An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 116
SERM. CXVI.
The perſonal failings of Miniſters are oft cast upon the Miniſtry it ſelf.
2 COR. 1. 18.
But, as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
THe next particular conſiderable is the occaſion of that Tranſition, which the Apoſtle maketh from the word of his Promiſe in particular, to come to them, and the word of his Preaching in the general. The occaſion is from that evill, and malevolent Diſpoſition which was in his Adverſaries, who from any, either real, or but ſuppoſed Imperfections in other things, would preſently burden his Miniſtry with it, and thereby, as much as in them lieth, make Paul wholly uſeleſs in the Church of God. Now, becauſe this is the continual ſtratagem, which the Devil uſeth to make the beſt Miniſtry ineffectual, and becauſe it is the conſtant inclination of wicked men to do ſo, therefore I ſhall purſue this Obſervation.
That there is a propenſity in wicked and evil minded men, to cast all the Wicked men uſually caſt the Imperfections of the Miniſter upon the Miniſtry.imperfections of the Miniſters of the Goſpel upon their Miniſtry and Doctrine.
To bring the Truths they Preach either into doubt or diſeſteem, becauſe of ſome failings, yea, though they be not real, but ſuppoſed in their own Imaginations. Thus the Adverſaries of Paul, they did captiouſly lay hold upon his Promiſe, and failing as they think in that, thereby they would render all his Doctrine and Miniſtry odious, that thereby their falſhoods and corruptions may have the greater ſucceſs. Thus the wickedneſs of ungodly men doth conſtantly bend to this, that they may be hardened in their hearts againſt the Word Preached; that they may fortifie themſelves with ſome damnable Principles of others, that ſo the meſſage of the Lord may be rejected.
Now to illuſtrate this, conſider theſe particulars;
Firſt, That when a Miniſter either preaches falſe Doctrine, or liveth ſcandalouſly, or is lazy, and negligent in his place, then it is lawfull for 1. A people may have an holy Zeal. againg a looſe ſcandalous Miniſter.a people to have an holy and wiſe zeal againſt ſuch perſons, that they may be quickened up to their duties. Neither is this to be an enemy to the Office of the Miniſtry, or to endeavour the publique Diſhonour of it, but rather to advance the honor of it, who by Heretical Superſtitions, or ſcandalous manners is made contemptible to the people for Doctrine. If that which men preach, be errors, or falſhoods be the Imaginations of their own hearts, as the falſe Prophets did lies in the Old Teſtament, and, as many are ſaid to do in the New; from ſuch we are commanded to turn away; with ſuch we are not ſo much as to learn any familiar commerce, no not ſo much as to bid them, God ſpeed. The Champions of Rome, they condemn the Proteſtants, for their Schiſme and Faction they made againſt the Officers of their Church; but they proved that they were Apoſtatical, not Apoſtolical; that they were wolves, not ſhepherds: yet, at the ſame time, they affirmed diligently, the Miniſtry of Chriſt, according to his Inſtitution, againſt any fanatical Spirits that did run into that extream: So, if a Miniſter live a wicked, and a ſcandalous life, though we are not to reject the ſound Doctrine, becauſe of his life, yet that ought to be a great grief and trouble to us. We are not to approve of a wicked life for the Miniſters ſake, nor to make good Sermons cover the multitude of many ſinnes: Nay, the more excellent his doctrine is, and the more raiſed his parts are, the more is his life, if wicked, to be abominated. It is true, people are very injudicious herein, and are very prone to condemn the Office, becauſe of a wicked life; but that is not to be done, we are to hear them, as our Saviour ſaid of ſome Phariſaical Doctors, but not to do as they do, Mat. 23. 3. all that the Scribes and Phariſes bad them doe, ſitting in Moſes his chair; that is, while preaching conſonantly to Moſes his Doctrine, and not adding their ſuperſtitious leaven, they were bidden to obſerve, but then they are forbidden to follow their example; They muſt not do as they do. So that what Truths ſuch Preach out of Gods Word, we are to awe our hearts with them, and to receive them as good truths; but yet, if their lives be contrary to Gods Word, they muſt not approve of them, or imitate them. Laſtly, If they be negligent and lazy, which is an intolerable ſin in a Miniſter, whoſe Names and Titles the Scripture giveth him, denoteth Labour, Pains, and Solicitude, This alſo may be juſtly complained of, and yet not in that to be thought to ſtrike at the Office of the Miniſtry. Now, there are two Extreames in this way: Some corrupt and ſcandalous Miniſters would make the world believe, when judged or cenſured, for their crimes, that it is becauſe of their Office, not their unworthineſs; that it is not their perſonal ſin, but Miniſterial imployment that is aimed at. And again, there are others, that though they pretend the ſinnes and vices of Miniſters, yet indeed are glad of any ſuch offences, do rejoyce, when they fall out, and make occaſion thereby as much as lyeth in them, to overthrow the Miniſtry it ſelf: But, both theſe delude their own ſoules; for God will own his inſtituted Office, as being a Plant of his own planting; and therefore, the Adverſaries to it may think as well to pluck the Sun out of the Heavens, as thoſe Offices Chriſt hath ſet in his Church: And on the other ſide, unfaithfull and ungodly Miniſters are to know Gods anger is more againſt them, than other wicked men, and the very ſtation they had in the Church, will tend to their greater aggravation, So that, we may diſtinguiſh between ſetting our ſelves zealouſly againſt the corruptions of unjuſtifiable Miniſters, and againſt the Office it ſelf.
In the next place, Secondly, Many wayes are a people prone to take offence, 2. A people are oft prone to take offence at the Miniſters when yet 'tis their ſin.at the Miniſtry of a man, when yet it is their ſin. They that do wickedly take an offence at a Miniſtry faithfully diſcharged; they procure inevitable ruine to their own ſoules. Theſe endeavour to put out the Light of the Sun, that ſo they may with the more boldneſs commit their ſinnes in the dark. There is a two-fold Scandal, or Offence, (as Divines uſually note.) The one is, Scandalum datum, when any ſhall give a juſt occaſion to any, to ſtumble at the Truths of God, and to depart from the way of Chriſt: Not, that ever any can have a juſt occaſion indeed. For, ſuppoſe, all the Miniſters of Chriſt, yea, and all the people that profeſs Chriſt, ſhould ſo live and walk, that Chriſtianity would be made loathſome in the world, yet a man ought not to be offended hereat, ſo as to depart from Chriſt: for he is to believe the Word more than the lives or Examples of men; onelyonly I call that a juſt occaſion, which is apparently ſo; when ſome do carry themſelves in ſuch an ungodly manner, that the weakneſs of ſome cannot but be offended at their proceedings; ſo that, they like Miniſtry and Godlineſs, the worſe, for their ſakes. Now, though this be the ſin and weakneſs of any to do ſo, yet, becauſe they adminiſtred an active occaſion thereunto, a wo is pronounced in an heavy manner to ſuch Perſons, Luke 17. 1. The Scripture maketh it a terrible thing, either for Miniſters or people, ſo to live and walk, as, that thereby the wayes of God, and Godlineſs may be evil ſpoken of. But then, their is a ſcandalum acceptum, which is called Scandalum Phariſaeorum; and that, when men through their own ignorance, peeviſhneſs, or wickedneſs, do take any offence, and cry out of Religion, becauſe of ſuch and ſuch things, which they do not rightly underſtand: And this was the caſe of our Saviours Preaching, and his acceptance in the world; inſomuch, that he ſaith, Mat. 11. 6, Bleſſed is he that ſhall not be offended at me. Why, was there any thing in Chriſts Doctrine or Life, that might rationally offend any? No, but the Phariſees, and others, being Superſtitious and proud, ſeeing alſo his outward contemptibleneſs, took great offence; and thereupon they condemned Chriſt by the Law, which God made againſt Blaſphemy: They condemned Chriſt, by that very Law, which was in force againſt Blaſphemers, thinking him guilty of it, becauſe he ſaid, He was the Son of God, John 19. 7. Now, the many wayes that may be taken ſinfully, to ſet againſt the Miniſtry, and to lay all the Burden upon that, are,
Firſt, when we, out of a cavilling and quarrelling temper, diſlike that, which 1. When they diſlike that, which may be of great uſe.if well underſtood, would be of great uſe to us; So that, many times, when the whole fault lieth upon our dulneſs, our miſtakes, our Ignorance, and weakneſs, we are ready to charge it upon the Miniſtry. Thus we have heretofore inſtanced in John 6. 60, 61. concerning thoſe Diſciples, who murmured at Chriſts Expreſſions; and were ſo offended, that they departed wholly from him: So that, he who would not go off from the Miniſtry, is to avoid a quarrelſome, cavilling diſpoſition; which ſome are very prone unto; but, it is a very great Judgement to be left to ſuch a temper; For herein they do every day more and more obſtruct their own Converſion, and prepare themſelves to be combuſtible matter in Hell. Indeed, a modeſt, and humble enquiry into the Truths preached, as the Bereans did, about Pauls Preaching, is allowed and commendable; but, a froward, cavilling Diſpoſition indiſpoſeth to finde out the Truth, and is like ſome fretting humour in the eye, which hindreth the ſight.
2. We then do ſinfully oppoſe the Miniſtry, when we ſtrive and contend with them, 2. When they are offended at his reproveing ſin.becauſe of their zealous and faithfull reproving and withſtanding the courſe of ſin.
Becauſe a Miniſter would bring thee to the ſight of thy ſinnes, to a deep and ſerious Humiliation, becauſe of them, becauſe he would recover thee out of thoſe damnable wayes thou liveſt in: Hence it is, that thou cryeſt down the Miniſtry, and their Labours: This is the true ground of moſt mens calumny, and malice; becauſe the word Preached is a convincing Word, a reproveing Word, a diſcovering Word, of that evil and wrethchedneſs, which is in thy heart: Hence it is, that thy ſoul cannot endure the meſſengers thereof; This is not meerly to be wicked, but Diabolicaly wicked. And yet, if many Deſpiſers of the Miniſtry were asked, What is it that moveth them to ſuch deſpite againſt the Officers of Chriſt, They would, but for ſhame, ſpeak that which lieth in the bottome of their heart, viz. That the Miniſtry diſcovereth unto them all the evil they have done; That is, ſpeaketh onelyonly evil and Damnation to them, and therefore they cannot abide it; but, wo be to that man who ſtriveth with a Miniſter, doing his duty. That, becauſe he telleth thee the truth, he dealeth faithfully with thy ſoul; therefore thou doſt become an enemy to him. Conſider that place, Hoſ. 4. 4. Let no man reprove another, for this people are as they that ſtrive with the Prieſt. The meaning is, It is to no purpoſe, to reprove the wicked men of Iſrael any more: it is to no purpoſe to bring them balme, or ſpiritual Medicines, for they are an incurable people, Why, how doth this appear? In that, they ſtrive with the Prieſt. They will not et him do his duty. If he reprove them for ſin, if he ſet againſt their iniquities, they riſe up as proudly againſt him, as the Sodomites did againſt Lot, their Preacher of righteouſneſs. By this you ſee, its a property of a deſperate and incurable people when they ſtrive with their Church-Officers, in doing of their Duty. Indeed, if Miniſters ſhould pervert the Ordinances of God, endeavour to bring in Hereſies, Superſ…ition, and Prophaneneſs, to exalt the Kingdome of darkneſs, then they are in all lawfull and wiſe wayes to ſtrive with them, even as Children may, in ſome caſes reprove their Parents, who are deſperately ſet to damn their ſoules, provided they ſhew that Reverence and Humility that they ought to do. This Text of the Prophet is made uſe of by the Papiſts, who charge our Reformers, that they did ſtrive with the Pope, and their Biſhops, refuſing ſubmiſſion to them. For their Canoniſts have a ſaying, That, if the Pope ſhould draw thouſands of ſoules to Hell, none might ſay unto him, why dost thou ſo? But this place will not be a Sanctuary to them; for if we take the ordinary expoſition, and common one, which I have given (there being another by-Learned man, who maketh directly againſt them) it ſpeaketh of ſuch a people, who, do ſinfully ſtrive with the Meſſengers of God, becauſe they reprove ſin, and zealouſly do their Duty. This is the higheſt Degree of ſinfull Oppoſition that can be, no conteſting with the Miniſtry is ſo heynous, as when it cometh upon this account. Theſe are like frenetique men, who fight with their Phyſician. In other diſeaſes commonly men ſend for phyſicians, they deſire their help; but the mad man, he will ne re ſend for any, and if any be brought to him he rageth at them. Thus doth ſuch wicked men, and ſo are like a ground Hiſtorians ſpeak of, that is dryer by the rain that falleth upon it, and the more drought, the more moyſture.
3. Then we ſinfully reflect upon the Ministry, when the vices of the perſons, we 3. When they caſt the ſaults of the perſons upon their Office and Doctrine.caſt upon their office and Doctrine. This was that which made Paul ſo di ligent and zealous in this Text; had it been his own glory and name, he would more patiently have born it. But when they come hereby to diſparage his Doctrines, to call that in queſtion, then he could no longer bare it. Take heed then of this diſpoſition, upon any evils, or faillings in them, preſently to fall upon the Calling, immediately to diſlike the Doctrine they preach. For, though it ought not to be ſo, yet we are naturally ready ex perſonis probare fidem, not ex fide Perſonas, We are ready to like and approve of Faith, as we approve of mens perſons, and therefore, if any failing or weakneſs be ſeen in them, we preſently charge their Doctrine with it. What ſhould a man have refuſed all that Peter ſaid, thinking, it is no matter what he Preacheth, becauſe, in his fear and temptation he denied Chriſt? What, ſhall a man exclaim at Paul, and ſay, we know not how to believe, what he Preacheth? For, he was once as hot and zealous for the contrary way. Oh, take heed of ſuch ungodly Judgment. The Truth is Chriſts Truth; the Goſpel is the Goſpel of God, however men may fail.
4. This is ſtill the more abominable, when men take falſe rumors and ſlanders 4. When they refuſe the Miniſtry upon falſe Rumors and Surmiſes.up, or go upon their own ſurmiſes, and conjectures, and thereby refuſe the Miniſtry: for this was Pauls caſe. He had juſt grounds, as is in time to be ſhewed, why he did not come to them, as he promiſed. It was to ſpare them, as he ſaith, v. 23. So that, if there were any fault, they were the cauſe of it, yet, how readily do they make an occaſion, to bring Pauls Doctine out of credit, and nothing is more ordinary than this, for men to feign Reaſons, and pretend many abſurd Arguments to vilifie the work of the Miniſtry, which yet is appointed by God, for the good of their ſouls. If you ask, What are the Reaſons, why men are ſo apt … upon the Doctrine preached? They are ſuch as theſe,
Firſt, Wicked men being under the power of the Devil, they are acted by him, and his works they do. Now, his greateſt work is to deſtroy that, which if ſuffered, would deſtroy him, and his Kingdome. The end of the Miniſtry we may read in Pauls Commission, Act. 26. 18. which is, To open mens eyes, to turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. It is no wonder, if the Devil in all ages tempt men to this ſin, rather than others. For, hereby his Kingdome will be lift up: ſo that, as the Phyſicians were never quiet till they had deprived Sampſon of that which was his ſtrength, ſo neither is the Devil and his Inſtruments ever at reſt, till they have removed that ſtrength Chriſt hath appointed for the deſtroying of the works of the Devil.
2. Men are carryed out againſt the Doctrine and Office, for any real or ſuppoſed failings, becauſe it is that which doth moſt grieve and trouble them. It is the Word of God that is a terrour to them, that will not let them ſin ſecurely; thereſore they have no care to take, but, as much as lieth in them, to make it no word, to make it nothing but the humours of men. For all the while they believe this is the Doctrine of God, this will reprove me, this will damn me, they dare not, they cannot riſe up againſt God; but to delude their ſoules, therefore they run to lies, and ſinfull refuges, whereby they would undervalue this Word, and make it nothing but the Opinions of men.
3. They fall foul upon the Doctrine preſently, becauſe herein they think they do the greater deſpite to the faithfull Miniſters of God. Herein they think the more to afflict them; they know, that no glory, honour, or profit doth ſo much prevail with him, as the honour of his Office, and the truth of his Doctrine: and thereſore, that they might ſhew their miſchief, and malice the more, they would him in that which is deareſt.
4. They condemn the Doctrine from perſonal failings, becauſe, herein they think to juſtifie themſelves the more. That there is no ſuch reaſon why it ſhould be powerfull to reforme, or convert them, ſeeing it doth not ſo to the Miniſter himſelf: They think, they have a good plea for their unprofitableneſs, and unfruitfulneſs. If he be a Phyſician, ſay they, Why doth he not heal himſelf? if he can ſave others, why doth he not ſave himſelf? as they derided Chriſt.
Uſe of Exhortation, To obſerve, and take notice of this ſubtilty of Satan, and the naughtineſs of thy own heart, in this particular. Are not all his workings to prejudice thee againſt the faithfull Paſtor of thy ſoul? Doth not every tale or ſtory; doth not every ſlanderous and lying report, preſently take off thy Faith, and reverence to the word that is preached? Oh remember, that it is Gods word, it is Gods truth, whatſoever our failings may be; its Gods treaſure, though it be in an earthen veſſel. It will be no excuſe for thee, at the day of judgment, to ſay, Lord, I regarded not the word, I mattered not Sermons, I attended not to what they Preached, becauſe I thought the Meſſengers thereof were proud, and covetous. Will not God arraign thee? ſaying, It was my Word howſoever, It was my Doctrine: my word was not proud, or Doctrine Covetous; if not for their ſakes, yet you ſhould have received it for my ſake: It was not the Miniſters Doctrine, the Miniſters Sacrament, but mine, The Devil is very buſie to deſtroy thee by this temptation; but watch and pray againſt them.