The Fountain of Life
The Fountain of Life opened up: or, a display
of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory.
by John Flavel
The first Branch of Christ's Prophetic Office,
consisting in the Revelation of the Will of God
"A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of
your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatever he
shall say unto you." Acts 3:22
Having, in the former discourses, shown you the solemn
preparations, both on the Father's part, and on the Son's, for the blessed
design of reconciling us by the meritorious mediation of Christ: and given
you a general prospect of that his mediation, in the firmer sermon; method
now requires, that I proceed to show how he executes this his mediation, in
the discharge of his blessed offices of Prophet, Priest and King.
His Prophetic office consists of two parts; one external,
consisting in a true and full revelation of the will of God to men,
according to John 17:6. "I have manifested your name to the men you gave
me." The other in illuminating the mind, and opening the heart to receive
and embrace that doctrine. The first part is contained in the words before
us; "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up," etc.
Which words are those of Moses, recorded in Deut. 18:15.
And here, by Peter, pertinently applied to Christ, to convince the
incredulous Jews, that he is the true and only Messiah, and the great
Prophet of the church; whose doctrine it was highly dangerous to condemn,
though out of the mouths of such (otherwise contemptible) persons as he and
John were. And it is well observed by Calvin, he singles out this testimony
of Moses, rather than any other, because of the great esteem they had for
Moses, and his writings, beyond any others. Now in the words themselves are
two general parts.
First, Christ, according to the Prophetic office,
described.
Secondly, Obedience to him, as such a prophet, strictly
enjoined.
First, You have here a description of Christ in his
Prophetic office; "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of
your brethren, like unto me." Where Christ is described,
1. By his title, Prophet, and that—the prince of the
prophets, or the great and chief shepherd, as he is stiled, Heb. 13:10. 1
Pet. 5:4. It belongs to a prophet to expound the law, declare the will of
God, and foretell things to come: all these meet, and that, in a singular
and eminent manner, in Christ our prophet, Matth. 5:21, etc. John 1:18. 1
Pet. 1:11.
2. He is described by his type; a prophet like unto
Moses, who therein typified and prefigured him. But is it not said of Moses,
in Deut. 34:10. "that there arose not a prophet since in Israel, like unto
Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face?" True, of mere men there never arose
so great a prophet in Israel, as Moses was, either in respect of his
familiarity with God, or of his miracles which he wrought in the power of
God: but Moses himself was but a star to this sun. However, in these
following particulars, Christ was like him. He was a prophet that went
between God and the people, carried God's mind to them, and returned theirs
to God, they not being able to hear the voice of God immediately, Deut.
18:16, 17. "According to all that you desires of the Lord your God in Horeb,
in the day of the assembly, sayings Let me not again hear the voice of the
Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not."
And upon this their request, God makes the promise which is cited in the
text; verse 17, 18. "They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I
will raise them up a prophet like unto you," etc. Moses was a very faithful
prophet, precisely faithful, and exact in all things that God gave him in
charge, even to a pin of the tabernacle. "Moses verily was faithful in all
his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be
spoken after: but Christ as a Son over his own house," Heb. 3:5, 6. Again,
Moses confirmed his doctrine by miracles, which he wrought in the presence,
and to the conviction of gainsayers. Herein, Christ our Prophet is also like
unto Moses, who wrought many, mighty, and uncontrolled miracles, which could
not be denied, and by them confirmed the gospel which he preached. Lastly,
Moses was that prophet which brought God's Israel out of literal Egypt, and
Christ his out of spiritual Egypt, whereof that bondage was a figure. Thus
he is described by his likeness to Moses, his type.
3. He is described by his stock and original, from which,
according to his flesh, he sprang; "I will raise him up from among your
brethren. Of Israel, as concerning the flesh, Christ came," Rom. 9:5. And
"it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah," Heb. 7:14. He honored
that nation by his nativity. Thus the prophet is described.
Secondly, Here is a strict injunction of obedience to
this Prophet, Him shall you hear in all things, etc. By hearing, understand
obedience. So words of sense are frequently put in scripture, to signify
those affections that are moved by, and use to follow those senses. And this
obedience is required to be yielded to this prophet only, and universally,
and under great penalties. It is required to be given to him only, for so
[him] in the text must be understood, as exclusive of all others. It is
true, we are commanded to obey the voice of his ministers, Heb. 13:17. But
still it is Christ speaking them, by whom we pay our obedience: He that
hears you, hears me: We obey them in the Lord, that is commanding or
forbidding in Christ's name and authority. So when God said, Deut. 6:13,
["You shall serve him,"] Christ expounds it exclusively, Matth. 4:10. "Him
only shall you serve." He is the only Lord, Jude 4. and therefore to him
only our obedience is required. And as it is due to him only, so to him
universally; "Him shall you hear in all things:" his commands are to be
obeyed, not disputed. A judgement of discretion indeed is allowed to
Christians, to judge whether it be the will of Christ or no. We must "prove
what is that holy, good, and acceptable will," Rom. 12:2. "His sheep hear
his voice, and a stranger they will not follow: they know his voice, but
know not the voice of strangers," John 10:4, 5. But when his will is
understood and known, we have no liberty of choice, but are concluded by it,
be the duty commanded never so difficult, or the sin forbidden never so
tempting: and this is also required severely, under penalty of being
destroyed from among the people, and of God's requiring it at our hands, as
it is in Deut. 18, that is of revenging himself in the destruction of the
disobedient. Hence the observation.
DOCTRINE. That Jesus Christ is called and appointed by
God to be the great Prophet and teacher of the Church.
He is anointed to preach good tidings to the meek, and
sent to bind up the broken hearted, Isa. 61:1. When he came to preach the
gospel among the people, then was this scripture fulfilled, Matt. 11:27.
"Yes, all things are delivered him of his Father; so as no man knows whom
the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him." All
light is now collected into one body of light, the Sun of righteousness; and
he "enlightens every man that comets into the world," John 1:9. And though
he dispensed knowledge variously, in times past, speaking in many ways and
divers manners, to the fathers; yet now the method and way of revealing the
will of God to us is fixed and settled in Christ: In these last times he has
spoken to us by his Son
Twice has the Lord solemnly sealed him to this office, or
approved and owned him in it, by a miraculous voice from the most excellent
glory, Matth. 3:17 and Matth. 17:5.
In this point there are two things doctrinally to be
discussed and opened, namely, What Christ's being a Prophet to the church
implies: and how he executes and discharges this his office.
First, What is implied in Christ's being a Prophet to the
church: And it necessarily imports these three things.
1. The natural ignorance and blindness of men in the
things of God. This shows us that "vain man is born as the wild ass's colt."
the world is involved in darkness: The people sit as in the region and
shadow of death until Christ arise upon their souls, Matt. 4:15, 16,17. It
is true, in the state of innocence man had a clear apprehension of the will
of God, without a Mediator: but now that light is quenched in the corruption
of nature, "and the natural man receives not the things of God," 1 Cor.
2:14. These things of God are not only contrary to corrupt and carnal
reason, but they are also above right reason. Grace indeed uses nature, but
nature can do nothing without grace. The mind of a natural man has not only
a native blindness, by reason whereof it cannot discern the things of the
Spirit, but also a natural enmity, Rom. 8:7, and hates the light, John 3:19,
20. So that until the mind be healed, and enlightened by Jesus Christ, the
natural faculty can no more discern the things of the Spirit, than the
sensitive faculty can discern the things of reason. The mysteries of nature
may be discovered by the light of nature; but when it comes to supernatural
mysteries—the most subtle, searching, penetrating wit and reason, is at a
loss.
2. It implies the divinity of Christ, and proves him to
be true God, forasmuch as no other can reveal to the world, in all ages, the
secrets that lay hid in the heart of God, and that with such convincing
evidence and authority. He brought his doctrine from the bosom of His
Father; John 1:18. "The only begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the
Father, he has revealed him." The same words which his Father gave him he
has given us, John 17:8. He spoke to us that which he had seen with his
Father, John 8:38. What man can tell the bosom-counsels and secrets of God?
Who but he that eternally lay in that bosom can expound them?
Besides, other prophets had their times assigned them to
rise, shine, and set again by death, Zech. 1:5. "Your fathers, where are
they? And do the prophets live forever?" But Christ is fixed and perpetual
sun, that gives light in all ages of the world: for he is "the same
yesterday, today, and forever," Heb. 13:8. Yes, and the very beams of his
divinity shone with awfulness upon the hearts of them that heard him; so
that his very enemies were forced to acknowledge, that, "never any man spoke
like him," John 7:46.
3. It implies Christ to be the original and fountain of
all that light which is ministerially diffused up and down the world by men.
Ministers are but stars, which shine with a borrowed light from the sun: so
speaks the apostle, 2 Cor. 3:6, 7. "For God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness, has shined into our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ." Those that
teach men, must be first taught by Christ. All the prophets of the Old, and
all the prophets, pastors, and teachers of the New-Testament, have lighted
their candles at his torch: it was Christ that "gave them a mouth and
wisdom," Luke 21:15. What Paul received from the Lord, he delivered to the
church, 1 Cor. 11:23 Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd, 1 Pet. 5:4. and all
the under-shepherds receive their gifts and commissions from him. These
things are manifestly implied in Christ's Prophetic office.
Secondly, We shall next enquire how he executes and
discharges this his office, or how he enlightens and teaches men the will of
God. And this he has done variously, gradually, plainly, powerfully,
sweetly, purely, and fully.
1. Our great Prophet has revealed unto men the will of
God variously; not holding one even and constant tenor in the manifestations
of the Father's will, but as the apostle speaks, "polumeros kai polutropos",
at sundry times, and in divers manners, Heb. 1:1. Sometimes he taught the
church immediately, and in his own person, John 18:20. He declared God's
righteousness in the great congregation, Psalm. 22:22. And sometimes
mediately, by his ministers and officers, deputed to that service by him. So
he dispensed the knowledge of God to the church before his incarnation; it
was Christ that in the time, and by the ministry of Noah, went and preached
to the spirits in prison, as it is 1 Pet. 3:19, that is, to men and women
then alive, but now separated from the body, and imprisoned in hell for
their disobedience. And it was Christ that was with the church in the
wilderness, instructing and guiding them by the ministry of Moses and Aaron,
Acts 7:37, 38; and so he has taught the church since his ascension. He
cannot now be personally with us, having other business to do for us in
heaven; but, however, he will not be wanting to teach us by his officers,
whom, for that end, he has set and appointed in the church, Eph. 4:11, 12.
2. He has dispensed his blessed light to the church
gradually. The discoveries of light have been "polumeros", that is, in many
parts or parcels; sometimes more obscure and cloudy; as to the Old-
Testament believers, by visions dreams, Urim, Thummim, vocal oracles, types,
sacrifices, etc. which, though comparatively, were but a weak glimmering
light, and had no glory compared to that which now shines, 2 Cor. 3:7, 8, 9,
10, 11. yet it was sufficient for the instruction and salvation of the elect
in those times, but now is light sprung up gloriously in the
gospel-dispensation: "And we all with open face, behold as in a glass, the
glory of the Lord." It is to us not a twilight, but the light of a perfect
day; and still is advancing in the several ages of the world. I know more
(says Luther) than blessed Austin knew; and they that come after me, will
know more than I know.
3. Jesus Christ, our great Prophet, has manifested to us
the will of God plainly and perspicuously. When he was on earth himself, he
taught the people by parables, and "without a parable he spoke nothing,"
Matt. 13:3, 4. He clothed sublime and spiritual mysteries in earthly
metaphors, bringing them thereby to the low and dull capacities of men,
speaking so familiarly to the people about them, as if he had been speaking
earthly things to them, John 3:12. And so (according to his own example)
would he have his ministers preach, "using great plainness of speech," 2
Cor. 3:12. and by manifestation of the truth, "commending themselves to
every man's conscience," 1 Cor. 4:2. Yet not allowing them to be crude and
careless in expression, pouring out undigested, crude words; no, a holy
serious, strict, and grave expression befits the lips of his ambassadors:
and who ever spoke more weightily, more logically, persuasively than that
apostle, by whose pen Christ has admonished us to beware of vain affections
and swelling words of vanity? But he would have us stoop to the
understandings of the meanest, and not give the people a comment darker than
the text; he would have us rather pierce their ears, than tickle their
fancies; and break their hearts than please their ears. Christ was a very
plain preacher.
4. Jesus Christ discovered truth powerfully, speaking "as
one having authority, and not as the Pharisees," Matt. 7:29. They were cold
and dull preachers, their words did even freeze between their lips; but
Christ spoke with power; there was heat as well as light in his doctrine:
and so there is still, though it be in the mouth of poor contemptible men, 2
Cor. 10:4. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through
God, to the casting down of strongholds: it is still quick and powerful,
sharper than a two edged sword; and piercing, to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow," Heb. 4:12. The blessed apostle
imitated Christ; and being filled with his spirit, spoke home and freely to
the hearts of men. So many words, so many claps of thunder, (as ones said of
him) which made the hearts of sinners shake and tremble in their breasts.
All faithful and able ministers are not alike gifted in this particular;
but, surely, there is a holy seriousness and spiritual grace and majesty in
their doctrine, commanding reverence from their hearers.
5. This Prophet, Jesus Christ, taught the people the mind
of God in a sweet, affectionate, and taking manner; his words made their
hearts burn within them, Luke 24:32. It was prophesied of him, Isa. 42:2.
"He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard on high. A
bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench. He
knew how to speak word in season to the weary soul," Isa. 61:1. "He gathered
the Lambs with his arms, and gently led those that were with young," Isa.
4:11. How sweetly did his words slide to the melting hearts about him! he
drew with cords of love, with the bands of a man: he discouraged none,
upbraided none that were willing to come to him: his familiarity and free
condescensions to the most vile and despicable sinners, were often made the
matter of his reproach. Such is his gentle and sweet carriage to his people,
that the church is called the Lamb's wife, Rev. 19:7.
6. He revealed the mind of God purely to men; his
doctrine had not the least dash of error to debase it; his most enviously
observant hearers could find nothing to charge him with: he is "the faithful
and true witness," Rev. 1:5, and he has commanded his ministers to preserve
the simplicity and purity of the gospel, and not to blend and sophisticate
it, 2 Cor. 4:2.
7. And lastly, He revealed the will of God perfectly and
fully, keeping back nothing needful to salvation. So he tells his disciples,
John 15:15. "All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known
unto you." He was "faithful as a Son over his own house," Heb. 3:6. Thus you
have a brief account of what is implied in this part of Christ's Prophetic
office, and how he performed it.
INFERENCE 1. If Jesus Christ, who is now passed into the
heavens, be the great Prophet and Teacher of the church; hence we may justly
infer the continual necessity of a standing ministry of the church: for by
his ministers he now teaches us, and to that intent has fixed them in the
church, by a firm constitution, there to remain to the end of the world,
Matt. 28:20. He teaches men more personally, but ministerially. His
ministers supply the want of his personal presence, 2 Cor. 5:10. "We pray
you in Christ stead." These officers he gave the church at his ascension,
that is when he ceased to teach them any longer with his own lips; and so
set them in the church that their succession shall never totally fail: for
so the word "etheto", he has set, 1 Cor. 12:28. plainly implies. They are
set by a sure establishment, a firm and unalterable constitution, even as
the times and seasons, which the Father has put ["etheto"] in his own power:
it is the same word, and it is well they are so firmly set and fixed there;
for how many adversaries in all ages have endeavored to shake the very
office itself? pretending that it is needless to be taught by men, and
wresting such scriptures as these to countenance their error, Joel 2:28, 29,
"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall
prophesy," etc. And Jer. 31:34. "These shall teach no more every man his
neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall
all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them." As to that of
Joel, it is answered, That if an Old-Testament prophecy may be understood
according to a New-Testament interpretation, then that prophecy does no way
oppose, but confirm the gospel ministry. How the apostle understood the
prophet in that his prophecy, may be seen in Acts 2:17, when the Spirit was
poured out on the day of Pentecost upon the apostles. And surely he must be
a confident person indeed, that thinks not an apostle to be as good an
expositor of the prophet, as himself. And for that in Jer. 31 we say,
1. That if it conclude against ministerial teachings, it
must equally conclude against Christian conferences.
2. We say that cannot be the sense of one scripture which
contradicts the plain sense of other scriptures: but so this would, Eph.
4:11,12. 1 Cor. 12:28.
3. And we say, the sense of that text is not negative,
but comparative. Not that they shall have no need to be taught any truth,
but no such need to he taught the first truths: That there is a God, and who
is this true God: They shall no more teach every "man his brother, saying,
allow the Lord! for they shall all "know me." To conclude, God has given
ministers to the church for the work of conversion and edification, "until
we all come into the unity of the faith, to a perfect man," Eph. 4:11, 12.
So that when all the elect are converted, and all those converts become
perfect men; when there is no error in judgement or practice, and no seducer
to cause it, then, and not until then, will a gospel ministry be useless.
But (as it is well observed) there is not a man that opposes a gospel
ministry, but the very being of that man is a sufficient argument for the
continuance of it.
INFERENCE. 2. If Christ be the great Prophet of the
church, and such a Prophet; then it follows, that the weakest Christians
need not be discouraged at the dullness and incapacity they find in
themselves: for Christ is not only a patient and condescending teacher, but
he can also, as he has often done, reveal that to babes, which is hid from
the wise and learned, Matth. 11:25. "The testimonies of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple," Psalm. 19:7. Yes, and such as you are, the Lord
delights to choose, that his grace may be the more conspicuous in your
weakness, 1 Cor. 1:26, 27. You will have nothing of your own to glory in;
you will not say, as a proud wretch once said, Ego et Deus meus; "I and my
God did this." Jesus Christ affects not social glory, he will not divide the
praise with any. Well then, be not discouraged; others may know more, in
other things than you, but you are not incapable of knowing so much as shall
save your souls, if Christ will be your teacher, in other knowledge they
excel you: but if you know Jesus Christ, and the truth as it is in him, one
drop of your knowledge is worth a whole sea of their gifts: one truth sucked
in faith and prayer from the bosom of Christ is better than ten thousand dry
notions beaten out by racking the understanding. It is better in kind, the
one being but natural, the other super natural, from the saving
illuminations and inward teachings of the Spirit: and so is one of those
better things that accompany salvation. It is better in respect of effects;
other knowledge leaves the heart as dry, barren, and unaffected, as if it
had its seat in another man's head; but that little you have been taught of
Christ, sheds down its gracious influence upon your affections, and slides
sweetly to your melting hearts. So that as one "preferred the most
despicable work of a plain rustic Christian, before all the triumphs of
Alexander and Caesar;" much more ought you so prefer one saving
manifestation of the Spirit, to all the powerless illuminations of natural
men.
INFERENCE. 3. If Christ be the great Prophet and teacher
of the church; it follows, That prayer is a proper mean for the increase of
knowledge: Prayer is the golden key that unlocks that treasure. When Daniel
was to expound that secret which was contained in the king's dream, about
which the Chaldean magicians had racked their brains to no purpose; what
course does Daniel take? Why, "he went to his house, (says the text, Dan.
2:17, 18) and made the thing known to Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah his
companions; that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning
his secret." And then was the secret revealed to Daniel. Luther was
accustomed to say, "Three things made a divine; meditation, temptation, and
prayer." Holy Mr. Bradford was accustomed to study upon his knees. Those
truths that are got by prayer, leave an unusual sweetness upon the heart. If
Christ be our teacher, it becomes all his saints to be at his feet.
INFERENCE. 4. If Christ be the great Prophet and teacher
of the church, We may thence discern and judge of doctrines, and it may
serve us as a test to try then by. For such as Christ is, such are the
doctrines that flow from him; every error pretends to derive itself from
him; but as Christ was holy, humble, heavenly, meek, peaceful, plain and
simple, and in all things alien, yes, contrary to the wisdom of the world,
the gratifications of the flesh, such are the truths which he teaches. They
have his character and image engraved on them. Would you know then whether
this or that doctrine be from the Spirit of Christ or no? Examine the
doctrine itself by this rule. And whatever doctrine you find to encourage
and countenance sin, to exalt self, to be accommodated to earthly designs
and interests, to wrap and bend to the humors and lusts of men; in a word,
what doctrine soever directly, and as a proper cause makes them that profess
it carnal, turbulent, proud, sensual, etc. you may safely reject it, and
conclude this never came from Jesus Christ. The doctrine of Christ is after
godliness; his truth sanctifies. There is a spiritual taste, by which those
that have their senses exercised, can distinguish things that differ. "The
spiritual man judges all things," 1 Cor. 2:15. "His ear tries words, as his
mouth tastes meats," Job 34:3. Swallow nothing (let it come never so
speciously) that has not some relish of Christ and holiness in it. Be sure,
Christ never revealed anything to men, that derogates from his own glory, or
prejudices and obstructs the ends of his own death.
INFERENCE. 5. And as it will reeve us for a test of
doctrines, so it serves for a test of ministers; and hence you may judge who
are authorised and sent by Christ the great Prophet, to declare his will to
men. Surely those whom he sends have his Spirit in their hearts, as well as
his words in their mouths. And according to the measures of grace received,
they faithfully endeavor to fulfill their ministry for Christ, as Christ did
for his Father: "As my Father has sent me (says Christ) so send I you," John
20:21. They take Christ for their pattern in the whole course of their
ministration, and are such as sincerely endeavor to imitate the great
Shepherd, in these six particulars following:
1. Jesus Christ was a faithful Minister, the "faithful
and true witness," Rev. 1:5. He declared the whole mind of God to men. Of
him it was Prophetically said, Psalm. 40:10. "I have not hid your
righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness, and your
salvation; I leave not concealed your loving-kindness and your truth from
the great congregation." To the same sense, and almost in the same words,
the apostle Paul professed, in Acts 20:20. "I have kept back nothing that
was profitable unto you; and ver. 35. "I have showed you all things." Not
that every faithful minister does in course of his ministry, anatomize the
whole body of truth, and fully expound and apply each particular to the
people: No, that is not the meaning, but of those doctrines which they have
opportunity of opening, they do not out of fear, or to accommodate and
secure base low ends, with hold the mind of God, or so corrupt and abuse his
words, as to subject truth to their own, or other men's lusts: "They preach
not as pleasing men, but God," 1 Thess. 2:4. "For if we yet please men, we
cannot be the servants of Christ," Gal. 1:10. Truth must be spoken, though
the greatest on earth be offended.
2. Jesus Christ was a tender-hearted Minister, full of
compassion to souls. He was sent to bind up the broken in heart, Isa. 61:1.
He was full of affections to poor sinners. "He grieved at the hardness of
men's hearts, Mark 3:5. He mourned over Jerusalem, "and said, O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem! how oft would I have gathered your children, as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings!" Matth. 23:27. His affections yearned when he saw the
multitude, as sheep having no shepherd, Matth. 9:37. These affections of
Christ must be in all the under shepherds. "God is my witness, (says one of
them) how greatly I long after you all, in [or after the pattern of] the
affections of Christ Jesus," Phil. 1:8. He that shows a hard heart,
unaffected with the dangers and miseries of souls, can never show a
commission from Christ to authorize him for ministerial work.
3. Jesus Christ zeal a laborious painful Minister, he put
a necessity on himself to finish his work in his day; a work infinitely
great, in a very little time; John 9:4. "I must work the works of him that
sent me, while it is day: the night comets, when no man can work." O how
much work did Christ do in a little time on earth! "He went about doing
good," Acts 10:38. He was never idle. When he sits down at Jacob's well, to
rest himself, being weary, presently he falls into his work, preaching the
gospel to the Samaritan woman. In this must his ministers resemble him;
"striving according to his working, that works in them mightily" Col. 1:28,
29. An idle minister seems to be a contradictions in adjecto; as who should
say, a dark light.
4. Jesus Christ delighted in nothing more than the
success of his ministry; to see the work of the Lord prosper in his hand,
this was meat and drink to him. When the seventy returned, and reported the
success of their first embassy, "Lord, even the devils are subject to us
through your name!" "Why, (says Christ) I beheld Satan fall as lightning
from heaven." As if he had said, You tell me no news, I saw it when I sent
you out at first: I knew the gospel would make work where it came. "And in
that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit," Luke 10:17, 18, 21. And is it not so
with those sent by him? do not they value the success of their ministry at a
high rate? It is not (says one) the expense, but the recoiling of our labors
back again upon us, that kills us. Ministers would not die so fast, nor be
grey-headed so soon, could they but see the travail of their souls. "My
little children, (says Paul) of whom I travail again in birth, "palin odino",
until Christ be formed in you", Gal. 4:19. As for those that have the name
of shepherds only, who visit the flock only once a year, about shearing
time; who have "the instruments of a foolish shepherd," (forcipes et mulctra)
the shears and pail, Zech. 11:15, woeful will be their condition at
appearing of this great Shepherd.
5. Jesus Christ was a minister that lived up to his
doctrine: his life and doctrine harmonized in all things. He pressed to
holiness in his doctrine, and was the great pattern of holiness in his life,
Matt. 11:28 "Learn of me, I am meek and lowly." And such his ministers
desire to approve themselves, Phil. 4:9. "What you have heard, and seen in
me, that do." He preached to their eyes, as well as ears, His life was a
comment on his doctrine. They might see holiness acted in his life, as well
as sounded by his lips. He preached the doctrine, and lived the application.
6. And lastly, Jesus Christ was a minister that minded
and maintained sweet, secret communion with God, for all his constant public
labors. If he had been preaching and healing all the day, yet he would
redeem time from his very sleep to spend in secret prayer; Matt. 14:23.
"When he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to
pray, and was there alone." O blessed pattern! Let the keepers of the
vineyards remember they have a vineyard of their own to keep, a soul of
their own that must be looked after as well as other men's. Those that, in
these things, imitate Christ, are surely sent to us from him, and are worthy
of double honor. They are a choice blessing to the people.