A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 185 (Question 64 cont.)
SERMON CLXXXV.
WE are conſidering of the Political Orders, which God hath placed among Men, and the Relative Duties ariſing there-from, both in the Superiour & Inferiour, which hath been laid open in regard of the Civil Polity.
II. WE may now proceed in take an Account of that which is Eccleſia…tical. The Doctrine of the Church in general, doth not belong to the Fifth Command, but it comes under the Head of Application; Nevertheleſs, to make way for the better ſtating of theſe Relative Duties, we muſt borrow a few Rules from thence, which are theſe that follow.
1. THAT God hath ordained a Viſible Church State in the world. By a Church in a Theological ſenſe, we are to underſtand a Number of Mankind, making an open Profeſſion of the true Religion, and devoting themſelves to the Service of God, according to his revealed Will; and this Church, in the general Notion of it, comprehen… the total Collection of ſuch as make this Profeſſion thro' the World; in which ſenſe the Word Church, is frequently uſed in the Goſpel: and the reaſon of ſuch a Church is grounded in the Law Moral, inaſmuch as Man was made for Gods Service, and therefore ought openly to avouch him to be his God, and devote himſelf to him, as his Sovereign Lord, and laſt End. Nor is it ſufficient that Men do ſerve this God in their Hearts, but they ought to call upon h… Name, and not to be aſhumed of calling themſelves by it. Hence that Precept, 2. Tim. 2.19. And God faith of his Church, Iſai. 43.21. This people have I formed for my ſelf, they ſhall ſhew forth my praiſe. But the Church under this general Conſideration, is not the ſubject of our preſent enquity; nor hath Chriſt appointed a Viſible Head of it in this World, to be his Vicar general on Earth, and whoſoever aſſumed it to himſelf, is an Anti-chriſt, of whom, 2 Theſ. 2.
HENCE,
THAT God hath Inſtituted or Appointed particular Churches, for the Advancing of all the Ends of the true Religion among Men. As God hath revealed the true Religion to fallen Man, ſo the firſt and great deſign of this Revelation, is their Salvation: which, becauſe God will have it be advanced by means ſuitable to the Nature of Man, he hath ordained, that there ſhall be an orderly Combination of Men profeſſing it, among whom theſe Means may be enjoyed, For the Converſion: of Sinners, and Edification of Saints. Eph 4.11, 12. And he gave ſome, Aposties and ſome. Prophets: and ſome, Evangel…ſts: and ſome, Paſtours and Teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, &c. Hence we ſo often read of Churches, in the Plural which muſt needs deſign ſeveral Companies of Chriſtians, ſome way ſtanding in a ſpecia. Relation one to another, for Religious purpoſes; and he reaſon for this is alſo Mor…l becauſe Mankind do ſtand in need of the Mean…, for the obtaining of Salvation, which he hath ſeen meet to afford them in this and is to be acknowledged & obeyed in it.
3. THAT … ſ…n we … in …ſe Cour…e… to …. The Law of Nature a ſo requires this, that in all Societies there ſhould be Order, nor can they conſiſt without it, but all things will be brought to Confuſion. That Chriſt hath ordained a Government in His Churches, is not to be diſpoted: There are the Keys which He hath given to ſome, both of Doctrine and Diſcipline; and there are others that ought to ſubject themſelves thereto. There are ſome who are authorized to Rule, and conſequently there are ſome that ought to Obey them, for theſe are Correlates: Hence that, Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the Rule ever you.
4. THAT this Church State is a thing diſtinct and diverſe from that which is Civil. Through Perſons do ſtand in Relation to both, yet it is upon a different account. Theſe differ in their Ends, that of the Civil is for the maintaining of the outward Peace and Proſperity of the People; the Eccleſiaſtical is for the Spiritual ſaving Good of Men. The Means alſo for procuring of theſe are various, the one by Temporal and outward ways, the other by thoſe that are spiritual, and accommodated to Treat with the Souls and Conſciences of Men. The one uſeth the Civil Sword, the other the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The Orders and Officers of them are diverſe; in the Civil State, Men have a liberty to Contritute theſe according to their Prudence; but in the other, God hath reſerved it to Himſelf, to appoint the Offices in His Church, and none may add thereto. And us it is the Duty of every Chriſtian in a Profeſſing Government, to acknowledge his Relation to both States, ſo a Man may be a Ruler in the one, and a Subject in the other: And as … inveſted with Eccleſiastical Power, are thereby diſcharged from the Subjection required of all Men, to thoſe Powers under whom they live, ſo no Perſon in Civil Dignity, ought to exempt himſelf from the Laws of Chriſt in his Church.
5. THE Correlates in this Order, are the Elderſhip, end the People that are under then Watch. And here we may obſerve, That whatſoever prudential Combinations there may be between Churches for mutual Help, there is a peculiar Relation appointed by God, between theſe Elders and this People; and therefore there is a ſpecial Obligation of mutual Duty lying upon them; nor can the Ends of a Religious Society be otherwiſe carried on to the Glory of God and Benefit of Man. Here then,
Firſt, WE may conſider the Duties of Miniſters to their People, over whom the Holy Ghoſt makes them Overſeers; which are principally ſuch as theſe,
(1.) IN General.
1. THEY ought to carry themſelves towards their People, not as Lords, but as Stewards of Chriſt. It is the Advice given in, 1 Pet. 5.3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being enſamples to the flock. They are therefore called Stewards, 1 Cor. 4.1. Let a man ſo account of us, as of the …niders of Chriſt, and ſtewards of the my ſ…er…es of God. There is a Power which Chriſt hath conſtituted on His Miniſters, which is given them for the Good of the Flo…, and ſo they ought to exerciſe it; … they ought not to …urp a Dominion: They have not to do with the outward Man. … wi… the Conſcience; they are not therefore to gi… Laws to their Flock, but to keep cloſe to … Law of Chriſt in all their Diſpenſatices.
2. THEY ought to get and m…n… a … Love to their F…ck. Love indeed is the Vi… Affection, which is to influence every Rela… but there is a ſpecial Love belonging to the…, if ever they will diſcharge the Work they … called to, faithfully and profitably: The… … therefore called Paſtors or Shepherds. And … is a common Name give to the Miniſtry, … peculiarly to the Ordinary Miniſters; … it ſtand diſtributively with Teachers, us … O… fice diſtinct from them, for both are but O… Office in the Goſpel account, 1 Cor. 12.2…, God … ſ… ſ…me in the church, ſ…t apoſ…ies, ſ… d…r…l; prophets, …h…rdly …. after th… … racks, then g…ſts of healing, helps, … d…es …f to…g…es. Eph. 4.11. And he … ſome, ap…les: and ſome, proph…: and ſ…, evangeliſts: and ſome, paſtor and teachers. … our Saviour tells us, that the Good Shepard La… his Flock: They are compared to …ender … …ars, on the account of their Love to …, 1 Theſ. 2.7. And indeed ſuch are the O… which they are commanded to diſchange to … People, that requires a great deal fo te… … fection in them. Hence,
(2.) THE more Particular Duties, are ſuch as theſe.
1. THEY ought not to ſeek themſelves, … the Glory of God end the Good of the So… under their Charge. It is the Commendation gi… of Timothy, Phil. 2.20, 21. For I have … like-minded, who will naturally care for your …. For all ſeek their ow…, not the things which … Jeſus Chriſts. It is true, Goſpel-Miniſters ought ſo far to ſee to their outward Concern, as to provide for their Families, which cannot Live on the Air; but the Burden of this Case ought to be taken from them by thoſe for whom they Serve, as will be confinered afterwards: But they ought not to make their Miniſtry a… Deſign to advance their Worldly Intereſt, and raiſe themſelves upon it to the Neglect, or … leſs Attendance on the Work which they are called to; and he that doth not deſp ſe this … a little thing, compared with the Work it ſelf, will be found an Unſ…t…ful Steward when … led to give up his Account: He is called to Serve God in this Station and his great … neſs is to bring Glory to Him in it; and to co…t it his Happineſs and Joy, if be may ſo do: And he is betruſ…ed with the Charge of Souls, whoſe Salvation he is by all Means to endeavour the furtherance of; and therefore we read, Heb. 13.17. They that muſt give account. And this awful Account ought always to bear hard upon their Minds, and be a Spur to quicken them to be Faithful in their Work: And if they Love the Souls under their Care, they will certainly do th…. …aw …, all other Thoughtfulneſs ought to …, that they may diſcharge thou Work, ſort was with Paul, Acts … —Neither …on… my …ſe dear unto my … that I may … my courſe with joy.
2. THEY ought to diſcharge their Ministerial F…d…, in … the gives of is with Faithfulneſs. This ſeems to be the firſt Qualification required in thoſe that are to be employed in this Work; 1 Cor. 1 2. It is r…red in ſtewards, that a man … ſound faithful. It is true, There are Miniſterial Gifts to be enquired after, in order to … Introduction: but in their Station, there is … Fidelity required: Their Charge is great; it is not the dying Bodies of Men, but their Im…d Souls: which if they Periſh thro' their …delity, will be amazings. New there are … things that go in to this Faithfulneſs; … whereof are counted up, 2 Tim. 4 2. …ch the word, be inſtant in ſeaſon, out of ſ…ſon reprove. rebuke. …ert with a… longſ…ng and …rine. There is Faithfulneſs in … Pr…t…rations; they ought not to ſpend the … in Worldly Diverſions and then come with their indigeſted Diſcourſes: and ſo offer to God … which Coſt them nothing; and it may be, … Poyſon on their Hearers, inſtead of … Youriſhment: but they ought to pre… then elves …y diligent St…dy and Prayer, …ing into the Mind of God, and well pon…ing what they …ave to deliver. It was Paul's …tion given to Timothy, & it belongs to every … in ſuch a Function, 2 Tim. 2.15. Study to … my ſelf appe…d unto God, a Workmen that … to be …amed. … dividing the … of tenth. There is a Fidelity alſo in Studying for ſeaſon … Truths. and thoſe that are moſt … and profitable according to the preſent Providences of God. A Word in Seaſon is com…ded by the Wiſe Man more than once; and he tells us, Eccl. 12.10. The preacher ſought … acceptable words, and that which was … was …r…ght, even words of truth. There it a Faithfulneſs neceſſary, in the Dividing to … Hearer his Portion; and this is mainly …e…ed in the forecited, 2 Tim 4.2. And to have that of Chriſt the great Paſtour, Luk. …. 42. And the Lord ſaid Who then is that faithful and wiſe ſteward, whom his lord ſhall make … ever his …uſ…d, to give them their por… of meat in due ſeaſ…n? Some need Information, ſome Excitation. ſome Caution, others …rehenſion, others Conſolation; and all this …gs to him to Adminiſter, as there is occaſion: He muſt treat all Men faithfully; he …ſt not Sew Pil…ows under any Sinners …s. or en…ourage them in their Sins: Nor may he be afraid of the Faces of Men. or ſay to the Wicked, Thou art Righteous: He muſt, … with Prudence. vet Fidelity too, bear a Teſtimony againſt every prevailing Iniquity, … he pulls the Rage of Proud Sinners on himſelf by it. He muſt not therefore baulk any Truth which he is called to diſpenſe, for any …ter end; but be able to ſay as he, Acts 2….26, 27. Wherefore I take y…u to record this day, … I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not …ned to … are unto y… the where …nſe of G…. And … ought …e to ſhew has Fidelity. … …char… CHRIST. and thole ſaving … which …w from Him; to be al … to …ay as he. 1 Cor 2.2. For I determined n…t to know any thing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him …fied.
3. THEY ought to accommodate their Miniſtry to all for is of Hearers This might have been annexed to the former, but it deſerves a diſtinct Head, being of very great Concern, and carefully to be obſerved by him who ſeeks the Good of Souls, more than his own Airy Applauſe. Every Soul in the Aſſembly comes under the Care of the Miniſter and he ought to ſeek his Edification. Now every one is not of a like Capacity; ſome are good Proficients in Underſtanding, theſe are able to digeſt ſtrong Meat; but others are Babes in Knowledge, and ſuch are to be fed with M…lk: Thus Paul ſured his Preaching, 1 Cor. 2 2. Every Miniſter ought to be Ambitious of the beſt and moſt accompliſhed Gifts; and when he hath attained to them, to ſacrifice them to the Intereſt of Chriſt and the Good of Souls. One main part of this Work is deſcribed, Jer. 3.15. And I will give you pastours according to mine heart, which ſhall ſeed you with knowledge and underſtanding. But if he will do this aright, he muſt ſuit himſelf to their Capacity: He ſhould uſe Plain Words and Intelligible, to expreſs the mind of God in. Paul ſaith of himſelf, and of this Caſe. 1 Cor. 14.19. But I … come to you ſhortly, of the Lord will, and will know, not the ſpeech of them which are puffed up, but th… power. And to Study E…tick or new-fangled Words, (which ſcarce One of Ten underſtands,) is as if one ſpake in an unknown Tongue. It is true, There are the Myſteries in Religion, which are in themſelves great Depths, and Terms that are neceſſary to be uſed, which every one doth not readily underſtand; but theſe are to be explained, & not more beclouded. To this alſo belongs their Patience, as well as Condeſcendency; and not to think it much to take a great deal of Pains, to diſtill Knowledge into the Minds of thoſe that cannot receive but by Drops; ſo Paul, Heb. 5.11. Of whom we have many things to ſay, and hard to be uttered, ſeeing ye are dull of hearing. And here alſo the Miniſter ought prudently to ſuit a Portion for all: He ought to train up the Ignorant to Underſtanding; and he ought to lead forward thoſe that do Know more, to yet further Degrees of the Knowledge of the Myſteries of Godlineſs; for we are told their Work in this regard, Eph. 4.11, 12. And to this Head belongs …a…bi…ing of thoſe that are Beginners, that they may have the firſt Foundation of ſaving Knowledge laid in them; which doth not only belong to Parents. but alſo to the Paſt is of the Churches; and the faithful diſcharge of it, is a good Medium to eſtabliſh Young Ones in the Truth, and fortify them againſt Errors.
4. HE ought to Wa…h over them. by careful acquainting himſelf with their State. and applying himſelf according…y. This is included in that Admonition, Acts 2….20. And … I kept beck … …ave … a…d … And this com…hends not only … Pa…, but his Provi… Mina… in his too He ought as far as he … their State. that he may the better apply him e… to them: Hence that, Phil. 2.19. …t To it I alſo may be of good …ewſ…rt, when I know your d…te. Which doth not intend the State of their Souls, but how the Goſpel flouriſhed, whether they walked orderly, an… kept in Peace, and each did his Duty; and whether day more were drawn over; and how each one behaved himſelf: And this is needful. becauſe elſe how …ould be acc…minodate his publick Adminiſtrations? For this and, private Viſits of his Flock, belong … h…s Charge, ſo far as he can have Opportunity; and in them he ſhould call upon theſe who are Care els of their own Salvation, and admon…ſh …em of their Danger; warn ſuch as lead looſe Lives, contrary to their Profeſſion, and ſhew them how unworthily they carry themſelves, of the Name that is called upon them: Call upon Young Ones to Remember their Creator, and encourage them to Early Piety. Offer Counſel and Encouragement to ſuch as are under Awakenings and Terrors of Conſcience; and do all he can to further their Converſion: Reſolve the Doubts, and Anſwer the Caſes of Conſcience, which any are at a loſs, about; and eaſe their Scruples, as there is occaſion: To endeavour to Recover ſuch as are declining; and eſtabliſh thoſe that are Sound in the Faith: To Viſit the Sick, and oſier ſeaſonable Counſels to them, and do their utmoſt to prepare them for their great Charge; and Pray over them, that their Sickneſs may turn to their Souls Advantage. Theſe, and whatſoever things of like Nature, belong to their Office Charge; Acts 20.18, 19, 20.
5. HE ought to endeavour by a well-Ordered Converſation, to ſet a good Example to his Flock. The Exemplary Carriages of Miniſters, is very frequently inculcated in the Goſpel, as a thing neceſſary to the good Succeſs of their Miniſtry; 1 Pet. 5.4. Tit. 1.7. 1 Tim. 4.12. Let no man deſpiſe thy youth, but he thou an example of the believers, in word, in converſation , in charity, in ſpirit, in faith, in purity. Tir. 2.7. In all things ſhewing thy ſelf a pattern of good works: in doctrine, ſhewing uncorruptneſs, gravity, ſincerity. It belongs to the Character of a Good Miniſter, that he be a burning, as well as a ſhining light, (Joh. 5.35) elſe he will likely prove and Ignis fatuus. It will be a poor Commendation of a Miniſter, when he connot ſay with Gadeon, Follow me, and do as I d…; or with Paul, 1 Cor. 11 1 Be ye fell … ers of me, even as I alſo am of Chriſt. To preſs Duties ſolemnly on his Hearers, as matters of greateſt Importance, if they hope to be ſaved, and yet himſelf live in the neglect of them, as if they were matters of no moment; is in Works to deny, what in Words the: Profeſs; and to bring themſelves and of the Wo which Chriſt denounced againſt the Scribes and Phariſees, Luke … for yo… … wi…h … be …, and … with one of your f…ge…s And how often do we find that Men can can juſt … aſ…ves againſt Reproofs, when they can bring in the Example of their Miniſters to Patr…e their Exoth…ancies. Pa… could Appeal to the Conſciences of theſe among whom …e … … erci…ed his Miniſters, whether his Life …ad not been Correſpondent thereto. Acts. …. 1 Theſ 2.12. … are my … God alſo, how …. and …. and … behaved our ſ…ve… among you …. They ought above all Men, … govern their Paſſions, to carry it Meekly, to ſhew the greateſt & br…ety in their whole Converſation. to day themſelves of their lawful Liberty, for the Edification of others; becauſe they are as L…ghts upon an Hill, and all …es upon then: and it by their ung…rt Lives, they ſ…uld under the Good Succeſs of their Miniſtry, …y Souls will ſuffer Damage by it and their … Account would be more fearful. They ought therefore to ſtand … in the …es of Apoſtacy, and not run after … …ve any … ſhip with the … Vani… that creep … among their People, but Reprove them … their own Practice. This they ought to be if they would Serve God with a Good Conſcience, and reap the Jor and Comfort of their Work, and be able to take their leave of th… Flock as he did, Acts …0.28. Wherefore I … you to record this day, that I am pure … bl…od …f all men.
6. HE ought to be … in Prayer … God in be…a…ſ…rf his Flock. As he ought to … it the Bottom Deſign of all his Works to advance God's Glory in their Salvation; ſo he is to rem…mber that all his Help and … depends upon God, who expects to be ſought to for it. How often therefore have we … aſſuring of th…ſe whom he Writes to, that he was ever mindful …f the… in his Prayers: this Rom. 1.9. For God is my witneſs, th… I am with my ſpirit in the g…ſ…el of his ſon, … without ceaſing. I make mention …f y…u … my prayers. So, Eph. 1.16. 1 Theſ 1. …. 2 Tim. 1.3. And for this he Commends Epap…rs Col. 2.16. And there is great reaſon why he ſhould thus do, both for their ſake, and for his own: He depends entirely upon God, ſ… all the Aſſiſtance whereby he may be ablde and faithfull: it muſt come from Gods Mercy, 1 Cor. 7.27. — … mercy of the Lord to be faithful He ought therefore to Pray over all his Studies, that …ed would afford His All ſtance in them, direct his Thou, and order his Preparations: For Gods gracious Preſence alſo in his Diſpenſatory to give him a door of Utterance that he may Pl…n…y and Proti…ably, and without …a…ſh bear. declare the Counſel of God. He a…ſo ought is Pray for his People That God would open a door of Pritance …nto their Hearts; That He will open their Eves and ſubdue their Hearts and teach them to Pront…. They ſhould Pray be the … T… God … Li…e and … Means to the … P… C… S…ts may be A… and G… … may be … at CHRIST ma… …e f…m… in th…m. And th…y ſh…ld P…ay for every … Caſe … for … Remembrance; and by … be…, of with ſervant Import… …y. Yea, They ſh…uld continue in i…ver, … P…ſ…; … whenſoever God give … Good S…eſs, they ſhould bring their …l…dgements to Him, and give to H…m the … Praiſe of it.
USE. AND of all this b…ings to Men in this P…, certainly then, It is … Eaſy Work … …es … the…; n…r is …ey need Envy, but P…y. Surely, It becomes all that ſtand in this R…tion, to maintain an Holy Awe of the S… Charge that belon…s to it; and to wait …bly on God, for Pity, Pardon, A…l…ſtance, and Acceptance this Chriſt. And if any do in any meaſure Acquit themſelves in it, they are … be acc…unted as the Servants of JESUS CHRIST.
[MARCH 7. 1704.]