Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 4:12

12 Let no man despise thy youth , but be thou an example of the believers in word , in conversation , in charity , in spirit , in faith , in purity .

So carry thy self in thy Office, as not to give occasion to any to despise thee, because thou art but a young man,

which thou wilt do if thou so livest as to be a just pattern unto Christians imitable by them

in thy common and ordinary discourse (for he speaks not of his being a pattern only to other Ministers, but to Believers in the generality, not talking frothily or profanely, or idly and impertinently, but seriously and gravely, but things that are good, to the use of edifying, that it may administer Grace to the hearers.

And in all thy converse with men behaving thy self justly and comelily and gravely;

performing also [illegible: 1 word] all, all offices of Charity, and brotherly Love,

in zeal, and warmth of Spirit, truly inflamed with the love of Christ, and for his Glory:

In a steady confession, and profession of the Doctrine of the Gospel, and

in all cleanness and holiness of Life and Conversation. This is the way for the Ministers of the Gospel not to be despised, let them use what other methods they will, they will find what God said of Hophni and Phin[illegible: 1 letter]has, will be made good, 1 Sam. 2.30. Those that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed; nor will any Titles or Habits, or Severities secure them from that curse, which will cleave to them.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 16.11. Tit. 2.15.; Tit. 2.7. 1 Pet. 5.2.