Exposition Upon 1 Peter, Biblical exegesis · Chapter 5 · Verse 1
Verse 1. The Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an Elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.
THe Apostle knowing that there are three vices incident and very hurtful to the Ministery and Ministers of the Word of God,The duties of Ministers, with reasons to enforce the same. namely, Idleness, Covetousness, and Pride, seeketh to prevent these in all Ministers, by exhorting them to the diligent and faithful performance of their duties belonging to them; namely, 1. To feed the flock of God, that is, to Preach the wholsome Word of God diligently to them. 2. To take the oversight thereof, that is, to have a special care of them, and regard of all their lives and behavior, applying themselves to them accordingly. 3. To be examples to them of pure, humble, and godly conversation; nor doth he onelyonly exhort to the doing of these, but to the right maner of performing the same: They must be done, 1. Not by constraint, that is, out of fear of Gods wrath, or force of mens Laws, but willingly. 2. Not for filthy lucre, but of a ready and free minde, seeking Gods glory and the peoples Salvation. 3. Not being lordly or haughty in their carriage, but examples of humility and godliness: The Reasons whereby he urgeth the same are diverse; The 1. taken from his own person, verse 1. where are three motives to perswade them to obey his counsel, even for that he was a Minister as they were, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory to come in Heaven. The 2. For that the people were Gods flock and his heritage. The 3. For that they did depend on them for instruction and means of Salvation. The 4. For that hereupon they should receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Speak we first of those duties in general, then in particular.
In general, Ministers being here instructed in their duty as people elsewhere: Note,
1. That the Scripture is not partial,The Scriptures inform every one of their duty. binding some to duty, and leaving others at liberty, but indifferently teacheth all; yea, the greater place that any is in, the more duty it requireth (every honor carrying a burthen of duty) and the more need have such to do their duties for the example of others: Above all others, Ministers have most need both to be instructed in their's, and also to perform the same; for on theirs depends the well-doing of the people, both in their general and special callings: for how shall the people have these things, if they receive them not from the Ministers of God put apart for that end? how shall they else be either good Christians, or good Magistrates,Simile. Husbands, Housholders, &c. If the great wheel of the clock that should turn all the rest do stand still, so also must all the rest.
1. When people are informed of their duties,Use 1. and amongst others, of their duties towards their Ministers, as of love, honor, reverence, obedience, maintenance, &c. they must yield thereto, not think much hereof, for God hath laid as great a burthen on their Ministers, which they are charged with, yea, they must be thankful to God, that hath had such a special care of their souls, as so weightily to charge Ministers therewith; as its no small comfort to the poor, that God hath taken such order for them by so many commandments, so many promises also, and threats to the rich: People also ought in any wise to be careful of their own souls, and joyn with the Lord in care, who is so careful of them: Heavy is the state, and will be the answer of many people, who though they see this care in God to command his Ministers to preach diligently, to care for them, to give them good example, which according to their charge they do, yet they minde nothing, nor are ever the better, by feeding, care or example.
2. For Ministers,Use 2. they must take heed, that having gotten into this calling, and a living on their backs, they do not think themselves at liberty to do what they will, something or nothing, or but a little, and that when they list, and look for much reverence, obedience, and maintenance, and care not to do their part, and to procure this, and deserve it from the people; but to know that they are as much tyed to their duty, and shall be countable to God: Its an easie matter to look for much,Acts 20. 35. but its more worthy of a Minister to perform much: Its a more blessed thing to give then to receive: Let us therefore know we stand charged deeply by our office, and by how much our calling is more excellent, and the trust more that hath been laid upon us, so much the stricter account we must make.
2. That the calling of the Ministry is a very painful calling;The calling of the Ministery a painful calling. The duties here exhorted unto imply the same. Hence it is, that its called a work, a worthy work, a laboring in the Word and Doctrine, yea, its a most high and honorable calling: Hence it is, that Ministers are called Stars, the light of the World, the salt of the Earth, Angels, Ambassadors, such as are employed about the highest things, the Word, Sacraments, Prayer, &c. for the gaining of mens souls, whereas Phisitians take care of their bodies, and Lawyers of their Estates; They are appointed of God, as instruments to open the eyes of the blinde, and to translate them out of the power of darkness to the power of God, and of children of wrath, to make them the children of God; Here's honor indeed, but not without labor: Their titles of Builders, Husbandmen, Soldiers, Watchmen, Shepherds, &c. do also imply the same: This burthen of the Ministery, was after a sort prefigured by the burthen of the Ark which was imposed upon the Priests,See Downham of the duty and dignity of the Ministery, page 17. wherein was the golden Pot with Manna, Aarons budding Rod, the two Tables of the Covenant, and upon the Ark, the propitiatory overshadowed with the glorious Cherubims: By the Manna, we may understand the Sacraments; By the Rod, Ecclesiastical Discipline; By the budding and fruitfulness of it, their fruitful conversation; By the Tables, the Preaching of the Law; The Propitiatory signified Christ, understood the ministery of reconciliation, committed to the Ministers of God, both in respect of Prayer, and also of Preaching. Again, to Preach painfully, what preparation is required hereto? what Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Labor of the minde, &c? and for the delivery thereof, it spends not onelyonly the outward, but the vital parts, and wastes the Spirit, which being hurt, is hardliest holpen. Again, to teach the ignorant, convince the gainsayer, comfort the heavy, admonish the disobedient, exhort them that be in a good way, pray for all, publikely and privately, watch to withstand all the Devils assaults, rebuke the stubborn, have an eye to hereticks and deceivers, that creep in to beguil and lead away, especially new converts that be in their first heart of love, perswading them (as some Brownists have out of a proud discontented Spirit) that we are no Church, and that Christ doth not reign among us as King, &c. who will not accouut this a laborious, hard, and difficult task?
1. This rebuketh the common and base opinion of the world,Use 1. that the Ministers calling is an idle calling, and that they do nothing for their living, and that of all others they might best be spared. A. This is true indeed of those which fleer, but feed not the flock, being meer drones and ciphers, who should not eat, because they labor not, whose account shall be fearful in respect of their idleness, and the taking of wages for which they work not at all: But because some are such, are all so? Is the calling it self an idle calling? have not men souls as well as bodies, and as much need of help for the good of the one as of the other? Is there need of Physitians and Lawyers, and not of Ministers? Hath God ordained any other means whereby men may come to Knowledge, Faith and Repentance? And is there not a labor of the minde as well as of the body? Do the Prince, Councellors, Magistrates, &c. nothing, because they work not with their hands? Their work is great, in foreseeing and preventing dangers, in ordering things well:Simile. Its in vain to pump the Ship, or for the Mariners to run up and down the hatches, unless there be one that sits at the helm to guide it aright: And if it be thus painful, then according to our Saviors testimony,Luke 10. 7. The laborer is worthy of his hire; who goeth on warfare at his own charge?1 Cor. 9. 7. Maintenance indeed is the thing the world grudgeth at; they could be as well content with the Sexton, or some base person to read a little for five or ten pounds a year, as a godly Preacher, who (say they) must have such a deal.
2. It rebuketh them that live idlely in this calling,Use 2. evil beasts, slow bellies, meer idols, having eyes, they see not, &c. blinde guides: Wo be to them that live at ease in this painful work, it will be turned to endles wo; when the laborers shall rest in Heaven, as having been good and faithful Servants, the evil and unfaithful shall be bound hand and foot, and thrown into utter darkness.
3. It teacheth Parents what children to dedicate to God,Use 3. for the service of the Ministery, even the best and fittest, not the weak and lame:Gen. 4. 4. Herein God is little beholding to them; Abel offered of the best in sacrifice: In this calling there will be use of all the parts and strength of body and minde; whoso taketh notice of this great work, finding his own inability to Study, Preach, &c. through weakness, sickliness, &c. if he have a good conscience, it cannot but be a great grief and trouble to him: And if they intend their sons for the Ministery, let it be with this minde onelyonly, even that they may prove painful and profitable laborers herein; there are too many which have carnal ayms, that therein they may grow rich, live at their ease as Gentlemen, &c. O woful Parents, to bring up one to be a drone, a deceiver, a robber, a murtherer of souls, a ravening wolf, &c. Better thou hadst brought him up to the basest lawful trade in the world; better thou hadst followed him to the grave being yong, for then, though he had gone to Hell, he should not have been the means of many others ruine, to the increase of his damnation.
4. For those that would enter into the Ministery,Use 4. let them beware what they do, and consider well, and tarry till they have a calling, and let them not intend to live at ease, to follow their pleasures, to gather riches, &c. but let them make their reckoning to prove Laborers,The first Reason of the following duties taken from his own person, being one every way fit to exhort them. Soldiers, Watchmen, &c. else no coming here. Thus in general.
The elders which are among you, I exhort, &c.] This verse containeth the first Reason of the following Exhortation, which is taken from his own person, being one every way fit to exhort them; namely, 1. An Elder and Minister as well as they (for the name Elder, is of dignity and office here, and not of age) who therefore knew what belong'd to his place, and did what he required of them to do. 2. A witness of Christs sufferings, and so well acquainted with his minde. 3. A partaker of the glory that shall be revealed, who therefore would not exhort you unto any thing, whereby either I my self may be deprived hereof, or you hindred from attaining hereunto.
1. In that he an Elder, exhorts them Elders, note, That
Ministers are fittest to teach Ministers,Ministers are fittest to teach one another, and judge of one anothers actions. and to judge of their actions. True, people may and ought try our Doctrine, modestly and humbly; they may also dislike, and speak against foul things in our life and conversation, but of things not so apparent, people must not be ready to censure,1 Cor. 14. 32. much less think to teach their Ministers: For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
This rebuketh the too much rashness and pride of some this way,Use. ready to control every course of a Minister that is not pleasing to them,See Hosea 4. yea, their maner of teaching, prophanely calling it railing, and that they should have spoke thus and thus; when such dislike any thing in a Minister, it were their wisdom to ask the judgement of some godly Minister, before they censure or give judgement against him.
2. In that he requireth nothing at their hands, but what he himself did, note, That
The most forcible and profitable way of teaching,To practice the duties we teach procures obedience thereto. whether private or publique, is, first, to do that in our own persons which we require of others: Jesus did and taught: Parents may not rebuke swearing in their children, and swear themselves: Housholders bid their Servants go to Church,Acts 1. 1… and stay at home themselves, having no necessary occasion to keep them from thence: Abraham was circumcised with his Houshold, Joshua and his Houshold served God, the Jayler and his Houshold were baptized: He is not the best Husband that puts over his work to be done by others, saying, Go: but who puts his hand thereto, saying, Go we, &c. He is an ill Captain that bids his Soldiers go fight, himself in the mean time tarrying behinde; Its woful teaching by Ministers that do quite contrary: Shall we not condemn our selves, while we call for that in another, which we our selves do not observe? Neither is there likelyhood that in such a case any will give ear unto us.
3. In that he besseecheth, Note, as his modesty and humility; So that
Peter was no Pope,Peter was no Pope, neither challenged any Supremacy. had no Supremacy; was not Christs Vicar, as the Pope of Rome affirmeth of him, and challengeth of him by succession: Had it been so, there had been no fitter time wherein to have shewed it, then this: Howsoever, what had it been to the Pope, who hath wofully degenerated? He calls himself a Pastor, yet challengeth authority over all the Church, not Kings themselves excepted: He is an hideous Beast and Monster: If he send any commands, its not, I that am a fellow-Minister, and that take pains in the same calling, do beseech you, but he proudly thundereth and threatneth, &c.
A witness of the sufferings of Christ] So be we,How Peter was a witness of Christs sufferings. its an Article of our Faith, and we look thereby to be saved; but we are witnesses onelyonly of that we have heard, he of that he saw; he was with him when he was apprehended, when he was brought before the High Priest, &c. he was a witness by seeing them, preaching them, imitating them. Now in that he urgeth this as a reason to back his Exhortation, we may note,
1. That if we have any Credit,All that we have must be improved for the Churches good. Honor, Favor, Dignity, we ought to improve the same to the benefit of the Church, and furthering of Gods cause.
2. That Ministers must use all Spiritual wisdom and skill to perswade unto obedience;Spiritual wisdom to be used to procure obedience. as cunning Chapmen, they must use many reasons to perswade Customers to buy their Commodities.
3. That the troubles of Gods Ministers are so far from disgracing them,The troubles of Gods Ministers procure them more respect. as they honor them, and make their persons and counsel the more to be regarded; for their sufferings are a seal to their Ministery, and shew their faithfulness; for those we should respect them the more,See Col. 1. not think the worse of them.
And also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.]Philem. Here note briefly,
1. That we should much regard those and their counsels,Such as are heirs of glory, should be much respected whom we see much graced of God, and like to be heirs of glory.
2. That such as are Partners with Christ in suffering, shall also partake with him in glory.They that suffer with Christ, shall reign with him.
3. That God hath prepared glory for his Saints in Heaven.
4. That a man may come to know in this life, that he shall be partaker of the glory of Heaven; whereof whosoever is as yet ignorant, he must endeavor by all means to make it sure.Glory is laid up for the Saints in Heaven.
Q. How shall we come to know this?
A. If here we partake of grace, we shall hereafter partake of glory; on the contrary,How we may know whether we shall be heirs of glory. no grace, no glory, Lassure you: This knowledge is that which doth here uphold us amidst our many troubles; it's Mount Nebo, whence we see the Land of Canaan, all the Grapes we have to comfort us in the wilderness of this world.
5. That Faith makes things invisible to be seen,Through faith Gods children are even here possessed of Heaven. things absent (as the glory here spoken of) to be present: Through this a childe of God hath Heaven already in possession; whereinto his Soul shall enter immediately after his death,Heb. 11. 1. as his body also being coupled to his Soul on the day of Judgement:Iohn 6. 47. He that believeth (saith the Scripture) hath eternal life; Rom. 1. 30.and, Whom he justified, them he also glorified.