Lectures Upon John 4, Part 15 · Lecture 65
Lecture the sixty fifth, September 11. 1610. IOHN IIII. XXXVI—XXXVIII.
THere is particular Vse to be made of this Doctrine; first, by the Ministers of the Gospell: and secondly, by all the people of God.
All that are faithfull Ministers are to be exhorted by this Doctrine, that Use for Ministers.notwithstanding all excellency of gifts, or difference in iudgement, or practice, that may be amongst any of them, yet they would seeke to keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, to louelove and esteeme one of another. That we may all of vsus receiue the more good by this exhortation, I will speake of it distinctly, and shew you, first, how farre forth the Ministers of the Gospell must agree together: secondly, the reasons that may moue vsus to seeke this agreement: thirdly, the meanes whereby we may attaine vntounto this agreement.
For the first, we must know, there is nothing spoken (in the handling of this Doctrine) in fauour of such Ministers, as are ignorant and vngodly men. None of vsus are bound to louelove and esteeme of all Ministers. But (though in respect of their coate and function, they be accounted our brethren, yet) if they be Idols, or wicked and vngodly men, we are not bound to esteeme of them. Nay, the more high and excellent the function and calling is, which they hauehave taken vponupon them, the more vilely and contemptibly should all good men esteeme of them. Matth. 5. 13. If the salt be vnsauory, it is fit to bee troden vnderunder foote of all men. If we cannot be familiar with such, if we can shew no respect to such, let no man account vsus proud or malicious, we doe no more than we are bound to doe. The Ioue and agreement that should be betweene Ministers, bindes vsus not to like of, or winke at the faults that are in Ministers. I know, some men count it a breach of the Churches peace, and an argument of a contenti… and vnquiet spirit in a Minister, if he speake against carelesse non-res…ncy, if he reprooue the idlenesse, and pride, or couetousnesse, or … life of any Minister: But these men are much deceiued. No m…ns … deserue so sharply to be reprooued, as these sins of Ministers; for the… are indeed the chiefe causes of all other sins committed in the land. … 2…. 15. From the Prophets of Ierusalem is wickeanesse gone forth into th… …. And in this respect, when Gods people in their publike fast, made … confession of those sinnes, whereby God had beene most prouoked …gainst them; they make confession, chiefly of the sinnes of their Magist…s and Ministers, as the principall causes of all their plagues. Neh. 9. …. Our Kings and our Princes, our Priests and our Fathers, hauehave not done thy law, nor regarded thy commandements, nor thy protestations.
Obiect. And whereas some are ready to say, this makes the ministry contemptible among the people.
Answ. I answer: First, the Holy Ghost saith the quite contrary. These sinnes that some Ministers doe commit, and the rest winke at, and will not reprooue, are the true cause of that contempt the ministry is growne vntounto. Mal. 2. 9. I hauehave made you to be despised, and vile before all the people, because yee kept not my waies, and hauehave beene partiall in the law. Secondly, it is not vnlawfull to bring disgrace and contempt vponupon such Ministers. They were Preachers, whom both Iohn Baptist, Matth. 3. 7. and our Sauiour, Matth. 12. 24. cals generations of Vipers, and that in the hearing of them that were their ordinary hearers. And see what strange termes of disgrace Peter giues vntounto certaine Preachers in his time, 2. Pet. 2. 12. They are bruit beasts, led with sensuality. And verse 4. Hauing eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease to sinne: they hauehave hearts exercised with couetousnesse, and are cursed children.
Obiect. Why but the Pharises sate in Moses chaire, and taught some good Doctrine, and held many truths, in which respect, Paul, euen after his conuersion, cals himselfe a Pharisee, Acts 23. 6. so that there was great danger, lest our Sauiour so disgracing their persons, might worke in their hearers a contempt of their Doctrine.
Answ. I answer: He saw, that (though they taught some truths, yet) by their life and other Doctrines, they did more hurt than good; and that the more credit they had with the people, the more hurt they were likely to doe: and therefore he disgraceth them thus. But though we be not bound to esteeme well of all Ministers, yet of all able and faithfull Ministers we are. There hath beene long (and is at this day) great difference of iudgement amongst Gods seruants in our Church; some hold that there is a forme of Church gouernement set downe in the Word, which was practised in the Apostles times, and which all Churches are bound vntounto, vntounto the end of the world: other of Gods seruants are of another minde. Some hold the ceremonies to be vnlawfull, others hold them to be lawfull and fit. And this difference in iudgement, hath wrought great alienation of heart and affection among Gods seruants: but this ought not to be so.
1. We should reuerence and esteeme one another; so many as we see to be able, and painefull, and godly men, we are to reuerence and esteeme of, notwithstanding these differences in iudgement, we ought not to despise or condemne one another for these things. Rom. 14. 3. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not, and let not him which eateth not, condemne him which eateth. The odious termes of Puritans, or Formalists, of Schismatickes, or Time-seruers, ought not to be heard amongst brethren.
2. We should auoide all bitternesse of contention about these things. Though we differ in …udgement in these things, yet should we endeauour, that the people may discerne no difference, nor disagreement in Doctrine amongst vsus. True it is, we may and ought to seeke resolution for our consciences out of Gods Word, euen in these things, seeme they neuer so small Rom. 14. …. Let eueryevery man bee fully perswaded in his minde. And when we hauehave receiued good resolution in these things, we ought to hold that fast, so farre forth as God hath reuealed his will vntounto vsus, the Minister especially, it is required that he hold fast the faithfull Word, Tit. 1. 9. But if we dissent one from another in these things, it must be without bitternesse, in a brotherly manner. Ephes. 4. …5. Follow the truth in louelove, saith the Apostle. It is not to be held want of zeale, or alteration in iudgement, but true wisedome in a Minister, to shunne in his Ministry and Doctrine (so farre as in him lyeth) these points that brethren differ in; and to spend his time in such points wherein we all agree, and which are more profitable for the people to know. Paul kept backe nothing that was profitable, Acts …0. 20. In the building of Salomons Temple, it is said, that there was no noise of hammer, or axe or any toole of Iron heard in the house, while it was building, 1. King. 6. 7. It were to be wished, that in our Ministrie (whereby Gods spirituall Temples are to be built) there might be no noise heard of any iarres or contentions that are among our selues; but that we all would doe as Dauid did; though his brethren the Iewes had prouoked him much, yet could he not be stirred to fight against them, but vsed all his skill and force against the Philistines, 1. Sam. 27. 7—12. So should we all ioyne our forces against the common aduersary. It is promised as a blessed fruit of the Gospell, which eueryevery godly man prayeth for and desireth to see, Esay 11. 13, 14. That Ephraim and Iudah may cease to enuie and vexe one another, but that they may ioyne together, against the common aduersary.
3. Howsoeuer we cannot agree in iudgement, yet should we louelove one another, and be glad to imbrace one anothers acquaintance, and to reioyce one in anothers gifts, and faithfulnesse, and successe in his labours neuerthelesse, for the difference that is in iudgement amongst vsus about these things. Wee hauehave a worthy example for these things in the Primitiue Church, Acts 4. 32. The multitude of them that belieued were of one heart and one soule: and therefore it is said of them, Acts 2. 46. that they were not strange one to another, but maintained a sweet society together, and reioyced one in another. They did eate their meate together with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart.
The Reasons that may moue vsus to this agreement, are these.Reason,
First, the great aduantage, that all sorts of wicked men, Papists, Atheists, and ignorant persons, take at our contentions and disagreements. When the Holy Ghost would intimate one cause why Abraham was so loath to fall out with Lot, so desirous to compound the differences that were betweene their heard-men, he saith, Gen. 13. 7. And the Canaanites, and the Perizzites dwelt at that time in the land. Doubtlesse we hauehave in our land many Canaanites and Perizzites at this day, that doe take great offence at this, and make it their chiefe occasion to alienate their hearts from the truth of God, and from the reuerence of our calling, Matth. 18. 7. Woe bee to the world because of of offences: it must needes bee, that offences shall come: it is iust with God, and necessary, such wretches should hauehave somewhat laid in their way to stumble at; but Woe bee to that man by whom the offence commeth; woe be to vsus if we become occasions of such offence vntounto them.
Secondly, such as we differ from in iudgement, may be Gods deare children and faithfull seruants, though they erre, and cannot see the truth in these matters, as we thinke we do. True it is, that God hath made this promise to all the faithfull, Ier. 32. 38, 39. They shall be my people, and I will bee their God, and I will giuegive them one heart, and one way, that they may feare me for euer. But this is meant, that in fundamentall points they shall all agree. True it is also, that it is a thing greatly to be wisht and sought after, that all Gods seruants might be of one iudgement in all points. It is worthy to be obserued, how oft the Apostle beats vponupon this point, 1. Cor. 1. 10. Bee yee knit together in one minde, and in one iudgement, and 2. Cor. 13. 11. Finally, brethren bee perfect, bee of good comfort, bee of one minde, liue in peace, and the God of louelove and peace shall bee with you. Phil. 3. 2. fulfill my ioy, that yee may be like minded, hauing the same louelove, being of one accord, and of one iudgement. The Apostle knew well, that the neerer we agree in iudgement, the faster will our affections be knit one vntounto another. But though this be to be desired and endeauoured after, yet can it neuer be attained in this life, that all Gods faithfull seruants should agree in all points. Perfect vnity, is not to be looked for in the Church of God, till the number of all the elect be fulfilled, till the Church be come to her perfection. Ephes. 4. 13. Paul speaking of the vnitie of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, this vnity, the perfect vnitie; tels vsus when it is to be looked for, Euen when wee shall all meete together, vntounto a perfect man, and vntounto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ. It is great rashnesse and ignorance in any, to doubt of the soundnesse of eueryevery mans heart, that doth not receiue and imbrace eueryevery truth, that himselfe doth see. If one should say thus of any godly man that doth conforme, Surely the truth is so clearely reuealed in these points of difference in our Church, that he cannot chuse but see it, onelyonly the louelove of the world, and feare of trouble, keepes him from acknowledging and yeelding to it: or if another should say of any godly man that doth not conforme, Surely it is not possible, but he seeth well enough, that these are but trifles, and not to be laid in ballance with the liberty of his Ministry, onelyonly a carnall respect to his credit (because he hath stood out and spoken against these things) keepes him from yeelding; surely both these should offend much. God forbid we should iudge thus one of another. For my part, I am fully perswaded, there are godly and conscionable men on both sides, that will not sticke to professe, eueryevery truth that God hath reuealed vntounto them, how much soeuer they might disaduantage themselues thereby, in their credit and estate amongst men. It is of fundamentall points that the Apostle speaketh, 2. Cor. 4. 3. 4. If our Gospell bee then hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded their minde. For it is certaine, that in as great matters as these are, about which we differ, there hauehave beene many of Gods dearest children and excellent seruants, that hauehave not had the truth reuealed vntounto them, but it was hidden vntounto them, they could not see it. Barnabas was a good man, and yet could not see that that Paul saw, how vnfit it was to take Iohn and Marke with them, who had before giuen great offence by departing from them at Pamphilia, and refusing to goe with them to the worke, Act. 15. 38, 39. And both he and Peter were good men, and yet could not see that that Paul saw, viz. that it was lawfull and fit for them, to conuerse with the Gentiles, euen in the presence of the Iewes, Gal. 2. 11—14. God bestowes his gifts on his seruants in different measure and degree. He reueales some parts of his truth to some, which he conceales from others, euen of his faithfull seruants; neither is there any, that clearely seeth the truth in all things, but in some points he is ignorant and doth erre, 1. Cor. 13. 9. We know it in part, and prophesie in part. Yea say it were passion or preiudice, that blinded the iudgement of him that differs from thee, (though that be a greater infirmity than simple ignorance) yet may he be a godly and good man for all that. You know who it was that said of himselfe and Barnabas, Act. 14. 15. We are euen men subiect to the like passions that yee bee.
Thirdly, if any be a godly man, and hath an vpright heart, thou art bound to louelove and reuerence him, how much soeuer his gifts are inferiour to thine, or how much soeuer he differs from thee in iudgement. It is certaine, we are to acknowledge and reuerence Gods gifts, wheresoeuer we see them, though they be but such as may be in a wicked man. Though Ioab were but a naturall man, an hypocrite, yet the Holy Ghost doth oft speake of and commend sundrie good things in him: but if we see a man to be a godly man, to hauehave an honest and vpright heart, then are we much more bound to louelove and reuerence him; yea we should be vnwilling and affraid, to note or eye any of his infirmities so, as our hearts should be alienated or estranged from him. In this we should shew our selues the children of our heauenly Father, Hee hath not beheld iniquity in Iacob, neither hath he seene peruersenesse in Israel, Num. 23. 21. Is he that differs from thee a brother, a childe of God? take heed how thou despise him, take heede that thou louelove him. This was Abrahams reason to Lot, Gen. 13. 8. and Pauls, we should endeuour to keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, because there is but one body and one spirit, and we are called in one hope of our calling, Ephes. 4. 34. By this we know we are translated from death to life, because we louelove the brethren, 1. Iohn 3. 14. And Dauid makes this a note of one that shall go to heauen, Ps. 15. 4. that he honoureth them that feare the Lord. Yea, though he be far thy inferiour, though he be full of infirmities, the Apostle chargeth Christian husbands to giuegive honour to their wiues as vntounto the weaker vessels, because they are heires together of the grace of life, 1. Pet. 3. 7. We hauehave heard what agreement ought to be among Gods faithfull seruants; we hauehave heard the reasons whereby they are to be moued to it: I will now proceed to the third and last point, which I told you I would handle in this exhortation: viz, the meanes whereby we may attaine to this vnity and concord; and they are principally three:
1. If we would all of vsus seeke after holinesse; till then there can neuer be true peace amongst vsus, follow peace with all men, and holinesse without which no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14. By this we know that we louelove the children of God, when we louelove God and keepe his commandements, till then, we can neuer beare a true and holy louelove vntounto any man, 1. Iohn 5. 2. EueryEvery man that truely feares God, is of a peaceable disposition, they are the quiet in the land, Psal. 35. 20. And the chiefe raisers and pursuers of contention in the Church, hauehave beene vngodly and gracelesse men such as serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but their own belly, Rom. 16. 17, 18. And so doth the Apostle Iude describe the seducers of his time to hauehave beene, Iude 8. 11, 12. Vngodly men cannot louelove nor endure such, as vnfainedly feare God; no, though they be such as agree with them in iudgement in all points, that are in controuersie in our Church, yet will they esteeme them as Puritans, and hate them neuerthelesse, and experience sheweth the truth of that which the Lord hath taught vsus, he that is vpright in the way is abomination to the wicked, Pro. 29. 27. These men, howsoeuer they talke much, and pretend great care of the Churches peace, yet are indeed the the chiefe causes of all our contentions. They are like those mentioned, the words of their mouth are smoother then butter, but warre is in their heart, Psal. 55. 21. they hate peace, and the more wee seeke it, the more they are bent to war, Psal. 120. 6, 7. there is no hope at all of peace and agreement with such men.
2. If we would all of vsus labour to be humble minded; for pride is the chiefe cause of contention, onelyonly by pride commeth contention, Pro. 13 10. Hee that is of a proud heart, stirreth vp strife, Pro. 28. 25. and humility is the chiefe breeder and preseruer of vnity. If we desire to be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly louelove, we must in honour preferre one another, Rom. 12. 10. And when he exhorts them to vnity and louelove, he tells them first they must with all holinesse and meekenesse and long suffering forbeare one another, or else they can neuer keepe the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace, Ephes. 4. 2, 3. And when he had exhorted them, Phil. 2. 2. to be of one accord and of one minde, he tels them, verse 3. that if they would doe so, they must in lowlines of minde each esteeme other better then himselfe.
3. If we would all of vsus striue to be zealous of Gods glory, and carefull to set forward his worke. The true way to hauehave peace on earth, is to giuegive glory to God on high, Luke …. 14.