Therefore, if 5"ou would have the speeches of the ministers to take effect, you should desire God not only to guide them in what they are to say, but likewise with the same Spirit to work in the hearers ; and when the same Spirit works in both, what a glorious success is there ! As we see here, St Paul carried himself in his own person, and in his ministiy gi-aciously, in simplicity, and sincerity ; for it is meant of both. He taught simple doctrine without any glossing, without any far-fetched beauty from wit, or eloquence, or the like ; and he looked to God in his life and conversa- tion ; and as God guided him, so he stirred them up to pray for him : as the word and prayer they are alway joined together. The word had a report in their hearts, as it had in his own, ' W^hat I speak, you ac- knowledge,' &c.
It is not for us to deliver our minds, and there an end ; but when we are to speak, we ought beforehand to look up to God, and desire his Spirit to be effectual in us, that we may speak in the wisdom and grace of the Spirit ; and likewise that it may be effectual to them, that they mav acknowledge it, that the}' may feel in their souls and consciences the power of what we speak and feel in ourselves. So you see the truth of what I said before, that God was not only wise in St Paul, but he was gracious and good for him in those that he was to deal with.
And there is the glory of a good minister that is a humble man, and denies carnal wisdom : that God will delight to honour himself by using him as an instrument to do good to others. God usually will give report of what he saith to the hearts of others.
Proud men, that speak what they speak by carnal projects, and carnal wisdom, and seek themselves, usually the hearts and consciences of other men give no report to them. For man naturally is proud, and when he sees that the most excellent man in the world hath by-aims, he will not be gone beyond by him, say what he will. If a man set up sails for him- self, he doth not win upon others. But he that discovers himself, that he seeks the glory of God, and the good of the souls that he deals with, and denies himself in that which otherwise he could do, that useth not the strength of parts which he hath, becaiise he would discover the simple word, which is most majestical in simplicity, God seeing this simple and sincere desire, he honours and crowns the ministry of such a man with success in the hearts of the people. Therefore saith St Paul here, ' I write no other thing' concerning myself, but God hath honoured me with the issue of it in your hearts likewise, that you ' acknowledge' what I say.
* You acknowledge.' Acknoidedye is a deep word. It is more than to * know.' It is more than a conviction of the judgment. It is when the heart and affections yield, when the inward Spirit upon experience yields, I feel and acknowledge this is true. It is more, I say, than knowledge. The next point then that I observe is this, that
304 COMarENTARY ON
Obs. God doth give his chihlioi ihut lore him in siinplicitij and sincerity, a place i)i the conscience of men.
He gives them place in the consciences of those that have conscience : for there arc some that have no science,* and therefore they have no con- science: as popish superstitious persons, &c. But those that deal faith- fully, that live in the church, and see the glory of God, God gives them a place in the conscience of those that they live amongst and deal with. And they seek more to have place in their conscience, than in their fancy, than in their opinion, and imagination, and humour. A caraal man, so he may have the humour, the fancy, and imagination of his hearers delighted, he regards not what inwardly they may feel from him : he regards not how he warms their hearts, and conscience, and how they acknowledge him within ; and therefore, perhaps, if he have a good word for the present, Oh, a glo- rious man, &c., it is all he cares for; but he hath no place in their con- science, because they feel him not working there, and he hath no aim to be there. A good man seeks to edify, and build up the conscience in sound principles, in good courses, in the faith of Christ, in holy obedience : things that will hold out in life and death. If I were to &peak to ministers, I would enlarge the point further.
Vse. Let us all in our conversations labour rather to approve ourselves to the consciences of men, that they may acknowledge us to be honest, down- right, faithful men, rather than to please their humours and fancies ; for, as Solomon saith, ' he that tells a man the truth, shall have more favour at the last, than he that dissembleth,' Prov. ix. 8, xxiv. 25, et alibi: for his conscience will witness that he hath dealt rightly, and faithfully with him, that he is an honest man, and goes on in the same principles still.