An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. VI.

IN this Chapter hee gives seven Precepts to Timothy, whereby he may be instrusted in the Doctrine concerning the duties of private persons, and the duties of Mini∣sters, and how hee ought to behave himself towards the people, and towards the Elders.

Vers. 1. Let as many servants as are under the yoak, count their own Masters worthy of all honour: that the name of God, and his Doctrine bee not blasphe∣med.

Precept 1. Concerning the instructing of Christian servants, who are servants by condition, and under the yoak of another, the Precept is this, That they ac∣count their own Masters, though Infidels, worthy of all honour, whom they serve, as those that are pla∣ced, by the providence of God, in a degree above them.

That the name of God] The reason of the Precept is this, lest if they should do otherwise, the Gospel might bee evil spoken of, and reproached by Infidels, through the miscarriage of Christian servants.

Vers. 2. And they that have beleeving Masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, because they are faith∣ful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

But if their Masters bee beleevers, Hee retorts what servants were ready to object; And because being Bre∣thren in Christianity, doth not take away diversity of conditions in civil policy, hee forbids servants to despise their Masters upon that account, because they are equal in Christ, and he commands that they serve them so much the more readily, because their Masters were faithful, and beloved of God, and for this cause so much the more worthy to receive the fruit of their service. Hee enjoyns Timothy himself to teach these things, and to exhort o∣ther Pastors to teach the same.

Vers. 3. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Iesus Christ, and to the Doctrine which is accord∣ing to godliness:

Precept 2. Of a voiding perverse Teachers, i. e. to put them from, or to eject them out of the Ministery, or to excommunicate them from the Church: Many such there were in those times, who taught otherwise, who departed either from the Apostolical verity in the matter of their word, or from Apostolical simplicity in the manner of their teaching other things, or otherwise than the A∣postles: not resting satisfied in the simplicity of Chri∣stian Piety, from whose carriages and manners, the me∣ritorious causes of the chastisem••nt, hee gives six Rea∣sons.

And consent not] Reas. 1. They are obstinate who submit not themselves to the wholesome words of Christ, or to sound Doctrine, which in the ma••••er, and man∣ner of teaching, is after Godliness.

Vers. 4. Hee is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof com∣eth envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Reas. 2. Because they are proud, puffed up with a vain opinion of their own knowledge, whereas they know nothing solidly in the mystery of the Gospel.

Doting] Reas. 3. They are of such a contentious dis∣position, that they dote about foolish questions, and strifes of words.

Whereof] Reas. 4. Because by these cavillations they stir up envy, contention, railing, evil surmizings.

Vers. 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thy self.

Reas. 5. Because by their perverse disputings they discover themselves to bee of a perverse and corrupt mind, destitute of the truth, and more studious of gain than godliness, yea to bee such who make a gain of godliness. Whereupon hee infers the censure of with∣drawing from them, which is the consequence of excom∣munication.

Vers. 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Precept 3. Of following after godliness, as the grea∣test gain, and avoiding covetousness. The Reasons of the Precept are eight.

Reas. 1. Because godliness is such a gain, sufficient to it self, rendring the mind contented in every condition; or it is a gain that carries along with it true sufficiency, and contentment.

Vers. 7. For wee brought nothing into this world, and it is certain wee can carry nothing out.

Reas. 2. Because riches onely have their use in this life, not after death: Therefore wee ought not to hunt after riches.

Vers. 8. And having food and raiment, let us bee therewith content.

Reas. 3. Because wee may bee without riches even in this life, and ought to bee content with meat and cloathing whatever it is.

Vers. 9. But they that will bee rich, fall into tempta∣tion, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Reas. 4. Because they that most mind getting of riches, and resolvedly hunt after them, are near to the greatest sins, vexations of mind, and misery in this world, and eternal perdition hereafter.

Vers. 10. For the love of mony is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the Faith, and peirced themselves thorough with many sorrows.

Reas. 5. Because the love of mony is the root of all evil, as of ungodliness, lying, perjury, cruelty, and ty∣ranny, &c.

Which some] Reas. 6. From the experience of some, who being covetous of mony, fell away from the Chri∣stian Religion, and became most miserable.

Vers. 11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after Righteousness, Godliness, Faith, Love, Patience, Meekness.

Reas. 7. With a special Application, Because this vice is unworthy a Minister, who is a man of God, and separated to the heavenly imployments of God, who therefore ought to avoid covetousness, and earthly de∣sires.

Follow] Reas. 8. Because it becomes the man of God, or Minister of the Gospel, to bee in love with the riches of virtue, and to accumulate these one upon another, whereof hee enumerates six.

Vers. 12. Fight the good sight of Faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnes∣ses.

Precept 4. That all lawful means being used, for the propagating of the Gospel, and defending the truth of his Doctrine, hee should strive against all adversaries and impediments whatsoever.

Good] The Reasons of the Exhortation or Pre∣cept, are four.

Reas. 1, Because this fight is good, commendable and profitable.

Life] Reas. 2. Because so thou shalt lay hold on eternal life.

Whereunto] Reas. 3. Because thou art called to the defence of the Gospel, to the partaking of life, or faith.

Professed] Reas. 4. Thou hast already before many witnesses published a famous testimony of thy Faith: Therefore go on to fight that good fight of Faith.

Vers. 13. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Iesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confes∣sion,

14. That thou keep this Commandement without spot, un∣rebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ:

Precept 5. With a most grave and vehement charge before God and Christ the Mediatour, hee exhorts Timo∣thy, and all Pastors after him, and all others upon whom the care of the Church lyes (whom hee speaks to in his person) that they observe these commands, or that they so discharge the office committed to them, faith∣fully observing these Rules touching the governing of the Church, that they may bee found unblameable, and unreproveable in doctrine and manners. And because that which hee exhorts to was difficult, hee laies down six Arguments of the Precept, all which prove that all the former commands are to bee observed with the grea∣test fidelity.

Quickeneth] Argum. 1. There is sufficient support in God that quickeneth all things, to uphold thee under thy infirmity, and to defend thee against the dangers of thine enemies: Therefore nothing hinders but thou mayest faithfully observe all these commands.

Before] Argum. 2. Christ in his example hath gone before thee, who faithfully ope••ed his Doctrine for the salvation of the Church, and at last asserted it before the Tribunal of Pilate, sealing it with his voluntary death.

Appearing] Argum. 3. Christ shall come the Judge of quick and dead, that hee may give to every man ac∣cording to his works: Therefore all the former com∣mands are faithfully to bee observed.

Vers. 15. Which in his times hee shall shew, who is the blessed and onely Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords:

He insists upon this Argument, and lest any one should take the delaying of Christs coming ill, hee shews that hee will come at the time appointed, at the most sea∣sonable time.

Blessed] Argum. 4. Christ, or God the Father, Son▪ and Holy Spirit, whose Ministery thou hast in hand, is alone in himself Blessed, and Powerful, who can bless his own, and destroy his and their enemies, so that the friendships or enmities of all Kings compared with his fa∣vour

or anger, are nothing: because all Kings and Em∣perors borrow their Empires from him, depend upon, and are ruled by him, and stand or fall at his beck: There∣fore these his commands are to bee observed.

Vers. 16. Who onely hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom hee honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Onely] Argum. 5. Because eternal life is in the hand of Christ, who is one God with the Father and the Holy Ghost; because hee onely is of himself immortal, and a∣lone hath immortality in his power, that hee may com∣municate it to whom hee will: Therefore the former commands are to bee observed.

Whom no man hath seen] Arg. 6. Although the reasons of his commands should not bee manifest to us, yet for our Obedience and Faith it is sufficient to know, that God in himself is a light which cannot bee approached, and an hidden Majesty, having his peculiar and proper essence, which our understanding cannot apprehend, nor see with a beatifical vision in this mortal life: Therefore it becomes us to adore, observe, and extol the pleasure of his will, rather than curiously to search into it: To him bee honour and power for ever.

Vers. 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they bee not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

Precept 6. Of admonishing the rich, touching a two-fold duty which belongs to them; The first is, That as to the inward man, they bee not puffed up because of their riches, despising the poor in comparison with themselves, nor trust in their riches, but in the Living God; of this duty hee gives three Reasons. (1) Because riches are uncertain. (2) Because, not riches, but God is the Au∣thor of life to them that trust in him. (3) Because God gives and takes away riches at his pleasure, as also all other things.

Vers. 18. That they do good, that they bee rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to commu∣nicate,

Another duty of rich men is this, That as to external works, they exercise liberality towards the poor, and also study to abound generally in good works, free to com∣municate the use of their possessions and goods unto o∣thers.

Vers. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foun∣dation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The Argument to this duty is, the promise of a free reward, because by bestowing their uncertain riches, they shall lay up for themselves in Heaven, a more enduring and solid treasure, and walking in the way of good works, they shall lay hold upon eternal life.

Vers. 20. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding prophane and vain bablings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called.

Precept 7. And last: Wherein hee seriously commends to Timothy the Doctrine of the Gospel hitherto delivered, that hee faithfully keep it, as that which is committed to his trust, and that hee restrain the prophane wranglings of sophisters about divine matters; upon three reasons. (1) Because true Doctrine is as precious as a treasure. (2) Because wrangling disputations are vain and un∣worthy the name of Philosophy or Science.

Vers. 21. Which some professing, have erred concer∣ning the Faith. Grace ••ee with thee. Amen.

(3) Because it is found by experience that some Pro∣fessors of Philosophical Sciences, when they were weary of the truth and simplicity of the Gospel, boasting of their skill, erred from the scope of the Gospel, yea even fell away from the Faith. At length with an Apostoli∣cal vote hee concludes the Epistle, commending the Grace of Christ to Timothy, without which no spiritual work can bee undertaken or perfected, no temptation of the Devil or the world can bee overcome.