Doct. That then a man hath the full comfort of his sincerity, when he hath the approbation of God, and of his own conscience, and hath also a testimony in the consciences of others.
First, All these had Paul.
1. The approbation of God. For he saith, ' We are made manifest unto God.' God knew both his actions and his aims, for the Lord considereth both, Prov. xvi. 2. Now the Lord knew his labour, his patience, his travelling up and down to promote the kingdom of his Son, as also that he did this out of hope, fear and love. Paul's main care was to approve himself to God, and to be accepted with God.
2. He had the testimony of a good conscience. He telleth them so now, and told them so before: 2 Cor. i. 12, 'This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we had our conversa- tion in the world, but more abundantly to you-ward,' Not by violent or fraudulent means did he seek to promote the gospel, not his self-
Vers. 11, 12.] sermons upon 2 corinthians v. 103
opinions, not self-ends ; they had more experience than others, for whereas he was maintained by the poorer towns, yet with them he laboured with his hands, and still preached the gospel. As usually, it falleth out often that handicraft people are more liberal for the support of the ministry, than the gentry or nobles upon the account of the gospel ; nay, though he could speak of seeing Christ, by extra- ordinary dispensation, yet he would glory rather in the real and general evidences of grace than in any external privilege and advantage what- soever. If Paul had never seen Christ, yet he had wherein to glory.
3. And he had a testimony in their consciences, as well as his own : ' I trust also we are made manifest in your consciences.' He was con- fident that he had a witness in their bosoms of his sincere and upright dealing. The greatest approbation that we can have from men, is to have an approbation in their consciences, for conscience is the faculty which is most apt to take God's part. We may easily gain their respect and applause by complying with their humours, but that is not lasting ; that will not do God's work and the gospel's. Our greatest advantage, if we be faithful servants to God, will be to have a witness in their consciences. Thus did Paul ; he wanted not opposers at Corinth ; some questioned his apostleship, some slighted his abilities, some saw no such evidence and excellency in his doctrine ; what should the poor man do ? He courted not their affections by arts of insinuation, but approved himself to their consciences.
But how did Paul commend himself to the Corinthians ? By three means.
[1.] By the evidence of his doctrine, which he managed with such power and authority, that it was manifestly seen by all who had not a mind to lose their souls, and were not prejudiced by their worldly in- terest, that it was not calculated for the lusts and interests of men, but their salvation: 1. Cor. iv. 2, ' By the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.' Paul preached such necessary truths, as, if men were not strangely perverted, they might see he aimed at their spiritual and eternal benefit.
[2.] By the success of his doctrine : 2 Cor. iii. 1-3, ' Do we begin again to commend ourselves, or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you ? Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men, foras- much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, minis- tered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God ; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart.' The con- versions which he had wrought among them, gave a sufficient testimony to their consciences, that he was not a vagrant self-seeker ; he had been the instrument of transcribing the doctrine of Christ upon their hearts. Paul prevailed with many at Corinth, and had converted many. God himself ^assured him of this success: Acts, xviii. 9, 10, 'Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision. Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace ; for I have much people in this city.' It was an opulent, but a wanton town, but God would be with him, and had much people ; therefore Paul ventured, and prevailed.
[3.] By the purity, holiness and sell-denial which were seen in hLs
104 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XIX.
conversation : 2 Cor. vi. 4-6, * But in all tliino;s approving ourselves as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings : By pureness, by knowledge, by long-sufferings, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left,' &c. These were the evidences which he had in their consciences — the faithful discharge of his office in all sort of pressures, wants, and exigencies ; as also by the constant study of the mind of God, and purity of life, and abundance of Spirit, and sincere charity and love to souls. By these things should a people choose a minister ; and by these things did Paul approve himself to their consciences.