18

111.

Those who suffer with Christ shall reign with him.

SECT. hand of God, there to receive the reward of all according to my gos his labours and sufferings, according to the tenor pel. 2 Tim. of my gospel, which, as thou well knowest, I 11.9. every where preach and attest. In the ser

9 Wherein I suffer

even unto bonds; but

vice of which I suffer evil, [even] to bonds; trouble as an evil doer, the chief magistrates of my country sentencing the word of God is not me to confinement, after the many insults which bound. have been offered me by the dregs of the people, as if I were a malefactor worthy of some heavy punishment: 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 10 Phil. i. 12.) On this account, I cheerfully endure all these things, and whatever else Providence may appoint, for the sake of the elect; that may also obtain the salthe gracious purposes of God for their happiness vation which is in Christ may be effected, and they may obtain that com- Jesus, with plete salvation which is in Christ Jesus, and which shall be attended with eternal, as well as illustrious and exalted, glory.

10 Therefore I en

dure all things for the elect's sake, that they

glory.

eternal

11 It is a faithful

saying, For if we be also live with him:

dead with him, we shall

11 [It is] a faithful words which I have often
insisted upon, and it shall undoubtedly be veri-
fied; that if we have the resolution to die with
him, even with that blessed Saviour, according
to the obligation of our baptismal vow, we shall
also live with him, in that everlasting happiness
12 which he hath prepared for all his people. If 12 If we suffer, we
we patiently endure our part in his afflictions, shall also reign with
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]

tion of the gospel. But though this be
undoubtedly true, the apostle's thought
seems rather more lively: remember Him
who was thus raised from the dead, and
that will be instead of a thousand argu-
ments to bear thee through all thy diffi-
culties.

b In the service of which.] Dr. Whitby
has shewn, in his note on this clause, that
Ey w sometimes signifies in which cause, or
for the sake of which.

c It is a faithful word.] Some refer this to the concluding clause of the former

before

him:

verse; but it seems much more reasonable to connect it with what follows, as, generally speaking, this phrase is introductory to the weighty sentence it is intended to confirm. See 1 Tim. i. 15; iv. 8, 9. Though Tit. iii. 8. seems an exception. Dr. Tillotson thinks this was a celebrated saying among Christians, which was either derived by tradition from Christ or some of the apostles, and it had so powerful a tendency to keep them steady to their religion, that it is no wonder it was in frequent use. Tillot. Vol. II. p. 175, 176.

he cannot deny him

self.

iii.

19

Timothy is exhorted to be faithful and prudent in his work. him: if we deny him, before men, he will also, as he hath expressly SECT. he will also deny us: threatened, deny us in the great day, before his 13 If we believe not, Father and his holy angels. If we are unfaith- 2 Tim. yet he abideth faithful: fuld, and false to our engagements, he abideth II. 13. faithful, and will steadily adhere to those rules of judgment and distribution which he hath so solemnly laid down in his word (compare Mat. x. 33): for we may be sure he cannot deny himself, by frustrating his own public declaration. It becomes us therefore to weigh the tenor of them with all seriousness, and humbly to acquiesce in his terms, since it is impossible he should be brought to change them in favour of ours.

14 Of these things put them in remem

hearers.

Remind [them] of these things, as thou art en 14 brance, charging them gaged to sacrifice every other view to the great before the Lord that prospect of approving thy fidelity to such a Masthey strive not about ter. And for this purpose, testify, as before the words, to no profit, but to the subverting of the Lord, and as in his presence, to those over whom thou 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 filing their minds with pride and passion, and num, berless other disorders and vices.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto

God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the

word of truth.

Diligently endeavour, whenever thoa comest 15
to present thyself before God, in any of the duties
of thine office, that, whatever men may judge
of thee and thy services, thou mayest be approv
ed by him as a workman who hath no cause to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth', dis-
tributing

d If we are unfaithful.] So I think

I should be rendered, as it stands opposed to, and so the words will farther imply, that whatever we lose by our unfaithfulness, in whatever degree it appears, it is no argument of any unfaithfulness in him; as his promises are made to faithful servants, and fair warning is given to persons of a different character.

e Testify as before the Lord, and as in his presence.] There is a most awful solemnity in this charge which plainly shews the great folly and mischief of striving about little controversies; and I pray God to affect the heart of his ministers with a deepersense of this, before the interests of vital religion among us be utterly undone by our severe contentions; or, as the excellent Archbishop Leighton expresses

it in his lively manner, "What we profess
to hold so sacred, be itself torn in pieces,
while we are struggling about its fringes."
f Rightly dividing the word of truth.]
Ορθολομανία τον λόγον της αληθείας. Some
think here is an allusion to what the Jew
ish priest or Levite did in dissecting the
victim, and separating the parts in a pro-
per manner; as some were to be laid on
God's altar, and others to be given to
those who were to share in the sacrifice.
Others think it refers to guiding a plough
aright, in order to divide the clods in the
most proper and effectual manner, and
make straight furrows. But, perhaps, the
metaphor may be taken from the distributi
on made by a steward, in delivering out to
each person under his care such things as
his office and their necessities required.

g diserting

20

16 But shun profane

they will increase unto. more ungodliness.

17 And their word

Reflections on the importance of remembering Christ. SECT. tributing with prudence, as well as fidelity, to iii. each his proper share. But avoid, and stand 2 Tim. at a distance from, those profane and empty de- and vain bablings, for II. 16. clamations, with which some who affect to be thought of importance in the Christian church are ready to amuse themselves: for though the evil of some of them may not immediately appear, and they may seem trifling rather than mischievous, they will at length advance unto more impiety; and when Satan has prevailed upon men once to quit the right way, he will be continually gaining greater advantages over And their discourse will eat like a gan will eat as doth a can17 them. grene, spreading itself farther and farther, till ker: of whom is Hy methe whole body is infected, and even destroyed neus and Philetus : by it. Such teachers there are now in the church; of which [number] in particular are 18 Hymeneus and Philetus, Who have erred with respect to the truth, so as to be wide of the mark. For they have, by their allegorical interpretations, explained away one of the most fundamental doctrines of our religion, asserting that the resurrection, of which it so largely speaks, consists only in a conversion from vice to virtue, and consequently is already past, with regard to all true Christians; and so they subvert the faith of some, who are less established in the doctrines of the gospel, and endanger their salvation. It will therefore become thee, amidst all the candour which I have so often inculcated, to guard against such tenets, and the authors of them.

18 Who concerning the truth have erred,

saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith

of some.

IMPROVEMENT.

THERE is not perhaps a single precept in the whole sacred volume, which would be more extensively useful to ministers, Ver, or to private Christians, than this of the apostle, taken in all its 8 extent. Remember Jesus Christ. Many a sweet memorial hath he left us of himself. Often, very often, have we been called solemnly

g Asserting that the resurrection is past.] Vice, as my learned friend Mr. Warburton with great propriety observes, in reference to the text, was in the philosophical schools called death. And, upon the same principle, a recovery to a virtuous course and temper might be called a kind of resurrection from the dead. But nothing can

be more evident than that this was by no means the resurrection which Christianity taught. Yet, as there is nothing too absurd for some who pride themselves in their philosophy to believe, this foolish refinement found its followers among some pretended Christians of this stamp. Warb. Div. Leg. Vol. 1, p. 435.

Reflections on the importance of remembering Christ.

lemnly to survey them, and yet how ready are we to forget him, CT. and by a natural consequence to forget ourselves, our duty and interest on the one hand, and our danger on the other! "Blessed Jesus! may we daily and hourly remember thee! that thou hast died, that thou art raised from the dead, and that thou art ever near thy people, to protect, to comfort, and to bless them. If, for Ver: thy cause, we should be called to suffer evil, as evil doers, whether 9 in our persons, or reputations, may we not be discouraged, but rather rejoice in the honour thou doest us in appointing for us such a conformity to thyself! The enemies of thy gospel may indeed oppose it, they may bind its most faithful preachers, but their opposition, their persecution, is vain." The word of God is not bound; and Divine grace, operating by it, will sooner or later give it the intended, the promised triumph; that his elect may obtain salvation by Jesus Christ, and may not only escape the 10 condemnation and ruin of the impenitent world, but may finally be crowned with eternal glory.

May we ever be mindful of this faithful word, that if we suffer 11, 12 with Christ we shall reign with him too; and may we endure the greatest hardships to which we can be called out, as considering that our sufferings are momentary, but our reign will be eternal. 13 Never may we, for any allurement or terror, deny him, as we would not finally be denied by him; when no other honour will remain but that which he confers, no other happiness but that which he bestows.

In the mean time, as we desire the prosperity of his kingdom, 14 let us earnestly pray that he will raise up to his church a multitude of faithful ministers, who may govern themselves by these truly apostolical canons; ministers who may not contend about words in a manner unprofitable and vain, who may not amuse their hearers with empty harangues about insignificant curiosities or perplexing subtilties; but may, in the integrity of their hearts, endeavour to approve themselves to God, as workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. And may divine grace preserve 15 the church from those seducing teachers, whose doctrine, like a secret gangrene, might spread itself to the destruction of the body, 17, 18 so that the faith of many might be overthrown.

21

22

Christians are obliged to depart from iniquity.

SECT.

iv.

2 Tim.

SECT. IV.

The Apostle urges the necessity of holiness in all Christians, but especially in ministers; and of meekness in their endeavours to recover sinners from the miserable condition into which they were fallen. 2 Tim. II. 19, to the end,

2 TIMOTHY II. 19.

IN order to excite thee, O Timothy, to con-
tend earnestly for the great doctrines of the

2 TIM. II. 19.

NEVERTHELESS, the standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are

foundation of God

his. And, Let every

II. 19. gospel, I have taken notice of the manner in which some have revolted from them. And it is matter of mournful reflection, that there one that rameth the should be such instances of apostacy in this early name of Christ depart age of the church. Nevertheless, we recollect from iniquity, with pleasure that, whatever defections there may be in particular persons, the great foundation Stone, which the mercy and faithfulness of God has laid for the support and comfort of his people, standeth firm and stedfast, having, as it were, this double seal or inscription: on the one hand, The Lord knoweth them that are his own, and as he surely distinguishes them in every circumstance, so he bears a steady and constant favour to them, nor can any alienate them from his gracious regards; and, on the other side, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, every one that professes his religion, and pretends the least regard to him, depart from iniquity; let him stand off, and keep at the greatest distance from every kind and degree of immorality, from every appearance and occasion of 20 sin. But, though our obligations to such a con

20 But in a great duct be so many and so great, we cannot flat- house there are not onter ourselves that all professing Christians will ly vessels of gold, and of silver, but also of be sensible of them. For in a great house there are vessels, not only of gold and silver, but also of

a Inscription.] Many critics have justly observed, that the word opgayis often signifies an inscription, or the mark made by a seal, as well as the seal itself. See Rev. ix. 4.

And the expression is here used with peculiar propriety, in allusion to the custom of engraving upon some stones laid in the foundation of buildings the name of the persons by whom, and the purposes for which, the structure is raised. And nothing can have a greater tendency to en

wood

wood

courage the hope, and at the same time to engage the obedience of Christians, thau this double inscription. Dr. Whitby supposes that clause, the Lord knoweth them that are his own, has a peculiar reference to the apostles, in opposition to heretical teachers, and that it alludes to Numb. xvi. 5, Septuag. That to know often signifies to regard with favour, as well as to distinguish, hath been shewn elsewhere. Rom. viii. 27.

b Rashness