An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 7
SERM. VII.
Church-Officers are appointed by Chriſt, and all Church-power radically ſeated in him as King. What Duties follow thence to be practiſed by Church-Officers and People. Some things are highly eſteemed in the Church, which are much deſpiſed by the world.
2 COR. 1. 1.
Paul an Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt by the will of God, &c.
THe Author and Fountain of Paul's Apoſtleſhip hath been conſidered abſolutely, under thoſe two names Jeſus Chriſt. We ſhall now take notice of them relatively. For herein doth the name of the Apoſtle breed reverence and eſteem with believers, becauſe Jeſus Chriſt himſelf doth appoint them. So that the Apoſtle doth not make himſelf the ultimate object, into which their faith and obedience, is to be reſolved, but the Lord Chriſt. Inſinuting hereby, that if they reject him, they alſo refuſe Chriſt himſelf. It is not in his own name that he cometh, neither doth he intrude himſelf into this Office, but he is ſent by Chriſt, and comes in his Name. Now although, when he is ſaid to be the Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt, we may underſtand it finaliter, becauſe his whole work and office was to advance Chriſt, to exalt him, to ſtudy and preach nothing but him, yet it is chiefly to be underſtood efficienter; For his meaning is, he had his Office, and his Power from Chriſt. Obſerve,
That the Lord Chriſt, as Head of his Church, doth appoint all Officers therein, ſo that they act and officiate in his Name.Chriſt as Head doth appoint all the Officers of the Church
The Apoſtle ſpeaks this fully, 2 Cor. 5. 20. We are embaſſadours for Chriſt, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead to be reconciled to God. What an efficacious Argument is this for your attention and bedience? The Miniſtry is not an humane invention; neither do we plead our own intereſt, or act in our name, but it's Chriſts intereſt, we are his Embaſſadours, we come in his Name to you. It is he that giveth us our commiſſion to preach and baptize, inſomuch that all the affronts, contempts and rebellions that our Miniſtry meets with, for it's ſake it redounds upon Chriſt himſelf; and what is done againſt us, coming in his name is taken by the Lord Chriſt, as done againſt himſelf; He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiſeth you, despiſeth me, and he that deſpiſeth me, despiſeth him that ſent me, Luk. 10. 16. See how hainous a ſinne it is, and how far it reacheth thus to reject thoſe who have Chriſts commiſſion to watch over a people. It is not for our ſelves, but for your good, ye ſhould know theſe things.
But let us conſider the Doctrine; and to explain that you muſt know,
Firſt, That the learned do from the Scripture find a two-fold Kingdome A two-ſold Kingdom attributed to Chriſt in Scripture.attributed unto Chriſt. The one as he is God, having the ſame Eſſence with the Father, and ſo ruling over the whole world. The other as he is Mediatour, and Head of the Church, and ſo the chief Governour and Shepherd thereof in a peculiar manner. The firſt is called his Eſſential and natural Kingdom. The ſecond his Diſpenſatory and Donative. The Sacinians have occaſioned this diſtinction. For when we bring thoſe places, where Chriſt is ſaid to be King, and Lord, to be exalted above all principalities, to prove his eternal God-head. They anſwer, This is a conſtituted God-head; Chriſt was not thus King, till after his reſurrection; and therefore (ſay they) it was given him in time, whereas if it were an eſſential attribute of God, it muſt he had from all eternity. To this it is anſwered, That Chriſt as God had right to all that glory and honour, which was given him in time; but then as Mediatour, ſo it was a reward, at leaſt a conſequent of his obedience and humiliation. So that they grant, Chriſt did in time receive a Mediatory Kingdom and glory, whereby he was made Head of his Church, and to rule in with ſupream power and authority, though from the Father; neither doth this derogate from his Deity, to ſay it was given him; for it was not given him to make him more perfect, only to perfect his Church, and it's a gift of ſuch a thing, which only can be attributed to God; for none but he that is God can be Mediatour and Head of his Church, becauſe he that is ſo, muſt be the cauſe of all the grace and ſpiritual benefits which are in the Church.
Secondly, Chriſt being thus exalted as Head of the Church, all Church-power is radically and f…tally ſeated in him. So that the power to make All Church-power radically ſeated in Chriſt.Church-officers, doth not ariſe originally from the people, as (they ſay) civil power doth, and is therefore called foreign, on humane ordinance, but it cometh from the Lord Christ. Hence Matth. 28. 18, 19. when Chriſt had ſaid, All power is given me in heaven and earth, then from this power, he appoints them, to go teach and baptize. Thus in another place he ſaith, John 20. 21, 22, 23. As my Father hath ſent me, ſo I ſend you, whoſoever ſinnes ye remit, &c. From his Mediatorſhip ye ſee, he giveth the Keys of Government to his Officers. This alſo in a lively manner is affirmed, Epheſ. 4. 10, 11. where Chriſts aſcenſion is ſpoken of, and his glorious exaltation, That he might fill all things, that is, appoint all things in his Church, whereupon he enumerateth all Offices, and ſheweth that they have all their Commiſſion from Chriſt, and that both, the ordinary, as well as the extraordinary.
Therefore in the third place, The Officers in the Church are properly ſervants Church-officers are properly ſervants to Chriſt.to Chriſt, and receive their power and commiſſion from him. It's not the Church but Chriſt, that hath ſet Officers in his Church. The Church indeed may apply the perſon to the office, but Chriſt inſtitutes and applieth the office to the perſon. The Church cannot make a Miniſter in this ſenſe, viz. to inſtitute the office, for then it might appoint other offices, then Chriſt hath, only it may deſign the perſon. For Chriſt is the fountain of all Church-power, and officers receive their authority from him. It's true, that the Apoſtle ſaith to the Church of Corinth, All things are yours, 2 Cor. 4. 5. And in another place, We are your ſervants for Jeſus ſake; but the meaning therof is miniſterially; their office, and the execution, that was wholly for the Churches edification, not that they had their power from the Church. For who can think that Paul had his authority from men, when he diſclaimeth it ſo often, yet he reckoneth himſelf in the number of thoſe that are ſervants for their ſpiritual benefit.
Thirdly, Although it be diſputed, Whether the power of appointing Officers and Laws in the Church belongeth to Chriſt as a Prophet, or a King. Some This power of appointing Officers and Laws in the Church, belongeth to Chriſt as Kingſay, as a Prophet he doth thus govern his Church, yet it is more probable that be doth this as a King: So that Chriſt as a ſpiritual King over his people, doth appoint what officers, what Ordinances and Orders he pleaſeth: ſo that you muſt know that this is part of Chriſts Jus regale, and they come equally from the ſame fountain, both to appoint an Officer and an Ordinance. The Church can no more appoint a new Office, than it can a new Ordinance, a new Sacrament. This is greatly to be obſerved, becauſe the Governours in the Church, or the civil Magiſtrate for politick conſiderations have inſtituted new Offices, and many times made the Government of the Church, ſutable to that of the Commonwealth, equalizing ſpiritual Officers with Civil; but this may be no more done, then to appoint a new Ordinance; and the reaſon is, becauſe both Offices and Ordinances are for ſupernatural effects, to convert, to build up in grace. Now none may appoint any thing for ſuch high ends, but thoſe only who are able to accompliſh them: Chriſt only can convert, therefore he only can appoint an Officer, or Ordinance for converſion: Beſides, to appoint new Officers, would redound to Chriſts diſhonour, as if he were not either wiſe, or able enough to appoint all things in the Church neceſſary to attain ſalvation, whereas the Apoſtle preferreth Chriſt above Moſes, That he was but as a ſervant, but Chriſt as a ſon in the houſe, Heb. 3.
Uſe of Exhortation; firſt, To the Church-officer. Doth he come with Chriſts Uſe. Exhortation. 1. To Church-officers.Commiſſion? Doth he appear in his Name? Then let him be ſure to improve his Office according to Chriſts command. If Paul be an Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt, then his work will be to exalt Chriſt; our power, ſaith he, is not for deſtruction, but edification, 2 Cor. 13. It's a capital crime for an Embaſſadour to vary from his Coſſimiſſion, to go contrary to that. This ſhould daily lie upon our hearts, To what end have I this Office from Chriſt? Is it not to labour in his vineyard? Is it not to convert ſouls? Do not all the names, which Church-officers have, imploy labour, work and diligence? Eſpecially theſe things they muſt take heed of:
1. That they turn not the Office of Chriſt into matter of pride, dominion Church-officers are eſpecially to take heed of, 1. That they turn not their Office into matter of pride and earthly intereſt.and earthly intereſt. Even the Apoſtle himſelf ſaid, Not as having dominion over your faith, but helpers of your joy, 2 Cor. 1. ult. And the Apoſtle Peter forbids the lording over Gods heritage, 1 Pet. 5. 3. This tyranny in the Church by the Officers thereof, hath been a fatal deſtruction thereunto. When the Sunne hath been in the Eclipſe ſad alterations muſt needs follow, ſay Astrologers. As not into pragmatical domination, ſo neither may they turn it into earthy and worldly advantages, ſetting up their own name, their own greatneſs, or their own worth thereby, which the Apoſtle often diſclaimeth; But we are to walk, even as Chriſt himſelf in his office, who ſought not himſelf, neither did he mind his own will, or his own glory. And certainly, the higher the Office is, the greater will thy account be, and thy condemnation the heavier. Oh the dreadfull account that is to be made at that day concerning this talent!
2. Of lazineſs and idleneſs. For the work is of great conſequence, The bloud of ſouls will speak more terribly than the blood of Abels body. How 2. Of Idleneſs.ſevere was the maſter in that Parable of our … to him who hid his talent in a napkin? Luke 19. 20. he is called an unprofitable ſervant, and muſt be caſt into utter darkneſs.
Uſe 2. To you that are the people. If we have our Commiſſion from Chriſt, Uſe 2. To the peoplethen take heed how you reject the Word we ſpeak from him. The Apoſtle makes a compariſon between him that refuſed Moſes ſpeaking, and Christ ſpeaking, and ſaith, How much forer puniſhment ſhall he be thought worthy of, Heb. 10. 29. Every Sermon your condemnation will riſe higher upon you. Think not that our words will paſſe away: No, God ſaith by the Prophet, They ſhall not return in vain: for if it be not a ſaving and converting word, it will be an hardning and condemning one. No wonder if our Saviour ſpake one Parable to this very purpoſe, and concludeth, Take heed how you hear, Mark 4. 24.
The ſecond thing obſervable from this relative conſideration is, That the Apoſtle Why Paul ſtyleth himſelf, An Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt.intending to beget awe and eſteem in the hearts of thoſe he wrote unto, he mentioneth his Office, and from whom he had it, An Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt. This was a greater glory (ſaith Chryſoſtome) then if he had ſtyled himſelf any temporal Officer in the Civil State. For he doth (ſaith the ſame Father) as if one next to the Emperour ſhould write to a certain people, giving himſelf that title of honour, which was next to the Emperour. Thus doth Paul, The Apoſtle of Jeſus Christ. This could not but aſtoniſh and ſtartle all his oppoſers and enemies, yet if you do conſider, with a worldly reſpect, what Chriſt himſelf was, and ſo any Officer under him, you muſt judge it the moſt contemptible and deſpicable thing that can be, that which a carnal man would have been aſhamed to own; for Christ himſelf was called, The Carpenters ſonne, and bred up at Nazareth, a moſt deſpicable place; and his outward condition was ſo low, that he ſaith, He had not where to lay his head. And as for his Apoſtles, what repute they had in the world, Paul himſelf telleth us; when he ſaith, They were accounted the off-ſcouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4. 13. Yet ſee how the Apoſtle glorieth in this title, as that which might juſtly awe the conſciences of thoſe to whom he wrote. From this obſerve,
That thoſe things are of high account and respect in the Church of God, which Thoſe things are highly eſteemed in the Church, which are deſpiſed by the world: Asin the world are very despicable and deſpiſed.
As, That which is highly eſteemed amongst men, is abominable before God, Luk. 18. So that which is abominable and loathſom before men, is highly eſteemed with God.
We might inſtance in many things,
Firſt, Chriſt who is the Head of the Church, and the chief corner-ſtone, yet he was rejected 1. The perſon of Chriſt.by thoſe, who by their Office was builders: Yea, Christ crucified was accounted fooliſhneſs to the Gentiles. Inſomuch that had not God promiſed Chriſt, To give him the Nations of the Earth; and had actually lifted him up, above all principalities and powers. We ſhould have thought, there would not have been one City, much leſſe one Nation, eſpecially not ſo many Nations adoring him as God: We may truly ſay, This is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Chriſt is called by the Apoſtle, The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; which 2 Tim. 5. 16. Druſius ſaith, was the Title and Style of the great Kings of Perſia; but who, except the Chriſtian, would admire Chriſt more than the Perſian King? Therefore it was a wonderfull work upon thoſe Wiſemen of the Eaſt, that they ſhould come and bring ſuch preſents, and worſhip Chriſt, though an Infant, whom they found in a mean place at Bethlehem, and in the meaneſt place there, but where God giveth ſpiritual eyes, there is a ſpiritual excellency diſcovered, where the world ſeeth nothing but contemptibleneſs.
Secondly, For the Officers of Chriſt. In worldly conſiderations, how low 2. The Officers appointed by him.and deſpiſed are they? But to thoſe who are ſpiritual, and acknowledge the Order and Inſtitutions of Chriſt, they eſteem them, as the Stewards of God, and the Ministers of Chriſt, inſomuch that it's the cauſe of contemning Religion, when their Office is deſpiſed. Paul was ſo received by the Galatians, as if he had been an Angel from Heaven; Yea, Chriſt himſelf; They would have pulled out their eyes to have pleaſured him. And we ſee in the after ages of the Church, how much the Miniſters of Chriſt were had in eſteem, inſomuch that it greew unto an exceſſe. Now though the carnal, worldly man beareth no ſuch reſpect to them, yet thoſe, who are led by Scripture, doe highly eſteeme them, and that for their workes ſake.
Thirdly, The Duties preſcribed by Chriſt, they are ſuch as the world 3. The Duties preſcribed by him.condemneth, either for folly or puſillanimity, as, Faith in Chriſt alone for ſalvation, ſelf-denial, readineſs to take up our Croſſe; To love our enemies, to do good to thoſe that hate us: Are not theſe ſuch things that the magnanimous and gallant ſpirits of the world do diſdain?
Fourthly, The priviledges and encouragements, which Chriſt alſo inviteth with, they are not ſuch baits, as will take in the world. Pſal 4. Who will ſhew 4. The Priviledges of the Goſpel.us any good? that is the vote of the world. As for the light of Gods countenance, juſtification, and aſſurance of Gods grace, theſe things they do no more eſteem than the Swine doth Pearl.
Laſtly, The due execution of the Cenſure of the Church, upon juſt 5. The due execution of Church-cenſures.grounds, to caſt out the impenitent ſinner. This the world contemneth; but yet you ſee how powerfully it wrought upon the Inceſtuous perſon. And Matth. 18. when our Saviour had ſaid, He that would not heare the Church, muſt be like a Publican and Heathen, leſt they ſhould deſpiſe this, he ſaith, Whatſoever ye bind on Earth, ſhall be bound in Heaven.
Uſe of Exhortation. To admire the power and wiſdom of God, who hath Uſe.kept up Church-officers, Church-ordinances in the world, when there are no outward pompous motives to perſwade thereunto.