Exposition of Colossians, Sermons · Chapter 4 · Verse 17
VER. 17. And ſay to Archippus, take heed to the miniſterie that thou haſt receiued in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
In this Verſe, wee hauehave another thing laid before vsus, which the Apoſtle willed the Coloſſians to doe, (namely this) that they ſhould ſpeake to Archippus, and hee tells them what he ſhould ſay to him, what words they ſhould vſe, and after what manner they ſhould ſpeake to him; as that they ſhould ſpeake by way of admonition, and warne him to take heed to the miniſterie hee had receiued in the Lord, (And ſay to Archippus take heed to the miniſterie that thou haſt receiued in the Lord.)
In this warning or admonition we hauehave more particularly theſe things to be conſidered.
1 Firſt the matter of the admonition, in theſe words, take heed to the miniſterie that thou haſt receiued in the Lord.
2 Then the extent of that duty, how farre forth Archippus ſhould take heed and looke to his miniſterie, (namely) ſo far as that he ſhould fulfill it, Take heed to the miniſterie that thou haſt receiued in the Lord that thou fulfill it.
3 And thirdly, in the words of this admonition, the Apoſtle layes downe a ſtrong and effectuall argument, to perſwade Archippus to take heed to his miniſterie, taken from the author of his miniſtery, that hee had that his miniſterie from the Lord, that he had receiued it by his grace, and therefore he ſhould looke to it, and fulfill it; Take heed to the miniſterie that thou haſt received in the Lord that thou fulfill it.
And the occaſion of this warning to be giuen by the Coloſſians to Archippus in all likelihood and probabilitie, was this.
Archippus was a miniſter in the Church of Coloſſe, and was a colleague, and fellow-helper in that Church to Epaphras, who was then at Rome with Paul, and therefore hee ought in the abſence of Epaphras, to hauehave been diligent in his miniſterie, which it ſeemes he was not, and therefore the Apoſtle would hauehave him admoniſhed, and put in minde of his duty.
I will therefore briefely lay forth the ſenſe and meaning of this verſe. (And ſay to Archippus,) that is,Interpretation. admoniſh and warne Archippus, on this manner, (take heed to the miniſtery,) the originall is (ſee to the miniſtery,) the meaning is, carefully looke to the office and function, diligently weigh and conſider, what it is, the weight of it, and what belongs to that paſtorall duty, (that thou haſt receiued in the Lord) that is, that thou haſt receiued from the Lord, which he of his grace and mercy, hath committed vntounto thee, (that thou fulfill it.) The word fulfill, is metaphorically borrowed and taken from a veſſell, that ought to be full of liquor, or the like matter, and is not; and the Apoſtle compares the miniſterie of Archippus to ſuch a veſſell, which had ſomewhat put into it, but was not filled to the brim, as it ſhould hauehave been: and ſo when hee ſaith that thou fulfill it, it is as much as if he had ſaid, that thou fill vp that veſſell of thy miniſterie, as it ought to be filled, and leaue no empty place in it: and his meaning is, that thou do it not to the halfes, or in ſome part, and leaue it vndone in another, but that thou performe it, in eueryevery reſpect, as it ought to be performed, that thou accompliſh and performe all the parts of that office and miniſterie; Thus then briefly conceiue the Apoſtles meaning.
Admoniſh Archippus on this manner; Looke carefully, and diligently conſider with thy ſelfe, what is that office and function, the weight of it, and what belongs to that paſtorall duty, which thou hast receiued from the Lord, and which he of his grace and mercy hath committed to thee, that thou performe it in eueryevery reſpect, as it ought to be performed, that thou leaue nothing vndone in that office that ought to be done, but that thou accompliſh it in all the parts of it.
Now firſt, it is not to be paſſed by without obſeruation, that howſoeuer the Apoſtle in the verſe before inioyned the reading of his Epiſtle, that it ſhould be read both in the Church of Coloſſe and of Laodicea, yet heere he addes Archippus ſhould be put in minde of his duty, that hee ſhould be admoniſhed to looke to the fulfilling of his miniſterie, that he ſhould be ſtirred vp to a diligent teaching of the word amongſt the Coloſſians. Hence wee may gather.
Doct. 1 That howſoeuer this Epiſtle and other books of Scripture are to be read, yet the reading of them are not ſuff…cient, it is not enough to read the word our ſelues, or to hear it read, (though that is to be done) but if we will ſoundly profit by it, it muſt be taught, and we muſt attend to teaching in the publike miniſterie.It is not enough to read the word our ſelues, or to heare it read, but we muſt alſo attend to the preaching of it in the publike miniſtrie of it.
For (indeed) the preaching of the word is the ordinance of God, which hee hath ordeined for the right vnderſtanding of the word, as the Eunuch ſaid, Act: 8.31. and for the effectuall application of it, to the entring thorow, euen vntounto the diuiding aſunder of the ſoule and the ſpirit, and of the ioynts and the marrow, and to the diſcerning of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb. 4.12. In reading there is ſomtimes no vnderſtanding, ſomtimes miſvnderſtanding, ſometimes miſ-applying the word read, and all theſe wants are helped and ſupplied by preaching. Vſe.
This I note in a word, againſt that ſelfe-pleaſing conceit of ſome, who ſooth vp themſelues in their neglect of the publike miniſterie of the word.Reproofe of ſuch as neglect the publike miniſtery of the word.
Say they wee hauehave the Bible, and in the Bible are the moſt perfect Sermons of Chriſt, and of his Apoſtles, Object. and we can read them in our houſes, and ſo ſerue God as well as they that heare all the Sermons in the world.
Indeed it is true, Anſw. the Sermons of Chriſt and of his Apoſtles, are moſt perfect in themſelues, but ſuch perſons muſt know, they are not ſo profitable to them, till they be explaned, and applyed to their conſcience in the miniſtery of the word: admit they read the word, (which may bee iuſtly doubted whether they do or no) but grant that they doe, and they vnderſtand it, yet ſeldom or neuer do they throughly apply it to themſelues, eſpecially if it touch the quicke, (namely) their owne pleaſing ſinne; commonly men that thus excuſe their neglect of the publike miniſterie of the word, are ſuch as cannot abide to hauehave their conſcience ranſackt, and ript vp, and the ſecrets of their hearts made manifeſt by the miniſterie of the word, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Cor. 14.25 they cannot endure that the ſword of the word ſhould pierce them, and ſhould be vſed to the cutting, and launcing, and ſearching of the feſtered ſores of their ſoules, by the hand of another: and is it likely they will ſo apply it themſelues, that they as it were with their owne hands will vſe the word to the cutting, launcing and ſearching of their owne feſtered ſores? No, no, there is no likelyhood in it, and therefore it is but a vaine excuſe to ſay they hauehave the Bible at home, they can, and do read in the Bible: this is but a fond ſhift; and we muſt know it is not enough for vsus to read in the Bible, (though that is our duty to be diligent in reading in it) yet that will not ſerue the turne, the application of the word is eſpecially made in the publike miniſterie and preaching of it, and to that wee muſt attend, yea though wee hauehave knowledge, and (happily) know as much as the Preacher can teach vsus, yet ſtill muſt we attend vponupon it: for the preaching of the word, ſerues, not onelyonly for the information of the iudgment, but for the framing of the will and affections to holineſſe, and for the ſtirring of vsus vp to the practiſe of that wee know: and in this reſpect muſt eueryevery one attend to the publike miniſterie and preaching of the word.
Note we further, that the Apoſtle heere willed the Coloſſians to admoniſh their miniſter Archippus, as it may ſeeme ſomewhat ſlacke in his duty, to bee more diligent in performance of his duty; wee ſee then though Miniſters of the word hauehave great authoritie ouer the Church committed vntounto them by the Lord, yet notwithſtanding if they be negligent in doing their duty,The place of a Miniſter doth not exempt him frō othe…s mens cha…table ouerſig…t and carefull admonition. How ſuch admonition muſt be vſed. they may be ſtird vp to a greater care in doing their duty by the ſame Church, and by the gouernours of it may be put in minde of their duty, and reprooued, if they deſerue reproofe: their places do not exempt them from other mens charitable ouerſight and carefull admonition. Yet ſuch admonition muſt be vſed with reuerence and due regard, euen with regard had to their paſtor, as one ſent to them from the Lord for their good: It is the Apoſtles rule, 1 Tim: 5.1. Rebuke not an Elder, but reprooue him as a Father; the reproofe of an Elder muſt be a ſubmiſſiue and reuerent exhortation of him, but I will not further inſiſt on that.
Come we to the admonition it ſelfe, which the Apoſtle willed the Coloſſians to vſe to Archippus their Miniſter: ſay to him (ſaith the Apoſtle) take heed to the miniſterie thou haſt receiued in the Lord that thou fulfill it. Where firſt we are to marke, the Apoſtle bids the Coloſſians, not barely to ſay to Archippus, fulfill thy miniſtery, but that they ſhould ſay to him, take heed to it, that thou fulfill it diligently, conſider thy miniſtery, what it is, the weight of it, and that thou fulfill it; where in the firſt place we are giuen to vnderſtand, Doct. 3
That a Miniſter of the word ought diligently and carefully to conſider his miniſtery:A Miniſter of the word ought diligently and carefully to conſider his miniſtrie. there muſt be in the Miniſter of the word, a diligent and due conſideration of his office and calling, what it is, and the weight of it: a Miniſter muſt duly and ſeriouſly conſider, what he is called vntounto, euen to bee the meſſenger and ambaſſadour of the Lord, to carry his meſſage, and his embaſſage to his people, and to intreat of conditions of peace between God and his people, and to ſtand in Chriſt his ſtead, 2 Cor. 5.20. to be Gods interpreter to the people, and the peoples to God, Ierem: 33.23. and he is to conſider the weight of his calling, that he is put in truſt with the ſoules of men, yea the ſoules of men purchaſed with ſo great a price, as the moſt precious bloud of the only begotten ſonne of God, Acts 20.28. and that he is put in truſt with the holy worſhip of God, and with his holy name (as it were) with his crowne and dignitie, and with the diſpenſation and diſpoſing of his ſecrets, 1 Cor. 4.1. and that it belongs to him, to teach, to improoue, to correct, to inſtruct, to exhort, to comfort, to watch, to pray, to go in and our before Gods people vnblameably; theſe and many other like, are the things that eueryevery Miniſter of the word ought to thinke on, to conſider and to hauehave an eye to, at all times. Vſe.
A duty wherein many Miniſters are farre ſhort and much defectiue; ſome Miniſters full litle thinke on it, that they are called to be the meſſengers of God,Reproofe of ſuch miniſters as conſider not the weight of their calling. to deliuer his meſſage to his people, if they did, they would not then deliuer their owne inven ions vntounto them: and many hauehave litle conſideration of it, that they are put in truſt with Gods people, and that the weight of their ſoules doth lye vponupon them, their idleneſſe, their negligence, their frothy and vnprofitable teaching, plainly ſhewes it.
I might inſiſt in many other particulars; but for more generall vſe of the point, conſider wee, what the Apoſtle ſaith, Rom. 13.4.6. that euen ſuch as are deputed of the Lord to a place of ciuill gouernment, are called Miniſters of God, they hauehave an office and a miniſtry. Now then, as there muſt be in a Miniſter of the word a due conſideration of his office and function, what it is, and the the weight of it: ſo doubtleſſe ought there to bee in ciuill gouernours, in publike or in priuate,Ciuill gouernors in publike or in priuate, are to conſider the weight of their office and calling. be it but a maſter of a familie, euen ſuch perſons ought to ſee to their miniſtery and office, and to conſider what it is, what belongs to it, and what is the weight of it, they are ſeriouſly to conſider with themſelues, that they are deputed of the Lord to that office, and that they are in his place, and ſtand in his ſtead, to thoſe that are vnderunder them, and that it belongs to their office, according to their power, to protect the innocent, to puniſh the offendor, to incourage the well-doer, and to diſcountenance and cenſure the euill doer, and ſo to guide and gouerne thoſe vnderunder them, as may befor the good of their bodies and ſoules: yea men that hauehave any office or function, are to conſider what belongs to that office in particular: as, a maſter of a familie is ſeriouſly to conſider, that it belongs to him to command things lawfull, to ſuch as be vnderunder him, and proportionable to their ſtrength, to prouide for them (as hee is able) meate, drinke and all, things needefull, to yeeld them moderate reſt and recreation, to teach, to admoniſh, to correct them as iuſt occaſion is offered, to pray with them, to pray for them, and the like; and eueryevery one that hath an office, either publike or priuate, is to conſider the waight of that office, how much and how deepely it concernes him, to doe the duties that belong to that office, and that the doing of them ſo neerely concernes him, as if he neglect them, and any vnderunder him offend, and ſinne, thorow his default; that ſinne of the inferiour ſhall increaſe the iudgement of the ſuperiour in the day of account. Exod. 16.27. It is ſaid that ſome of the people went out on the ſeuenth day to gather Manna, but found none, whereupon it is ſaid, verſe 28. that the Lord reproued Moſes, and ſaid vntounto him, How long refuſe yee to keepe my Commandements and my Lawes? Now Moſes had not prophaned the Sabbath, but the people, and not all, but ſome of the people, yet the Lord reproued Moſes becauſe the people that were vnderunder his charge had ſinned: ſo waighty a burden lies on thoſe that hauehave any way the ouerſight of others, that they muſt giuegive account in regard of their ſinnes, if they offend through their default, and neglect of duty; and thus ought ſuch as hauehave any office or function publike or priuate, diligentlie to waigh and conſider with themſelues, what that office is, what belongs, vntounto the waight of it. Thus no doubt, did Salomon when he made that praier to the Lord, 1 King. 3.9. GiueGive to thy ſeruant an vnderſtanding heart, that I may diſcerne betweene good and bad: and hee doth expreſſe as much in the laſt words of the verſe, For who is able to iudge this thy mighty people, as if he ſaid, I conſider the waight of mine office, and I finde it great and waightie; therefore Oh Lord I beſeech thee ſtrengthen me, and enable mee to doe my dutic; and to this purpoſe (no doubt) was that wholeſome admonition of Iehoſhaphat to his Iudges, 2. Chron. 19.6.7. Take heede what yee doe: for yes execute not the iudgements of man, but of the Lord, and he will bee with you, in the cauſe and iudgement. Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord be vponupon you, take heede, and doe it: for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God, nether reſpect of perſons, nor reciuing of reward. As if hee had ſaid, diligently conſider with your ſelues, what offiice you are called to, what is the charge that lies vponupon you, what belongs to your office, you execute not the iudgements of man, but of the Lord, and hee will bee with you in the cauſe and iudgement. And conſider with your ſelues, your charge is is ſo waighty, that you muſt one day giuegive account of it before the iudge of all the world, with whom is neither reſpect of perſons nor receiuing reward.
Thu are ſuch as hauehave any office or charge ouer others, be it publike, or priuate, duely to conſider that office and cha…ge what it is,Ciuill gouernors iuſtly reproued for not conſidering the waight o… their office and calling. what belongs vntounto it, and the waight of it. Now doe men that hauehave charge ouer others conſider theſe things? Doe they (as they ought) thinke on it, what the office and place is which they are called to, what belongs vntounto it, and the waight of it? Few there be that doe ſo, many men are altogether careleſſe, they ſet all at ſixe and ſeuen, hauehave no manner of conſideration what their office and charge is, and what belongs vntounto it; and moſt men hauehave an eie, not to their office and charge, and what belongs to that, but to the example of others, they conſider what other men of like place doe, and they doe the like, ſuch and ſuch maſters, (ſaith one that is a maſter of a familie) neither teach their families, nor pray with them, and they thriue well enough, and therefore thinkes hee, I may doe the like; others againe, conſider onelyonly what is to bee done in their place and calling, ſtanding beſt with their eaſe, their profit, and their credit in the world, thus and many other waies doe men faile in this dutie. Well know thou whoſoeuer thou art, thou art to take heede and to ſee to thine office, and to conſider ſeriouſly what it is, what belongs vntounto it, and the waight of it. And that thou maieſt ſo doe, learne thy dutie what belongs to thine office and calling out of the word of God. Deut. 17.19. the King is enioined to reade the word of God, all the daies of his life, that thence he may learne his duty and in the word of God the Lord hath laide downe, the offices and duties of all ſorts of callings, of Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Maſters, particularly, to that end (without queſtion) that they ſhould learne, know, and conſider them; doe thou therefore thence learne the things that concerne thine office, and knowing thoſe things, conſider them, and hauehave an eie to them at all times.
And to that purpoſe remember theſe two things.
1 Firſt,Two things are to bee thought vponupon by ſuch as bee ciuill gouernoure. it is for want of taking heede to the duties of mens callings, and want of conſideration of them, that men tranſgreſſe their callings, and go beyond the bounds of their callings, and ſo lay themſelues open to the plagues and iudgements of God, no doubt it was ſo with Vzziah in putting his hand to the Arke, 2. Sam. 6.6. and the Lord ſmote him for it. And it was for want of conſideration of his calling, that Peter would warme himſelfe at the High Prieſts fire, Luke 22.15. It coſt him the breach of his conſcience, and as one ſaith well, if wee marke the time when the iudgements of God befall men,Note. wee ſhall finde they are caſt vponupon them when they are out of their callings.
2 Againe, remember this that the want of conſideration of their callings, and the waight of them, is that which makes men careleſſe and vnconſcionable in doing their duties, for what is it that makes men, either neglect the duties of their callings, or to doe them onelyonly for faſhion? Surely this, they pull away their eies from their callings, they looke not (as they ought) to the duties of them, and on the waight of them, but they caſt their eies to the example of others, on their owne eaſe, profit, or eſtimation in the world, and thence it comes that they are careleſſe and vnconſcionable in doing the duties of their callings.
If then thou wouldeſt not goe beyond the limits of thy calling, and ſo lay thy ſelfe naked and open to the iudgements of God, if thou wouldeſt not bee careleſſe and vnconſcionable in doing the duties of thy calling, but rather doe them with care, and good conſcience, and with comfort to thine owne ſoule, then doe thou conſider thine of fice, and calling, take thou heede and hauehave an eie to the duties of it, and to the waight of it: euer meditate and thinke thus with thy ſelfe, this is mine office and calling, theſe are the duties that belong to it, and they are of this waight, and conſequence, that the neglect or careleſſe doing of them will bring downe Gods iudgements vponupon me, and I ſhall one day anſwer for the ſame. Let this bee thy meditation and conſideration in reſpect of thy place and calling whatſoeuer it is.
In the next place we are to marke that the Apoſtle bids the Coloſſians ſay to Archippus, take heed to the miniſtrie that thou haſt receiued in the Lord that thou fulfill it, vſing as we ſhewed, a word taken from a veſſell that ought to be full and is not, meaning this, that Archippus ſhould (as it were) fill vp the veſſell of his miniſtrie, that hee ſhould as he had begunne to doe ſomething in his miniſtrie, to accompliſh it to the full in eueryevery reſpect, and leaue no part or dutie of it vnfulfilled, vnperformed.
Where wee may eaſily ſee thus much laide before vsus.
Doct. 3 It is not inough for a miniſter of the Goſpell to performe one part of his office alone, but he muſt execute and fulfill all and euerie part of his office.That it is not inough for a Miniſter of the word to beginne and to continue doing ſome thing that belongs to him in his place and calling, but he muſt accompliſh and performe all things that pertaine to him in the ſame, it is not ſufficient for a Miniſter of the Goſpell to take paines in one part of his office alone, as in teaching onelyonly, exhorting onelyonly, or that hee liue free from any ſpeciall ſcandall or offence, but he muſt execute and fulfill all and eueryevery part of his office and miniſtrie, he muſt teach, improoue, correct, inſtruct, exhort, comfort, &c. as any occaſion is offered vntounto him; and hee muſt watch ouer his people, and goe in and out before them vnblameably, and ſo carrie himſelfe in the diſcharge of his miniſtrie; as it may truely be ſaid of him that hee filles vp the veſſell of his miniſtrie, and ſo performes his dutie in eueryevery reſpect as there can be no further dutie required of him, as hee is a Miniſter.
And this is further taught plainely, 2 Tim. 4. Where the Apoſtle hauing laid downe the ſpeciall duties that belong to a Miniſter of the word, with a waighty charge preſſing Timothy to the practiſe of them, I charge thee before God, and before the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, which ſhall iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing, and in his kingdome preach the word, be inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, improue, rebuke, exhort with all long-ſuffering and doctrine: he addes verſe 5. Doe the worke of an Euangeliſt: make thy Miniſtrie fully knowne: as if hee had ſaid, theſe are the duties that belong to thee in thy miniſtrie, and thinke it not ſufficient to doe ſome of them, and leaue the reſt vndone, but doe them all and eueryevery one, fulfill thy miniſtrie, and make it fully knowne.
I might eaſily inſiſt further on this point,Repr…fe of Miniſters altogether careleſſe of their dutie, and of ſuch alſo as do their duty but in part. and for the vſe of it I might heereby taxe and reproue many miniſters of the word, ſome being altogether careleſſe, ſuch as labour not in any part of their miniſtrie, either in teaching or liuing vnblameably, and ſo are farre from labouring in eueryevery part of it.
Some againe, labouring in ſome duties of the Miniſtrie, and not in all, as (happilie) teaching, but not exhorting, or exhorting without ground of doctrine, or teaching and exhorting well, but liuing ill, and giuing iuſt cauſe of ſcandall and offence, or liuing in good order without touch of any notorious crime, yea (happily) ſhewing forth ſome vertues, as mercy, louelove, pitty towards the poore, and ſuch as want helpe, but not able to teach and to doe the moſt needfull duty of their place and calling: theſe and many other waies I might ſhew, how ſome Miniſters of the word faile in not fulfilling their miniſtrie, they leaue as it were an emptineſſe in that veſſell, they fill it not vp, as it ought to bee filled, they performe it not in eueryevery reſpect as it ought to bee performed, but to extend the point a little further and that vponupon the ground before deliuered, Ro. 13. That ſuch as be in place of ciuill gouernment, publike or priuate, hauehave a miniſtrie giuen them of God, as therefore the Miniſter of the word muſt not hold it enough for him to labour in ſome duties of his miniſtrie, and leaue the reſt vndone, that is to fill his miniſtrie but in part, and not to fulfill it, and if he will fullfill his Miniſtry, it muſt be by doing all the duties that belong to that office.
So (doubtleſſe) ought it to be with ſuch as hauehave any other place or office in publike or in priuate,Such as bee in any place of ciuill gouernment muſt fulfill their office, executing and doing all & eueryevery part and dutie of the ſame. they muſt not content themſelues in doing of ſome duties that belong to that place, and leaue the reſt vndone, that is to leaue a gap, and an emptie place in their office, and place but they muſt fill it vp in the execution and performance of all and eueryevery part and dutie of the ſame, for why? Euerie man in his place & lawful calling whatſoeuer it be, is to be faithful; we find it giuen to Moſes by the Lord himſelfe in way of commendation Num. 12.7. That he was faithfull in his office: and to Chriſt himſelfe, Heb. 3.2. and it is the Apoſtle rule, Rom. 12.7. Let him that hath an office attend on it with diligence, and faithfulneſſe. Now a man is not faithfull, if he doe ſome duties that belong to his place and calling though he doe them with great diligence and paines, and leaue other duties of it vndone; and therefore in eueryevery place and calling, there muſt be a performance of all and eueryevery dutie belonging to the ſame.
Againe, all and eueryevery duty of eueryevery lawfull calling are inioined by the commandement of the Lord, and men are as ſtrictly bound by the commandement of God, to the doing of one part of their office, as another, ſucceſſiuely and at times fit for the doing of it, and therefore men muſt not content themſelues with the doing of ſome duties that belong to their place and calling, but they muſt performe and do all and eueryevery duty of it, that is the fulfilling of their office, and their miniſtery.
Reproofe of ſuch as reſt in the doing of ſome of the duties of their place and calling, and neglect others.Now this is a thing litle thought on by moſt men in the world, moſt men content themſelues in the doing of ſome duties that belong to them in their place and calling, though they neglect others: yea ſome exceedingly pleaſe, themſelues in this, that they are diligent and painefull in doing only ſome things that concerne them in their particular office and calling.
To inſtance but in one or two particulars. Some Parents (it may be) ſuffer their children to want nothing belonging to their bodies, they giuegive them meat, drinke and clothing, and prouide all outward things needfull for them: yea ſometimes they make themſelues drudges to ſcrape vp abundance of wealth for them againſt aftertimes, and yet all this while neglect that duty laid vponupon them, Epheſ. 6.4. of bringing vp their children in inſtruction and information of the Lord, that duty they performe not; and ſo ſome maſters (happily) lay no more on their ſeruants than they are able to do, they prouide for them wholſome and ſufficient meat and drinke, and in ſeaſon, and they giuegive them leaue to refreſh themſelues at times conuenient, but as for the duty of teaching and inſtructing them, and praying for them, thoſe things are not thought vponupon: and yet ſuch Parents and ſuch Maſters pleaſe themſelues in that which they doe, and thinke they hauehave done that which concernes them towards their children and ſeruants: yea ſomtimes they ſticke not to ſay it, they hauehave done the part of Parents and Maſters: ſometimes ſuch Parents ſay to their children, wee hauehave ſpared from our owne backes and bellies for you, wee hauehave fared hardly, and gone thinly clad, for you, and we hauehave laboured night and day for your good, &c. and ſuch Maſters ſay to their ſeruants, what can you complaine of? hauehave you not had your meate and drinke wholeſome and good, and your wages paid you? hauehave wee laid too much vponupon you, &c. thus many Parents and Maſters content themſelues in doing only ſome things that concerne them as they are Parents and Maſters, and thinke that in ſo doing they hauehave diſcharged their office: but know thou whoſoeuer thou art, thou being a Father or a Maſter, it is not enough for thee to do ſome duties, but thou muſt doe all that concernes thee in that place and calling, thou muſt fulfill thine office, and leaue nothing vndone in it, that ought to be done.
And to this purpoſe,
A motiue to ſtirre vp men to fulfill their office in any place or calling.Conſider that eueryevery duty in thy place and calling more neerely concernes thy ſelfe, then thoſe to whom it ought to be performed, for the doing of it may bring good to them, but much more good and comfort to thy ſelfe, in teſtifying thy faith, and ſealing vp comfort to thine owne conſcience: and the neglect of it may hinder their good, but it makes thee liable to the iudgment of God and deeper condemnation, and therfore look thou fulfil thine office. Alas will ſome ſay, I am not able to fulfill it, and to do all the duties that belong to mine office, I am not able to teach my family. Art thou not? that is thy ſhame, labour that thou maieſt bee able, and according to that abilitie thou haſt, performe that duty, and know for thy comfort, the Lord requires not the fulfilling of thine office, in doing the duties of it in perfect meaſure, that is impoſſible, it is but a conceit of the Papiſts, that men regenerate may fulfill the law of God in the time of this life, and may doe more than they are commanded, euen works of ſupererrogation: that is but a fancy: do thou therefore all and eueryevery duty of thy place and calling, and though thou doe ſome of them in weakneſſe and much infirmitie, yet the Lord will not caſt away thoſe duties ſo performed, if thou doe them in truth and ſinceritie of heart, but will accept them in Chriſt, and let that be thy comfort.
Now touching the argument the Apoſtle would hauehave to be vſed to perſwade Archippus to take heed to his miniſterie, and to the fulfilling of it, in that he would hauehave him ſtirred vp thereunto, becauſe hee had receiued it from the Lord, that the Lord of his grace and goodneſſe had committed that office to him, it is eaſie to be concluded from hence.
Doct. 4 That it is a notable and very effectuall argument to ſtir vp a miniſter of the goſpell to a carefull and comfortable performance of his duty in that he hath receiued his miniſtery from the Lord,In that a miniſter of the goſpell hath receiued his miniſtry from the Lord, it is of great weight to perſwade him to a carefull performance of his duty. in that the Lord of his grace and mercy hath reputed him faithfull, and put him in that office, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 1 Tim. 1.12. it is a very powerfull and preuayling argument to ſtirre vp a miniſter of the goſpell, to be diligent, carefull, faithfull, and zealous in fulfilling his miniſtry, yea it ſerue… notably to comfort him againſt the ſtormes and perſecutions that are or may bee raiſed againſt him in doing his duty.
For he hauing receiued his miniſtry from the Lord hee knowes the Lords arme is long and ſtrong enough both to ſuſtaine and vphold him, Reaſon. and to render vengeance to thoſe that ſhall vniuſtly diſturbe him. Theſe things might be further ſtood on, but let it ſuffice to hauehave named them. Now heere a queſtion is to be anſwered, (i.) this.
How ſhall a miniſter of the word, Queſt. know that he hath receiued his miniſtry from the Lord, and that the Lord hath put him in that office.
Anſw. Anſw. By three things.
Firſt, if the Lord hauehave giuen him a competent meaſure of gifts fit for the worke of his miniſtry.
Secondly, if hee vponupon tryall and examination being found fit for that office, be deſigned to it by the gouernors of the Church.
Thirdly, if (hee exerciſing thoſe gifts beſtowed vponupon him and faithfully diſcharging his duty) the Lord giuegive a bleſſing vntounto his labours.
By theſe ſhall a miniſter know that hee hath receiued his miniſtry from the Lord. They of the ſeparation, Objection. ſay our miniſters are no true miniſters, why ſo? Forſooth onelyonly becauſe they are not rightly called (as they ſuppoſe) by men. Anſw. They cannot deny but that many of them are ſufficiently qualified with gifts fit for the miniſtry, and that exerciſing thoſe gifts, the Lord giues a bleſſing of their labours in the true conuerſion of many ſoules to God. But (ſay they) they are not rightly called by men, and therefore no true miniſters. Admit this to be true (which they are neuer able to prooue) ſhall an error and fayling in men, make voide the calling of God? graunt this that there is ſome defect in the maner of their calling by men, for that is all they ſtand vponupon, yet they hauing a competent meaſure of gifts fit for the miniſtry, and exerciſing thoſe gifts by allowance from men that are in place and authoritie, and the Lord vouchſafing a bleſſing vponupon their labours, it is a ſufficient approbation of their calling. oh but they would hauehave the conſent of the people in calling of miniſters: Object. Anſwer. who ſees not their conſent, in as much as they willingly ſubmit themſelues to their miniſtry, and are effectually wrought vponupon by it, to their calling and conuerſion, yea therein the Lord doth (as it were) ſet his hand and ſeale to their miniſtry, and approoue it.
Object. A falſe teacher may conuert others (this is ſaid by them but they are not able to proove it.)
No ſurely, if this were true, then the argument of the Apoſtle was not good, Anſw. whereby hee prooued himſelfe a true Apoſtle, 1 Cor: 9.1.2. Am I not an Apoſtle? am I not free? hauehave I not ſeene Ieſus Chriſt our Lord? are yee not my work in the Lord? If I be not an Apoſtle vntounto others, yet doubtleſſe I am vntounto you, for y…e are the ſeale of mine Apoſtleſhip in the Lord. The queſtion was whether he were a true Apoſtle or no: how doth he prooue it? ſurely thus. That he was the inſtrument and meanes of their conuerſion, and therefore a true Apoſtle; Now if it were ſo, that a falſe teacher might conuert ſoules, they might hauehave ſaid, this is no good argument, but the Apoſtle knew well they could not ſo reply, he knew his argument to be ſound and good, and if it was a good argument to prooue Paul a true Apoſtle, then much more is it a good argument to prooue an ordinary miniſter, a true miniſter, and called of God, that the Lord giues a bleſſing to his labours for the conuerſion of ſoules. From this argument (thou haſt receiued in the Lord) we may further gather.
Doct. 5 That in eueryevery office and lawfull calling that men hold in Church or common-wealth, they are to hauehave an eye to the Lord,In eueryevery lawfull calling, wherein men are, they muſt remember that they hauehave receiued it from the lord. and to remember that they hauehave receiued it from him, that the Lord of his grace and goodneſſe hath vouchſafed to ſet them in that place and calling, be it neuer ſo meane, and if it bee a place of greater eminencie and dignitie, men are the more to looke vp to the Lord, and to conſider the greatneſſe of Gods grace in that their aduancement.
Thus did Paul, Rom: 12.3. I ſay through the grace that is giuen vntounto me. and 1 Cor: 15.10. by the grace of God I am that I am. and hence it is that the Lord is wont to ſet out the greatneſſe of the ſinne of men in high place, with the aduancement he had vouchſafed them. Thus hee ſet out the ſinne of Ieroboam, of Saul, yea of Dauid himſelfe, 2 Sam: 12 17. I hauehave annoynted thee King ouer Iſrael, and deliuered thee out of the hand of Saul, &c. And this is of excellent vſe and ſpeciall conſequence: if men in any place and calling, to which they are lawfully called, euer looke vp to the Lord, and remember that hee of his grace and goodneſſe hath brought them to that place, doubtleſſe, it will make men content with it, be it neuer ſo meane, and if it be a place of greater eminencie, Vſe. thankfull to God for his mercy,Men hauing an eye to the Lord, from whom they hauehave receiued their places and callings, it makes them contented and thankfull, and humble, and faithfull, and conſcionable, in diſcharging their duties. and it will make them walke humbly in that place, yea faithfull and conſcionable in doing the duties of it, knowing that as they hauehave receiued it from the Lord, ſo one day an account of it, is to be made to him. Kings and other great men, may make their vnderunder officers, but wee muſt remember that the offices themſelues are from the Lord, and though the Prince may giuegive thee an office, yet he cannot giuegive thee a quietus est for thy vnfaithfulneſſe in that office, that is aboue his power, therefore euer looke thou to the Lord, from whom thou haſt receiued thine office, and thus thinke with thy ſelfe: ſurely the Lord of his goodneſſe and grace hath brought me to this office, hee ordeined it before all times, that I ſhould hauehave this office, he hath choſen out my Fathers houſe, (happily) baſe and obſcure, and me the meaneſt of my brethren, he hath prepared a way and meanes for me, to come to this place, in my iudgment, weake and vnlikely, and he hath preuailed ouer many great letts and impediments, that ſtood vp againſt me, and hath put me into this place and office. Thus thinke with thy ſelfe, and thus conſider the grace and goodneſſe of the Lord in bringing thee to that place thou now holdeſt, and thou ſhalt finde it will be a notable meanes to make thee contented with thy place, and thankfull to God for it, and humble in thy ſelfe, and faithfull and conſcionable in doing the duties of it.