Lectures Upon John 4, Part 15 · Lecture 64
Lecture the sixty fourth. September 4. 1610. IOHN IIII. XXXVII, XXXVIII.
WE hauehave already heard, that these verses containe the third and last reason our Sauiour vseth to incourage and stirre vp his Disciples to diligence in their ministry, which is taken from the easinesse and facility of that worke wherein they were to be imployed, in comparison of that wherein the Prophets, their predecessours, and fellow seruants had laboured. And in this argument, three points hauehave beene obserued, as you hauehave heard. The two first of these points, we hauehave already finished: it remaineth that we proceed to the third and last of them.
The third point is euidently grounded vponupon the last words of the 36. vers That both he that soweth, and he that reapeth may reioyee together. The handling of which words I hauehave referred to this place, because they do more naturally belong vntounto this third, than vntounto the second argument. Now for the meaning of the words, that we may the better receiue instruction from them, we must vnderstand, first, that by him that soweth is meant the Prophet and the Minister of the Old Testament: by him that reapeth the Apostle and Minister of the New Testament, as I hauehave already shewed.
Secondly, that the Prophets reioycing, was for the successe and fruit, not of their owne labours so much, as for the fruit of the Apostles labours. The Prophets should reioyce, to see what good the Apostles had done in their ministrie.
Thirdly, that this is not so to be vnderstood, as if the Prophets being then in heauen, did particularly vnderstand what good the Apostles did vponupon earth. For we hauehave iust cause to doubt, that the faithfull that are departed this life, doe not know in particular, what is done by vsus vponupon earth, further than God is pleased by the ministrie of the Angels, or otherwise to make it knowne vntounto them, when he seeth it may tend to the increase of their ioy, and for the benefit of his Church vponupon earth.
How is this then to be vnderstood, that the Prophets should reioyce in the fruit of the Apostles Ministry? for if they knew it not, they could not reioyce in it.
I answer: first, they knew it in part while they liued: for God reuealed it to them by his spirit, how knowledge and grace should abound in the Church after Christs comming in the flesh, that the earth should be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters couer the sea, Esay 11. 9. that God would (then) put his Law into the inward parts of his people, and write it in their hearts, ler. 31. 33. To them it was reuealed, that not vntounto themselues, but vntounto the faithfull, that they should in these last dayes, minister both by their preaching and writing the substance of the Gospell which is now preached, …. Pet. …. 12. And therein they reioyced, euen to foresee this, as Abraham did to foresee Christs comming in the flesh, Iohn 8. 56.
Secondly, they shall know it perfectly at the day of iudgement, at which time (and not before) it shall be fully knowne what eueryevery man hath done, what fruit eueryevery mans labours hath yeelded, iudge nothing before the time, vntill the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkenesse, and will make manifest the counsells of the heart…: and then shall eueryevery man hauehave praeise of God, 1. Cor. 4. 5. Which is one reason, why (besides the particular iudgement that eueryevery soule goeth vntounto, so soone as euer it is departed out of the body, after death commeth the iudgement, Heb. 9. 27.) there shall be a generall iudgement, wherein also at the last day, the Lord will then iudge eueryevery man according to his workes; because before that day it cannot be knowne to men and Angels (though to the Lord it be) how much good any good man hath done, or how much hurt any wicked man hath done. For, as we know the sinnes of many wicked men may do much hurt after they are dead and rotten, as it is said, 2. King. 23. 15. of Ieroboam, that it was he that made Israel to sin, euen in Iosia's daies, which was about three hundred and sixty yeares after his death: so may the good workes of the faithfull, fructifie and do great good long after they be departed this life. As Dauids holy example did good on Iosiah foure hundred yeares after Dauid was dead, hee walked in the waies of Dauid his father and followed his good example, 2. King. 22. 2. At the end of the world, then when it shall be fully knowne to men and Angels, how much honour or dishonour eueryevery man hath done vntounto God, the Lord will hauehave a generall iudgement. And it is euident, that the reioycing of the Prophets, that our Sauiour speakes of in this place, is to be referred vntounto this time. For, first, it is then when the reapers shall receiue their wages. Secondly, when the reapers and the sowers shall reioyce together.
Now then from hence, that our Sauiour saith the holy Prophets and Apostles at the day of iudgement shall reioyce together, though it shall then well appeare vntounto them, first, that there was great inequality of gifts betweene them (for the Apostles had far greater gifts than any of the Prophets.) secondly, that there was great odds in the successe of their Ministry (for the Apostles did much more good than the Prophets) yet they shall not enuie nor disdaine one another, but reioyce together, take comfort one in another. The Prophets shall reioyce, to see what good the Apostles hauehave done, though they could not do so much themselues; and the Apostles shall reioyce to see what good the Prophets hauehave done, though it were not so much as themselues hauehave done.
From hence, I say, we may learne this Doctrine: That there ought to be no emulation amongst the Ministers of Christ, but (how great inequality soeuer Doct. 5.there be in their gifts, or in the fruit of their labours) they ought to louelove & esteeme one of another, and one to reioyce in the good that is done by another. For this we shall need no other proofe, than the examples of the Apostles themselues, that were Master-builders, and whose example we are commanded to imitate and follow, Phil. 3. 17. Brethren, be followers of me.
Three things we will briefly obserue in their example, that are very fit to confirme this Doctrine:
1. That though they did not onelyonly farre excell all other Ministers in gifts, and in the fruit of their labours, but also were aboue them in calling and function, and had a higher degree of Ministry than they, which no Ministers of the Gospell now hauehave; yet they were wont to esteeme reuerently of the meanest faithfull Minister in the Church, and to account of them, as of their fellowes and equals. So Paul esteemed not onelyonly of Tim…thy and Silas (which were Euangelists) ioyning them with him as his assistants, in the writing of sundry of his Epistles, 2. Cor. 1. 1. Phil. 1. 1. Col. 1. 1. Philem. 1. 1. Thess. 1. 1. but euen them that were but Pastours (a degree lower than the other) He cals Epaphroditus his compation in labour, and fellow souldier, Phil. 2. 25. Epaphras, Tychicus, Clement, and others, his fellow-scruants, and his fellow-labourers, whose names are written in the booke of life, Col. 1. 7. and 4. 7. Phil. 4. 3.
2. They are not wont to speake of any faithfull Minister, without signification of a speciall louelove and brotherly affection, they did beare vntounto them. So Peter vsing the testimony of Paul, for confirmation of a point of Doctrine, cals him his beloued brother, 2. Pet. 3. 15. So Paul cals Tychicus his deare brother, Ephes. 6 21. and Epaphras his deare fellow-seruant, Col. 1. 7. Neither did he vse these as words of course onelyonly.
3. They are wont to shew great care of the credit of other Ministers, which they spake and writ of, especially, with their owne people. So Peter speakes reuerently of Paul, and maintaines the credit of his Doctrine, against some that cauelled at it, 2. Pet. 3. 15, 16. And Paul, speaking of Tychicus, cals him a faithfull Minister, Col. 4. 7. So speaking of Epaphras to the Colossians (where it seemes, he was a Pastour, or an Euangelist) he saith of him, that he was for them a faithfull Minister of Christ: and that they might the better respect him, he giues this testimony of him further, That he was earnest with God for them in prayer; yea, I beare him record (saith he) that he hath a great zeale for you. So when Timothies ministry was to be employed among the Philippians, see how he commends him to them, Phil. 2. 20. 22. I hauehave no man like minded, who will faithfully care for your matters. But yee know the proofe of him, that as a sonne with the father, he hath serued with me in the Gospell. And speaking to them of Epaphroditus (who, it seemes was their Pastour) he commends him for the great care he had of them. Phil. 2. 26. He longed after you all, and was full of heauinesse, because yee had heard that hee had beene sicke. And when he had said, he would therefore send him to them speedily, he addes, Verse 29. Receiue him therefore in the Lord with all gladnesse, and make much of such. See how carefull he was to maintaine and encrease the credit of good Ministers, amongst their owne people; and how farre he was from ingrossing all credit and esteeme with the people into his owne hands. And this minde was in our Sauiour himselfe, who speaking to the people that had beene Iohns hearers (and did admire him too much) he enters into a large commendation of Iohn, and of his ministry, Matth. 11. 7. to 15.
The Reasons of this Doctrine are principally two:
1. For the calling and works sake wherein we are all imployed, let a man Reasons.so account of vsus, as of the Ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God, 1. Cor. 4. 1. esteeme them very highly in louelove for their workes sake, 1. Thes. 5. 13. If Timothy come, see that he may be with you without feare (lacke to his safety from the practises of any aduersarie, and prouide for his comfort eueryevery way) for he worketh the worke of the Lord, as I also doe. Let no man therefore despise him, though he be a young man, 1. Cor. 16. 10, 11. which places doe not binde the people onelyonly, but as also, to louelove and esteeme one of another.
2. Because this will greatly strengthen the credit of our ministry with the people, and cause them to regard vsus and our Doctrine the more, when they shall see agreement and louelove in one of vsus towards another. That it will greatly grace our ministry, we may see, Ps. 133. 1. Behold how comely a thing it is, for brethren to dwell together in vnity: that is, to hold society and brotherly fellowship among themselues: And verse 2. It is like the precious ointment vponupon the head, that ran downe vponupon the beard, euen Aarons beard, that ran downe to the skirts of his garment. So Esay 52. when he said, verse 7. How beautifull vponupon the mountaines are the feete of him that declareth and publisheth peace, and declareth good things, and publisheth saluation: he adds as a reason, that made their feet so beautifull in the eyes of Gods people, verse 8. Thy watchmen shall lift vp their voice, and shout together: that is, they shall agree and consent together, they shall hauehave but one voice. And that it will not onelyonly make our ministry more gracious in the eyes of Gods people, but also more fruitfull and profitable to them, that is as plaine in the same place, Psal. 133. 1. where he doth not onelyonly say, It is a comely and pleasant, but a good and profitable thing for brethren, to dwell euen together. And verse 3. he expresseth the fruit of it thus, It is as the deaw of Hermon, that falleth vponupon the mountaines of Zion. And when the Apostle describes the profit and power of prophesie (that is, of the true preaching of the Word) how it will make an infidell and ignorant man fall downe on his face and worship God, and say plainely, God is in them indeed: He makes the consent and agreement that is among the Prophets, in their Ministry, to be one chiefe cause of it, 1. Cor. 14. 25. He is rebuked of all, he is iudged of all. And on the contrary side, the disagreement and dissention that is amongst the Ministers, cannot chuse but be a great stumbling blocke to the people, and meanes to hinder their profiting by the Word. No engine, that Sathan or Antichrist hauehave, doth endanger the Church more than this; and therefore nothing, that by their instruments they labour more in, than to blow the coales amongst vsus, and encrease the heate of our contentions. Paul alledgeth this for the reason, why he went vp to Ierusalem, to visit the chiefe Apostles, to acquaint himselfe, and to conferre with them, lest by any meanes (saith he) I should run, or had run in vaine, Gal. 2. 2. This is the cause of that strange earnestnesse and importunity that Paul vseth in this matter, Phil. 2. 1, 2. If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in louelove, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, fulfill my ioy, that yee be like minded, hauing the same louelove, being of one accord. And Phil. 4. 2. he speakes thus to two women (who though they were no Ministers, yet laboured with him in the Gospell, as he saith, verse 3.) I pray Euodias, and beseech Syntiche, that they be of one accord in the Lord.
This Doctrine is of great Vse, both to vsus that are Ministers of God, and to Vse.you that are his people; for we are all ioyntly to be exhorted by this Doctrine, first, to pray earnestly vntounto God (who onelyonly is the God of peace and louelove, 2. Cor. 13. 11.) that he would at length compound the dissentions that are in his Church, and worke a holy concord amongst all his seruants. This is eueryevery mans duty, neither may any looke to prosper, that cannot doe this, pray for the peace of Ierusalem (which is by this meanes best procured) they shall prosper that louelove thee, Psal. 122. 6. Secondly, that eueryevery one of vsus would endeauour in our places, to procure it as much as in vslyeth, Matth. 5. 9. Blessed are the peace-makers.
But beside this generall, there is a particular vse to be made of this Doctrine, both by vsus that are Ministers, and by all you that are Gods people: but in this I desire to be more large, than the time will now permit me to be; and therefore I will deferre it vntill the next day.