Authority Christ will not have his Children fed only with uncertain and slender Supplies from their Brethren to whom he doth vouchsafe Spiritual Gifts which as there is occasion they must make manifest for the profiting of others but he doth also appoint such as should give every one their portion of Meat in due season that shall preach the Word in season and out of season that shall give themselves wholly to those Things and make it their main Business whilst they live Christian love and faithfulness in exhorting one another should help forward the Work of the Ministers and not tempt any to despise them that are set over them as useless So much for the Connexion it being joined by the copulative Particle and. In the Text observe First A loving and earnest Compellation we beseech you Brethren and oh that we could at this time so beseech you as that we might prevail Secondly You have a description of the Persons to whom the Duties mentioned in the Text are to be performed 1. They are described from their Work they labour among you they labour in the Word and Doctrine chiefly So in 1 Tim. 5. 17. They labour among you The Greek may be rendred in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you they labour in you as a Builder labours in the House that he buildeth they labour in your Hearts and Souls That Beloved is our desire and the end of all our Labour to make suitable impressions of the Word of God upon your Souls by the power of the Spirit accompanying our Labours that we might be able to say as the Apostle does 1 Cor. 9. 1. Ye are our Work in the Lord. 2. You have their Dignity They are set over you that is To rule you and govern you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as stand before you that is the first signification of the word such as do excel you or that rule you So the word is rendred 1 Tim. 3. 4 5. One that Ruleth well his own House having his Children in subjection with all gravity for if a Man know not how to Rule his own House how shall he take care of the Church of God The same word in both Verses is rendred to Rule which in the Text is rendred by being over Tho' it is not so absolute a Rule as the Rule of a Father is in his Family yet it does import somewhat of ordering and governing he that knows not how to rule his own House how shall he take care of the Church of God The Elder is not a mute Person in the Church of God but as a Father hath more to do to order his Family than any other person hath in the Family so the Elder hath more to do to order the Church than any private Brother hath And unto this the Apostle doth subjoin a limitation it is in the Lord it is not a Civil Dominion but it is a Spiritual Rule it is according to the Lord's Institution and Laws it is in his Name and Authority and it is for his Glory only it is in the Things that belong to Religion and the Worship of the Lord. Thirdly These Persons are described from one special instance of their Work they admonish you The third Particular is the Duty of the People to their Ministers and the manner of proposing it doth carry great enforcement to it they to whom these Duties are to be performed being so described as before there is great Evidence that those Duties must be performed to them I. They must know them Now to know doth signifie more than barely the being acquainted with them and giving them an opportunity of being acquainted with you tho' some Church-Members are very much guilty of neglecting that and it implies more than barely to know their Gifts for according to the Hebrew Phrase words of Sence do connote the Affections and the Effects thereof As not knowing signifies neglecting as it was spoken to Christ in Isaiah 55. 5. Thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not whom thou hadst neglected for so many Ages Acts 14. 16. and 17. 30. as the poor Gentiles were neglected So 1. Knowing doth signifie First acknowledging them to be such as they are and should be accounted by you to be So 1 Cor. 16. 18. Acknowledge ye them that are such acknowledge them own them I will not know a wicked person saith the Psalmist Psalm 101. 4. He explains it in the 6th Verse He shall not stay within my House I will not own him for my Servant There arose a King in Israel that knew not Joseph surely Joseph and his Benefits that he had procured to Egypt and the Kings thereof could not be forgotten in fifty Years time but he would not own that he was any way obliged to the Memory of Joseph to shew Kindness to his Posterity and Kindred but he used them cruelly Thus also I understand that in Acts 23. 5. I knew him not to be God's high priest I did not own him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and acknowledge him to be God's High-Priest he being but a base Intruder and the Office it self being determined by the Sacrifice of our great High-Priest Jesus Christ who hath accomplished all that was tipified by that Office which was now become nothing but a matter of Traffick for Gain and worldly Grandure 2. Know them that is mind them and consider them as in that passionate Lamentation of our Redeemer over Jerusalem Luke 19. 42. Oh that thou hadst known in this thy day the things that belong to thy peace That is Oh that thou hadst minded them and hadst considered them So Paul knowing that one part of the Counsel were Pharisees and the other Sadduces Acts 23. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is considering it 3. Knowing imports caring and providing for them Lord what is Man that thou takest knowledge of him Psalm 144. 3. that thou dost care for him or provide for him The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast Prov. 12. 10. In the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is he knows it and much more should you regard the Life of your Elders 4. Knowing imports loving the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous Psalm 1. 6. Depart from me I know you not Matth. 7. 23. If any man love God the same is known of God 1 Cor. 8. 3. i. e. If any Man love God the same is beloved of God for we love him because he first loved us That is the first Duty you must know them you must acknowledge them you must mind and consider them and what they say you must care and provide for them and love them II. But Secondly You must esteem them very highly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 superabundantly Oh be not afraid that you should abound too much in your esteeming them III. And Thirdly You must love them esteem them highly in love hereunto is added the true Motive of your esteeming them and loving them that is for their Works
sake That is the third part of the Text the Duties that are required from the People to their Ministers IV. He exhorts to another Duty that is that they should be at Peace one with another and with their Elders It seems to have connexion with the former Duties either as an effect and then you must understand it thus in your conscientious knowing esteeming and loving your Elders your mutual Peace will be best maintained and preserved But if any do despise their Elders Schism and Division will presently arise Or else this Be at Peace among your selves may be joined to the former as a means and then you may understand it thus mutual Peace will help you to carry it to your Elders according to your Duty but if you are divided one from another you will fail in your Duty to your Elders and quarrel with them also From these Verses I propose these Points of Doctrine to you I. That such as are set over a Church of Christ must labour among them and admonish them II. That it is the Duty of the whole Church and of every particular Member of the Church to know esteem and love most abundantly them that are over them in the Lord. III. That the Elder 's faithfully attending to his Work and the Peoples conscientious discharge of their Duty to their Elder and mutual Peace are strictly joined together I will make what haste I can a little to open and apply these Doctrines to you Doct. I. That such as are set over a Church of Christ must labour among them and admonish them Give me leave to open unto you their Dignity and their Duty and so to apply it I. For their Dignity First They are set over a Church Secondly In the Lord. 1. They are set over a Church of Christ we are not set over many Churches but each over that particular Church where Christ doth place us it is an human Device to set one Man over many Churches but Elders are over particular Churches And in the right Execution of their Office and the Duties of their Office they are over the whole Church and every Member thereof tho' as to their Persons they may be under them As Luther said In regard of my Person I will fall down before any Man but in regard of the Truth of Christ which I administer I look upon even the Kings of the Earth to be but as Dust. Whatever weakness or darkness may be in an Elder yet in his Holy Administrations he is over even all the People As the Master of a Ship whilst he guides the Ship aright in the work of guiding the Ship is over all that are in the Ship Mr. Shepherd s Cavâ—â—â— tho' a King were in it yet it belongs to the Master to order and guide the Ship It is true indeed that the Elders are the Servants of the Church for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4. 5. But you are not from thence to argue that they are properly your Servants to be commanded by you but they are Servants that is they are to lay out themselves wholly in seeking the profit and edification of the Church according to the Duty of their Office And Aâ— Acts 13. 36. they are also the Servants of Christ to do his Work to the Church Thus in Col. 4. 12. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayer c. So the Apostle saith The servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2. 24. And being the Servants of Christ they must not persuade any to believe Men or please Men Do I now persuade men or God or do I seek to please men for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ Gal. 1. 10. In the same Sence they are called Men of God 1 Tim. 6. 11. dedicated to his service in an especial manner they are instituted by Christ they receive their Authority from Christ by the Church they depend on Christ for the faithful discharge of their Work and their Authority is not to be taken from them unless they forfeit their Calling by such Errors and scandalous Enormities as deserve Excommunication till then they are over you and are your Rulers 2. They are over the Church in the Lord it is not an earthly Dignity no Magisterial Dictatorship no rigid Authority no Secular Grandure belongs to them So our Lord told his Apostles in Luke 22. 26. ye shall not be so i. e. ye shall not exercise Lordship and Authority in a rigid way but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief it is the same word that is rendred Governor Matth. 2. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he that doth serve We are not to lord it over Gods heritage 1 Pet. 5. 3. The means of the Elders executing their Office are not carnal means but Spiritual not carnal Force nor carnal Policy but the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. Elders must not make their own Will but the Will of Christ the Rule of all their Actings in the Church of Chirst It is in the Lord. I design briefly to open unto you how they are over the Church in the Lord. First In General And Secondly In Particular I. In General I shall shew you That all the Names and Titles that are given to the Ministers of Churches in the Scripture do both speak Authority entrusted to them by Christ and to be exercised by them in the Name of Christ and for his Glory and do also import a tender Care Kindness Compassion and Watchfulness that they ought to have of the Flock 1 Tim. 3. 5. How shall he care for the House of God They do also import their faithfulness and subjection to their Lord Jesus Christ 1. They are called the Messengers of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2. 7. They are called the Angels of the Churches Angels sent The word here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often rendred Angel As 2 Sam. 14. 17 20. by Jesus Christ unto the Churches Rev. 1. 20. They are called Ambassadors to treat with Sinners in the Name of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5. 20. And they must not speak their own Words but their Lords Words they must not seek their own Will or their own Glory but his that sent them and they are compassionately to intreat poor Rebels to seek Peace with Christ and they are carefully to watch to preserve Peace between Christ and poor Souls 2. They are called the Fathers of the People So Elijah was called My Father my Father 2 Kings 2. 12. Even Idolaters did own this Title Micha in Mount Ephraim Judges 17. 10. desired the Levite to be a Father to him the Men of Dan told the Levite
THE Mutual Duties OF Elders and People Delivered in a DISCOURSE AT Beckles in Suffolk Octob. 13. 1697. At the setting apart of Mr. John Killinghal to the Office of an Elder over a Church of Christ there By John Stackhouse Elder of a Church of Christ in NORWICH LONDON Printed by Tho. Snowden for Edward Giles Bookseller in Norwich near the Market-Place 1698. To the READDR THis Sermon was preached upon a special occasion at the setting apart of an Elder over a Church of Christ the Elders of the Churches and the People there present did earnestly desire our Reverend Brother to print his Sermon they were so affected with it and so they might well be The Sermon is so Judicious so Quick and Powerful that I hope the Lord will make it of great Use to many Here you have the Duties of Ministers and People set forth so excellently and fully that those that read this Sermon will see That this Servant of Christ is mightily in the Scriptures an able Minister of the New Testament and full of the Knowledge of the Lord. When I read over this Sermon as it was written by one that took it in Short-Hand I encouraged the Author all that I could to satisfie the Desires of those that were so earnest for the printing of it I have often in publick and in private praised God for the Grace and Gifts bestowed upon this Reverend Brother and now that I am old and under such great Pains walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death it is a great satisfaction to me to leave this Church of Christ with one so able and faithful to take Care of them The Lord continue his Life and Strength pour out of his Spirit upon him more and more and grant that the Congregation may esteem him highly for his Works sake and be at Peace amongst themselves which is my hearts Desire and Prayer of Martin Fynch Decemb. 27. 1697. To my Dear and Reverend Brethren in the Work of the Gospel who desired the Printing of this Sermon WHether you may like this Sermon in reading it as well as you did in hearing it I who am conscious of the meanness of it should greatly doubt if I were not well satisfied concerning your Love and Candour My design and desire was therein as it is in all my weak Labours to profit more than to please and the profit of many was I believe your aim and hope in pressing me to the Publication thereof I have therefore yielded that your Request should over-rule my own Aversness to the Press The Text discours'd on led me to speak of so many several Particulars that they could not be fully discussed by me in one Discourse tho' long enough for the Occasion What I have briefly hinted to explain how Elders are over the Church I have read more largely declared in the Writings of Dr. Owen Dr. Goodwin and others as I suppose you also have where such as desire more full satisfaction concerning that or other Points may find it I follow them so far as I understand they follow the Word of God the only infallible Rule Now that the Father of Lights and the God of all Grace would teach Us and the several Churches of Christ over which he hath set us so to walk as is here plainly declared and much more abundantly according to his Holy Word and that he would strengthen our Hands in his great Work against all Discouragements and that the Word of the Gospel may greatly prevail and that this mean Discourse may be somewhat subservient thereunto is the earnest Prayer of Dear and Reverend Brethren Your Brother and Companion in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ though most unworthy J. STACKHOUSE Norwich Dec. 17. 1697. The Mutual Duties of Elders and People 1 Thessal V. 12 13. And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in Love for their Works sake And be at Peace among your selves THE Exhortation is very suitable and seasonable for you now and Oh! that the Spirit of God would set it home upon your Hearts the Light of the Spirit is a more powerful Teaching than the Words of a poor Worm Above other places it pleased God that the Gospel preached had a very sudden and great success at Thessalonica a chief City in Macedonia You read in Acts 17. That Paul Preaching to them three Sabbath days some Jewes and many Greeks and devout Women not a few were converted And a Church was gathered for so he directs both these Epistles Vnto the Church of the Thessalonians and Officers were set over them as appears from the Text. And because they received the Word of God with much affliction the Apostle was very solicitous for Chap. 1. v. 6â— them and he sent Timothy from Athens that he might establish them and comfort them that they might not be moved by their afflictions Chap. 3. ver 2 3. And upon Timothy's return he wrote from Corinth this first Epistle and afterwards the second Epistle and all within the compass of the first Year of his Preaching to them Having in this Epistle declared the Truths of the Gospel to them and variously instructed them he comes to exhort them to those Duties that might make their Communion comfortable and edifying Chap. 5. v. 11. Wherefore comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do He would have them to consider those comfortable Truths and to observe those holy Precepts which he had laid down in this Epistle and so to comfort and edifie one another and he urgeth it and encourageth them thereunto by commending them that already they did so practise and that therefore they ought to abound yet more and more All Exhortation doth not imply a Reproof as if People did not do what they are exhorted to but that they should yet abound more and more Hereunto he adds in the Text an Exhortation to these necessary Duties that they owed to them that were over them their Pastors or Teachers for howsoever careful they might be in the discharge of those Christian Duties of mutual Exhortation and Comfort yet they must not think their Ministers needless Brethren are to watch over one another and exhort and comfort one another in a way of Love but Elders do it in the Authority of Christ as sent by him and as you may expect God's gracious Blessing upon your admonishing and comforting one another so much more may you expect it from the Ministry of them that are set over you Heb. 10. 24 25. Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works this is the Duty of every particular Member of the Church but then it follows not forsaking the assembling of your selves together Every Servant must watch over one another that nothing be done contrary to the Master's Will and Interest but the chief Steward does it with
12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Minstry for the edifying the Body of Christ There seems to be a transposition of these words for the work of the Ministry which lieth in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those two things here named the jointing in of the Saints into Christ and into Church Fellowship and the edifying of the Body that such as are not Saints may become Saints by the Power of the Word and be jointed into the Church and after that they are jointed in that the Body might be edified Particularly 1. They are to preach the Word of God and they are to administer all the Ordinances of God and they must do it diligently and faithfully This charge is given 2 Tim. 4 12. Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine They must speak like the Oracles of God 1 Pet. 4. 11. with clear Evidence of Scripture Light that God in all things may be glorified They must not corrupt and mingle the pure Word of God with the sophistical Notions and Errors of Men 2 Cor. 2. 17. They must not lay wood and hay and stubble upon the foundation if they do their Work shall suffer loss and themselves be saved with great difficulty so as by fire 1 Cor. 3. 12 15. 2. They must watch for your Souls Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls They must watch with great care and great diligence tho' thereby they be exposed to great trouble and great danger They must warn the People of their Backslidings and of their Wanderings and they must charge them that they keep the way of the Lord they must exhort them to their present Duty and they must exhort them to lay hold on their future Reward They must be very watchful lest by some means the Tempter should tempt any and their labour should be in vain 1 Thess 3. 5. They must warn them when any danger approacheth as God chargeth Ezekiel in Chap. 3. 18 19 Verses When I say unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked ways to save his life the same wicked Man shall die in his iniquity but his blood will I require at thy hands c. Bear with us Beloved if we seem unto you to be too earnest and too warm in our Admonitions and Reproofs we speak for the life of your Souls and it is for the life of our own Souls also we must shew you the good way of the Lord convince you of the Equity of it and labour to impress you with a sence of your Duty and excite you by the most powerful Motives we can use to a cheerful even and constant walking in the ways of the Lord. 3. The Elders are to exhort and comfort all the Members of the Church yea and all that desire to receive Instruction from them as their Condition and Necessities do require They must do this with great gentleness and compassion with simpathizing Bowels and condescending Love such the Apostle tells the Thessalonions was his Carriage towards them 1 Thess 2. 7 8. We were gentle among you even as a Nurse cherisheth her Children So being affectionately desirous of you we were willing to have imparted to you not the Gospel of God only but also our own Souls because you were very dear unto us So also he chargeth us 1 Thess 5. 14. Brotherly Love doth oblige all to attend unto this Duty but the Office committed to the Elder doth much more oblige him to it he is to be patient towards all 2 Tim. 2. 25. and in meekness to instruct them that do oppose themselves if peradventure God may give them repentance that they may escape out of the snare of the Devil They are to do this generally in their publick preaching of the Gospel and also particularly from House to House Thus the Apostle declared his diligence Acts 20. 20. I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you but I have shewed you and taught you publickly and from House to House 4. They are to defend and maintain the Truth against all Corruption and Error 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. Hold fast the form of sound words in Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus That good thing that is committed to thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us And they are not only to keep it themselves but they must by sound Doctrine exhort and convince Gain-sayers the mouths of gain-sayers must be stopt who subvert whole Houses speaking things they ought not for filthy lucre's sake 1 Tit. 1. 11. And in Chap. 2. v. 8. it is required of them that they have sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of them It is that which requireth great Wisdom that we do keep close to the Word that we hold fast the Form of wholesom Words according to the Scripture and that all that we speak in the Name of the Lord be sound Speech that cannot be condemned we must contend earnestly for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints Jude 3. v. We must watch against grievous Wolves entering in amongst us This is the Charge given to the Elders in Acts 20. 28 29. The Churches and especially the Angels of the Churches Rev. 2. 2. must try them that say they are Apostles and are not and find them to be lyars 5. They that are over the Church must be exemplary in yielding Obedience to all the Commandments of Christ Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least of these Commandments and shall teach Men so shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5. 19. If you teach it not in your Preaching and teach it in your Example that any of the Commands of Christ are too little to be regarded you incurr the Threatning of being excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven Oh what cause of trembling have we So the Apostle chargeth Timothy 1 Tim 4. v. 12. Be thou an example of the Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity And in 2 Tim. 2. 22. Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness faith charity peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart Elders are set up in a golden Candlestick to be Lights and they must be pure Lights they must be burning and shining Lights if there be any filthiness in them it will lessen the Light and make the Light offensive which they hold forth to the People They are set upon a Hill the Eyes of all Men are upon them and their not walking in exemplary Holiness brings a great reproach upon the Gospel and Truths of Christ which they preach But it is honourable if they can say as Philip. 3. 17. That is
Who is sufficient for these things The Apostle puts the Question 2 Cor 2. 16. No Man no Angel is sufficient for this great Work except we have a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit except we have full communications of Life and Love and Holiness from the Holy Spirit We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. Elders must walk humbly with their God on whom they depend for all their Supplies their Office and all their Abilities for their Office are freely given them from the Grace of Christ And they must also walk humbly with them that they are set over remembring that themselves were by Nature also Rebels against the Majesty of Heaven and they must walk humbly considering their many Defects and Weaknesses that they are conscious of to themselves Even the Apostle Paul saith 2 Cor. 10. 1. Now I Paul my self beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ And if Paul himself did how much more must we beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ Elders must not lift up themselves above their Brethren they must fear lest being lifted up with pride they should fall into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 6. 3. Let us who are called to this Work and Labour give thanks unto Jesus Christ who calleth and helpeth us and let us give all the glory unto him I thank God saith the Apostle who enabled me and counted me faithful putting me into the ministry 1 Tim. 1. 12. It is matter of Thanksgiving from us that God should count us faithful and make us faithful and that God should enable us to labour and make us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 6. We receive all from him that we may give all the glory unto him To me who am less than the least of all Saints is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3. 8. So we may also say 4. Let us who are called to this Work and Labour stir up our selves to Labour As the Apostle exhorts Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 5. Watch thou in all things endure affliction do the work of the Evangelist and make full proof of thy Ministry So let us watch in all things endure Affliction do the work of Elders and make full proof of our Ministry let us make full proof to others of our Ministry and of our Faithfulness in this great Work whereunto we are called We have a great Example given us by the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 6. 3 4 5 6. Giving no offence in any thing that the Ministry be not blamed but in all things approving our selves as the Ministers of God This was the Apostles Care this is to be our Care in all things to approve our selves as the Ministers of God in much Patience in Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses in Labours in Watchings in Fastings by Pureness by Knowledge by Long-suffering by Kindness by the Holy Ghost by Love unfeigned This ought to be the care and resolute endeavours of our Souls and that we may be enabled so to do we must seek to abound more in love to the Lord Jesus Christ John 21 15. and in love to the Souls of the People 1 Thess 2. 8. Lastly You who have called Elders to watch over you for there are not only of this Church but other Churches present do you I say strengthen their Hands and encourage them in their Work as much as possibly you can do you countenance and comfort them and as the Apostle giveth charge concerning Timothy see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord 1 Cor 16. 10. So let your Elders be with you without fear for they work the Work of the Lord do what you can to strengthen their Hands in such hard and laborious Work And that leads me to the II. Doct. That it is the Duty of the whole Church and of every Member thereof to know esteem and love most abundantly those that are over them in the Lord and that for their Works sake I shall speak a little in the first place to the Duty and in the second place to the Motive for their Works sake I. As to the Duty that you owe to your Elders in short it is Love as Love is the fulfilling of the Law and all the other Commandments are briefly comprehended in this Saying Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self So give me leave to say That Love is the fulfilling of all the Duties that you owe to your Elders and all other Duties that you owe to them are briefly comprehended in this Saying Love your Elders unfeignedly love them that are over you in the Lord without dissimulation Love will make you doubly diligent in performing every good Office to to them Whatever you do to or for them if Love be wanting it is not valuable if you do it for fear of Men or from any mean or sordid Principle it is not acceptable But Particularly 1. You must honour and reverence them you must highly esteem them for they are worthy of double Honour The Apostle tells the Galatians that they had once such an esteem of him Gal. 4. 14. My temptation that was in my Flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus Tho' his bodily Presence was mean tho' he was exposed to many Sufferings and many Infirmities yet they did highly esteem his Doctrine as if an Angel from Heaven or Jesus Christ had preached it and they did in like manner esteem him for his Doctrines sake they did greatly esteem him Thus we read Rom. 10. 15. How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings The Feet are the meanest Members and liable to soil but yet because they bring the glad Tidings of the Gospel you should esteem that in them which is meanest to be beautiful you should esteem them to be worthy of Honour and Reverence The Apostle tells us that so the Corinthians carried it to Titus 2 Cor. 7. 15. His inward affection is more abundant towards you whilst he remembreth the obedience of you all how with fear and trembling you received him Ye were afraid lest any thing in your carriage might grieve him or offend him And let not any that have more years than their Elders that are set over them think that therefore they are not obliged to honour and reverence them being younger the Scripture charge is Let no Man despise thy youth 1 Tim. 4. 12. 2. You must obey them and submit to them in all things that they speak to you in the Name of Christ and from the Word of the Lord So in that before-named place whilst he remembreth the obedience of you all So 1 Cor. 16. 16. That you submit your selves to such and to every one that helpeth with
us and laboureth Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves Obey their Teachings and submit to their Admonitions Reproofs and Government do not you do as the stubborn Israelite did when Moses came to part two that were quarrelling the faulty Person thrust him away and said Who made thee a Ruler and Judge over us Acts 7. 27. When your Elders would persuade you to Peace or Holiness don't fly in their Faces and say Who made you Rulers over us But yield gently to their guidance so far as they follow Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of us as we also are of Christ Jesus It is sad to consider how foolishly we are apt to run into Extreams some Elders are for taking all to themselves and they will be Absolute and Arbitrary and will allow the Church no Power Liberty nor Privilege and on the other side some People are for taking all to themselves and will have their Elders to be no more than Cyphers or Tools among them they will not understand how their Liberty can consist with obeying and submitting to them that are over them in the Lord. There are some that are apt to have a great opinion of their own Sufficiency Wisdom and Authority and that they have little need of their Elders But Christ will not bear it that his Messengers should be so slighted and they that are humble and wise and sincerely desire the publick good of the Church will submit themselves to them that are over them in the Lord and they will be afraid of following their own Will lest in so doing they should mislead others they will seek the Law of Christ from the Mouth of their Elders that all things may be done orderly according to the Word of God and that their Elders may be with them without fear and trouble of Spirit 3. You must believe and practise the sincere Word of God being preached unto you by them that are over you in the Lord The Apostle doth greatly commend the Thessalonians for this 1 Thess 1. 6. Ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the Word with much affliction and with joy in the Holy Ghost And cap. 2. 13. When ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the Word of Man but as it is in truth the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe If that you do not believe and obey the Word that is preached to you as the Word of God if you accept Mens persons if you judge according to the Flesh as your Ear and as your fancy is pleased and your humour is gratified you do not shew that love to your Elder that God requireth of you Desire earnestly the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby let the Word of the Lord be precious unto you not only as the manner of some is when there is no open Vision but also when it is plentifully dispenced Let your growth be answerable to your feeding let not fatness breed loathing and nauseousness in you being glutted by the Word Do not despise the Stewards of Christ that minister it unto you do not grow weary of the Ordinances of Christ because you enjoy them peaceably come not under that reproof Mal. 1. 13. Ye have said also behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of Hosts Oh be not you so guilty lest God should judge you and send leanness into your Souls and make you to wander from one Sea unto another seeking the Word of the Lord and ye shall not find it as he speaks Amos 8. 12. Be not all Ear do not content your selves with hearing many Sermons and talking of them that it is a good and a seasonable Word do not content your selves without practising them If you know these things happy are you if you do them Be ye the Epistle of Christ ministred by us written not on Stone or with Ink but in the fleshly Tables of your Hearts by the spirit of God 2 Cor. 3. 3. Surely Beloved if you profess never so much Honour and Reverence and Obedience to us in your outward Words and Actions yet if the Word of Christ which we preach doth not dwell richly in you if it be not by you highly valued and rightly improved and you do not bring forth the fruits of it in your conversation you do not what pleaseth Christ nor what satisfieth us it is not that love which we desire from you but you send us mourning to our God As the Lord tells Ezekiel cap. 33. 32. Loe thou art unto them as a very lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an Instrument for they hear thy words and will not do them So we too often find it and you make us weep bitterly and cry out because our Labours are successless Oh take heed that you do not turn your backs on the Rod of Christ's Power the Word of his Grace and take heed also that you do not hear with an unbroken and unaffected and unbelieving heart for if you do either of these you are guilty of casting off Christ 4. You must pray earnestly for your Elders Heb. 13. 18. Pray for us for we trust we have a good Conscience in all things willing to live honestly Pray that their stores of the gifts and graces of the Spirit may be encreased pray that they may be helped by the Holy Spirit in their great work as the Apostle calls upon the Ephesians cap. 6. 19. Pray for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth bâ—ldly to make known the Mystery of the Gospel do not you stop your Ministers mouth do not you say that he grows dull whilst you neglect praying for him that God would open his mouth So to the Colossians the Apostle saith cap. 4. 3. Withal praying for us that God would open a door of utterance to speak the Mystery of Christ and to the Thessalonians 1 Thes 3. 1. Finally Brethren pray for us that the Word of the Lord may run and be glorified even as it is with you Pray for us that we may have success in our work and pray that we may be delivered from wicked and unreasonable Men for all Men have not Faith as it follows in the next verse And in Rom. 15. 30. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake and the Love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from them that believe not in Judea and that my Service that I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints Oh pray that their Labours may be acceptable for tho' their Work ought to be acceptable yet many times it is not Pray for them that all their afflictions dangers and troubles may be sanctified to them for the working out
of their own Salvation This shall turn to my Salvation thro' your prayers and the supplies of the Spirit of Christ Phil. 1. 19. Pray also that God would send forth more Labourers into his Harvest Luke 10. 2. 5. You must communicate to them in all good things that so if possible they may live free from care and from the cumber of the World that they must not have their minds perplexed or diverted from their Studies by outward straits or worldly entanglements Yea you may supply them so that they may be able to shew Hospitality and Charity The Scripture is very express for this 1 Cor. 9. 7. Who goeth a Warfare any tâ—me at his own charge who planteth a Vineyard and eateâ—h not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a Flock and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock vers 14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel So Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the Word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things Matth. 10. 10. The Labourer is worthy of his Hire It was Jeroboam's policy to make Priests of the lowest of the people and many do account it policy to keep their Ministers bare that so they may still be the lowest of the people but herein they do not take counsel of God And as Elders must not be Hirelings they must not be such as take care only for the profit and are not willing to expose themselves to hazard and loss and danger they must not every one look for his own gain from his quarter a Bishop must not be given to filthy lucre Isa 56. 11. Titus 1. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 2. but must take the oversight of the Flock not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucres sake but of a ready mind as I say Ministers must not be Hirelings so when you given them a little you must not any of you think that you may treat them as if they were Hirelings you must none of you expect to command them in their work and if they will not truckle to all your humours you must not say that you will give them nothing it is a just Debt you owe them and gratitude obligeth you to supply your Elders according to your ability so that they may have a comfortable subsistance among you 1 Cor. 9. 11. If we have sown to you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things The Apostle tells the Romans in cap. 15. 27. that the Churches of Greece were Debtors unto the Saints at Jerusalem because from them first came the Gospel Ministration and Ordinances and much more are the people Debtors to their Ministers by whom the Word and Ordinances are continually ministred unto them 6. You must own your Elders in their Sufferings for the sake of Christ and of his Gospel as in 2 Tim. 1. 16 17 18. The Apostle mentions One siphorus with great praise for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my Chains and when I was at Rome sought me out very diligently and found me and in many things he ministred unto him at Ephesus and he mentions it as a sad charge against other Brethren in cap. 4. 16. At my first Answer no Man stood with me but all Men forsook me I pray God it be not laid to their charge Oh! do not you in a time of distress when your Shepherd is aimed at run away according to the Proverb I will smite the Shepherd and the Sheep shall be scattered And do not think this is unseasonably moved for you know not what evil may be in the Earth therefore hear for the time to come This then is the Duty that you owe to your Elders you must honour and reverence them you must obey them and submit to them you must believe and practise the sincere Word of God that they preach you must pray earnestly for them and communicate to them in all good things and you must own them in their Sufferings for Christ 2. The second thing is the Motive why you must do this and that is for their works sake The work beloved is toilsome to them and profitable for you therefore you are to love them for their work 's sake See that he may be with you without fear for he worketh the work of the Lord as I also do 1 Cor. 16. 10. You must love Saints as Saints and you must love Ministers as Ministers Matth. â—0 41. You must shew kindness to Prophets in the name of a Prophet to Elders in the name of an Elder Jehoram honoured Elisha because he helped him against his Enemies he sent him word of the Ambushes laid by the Syrian King against him and when he brought the Army of the Syrians into the midst of Samaria Jehoram cryed out My Father my Father shall I smite them 2 Kings 6. 21. but when Elisha did not help Jehoram against the Famine so soon as he expected then he vowed he would take off Elisha's Head v. 31. so that the honour he gave him was not for his works sake but because he had some great benefit by him The people followed Christ but it was for the sake of the Loaves wherewith he fed them Job 6. 27. but when they did disgust his spiritual Doctrine then they forsook him v. 60 66. and when they could not bear his close reproofs he told them they did the work of their Father the Devil then they took up Stones to stone him Joh. 8. 39 40 59. Beloved if you do limit your respect and kindness to your Elders by such low Motives as their natural gifts learning fine pleasing language popularity pliableness to your humours and will or any other carnal respect you do not shew that true love to them that you owe them But you must perform faithfully the Duties that you owe them for their works sake that must be your chief Motive It is a most excellent work it is a work whereby your greatest good and happiness is promoted your faith and joy is helped and strengthened and your salvation furthered you must love them for their work sake for their laborious diligence and honest plainness in exhorting admonishing reproving and comforting you as the case doth require this must be your Motive and if you do not act from a true Motive you do not act acceptably I shall add three Reasons why you must thus love them and thus carry it to them that are over you in the Lord. For Christ's sake for your own sake and for your Elders sake 1. You must do thus for Christ's sake for they are sent by Christ and he hath a tender regard to them and he gives charge concerning them do my Prophets no harm Whatever you do to them he takes it as done to himself Matth. 10. 40. He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me So
again Luk. 10. 16. Christ is concerned in all your carriages in all your kindness or unkindness that you shew to his Messengers whom he sends unto you As Moses answered in the behalf of Aaron Thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord and what is Aaron that ye murmur against him Numb 16. 11. All your quarrels all your contendings all your murmurings are against the Lord and what are your poor Elders that ye murmure against them if you cast off your Elders you cast off Christ if you discourage your Elders you displease Christ 2. You must thus carry it to them for your own sake it 's for your good it is profitable for you to know them that are over you in the Lord but if you break Christ's Cords and will not know them that are over you in the Lord this is not liberty but licentiousness It is for your Edification for the Edification of the whole Church that you should love your Elders The Church the body edifies it self in love Eph. 4. 12 16. It is foolish for any to think that the Church can be encreased by lessening of the Elders your Elders are the Instruments by which the Lord doth usually dispence spiritual blessings to you things that accompany Salvation if you despise and vex the Instruments you may thereby obstruct the communication of those graces to your Souls your Elders are persons on whose welfare the common good of the Church depends and therefore ought to be preferred in all kinds and degrees of love they are given for this end that Christ may dwell among you by his Spirit and Faith Psalm 68. 18. That he might fill all things Eph. 6. 10. That he might fill the Members with more Graces and the Church with more Members You may be tempted to think that you shall get by neglecting your Elders but 't is unprofitable for you both here and hereafter Your Elders may perhaps have the present Burthen and trouble of your weakning their Hands in their Work but the sad consequence will be to your selves it will be to your own disadvantage Heb. 13. 17. They must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you It is unprofitable for you if you grieve their Spirits 3. For your Elders sake because it is for their good that they may go on cheerfully in their laborious Work and that they may be strengthned against those Temptation wherewith their Work is attended If you do not shew a Gospel Spirit in all your carriage to them you sadden their Hearts and make them to do their Work feebly Consider I beseech you they are frail Men like your selves and that the Wicked do daily vex their righteous Souls that they have much difficulty in keeping their own Spirits that they be not overcome by Temptation and if you add further unto this their Brethrens dealing roughly with them Oh how will this pierce and grieve them Consider I beseech you they are daily giving an account to the Lord Jesus of the Flock committed to them if their Flock be a thriving Flock a growing Flock if they see the Graces of the Spirit abounding in them then they with Joy praise Christ for his Spirit and Grace bestowed on them As the Apostle in the behalf of the Philippians Chap. 2. 16 17. Chap. 1. 3 4 5. That I may rejoyce in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain nor laboured in vain yea and if I be offered up upon the sacrifice and service of your Faith I joy and rejoyce with you all So likewise to the Thessalonians 1 Thess 3. 8 9. Therefore Brethren we are comforted over you all in all our afflictions and distresses by your Faith for now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord for what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we joy before God for your sakes But if the Flock be diseased and weak and unthriving and if the fat ones of the Flock do thrust with the Side and push with the Horn then your poor Elders give their Account with sorrow and mourn before the Lord and make known their complaints to him who will hear them Was it not a sad thing that Elijah should make intercession to God against Israel Rom. 11. 2. And is it not a sad thing that you should stop the Mouths and straiten the Spirits of your Elders when they pray for you But the Apostle saith We were comforted in your comforts and exceedingly the more we joyed for the joy of Titus because his spirit was refreshed by you all 2 Cor. 7. 13. Let your Elders be comforted in your Comforts let them be refreshed by you all That is the second Doctrine That it is the Duty of the Church and every particular Member highly to esteem and love and honour them that are set over them in the Lord. By way of Application 1. If any faithful Elders do meet with a contrary carriage from any that are in the Church let them not despond They have the Example of their Lord and Master who suffered the like Isaiah 49. 4. Then said I I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God God is Witness of your Faithfulness and Diligence in your Work and tho' you meet with nothing but contempt and hard usage God will give Judgment for you God will reward you in due time Let us consider the Hand of Satan is in it who is the great Enemy to the Gospel and to those that are commissionated to dispense it and the Ordinances of it Should we expect Peace with Satan Can we expect any otherwise but that so far as his Devices can prevail he will do us all the mischief and cause us all the trouble he can I would have come unto you once and again saith Paul 1 Thess 2. 18. but Satan hindred me he will hinder so far as God permits Let us also consider the hand of God in it it is to humble us to stir us up to Prayer they have rewarded me evil for good but I give my self to Prayer Psalm 109. 4. and to stir us up to greater diligence in our Work and consider that he takes notice of all your Labour and all those Difficulties that you are under Thou hast born and hast patience and for my Name 's sake hast laboured and hast not fainted Rev. 2. 3. Remember the eye of God is upon you observing how you behave your self and that he takes gracious cognizance of your going on couragiously under such discouragements 2. Let me apply this by way of Exhortation We beseech you Brethren to know them that are over you in the Lord and that you esteem them highly in love for their Works sake Let me beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ to do so