Tit. 1. 5. plained.

See pag. 24

Tim.4.9.

quiring a perpetual obfervance,he would have used words of more authority then to befeech them to do them.

This might fuffice in answer to this Scripture, but because Presbyters ufually couple it with Tit. 1.5. whence they wrestledly collect, Titus his temporary fettlement, because he is faid to be left at Creet. I fhall vindicate that text alfo, and speak fomewhat more of the unworthinefs of thofe men, in their impofing upon vulgar capacities. And

1. The word left is not onely used of an occasional dropping cx-of men at a strange place, but of leaving them at their habitations and fettled rendence. Thus Act. 18, 18, 19, And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the Brethren, and Jayled thence into Syria, and with him Aquila and Prifcilla; having fhorn his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow ; and be came to Ephefus, and left them there. The word naziım, there rendered left, is the fame word fo rendered in the text of Titus, and Epbefus was the place of Aquila's and Prifcilla's * refidence, Tim. 4. 19.

.

2. The faftening of fuch interpretations upon S. Paul's ordinations of Timothy and Titus, unto the great works of preaching the Gospel,and Church-Government, as that he precarionfly employed the one at Ephefus, and cafually left the other at Creet, is undoubtedly injurious, both to the Apoftles gravity, and the "facredness of the work; VVhen our Saviour fent forth the fift Preachers, he continued all night in prayer, Luc. 6. 13. and if this be not written for minifterial imitation, but lefs folemnity will ferve the turn; yet Timothy muft forget how flightly he was complemented into his work, when he yeilds obedience unto the precept in 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay bands fuddenly upon no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins; keep thy felf pure, Proceed we now to the reft of the Scriptures urged by Presbyters, in proof of Timothy's travails.

be

Do thy dili- A fecond Scripture urged against Timothy's refidence at Ephegence to come fus, is, 2 Tim. 4. 9. Do thy diligence to come to me quicklie. to me quickly, objected.

Answer.

I answer:

Fift, This falfly fuppofeth, but proveth not Timothy's abfence 1. Their in- from Epbejus, aud till fuch proof can be produced, it strongly ference from maintains his refidence there, until the date of the fecoud Ethence, is a piltle.

on.

falle fuppofiti-Secondly, 'Tis no certain confequerce that Timothy went be2. It doth not caufe S. Paul defired him: the Apoftles own Councils were offollow from ten broken off in fuch cafual appointments. Thus, Rom. 1. 13

he text.

Now.

Now I would not have you ignorant,Brethren, that oftentimes I purpofed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) that I might have fime fruit among yon alfo, even as among other Gentiles. Thus 1 Theff. 2. 18. Wherefore we would have come unto you, (even I Paul) once and again, but Satan bindered us. And why might not Satan, or other impediment, hinder Timothy in like cafe, especially if S. Paul were in fuch inftantaneous hazard of death, as he fpeaks of 3. Granting 2 Tim.4.6. their infe

3. Suppofe Timothy went to Rome upon S. Paul's defire, he rence it proves nothing, unless might, yea he muft return again to Ephefits, because neither S. Timothy were Paul's defire, nor Timothy's obedience unto it, could discharge discharged him of his office, no more then a married Son, is divorced from his relafrom his VVife, by visiting his dying Father, upon his intreation to the Ephefine wall

ty.

Church

A third and laft Scripture is urged by the Wight Divines to 2 Tim.4.12. prove Timothy's Errantry, it is 2 Tim. 4. 12. Tyebicus have I fent Tychicus have to Epbefus. I sent to Ephe Anfr. This as the former falfly fuppofeth, but proves not sus, objected Timothy's abfenced E

Answer yo

1. Their infe 2. Tis.na good confequence to say, Timothy is not at Ephefus, rence is a falfe because Tychicus is fent thither, when nothing is more ufual in fuppofition. fanxiliar Letters, paffing betwixt Friend and Friend, then to 2. Tis no good acquaint each other of other Friends coming into their parts, 3. Tisa fingu confequence. whom they may vifit, or by whom they may be vifited.

lar and novel

3. The text hath onely two current fenfes among Expofitors, glos either of which ruine this glofs of the Wight Divines: fome fay, In toc. S.Paulards he hath fent Tychicus to fupply Timothy's place in his abfence,as a motive to quicken and haften Timothy upon his Jour-Timothy's refis dence at Ephe ney. Thus Calvin, Pomeranus, Pifcator, Lightfoot, and A Lapideas, maintains Others fay, Tychicus was the exprefs by whom S. Paul fent this ed by four pro Epiftle unto Timothy, fo Baronius and Pelecanus, s

pofitions.

Thus have we examined what hath been faid in proof of Timo Prop. The thy's temporary abode at Ephesus, and are fo far unsatisfied with was fent to 77the affirming arguments, that as a Coronis and conclufion to this mothy at Ephe part of the Dispute, we will take the Opponents part, and argue Jus. for his fettlement. This we fhall do in proof of feveral fitions, whereof let this be the first.

propo

Confirmed. 1. Therein S. Paul com

First Propofition: Timothy was at Ephesus when the fecond Epi plained of the ftle was fent unto bim. VVe prove it,

Afiaticks Un

1. Because therein S. Paul complains of the Afiaticks unkinde- kindness to nefs to him at Rome, as a thing well known to Timothy, 2 Tim. him at Rome, as a thing well 7. 15. Tois thou knowest, that all those of Afia be turned away from known to Ti

H 2

me mothy.

me, of whom is Hermogenes and Phygellus. The term all is not to be taken univerfally for every one fimply, but Indefinitely, for a great many, becaule Onefiphorus is excepted by name, as an adherer to the Apostle, both at Ephefus, and Rome. And this allo was known to Timothy, 2Tim. 1, 16, 17, 18. The Lord give mercy to the boufe of Onefiphorus, for he oft refreshed me, and was not afhamed of my chain, but when he was at Rome, he fought me out diligently, and found me, the Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day; and in how many thingt he miniftred unto me at Ephelus thou knoweft very well. These two Texts com pared together adminifter matter to a probable Argument, for Timothies refidence at Ephesus at the mission of this Epiftle, but the next puts it out of all difpute,

2. He wills Ti- Secondly, St. Paul toward the latter end of this Epistle, wills mothy to falute Aquila, Prif- Timorby to falute the houshold of Onefiphorus, and Aquila and cilla, and the Prifcilla, 2 Tim. 4. 19. Salute Prifcilla and Aquila, and the boufhouthold of hold of Onefiphorus; all these were Ephefians. That Aquila and Onefphorus. Prifcilla were, appears, A&t. 18. 18, 19. The like concerning the Fuille tamen family of Onefiphorus, is evident by 2 Tim. I. 16, 17, 18. Now adbuc Ephef, Timothy could not give S. Paul's falutations to them,nor would quum ad cum fcriberetur the Apostle have impofed it upon him, unless they had been his " becepiftola, neighbours. This occafioned Calvin to say, Timothy was yeb at quia lub finem Ephesus when this Epistle was written to him becaufe nigh the end of Aquilam Prie fcillamosi,S. Paul Jalutes Aquila and Priscilla, and Qrefphorus. Yea farnefiphorum fathers lutat. Calv.

proem. in

2 Tim dar

whom he gives

DronedT 2 3. S. Paul reminds Timothy to conteft with the former Afiatick Hereticks, of whom he had forewarned him in the first E3.Here-minds Piftle: this appears by 2 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15. Hold fast the form him to conteft of found words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love, with the fame which is in Christ Jesus; that good thing which was committed to Afiatick Have thee, keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us: This thou knowest, ticks, against that all those which be in Afta, be turned away from me, of whom him charge in are Phygellus and Hermigenes. 2 Tim. 2. 15, 16, 17. Study to the former E- fhem thy felf approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be apistle. hamed, rightly dividing the word of truth: But hun prophane and Avainbablings, for they will encrease to more ungodline, and their word will eat as doth a Canker, of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus, So 1 2 Tim. 4. 14, 15. Alexander the Copperfmith did me much evil, the Lord reward him according to his works, of whom be thou ware alfo, for he greatly withstood our words. Compared with 1 Tim. 1. 3,495,6. As I befought thee to abide still at Epbefus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge fome that they teg

no other doctrine: neither give beed to fables, and endleß genealogies, which m nifter questions, rather then godly edifyings, which is in faith; fo do. Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good confcience, and of faith unfained, from which fome having fwerved, are turned afide to vain jangling. Verf. 19, 20. Halding faith and a good conscience, which some baving put away, concerning faith have made shipwrack, of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blafpheme. These texts compared exhibit thefe parallels: 1. The fame hereticks, Hymeneus and Alexander. 2. The fame end of their heretical Oppofitions, vain jangling, vain babling 3. The fame way and means to refift them: Study to fhew thy felf approved unto God.---Holding faith and a good confciences ve

fame Road

"

4. S. Paul prefcribes Timothy to take the fame road to Rome, 4. He pre which himself had formerly travailed,compare 2Tim.4.13. with fcribes Timo2Cor.2.22.A.20.5.This is Doctor Lightfoots argument, and tran thy to take the fcribed out of his harmony,where who pleaseth may read more, which he the and wherewith we will conclude our proof of our first propo fition.net M. W 23299 16 N Apostle had formerly traSecond Propofition. The fecond Epistle to Timothy was written vailed to Rome Laft of all S. Paul's writings. VVe prove it,

Harm. on New

P. 134.

By an examination of the feveral opinions about the date of Teftament. this Epiftle, and confirmation of the trueft and most probable. 2. Prop. The Interpreters, are divided into two opinions in this matter. fecond Epiftle Some fay, It was written A. C. 59. or the firft year of S. Paul's toTimothy was arrival at Rome, mentioned Act. 27. This is the modern Opi written thenion. fequor Baronium.

Paul's wri

Others date it the laft of S. Paul's writings, or in A. C. 69. tings. the Apostle in that year fuffering Martyrdom under Nero. This Two opinions is the ancient Opinion, we will confider both in order af hus about the date The Modern Opinion, suppose it were true, allows the fecond. Modern, propounded. Epiftle to be written two full years diftant from the date of the which dates it first Epistle, the fané Authors acknowledging that to be writ A. C. 59. ten in A. C. 57. this in A. C. 59. whence, and by our proof of 2. Ancient, the former propofition, it appears Timothy was not fo abfolutely The Modern difcharged of his official Relation to the Church of Ephefis, by opinion confithe charge at Miletum, but twoyears (or four years if Lightfoot's dered and recomputation be exact) afterwards we finde him there engaged jected. upon his old works.

1. Of Ordination, 2 Tim. 2. 2. And the fame things that thou haft beard of me, the fame commit thou to faithful men," (fisi arūnai–

A. C. 69.

In loc.

'

who shall be able Cixar) to teach ethers alfo. Thefe Qualifications, mi, and in in the work of teaching, are peculiarly requifite to Church-officers, 1 Tim.1.12. 1 Cor. 15. 9. 2 Gor.

2.16.

2. Of Vigilancie against Hæreticks, 2 Tim. 2. 14. 2 Tim. 4..5.. with 1 Tim. 1.39 4. and 2 Tim. 2. 17. 2 Tim.4.14,15, with a Tim. 1. 20.

But we must wave thefe advantages, and dare not admit modern Waiters to have recovered the true date of this Epistle, for as the foot of their accompt, ftands upon meer conjectures, Baron. ad. A. (read Baronius and Efthius, its chief Propugnators) fo we must C.59. Eft. proem. in 2 Tim. have all it grants, and a great deal more, neither will the Reader think we demand too much, when he hath weigh'd our Reafons why this fecend Epiftle was not writ onely two, but Lightfoot Har twelve years (or fourteen years, according to the accompts of in loc. Ham Doctor Hammond, and Lightfoot) after the Apostle gave the mond proem in Ephefine Elders their charge at Miletum. 2 Tim.

An Objection

But although neither of the conjectures of Baronins, or Effhi16, are worthy of our or the Readers notice, yet learned. Do&tor Hammond concurs with them, and (as is his manner) affignes a fair probability for his fo doing;, he faith, 'Tis not fo probable that S. Paul fhould remember his perfecutions at Antioch, Iconium and Lyftra, 2 Tim. 3, 11. and what Alexander had done to him at Ephefus, Acts 19. 33. and repeat them to Timothy, computation, fourteen years after the fact, and just before his death; as at hi Ham proem in first coming to Rome, which was but four years after he suffered

of Dr. Ham monds in fa

vour of the modera

2 Tim.

them.

To which I answer, 1. S.Pauls principfcope in this Epiftle was, to encourage Timothy unto conftancy and ftedfaftness at his work, whatever troubles and afflictions befel him: To back and ftrengthen which Exhortation, he ufeth (as other Arguments,) fo an argument deduced and drawn from his own example: To draw which to the life, he interweaves all, or the most eminent part of his fore-paffed fufferings; and prefents, it in one piece unto Timothy, as being the face of a man of forrows, well known unto him, 2 Tim. 3.11,12. But thou baft fully known, &c. And whereas the Doctor argues from the intervenient time, betwixt the Apoftles fufferings, and the date of this fecond Epiftle, thereby to invalidate the ancient opinion; we retort it, and fay, the longer it was that fome, or all of thofe troubles befel S. Paul; their urging, was the more likely way to encourage young Timothy to do or fu