Spiritual Refining, Religious treatise · Section 9 · Sermon 84
SERMON LXXXIV.
Why Gods power unto Converſion doth not alwaies go along with his Word though diſpenſed by a faithful Miniſtry; and whether corrupt or prophane Ministers may be a means of Converſion.
JER. 23. 22.
If they had ſtood in my Counſel, &c. then they ſhould have turned them from their evil way.
A Faithful Miniſtry (as you have heard) following the counſel of the Lord, is the ſure and ordinary way for converſion of men from their evil waies. This Doctrine hath been explained: Let us now Anſwer ſome material queſtions which will further clear this point.
And Firſt, It may be demanded Whether that Miniſtry which doth indeed ſtand in Gods eouncel, may not for all that be without this spirituall ſucceſſe? May not they Whether a godly miniſtry may not be without any great ſucceſſe.for all that ſee no good and comfortable iſſue of their labours? May not they complain they have laboured in vain? Shall we argue ſuch a Miniſtrie to be corrupt, and unfaithful, becauſe they are not bleſſed with ſpiritual children, like Olive plants about them.
I Anſwer, That it doth too often fall out, that even thoſe who ſtand in Gods couſel, that follow this ſtar, do yet plough and ſow upon the rocks, and ſee no Anſw.ſeed grow up. Therefore this Text or Doctrine is not ſuch a general, but that it hath its exceptions; and if we will ſeek for inſtances, how plentiful are they to confirm this: Shall we think that this Jeremiah, who is ſo zealous againſt the falſe prophets, that he did not take a true and faithful courſe in his Miniſtrie, yes, his whole propheſie doth manifeſt that. Yet how ſad are his complaints that he had no ſucceſſe in his Miniſtrie, Jor. 6. 29. The bellows are burnt, the lead is conſumed of the fire, the founder m…lteth in vain, the wicked are not pluckt away; where Jeremiah is compared to a Refiner, or Founder, his mouth is the bellows: The propheſie he had from God, was the breath, or blaſt, the corrupt and impure mettle was the wicked Jews. Now all this blowing, and pains in refining, was in vain, for the droſſe would not melt away. Thus alſo the Prophet Iſai, he ſtood in Gods councel, yet he crieth out, Who hath believed our report? Iſai. 53. 1. And again, All the day long have I ſtretched out my hands in vain. Ez…chiel alſo, a Prophet ſo frequently in communion with God by ſpirituall viſions, and therefore ſo often called the Son of man, that theſe revelations may not puffe him up: Yet God tels him, he goeth to a people that will not hear: but whether they will hear, or forbear, they muſt have a Prophet ſent to them, Ezek. 3. Yea, what need we go further for witneſſe to confirm this, when Chriſt himſelf, in whom were all the treaſures of wiſedome and holineſſe, and no man ever preached like him; yet the number of his converts were few, in reſpect of the multitude he preached unto, which made him ſo bewail the Nation of the Jews, as a tree that had enjoyed much culture and dreſſing, but ſtill continued unfruitfull, and ſo was to be cut down and caſt into the fire.
But what are the reaſons, Why Gods power ſhould not alwaies go along with his inſtitutions? Why Gods power doth alwaies go along with his word. Reaſons on Gods part. 1.What hinders, if when all things requiſite on the Miniſters part are concurrent? Yet God withdraweth himſelf. Now there may be reaſons, firſt on Gods part two waies.
Firſt, From the freedome and arbitrarineſſe in his works: He doth in heaven and earth whatſoever he pleaſeth. The ſpirit bloweth where it liſteth, John 3. Though therefore God hath tyed and bound us to wait on the Miniſtrie, we muſt frequent the Ordinances, yet he hath not bound himſelf to work at every time, to every Auditory. God keeps this ſoveraignty to himſelf: one Miniſtrie ſhall be more ſucceſsfull then another, and at one time more then another, and to ſome people more then others: Yea, many times God makes the weakeſt, and moſt unlikely Miniſtrie to be more fruitfull then a learned able one: even as Leah, that was more deformed, had more Children then Rachell, who was more comely and beautifull. So that as it is ſolely in Gods will, to whom he will to ſend a faithfull Miniſtry, he gives to ſome that make no uſe of it, yea that hate it and are weary of it; and again denieth it to others that long for it, or that would with the Tyrians and Sydonians manifeſt greater affections to it. Thus alſo when he hath beſtowed this Miniſtrie upon a people, it is ſucceſſeful no otherwiſe then he will appoint: And herein we are to advance Gods diſpenſations, which are wiſe and juſt, though the reaſons be not alwaies viſible to us. Even as although God gave the Apoſtles power to work miracles, yet they could not do theſe when and where they pleſed, for then Paul would have recovered Epaphroditus; but they did them only when he vouchſafed power. So that it is not of us that plant or water, But of God that giveth encreaſe, 1 Cor. 3.
A ſecond reaſon on Gods part is his juſtice: For when a people have by their former 2.obſtinacy, and unfruitfulneſſe under the means of Grace, provoked him to anger, he doth inflict that juſt judgement of a blinde mind, and an hard heart, never to underſtand or be converted: and this is very wofull, but very ordinary. Thus John 12. This is the reaſon why the Jews, notwithſtanding the daily preaching they had heard with their ears, and the miracles they had ſeen with their eyes, yet it is ſaid, They could not believe, becauſe of that ſpirituall judgement which was upon their ſouls. And thus it was alſo with Eſaias, Cap. 6. He is ſent, not to turn them from their evil waies, but accidentally through their corruption, to make them more obdurate, Oh then if we ſee where much faithfull preaching is, yet little Converſion, let us fear and tremble at the wrath of God upon ſuch a people. If God hath given them up to their own luſts? If he hath ſmitten them with blindeneſſe of minde, and wilfull rebellion againſt his word, then they are under the judgement of all judgements? And is not this anger of God viſibly gone out againſt all our Congregations? Was it not a plain demonſtration that God had forſaken Saul, when he would neither anſwer him by Prophet, or Urim and Thummin, or any other way? So it is thy caſe; Neither prayer for thee, or preaching to thee is made powerfull to convince thy Conſcience, to change thy heart: Oh men in the ſtate of Gall and Worm-wood, though they think not, or believe not ſo of themſelves. Thou ſhouldſt after every Sermon ſay, Oh Lord why is it that this word hath not yet turned me from my ſins? Oh what is the matter that it hath not ſuch power upon me? Oh what ſhall I do? Have pitty upon me, O God, and ſoften my heart. Have pitty upon me, O ye Miniſters, and pray for me, that God would give me a ſoft heart.
Another reaſon why the Miniſter, though faithful, may not yet rejoyce to ſee Reaſons from the Miniſtrythe good fruit of his labours, is from the Miniſtry it ſelf, and that two wayes allſo.
Firſt, The Miniſtry doth not work like a natural cauſe to the Converſion of men, 1.as fire burneth, and the ſtone falleth down, but as a meer inſtituted, and Morall cauſe, as they call it, that is by the Councell and power of God accompanying it. If it did work as a natural Cauſe, from an inbred power, in it ſelf, then it would work alwaies alike; then it would never be fruſtrated of its operation without a miracle: as that the fire did not burn the three Worthies, it was a miracle. If the Word of God preached ſhould turn men from ſin this way, it would be a miracle that every Sermon, did not convert every ſinner: but it works onelyonly as an inſtituted cauſe. And thus as the pool of Betheſda did not at any time vouchſafe healing, but when the Angel deſcended into it: ſo neither do our Sermons upon every perſon, and at any time work upon thoſe that hear; but as Gods power ſhall come in; and therefore as was ſaid at the Sacrament, ſhould be alſo at preaching, Surſum Corda, lift up your hearts to him that is a Teacher in heaven: as he Baptiſeth not with water, but with fire; ſo he teacheth by fire alſo. And this ſhould direct people by earneſt prayer to look up to him: ſay, Lord, if thou goeſt not along with me in hearing; if thou speakeſt not to my dead heart to live, to my hard heart to become ſoft, it cannot be. Lord if thou hadſt been here, ſaith ſhe, my Brother had not dyed And ſo may we ſay, Lord, if thou hadſt gone along with this Sermon, with this truth, it had not periſhed without profit.
Secondly, The Miniſtry, though faithfully diſcharged, yet is in a ſubſervient way to Gods election. Now many are called that are not choſen: the Miniſtry is ſent where election hath not to do ſometimes: But then to ſuch it is like an excellent Medicine that is onelyonly proffered, and not received to work any good: where therefore the Word of God doth convert and make theſe admirable changes, it is but the execution of Gods Election from eternity. Thus it is ſaid, As many believed, as were ordained to eternall life, Acts 13. 48. And Paul was to preach at one place, becauſe God had many people there; ſo that Election is ſure to obtain, Rom. 11. 21. Wonder not then that the Miniſtry doth not Convert all, no more then that God doth not Elect all. For on whom God hath fixed this purpoſe of Love, there he will take away the Heart of ſtone, make plain the higheſt mountain, and change a moſt ravening Wolfe into a Lamb.
Thirdly, Therefore a Godly Miniſtry following Gods Councel, may yet bring forth none, or very little fruit, becauſe of conſiderations on the Miniſters part alſo: For Reaſons on the Miniſters part.as in the Old Teſtament, though encreaſe of Children were promiſed as a bleſſing; yet many good women were much afflicted with barrenneſſe, as Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, and others: So it may be here in the diſpenſations of Gods word. Thoſe that have received five, or ten, may be diligent in employing of it, and yet have no more encreaſe then he that hid his Talent in a Napkin, though with leſſe guilt: For ſucceſſe is Gods work, not the Miniſters duty. And this may be
Firſt, To humble Godly and faithful Miniſters. Had they a multitude of Converts? Did they ſee God ſo viſibly go along with them? this might ſtirr up pride 1.and vanity in them, as multitude of revelations was in danger to puff up Paul. The Diſciples when they returned from their ſpiritual progreſs to Chriſt, were carnally rejoycing that the Divels were ſubject to them; and they could work miracles in his Name, our Saviour to humble them ſaith, Rejoyce not in this, but that your names are written in heaven, Luke 10. 20. God therefore may ſay not in anger, as he to S…alum, but in mercy, Write this man childleſſe.
Secondly, God may give no more ſucceſſe, to draw out their Grace, and their love to him the more: For this is a great teſtimony of it, when we can rejoyce 2.that Gods work goeth on, though he will not uſe us as inſtruments. Wee ſee Johns Diſciples had ſome envious thoughts to Chriſt, and his; and therefore told John, That all went after him whom he Baptized; now ſee how graciouſly John anſwers them, I told you I was not the Meſſias, but I muſt decreaſe, and he muſt encreaſe, John 3. 30. The Phariſees envy againſt Chriſt, becauſe the multitude ran after him, did work the clean contrary to that in John, even to the killing of him. It much that affection in Sarah, to be willing Abraham ſhould have children, though it was not by her: There is this corruption in us, that we onelyonly would be the inſtruments God ſhould uſe. As he ſaid in vain glory, This is the Babylon I have built; ſo we, This is the Jeruſalem I have built.
Thirdly, Hereby God would teach even faithful Ministers, that he needs no mans 3.parts, no mans gifts or abilities: Chriſt took three of his Diſciples up into the transfiguration; this was a great favour, for it was the glimpſe of glory. Now he did this to them, and not to other of the Diſciples: Chriſt hath ſome ſpecial favours which he will diſpenſe as he pleaſeth; for as the fountain heedeth not the ſtream, nor the ſun its beam, but they are wholly from them; thus God needeth not the graces, the gifts, the enlargements of iſtruments; but many times (as the Apoſtle in another caſe) puts the greateſt glory upon the moſt uncomely parts.
Laſtly, A Miniſtry following Gods Counſel, may yet finde no ſucceſſe, becauſe of A reaſon from the people.the froward, and indispoſed temper of the people. Thus Chriſt weeps over Jeruſalem; How often would I have gathered thee, and thou wouldst not? Thus the Word alſo did not profit the Iſraelites, becauſe it was not mingled with Faith: and if our Goſpel be hid (ſaith the Apoſtle) It is to thoſe that periſh, whoſe eyes the God of this world hath blinded, 2 Cor. 4. 3. O words worthy of all obſervation. If it be hid, that is, if men do not underſtand it, do not feel the power of it, it is becauſe thou art one to periſh, one to be damned: It is becauſe the Divel hath ſhut thine eyes. Oh then lay the fault where it is: Thou art apt to to blame the Miniſtry, to cavil at him, or to blame his preaching. But ſee what the Apoſtle ſaith, If our Goſpel, if our preaching be hid to you, it is becauſe you are to periſh: For as the husbandman, though he ſhould be never ſo laborious in ploughing, ſowing, and fitting the ground; though he be never ſo careful to provide precious and choyce ſeed, yet if the nature of the ground be ſo barren, as it will bear no ſeed, or cauſe it to degenerate into Cockle, all the labour is in vain: Or as the Gardener, though he water and dreſſe never ſo carefully, yet if the tree be dead at the root, it is all to no purpoſe: So though the Miniſters of God are very earneſt in praying, preaching, informing, rebuking, yet where the Tree is dead at the root, What hope is there!
The ſecond grand quaere may be, Whether a corrupt Miniſtry that neglects the Whether a corrupt Miniſtry may be the means of converſion.counſel of God, may not yet be a means of Converſion? Whether an ungodly Miniſtry may not be uſed by God to convert others? This was a queſtion diſcuſſed of old, between the Orthodox, and the Donatiſts; for the Donatiſts thought, that if any Miniſter fell into groſſe ſinnes, neither the preaching of the word, nor his adminiſtration of Sacraments could do any good to others; for how, ſaid they, can death be a means to beget life? How can darkneſſe produce light? How can a Member of the Divel make a Member of Chriſt?
To anſwer this caſe, Firſt, We muſt diſtinguiſh of the corruption of a Miniſter: Anſw.For either it is Doctrinal, in reſpect of that matter which he preacheth; or elſe practical in regard of his life and Converſation: if the Corruption be Doctrinal, then it is either totall, or partial: Total, when he doth wholly forſake the Truth, and preach nothing but damnable Hereſies, and the vain lies and imaginations of his heart: and he that is thus corrupted univerſally, can never convert others: The reaſon is, becauſe the word and Truth of God is that immortal ſeed, by which we are begotten: Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy word is truth, John 17. So that Divine truths are the only inſtrument of life ſpiritual, as good food and not poyſon is of natural; but if it be onelyonly partiall, not in fundamentals, but ſuperſtitious additions; that miniſtry in ſome reſpects may be profitable: and hereupon our Saviour bid them hear the Scribes and Phariſees, While thy ſate in Moſes chair, i. e. as long as they preached the Doctrine of Moſes, but then thoſe that live under ſuch a corrupt Miniſtry, had need be very judicious to diſtinguiſh between good and bad, Therefore our Saviour, who allowed the people to hear the Scribes and Phariſees, did alſo at the ſame time bid them take heed, and beware of their Doctrine.
But in the next place, ſuppoſe they be Orthodox, and ſound in their judgements, Whether a prophane miniſter may convert any.yet ungodly and prophane in their lives, Can we think God will honour ſuch? Can ſalt if it hath loſt his ſavour ſeaſon others? Can light, not put under a Buſhell, but under a noyſome dunghill, Can that enlighten others? Yet ſuch unſavourie ſalt, ſuch obſcured light is every prophane Miniſter. To Anſwer this, Conſider,
Firſt, That if that Holy and good diſcipline which Chriſt hath appointed in his Church were obſerved, no ſuch ungodly Miniſters were to be endured in publick office. Anſw.Hence Paul commands Timothy, That he ordaine no man a Miniſter that is of an ungodly and prophane life; and certainly if Chriſt would have every particular perſon, that is an obſtinate wicked perſon, caſt out of the Church, how much rather an ungodly officer in the Church?
Secondly, Yet ſuppoſe that a corrupt Miniſter is continued for want of good Diſcipline, it cannot be denied but an ungodly life is a great occaſion to pull down as much as the word builds up. Examples do work more then precepts. The lives of Spiritual Shepheards are like thoſe rods Iacob laid in the way for the ſheep to look on, that they might bring ſuch coloured lambs; and therefore if ever they are inſtruments to convert others, it is a ſtrange, a rare and wonderfull thing. Hence in Daniel, thoſe that convert others to righteouſneſſe, are ſaid to ſhine like the ſtars in the firmament, Dan. 12. 3. which wicked men cannot do.
Thirdly, But for all this we cannot ſay abſolutely and univerſally, That no ungodly Miniſter is uſed at any time an instrument to convert others, no more then their ungodlineſſe may hinder the good effect of the Sacraments they adminiſter, for theſe two reaſons. Firſt of Example in Scripture, That makes no diſtinction between Judas and the other Diſciples in the ſucceſſe of the Miniſtry; They all twelve were ſent out, they all did miracles, they all caſted out Divels, they all returned to Chriſt and gave him an account of their ſucceſſe. To them all Chriſt ſaid, He had ordained that they ſhould go out, viz. in their preaching, and bear much fruit, viz. in their Miniſtry, John 15. 16. And our Saviour expreſly ſaith of ſome, That they ſhould propheſie in his name, yet he would bid them depart, becauſe workers of iniquity: and Phil. 3. There were falſe Apoſtles who preached Chriſt out of envy, ſuppoſing to adde more affliction and perſecution to Paul, which muſt needs be an high degree of wickedneſs and malice, yet Paul ſaid, He rejoyced that Chriſt was preached howſoever, which could not be if their preaching did no good. Although indeed to theſe examples of Juaas, and the falſe Apoſtles, it may be anſwered, That they were not at that time groſſe and ſcandalous ſinners for ought can appear, but unregenerate and ſpiritually wicked, not corporally.
2. They may be uſed by God for converſion, becauſe the Miniſtry is gratia gratis data, not gratia gratum faciens; It is appointed for the publick good of others, not for the Miniſters good ſo much; and therefore God may work that end of the publick good, though the inſtrument be ſinful: As ſaith Auſtin, The ſeed that is ſown by a foul diſeaſed hand, may bring forth fruit as well as that which is ſown by a clean hand.
Uſe of Admonition, take heed that the Word of God have no effect upon thee becauſe of thy ſins. Oh how terrible will it be when it ſhall appear, God hath done for thy converſion what a gracious God might do; The Miniſter hath done what a faithful Miniſter ſhould do, but thou haſt not done what a good hearer ſhould do: What is that? 1. Thou art not ſwift to hear, thou art careleſſe, negligent, thou doſt not diligently wait on the gates of wiſdom, as ſick men do at the Phyſitians doors. 2. Thou doſt not lay aſide all ſuperfluity of naughtineſſe, as the ſame Text requireth; and ſo the word is like rain falling on dirty ground that makes it more dirty. 3. Thou doſt not retain it and hide it in thy heart as David, thou doſt not cover it with warmth, as the fowl doth her eggs; thou art but almoſt perſwaded to leave thyſins.