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for in doing this, thou shalt both have

hy felf, and them that hear thee.

CHA P. V.

EBUKE not an a elder, but intreat him as a fa ther, and the younger men as brethren; 2. The lder women as mothers, the younger as fifters, with all urity. 3. Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them earn first to fhew* piety [Or, kindness] at home, and to requite their parents for that is good and acceptable efore God. 5. Now the that is a widow indeed, and lefolate, trufteth in God, and continueth in fupplica ions and prayers night and day. 6. But fhe that liveth

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h Ezek. 33. 9. Nevertheless, f thou warn the Wicked of his Way to turn from it if he do 10t turn from his Way, he fhall lie in his Iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy Soul. Dan. 12. 3. -They that turn many to righeoufnefs, hall fhine] as the Stars for ever and ever. i. it Cor. 9. 22. jee on Rom. 11. 14.

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Jam. 5. 20.

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Elders which are among you, I
exhort, who am alfo an Elder:
2 Joh. ver. 1. The Elder unto the
Ele&t Lady. Tim. 5. 17.

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4.. b† Gen. 45.9, 10, 11. Hafte you, go up to my Father, and fay unto him, Thus faith thy Son FoSeph, God hath made me Lord of all Egypt; come down unto me, tarry. not. And thou fhalt dwell in the Land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou and thy Chil dren, and thy Childrens Children, and thy Flocks, and thy Herds and all that thou haft. And there 15 will I nourish thee. Eph. 6. 1, 2. † See on Mat. 15.4.

CHA P. V. 1.at Lev. 19. 32. Thou fhalt ife up before the hoary Head, and Jonour the Face of the old ManActs 11. 30. And fent it [Relief into the brethren] to the Elders by the Hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 14. 23. When they had ordained them Elders in every Church, 20 and had prayed with Fafting, they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. Tit. 1. 5. For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou fhouldft fet in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every City, as I had appointed thee. 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things which thou hast heard of me among many Witneffes, the fame commit then to faithful Men, who 30

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fhall be able to teach others. Philem. ver. 9. For loves fake I rather befeech thee, being fuch an one as Put the aged. Pet. 5. 1. The 35

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5. Cor. 7. 32. He that, is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord.

See on Luk. 18. 1.

* See the Note on Acts 20. 31. 6. f. Job 21. 13. They spend their Days in Wealth, and in a Moment go down to the Grave. A-, mos 64. That lie upon Beds of I vory, and stretch themfelves upon. their Couches, and eat the Lambs of the Flock, and the Calves out of the midst of the Stall. Luk. 16. 19, 25. There was a certain rich Man, which was clothed in Purple and fine Linen, and fared Sumptuously

every

T. 1 M. V dead while fhe liveth:

in pleafare [Or, delicately], is 7. And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8. But if any (1) provide not for his own, and h fpecially for those of his own houfe [Or, kindred], he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9. (2) Let not a widow be taken [Or, chofen] into the number, under threescore years old, having been the wife of one

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Jam. 5. 5. Ye have lived in pleafure, and been Wanton; ye have nourifhed your Hearts, as in a Day of Slaughter.

8 See on Joh. 5. 25.

8. Gal. 6. 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do 10 good unto all Men, especially unto them who are of the Houshold of Faith.

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man,

deny him 2 Pet 2. 1: -Who privily fhall bring in damnable Herefies, even denying the Lord that bought them. Jude ver. 4. s-Denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jefus Chrift.

k. Mat. 18. 17.-If he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen Man and a publican.

9. Luk. 2. 36.-[Anna] had lived with an Husband feven Years from her Virginity..Tim. it 2 Tim. 3. 5. Having a Form 3. 2. A Bishop then must be of Godliness, but denying the Power 15 blameless, the Husband of one thereof. Tit.1.16.They profefs that they know God ;but inWorks they

Wife.

(1) Thefe Words are mifapplied, when they are cited to juftifie the fcandalous Practice of many Parents, in amaffing together great Wealth for their Children, which they make an excufe for their neglecting to relieve their Brethren and Fellow Chriftians in Want. But fuch fhould confider, that without Almfgiving, in Proportion to their Ability, they cannot expect the Bleffing of God upon their Enjoyments. It is often feen that this covetous Practice of Parents, contributes to their Chil drens unhappiness. That Parents ought to make an honeft Provifion for their Children, fuitable to their Condition and Circumftances, is granted; but this is not the Duty the Apoftle fpeaks of here. The Duty here enjoined is, the Care which Children, if they are able, fhould take of their Parents, not that which Parents fhould take of their Children. Let them learn to fhew Piety at home, to requite their Parents, Ver. 4. (2) To explain this and the following Verfes, thefe Obfervations may be of Ufe.

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First, The Apoftle here dire&ts Timothy about the Choice of Widows, were to be employed in fome Office in the Church. These are in Eccle fiaftical Hiftory called Deaconneffes; of which Phebe, mentioned Rom. 16. 1. was one, as alfo those, Phil. 4. 2, 3. their Office feems to have been, to affift at the Baptifm of Women, to take care of the Poor and Sick, to provide Meat and Lodging for Strangers, who were obliged to travel from their own Homes,&c. That the Apoftle does not fpeak of all Wi dows, is manifeft from the Chaire, and the particular Qualifications hers mention'd.

Secondly

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man, 10. Well reported of for good works; if the have brought up children, if the have lodged ftrangers, if fhe have wafhed the faints feet, if the have relieved the afflicted, if fhe have diligently followed every good work. 11. But the younger widows refufe: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12. Having damnation, because they have caft off their firft faith. 13. And withal they learn to be idle, wandring about from house to houfe; and not only idle, but tattlers lfo, and bufie-bodies, fpeaking things which they ought 10t. 14. P I will therefore that the younger women marry, Dear children, guide the house, give none occafion to the adverfary,

10. m A&s 9. 39. All the Wilows ftood by him weeping, and hewing the Coats and Garments which Dorcas made while fhe was with them.

n: Heb. 13. 2. † 1 Pet. 4.9.See In Rom. 12. 13.

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† Luk. 7. 44. I entred into hine Houfe, thou gavest me no Waer for my Feet: but the hath wash- 1o my Feet with Tears, and wiped hem with the Hairs of her Head. Gen. 18. 4. † Gen. 19. 2..

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Rom. 12. 13.

Pti Cor. 7. 9. If they can 14. not contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 9 Neh. 5. 9.-Ought ye not to walk in the Fear of our God, becaufe of the Reproach of the Heathen, our Enemies? Mat. 5. 16. Let your Light fo fhine before Men, that they may fee your good Works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. Phil. 2. 15. That ye may b:

Secondly, The Word rendered Damnation, ver. 12. fignifies Judgment, nd is rather to be understood of that Shame and Condemnation they would oring upon themfelves in the World,for having deferted a Trust committed o them, than of eternal Damnation. To prevent this, the Apoftle exludes young Widows from being appointed to this Office; becaufe fuch would not be grave enough, they would be apt to look after their being married, and fo be careless of the Charge committed to them. Their Age might incline them to marry, and their inclination to marry might inline them to Wantonnefs, and their Wantonnefs to Apoftacy; for they might marry with Infidels, and fo caft off their firft Faith. Therefore it was not prudent to take fuch into Office in the Church. See Dr. Lightfoot's Remains, p. 118.

Thirdly, Here is not any thing faid that favours the Practice fo much boafted of in the Church of Rome, the entring into Vows of fingle Lif The Apoftle not only lays it down as a Rule, even when the Church was under Perfecution, That it is better to marry than to burn, but he elsewhere tells us, that Marriage is honourable in all. And here, Ver. 14. t is particularly recommended to the younger Widows, that they mar y. Vows in this Cafe are not only attended with great Inconveniencies, but hey are unlawful; because thofe who enter into them cannot tell but it may be impoffible for them to keep them, and to live chaftly too. Dr. Lightfoot obferves, that God hath evidenced his Curfe apon this wretched Vowing, by giving them up to horrid Uncleannefs, and to the Murther of their Children.

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adverfary to speak reproachfully [Gr. for their railing]. 15. For fome are already turned afide after Satan. 16. If a ny man or woman that believeth, have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 17. Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, efpecially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18. For the fcripture faith, Thoufhalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and the labourer is worthy of his reward. 19. Against an elder receive not an accufation, but *before [Or, under] two or three witneffes. 23. Them that fin, rebuke before all, that others alfo may fear. 21. Icharge thee before God and the Lord Jefus Chrift, and the elect angels, that thou obferve these things without *preferring [Or, prejudice] one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins: keep thy felf pure. 23. Drink no longer water, but ufe a little wine for thy ftomachs fake, and thine own infirmities.

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be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the mids of a crooked and perverse Nation, among whom ye fhine as Lights in the World. Tit. 2. 8.

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24. * Some

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at Lev. 19. 13. † Deut. 24.14 Luk. 10. 7. See on Mat 10. 10. 19. † Deut. 19. 15. At the Mouth of two Witneffes, or at the 5 Mouth of three Witneffes, fhall the Matter be established.

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20. † Gal. 2. 14. When I faw that they walked not uprightly.faid unto Peter before them all.

4. Deut. 13. 11. All Ifrael (ba bear, and fear, and fhall do no more any fuch Wickedness as this is a mong you.

-That he that is of the contrary Part may be afhamed, having no evil thing to fay of you. I Pet. 2. 12, 15. Having your Converfation oneft among the Gentiles: that 10 whereas they fpeak against you as Evil-doers, they may by your good Works which they fhall behold, glorifie God in the Day of Vifitation. For fo is the Will of God, that 15 2. 14. with well doing ye may put to filence theignorance of feolith Men. 1Pet. 3 16. Having a good Confcience; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of Evil-doers, they may be a fhamed that falfly accufe your good Converfation in Chrift.

17. † † 1 Cor. 9. 14. † Gal. 6. 6. 1 The 5. 12, 13. See on Phil.

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21. t1 Tim. 6. 13. †2 Tim.
2 Tim.
4. I. See on Rom.

I. 9.

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6. 6.

f See the Note on A&ts

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beforehand, going before to judgment; and fome men they follow after. 25. Likewife also the good works of Jome are manifeft before-hand; and they hat are otherwife cannot be hid.

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CHA P. VI.

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ET as many a ⚫ fervants as are under the yoke, count their own mafters worthy of all honour; that the name of God and his doctrine be not blafphemed. 2. And they that have believing mafters, let them not lefpife them, because they are brethren: but rather do hem fervice, because they are faithful [Or, believing] and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3. If any man teach otherwife, and confent not to wholfome words, even the words of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and to the doctrine which is according to godlinefs; 4. He is proud [Or, a fool], knowing nothing, but* doting [Or, fick] about queftions and ftrifes of words, f whereof cometh envy, ftrife, railings, evil furmifings, 5. * Perverse disputings [Or, gallings one of another] of men of corrupt minds, and deftitute of the truth, i fuppofing that gain is godlinefs: from fuch withdraw thy felf. 6. But godlinefs with contentment is great gain.. 7. Form we brought nothing into this world, and it is certertain we can carry nothing out. 8. And n having food

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and

Minds, reprobate concerning the
Faith.

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if Tit. I. II. † 2 Pet. 2. 3. See Phil.

3. 19.

k2 Tim. 3. 5. See on Mat. 18. 17.

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6. Pfal. 37. 16. A little that a righteous Man hath, is better than the Riches of many Wicked. + Prov. 15. 16. Better is a little with the Fear of the Lord, than great Treasure, and trouble therewith. Prov. 16. 8. Better is a little with Righteousness, than great Revenues without 15 right.

7.mt Job 1. 21. † Pfal. 49. 17. Ecclef. 5. 15. See on Phil. 4.

II.

8. n

Thefe alfo 204. 11.

h t2 Tim. 3. 8 refift the Truth: Men of corrupt

Heb. 13.5. See on Phil.

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