Exposition of the Apostles Creed, Part · Sermon 33
The Government of the Catholick Church.
Isaiah 2.4.
And he shall judge among the Nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their Swords into Plow-shares, &c.
THAT Christ as he was God, had full and absolute power over all things from everlasting, cannot be doubted, because the Earth is the Lords, Psal. 23.1. Acts 20.28. Titus 2.14. Ephes. 1.22.and all that is therein. But as he was man, He came to purchase a peculiar people unto himself; I mean, the Church; to whom he was to be the Head, and over whom to Rule and Govern in a more special manner.
This power no quest…on belonged unto him, even when he was conversant on Earth with men; but he challenged, declared, or exercised it, not before the purchase made of it by his blood: Then being risen, he told his Disciples,Matth. 28.18. All Power in Heaven and Earth is given unto me. Given, and then given; given to him as man, (for to God nothing can be given) and then given as a reward of his suffering; that as a Head, he should Rule, Gu…de, and Govern his Church: But after his Glorification and Ascension into Heaven, and Session at the right hand of God, he began more evidently to put this power on Foot, shewing clearly, that he would be Judge among the Nations, and that he would rebuke the peopl…. This is that which Saint Paul teacheth, K…ow we ought the exceeding greatness of his power which he wrought in Christ, Ephes. 1. à 19. ad finem.when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, in the heavenly places, far above all Principality and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every Name that is named, not only in this World, but that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to his Church, which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all.
By which words it is evident, that upon his Exaltation to his right hand, he hath set his Son above all things, that all powers, will they, nill they, are under his feet: Phil. 2.10, 11.But to his Church he is given to be the Heud, even in hoc Saeculo, in this World, A true head, being of the same substance with the body; a perfect head, that gives life, motion, and other influences and operations to the body; a sole head, that the body acknowledge no other; and a perpetual and immortal head, that never ceaseth to impart life, and whatsoever is necessary to the body: They then are deceived, who affirm, that because Christ is absent, and invisible, therefore there is need of a present external, and visible head to do his Office for him in the Church, to judge under him, to rebuke for him: For he is alwayes present by his Power, by his Word, and by his Spirit; and by this he will judge among the Nations, and rebuke many people, as our Prophet here foretells; in which words I shall consider,
1. The Person exalted to the Bench, He, which is the Lord Christ.
2. The Acts to be performed, He is to rebuke, to judge.
3. The persons to be judged, and rebuked, the Nations, the People.
1. He, the Lord.
For the Lord is King, be the people never so impatient;Psal. 99.1, 2. Colos. 1.19. and the Son of man is foreign, primatum tenet, hath the preheminence, be the people never so unquiet; so that they are very much mistaken, who do discourse of the Government of the Church, as of the societies of men; partly whi…e they attribute to the Governours thereof an absolute coactive power, whereas all the glory of the Kings Daughter is from within; and partly because as in other Kingdoms, the Prince being absent or dead,Psal. 45.13. he must have another set in his place, to execute the Office of the absent or dead King; for Christ is neither absent, nor yet dead;Matth. 28.20. 2 Cor. 13. Rom. 6.9. he is with his Church to the end of the World; and he lives by the pow r of God, death having no more dominion over him; it is needless therefore to appoint him a Vicar, or Substitute to govern his Church, since he yet doth this Office by himself. Suppose a King taking a journey into a far Countrey, yet could at every instant of time by some secret way, be present with his Counsellours and Officers, and give life to all their Acts and Endeavours, no less than if he were present in body; would you say now that such a King had need of a Viceroy? The case is the same; Our King Christ Jesus, though absent in body, yet is able, and doth execute all his Offices, is present at the Counsels of all his Ministers, and gives life to all his own Ordinances by the power of his Spirit; why then should men talk of a Vicar-General, or of a Catholick Substitute, without whose direction and judgment nothing may be Authentical in the Church?
Let the Church be considered in its largest Extent, as it comprehends both the Militant and Triumphant, which with Christ the Head make but one body; and so the Government thereof is absolutely Monarchical, Christ being over it the sole Monarch, Lord, King, Judge, to give Laws, interpret, execute. And the very expressions of this sense is a fu l answer to all those Arguments drawn from Nature, Reason, and the Providence of God, urged so hotly and frequently by the Jesuites, to prove that the Church is a Monarchy.
But the Church Militant being as large as the World, and spread into many Earthly Kingdoms, it pleased our Saviour, as those Kingdoms have their several Princes and Judges, so also should these several National Churches have their Patriarchs and Bishops to order and judge of all matters within their Diocess. This is it which Cyp…ian sayes plainly even to Cornelius himself, the then Pope▪Cypr. lib. 1. Ep. 3 To every Bishop is ascribed a portion of the Flock for him to govern, and then not all committed to One; which is so clear a truth, that Bellarmine himself labouring to prove that Secular Princes are excluded from Church-Government, evinceth no more by all his Arguments, but this Conclusion; viz. That the Government of the Church was ever in Bishops: Bellar. lib. 1. de Rom. Pont. cap.Out of which it is apparent that the Government of the Church was not at the first Monarchical, but Aristocratical; that it was ruled and judged by divers, and not by one Vice-Roy: Of which I shall speak at large in its proper place.
By which their Argument fetch't from common sense, falls to the ground: The goodness of God (say they) hath ordained, Harding in Jewell.that every thing should be conserved by that means, which is most fit for its condition and nature: Since then mankind doth depend especially upon sense, therefore necessary it is, that he receive his Instruction and Discipline by external means: This they say is true; but it proves not therefore that there should be one only Instructer and Ruler; I hope men may be taught by a sensible and external way, though there be more than one Ruler and Instructer in the Church.
Yea, but they reply, This must be but One, or else God hath provided worse for the Church, than for the Government of the World. Among all kind of policies,Homer. Monarchy is confessed to be the best; foreign, Let there be but one to wear a Crown, (said that old Homer) for else the Multitude, which ought to be but One, will never long be knit together.
First, We say, that they are mistaken, who judge and form the Government of the Church out of Reasons drawn from Nature, or principles of Art▪ For let it be out of doubt, that Christ both could and would govern his Church by that form which should be best, and most profitable; yet whether this ought to be Monarchical, Aristocratical, or Democratical, or mixt, must not depend upon a speculation of our Brain, but upon the institution of Christ himself; He is to prescribe the best way to us, and not we to prescribe to him. Now it becomes them to shew, where, when, and in what place it appears that Christ hath ordained any One man to be the Head of the Church, an Universal Bishop, a sole Monarch, his Vicar; or else their Argument drawn from Monarchy, as the best Form of Government, is of no strength, because it appears not, that that which seems best to us, seemed best to him: That position of Harding is most sound; it belongs to Christ only to appoint his Ʋicar; but that he hath appointed the Pope alone, rests upon them to prove,Matth. 16.18. Luke 22.38. John 21.16. Gen. 1.1. which out of the Scriptures they shall never be able to do, till they can bring clearer Texts than Tu es Petrus, or Ecce duo gladii, or Pasce Oves, or that alledged by Boniface the eighth, In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth; In principio, non in principiis; and therefore (O Rare Conclusion) the Pope is the Head of the Church. Away then with that Blasphemous and Ridiculous Assertion of Roffensis, cited by Bishop Jewel de primatu, Sect. 17. Ecclesia una est, non propter Christum, sed propter Papam, qui eam conservat unam: To which you may adde if you please, that of Betraud, Non videretur Dominus discretus fuisse, nisi unicum post se talem Vicarium reliquisset. To what height of Villany will not Pride and Ambition tempt?
But then what is it that they can conclude out of their foreign, Let there be but One King? is it their purpose, that there be but One Catholique King, as that there be but One Catholique Bishop? One Sun, and One Moon, a Pope and an Emperour all the World over? For the reason for uniting and Heading the multitude makes for One, as well as the other; which is indeed for neither: For be it that a Monarchy is the best Form of Government in one City or Countrey, as a particular King over the Republique of Bees in every Hive; yet it follows not, that it is the best in respect of the whole World, where the parts are so remote, and the dispositions of men so various;Lib. 1. de Rom. Pont. cap. 3. Sect. 1. and therefore Bellarmine himself confesseth, That a Monarchy mixt with Aristocracy and Democracy, is farre more profitable in this life, than an absolute and simple Monarchy. Little advantage then can they have from this Argument fetcht from Monarchy.
But foreign,Knott. part. 1. cap. 1. Sect. 7. our Opponents press us yet further with this gradation. Almighty God hath ordai…ed man to felicity, and therefore hath appointed competent mean… by which it may be obtain'd; this cannot be attai…'d without unity in th… Church; which will never be, except there be some way to discover and condemn Heresies, to appease and reduce Shismes, and to determine all Controversies in Religion. Hence they conclude, that there must be a living, visible, infallible Judge; and that the Pope must be the man to whom all men must submit, and no man ask, Domine, quid ita facis?
First, It shall be easily granted, that Christ hath founded a visible Church with all helps necessary to salvation, particularly with sufficient means to beget and conserve Faith, to maintain Unity, to compose Shismes, to discover and condemn Heresies, and to determine all Controversies in Religion, which were necessarily to be determined.Eph. 4.11. And to this end he gave Apostles, Prophets, Doctors, Evangel…sts, Pastors, who by word of mouth taught those with whom they liv'd, and by their Writings taught all posterity what way super-natural felicity was to be obtained. For all Scripture is given by divine inspiration, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.&c. and is able to make the man of God p…rfect. To settle then Controversies in the Church, that I may use the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury's words, There is a Visible Judge and Infallible, but not living, and that is the Scripture pronouncing by the Church: And there is a Visible Judge and living, but not infallible, and that is a general Council lawfully called, and proceeding accord ng to this Rule. And this was thought a sufficient Judge, when Christians were as humble as learned.(a)Read that Conference of the Arch-Bishop. Sect. 26. Numb. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. where you may see the judgements of the Fathers produced to that purpose, especially of Optatus and Augustine, with the Answer to Baldwin's Nuncupative Will. Numb. 1.
Now in the Scripture manifest places there are (which need no dispute, no external Judge) which are able to settle Unity and Certainty of belief in Necessaries to Salvation; and in and about things not Necessary there ought not to be a contention to Separation; about which the wrangle for the most part is betwixt Rome and us. And that for Necessaries the Scripture is a Rule sufficient, is clear out of Bellarmine's own words,Bellar. de verbo Dei. lib. 1. cap. 2. Sect. 5. disputing against the Swingfeldian, where he requires two conditions to a Rule, viz. That it be certain, and made known: For if it be not certain, it is no Rule; and if it be not known, it is no Rule to us. But by his own confession there is nothing more certain, nothing better known than the Scripture; therefore it is the Rule of Catholique Faith, both in it self, and to us also; being in things simply necessary to salvation, abundantly known and manifest. In things Necessary, I say: For in those that are not Necessary, a man may abound in his own sence, and do himself no harm; provided, that he be of a meek and a peaceable spirit, diligent to inform his conscience, and constant to follow it. And this is the comfort that St. Paul gives such a man, with this Caveat,1 Cor. 3. à. 10. ad 15. To take heed how he builds upon the foundation: His desire is, that nothing be laid upon it but gold, silver, precious stones; that is, sound Doctrine; but if it be through ignorance and infirmity, wood, hay, stubble, heterodox stuff, This mans work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved.
It is not then Necessary that a Visible Judge be appointed to end all the Controversies that fall out in Religion. And their Argument fetcht from the great necessity of Judges in Civil and Criminal causes is very fallacious, there being a great disparity betwixt these, as is clearly shew'd by Mr. Chillingworth by nine Arguments in his Answer to the Jesuite. cap. 2. part 1. a Sect. 12. ad 24.
His last Argument is, That for the ending of Civil Controversies, that Judges be appointed and known. So likewise saith he, If our Saviour had intended, that all Controversies in Religion should be by some visible Judge finally determined, who can doubt, but in plain terms he would have expressed himself about this matter? He would have said plainly, The Bishop of Rome I have appointed to decide all emergent Controversies. For that our Saviour should design the Bishop of Rome to this Office, and not cause it to be written by any Evangelist or Apostle, but leave it to be drawn out of uncertain principles by streins of Logique and Philosophy, Credat Judaeus apella, non ego.
Besides, suppose there were a living Judge, and the Pope were the man, yet such is the malice of the Devil, and of impious men, that this would not be enough to keep the Church from renting at all times, or soder up the rents which are made in the Doctrines of Faith: For doth not the Apostle inform us,1 Cor. 11.19. that there will be Heresies? and were there not Schismes, even then, when their visible Head, as they call him, St. Peter was yet alive? It seems the Popes power is beyond that of the chief Apostle; and he can do more with one Decree, than Peter or Paul could do by their Commission. But if his decision be of such vertue, that all the Beasts of the Forest must tremble at the roaring of the Lyon, I wonder that he should be either so uncharitable or negligent to suffer such heats and contentions among his own at home? Why is the Jesuite suffer'd to rise against the Dominican? Vide Dr. Whites way. dig. 24.the Seminary against the Jesuite? the Franciscan opposite to either? in a word, all by the eares about matters of Religion? and that too in no mean points, but in the greatest, and such as are this day controverted among Christians. Jupiter in Trojam, &c. Methinks it were but for him to interpose his Tribunitium Ʋeto. Surely 'twere but for this great Jupiter to throw down his Logg, and the Frogs on a sudden would be all silent. Well, this he hath done in many points, and yet these untoward creatures finding at last his determination to be but a blockish Decree insultant and desultant, they reject it, or mince it, or interpret it as may serve their own turns; or else say that he observed not the conditions requisite, when he passed his Decree. But in other questions he dares not determine, lest a part of those who came to help up the Papacy, when it was at a dead lift, should fall from him. I need not instance, for the thing is apparent to all Learned men.
Vide Dr. Whites Orthod c. 3. Sect. 13.Adde to this, that the Pope hath been oft an Idiot, or unlearned man; whence then proceeds this ability of judgement in Theological doubts, that this his definitive sentence must end all the Controversie? Surely either he must take his advice in this case from other men, and then they define, and not he;B…llar. Stapleton. Canus. Bannez. or else he must be governed by an immediate Revelation, which they themselves will not admit: So unable he may be to judge; so ineffectual are his Decrees when he hath judged; so dangerous it is for him in many points for to judge; and therefore in policy he doth wisely to abstain from it: Cum Leonina pellis non val…t, assuit Ʋulpinam.
Well then, to resume the question, is there no way left to end and decide Controversies arising in Religion? Yes certainly; and to that end God hath appointed two kind of Judges,Dr. Whites Orthod. c. 4. Sect. 2. as that Learned Bishop hath taught me in his Orthodox.: The sum of whose discourse is this:
First, The one Supream and Independent, whose sentence is infallible; this Judge is the Holy Ghost, who delivers an open and visible sentence in the Scripture in all things necessary to salvation. But besides the Holy Ghost, the Lord hath left in his Church subordinate Judges, by whose Wisdom and Authority Controversies of Religion are to be debated and defined. And these Judges are of two sorts. First, general, for the whole Church, namely the Fathers lawfully Assembled, and proceeding in a general Council. Or else particular, the chief Fathers of each Provincial or National Church: both which are bound in their judgement in all supernatural verity to proceed by the written Word of God, and their definition delivered according to this Rule is Authentical and infallible, and ought to be obey'd principally for the matter so declared, which hath its Authority from the Scripture in which it is contain'd, and to which it is consonant: But then Secondly, because it is declared and published by Pastours and Teachers, by Governours and Rulers, whom God hath made the Stewards of his Family, and to whom he hath committed the Keys of his spiritual Kingdom. And because to these there is made a special promise of assistance of Grace, and a joynt labour used for the discovery of the Truth, and upon that their honest industry and unanimous judgement given; the Truth so declared and publish'd, must needs be of more Authority, than any Truth made known by private persons. But where it is apparent that the Pastours have not proceeded by this Rule, it is nor Schisme, nor Heresie, to dissent, or to affirm, that in this or that point ampliandum, and in a peaceable way to produce solid reasons of our dissent.
I know the difficulties to which this determination is subject. But when our Adversaries have said all they can against it, the very self-same will press them, when they shall set up One infallible Judge. Be it that of the private spirit, or obscurity of Scripture, or Interpretation of Fathers, or partiality, or pride, or self-love; which a late Jesuite perceiving, delivers these words,Except to the Lord Faul…. discourse, ad 5. Sect. c. 6. Some peradventure will deny our Churches verity to be evidently credible: If any do it, the matter must be remitted to an equal Tryal between us. But say you, Who must be the Judge? I am no Socinian, nor inclining to that sort of mis-believers; yet nevertheless, I say, Right Reason must be he, and every mans own conscience. And of these Judges I hope every man will allow; and it is reasonably sure they ought to do so, because Reason is in all questions the last and the Interior Judge; without whose assent and approbation, no exterior is sufficient and compleat: For exterior Judges be as Spectacles to the eyes; and as Spectacles, be they never so good, cannot see without eyes; so cannot Revelation, be it never so manifest, give the last sentence about any Doctrine, nor be sufficient without Reason. What is this I reade here? what a higher Judge than he that is infallible? Reason to be set upon the Bench, and to give Judgement of the Popes definition? Reason guided aright,Chilling. preface. Sect. 12. &c. 2. part 1. a. Sect. 106. ad 121. 1 Joh. 4.1. 1 Thes. 5.21. 1 Pet. 3.15. Luke 12.57. Luke 6.39. made the last Umpire in debates of Religion? This if true, then sure some body had reason to cite those Texts to that purpose, that of St. John, Dearly beloved, b…l…eve not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God or no: And that of St. Paul, Try all things, and hold fast that which is good: That of St. P…ter, Be ye ready to render a reason of the hope that is in you: And that of our Saviour, And why of your selves judge ye not that which is right? for otherwise the blind may lead the blind. For though by passion, prejudice, faction, and precipitate rashness, &c. men may be carried into errour, yet by discourse grounded on divine Revel…tion first, then upon common principles assented to by all, a man cannot be drawn into a mistake. If at any time the consequence deceive him, it is not Reason that hath seduc'd him, but his weakness and disability not to make use of Right Reason.
Now right Reason will dictate all that I have said, That Christ be the Supream Judge in his Church, that he be heard when he delivers his sentence by his Spirit in the Scriptures, that they then be the Rule for other men to proceed by, that in all points necessary to salvation, this Rule be plain and evident: That it is such, none so fit to judge as the Primitive Church, who were no way interessed in the contentions that since have risen: Thar in these late differences, the Pope of all other can be no competent Judge, because a Party. That therefore the debates be referred to a General Council-law, fully called; and that their Decisions be submitted to, from which it is then only lawful to dissent, when there is evident testimony of plain Scripture, expounded according to the General Tenet of godly Pastours of the precedent Church; then only it is lawful to gainsay the present definition of Ecclesiastical Judges.
I am full as the Moon, but if I should empty my self, the Tide would flow so high, that what stuffe soever the Sea of Rome hath brought upon the Church, must come to your view; their Supremacy, their Monarchy, their Infallibility, with all the Consequences, and a Volume is too little for it. In this point what I have said, is enough to satisfie and settle a sober mind: If any man love to be contentious, 1 Cor. 11.16.all that hath been, or can be said, will be too little; but we have no such custome, nor the Churches of God. And so I take my leave of this Point; in which having setled the Person, we are next to reflect upon the Acts.
2. He shall judge; he shall reprove.
To judge, is a word of great Extent, and it comprehends all the duties of a good Prince; such a one who will erect a Court of Justice, impartially examine every cause, justly weigh the manners, merits, and demerits of every man, and then without favour or affection render to every man reward or punishment according to the Laws he hath prescribed, without which it is not possible his Subjects should be long foreign,Plato. continue in amicable society. Then if an enemy arise from abroad, he is to arm his Citizens against them, to conduct them wisely, supply them with Ammunition and Necessaries, valiantly to withstand and defeat all Opponents, till all injuries be righted, and peace restored.
Now such a Judge is Christ to his people: He sits upon a Throne in Heaven, Rev. 4.2, 3.with a Rainbow about it; and thence he hath published his Laws, and he sits, and continues upon it, being prepared to hear all Causes, which he will examine in an equal scale;Dan. 7.27. for he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, Isa. 11.3, 4.neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the Earth. Misphah before him shall not pass for Mispat; nor Tzehacah for Tzedacah; oppression shall not pass for judgment, nor a cry be esteemed righteousness. Isa. 5.8.Then Again, He will deliver His from their Enemies, the Divel, Death, and all the Gates of Hell; He will restore his Image decayed in them; He hath provided them Arms for the day of Battel; He is present with the power of his Spirit with his People; while they are in the conflict, he helps them, at length frees them, brings them to the presence of his Father, and gifts them with Eternal Light, Peace, Justice, and Life.
In a man (saith Calvin) there be two Worlds; the flesh he means, and the spirit;Calvin. Instit. over which, as there may be Variae Leges, Divers Laws; so also Varii Reges, Divers Governours may be set. And from hence arose that common distinction of a Government Politick and Spiritual: Those who out of their pride and worldly respects defend the external Government of the Church to be Monarchical, will have Christ to be a temporal King, flat contrary to his own words,John 18.36. My Kingdom is not of this World: This power it pleased him to leave in the hands of Kings, and secular Superiours; divide he would not so much as a poor inheritance, rejecting him that desired it, with this Check, Man, who made me a Judge, or Divider over you? Luke 12.14.The more to blame then they, whether Popes or Presbyters, that in order ad spiritualia, take upon them to give Checkmate to the Edicts and Commands of lawful Superiours, that tend to the peace of a Common-wealth, and the beauty of Holiness: For be it that Christ as God is the supreme Judge over all, yet they should prove that he delegated this his Supremacy to man, or else in that respect they ought not to assume it, or meddle with it. They ought to look upon him, as this Government was delivered into his hands, Jure Redemptionis, by right of Redemption, or Acquisition; a Saviour, a Redeemer, a Mediatour he is of and for his Church; and then over these his Government will be only spiritual, to no carnal, but a spiritual end, being ordered by the meer power of his Spirit.
All the favour he is pleased to bestow upon his people in this life, or another, are but effects of his power, his grace, his glory, which three usually have given distinction unto his Kingdom.
1. In Heaven he hath established his Throne, yet he forgets not his poor servants below: If any be persecuted, he holds it an injury done unto him; and either by his power sends him deliverance, and as a Judge delivers him from the hand of the Oppressour; or else by his mighty hand protects whom he pleaseth so far, that they shall nor come into the paw of the Bear, or jaw of the Lyon. The protection, the help, the ease that any under his Government have found, either under, or out of adversities and troubles, are effects of his power: The Divels malice is great, and his instruments no less against Christs Church; not Job, not Peter, not Paul can escape it; how comes it to pass then, that the poor Lambs are not devoured by these roaring Lyons? The Reason cannot be fetch't from below; for as every natural Agent will act ad ultimum potentiae, so far as it can; so also will this Murderer of men from the beginning, and all spiritual wickednesses in high places plot and practice ad ultimum malitiae, to the utmost of their malice, that there be not one godly man left: Look higher then we must, cast our eyes upon him that sits upon the Throne, and behold we may in his hand a drawn Sword ready to repress and avenge the wrongs of his dearest servants.Ps. 118.15, 16. The right hand of our Lord brings mighty things to pass.
Have you not heard of the death of the great Pan? Plutarch. Genev. Chron. lib. Ann. 69. Theod l. 3. c. 11. Sozomen. l. 5. c. 19. 20, 21.Of the firing of Herods Temple by Titus Souldiers, that it could not be quenched by the industry of man? And at the same time the Temple of Apollo at D…lphi was utterly destroyed by Earth-quakes, and Thunder-bolts, and neither of them could be since repaired; an end was set at the same time to the Jewish Ceremonies, and Heathenish Idolatry, that the Jurisdiction of this judge might be the better established.
Are you yet desirous to see more effects of his power? Sin, that he now labours to destroy by the power of his grace, shall, when he comes to judgement, be totally destroyed. Satan shall be fully dispossessed of his Dominion; not restrained, as now, but utterly cast out. Wicked and ungodly men, Luke 19.14. Psal. 2.9. 1 Cor. 15.26, 54. Rev. 20.13.that would not suffer him to reign over them, shall be broken in pi…ces with his Rod of Iron; and de…th it self, that last enemy, shall be destroyed; the Grave it self shall be forced to return its captives, and present them before this Judge.
2. Considered we have how terrible and destructive the power of this Judge will be to his enemies, and how comfortable to his friends; next let us look upon his Jurisdiction as it hath grace annexed to it: For from the riches of his grace proceed all those heavenly gifts, fruits and blessings of his Spirit, wherewith the Church, and every Member thereof, is furnished and adorned. He brings all those he means to save to hi… judgment-seat, particularly every man, and foreign, rebukes, discovers him, shames him, brings him under the Spirit of bondage, and convinceth of sin, and makes it apparent,E…hes. 2.3. that for it he is by nature a child of wrat…; and yet for all this there is a remedy sufficient for him by the blood of a Mediator; that he may apply this, he enlightens his mind, softens his heart, enab…es him to get the victory over sin. Is any man grounded in faith, mored in hope, rooted in charity? Doth any man find the love of truth to flame in his heart? Is his obedience chearful, universal,Mat. 5.48. & Ver. 6. Hab. 1.16. James 1.17. constant? Is it his desire to be holy and perfect, as his heavenly Father is perfect? In a word, Doth he hunger and thirst after righteousness? Let him never sacrifice to his own Net; for every good and perfect gift is from above. The Donor sits at the right hand of God, and he out of meer grace hath sent down his holy Spirit, by which he doth reign in this his Kingdom, to work these Effects in the hearts of his dearest servants.
3. To these he hath made many precious promises, which when they feel assured to their consciences by this Seal, th…y have peace within, and joy in it, these being but the repas…s of their future felicity, which also he will …estow upon them; for he is the Lord of Glory also: For the ultimate end that he gave his grace, was, that he might bestow upon them a Crown, the true end that he sits in the Conscience as a Judge, convinceth, and shames the sinner, is, that he might not be ashamed, when he appears before him, and the world, at that last and high Tribunal; but be justified there, and receive a Crown of Righteousness and Glory. This is the true Kingdom of Christ; and in this effectual, spiritual, and celestial manner, he doth, and shall govern his Church here on Earth,1 Cor. 15.25. and every Member thereof, till all his enemies be put under his feet.
But yet in the mean time, that what he hath promised by Covenant, may the easilier be effected in, and sealed to the hearts of the sons of men, it hath pleased him to appoint a succession of Ministers to the end of the World, to whom he hath given a power, and made them instrumental to judge and rebuke under him, till his coming again. These moderate the outward actions of men only;1 Cor. 3.6, 7. they can plant, as joint-workmen with God; they may water, but no…hing will come of this their planting and watering, except God give the increase. They may sow their seed, but it will not root, nor shoot, nor fructifie, except the Lord prepare the ground, and bless it in the ear. The Sacraments are but dead Elements in their hands, without the Spirit quickens them; farther than the outward man they cannot act, they have no power over the secret affections of the heart, the secret graces of the Spirit, the stedfast trust of future glory. Christ that hath left to them the supervision and moderation of external things and actions, hath yet reserved to himself the mighty force, and heavenly grace of his spiritual Kingdom; that is, a preheminence personal, in which he will have neither Partner, nor Helper.
Of the outward Administration of this Kingdom, and the persons to whole hands he hath committed the Keyes of it, I shall speak at large hereafter; I shall therefore now return to the Text, and speak of those whom he is to judge, and rebuke, named here, the
3. Nations, many people.
In which out of question is foretold, the large Extent, and Power of this Judge, since that Nation and people shall come under his jurisdiction; that the Jewes were at first, that the Gentiles are now under his Government, needs not be proved: So that as there is but one Pastor, so there is but one Shepherd. God indeed sent his Prophets to the Jews, John 10.16.but they have been the Doctors and Teachers of us the Gentiles; for what they have taught, we have seen fulfilled. Libanus is turned into Carmel; and the High-way out of Egypt to Assyria, is made plain; and the Assyrians are come into Egypt, Isa. 29.17. Isa. 19.23.and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians; in that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the Land, whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, Ver. 24.saying, Blessed be Egypt my p…ople, and Assyria the work of my hands. Ver. 25.It were to no end to heap up Prophesies to this purpose, and I have before fully proved this point. We live to see our Saviours word fulfilled; For many from the East and West have come and sate down with Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, Matth. 8.11.in the Kingdom of Heaven. He doth now judge the Nations, he doth now rebuke many people.
Some Interpreters, more Criti…a…, by Nations understand the Gentiles, by People, the Jewes, who peculiarly are often honoured with that name,Alvarez. in loc. My Peopl…, Gods People. And then dijudicabit, shall belong to the Gentiles; and a…guet to the Jewes in this sense; the Gentiles to be judged properly, the Jewes to be convinced. God would examine the Merits and Demer…ts of the Gentiles, and judge for them; that though Idolaters, and without God and Christ in the World, Ephes. 2.2, 3.and ha… their Conservation in the lusts of the flesh; yet this was not done out of malice, but through ignorance; and this time of ignorance, God (saith the Apostle) foreign, wink…d at, Acts 17.30.over-looked it, as if he had not seen it, and notwithstanding their disobedience, judged them Vessels of mercy, commanding them by his Apostles, everywhere to repent.
But as for the people the Jewes, foreign, he convinced, he rebuked, he shamed them upon the sending down of the Paraclete: For when he came, Joh. 16.8, 9, 10foreign, he reproved the World, the Jewes especially of Sin, of Righteousness, of Judgem…nt: Of Sin, of that great crime committed, in rejecting, and not believing Christ to be the Son of God, whom they had seen rais'd, and to have sent down the Holy Ghost as he had promised: Of Righteousness, that he must be a righteous person, who ascended to heaven, and did partake of his Fathers glory; Of judgement, because they lived to see the Ptince of the World cast out; His Oracles silenc'd, and his Idols overturn'd. This was, and is such an apparent conviction to the obstinate Jew, that it doth, and will shame him for his infidelity.
Use. Ʋse.What hath Christ judged for us sinners of the Gentiles? What hath he winked at our disobedience? hath he not regarded this our time of ignorance, but granted unto us repentance unto salvation? Hath he by his Spirit reproved and convicted the Jew, and yet doth he still remain perverse and obstinate? Oh then never let his stiffe neck be objected to us; but as he hath given sentence for us, so let us make use of it to our benefit.
A man that suffers Ship-wrack at Sea, if he can but lay hold of a broken Board, or some piece of a Mast, by which he may hope to be brought safe to the Shoar, he is a glad man. Wracked we are too often by sin in the dangerous Sea of this World, and Repentance is secunda post Naufragium Tabula, the sole plank on which we must save our lives;Tertull. and this Christ hath adjudged even unto us Gentiles; at which, though the new Converts of the Jewes were at first offended, yet upon Peters Apology, they rest fully satisfied, th y held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. As a gift they reckoned of it,Acts 11.2, 3. and as a gift let us accept it, and use it.
A long peace brought forth plenty, plenty made us wanton, wantonness increased to pride, pride hath produced many horrid sins, these sins have raised displeasure, and this displeasure in God being inflamed, hath turned his patience into fury, and his fury hath poured upon us many heavy judgements; How we shall escape the dregs in the bottom of the Cup, I know not, except we help our selves by the portion he hath adjudged us, R…pentanc…. Repent then; or if you do it already, do it more earnestly; pray we cannot, except we repent; and perish we must, if we repent not. Those eminent Churches of Asia lost their first love, Rev. 2.4, 10, 14, 20. Chap. 3.1, 8, 16.were not faithful to death, maintained the Doctrine of Balaam, suff…red Women to teach, bare a Name only to live, had but a little strength, were neither hot nor cold. These were their sins; but their grand offence, was their impenitence, they repented not as they should have done;Chap. 2.21. therefore they were reprehended by John, threatned by Christ, and their Candlestick is removed. Read and tremble, tremble and amend; but that this is not done, I have great Reason to suspect, because I see not yet our Prophets words verified; for our Swords are not beaten into Plow-shares, nor our Spears into Pruning-hooks.
Could I pronounce Repen…, as powerfully as he who was the voyce of one crying in the Wilderness,Matth. 3.2. possible it were to see an Army come and ask, And what shall we do? Into whose ears I would first softly whisper, that when Christ came to be King, his Subjects would turn their Swords into Plow-shares; to this I believe it will be hard to perswade, and therefore to every man with a Sword in his hand, I enjoin, yet not I, but the Baptist, Do violence to no man, Luke 3.14.neither accuse any falsly, and be content with your wages. This is the Lesson I would have taken out for the present, that it be thought on, practised; which if not, I shall desire you to joyn with me in the 43. Psalme, and with heart and voyce to sing,
Judge and revenge my cause O Lord,
From them that evil be, &c.