prisonment, such a one will impede, rather than accelerate the course of the word of God.

"The testimony."-Paul had borne his testimony, and, now that he was a prisoner, he continued to bear it; yet he required the testimony of Timothy. Hence, it is not of sinall consequence, that the testimony of God's servants be multiplied.

"Of the Lord."—It is a servant of the Lord that summons, but he summons to the business of the Lord. Hence, we must listen to the voice of the Lord's servants, especially if it concern not human convenience, but the Lord's glory.

"Our."-Paul and Timothy were both the servants of Jesus Christ. Phil. i. 1. Hence, they who have one common Lord, and are engaged in one common service, may mutually stir up each other to seek their Lord's glory; which is to be promoted by unity, &c.

The Special Scope cannot here be sought in antecedents, because the Special Inference is contained in this verse; and, therefore, the antecedent words have reference to the proposition expressed in this verse, as to the Special Scope; just as any middle term is referred to its own conclusion. With respect to consequents, the proposition itself is as a Special Scope;

and the things which might be considered here, recur in the following Source.

Inferences from the second External Source.

Here we may again institute a general, special, and particular collation and deduction of Inferences.

If the text form one perfect subject, it may be collated with the antecedents and consequents. The whole epistle is of one subject; and, therefore pertains to antecedents and consequents. Thus, St. Paul's first exhortation is, to undergo afflictions for the cause of Christ. This he endeavours to enforce by very cogent arguments; and he frequently repeats it, with the addition of new arguments, throughout the whole epistle. Hence flow the following Infer

ences.

1. A subject of great importance is not to be treated indifferently.

2. If danger of apostacy threaten even the established Christian, it should be guarded against with the utmost care.

3. He who is bound to invite another to undergo hardships for the cause of Christ, is also bound to use wisdom, in fortifying him against fear; and diligence

in enjoining on him the necessity of enduring such hardships.

A special collation may be instituted, by separately collating the entire text with entire verses antecedent and consequent. From an immense number of Inferences that might be deduced, we present the following, which result from a collation with the antecedent verse 7.

1. Before we animate a combatant to engage in the holy war, we should put arms into his hands.

2. Unless the Spirit of God prepare the heart, we vainly attempt to animate by words.

3. A fearful heart is not capable of the testimony of Christ, nor of enduring afflictions for the promotion of the Lord's glory.

Inferences deduced from Collation with verse 6.

1. The gift which a minister of a church may have received from God, is to be stirred up, in order not only to teach, but also to suffer.

2. He who permits the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, ought to suffer, if it be the will of Providence, the laying on of the hands of the civil officer.

Inference, from Collation with verse 5.

Faith received from ancestors, and steadily preserved, may, when brought to remembrance in a season of persecution, happily prevent apostacy.

Inference, from Collation with verse 4.

The godly, though surrounded by calamities, and expecting nothing but affliction, can nevertheless rejoice, and enjoy the most delightful communion with each other.

Inference, from Collation with verse 3.

We ought to offer up prayers night and day, in behalf of those who are about to suffer for the testimony of Jesus.

The above Inferences all flow from Antecedents, and if we now advert to Consequents, we shall find that a similar abundance is deducible from them..

Inference, from Collation with verse 9.

When our salvation and the grace of God are

called to remembrance, they dispel all fear of tempo ral affliction.

Inference, from Collation with verse 10.

Greater boldness in affliction, should be evidenced under the New Testament dispensation, because Christ has really appeared; and, thus, confirmed our faith in his passion, resurrection, &c.

A Particular Collation is when the several Words of the text, as far as they relate to the several Words antecedent and consequent, are collated with them, in order that fresh Inferences may be derived. This Collation cannot very easily be exhausted, because words may be collated together without end.

"Be not thou ashamed"-verse 8. with " a sound mind:”—verse 7.

1. Carnal wisdom is easily put to shame by adverse circumstances.

2. The Spirit of a sound mind so composes the soul, that afflictions do not even produce shame.

"Be not thou ashamed"-with "love:" verse 7. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment: he that feareth is not made perfect in love." This is the language of John, 1 Epist. iv. 18.