1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:1

DEsire] namely, if he be moved by a holy and sincere affection to consecrate himself to God in the service of the Church, and therein imploy those gifts which he hath received from him.

1 Timothy 3:2

Blamelesse] that is to say, Not infamous for any publike or offensive blame or vice, nor stained with any equall qualitie incompatible with that holy office The husband] that is, Not married to two wives at once, according to the inveterate abuse amongst the Jews; nor hath not a concabine and a lawfull wife, according to the licenciousnesse of the Gentiles; nor hath not married a second woman after he hath put away the first, without any lawfull cause.

1 Timothy 3:3

Not greedy of] or not desirous to make any dishonest gain.

1 Timothy 3:4

Gravity] in the father, or reverence in the children.

1 Timothy 3:6

A novice] namely, one newly come into the Church, and not yet sufficiently instructed and confirmed in the Christian faith He fall into] he make not himself guilty of that sinne for which the Devill hath been condemned and rejected of God, namely, of pride, for having a sacred office and divine dignity, see 2 Peter 2:4. Jude 1:6.

1 Timothy 3:7

He must have] that those who are not members of the Church may have cause to speak well of him, being witnesses of his holy and laudable conversation The snare] namely, in some occasion of infamy to his own person, of prejudice to his ministery, and of blemish to the profession of the Gospell through the deceits of the Devill.

1 Timothy 3:8

Double tongued] speaking sometimes one thing, and sometimes another, or meaning one thing and speaking another: a vice contrary to the simplicity required in good Deacons,Romans 12:8. in whom there ought alwayes to bee a perpetuall agreement of words, and of acts of true charity.

1 Timothy 3:9

The mystery] namely, the sacred Doctrine of the Gospell, which is hidden to flesh and blood, and which God alone can reveale, Matth. 16. 17. and in the exercising of which, consisteth the highest and perfectest service of God.

1 Timothy 3:11

Their wives] namely, Bishops and Deacons wives.

1 Timothy 3:13

Purchase to themselves] they make themselves fitting and worthy to be promoted to higher degrees in the Churches service Boldnesse] the Italian, Liberty; for a pure life freeth one from the fear of reproaches, and gaineth authority and credit with the hearers; and generally, a good conscience is alwayes bold In the faith] namely, in the preaching of Christian Doctrine.

1 Timothy 3:15

The pillar] by whose ministery the authority, dignity, knowledge, vertue, and use of the truth of the Gospell ought to be preserved in the world, and maintained against all errours, contradictions and corruptions, whereunto nothing is more adverse or prejudiciall then the vitious life of those that preach it.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without] as in the mysteries and most sacred actions under the law; and also in the false mysteries of the Gentiles, there was a most exact purification required before they could be admitted to them: much more is it necessary in the Gospell, which is the onely holy and Soveraigne mysterie Of godlinesse] not onely of ceremonies, as Moses his Law, nor of prophane superstitions, as the Gentiles mysteries, but a most holy and truely religious mysterie, by which God is served in Spirit and truth God] namely, the everlasting Sonne of God, true God with his Father, hath taken upon him human nature, and in it hath manifested himselfe unto the world, for to be the true Messias and promised Redeemer, who untill that time, was hidden in Gods counsell, and under his promises Justified] fullie approved of before Gods judgement Seate, as having perfectly fulfilled all righteousnesse, especially in what belonged to his office of Redeemer: and by that meanes was delivered from death and from all paines, and crowned with deserved glorie, Esay 53. 8. and besides, plainely, declared what he is, against all the false judgements, contradictions, and calumnies of the World, by his glorious resurrection, Matth. 11. 19. Luke 7:35 : Romans 1:4. In the Spirit] in the power of his Godhead, by which he hath fulfilled his office, Hebrews 9:14. the truth whereof he hath caused to appeare by his resurrection, Romans 1:4. 1 Peter 3:18. Seen of the Angels] being risen, he caused the Angels first to behold the accomplishment of Gods promises, and of the Worlds salvation, which they fervently expected, and desired, Matth. 28. 2. Marke 16. 5. Luke 24:4.

John 20:12. Ephes. 3. 10. 1 Peter 1:12.