AMongst all the Tractates in Divinity written by English men in English ( which are very many , and many of them very excellent , and highly esteemed even by learned men of other Nations ) there are none more useful ( in some respects ) or more serviceable to the Church of Christ , then such of them which are Commentaries and Expositions upon the holy Scriptures . Witness Ainsworth upon the Pentateuch . Willet upon Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Daniel , Romans and Iude. Perkins upon the Galatians . Bifield upon the Colossians . Taylor upon Titus , & many others . Insomuch that if we had such like English Commentaries upon every Book in the Bible , I doubt not but it would very much tend to the right understanding of the Scripture , & thereby to the further propagation of Truth & Godliness throughout the whole Nation .

The Reverend , Learned and Religious Author of this ensuing Treatise hath undertaken to give us a Practical and Polemical Exposition upon the third and fourth Chapters of the latter Epistle of S. Paul to Timothy ; of which it may truly be said , That it is both elaborate and judicious . And that he doth not serve the Lord with that which cost him nothing . There is in this excellent Commentary the sum of nigh 30 years studies , and the Epitome of all those choice things which this worthy Minister of Christ hath ever either heard or read . And therefore I doubt not but it will fully answer expectation , and be gladly entertained by the godly learned Readers .

Especially if they consider , That the Author of this Book is the same Person who hath by former Books guarded the Pulpit from unordained Preachers , The Font from Antipaedobaptists , The Schools by the defence of human learning ; And the Ministery and their maintenance in a Latine Treatise called Sal Terrae . His abilities are already sufficiently known to the world by these , and many other of his works , and therefore there is no need to add any thing more in way of commendation , Vinum vendibile non opus habet hederâ suspensâ .

My prayer to God is , That this large and yet pithy and learned Exposition may obtain the end for which it was written , That it may do good to future Generations and speak to the world , when the Author is gone out of it to enjoy the Kingdom provided for him from all Eternity ▪

A Practical and Polemical COMMENTARY Or , EXPOSITION UPON The Third and Fourth Chapters of the latter Epistle of Saint Paul to TIMOTHY .

WHEREIN The Text is explained , Some Controversies discussed , Sundry Cases of Conscience are cleared , Many Common Places are Succinctly handled , and Divers Usefull , and Seasonable Observations raised ,

By THOMAS HALL , B. D. and Minister of Kings-Norton in Worcester-shire .

Versatur ob oculos nostros profanus ille Christianismus Aevi extremi , quem praesaga Pauli mens ante tot Secula penicillo Spiritús Sancti depinxit , Scult. in 2 Tim. 3.1 .

Imprimatur EDMUND CALAMY .

LONDON , Printed by E. Tyler , for Iohn Starkey , at the Miter at the North door of the middle Exchange in Saint Pauls Church-yard , 1658.

MY hearts desire and Prayer for you is that you may be saved , And since God saveth none ordinarily but by means , I here present you with a Practical Book , which by the blessing of God may be a means to lead you safely through this Wilderness to the heavenly Canaan . Here you will finde Directions for all sorts , for Magistrates and Ministers , for Superiours and Inferiours . Here you have Antidotes against those nineteen sinnes ( of these last and worst times ) which are so rife both in City and Countrey ; for , where can a man goe but he shal finde such as are Self-Lovers , Covetous , Boasters , Proud , Blasphemers , False-accusers , Covenant-breakers , Vnholy , &c. So that the Treatise is very seasonable , the good Lord make it profitable .

To this end , First , You that are * * Magistrates may see their duty in the Treatise it self , on 2 Timothy 3.2 . p. 26.27 . Rulers must Rule for God , you must not bear the sword in vain ; but you must be a Terror to Drunkards , Swearers , Sabbath-profaners , Whore-masters , Seducers , Blasphemers and all the rabble of Hell . 'T is an old complaint that England hath golden Lawes , but Leaden Executioners ▪ Be * * The excellency of a zealous Magistrate : you may see on 2 Tim. 2.4 . Zealous therefore for God , we never lose by venturing for him . Remember that at the last day you must give an account of your Steward ships , of those Offices , Talents and Opportunities which you have received , and what good ye have done in your yeare , what Vices have been punished , what Goodnesse hath been promoted , and what disorders rectified .

A Zealous Magistrate is the best Common-wealths-man , such a Nehemiah is a means to keep off wrath from the City and Place of his abode . When Men punish , God spareth ; but when men spare then God ariseth to execute judgement on the wicked . Mistake me not , I plead not for Cruelty , or rigour , but for Iustice ; as Magistrates must be Clement and Mercifull ( as occasion requireth ) distinguishing of sinners , observing who offend through weakenesse , and who of wilfulnesse ; So he must be just and sharp against incorrigible and incureable Offenders , least they infect others . Be Men of publicke Spirits , cast off all self-seeking and private-spiritednesse ; I could wish that every Magistrate had Master Iacombs Sermon , on Acts 13.36 . it is an excellent piece , and will teach you how to serve God in your Generations .

2. You that are Under-Officers must ( in your spheere ) be also active for God , little Birds we see sometimes set the greater on singing : your zeale may quicken others . Doe , but doe not over-doe your duties , least you bring an Odium upon Religion by your Pharisaical rigour and austerity , but doe all in a Spirit of Wisedome , Love and Meeknesse , else you may sinne in over-doing , as well as in Under-doing .

THou maist wonder to see me once more in Print , and no wonder , for I wonder , ( all things considered ) at it my self . I was fully resolved to rest , and never to trouble the world any more in this kind ; yet having finisht my other works for the Press , and finding experimentally that I had best health when I was most strongly imployed , and that my work was to me instead of Physick , I chose rather to spend my self with labour , then consume with rust and sickness . I saw that Master Barlow had finisht the two first Chapters of the second Epistle to Timothy , and perusing the two last Chapters of that Epistle I perceived the handling of them would be very useful and seasonable ( both in respect of Practicals and Polemicals ) for these present times . Hereupon I would have had some abler Pen to have undertaken the work , and that failing , I would have got some assistance , but that would not be , I was constrained if I would have any thing done to do it my self . Vpon this I buckled to the work , and in less then two years space ( notwithstanding my double imployment ) by the strength of God compleatly finisht both Chapters for the Press . I confess it hath cost me much pains , and more then at first I imagined , but if it may be profitable to Gods Church , I have my desire .

It is observed that many Posthumous work have had Supplements excelling their Predecessors ; this cannot be expected from me : All that I can prom●se thee is this ; That there is not a Text , nor a word ( of any consequence in the Text ) but I have as plainly , faithfully and fully explained it as possibly I could ; I have broken every clod that I might find out the gold●n Oar , In tenui labor est Vocum & Phrasium enodatio , tenuis gloria , at non tenuis Vtilitas . Scultetus . though such labour may seem small , yet the profit is great ; a good foundation is the strength of the building .

IT is not long since the Learned Author of the Elaborate Commentarie on the two last Chapters of the second Epistle of Paul to Timothie , presented the World with a Latine Booke , called Sal Terrae , The Salt of the Earth , which to this larger Volume so quickely following , methinkes representeth the setting of Salt on the Table , as the first Service before a Feast .

Of the former he desired me to be his Taster , and to attest how savourly it relished with me when I reade it , which I have done in the same Language . Now he and his Stationer having requested my Perusal and Testimony of the latter , I was the willinger ; first to reade it , because the Author hath bestowed much paines , and given his Reader the summe and substance of nigh thirtie yeares Studies , Emanuel Sa was nigh fourtie yeares in composing his Aphorismes . In hoc opus per Annos ferè quadraginta diligentissimè incubui . Em. Sa Praefat. in Aphorism . p. 2. which bespake an expectation in me of so much satisfaction in the Book , as made me think it worthy both to be bought and read . On the contrary , I have ever had a contemptuous conceit of such Extemporary stuffe , as like Ionas his Gourd , groweth up in a night , and thinke it worthy to last no longer then it did , which perished in a night , Iona. 4.10 . I deny not but sometimes there may be found a man of such a ready faculty as to be able to doe as much , and it may be more as well upon a sudden , as others upon long deliberation ; such a one was * * Lucilius saepè Ducentos versus dictabat stans pede in uno . Horat. Serm. Lib. 1. Sat. 4. Lucilius the first Latine Satyrist , who ( as Horace saith ) would dictate two hundred Verses in an houre , standing upon one foot ; but this is very rare , and out of Rule , nor are there any Examples upon Record to match it . * * Saepè caput scaberet , & vivos roderet ungues . l. 1. Sat. 10. He liketh that Verse better which is made with often scratching of the Head , and biteing of the nailes to the quicke ; and * * Carmen reprehendito quod non multa dies & multa litura coercuit , atque perfectum decies non castigavit ad unguem . Horat. de Arte Poet. discommendeth such as have not taken up many dayes , and come under many blots , even to a Tenfold correction , and ordinarily it is with ingenious works , as it is with Mechannicke Fabrickes , those are the fairest which are longest in building , Ducentis & viginti Annis à tota Asia factum fuit . Munsteri Geograph . Lib. 5. Page 983. as the Temple of Diana at Ephesus , one of the seven Wonders of the World , was the worke of all Asia for two hundered and twentie years together .

Secondly , I may be the more willing to deliver my Censure of this Worke , because when I had acted the part of a severe Criticke upon it , the Authour testified his ingenuity , by returning me so much the more Thankes , as I found the more faults in it ; which I liked the better , when it gave me occasion to renew the remembrance of a contrary acceptance of the like Office done to the Bishop of Coventrie and Litchfield , a Prelate of as great Reputation for Learning and Religion as any of his rancke in this Nation : who above thirtie yeares agoe , I presenting my service to him at Ecclesell Castle in my return from London , to Great Budworth in Cheshire , he staid me certain dayes to read over ( as a Censor ) his Book which he entituled , * * It was Reprinted , 1628. The Grand-Imposture : I took it for a great Trust and confidence in me , and thought it my Duety to be answerable to it by free Animadversions of any thing which I apprehended for an errour , and accordingly did so ; When I shewed him mine exceptions , at the first he seemed somewhat angry and wrangled with me to excuse the Passage , ( which I conceived did need Correction ) we parted unperswaded , and I returned to my Taske with this Opinion , that he was therefore offended with the fault I found , because on the sudden he knew not how to mend it ; after that , to the Errata , I added the correction of the first as well as of the rest , and then bringing my Paper of the whole unto him , he shewed himselfe so well pleased , that he would needs fasten twenty shillings in Gold upon me for my pains , besides other courtesies .

Thirdly , I am content that my judgement of this Book should be Printed , not so much to gratifie the Author or the Stationer , as for other reasons .

1. Because the whole frame of the work doth not onely fully answer the Frontispiece , ( though it promise much ) and so is not lyable to the * * Sandersons History of King Charles , page , 1116. Exception taken up against a great Writer , which is , That there is more matter in the Title Page , then in the Book it self .

Secondly , Because though I were well satisfied with the matter of it while I read it in his Manuscript Original , yet I desire better satisfaction by a review of it when in a fairer Character from the Presse , I may reade it with less difficulty and more delight .

Thirdly , Because it is not onely the * * I mean the better half not in Quantitie onely as bigger , but in Qualitie as better done then the former part by Mr. B. who though he were a good man , a good 〈◊〉 , and a good Preacher , was yet in Scholastical faculties and furniture ; abilitie of body , and studiousness of mind to make use of both , inferior to his follower . I say thus much not by conjecture , but by my certain knowledge , and good acquaintance with them both , for I was M. B. successour for Preaching the Friday Lecture in the City of Chester , as Mr. H. my near neighbour is his Successour in writing this Commentarie now Printed . better halfe of the best Expository Treatise that I have seen upon the Second Epistle to Timothy , but I believe ( for Congruity with the Truth of the Holy Text ; pertinency and fulnesse of profitable matter deduced from it or consonant to it ) is the best that hitherto hath been extant in the Church of Christ . The Lord give the Pious and Painfull Pen-man of it the Returne of his Holy labours herein , in the Prayers and Proficiency of his People , for whose edification chiefly it was undertaken , continued , and by Gods gracious assistance is now thus compleated .

In such a Volume as this we cannot but expect some Errata , those of greatest consequence ▪ are here corrected ; such as are obious I leave to thy own correction . ] Page 9. line 1. read Laylanders . p. 21. l. 37. r. stay . p. 33. in Marg. r. Glutinant . p. 37. l. 40. r. Cap. p. 48. l. 20. r. All. p. 49. Marg. r. Ignavissimus . p. 49. Marg. r. Stor . p. 52. l. 7. r. Iohn p. 52. marg. r. Infamia p. 53. marg. non aliis . p. 53. l. 18. r. Shew . p. 56. l. 1. Prudence . p. 28. l. 40. Observe . p. 29. l. 25. Vniversal . p. 60. l. 10. r. irresistible . p. 71. l. 25. r. promises . p. 76. l. 20. r. Apostasie . p. 86. l. 5. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. 87. marg. r. quum . p. 88. l. 14. r. Psal. 10. l. 16. r. there s . p. 91. l. 46. r. Amos. p. 98. l. 22. forget . p. 105. marg. Aegyptus . p. 106. marg. r. Proxineta . p. 10.103 . l. 22. r. 13. p. 147. Gravatas . marg. p. 168. l. 37. r. Dorchester . p. 171. l. 21. r. Apostles & 15. p. 174. l. 27. r. Practical . l. 28. r. Oeconomical . p. 197. marg. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. 217. l. 35. r. mirror . p. 219. r. delectatione . p. 222 l. 14. r. Pillar . p. 231. r. Polyptoton . p. 234. l. 5 dele All. p. 259. l. 17. r. Question . p. 267. l. 12. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . p. 28.4 . r. ultro . in . marg. p. 311. l. 40. declaration . p. 133. l. 20 acrei . p. 339. l. 6. Beophman . p. 366. l. 26. add David had 3 enemies , Saul , Goliah , and Absalom . p. 375. l. 38. r. reproaching . p. 380. in marg. liberam for liberalitatem ex parte dantis .