behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living
SERMON VIII.
1 TIMOTHY, Chap. iii. verses 14 and 15.
14. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
We see what holiness and perfection St. Paul required in all those that had any public charge in the church of God: we see also how he concluded that those who behaved themselves well and faithfully in office, "purchased to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ." When there is good order in the church, and the children of God do their duty faithfully, it is an honour to them; and men think them worthy of reverence. This is not to puff them up, and make them proud, but that they may be more and more enabled to serve God; and that men may more willingly hear them, and receive counsel and advice from them: this is the meaning of St. Paul.
Those that do not their duty as they ought, have their mouths stopped; they can do nothing with the people, but are worthily mocked: although they are bold, yet they have no gravity; therefore their doctrine cannot be received. Those that are called to fill offices in the church of God, must strive so much the more to do well; and endeavour to serve God, and the people of God, faithfully. But now-a-days, the wicked seem to bear the sway; before whom, the world, as it were, trembles.
Thus we see that things are much out of order among us. Where is our liberty at the present day? Not in the faith, but in all wickedness; among
those that are hardened and past all shame. We see good men oppressed, who dare not speak in their own defence. If a man reprove sin, and go about to redress matters, and set them in order, he is beset on all sides by the wicked. We see not many that trouble themselves to maintain a good cause, for every man betrayeth the truth. We suffer things to go as evil as they can; these are the days spoken of by the prophet Isaiah; righteousness and justice are hunted out from among us; and there is no man that hath zeal enough to set himself against wickedness. It may well seem that we have conspired to foster wickedness, and bring it to full maturity.
The wrath of God is kindled against us; all things are out of order. Those that walk as be cometh Christians, and labour to serve God purely, are marked out as enemies; and men seek to trample them under foot. On the other hand, we see the wicked do what they list; they act as wild beasts: yet men stand in fear of them; and this liberty that is given them, maketh them the more hardened. When we see such disorder, have we not reason to sigh and be ashamed of ourselves, knowing that God doth not rule at all among us, but that the devil hath full possession? Shall we boast that we have the gospel? It is true, his word is preached among us, but do we not see that it is contemned, and that men make a mock of it? But let them flatter themselves in hardening their hearts against God; yet notwithstanding, this doctrine will continue, and will be preached for a witness against us in the latter day, unless the Lord come speedily and reform us.
St. Paul writeth these things to Timothy, that if he tarry long, before he come, he may know how to behave himself in the house of God. Here St. Paul exhorteth Timothy, and in his person all the faithful, to walk warily and carefully in conformity to the spiritual government of the church. For the house of God, if he dwell therein, is the upholder of the truth. Therefore it is no trifling matter to be called of the Lord, to serve him in the office spoken of by St. Paul. We must beware and fail not, seeing God
bestoweth upon us the honour of governing his house: yea, that house wherein he hath his abode, and will make known his majesty: which is, as it were, a closet where his truth is kept, that it may be maintained and preserved in the world. If the matter stand thus, have not those whom God hath thus honoured, great occasion to be watchful, and to endeavour to execute the charge committed to them? Thus we see St. Paul's meaning.
But before we go any farther, it will be necessary to put aside the impudency of the papists, who abuse this text, in order to establish their own tyranny. For if they can once set up the church of God, they think they have won the field. But they should first prove that theirs is the church of God; which is so difficult a matter for them to do, that the contrary is evident. And why so? Because St. Paul saith, the church is the house of God. They have driven our Lord Jesus Christ out of doors, so that he reigneth no more among them as ruler, whereto he was appointed by the Father; who requireth that we should do him homage, submitting ourselves wholly to his doctrine.
Do the papists suffer Jesus Christ to govern them purely and peaceably? Nay, I am sure they do not. They coin and stamp whatever they think proper: and whatsoever they decree, is taken for articles of belief. They mingle and confound the doctrine of the gospel, with notions devised by themselves: so that we may easily see, it is not God's house: otherwise Jesus Christ would not be banished therefrom. Moreover, St. Paul addeth, the church must uphold the truth. But we see in these times, that it is oppressed by the tyranny of the pope; where there remaineth nothing but lies, errours, corruption, and idolatry. Seeing this is the case, we may well conclude that theirs is not the true church of God.
But we will go farther. It was not the meaning. of St. Paul, (as the papists imagine,) that the church cannot err because it is governed by the Holy Ghost, and that whatsoever they think good, must be received. But on the
contrary, St. Paul observes, that the church is the upholder of the truth; because God will have his truth preached by the mouth of men; therefore he hath appointed the ministration of his word, that we might know his will; for God useth this mean, that men may know his truth, and reverence it from age to age. This is the reason why the church is called a pillar.
The papists endeavour to bury the doctrine of the gospel, when they say, the church cannot err. Let us consider, say they, that God will inspire us; yet in the meantime they leave the word of God, thinking they may wander here and there, without committing evil. And why? Oh, the church cannot err. But on the other hand, let us see upon what condition our Lord hath honoured his church. St. Paul informeth us, that he doth not bind us to devise what we think good, but he holdeth us tied and bound to his word; as it is said, Isa. li. 16. "I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."
How is it that God promiseth that he will reign in the midst of his people? He doth not say, because he inspireth them, that they have leave to coin new articles of faith! No, no: but he saith, he will put the words of our Lord Jesus Christ into the mouths of such as must preach his name. For that promise was not made for the time of the law only, but is proper for the church of Christ; and shall continue to the end of the world. Thus we see how the church must be the pillar to bear up the truth of God.
God will not come down from heaven, neither will he send his angels to bring us revelations from above; but he will be made known to us by his word. Therefore, he will have ministers of the church preach his truth, and instruct us therein. If we attend not to these things, we are not the church of God; but are guilty, as much as lieth in us, of abolishing his truth; we are traitors and murderers. And why so? Because God could maintain his truth otherwise if he would: he is not bound to these means, neither hath he any
need of the help of men. But he will have his truth made known by such preaching as he hath commanded. What then would become of us, if we should leave off this preaching? should we not thereby endeavour to bring this truth to nought? It is said, the gospel, (as it is preached,) "is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Romans i. 16.
And how so? Is it because God hath no other means, but by the voice of men? in this sound that vanisheth away in the air? No, no; but yet he hath appointed this means, to the end that when we are restored by his grace, we may attend to the hearing of his word with all reverence: then shall we feel that his doctrine is not vain and unprofitable, but hath its effect, and is of such efficacy, as to call us to eternal life. For St. Paul saith, Romans x. 17. "Faith cometh by hearing:" and we know it is faith that quickeneth our souls, which otherwise would be helpless and lost. Thus let us mark well St. Paul's meaning, whereby we may know how impudent and beastly the papists are, to claim this text in order to establish their tyranny, which is entirely contrary to the meaning of the apostle.
But it is not enough to reprove the papists; we also must be edified by the doctrine contained in the text. Therefore, first of all, those that have charge to preach the doctrine of the gospel, must take heed to themselves. And why so? Because they are set in God's house to govern it. If a man do anyone the honour, to put the rule and government of his house and goods in his hands, ought he not to conduct himself in such a manner, as to please the one who committed this trust to him? If a prince make a man overseer of his household, is he not bound to do his duty faithfully? So the living God appointeth those that must preach his word in his house and temple: he will have them govern his people in his name, and bear the message of salvation. Seeing they are called to this high station, what carefulness and humility ought there to be in them!
Therefore, let those that are appointed ministers of the word of God, know that they have not only to do with men, but that they are accountable to him who hath called them to this high office: let them not be puffed up with the honour and dignity of their station, but know that they shall be so much the less able to excuse themselves, if they walk not uprightly: and that they commit horrible sacrilege, and shall have a fearful vengeance of God prepared for them, if they labour not to serve him as they ought.
First of all, we are exhorted to do our duty; God having honoured us, who were so unworthy, we ought to labour on our part, to fill the office where unto we are called. When the church is called the house of the living God, it ought to awaken us to walk otherwise than we do. Why do we sleep in our sins? why do we run into wickedness? do we think that God doth not see us? that we are far out of his sight, and from the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ? Let us remember that the word of God is preached to us, that God dwelleth among us, and is present with us; as our Lord Jesus Christ saith, Mat. xviii. 20. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." And we know, as it is said, Col. ii. 9. that, "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
So then, how oft soever the devil attempts to rock us to sleep, and tie us to the vanities of this world, or tempt us with wicked lusts, we ought to remember this sentence, and set it before our eyes; that God dwelleth in the midst of us, and that we are his house. Now we must consider that God cannot dwell in a foul place: he must have a holy house and temple. And how? Oh, there is no difficulty in setting out ourselves finely, that all the world may gaze at us: but God taketh no pleasure in all these vanities of the world. Our beautifying must be spiritual: we must be clad with the graces of the Holy Ghost: this is the gold and silver, these are the precious stones spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, when he describeth the temple of God, chap. lx. 6.
Seeing God is so gracious as to have his word preached among us, let us live in obedience to his divine commands, that he may reside with us, and we be his temple. For this cause, let us see that we cleanse ourselves from all our filthiness, and renounce it, that we may be a fit place for God's holiness to dwell in. If we attend to these things, we shall reap great joy; seeing our Lord joineth himself to us, and maketh his residence in our souls and bodies. What are we? There is nothing but rottenness in us: I speak not of the body only, but more particularly of the soul, which is still more infected: and yet we see the Lord will build us up, that we may be fit temples for his majesty to reside in. We have great occasion to rejoice by reason of this text; and ought to strive to obtain the pureness which is required by the gospel; because God will have us joined to him, and sanctified by his holy spirit.
Our text says, the church of God is the pillar and ground of the truth. God is not under the necessity of borrowing anything from man, as we before observed; he can cause his truth to reign without our help: but he doth us this honour, and is so gracious as to employ us in this worthy and precious calling. He could instruct us without our hearing the voice of man; he could also send his angels, as he did to his servants in ancient times: but he calleth and gathereth us together in his church; there is his banner which he will set up among his flock; this is the kingly sceptre whereby he will have us ruled.
Therefore God hath shut up his truth in the scriptures, and will have it preached and expounded to us daily. For when St. Paul speaketh of the truth, he meaneth the doctrine of salvation, which God hath revealed to us in his word. The apostle saith, the doctrine of God, (which is the incorruptible seed, whereby we are born anew to everlasting life,) is the truth. This is set forth, Col. i. 5. John xvi. 13. and xvii. 17. St. John often speaketh of the gospel, by calling it the truth: as if he should say, without it we know nothing, and whatsoever we can comprehend, is vain: so that this is the only sure foundation upon which we can rest.
And indeed, what would it profit us if we knew all other things, and were destitute of the knowledge of our God? If we know not God, I say, alas, are we not more than miserable? But as God hath imprinted his image in his word, it is there he presenteth himself to us, and will have us to behold him, as it were, face to face. 2 Cor. iii. and iv. Therefore it is not in vain that St. Paul giveth this title to the preaching of the word of God; namely, that it is the truth. By this means he maketh himself known to us; it is also the means of our salvation: it is our life, our riches, and the seed whereby we become the children of God: in short, it is the nourishment of our souls, by which we are quickened.
Therefore let us remember that St. Paul saith, the truth is maintained among us by the preaching of the gospel; and men are appointed thereunto. First of all, we are miserable, (as I before observed,) if we know not God. And how shall we know him, unless we suffer ourselves to be taught by his word? We must learn to seek for this treasure, and apply all our labour to find it: and when God is so gracious, as to offer it to us, let us receive it as poor beggars starved with hunger. When it pleaseth him to bestow such a benefit upon us, let us withdraw ourselves from worldly matters, that we may not despise his inestimable blessings.
Seeing the truth of God cannot reign among us, unless the gospel be preached, we ought to esteem it highly, knowing that he otherwise holdeth himself afar off. If these things were observed as they ought to be, we should see more reverence for the doctrine of the word of God. In these days we can hardly tell what the word church meaneth. It is true, men boast that the gospel is preached, and that there is a reformation according to the word of God; but while they use this word church, they know not what it means.
Some say, they believe there is a universal church; but they speak in language which they do not understand. Such are the papists, who are so
ignorant of the word church, being bewitched after the traditions of men, and bound by their tyranny, that they cannot understand it; neither dare they inquire what the church of God is. They have their foolish devotions, to which they are so
much given, that they cannot be brought from them to the right way of salvation. As for us, we have the word of God, but we hardly know how to maintain it. We see what contempt there is cast upon it, when it is preached among us, and how it is set at nought; every man being his own teacher.
Many are glutted, as it were, with the gospel; and think they know more than is necessary: they know so much, that they become sensible of their own condemnation. Thus they shall be twice guilty; because they have once tasted the heavenly gifts, and are now such contemners of the word of God: we plainly perceive that they cast off all honesty, reverence, and religion and would be content to have God unknown among them. We ought to be greatly ashamed, seeing God hath so enlightened us, that we give ourselves to such wickedness; and cause the gospel to be evil spoken of among the ignorant and unbelievers.
If we knew how to profit by what is contained in this place, we should have great reason to rejoice; seeing God will have his truth maintained by the means of preaching. There is nothing in men but wickedness; and yet God will use them for witnesses of his truth, having committed it to their keeping. Although there are but few that preach the word of God, yet notwithstanding, this treasure is common to the whole church. Therefore we are keepers of the truth of God; that is to say, of his precious image, of that which concerneth the majesty of the doctrine of our salvation, and the life of the world.
When God calleth us to so honourable a charge, have we not great reason to rejoice and praise his holy name? Let us remember to keep this treasure safe, that it be not profaned among us. St. Paul speaketh not only to instruct
those that are called to preach the gospel, but that we may all know what blessings God hath bestowed upon us, when his word, is preached in its purity. Our salvation is a matter of great importance; and we must come to it by means of the gospel. For faith is the life of our souls: as the body is quickened by the soul, so is the soul by faith. So then we are dead, until God calleth us to the knowledge of his truth. Therefore we need not fear, for God will adopt us for his children, if we receive the doctrine of the gospel.
We need not soar above the clouds, we need not travel up and down the earth, we need not go beyond the seas, nor to the bottomless pit, to seek God; for we have his word in our hearts, and in our mouths. God openeth to us the door of paradise, when we hear the promises that are made to us in his name. It is as much as if he reached out his hand visibly, and received us for his children. God sealeth this doctrine by the signs which are annexed to it: for it is certain that the sacraments have a tendency to this end, that we may know that the church is the house of God, in which he is resident, and that his truth is maintained thereby.
When we are baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are brought into God's household: it is the mark of our adoption. Now, he cannot be our Father, unless we are under his divine protection, and governed by his holy spirit: as we have an evident witness in baptism, and a greater in the Lord's Supper: that is, we have a plain declaration that we are joined to God, and made one with him. For our Lord Jesus Christ showeth us that we are his body; that everyone is a member: that he is the head whereby we are nourished with his substance and virtue. As the body is not separate from the head, so Jesus Christ showeth us that his life is common with ours, and that we are partakers of all his benefits.
When we behold this, is it not enough to make the truth of God precious to us? Is it not a looking glass, in which we may see that God not only dwelleth among us, but that he also dwelleth in every one of us? God,
having made us one with our Lord Jesus Christ, will not suffer us to be separated from him in any way whatsoever. Therefore, when we have this inestimable honour conferred upon us, should we not be ravished, as it were, and learn more and more to withdraw ourselves from the corruptions of this world, and truly show that it is not in vain that the Son of God will have us belong to him? How are we made one with our Lord Jesus Christ? By being pilgrims in this world, passing through it as true citizens of heaven. St. Paul saith, Eph. ii. 19. "Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."
When he exhorteth us to withdraw from all wicked affections, he calleth us to our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is our life, who is in heaven: must we not then take pains to come unto him? Now let us meditate upon this subject with solemnity, seeing we are to celebrate the Lord's Supper next sabbath. Let us see how we are disposed: for God will not have us come to him as liars and deceivers. Therefore, let us see if we are disposed to receive God, not as a guest that travelleth by the way, but as him that hath chosen us for his dwelling place forever: yea, as him that hath dedicated us to himself, as his temples; that we may be as a house built upon a rock. We must receive God by faith, and be made truly one with our Lord Jesus Christ, as I have already shown.
And are these things practised among us? Nay; on the contrary, we seem to despise God, and as it were, put Jesus Christ to flight, that he may no more be acquainted with us. Observe the disorder that is among us; should I enumerate the difficulties, where should I make an end? Let everyone open his eyes! It is impossible for us to think of the confusion that reigns among us now-a-days, without being amazed, if we have any fear of God before us. Men flatter and please themselves in their sins, and have become as stocks and stones; so that in us is fulfilled that which was spoken by
the prophet; namely, that we have a spirit of drunkenness, and a spirit of slumber, and can discern nothing.
As I have already observed, if we had any fear of God before our eyes, we should be cast down in ourselves, and not only be ashamed, but detest such confusion as is seen among us both in publick and private. We see men so far out of the way, that one would think they were disposed to lift up themselves against God, and do contrary to his will. Thus, it seemeth that the word of God serveth to harden men in wickedness; for they seem to be at defiance with him both in publick and private; as I have already observed. We daily hear blasphemies, perjuries, and other contempts of God's name: we see that there is disorder among us; that we are so far from honouring God, that many act as hypocrites, while others withdraw themselves from all order of the church, and are worse than the Turks and Heathens.
As for my part, I may say, that I am ashamed to preach the word of God among you; seeing there is so much confusion and disorder manifested. And could I have my wish, I would desire God to take me out of this world. We may boast that we have a reformation among us, and that the gospel is preached to us; but all this is against us, unless we attend to the duty which God hath enjoined upon us. It is long ago that God warned us, and it is to be feared he will speak no more in mercy, but will raise his mighty arm against us in judgment.
Therefore, let us take heed to ourselves; for these things are not spoken to stir us up against God, but that we may know our faults, and learn to be more and more displeased with ourselves, that we may not become hardened against God. For he calleth us to repentance, and showeth that he is ready to receive us to mercy, if we return and embrace the promises, and fear the threatenings, contained in his gospel. Those that are in publick office, ought to be diligent in their duty, that justice may not be violated.
Those that are appointed ministers of the word, should have a zeal to purge out all filthiness and pollution from among the people.
We should so examine and cleanse ourselves, that when we receive the supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may be more and more confirmed in his grace; that we may be ingrafted into his body, and be truly made one with him; that all the promises we perceive in the gospel, may be better confirmed in us. We must know that he is our life, and that we live in him, as he dwelleth in us: and thus we know that God owneth and taketh us for his children. Therefore, we should be the more earnest to call upon him, and trust in his goodness, that he may so govern us by his holy spirit, that poor ignorant creatures may through our example be brought into the right way. For we see many at this day, who are in the way to destruction. May we attend to what God hath enjoined upon us, that he would be pleased to show his grace, not only to one city or a little handful of people, but that he would reign over all the world; that every one may serve and worship him in spirit and in truth.