Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 3:2

2 A bishop then must be blameless , the husband of one wife , vigilant , sober , of good behaviour , given to hospitality , apt to teach .

Whoever hath the office of oversight in the Church of God, must be

such a person as none can truly blame for any notorious or conspicuous errours in his life.

None, who at the same time hath more Wives than one, (as many of the Iews had, nor was Polygamy only common amongst the Iewes, but amongst the other Eastern Nations) but this was contrary to the institution of Marriage. Some interpret this of successive Marriage, as if it were a scandalous thing for a Minister to marry a second time, but for this they have no pretence from Holy Writ, or reason, or the practice and custom of Nations. Many persons lose their first Wives so soon after Marriage, that were not second Marriages lawful, all the ends of Marriage must be frustrate as to them. The Apostle commanding Ministers to be the Husbands but of one Wife, doth not oblige them to marry, if God hath given them the gift of continency, but it establisheth the lawfulness of their marrying against the Doctrine of Devils in this particular, which the Church of Rome teacheth.

The word here Translated vigilant signifieth also sober, but for that [non-Latin text not transcribed] is after used, He must be one that watcheth his flock, and is attentive to his work; one that will neither be long absent from his flock, nor yet sluggish while he is with them.

One that is prudent, modest, temperate, that can govern his affectio[illegible: 1 letter]s and passions.

A man of a comely, decent behaviour, [non-Latin text not transcribed] no proud super[illegible: 1 letter]ilious man, that despiseth others, nor morose man, who cannot accommodate himself to others.

One that loveth strangers, that is, who is ready to express his love to strangers (especially such as for the truth have left their Country) by all courteous offices.

One that is able to instruct others, and who hath a facility or aptness to it, neither an ignorant, nor yet a lazy man.

In the following description, there is the compleat character of an Evangelical Bishop, with respect to the vertues wherewith he must be adorned, and the vices from which he must b[illegible: 1 letter] exempt, and as to the conduct of his person, and the government of his Family, and his carriage to the Church, and to those that are without.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 1.6. &c.; [illegible: 1 paragraph]; 2 Tim. 2.24.