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A45335 A practical and polemical commentary, or, exposition upon the third and fourth chapters of the latter epistle of Saint Paul to Timothy wherein the text is explained, some controversies discussed, sundry cases of conscience are cleared, many common places are succinctly handled, and divers usefull and seasonable observations raised / by Thomas Hall ... Hall, Thomas, 1610-1665. 1658 (1658) Wing H436; ESTC R14473 672,720 512

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fare the better for them every day why is the heap of chaff kept from burning but because there 's some wheat mixt with it but if once the wheat were out the chaff should soon be set on fire When once the number of Gods Elect is accomplisht the world shall not stand a moment 'T is just with God to take them from us for our abusing them we cast dirt and God casts dust on them many great men are fallen of late in this our English Israel nigh an hundred godly Ministers are taken from us within the space of three years past many of them young and eminent for Piety so that we this day are weakned both in Church and State Ioseph is not and Simeon is not and Benjamin is not all these things are against us This is and should be a Lamentation to us Now since there is such aboundance of false fire and fein'd zeal in the world we had the more need to try our own Some are mislead by a blind zeal Rom. 20.2 Others by an indiscreet zeal Matth. 26.51 Luke 9.52 53 54. Iohn 8. ult Others by an hyrocritical zeal they pretend Religion but they intend their own inriching So Demetrius pretended the preservation of Religion when indeed he intended his own silver Trade Acts 19 24. 1. True zeal is known by the Rise and Original of it 1. If it be wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God we are not born zealous for God his Truth and People but by nature are full of enmity to all these Acts 9.1 Phil. 36. Paul in his natural state persecutes the Church out of a blind zeal many mistake the fire of their own flints and the fire of Hell for this celestial fire But the Author of all true zeal and Heavenly fire is the holy Spirit of God which is oft called fire Acts 2.3 4. Matth. 3.11 because like fire it inlightens and heats our cold and frozen hearts Luke 24.32 A man that hath fire in his bosom will quickly be sensible of it Prov. 6.27 28. 2. T is operative like fire daily burning up our lusts purging out our dross and working out our scumme 'T is the true purgatory fire which all beleevers pass through Isay 4.4 2. It springs from knowledge as David first beleeved and then spake so the zealous man first knows Gods Will and then is zealous in the prosecution of it Blind zeal is rather fury and madness rashness and rudeness then zeal 'T is celeris cursus extra viam It 's like mettle in a blind Horse which carries the Rider into many dangers Like a Ship without a Pilot which runs it self on many Rocks and Sands Like wild-fire in a Fools hand or the Devil in the Demoniack which cast him sometimes into the fire and anon into the water The Jews had a zeal after Legal Rites and Ceremonies but 't was a blind zeal that But spoiled all Rom. 10.2 as without knowledg the mind is not good so neither is the man nor his zeal Prov. 19.2 as blind obedience is no obedience so blind zeal is not zeal Such is the zeal of Papists and Sectaries 3. It springs from a Love to Christ this constrains us to do and suffer for Christ. 2 Cor. 5.14 As Christ loved us and spent himself for us so the sense of this love being shed abroad in our hearts will make us to spend our selves for him This fire of Gods love to us will make us contemn all other fire 4. When it springs from a Love and Compassion to our Brethren when all our admonishions and reproofs come from a spirit of love and tenderness and are mixt with meekness and mourning this is true zeal Thus Samuel 1.16 tells Saul plainely and sharply of his sin yet mourns for his person Lot reproves the Sodomites for their wickedness yet calls them Brethren Gen. 19.7 Christ was angry at the sin yet mourned for the sinners Mark 3.5 So doth Paul 2 Cor. 12.22 Hot and moist is the best temper both in nature and grace When men rave and rage and are full of bitterness then Satan casts out Satan and they do more hurt then good These hate the sinner and not the sin when the good man is merciful to the sinner but cruel and unmerciful to the sin 2. True zeal is known by its End viz. Gods glory It can be content to decrease so Gods honor may increase Iohn 3.30 As true zeal comes from God so 't is for God and his glory and not for self The hypocrite may seem very zealous but 't is for his own ends like the Sheca●ites that would be cirumcised that they might get cattle Gen. 34.33 Iehu did an act that for the matter was good but his selfish Vain-glorious ends marred all and made it murder Hosea 1.4 3. By the properties and effects of it which are five 1. It increaseth by opposition Like Fountain-water 't is hottest in the coldest weather As water cast on lime by an Antiperistasis burnes more fiercely The more the wicked oppose Gods Law the more David loves it Psal. 119.126 If Michol mock David for dancing before the Ark he 'l resolve to be yet more vile 2 Sam. 6.22 True zeal over-looks and over-leaps all lets and impediments difficulties are but whet-stones to fortitude Heroick spirits know not what discouragements mean Many waters of opposition cannot quench this ardent love but intend it rather Cant. 8.6 7. As we see in Iacob Gen. 32.24 25 26. and the Woman of Canaan Tell Caleb there are Anakims and he 'l say le ts go up couragiously against them Numb 13.30 Tell Paul of bonds why he fears not death Hypocrites make a great shew till they meet with oppositions and then like snailes they pull in their horns 2. It will make us abound in duty if there be the fire of zeal within there will be a flame of a holy Conversation without love especially zealous love is bountiful it thinks it can never do enough for God he 's glad he hath any thing of worth to lose for him and resolves with the Martyr if he had as many lives to lose as he hath haires on his head and as much blood to venture as there is water in the Sea it should all go for Christ. They are ready to act to their power yea and beyond their power 2 Cor. 8.3 Zeal is a very high and intensive heat of all the affections it makes us burn in our love to God in our desires after him our joy in him our fear to offend him our indignation against all that speak or do any thing against him or his Psal. 139.21 Ier. 13.9 10. 'T is not so much any one Affection as the intensive Degree of all when they are all improved to the utmost for the furtherance of Gods glory and the good of his People A zealous man is a man of mettle and spirit he 's all life and activity 'T
terminis for the out-works of Religion but for the Fundamentals and for the whole possession We must contend with Papists about our Justification with Arminians about our Election with Antimonians for the Law with Socinians for the Gospel and with the Antiscripturists for all 2. The Lord commends this in his servants he hath recorded the zeal of Moses Phinees Paul Apollos c. to their everlasting prayse they are the Apple of his Eye which is Oculus Oculi the glory of the Eye Zach. 2.8 They are his jewels he counts himself honoured and adorned by such and therefore he calls them his glory Isay 4.5 These glorifie God on earth and therefore we will glorifie them with himself Iohn 15.8 and 17.4.5 God hath more glory from his little zealous flock then from all the world besides Hence he so much glories in him Iob 2 3. Acts 13.22 3. He Rewards it where ever he finds it Phinees for his zealous execution of Justice was blest both he and his posterity Numb 15.11 12 13. Levi for his zeal in vindicating Gods Honour was exalted to the Priesthood Exod. 32.29 Deut. 33.8 9 10. Zabulum and Napthali that ventured their lives in Gods cause Iudge 5.18 God remembers the kindness and rewards it many years after in sending Christ to preach the Gospel first to them Matth. 4.13.14 yea so greatly is the Lord delighted with zeal that Iehu his Hypocritical zeal went not unrewarded 2 King 10.30 4. It graceth all our graces and is the Honour of our honours All Grace without this is nothing Dead Knowledge Faith Repentance are of no esteem with God dead Prayer is not Prayer As under the Law no sacrifice was acceptable without fire so no duty now is acceptable without the fire of zeal 5. Christ hath paid best for our zeal The fair price that he paid to Redeem us the same precious blood he gave to purchase us to himselfe a zealous and peculiar people Titus 2.14 If any have paid dearer for it or can shew better Title to it let him take it 6. Our zeal doth denominate us that we are that we are zealous for 'T is true we may love the creature but it must be with a subordinate inferior love but our zeal which is the cream of our affections must be given only to God 'T is a glory which he will not suffer to be given to another 7. Our zeal may provoke others the Corinthians zeal provoked many 2 Cor. 9.12 When the Love-sick Church began to commend Christ Cant. 5. ult This is my friend and this is my Beloved in the very next Chapter 6.1 Others begin to inquire Where is thy Beloved that we may seeke him with thee 8. Such help to save a Land from ruine One zealous Moses kept off judgement from Israel Psalm 106.23 One zealous Phinees stayes the Plague One zealous innocent man may save an Iland Iob 22. ult 9. This makes a man to excel we are all by Nature of one blood 't is Holy zeal that makes the difference This makes the Righteous to excel his Neighbour Prov. 12.26 both in life and death one of these Pearles surpasseth ten thousand peebles as one living creature excels a thousand dead ones These are called lively stones 1 Pet. 2.5 1. They are stones in respect of stability and solidness they stir not from their principles but are an everlasting foundation Prov. 10.25 2. Lively because of their Zeale and Activity they are prompt and ready for every good work 2 Timothy 2.21 Their spirits are raised to the highest excellencies and so are capable of the highe stactings They live the life of God Ephesians 4.18 or a godly life because it is from God as the Author it is according to God as the pattern and it tends to God as the end Others may do well but the zealous man excels them all Hence he 's called in Scripture not Adam a common man but Ish quasi Esh a man of fire heat and courage a man of spirit life activity a man of men an excellent man fitted to honour God and rule others 10. You will have no cause to repent of this zeal yea if the saints in Heaven were capable of sorrow they would grieve for nothing so much as that they had not done more for God in their generation How many have repented of their superstitious carnal zeal as Cardinal Woolsy sometimes did Had I served God as diligently as I have done the King he would not have given me over in my gray hairs but this is my just reward for serving men before God 11 There is an absolute necessity of it in respect of the many enemies that oppose us So soon as ever a man begins to look towards Heaven he must look for Giants and sons of Anak to oppose him We have the Devil above us with all his methods Eph. 6.11 depths Rev. 2.24 Devices 2 Cor. 2.11 The world about us with all its baits and snares and an evil heart within us ready to betray us into the hands of our enemies So that unless we be resolute violent men we shall never get Heaven Matth. 11.12 't is not the lazy somnolent Christian but the active and the violent that take Heaven by force 12. All thy gifts and parts without zeal to improve them become useless A Stag or Hart that hath great strength and horns yet doth little with them for want of courage As a bird without wings a body without a soul and salt without savor so is a man without zeal like Ieremiahs rotten girdle that was good for nothing Ier. 13.7 Zeal is to the soul that which spirits are to the body and wine to the Spirits it puts activity and quickning in us 'T is as wheels to the Chariot which make us run the wayes of Gods Commandments as courage to a souldier as mettle to the horse and as manure to the ground which makes it abound in fruitfulness Now that you may get and keep this Gace we must shun those Quench●coals which extinguish this holy fire in us 1. The first is the retaining of any one bosome beloved sin be it Pride Idleness Formality Covetousness either thy zeal must destroy thy sin or thy sin will destroy thy zeal Zealous affections are the wings of the soul but sin like bird-lime intangles them that they cannot fly Heaven-ward They are the feet of the soul but sin like fetters hindereth us from runing They are the fire of the soul but sin like water quencheth this fire We must resolve therefore against all sin if ever we would have the Spirit of zeal to dwell in us 2. Take heed of the inordinate love of the world These thornes will choak our zeal and this outward heat extracts and consumes our inward Cast earth upon fire and you put it out Demas and Iudas the love of the world drew them off we must get our affections loosened from the world and use it as though we used it not Use
the Authour of sin not only of the action but also of the Ataxy Anomy Obliquity and Sinfulnesse of the Action Are there not some that accuse him of cruelty and unjustice in his Decrees 2. Are there not others that deny God in his Attributes with the Socinians and others that give out they are infallible and equall to God having no sin in them Thus Nailer Fox and the rest of that Heretical accursed blasphemous Quaking Crew Are there not such Ranters amongst us that by hellish cursing and swearing tear in pieces that great and dreadfull name of the Lord our God Are there not such amongst us as have reviled Jesus Christ and with the Arrians and Socinians make him a man whilest they publish to the world that themselves are Deified and become Gods they make themselves perfect and Christ imperfect Have we not those that speak basely of the sacred Scriptures Cry down Magistracy Rayle on the Ministery Revile Reall Saints Lastly is not Gods Name blasphemed and that in England by the loose lives and licentious Tenets even of Professors and this is one sad aggravation of the blasphemies of our time that many Professors are turned Blasphemers Those that have been nurst up in the bosome of the Church for 20 30 40. years and had a form of godlinesse and as in Charity we hoped some of them had the power of it yet now are turned blasphemous Apostates and have discovered their rottennesse by persecuting the Truth which sometimes they protest Had they been open enemies Turks and Tartars that had thus blasphemed it might have been easier born but lo these are the wounds wherevvith Christ vvas vvounded in the house of his seeming friends Zach. 13.6 they that eat of his bread and drink of his cup have lift up the heel against him Had he been thus blasphemed and derided in Egypt it had been no vvonder Hos. 7. ult but to be thus abused and abased in England vvhere the Gospel hath been preacht above 100. years for us vvhom the Lord hath made his darling Nation whom he hath loved and tendred above all the Nations in the world for vvhom he hath broken the Povver and Policy of mighty enemies and hath given such successe by Sea and Land that all the Nations round about us stand amazed for us after all these free and undeserved favours to blaspheme the God of our mercies and vvith the Beast to crop the tree that shelters us and bite the hand that feeds us is an Act of the highest ingratitude and basest rebellion in the world Deut. 32.6 Good turnes aggravate unkindnesses and our guilt is increased by our obligations Solomons Idolatry vvas far worse then that of his wives because he had better breeding and God had appeared twice unto him 1 Kings 11.9 As our Saviour said sometimes to the Jews Iohn 10.32 Many good works have I shewed you for which of these do ye stone me So may the Lord say to England O England I have been to thee a Rock and a Refuge a Sun and a Shield I have wrought wonders for thee in Church and State by Sea and Land for which of these favours dost thou blaspheme my Name deny my Word and overthrow the very Foundations of Religion hath the Lord been a barren wildernesse to us or what iniquity have we or our Fathers found in him that we should rebell against him Ier. 2.5 as the Apostle said sometimes to the Galatians am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth So is God our enemy because he hath given us his truth and all the tokens of his love what could he do more for England then he hath done if therefore instead of the grapes o● Faith and Obedience we bring forth the wild grapes of Heresy and disobedience what can we expect but to have our Vine-yard laid waste 2. A second Aggravation of our horrid blasphemies is this That they have broke forth since we have made a Covenant to the contrary and that in the most solemn manner that ever any Covenant was taken in this Land with hands lifted up to the most high God That we would extirpate Heresy Schisme and profanenesse and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse But alas many of us act as if we had taken a Covenant to promote them 3. Instead of an extirpation of Schisme and Heresy there is too much connivence indulgence and toleration given them and that by some of them whose hands are at this day in Print set to the solemn League and Covenant Durst Hereticks and Blasphemers be so bold to Preach and Print as they do if they had not too indulgence from some in Authority Oh that they would no longer bear the sword in vain but as they are a Terrour to Drunkards Swearers Thieves and Vagabonds so the Lord make them a Terrour to those that are Drunk with Heresies and Blasphemies That Magistrate which hath power to punish such offenders and yet spares them becomes partaker with them Men post the punishment of such offenders one from another the Magistrate saith Let the Minister reprove it the Minister sayes Let the Hearers reform it and they say Let the offerder answer it Thus when the Sea breaks in all the Borderers contend whose right it is to mend the damme but whilest they strive much and do nothing the Sea hereby gets further in and drowns the Country The Application is easie 'T is long since observed that England hath golden Lawes but leaden executioners and that we yet want one Law viz. A Law to bind Magistrates to put all the rest of the Lawes in execution Vse Let us be deeply affected with the blasphemies and dishonours that are done unto our God in the land of our Nativity Let 's mourn for all the abominations and specially for the prodigious blasphemies which are found in the midst of us Let them deeply affect and afflict our hearts if we love God they will do so for Love is very tender of any wrong that is offered to the party beloved Thus Moses burnes with an holy zeal when he heard that one had blasphemed God he puts him in Ward and at last stones him to death Levit. 24.11 12. David hated such persons with a perfect hatred and counts them as his enemies Psal. 139 20 21 22. Hezekiah hearing of Rabsheka's blasphemies Rent his cloathes Isay 37.1 So did Paul and Barnabas Acts 14.14 when they heard the blasphemy of the Lystrians crying them up for Gods they rent their cloathes to expresse the rending of their hearts with grief and indignation at what they heard And wicked Iezabel's proclaiming a Fast upon the false accusation of Naboth for blasphemy 1 Kings 21.10 may teach us to be zealous against Reall blasphemy So the High Priest rending his clothes for conceited blasphemy Matth. 26.65 if every one of us should do so when we hear God and his Gospel blasphemed we should have more
Saviour what in us lieth to all the world this is to do the work of an Evangelist viz. soundly and sincerely to publish the Gospel True Ministers must preach the Law but then it must be preparatory to the Gospel to convince them of their sin and misery and so fit them for mercy and after their conversion as a Rule for direction c. This work is so that Christ tells us it was the primary end of his coming into the world viz. to preach the glad tidings of the Gospel Isai. 61.2 3. Luke 4.18 'T is true the four Apostles which wrote the Gospel are properly or rather appropriately called Evangelists but in a large sense he 's an Evangelist that teacheth the Gospel Observation 8. Timothy was no Diocesan Bishop He was an Evangelist and so not fixt as Bishops were to any particular Congregation City of Diocess but he was to go up and down pro re natâ as occasion required and to preach the Gospel as other Evangelists did Objection In the Post-script 't is said that Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus Answer These Post-scripts are no part of Canonical Scripture but were added by the Scribes who wrot out the Epistles 2. It contradicts the Text which expresly calls him an Evangelist which was a distinct Officer from a Pastor or Bishop Ephes. 4.11 3. It may help to take up the Cavel of Sectaries who would have us live as Timothy and others did without Tythes or fit Maintenance when the case is not the same For 1. They were not tyed to any particular charge as we are 2. The Magistrate was an Heathen and an Enemy 3. They had all things common and they sold all and brought the money to the Apostles 4. The Apostles had their learning by inspiration and they could work miracles and so could not want maintenance Observation 9. Make full proof of thy Ministry Observe Ministers must fully and faithfully discharge all the duties of their callings They must so behave themselves in their office that they may be charged justly with nothing Thus Barnabas and Saul fulfilled their Ministry Acts 12. ult and 14.26 so did Paul 2 Cor. 4.1 2. Archippus Colos. 4.17 must not do his duty to halves but he must perform it in every respect as it ought to be done and accomplish all the parts of his Ministry strengthning the weak comforting the afflicted raising the lapsed reproving the wicked convincing the erronious and confirming the strong adorning our pure doctrine with a pure conversation This is to fulfil our Ministry Verse 6. OBSERVATIONS 1. When God takes away faithful and laborious Ministers those that survive them must stand up in their stead supply their loss and be so much the more active careful and vigilant in the discharge of their office When Paul dyes then Timothy must double his diligence If Eliah be taken away Elisha must pray for a double portion of his spirit to carry on the work Eleazer succeeds Aaron Haggai and Zachary supply th● loss of Daniel and Christ ariseth in Iohn Baptists stead Observation 2. 2. The godly by a spiritual instinct and sagacity foresee their ends so did Iacob Gen. 48.21 and Ioshua 23.14 and Christ Iohn 17.2 and Peter 2.14 They alwayes watch and wait for their Masters coming Their acts diseases and disquietments which they meet withall from the world are as so many petty deaths unto them A man that dwells in an old crazy house where the walls fall down the foundation sinks the pillars bend and the whole building craks concludes such a house cannot long stand As for the wicked they are insensible and secure and though gray hairs which are signes of old age and death approaching be here and there upon them yet they know it not Hos. 7.9 Observation 3. 3. Death is not dreadful to good men The Apostle speaks of it here not by way of Lamentation but of Exultation and in an holy triumph tells us that he had fought a good fight and finisht his course and now the time of his departure was at hand when he should receive a crown of glory Death to him was but a departing from one room to another from a lower room to an higher from earth to Heaven from troubles to rest from mortality to immortality They are long since dead to the world and so can part with it more easily Paul died daily he was sending more and more of his heart out of the world so that by that time he came to dye he was fully weaned from the world and desirous to be gone Phil. 1.23 When Moses had finisht his course God bids him go up and dye that 's all Deut. 32.49 50. Death which to wicked men is the King of terrours and makes them fear and tremble Iob 18.14 That to a good man is the King of comforts and like the Valley of Achor a door of hope In an holy security at death and destruction they can laugh Iob 5.21 22. The wicked look on death as a dreadful dismal thing but Gods people looking on it through the Spectacles of the Gospel s●e it to be a conquered enemy having its sting taken out Hos. 13.15 so that what Agag said vainly and vauntingly Christian may speak truly and seriously The bitterness of death is past 1 Sam. 15.32 As Christ said of Lazarus this sickness is not to death but unto life so may we now say this death is not unto death but unto life So that now the Saints can embrace it go forth to meet it and bid it welcome They know 't is but winking and they are presently in Heaven This made the Martyrs go as cheerfully to their Stakes as others do to a Feast or Marriage when Basils enemies threatned to kill him if he would not turn he boldy answered Oh that I might dye for the truth Hilarion chides himself for his backwardness why dost thou fear Oh my Soul to dye thou hast served thy God these seventy years and art thou now afraid to dye Egredere anima egredere Even Seneca makes it the property of a wise man to desire death We must not judge of death or of any other thing as Sin Riches Afflictions c. as the world judgeth of them but as Scripture speaks Now the Spirit of God in Scripture cloaths death with very lovely and pleasing expressions 1. It calls it a going to our Fathers Gen. 15.15 A going to the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 23. A going to God to Christ and to the blessed Angels Phil. 1.23 2. It is called an Exaltation or lifting up Iohn 3.14 3. A sowing which will rise in glory 1 Cor. 15.43 4. An undressing and uncloathing of our selves a putting off our rags that we may put on immortal Robes 2 Cor. 5.2 2 Peter 1.14 5. A going to sleep when men are wearied with labour they desire their beds The grave is a bed of rest Isay 57.2 Iob 3.13 Dan. 12.2 Rev. 14.13
Court and the Martyrs wander up and down in Sheep-kins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 11. Grant but this and then Cain need not fear to kill his brother Saul to persecute the Church Herod to kill the Saints Who will study to keep Gods Commandements or make any conscience of his wayes As for ourselves let us abhor that desperate Opinion which openeth the flood-gates to all villanies and abominations The broachers and obstinate defenders of such Tenents should die without mercy Zach. 13.3 And if the murderers of mens bodies must die for it then such murderers should die some remarkable death for as there are no mercies like soul mercies so there are no murders like these 2. The Immortality of our souls should make us have a special care of them we should see to them diligently Deuteronomy 4.9 Nature teacheth us to look to our bodies but grace to our souls The soul is the man and if that be lost all is lost but if you have a care of your souls God will have a care of your bodies If the Mid-wives fear the Lord he will provide them houses Exodus 1.21 If Solomon seek soul mercies God will cast in Temporal blessings into the bargain 1 Kings 3.12 There are many sicknesses now abroad the way to remove them is to cleave to the Lord and serve him with all our souls then he hath promised to bless our Land and to take all sickness from amongst us Exodus 23.25 Solomon telleth us that the soul is a precious thing Proverbs 6.26 and a wiser then Solomon hath told us that One soul is more worth then all the ●orld Matthew 16.26 Ten thousand worlds could not ransome one soul. Nothing but the precious blood of Christ who was God and Man could do it 1 Pet. 1.19 We see how careful men be for their bodies to feed them when hungry cloath them when naked Physick them when sick and arm them against dangers but the soul the immortal soul lieth starved naked sick and unarmed most with Martha carke and care for the body but few with Mary see to the better part We see how highly men prize their Natural Lives Skinn for skinn and all that they have they will give for them Iob 2.4 Offer a man all the World for his life and he can readily answer what will this profit me when I am dead but offer the same man a little gain honor pleasure for his soul and he 'l part with that for it Esau sold his soul for a mess of pottage Iudas his for 30. pieces of silver the Prodigal his for husks and the worldling for meer vanity drowns his soul in perdition 1 Tim. 6.9 Let us from time to come set a higher price on our souls let us so pray so hear so live as those that believe that our soules are immortal 'T is true we must have a moderate care of our bodies 1 Timothy 5.23 but the welfare of our soules must be chiefly regarded Matth. 6.33 Iohn 6.27 'T was an high commendation of Gajus when the Apostle wisheth he might be in health and prosper even as his Soul prospred 3 Iohn 1.2 I see more in Mr. Calamies Sermon at R. Bolto●s Funeral and Mr. Ambrose his Prima 2 P. p. 61. c. See 20. Reas. for the Souls Immortality in Mr. Baxters Saints Rest. P. 2. c. 10. S. 1. p. 298. Norton Orthodox Evangel c. 15. D. Arrowsmith Tactica S. l. 3. c. 3. S. 12. Prideaux Fascicul p. 315. Calvin de Psychopannychia inter Opuscula contra Libertinos cap. 22. Observation 5. 5. The death of the Martyrs is a most pleasing Sacrifice to God The obedient life and death of all Gods Saints is very pleasing to him Psal. 116.15 but the death of Martyrs who do actually seal to his truth with their dearest blood is a most deligthful sacrifice to him How vilely soever the world esteems of their sufferings yet they are precious in Gods eye and their blood shall pay for it who have made themselves drunk with the blood of his Saints Isay 63.13 Rev. 17.6 When ever therefore the Lord shall call for our lives especially by way of Martyrdom we should cheerfully offer them up in sacrifice to God rejoicing that we have a life or any thing of worth to loose for him We should be holily prodigal of our lives in Gods cause so were the Martyrs and so was Paul he did not value his life when he came to part with it in this kind Acts 20.24 Neither should we mourn inordinately moderately we may as they did for Steven Acts 8.2 for such as dye in the cause of Christ nor yet hinder our Relations in such resolutions but say The will of the Lord be done rejoicing that we have any children or friends that are worthy of so great an honour Observation 6. 6. The death of the Martyrs doth confirm the truth The Church is Gods garden and t is watered and enriched by the blood of Martyrs By sealing the truth with their blood and not loving their lives unto the death the weak are strengthened and the strong confirmed and though they be dead yet their Testimony speaks Heb. 12.4 they conquer even when they seem to be conquered and Chri●● is magnified by their death as well as by their life Phil. 1.20 Caut. Not that the sufferings or constancy of the Martyrs is the foundation of our Faith but God hath ordained it as a means to strengthen it VERSE 7 8. I have fought a good fight I have finisht my course I have kept the Faith V. 7. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but unto them also that love his appearing THE Apostle being come to the end of his race he looks about him he looks downward backward upward 1. He looks downward into the grave v. 6. whither he was going and there he sees comfort his death was a pleasing sacrifice to God and a friend to conveigh him to his fathers house 2. He looks backward and views his well-spent life with joy and comfort and in an Holy gloriation breaks forth I have fought the good fight c. A Soul that hath made its peace with God may with comfort and confidence look death in the face and say with good old Simeon Lord now let thy servant depart in peace 3. He looks upward and there he sees Heaven prepared for him v. 8. So that in these two verses we have Pauls work and Pauls wages we see what he did for God and what he expected from God Objct. But doth not this savour of vain-glory and Spiritual Pride Answer Not at all for the Apostle speaks not this Proudly or Thrasonically as if he had merited any thing at the hand of God for he testifieth against this in all his writings especially in Rom. 4. and Phil. 3. and tells us
mention not Vain-gloriously but Thankfully against both men and devils and beastly Barbarians I have contended for the Gospel constantly and couragiously My life is a race and I have run my course even to the very goal in despight of all opposition I have maintained and defended the truth of Christs Gospel inviolably according to my Christian profession and office Apostolical and now from henceforth I comfort my self with the expectation of that crown of immortality which upon the gracious promises of a righteous God is laid up for me and not for me onely but for all the faithful who love Christ and long for his coming Observations 1. 'T is lawful sometimes to speak of those gifts and graces which God hath given us that we may comfort and quicken others by our example But of this see the Observations on chapter 3.10 2. The sweetest songs of the Saints have been towards their last ends The sun shines sweetliest when it is setting the wine of the Spirit is strongest in the Saints when they are drawing to an end His motions are quickest when natural motions are slowest as we see in Moses his Swan-like Song Deut. 31. and 32. and 33. and David how sweetly doth he sing a little before he dies of Gods mercies to himselfe of the covenant of free Grace which God had made with him and his judgements on the sons of Belial 2 Samuel 23.1 to 8. Ioshua dying how sweetly doth he exhort the people to obedience by setting before them the mercies of God Ioshua 24. All Christs sayings are excellent but none so sweet and comfortable as those which he delivered a little before his death His last Sermon and Prayer how sweet are they Iohn 13.14 15 16 17. Iacob dying how sweetly doth he bless his sons Gen. 49. Steven dying prayes for their life who put him to death so did the Martyrs Doctor Prestons last Sermons were on the Attributes Doctor Sibbs his last Sermons on that comfortable Text Iohn 14.1 and Master Robert Boltons on the Joyes of Heaven Wicked men when they die they set in a Cloud and like the going out of a candle they leave a stench behind them as their bodies so their names rot and stink when they are dead and gone As wicked men grow worse and worse and their last dayes are their worst so good men grow better and better and their last dayes are their best having hut a little time to live in the world they are willing to leave it with a good savour Observation 3. 3. The sweet resent which a good Conscience hath of a well spent life is matter of singular comfort and rejoycing in death The Apostle was now near to death and what doth he rejoyce in why 't is in this that by the assistance of Christ he had fought a good sight and finisht his course and therefore he had hope as the righteous have even in death Proverbs 14.32 Elijah that had been zealous for the Lord of Hosts can with comfort desire the Lord to to take his soul 1 Kings 19.4.10 Hezekiah that great reformer when he heard that he must die yet comforteth himselfe with this that he had walked before God in sincerity and singleness of heart Isay 38.3 this upheld Iob in the middest of all his trials Iob 27.5 6. This comforted the Apostles when they were in deep distress 2 Corinthians 1.12 This is our rejoycing the Testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Not that the conscience of our sincere walking is the Deserver but the Assurer of our salvation Well-doing may Evidence to us our Election though it cannot Merit it 2 Peter 1.10 Men of good consciences sit at a continnal Feast Proverbs 15.15 a good heart or a quiet merry heart as some Translations render it Is not may be or shall be hereafter but is already a reall Feast and hereafter shall be consummate 'T is not a dead Ignorant secure benummed erroneous seared Conscience but it is an inlightned inlivened renewed pure conscience which is purged from the guilt of sinne by the blood of Christ and delivered from the Tyranny of sinne by the Spirit of Christ This this onely is a good Conscience This puritie of Conscience breedeth Peace and Peace breedeth Joy and Spirituall Mirth this reconcileth those Translations which render it a quiet or merry heart which is true in respect of the effects and fruits of a good conscience Now this good conscience is called a Feast 1. Because at a Feast there is variety of dainties and dishes abundance of cates and delicates 't is not a Feast without variety and plenty and more then ordinary fare So at this Feast there is great variety 1. Here is Ioy this is most sutable and seasonable at a Feast not a carnal sensual external inferiour joy but a spiritual supernatural Holy Heavenly solid serious well-grounded durable Joy which none can take from us Iohn 16.22 They rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Psalm 33.1 Philip. 4.4 yea even in Tribulation Romans 5.3 Iames 1.2 and that with a superlative transcendent Joy hence called Ioy unspeakable and glorious 1 Peter 1.8 and compared to Joy in Harvest when the husbandman after long toyl reapeth the fruits of his labours Isay 9.3 yea it surpasseth that joy Psalm 4.7 it mortifieth our delights to these low things makes us to rejoyce in them as though we rejoyced not 1 Cor. 7.31 Lo this is the first dish which is served in at this Royal Feast Matthew 13.44 Acts 16.34 and therefore it is called by a special propriety the joy of Gods people Psal. 206.5 2. At this Feast here is Peace not a Fading unsetled transitory Peace such as wicked men have but 't is a well grounded and a well bottomed Peace 't is built on the Word and it's foundation is laid in Humiliation it had a storm before it came to this calme 2. 'T is not an ordinary but a transcendent Peace such as passes all human understanding Phil. 4.7 mans wit cannot sufficiently conceive it nor value it according to its worth To have Peace with men and Angels is a mercy but when the soul lieth groaning under the sight and sense of sinne then for the Spirit to speak Peace to us to assure us that God in Christ is reconciled to us this is a mercy of mercies David had this Peace and therefore he fears not though ten thousand should compass him about Psalm 3.6 Peter that was in great danger of his life yet having a good cause and a good conscience he sleeps in Peace Acts 12.6 3. 'T is an everlasting peace Christ hath bequeathed it to his for ever Iohn 14.27 Peace I leave with you my Peace I give you The Lord hath bound himself by Covenant to continue it it is more firme then the pillars of the Earth or the Poles of Heaven Isay 54.9 The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my
doth this great Apostle here he sendeth his salutations and best respects to Aquila a Tent-maker and his wife Priscilla and is not ashamed to own them as his coadjutors Romans 16.3 The Church of Christ in this world for the most part consisteth of mean and obscure persons as appeareth by those men and women whom the Apostle saluteth Rom. 16.1 to 16. not many wise not many noble not many mighty but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weake to confound the mighty 1 Cor. 1.26 27. Salute Aquila Salute Priscilla Salute Onesiphorus And why so because of their Piety and Zeal for Gods glory We had doubtlesse never heard of these persons but for that 6. Observation Hence Observe Piety bringeth praise It begetteth a good name and maketh a man famous to posterity Such honour God and therefore he honoureth them and setteth an Ecce of Admiration on them Iohn 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeed What hath made Iob Nehemiah David and all the good Kings of Israel so famous to all Generations but their Piety Wicked men by fine fare fine cloaths c. may beg a little praise but Piety commandeth Esteem even from those that cannot practice it themselves The intemperate man cannot but commend the Temperate though he cannot imitate him and the time-serving Polititian cannot but commend the sincere and constant man that sticks to his Principles though himselfe like a Wethercock cannot but turn with every wind VERS 20. Erastus abode at Corinth but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sicke ERastus is a Greek name and signifieth Amiable and lovely He was Chamberlain of the City of Corinth Romans 16.23 he was one that attended on Paul when he sent with Timothie into Macedonia Acts 19.22 Whilest Paul was prisoner at Rome he did abide at Corinth as appeareth by the Text waiting on his publick Office it seemeth he was a great man the Treasurer of the City yet neither his riches nor his great place could keep him from loving the Apostle and the people of God 1. Observation Hence Observe There are some great men that are good men not many yet some 1 Corinthians 1.26 Lot and Abraham two great men and yet good men Genesis 13.2 5 6. and 24.35 So was Iob 1.3 and Zaccheus Luke 19.2 David died full of riches and honour 1 Chronicles 29.28 Nehemiah a Courtier and Cupbearer to a King yet one that feareth the God of Heaven Neh. 1. ult So in the New Testament we read of a noble Theophilus Luk 1.3 and of an Elect Lady that loved the Truth 2 Iohn 1.2 and of a Ioseph of Arimathea and Sergius that embraced the Gospel 1. The Lord hath so ordered it to stop the mouths of wicked men who are ready to say as the Pharisees Iohn 7.48 do any of the Rulers or great ones believe in him q. d. there are none that follow Christ but a few simple people and illiterate fishermen c. Yet God hath some Kings and Queens some Lords and Ladies some of the great ones and some of the fat of the earth that worship him Psalm 22.29 He hath a learned Nicodemus and Paul with an eloquent Apollos to defend his truth 2. The Lord calleth some such that they may draw on others who are apt to be led by great ones They are the Looking-glasses of the Countrey by which many dress themselves 3. For the greater conviction of wicked men when they shall have the light of such and such great men who have broke through great temptations and denied themselves many lawful liberties that they might be the fitter for Gods service when many that had not the Tythe of these Tentations and hinderances yet would not serve him 4. For the greater manifestation of Gods Almighty Power though it be a very hard thing for a rich man to be saved and with men it is impossible by reason of the many snares and impediments which lie in their way hence the Apostle telleth us that none of the Princes of this world have known Christ id est almost none very few 1 Corinthians 1.8 yet Christ can pare off this Camels bunch and so untwist this cable rope that it shall goe through the eye of a needle Trophimus have I left sick at Miletum This Trophimus was a Citizen of Ephesus a Disciple of Pauls and his companion in his travels Acts 20.4 and 21.29 Paul travelling through many places after his first imprisonment at Rome leaveth this Trophimus sick at Miletum a City in Asia not far from Ephesus famous for its wooll and cloathing Question But would not the Apostle work a miracle and so heal him as he had done other sick persons Answer It was not in the Apostles power to work Miracles when they pleased but onely when there was a necessity for the conviction or conversion of unbelievers then the Holy Ghost enabled and excited them to it Acts 3.12 2. Observation 2. Sickness may seize even on good men As they are subject to death so to sickness also which is the fore-runner of death Epiphraditus a good man whose recovery Paul so greatly rejoyced in yet was very sick and nigh unto death Phil. 2.27 and so was Paul himself 2 Cor. 1.8 Hezekiah and David two holy men yet sick of the Plague as it is conceived the Corinthians were chastned by the Lord with the same violent disease as 't is conceived that they might not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11.30 But this needs no proof for we experimentally see that all things come alike to all and sickness is the portion of good men as well as bad only the wicked are punished in wrath their sickness and pains here are but praeludia futuri judicii fore-runners of greater pains besides they are hardned and made worse by them as Pharaoh and Ahaz 2 Chron. 28.22 God rains snares on wicked men if they be in health 't is a snare to them Psal. 69.22 Prov. 1.32 if sick 't is a snare to them their sin is drawn out discovered and ripened by it 'T is Luthers Observation that after long journeyes and long sicknesses few were better Cast a stinking weed into the fire and it smelleth worse but cast a sweet Herb into the fire and it smelleth the better God punisheth the wicked as a Iudge but he correcteth his children as a Father For their good to bring them nearer to himself and to fetch home his Prodigalls which wander after the creature and to bring their sinnes to remembrance In prosperity men cannot awhile to think of their sinnes but when sicknesse cometh they shall have time enough night and day they shall have no rest by reason of their sinne We reade of some Psalms whose Titles are A Psalm to bring to remembrance So we must say of many diseases A Feaver to bring our sinnes to remembrance a Consumption to bring our sinnes to remembrance As Pharaohs Butler said sometimes I remember my sinnes