Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/219

 doctrines of His Gospel, and grace to preach them to the world. This was the simple ground on which he claimed Authority; it was not, because of the gifts or graces which he as an individual possessed; nor was it because he had laboured more abundantly than all the other Apostles; nor because of his signal labours and afflictions for sake. He mentions these in his Second Epistle, to show, that if he chose to adopt the language of his adversaries, he had a better right than they to glory; but all the while he tells the Corinthians that he was "become a fool in glorying;" that they had compelled him; that he could show the signs of an Apostle, and needed no epistles of commendation. It was in right of his Office that he claimed Authority; it was for the sake of that Office that he endeavoured to give no offence in any thing, but in all things to approve himself as the Minister of.

Now, perhaps some persons may be disposed to think that this Apostolical Authority would terminate with the Apostles themselves, with the favoured men who had been "eye-witnesses and ministers of the word," and could declare to others what they had themselves heard and seen. This might appear probable, if we had only our own reasonings to go upon, but Scripture teaches us a very different lesson. When St. Paul felt that his time was now nearly come, he writes to Timothy, his "dearly beloved son," giving him his last solemn charge, as to one who was henceforth to occupy the post which he had hitherto, by grace, maintained in the battles of his. He earnestly commands him, "watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." This faith which St. Paul had so anxiously kept, was now to be committed to Timothy's charge; he had already been put in trust with the Gospel by the and the imposition of the Apostles' hands; and now upon Him was to devolve the solemn responsibility of being left in charge of the Apostles' testimony, and of handing it down to future ages. "Be not thou therefore ashamed," says the Apostle, "of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith