2. To those who have received it, I would say, " Stir it up within you " —
This was the direction given to Timothy: " Stir up the gift of God that is in thee ;" that is, stir it up, as you would a fire which is in a languishing condition^. The fire, which burned upon the altar, came down, as you well know, from heaven ; but it was to be kept alive by the care of man. So must the fire that is kindled in us be ever kept burning on the altar of our hearts : we must " stir it up," by reading, medi- tation, and prayer : and the very opposition which is made to the Gospel must call forth in us the greater energy in its de- fence. Paul was now imprisoned for the Gospel sake. This might be a source of alarm to Timothy, and induce him to draw back from that measure of activity and zeal which might bring down similar vengeance upon his head. But the Apostle says to him, " Be not ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me his prisoner ; but be thovx partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God^." So say I to you. Let " none of you be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ ;" but rather account it an honour if you are called to bear a measure of those afflictions which are allotted to the followers of the Lamb. They will try your graces : they will also tend to quicken them, and make them burn with redoubled bright- ness. Let growth in grace, then, be henceforth your great concern ; and, whatever will conduce to that end, do it with diligence, or welcome it with delight.]
^ ara^towvfjeli', ver. 6. ^ ver. 8.