An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Hitherto we have considered the Inscription; we now come to the Salutation, which is in these words, and it containeth matter of prayer. It is not any earthly or temporal mercy he prayeth for, but what is heavenly and spiritual. The Apostle Paul doth constantly use this Salutation; only in both those Epistles to Timothy and Titus, which were Church-officers, he interposeth Mercy between Grace and Peace. Calvin thinketh he putteth it in his Salutation to Timothy, because of his dear affection and love to him; but why should he do it to Titus also? Certainly it ought to be considered, that only to Church-officers he useth this Salutation. Some think, because the work of the Ministry meets with much malice and froward opposition from wicked men, which made Paul pray, that God would deliver him from unreasonable, absurd men, who are led only by humours and passions, not by Reason and Religion. Therefore seeing those that do faithfully discharge their trust, meet with little favour and love from men; hence it is that he doth in a peculiar manner pray for mercy to them. Others they think the word is inserted, because of the great difficulty of the Ministry, it being a burden too heavy even for Angels shoulders: Insomuch that Chrysostom thought, Few Church-officers could be saved. Seeing then the work is so great, so much grace is required to manage it, and the best have failings, therefore they need the mercy prayed for. But this by the way.

HItherto we have considered the Inscription; we now come to the Salutation, which is in these words, and it containeth matter of prayer. It is not any earthly or temporal mercy he prayeth for, but what is heavenly and spiritual. The Apostle Paul doth constantly use this Salutation; only in both those Epistles to Timothy and Titus, which were Church-officers, he interposeth Mercy between Grace and Peace. Calvin thinketh he putteth it in his Salutation to Timothy, because of his dear affection and love to him; but why should he do it to Titus also? Certainly it ought to be considered, that only to Church-officers he useth this Salutation. Some think, because the work of the Ministry meets with much malice and froward opposition from wicked men, which made Paul pray, that God would deliver him from unreasonable, absurd men, who are led only by humours and passions, not by Reason and Religion. Therefore seeing those that do faithfully discharge their trust, meet with little favour and love from men; hence it is that he doth in a peculiar manner pray for mercy to them. Others they think the word is inserted, because of the great difficulty of the Ministry, it being a burden too heavy even for Angels shoulders: Insomuch that Chrysostome thought, Few Church-officers could be saved. Seeing then the work is so great, so much grace is required to manage it, and the best have failings, therefore they need the mercy prayed for. But this by the way.