THE ANALYSIS OF ALL THE EPISTLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Wherein the chiefe things of every particular Chapter are reduced to heads for help of the Memory and many hard places explained for tâ—e help of the Understanding By JOHN DALE Master of Arts and Fellow of Magdalen Colledge in OXFORD Oâ—â—â—RD Printed by L. L. Printer to the Univeâ—â—â—â—â— for Edw. Forrest and Rob. Blagrave 1657 To the READER WEE need not runne to the numerous Catechismes and Bodies of Divinity to learne our Creed and the Ten Commandments i. to know our Duty towards God and man If there were no Theologicall Systems in the world the Principles of Religion might be all found in these Canonicall Epistles For other Divinity Treatises are but so many Copies these are the Originall In these Apostolicall Tracts we have our Divinity at the first hand in others at the second third fourth c. One peice of gold containeth in it the worth and value of many peices of silver So doe these Golden Epistles containe in them the substance of many thousand Volumnes of Divinity Here we may meet with Schoole-Divinity in the Determination of many Controversies as concerning Iustification betwixt the Jewes and Christians concerning their Priesthood and our Saviours c. Here also are Cases of Conscience concerning abstaining even from lawfull things to avoid scandall as of eating of meats c. And not onely these but also Ecclesiasticall Policy in Church discipline concerning the Excommunication of scandalous persons c. And for our Devotion we need not goe farre for the Practice of Piety here we have it Justification and Sanctification are chained together in these Epistles none of them begin with a Doctrine of Justification which doe not conclude with an Application of an Vse of Exhortation to Sanctification and holinesse of life least any should thinke Faith not to be so much the Devotion of the Heart as the Fancy of the Braine Here we have rules concerning our Thoughts that they should be pure humble c. Concerning our Discourse that it should be meek and profitable to others c. And concerning our Actions to others that they should have in them Justice and Equity And generally concerning all these three that they should be all seasoned with Charity Aristotles Ethicks are here Christ'ned in being refined from the drosse of Heathenisme Lypsius did advise one to reade Senecaes Epistles Lege Senecam saith he firmabit te contra omnes lapsus But he might have given better advice if he had bid him reade the Epistles of the Apostles These are they that will keepe a mans head above water in all conditions Senecaes comforts in affliction did but depend upon the weake Reed of naturall reason but the Consolations of the Apostles are grounded upon the strong Rocke of Faith I here present unto you the Analysis of the Canonicall Epistles as most befitting them for the seeming abruptnesse of the style and the non-dependance of much of the matter in them together with the variety thereof wherein I have Analyzed every particular Chapter distinctly by it selfe not casting the Epistles into a Generall summe in medling with a Generall Analysis which some have done already And withall I present my earnest advise to use the same method in most of your readings that is to reduce whatsoever you reade in any choice Booke but especially the best of all Bookes the Bible to the most materiall heads This way will be the best Art of Memory and will support it more then those Cells which the Memorists have devised to place the Species of so many things in Famous Aristotle tooke the same course in reducing all the numerous Individuums in the world to certaine Classes and Common places i. the Tenne Predicaments A burthen being well packed and trusseâ— up into a little compasse is the easier to bâ— carried which otherwise will oppresse the Bearer And according to my first intention when I undertooke this worke the Analysis is shorâ— and perspicuous to helpe the memory and noâ— wyre-drawne and stretch'd out too farre to confound and perplex it To Analyze and resolve things into little and minute parts would be rather to play the Chymist then Divine Therefore the Analysis of every Chapter doth consist of a few heads it is not a Hydra of many heads I have also in this Analysis briefly explained many hard places and given you some glympse of that light which you will find more diffused in the best Interpreters All which I did first for my owne benefit and now doe communicate for yours The Lord of Heaven grant that this worke begun and ended by his gratious assistance may be for the advantage of us both From my Study in Magd Coll Oxon. May 11. 1652. JOHN DALE The Analysis of the Epistle of Saint PAUL to the ROMANES CHAP. I. 1. S. Paul's calling to the Ministry v. 1. Concerning which 1. His zeale and fervency in it 2. The object of it viz. the Gospell v. 1. Wherein 1. The benefit of it in being the meanes of salvation v. 16. 2. The necessity because the wrath of God being denounced against all unrighteousnesse there is no salvation without it v. 18. 3. His affection to the Romanes in desiring to visit them to instruct them v. 10. 2. The sinnes of the Gentiles and in them 1. The occasion viz. Gods desertion v. 24.26 2. Their nature which was against nature as Incest v. 26. 3. Their aggravation and that in two things In being 1. Against knowledge v. 21. 2. Committed with delight v. 22. CHAP. II. 1. The Universall Corruption of mankind in that the very Magistrates that punish sinne are guilty of it v. 1. 2. It s abuse of Gods patience v. 4. 3. The tenure of the Law which is 1. Life to the keepers of it v. 7. 2. Death to the breakers of it v. 8 9. 4. The impartiality of Gods justice in sparing no sinners whether Jewes or Gentiles v. 11. 5. A Reproofe of the Jewes vaine confidence in thinking the bare outward profession sufficient for their justification v. 17.19.21.28 6. The aggravation of their punishment from their greater measure of knowledge v. 21 22 23. CHAP. III. 1. Pauls vindication of himselfe from the aspersion of encouraging men to sinne v. 8. 2. His accusation of the Jewes of sinne notwithstanding they were Gods peculiar people v. 9. 3. His proofe of it out of the Psalmes concerning the generall sinning of all v. 10 11. 4. His doctrine of justification by faith v. 28. CHAP. IV. The prosecution of the doctrine of justification 1. Positively That it is by faith which he confirmes 1. By reasons which are 1. Because it is of free grace v. 4. 2. Because the promise was made through Faith v. 13. 2. By proofe out of the Psalmes where it is said that our sinnes are forgiven and therefore not satisfied for by workes v. 6 7. 3. By the example of Abraham who was justified for beleiving the promises of God v. 13.
2. Negatively 1. That it is not by workes for then 1. We might glory in them v. 2. 2. The reward would be a debt 2. That Circumcision doth not conduce to it because Abraham was justified when he was not circumcised v. 11. CHAP. V. 1. The Character of a faithfull man who hath 1. Peace of Conscience v. 1. 2. Accesse to God v. 2. 3. Joy in tribulations ibid. 4. Patience v. 3. 5. Experience v. 4. 6. Hope which is grounded upon Gods love which he shewed in sending his Sonne to dye for us 1. Who were unable to raise our selves v. 6. 2. Unworthy of his love in being his enemies v. 10. 2. The Charter whereby he holdeth all these graces which is a reconciliation with God procured and purchased for us by the merits of Christ Jesus ibid. 3. Our misery by the fall of Adam who transgressed against the Law of Nature before the promulgation of the Law of Moses v. 13. 4. Gods mercy in sending his Sonne to be a propitiation for our sinnes v. 18. CHAP. VI. 1. An inference from his former doctrine wherein is 1. A prohibition to abuse Gods mercy in sinning the more because he is so mercifull to forgive and that for two reasons v. 1. 1. Because it is against the order of Gods sanctifying grace whereby they that are dead to sin cannot in all common sense live unto it v. 2. 2. Because we are baptized unto newnesse of life v. 3 4. 2. The effects of Christ death 1. In taking away the guilt of sinne 2. In taking away the strength of it v. 5.6 3. The Analogy betwixt Christ and a Christian in 1. Life v. 4. 2. Death 4. The disparity betwixt 1. The slavery of sinne wherein is force v. 18. 2. The service of God which is freedome v. ibid. 2. An Exhortation to Christian Warfare wherein is his encouragement 1. In assuring the assistance of grace against sinne v. 14. 2. In assuring a Conquest over it v. ibid. 3. The benefit of Christian liberty 1. Sanctification in this world v. 22. 2. Glorification in the next ibid. CHAP. VII 1. Sinnes tyranny before the death of Christ signified by a Husband over mans nature signified by a Wife v. 1 2. 2. Sins power in the regenerate after his death whereof we have 1. Pauls humility in making himselfe the example of it v. 18.23 2. Pauls piety in the detestation of it and desire of freedome from it v. 24 25. 3. The Nature of the Law 1. Which doth discover sinne and in that is holy v. 7. 2. Which doth occasion sinne and in that is not faulty because sinne being brought to despaire by the harshnesse of it is provoked more and more v. 8. CHAP. VIII 1. Consolation against despaire because there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus v. 1. 2. Consolation against dejection in affliction and persecution in that all things worke for good to them that are in Christ Jesus v. 28. 3. A description 1. Of Carnality wherein is 1. The effect of it i. enmity against God v. 7. 2. The end of it i. death v. 13. 2. Of the Spirituall life and its benefits whereby the regenerate man 1. Hath everlasting life v. 16. 2. Is the Sonne of God heire of God c. v. 17. CHAP. IX 1. Pauls excessive sorrow even unto sinne for the Jewe rejection his owne flesh and bloud which is the greater because the meanes of their salvation was the greater v. 1 2 3 4 5. 2. The election of the Gentiles and rejection of the Jewes is confirm'd out of 1. Hosea 2. Esay v. 25.27 3. The causes of it i. Gods meere pleasure which hâ— proveth 1. By the example of Jacob and Esau v. 14. 2. By the words of Moses v. 15. 4. The Vindication of Gods honour in not electing all by proving that it is not 1. Against Gods promise nor v. 6. 2. Against his justice v. 14. 5. The End of Election and Reprobation which is God glory 1. For his mercy in saving some v. 23. 2. For his justice in passing by others v. 22. CHAP. X. 1. A description of 1. Legall justice 2. Evangelicall 2. The difference of both in that the 1. viz. legall breedeth doubts v. 6. 2. viz. Evangelicall taketh them away 3. The graduall meanes whereby Evangelicall justice is acquired which are 1. Preaching 2. Hearing 3. Beleiving 4. The inexculablenesse of the Jewes that did heare the Word 5. Isaias his prediction 1. Of the Jewes rejection 2. Of the acceptation of the Gentiles in which was 1. Gods mercy 2. Their unworthinesse of it being but meane people v. 19. CHAP. XI 1. A Consolation to the Jewes in giving them hopes of their restitution v. 11. 2. A Caution to the Gentiles not to be proud that they were elected and the Jewes rejected v. 18. 3. Reasons against the totall ejection of the Jewes 1. From Pauls example v. 1. 2. From the example of Elias v. 2. who both were Israelites v. 3. From Gods decree v. 2. 4. Reasons for their restitution 1. A minori ad majus If the Gentiles which were strangers were chosen much more shall the Jewes that were his owne people be received againe 2. From the Prophecy of Esay 3. From their parentage because they were the Children of Abraham v. 16. 5. The Cause 1. Of Election Gods free mercy 2. Of Reprobation infidelity 6. His admiration of Gods mercy and wisedome CHAP. XII The Apostle having in the former Chapters spoken of justification he doth in this speake of sanctification and of a good life and exhorts us to duties 1. Concerning God in offering up our selves a living sacrifice to him v. 1. 2. Concerning the Church that we be not high minded in doing any office in it v. 3. 3. Concerning our selves as to be patient in afflictions c. v. 12. 4. Concerning our enemies whom he exhorts us 1. To forgive v. 19. 2. To releive v. 20. CHAP. XIII Three Exhortations 1. To subjection unto authority for three reasons 1. Because God is the Author of it v. 1. 2. Because he is the revenger of disobedience v. 2. 3. Because he is the rewarder of obedience v. 3. 4. Because government is for our good and therefore we are bound in conscience to submit unto it v. 4. 2. To charity which comprehendeth all the duties of the second table unto our neighbour v. 8 9. 3. To temperance sobriety chastity and other virtues under the allegories of light and garments v. 12 14. and that because we are under the Sunshine of the Gospell v. 12. CHAP. XIV 1. A reprehension of two sorts of people for their dissention which are 1. Some converted Jewes 2. Some converted Gentiles 2. The matter of their dissention 1. Meates 2. Daies whereof the Jewes not quiâ—â— leaving off the observation of Mosâ—â— his Law made a difference after theiâ— conversion but the Gentiles making use of their Christian liberty thought all meats and all daies alike 3. The
greatnesse of mercies already received in that we Christians doe not live 1. Under the threats and terrours of the Law which was given 1. With a fearfull sound of the trumpet 2. With dreadfull flames of fire 3. With terrible stormes v. 18 19. But 2. Under the sweet mercies of the Gospell which doth not 1. Threaten death to sinners But 2. Promise life and pardon if they be penitent through the bloud of Christ which doth not cry 1. For vengeance as Abels did But 2. For mercy and pardon v. 24. 2. The greatnesse of judgements which will be inflicted on us if we doe not walke answerable to this great mercy 1. In respect of the greatnesse of the person of Christ for if the contempt of Moses who was but a Servant upon Earth was severely punished how much more will the despising of the mercies by Christ Jesus our great Master in Heaven v. 25 2. In respect of the nature of God who though 1. He He hath beene mercifull to us in giving us his Sonne to satisfie for our sinnes Yet 2. He will be just in punishing us if we presume upon that mercy and walke not in some measure worthy of it v. 29. CHAP. XIII The Conclusion of the Epistle 1. With an Exhortation of them to several virtues as 1. Such as concerne themselves 1. In body as chastity v. 4. 2. In estate as contentednesse v. 5. 3. In mind and judgement as a setlednesse and constancy not to be led away with superstitious doctrines concerning the observation of Mosaicall rites in abstaining from certain kinds of meats v. 9. 2. Such as concerne others 1. In generall all men as 1. Wishing well to all v. 1. 2. Doing well to all v. 16. 2. In particular concerning some 1. Those who for the most part are either our equals or inferiours as 1. Hospitality of distressed travellers v. 2. 2. Charity to prisoners v. 3. 3. Prayers for the distressed v. 18. 2. Those who are our superiours as the Ministers of the Gospell as 1. Obedience to their government v. 7.17 2. Imitation of their virtues v. 17 With a servent prayer for them v. 20 21. for Gods 1. Sanctifying grace 2. Assisting grace With the good newes of Timothy's liberty v. 23. and his usuall salutation and benediction v. 24 25. The Analysis of the Generall Epistle of Saint JAMES CHAP. I. In this Epistle which was writ to the afflicted and dispersed Jewes after their captivities by Saint James who was 1. Not the sonne of Zebedee But v. 1. of this Chapter 2. Of Alpheus v. 1. of this Chapter He speaketh 1. Of the evill of Affliction and 1. Of our behaviour in it which must be 1. With patience whereof 1. The cause is faith v. 3. 2. The perfection which is perseverance to the end v. 4. 2. With chearfulnesse in that 1. Though he be low one way in being afflicted v. 9. Yet 2. He is exalted another way in having interest in Christ Jesus ibid. 2. Of our way to get the knowledge of the Author effects and benefits of this affliction which is prayer v. 5. which if it be made 1. With faith and confidence in God that he will grant it It will be 2. Successefull because God is bountifull and liberall to grant v. 5 6 7 8. 3. The benefit by it eternall joy for momentary sorrow v. 12. 2. The evill of Prosperity which is pride and vanity implyed in the virtue which the rich are bound to give God thankes for i. humiliâ—y which virtue is got by a serious consideration of the vanity of all earthly things which are compared to the flowers of the field v. 10 11. 3. The evill of Sinne and the cause of it which is 1. Our owne naturall corruption which 1. Draweâ—h us from that which is good v. 14. 2. Entiseth us to that which is evill ibid. And not 2. God who is not 1. The Author of evill But 2. Of every good thing 1. Temporall 2. Spirituall and in particular of our regeneration by the preaching of the Word v. 18. by which great gift of regeneration being received we are bound to doe the workes thereof 1. In avoiding those common sinnes 1. Of hearing 2. Of speaking 1. Unprofitable 2. Angry and passionate talke v. 14. 2. In the diligent hearing of Gods Word v. 21 22. 3. Serious meditation of Gods Word v. 21 22. 4. Faithfull practice of Gods Word v. 21 22. in the looking into the glasse of Gods Word not 1. Slightly to see our sinnes and presently after to forget them without any care to amend them like those that slightly look into glasses to see the faults of their faces and afterwards never mend them v. 23 24. But 2. Seriously with resolution to amend all v. 25. And to be a Christian not onely 1. In outward shew and profession of Religion But 2. In the true exercise of it 1. In keeping in the tongue from wronging others by detraction and bitter talke v. 26. 2. In stretching out the hand to the charitable reliefe of afflicted people as fatherlesse and widowes v. 27. 3. In living a life free from all scandall ibid. CHAP. II. How Christians should esteeme and thinke of others 1. For their riches and for these onely men are not to be honoured because rich men are usually 1. Oppressours v. 6. 2. Contemners of Religion ibid. 2. For their poverty and for this no man is to be scorned and contemned 1. Because God respects the poore in bestowing his graces upon them often in a more plentifull manner then upon the rich v. 5. 2. Because Charity commands us to love them v. 8. 3. Because the uncharitable contempt of them is the breach of the Law though all the other parts of the Law be performed v. 9 10 11. 4. Because mercifull judging of these men without scorned and hatred will be rewarded v. 13. 3. For their outward profession of their faith and for this onely men are not to be esteemed true believing Christians for where there is not a good life answerable to their outward shâ—w of Beligion there is no true faith for faith which doth jâ—stifie is not 1. A bare naked and historicall faith for this 1. Doth helpe others no more then wishing the poor meat doth fill their bellies v. 15 16. 2. Doth not distinguish a man from a Devill v. 19. But 2. A working faith which by good workes doth 1. Declare and testifie it selfe before men v. 18. 2. Justifie us before God as it did 1. Abraham not for bare believing but for doing i. in offering up his sonne v. 23. 2. Rahab not onely for a bare beliefe of Gods promises but for her good workes in entertaining the Spies sent by Joshua v. 25. 3. Preserve its life in the exercise of it selfe by good workes which though they be not 1. The soule of faith which is the cause of them Yet 2. They are the vitall spirit and breath of faith whereby the life of it may be
presence of their Masters not onely to be eye-servers in working onely whilst their Master lookes on v. 6 7. And to this they are encouraged by a promise that God will be a better Paymaster to them for it then their Masters v. 8. 4. Of Masters to their Servants who are commanded 1. Not to be too severe to them v. 9. But 2. Gentle as knowing that they are Servants to God as well as Masters to Servants ibid. 2. To the maine Christian duty of spirituall warfare v. 11. wherein he tells them 1. Their Enemies i. Satan and wicked men v. 12. 2. Their Armes 1. Defensive 1. Girdle of truth v. 14. 2. Breastplate of righteousnesse i. a good conscience ibid. 3. The Shoes of Gospell-comfort against the stormes of persecution V. 15. 4. The Sheild of faith v. 16. 5. The Helmet of salvation v. 17. 6. Prayer 1. For the whole Church 2. For him who was a prisoner that he might preach the Word boldly v. 19. 2. Offensive i. the Sword of the Word v. 17. 3. Their posture courage and diligence v. 13. 3. His Care to acquaint them with his state and condition by sending Tychicus to them who was 1. To tell them how he did doe v. 22. 2. To exhort them not to grieve too much for his imprisonment ibid. 4. His usuall Conclusion with a prayer and blessing upon them v. 23 24. The Analysis of the Epistle of Saint PAUL to the PHILIPPIANS CHAP. I. After his wonted Salutation v. 1 2. The Apostle 1. Praiseth them 1. For their constancy in their profession of the Gospell v. 5. in his absence which was his joy v. 4. 2. For their sticking close to him 1. In his suffering for the Gospell 2. In his acting for it v. 7. 2. Prayeth for them 1. For their knowledge and this 1. Speculative 2. Practicall and experimentall v. 9. 2. For their unblameable carriage 1. To God 2. To men v. 10. 3. For their piety in doing good workes v. 11. 3. Relates the state and condition in which he was in viz. his imprisonment at Rome whereof he telleth the effect 1. In respect of others who were converted and made more resolute by his suffering whereby the Gospell did the more increase v. 12 13 14. 2. In respect of himselfe who 1. Bore patiently 1. His imprisonment 2. The preaching of the false Prophets to draw the people from him v. 15 16. 2. Was ready to suffer more for Christ whom he was confident to gain by both in life and death v. 20 21. 4. He sheweth his love of them and their welfare in the desire of the continuance of his life Not 1. For his owne sake because it would be better for him to dye to enjoy the joyes of heaven then to live to endure more misery v. 23. But 2. For their sake that he might live to doe them good which he was confident he should doe v. 24 25 26. Lastly Exhorteth them 1. Not to dishonour their profession by bad lives v. 27. 2. Not to be discouraged and drawne from it by any persecution whatsoever which would be 1. For the ruine of their persecuters 2. For the good of them to whom God did vouchsafe this especiall favour not onely v. 28. 1. To believe in Christ But 2. To suffer for him as he had done v. 29 30. CHAP. II. 1. An Exhortation or rather an adjuration as they expect to reape any benefit by Christ and as they are members of the same mysticall body c. v. 1. to have 1. Loving and peaceable spirits whereby they may be all one both 1. In Opinions And 2. In affections v. 2. which will be a great comfort to him in his affliction ibid. 2. Publique spirits not regarding their own ends but the good of others v. 4. 3. Humble spirits whereby they may be conformable to Christ whose Gospell they professe whose humility was so great that though he was a God v. 6. yet he condescended so much below himselfe as 1. To take upon him our vile flesh v. 7. 2. To suffer the ignominious death of the Crosse which was onely proper for bondslaves v. 8. for which humility he was rewarded 1. With power over all things v. 9 10. 2. With honour and praises from all tongues v. 11. 4. To avoid carnall security by working out their salvation with feare and trembling v. 12. for this very reason because they can doe no good thing of themselves v. 13. 5. To take heed of murmuring and wrangling v. 14. 6. To promote the Gospell both 1. By doctrine And 2. By life v. 16. 2. His great care for them testified 1. By his intention to send Timothy 1. To know in what condition they were in v. 19. 2. To let them know in what condition he was in v. 23. Whom he commends for a man of a publique spirit v. 20. 2. By his intention to visit them himselfe v. 24. 3. By sending Epaphroditus to them who was sent by them to him with a contribution to supply his wants v. 25. and got a dangerous sicknesse by taking such a long journey to him and for whose recovery he praiseth God because his death would have added affliction to his affliction v. 27. and desires them to receive him at his returne 1. With joy both for his recovery and returne And 2. With an honourable respect for hazarding his life for bringing a supply to his necessity which he calls a worke of Christ v. 29 30. CHAP. III. 1. The Doctrine 1. Of the false Prophets whom he exhorts them to avoid as being 1. Dogges barkers against the Gospell 2. Evill workers and maintainers of Concision i. Schisme in the Church rather then Circumcision v. 1 2 which doctrine was justification by the Law and the carnall descent from Abraham 2. Of the Apostle which is No confidence to be had in the flesh i. the carnall descent from Abraham Ceremonies and workes of the Law and all other things without Christ v. 3. which he did 1. Formerly when he was a Jew account great prerogatives and gaine v. 7. But 2. Now being converted from Judaisme he accounts hindrances and losses ibid. and all things else in comparison of Christ v. 8. for whom 1. He hath suffered much and was content to doe so so he might 1. Be justified and saved 1. By faith in him v. 9. And not 2. By the workes of the Law ibid. which he will not rely upon 2. Know him feelingly and practically the power of his resurrection v. 10. in raising him 1. Here from the death of sinne to the life of grace 2. Hereafter from the death of nature to the life of glory 3. Be conformable and like unto him in suffering for him ibid. 2. Will suffer more not thinking that enough which he hath done and suffered allready for him no more then he that runs a race regards the ground he hath runne over but being as he humbly confesseth not fully perfect he will not keepe at a stand
Precepts to be observed 1. Of subjection of Servants to their Masters whether they be 1. Infidels v. 1. Or 2. Believers v. 2. 2. Of Caution to all to avoid New Teachers who teach things contrary to the doctrine of Christ v. 3. Either 1. Out of ambition of honour v. 4. Or 2. Out of needlesse curiosity more about words then matter and wrangling Questions ibid. Or 3. Out of covetousnesse of gaine which they account falsely to be godlinesse v. 5 6. 3. Of the Use of riches which are to be enjoyed onely 1. To furnish us with necessary things as Meat And Cloathing v. 8. And not 2. To maintaine us in our lusts v. 9. 2. A strict charge to Timothy 1. Concerning himselfe to practice a good life 1. In being righteous godly faithfull meeke c. 2. In Spirituall warfare against the temptations of the Flesh the World and the Devill which he professed to resist either 1. At his Baptisme Or 2. At his Ordination v. 12. 3. In observing all his rules and precepts v. 14.20 2. Concerning Rich men that they be not 1. Proud of v. 17. Nor 2. Confident in their riches v. 18. But 3. Liberall of them in doing good workes whih God will reward Not 1. For any merit in them But 2. For his promise sake v. 18 19. The Analysis of the 2. Epistle of Saint PAUL to TIMOTHY CHAP. I. After his usuall salutation and benediction v. 1 2. we may observe 1. His love of Timothy expressed 1. In his praying for him v. 3. 2. In his desire to give him a visit v. 4. 2. His joy in him occasioned 1. By his sorrow which was either 1. For his sinne Or 2. For the affliction of S. Paul ib. 2. By his faith 1. For which he thankes God ibid. 2. By which he proves that he did not degenerate from his believing friends v. 5. 3. His Request to him 1. To persevere in that faith v. 6. c. Not to be discouraged by any affliction that either did befall the Apostle or might befall him for the Gospell v. 8. and that because God had given him 1. The spirit of love which would undergoe any misery for the party loved v. 7. 2. Eternall life of his meer grace and mercy for the merits of Christ Jesus v. 9. who hath freed us freed us from death and hath promised life by the Gospell v. 10. which Gospell he did 1. Preach to the Gentiles v. 11. 2. Suffer imprisonment by the Jewes for it v. 12. 3. Trust to be rewarded for it ibid. 2. To keepe close to the doctrine which he had left him and others for a pattern to follow in two chiefe points of Christianity 1. Faith in God 2. Charity to our Neighbour v. 13. And not 3. To forsake him in affliction as some of Asia had done i. Phrygellus and Hermogenes v. 15. But 4. To sticke to him as Oenesiphorus had done whom 1. He praiseth 1. For relieving him v. 16. 2. For making strict enquiry at Rome for him v. 17. 2. Prayeth for v. 18. CHAP. II. The Apostle perseveres in encouraging him to perseverance 1. In suffering Afflictions for the Gospell by Reasons taken 1. From the property of souldiers who should be hardy and he a spirituall souldier to be so too v. 3. and who leave home and friends to serve in the warre v. 4. 2. From the nature of fights and lawes thereof whereby the Combatants are bound to doe every action belonging to them v. 5. 3. From the paines that Husbandmen take for earthly fruits how much more should he for c. v. 6. 4. From the doctrine of the resurrection after which 1. They that suffer for Christ shall be rewarded 2. They that doe not shall be rejected v. 8.11 12. 2. In chusing faithfull Ministers that may not be wranglers about words v. 14. 3. In being himselfe 1. An Orthodox and sound Divine teaching nothing but truth v. 15. 2. A shunner of novelties vaine janglings and niceties which having corrupted some members of the Church as Hymenaeus and Philetus who held onely a spirituall resurrection of the soul would like a Gangrene destroy the whole if not prevented by him v. 16 17 18. And 3. Not troubled at the salling off of some from the Church 1. Because the Elect had a sure foundation and could not be shaken and seduced by any Heretickes v. 19. 2. Because it was no more strange for some to be bad in the Church then in a house for some vessels to be of gold and others of wood v. 20. 4. In all disputes an avoider though he was a young man of that vehemency heat and rashnesse which was incident to young men v. 22. and to be gentle and meeke even to those that did most oppose him v. 25. and of whose amendment there was but a peradventure and uncertainty ibid. v. last CHAP. III. A short Narration 1. What divers would be v. 2 3 4 5. viz. selfish covetous proud voluptuous hypocrites onely for outside Religion of which sort should be such as 1. Did seduce others especially women that were 1. Silly v. 6. 2. Sinfull ibid. 3. Desirous of novelty v. 7. Either with 1. Faire perswasions Or 2. Foule threats and terrours of conscience Or 3. Superstitious observations 2. Were seduced themselves by the Devill v. 13. 3. Should be discovered and come to confusion v. 9. 2. What he was 1. In doctrine v. 13. 2. In life v. 13. 1. By Faith 2. By Charity 3. By Patience in afflictions which were the lot of all Religious men v. 12. 3. What Timothy should be viz. a Maintainer of that doctrine which he had taught him v. 14. 4. What benefit is to be got by reading the Bible which is 1. Reproofe of false doctrines 2. Correction of bad manners 3. Direction in good courses v. 16 17. CHAP. IV. 1. The Duty of preaching 2. The Diligence in preaching pressed upon Timothy 1. With vehemency as he will answer for it at the day of judgement v. 1 2. 2. By shewing the great necessity of it 1. By reason of the inconstancy of the people who were alltogether For Novelty v. 3. And Vaine opinions v. 4. 2. By reason of the shortnesse of his life which he by Revelation foresaw v. 6. 3. The strength of the Apostles faith in his confidence of enjoying 1. Eternall happinesse after this life v. 8. 2. A joyfull deliverance from all miseries in this life v. 18. 4. His earnest defire to speake with Timothy in whose absence he would send Tychicus to supply his place at Ephesus v. 9.12 to whom he relates 1. The triall of himselfe before Nero. v. 16. 2. His triall of his friends in the time of his triall whereof 1. Some out of base feare and for worldly ends forsooke him as Demas v. 10. 2. Others he sent to take care of other Churches as Crescens and Titus ibid. 3. Saint Luke stucke close to him v. 11. But 4. Especially God who was above all friends