1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4:1

THe Spirit] the holy Ghost hath revealed this to the Apostles, and Prophets under the Gospell In latter times] namely, in the time of Christianity, which is the last age of the World, after which followeth the everlasting estate of the Church, Hebrews 1:2. 1 Peter 1:2. but especially towards the end of the World Seducing Spirits] to false Doctors, who shall boast of being inspired and sent by God, See 1 John 4:1.

1 Timothy 4:2

Seared] that shall have left all manner of feeling, and motion of conscience: as a cautery applied to some part of the body, deads it, and causeth it to fall, See Romans 1:28. Ephes. 4. 19. Jude〈◊〉.

1 Timothy 4:3

Forbidding] not absolutely to all persons, but onely to some, under pretence of greater holinesse, See Colossians 2:22-23. From meats] namely, from certaine kinds of meats Which beleeve] who onely have, as they are Gods children, right to make use of his goods and creatures, whereas the wicked before God, are onely usurpers of them.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every] he gives a reason why he hath said this forbidding of meats, to be a divellish thing Is good] that is to say, the use thereof in it selfe is pure and lawfull, as touching the conscience before God.

1 Timothy 4:5

It is] God by his Word and Ordinance hath declared the use thereof to be lawfull, especially for believers, who in Christ have gotten a new right to the creatures Psal. 8. 6. Romans 4:13. and besides, the said use is actually sanctified by them, by the religious acknowledgement which they make thereof to God by calling upon his Name.

1 Timothy 4:6

Thou shalt be] thou shalt in effect shew thy selfe to be such a one Attained] or which thou hast carefully followed.

1 Timothy 4:7

Fables] vaine humane imaginations: as if in outward austeritie, in abstinences, fasts, (which he cals disciplines, and exercises of the bodie) did consist true holinesse before God.

1 Timothy 4:8

Little] seeing all the good that it can doe is but to tame the members of the body, and their externall motions and actions, 1 Corinthians 9:27. without sanctifying the heart, and the inward part of man, as lively faith, and the love and feare of God doth, See Romans 8:13.

1 Timothy 4:10

For therefore] of this infallible vertue of Gods promises made to true pietie; the afflictions which I and all true believers doe voluntarily suffer, are a verie good proofe; for it were a greatfolly to suffer so much without any certaine hope The Saviour] the preserver of mens naturall and temporall being in generall, and especially of the everlasting and spirituall being of his children.

1 Timothy 4:12

Despise] doe not thou give any occasion of having it despised, but make it venerable by thy vertuous carriage in thine office In Spirit] in holy zeale and in spirituall, and heroicke motions and actions.

1 Timothy 4:13

To reading] to the study and meditation of the holy Scripture To exhortation] under this part and the following is comprehended the whole Evangelicall ministery.

1 Timothy 4:14

Neglect not] exercise carefully thy calling of Evangelist, revive, manure, and strengthen the gifts, which thou hast received thereby Which was given thee] God having declared thy vocation, not by votes of humane or ordinary election, but by propheticke revelation; and expresse oracle, signified to the Church by the Prophets, See Acts 13:1-2. 1 Timothy 1:18. With the laying on] not to adde, by mans meanes, any weight to the divine calling; but onely for a signe of consecration, and blessing Of the Presbyterie] the Italian, Of the Elders; namely, of the pastors, and other guides of the Church.

1 Timothy 4:15

To all] or in all things.

1 Timothy 4:16

Both save thy selfe] thou shalt avoid the condemnation for not having to the uttermost of thy power procured the salvation of soules, Ezekiel 33:9. and shalt hold on a secure way in thy calling to attaine unto eternall happinesse, Philippians 2:12. and shalt be an instrument of salvation to thy hearers, Rom. 15 14. 1 Corinthians 9:22.