2 Tim. iv. 1,2. / charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, ivho shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word ; be instajit in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
RELIGION is a matter of far greater importance tliaii men generally imagine. The appointment of an order of men on purpose to instruct mankind in the knowledge of it, and by all possible means to advance it in the world, is itself a proof, that, in God's esti- mation, it is indispensably necessary for the happi- ness of man. In truth, there is nothing else that is of any importance in comparison of it. How St. Paul laboured to diffuse it, is well known. And here we see how earnestly he inculcated on others the duty of labouring to the utmost to excite an attention to it, throughout all classes of the community. A more solemn charge can scarcely be conceived than that which he here gives to Timothy. The age of this pious youth might render him too diffident and timid in the discharge of his ministerial office : and there- fore, in this epistle, St. Paul again gives him the solemn charge which he had repeatedly given in his former epistle % to acquit himself to that God who had sent him, and to that Saviour who would judge him in the last day.
In discoursing on the words before us, I shall consider,
I. The charge given'' —
'' The word " is that which every minister must " preach." He is not at liberty to amuse the people
a 1 Tim. V. 21. and vi. 13.
b If this were a subject addressed to Ministers, the first head should constitute the whole body of tlie Sermon ; and the second head be reserved, in a way of corollary, for the conclusion of it. But, to a common audience, the present distribution is better.