An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 83
SERM. LXXXIII.
Of the Neceſsity and Uſefulneſſe of publick Ordinances; And of the Churches Intereſt in its Miniſters Mercies.
2 COR. 1. 11.
That for the gift beſtowed upon us by the means of many perſons, thanks may be given by many, on our behalf.
THere remain three particulars in this Text, which are at this time to be diſpatched. The two former becauſe of their affinity ſhall be joyned together. For they contain the perſons by whoſe prayers Paul's gift was beſtowed upon him, and whoſe praiſes are to be returned to God in his behalf. Thoſe by whoſe means this gift was beſtowed, are ſaid to be foreign, which expreſſion hath cauſed very many conjectures amongſt the learned.
I ſhall not be large about the word, for we ſhall meet with the word often in this ſecond Epiſtle. Muſculus obſerving the diverſity of interpretations, doth offer his conjecture to the learned, that foreign, was at firſt written, which by miſtake was afterwards turned to foreign. Now if this were ſo, viz. By many prayers, then the coherence would be very evident. But it is very dangerous to give way to the expunging of words in the original, and to ſubſtitute others in the room. Though humane Authors may endure ſuch critical hands, yet the Scripture being divinely inſpired, both in reſpect of the matter, and alſo the very words, it behoveth us to be the more fearfull herein. Chryſoſtome readeth the word in the ſingular number, foreign, though afterwards he applieth it to many. Retaining then the word, the queſtion is about the ſenſe. Some by foreign underſtand the face, eſpecially the mouth; as if the meaning were, by many mouths. Others obſerve that the Greek word with the Septuagint is put for panim, which primarily ſignifieth the face and countenance, and from thence the respect and manner of a thing. So that the ſenſe ſhould be, That thanks ſhould be given to God for many respects. There were many conſiderations in this one mercy, for which they were to bleſs God. Others read foreign, In the face or preſence of many, that is, in the publick Congregation, as 2 Corinth. 8. 24. foreign, Before the Churches. And certainly, though we will not contend for the reading of the words ſo, yet the meaning of Paul is, That in their Church-ſocieties, and publick meetings, they ſhould both pray unto God, and praiſe God. But we ſhall pitch upon the ordinary uſe of the word, and underſtand it for as much as foreign, By many perſons, or by many men.
The ſecond thing is, By whom thanks are to be given, and that is, foreign, By many. Some do adde the word foreign, That ſeveral wayes, or, for many things praiſes may be given to God, becauſe they think it very redundant to have perſons again expreſſed. Some render it great thankes, and eminent praiſes; but it is moſt conſonant to interpret it of perſons; That the ſame many, who did pray for this mercy, were alſo to praiſe God for it.
Therefore from both theſe joyned together, we may take notice, That Paul doth not ſimply look at prayers and praiſes, from others ſingly and diſtributively, but as conjoyned and collectively. The prayers of many met together, the praiſes of many aſſembled together, are more acceptable then of one alone. From whence obſerve,
That not onelyonly perſonal prayers and praiſes, but publick and ſolemn ones performed Not only perſonal, but publick prayers and praiſes are acceptable to God.by many, are very acceptable together.
Chryſoſtome doth from this enlarge himſelf, concerning the great power that a multitude hath, if met in an holy manner to prevail with God. They do (as it were) put God to ſhame (that is his expreſſion) he knoweth not how to gain-ſay many, when they knock and importune: whereupon he takes occaſion to ſpeak of the publick Church-prayers that were then made for the Catechumenoi, and doth in particular explicate every petition. But we ſhall keep to the Apoſtle, who doth deſire their publick prayers and praiſes, thereby commending the profit and efficacy of them.
To amplifie this, conſider this Caution,
Firſt, That though God delights in the aſſembling of many, yet they muſt be ſuch as are qualified according to Gods will. It is not ſimply a multitude that God regardeth. We read of the Iſraelites, that in their diſtreſſes, they would make their approaches to God in great troops; yet the Lord abhorred their Sacrifices, becauſe they did not waſh themſelves, nor make them clean, ſo as to put away their iniquities and tranſgreſſions farre from them. If ſo be, the Wiſeman ſaith, That one ſinner deſtroyeth much good, then how much good do many deſtroy? If one dead flie ſpoil a box of ointment, what will many dead flies do? So that the more aſſembled together in this manner, the more is God provoked. For Matth. 18. our meeting muſt be in Chriſts name; not onelyonly by his appointment, but alſo in that manner he hath required. Therefore you muſt take the Doctrine thus, Many godly perſons met together, doe more prevaile than ſome few, or one onelyonly: Otherwiſe one Job, one Daniel, may obtaine more at Gods hand, then many thouſands of wicked men; for they have crying ſinnes which doe out-cry their prayers.
This being premiſed, let us conſider, Why publick duties are to be preferred Reaſons.before private. And
Firſt, Becauſe hereby the glory and honour of God is more promoted. If the 1. Hereby the honour of God is more promoted.multitude of Subjects be the glory of a King, then alſo is the multitude of true and ſpiritual worſhippers the glory of God. Hence David doth profeſſe, That he will bleſſe God in the great Congregation, Pſal. 22. 25. and Pſal. 26. 12. Pſal. 40. 9, 10. The greater the Congregation is, if duly qualified, the more honour cometh to God. Hence it is that in the Old Teſtament God commanded ſet dayes for all the people to meet together, and worſhip God. And in the New Teſtament, we have frequent inſtances of the Churches meeting together to worſhip God. Inſomuch that it is a very ſinfull reaſoning which ſome have, What ſhould they goe to Church for? They can ſtay at home, and read of a good book, and ſo get as much good. Oh but know, ô vain man! Though that ſhould be granted, which yet is not, that thou couldſt profit as much, yet thou oweſt honour, and glory, and worſhip to God, and that in the Congregation. Do not the Angels in multitudes praiſe God together? Why is it called a Church, but becauſe many are to have communion together? So that unleſſe God doth diſpenſe with thee, that he will have no honour or glory from thee, it is thy ſinne, if not otherwiſe neceſſarily detained, voluntarily to abſent from theſe publick Ordinances. The Apoſtle, Heb. 10. 25. doth reprove the manner of ſome in thoſe dayes, who did not aſſemble themſelves together. You ſee even in the Apoſtles dayes the Devil tempted ſome in this kind; yet they are reproved, though private Chriſtians in thoſe dayes had greater gifts, and abilities then now ordinarily men have; yea they are reproved, though ſome think the cauſe was not voluntary, but that it was fear of danger and perſecution. It was criminal to meet together, and therefore fear of death, and other miſeries might make ſome forbear to aſſemble themſelves; yet for all this they are cenſured by the Apoſtle. Let this then be laid to heart by thee: look that no reaſon keep thee from this publick worſhip of God, but what God himſelf will allow of: For in ſome caſes God hath condeſcended that his own worſhip ſhall rather be omitted, then mens neceſſities not ſupplied.
Secondly, As God is more honoured, ſo hereby The love and charity of 2. Hereby our love to one another is much quickened.the people of God is greatly quickened to one another. This publick and holy meeting together, is a ſpecial means to enflame the affections of one believer to another. Hence you have it ſo often noted, That the Diſciples met together with one accord, and they had one heart. And therefore diverſities of opinions and alienation of affections, do cauſe commonly a publick rent and diviſion in Church-ſocieties. David doth with affection expreſſe the advantage of the publick Ordinances, We went to the houſe of the Lord, and we took ſweet counſel together, Pſal. 55. 14. This is the viſible communion of the Saints, wherein as members of the ſame body, they are ſo firmly and nearly compacted together. There is nothing that the Devil doth ſo much deſign, as rents, ſchiſmes and differences in the Church of God, knowing that theſe, if not healed, will certainly deſtroy all at laſt. Now a right and orderly meeting in theſe publick Aſſemblies, are a ſpecial means to preſerve love. How ſhall thoſe mouths ſpeak againſt one another, that joyned together to pray to God, and to praiſe God? You that called upon one Father, as Brethren, How ſhall ye diſagree, as if one had not the ſame God, and the ſame Father with another? Therefore our Saviour directs to ſay, Our Father, not my Father; hereby commanding our publick meetings together, and alſo our union and brotherly love.
Thirdly, Therefore are theſe publick duties to be the more prized, Becauſe of Gods ſpecial preſence and power there. Mat. 18. You have a peculiar promiſe, 3. God in a more eſpecial manner preſent there.for two or three meeting together in Chriſts name, even as by way of type, God had promiſed his peculiar preſence in the Temple. And for this reaſon you have David with ſuch ardent and paſſionate affections expreſſing his eſteem of the Ordinances of God, Pſal. 63. 1, 2. My ſoul thirſteth, and my fleſh longeth as in a dry land, where no water is, to ſee thy power. And at another time, How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hoſts? And, As the Hart panteth after the brooks, ſo doth his ſoul after God in the Ordinances. Though David when he was baniſhed, and by force could not come to the publick Congregation, no doubt did enjoy God in a moſt comfortable and full manner, yet ſtill he is not ſatisfied, but breaths for his preſence in thoſe Ordinances. And therefore for thee to think, that thou mayeſt meet God as well at home, is as if a cripple ſhould have looked to be healed by going into ſome other water, then that of the pool of Betheſda.
Laſtly, Theſe publick Ordinances are therefore to be highly eſteemed, Becauſe thoſe who are quickened and enlivened, may prevail for thoſe who are 4. Herein the lively may prevail for the dull and indiſpoſed.indispoſed and unfit for prayer. So that the coldneſſe and dulneſſe of one man may be ſupplied by the zeal and fervency of another. Inſomuch that happily the prayer, which if performed by thy own ſelf, would not be ſucceſſefull, being now joyned with others, doth obtain its deſired effect; yea it may be in that publick ſervice, when thou through temptations canſt or dareſt not pray for thy ſelf; others accompanying of thee, do put up thy own thoughts, and ſpeak the deſires of thy own heart: So that thou art even aſtoniſhed to ſee, how God ordereth the gracious gifts of others to be helpfull unto thee. As it was with Job, his whole body, though full of ulcers and pains, yet becauſe his mouth was free, that could plead with God in behalf of the whole body; Thus it may be, when many are gathered together, that Chriſtian who could not ſpeak for it ſelf, which could not pray for it ſelf, findeth the hearts and mouths of others opened in his behalf. So that as when many coals are laid together, ſome live ones may revive thoſe that are ready to decay: Thus the zeale of others may helpe thy coldneſſe: The life of others may quicken thee up againſt deadneſſe; and thou find that ſpiritual heat come upon thee from others, which thou wouldſt not have had alone.
Uſe of Exhortation, To prize theſe publick Aſſemblies more than thou haſt done. Pray for ſuch ſtrong and earneſt affections, as thou findeſt David manifeſting after them. Oh let theſe publick meetings raiſe up thy heart, as if thou were in Heaven! The beholding of the faces, of the affections, and of the graces of others, let it aſſimilate thee alſo into them. As when Saul came among the Prophets, the ſpirit of prophecy fell upon him likewiſe. Oh let the Congregation of thoſe who feare God worke upon thee alſo! Be in theſe Aſſemblies, as Peter on the Mount of transfiguration, ſaying in an holy exceſſe of ſpirit, It is good to be here. What high expreſſions are thoſe of David, in reference to the ſolemne Ordinances? Pſal. 65. 4. Bleſſed is the man thou chooſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy Courts; we ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſſe of thy houſe, even of thy holy Temple. Here is ſweetneſſe and fullneſſe that the people of God find in theſe publick approaches. All the merry meetings, all the fairs and markets, are nothing to this ſpiritual ſociety. And Pſalm. 84. 10. A day in thy Courts, is better than a thouſand otherwhere. Hence he had rather be a door-keeper in the houſe of God, then dwell in the tents of wickedneſſe. Oh heavenly and gracious frame! A Sabbath day is better than all the dayes of the week, he hath more rejoycing there, then a thouſand dayes can afford that are ſpent in worldly affaires. But when theſe publick duties are thus advanced (as you hear) you muſt alwayes look, that they be done holily, ſpiritually, fervently, that they be not turned into a meer cuſtome and external faſhion, as it too often falleth out in Church-aſſemblies, their bodies are preſent, but their ſouls are abſent; and therefore they have no more than the carkaſſe and out-ſide. Such prayers and praiſes God will not accept.
The third and laſt particular is to be ſpoken to in a word; and that is, In whoſe behalf theſe publick prayers and praiſes are, and that is ſaid, In our behalfe. Some Copies have read it foreign, but that is not probable. It is then for that deliverance vouchſafed to Paul, that they are to be thankfull; and the reaſon is clear, becauſe mercies vouchſafed to Paul, were their mercies alſo. From whence obſerve,
That the mercies vouchſafed to the paſtors and guides of the Church, are Mercies vouch. ſafed to the Miniſters, are to be accounted as Church mercies.to be accounted the Churches mercies.
What advantage comes to the ſhepherd, it redounds to the ſheep. The rain that fals upon the mountains, deſcendeth to the benefit of the valleys. Your life, your comfort is bound up in theirs. Paul indeed ſaid, We live, if you ſtand faſt. It was his comfort, his life, to ſee them preſerved from Apoſtaſie by perſecution, 1 Theſſ. 3. 8. And on the contrary, the Church may ſay of her guides, We ſtand faſt, if you live. As mercies to the publick Magiſtrates are to be accounted the peoples mercies; ſo the mercies of Church-officers are to be reckoned the Churches. If the Pilotes be in danger, it can never be well with the ſhip. When Elijah was taken away, the cry was, The chariots of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof. So great a mercy was one Prophet accounted to be. We have a notable inſtance of the holy care of the Philippians about their Paſtor Epaphroditus, Phil. 2. 26, 27. when he was ſick unto death, how heavily did they lay it to heart? Inſomuch that Epaphroditus was exceedingly grieved, that they had heard of his being ſick, he knew it would ſo greatly afflict them. Yea Paul accounted it a mercy to him alſo, that God did heal him. For though Paul did recover many out of their diſeaſes, yet this gift was not when they pleaſed, and it was leaſt of all extended to thoſe that were of their intimate acquaintance, but rather to ſuch as were brought to them, that ſo the truth of their miracles might be more manifeſted.
Uſe of Inſtruction. How happy and bleſſed a thing it is, when people are able to do their duty herein; To look upon all the favours and good providences of God to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, as their own mercies; their health, encouragements, preſervations, as their owne; but how bitterly doth Satan fill the hearts of ſome men, who out of love to their luſts, and their errours, look upon their godly guides, as the greateſt burthens, and would heartily rejoyce in any evil that ſhould befall them? This is clean contrary to thoſe gracious, loving and indeared affections, which ought to be in people to their ſpiritual ſhepherds.