The Happiness of Enjoying and Use of Christ, Text 3
SAINT PAULS LEGACIE.
2 COR. 13.11.
Finally, brethren, farewell: Be perfect, be of good comfort, bee of one minde, live in peace; and the God of love and peace ſhall be with you.
EVery communion amongſt men on earth, hath his diſſolution; be it never ſo entire, never ſo ſinne, never ſo delightfull, yet at length there comes a ſeparation: the ſweeteſt fellowſhip, the ſocietie which is moſt intimate, hath the cords and chains thereof at length diſſolved. Communion with God is everlaſting, communion with man is tranſitory and temporall. The Arke was tranſportative, removing from place to place, till it came to Solomons Temple: ſuch is mans condition, ſubject to continuall change and motion, till he comes to heaven, where Gods people ſhall have an endleſſe and unchangeable communion.
The fellowſhip betweene Abimelech and the men of Shechem, was very ſtrong and intimate: they wereaIudg. 9.23. bone of bone, and fleſh of fleſh, yet at length there came an evill Spirit between them, and they were divided. Great is the enmitie of Sathan againſt mens ſweet and comfortable communion.
Abraham and Lot ſweetly converſed and dwelt for divers dayes together, yet at length they parted,bGen. 13.6. their ſubſtance was ſo great, that they could not dwell together. Much ſweet communion & commerce between Gods people, is often hindered by the fulneſſe of the world.
Singular was the friendſhip, pleaſant was the fellowſhip between Jonathan and David, their love was c2 Sam. 1.26.wonderfull, paſſing the love of women, yet by an arrow in the battell Jonathan fell, and their ſweet commerce was ended. Death diſſolveth all humane fellowſhip.
Eliah and Eliſha enjoyed many dayes moſt bleſſed and gracious communion together, yet at length it came to paſſe, that as they d2 King. 2.11.went and talked, there appeared a Chariot of fire, and Horſes of fire, and parted them both aſu…der. God doth often remove the deareſt friends and comforters of his ſervants, to learne them to depend alone upon Chriſt Jeſus. God doth ſometimes take away the Guides and Teachers of his people, to let them ſee, that the choyceſt inſtruments of mans happineſſe, are not of everlaſting continuance. Saint Paul had been for divers dayes a preacher to the men of Corinth, preaching to them many powerfull and heavenly ſermon, delivering to them many found and wholſome Doctrine, writing alſo a firſt and ſecond Epiſtle: yet his miniſtery was not for perpetuity, nor his preſence of everlaſting continuance; a time of ſeparation came, and his labours drew to an end, and in theſe words hee takes hi… laſt leave and farewell of them: … nally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect bee of good comfort, bee of one minde, live i… peace; and the God of love and peace ſhall be with you.
The Apoſtle Saint Paul had in this whole Epiſtle ſharply rebuked the Corinthians for oppoſing his doctrine, for ſlighting and deſpiſing his admonition; and now, that they might not thinke he either ſpake or wrote out of hatred or diſtemper of ſpirit, many arguments and evidences of his great and ſingular love are intermixed; chiefly in this his concluſion, mitigating all the ſeveritie and bitterneſſe which hee ſeemed to uſe towards them; concluding and ſhutting up all in a holy; ſweet, and gracious exoptation, or wiſh of all perfection, conſolation, peace, concord, and communion with God unto them; Finally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect, &c.
The Lord who givetheEpheſ. 4.10. ſome Apoſtles, ſome Prophets, ſome Evangeliſts, ſome Paſtors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, for the worke of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt: The Lord whofJerem. 3.15. gives his people Paſtors according to his owne heart, to feed them with knowledge and underſtanding, hath, in the courſe of his gracious providence, made me for more than fifteene yeares, an under-overſeer of your ſoules; wherein, as his weake and fraile, feeble and unworthy inſtrument, I have been the Lords and your ſervant, endevouring (though neither with ſuch diligence and induſtry as I ſhould, nor with that bleſſed and plentifull ſucceſſe which I deſire and wiſh) to open Gods counſell, to propoſe and ſet forth Chriſt before your eyes, to make him glorious in your apprehenſion, to humble your ſoules, to convert your hearts, to draw you, by faith and love, to Chriſt, the complete and onelyonly Authour of your everlaſting welfare: And now, as Saint Paul ſaid ſometimes to the men of Epheſus, gActs 20.25.Behold, I know that yee all, among whom I have here ſtood preaching the kingdome of God, ſhall (after this day in all likelihood) behold my face in this place no more; being now to you as a dying man, whoſe laſt breath is going forth; as a ſtarre ſetting and riſing no more in this horizon; as a lampe going out and ſhining no more in this your houſe of ſacred meeting: As a man dying, and loth to dye, I ſhall, in the ardencie of my love, and great anguiſh of my ſpirit, in the words & wiſh of S. Paul, take my laſt leave and valediction: Finally, brethren, farewell: Be perfect, be of good comfort be of one minde, live i… peace; and the God of love and peace be with you.
In which words wee may take notice, 1. Of a particle of concluſion, Finally. 2. Of a title of compellation, Brethren. 3. Of a terme of valediction and farewell, Farewell. 4. of a vote, Of exoptation or wiſhing, Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one minde live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you. Wherein Saint Paul like a Teſtator, or Parent, that makes his laſt Will & Teſtament, bequeatheth theſe five gifts, as five Legacies to the Corinthians his children in Chriſt, which are like thehGen. 45.22. five changes of rayment which Joſeph gave to Benjamin, for the ſpirituall warmth and ornament which they miniſter to the ſoules of Gods children: like theiJudg. 18.7. five men which brought good tidings to their brethren, incouraging them to ariſe and enter into the land, for the comfortable newes which they bring to the ſoules of men, encouraging them to enter into Gods ſervice, to ſet their feet into the wayes of peace and holineſſe: like thek1 Sam. 21.3. five loaves of bread which David asked of the Prieſt, for the nouriſhment, refection, and ſtrength which they miniſter to the ſoules of Gods ſervants; and theſe I ſhall, being now as a dying man to you, bequeath unto you as a Legacie of choyceſt worth to adorne you, of greateſt ſtrength to ſupport you, of beſt nouriſhment to feed you, of ſweeteſt peace to ſolace you. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, &c.
The branches growing on this tree, are many; the ſtreames iſſuing from this fountain, are divers: and having but one day to gather the fruit here growing, to draw the waters hence ariſing, I ſhall but briefly touch, & give you a taſte of each of them; and firſt of the particle of concluſion, Finally, laſtly,Denique, quod ſupereſt. or as touching that which remaineth, that is, after that I have done mine office, and have inſtructed you by the word, threatned you by the judgements, and intreated you by the mercies of God, and have uſed all meanes to move you to repentance, and to draw you to Chriſt; Finally, or what remaineth more to be done now, but that you doe your duty, that you beleeve, repent, reforme, bee perfect, and draw home to Chriſt with all your ſoule and might. This is that which now remaineth, which is now on your behalfe expected: And hence you ſee,
Doct. That the Miniſters long and frequent preaching muſt be attended with much perfection in the people: After the Miniſters long and frequent inſtruction, faith, repentance, and true converſion muſt ſhew it ſelfe forth in the people. When the Miniſter hath done his dutie towards men, men muſt doe their dutie towards God. The lExod. 17.6.rocke guſhed out water after Moſes ſtriking it. After the Prieſts ſeven times compaſsing the walles of Jericho, and mJoſ. 6.20.blowing of their Rammes horns, the walles fell unto the ground. After the Prophets n2 Kings 4.34.ſpreading himſelfe upon the woman of Shunems child, the fleſh of the child waxed warme, hee neeſed and opened his eyes: After the Miniſters often ſmiting our hearts with the hammer of the word, often ſounding of the trumpet of the Goſpel in our eares, and right dividing and applying of the word unto our hearts, our ſtony hearts ſhould be ſoftned, and ſend forth the waters of godly ſorrow; the ſtrong and mighty holds of ſinne ſhould bee caſt downe, our ſoules enlivened, the eyes of our underſtandings moſt clearly and ſavingly opened: After the ſhining of the Sunne, the aire is inlightned; after the diſtilling of the dew, and plentifull influence of the heavens, the earth fructifieth; after the long ſhining of the light of the Goſpel, and frequent diſtilling and dropping down of the dew of heavenly doctrine, mens underſtandings ſhould bee filled with knowledge, as the aire with light, and their lives repleniſhed with all ſpirituall and heavenly fruit. This the Lord expecteth,oIſa. 5.4. What could have been done more to my vineyard (ſaith the Lord) that I have not done in it, in regard of the externall meanes; wherefore I looked that it ſhould bring forth grapes; that like a vineyard long and well dreſſed, it ſhould bring forth good grapes of knowledge, faith, repentance, and the like: this is the property of Gods children, as goodpMat. 13.24. ground receiving good ſeed, they bring forth much fruit: as living and healthy children ſucking their mothers breaſts, theyq1 Pet. 2.2. grow by the ſincere milke of the word of God: This fruit hath followed the labours of Gods Miniſters. Saint Peter rActs 2.44.teſti… and exhorted, and his word was glad … and about three thouſand ſoules were … to the Church. Saint Paul preached, and as ſActs 13.48.many as were ordained unto life, beleeved. The Apoſtle preached at Epheſus, & tActs 19.20.many beleeved, came and confeſſed, and ſhewed forth their deeds: ſo mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. uExod. 17.11.Ioſua fought, Moſes prayed, and Iſrael prevailed over Amalek. When the Miniſter preacheth and prayeth, Gods Iſrael muſt prevaile over Satan and their corruption. Peter wIoh. 21.11.caſteth the net the ſecond time into the ſea, and a multitude of fiſhes are taken in it: At the Miniſters firſt and ſecond, frequent and often preaching, many ſoules ſhould, by the net of the Goſpel, bee drawne out of the gulfe and ſea of ſinne and the world: And that,
In regard of the end of the Miniſters Reaſon 1 long and frequent preaching: The xPſa. 104.22, 23.Sunne ariſeth (ſayth the Pſalmiſt) the wilde beaſts gather themſelves together, and lay them downe in their dennes; man goeth forth to his worke, and to his labour untill the evening. The Goſpel like the Sunne ariſeth, and all the luſts of men, which like ſo many wilde beaſts, walke forth and make their prey upon the ſoules of men in the right of their ignorance, muſt now lye themſelves downe by humiliation, mortification, and true repentance, and man muſt ariſe from the bed of ſinne, and goe forth out of himſelfe, as out of his houſe, to his worke and to his labour,yPhil. 2.12. working out his ſalvation with feare and trembling, neverz1 Theſſ. 1.3. ceaſing from the worke of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, untill the evening, untill the ſunne of his life be wholly gone down and ſet. This the Apoſtle preſſeth from the end of the appearing of the Goſpel:aRom. 13.11. The night is farre ſpent, the time and ſtate of ignorance and blindneſſe is farre gone; and the light is neere at hand, the day of the Goſpel breaketh forth, and the light of illumination doth appeare: Let us therefore caſt off the workes of darkneſſe, as men caſt off their bed-clothes in the morning, and let us put on the armour of light, as men put on their day clothes, and ſo let us walke; andbTit. 2.11. the grace of God (ſaith Saint Paul to Titus) hath appeared, teaching men to deny ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and to live ſoberly, righteouſly, cActs 26.16.and go… in this preſent evill world. And … Chriſt to Paul) have appeared … …is purpoſe, to make thee a Mi…ſter … witneſſe both of theſe things which thou haſt ſeene, and of thoſe things in the which I will appeare unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I ſend thee, to open their eyes, and to turne them from darkneſſe to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.
In regard of Gods expectation: The huſband-man after the long manuring of the field, lookes for fruit from the field: Who is thedMat. 21. houſholder in the parable that planted a vineyard, but the Lord? What is the vineyard but the Church? and what are the vines, but the ſeveral mēbers of the Church? Who are the ſervants but the Miniſters whom God ſends to dreſſe his vineyard? & what is the fruit which God there expects, but knowledge, faith, repentance, the fruit of his Miniſters labours in the ſoules of his ſervants? The ſhepheard lookes for increaſe from the flocke which he watcheth, feedeth, conducteth and defendeth; the husband lookes for children from the wife whom he eſpouſeth, the fruit of his wedlocke; and God, the husband and ſhepheard of our ſoules, lookes for fruit from us; over whom, by his Miniſters, hee watcheth; whom by their labours, he feedeth, conducteth and defendeth, and eſpouſeth to himſelfe. The Teacher expecteth learning from his ſcholer; and herein (ſaith Chriſt) is my Father glorified, eJoh. 15.8.that ye beare much fruit, ſo ſhall ye be my Diſciples.
In regard of honouring and glorifying the Word, and Miniſters thereof: The fruitfulneſſe of the field is the glory of the ſeed ſowne in it, and of the husband-man which ſowed it:fPſa. 128.3. the wife which is as the vine by the ſides of the houſe, and the children ſtanding like Olive plants round about the Table, are the glory of the houſe and husband:gPſal. 127.5. happy is he that hath his quiver full of them (ſayth the Pſalmiſt) he ſhall not be aſhamed. The fruitfulneſſe of the people, when the Congregation is full of ſpirituall fruit, like a vine growing by the houſe ſide, and the ſeverall members thereof fat and flouriſhing in grace, like Olive plants, then the Word is glorified, then the Miniſter is honoured; happy is that Meſſenger of God that hath his quiver, the houſe of his Miniſtery, full of them. It is ſayd of the Gentiles,hActs 13.48. that they heard, and glorified the Word of God, and as many as were ordained unto life, beleeved. They glorified the word of God, by acknowledging the truth of it, by beleeving the promiſes of ſalvation propoſed in it, by ſubmitting themſelves to the power and authoritie of it, by walking anſwerably to it. Mans obedience is the glory of Gods ordinance: the fruitfulneſſe of the hearers, is the crowne of Gods Meſſengers.
In regard of peace and conſolation to their owne ſoules. The good effects of Phyſicke make the patient joyfull: the fructification of the word in the heart of man, makes the ſoule of man comfortable. When the Goſpel commeth not in i1 Theſſ. 1.5.word onelyonly, but in power alſo: in power in lightning, in power converting and changing the heart of man, working and perfecting grace in the inward man; then the ſoule of man is filled with joy in the holy Ghoſt, then the Word is the joy and rejoycing of the heart: then thekIſai. 5.7.19. fruit of the lippe is peace, ſpirituall, inward, univerſall, plentifull and perpetuall peace; peace with God, peace with man, peace with the conſcience; a paradiſe of heavenly comforts, a river of peace, which no humane underſtanding can fathome: And therefore it muſt bee the care of men to ſee that they grow to much ſpirituall perfection after the Miniſters long and frequent preaching.
This therefore reproveth ſuch as after the long and frequent preaching of the Goſpel, continue barren and unfruitfull, Uſe. like the grounds about l2 King. 2.19.Iericho, which were not made fertile, but rather barren, by the waters which did flow upon them; to whom the waters drawne out of the wells of ſalvation, are as waters powred upon the rocke, which bringeth forth no fruit; from whom the ſounding of the trumpet of the Goſpel, and the conſtant cry of Gods watchmen, like them1 King. 18 26. call and cry of Baals worſhippers from the morning to the evening upon Baal, hath no voyce nor anſwer of faith in Gods promiſes, of obedience to Gods precepts, nor of godly ſorrow for mens tranſgreſſions, miniſtring matter of complaint to God, provoking the ſite of Gods indignation againſt their ſoules. I nIſa. 64.2.have ſpred out my hands all the day long (ſaith the Lord) unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that is not good, after their owne thoughts, a people that provoketh me to anger continually … face; miniſtring cauſe of great complaint to Gods Meſſengers, cauſing them to ſay with the Prophet Eſay, oIſa. 53.1.Who hath beleeved our report, and to whom hath the arme of the Lord been revealed? to mourne & wiſh with Jeremy, O pJer. 9.1.that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountaine of teares, that I might weepe day and night for the ſlaine of the daughter of my people! O that I had in the wilderneſſe a lodging of way-faring men, that I might leave my people, and goe from them; for they are all adulterers, & an aſſembly of treacherous men! Great is the griefe ariſing in the ſoules of Gods Miniſters, when men continue barren under their labours: And when men thrive not, aſcend not to perfection in grace by the care & induſtry of Gods watch-men, they loſe thatqPro. 2.10. knowledge, the preſence whereof is more pleaſant then the ſun; thatr1 Pet. 1.6. faith, the enioyment whereof is more pretious then all gold; that peace, which is more comfortable and delightfull then any paradiſe, then the garden of Eden it ſelf; and that communion with God, in cōpariſon wherof the ſweeteſt communion with men is but an exilement, continuing their ſoules under the dominion of ſin, which is more loathſome & full of torment then any ſicknes; under that bondage of Satan, which is infinitely worſe then captivity under any mortall tyrant, provoking God at length to leave them, and making their laſt account, for all the Sermons which they have heard, moſt dreadfull and moſt uncomfortable.
Therefore let it bee our care, after the long and frequent preaching of the Goſpel, after the due and faithfull diſcharge of the Miniſters dutie towards us, to diſcharge our dutie alſo towards God: the Lord hath cauſed the Starre of his Goſpel a long time to ſhine amongſt you, and hath made the dew of his doctrine to drop for divers years upon you: he hath ſhewed you his ſtatutes and his teſtimonies, he hath not dealt ſo with every people, he hath not ſhewed ſuch mercy to every congregation; therefore, as the tree which hath much ſoile caſt about him, brings forth much fruit; as the ſervant which had five talents, brought much advantage to his Lord and Maſter; ſo ſtrive yee to bring a meaſure of glory to God, anſwerable to the meaſure of the meanes hee hath affoorded you: the Lord hath ſowne much, and lookes to reap much; the harveſt muſt anſwer the ſeed; bee therefore filled with all heavenly graces, as the ſea with waters; be ſtrong in faith, as the tree growes deepe in the rootes; bee fervent in love, as a fire of much wood; abound in all the fruits of the Spirit, like the tree which bare ſRev. 22.2.twelve ſorts of fruit.
The more you abound in grace under the Goſpel, the longer the Goſpel ſhall be continued, the more ſweetneſſe ſhall your ſoules taſte in it, the neerer ſhall you draw to God by it, the more effectually ſhall the pardon of your ſinne bee ſealed up through it, and the more comfortable account ſhall you render to God at laſt, for all the labours of his Miniſters, whereof God hath made you partakers; the more comfortably ſhall I againe behold your faces at our laſt generall appearance; the more bleſſed account ſhall I make to Chriſt, my great Lord and Maſter, of this my Miniſteriall ſervice, and ſhall the more joyfully for the preſent, in the words of the Apoſtle here, this day take my laſt leave of you and ſay, Finally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect, bee of good comfort, bee of one minde, live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you.
Finally, brethren. Brethren is a title of compellation, the ſecond branch of this tree: There are brethren by nature, brethren by condition, and brethren by profeſſion and participation of one Chriſt; the laſt of theſe are the brethren here mentioned; whom the Apoſtle here ſtileth brethren, in reſpect of Originall, having one God for their Father with him; in reſpect of Relation, being knit to Chriſt by one bond of ſaving faith, and one golden chaine of unfained love among themſelves, with Saint Paul the Apoſtle; and in reſpect of true and fervent Love, the Apoſtle loving them as his brethren: and this the Apoſtle chiefly intendeth here, it being his purpoſe now to manifeſt his love unto them. And hence we learne,
That there is in all Gods faithfull Miniſters, Doct. a very fervent and unfained love to their Hearers. A brotherly love, a love like that of Jonathan to David, t2 Sam. 1.26.a love ſurpaſſing the love of women, being deare unto them, as the apple of their eye, as the ſignet upon their finger, or the Bride unto the Bride-groome; therefore are the Miniſters ſtiled Husbandmen, Shepheards, Watch-men, Parents, Nurſes: as the Husband-man loves the vineyard which hee hath planted, the Shepheard the flocke which hee keepeth, the Watch-man the Citie which hee watcheth, the Father the children which he begetteth, or the Nurſe the child to which ſhee draweth forth her breaſt and feedeth: ſo Gods Miniſters love their hearers, the vineyard which they plant, the flock which they keepe, the Citie over which they watch, the children which they miniſterially beget and nurſe; for thus the people are ſtiled by names expreſſing the Miniſters high prizing of them, great delight in them, and ſingular love unto them, as,uIſa. 8.18. children, w1 Theſ. 2.19, 20.hope, joy, crown of rejoycing, glory and joy: the Apoſtle putting on the indulgent affection of a father, and in the ſtrength and paſſion of his love, ſo ſtiles them, and ſpeakes thus unto them, What is our hope, or joy, or crowne of rejoycing? Are not even yee in the preſence of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt at his comming? for yee are our glory and joy. And Saint Paul ſpeaking of his love to the Corinthians, calleth it ax2 Cor. 7.4. more aboundant love, that is, a high, a ſtrong, a tranſcendent love, ſuch love that hee ſaith, hisy2 Cor. 6.11. mouth was open to them, and his heart was enlarged: His whole man was open to them (as a Bridegroomes houſe is opened to the Bride) to entertaine them, to love them, to rejoyce in them, to communicate himſelfe to the utmoſt unto them, as the open Sunne ſendeth forth his light, and the open cloud doth power out his raine: nay, they were inz2 Cor. 7.3. his heart to live and dye with them.
And who can doubt of the love of Gods faithfull Miniſters towards their hearers, that ſhall but looke,
Upon their labours to ſave the ſoules of Reaſ 1 their hearers? They area2 Tim. 4.2. inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, taking all opportunities; they ſow in the morning, and with-hold not their hand in the evening; they have no reſt, they hold not theirbIſa. 62.11. peace day nor night, as Naomi ſaid of Boaz, The man will not bee cRuth 3. ult.at reſt untill hee hath finiſhed the thing this day: ſo ſuch is the love of Gods Miniſters, that they are at no reſt, untill they have finiſhed the worke of grace in their hearers, conſummated the marriage between them and Chriſt.
Upon their ſorrowes, ſadneſſe, ſighes, Reaſ 2 and teares, to behold the peoples barrenneſſe under their labours, obſtinacie againſt their perſwaſions, and the danger where into they thruſt their ſoules; no father is more grieved to ſee the lewdneſſe of his child.dJer. 13.17. Jeremies ſoule weepes in ſecret for his people. Iſaiahs bowels ſound like a eIſai. 16.11.harpe for Moab. Paul had fRom. 9.2.continuall ſorrow for the Iewes, he was pained as a gGal. 4.19.woman in travel for the Galatians; and out h2 Cor. 2.4.of much affliction and anguiſh of heart he wrote with many teares to the Corinthians, that they might know the love which he had more abundantly unto them. You may in the teares and ſorrowes of Gods Miniſters for the peoples diſobedience, read their love as in lively characters: the greatneſſe of the Miniſters griefe for the peoples miſery, argues the ſtrength of their deſire to make them happy.
Reaſ 3 Upon their ſufferings for their hearers, they ſuffer reproach in their names, being made ai2 Cor. 4.9 ſpectacle to Men and Angels: they ſuffer loſſe of goods, loſſe of peace, loſſe of libertie, and loſſe of life, that they may bekActs 20.24. faithful in their calling, finiſh the courſe of their Miniſtery, and ſave the ſoules committed to them. The ſufferings of faithfull Miniſters are a clear and lively evidence of their love to their hearers. Gods Miniſters doe often ſuſtaine great temporall loſſes for other mens everlaſting gaine and advantage.
And whereunto ſhould this love of Gods Miniſters move and work our hearts, Uſe. but to frequent and diligent attendance on their labours; as wee cheerfully hearken to their voyce who love us; as children come cheerfully to the banquet which their parents provide for them.
2. To humble ſubmiſſion and obedience to their doctrines, ſeeing they doe all in ſingular love for the ſalvation of our ſoules; theſe wee ſhould follow, as Iſrael the fiery pillar; theſe wee ſhould readily put in practice, as Ahimaas l2 Sam. 18.ran as ſoon as Ioab gave him a commiſsion. The love of Gods Miniſters ſhould worke the hearers to a ready and ſingular obſervance of their doctrines.
3. This ſhould breed in us reverence to their perſons, as obedient children to their loving parents, receiving and honouring their doctrines, as the word m1 Theſ. 2.13.of God, and not of man. Men muſt make their reverence proportionable to the love and labour of Gods Meſſengers; the more they endevour our ſalvation, the more honourably we ſhould thinke of them.
4. This ſhould make us unwilling to be deprived of them, as children of a loving nurſe, the wife of a kinde and carefull husband, or then1 Sam. 4.22. wife of Phineas of the Arke: it ſhould leſſe grieve us to bee deprived of all earthly abilities, then of Gods faithfull Miniſters; the gaine of the world cannot recompence the loſſe of the Goſpel: He never clearly diſcerned, nor truly taſted Chriſt in the doctrine of Gods Meſſengers, that is not exceedingly grieved at the loſſe of their labours.
5. This ſhould draw love from us againe to them, cauſing us to have them ino1 Theſ. 5.13. ſingular love for their workes ſake: the more wee love them, the more readily we ſhall receive their inſtructions, the more fully ſhall wee ſubject our ſelves to their admonitions, the more beauty ſhall wee ſee in their doctrines, the more ſweetneſſe ſhall we taſte in their labours, and the more feelingly and effectually ſhall the Miniſter wiſh and endevour our peace and everlaſting welfare, ſpeaking peace to us, and praying for all good things at the hands of God for us, and ſaying at laſt with Saint Paul, Finally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace bee with you.
The third thing in theſe words, is a word of valediction, Farewell; a word commonly uſed in the concluſion and upſhot of Epiſtles; wherein the Apoſtle wiſheth to them all happineſſe, joy, tranquillity, comfort, even all manner welfare.
He had been long their Teacher, Watchman, and Monitor, yet at length hee bids them farewell, and takes his leave of them.
The labours of Gods choyceſt Miniſters are not everlaſting, but of a ſhort continuance. Note.After a while thep1 King. 17.7. brooke Cherith, of which Eliah dranke, was dried up, and he was commanded to goe to Zarepha, to looke out for another place of ſupportment: After a while the Miniſter, whoſe doctrine hath been as a river to refreſh and water us, is taken from us, the brooke of his doctrine is dried up, and we muſt looke out ſome other brook whereof to drinke, or elſe our ſoules muſt ſtarve and periſh.
It ſhould bee therefore mens wiſedome to keepe and continue the faithfull Miniſter of God with them while they have him, and not delight in change of Miniſters, as men doe in change of horſes, leſt they bee deceived at laſt.qProv. 27.10. Thine owne friend, and thy fathers friend, ſaith Solomon, forſake not: As friends, ſo Miniſters, are not like houſes and garments, commendable and to bee deſired for their newneſſe, but like Wiues, for their long continuance and experience wee have of their faithfulneſſe and labours.
And ſince the continuance of able Miniſters is ſo uncertaine, it ſhould bee our care to make our beſt uſe of them while wee doe enjoy them: men buy while the Mart laſteth, men walke while the light ſhineth, men enter while the gate is open, and every man ſhould ſtrive to furniſh his ſoule, to draw nigh to God, to enter in to Chriſt, while God affoords an able Miniſter to guide and bring us home to Chriſt Jeſus. But this word, Valete, is commonly expounded by another word, gaudete, rejoyce yee, and then the meaning is this: If ſo bee that yee follow the counſell which hath beene given you, beleeve the doctrine which hath been taught you, and conforme your ſelves to the rules which have been preſcribed to you, then you ſhall have matter and cauſe of great joy. And hence note,
Doct. That the full and thorough conforming of our ſelves to the doctrine of Gods Meſſengers, miniſters great joy and gladneſſe, though they depart from us. The Iſraelites had great joy in that they had followed the fiery pillar, though at length it left them, becauſe before it left them, it brought them into the land of Canaan. TherMat. 2.10. wiſe men had matter of great joy in the ſtarre, though at length it was no more a light unto them; becauſe before it left them, it brought them unto Chriſt. The traveller hath great joy in the guide, though at length hee ceaſe to bee any more a guide unto him; becauſe before hee forſooke him, hee brought him unto his home, at leaſt led him farre in his way, and ſhewed him how to walke aright unto his journeyes end. Man that throughly conformes himſelfe to the doctrine of Gods faithfull Miniſter, hath matter of great joy within him, though the Miniſter of God at length leave him; becauſe before he leaves him, hee hath preſented and opened Chriſt unto him, and brought him home to Chriſt, by working faith and love in him; brought him into the ſtate of grace, ſowen a ſeed in his heart which ſhall never dye, kindled a light in his ſoule which ſhall never goe out, and ſet his feet in that way from which hee ſhall never wander, but walke on untill hee come unto his bleſſed and everlaſting home. And this is that which indeed gives cauſe of joy and gladneſſe to the people, even their full and effectuall conforming themſelves to the Miniſters doctrine, their obſerving his counſell, their obeying his admonition, their feeling the power of his miniſtery in working a bleſſed and gracious change in them. The Eunuch feeling faith wrought in him by Philips Sermon, and being baptized by him, having his incorporation into Chriſt ſealed up unto him, it is ſaid,ſAct. 8.39. Hee went on his way rejoycing, though the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that hee ſaw him no more. It is ſaid of them that beleeved upon Paul and Barnabas his preaching, though the people raiſed perſecution againſt Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coaſts; yet the Diſciples, ſuch as were converted by their miniſtery, weretActs 13.48, 32. filled with joy, and with the holy Ghoſt. And though the departure of Gods faithfull Embaſſadours miniſter matter of great griefe and ſorrow to the ſoules of true beleevers, as ſometimes the men of Epheſus uActs 20 37, 38.wept ſore, and fell on Pauls necke and kiſſed him, ſorrowing moſt of all for the words which hee ſpake, that they ſhould ſee his face no more; yet the fruit of their miniſtery remaining, and the preſence or ſucceſſion of other able Miniſters to edifie, and bring them unto further perfection, affoords them matter of much and ſweet rejoycing: though Paul departed from Jeruſalem to Tarſus, yet the ChurcheswActs 9.31. were edified, and, walking in the feare of the Lord, and comfort of the holy Ghoſt, were multiplied. Gods hand is not ſhortned, if one helper faile, hee can raiſe a ſecond; if all faile, the Lord himſelfe is all-ſufficient: he that truly profiteth by the Word when the Lord affoords it, ſhall never be deſtitute of all ſpirituall comfort; whether the miniſtery faile or be continued, hee hath a Day-ſtarre of grace riſen within him, which ſhall give him ſome glimpſe of ſweet and heavenly conſolation: the ſoule of him that conformes himſelfe to the doctrine of Gods faithfull Miniſters, ſhall ever meet with ſome matter of true joy and gladneſſe.
In regard of the bleſſed preſence of Reaſ 1 Gods grace and Spirit within them, there appeares ax2 Pet. 1.19. Day-ſtarre of regeneration, which makes them joyfull, as the Starre did the wiſe men: they feele in their hearts thatyRom. 14.17. kingdome of God, that worke of righteouſneſſe and peace which is attended with joy in the holy Ghoſt, they diſcerne that preſence and operation of faith which filleth them withzRom. 15.13. all joy in beleeving; and they behold that Spirit of God dwelling in them, which is theaJoh. 14.16. true Comforter, the authour and fountaine of all conſolation.
Reaſ 2 In regard of ſubjugation of Satan, and their owne corruption: They perceive by the effect and fruit of the miniſterie which they have enjoyed, how Satan isbRom. 16.20. troden under their feet, as Joſua cJoſ. 10.24.trode upon the neckes of the Kings of Canaan; how their corruption is ſubdued asd2 Cor. 10.4. ſtrong holds are caſt downe by warlike inſtruments; how the Miniſter of the Lord hath put the Divell and all his workes to flight, as David ſometime overthrew e1 Sam. 17.Goliah, and made all the Philiſtian army flye: And as Iſrael had greatfExod. 15.1. joy to ſee Pharaoh and his hoaſt drowned in the waters of the ſea, ſo have they matter of great joy to ſee Satan and all their luſts caſt downe.
Reaſ 3 3. In regard of communion with God: Whatſoever be taken from them, yet their communion with God is not diſſolved; walking in the light, conforming themſelves to the doctrine of Gods Meſſengers, they g1 Joh. 1.6.have fellowſhip with God by prayer, as Petitioners with the great maſter of Requeſts: By faith and love, as the Bride with the Bride-groome: By ſubjection, as the ſubjects with their Soveraigne: By meditation, as the rich men with their treaſure: By deſire, as Pilgrimes with their owne countrey. And this is the joy of all joyes to Gods ſervants, even communion with God their Father, and with Chriſt their Husband and Saviour.
O then whiles you enjoy Gods Miniſters, Uſe. conforme your ſelves to their doctrines, obſerve their counſels, embrace and follow their inſtructions, bee renewed and become new creatures; and then whether they goe or ſtay, live or dye, you ſhall have matter of joy and gladneſſe; you ſhall have the word of God dwelling in you to direct and guide you, to ſtrengthen and ſuſtaine you, to comfort and encourage you; you ſhall have the grace of the Spirit ſhining like a lampe in the houſe of your ſoules, when others are in darkneſſe; as Iſrael had the light ſhining in hExod. 10.23.Goſhen, when the Egyptians had no light to ſhine upon them, but thick darkneſſe covered them: you ſhall duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page have faith embracing Chriſt, filling you with Chriſts fulneſſe, when others are ſtrangers, and have no acquaintance with Chriſt Jeſus: you ſhall have theiRom. 5.5. love of God ſhed abroad into your hearts, which ſhall rejoyce you more then kCant. 1.3.wine the thirſty, more then lPſa. 4.6.corne and oyle rejoyce the rich, ormPſal. 63.3. life it ſelfe the living, though the deareſt earthly poſſeſſion: you ſhall have thenCol. 3.16. peace of God, even that peace which paſſeth all underſtanding, reigning within you. And whenſoever the Miniſter of God departeth from you, he ſhall be able with confidence to commend you to God, beſtow a bleſſed Legacie upon you, and with Saint Pauls heart and words, joy and gladneſſe, take his laſt leave of you, and ſay, Finally, brethren, farewell: Bee perfect, bee of good comfort, be of one minde, live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you.
And thus are wee come to the fourth branch of this Text, Saint Pauls Exoptation, or Wiſh, Bee perfect, bee of good comfort: Hee doth not wiſh them earthly honours, worldly riches, carnall pleaſures, but perfection of grace, ſpirituall comfort, mutuall love; unanimity and concord among themſelves, and ſweet and ſure communion with God.Note. Heavenly and ſaving graces are the beſt gifts which any man can wiſh or deſire for others: Theſe are the ſureſt pledge of Gods love; the choyceſt ornament of mans ſoule, the ſweeteſt Embaſſadours of peace to mans heart, the treaſure of greateſt worth to enrich man, the gift of higheſt honour to enoble man, the ſtaffe of greateſt ſtrength to ſuſtaine man, the companion of moſt pleaſant communion to ſolace and delight man, and the well ſpring of moſt plentifull and laſting waters to fill and to content man, a ſtarre of everlaſting brightneſſe, which will never ſet, nor leave us; And therefore theſe Saint Paul wiſheth to the Corinthians, theſe he commendeth to them, wiſheth for them; beſtoweth on them, as the beſt Legacie he had to give them, the beſt poſſeſſion he could thinke on to leave behind among them.
And theſe gifts or Legacies of his, you have heard, are five; the full opening and handling of which, requires no leſſe then five dayes diſcourſe; bu… becauſe my glaſſe is almoſt run, and my miniſteriall breath is now expiring and going out, I ſhall l… briefly open them, and leave them to …our, long and laſting conſideration. The firſt is a Legacie of perfection, Bee yee perfect: fill yee up that which is wanting, encreaſe, abound, goe forward, bee good proficien… in Chriſts Schoole, thriving trees in Gods Orchard, be more and more perfect. And hence obſerve, that
Doct. It is the dutie, and muſt bee the c… of Gods children to ſtrive to more ſpirituall perfection. As the houſe of David grewo2 Sam. 3.1. ſtronger and ſtronger in victory over the houſe of Saul, and full poſſeſſion of the kingdome: ſo muſt they grow ſtronger and ſtronger in victory over their corruption, and in the full poſſeſſion of Chriſt and his kingdome. It is Gods charge,p2 Pet. 3.18. Grow in grace, as rich men in wealth, as trees in height;qEph. 5 18. Bee yee filled with the Spirit, as the Sea with waters, and as the aire with light. It is the property and practiſe of the Lords ſervants, like goodrJoh. 15.2. branches, to grow and beare more fruit; toſEph. 4.11. grow up in Chriſt which is the head, as the members in the body grow up under the head; totPhil. 3.11, 12. follow after, to preſſe toward the merciemercy, to reach forth to the things which are before, to apprehend that for which they are apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus. As they th… run in a race are ſwift, put to it with all their ſtrength, and ceaſe not: ſo the runners in the race of godlineſſe are ſwift, put to it to the utmoſt, and ceaſe not untill they have fully apprehended Chriſt: They uIſa 40.31.run on & faint not, they mount up like the Eagles, & come nearer & nearer unto Chriſt, as the Eagles flye nearer and nearer, and ceaſe not, untill they come to the carkaſſe: for,
Grace is of a growing and increaſing Reaſ 1 nature, it riſeth higher and higher, like thewEzek. 47.5. waters which came forth under the threſhold of the Temple: it xProv. 4.18.ſhineth more and more like the light unto the perfect day.
God where heyPhil. 1.6. beginnes a good worke, Reaſ 2 continues the ſame unto perfection. Hee is a King that once beginning to make warre againſt the Divell, and the luſts of men, goeth on, and ceaſeth not untill hee hath obtained a full and perfect conqueſt. He is a builder, who having once laid the foundation of grace in the heart of man, gives not over untill he hath finiſhed the houſe, and made the houſe of man a perfect Temple for his Spirit to dwell in.
True & ſaving grace once felt andx1 Pet. 2.2.3. taſted, Reaſ 3 is moſt highly pr…ed, and moſt earneſtly de… …d. As the lo…e of money growes according to the growth of money: ſo doth the love of grace anſwer the growth of grace; the more a man hath of it, the more his ſoule doth thirſt and long after it, the more hee deſires to be filled with it; as the thirſt of the dropſie-man encreaſeth by drinking. Hee that hath leaſt grace, puts the loweſt price upon it: no man more ſenſible of the want of grace, then hee that hath the greateſt meaſure of grace; no man more deſires the encreaſe of grace, then hee that hath the greateſt fulneſſe of grace.
Uſe. Take heed then of apoſtaſie and backſliding; bee not like Gideons ſouldiers, whoſe hearts fainted; bee not like theaLuk. 14.30. Builder in the Goſpel, that began to build, but could not make an end: Doe not with the b2 Pet. 2.22.Sow return againe, and wallow in the mire of ſinne: returne not to your old luſts and profaneſſe; But, ascGen. 6.14.22. Noah, having a paterne from the Lord, began to build, and ceaſed not untill he had finiſhed his Arke, and was preſerved when the deluge came: ſo you, having had a paterne of faith and life ſet before you, and having begun to build according to it, ceaſe not untill the worke is finiſhed, that your ſoules may be ſaved when the deluge commeth. Be not like the Sun in dJoſ. 12.13.Aialon, that ſtood ſtill; nor like the Sunne in Ahaz Diall, that went back: but like the Sunne mentioned by theePſal. 19.5. Pſalmiſt, comming forth as a Bridegroome out of his chamber, and rejoyce yee like a mighty man to runne his race. Where is your faith in Chriſt, if, like withered branches, you fall off from Chriſt, or ſinke, like the houſe builded on the ſand? Where is your love to Chriſt, if you give him a bill of divorce, and hold not out with him unto the end? Where is the fruit of your long attendance upon Gods ordinances? What avails the ſowing of all this ſeed, if you fall away before the harveſt? Where is the Crowne you looke for, if yee faint before the conqueſt?
O then take heed, hold out, let your workes be more at laſt then at firſt, bee conſtant in your profeſſion, bee fruitfull in all well-doing, Bee fPhil. 1.10.filled with the fruits of righteouſneſſe, which are to the praiſe & glory of God in the day of Chriſt Jeſus: So ſhall the Lord take pleaſure in you, ſo ſhall you honour the Goſpel, adorn Religion, ſhame the Adverſary, glorifie the Miniſtery, and fill your owne conſcience with much peace and quietneſſe, and give the Miniſter good and luſt occaſion to ſpeake to you in a comfortable language, to bid you, with Saint Paul, to bee of good comfort.
The ſecond Legacie which the Apoſtle here bequeatheth: a Legacie of Conſolation; Bee of good comfort. Though many changes come, many troubles ariſe, and many afflictions be endured for the Name and Cauſe of Chriſt, yet doe not faint, bee not diſheartned, but bee of good comfort, ſolace and comfort your ſelves in the Lord and his Word: And hence learne, that
Doct. Gods children ought to bee very comfortable, though many changes and afflictions doe attend them. The Lilly is freſh & beautifull, and looks pleaſantly, though growing among the thornes: ſuch muſt bee the affection and diſpoſition of Gods children, though compaſt about with the Thornes and Briers of many troubles.gJam. 1.2. Account it all joy (ſaith Saint James) to fall into manifold temptations. hRom. 5.3.We glory in tribulations (ſaith Saint Paul) knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not aſhamed. i1 Pet. 1.8.And, beleeving (ſaith Saint Peter) yee rejoyce with joy unſpeakeable and full of glory. And Gods children have great cauſe of comfort,
In regard of the Authour of their afflictions: Reaſ 1 They come fromkHeb. 12.7. God as a Father; they are not a rod in an enemies, but in a Fathers hand; they are all in merciemercy; they are a ſerpent which hath loſt his ſting, the venome of them is gone.
In regard of their end: They are not for Reaſ 2 puniſhment, but for caſtigation; not for deſtruction, but for reformation, humiliation, and excitation; asl2 Sam. 18. David ſent forth his Army againſt Abſolom, not to deſtroy him, but to humble and amend him.
In regard of the comforts mixed with Reaſ 3 them: They are Pills lapped up in Sugar; like Sampſons mJud. 1 4.Lyon, they have a honey combe within them; There is ſweet comming out of the ſowre, and meat comming out of the eater.
In regard of the fruit and iſſue of them: Reaſ 4 Like the waters of the red Sea, which drowned not nExod. 14.Iſrael, but the enemies which purſued them; no more doe theſe deſtroy Gods children, but the corruption which is within them, which hangs like a heavie weight about them, and like an enemie purſues and followes them.
O then bee of good comfort all yee that love the Lord, that embrace his Chriſt, Uſe. that delight in his ſervice, keepe your ſelves from ſinne, and whatſoever come; let your hearts be joyfull, the Lord ſhall give you comfort: God will comfort you as a King his ſubjects, diſpenſing all for your good by his gracious providence; as a Father his Children, by making all proviſion for you: Chriſt ſhall comfort you as a friend, by his preſence, as a Bridegroome by his love: The Spirit ſhall comfort you as a witneſſe, by his evidence: The Word ſhall comfort you as a Light guiding, as a Feaſt feeding you: The Miniſter ſhall comfort you as an Interpreter, an Angell of God, one of a thouſand, bringing the tidings of peace to you: The Creature ſhall comfort y… … … vant, miniſtring all his … to … Servants of God ſhall comſort y…u, as …mpanions with you. Your Conſcience ſhall comfort you, as a bleſſed Inmate, dwelling under the ſame roofe with you; as a chaſte and loving wife, that lodgeth in your boſome day and night; You ſhall have comfort, and be of one minde.
The third Legacie bequeathed by Saint Paul to the Corinthians: a Legacie of conſent and unanimitie in matter of doctrine, religion, ſtudy and practice of all godlineſſe: Teaching …s, that
…ere muſt be unanimitie and conſent between Gods children, Doct. in matter of Doctrine and Religion. All that builded Noahs Arke, builded by one paterne: all Iſrael travelled to the land of Canaan by the light of one fiery Pillar: all the paſſengers in a ſhip row by one Compaſſe: all that intend to build themſelves a ſpirituall houſe to God, muſt build by one Rule of Gods word: all that will travell to the Heavenly Canaa… muſt make one Word of God the lig… …f them feet, and the lanterne of thei… … to guide …hem, all that will come to the …en of e…nall peace, muſt have one teſtimony of the Lord to direct them. Let us walke (ſaith the Apoſtle) by the oPhil. 3.16.ſame rule, let us minde the ſame thing: And againe, Bee pPhil. 2.2.yee of one accord, and of one minde.
Wee have one ſpirituall and heavenly King, and muſt obſerve one Law; we have one God, and muſt worſhip by one Rule; we have one Shepheard, and muſt be commanded by one voyce; we have one head, and muſt follow one direction.
Hee that diſſents from true doctrine, makes his religion an abomination: hee that rends himſelfe from the Church of Chriſt, in Chriſts worſhip and ſervice here, will bee rent from Chriſt and the Church for ever hereafter. As wee therefore are members of one body, and Schollers in one Schoole, let us learne one leſſon, follow one guide, that wee may know aright, beleeve aright, walke aright, and preſerve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace; living both with God, and amongſt our ſelves, in a ſweet and bleſſed peace.
The fourth Legacie which S. Paul here bequeatheth: a Legacie of mutuall unitie, peace and concord betweene themſelves; thereby teaching us, that
Doct. There muſt bee a mutuall, ſweet, an entire peace and affection between Gods people. As there was a concord between the ſtones in Solomons Temple, they were ſo fitted and diſpoſed, that there was no noyſe heard in the building thereof: ſuch a ſweet conjunction of affections ſhould there bee betweene the people of God, that no noyſe, no clamour, nor cries ſhould bee heard among them. Peace is a jewell which wee are charged to ſeeke:qPſa. 34.14. Seeke peace, and enſue it (ſaith the Pſalmiſt.)r1 Theſ. 5.14. Bee at peace amongſt your ſelves, and ſHeb. 13.1.let brotherly love continue, ſaith the Apoſtle. This is an honour, crowne, andtCol. 3.12. ornament unto man, as the garment to the body, as the flower to the garden: This is a neceſſarieu1 Cor. 16.14. ingredient in all our ſervices, a ſalt ſeaſoning all our actions: This ſweetens all our poſſeſſions, and all our afflictions, as thewExod. 15.25. tree ſweetned the waters of Marah: Without this, the fulneſſe of the world is uncomfortable; with this, the greateſt affliction is made very tolerable: this qualifies and fits us for Communion with God, as communion with the children prepares a man for communion with the parent.
Remember then your God is the God of peace, your Jeſus the Prince of peace, your Goſpel the Goſpel of peace, your calling the calling of peace, your way the way of peace: And therefore ſo live in peace, that the God of love and peace may bee with you.
The fifth and laſt Legacie here bequeathed: Sweet and gracious communion with God, whom hee ſtiles, The God of Love & Peace; becauſe hee is the Authour and fountaine of love and peace. Hee deſires and promiſeth their communion with God, as a thing wherein conſiſted their ſupreme and choyceſt good: For,
Doct. Sweet and comfortable communion with God, is mans choyceſt good. Wherein ſtands the happineſſe of a childe, but in communion with his father?x2 Sam. 14.32. Abſoloms life was but a burthen when hee might not ſee his fathers face. Wherein ſtands the comfort of a wife, but in communion with her huſband? And wherein conſiſts the happineſſe and comfort of the ſoule of man, but in having fellowſhip and communion with God his heavenly Father, and Husband? For this the ſoules of Gods people have moſt vehemently longed, this they have moſt highly prized; in the fruition of this, they have pronounced themſelves moſt bleſſed; and for this, have Chriſts Apoſtles prayed in the behalfe of others, as for that gift and bleſſing which of all others is moſt deſirable.
O therefore humble your ſoules, remove your ſinnes, returne to God ſpeedily, fully, unchangeably; attend his ordinances, beleeve his promiſes, walke in the wayes of his commandements, grow up in Chriſt Jeſus; and you ſhall have that communion with God which ſhall encourage you againſt all feares, comfort you in the midſt of all ſorrowes, ſuſtain you in all diſtreſſes, ſatisfie you in the abſence of all abilities, and bee an abundant recompence for all loſſes, and an inchoation of that eternity of communion which you ſhall have for ever with God in heaven.
And now, Brethren, the ſtarre of my Miniſtery is here ſet, and the candle of my labours is gone out, no more to be lighted (as I conceive) in this place. I am now no more, no longer a Watchman to admoniſh you, a Guide to conduct you, or a Shepheard to feed you: the God that ſent mee, and ſet mee here amongſt you, hath now againe called me from you, and placed another over you, to be, I truſt, an inſtrument of greater good then I have been unto you.
Of my ſelfe, Brethren, I can ſay nothing, but as ſometime Gideon ſaid of himſelfe,yIudg. 6.15. My thouſand is the meaneſt in Manaſſeh, and I am the leaſt in my fathers houſe: So may I ſay, My talent is (of many) the meaneſt, and I am the leaſt, the weakeſt, and unworthieſt of many thouſand Miniſters in God my Fathers houſe: I am but a woodden veſſell, the treaſure is the Lords; I am but as a worme, & no man; I am nothing, it is the Lord hath done all that little good which hath beene done by me in this function; let mee therefore, for the time to come, be reputed as nothing, forgotten like a dead man out of minde, and like a broken veſſell: And if any ſoule hath benefited under my labours, let all the glory be given to Chriſt Jeſus.
For my ſelfe I have ſomewhat to ſay, but not much: I have now ſerved you more than two Apprentiſhips; wherein, I truſt, I have ſo ſerved you, that I may ſay, as Paul did to the men of Epheſus, I am zActs 20.26, 27.pure from the bloud of all amongſt you: for I have not ſhunned to declare unto you all the counſell of God; all that, I meane, which God hath made knowne to mee; according to my weake and poore abilities, I have diſcloſed all, I have kept backe nothing from you. In the worke of my Miniſtery I have had no reſpect of perſons; I never ſhunned the declaration of any truth, nor ſpared the reprehenſion of any vice for feare of any mans greatneſſe; neither favour nor feare ever made mee falſe in the diſcharge of my office. As Elihu ſometimes ſaid, I aJob 32.21.have not accepted any mans perſon, nor given flattering titles unto any man: For I knew not to give flattering titles, becauſe in ſo doing, my Maker would take me away. I have truely deſired the ſalvation of your ſoules, and that is my c… fors: I ſhould have done more then I have done, and that is my ſhame; more labour hath been beſtowed then profit yet appeareth, and that is your ſinne and my diſcomfort. My ſervice hath been long amongſt you; the longer I ſerved you, the more I loved you, the more unwilling I was to leave you. I can truly ſay to you what Paul did to the Corinthians, You were in my heart to live & to dye with you, my mouth was open to you, my heart was enlarged; yee were not ſtraitned in me, but yee were ſtraitned in your owne bowels. Had your hearts (at leaſt according to your preſent outward expreſſion) been towards me, as mine was towards you, I am perſwaded nothing but death had parted us, as ſometime Ruth ſaid to Naomi; I ſhould have valued your love, your ſocietie, the enjoyment of your preſence, above the chiefeſt and moſt abundant worldly abilities: I ſhould have choſen rather to have lived with you in the loweſt outward condition, then elſewhere in the greateſt fulneſſe of the world; ſo unwilling was I to leave you, that if occaſion had required, I would have relinquiſhed all, rather then any prejudice ſhould have come unto you by my departure from you. But God hath ſo diſpoſed and framed it, that no impediment to my departure hence hath been offered; it is the hand of God hath done it, whether in judgement unto me, or in merciemercy unto you, enſuing time will manifeſt.
Three things there are very memorable, touching Gods goodneſſe in this place towards mee, which I cannot paſſe in ſilence.
1. In all this time of my ſervice, I was never hindered one Lords day by ſickneſſe from my Miniſteriall labours; the Lord that ſet me over you, gave mee health and ſtrength to doe his worke among you.
2. I was never ſuppreſſed not reſtrained from the liberty and uſe of my miniſtery by any oppoſition, though there have been adverſaries both politicke and powerfull.
3. Though in this place I have had neither certainty nor competencie to ſuſtaine mee and my family; yet the Lord hath from elſewhere raiſed meanes to uphold mee, and to enable mee to continue the labours of my Miniſtery amongſt you: I can truly ſpeake to you in Saint Pauls language to the men of Epheſus, bActs 20.33, 34.I have coveted no mans ſilver, or gold, or apparrell; Yea, your ſelves (doe, at leaſt may) know, how theſe hands have, after a ſort, miniſtred unto my neceſsities, and to them that were with me. (I ſpeake not this to diſparage you, or to under-value the kindneſſe which I have received from you; I am very mindfull, and very ſenſible of your favours, from the higheſt to the loweſt: and though I am not complementall, yet bee yee aſſured your courteſie and kindneſſe ſhall reſt with mee, as a ſtrong and inviolable obligation to binde mee to your everlaſting ſervice, even to the very utmoſt of my ſlender abilities, to my power, and beyond my power, if ever, and as often as occaſion ſhall require it, or you manifeſt your deſire of it.) And what ſhall I ſay of theſe things, or how ſhall I expreſſe my ſelfe towards my God for theſe his great mercies towards mee, but in the words of the Pſalmiſt,cPſal. 31.19. O how great is thy goodneſſe which thou haſt laid up for them that feare thee, which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in thee, before the ſonnes of men!
And now, Brethren, having no more time nor place, nor calling to inſtruct and teach you, to admoniſh and warne you, O let me, as a lover of your ſoules, a helper of your joy, a promoter of your peace, and a well-wiſher of your everlaſting well-fare; O let me, I ſay, with burning love in my heart, with melting ſorrow in my ſoule, with teares of griefe in mine eyes, and with the language of a faithfull friend in my tongue, intreat you, perſwade and beſeech you to remember what you have heard, to practiſe what you have learned, and to bring forth the fruits of the ſeed which hath been here ſowne. And before I goe, let mee bleſſe you as Moſes bleſſed the twelve tribes before he died,dDeut. 33.6, 7. Let the men of this place, O Lord, live and not dye, let them live the life of grace, and not dye the ſecond death: and let not the men thereof bee few. Heare, Lord, the voyce of Plympton when they pray, and bring them in peace and holineſſe to thine owne people: Let their hands bee ſufficient for them, teach thou their hands to warre, and their fingers to fight, and gird thou them with ſtrength to battell againſt ſinne, Satan, the world, and all the enemies of their ſalvation: be thou their helper in all dangers, their ſtrength againſt all oppoſitions.
Let thy Thummim and thy Urim, thy perfections and thy lights bee with thy holy one whom thou ſhalt ſet over this Congregation: Let him preferre his dutie and function above all naturall affection, and have no reſpect of perſons: Let him teach this people thy Judgements and thy Law by his Doctrine: Let him appeaſe thy wrath, and procure thy favour and bleſſing for them by his prayer and ſupplication. Bleſſe, Lord, his ſubſtance, furniſh and fill him with all inward and outward endowments, and proſper all his godly labours.
Let this people, Lord, as thy beloved, dwell in ſafety by thee, and cover them under the wings of thy protection all the day long, and for ever dwell, O Lord, between their ſhoulders; ſtabliſh & ſettle with them thine ordinance, make this place thy habitation, and thy reſt for ever.
The Lord bleſſe your Land with the pretious things of heaven, with the influence & moiſture from above, and make it fertile; the Lord bleſſe your ſoules with all heavenly graces, & make you ſpiritually fruitfull; For the good will of him that dwelt in the buſts. Let the bleſſing, even all good things ſpeedily, fully, ſweetly and conſtantly come upon your heads, that all may ſee and obſerve it, and learne how good it is to ſerve the Lord through the obſervation of it.
The Lord make your glory like the Firſtling of a Bullocke, for your joy and gladneſſe, for your excellencie and amiableneſſe in the eyes of all beholders, and for your growth in all ſpirituall gifts and graces; and your hornes like the hornes of an Unicorne, for your ſtrength and prevailing over all oppoſing powers.
The Lord make you to rejoyce in your going out, and in your tents: The Lord bring you to his holy mountaine, and make you there to offer the ſacrifice of righteouſneſſe. The Lord enlarge you in diſſolving all your ſinnes, in deſpelling all your ſorrowes, in removing all your troubles, in filling you with all temporall and heavenly fulneſſe; and make you like a Lyon for your victory over all your adverſaries for your vigilancy and watchfulneſſe, and for your reſolution and courage in all godly undertakings.
The Lord ſatisfie you with his favour, the Lord fill you with his bleſſing, and make you acceptable in his eyes, and in the eyes of your brethren.
And let me charge you now, Brethren, before my miniſteriall breath expire, as David, a little before his death, charged his ſonne Solomon, e1 Chro. 28.9.And you, my brethren, know yee the God of your fathers, and ſerve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord ſearcheth all hearts, and underſtandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: If you ſeeke him, hee will be found of you, but if you forſake him, hee will caſt you off for ever.
Let me now before I leave you, and in the concluſion of my Miniſterie, pray for you, as Saint Peter did for the people in the concluſion of his Epiſtle,f1 Pet. 5.10. The God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternall glory by Chriſt Jeſus, after that yee have ſuffered a while, make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you: And being now to leave you, as ſometimes Saint Paul left Epheſus, let me commend you to God in the words of Saint Paul, gAct. 20.32.And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are ſanctified. And as I this day begun, ſo let me this day for ever conclude, Finally, brethren, farewell: Be perfect, bee of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of Love and Peace be with you.
End of the text · Alexander Grosse, The Happiness of Enjoying and Use of Christ (1640)