A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

but with lowliness of mind, and meekness was as the Servant of them all; with that love, tenderness, compassion and fervency as he could not but testify by many Tears. Here is the great Example for Dispensers of the Gospel. We have not his Grace, we have not his Gifts, we have not his ability or assistance, and so are not able to come up unto him; but yet certainly it is our Duty to follow him though haud passibus aequis, and to conform our selves unto him according to our Opportunity and Ability. I confess I cannot but admire to think, what some men conceive concerning him or themselves? Can they say that from the first day of their coming into their Dioceses or Dignities, or Parishes or Places, they have thus behaved themselves? Have they so taught, so preached, so warned, and that with Tears, night and day all sorts of persons, whom they suppose themselves to relate unto? Have they made it their work to declare the Mysteries of the Gospel, and the whole counsel of God, and this both publicly and privately, night and day according to their Opportunities? It will be said indeed that these things belonged unto the Duty and Office of the Apostles, but those that succeed them as ordinary Overseers of the Church, may live in another manner, and have other work to do. If they should carry it with that humility of mind as he did, and use entreaties with Tears as he did, and Preach continually as he did, they should have little joy of their Office, and besides they should be even despised of the People. These things therefore they suppose not to belong unto them. Yea but our Apostle gives this whole Account concerning himself unto the ordinary Bishops of the Church of Ephesus, ver. 17, 28. And in the close of it tells them, that he hath showed them all things how they ought to do, ver. 35. And what he apprehended to be the Duty of all to whom the Dispensation of the Word is committed, he manifests in his last solemn charge that he left with his Son Timothy a little before his Death, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom, Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine; so ver. 5. He did no more himself than what he requires in Timothy according to the proportion of his Abilities.

but with lowliness of mind, and meekness was as the Servant of them all; with that love, tenderness, compassion and fervency as he could not but testifie by many Tears. Here is the great Example for Dispensers of the Gospel. We have not his Grace, we have not his Gifts, we have not his ability or assistance, and so are not able to come up unto him; but yet certainly it is our Duty to follow him though haud passibus aequis, and to conform our selves unto him according to our Opportunity and Ability. I confess I cannot but admire to think, what some men conceive concerning him or themselves? Can they say that from the first day of their coming into their Diocesses or Dignities, or Parishes or Places, they have thus behaved themselves? Have they so taught, so preached, so warned, and that with Tears, night and day all sorts of persons, whom they suppose themselves to relate unto? Have they made it their work to declare the Mysteries of the Gospel, and the whole counsel of God, and this both publickly and privately, night and day according to their Opportunities? It will be said indeed that these things belonged unto the Duty and Office of the Apostles, but those that succeed them as ordinary Overseers of the Church, may live in another manner, and have other work to do. If they should carry it with that humility of mind as he did, and use entreaties with Tears as he did, and Preach continually as he did, they should have little joy of their Office, and besides they should be even despised of the People. These things therefore they suppose not to belong unto them. Yea but our Apostle gives this whole Account concerning himself unto the ordinary Bishops of the Church of Ephesus, ver. 17, 28. And in the close of it tells them, that he hath shewed them all things how they ought to do, ver. 35. And what he apprehended to be the Duty of all to whom the Dispensation of the Word is committed, he manifests in his last solemn charge that he left with his Son Timothy a little before his Death,