2. That the ministry is a standing office. When Christ was about to depart, then he sendeth apostles Avith a promise that he would be with them to the end of the world. He sendeth them that they may send others, and so continue the succession. So that the apostles are not only sent by Christ, but the ministers of the gospel virtually, being sent by Christ's deputies ; as they are the king's officers that are not only immediately created by the king, but by his power. Still God hath ever had an ordinary standing ministry in the church. In the Old Testament there were not only prophets, that were immediately called to deliver God's message, and to write scripture, but an ordinary ministry, to open the law and the prophets, and to preserve knowledge in the church : Mai. ii. 6, 7, ' The law of the truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips, &c. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.' Therefore the ordinary Levites are called vof^oBiMaKoXoc, teachers of the law. In the New Testa- ment, Christ gave not only apostles to write scripture, but pastors and teachers to open scripture : Eph iv. 11, 'He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and teachers.' The Bible is not enough for your edification without this institution ; the same Christ that instituted apostles to write scripture, instituted pastors and teachers to open and apply scripture. This is always necessary, though religion be never so thoroughly planted in a nation, for we need continual remembrancers. And the end of preaching is not only to learn what we knew not before, but that we may have spiritual things always before our eyes, and in the view and considera- tion of conscience, and that the heart be always kept lively and soft and tender by the frequent droppings of the word, and that we may receive new influences of grace in God's way. Yea, for nations, how soon would they degenerate without a monitor and standing ministry, and all things would be wrapt up in error and darkness ! This was the first occasion of idolatry among the nations, when their monitors ceased, and religion began to be confined to a few families. Experience will best show the necessity of such a standing office in the church.
Use 2. Keproof of those that invade the minister's office, and of those that countenance them. Jude says of them, ' They perished in the gainsaying of Korah,' Jude 11. God's judgments will overtake them. Korah's sin was levelling of offices in the church : ' All the Lord's people are holy;' why should any take a special office upon them ? It is a horrible abuse. Kemember the breach of Uzzah ; God is jealous even of a cu'cumstance in his institution. Christ himself had his call to authorise him: 'Thou hast sent me into the world;' therefore much more should you have a call to authorise you. If the work doth not lie within the compass of your office, you do not glorify God, and cannot please him ; and it will be ill for your account ; you
VeR. 18.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 479
cannot, when you die, say as Christ, John xiv. 7, ' I have glorified thee upon the earth, I liave finished the work whicli tliou hast given me to do.' You do not glorify God witli anything but that which he hath given you to do. It is notable that Christ would not intermeddle out of his calling. When one came to entreat him to ' speak to his brother to divide the inheritance with him,' he said to him, Luke xii. 4, ' Man, who made me a judge or divider over you ?' Who was fitter to judge than Christ ? yet this was not the work he came about. If troubles arise, you cannot suffer them comfortably. All the disorders abroad will lie in a great measure upon your score. Invading of callings hath been the source of those mischiefs that abound among us. Augustine saitli, Pax est tranquilUtas ordinis, when all things keep their place. In natural things, elements, when out of their place, breed confusion ; the sea out of its place makes an inundation ; and the air out of its place, imprisoned in the bowels of the earth, causeth an earthquake. It is true in this case also ; when men are out of their place it begets confusion and disorder. Never do I look for the peace of the church, and power of the gospel, till men have learned to keep within the compass of their callings. You pretend gifts and abilities ; if you have a desire to the work for the work's sake, why do you not submit to the regular way of sending ? The angel that appeared to Cornelius biddeth him send for Peter, Acts x. 5. Why did not the angel teach him himself ? His commission was only to bring a message from God, not to preach the gospel ; that was Peter's work, therefore he sent him to Peter. Nay, Christ himself sendeth Paul to Ananias, Acts ix. 6. If any should usurp the place of an ambassador, without the prince's leave and command, it would be accounted horrible pride. No prince can endure a servant whom he hath not chosen ; and how then can Christ take it well at your hands ? It is but an itch of pride, if we search it to the bottom. There are regular ways of exercising your gifts, in private meditation, and family instruction, and gracious con- ferences, by way of interchangeable discourse, with less pride and usurpation, and more spiritual profit and comfort, than in public sermons.