An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 4
SERM. IV.
What an Apoſtle was. Chriſt in the building of his Church uſed extraordinary Officers, but did not follow the Model of the Jewiſh Government. What were the Properties and Qualifications of an Apoſtle.
2 COR. 1. 1.
Paul an Apostle of Jeſus Chriſt, &c.
THe next thing conſiderable, is Paul's deſcription from his Office, and that Why Paul cals himſelf an Apoſtle.is, an Apoſtle. He nameth his Office, thereby to be received with Authority. And that they might honour his Calling, it being of great conſequence for thoſe who come in the Name of the Lord, to be aſſured of their Calling.
The word Apoſtle is ſometimes uſed more largely for one that is ſent; and What an Apoſtle was.ſo in an eminent manner is applied to Chriſt himſelf, Heb. 3. 1. Yea, ſome ſay, it's uſed generally for any Meſſenger; and they inſtance in Phil. 2. 25. where Epaphreditus is ſaid to be the Philippians meſſenger, foreign; and ſo it ſeemeth by the Tranſlation, our Tranſlators underſtood it; but Salmaſius doth vehemently contend, pleading alſo the conſent of the Ancients, that it's to be underſtood of an Apoſtle, and that Paul never uſeth the word, but of eminent and chief Officers in the Church, ſo that he is called the Philippians Apoſtle, becauſe he was a ſpecial fellow-labourer with Paul, in planting of that Church. Two kinds of Apoſtles, primary and ſecondary.Therefore he diſtinguiſheth of Apoſtles, making two kinds of them: and indeed the Scripture plainly inſinuateth it. The primary-Apoſtles, thoſe who were immediately called by Chriſt, being twelve in number. Or ſecondary, and theſe were ſent by the Apoſtles: They were the Apoſtles Apoſtles. For ſeeing that many came in at the Apoſtles preaching, inſomuch that they were not able to manage all things themſelves, they therefore aſſumed as aſſiſtants others, whom they called Apoſtles. Therefore 2 Cor. 11. 5. and Chap. 13. 11. we read of ſome that are called foreign, the chiefeſt Apostles. So that the name was given to others beſides the eminent twelve. And of theſe Salmaſius and Illyricus underſtand that place, Epheſ. 4. 11. where the Apoſtle ſaith, God had ſet in his Church ſome Apoſtles, &c. that is (ſay they) ſome choice and eminent Teachers. But Salmaſius by theſe ſecondary Apoſtles ſeemeth to mean the Evangeliſts, whereas thoſe are diſtinguiſhed in that enumeration. It's enough, that others were called Apoſtles beſides the twelve, and that they were Coadjutors with them in the planting and propagating of the Goſpel.
Now the Apoſtle Paul, though he was none of the twelve immediately called by Chriſt, yet becauſe he had ſuch an extraordinary Call afterwards by Chriſt, while glorified in Heaven, which none elſe had, but he, therefore is juſtly reckoned with the other, and ſo accounted as the thirteenth Apoſtle. Thus that which was of ſuch exceeding rich grace, and ſo extraordinary a priviledge to Paul, yet he was not puſſed up with it; but 1 Cor. 15. 9. makes a new Greek word, He was leſs than the leaſt, and looks upon himſelf as an abortive, and one born out of due time. Obſerve
That Christ in the firſt planting of the Christian Church, did appoint extraordinary Chriſt in his firſt planting of his Church appointed extraordinary Officers, which he called Apoſtles.Officers, which he called Apostles.
That as God in the firſt plantation of the people of Iſrael, when he brought them out of Aegypt, and imbodied them together, did guide them and provide for them in an extraordinary way, which did wholly ceaſe, when they came to be ſetled in Canaan. Thus did the Lord Chriſt, in the beginning of his Church uſe many extraordinary things, as Officers and Miracles, which now have no more continuance, though the advantage of theſe doth ſtill belong to us. For thoſe very miracles, though wrought long ſince, and thoſe extraordinary Officers are yet of ſpiritual influence. That Chriſt did appoint Apoſtles, and how, appeareth in their firſt Inſtitution of them, Luke 6. 13. and Matth. 10. 2. and this he did of large bowels, and compaſſions to thoſe whom he would ſave; They were ſent as ſo many Embaſſadours, to woe and beſeech people in Chriſts ſtead to be reconciled with the Father. He did not take a way by immediate inſpiration and efficacy upon mens hearts, as he might have done. For he that could cure the dead, though he were diſtant from them, could alſo have poured his Spirit upon all fleſh, though bodily abſent from him, yet he was pleaſed to uſe this mediation of man, as being more ſuitable and fit inſtruments for to work upon us.
To improve this Doctrine, conſider
Firſt, That it is obſerved by learned men, That our Saviour in the edification Our Saviour in the building of his Church, did not follow the Government of the Jewiſh.and building of the Chriſtian Church, did not follow the Jewiſh Church Government, which was formerly appointed by God, viz. by an high Prieſt, and chief Prieſts with the Levites under them. Therefore the Officers of Chriſts Church are not to be called Priests or Levites, though ſometimes the Ancients call the Elders and Deacons ſo; but that is by alluſion onelyonly. For, as was ſaid, our Saviour did not propound that form in the Old Teſtament to follow: So that all thoſe endeavours which have been uſed to conforme the Church of Chriſt to the Jewiſh in Government, and Ceremonial Worſhip; as to have a Pope, becauſe an high Prieſt; to have glorious veſtments in the Worſhip of God, becauſe the Prieſts had; this is to go contrary to Chriſt. For indeed if our Saviour did follow any thing, it was the Synagogues and their Orders. Hence learned men ſhew, That the chief Ruler of the Synogogue, he had his Meſſengers to go up and down to the ſeveral Synagogues upon ſpecial imployment, and theſe were called Thelichin, Apoſtles: So they had two ſorts of Elders, which were made by impoſition of hands, and they had Excommunication in their Synagogues. Yea, ſome ſay, both Baptiſme and the Lords Supper were taken as Rites from the Jews then in uſe; for they had ſuch an initiation of all Proſelytes, and when they took ſuch in, they took in their children alſo: And ſo for eating of bread, and drinking of wine. OnelyOnly they adde, That when Chriſt took up theſe, he changed the nature of them: They were Rites and Ceremonies before, but Chriſt made them Sacraments. But let the learned debate theſe things. This is enough to us, That Chriſt he did as the chief Head of his Church, chooſe ſome, whom he called Apoſtles, for to beginne and propagate his Church.The properties of an Apoſtles.
Therefore in the ſecond place conſider, That theſe Properties go to make an Apoſtle, ſo that he could not be an Apoſtle, who had not theſe qualifications. As
Firſt, It was neceſſary that he ſhould have an immediate Call from Chriſt. 1. He ſhould have an immediate call from Chriſt.So ye read they all had. Therefore when Judas was fallen from that Office, the other Apoſtles did not preſume to chooſe one in his room by themſelves, but they did ſolemnly call upon God, who by lot gave direction, who ſhould be the man; and then Paul, as you heard, he was immediately called by Chriſt from Heaven, and therefore often ſaith, He was not an Apoſtle of men, or by men, but wholly and ſolely by the will of God. Thus as there were Prophets in the Old Teſtament, and ſo alſo ſome in the New, who were immediately inspired by God; ſo there were ſuch who alſo had an immediate Call from God; and it was the conſideration of this Call that did ſo imbolden them, eſpecially againſt all traducers and falſe accuſers, as appeareth by Paul himſelf in this Epiſtle. But now you muſt know, That though the Paſtors and Teachers, which in after ages have ruled in the Church, had not ſuch an immediate Call from God, but mediate by man, yet even they alſo are truly appointed of God. Even the ordinary Officers are in Chriſts ſtead, and are to be received as from God, for they have as true a Call, though not as immediate. As Abel Adam's ſonne was as truly a man, though in an ordinary way, as Adam, who was immediately made by God. Hence Eph. 4. 11. Chriſt is ſaid to ſet in his Church Paſtors, as well as Apoſtles. This is neceſſarily to be obſerved, becauſe that we are apt to deſpiſe that Office, which hath not an immediate Call.
Secondly, It was required to the Apoſtles to be the firſt builders and planters of 2. The Apoſtles were to be the firſt builders of the Church.Churches. Therefore they were called, the ſalt of the earth, becauſe by them God did wonderfully ſeaſon the world. They were the light, becauſe the world was in darkneſs, before they were raiſed up. So that although Chriſt himſelf be properly the foundation, and all Churches are built on him as a Rock, yet the Scripture ſaith, We are built upon the Apoſtles. Likewiſe Epheſ. 2. 20. Jeſus Chriſt being the corner ſtone. So, Revel. 21. 14. The twelve Apoſtles, are the iwelve foundations. Hence Divines uſually diſtinguiſh between Fundamentum fundans, and fundatum. The Apoſtles they are a foundation, but yet need another foundation, which is the Lord Chriſt. Beſides, it's the Doctrine of the Apoſtles, and not their perſons, which the Church is built upon; onelyonly they were next to Chriſt, the firſt founders and builders of the Chriſtian Church. Hence we read that Paul had the Apoſtleſhip for the Gentiles, and Peter for the Jews, Gal. 2. 8. And in this ſenſe Cameron hath a ſingular opinion of that place ſo much vexed by Interpreters, viz. Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock will I build my Church; he underſtands it of Peter, and that he was the ſecondary Rock (Chriſt being the chiefeſt) upon which the Jewiſh Church was built, for by his Miniſtry they were converted. But this is capable of ſeveral Objections.
Thirdly, It was requiſite to the Apoſtles, that they ſhould be eye-witneſſes 3. They ſhould be eye-witneſſes of what Chriſt did and ſuffered.of what Chriſt did and ſuffered, that ſo their teſtimony might be the more undoubted: And therefore even the Apoſtle Paul, though converted after Chriſts death and reſurrection, yet acknowledgeth, that Chriſt was ſeen of him alſo; but for the other Apoſtles, they were preſent with Chriſt: And therefore the Apoſtle John, 1 Epiſt. 1. 1. begins his Epiſtle thus, That which we have ſeen and felt. This eye-witneſs, and familiar converſation alſo with Chriſt is mentioned, Acts 10. 41. God ſhewed Chriſt, not to all the people, but unto witneſſes choſen before of God even to us who did both eat and drink with him. And this is that which confirmeth the Hiſtory, ſome of them relate, for they were preſent in the acting of thoſe things they record, and their faithfulneſs and honeſty is abundantly teſtified otherwiſe. So that although we did not ſee and behold what Chriſt did, and his miracles with our own eyes, yet thoſe Apoſtles did, who are without all ſuſpicion.
Fourthly, The Apoſtles were univerſal Officers; they were not limitted or 4. They were univerſal officers.fixed to particular Churches: as the Paſtors were, but the whole Church of God was their flock; Therefore they are called, the light of the world, and the ſalt of the earth, not Judea only: And thus the Apoſtle profeſſed, He had care over all the Churches; Therefore you ſee to how many Churches he directs his Epistles; and although Paul makes his Apoſtleſhip for the Gentiles, and Peter for the Jews; yet that was either by conſent, or elſe, though they did principally attend to theſe, yet they did alſo declare the Gospel to others, as it is plain in Cornelius his caſe, that Peter did preach to the Gentiles.
Fifthly, They were indowed with the Spirit of God in an infallible manner; 5. They were endowed of an infallible ſpirit.ſo that while they were on earth, they were a kind of viſible infallible Judges. Whatſoever perſon or Churches did reſort to them, for the determining of any caſe of Conſcience, they could decide infallibly. Therefore the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 7. though he ſaith in the point of marriage, that it was he, and not the Lord; yet that is, he had not expreſs command from the Lord, otherwiſe he was infallibly directed in that reſolution by the Spirit of God. And howſoever it be diſputed, When this Spirit of infallibity was beſtowed on them? As alſo, Whether they could grow in knowledge, or no? For it is plain at their firſt miſſion, they were not freed from Doctrinal Errours, as about Chriſts temporal Kingdom; their doubt of the Reſurrection, and ignorance about preaching to the Jews. Yet it's moſt probable the Apoſtles had this beſtowed on them in a more large manner at the Pentecoſt, and Paul at his converſion. As for that fault charged on Peter, Gal. 1. that he did not; foreign, it was not an errour in judgement, but in fact. For although the Apoſtles were preſerved from errours, this priviledge being for the gathering of Churches at firſt, yet in reſpect of practice they might and did erre, thereby needing alwayes forgiveneſs of ſins. Only for Doctrine they could not, becauſe on them, that is their Doctrine, the Church is ſaid tobe built.
Sixthly, They were likewiſe endowed with miraculous gifts, ſo that they 6. They were endowed with miraculous gifts.abounded in all wiſdome and knowledge, as alſo in all tongues. For God calling them to ſuch an Univerſal Office, he would not fail in beſtowing of them thoſe neceſſary means that did conduce thereunto. Not that it was neceſſary they ſhould be endowed with the knowledge of the Mathematicks, or ſuch other Arts, but with what was conducible to that end. Now miracles they were neceſſary, becauſe they preached that Doctrine, which was wholly new to the world, and could not be demonſtrated by Reaſon: therefore miracles were required to confirm it.
Seventhly, They were the chiefeſt and higheſt Officers in the Church. They 7. They were the chiefeſt and higheſt officers in the Church.were the Starres of the firſt magnitude, theſe were next to Chriſt himſelf, and yet though in ſo exalted and glorious an Office, there was one Devil amongſt them, Judas the Apoſtate. So that none have cauſe to boaſt in any Church-priviledges. Thoſe that are called here beatiſſimi and ſanctiſſimi by their Office may be miſrrrimi in hell.
Eighthly, They were all equal in respect of Power and Authority. Our Saviour 8. They were equal in power and authority.ſaid equally to them all, Whoſe ſins ye remit, they ſhall be remitted. Peter hath no ſupremacy over the reſt. They might differ in gifts, graces, and labour or work for God, and love from Chriſt, as John was beloved above all; but in reſpect of Authority none was ſuperiour to others.
Ninthly, They were temporary Officers, and therefore did ceaſe with the perſons. Even as Miracles, ſo Apostles were onelyonly for the firſt planting of 9. They were temporary officers.the Church, ſo that they have no ſucceſſours in their Office. Hence it's high arrogancy for the Pope to call his, the Apostolical Sea.
Tenthly, Though extraordinary Officers, yet they did contain what was inferiour. 10. Though they were extraordinary Officers, yet they contained what was inferiour under them. Laſtly, though they were thus admirably qualified, yet they did not convert all below them.Hence Peter cals himſelf a fellow elder; and John in his two laſt Epiſtles ſtyles himſelf, the elder, not the Apoſtle; ſo that the ordinary Paſtours ſucceed the Apoſtles in what they had as ordinary, viz. to preach the Word, and diſpenſe the Sacraments.
Laſtly, Though thus admirably qualified, yet they did not convert all before them. But many reſiſted their Doctrine, many grew enemies and oppoſite to them: Inſomuch that all but John were put to violent deaths. It's then no wonder, if ordinary Paſtors do not reform a whole Congregation, if they be hated and oppoſed; for can they expect to be better than the Apoſtles? Do not then think with your ſelves, if we had ſuch as the Apoſtles to preach to us, immediately called of God, and that could confirme their Doctrine by miracles, then we would preſently ſubmit; This is but deceit and hypocriſie. And certainly, though the Apoſtles be taken from us, yet we have their Doctrine. Paul ſpeaketh by his Epiſtles to us ſtill. We need not with Auſtin wiſh to hear Paul preaching.