G. As to their reception and entertainment. Negatively —
[1.] They must not be wronged. Ambassadors are inviolable by the law of nations ; but such is the ingratitude of the world, who are enemies to their own mercies, that they slight his message, use his ambassadors disgracefully, as Abner did David's, contrary to the law and the practice of all nations ; as Paul was an ambassador in bonds, iv dXvcrec, in a chain by which he was tied to his keeper ; but God will not endure this, Ps. cv. 15. He hath given charge, ' Do my prophets no harm ; ' his judgments in his providence come for wrong done to his ministers, 2 Chron. xxxvi. 16. They misused his prophets, and the wrath of the Lord arose against the people, till there was no remedy. But the negative is not enough, not to wrong them ; you ought to respect them, and receive them in the name of the Lord : 1 Cor. iv. 1, 'Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ,. and stewards of the mysteries of God ; ' and Gal. iv. 14, ' They received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.' Surely it is meant with respect to the truth he preached ; they received it with as much reverence and obedience as if delivered by Christ himself in person ; otherwise he would not have mentioned that respect without detesta- tion. Acts xiv. 14, the apostles rent their clothes when they would have given them divine honour. Well then, attention, credit, and obedience, is due to their message.
Secondly, The value and authority of this office. They sustain the person of God, and supply the place of Christ upon earth — ' As though God did beseech you by us, and in Christ's stead.' This is added to bespeak credit and respect to their message.
1. Credit. Salvation is a weighty thing, and we had need be upon sure grounds, and not only have man's word but God's for it. Man's word breedeth but human credulity, and that is a cold thing ; it is faith actuateth, and enliveneth our notions and opinions in religion, and maketh them operative : 1 Thes. ii. 13, ' The word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.'
292 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XXXVIII.
The apostles' word, as it concerned them, was evidenced to be of God. Partly, by the evidence of the doctrine itself, which had God's impress and stamp upon it ; and to minds unprejudiced did commend itself to their consciences, 2 Cor. iv. 2-4 ; and partly, by the power and presence of God with them. Acts v. 31, 32, and 1 Cor. ii. 4, 5 ; per modum effi- cientis catcsce et per modum argumenti, enlightening the mind, per- suading the heart, outwardly by miracles, inwardly by the operation of the Holy Ghost. The objective testimony was made up of both, the internal sanctifying work and the external confirmation by mir- acles ; for it is said, 2 Cor. iii. 3, ' They were the epistle of Christ prepared by their ministry, written not with ink, but the Spirit of the living God.' He writeth the law upon the heart, Heb, viii. 10, and Jer. xxxi. 33 ; as it was the ministration of the Spirit, and carried a sanctifying virtue along with it, that their faith might be grounded upon the authority of God, opening their heart to receive the word, Acts xvi. 14. Now the ordinary ministers, the truth of their doctrine is evidenced by its conformity to the direction of the prophets and apostles : Isa. viii. 20, ' To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them.' That is the standard and measure by which all doctrines must be tried to prevent the obstructions of error. Well then, though other doctrine be brought to us by men, yet our faith standeth not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God ; it must be resolved into a divine testimony ; though men bring it, yet God is the author ; what the ambassador saith, the king saith, if he be true to his commission ; and therefore this word of reconciliation must be received as the word of God. When you come to an ordinance, the awe of God must be ujion your hearts : Acts x. 33, ' We are all here before thee, to hear all things commanded thee of God.'
2. Kespect. They speak in God's name, and in God's stead, as if God were beseeching, and Christ calling upon you : Luke x. 16, ' He that despiseth you despiseth me ; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me ; ' it is Christ maketli the request for your hearts ; the Father sent him, and he us. It is a wonder, that after so much evidence of the christian faith, and the world hath had such sufficient trial of its goodness, efiicacy, and power, any should suspect the voice of God speaking in the scriptures ; but it is a greater wonder, that believing the scriptures to be the voice of God, and the testimony of God, we should so slight it, and carry ourselves so neglectfully in a business of such importance ; as if either we suspected what we profess to believe, or the hatred and love of God were such inconsiderable things, that we did not much consider the one nor the other. If an oracle from heaven should warn you of danger, bid you seek. the peace of God, or you are undone for ever, would not you seriously address yourselves to this business? God doth by us beseech you, we in Christ's stead pray you to be reconciled. It is God's word that we hear and God's message that is sent to you. As Peter prescribeth ministers to speak as the oracles of God, 1 Peter iv. 11 ; so you must hear as the word of God ought to be heard, with reverence, and atten- tion, and serious regard, as if God and Christ himself had spoken to you to press you to it. This word which you hear slightly, as it is