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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T T I M O T H Y.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Here the apostle,
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I. Directs Timothy how to reprove,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. Adverts to widows, both elder and younger,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:3-16">ver. 3-16</A>.
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III. To elders,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:17-19">ver. 17-19</A>.
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IV. Treats of public reproof,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:20">ver. 20</A>.
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V. Gives a solemn charge concerning ordination,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:21,22">ver. 21, 22</A>.
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VI. Refers to his health
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:23">ver. 23</A>),
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and states men's sins to be very different in their effects,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:24,25">ver. 24, 25</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Directions Concerning Reproofs.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat <I>him</I> as a father; <I>and</I> the
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younger men as brethren;
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2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all
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purity.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers,
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in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though
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the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word,
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to reprove and rebuke,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:2">2 Tim. iv. 2</A>.
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A great difference is to be made in our reproofs, according to the age,
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quality, and other circumstances, of the persons rebuked; thus, and
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elder in age or office must be entreated as a father; <I>on some have
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compassion, making a difference,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:22">Jude 22</A>.
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Now the rule is,
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1. To be very tender in rebuking elders--elders in age, elders by
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office. Respect must be had to the dignity of their years and place,
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and therefore they must not be rebuked sharply nor magisterially; but
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Timothy himself, though an evangelist, must entreat them as fathers,
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for this would be the likeliest way to work upon them, and to win upon
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them.
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2. The younger must be rebuked as brethren, with love and tenderness;
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not as desirous, to spy faults or pick quarrels, but as being willing
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to make the best of them. There is need of a great deal of meekness in
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reproving those who deserve reproof.
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3. The elder women must be reproved, when there is occasion, as
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mothers.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:2">Hos. ii. 2</A>,
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<I>Plead with your mother, plead.</I>
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4. The younger women must be reproved, but reproved as <I>sisters, with
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all purity.</I> If Timothy, so mortified a man to this world and to the
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flesh and lusts of it, had need of such a caution as this, much more
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have we.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Directions Concerning Widows.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
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4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn
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first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for
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that is good and acceptable before God.
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5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in
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God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
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6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
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7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
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8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those
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of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
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infidel.
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9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore
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years old, having been the wife of one man,
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10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up
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children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the
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saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have
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diligently followed every good work.
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11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to
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wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
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12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first
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faith.
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13 And withal they learn <I>to be</I> idle, wandering about from
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house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and
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busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear
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children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to
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speak reproachfully.
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15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
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16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them
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relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may
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relieve them that are widows indeed.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Directions are here given concerning the taking of widows into the
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number of those who were employed by the church and had maintenance
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from the church: <I>Honour widows that are widows indeed.</I> Honour
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them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in
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those times an office in the church in which widows were employed, and
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that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the
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direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows
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immediately upon the first forming of the Christian church
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+6:1">Acts vi. 1</A>),
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where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily
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ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to
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<I>honour widows that are widows indeed,</I> to maintain them, to
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relieve them with respect and tenderness.</P>
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<P>
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I. It is appointed that those widows only should be relieved by the
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charity of the church who were pious and devout, and not wanton widows
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that <I>lived in pleasure,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
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She is to be reckoned a widow indeed, and it to be maintained at the
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church's charge, who, being <I>desolate, trusteth in God.</I> Observe,
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It is the duty and comfort of those who are desolate to trust in God.
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<I>Therefore</I> God sometimes brings his people into such straits that
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they have nothing else to trust to, that they may with more confidence
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trust in him. Widowhood is a desolate estate; but <I>let the widows
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trust in me</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+49:11">Jer. xlix. 11</A>),
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and rejoice that they have a God to trust to. Again, Those who trust in
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God must <I>continue in prayer.</I> If by faith we confide in God, by
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prayer we must give glory to God and commit ourselves to his guidance.
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Anna was a widow indeed, who <I>departed not from the temple</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:37">Luke ii. 37</A>),
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<I>but served God with fasting and prayer night and day.</I> But she is
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not a widow indeed <I>that lives in pleasure</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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or who lives licentiously. A jovial widow is not a widow indeed, not
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fit to be taken under the care of the church. <I>She that lives in
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pleasure is dead while she lives,</I> is no living member of the
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church, but as a carcase in it, or a mortified member. We may apply it
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more generally; those who live in pleasure are dead while they live,
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spiritually dead, <I>dead in trespasses and sins;</I> they are in the
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world to no purpose, buried alive as to the great ends of living.</P>
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<P>
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II. Another rule he gives is that the church should not be charged with
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the maintenance of those widows who had relations of their own that
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were able to maintain them. This is mentioned several times
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>If any widow have children or nephews,</I> that is grandchildren or
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near relations, let them maintain them, and let not the church be
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burdened. So
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
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This is called showing <I>piety at home</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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or showing piety towards their own families. Observe, The respect of
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children to their parents, with their care of them, is fitly called
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piety. This is requiting their parents. Children can never sufficiently
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requite their parents for the care they have taken of them, and the
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pains they have taken with them; but they must endeavour to do it. It
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is the indispensable duty of children, if their parents be in
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necessity, and they in ability to relieve them, to do it to the utmost
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of their power, <I>for this is good and acceptable before God.</I> The
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Pharisees taught that a gift to the altar was more acceptable to God
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than relieving a poor parent,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+15:5">Matt. xv. 5</A>.
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But here we are told that this <I>is better than all burnt-offerings
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and sacrifices; this is good and acceptable,</I> &c. He speaks of this
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again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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<I>If any provide not for his own,</I> &c. If any men or women do not
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maintain their own poor relations who belong to them, they do in effect
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<I>deny the faith;</I> for the design of Christ was to confirm the law
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of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth commandment, which is,
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<I>Honour thy father and mother;</I> so that those deny the faith who
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disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their wives and
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children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that upon their
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lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied the faith
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<I>and are worse than infidels.</I> One reason why this care must be
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taken that those who are rich should maintain their poor relations, and
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not burden the church with them is
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>)
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<I>that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.</I> Observe,
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Charity misplaced is a great hindrance to true charity; there should be
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prudence in the choice of the objects of charity, that it may not be
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thrown away upon those who are not properly so, that there may be the
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more for those who are real objects of charity.</P>
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<P>
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III. He gives directions concerning the characters of the widows that
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were to be taken into the number to receive the church's charity: not
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under sixty years old, nor any who have divorced their husbands or been
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divorced from them and have married again; she must have been <I>the
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wife of one man,</I> such as had been a housekeeper, had a good name
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for hospitality and charity, <I>well reported of for good works.</I>
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Observe, Particular care ought to be taken to relieve those, when they
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fall into decay, who, when they had wherewithal, were ready to every
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good work. Here are instances of such good works as are proper to be
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done by good wives: <I>If she have brought up children:</I> he does not
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say, If she have borne children (<I>children are a heritage of the
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Lord</I>), that depends on the will of God; but, if she had not
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children of her own, yet if she had brought up children. <I>If she have
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lodged strangers,</I> and <I>washed the saints' feet;</I> if she have
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been ready to give entertainment to good Christians and good ministers,
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when they were in their travels for the spreading of the gospel.
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Washing of the feet o their friends was a part of their entertainments.
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<I>If she have relieved the afflicted</I> when she had ability, let her
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be relieved now. Observe, Those who would find mercy when they are in
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distress must show mercy when they are in prosperity.</P>
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<P>
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IV. He cautions them to take heed of admitting into the number those
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who are likely to be no credit to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
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<I>The younger widows refuse:</I> they will be weary of their
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employments in the church, and of living by rule, as they must do; so
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they <I>will marry, and cast off their first faith.</I> You read of a
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first love
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+2:4">Rev. ii. 4</A>),
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and here of a first faith, that is, the engagements they gave to the
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church to behave well, and as became the trust reposed in them: it does
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not appear that by their first faith is meant their vow not to marry,
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for the scripture is very silent on that head; besides the apostle here
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advises the younger widows to marry
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
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which he would not if hereby they must have broken their vows. Dr.
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Whitby well observes, "If this faith referred to a promise made to the
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church not to marry, it could not be called their first faith."
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<I>Withal they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but tattlers,</I>
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&c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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Observe, It is seldom that those who are idle are idle only, they learn
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<I>to be tattlers and busy-bodies,</I> and to make mischief among
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neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. Those who had not attained
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to such a gravity of mind as was fit for the deaconesses (or the widows
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who were taken among the church's poor), let them <I>marry, bear
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children,</I> &c.,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
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Observe, If housekeepers do not mind their business, but are tattlers,
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they give occasion to the adversaries of Christianity to reproach the
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Christian name, which, it seems, there were some instances of,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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We learn hence,
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1. In the primitive church there was care taken of poor widows, and
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provision made for them; and the churches of Christ in these days
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should follow so good an example, as far as they are able.
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2. In the distribution of the church's charity, or alms, great care is
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to be taken that those share in the public bounty who most want it and
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best deserve it. A widow was not to be taken into the primitive church
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that had relations who were able to maintain her, or who was not well
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reported of for good works, but lived in pleasure: <I>But the younger
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widows refuse, for, when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ,
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they will marry.</I>
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3. The credit of religion, and the reputation of Christian churches,
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are very much concerned in the character and behaviour of those that
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are taken into any employment in the church, though of a lower nature
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(such as the business of deaconesses), or that receive alms of the
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church; if they do not behave well, but are tatlers and busy-bodies,
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they will give occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
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4. Christianity obliges its professors to relieve their indigent
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friends, particularly poor widows, that the church may not be charged
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with them, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed: rich
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people should be ashamed to burden the church with their poor
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relations, when it is with difficulty that those are supplied who have
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no children or nephews, that is, grand-children, who are in a capacity
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to relieve them.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ti5_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Directions Concerning Elders; Concerning Church Discipline.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 64.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
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honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
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treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer <I>is</I> worthy of his
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reward.
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19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two
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or three witnesses.
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20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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21 I charge <I>thee</I> before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and
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the elect angels, that thou observe these things without
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preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
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22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other
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men's sins: keep thyself pure.
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23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy
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stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
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24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to
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judgment; and some <I>men</I> they follow after.
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25 Likewise also the good works <I>of some</I> are manifest
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beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here are directions,</P>
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<P>
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I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they
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be honourably maintained
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
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<I>Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour</I>
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(that is, of double maintenance, double to what they have had, or to
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what others have), <I>especially those who labour in the word and
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doctrine,</I> those who are more laborious than others. Observe, The
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presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were those <I>who laboured in
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the word and doctrine:</I> they had not one to preach to them and
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another to rule them, but the work was done by one and the same person.
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Some have imagined that by the <I>elders that rule well</I> the apostle
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means lay-elders, who were employed in ruling but not in teaching, who
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were concerned in church-government, but did not meddle with the
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administration of the word and sacraments; and I confess this is the
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plainest text of scripture that can be found to countenance such an
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opinion. But it seem a little strange that mere ruling elders should be
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accounted worthy of double honour, when the apostle preferred preaching
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to baptizing, and much more would he prefer it to ruling the church;
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and it is more strange that the apostle should take no notice of them
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when he treats of church-officers; but, as it is hinted before, they
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had not, in the primitive church, one to preach to them and another to
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rule them, but ruling and teaching were performed by the same persons,
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only some might labour more in the word and doctrine than others. Here
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we have,
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1. The work of ministers; it consists principally in two things: ruling
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well and labouring in the word and doctrine. This was the main business
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of elders or presbyters in the days of the apostles.
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2. The honour due to those who were not idle, but laborious in this
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work; they were worthy of double honour, esteem, and maintenance. He
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quotes a scripture to confirm this command concerning the maintenance
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of ministers that we might think foreign; but it intimates what a
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significancy there was in many of the laws of Moses, and particularly
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in this, <I>Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+25:4">Deut. xxv. 4</A>.
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The beasts that were employed in treading out the corn (for that way
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they took instead of threshing it) were allowed to feed while they did
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the work, so that the more work they did the more food they had;
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therefore let the elders that labour in the word and doctrine be well
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provided for; <I>for the labourer is worthy of his reward</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:10">Matt. x. 10</A>),
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and there is all the reason in the world that he should have it. We
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hence learn,
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(1.) God, both under the law, and now under the gospel, has taken care
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that his ministers be well provided for. Does God take care for oxen,
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and will he not take care of his own servants? The ox only treads out
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the corn of which they make the bread that perishes; but ministers
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break the bread of life which endures for ever.
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(2.) The comfortable subsistence of ministers, as it is God's
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appointment that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:14">1 Cor. ix. 14</A>),
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so it is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer; and
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those who would have ministers starved, or not comfortably provided
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for, God will require it of them another day.</P>
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<P>
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II. Concerning the accusation of ministers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
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<I>Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three
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witnesses.</I> Here is the scripture-method of proceeding against an
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elder, when accused of any crime. Observe,
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1. There must be an accusation; it must not be a flying uncertain
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report, but an accusation, containing a certain charge, must be drawn
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up. Further, He is not to be proceeded against by way of enquiry; this
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is according to the modern practice of the inquisition, which draws up
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articles for men to purge themselves of such crimes, or else to accuse
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themselves; but, according to the advice of Paul, there must be an
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accusation brought against an elder.
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2. This accusation is not to be received unless supported by two or
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three credible witnesses; and the accusation must be received before
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them, that is, the accused must have the accusers face to face, because
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the reputation of a minister is, in a particular manner, a tender
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thing; and therefore, before any thing be done in the least to blemish
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that reputation, great care should be taken that the thing alleged
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against him be well proved, that he be not reproached upon an uncertain
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surmise; "but
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>)
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<I>those that sin rebuke before all;</I> that is, thou needest not be
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so tender of other people, but rebuke them publicly." Or "those that
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sin before all rebuke before all, that the plaster may be as wide as
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the wound, and that those who are in danger of sinning by the example
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of their fall may take warning by the rebuke given them for it, <I>that
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others also may fear.</I>" Observe,
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(1.) Public scandalous sinners must be rebuked publicly: as their sin
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has been public, and committed before many, or at least come to the
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hearing of all, so their reproof must be public, and before all.
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(2.) Public rebuke is designed for the good of others, that they may
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fear, as well as for the good of the party rebuked; hence it was
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ordered under the law that public offenders should receive public
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punishment, that <I>all Israel</I> might <I>hear, and fear, and do no
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more wickedly.</I></P>
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<P>
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III. Concerning the ordination of ministers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
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<I>Lay hands suddenly on no man;</I> it seems to be meant of the
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|
ordaining of men to the office of the ministry, which ought not to be
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done rashly and inconsiderately, and before due trial made of their
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gifts and graces, their abilities and qualifications for it. Some
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understand it of absolution: "Be not too hasty in laying hands on any;
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remit not the censure of the church to any, till time be first taken
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for the proof of their sincerity in their repentance, <I>neither be
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partakers of other men's sins,</I> implying that those who are too easy
|
|
in remitting the censures of the church encourage others in the sins
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which are thus connived at, and make themselves thereby guilty."
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Observe, We have great need to watch over ourselves at all times, that
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we do not make ourselves partakers of other men's sins. "Keep thyself
|
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pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it,
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|
or being any way accessary to it, in others." Here is,
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1. A caution against the rash ordination of ministers, or absolution of
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those who have been under church-censures: <I>Lay hands suddenly on no
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man.</I>
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2. Those who are rash, either in the one case or the other, will make
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themselves partakers in other men's sins.
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3. We must keep ourselves pure, if we will be pure; the grace of God
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makes and keeps us pure, but it is by our own endeavours.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Concerning absolution, to which
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:24,25"><I>v.</I> 24, 25</A>,
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seem to refer: <I>Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to
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judgment, and some follow after,</I> &c. Observe, Ministers have need
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of a great deal of wisdom, to know how to accommodate themselves to the
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variety of offences and offenders that they have occasion to deal with.
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Some men's sins are so plain and obvious, and not found by secret
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search, that there is no dispute concerning the bringing of them under
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the censures of the church; they <I>go before to judgment,</I> to lead
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|
them to censure.--<I>Others they follow after;</I> that is, their
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wickedness does not presently appear, nor till after a due search has
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been made concerning it. Or, as some understand it, some men's sins
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continue after they are censured; they are not reformed by the censure,
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and in that case there must be no absolution. So, also, as to the
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evidences of repentance: <I>The good works of some are manifest
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beforehand. And those that are otherwise,</I> whose good works do not
|
|
appear, their wickedness <I>cannot be hid,</I> and so it will be easy
|
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to discern who are to be absolved, and who are not. Observe,
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1. There are secret, and there are open sins; some men's sins are open
|
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beforehand, and going unto judgment, and some they follow after.
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2. Sinners must be differently dealt with by the church.
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3. The effects of church-censures are very different; some are thereby
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humbled and brought to repentance, so that their good works are
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manifest beforehand, while it is quite otherwise with others.
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4. The incorrigible cannot be hid; for God will bring to light the
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hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of all
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hearts.</P>
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<P>
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|
V. Concerning Timothy himself.
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|
1. Here is a charge to him to be careful of his office; and a solemn
|
|
charge it is: <I>I charge thee before God, as thou wilt answer it to
|
|
God before the holy and elect angels, observe these things without
|
|
partiality,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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|
Observe, It ill becomes ministers to be partial, and to have respect of
|
|
persons, and to prefer one before another upon any secular account. He
|
|
charges him, by all that is dear, <I>before God, and the Lord Jesus
|
|
Christ, and the elect angels,</I> to guard against partiality.
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|
Ministers must give an account to God and the Lord Jesus Christ,
|
|
whether, and how, they have observed all things given them in charge:
|
|
and woe to them if they have been partial in their ministrations, out
|
|
of an worldly politic view.
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|
2. He charges him to take care of his health: <I>Drink no longer
|
|
water,</I> &c. It seems Timothy was a mortified man to the pleasures of
|
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sense; he drank water, and he was a man of no strong constitution of
|
|
body, and for this reason Paul advises him to use wine for the helping
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|
of his stomach and the recruiting of his nature. Observe, It is a
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|
little wine, for ministers must not be given to much wine; so much as
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|
may be for the health of the body, not so as to distemper it, for God
|
|
has made wine to rejoice man's heart. Note,
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|
(1.) It is the will of God that people should take all due care of
|
|
their bodies. As we are not to make them our masters, so neither our
|
|
slaves; but to use them so that they may be most fit and helpful to us
|
|
in the service of God.
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|
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|
(2.) Wine is most proper for sickly and weak people, whose stomachs are
|
|
often out of order, and who labour under infirmities. <I>Give strong
|
|
drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of
|
|
heavy hearts,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:6">Prov. xxxi. 6</A>.
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(3.) Wine should be used as a help, and not a hindrance, to our work
|
|
and usefulness.</P>
|
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