Divinity in Mortality, Text
The Text.
2 COR. 4. the former part of the 7th verſe. But we have this Treaſure in earthen Veſſels.
foreign. Baſ. Mag. in Iſa. c. 3.foreign. Iſid. Pel. 1. ep. 32.THe loſſe of a good man, eſpecially a good Miniſter, and moſt eſpecially in bad times, is a juſt ground of deep ſorrow. A faithful Ambaſſadour of Chriſt is a common Stock, in which many have a ſhare, a burning Lamp by which many are enlightned, good reaſon the exhausting of ſuch a treaſury, the quenching of ſuch a Light, ſhould be matter of dolefull complaint. Beſides, when Gods wrath is flaming, who but a Moſes ſhould ſtand in the gap? When horrid impieties are reigning, who but an Ezekiel ſhould warn the people? And when hereſies are raging, who but a John ſhould defend the truth? And ſhall it not affect our hearts with grief, when ſuch as theſe are taken away? No wonder then if when Eliſha ſeeth Elijah carried away from the earth in a fiery Chariot by a whirlwinde, he crieth out, My Father, my Father, the Charists and the horſmen of Iſrael: 2 Kin. 2. 11, 12Per tales Deus placatur populo populus inſtruitur Deo Proſp. de vit contempl. c. ult.If when Samuel dieth all Iſrael gather together and lament for him: 1 Sam. 25. 1.Finally, if when the Prieſts gave up the ghoſt in Jeruſalem, Lam. 1. 19, 20.the Church uttereth that mournfull ſigh, Behold, O Lord, for I am in diſtreſſe.
This This (Men, Fathers and Brethren) is the ſad occaſion of this ſolemn and ſorrowfull Aſſembly. A Cedar is fallen, Zech. 11. 2.well may the Fir-trees howl; a bright Starre is removed from our Horizon, well may darkneſſe cover this Hemiſphere: I could willingly now give ſcope to mine and your paſſion that we might ſit down awhile in ſilence, and only by the language of our tears ſpeak our ſenſe of this heavy loſſe. But all paſſions, eſpecially that of grief, need rather a Bridle then a Spurre. Affected we may, we ought to be with his death, but as a publick, not as a private detriment, and that not in an extream but moderate meaſure. And ſo much the rather, conſidering that it is no new nor rare thing. Your Fathers, where are they? and the Prophets do they live for ever? is the Prophet Zecharie's Queſtion, putting it out of Queſtion,Zech. 1. 5. they do not alwayes live, but are alike with others, ſubject to mortality, nor have the Miniſters of the New Teſtament, though imployed about a more excellent Miniſtration, any greater priviledge as to exemption from death then thoſe of the old, Apoſtles as well as Prophets are under deaths tyranny: So much St Paul here intimateth, when he ſaith, But we have this Treaſure, &c.
Facit hoc propter pſeudapoſtolos quibus hoc erat … conſueto, ut ex afflictionibus ipſius argumentum experent vilipendendi ipſius miniſterium. Muſc. in loc.The firſt word of this Text is But, a But which the Apoſtle puts upon himſelf and fellow-Apoſtles, yea and all the Miniſters of the Goſpel. In the fore-going verſes we finde him extolling his Miniſtery, and vindicating his fidelity in the diſcharge of it, here he interpoſeth a But, not a But of ſcandalous impiety, this could not be charged upon him by any. Oh that all Miniſters lives were ſo ordered, as no But of this nature might be deſervedly caſt upon them. The But here intended is only a But of natural frailty, humane imbecillity, and the worlds unjuſt ignominy. Theſe were the things the Apoſtle well knew the falſe teachers would upbraid him and his brethren with, and therefore he prevents them by a voluntary Conceſſion that ſo it was, yea fit it was that ſo it ſhould be for the advancing of Gods glory, that whilſt their meſſage was honourable themſelves ſhould be contemptible, But we have this Treaſure in earthen veſſels.
In which words we have a brief yet exact Delineation both of the Goſpel and the Preachers of it, and both by a double Character,
The Goſpel is characterized by
A Metaphor commending, in the Noun Treaſure.
A Term diſcriminating, in the Pronoun This.
The Preachers of the Goſpel are repreſented by
A word of deſcription, in the Subſtantive Veſſels.
A word of diminution, in the Adjective Earthen.
Theſe are as four Keys by which I ſhall endeavour to unlock the Treaſure of this Text, as four Vents by which the Veſſel of this Scripture emptieth its divine liquor. In the opening of which I ſhall ſtrive that my Diſcourſe may keep even pace with the time, I hope your Attention will keep even pace with my Diſcourſe, and then I doubt not but that through Gods grace we ſhall be richer by this Treaſure, and theſe earthen Veſſels will help us ſomewhat nearer to Heaven. And ſo I begin with the
Delineation of the Goſpel, and therein the
Gener. 1. Partic. 1. Verſ. 6. Theſauro Sacramentum ſignificatur, Dei in Chriſto, quod fidelibus erogatur, incredulis abſconditur. Ambroſ. & Anſelm. in loc.De lumine quod illuxerit Deus in cordibus noſtris ad illuminationē agnitionis gloriae ſuae in perſonae Chriſti dicit habere nos theſaurum. Tertul. de Reſur. carnis, c. 44.Metaphor commending, Treaſure. To finde out the Kernel encloſed in the ſhell of this Metaphor, we muſt conſider a three-fold reference that may be made of this word to the preceding.
Some referre it to the end of the former verſe, and underſtand by this treaſure The knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. This is that which there he compareth to Light, and here to Treaſure, two Metaphors though different yet conſonant, Light being a moſt precious Treaſure, and as Treaſures are kept, ſo Lights were wont to be carried in earthen Veſſels. And well may the knowledge of God in Chriſt be compared to both, for its reſplendency a Light, for its opulency a Treaſure, ſuch a Treaſure as muſt be a Light not lockt up in our own breſts, but ſhining forth to others, ſuch a Light as is a Treaſure of invaluable and incomparable worth. Our Apoſtle elſwhere expreſſeth ſo high an eſtimation of this knowledge of Chriſt, Phil. 3. 8.that he accounts all other things, whether worldly fruitions or Jewiſh obſervances to be foreign, not only uſeleſſe but hurtfull ſo far as they kept him from Chriſt, and foreign,Suid. as offals which we throw to our dogs, or foreign quaſi foreign thoſe baſe excrements which Phyſicians force out of the body by their purging: things not to be valued but deſpiſed and loathed in compariſon of this. And no leſſe is that value which our bleſſed Saviour himſelf puts upon it, where he ſaith, This is life eternal to know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. John 17. 3.Life is the beſt Treaſure in Nature, Eternal is the beſt of lives, how great a Treaſure muſt the knowledge of Chriſt be which is Life eternal?
verſ. 1. Theſaurum vocat munus ſibi creditum à Deo hoc eſt ipſum miniſterium Evangelii. Eſt. in loc.Secondly, Others take the reference of Treaſure here as remote as that foreign Miniſtery, mentioned in the firſt verſe. Indeed the Miniſtry and Diſpenſation of the Goſpel is a choice and precious Treaſure, upon which account the Apoſtle elſewhere cals it, foreign a worthy work. 1 Tim. 3. 1.A work it is to which is required both Authority and Ability, and therefore in reſpect of the former it is an Honour, of the later a Treaſure. The old verſe tels us,Dat Galenus opes, dat Juſtinianus honores. The Law brings Honour, and Phyſick Wealth, but in a divine ſenſe the Miniſtery hath both. A Burden it is indeed, but withall an Honour. A Labour it is, but withall a Treaſure for the edifying and enriching of the Church. This Treaſure Chriſt keeps under Lock and Key, only intruſting thoſe with it whom he cals to, and furniſheth for it. As it was the priviledge of the Jews above other Nations, that to them were the Oracles of God committed, Rom. 3. 2.ſo it is the Prerogative of the Miniſters above all other perſons, that to them is committed the Diſpenſation of theſe Oracles. By which it appears, that they are no better then thieves, nay ſacrilegious robbers who without immediate or mediate warrant from Chriſt aſſume this truſt and break open this treaſure.
ver. 3.Thirdly, I conceive we ſhall beſt underſtand the prime intent and full extent of this Metaphor, by referring it not ſo neer as the ſixth, nor ſo farre as the firſt, but to foreign the Goſpel, mentioned in the third verſe.
Indeed both the other Interpretations are fully included, and may be fitly reduced to this, ſince on the one hand that Miniſtery is principally in reſpect of the Goſpel: Hence it is that we are called the Miniſters of the New Teſtament, 2 Cor. 3. 6.and our Commiſſion is to preach the Goſpel, Mark 16. 15.and the Engliſh Tran…lators have not unfitly at once rendered and unfolded that foreign St Paul ſpeaketh of to be the diſpenſation of the Go…pel, 1 Cor. 9. 17.for though ſince Chriſt came not to deſtroy but to fulfill, Mat. 5. 17.we muſt not ſuppreſſe but publiſh the Law, yet our chief errand is to promulge the glad tidings of Salvation in the Goſpel. And on the other hand, it is the Goſpel onelyonly that revealeth the knowledge of God in Jeſus Chriſt, foreign,Gr. Thaumat. Serm. 2. in Aununt. B.M.V. To them that ſearch into the Mine of holy Writ is opened the treaſure of the knowledge of God: And whereas the Creatures leade us to the knowledge of God the Creator, and the Law declares him as a Judge, onelyonly the Goſpel manifeſteth him as a Redeemer, to wit, God in Chriſt.
The Goſpel then is that which St Paul here primarily cals a Treaſure. It is that Metaphor by which Chriſt himſelf repreſents it when he compareth the Kingdom of Heaven to a Treaſure hid in a field, Mat. 13. 44.as it is ſaid to be hid for its myſteriouſneſſe, ſo a Treaſure for its preciouſneſſe. That we may ſee the fitneſſe of the Metaphor, be pleaſed to take a view of the Analogie, and that in two particulars, to wit, the Nature and the Efficacy of a Treaſure, what it is, and what it doth.
Firſt, If you enquire into the Nature of a Treaſure, that definition may be a full anſwer, Theſaurus dicitur multarum rerum pretioſarum cumulatio, A Treaſure is an accumulation of many precious things, Avend. in Mat.ſo that there are two things concur to a Treaſure, to wit, pretium and copia, value and plenty, worth in the quality, abundance in the quantity. It is not an heap of ſtraw or rubbiſh that maketh a Treaſure, ſince though there is plenty, there is no value; nor is it a ſingle piece of ſilver or gold that maketh a Treaſure; ſince though there is value there is not plenty, but many bags of gold and ſilver, or things of like worth fill up a Treaſure. Both of theſe we finde and meet with in the Goſpel, no wonder it is ſet forth by this appellation.
1. The Truths and Doctrines contained in it are choice and excellent, as much worth as our Souls, as Heaven, as Salvation is, nay ſhall I go higher? look what worth there is in the riches of Gods grace, Eph. 1. 7.the precious bloud of Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1. 19.that may ſecondarily be aſcribed to the Goſpel, which diſcovereth and offereth both to us: no wonder that the Greek Fathers compare the verities of the Goſpel to precious ſtones, and our Saviour to a Pearl of great price, and the Miniſter in this reſpect is called a Merchant of invaluable Jewels. foreign. Athan. de virg. foreign Chryſoſt. hom. in Gen. 15. foreign. Iſid. Pel. l. 1. ep. 146.If you pleaſe to take a view of thoſe ſeveral things to which Gods word in general is compared, and which may much more be applied to the Goſpel in particular, you ſhall finde its worth ſet forth by a very obſervable gradation. The baſeſt metal to which it is compared is ſilver, and yet that is precious in compariſon of lead or braſſe or iron; ſilver refined from its droſſe is of farre more worth then as it is taken out of the Mine; and it is reſembled not onelyonly to ſilver, but ſilver purified in the fire ſeven times; Pſal. 12. 6.Gold is yet of more value by farre then the moſt purified ſilver; many pieces of ſilver are not aequivalent to one of gold, and yet all gold is not of a like worth, but this is more deſirable then gold, yea then fine gold; Pſal. 12. 6. 19. 10.Rubies are of more account then gold, and yet the wiſdome of this word is more precious then rubies, nay that whatſoever elſe is accounted precious, as Pearls, Diamonds and the like may not be left out, there is annexed a comprehenſive expreſſion, All the things thou canſt deſire are not to be compared to her.Prov. 3. 14, 15.
2. There is no leſſe variety then excellency in the Goſpel, foreign;Baſil. in Pſ. 44. the doctrines of it are manifold, and of divers kindes, yet all profitable: whatſoever is to be known by us concerning God, Chriſt, our ſelves, ſin, Righteouſneſſe, Happineſſe, is here delivered, here are wholſome Counſels of vertue, righteous precepts of duty, the precious promiſes of mercy, and the ſweet comforts of the Holy Ghoſt preſented to us. In reſpect of its Counſels and Precepts, I may well call it (to uſe Saint Baſils phraſe) foreign, a plentifull promptuary of good documents. Baſil. in Pſal. 1. foreign; Baſ. ibid. foreign. Iſid. Pol. l. 3. Epiſt. 338.What is it (oh Chriſtian, to follow his expreſſions) thou mayeſt not learn hence? the meaſure of patience, the manner of penitence, perfection of prudence, ſweetneſſe of temperance, exactneſſe of Juſtice, and magnanimity of fortitude? All moral vertues, and all theological graces are both deſcribed and preſcribed in the Goſpel. In reſpect of its comforts and promiſes, I may well (to uſe Iſidor's compariſon) reſemble it to a large and pleaſant Garden, repleniſhed with variety of fragrant flowers, yielding as it were an heavenly Nectar, which will revive the ſoul in the ſaddeſt diſtreſſe. Whatſoever Relations of life thou art placed in, here are fit directions to guide thee. Whatſoever condition of miſery thou maiſt be caſt into, here are full conſolations to ſupport thee. Well might St Chryſoſtome ſay, foreign,Chryſoſt. hom. 3. in Gen. the holy Scripture is an ever over-flowing fountain that cannot be drawn dry, and an inexhauſted Treaſure that cannot be emptied. To this purpoſe tend thoſe reſemblances of the Law, made uſe of by David, and no leſſe juſtly applicable to the Goſpel, it is not only better then gold and ſilver, Pſal. 119. 72.which are things of value, but thouſands, which implieth abundance, and again comparing it to all riches 14and great ſpoil, 162.both which contain in them Multiplex genus, all ſorts of valuable Commodities, Sheep, Oxen, Lands, Houſes, Garments, Goods, Moneys, and the like; Avend. ibid.thus are all ſorts of ſpiritual Riches, yea abundance of each ſort to be had, as in the Law, ſo in the Goſpel.
Secondly, As to the Efficacy of a Treaſure, what will it not do? The Latine and our Engliſh Proverb both aſſert this, Pecuniae omnia obediunt, Money anſwers all things, eſpecially where there is plenty of it, Food, Raiment, Lights, Phyſick, Armour, are all to be purchaſed by a Treaſure. All this is moſt true of the Goſpel. The Spouſe ſpeaking of Chriſts lips, ſaith, Cant. 4. 11. Ph. Carpath.They drop as the honey-comb, In favomel & cera latent, quorum altero paſcimur altera lumen accendimus, ſic in ſacris literis ſuaviſſimus cibus animi & lumen mentis inſunt, As in the honey-comb there is honey to yeeld nutriment and wax to give light: So in the Scriptures (chiefly the Evangelical) the ſoul hath food and the minde light. What an Aegyptian King cauſed to be writ on the door of a well-furniſhed Library, foreign is fully verified of the Goſpel, whence may be ſelected the beſt, nay the onelyonly Receipts to cure a ſin-ſick perſon. Finally, no ſuch Wardrobe as this wherein are to be had the Robes of Chriſts Righteouſneſſe, and the Ornaments of the Spirits Graces: no Armoury like to this, where all both offenſive and defenſive weapons againſt our ſpiritual enemies are to be found. In a word, what ever the wants of a Chriſtian are he may by the Goſpel finde a ſutable ſupply, very juſtly then doth this Metaphor of a Treaſure belong to it. But yet this is not all that concerneth the Goſpels excellency: as there is an Analogie, ſo there is a Diſcrepancy, as in theſe the Goſpel and a Treaſure do agree, ſo there want not other things wherein the Goſpel doth far exceed all Treaſures; to which end caſt your eyes on the
2. Term diſcriminating, Non ſimpliciter theſaurum, ſed hunc inquit theſaurum habemus, Muſc. in loc.he doth not barely ſay, we have [A] but emphatically [This] Treaſure, to intimate that the Treaſure of the Goſpel is farre different from and tranſcendent above all other Treaſures, which that it may the better appear, take notice of the Antitheſis in theſe ſeveral particulars.
1. Other Treaſures are from below, this is from above, thoſe are dig'd out of the Bowels of the Earth, this is ſent from Heaven; what are gold and ſilver but white and yellow earth? the ſands and the rocks are the habitation of pearls and jewels, but the things of the Goſpel are, and therefore ſo fitly called by our Saviour heavenly things.Joh. 3. 12.
2. Other Treaſures are tranſient and periſhing; St Peters epithete is, corruptible gold and ſilver; 1 Pet. 1. 18.Solomons obſervation is, that riches take them wings and flee away; Prov. 23. 5.and therefore as they are got with care and kept with fear, ſo many times loſt with grief; but this Treaſure is laſting and permanent, the truth of it inalterable, the goodneſſe of it unchangeable, hence it is called the good part which cannot be taken away, Luk. 10. 42.the meat which periſheth not; John 6. 27.and the word of the Lord that endureth for ever.1 Pet. 1. 25.
3. Other Treaſures are only of corporal uſe for the profit, comfort and ſupport of the Body, and therefore it is they cannot make the poſſeſſour either wiſe or holy or happy. But this Treaſure enricheth the ſoul with wiſdom and knowledge, grace and holineſſe, whereby it becometh a means of happineſſe to him that enjoyeth it, by this it is the minde is enlightened, the will inclined, the affections compoſed, the conſcience quieted, and the inward man renewed.
4. Other Treaſures though virtually they procure ſeverall comforts, yet formally and in their own nature they are but a remedy againſt poverty. Gold and ſilver in themſelves have no feeding or cloathing or defending vertue, nor do they certainly and conſtantly procure thoſe neceſſaries: Sometimes food is not to be had for money, nor is ſilver alwaies a defence. And yet further though it may get the things, yet it cannot give an efficacy to them, it may buy food but not a ſtomack, Phyſick but not health, Clothes but not warmth, Armour but not ſafety, Lights but not eyes: Whereas this Treaſure is in its own nature all theſe, and aſſuredly bringeth ſtrength, wealth, eaſe, ſafety, and all ſpiritual bleſſings to them that enjoy it, it is ſuch a Treaſure as is withall an oracle in doubts, a ſhield againſt aſſaults, a Counſellor in proſperity, a Comforter in adverſity, a light in darkneſſe, and a refuge in danger.
5. Other Treaſures oft times become deſtructive to the poſſeſſors, it was a ſore evil Solomon ſaw under the Sun, namely riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt, Eccleſ. 5. 13.indeed both temporall and ſpirituall hurt accrueth frequently to men by their treaſure; the golden Ring hath ſometimes loſt the finger, and the bag of money expoſed the traveller to danger; yet more often do treaſures become nurſes of vice, panders to luſt, incentives of wickedneſs, and the mammon of unrighteouſneſs, whereby they ruin the ſoul, and take away the life of the owners; Prov. 1. 19.in this reſpect it is that Salvian ſaith excellently of covetous men, perituris ſimul atque perdentibus ſtudent nundinis, Salv. contr. Avarit. l. 1.they eagerly buſie themſelves in thoſe merchandizes which are not only periſhing in their own nature, but deſtroy the poſſeſſors, whereas this Treaſure is altogether beneficiall to them that enjoy it; indeed accidentally it proveth pernicious, becoming to ſome a ſavour of death, 2 Cor. 2. 16.but this is only to the rejecters and contemners, not to the receivers and poſſeſſors of it; If our Goſpel be hid, ſaith the Apoſtle in this Chapter, it is hid to them that are loſt, verſ. 3.and if any be loſt to whom the Goſpel cometh, its they from whom its hid by the devil and their own corruption blinding their eyes that they ſee not its worth, and thereby perverting their wils that they refuſe its embraces; but to them that beleeve and do it, it is a ſavour of life, a wellſpring of comfort, a means of their eternall wellfare.
Finally, Other Treaſures may have the image of a King ſtamped upon them, ſuch that coyn which had Caeſars ſuperſcription, but this hath the image of God and Chriſt imprinted on it, being therefore called the Goſpel of God, Rom. 1. 1.and the Word of Chriſt, Col. 3. 16.other Treaſures are the bleſſings of Gods left hand; ſo it is ſaid of riches and honours, but this is a bleſſing of Gods right hand; Prov. 3. 16.ſo it is ſaid of the fiery Law,Deut. 33. and much more is it true of the Goſpel: How much the right hand excelleth the left, ſo much this ſurpaſſeth all riches. In a word, other Treaſures make the poor rich, but this foreign, maketh of mortall immortall, of men in ſome ſenſe Gods. Juſt. Mart. ad …u. adhort. 2….And now upon all theſe conſiderations the ſurpaſſing worth of this Treaſure cannot but appear: So as we may truly ſay, Not all the Silks of Perſia, Linnen of Egypt, Spices of Arabia, Silver of the Weſt, Gold of the Eaſt, Pretious ſtones of both the Indies, are ſeverally, nay joyntly able to equalize it. Well may this note of difference be annexed This treaſure.
What therefore remaineth but that every one of us labour to have the ſame eſteem of the Goſpel, which St Paul had, and which indeed it deſerveth?
1. Let us account it our Treaſure, and let that appear by doing in reference to the Goſpel, as men do by Treaſure.
How vehement and active are covetous mens deſires after Treaſure! they ſpare no pains to get, nor have they ever enough of it, in their longings they are unſatiable, in their labours indefatigable. Such let our deſires be after the knowledge of, and acquaintance with Evangelicall truths: Let us not be ſatisfied without, no nor yet with the Goſpel, but as we have it let us ſtrive to have it more abundantly, according to that Apoſtolicall precept, Let the Word of Chriſt dwel in you richly in all knowledge and wiſdom.Col. 3. 16.
Beſides, what care have men to lay up their Treaſure, when they have got it? The Greek word in its Etimology ſignifieth as much, foreign quaſi foreign, and in the Hebrew foreign à foreign abſcondit, the nown for Treaſure cometh from a verb that ſignifieth to hide, there being nothing men more ſecretly and carefully lay up then their Treaſures, yea what content do they take in viewing and recounting their bags, Populus me ſibilat at mihi plaudo ipſe domi, ſaid he in the Poet, The covetous wretch whileſt ſcorned abroad pleaſeth himſelf at home in his heaps of wealth. So let us lay up the Goſpel in the Cabinet of our ſouls, and take delight in meditating upon the divine Truths contained in it, yea whileſt we meet with reproach and perſecution from the world, let us ſolace our ſelves in the fruition of this Treaſure. Herein let Davids practice towards the Law of the Lord be our pattern in that excellent Pſalm, wherein he expreſſeth a ſingular regard to Gods teſtimonies, The words of thy mouth are better to me then thouſands of gold and ſilver: Pſal. 119. verſ. 72.and again, My hands will I lift up to thy Commandments which I have loved, and I will meditate on thy Statutes: 48.and again, I have hid thy word in my heart, that I might not ſin againſt thee: 11.and once more, I have rejoyced in the way of thy teſtimonies, as much as in all riches.14.
2. Since the Goſpel is not only comparatively a Treaſure, but ſuperlatively this Treaſure, let our eſtimation and affection towards it have a This upon it, beyond that we have or any can have to other Treaſures. Indeed beloved, though this Treaſure ſo far exceed all others, yet well were it if our love to it did equalize that to others; the truth is, though it is far beyond, yet the moſt mens valuation of it is far ſhort. What a ſhame is it that by us who call our ſelves Chriſtians, earth ſhould be preferred before Heaven, the world before Chriſt, gold before the Goſpel? Oh let us blow up the fire, whet the edge, quicken the dulneſs of our ſpirituall affection, that if poſſible, it may not only parallel, but outvie our earthly deſires, and with that wiſe Merchant in the Goſpel, we may ſell all we have to buy this Pearl.
And ſo much be ſpoken of the firſt part, the Character here given to the Goſpel: I now paſs on to thoſe by which
Gener. 2. Partie. 1. foreign foreign. Vox apud Hebraeos & Graecos ponitur pro quovis inſtrumento. Loc. in Act. 9. 15.The Preachers of the Goſpel are repreſented, and therein the Word of deſcription, Veſſels.
The word both in Hebrew and Greek is many times taken in a large acception for Instrumentum an utenſill in an houſe, or any thing that is uſed as the inſtrument of accompliſhing any work, and ſo the Hebrew word is rendred, where we reade of the inſtruments of cruelty, and the inſtruments of death, Gen. 45. 5. Pſal. 7. 13.and in this ſenſe it is true of the Miniſters, they are inſtruments in the hand of Chriſt for the great work of gathering his Church; but moſt properly it ſignifieth receptaculum, an inſtrument of containing any thing, and in this ſenſe it may be here fitly conſtrued, nor do there want fit reſemblances in which the meſſengers of Chriſt are like to Veſſels: More particularly in theſe four reſpects.
1. Veſſels are not naturall but artificial inſtruments: Nature affords the materials, but Art and Induſtry produce the Form by which it hath the Capacity of a Veſſel. It is no leſs true of Miniſters, Nemo naſcitur Chriſtianus, no man is born a Chriſtian, much leſs a Miniſter: Indeed ex quovis ligno non fit Mercurius, there muſt be natural parts in them that undertake this Function, but thoſe are not ſufficient: And therefore in the firſt Plantation of the Church, God did by immediate Inſpiration, and the Collation of extraordinary gifts, enable men for the diſcharge of this Office, and afterwards in the growth and progreſſe of the Church; That Inſpiration ceaſing, ſo as no more to be expected, there was and ſtill ought to be a training up of youth in the Tongues, Arts and Sciences, and after that a great deal of Induſtry (joyned with ardent Prayer) in the ſtudy of the Scriptures and Theologicall verities by them that take upon them this ſacred Calling. The truth is, whatever account the men of this age make of a Miniſters work, yet it is ſo weighty and divine an imployment, that no ſmall time and pains muſt be ſpent in preparation for it. And if St Paul, whom Chriſt cals a choſen veſſel, Act. 9. 15.and accordingly in a ſingular meaſure, not only above other Miniſters, but Apoſtles, fitted for this ſervice, cried out, foreign; Who is ſufficient for theſe things? 2 Cor. 2. 16.How juſtly reprovable is their raſhneſſe, who whilſt they can lay no juſt claim to an immediate inſpiration, ſuddenly and unpreparedly enter upon this high imployment? Indeed ſuch as theſe there have been in former times, who are called by Leo, Momentanei Sacerdotes, Leo apud Grat. diſt. 48.and Gregory Nazianzen ſtileth foreign,Gr. Naz. or. 29 Juſtinian. ſuch as in a day, a moment turned Prieſts. Modò idiota mox Clericus, now Laicks and anon Clerks. But what ſwarms of ſuch extemporary and illiterate Preachers abound in this age, who to uſe that elegant Fathers expreſſion, Owe more ſacrifices for their own, then the peoples ignorances; and as thoſe Romans of old called Cincinnati were advanced A ſtivâ & aratro ad dictatores, from the plough to be Dictators, ſo theſe skip from the ſhopboard to the Pulpit.foreign. Gr. Naz. Orat. 21.
It was a ſad but juſt complaint, and too ſutable to our times that Gregory Nazianzen took up in his daies, foreign. Gr. Naz. Orat. 20.No man is accounted a Phyſitian that hath not firſt ſtudied the natures of diſeaſes, nor a Painter that hath not been exerciſed in drawing of lineaments, and laying on of colours, but Preachers are found eaſily ſuch as have never beſtowed time or taken pains in preparing themſelves for that ſervice. Oh how ſhall the very Heathen riſe up at the laſt day and condemn the men of this generation! Plutarch tels us that the Virgins which were to attend Diana's Temple, were for many years brought up as it were in a School, and called foreign, ſuch as ſhould adminiſter ſacred Rites, and then being ſufficiently inſtructed they were called foreign, admitted to their divine myſteries, and afterwards they became foreign Inſtructers of others. Surely if the light of nature taught them to uſe ſo much care in educating thoſe who were to perform the worſhip of a falſe Goddeſs, how ſhamefull is the blindneſs of thoſe Chriſtians who think ſome naturall abilities of memory and elocution ſufficient to qualifie a Prieſt of the true and moſt high God.
2. Veſſels are not all of equal capacity, ſome are leſſe, others greater; ſeverall trades have veſſels of divers ſizes: So is it among Miniſters, both in reſpect of Offices and Gifts. In the beginning of Chriſtianity there were ſome Apoſtles, ſome Prophers, ſome Evangeliſts, and ſoon after there were ſome Biſhops, ſome Prieſts, ſome Deacons, and this variety of Orders hath ever conduced much to the unity, harmony and beauty of the Church. This diverſity is no leſſe apparent in regard of gifts, all have not alike abilities, nor are equally fitted for this ſacred Employment; there is indeed a foreign competency of gifts which every one attaineth to whom God calleth to this Work: but though all have ſome yet not the ſame gifts, as St Paul puts the queſtion, intending thereby a negation, Are all Apoſtles, are all Prophets? 1 Cor. 12. 29.So may I ſay in this, All are not Chryſoſtome's and Chryſologuſe's for golden mouthed Oratory, all are not Epiphaniuſe's and Auguſtine's for Confutation of Hereſies; all are not like Hierome for skill in languages, and Athanaſius for profound knowledge: God who is a moſt free Agent diſpenſeth endowments variouſly according to the pleaſure of his own Will: Some with Eliſha have a double portion of Eliah's ſpirit, yea with Benjamin, their meſſe is five times bigger then their brethren, whileſt he giveth to others with a more ſparing and narrow hand. The Miniſters of the Goſpel are elſewhere reſembled to Stars, Rev. 1. 20.and among others for this reaſon, as all Stars are not of the ſame magnitude nor of the ſame luſtre, ſo is it in the Firmament of the Church, One Star differeth from another in glory, 1 Cor. 15. 41.and one Miniſter from another in Gifts. Cant. 3. 7. 10.I ſhut up this with Gregory Niſſen his obſervation concerning Solomons Chariot, the pillars wherof were ſilver, the botome gold, and the covering purple; Gr. Niſſ. hom. 7 in Cant.which that Father applieth to the Church, and by the ſeverall parts thereof underſtandeth foreign the Preachers of the Word, ſome whereof have golden, others ſilver, others purple Gifts, of different degrees and excellencies.
3. Veſſels are not the originals of what they have, but it is poured into and received by them. The Well hath a Spring in it that yieldeth the water, but the Ciſtern muſt have it conveyed into it. The Mines have the Treaſure in their own bowels, but it is put into the Cheſt. The parallel holds in the Preachers of the Goſpel, who are not the Authors but only the Receivers of thoſe Truths they publiſh▪ What St Paul ſaith of himſelf, is true of every faithfull Miniſter, I have received of the Lord that which alſo I delivered unto you. 1 Cor. 11. 23.To this purpoſe it is obſervable that the Hebrew word which we render report foreign Iſa. 53. 1.properly ſignifieth hearing, intimating that we muſt firſt hear from God before we ſpeak to men, and ſpeak nothing but what we hear. In reference to this it is that the Biſhops in Clements Conſtitutions are called foreign the Receivers and Proclaimers of Gods Word.Non a ſeipſo ſed ab eo qui cum mittit legatus loquitur. Velacq. in Phil. Among other reſemblances Preachers are compared to Ambaſſadours, 2 Cor. 5. 20.and as the Ambaſſadour ſpeaketh not from himſelf, but that meſſage his Prince puts into his mouth, ſo muſt every Meſſenger of God. Excellently to this effect Vincentius Lirenenſis occaſionally treating of that of St Paul to Timothy, Keep the good thing committed to thee. 2 Tim. 1. 14.It is committed to thee, not to be invented by thee, What thou haſt received, not what thou haſt fancied. Not framed by thy own wit, but taught by another; of which thou art not an author but a keeper, in which not a leader but a follower; Quid eſt depoſitum, id eſt, quod tibi creditum eſt non quod a te inventum, quod accepisti non quod excogitaſti, rem non ingenii ſed doctrinae, non uſurpationis privatae ſed publicae traditionis, rem, ad te profectam non a te prolatā, in quâ non autor debes eſſe ſed cuſtos, non inſtitutor ſed ſectator non ducens ſed ſequens. Vinc. Lyr. adv. haer cap. 27.ſo was Timothy, ſo is every Miniſter in reſpect of divine truths. I cloſe up this with that expreſſion of the Apostle to the Corinthians, God maketh manifest the ſavour of his knowledge by us in every place: 2 Cor. 2. 14.We manifeſt the ſavour, but it is of his knowledge, to wit that knowledge we receive from him, foreign,Occumen. in loc. ſaith Oecumenius aptly upon the place. The incenſe is heavenly, we are only as the Cenſors that contain it, and carry about the ſavour of it.
4. Veſſels are not only for reception, but effuſion, as they receive and retain, ſo they let out what is put into them; yea the veſſel receiveth for this end, not only that it may keep, but that it may part with its liquor; ſuch ought the Miniſters of the Goſpel to be, not only conchae, but canales, Condi, but Promi ſhels to retain, but Pipes to convey the divine Nectar, Layers up but layers out of this heavenly treaſure. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of the ordinary Miniſters, deſcribeth them by two Titles, the one metaphoricall, the other proper, to wit Paſtors and Teachers, the latter of which, ſaith St Auguſtine, is annexed, Ʋt intelligerent Paſtores ad Officium ſuum pertinere doctrinam, Aug. Ep. 59.that Paſtors may know it is a chief part of their Office to teach and inſtruct the people. The ſtomack receiveth not food for it ſelf, but to nouriſh the body, The Steward money to imploy for his own uſe only, but to provide for the family; and the manifeſtation of the Spirit is given to every man, eſpecially Miniſters, to profit withall. 1 Cor. 12. 7.This Treaſure is a depoſitum, a truſt committed, and that for uſes, and thoſe not private but publike; this light is communicated not to be hid under a buſhell, but for the illumination and conſolation of them that are in the houſe. It was Chriſts promiſe to his Apoſtles to give them os & ſapientiam, a mouth and wiſdom: Luc. 21. 15.What a veſſell is without a vent, that is wiſdom without a mouth. Wiſdom that is hid and a treaſure not ſeen, what profit is in them both? Wiſd. 20. 30.Indeed a mouth without wiſdom may prove pernicious, and wiſdom without a mouth cannot be profitable, Chriſts Miniſters have both, Wiſdom in themſelves, and a mouth to inſtruct others.
And ſo much the more reaſon have thoſe veſſels to communicate this treaſure, becauſe it is not impaired by imparting. Indeed this is another excellency wherein this treaſure tranſcends all earthly treaſures; theſe waſte by ſpending, this is not at all diminiſhed by diſtributing. As the ſeal maketh an impreſſion on the wax. The fire conveyeth the heat into iron. One candle lighteth many without any loſſe of figure, heat or light; ſo the communicating of this treaſure will inrich others without impoveriſhing our ſelves: Here is no place for that allegation of the Virgins, Not ſo, leaſt there be not enough for you and us: Matth. 25. 9.Never any had the leſſe knowledge himſelf, by teaching others: Nay the truth is this Treaſure abſconſione minuitur, communicatione multiplicatur, Caſſiod. in Ep.is leſſened by hiding, multiplied by imparting; like the widows oyl in the veſſel, that increaſed by pouring out, that being ever verified, To him that hath ſhall be given. Matth. 25. 29.And thus in all theſe reſpects are Preachers fitly compared unto veſſels.
Quò in plures diffunditur eò redundantior manat. Ambr. 2. Offic. cap. 15.The Ʋſe of this particular is that which concerneth my Reverend Brethren of the Clergy, that they ſeek by prayer, and labour to be more and more fitted for their Function, that thoſe of meaner gifts do not envy them that have greater, nor they that have greater, deſpiſe thoſe that have meaner; that they deliver nothing but what they have received from above. Ambr. 2. off. cap. 15.Finally, that they hide not their talents in a napkin, but lay out their parts and ſtrength for the peoples good.
But it is not fit for me, who am minimus Apoſtolorum, to be your inſtructer, beſides I doubt not your piety and wiſdom hath already prevented my diſcourſe in your meditations, and therefore I paſſe on to the
Partic. 2.Word of diminution, Earthly, One hath well obſerved the elegancy of the Antitheſis, Theſauri pretium opponit vilitati involucri, What more pretious then this treaſure? What more vile then earthen veſſels? Indeed the Candleſticks by which as generally the Churches, ſo eminently the Biſhops of thoſe Churches are to be underſtood, are ſaid to be golden, and yet here theſe veſſels are called earthen; both may well ſtand together, Golden in reſpect of the ſolidity of their doctrine, purity of their converſation, and yet earthen in regard of the frailty of their condition.
The chief Queſtion to be diſcuſſed is, Upon what grounds the Apoſtle thus denominateth to himſelf and his fellow laboures. To which a threefold Anſwer may well be and is returned by Interpreters.
The term of earthen is faſtened by St Paul upon the Miniſters, Reſpectu ſtatus, perſonae, corporis, in reſpect of their ſtate, perſons and bodies, the two former more ſpeciall relating to the Apoſtles, though too often verified in ſeverall ages of their Succeſſours; the laſt more generall, as being common to all the Meſſengers of God, that have been are or ſhall be.
Non illuſtres ſed humiles, & nullis humanae potentiae, fortunae, praerogativis ſpectabiles. Muſc. in loc.In regard of their ſtate, which is for the moſt part mean and low in the world, Golden and Silver veſſels are of worth and price, but earthen are of little or no value, ſuch is the uſuall condition of Gods Meſſengers who are frequently expoſed to want and penury. Inſtances in this kinde are numerous, and that in moſt eminent Worthies, Gregory Nazianzen ſaith of St Baſill, that he had only what was neceſſary for his ſuſtentation, and foreign, his riches was to have nothing. St Auguſtine who was rich to Religion, to the Church, yet was poor to himſelf, and therefore when he died, he made foreign. Gr. Naz. or. 20no Will, ſince as Poſſidius ſaith of him, Ʋnde conderet pauper Chriſti non habebat, The poor Saint had nothing whence he ſhould lay up an eſtate. St Cyprian whoſe life was golden, death purple, manners pretious, yet his eſtate was low. Chriſts own Diſciples were poor Fiſher-men, Viles arte, obſcuri vitae labore. Nay St Paul himſelf was no other then a Tent-maker, a Trade that could not inrich him, yea beholding to almes for his ſupply. Thus as the poor receive the Goſpel, ſo they that publiſh it are many times poor and low; not that thus it ought to be, as the opinion of too many in our daies is, who would have Ministers live like beggars, upon benevolence, and account it a prudent policy to keep them poor. St Paul (though upon ſpecial grounds he was pleaſed to condeſcend to that way of livelihood) yet aſſerts maintenance to be the Miniſters due, and this not narrow, but ample and honourable; what elſe meaneth that character, which, among others, he giveth of the Miniſters in the Epiſtles, both to Timothy and Titus, that they ſhould be lovers of, 2 Tim. 3. 2.yea given to hoſpitality, Tit. 1. 8.ſince it is no ſmall competency of eſtate, which beſides both the preſent and future proviſion for his family, will inable a man to be hoſpitable. But yet thus moſt uſually it fals out, through the impiety and iniquity of men, that the Preachers of the Goſpel are neceſſitous and indigent, earthen veſſels. It is that therefore which they ſhould make account of, not to be great or rich in this world, comforting themſelves with this meditation, that their reward is with the Lord.
2. In regard of their Perſons: Earthen veſſels being little worth are light ſet by, whiles golden and ſilver veſſels are locked up ſafely, and onelyonly uſed for the entertainment of ſpeciall guests: Earthen veſſels ſtand in open places, are uſed by every ſervant, nay many times are trampled under foot; ſo is it with the Preachers of the Goſpel, they are viles, abjecti hominum estimatione, baſe and deſpiſed in the eyes of wicked men. Eſt. in loc. Lap. in loc.Our bleſſed Saviour ſpeaking to his Diſciples, calleth them a little flock, though they were to be Shepherds of the people, yet they were a flock in reſpect of Christ. But why a little flock? Surely not only in reſpect of quantity but quality; let Chryſologus give the reaſon, Chryſolog. Serm. 22.Grex puſillus mundo, magnus Deo. A Flock great indeed in Chriſts, but little in mans eyes. Choſen veſſels they are by God, but rejected by the world; and to uſe the Prophet Jeremies expreſſion, Veſſels wherein there is no pleaſure. Jer. 22. 11.What that Emperour Fredrick the 3d ſaid concerning Kings, An neſcitis principes quaſi ſignum populo expoſitos? do you not know that they are oft times as a gazing ſtock to the people? may as truly be affirmed of Ministers. The Prophet Iſaiah uſeth an expreſſion not much unlike, concerning himſelf and the children God gave him, that they were for ſignes and wonders in Iſrael: Iſa. 8. 18.Nor did Eliah, Eliſha, Micaiah, Jeremy and the other Prophets fare any better then he, in the places where they propheſied, but were mocked, miſuſed and deſpiſed by the ſons of Belial among whom they lived. What entertainment the Apoſtles found let St Paul ſpeak, We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things to this day. foreign. 1 Cor. 4. 13.Both the words there are mentioned by the late learned Expoſitor,Dr Hammond on the New Teſtament. refer'd to the ſame thing, and were uſed among the Grecians, concerning that refuſe, vile perſon which was picked out to be a lustration for a City in a publique calamity, of whom they ſaid when they had burnt him, and caſt the aſhes into the ſea, foreign; thus contemptible and odious was St Paul and the other faithfull meſſengers of Chriſt in the Jews and Heathens eſteem. Should I trace the footſteps of Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtory, I might tell you how Cyprian was nick-named Coprian, Athanaſius Sathanaſius, and ſtill they that have been moſt Orthodox and zealous Preachers, have met with the greateſt deſpite and oppoſition from hereticall, ſchiſmaticall and prophane perſons. But I need not ſeek for inſtances abroad, when there are ſo many at home. Indeed we may remember thoſe Halcion daies when both Wealth and Honour attended thoſe who ſerve at the Altar, and the Clergy (as they ought to be) were accounted worthy of, and accordingly received double honour. But at this day how doth ſad experience verifie, that the Prieſts are made the loweſt of the people! That complaint of the Church may moſt juſtly now be taken up, They regard not the perſon of the Prieſts. Lam. 4. 16.Yea, as if ſome new Cadmus had ſown the earth with Sauls teeth, and Shimei's tongue, they belch out contumelies againſt Gods Miniſters. Many of theſe Veſſels, and thoſe moſt accompliſhed for this ſacred ſervice, are laied aſide as uſeleſs, rejected as worthleſs, and tantum non only not daſhed in pieces. Nay to that height of impiety are many come, that not only our perſons are deſpicable, but our very Function is contemptible in their eyes. Oh that ſuch would conſider how near they ſtrike at God himſelf. foreign,Ignat. Epist. ad Smyrn. ſaith Ignatius truly, which we may Engliſh by that of our Saviour, He that deſpiſeth you deſpiſeth me, and he that deſpiſeth me deſpiſeth him that ſent me. Luc. 10. 16.Nor let my Brethren of the Clergie be too much diſcouraged becauſe diſregarded: It was a notable ſpeech of the Philoſopher Ariſtippus.to one that reproached him, Tu proferendis ego perferendis injuriis idoneus, let us be as ready to bear, as they forward to caſt diſgrace upon us. Caſt your eyes on the two next verſes to my text,verſ. 8, 9. and obſerve St Pauls heroicall expreſſions, ſuch indeed as well befit a Miniſter of the Goſpel, We are troubled on every ſide, yet not diſtreſſed, perplexed, but not in deſpair, perſecuted, but not forſaken, caſt down, but not diſcouraged: Though our perſons be as earthen veſſels in the worlds eſtimation, and ſo uſed or rather abuſed, yet let not our ſpirits like earthen veſſels be broken by any affliction, nay rather remember what Christ ſaid to his Diſciples in the like caſe, Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, and ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before, Matth. 5. 12.you are come in their ſtead, and therefore muſt expect their uſage, and it is a comfort you do but pledge them in that cup of which they have drank to you before, you do but follow them in that way which they have tracked already, ſo perſecuted they the Prophets, yea and the Apoſtles too, in which regard they are here called Earthen veſſels.
3. Laſtly, This Epithete earthen is annexed to theſe veſſels, the Preachers of the Word, in reference to their bodies, as their mean condition, baſe eſtimation; ſo their bodily conſtitution proclaimeth them earthen, this is that which is common to Miniſters with the people, ſince though in regard of their Calling they are prae aliis far before others, yet in this reſpect they are ſicut caeteri, ſuch as others.
1. Thus their bodies are earthen becauſe formed of the duſt of the earth, Teſtacea ſecundum originem, Tertull.ſo Tertullian, Earthly in their Original, upon which ground they are called houſes of clay, Job 4. 19.the inhabitant indeed is heavenly, but the body earthy: Vas fictile nil aliud quam lutum igne coctum, as earthen veſſels, ſo are our bodies faſhioned out of clay.Lap. in loc.
2. Again, as earthen veſſels are ſubject to flaws and cracks, yea to breaking in pieces, ſo are our bodies liable to ſickneſſes, diſeaſes, till at laſt by death they fall and are broken in pieces. In this reſpect the Apoſtle Paul, calling the body an earthen houſe, 2 Cor. 5. 1.addeth preſently, be diſſolved. To this purpoſe is Grotius his Paraphraſe, In corpore multis malis obnoxio quod facile frangitur, Grot. in loc.we have this Treaſure in bodies ſubject to many evils, and at laſt to a diſſolution. This conſtruction is that which both the Greek and Latine Fathers generally take it in. Among the Greeks, St Chryſoſtome ſpeaketh very fully to this ſenſe, foreign,Chryſoſt. in loc. he uſeth this term of earthen to denote the mortality of our nature, infirmity of our fleſh, which by diſeaſes and a thouſand other accidents is expoſed to death, and ſo diſſolution. Among the Latines St Ambroſe ſpeaketh to the ſame effect, Fictilia vaſa dicens infirmitatem naturae ſignificat, Hier. & Theoph. in loc.the weakneſs of our nature is ſignified by the earthen veſſell, and therefore St Jerome explaineth it by the term fragilis; and Theophylact by the word foreign they are frail mortall bodies we carry about with us: and as earthen veſſels are eaſily, ſuddenly broken aſunder, one fall on the ground in a moment daſheth them in pieces; ſo are the bodies of Gods Miniſters ſubject to a ſpeedy and ſudden diſſolution, whereby they become unſerviceable to the Church. Indeed in one thi ng there is a difference, earthen veſſels when they break, break irrecoverably, ſo as the pieces cannot be reunited; but the bodies of the Saints and faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt, though they moulder into duſt, ſhall at the laſt day be repaired, refined and made gloriouſly beautifull. They differ then in the conſequent of the breaking, but in the breaking it ſelf they agree, and therefore fitly are our bodies called earthen veſſels.
The Greek word here uſed foreign is derived from foreign, which properly ſignifieth the ſhell of a fiſh, and in this ſenſe (as criticall Interpreters obſerve)Grot. in loc Dr Hammond in loc it agrees with the matter in hand, it being ordinary to lay up thoſe things we value in ſhels or boxes and cabinets made of ſuch: and withall thoſe ſhels in regard of ther brittleneſs are apt reſemblances of our bodies. The Platoniſts who fancy two bodies, one more ſpiritual, which they call foreign the Chariot that carrieth the ſoul in it; the other more groſſe, that which we ſee and feel, call this latter foreign, becauſe it is in their opinion as a ſhell which hath a finer body within it: This being but a fancy I leave it, the true reaſon of this expreſſion, whether you render it ſhels or earthen veſſels is, becauſe as theſe ſo the body is of a frail nature, eaſily and quickly deſtroyed, nor have the bodies of Miniſters any greater priviledge then others: We that preach eternal life are dying men, yea whileſt the word of life is in our mouths, many times death is in our faces. This Wolf will not only worry the ſheep but the ſhepherd: This enemy will not only ſet upon the ſouldiers but the Captain: This Plunderer will ſeize upon the Crown and the Mitre, the Scarlet and the Rochet: and as at Cheſs when the game is done not only the pawns, but the Biſhops, yea King and Queen are tumbled down and put into the bag: ſo not only mean and vulgar perſons, but Princes and Prieſts fall down by death into the grave; and as Judges, though they be ſhields of the earth, are but earthen ſhields; Pſal. 47. 9.ſo Miniſters though veſſels that carry this Treaſure, yet are but earthen veſſels.
1. A neceſſary Caution.To winde up this in a word of Caution and Exhortation.
Do not think the worſe of, or value the Treaſure the leſs becauſe brought in an earthen veſſell. It is that folly, yea wickedneſs of which too many are guilty, who becauſe they are men that ſpeak to them, think the meſſage is not Gods, meaſureing the worth of the treaſure by the meanneſs of that which conveyeth it; But tell me, I beſeech you, will any man value gold the leſs, becauſe brought to him in a leathern purſe; or ſlight a pretious pearl, becauſe found on a dirty dunghill? and why then ſhould the Goſpel be undervalued becauſe they are mortall men that Preach it?
The truth is we have cauſe to admire and bleſs both the power and the goodneſs of God, his power which by ſuch weak means accompliſheth ſo great a work; indeed as the Apoſtle here tels us for this reaſon the treaſure is in ſuch veſſels, that the excellency of the power might be of God, his goodneſs which is pleaſed to lay it up in ſuch veſſels that it may be the eaſier come by, to ſpeak to us by men like our ſelves with whom we familiarly converſe; he could if he had pleaſed have put this treaſure in heavenly veſſels, uſed the Miniſtry of Angels, but we could not have received it ſo comfortably from them; ſo that in reference to us God is pleaſed to make men the inſtruments of publiſhing the Goſpels myſteries, and as it is his mercifull condeſcention that he is pleaſed to deliver heavenly truths in earthly ſimilitudes, ſo is it no leſs that he maketh them known by earthly men.
And to carry it a little further, let us be ſo far from deſpiſing this treaſure becauſe of the veſſell, as not only to bleſs God who hath put it into ſuch veſſels, but to honour the veſſell becauſe of the treaſure. Ʋtrumne quia teſtacea eſt ſecundum originem ſcilicet ex limo deſtruetur, an quia divini theſauri conditorium eſt extolletur? Tertull. de Reſur. cor. c. 44.ſaith Tertullian rationally. Shall the veſſell be caſt by becauſe it is earthly, or ſhall it not rather be preferred becauſe it is the repoſitory of a choice treaſure? Let me therefore beſeech you in St Pauls words to the Theſſalonians, to know them which labour among you and to eſteem them very highly in love for their works ſake, 1 Theſ. 5. 12, 13.meaſure them not by their frail natures but their honourable imployment, not by what they finde from the world, but by what they deſerve; they are earthen, adore them not as Gods, but the treaſure they bring is heavenly, honour them as men of God, let not the treaſure be contemned for the veſſels ſake, but the veſsels be eſteemed for the treaſures ſake.
2. The word of exhortation concerneth
1. Partly us who are of the Clergy, that we follow the pattern which our Lord and Maſter hath ſet us where he ſaith, I muſt work the work of him that ſent me whileſt it is day, the night cometh when no man can work. Jo. 9. 4.Oh let us break this bread of life before we be broken by death, burn and ſhine in doctrine and converſation before our Lamp be put out; do all the good we can by imparting this treaſure, before our earthly houſe of this Tabernacle be diſsolved, But I hope there is not much need to enlarge in this.
2. Partly you who are of the Laity, that you learn
1. To make much of your conſcientious painfull Miniſters: the more pretious the liquor, and the more brittle the veſsell, the more chary are men of it. Oh how tender ſhould you be of them who, though weak creatures, bring the glad tidings of ſalvation to you? A friend that cometh to us but cannot ſtay long with us, how much is he made of, and how freely entertained by us, and will you have no regard of thoſe who are both yours and the bridegrooms friends? and ere long muſt be taken from you? Nay let me tell you, no readier way to haſten their removall then your diſregard, nor will God long continue his Candleſticks among that people, who do not prize them and their light.
2. Make uſe of them, and get all the good you can from them whileſt they live: If one have borrowed a book which ere long muſt be returned to the owner, how diligent is he in picking and tranſcribing what notes he can out of it: We are but lent you for a time, and that during the good pleaſure of God. As Chriſt ſaid to his Diſciples, ſo may we to you, Ʋs you ſhall not have alwaies with you: Mar. 4. 17.Oh ſuck all the knowledge you can from our lips whileſt we are able to ſpeak to you, and hear us every day as if it were to be the laſt day you ſhould hear us.
And truly never more need of practiſing this duty then now, not only becauſe Miniſters are earthen veſſels, that is ſubject to mortality, but becauſe they are earthen, that is deſpiſed in theſe times, and who knoweth how far God may permit the malice of wicked men to proceed, it may be to the breaking, or if not, yet to ſtopping the vent of theſe veſſels. The mouthes of your Miniſters muſt in a few years be ſtopped with duſt when they are laid in the grave, it may be before that they may be ſilenced from publique Preaching the Goſpel: Oh therefore be wiſe to improve the preſent opportunities God puts into your hands! Suck the milk of inſtruction from the breaſts of theſe nurſes, whileſt they are able to give it you: Buy the oyle of conſolation from theſe ſpirituall Merchants, whileſt they can ſell it you; do as the Egyptians, who when Nilus overfloweth the banks, dig pits to put water in, that they may have ſupply when it ſhall return to its channell. Do as the ſhell-fiſh, which taketh in moisture whileſt the tides flow in upon them, that may preſerve them when it ebbeth, and leaveth them dry. Finally, do as Joſeph, who in the years of plenty laid up ſtore againſt the famine came. Oh be diligent to fill the veſſel of your hearts with that divine treaſure which theſe veſſels yield, againſt the time when you may, nay muſt be deprived of them; they can inſtruct, exhort and comfort no longer then life, you have no aſſurance of their lives, they have none of their own, how long they ſhall continue; nay indeed, both they and you are aſſured they cannot continue long, being but earthen veſſels, mortall men.
But we have this Treaſure in earthen veſſels.
A dolefull inſtance of this Scriptures verity we have in the ſad occaſion of this daies ſolemnity: the death of this faithfull Miniſter of Chriſt, affectionate Son of the Church, vigilant Shepherd of his people, Mr Richard Goddard, whoſe liveleſſe duſt lieth before us, and now my Diſcourſe like a circle is returned to the Point where I began, our deceaſed brother, whoſe loſſe is deſervedly to be lamented, and Worth highly to be commended.
Indeed ſhould I have fulfilled his modeſt deſire, his name and vertues muſt have been buried in oblivion as well as his body in a grave: But had I in this ſatisfied his will, I muſt have been at once injurious to Gods honour, his memory, and others profit, ſince by paying the tribute of praiſe to Gods dear ſervants, we advance Gods glory, perpetuate their remembrance, and adde ſpurs to the pious endeavours of thoſe who ſurvive.
I could heartily have wiſhed that this double task both of ſpeaking to ſo Reverend and Worthy an Aſſembly, and of ſo choiſe and eminent a perſon, had been impoſed on ſome one of theſe many ſilver Trumpets whom I have now in my eye; but the undeſerved reſpects of my dear friend by Will put me upon the one, and his ſuperlative merit and my due regard to his Name, though it be againſt his will, obligeth me to the other.
I ſhall not expatiate in his juſt and due Character, and therein ſomewhat correſpond to his deſire: Indeed I need not, his Worth being ſo well known already, both in City and Countrey, he is gone out not like a common candle in a ſnuffe or ſtinke, but like a Taper, hath left a ſweet ſavour behinde him in the Noſtrils of all that know him.
That I may the more both ſutably and ſuccinctly delineate thoſe graces (which though they are gone with him for his comfort, do yet ſtay behinde him for his honour and our imitation.) I ſhall make uſe of the Metaphor of a veſſell which we meet with here in the Text.
A Veſſell indeed he was a choice Veſſell: What Euſebius calleth St Hierome, I may well apply to him, he was Vas virtutum admirabile, a Veſſell adorned with an admirable variety of naturall abilities, morall virtues, and ſpirituall graces, every way fitted and furniſhed for that Divine imployment to which God had called him. What St Baſill ſaid of Gregory Nazianzen, I may ſay of him, foreign, he was a deep Well, an elect Veſſell, and as it were the mouth of Chriſt.
To ſay much in a few words, For knowledge and wiſdom he was a Veſſell of gold, for purity and innocency a Veſſell of ſilver, for uprightneſſe and integrity, a Veſſell of tranſparent glaſſe; for reſolution and courage in ſuffering (of which he had his ſhare) a Veſſell of braſſe; for perſeverance and conſtancy in the Orthodox Faith, a Veſſell of ſtone; and which was the Crown of all, for lowlineſs and humility an earthen Veſſell; ſince whileſt he was glorious in the eyes of others, he was contemptible in his own.
A Veſſell he was full of all ſorts of pretious liquor, the wine of zealous devotion, the oyle of pitifull compaſſion, the honey of a ſweet diſpoſition, the water of penitent contrition, and the milk of ſpiritual conſolation.
To come nearer to the Text and Him, He was a Veſſel to whom this Treaſure of the Goſpel, and the diſpenſation of it was committed, which how conſcionably, diligently, faithfully, frequently (as farre as the weakneſſe of his body would permit) he diſcharged, I doubt not but many here can and will atteſt: He was a Veſsel not cloſed but open, not with a narrow but a large vent. That worldly treaſure of eſtate he had, he was continually imparting to his diſtreſsed brethren in his life, and at his death bequeathed a full fifth of his eſtate to them who can hardly obtain a fifth of their own. And this heavenly treaſure of the Goſpel he did with no leſſe alacrity diſtribute among his people; how many of all degrees from all parts, golden, ſilver, earthen veſsels were filled at his! Noble, rich, poor perſons, all inriched their ſouls with the treaſure that was diſpenſed by his lips. Methinks many of you are now calling to minde in what a clear method, choice words and fit phraſes, with what pregnant ſimilitudes, plentifull illuſtrations, pithy perſwaſions, ſweet inſinuations, powerfull inducements, allegations of antiquity, and variety of good literature (ſo as both the Learned may receive ſatisfaction, and the meaneſt reap benefit) he did Preach the Word amongſt you.
Finally, That which compleateth his Character, This Veſſell retained the ſent, the vertue of that himſelf which he poured out to others: The courſe of his life was conſonant to the tenour of his Preaching, foreign, as Gregory Nazianzen ſaith of St Baſill, He ſpake what was to be done, and did what he ſpake, he did not only foreign but foreign, ſcienter praedicare, but innocentia agere, order his Preaching, but converſation aright.
That ſickneſs which occaſioned the breaking of this pretious Veſsel was indeed ſharp and ſhort, but as himſelf expreſſed to me at the beginning of it, he did not fear, becauſe already prepared for death. And though the violence of the diſeaſe oppreſſing his ſpirits, ſuppreſsed the freedom of his ſpeech, yet (bleſſed be God) it did not bereave him of his ſenſes, nor wholly of his ſpeech, in ſo much that not many hours before his death he made to a loving friend of his there preſent, a pious Confeſſion of his faith and hope, ſo that what St Ambroſe ſaid of himſelf, Non ſic vixi ut me pudeat vivere, nec mori timeo quia bonum, Dominum habemus, In vita Ambr.I may truly affirm of him, He ſo lived that he was neither aſhamed nor afraid to die.
The Veſsel of his body is now broken by the hand that formed it (to which I deſire we may all ſubmit) yea that ſervice which he was made for is now finiſhed, elſe he had continued longer. As for the Pearl that was in this casket, his Soul, I doubt not but it is ſafe in Abrahams boſome; yea the Veſsel of his body reſts in hope of reſtoring and reinjoying that Pearl, when it ſhall be for ever a Veſsel of honour, glory and immortality.
I have now only a double word to preſent,
1. The one to the Reverend Clergie of this City here preſent, thoſe particularly who have yet the liberty of their Function, that according to our ſeveral abilites we would endeavour as much as may be by our diligent Preaching, exemplary living, to make up the loſſe of this our Brother. Methinks God ſpeaketh to us this day, as he did to Joſhuah in another caſe, Moſes my ſervant is dead, be ſtrong and of a good courage, Joſh. 1. 2, 6.ever remembring that ſuch a pillar being taken away, the greater burden lieth upon our ſhoulders.
2. The other to his Religious Auditors, and eſpecially his well-affected Pariſhioners. He that ſtood in this place like a Jacob to rowl away the ſtone from the well, open the difficult places of Scripture to you, is now removed from you; he that ſtood like a carefull watchman to awake and warn you, is now by death put to ſilence: Finally, he that like a ſun ſhined with the beams of inſtruction and conſolation among you in this horizon, is now gone down, and which is the more ſad, Your eyes ſhall ſee him no more till the laſt day the morning of the reſurrection. The bottle which filled you is now emptied, the veſſell which enriched you is now broken, the gourd whoſe ſhadow refreſhed you is now withered; and I am confident, ſo ardent was the love towards him, ſo great the benefit you received by him, that I need not bid you be ſenſible of the loſſe. The more needfull counſell is to be content with, and patient under it; and ſo much the rather, becauſe it is no more then what you ought to expect, and eſpecially in regard of him who was not only an earthen veſſell, but one that had ſuch a flaw, I mean diſeaſe, which would ere long have broken him. And now Beloved, though the veſſell be broken, yet let not the treaſure be loſt; do you by him as Ireneus did by Polycarpus, keep freſh in his memory his Sermons, his Diſcourſes, his goings out and comings in. This is the beſt way to remember him, by remembring his counſels; to mourn for him, by mourning for your unfruitfulneſs under his labours, to honour him by expreſſing the efficacy of his doctrine in your hearts and lives.
Nor let it be an unwelcome admonition to you (with which I will cloſe) be carefull whom you chooſe to ſucceed this our Reverend Brother: not one that ſhall pull down what he hath built, but rear up what he hath laied; pluck up what he hath planted, but water what he hath ſown; not one that ſhall ſucceed him (to uſe Gregory Nazianzen's expreſſion)foreign. Gr. Naz. or. 21 as night after day, a diſeaſe after health, a frenzy after uſe of reaſon, and a ſtorm after a calm; but rather as a ſweet ſhower after a warm ſun-ſhine, and a ripening ſummer after a budding ſpring. To this end, as when Joſhuah was dead the children of Iſrael askt of the Lord, Who ſhall go up for us againſt the Canaanites, Judg. 1. 1.ſo do you now the Captain is dead, conſult with God, beg of him to direct you in the election of one who may leade you in the battell againſt your ſpiritual enemies: And withall as you ſeek to God, ſo look into his Word, and let thoſe directions which are there given be the rule of your election; ſo may you expect and ſhall obtain ſuch an one by whom your faith ſhall be edified, and thereby (that which was his earneſt deſire) the ſalvation of your ſouls accompliſhed.
FINIS.
Sermons Preached and Printed by Mr Nathanaell Hardy M. A. and Preacher to the Pariſh of St Dyonis Back-Church.
JƲſtice Triumphing, or The Spoilers ſpoiled: A Sermon preached on the 5th of November in the Cathedrall Church of St Pauls.
The Arraignment of licentious Liberty and oppreſſing Tyranny, in a Sermon at a Faſt before the Lords in Parliament; In the Abbey-Church at Weſtminſter.
Faiths Victory over Nature, A Sermon preached at the Funerals of Mr John Ruſhout Junior.
The ſafeſt Convoy or The ſtrongeſt Helper, A Valedictory Sermon before the Right Honourable Sr Thomas Bendiſh Barronet, his Majeſties Ambaſſadour to the grand Seigniour at Conſtantinople.
A Divine Proſpective repreſenting the Juſt mans peacefull End, A Sermon at the Funerall of the Right Worſhipfull Sr John Gayr Knight.
Love and Fear the inſeparable Twins of a bleſt Matrimony, A Sermon occaſioned by the Nuptials between Mr William Chriſtmas and Mrs Elizabeth Adams.
Divinity in Mortality, or The Goſpels excellency and the Preachers frailty, A Sermon at the Funerals of Mr Richard Goddard Miniſter of the Pariſh of St Gregories by Pauls.
Printed, and are to be ſold by Nathanaell Webb and William Grantham at the black Bear in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North-door, 1653.
End of the text · Nathaniel Hardy, Divinity in Mortality (1653)