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LECTURE VII.

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1 TIM. iii. 1—8.

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THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF A MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK. BISHOP THEN MUST BE BLAMELESS, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, VIGILANT, SOBER, OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR, GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY, APT TO TEACH; NOT GIVEN TO WINE, NO STRIKER, NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE; BUT PATIENT, NOT A BRAWLER, NOT COVETOUS; ONE THAT RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION WITH ALL GRAVITY; (FOR IF A MAN KNOW NOT HOW TO RULE HIS OWN HOUSE, HOW SHALL HE TAKE CARE

CONDEMNATION

OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?) NOT A NOVICE, LEST BEING LIFTED UP WITH PRIDE, HE FALL INTO THE OF THE DEVIL. MOREOVER, HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT; LEST HE FALL INTO REPROACH AND THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL.'

THE Apostle Paul, in the early part of this Epistle, reminded Timothy of his principal

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reasons for leaving him at Ephesus. had, further, set forth in most powerful language, the fulness and riches of God's redeeming Mercy in Christ Jesus; and important directions had been issued for conducting the services of the Church. He now proceeds, to state minutely the requisite qualifications for a Minister of the Gospel. It is scarcely necessary to remind you, that, until the death of the Apostles, the term Bishop was indiscriminately applied to the Presbyters or second order, no less than to those, who, like Timothy, were chiefly employed in governing the Church. Nor was it, until all the Apostles were removed from this life, by the will of God, that the senior Pastors, who succeeded to the Apostolic office (not presuming to arrogate to themselves the title of Apostles, as almost sacred from its association) were exclusively termed, with becoming humility, the Bishops, or Overseers of Christ's Flock. “We can name the men," saith Irenæus, in the second century, "whom the

Apostles made Bishops in their several Churches, appointing them their successors and who were left in the same power and authority which they themselves had."

In this valuable chapter then, we are to observe the Apostle, holding up the standard of excellence, to which a Christian Priest and Deacon, as well as Bishop, ought to attain. It "is a true" and important "saying," that he, who anxiously desireth to be admitted to the office of the Bishop (in the sense above explained) hath set his mind on "a good" and glorious "work". It is a calling indeed, in which, the honour of God, and the everlasting salvation of souls, are most deeply concerned.

Such an one must be "blameless;" unexceptionable in his general character. There should not be any evil propensity unrestrained, so that he be laid open to blame from those around him. There must be no foul blot, blackening his reputation. The evil yet within him, must be so watchfully subdued through grace, as that it be

not palpable before men.

Rather must all

faulty tempers be on the decline, coming under subjection. No single sin is to be permitted in him, who is appointed to turn sinners from the error of their ways.

The next head is, "The husband of one wife." When we remember how great were the profligacy, and the abominations in morals, at the time that Christianity appeared in the world, we shall not wonder at the Apostle giving this injunction. For we know, that, among the Gentiles, every husband had not his own wife; nor every woman her own husband. Even among the Jews, separation took place on occasions the most trivial; and a new marriage was formed, while the two parties were both living. None, saith the Apostle, must dare aspire to the sacred Office, who is living otherwise in this state, than with his wife. And when this example is duly set by the Pastor, it will, in time, be adopted by all who profess themselves Christ's disciples.

He must be "vigilant:" of an ardent, zealous turn of mind: not slumbering on his post: not given to indolent, listless habits: but a burning and shining light: watchful over himself, and observant of the least error, in the ways of them over whom he must keep a guard.

The Christian Minister must be "sober and of good behaviour." His passions and affections strictly and uniformly controlled. He must acquire a cast of mind, and a deportment, approaching to what is venerable. Abstaining from levity of manners, he will avoid a trifling, worldly, or flippant turn of conversation: and a becoming propriety will extend itself to the decorum of gesture, expression, and general exterior.

"Given to hospitality," or courteous to strangers. There being no places of public resort then generally established, the Christian Minister was to be liberal; and always ready to provide for the stranger, as a member of the common and united family of Christ; and even for the Gentile guest.