It is strange that Paul, so holy a man as he was, should desire the Romans, chap. xv. 30, * to pray and strive with God in prayer for him.' ' I
VOL. IV. y
888 COilSIENTAHY ON
beseech 3»ou,' I conjure you, ' by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Spirit, that you strive to God for me.'
Note. The devil sets iif^ainst this ordinance of God especially, for it bat- tcreth his kinp;dom, and is a means to draw men out of his darkness, ' into the {glorious light of the sons of God,' Kon). viii. 21 ; as in the Acts xxvi. 18, the Lord ' sent him to brinfj them from darkness to li<^ht.' Therefore tlie devil stirs up ' unreasonable men,' malicious men, that have hurtful and evil principles, to do hurt to them that seek their good, to requite good with ill ; and therefore the apostle prayeth, ' Lord let me bo delivered from unreasonable men,' drrh ruv aro'zSjv, absurd men, greedy, that are so far from faith that they have not common reason, 2 Thes. iii. 2. Now con- sidering God convcycth all good, specially saving knowledge this way, desire God to preserve the ministers from unreasonable men ; that God would let the gospel ' run and be glorified,' 2 Thes. iii. 1 ; and that the ministry may be glorious, that is, that tbe Spirit may accompany it to get a great deal of love and strength to bear atilictions. Where the ministry is rightly received it is a glorious thing. And therefore the apostle prays that the gospel may ha^e a free passage, and be glorified by the Spirit accompanying it, in the hearts of the people ; and they that will profit most by it, must be so far from undcnnining it, that they must desire God to assist the teacher, that he being taught may teach others. Thus far it concemeth us all.
And this not only teacheth the ministers to shine to others, but every Christian is a prophet. ■-;= And they that have the light of God shining on them are to give the light to others. We are all anointed of God, and r.lie good Christians we have all received the anointing of the Spirit, and in our sphere we ought to do all the good we can to every one in his place. * You have all knowledge,' saith the apostle, ' that you may exhort and edify one another,' 1 Thes. v. 11. This must be done by the public ordi- nance, and by every particular Christian. And therefore every Chi'istian may shine to others, and open to others the m3'stery of salvation, according to their calling, specially in their families. Our Saviom* saith, ' Admonish thy brother, and thou shalt save thy brother,' Mat. xviii. 15. God maketh common Christians saviours of others. And therefore as we beheve com- munion of saints in the creed, so we ought to labour for the grace of com- munion of saints, that is, for ability and love, that we may be able to do good one to another. And no man is a Christian for himself alone. Every man hath grace for the good of the body. There is no idle member of the church's body. As soon as any one is a Christian, he is a profitable member. Onesimus, as soon as he is converted, ' he is profitable,' Philem. 11. By prayer, by advice, by comforting, and counsel, he hath ability to do some- thing to the body of Christ. As he hath good by the graces of the body, BO by God's grace he is able to do some good in the body : he is no dead member, but hath some grace of communion.
And it is no vain glory, if it be not done for ostentation ; if for Christ, not for his own advantage or ostentation. Breasts may be opened to give milk, which otherwise would be shut; gifts may be opened to do good. K they know anything that is good they ought to infuse it to them, whom God hath made near and dear to them, for grace is communicable.
The sun shineth on the greater part of the world at once. The more communicable the better : the more near God and Christ.
And then we ma}' think that w'e have all things, the benefit and comfort * That is, = ' teacher.' — G.
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. IV, VER. 6. 339
of any true gift, wlien we have spirits of love to communicate it to others. These be therefore two main graces of communion, humiHtj', and love. And when we can sweetly, humbly, and by the spirit of love communicate it to others, then we be masters of what we have, else it is not given for our good. God will blast it if we do not communicate it. God will take away that he hath from the idle servant, that will not employ his talent. I would to God more conscience were made of this, that not only ministers, but every one, would be first the cistern, and then the conduit, first get something in, and then put it out, when it is seasonable, and when we have a calling to do it.
How hath a Christian a calling to comfort others, to give seasonable reproofs, to give admonitions, to strengthen others, when no minister is by ? He that is not able to do it in some measure, can he believe com- munion of saints '? Therefore labour for some spiritual ability, that ye may not be dead and idle members of the body, but shine to others in giving exami^le to others in the way to heaven, that others may have cause to bless God. 0 blessed be God that ever I was acquainted with such a one. As David said of Abigail, 1 Sam. xxv. 89, so such a one gave me counsel, and it came from love, from a sweet spirit, and I shall have cause to remem- ber it while I live.