An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 102
SERM. CII.
Of the mutuall rejoycing which ought to be betwixt Miniſter and People.
1 COR. 1. 14.
That we are your rejoycing, as ye alſo are ours.
THis is the Second particular in the Text, and doth contain the Specification wherein this acknowledgment of the Corinthians did conſiſt, viz. That he was their Rejoycing. However ſome falſe teachers had endeavoured to take off their affections from him, yet they had acknowledged him to be their Father, and Maſter, by whom they were faithfully inſtructed in the wayes of Godlineſs; and for this they did bleſſe God, and rejoyce that they had ſuch a Teacher; which was ſo great a mercy, that few did enjoy the like. Now the Apoſtle addeth, That this rejoycing was mutual; he did as well rejoyce in ſuch apt and obedient Schollars. Chryſoſtome obſerveth this Addition to be a great Expreſſion of Pauls Modeſty and Humility, for that the Corinthians ſhould glory and rejoyce in ſuch an eminent Teacher as Paul was; It is no wonder but that he ſhould rejoyce in them, who were ſo inconſtant, and ſo uncertain in their affections to him; yea, who were to be blamed ſo much in Doctrinalls, and practicalls: This may make us admire. But (ſayes Chryſoſtome, This Paul doth for humility ſake, that he might not procure envy, us if he thought two arrogantly of himſelf, therefore he aſſumeth them into a co-partnerſhip with his glory and rejoycing, The Original word foreign lieth already bear opened: There is nothing difficult in the words, onelyonly when Paul and the Corinthians are thus ſaid to be one anothers rejoycing, we are to underſtand, that the Act is here put for the Object of it, as often in the Scripture. Thus rejoycing is put for the Object, Matter, and Cauſe of our rejoycing; and if you ſay, We are to rejoyce in God onelyonly, in the Lord, not in men, that is true, We are to rejoyce in God, onelyonly as the Author of all our good; yet we may in men, as they are inſtruments uſed by God to communicate his benefits to us. Thus a people may rejoyce in a faithfull Miniſter, not principally and originally, but ſecondarily, as the Inſtrument which God hath made very ſucceſsfull to their ſouls.
The Obſervation then is,
That it is a moſt happy and bleſſed thing, when Minister and people can, It is a happy thing when Miniſter and people can rejoyce in one another.upon juſt and holy grounds rejoyce mutually in each other.
When the people can bleſs God for the Miniſterial gifts and graces beſtowed upon their Paſtor; and he again can praiſe God, that he hath a willing, teachable, and obedient people, ready to receive the Ordinances of Chriſt in the power and purity of them. This is a rare priviledg, Oh there are but few Churches, of which the Miniſters may ſay, as Paul to the Coloſſians, Chap. 2. That he doth rejoyce in beholding their order, and faith in Chriſt, To meet with a people that are neither ignorant, heretical, nor prophane, but willing to walk according to Chriſts rule, and his order; this is to ſee heaven upon earth: The Apoſtle findeth ſuch matter of joy, not onelyonly in thoſe Corinthians, but in many other Churches; For as he had more Labours, more Oppoſitions, more Perſecutions than others, ſo alſo God gave him more joy and comefort in beholding the ſpiritual ſucceſſe of his Labours; for this was the onelyonly comefort of his ſpiritual heart, to ſee men imbrace Chriſt, and to live worthy of the Goſpel, it was not his own Glory, Honor, and greatneſs, that he aymed at; which is an excellent example to us Miniſters of the Goſpel, that our Matter of joy ſhould not be any earthly riches, or wealth, any great fame, or worldly eſteem, but that we are to win people to Chriſt alone, not our ſelves; Thus the Apoſtle calleth the Philipians his joy and crown, Phil. 4. 1. and 1 Theſ. 2. 19, 20. ſpeaking of his ardent affections to ſee their face, by way of interrogation, the more emphatically to expreſs himſelf, he ſaith, What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing? Are not even ye? And then addeth poſitively the ſame thing, for, or rather, ſurely, certainly, ye are our rejoycing, foreign is not a note of reaſoning, for then the Apoſtle would prove Idem for Idem, as they ſay, but of Affirmation, and aſſeveration, Ye are our crown of rejoycing. Grotius ſaith, It is an alluſion to Kings, who on their ſolemn feſtival dayes have not an ordinary, but extraordinary Crown to wear, for the greater pomp and glory: Such extraordinary honor would the Theſſalonians be to Chriſt, at the great day.
But let us conſider this in the general, and then amplifie it reſpectively, to Miniſter, and people. And
Firſt, The Relation of Paſtor and people is by divine Inſtitution. Chriſt himſelf hath appointed the Office it ſelf, and the application of it to 1. The relation betwixt Paſtor and people is by divine Inſtitution.this or that man through the deſire of the Church; ſo that, as Churches are of Gods gathering: They are his creature, in a more ſpecial manner than the world is; ſo likewiſe are the Officers, and ſpiritual Guides to teach them, 1 Cor. 12. 28. God hath ſet in his Church Apoſtles and Teachers. Thus Act 20. 28. The Holy Ghoſt is ſaid to ſet them Overſeers over their flock. …eeing therefore that this relation is built on a Divine Foundation, no wonder if managed according to Divine Rules, that it is the cauſe of exceeding great joy. Theſe Relations are reſpectively for ſupernatural and ſpiritual ends, and effects: The Miniſter is for illumination, Converſion, Edification; for the deſtroying of the power and Kingdome of Satan, as alſo the eſtabliſhing and promoting the Kingdome of grace in the hearts of the people: The people alſo, they are to be matter of encouragement to him; they are to be helpfull and aſſiſtant in their way, that Godlineſs may flouriſh, that the ends of the Miniſtry may not be fruſtrated. The Apoſtle ſometimes taketh notice of the great uſefulneſs, and ſerviceableneſs even of ſome women in that kinde; For, though Miniſters be compared to Light, to the Sun, and Starrs, yet in this there is a difference. The Starrs give Light and Influence into theſe ſublunary things, but receive no benefit at all from them again; but the Miniſters of the Church, even though as eminent as Paul; yet they acknowledg the manifold benefits, and that in a ſpiritual way, which they may receive from their people again: now then, how happy is it when there is a reciprocal and circular helping of each other, when ſpiritual guides do convert, edifie, and quicken up their people; and again the people do aſſiſt, help, and quicken up their Officers; certainly, as ſpiritual delights are greater than any bodily ones, becauſe the objects are more excellent and uſefull; ſo ſhould this mutual rejoycing in our ſpiritual joy ſurpaſs all the delight that we take in our natural and civil relation, neither the delight of a Wife in her Husband, or of a Childe in his Father, ſhould be equal to the joy of a people in Faithfull Officers: And ſo, è contra; the Reaſon is evident, becauſe the effects of this Relation are ſpiritual, heavenly, and ſo infinitely tranſcending all earthly comeforts; and therefore ſuch who find no matter of rejoycing herein, it is becauſe they are carnal, ſenſual; they abide under the Dominion of their luſts, they never found the Miniſtry ſpiritual and powerfull to them; They never had the experience of the bleſſed effects thereof upon their hearts, and then, How can they rejoyce in i…?
3. Seing that this mutual aſſiſtance is appointed by God as a ſpecial means to deſtroy the Kingdome of Satan: Hence it is, that he doth moſt aſſault this 2. Therefore doth the Devil endeavour to make differences betwixt Miniſter and beople.indeavouring to make diſcords, and differences between Miniſter, and people, That ſo both the benefit and comefort of ſuch unity might be fruſtrated.
It is true, the Devil delights to ſow his Tares in every field; therefore in civil eſtates, in domeſtical relations, he throweth his Firebrands, and loveth to ſee all in Paſſions, and diſcontents; but eſpecially his deſign is againſt thoſe ſpiritual relations, becauſe the well mannaging of them doth more immediately oppoſe his throne of darkneſs. For this end he ſtirred up ſo many falſ Prophets and Teachers, whoſe works was to divide between the people and their faithfull guides. And can we think, the Apoſtles would have written ſo Apologetically in many places, condeſcended ſo much in the wayes of Humility, and diligence, to win their affections, but that he knew by ſuch Diſſentions, the Devil would inlarge his Dominions? Hence it is, that Calvin upon that place of 2 Cor. 2. 11. Leſt ſatan ſhould get an advantage of us, though he take notice of their expoſition, who refer it to the Inceſtuous perſon; as if Satans deſigne was upon that occaſion to have him ſwallowed up with exceſſive ſorrow, yet he doth in a great part relate it, to the Diſſention that the Devil endeavoured to make between them and Paul: for if Paul was for the confirming of their love to that perſon now repenting; but the Corinthians, under a pretence of zeal againſt ſin, ſhould be againſt him: This would have cauſed ſad Diviſions, and ſo thereby Satan would have prevailed. It is obſerved, as one of Julians deviliſh deſignes againſt Chriſtianity, to make a difference between the Chriſtians and their godly Paſtors; and therefore he did craftily and ſecretly pour all the oyl he could into ſuch flames, to make them greater: and truly the Inſtances of ſuch differences, even in the Reformed Churches do give too full a teſtimony of the Devils labour herein. Should we ſpeak of the Churches troubles at Franckford, though exiled, and under Perſecution, The ſharpeſt whereof was between the Flock and their Shepherd; yea, of the hot contention between Geneva and Calvin, and in many other Churches, we may eaſily be perſwaded, that there is ſcarce any one thing, wherein the Devil goeth more about as a roaring Lyon to deceive them, than to break the ſlaves of beauty, and bands between Shepherd and Sheep, which ſhould make both Miniſter and people the more watchfull and diligent; and alſo much in Prayer, that God would diſapoint all ſuch purpoſes of Satan, and his Inſtruments. This may ſuffice in the General.
Let us now proceed to the reſpective particulars: and firſt,How and why may a people rejoyce in their Paſtor. 1. As the inſtruments whereby God hath inſtructed and converted them.
In what ſence, and how a people may rejoyce in their faithfull Guides.
And firſt, They are to rejoye in them as thoſe inſtruments which God hath uſed to bring ſpiritual light unto their minde, and heavenly heat into their heart.
For this it is the Apoſtle doth ſo much inſiſt upon, to convince the Corinthians, That if ever they did believe, if ever they felt any thing of the ſaving efficacy of Gods ſpirit upon their hearts, it was by his Miniſtry; and therefore they would be unthankfull to God, if they did not take notice of Gods ſpecial bleſſing to them by his means. It is true, 1 Cor. 3. we ſee there the Apoſtle zealouſly beating down their factions and Contentions, which they raiſed by ſetting up one Officer, and Teacher to the deſpiſing of another; and thereupon exalteth Chriſt onelyonly: But yet, though Chriſt be the principal only, and he alone giveth the encreaſe, yet he granteth the Neceſſity of the Miniſtry withall; Paul muſt Plant, Apollo muſt water, and theſe are Ministers by whom they believed, Ver. 5. Although then it be our duty to lift up our hearts to God alone, as he in whom and by whom all ſpiritual ſucceſs doth ariſe to us; yet we are to rejoyce in ſuch inſtruments as God uſeth. For if we may be glad of ſuch Inſtruments that cauſe our temporall comforts and ſupports: If the Childe may rejoyce in the father, if an indigent man in him who is potent, and bountifull; no wonder then, if we do cry out, How welcome are the feet of thoſe who bring glad tydings of peace, Rom. 10. 15. How beautiful are the very feet of ſuch? So that it plainly demonſtrateth all ſuch to be delivered up to the ſpirit of ſlumber and prophaneneſs, or of Error and Hereſie, who do not find this cauſe to rejoyce in them, as Gods Inſtruments to their Soules.
2. We are to rejoyce in them becauſe of their works ſake, and the Faithfull 2. For their works ſake.diſcharge of their duties.
And the more powerfull they are herein, the greater ought our joy to be; Thus the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man account of us as the Embaſſadours of God, and Stewards of Chriſt. Thus the Apoſtle alſo commandeth 1 Theſſal. 11. 13. To eſteem very highly of thoſe who are over them, and admoniſh them, and that for their works ſake. Though they do admoniſh and reprove you, which is as unpleaſing to a ſin, as ſalt to a ſore; yet you are to eſteem highly of them, This requireth not onelyonly external reſpect, but cordial and Internal, and this muſt be for their works ſake. Many times a people may glory in the Abilities, in the Learning and admirable gifts of their Teachers, thinking that thereby they ſurpaſs other Congregations; This is a vain-glorious thing, too often ſeen in great Cities; but the Apoſtle ſaith, it muſt be for their works ſake, becauſe they do faithfully and powerfully lead you into the paths of Eternal Life. Thus, as David eſteemed the word of God above gold and ſilver, becauſe thereby he was forewarned from ſin; The ſpiritual, and holy commands of God not induring any ſin, made him thus in love with it; So it ſhould alſo be with our people, they ſhould delight and rejoyce in the Miniſtry, becauſe it is efficacious againſt ſin, becauſe it enlighteneth, it converteth, it deſtroyeth the works of the Devil; ſo that this particular diſcovers the Prophaneneſſe and impiety of ſuch men, who rejoyce moſt in ſuch Miniſters as are either lazy and negligent, or that are diſſolute, and carnally humouring men in their evil wayes: Theſe they boaſt in, and rejoyce in; they account none like them. Thus God of old complained of the people of Iſrael, that they loved ſuch who did ſow pillowes under their armes, and encouraged the hearts of thoſe that were wicked; but made thoſe ſad, whom the Lord would not have made ſad, Ezek. 13. 10, 22. How miſerable are ſuch a people who rejoyce in the greateſt judgment that can befall them? Rejoyce not in this, but weep and mourn rather, when thoſe who ſhould deal faithfully with thee, do flatter and ſeduce thee, daubing with untempered morter: For God will deſtroy both ſuch Prophets and ſuch a People.
Thirdly, We are to rejoyce in the ſpiritual ſucceſs and proſperity of their work.3. In the ſpiritual ſucceſs of the Miniſter.
It is very ſad to hear thoſe complaints in the Scripture, Who hath believed our report? and All the day long have we ſtretched out our hands unto a rebellious people: To have much rain fall upon the ground, and nothing but bryars and thorns coming up thereupon. When therefore we ſhall finde that God makes the Miniſtry a ſavour of life, and not of death, unto many; this ought greatly to rejoyce us, when thou findeſt it to be a mighty word upon thy own heart, or upon the hearts of others, wherein we ought to be exceeding glad. For, Is there any greater mercy can befall thee, than to have the Word thus a converting and ſaving Word to thee? Thou mayeſt admire thy Pleaſures, thy profit, thy luſts, and judg them ſweet; But know, that the Saving efficacy of the Miniſtry upon thy ſoul will be the bleſſedneſs indeed that ſhall endure for ever; and therefore, when you hear men praiſe a Miniſtry, admire that; examine what is the ſpiritual good they have found thereby, what Reformation, what a change hath it made? The Apoſtle telleth theſe very Corinthians, 1 Cor. 5. 6. that their glorying was not good: why ſo? becauſe they did not purge out the old leaven: They did not caſt out that wicked perſon from amongſt them; now all this while they gloryed in their able Teachers, they magnified the wiſdome and Eloquence of many that preached amongſt them; but ſaith he, your glorying is not good: where is the holy Order, the godly Diſcipline, the ſpirituall Reformation, that you ſhould have attained unto by the Gifts and Miniſtry of your Teachers? This alone will cauſe us truly and ſolidly to rejoyce.
Uſe of Instruction: How impoſſible is it for men upon true and ſpiritual grounds to rejoyce in the Miniſtry, unleſs they have felt ſome ſpecial efficacy upon it in their hearts? They may glory in the parts, in the Eloquence, in the abilities of men, but not for the ſpirituall ſucceſs of the work. In Popery they will have their people glory in their Church-Officers becauſe of the external pomp and ſtatelineſs they live in, and ſo they become reverenced for their outward glory: But this is wholly unſuitable with the Scripture-glory, and the Scripture-rejoycing: for this alone will make thee praiſe God, if thou haſt found his Miniſters to be the happy Inſtruments of grace and peace to thy ſoul.