and Confidence The Power of the Apostles extended to all the Churches and was equal in them all when they were planted and therefore Paul saith The care 2 Cor. 11. 28. of all the Churches came upon him daily And as a Fruit of this Care in the discharge of his Office he gives forth this Commission to Titus and herein we must consider him as acting by virtue of that Authority which himself had received from Christ who is the first Subject and Head of all Ecclesiastical Power and Jurisdiction There is no such thing as Authority in or over the Church but what is derived from Christ who hath all Mat. 28. 19. Power in Heaven and Earth committed to him 2. The Person imployed viz. Titus had the Character and Office of an Evangelist The Evangelists were also extraordinary Ministers tho' inferior to the Apostles and did usually attend the motion and direction of the Apostles as assistant to them in preaching the Gospel and setling the Churches in due order when first planted And tho' Titus be not expresly called an Evangelist yet if we consider his Imployment and compare this Epistle to him with those written to Timothy who is particularly charged to do the Work of an Evangelist we shall have no reason 2 Tim. 4. 5. to doubt their being both in the same capacity And they acted not as Diocesan Bishops in their particular Charge but were sometimes imployed in one part of the World and sometimes in another as the Service of the Gospel required their attendance And since the ceasing of these extraordinary Officers and the compleating of the Canon of the New Testament all Church-Offices and Affairs are to be regulated and guided by the ordinary and standing Rule of the Scriptures And every particular Congregation hath not only right but is in duty bound to dispose her self in that Order and under that Rule and Government which Christ hath appointed in his Testament We shall now proceed to those things which our Text and the present Occasion calls for some further discourse of The first Instance that we have of setling Order in a Christian Church by the ordaining of ordinary Officers therein is that of the appointment of Deacons in the Church of Jerusalem Acts 6. And this also I take to be included in the general Commission here given to Titus That he should set in order the things that are wanting for it appears that the Primitive Churches had both Bishops or Elders and Deacons ordained in them when brought to that Settlement and Order which they were to continue in Phil. 1. 1. And the necessity of such an Office and Officers in the Church when the number of her Members is increased will quickly appear as it did in the Church at Jerusalem for When the number of the Disciples Act. 6. v. 1. was multiplyed there arose a murmuring of the Grecians or Hellenists against the Hebrews because their Widows were neglected in the daily Ministration * Judaei sie distinguebantur Judaei Palestini qui hîc Hebraei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui hîc Hellenistae sive Graecienses qui peculiarâ— utebantur dialecto quam Heilenisticam vocant Drus vid. etiam Grot. Lights in locum The Grecians here mentioned were not Gentiles or Greeks by Nation but such of the scattered Jews who having their Education among the Greeks and speaking their Language were called Hellenists in distinction from those born and bred up in Judea that spake the common Jewish Language which was then a kind of Chaldaeo-Syriack and is called the Hebrew Tongue Acts 22. 2. because of its then common use among the Hebrews or Seed of Abraham in Judaea and with respect to this Paul affirms of himself that he was an Hebrew of the Hebrews Phil. 3. 5. Now upon this murmuring of the Hellenists for the prevention of all disorder or neglect of this kind for the future The twelve called the V. 2 3 4. multitude of the Disciples unto them and told them That it was unreasonable for them to be taken off from the more weighty imploiment of preaching the Gospel to give their attendance upon an Affair of this nature and therefore that they might be at liberty to give themselves continually to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word and yet the necessities of the poor and orderly dispensing of the Churches Almes be provided for also They commanded them to look out from among themselves seven Men of honest Report full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom whom they might appoint over this Business which was accordingly done This is in V. 5 6. short the History of the first Ordination of Deacons and because in this case what was first in this kind was to be the Rule and Standard of what should afterwards be done we shall take a review of some Passages for our present Instruction And First A Deacon being an ordinary Officer in the Church appointed to minister therein for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Non ipsi eligunt sed multitudini electionem permittunt qui etiam commodum erant ex illorum curatione functione percepturi atque ipsi eligunt producunt manibus imposiâ—is ordinant creant atque declarant Theoph. in locum Relief of the Poor The Election of these Officers of right belongs to that Congregation where they are to serve in this Capacity And the Holy Apostles tho' vested with an extraordinary Power and peculiarly intrusted by Christ with the appointment of such an Office and Officers after they had informed the Church thereabout and given them a Rule to proceed by left them to their own voluntary and free choice Secondly The Number here appointed viz. Seven was suited to the present Necessity or Convenience of that numerous Congregation in which they were to minister and is not intended as a Rule that neither more nor fewer may be appointed in any Congregation after but that is to be determined by a due comparing of the End of the Office with the Circumstances of each particular Congregation who are to govern their Choice in point of Number as may best answer the end in a sufficient Provision for their present necessity and comfort of their Poor Thirdly The Rule of the Churches proceeding in her Election is laid before her in an account of those Qualifications which are requisite in Persons to be imployed in such a Trust They must be Men of honest Report Men whose Innocent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Holy Life is well attested Persons of known and approved Integrity full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom And these general Terms are comprehensive of the Particulars mentioned by our Apostle in that Rule which he hath given about the same Matter in 1 Tim. 3. 8 9. Likewise must the Deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much Wine not greedy of filthy Lucre holding the Mystery of the Faith in a pure Conscience And
it is an examination and tryal of the Persons to be chosen by this Rule which the Apostle intends in the next words ver 10. And let these also first be proved then let them use the Office of a Deacon being found blameless And this I the rather mention that I may rectify a Mistake which I think many have taken up from a misunderstanding of this Text wherein they suppose that the Apostle requires that a Trial should be made of Elders and Deacons in the discharge of the proper Work of their Office before they are ordained to that Office But this way of Trial is as forreign from the Text as the notion asserted is inconsistent with it self for observe He doth not say Try whether they use the Office of a Deacon well which how can they do before they have it and then let them be ordained if for some time they have acquitted themselves well in it But the Trial he requires is antecedent to their using the Office of a Deacon and is no other than a diligent comparing of the Qualifications of the Persons with the Characters of one meet for such an Office which he had before set down This I take to be the plain sence of the words And if this be not admitted we must suppose the Rule of one Apostle to contradict the practice of others acting by the same infallible Guidance as he wrote which is absurd For it is plain in this of the Acts that they were directed to examine and look into the Qualifications and fitness of the Persons to be chosen for Deacons before they made choice of them and that the Apostles did by a solemn Ordination vest them with their Office before they acted in it or used the Office of a Deacon Fourthly As to the Work of a Deacon The Care of the Poor is their special Charge And in order hereunto the Contributions and Alms of the Church are to be deposited with them and intrusted to their distribution as particular Cases may require I shall now draw to a close of this Point and pass on to what remains when I have spoken a word or two 1. To those who are this day ordained and appointed to the Office of Deacons 2. To the Congregation that hath called them to this Office First To the Deacons There are four things that I shall recommend to you as necessary in the discharge of that Trust that is committed to you viz. Faithfulness Compassion Prudence and Diligence 1. Faithfulness You have a Trust committed to you viz. the Alms and Contributions of the Church which are indeed a kind of hallowed or dedicated things and this is a considerable Trust yea the poor Members of Christ which are dear to him as the Apple of his Eye are committed to your Care so far as conceres their Relief and Succour in outward things and this is a greater Trust you are in these things Stewards for the Church yea Stewards for Christ and it is required of a Steward that he be found faithful consider therefore the Duty of your Places and make Conscience of a faithful discharge thereof as knowing you must give an account to Christ who hath appointed you to this Service and with him there is no respect of Persons 2. Compassion Your Business and Employment is to relieve the Necessities of the poor Saints and this you can never do with a right Spirit unless you have a fellow-feeling with them in their Necessities and do by a gracious Sympathy as it were put your selves in their stead He that gives must do it with chearfulness and that he will never do if Compassion have not first filled his Heart Remember that this Office in the Church is a Fruit of Christ's Pity and Compassion for the Poor and it is your Duty to make your distributions in that manner as may best represent the pity and tenderness of him whom you serve in this Work 3. Prudence Your Pity must be guided by Discretion And as it is required that a Deacon should have a plentiful anointing of the good and benign Spirit that he may be kind and affectionately tender towards his Brethren so it is no less necessary that he be full of Wisdom also that he may rightly discern of the Case and Circumstances of those that are to be relieved by him And that he may carry an equal ballance in his Ministration between the encouraging of Idleness on the one hand and neglect of the real Distresses of any on the other both these are extreams to be avoided And it is certain that there is so great a difference in the temper of Persons that there will be need of diligent enquiry after the necessities of some whose modesty would hide them more than is meet while the unreasonable importunity of others needs a prudent check 4. Diligence It is a Service for Christ that you are imployed in and the Work of the Lord must not be done negligently your Heart must be in your Work and you must not do it tanquam aliud agens as by the By with a slight and indifferent Spirit But as Hezekiah did the Work of God in his place whose Encomium is That in 2 Chron. 31. ult every Work that he began in the Service of the House of God and in the Law and Commandments to seek his God he did it with all his Heart And know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord for there is no Service except that which immediately respects the saving of Mens Souls more acceptable to Christ than that which you are engaged in Secondly To the Congregation It is your Duty to give respect to your Deacons as esteeming their Service in the Church useful and honourable For he that useth the Office of a Deacon well 1 Tim. 3. 13. purchaseth to himself a good degree and great boldness in the Faith which is in Christ Jesus But especially your Duty is to incourage them in their Work by a free and plentiful contribution to the Poor that out of the abundance of those that enjoy plenty they may always have a sufficiency to provide for the relief of those that suffer want Many things might be urged for the opening of your Hearts to so good a Work But my present time will not admit of enlargement on this Head I shall now proceed to the next thing that lies before us viz. The ordaining of Elders in every City or Church which was particularly given in Charge unto Titus Bishops or Elders are ordinary Officers in the Church of Divine Right and Appointment and are to be continued therein to the end of the World Their Office is superior to that of Deacons as more nearly concerning the Good and Edification of the Church by so much as the care and conduct of Mens Souls doth transcend the care of the outward Man and supplies of temporal Life The care which the Apostles took for this Provision in the Church we have seen something
A SERMON PREACHED AT THE ORDINATOIN OF AN Elder and Deacons IN A Baptized Congregation In LONDON By N. C. Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. 2. 16. LONDON Printed for Tho. Fabian at the Bible in Saint Paul's Church-Yard a corner Shop next Cheap-side 1681. TITUS 1. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee THe general Design and Scope of these Words is obvious to the observation of every one that reads them The great Apostle of the Gentiles had with good success laboured in preaching the Gospel to the Cretians and being himself removed from them after he had as a wise Master-builder laid the Foundation of many Churches of Christians in Crete he left Titus among them to build thereupon And while he was resident there Paul sends this Epistle to him to remind him of that Service for Christ in his Churches that he had left upon his Hands whereby he doth not only quicken him to his Work but also furnishes him with full and clear Directions for the right management thereof In the Account that our Text gives of the Reason for which Paul left Titus in Grete the Service which he was there to be imployed in is set down 1. In more general and comprehensive terms That thou shouldest set in order the things which are wanting 2. In a more particular Account of one special Charge left upon him And ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee That which we have do in the first Place is briefly to open to you what needs explication in the words The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is rendred set in order is no where else used in the New Testament nor in the Version of the Old by the Septuagint that I can find divers learned Interpreters do here render it by Corrigas that thou shouldest correct And Erasmus in his Notes frames a word more expressive of its Emphasis supercorrigas which imports to correct with accuracy and exactness as one that goes over a Work again that he may be sure to leave no blemish upon it or defect in it Some understand this part of Titus his Charge to respect the correction of the manners of the Cretians by reproof and sound Doctrine and with this sense the Arabick Version fully concurs Vt res vitiosas corrigas That thou shouldst correct the things that are faulty And it is evident in the sequel of the Epistle That this was one part of his Work But I conceive this is not so immediately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 q. d. Supercorrigo quod plus est quam Corrigo ea quae aliquâ ex parte correcta sunt ad limam summam lineam perduco Heins in loc intended by this term but rather The settlement and disposing of things relating to the Offices and Government in the House of God and the Order of their Communion in the Church who were Members of it in a full and exact agreement with the Rule of Christ's Appointment which the Apostle had not time to bring to perfection during his stay with them And this sense very well agrees with the use of a term of near affinity with this in our Text viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Heb. 9. 10. where the Days of the Gospel are called the Times of Reformation because in them the State of the Church is brought to its utmost perfection here on Earth and all that was wanting in the Law is fully supplied in the New Testament The Edification and Beauty of the Church is much concerned in her Order not such an Order as Superstition will dictate or litigious Nicety contend for but such as we have already described which sets her in a conformity with Christ's Will and particularly the filling up of the Offices which he hath appointed with Persons duly qualified for the administration of them and the regular acting both of Officers and Members in their respective places The particular Charge given to Titus is To ordain Elders in every City This is to be explained by conference with Act. 14. 23. where the practice of the Apostles themselves is recorded And having ordained them Elders in every Church c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the same in these Texts The Converts in every City were not then so numerous but they might conveniently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et cum suftragiis creassent Erasm Vox orta ex more Graecorum qui porrectis manibus suffragia ferebant Bez. come together in one place for the Worship of God and so to ordain them Elders in every City was to do it in every Church And tho' these first Ordinations were by extraordinary Men yet the People were not excluded from the just right of chusing their own Ministers for they were appointed to their Charge with the concurrent Vote and Suffrage of the People Howbeit Titus was to preside in the management of this Affair for their Guidance and Direction both with respect to the Office it self and their choice of Persons duly qualified for it In the next place for the more full opening of the Text it will be necessary briefly to touch upon the Quality and Character of those Persons which we here find concerned in the setting of things in order in the Churches And 1. The Person that imployed Titus in this Service viz. Paul bears the Character and had the Office and Authority of an Apostle of Jesus Christ The Apostles had an immediate and extraordinary Call to their Office by God and our Lord Jesus Christ Hence our Apostle when he would represent to the Galatians the Dignity of his Office that he might recover them to a stability in that Doctrine which he had preached to them tells them Gal. 1. 1. that he was an Apostle not of Men neither by Man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father Ordinary Ministers as Pastors or Elders tho they were not of Men that is receive not their Authority from Men nor are of humane right and appointment yet are they by Men so as to be brought to their Office by the Call of the Church But it was not so with the Apostles of Christ they were neither of Men nor by Men but had their Call and Power immediately from Christ their Ministry being antecedent to the Church as that by which it was to be planted And as they had an extraordinary Call so were they also qualified with extraordinary Gifts and Abilities for the Work they were called to and had the infallible guidance of the Spirit in their Doctrine which was but necessary seeing the Churches were to be founded and built thereupon Ephes 2. 20. The Apostles and Prophets of the New Testament are the Foundation in respect of their Doctrine tho' Jesus Christ whom they preached is the only Foundation of the Church in respect of Trust
enforce it but what are obvious to every one's Eye in the reading of them And he deserves not the Name of a Minister Pastor or Bishop that labours not herein It will not I suppose be expected that I should here lay down Rules for Preaching or enter into a Discourse about the Method of Theological Studies in order thereunto Only give me leave at present to recommend three things to those that are under so strict and solemn a Charge to preach the Gospel 1. Let your Care be to deal with the Souls and Consciences of Men as knowing that it is the Salvation of Souls which you are to labour after a Care of Souls that is committed to you and an account of them that you must make to God It is not your Business to gratify the itching Ears or wanton Fancies of Men Jerome complains of some in his Time That Id habent curae non quomodo Scripturarum medullas ebibant sed quomodo aures Populi declamatorum flosculis mulceant but to speak to their Hearts and by manifestation of the Truth to recommend your selves to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4. 2. Lay out your pains in a solid explaining of the Principles of Religion and a judicious accommodation of them to practice that sincere Piety and the power of Godliness may be promoted by your Ministry Press the particular Duties of Men in every Relation and Capacity upon them warn them of the sleights of Satan rebuke their Errors and Disorders that go astray comfort the Afflicted and broken in Heart And in these things let no Zeal Diligence Boldness Industry or Labour be wanting 2. That this may be accomplished Be sure that you speak as the Oracles of God and deliver that 1 Pet. 4. 11. Doctrine to the People which is drawn from the pure Fountain of God's Word It is no less than the Evidence of Divine Authority that will work upon the Soul and command the Conscience of a Man whether it be by way of Comfort Exhortation or Reproof it is the stamp of Heaven upon the Things delivered by you that renders them powerful Let it therefore be your principal care in Preaching clearly to open and pertinently to apply the Scriptures that your Hearers may bear away this Conviction from your Sermons That you have the Mind of Christ It is not enough that the things you speak be true but you must manifest them to be so by strong and convincing Proofs Make Conscience of giving what in you lies the very sence of the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures that you speak to and weaken not excellent Truths by wringing them out of such Texts as intend another thing The word of God is Sacred and must be handled with all religious respect and reverence Divine Things will admit of no trifling 3. Remember that the Duty of your Place is Not to preach your selves but Christ Jesus the 2 Cor. 4. 5. Lord His Glory must be the Mark aimed at by all your Labours and his Grace the principal Subject of all your Discourses It is not a Philosophick Harangue that will save the Souls of Men but the preaching of Christ Crucified His 1 Cor. 1. 23. Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation to them Rom. 1. 16. that believe and his Holy Name is the Ointment that perfumes all Religious Exercises Therefore I will not only say Let there be Aliquid Christi something of Christ in every Sermon but let Christ be the beginning middle and end of your Discourses for in him are hid all the Treasures of Colos 2. 3. Wisdom and Knowledg in him is the Fountain and Head-spring of all true Comfort and Holiness So much for the first Thing 2dly Unto the publick Work and Charge of a Bishop or Elder belongs also the Administration of the Sacraments or Ordinances of positive Institution in the Church as Baptism and the Lord's Supper This appertains to that Dispensation of the Mysteries of God that is committed to him and to that feeding of the Sheep of Christ which is required of him And then 3dly It is his Duty to take care of the due exercise of Discipline in the Church and the right ordering of all things pertaining to the Government thereof He is the Overseer of God's House Heb. 13. 17. and is to rule therein not in a despotical or lordly Way but by the Testament of Christ as becomes a Minister and as one set over the Lord's Heritage who are a voluntary People and to be governed not with force and rigor but with their own consent All the Brethren have an Interest in the management of Church-Affairs in the admission and ejection of Members yet this denies not a peculiar Concernment of the Elder in these things and a neglect of their due Administration will especially be charged upon him if guilty thereof And in these things great Prudence Tenderness Diligence and Impartiality is required of him It is a Matter of great importance that the Gates of the Lord's House the goings out and comings in thereof be well look'd to If Members be not received with due caution our Number may be increased but not our Joy and if any be precipitantly and without just grounds ejected the scandal and inconvenience will be as great And in all these things an Elder must endeavour so to demean himself that in the whole course of his Ministry there may be kept up a very lively representation of the Love Care Wisdom Compassion Faithfulness and Patience of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he serves I shall say no more of those Duties that are incumbent on a Pastor in the publick Exercise of his Ministry But in the next place Secondly There are also Duties of great importance to the Souls of Men which an Elder is bound diligently to attend the discharge of in a more private and particular way He is obliged to a constant watchfulness for and over his People and ought diligently to enquire and search into the state of his Flock That those who are in danger to err for want of counsel may be directed the unruly warned and rebuked feeble and dejected Souls strengthened comforted and encouraged and those that are beset with Difficulties and Temptations succoured and relieved Unto an unwearied diligence in these things Paul excites the Elders of the Church at Ephesus by his own Example You know saith he how I kept Act. 20. 18 c. back nothing that was profitable for you but have shewed you and have taught you publickly and from House to House The like he doth to those of Thessalonioa 1 Thess 2. 10 11 12. Ye are Witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a Father doth his Children That you would walk worthy of God c. And again Col. 1. 28 29. Whom viz.