A Sigh for Peace, Part
A Defence of the Offices of Apoſtles; and of the continuance thereof in the Church till the end.
FOr men to ſtrain more at the Word Apoſtle, [as ſome do at the word Biſhop] then at the work or Office ſignified thereby, is no other thing (as I conceive) then groundleſs humility, or hypocritical ſubtilty; ſeeing it is evident that thoſe Titles are as lowly as any that can be given to ſute with the matter, thereby intended.
The firſt ſignifying a Meſſenger, or one ſent, the other an Overſeer. Wherefore that I may avoid this humour, I will not fear to call old things by their old names, and therefore ſhall call the Officers of the Church by the ſame names which the wiſdom of God hath given them, not to make them proud, but rather humbled, and to be as a Memento concerning the work, which by their Office they ſtand engaged to do.
Nor ſhall we need at this time to ſay much of the Officers of the Church generally, but only of the Office of Apoſtles, or meſſengers, & this becauſe ſome of our Brethren do not only doubt (but endeavour to make others doubtful alſo, whether God hath given to his Church ANY Apoſtles or Meſſengers to ſucceed the Primitive Apoſtles, as a conſtant Miniſtery in the Church to the end of the World.
And albeit, we ſay that the Apoſtles have Succeſſours (as well as Biſhops, &c.) yet our meaning is not that there are any that ſucceed them in all reſpects; for there was in the Office of the chief Apoſtles, ſomething ordinary …nd fixed, and ſomething extraordinary and …emporary, the latter was, firſt their immediate …iſſion; *Math. 28. 19, 20. Gal. 1. 1.Secondly, they …earned their Doctrine ei…her from the Sacred Lips …f the Lord Chriſt, or by …fallible Revelation, and were not taught it …y man, as *2 Tim. 1. 13.Timothy and …ther their ſucceſſours …ere, Heb. 2.—Great ſal…ation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard …im.
That which—we have heard, which we have …en with our eyes, which we have look'd upon, and our hands have handled of the word of Life.—tha… which we have ſeen and heard declare we unto you 1 John 1. 1, 5. But I certifie you Brethren, th… the Goſpel which was preached of me was not afte… man, for I neither receive… it of man, *And yet it is true that Paul was taught the knowledge of ſome of the principles of Religion by Ananias.neither was taught it but by the Revelatio… of Jeſus Chriſt Gal. 1. 11.
Thirdly, They were t… lay a Foundation, and t… propoſe a form of Doctrin… Acts 9. 6, 17, 18. Acts 22. 16.for other Teachers to buil… on, and to keep as their pattern, and a Standard by which to trie others Doctrine an… Spirits, 1 Cor. 3. 10.—as a wiſe Maſter builde… I have laid the Foundation, and another builde… thereon. He that is of God heareth us, he that is n… of God heareth not us, hereby know we the Spir… of truth, and the Spirit of errour, 1 John 4. 6.
Fourthly, they were Neceſſarily endowed wit… *I. e. as a Concomitant; not as a part of their Office.the gift of Tongues, M… racles, &c. to demonſtra… that they were ſent of God, and that the… Doctrine was from Heaven, Luke 24. 49▪—But tarry ye in the City of Jeruſalem until … be endued with power from on high, 2 Cor. 12. 1… ▪ Truly the ſigns of an Apoſtle were wrought amo… you in all patience, in Signs and Wonders, and migh… deeds. In theſe and the like reſpects the Apo…les have no ſucceſſours, for if they have, then …uſt their Words and Writings have the like …orce, and Authority, and then we ſhould be …ill receiving new Oracles, and never know when the whole Councel of God was made …nown to us.
Now the things which were ordinary and …ixed, in the Apoſtolical Office were ſuch as …heſe, their Authority to preach the Goſpel in …ll places, at all times, to all perſons, as occaſi…n and opportunity by Gods providence was given to them, Mark. 16. 15. Preach the Goſpel … every Creature, Math. 28. 19, 20. Teach all Nations—and lo I am with you, always even to …he end of the world; this work could not be …ied only to the chief or Primitive Apoſtles, …th they were to leave the World by death …ech. 1. 5, 6. The Fathers where are they, and the Prophets do they live for ever? Acts 20. 29. I know after my deceaſe grievous Wolves ſhall enter ….
Secondly, their unwearied diligence in Teaching both the Churches and Paſtours in …ll the will of God, their care for the well-ſet…ing and governing the Churches, Acts 20. 31. Therefore watch and remember that by the ſpace of …hree years I ceaſed not to warn every one night and …ay with tears, 2 Cor. 11. 28.—that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches, 2 Pet 1▪ 12, 13, 14, 15.
I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of theſe things—yea, I think it meet … long as I am in this Tabernacle to ſtir you up by putting you in remembrance, moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my deceaſe to have theſe things always in remembrance.
The reſt will I ſet in order when I come; and perfect that which is lacking concerning your Faith.
Tit. 1. 5. For this cauſe left I thee in Creet, that thou ſhouldeſt ſet in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every City, as I had appointed thee.
3. Their being ſet for a defence of the Goſpel againſt falſe Apoſtles, Phil. 1. 16, 17. the one preach Chriſt of Coniention—ſuppoſing to add affliction to my bonds. The other of Love, knowing that I am ſet for the defence of the Goſpel.
Fourthly, To ſtrenthen the Hands of particular Paſtours againſt Uſurpers, and ſuch as deſpiſe the Miniſters of Chriſt, Acts 20. And from Meletus he ſent to Epheſus, and called the Elders of the Church. And when they were come unto him, he ſaid unto them—of your own ſelves ſhall men ariſe ſpeaking perverſe things—Therefore watch, &c. 3 John 5. Beloved thou doſt faithfully whatſoever thou doſt to the Brethren, and to ſtrangers—I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them receiveth us not, wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds that he doth, prating againſt us with malicious words, 1 Tim. 1. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, Gal. 4. 17, 18. They zealouſly affect you, but not well: yea, they would exclude us, that you might affect them.
Now that the chief Apoſtles have ſome to ſucceed them in the Apoſtleſhip, as we have affirmed will appear firſt from the conſideration of that Commiſſion which our Lord gave for the Teaching of the Nations, or for the preaching the Goſpel to every Creature.
Secondly, from the duration of thoſe gifts in the Church which our Lord obtained and gave, by virtue of his Aſcention.
Thirdly, from the conſideration of the Primitive Churches, their having ſuch Apoſtles or Meſſengers.
Fourthly, from the practice of thoſe who moſt queſtion the neceſſity of Meſſengers at this day.
Fifthly, from the ſtate of the World, their neceſſity to be taught the truth as it is in Jeſus. And in regard of the danger they lie under by means of falſe Apoſtles.
And firſt it is evident from Math. 28. 19, 20. and Mark 16. 15. that it is the will of God that the Nations be taught, and that every Creature ſhould have the Goſpel preached unto them, wherefore it remaineth that we ſtick to If the Church have not a Miniſtery of Meſſengers, then none are bound by virtue of Office to preach to the Nations.one thing out of three, and that is, either ſome body in ſpecial are bound to preach the Goſpel to thoſe that are without; or elſe that all Chriſtians are equally bound to perform this work if capable in reſpect of gifts, or elſe that this work ended with the Apoſtles.
The laſt will not be ſaid by any that conſiders, that the making one branch of that Commiſſion, Math. 28. and Mark 16. void or not obliging or binding to the Church now, or any perſons in it, is in effect to make the whole commiſſion void, for if none have power by virtue of this Commiſſion to teach the Nations, how can it be that any hath power from hence to baptize? both works being commanded as it were in one breath. Nor can the Church obſerve all things whatſoever Chriſt commanded his Apoſtles, if they be not to obſerve this great work to preach the Goſpel to the World.
Neither can it rationally be ſaid that this work belongs to every gifted Chriſtian alike; becauſe the imployment of the Goſpel conſiſts in divers Offices, and all ſuch Members have not the ſame Office.
2. Again, meer gifts do not make men Officers (and that the Teaching, Math. 28. and the preaching, Mark 16. is a preaching not by virtue of gift only, but by Authority alſo cannot be denied) 1 Tim. 1. 18. This charge I commit to Son Timothy, 1 Tim. 6. 20. O Ti…othy keep that which is committed to thy truſt, … Tim. 2. 2. and the ſame commit thou to faithful …en, and let theſe alſo firſt be proved, and then let …hem uſe the Office of a Deacon being found blame…iſs, 1 Tim. 3. 10. Surely if this care muſt be …ad, that none uſe the Office of a Deacon, but …pon ſuch proof had of their fitneſs, it cannot …e imagined that the greater matters of the Go…pel ſhould be taken in hand without the like …are and circumſpection.
3. They that would have this work of reaching to the World, no mans concern, by …irtue of Office, whiles they ſpeak againſt Meſ…engers, do make more than any body elſe, therewiſe we may well enquire how ſhall they reach except they be ſent? Rom. 10. We con…lude then, if thoſe that preach muſt be ſent; …nd if that commiſſion, Math. 28. Mark 16. be yet in force, then the Apoſtles have ſome to ſucceed them in their Office Apoſtolical.
Which is yet more evident by the conſideration of thoſe gifts which our Lord obtained and gave to his Church by virtue of his Aſcention, Eph. 4. 11. And he gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtours, and Teachers, for the perfecting the Saints for the work of the Miniſtery, for the edyfying of the body of Chriſt. Till we all come into the unity of the Faith, &c. See 1 Cor. 12. 28. It were certainly a very dangerous thing to ſay that any of theſe gifts are taken away from the Church of God, albeit ſome of them are perhaps but rarely found, at leaſt in that part of the World which do profeſs the name of Chriſt; eſpecially Miracles, &c. which yet may not be ſaid to be wholly abſent from the Churches in theſe days, and in this Nation, of which I could ſay ſomething, partly from ſuch information as I know to be true, and partly from what I have heard and ſeen in that behalf. But as touching the gift of Offices here repeated, why any of them ſhould be taken away from the Church, I ſee not any ground at all, they being ſo evidently fixed in the Church … the whole Church be compleated; and the uſe of theſe Offices reſpectively, as before we have defined, ſo needful, that the Church would eaſily find the want of them if indeed they be taken from her as we ſhall ſee more anon. And although we ſaid before that the gift of Miracles, Tongues, &c. was neceſſary to the Office of the chief Apoſtles, and yet was only temporary: and now ſay the gifts of Miracles may not be denyed to have a being or continuance in the Church. In this there is no contradiction; for, the making thoſe gifts temporary (or but for a time) as they were neceſſary to the Office of thoſe which firſt preached the Goſpel, doth not at all conclude that they are wholly abnegated, or taken away from the Church. And when we ſay that theſe gifts were neceſſary to the Office of the chief Apooſtles, our meaning not that Miracles was a part of their office, but only a neceſſary concomicant thereto; ſo that though this concomitant ſhould not befound, it is no prejudice to the Office conſidered as we have defined it.
We come now to enquire into the order of the Primitive Churches, who certainly had many Apoſtles beſide thoſe that were Foundation layers and Maſter-builders, ſuch were Andronicus and Junia, Rom. 16. 7. who are …id to he men of note among the Apoſtles (ſome conceive they were of the ſeventy Apoſtles) then they were, for it were a ſtrange interpretation to ſay they were noted by the Apoſtles; it being to wreſt the words of Paul from their native ſignification which clearly gives Andronicu… and Junia, a place among the Apoſtles; not among the chief Apoſtles, but thoſe that were called the Meſſengers of the Churches, and the glory of Chriſt, as ſuch we read of 2 Cor. 8. 23. And ſuch in all probability were thoſe, 3 Ep. John, who are ſaid to go forth for the names ſake of Chriſt taking nothing of the Gentiles, whom Gaius is commended for courteſly entertaining, and Dioteophes for rejecting. Had not theſe brethren been ſent topreach. I ſee not how John ſhould reprove them that received them not, or ſtir up Gaius to bring them on their journey WHETHERSOEVER they would go, but John's care of them, and his h…lding them in reputation, and defending them againſt oppoſers of their Miniſtery, and therewithal their forſaking all for the name of Chriſt, and their freely preaching to the Gentiles that they might be ſaved, ſhews that they were the Meſſengers of the Lord, and of his Churches, otherwiſe if they ran before they were ſent, they could not manage the great affairs of the Goſpel among the Gentile…. And though it is true, John calls them Brethren only, yet this doth not argue that they were not in Miniſterial capacity, for we find the ſame phraſe uſed by Paul, concerning thoſe who were Meſſengers of the Churches, 2 Cor. 8. 32.—Or if the Brethren be enquired o…, they are the Meſſengers of the Churches, and the glo…y of Chriſt. To ſay that thoſe Brethren were meſſengers, only as they were ſent to carry the contribution from the Gentile Churches, to the Church at Jeruſalem (as ſome would have it) is a very cold expoſition; for firſt, it cannot be proved that they were imployed in that buſineſs; but ſecondly, if they were, how ſhould they for this ſervice only be called the glory of Chriſt. Surely this character muſt needs refer to their being intruſted with better treaſure then Silver and Gold, ſith either Brethren or Siſters of very ordinary capacity (if faithful) might have been ſent with earthly treaſure. Again, Epaphroditus is not only called the m…ſſenger of the Church at Philippi, but alſo Pauls companion in labour, and his fellow ſouldier, which ſhews, that though he might bring the Churches bounty to Paul, yet this did not confer upon him the Title of Apoſtle or Meſſenger; ſith he had a greater imployment than that, namely to labour in the work of the Goſpel, and to war in that holy warfare even as a companion of Paul himſelf, and therefore worthily might he be called a meſſenger of the Church of God.
Of this ſort of the Miniſters of the Goſpel was Barnabas, Luke, Marke, Silas, Sylvanus, Titchicus, Troplimus and Apollos, as appears from their being frequently fellow Travellers and Labourers in the Goſpel with the Apoſtles, concerning whom I argue thus. Theſe perſons were Miniſters of the Goſpel. But they were not intruſted with the care of particular Churches, therefore their Office was general, and by conſequence travelling Miniſters …r m…ſſengers of the Goſpel. The major is true, otherwiſe they ran before they were ſent; and then how could they preach? Rom. 10. or be Pauls fellow-ſouldiers and fellow Labourers? The minor is out of doubt, becauſe of their unfixedneſs in reſpect of place, as before we have ſaid; and beſide, ſome of them are expreſly called the Apoſtles of Chriſt, 1 Theſ. 1. 1. where Silvanus is joyned with Paul▪ as ſpeaking to the Theſſ…lonians, and ſo throughout that Epiſtle, and chap. 2. 6. it is thus ſaid, nor of men ſought we glory. We. What we? Paul and Silvanus, when we might have been …urthenſome. How might Paul and Silvanus have been burthenſome? why as the Apoſtles of Chriſt, for ſuch they were, otherwiſe they might not have been burthenſome as ſuch
Timotheus and Titus are evidently Miniſters of the ſame rank, as appears partly from the Scripture even now alleadged; where, as Pa…l and Silvanus, ſo alſo Timotheus, is expreſly called an Ap…ſtle of Chriſt. And partly from thoſe Epiſtles which Paul wrote to them reſpectively, 1 Tim. 1. As I beſought thee to abide ſtill at Epheſus, when I went into Macedoian—that thou might w…rn ſome that they teach no other Doctrine, ſo do. Had Timothies charge been only at Epheſus as Paſtour only of that Church, there had been no need to beſeech him to abide there; it being not unknown to him that it was by all means requiſite for ſuch Paſtors to reſide neatheir reſpective flocks, and not to go to forrein Countreys, to mannage the Affairs of other Churches. But evident it is, that Timothy was not fixed in any particular Church, but was Pauls fellow-traveller among the Churches in divers Countreys, and frequently ſent by him to ſundry places, from the time that he was called by the Apoſtle to go forth with him, till Paul ſent for the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, which was not long before he was taken priſoner, for all which ſee. Act. 16▪ 1▪ 2, 3, 4. and 17. 25▪ & 18, 5 the 19. 22. the 2. 4. to 18.
And though in a certain Poſt-ſcript added to 2 Tim. it is ſaid, that Timothy was ordained the firſt Biſhop of the Church at Epheſus, yet this cannot be true, ſeeing the Church at Epheſus had Biſhops, Acts 20. 18. even whiles Paul and Timothy were companions in preaching the Goſpel in divers Countrys. Nor are the ancients poſitive in this matter, for I find Euſebius only ſaying that it is reported that Timothy was the firſt Biſhop of Epheſus, and Titus of Creet; but he affirms nothing in this matter. But that Timotheus his care was for other Churches, as much as for that at Epheſus is evident Philip. 2, 19, 20. But I truſt in the Lord Jeſus to ſend Timotheus unto you—for I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your ſtate—But ye know the proof of him that as a Son with the Father he hath ſerved with me in the Goſpel.
Of Titus the ſame conſideration may be had, ſeeing he was left in Creet to ſet in order the things which were wanting, and to ordain Elders in EVERY Church, plainly ſhewing that his power in the Affairs of the Goſpel, and, his care for the Churches was the ſame for every Church, that it was for any one; which is a far different charge from that which was given to the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, Acts 20. for they are not bid to look to all the Churches in Aſia, but only to the flock (in the ſingular number) over which the Holy Ghoſt had made them Epiſcopos, Overſeers or Biſhops, nor was Titus, his care, for the Churches in Creet only; for Paul calls him his partner & fellow helper concerning the Church at Corinth, 2 Cor. 8. 23. whether any do enquire of Titus he is my partner, and fellow helper concerning you.
Of the ſame import is that place, Gal. 1. 18, 19. I went up to Jeruſalem to ſee Peter—but other of the Apoſtles ſaw I none ſave James the Lords brother: here James the Lords brother is called an Apoſtle, he was not one of the 12. for that James is called the Son of Alpheus, Math. 10. 3. of this mind is Euſebius.
But Ierom would ſometimes make theſe two one ſelf-ſame man, and yet otherwhiles doth call him Decimum tertium Apoſtolum, that is, the thirteenth Apoſtle, but that James the Lords brother was not one of the 12. is evident 1 Cor. 15. 5. to 8. where it is ſaid that our Lord apppeared firſt to Cephas, then to the 12. after that he was ſeen of James then of ALL the Apostles. Two things are hence to be noted. 1. That James is diſtinguiſhed from the 12. and ſo are thoſe perſons ſignified by ALL the Apoſtles; for it cannot be that by all the Apoſtles ſhould be meant the chief Apoſtles, for they were mentioned before, and Paul himſelf who was an Apoſtle of the ſame dignity, is mentioned afterwards, but by ALL the Apoſtles, is moſt like to be meant the 70. Diſciples whom our Lord ſent out as meſſengers to preach the Goſpel in every City whither himſelf would go, and who no doubt became famous Miniſters of the Goſpel after the Aſcention of our Lord, and with this Euſebius doth ſeem to agree; we ſee then, partly from evident Texts of Scripture, and partly from rational probabilities, that the Primitive Churches were endewed with a Miniſtry of many meſſengers or Apoſtles beſide thoſe who were the Foundation layers and Maſter-builders in the Church of Chriſt; And hence we infer that God hath ordained ſuch a miniſtery to continue in his Church till the body of our Lord be perfected.
4. From the practice of thoſe brethren who moſt queſtion the being of meſſengers, as a miniſtery in the Church at this day. It will appear that ſuch an Office doth remai….
For, do they not frequently ſend out men to act Authoritatively both in preaching the Goſpel to them that are without? in ſetting things in order in remote Congregations? to exerciſe Diſcipline by Excommunication of offenders? and remitting the penitent? by ordaining them Elders, and diſpencing to them the holy Ordinances? &c. As theſe things cannot be denied, ſo we may juſtly enquire how it comes to paſs that they do thus? if indeed the Church hath none to act in the capacity of Apoſtles, or meſſengers of the Goſpel, at leaſt as we have defined them, ſeeing it cannot be proved, (neither I think do our Brethren affirm) that Elders of the Churches have equal power in other Congregations, as in that which they are choſen to ſerve neither is it in the power of any Congregation to take the Paſtour of any Church from them; neither may any Church impoſe their Paſtour upon another Church, wherefore unleſs there be a miniſtery remaining in the Church which is related to all Congregations indifferently, we may perceive what confuſion is like to enſue. Moreover if thoſe who go to preach to the World cannot juſtiſie their calling, how ſhall they comfort themſelves in their undertaking, or anſwer oppoſers when queſtioned concerning their Commiſſion? eſpecially in ſuch places where the Scriptures are received ſith all that have read them may eaſily perceive, that as the Goſpel is to be preached, ſo thoſe which go forth as Miniſters thereof, muſt be ſent either by immediate miſſion from Heaven (which our brethren pretend not to) or ſome mediate miſſion from the Church of God, which none can pretend to, that deny the Office of meſſengers ſith other Officers are not by vertue of their Office to go out into the World to teach the Nations, or to preach the Goſpel to every creature. If to that which we have ſaid it ſhould be replyed, …hat Churches which are diſtant one from another may by conſent let the Elders of one Church act as Elders in another, &c. this is ſooner ſaid than proved, for ſeeng Officers have their Commiſſion at what time they a…e ordained, it cannot be that they ſhould have their power (de jure) made either leſs or greater by the conſent or non-conſent of any perſon or perſons whatſoever.
Again, It would be underſtood how long the power our brethren gives to men to act as Elders in thoſe Congregations doth remain? Whether they thenceforth ſtand equally engaged to Overſee thoſe Churches, as the Church that firſt called them to ſerve as Paſtors? And alſo how many ſeveral Congregations they may act in as Paſtours by conſent? Whether two only, or ten only, or an hundred, and ſo ad infinitum. Surely if once they give particular Paſtours, power to act as Elders in more Congregations then they were at the time of their Ordination, appointed to Overſee; they can never bound their power; and then what meſſenger of the Church did ever exceed them in that reſpect. And further, if our brethren can give their particular Paſtours power to act as Paſtours in many Churches for a month or half a year, then why not a year 2. or 3. and ſo for the term of life, the occaſions ſtill being the ſame? And how much comes this ſhort of the power committed to any meſſenger in the World at this day? Wherefore ſeeing that our brethren do exerciſe as great Authority in ſending men to preach to the World, and to ſettle their Churches as we do, it is ſtrange they ſhould diſlike our calling thoſe Offices by ſuch names as the Scripture gives them, rather then by ſuch names as are excluſive of that Authority, which is exerciſed either by thoſe who go out to preach the Goſpel to every creature, or thoſe that take the care of all the Churches. True it is, that Peter calls himſelf an Elder, and that he was Elder in one Church as well as in another, but this was becauſe he had an Office which was comprehenſive of all Offices in the Church, and hence it is that we find the Apoſtles ſometimes performing the Office of Deacons, when it might be done without lett to the preaching of the Word, but though it be true that the Acts 6. 2. Gal. 2. 9, 10.greater contains the leſs, yet the leſs doth not contain the greater; for it cannot be denied, that the Office of a particular Elder of a Congregation only, and a charge to Teach all Nations, are things inconſiſtant to one and the ſame perſon.
What may or ought to be done in preaching the Goſpel by perſons gifted in the Church, as a general priviledge or duty, it is not my buſineſs here to diſcourſe, but only to ſhew what it is which neceſſarily is to be done by vertue of thoſe Offices which God hath ordained in his Church, otherwiſe it were eaſie to ſhew that God hath not only provided a Liberty in his Church for the modeſt exerciſe of the gifts of his Spirit, in the way of Propheſie, Exhortation, &c. That the body may be edified. But alſo when by his providence any of the members of the body are expoſed to rem…te places, or otherwiſe called to teſtifie their Faith, they may lawfully Evangelize or preach the Goſpel, as is evident both from the holy Scriptures, Act. 8. 4, 5. And other very ancient Authors. See Socrates Schlaſticus, l. 1. the 15. 16. Chapters.
5. The neceſſity of meſſengers or Apoſtles (in the ſenſe we have defined) is yet more evident from the ſtate of the world, in reſpect of their continual ne…d to be taught the Goſpel in the ancient purity thereof; and the rather becauſe of that gre…t danger they lie under, by reaſ…n of the many decivers or ſalſe Vpoſtles, which are gone out into the world, who corrupt the wordly mingling therewith their own Traditions.
The world is the Lords Harveſt, into which he is pleaſed to ſend his Labourers, and the Church is commanded to pray that the Lord of the Harveſt would ſend forth painful Labourers into his Harveſt, Luke. 10. 1, 2. It will not be denied that theſe labourers are at leaſt chiefly) ſome that are in a miniſterial capacity to preach the Goſpel. And they cannot ſo well be underſtood of any particular function in the miniſtery, as that of meſſengers, partly for that the other Officers in the miniſtry are bound to particular congregations as we have ſhewed before, and partly for that our Saviour gives this direction to the Church, upon the occaſion of his ſending forth meſſengers to preach the Goſpel. If then it be the duty of the Church at this day, to pray to the Lord that he would ſend forth painful Labourers to preach to the world (as ſure none can deny that) there is not any room left to doubt of the continuance of ſuch an Office, as that of meſſengers of the Goſpel, for that very clauſe touching their being ſent forth, and that as Lambs in the midſt of Wolves, doth ſufficiently inſtruct us what Labourers theſe are. A neceſſity therefore lieeth upon the Church of God to diſpoſe of her Members to that needful work, as the Lord vouchſafes to fit them for; leaſt otherwiſe ſhe be like thoſe who make many prayers for that which they never intend to do.
It is certain the Church hath no power to cauſe the world to come to her Aſſemblies, nor is it like that the world will ſend to the Church of God for inſtruction. It remaineth therefore, ſeeing the Goſpel is for the illumination of all, that as Gad hath wont to ſend forth his Ambaſſadours to beſeech the world in Chriſts ſtead to be reconciled to God even ſo, one fruit of the Aſcenſion of our Lord (at this day) is a gift even for the Rebellious, that the Lord God might dwel among them, Pſal. 68 18. which being compared with Epheſ. 4. may very well be interpreted of a gifted miniſtery to turn Rebellious ſinners from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. To which agrees that place, John 16. 8. where our Lord doth aſſure his Diſciples, that when he ſhould ſend the Holy Ghoſt, he ſhould convince the world of ſin, of Righteouſneſs and judgment, and this (no doubt) as he ſhould operate or work upon men by the miniſtery of the word, which promiſe either ended with that age (which is abſurd to think) or elſe if it remain to theſe days, then it ſuppoſes a miniſtery to hold forth to the world the everlaſting Goſpel for the obedience of faith, I mean ſuch a miniſtry as are bound even by virtue of their calling, as debtors to the wiſe and unwiſe, to preach the Goſpel to thoſe that are without.
There is no doubt but Satan hath his Ap…ſtles, Miniſters or meſſengers in the world, as well as in times paſt 2 Cor. 11. 13, 22. It were ſtrange now if our Lord Chriſt ſhould have none to withſtand theſe, if need be with an are they Apoſtles? ſo am I, as well as with an are they Mniſters of Chriſt? ſo am I. Nor doth the Apoſtle hear diſſllow the Appellation of Apoſtles or Miniſters of Chriſt to others beſide himſelf and the reſt of the chief Apoſtles: But that which he doth diſallow, is, that men ſhould be called either the one or the other, when their works declared that they were falſe Apoſtles, and ſuch as only transformed themſelves as the Miniſters of Righteouſneſs. But had it been unlawful for any to be called Apoſtles beſide the Foundation-layers, Paul had a very eaſie way to confute theſe deceivers even by telling them that their profeſſing themſelves Apoſtles was proof ſufficient that they were deceivers; yet he never makes that an Argument at all, but goes about to vindicate his Apoſtleſhip as being nothing inferiour to thoſe Transformed-Apoſtles, ſith he was not a whit behind the very chiefeſt Apoſtles. The ſame conſideration may be had of that place, Rev. 2. 2. Thou haſt tryed them which ſay they are Apoſtles and are not, and haſt found them Lyars: For had there been no more Apoſtles but the chief Apoſtles, there had been no need to try whether theſe were Apoſtles of Chriſt or not, for ſtill their very ſaying they were ſuch, had, without more ado proved them Lyars, and like as if any ſhould ariſe and ſay I am Chriſt the Saviour of the World, his very ſaying ſo were the greateſt evidence that the ſame is a deceiver. But why ſo? verily becauſe there is only one Lord Jeſus our Saviour, whom the Heavens muſt retain till the times of the reſti…ution of all things; even ſo, if there were not a ſucceſſion of Apoſtles, it were one of the eaſieſt things in the World to diſcover a falſe Ap…ſtle.
Finally, The Goſpel muſt be preached in all the World for a witneſs to all people, and then ſhall the end come, Math. 24. 14. which ſuppoſes the being of a miniſtery, whoſe work it is to preach To all Nations, even to the end of the world, Rev. 14. 6. The Angel [a definite for an indefinite number] meſſenger or Meſſengers muſt preach the everlaſting Goſpel immediately before great Babylon fall. It followeth then, that though darkneſs hath much prevailed ſince the firſt publication of the Goſpel, yet a miniſtery ſhall go forth, even the meſſengers of the Goſpel by whom the earth ſhall be enlightned.
And here let it be noted that the preacher (or preachers) of the everlaſting Goſpel, hath not a Goſpel to confirm with Signs and Wonders, but a Goſpel to preach to every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People, even the ſame that was preached by our Lord, and confirmed to us by them that heard him.
The ſum of that which we have ſaid is this; That as God hath given to his Church a fixed Miniſtery of Biſhops, Elders, Paſtors, &c. to take the care of particular Congregations ſo he hath given her a travelling miniſtery, or unfixed, in reſpect of particular Societies or Congregations, to whom it appertains by virtue of their Office to take all occaſions to cauſe the Light of the glorious Goſpel to ſhine unto ſuch as ſit in darkneſs to plant Churches, to confirm and ſettle them in the Faith and Order of the Goſpel. To viſit and comfort thoſe which have believed through grace.
Go ye, preach the Goſpel to every creature. Jeſus Chriſt Mark 16. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 19.—who was preached among you by US, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus. Thanks be to God which maketh manifeſt 2 Cor. 2. 14.the ſavour of his knowledge by ƲS in every place.
And when they had preached the Goſpel to that City, Acts 14. 21, 22.and taught many, they returned again to Liſtra, and to Iconium, and Antioch confirming the ſouls of the Diſciples: For this cauſe have I ſent un-unto you Timotheus, who is 1 Cor. 4. 17.my beloved Son and faithful in the Lord, who ſhall bring you in remembrance of my wayes which be in Chriſt, as I teach every where Act, 14. 36.in every Church, let us go again and viſit our brethren in every City where we have preached the Word, and ſee how they do.
And Lo I am with you alwayes, even to the End Math. 28. 20.of the World.
When we ſay the meſſengers of the Goſpel are unfixed miniſters. Our meaning is not thereby to deny, but that for the more convenient mannagement of the great Affairs of the Goſpel, they may divide themſelves into divers parts, and ſo may be called the meſſengers of ſuch Countreys, as with whom they moſt frequently converſe of the Goſpel of Chriſt, Gal. 2. 9. when James, Cephas, and John perceived the grace which was given to me and Barnabas, they gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowſhip that we ſhould go to the Heathen, and they to the Circumciſion. In Aſia we read of ſeven *See the Old Tranſ.meſsengers, and theſe related to ſeven Churches in ſeven principal Cities in that Country▪ yet it may not be doubted but there were many Congregations and ſcattered Diſciples in Country Villages, and ſo, many Elders alſo: yea, and that in thoſe very Churches which are particularly nam'd, for in the Church of Epheſus (which is the firſt of the ſeven) we find divers Biſhops or Elders before John wrote from Pa…mos, Acts 20. 17, 28.
It is true, the Ancients call theſe ſeven Angels or meſſengers, Biſhops or chief Miniſters. But then we know by Biſhops they commonly mean ſuch as had the charge of many particular Congregations. Thus they make Timothy a Biſhop, yet confeſs him to be a preacher of the Goſpel from Epheſus unto Illiricum, and throughout Hellas in Achaia. Titus they make Biſhop of Creet, yet ſuch an one as preached the Goſpel in all that Country. They alſo make Silvanus Biſhop of Theſsalonica, but the Scripture as we have ſeen calls him an Apoſtle, as well as the reſt. Now whether it be more ſafe to call thoſe travelling Miniſters of Chriſt Biſhops, after the manner of men; or Apſtoles, after the manner of the Scripture, is the buſineſs for the ſober and unprejudiced Reader to conſider.
FINIS.
End of the text · Thomas Grantham, A Sigh for Peace (1671)