Vindication of the Doctrine of Conditions in the Covenant of Grace, Part

Vindication of the Doctrine of Conditions in the Covenant of Grace · Part

p. 103ACTS 20. 37, 38.

And they all wept ſore, and fell on Pauls neck and kiſſed him. Sorrowing moſt of all for the words which he ſpake, That they ſhould ſee his face no more, and they accompanied him unto the Ship.

THeſe words are a Hiſtory of the mournful parting of the Apoſtle Paul, and the Elders of the Church of Epheſus, together with many other faithful Brethren, when Paul took his final farewel of them, and left them hopeleſſe of ever ſeeing his face again.

I will not hold you long in the Entry to my Text: We may take notice that the Apoſtle Paul preached the Goſpel for the ſpace of two years in Epheſus, with much diligence and happy ſucceſſe, till he was by the violence of furious enemies driven out thence, as we have it at large related in chap. 19. And being to depart from Epheſus, he called unto him the Diſciples, and confirmed their hearts in the truth which they had received, and embracing them, departed from them, as appeares in ver. 1. of this twentieth Chapter. After this having bin in Macedonia, and made his abode in Greece for three months, he reſolved upon a ſpeedy Journey to Jeruſalem, and made haſte thitherward by the way of Epheſus, that if it were poſſible he might be there on the Day of Pentecoſt, p. 104which was then at hand, ver. 16, In proſecution of which reſolution, he came to Miletus, and from thence ſent to Epheſus, and called the Elders of the Church that he might ſpeak with them, and encourage them in that great work that God had called them unto, ver. 17. And when they were come, the Apoſtle, not in a way of carnal oſtentation, but that he might be looked upon as a leading Preſident to other Meſſengers of the Goſpel, ſet forth his owne diligence and fidelity in preaching the Word of God, ver. 18, 19, 20, 21. And ver. 22, 23, 24. he ſhewed that God had acquainted him with many afflictions which would befal him for the future in the diſcharge of his duty, all which he made very light of in compariſon to the joyous accompliſhment of his courſe and Miniſtry received from the Lord Jeſus. After this the Apoſtle told the Epheſians, that he knew that this preſent parting would be his final parting with them in the fleſh, ver. 25. and thereupon he appealed to their conſciences concerning his diligent, full, and faithful diſpenſing of the Word and Counſel of God amongſt them for the effecting what in him was, the ſalvation of all, ver. 26, 27. then from ver. 28. to the end of ver. 31. there is a very ſolemn charge given by the Apoſtle Paul to the Elders of Epheſus to look to themſelves, and to the dear bought flock of God, over which the Holy Ghoſt had made them Overſeers, to feed them with the Word of Truth, and defend them, what they might, from thoſe Wolviſh Seducers, who riſing up amongſt them, ſhould make purlyes, and ſeek to engroſſe and draw away Diſciples after them, ſo diſturbing, and what in them lay, deſtroying the Peace and Unity of the Church of God. Having finiſhed this charge, the Apoſtle commended them to God and the Word of his Grace for their farther edification to eternal life, ver. 32. And then proteſting his freedom from the ſin of Covetouſneſſe, and withal his known endeavour to avoid the very appearance of it, ver. 33, 34, 35. he concluded all that he ſpake unto them with prayer, ver. 36. and when prayer was ended, the Apoſtle and the Epheſians p. 105in a moſt affectionate mournful manner parted each from other, as the words of my Text give us a relation thereof, And they all wept ſore, &c.

In theſe words we are to conſider,

1. The occaſion of that ſad mourning of the Elders of Epheſus, and other Believers mentioned in the Text; ſcil. the Apoſtle Pauls final departing from them, according as he told them, that they ſhould ſee his face no more. But theſe words of the Apoſtle muſt be underſtood with a due reſtriction or limitation to this preſent world. The Apoſtle did not at all doubt whether this ſhould be a final parting between him and his believing Converts of Epheſus for ever; he knew well there ſhould be a happy time of meeting for them again, as we may be aſſured from his own words to the Theſſalonians. 1 Theſ. 2. 19, 201 Thess 2:191 Thess 2:20For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing? Are not even ye in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at his coming? For ye are our glory and our joy. Theſe words of the Apoſtle inform us, that he knew that no earthly parting ſhould be abſolutely a final parting betwixt him and other Believers, when as he looked beyond this world to the coming of the Lord Jeſus; but in reſpect of his perſonal preſence with the Epheſians, to counſel, inſtruct, and comfort them, as he had done in the wayes of God, ſo the Apoſtle told them, that they ſhould ſee his face no more, and when they were apprehenſive thereof, they wept.

2. The deſcription of the mourning of the Elders of Epheſus, and other believers at their parting from the Apoſtle; which is laid down in three particulars.

1. The greatneſſe of it, They wept ſore.

2. The generality of it, they were not ſome weak hearted ones alone who were the mourners at this parting, but this was a great univerſal mourning of all that were preſent, They all wept ſore.

3. The pathetick expreſſions of affection which the believing Epheſians uſed towards the Apoſtle Paul in this mourning, at their parting from him, They fell on his neck and kiſſed him; and went as p. 106far as poſſibly they could with him, till earth and ſea neceſſitated their parting, They accompanied him to the Ship.

I purpoſe at this time to gather up the ſum of all theſe Particulars, and give it unto you in one Doctrinal Obſervation, eaſily ariſing from the words of the Text; viz That

A faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt is enjoyed with much love,Doctr. and finally parted from with much ſorrow by thoſe who truly believe the Goſpel.

The ſorrow here recorded of the Elders of Epheſus and other Believers for the final parting of the Apoſtle from them, was not under any other notion, but as he was a faithful Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt unto them, ſo they loved him whilſt they enjoyed him, ſo they mourned over him when he was going from them. Miniſterial faithfulneſſe admitteth of degrees in thoſe in whom it is in truth. Amongſt the Miniſters of the Goſpel in our dayes ſuch as attain the meaſure of the Apoſtle Pauls faithfulneſſe, are, I ſay not rarely, but (as I conceive) not at all to be found. How beit, I doubt not but that through Gods grace there are ſome Miniſters of the Goſpel in our dayes, the deſire of whoſe ſoul is, that they may be faithful, and who do actually attain to ſome degrees of faithfulneſſe in the Miniſtry which they have received from the Lord Jeſus, and ſhall therefore be inabled to give up the account of their Stewardſhip with comfort and approbation, to him their great Lord at his appearing and Kingdom.

I intend through Gods aſſiſtance, in order to the opening of the Doctrine now before us, in the firſt place to diſcover when a man may be a faithful Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt.

A man may be ſaid to be a faithful Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt,

1 Firſt, When being called, and ſet apart to the Goſpel of God, as the Apoſtle was Rom. 1. 1. he looks to, and minds the diſcharge of the duty of the Miniſtry, as the great work incumbent on him, in relation to Gods glory, p. 107and the good of his people. It is fit they ſhould turne Farmers, Merchants, State-Counſellors, any thing rather then Miniſters of the Goſpel, who make it their chief aim and work to get Manors, Moneys, or the Advancement of this preſent world. Whoſoever they be that mind their corporal dues more, or as much as they do their Spiritual Duties, who look carefully after the reward, and careleſly after the Work of the Miniſtry, ſhall never be acknowledged by the Lord in the number of the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel. They who account their Miniſterial being to conſiſt in their Miniſterial Duties,foreign. 1 Tim 4. 151 Tim 4:15 and thē diſcharge of them, and accordingly preſſe after the ſame, though they trade but with one talent, and poſſibly bring not in viſibly much advantage to their Lord, may yet expect to be accepted as faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, and to hear at laſt from their Lord that ſweet voice, Well done, good and faithful ſervant, thou haſt been faithful over a few things, I will make thee Ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Matth. 25. 23.

2. Secondly, When a man applyeth himſelf to the diſpenſing of the whole, and of the pure Word of God to thoſe among whom he laboureth in the Lord. He is an unfaithful Steward who with-holdeth any part of that from the Houſhold which was committed to him for their good, and he cannot have the eſteem of a faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel, who wittingly keeps back any portion of that good Word and Counſel of God, which hee hath received from the Lord, to impart to others for the making of them wiſe unto ſalvation. The Apoſtle appealed to the knowledge and conſcience of the Elders of Epheſus, that he had kept back nothing which was profitable to them, ver. 20. and that he was pure from the blood of all men, in that he had not ſhunned to declare unto them the whole counſel of God, ver. 26, 27. It is certain that all Miniſters of the Goſpel do not arrive at the ſame height of knowledge in the Myſteries of the Goſpel, and counſels of God; howbeit every Miniſter of the Goſpel is to p. 108look and enquire diligently into the Scriptures after the Myſteries of the Goſpel and mind of God, and as he hath received, ſo he is to adminiſter the good Word of God to others, without imbezeling or concealing any part of it; which whilſt he makes conſcience, and is careful to do according to his meaſure, how ſmal ſoever, his Miniſterial Fidelity in this regard is to be acknowledged, and he ſhall be accepted according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not. And as a faithful Miniſter is careful to diſpenſe the whole, ſo likewiſe the pure Word of God, not allaying and attempering the ſame by carnal mixtures unto the Luſts and likings of corrupt men. The Lords charge in this kind is full of divine Majeſty. Jer. 23 28, 29. The Prophet that hath a Dream, let him tell a Dream, and he that hath my Word, let him ſpeak my Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat, ſaith the Lord? Is not my Word like to a fire, ſaith the Lord, and like a hammer that beateth the rock in pieces? And herein the Apoſtle with much joy teſtified his own, and the fideity of his fellow Laborers in the Goſpel, profeſſing that they were not as many which corrupt the Word of God, but as of ſincerity, as of God, in the ſight of God, ſpake they in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 2. 17.

3. Thirdly, A faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel is one that takes care rightly to divide the Word of Truth, and give every one in Gods family that portion of the Word which belongeth unto him. At this branch of Miniſterial fidelity the Apoſtle pointed in that charge, which with ſo much ſeriouſneſſe and ſolemnity he gave to Timothy, I charge thee before God and the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 222 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:22who ſhal judg the quick and dead at his appearing, and his Kingdom: Preach the Word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long ſuffering and Doctrine. Gods faithful Meſſengers are careful to diſpenſe inſtruction to the ignorant, comfort to the feeble minded, terror to the obſtinate: On ſome to have compaſſion, others ſave with fear, Jude v. 22, 23 …plucking them out of the fire. This Miniſterial fidelity and wiſdome is very neceſſary, and highly accounted of p. 109by the Lord in his ſervants, as appeareth evidently from our Saviours words,Luke 12. 42, 43Luke 12:42Luke 12:43 Who then is that faithful and wiſe Steward, whom the Lord ſhall make Ruler over his houſhold, to give them their portion of meat in due ſeaſon? Bleſſed is that ſervant whom the Lord when he cometh ſhall find ſo doing. This fidelity the Apoſtle Paul again and again called Timothy unto: that commanding counſel cannot be overlooked in this kind,2 Tim. 2. 152 Tim 2:15 Study to ſhew thy ſelf approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be aſhamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. And doubtleſs, every faithful Miniſter hath it upon his conſcience, and in his care and earneſt deſire, according to the degree of wiſdom received from God, to diſpenſe the Word of God in ſuch wiſe, that every one may have a ſeaſonable and ſutable portion of the ſame, as ſhall be neceſſary for the bringing him in, or building him up, to receive an inheritance amongſt thoſe that are ſanctified by faith in Chriſt Jeſus.

4. Fourthly, As a faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel is careful to preach, ſo likewiſe to pray for the people amongſt whom God hath ſet him. A Preacher that ſpeaks not oftner to God for, then from God to his people, may partingly ſhake hands, but cannot partakingly joyn hands with the faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt as belonging to their number. The Prophet Jeremiah witneſſed his fidelity towards the people in praying to the Lord for them, Remember how I ſtood before thee to ſpeak good for them, and to turne away thy wrath from them. Jer. 19. 20Jer 19:20This is much of the cloſe and cloſet-work of the faithful Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt. Very many there are now adayes, who think ſleightly of the Miniſters of the Goſpel and their work, ſuppoſing that they have little to do, and might well be ſpared. But did ſuch perſons know what is done in private by the faithful Miniſters of Chriſt, how they ply the Lord with prayers for the people, that he would divert his judgments from them, continue and bleſſe his Ordinances unto them, ſubdue their ſins, increaſe their graces, comfort their hearts, and ſave their ſouls, they p. 110could hardly retain ſuch thoughts, or utter ſuch words as they do concerning the deſpiſed ſervants of Jeſus Chriſt. But how ever they are eſteemed, or diſ-eſteemed by men, it is knowne to the Lord, and that is enough, that a faithful Miniſter is an importunate ſuter unto him in the behalf of his people, as the Apoſtle Paul aſſured the Philippians he was in reſpect of them. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, alwayes in every prayer of mine for you all, making requeſt with joy, Philip. 1. 3, 4.

5. Fifthly, A faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel is to exemplifie what he teacheth others in the courſe of his owne life. A wicked well ſpeaking Miniſter, ſhall never obtain approbation for fidelity from the Lord Jeſus. Though a mans words be celeſtial as of an Angel of Heaven, yet if his Converſation be low, loathſome and corrupt, his prophecying in Chriſts name, will not prevail with the Lord Chriſt in the day of Judgment, …o own and acknowledg him for one of his faithful ſervants, but he ſhall then bee found amongſt thoſe wretches to whom our Saviour will utter that dreadful voice,Matth. 7. 23Matt 7:23 I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity. The Apoſtle Paul exhorted Timothy, and in him all Miniſters of the Goſpel, who deſire to be found faithful, to look to it that they be an example of Believers in Word, 1 Tim. 4. 121 Tim 4:12in Converſation, in Spirit, in Faith, in Purity. He multiplyed words, as we ſee, that Timothy and every faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel might ſee a neceſſity laid upon him, to make it his great aim and endeavour to walk exemplarily and inoffenſively before Gods people in all things. The Proto-Type of Holineſs is our Lord Chriſt, all his faithful Miniſters are to be followers of him, that they may be examples to the flock, 1 Cor. 11. 1. He that faileth in this Duty, and is not deeply humbled for his failing, is far from Miniſterial faithfulneſſe, and by his evil converſation doth more effectually cry down, then by his good Doctrine preach up the power of godlineſs.

6. Sixthly, Of a faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel it is p. 111required that he watch over the ſouls of thoſe amongſt whom he liveth, both for the preventing of hurtful errors, and practical evils, both which tend to the deſtruction of ſouls. It appeareth from Heb. 13. 17. that a ſpecial part of the work of the Miniſters of the Goſpel is to have an eye to the ſouls committed to them, that they be not unawares ſurpriſed by Errors in Doctrine, or evils in practice. Errors againſt the truth or holineſſe of the Goſpel, are of an inſinuating nature, if they be not timely reſiſted they will make room for themſelves, and bring on a ſhipwrack of faith and a good conſcience together. Miniſters of the Goſpel are therefore in faithfulneſs to hold faſt the faithful Word as they have been taught, Tit. 1. 9Titus 1:9and by ſound Doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainſayers: They are with all circumſpection, ſpecially in ſuch Apoſtatizing times as we are fallen into, to look to the flock of God, that they be not led away by the errour of the wicked, or poſſibly of ſome good men miſguided in ſome particulars, to fall from their own ſted faſtneſſe, but may ſtand faſt and grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. It may ſeem at firſt a ſmall matter to let errour againſt the Truth or Holineſſe of the Goſpel into the judgment; but the judgment tainted with ſuch Errour, is apt to grant out diſpenſations for the practice of ſin, and ſo a little Errour many times draweth a great ſluce to let in a ſea of pollution upon men to the drowning of them in everlaſting perdition. It therefore belongeth to the faithfulneſſe of the Miniſters of the Goſpel to fortifie and eſtabliſh their people, what in them lyeth, in the Truth of the Goſpel, that they may not be as children toſſed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine, Epheſ. 4. 14Eph 4:14by the ſleight of men, and cunning craftineſs, whereby they lye in wait to deceive. but may have their ears ſhut up againſt the voice of ſtrangers, and opened only to the teaching of that good Shepherd who hath the words of eternal life. And as faithful Miniſters are to watch over the people in reſpect of Doctrinal Errors, ſo alſo of practical evils, that they do not overſpread p. 112them; they are often to inculcate the Apoſtle Doctrine, that the grace of God which bringeth ſalvation, Tit. 2, 11, 12 and 14Titus 2:11Titus 2:12Titus 2:14teacheth us, that denying ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, we ſhould live ſoberly, righteouſly and godly in this preſent World; and again, That our Lord Jeſus gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people zealous of good works; 2 Tim. 2. 192 Tim 2:19and therefore that every one that nameth the name of Chriſt ſhould depart from iniquity. Gal. 6. 1Gal 6:1And if they ſee any one taken in a fault through infirmity, it belongeth to them not only in the right of charity, but ſpecial duty to reſtore ſuch a one with the Spirit of meekneſſe; and when they diſcover others hardning themſelves obſtinately in their evil wayes,1 Tim. 5. 201 Tim 5:20 they are boldly to reprove them, and yet with meekneſſe to inſtruct them, yea though they oppoſe themſelves, if God peradventure would give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 25, 262 Tim 2:252 Tim 2:26that they may recover themſelves out the ſnare of the Divel, who are taken captive at his will.

The ſum of all is, When a ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt ſeparated to the Miniſtry of the Goſpel carefully mindeth his work, and bendeth himſelf to deliver the Word of God wholly, purely, and ſeaſonably, labouring inſtantly with God by prayer to procure a bleſſing on his people, and his labours amongſt them, and withal is careful to exemplifie his own Doctrine, that the people may ſee in him what they hear from him; and laſtly, hath his eyes open to obſerve, and his mouth open to g…ve warning of ſuch pernicious Errors and Practices, as he ſeeth breaking in upon ſuch as are committed to his overſight, ſuch a one, however he ſpeed in his own judgment, and the judgment of others, ſhall not fail before the Judgment Seat of God, to ſtand in the rank, and paſſe in the account of the faithful ſervants and Miniſters of Jeſus Chriſt.

Having thus ſhewed when a man may be ſaid to bee a faithful Miniſter of the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, I come in the next place to conſider, who are they who truly believe the Goſpel to whom ſuch faithful Miniſters are precious, who enjoy them in love, and part from them in ſorrow.

p. 113There is hardly any thing (as I conceive) in our unſettled times more pernicious, then the miſtake which many are ſubject to about the nature of believing. Much talk there is of faith and the Goſpel, whilſt few conſider what is indeed the faith of the Goſpel. I ſhal therefore indeavour in few and plain words, to clear unto you from the Scriptures who are the truly faithful, the true Believers of the Goſpel.

1. Firſt, They truly believe the Goſpel, who glorifie the Word of the Lord, as it is teſtifyed of the believing Gentiles, to whom Paul preached the Goſpel at Antioch. When the Gentiles heard this, Acts 13. 48Acts 13:48they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Every true Believer glorifieth the Word of the Goſpel, by yeilding a firme aſſent unto it as a word of Truth, ſetting a high price upon it as the only ſaving Truth, holding it faſt as a ſtable, everlaſting Truth, and ſtill deſiring of it, and delighting in it, as an edifying and perfecting Truth, which is able to build men up, and give them an inheritance amongſt thoſe that are ſanctified. If men boaſt never ſo much of believing becauſe they are confident that Chriſt is theirs, and that all the benefits which flow from the Lord Chriſt are theirs; yet if they do not glorifie the Word of the Lord, the Word of the Goſpel, making an high account of it as a Word of Truth, a ſaving, everlaſting, edifying perfecting Word; they ſhall never make it out before the preſence of God, that they have the true faith of the Goſpel in them.

2. Secondly, True Believers of the Goſpel are ſuch as receive the Word of the Goſpel with ſpiritual gladneſſe, as we read of that flock of faithful Converts, brought in at one Sermon,Acts 2. 41Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received the word, were baptized. The Word of the Goſpel cannot by faith enter into the ſoul, but it bringeth in ſpiritual gladneſs with it. Temporal believing hath a ſleight and ſuddain joy accompanying it, as our Saviour teſtified in the interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, as to the ſtony p. 114ground,…. 13. 20, 21 He that received the ſeed in ſtony places, the ſame is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath he not root in himſelf, but dureth for a while. An unrooted faith yeildeth an unſettled joy, but when the Word is with a ſtedfaſt, ſound, and ſaving faith received, it uſually, out of the ſtate of ſtrong temptation, and ſpiritual diſertion,…om. 15 13 filleth the ſoul with joy and peace in believing. Now this receiving the Word by faith importeth a taking of it into all the faculties of the ſoul, to new mould and transform them according to the holineſs of the Goſpel. The Apoſtle James calleth it,…ames 1 21 the receiving of the engrafted word, becauſe the word of the Goſpel thus received, as the graft ſet into the ſtock, cauſeth all the ſap of the inward faculties of the ſoul to bring forth ſuch fruit as is ſutable to the holy Word of the Goſpel. It is a very unworthy and ungrounded Opinion, that a man can believingly receive the word of the Goſpel, and not be new moulded by it unto holineſ. If any think that the Word of the Goſpel ſhall be mighty to ſave them, when it is not effectual to ſanctifie them, they deceive themſelves, and ſhould attend to the Apoſtle James his Doctrine for right information in this point, who ſheweth that the Word of the Goſpel is received as an ingrafted, new moulding word, in all thoſe towards whom it is effectual to ſave their ſouls.

3 Thirdly, They that believingly receive the Word of the Goſpel, are brought off from truſting upon their own works and righteouſneſſe, to truſt, and reſt their ſouls upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as the one, which in Scripture dialect imports the only Mediatour between God and man, for forgiveneſſe of ſins, peace with God, righteouſneſſe and eternal life. The Apoſtle Paul called believing in Chriſt, hoping, or truſting in Chriſt, Epheſ. 1. 12, 13 becauſe all that truly believe, caſt away the thought of acceptance with God unto life in the merit of their own Righteouſneſſe, and as worthleſſe ſinners build their hope of righteouſneſs to life fully and wholly upon the Lord Jeſus as the Mediator of the New Teſtament, through p. 115whom they finally bottom their faith and hope on God, 1 Pet. 1. 21.

4 Fourthly, They truly believe the Goſpel who truſting on Chriſt for Righteouſneſſe and life, have their hearts brought on by believing, to the love and high prizing of the Lord Jeſus as moſt precious and deſirable, 1 Pet. 2. 7. Faith looking and reſting upon Chriſts love, inflameth the heart with the love of Chriſt,Gal. 5. 6Gal 5:6 according to the Apoſtles words, In Chriſt neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but faith which worketh by love. And this true love of Chriſt, the neceſſary and inſeparable product of Goſpel faith in all true Believers, is obediential, cauſing the faithful heart to ſtoop to the yoak and work of the Lord Chriſt, as we learne from our Saviours own mouth, If ye love me keep my Commandments. Joh. 14. 15. 21, 23John 14:15John 14:21John 14:23And again, He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. And yet further, If any man love me, he wil keep my words.

By all this it is manifeſt, That they who truly believe the Goſpel are ſuch as glorifie the Goſpel, by embracing it as a ſaving, everlaſting, edifying, and perfecting Word of Truth; who with gladneſſe receive this word into all the faculties of the ſoul, to mould them into a frame of Goſpel holineſſe, who reſt themſelves upon the Lord Chriſt for Righteouſneſſe and life according to the Goſpel, and in the ſtrength of that faith have their hearts knit to the Lord Chriſt, in high prizing obediential love of him.

Theſe two Points being diſpatched; viz. Who is a faithful Miniſter, and Who are the true Believers of the Goſpel: I proceed in the next place to ſhew that ſuch a Miniſter is enjoyed with much love by ſuch a people.

This we have fully aſcertained by the Apoſtles teſtimony p. 116which hee bare unto the Galatians, when the faith of the Goſpel at firſt prevailed amongſt them, My temptation (ſaith he) which was in my fleſh, ye deſpiſed not, Gal. 4. 14.Gal 4:14nor rejected, but received me even as an Angel of God, even as Chriſt Jeſus. It is not poſſible to make a higher expreſſion of enlarged love, then this is, whereby the Apoſtle ſet forth the affection which the believing Galatians bare towards him as a Miniſter of the Goſpel; who loved him, and welcomed him upon this account, as they would have done an Angel from Heaven, or the Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe, if he had perſonally appeared and ſpoken to them.

The Grounds of this enlarged love of true Believers towards the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel are, amongſt others, which it would be too large exactly to treat of, theſe which follow.

1. Firſt, Believers look upon the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, as a ſpecial gift of Chriſt unto his Church. What thoughts ſoever others have of faithful Miniſters, yet true Believers know that they are in much love, given by the Lord Chriſt, for the edifying of his body, Epheſ. 4. 11, 12Eph 4:11Eph 4:12till all the Members thereof come in the unity of the Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, to the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt. And therefore Believers cannot but love ſuch a guift of love proceeding from their beloved Lord and Saviour.

2. Secondly, True Believers look upon the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel as Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, in whome hee negotiateth with them in much mercy for the accompliſhing their reconciliation to God, and eternal happineſſe. 2 Corinth. 5. 19, 20. And therefore beholding Chriſt in them, they cannot but greatly love them in Chriſt, and very highly eſteem them in love for their works ſake.

3. Thirdly, True Believers are experimentally aſſured, p. 117that the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel are Miniſterial Fathers to ſome, and Nurſes to all Gods people who hear the Goſpel from their mouthes.

To ſuch as are brought out of a ſtate of ignorance and wickedneſſe, unto the faith and obedience of Jeſus Chriſt, by the Goſpel which they preach, they are miniſterial Fathers, as we learne from what the Apoſtle wrote to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 4. 151 Cor 4:15Though ye have ten thouſand Inſtructors in Chriſt yet have ye not many Fathers; for in Chriſt Jeſus I have begotten you through the Goſpel. The Lord of his own will originally begetteth his children by the word of Truth,James 1. 18Jas 1:18 diſpenſed in the mouthes of the Preachers of the Goſpel; for, How ſhall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How ſhall they hear without a Preacher? and how ſhall they preach except they be ſent? As it is written, How beautiful upon the mountaines are the feet of them that preach the Goſpel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things? The faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel of peace, given by our Lord Chriſt for the work of the Miniſtry, are therefore Miniſterial Fathers too, and ſo as ſpiritual parents acknowledged and beloved by thoſe who through their Miniſtry are brought to the faith of the Goſpel.

To others who have formerly entertained the truth of the Goſpel in a regenerating power, the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel are as Nurſes, cheriſhing and ſtrengthening them by the Word of God, which they preach. For the ſame Word of the Goſpel which begetteth, nouriſheth and buildeth up the people of God unto eternal life. And in this ſecond cheriſhing work the Miniſters of the Goſpel are and are acknowledged by believers for ſpiritual Nurſes, according to the Apoſtles expreſſion to the Theſſaloniuns, 1 Theſſ. 2. 71 Thess 2:7We were gentle amongſt you, even as a nurſe cheriſheth her own children. Now Nurſes (we know) ſometimes get away the love of children from their true parents; and in the caſe before us it is often p. 118ſeen, that though true believers cannot forget their miniſterial Fathers, yet they are apt to fall much in love with their ſpiritual Nurſes, who at preſent feed and refreſh them with the word of Truth: The ſum is, that as Fathers, or Nurſes, or both, all thoſe that truly believe the Goſpel, are ready to love the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel whilſt they enjoy them.

Now this Truth being acknowledged, the laſt point I am to ſpeak to in the Doctrine, becometh evident of it ſelfe; namely, That a faithful Miniſter is finally parted from with much ſorrow by thoſe who truly believe the Goſpel; for love is a ſtrong bond, knitting the ſoul ſo faſt to that which is beloved, that it cannot loſe it, or be looſed and parted from it without much ſorrow.

We read, that Jacob loved Joſeph more then all his brethren; and when he thought that Joſeph was finally taken from him,Gen. 37. 34, 35Gen 37:34Gen 37:35 He rent his cloathes, and put ſackcloath upon his loynes, and mourned for his ſon many dayes. And all his ſons and daughters roſe up to comfort him, and he refuſed to be comforted; and he ſaid, For I will go down into the grave unto my ſon mourning. And even thus it is betweene true Believers and faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, the true and great love which ſuch Believers bear unto ſuch Miniſters, makes their preſence ſweet, and therefore neceſſarily their final parting very grievous unto them.

To this I will briefly add two further grounds of much ſorrow in thoſe who truly believe the Goſpel for the final removal of faithful Miniſters by death from them.

1. Firſt, When faithful Miniſters are taken away by death, Believers are at an utter loſſe, as to the enjoyment of any comfort or benefit from the perſon or perſonal Miniſtry of them that are ſo removed from them. If they could have the leaſt hope of re-enjoying a faithful Miniſter after death, there would be yet ſome p. 119ſtring of comfort to hold by at their departing; but Believers know that this is a final parting from a faithful Miniſter, they muſt never ſeek counſel, or comfort, or inſtruction more from his mouth; death unavoydably putteth the ſervants of Chriſt to ſilence, and taketh them off from being in their perſons uſeful in the work of the Miniſtry unto the living, for ever. The Apoſtle Paul wrote to the Philippians, that his abiding in the fleſh would be needful for them for their furtherance and joy of Faith, Philip. 1. v. 24, 25. and thereby intimated, that when he was by death removed from them, they neither could expect, nor ſhould receive any farther benefit from his perſon or perſonal Miniſtry. Herein our bleſſed Saviour happily differeth from, and hath a tranſcendent preheminence above his ſervants in the Miniſtry, that whereas their final parting from their people in the fleſh maketh them perſonally unuſeful to others for the time to come; it was not ſo with our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. His parting from his people in the fleſh, cauſed a greater imparting of himſelf unto them in ſpiritual benefits, as is teſtified by our Saviour himſelfe ſaying to his Diſciples,John 16. 7John 16:7 Nevertheleſſe I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will ſend him unto you. Our Saviour went away as a Mediatour and Advocate between God and Man, and not as a bare Miniſter of the Goſpel; and in that regard he was forward by his departure in doing good to his ſervants, and continueth more able to communicate himſelf in all celeſtial and ſpiritual bleſſings to thoſe that wait upon him;Revel. 1Rev 1 for, he is ſtill walking in the midſt of the golden candleſticks, and hath the ſtars in his right hand; Heb. 7. 25Heb 7:25and is able to ſave to the uttermoſt them that come to God by him, becauſe he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them.

But none of theſe things hold in the inferiour Miniſters of the Goſpel; when they are removed by death, p. 120their perſonal Miniſtry, from the moment of their death, ceaſeth for ever as to all uſes and advantages in reſpect of others; and that conſideration layeth a heavy weight of ſadneſſe upon the hearts of Believers, when their faithful Miniſters are by death taken from them.

2. Secondly, True Believers know that the final removal of faithful Miniſters from any people, carryeth in it the face of a Judgement from the Lord. It was a Promiſe of great love,Jer. 3. 15Jer 3:15 I will give you Paſtors according to my heart, which ſhall feed you with knowledge and underſtanding. And on the contrary, when the Lord taketh away faithful Miniſters from any people, he then depriveth them of one of his choiceſt mercyes upon earth, which cannot therefore but have the appearance of a Judgement in the eyes of true Believers.

The Prophet Micah repreſented evil men as weary of the faithful Teachers, and ſaying to them, Prophecy ye not, Micah 2. 6Mic 2:6and then from the Lord denounced the Judgement of their ceaſing from amongſt them, They ſhall not prophecy unto them. Their refuſal of the Prophets was their great ſin, and the Lords removal of his Prophets was his heavy judgment upon them.

If it be asked concerning a faithful Miniſter when he dyeth, of what Diſeaſe he dyed? it may be often truly anſwered, of the judgment of God upon an unthankful people. When men are ſick again of their faithful Miniſters, and long to be rid of them, it is a righteous thing with God to let them dye, that ſuch a people may dye without inſtruction. The contempt of the Miniſters of the Goſpel who deſire to be faithful, is a ſpreading Diſeaſe amongſt us at this day. Men looking divers wayes, do yet unanimouſly conſent to render the Miniſters of the Goſpel in this Nation as odious as poſſibly they can. Without diſtinction they are all branded as Tythe-Mongers, Time ſervers, Antichriſtian, Self-ſeekers, and what not? But it is enough, that God is the ſupreme p. 121Judge of thoſe that are thus traduced, and of their Accuſers … howbeit, whilſt this Diſeaſe ſo generally reigneth and rageth, it is no marvel though many of Gods faithful ſervants dye of it, whoſe removal by death, though poſſibly ſome triumph in, yet the true Believers of the Goſpel, of whom there is (bleſſed be the Lord) a very conſiderable number throughout our Land, …annot but be, as they are, much ſadded at it, as carrying the face of an ill preſaging judgement in it.

Having thus gone through the Doctrine propoſed, I come now to a few words of Application.

1. Here is one work whereby they that truly believe the Goſpel may have reflexive knowledge of themſelves; namely, by their enjoying the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel in love, and parting with them in ſorrow.

I know there is great difference of judgement at this day, who are to be accounted the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel of Chriſt? To this an anſwer may be gathered from what I have before delivered; at preſent I ſhall only ſay this, That they who being in the place of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, do viſibly apply themſelves to do the work of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, labouring in the Word and Doctrine, that they may miniſterially tranſlate men out of darkneſſe into the Kingdom of Gods dear Son, and build them up in faith and holineſſe to eternal life, are ſo farre (doubtleſſe) unto others at leaſt, the faithful Miniſters of the Goſpel, that they who take them to be ſuch, and as ſuch, enjoy them in love, and part from them in ſorrow, may from that diſpoſition of theirs receive ſome evidence in themſelves that they are in the number of the true Believers of the Goſpel, whereas they who make it a chief ingredient p. 122of their Religion, to ſcorne and revile the Miniſters of the Goſpel whilſt they live, and to inſult over them when they dye, to vomit out their choler upon them both living and dying, are not likely, for ought I can learne from the Scriptures, to be approved by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at his appearing as true Lovers, and Believers of his bleſſed Goſpel.

2. Secondly, This ſhould be a ſtrong inducement to thoſe that are imployed in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel to make it their ſpecial deſire, care, and ſtudy to be found faithful in the Work of the Lord committed to them, that they may bee enjoyed in love, and have the true Believers of the Goſpel their unfeigned Mourners at their Funeral. The Apoſtle ſaith,1 Cor. 4. 1, 21 Cor 4:11 Cor 4:2 Let a man ſo account of us, as of the Miniſters of Chriſt, and Stewards of the myſteries of God. Moreover it is required in Stewards, that a man be found faithful.

The Office (as we ſee) which God hath called the Miniſters of the Goſpel unto, calleth upon them to be faithful. Without faithfulneſſe a nominal Miniſter of the Goſpel, how much ſoever he boaſteth and prideeth himſelfe in his Office, is but like unſavoury ſalt, good for nothing but to be trodden under foot with contempt both by God and men. But when faithfulneſſe is found in a Miniſter of the Goſpel, it maketh him ſhine as a Star, very gloriouſly in the eyes of the Lord, and all true Believers. That Miniſter of the Goſpel hath the beſt monument to perpetuate his name with honour, whoſe faithfulneſſe in the Miniſtry, hath procured him the love of true Believers, ſo that his preſence is pleaſant to them in life, and his memory precious with them after death.

3. In the third place, the ſervants of God may here read their warrant for ſadly bewailing and mourning p. 123over ſuch as have been faithful in in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, when they are by death finally taken from them.

Heatheniſh mourning over the dead accompanied with murmuring and impaciency againſt God, becometh not the children of God in any wiſe. It is the Lords command given of old to the Jewes, Ye are the children of the Lord your God, Deut. 14. 1.Deut 14:1you ſhall not cut your ſelves; nor make any baldneſſe betweene your eyes for the dead. Becauſe they were by Covenant the children of God above other Nations, therefore they were not to follow the practice of other Nations in their exceſſive mourning for the dead, but to quiet themſelves in the will of their God and Father, knowing that his Saints are precious in his ſight both in life and death. And accordingly the Apoſtle Paul carefully provided that the Theſſalonians having imbraced the Goſpel of Chriſt, might not ſorrow over their dead as Heathens, deſtitute of hope of a future happineſſe or glorious Reſurrection, 1 Theſſ. 4. 13. Howbeit, with due moderation, in humility of ſoul, and quiet ſubmiſſion to the will of God, it is not onelyonly warrantable, but laudable; a practice which grace bringeth the people of God unto, to mourne over the faithful Meſſengers of God, when they are by death called home out of this preſent world.

When Steven was ſlaine by the Jewes, Devout men carried him to his Burial, Acts 8. 2Acts 8:2and made great lamentation over him. This is mentioned by the Holy Ghoſt not as a groundleſſe, but as a gracious practice of theſe Believers, evidencing their Chriſtian love to Stephen, that bleſſed Martyr of the Lord.

In proportion to this great lamentation made by devout men at Stephens Funeral, and the ſore weeping of the Believers of Epheſus, at Pauls final parting from them, mentioned in my Text, I doubt not p. 124but our mourning over our deceaſed Brother at this time is lawful, and laudable in the preſence of the Lord.

I will not multiply words in reference to this our Reverend Brother now taken from us, I ſhall leave his Works to praiſe him in the Gate, being well aſſured, that many who have felt and taſted the power and comfort of his Miniſtry, will beare witneſſe to him, and the working of God in him for their good.

One thing there is relating to his death which I cannot omit, that the Lord greatly teſtified his acceptation of him in his Work, in that he dyed of Epaphroditus his ſickneſſe,Phil. 2. 30Phil 2:30 of whom the Apoſtle wrote, That for the work of Chriſt he was nigh unto death. The Work of Chriſt, of which Epaphroditus was ſick, was, as far as wee can judge, a ſpecial part of the Diſeaſe of which this our Brother dyed; for after that ſome ſymptomes and beginnings of a bodily weakneſſe had ſeized upon him, his turn came to ſupply a Lecture at a place ſomewhat remote from his owne habitation, which therefore ſome, neerly related to him, earneſtly perſwaded him to forbear for that time; but ſuch was his Zeal towards the work of Chriſt, that it cauſed him to neglect his friends advice and his own health, and to overlook his preſent danger, and ſo undertake the Work of Preaching the Goſpel in his courſe, under the weight of which labour of love, his weak body did apparently ſink in the time and place of that publick ſervice; after which returning home, he declined more and more untill the time of his death.

Our Saviours words therefore ſeem plainly to reach this our Brother, and pronounce him bleſſed, Bleſſed is that ſervant whom the Lord when he cometh ſhall find ſo ſo doing. Matth. 24. 4 6.Matt 24:4The Lord when he came to this our Brother, p. 125by death, found him doing, ſo doing, doing his Lords Work faithfully, and therefore looking on him, we have cauſe to part with him rejoycingly, being much aſſured of his bleſſedneſſe; yet looking at our ſelves, we have cauſe to part with him ſadly, when we conſider that we ſhal have his help, and ſee his face no more.

A Pillar is fallen, and by the fall thereof a great breach made in this place, this County, this Land; which that the Lord may be pleaſed in mercy to make up, by increaſing the number, ſtrengthning the hands, and bleſſing the Labours of his faithful Servants in the Miniſtry, we have great cauſe to bow our knees before him, and to beg this favor from him in the name of the Lord Jeſus; to whom with the Father, and bleſſed Spirit, be praiſe and Glory for ever. Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Graile, Vindication of the Doctrine of Conditions in the Covenant of Grace (1655)