A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Reas. There is great use of reading of the Scriptures.

1 It helps Knowledge much, 1 Tim. 3.15.

2 It helps to make a right use of what we hear; yea it sets such an edge on the Word heard, that though the preaching did not so throughly affect, yet by reading, they come to quicken Faith, Act. 17.11, 12. though the Word prepared their hearts, and made them attentive; yet till again they read, and revised, and meditated on what they had heard, their Faith was in suspense, but after they saw the agreement of his public Doctrine with the word, then many of them believed, not that God doth ordinarily beget Faith by reading, without hearing; but when we have heard, reading exceedingly quickens our spirits and Faith.

2 It helps to make a right use of what we hear; yea it sets such an edge on the Word heard, that though the preaching did not so throughly affect, yet by reading, they come to quicken Faith, Act. 17.11, 12. though the Word prepared their hearts, and made them attentive; yet till againe they read, and revised, and meditated on what they had heard, their Faith was in suspence, but after they saw the agreement of his publick Doctrin with the word, then many of them beleeved, not that God doth ordinarily beget Faith by reading, without hearing; but when we have heard, reading exceedingly quickens our spirits and Faith.

4 It is a means to confirm us, and establish and help our memories, and stir us up to holy duties.

4 It is a means to confirm us, and establish and help our memories, and stir us up to holy dutyes.

5 It makes the Word more ready in times of temptation, what a marvellous use our Saviour made of the Word, when Satan tempted him? Ephes. 5.17. a man in temptation, will find need of many passages of Scripture.

6 Lastly, another use of reading the Scriptures is, that our joy may be full, 1 John 1.4. reading doth fill our hearts with comfort and consolation, not that reading is sufficient to salvation, no ordinance roots out another, Rom. 10.17. Faith comes by hearing, but though that especially begets faith, yet for sundry other Graces, reading is of special use, at least to quicken and stir up grace; we do not read that God ever blessed reading alone to beget Faith, for God doth not usually bless it alone, but when it is joined with hearing the Word preached; in any congregation where there is only reading of the Word, what one soul is begot to God, comes on to Faith, to Gods fear, to humility, to patience, &c. not but that in such places be found good Christians, but it is, because they go abroad, otherwise it fares with reading, as with the Eunuch, that knew not what he read, Act. 8.30, 31. till Philip declared the interpretation. But yet I say, you old men read, and you young ⟨p. 94⟩men read, and you Children read, and it is a great fault to neglect it, and put it over wholly to little Children, as a petty childish exercise; but what, doth St. John write only to Babes? no, but he writes to young men, and therefore they are to read what he writes; and to old men, and therefore they are to read what he writes, when God laid the charge upon the Kings of Israel, Deu. 17.19. he did not impose it only upon Babes, but whatsoever their employment be, whether they be in war, or sitting in the seat of Judgment, they must let no day pass without reading the Law; no person, but let him read; we shall understand the Word better, and the better remember it, we shall be more stirred up to fear God, to keep his Law, we shall be the better furnished against many temptations, which otherwise will prevail against us; In a word, seeing he wrote to them that they might learn to walk as Christ walked, hence you may comfortably expect, by reading the Word, by laying it up, by praying for a blessing, you may be helped to walk even as Christ walked.

6 Lastly, another use of reading the Scriptures is, that our joy may be full,

I write unto you Fathers, because you have known him that was from the beginning. Who are these Fathers? they are such as are opposed to young men and Babes; therefore he speaks of old men, 1 Tim. 5.2, 3. why doth he call them Fathers? not that they were his Fathers to beget him to God: for before he had called them Brethren; neither is it meant of his natural Father, but he calls them so, even out of very reverence to their age.

Doct. It is the duty of all Christians, yea even of Ministers, to carry themselves to old men as their Fathers.

For this duty belongs to all christians, as well as Ministers; God hath special care to the reverence of old age, for he would have ministers to rebuke with all authority, and yet he would not have them easily rebuke an Elder, Tit. 2, 15. much less is a private person that hath less authority and commission, to deal roundly with elder years, Levit. 19.32. he gives special Commandment to all men to rise up before the hoary head, and reverence the person of the old-man, and dread thy God; implying, that the fear of God requires this duty, as who should say, there is no fear of God in such men as do not reverence the persons of old men.

For this duty belongs to all christians, as well as Ministers; God hath speciall care to the reverence of old age, for he would have ministers to rebuke with all authority, and yet he would not have them easily rebuke an Elder, Tit. 2, 15. much lesse is a private person that hath lesse authority and commission, to deale roundly with elder years, Levit. 19.32. he gives speciall Commandement to all men to rise up before the hoary head, and reverence the person of the old-man, and dread thy God; implying, that the fear of God requires this duty, as who should say, there is no fear of God in such men as doe not reverence the persons of old men.

Reas. God hath stamped on old men the image of his Eternity, as on Magistrates the image of his Sovereignty, God himself is called the ancient of days, so that an old man bears a blush of the image of God; rich men carry the image of Gods Allsufficiency, Magistrates of his Sovereignty, old men of his Eternity.

Reas. God hath stampt on old men the image of his Eternity, as on Magistrates the image of his Soveraingty, God himselfe is called the ancient of dayes, so that an old man bears a blush of the image of God; rich men carry the image of Gods Allsufficiency, Magistrates of his Soveraignty, old men of his Eternity.

Use 1. To teach us to honour old men as our Fathers.

Ʋse 1. To teach us to honour old men as our Fathers.

2 It proves the rudeness of some young men that look at old men as base and contemptible, he speaks of it as a sign of confusion, (Isa. 3.5.) to those persons, when they see the hoary head pass by, rise not up, nor reverence him.

2 It proves the rudenesse of some young men that look at old men as base and contemptible, he speaks of it as a sign of confusion, (Isa. 3.5.) to those persons, when they see the hoary head passe by, rise not up, nor reverence him.

3 It may stir up all young men to reverence old age, and that by a threefold respect.

3 It may stirre up all young men to reverence old age, and that by a threefold respect.

1 In rising up before them, Levit. 19.32.

2 You must show them reverence in speech, as St. John here calls them Fathers.

2 You must shew them reverence in speech, as St. John here calls them Fathers.