2. And add this by the way, see the marveJJons pox-er of God. At first, all things were nothing at all, then they were a chaos, a confused mass ; out of a confused mass comes a heaven and earth, and all the creatures. Man himself falleth, and becomes worse than nothing, having sinned ; and to be delivered out of that miserable condition he must be a new creature. Of an earthen vessel he makes him a vessel of glory, and never leaveth him
* That is, 'respectfully.' — G.
2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. IV, VEK. 7. 359
till he be settled in a blessed cverlaslini* condition. So that God brings man from nothing, and worse than nothing, to a blessed and glorious con- dition.
Let us often think of it, that we be earthen vessels. It is a strange thing that God hath joined body and soul together, which are so wonder- fully dilferent, the soul being spiritual, the body earthly. But that he hath joined this spirit with a sinful polluted soul, that is more wonderful. But to join the Godhead with earth, that the Virgin Mai'y being an ' earthen vessel,' should have Christ made of her substance, that he should set his own stamp and image in a piece of earth, and take a piece of earth into union of his person, that earth should be joined with God, here is a won- der of wonders.
3. Therefore let it tend to our humiliation, that we be but earthen ves- sels : and keep us in terms of subjection, that we dash not agauist God, being but earthen vessels ; for he hath iron sceptres for proud earth, to dash them all to pieces, Ps. ii. 9.
4. Let lis be thankful for our ])rotectioii and preservation, being earthly vessels. In the last visitation, how many of these earthen vessels were dashed to pieces in one day ? * Beyond the seas, in the wars, how many dashed together in a moment ? We be so frail, that if the like judgment fall on us, we turn to nothing. We are proud, womanish, and lewd, and have high thoughts, as if not ' earthen vessels ;' and therefore it is a great mercy that we have been thus long pi'eserved.
As ministers are earthen vessels, so magistrates and great men. Their souls be knit to their bodies by no sounder bonds than the meanest man's. There is as little combination, and as weak, between the strongest and greatest men in the world, as between the poorest.
5. But as it concerneth ministers especiall}^ let me make one use fur- ther to the people that are in any relation to the ministry or magistracy, that we do not refuse the treasure for the tceakness or injinnitij of the vessel. Elias had meat brought to him by a raven ; did he refuse it because so poor a creature brought him his meat ? 1 Kings xvii. 6. No. But took it as a special blessing of God that he had meat at all, sent from God, to refresh him in his weariness, and therefore stands not upon the vessel, but marks the treasure whence that came. Who would refuse a pardon, because he that bringeth it may be meaner than himself ? Look to the prince's hand and seal. Is it a sealed ti'uth ? Doth conscience bear witness to it, being God's privy seal ? It is no matter who bringeth it. Magnify God's ordi- nances, that not only giveth pardon, but giveth likewise a messenger to bring it. Therefore bless God rather for his ordinances, than stumble at the weakness of his ministers.
It is no matter what the hand is, if it give a treasure. We be wise in the things of this life, and so should we be in heavenly things, considering God doth this in a wise and gracious dispensation, condescending to our weakness. We bear no proportion to messengers of au higher nature. If we cannot endure the sight of an angel, we cannot endure God himself. You know the history of Moses. f And therefore seeing God hath thus stooped to us, yield thankfully to this weak dispensation, that God con- veyeth spiritual things to man by man.
Now what is the end of all this ? ' that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.' Wherein are these things observable.
* In marj^in here, ' The last great plague, anno Dom. 1G24.' — G. t Cf. Exod. xxxiii. 11 ; Deut. xxxiv. 10. — G.
3G0 COMMENTARY ON
First, That there is a pntrer in the viitiistry and dispensntion of the ffospel, and (lu excellent power. The apostle cannot enlarge himself enough here, when he enters upon the argument of commending the gospel.
Secondly, This power, and excellency of power, it is of God, and not of man.
Thirdly, And that this may appear to be so, he useth the ministry of weak men, and earthen vessels, that by the disjn-oportion heticeen the excel- lency of the thingn and earthen vessels, they may know if any good be done, it conies from him ivho is tJie hiffhest eanse of all conversion of the sonl. To bring the soul out of Satan's kingdom to the liberty of God's children, to bo heirs of heaven, is so far above * earthen vessels,' that it must needs appear to be God's work.