5 But watch thou in flictions, do the work try. St. Paul's joyful prospects at death. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my depar ture is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have fi nished my course, I bave kept the faith. vi. 33 2 Tim. But be thou, O Timothy, diligent and watch- SECT. all things, endure af. ful in all things that may tend to the security of an evangelist, make of thy charge; and prepare thyself resolutely to full proof of thy minis endure adversity, and to perform the full work iv. 5. of an evangelist, and fully to accomplish all the branches of thy ministry. And the rather, 6 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 God's altar, and the time of my departure is near at hand; the time when I shall be dismissed from this state of confinement, when I shall weigh anchor from these mortal shores, and launch into the ocean of eternity. And, while I stand on the borders of that awful 7 state, it is with unspeakable pleasure I reflect, that I have maintained the good 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 corrup8 Henceforth there tions. It remaineth, [that] a crown of righte-g crown of righteousness, ousness and glory is laid up in sure reserve for which the Lord the me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, who righteous Judge shall presides in this great exercise, shall, with distingive me at that day: and not to me only, guished honour, before the assembled world, but unto all them also render and award to me, in that illustrious day, that love his appearing. 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 a wise and pious preparation for it. is laid up for me a d Accomplish thy ministry.] It must surely have been owing to a strong prepossession in favour of Diocesan Episcopacy, that the worthy person I mentioned above could imagine these words contained an argument for it. He explains the words wangeponsor Two dianavian or, as an exhortation to take upon him the complete office of a bishop, because Paul himself was ready to quit it; not considering how ill this interpretation agrees with his own supposition, of Timothy's being in the episcopal office when Paul wrote his first epistle to him. Whatever Timothy's office were, the argument which Paul suggests, of the satisfaction IMPROVE he found in the reflection on his own fide- e In that day.] This text will certainly 34 Reflections on St. Paul's behaviour on the views of death. SECT. vi. iv. 6. IMPROVEMENT. BEHOLD this blessed man, this prisoner, this martyr of Christ, appearing in his chains, and in the near views of a violent Chap. death, inore 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 congratulations of his friends, rather 7 than their condolence; 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 8 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 reconciled to his government ! Chap. 5 May we therefore be watchful in all things. May we endure every affliction which God shall lay in our way, and fill up with proper services every station in which we are fixed. Let the mi1nisters 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 2 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 3 by firm faith in him, who entrusts them with the message. And let the petulancy of men, which indisposes them to endure sound doctrine, yet makes them need it so much the more, be considered by them as an engagement to greater zeal, rather than an excuse for remissness. That they may be animated to it, and furnished for it, thoroughiii.16,17. ly furnished for every good work incumbent 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. Let us all esteem 15 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 salvation. SECT. Paul urges Timothy, to come to him, and bring Mark with him. 35 SECT. VII. The Apostle concludes with requesting Timothy to come to him, giving him an account of the manner in which he had, in his late appearance before the heathen magistrate at Rome, been deserted by men, but supported by Christ; and adding some particular salutations and directions. 2 Tim. IV. 9, to the end. 2 TIM. IV. 9. DO thy diligence to come shortly unto me. 2 TIMOTHY IV. 9. SECT. vii. IV. 9. 10 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. En-2 Tim. deavour therefore by all means to come to me 10 For Demas hath here at Rome as quickly as possible. forsaken me, having need the assistance and company of such a faithworld, and is departed ful friend, as I have met with very unworthy unto Thessalonica; treatment from some who ought to have acted Crescens to Galatia, in a very different manner. And I must parti loved this present Titus unto Dalmatia. For I cularly inform thee that Demas hath forsaken thee, from Christianity, and much less that he B Bring 36 vii. Paul was deserted by all in his first apology: 13 The cloke that SECT. thee, to take care of the flourishing church which I planted there, and with some of whose 2 Tim. members I have had so long and intimate an acIV. 13. quaintance. When thou comest hither, as I hope thou quickly wilt, I desire thou wouldst I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou remember to bring [with thee] that cloak comest, bring with thee which I left at the house of our friend Carpus, in and the books, but esTroas when I passed through it the last time. pecially the parchAnd bring also the books which I have left there, but especially the parchments. 14 b ments. 14 Alexander the copper-smith did me reward him according to his works. much evil; the Lord When I speak of these parts, I cannot forbear 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 to 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 words. not only done me a great deal of personal injury, but hath greatly withstood our words, and taken every measure in his power to prevent the progress and advancement of the gospel, which is indeed wounding me in the most ten der and sensible part. 16 15 Of whom be thou ware also: for he hath greatly withstood our 16 At my first answer no man stood with In my first apology before the prefect of the city, no man of all the Christians here at Rome, me, but all men forappeared with me, for my countenance and sup- sook port, but all, either through treachery or cowardice, forsook me1. May it not be charged If b Bring with thee that cloak.] c At Troas.] See the Introduction to d The parchments.] Bishop Bull thinks these parchments might be a kind of common place book, in which the apostle inserted hints and extracts of what seemed most remarkable in the authors he read. e Alexander the brazier.] The name of Alexander was so common, that we cannot certainly say, whether this were the person mentioned, Acts xix. 33, or to me; I pray God 1 Tim. 1. 20; but what is here said of this brazier agrees so well with this last passage, that I think it probable it refers to the same man. What we know of Paul's character must lead us to conclude, that if he meant not the following words as a mere prediction, he did not however wish evil to him, as evil, but only that he might be so animadverted upon, as to prevent the contagion of his bad example from spreading in the church, and bring him to repentance and reformation, that so he might be preserved from final destruc tion. But Christ strengthened and delivered him. 17 Notwithstanding, of the mouth of the lion. vii. 37 2 Tim. God that it may not be to their account, as an instance of unfaithfulness SECT. laid to their charge. to our common Master! Yet I was not left the Lord stood with entirely destitute, but can say it with great pleame, and strengthened sure, that the Lord Jesus Christ stood by me, and IV. 17.] me; that by me the strengthened me with that inward fortitude of preaching might be fully known, and that all soul which no human support could have inthe Gentiles might hear: spired; that by me the preaching [of his gospel] and I was delivered out might be carried on with confidence &, and [that] all the nations might hear; for I made demy fence in a manner that will, I doubt not, be taken notice of, and reported abroad, much to the advantage of that sacred cause, which is dearer to me than my 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. And I am confident, that the 18 And the Lord Lord, whose power and faithfulness are always every evil work, and the same, will rescue me from what I fear much will preserve me unto more than any thing this body can suffer, even his heavenly kingdom; from every evil work; will strengthen me against the most pressing and violent temptations, so that I shall do nothing unbecoming my Chris shall deliver me from to ed through the world; (Rom. i. 8.) He salutes a vast number of illustrious persons by name, and mentions many of them as his particular friends, (xvi. 3—15); and we may assure ourselves, that, during the two years he spent there in his hired house; when access was granted to all that desired it, the number, and probably the zeal of Christian converts would be greatly increased; as indeed he expresly assures the Philippians that it was, and that some of Caesar's palace was added to them. (Phil. 1. 12—14; iv. 22.) We are ready to say, How then was it possible he should be thus forsaken? But there is a material circumstance, seldom taken notice of in this con. nection, which accounts in a great ineasure for what might otherwise appear so strange. Clement, the companion of Paul, informs us, that he suffered martyrdom under the governors, (as Bishop Pearson and L'Enfant explain agiugnoas επί των ηγεμένων ;) that is, as they understand it, when Nero was gone into Greece, and had left the government of the city to Tigellinus and Sabinus, prefects of the prætorian guard, and that monster Helius. If this be allowed, it fixes the death of Paul to A. D. 66, or 67. But the cruel persecution, which Nero had raised against tian the Christians at Rome, in which they So g Carried on with confidence.] hPriscilla 18 |