For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetoufnefs; God is witnefs. Nor of men fought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdenfom, as the apoftles of Chrift, But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately defirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God onely, but also our own fouls, because ye were dear unto us. 1 Theff. 2. 10, 11, 12. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved our felves. among you that believe: As you know, how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you (as a father doth his children) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. I Theff. 3. 8. For now we live, if ye ftand faft in the Lord. This is a true faying, If a man defire the office of a bishop, he defireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, fober, of good behaviour, given to hofpitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no ftriker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, nor covetous; One that ruleth well his own houfe, having his children in fubjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how fhall he take care of the church of God?) Not Not a novice, left being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; left he fall into reproach, and the fnare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Tim. 4. 12----16. Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in converfation, in charity, in fpirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things, give thy felf wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thy felf, and unto thy doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both lave thy felf, and them that hear thee. 2 Tim. 1. 6, 7, 8. I put thee in remembrance, that thou ftir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a found mind. Be not thou therefore afhamed of the teftimony of our Lord, nor of me his prifoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gofpel, according to the power of God. V. 13, 14. Hold faft the form of found words, which thou haft heard of me, in faith and love, which is in Chrift Jefus. That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep by the Holy Ghoft, which dwelleth in us. 2 Tim. 2. I--- 16. My fon, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jefus. And the things that thou haft heard of me among many witneffes, the fame commit thou to faithful men, who fhall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good fouldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chofen him to be a fouldier. And if a man ftrive alfo for masteries, yet is he not crown'd except he ftrive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth, must be first partaker of the fruits. Confider what I fay; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember, that Jefus Chrift of the feed of David was raifed from the dead, according to my gospel : Wherein I fuffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elects fakes, that they may alfo obtain the falvation which is in Christ Jefus, with eternal glory. It is a faithful faying: For if we be dead with him, we fhall alfo live with him: If we fuffer, we fhall alfo reign with him: if we deny him, he alfo will deny us: If If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, but to the fubverting of the hearers. Study to fhew thy felf approv'd unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodlinefs, V. 22------26, Flee alfo youthful lufts: but follow righteoufnefs, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned queftions avoid, knowing that they do gender ftrifes. And the fervant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. In meeknefs inftructing thofe that oppose themfelves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves out of the fnare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Tim. 4. I----5. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jefus Christ, who fhall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom: Preach the word, be inftant in feason, out of feafon; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long fuffering and doctrin.. For the time will come, when they will not endure found doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelift, make full proof of thy ministry. Titus 1. 5-----II. For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou fhouldeft fet in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. If any be blamelefs, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not felf willed, not foon angry, not given to wine, noftriker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hofpitality, a lover of good men, fober, juft, holy, temperate; Holding faft the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by found doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainfayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcifion, Whofe mouths must be stopp'd, who fubvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucres fake. Tit. 2. I. Speak thou the things which become found doctrine. V. 7, 8. 1. In all things fhewing thy felf a pattern of good works in doctrine fhewing uncorruptnefs, gravity, fincerity, Sound |