Lectures Upon John 4, Part 15 · Lecture 62
The sixtie two Lecture. August 21. 1610. IOHN IIII. XXXVII, XXXVIII.
WE hauehave already heard, that in these verses, and those two that goe before, our Sauiour hath endeauoured, to stirre vp his Disciples to that diligence in their Ministry, and that zealous desire to win soules to God, as they saw to be now in him; and that he vseth three effectuall arguments to perswade them thereunto, all set downe in an allegorie and comparison, taken from them that doe haruest-worke: two ofthem we hauehave already handled and finished in the two former verses; the first taken from the present necessity of Gods people, verse 35. and the second taken from the reward and comfort themselues should be sure to receiue by it. It followeth now that we proceed vntounto the third and last, which is set downe in these two verses that I hauehave now read: and that is taken from the facility and easinesse of that worke that they were to doe in comparison of that wherein their fellow seruants the Prophets that had beene before them had laboured. This argument he amplifieth by a prouerbiall speech that was common among the Iewes: when they saw any enioy the fruit of another mans labour, they were wont to say, One soweth and another reapeth, As we also say in the like case, One beateth the bush and another goeth away with the bird. This prouerbe, saith our Sauiour, in some respect, may fitly be applyed to your case, though in another respect it agreeth not with it: Herein is the saying true, As if he should say, Though not in all respects, yet in this it is; And in the next verse he sheweth two points, wherein this prouerbe agreeth to their case.
First, as he that reapeth takes nothing so much toyle and paines, as he did that sowed, and did the first workes that belong to husbandry; so is it in your case, you are to be employed in the best, and easiest, and most comfortable labour that belongs to my Fathers husbandry, not in manuring, or plowing, or sowing, or harrowing, or weeding of his ground; that is, in preparing men to receiue grace, and laying the foundation and first principles of religion in the hearts of men, as the Prophets were (whose paines in that respect were farre greater than yours can be) but in reaping, and conuerting men effectually to the faith, and obedience of the truth; you shall presently see the fruit of your labours: but so did not they. I sent you to reape that, wherein yee bestowed no labour; Other men laboured, &c.
Secondly, as when one receiueth the benefit of another mans labour, so is it in your case; the Prophets tooke paines for you, you shall enioy the fruit of their labours: the paines they tooke shall be a great aduantage to you in your Ministry; yee shall be able to doe the more good by your preaching, because of that, that they hauehave done before you. Other men laboured, and yet are entred into their labours.
The point wherein this prouerbe could not fitly be applyed to their case, was this, that whereas when one soweth, and another reapeth, he that sowed hath no comfort or fruit of his labour, but esteemeth it as a iudgement of God vponupon him, and repenteth himselfe of the paines he hath taken, when he seeth another man hath reaped the fruit of it. It is farre otherwise in this case: for, as he had said before, verse 36. he that soweth and hee that reapeth shall reioyce together: the Prophets shall not thinke their labour lost, but though they conuerted few or none, in comparison of that that you shall doe, yet when they shall vnderstand what good you hauehave done in your Ministry, and what helpe you shall hauehave receiued by their labours, they shall be so far from enuying and murmuring at it, that they shall reioyce in it exceedingly.
So that we see these words do offer to our consideration, three principall points, as the fountaines from which the Doctrine and Instruction must arise, which we are to receiue from them. First, that the Prophets and Ministers vnderunder the Law were sowers; they prepared and made men fit to receiue good by the ministry of the Apostles; and the Apostles were reapers, they conuerted and won more to God than the other did.
Secondly, that the seruice and labour of the Apostles, was in this respect far more easie and comfortable, than the labour of the Prophets had been, because by the Prophets Ministry, the people of God were prepared to their hands, and made ready to receiue and obey the truth.
Thirdly, that the Prophets shall be no whit discontented at this, when they shall vnderstand, that the Apostles hauehave done much more good than themselues were able to do, but shall reioyce in it rather.
This then is our first Doctrine, that we are to learne in this place:
That the Ministry that the Church enioyeth now vnderunder the New Testament, is in this respect more excellent, than that which the Church had before Doct. 3.Christs comming; that this is more profitable, and fruitfull, and effectuall to winne soules vntounto God than that was; they were sowers, and we are reapers.
For the proofe of this Doctrine which I hauehave deliuered, and for the right vnderstanding of our Sauiours meaning in this place; it shall be profitable for vsus to consider; first, how the Prophets are heere said to hauehave beene sowers only; secondly, how the Apostles are called reapers.
For the first, The Prophets are said to be sowers in three respects: first, they sowed the seede of the Gospell: and the Apostles did reape nothing, but that which the Prophets had sowne before. They won the people to the profession of no other faith and religion, but that only which the Prophets had taught; no more doe we at this day. This Paul plainely professeth, Acts 26. 22. that he had taught no other thing, than that which Moses and the Prophets had taught before.
Secondly, the Prophets by that that they taught, prepared the people, and made them desirous and fit to receiue the Doctrine of the Apostles. How could that be (may you say) seeing there was none of those to whom the Apostles preached, that euer heard any of the Prophets? Answ. I answer, that by the writings of the Prophets they were thus prepared. We read, that at the time when our Sauiour came, and when the Gospell was to be preached by him and his Apostles, the people of God were maruellously prepared to receiue it. So it is said of Simeon, that he waited for the consolation of Israel, Luke 2. 25. and Verse 30. it is said that Anna spake of Christ, to all that looked for redemption in Ierusalem. Yea (as we heard Verse 25. of this Chapter) not only the Iewes but euen the Samaritans also, were thus prepared to receiue him; they all (both Iewes and Samaritans) expected his comming at this time, and the performance of those glorious promises that God made to the Church in him; yea they euen waited and longed for it at this time; thus were they prepared to receiue the Gospell, All the regions round about were white euen to haruest. And how were they thus prepared? Surely by the writings of the Prophets. So, after, we read that the thing that made them so ready to receiue and beleeue the Doctrine of the Apostles, was this, that they found it so consonant to that which they had read in the writings of the Prophets, Acts 17. 11. 12. So that the Apostles could neuer hauehave done that good they did in their Ministry, had they not beene helped by the labours and writings of the Prophets.
Thirdly, the Prophets did no more, but sowe the seede, they reaped not, they saw not the fruit of their owne labours. Ob. How can this be? Did not the Ministrie vnderunder the Law conuert soules also? did it not reape and gather some corne into the Lords barne? Answ. Yes surely; for of the Ministrie of the Prophets it is said, Ier. 23. 22. that such of them as stood in Gods counsell, and declared his words to his people, should turne them from their euill waies, and from the wickednesse of their inuentions. And of the Ministrie of Leui, it is said, Mal. 2. 6. that the law of truth was in his mouth, and hee did turne many from iniquity. But if we compare the fruit of that Ministry, with the Ministrie of the Apostles, with the Ministrie of the New Testament, it was nothing. They may be said to hauehave reaped nothing, to hauehave gotten no corne at all; yea they laboured not so much for themselues and the times they liued in, as for vsus and our times. This is that our Sauiour heere speaketh to his Apostles, Other men laboured, and yee are entred into their labours. And more plainely the Apostle Peter, 1. Pet. 1. 12. It was reuealed to the Prophets, that not vntounto themselues, but vntounto vsus they should minister. This is plaine also, Rom. 16. 25, 26. the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, is now made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the commandement of the euerlasting God made knowne vntounto all nations. We receiue more good by their labours, than either the Church in their time, or themselues did. They are better vnderstood now, than they were then. And thus hauehave we seene how the Prophets are said to hauehave beene sowers.
The Ministers of the New Testament, on the other side, the Ministers whom Christ doth send, are called reapers; because they see much more fruit of their labours, than the Prophets did. This Ministrie is much more powerfull and effectuall to conuert soules, than the Ministry of the Prophets was. This is that that Christ saith heere, I sent you to reape: and Iohn 15. 16. I hauehave chosen and ordained you, that you goe, and bring forth fruit. You shall neuer read that they preached in any place, but they did good, and won some to God there. Yea the fruit and efficacie of their Ministrie was exceeding great; insomuch as Peter at one Sermon conuerted more than either any of the Prophets, or Iohn Baptist, or Christ himselfe did in all their time, Acts 2. 41.
Neither was this efficacie and fruitfulnesse peculiar to the Ministry of the Apostles (though they had it in greater measure than any other) but this may also be truely said of all the Ministers of the New Testament, That they are farre more fruitfull and profitable in their Ministry, than the Prophets were. For though Christ speaketh here to his Apostles onelyonly, yet this comparison holdeth betweene the Prophets and all the Ministers of the Gospell, they were sowers, and we are reapers. This is plaine by another speech of Christ, Matth. 11. 11. for there, hauing preferred Iohn Baptist before all the Prophets, and that in this respect (among others) because he gained more to God by his Ministrie, than any of them had done, as appeareth, Verse 12. From the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto, the Kingdome of heauen suffereth violence: he addeth in the latter end of that 11. verse, Notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdome of heauen, (that is, in the new estate of the Church, is, not in respect of his person and gifts, but of his Ministry) greater than Iohn Baptist.
Hitherto belong those prophesies, that in the dayes of the Gospell, the Church should so increase, Esay 54. 2, 3. Enlarge thy tents; for thou shalt encre ase on the right hand, and on the left, and that knowledge should then abound, Esay 11. 9. and sanctification also, after those daies (the daies of the Gospell he meaneth) saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, Ier. 31. 33. Nay, the Lord neuer sendeth any faithfull Minister to a people, but he vseth to make his Ministry fruitfull vntounto some, the sower neuer goeth forth to sowe, but he meets with foure sorts of ground, whereof the one is good, as our Sauiour teacheth vsus in that Parable, Matth. 13. 3—8. Yea, this is made a note of an able Minister of the New Testament, 2. Cor. 3. 6. he is a Minister not of the letter onelyonly, but of the spirit.
The Reasons of this Doctrine are three:
1. All things that concerne our saluation, are more clearely taught and Reasons.more fully, in the Ministry of the Gospell, than they were vnderunder the Law. This is plaine, Colos. 1. 26. where the Apostle calleth the Gospell a mystery, which had beene hidden since the world began, and from all ages, but now is made manifest to all his Saints.
2. The mercy of God and his free grace, is more fully made knowne, and offered vntounto men in the Ministrie of the Gospell, than it was vnderunder the Law. This reason the Apostie giueth, the grace of God that bringeth saluation hath appeared vntounto all men, Tit. 2. 11.
3. The Spirit of God (which onelyonly maketh the Word of God effectuall in the heart of man) is much more plentifully bestowed since the time of Christs Ascension, than euer it was before. This is plaine, Iohn 7. 39. The Holy Ghost was not yet giuen, because Iesus was not yet glorified.
This Doctrine serueth for the Vse and profit, both of vsus that are Gods Ministers, and for all you that are Gods people. First, we that are Ministers, Vse. 1.are to be exhorted by this Doctrine, that we labour to be fruitfull, and profitable in our Ministry. Seeke not wealth, or ease, or credit, but fruit. Labour to finde that thy Ministry hath done good, that it hath beene effectuall to the conuersion of some. This made Paul so earnestly desirous to see the Romanes, that he might hauehave some fruit among them also, as he had among the other Gentiles, Rom. 1. 13.
Foure Reasons may be giuen to mooue vsus to this care:
1. God hath placed vsus in this calling, and giuen vsus the gifts we hauehave to this end, euen for the perfecting of the Saints, and for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephes. 4. 8. 12. the manifestation of the spirit is giuen to eueryevery man to profit withall, 1. Cor. 12. 7.
2. EueryEvery man should count it his misery to be vnprofitable, it is noted for a great part of the misery of our estate by nature, that we are altogether vnprofitable, Rom. 3. 12. how much more a Minister? Matthew 21. 30. cast yee the vnprofitable seruant into vtter darkenesse, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
3. Nothing will yeeld vsus that comfort in life or death, as this; not all the wealth we hauehave gathered, nor the credit and applause we hauehave had, 1. Thess. 2. 19. they whom he had won to God were his hope, and ioy, and crowne of reioycing.
4. This is the chiefe thing that will assure vsus, that God hath indeed called vsus to be Ministers of his Gospell, and approueth of our Ministry, when we are fruitfull, when the porter (the Holy Ghost) appeareth vntounto vsus, and giueth entrance to our Ministry into the hearts of the people, Iohn 10. 3. as we know he did to Pauls Ministry into the heart of Lydia, Act. 16. 14. We hauehave heard all the Ministers of the New Testament, are reapers. The seruants, to whom God committed his talents, if they were good and faithfull seruants, gained somewhat to their Master, Matth. 25. 23. Thus Paul approoueth himselfe to be an able Minister of the Gospell, the Corinthians that were conuerted by his Ministry, were his letters of commendation written in his heart (yeilding him much inward comfort and assurance of his calling) and also knowne and read of all men, such an euidence of his calling as was apparant vntounto all men, 2. Cor. 3. 2. this he calls the very seale of his Apostleship, 1. Cor. 9 2
Now, seeing this is so necessary, I will giuegive some few rules out of Gods Word, which if we follow, we shall be sure to reape fruit of our labours:
1. We must be diligent and painefull, both in study and in preaching, giuegive attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, neglect not the gift that is in thee, but both by diligence in study, and in preaching labour to stirre it vp and increase it saith the Apostle vntounto Timothy, 1. Tim. 4. 13, 14.
2. When we teach, we must labour to teach that (not wherein our selues may shew most learning or eloquence, but) which may be most profitable, and of vse to them we teach, speake thou the things which become sound (wholesome) doctrine, Tit. 2. 1. and the things that he would hauehave Titus to affirme constantly, and to insist vponupon in his Ministry, are the things that are good and profitable vntounto men, Tit. 3. 8.
3. Striue to teach in that manner, as may most profit thy hearers. Marke 4. 33. Christ preached so, as they were able to heare. This was Pauls minde, though he excelled all the flaunting preachers at Corinth in the tongues, yet he professed that in the Church he had rather speake fiue words to the capacity and edification of others, then ten thousand words in an vnknowne tongue, 1. Cor. 14. 18, 19. Hitherto belongeth that exhortation, preach the Word, reprooue, rebuke, exhort, that is, apply thy doctrine alwaies to the present estate and condition of thy hearers, 2. Tim. 4. 2.
4. Take heed to thy life, that thou do nothing to hinder the fruit of thy labours, take heed vntounto thy selfe, and vntounto the doctrine, 1. Tim. 4. 16. And 1. Cor. 9. 15. it were better for me to die, then that any man should make my glorying void, that is, rather then that any man should be able to obiect ought against me, that might disproue my vprightnesse of heart and faithfulnesse in my Ministry which is the maine thing I hauehave to reioyce and glory in.
5. Be earnest with God in prayer, that he would make thy Ministry fruitfull, Paul bowed his knees vntounto God for the Ephesians, Ephes. 3. 14. for it is he onelyonly must giuegive vsus grace to teach profitably, wee are not sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues (to meditate of any good thing) but our sufficiency is of God, 2. Cor. 3. 5. and our people grace to heare profitably, he teacheth them to profit, Esay 48. 17. We should importune the Lord in that manner, as Rachel did Iacob, Gen. 30. 1. giuegive me children or else I die.
6. Enquire for fruit, and deale with thy people in priuate, to see how they profit by thy labours, so did our Sauiour with his hearers, Matth. 13. 51. hauehave yee vnderstood all these things? And the Apostle did not onelyonly teach publikely but from house to house, Act. 20. 20. Heb. 13. 17. Thou must watch ouer their soules.
This Doctrine serueth also for the Vse of all Gods people.
1. It teacheth vsus how great profit we may make of reading the Scriptures. 2.Though God hauehave not appointed that to be the meane, to worke faith and regeneration; yet doth it notably prepare, and make men fit to receiue good by hearing. We hauehave heard, the Apostles could neuer hauehave done that good by preaching, if the people had not beene prepared by reading of the Prophets, our Sauiour therefore commands his hearers to search the Scriptures, and to acquaint themselues well with them, Iohn 5. 39. One chiefe cause you profit so little by your hearing, is, for that you exercise not your selues in the reading of the Scripture. If parents would traine vp their children in the principles of Religion, and in reading of the Word at home, while they be young, it would be a great aduantage to them for their profiting by preaching.
But alas, we might as well alledge to any of you, a sentence out of Bernard or Augustine, as out of the holy Scripture: for you cannot tell whether we alledge it right or no, so vnacquainted you are with it, God hath written vntounto you (for your vse) the great things of his law, but they are accounted by you as a strange thing that belongs not vntounto you, as the Lord complained of the Iewes, Hos. 8. 12. But if he onelyonly be an happy man, that can delight in the law of the Lord, Psal. 1. 2. then are you doubtlesse in a wretched case, that take no delight in it at all, neuer read it, no not on the Lords day. You count it a tedious thing to keepe the Sabbath: you know not how to spend it without gaming, &c. because you take no delight in the reading of the Scripture. The Lord enioyned the King, to reade the Word all the daies of his life; and giueth this for the reason, that he may learne to feare the Lord, and that his heart be not lifted vp aboue his breathren, Deut. 17. 19, 20. What maruaile then, if great men grow proud and tyrannous oppressours; and if both great men, and meane be so voide of Gods feare, so prophane as they are, seeing they reade the Scriptures so seldome and negligently as they doe?
2. Learne by this Doctrine to iudge of the best kinde of preaching. He that reapeth most fruit vntounto God, winneth most soules, is the most able Minister of the New Testament. That kinde of preaching, whereby the people of God profit most in knowledge and sanctification, is the best kinde of preaching: not that, whereby carnall men are most delighted, or which feedeth the humour of a naturall man, and tickleth the eare, but which best edifieth the conscience. Let no man say he is vnlearned, that teacheth profitably, and hath wonne many vntounto God, for hee that winneth soules is wise, Pro. 11. 30. when God hath allowed of a man, and commended him, and set his seale on his ministry (as on these he hath done, 1. Cor. 9. 2.) who art thou that darest dispraise, or despise, or disgrace him? Gods people should not allow best of him that praiseth himselfe (that is, that by his manner of preaching declareth euidently, he seeketh his own praise, more than the profit of the people) but of him whom the Lord praiseth, by working with him in blessing his labours, 2. Cor. 10. 18. As Paul saith he would iudge of the Ministers in Corinth, so should all Gods people learne to iudge of Ministers, 1. Cor. 4. …9 …0. I will know, not the speech of them that are puffed vp, but the power: for the Kingdome of God is not in word, but in power.
To this case our Prouerbe may well be applyed, Shew me not the meate, but shew me the man. Compare the hearers of these learned and eloquent Teachers, whom thou so much admirest, with these who preach plainely, and whom thou despisest for that cause, see whether hauehave most knowledge and grace, and so thou shalt be able to iudge whether is the best Teacher.
3. To teach vsus, that the state of wicked and ignorant persons, is far more dangerous and damnable now, than it was vnderunder the Law: first, because this is a time of farre greater light, than that was, this is the condemnation that light is come into the world, Iohn 3. 19. secondly, greater grace is offered now, than then (yea, receiued also by such as liue vnderunder an ordinary and able ministry of the Gospell, the Apostle Peter speakes euen of some hypocrites, that they had escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of Christ by the Gospell, they were brought to a great reformation, 2. Pet. 2. 20.) Hitherto belong those fearefull sentences, if eueryevery transgression and disobedience to the law, receiued a iust recompence of reward, How shall we escape if wee neglect so great saluation, &c. Heb. 2. 2, 3. And againe, it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, &c. Heb. 6. 4—8. declaring in many words the fearefull state of them that hauehave not onelyonly enioyed great meanes of grace, but also receiued some common beginnings of grace by them, and yet prooue naught afterward. And so doth he likewise, Heb. 10. 28—31. shew how it is farre more dangerous for them to sinne vnderunder the Gospell then it was vnderunder the Law. Consider therefore, how God vnderunder the Law hated and punished ignorance, it is a people of no vnderstanding, therefore hee that made them, will not hauehave mercy vponupon them, Esay 27. 11. the breach of the Sabbath, if yee will not hearken vntounto mee to hallow the Sabbath day, I will kindle a fire in the gates of Ierusalem, and it shall deuoure the palaces thereof, and it shall not bee quenched, Ier. 17. 27. Adultery, It is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would roote out all mine increase, Iob 31. 12. Swearing, the booke of Gods curse shall fly vponupon eueryevery one that sweareth to cut him off, Zech. 5. 2, 3. And know assuredly, he hateth these and all other sins more now, and will more seuerely punish them, than he did then; specially, with spirituall plagues. A sinner shall be more vnable to repent now, than vnderunder the Law: yea, the better, and more profitable, and powerfull Ministry any wicked man liueth vnderunder, the more dangerous and damnable his state is.