we are ambassadors for Christ; as though Ver. 3, 4. If any man teach otherGod did beseech you by us, we pray wise, and consent not to wholesome you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled words, even the words of our Lord Jeto God. sus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, &c. Eph. vi. 21. Tychicus a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord. Col. iv. 7. Phil. ii. 16. Holding forth the word of life, &c. Col. i. 28. Christ whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. iv. 17. Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 1 Thess. ii. 3. Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of unrighteousness, nor in guile. Ver. 9. Labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto you, we preached the gospel of God. Ver. 11. Ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you (as a father doth his children.) iv. 1. We beseech and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 Thess. iii. 12. We command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 1 Tim i. 3, 4 Charge some that they teach none other doctrine. Neither give heed to fables, and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying, which is in faith. Ch. vi. 4, 5. 2 Tim. ii. 14. 16. Ch. iv. 4. Tit. i. 14.-iii. 9. ii. 7. I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2 Tim. i. 11. iv. 6. 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.-Ver. 11. These things command and teach.-Ver. 16. Take heed unto thyself and to thy doctrine. Ver. 13. v. 17. Labour in the word and doctrine. Ver. 20-22. Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others may fear. Observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man. Ch. iii. 2 to 10. Tit. i. 6 to 10. vi. 2. These things teach and exhort. 2 Tim. ii. 2. The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Ver. 15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.-Ver. 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. iv. 2. Preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. Tit. i. 13. Ver. 5. Watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Tit. i. 9. By sound doctrine convince gainsayers. ii. 1. Speak the things that become sound doctrine. Ver. 7, 8. In doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned.Ver. 15. These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Heb. x. 11. Every priest standeth daily ministering. xiii. 17. Ministers watch for souls, as they that must give an account. 1 Pet. v. 1. Feed the flock of God; taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. iv. 11. If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man min ster let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. i. 12. I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. -Ver. 13. I think it my duty to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. (Ch. iii. 1.) Ver. 15. I will endeavour, that after my decease, ye may have these things always in remembrance. Phil. iii. 1. 1 John i. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you. Jude 3. It was needful that I should write to you and exhort you. CXX. The good effects of preaching. Matt. xii. 41. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonas. Jonah iii. 2. 5. Acts ii. 41. At Peter's sermon there were added to the church about three thousand souls. xxi. 19, 20. Paul declared what things God had wrought by his ministry among the Gentiles. And the brethren glorified God. 1 Cor. i. 21. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. iii. 5. Who is Paul, or who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? CXXI. A good ministry promised. 1 Sam. ii. 35. I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart, and in my mind. Isa, xxx. 20, 21. Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it. Jer. iii. 15. I will give you pastors according to mine own heart, that shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. xxiii. 4. I will set up shepherds over them, which shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Isa. lxii. 6. CXXII. A faithful ministry. Promises to them, and prayers for them. Deut. xxxiii. 8. Let thy Urim and thy Thummim be with thy holy ones. Ver. 11. Of Levi-Bless, Lord, his substance, and except the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise up against him. Jer. xv. 19. Thus saith the Lord, If thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them. xxxi. 14. I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord. xxxiii. 20, 21. If you can break my covenant of the day and of the night, then may also my covenant be broken with the Levites, the priests, my ministers. Ezek. xliv. 15. The priests that kept my charge when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come unto me, and minister unto me. shine as the brightness of the firmament, Dan. xii. 3. They that be wise shall and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Prov. xi. 30. James v. 20. Matt. v. 19. Whosoever shall do and teach these commandments, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Luke xii. 42, 43. Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. xxii. 29. Jesus said, I appoint unto you a kingdom. Matt. xix. 28. John iv. 36. He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal. See 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. Rev. ii. 10. CXXIII, Holy and unblamable in life and conversation. Lev. xxi. 16. The priests shall be holy unto their God. Ezek. xliv. 24. Lam. iv. 7. Her Nazarites were purer than snow, &c. Isa. lii. 11. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Matt. v. 13. Ye are the salt of the earth-Ver. 14. The light of the world. Ps. cxv. 12. The Lord hath been-Ver. 16. Let your light so shine bemindful of us; he will bless the house fore men, that they may see your good of Israel, he will bless the house of works, and glorify your Father which is Aaron. Ps. cxxxv. 19. in heaven. cxxxii. 13. 16. The Lord hath chosen Zion. I will clothe her priests with salvation, &c. Isa. xlix. 4. I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God, x. 16. Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Acts xx. 28. Take heed unto yourselves. Rom. ii. 21. Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself. 1 Cor. ix. 27. Paul said, I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away. Matt. vii. 22. 2 Cor. vi. 3. Giving none offence, that the ministry be not blamed. Ver. 4. In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, &c.-Ver. 6, 7. By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. viii. 20. Avoiding this, that no man should blame us. xi. 12. I cut off occasion from them that seek occasion. Phil. iii. 17. Ye have us for an example. iv. 9. These things which thou hast heard and seen in me, do, &c. 1 Thess. ii. 10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you. 2 Thess: iii. 7. We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.-Ver. 9. To make ourselves an ensample to you to follow us. Take heed thyself wholly to them. unto thyself and to thy doctrine, continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. v. 22. Keep thyself pure. vi. 11. Thou, O man of God, follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.-Ver. 12. Fight the good fight of faith.-Ver. 14. Keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable.—Ver. 20. Keep that which is committed to thy trust. 2 Tim. i. 14. 2 Tim. i. 13. Hold fast the form of sound words, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. ii. 22. Flee youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Ver. 24, 25. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. iii. 10. Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, patience.—Ver. 14. Continue in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of. Tit. ii. 7. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works. 1 Tim. iii. 1—6. If a man desire the office of a bishop he desireth a good work. A bishop must be blameless, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but 1 Pet. v. 3. Being ensamples to the patient, not a brawler, not covetous: flock. See instances: Acts vi. 3. The one that ruleth well his own house. seven deacons.-Ch. xvi. 2. Timotheus. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with-Ch. xxii. 12. Ananias.-Heb. xi. 2. pride he fall into the condemnation of The elders.-3 John 12. Demetrius. the devil. Ver. 7. He must have a good report of them that are without, lest he fall into reproach. Tit. i. 7, 8, 9. A bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convince gainsayers. Ver. 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, &c. See to ver. 14. iv. 12-16. 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. (Tit. ii. 15.) Give attendance to reading, &c. Neglect not the gift that is in thee. Meditate on these things, give CXXIV. Their humility, self-denial, and condescension for the good of mankind, in their office. Rom. i. 11. I long for you, that I may impart some spiritual gift unto you. xi. 13. I magnify mine office. 1 Cor. ix. 12. We suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel. Ver. 19. I made myself servant of all, that I might gain the more.-Ver. 22, 23. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. This I do for the gospel's sake. x. 33. I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved. 2 Cor. i. 24. We are helpers of your joy. Acts xvi. 40. ii. 4. The love I have for you all. v. 20. We pray you, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. vi. 1. We beseech you, that 11. We exhorted and comforted, and ye receive not the grace of God in vain. xi. 2, 3. I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. I fear lest your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (See ver. 23 to 29.) Ver. 11. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. xii. 15. I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more I love you the less I be loved.-Ver. 19. We do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.-Ver. 29. Who is weak and I am not weak? who is offended and I burn not? Gal. iv. 11. I am afraid lest I have bestowed labour on you in vain.-Ver. 19. My little children, of whom I travail in birth till Christ be formed in you. Phil. i. 8. God is my record, how greatly 1 long after you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. ii. 17. If I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. ` Ver. 20. Timotheus will naturally care for your state. iv. 1. Dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown; stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. Col. i. 24. I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church. ii. 1, 2. I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them of Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, &c.—Ver. 5. Though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. iv. 8. I sent Timotheus to comfort your hearts. 1 Cor. iv. 7. 1 Thess. iii. 2. 1 Thess. ii. 7, 8. We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. Being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. Ver. 9. Labouring night and day we preached the gospel unto you.—Ver. cherished every one of you as a father doth his children.-Ver. 19. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? iii. 7, 8. Brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress, by your faith. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. Ver. 9. What thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy whèrewith we joy for your sakes before our God? Ver. 10, 11. 2 Tim. ii. 10. I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 3 John 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. 2 John 4. CXXV. They seek not applause from and prejudices. men; they flatter not men in their vices 1 Thess. ii. 4-6. We speak not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.-Neither used we flattering words.-Neither of men sought we glory. Gal. i. 10. If I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ. CXXVI. They seek not riches of men; neither are covetous, 2 Cor. xii. 14. Paul said, I seek not yours, but you. 1 Tim. iii. 3. A bishop must not be greedy of filthy lucre. Ver. 8. Tit. i. 7. 1 Pet. v. 2. Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight, not for filthy lucre's sake. See Luke ix. 62. 2 Tim. ii. 4. See instances: Samuel, 1 Sam. xii. 1, 2, 3.-Paul, 1 Cor. ix. 14. 2 Cor. vii. 2-ix. 11.-xii. 13. 17, 18. 1 Thess. ii. 5. Phil. iv. 11, 12. CXXVII. Their duty and encouragement to speak boldly the truths of religion without fear. Isa. 1. 4. The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Jer. i. 7, 8. The Lord said to me, Say not I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I send thee, and whatsoever I shall command thee, that thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. (Ver. 5. 9.) Ver. 17. Be not afraid of their faces, lest I confound thee before them. Ch. vi. 27.--xv. 20, 21. -xx. 11, Ezek. ii. 6, 7. Ezek. iii. 8. I have made thy face strong against their faces. Ver. 9. Matt. x. 28. Fear not them which kill the body. Ver. 26. 31. Acts iv. 29. Lord, grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word. xviii. 9, 10. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city. Ver. 11. xxviii. 31. Paul taught those things that concern the Lord Jesus, with all confidence. Eph. vi. 19, 20. Paul said, Pray for me, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel; that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. Prov. xx. 25. The fear of man bringeth a snare. ix. 16. The Lord said of Paul, I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. xx. 23, 24. Paul said, The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 1 Cor. ii. 3. I was with you in weakness and in fear, &c. iv. 9, 10. God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle unto the world, to angels and to men. We are fools, we are weak, we are dishonourable, we are despised. Ch. xii. 28. Ver. 11-13. We hunger and thirst, are naked, buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place: being reviled, we bless; Rev. xxi. 8. The fearful and unbe- being persecuted, we suffer it; being lieving shall have their portion in the defamed, we entreat: we are made as lake that burneth with fire and brim-the filth of the world, and are the offstone, which is the second death. See scouring of all things unto this day. Moses' excuse, and God's reply to him, 2 Cor. i. 5. The sufferings of Christ Exod. iv. 10 to 13. abound in us. CXXVIII. Instances of becoming boldness in reproving sinners, and declaring the truths of religion. 1 Sam. xiii. 13. Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly, thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God. 2 Chron. xvi. 7. 9. 2 Sam. xii. 7. Nathan said to David, Thou art the man [that hast done wick edly.]-Ver. 9. Wherefore hast thou despised the Lord, to do evil in his sight? 1 Kings xxi. 20. Elijah said to Ahab, Thou hast sold thy life to work evil in the sight of the Lord. See more instances: In a prophet, 2 Chron. xxv. 16. -Daniel, Dan. iv. 27.- -v. 22, 23.—John Baptist, Matt. xiv. 4.-Peter and John, Acts xiv. 13. 18, 19, 20.-Paul, Acts ix. 29.-xix. 8. 2 Cor. x. 1, 2.—xi. 21. Rom. xv. 15. 1 Thess. ii. 2.-Barnabas and Paul, Acts xiii. 46.-xiv. 3.—A pollos, Acts xviii. 25, 26.-Many brethren, Phil. i. 14. CXXIX. The sufferings of the apostles, &c. for religion. Acts v. 41. The apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. Ver. 8, 9. In Asia, we were pressed much that we despaired even of life. out of measure, above strength, insoWe had the sentence of death within ourselves.-Ver. 10. God delivered us. vi. 4, 5. In all things approving ourIselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distress, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings.-Ver. 8-10. By honour and dishonour; by evil report, and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dy. ing, and behold we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things. xi. 23. In labours abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons frequent, in deaths oft. Ver. 25, 26. Ver. 27. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Eph. vi. 20. For the gospel I am an ambassador in bonds. 1 Tim. iv. 10. We labour and suffer reproach. 2 Tim. ii. 3. Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Ch. iv. 5. |