1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:3

HOnour] have an especiall care of them, as well to relieve such as are in want, as v. 17. as also to employ such as are vertuous in the Deaconship That are] that have the true qualities of the soule, and vertues befitting Christian widdows, and such as have no other helpe nor assistance, vers. 5 16.

1 Timothy 5:4

But if] I free the Church from this duty of maintaining widdows that have kindred able for to maintaine them First to shew] before the Church he burdened therewith, v. 16.

1 Timothy 5:5

That is] worthy of such a name, and of the respect that is due to such.

1 Timothy 5:6

Is dead] in regard of the feelings, motions, and actions of the spirituall life, which hath no vigor, but when the flesh is brought low, and mortified.

1 Timothy 5:7

These things] besides such things as have been spoken of before, chap. 4. 11.

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any] he confirmes that which he had spoken, v. 4. Hath denied] he doth an act utterly incompatible with the Christian faith, of which he makes profession Infi〈…〉] who oftentimes, through a plain naturall light doe performe these duties, and those which doe faile therein, are more excusable then mercilesse Christians because they are not so well enlightened nor instructed.

1 Timothy 5:9

Be taken into] namely, into the number and colledge of such, as giving over their owne particular affaires, did dedicate themselves to the service of the poore, the sicke, and of strangers, and they themselves were also maintained by publique almes, See Acts 6:1. Romans 16:1. Under three〈…〉] as well to avoid all subject and suspition of scandall, as likewise because that the poore should not want assistance, if the younger widdows chanced to be married on a sudden Having been the wife] that hath not been divorced from her husband without a lawfull cause, and married another, Marke. 10. 12. Others understand it, so that sh〈…〉 hath remained a widdow, after the death of her husband, which was a 〈…〉e of continencie and mortification, as Luke 2:36-37.

1 Timothy 5:10

If sh〈…〉] if she have shewed care, charity, & patience in bringing up her family after the death of her husband, or according to some if she have given them the breast her selfe If she have wished] according to the custome of those times and places, when one had been a journey, and under this act of charity are comprehended all the rest.

1 Timothy 5:11

Refuse] exclude them from this office and publique benefit When they have] after they have renounced the inward mortification of the concupiscences of the flesh, which the Spirit of Christ ingenders in all his true members, and by which the soule is joyned to Christ, as unto her true bride-groome: they doe also pretend to cover this incontinencie with the vaile of matrimonie.

1 Timothy 5:12

Having] they make themselves comdemnable beyond excuse in that having of their owne accord consecrated themselves, to the service of the Church, they doe impudently call backe their vow, to satisfie their lust. Or, because that having beg〈…〉 well, by spirituall acts of faith and piety they end by acts of the flesh, and lasciviousnesse, which is the onely cause of these marriages, whereupon they are also prophaned.

1 Timothy 5:13

And withall] besides this first vice of incontinency the〈…〉 is also that being by their Deaconship freed from the houshold cares and employments of mothers of families, they bestow their idile times in these following vices.

1 Timothy 5:14

I will] I doe appoint it to be so by Apostolicall authority, 1 Timothy 2:8. That the younger] this is but onely to shew what is most convenient for that age and condition; yet not to binde any one absolutely to doe so, but with a lawfull respect to all circumstances, 1 Corinthians 7:8-9. To the adversary] namely, to the divell, and all his instruments, deadly enemies of the Church, 1 Timothy 3:7.

1 Timothy 5:15

Are already] by running into luxurie, whereof the divell is the chiefe authour. Or by falling away from Christian Religion, to abandon themselves the more licenciouslie to their owne lusts.

1 Timothy 5:16

Have widdows] any daughter, mother, sister, or other kinswoman that needeth helpe, but hath not the qualities of Ecclesiasticall widdows.

1 Timothy 5:17

The Elders] whereof some onely looked to the government, and discipline of the Church, the other both to preaching and government Do〈…〉e] above any other member of the Church, or above the Deacons, and Deaconnesses, vers. 3. and under the name of honour, is also comprehended honest maintenance, as it appeares by the following verse.

1 Timothy 5:18

The labourer] a proverbiall kind of speech, and commonly used by the Lord himselfe.

1 Timothy 5:19

Receive not] doe not lightly give credit to any such accusation, to come suddenly to Ecclesiasticall censure and corrections, before the fact be fully verified: for this office is more subject to 〈…〉ders, and being sacred, ought to be respected more then sleight suspitions, or evill reports: and such persons ought not prejudicately be thought capable of any grievous faults, without certaine proofe

1 Timothy 5:20

Them] he seemes particularly to meane the foresaid Elders That sinne] namely, that commit any scandalous fault, or notorious offence Before all] in the full Assembly of the Governours of the Church, Matth. 18. 17. 2 Cr. 2. 6. Galatians 2:14.

1 Timothy 5:21

Without] without passion, and without being persecuted, by any favour or affection, or any disfavour, not judge according to such passions, but according to the righteousnesse and merit of the cause, without preferring one before the other.

1 Timothy 5:22

Ly hands] doe not easily install any one into any Ecclesiasticall Office, without sufficient examination, and triall of his life and conversation Neither be partaker] deale not in such sort, that the dammage comming upon the Church by reason of persons indiscreetly promoted, may be imputed to thee. Or if others be the authours of this rashnesse, do not thou consent unto it, but rather oppose thy selfe.

1 Timothy 5:24

Some mens] this is a confirmation of what he had said vers. 22. namely, not to runne headlong in disposing of Ecclesiasticall Offices, for there are some whose former faults and vices ought to exclude them; and in others they are more obscure, and need to have longer time to discover them. And likewise the piety and goodnesse of some is tryed in such sort, that they may presently be received without feare of erring. And some there are who are not so well approved of, and delay will not any way cloud their vertue, but wil cause it to be more manifestly shewen, Psalms 37:6. Mark 4:22. Luke 8:17.