Works, Chapter 4 · Section 4
SECT. IV.
SEcondly, If Christians would exercise themselves to godliness,2Be serviceable to others they must be serviceable to the good of each other. The Temple was built in Solomons time, by men of all sorts; There is not the meanest Christian, but may do somewhat in his place, towards the building of the Spiritual Temple; The Communion of Saints, consisteth in three things.
1. In a mutual Communication of their graces and gifts; Grace is given us, not onelyonly for our selves, but also for the good of the Saints, 1 Cor. 12. 5, 6. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; differences of administration, but the same Lord; diversities of operation, but the same God, which worketh all in all; But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The water of life is like a common stream, for the benefit of many.
2. In a mutual joyning in the ordinances of God, Act. 2. 43. The Servants of the same Lord, wait upon him, sometimes singly, sometimes in company. There are set seasons, wherein they all meet together to attend him, though when they are parted they are all about his business; And the same day there were added to the Church three thousand souls; And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles, Doctrine and Fellowship, and breaking of Bread, and Prayer.
3. In mutual serviceableness each to other. Every man is a Steward to manage his abilities for others good, and to improve his Talents for his Masters glory; Now if our stock were our own, that we were the Proprietors, to let it lie still would argue us guilty of much folly; but when it is altogether anothers, and we are but factours for him, to neglect the improvement of it, speaks us arrant theives, and guilty of unfaithfulness;Ephes. 4. 16. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God, 1 Pet. 4. 10. Its but an ill property of the Swan, that she cannot endure the Goose should come neer her, to take part of her food. Though it might be a fault in the Church of Syracuse, what Hilary mentions, that by a Law there was a community of outward goods; yet I am sure it is none, that there should be a community of spiritual gifts. Wicked men are said to be of the night, but Saints of the day; now as the day enlightens and warms all it shines on, calls them to their work, to their walk, and helpeth to prevent their fa…ls and wandring; even so should the Saints, In love serve one another, Gal. 5. 13. Such a man is of the earth (is right earth, that standeth on its own center) who is wholly for himself. All things that have affinity with the Heavens, move upon the Centre of another which they benefit. The Bramble which receiveth all good, and keepeth it to it self, piercing instead of pleasuring those that come neer it, will be cast ere long into the Fire. It is said of one, as all the encomium could justly be given him, Sibi natus, sibi vixit, sibi mortuus, sibi damnatus; He was born to himself, he lived to himself he died to himself, and he was damned to himself. We have a common saying, He that is not good to himself; is good to no body; and its as true again, He that is good onelyonly to himself, is as good as no body; It was the voice of a cursed Cain, Am I my brothers Keeper? The voice of the blessed Apostle, Consider one another, to provoke to love; Exhort one another whilst its called to day; Let no man seek his own, but every one his brothers good, to edification, Phil. 2. 4. Heb. 10. 34.
A Company of Christians, like the Plants in Paradise, should impart an aromatical savour each to other; A friend must shew himself friendly, saith Solomon, Prov. 18. But how? By endeavouring to make his friends better. It was a commendable property, which some mention in Socrates, That he always studied how he might better the minds of his Familiars. And Seneca, when the Scholars of Theophrastus had shewed him two men, that were intimate friends, whereof the one was very rich, and the other very poor, he said to them, If they be friends, how comes it to pass that the one is so poor, and the other so rich? Si amici sunt, quo s…m alter ita dives, alter ita pauper. …en. Epist. 8.Intimating, that had there been any true friendship, the rich man would have imparted of his goods to the poor man. As true love cannot stand without communicating of our temporal riches, so neither without imparting of our spiritual, for the supply of others necessities; If there be love in feasting one anothers bodies, there is much more in feeding each others souls; And if to distribute and communicate of our earthly treasures we must not forget, for with such sacrifice God is well pleased; then to distribute and communicate of our heavenly treasures we must be more forward, because with such Sacrifice God is better pleased.
Besides, it is an encouragement to Christians, that they do not diminish, Quanto plus prosundimus fluentorum bonorum spiritual…um, tanto n…hi… & fluenta sunt auctiora. Non enim in hac causa contingit, sicut in p…cuniis. Illic enim quanto plus expendit, tanto plus p…ssidet pecuniae, hic autem plane secus agitur Chrys. Hom. 8. in Gen. p. 37.but increase their spiritual stocks by trading. He were not a man that would not do another a courtesie, when by doing it he should do himself no injury. How bad is he then that will not benefit his Neighbour, when thereby he doth a real kindness to himself? Money laid up, rather wasteth with rust, then increaseth; but Money laid out, brings in considerable profit. To him that hath shall be given. When the Servant that had received five Talents, traded and gained five more, Take the Talent, saith Christ, from the unprofitable servant, and give it to him that hath gained five; our Communication to others, is no diminution, but an addition to our selves. Live coals are made the hotter for those near them, which they enlivened. The truth is, there is no Vsury so lawful as of spiritual riches, nor is there any so profitable; Our use upon use, which almost doubleth the principal in seven years, is nothing to this; O Christians, therefore lose not a tide, a market, an opportunity, if possible; hereby, though your beginnings be small, your latter end shall wonderfully increase; Many that have begun with very little, have by trading thus, come to dye worth thousands.
Before I come to shew wherein Christians should be serviceable each to other, I must a little explain my self, lest I should seem to allow that which the Word of God forbids, namely, that every private Christian ought to be a Preacher: Such a tenent would cut asunder the nerves and ligaments of this society, which is Order. Every star must give light in its own and proper sphere.
1. There is an authorative, publick counselling, admonishing, &c. which belongeth only to Pastors lawfully called. Observe what the holy Ghost saith, Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Pastors? Are all Teachers? No, all are not gifted for it. It would much reflect upon the King of Heaven to send servants upon such weighty errands, that were unfit for them, and did rather render their business ridiculous. Its no easie thing for a person to be qualified for a publick preacher: The great Apostle cryeth out, Who is sufficient for these things? though the voyce of ignorant men is, Who is not sufficient for these things? Besides all are not called to it. It is not gifts and parts that will make a Subject an Officer at home, or an Ambassador abroad, but a Commission from his Prince; Let no man take this honour upon him, unless he be called of God, as was Aaron. There be many works which private Christians may not meddle with, as to consecrate things, to constitute Ecclesiastical laws, to excommunicate, to receive in those that are cast out, to administer the Sacraments, &c. But those works which they may and ought to do, as, to exhort, advise, admonish, comfort, &c. they must do them as private members, not as publick Officers in the name or stead of Christ, and to private members, not to the Church.
2. There is a private charitative counselling, comforting, admonishing others; this may belong to any Christian, so he keep within his own place, and carry himself therein according to Divine commands; for God hath made no man a Treasurer, but every man a Steward of those talents with which he is intrusted. Hence the Apostle frequently commandeth believers to mind these duties, Gal. 6.1. Heb. 3. 13. 1 Peter 4. 11. But in these Christians must keep within their bounds; as fixed Stars give light to others, continuing still in their own orbs; and not as Planets (according to some) wander up and down out of their places. The members of the body do not intrude into each others office. Vzzah's upholding the Ark, when shaken, though questionless out of a good design, yet was the cause of his death, and instead of furthering it, hindred its march towards the place of its rest.
Private Christians ought to be serviceable to each other in these particulars.
1. In instructing the ignorant; Among Christians there are many who have but ignorant heads, though they have holy hearts; though for the time they have enjoyed the means, they might have been teachers of others, yet themselves had need to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God; Now the work of knowing men must be to instruct such; though they be dull and heavy, we should bear with them, and condescend to them. St. Austin said he would speak false latine if his bearers understood it better then true. By many blows we make a nail enter into an hard board; by precept upon precept, and line upon line, we may beat truths into the heads of them that are very dull. Iobs friend tells him, Behold thou hast instructed many, Job 4. 3. In this sense Iob was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; eyes to prevent their wandring in a wrong way, and feet to prevent their stumbling in the right way. David was no Priest yet he would teach others Gods precepts; When he had once tasted Gods love, others should taste some honey dropping from his lips; Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee, Psal. 51. It is a noble Work for Christians that have abilities and understanding to take some pains to teach and instruct them that are ignorant. They cannot worship God as they ought because they are unacquainted with his Word and Will. How can a servant please his Master that doth not know his pleasure? They cannot do the good they should, because they know not their duty: They who are almost quite blinde will do but little work. They are more open to temptation both from evil men and the evil one, because of their ignorance. Its as easie to give a child poison as wholesom milk, because it hath not wisdom to discern the difference: Its not hard to put the poison of error into their mouths, who are but babes in understanding. When the quick-sighted walk steadly, these dark-sighted persons walk stumblingly in the way of Gods commandments. O do what thou canst Reader to inform such poor creatures in the truths of God; for as the Eunuch said to Philip, How should they understand unless some one guide them? We count it worthy and honourable to teach others some curious Art, or high calling; sure I am there is a day coming, when to have taught one poor Christian how to serve God better, and to honour him more, will cause more comfort, and bring more credit, then the instructing thousands in the greatest and deepest mysteries of Nature or Art.
2. By quickening the slothful. The Eagle loveth her young, yet when they are ready for flight, and lye lazing in their nest, she will pierce and prick them with her claws, to make them flye abroad: Love to others souls should stir us up to rouze drowsie Christians out of their spiritual slumbers, and lethargies. One Bell man that is stirring at midnight, by crying Fire, Fire, awakens hundreds that were fast asleep in a short time: One lively active believer, acquainting men with the jealousie and justice of God, and his severe proceedings against secure persons, who neglect their spiritual watch, may quickly call them from their beds to their watch and work. Consider one another, saith the Apostle, to provoke one another to love and to good works, Heb. 10.24. The Greek word foreign, is, Consider …ne another into a Paroxysm, a violent heat of an Ague or Fever, to make each other fervent and fiery in love and good works. Consider one anothers backwardness and dulness, and provoke one another to your duties and that with diligence. Consider one anothers states and conditions, and provoke one another to a sutable seriousness in working out your salvations. Consider one anothers hinderances, and temptations, and weaknesses, and provoke one another to love and to good works. Christians should say to one another, as Iudah to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that I may fight against the Canaanites, and I will go up with thee into thy lot: Help me by jogging and awakening me if I sleep, and I will do as much for thee, Iudg. 1.13. And encourage one another as Ioab his brother Abishai, 2 Sam. 10. 11,12. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and the Cities of our God: And the Lord do that which seemeth him good. Thus the children of God should bespeak each other, If the world be too hard for thee, I will endeavour to assist thee, by discovering the vanity of its shallow allurements, and the foolery of its skin deep affrightments; If the Devil or Flesh be too hard for me, thou shalt do thy utmost to succour me in withstanding their batterie…, and repelling their poisonous and fiery darts. OnelyOnly let us be of good courage, let us watch, stand fast in the faith, quit our selves like men for our God, and our Redeemer, and our souls, and our eternal sal…ations, and the Lord will be found faithful, who hath assured us that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able.
3. By comforting the sorrowful. Christians should have a Cordial in store for them that are fainting; a cup of wine for the heavy in heart, and be able to speak a word in season to him that is weary; Com…fort the feeble; i. e. the sick at heart, such as are ready to sink under the weight of sin, and are frighted with the apprehension of the eternal fire, 1 Thess. 5. 14. Amalek is branded with a mark of infamy, and was followed with a curse and slaughter from God, for falling upon the faint and feeble ones of Israel, Deut. 25.18. God cannot endure it, he cannot bear it, that his weak sickly ones should be wronged. He is tender of them himself; he carrieth his lambs in his arms, Isa. 40. 11. and others must do so too, or he will make them rue it. The world doth as the herd, push the wounded Deer out of their company; but Saints endeavour to bind up the broken in heart, to comfort them, as Paul commands his Corinthians, lest they be swallowed up of too much sorrow, 1 Cor. 2.14. The Husbandman doth mind his young tender trees in a special manner above them that are grown up and strong, because such are in more danger of breaking, and bruising, and other hurt then grown trees; so that besides the wall or common fence a…bout the Orchard, he makes a special fence with bushes and stakes about these, and gives them more choice nourishment, and more frequent watering; God is most choice of his little ones, his weak children. When Israel was a child I loved him, I drew him with the cords of love, and with the bands of a man, Hos. 11. 1, 3. Christians must imitate God in this… and be followers of him as dear children. Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees, Hebr. 12.12. The Martyrs in prison, by discoursing on the promises shook off their carnal se… ters. Holy Bradford made his dark dungeon by this means lightsom to his fellow-prisoners. Luther profest Melancthon very helpful to him against his inward doubts, as he was to Melancthon against his frights about the publick state of the Church. A friend is born for the day of adversity:Prov. 17. 17. And tis pity he was ever born, that denieth to do that for which he was born. It appertaines especally to the office of a friend, saith Seneca, to asswage his friends grief by speech; to drive away his sadness by chearfulness; and to refresh him with his very presence. When women travail they carry frequently with them strong waters, and if one fainteth or is sick, she that hath those cordial waters prayeth her to take some for her ease and comfort. The Apostle prepareth for the Christian, choice and rare cordials in 1 Thess. 4. about the six last verses, and then wisheth them to make use of them for their mutual good; Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
4. By admonishing the sinful. Saints, like Clocks made up of curious wheels and engines, are soon discomposed, and therefore often want some workman to set them in order again. A good man if his friend follow vertue, will be a Father to encourage him; if he be full of doubts, will be a Minister to direct him; but if he follow vice, will be a Magistrate to correct him. Christians must allow one another for their infirmities, but not allow one another in their infirmities. If a brother be overtaken with a fault, restore such a one with the spirit of meekness, Gal. 6.1. Which words are very emphatical, and point to us.
1. The nature of his fall; he is overtaken with a fault, he doth not overtake the fault. He is rather passive of it, then active in it. A sinner like Ahab, sells himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord; but a brother, like Paul is sold under sin. Its proper to the wicked to be voluntiers in this unholy war against God. Saints fight not, except they be prest. The Christian is drawn to iniquity by cords of vanity, the other draweth iniquity with cords of vanity.
2. The duty of his friend, restore such a one. Its foreign, an allusion to Chirurgions, who set bones out of joynt, though they put their Patients to pain, and make them angry at present. So must Christians endeavour the joynting of their brethren, whose souls are out of order, though at present they have little thanks for their labour. This courtesie we owe to our brothers Ox or Ass, much more to his Soul, Exod. 22. 4. Its a strict command, warn the unruly, 1 Thes. 5. 14. though most men draw back, when they are called to this burthen, that fallen brethren lie under the same misery that Travellers do, to find many Hosts, but few Friends, and may cry out, as Lewis the eleventh of France, I have plenty of all things, but such as will tell me my faults.
3. The manner how this friendly part must be performed, with the spirit of meekness; The bitterness of reprehension is much sweetness, by the pleasingness of our expressions. Gentle sores are but anguisht with too hard a pressure. Though Swine are driven with violence, yet Children that wander, are gently led home.2 Thes. 3. 11. According to the wound must the plaister be more or less searching. Christ reproves Martha mildly, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but he rebuked Peter sharply, Get thee behind me Satan.
The Apostle writing to the Romans, commendeth them highly, that they were able to admonish one another, Rom. 15. 14. They had piety and grace enough to perform the duty, notwithstanding the arguments of ill will, or loss in estate, or other evils which the flesh suggested to the contrary; and they had prudence and discretion enough to perform the duty, so as it might most probably be profitable: But how unlike are Christians in our days, to those in the Primitive times! Admonition is a Lyon which few dare come near, for fear it will tear them in peices; We carry our selves rather like Machiavels Scholars, who taught his followers, if their friend were up to the knees in water, to lend him their hand to help him out, and so if he were up to the waste, but if he were up to the chin, then to lay their hand on his head, and duck him under, that he rise no more. How many that should reprove others, have their mouths stopt, as the Dogs by the Thief, Perrigit panem ut …il…at.with a piece of bread, some kindness or other! Or else as Erasmus saith of Harpocrates, they hold their finger in their mouths, and are affraid of giving offence; they are rather like the reflection of a Looking-glass, ready to imitate others sinful gestures and actions, then rebuke them for them; There is no reprover in the gate.
Nay Heathen exceed in this many of us; The Great Philosopher tells us, That is true love, which to profit and do good to us, feareth not to offend us; and that it is one of the chiefest offices of friendship, to admonish. Vt malus sermo… inducit in peccatum… si… malum silentium relinquit in peccato… August.Euripides exhorts men to get such friends as would not spare to displease them, saying, Friends are like new wines, those that are harsh and sowr keep best, the sweet are not lasting. Phocian told Antipater, Thou shalt not have me for thy Friend and Flatterer too. Diogenes when men called him Dog, for his severe kind of reproving; would Answer, Dogs bite their enemies, but I my friends for their good; And are we so hardly drawn to this duty? O how justly might the Lord reprove us cuttingly, and set our sins in order before our eyes, to our comdemnation, for our backwardness to reprove others to their humiliation.In Quat. Noviss. We have most of us cause with Reverend Mr. Robert Bolton, to confess and bewayl our neglect herein.