Thirdly, whether the civil magistrate was then custos utriusque tabulæ, keeper of both tables? &c.
Fourthly, whether a church, or congregation of Christians, may not live in godliness and honesty, although the civil magistrate be of another conscience and worship, and the whole state and country with him?
To the first, what is here meant by godliness and honesty?
Answ. I find not that the Spirit of God here intendeth the first and second table.
The word honesty, in this place of Timothy, cannot signify here the honesty or righteousness of the second table.
For, however the word εὐσεβεία signify godliness, or the worship of God, yet the second word, σεμνότης, I find not that it signifies such an honesty as compriseth the duties of the second table, but such an honesty as signifies solemnity, gravity; and so it is turned by the translator, Tit. ii. 7, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀδιαφθορίαν, σεμνότητα, that is, in doctrine [showing] incorruptness, gravity: which doctrine cannot there be taken for the doctrine of the civil state, or second table, but the gravity, majesty, and solemnity of the spiritual doctrine of Christianity. So that, according to the translators’ own rendering of that word in Titus, this place of Timothy should be thus rendered, in all godliness, or worshipping of God, and gravity; that is, a solemn or grave profession of the worship of God. And yet this mistaken and misinterpreted scripture, is that great castle and stronghold which so many fly unto concerning the magistrates’ charge over the two tables.
Secondly, what is the scope of the Spirit of God in this place?
The scope of God’s Spirit in this place of Timothy.
I answer, first, negatively; the scope is not to speak of the duties of the first and second table.