Again, you may consider tlie necessity of it. How shall they go on in their warfare if they be troubled with the things of this life ? Again, they are to give themselves ivholly to the work of the ministry, 1 Tim. iv. 5. And again, the equity and justice of the duty Christ and the apostle shews in the forenamed scriptures, Mat. x. 10, 1 Cor. ix. 10. The maintenance of the minister should be so free, and so liberal, as may testify that you honour him in your hearts, and as may keep him from contempt and scorn in the world. There are multitudes that grumble at the expense of a penny for the maintenance of those divine candles that waste themselves to give light to them ; that will rather die to save charges than spend a little money to save their lives, yea, their souls. They like well of religion without expense, in Basil ; and a gospel without charge, but if it grow costly, it is none of their money. The scripture says, ' Buy the truth, sell it not.' You can never over- buy it, whatsoever you give for it ; you can never sufficiently sell it, if you had all the world in exchange for it.
It is said of Csesar that he had greater care of his books than of his royal robes ; for swimming through the water to escape his enemies, he carried his books in his hand above th« water, but lost his robes. But alas ! what are Caesar's books to God's book ? The word is the field, and Christ is the treasure that is hid in that field. The word is a ring of gold, and Christ is the pearl in that ring of gold, and is it then worth nothing ? Many deal with faithful, painful ministers, as carriers do with their horses, they lay heavy burdens upon them, and exact work enough, and give them but easy commons ; and then torecompensethis, they hang bells at their ears and necks. They shall be commended and applauded for brave excellent preachers, and for great painstakers, &c.' That main- tenance that is justly due to the ministers of the gospel is honourable ; it ought to be suitable to their condition and^dignity. The mamtenance that is due to them, is of the same nature with that which is given to princes and magistrates, by those who are under them, and not a common maintenance which superiors give to their inferiors or servants.
[3. j Thirdly, There is an Jujuour of obedience and service that is due to them. And indeed, of all honours, this is the greatest honour that can be cast upon a faithful minister, the honour of obedience : Heb.
* The m mister's maintenance is not to be esteemed of the nature of alms, an some would have it ; but is a tribute of honour, suck as is given by an iuferior to his superior.
EpH. III. 8.] RICHES OF CHRIST. ^229
xiii. 7, ' Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken to you in the word of God ;' and verse ] 7, ' Obey them that rule over you.' Oh, submit yourselves, for they ' watch for your souls as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unproti table for you.'
' Obey them that have the rule over you.' The word riyovfisvon, that is rendered ' Rule over you,' in the seventh and seventeenth verses, signifies captains, guides. Faithful ministers are your captain«, they are your guides, they are your chieftains, they are your champions that bear the brunt of the battle, the heat of the day ; and therefore you must obey them, even as soldiers do their captains. So in 2 Thes. iii. 14, 'And if any man obey not our words, note that man, and have no company with him.' Brand him as infamous, beware of him, let him see a strangeness in you towards him, that all may avoid him as one whose company is dangerous and infectious. Ah Christians ! by your submission to their doctrine, you highly honour them, and you make their heavy task to be easy and sweet unto them. Christians ! it will be your honour and happiness in the day of Christ, that you have lived out what they have made out to you. I suppose you remember that happiness is not entailed to hearing, or knowing, or talking, but to doing. ' If ye know these things, blessed and happy are you, if you do them,' John xiii. 17. There are some diseases that are called op}yro- bria medicoruin, the reproaches of physicians ; and there are some people that may be truly called opprobria ministroruon, the reproach of ministers, and those are they that are great hearers, and talkers, and admirers of ministers, but never obey the doctrines delivered by them.^ The Corinthians were Paul's honour, they were his living epistles, they were his walking certificates, they were his letters-testimonial, 2 Cor. iii. 2, 3. The obedience and fruitful ness of the people is the minister's testimonial, as the profiting of the scholar is the master's commenda- tion. Oh what an honour is it to a minister, when it shall be said ot him, as one said once of Octavius, 'When he came into Rome he found the walls all of base materials, but left them walls of marble !' So here is a minister that found the people dark and blind, but left them en- lightened ; he found them dead, but left them alive ; he found them a proud people, but hath left them humble ; a profane people, but hath left them holy ; a carnal people, but hath left them spiritual ; a worldly people, but hath left them heavenly ; a wavering people, but hath left them settled and rooted, &c. No honour to a faithful minister like this. And thus you see what honour is due unto them, &c.
Use. And now let me make a word of use. Christians ! if their office be so honourable, then honour them. Oh, give them the honour that is due unto them. Will you make conscience to give others their due, and will you make no conscience of giving ministers their due ? Are there any that are greater blessings to a nation than faithful ministers? Who have stood more in the gap to turn away wrath than they ? Who have begotten you to Christ through the gospel but they ? Who have
* There is no fear of knowing too much, but there is much fear and danger of practis- ing too little. I fear, with Saint Augustine, that many grieve more for the barrenness of their lands than for the barrenness of their lives. The more the cypress is watered, the more it is withered. Oh that it were not so with many in these days!
2oO THE UNSEARCHAELE [EPH. III. 8.
turned you from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God but them ? Who have built you up in the light and love of Jesus but them ? &c. Oh, do not cast scorn and reproach upon them, but give them that honour that is due unto them !
But you will say to me, Htnu shall ive honour them ?
I answer, you must honour them these five ways :