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9 But he claimed the power to receive that very support which he yet chose to forego. (See note 1 Cor. ix. 15.)

10 The Christian dares not to be idle.

work, neither should he eat.

11 Idleness leads to sin. Busybodies can seldom fill up their hours even innocently! Yet must they, one day, give strict and solemn account.

12 Shame and disgrace attend the bread of dependency, if it be required by idleness. When sickness and misfortune come, then it would be pride

able to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

to refuse benevolence.

13 Patience is the fruit of a firm and high-couraged faith.

15 How tender to another's faults is that Apostle, who is so unsparing towards his own. The truly good

are ever so.

The Lord

The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy.

CHAPTER I.

MARCH 18, JULY 17, Nov. 13.

1 So we, the ministers of the Gospel, claim to be heard, as speaking by the authority of God.

2 St. Paul converted Timothy; and appointed him bishop of Ephesus.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou

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mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
'neither give heed to fables and
endless genealogies, which
minister questions, rather than
godly edifying which is in
faith: so do. Now the end of

The Jews invented various gene-
alogies of their descent, from Abra-
ham and David, to show their high
claims to be accounted holy.

5 Mutual good-will upon a principle of holy faith, is a clear and intelli

gible evidence of true religion.

the commandment is charity
out of a pure heart, and of a
good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some
having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring
to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they
say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law
is good, if a man use it law-
fully; knowing this, that
the law is not made for a
righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the
ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers
of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whore-
mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for
menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any
other thing that is contrary 11 The pure moral law is but en-

The moral law is of universal
interest.

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9 It is by the laws that good men are protected from the evil; and that wickedness is punished.

to sound doctrine; "accord- larged by the glorious Gospel.
ing to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was com-
mitted to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who
hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me
into the ministry; 13 who was
before a blasphemer, and a
persecutor, and injurious:

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13 St. Paul is so humble that he never loses sight of his former sin and unworthiness.

16 The Apostle holds forth his own example, for ever to check despair.

but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners; of whom I
am chief.
Howbeit for this
cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should
hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour
and glory for ever and ever.
Amen. is This charge I com-
mit unto thee, son Timothy,
according to the prophecies
which went before on thee,

18 He expects Timothy to realize the bright hopes entertained of him, as one of whom it was revealed that

he should hold the faith in righteous

ness.

that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

The falling away of others from their faith, should be to us a warning; even as a shipwrecked vessel stranded, warns the sailor from the rock.

CHAPTER II.

MARCH 19, JULY 18, Nov. 14.

1 I EXHORT therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of

1 How admirably does the Church observe this apostolic injunction for a set form of public worship.

2 A good government watches well that the godly and honest are protected in their quiet and peaceable life: and the early Christians prayed

for the authorities, under whose

dominion they were; because "the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, He turneth it whithersoever He will.” (Prov. xxi. 1.)

God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

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For there is one God,

and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus! who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Not

7 St. Paul was specially called to the apostleship.

Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of

8 Without any uncharitable feeling towards man; without any wavering in truth before God. Prayer is also to be offered in faith and charity.

9 The best ornament is that of a meek and quiet spirit. What sure blessing does such a spirit diffuse over the sacredness of home!

withstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Art thou a mother? Remember thine hour of maternal trial-how thou didst cry unto the Lord, and He did hear thee, and how thou didst then make thy vow to serve Him! He heard thy prayer-and, he heard thy heart's row! Pay that vow by a life exemplary in "faith, in holiness, in charity." "Receive the cup of salvation; and call upon the name of the Lord."

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CHAPTER III.

THIS is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of 6 He must not be one, newly conGod?) not a novice, lest verted. being lifted up with pride he devil. Moreover he must

1 To minister the holy things of God is indeed a good and blessed work! 2 Sobriety of mind is a noble feature in character-it implies a spirit of rectitude; neither elevated by prosperity, nor depressed by adversity. 3 These vices were flagrant amen the heathen priesthood.

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have a good report of them

fall into the condemnation of the 7 His character must be irreproachable before men.

which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9holding the mystery of the 9 Sincere in their adoption of the faith in a pure conscience.

Christian faith.

And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found 11 The example of Christian wives blameless. 11 Even so must has indeed a wide and powerful intheir wives be grave, not slan- fluence. (See note 1 Pet. iii. 1.) derers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come 15 How plain, how bold, how affeeunto thee shortly: 15 but if I tionate is this address! The Church tarry long, that thou mayest is the truth. know how thou oughtest to

behave thyself in the house of

God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and

ground of the truth.
16 And
without controversy great is
the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of
angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

16 Who shall wonder that a revela

tion from the eternal invisible God should be, to us, past finding out? it. But woe to those who therefore The Gospel is a mystery-we allow reject it. Is not God past finding

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out?

CHAPTER IV.

MARCH 20, JULY 19, Nov. 15.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from

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3 True religion consists not in rejecting God's gifts, but in receiving them thankfully, and using them wisely.

the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word

of God and prayer. "If thou put the brethren in remem

6 Caution against prevailing error must ever constitute part of Christian teaching.

brance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast 7 The duties of practical religion attained. But refuse pro- are always before us.

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fane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily ex- 8 Not outward observances, but ercise profiteth little but heartfelt godliness, give a life of godliness is profitable unto peace, and a death of hope. all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.

through the living God which sus10 It is this hope of eternal life tains the overlaboured, the afflicted, the persecuted.

11 Teach these things with authority -for thou art commissioned thereto of God.

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