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; Ver. 1. _Speaketh expressly_] _Verbis non disertis solum, sed et exertis._ Abroad and aloud, that it may be heard all the Church over, ρητως . _ S... [ Continue Reading ]
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Ver. 2. _Speaking lies in hypocrisy_] It was grown to a common proverb, "A friar, a liar." One of them undertook to show a feather of the wing of the angel Gabriel. The pope, to honour and encourage Tyrone the rebel, sent h... [ Continue Reading ]
Forbidding to marry, _and commanding_ to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. Ver. 3. _Forbidding to marry_] Papists forbid some to marry at any time, as the clergy; all, at some times, and that not as a precept of con... [ Continue Reading ]
For every creature of God _is_ good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: Ver. 4. _If it be received with thanksgiving_] While we taste the sweetness of the Creator in the creature, and are stirred up thereby to praise his name. Doves at every grain they pick look upwards... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Ver. 5. _By the word_] Of permission, Acts 10:15, and of promise, a new right purchased by Christ, &c. _ And prayer_] For his leave and blessing, that "staff of bread," &c. This is to eat to the Lord Romans 14:6; to imitate Christ, Matthew 26:26,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _Nourished up in the words_] Such are fittest to be made ministers as have been well bred, and inure... [ Continue Reading ]
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself _rather_ unto godliness. Ver. 7. _But refuse_] Gr. παραιτου, make a fair excuse. Shift them off, set them by, say thou art not at leisure to attend to them, hast no time to lose upon them. _Poteras has horas non perdidisse, _ said Pliny... [ Continue Reading ]
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Ver. 8. _For bodily exercise profiteth little_] Somewhat it doth (if rightly used) toward the strengthening of the body, preserving of the health,... [ Continue Reading ]
This _is_ a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. Ver. 9. _This is a faithful saying_] And yet who hath believed our report? The promises are good freehold, and yet little looked after. Godliness hath but cold entertainment, because she lives much upon reversions.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 10. _For therefore_] Because godliness hath so much happiness laid up in the promises,1 Timothy 4:8, and there is so much certainty of the perfo... [ Continue Reading ]
These things command and teach. Ver. 11. _These things command and teach_] Teach the tractable, command the obstinate, lay God's charge upon all.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Ver. 12. _Let no man despise, &c._] But how should I help it? might he say; the apostle answereth, "Be thou an example to the believers, a pattern of piety;... [ Continue Reading ]
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Ver. 13. _Give attendance to reading_] First to reading, and then to exhortation; bringing as a good scribe, out of a good treasure, new and old. Father Latimer, notwithstanding both his years and constant pains in preaching, was... [ Continue Reading ]
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Ver. 14. _Neglect not the gift_] God's gifts groan under our disuse or misuse; and God hearing gives them the wings of an eagle; so that such may say as once Zedekiah did, "Whe... [ Continue Reading ]
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Ver. 15. _Meditate upon these things_] And so digest them, turn them _in succum et sanguinem._ Let your heart study a good matter, that your pen may be as the tongue of a ready writer, Psalms 45:1, and no... [ Continue Reading ]
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Ver. 16. _Thou shalt both save_] What a high honour is this to faithful ministers, that they should be styled saviours in a sense! So Job 33:24; Obadiah 1:21 Jam... [ Continue Reading ]