(1) В¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
We have here, an awful prophecy of awful times. And as it bears no date, we have authority to make application of it to any period, yea, and to every period of the Church, where is discoverable a correspondence, between the prediction and what appears to be the accomplishment. It hath been pretty much the custom with Commentators, to make a very general application of what is here said to the Church of Rome. And no doubt very many of the characters belong to that See. The merits of works, and supererogation; the pride and blasphemy, the form without the power of godliness; the creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women; with confessions, purgatory, penance, and the like which distinguish that creed; are high demonstrations, that the Apostle had in view, such a profession of religion, when he wrote these words in this Chapter. But had this heresy been the only one, here spoken of in relation to the perilous times of the last days; I should not have thought it necessary, to have dwelt upon it, with any observations in this Poor Man's Commentary. But convinced as I am, that the true Church of Christ hath as much to apprehend of danger from other quarters in the apostacies around; and which, unless I greatly err indeed, the Holy Ghost in this scripture more immediately had in view; I cannot consider myself justified in passing over the passage now before us, as if the See of Rome was only meant, when I verily believe our dangers are greater from other sources, in and among ourselves, and that the spirit of prophecy in this scripture, had them in contemplation.
I have in the former Epistle of Paul to Timothy, (Chapter 4 and the first and following verses), already stated my thoughts on some of the latter day heresies. It will not be necessary therefore in this place to enlarge. I shall dismiss the subject with only observing; that what God the Spirit, by his servant the Apostle, hath here said, is enough, surely, to keep every child of God upon the look-out, for those perilous times here predicted; which if not already come, (as it should plainly seem they are), cannot be very far remote, and may be near indeed. One grand consolation to the true Church of Christ remains, to comfort her members during the most awful times; namely, her everlasting safety is in no hazard. If it were possible, Jesus saith, they would deceive the very elect. Mark 13:22. But our Lord's manner of expression proves, that it is impossible. And yet, though assured, that not one of Christ's little ones shall perish; it is enough to make the people of God to be deeply affected, with the prospect of those awful times, which threaten the Lord's indignation on a sinful land. Isaiah 1:4. The righteous soul or Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked in his day, 2 Peter 2:7. Moses had his Jannes and his Jambres to oppose him with their enchantments. Exodus 7:11. And David speaks of rivers of tears running down at beholding the breaches made by the wicked on God's holy law. Psalms 119:136. And if the Lord should remove the golden candlestick of Ordinances from us; or give up Professors to their form, as Paul here speaks, wholly void of all the power of Godliness: very awful will be the consequence, though the eternal safety of Christ's Church cannot be affected! But I forbear to dwell upon the subject. Precious Jesus! do as thou hast said. Watch over thy Church, and water her every moment. Keep her night and day, lest any hurt her? Isaiah 27:2-3. If the Reader wishes a sweet Chapter of consolation on this subject, I refer him to Zephaniah 3:1.