The Rheims New Testament (1582) — 2 Timothy

Saint Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy, as printed in the Rheims New Testament of 1582, the English Catholic translation made from the Latin Vulgate at the English College, then in exile at Rheims, chiefly by Gregory Martin. The page gives the edition's argument of the book, all 4 chapters, each with its printed summary, every verse in the original spelling, and the marginal notes (cross-references, the days on which passages are read, and other readings); the edition's annotations follow every chapter.

The Argument

THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO TIMOTHEE.

THE cheefe ſcope of this ſecond to Timothee, is, to open vnto him that his martyrdom is at hand. Vvhich yet he doth not plainely before the end: preparing firſt his minde vvith much circumſtance, becauſe he knevv it vvould grieue him ſore, and alſo might be a tentation vnto him. Therfore he talketh of the cauſe of his trouble, & of the revvard: that the one is honorable, and the other moſt glorious: and exhorteth him to be conſtant in the faith, to be ready alvvaies to ſuffer for it, to fulfil his miniſterie to the end, as him ſelf novv had done his.

Vvhereby it is certaine, that it vvas vvritten at Rome, in his laſt apprehenſion and empriſonment there: as he ſignifieth by theſe vvordes Cap. 1: Oneſiphorus vvas not aſhamed of my chaine, but when he was come to Rome, carefully ſought me, &c. And of his martyrdom, thus: For I am novv ready to be offered, and the time of my reſolution (or death) is at hand. cap. 4.

Chapter 1

Vvith his praiſes he couertly exhorteth him not to be diſmaied for his trouble, 6 (hauing grace giuen in Orders to helpe him, 8 and knovving for vvhat cauſe he is perſecuted) and namely vvith the example of Oneſiphorus.

1 PAVL an Apoſtle of IESVS Chriſt by the vvil of God, according to the promiſſe of the life which is in Chriſt IESVS:

2 to Timothee my deereſt ſonne, grace, mercie, peace from God the father, and Chriſt IESVS our Lord.

3 I giue thankes to God, vvhom I ſerue from my progenitours in a pure conſcience, that vvithout intermiſſion I haue a memorie of thee in my praiers, night and day

4 deſiring to ſee thee, mindeful of thy teares, that I may be filled vvith ioy,

5 calling to minde that faith vvhich is in thee not feined, vvhich alſo dvvelt firſt ″ in thy grandmother Loïs, and thy mother Eunîce, and I am ſure that in thee alſo.

6 For the vvhich cauſe I admoniſh thee that thou reſuſcitate the grace of God, vvhich is in thee by the impoſition of my handes.

7 For God hath not giuen vs the ſpirit of feare: but of povver, and loue, and ſobrietie.

8 Be not therfore aſhamed of the teſtimonie of our Lord, nor of me his priſoner: but trauail vvith the Goſpel according to the povver of God,

9 vvho hath deliuered and called vs by his holy calling, * not according to our vvorkes, but according to his purpoſe and grace, vvhich vvas giuen to vs in Chriſt IESVS * before the ſecular times.

10 But it is manifeſted novv by the illumination of our Sauiour IESVS Chriſt, vvho hath deſtroied death, & illuminated life and incorruption by the Goſpel:

11 vvherein * I am appointed a preacher and Apoſtle and Maiſter of the Gentiles.

12 For the vvhich cauſe alſo I ſuffer theſe things: but I am not cōfounded. For I know whom I haue beleeued, & I am ſure that he is able to keepe my ″ depoſitum vnto that day.

13 Haue thou ″ a forme of ſound vvordes, vvhich thou haſt heard of me in faith & in the loue in Chriſt IESVS.

14 Keepe the good depoſitum by the holy Ghoſt, vvhich dvvelleth in vs.

15 Thou knovveſt this, that al vvhich are in Aſia, be auerted from me: of vvhom is Phigelus and Hermogenes.

16 Our Lord giue mercie to * the houſe of Oneſiphorus: becauſe he hath often refreſhed me, and hath not been aſhamed of my chaine.

17 but vvhen he vvas come to Rome: he ſought me carefully, and found me.

18 ″ Our Lord graunt him to finde mercie of our Lord in that day. And how many things he miniſtred to me at Epheſus, thou knovveſt better.

Marginal notes to Chapter 1

• v. 6 ⸬ ;Here againe it is plaine that holy Orders giue grace, & that euen by and in the external ceremonie of impoſing the Biſhops hands. And it is a maner of ſpeach ſpecially vſed in this Apoſtle and S. Luke, that Orders giue grace to the ordered, & that to take orders or authoritie to miniſter Sacramēts or preach, is, to be giuen or deliuered to Gods grace. Act. 14, 25.
• v. 9 Tit. 3, 5.
• v. 9 Tit. 1, ⟨illegible⟩.
• v. 11 1 Timo. 2, 7.
• v. 13 ᶜ Faith and loue coupled commonly together in this Apoſtles vvritings.
• v. 13 ⟨non-Latin script⟩
• v. 16 2 Tim. 4, 19.
• v. 16 ⸬ ;Vvhat a happie & meritorious thīg it is to relieue the afflicted for religiō, & not to be aſhamed of their diſgrace, yrōs or what miſeries ſo euer.

Annotations to Chapter 1

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I.

5. In thy grandmother.] Though God ſhevv mercie to many that be of incredulous, heretical or il parents, yet it is a goodly benediction of God to haue good education and to haue good faithful progenitors and Catholike parents. And it is a great ſinne to forſake the faith of our fathers that be Catholikes, or contrarie to our education in the Church to folovv ſtrange doctrines, abandoning not onely our next natural parents faith, but the aūcient faith and beleefe of al our progenitors for many hundred yeres together. And if to folovv the faith of mother and grandmother onely, the Chriſtian religion being then but nevvly planted, vvas ſo commendable euen in a Biſhop, hovv much more is it novv laudable to cleaue faſt to the faith of ſo many our progenitors and ages that continued in the ſame Chriſtian religion vvhich they firſt receiued? [Margin: A great bleſſing, to haue Catholike progenitors: and very cōmendable to cleaue faſt to their faith.]

Our Proteſtants in their great vviſedom laugh at good ſimple men vvhen they talke of their fathers faith. But S. Hierom, I am a Chriſtian, ſaith he, and borne of Chriſtian parents, and carie the ſigne of the croſſe in my forehead. And againe ep. 65. c. 3. Vntil this day the Chriſtian vvorld hath been vvithout this doctrine, that faith vvil I hold faſt being an old man, vvherein I vvas borne a child. And the holy Scriptures ſet vs often to ſchole to our fathers. Aſke thy fathers, and they vvil ſhevv thee, thy auncetours, and they vvil tel thee. And againe, Our fathers haue ſhevved vnto vs. And cōmonly the true God is called the God of the faithful and of their forefathers. Dan. 2. 3. And falſe Gods and nevv doctrines or opinions be named, Nevv and freſh, ſuch as their fathers vvorſhipped not. Deut. 32. Finally S. Paul both here and often els alleageth for his defenſe and commendation, that he vvas of faithful progenitors. And it is a caſe that Heretikes can not lightly bragge of, no one ſect commonly during ſo long vvithout intermiſſion, that they can haue many progenitors of the ſaid ſect, Vvhich is a demonſtration that their faith is not true▪ and that it is impoſſible our Catholike faith to be falſe, ſuppoſing the Chriſtian religion to be true. [Margin: Apol. cōt. · Ruff. li. 1. c. 8. · The peoples ſpeaches of their fathers faith, is very Chriſtian and laudable. · Deut. 32. & Pſ. 43. · * Act. 24. · 2 Cor. 11.]

12. Depoſitum.] A great comfort to al Chriſtians, that euery of their good deedes and ſufferings for Chriſt, and al the vvorldly loſſes ſuſteined for defenſe or confeſsion of their faith, he extant vvith God, and kept as depoſitum, to be repaied or receiued againe in heauen. Vvhich if the vvorldings beleeued or conſidered, they vvould not ſo much maruel to ſee Catholike men ſo vvillingly to loſe land, libertie, credit, life and al for Chriſtes ſake and the Churches faith. [Margin: Al our good deedes are laid vp vvith God, to be revvarded]

13. A forme.] The Apoſtles did ſet dovvne a platforme of faith, doctrine, & phraſe of Catholike ſpeach and preaching, & that not ſo much by vvriting (as here vve ſee) as by vvord of mouth: to vvhich he referreth Timothee ouer and aboue his Epiſtles vnto him. And hovv preciſely Chriſtian Doctors ought to keepe the forme of vvordes aunciently appropriated to the myſteries and matters of our religion, S. Auguſtine expreſſeth in theſe vvordes li. 10 de ciuit. c. 23. Philoſophers ſpeake vvith freedom of vvordes &c. but vve muſt ſpeake according to a certaine rule, leſt licentious libertie of vvordes breede an impious opiniō of the things alſo that are ſignified by the ſame. Trinitie, perſon, eſſence, Conſubſtantial, Tranſſubſtantiation, Maſſe, Sacrament, and ſuch like, be verba ſana (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) ſound vvordes, giuen to expreſſe certaine high truthes in religion, partly by the Apoſtles and firſt founders of our religion vnder Chriſt, and partly very aptly inuented by holy Councels and fathers, to expreſſe as neere as could be the high ineſtable or vnſpeakable veritie of ſome points, and to ſtoppe the Heretikes audacitie and inuention of nevv vvordes and prophane ſpeaches in ſuch things, vvhich the Apoſtle vvarneth Timothee to auoid 1 ep. c. 6, 10. and 2 ep. 2, 16. See the Annotations there. [Margin: We muſt ſpeake in Catholike termes, after a certaine rule of faith, and forme of vvordes.]

18. Our Lord.] To haue this praier of an Apoſtle, or any Prieſt or poore Cath. man ſo relieued, giueth the greateſt hope at the day of our death or general iudgemēt, that can be: and it is worth al the landes, honours, and riches of the vvorld. [Margin: Relieuers of Cath. priſoners.]

Chapter 2

He exhorteth him to labour diligently in his office, conſidering the revvard in Chriſt, and his denial of them that deny him. 14 Not to contend, but to ſhunne heretikes: neither to be moued to ſee ſome ſubuerted, conſidering that the elect continue Catholikes, and that in the Church be of al ſortes. 24 Yet vvithal ſvveetenes to reclaime the deceiued.

1 THOV therfore my ſonne, be ſtrong in the grace vvhich is in Chriſt IESVS:

2 & the things vvhich thou haſt heard of me by many witneſſes, theſe cōmend to faithful men, vvhich ſhal be fit to teach others alſo.

3 Labour thou as a good ſouldiar of Chriſt IESVS.

4 ″ No man being a ſouldiar to God, intāgleth him ſelf vvith ſecular buſineſſes: that he may pleaſe him to vvhom he hath approued him ſelf.

5 For he alſo that ſtriueth for the maiſterie, is not crovvned vnleſſe he ſtriue lavvfully.

6 The huſbandman that laboureth, muſt firſt take of the fruites.

7 Vnderſtand vvhat I ſay: for our Lord vvil giue thee in al things vnderſtanding.

8 Be mindeful that our Lord IESVS Chriſt is riſen againe from the dead, of the ſeede of Dauid, according to my Goſpel,

9 vvherein I labour euen vnto bandes, as a malefactour: but the vvord of God is not tied.

10 Therfore I ſuſtaine al things for the elect, that they alſo may obtaine the ſaluation, vvhich is in Chriſt IESVS, vvith heauenly glorie.

11 A faithful ſaying. For if vve be dead vvith him, vve ſhal liue alſo together.

12 If vve ſhal ſuſtaine, vve ſhal alſo reigne together. * If vve ſhal deny, he alſo vvil denie vs.

13 * If vve beleeue not: he continueth faithful, he can not denie him ſelf.

14 Theſe things admoniſh: teſtifying before our Lord. Contend not in vvordes, for it is profitable for nothing, but for the ſubuerſion of them that heare.

15 Carefully prouide to preſent thy ſelf approued to God, a vvorkeman not to be confounded, ″ rightly handling the vvord of truth.

16 But profane and vaine ſpeaches auoid: for they doe much grovv to impietie:

17 & ″ their ſpeache ſpreadeth as a canker: of vvhom is Hymenaeus and Philêtus:

18 vvho haue erred from the truth, ſaying that the reſurrection is done already, and haue ſubuerted the faith of ſome.

19 But the ſure foundation of God ſtandeth, hauing this ſeale, Our Lord knovveth, vvho be his, and let euery one depart from iniquitie that nameth the name of our Lord.

20 But ″ in a great houſe there are not only veſſels of gold and of ſiluer, but alſo of vvood and of earth: and certaine in deede vnto honour, but certaine vnto contumelie.

21 If any man therfore ſhal ″ cleanſe him ſelf from theſe, he ſhal be a veſſel vnto honour, ſanctified & profitable to our Lord, prepared to euery good vvorke.

22 But youthful deſires flee: and purſue iuſtice, faith, charitie, & peace vvith them that inuocate our Lord from a pure hart.

23 And * fooliſh and vnlearned queſtiōs auoid, knovving that they ingender braules.

24 But the ſeruant of our Lord muſt not vvrangle: but be milde tovvard al men, apt to teache, patient,

25 vvith modeſtie admoniſhing them that reſiſt the truth: leſt ſometime God giue them repentance to knovv the truth:

26 and they recouer them ſelues from the ſnares of the deuil, of vvhom they are held captiue at his vvil.

Marginal notes to Chapter 2

• v. 10 ⸬ ; Marke here that the elect (though ſure of ſaluation) yet are ſaued by meanes of their preachers & teachers, as alſo by their ovvne endeuours.
• v. 12 Mat. 10, Ro. 3, 3.
• v. 16 ᶜ See the Annotatiō before 1 Tim. 6. v. 20.
• v. 22 Tit. 3, 9.
• v. 25 ⸬ ; Conuerſion from ſinne and hereſie is the gift of God and of his ſpecial grace: yet here vve ſee, good exhortations and praier and ſuch other helpes of man be profitable therevnto. Vvhich could not be, if vve had not free vvill.

Annotations to Chapter 2

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II.

4 No man being a ſouldiar.] Firſt of al, the Apoſtle (1 Cor. 7.) maketh mariage & the needful cares, ſolicitude, and diſtractions therevpon euer depending, ſpecial impediments of al ſuch as ſhould employ them ſelues vvholy to Gods ſeruice, as Biſhops & Prieſts are bound to do. He that is vvith a vvife (ſaith he) is careful for the vvorld, hovv to pleaſe his vvife, and is diſtracted or deuided. 2 Cor. 7. [Margin: Vvhat ſecular affaires do not agree nor cōſiſt vvith ſpiritual mens function.]

Secondly, the practiſe of Phyſicke, merchandiſe, or any other profane facultie and trade of life to gather riches, and much more to be giuen to hunting, hauking, gameuing, ſhevves, enterludes, or the like paſtimes, is here forbidden.

Thirdly, the ſeruices of Princes and manifold baſe offices done to them for to obtaine dignities and promotions, are diſagreable to Prieſtly functions▪ not ſo, to be their chaplens for his purpoſe to preach vnto them, to heare their confeſſions, to miniſter the Sacraments vnto them, to ſay Diuine ſeruice before them, and ſuch other ſpiritual dueties, for, al ſuch ſeruices done to principal perſons both of the Clergie and Laitie, be godly and cōſonant to Prieſtly vocation. As alſo ſeruing of Princes and Commonvveales in ciuil cauſes and matters of ſtate, in making peace and quietnes among the people, by deciding or compounding their controuerſies, and al ſuch like affaires tending to the honour of God and good of men, and to the vpholding of true religion, vvhen they may be done vvithout notorious damage or hinderance of their ſpiritual charge, or vvhen the hurtes thereof be aboundantly recompenſed by the neceſſarie dueties done for the general good of kingdom or Countrie: al ſuch things (I ſay) be lavvful and often very requiſite. And S. Auguſtine, S. Ambroſe, S. Bernard, and other holy Biſhops of old vvere much occupied therein, as vve ſee in S. Auguſtines booke de opere Monachorum c. 29. & Poſsid. in vit. c. 19. [Margin: Hovv ſpiritual men may ſerue ſecular Princes, & deale in ciuil cauſes. · in vit. 8. Ambr. & Bern.]

15. Rightly.] The Scriptures or chalenge of the vvord of God is common to Catholikes and Heretikes, but al is in the handling of them, theſe later handle them guilefully, adultering the vvord of God, as * els vvhere the Apoſtle ſpeaketh: the other ſincerely after the maner of the Apoſtles and doctors of Gods Church. Vvhich the Greeke expreſſeth by a ſignificant vvord of cutting a thing ſtraight by a line, ⟨non-Latin script⟩. [Margin: Catholikes only, right hādlers of the Scripture. · 2 Cor. 2 & 4.]

17. Their ſpeache.] The ſpeaches, preachings, and vvritings of Heretikes be peſtiferous, cōtagious, and creeping like a canker. therfore Chriſtian men muſt neuer heare their ſermons nor read their bookes. For ſuch men haue a popular vvay of talke vvhereby the vnlearned, and ſpecially vvomen loden vvith ſinne, are eaſily beguiled. Nothing is ſo eaſy (ſaith S. Hierom) as vvith voluble and rolling tong to deceiue the rude people, vvhich admire vvhatſoeuer they vnderſtand not. Ep. 2. ad Nepot. c. 10. [Margin: Heretical bookes and ſermōs are to be auoided.]

20. In a great houſe] He meaneth not that Hymenaeus and Philétus (of vvhō he ſpake immediatly before) or other heretikes, be properly vvithin the Church, as catholike men are, though greuous ſinners: but that euil men vvho for the puniſhment of their ſinnes become heretikes, vvere before they fell from their faith as veſſels of contumelie, vvithin the Church. Yea and often alſo after they be ſeuered in hart and in the ſight of God, ſo long as they ſtand in external profeſsion and vſe of the ſame, Sacraments, and in the outvvard fellovvſhip of Catholikes, not yet either ſeparated of them ſelues, nor caſt out by the gouernours of the Church, ſo long (we ſay) they be after a ſort in the Church: though properly and in deede they be out of the compaſſe of Gods houſe. Mary of thoſe that are openly ſeuered in Sacraments, Seruice, and communion, there is no queſtion but they are out of the Church. [Margin: Who are out of the Church or vvithin it.]

21. Cleanſe him ſelf.] Man then hath free vvil to make him ſelf a veſſel of ſaluation or damnation: though ſaluation be attributed to Gods mercie principally, the other to his iuſt iudgement: neither of both being repugnant to our free vvil, but vvorking vvith and by the ſame, al ſuch effectes in vs as to his prouidence and our deſerts be agreable. [Margin: Free vvil.]

Chapter 3

He prophecieth of Heretikes to come, 6 and noteth certaine then alſo for ſuch, bidding him to auoid them, 10 and (vvhatſoeuer perſecution befall for it) to cōtinue conſtant in the Catholike doctrine, both becauſe of his Maiſter (S. Paul him ſelf) 15 and alſo becauſe of his ovvne knovvledge in the Scriptures.

1 AND this knovv thou, that * in the laſt daies ſhal approache perilous times.

2 and ″ men ſhal be louers of them ſelues, couetous, hautie, proud, blaſphemous, not obedient to their parents, vnkinde, vvicked,

3 vvithout affection, vvithout peace, accuſers, incontinent, vnmerciful, vvithout benignitie,

4 traitours, ſtubburne puffed vp, and louers of voluptuouſnes more then of God:

5 hauing an appearance in deede of pietie, but denying the vertue thereof. And theſe auoid.

6 For of theſe be they that craftely enter into houſes: and leade captiue ⟨illegible⟩eely ″ vvomen loden vvith ſinnes, vvhich are ledde vvith diuers deſire⟨illegible⟩.

7 alvvaies learning, and neuer attaining to the knovvledge of the truth.

8 But as Iannes & Mambres * reſiſted Moyſes, ſo theſe alſo reſiſt the truth, men corrupted in minde, reprobate cōcerning the faith.

9 But they ſhal proſper no further: for their ″ folly ſhal be manifeſt to al, as theirs alſo vvas.

10 But thou haſt attained to my doctrine, inſtitution, purpoſe, faith, longanimitie, loue, patience,

11 perſecutions, paſſions: vvhat maner of things vvere done to me at Antioche, at Iconium, at Lyſtra: vvhat maner of perſecutiōs I ſuſtained. and out of al our Lord deliuered me.

12 And ″ al that vvil liue godly in Chriſt IESVS, ſhal ſuffer perſecution.

13 But euil men and ſeducers ſhal proſper to the vvorſe: erring, and driuing into errour.

14 But thou, continue in thoſe things vvhich thou haſt learned, and are committed to thee: knowing of vvhom thou haſt learned:

15 and becauſe from thine infancie thou haſt knovven the holy Scriptures, vvhich can inſtruct thee to ſaluation, by the faith that is in Chriſt IESVS.

16 ″ * All Scripture inſpired of God, is profitable to teach, to argue, to correct, to inſtruct in iuſtice:

17 that the man of God may be perfect, inſtructed to euery good vvorke.

Marginal notes to Chapter 3

• v. 1 1 Timot. 4, 1.
• v. 8 ⸬ ; That thoſe Magicians vvhich reſiſted Moyſes, were thus called, it is not written in al the old Teſtamēt, therfore it came to the Apoſtles knowledge by tradition, as the Church novv hath the names of the 3 kings, of the penitēt theefe, of the ſouldiar that pearced Chriſtes ſide on the Croſſe, and of the like.
• v. 8 Exo. 7.
• v. 14 ⸬ ; In al danger and diuerſitie of falſe ſectes, S. Paules admonition is, euer to abide in that vvas firſt taught & deliuered, neuer to giue ouer our old faith for a new fanſie. This is it which before he calleth depoſitum. 1. Tim. 6. and 2. Tim. 1.
• v. 16 2. Pet. 1, 21.

Annotations to Chapter 3

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. III.

2. Men ſhal be.] Al theſe wordes S. Cyprian expoundeth of ſuch as by pride and diſobedience reſiſt Gods Prieſts. Let no faithful man, ſaith he, that keepeth in minde our Lordes and the Apoſtles admonition, maruel if he ſee in the later times ſome proud and ſtubburne fellowes and the enimies of Gods Prieſts, goe out of the Church or impugne the ſame: vvhen both our Lord and th Apoſtle foretold vs that ſuch ſhould be. Cypr. ep. 55. nu. 3.

6. Women loden.] Women loden with ſinnes, are for ſuch their deſeruings, and through the frailtie of their ſexe, more ſubiect to the heretikes deceites, then men: the enemie attempting (as he did in the fall of our firſt parents) by them to ouerthrovv men. See S. Hierem vpon the 3 chapter of Ieremie. Where he addeth that euery hereſie is firſt broched propter gulam & ventrem, for gluttonie and belly-cheere. [Margin: Women eaſily ſeduced by hereſie.]

9. Folly manifeſt.] Al heretikes in the beginning ſeeme to haue ſome ſhew of truth, God for iuſt puniſhment of mens ſinnes permitting them for ſome vvhile in ſome perſons and places to preuaile: but in ſhort time God detecteth them, and openeth the eies of men to ſee their decei tes: in ſo much that after the firſt brunt they be mainteined by force onely, al wiſe men in maner ſeing their falſhod, though for troubling the ſtate of ſuch common weales vvhere vnluckely they haue been receiued, they can not be ſo ſodenly extirped. [Margin: The folly of Heretikes in time appeareth.]

12. Al that vvil liue.] Al holy men ſuffer one kinde of perſecutiō or other, being greeued and moleſted by the vvicked, one way or an other: but not al that ſuffer perſecution, be holy, as al malefactors. The Church and Catholike Princes perſecute heretikes, and be perſecuted of them againe, as S. Auguſtine often declareth. See ep. 48. [Margin: Perſecution.]

13. Proſper.] Though hereſies and the authors of them be after a while diſcouered & by litle and litle forſaken generally of the honeſt, diſcrete, and men careful of their owne ſaluation, yet their authors and other great ſinners proceede from one errour and hereſie to an other, and finally to plaine Atheiſme and al Diueliſh diſorder.

16. Al Scripture.] Beſides the Apoſtles teaching and tradition, the reading of holy Scriptures is a great defenſe and helpe of the faithful, aud ſpecially of a Biſhop, not onely to auoid and condemne al hereſies, but to the guiding of a man in al iuſtice, good life and vvorkes. Vvhich commendation is not here giuen to the bookes of the new Teſtament onely (vvhereof he here ſpeaketh not, as being yet for a great part not vvritten) but to the Scripture of the old Teſtament alſo, yea and to euery booke of it. For there is not one of them, nor any part of them, but it is profitable to the end aforeſaid, if it be read and vnderſtood according to the ſame Spirit vvherewith it vvas vvritten. [Margin: The great profit of reading the Scriptures.]

The Heretikes vpon this commendation of holy Scriptures, pretend (very ſimply in good ſooth) that therfore nothing is neceſſarie to iuſtice and ſaluation but Scriptures. As though euery thing that is profitable or neceſſarie to any effect, excluded al other helpe, and vvere onely ynough to attaine the ſame. By vvhich reaſon a man might as vvel proue that the old Teſtament vvere ynough, and ſo exclude the new: or any one peece of al the old, and thereby exclude the reſt. For he affirmeth euery Scripture to haue the foreſaid vtilities. and they might ſee in the very next line before, that he requireth his conſtant perſeuêrance in the doctrine vvhich he had taught him ouer and aboue that he had learned out of the Scriptures of the old Teſtament, vvhich he had read from his infancie, but could not thereby learne al the myſteries of Chriſtian religion therein. Neither doth the Apoſtle affirme here that he had his knowledge of Scriptures, by reading onely, vvithout helpe of maiſters and teachers, as the Aduerſaries herevpon (to committe the holy Scriptures to euery mans preſumption) do gather: but affirmeth onely that Timothee knevv the Scriptures and therfore had ſtudied them by hearing good readers and teachers, as S. Paul him ſelf did of Gamaliel and the like, and as al chriſtian ſtudents doe, that be trained vp from their youth in Catholike vniuerſities in the ſtudie of Diuinitie. [Margin: The Heretikes foliſh argumēt: Al Scripture is profitable, ergo only Scripture is neceſſarie & ſufficient.]

Chapter 4

He requireth him to be earneſt vvhile he may, becauſe the time vvil come vvhen they vvil not abide Catholike preaching, 5 and to fulfil his courſe, as him ſelf novv hath done. 9 and to come vnto him vvith ſpeede, becauſe the reſt of his traine are diſperſed, and he dravveth novv to heauen.

1 I Teſtifie before God and IESVS Chriſt vvho ſhal iudge the liuing and the dead, and by his aduent, and his kingdom:

2 Preach the vvord. vrge in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reproue, beſeeche, rebuke in al patience and doctrine.

3 For ″ there ſhal be a time vvhen they vvil not beare ⟨illegible⟩ound doctrine: but according to their ovvne deſires they vvil heape to them ſelues maiſters, hauing itching eares,

4 and from the truth certes they vvil auert their hearing, and to fables they vvil be conuerted.

5 But be thou vigilant, labour in al things, doe the vvorke of an Euangeliſt, fulfil thy miniſterie. Be ſober.

6 For I am euen novv to be ſacrificed: & the time of my reſolutiō is at hand.

7 I haue fought a good fight, I haue conſummate my courſe, I haue kept the faith.

8 Concerning the reſt, there is laid vp for me ″ a crovvne of iuſtice, vvhich our Lord vvil render to me in that day, a iuſt iudge: and not only to me, but to them alſo that loue his comming. ⊢

9 Make haſt to come to me quickly.

10 For Demas hath left me, louing this vvorld, and is gone to Theſſalonica: Creſcens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia.

11 * Luke only is vvith me. Take Marke, and bring him vvith thee: for he is profitable to me for the miniſterie.

12 But Tychicus I haue ſent to Epheſus.

13 The cloke that I left at Troas vvith Carpus, cōming bring vvith thee, and the bookes, eſpecially the parchement.

14 Alexander the Copperſmith hath ſhevved me much euil, our Lord vvil revvard him according to his vvorkes:

15 vvhom doe thou alſo auoid, for he hath greatly reſiſted our vvordes.

16 In my firſt anſvver no man vvas with me, but al did forſake me: be it not imputed to them.

17 But our Lord ſtoode to me, and ſtrengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accompliſhed, and al Gentiles may heare: and I was deliuered from the mouth of the lion.

18 Our Lord ⟨illegible⟩ hath deliuered' me from al euil vvorke: and vvil ſaue me vnto his heauenly kingdom▪ to vvhom be glorie for euer & euer. Amen.

19 Salute Priſca and Aquila, and * the houſe of Oneſiphorus.

20 Eraſtus remained at Corinth. And Trophimus I left ſicke at Milêtum.

21 Make haſt to come before vvinter. Eubûlus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia, and al the brethren, ſalute thee.

22 Our Lord IESVS Chriſt be vvith thy ſpirit. Grace be vvith you. Amen.

Marginal notes to Chapter 4

• v. 1 The Epiſtle for holy Doctors, and for S. Dominike Auguſt. 4.
• v. 6 ⸬ The martyrdom of ſaincts is ſo acceptable to God, that it is counted as it vvere a ſacrifice in his ſight, and therfore hath many effectes both in the partie that ſuffereth it, and in others that are partakers of the merite as of a ſacrifice: vvhich name it hath by a Metaphore.
• v. 10 Col. 4, 14▪
• v. 18 ` ⟨illegible⟩vvil deliuer
• v. 19 2 Timo. 1, 16.
• v. 21 ᶜ This Linus vvas coadiutor with & vnder ⟨illegible⟩. Peter, & ſo counted ſecōd in the number of Popes.

Annotations to Chapter 4

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IIII.

3. There ſhal be a time.] If euer this time come (as needes it muſt that the Apoſtle foreſavv and foretold) novv it is vndoubtedly▪ for the properties fall ſo iuſt in euery point vpon our nevv Maiſters and their Diſciples, that they may ſeeme to be pourtered out, rather then prophecied of. Neuer vvere there ſuch delicate Doctors that could ſo pleaſantly clavv and ſo ſvveetly rubbe the itching eares of their hearers, as theſe, vvhich haue a doctrine framed for euery mans phamſie, luſt, liking and deſire▪ the people not ſo faſt crying, Speake placentia, things that pleaſe: but the Maiſters as faſt vvarranting them to doe placentia. [Margin: The Apoſtle prophecied of our nevv delicate preachers. · Eſa. 30. v. 10.]

8. Acrovvne of iuſtice.] This place conuinceth for the Catholikes, that al good vvorkes done by Gods grace after the firſt iuſtification, be truely and properly meritorious, and fully vvorthy of euerlaſting life: and that therevpon heauen is the due and iuſt ſtipend, crovvne, or recompenſe, vvhich God by his iuſtice ovveth to the perſons ſo vvorking by his grace▪ for he rendreth or repaieth heauen as a iuſt iudge, and not onely as a merciful giues▪ and the crovvne vvhich he paieth, is not onely of mercie or fauour or grace, but alſo of iuſtice. It is his merciful fauour and grace, that vve vvorke vvel & merite heauen: it is his iuſtice, for thoſe merites to giue vs a crovvne correſpondent in heauen. S. Auguſtine vpon theſe vvordes of the Apoſtle, expreſſeth both breifely thus, Hovv ſhould be repay as a iuſt iudge, vnles he had firſt giuen as a merciful father. ⟨illegible⟩. de grat. & lib. arbit. c. 6. [Margin: Vvorkes meritorious. · How heauen is due both of iuſtice and mercie.]

And vvhen you heare or read any thing in the Scriptures, that may ſeeme to derogate from mans vvorkes in this caſe, it is alvvaies meant of vvorkes conſidered in their ovvne nature and valure, not implying the grace of Chriſt, by vvhich grace it cōmeth, & not of the vvorke in it ſelf that vve haue a right to heauen & deſerue it vvorthily: vvhich the Apoſtle in the 6 to the Hebrues more then inſinuateth, ſaying theſe vvordes, God is not vniuſt, to forget your vvorke & loue vvhich you haue ſhovved in his name &c. As though he vvould ſay, that he vvere vniuſt if he did forget to recompenſe their vvorkes. * The parable alſo of the men ſent into the vineyard, proueth that heauen is our ovvne right, bargained for and vvrought for, and accordingly paid vnto vs as our hire at the day of iudgement, for that is ⟨illegible⟩ and ⟨non-Latin script⟩ vvhereby the Scripture ſo often calleth it. It is the goale, the marke, the price, the hire, of al ſtriuing, running, labouring, due both by promis and by couenant and right dette. See a notable place in S. Auguſtine in Pſal. 83▪ in fine: and 100 in initie, & ho. 14▪ c. 2. li. 50▪ hom: S. Cyprian alſo, and namely the later end of his booke de opere & ⟨illegible⟩moſyna: and thou ſhalt eaſily contemne the contrarie falſhod, vvhich doth not ſo much derogate from mans vvorkes, as from Gods grace vvhich is the cauſe and ground of al vvorthines in mans merites. S. Auguſtines vvordes be theſe, Marke that he to vvhom our Lord gaue grace, hath our Lord alſo his detter. He found him a giuer, in the time of mercie: he hath him his detter in the time of iudgement. See the place and the reſt her coted, vvhere he examineth and explicateth the matter at large. [Margin: It is not of vs, but of Gods grace, that vvorkes be meritorious. · Mat. 20. · To ſuch good vvorkes heauē is due: to ſay the contrarie, is to derogate from Gods grace. · In Pſ. 100▪]

Colophon

Printed edition: The Nevv Testament of Iesus Christ, translated faithfully into English, out of the authentical Latin … in the English College of Rhemes (Rhemes: Iohn Fogny, 1582; STC 2884, ESTC S102491), the Catholic New Testament translated from the Latin Vulgate chiefly by Gregory Martin. Copy transcribed: the Eton College Library copy, as filmed for Early English Books Online (image set 2646).

Transcription: Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP), Phase I text A16049 (keyed 2005–06, proofread and released 2006), placed in the public domain under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal. Converted for the Good Works Library in October 2026.

What was done: the spelling, punctuation and capitals of the transcription are kept exactly, including u/v, i/j, "vv" for w, long s (ſ), the abbreviation stroke (as in "vpō") and the edition's own marks (″ for an annotated word, ⸬ and * for marginal references, ⊢ for the end of a liturgical Gospel or Epistle; ▪ is the transcribers' sign for a punctuation mark they could not identify). Removed as apparatus: the TEI markup, page breaks, line-end hyphenation, and the small cross ✝ that the edition sets at the beginning of each verse beside the verse number in the margin; the number is given here instead. Marginal notes are gathered after each chapter, keyed to their verse; the annotations follow as the edition prints them. Words the transcribers could not read are shown as ⟨illegible⟩; words printed in Greek or other non-Latin letters, which the transcription did not key, are shown as ⟨non-Latin script⟩. No gap has been filled or guessed.

The book's heading in the edition reads: "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAVL TO TIMOTHEE." The page title gives it in ordinary capitals and lower case, without other change.

On this page 10 places are marked ⟨illegible⟩ and 3 words or phrases in Greek or other non-Latin letters are marked ⟨non-Latin script⟩.

This is an archival transcription of a historic English Bible. It is not a Good Works Translation.

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