14] but let us watch and be fober." Ver. 8, "Let us, who are of the day, be fober, putting on the breaft-plate of faith and love, and for an helmet the hope of falvation." Ver. 23, "And the very God of peace fanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole fpirit and foul and body be preferved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift 2 Thef. i. 11, 12," We pray always for you, that our God would count," or make, "you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleafure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power. That the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jefus Chrift," beftowed upon you. ii. 14, &c. "Ye are called to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Therefore, brethren, ftand faft, and hold the traditions, which ye have been taught. Now our Lord Jefus Chrift, and God even our Father, which has loved [139]us, and given us everlasting confolation, and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and eftablifh you in every good word and work."

218. Confeq.] 1 Thef. iv. 17- "We fhall for ever be with the Lord." v. 23, 24, "The God of peace fanctify you wholly, Faithful is he who calleth you, who alfo will do it." 2 Thef i. 4, 5, 7, 10, "Your perfecutions and tribulations are a manifeft token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye fuffer. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God,to recompence-to you who are troubled, reft [109] with us, when the Lord Jefus fhall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels,when he fhall come to be glorified in his faints, and admired in all them that believe in that day.” iii. 3, "The Lord is faithful who fhall eftablifh you, and keep you from evil."

219. Suppoff. ii. 11, 12,—"We exhorted and charged every one of you,that ye would walk worthy of God." iii. 5, 8, "I fent to know your faith, left by fome means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” iv. 7, 8, "God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore among you] that defpifes [the rules of our holy calling,] defpifes not man but God, who has alfo given unto us his holy fpirit." v. 6, "Therefore let us not fleep as do others [the Heathen; ] but let us watch and be fober" Ver: 14, "We exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly among you." 2 Thef. iii. 4, "We have confidence touching you, that ye both do, and will do the things which we command you." Ver 6, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks diforderly." Ver. 11, "For we hear that there are fome which walk among diforderly."Ver. 13, 14, 15, “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epiftle, note that man, and have no company with liim, that he may be afhamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonith him as a brother." [106]

you

320. Account.] 1Thef. iv. 8; "He [among you] that defpifes, defpifes not man, but God," to whom he is accountable for his wicked conduct; as appears from

221. Threat. Ver. 6, "Let none among you go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, becaufe that the Lord is the avenger of all poh, as we also have forewarned you, and testified.”,

СНАР.

CHA P. XI.

A Continuation of the Proof from the Apoftolic Writings, that Gospel Privileges, &c. are Motives to a good and virtuous Life..

I. TIMOTHY.

322. Golpel) is to produce Charity, out of a pure Heart, and of a

HAP. I. 5, "The End," or Defign, "of the Commandment,* [the

good Confcience, and of Faith unfeigned." Ver. 9, 10, 11, "The Law is made-for the Lawlefs and Difobedient, for the Ungodly and Sinners, for Unholy and Profane, &c.-and if there be any other Thing that is contrary to found Doctrine, according to the glorious Gospel of the bleffed God, which is committed to my Charge." Obf. The Gofpel, Paul preached, forbids and condemns all Wickednefs, as certainly as the Law itfelf. iv. 8, 'Tis Godliness, which in the Gofpel, " has the Promife of the Life that now is, [of prefent Bleffings,] and of that which is to come." vi. 3, "The Words of our Lord Jefus Chrift are wholesome Words, and his Doctrine is according to Godliness,"

223. Timothy was a Man of God, Chap. vi. 11; "A minifter of Jefus Chrift," iv. 6; And therefore one of the higheft Rank in the Church: But he fhould finally "fave himself, and them that heard him, by exercifing himself unto Godlinefs," being " an Example of the Believers in Word, in Converfation, in Charity, in Spirit, in Purity.—By taking heed unto himself and his Doctrine," Ver. 7, to the End. He was called to eternal Life; but he would lay hold of it, fo as to fecure it finally, by "following after Righteoufnefs, Godliness, Faith, Love, Patience, Meeknefs and by fighting the good Fight of Faith," vi. 11, 12.-Ver. 17 -19, "Charge them that are rich in this World." He fpeaks of profefled. Chriftians, who were (Ver. 2.) "Brethren, faithful, and beloved, [140]; Partakers of the Benefit," that is, of the Favour and Bleffing of God in Chrift. And yet he muft charge thofe not to be "high-minded, nor truft in uncertain Riches, but in the living God; to do good, that they might be rich in good Works, ready to diftribute, willing to communicate; laying up in Store for themselves a good Foundation against the Time to come," the future World, "that they may lay hold on eternal Life.”: Plainly intimating, that if they were not rich in good Works, notwithftanding their prefent Honours and Privileges, they would want a good Foundation, as to the World to come, and would not lay hold on eternal.. Life, fo as finally to obtain it,

II. TIMOTH Y.

224. CHAP. I. 9, Timothy, with the Apostle, and other Chriftians, was "faved, [93] and called [97] with an holy Calling, not according to

his

Пaga The Gofpel is alfo fignified by a Commandment, 2 Pet. ii. 21.

; his or their works, but according to God's own Purpose and Grace, [139] which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began." [165] And Timothy was "chofen to be a Soldier," ii. 4. But tho' he was faved, called and chofen, without refpect to Works, antecedent to his being faved, called and chofen, it is manifeft he was under the strongest Obligations to all good Works, after he was faved, called and chofen; otherwife, he would fall fhort of final and eternal Salvation. This is manifeft from the Apoftle's Exhortations. ii. 15, "Study to fhew thyfelf approved unto God." Ver. 22,Flee youthful Lufts: But follow Righteousnefs," &c. iii. 14, "Continue thou in the Things which thou haft learned." iv. 1, 2, "I charge,thee before God and the Lord Jefus Chrift, who fhall judge theQuick and the Dead, at his Appearing and his Kingdom, [and who will judge thee, Timothy, according to thy Behaviour,] preach the Word, be inftant in Seafon, out of Seafon, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all Long-Suffering and Doctrine." Ver. 5, "Watch thou in all Things, endure Afflictions, do the Work of an Evangelift, make full Proof of thy Miniftry." ii. 3,"Endure Hardness as a good Soldier of Jefus Chrift. No Man that warreth entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a Soldier. And if a Man strives for Mafteries [in the Olympic Games,] yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The Hufbandman that laboureth, must be first Partaker of the Fruits." Or, as it is in the Margin, "The Husbandman labouring first, muft be Partaker of the Fruits." According to which Rule the Apostle himfelf (Ver. 10.) "endured all Things for the Elect's [92] fake, that they might obtain the Salvation which is in Chrift Jefus, with eternal Life." This fhews, it is one Thing to be elect, or chofen unto Salvation; and another Thing to obtain that Salvation, which is connected with eternal Life.] Ver. 11, "It is a faithful Saying, For if we," who are faved and called (i. 9.)" be dead with him, we shall alfo live eternally with him: If we fuffer, we fhall also reign with him: But if we deny him, he will deny us, in the Day of Judgment." Ver. 19.-" Let every one that names the Name of Chrift [profefs Chriftianity] depart from Iniquity." Ver. 20, 21, "But in a great House, [fuch a large Society as the Church,] there are not only Veffels of Gold and Silver, but alfo of Wood and Earth; and fome to Honour, and fome to Difhonour. If a Man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a Vessel unto Honour, fanctified and meet for the Master's Ufe, and prepared unto every good Work."

་་

225, Chap. IV. 6, 7, 8,-" The Time of my Departure is at hand; I have fought the good Fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give me at that Day; and not to me only, but unto all them alfo, that love his appearing." Hence it is evident, the Crown of final Happiness is to be expected, as the Iffue of a Course of faithful Service and Obedience

TITUS.

226. CHAP. I. 1, "The Truth [the Gofpel] is after Godlinefs." ii. 1, "Speak thou the Things which become found Dorine." What is found

Golpel

4

Gospel Doctrine? Anfw. Ver. 2-11, "That aged Men be fober, grave, temperate, &c. The aged Women likewife, that they be in Beha-" viour as becomes Holiness," or holy Women, &c. "That they may teach the young Women to be fober, to love their Husbands, to love their Children, to be difcreet, chafte, Keepers at Home, good, obedient to their own Hufbands, &c. Young Men likewife exhort to be fober-minded. In all Things fhewing thyself a Pattern of good Works. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto their own Mafters," &c.- -That the Doctrine, which teaches us Godliness, Sobriety, right Behaviour in every Relation, and the Performance of all good Works, is the found, uncorrupt doctrine of the Gofpel, the Apoftle proves, Ver. 11-14, "For the Grace of God, which brings Salvation [93] unto all men*, has appeared, teaching us, that denying Ungodliness and worldly Lufts, we fhould live foberly, righteously, and godly in this prefent world; looking for that bleffed Hope, and the Appearing of the Glory of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar People [132] zealous of good Works." This clearly fhews, that the Gospel is a Scheme for promoting Virtue and Holinefs and that Redemption, and the Grace of God which brings Salvation unto all Men, or freely admits Men of all Degrees, upon their profeffed Faith, to the Privileges and Bleffings of God's peculiar People, doth not immediately and abfolutely fecure our final Salvation; but, in order to that, we must be purified from Iniquity, and zealous of good Works. 227. Chap. III. 19. Paul fhews Titus, how to inftruct the Cretans to make a due Improvement of their Christian Principles and Obligations, inculcating the fame Things, as above, under a different Form. Ver. 8, "Thefe Things I will that thou affirm conftantly," or eftablish, as Principles, among them, for this End, "that they who be lieve in God be careful to maintain good Works;" of which he gives fome Inftances, Ver. 1, 2, " to be fubject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magiftrates, to be ready to every good Work. To fpeak Evil of no Man, to be no Brawlers, but gentle, fhewing all Meekness to all Men."

228. Now the Principles and Obligations, which he ought to affirm and establish, in order to inforce the Practice of fuch good Works, are contained in Ver. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; “ For we ourfelves alfo were fometimes [in our Gentile State] foolish, difobedient, deceived, ferved divers Lufts and Pleasures, &c. But after that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared, not by Works of Righteousness, which we have done, but according to his Mercy he faved us, by the Washing + of Regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghoft, which he fhed on us abundantly, through Jefus Chrift our Saviour; that being [thus] juftified by his Grace, we should be made Heirs [108] according to the Hope of eternal Life." Then he adds, Ver. 8, "This is a faithful Saying," or, this is perfectly true, and the real Senfe of the Gofpel," and thefe Things I will

"Unto all Men,"] that is, unto all Ranks and Degrees of Men, Servants as well as Masters, Ver 9, 10.

The Jewish Nation is faid to be washed, when it was born [44, 125, 183, Note, 185, 1ft Note.]

VOL. III.

Сс

will that thou affirm conftantly, [for this End and Purpose] that they, who have believed in God, may be careful to maintain good Works *.

229. Here it is plain, 1. That the Chriftians of Crete were "Saved by the washing of Regeneration, and Renewing of the Holy Ghost," shed on them, an that they were juftified and "made Heirs of the Hope of eternal Life." 2. That they were not " faved, juftified, &c. by Works of Righteousness they had done;" for they had been "foolish, difobedient," &c. But by the Kindnefs, Love, and Mercy of God. 3. Notwithstanding they were thus faved and juftified, &c. and believed in God, their final State was not hereby determined, without their being "careful to maintain good Works." 4. Their prefent Salvation and Juftification, muft be inculcated upon them, in order to induce them to be "careful to maintain good Works." And therefore, 5. The Grace and Privileges of the Gofpel, they then enjoyed, muft be confidered as a Principle or Motive [168] under the Influence of which they were to bring forth good Works; without which they would be unfruitful, according to Ver. 14, "And let ours alfo learn to maintain good Works for neceffary Uses, that they be not unfruitful "

HEBREWS.

230. Prior State.] Jews. The Apoftle writes to the Hebrews, or the Jewish Chriftians inhabiting Judea. And they were,

231. Anteced.] iii. 1," Holy Brethren, [127, 106] Partakers of the heavenly Calling" iv. 1, They had "a Promise left them of entering into God's Reft [109];" vi. 4, 5, They" were enlightened, and had tafted of the heavenly Gift, and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghoft, and had tafted the good Word of God, and the Powers of the World to come;" Ver. 7, They were the Earth, or Ground, upon which the Rain fell; The Covenant, mentioned Chap. viii. 10, 11, 12, and x. 16, 17, Wherein God promises the Houfe of Ifrael to be their God, and takes them for his People, grants them clearer Discoveries of his Nature and Will, and a full Remiffion of Sins, is fuppofed to be made with them; ix. 12, Chrift had obtained eternal Redemption for them;" Ver. 15, They were called, and had "received the Promife of the eternal Inheritance;" Ver. 24," Christ appeared in the Prefence of God for them;" x. 10, They were "fanctified [124] through the Offering of the Body of Jefus Chrift once for all;" Ver. 19, 21, They had Boldness to enter into the Holieft by the Blood of Jefus, &c. They were the Houfe [128] of God, over which he had fet Chrift as a High Prieft; Ver. 32, They were illuminated; xii. 22, 23, 24, They were "come unto Mount Sion [115], and to the City [114] of the living God, the heavenly Jerufalem [115], and to an innumerable Company of Angels, to the general affembly, and Church [133] of the Firstborn, + which are written, or inroll'd [116], in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect, and to Jefus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the Blood of Sprinkling ;"

*Here Paul exhorts Titus to preach in the true Apoftolic Method of Preaching to Chriftians. [185, 4th Note.]

This is explained in the Note upon Rom. iv. 13.