The Pastors Charge and the Peoples Duty, Chapter 2
CAP. II. The Doctrinal Propoſition Stated and Cleared.
THIS practical Text appears to be very pregnant of practical Doctrine; which might be diſtributed into ſeveral Branches. But he that ſtudies brevity, muſt avoid all unneceſſary diviſion. I ſhall offer but theſe three.
Propoſition I. That Believers are Chriſts own myſtical Flock, and He their great Shepherd.
Prop. II. That the Miniſters of the Goſpel are they, to whom the LORD Jeſus Chriſt hath committed the Care and Rule of this his myſtical Flock.
Prop. III. That a Miniſters want of Care and Concern for the Flock of Chriſt, is an indication of the want of Love to Chriſt himſelf.
Either of theſe ſingly, would fill up more time than is allotted me for this Action. The ſecond Propoſition is that, wherein the ſtream of the Text ſeems to run; and unto which both the other will, without forcing, come in to its Improvement. Wherefore I ſhall lay down this for the Baſis and Bound of my following Diſcourſe.
That the Miniſters of the Goſpel are they, to whom the LORD Jeſus Chriſt hath committed the Care and Rule of his Myſtical Flock.
In the Proſecution of this Truth, I ſhall briefly anſwer theſe four Queſtions.
1. What this Flock is, concerning which this charge is given, or, who they are, whom our LORD would have us to underſtand by His Lambs, and His Sheep?
2. Why theſe Names of Lambs, and Sheep are given them?
3. Who the Miniſters of the Goſpel are, with whom this charge is left?
4. What the Duty is that is required of them; or what our dear LORD and Maſter would have us to underſtand by Feeding them? And then ſhall conclude all with ſome uſeful Inferences, both to Miniſters and People.
Queſt. 1. What this Flock is, concerning which this Charge is given; or whom our LORD would have us to underſtand by His Lambs, and His Sheep?
Sol. The Queſtion needs not many words. The general ſenſe of this common Scriptural Metaphor is obvious. But that which makes the queſtion, is that diſtinguiſhing (if it be here a diſtinguiſhing) Relative My Sheep, Mat. 25.32, 33. We have there all the World divided into two ſorts, Sheep and Goats, i. e. Believers and Unbelievers. Wherefore by Sheep, in that Scripture, and with whom the Lambs are alſo included, being oppos'd to the Goats, we may underſtand no other than true Believers. The ſound and ſincere part of Profeſſors which is no larger than the Church Inviſible. Theſe indeed are His Sheep in the moſt proper and peculiar ſenſe. But that the Word in the Text muſt not be ſo reſtrain'd, is certain; becauſe our Commiſſion would then be unintelligible, and loſe its ends; it being impoſſible for us to be aſſur'd, who are the Sheep, and who the Goats, till the Judgment of the Great Day determine and reveal it. Who then are My Lambs, and My Sheep? If I may expound my Text by that of Matth. 28.19. the queſtion will wellnigh be anſwered. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations. That Teaching here, is the ſame with Feeding in the Text, I ſuppoſe will be granted. All Nations, i. e. thoſe of all, and of any Nation, that are willing to receive the Goſpel, and to be taught by you. And that all Nations are His, both as Creator and Redeemer, I hope will not be denied. But then, how are all Nations call'd His Sheep, and His Lambs? I have already ſaid, that all Nations, are thoſe of the Nations, that would receive the Goſpel; of which ſort Chriſt hath had ſome in all Nations. Beſides, many of thoſe that are not actually his Sheep, are Potentially and Electively ſo. The extent of the Commiſſion and Command ſeems to run thus. Feed all thoſe, both Young and Old, that will be fed by you; of what Nation, or Countrey, or Place ſoever they be; that thoſe that are not yet actually my Sheep, may be made ſo, and then cared and provided for as ſuch. This is the general Call of the Goſpel. If any man thirſt let him come unto me and drink, Joh. 7.37. And him that cometh to me I will in no wiſe caſt out, Joh. 6.37. All that will, may, and muſt be fed. But yet, not all alike. As there are Babes, and Strong Men in Gods Houſe; ſo there is Milk and ſtronger Meat, that which will cheriſh one, will choak another. All Ordinances may not be indifferently adminiſtred unto all. In the Old Temple, there was the Inner and the Outer Court; ſo there is in the New. But this being a matter of Order and Diſcipline, may be recogniz'd in a more proper place. This little may now be enough to be ſaid on this firſt queſtion.
Queſt. 2. Why are theſe names of Lambs, and Sheep given them?
Sol. We find 'tis a Metaphor, that the Spirit of God in Scripture delights much in. Were it expedient, 'twere eaſie enough to illuſtrate the Analogy in many particulars; But that it becomes not the preſent occaſion. I ſhall but ſuggeſt theſe two general Reaſons.
1. To mind us what we are of our ſelves.
2. To teach us what we ſhould be.
1. To mind us what we are of our ſelves. The Sheep, as one obſerves, is of all Cattel the moſt ſilly,Franz. Hiſtor. Animal Sacr. Fearful, Weak, and Unprovided for ſelf-defence; none ſo ſubject to Diſeaſes, and to be Infected of one another. Nor any other Creature more apt to go aſtray, or ſo unapt to return, without the help and care of the Shepherd. No other kind of perfect Animal ſo unable to ſubſiſt, and to preſerve it's Species in the Earth, without the care and conduct of Man, as is the poor Sheep; therefore no other Metaphor more proper to expreſs the Nature and Condition of the Church of Chriſt in the World by; which without the Wiſdom, Power, Providence, Faithfulneſs, Love, and All-ſufficiency of our Heavenly Shepherd, the LORD Jeſus Chriſt, muſt inevitably and eternally periſh.
2. 'Tis to teach us what we ſhould be. The Sheep, you know, is that Creature, which was of old, in a more eſpecial manner dedicated to God, and offered to him in Sacrifice; and made a Type of Chriſt, our great Propitiatory Sacrifice. The firſt Offering to the LORD, that we find honour'd with his Acceptance, was that of Abel, of the Firſtlings of his Flock, Gen. 4.4. Beſides, the Sheep is a Creature, not only Ceremonially clean, but is naturally cleanly, and delights not in the Mire and Dirt as the Sow. 'Tis a Meek, Innocent, Patient Creature, and us'd as a common Emblem of Patience. 'Tis one of the moſt profitable of Cattel; of which there is nothing, but is, one way or other, uſeful to all the purpoſes of humane Life. And, which is very remarkable, they have a natural Inſtinct of vehement Love and Regard for their own Shepherd; Paſtores ſuos vehementer amant. Fr. ib.as if they were Conſcious of their own weakneſs and need of him. The bare mention of theſe things being enough to direct the Spiritual Mind to their due application, I ſhall wave all manner of further enlargement here.
Queſt. 3. The Third Queſtion is this. Who the Miniſters of the Goſpel are, with whom this Charge of our dear Saviour is left?
Sol. One would think, the Solution of ſuch a Queſtion as this, ſhould not be hard; nor is it ſo in Theſi, wherein the clear light both of Scripture and of Nature, is ſo concurring and convincing. And yet we find there is hardly any one thing, wherein Profeſſors (ſuch of them as are too apt to be led by the factious Principles of Ignorance and Prejudice) are more uncharitably diſagreed in, than in this. How miſerably the poor Church of Chriſt, by the malice and ſubtilties of the common Enemy, and the Carnality, Pride, and blind Paſſions of Profeſſors, is torn into Rags of Diviſions and Subdiviſions, is too well known, for me to inform you. And of all theſe, every Party is magnifying their own Teachers, as the only Miniſters of Chriſt; and ready to condemn all others as Hirelings, Falſe Teachers, Schiſmatical Intruders, &c. This is a Lamentation, and let it be for a Lamentation. But could we return to a right Underſtanding of our plain rule in this Affair, how eaſily might the Caſe be brought to its due Iſſue? I know but theſe two things, that eſſentially denominate a Man to be a Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt:
Qualification, and Commiſſion.
And neither of which is ſingly ſufficient. I am ſenſible, that I am now in a large Field, and in a ready way to be loſt in Controverſy; but that I have more practical and neceſſary work before me. Yet, I beſeech you, bear with me, while I explain my ſelf a little on theſe two heads; and I will be very ſhort, the Truth being commonly beſt ſeen in a few plain words.
1. There muſt be Qualifications. But what? Of ſpecial, ſanctifying, ſaving Grace? This indeed is needful, and moſt deſireable, and morally conducive to the happy and glorious ends of the Miniſtry, both as to our ſelves, and thoſe that hear us; abſolutely neceſſary as the ſine quâ non, unto Salvation; but not ſo to Miniſterial Qualification. A man may be lawfully a Miniſter, that is not Spiritually a Member of Chriſt. The Sealed of the Tribe of Levi were but a Remnant, as of, any one of the other Tribes. Thoſe that in our Saviour's Time, ſate in Moſes's Chair, were, for the moſt part of them, far enough from Moſes's Spirit; and yet our Saviour owns them in their Office. Judas was a Diſciple, and ſent forth with a Commiſſion to Preach the Goſpel of the Kingdom, even by Him, who knew him to be inwardly a Devil and a Traitor. But this is no new Doctrine, nor needs any proof to one that has not a mind to be contentious. But the Qualification here required, as abſolutely neceſſary, is Miniſterial. That whereby a Perſon is competently fitted for the diſcharge of all the work and duties of this ſacred Office, Orthodoxy in Doctrine, ability and aptneſs in (at leaſt) the gift of Preaching and Praying; skill and moderation in ruling, &c. And certainly there's a great difference between Miniſterial G…s and saving Grace. … the particulars of … refer you to Paul's … 1 Epiſt. ch. 3. and to Titus ch. 1.
2. There muſt be Commiſſion. No man taketh this honour unto himſelf but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, Heb. 5.4. No man taketh foreign No man undertaketh, accepteth, or aſſumeth to himſelf, and of himſelf; that is, no man ought, or can without Sin, any way take, or receive this Honour, or uſurp this Office, but he that is called of God, that is delegated and commiſſioned by Gods Authority, and in the way of Gods appointment; tho' not in that immediate and extraordinary manner as Aaron was, unleſs in like extraordinary caſes; yet by a Power and Diſpenſation, legally and orderly derived from him, through ſuch Hands as he hath appointed and impower'd to this end. Qualification without Commiſſion makes not a Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt; but ſuch a thing, as he calls a Thief and a Robber, a Sacrilegious Intruder; ſuch as were Corah and his Complices; and ſuch, as are too many in our days. And Commiſſion without Qualification, makes what the Prophet calls an Idol-ſhepherd, or Dumb-Dog, a Blind Guide. And who are they that have right authoritatively to examine and judge of Qualification, or to conveigh Commiſſion to others, for the Conſervation of a Succeſſion in this ſacred Office, but thoſe that are themſelves both duely Qualified and Commiſſionated? And that too not ſingly, privately, or arbitrarily; but according to the Rules given in this matter, by and from our ſupream LORD and Maſter Jeſus Chriſt in the New Teſtament. Methinks this ſhould not amount to a Queſtion, with any that have but read the Holy Scriptures, and own their Truth and Authority: or that have not abandon'd the conduct of common reaſon; by whoſe light it is eaſie to ſee the equity and expediency of the Scripture directions in this caſe.
Queſt. 4. We are now come to the laſt Queſtion. What the duty is, that is required of them? Or, What our dear LORD and Maſter would have us to underſtand by Feeding his Lambs, and his Sheep?
Sol. The Flock, you ſee, is divided into two parts; the Lambs, and the Sheep. So is the Miniſterial Work that concerns them. Feed, and Rule, both which are equally, and inſeparably enjoined parts of this work, as appears in ſeveral very plain Scriptures, 1 Tim. 5.17. Let the Elders that rule well, be accounted worthy of double honour, eſpecially they who labour, or they labouring, i. e. on the account of their labouring in Word and Doctrine, foreign. This is a Text that hath been ſufficiently vext by men of different Sentiments and Intereſts. I know no reaſon we have, from this Scripture, to infer two diſtinct. Orders of Ruling and Teaching Presbyters; ſeeing what is mention'd here, both of Ruling and Labouring in Word and Doctrine, are but the eſſential and required Functions of one and the ſame Sacred Order and Office; than which, I am not concerned at preſent to look any further into any Truths, that are plainly enough ſtated in it, or any queſtions, that have been vainly enough ſtarted on it. And with which, there are ſeveral other Scriptures that agree in the ſame Hypotheſis, 1 Theſ. 5.12. We beſeech you Brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admoniſh you. Here are the ſame words applied to the ſame Perſons and Things, foreign, that are over you, or ſet and appointed over you in the LORD, i. e. according to the LORD, and in the things of the LORD, to rule in his Church; and who they are, but the foreign, thoſe that labour among you and admoniſh you? So Heb. 13.7. Thoſe that Rule are the ſame with thoſe that Preach the Word, and ver. 17. They are ſaid to Watch for Souls; which as it may imply other work, ſo it muſt import Preaching the Word; in which ſenſe the word is ordinarily uſed in Scripture: And here the Rulers and the Watch-men are the ſame. Many other Texts there are that freely offer to avouch this Truth; but theſe are enough to prove what I aim at: That the work of a Miniſter of Chriſt, is both to Teach, and to Govern the People committed to his charge. And he that is not fit to Govern, is not worthy to Teach them.
But to obviate any ſcandalous Reflexions, that Ignorance or Envy may make on this Poſition, and Claim of our Governing Power in the Houſe of God, which is his Church: We heartily declare our Abhorrence of all thoſe Popith Tenets and Pretenſions, which are any way derogatory to the juſt Power and Authority of the Civil Government under which we live, and unto which we profeſs our chearful and conſtant Obedience, both as Men, and as Chriſtians. Our Spiritual Government of Gods Spiritual Kingdom, in our reſpective Charges, being no more prejudicial to that of Temporal States and Kingdoms than is the Deſpotical, which is the Natural Right of every Family. Yea, ſo far from prejudicial, that it is accumulative, both of their Honour and Security; as the Experience both of the Primitive, and of the beſt Reformed Churches have unqueſtionably proved; and which might, in many particular inſtances (were it neceſſay) be demonſtrated. From what hath been now thus briefly ſaid, I conclude this Queſtion: That Feed my Lambs, and my Sheep, implies theſe two things, Teach them, and Rule them: wherein the whole works of the Miniſterial Office is included. But to tell you how they muſt be taught, and how they ought to be ruled, will need much more time than is here allotted me, or is now convenient for me to take. Yet this being the Main of my Errand to you, ſomething muſt be ſpoken to it, as time and ſtrength will ſerve, in the Applicatory part, to which I now proceed.