A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 18
VERSE 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
THe Apostle here addes the end of the Scriptures usefulness. viz. to make the man of God perfect (i. e.) that the Minister of Christ may be perfect and compleat, every way fitted for the work of his calling, for altho…gh this be true of every good man, that the word of God is able to comcompleat and perfect him for every good work; yet the context and scope of the Apostle shewes that he especially speaks of a Minister of Christ,foreign. ille homo Dei. whom by way of honour he stiles, The man of God. This Title did properly and peculiarly belong to the Prophets of the Old Testament, who were by way of honour and excellency called, Men of God. 1 Sam. 2.27. and 9.6. 1 Kings 13.1.13. Deut. 33.1. 2 Pet. 1.21. 1 Kings 17.18. and 2.4, 7.
1. Because of their Mission and Commission, which they had from God to dispense his word and Sacraments to his people, they are Gods Legates and Embassadours, and therefore are they called, Men of God.
2. In respect of that singular Holinesse which is (or at least ought to be) in the Ministers of Christ, and in respect of their neernesse and familiarity with God.V. Schooles-Guard. Ru…e 33. 'Tis an Hebraisme very frequent in Scripture, when they would expresse an excellent thing, they joyned the name of God to it, as the City of God, Cedars of God, Harps of God, men of God (i. e.) excellent Cities, Cedars, Harps, Men. The Apostle applies this Title to Timothy. 1 Tim. 6.11. in the Text he applies it to all the ministers of the Gospel. How basely soever this ungrateful world esteems of them, yet they are men of God, set apart by him for the noblest imployment. They are not only men of God by right of Creation, for so are the wicked, nor by right of Redemption, so are the Elect, but by special delegation, God imployes them on his Embassyes and Messages to the sons of men. Hence Observe, That the calling of the Ministery is an Honourable Calling. They are men indeed, but they are men of God. They are Ministers and Servants, but 'tis for Christ. They are Embassadours for him. 2 Cor. 5.20. 'Tis an Honour to be an Embassadour to an ordinary King,Semel Legatus semper honoratus. but to be imployed as an Embassadour for the King of Kings; how great is that honour? Three things make a service Honourable,
1. If we serve an Honourable Master.
2. If our work be honourable.
3. If our wages be Honourable.
All three things concurre here. No Master, no Work, no Wages like ours. The Physitian looks to your bodies, the Lawer to your Estates, and the Minister to your soules. These are the Light of the world, the Salt of the Earth,V. Sal Terrae cap. 2. the Stewards of Gods house, Friends of the Bridegroom, and the Saviours of the world. Kings by way of Reverence and Honour have called them Fathers. 2 Kings 13.14. This is an Honour which none are capable of, but such as God is pleased to call. Heb. 5.4. How great then is the sin of those Atheisticall Quakers, who load the faithfull Ministers of Christ with vile and reproachfull language. If the Spirit of God call them, Men of God, and give them Honourable Titles; then they are certainly led by the spirit of the Devil, who vilify them and miscall them. The time is at hand when such shall answer for all their hard speeches against God and his Ministers. Iude 15. But 'tis no wonder that we sinful dust and ashes are abused, when our Lord and Master himself suffers; if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, what may the servants expect? 'Tis some comfort that we are abused by none, but such as abuse God, his Sabbaths, Scriptures, Orders, and Ordinances. But though Israel play the harlot, yet let not Iudah sin. Love you the faithful messengers of Christ. Let their faces, yea their feet be beautifull in your eyes. Isay 52.7. have them in singular love for their works sake. Children should love their Fathers, the sheep their shepherd, and the convert the Instrument of his conversion. Though our persons may deserve but little, yet our Callings are Honourable. The Apostle would have you give them double honour. V. Sal Terrae. cap. 9.1 Tim. 5.17. not onelyonly your countenance, but honourable maintenance.
1. That they may live like the Embassadours of Christ.
2. That by Hospitality and works of mercy they may adorn their profession.
3. We must give our selves to Reading, but without book we cannot read. We need books Philosophicall, Theological, Textual, Polemical, Practical, Historical, 500. l. (say some) will buy but a competent study for a Minister of the Gospel.
4. Our breeding is chargeable, and our paines very great, besides we have no worldly way of Trading whereby to subsist.
5. If the Levitical Priest had honourable maintenance, then we that are put to greater cost and pains, may much more expect it from our flocks.
See Mr. Brinsley's Serm. on Rev. 2.1. See more. Sal Terrae. cap. 8.2. If Ministers be men of God, near and dear to him, then he'l defend them. His starres he holds in his Right hand, he hath a speciall care over them, and respect unto them.
2. Observe, 'Tis lawfull to give honourable Titles to men according to their places and callings. The Scripture approves not of any rude, uncivill language, but expressely commands us to give honour to whom honour is due. Rom. 13.7. Exod. 20.12. The Saints of God in Scripture did not use to Thee and Thou men, but gave respectful and reverent language to their betters. Sarah calls Abraham, not Thou Abraham, but she calls him, Lord, or Sir. 1 Pet. 3.6. Luke calls Theophilus, most excellent Theophilus. Luke 1.3. Obadiah (a Saint) meets Elijah, and falls on his face before him, and calls him My Lord Elijah. 1 Kings 18.7. here is both reverend gesture and language, and that to a Prophet, a Minister of God, whom men hate now, not for any evill that we have done, but solely for our office, because we are Ministers of Christ, and witnesse against their wickednesse, therefore they call us Conjurers, Juglers, Limbs of the Devill, Covetous, Proud, Tithe-mongers, Legall Preachers, Baals Priests, Witches, Devils, Lyars, &c. with such Billingsgate language they stuffe their lying Pamphlets. The Lord rebuke them. Solomon will teach them (if they be not past Teaching) better language, Eccles. 12.11. he calls Ministers Masters of the Assemblies. The Jaylour calls Paul and Silas, Sirs, or Masters, (Acts 16.30.) foreign, Domini, a Title of Honour, and they reprove him not for it, which they would have done, had it been unlawfull. Paul commands us to give them double honour. Iohn gives a Title of Honour to a good woman, and calls her an Elect Lady. 2 Iohn 1.3.5.
Object. These were good and godly persons, but we shew respect to wicked ones.
Answ. 1. I hope all the Ministers in England are not wicked men, yet you shew respect to none, but cry down all.
2. The Saints in Scripture have given Titles of respect even to wicked men. Esau was a prophane man, yet Iacob gives him the Title of Lord, not Thou Esau, but my Lord Esau. Gen. 32.4.18. So Paul to Festus, most Noble Festus. Acts 26.25. Daniel a Saint, yet speaking to Nebuchadnezzar an Idolater, calls him King of Kings. Dan. 2.37. The Quakers boast of their Sanctity and Perfection, when they are Sots, not Saints; so far from Sanctity, that they have not common civility; which plainly shews what Spirit leads them, and what that light within them is.
May be Perfect.
This Text notably sets forth the Perfection of the Scripture.Quid …ff…ri potuit aut pleniùs aut potentiùs pro astruenda S. S. consummatissima perfectione? nam si foreign sapientem reddit ad salutem, & ad omne bonum opus plene instrait, q…id quaeso ulteriùs requires? Brochmand. The Papists themselves confesse that 'tis one of the most pregnant Texts for this purpose in all the Bible. Would you be made wise to salvation? the Scriptures will make you so. Would you inform, reform, convince, confute, comfort? the Scripture will not only initiate and enter you, but make you compleat and absolute (as some render the word,foreign, perfectus, …teger, omnibus numer…s absolutus, cui nihil desit, neque supe…sit, id…m est ac foreign. Baldwin. and that rightly) in this kind, without the Addition of any Humane Traditions, unwritten Verities, Revelations, or New lights within them.Perfectus (i. e.) semper idem, aequalis sibique sim…lis, nec in tristibus contractus nec commodis instatus, sed in rebus impa…ibus pari modo se habentem▪ quae est summ… mentis integritas, perfectio & aequabilitas. Espencaeus. The Scripture will keep us in a right temper, so that we shall be still the same, neither exalted by prosperity, nor despondent in adversity, but like the righteous, we shall be an everlasting foundation; when others are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, and run through all religions, you shall be like Mount Sion which shall never be removed, though it may by some violent earth-quake be moved.
The word of God is a perfect Rule both for doctrine and manners. There is such an All-sufficiency in it, that there is nothing to be done by a faithful Minister for the saving of his flock, but here he may be furnisht with it: and by consequence the people also for whose sake the Minister is thus accomplisht,Quod si S. S. d…ctoribus sufficit, quidni sufficiat auditoribus? Scultet. may be fully directed and furnisht also, So that here are two strong Arguments to prove this Royalty and peculiar Excellency of the Scriptures, viz. Its All-sufficiency and Perfection, without the Addition of any New lights, or Humane inventions. The first Argument runs thus. That which teacheth all necessary truth…, confuteth all errors, corrects all ill manners, and instructs us in all good duties; that must needs be a sufficient Rule for salvation. This is so clear, that even Cajetan on the place (though a strong Papist) yet cryeth out. [Ecce quo tendat utilitas divinae Scripturae, ad perfectionem hominis Dei (i. e.) cujusvis fidelis tum quoad partem intellectivam, tum quoad partem operativam, ut sit perfectus ad omne bonum. Cajetan. in loc.] Now what sufficiency can be wanting, where there is perfection?
2. That which is able to make the Minister perfect in all the duties of his calling, that is sufficient to make all others perfect in all good works. But the word is able to make the Ministers of the Word perfect.See the T…stimony of Antiquity for the Scriptures perfection, in Gerhard. Loc. com Tom. 1. Omnia quae credi sperari ac fieri Deus á nobis volu…t, absque ulla indigentia S. S. continet, Ge…hard. Ergo. Hence 'tis, that the Lord so oft sends us hither as to a Perfect Rule. Isay 8.20. Luke 16.29. Colos. 3.16. Deut. 17.18, 19, 20. he that takes upon him to teach Gods people, must speak ouely the Oracles of God: 1 Peter 4, 10.
[To prove the Scriptures perfection. See Hildersham on Psal. 51. Lect. 77. See 24. Arguments in Sharpius his Curses. Theolog. controvers. 9. de Script. mihi, p. 53. Willets Synopsis, controvers. 1. Q. 7. p. 52. Polan. Syntag l. 1. c. 46. Hommius disput. 3. p. 8. D. Prideaux fasci…ul. Q. 7. p. 45. Mr. Leighs Body of Divinity. l. 1. c. 6. Mr. Trapps Treat. cap. 3. Sect. 4.]
Away then with all those old, mouldy, Vnwritten Traditions, which the Papists adde to the pefect word of God, and thereby would blasphemously fasten imperfection on the Scripture; they go about to deceive men as the Gibeonites did. Ioshua (9.4, 5, 6.) with old bottles, old garments, and old clouted shoes. These offend against the expresse letter of the Scripture,Pefectum est cui nihil addi potest. Aristot. which tells us that the Law of the Lord is Perfect, and able to make us wise to salvation, and if God sent a leprosy on Vzziah, for bringing in the Altar of Damascus, and opposing it to the true Altar; then let not those presumptuous men think to escape the curse of God for adding to his perfect word, and if the Jewes might adde nothing to the Canon of the Old Testament, much lesse may we adde any thing to the Old and New Testament, and therefore the Holy Ghost concludes; the whole Bible with a dreadfull commination against all such as shall adde any thing to his word, Revelations 22.18, 19. As the Harlot that came before Solomon would have the child divided; so those divide the Rule between Gods word and their own Traditions; but God hates such halting and halving in his worship,Vid. Concil. Trident. Sess. 4. decret. 1. Traditio Scripturarum fundamentum, suam obtinent firmitatem. Baron. and tells us that they worship him in vain, who teach for doctrines the Precepts of men. Matthew 15.9. God cannot endure such mixture, he'l have none to plow with the Oxe of his word, and the Asse of mens inventions, De Deo nil sine Deo, he'l owne nothing in his worship, but what is agreeable to his word. All mens inventions stink like Carrion in his nostrils. Ier. 16.18. and he will secretly punish such as offer such strange fire. Leviticus 10.1.2. These Humane Additions corrupt worship and torture the conscience,Traditiones non scriptae sunt totidem ad strangulandas miseras animas laquei, adulterant cultum Dei, & Deum ipsum qui unicus est Legislator suo jure spoliant. Calvin. Instit. l. 4. c. 10. S. 1. so that no true peace is to be found in them.
[Against Tradition, see Peter Moulin his Tract against Tradit. Whitak. de script. controvers. 1. Q. 6. c. 1. Perkins 2 Vol. p. 511. D. Hall's Old Religion. cap. 16. Mr. *'Tis a book of little Price, but of great worth, for its satisfactory Answers of many controversies both Popish and Arminian.Bernard's Rhemes against Rome, Proposit. 8. p. 60. Sir Humph. Lynd's Via devia. Sect. 7. p. 144. D. Davenant de Iudice & norma cultùs. cap. 6. Rivets Isagoge ad script. c. 26. Walaeus loc. com. p. 148. Chameir loc. com. l. 1. c. 15. Polan. Syntag. l. 1. c. 35. & 47.]
2. This perfection of the Scripture should stirre up our love to it. as imperfect things are slighted by us, so compleat and perfect things are highly esteemed by all the sons of wisdome. No book to be compared to this for perfection; and therefore no book should be so loved, read, studied and prized by us. Here's nothing vain or superfluous,Nih…l in ea otiosum sed omnia plena sunt sensis, mysterio, Spiritu. Basil. but all things full of life and spirit, what ever good the soul can desire, 'tis here to be had.
Here is Food for the hungery, Water for the thirsty, Wine for the wearied, Bread for the weak, Rayment for the naked, Gold for the poor, Eyesalve for the blind, and Physick for the sick. If thy heart be dead, this will quicken thee; if hard, this will soften it; if dull, revive it. In all our Temptations this is a Davids Harp that helpeth to still them, Acts 15.31. we should therefore with joy draw water out of these Wells of Salvation. Isay 12.3. We see how worldlings delight to view their Bills and Bonds, their Leases and Indentures, by which they hold their lands and livings; and shall not we delight to study the Scripture which assureth us of never-fadeing Riches?
May be Perfect.
Objection, The Quakers finding here the word Perfect, presently dream of an Absolute Perfection, as their Kinse-men the *The Monks glory much of their State of Perfection, wh…n their Idlenesse and Lustfulnesse sheweth their grosse Imperfections to the World.Papists doe of a Legal perfection, when they say, a man may live in this World without sinn…, and may perfectly fulfil the Law in his own person.
Answer. These are meere Fancies; for the Apostle speaketh here of a Ministeriall Perfection, and not of any Legall or Absolute Perfection. Now a man may have Ministeriall Perfection, and yet be farre from salvation; he may be fitted for his Office, and yet unfit for Heaven. Witnesse Iudas, and those Preachers, whom Christ knew not, Matthew, 7.22.
2. In Scripture phrase Sincerity is called Perfection (the ignorance of the Quakers in this particular is the very ground of this their errour) See Genesis 17.1. 1 Kings 15.14. Iob 1.1. Matthew 5.48. Colossians 2.28. and 4.12.
Then God accounts us perfect when we sincerely strive after perfection, though in this Life we cannot attain our full desires, yet in respect of inchoation, intention and purpose, though not in respect of pervention and full obtaining that purpose,Perfectio hujus v…ae consistit non in eo ut simus peccato prorsus immunes, sed in continua tendentiâ & cursu ad perfecti…nem. Nemo in hac vitâ pe…fectè perfectus est, non est adhuc san…t…, sed quotide sananda. Prosp. we are called perfect. Grace in this Life, is but Opus, in fieri, not in facto esse, a work in doing, not fully done, Perfecti sumus spe, erimus Re. Our greatest perfection in this life, is to bewail our imperfections, and our greatest righteousnesse is to lament our unrighteousnesse A gracious Soul setteth up no Hercules Pillars beyond which he will not passe, but he hath his Plus ultra still, he striveth forward after perfection *Paulus perfectum abnuit, p…fectum fatetur.Phillippians 3.12, 13.
3. There is a Perfection of Degrees, which is twofold.
1. Relative or Comparative, being compared with that which is weak and very small, and in this sense, Believers that have attained to a great measure of Gifts and Grace, are called perfect, *Aliorum comparatione, & foreign, perfect…s vocat. Zanchius.Philippians 3.15. Hebrews 5.14. (the word is the same in both places in the Original) and strong men in Christ: not Simply and Absolutely, but Comparatively, and in respect of those that are weaklings and babes in the Faith, and beginners in the School of Christ, 1 Cor. 3.1. Heb. 5.13.
2. There is an Absolute perfection of Degrees when the whole Man is wholly perfect, being wholly freed from sinne and all its concomitants; and this is not to be lookt for in Via, in this Life; but in Patria, in the Life to come. Here we are Viatores, travelling towards it; but in Heaven we shall be comprehens…res, fully enjoying it. Earth is the place of desiring, but Heaven of enjoying the height of perfection. Here the best are imperfect both in Knowledge and obedience, Philip. 3.12. Iames 3.2. 1 Cor. 13.12. but in Heaven we shall be absolutely perfect, we shall be free from sinne, and from the very possibility of sinning, 1 Corinthians 13.10. Eph. 4.13.See Mr. Baxter Saints Rest 1. P. c. 7. Sect. 8. mihi p. 117. The Quakers boast much of this absolute perfection, but alas, their Rayling, Pride, Lying, Blasphemy, Heresie, Ignorance and Obstinacy, shews that they are perfect sinners, rather than perfect Saints.
[See their folly in this point discovered fully in Perfect Pharisee, Posit. 10. Reyners Government of the Tongue, p. 327. to 362. Eaton against the Quakers, p. 17.60, 61. Fenners Remains, p. 105. Doctor Owen against Biddle, cap. 33.
Throughly furnished unto all good Works.
Here is the last, but not the least commendation of the Scripture, viz. That by it the people of God, and specially the Ministers of Gods Word, may be furnished, throughly furnished, not to one or two, but unto every good work, especially those of his Ministery before recited. The word in the Original is Emphatical, and signifieth such a compleat furnishing as will fit a Minister for all the Duties of his Calling.foreign, perfectè instructus & ad omnem partem officii sui probè comparatus ab foreign ▪ perfectê insterno. It will teach him how to give to every one their Portion: To the Ignorant Instruction, to the Erronious Confutation, to the obstinate Terrour, to the distressed Consolation, and to the backward Exhortation. Some Ministers will open a T…t well and inform the judgement, but make no Application which is the life of teaching; no wonder if such see no Fruit of their Ministery, since they fail in their duty. He that will win souls must deliver to his people the whole Counsel of God, Acts 20.26, 27. He must not keep back any thing (necessary to salvation) neither for fear nor favour.
2. As we must discharge our whole duty, so you must submit to all the Parts and Duties of our calling, you must not onelyonly suffer the word of Doctrin to inform your heads, but you must also suffer the word of exhortation to work upon your hearts Heb. 13.22. So long as we preach in Thesi, and onelyonly inform your judgements you prayse and admire …s; but when we come ad Hypothesin to apply the word to your souls, and lay the axe to the root of the Tree; you fret and fume, accounting us for your enemies, because we tell you the Truth.
Many can away with Expounding of Scripture for Information, but the Application of it to their sinnes and soares they cannot endure. They cry out, Cannot the Minister …et us alo…e? Cannot we be Proud and Prodigall, but he must still be telling us of it? Who biddeth him meddle with us?
Answer, God, It is he that commands us not onelyonly to teach, but to reprove; and he doth his worke to halves that onelyonly informeth the Judgement, and doth not looke upon the Affections. It were more for our ease to let you rot and perish in your sinne; but how then should we be Faithfull to our God and your Souls? Had yo… grace you would finde so much sinne and scumme within you, that you would finde as much neede of Reproofe and Exhortation to fight against Corruption, as Information to convince you of it.
3. As the Pastor, so the People must reade and meditate on the Word, that they also may be fitted for all good works in their places and callings. Here every man may learn what to believe and doe. Here are Lessons for Magistrates, Masters and Servants, Parents and Children. Here you may be furnished with Directions how to walke Religiously towards God, and Righteously towards Man. The Scripture is no Doctrine of loosenesse, it fitteth and furnisheth us for well doing, and not for ill doing; In every line thereof we may reade Holynesse to the Lord. More is required of a Minister who is the Eye and Mouth of a People, and if he may be perfectly instructed by them how to perform the duties of his Calling; how much more are they able to give every ordinary Man sufficient instruction how to walke with his God in the place where he hath set him!
The end of the Third Chapter.