A Key to the Key of Scripture, Chapter 1 · Exposition of verse 12
Verſe 12. That is, that I might be comforted together with you, through our mutuall faith, both yours and mine.
NOw followes the correction, vſed to this end, that the people ſhould not thinke him too meanely conceited of them, becauſe he thinkes they neede confirmation: for as he iudgeth that they may be benefited by his preaching, ſo he thus eſteemeth; that himſelfe alſo may receiue comfort and confirmation by their faith.
Where note how carefully a miniſter muſt decline ſuſpition of meane eſteeme of his peoples graces. Obſer. Compare Heb. 6.9 10. For this reaſon eſpecially, leaſt thereby their mindes be too far eſtranged from regard vntounto our doctrine, as in experience we ſee them to be by nothing more then by ſuſpition of our light eſtimation of them: therefore obſerue how this Apoſtle willingly takes notice of the good things in any people, and largely commends them, and thankes God for them.
Howbeit our well iudging muſt not be groundleſſe;aHeb. 6.9.10. for charitie though it be not needleſſely Iealous, yet is it not fooliſhly blind: and to approue, or praiſe without cauſe, is eyther fooliſh dotage or dangerous flattery.
That I might be comforted through our mutuall faith.] Obſer. So may one mans faith be helpfull to another, though not to iuſtifie himhHeb. 2.4., yet to comfort and confirme him, namely, when as they ſhall ſee their owne experimentall perſwaſions, backed with the experience and teſtimonies of others. Example. The doctrine of iuſtification by faith in the bloud of Chriſt is plentifullie taught in the word of God, belieued, and comfortably entertained by all Gods children, acknowledged to be the onelyonly meanes of righteouſneſſe, by which a man can ſtand in the iudgement of God: the onelyonly way whereby a man can come to hauehave his conſcience truely pacified. Now though the experience of Gods children together with the word, ſufficiently eſtabliſh vsus in this truth, yet its a confirmation not to be neglected, that we hauehave others of our brethren from like experience with vsus, giuegive teſtimonie thereto.
And it were to be wiſhed, that Chriſtian conferences were for this end more carefully vſed; no doubt the conſent of Gods children in the ſame truthes, would adde vntounto vsus no ſmall comfort and confirmation. Ferus, in Mat. 11. reports of a kinde of conference in vſe amongſt the auncient Heremites and Monkes, not much different from that now deuiſed: they were wont, ſaith he, to meete together, and there freely to lay open each to other their ſeuerall temptations, meanes of reſiſtance, and gracious iſſue, for counſell, comfort, confirmation, &c.
Obſer. But at no hand we may omit this; that the Apoſtle Paul acknowledgeth, that he might ſomewhat be holpen & comforted by the faith of Gods people. Whence may be obſerued, that the greateſt of Gods Saints may ſomewhat be helped by the meaneſt of Gods people: and who ſees it not in experience that the people may help their paſtours, as remembrancers, as incouragers, as prouokers of their dulneſſe, by being whet-ſtones, and as it were ſpurs vntounto them; as men though generally of leſſe knowledge, yet ſometimes of more feeling experience in the truth then many of their Miniſters.
Ʋſe. And if there were nothing elſe; yet this ſhould perſwade a miniſter to frequent the company eſpecially of ſuch of his people, as in whom he ſees euidences of true faith and feare of God. And that whether melancholicke ſolitarineſſe, or proud diſdaine, whereby it fals out that we flye the company eſpecially of our meaner people (as for their outward ſtate we commonly eſteeme them) hinders no doubt much of that comfort that a miniſter might reape by their friendly conference. And therefore though of all things I moſt miſlike that haunting of the aſſembly of mockers in a miniſter, be the pretenſes neuer ſo honeſt, Ier. 15.17. yet this I would hauehave alwayes in a miniſter that hee ſhould be a companion of all them that feare God and keepe his precepts: Pſal. 119.63.