SERMON XVII.

2 COR. V. 20.

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

THE ministers of the Gospel ought ever to have in their minds the end of their office, that they may diligently use the right means to attain it: and the people under our care should be no less attentive to it, in order to receive, by co-operating faithfully with us, the benefits intended to be conveyed to them through our hands. Now the nature of our commission is set forth in the text: where you have I. The character in which we act, ambassadors for Christ.

II. The errand, on which we are sent, to pray men that they would be reconciled to God.

I. Our character is that of ambassadors for Christ, which means instead of Christ, as the same word is translated in the latter part of the verse. God sent his Son into the world, as the messenger of his covenant; the person, by whom he notified his gracious promises, and the conditions of them to mankind. When he ceased to instruct them personally, his words to his Apostles were, as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you*. Nor did he send the twelve * John xx. 21.

only, but gave to his Church other pastors and teachers also, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of his body, till we all come unto perfect men in Christ, and promised to be with them alway, even unto the end of the world. Such therefore the Apostles appointed in every city; deputed them to work the work of the Lord, as they themselves did‡; directed some of these to appoint others §, as feeders of the flock, under Christ the chief shepherd||; required them to exhort and rebuke with all authority¶, and commanded Christians to submit to them, as watchmen over their souls, who must give account**.

: God forbid, that you should have cause to be alarmed at the highest of these claims. The same Scripture on which they are founded, guards against it sufficiently. As to temporal matters: our Saviour's kingdom is not of this world t†; nor have his ministers, as such, any peculiar right to interfere in the affairs of it. The Lord indeed hath ordained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. But what provision should be made for that purpose, he hath left entirely to the conscience and the prudence of men. Our authority of demanding even a maintenance from the unwilling, and certainly then the further privileges that any of us enjoy, are derived solely from the voluntary gift of the civil power. And as to spiritual concerns: the very Apostles were bound to teach only what their Master commanded. And they indeed could not mistake any part of it but we may; and therefore you are not obliged to believe implicity what we affirm. So far still as persons are sensible, that they cannot deter

Eph. iv. 12, 13. §2 Tim. ii. 2. Tit. i. 5. ** Heb. xiii. 17,

+ Matth. xxviii. 20.

|| 1 Pet. v. 2. 4.

tt John xviii. 36.

1 Cor. xvi. 10. ¶ Tit. ii. 5. tt 1 Cor. ix. 14.

mine for themselves, they should follow their estab lished guides, if they have reason to think them skilful and honest. But to all others we apply as St. Paul did: I speak as to wise men: judge ye what

I say

*

Whatever appears true to any man by his own reason, or to any Christian by the word of God, he ought to observe, though no one reminded him of it. And whatever any one else proves to him, though absolutely unauthorised, he is bound to admit. But when God himself, knowing man's need and yet unwillingness to be taught, hath expressly ordained a succession of persons to execute that employment: if either we neglect to give, or you to receive instruction, it is a highly aggravated contempt of his authority, and of his mercy. We have indeed this treasure in earthen vessels †: and too often add sins to our infirmities, by which we dishonour him we represent, and shall bring down severe punishment on our own heads. But still, as in temporal societies, officers, though bad and unfit men, must be duly obeyed, as far as their commission extends in respect to the supreme power, under which they act; so in the spiritual one of the Church, when you hear the truths of religion from the worst of us all, you are to receive them as the word of God, for such indeed they are, not as the word of men. And a message from him deserves the utmost honour; let them, who bring it, deserve what they will.

Are you then careful to regard what we say, the more if there be reason to think well of us; but as little prejudiced against it as possible, if there be not or do you slight the commands of your Maker, when they come by a person whom you do + 2 Cor. iv. 7.

* 1 Cor. x. 15.

not esteem, or barely do not like? But if you like him ever so well, attend on him ever so constantly, applaud him ever so highly, and stop there; you have done nothing. It is not entertainment, it is the law, that you are to seek at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts*. You are to look beyond us, to the end of our mission: not to pay us any such deference, even for that, as may endanger our humility, lessen our usefulness, and pervert us into instruments of harm instead of good; but only to excite in your minds, from a due veneration of him who sends us, a due attention to what the text mentions.

II. The errand he sends us upon. Were that merely to notify a doctrine ever so strange, short of palpable absurdity, a command ever so difficult, a threatening ever so severe, you would be bound to receive it, on the authority of proper credentials, with the most submissive reverence. But what is the message that his ministers bring you from him? Be ye reconciled to God. Surely a most gracious, but at the same time a very alarming one. For you will say, are we enemies to him then? Why doubtless the expression implies, that possibly we may. And it is our highest concern to inquire immediately, (if we have not done it) whether we be or not.

By nature we are children of wrath† involved in the mortality, to which our first parents were condemned; in the corruption, with which they tainted themselves. We experience both. And God must consider our bad inclinations, however we came by them, with dislike as well as pity: and may justly leave us in this fallen estate, unless we make use of the proper means to be relieved from it. What

* Mal. ii. 7.

VOL. II:

† Eph. ii. S.

care then have you taken in this respect? "We have been by baptism regenerated and grafted into the body of Christ's church*: and we have personally ratified since, the vow then made in our name." You have done well: and these things entitle you, to assistance from above for amending yourselves, and to eternal life on condition of your endeavouring it faithfully. But all men have broken this condition by actual sin. What have you done then to renew your covenant ? Have you lamented your failings, and redoubled your watchfulness: or have you tamely given way to irregular appetites and passions? have you not indeed striven to excuse, to justify, to encourage, to make provision for them? sometimes perhaps you have resisted them but from what principle? From that of conscience towards God: or of interest, convenience, reputation only? If the latter, they are no religious motives. If the former, have you resisted in all sorts of temptations, and in the main successfully? "No: we must own, we have commonly been overpowered; and are so still." Why, in proportion as this is your case, both reason and Scripture pronounce it a bad one: for without holiness, habitual piety and virtue, no man shall see the Lordt. Are you then trying all methods to increase your strength: or do you give up the contest; sometimes perhaps a little grieved; but oftener secretly glad, that you have gotten so specious a pretence, as that of your weakness, for living as you like?

But you will say, how are we to increase our strength? Partly, by representing to yourselves seriously and frequently, the baseness and the danger of sinning against God; by avoiding resolutely the things and the persons that incline you to it; by Office of Baptism.

+ Heb. xii. 14.