A paraphrase on the New Testament with notes, doctrinal and practical, by plainess and brevity fitted to the use of religious families, in their daily reading of the Scriptures : and of the younger and poorer sort of scholars and ministers, who want fuller helps : with an advertisement of difficulties in the Revelations / by Richard Baxter.

The Second Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS.

CHAP. I.

1. PAul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the Church of the Thessaloni∣ans, in God our Father, and the Lord Je∣sus Christ. 2. Grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ 3. We are bound to thank God al∣ways for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth:

3. Note, That it is the growth of the Church in Faith and Love, which is the matter of their true Prosperity, and the Pastors Joy and Thanks to God, rather than their Riches, Honours, or notional con∣tending Knowledge.

4. So that we our selves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions, and tribulati∣ons that ye endure.

4. Note, When worldly Men are ashamed of Chri∣stians in Persecution, godly Men rejoice in their Faith and Patience, as being then most honourable.

5. Which is a manifest token of the righ∣teous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.

5. Which is a plain Prognostick, that God, the righteous Judge, will reward you with a part in that Kingdom for which you suffer, as being worthy of it in a sence of Grace, that is, qualified as those to whom it is promised and freely given.

6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trou∣ble you; 7. And to you who are troubled, rest with us,

6, 7. For God ruleth righteously; and it is the way of his Justice, to punish your Persecutors, and give you who are persecuted rest with us his Apo∣stles.

Note, That they who think this is meant of the Destruction of Jerusalem, must think that Paul thought he should live to see it, and that he and they should then have rest on Earth▪ which were to be deceived, and to deceive them.

7, 8. When the Lord Jesus shall be reveal∣ed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the go∣spel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

7, 8. Note, By [them that know not God] is usually meant the Heathens; which confuteth them who di∣stort this to signifie but the Destruction of the Jews. And to them in Macedonia it was more to be delivered from the Heathens, who were the Rulers, than from a handful of scattered despised Jews.

2. Christ will appear with his Angels to judge and punish the Ungodly.

9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power:

9. Note, That the Phrases, [everlasting destruction,] and [from the presence of the Lord,] and [from the glory of his power,] agree to the usual Scripture-de∣scription of Damnation, and not to the Destruction of Jerusalem, without distortion. Nor was it much ascri∣bed then to an appearance of Christ in Glory, that the Heathen who despised him, and killed him, and persecuted his Cause and Servants, did also destroy the Jews.

10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

10. Note, The End of Christs glorious coming will be to be glorified and admired in holy Believers, as having by his Merit, Intercession, and Spirit, made them by Holiness fit for Glory, and in Justice set them above their Persecutors.

2. So far were the poore Christians from being then such a Glory and Admiration, that they continu∣ed above two hundred years after this to be persecu∣ted and made the scorn of the World.

11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good plea∣sure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

11. We pray, that God will fit you by his Grace for this, and make you suitable to your holy Calling, and fully perform to you all the Purposes of his Love, and powerfully finish your Work of Faith.

Note, Worthiness, in the Gospel-sense, is that Moral Qualification by Grace, to which, as a Moral Condi∣tion, God hath promised the Blessing.

12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

12. Note, That Sanctifying Grace maketh Christi∣ans a Glory to the Name of Christ, declaratively, as the Cause is honoured in the Effect; and they are glorified in Christ possessively, as the Means in the End obtained, and the Runner in the Prize; and relative∣ly, as an adopted Son in a Prince that adopteth him.

CHAP. II.

1. NOw, we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

1, 2. I vehemently beseech you, that no Pretence either of Spirit, Word, or Apostolical Letter, per∣suade you that Christs Coming is near at hand, and so trouble you, and your Faith be shaken when that's disappointed.

Note further, That it's more than the Destruction of Jerusalem that is here meant; For it will be the Churches gathering together to Christ at his coming. 2. And it neither agreeth with the following long Persecutions of the Church by the Heathens, nor with Paul's usual Pity to the Jews, thus to insult in their Destruction, as if it brought a Felicity to the Church like Heaven it self.

3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition: 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

3. It is dangerous deceit for any to persuade you, that the Day of Christ is at hand: for there are ma∣ny things that must first come to pass: There must first be a falling away of many from the Faith; and that notable Man of Sin must appear, who is to be de∣stroyed. 4. Who arrogantly opposeth true Christia∣nity, and exalteth himself above all, &c.

5, 6, 7. Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth, that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: one∣ly he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all pow∣er, and signs, and lying wonders, 10. And with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12. That they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Note, 1. That Forewarning should be Forearming. 2. Both the rise and fall of Sin and Sinners must have their proper Seasons: Gods delays are but staying till the due time. 3. Removing Impediments is the Pre∣partory work for future events. 4. This great Ene∣my of Christ is a Man Lawless, and made up of Wickedness. 5. He must be first revealed, and then consumed, even by his Word, Spirit, and Coming. 5. Satan will promote this Enemy of Christ, with Power, Signs, and lying Wonders, and Deceivableness of Unrighteousness. 6. Not receiving the Love of the Truth of Gospel, nor heartily believing it, but taking pleasure in Unrighteousness, prepare Men for damning Delusions. 7. God is said to send them such Delusions, by penal Desertions and Permissions.

Readers, I dare not take on me to teach you that as true, which I know not my self; nor yet to pretend that I know more than I do. I confess, that I am un∣certain who it is that Paul here describeth: And meerly to know what other Men say of it, is no satis∣faction to me, especially when they so greatly differ as they do.

1. Most of the Fathers and Papists think, that An∣tichrist here described is some odious False-Christ, who is yet to come before the End of the World. I have much to say against that Opinion.

2. Grotius thought that this Chapter speaks of the Emperour Caius Caligula chiefly, and partly of Simon Magus. So much may be said against that, as that his Follower Dr. Hammond rejecteth it.

3. Dr. Hammond thinks it speaketh onely of Simon Magus. I cannot believe that: 1. Because really this Simon was no such considerable formidable Person as he describeth him. The few Scraps of History of Si∣mon recited by him, are very dubious. No great or publick History of those Times mention him. He was affrighted into Submission and Supplication to Peter, Acts 8. He was not thought worthy the na∣ming after, in all the sharp Charges against Hereticks

in the Epistles. The Judaizers are reproved; the Concision called Dogs; the Troublers Paul wisheth cut off; the Nicolaitans named; and the Woman Je∣zebel, and many Antichrists, mentioned by John; the grosser sort of Hereticks smartly described, and con∣demned by Peter and Jude: John forbids us to bid them Good-speed: Paul bids Men avoid them as self-con∣demned: The Revelation speaketh yet more fully. And none of them all mention Simon as the God and Ringleader of them. If the Nicolaitans, and all those that the Doctor calleth G••osticks, were known to be the Disciples of Simon, why is that concealed in such large Reproofs? and why not called Simonians, as well as Nicolaitans? If they were not then known to be his Off-spring, it seems these Heresies had other Fathers before him, more noted and followed. 2. Simon was revealed before the writing of this Epistle, Acts 8. and the Heresies before too common. 3. There were seven or eight other Heresies described by Epiphanius, as early as the Simonians and Gnosticks, and as bad. 4. Sure Gnosticism was not then an unrevealed Myste∣ry, if it be mentioned as oft as the Doctor thinketh. 5. And through Gods Mercy the falling away first was comparatively but of few, and not of so great a num∣ber of Churches or Christians, as was a stop to their Expectation of the coming of Christ. It is not no∣ted in Acts 8. that the Samaritans were seduced by him after they believed. If it were true, that they, and some at Rome were, what's that to all the Churches? 6. It is above Sixteen hundred years since Simon was revealed, and yet Christ is not come; How then is that made an Occasion of Mens delayed Expectation? 7. That Christs coming▪ signified but the Destruction of Jerusalem, is before shewed to be very improbable, and fullier might be. How many hot Persecutions of Christians after that, do all Church-Histories de∣scribe, in another manner than Simon's Pranks? And what could the Jews do through all the Empire, being contemned Vagabonds, but by way of Rabble tumult, which the Roman Power restrained? 8. And it seemeth meer violence to the Text, to make [him that withholdeth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], to signifie not [him,] but [that thing] which withholdeth, even the Chri∣stians not yet separating from the Jews. For, 1. There was no set time of separation: Paul did it long be∣fore the Apostles that conversed with them in Judea; and when they did, none know. And Paul with∣drew from them as Obstinacy gave him cause, in one Place sooner than in others; and never so far, but that he laboured for their Conversion. Nor were any such direful Persecutions an Effect of that Separation, as far as just History informeth us: It was the scat∣tered Jews that were the Rudiments of most of the Christian Churches in the Empire, to whom the Gen∣tiles, were added. And this Doctor himself oft assert∣eth, That Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and such other great Cities, had two Bishops, and two Churches, one of the Jews, and one of the Gentiles. And the Chri∣stian Jews did not separate from their Countrymen of a long time.

That which the Apostle mentioneth, the whole Catholick Church seemeth to be concerned in where∣as the little Pranks of Simon Magus were like John of Leyden's, and Knipperdolling's, and James Naylor's, which had a few contemned Followers, in a few Towns, a little while, and then ended in Shame: Like the Boys Squibs, compared to a War.

8. And what Mystery was there in so gross Ini∣quity, as for Simon to call himself God the Father, &c. any more than to have seen Hacket or a Bedlam rave?

9. And if such wonders of deceit had been wrought by him, as is here mentioned, as should delude those that received not the Love of the Truth to Salvation, History would have fullier recorded his Miracles, and this Success: Even on All them that believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in Unrighteousness.

4. Some think that Paul here speaketh of a Sediti∣ous Ringleader of the Jews, that drew them into Re∣bellion, to their destruction; and that the fear of some Roman Governour was it that for a time re∣strained him. But this Opinion few follow.

5. Lyra and some other Papists think, that it was Mahomet that was this great Deceiver, and the Anti∣christ, and the Empire that withheld. His Reasons are rendred in his Annotations on the Revelations, and on this Text: And Zanchy was much of the same mind, though he thought the Pope was a kind of second Antichrist.

6. But the far greatest number of Protestants think, that it is the Pope that is here spoken of, as the Man of Sin, and Son of Perdition, &c. and that it is the Roman Empire that withheld his Revelation: But some few think that it was the Godly Bishops of Rome, that for some Ages possest that Seat, (and ma∣ny were Martyrs) that withheld this Revelation of Antichrist, till they were taken away by Death: For Men would not believe that the Successours of so good Men could be Antichrist. Abundance of Vo∣lumes are written to prove the Pope to be the Anti∣christ; and one of the chief, by Bishop George Do••∣name.

For my selfe, 1. I can better try him by the plain parts of Scripture, than by the hard Prophecies. And I can easily see many and great points in which Pope∣ry is contrary to the Word of God, and I am most moved by such Moral Arguments as Dr. H. More useth in his Mystery of Iniquity. And I find enough to settle me against Popery. 2. But whether it be he that this Text meaneth, or those applied to him in the Revelation, I have not skill enough to be sure, or very confident. And, 3. I think a Christian may be very safe without understanding these obscure Texts: I long to know God and Jesus Christ better, more than to know Antichrist: His name is not in the Creed, nor is it an Article of the ancient necessary Faith to know who he is; so we know the False Doctrines and Practices which we must avoid. Perhaps, those that have more throughly studied these Texts may know more; (though I must say, that their great disagreement of Opinion discourageth my hopes of full understanding them). I think it my duty to

confess my Ignorance, and not pretend to the Know∣ledge which I have not. They that are offended at this gap or defect in my Paraphrase, may turn to many others that know more, or are more confi∣dent.

If you say, Why were these Prophecies written, if not to be understood? I answer, To be understood by them that can, and not to be Expounded by them that cannot. And I add, that the great Beloved Prophet Daniel thus concludeth, Ch. 12.8, 9. I heard, but I understood not—And the Angel said, Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end. And I take it to be no excess of Hu∣mility to confess, that in Expounding Prophecies I am not so wise as Daniel. That Popery is a heinous corruption of Christianity, I am past doubt: And that it is aggravated by the profession of the Gospel, and Fathering their sin on Christ.

But for the help of those that are more capable of arriving at certainty than I am, I will distinctly tell the Reader the Paraphrase of the three most consi∣derable sort of Expositours.

I.

V. 3. Let no Man perswade you that Christs coming is at hand, for it will not be till a great part of the Church fall away from Christianity, and Mahomet that wicked Man and Seducer be revealed, who is a destroyer, and shall be destroyed, 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself, not onely above all Earthly Powers, but above all sorts of Divine Worship, both Heathenish and Christian. So that, as if he were a God, he will set up his own Worship as next to the supream onely God, both in the Temple at Jerusalem, and throughout all the now-Christian Eastern Empire, and a great part further of the World; and under the Title of God's greatest Prophet, will put down God's own Instituti∣ons, and Laws, and Gospel, and set up his own in the stead. 6. What it is that stops him, is a thing known to you all, even the Imperial Power; which as it falls, he will rise: For as he is to make his false Religion by a composition of Arianism, Judaism, and his own Inventions, so the swarm of Heresies now among us, (Nicolaitans, Ebionites, Cerinthians, Gno∣sticks, &c.) are secretly a Mystereous Iniquity pre∣paring for him: Onely that Empire that now let∣teth, must give place to him, by diminution at his first rising, and by its total-overthrow in the East, at his full possession. And so he shall in his time be∣come the open Seducer and Captivater of the Church and World; and must stay till Christ dimi∣nish and consume Mahometanism by his Word preach∣ed, and utterly destroy it with the Glory of his more full appearance before the end. 9. Even that M••homets Kingdom, whose coming is by Satanical, Murdering Wars, and deceitful pretences of Hea∣venly Signs and Revelations; and with the unrigh∣teous deceit of pretended opposition to Idolatry, and to Christians, as if they worship two or three Gods, and their Laws were not so good as his: And those Superficial, Hypocrite-Christians, that had but the Name and Form, and not the hearty belief, love and obedience to the Truth, shall turn Maho∣metans, and be damned.

II. The commonest Protestant Paraphrase is thus,

V. 3. Christs coming shall not be till there be a gene∣ral Apostacie of the whole visible Church, say some, or of most or much of it, say others, unto Idolatrous Worship, and subjection to the Papacy, and that Man of sin, the Pope, be revealed, the Active and Passive Son of Perdition, the Abaddon, the Head of this Apostacie, given up to all sin himself, and to promote it. 4. Who claimeth Christs Preroga∣tive under the name of his Universal Vicar, and overthrows his Officers and Laws, and sets up his own against them, and overtoppeth and subjecteth all Princes and Magistrates; and this in the Church of God, say most, or in that Idolatrous Church of his own, falsely called The Church of God, say others, as if he were there chief Lord himself, and arroga∣ting names of Blasphemy. I told you formerly of all this. And now you know what hindereth his speedy arising: Even the Empire, as such, (say some) including both the Pagan and Christian: Or (as others) the Empire, as Pagan only. 6. For the beginnings of Antichristianity are se∣cretly and mysteriously already working, which will bring him forth in time, even the Pride and Ambition of Ministers seeking Superiority, and the Peoples excess of Factious Respects to some above others, and falling into Sects and Heresies in fol∣lowing them. Only the Empire that now hindreth must first be taken out of the way: 8. And then shall the Pope, that Man of Wickedness, arise (say some), or be openly discovered to be Antichrist (say others): Whom the Lord shall consume by the Power of his Word preached by the two Witnesses, and then destroy by pouring out the Vials of his Wrath upon him at his later coming to restore his Church. 9. Even that Pope, with his Roman Church of Papists, whose coming to the Papacy is after that way of working, by force, and cheats, and feigned Miracles, which Satan teacheth and giveth them to seduce the Christian World. 10. And with all the deceiving Arts of falshood, by which unrighteous∣ness is upheld and promoted, to delude those that shall perish for ever: Because they received not sound Doctrine when it was delivered, nor held the Christian Faith in Love, and in its Power, but in Custom, Hypocrisie, and Form, that it might sancti∣fie and save them.

Therefore God justly gave them up by deserti∣ons, to Deceivers and Delusions, to believe a lie. 12. That all these Papists might be damned who be∣lieved not the Truth that is contrary to Popery, but had pleasure in its unrighteous Principles and Practices, and in that sensual life which is contrary to the Christianity which they profess.

III. The third considerable Opinion runs thus in the Paraphrase Exposition.

1. Pauls words have relation both to Daniels words, of Antiochus, say most, but of the Roman Power rather say Calvin and Brightman (who largely proveth it).

2. It is so far from being true, that the Christians rejoiced in Christs sending the Romans to destroy Je∣rusalem, that they greatly lamented it: The Cities name was precious to them, the first Christians being all Jews, and the Gentiles receiving the Gospel from Jerusalem: Christ wept over them when he Prophe∣sied their ruine: Paul's lamentation was great for them. The ruine was dreadful, 1110000 killed, and 700000 carried Captive: And the Apostles were all Jews; and there was a common expectation a∣mong the Jews of the Messiah's glorious Kingdom at Jerusalem, and they called it, The Holy City, and Land.

3. The Abomination of desolation is by Christ himself compared to that spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, which was the destroying the Holy Place and Worship, and setting up Idolatry in its stead. And the Authors themselves of the second Expositi∣on (as against the Pope) Expound the Desolating A∣bomination in Matth. 24. to be the Roman Heathen Army coming to lay waste the Holy City and Temple: For that Abomination of Desolation was to go be∣fore the flight of Men from Jerusalem, or to concur. And this Text, v. 3. &c. seemeth plainly to follow Christ, and speak of the same that he speaketh of.

4. Vespasian and his Son Titus by his Command were the Men that destroyed the Holy City, Temple, and Nation, and the Idolatrous Heathens and their Wor∣ship there took present possession; and so set up the Desolation and Abomination: And his younger Son Domitian destroyed the Christians, and Proclaimed himself to be God, and to be worshipped with Al∣tars and Sacrifices as God.

5. This Vespatian took on him to work Miracles, healing a Blind Man, and many others: So that some foolish Jews called him the Messiah: And he and his Son Titus by their flattery and fair lives got great esteem as excellent Men: And their Learned Ora∣tors, &c. promoted the honour of Idolatry by theirs.

6. This way of Self-deifying and promoting Idola∣try, and Captivating the Jews and all Christians, went on, though not equally, through all the Emperours almost, till Constantine.

7. The attempt of Caius Caligula told the Christians what further to expect, when he Commanded Petro∣nius to set up his Image in the Temple to be wor∣shipped as Jupiter.

Nero's Cruelty prognosticated much.

8. But Vespasian and Titus were stopt from the De∣solation first attempted by the Life of Claudius, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, till he was made Emperour himself.

9. And Christ consumed their Idolatry by his Go∣spel, and destroyed it by Constantine. These things premised, their Paraphrase is,

v. 3. The day of the Lord will not come till the Jews Rebellion and Re∣volt from the Romans provoke them to destroy them, and then will the wicked Destroyer appear, even the Roman Imperial Pride and Rage, who exalt themselves above all Humane Power, and will ar∣rogate the Name and worship of Gods, and put down Gods own instituted Worship, and will have Altars and Images erected to themselves. 6. What delayeth them yet you know: They are killing one another for, Empire at Rome; and the sin of the poor Jews against Christ and his Apostles is not yet ripe for utter ruine; and then next the destroyer will appear: For their Self-idolizing is already at work, as Caligula's attempt assureth us, with Nero's Pride and Cruelty: Onely the foresaid impediments at Rome, &c. do stop the Desolation and Abomina∣tion till it be removed, and then it will invade the Holy City and Temple, and Judea shall feel the Ro∣man Pride and Idolatry. Who come as from Satan with all the help that he can give them, by Power∣ful Armies, and with the Countenance of the Ro∣man Idolaters Learning, and Magicks, and Lying Oracles and wonders, such as Vespasian pretended to work, and the Virtues that his Son Titus made osten∣tation of. And with all the deceitful Learning and Arts, which may countenance Idolatry and Wicked∣ness, and beguile Men fitted to destruction: Because these poor Jews received not the Gospel in Love that they might be saved by Christ, and many Christians proved Hypocrites, and Formalists, and Hereticks, therefore God penally will let loose upon them the Learned Roman Idolaters with their Arts and Sub∣tlety, and advantages of Power to delude them to worship Idols, which are Lying Vanities: And so they that would not believe the Truth, but had pleasure in Unrighteousness, might be left to be their own destroyers, by believing, and practising the Idolatry and Wickedness which will damn them.

The Matter of all these three Expositions in it self, hath a great deal of Truth, that is, Mahomet is an Antichrist (most notorious): The Pope as pretended Universal Head of the Church, corrupting Christia∣nity in Doctrine, Worship, and Discipline, and bloodi∣ly destroying Sounder Christ, is one sort of Antichrist. The Roman Pagan Idolaters that set up the Desolating Abomination were no less: But, which this Text meaneth, I know not. But I detest that Opinion that maketh all the Visible Church Idolatrous and Anti∣christian since Constantine delivered it from Pagan Per∣secution. Sure such should not now complain of Per∣secution, but fear Deliverance and Prosperity.

13. But we are bound to give thanks al∣way to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the be∣ginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.

13. But when I speak of this pernicious Apostasie of the followers of this Man of sin and perdition, it mindeth me to be thankful to God for you, that from the beginning he hath chosen and marked you out for Salvation, by Sanctifying you by his Spirit, and giving you a found belief of that truth, which these Apostates do deny.

Note, That Gods election Connecteth the End and Means; whom he chooseth to Salvation, he at once

chooseth to Sanctification and Confirmed Faith.

14. Whereunto he called you by our go∣spel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

14. And I am thankful that my preaching the Go∣spel was the means by which he called you hereto, and to obtain your part with Christ in Glory.

15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

15. Therefore stand fast, and hold the same Do∣ctrine which I have delivered to you, whether by Preaching, Discourse, or Writing, against all Inno∣vating Seducers.

16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consola∣tion, and good hope through grace. 17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

16, 17. And I have great incouragement to pray for you, in hope that you may be comforted and established in all that is good, because it is to that Christ that is our Saviour, and God who is our Father, and hath already shewed that he loveth us, and hath by his Grace given us solid hope, and the foretaste of the everlasting consolation.

CHAP. III.

1. FInally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified even as it is with you.

1. And as I pray for you, pray ye for us, that the word of God may run abroad with speed and prospe∣rous success, and not be stopt or hindred by persecu∣tors contradictions, or Scandalous Seducers, but may be honoured by free and full reception and obedience, as it is with you (which praise I give you to encou∣rage you.)

2. And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

2. And that our Persons may be preserved and our Preaching prosper, against all the endeavours of ab∣surd and wicked Men, who are our adversaries. For faithless Men are every where against us.

3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall sta∣blish you, and keep you from evil.

3. But tho Men be faithless who resist me, we have a faithful God, who will confirm you, and keep you from Satan and from evil.

4. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do, and will do the things which we command you.

4. And we have good hope that you will still fol∣low the Precepts which we give you from the Lord.

5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient wait∣ing for Christ.

5. To which end I pray, that God would direct your Hearts to love himself, and patiently to wait for Christ, and these two Graces will keep you in obe∣dience from backsliding.

6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

6. And this is one of the Commands which in the name of Christ I have to deliver you, to preserve you from revolting, viz, to keep your Society clean from Scandal, by avoiding the familiar company of every one professing Christianity, who liveth disorderly, and not according to the Law of Christ which we de∣livered to him.

Note, 1. That there is a degree of avoiding Fami∣liarity with a disorderly Christian, to shame him in∣to Repentance, and to preserve our selves, and the Honour of Christianity, which is short of a publick Declarative, Excommunication, and casting out of the Church. It is justly called Suspension, because a Man is not to be Excommunicate till he be proved obstinate∣ly Impenitent: But a Man that is guilty of a notorious scandalous sin, may be suspended while he is under try∣al whether he will repent or not.

2. Note, That this Command of withdrawing from the disorderly, doth not require that we withdraw from the Church when such intrude, or are there permitted. No more than you must forsake your own House and Family if he intrude: You have right and command to be there, tho he have no right.

3. Nor doth it make all to be of equal power in Church Matters, not bind any to go beyond his Power. 1. Of Mans Capacity for Publick Church Communi∣on, the Pastors are Judges: And if they be negligent, its their sin, which will not allow Private Men to for∣sake the Publick Communion, till the Church so far forsake God as to be forsaken by him. 2. But Private Familiarity is in Private Mens Power, where they may discountenance the Scandalous by withdrawing from them.

7. For your selves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not our selves disorderly among you, 8. Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travel night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

7, 8. You know what our Example was, that ought to be imitated: I did not live idly, and look that the Church should maintain me, nor basely hang on any, or needlesly burden them; nor take their Bread which I paid not for: but while I taught you

I laboured and toiled at my Trade that I might be chargeable to none of you.

9. Not because we have not power, but to make our selves an ensample unto you to fol∣low us.

9. My Ministerial Office and Labour made mainte∣nance from you my due; but Idleness I saw was a sin, that had need of Example as well as Doctrine to sub∣due it.

10. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

10. Note, Poor Men that will not work when they can, do forfeit the Bread of Charity from Men; but Rich Men that live idly do by that sin forfeit their Food, (and more, even their lives and Souls) to God; but Men may not therefore take it from them.

11. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busie-bodies.

11. By disorderly Persons I specially mean such as I hear some among you are, who live not in any profitable Trade and Labour, but yet are busie, but its about circumstantial, unnecessary or unprofitable by-matters.

Note, That as Idleness is a base sin, which equals Life and Death, so unnecessary and unprofitable La∣bour is a mis-spending time and a forfeiture of Main∣tenance as well as Idleness: and to make a Trade or Daily Employment of vain or unprofitable Business, is but a Cloak of Deceit for an Idle Life: The Sloathful and Ʋnprofitable Servants forfeit Wages. Oh what a deal of Business to little purpose hath the World to answer for! 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not la∣bouring, but busily Trifling; men will find that God gave them Life and Reason for greater things.

12. Now them that are such we com∣mand, and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

12. To live on the labours or cost of others, through base, indulging fleshly ease, or unprofitable trifling, is so great a sin, that I do command you, and exhort you, by the authority of Christ, and as you will obey him, that you avoid it, and that you quiet∣ly and willingly get your own living by some profi∣table labour, and eat not other Mens Bread, but your own, and that not the Bread of Idleness.

13, 14. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15. Yet count him not as an ene∣my, but admonish him as a brother.

13, 14, 15. If after all this the sloathful will not labour, though you are not to cut him off from the Church, as if it were for rejecting an Essential part of Christianity, yet there is a Discipline to be used in the Church towards its Members: Set a note of shame upon that Man, by avoiding familiarity with him: But yet take him not for an Enemy or Heathen, bu•• an offending Christian, and continue to call him to Repentance.

Note, Qu. But what if it be a Son? must the Parents deny him Food? Ans. If he be obstinate in an idle or unprofitable Life, being able for a better, 1. The Parents should mark him out to shame; 2. And should so far st••aiten him in the Quality of his Food and Maintenance, as may make his Sloth a penal Suffering to him, and signifie their abhorrence of his Sin, though they may not famish him to death.

16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 17. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write; 18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

16, 17, 18. Note, We may boldly trust him for our Peace and safety, who will be called The Lord of Peace, and by the Grace of Christ will be with us, and give us Peace always, and by all means. Amen.