The Ethiopian Eunuchs Conversion, Commentary on Acts 8 · Verse 35
VERSE 35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the ſame Scripture, and preached vntounto him Ieſus.
THe Eunuch had deſired Philip to ſit with him, he had read the Scripture, and demanded of him, of whom the Prophet ſpake when he ſaid, He was led as a ſheep to the ſlaughter, &c.
Now at laſt Philip openeth his mouth, and preacheth the word vntounto him.
Firſt, it is ſaid that Hee opened his mouth. This is an Hebraiſme, as Caluin hath well obſerued.
He opened his mouth. That is, he began in a ſolemne manner to preach vntounto the Eunuch. It is like vntounto that of our Sauiour, of whom it was ſaid,Mat. 5.1. that when the multitude were gathered together he aſcended the mount: And when he had opened his mouth, he taught them, ſaying. The phraſe of ſpeech ſhewed that it was no ordinarie matter that he was now to declare vntounto the people, but the high and heauenly myſteries of his kingdome. So Philip here opened his mouth to teach this man ſerious and weightie things. The inſtruction is plaine.
The Miniſter of God is not lightly, Doct. Gods word muſt be handled with reuerence.or at all aduenture, to take in hand the handling of the word of God, but with great aduice and deliberation. Gods word muſt be handled with great reſpect and reuerence: of which it is well ſaid, It is not ſafe to play with holy things. The Apoſtle Paul ſpeaking of the doctrine of the Goſpel, That it is the ſauour of life to life to them that are ſaued; ſaith,2. Cor. 2.15. who is ſufficient for theſe things?Verſ. 16. The Apoſtle Saint Paul was a man indewed with the ſingular gifts of the ſpirit, yet how often in all his Epiſtles doth he deſire the prayers of the people. The Miniſter of Chriſt muſt bee as a wiſe Scribe taught to the kingdome of heauen,Mat. 13.52. Bringing forth of his treaſury things new and old: and therefore muſt come well prepared vntounto the worke. Miniſters muſt come to the worke with good aduiſement and premeditation, and ſo handle the word of God with feare and reuerence.
When Peter came to Cornelius, Act. 10.he did not forthwith ſpeake vntounto him, before he had firſt acquainted him with the heauenly viſion. And hence is it that Paul chargeth Timothy, 1. Tim. 4.13.To giuegive attendance to reading, to exhortation, and doctrine: That is, in a fit manner to prepare himſelfe aforehand for the worke of the Miniſtery. And no doubt the Apoſtle Saint Paul himſelfe was diligent therein, and found much fruite and profit thereby, that he exhorteth Timothy to be ſo diligent in the practiſe of the ſame.
And if Saint Paul, ſo worthie an Apoſtle of Ieſus Chriſt, called immediately by Chriſt himſelfe, gaue himſelf to the ſtudy of Gods word; how much more ought the Miniſters of Chriſt now that hauehave no ſuch immediate calling as they had.
The Miniſter then muſt ſtudie to make himſelfe fit to ſpeake vntounto the people, and not to doe as the manner of ſome is, trot vp and downe all the weeke about worldly affaires, and then on the Sabbath deliuer whatſoeuer comes to hand. This is not to diuide the word of God aright. The Miniſters of Chriſt muſt firſt eat the roll of Gods book,Ezek. 2.1. and hauehave their tongue touched wito a Cole from the Altar, Iſa. 6 7.before they come …to Gods place, and in his ſt…d to ſpeake vntounto the people.
And is there not reaſon, thinke you?
Reaſ. 1 Let ſuch but conſider whoſe place they occupie; is it not the place of God himſelfe, and is it not his meſſage they deliuer vntounto the people? Now will an Embaſſadour of an earthly Prince go about his ſeruice, but will premeditate aforehand what to ſay? And is it not much more requiſite, that the meſſengers of the Lord of Hoſts ſhould in an holy manner prepare themſelues to the deliuery of the Lords meſſage.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, the Miniſtery of the word is the Lords owne ordinance, his worke that they are appointed to doe:Ier. and are not ſuch accurſed that do the worke of the Lord negligently?
Reaſ. 3 Thirdly, it is no leſſe requiſite in regard of the people to whom they ſpeake, and ouer whom they are ſet. Is not the Prieſts lips to preſerue knowledge? and are not the people to heare the Law from his mouth?Mal. 2.7. Now if the people muſt learne to know Gods will from the mouth of the Miniſter, it is requiſite that hee ſhould bee well acquainted with Gods will. For to this end is he placed ouer them.
Vſe 1 And ſurely this ſhewes the greatneſſe of their ſin, that ſleight this worke of the Miniſter, ſtudy little, reade little, pray little, and meditate leaſt of all, yet will ſeeme to ſpeake ſomething vntounto the people.
This is indeed no better then to tempt God, when men ſhall neglect the meanes which God hath appointed for this worke of the Miniſtery. Wherefore hath God giuen Arts and Sciences, and the knowledge of tongues, but that men might vſe them as helps and hand-maids to this worke of the Miniſtery?
I could wiſh ſuch men would but conſider Iacobs diligence and paines in attending of Labans flocke,Gen 31 40 In the day time (ſaith hee) I was conſumed with heate, in the night with froſt, and my ſleepe departed from me. Alas, what compariſon betweene Chriſt and Laban; the one, a churliſh maſter; the other a mercifull Redeemer? And what compariſon betweene the ſheepe of Laban, and the ſheepe of Chriſt; what a ſhame were it, … the ſheepe of Laban, ſhould be better ſerued, then the ſheepe of Chriſt purchaſed with his own blood.
If this moue vsus not, caſt wee our eyes vponupon the Lord Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe, the Cheef Shepherd and Biſhop of our ſoules, ſomtimes in the temple, ſomtimes in the garden, ſomtimes preaching, ſomtimes praying, and ſomtimes ſuffering. A Miniſter that is ſo ſparing of a little ſweaet for Chriſt, what would hee doe if hee ſhould call for his blood? Surely he will ill abide the pangs of burning for Chriſt, that wil not abide the pains of preaching for Chriſt.
Would any man giuegive wages to ſuch a ſheepherd that ſhould neglect his flock, and ſuffer them to be ſtarued for want of paſture, or leaue them to be deuoured? I trow not. What then can ſuch expect at Gods hand, that feede themſelues, and not the flock which he hath purchaſed with his owne blood.
Vſe 2 Secōdly as Miniſters are bound in this ſolemn manner, to prepare themſelues to preach the word; So are people in as ſolemne a manner bound to prepare themſelues to the hearing of the ſame. Both preaching and hearing are Gods worke, and both lye vnderunder the curſe, that doe the ſame negligently. When Peter was to preach the Word to Cornelius, Cornelius and his whole company were ready prepared to receiue the ſame, wee are all here before God (ſaith he) to heare whatſoeuer is commanded vsus of God.Act. 10.
(He began at the ſame Scripture)
Philip being to preach Ieſus Christ vntounto this Eunuch, and having conſidered what to ſay, hee beginneth at this Scripture, herein taking the preſent occaſion that was thus by Diuine prouidence offered, it ſeruing ſo fitly to his purpoſe in hand. For albeit there bee many places that ſet foorth Chriſt, and the myſtery of our Salvation through him, yet none to this. For indeed throughout all the Prophets we hauehave no where a clearer Prophecy of Chriſts death and reſurrection, then this place of the Prophet Eſay. And therefore as the Lord was pleaſed in his good Prouidence to direct the Eunuch at this time to fall vponupon this Scripture to reade it; Philip takes the preſent opportunity, & the text of Scripture now read, as the fitteſt text to preach of vntounto him. And heerein will teach the Miniſters of Chriſt a neceſſary duty.
Namely that they ought to be ſo wiſe to make choice of ſpeciall texts, Doct. Miniſters muſt make choice of ſpeciall texts for ſpecial occaſions.and places of Scripture to treate of vntounto their people, as occaſion ſtill ſhall bee offered vntounto them. For albeit that all Scriptures are full of Diuine and heauenly truths, yet ſome Scriptures fit ſome perſons and occaſions better then others.
There are many comfortable promiſes which God hath made in his word. Come let vsus reaſon together, though your ſinnes were as ſcarlet, &c. Eſay 1.18 Mat. 11.28Come vntounto mee all ye that trauaile and are heauy laden, &c. But for a man that is not yet truly humbled, the threats of the Law are fitter.
That place of Iohn, Ioh. 9.31.God heareth not ſinners; Is an excellent Scripture & very requiſite to be taught, but not to one diſtreſſed in conſcience, and beaten downe in the ſenſe of ſinne.
A Steward in a family muſt hauehave aſwell wiſedome to know what is neceſſary for eueryevery member of the family, as fidelity to diſpence his Maſters goods. The Miniſter is to know when to ſpeake, and what to ſpeake, for as Salomon ſaith, A word ſpoken in due time, is like Apples of gold & pictures of ſiluer.
Arons Bels muſt be wiſely rung, ſometimes the treble of Mercy ſounds well, at another time the tenor of Iudgement ſounds better. A Miniſter is wiſely to change his note as occaſion ſhall require, approuing himſelf to eueryevery mans conſcience in the feare of God.2 Cor. 4.2. sometimes wee are to come in a ſtill voice, as the Lord appeared to Elias. sometimes againe to play the part of a Bonarges, a Sonne of Thunder.
Vſe 1 This ſhewes then what wiſdome & skill is required of eueryevery faithfull Miniſter of Chriſt. Like a faithfull Steward in Gods houſe hee muſt meaſure out to eueryevery man his due, Exhortation to whom exhortation is due, reprehenſion to whom reprehenſion belongs.
Vſe 2 And it ſerues likewiſe to admoniſh hearers not to expect that their Paſtors ſhould at all times come vntounto them with the ſame ſpirit of meekneſſe, for hee muſt apply the plaſter according to the wound. Hee can be no compleat Surgion that hath but one ſalue, and that for ſome greene wound only, to clenſe and heale it. What if he meete with an old feſtere ſoare that is cauterized, and muſt hauehave corſiues to eate out the dead fleſh, if this be not had, doth he not (through his ignorance & vnskilfulneſſe) kil the man? doubtleſſe ſuch Miniſters are neuer able to acquite themſelues of the blood of ſuch mens ſouls in the laſt day.
(And preached vntounto him Ieſus)
By his text, wee may iudge of his Doctrine, the text of Scripture being a cleare prophecy of Chriſts humiliation, and of Chriſts exaltation, no doubt the ſcope of Philips Sermon tended principally to conuince the iudgement of this Eunuch in the truth of both of them, how that eueryevery part and particle of that prophecy had it determination and period in the Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
And herein will teach vsus,
That Christ, Doct. Chriſt the ſubiect matter of true preaching.is the ſubiect matter of the Goſpel, yea the ſubiect matter of al true preaching. Chriſt and him crucified, is the whole ſcope of the whole Scripture.
Yea the Doctrine of the law it ſelfe is but a Scholemaſter to leade vsus to Chriſt. For the more clearly the law hath conuinced the conſcience of ſinne, the more ready ſhal we be to go out of our ſelues, and to ſeeke Saluation in Chriſt. The matter then of true preaching is Ieſus Christ. We preach Christ, the power of God, and the wiſdom of God. 1 Cor. 2.And hence it is that the Goſpel is called the Goſpell of Ieſus Christ, Mar. 1.1.and the World of Chriſt; & againe whom we preach, Col. 3.(ſaith the Apoſtle) ſpeaking of Chriſt. Paul calls the Galatians, Foliſh Galatians, for not obeying the truth.Gal. 3.1. Before whoſe eyes (ſaith hee) Ieſus Chriſt hath beene euidently ſet foorth, and crucified amongst you. And hence is it that the ſame Apoſtle placeth all his happineſſe in Chriſt, and Chriſt alone, God forbid (ſaith hee) that I ſhould reioyce in any thing, but in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. He is the only King, Prieſt & Prophet of his Church. And all true happineſſe and felicitie conſiſteth in the true knowledge of him. This is life eternall to know thee to be the true God, and Ieſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent.Ioh. 17.3.
Now the grounds of this are,
Firſt, Reaſ. 1 becauſe life and Saluation come from him, hee is our Suretie & Sauiour by whom & through whom we come to ſtand iuſtified in Gods ſight, according to that of the Apoſtle Paul, Christ is made vntounto vsus wiſdom and righteouſneſſe, ſanctification and redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30.31.and all to this end, that hee that glorieth, might glory in him.
Reaſ. 2 Secondly, becauſe without him we could hauehave no full or perfect reconciliation with God his Father, It pleaſed the Father that in him all fulneſſe ſhould dwell,Col. 1.19.20.21. and hauing made peace through the blood of his Croſſe, by him to reconcile all things to him, whether they be things on earth or things in heaven.
Thirdly, by his death hee hath deſtroyed death, Reaſ. 3 and triumphed ouer death, O Death I will bee thy death; O Death where is thy ſting? and againe, Thanks be to God who hath giuen vsus victory through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.1 Cor. 15.55.57.
Vſe 1 This ſerues then to informe all the Lords watchmen, how to preach and what to preach, euen Ieſus Chriſt and him crucified, and to apply the ſame cloſe to the conſcience of eueryevery man, in ſuch wiſe as ſome change and reformation may follow. Pitie it is to ſee how many Teachers now a dayes doe chuſe out hard texts of Scripture, and make learned diſcourſes theron, ſhew much reading for Fathers and humanity, of whom it may truely bee ſayd, that they preach, many of them, themſelues and not Chriſt: is preaching Gods ordinance? was it ordained then, my Brethren, to pleaſe the eare, or to prick the hart? Neuer let a Preacher think, that he hath preached Chriſt as hee ſhould, vnleſſe by his preaching hee bring men to Chriſt. For as all lines doe meete in the point of the Center; ſo muſt it bee the end and ſcope of a Miniſters function, to bring men Chriſt.
Vſe 2 And as Miniſters are thus regulated for their preaching, ſo people are likewiſe taught what doctrine to deſire to heare, and to reſt ſatisfied in, Euen ſuch kinde of preaching as ſerues moſt clearly to ſet out Chriſt.
I know not how it is come to paſſe in this old age of the world; Men hauehave got them Athenian cares. To preach Chriſt and him crucified, is too homely a thing; men delight in nouelties and muſt hauehave their preacher ſore alofte in ſublimitie of doctrine, or elſe hee is not worth the hearing; theſe are wanton Chriſtians, that now begin to play with the word, as little children with their bread. O let vsus labour with our owne harts herein, and learne to prize that miniſtery, wherein we may ſe and diſcerne the true eſtate of our ſoules. And withall let vsus labour that wee may bee caſt into the mould of the Goſpell; That our Iudgments wils & affections may ſtoupe to the Scepter of the Lord Ieſus, for without this wee preach but in vaine, and you heare but in vaine, yea the word ſhall become at laſt the wofull ſauour of death vntounto death vntounto you.
Vſe 3 And laſt of all, ſince that Chriſt is all in al to be preached & heard to life and ſaluation; this ſerues iuſtly to taske the Church of Rome, and may giuegive vsus to know whether they or we, are in the ſafeſt condition touching Saluation.
Let it bee duely thought vponupon and conſidered, whether they or we reſt moſt on Chriſt, magnifie Chriſt and the allufficiency of his ſufferings. Doe we looke to merit by our owne works? doe wee mingle his blood with the blood of martyrs in way of ſatisfaction for ſin? doe we ioine with the interceſſion of Ieſus Chriſt, the Interceſſion of Angels or Saints? or doe we not rather reſt wholly vponupon him? Surely this is not the leaſt argument to aſſure vsus of the truth of our Religion againſt the Church of Rome, that wee can reſt wholly and totally vponupon Chriſt.