An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 107
SERM. CVII.
Of the Neceſsity of a conſtant Miniſtry, not only for the conſtituting, but to an eſtabliſhing the Church.
2 COR. 1. 15.
That you might have a ſecond benefit.
IN theſe words we have the End of Pauls purpoſe to come to them: It was wholly ſpiritual. It was not for any advantage, any earthly reſpects, but but wholly for their good, to encreaſe and confirm their graces. The End is expreſſed in theſe words, That ye might have a ſecond benefit: foreign, which ſome, as Chryſoſtome, interpret, for foreign; yea their are ſome who would have that to be the word in the Original. It is no doubt, but that much foreign, or joy did follow upon this foreign. All ſpiritual effects and heavenly exerciſes are apt to breed much joy. Hence none have true joy but thoſe that are godly, and ſo by conſequence none are bleſſed but they; for Joy is a great ingredient to Happineſs. Hence Ariſtotle maketh foreign to come of foreign and foreign, exceedingly to rejoyce; yet is more conſonant to other places of Scripture, to read it foreign, thus Rom. 1. 11. He deſired to ſee them, that he might impart to them ſome ſpiritual benefit. The word foreign is chiefly uſed in the New Teſtament for the free grace of God towards us, in reference to our Eternal Happineſs: ſo that, the very name ought to be ſweet and precious to ſuch, who labour under the ſenſe of their unworthineſs, and ſee no power or works of their own any wayes able to ſave them. It is of grace, therefore that doth not onelyonly exclude merit, but ſuppoſeth thee unworthy for ſuch mercies of thy own ſelf. It is ſometimes in Scripture applyed to ſuch Almes as were freely given for the uſe of diſtreſſed Churches, 2 Cor. 8. which is therefore called Grace, partly becauſe it is of Gods ſpecial goodneſs to give us ſuch a free and liberal Diſpoſition, as the firſt Verſe in that Chapter implyeth, I do you to wit (ſaith Paul) of the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia: and that was to be liberal to the other afflicted Saints: and partly becauſe it cometh from the bountifull diſpoſition of a man to ſuch as are in want. In this Text it is to be applyed to ſpiritual bounty, that is, to be willing and ready in all ſerviceableneſs to promote the ſpirituall good of others; for there are ſpiritual almes, as well as temporal, which lieth in reproof, in Admonition, and frequent Exhortation to what is good. Now this Grace or Benefit is ſaid to be foreign, which ſome tranſlate, iterated, and repeated, though it be more than the Second, or third time. Chryſoſtome referreth it to his Epiſtles, and his preſence: for by both theſe he communicated ſpiritual benefit unto them. But it is moſt probably and generally referred to his firſt and ſecond coming: whether Paul did come a third time to thoſe Corinthians is diſputed by Commentators, becauſe of ſome paſſages in the 12 and 13 Chapters of this Epiſtle: of which in its time. It is enough, that by the firſt grace or benefit, we mean the firſt work upon them by Pauls Miniſtry, when they were converted from their Paganiſm, and planted a Church of Chriſt. And the ſecond benefit was, to confirm them in the ſame Faith, and alſo to quicken them up unto further degrees of Holineſs: and this was the ſecond Benefit Paul deſired to impart unto them. For it appeareth, that though this Church of Corinth was a garden planted by Paul, yet many weeds, and ſome poyſonous ones began to grow up amongſt them; There were both in Doctrine and Manners many things amiſs, which needed Pauls preſence to reforme. Obſerve
That it is not enough to be a Church planted, and gathered from out of the world at firſt, but there needeth a conſtant and dayly Miniſtry to be tilling and dreſſing A conſtant Miniſtry is neceſſary to every Church.of it.
That Garden which God planted, and put Adam into, yet was to be dayly dreſſed; and ſo it is ſtill with the beſt Churches, even thoſe that are of the Apoſtolical Plantation, yet needed the Apoſtles care and diligent viſitations, which was one main cauſe of writing thoſe ſeveral Epiſtles to ſeveral Churches. They were not written to convert them, or make them Churches, but to admoniſh, inſtruct, or confirm and comfort, as occaſion did require; and upon this ground it is, that though the office of Apoſtles and Prophets, as alſo the gift of miracles are now ceaſed, becauſe the Church is now planted, yet the office of Paſtors, and the Ordinances Chriſt hath inſtituted, are perpetual, and muſt be continued to the end of the world. So that the opinion of the Socininians about the Miniſtry, as it were, only a thing of order, and not of Divine Inſtitution, is groſly repugnant to Gods Word; as alſo their Doctrine about Baptiſm, That it was but a temporary Ceremony, inſtituted for the beginning of the Church, is full of falſhood. Churches though conſtituted, yet muſt be dayly watered: neither is it enough for a people once to be brought home to the Faith, but they need a ſecond and a third, yea a continual benefit. For though the Apoſtle haply did come but the ſecond time to theſe Corinthians, yet he appointed Officers in an ordinary reſidence amongſt them, as wel as in other Churches, which were continually to watch over them.
The particulars wherein the Miniſtry is neceſſary for perfecting work, as well as foundation work, for progreſs as well as ingreſs, for conſummation as well as And that for theſe Ends 1. To informe againſt Errors.imitation, are theſe;
Firſt, To inform againſt thoſe Errors which falſe Teachers do eaſily inſinuate into the hearts of people. No ſooner hath God ſowed his field with precious wheat, but the envious one commeth, and ſoweth his tares. As the April ſhowers, that make graſs and flowers to come, cauſe alſo weeds to grow: Thus at the ſame time God is building the Church, the Devil and his inſtruments are raiſing their Babel. No ſooner have the Miniſters of God with Iſaac digged up Wells, but the Philiſtines have been ready to throw their earth and mud therein. If then Errors and damnable Hereſies may ſo quickly infect a Church, formerly pure; no wonder if there be ſuch neceſſity of Paſtors, and Guides, who are to lead the people into all truth by their Miniſtry, as the ſpirit of God doth by his efficacy. You may obſerve in moſt of Pauls Epiſtles, which are like watering of the Garden, after it is planted, How much care and inſpection is uſed againſt thoſe falſe Teachers? how greatly he labours to antidote them againſt falſe Doctrines: ſo that, it is a wonder, that any who read Pauls Epiſtles, and obſerve his diligence and zeal therein, can look upon Errors as almoſt innocency, and deſerving pitty rather than indulgence. Gal. 1. 6. I marvel you are ſo ſoon removed from him that called you, to another Gospel, &c. So ſoon, Thoſe Galatians that had received ſuch wonderfull gifts by the Preaching of the Goſpel, yet even to the admiration of Paul are ſuddenly carried aſide into falſe wayes. This then is a continual benefit by a faithfull and ſound Miniſtry, that we be not as Children, toſſed up and down with every winde of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4. 14. That we be ſoundly fortifyed againſt all the deceiveable wayes of Errors; and truely this is a ſpecial mercy, to have a Miniſtry ſanctified to that end, and bleſſed to that purpoſe, to keep thee in a ſound and right judgment. Therefore is it that the Devil placeth his engines againſt the Miniſtry, to batter that down: for, if the wall be broken down, the city may be eaſily taken: if the hedg be trampled down, the corne will preſently be ſpoyled.
Secondly, Miniſterial labours are neceſſary to a conſtituted Church, in respect of 2. To reform the corruptions that are in mens lives.all the effectual means it is to uſe againſt thoſe corruptions, and abuſes in mens manners which may ſoon break forth. And thus it was with this Church of Corinth; Their lives were greatly corrupted, there were many diſorders, They did not walk with ſuch an holly reſpect to the Rule as they ought to do: ſome fell into groſs ſinnes of wantonneſs, and had not yet repented, or manifeſted any true humiliation; others they were carried away with pride and envy, whereby many parties and Factions were made amongſt them. Now, where there were ſo many diſeaſes did they not need a Phyſician? when the School was thus diſordered was not a rod requiſite? Although the Churches of God have glorious Titles, yet they ſeldome exactly anſwer to them in their lives. They are called Believers, but how apt to misbelieve, to be carried away with the ſlighly cunning of heretical men? They are called Saints, but how apt to be carnal, paſſionate, worldly; yea and ſometimes to be overtaken with groſſer ſinnes? Now they that are thus overtaken, do they not need thoſe that are ſpiritual Gal. 6. 1. to reſtore them again? By the ſpiritual here ſome underſtand the Officers and Guides of the Church, who, as they were to caſt out obſtinate and impenitent ſinners, ſo to receive them again upon their humiliation, in the ſpirit of meekneſs, to Church-communion.
Thirdly, Miniſterial Labors are neceſſary in an iterated and repeated manner, 3. To comfort the godly.for conſolation and incouragement. The people of God have a two fold occaſion of their ſadneſs and diſcouragement; the former whereof is, From their ſinnes and faillings; they are wholly ſtrangers to their ond hearts, but diſcover that vileneſs and loathſomeneſs in themſelves, which the world can not, which God onelyonly knoweth; and ſometimes this fire is inraged qy the oyl that the Devil poureth on, he hath his fiery darts, he hath his buffetings. Now, when any of the children of God ſit in this darkneſs, how neceſſary, how welcome are the feet of thoſe who bring the glad tydings of the Gospel! Had not even Chriſt himſelf in the midſt of his ſorrow an Angel ſent to comefort him? The Inceſtuous perſon, was not he ready to be ſwallowed up with overmuch ſorrow, and therefore Paul exhorteth the Corinthians, 2 Cor, 2. 7. to forgive him, and to comfort him. Hence God doth reprove thoſe negligent Shepherds, Ezek, 34. 4. that groſly failed in this duty, The diſeaſed have ye not ſtrengthened, neither have ye healed that which was ſick, or bound up that which was broken. For this end alſo God doth give his Officers a tongue of the learned, as the Prophet Iſay calleth it, Chap. 50. 4. which is, to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon, to him that is of an humble ſpirit, and wearied ſoul. Little do any know the neceſſity of ſuch comfortable Phyſicians, but ſuch who like the man of Jerecho lie wounded with the ſenſe of their own guilt, and Gods diſpleaſure againſt them. For alas, in our temptations we are not able to give true comefort to our ſelves, it is well if we be inabled through grace to receive it from others. In muddied waters a man cannot diſcern his own face; ſo neither in ſuch black temptations is a Chriſtian able to ſee how it ſtandeth between God and his own ſoul. Therefore as the Spirit of God doth efficiently both convince of ſin and comfort, ſo doth the Miniſtry inſtrumentally, being applyed therunto by the Spirit of God. A Second occaſion of comfort, is in regard of the outward perſecutions and troubles which do accompany the powerfull Profeſſion of the Goſpel: ſo that, in reſpect of external conſiderations, they are of all men moſt miſerable; Are not they therefore to have ſuch as may comfort and ſtrengthen them in their warfare? Hence Pauls Epiſtles do abound with many conſolations, as ſo many cordialls: Peter alſo in his Epiſtles doth give notable encouragements not to faint under the afflictions they meet with for the Goſpells ſake; yea to rejoyce in it, and to account themſelves happy becauſe of it. This comfort is alwayes neceſſary; but becauſe the …dly are never free from the perſecution of the hand, or of the tongue, the Miniſters of God, they are to follow Chriſt in this: as he informed his Diſciples of the hatred they ſhould meet with in the world, ſo he comforteth them, he commands them to be of good courage, he had overcome the world.
Fourthly, The labour of the Miniſtry is again and again to be put forth to a 4. To edifie and ſtrengthen them.people, though under the profeſſion of Chriſt; becauſe of their growth and edification in the wayes of holineſs. And this indeed is one of the principal effects of the Miniſtry upon a people already converted. They that ſay or think they need no Miniſtry, no Preaching, may with that Novatian take a ladder, and go themſelves up into heaven. It is as if a Graden ſhould ſay, it needeth no rain; a field of corn, it needeth not the clouds, to be without which, is in Scripture, a great judgment. This God threateneth, Iſay chap. 6. 6. I will alſo command my clouds to rain no more rain upon it. Thus ſome men wilfully put themſelves into that condition, to live without a Miniſtry, as a Mercy, which God maketh a grievous Curſe. That growth in Chriſtianity is a principal end of the Miniſtry appeareth Epheſ. 4. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till we come to a full ſtature. Inſomuch that all Miniſters and all hearers have work enough to do. None can ſay, we have Preached enough, or heard enough, becauſe none believe enough, none love enough, none are heavenly enough.
Several wayes the beſt Hearers may grow;
Firſt, In the amplitude of their knowledg. They may know more things in How believers may and are to grow. 1. In knowledg.Chriſtianity than they did: for ſeing we know but in part, 1 Cor. 13. this light in our mind may ſtill encreaſe more and more; not indeed in more neceſſaries and Fundamentalls, for then none could be ſaved, becauſe ſtill ignorant of ſome Fundamental or other; but in the Additionalls and Superſtructures, which have alſo a ſpecial uſe and efficacy to carry on the work of Salvation. Even a Godly man may live in many Errors, in many ſinnes, and not know them to be ſo; as we ſee in many Ages, when clearer light hath diſcovered that to be Superſtition, and a diſhonour to God, which was accounted once the great, onour due unto him. When God diſpelled the Egyptian darkneſs of Popery from of the face of the face of the Church, their Image-Worſhip, their Indulgences, their vowed Obedience and poverty, which were admired as ſuch eminent acts of Religion, were manifeſted to be contemptible, as having no foundation upon the Scripture, and alſo very injurious to the Offices of Chriſt; and in how many things do the beſt of men ſtill continue ignorant? and therefore with David (though he had more underſtadding than his teachers) are to pray, that God would open their eyes, that they might underſtand the wonderfull things of Gods law, Pſal. 119. 18, Davids eyes were opened, yet they muſt be opened more; all the ſcales are not fallen from his eyes: and therefore the Apoſtle prayeth for thoſe Epheſians whoſe underſtandings were already enlightened, Epheſ. 1. 17. that their eyes might yet be more opened: and that God would give unto them the ſpirit of wiſdome, and revelation in the knowledg of him.
2. By the Ministry they are to grow in the efficacy and experimental power of 2. In the experimental power of their knowledge.their knowledg. For theſe two differ exceedingly; men may grow much in ſpeculative knowledg, underſtand controverſies in Divinity, and diſpute much about the Doctrines of the times that are agitated; but unleſs a man grow in the ſavoury power of it, he is but a tinkling cymbal: if he do notgrow in the love of the truth, if that knowledg doth not make him more pure, more ſanctified, more reformed, this will turn to his greater condemnation. Therefore Tit. 1. 1. Its called the acknowledging of the truth, which is after godlineſs. Savanarola, Hom. 3. p. 29. bringeth a diſtruction of Divinity out of Aquinas to this purpoſe, a man may know a thing, ſaith he, either per modum ſtudii, or per modum inclinationis: men may know many things by way of ſtudy in Divinity, and yet not have the leaſt knowledg of them by way of inclination to love and delight in them. May not a man have obtained much diſcourſive knowledg about Chriſt, in reſpect of his Perſon and Offices, as to be able to confute Arrians and Socinians, yet be far from that heavenly inclination which Paul found in himſelf, to know nothing but Chriſt crucified, and to judg all things dung and droſs in compariſon of this knowledg? That knowledg then which doth bring a ſavoury taſt, and experimental inclination to the good things we know, that is to be imbraced, that we are to grow in more every day. He that knoweth a Country or a City by a Map, cannot be ſo affected as he that hath really ſeen it.
3. We may by the Miniſtry have a continued benefit in respect of the firmneſs 3. In Faithand ſtrength of our faith. It is noted ſometimes of the Diſciples, that upon ſome miracle that was wrought by our Sauiour, that then they believed. Not but that they did ſo before, onelyonly their Faith was then more ſtrengthened, and confirmed; and truly this firmneſs of Faith, this ſteadfaſtneſs of it, is a precious Antidote againſt all fickle and ſceptical Opinions: Men do not grow in Faith but fancy; and that maketh inconſtancy in Religion. How can a man be a Martyr for Chriſts truth? now can he loſe all he hath, rather than deny it, unleſs he have this quieting and ſatisfying work of Faith upon the ſoul? Hence Faith is called, Heb. 11. 1. The ſubstance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not ſeen. Thoſe two words ſubstance and evidence do denote the great power that Faith ought to have upon the ſoul. Again, this firmneſs of Faith is not onelyonly ſeen in dogmatical Aſſent, but in in fiducial Application of the Promiſes to our ſelves, in which ſenſe it is ſaid twice or thrice, The juſt ſhall live by his faith. Such are the weak actings of our Faith, ſo ſtrong are our temptations, ſo ſupernatural and myſterious is this way of believing, that all have cauſe to cry out with the Apoſtles, Lord increaſe our faith.
Laſtly, The beſt hearers need the Miniſtry for increaſe in Godlineſs, to grow in grace more. Thus the Apoſtle, writeing to thoſe whom he ſuppoſeth as converted 4. In Grace.already, yet exhorteth to put off the old man, and put on the new. To be renewed in the ſpirit of their minde, Epeſ. 4. 23. 24. And our Saviour prayeth for the Apoſtles even in that Prayer wherein he acknowledgeth that they had believed, and received the word of God. That they were not of the world, John 17. 17 That God would ſanctifie them by his word, which is to be underſtood of the progreſs therein. There is no Doctrine ſo practically oppoſite to the Scripture as that of Perfection; for every where the Godly are commanded to grow, to be mortifying the body of ſin, to be perfecting holineſs; which were ridiculous Exhortations, if we had already attained Perfection. Hence we are compared to thoſe who run in a race, and therefore till death, do not come to our prize. Thus where the Miniſter may have little to do in reſpect of Converſion, it may have very much to do in reſpect of Edification. And the Godly are to Examine, whether every Sabbath day the Miniſter doth not come with a new benefit, a new advantage to them: look for a new grace and favour in every new Sermon. And ſo we proceed to the Uſe, which is, of Inſtruction,
What all people ſhould look at under the Miniſtry; Spiritual advantages, ſpiritual light, ſpiritual heat, ſpiritual quickenings. As where Chriſt went up and down he healed their diſeaſed people, ſo where the word of God is preached, it ſhould heal ſoul-diſeaſes. Thou art not to have the Pride, the paſſions, the worldly cares as thou uſeſt to have: but, oh how rare are ſuch Hearers! who aimeth at this? who prayeth for this in every Sermon he heareth? Oh fear leaſt ſome ſpiritual judgment upon thee deprive thee of this benefit. If an Iſraelite had looked upon the Brazen ſerpent, and yet not be healed: If a diſeaſed perſon had ſtepped firſt in order into the Pool of Betheſda, and yet not have been recovered; they would have been greatly troubled to ſee their hopes fruſtrated. No leſs ought it to make thee grieve and tremble, if thou finde that one Sermon paſſeth away after another, yet there is no ſpiritual benefit accrewing to thy ſoul thereby. But why do we ſpeak of ſpiritual Edification? in how many is not the ground-work of Converſion laid? how can they have the ſecond benefit, who have not obtained rhe firſt? How can they be nouriſhed and grow, who have not yet the Principles of Life infuſed into them?
Two great things are then to be done by our Miniſtry through the grace of God.
The Firſt, To Regenerate:
The Second is, To grow and increaſe in the work of Grace.
If the foundation ſtone of this building be not laid, thou art yet in thy ruines and rubbiſh, thou art yet in thy ſinnes: Thou art to pray, and to deſire all others to pray, that God would have mercy upon thy ſoul, that he would take away thy ſtony heart, that he would heal thy blinde eyes, and open thy deaf eares. But if God hath brought thee into this ſpiritual eſtate, know there is a neceſſity to grow in grace, as well as to be in grace: and, that for progreſs herein God hath appointed his Miniſtry, and the Ordinances, Cry out then and ſay, Lord, not the Firſt time, but the Second and Third, yet all my life long make me to partake of this Heavenly Benefit.