Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 5:22

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man , neither be partaker of other mens sins : keep thy self pure .

By laying on of hands on no man, is certainly to be understood, Do thou suddenly set no man apart to any Ecclesiastical imployment. Laying on of [illegible: 1 letter]ands was but an external Ceremony used in blessing, Gen. 48.14, 15. and in the conferring of power upon persons, Num. 27.18. Deut. 34.9. In the New Testament we find this Rite used. In Prayer upon healing the sick, Mark 16.18. Acts [illegible: 1 letter]8.8. 2. In Blessing, Mark 10.16. in conferring the gif[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 word] the Holy Ghost, Acts 19.6. In ordination, or setting persons apart to some Ecclesiastical imployment, Chap. 4.14. Acts 6.6. and being so used, it is sometimes put for the whole action. This the Apostle forbids Timothy to do suddenly, that is without a first proof of the persons fittedness for his work; chap. 3.10. both with respect to his knowledge, and to his Holiness of conversation.

This participation of other mens sin ought to be taken heed of, in the whole course of our conversation, but it seemeth here to be especially forbidden with reference to what was before spoken of, viz. the setting men apart for or putting them into any Ecclesiastical imployment, he who puts into the Ministry any erroneous, or ignorant persons, or any persons of a leud conversation, makes himself guilty of all the harm they do, if he hath not first taken a due and reasonable proof of them, but hath laid hands upon them suddenly. Amongst other wayes by which we interest our selves in others guilt, one is, by not hindring it having power so to do. He, or they, whom it lyes upon to admit, or not admit men into the Ministry, have a power to refuse them in case upon proof of them they do not find them apt to Teach, or fit for the Ministration they are to undertake; or such for Holiness of Life as God requireth: God by his word declaring what such persons ought to be, and commanding him or them first to prove such persons, and to lay hands on none suddenly, hath invested him or them with such a power, of which man cannot deprive them.

The purity here mentioned, is comprehensive of that chastity which some would have the word here signifie, but it is most reasonable to understand it here with relation to what went before, viz. partaking of other mens sins, if thou canst not keep the Church pure, but ignorant or erroneous persons, or so[illegible: 1 letter]s will get into the Church, yet let them not get in through thy hands, keep thy self pure.

Marginal references: Act. 13.3. 2 Tim. 1.6.