1. Though his Epistles were long (for it is the longest of all the Apostles Epistles, except that to the Romans, and the first to the Corinths) yet the exhortations of this Epistle were but few; for it is spent for the most part in matters of Doctrine; and in that respect they might the more patiently bear his exhortations.
2. His exhortations were but few and short in comparison of their need; for he might have filled large Treatises with his exhortations, if he had enlarged them according to their need. Now seeing he had so contracted himself, and called out such only as he thought most needful and useful, and comparatively were but few, they ought the more patiently to suffer them.
3. If the whole Epistle be comprised under this phrase, Word of Exhortation, it is no very long one; but may very well be styled, A few words.
⟨p. 148⟩4. This Direction may be given unto them in reference to the Apostles Sermons, and the preaching of other Ministers; as if he had intended that they should not content themselves with this bare Epistle, which was but in few words, but also suffer the Exhortations of their Ministers (whether himself or others) because thereby they might more largely, and more pertinently, according to several occasions, be instructed and exhorted by their Ministers from time to time. The Apostles Epistles lay down a foundation, which was further to be built upon by the Ministry of such as God from time to time should set over them.
1. Though his Epistles were long (for it is the longest of all the Apostles Epistles, except that to the Romans, and the first to the Corinths) yet the exhortations of this Epistle were but few; for it is spent for the most part in matters of Doctrine; and in that respect they might the more patiently bear his exhortations.
2. His exhortations were but few and short in comparison of their need; for he might have filled large Treatises with his exhortations, if he had enlarged them according to their need. Now seeing he had so contracted himself, and called out such only as he thought most needfull and usefull, and comparatively were but few, they ought the more patiently to suffer them.
3. If the whole Epistle be comprized under this phrase, Word of Exhortation, it is no very long one; but may very well be styled, A few words.
⟨p. 148⟩4. This Direction may be given unto them in reference to the Apostles Sermons, and the preaching of other Ministers; as if he had intended that they should not content themselves with this bare Epistle, which was but in few words, but also suffer the Exhortations of their Ministers (whether himself or others) because thereby they might more largely, and more pertinently, according to several occasions, be instructed and exhorted by their Ministers from time to time. The Apostles Epistles lay down a foundation, which was further to be built upon by the Ministry of such as God from time to time should set over them.
