thy regard to me, and take thy share in the afflic-
tions, which may lie in thy way, while bearing a
courageous testimony to the truth of the gospel, ac-
cording to the evidence derived to it from the mira-
culous power of GOD; 'who hath saved us from that
ruin, into which the world hath fallen by its fatal
apostacy, and hath called [us] out from the rest of
mankind, by a holy calling, not according to any
distinguished merit of our own works, but according
to his own purpose, and those rich overflowings of
grace given to us in Christ Jesus from eternal ages,
as he was appointed, in the everlasting and im-
mutable counsels of God, to be a Redeemer and
Saviour unto us. 19 But this long-concealed grace
is now made manifest by the illustrious appearance of
our Saviour Jesus Christ, who, by what he has done
and suffered in human flesh, for the salvation of liis
faithful servants, hath in effect abolished death, has
deposed it from its tyrannical empire, and thrown a
light on the important doctrine of life and immor-
tality by the gospel; which gives us a more express
assurance and more lively view of it, than any
former dispensation had ever done, or could pos-
sibly do. This is that important message of God
to men, for the proclamation and confirmation of
which I was appointed an herald and apostle, and
particularly had it in my charge, while others were
more immediately sent to the circumcision, to be
myself a teacher of the Gentiles ; 12 for which cause
also, I suffer these hard things, which press me in
this state of confinement: but though my condition
may seem infamous, I am not ashamed of these
AFFECTION AND JOY.
447
bonds, or any of the reproaches and insults with
which they are attended; for I know to whom I have
trusted all my most important concerns, and am
fully persuaded, that he is well able to keep that pre-
cious immortal soul, which I have deposited with
him, even unto that great and important day, when
the promised salvation shall be completed.
IMPROVEMENT.
Who that attentively considers the holy calling,
with which we are called, according to the grace
given us in Christ Jesus, can endure the thought
of being ashamed of Christ's gospel, or any of his
servants,' to whatever difficulties they may be ex-
posed, with whatever infamy they may be loaded ?
For ever adored be that Prince of life, who hath
deposed death from his throne; "who hath enlight-
ened, by rays reflected from his own beautiful and
resplendent countenance, the regions of the invisible
world, over which so dark a veil had before been
spread! Let our eyes be fixed more and more on
this illustrious object, and, confiding in the power
and grace of Christ, let us all immediately and daily
commit to him that invaluable jewel of an immortal
soul, which God hath given us. We may surely
survey it with a mixture of delight and terror, till
we have thus provided for its safety; and then inay
that terror be allowed to disappear, and give place
to a rational delight, and we may justly congratu-
late ourselves, while we adore our Saviour.
Let the proclamation of this gospel be most wel-
come to us, and let us call up all the strength and
vigour of our souls to assert and advance it; for
God hath yiven us the spirit, not of fear, but of cou-
rage, sobriety, and charity. Whatever gifts we
have received, let us stir them up to their proper
use, and let one generation of Christians deliver
12
448
EXHORTATIONS TO
down to another a sense of the excellency of their
holy religion. Pious women may take encourage-
ment, from the success of Lois and Eunice on
Timothy," who proved so excellent and useful a
minister; as perhaps soine of the worthiest and
most valuable ministers, the church of Christ has
cver been able to boast of, have had reason to bless
God for those early impressions, which were made
upon their mind, by the religious instructions of
persons in the same relations.
To conclude, let us learn, by the repeated exam-
ple of the apostle, to be carnest in prayer for our
Christian friends; and if we find our hearts excited
to remember them in our prayers day and night, let
us, with him, return our thanks to God, that he
puts such benevolent affections into our hearts;
for every good disposition that springs up there, is
implanted and cherished by him.
3
SECTION IT.
The apostle exhorts Timothy, strenuously lo retuin the gospel, in the midst of all
discouragements and oppositions, and to go through the duties of his ministerial
office, in dependence upon the grace of lion; mentioning the treachery of seve-
ral Asiatics, and the extraordinary delily and coul of Onesiphorus. 2 Tim. i.
13, and chap. ii. 7.
2 Tim. 1. 13. HOLD fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in
14. Christ Jesus.--That good thing which was com-
mitted unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
ENCOURAGED by that confidence, which I lave
been expressing in the power and fidelity of my
Lord, to whom I have entrusted the care of my im-
mortal interests and concerns, be thou, O Timotlıy,
engaged resolutely to Bretain, and exactly to adhere
to the form of sound words, that system of divine
and everlasting truths, which thou hast heard of me;
keep it, not merely in thy memory, but in thine
FIRMNESS AND FIDELITY.
149
heart, with cordial faith, and that sincerc, fervent
love, which is the great badge of our being in Christ
Jesus, and which will finally secure our being
owned by him, as his true disciples. And as thou
desirest to have the same cheerful confidence, let
it be thy care to keep that good thing which is de-
posited with thee, even the gospel of Christ lodged
in thine hands; assert its honours, by the aids of
the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us, and which
will, I trust, enable thee to act with that integrity
and zeal, which so arduous and important a service
requires.
2 Tim. 1. 15. --This thou knowost, that all they which are in
Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phy-
16. gellus and Hermogenes.--The Lord give mercy
unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft re-
freshed me, and was not asliamed of my chain :
17. But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out
18. very diligently, and found me.-The Lord grant
unto him that he may find my rcy of the Lord in
that day: and in how many things he ministered
unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
's Thou knowest this, that all those of Asia, who
are at Rome, and were known to me by a profes-
sion of Christianity, are turned from me, and have
proved treacherous friends, after all their forward
pretences; of which number are Phygellus and Her-
mogenes, whom it is with great concern that I am
obliged particularly to point out on such an occa-
sion. But it is with proportionable pleasure, that I
mention another person, of a very different cha-
racter, whose affection and zeal was illustrated by
their baseness and disingenuity. May the Lord
grant his mercy to his family! I mean to the house-
hold of Onesiphorus; for he hath often refreshed me,
both by his visits and liberalities, and hath not been
ashamed of my chain (Eph. vi. 20), but has rather
esteemed it his honour to own me, while I was un-
der disgrace and persecution in so good a cause.
VOL. V.
3 M
450
EXHORTATIONS TO
"But being liere in Rome, he sought me out so much
the more diligently on that very account, and, when
he had found [me], took every opportunity of ex-
pressing his unfeigned love and veneration for a
servant and apostle of Christ, in such a circum-
stancc. 18 The Lord grant unto him, that, after
having enjoyed all the blessings of a long and use-
ful life, he may find mercy of the Lord in that great
clay, to which our eyes and hopes, as Christians,
are continually directed. And on how many occa-
sions, he ministered [to me) in Ephesus, thou very
well knowest, as thou wert an eye-witness to it while
we were together there.
2 Tim. 2. 1. - Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace
2. that is in Christ Jesus.-And the things that thou
hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
3. teach others also.-Thou therefore endure hard-
4. ness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.-No man
that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
this life; that he may please him who hath chosen
5. him to be a soldier. -And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
6. lawfully.--The husbandmen that laboureth must
be first partaker of the fruits.
Thou therefore, my dearly beloved son, Timothy,
animated by such an example of fidelity and cou-
rage be strong, in humble and continual dependence
lipon
the
grace
which is in Christ Jesus, and resolve
never to be ashamed of any of his faithful servants,
under disgrace and difficulties, while adhering to
his cause. And the things which thou hast heard
from me, and which I have solemnly testified again
and again before many witnesses, in one place and
another, these commit thou, with all diligence and
care, to faithful men, who may be able also to teach
others; that so there may be, throughout all ages,
a succession of such, who shall deliver them down
from one to another, even till the end of time, ac-
1
2
FIRMNESS AND FIDELITY.
451
cording to God's gracious purposes in revealing
them to us. And especially do 3thou see to it thy-
self, that thine own temper and conduct be such,
as may engage them to fidelity in bearing their
testimony. Therefore, as thy lot is cast in a time,
when we are called to suffer so many severe things
for the truth, prepare thyself steadily and resolutely
to endure afflictions and hardships, as it becomes a
good soldier of Jesus Christ, and one whom he hath
honoured with a distinguished rank in l.is army,
that thou mayest marshal, and lead on others,
And, to pursue the metaphor, remember that no
one, who goes out to war, entangles himself with
secular affairs, but relinquishes every other calling
and employment, that he may please him under whom
he is enlisted, and be ready to receive and execute
his commands. Accordingly, keep thyself as much
as possible disengaged from worldly business, and
from every thing, which might tend to take off
thy thoughts from thy great work, and render thee
less active in thy sacred warfare, 'And thou also
knowest, that if any one wrestles, or contends in
any other of those games, for which Greece is so cele-
brated, if he do gain an advantage over his antago-
nist, he is not crowned, unless he wrestle, or perform
any other athletic exercise, according to the law of
the respective contention. So let us take care to
learn the rules which Christ has laid down, to
direct us in our attempts, and act according to
them. And be not impatient, though the expected
and promised reward should be long delayed; for
thou well knowest, that the husbandman must first
labour, and wait while the harvest is growing,
through succeeding weeks and months, [and then]
partake of the fruits produced by his toils.
2 Tim. 2. 7. -Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things.
Consider the things which I say, as matters of
452
ON FIRMNESS AND FIDELITY.
higli importance, in which thou art intimately con-
cerned ; and may the Lord give thee a good under-
standing in all things, and enable thee to act in a
manner suitable to the instruction thou hast re-
ceived.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us all be exhorted to be strong in the grace
that is in Christ Jesus,' and in humble dependence
upon it, let us go forth cheerfully to our work and
warfare as Christians. This is a strength so great,
and communicated with so rich a freedom, that the
Christian minister, under his peculiar difficulties,
will find it adequate to them all. Let such parti-
cularly apply to themselves the exhortations and
consolations, which are here given, or suggested.
Let them strenuously retain the form of sound
words, which the inspired apostles have delivered,
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. To
this orthodoxy of principle, which a due regard to
this great and only standard will teach them, let
them add orthodoxy of temper. And as they desire,
that Christ may keep what they profess to have de-
posited with him let them faithfully keep what he has
lodged in their hands. And may the Holy Spirit
dwell in them,!4 to make them faithful in all, and
direct them in their efforts, to defend the gospel, to
spread its influence on the hearts of men, and trans-
mit it from one generation to another; lodging it
with faithful men, who may teach others, when their
teachers and fathers in Christ shall rest from their
labours. Such a succession may Gon continue in
liis churches; and may he prosper the work of
those, who are employed in humble and faithful
attempts to promote so good a cause, by forming,
for this important charge, those who, liko Timothy,
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY.
453
have early known the scripture, and felt its power on
their hearts.
Let such as are setting out in this holy warfare,
remember the caution which the apostle gives. May
they not unnecessarily encumber themselves with
secular cares, which would render them less fit to
please the great General, under whose banner they
are enlisted. Let them strive lawfully, if they hope
for the crown, and cultivating the ground with dili-
gence, let them wait with patience, if they desire
at length to reap that blessed harvest. Nor let that
general apostacy from the power of religion, which
is the shame of the present day, deter them; but
rather let it whet their pious zeal, to own, with
more strenuous attachment, the cause of Christ, and
of his faithful servants. And when they have done
all, may they ever retain a humble sense of their
dependence on the divine mercy: and the Lord
grant to us all, ministers and people, that we may
find it in that great day.
SECTION III.
Paul further unimates Timothy to fidelity, hy laying open the motiles and hopes,
which supported him under the difficulties he bore in the defence of the gospel;
interspersing sereral addresses, reluting to that purity, prudence and meekness,
with which he should endeuvour to conduct himselj' in the ministry. 2 Tim. ii.
-18.
2 Tim. 2. 8. REMEMBER that Jesus Christ of the seed of David
was raised from the dead according to my gospel :
9. -Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, eren
unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10. –Therefore I endure all things for the elect's
sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation
which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
TO ANIMATE thee, O Timothy, to all the labour's
and all the sufferings of the Christian and minis-
terial life, remember Jesus Christ, the promised
451
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY.
Messiah, of the seed of David, the great apostle anel
high-priest of our profession ; who, after having
spent, and laid down his life in the prosecution of
his great work, was raised from the dead, and ät
length exalted to the right hand of God, there to
receive the reward of all his labours and sufferings,
according to the tenour of my gospel, which, as thou
well knowest, I every where preach and attest.
'In the service of which, I suffer evil, [even] to
bonds; the chief magistrates of my country sen-
tencing me to confinement, after the many insults,
which have been offered me by the dregs of the
people, as if I were a malefactor, worthy of some
heavy punisliment: but my great comfort is, that
the word of God is not bound. I rejoice, that many
of my brethren are at liberty to preach it publicly,
and am thankful for every opportunity of bearing
my testimony to so good a cause, in such a private
manner, as my present circumstances may admit;
well knowing, that God can bless even these limited
attempts, to what degree he shall, in his infinite
wisdom, see fit.—Compare Phil. i. 12. 10 On this
account I cheerfully endure all these things, and
whatever else Providence may appoint, for the sake
of the elect; that the gracious purposes of God for
their happiness may be effected, and they may obtain
that complete salvation, which [is] in Christ Jesus,
and which shall be attended with cternal, as well as
illustrious and exalted glory.
2 Tim. 2. 11. It is a faithful saying; For if we be dead with
12. him, we shall also live with him.-If we suffer,
we shall also reign with him : if we deny him, he
13. also will deny us :-If we believe not, yci he
abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
[It is] a faithful word which I have often in-
sisted upon, and it shall undoubtedly be verified ;
that, if we have the resolution to dic with him, even
with that blessed Saviour, according to the obliga-
11
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY.
155
tion of our baptismal vow, we shall also live with him,
in that everlasting happiness, which he hath pre-
pared for all his people. "If we patiently endure
our part in his afflictions, we shall also share his
triumph and reign with him in his celestial kingdom.
But on the other hand, if we are intimidated with
these transitory evils, so as to desert his cause,
and deny [him] before men, he will also, as he hath
expressly threatened, deny us in the great day,
before his Father and his holy angels. **If we are
unfaithful, and false to our engagements, he abideth
faithful, and will steadily adhere to those rules of
judgment and distribution, which he hath so so-
lemnly laid down in his word (compare Matt. x.
33): for we may be sure he cannot deny himself, by
frustrating his own public declaration. It becomes
us therefore to weigh the tenour 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.
2 Tim. 2. 11. -Of these things put them in remembrance, charg-
ing them before the Lord that they strive not
about words to no profit, but to the subverting of
the hearers.
* Remind [them] of these things, as thou art en-
gaged to sacrifice every other view, to the great
prospect of approving thy fidelity to such a Master.
And for this purpose, testify, as before the Lord,
and as in his presence, to those over whom thon
art called to preside, that men do not contend and
quarrel about words, an evil, to [which] they are so
obnoxious: for such a contention [is] altogether
unprofitable, (and even tends] to the subversion of the
hearers, taking off their attention from true religion,
and filling their minds with pride and passion, and
numberless other disorders and vices.
2 Tim. 2. 15. --Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
456
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY.
2 Tim. 2. 10. dividing the word of truth.—But shun profane
and vain babblings: for they will increase unto
17. more ungodliness.-And their word will eat as
Joth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Phi-
18. letus ;-Who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already; and
overthrow the faith of some.
15 Diligent endeavour, whenever thou comcst to
present thyself before God, in any of the duties of
thine office, that, whatever men may judge of thee
and thy services, thon mayest be approved by him,
as a workman, who hath no cause to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth, distributing with
prudence, as well as fidelity, to each liis proper
share. 16 But avoid, and stand at a distance from
thosc profane and empty declamations, with which
some, who affect to be thought of importance in
the Christian church, are ready to amuse them-
selves : for though the evil of some of them any
not immediately appear, and they may seem trifling',
rather than mischieious, they will at length advance
into more impiety; and when Satan has prevailed
upon men, once to quit the right way, he will be
continually gaining greater advantages over them :
Hand their discourse will cat like a gangrene, spread-
ing itself further and further, till the whole body is
infected, and even destroyed by it. Such teachers
there are now in the church; of which [number] in
particular, are Hymeneus and Philetus, who have
crred 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
MOTIVES TO FIDELITY.
1.37
alierefore 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, or to private Christians, than
this of the apostle, taken in all its extent: Re-
member Jesus Christ. Many a sweet memorial hatlı
he left us of himself. Often, very often, have we
been called solemnly to survey them, and yet how
ready are we to forget him, and by a natural con-
sequence to forget ourselves, our duty and interest
on the one hand, and our danger on the other !
“ Blessed Jesus! may we daily and hourly re-
member 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 thy cause we should be called to
suffer evil, as evil doers, whether in our persons,
or reputations, may we not be discouraged, but rather
rejoice in the honour thou doest is, in appointing
for us such a conformity to thyself! The enenies
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 ;9 and divine grace, operating by it, will
sooner or later give it the intended, the promised
triumph; that his clect may obtain salvation by Jesus
Christ, and may not only escape the 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 with Christ, we shall reign with him
too;'l 12 and may we endure the greatest hardships
to which we can be called out, as considering, that
10
VOL. V
3 N
458
NECESSITY OF HOLINESS.
our sufferings are momentary, but our reign will be
eternal. Never may we, for any allurement or
terror, deny him, as we wonld 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, 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 perplex-
ing subtleties ; but may, in the integrity of their
hearts, endeavour to approve themselves to God, as
workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth.' And may divine grace preserve
the church from those seducing teachers, whose doc-
trine, like a secret gangrene, might spread itself to
the destruction of the body, so that the faith of
many might be overthrown. * '18
Section 11.
The apostle urges the necessity of holiness in all
. Christians, but especially in
ministers ; and if merkness in their endeavours to recover sinners from the mise-
rable condition, into which they were fallen. 2 Tim. ii. 19, to the end.
2 Tim. 2. 19. NEVERTHELESS the foundation of God standeth
sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
20. name of Christ depart from iniquity.—But in a
great house there are not only vessels of gold and
of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some
21. to honour, and some to dishonour.-If a man
therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the
master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22. -Flee also youthful lusts : but follow righteous-
NECESSITY OF HOLINESS.
45)
2 Tim. 2. 22. ness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on
23. the Lord out of a pure heart.-But foolish and
unlearned questions avoil, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
In order to excite thee, O Timothy, to contend
earnestly for the great doctrines of the gospel, I
have taken notice of the manner, in which some
have revolted from them. And it is matter of
mournful reflection, that there should be such
instances of apostacy in this early age of the church.
"Nevertheless, we recollect with pleasure, that,
whatever defections there may be in particular per-
sons, the great foundation stone, which the mercy
and faithfulnesss of God has laid for the support and
comfort of his people, standeth firm and steadfast,
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 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. 20 For in a great house, there
are vessels, not only of gold and silver, but also of
wood and clay, the former being intended for honour-
able, the other for meaner and dishonourable uses :
and accordingly, there will be, in the church of
God, persons of different characters, who will meet
with very different treatment. If therefore any
one cleanse himself from thest, if he be careful to
avoid the society of persons, who have revolted
21
460
NECESSITY OF HOLINESS.
from true religion, and made themselves instru-
ments of impurity and iniquity, he shall be a vessel
of honour, sanctified and useful to the immediate and
personal service of his great Lord and Master; and
such a oue will be constantly ready, as the noble
vessels of a house, to every good work, which will
be the surest test of our real goodness. But fice
from all occasions of exciting, or gratifying the
passions of youth ; whether, on the one hand, the
love of sensual pleasure, or on the other, rashness,
contention, pride, and vain-glory, to which young
persons are peculiarly obnoxious: for these will
render thee unfit for the honour of being used by
thy Lord, for the purposes of thy glory, and the
edification of his church. And therefore, instead
of making provision for these, pursue, with the
greatest ardour and intenseness of mind, righteous-
ness and fidelity, love and peace; cultivate an up-
right, benevolent, candid temper towards all, and
especially towards those, that invoke the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ, out of a pure heart, so far as
the conduct can discover the inward temper. .
2 But avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing
that, how curious soever they appear, they only
tend to beget strifes and contentions in the church";
and I reckon it a most important part of the learn-
ing of a Christian minister, to guard against such
occasions of offence and mischief.
2 Tim. 2. 24. —And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25. - In meekness instructing those that oppose them-
selves; if God peradventure will give then re-
pentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26. And that they may recover themselves out of the
snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.
Let the bigoted Jews, and the vain-glorious
Heathens, on each side, split into ever so many
different sects and parties, and dispute as eagerly
NECESSITY OF HOLINESS.
401
about such things as the 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 to teach the
ignorant, and instead of hurting [and] injuring any,
be willing to endure evil from those who, instead of
receiving liis doctrine, repay his kindness with
outrage. In meekness instructing opposers, if by
any means God may perhaps, in his own due time,
conquer their savage prejudices, and give them re-
pentance to the acknowledgment of the truth; of
which, through the riches of divine grace, we see
some instances, even where there had been a long
and inveterate struggle against it. And surely it
will be worth while, to try every method on such
unhappy souls, that they may awaken, and recovei
themselves out of the share of the devil, who have
lain sleeping, and as it were intoxicated in it, having
been taken by that subtle fowler, and, like a living
prey, detained captive by him at his cruel pleasure,
while perhaps they have been dreaming of liberty
and happiness, in the midst of the most shameful
bondage, and the extremest danger.
IMPROVEMENT,
How affecting a representation is here made of
the wretched state of sinners! They are described
as slecping in Satan's snare, 26 like birds in a net,
taken alive, and at the fowler's mercy; while they
imagine, they can spring up whenever they please,
and range at full liberty. Alas! they will soon
perceive their fatal captivity: but they will perceive
it too late, if divine grace do not quickly awaken
them. Who would not wish to do something for
their recovery? Let the ministers of the gospel pity
them. Let us pray that God, whose work it is,
would yire them repentunce to the acknowledgment of
402
NECESSITY OF HOLINESS.
25
the truth.?
Let us try every gentle method, which
the sincerest compassion can dictate, towards effect-
ing so happy a design, and not suffer ourselves to
be transported to undue severities of language, or
of sentiments, even though we should receive the
greatest injuries, where we intend the most im-
portant kindness. 24
Let those that have the honour to bear the most
holy character, which any office can devolve ou
mortal man, avoid, with the greatest care, every
thing that would bring a stain, or even a suspicion
upon it. Let them revere the voice of the great
apostle, while it animates them to pursue righteous-
ness, and faith, love, and peace, with all their
fellow-Christians of every denomination, with all
that invoke Christ and that trust in him. So shall
they be vessels of honour; so may they humbly hope,
that their Lord will condescend to make some
special use of them, for the purposes of his own
glory, and the salvation of their fellow-creatures, 21
To conclude, let ministers and people be daily
reading, with all possible care, this double inscrip-
tion on the foundation of God; and while we rejoice
in the one, let us be admonished by the other.
For what is it to us, that the Lord knows, dis-
tinguishes and favours his own, that his almighty
power protects them, and that his infinite mercy
will for ever save them, if we are ourselves found
among the wicked, with whom he is angry every day,
among the workers of iniquity, whom he will
publicly disown, and to whom he will say, I know
not whence you are. To name the name of Christ
with dispositions like these, will be to injure and
profane it;' and our profession itself will be in-
terpreted, as an act of hostility against him, whom
we have presumed so vainly to call
, the foundation
of our hopes, and the sovereign of our souls.
CAUTIONS AGAINST DECLENSION.
403
SECTION V.
Paul cautions Timothy against that great declension and apostacy, which was to
prevail in the Christian uorlil, and against those false teachers, who were rising
up in it; reminding him of the erample he had seen in him, in the midst of such
persecutions as uere still to be espected. 2 Tim. iii. 1-13.
2 Tim. 3. 1. This know also, that in the last days perilous
2. times shall come.-For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blas-
phemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, un-
3. holy,--Without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of
4. those that are good, -Traitors, heady, high-
minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of
5. God ;-Having a form of godliness, but denying
the power thereof: from such turn away.
It is the more necessary, thus to urge thee to
every precaution, and every effort, which may pre-
serve the purity and honour of the Christian church,
as, after all we can do for this purpose, such sad
scenes are to open in it. We are indeed acquainted
with our duty, and we shall find our own highest
account in attending to it. But this know, O
Timothy, that in the last days, under the evangeli-
cal dispensation, which is to wind up the economy
of Providence, and is to remain in full force even
to the end of the world, difficult times and circum-
stances shall arise, in which it will be hard to dis-
charge our consciences, and at the same time
maintain our safety. For men shall be lovers of
themselves, in the most absurd and excessive degree,
lovers of money, so as to be impelled to the basest
practices by the hopes of obtaining it; boasters of
what they have, and proud pretenders to what they
have not; blasphemers of God, and revilers of their
fellow-creatures; disobedient to parents, notwith-
standing all the obligations they are under to their
care and tenderness; unthankful, and ungrateful to
other benefactors; unholy, "though they profess
404
CAUTIONS AGAINST DECLENSION
themsclves devoted to God, and consecrated to lus
service by the most solemn rites: they will be
destitute of natural affection, cven to their own
children, as well as of piety toward their parents ;
implacable where enmities have been commenced,
and treacherous in their mutual engagements,
whe!
there has been a pretence of making them up; false
accusers, in which they will imitate their diabolical
malignity, which renders the great chemy of man-
kind so justly odious; intemperate in their pleasures,
fierce in their resentments, cruel in their revenge;
ilestitute of all love to goodness, though it so naturally
extorts a tribute of veneration and affection from
every human licart, which is not sunk into the last
degeneracy. They will be 'truitors to those that
place the greatest confidence in them, such base
traitors, as even to give up their brethren into the
hands of persecutors; heady and rash in criterpris-
ing things, which can only issue in the disturbance
of society, or the ruin of those that undertake them.
In the mean time, they will be puffed up with such
insolence and self-sufficiency, as to despise any re-
monstrance which can be made, to bring them to
a wiser and more decent conduct; and upon the
whole, will prove lovers of pleasure, rather than
lovers of God; who will therefore sacrifice all con-
siderations of religion to the gratification of their
appetites. And yet, in the midst of all these enor-
mities, they will still profess themselves Christians,
having a form of godliness, and observing with ex-
actness the rituals and externals of religion, but at
the same time, denying and opposing the power of
it in their lives, and demonstrating that it has no
real influence upon them. From such therefore,
even from all, in whom thou discernest a temper
like that which I have here described, turn away ;
avoid all intimacy with them, lest they should avail
themselves of the friendship, to which thou mightest
5
AND APOSTACY.
465
admit them, as an advantage for doing further mis-
chief: let it therefore evidently appear, that thou
givest them no countenance.
2 Tim. 3. 6. -For of this sort are they which creep into
houses, and lead captive silly women laden with
7. sins, led away with divers lusts,-Ever learning,
and never able to come to the knowledge of the
8. truth.--Now as Jannes and Janbres withstood
Moses, so do these also resist the truth : men of
corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. -
9. But they shall proceed no further : for their folly
shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
This temper, as I have intimated before, las
begun to appear in many of our contemporaries,
of which (number) are those artful deceivers, who
insinuate themselves into houses, and are especially
successful in their attempts to captivate inconsider-
ate women, of low rank, and mean understandings,
yet easily inflamed with passionate zeal; being
indeed, whatever pretences they may make to
sanctity, laden with sins, and led aside by various
lusts, which these seducers know how to flatter in
such a manner, as to make them their own property.
These foolish creatures are always learning, they
pretend to hear with great eagerness, and are
charmed with every appearance of novelty and
fervour; but they are tossed about with every gale
of doctrine, and never able to come to the acknou-
ledgment of the truth, or to attain any fixed and
steady principles. And these designing wretches,
of whom I have been speaking, seize on such as
their proper prey, and just as Jannes and Jambres,
the Egyptian magicians, withstood Moscs, when he
came to Pharaoli with a message from God, so do
these men also withstand the truth of the gospel. I
speak of persons, whose minds are utterly corrupted,
who with respect to the faith are disapproved, and
worthy of being rejected as enemies to it, and un-
VOL. V.
3 o
466
CAUTIONS AGAINST DECLENSION
worthy to know it, thongli they pretend so much
zeal in its defence. But I foresce, that they shall
not procecil much further in those artifices, for their
folly shall be manifested to all, as theirs also u'us,
when God sent upon the Egyptians plagues, which,
far from being able to remove, or mitigate, they
could not, as in former instances, so much is
initate.
2 Tim. 3. 10. -But thou hast fully known my doctrine, man-
ner of life, puropse, faith, longsuffering, charity,
11. patience, --Persecutions, afflictions, which came
into me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the
12. Lord delivered me.-Yea, and all that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.-
13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
1° But thou hast exactly traced, and been accurately
acquainted with my doctrine, and my conversation,
the steadiness of my aim, purpose and resolution in
the cause of God; that firm and uniform fidelity
which I have always strenuously maintained, with-
out yielding up any the least article of it; my long-
suffëring, when í had been treated in the most
injurious manner; my love to all, however different
in opinion, not excepting even mine enemies and
persccutors; and my patience under such pressing
trials, particularly under the "persecutions [and]
sufferings, which befel me in the Pisidian Antioch
(Acts xiii 45), in Iconium (xiv. 2), in Lystra (xiv.
19), where thou hast not only heard, but seen what
persecutions I endured; but the Lord Jesus, whom I
serve, was still with me, and rescued me out of them
all. 2 Yea, and all who are resolutely determinea
upon it, that they will live godly in Christ Jesus, that
they will conduct themselves by the strict rules of
piety, which he has prescribed, not turning aside
to the right hand or the left, shall suffer persccution,
or opposition of one kind or another; for Christ
AND APOSTACI.
167
has decreed to lead all his people to glory, through
a variety of difficulties and hardships. But wicked
men and impostors, by whatever artifices they may
decline persecution, are in a yet more wretched
state ; for they provoke God to give them up to the
lusts of their own heart, and so will grow continu-
ally worse and worse, more obstinate in their oppo-
sition to the gospel, and its faithful ministers;
deceiving others indeed by false and treacherous
pretences, but being themselves much more fatally
deceived by their own corruptions, which delude
them with the visionary hope of some teniporal
advantage, while they are plunging into irrecover-
able and everlasting ruin.
IMPROVEMENT.
Must we not, on the survey of this scripture, in
comparison with what we every day behold in life,
cry out,
“ Verily these are the last days ?" They
are assuredly times of difficulty and peril. Self-
love, pride, ingratitude, treachery, intemperance, in-
solence, the contempt of all authority human and
divine, 3 cach, all of these characters may too
plainly declare it. But none with more striking
evidence than the excessive love of pleasure, on
which so many are doting to destruction, while
every consideration both of religion and of prudence,
falls at the shrine of this favourite idol. Men
are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,
more than lovers of their families, yea, though self-
interest be in many instances so scandalously pur-
sued, yet more than lovers of themselves; and when
they have sacrificed every thing else to their gain,
they sacrifice even that gain to luxury. And would
to God there was none such, even among those
that retain the form of godliness, which so many
indeed have scornfully cast off!
But O! how vain
403
THE STUDY OF THE
the form, where the power of it is thus denied !
And how peculiarly scandalous are these characters,
in those who call themselves teachers of religion !
yet to such they are here originally applied ; and
their race is not yet extinct.
Blessed be God, there are those yet remaining,
who are the happy reverse of these; ministers, who
can appeal to the consciences of men, as to their
doctrine, their conversation, their resolution, their
fidelity, their gentleness, their charity and their
patience." Happy are they, how ill soever they
may be treated in the world! Happy would they
be, though exposed to all the terrors of persecution,
which the apostles and their first followers endured !!!
But we are all warned to prepare for some degree of
it ;"2 and indeed, who can wonder, if, amidst so
many evils, they who will not go on with the mul-
titude, should sometimes be rudely pressed by them;
and it may be, in some instances cast down and
trampled under foot. But be it so; though cast
down, they shall not be destroyed.—2 Cor. iv. I.
A little time will balance all. An hour of eternity
will more than balance it. Let us guard against the
deceits, by which so many suffer. Let us guard
above all, against those deceits which men practise
upon themsclves, and whereby they hurt them-
selves infinitely more, than all their fraud or vio-
lence can hurt any, who are not accessory to their
own indoing
SECTION VI.
To guurd Timothy aguinst those seducing teuchers, ani w preserve the church from
their evil infinence, Paul recomniends to him the study of the scriptures, and
great diligence in all the parts of his ministerial work ; reflecting with pleasure
on his own fidelily, in the nearest views of martyrdom for the truth. ”Tim.
iii. 114, to the end, & iv. 1-0.
2 Tim. 3. 14. Bur continue thou in the things which thou hast
Icarned and hast been assured of, knowine or
SCRIPTURES RECOMMENDED.
409
. Tim. 3. 15. 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
16. faith which is in Christ Jesus.-All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc-
17. tion in righteousness :—That the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
4. 1. works.-I charge thee therefore before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick
and the dead at his appearing and his kingom ;
2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuf-
3. fering and doctrine. For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine ; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
4. teachers, having itching ears ;--- And they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.
I HAVE mentioned the case of these wretched
men, who grow worse and worse, deceiving others,
and themselves most of all. But that thou, O
Timothy, mayest effectually avoid them, continue
thou stedfast in the things which thou hast learnt
from me and hast believed upon the authority of
God speaking in and by me; knowing from whom
thou hast learnt (them), and what convincing proofs
I have given thee, both of my general integrity,
and of that extraordinary inspiration by which I
teach. 15 And knowing also, that the oracles of the
Old Testament confirm the system of doctrines
which I have taught; of which thou must be very
sensible, because, from thine infancy, thou hast
known the sacred scriptures, in which the grand
learning of our Jewish nation consists, and which
are indeed most worthy of being studied by all, as
they are able to make thee, and all that faithfully
admit and follow thcir guidance, wise unto eternal
salvation ; a science infinitely nobler and more im-
portant, than human literature, in its greatest
refinements, can pretend to teach, and which is to
470
THE STUDY OF THE
be learned only through that faith which is in Christ
Jesus. For the whole scripture, received by the
Jewish church, [is] divinely inspired, and therefore,
as may well be imagined, is profitable to the highest
purposes. It is fitted for doctrine, as it lays down
the most fundamental principles of religion, in the
view it gives us of the divine nature and perfections,
and for conviction of those opposite errors, which
the licentious and perverse wit of man has invented
in so great abundance, and set off with so many
plausible arguments. It is also useful for the re-
proof of irregularities in practice, which, how
speciously soever, they may be defended, by the
sophistry of those, that think it their interest to
plead for them, quickly fall before the authority of
the divine word. And when' men have submitted
to it, they will also find it effectual for instruction
in righteousness
, and will be led on from one degree
of virtue and piety to another, with a progress,
which will continually advance, in proportion to
the regard they pay to that (livine book. To this
therefore, I hope thou, O Timothy, and every
minister of the gospel, will diligently apply, "that
the furniture of the man of God may be complete,
and that he may be thoroughly fitted for every good
work, which his holy calling may require. 'I charge
[thee) therefore, considering what I have urged in
the former part of this epistle, in the most awful
manner, before the great and blessed God, and the
Lord Jesus Christ, lis only begotten Son who shall
judge the living and the lead and pronounce on
them all their final and everlasting doom, at his
last public, glorious appearance, when the extent
and majesty of his kingdom shall appear in full dis-
play: I charge thee, to execute the important trust
committed to thee, with the strictest fidelity. For
this purpose, ºpreach the word of God, with all
possible seriousness and earnestness; be instant in
SCRIPTURES RECOMMENDED.
471
the prosecution of that good work, in the stated
scason of religious assemblies [and] out of that
season, wlen occasional providences may give thec
an opportunity ; yea carry it into thy private con-
versation, in the intervals of thy public labours.
Endeavour to convince the consciences of men, and
to reclaim them from their erroneous principles;
rebuke them for their irregularities and vices, with-
out fearing the face of any; and exhort them to
diligence and zeal in the performance of their duty,
with all long-suffering, though thou mayest not
immediately see the desired effect; and enforce
these exhortations, with all those well known and
important motives which the doctrine of the gospel
may suggest. Seize the present opportunity with
all eagerness, °for I see that the time will quickly
come when they will not endure good and wholesome
doctrine, but thinking themselves above the plain-
ness of moral and practical instruction, shall wan-
tonly heap up to themselves seducing teachers, whose
harangues shall be just according to the prejudices
of their own lusts, having notlıing else to recommend
them, unless it be perhaps a glare of false and affected
eloquence, which may gratify the vain curiosity,
and itching ears of their hearers. And so unhap-
pily will their minds be disposed, that they shall
turn away (their) attention from simple truth, of the
greatest certainty, on which nothing less than their
salvation depends, and shall be turned aside to idle
fables, which they eagerly drink in, under a fond
semblance of mystery and obscure science, which
they pretend to be veiled in those abstruse and
enigmatical forms.
2 Tim. 4. 5. —but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of
6. thy ministry, -For I am now ready to be offered,
7. and the time of my departure is at hand.—I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
8. have kept the faith :--Henceforth there is laid up
472
THE STUDY OF THE
2 Tim. 4. 8. for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
and not to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing.
"But be thou, O Timothy, diligent and watchful
in all things, that may tend to the security of thy
charge : and prepare thyself resolutely to endure
adversity, and to perform the full work of an evange-
list, and fully to accomplish all the branches of thy
ministry. And the rather, considering how soon
the world will lose whatever advantage it may now
receive from my personal labours, for I may well
conclude from my age and circumstances, that I
am now, as it were, just ready to be offered, to be
poured out as a libation upon Gov's altar, and the
time of my departure is near at hand; the time
when I shall be dismissed from this state of con-
finement, when I shall weigh auchor from these
mortal shores, and launch into the ocean of eternity.
And while I stand on the borders of that awful
state, it is with unspeakable pleasure I reflect, that
I have maintained the gooil combat against the
sharpest opposition, that I have finished (my] race,
though it has been so arduous, that I have kept the
holy faith committed to my trust, and with the
strictest fidelity, endeavoured to preserve it free
from human additions and corruptions. It re-
maincth (that a crown of righteousness and glory is
laid up in sure reserve for me, which the Lord, the
righteous judye, who presides in this great exercise,
shall, with distinguished honour before the as-
sembled world, render and award to me, in that
illustrious day, upon which our hopes and hearts
are set: and it is the joy of my soul to think, that
he shall not assign it to me alone, but to all them also,
who love the thoughts of his final appearance to the
universal judgment, and are, or shall be making it
wise and pious preparation for it.
SCRIPTURES RECOMMENDED.
473
IMPROVEMENT.
Behold thuis blessed man, this prisoner, this martyr
of Christ, appearing in his chains, and in the near
views of a violent death, more truly majestic and
happy, than Cesar on his imperial throne! Blessed
man indeed; who could look upon the pouring
forth of his blood, as the libation of a sacrifice of
thanksgiving, on which he could call for the con-
gratulations of his friends, rather than their condo-
lence; who could loosen from these mortal shores,
and set sail for eternity with a shout! O may we
all be excited by his example to fight the good fight,
to finish our course to keep the faith,' in the view of
that crown of righteousness, which is not reserved
only for Paul, or for ministers and Christians of
the first rank, who have been eminent for the most
distinguished services, but for all who love Christ's
appearance, and whose hearts are thoroughly re-
conciled to his government !
May we therefore be watchful in all things. May
we enilure every affliction which God shall lay in
our way, and fill up with proper services every
station in which we are fixed. Let the ministers of
Christ attend to this solemn charge, before God and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge both the quick
and the dead, at his appearance and in his kingdom,
They are as much concerned in this judgment, as
Timothy or Paul; their own eternal state is in
question, and none can have greater reason than
themselves to be impressed with it. Let as many
therefore as are called to it by divine Providence
and grace, preach the word with zeal and fervency,
as well as fidelity ; let them be instant in season,
and out of season, with a resolution tempered with
gentleness, and supported by firm faith in him,
who entrusts them with the message. And let the
petulancy of men, which indisposes them to endure
3 P
VOL. V.
474
PARTICULAR SALUTATIONS.
sound doctrinc, yet makes them need it so much
the more, be considered by them as an engagement
to greater zeal, rather than an excuse for remiss-
ness.
That they may be animated to it, and furnished
for it, thoroughly furnished for every good work in-
cumbent upon them, as men of God, a becoming
reverence is to be maintained for the divinely in-
spired scriptures, apparently profitable for doctrine
and reproof, for correction, and instruction in
righteousness
. toʻ17
Let us all esteem it our great
happiness, if from children we have been acquainted
with them ;' let us study them diligently, and take
faithful care, to deliver them down to those that
arise after us, as the oracles of that eternal wisdom,
by which we and they may be made wise to sal-
vation.
SECTION VII,
The apostle concludes with requesting Timothy to come with him, giving him an
account of the manner in which he had, in his late appearance before the heuthen
magistrate at Rome, been deserted by mnen, but supported by Curist; and
adding some particular salutations and directions. 2 Tim. iv. 9, to the end.
2 Tim. 4. 9. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me :-
10. For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this
present world, and is departed unto Thessalo-
nica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11. –Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring
him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the
12. ministry.–And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13. — The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus,
when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books,
but especially the parchments.
I MIGHT add much more on this occasion, but
the hope I have of seeing thee ere long, makes me
the easier in omitting it. I cannot but be very
desirous of such an interview. 'Endeavour, there-
fore by all means to come to me here at Rome, as
AND DIRECTIONS.
475
quickly as possible. 10 For I need the assistance
and company of such a faithful friend, as I have
met with very unworthy treatment, from some, who
ought to have acted in a very different manner.
And I must particularly inform thee, that Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved the present world, and
followed another way, as his secular views invited
him. In pursuit of these, he is gone to Thessalo-
nica, as Crescens is to Galatia, and Titus, for whom
thou knowest I have a very high regard, is gone to
Dalmatia. 1 Luke alone, whose faithful friendship
I have long experienced, is still with me. I desire
thou wouldst take the first opportunity, of engaging
the company of Mark, [and] bring him along with
thee, for he is useful to the advancement of my
ministry among the Gentiles, having often attended
both Barnabas and me in our progress amongst
them. Thou wilt perceive, by what I have just
been saying, what reason I have to wish for the
society of an approved Christian friend and brother,
at a time when I am left thus destitute : yet prefer-
ring the edification of the church of Christ, to any
personal consideration of my own, I have sent Ty-
chicus to Ephesus, where I some years ago left thee,
to take care of the flourishing church, which I
planted there, and with some of whose members I
have had so long and intimate an acquaintance.
13When thou comest hither, as I hope thou quickly
wilt, I desire thou wouldest remember to bring (with
thee] that cloak, which I left at the house of our
friend Carpus, in Troas, when I passed through it
the last time. And bring also the books which I
left there, [but] especially the parchments.
2 Tim. 4. 14. -Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil:
the Lord reward him according to his works :-
15. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly
withstood our words.
When I speak of these parts, I cannot forbear
1
476
PARTICULAR SALUTATIONS.
telling thee, that "Alexander, the brazier, has
brought many evils and mischiefs upon me. And I
doubt not but the Lord, who exercises a guardian
care over me as his faithful servant, will sooner or
later reward him according to his works. May it be
an instructive and merciful discipline, to reform
rather than destroy him. 15 Against whom, in the
mean time, be thou also particularly upon thy guard,
or thou mayest receive much detriment from him ;
for he hath not only done me a great deal of per-
sonal injury, but hath greally withstood our words,
and taken every measure in his power, to prevent
thie progress and advancement of the gospel, which
is indeed wounding me in the most tender and sen-
sible part.
1
2 Tim. 4. 16. -At my first answer no man stood with me, but
all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not
17. be laid to their charge.- Notwithstanding the
Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that
by me the preaching might be fully known, and
that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was de-
18. livered out of the mouth of the lion.And the
Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and
will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom ; to
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
16 In my first apology before the prefect of the city,
no man of all the Christians here at Rome, appeared
with me, for my countenance and support, but all,
either through treachery, or cowardice, forsook me.
May it not be charged to their account, as an instance
of unfaithfulness to our common Master! Yet I
was not left entirely destitute, "but can say it with
great pleasure, that the Lord Jesus Christ stood by
me, and strengthened me with that inward fortitude
of soul, which no luman support could have in-
spired : that by me, the preaching [of his gospel] ]
might be carried on with confidence, and [that] all the
nations might hear: for I made my defence, in a
manner, that will, I doubt not, be taken notice of,
AND DIRECTIONS.
477
and reported abroad, much to the advantage of that
sacred cause, which is dearer to me than any life.
And though this plain and faithful testimony did
indeed expose me to great danger, yet I was for the
present rescued, like Daniel, out of the mouth of the
lion; so that, fierce as he was, God did not suffer
him to devour me, when he seemed to have me at
his mercy. 8 And I am confident, that the Lord,
whose power and faithfulness are always the same,
will rescue me from what I fear much more than
any
thing this body can suffer, even from every evil
work; will strengthen me against the most pressing
and violent temptations, so that I shall do nothing
ubecoming my Christian faith, or ministerial office,
and thus will preserve and conduct (me] to his
heavenly kingdom, with peace and triumph : to him
therefore [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Tim. 4. 19. -Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the houshold
20. of Oncsiphorus.-Erastus abode at Corinth : but
21. Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.-Do thy
diligence to come before winter, Eubulus greeteth
thee, and Pudens and Linus, and Claudia, and
22. all the brethren. - The Lord Jesus Christ be with
thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen
I must conclude with desiring tliee to 19.alute
Priscilla and Aquila, those dear friends, with whom
I have had so agreeable an acqnaintance and inter-
course, these many years; and also the family of
good Onesiphorus. In my last journey through
Asia and Greece, I had the affliction to part with
some of our common friends, whose conversation
and company would have been very desirable, had
Providence permitted it. Erastus in particular
abodeat Corinth, and Trophimus I left sickat Miletus:
nor did the Lord, who hath made me an instru-
ment of wiraculous healing to so many strangers,
permit me at that time to be so to him.
21 Ender-
cour therefore, as I am deprived of these agreeable
478
PARTICULAR SALUTATIONS.
.
friends, and surrounded with so many dangers and
enemies, which threaten my life, to come to me
before winter. Several Christians here at Rome
desire I would send their commendations to thee;
and in particular, Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens,
and Linus, and Claudia, and indeed all the brethren
in general. My hcart is as at all times full of the
tenderest affection for thee; which I cannot express
better, than by praying, as I most sincerely do,
that 22 the Lord Jesus Christ himself may [be] ever
present with thy spirit, and shed abroad those sanc-
tifying, quickening and comforting influences of
divine grace, which may fit thee for all thou hast
to do and bear, under thy Christian and ministerial
character. And wherever this finds thee, I desire
thou wouldst assure my fellow-Christians, that I
wish them well. May grace [be] with you all, as
your circumstances require, to render you more
eminently useful in the present state, and prepare
you for complete and everlasting happiness in the
next. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
Be this our prayer for ourselves and our friends,
that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with
their spirits and ours;" that, though we have not
seen him here, neither can see him, we may ever
feel his vital presence, and may live and act as ever
near him, and as conscious that he is ever with us.
Then may we promise ourselves, that, while he
stands by us, we shall be strengthened, how weak
soever we are in ourselves, that we shall be com-
forted, whoever may descrt us, that we shall be
rescued from the extremest dangers, delivered out of
the mouth of the infernal lion, and safely prescrved
to his heavenly kingdom.
That such a confcssor, as the holy apostle, St.
18
AND DIRECTIONS.
479
Paul, should have been deserted, at the time of his
apology, when there must have been so large a
number of Christians at Rome, may justly appear
one of the most surprising circumstances recorded
in the sacred history. It teaches us to cease from
man, and to repose ourselves with some caution
upon the friendship of the very best. It teaches us
to watch over ourselves, lest the fear of man should
bring a snare upon us (Prov. xxix. 25), and lead us
to be ashamed of Christ in his members. It con-
curs with the apostacy of Demas, to warn us, that
we beware of loving this present world, and keep
our eyes more steadily fixed on a better, in which
our highest interest lies, and by regarding which,
our souls will acquire a certain uniform tenour, that
will
prove their honour and their safety.
The readiness of Paul, amidst such a dearth of
true and faithful friends, to part with those that yet
remained, when he thought the service of Christi-
anity required it, is an amiable and instructive part
of his character.10 12
They know not the heart of a
man, and the duty of a Christian aright, who know
not, that even the tender and friendly passions are
to be guarded against, and admitted no further,
than reason and religion will warrant; and that
such society, as is far dearer to us than any animal
delight, or secular accommodation, is often to be
given up, that our fidelity to God may be approved.
Once more, it is obvious to remark, that Paul,
though favoured with such extraordinary degrees of
divine inspiration, sets a proper value upon books,
and expresses a great concern about their being
safely conveyed to him.' Let us therefore pity the
ignorance, rather than imitate the enthusiasm and
madness of those, that set learning at defiance,
especially in the ministers of the gospel. Let us
thankfully acknowledge the divine goodness, in
having furnished us with so many excellent writings,
180
SALUTATIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
of wise and pious men in all ages; and let us en-
deavour, by frequent converse with them, to im-
prove our furniture, that our profiting may appear
into all men. Yet let us all remember, that, how
large and well-chosen soerer our library inay be,
the sacred volume is of infinitely greater importance,
than all that Greece or Rome, or Britain has pro-
duced, or the united labours of all the best of men,
who have written since it was concluded. And let
the Christian minister remember, that the two epistles
through which we have now passed, and that which
We are next to surrer; are to be esteemed by him,
amongst the most edifying and important parts,
eren of that incomparable and divine book.
-
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE EPISTLE OF PALL THE APOSTLE TO
TITI'S.
Titus, to whom this epistle is addressed, was
Greek (Gal. ii. 3); and was probably converted to
Christianity by St. Paul, as we may conclude from
the title he gives him of his own son after the common
faith (Tit. i. 4); though the particular time of his
conversion cannot be ascertained. - The earliest
account of him we meet with (for Luke does not
once mention his name in the Acts) is in Gal. ii. 1,
where the apostle says, he took him with him from
Antioch to Jerusalem, fourteen years after his con-
version, to attend the grand council that was held
there, in the year 19: and as Titus was of Gentile
parents, and consequently uncircumcised, St. Paul
would not suffer him to subinit to that rite, that he
might not seem to abridge the liberty of the Chris-
tian Gentiles.-Ver. 3.
Some years after this, we find the apostle had sent
him to Corinth (2 Cor. xii. 18), to enquire into the
state of things in that church, and particularly to
learn what effect his former letter had produced.
The intelligence Titus brought St. Paul at his return
gave him the highest satisfaction, as it far exceeded
all his expectations (chap. vii. 6, 13): and as Titus
had expressed a particular regard for the Corinthians,
he thought proper to send him back again, with
30
VOL. V.
482
EPISTLE TO TITUS.
some others, to hasten the collection for the poor
Christians in Judea.- Chap. viii. 6. After this, we
hear no more mention of him, till he is spoken of
in this epistle, as having been with St. Paul in Crete.
It appears, that the apostle had a very great regard
for him, not only from his appointing him to take
care of the church he had planted in Crete, but
from the manner in which he speaks of his discharg-
ing the commission he gave him to the Corinthians,
and the honourable terms in which he recommends
him to them, as his partner and fellow-helper. -
Chap. viii. 23.
This epistle was most probably written in some
part of St. Paul's last progress through the Asiatic
churches, between his first and second imprison-
ment at Rome; and consequently the last of his
epistles, except the second to Timothy : but nothing
can be certainly determined, either as to its date, or
the place from which it was sent; for though the
spurious postscript supposes it to have been written
from Nicopolis, yet the contrary seems to be plainly
intimated, chap. iii. 12, as the apostle says not, I
propose to winter here (which would have been
most natural, if he had resided there when he was
writing), but there ; which shows he was at that
time in some other place. However, it is plain,
Titus was at Crete when he received it, where St.
Paul had left him, to settle the church he had
established there, and carry on the work he had
begun. Accordingly the greatest part of the epistle
is taken up, in giving him directions, for the more
successful discharge of his ministry amongst them;
and particularly for his behaviour towards those
corrupt Judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to
pervert the faith, and disturb the peace of the
Christian church.
The apostle, after a short introduction, in which
(agreeably to the design of the epistle) he intimates
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
483
that he was commissioned by Christ, to preach the
gospel to the Gentiles, reminds Titus of the special
reason for which he left him at Crete, and directs
him on what principles he was to act, in the ordina-
tion of those Christian ministers, who were to take
the oversight of particular churches; representing
them, as persons not only of a blameless but
exemplary character, who should be eminent for
their piety, and for every social and personal virtue,
as well as thoroughly established in the Christian
faith. Chap. i. 1-9. And to make Titus more
sensible of the necessity of using this precaution,
he puts him in mind of those seducing Judaizing
teachers, with which that church was infested;
who, under the mask of greater zeal and knowledge
than others, concealed the grossest corruption of
morals, and whose mischievous attempts were the
more likely to succeed, considering the general
character of the Cretans. Such therefore he directs
him to reprove with great severity, and, in opposi-
tion to their false and dangerous tenets, advises
him to accommodate his exhortations to the dif-
ferent sorts of persons, with whom he conversed,
according to their respective sexes, ages, and cir-
cumstances. And to give the greater weight to his
instructions, he admonishes him to be himself an
example of what he taught, and by the purity of
his doctrine, as well as the innocence of his con-
duct, to silence his opponents.—Ver. 10, to the end.
Chap. ii. 1-8.
St. Paul then proceeds to urge on
Titus, a care to instruct servants in the duties of
their station, that they might, according to their
sphere, do an honour to the religion they pro-
fessed; and represents the obligation they were
under to such a conduct, from the great design of
the gospel institution, and our Saviour's sufferings
and death, which was to deliver mankind from sin,
and form them to universal holiness in heart and
484
EPISTLE TO TITUS.
life.- Ver. 9, to the end. Agreeably to this view of
religion, the apostle exhorts Titus, to enforce sub-
jection to the civil magistrate, and a readiness to
all good works; to caution against censoriousness
and contention, and recommend a meek, peaceable
and forgiving temper : which he intimates might
the more reasonably be expected from Christian
Gentiles, as before their conversion, their character
had been so corrupt. This leads him to acknow-
ledge the grace of God in Christ, to which all
Christians were indebted for the change produced
in them, and for the hopes of salvation they were
taught to entertain : from whence he takes occasion,
to remind Titus of the importance of insisting upon
the great doctrines of practical religion, in opposi-
tion to those empty speculations and useless con-
troversies, to which some were attached. In the
close of the epistle, he directs him how to proceed
with respect to heretical teachers; and having ex-
pressed his desire to see him at Nicopolis, where he
proposed to winter, he concludes with a general
salutation.—Chap. iij. 1, to the end of the cpistle.
Upon a review of this, and the two epistles to
Timothy, it is natural to reflect, how much they
tend to illustrate and confirm the internal evidence
of Christianity. It has been often observed, and
very justly, that nothing sets the characters of
great men in so true a light, as their letters to their
particular friends: while they are acting in the eye
of the world, they frequently appear in disguise, and
the real motives of their conduct lie out of sight;
but in their familiar correspondence, they open their
minds with freedom, and throw off all reserve. If
therefore any should object to the argument drawn
from St. Paul's epistles to the churches, that, as
they were designed for the public view, he would
be upon his guard, not to let any expression escape
him that might give the world an unfavourable
GENERAL INTRODUCTION,
485
idea of himself, or the cause in which he was en-
gaged; yet certainly, when he is writing, as in
this, and the two former epistles, to his most inti-
mate friends, who were embarked with him in the
same design, and with whom therefore he could
use the utmost confidence, we may reasonably
expect to find him disclosing his real sentiments,
stripped of all artifice and disguise. And now,
upon the most accurate and impartial examination
of these espistles, what do we discover? Can we
trace any marks of insincerity and imposture?
Does the apostle wear any other character, than
that in which he had appeared to the whole world ?
Does he drop the least hint, that can lead one so
much as to suspect, that he had been only acting a
part, and imposing upon mankind ? Can we per-
ceive the least shadow of inconsistency, between the
views he gives of religion in these, and his other
writings? Is there any thing like that double doc-
trine, which some have charged upon the ancient
philosophers ? On the contrary, is it not most evi-
dent, that he founded his own hopes, and formed
his own conduct, upon the very same principles,
which he recommended to others; that he had no
views of secular interest or ambition to gratify, and
was influenced by no other motives, than those,
which he openly avowed in the face of the world :
in a word, that his character, as well as his doc-
trine, was consistent and uniform, and his inward
sentiments the same with his outward profession?
The instructions he gives his friends, for the exer-
cise of their office, had nothing of art or subtlety,
but were all plain and simple, and centred in that
grand design, of advancing the interests of religion,
and the happiness of mankind, which ever lay near
his heart: and so far is he from flattering them
with the prospect of any worldly advantage, that he
exhorts them to be ready, after his example, to
486
QUALIFICATIONS OF
sacrifice every temporal interest, and even life itsell,
in the cause they had undertaken to support.
Now if this be allowed a just representation of the
case, it will certainly follow, that the apostle was
himself thoroughly persuaded of the truth and im-
portance of those doctrines he had taught: and,
since it may be easily proved, that the evidence, on
which he built his faith, was of such a nature, as to
exclude all possibility of mistake, we may safely con-
clude, upon the credit of his testimony alone (had
we no other arguments to produce) that the Christian
religion is not a cunningly devised fable, formed to
answer the ambitious or interested views of its au-
thors, but that it is indeed the power of God, and
the wisdom of God.
SECTION I.
Paul, after a proper introduction, reminds Titus of the speciul seasons for which he
left him in Crete; and directs him on what principles he should act in the ordi-
nation of those Christian ministers, who were to take the oversight of particular
churches. Tit. i. 1-9.
Tit. 1. 1. Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to faith of God's elect, and the
acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness ;
2. —In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot
3. lie, promised before the world began ;-But bath
in due times manifested his word through preaching,
which is committed unto me according to the com-
4. mandment of God our Saviour;- To Titus, mine
own son after the common faith : Grace, mercy, anı
peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ our Saviour.
This epistle is written by 'Paul, a servant of the
one living and true God, and an apostle of his only
begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the advancement of
the faith of God's chosen people, and to promote the
acknowledgment of the truth of the gospel ; that
divine doctrine, which [is] according to godliness, and
A CHRISTAIN BISHOP.
487
has the greatest tendency to promote the interest of
the true religion in all its branches; whilst it exhi-
bits, 'in so clear a manner, the hope of eternal life,
which God, who cannot lie, nor deceive any of his
creatures, hath not only as under the former dis-
pensation, intimated to us, but expressly promised
to all believers, in consequence of those great en-
gagements, into which he entered with his Son,
under the character of our surety and redeemer,
before the world began, or time was devided into these
revolving periods, which measure out its succeeding
ages. The plan was distinctly drawn in his all-
comprehensive mind; but he hath now manifested
it in his own due and well-chosen time, by his word;
which administers to us that glorious hope by the
public preaching and declaration of it, with which I
was entrusted, according to the commandment and
sovereign pleasure of God our Saviour. And I ad-
dress this epistle *to Titus, [my] genuine son, accord-
ing to the tenour of the common faith, even that
Christain faith, to which I had the happiness of
converting thee: to whom, with an affection be-
coming a father in Christ, I unfeignedly wish every
desirable blessing, even grace, mercy and peace,
from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our
Saviour; by whom we obtain an interest in him,
and hope for an eternal salvation from him, with
which no inheritance on earth is by any means
worthy to be compared.
Tit. 1. 5. -For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou
shouldest set in order the things that are wanting,
and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed
thee:
5 For this cause I left thee in Crete, though I could
have been so beartily glad of thy company in my
travels, that thou mightest set in order the things
which were deficient there, as I could not stay long
enough myself, to reduce them into so regular a
488
QUALIFICATIONS OF
state as I could have wished; and particularly, that
thou mightest ordain elders in every city in which
Christain churches are planted, to whom the stated
oversight of them may be committed in the Lord,
as I gave thee in charge, when I párted with thee.
Tit. 1. 6. -If any be blameless, the husband of one wife,
having faithful children, not accused of riot, or un-
7. ruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the
steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not
given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8. —But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men,
9. sober, just, holy, temperate ;-Holding fast the faith-
ful word as he hath been taught, that he may be
able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to con-
vince the gainsayers.
The office is so very important, that I hope thou
wilt be proportionably careful, as to the character
of the persons who are to be invested with it; and
"if any one is thought of in that view, let it be one,
who is known to be blameless in his conduct the
husband of only one wife, to whom he entirely con-
fines himself, neither allowing of polygamy, or
divorce, or an irregular commerce with any other
women; and let him be one who hath believing child-
ren, if he have any that are grown up, not accused
of any kind of debauchery, or ungovernable in their
temper and disposition, which would render them a
reproach, rather than an honour to the Christian
name. I must insist on a care in this respect, for
it is evident, that the disorders of children often
reflect a dishonour on their parents, and indeed
arise from something amiss in them: but a bishop,
or overseer of a Christain congregation, which the
elder we speak of, by virtue of his office, is, must
necessarily be blameless, as he is, in that society over
which he presides, the steward of God, who is ap-
pointed in his name, to take care of his family.
He must not therefore be fierce and self-willed, ob-
stinatr, morose and arrogant, not soon provoked to be
A CHRISTIAN BISHOP.
489
angry, not one who sits long over his cups, and loves to
drink large quantities of wine, not a striker of others,
by which whatsoever his provocation may be, he
always degrades himself, in the eyes of those that are
witnesses of the quarrel, nor greedy of sordid and
infamous gain: ºbut he ought to maintain a charac-
ter, directly the opposite of all these, and to be
hospitable, benign, sober, and grave in his deport-
inent, righteous, holy, devout, and temperate in all
things; "holding fast in the most resolute manner,
the faithful word, which he hath becn taught by those
who were commissioned to publish it to the world,
that so he may be able both to instruct others in
sound doctrine, and to convince and silence those that
contradict it.
IMPROVEMENT.
Never let it be forgotten by any that call them-
selves Christians, that the faith of God's ciect, is the
acknowledgment of the truth which is according to
godliness. Never let the great design of Christianity
be lost, in an eager contention for any of its ap-
pendages, or any of its parts. Yet, alas, how often
has it, in particular instances, been wounded almost
to death, in a furious attempt to rescue it, and that
sometimes, perhaps, from only an imaginary danger!
That we may be more sensible of its vital in-
fluence, let us ever retain the hope of that eternal life
which it proposes, as the great end of all our par-
suits; even of that life, which God that cannot lie
hath promised. Let us rejoice to think, that so im-
mense a superstructure has so firm, so divine a
foundation ; and let us never give it up, for any
thing that a flattering world, always ready to en-
gage, avd slow to perform, can promise.
Let us ever be very thankful for the provision God
hath made, for the manifestation of his word, through
VOL. V.
3 R
490
CACTIONS AGAINST
perate."
preaching, and for his goodness in raising up faith-
ful pastors to his church; orerseers in every age,
who bare been blameless, sober, just, holy and tem-
Such may all be, that appear under that
Sacred character; able, by their doctrine to instruct,
by their reasoning to convince, by their practice to
edifs ; ever solicitous that they may not neglect
their pastoral services,' that they may not lord it
proudly over their brethren, that they may not be
transported by furious passions, or misguided by
Task conclusions, or perverted by low interests, and
the greediness of filthy lucre ;" but that they may
approve themselves the faithful stewards of God,
and promote the good order of his house; and, so
far as their influence can reach, the happiness of
every member of his family.
In order to this, let them look well to their own
houses that nothing may be wanting on their part,
to make their children tractable, faithful, and sober.
And let the children of ministers consider the obli-
gations they are under, to cultivate a teachable
spirit, and to maintain the strictest decency in their
whole deportment, as remembering the superior
advantages they may be supposed to enjoy for re-
ligious improvement, and how much a minister's
reputation and usefulness depend upon the regu-
larity of his family.
6
SECTION IL
Pan rutiina Ti.A artímat uuning wochers, and the native tices of the Cretags :
aut abikses innom animadala hin echartatime to the different wirts of persons
auch imhomin he omanud, according to their respectica 2.10%, agua, and circum-
Titues 10, to the end, chap.biel-.
Tit. I. tr. koke there are many unruly and vain talkers and de-
11, Civert, pecially they of the circumcision : -Whose
mooth: minst be stripped, who subvert whole houses,
SEDUCING TEACHERS.
491
Tit. I. Il, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy
lucre's sake.
I Have particularly insisted upon it, that a bishop
should be able to convince gainsayers, as well as
to instruct candid and obedient hearers. And
indeed the precaution is very necessary at present,
and particularly in the place where you now pre-
side: for there are many disorderly [persons,] and
rain talkers, who are deceired in their oron minds, in
consequence of which it is no wonder if they are
active in deceiving others. And this is especially
the case with those of the circumcision, who are so
eager to impose, on their Gentile brethren, the
ceremonies of the Mosaic law, as if Christianity
itzelf were insnfficient to save us without them :
uchose mouth must therefore be stopped by solid
arguments, and their unreasonable clamours si-
lenced, by the strenuous exercise of discipline :
for they are persons, who are so active in spread-
ing these mischievous potions, that they orerturn
whole families, teaching things, which they might not,
for the sake of infamous gain; hoping by their doc-
trines to secure the favour of some rich men, who
never think they can do enough for those preachers,
that support their own
their own factious and dividing
பாப்பார். .
TE 1. 12. Oke themeletes, eren a prophet of their own,
mid, The Cretians are always liars, evil beant,
13, iThis mitries is true, Werefore re.
Brike tiem starply, that they may bx *und in the
14. Szetti ; sur human try Jewish fables, and coin.
mamente o meli, tiat tam from the truth.
I know that there are many such at present ini
vom izland; and I remember that Epimenide,
me of their rinntrymen), and a pret in such high
BETWPN, tiaat I may call him a kind of prophet of
thuta sta, luu seurd, Thu, Cretans are always lutra,
perváciams surenje benslx and yet slow billion,
492
DUTIES OF THE AGED, THE YOUNG, &c.
wretched compound of luxury and idleness, fierce-
ness and falsehood, which makes it exceedingly
difficult to reform them, or even to live safely and
quietly among them. · This witness concerning
them is, in the general, true, though some parti-
cular persons may be found of a different character,
For which cause, rebuke them severely, when they
begin to show a disposition to corrupt Christianity';
that they may be sound in the faith, and that the
simpler part of them, may be preserved from the
dishonest artifices and attempts of others. And
particularly, that they may not fall into tlie folly
of giving heed to Jewish failes, and to the command-
ments and traditions of men, who pereert the truth of
the gospel with those human mixtures, by which
they have in a great measure spoiled and enervated
the law of Moses, for which the pretend so great a
zeal.
Tit. 1. 15. -Unto the pure all things are pure ; but unto them
that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure :
16. but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They
profess that they know God; but in works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and
unto every good work reprobate.
I know they value themselves highly upon the
distinctions of food, which they inculeate, as of so
great importance to purity. But they are much
mistaken. "To the pure indeed, all things [are]
pure. A man that habitually exercises a good con-
science towards Gon, according to the best of his
kuowledge, is accepted of him, whether he do, or
do not, abstain from such particular kinds of food,
as they scruple; whereas, to the polluted and unbe-
lieving, which alas, is too generally their character,
nothing [is] pure, but their very mind and conscience
is defilcil
, and they pollute, as it were, every thing
they touch; they sin in all their actions, and even
in those very meals, in which they are most care-
DUTIES OF THE AGED, THE YOUNG, &c.
493
Such is the temper and character of many! 'but
ful to abstain from what they have been taught to
(steem common and unclean. I speak not now of
all who practise Jewish ceremonies, but of those,
''[who, while] they profess to know God, and glory
in their relation to him, as is his peculiar people, in
works cleny [him], and act as if they disbelieved his
very existence; being abominable to all that can
judge of true worth, and disobedient to the plainest
dictates of duty, and with respect to every good
work reprobate, disapproved and condemned, when
brought to the standard of God's word, though
tlıey are among the first to judge and condenm
others.
Tit. 2. 1. —But speak thou the things which become sound
2. doctrine :- That the aged men be sober, grave,
temperate sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
do thou, O Titus, not only guard against the in-
fection thyself, but endeavour to fortfy others
against it, and speak the things which become whole-
some doctrine, doctrine which may tend to promote
the health and happiness of those minds, by which it
is imbibed. And endeavour to suit thy instructions
to "the different characters of persons, whom thou
addressest. When, for instance, thou art applying
thyself to aged men [admonish] them to be watchful
against temptations, which might dishonour their
advanced years, hy drawing them into an unseemly
behaviour: to be grave in their whole deportment,
avoiding such levities, as are, even in youth itself,
rather pardonable than commendable, but in those
who are quitting the stage of life, highly indecent.
Press it upon them, that they be sober and temper-
ate in the use of animal pleasures, as their highest
relislı for them may well be supposed, by this time,
to be abated. In a word, that they be sound,
healthful, and vigorous in the several graces of the
Christian temper, and particularly in faith, in love,
494 DUTIES OF THE AGED, THE YOUNG, &c.
and in patience; that the principles of Christianity
may be retained, and have a suitable effect upon
their hearts, to produce unbounded charity, and a
calm composure under the calamities they may
suffer from the hand of God, or the persecutions
they may meet with in the cause of the gospel.
Tit. 2. 3.
3. --The aged women likewise, that they be in be.
haviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not
4. given to much wine, teachers of good things ;--That
they may teach the young women to be sober, to
5. love their husbands, to love their children,-To be
discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to
their own husbands, that the word of God be not
blasphemed.
3 The aged women, in like manner, [exhort] to that
steadiness which becometh saints, and suits the holy
profession they make: that they be not false ac-
ccuser's of others, a character rather to be expected
from the great enemy of mankind, who has his
name from thence, than from the disciples of the
benevolent Jesus. Urge them also, that they be
not given to much wine ; for some of the Cretan
women, as well as men, are infected with that
luxurious evil. And as it may be reasonably ex-
pected, that persons, so advanced in life, should
have laid up a treasure of prudence and religious
wisdom in their minds, press them, in such a man-
ner as becomes their private station, to be teachers,
of that which is good : and particularly, that they
wisely admonish the younger women : for whom they
ought to maintain a maternal affection, and form
them, on discreet maxims, to a prudent care in
future life; teaching them to love and honour their
husbands; to love their children with such a true
affection, as shall engage them to use the most
pious and tender care, in forming their minds, by
all the offices of a good education, so many of which
will naturally depend upon the mother. Let them
DUTIES OF THE AGED, THE YOUNG, &c.
495
inculcate it upon these young mistresses of rising
families, "[that they be] discreet and chaste, atten-
tive to domestic affairs, and in that view keeping at
home to look after them with prudence and care;
that they be good, kind, and benevolent in their
behaviour to all, and particularly obedient to their
own husbands, that so the word of God which they
profess to have received into their hearts, and to
reverence as their oracles, may not be blasphemed
by their foolish or perverse, rebellious or licentious
conduct.
Tit. 2. 6. —Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
• In like manner also, exhort the young men, the
hope of rising families, upon whom so much of the
credit and support of the gospel will depend, that
they accustom themselves betimes, to be sober, and
steady in their behaviour, superior to sensual tempta-
tions, and constant in the exercise of every part of
self-government.
Tit. 2. 7.-In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works : in doctrine shening uncorruptness, gravity,
8. 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.
And that this address to them and others may
be more successful 'in all things, be still showing
thyself a pattern of good works, by which others may
model their conduct with advantage : while em-
ployed in teaching, be constantly [exercising] uncor-
ruptness, that nothing may be spoken but the
genuine truth, and let it be attended with a gravity
in declaring it, proportionable to its importance,
and proceed from sincerity of heart; still uttering
*whoelsome speech, that cannot be confuted ; that he
who is on the contrary side, and will obstinately
persist in his infidelity, may be ashamed of his op-
position, having no evil to say of you, or those com-
496
DUTIES OF THE AGED, THE YOUNG, &c.
mitted to your care ; but may be obliged, with all
his prejudices, to acknowledge, that you are a
worthy president, over a worthy and valuable
society of men.
IMPROVEMENT.
While we are reading the word of God, let us
attentively observe, what characters are adorned
with honour and what are branded with infamy.
It is melancholy to think that any nation, though
ever so small, ever so remote, ever so destitute of
cultivation and instruction, should deserve the
characters, wliich Epimenides gave of tlie Cretans,
and which Paul found reason to confirm : that
luxury and fraud, idleness and fury,"? dissonant as
they may seem, should be their governing inclina-
tions. Sad distempers in the mind of men! But
how peculiarly lamentable, when they prevail
among professing Christians! for among those that
are Christians indeed, they cannot possibly prevail.
Yet surely, there are not a few, even in Britain,
with all its advantages, who, while professing to
know God, and Christ Jesus his Son, in works deny
them. Such are abominable, in proportion to the
degree in which they are disobedient; and, as they
are reprobate to every good work now, must expect
to be rejected with abhorrence at last, by that God
whose name they have blasphemed, and whose Son
they have dishonoured.'
To remedy, and if it be possible to prevent
such evils, let the ministers of Christ be still ap-
plying themselves with suitable cxhortations and
charges, to all with whom they are concerned. Let
them apply to the aged and the young ;2 6 and let
the aged of both sexes use that authority, which
their more advanced progress in life may give, to
enforce upon the rising generation lessons of wisdom
DUTIES OF SERVANTS.
497
and piety, according to their respective sexes and
circumstances in life: that prudence and chastity,
economy and sweetness of temper, a subjection to their
husbands, formed on love and on religion, may be
the character of young wives ;ts and that they may
join to it that very important duty, of a pious
care in the education of those children, which God
may give them. And may the sobriety of young
men encourage a hope, that they will preside over
their families in the fear of God, and repay
the
goodness of such amiable consorts. And may the
teachers, whether in public or private life, be them-
selves examples of the virtues they inculcate ; that
they who study to asperse Christianity, may find
themselves silenced, till their shame turns into a
worthier affection : till their silence breaks out into
praise, and they, imbibing the like principles, feel
them productive of the like virtues.
SECTION III.
Paul urges on Titus, n cure to instruct serrants in the duties of their station : and
represents their greul obligations to discharge them from a general view of the
design of the gospel, and the love of our Kedeemer in it. Tit. ii. O to the end.
Tit. 2. 9. Excort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things ; not
10. answering again :--Not purloining, but shewing all
good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things.
Whilst thou art, according to the direction I
have given thee above, instructing the superior
ranks of mankind, I would not have thee neglect
the lowest; but exhort] their slaves and other
servants, who are honoured with a call into the
Christian church, to be subject to their own masters,
with reverence and obedience; pleasing [them] in all
things, so far as they lawfully may, and not answer-
3 s
VOL. V.
498
DUTIES OF SERVANTS.
ing again, in a pert and insolent manner, if they
are reproved by them, even though it should be
justly, or with an excess of severity.
10 Not
privately defrauding them of anything that is com-
mitted to their trust, but showing all good fidelity
upon every occasion ; that so, instead of bringing
any reproach upon religion, they may adorn the doc-
trine of God our Saviour in all things, and recom-
mend it to the esteem of their masters and others,
when they shall observe its influence on all its pro-
fessors, to make them careful in the discharge of
every social and relative duty.
Tit. 2. 11. -For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
12. appeared to all men,-Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sober-
ly, righteously, and godly, in this present world ;-
13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ap-
pearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ.
"For the saving grace of God in the gospel dis-
pensation, hath appeared unto all men, to men of all
nations, and of all ranks and orders of life, for this
great purpose, that it may train them up for cternal
salvation, by a holy temper, and a useful, exem-
plary behaviour. This it effects, under divine
influence, by Pinstructing us all, wherever it comes,
that, denying the solicitations of ungodliness and
worldly lusts, to which men of this world so natu-
rally abandon themselves, we should live soberly, in
the government of our appetites and passions; right-
cously, in our conduct towards our fellow-creatures;
and piously, in our behaviour towards Gon, and
converse with him, while we are by his providence
continued in this present vain, and transitory world
through which, we trust, he is leading us to a
blissful immortality. And this is the great object,
which he requires us still to keep in view; and
that we should all, in our different situations, be
;
DUTIES OF SERVANTS.
499
"waiting, with ardent expectation and desire, for
the blessed hope, which he hath set before us, and
for the full consummation of it, in the glorious ap-
pearance of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus
Christ; who shall be manifested, with divine pomp
and majesty in the last day, to redeem all his
servants from the power of the grave, and to
conduct them, in their complete persons, to the
full and everlasting enjoyment of his heavenly
kingdom.
Tit. 2.
14. -Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify unto hiir self a pe-
15. culiar people, zealous of good works. These things
speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.
Let no man despise thee.
Such are our sublime hopes from this glorious
Lord, to whom we have all vowed subjection,
whether we be bond or free; even to him, "ch)
gave himself up to ignominy, torment, and deat!:,
for us, that he might thereby redecm us, not onl:
from final vengeance and destruction, but from the
power of all iniquity; and might purify to himself u
peculiar people, who should thankfully own them-
selves his property, and express their gratitude for
such inestimable favours, by being not only careful
to avoid the practice of evil, but zealous of good
works, active in all the duties of life, and in every
office of righteousness and goodness to each other.
The highest of mankind are not above owning the
obligation, and it is his will that the lowest should
remember it. 15 These things therefore speak boldly,
and earnestly exhort all thine hearers to attend to
them. And if they fail of regarding them in al
proper manner, rebuke them with all authority, as
one that knows he has a divine commission to sup-
port him: and upon the whole let no man despise
thee; but endeavour to give these exhortations with
that solemnity and dignity, and to enforce them by
500
DUTIES OF SERVANTS.
that wisdom and sanctity of behaviour, which may
set thee above all danger of contempt
IMPROVEMENT.
Hardly does the word of God afford a more in-
structive and comprehensive summary of the gospel,
than that which is here before us. It gives us a
view of the nature of the dispensation, as a doctrine
of grace; and, at the same time, a doctrine accord-
ing to godliness." It hath appeared to all men, and
it bringeth them salvation,12 by inculcating the most
salutary lessons, that man can receive. It teaches
us, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, how press-
ing soever their solicitations may be. It instructs
us in all the branches of our duty to God, to our-
selves and to our fellow-Christians. It guides us to
uniform and complete goodness; not extolling any
one part, to the neglect or injury of the rest, but
tending to produce this beautiful birth, entire in
all its members, and then to nourish it to its full
maturity. As we are slow of heart to attend to
such instructions, it enforces them with motivos
the most generous, and the most animating. It
represents to us, as it were, in prophetic vision,
that blessed hope, even the glorious appearance of the
great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ; when he
shall come, with everlasting blessings in his hands,
to reward all his faithful people ; and with the
terrors of divine vengeance, to be poured forth
upon all that have rejected the authority of his
gospel. And, that the most powerful considera-
tions of gratitude, may join with those of the
highest interest, it directs our eyes to this divine,
triumphant Saviour, as having once given himself,
to torture and death for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify us to himself, a peculiar
people devoted to God, and zealous of good works."
+
OBEDIENCE TO MAGISTRATES.
501
Aud surely, if this view camnot prevail upon us to
consecrate ourselves to God, and to engage with
vigour in his service, we must be utterly insensible,
and worthy the severest punishment.
Let these lessons, therefore, everywhere be
taught with all authority. Let them be addressed
at once to the meanest, and the greatest of mankind;
that they may join in a pious care, to adorn the
doctrine of such a Saviour,'' and to secure their share
in such a salvation.
SECTION IV.
The apostle concludes his epistle, with exhorting Titus, to recommend obedience to
magistrutes, and readiness to all good works ; to caution against censoriousness
and contention ; achnowledging the grace of God, as that to which all Christians
oue their hopes of salvation, and strongly pressing him, to insist upon the great
doctrines of practical religion, in opposition to those idle controversies, to which
many were attached.
He also instructs him how to proceed, with respect to
heretical teachers; and closes with giving him some directions about meeting him
ut Nicopolis, and a general salutution to all his friends. Tit. ü. 1, to the
end.
Tır. 3. 1. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and
powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every
2. good work,—To speak evil of no man, to be no
brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all
3. men.-For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,
disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and plea-
sures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating
one another.
AMONG other useful lessons, which it will be thy
duty to give the Cretans, while thou continuest
with theni, 'remind them of being subject to those
principalities and powers, which God hath set in su-
preme authority over them, by no means excepting
those, who stand at the greatest distance from
Christianity: exhort them also to obey subordinate
governors ; and, upon the whole, to be ready to every
good work, in every relation which they sustain in
life. Charge them, 'to calumniate no man, not to be
contentious, [but] gentle in their whole demeanour,
502 ENFORCEMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION.
showing all meekness to all men, even those from
whom they may receive the greatest provocativu.
Let us not bear ourselves too ligly, on the si-
periority of our own characters, be they now ever
so blameless, or ever so exemplary ; 3for we our-
selves also were formerly foolish, as well as others,
disobedient to the divine authority, and perhaps to
tliose, whom God had invested with power over
us; wandering from the paths both of truth and
virtue, and enslaved to various lusts and pleasures ;
in the pursuit and gratification of wlich, we de-
graded the nobler powers of our souls. We were
living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves, while
under the tyranny of such fierce and detestable
passions, [and] hating one another, on account of
little clashings and oppositions in our temporal
interests, while we forgot the great ties and bonds,
which ought to have endeared us to each other.
Tit. 3.
4. – But after that the kindness and love of God our
5. Saviour toward man appeared,-Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according 10
his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regenera-
6. tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghost ;-Which he
shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our
7. Saviour ;-That being justified by his grace, we
should be made heirs according to the hope of
8. eternal life,- This is a faithful saying, and these
things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they
which have believed in God might be careful to
maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men.
*But when the admirable kindness and love of God
our Sariour towards man, so signally displayed in
the gospel, appeared to us, we were delivered from
this miserable condition: the remembrance there-
fore of this deliverance, ought to make us com-
passionate, rather than severe, towards others in
the same unhappy circumstance, in which we once
were; especially when we consider the inanner in
ENFORCFMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION. 503
which it was accomplished. For it was not by any
works of riyhteousness, which we ourselves had done;
for any acts of obedience, whether to ceremonial or
moral precepts, by which we had made ourselves
worthy of his favourable regard : but according to
his oun mercy that he saved us from condemnation
and ruin, by the washing of regeneration, and the
renewing of the Holy Spirit; which by its purifying
influence operates at first to turn us to God, and
bring us into the number of his children, and
afterwards advances the happy work, by improving
is more and more in the divine life and image:
even by that Spirit, which he poured out upon us
richly and abundantly, in his various gifts and
graces, by Jesus Christ our Saviour, in virtue of
whose intercession, it has been imparted to the
children of men ; "that, being justified by his grace,
we might become heirs of the most valuable blessings,
according to the hope of eternal life, which, as the
gift of that grace, he hath exhibited to our believ-
ing views, as the great and noble object of our
pursuit. [This], which I have here been attest-
ing, [is] a faithful saying, most credible in itself,
as well as of great weight and importance; and
concerning these things, these distinguishing princi-
ples of the gospel, I will, and charge, that thou,
steadily affirm and constantly inculcate them; that
so they, who have believed in God, and by baptism
professed to embrace this gospel, may not imagine,
that, by the dispensation of grace, they are ex-
cused from the observation of duty; but, on the
contrary, that, being thus engaged, and encouraged
by such grace and hope, they may be so much the
more careful, thoughtful and diligent to signalize
themselves, as examples of the greatest zeal in good
works. These things are good and profitable to men:
there is a beauty and advantage in them, which
nothing can equal. Let these therefore be the
504 ENFORCEMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION,
darling topics of thy preaching, as thou desirest the
edification and salvation of thy hearers.
Tit. 3. 9. —But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and
contentions, and strivings about the law; for they
10. are unprofitable and vain.—A man that is an heretic
11. after the first and second admonition reject!-know-
ing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth,
being condemned of himself.
°But avoid, and endeavour to guard others against,
foolish questions, which the Judaizing teachers are
ready to start, that tend only to amuse an idle
curiosity; and those perplexed gencalogies, about
which they so eagerly debate, and other strifes
and contentions about the law of Moses ; for they are
unprofitable and vain, not only consuming to no
purpose that time, which is capable of much better
improvement, but also tending to discompose the
mind, to alienate the affections of Christians from
each other, and to render them indifferent to the
proper duties of life. And, "a man that on this
occasion, or any other, is a factious and obstinate
heretic, that introduces such controversies as these
into the church, and perversely maintains and pro-
pagates then, in a manner injurious to the peace
of society, after the first and second admonition from
thee and the church, given with proper solemnity,
reject, and declare him unfit to be any longer looked
upon as a member of it, "knowing that such a
one, who is so fond of his own darling notions, that
he will ruin the peace of the church for them, and
will not submit to any remonstrances, and those of
the wiser and better part of the society, is perverted
by some very ill principles, whatever zeal he may
pretend for what he maintaius as truth; and that
he not only errs, but sins too, in such obstinate
efforts to diffuse his errors, being indeed self-con-
demned, and judged out of his own mouth, as his
own words furnish sufficient matter of conviction ;
ENFORCEMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION. 505
and while he makes such a breach in the church,
he in effect passes on himself that sentence of sepa-
ration from it, which he well deserves to lie under
till he returns to a better temper.
Tit. 3. 12. -- When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychi.
cus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis : for
I have determined there to winter.
12 When I shall send to thee Artemas, or Tychicus,
to supply thy place in Crete, as I hope quickly to
do, endeavour to come to me at Nicopolis ; for there
I have determined to pass the winter, if Providence
gives me an opportunity.
Tit. 3. 13. ---Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their
journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto
1.1. them.-And let our's also learn to maintain good
works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
As '3 Zenas, the worthy lawyer, who though well
versed in those studies on which some of his Jewish
brethren value themselves so highly, is now a
sincere and active Christian, and my eloquent and
pious friend Apollos, will be with thee, when this
comes to thy hand, or quickly afterwards, I desire
thou wouldest bring them forward on their journey
to me, with readiness and diligence; and take all
the care thou canst, that nothing convenient may be
wanting to them, which thou canst supply them with.
I hope these good men will meet with that hos-
pitable treatment among the Christians in your
parts, which their character deserves; and let all
those that belong to us, and call themselves Christian
brethren, whether they were before Jews or Gen-
tiles, learn to distinguish themselves in good works,
for necessary purposes of aid and service to others
;
that they may not be unfruitful, and act as if they
had learnt nothing but barren speculations from
that religion, which is so well calculated to inspire
and animate every sentiment of benevolence and
generosity
VOL. V.
3 T
V
506 ENFORCEMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION.
Tit. 3. 15. All that are with me salute' thee. Greet them
that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all
Amen.
15 All the Christians that are here with me, salute
thee, in an affectionate and respectful manner.
Salute them who love us in the bonds of our com-
mon faith ; and assure my Christian friends, that I
feel an equal affection for them.
Grace and peace,
and every other blessing from our Father and Savi-
our, [be] with you all.
all. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
3
Let the remembrance of the irregularities, with
which we ourselves were once chargeable, of that
sinful and miserable condition in which we once
were, make us candid to others, and silence our
too severe censures against them. And let us rather,
with the apostle, humbly adore that grace, which
has now made a difference between us, and those
that are still foolish and disobedient, wandering in
the paths of vice, and enslaved to divers lusts and
passions. Let the kindness, the philanthropy of
God be daily celebrated and adored by us ;4 of God,
who hath saved us, not by the righteousness of our
works, but by his own rich and overflowing mercy ;
hath justified us by his free grace in Christ, and
thereby made us heirs, according to the hope of eternal
life. Nor let us ever forget, how much we are in-
debted to the regenerating and renewing influences of
the Holy Ghost, shed abroad upon us richly, by Jesus
Christ our Saviour. May it wash and purify our
souls more and more from every stain of sin, and
may it inspire us with a pious ardour to honour our
profession, by distinguishing ourselves in all good
works, for necessary uses, 14 and according to the
calls which Providence gives us in life. Having
professed our belief in God, let us carefully practise
ENFORCEMENT OF PRACTICAL RELIGION. 507
8
all the virtues of the Christian character; for these
things are indeed good and profitable to men. But
let us guard against those airy curiosities, and
abstruse speculations, which, on the contrary, are
unprofitable and vain.
May all the churches of Christ be delivered from
such factious members and teachers, as would
depart from the infallible rule of truth, which is laid
down in the word of God, and would subvert the
faith once delivered to the saints; introducing, in-
stead of it, the doctrines of men, and teaching things,
which tend to alienate the minds of Christians from
the gospel, and from each other, that they may set
up their own authority, and promote their own
secular interest. We ought undoubtedly to be
cautious, how we pass such a censure on particular
persons, without clear and evident proofs; but
when such proofs arise, and persons in question
appear to be the turbulent and pernicious heretics,
that St. Paul describes, it were to be wished, they
might always meet with the treatment which he
recommends. They ought first to be plainly and
seriously admonished ; and if repeated admonitions
rejected, it is the duty of the wiser and sounder
parts of Christian societies to expel them ;'º that they
may be less capable of doing mischief, and that
the gangrene of such pernicious principles and dis-
positions may not spread, to the disgrace and ruin
of the churches to which they belong. But let it
ever be remembered, that this is all the remedy,
which scripture furnishes us with; and they, who
to the solemn censure of disturbed and injured
churches add any corporal severities, or civil penal-
ties whatsoever, are taking up weapons, which
Christ has never put into their hands, and may
very probably do more mischief in the church and
the world, than the most erroneous of those against
whom they would arm their terrors.
THE
FAMILY EXPOSITOR.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND
NOTES ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON.
Philemon was an inhabitant of Colosse, as we may
conclude from St. Paul's mentioning Onesimus, in
his epistle to the Colossians, as one of them (chap.
iv. 9), as well as from his saluting Archippus, in
this epistle (ver. 2), who appears from Col. iv. 17,
to have been a pastor of that church.
The title of
fellow-labourer, given Philemon (ver. 1), makes it
probable, that he was his colleague in the ministry:
and though we cannot certainly determine when he
first embraced Christianity, it is evident, from the
oblique insinuation in the 19th verse, that he was
one of the apostle's converts; and it is not at all
unlikely (as some have conjectured), that he might
have had an opportunity of attending upon him,
during his long residence at Ephesus; where, we
are told, St. Paul preached with so much success,
that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of
the Lord Jesus Christ Acts xix. 10. He seems,
from several hints given in the epistle, to have been
a person of distinction; particularly, from the men-
tion made of the church in his house (ver. 2), and liis
liberal contribution to the relief of the saints
(ver. 5, 7); and the general strain of the letter
slows, that the apostle held him in very high esteem,
and looked upon him as one of the great supports
of religion in that society.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
509
It appears from the first verse of this epistle, that
St. Paul was under confinement when he wrote it;
and, as he expresses (ver. 22) his expectation of
being shortly released, it is probable, that it was
written towards the close of his first imprisonment, at
Rome, and sent together with the epistles to the
Ephesians and Colossians, by Tychicus and Onesi-
mus about the year of our Lord 63, or the 9th of
the emperor Nero.-Compare introduction to the
Ephesians.
The occasion of the letter was this : Oncsimus,
Philemon's slave, had robbed his master, and fled
to Rome, where, happily for him, he met with
the apostle, who was at that time a prisoner at
large, and by his instructions and admonitions, was
converted to Christianity, and reclaimed to a sense
of his duty. St. Paul seems to have kept him for
some considerable time under his eye, that he might
be satisfied of the reality of the change; and, when
he had made a sufficient trial of him, and found
that his behaviour was entirely agreeable to his
profession, he would not detain him any longer for
his own private convenience, though in a situation
that rendered such an assistant peculiarly desirable
(compare ver. 13, 14), but sent him back to his
master; and as a mark of his esteem, entrusted
him, together with Tychicus with the charge of
delivering his epistle to the church at Colosse, and
giving them a particular account of the state of
things at Rome, recommending him to them, at the
same time, as a faithful and beloved brother.-Col.
iv. 9. And, as Philemon night well be supposed,
to be strongly prejudiced against one, who had left
his service in so infamous a manner, he sends him
this letter, in which he employs all his influence to
remove his suspicions, and reconcile him to the
thoughts of taking Onesimus into his family again.
And whereas St. Paul might have exerted that
510
GENERAL INTRODUCTION.
authority, which his character as an apostle, and
the relation in which he stood to Philemon, as a
spiritual father, would naturally give him, he
chooses to entreat him as a friend, and with the
softest and most insinuating address, urges his suit,
conjuring him by all the ties of Christian friendship,
that he would not deny him his request. And the
more effectually to prevail upon him, he represents
his own peace and happiness as deeply interested in
the event; and speaks of Onesimus in such terms,
as were best adapted to soften his prejudices, and
dispose him to receive one who was so dear to him-
self, not merely as a servant, but as a fellow-Chris-
tian and a friend.
But though the apostle's subject did not lead him
to treat so directly of the doctrines or precepts of
Christianity, in this, as in his other epistles, yet à
person, whose mind, like his, was so deeply and
habitually impressed with a sense of divine truths,
could not fail, even when writing upon the most
common and familiar occurrences, to introduce some
hints, that might tend to cherish pious and virtuous
sentiments in the breast of his friend : and accord-
ingly, in this short epistle, we meet with several
allusions to different parts of the Christian plan,
interwoven in so easy and naturala manner with the
rest of the letter, as must convince is how near
those subjects lay to his heart.
It is impossible to read over this admirable
epistle, without being touched with the delicacy of
sentiment, and the masterly address that appear in
every part of it. We see here, in a most striking
light, how perfectly consistent true politeness is, not
only with all the warmth and sincerity of the friend,
but even with the dignity of the Christian and the
apostle. And if this letter were to be considered in
no other view, than as a mere human composition,
it must be allowed a master-piece in its kind. As
AFFECTIONATE SALUTATION TO PHILEMON. 511
an illustration of this remark, it may not be im-
proper to compare it with an epistle of Pliny, that
seems to have been written upon a similar occasion
(Lib. ix. Let. 21), which though penned by one,
that was reckoned to excel in the epistolary style,
and though it has undoubtedly many beauties, yet
must be acknowledged, hy every impartial reader,
vastly inferior to this animated composition of the
apostle.
One cannot but be solicitous to know what effect
such an epistle produced. One would willingly
hope, it was attended with all the success, which
St. Paul seemed to expect, when he tells Philemon,
that he wrote to him in full confidence of his obedi-
ence, knowing that he would do even more than he
said. And though nothing indeed is expressly as-
serted in relation to it, yet, there is great reason
to believe, from the nature of the thing, that
Onesimus had already waited upon his master, and
been received into favour, when he discharged the
commission, with which (as we have observed) he
was honoured, to the Colossians. For it is hardly
to be imagined, that the apostle would direct him
to join with Tychicus, in delivering such a message
to a church, that was in part under the care of
Philemon, before he had made his submission to
him, and obtained his pardon.—Compare the intro-
duction to the Ephesians.
Section I.
Paul intending to intercede with Philemon, in farour of his fugitive serrant
Onesimus, introduces his design with a most attectionate and proper salutation
Philemon ver, 1-7.
Ful. 1. 1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our
brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and
2. fellowlabourer,—And to our beloved Apphia, and
Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in
512 AFFECTIONATE SALUTATION TO PHILEMON.
Phil. 1. 3. thy house ;-Grace to you, and peace, from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
'Paul a well-known prisoner in the cause of
Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, not unknown,
join their salutations to Philemon our beloved friend,
and pious fellow-labourer in the work and gospel of
our blessed Redeemer, and one of the pastors of the
Colossian church: and we also address them to
the beloved Apphia, his pious consort, and to his
associate in the ministry, Archippus (Col. iv. 14),
our fellow-soldier in that holy warfare in which we
are engaged, and to the little church of Christians,
(that is) in thine house, as we know that thou art so
happy, as to have several of thy numerous family
united to thee, and to us, in the bonds of the Lord.
May 'grace and peace, that abundance of spiritual
blessings, and that happiness resulting from them,
which we so often wish to our Christian friends,
when we are addressing them by letter [be] unto you
from God our gracious and bountiful Father and
from the Lord Jesus Christ, to whose intercession
we owe our interest in the divine favour.
Phil. 1. 4. I thank my God making mention of thee always in
5. my prayers,--Hearing of thy love and faith, which
thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all
6. saints ;-That the communication of thy faith may
become effectual by the acknowledging of every good
7. thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.--For we have
great joy and consolation in thy love, because the
bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
You may be sure, my dear Philemon, that,
though absent from you, and surrounded with
many cares and sorrows, yet far from being un-
mindful of you in my addresses to the throne of
grace, "
* I always thank my God on your account
,
when I am making mention of thee in my prayers ;
Shearing, with greater pleasure than I can express,
of the steady faith which thou hast, and always
AFFECTIONATE SALUTATION TO PHILEMON. 513
maintainest towards the Lord Jesus Christ, as the
great object, to which our faith as Christians is
directed, and of thy ardent love to all the saints, who
are the excellent of the earth, and the most deserv-
ing our esteem and affection. It is therefore matter
of my most fervent prayer, that these promising
openings may be abundantly answered; and that
thy communion with us in the faith of our blessed
Redeemer, the advantages of which thou doest
now so happily share, may be more and more ap-
parently efficacious, in extorting, from all that
behold it, the due acknowledgment of every good and
valuable thing, which is in you all, towards Christ
Jesus, and all those whom he is pleased to own and
favour. Permit me to say this in my own name,
and that of my companion Timothy; for we are
ourselves greatly rejoiced and comforted by thy love,
which thou art in so many generous ways express-
ing to our fellow-Christians; and particularly, that
the bowels of the poor saints are refreshed by thee,
our dear brother, while thou feedest and relievest
the poor, and makest those possessions, which
Providence hath given thee, a general good. None
of the hungry that are fed at thy table, can find a
supply of their necessities more sensible and de-
lightful, than the joy we feel, from the report of so
beneficent a conduct, in one whom we so tenderly
regard.
IMPROVEMENT.
If any could be so weak, as to think the
character of the Christian and the minister, at all
inconsistent with that of the well-bred man, they
must see a remarkable demonstration to the con-
trary, in this familiar epistle of St. Paul to his
friend Philemon ; which is conducted with the hap-
piest address, and which, in true politeness, may
VOL. V.
3 U
514 AFFECTIONATE SALUTATION TO PHILEMON.
vie with that of the greatest masters of the epistolary
style in antiquity. The introduction (the length
of which obliges us to separate it from the remainder,
to which it is so happily connected) leads us natu-
rally to a variety of useful remarks, and conveys
important instruction, in the vehicle of well-deserved
praise. How elevated soever the station of Phile-
mon might be, and how plentiful soever his circum-
stances, it was his chief glory and felicity to be so
distinguished for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and
love to all the saints. And, indeed, it is most un-
worthy the profession we make of faith in Christ,
as the great head of the church, not to love all his
members ; unworthy our character of saints, not to
feel a sympathetic affection, for all that are sanctified.
If others are deficient here, as, alas! many are too
sadly deficient, let us exert ourselves so much the
more, and labour to give the most substantial de-
monstrations of our love. It will be an honour to
us, and to the Christian name, that our communion
in this precious faith, should extort an acknowledg-
ment of good things in us, from all who are inti-
mately acquainted and conversant with us. Thus
shall we diffuse happiness in a wide circle; for it is
a sincere joy to all good men, to behold the graces
and the usefulness of others. Especially are the
hearts of faithful and zealous ministers comforted,
when the bowels of poor saints are refreshed by
the liberality of the rich. They share alternately
the pleasure which is felt, on the side of the pious
benefactors, and their grateful beneficiaries; and
were they, with Paul, in the confinement and neces-
sities of a prison, the report would delight and
enlarge their souls.
PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS.
515
SECTION II.
The apostle proceeds to the main business of this short epistle ; and labours, by the
huppiest address that can be imagined, to engage Philemon kindly to receive and
forgive Onesimus, his fugitive slave, who, after having greatly injured his
master, had happily been concerted by St. Paul at Rome. He concludes with some
particular salutations and messages. Phil. ver. 8, to the end.
Phil. 2. 8. WHEREFORE, though I might be much bold in Christ
9. to enjoin thee that which is convenient,-Yet for
love's sake I rather beseech ther, being such an one
as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus
10. Christ.—I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom
11. I have begotten in my bonds:--Which in time past
was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee
12. and to me:- Whom I have sent again : thou there.
13. fore receive him, that is, mine own bowels :- Whom
I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he
might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the
14. gospel :-But without thy mind would I do nothing;
that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity,
15. but willingly. For perhaps he therefore departed
for a season, that thou shouldest receive hin for
trer,
I have been expressing, my dear Philemon, the
confidence I have in your excellent character, and
the great pleasure with which, both I, and Timothy,
my brother, have heard of your many generous and
beneficent actions; and therefore, in reference to
the particular occasion of this letter, which to so
good a heart cannot be disagreeable, though I might
take great freedom, in virtue of my relation to Christ,
and the authority he has given me to prescribe,
and enjoin that which it [is] proper and reasonable
for thee to do, 'I rather choose by love to entreat
(thee), being such a one as Paul the aged; whose
superior standing in life and in religion, I know
thou wouldest revere, though in a private station,
and especially as I am now also the prisoner of Jesus
Christ, whom thou wouldest, I am sure, honour,
as a confessor in his cause, if I were not distin-
guished by so immediate a commission from him,
516 PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS.
or so long a train of services in his church. 101
entreat thee, I say, concerning a certain son of mine,
whom I have begotten to Christ in my bonds; and
whom, I hope, thou wilt, upon that account, be
inclined to favour, knowing how dear he must be to
me, considered as a soul, which God hath given
me at such a season as this. And it is no other,
than thy servant, Onesimus ; "who, indeed, if I may
so allude to his name, did not formerly answer it,
for he was once unprofitable to thee, negligent of thy
business, and so conscious of having deserved thy
displeasure, that he fled from it. But he now is,
and I trust will be, profitable both to thee and to me,
so as daily to give increasing satisfaction to us
both: 'whom, how agreeable and useful soever he
might have been to me here, I have sent back to
thee again. Do thou therefore receive him with
readiness and affection. Receive him, did I say?
nay rather receive, as it were, my own bowels : a
person, whom I so tenderly love, that he may
seem, as it were, to carry the heart of Paul along
with him whithersoever he goes. "Jhom indeed
I was desirous to have kept near me, that he might
have officiated for thee, and in thy stead have at-
tended upon me, in the bonds I suffer for the sake of
the gospel : for I do thee, O Philemon, the justice
to believe, thou wouldest have found a pious plea-
sure, in every ministration of this kind, if thou
wert near me. "But I would do nothing in this
affair without thy express consent, that thy benefit
might not seem to be extorted by necessity, but appear
a voluntary act. I therefore return him to thee by
the first opportunity; "for perhaps he was separated
from thee for a while, by the permission of Provi-
dence, to this very end that thou mightest receive
and enjoy him for ever ; that he might not only be
dear and useful to thee, during all the remainder
of his life, as a servant, whose ear is, as it were,
..
PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS
517
bored to the door of thine house (to allude to the
Hebrew custom, Exod. xxi. 6), but that he might
indeed be a source of eternal delight to thee, in that
infinitely better world, where all distinctions be-
tween master's and their slaves shall cease, even
that world of complete liberty and everlasting
friendship
Phil. 1. 16. - Vot now as a servant, but above a servant a
brother beloved, specially to me, but how much
more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord ?
17. -If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him
18. as myself.-If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee
19. ought, put that on mine account;—1 Paul have
written it with mine own hand, I will repay it:
albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me
20). even thine own self besides.-Yea, brother, let me
have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in
the Lord.
a
In the mean time, receive him, lenot now as
fugitive slave, to be long frowned upon, and kept
at a distance, for liis former faults ; nor treat him
merely as a common servant, but, as abore a servant,
as standing in another, a much more dear and
honourable relation, a beloved brother, especially to
me, as leaving been for some time a very useful at-
tendant upon me in my affliction ; but how much
more so to thee, to whom he belongs both in the flesh
and in the Lord, as thou hast so long known him,
and wilt have the pleasure of discerning more par-
ticularly, how happy a change Christianity hati
made in his temper and character ? "If therefore
thou esteemest me as a friend, and a companion in
Christ, I besecch thee to receive him, even as thou
wouldest receive uyself, if I could have the satisfac-
tion of making thec a visit in person. "If he hare
injured thee in any pecuniary matter, or is indebted
[to thec), in consequence of any former extrava-
cancies and follies (of which livine grace hath
now, I hope, made him truly sensible), so far is it
518
PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS.
has been the case, charge it to my account. ''I Paul
have written [it] with my own hand, and do hereby, as
it were, give thee legal security for it: I will pay it
again upon demand, as far as my little substance will
go. Not to say to thee, that, as I was the happy in-
strument of thy conversion to Christ, thou owest cren
thine own self unto me. We will put that quite out
of the question, and if thou pleasest to require it,
I will really charge inyself as thy debtor, and take
the first opportunity of making thee a remittance. .
20 Yes (my] dear brother, let me prevail upon theo
in this request, let me have joy of thee in the Lord;
and, while thou art so ready to do good to others,
and to communicate for their comfort, out of those
stores which Providence has so graciously given
thee, let me beseech thee to refresh my bowels in
the Lord; for the Christian consolation, which it
will afford me, to see thee and Onesimus happy in
each other, will be better, and more delighiful, ihan
food to the hungry.
1
Phil. 1. 21. -IIaving confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto
thee, knowing that thou wilt also on more than I
22. say.--But withal prepare me also a luiging; for I
trust that through your prayers I shall be given
23. unto you. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-
21. prisoner in Christ Jesus ;-Marcus, Aristarchus,
25. Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. --The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
But I will not urge the matter further; ?'I harc
written to thee, in full confidence of thy ready obedi-
ence and deference to my request, and indeed as
knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say; thou
wilt not think of insisting upon the exact balance
of former accounts, but wilt readily embrace this
tly returning servant in the arms of paternal love.
At the same time, I must also desire thee, to
prepare a lodging for me, for, though I am as yet a
prisoner, I hope that I shall, cre long, through your
PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS.
519
prayers, be granted to you ; and, if Providence set
me at liberty again, I intend to visit your parts,
and shall, if it be convenient, cast myself on the
known hospitality of your family. In the mean
while, accept the greeting of our Christian brethren
here at Rome, and let me particularly tell thee,
that ? Epaphras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,
salutes thee : as "'[also] Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas,
and Luke, my fellow-labourers, who are cordially
engaged with me in the service of the gospel, and
take a peculiar pleasure in lending that assistance
to the churches in Rome, which my confinement
will not conveniently admit me to impart. I con-
clude with the best wish, which the most endearing
Christian friendship can form : 28may the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ ever [be] with your spirit, and
shed abroad on thee, and all thy companions in him,
that peace and happiness, which nothing but the
communications of his favour can give. Amen.
IMPROVEMENT.
Ilow amiable is the condescension of the holy
apostle ! how charming and delicate his address, in
this whole section ! which makes the immediate
occasion of this letter, minute as it may seem,
matter of congratulation to the Christian world.
St. Paul lays aside the authority, which his office,
his age, his sufferings gave him, to address Phile-
mon, as on a foot of equal friendship, choosing
rather by love to intreat. ' Let the example be
imitated by those in superior stations and relations
of life: and let them learn likewise, from the
tenderness, which such a man expresses about this
poor slave, in whom he traced the appearance of
truly Christian temper, to interest themselves in
the happiness of those, whose rank is far beneath
their own; and learn to make the situation of their
520
PAUL'S INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS.
servants easy, by a kind and friendly treatment.
Well may such a care be expected especially when
we can look on such as brethren, beloved in the
Lord,' and partakers with us in the same Saviour
and hope.
18
Let those, to whom God hath blessed the labours
of his faithful ministers, as the means of their con-
version, remember it with pleasure, and ascribe it
to the riches of divine grace, to which all is origin-
ally to be traced ; remembering also, that there is
a sense in which they owe even themselves to those,
who have been honoured as the instruments of
bringing them to Christ,lº without an acquaintance
with whom they had lost themselves, and been
ruined for ever. Let the kindness, which Paul
expresses for Onesimus, in being willing, that his
debt to Philemon should be charged to his account,'
lead us to reflect on our infinite obligations to a
gracious Redeemer. He has suffered our ten thou-
sand talents to be imputed to him, that his righteous-
ness might be so imputed to us, that, for the sake
of it, we should finally be re-admitted to the family
With an ingratitude not to be paral-
leled, by anything which can pass between mortal
men, we had perfidiously deserted it; but the divine
goodness leaves us room humbly to hope, we may
have departed from it for a while, to be received into
it for ever. May the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with our spirit, to produce those strong
impressions of wonder, thankfulness, and love,
which ought to fill it in every remembrance of such
overflowing and triumphant mercy! Amen.
of God. 18 19
15
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